[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6214294,"mediaKeyId","3670841-88e2651fd1b2324bdcd3e7c009e6eb5c","parentId",3670841,"title","Finance director outlines FY26 budget risks after reassessment, cites $650M in exemptions and frozen homestead values","audioSeconds",2702,"startMs",3466000,"endMs",6168000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3670841-88e2651fd1b2324bdcd3e7c009e6eb5c&start=3466&end=6168","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3670841-88e2651fd1b2324bdcd3e7c009e6eb5c/thumbnail_3466000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6214294/Georgia/Finance-director-outlines-FY26-budget-risks-after-reassessment-cites-650M-in-exemptions-and-frozen-homestead-values","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214294-707c4d2f62bd436a892eb3e6d5016192/orig.mp4?Expires=1770638823&Signature=ST23wA4vqrN16vpCrOGjLjp00IsLGpsxASb-cpR7J6boZ-hfmDBcKu6pJlPeTXaWhMqggyDD3x4GS14xajxV05AU4KAccEZ7aFYlT1qEscKfGWAm3~MGIab0qF6ASdf2CgnPRtiSoU7qFKbTauwyCcmQ6UPbISQRmfaABlFj7jxYPolgrmnHqf3Q0ZKsy2bfktn1HMON0HtnKlT3SCNiJ~N~~htdwcDhze9kxNFIP57ZGML-uYgC1QNbKwHA8529BhSDJw0~HPkxYhx0IoGvpFcxOTPhjKCu28W4yXKqIE7bmWrDj24nVdZPt-Ac1Dg3~y8JZovEhI8nyVKgk3GDuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-04T11:52:50Z","article","The Catoosa County schools finance director presented a budget progress report on June 3 that emphasized how reassessments and new exemptions will affect the district’s FY26 revenue projections and millage-rate decisions.

District staff said the county board of assessors approved about $222 million in increased assessed value for existing property, but new exemptions and the district’s opt-in to the House Bill 581 floating homestead exemption mean the net taxable reassessment value is substantially smaller. The presentation identified about $39.7 million in new property growth that was largely offset by $40.1 million in new exemptions and an $87 million exemption total arising from the district’s adoption of House Bill 581 mechanics. Overall exemptions were projected to rise to roughly $650 million (about a 24% increase) for tax year 2025.

District staff noted those mechanics freeze homesteaded property taxable values at their 2024 levels for this tax year; the Department of Revenue-set inflation adjustment can change values in later years. The finance director gave a worked example: an average $275,000 home with a homestead exemption would pay the same school tax in 2025 as in 2024 if the millage rate remains at 14.87. If inflation-adjusted reassessment applies next year, the example homeowner would see an estimated $50 increase at a 3% inflation factor.

The director said the district expects to lose the opportunity to capture about $590,000 in revenue that would have been associated with the $39.7 million in new property growth. He listed outstanding items the board needs to finalize the budget: the final local tax digest (after the appeal period, expected mid‑July), federal and state grant allocations (timing varies), and final calculations for any payroll/benefit changes tied to the Kelly Services staffing transition. The finance presentation included current FY26 projection figures: revenues of about $142.4 million and expenditures of about $141.9 million, giving a modest projected surplus of roughly $420,480 assuming the current millage of 14.87 and the estimates presented.

