"It certainy appears that we're going to see an increase in the millage rate," said Hall County School Superintendent Will Schofield. "What we're going to advertise and have hearings on is a millage rate of 19.25."
The current millage rate is 18.94.
In addition to a $17 million reduction in funding from the state and an additional $3.2 million contribution to employee insurance and teacher retirement, the district also is facing a hit in property tax collections.
"A little bit of a surprise we got last Friday was an additional 2.5-percent drop in the local property tax digest," said Schofield. That represents about $1 million in lost revenues.
The $200 million budget does include a $600 pay increase for teachers, but with days added back to the school calendar, Schofield said that actually means a per day rate for teacher pay will drop a few dollars.
Public hearings on the millage rate increase are scheduled for Monday, June 17 at 5 p.m. and Monday, June 24 at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
All meetings will be held in the Hall County School District Central Office Conference Room at 711 Green Street in Gainesville.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2013/6/262180