The Newton County Board of Education met at a called meeting Thursday afternoon to discuss a variety of issues, including the upcoming budget, a possible rise in the millage rate and a possible rezoning for middle schools.

Although the BOE must start the budget process now, they have not yet received state revenue figures or local tax digest values. A tentative budget will be presented at the first May work session and adopted at the May 11 meeting. However the tentative budget is subject to change until a final vote on June 15.

The board was also presented with five scenarios of what an increase of the millage rate might look like, especially with a recent decrease in property values throughout Newton County. Public meetings will be held in regards to adopting both the budget and the millage rate in June.

Rezoning in the middle schools may also have to be undertaken due to overcrowding at Liberty and Veterans Memorial Middle School. Several different scenarios will be presented to the board and members will vote on the one think find best at the May 11 meeting. Some of the options considered were rezoning all five middle schools, rezoning only Liberty and Veterans or possibly reorganizing the theme schools.