STONE MOUNTAIN, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
A surprising sentiment was repeated at Tuesday night's public hearing on the budget for DeKalb County Schools. Homeowners asked the school board to raise their taxes.
"Spread the difficult situation among all the people of DeKalb County," said one homeowner who also works for the district.
"I know it's painful to say we have to do this, but we need to do this," said another homeowner from the podium.
The board approved a draft budget that includes a property tax increase which would require the average DeKalb County homeowner to shell out an extra $160 next year to help fill an anticipated $73 million budget gap for the 2012-2013 school year.
Board members also are considering raising class sizes, allowing three more students into each classroom.
Parent Molly Bardsley said she's adamantly opposed to another increase in class sizes.
"Increasing class sizes has got to stop. Our teachers are stretched to the limit," said Bardsley. "Maybe we should look at cutting athletics before we look at cutting into the classroom. There's no point in training athletes if they can't read or write or perform basic math."
School spokesman Walter Woods said the district was hurt by cuts at the state level, along with declining property values in the county.
The deficit is one of the largest in school district history, said Woods. However, the district is not expecting to lay off teachers.
"We made every attempt to make a lower impact on student success because that's the business we're in," said Woods.
Though current teachers do not stand to lose jobs, the district likely will hire fewer teachers this summer, said Woods.
The tax increase would help bring in an extra $32 million, Woods said. The school board has already cut 73 jobs at the administrative level, saving $5 million. Administrators now are recommending further cuts to personnel, spending and overtime, to save an additional $15 million.
"There's going to be things we don't want to do, but these are the tough choices we have to make," said Woods.
The final budget is expected by June 11, after another public comment meeting with parents at district headquarters scheduled for May 30.
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Parent Molly Bardsley speaks at DeKalb County School Board hearing
