[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,75,87,98,110],{"_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",6248971,"mediaKeyId","3208039-58a35eb1d08fe81762facb745947951d","parentId",3208039,"title","Catoosa County board certifies 2025 estimated rollback rate and hears FY25 financial update as district trims positions","audioSeconds",4770,"startMs",2160000,"endMs",6930000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3208039-58a35eb1d08fe81762facb745947951d&start=2160&end=6930","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3208039-58a35eb1d08fe81762facb745947951d/thumbnail_2160000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6248971/Georgia/Catoosa-County-board-certifies-2025-estimated-rollback-rate-and-hears-FY25-financial-update-as-district-trims-positions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248971-a77122f69d15f78bb3b025771b408537/orig.mp4?Expires=1770451043&Signature=SCc0Kt98WdXZL3UXzb6gVHgmQ8UhKGtLrE0xSlYJOCuo9pZtHiwW41p1Bulp0H5dveJ3V2YMl8vGVmRCBzXkhJucVfU2BaoVvVmKg~Hv86BwakmZrxfcSs7DnHUm0ERA0PrpdGae-YWUcliFpkAGp5eMShBR60RdP~vUwsQMEiLJ2jYEs78Jt-P2-qkqArL1eDMKclyAk8FnccFhO5zLS7TbpxP7IZqufSZw6fFoS27gb64IoB7sEzhJXAyClv8wWAg4nLo6qS6KtJsLEFeqmQk10K-reMaPNPvGa-wS2EuLb4i85SV07TByTvDtfe0m5ZSLDZB7IgTa4d1uEWsAUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-07T08:32:59.447Z","article","Catoosa County school officials on May 6 certified an estimated rollback millage rate of 14.87 to be included on property assessment notices and received a financial update that outlined current fiscal status, planned staffing reductions and projected state funding for FY26.

The certification of an \"estimated rollback rate\" reflects new state requirements under House Bill 581 (2024) and House Bill 92 (2025), which allow local governments to provide an estimated rollback rate on assessment notices or else default to last year's millage and a tax estimate based on current assessed value. The board approved the certification by voice vote; the superintendent announced the recommendation and the motion was seconded and adopted unanimously.

Finance staff told the board the district is in a stronger financial position than a year earlier after earlier optimizations; staff reported the district eliminated more than 60 positions earlier in the year and plans to reduce roughly 20 additional positions via attrition with a projected savings of $1,360,000. Staff said they shifted certain subscriptions and licenses to be treated as capitalized intangible assets and moved eligible projects and expenses to E‑SPLOST funding to reduce general‑fund pressure.

On projected state funding, staff reported unofficial figures indicating net FY26 funding of about $86,500,000 — approximately $3 million more than the current midyear projection — driven in part by more accurate 2024 property valuations and related equalization. Finance staff cautioned those figures are preliminary pending the final tax digest and grant allocations; they said final numbers will be confirmed over the summer.

Staff also described an upcoming increase in employer health‑insurance costs passed through state processes; the presenter reported an increase to \"$18.85 dollars per month per employee\" in July for certified and classified employees and said certified employees' insurance increases are covered by the state while classified employees' increases are not. Board members discussed the legal and practical limits on changing state insurance arrangements.

