School is back in session, and county residents are looking at their millage rates for future tax bills.
Last week’s meeting of the Greene County Board of Education saw the passage of a new millage rate for the county of 11.648. In comparison, last year’s millage rate was 12.454, which reflects almost a full mill reduction of 0.806 – or 6.5 percent – according to Chief Financial Officer Dean Ware.
The reduction will mean that almost every taxpayer in the county will not see an increase in property taxes from the BOE due to the increasing growth of new construction and modifications to existing homes in the area. It is possible that, as this growth continues, the millage rate will continue to drop as the county has seen a growth of roughly 15.5 percent in just the last year.
The fiscal year 2023 budget was presented, which shows more than $40 million in revenue and an increase of $250,000 due to title taxes. This reflects a reduction of $63,000 less in other revenues due to state funding.
District expenses increased partially due to state-mandated raises for certified staff according to the state salary schedule. To offset this, the district eliminated some positions and hired entry-level teachers. Forty-two new staff members were added to the 2022-23 school year, including new Greene County High School Assistant Principal Jessie Draper.
The BOE stressed the importance of strategic planning for the district, which will include several initiatives aimed at continuous improvement, according to Assistant Superintendent Dr. Rotonya Rhodes. The board voted to initiate a contract with UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute for the fall through next summer of $18,850. Of note will be the creation of a planning team of school leaders brought in by the district to facilitate monthly community group meetings aimed at co-developing a strategic vision for the district as a whole. By engaging input from the community, the district will be accountable for implementing both change and support for improvement reforms and new initiatives as identified.
Three district principals present – Eddie Hood, Greene County High School; DeAndra Lanier, Carson Middle; and Ashlee Miller, Greene County Primary – addressed individual professional learning plans, which commenced a week prior to school starting with teachers.
This has included instructional planning with teachers and a review of new adaptions of technology in the district.
It also included a reinforcement of the district’s social and positive messaging, culture and climate initiatives and individual school performance mandates set.
Several mandated state policies were presented for review and included policies for unstructured break times; material harmful to minors; a complaint resolution process; and a parents’ bill of rights. These are open for 30 days for public review and will be voted on at next month’s meeting.