[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6310451,"mediaKeyId","2402491-b3136c19134744bd6345bddfdfb806f1","parentId",2402491,"title","Finance director projects FY26 pressure from state mandates; district highlights fund balances and SPLOST receipts","audioSeconds",1037,"startMs",3769000,"endMs",4806000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2402491-b3136c19134744bd6345bddfdfb806f1&start=3769&end=4806","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2402491-b3136c19134744bd6345bddfdfb806f1/thumbnail_3769000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6310451/Georgia/Finance-director-projects-FY26-pressure-from-state-mandates-district-highlights-fund-balances-and-SPLOST-receipts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6310451-f2e655590b8e6d22f431f9f5a3a62070/orig.mp4?Expires=1771111095&Signature=d4-iKL1lpAuBvTy9rWNR35MaKwZFsJ67GrihHaFPxTTzkq1uGvaFrLkxb3EQ-XmjI61RB7GPbwUWHky5TN8iu8SylZyCL~TkENquIMvxKAP~P6Wfgtep6yBauJV17w4hh2bvzLPn3Ruvr4q3mYsxeB4rdpMIFRA-NH1NVRyCNoBkJkLhxK4rGFXR4xvyxfOBRlPfhOz15pAZwr~o2k9cIBpmPeVyq53QFgPMEwsgkLhm6yPwiOnQssZzqTENvkGPp7wqQ8yjycY-VKn~UJYfCsMooRfF8-6-pnyg6rLBnNVo26l7tHpL0-KaYMsaamTzfglIY0IKsmBB1o81dz~hRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-26T14:33:09Z","article","Newton County Schools’ finance director presented the district’s financial position through January and outlined the fiscal year 2026 budget outlook, warning of pressures from state-mandated cost increases and changes in equalization funding.

Erica Robinson reported general fund revenue to date of $166,200,000, which she said represented 69.46% of the budget. The district received $41,900,000 in property tax revenue in January. Year‑to‑date general fund expenditures were $144,100,000, or 57.58% of the budget. Robinson said the beginning fund balance was $56,000,000 and the ending fund balance currently stood at about $78,000,000. Across all funds, total year‑to‑date revenue was $200,100,000; SPLOST proceeds collected over SPLOST 5 totaled just over $103,000,000, Robinson said.

Robinson then presented an initial FY26 outlook based on the state’s proposed K–12 budget and board priorities. She summarized several statewide allocations discussed in the proposed state budget presentation to districts, including amounts for enrollment/training/experience, dual enrollment and capital outlay programs (state-level figures cited by the presenter). Robinson told the board Newton County’s local projection included an estimated $1,900,000 increase tied to higher certified employee health insurance contributions covered by the state and an estimated $2,100,000 local cost for the classified staff health insurance increase that must be absorbed locally. She also noted an anticipated shift in the local 5‑mil share that would reduce available funds by about $5,000,000 as the tax digest changes.

Board members pressed for clarity on mandated cost implications. One board member asked whether the classified increase would be covered by state revenues; Robinson said the certified increase was expected to be covered by state funding but the classified increase would be a local obligation. Another board speaker framed the budget season as “unique,” noting a slowing digest and declining equalization funding while the district faces increased mandated costs; the board has authorized an instructional resources review to identify redundancies and potential savings, the speaker said.

Robinson said the district will present a fiscal year 2026 budget overview next month, a tentative budget in April, public hearings in May and final adoption in a subsequent meeting. She said staffing requests, a classification and compensation study, and an instructional resource audit were under review to balance district priorities against constrained revenue.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","NCS Board of Education Combined Work & Regular Session Meeting 2/25/25","oneSentenceSummary","Ms. Erica Robinson reported the district’s month-of-January financials and outlined FY26 budget outlook including state proposed K–12 allocations and local impacts from mandated health insurance and retirement contribution increases.","taxTitle","Newton County , School Districts, Georgia","taxId",72654,"location","Georgia","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6310456,"Board receives East Bluffs construction updates, groundbreaking ceremonies for three high schools",233,3367000,3600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2402491-b3136c19134744bd6345bddfdfb806f1&start=3367&end=3600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2402491-b3136c19134744bd6345bddfdfb806f1/thumbnail_3367000.jpg","/articles/6310456/Georgia/Board-receives-East-Bluffs-construction-updates-groundbreaking-ceremonies-for-three-high-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6310456-d0d61fdd484216ff2108a7777c99a035/orig.mp4?Expires=1771111095&Signature=knhh8SSySCOTtsC4na5yHD5UeZnNN0TdM9-ubfAr8lqNqXQiiZkx49Xi7MqW4jSRHDaNpwRAW4UXEYb8Gr9XBFVBZ1utRIj26ZHBt~ZeC4H6xGArhem1bJDM~2FiICYjKErRYNiDqfIgvdYMIlOV71HCWI5lgPUYLioebPbvIBEq6lEH4h50r2zONEd98tleBujafGzi-c93TgyekX9I7KBvQAw1mGCNXzIaV9IuRScDozcazipD6DkB4N~CPuVoyrV2HeBH4qaL0Dtjp2v68VvKoq882oqx-DkGknAlSCO5qlkZy5frUqSd2L8fxMjM21I8~5FmQp3FAZfYSkOpfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board received a construction update on the district’s East Bluffs capital program, including media center renovations, playground installations and groundbreakings for the next phase of high school projects.

