The Habersham County Board of Education (BOE) will meet Monday, June 17, and is set to approve its FY 2025 budget and personnel recommendations for the coming school year.
The BOE saw the final budget proposal during their work session on Thursday, June 13. The total budget is just over $126 million with the general fund making up the majority of the total budget at just over $97 million. The budget will increase $8,328,863 when compared to the FY 2024 budget.
SEE ALSO: Habersham County BOE to discuss FY 2025 budget, millage rate June 13
Due to the lag time in receiving the 2024 Tax Digest, Chief Financial Officer Staci Newsome recommended to the board to hold the millage rate at its current rate of 10.354 mils.
The Board of Education will hold three public hearings in July due to the millage rate not rolling back. Even with the millage rate remaining the same, the state views it as a tax increase from increased assessments, requiring three public hearings.
SEE RELATED: Habersham County BOE receives final budget; millage rate to remain the same
Personnel
At the end of the school year, the school system saw personnel retire, transfer, and resign. Those actions have opened several positions within the school system resulting in School Superintendent Matthew Cooper and senior administrators recommending personnel to fill those vacancies for the board to consider approving.
One such vacancy has already been filled. It was announced that Adam Bagwell will be succeeding Jonathan Stribling as Principal for Habersham Central High School. Stribling announced his resignation the night before high school graduation took place, accepting the position of Assistant School Superintendent of White County Schools.
Bagwell’s promotion now leaves a vacancy for the Principal’s position at North Habersham Middle School. Another key position is an Assistant Principal position at Habersham Central due to the retirement of Donnie Bennett.
Other business
The school board will consider approving the FY 2024 financial report that will be presented by Newsome.
Newsome also recommended to the board changing its insurance benefits broker to assist with the school system’s health insurance program. The new broker will assist in changing certain plans within the health benefits program for school employees. The change would put an benefits representative in the area, since the broker’s office is in Clarkesville. The board will consider approving the change.
The board will also consider the FY 2025 School Nutrition Vendors and the updated strategic plan for the school system.
The Habersham County Board of Education will hold its regular board meeting on Monday, June 17 at 6:00 p.m. It will meet in the Board Meeting Room at 144 Holcomb Street in Clarkesville. The meeting will also be livestreamed and can be seen by clicking here.
