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Clayton County board approves $1.5M for Communities In Schools after debate over cuts and process
Summary
After extended debate about budget timing and student supports, the Clayton County Public Schools board voted unanimously Aug. 4 to fund Communities In Schools at $1.5 million for the 2025–26 school year, amid promises to seek grants and reassess coverage of schools dropped from the vendor plan.
The Clayton County Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously Aug. 4 to fund Communities In Schools (CIS) at $1,500,000 for the 2025–26 school year after a lengthy discussion about cuts, renegotiation and which schools would retain services.
Board members and district staff debated earlier budget decisions and the impact of reduced CIS coverage on students who receive targeted case management for academic, behavioral and attendance needs. The vote followed board discussion about whether to accept a lower contract the district had negotiated with CIS and whether the board should restore more funding from district reserves.
Superintendent Dr. Anthony Smith told the board the reduction is part of broader, districtwide cost-saving measures and said staff tried to balance student support with budgetary constraints. “The more the merrier is always a good ... when you're trying to balance a budget and, you know, uncertainties and ... things are a little tighter now that they've been in the past,” Smith said.
Dr. Crawford, a district staff member who answered detailed operational questions during the meeting, told board members the $1.29 million figure presented earlier represented the level of service CIS said it could provide after negotiations; staff recommended increasing that figure to $1.5 million to restore more services. Crawford said CIS will also pursue grant funding and that the district would seek grants to expand coverage during the school year if funds become available.
Board members said the issue raised broader process concerns. Board member Jasmine Bowles asked for clarity about timeline and selection of schools; Vice Chair Sabrina Hill and others pushed for a plan to add schools if additional funding is secured. Board member Mark Christmas said the district’s tax digest had declined and noted there were competing reductions elsewhere in the budget, including an earlier elimination of a student engagement specialist position.
Several board members described concrete services CIS provides, including case management, help with college tuition, attendance work and crisis support for students and families. A staff member explaining the school selection process said CIS and district staff ranked schools by attendance, graduation and behavior data when deciding which schools would receive direct CIS support; CIS elementary services are funded through a separate grant.
The board’s final motion, moved by Dr. Jesse Goree and seconded by Jasmine Bowles, approved a $1,500,000 agreement for CIS for the coming year. The board directed staff to continue seeking grants and other revenue to expand CIS coverage and asked staff to return with recommendations on adding schools if funds can be found.
Votes at a glance: the board also approved the consent agenda (unanimous), Policy Series D (unanimous) and Policy Series E (unanimous). The board approved student tribunal panel members by a 7–1 vote. Those actions were taken during the same meeting; the CIS funding vote was unanimous.