Dr. Mike Barr provided the monthly construction report. Renovations were underway in media centers and new carpeting had been installed at Middle Ridge, Oak Hill, West Newton Elementary and Veterans Memorial Middle School; media center work was on track to be completed in March. The contractor had moved new playground equipment from production to installation and staff said installation would begin March 10, 2025, with work expected to take two to three weeks beginning at Rocky Plains and continuing through Livingston, Hurd Mixon Elementary School and the Newton College and Career Academy STEM building.

Barr said the contractor had submitted required paperwork and remained on schedule to begin work this summer on several projects; monument sign renderings were still under review. The board was told roof replacements at Oak Hill and West Newton Elementary Schools and selective roofing work at Porter Performing Arts Center will be brought for approval in March and are scheduled to begin in summer with an anticipated completion near July 2025.

East Bluffs 6 groundbreakings were in progress: Alcovey High School held a ceremony that day, Eastside’s was scheduled for Feb. 26 and Newton High School for Feb. 27. Temporary construction fencing and site work will begin in early March. Land disturbance permits for Alcovey and Newton were received on Feb. 14; Eastside’s permit was pending final city comments with an anticipated receipt by Feb. 28.

Barr also reported on East Newton Elementary renovations: bids were received Jan. 30 and the board was being asked that night to approve a guaranteed maximum price so phase work could begin after staff duties end in May 2025. He said phase 1 was expected to complete by late July 2025 and phase 2 in summer 2026 so work would be finished before the 2026–27 school year.

Board members praised the ceremonies and noted community excitement about upgraded athletic complexes and other facilities. Several board speakers highlighted alumni success in college athletics as evidence of community pride tied to facility improvements.

The board took no new policy action on the construction update at the meeting; project approvals and GMP items were on the agenda as separate voting items.","Staff reported progress on East Bluffs projects and East Bluffs 6 groundbreakings at Alcovey, Eastside and Newton High School; renovation schedules, LDP permits and a March start for playground installations were noted.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6310461,"Board hears weapons-detection pilot details after spikes in threats and arrests",336,2811000,3147000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2402491-b3136c19134744bd6345bddfdfb806f1&start=2811&end=3147","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2402491-b3136c19134744bd6345bddfdfb806f1/thumbnail_2811000.jpg","/articles/6310461/Georgia/Board-hears-weapons-detection-pilot-details-after-spikes-in-threats-and-arrests","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6310461-51a66fdcbe9eead66558c5d4ac77559a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771111095&Signature=eHGrOsAZ6DNyTCK4LlLfaG4Q4YsquYrj3pZtIrxf-XKqUI7iIhL~iOfKSXSFuM2R~tupe~EdoX5oUeeUVmhYkPUDoeV0smi26DS5Z8w1UUZXkLAROMMoAKRSKI6~6F8Hk0~tyKzb65jZUPNDZ~IYgNMYUoFN7nRKm7xWqMrsaS~wmnVwUlNGW6hmdzpWzoBiTUkwwMFq2-DYc53EfoGJESNJ7jp8LnoXbxf2~ggCM7Ka-e5PFfbyCOtrLK1oxzvNQ6vfX0iRoRTZgzmMCTN9elZc9emvZn3RX~M8eXMp9hHauIu~CdPfwWR0N8qgLL~BwAuzKotcc1OXP6KH8TnHSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Newton County Board of Education received an overview of a weapons-detection systems pilot program at its February meeting after district officials reported a series of threats and weapon recoveries last school year.

Dr. Mike Barr, the district’s safety and security lead, told the board the district investigated 57 threats in September—many directed at schools—following two incidents that raised safety concerns: a weapon recovery at Sharp Stadium in August and a September 4 shooting at Apalachee High School. Arrests peaked at 20 in September, Barr said, and the number of weapons found on campuses was highest that month.

Barr said the board approved purchase of detection systems for a pilot on Dec. 2, 2024, and the systems were first used at Sharp Stadium on Nov. 5, 2024. The district opened a public input survey Nov. 4–8; Barr reported that 93% of survey respondents supported implementing weapons-detection systems in middle and high schools.

District staff conducted site assessments at every middle and high school in December and launched a train‑the‑trainer program on Feb. 10. Training sessions for school staff were scheduled Feb. 24–28, and Barr said the first uses in schools would begin in March and continue randomly through the end of the school year. He stressed that detection systems are one element of a layered safety approach that also includes people, infrastructure, code of conduct and mental-health supports: “Weapons detection systems alone will not eliminate the risk of weapons on our school campuses,” Barr said.

