Fannin school budget includes $600,000 more for teachers

Fannin County School System Director of Finance Susan Wynn announced, Thursday, July 9, that the system will increase certified personnel salaries and benefits by $0.6 million in total, and that classified personnel will still receive step increases as she presented a projected FY 2021 budget that reflected a 10% cut to (Quality Basic Education) QBE funding from the state.

The projected FY 21 budget, which lists total estimated expenditures at $37.919 million and total estimated revenues at $33.961 million, expects to use $3.957 million of the system’s reserves.

It gives step increases, certificate upgrades, and maintains current benefits for all employees. 

The local supplement for all certified will remain at 6%, and the system intends to avoid furlough days.

The system will also continue to fund a portion of each employee’s single healthcare insurance coverage at $72.45 per month and single dental insurance coverage at $27.73 per month.

The state had previously advised school systems to expect a 14% cut in their QB allotment, but landed at the 10% when the General Assembly finished their longest marathon 40-day marathon session June 26.

Wynn had prepared revenue estimates using 12%, 14%, 16% and 18% cuts in estimated QBE allotment.

She said the budget is projected with the best estimates possible at this time.

“We will have a detailed budget prepared and ready for advertisement at our last August 13 meeting after public input and receiving more up-to-date tax digest numbers,” she said.