Latest news with #AtlantaBoardofEducation
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
APS budget boosts school-level funding by $45M, cuts central office costs
The Brief The Atlanta Board of Education approved a $1.3 billion budget for fiscal year 2026, focusing on classroom instruction and foundational learning while reducing central office costs. The budget includes a $45 million increase in direct school-level funding and cuts 135 central office positions, saving $25 million to be redirected to schools and classrooms. The budget aims for long-term financial stability by eliminating a $15 million general fund transfer to the School Nutrition Program and reducing reliance on reserve funds by 86%. ATLANTA - The Atlanta Board of Education has approved a $1.3 billion budget for fiscal year 2026, embracing a "back to basics" approach aimed at closing a financial deficit while preserving key investments in teachers, literacy, and school safety. The budget, passed during the board's regular meeting on Monday night, reallocates resources to support classroom instruction and foundational learning while trimming central office costs and duplicative programs. The backstory The newly adopted budget includes a $45 million increase in direct school-level funding and an additional $11 million targeted for core classroom instruction. Resources will be concentrated at the elementary level to bolster early learning. Cuts made in the current year have allowed the district to fast-track the adoption of new textbooks and updated learning materials. Funding for professional development in English Language Arts and Math will be maintained, reinforcing the district's emphasis on instructional quality. A major component of the new budget is a reduction of 135 central office positions, resulting in $25 million in savings. Officials said those funds will be redirected to schools and classrooms. The district is also working to limit utility spending and apply zero-based budgeting to its signature and turnaround programs. Duplicated funding for programs such as Atlanta Virtual Academy and Phoenix Academy is being eliminated to free up additional funds for core services. Employee benefits remain a significant cost driver, with more than $26 million in increases tied to retirement system contributions and state health benefits. The budget fully funds a 5% increase in Teachers' Retirement System rates and increases of 7% and 20% for certified and classified health benefits, respectively. The budget eliminates a $15 million general fund transfer to the School Nutrition Program and fully funds an $8.8 million step increase for all district employees. APS also reported an 86% reduction in its reliance on reserve funds, a move officials said points to improved financial sustainability. A new facilities master planning process is underway to address long-term infrastructure needs across the district's 87 learning sites. Atlanta Public Schools serves approximately 50,000 students across neighborhood, partner, charter, and alternative schools. What they're saying "This budget reflects a focused and deliberate approach, leaning into what's working and strategically abandoning what's not," said Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson. "We are maximizing resources in ways that directly propel our students forward, while simultaneously being diligent stewards of taxpayer dollars." "The ABOE's priority is to ensure that every dollar is used effectively to support student success," said Katie Howard, chair of the board's Budget Commission. "This budget, which reduced central office spend and put more money towards schools, reflects our educational goals and priorities as well as positions us to further improve as we focus on student outcomes." The Source Atlanta Public Schools provided the details for this article.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Atlanta Public Schools approves new $1.3 billion budget, will cut 135 positions
Atlanta Public Schools announced its fiscal year 2026 budget was approved, and more than 100 positions would be cut. According to APS, the new budget is going 'back to basics,' while addressing 'the district's current financial deficit.' As part of the new budget plan, APS will eliminate what it calls redundancies in an effort to address financial needs of the district, while also prioritizing its commitments to teachers, literacy and safety needs. Atlanta Board of Education members approved the budget on Monday evening, according to officials. 'As we embark on this budget cycle, our unwavering commitment is to ensure our children are poised to thrive in the years ahead,' Dr. Bryan Johnson, Superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools, said in a statement. 'This budget reflects a focused and deliberate approach, leaning into what's working and strategically abandoning what's not. We are maximizing resources in ways that directly propel our students forward, while simultaneously being diligent stewards of taxpayer dollars.' [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Amazon opening sorting center in west Georgia, bringing 1,000 jobs Deputies says 'you can't outrun guilt' after GA mother of 3 killed in hit-and-run 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' star Dwight Eubanks diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer 'The ABOE's priority is to ensure that every dollar is used effectively to support student success,' Katie Howard, ABOE's Budget Commission Chair, said. 