Board Bulletin for 7/31/2026
The Fulton County Board of Education met on Thursday, July 30, 2026, for a called School Board meeting at the South Learning Center. The full agenda is available via Simbli, a website that makes the 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
Fulton County Schools (FCS) Superintendent Dr. Mike Looney congratulated the FCS Police Department, which has earned Georgia Law Enforcement Certification from the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, becoming one of only four school district police departments in the state to receive this distinction.
The certification recognizes the department’s commitment to professionalism, accountability, and service after demonstrating compliance with 141 state-approved standards related to policies, procedures, and training.
This achievement reflects the district’s ongoing focus on safety, continuous improvement, and building trust with students, staff, families, and the community.
Tax Digest Update
The Board received an update from Chief Financial Officer Marvin Dereef on the ongoing delay in Fulton County's completion and certification of the 2026 tax digest. Because the tax digest has not yet been certified, FCS remains unable to begin the state-required process to establish its final millage rate. The Board adopted the FY2027 budget in June based on the best information available at the time and the current millage rate.
The delay continues to create uncertainty in the district's financial planning. Without a certified tax digest, the district cannot accurately determine the amount of local property tax revenue that will support more than 60% of the district's operating budget. As a result, the district is unable to fully assess the financial impact of changes in property values, new exemptions, and other factors that could increase or decrease projected revenues.
District leaders also informed the Board that, if the delay continues, Fulton County Schools may need to consider short-term financing options to ensure uninterrupted operations while awaiting local property tax revenue. In addition, if Fulton County proceeds with interim property tax bills, taxpayers could receive two bills; an interim bill followed by a final adjustment after the tax digest is completed and the district's final millage rate is established.
FCS will continue to monitor the situation closely and work with county officials as additional information becomes available. The district remains committed to keeping families, employees, and taxpayers informed throughout the process.
2026-2027 Attendance Initiative
Heards Ferry Elementary School Principal Tara Uremovich presented the 2026-2027 Attendance Initiative, a districtwide effort to increase student access to learning by improving attendance across Fulton County Schools. Built around the goals of reducing late enrollment, increasing attendance during student enrollment count periods, and improving satisfactory attendance rates by three percentage points, the initiative promotes consistent attendance through engagement, recognition, communication, and community partnerships.
The yearlong 95% to Thrive campaign encourages students to maintain at least a 95% attendance rate, with quarterly recognition, family attendance updates, and early intervention supports. Complementing this initiative is the 5 to Thrive campaign, which focuses on encouraging attendance during the first five days of school and key student enrollment count weeks through schoolwide celebrations and incentives. Together, these strategies are designed to strengthen student engagement, maximize instructional access, and help every student thrive. Click here to visit the website, which features a new video highlighting the campaign. See the full presentation here.
Find Your Future at Fulton
Chief Academic Officer Brannon Gaskins provided an overview of the district’s new Non-Resident Tuition Program, including the tuition structure, application and enrollment processes, and marketing efforts designed to attract prospective families.
A cross-functional team developed the program and gathered feedback from the four pilot schools: Fulton Academy of Virtual Excellence (FAVE), Global Impact Academy, North Springs High School, and Northview High School.
The program is being implemented in phases, with Phase One establishing a transparent admissions process for out-of-district students at select high schools and Phase Two focusing on integration with the district’s Change of School Assignment (COSA) process.
Marketing efforts are centered on the “Find Your Future at Fulton” campaign, supported by a dedicated website, online application portal, email support, and outreach through digital and social media channels.
Tuition is set at $5,500 per semester or $11,000 per school year. Click here to see the full presentation.
2025 STAR Climate Ratings Update
Mr. Gaskins reported that 47 Fulton County schools earned the highest distinction of a 5-Star Climate Rating, including 31 elementary schools, nine middle schools, and seven high schools. An additional 31 schools earned ratings between 4.0 and 4.75 stars, resulting in 78 schools receiving four stars or higher. Fourteen schools earned ratings between 3.0 and 3.75 stars, while seven schools received ratings between 1.0 and 2.75 stars and will continue to receive targeted district support. Click here to see the full presentation.
New Hires & Promotions
The following individuals were approved for a new position at the Board meeting:
- Dr. Taylor Barton | Director, Strategy and Technology Support
- Tara Uremovich | Principal, Heards Ferry Elementary School
- Damond Smith | Principal, FAVE
2026-27 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.
