School Board Agenda & Packet Summary – SCCPSS – May 6, 2026

Meeting Information

• Public Body: Savannah-Chatham County Public School System
• Organization Type: school-district
• Government Body: school-boards
• Meeting Title: Public Hearing on Proposed FY 2027 Budget - May 06 2026
• Meeting Date: 2026-05-06
• City: Savannah
• County: Chatham County
• State: georgia
• Meeting Source URL: https://sccpss.community.diligentoneplatform.com/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&id=1487
• 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 held a public hearing on May 6, 2026, to review the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget and receive community input. The meeting included a budget presentation by Mrs. Paige Cooley and an opportunity for public speakers to comment on the proposed spending plan. The meeting was part of a larger budget adoption process scheduled to continue through June 2026.

The preliminary FY2027 budget presented to the Board proposes a General Fund budget of approximately $708.8 million, compared with a FY2026 revised budget of approximately $669 million, representing an increase of about 6%. The district noted that these figures remain preliminary and may change as budget assumptions, vacancy projections, revenue estimates, and final allocations are reviewed.

District leaders identified several factors influencing the proposed budget, including local and state economic conditions, enrollment trends, rising operating costs, state mandates that may not be fully funded, staffing needs, strategic priorities, and long-term financial sustainability. The district stated that the budget development process is intended to align resources with student achievement, maintain responsible use of public funds, support modern learning environments, and strengthen recruitment and retention of employees.

For residents, families, employees, and taxpayers, the central issue is how the district plans to balance increasing costs with continued investments in instruction, student services, facilities, technology, and workforce needs. The budget process will continue with additional public hearings and a final adoption process later in June.

Major Discussion and Action Items

FY2027 Budget Development and Public Review

The primary focus of the meeting was the proposed FY2027 budget. District staff presented the preliminary financial plan and explained the major factors shaping the proposal. The district described the budget as a plan built around strategic priorities, including student achievement, stakeholder engagement, employee support, safe learning environments, and evaluation of program effectiveness.

The proposed budget includes funding considerations across mandatory expenses, baseline operations, and strategic investments. Department budget requests were described as preliminary and subject to validation and finalization. The Board’s role during this stage is to review the proposal, receive public feedback, and continue toward final budget adoption.

The issue affects all district stakeholders because the adopted budget determines funding levels for schools, staffing, student programs, operations, and district services during FY2027.

Revenue Assumptions and Financial Outlook

District officials explained that FY2027 revenue projections depend on several factors, including the final tax digest from the Tax Assessor’s Office and adjustments to the state Quality Basic Education (QBE) funding formula. Revenue estimates presented during the hearing were not considered final.

The preliminary revenue outlook included approximately $486.282 million from local sources, $225.138 million from state sources, and $461,000 from federal sources. These projections represent the expected funding foundation for district operations but may change before final approval.

The district emphasized that financial planning must account for uncertain economic conditions, enrollment changes, and increasing operational costs.

Employee Compensation and Workforce Costs

A significant budget consideration involves personnel costs. The district identified workforce needs, recruitment and retention challenges, and staffing requirements tied to student supports as major factors affecting the FY2027 proposal.

The presentation included a preliminary budgeted cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) scenario of 3% for General Fund district employees. The district stated that these compensation cost increases reflect the financial impact of maintaining the current workforce and supporting employees.

Employees and families may be affected by decisions regarding staffing levels, compensation adjustments, and the district’s ability to recruit and retain qualified educators and support personnel.

Strategic Priorities and Student Support Investments

The budget presentation connected spending decisions to SCCPSS strategic priorities. The district stated that financial resources should support student achievement, safe and modern learning environments, academic supports, social-emotional resources, and extracurricular opportunities.

The district also highlighted the use of modified zero-based budgeting, return-on-investment evaluations, and data-informed decision-making. These approaches are intended to evaluate whether programs and expenditures produce measurable improvements in student outcomes, employee support, and operational performance.

Capital Projects and Long-Term Investments

The preliminary budget included a Capital Projects Fund of $181,334,491. Capital funding represents a significant portion of the district’s overall financial plan and is intended to support long-term investments.

The packet did not provide detailed project-by-project descriptions for the capital allocation, but the district identified facilities and technology investments as important elements of its strategic priorities.

Financial Matters

The FY2027 preliminary budget includes the following major fund categories:

• General Fund: $708,800,000 in expenditures.
• Debt Service Fund: $270,000 in expenditures.
• Capital Projects Fund: $181,334,491 in expenditures.
• Special Revenue Funds: $98,268,348 in expenditures.
• Internal Service Funds: $3,374,083 in expenditures.

The total preliminary budget across all funds shows approximately $993,938,462 in revenues and $992,046,922 in expenditures.

The district projected a $3.1 million contribution to fund balance as part of the FY2027 budget request. Officials noted that school budget allocations and other preliminary figures remain subject to validation and finalization.

Special revenue funding included several dedicated programs, including Title I, Federal Special Education, Title II, Title III, Title IV, JROTC, Pre-Kindergarten Lottery funding, Food Services, and other restricted programs. These funds support specific educational and operational purposes and generally have restrictions on their use.

