[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6121236,"mediaKeyId","2703301-fe94cd39ebdddcdf582101c07e5c8016","parentId",2703301,"title","Board reviews budget assumptions, midterm amendment and considers moving final adoption later","audioSeconds",233,"startMs",2641000,"endMs",2874000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703301-fe94cd39ebdddcdf582101c07e5c8016&start=2641&end=2874","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703301-fe94cd39ebdddcdf582101c07e5c8016/thumbnail_2641000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6121236/Georgia/Board-reviews-budget-assumptions-midterm-amendment-and-considers-moving-final-adoption-later","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121236-bae1269ceb0a17fd230c1258cb6e3bb6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770414365&Signature=NUdG2DJjdzWkVUabqcw3qDxHjXgq6JHcvUGHrXm3goLdxGxnkUP4TffWR0k5HjuvqyfKDBYfcKE-~7oJpNADzPEw00BPxKIacgncC65D4aPDinbt8-ReBbWLXPUpOD-9NQMJYBKMhGG9bO4kz9gSpzhi6JH6lbHy9wURq1GBcS6mwNF462f3BnF-NA9oPb~OexVxY2f79CBGxtEKrDr6gXlurlwDMM5VpLc7px~EBLtsRy5pqaO5o~v9zK22el-fCzeUgqitbZk7GC6vBApPJwEG2UBgvahn1od2qRVgP5kqreRZG6vgQHmLNJzKlnsqg-QNP6cesOgb~5HKuhNUqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-18T13:00:34Z","article","Carroll County Schools finance staff reported budget updates and sought board input on the FY26 calendar during the March 17 work session.

Finance Director Mister Lynn Wolf presented the January financials and a budget outlook that included a preliminary midterm amendment from the state showing a $2.4 million increase to be presented in Amendment No. 2 next month. Wolf said the amendment is tied to a statewide cap on the local five-mill share set by state law.

For fiscal year 2026 planning, Wolf outlined budget assumptions and a framework that includes a 1% increase in the local supplement for certified employees and a 1% raise for classified employees (an overall 1% raise assumption). The draft budget framework also assumes enrollment growth of about 2.6% and estimates state revenue increases driven by enrollment and step increases.

Board Chair Mister Miller asked whether the board would object to moving the tentative/final adoption timeline back one month to allow more definitive state and county numbers; staff and trustees agreed the later timeline would provide more complete information before final action. Wolf said the state allotment sheet is expected in April and county local estimates in May; shifting the calendar back would allow the board to consider those figures before final adoption.

Wolf also described expenditure drivers including mandatory state benefit cost increases for health insurance and TRS, operating cost increases and proposed one-time investments for school equipment. The budget framework presented the district-level estimates in both revenue and expenditure sections and listed proposed position increases by school for FY26.

Board members asked staff to present impact scenarios (for example, different raise levels) once state and local numbers arrive so trustees can review options before final action.

No final budget adoption occurred at the March 17 work session; the board discussed calendar timing and directed staff to return with updated numbers and scenarios.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOE March 18 2025","oneSentenceSummary","District finance staff reported a preliminary midterm amendment adding $2.4 million and reviewed FY26 budget assumptions, including a 1% raise for employees; board discussed shifting the final budget adoption one month later to allow for additional state and local information.","taxTitle","Carroll County, School Districts, Georgia","taxId",15314,"location","Georgia","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6121241,"Carroll County highlights fine arts achievements, reports heavy Performing Arts Center use",425,1585000,2010000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703301-fe94cd39ebdddcdf582101c07e5c8016&start=1585&end=2010","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703301-fe94cd39ebdddcdf582101c07e5c8016/thumbnail_1585000.jpg","/articles/6121241/Georgia/Carroll-County-highlights-fine-arts-achievements-reports-heavy-Performing-Arts-Center-use","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121241-42b77991814fa43ec16063b65160dca6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770414365&Signature=VV8BPyX35Ku2Fy0R-NYFe~b84TEpisT3jvkC27n62gcBV-EqZprqFEwjkg~BciSpNW5cjlnzoWJUw~bD7BH8bHsW1n0-ap6DEg1Pyr0pviEWIkucuIsn2MteI1NDtll2WieWCYPR2weJKWhvGNuJ5O~3VtTw2Vey5nwV-1EyFkfEa2reR7tiLUGk6-ndKcEL8zcSrBcGYOSmh~FBLRBX68YTaVRN2QRBC772ukTZUy6SzY4dmi5uR8kia0Uk5mjfoUfWGNOv-AZCs4Y1kGw-LTcXOSTIjkzCsU-fxzfcGVk6faVjQDbNTvnBRK8p70sOY-TY-drUg4axl4PbIVAgVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carroll County Schools’ fine arts programs have expanded participation and external recognition, district staff told the Board of Education at the March 17 work session.

