Make Your Voice Heard on the FY2026 Budget

The Bibb County Board of Education gave tentative approval to a $482.1 million FY2026 budget on May 23 – choosing Option C ( maconmelody.com ). As a result, the current proposal omits several items that Option A would have funded, including critical positions (notably a K-5 English Language Arts Coordinator and a district truancy specialist) and some job re-classifications (upgraded roles with raises). But it’s not over yet. Two public hearings in June will allow us – parents, educators, taxpayers – to push for these missing priorities before final budget adoption. Below I’ll explain what’s at stake and why I believe Option A is the better path for our schools. Please read on, and more importantly, plan to attend or tune in to the hearings!

Upcoming Budget Hearings – When, Where, and Why They Matter

Mark your calendars: The first public hearing on the FY2026 tentative budget is set for Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at 5:00 PM, and the second hearing is Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 5:00 PM. Both hearings will be at the Bibb County Schools Professional Learning Center (PLC), 2003 Riverside Dr, Macon, GA 31204. These hearings are open to the public and are your chance to give input on the budget before it’s finalized. Remember, the Board must hold these hearings and consider feedback before adopting the final budget by June 30.

• Why attend? Because public input can influence the final budget. The Board can still make revisions after the hearings and before the final adoption. If enough of us speak up for specific needs (like those Option A items that were left out), there’s a real possibility they can be added back in before the budget is approved. In short, now is our moment to advocate for our students and teachers.
• How to have your say: If you’d like to speak at a hearing, you may need to sign up or register as a speaker. Typically, you can do this by contacting the Board of Education office or signing up through their website. Check out the Bibb County School District’s website ( Bibb County School District ) and the Board of Education page ( Board of Education Meetings ) for any instructions on public comment at budget hearings. You can also call the district office to ask about the process. Even if you don’t plan to speak, your presence in the room sends a powerful message that the community is engaged and cares about these decisions.
• Can’t make it in person? You can still participate! The district live-streams Board meetings and hearings on their official YouTube channel. So you can watch online in real time (and catch the recording later if you miss it). You can also submit input to Board members via email if speaking publicly isn’t an option – every bit of feedback counts.

Bottom line: These hearings are our chance to shape the budget. The Board is listening for community priorities. Let’s show up and speak up for what our schools need!

Option C vs. Option A: What Did the Board Approve, and What’s Missing?

At the May 23 meeting, Board members reviewed three budget options (A, B, C) for FY2026. They ultimately voted 7-1 to tentatively adopt Option C, the most stripped-down version. To be clear, Option C does fund many good things – it includes a 3% raise for teachers, implementation of a new classified staff salary schedule, and it eliminates a number of long-vacant positions to save money. These are positive steps aimed at improving pay and efficiency. However, Option C falls short of what our superintendent originally recommended in a few important ways:

• No K-5 Literacy Coordinator: Option C cuts a proposed K-5 English Language Arts (ELA) Coordinator position that was in Option A. This role would provide much-needed support to elementary teachers and principals to boost early literacy. Currently, Bibb has an ELA curriculum director for grades 6-12 but no dedicated director for K-5, which Board member Dr. Lisa Garrett-Boyd noted is exactly when “the true battle to read begins”. In her words, “the addition of that curriculum director…should be a mandatory position.” Under Option A, we would have added this elementary ELA Coordinator; Option C leaves it out.
• No Truancy Specialist: Option C also cuts a proposed truancy specialist position that Option A included. This role was envisioned to work with families and community partners to tackle chronic absenteeism (one of our district’s biggest challenges). Superintendent Dr. Dan Sims described the truancy specialist and ELA coordinator as “modest but meaningful asks” that target two of our biggest issues: attendance and. By removing these positions, Option C saves money in the short term but at a cost: we lose targeted support for getting kids in school and reading on grade level. Further, there is a real chance that this role would be budget neutral in the long term. This is because state funding is attendance dependent.
• No Job Re-classifications (Promotions/Upgrades): Under Option A, the superintendent also recommended reclassifying (upgrading the title and salary for) four positions to better align with their duties: the Director of Elementary Services, Director of Maintenance, an accounting clerk, and the Student Information System manager. These changes would help retain talented staff in key operational roles by properly compensating them for expanded responsibilities. Option A included these re-classifications (and the modest raises attached); Option B and C removed them. While these might sound like “bureaucratic” changes, they do impact the quality of services our schools receive (e.g. effective maintenance and data systems) and help with staff retention, which is one of the district’s stated priorities.