Board members reacted to the presentation by noting the unexpected cost but supporting transparency. One board member said the district’s public survey, threat and arrest statistics, and community forum were important steps to build community understanding before deployment.

Barr said the safety and security team will monitor the pilot, gather feedback, and adjust logistics and staffing needs. No board action to change policy was taken during the meeting; the pilot is being implemented under previously approved purchasing and pilot authority.","District staff described a weapons-detection system pilot at secondary schools after September incidents and a community survey that showed 93% support; pilot to start in March with training and periodic screenings.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6310465,"Newton County Schools unveils districtwide literacy blueprint, sets timeline for K–12 rollout",588,1690000,2278000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2402491-b3136c19134744bd6345bddfdfb806f1&start=1690&end=2278","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2402491-b3136c19134744bd6345bddfdfb806f1/thumbnail_1690000.jpg","/articles/6310465/Georgia/Newton-County-Schools-unveils-districtwide-literacy-blueprint-sets-timeline-for-K12-rollout","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6310465-f448af4be56cf64fc789627681b0614d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771111095&Signature=kHi4zFFNSifURS6l0GrDNG96CQueIQ673z7A~-m1jKod4GE-MkjiQ87VVIFPUrauPojO2bORnB5qb7tY8MQSinUzA1uQI3ANB-HiX6LdSYrnF09NW~Zrta9J7ffeyIGP3uJm8Ue-k4Rtgqjh7pCMl5tkWHSXaoaBgbvpiuxXlZLqi~pw1fiAbKpdVRMCn8casu24jSxMQ5MKKUAJVIJehOWV5MuP6DV8hvAbY57qZmZupPhbAI35YmfldvjopKOC6nJORYJj3vDlzwk1tVwAfRtbMnJfBm5Z8dvY0bLWTOIS4DrYRae3DY2RLcPusBG25sic79C1MOrgp6lIlYdwnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Newton County Schools presented a districtwide literacy blueprint at its combined February board meeting, laying out a multi-year plan to align classroom instruction with the science of reading and expand screening and intervention for struggling readers.

The presentation, delivered by Tracy Blackburn, the district’s literacy lead, detailed measurable goals to raise the percentage of students reading on grade level and to increase English language arts proficiency on Georgia Milestones assessments. Blackburn told the board the blueprint will “define what literacy instruction will look like in every classroom throughout Newton County Schools” and emphasized training for teachers and supports for students in grades K–3 and beyond.

Blackburn said the blueprint includes: professional development on the science of reading for teachers and instructional coaches; systematic, explicit phonics instruction for K–3; universal reading screening results letters to parents; targeted interventions for grades 4–12; and literacy learning walks for monitoring and refinement. She said the district has completed science of reading training and purchased research-based instructional resources and plans to expand a REAP literacy pilot in fall 2025.

On timeline, Blackburn said the district will complete professional learning and expand pilots by fall 2025, implement adolescent literacy training and unit planning guides by spring 2026, and pursue full implementation and a sustainability plan in fall 2026 and beyond.

Board members pressed for implementation data. Ms. Henderson Baker asked whether the district had “completed the resource audit on the return on investments for literacy supplemental materials and programs.” Blackburn replied they had and that “in March, we’re going to be providing you guys a very detailed overview of all that information.” Baker also sought the percentage completion for the science of reading modules; Blackburn said the district was “on track” and would compile exact percentages from school-level monitoring.

Board members also urged stronger parent engagement. Baker suggested incorporating literacy screening explanations into Title I parent meetings so caregivers understand universal screener results and how to support reading at home. Blackburn said the district will engage a cross-divisional literacy task force made up of district leaders, school-based educators and community partners; she described community partners as an advisory group that may include members of the chamber of commerce and the public library system and said the district will invite “key members” in the coming weeks.

Blackburn noted the district will provide universal screening letters to parents for K–3 that identify whether a student is at risk for a reading deficiency and that teachers will communicate reading progress through regular reports and conferences.

The board did not take formal action on the blueprint at the meeting; Blackburn said she would remain available for follow-up questions.

The presentation and board questions reflected the district’s priority to make literacy instruction consistent across schools while balancing school-level flexibility on parent engagement and outreach.

Looking ahead, Blackburn said the district will present additional detail to the board, including the instructional resource audit and training completion percentages, and will use a task force and community partners to refine implementation.","District leaders presented the Newton County Literacy Blueprint with goals, timelines and required training tied to the science of reading; board members asked for completion metrics, parent engagement details and community partner definitions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Finance director projects FY26 pressure from state mandates; district highlights fund balances and SPLOST receipts

Board receives East Bluffs construction updates, groundbreaking ceremonies for three high schools

Board hears weapons-detection pilot details after spikes in threats and arrests

Newton County Schools unveils districtwide literacy blueprint, sets timeline for K–12 rollout