Gwinnett BOE Adopts $1.73-billion FY2013 Budget

Updated May 18

The Gwinnett Board of Education formally adopted its fiscal year 2013 budget on Thursday (May 17) after holding a second public hearing. The events took place at the May board meeting at the .

The spending blueprint totals $1.73 billion, virtually unchanged from the current fiscal year. However, the operating budget is down 4.8 percent percent, largely because of continued growth and also from the declining tax digest in Gwinnett County, which affects property tax revenue. Also, no federal stimulus funds were available for FY2013.

The state's largest school system (163,000 for 2013) had to overcome an $89- million revenue shortfall to balance the budget. No contract personnel were let go, but there will be no pay raises and two furlough days. Some non-contract personnel were let go, and some vacant jobs at the Instructional Support Center were eliminated. Also, most classes will be increased by two students.

The new fiscal year begins July 1.