Roswell homeowners could see roughly $158 more on their annual school tax bill if the Fulton County Board of Education approves a 1-mill property tax increase at its Aug. 20 meeting.

Superintendent Mike Looney told the board at its Tuesday, Aug. 11, work session that he plans to recommend raising the millage rate to 18.08 mills, according to the district's Aug. 12 Board Bulletin. It would be the first increase Looney has recommended in seven years. In each of the previous six years he lowered the rate; one year he held it flat.

The district cited rising costs, higher employer contributions for health care and the Teachers Retirement System, inflation and declining local tax revenue from senior property tax exemptions as the forces squeezing the budget.

If approved, the additional revenue would eliminate a proposed employee furlough day for the 2026-27 school year and give the district flexibility to consider salary increases in future years, the bulletin stated. It would also reduce the district's reliance on fund reserves to cover ongoing expenses.

Public hearings before the vote

Three public hearings are required before the board can adopt a new rate. The first was held July 30 at the FCS South Learning Center, 4025 Flat Shoals Road in Union City. Two more hearings are required before the Aug. 20 vote; the district has not announced dates.

The final vote is scheduled for the board's Thursday, Aug. 20, meeting at the same South Learning Center location.

Looney noted that if the certified tax digest provides room for a lower rate, he will adjust his recommendation.

Back-to-school context

The millage discussion comes as the district opens the school year with more than 83,000 students, a 99% teacher fill rate and 90% teacher retention. More than 500 new teachers were hired.

Spring 2026 Georgia Milestones results show Fulton County students exceeded both state and Metro RESA averages in every tested content area, with strong growth in mathematics, Chief Academic Officer Brannon Gaskins reported to the board. The board also approved two senior leadership hires at the Aug. 11 meeting: Dr. Rochelle Hinds as director of leadership development and Dr. Jeff Harrell as director of research, evaluation and accountability.

Each board member sponsors a monthly community meeting open to all residents; schedules are posted at fultonschools.org/communitymeetings.