HB 659 would require school boards to make financial information publicly accessible
Week Five of the 2016 Georgia General Assembly was a busy week. In addition to legislators conducting business inside the House Chamber, there was a great deal of activity around the Capitol. On Tuesday, members of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) visited the Capitol. I enjoyed meeting with the CASA coordinators and volunteers from Stephens, Banks, and Habersham Counties. CASA volunteers are appointed by the juvenile court to serve children who are placed in foster care by the state. The CASA group was at the Capitol advocating for a larger appropriation in the 2017 budget in order to expand the program. I personally have seen the CASA organization improve outcomes for young people in difficult circumstances, as well as save money for the state.
On Wednesday, the Franklin Graham rally drew over 7,000 visitors. Additionally, there were many pastors from northeast Georgia at the Capitol advocating for the various Religious Freedom legislative proposals. Wednesday also was Habersham County Day at the Capitol. The visitors from Habersham saw firsthand how crazy life at the Capitol is on days with large crowds. After meeting with the Habersham group, I had a brief meeting with Habersham County leadership to discuss a request for local legislation that they feel is necessary to correct some issues with two of their appointed boards.
HB 659
The House voted on and passed several bills last week. House Bill 659 would require school boards to make financial information available for public access, in order to provide transparency regarding public school finances. The legislation would require local school boards to publicly post this information on their websites for the individual schools in their district. Furthermore, each district would send financial information to the Department of Education. The Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA) would publish the information on its website. This financial information for each individual school would include the costs of materials and equipment, staff salaries and benefit expenditures, professional development, facility maintenance, small capital projects, and new construction or major renovation on a cost-per-square-foot basis. Similarly, each local school board would be required to post its annual budget, along with audits, ratio of expenditures to revenues, and total dollar amount of local property tax revenue the school system is authorized to collect. HB 659 would require the creation of a standard accounting summary for Georgia’s schools. It also would require that this information be easily accessible to the public. The information could then be used to further an objective dialogue about the financial needs of each school.
Make your voice heard
Every column this year I have asked to hear from folks on the legislative proposal to bring casino gambling to Georgia. Last week I heard from many people regarding this issue. To date, the tally is 27 against and 14 for bringing casino gambling to Georgia. Thanks to those who took the time to respond. I want to know what you think about this important issue. If you want to share your opinion on this issue or any others, please contact me. I can be reached at 404-656-0325 or [email protected].