How much money are we talking about? Very little, in the grand scheme. All of the “extras” in Option A that Option C cut – the two coordinator positions and the four job re-classifications – together would cost roughly $316,804 per the superintendent’s presentation. That’s only about 0.07% of the $482 million budget! To put it another way, these items are one-third of one percent of annual expenditures – a tiny fraction, yet potentially high-impact in terms of student support. I strongly agree with board Treasurer Mrs. Kristin Hanlon who said it best: “the board should not tank the budget over $300,000” – meaning this dollar amount is too small to justify leaving critical needs unmet.

Yet, a majority of the Board felt differently on May 23. Some expressed concern about any increase in spending, no matter how small, given the overall deficit. Board member Mr. Daryl Morton argued it’s not good policy to increase spending just because some savings were found elsewhere. Others wanted to see resources directed more “into the classroom” rather than additional central office roles. And one member likened it to a household not buying something they don’t have money for. To which I’d respond: $300k in a $482M budget is like skipping a $3 purchase in a $4,820 budget, sometimes penny-wise can be pound-foolish.

The good news is Option C’s approval is tentative.

The final decision hasn’t been made yet. This is where public input can make a difference. The Board can still choose to amend the budget to add these positions and adjustments before final adoption on June 18. In fact, Dr. Sims emphasized that the district’s budget reductions “far outweigh” these modest requests, meaning we have cut millions in other areas to tighten our belts, and this small $300k investment would address glaring needs in literacy and attendance. “We are asking for less money, not new money,” Dr. Sims said, explaining that these additions would be covered by savings identified since the initial draft budget.

As a taxpayer and a parent, I firmly believe Option A’s items are worth funding. They align with our district’s core budget priorities of Literacy and Attendance (as well as Recruitment/Retention and Teacher Quality). And they send a message to our teachers and families that we’re committed to supporting early reading skills and keeping kids in school, two foundations of long-term success. With the community’s voice at the hearings, we can urge the Board to find a way to restore these critical pieces without derailing the budget. Remember, the tentative budget already includes the across-the-board teacher pay raises and new salary schedules for staff, those are staying put, and we absolutely need them to remain competitive. What we’re pushing for is to also invest in a few strategic roles that help our teachers and students directly.

Data point: The two cut positions (ELA Coordinator and Truancy Specialist) carry an estimated cost of about $152,000, and the four re-classifications about $165,000, again, totaling roughly $317k. Our ending fund balance is projected to be $85.4 million even under Option C. In other words, we are on track to have $85 million in reserves at the end of next year, after accounting for a roughly $20 million use of savings to cover the deficit. Using an extra $0.3 million from reserves (or finding equivalent cuts elsewhere) to fund these roles would only marginally change that fund balance projection. We’d still have around $85 million in reserves. It’s hard to imagine a better use of a tiny slice of our reserve than investing in getting kids to read by 3rd grade and curbing absenteeism, efforts that pay off hugely down the road.

Finally, I want to note: Historically, BCSD often ends up better off financially than it budgets for. We routinely project deficits, but then spend less or earn more than expected. For example, in FY2024 the district actually ended the year with a slight surplus, increasing the general fund balance from about $70.2 million to $71.6 million. That was after budgeting to use some reserves. This pattern has repeated over multiple years. What that tells me is our finance team budgets conservatively (which is good!), and we usually don’t deplete as much savings as we fear. Thus, adding a $300k expense for crucial roles is even less risky – odds are, we won’t actually end up $300k poorer than planned; we’ll absorb it through typical under-spending or additional revenues. We should take the opportunity to invest in our district’s needs now, rather than short-changing vital programs due to worst-case financial scenarios that may not come to pass.