Capital projects and debt‑service balances were summarized: the capital projects fund showed revenues and expenditures through March and a fund balance on the balance sheet; debt service fund balances and activity were also provided. The finance update was informational; the board later approved consent‑agenda financial items, including the March financial report.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board certified an estimated rollback millage rate of 14.87 for inclusion on property assessment notices under HB 581/HB 92; finance staff reported FY25 improvements, projected FY26 state funding near $86.5 million and staffing reductions to offset rising health insurance costs.","taxTitle","Catoosa County, School Districts, Georgia","taxId",57681,"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},6248975,"Board approves phasing Performance Learning Center into facilities plan; DOE capital outlay ineligible, staff says",150,1860000,2010000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3208039-58a35eb1d08fe81762facb745947951d&start=1860&end=2010","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3208039-58a35eb1d08fe81762facb745947951d/thumbnail_1860000.jpg","/articles/6248975/Georgia/Board-approves-phasing-Performance-Learning-Center-into-facilities-plan-DOE-capital-outlay-ineligible-staff-says","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248975-eb4bf42de25a312eb239b1854f295940/orig.mp4?Expires=1770451043&Signature=BMCqosNn~Ck4W8gz7mXwEd6fqXi~KytgpH7OfNY2SGsp6mAjGbFZGMFO0ZRGBRJECiBoKv6cx1J1SOYAbADPZ8D0L65bTW5LpnPgRJ4jeEFVX~Uq1ZHOhwVSYXDHpralcvmPyMJnNsS6qbGLdfEGNX~0Ayjuer3wQnNx-02wnqWVxgcfxfza3wvGLWajh57sZLkuwvGWs4qp~xZHlPNFdxMjNQgAChMqPYCM3F7l6iYt~6BpQCrohRLh~FR-G-7XzdQ1QLABalYvuQYasIJWNVl-7jmkeDbjo9eyF1vwkBBy4YgFibEdzLWFngNVltnrupx17CMwYUGhqelcdbjypw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Catoosa County Board of Education voted unanimously May 6 to request that the Catoosa Performance Learning Center (site code 16‑05) be placed back into the district facilities plan to begin planning that would treat the program as a recognized facility.

Mr. Lusk presented the resolution to the board, explaining that the Performance Learning Center has operated as a program rather than a separately coded facility and that the resolution is the first step to explore conversion and include it in the district’s facilities plan. \"Be it therefore resolved, the board request that the site code 16‑05, Catoosa Performance Learning Center, be placed back into the facility plan,\" he read.

The presentation included an explicit funding caveat: district staff said the site will not be eligible for state capital outlay funds regardless of full‑time‑equivalent (FTE) counts because it was previously phased out of the state facility framework. Board members asked about timing and DOE approval; staff said the department would likely review the request over the summer and the district aims to be ready by August if approved.

The motion to accept the resolution was made, seconded and adopted unanimously. Board minutes show the action was placed on the consent agenda and approved without further amendment.

Staff emphasized the resolution is procedural — the first step to allow the district and the Georgia Department of Education to process the site as a distinct facility entry in the facilities plan. District staff said current programming and student assignments to the Performance Learning Center will continue while the conversion process is explored.

","The board unanimously approved a resolution to place site code 16‑05 (Catoosa Performance Learning Center) back into the district facilities plan so the center can be explored as a formal facility; presenters told the board the site will not be eligible for state capital outlay funds because it was previously phased out.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":79,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6248980,"Lakeview Middle School improvement plan highlighted after Georgia 'Promise School' designation",166,1694000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3208039-58a35eb1d08fe81762facb745947951d&start=1694&end=1860","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3208039-58a35eb1d08fe81762facb745947951d/thumbnail_1694000.jpg","/articles/6248980/Georgia/Lakeview-Middle-School-improvement-plan-highlighted-after-Georgia-Promise-School-designation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248980-87e80a5a03e32dc98ee1640099c3e6ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1770451043&Signature=epq15~cEq4Rmf-JB2hIK2U4hzf9m1x8jJIUC~5V1krFhkSLorxoTL6oTeI2IrlHP6CzmSQvCqLjOEQzAApu~XjmERdHxcUo8VFyQb9dpCDAgvM9ujM817ySYShK7OINfzs3rsopvdNe8EaKcbCjPz4nXGJBdOvMxBVa5H4UgcIuoQXaoJMWl~PmX68E~d6D-qizAQH84u2-zzIarwN9Dbl1mLCbv8Y~-bnypRJUJdrrV2Pr4wat-~e5WtIrnSRXRZqIqFdO0kQvX4kZVa6SPxPMTlysO0uKdQ6rk3xfCZ~olwrKAMskQ--62xFO5uBvMJfwzYg4NAFiKccXURrfSbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff reported to the Catoosa County Board of Education on May 6 that Lakeview Middle School (LMS), recently designated a Georgia Promise School, has a multi‑pronged improvement plan that includes targeted instructional supports and a pilot adoption of new ELA materials.

The presentation explained why LMS was designated and outlined the district's interventions. Staff said the designation uses a two‑year CCRPI average and that LMS improved its single CCRPI from 62.2 in 2023 to 69.5 in 2024, giving a two‑year average (reported as 65.85) that placed it just below the cutoff used for the Promise identification.

