Part 1: Message for the Superintendent
At Catoosa County Public Schools (CCPS), our mission is to provide every student with an excellent education while maintaining responsible stewardship of your tax dollars. As you may know, HB 30 was approved in last month’s local referendum. As a result, the Catoosa County Chief Appraiser’s Office estimates the school district's funding loss at $2.5 million to $3 million. When combined with the additional $500,000 cost of the mandatory 5-year audit, the district faces a projected total funding loss of approximately $3.5 million that requires immediate action.
Please know, the Board of Education and I fully support our seniors and property tax relief, but property taxes are Georgia's school funding mechanism. CCPS senior property tax exemptions are among the highest in Georgia, and we were one of the few districts to opt in to HB 581 to prevent massive property tax jumps due to rising market values. However, this combined $3.5 million deficit means we must make difficult choices.
CCPS has already taken major steps to reduce expenses:
Please know, the Board of Education and I fully support our seniors and property tax relief, but property taxes are Georgia's school funding mechanism. CCPS senior property tax exemptions are among the highest in Georgia, and we were one of the few districts to opt in to HB 581 to prevent massive property tax jumps due to rising market values. However, this combined $3.5 million deficit means we must make difficult choices.
CCPS has already taken major steps to reduce expenses:
- Reduced Personnel: We have reduced our employee count by 74 positions (employees account for 90% of the budget).
- Administrative Cuts: We have reduced the district office budget for each of the past three years, which includes leaving the assistant superintendent position vacant.
- Operational Restructuring: We have transitioned many classified positions to Kelly Education to lower insurance costs while simultaneously increasing their take-home pay.
- Healthcare Mitigation: We have worked closely with our certified personnel to mitigate state-mandated increases in health insurance.
Despite these challenges, Catoosa County has historically maintained one of the lowest millage rates in the region:
CCPS has already used most of our reserve funding to maintain our low millage rate, leaving only two options available to balance the budget: additional personnel/program cuts or an increase in the millage rate.
Our priority is to protect student opportunities and classroom instruction while navigating this additional funding loss, but we must adopt a balanced budget without further depleting our reserves.
The following survey will assist the district office in preparing budgetary information for the Board of Education. Before completing the survey, please review how school funding operates:
CCPS has already used most of our reserve funding to maintain our low millage rate, leaving only two options available to balance the budget: additional personnel/program cuts or an increase in the millage rate.
Our priority is to protect student opportunities and classroom instruction while navigating this additional funding loss, but we must adopt a balanced budget without further depleting our reserves.
The following survey will assist the district office in preparing budgetary information for the Board of Education. Before completing the survey, please review how school funding operates:
- Funding Streams: State law dictates that the majority of the school system’s funding comes from three main sources: the state Quality Basic Education formula, local property taxes, and federal grants.
- The Staffing Divide: Certified positions (teachers and administrators) are primarily funded by the state, whereas classified positions (nurses, bus monitors, custodians, and IT staff) rely on local property taxes.
- Personnel Costs: 90% of the total CCPS operating budget is tied directly to personnel costs.
- Healthcare Hyperinflation: A 100% increase in health insurance premiums over the last four years remains a major statewide challenge, prompting numerous legislative bills regarding school funding and property taxes.
Thank you for your time and commitment to the students of Catoosa County. Your feedback is essential as we work together to keep our schools strong and our community thriving.