It’s Spring Break in Fulton County Schools. A much-needed time away from the classroom for students. However, for many who work for Fulton County Schools, it also marks the beginning of a sprint to complete the upcoming school year’s budget.
Although Fulton County Schools’ (FCS) budget development process is a year-round activity for the overall District, the timeline for individual school budget development is much shorter for individual schools.
This year, the FCS Budget Calendar gave the District from July 1, 2024, until March 19, 2025, or 261 days, to assemble critical information needed for budget development. While schools can also work on preliminary budgets during this time, the essential information – enrollment forecasting and revenue projections – is not presented and approved by the School Board until March. Schools must then quickly incorporate this critical information into their budgets due on April 24, 2025.
To illustrate this point: On March 11, 2025, the FY 2026 Enrollment Forecast was presented and approved by the FCS Board. Then, on March 19, 2025, the FY 2026 Revenue projections were presented and approved by the FCS Board. Supposing these are the last information schools need to construct the most pragmatic budget, schools have only 36 calendar days to finalize their budgets. And if you subtract weekends and FCS holidays, schools only have 21 working days.
That’s right — principals, school administrators, teachers, and community stakeholders have less than a month to make significant funding decisions that will impact our children for the upcoming school year.
Now, you may be thinking, ‘But wait, once FCS presents these budgets to the School Board, there still is an opportunity for individual schools to adjust their budgets to meet the needs of their communities before finalization.’ And yes, there is time for schools to rework their respective budgets. However, this may be enough time in years when enrollment or revenues are consistent. But in years with major changes, including budget cuts, administrators must hurry to make tough choices and must do it with very limited time.
Given today’s economic state, Fulton County Schools find themselves in exactly that position. During the March 19, 2025, FCS Board Meeting, Dr. Mike Looney, Superintendent of FCS, informed the Board of the challenging financial position the District will be in next year, stating that
“Given the comparison between the requests and projected revenue, it is going to be necessary to make some reductions. Key revenue restraints include a projected reduction in state revenue in the upcoming year, and uncertainty in federal funding formulas that along with continued downward pressure in revenue from local taxation. Additionally, we have faced an increase in mandated expenditures at all levels. Everything from inflation to the increased cost in employee benefits and retirement, and compliance costs with doing business. We are going to have to make some tough decisions together.”
Adopting this solution could impact expenditures such as instruction, pupil services, educational media services, maintenance and operations. Dr. Looney mentioned in his presentation to the Board that he has already “tasked our chief information officer with finding ways to reduce our expenses for software and computer costs. He has committed to a $500,000+ reduction.” With cost-cutting measures already in action, there is no opportunity for schools to expand or create programs that meet the needs of the communities they serve.
The bottom line is that our schools are in a most challenging position. They are already faced with budgetary strains and will need to shrink their budget even more by reducing headcount or eliminating programs that may contribute to the school’s overall success.
Sadly, only time will tell how the budgetary choices made by schools to achieve a District-wide budget that the Fulton County Schools Board can approve will impact our children and communities. Hopefully, Fiscal Year 2026 will be just a small blimp on the radar and will have no consequences in the future. However, the reality is that even the most minor changes can result in the biggest of impacts.
The best way to ensure that FCS serves our children and communities correctly is to stay informed and hold those in power accountable. Below is a list of the remaining public meetings for the FY 2026 Budget. I encourage you to participate in these public meetings and share information with fellow parents. If you can not attend in person, you can join the virtually. Use your voice to bring attention to the issues that matter to you and your community.
| Activity | Date / Location |
|---|---|
| FY 2026 Special Revenue Funds presentation | April 17, 2025 North Learning Center |
| Capital Improvement Program presentation | April 17, 2025 North Learning Center |
| FY 2026 Superintendent’s Comprehensive General Fund budget presentation | April 24, 2025 South Learning Center |
| Salary Hearing #1 (if necessary) | May 6, 2025 North Learning Center |
| Public Budget Hearing #1 | May 6, 2025 North Learning Center |
| Salary Hearing #2 (if necessary) | May 13, 2025 South Learning Center |
| Public Budget Hearing #2 | May 13, 2025 South Learning Center |
| Board adopts tentative budgets and tentative millage rates | May 13, 2025 South Learning Center |
| Board adopts final budgets | June 10, 2025 North Learning Center |
| Millage rate adoption schedule | TDB |
| The above is based on information from the Fulton County Schools FY 2026 Budget Calendar |
The Learning Ledger 
Leave a comment