Kevin Ruby (presented as the fine arts coordinator in the transcript) reported the district’s performing arts center hosted 89 fine-arts-specific events in the past year and “hundreds of other events,” and that the district will host the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) District 7 South large-group performance evaluations for band and chorus over eight days, which will include more than 130 performances.

Ruby and board members credited the performing arts center staff and the board’s sustained support for enabling increased programming. Ruby noted higher attendance for band exhibitions, larger media presence and increased college participation at the district’s fine-arts fair, which this year included visual arts, drama and theater and drew 20 colleges.

District highlights included: multiple students named to All-State Band and Chorus and statewide honor ensembles; the Atlanta Opera studio tour performing at elementary schools; and recognition as a repeat recipient of the NAMM Foundation’s Best Communities for Music Education award. Ruby said four of the district’s current music teachers are Carroll County graduates and some are past scholarship recipients.

Board members emphasized the connection between strong fine arts programming and broader student outcomes and praised teachers and staff for facilitating the expanded schedule of events.

The board also discussed logistics for hosting large events and noted the performing arts center’s role in bringing major arts experiences to local students instead of sending students to Atlanta.","District fine arts coordinator reported 89 fine-arts-specific events at the Carroll County Performing Arts Center over the past year, upcoming GMEA evaluations and multiple student honors; the board praised staff and noted increases in participation and prestige.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6121246,"External evaluator tells Carroll County Schools it earned an outstanding Cognia index score",716,160000,876000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703301-fe94cd39ebdddcdf582101c07e5c8016&start=160&end=876","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703301-fe94cd39ebdddcdf582101c07e5c8016/thumbnail_160000.jpg","/articles/6121246/Georgia/External-evaluator-tells-Carroll-County-Schools-it-earned-an-outstanding-Cognia-index-score","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121246-c8f873db1d4a34d89ae154601fbaabcc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770414365&Signature=Zfmu-zLpSxA1mPsOZ2i0Z14EgCfCPPJEcNIccs83IbVdqfuItJFtDMmpmmY8aqQQw~a~9luHEfRjWLgAaMGjDXmmpnlqXIdFK-SV4834aElc-aivpKklsXN2N-v7PCk~Apt0nAKaWP7aKb1kouhUhNlKQUTd9Gadx8~SDxUkbO6zfrx3jKOefsP6UfOCurgmhjFcx~FrEGrtE1KVUp6pvneT2GVVAtpZditG5f3HYPASNmCEtHAyD9fv0Ot6RF7PgqkTf6GOUnHNWNyf6VbKksVky50K0x-Z-SHzyKLUPjlbLMP3OZ~4r9JCggpbzntHaQKWC6cxTFdp7ZA2ouGang__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carroll County Schools received high marks from a Cognia regional accreditation evaluator during the board’s March 17 work session.

Jay Wansley, a Cognia regional accreditation evaluator with four decades of experience, presented highlights from the system’s accreditation review and told the board the district earned an Index of Educational Quality (IEQ) score of 365 out of a maximum of 400. “You guys were at the 90 first percentile, which is outstanding,” Wansley said, and added that the result is “very rare.”

