The DeKalb County Board of Education will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesday to potentially finalize a budget for the upcoming school year.

The school board planned to vote last week on a spending plan that would cover a $73-million deficit.

The board delayed the vote after they learned from district financial officials that there was an additional $12 million in cuts the board would have to make because the county's tax digest was lower than first anticipated.

The board has a list of cuts on the table that includes eliminating transportation to magnet programs, gutting the Fernbank Science Center, increasing class sizes and reducing benefits to district employees.

The board is also considering a recommendation from Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson to raise the tax rate by 2 mills. The board has resisted that tax increase up to this point and has a tentative consensus for a 1-mill tax hike that would bring the district $14 million next year.

The board meets at 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd., Stone Mountain.

Patch will be live blogging the event. Check back to Tucker Patch to particpate in the live blog.