Metro Atlanta school districts plan to opt out of homestead tax exemption. Here's a full list of public hearing dates

A new electric school bus in front of Blue Bird’s plant in Fort Valley, Georgia.
Major metro Atlanta school districts intend to opt out of the statewide homestead tax exemption, which will cap yearly property tax increases. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

Major metro Atlanta school districts intend to opt out of the statewide homestead tax exemption, which will cap yearly property tax increases.

In November, Georgia voters passed a constitutional amendment to create a statewide exemption to the local homestead tax. The tax bases property value on a yearly assessment of the consumer price index to ensure that increases are uniform across the state.

Counties, school systems, consolidated governments and municipalities can opt out of the homestead exemption. Atlanta Public Schools and school districts in Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Gwinnett and Fulton counties have publicized their intent to consider this, and are soliciting input through public hearings.



Many school districts have expressed concerns that caps on property tax increases could limit funding for school services.

Cobb County School District Superintendent Chris Ragsdale said that despite the benefits for the county’s residents, the exemption could cause a funding loss for the district.

“Parents expect a high-quality education when sending their students to a Cobb school,” he said. “That is exactly what we will continue to provide.”

According to a Jan. 15 advisory issued by the Clayton County Public Schools, the exemption could have “unintended consequences” for the district, which already has low property value assessments compared to other metro Atlanta districts.

“A further reduction in property tax revenue could severely impact our ability to maintain essential programs, services, and support staff — putting students’ access to a continuously thriving educational experience at risk,” the advisory stated. 

Should Gwinnett County Public Schools not opt out of the exemption, the district is foreseeing a loss of around $35 million in funding in fiscal year 2025-2026, as well as a loss of more than $100 million over the next three years.

The following districts will continue to hold public hearings to solicit input from residents.

Atlanta Public Schools hearings will take place:

  • Feb. 3, 2025, at 10 a.m. at the Alonzo A. Crim Center for Learning and Leadership Building, 130 Trinity Avenue SW, Atlanta.
  • Feb. 3, 2025, at 6 p.m. at Alonzo A. Crim Center.
  • Feb. 10, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Alonzo A. Crim Center.

Clayton County Public Schools will hold a hearing that will occur on Feb. 3, 2025, at 6 p.m.

Cobb County School District hearings will take place:

  • Feb. 6, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at 514 Glover St., Marietta, in the boardroom.
  • Feb. 6, 2025, at 6:05 p.m. at 514 Glover St.
  • Feb. 13, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. at 514 Glover St.

DeKalb County Public Schools hearings will take place:

  • Feb. 5, 2025, at 10 a.m. at the Robert R. Freeman Administrative Complex at 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard, Stone Mtn. 
  • Feb. 6, 2025, at 6 p.m. at Robert R. Freeman Administrative Complex.

Gwinnett County Public Schools hearings will take place:

  • Feb. 20, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Instructional Support Center at 437 Old Peachtree Road NW, Suwanee in the Board Room.
  • Feb. 20, 2025, at 6 p.m. at Instructional Support Center.

Marietta City Schools hearings will take place:

  • Jan. 29, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at 250 Howard St. Marietta
  • Feb. 11, 2025, at 12 p.m. at 250 Howard St.