BOE to take input on budget

The public hearing is slated from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., followed by a vote on the finalized budget at 7 p.m.

This year’s budget calls for $39,155,135 in spending, down from last year’s $40.1 million spending plan. The Madison County Board of Education (BOE) approved the tentative budget figures June 9.

“I would point out that it’s a couple million dollars less than last year’s budget,” BOE chairman Jim Patton said.

The smaller budget is the result of a funding crunch.

Due to less state financial support and a dip in local revenue, Madison County Schools face a $1.24 million shortfall for 2009-2010.

“It’s not only lean, it’s getting into bone here and there,” Madison County Schools Superintendent Mitch McGhee said.

McGhee said the school system will be “alright” for a year or two, but can’t continue to operate on such lean funding.

“It will start hurting the educational system here sooner or later,” he said. “But it’s the times we’re in and everybody is praying that the economy is going to turn around here soon.”

He noted that some districts had it worse, pointing that Jackson County had to cut over 30 positions.

McGhee said everyone in the Madison County system is banding together in to make a much tighter budget work.

“Everybody understands the situation that we’re in,” McGhee said.

Both the public hearing and meeting are at the professional learning center is located at the board of education office at 800 Madison Street in Danielsville.