School Board Gives Final Stamp Of Approval To Budget

The Fulton County School Board at its Tuesday meeting unanimously approved a $1.27 billion total operating budget for the 2015-2016 school year.

“This is a sound budget that provides strategically focused funding toward the recruitment and retention of our employees,” said Interim Superintendent Kenneth Zeff. “Quality instruction is our top priority, and to do that, we need to support our teachers and staff with appropriate compensation that rewards their service and commitment.”

Unique to this year’s budget is a tiered approach for the application of teacher raises. The raise will range from 4 to 8 percent, depending on a teacher’s years of experience as reflected on the district’s teacher salary schedules.

Specifically, teachers on Steps 0-5 will receive a 4 percent raise; those on Steps 6-20 will receive an 8 percent raise; and those on Steps 21 and above will receive a 4 percent raise. Where applicable, teachers will also receive a step increase.

The budget also includes a 3 percent raise plus a step increase, where applicable, for eligible non-teaching employees, such as central office and school support staff.

“We’re pleased to approve a budget that provides raises and step increases,” added Linda McCain, school board president. “Georgia has faced tough budget cycles for many years, and for Fulton, this meant trimming where we could to reduce expenses but without impacting instruction. Due to our district’s diligent financial oversight over the years, we’re in a stronger financial position than ever before.”

The Fulton County Schools System is the only metro Atlanta district that has been able to offer some financial increase to its employees for four consecutive years, including a 3 percent salary increase two years ago, and the elimination of furlough days five years ago.

This year, the district also is offering signing bonuses, ranging from $1,000 to $2,500, to new teaching recruits.

Instruction – at nearly 67 percent of the general fund – remains the largest allocation of the budget, with the remaining 33 percent budgeted for pupil transportation, maintenance and operations, and other administrative functions. The budget also keeps class sizes the same and does not include any staff reductions or furlough days for employees.

A combined millage rate of 18.502 also is proposed, and if approved later this summer, it will remain the same for a sixth consecutive year.

Breakdown of the fiscal year 2016 budget includes:

• General Fund: $920,813,893
• School Nutrition Fund: $41,578,757
• Debt Service Fund: $19,986,472
• Special Revenue Fund: $51,038,178
• Capital Program Fund: $181,801,902
• Pension Fund: $33,784,979
• Student Activity Fund: $20,000,000
• Total All Funds: $1,269,004,181

In 2013, Fulton County Schools adopted a new budgeting approach, called “modified zero-based budgeting,” that closely aligns funding needs with the district’s priorities.

The fiscal year 2016 budget was developed using this process and it required that the budget be developed from the bottom up and based on demonstrated need rather than just approving incremental increases or decreases.

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