To address performance, district staff listed actions already under way: weekly professional learning community meetings with district leaders attending; a pilot of HMH English language arts materials for secondary grades; funding a part‑time school improvement specialist (a former middle‑school principal) to provide daily instructional support; training all staff in relationship‑centered behavior strategies; and earlier job postings for LMS to improve teacher recruitment.

Staff said the Office of School Improvement \"recommends adoption of the updated instructional materials...for secondary ELA,\" and that the proposed materials were available for a 30‑day public review period during which the district recorded no public feedback.

The presentation also included context about differing accountability lists: the Georgia Department of Education's CSI/TSI lists and the governor's Office of Student Achievement method, which excludes alternative schools and thereby changes the comparison group. District staff said that difference affects how the school is positioned compared with neighboring systems.

Board members asked about summer tutoring and staff replied that previously available COVID‑era remedial funds are no longer available for middle‑school summer tutoring. Staff described planned professional development for teachers over the summer but said no district funds are currently allocated for summer tutoring at the middle‑school level.

The board received the report; the Office of School Improvement presented a recommendation to adopt HMH materials for secondary ELA as the primary resource to align with new Georgia standards, with the item coming back for formal action as required by district procedure.

","District staff told the board Lakeview Middle School was identified as a Georgia Promise School; the district described weekly professional learning, a part‑time improvement specialist, pilot of HMH ELA curriculum and other supports intended to raise CCRPI scores.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6248985,"Catoosa County survey: teachers, safety and college/workforce readiness top community priorities",297,418000,715000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3208039-58a35eb1d08fe81762facb745947951d&start=418&end=715","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3208039-58a35eb1d08fe81762facb745947951d/thumbnail_418000.jpg","/articles/6248985/Georgia/Catoosa-County-survey-teachers-safety-and-collegeworkforce-readiness-top-community-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248985-f1a50d97487ba4dd7fe2854e93ac9b8c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770451043&Signature=lkKAgsc6iXU-3Pp6nlOMeoVVKfRhZRTyN0LK-M0463dsJHbIsGE2kK7NB0WYSeJ6eMFTBFYID4-UTrHCPHP7OKkBQi4NAukcdvJD-3rgZTdqTnJDTP98uGSbSn1Jk72mZQRmXRiqwnuL1zskzrl5Xt9lo4Mr1~9bkALfJWqG2-Th4L0uDVDNHwPHkC-A0298StnZqWFnQW26~Flj-UVzK-9mk5lmLHfAW3lzpotPDuSUGBGj9PpmBIC7ONugVivz9wumJtxTD7-RychE67Qt1DsWRw6W0NGfjj0yXWa-3S8uVFJ4oxjPMue0VJ7PbrOLUPYH7SpNChw5pmqHdPT91A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Nicks told the Catoosa County Board of Education on May 6 that nearly 1,700 community members completed a strategic plan survey and that respondents consistently prioritized recruiting quality teachers, school safety and preparing students for college and the workforce.

The superintendent said 64% of respondents identified parents as the largest respondent group and that the survey showed \"68% of the respondents indicate that quality teachers...is gonna be our greatest challenge.\" The presentation summarized top concerns and budget priorities, which district staff said will inform the system's strategic planning.

Nicks highlighted several percentages from the survey: 68% cited quality teachers as the greatest challenge; 64% prioritized preparing students for college and workforce readiness; 64% listed academic programs as a top issue; and 59% said the district should fund SROs, nurses and mental‑health professionals. On financial priorities, 68% ranked competitive salaries and benefits as the top spending priority.

\"When we say we have nearly a 90% graduation rate, that's still below most other school systems who are 98 and 99, and that is because we're gonna make sure that you earn the diploma when we give it to you,\" Nicks said while noting community expectations for meaningful credentials following graduation.

Board members who discussed the survey called the results stable over time. One board member said the priorities \"have not changed\" over multiple surveys and that the data will guide the district's strategic plan and any referendum work. Another board member underscored that the survey reinforced support for career and technical education pathways.

The survey also asked which indicators community members use to judge the district. Responses included clean, well‑maintained, secure buildings (73%); students graduating with college credit or technical credentials (53%); and career technical pathways offered (47%). The superintendent told the board that these community priorities will inform budgeting and planning for the coming five years.

