Each year, Gwinnett County Public Schools develops and adopts a budget for the next fiscal year beginning on July 1. The district’s accurate and conservative approach to budgeting has enabled it to achieve balanced budgets during challenging economic times while delivering on the promises GCPS has made to its stakeholders. For FY2022, there is some good news. With growth in the local property tax digest for the eighth straight year and additional revenue from the state, GCPS will be able to balance its budget, provide raises for its employees, and implement several improvement items. The proposed FY2022 Budget—tentatively adopted by the School Board on April 15—benefits students and employees while also ensuring the district remains a responsible steward of taxpayers’ dollars.
The Superintendent’s Recommended Budget calls for $2.4 billion in the six funds that comprise the Total Budget. The proposed General Fund, which represents 78% of the Total Budget and funds the primary day-to-day operations of the school district, accounts for $1.8 billion of the total (a 2.2% increase).
Next steps are two public hearings, scheduled for May 20 at 6 p.m. and June 17 at 6 p.m. Following these hearings, the Board will adopt the budget and set a tentative millage rate. The final millage rate adoption will take place in July. The proposed budget does not recommend an increase in the property tax millage.
In addition to its FY2022 budget, GCPS is addressing how to best use federal stimulus funding to support students—academically, socially, and emotionally—as the country recovers from the pandemic. It is important to note that this funding is separate from the district’s budget.
Here are some highlights from Gwinnett’s FY2022 Budget. Find additional details in this one-page overview and in the Recommended Budget.
The Recommended Budget calls for a total budget of $2.4 billion.
The proposed General Fund (78% of budget) funds day-to-day operations of the school district.
For the 2021-22 school year, GCPS will receive an additional $48.9 million (net increase) in state funding, including funding for projected growth in student enrollment, the state-funded portion of teacher salary increases, and state-funded increases in employer contribution for teacher retirement.
For FY2022, GCPS must account for increases in the area of employee salary and benefits, including the addition of 189 teacher/instructional support positions to accommodate expected enrollment growth of 2,542 students.
The FY2022 budget includes a $1,000 cost-of-living increase for all employees paid on the teacher salary schedule and a 2% cost-of-living increase for all employees not paid on the teacher salary schedule. In addition, some 95% of current teachers and 60% of classified employees are expected to get a salary step increase.
Other improvements include funding for five additional social workers; a pay increase for substitute teachers; additional personnel and support for curriculum related to artificial intelligence, computer science, and civic engagement; and enhanced operational and maintenance support for buildings/grounds, information management, and information security.