'We are committed to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and the long-term stability of our schools. This budget, which reduced central office spend and put more money towards schools, reflects our educational goals and priorities as well as positions us to further improve as we focus on student outcomes.' Here are some of the highlights for the new budget: $45 million additional funding to school budgets More funding to elementary schools for foundational learning support $11 million more to core classrooms Expedited textbook adoption 135 positions cut from central office, saving $25 million Elimination of School Nutrition Program Transfer, saving $15 million Employee Step increase for all employees for retention and recruitment, $8.8 million increase 5% increase in retirement rate and 7% increase (certified), 20% increase (classified) to State Health benefits for overall $26 million spending increase [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Axios
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Axios
State Sen. Jason Esteves launches bid for Georgia governor
Georgia State Sen. Jason Esteves announced Monday that he's running for governor. Why it matters: Esteves, who represents parts of Atlanta, south Fulton and Cobb counties, is the first Democrat to formally enter the race to fill the seat, which will be open since Republican Gov. Brian Kemp is term-limited. What they're saying: Esteves said in a press release that voters "pay the price" when "extreme politicians in Georgia push Trump's reckless agenda and rig the system for special interests." "Now more than ever, we need to tackle the high cost of living, improve access to health care, protect women's reproductive freedom, lower housing costs, and invest in schools across the state," he said. Catch up quick: Esteves was first elected to the state Senate in 2022. Before that, he served as chair of the Atlanta Board of Education. He and his wife, Ariel, have two children and own restaurants in Columbus and Macon and several small businesses around Georgia. Context: Esteves' announcement comes weeks after U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath (D-Georgia) suspended her exploratory campaign committee for governor due to family medical issues. The big picture: Other high-profile Democrats are also considering running for governor, including former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, former DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Michael Thurmond and Stacey Abrams, who twice ran unsuccessfully against Brian Kemp for the office. On the Republican side, Attorney General Chris Carr has already staked out a position, and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger are said to be weighing a run. State of play: Ongoing uncertainty in Washington, D.C., over inflation, tariffs, foreign affairs and domestic policies could trickle down and benefit Democrats banking on a boost in the 2026 midterm elections.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sen. Jason Esteves announces campaign for governor of Georgia
ATLANTA - State Sen. Jason Esteves, a Democrat representing Atlanta, officially announced his campaign for governor of Georgia on Tuesday, vowing to tackle rising living costs, protect reproductive rights, and invest in public education. What we know Esteves, a former Atlanta Public Schools board chair and public school teacher, emphasized his working-class roots and legislative track record in a campaign video released with the announcement. He joins the race with a platform focused on making Georgia the best place to live, work, and raise a family. What they're saying "I'm running for Governor to make Georgia the number one place to work, start a business, and raise a family," Esteves said. "As extreme politicians in Georgia push Trump's reckless agenda and rig the system for special interests, Georgians pay the price." Esteves pointed to his work in the State Senate, where he has championed efforts to lower housing costs for seniors, expand healthcare access, and increase school funding. During his nearly 10 years on the Atlanta Board of Education — four of them as chair — the district saw record-high graduation rates and implemented over $100 million in pay increases and stipends for staff. Raised in Columbus and now living in Atlanta, Esteves and his wife Ariel own multiple small businesses across the state, including a healthcare clinic and restaurants in Columbus and Macon. The couple has two children, Jaeden and Zoe. Esteves becomes one of the first high-profile Democrats to declare for the 2026 gubernatorial race. What we know The current Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr announced his candidacy for governor in November 2024. Carr is emphasizing public safety, economic growth, and continuing the policies of previous Republican governors. RELATED: Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr launches Republican bid in 2026 governor's race Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has indicated that she may run for governor. Bottoms also previously served in the Biden administration. RELATED: Keisha Lance Bottoms signals imminent announcement of run for governor Rep. Lucy McBath had initiated an exploratory committee for a gubernatorial run, but suspended