By RICK HEAD Publisher
NAHUNTA — Brantley County’s Board of Education released tentative FY2026 budget figures during a called meeting Thursday.
The $41,148,172 proposal is the highest ever surpassing the FY25 budget of $39,784,179 by $1,363,993. Since 2022, the budget has increased from $33,078,961 by $8,069,211.
“We are always anticipating what our allotment will be from QBE (Quality Basic Education),” said Superintendent Dr. Kim Morgan. “This year it came in at $32,355,330 and that does include the equalization amount ($5,812,978) as well. We’re actually down ($913,306 from $6,726,284) a tad there.”
QBE determines how state money is allocated to school districts based on factors like student enrollment, instructional programs, teacher training, and experience.
Equalization in education focuses on providing all students with the same opportunities to succeed, regardless of their circumstances. School finance at the local level is highly dependent on property tax values, with property values often comprising the largest portion of the tax base.
“There’s a lot of factors that go into the formula for equalization,” explained Dr. Morgan. “It takes into account your FTE, how many kids you have, your property wealth, your millage rate. We are 171st out of 180 schools which means there are nine school systems poor than us according to property wealth.
“The QBE money and equalization money is included as part of the budget. Our projected property tax money, our other local tax money, the safety grant money, some reserves, and then we always have to account for collections and taxes that we may not collect.
“So, our projected revenue is $41,148,172 which will be the recommendation for the FY 26 budget.”
While losing some funding, there was also an increase in others — mainly Health Care. Insurance cost has risen from $945 a month to $1,884 per month.
Chairman David Herrin asked the superintendent if she knew of other school systems who offer insurance individually instead of through State Health?
“We can look into that,” said Dr. Morgan. “The state does send us money for just our certified staff who participate in the state plan. Any of our staff we pay for out of federal funds who are certified we don’t get that money for them.
“If you go elsewhere, they (state) won’t give you money for just the certified or classified.”
Herrin said the state needs to be held accountable.
Dr. Morgan informed board members they will have two budget hearings in June and place the budget in the paper. No dates or times were announced.