The district also included a note regarding the former employee dental plan. The self-insured plan was discontinued several years ago, and remaining surplus funds are subject to applicable state and federal restrictions before use.

Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance

The meeting primarily involved budget review and public hearing activities rather than policy adoption. The Board was reviewing the proposed FY2027 financial plan as part of the required public process before final adoption.

The budget process emphasizes transparency, public engagement, responsible use of funds, and alignment between spending decisions and district priorities.

Reports, Presentations, and Informational Updates

The main presentation was the FY2027 Budget Development presentation delivered by Mrs. Paige Cooley.

The report identified several major budget drivers:

• Economic conditions at the local and state level.
• Enrollment trends and demographic changes.
• Inflation affecting services, utilities, transportation, and insurance.
• Increased costs for student support services.
• Underfunded or unfunded state requirements.
• Workforce recruitment and retention challenges.
• Community, parent, and Board engagement.
• Long-term financial planning and reserve strategies.

The presentation also included a comparison of SCCPSS millage rates over recent years and a comparison with other Georgia school systems. The district reported that Chatham Schools adopted a millage rate of 17.331 for 2026.

Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters

The packet did not include specific personnel appointments, resignations, retirements, or employment actions. Personnel matters discussed were primarily related to overall workforce planning and compensation considerations within the FY2027 budget proposal.

The district identified maintaining a strong workforce as a strategic priority and noted that staffing needs are connected to student supports and district operations.

Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations

The district identified facilities and technology investments as important components of its strategic budgeting approach. The Capital Projects Fund allocation of $181.3 million represents the largest non-General Fund category in the preliminary budget.

The packet did not provide detailed schedules, individual project locations, or construction timelines for capital projects. Residents seeking additional information should review future budget materials and Board discussions as the budget process continues.

Operational pressures identified in the presentation included transportation costs, utilities, insurance expenses, and increased costs associated with student support services.

Public Hearings and Opportunities for Community Input

The May 6, 2026 meeting was a public hearing on the proposed FY2027 budget. The agenda included time for public speakers. The minutes identify Rick Rooney as a public speaker regarding the budget.

Additional public participation opportunities were scheduled as part of the budget process, including another budget public hearing on May 13, 2026.

Community Impact

Residents and taxpayers will be affected by decisions regarding district spending, revenue assumptions, and future millage decisions.

Students and families may experience the effects of budget decisions through instructional programs, academic supports, extracurricular opportunities, facilities improvements, and student services.

Employees may be affected by compensation decisions, staffing plans, and workforce investments included in the final budget.

Community organizations and service providers may be affected by district investments and program funding decisions.

The packet indicates that the district is attempting to balance financial sustainability with continued support for educational priorities and operational needs.

Questions Community Members May Want to Ask

1. What specific programs or services will receive additional funding under the FY2027 proposal?
2. How will the district measure whether new investments improve student outcomes?
3. What assumptions about enrollment and state funding are included in the preliminary budget?
4. How will the proposed employee compensation adjustments affect total personnel costs?
5. What capital projects are included in the $181.3 million Capital Projects Fund?
6. How will the district respond if final revenue projections differ from current estimates?
7. What opportunities remain for residents to provide feedback before final adoption?
8. How does the proposed budget compare with prior years in terms of student services and staffing?
9. What reserve strategy is being used to maintain long-term financial stability?
10. How will the district evaluate the effectiveness of major spending decisions?

Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps

• May 6, 2026: Public Hearing on Proposed FY2027 Budget at 6:00 PM.
• May 13, 2026: Additional Public Hearing on the Budget at 6:00 PM.
• June 17, 2026: Board Millage Rate Public Hearings scheduled for 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM.
• June 24, 2026: Board Millage Rate Public Hearing scheduled for 6:00 PM.
• June 24, 2026: Final Millage Rate and Budget Adoption scheduled for 6:30 PM.

The district expected budget figures to continue being reviewed and finalized before adoption.

Key Takeaways

• Savannah-Chatham County Public School System reviewed its proposed FY2027 budget during a public hearing on May 6, 2026.
• The preliminary FY2027 General Fund proposal is $708.8 million.
• The proposed General Fund budget is approximately $39.8 million higher than the FY2026 revised budget.
• Revenue projections depend on final tax digest information and state funding calculations.
• Personnel costs, staffing needs, and employee compensation are major budget factors.
• The district identified student achievement, facilities, technology, and employee support as strategic priorities.
• The preliminary all-funds budget totals nearly $994 million in revenues.
• Capital Projects funding is proposed at $181.3 million.
• The district included a preliminary 3% COLA scenario for General Fund employees.
• Additional public hearings and final budget adoption were scheduled for June 2026.

Official Sources

• Meeting source: https://sccpss.community.diligentoneplatform.com/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&id=1487
• 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, FY2027 budget, public hearing, school board, Savannah Georgia, Chatham County, education funding, General Fund, Capital Projects Fund, millage rate, tax digest, QBE funding, student achievement, employee compensation, COLA, staffing, facilities, technology, Title I, special education, Pre-Kindergarten Lottery, Food Services, budget adoption, public input, financial planning