The Bremen City Schools System has bottled reductions of $396,867 for this year so far, Superintendent Stanley McCain announced in the school board meeting held Monday night. This comes after the state’s recommendation of three furlough days for teachers tagged with a 3 percent cut in the budget.

“With the state deductions for salaries in the amount of $136,493 and the extra three percent reduction in QBE (Quality Basic Education) funds of $260,374, brought the additional deduction to this year’s revenue to $396,867, making the total reductions to this year’s formula earnings at $1,174,800 from the state,” he explained to the board.

McCain presented the board with a revised budget proposal, which calculated the additional reductions in revenue and in salaries and benefits based on the three-day furlough. He said the amended budget showed the system would pull about $272,000 from its “rainy day” fund to balance the budget this year. He noted the actual amended budget will be presented next month after the system receives its official revised allotment sheet from the state.

In other business, the board agreed to maintain last year’s millage rate of 14.95 for this year. McCain said fierce budget cuts restrained them from reducing the millage rate. He added economic challenges set off a decline in Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) collections, though the board hopes money-generating opportunities, such as the Cash for Clunkers government incentive program, may help bring in more local funding.

Meanwhile, the board approved several items under new business. As required by the state, the board appointed a committee to evaluate school board operations, in an effort to ensure the board is upholding standards set by the Georgia School Boards Association.

A Five-Year Local Facilities Plan was also approved by the board, which will be conducted and completed by next June.

Bremen High and Middle Schools received approval for their fundraising requests. The middle school was also permitted to conduct a recycling program. The board also greenlighted Bremen Academy’s request to attend two out-of-town field trips in the fall and spring semesters.

Regarding personnel, various hirings were approved, which include an early intervention math teacher for two periods a day at Bremen Academy, as well as four new employees for the After-School program. The board also approved a long-term cafeteria substitute at Jones Elementary School.

The Fiscal Year 2010 substitute teacher and lunchroom list was approved.

Recommendations were approved for six staff members to be paid with extra 20-day funds to provide remediation support for struggling students. McCain said they must submit a time sheet each month, reflecting the hours they worked with the students. A resignation from the bookkeeper at the After-School program was also accepted.

The next Bremen City Board of Education meeting will be held Monday, Sept. 14, at the Bremen Board of Education Office in Bremen.