Board of Education 2027 budget gives 2% cost of living increase and bonuses to all employees, while focused on innovation 

PERRY — With 40 campuses and over 30,000 students, 60.7% of the Houston County School District’s FY27 General Fund budget is invested in teachers and staff.  

The Board of Education unanimously approved the $658 million budget, a 20 million increase from last year’s budget, on June 23. The district held two public hearings on the budget and received no opposition at either hearing. 

The General Fund allocates $289 million of that money to instruction. Chief Financial Officer Michelle Morris said in an interview most of the instruction budget goes towards salaries and benefits for teachers and staff. The budget includes a 2% cost-of-living adjustment to salaries, a one-time $1,000 bonus for full-time employees, and a one-time $500 bonus for all eligible part-time employees. 

“In addition to salaries and benefits, instructional expenditures include classroom materials, instruction resources, technology, curriculum support and other direct services that support student learning,” she said. 

Superintendent of Schools Richard Rogers said in an interview that the budget focuses on innovation, preparing students for the future. He said the district plans to add an AI pathway to the Houston College and Career Academy this school year and will launch the Academy of Innovation for 6-12 graders. Rogers said the academy is a hybrid school with students focused on hands-on projects to be shared with business, academic and military leaders. See more in-depth coverage of the Academy of Innovation in a future edition of the HHJ.  

Some capital projects that were originally budgeted for FY26 were pushed to FY27. Morris said these included portions of the Veterans Middle School project, slated to open in August 2027 and the renovation of the district’s maintenance and technology facility. She said the School District planned reserves for these projects as well. 

The district is projecting a reserve of $4.1 million, two months’ worth of operating expenses. 

“This fund balance level helps ensure the district can manage fluctuations in revenue, unexpected expenses and cash flow needs throughout the year,” she said. 

In the General Fund, total revenues exceed $481 million, with expenses totaling $476 million. Morris said the $4.3 million surplus allows the district to project an increase in the general fund’s balance. 

Over $330 million of the general fund revenue goes to state Quality Basic Education (QBE) funds. According to the Georgia Department of Education, QBE is based on the amount of funding the state sends to local school districts. It is determined by student enrollment, instructional programs, teacher training and experience, and other costs. 

See the full budget here.