Budget Pressures: State Funding Cuts and Why We’re Facing a Deficit

You might be wondering, “If the district has a healthy reserve and usually doesn’t overspend, why are we in a $20 million deficit situation to begin with?” Great question. The short answer: external financial hits outside of our control. The FY2026 budget gap is largely driven by state-level funding changes that have put Bibb in a bind:

• State Equalization Grant Slashed: Georgia’s “equalization” grant is designed to help districts with lower local tax wealth by giving extra state funds. This year, the formula dealt Bibb a tough blow – our equalization funding from the state is being cut by $9 million. That’s $9M less coming to our schools, compared to last year. Why? In part because property values in Bibb rose, which sounds good, but it made us appear “wealthier” in the formula so our state aid dropped. We’ll take up the fairness of that another day; the key point is a huge chunk of revenue vanished.
• State-Mandated Cost Increases: At the same time, the state and other forces have increased our expenses. We have significant mandated increases in employer costs for health insurance and retirement contributions for employees. (For instance, the state is phasing in a huge jump in teacher health insurance premiums that districts must pay, this alone adds millions in cost.) The state also approved teacher salary raises and other benefits that, while wonderful for our educators, come with local matching costs. All told, Bibb is facing roughly $6 million in new expenses that we must cover, on top of the normal cost growth, due to these state decisions. We’re essentially being asked to do more with less: spend $6M more, despite getting $9M less in aid.

Combine those two factors and you’ve got a $15 million negative swing in our budget. That accounts for the bulk of the deficit we’re looking at. Even though state QBE (education formula) funding went up a bit for Bibb (thanks to enrollment growth and a statewide teacher raise), it wasn’t nearly enough to offset the loss of equalization and the added costs. In net, our state funding situation put us about $15 million in the hole. This is important context, it’s not that Bibb suddenly went on a spending spree or mismanaged funds. In fact, the district has been tightening its belt: we’ve cut dozens of vacant positions and trimmed department budgets to save money. The superintendent’s team found ~$974,000 in reductions since the initial budget draft. Without those efforts, the deficit would be even larger.

So when people ask, “Why can’t we fund everything we want?,” the answer is unfortunately that our revenues aren’t keeping up with our needs, largely due to factors outside local control. We’re doing our best with the hand we’ve been dealt. And that, in turn, is why I and others are advocating that we consider a local solution to bridge the gap: namely, a modest increase in the property tax millage rate for education. Which brings us to…

A Low Tax Effort – and the Case for a 2-Mill Increase

Let’s talk about local funding. Bibb County’s education millage rate has not increased in many years. In fact, for the past 6 years straight, the Board has rolled back the millage (lowering it when property values rose). The current rate stands at 16.720 mills (down from ~17.94 mills in 2012). For context, this is one of the lowest school tax rates among comparable Georgia counties. For example, Houston County (our neighbor) has a slightly lower rate (~13.3 mills) but also has an extra sales tax grandfathered in that isn't available to us, while Fayette County (affluent Atlanta suburb) levies over 20 mills. Many mid-sized counties similar to Bibb are in the high teens or above. In terms of local dollars per student, Bibb raised about $4,192 per student in local revenue, whereas a county like Fayette raised $6,440 per student, over 50% more. Even Monroe County (just north of us) raised around $6,172 per student with their millage. The bottom line: Bibb’s local tax effort is relatively low, and we rely heavily on state funds. That was fine when equalization and other aid were flowing, but now that those are shrinking, our low local contribution is becoming a vulnerability.

This is why I support a 2 mill increase in the school tax rate (from 16.72 to 18.72 mills). I know “tax increase” can be scary, but hear me out – this is a reasonable, even necessary step for long-term stability:

• Big Impact, Small Burden: A 2.0 mill increase would generate an estimated $12+ million in additional revenue each year for Bibb schools. That’s a game-changer for closing deficits, it could almost single-handedly cover the $15M state funding gap we discussed. For the individual homeowner, the impact is modest. On a $200,000 home (roughly an upper-middle home price in Bibb), 2 extra mills equals about $16 more per month in school taxes (assuming standard homestead exemption). That’s the cost of a couple of fast-food lunches. For many homes of lower value, it’d be under $10 a month. In my opinion, that’s a worthwhile investment in our children’s education, especially compared to the alternative of cutting programs or letting class sizes grow.
• Avoiding Crisis Measures: If we don’t shore up our revenue, the district could be forced into more drastic actions down the road. Last year, during millage discussions, the administration warned that maintaining a low rate could lead to school closures and short-term borrowing to pay the bills. In fact, if the board had adopted the full rollback option last year, it was projected we might need to take a Tax Anticipation Note (TAN) (basically a loan against future taxes) to make payroll in 2025, and then still face a required 2-mill jump in 2026 out of sheer necessity. I’d rather increase now, when we can plan for it and cushion the impact, than be forced into a panic increase later or, worse, have to close neighborhood schools because we didn’t act. A controlled 2-mill increase now protects us against those worst-case scenarios. It’s like insurance to keep our schools running smoothly.