Wansley told the board he reviewed evidence supplied by district staff and observed their records and practices, commending the district’s culture, stakeholder engagement and classroom monitoring. He pointed to two areas for the district to continue addressing: subgroup performance gaps and professional learning around effective integration of digital resources in instruction.

Chief Academic Officer Doctor Jessica Ainsworth and others who coordinated the accreditation materials — April Price was singled out by Ainsworth — were thanked by board members during the session. Superintendent Cowart and board members echoed their thanks and framed the result as a reflection of district staff and school-level educators.

Wansley described the likely accreditation outcome as a six-year cycle and said Carroll County Schools may receive confirmation in the March accreditation cohort. He also said he will write a mid-cycle report in about three years to check progress on the identified improvement areas.

District staff told the board that the accreditation documentation is stored on a Google Drive and that hard copies are also retained; they discussed adding backups on an internal share drive to preserve records for the next accreditation cycle.

The evaluation presentation concluded with trustees thanking Wansley and district staff and with board members saying they intend to highlight the achievement to the community.","A Cognia regional evaluator praised Carroll County Schools’ performance, reported an Index of Educational Quality score of 365 and said the system appears likely to receive a six-year accreditation cycle.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6121250,"Carroll County Board upholds two school disciplinary tribunal decisions",188,32000,220000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703301-fe94cd39ebdddcdf582101c07e5c8016&start=32&end=220","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703301-fe94cd39ebdddcdf582101c07e5c8016/thumbnail_32000.jpg","/articles/6121250/Georgia/Carroll-County-Board-upholds-two-school-disciplinary-tribunal-decisions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121250-78627dc24ab22055a6a49d9bc124f0ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1770414365&Signature=F4gQrq~iF1dNJjzVdsc9rpps9VH2ADQKIg3vTB5q-YK1S7cE7gBvtp3jQl5JKDvElHDSsbTQshZSbJoAW8t1Uq8pGFTuc5wuMx-VqBdQhWLUIVmaU8rlH0m9W7jZTXWhXxf3Bw8CjY4CGrsWZcxiqN5Cna8YIxIJRuoy87msTJsepW98CDF99e2JU0IrqOqdxfkcUkBj1E5uwcttCZa0YsLNs~0pm8hH5dWrsHcPp62MqBOZo3~rI1PZynRoXQgwNd-fuoz~8uK7IG8pum3UiEsI-ra9ilOL1wD9busWOwifVLlO5WcP8zIsi0VN79at63m9mq7N91MWvclG9Zy5sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Carroll County Board of Education on March 17 reviewed records from disciplinary hearings held Feb. 12 and decided to uphold the tribunal decisions in two student cases.

Board Chair Mister Miller announced the rulings after the board reviewed the hearing records. “After reviewing the record of the disciplinary hearing of 02/12/2025 … it is the decision of the Carroll County Board of Education that we uphold the decision of the disciplinary action rendered at the tribunal,” Miller said for the first case involving student 90092, and repeated the same finding for student 9093.

The board made both decisions during its work session; no additional penalty changes or further actions were announced at the meeting. The transcript records the board’s statements that the hearings were reviewed and the prior tribunal findings were maintained.

The decisions were presented as formal board actions during the business portion of the March 17 work session; no additional votes or appeals were recorded on the transcript excerpt beyond the board’s announcement to uphold the tribunal rulings.

The board did not provide further public detail about the underlying incidents in either hearing during the session, and the record presented at the meeting remains the board’s stated basis for each decision.

Looking ahead: The board moved on to other business at the meeting — including accreditation, budget and facilities updates — after announcing the disciplinary outcomes.","At its March 17 work session the Carroll County Board of Education reviewed records from two February disciplinary hearings and voted to uphold the tribunal decisions in both student cases.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board reviews budget assumptions, midterm amendment and considers moving final adoption later

Carroll County highlights fine arts achievements, reports heavy Performing Arts Center use

External evaluator tells Carroll County Schools it earned an outstanding Cognia index score

Carroll County Board upholds two school disciplinary tribunal decisions