Rural schools still coming up short in funding - WALB.com, South Georgia News, Weather, Sports

Governor Nathan Deal is wanting to spend more money to help small school systems operate.

Calculations from the state department of education show that most of the money will go to some of the largest school systems in the state.

The larger school systems in suburban Atlanta are getting that money because declining property values and a new formula that determines which systems get the equalization money. That leaves many systems here in southwest Georgia without money they desperately need.

"We are faring better than some of the other counties. Like for example, when I saw the equalization list, I noticed that counties like Baker and Quitman aren't earning any equalization funds," said Danny Ellis, Calhoun County School System Superintendent.

Calhoun county received roughly half as much grant money for this year's academic year compared with last year, but was able to recover more than $100,000 in grants by moving resources around and adding more courses.   Even with the recovered grant money, Calhoun county has taken a 71% funding cut over the last five years.

Ellis says improving economic conditions are beginning to help the funding shortage, but rural areas aren't yet out of the woods.

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