Board Bulletin for 3/12/2025

 

The Fulton County Board of Education met on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 for its regularly scheduled work session at the North Learning Center. The full agenda is available online via Simbli, a website replacing the district's former BoardDocs, which makes the School Board agenda and all supporting documents available online. Meetings are streamed live on the FCS homepage, with recordings available within 48 hours.

Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Mike Looney began his presentation noting that this is Board Member Appreciation Week, thanking the Board for the commitment, enthusiasm and integrity they collectively bring to this district. On behalf of all employees and students, Dr. Looney acknowledged the Board’s efforts in advocating for resources, engaging with the community, and working collaboratively to drive student achievement.

Dr. Looney also thanked Chief Human Resources Officer Gonzalo LaCava and his team for holding two successful hiring fairs this month attended by more than 900 interested candidates.

Ready Georgia Seal of Preparedness

The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority. Dr. Looney proudly shared that 22 Fulton County schools have been honored with the Ready Georgia Seal of Preparedness, a prestigious recognition awarded by the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) and the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS).

This achievement highlights the outstanding commitment of our schools to emergency preparedness. These schools have gone above and beyond in developing comprehensive safety plans, implementing risk mitigation strategies, and ensuring their campuses are well-equipped to handle emergencies. Dr. Looney commended the dedication of our school leaders, staff, and partners who work tirelessly to create a secure learning environment for all students.

Advanced Placement Honors

In February, the GaDOE announced the 2025 Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Schools. The College Board designates AP Honor Schools across eight categories of excellence.​

Chief Academic Officer Brannon Gaskins excitedly shared that every traditional high school in the district received at least one AP Honor designation this year. This outstanding achievement reflects our district’s commitment to maintaining high expectations in every school.​

Fulton County Schools continues to demonstrate excellence in Advanced Placement (AP) achievement, with students excelling across multiple recognition categories. A special distinction goes to the 11 schools that earned the prestigious "School of Distinction" designation. At these schools, at least 20% of the student body participated in an AP exam, and 50% or more of those exams received a score of three or higher, a remarkable accomplishment.​ Click here for the full presentation.

The FCS Schools of Distinction are Alpharetta High School, Cambridge High School, Centennial High School, Chattahoochee High School, FCS Innovation Academy, Johns Creek High School, Milton High School, North Springs High School, Northview High School, Riverwood International Charter School, and Roswell High School.​

2025-26 Enrollment Projections

Executive Director of Operational Planning Tarika Peeks shared the FY2025-26 enrollment projections with the Board, outlining enrollment trends, sharing housing and demographic data and providing implications of these data elements in the form of long-range enrollment projections.

The district is projecting a decline in enrollment for FY2025-26. The most significant factor contributing to the decline is the larger graduating classes exiting the district in comparison to the smaller incoming kindergarten classes. While enrollment continues to decrease, the rate of decline has slowed down compared to last year.

Districtwide, a slow decline in enrollment is anticipated due to housing challenges, rising home prices, and higher interest rates. The south region is expected to grow steadily due to new residential housing. Enrollment in Sandy Springs continues to decline, with ninth-grade enrollment remaining strong, while the north region will also see an overall decline in enrollment. The long-term forecast will be impacted by fewer home sales.

The projected enrollment change for each region and Fulton Academy of Virtual Education (FAVE) over the next five years shows a continued decline. For the 2025-26 school year, a decline of over 1,000 students is anticipated, reaching a district total of around 86,000 students. Over the next five years, a continued downward trend is expected, with over 3,300 fewer students. See the full presentation here.

FY 2026 Preliminary General Fund Revenue Forecast

Chief Financial Officer Marvin Dereef shared an overview of the district’s preliminary revenue forecast, which aims to ensure financial stability while providing quality education for our students. Mr. Dereef outlined key budget assumptions for FY2026, indicating a net revenue increase of 2%.  A projected budget and expenditure forecast will be presented at an upcoming Board meeting and will indicate expenditures are outpacing revenue.

Dereef note the county’s total taxable property value is expected to grow by 3%, increasing local tax revenue. The Local Fair Share, which is the portion of local funds required to be contributed to the state, is set to increase. Student enrollment numbers are projected to decline, affecting state funding. The state of Georgia’s budget will increase its employer contribution rate for health insurance and teacher retirement benefits. Overall, the district is projecting a decrease in state funding.

He continued the presentation highlighting the revenue breakdown, noting the district’s funding for the General Fund comes from two main sources: 65% from local taxes and 32% from state funding. This means that any changes in tax revenues and state contributions have a direct impact on school funding. The millage rate will be determined once the district receives tax digest data in May. The current millage rate is 17.08.

Fulton County Schools will continue refining its forecast as it receives updated data from the GaDOE and the Fulton County Tax Office while the School Board will review funding strategies to ensure the district maintains high-quality education and teacher support despite funding shifts. Community feedback is encouraged as budget plans are finalized. Click here to see the full presentation.

Pre-Work Session

Fulton County Schools’ pre-work session is a public meeting that takes place before each monthly work session. It is an opportunity for the Board to receive policy drafts, provide feedback, and give presentations or focus on topics of interest. Audio recordings of the pre-work session are available within 48 hours. Topics discussed at this week’s session include:  

• Cell Phone Policy
• Social Media Act Update

Board Recognitions

Each month, the Board recognizes outstanding students, staff, and schools honored at the state, national, or international level. Honorees must have placed first at the regional or state level or be among the top finishers at the national or international level. The following teams and individuals were honored at the meeting: 

• Asa G. Hilliard Elementary School Beta Club students won first place at competitions at the Georgia Beta Club State Convention; student Shiloh Williams was selected as Georgia Elementary Beta Club vice president
• FCS Governance and Strategy Department’s Amanda Swerdlow, in partnership with Academics leadership and Gibson Consulting, was awarded first place at the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Division H meeting for Outstanding Publications in the Program Evaluation category.
• Asa Hillard Elementary School teacher Julea Eppinger was selected as a Georgia Teacher Policy Fellow

2025-26 Community Meetings with Board Members

Each member of the Fulton County Board of Education sponsors a monthly meeting open to all community members. The sessions provide an opportunity for direct contact with community members and give Board members a chance to listen to local issues and concerns. Click here to see the meeting schedules of all Board members.