Newton County board tables amended FY2027 budget calendar after scheduling dispute

The Newton County Board of Education voted on April evening to table an amended FY2027 budget calendar after board members raised scheduling conflicts and publication-timing concerns.

Superintendent Dr. Duke Bradley asked the board to revise the tentative budget approval date to May 12, 2026, and the final approval date to June 16, 2026, explaining the district still awaited final revenue allocations from the Georgia Department of Education. Board members said the proposed dates conflicted with previously scheduled commitments for at least one member and questioned whether the calendar could be adjusted to allow in-person participation and meet newspaper-publication deadlines for required hearings.

After discussion, a motion to approve the amended calendar failed on a voice vote. Board member Ms. Anderson-Baker then moved to table the item to allow the superintendent, executive leadership team and board members to coordinate dates that accommodate all board members; the motion passed. The board asked staff to provide revised calendar options and publicly communicate them, with members agreeing to return proposed dates by the 27th.

The decision to table does not set a final budget schedule; it delays adoption of the amended calendar so the district can meet legal notice requirements while accommodating board availability. The board noted that the calendar approval is a transparency practice rather than a statutory requirement, but said it was important to publish dates once finalized.

Next steps: district staff will draft and circulate alternative calendar dates for consideration and public notice, and will follow statutory timelines for publishing budget hearings once dates are fixed.