How does Bibb County's millage rage compare?

** Houston has a county wide sales tax (LOST) that offsets the education millage rate that other districts don’t have. This is something that was grandfathered in and isn't available to Bibb County School District.

• Still Competitive and Fair: Even after a 2-mill bump, Bibb’s rate would be around 18.72 mills – still well within the normal range for Georgia districts our size. We would not suddenly become an outlier or put undue strain on taxpayers relative to other counties. The last E-SPLOST passed with overwhelming support in 2019 (76%). The next one to be voted on in November 2024 will fund school capital improvements and technology, and in fact will reimburse the $3 million “technology refresh” included in this budget – meaning the district plans to use E-SPLOST proceeds to cover that big purchase of new devices, rather than the general fund. I mention this because it shows we are using every tool at our disposal (state funds, local property tax, local sales tax) to balance the load. Asking for a modest property tax adjustment is part of that balanced approach. We can’t legally raise the sales tax beyond the penny, so the only levers left are cutting spending (which we’ve done to an extent) or adjusting the millage. In my view, we’ve cut about as far as we can without harming classrooms – now it’s time to increase revenue responsibly.
• Protecting Our Progress: Our schools have made encouraging progress in recent years in areas like graduation rate, literacy programs, and college/career readiness. Dr. Sims’ #Built4Bibb strategic plan is showing promise with a focus on foundational skills and student support. To keep that momentum, we simply must ensure financial stability. If we run deficits year after year without course correction, we’ll burn through our reserves and then face truly painful decisions. A 2-mill increase gives us breathing room to maintain initiatives in literacy, attendance, and teacher development (all listed as top priorities). It helps guarantee we can recruit and retain high-quality teachers with competitive pay (one of the budget’s goals), because we won’t be constantly fretting about cuts or freezes. It’s an investment in the long-term health of Bibb County School District. As I see it, a small increase now can prevent a potential budgetary crisis later. It’s the fiscally responsible choice, much like doing maintenance on your house to avoid a catastrophic repair down the line.

In summary, Bibb’s tax effort is low, our needs are high, and the math points to a 2-mill increase as a prudent solution. I support it, and I believe our community will support it when they understand the “why.” No one likes paying more taxes, but I think we all like seeing our schools succeed and our property values rise when the school system improves. This is about ensuring we have the resources to deliver on the promises we’re making to our students.

Investing in Our Kids Now to Avoid Paying Later

To wrap up the budget specifics: The tentative FY2026 budget deliberately dips into reserves (about $20.8M worth) to avoid drastic cuts this year. That still leaves a healthy cushion ($85+ million total fund balance projected). Using some savings in tough times is what a reserve is for, but it’s not a long-term strategy. By adjusting the millage rate modestly upward and insisting on smart investments (like Option A’s positions), we can stabilize our finances for the long run. It will help Bibb avoid sliding into a cycle of emergencies, like sudden layoffs, school closures, or unfunded programs, which ultimately disrupt student learning and community trust.

Think of it this way: we either pay a little more now, or potentially pay a lot more later (in both money and lost opportunities). An once of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The proposed early-literacy coordinator, for instance, could help hundreds of teachers improve reading outcomes for thousands of children in the early grades. The return on investment for that single position could be huge, higher reading proficiency means fewer kids needing remediation or retention later (saving money and heartbreak), and more students on track to graduate and succeed. Similarly, a truancy specialist could help reduce dropout rates and the downstream social costs that come with students falling through the cracks. These are strategic investments that make our district stronger and, in many cases, more efficient.

I appreciate that the Board majority wanted to be cautious with spending. Fiscal responsibility is important. But responsibility includes foresight, seeing the train coming down the tracks and laying new rails before it’s too late. We know state and federal funding can be unpredictable (we just lost $15M unexpectedly!). We know inflation and growth will drive costs up. Strengthening our local revenue base and funding key support roles now will help us navigate whatever comes next without compromising our kids’ education.

