Frequently Asked Questions

G.L.I.D.E. is Fulton County Schools’ long-term, data-informed financial strategy designed to ensure the district’s sustainability while protecting classroom instruction. It focuses on Growth Opportunities, Lean Operations, Investment in Innovation, Diversified Revenue, and Enhanced Efficiency.

G.L.I.D.E. was developed in response to a projected financial shortfall created by rising operational costs, declining student enrollment, and evolving state and federal funding structures. These challenges are impacting school districts nationwide, and Fulton County Schools is using the G.L.I.D.E. strategy to plan proactively rather than react to budget shortfalls.

The G.L.I.D.E. strategy launched in June 2025 with a cross-functional team examining fiscal trends and data-driven suggestions for reducing expenditures. Suggestions and feedback were also solicited from employees, parents, community members, and other stakeholders. This ensured multiple perspectives were considered and that the process was transparent.  
 

The cross-functional team reviewed current spending patterns, benchmarked practices, and analyzed trade-offs to develop a portfolio of ideas for decreasing costs or generating revenue. Each strategy was evaluated based on its financial impact, feasibility, sustainability, and alignment with instructional priorities and student needs.

After Cabinet and the School Board’s initial input, an extensive list of ideas was consolidated to 23 viable and impactful ideas. These have been refined to 16 strategies that are recommended by Superintendent Mike Looney for inclusion in the FY 2027 budget development process.

The total financial impact of the strategies moving forward is approximately $50 million.

Yes. Some strategies are still under consideration to allow for additional data review, financial analysis, and other operational impacts. These could be added to the FY 2027 budget development process. 

The potential financial impact is approximately $10 million.

Yes. Many ideas were reviewed and ultimately not recommended to move forward in the FY 2027 budget development process. However, some may be reconsidered if financial conditions change.

The combined potential financial impact of those ideas is approximately $115 million.

Yes. If the Governor’s mid-year budget is approved by the Georgia Legislature, the district will pass along the one-time $2,000 supplement to all eligible full-time employees during the 2025-2026 school year. The current state proposal does not cover all FCS employees; however, the district is proposing to extend the supplement to all eligible full-time employees.

Superintendent Looney has recommended shortening the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school year calendars by one day each. If approved, May 20, 2026, and May 26, 2027, would become the last instructional days for students. All district employees would then take a one-day furlough on May 21, 2026, and May 27, 2027. The dates were chosen at the end of the school year so students would not lose instructional time.

By closing the district these two days, the district would save approximately $9 million ($4.5 million for FY 2026 and $4.5 million in FY 2027) in operational and employee compensation costs. 

The School Board will be presented the updated 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 calendars in March.

A furlough day is a cost-saving strategy used to reduce expenses while minimizing impact on employees. On a furlough day, schools and central offices would be closed, employees would not be required to work (either on-site or remotely), and pay would not be received for that day. Employees, however, keep their jobs and benefits since the furlough is temporary.

Yes. One district-wide furlough day is proposed due to the proposed shortening of the 2025-2026 instructional calendar. The district-wide furlough day would be May 21, 2027.  

Yes. The May 22, 2026, workday is still scheduled. Employees who are scheduled to work that day are expected to report as outlined in their respective work calendars. 

Yes. One district-wide furlough day is included in the FY 2027 budget recommendation due to the proposed shortening of the 2026-2027 instructional calendar by one day. If approved, May 26, 2027, would be the last day for students and the district-wide furlough day would be May 27, 2027.

May 21, 2026 (FY 2026) and May 27, 2027 (FY 2027) were chosen at the end of the school year so students would not lose instructional time. These date also are scheduled workdays for all employee categories, including school-based and non-school based staff. Selecting these dates ensures the furlough is applied consistently and equitably across the district, rather than disproportionately affecting specific employee groups.

On furlough days, the entire district will be closed, and no employees will be required to report to work, either remotely or on-site. This approach provides the least operational impact to district operations, while allowing the district to realize the necessary fiscal savings in a fair and uniform manner.

For the 2025-2026 school year, the reduction of one day’s pay would be reflected in the June 15, 2026, pay period. For FY 2027, the reduction would be reflected in the June 15, 2027, pay period.

The recommendations are estimated to save the district approximately $9 million ($4.5 million for FY 2026 and $4.5 million in FY 2027) in operational and employee compensation costs. 

Fulton County Schools remains committed to competitive compensation while managing ongoing financial pressures. As part of this balance, the current salary schedule (2025-2026) is recommended to stay the same for FY 2027 (2026-2027). 

Yes. Eligible employees will receive a mid-year step increase beginning January 2027.

The School Board is expected to vote on the FY 2027 budget in June 2026.

The new fiscal year begins on July 1, 2026. Recommendations included in the FY 2027 budget would take effect at that time.

Feedback can be shared through the Let’s Talk personal assistant widget on the district’s website or by emailing questions@fultonschools.org. 

Fulton County Schools has emphasized transparency throughout the process. Updates will be shared through School Board meetings and official district communications, such as the Budget Updates published monthly during the budget development process and the twice-monthly Board Bulletin emails. Information also will be posted to the district's Budget Services and G.L.I.D.E. websites.