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For DeKalb County Schools, everything's on the table

Budget problems for the DeKalb County Schools have gone from bad to worse leaving school board members a week to figure out how to erase an $85 million budget deficit.

Parents wonder aloud what more could go wrong.

"It's pretty scary," said Kanicka Romero.  "It's sad for the kids because they are the ones who are going to be hurting," she said.

Romero's daughter Isabella will be a second grader next year at Rockbridge Elementary.

Monday, just as the board was about to vote on a revised budget came word from the tax assessor that declining property values put the county another $12 million in the hole.

"Everything is on the table," said school district spokesman Walter Woods.

"If you look at class size, furlough days, millage rate, everything."

The school district had planned for a six percent decrease in property value.  The deficit is closer to nine percent and may lead to additional furlough days, more layoffs, and possibly higher taxes.

"The board will have to make a determination about what's the least impact on student success, the best way to fund the district and get us back to a balanced budget," said Woods.

The school board meets again June 20 to vote on a revised budget plan.

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