The Superintendent's recommended budget includes only one figure that remained the same between 2010-11 and 2011-12 - the capital outlay request to the Board of County Commissioners. In both years GCS has requested an amount equivalent to our 2008-09 funding of $7 million. However, since that time our funding has reduced sharply to $3.2 million this school year, and the county manager's proposal of April 7 includes a further suggested cut to $2.7 million.

Capital outlay dollars are used for a variety of projects including maintenance operations, which are concerned with the repair and upkeep of the building structures, mechanical equipment, underground utility lines and surrounding grounds of a school or other building. Schools like Hunter Elementary and Brooks Global Studies, which don't have full central air, depend on capital outlay funds to provide this necessary upgrade.

Director of Maintenance Gerald Greeson says the two biggest issues raised by the potential cuts are how to fund roofing and flooring projects. About 17 schools are in line for roofing repairs, but current funds only allow for two or three repairs per year. With the possibility of even greater cuts, says Greeson, "It's like choosing between your children."

Also at risk are efforts to replace carpeting with hard-surface flooring, an effort designed to improve indoor air quality at those schools and make cleaning easier. Schools are required by law to clean carpets at least once a year, but the funds just aren't available, Greeson says.

The County Commission will host a public hearing on the budget on May 5 at 5:30 p.m. in the Commissioners' Meeting Room, Second Floor, Old County Courthouse. More information is available on their website, or you can click here to leave a comment electronically.