Fulton City School District proposes $88.49M budget, 2.99% levy; officials outline staff and extracurricular cuts

Fulton City School District officials on Feb. 2025 presented a proposed $88,487,583 budget for the 2024–25 school year that would raise the district's tax levy by 2.99% and go before voters on May 21.

The proposal, read at a public hearing at Fulton Junior High, combines state aid ($62,948,724), federal aid ($225,000), pilot payments and miscellaneous revenues, and an appropriated fund balance of $592,225. Dr. Neecey, who led the budget presentation, said the district's planned revenues match the proposed expenditures and that the budget as presented is balanced.

Why it matters: The proposed levy increase affects homeowners directly and funds a district that officials say must respond to lingering COVID-era recovery needs, high chronic absenteeism and investments in programs such as expanded full-day universal pre-K, dual-enrollment and mental-health supports.

Key details and context

- Proposed levy and household impact: Officials said the proposed tax-levy increase is 2.99%. Using a $200,000 assessed value as an example, the district estimated the increase would be about $116 per year (approximately $9.75 per month) after an estimated basic STAR exemption.

- Revenues and balance: The presentation listed total proposed revenues of $88,487,583 and showed the district intends to use $592,225 from fund balance. State aid and federal…