GAINESVILLE - The Hall County School Board adopted a final budget for the 2014-2015 school year and a millage rate this evening.<br />
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The budget was approved at $297,122,528.00 and the millage rate was set at 18.9 mills. <br />
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"It's actually a reduction of .35 of a mill compared to this year," said Superintendent Will Schofield.<br />
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Schofield said he was satisfied with the final budget. "I think the board has done a tremendous job of balancing the fact that we are in tough times, there's been a bit of an upturn and they always remember that our first obligation is to provide a quality education for our local boys and girls. I think this budget does that," he said.<br />
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There was one amendment before the budget that reduced and over-budgeted section and reduced the budget in total by $237,851.<br />
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No citizens signed up to discuss the budget, however one did ask a question pertaining to the laws that set certain parts. Lee Lovett explained that certain parts of the budget were set by different laws, depending on what item it was.<br />
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Prior to the budget meeting, the board held a regular board meeting and discussed an upcoming charter school decision for three schools, student transfers, and discussed the approved service bids.<br />
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The board also approved a two-page list of state-mandated standardized tests. Overall, the board was displeased with how many tests were required.<br />
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"Over the last 20 years, as a society, we just test children way too much," Schofield said. "Certainly we want to know where they are and what they've learned and how much progress they're making, but I think we've swung way to far in the amount of testing that we put our children through."<br />
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The meeting adjourned and went into an executive session to discuss personnel.<br />
Dr. Brad Brown helps present the budget
The board votes to approve the budget.
Superintendent Will Schofield announces the millage rate.
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