Savannah Seeks Public Input for FY 2026 School Budget

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Community members gather to share their input on the Savannah school budget for FY 2026.

News Summary

The Savannah-Chatham County Board of Public Education is hosting public hearings on May 7 and May 14 for residents to share their input on the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026. Key topics will include employee compensation, federal funding, and educational investments. Residents can register to speak in advance and the sessions will be live-streamed for accessibility.

Savannah Seeks Public Input for Fiscal Year 2026 School Budget

The Savannah-Chatham County Board of Public Education is inviting residents to provide their input on the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026 as they work to finalize their plans. Public hearings for this budget are scheduled for 6 p.m. on May 7 and May 14 at the Jessie Collier DeLoach Board Room in the Eli Whitney Administrative Complex, located at 2 Laura Ave., Savannah.

Individuals wishing to speak during the hearings must register in advance by contacting Tamika Edwards at 912-395-5534 or via email by 8 a.m. on the day of the hearings. Additionally, both sessions will be live-streamed on SCCPSS.com and the district’s YouTube channel for broader accessibility.

Key Topics for Discussion

During a budget workshop held on April 16, several critical issues were identified for potential discussion at the upcoming hearings. These topics include:

Addressing the potential loss of federal funds
Optimizing employee compensation and benefits
Evaluating the cost per pupil
Investing in pre-K education
Developing adolescent literacy programs
Adopting new K-12 math textbooks

Federal Funding and Compliance Concerns

The Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools Superintendent has emphasized the importance of complying with new federal Title VI guidelines to retain over $104 million in federal funding for Fiscal Year 2025. Failure to comply could result in legal consequences or loss of funding.

Concerns regarding federal oversight continue among school superintendents, who are seeking clarity on the implementation of Civil Rights Act certifications. A representative from the Board reassured that initiatives promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion are not anticipated to negatively affect Title I school funding.

Enrollment Trends Impacting Funding

The district has experienced a nearly 5% decline in student enrollment since 2019 due to factors such as decreasing birth rates, rising interest in charter schools, and an aging local population. Although enrollment is projected to see a slight increase to 35,528 by Fiscal Year 2026, further declines are expected through 2028.

These enrollment numbers play a vital role in determining the Quality Basic Education (QBE) funding formula, which allocates state funding based on student count. A decrease in student numbers generally leads to reduced funding for public schools.

Additional concerns emerge from the Georgia Promise Scholarship, a program that diverts public school funds to private institutions, potentially exacerbating financial stresses on public education. Nationally, K-12 public school enrollments are forecasted to drop by an estimated 5% between 2024 and 2031, exacerbating funding challenges.

Future Prospects and Community Impact

Despite current challenges, there are hopeful indicators for future enrollment growth. Economic expansion in the region, highlighted by Hyundai’s new plant in Ellabell, Georgia, may attract new families and students, which could positively influence school enrollment numbers.

The gatherings on May 7 and May 14 present a crucial opportunity for the public to engage in the budgeting process for the Savannah-Chatham County School District. Community participation is encouraged to ensure that the perspectives and needs of local citizens are considered in the budget’s finalization.