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Barrow County school board tentatively approves $224M FY2026 budget, adds $1,000 one-time staff bonus and sets contingent millage
Summary
The board approved a tentative FY2026 general fund budget of $224 million, voted to add a $1,000 one-time bonus for staff (estimated cost $2.29M), and set a tentative millage rate at 15.695 mills contingent on county decisions about SRO funding.
The Barrow County Board of Education on June 3 tentatively approved a $224,000,000 general fund budget for fiscal year 2026 and added a one-time $1,000 bonus for all staff.
Miss Houston, director of business services, presented the budget, saying it represents a $3 million increase from the prior year and allocates funds for a salary study, step increases, additional instructional positions, safety upgrades, and the SRO program. She said revenues were projected at about $213,000,000 and that the district planned to use approximately $10.6 million from fund balance to balance the budget.
During the presentation the board discussed a proposed one-time $1,000 bonus. Miss Houston estimated the cost of a $1,000 payment for all staff at $2,289,400 and recommended using fund balance because the payment would be nonrecurring. A motion to add the one-time $1,000 bonus was made, several board members recused themselves from the vote because they have family members who work in the system, and the motion carried by voice vote.
Board members then considered the millage rate. The budget was prepared on a 15.5-mill baseline; Miss Houston said if the county moves forward with a proposal that would shift additional SRO costs to the district the board might need to adopt a higher tentative millage. One member moved to set the tentative millage at 15.695 mills as a prudent measure; the motion was seconded and carried with two board members recorded as opposed.
The board approved the tentative general fund with the added bonus and will hold the statutorily required hearings before adopting a final millage rate and budget. Miss Houston said she will present public hearings and, if necessary, a formal budget amendment to address any changes after the county’s decisions are final.
What happens next: The board will advertise required millage hearings and may adjust the millage or execute a budget amendment if county action changes the district’s funding responsibilities.
