Although the Newton County Board of Education was able to make the necessary cuts to the 2011-2012 budget during last night's meeting, Superintendent Gary Mathews warned that more cuts could come - possibily as soon as April.

"At present, the U.S. Congress, with an eye towards reducing the nation's budget deficit, is debating cuts in both special education and Title I," said Mathews. "...If cuts were to come in federally-funded special education, then it may be that such cuts have to be accounted for in our general fund, especially if such cuts impact the implementation of federally mandated student IEPs... As for Title I, it certainly appears that we will be taken back to 2008 funding levels," continued Mathews. "If so, NCSS will lose over a million dollars in Title I funding," said Mathews.

"Unless the economy turns around substantially, we could be facing cuts up to $6.5 million following the 2012-13 school year. I pray not, but it is a distinct possibility and one that will have to be faced in other school systems throughout Georgia and elsewhere."