Residents Have 3 Chances To Comment on School District's Budget

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The Cherokee County School Board will hold three public hearings on its proposed fiscal year 2016 budget.

The hearings are set for 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. July 9 and 6:30 p.m. July 22 and will be held at the historic Canton High School/School Board Auditorium.

The budget, proposed at $530 million, was tabled at the board’s June 11 meeting. The board also adopted a spending resolution while the budget remains on the table until July 22. The board is slated to adopt the budget at it July 22 meeting, which will start at 7 p.m. in the same location.

The budget includes a 180-day school calendar, class size reductions in grades 6-12; longevity step increases for eligible employees; increased hours for school nurses and the addition of nurses at the high schools; expansion of the front door security system at elementary and middle schools; and continued support of classroom technology and professional development.

“This is a budget that reflects the board’s priorities, and by extension, the community’s priorities,” Superintendent Dr. Frank Petruzielo said during the meeting. “We have a conservative budget that equals a competitive education.”

The budget also does not include a millage rate increase for property owners.

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