UPDATE: A tentative school budget of $122 million was adopted by the school board 5-1, along with teacher allotments. A 170 day student calendar, with eight furlough days for year-long staff and seven furlough days for teaching staff was adopted unanimously.

Board member Sharon Pharr voted against the tentative budget, as well as the allotment plan for certified staff. Pharr said that she was not voting against the items but did not fully understand the items and was seeking more information.

Board member Mandy North was not present.

The allotment of teachers/staff for next year, with 44 fewer positions, was approved 5-1.

Chief Financial Officer Lee Davis said most of the positions that were achieved through attrition. There were about 100 resignations at the end of this school year.

"Through attrition, through people leaving, we think everyone will have a job (next school year)," said Davis.

The allotment of English Language Learners and Special Education teachers was approved 5-1, with Pharr voting against. Superintendent Richard Autry said the school was maintaining the same number of ELL/Special Education positions as the previous year.

The proposed calendar of 170 student days, eight furlough days for year-long staff and seven furlough days for staff that worked 200-plus days, such as teachers, was approved unanimously. The reductions would save about $4.1 million.

Chief Academic Officer Leslie Demarco said, "We would be starting school two days earlier and ending schools eight days earlier. That's where the 10 days come from."

A 160 day, 170 day, and 180 day calendar options were considered, said Autry.

AP testing dates were also taken into account in forming the calendar.

The reduction in pay from the furlough days would be distributed throughout the year. Most of the furlough days will be taken on the end of the student calendar to minimize the impact on teachers and students, said Autry. "That allowed us to maintain the integrity of most of our 180 day student calendar."

Davis said this budget was tentative and not set in stone.

A public hearing on the budget will be held 6:30 p.m., Thursday, June 13, in the Board Room at Rockdale County Board of Education. 954 North Main Street, Conyers Georgia.

The budget will be considered for final adoption by the Rockdale County Board of Education at 7 p.m., Thursday, June 20, at 954 North Main Street, Conyers, Georgia.

In other school board business:

Shauna Miller was approved as the Coordinator of the Early Learning Program, which includes the Early Learning Center, Ga. Pre-K programs, and the Parents as Teachers program. Miller is currently the Assistant Principal at Shoal Creek Elementary. She replaces long-time coordinator Jesseca Causey, who resigned due to a family move out of town.

Kara Kirchoff was approved as the interim Director of Learning Support. She is currently the Middle School Special Education Coordinator. She replaces Diana Mead, who is retiring.

The school board also unanimously approved the Superintendent's plan for reorganization of certified positions, which accompanies the budget approved by the school board. The plan calls for a reduction of two positions in Buildings and Grounds, seven positions in Transportation, one Literacy Coach position, five Special Education Consultants, 10 Instructional Technology Data Specialists, 22 Media Clerks, and 10 Intel positions. 

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IN BRIEF (May 30, 3:34 p.m.): The Rockdale school board will vote in a special called meeting on a proposed budget and shorter calendar for the 2013-2014 school year in an attempt to close a budget gap of more than $19 million. The meeting starts 6 p.m. Thursday, at 954 N. Main Street, Conyers, and is open to the public.

The proposed calendar would have 170 days for students, instead of 180 days, but would have slightly longer hours for each day.

The year for teachers would start July 29, with preplanning days and end May 20, 2014. Students' first day would be August 5 and the last day would be May 16, 2014.

The budget will be considered for final adoption by the Rockdale County Board of Education at 7 p.m., Thursday, June 20, 2013, In the Board Room at Rockdale County Board of Education, 954 North Main Street, Conyers, Georgia. A public hearing is scheduled at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, June 13, 2013, in the Board Room at Rockdale County Board of Education. 954 North Main Street, Conyers Georgia.