While Marietta City Schools has not released any information on its 2014 budget, the board has learned that it shouldn’t have to take quite as much money out of the reserves to pay off this year’s predicted deficit.

Board Chair Randy Weiner said Monday the district has experienced an increase in revenues and a decrease in expenditures because of “conservative budgeting,” allowing the district to pull only about $600,000 out of its reserves.

Last spring the board approved taking about $3.2 million from its reserves to help head off a looming deficit in the 2013 budget year. The board members heard news about the deficit in a finance update over the weekend during their two-day retreat in Stone Mountain.

Weiner said revenues are expected to increase to nearly $1.9 million over the original budget. He cited several reasons: 232 new students valued at about $516,000; additional tax revenue, $790,000; and an increase of $526,000 in federal revenues.

Weiner said the board was excited to see these figures but understands the 2013 fiscal year will not end for a few more months.

Tom Cheater, the board’s vice chair, said he was glad to hear the district’s financial team has set themselves up well for the upcoming year.

“Austerity cuts have been a struggle for all Georgia school systems, and are forcing many to go into deficit spending,” he said. “While I’m encouraged that we have been fiscally conservative and are well positioned now, I remain cautiously optimistic as the state has not finalized its budget, and SPLOST IV sits in the voters hands to approve in two weeks.”

He also said state cuts or rejection of SPLOST IV could negatively affect the district’s financial position and that of neighboring systems next year.

Marietta City Schools spokesman Thomas Algarin said the board will participate in a March 26 work session to review budget predictions.

They should get a picture of Marietta’s budget for next year at that time. The budget must be approved before June 30.