GAINESVILLE - Gainesville School Board members approved a slightly lower millage rate Monday night with hopes that more millage rate reductions are in the future.
Chief Financial Officer Janet Allison told the Board at their work session she was pleased to recommend a millage rate slightly lower than the rate last year, adding that the recommended rate for school debt is stable, remaining the same as last year.
The tax mill rate dropped from last year's 7.41 to 7.39 mills, saving the $100,000 home owner about two dollars. Chairman David Syfan said if the economy and system finances improve, he wants to do it again.
"We were glad we were able to reduce the millage a little bit," Syfan said. "We just have to see how the economy improves and where we go from here."
Syfan credited the entire system staff for reducing expenditures and cutting costs to make the millage reduction possible
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"The entire staff basically contributed to us getting back in the black, that team effort from everyone was the most important factor," Syfan added.
Also, state funding was maximized by targeted efforts to ensure accurate student and certified personnel numbers and collection of delinquent taxes with penalties and interest helped restore the district's positive financial position.
RACE TO THE TOP
Gainesville School Superintendent Dr. Merrianne Dyer said the system is in line for its share of Race to the Top funding pending federal approval and could start receiving the money next month. She said she learned how much Gainesville would get a Race to the Top staff meeting in Atlanta.
"One hundred and 99 million dollars would be divvied out to 26 school districts," Dyer said. "It looks about $1.6-million will come to us."
Dr. Dyer said the schools are getting about half of the $400-million Race to the Top funding for Georgia, with half of it taken out for administrative costs. The four year annual funding would support improving standards and science, engineering, and math teaching programs.
Friday
October 18th, 2024
10:26AM
