Legislative & Policy Priorities

1. FULLY FUND GEORGIA’S QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION (QBE) FORMULA

• Ensure full QBE funding so students receive the maximum resources needed for their educational potential.
• Continue to support adjustments to reflect modern classroom needs, including instructional technology, student support services, and competitive compensation for educators.

2. MAINTAIN LOCAL FUNDING FLEXIBILITY

• Recognize the growing local burden under Georgia’s “Local Fair Share” requirement, which has increased 22% over the past four years, effectively shifting more of the education funding responsibility from the state to local taxpayers.
• Exclude locally approved tax exemptions from Local Fair Share calculations to ensure districts are not penalized for tax policy decisions made by other governing bodies.
• Limit new local tax exemptions that reduce local and state revenues needed to fund education.
• Oppose legislation restricting local property assessment methods that could reduce the district’s tax base.
• Preserve flexibility in local financial decisions and oppose unfunded state mandates.

3. ADDRESS CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM

• Encourage state funding for local strategies proven to improve attendance, such as attendance officers, family liaisons, and student supports.

4. STRENGTHEN EARLY LEARNING ACCESS

• Support increased state investment in pre-kindergarten programs to close early learning gaps, aligned with the priorities of Speaker Burns and State Superintendent Woods.
• Expand resources for high-quality early learning programs serving children from birth to age 5.

5. IMPROVE K-5 NUMERACY OUTCOMES

• Advocate for targeted funding to improve K-5 numeracy instruction, including professional learning for teachers and developmentally appropriate materials.
• Support alignment of state standards, assessments, and teacher preparation programs to strengthen math proficiency in early grades.

6. ENHANCE SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY

• Ensure full QBE funding so students receive the maximum resources needed for their educational potential.
• Continue to support adjustments to reflect modern classroom needs, including instructional technology, student support services, and competitive compensation for educators.

7. PROTECT THE ROLE OF LOCAL BOARDS OF EDUCATION

• Oppose efforts to expand state authority in overturning local disciplinary decisions. Ensure continued recognition of district governance autonomy in operational, disciplinary, and instructional matters. Change the date for School Board Officer elections in Fulton County from January to December.

8. OPPOSE EXPANSION OF VOUCHERS

• Firmly reject proposals that divert public funds to private education programs, ensuring resources remain focused on the 90% of Georgia’s students attending public schools.
• Require accountability measures, including Georgia Milestones, End of Course and End of Grade assessments, for any existing or future voucher programs.

At the federal level, the Fulton County School Board asks legislators to:

• Fully Fund IDEA: Advocate for full federal funding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to relieve local budget pressure.
• Support Title I, II, & III Programs: Protect and expand funding for programs that support disadvantaged, multilingual, and low-income students.
• Sustain Connectivity Support: Continue Federal Communications Commission (FCC) support for internet access programs (hot spots) to ensure digital equity.
• Include Cybersecurity Under E-Rate: Urge Congress to expand E-Rate eligibility to include cybersecurity infrastructure and network protection for K-12 systems.