At the July 24 evening meeting of the Thomaston-Upson County Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Maggie Shook announced that the results of a countywide property revaluation conducted by the Tax Assessor’s Office had resulted in less of a financial hardship than had been previously anticipated.
“We had originally thought we were going to have a ten percent reduction because of the tax reassessments, but we came in with an average of about four to five percent, instead,” Shook later said.
This improved budget outlook allowed the Board of Education to consider and unanimously approve an alteration to the school calendar.
Rather than eight calendar reduction days as had been planned, that number has been lowered to five, with the addition of February 15 and 19, as well a May 30, which will be utilized as professional planning days.
Although the tax digest reduction is less than officials had anticipated, the shortfall must still be addressed, and Shook said that discussion will take place at the August 14 Board of Education meeting.
“There’s a realm of possibilities,” she said with regard to how that may be accomplished.
Board of Education members also learned that the Upson-Lee High School Class of 2012 included 115 HOPE scholarship recipients along with 15 who received the prestigious Zell Miller Scholarship.
This information was provided by Shook, who also addressed a rumor circulating throughout town that claims Upson-Lee High School is not accredited, and that graduating students do not receive diplomas.
“Yes, Upson County has a rumor mill,” she quipped, before adding, “If there’s a rumor, we get the truth out.”
Shook reaffirmed the fact that the Thomaston-Upson County School District received full accreditation in 2009, and said all students who meet graduation eligibility factors do, in fact, receive diplomas.
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