The superintendents of Gainesville and Hall County school systems were among a group of 14 superintendents across the state who met Thursday with Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle to discuss issues facing educators before the state General Assembly gears up in January.

Merrianne Dyer, superintendent of Gainesville schools, and Will Schofield, superintendent of Hall County schools, met with Cagle and his staff in Atlanta to mull over myriad proposed legislation related to education.

"It was a very informal meeting that allowed us time to talk," Dyer said. "(Cagle) was just listening and getting input."

Schofield said budgetary concerns were among the items discussed. Schofield said Cagle spoke with superintendents about ways in which the state might be able to help school systems do more with less money.

"It was very refreshing to have someone listen," Schofield said.

Earlier this month, the Hall County school board cut about $5.5 million out of its original $218 million budget. The board decided to make the cuts anticipating that state and federal monies originally written into the budget may not be awarded in full as a result of revenue shortfalls.

While the Gainesville school system faces a near certain state cut of about $600,000, the Gainesville school board has yet to reflect the anticipated cuts in its roughly $53 million budget.

Dyer said at the school board’s meeting Monday the board should review the pending state cut and prepare to amend the Gainesville school system budget appropriately.