The Fayette County Board of Education on April 16 said in effect: Slow down and let’s examine the numbers before we talk about closing three Fayetteville schools.

Board member Marion Key suggested the school closing talk was premature, particularly since the board had not even started budget hearings. Key said the proper order was to figure out the budget numbers, then to talk about which schools need to be closed, if any.

Board member Bob Todd said the rural Inman elementary school should be considered for closing if any are to be shuttered. Read More»

The news could hardly be worse for the tax levying entities in Fayette County. Figures from the Fayette County Tax Assessor’s Office show a 10.39 percent decrease in the value of real property for the 2012 tax digest. That translates into a drop of nearly $500 million in property value — mostly the same property but worth a lot less.

That means fewer tax dollars can be collected at current tax rates. Read More»

The Fayette County Board of Education gave Superintendent Jeff Bearden the go-ahead Monday night to produce a report that could lead to the closure of an as yet undetermined number of schools beginning in the 2013-2014 school year.

Bearden will present the report at a called meeting of the school board on April 7. Read More»

There is a limited window of opportunity for those parents wanting to have their children attend Pre-K classes next year. Applications for the Pre-K lottery are being accepted March 12-23.

Coweta County School System spokesman Dean Jackson said parents who wish to secure a spot for their child in the 2012-13 Coweta County School System Pre-Kindergarten classes can do so at their child’s district school through noon on Friday, March 23. Read More»