Hall County Schools Superintendent Will Schofield said a recent 3 percent cut in expenses could pave the way for a 2.5 percent raise for all 3,400 employees in the 2018 proposed fiscal year budget. The superintendent added he is also willing to recommend using $1 million to $3 million in the district’s fund balance to allow for a reduction in the 18.8 millage rate, which determines how much people pay in property taxes. “Unless there is some surprise in the local digest I can’t imagine, you should see a reduced millage rate and an increase in salary,” Schofield said this week.