Board tentatively approves $750.6 million FY2027 general fund budget; midyear pay steps included

The Clayton County Board of Education on May 26 gave tentative approval to the superintendent’s proposed FY2027 budget after a lengthy presentation and board discussion on revenue, staffing and priorities.

Chief finance officer Ramona Bivvens presented a multi‑fund total budget of $1.388 billion and a general fund operating package with $750.6 million in available revenue and $742.9 million in operating expenditures. The budget relies on an increase in state revenue (including a roughly $22 million equalization increase) and includes $9.7 million of reductions and realignments developed through staffing leveling, central‑office reductions and contract reviews.

Bivvens told the board the tentative budget is balanced without using fund balance and includes midyear compensation actions: eligible employees will receive step increases in mid‑year (effective Jan. 1, 2027) and full‑time employees who have maxed out on their step schedules will receive a 1.5% increase. "This budget will not use any of our fund balance," she told the board during the presentation.

The budget presentation also flagged long‑term projections showing the district’s fund balance declining under current assumptions and noted options to address multi‑year pressures (including a potential millage adjustment). Board members debated salary priorities, vacancies, carryover and the timing of convocation‑center/arena revenue. Dr. Hendricks and finance staff discussed using measured investments in employees while maintaining prudent reserves.

Vote and next steps: The board moved and seconded the tentative budget; the roll call noted Mr. Mark Christmas and an absent board member and recorded one 'no' vote by Dr. Jesse Gory during the meeting's roll call. Two public hearings were scheduled: June 1 at 11:00 a.m. and June 15 at 5:30 p.m., with final adoption to follow after the second hearing.

Why it matters: The tentative budget sets the district’s spending priorities for instruction, staffing and operations. Bivvens emphasized that 86% of the general fund budget goes to salaries and benefits and that rising benefit costs and enrollment changes are key long‑term pressures.

Ending: The tentative approval allows the district to proceed with required public hearings and to finalize figures for final adoption after stakeholder input.