The general fund budget for the 2013-14 school year goes to the Board of Education Tuesday night, June 25,  for its consideration and final adoption ahead of the July 1 requirement to have a budget in place. 

Similar to prior years, state resources fund about 65% of general operations with local resources covering 34%.  The state is cutting what we earn under its funding formula by 14% next year - about $6.7 million . Federal funds cover a small piece of general operations.

Property tax makes up the largest piece of local resources, as usual, and we don't expect any change to the millage rate for bills issued in the fall.  

On the expenditure side, personnel costs (salaries and benefits) make up 85% of the total.  

• We anticipate no work schedule adjustment days next year,
• have full school and work years for students and staff, plus
• we've asked the Board to consider a 1% pay increase for all staff, the first increase in four years.

Significant increases to the employer's share of health insurance costs, up almost 33% on classified employees alone, drive up the cost of employing our staff. Health insurance costs are staggering, and there is no real end in sight.

Our system is not standing still by any means. Funding has been included in the budget to  

• start a virtual program (on-line learning for students not currently part of GSCS) and 
• explore the opportunity to create a college and career academy in partnership with community and education leaders across a four to five county region
•  to restore full time counselors in each elementary school as well as maintain school resource officers in each secondary school.  

In response to a school-driven priority, we are funding an instructional technology trainer to work with teachers on the best ways to incorporate technology resources into student instruction. This initiative ties into a current SPLOST priority to equip classrooms to "21st century standards."

Sustainability continues to be a key word during budget preparation. Too many systems have experienced the roller coaster effects of major cuts followed by funding restoration only to experience major cuts again. We want to provide a consistent educational experience for our students by looking long-term when considering items to cut or restore in the budget. Our financial position is strong, given current conditions, and provides time to consider decisions that impact the next three to five years. These are exciting times and challenging times. But, this is the time we have to positively impact our students.   

June 18, 2013 - The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) has developed the foundational courses for its Career Clusters/Pathways, a new high school model that will begin with this fall's freshman class.

The courses are part of a law passed by the Georgia General Assembly in 2011, authorizing Georgia to follow the Career Clusters Framework. Under the new model, students - with the help of parents, teachers and guidance counselors - choose a pathway in one of 17 Career Clusters, or in the areas of Advanced Academics, Fine Arts and World Languages. Students select their pathway based on what they want to do after graduation and take a core set of classes coupled with electives based on their chosen field. They have the freedom to switch pathways or clusters if they discover a particular area is not their passion. Students can choose pathways that lead to two-year or four-year colleges, technical colleges or directly into careers.

"Too many students drop out of school because they can't make the connection between what they're doing in class and what they want to do after graduation. We have to make high school relevant for students," said State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge. "Our new Career Pathways will keep students engaged and on the road to graduation."

Joseph Harrison, a Culinary Arts student at The Newton College and Career Academy, thought about dropping out of high school until he found his passion.

"Attending The Newton College and Career Academy this year was an eye opening experience for me," said Harrison. "Prior to attending NCCA, I had a very dim outlook on the world of academia. School seemed somewhat pointless to me and I had no drive or goals. I found my passion when I was given the opportunity to work with my hands and truly exploit my talents. I found something I truly love to do and am utterly excited for the future now that I have discovered this passion."

The state Board of Education finalized the foundational courses for Career Clusters/Pathways at a meeting in May. The courses were developed after months of research and input from business - led by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce - and higher education leaders in Georgia. GaDOE is also developing the elective courses for each cluster, which will go before the board in coming months.

"The Career Clusters/Pathways model gives students the chance to find a career path that will keep them engaged and more likely to complete high school prepared for jobs or further education and training," said Chris Clark, President/CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. "We applaud Superintendent Barge for his willingness to involve the business community in this process and look forward to continuing to support this important initiative."

The Career Clusters/Pathways

Sample graduation plans for each pathway have been posted on the department's website so that students and parents can see what options are available in Georgia's high schools.  

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