GAINESVILLE, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
For the fourth year in a row, roughly 460 teachers in the city of Gainesville will have to take several unpaid days off to help the school district balance their budget. However, the superintendent said her district dodged a bullet in the grand scheme of budget cuts.
Dr. Merrianne Dyer said they were nearly in a position where they had to furlough teachers for 10 days this year. Instead, the board voted to raise the millage rate on homeowners by roughly $30 to $40 this year, thereby reducing the need for furlough days.
District teachers will now take seven unpaid days off, said Dyer.
"Restoration of education funding is not likely to occur, if at all, before 2020," she said, talking about the lack of funding from the state.
"You compare it to, if you're making decisions in the private sector, you might shut down a division during the times to meet budget goals. But in a school system, what division would you shut down?"
She said it is likely teachers will face more furlough days next year, as well, unless the state is able to restore more funding.
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