Barrow Journal

BY KRISTI REED

The Barrow County Board of Education is projecting a budget shortfall of $2.4 million for fiscal year 2009 and is planning to tap its reserve funds to make up the difference.

Assistant superintendant of business services Ken Cato presented preliminary budget figures to the BOE Tuesday. Cato said despite the projected deficit, the school system would remain in the black by tapping into its reserves of $7 million. The school’s fiscal year begins July 1. The system’s tax rate won’t be set until later this year.

RISING EXPENSES

Driving the projected shortfall for FY09 is that the school system’s expenses are rising faster than its income.

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The Barrow County Board of Education reviewed preliminary projections for the 2009 fiscal year budget at its meeting Tuesday night. Ken Cato, assistant superintendent of business services, presented revenue and expenditure estimates for FY09 (July 08-June 09) to the board.

Cato told the board that one of his primary concerns is the possibility of little or no growth in the Barrow County tax digest due to the economic downturn hitting the nation. At a recent Barrow County Board of Commissioners’ meeting, chief appraiser Cecil Whithead said he didn’t see the county’s tax digest going up during 2008. [ Full Story » ] 

Breakfast and lunch may cost more in Barrow County Schools next year.
After eight years without a price increase, rising food and labor costs have forced the Barrow County Board of Education to consider charging students more for cafeteria food.

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