Gwinnett school board holds second public hearing on House Bill 581 opt-out; no vote taken

Gwinnett County Public Schools held a second public hearing on House Bill 581 on Feb. 1 as the board prepares for a scheduled vote later the same day on whether to opt out of the law's property-tax cap.

The hearing opened with Chair Dr. Simmons and presentations from Superintendent Dr. Watts, Chief Financial Officer Missana Mallard and Legislative and Educational Policy Administrator Dr. David Goldie. Goldie summarized the bill's legislative history, saying it combined provisions from Senate Bill 349 and House Bill 1185 into House Bill 581, which caps the statewide homestead exemption at inflation while offering local governments a one-time opt-out. He said the law requires public notice and that an opt-out resolution must be filed with the secretary of state by March 2025.

Missana Mallard, the district's chief financial officer, told the board that local property-tax revenue is the most significant revenue source for the school operating budget and summarized a district analysis estimating a loss "anywhere above $35,000,000 a year or $100,000,000 over a 3 year period" if the district were subject to the cap. Mallard said local property tax revenue currently supports roughly 80% of instructional services, and that a reduction in that revenue would threaten programs that the district funds locally, including teacher compensation, school safety, smaller…