Gov. Perdue requests teacher furloughs

Northwest Georgia educators today will be figuring out what to do about Gov. Sonny Perdue's request that teachers take three furlough days this year to cope with the state's looming $3 billion budget shortfall.

Walker County Superintendent Melissa Mathis "does not favor furloughs," system spokeswoman Elaine Womack said Tuesday evening. But, she added, "as the governor has stated that he will withhold the state funds for salaries for three days, Mrs. Mathis will be working with the board of education, departmental staff and school administrators to prepare a recommendation to the board that will not affect instructional time."

Some area education leaders were surprised Tuesday afternoon by Gov. Perdue's request for furloughs and the announcement that he has cut an additional 3 percent from the state's education funding formula.

He also asked other state agencies to cut 5 percent from their budgets.

Officials at the Whitfield County Schools declined comment, saying they didn't have enough details about the governor's request. Officials for Catoosa County Schools said the superintendent was not available to comment, and attempts to reach officials in Dade County were unsuccessful.

Mrs. Womack said Walker was among more than 100 Georgia systems that participated in a conference call Tuesday with Gov. Perdue's staff. She said the governor's plan will mean a $1.5 million loss for Walker County Schools.

The Walker County Schools board just had finalized its budget Monday, Mrs. Womack said, and now will have to make changes.

Although all measures must be approved by the school board, Mrs. Womack said she thinks leaders will try to furlough teacher training days, not instructional days.

"Our focus will be on utilizing all available resources to educate children in a positive, learning environment without affecting student achievement," she said. "It will be difficult for Walker County Schools to continue to improve and grow without increasing taxes."

Rep. Tom Dickson, R-Cohutta, a former school superintendent in Whitfield County, said Tuesday evening he hopes instructional time won't be harmed.

But he said the budget situation is dire and everyone across the state will be affected by the revenue shortfall.

"Almost everyone would agree that education ought to be top priority, but when it is 50 percent, roughly, of the state's budget, you've got to cut some level of funds out," he said.

Rep. Dickson said he thinks there will be pressure to furlough at least some instructional days because it will save more on utility and transportation costs.

"There is going to be an impact even if we are just talking about (teacher training) days," he said.

The teacher furlough idea initially was floated in April by Rep. Ed Lindsey, R-Atlanta, who said it could help save millions and help systems avoid layoffs.