The director also summarized prior cost-reduction steps taken by district leadership: elimination of more than 90 positions over two years (estimated savings of roughly $5.3 million), department-level expense reductions, participation in the Peach State education tax credit program, and accounting shifts that moved some costs to ESSER/East Blos in keeping with GASB guidance.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 3, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The district finance director told the board that reassessments and a large rise in exemption totals — driven in part by the district’s opt-in to a floating homestead exemption under House Bill 581 — complicate FY26 revenue projections and budget planning.","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},6214299,"Board approves Kelley Services staffing contract to shift custodial and nutrition hires; about 32% of eligible staff opted in so far",3100,3710000,6810000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3670841-88e2651fd1b2324bdcd3e7c009e6eb5c&start=3710&end=6810","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3670841-88e2651fd1b2324bdcd3e7c009e6eb5c/thumbnail_3710000.jpg","/articles/6214299/Georgia/Board-approves-Kelley-Services-staffing-contract-to-shift-custodial-and-nutrition-hires-about-32-of-eligible-staff-opted-in-so-far","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214299-40725558ed1e0112fa37be73782012ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1770638823&Signature=ITd-aW7pArGVtLVAPkIaKCHEOLsszvqrgvqQcib5gtZKewL0i~1dZ6mdpmKxLH1DabrpHLJy-yz1qx~tME8eFDS2b93EubgbYmgSU7awM9q31GD7INB71VAOdfYNLpoxRn5oJfPEliKUE6Sr3BJN9ooj42t6Bi3r6-dq2yXoIEt6gWG5KR00rG4mwdIrJCRILFu7zZ-yFQmAtI9DgReXW4BQAbnibzrDGPesY9s35EnKXSob6YkxnRkhQ-5xZXLJMptkg8syqTOuKfS7aW89ncoRa1UhKQSP0DLY83bs5g7YZc8TUe7desyQ7rJBS2E4xXw5BG2QhEpfWCrbjPcGmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Catoosa County Board of Education approved a contract on June 3 to transition future hires in custodial, child nutrition and certain substitute positions to Kelly (Kelly Services), while current employees were given a choice to remain district employees or move to Kelly.

District staff explained that the change is voluntary for eligible current employees; supervisors (child nutrition managers and head custodians) will remain district employees and retain their supervisory roles regardless of employee choice. The district said 41.5 of about 130 eligible employees (approximately 32%) had already chosen to transfer to Kelly, producing an estimated state health-cost savings of about $825,630 based on present selections.

Officials described changes and options for employees who transfer: higher hourly pay rates, weekly pay instead of monthly pay, access to Kelly benefit plans (vision, dental, health, optional), and a one-time sick-day payout ranging from about $500 to $3,000 depending on accrued days. District staff said Kelly agreed to provide a summer-pay option to match the district’s current summer-pay practice so employees who are not scheduled to work in summer can still receive summer pay.

The district said Kelly will perform recruiting and onboarding for new hires in the covered departments; the district will continue background checks, control school placements, and retain final authority over which candidate works at each school. Current paraprofessionals will remain district employees; future paraprofessional vacancies may be filled by Kelly. The district also described plans to move substitute-teacher management to a single platform (Frontline) through Kelly, which leaders said could make securing substitutes more consistent.

Board members asked about specifics of Kelly’s insurance carriers, training for custodians, and how Kelly’s recruiter would operate locally; staff said employees would be given direct contact numbers to Kelly and that Kelly would deploy local recruiters to work with district offices. The item was included on the consent agenda and approved unanimously.","The Catoosa County Board of Education approved a contract to use Kelly Services for custodial, child nutrition and future substitute hires; employees may choose to remain district staff or move to Kelly.",{"_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},6214303,"ABM presents energy-efficiency plan targeting $564,000 yearly savings for Catoosa schools",1914,1141000,3055000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3670841-88e2651fd1b2324bdcd3e7c009e6eb5c&start=1141&end=3055","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3670841-88e2651fd1b2324bdcd3e7c009e6eb5c/thumbnail_1141000.jpg","/articles/6214303/Georgia/ABM-presents-energy-efficiency-plan-targeting-564000-yearly-savings-for-Catoosa-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214303-aa52f9422bcc56998ac3a6beaa7db0e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770638823&Signature=jB9tvmYQlE67aCJflpkCN1CJzV0RG~6~uJHftREpVORTCuFAxapELcJd9U1R~up1izhVXcg7G9Mmn17ONshhjXDcvKb9gac6boh7g19xnA8MtXyHXWQWHVV~njmTZzx7ippLI425sLzNhm9wXiD9hVn6wS9ROPlH4lZx-UwWXVRXapfm34dJ4kgc2XJ3qZaPbG-3wfPQvcTEW0e0efuzjSHkBVjI-WflbwlcYlIHx6hIcUndKHkm4YABy1q1o7Y1E1skHWGwGXBW6-oXu-Ed~qBuYj2LL9DxjH9iIbely-1oF8pcsCL1yxp6ISx754nNYlyEk9GACm4Z0Np6T3E-EA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","ABM Infrastructure Solutions told the Catoosa County Board of Education on June 3 that a preliminary audit of the district's buildings identified about $564,000 per year in potential utility savings — roughly 20% of last year's utility spend — and proposed financing upgrades so the district would not require upfront cash.

