School Board Agenda & Packet Summary – SCCPSS – April 22, 2026

Meeting Information

• Public Body: Savannah-Chatham County Public School System
• Organization Type: school-district
• Government Body: school-boards
• Meeting Title: Board Finance Workshop - Apr 22 2026
• Meeting Date: 2026-04-22
• City: Savannah
• County: Chatham County
• State: georgia
• Meeting Source URL: https://sccpss.community.diligentoneplatform.com/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&id=1482
• Meeting Listing URL: https://sccpss.community.diligentoneplatform.com/Portal/
• Public Body Website: https://www.sccpss.com/board
• Meeting Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/sccpsscommunications/streams
• Video Channel URL: https://www.youtube.com/sccpsscommunications

What Community Members Should Know

The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System Board Finance Workshop on April 22, 2026 focused on developing the district’s FY27 budget request and helping the Board understand the financial choices, investments, and tradeoffs that will shape the final budget. The workshop was designed as an early-stage budget discussion rather than a final budget vote. The district presented preliminary school and department budget requests, strategic investments, return-on-investment analysis, and personnel cost pressures.

The preliminary FY27 budget preview identified $687.7 million in total requested expenditures before annual adjustments. This included $518.7 million in mandatory and baseline costs and $13.3 million in strategic investments at the department level, along with a preliminary school allocation request of $477.2 million. These figures remain subject to validation, compensation decisions, and later budget refinement.

Major themes included improving student outcomes through targeted investments, strengthening financial stewardship, evaluating programs through return-on-investment measures, addressing personnel cost increases, and considering strategic initiatives such as school transformation, mathematics instruction improvements, mental health supports, transportation changes, and technology modernization.

The district also outlined upcoming budget milestones, including public hearings in May and June, continued Board discussion, and a future vote on the budget and millage rate.

Major Discussion and Action Items

FY27 Budget Development and Spending Priorities

The primary purpose of the workshop was to review the FY27 budget approach before the district prepares a formal budget recommendation. Staff and consultants from A&M presented a framework dividing requests into three categories: mandatory expenses required for operations or legal compliance, baseline expenses that continue existing district-supported services, and strategic investments intended to improve outcomes or operations.

The district explained that department requests had gone through an iterative review process involving departments, A&M analysis, reductions or adjustments, and alignment with Superintendent and Chief Officer priorities.

The Board was asked to provide feedback on priorities, tradeoffs, and proposed investment levels before the final budget package is assembled.

Preliminary School Budget Allocation

The preliminary school budget allocation totaled $477.2 million, including $391.6 million in mandatory expenses and $85.6 million in baseline investments. The allocation supports school staffing and operations, including teachers, principals, counselors, specialists, school support staff, energy costs, mental health supports, and required services.

The district noted that the school allocation was a preliminary projection and would require additional validation before final adoption.

Return on Investment (ROI) Budget Review

The district reported that it has developed an ROI framework to guide budget decisions and program evaluations. The process includes reviewing whether investments align with strategic priorities, demonstrate measurable impact, and justify their financial cost.

The district tracked $33.29 million in program investments and reported reductions or adjustments to some programs across fiscal years. For FY27, 22 programs were identified for adjustment or possible sunset, with approximately $3.1 million in reductions.

Examples of prior adjustments included changes involving instructional programs, technology tools, and professional learning investments.

School Transformation Strategy

A significant strategic focus was the district’s differentiated support model for 12 schools identified as requiring sustained investment to improve achievement outcomes.

The strategy includes leadership recruitment and retention efforts, coaching, high-dosage tutoring, paraprofessional instructional support, and leadership development pathways.

The district proposed a $336,000 investment for school leader recruitment and retention bonuses, with an ongoing projected cost of $336,000. A performance-based compensation proposal for staff and leaders at transformation schools projected an ongoing cost of $1,544,990.

The district stated the goal is to build stronger leadership capacity and improve outcomes in schools facing chronic performance challenges.

Instructional Investments and Student Supports

The Office of Instructional Excellence presented proposed investments totaling $44.3 million, including mandatory, baseline, and strategic spending.

Key strategic proposals included:

• A K–12 mathematics instructional materials adoption with a first-year investment of $2.5 million and projected ongoing cost of $8 million.
• Expansion of high-dosage tutoring across grades K–9 with an initial request of $3.1 million.
• Telehealth mental health expansion with an initial request of $150,000.
• A mixed-age Montessori early learning expansion at Charles Ellis Montessori Academy serving approximately 100 students, with an initial request of $100,000.
• Formative assessment tools to improve instructional data use, with an initial request of $250,000.

Transportation and Operations Modernization

The Operations budget request totaled $79.1 million, supporting transportation, maintenance, facilities, custodial services, equipment, energy, and related operational needs.

Strategic transportation proposals included continued Chatham Area Transit (CAT) ridership cards for eligible students at a projected $40,000 annual cost and a Choice Shuttle Pilot with an initial and ongoing projected cost of $1,578,359.

The shuttle pilot would provide centralized transportation routes for students attending choice programs and schools. Proposed measures include on-time arrival goals, safety goals, parent satisfaction targets, and cost-per-student tracking.

Technology, Data, and Artificial Intelligence Readiness

The district proposed several technology-related initiatives under operational excellence and talent development.

These included:

• District AI readiness training with an initial $50,000 investment request.
• A district data dashboard with an initial $250,000 request.
• A formative assessment platform to improve instructional data use.

The AI initiative focuses on staff training, responsible-use guidelines, leadership preparation, and limited pilots before broader implementation.

Financial Matters

The preliminary FY27 budget request totaled $687.7 million before annual adjustments.

