Fiscal Year (FY) Budget - Forsyth County School District

Proposed Budget Timeline

Date	Time	Event
March 17	5:00 PM	Budget Initial Timeline Presentation
May 12	5:00 PM	Budget Updated Timeline Presentation
May 26	5:00 PM	Budget Presentation
June 9	8:30 AM	Budget Hearing #1
June 9	9:15 AM	Millage Hearing #1 (Canceled)
June 16	8:30 AM	Millage Hearing #2 (Canceled)
	7:00 PM
		Millage Hearing #3 (Canceled)
	7:30 PM	Budget Hearing #2
June 23	5:00 PM	Budget Approval Vote
July 23	9:00 AM	Millage Rate Hearing
	7:00 PM	Millage Rate Hearing
July 30	5:00 PM	Millage Rate Hearing

Contingent on receipt of property digest from County Tax Assessor; dates and times subject to change.

The Learner Experience: Student Achievement, Growth, and Engagement

Georgia Milestones

Forsyth County Schools achieved top Milestones rankings in Georgia for 2024–2025:

Elementary and Middle Schools:
- Ranked #1 among large districts in Math
- Ranked top 3 for English Language Arts
- 7th Grade achieved the highest scores among large districts
High Schools:
- Algebra
- American Literature
- Biology

Advanced Placement Honors

In 2026, all eight Forsyth County high schools earned Advanced Placement honors from the Georgia Department of Education:

AP Humanities Schools
AP Humanities Achievement Schools
AP Schools of Distinction
AP STEM Schools
AP STEM Achievement Schools

Highest SAT and ACT

Highest SAT total mean score in Georgia
Highest ACT average composite score among the largest Metro Atlanta districts
Four Forsyth County high schools ranked among the top 15 in Georgia for SAT scores
Five Forsyth County high schools ranked among the top 21 in Georgia for ACT composite scores

Graduation Rates

2025 Graduation Rate: 97%

Forsyth County Schools has maintained the highest graduation rate among large Georgia districts since 2011.

CTAE Pathway Completer Graduation Rate

2025 CTAE Pathway Completer Graduation Rate: 100%

Forsyth County Schools is recognized as a Georgia Department of Education CTAE State Exemplary District.

Fine Arts Pathway Completer Graduation Rate

2025 Fine Arts Pathway Completer Graduation Rate: 100%

Forsyth County Schools is recognized as one of the 2026 Best Communities for Music Education.

Culture, Climate, and Community

2025–2026 State Champions

Denmark High School – Dance (6A)
North Forsyth High School – Gymnastics (5A–6A)
South Forsyth High School – Swim (6A Girls)
Lambert High School – Esports Fall League of Legends
Lambert High School – Golf (Boys and Girls)
West Forsyth High School – Cross Country (6A Boys)
West Forsyth High School – Tennis (6A Boys)
West Forsyth High School – Girls Lacrosse
West Forsyth High School – Soccer (6A Girls)

FY27 Proposed Budget Highlights

Focused Alignment

Five Key Budget-Building Objectives

Responsible Financial Stewardship
Safety and Security
Academic Growth and Achievement
Recruitment and Retention
Large System Feeling Small

Strategic Plan Areas

Operational Excellence
Social and Emotional Health
The Learner Experience
Staff Recruitment and Development
Culture, Climate, and Community

Safe. Connected. Thriving.

Proposed Budget Summary

Total FY27 Proposed Budget: $762.5 million

1.60% increase over FY26
No millage rate increases

Operational Excellence: Responsible Stewardship

No proposed increase of millage rates (FY27 M&O = 15.208)
Estimated 2.7% cap on reassessed homestead properties (SB33)
Senior tax exemption for residents ages 65 and older
Funds reserved for future debt payments, fulfilling the district’s debt-free commitment

M&O Millage Rate – 10-Year History

Year	Millage Rate
2016	17.3
2017	17.3
2018	17.3
2019	17.3
2020	17.3
2021	17.3
2022	17.3
2023	15.3
2024	15.208
2025	15.208
2026	15.208

Forsyth County Schools maintains the lowest millage rate since 2007.