The company said it surveyed 10 schools and highlighted Lakeview Middle, LFO High and Ringgold High as having large savings potential, pointing to LED lighting, HVAC upgrades, retro-commissioning and building-envelope improvements as the main conservation measures. ABM's presenters said the district's total utility bill last year was about $2,700,000.

Board members were given a high-level financial picture: ABM estimated approximately $13 million in project costs over a 20-year horizon if the district pursued a broad program. The firm also discussed optional solar arrays that could generate additional revenue — an example figure of about $600,000 a year was described as a location-dependent projection that would require a detailed cost-benefit analysis and utility-company cooperation.

ABM described a three-phase approach: (1) a request for qualifications (RFQ) to select an energy services company, (2) an investment-grade audit that inventories equipment and models guaranteed energy savings, and (3) project pricing and financing. Company representatives said financing would be third-party and could take the form of a capital lease; they described using guaranteed savings and SPLOST proceeds to pay lease obligations so the general fund would realize relief.

Board members asked how financing draws, construction timing and school-year work would be handled. ABM said installations can be staged and performed during second shift so school operations are not interrupted; the first debt payment would begin about one year after construction completion so the district has time to accrue initial savings. ABM representatives said they guarantee energy savings and that, in the event of a shortfall, the company would be contractually responsible for the difference.

The presentation was informational only; ABM and district staff said the next formal steps would be issuing an RFQ and, if selected, conducting an investment-grade audit that would produce firm costs, guaranteed savings and cash-flow models. The board’s financial task force will meet with ABM and district directors and provide an update at the next board meeting.

Costs and projected savings reported by ABM in the board presentation were described as conservative estimates pending the investment-grade audit.","Facility-services firm ABM presented preliminary energy audits and financing options to the Catoosa County School Board, estimating about $564,000 a year (roughly 20%) in utility savings and a potential $13 million program over 20 years; next step is an RFQ and an investment-grade audit.",{"_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},6214285,"CTAE director outlines Perkins V and state grant applications, forecasts $134,000 federal Perkins award and multiple state grants",422,5074000,5496000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3670841-88e2651fd1b2324bdcd3e7c009e6eb5c&start=5074&end=5496","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3670841-88e2651fd1b2324bdcd3e7c009e6eb5c/thumbnail_5074000.jpg","/articles/6214285/Georgia/CTAE-director-outlines-Perkins-V-and-state-grant-applications-forecasts-134000-federal-Perkins-award-and-multiple-state-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214285-65e17a83166a4e171bc9225860ba32b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770638823&Signature=GfKzE9lAzYHU-uIRaLYHFjpEIWnrFQZ50EagBvNaBfmy3JQoLy9gZfAZ64aC-6ySBHy0EwmXl3xvifZsbFpMeVj0zain-kFtOGCSdLQzjaVko7R01JS3K--4OZtUE4KNiv0ODbG-lfz2bZujoMXt9W5yP8OX0Ous9Pk46saxsa0OtOiZF1WcR3It-ThLE1PU3s~4i4bz-rCm6Hi4e7ugAbBuwQfenDbbyT2aetr1-waHDuZH9sl4tbVKyt4wTBSkaYbl8UJZf0mVNcgTL-PgQOZMzB4ihpC1LIgRLjAjUXPVPVNXIHdKCzNsvp9YFfznT7KTR~fFYz4sr6EwdS5XJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Catoosa County CTAE (Career, Technical and Agricultural Education) director presented the district’s Perkins V and state-grant plans on June 3, summarizing requirements and draft funding projections for FY26.

He said Perkins V funding supports career-pathway instruction and that Catoosa’s Perkins application includes a local comprehensive needs assessment (CLNA) and stakeholder collaboration. The director reported a draft Perkins allocation of about $134,000 for FY26 (federal funds), subject to statewide review and carryover rules; Perkins Plus, professional-development set-asides and carryover expectations were described as draft amounts.

State grant requests presented included extended-day funding for CTA teachers, youth-apprenticeship funding for work-based learning coordinators, industry-certification grants for teachers and other program-specific awards. The director said Perkins-funded concentrators and completers have high outcomes in the district: pathway-enrolled students’ graduation rate was reported at 99.7% for FY24, and Catoosa met or exceeded state targets for nine of the ten Perkins core indicators.

