Tax Revenue Increase Helps Narrow School Board Budget Gap

An increase in tax revenue has helped the Putnam County School System reduce its budget gap.

The gap between projected revenue and expenditures now stands at $3.5 million.

Director of Schools Jerry Boyd said the school system will ask the county commission to allocate funding to help fill the gap.

“Since freezing our sales tax revenue, we have no room for growth in local funding,” Boyd said. “Every year I get at least one question from commissioners asking why we come asking more more money every year.”

Since the 2009-2010 school year, the school system has received a flat rate in sales tax revenue.

The proposed budget still includes a 3-percent raise for certified and non-certified employees and increases for key school level improvements.

The school system presented its budget to the county budget committee Monday night.

“The gap right now is $3.5 million,” Boyd said. “I think at this time last year when I first presented to the budget committee, it was around $4 million.”

The board of education will consider approving the third draft of the school system budget when it meets June 28th.