Operational Excellence: Locally Controlled Expenditures

0.66% budget increase
Maintains a 15% fund balance for financial stability and future challenges

Proposed Investment in Operations

Paying down existing debt without increasing the Debt Service Millage rate
Streamlining financial compliance and personnel monitoring
Covering costs of state-mandated requirements
Maintaining a 15% fund balance for long-term financial security

Staff Recruitment and Development

Culture, Climate, and Community

FY27 State-Mandated Costs

1.02% increase due to:
- State healthcare premiums
- Teacher Retirement System contributions
- Literacy coaches

FY27 State-Mandated Cost Increases

Teacher Retirement Costs: +$2 million
Employee Healthcare Premiums: +$4 million
Literacy Coaches: +$1.6 million

FCS SHBP and TRS Costs

Total SHBP and TRS costs for FY27: $213.2 million.

State-Mandated Local Fair Share

Forsyth County Schools will contribute more than $104 million in state-mandated local fair share funds.

These funds are withheld locally and redistributed to support other school systems across Georgia.

FY27 Budget

Seventy percent of Forsyth County Schools’ FY26 operating budget is invested directly in instruction, reflecting a strong commitment to student learning and classroom support.

Seventy percent of Forsyth County Schools’ FY27 operating budget is also invested directly in instruction.

FY27 Proposed Budget Summary

Total Budget: $762.5 million

1.60% increase over FY26
No millage rate increases

FY27 Budget Overview: Revenues

Local Revenue: 53.66%
State and Federal Revenue: 46.34%

Local and State Revenue Overview

Revenues	FY 2027 Budget	FY 2026 Budget	Increase (Decrease)	Percentage of Total
Local	409,851,723	400,035,007	9,816,716	53.66%
State and Federal	353,914,557	350,464,410	3,450,147	46.34%
Total Revenues	763,766,280	750,499,417	13,266,863	1.77%

Local and State Revenue Details

Based on Initial 2027 QBE Allotment Sheet

Local Revenues

Local Revenues	FY 2027 Budget	FY 2026 Budget	Increase (Decrease)	Percent Change
Ad Valorem Taxes @ 15.208 mills	366,264,453	352,310,556	13,953,897
TAVT Taxes	23,750,000	24,500,000	(750,000)
Intangible Taxes	5,500,000	5,500,000	0
Real Estate Transfer Taxes	2,500,000	3,019,147	(519,147)
Interest Income	5,787,270	8,005,304	(2,218,034)
Tuition	900,000	550,000	350,000
Other Local Revenue	5,000,000	6,000,000	(1,000,000)
Surplus Sales	150,000	150,000	0
Total Local Revenues	409,851,723	400,035,007	9,816,716	2.45%

State and Federal Revenues

State and Federal Revenues	FY 2027 Budget	FY 2026 Budget	Increase (Decrease)	Percent Change
Net QBE Formula Earnings	345,859,962	343,439,315	2,420,647
Other State Sources	7,204,595	6,175,095	1,029,500
Federal Indirect Cost	350,000	350,000	0
Federal Flood Control Funds	500,000	500,000	0
Total State and Federal Revenues	353,914,557	350,464,410	3,450,147	0.98%
Total Revenues	763,766,280	750,499,417	13,266,863	1.77%

Tax and QBE Earnings

Tax Revenue Projection 2026 (FY2027)	Projected Digest
Projected Gross Digest	24,825,326,552
Exemptions
Net Digest	24,825,326,552
Millage Rate	15.208
Gross Revenue	377,543,566
Commission 2.5%	9,438,589
Net Revenue	368,104,977
Net Available Revenue @ 99.50%	366,264,453
QBE Formula Earnings (2024)	345,859,962
Midterm Earnings Estimate	0
Net QBE	345,859,962

FY27 Budget Summary

Salary and Benefits: 90.4%
Operations: 9.6%

Expenditure Breakdown

Expenditure	Percentage
Instruction	69.58%
Pupil Services	4.33%
Instruction Improvement	2.42%
Instructional Staff Training	0.01%
Media Services	0.73%
General Administration	0.24%
School Administration	5.53%
Business Services	0.62%
Maintenance	7.60%
Safety	0.36%
Transportation	5.65%
Central Support	2.55%
Other Support	0.02%
Transfer Out	0.06%
Debt Service	0.30%

