Rockdale public hearing on HB 581 draws large turnout; board tables final vote to continue hearings

Rockdale County Board of Education members heard extensive public comment and a district financial briefing Tuesday evening during the second of three required public hearings on House Bill 581, and then voted to table any final resolution so the public may continue to speak.

The board’s chief financial officer, Joy Smith, told the board HB 581 caps annual assessed-value increases for homestead properties at the prior year’s inflation rate and that local governments have until March 1, 2025, to opt out. Smith presented examples showing a homeowner with a 2024 fair-market value of $150,000 would see a $6,000 exemption and an annual tax savings of about $120; a $420,000 house would see a $16,800 exemption and $336 annual savings. Smith said Rockdale Public Schools could lose an estimated $61,700,000 in revenue over five years if the district remains subject to HB 581 and highlighted rising employer and benefit costs, including a cited increase in starting teacher total cost from about $63,000 to $85,000 in recent years.

Why it matters: The projected revenue loss, Smith said, would reduce the district’s ability to recruit and retain staff and could affect programs that parents and students described as essential. Residents, business and civic groups, and students told the board they face competing priorities — rising property taxes for long-term homeowners and potential program cuts in schools.

Public comment reflected sharply divided views. Multiple residents, including retired educators and parents, urged the board to remain in HB 581 so the measure’s homestead exemption would reduce homeowners’ tax increases and protect seniors and long-term residents from rising bills. Michael Joyce, a 10-year resident and retired educator, said, “I urge you to vote no to opting out of 581. We need 581.” Several parents and students from Heritage High School and other schools described fine arts, STEM and extracurricular programs they said would be at risk if revenue falls.

Others argued the board should lower the millage rate instead of relying on HB 581. John Bowers and members of the Rockdale County Democratic Committee told the board that lowering the millage rate is the correct tool to reduce taxes and cautioned against permanent limits on assessed values. Alex McDonald and other speakers accused the administration of using alarmist language in public materials and urged the board to honor the voter-approved exemption.

Board discussion and action: Board member Larry Koss moved that the board vote to opt in to HB 581 (a motion to eliminate the need for the third hearing); Justin Kenny seconded that motion and discussion followed. After extended public comment and board debate, board member Justin Kenny moved to table any formal vote and continue the public hearings so more speakers could be heard; a second was recorded and the board voted in favor to table the vote. No final opt-out or opt-in resolution was adopted at the meeting. The administration indicated a formal resolution on whether to opt out will be placed on a future board meeting agenda for a recorded vote.

Context and specifics from the district: Smith noted the district’s local tax share has risen from about 34.3% of total revenue in 2019 to roughly 48% in 2025 and cited a decrease in state equalization funding. The CFO referenced data from the Rockdale County tax commissioner and provided a chart (on file with the district) used to model revenue impacts. Smith also noted the deadline for local governments to act is March 1, 2025, and that HB 581’s statewide exemption took effect January 1, 2025.

What remains: The board will hold the third required hearing and is scheduled to consider a formal resolution regarding HB 581 at a future meeting before the March 1 opt-out deadline. The public record presented at this hearing — the CFO’s slides and multiple public-comment letters — will be part of that consideration.

Ending: With the vote to table, the board preserved time for additional public testimony and deferred a binding decision until a later meeting on the published agenda.