A proposed 1-mill property tax increase for Fulton County Schools would eliminate a teacher furlough day built into this year's calendar at Alpharetta High, Milton High and Cambridge High, Superintendent Mike Looney announced at the board's Tuesday, Aug. 11 work session.
The furlough day, adopted in June as part of a package of budget cuts, shortens the 2026-27 instructional calendar by one day and was projected to save the district about $4.5 million. If the school board approves Looney's recommended millage rate of 18.08, up from 17.08, that lost classroom day goes away. The district also said the additional revenue would provide greater flexibility to consider salary increases in future years for its employees, according to the official board bulletin published Wednesday, Aug. 12.
The board is scheduled to vote on the tentative rate at its Thursday, Aug. 20 meeting. If it advances, three public hearings will follow before a final adoption vote. Hearing dates have not been announced.
Why the increase
This is the first proposed millage rate increase in seven years for Fulton County Schools. The rate hasn't moved in two years. At 17.08 mills, it is among the lowest in metro Atlanta; DeKalb County Schools recently approved 22.78 mills, and Cobb County has tentatively adopted 18.70.
Looney cited rising costs, increased employer contributions for health care and the Teachers Retirement System, inflation and declining local tax revenue from senior property tax exemptions approved by Fulton County voters last year. Those exemptions alone are projected to reduce district revenues by approximately $50 million.
"Over the course of this last year, we did some austerity cuts," Looney said at the work session, as reported by Rough Draft Atlanta. "We implemented a project called GLIDE to gradually, purposefully, and systematically begin reducing expenses."
The district cut $50 million through that initiative over the past year. Even so, the board adopted a $2.3 billion budget in June with a remaining deficit of roughly $56.9 million, planning to cover the gap with about 20% of its fund balance.
What it costs homeowners
One mill equals $1 per $1,000 of a home's taxable value, which under Georgia law is 40% of market value. A homeowner with a $450,000 home would owe approximately $3,254 in total school taxes at the proposed 18.08 rate, before homestead exemptions, according to Appen Media.
Looney noted the recommendation could be adjusted downward. The Fulton County tax digest has been delayed this year; a Superior Court granted a temporary collection order Aug. 4 allowing estimated bills based on 2025 rates while assessors finish processing a backlog.
What's next
Board members can accept the superintendent's recommendation, keep the rate flat or propose a different figure at the Aug. 20 meeting. The district begins the school year with more than 83,000 students, a 99% teacher fill rate and 90% teacher retention, with more than 500 new hires.
Public comment periods at board meetings are not aired or recorded under district policy. Families wanting to weigh in should watch for hearing dates after the Aug. 20 vote.