Expenditure Details

Function	FY 2027 Budget	FY 2026 Budget	Increase (Decrease)	Percentage of Total
Instruction	529,836,462	547,836,924	(18,000,462)	69.58%
Pupil Services	32,974,229	13,701,021	19,273,208	4.33%
Improvement of Instruction	18,420,079	18,481,779	(61,700)	2.42%
Instructional Staff Training	95,401	0	95,401	0.00%
Media Services	5,520,790	5,479,497	41,293	0.73%
General Administration	1,860,027	1,847,567	12,460	0.24%
School Administration	42,105,304	40,834,102	1,271,202	5.53%
Business Services	4,713,105	4,250,484	462,621	0.62%
Maintenance and Operations	57,884,383	56,938,640	945,743	7.60%
Safety	2,710,513	0	2,710,513	0.00%
Transportation	43,012,276	40,296,924	2,715,352	5.65%
Central Support Services	19,408,114	18,001,554	1,406,560	2.55%
Other Support Services	156,723	156,354	369	0.02%
Transfer Out	482,000	274,687	207,313	0.06%
Debt Service	2,307,064	2,383,950	(76,886)	0.30%
Total Expenditures	761,486,470	750,483,483	11,002,987	1.47%

Excess Revenue Over (Under) Expenditures: 2,279,810

FY27 Budgeted Expenditures

Function	% of Operating Budget	FY 2027 Salaries & Benefits	FY 2027 Operating Expenses	Total	FY 2026 Budget	Increase (Decrease)	Percent Change
Instruction	69.58%	511,884,170	17,952,292	529,836,462	547,836,924	(18,000,462)	-3.29%
Pupil Services	4.33%	31,324,304	1,649,925	32,974,229	13,701,021	19,273,208	140.67%
Improvement of Instruction	2.42%	11,473,876	6,946,203	18,420,079	18,481,779	(61,700)	-0.33%
Instructional Staff Training	0.01%	83,201	12,200	95,401	0	95,401	0.00%
Media Services	0.73%	5,053,168	467,622	5,520,790	5,479,497	41,293	0.75%
General Administration	0.24%	1,433,000	427,027	1,860,027	1,847,567	12,460	0.67%
School Administration	5.53%	42,074,979	30,325	42,105,304	40,834,102	1,271,202	3.11%
Business Services	0.62%	4,061,696	651,409	4,713,105	4,250,484	462,621	10.88%
Maintenance and Operation	7.60%	30,675,402	27,208,981	57,884,383	56,938,640	945,743	1.66%
Safety	0.36%	2,710,513	0	2,710,513	0	2,710,513	0.00%
Transportation	5.65%	34,078,850	8,933,426	43,012,276	40,296,924	2,715,352	6.74%
Central Support	2.55%	12,990,643	6,417,471	19,408,114	18,001,554	1,406,560	7.81%
Other Support	0.02%	27,373	129,350	156,723	156,354	369	0.24%
Transfer Out	0.06%	0	482,000	482,000	274,687	207,313	0.00%
Debt Service	0.30%	0	2,307,064	2,307,064	2,383,950	(76,886)	-3.23%

Fund Balance Details

Fund	Amount
Beginning Fund Balance 7/1/2025	171,050,942
FY 2026 Revenues Over (Under) Expenditures	(27,757,513)
Estimated Ending Fund Balance 6/30/2026	143,293,429
FY 2027 Revenues Over (Under) Expenditures	2,279,810

Reserve for Debt Service: (28,572,035) — FY23 Budget Approved

Estimated Ending Fund Balance 6/30/2027: 117,001,204

Percentage of Fund Balance to Expenditures: 15.36%

FY27 Debt Services

Revenues

Revenue	Amount
Ad Valorem	33,668,969.57
Intangible	410,000.00
Real Estate Transfer Tax	200,000.00
Interest Earned	300,000.00
Total Revenues	34,578,969.57

