FAYETTE COUNTY, Ga.,None — The Fayette County School District wants to eliminate 72 positions as it tries to balance its budget. Most of the cuts will come from teaching positions.
School District spokeswoman Melinda Berry-Dreisbach said they hope to reach a balanced budget by other means, but if they can't, there could be layoffs.
"We don't want to have to do that through a reduction in force," said Berry-Dreisbach. "We're hoping through natural attrition, which means retirements and resignations."
District Superintendent Dr. Jeffery Bearden sent every employee a memo last month asking if they plan to return next year so the district can get a better idea how many will stay. If enough decide to leave, the district can choose simply to not fill vacant positions.
The first round of cuts will come from within the schools, but Berry-Dreisbach said the district will announce similar position cuts from the central office during a presentation next month.
"So, it's not just going to be out in the schools," said Berry-Dreisbach. "We want to assure people that positions will be reduced here at the county office, as well."
This is fallout from the metro Atlanta housing market and the drop in property values and the tax digest.
Parents at Hood Avenue Primary School in Fayetteville hope the cuts won't mean teachers will lose their jobs.
"I don't think that would be a good thing. I truly hope that doesn't happen," said parent Xernona Fortson.
Berry-Dreisbach said they've received about 80 of the memos back from employees, and about 40 have said they definitely will not return next year.
"As long as we keep going in this direction, we feel pretty confident, although nothing is guaranteed, that we will be able to accomplish this through attrition and won't have to have a reduction in force," said Berry-Dreisbach.