her campaign in March 2025 to focus on her husband's health. She has not completely ruled out a run. RELATED: Rep. Lucy McBath pausing potential run for Georgia governor in 2026 Lt. Gov. Burt Jones has expressed interest in becoming the next governor, but has not announced an official campaign. Georgia's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is considered a potential candidate as well as former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. What we know Gov. Brian Kemp is currently considering a run for Senate against Sen. Jon Ossoff. Earlier this month, he indicated that now that the current legislative session has concluded, he will give serious consideration to a run for the seat. If that should happen, it will set the stage for a high-profile contest between two very popular Georgia politicians on opposite sides of the aise.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Georgia's state school funding formula could finally take community's poverty into account
Georgia students living in poverty could get some extra money for their education if lawmakers decide to edit the state's nearly-40-year-old funding a long time, education advocates under the Gold Dome have lamented that Georgia is one of only six states that does not allocate specific state funds to help educate students living in poverty. That could soon be changing – kind of. What those advocates want is a change to the Quality Basic Education formula that determines the state share of education funding distributed to local schools. The QBE formula provides weighted amounts of money per student based on things like their grade level and whether they qualify for programs like special education or gifted services. Sending more dollars to children whose families are struggling with poverty, also known as a poverty weight, could help them chart a path toward a better life and help districts focus on teaching. 'What school districts have had to do is they've had to create new schedules, they've had to literally have health clinics in schools to provide health care. They've had to host job fairs for parents' said Sen. Jason Esteves, an Atlanta Democrat who previously served on the Atlanta Board of Education. 'They've had to do all of these things to try to play catch up for some of the issues that these parents and these families are experiencing in the community, and if we want our school systems to focus on the number one thing they should be focused on, which is educating students, then we have to do what we can to remove these barriers that poverty introduces.' Speaking before a Senate committee Thursday, Georgia Department of Education Chief Financial Officer Rusk Roam said the department estimated a poverty weight would come with a price of about $300 million. The $37.7 billion budget that passed the House Tuesday includes $28 million in grants designated for school systems for 'targeted support to economically disadvantaged students,' according to a document released by the House Budget and Research Office. House Education Committee Chair Chris Erwin, a Homer Republican, said he hopes the $28 million will open the door to a full poverty weight in the education formula. 'Currently this is a one-time grant, but I see we're moving towards – we're one of six states that do not have some type of poverty weight within their formula, and this is our opportunity to look at the impact that that could have, so I would hope that we would continue to go down the road of understanding the importance of providing this to students that come in from a low wealth area,' he said. 'This is something I wish we did 15 years ago, but we are beginning that process with this, and I think it's going to end up to be very impactful for those students and for their lives going forward,' he added. Esteves struck a similar tone. He said he thinks the 40-year-old QBE is in serious need of an update, but he's glad that the Legislature could be taking action to support kids living in poverty. 'The fact that we are now including a little bit of money as a poverty weight is a big deal. It's a good first step, but there's a long way to go to actually meet the need that we have,' he said. Experts say meeting that need will require a great deal of work – taking into account issues like differing levels of poverty, differences between rural and urban school districts and what kind of reporting requirements there ought to be. Ashley Young, senior education analyst for the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute said she's grateful for the prospective new funds. '$28 million is certainly going to be useful to help students who are low-income. I do think that it could have major changes for students who do not have their basic needs met and are coming to school in these circumstances,' she said. 'And so having that additional money could be helpful. This is what we feel like a good start, but a start nonetheless. And there does need to be a more comprehensive focus in our QBE funding to address this so that it is recurring, so that it has a specific line item or a specific weight that is present within the formula to ensure that students have what they need.' The budget is now in the Senate's hands, where it could undergo revisions. The chambers will need to agree on a final version before the legislative session ends April 4. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
