a message from Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones 

Thank you for continuing to make great efforts in implementing the cost-saving efforts put in place more than a year ago and for continuing to find new ways to conserve. All of this is helping us reduce expenses.

Unfortunately, it looks like we're going to have more work schedule adjustment days next school year. We recently received our allotment report from the Georgia Department of Education which tells us how much money we can expect to receive from the state. Our revenues are continuing to decline. Until our revenue changes directions, we're going to have funding issues.

The latest surprise is a $1.3 million equalization funding reduction. Equalization funding is the distribution of state funds based on the wealth of the school system. All 180 systems are ranked on property tax wealth, with the least wealthy qualifying to earn equalization grants. Last year we ranked 105. We're now ranked 95^th. So we moved up and lost funding. When we combine this reduction in funding  with our increased fuel costs and employer-paid health care costs, we find that we have about $2 million that we didn't anticipate losing in revenue for 2011-12.

Nothing's for sure at this point. This information will be shared with the board of education at Tuesday's called meeting - so keep an eye out for board briefs in Communicator. We will continue to keep you informed of budget developments.

On a sad note, many of you know that Mrs. Donna Parks lost her mother this week. The funeral was today. In addition, Mrs. Denise Burrell's mother is seriously ill. I ask that you keep both Donna and Denise and their families in your prayers.  

Okay, enough of that... Let's Dare to Do Better during these last two weeks of school! Have a great weekend!

• Tickets for family members of graduates will be distributed to graduates at their high school by school personnel.
• Griffin-Spalding County School System employees must wear their school-issued badge in order to attend.

The Griffin High School graduation is scheduled for Friday, May 27, 7:00 pm at Memorial Stadium. The Spalding High School graduation is scheduled for Saturday, May 28, at 9:00 am at Memorial Stadium.

• Graduating seniors are to request tickets for the Memorial Stadium graduation from their school for family members and friends.
• Tickets are available at the schools to underclassmen.
• Griffin-Spalding County School System employees must wear their school-issued badge in order to attend.

Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones said, "In addition to tickets, ceremony attendees will observe law enforcement officers maintaining a safe environment for our graduates and their families. Streets immediately surrounding the stadium entrance will be closed to traffic, and wand handheld metal detectors will be on site." He continued, "Part of our school system's plan is to maintain a safe environment, and that's exactly what we will do."

Tuesday, May 17
Called Board Meeting
1:00 p.m. 

Wednesday, May 18
Griffin High School Seniors Honors Night
Griffin Auditorium - 6:00 p.m.

Friday, May 20
AZKA Honors Day
AZ Kelsey Family Resource Center - 9:30 a.m.

Tuesday May 24
Spalding High School Senior Honors Night
Griffin Auditorium - 7:00 p.m

Wednesday, May 25
Griffin High and Spalding High Schools Baccalaureate Service
First Assembly of God Church - 7:00 p.m.
*Ticketed Event

Thursday, May 26
AZKA Graduation
Griffin Auditorium - 9:30 a.m.
*Ticketed Event

Friday, May 27
Griffin High School Graduation
Memorial Stadium - 7:00 p.m.
*Ticketed Event

Saturday, May 28
Spalding High School Graduation
Memorial Stadium - 9:00 a.m.
*Ticketed Event

Tuesday, June 7
Board of Education Meeting
6:00 p.m.