Board Bulletin for 3/20/2025

 

The Fulton County Board of Education met on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, for its regularly scheduled Board Meeting at the South 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

Now that we have reached the midpoint in developing the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, Dr. Mike Looney provided the Board with an update on the district’s ongoing budget process. Departments and schools have finalized their budget requests, and he has collaborated with the district Division leaders to consolidate them into a comprehensive recommendation.

Key revenue constraints include a projected decrease in state funding, proposed legislation introducing new senior exemptions, existing homestead exemptions, and uncertainty surrounding federal funding. At the same time, the district faces rising unfunded, mandated expenditures, including increased employer benefit costs and compliance requirements, as well as inflationary impacts.

Given the gap between budget requests and projected revenue, Dr. Looney indicated the district is looking at reductions for next year’s overall expenditure levels.

To navigate these financial challenges, Dr. Looney announced that the district will be adjusting its initial budget recommendations. While a step increase for eligible employees and a 2.5% salary increase for staff remain part of the plan, additional measures will be implemented, including adjustments to certain supplements, a reduction in central office positions, a 5% cut in departmental non-personnel budgets, the elimination of the elementary program at FAVE, and ongoing reviews of contracts for further cost-saving opportunities.

Dr. Looney concluded his report by emphasizing that his primary goal is to minimize the impact on student services while ensuring the district remains financially responsible.

New Conley Hills Elementary School Naming

Zone 2 Superintendent Dr. Jason Stamper presented the process and final name recommendations submitted by the committee for the new Conley Hills Elementary School. In accordance with district policy, a naming committee was convened, bringing together key stakeholders, including parents, School Governance Council members, and community representatives from Conley Hills Hamilton E. Holmes and Asa G. Hilliard Elementary Schools. Given the redistricting, students from these three schools will come together to form the student body of the new school. The committee met twice to conduct a thoughtful and thorough naming process before reaching a consensus on three names to submit for the Board’s consideration. Of the three names, Briarwood Elementary School was chosen as the staff recommendation, which reflects the school’s address at 2816 Briarwood Blvd. Dr. Stamper presented this motion to the Board for first read.  A final vote is expected in April.

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 Juléa Eppinger was selected as a Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) 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.