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NCSS compares other systems
Looking for other examples to cut spending
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In an effort to make the best choices for Newton County's students, the school system has compared itself to seven other systems in the state while working on potential cuts to next year's budget.

Superintendent Gary Mathews compared seven like-sized systems with varying enrollment numbers, including those with less than Newton and those with more. Newton County has 19,500 students, while Rockdale has 15,500 and Douglas County has roughly 25,000.

Mathews also looked at the school system's 10 major expenditure categories to see how Newton ranked among the seven other systems. According to his data, Newton ranks seventh in the percent of total expenditures for general administration with only one other school system spending less in general administration than Newton County. However Newton does spend more on instruction then most of the other schools in the study.

In an effort to find $9 million worth of cuts to the 2011-2012 budget, a list of 13 potential cuts has been released. The cuts save a total of $13 million, but allow for those responsible to have several choices when looking at where to save. Additionally, the school system is working with people at each school to see what their thoughts are on cuts and has released a stakeholders survey for the community to take and suggest other things that could be cut from the budget.

The Newton County Board of Education is set to approve the final budget in June and school systems in the state have until May 15 to offer teacher contacts.

Eastside High School announces Top 10 graduates for Class of 2025
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Eastside High School has announced the names of the top ten graduates of the Class of 2025. Leading the way are valedictorian, Ian White, and salutatorian, Malachi Scharf. Each of the top ten graduates have exciting prospects ahead of them as they prepare for life after high school.

Eastside High School’s 2025 Top 10 Graduates are:

• Ian White—The valedictorian, Ian plans to attend college and obtain a doctorate in chemical engineering. He selected Mr. Elijah Clark as his top teacher.

• Malachi Scharf—The salutatorian, Malachi plans to major in chemical engineering at Georgia Tech. He chose Mr. Michael Poor as his favorite teacher.

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Malachi Scharf (left) and Ian White (right) are Eastside High School’s 2025 Salutatorian and Valedictorian. - photo by Courtesy of Newton County School System

• Kaiden Blazina—Kaiden plans to attend Georgia College and State University to study biology with plans to become an anesthesiologist or a missionary. Kaiden selected Mrs. Haley Dawkins as his honored teacher.

• Abby Malcom—Abby will be attending Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in the fall to major in agribusiness. Her goal is to run a floral business. She selected Ms. Sara Beth Hammond as her top teacher.

• Shelby Moore—Shelby plans to attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College to pursue a degree in agricultural education. She selected Ms. Alisa Echols as her top teacher.

• Annalie Parker—Annalie will attend Georgia College & State University with plans to obtain a doctorate and pursue a career in the scientific field. She selected Dr. Catrina Pollard as her favorite teacher.

• Chandler Shurtz—Chandler plans to attend Georgia Tech to study industrial engineering. He selected Mrs. Kelly Elder as his honored teacher.

• Robby Thomas, Jr.—Robby will attend Georgia Tech to study aerospace engineering and astrophysics. His goal is to work for NASA. Robby chose Ms. Kayla Stoddard as his honored teacher.

• Anna Underwood—Anna is attending Georgia State Perimeter to study her core classes with plans to transfer to the University of Georgia. Her career goal is to become an elementary school teacher. She selected Mr. Eric Adams as her top teacher.

• Benjamin Weaver—Benjamin is attending Newberry College to play soccer and study in their pre-vet program before moving on to veterinary school. He selected Mr. Caleb Watson as his honored teacher