GAINESVILLE - Hall County Schools Supt. Will Schofield says funding the General Fund budget for the coming school year is going to be a challenge.<br />
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Schofield commented as the Hall County Board of Education ended a two-part retreat at the Central Office in Gainesville about midday Saturday.<br />
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Schoifled said the challenge will come because "state revenues are projected to increase a little over $1 million while expenditures related to the loss of stimulus funding, increased energy costs and the increased cost of step raises is expected to be almost $6.5 million."<br />
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He said, however, the school system will lessen the blow with approximately $4 million of Jobs Bill money which was set aside last October.<br />
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The future priorities of SPLOST expenditures were discussed during the retreat, which began Friday night, and continued Saturday morning. Included in that discussion were needs ranging from outdated alarm systems to classroom technology and almost $50 million of projected necessary infrastructure improvements to HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), electrical and roofing systems.<br />
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As the retreat began Friday evening, several students from Mount Vernon Elementary offered a 30-minute presentation to the board detailing the potential benefits of additional technology and related infrastructure in their classrooms. Along with their principal, Connie Daniels, and media specialist, Christy Crumpton, they presented what Schofield referred to as "a strong case" for additional classroom technology.
