ROSWELL, Ga. — Fulton County School Board member Sara Gillespie says the district faces funding challenges from multiple directions this year.
At her monthly community meeting on April 23 at Sweet Apple Elementary School, Gillespie highlighted several changes and potential policies that could take effect soon.
Her interchange with residents of her district, which includes Roswell and parts of Alpharetta, carried over into the April 24 Board of Education meeting in Union City.
The School Board reviewed the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, feeling the weight of future revenue challenges.
“Board, as you’re aware, as you direct us, just to always not think just the short term, but the long term as we make our decisions, and this will definitely impact us in the long-term tax allocation,” Chief Financial Officer Marvin Dereef said.
The school system faces declining enrollment, uncertain federal support and an inflation rate of 2.8%.
Gillespie also said the new senior homestead exemption – a $10,000 reduction in assessed property values for those 65 and older – will also have an effect.
Another piece of legislation, which must pass a countywide referendum, would exempt 50% of property assessments going to education for those 70 and older. If passed this fall, it would result in the loss of some $50 million in school tax revenue for Fulton County Schools in fiscal year 2027.
“That’s a reduction to our revenue stream as well, so we’re taking that into account,” Gillespie said.
For the fiscal year 2024-25 budget, local property taxes accounted for about 64% of revenues for the school district.
The board will hold two public hearings for the budget on May 6 and May 13. Final adoption is set for June 10.
In other matters at the April 23 community meeting, Gillespie mentioned new legislation that may affect the technology policy for students. The policy will include cell phones, smart watches, earbuds and anything that is device-related.
“We can’t see what’s going on and but yet, we’re still somewhat responsible for that student and what is happening inside the school,” Gillespie said.
Gillespie plans to go into further detail on what the policy will look like at the next community meeting, which will be held virtually on May 8.
This story was provided by WABE content partner Appen Media.
