Despite deep cuts at the state and local levels, the Carroll County School Board approved its $106 million budget Thursday for fiscal year 2010-2011.

Compared to last year, the budget has $10 million less from the state, $900,000 less from local property taxes and $670,000 less from other tax revenue. The balanced budget includes the elimination of 17 teachers and 28 classified positions — primarily teachers’ aides — and using more than $2 million from the fund equity savings account.

“It is the first time since I’ve been here that we’ve actually had a decrease in local property taxes,” said Greg Denney, chief financial officer for Carroll County Schools.

Board member Bart Cater motioned to replace a school nurse position in the budget, cut from last year’s budget. One nurse position was unfunded in the budget and an additional position remained vacant. The board unanimously approved Cater’s motion.

“We’re delight to have those positions back,” said Christie Johnson, assistant superintendent of administration and student services. “They are critical positions to students in the schools.”

There will be a total of 13 school nurse positions in the budget to cover the 24 schools in the system. Denney said the position will pay between $30,000 to $50,000.

The school board also passed a resolution limiting the increase in class size to two pupils over the 2009 state level. Class size varies based on grade level.

The State Department of Education has allowed school systems to have unlimited flexibility in class size for the coming year. During a meeting Monday, Cater said he would not approve a resolution allowing unlimited class sizes. Denney, however, said increased class sizes are needed to balance the budget.

In addition to positions, other budget cuts include the elimination of four inclement weather school days, five contract days for teachers and up to 10 contract days for administrators.

As a result of the shorter school year, bus drivers will also have reduced work days.

Other cuts in the 2010-2011 budget include a reduction in funding for text books. Denney said there is also no money for new buses and maintenance and operating costs for current buses will be limited.

If the state cuts makes additional cuts mid-year as Denney expects, the system may take an additional $1.5 million from the fund equity account and cut five work days, which would balance the budget and save $2.2 million.

“The state has approved the budget based on a 4 percent growth rate,” Denney said. “We have to brace ... for a mid-year cut.”

In May and April, the economic growth rate was down about 5 percent. In March, the rate was up 1 percent, the first increase since November 2008, Denney said.

Also Thursday night, the school board announced the hiring of two new principals. Dr. Rochelle Hopson-Lamar, who was previously the assistant principal at Bay Springs Middle School in Villa Rica, will be the new principal at Villa Rica Middle School.

Adam Herring, a former ninth-grade campus administrator at East Coweta High School, will be the new principal of Villa Rica High School.