Fulton County Schools could lose $21 million from the $857 million budget the school board approved in June “as a result of the state’s financial situation,” Superintendent Cindy Loe said in a Sept. 24 address.
Loe, who became superintendent in April, said she is “delighted to be opening my first full school year.”
Because of the downturn in the economy, the board has “had to take a number of cost-saving measures already,” she said.
The system has delayed the adoption of new language arts textbooks by a year, delaying a $10 million expense. All central office budgets have been cut by 5 percent, saving $1.5 million. The system has instituted a hiring freeze for noninstructional positions. A $3.2 million instructional reserve has been frozen. Field trips and overtime have been reduced, and a countywide courier service was eliminated.
“While many of these cuts are significant, we have attempted to impact the school environment as little as possible,” she said. “Please be assured, though, we will get through these budget challenges together.”