Cobb to Get School Budget Update

The Cobb Board of Education will hear more about the fiscal year 2014 budget process during a work session Wednesday.

The meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. in the board room of the Cobb County School District central office located at 514 Glover Street in Marietta. A public comment session takes place at the start of the meeting.

Cobb schools chief financial officer Brad Johnson told board members last month that preliminary figures for fiscal year 2014 show a shortfall of $79.5 million.

The creation of a calendar for budget approval also is on the agenda. The board typically adopts a budget in May, which then goes into effect July 1.

Other items include the possible appointment of a new public safety director for the school district. James Arrowood, who has been in the job for 10 years after a long public safety career with Cobb County government, is retiring at the end of the month, according to The Marietta Daily Journal.

The board also will consider proposed school modification and renovation projects at Argyle, Baker, Harmony Leland and Nicholson elementary schools.

Also on the agenda is a proposed $900,000 extension of an existing contract to continue installing and integrating security access control systems at schools throughout the district.

Final action on discussion items is scheduled for Feb. 28.

Here is a complete look at Wednesday's work session agenda.