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Georgia budget moves could add security funds to Cherokee County schools; state benefit increases raise local cost concerns
Summary
Staff summarized the opening of the legislative session, the governor’s proposed supplemental security funding (about $68,760 per Cherokee school next year), transportation increases and an unwelcome state health benefit premium increase that will create a roughly $4.6 million local cost beginning in July.
Cherokee County school officials briefed the board on the opening of the 2025 Georgia legislative session, supplemental security funding proposed by the governor and other bills of interest to the district, and warned the board about a sizable increase in the state health plan employer premium that will increase local costs.
Mr. McGowan told the board the General Assembly convened and set crossover day for March 6 and sine die for April 4. He said the governor announced an additional $50 million statewide in the current security grant which staff estimated will translate to an additional $21,635 for each Cherokee County school in the current year and a projected total of $68,760 per school in the coming fiscal year if continued. The governor also mentioned additional transportation funding and improvements to the school psychologist ratio in the QBE formula; staff said those changes could yield a small number of additional buses and an improved psychologist ratio.
Separately, staff reported an "unwelcome surprise" about the State Health Benefit Plan: employer premiums for classified employees were increased in January and officials said a further increase to $18.85 per employee per month will start in July and produce approximately $4,600,000 in additional local expenditures. Mr. McGowan also noted the governor proposed a state income tax reduction (from 5.39% to 5.19%) in his budget proposal.
Board members asked about equalization and potential changes; Mr. McGowan said bills filed to tweak equalization or military calculations are not expected to change Cherokee County’s status. Staff said they will return a more detailed analysis of education‑related bills in February, after crossover and at session end.
No board action was taken on legislative matters during the work session; staff said they will monitor bills and return updates.
