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The Columbia County School Board said Tuesday they might look to the county government for help solving their budget woes.

The county Tax Com­missioner’s Office charges the school system 2.5 percent of taxes collected on its behalf each school year. System Controller Pat Sullivan that equates to an about $1.7 million payment.

The board agreed during a budget study session to send a letter to county commissioners asking them to cut that percentage.

Sullivan said that just half a percent cut would save the school system about $350,000.

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Four Greenbrier High School students were arrested on Friday for a senior prank.

Columbia County authorities last week arrested Brooklyn Leigh Bella, 17; Elizabeth Sutton Metz, 17; Dynisha Antoinette Clemons, 17; and Kristin Arey Tannehill, 18; with second degree criminal damage to property, a felony, according to a sheriff’s office report.

Three of the seniors allegedly squirted super glue onto 43 exterior locks at the school Thursday evening, causing more than $4,000 in damage, said sheriff’s Capt. Steve Morris in an email.

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Columbia County commissioners heard a plan Tuesday to cut property taxes, while the school board discussed cutting expenses without furloughs for teachers.

Presenting a preliminary $173 million budget for next school year, which had to make up for a $13 million cut in state funding, Superintendent Charles Nagle told school trustees that the system is about $993,000 short.

Nagle said he believes his staff can find the needed cuts to balance the budget without furloughs.

Twitter @DonnieFetter

While Columbia County school officials struggle to cut expenses, county government officials considered cutting taxes.

School officials said Tuesday they intend to overcome a nearly $1 million budget deficit without furloughing teachers.

In a preliminary $173 million budget for next school year, which had to make up a $13 million cut in state funding, Superintendent Charles Nagle noted to the school board that the system is about $993,000 short.