Now is your chance to let members of the Clayton County Board of Education know what you think about how much they’re spending on county schools, educational programs, and construction—and where you think they should prioritize that spending.
The board wants to spend money from four funding pots: the General Fund, the Special Revenue Fund, the Enterprise Fund/School Nutrition, and the Capital Projects Fund.
The biggest spending increase the school board wants is for capital projects, up a whopping 63.7% or $219,288,068 from this year. The Board of Education also is seeking a 13% increase in general fund spending, up $86,577,752. and a $247,803 increase of .38% from the enterprise fund. Only the special revenue fund sees a cut of 8.7% or $15,188,138.
Those figures assume that Clayton County will see more property tax increases and new home construction, as well as an increase in state funding. Additional funding for security and safety improvements also is anticipated. The board expects to issue $250 million in revenue bonds for capital projects. FY2024 also marks the end of COVID-19 emergency funding.
New spending includes raises for most employees, largely funded by the state budget. Certified staff will earn another $7,090 per year, while classified staff will take home another $2,000. Bus drivers, nutrition workers, and nurses got a 5.1% salary bump, while district staff will get a 3% cost of living adjustment. Custodians will get a one-time $1,000 bonus. The district also anticipates it will have to pay more for fuel, utilities, and supplies:
Here is a copy of the proposed budget for fiscal year 2024, which shows more specific spending plans by line item:
You can let the school board know your thoughts about how much they want to spend and how much local homeowners and renters can afford. However, the hearings are scheduled at times when many people are either at work or commuting home from work:
- Monday, June 12, 5:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 14, 11 a.m.
On Tuesday, May 29, the BOE tentatively approved the proposed budget for fiscal year 2024. Public hearings on the proposed budget will take place at the Administration Complex Boardroom, 1058 Fifth Ave., Jonesboro.
The final vote on the budget is slated for Monday, June 26 at 6 p.m.
As part of the budget, the BOE says it hopes to keep the same millage rate. A mill is $1 on every $1,000. That means a millage rate of 20 would cost $20 in taxes on every $1,000 of your home’s assessed (not fair-market) value. The assessed value is 40% of your home’s fair-market value.
Example
If the Clayton County Tax Assessor says your home is worth $100,000 fair market value, it will only tax you on $40,000. Imagine that as a stack of 40 $1,000 bills.
Because your assessed value is made up of 40 x $1,000, a 20-mil rate would mean each of those 4o bills would be taxed at $20. So your assessed school tax would be .20 x 40 x $1,000
However, because home values have gone up, keeping the same millage rate instead of adopting a lower one could mean more of your paycheck will be going to CCPS. Homeowners are directly impacted by property taxes, although you can apply for one of several exemptions to lessen the blow, especially if you are a senior.
Low-income seniors making $10,000 or less per year of taxable income can apply for a “double homestead exemption” if they are 65 or older as of January 1. What that means is the county will deduct $14,000 from your assessed property value, then tax you on the remaining amount for school purposes.
Renters, many of whom have school-age children, are indirectly impacted by higher property taxes when landlords pass along the cost by raising rents.
Look for school millage rate hearings to come in late July to mid-August.
If you cannot make any of the meetings, you can e-mail or call your school board officials. Their main office number is (404) 361-3494:
| MEMBER | DISTRICT | CELL | |
| Jasmine Bowles | District 1 | 404-638-7278 | jasmine.bowles@clayton.k12.ga.us |
| Mark Christmas | District 2 | 404-955-4222 | mark.christmas@clayton.k12.ga.us |
| Jessie Goree (chair) | District 3 | 770-880-8708 | jessie.goree@clayton.k12.ga.us |
| Victoria Williams | District 4 | 470-572-5400 | victoria.williams@clayton.k12.ga.us |
| Dee Haney | District 5 | 470-572-8254 | deatrice.haney@clayton.k12.ga.us |
| Mary Baker | District 6 | 404-695-2627 | mary.baker@clayton.k12.ga.us |
| Sabrina Hill | District 7 | 470-576-4499 | sabrina.hill@clayton.k12.ga.us |
| Joy Tellis Cooper | District 8 | 470-249-8681 | joy.telliscooper@clayton.k12.ga.us |
| Benjamin Straker | District 9 | 678-630-6674 | benjamin.straker@clayton.k12.ga.us |
