Fulton School Board Approves $1.7 Billion Budget

SANDY SPRINGS, GA — The Fulton County School Board has given the final approval of the $1.7 billion budget for fiscal year 2019 budget, which goes into effect July 1. Board members voted 6-1, with Katie Reeves opposing, to approve the budget at their June 28 called meeting.

The final budget include pay increases for teachers and staff, the creation of a district advisory safety committee and additional support for Fulton students. With the beginning of the new fiscal year, all eligible Fulton County Schools employees will receive a paid step increase; and teachers on Steps 4-14 also will receive a 2 percent pay hike, beginning in January 2019.

“This budget is focused on funding quality instruction for our students,” said Fulton County Schools Superintendent Dr. Jeff Rose, noting that it contains no windfalls and only enough dollars to ensure that it is a balanced budget. “Additionally, it is aligned with priorities identified in our Strategic Plan 2022 and supports our efforts to hire and retain qualified teachers across our school system.”

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The budget also calls for the creation of a Fulton County Schools Safety Advisory Committee, which would be tasked with reviewing the system's current safety and security processes. It also will identify additional safety and security measures and enhancements for all schools, with emphasis on elementary campuses. It also funds 10 social workers to staff Fulton’s social-emotional learning initiative.

Instruction – at 68 percent of the general fund – remains the largest allocation of the budget, with the remaining 32 percent budgeted for pupil transportation, maintenance and operations, and other administrative functions. A combined millage rate of 17.796 was given tentative approval. If given final approval in July, it will remain one of the lowest in metro Atlanta.

The final General Fund budget also takes into consideration student enrollment for next year, as well as the district’s increased employer-paid contributions to health insurance and the Teachers Retirement System. Increases to TRS and employee benefits for classified employees make up 81 percent of the overall increase to the budget. Finally, the final budget reflects a $9.4 million revenue reduction from the tentatively-approved budget.

As part of the budget development process, Fulton used an approach called “modified zero-based budgeting,” that closely aligns funding needs with the district’s priorities. This process was first adopted in 2013 and requires that the budget be developed from the bottom up and based on demonstrated need, rather than approving incremental increases or decreases. Breakdown of the final FY 2019 Budget:

• General Fund: $1.05 billion
• School Nutrition Fund: $41.9 million
• Debt Service Fund: $12.1 million
• Special Revenue Fund: $54.1 million
• Capital Program Fund: $509 million
• Pension Fund: $34.1 million
• Student Activity Fund: $19.2 million
• Total All Funds: $1.7 billion

“We’re pleased to approve a budget that provides increases for our deserving employees, along with additional support for our students,” said School Board President Linda Bryant. “With this budget, we’re also demonstrating our commitment to maintaining safe school environments, which is a priority for this school board. I’m also pleased that we are continuing the trend of having one of metro Atlanta’s lowest millage rates.”

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