Jill Chambers has consistently supported the Governor's "austerity reductions" (you and I call them cuts) to local school systems. These cuts are to the state's share of the QBE formula, and they are across the board. It is a tricky way to balance the budget and spend money in non-core areas even as enrollment keeps growing. And unfortunately DeKalb County Schools have been hit particularly hard.

I've compiled the table below that shows the austerity cuts to DeKalb Schools each year Jill Chambers has been in office:

Here's how Jill Chambers and the Republicans cuts affect you: to maintain the same level of service, DeKalb County School are forced to increase property taxes or reduce services. Have you wondered why your property taxes keep going up every year, and why the share that you pay to the board of education continues to increase? These cuts are the primary reason. QBE mandates certain minimums that the counties must maintain, and then Jill Chambers and the Republicans cut the money that is supposed to help school systems maintain those minimums.

But don't just take our word for it. The Georgia PTA released a pretty devastating report about the impact of these cuts. Here is what DeKalb County principals in particular had to say about the cuts:

Teachers - budget cuts have impacted plans to reduce class sizes in grades 4 and 5 because school budgets can't afford to hire enough teachers. Also, a direct impact is caused by "reducing the frequency and amount of staff salary increases."

Technology - funds allocated to purchase and upgrade technology reduced from $5.5 per student to $1.15 per student. Result: In older schools especially, equipment is worn-out and outdated. Meanwhile, Georgia's k-12 Technology Plan requires increased technology integration into the curriculum. Because of austerity cuts, this isn't possible.

Media Center materials and programs reduced from $19.54 per FTE to $9.77 per FTE in FY2003. Reduction has continued, but costs for books, online database and print subscriptions and computer programs have risen. Accordingly the "budget cuts have greatly reduced media center resources."

Teacher Supplies - "teachers are lacking supplies needed to be creative and reach every child through a variety of teaching strategies."

Transportation - "Budget cuts have impacted the number of buses that are purchased."

After School Tutorials- “Budget cuts has impacted the length of our after-school tutorial program.”

Instructional Support- budget cuts have affected the quality of instruction because of “greatly reduced professional learning opportunities and instructional support for teachers.”

Textbooks- “budget cuts directly affect DeKalb Schools by delaying purchase of needed textbook adoptions and other curriculum materials.”

Custodians- budget cuts have greatly reduced number of custodians to properly clean and upkeep buildings.
Immigrant Students- “The biggest impact for our school was the amount received was not enough to cover all our needs for the LEP students.”

The next time Jill Chambers tells you about the prestige our district has acquired from her affiliations with the majority Republican Party, ask her why that prestige comes with an $86 million and growing price tag.

Don't just take our word on this information. Visit the Georgia Department of Educations QBE Reporting Site. Select the Fiscal Year, and then Select the QBE 003 Report. Pick DeKalb County and look hard for either "Amended Formula Adjustment" or "Austerity Reduction". That's budgetese for "cuts".