Enthusiasm Despite Bartow Schools' Revenue Dip

By Sharon Roper 

With the downturn of the economy, drop in property home values and loss of state and federal funding, school budgets across the nation are seeing revenue fall which impacts the way they serve their communities. This situation is no different in the Bartow County School System. The 2013-2014 BCSS budget for the upcoming school year is $107,691,080. Despite significant revenue decreases at the federal, state and local levels, the tax millage rate will remain 17.90, which is a continuation of the lowest rate since 1994. 

With the state’s increases in healthcare premiums and other mandated salary schedules, personnel budgets have seen significant increases. Personnel cost are the biggest expense in a school system, of which there is little variances due to state regulations. Over the past four years, the BCSS reserve fund has helped to cover the budget deficit. BCSS has also taken the steps to reduce expenses by reducing staff, programs and department budgets. After this year, the reserve fund can no longer continue to support the revenue shortfall due to the support it has provided over the last five years. BCSS full time year employees will receive 10 furlough days and non-full time year employees will have 7 furlough days. 

BCSS aims to impact the classroom as little as possible with the revenue constraints. Classroom sizes have not significantly increased. We realize that student success is based on the effort the student puts forth daily and the ability of the teachers to provide for all of their students. Furthermore, BCSS has been fortunate to be the recipient of several million dollar grants which provide funding for specified programs, technology and other resources. In today’s school operations, grant funding is vital to expand programs and offset revenue shortfalls. 

With the changes in the state’s austerity cuts, auto sales tax and the value of property dropping, these revenue cuts are felt in schools across the state. Despite revenue shortfalls, BCSS is determined to educate all students and create lifelong learners. Through the enthusiasm to teach students and see them excel, the faculty and staff are committed to making this a great year. This is the spirit of the Bartow County School System.