The presentation was informational; the board did not take an action vote on the survey results at the meeting.

","Superintendent Nicks presented results of a district survey of about 1,700 respondents showing the community ranks recruiting quality teachers, safety, and college/workforce readiness as top long‑term priorities; board members said the results are consistent with past surveys.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6248990,"Catoosa County schools temporarily remove classroom titles as review under Georgia 'harmful materials' law proceeds",182,60000,242000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3208039-58a35eb1d08fe81762facb745947951d&start=60&end=242","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3208039-58a35eb1d08fe81762facb745947951d/thumbnail_60000.jpg","/articles/6248990/Georgia/Catoosa-County-schools-temporarily-remove-classroom-titles-as-review-under-Georgia-harmful-materials-law-proceeds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248990-40f253bb30166c4d5c883bf62ebe61cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770451043&Signature=CsuU2WeO~ovRi0bXxw9~Y64qbVDNXR6GRFj7C6JpgdH0lgFZlHlLwx-5Lufc42JcrIpcrnCJcB~OqlAeE0rALmSpqF2zRkCvTY6W3dF2JDw8dEg4cB7nxUvuhu2UuaTwDIh65IyJGTJLpG4VsQY2JJGG9pFqsCnEzc2lZTLQWjZcs4HgXzQ4Sdlurm10Wy0Hsa3Y4l~MGxJ3-QPGY2SZW0B1Jgle0CbXkRBkFnTuol~lBsSAvm83J44iGq9f1ufg0b93pynQy8xreG5pr~rIVghMxMNfgEhepKbTFC~pc~TuRIyIXgeXGTMeG6cQze5jv4mIRo7nyaLgN2UaAe5c8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Nicks told the Catoosa County Board of Education on May 6 that classroom titles at Heritage Middle School had been temporarily removed and will be reviewed under procedures consistent with Georgia law.

The superintendent said the district created a clearly marked parental \"permission only\" shelf and required a signed parental permission form for any student wishing to borrow titles designated for ages 13 and up; he added that \"to date, we still do not have any formal complaint by any parent.\" The board heard this report during its regular May meeting.

The move matters because the district is operating under the state's post‑2022 statutory framework for instructional materials. Nicks described a multi‑step process: the teacher initially flagged the titles, the principal and a school‑based media committee cataloged the collection using an online system to make it visible to parents, and the committee will reconvene over the summer to decide whether any items should be restricted or removed.

\"In response to public recent discussion and out of an abundance of caution, all titles on the shelf in question have been temporarily removed from the classroom for further review,\" Superintendent Nicks said. He also told the board that the district's investigation \"definitively confirmed that at least one book titled Stamped, which was read aloud during public comment, was not in the teacher's classroom library at all.\" Nicks said an excerpt read publicly may have been from an adult edition rather than the adolescent adaptation.

District staff also said the review has been broadened: all teachers who maintain classroom libraries were directed to submit any titles of potential concern to their school media committees for evaluation. The superintendent said the process is intended to balance \"access to a wide range of materials\" with \"meaningful parental involvement in decisions regarding academic content.\" The report made clear this is a review and that no formal disciplinary or legal action was reported relating to these specific classroom titles.

The board did not take formal action on the report; instead staff described next steps and timelines. According to the superintendent, the school‑based media committee at Heritage Middle School — made up of teachers, parents, the certified media specialist and the principal — will evaluate the titles this summer and recommend whether any should be restricted or permanently removed.

The report referenced state law generally as the governing authority for the process; board members asked no immediate follow‑up questions and moved to the next agenda items.

","Superintendent Nicks told the board the district has temporarily removed titles from an eighth‑grade classroom library and will convene school media committees to review materials under Georgia’s harmful‑materials law; no formal parent complaints have been filed about the shelf in question, the superintendent said.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Catoosa County board certifies 2025 estimated rollback rate and hears FY25 financial update as district trims positions

Board approves phasing Performance Learning Center into facilities plan; DOE capital outlay ineligible, staff says

Lakeview Middle School improvement plan highlighted after Georgia 'Promise School' designation

Catoosa County survey: teachers, safety and college/workforce readiness top community priorities

Catoosa County schools temporarily remove classroom titles as review under Georgia 'harmful materials' law proceeds