DeKalb County Schools approved major cuts and a property tax increase in its new budget on Thursday. The 2012-13 budget includes hundreds of layoffs, an increase in class size and more furlough days.
At times, it was contentious meeting as the DeKalb County School Board decided how to cut $85 million out of their budget.
"I'm asking the state to have a criminal investigation into the finance and the human resources department," said school board member Paul Womack.
By a slim 5-to-4 vote, the board did decide on a tax increase and budget cuts. They'll lay off 200 paraprofessionals, increase class size by two students per class and add two new furlough days. The budget also includes a 1 mill tax increase.
"The millage increase, which was key, $14.8 million – that's about $80 a year on $200,000 home in the county," said DeKalb County Schools spokesperson Walter Woods.
The Fernbank Science Center will also see most of its funding go away.
"Fernbank's budget is cut about two-thirds, but it will still be operating as a fully-functioning science center for children but its budget will be cut, both in positions and programs," said Woods.
Shirley Weldon and many other DeKalb County paraprofessionals showed up at the school board meeting to fight for their jobs.
"The kids need us cause a lot of times if we're not there, a lot of the work won't get done because the teacher can't do it by herself," said Shirley Weldon, a paraprofessional.
But board members say with such a large shortfall because of a drop in property taxes, painful choices were necessary.
"We've got to get our spending under control," said Womack.
The new budget will produce an $8 million surplus. Board members said that surplus will go into their reserve fund, which has been depleted.
DeKalb County Schools approved major cuts and a property tax increase in its new budget on Thursday.
DeKalb County Schools will resume its budget cut proposals on Thursday.
