Gwinnett Daily Post

SUWANEE - The Gwinnett County Board of Education on Tuesday tentatively adopted a nearly $1.9 billion budget for the 2008-09 school year.

The proposal, which will go before the school board again May 8 for final approval, calls for a salary increase of at least 2.5 percent for all district employees and provides funding for additional instructional materials for a growing student population.

School district officials say it will be a tight budget year. The plan is nearly $97 million higher than the current budget, an increase made possible by a projected growth in enrollment of 4,000 students and a slight increase in funding from the state.

For the fourth consecutive year, the district is proposing to keep the millage rate at 20.55 mills. Homeowners wouldn't see a tax increase unless their property was reassessed at a higher value.

Two public hearings will take place before the school board takes the final vote to adopt the budget. The meetings are scheduled for May 5 and 8.

The school board will vote on the proposed millage rate in June.