Budget:

Continued from Page 1 not out of any specific threat or security concern, although he understands parents’ anxiety around school safety.

The financial officer said the budget has seen some other financial boosts for the upcoming year.

“Another element to this year that’s different than the past is planning for a transition of federal funds,” Dereef said.

The funds, largely used to help the schools with COVID-19 impacts, total about $200 million. Those come alongside an increase in the area’s tax digest, estimated at around 4.5 percent.

Dereef said it’s not “just a plan with dollar signs,” and that the budget is also about showing support to students, schools and employees. It’s a message that was echoed at previous school board meetings.

Part of that support comes in the form of a 7.1 percent salary increase for the 2024 year. Dereef said the School Board ideally would have wanted employees to receive the raise permanently but knew it would not be feasible in the long term.

As a compromise, the school board decided on a permanent 5.1 percent salary increase, with a 2 percent payout in the coming school year.

“We know this is an inopportune time for a community leader to leave,” Noyes said.

In her email to parents, Parham said the first step toward replacing the principal is to “build a school profile” and obtain input through a survey and focus groups. The survey is open to all River Eves Elementary School parents, teachers and staff until Friday, April 28.

Next, Parham said there will be focus group sessions with select staff and parents starting May 1 and candidate interviews starting May 4. The top candidate will be interviewed by Fulton County Schools Chief Academic Officer Cliff Jones on May 8.

“Candidates will be interviewed on the competencies identified as the most critical to meeting the specific needs of your school,” Parham said in the email.

The candidate will continue to interview with multiple Fulton County Schools officials before a final recommendation to the Board of Education on May 16.

Communications officer Noyes said the school district officials will have an “open and transparent conversation about selecting a new leader.”

“We want to ensure that we create the best environment for students and our employees, and that’s reflected in his budget,” Dereef said.

Board members and employees expressed some concerns over the maintenance budget, which an attendee of the community meeting took issue with.

“I’m not sure the capital planning improvements are keeping up with some of the maintenance we’re seeing,” the speaker said.

Dereef responded that part of the challenge with maintenance funding is planning and procurement, but School Board members have asked for an increase in the maintenance budget previously.

After Dereef’s presentation, Pozatek took over the meeting to announce some Fulton County Schools developments, including the purchase of 55 propanepowered school buses.

Pozatek stressed that the community should reach out with questions and feedback.

“I don’t want you to think twice just shoot me an email, hopefully before the (School Board) meeting,” Pozatek said. “I can find time for conversation or maybe even ask my fellow board members for some clarification.”