Rockdale Citizen

CONYERS — Rockdale County Public Schools is expected to employ nearly 30 more teachers next school year.

The Rockdale County Board of Education recently approved an increase of 27 regular education teachers for the 2013-14 school year, based on a recommendation by Superintendent Richard Autry.

Autry suggested a need for 773 certificated teacher allotments, including 369 elementary school teachers, 158 middle school teachers and 246 high school teachers.

“Any addition or decrease of certified staffing levels beyond this will be presented for approval with the FY14 budget,” Autry said in his recommendation.

As part of the budget process, this month the system will place a budget suggestion form on its website, www.rockdale.k12.ga.us, to gain input from the public.

From February to April, school and system administrators will prepare and review budget proposals at schools and for central office departments, and the budget committee will prepare a system budget, according to the budget calendar.

The first public meeting to discuss the budget is scheduled to be held at 6:45 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, in the board room at the RCPS central complex, which is located at 954 N. Main St. in Olde Town Conyers. The next public meeting for budget discussions will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 13, in the same location.

Staffing and salary schedules will be determined in April.

Officials plan to present a proposed budget to the board May 9, and the board is expected to adopt a tentative budget May 16.

The board is expected to approve a final budget June 14 and a millage rate in July or August, depending on when final tax figures are available.