Major department-level requests included:

• Office of Instructional Excellence: $44.3 million.
• Office of School Leadership: $14.7 million.
• Operations: $79.1 million.
• Strategy, Innovation, and Performance: approximately $5 million.
• Public Affairs: $2.9 million.

The district also identified $12.4 million in mandatory personnel cost growth that must be incorporated into the FY27 budget. This included:

• Teacher Retirement System contribution increases of $1.4 million.
• State health benefits increases of $3 million.
• A salary schedule step increase impact of $8 million.

The district emphasized that these costs are separate from any future compensation adjustments such as cost-of-living increases.

Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance

No new ordinances or formal policy adoptions were identified as primary workshop topics. The meeting focused on budget planning, strategic priorities, and Board guidance before future budget hearings and adoption decisions.

Governance discussions centered on Board feedback regarding budget priorities, strategic investments, and resource tradeoffs.

Reports, Presentations, and Informational Updates

Major presentations included:

• Budget Overview and Approach.
• Preliminary School Budget Allocation Summary.
• Return on Investment Update.
• Strategic Plan Overview.
• Department Budget Request Details.
• Personnel Cost Growth.
• Overall Budget Summary.
• Next Steps.

The strategic plan discussion emphasized student achievement, literacy and numeracy improvement, future-ready pathways, student wellbeing, talent development, engagement, and operational modernization.

Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters

The workshop reviewed personnel cost pressures and staffing-related investments rather than individual personnel actions.

The district highlighted investments in leadership development, recruitment, retention, coaching, and staffing supports. Proposed organizational investments included leadership development pathways and additional support roles designed to strengthen implementation of strategic priorities.

Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations

The district reviewed operational priorities involving transportation, facilities maintenance, technology systems, and service delivery.

The Choice Shuttle Pilot, CAT transportation access, data systems, and facilities-related operational improvements were among the major proposed initiatives.

The district also discussed efficiency opportunities, including transportation optimization, purchasing improvements, staffing analysis, capital planning, and technology lifecycle planning.

Public Hearings and Opportunities for Community Input

Upcoming budget-related opportunities include:

• May 6, 2026: Board meeting and public hearings on the budget.
• May 13, 2026: Second public hearing on the budget.
• June 17, 2026: Millage Rate Public Hearing 1 and 2.
• June 24, 2026: Millage Rate Hearing #3 and Special Board Meeting.

Community members may participate during scheduled public hearings and provide feedback as the budget moves toward final approval.

Community Impact

Residents and taxpayers will be affected by decisions about how district resources are allocated, including staffing, instructional programs, transportation, technology, and student services.

Students and families may see impacts from proposed investments in tutoring, mental health access, early learning, transportation options, and academic programs.

Employees may be affected by compensation decisions, leadership investments, staffing priorities, and professional development opportunities.

Schools identified for transformation support may receive additional resources, coaching, and leadership investments intended to improve student outcomes.

Community organizations and partners may be affected by expanded engagement efforts and partnership management initiatives.

Questions Community Members May Want to Ask

1. How will the district prioritize strategic investments if available revenue does not support every request?
2. Which proposed investments have the strongest evidence of improving student outcomes?
3. How will the district measure success for transformation schools?
4. What alternatives were considered before requesting new strategic spending?
5. How will personnel cost increases affect available funding for programs and services?
6. What outcomes will determine whether new programs continue after initial funding?
7. How will families and community members provide feedback before final budget approval?
8. How will transportation pilots be evaluated before expansion?
9. What safeguards will guide responsible use of artificial intelligence tools?
10. How will the district ensure investments benefit students across all schools?

Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps

• April 22, 2026: Finance Workshop reviewing preliminary FY27 budget requests.
• May 6, 2026: Board meeting and first budget public hearings.
• May 13, 2026: Second budget public hearing.
• June 3, 2026: Board meeting for continued budget process.
• June 17, 2026: Millage Rate Public Hearings 1 and 2.
• June 24, 2026: Third millage rate hearing and special Board meeting.

The district will continue refining budget proposals based on Board feedback before presenting a final budget and millage rate package.

Key Takeaways

• The workshop focused on developing the FY27 SCCPSS budget request.
• Preliminary FY27 requests totaled $687.7 million before annual adjustments.
• The district is separating expenses into mandatory, baseline, and strategic categories.
• Personnel cost growth is expected to add $12.4 million in required expenses.
• School transformation efforts target 12 schools needing sustained support.
• Strategic proposals include tutoring, leadership development, mental health, and instructional improvements.
• A mathematics curriculum adoption proposal includes a $2.5 million initial investment.
• The district is expanding ROI analysis to guide funding decisions.
• Transportation proposals include CAT ridership cards and a Choice Shuttle Pilot.
• Final budget decisions will occur after additional Board review and public hearings.

Official Sources

• Meeting source: https://sccpss.community.diligentoneplatform.com/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&id=1482
• Meeting listing: https://sccpss.community.diligentoneplatform.com/Portal/
• Public body website: https://www.sccpss.com/board
• Meeting video: https://www.youtube.com/sccpsscommunications/streams
• Video channel: https://www.youtube.com/sccpsscommunications

About the Public Body

• Name: Savannah-Chatham County Public School System
• Organization type: school-district
• Government body: school-boards
• Location: Savannah, georgia
• County: Chatham County
• Provider: diligent-community

Keywords

Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, SCCPSS, Board Finance Workshop, FY27 budget, school funding, budget allocation, strategic investments, return on investment, school transformation, student achievement, literacy, mathematics adoption, high dosage tutoring, mental health services, transportation, Chatham Area Transit, Choice Shuttle Pilot, personnel costs, teacher retirement, health benefits, artificial intelligence readiness, data dashboard, early learning, Montessori, public hearings, millage rate, operational excellence