Highlights from the June 25, 2025 Special Called Board Meeting

FY2026 Budget Adopted

At the Special Called Board Meeting, the Board adopted the FY 2026 Budget for All Funds. This Budget consists of five components:  the General Fund Budget, General Obligation Debt Budget, Special Revenue Funds Budget, Capital Projects Funds Budget, and Other Funds Budget. The final budget reflects no mill increase and includes a reduction of 0.15 mills for a total combined millage of 17.331 mills (17.331 mills for maintenance and operations and 0 mill for general obligation bond debt).  The FY 2026 as adopted maintains the district’s investment in students and staff by including:

• Pay Scale Adjustments for District Staff to support competitive compensation that is aligned to our goals to recruit, retain, and recognize a highly effective student-focused workforce
• 3% Cost of Living Increase for Staff
• State Required Personnel Step Increases
• Accounts for Teacher Retirement System rate increases and increased costs with State Health Benefit Plans
• Provides a High-Dosage Tutoring initiative
• Provides Differentiated School Supports
• Expands Early Childhood Education

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DHWSGN729E0F

Board Approves 0.15 Millage Rate Reduction for FY 2026 Budget

The Calendar Year 2025 millage rates used in the projection of revenues for the Fiscal Year 2026 budget are 17.331 mills for maintenance and operations and 0 mill for general obligation debt, for a combined millage rate of 17.331 – a reduction from the FY 2025 millage rate of 17.481. The millage rate for Maintenance and Operations is not in compliance with the rollback rate calculated by the Tax Assessor as required by O. C.G.A. 48-5-32.1, and as such was advertised as a tax increase of 3.00% above the rollback millage rate and the District held three public hearings as required by Georgia law. 

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DHWSGP729EE8

Other Board Actions and Updates

Budget Transfer Approved for Purchase of Hydraulic Lift System for Transportation

A budget transfer in the amount of $400,000 from Vacant Salaries was approved to purchase a hydraulic lift system for transportation. This equipment will ensure safe and efficient access to bus undersides, thereby improving maintenance turnaround times and ensuring compliance with safety standards. 

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DHWSDW723D71

Budget Transfer Approved to Enhance Mobile Maintenance Units

The Board approved a budget transfer of $300,000 from Vacant Salaries to equip mobile maintenance units with Snap-on-quality toolsets. This investment is intended to enhance the department’s field repair capabilities, allowing technicians to perform efficient, high-quality repairs on-site.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DHWSF4726A08

Budget Transfer Approved to Purchase New Police Radios and Mobile Data Terminals

The Board approved a budget transfer from Vacant Salaries in the amount of $618,000 to replace current police radios and mobile data terminals. The replacement is necessary as the current hardware is approaching end of life cycle and would not be compatible with the advanced software and communications systems at the district transitions into the new 911 Center.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DHWSCR7212A6

Budget Transfer Approved to Fund Teacher Supply Grant Budget

The Board approved a budget transfer from Vacant Salaries in the amount of $1,350,000 to fund the Teacher Supply Grant Budget.  This budget is designed to provide 2,700 educators with $500 financial support for purchasing essential classroom materials and instructional resources. This budget allows teachers to acquire items such as educational supplies, teaching aids, student learning tools, and other materials that enhance classroom instruction and support student engagement.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DHWSGJ729BE9

Personnel Moves

There were a number of personnel changes approved at the Special Called Board Meeting…

Marlon Worrill was named Principal of Jenkins High School.

Emmanuel McCall was named Principal of Beach High School.

Amanda Zito was named Principal of Godley Station K-8 School.

Jacqueline Dorsey was named Director of Compensatory Programs. 

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

District Closure – July 4th Holiday

In recognition of Independence Day, all District facilities will be closed from Tuesday, July 1, 2025 through Friday, July 4, 2025.  Facilities will reopen on Monday, July 7, 2025. 

July Board Meeting 2025 

The Regular Meeting of the Board will be held at 2:00pm on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at the Whitney Administrative Complex located at 2 Laura Avenue in Savannah, GA.  The Board will also meet for an Informal meeting on July 9 starting at 11:00am.