Alright, stepping off the soapbox now. 😅 Thank you if you made it this far in the weeds of budget talk!

Only the Beginning

We all know there are real challenges facing our schools here in Bibb County. Without adequate funding, those issues will only grow more severe. But let me be clear: funding alone won’t fix everything. It’s a critical first step, but lasting change will take consistent involvement, honest conversations, and a shared commitment from all of us long after the June 30 budget deadline.

This summer, I’m launching a special blog series that will spotlight the bright spots across our district, the programs, teachers, and schools that are making a measurable difference in students’ lives. We’ll explore how those successes can be scaled district-wide, while also digging into some of the deeper, systemic obstacles that continue to hold us back.

I’m also putting out a call for firsthand stories from anyone with a stake in our district—past or present. I’ve already spoken with several former students (and their parents), teachers, and administrators, and I’d love to hear from more of you. Your perspective could be featured (with permission) in an upcoming post or newsletter, helping to put a human face on the data and bring real understanding to these issues.

If you have insight to share—what’s working, what’s not, or what needs to change—please reach out. You can message me directly on Signal at kerryhatcher.03. Together, we can make a real impact.

Call to Action: Let’s Show Up for Bibb’s Future

Here’s my challenge to everyone reading this: Please get involved in this budget process. Whether you’re a parent, a teacher, a Bibb alum, a business owner, a faith leader, or just a concerned citizen – your voice matters. This isn’t just about numbers on a page; it’s about the kind of schools we want for our community. Strong schools lead to a stronger Macon-Bibb (better jobs, safer neighborhoods, higher property values, you name it).

Attend the Hearings (June 10 & 17): If you can be there in person at 5 PM, please come to 2003 Riverside Drive. Fill those seats! Wear your school’s spirit colors or #Built4Bibb shirts. Even if you don’t speak, a respectful show of support for fully funding our priorities will speak volumes. And if you do want to speak, I encourage you to do so. You can simply share why you care, for example: “I’m a parent of a 2nd grader, and I know how important reading support is at this age, we need that ELA coordinator.” Or “As a taxpayer, I’m willing to pay a bit more to ensure we don’t lose good teachers to other counties.” Personal stories and perspectives are powerful. Keep it polite and on point (you’ll likely have a time limit), and remember you’re ultimately on the same team as the Board: we all want what’s best for kids.

Tune in or Stream: If you can’t attend, watch the live stream on the Bibb Schools YouTube channel. Share the link with friends. You can even host a “watch party” among parents to discuss afterwards. Engage on social media, Tweet or post during the meeting using the district’s hashtags, comment with your views (civilly, of course). Let’s amplify the importance of this moment so it doesn’t fly under the radar.

Stay Informed & Spread the Word: I’ll continue to post updates and analysis on this site (and via my newsletter, be sure to subscribe if you haven’t!). After the June 10 hearing, I’ll write a recap of what happened, any shifts in Board member stances, and what to expect on June 17. If you know folks who care about our schools, please share this blog with them. The more of us paying attention, the better. You’d be surprised how much influence an informed community can have on policy versus a disengaged one. Let’s make Bibb an example of a community that rallies around its schools.

Finally, thank you for caring enough to read through a budget deep-dive. 🥳 As dry as budgets can be, this is where so many important decisions are made. I believe in transparency and community engagement when it comes to our schools, and I hope this post helped unpack the FY2026 budget situation in a (somewhat) digestible way. If you have questions or want to discuss more, drop a comment or reach out – I’m always happy to talk schools.

Let’s show up June 10 and June 17 – in person or online – and make sure our voices are heard. Together, we can advocate for a budget that reflects our values and priorities: investing in literacy, in attendance, in great teachers, and in the future of every child in Bibb County.

See you at the hearings!

-Kerry

Sources & References: Data and statements in this post are drawn from official budget documents, Board of Education communications, and local news coverage for accuracy. Key sources include the Bibb County School District’s Board Brief newsletter, the FY2026 Tentative Budget presentation (Eric Bush, CFO), and reporting by The Macon Newsroom, 41NBC, and The Macon Melody among others. Notably,State funding changes were referenced from district statements 41nbc.com and Board Work Session notes secure.smore.com. Comparative tax and funding data come from the budget presentation slides. All these sources underscore the points made – feel free to check the citations for more detail. Let’s stay informed and engaged! 💡