Dear Friends and Educators,
As the end of another school year approaches I wanted to send a warm thank you to all teachers, support staff and administrators that work so hard on behalf of our children. As a parent with two children in Henry County Public Schools and another child that has graduated from these schools, I can absolutely tell you that I am committed to partnering with our local schools to ensure the very best education for all our students. As a legislator I have worked with Chairman Coleman and the Education committee as well as madam Chair Jan Jones of the Education Appropriations committee to bring the necessary legislation and funding for our system. I believe this year was a fantastic educational year under the Gold Dome and Henry County Schools were well represented in the budget. Please have a great summer and I will leave you with this years highlights.
God Bless,
Representative Steve Davis
2008 Education Budget Highlights-
K-12 Education
· Held firm on a 2.5% pay raise for teachers ($160 million). This pay raise is in addition to 3% salary increases awarded to more than half of teachers through normal progression on the teacher salary schedule. Georgia consistently ranks #1 in highest average teacher salary in the Southeast – and this pay raise will ensure that Georgia maintains this ranking. Also note that according to the John Locke Foundation, Georgia ranks #2 nationally in average teacher salary when adjusted for cost of living, pension contribution and teacher experience.
· Added $50 million for austerity restoration. This funding equates to an additional $31 per student. The General Assembly was able to reduce the remaining austerity reduction from $143 million to $93 million. The remaining austerity represents 1% of the total QBE budget. Total spending on education exceeded the inflation rate. Henry County Schools portion amounted to $1.2 Million.
· Fully funded the per student funding formula for 1.23% growth of public school students ($200 million). Note: The per student funding formula (QBE) for new student growth has been and continues to be fully funded (with no austerity reductions).
· Added 2,500 slots in the Georgia Virtual School ($1.8 million). Students will have 6,500 class slots offered through this state program so they can take 75 Advanced Placement and other courses online that are not offered or not convenient at their local school. Public and non-public school students are eligible.
· Fully funded growth in Equalization grants. This grant program serves 134 school systems each year to level out funding for less wealthy systems. The $110 million was split between the FY09 and Amended FY08 budgets. Henry County Schools portion amounted to $12.5 Million.
· Continued to fund $100 classroom cards for teachers to purchase classroom supplies the week of the sales tax holiday. Added classroom cards for new teachers and new media centers. The total cost comes to $11 million.
· Fully funded bonds to pay for school construction and renovation ($300 million). It was split between the Amended FY08 and FY09 budgets. Henry County Schools portion amounted to $17.4 Million.
· Funded a new Mentor Teacher program to provide $500 stipends for those who mentor new teachers ($200,000).
· Created 11 new math mentor positions to work with schools struggling with math. Schools will be selected to receive services based on low math test scores and achievement ($1.3 million).
Pre-K
· Funded a 1% increase for operations for public and private Pre-K providers ($700,000). This is only the third operational funding increase since Pre-K was created 15 years ago. Last year’s 2.35% operations increase was the second.
· Added 1,000 Pre-K slots ($6.4 million). Currently, 56% of all four year olds attend Pre-K, which is funded through the lottery. Total children attending lottery – 79,000.
Lunchroom workers, Bus Drivers and Custodians Retirement
· Increased retirement benefits. Means a $0.50 higher rate raising it from $14.25 to $14.75 per month per year of service ($2.7 million).