Sandy Springs homeowners could see a higher school tax rate under a Fulton County Schools proposal to raise its millage from 17.08 to 18.08 mills.
The proposal follows seven years in which the district’s rate remained steady or decreased. A third and final public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at the South Learning Center, 4025 Flat Shoals Road in Union City.
Two earlier hearings were scheduled for noon and 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, at the North Learning Center, 450 Northridge Parkway in Sandy Springs, according to the district’s official notice.
The proposed rate is one mill above the current rate and 0.541 mills above the district’s calculated rollback rate of 17.539 mills. The district’s notice describes that difference above rollback as a 3.08% property tax increase.
For a home with a fair market value of $425,000, the notice estimates an additional $91 in school taxes compared with the rollback rate. That figure is not a comparison with the current 17.08-mill rate.
Why the district wants a higher rate
District officials have identified rising health care costs, increased employer contributions to the Teachers Retirement System, inflation and reduced revenue from senior property tax exemptions as budget pressures.
Superintendent Mike Looney recommended the one-mill increase in August, saying it would reduce the district’s reliance on reserves to cover ongoing expenses. His recommendation followed seven years of proposing lower rates or holding the rate steady, according to the district’s August board bulletin.
The district said additional revenue could eliminate an employee furlough day proposed for the 2026–27 school year and provide greater flexibility to consider future salary increases.
At the time, Looney said he would adjust his recommendation if the certified property tax digest supported a lower rate. The board can change the proposal before final adoption.
What the rate means for homeowners
Georgia generally assesses property at 40% of its fair market value. One mill equals $1 in tax for every $1,000 of assessed value.
A home valued at $450,000 would therefore have an assessed value of $180,000. At 18.08 mills, its school tax would be $3,254.40 before homestead exemptions.
At the same valuation, the proposed one-mill increase over the current rate would add $180 annually before exemptions. A homeowner’s actual bill depends on taxable value and applicable exemptions.
Fulton County Schools provides a tax calculator through its website to help residents estimate the proposal’s effect.
School and county rates are separate
The school board’s rate is separate from the Fulton County Commission’s General Fund rate.
As we previously reported, commissioners voted Oct. 7 to hold the county’s General Fund rate at 8.87 mills for the fifth consecutive year. The school board sets the rate that funds Fulton County Schools.
Georgia law requires three public hearings when a proposed rate exceeds the calculated rollback rate. The Oct. 22 hearing is the district’s final scheduled hearing on the proposal before the board takes final action.
