Forsyth County Schools present $762.5 million FY2027 budget; final millage decision delayed pending county tax digest

Forsyth County Schools on June 9 presented a proposed $762.5 million fiscal year 2027 budget, a 1.6% increase from the previous year, and said district leaders do not expect to raise the current millage rate as part of the proposal.

Mitch, a district presenter, led the public hearing and framed the budget around sustaining academic gains and supporting staff. He said the district remains high‑performing on statewide measures — citing advanced‑placement honors and near‑top SAT/ACT results — and noted last year’s on‑time graduation rate of roughly 97% and more than $36 million in scholarships awarded to graduates.

The proposal allocates the majority of operating funds to instruction. Mitch said the district expects to maintain services while absorbing state‑mandated cost increases and adding targeted local investments: “we do not see that there’s going to be a need to increase the millage rate at all this year,” he said. He also called attention to an imminent state legislative action (Senate Bill 33) that could cap future ad valorem tax increases and said the board would monitor outcomes.

Larry, the district finance lead, provided the detailed revenue and cost breakdown. He said local revenue would make up about 53.7% of the budget (roughly $410 million) with state and federal funds covering the remainder. Using a modeled 4% digest increase and an assumed 99.5% collection rate, Larry estimated net local collections of about $366.2 million after commissioner fees. He also said statutory increases in health‑care costs and teacher retirement (TRS) are major upward pressures on the budget.

Larry highlighted a state mandate requiring one literacy coach in every elementary school — 23 positions the district must add — estimating the local share at roughly $1.6–$1.93 million while the state covers the balance. He also described reclassifications in accounting codes that shifted some costs from instruction to pupil services (for counselors and social workers), and noted lower enrollment trimmed salary costs by about $8.5 million.

On reserves and capital, presenters said the district began the year with about $171 million in fund balance and expects to end FY27 near $160 million (about a 15.2% fund balance). They reported planned draws from reserves — roughly $20 million cited for the Mashburn expansion — and confirmed the use of remaining SPLOST/SPLAS funds to smooth debt‑service millage impacts in the near term.

The food‑nutrition fund was presented with a multi‑year plan to spend down pandemic‑era reserves. The FY2027 food budget was shown at about $26.6 million with a built‑in budgeted deficit of $4.7 million; staff and food purchases were identified as the largest cost drivers, and a new vendor was credited with about $858,000 in estimated food‑cost savings.

Board members and staff agreed not to finalize millage hearings or approve the budget until Forsyth County releases official tax‑digest numbers. The presenters canceled specific millage meetings and said the board expects digest and notice timing in mid‑ to late‑June or by the end of July at the latest; the board indicated it may adopt a continuing resolution if final numbers are delayed into July to keep payroll and operations running.

No final vote on the FY2027 operating budget occurred at the June 9 hearing. The board adopted the meeting agenda at the opening unanimously (Motion by Mr. Ashawit; second by Mr. Grimes). The board opened public participation but had only one registered audience member and did not receive public remarks during the allotted window.

Next steps: district staff will update the board and the public after Forsyth County issues the official tax‑digest and millage notices and will reconvene to set final millage and consider formal budget approval.