NorthFultonTimes

On June 12, the Fulton County Board of Education gave final approval to an $857.3 million general fund budget for the 2008-09 school year.

The budget provides funding for an anticipated 2,500 additional students and the teachers and support staff needed to accommodate the growth. It also considers the student and staffing needs for the new Lake Forest Elementary School and replacement Westlake High School opening in August, as well as funding for several new budget initiatives, including:

• 2.5 percent salary raise for all employees
• Step increase for eligible employees
• A half undistributed position per school to support continuous achievement and/or specific local school needs (for example, student support team, additional instructional paraprofessional, etc.)
• One districtwide technology support coordinator to support new K-12 media software
• Additional support position for the social studies curriculum department
• New performing arts facility at Tri-Cities High School
• Acceleration of the Ison Road elementary school project from a 2010 opening to a 2009 opening
• Purchase of land for future schools
• K-12 media software replacements
• PSAT for all ninth-graders
• Crossroads/Second Chance program enhancements