Board Bulletin for 3/20/2026

 

The Fulton County Board of Education met on Thursday, March 19, 2026, for its regularly scheduled School Board meeting at the South Learning Center. The full agenda is available online via Simbli, a website that makes the Board agenda and all supporting documents available. Meetings are streamed live on the Fulton County Schools (FCS) homepage, with recordings available within 48 hours.

Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Mike Looney began his report by recognizing and thanking board members for presenting this week at the Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA) conference in Louisville, Kentucky, where they presented the Change of School Assignment (COSA) policy and process. They also presented the positive impact of the In School Academy Model on high school graduation rates with other school districts across the country.

Dr. Looney also expressed his deep sorrow as he shared news about the deaths this week of two Fulton County high school students. Although their deaths were not school-related and did not happen at school, this loss has deeply affected the entire community. He acknowledged the grief felt by students and staff and emphasized that the district is committed to providing care and support in the days ahead. Counselors and support teams remain available to anyone who needs assistance.

CSI/TSI/ATSI Update

Chief Academic Officer Brannon Gaskins shared an update on schools identified by the federal and state governments as requiring additional support, including Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI), Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI), Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI), and Promise Act schools. Thirteen schools are currently on state or federal lists. The district also identified 16 additional Promise Act Plus schools that are not state identified but were flagged proactively to ensure they receive early support and resources to maintain positive improvement.

Mr. Gaskins reviewed student performance data from the spring 2025 Georgia Milestones and winter 2026 iReady assessments. Schools used this data to determine which students were on track for grade level performance, which students required additional support, and which students were close to meeting grade level expectations with targeted help. More than 3,000 students were identified in what Gaskins referred to as the visibility group for reading, and 3,500 for math, across identified schools.

Using this information, schools developed targeted spring plans focused on strategies such as increased small group instruction and additional teacher coaching and professional learning. District staff also used the data to project potential ranges for this year’s Milestones results.

The district’s four-part improvement framework—strong system leadership, strategic talent management, high quality instructional tools and monitoring, and aligned support and accountability—continues to guide this work. Together, these efforts provide coordinated support to improve student achievement and sustain long-term progress. Click here to see the full presentation.

FY 2027 Preliminary General Fund Revenue Forecast

According to Chief Financial Officer Marvin Dereef, who presented his annual revenue projection to the Board as part of the district’s budget development process, said FCS is expecting to receive about $1.4 billion in revenue for the 2027 school year. The budget process began in January and will conclude in June with the Board’s expected final vote. This projected revenue is slightly less than last year, mainly because the district will collect less money from property taxes. Even though property values in our community continue to rise, new tax exemptions for senior citizens mean that a smaller portion of those values can be taxed for school funding. As a result, the district anticipates losing about $26.7 million in property tax revenues next year.

In addition to local taxes, the district receives funding from the state of Georgia through the Quality Basic Education (QBE) formula. While the state legislature has not yet finalized the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, Mr. Dereef indicated the district is currently estimating approximately $463 million in state funding. This estimate includes increased state contributions for employee health insurance but is partially offset by a slight decrease in student enrollment. When enrollment declines, the district receives less funding through the state’s formula.

To help support the budget, the district is taking several steps to increase revenue. These steps include raising rental rates for school facilities, expanding Medicaid reimbursement for certain special education services, and adjusting high school senior schedules so that the district receives full state funding for their attendance. These efforts are helping to bring in more revenue, though they do not fully make up for the loss from reduced property tax collections.

Looking to the future, FCS may face additional financial challenges pending new legislation. The district will continue to refine its budget as updated information becomes available from the state and county. Community members will have opportunities to learn more and share feedback at public hearings and Board meetings this spring. A final budget will be approved once the revenue outlook is complete. See the full presentation here.

Next Steps in the Budget Process:

• April 16: Special Revenue & Capital presentation
• April 23: Superintendent’s Comprehensive General Fund budget
• May 5 & 12: Public hearings
• May 12: Tentative budget vote
• June 11: Final Board adoption of FY 2027 budget and tentative millage rate approval

FY2027 Budget Calendar

The proposed change for the fiscal year 2026-2027 calendar has been finalized. The date for the adoption of the FY2027 budget has been rescheduled from June 9 to June 11 to accommodate scheduling adjustments. See the calendar here.

Board Policy Update

The following policies were approved by the Board:  

Board Policy FD – Facilities Long Range Planning: Clarifies how the district manages, funds, and oversees long-term facility needs and capital plans.

Board Policy GAHB – Staff Political Activities: Adds clarification that employees may advocate on behalf of the district when directed by the Superintendent or Board, as allowed by law.

Regulation GAHB – Staff Political Activities:  Outlines expectations for staff political activity, including permitted activities as private citizens and restrictions involving the use of district resources for political purposes. 

New Hires & Promotions

The following individual was approved for a new position at the Board meeting:

• Flandecia Richards-Boyle | Executive Director of IT Services 

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:    

• Lynne Meadows, director of District Health Services, was inducted into the 2026 Georgia Nursing Hall of Fame
• The Tri-Cities High School Dance Team won the 3A – 5A Georgia High School Association (GHSA) State Championship 

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.