Fulton Schools Officially Approves 2014 Budget

The Fulton County School Board unanimously approved a $1.17 billion total operating budget for the 2013-2014 school year, during its meeting Tuesday, June 4.

The budget reflects a .6 percent decrease from last year and no increase in millage property taxes, yet includes a 3 percent salary increase for employees and a 10 percent increase in academic and athletic supplements. Instruction – at nearly 67 percent of the general fund – remains the largest allocation of the proposed budget, with the remaining 33 percent budgeted for pupil transportation, maintenance and operations and other administrative functions.

"I want to thank the school board for their strong financial oversight, both during this budget season and in past years," said Superintendent Robert Avossa. "It has put us in a position where more money is directed to the classroom while also providing a raise for all staff, no furlough days, and no increase in school taxes. We are in a better financial situation today than many other school systems, and it’s because of the school board’s fiscal diligence."

General Fund

$837,473,091

School Nutrition Service Fund

$42,687,233

Debt Service Fund

$21,082,032

Special Revenue Fund

$48,102,644

Capital Program Fund

$203,801,412

Student Activity Fund

$19,807,100

Total All Funds

$1,172,953,512

The budget also accommodates for enrollment growth, rising healthcare costs and contributions to the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia, which are major expenditures as well as the salary increase for employees. No furlough days are included for employees, and if the suggested 18.502 millage rate is approved later this summer, there will be no millage increase for homeowners.

Decreased state and federal funding coupled with an increase in local fair share funding have made funds tighter for school systems, and in response, Fulton tightened its belt over the past several years and implemented cost saving measures, such as increased class sizes. However, the FY 2014 budget keeps class sizes the same as last year.

Fulton County Schools adopted a new budgeting approach this year that closely aligns funding needs with the district’s priorities. The FY 2014 budget was developed using a process called "modified zero-based budgeting," which requires that the budget be developed from the bottom up and based on demonstrated need rather than just approving incremental increases or decreases.

"I applaud Dr. Avossa and his budget team for developing the modified zero-based budgeting process," Schultz, who represents Roswell, previously told Patch.

Pension Board appointed
The school board also appointed a five-member Pension Board in response to recent legislation. In May, Governor Deal signed Act 136 (formerly House Bill 380) regarding the governance of the Fulton County School Employee Pension Fund. Administration of the pension fund is now carried out under the direction of the Fulton County Board of Education by a committee known as the "Pension Board."

Appointed to serve are:

• Steve Curry, a retired Fulton County Schools administrator
• Ferman Estrada, a former Fulton County Schools teacher/employee
• Gregory Haitz, an active Fulton County Schools teacher/employee
• Robert (Sam) Ham, an active Fulton County Schools teacher/employee
• Dr. Natalie Lambright, a former Fulton County Schools teacher/employee

"This is an opportunity for the school board to provide additional oversight to the retirement funds that our employees have worked so hard for," said Linda Schultz, president of the school board. "The appointment of this Pension Board does not change any of the benefits under the plan, but it will provide extra checks and balances to make sure it is protected and managed appropriately."

Superintendent Robert Avossa serves as chair of the Pension Board but is a non-voting, ex-officio member. Robert Morales, chief financial officer, and David Helton, executive director of Fiscal Services, also serve as ex-officio members.

Strategic Plan update
Also at the work session, the school board received a quarterly update on the progress of Strategic Plan 2017: Building Our Future. At this update, the board heard progress about three initiatives – Continuous Achievement and Customized Learning, Effective Assessment, and Tailored Supports. The initiatives, which are part of the first year of the strategic plan, provide focused support and governance of different aspects of the plan while also creating greater accountability and more transparency.

The "Continuous Achievement and Customized Learning" strategic initiative focuses on four key deliverables – a revised Continuous Achievement framework, mastery-based assessments, K-12 digital content for standards mastery and recovery, and professional learning for teachers on Curriculum Compacting and teaching in a Blended Learning Environment. Although the initiative is in its first year of development, progress has been seen in a revamped districtwide Continuous Achievement model and a remapped K-8 math curriculum to set Algebra I as an eighth-grade on-level option. The district also launched virtual learning labs in each high school.

The "Effective Assessment" strategic initiative focuses on creating a balanced assessment plan and feedback system as well as placement and course mastery tests. Goals achieved so far include administering the ACT WorkKeys assessment to all high school seniors as well as developing new Continuous Achievement placement tests for elementary and middle schools.

The "Tailored Support" strategic initiative focuses on redesigning counseling services to leverage systemwide technology improvements and future assessments, and to provide training that incorporates best practices and innovation. As a result, school counselors are receiving professional development through the American School Counselor Association and implementing new practices that focus on Comprehensive College & Career Counseling – or C4WARD.

Charter System update

The Strategy and Innovation team provided the school board with an update on the first year of the charter system transition. During the 2012-2013 school year, 20 schools – called "Cohort 1" schools – transitioned to a new local school governance model and focused on the election, appointment, training and certification of School Governance Councils. As part of the charter system model, the councils are responsible for approving the school’s strategic plan and budget recommendations and developing innovations that support the unique needs of the school community.

The second year of the charter system will focus on transitioning 37 additional schools – called Cohort 2 – to the School Governance Council model. Cohort 1 schools will be supported during their strategic planning and the Request for Flexibility process will be finalized. A Request for Flexibility is a proposal to the superintendent to waive state laws or district policies in order to implement a school‐based strategy. The request must undergo a 30‐day public comment period and receive a two-thirds vote of the School Governance Council before being approved by the superintendent.