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FCS Budget Update for January 28, 2022
As Fulton County Schools (FCS) begins its annual budget season, it is important to update our community about the Fiscal Year 2023 budget planning process. The comprehensive budget development effort undertaken by the district takes several months and includes multiple steps of review, research, and community engagement.
This year, the Board of Education’s strong financial management and oversight of the budget, which has resulted in Fulton County having the lowest school millage rate, will include the good stewardship of federal dollars from CARES I, CARES II and ARP.
Today’s message is part of a regular series of updates to help our employees, parents and stakeholders become familiar with key dates, milestones and external considerations.
In January, we began the process when school allotment guidelines were approved by the Board of Education and transmitted to school leaders, allowing them to begin their school-based budget development process. On January 20, Chief Financial Officer Marvin Dereef provided an update to the Board regarding Governor Brian Kemp’s budgetary recommendations for the next fiscal year and its potential impact on the district. The recommendations in this plan included a one-time salary supplement of $2,000 to full-time employees and $1,000 to part-time employees, to include QBE-funded instructional staff, school support staff, school administration, nurses, and central administration, and a reduction in Austerity for FY2022. Additionally, an increase in pay for certified teachers and certified employees in the amount of $2,000 is proposed. The Teacher’s Retirement System employer contribution rate is increasing from 19.81 to 19.98.
The State budget is not finalized, as it must first go through the Georgia General Assembly before being sent to Governor Kemp to sign into law. Therefore, the state budget information provided is only a proposal and is subject to change. Staff continues to closely monitor and engage with state officials as they initiate their budget process and develop their funding priorities.
During March, Board members will begin a formal process for reviewing the data and receiving input from the community. The first components of the FCS budget considered annually are the Pre-Kindergarten, Pension, Grants and Special Revenue Fund, and School Nutrition budget recommendations, as part of what is called “Budget Markup #1”. Also presented in March are the revenue forecasts and enrollment projections.
In April, the capital budget will be presented, and Superintendent Looney will share budget recommendations for the general fund. This is part of what is called the “Budget Markup #2.”
Public involvement provides a critical perspective for making decisions and we encourage the public to participate in the process. The public is invited to attend the budget hearings in April and May prior to final adoption of the FY 2023 budget in June. Additionally, comments can be submitted anytime via email @ boardservices@fultonschools.org, during monthly community meetings held by each Board member, or by phone.
Below is a comprehensive list of upcoming key dates and events.
- Board Community Input (March 2022)
- Enrollment forecasting presentation (March 8, 2022)
- FY2022 Forecasted revenue/expenditure projections (March 17, 2022)
- Budget Markup #1 (March 17, 2022)
- Budget Markup #2 (April 14, 2022)
- Salary Hearing #1 (If necessary) (May 3, 2022)
- Public Budget Hearing #1 (May 3, 2022)
- Salary Hearing #2 (If necessary) (May 12, 2022)
- Public Budget Hearing #2 (May 12, 2022)
- Adoption of Tentative Budget/Tentative millage rates (May 12, 2022)
- Millage Rate Public Hearings #1 and #2 (TBD if necessary)
- Final Budget Adoption (June 7, 2022)
- Board adopts millage rates (June 2021)
Please plan to stay engaged and be on the lookout for further communication and as we continue to share additional information with our community during this year’s annual budget process.