Bibb school board tentatively approves budget without staff step increases
The tentative plan also includes state-mandated literacy coaches, paraprofessional funding changes and future public hearings before final approval.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Bibb County school board members voted Tuesday night to tentatively approve a Fiscal Year 2027 budget option that would forgo staff step increases, reduce some budgeted positions and mandate a study of consolidating or closing at least two elementary schools.
The Board of Education voted 6-2 to tentatively approve Option 2 after several budget meetings and work sessions about how to address the district’s financial challenges. District leaders have spent months discussing the FY 2027 budget as Bibb County schools face rising costs, declining enrollment and long-term budget planning questions.
According to the district’s action memorandum for Tuesday’s meeting, the proposed FY 2027 budget includes $409.5 million in total revenues and transfers in across all funds, along with $443.4 million in total expenditures and transfers out. The memo says the projected ending fund balance for all budgeted funds would be $81.4 million.
Key pieces of Option 2 include forgoing staff step increases for FY 2027, adding 21 state-mandated literacy coaches for kindergarten through third grade, moving 81 paraprofessional salaries and benefits from IDEA funds to the general fund, reducing instructional staff by 52 positions because of updated staffing allocations and reducing 12 central office vacancies. The plan also includes a $10.1 million increase in the state equalization grant.
The district’s Option 2 budget sheet shows the general fund would have $287.3 million in projected revenue and $300.4 million in projected expenditures under Option 2.
The vote does not finalize the budget.
The district is scheduled to hold two public hearings before final approval. According to the school district’s online calendar, the hearings are scheduled for June 17 at 5 p.m. and June 25 at 4 p.m. at the Professional Learning Center at 2003 Riverside Drive in Macon. Final budget approval is scheduled for June 25 during a 4:30 p.m. meeting at the same location.
Previous district discussions included several possible reductions, including class-size waivers, central office vacancies, step increases, furloughs, operational reductions and outsourcing some paraprofessional positions.
According to the district’s action memorandum, proposed millage rate options will be presented during future meetings once tax digest data becomes available.
