The Board Brief
June 2, 2026
Budget Brief: Planning for Fiscal Year 2027
Board Continues Review of FY 2027 Budget
Bibb County Board of Education members met for a Called Meeting on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, regarding the FY 2027 General Fund Budget for the 2026-2027 school year.
The District's strategic priorities have been recruitment and retention of qualified staff, efficient staffing aligned to state funding, expanded student pathways and dual enrollment, and continued investment in teacher and school leader quality. Throughout the FY27 Budget planning season, the District has worked continuously to evaluate deeper cuts to account for declining revenue while still meeting the needs of the students in Bibb County.
To view the information presented during the meeting, click here.
Tentative Adoption of FY 2027 Budget and Mandate
After reviewing various options presented, Board members voted to approve tentative adoption of the Superintendent’s FY 2027 Recommended Budget Option 2, with the amendment to mandate studying the consolidation / closing of at least 2 elementary schools.
The Superintendent’s Recommended Budget is presented for tentative adoption each year. Proposed millage rate options will be presented during future meetings as tax digest data becomes available, usually mid-summer. The tentative FY 2027 Budget Option 2 did not include a millage rate increase.
Key Highlights of the FY 2027 Budget are listed below:
- Forgo Step Increase for Staff for FY 2027
- Inclusion of 21 State-Mandated Literacy Coaches for Grades K-3
- Transfer of 81 Paraprofessional salary and benefits to General funds from IDEA funds
- Reduction of Instructional Staff by 52 due to updated staffing allocation
- Reduction of Central Office vacancies by 12 positions
- Increase in state equalization grant of $10.1 million
Two Public Hearings will be held before the Board's meeting on Thursday, June 25, 2026, to approve final adoption of the FY 2027 Budget.
Identifying Medium-term and Long-term Solutions
The District has historically - for about a decade - rolled back the millage rate, which limits the ability to capture growth in local tax revenue to sustain operations. As the District works to align resources with strategic priorities and ensure long-term sustainability, the District is considering a range of options to optimize efficiency and maximize impact for students, including medium- and long-term strategies.
MEDIUM-TERM SOLUTIONS
- Efficiency Studies
- Launch instructional efficiency studies to identify potential cost savings and streamline services provided students and schools.
- Use efficiency audit findings to align staffing ratios and resource allocation to actual enrollment, ensuring every dollar directly supports student outcomes.
- Implement attrition position evaluation process from Phase 4 of the operational efficiency study to identify positions for continuation, consolidation of responsibilities or elimination.
- Revenue/Expenditure Alignment
- Anticipate future unfunded mandates and district expenditures to bring budget and millage recommendations to the board in alignment with the district’s needs.
- Supplemental Pay Restructuring
- Review and revise supplemental pay structures across the district and standardize processes and pay where applicable.
- Rezoning/Redistricting vs. School Consolidation
- Using efficiency and redistricting outcomes, finalize strategic school rezoning/redistricting and consolidation scenarios for FY 2027 board decision making and FY 2028 implementation to redirect savings toward instructional priorities and concentrate resources for stronger student outcomes.
- Continue efforts to reimagine virtual learning offerings
Next Steps
Dates regarding the FY27 Budget Adoption include:
- Public Hearing #1 - Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 5 PM at the PLC, 2003 Riverside Drive, Macon
- Public Hearing #2 - Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 4 PM at the PLC, 2003 Riverside Drive, Macon
- Called Meeting for Final Adoption - Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 4:30 PM at the PLC, 2003 Riverside Drive, Macon
The Bibb County Board of Education also will meet for its monthly meeting on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 4 PM for Committee Meeting and 6:30 PM for Board Meeting at the PLC, 2003 Riverside Drive, Macon.
Helpful Links and Resources
- To review meeting agendas, District policies, Board member contact information and more on Simbli, visit https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/Index.aspx?S=4013.
- To review previous issues of The Board Brief, visit https://www.bcsdk12.net/departments/communications/the-board-brief-boe-newsletter.
February 10, 2026: Budget Planning for 2026-2027 School Year Under Way with FY 2027 Preliminary Budget Priorities
March 4, 2026: Board Engages with Consultant on Enrollment Trends and Facility Utilization
March 12, 2026: Budget Brief Update, Budget Work Session #1
March 19, 2026: Board Brief Update, Monthly Board Meeting
March 27, 2026: Board Retreat
April 9, 2026: Budget Brief Update, Budget Work Session #2
April 16, 2026: Board Brief Update, Monthly Board Meeting and Redistricting Update
May 4, 2026: Board Brief Update, Budget Work Session #3
May 14, 2026: Board Brief Update, Monthly Board Meeting
May 21, 2026: Budget Brief Update, Called Board Meeting
Other Actions Taken at the Meeting
Personnel Action Approved
Board members voted to approve an administrative appointment for the 2026-2027 school year. For more information, click here.
Board Members
The following Board Members were present at this meeting:
Mr. Daryl J. Morton, At-Large, Post 7 - President
Dr. Sundra M. Woodford, District 5 - Vice President
Mrs. Kristin C. Hanlon, District 3 - Treasurer
Ms. Myrtice C. Johnson, District 1
Dr. Henry C. Ficklin, District 2
Mr. Barney T. Hester, District 4
Mr. James M. Freeman, District 6
Dr. Lisa W. Boyd, At-Large, Post 8
To learn more about Bibb County Board of Education members, click here.