The director cautioned that state and federal award letters typically arrive between July and October and that the figures presented were draft requests. He said awarded amounts are subject to final state allocation and that some state grant lines historically fund at about 50% of requested amounts. The board received the report and had no questions that changed the planned application strategy.","The career, technical and agricultural education director reviewed Perkins V requirements and funding outlook for FY26, reporting a draft federal Perkins projection of about $134,000 and a set of state grant requests totaling about $341,930; the presentation emphasized CTA program success and high graduation rates among pathway concentrators.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6214290,"Dr. Butler clarifies Georgia Milestones and reading-level data for Catoosa students",500,3126000,3626000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3670841-88e2651fd1b2324bdcd3e7c009e6eb5c&start=3126&end=3626","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3670841-88e2651fd1b2324bdcd3e7c009e6eb5c/thumbnail_3126000.jpg","/articles/6214290/Georgia/Dr-Butler-clarifies-Georgia-Milestones-and-reading-level-data-for-Catoosa-students","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214290-302819b619874f7bc98e26a39860dd17/orig.mp4?Expires=1770638823&Signature=ITp3X1deIgGcSyBmFYTJ7hWQwpqLiLdRaAdr1KXU7hCYb6dUcjPkC0RBgNzmUVu2Hlp73x6gd10R2vzzVpK4xz3pSAaDCWv0fPW1z-D97vFG2Yl-WYJnW~1CQSqBFyDzPOzyVYCW7J8ohwexZgbPd4G-kzDv6GbQe5wU1--flDHZwGgW7VBSTwZGkAQ2j-SgnZYWQ4rU0xDs8rLnXcCxgU3Bmdb3~kkUhw-SgG0po-Fcp3l43m-nfKKPM7Igcd5XKmDMS-~Gj8AGwN5k5ukOknjLW-gSEmBSX1u2dx2N4ng7Ecm-uQRnZvjIiqRkU3GiNaXh8JXmgNSRfARGPcw2Bw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Butler addressed the board on June 3 to clarify recent reporting about student achievement on the Georgia Milestones and reading measures.

She said the ELA achievement numbers discussed at a prior meeting measured English language arts performance on the Georgia Milestones assessment and are distinct from the state’s reading-on-grade-level determination, which uses Lexile scores reported separately. Dr. Butler said Catoosa County students’ reading-on-grade-level rates range by grade but noted third grade at about 64% (comparable to state and regional averages) and eighth grade approaching 81% reading on or above grade level in the district’s data.

Using Georgia Department of Education accountability data, Dr. Butler said Catoosa County students outperformed the state and the local RESA averages in several subject areas this year: she reported Catoosa was about one point above the state in ELA overall, six points above in math, seven points above in science and seven points above in social studies. She emphasized that Georgia Milestones reports “proficient” as levels 3 and 4, and many students at level 2 are near proficient — sometimes missing a cut score by a question — so district officials monitor benchmark and classroom-based formative data as well to guide remediation.

Dr. Butler cautioned that several factors affect assessment results: COVID-era learning recovery, chronic absenteeism (which the presentation said has nearly doubled post-pandemic), recent budget-driven staff reductions and increased special-education and mental-health needs. She encouraged the public to consult the regional RESA data portal for the full file from the Georgia Department of Education and described district use of quarterly benchmarks, intervention teams and classroom formative assessments as the primary tools for monitoring student growth.

Dr. Butler summarized that, when interpreted with multiple measures, the district’s data indicate Catoosa County students outperform state and Northwest Georgia RESA averages across core content areas and that claims otherwise reflect misinterpretation of the separate measures.","Dr. Butler told the board the previously discussed ELA figures referred to Georgia Milestones achievement, not Lexile-based reading-on-grade-level measures; the district said Catoosa students outperform state and RESA averages across most grades and subjects and urged use of multiple measures to interpret results.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Finance director outlines FY26 budget risks after reassessment, cites $650M in exemptions and frozen homestead values

Board approves Kelley Services staffing contract to shift custodial and nutrition hires; about 32% of eligible staff opted in so far

ABM presents energy-efficiency plan targeting $564,000 yearly savings for Catoosa schools

CTAE director outlines Perkins V and state grant applications, forecasts $134,000 federal Perkins award and multiple state grants

Dr. Butler clarifies Georgia Milestones and reading-level data for Catoosa students