Metro Atlanta School Budget Cuts Could Continue for Years: A Talk with Budget Analyst Alan Essig

WABE

May 21st, 2012

On Monday, May 21st, Cobb County became the latest metro Atlanta school system to approve major budget cuts for the coming school year. The cuts include furlough days, larger class sizes, and the elimination of 350 teaching positions. It’s part of an effort to close a budget shortfall, but Cobb County is hardly alone. Most other local school systems have also approved–or will soon approve–similar cuts. Alan Essig, executive director of the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, says this is probably not a one-year phenomenon; it could become the new normal. He spoke with WABE’s Denis O’Hayer.

Recent Atlanta-Area School Budget Cuts

Atlanta Public Schools	Board considering eliminating almost 500 jobs including teachers, bus drivers, IT staff, and custodial staff; many custodial positions may be outsourced; board will vote on new budget in June, which will go into effect July 1; link to story
Cobb County Schools	Board approved personnel cuts that eliminates more than 300 teaching positions; requires 3 furlough days for all employees; reduces 180-day school year by 3 days; link to story
Clayton County Schools	School system is facing a $40 million budget gap over the next 3 years. As a result, average class size throughout the district will be increased by 2 students; 170 teaching jobs are being phased out next year, particularly in the Career Technical and Agricultural Education program that trains students for a trade; link to story
DeKalb County Schools	School system is facing a $73 million shortfall; changes under consideration include reduction of central office staff, a 2-mill increase in property taxes, and possibly an increase in the student-to-teacher ratio of 3 students per class; board will vote on budget in June: link to story