Expenditures

Expenditure	Amount
Principal (910)	26,235,000.00
Interest (830)	14,800,960.00
Agent Fees (810)	9,250.00
Total Expenditures	41,045,210.00
Excess Revenue Over (Under) Expense	(6,466,240.43)

Other Funding Sources (Uses)

Uses	Amount
Transfer In from SPLOST 5	0.00
Transfer In from SPLOST 6	7,650,000.00
Total Other Sources (Uses)	7,650,000.00
Net Change in Fund Balance	1,183,759.57
Fund Balance 7/1/2025 (Estimated)	13,078,114.92
Fund Balance 6/30/2026 (Estimated)	14,261,874.49

FY27 Food and Nutrition

Revenues

Revenue	FY 2027	FY 2026	Increase (Decrease)
Local	10,896,729	11,078,616	(181,887)
State	918,434	905,661	12,773
Federal	10,006,661	10,733,370	(726,709)
Transfer In	0	0	0
Total Revenues	21,821,824	22,717,647	(895,823)

Expenditures

Expenditures	FY 2027	FY 2026	Increase (Decrease)
Salaries – Clerical	213,007	174,971	38,036
Salaries – SFS Workers	7,054,506	7,448,556	(394,050)
Salaries – Administrative	324,528	318,167	6,361
Employee Benefits	7,234,482	7,633,546	(399,064)
Repairs and Maintenance	200,000	200,000	0
Employee Travel	33,031	33,031	0
Commodity Hauling	67,147	67,147	0
Supplies and Materials	870,563	870,563	0
Janitorial Supplies	88,298	88,298	0
Computer Software	60,000	70,000	(10,000)
Expendable Equipment	20,000	20,000	0
Food	8,407,138	9,265,138	(858,000)
Food Acquisitions – USDA	1,788,219	1,788,219	0
Equipment	200,000	200,000	0
Computer Equipment	36,000	36,000	0
Dues and Fees	5,000	5,000	0
Total Expenses	26,601,919	28,218,636	(1,616,717)
Excess Revenues Over (Under) Expenditures	(4,780,095)	(5,500,989)	720,894

Beginning Fund Balance 7/1/2025: 20,531,645

FY 2026 Revenues Over (Under) Expenditures: (3,436,198)

Estimated Ending Fund Balance 6/30/2026: 17,095,447

FY 2027 Revenues Over (Under) Expenditures: (4,780,095)

Estimated Ending Fund Balance 6/30/2027: 12,315,352

Other Budgets

Other Budget	Special Revenue Funds	Capital Projects Funds	Total
Local Sources	10,896,729	66,060,000	76,956,729
State Sources	918,434	16,000,000	16,918,434
Federal Sources	23,125,237		23,125,237
Total Revenues	34,940,400	82,060,000	117,000,400
Transfer Out		(7,650,000)	(7,650,000)
Transfer In	180,000		180,000
Total Revenues and Other Sources	35,120,400	74,410,000	109,530,400

Expenditures

Function	Special Revenue Funds	Capital Projects Funds	Total
Instruction	4,034,851		4,034,851
Pupil Services	6,802,472		6,802,472
Improvement of Instructional Services	1,924,943		1,924,943
Federal Grant Administration	206,348		206,348
General Administration	55,345		55,345
School Administration	1,736		1,736
Student Transportation	203,873		203,873
Central Support Services	69,008		69,008
School Food Services	26,601,919		26,601,919
Facilities Acquisition and Construction		55,239,092	55,239,092
Total Expenditures	39,900,494	55,239,092	95,139,586
Excess Revenue Over (Under) Expense	(4,780,095)	19,170,908	14,390,813
Beginning Fund Balance 7/1/2026	17,095,447	23,671,186	40,766,633
Ending Fund Balance 6/30/2027	12,315,352	42,842,093	55,157,446

Proposed Budget

End of FY27 Forsyth County Schools Proposed Budget accessible text.

Proposed Budget Total

The FY27 Proposed Budget for Forsyth County Schools reflects continued investment in instruction, student support, staff development, and operational excellence. The district maintains its commitment to responsible financial stewardship while supporting growth, safety, and high achievement.

This concludes the accessible text version of the FY27 Forsyth County Schools Proposed Budget.