Paulding County school board adopts FY27 budget, sets 2026 M&O millage at 17.8

The Paulding County Board of Education on June 11 adopted its FY27 original budget and set the 2026 maintenance and operation millage rate at 17.8.

Superintendent Barnett presented the budget and told the board the proposal "anticipates the withholding of a 2.09 commission by the Paulding County tax commissioner for the collection of Paulding County School District property taxes," and said the anticipated commission for FY27 is approximately $3,200,000. The board voted to adopt the budget by voice vote after a motion from Mr. Chester and a second from Ms. Colette; the motion passed unanimously.

Why it matters: The adopted budget frames spending and tax rates for the coming year. Director Amber Thesmo, presenting the final FY27 proposal, said projected enrollment is 30,628 students and the general fund total is stated as $450,500,000 (including $447,700,000 plus $2,700,000 in grants). Thesmo said an additional $1,400,000 in QBE funding was added since the tentative budget to fund literacy coaches; board discussion clarified that the district will add 10 literacy coaches funded through that increase.

Key details and context: Finance presenter Anna Durham told the board that with 83.3% of the fiscal year elapsed, the year-to-date revenue-to-budget variance was 5.7% and the YTD expenditures-to-budget variance was 0.6%. Durham reported that the unassigned fund balance could support about 2.2 months of FY26 expenditures (down from 2.4 months at the same point last year). Thesmo said the FY27 ending fund balance is projected to be roughly 1.5 months of FY27 expenditures and that the district will pay $26,400,000 in bond debt in FY27.

What the board approved: The board approved the FY27 original budget as presented and adopted a 17.8 M&O millage rate. Barnett also noted that the FY27 proposal reflected a 2026 bond millage set at zero, with bond principal and interest described in the presentation as being paid through "East Bloss" (as stated in the meeting); the transcript did not further identify that arrangement.

Next steps and procedural notes: The adopted budget and accompanying documents will be posted as part of district records. The board also approved a personnel report during the same session (items 1–172), which passed unanimously. Several procurement and consent items discussed during the meeting were placed on the June 23 consent agenda for formal approval.

Direct quotes from the meeting include Barnett saying, "That's the recommendation, mister chairman," when proposing adoption, and Thesmo noting the enrollment and fund totals during her presentation.