The Putnam County Board of Education met Tuesday to hear a presentation on the 2025 budget and hear updates on each school’s first week.
Superintendent Derick Austin gave a short slideshow presentation about the budget sent to the state for approval. Expenditures remained the same in this year’s budget, excluding the new addition for Safety and Security, which is a line now required to be added to each accounting system. The district has always accounted for this cost, but it now has a specific code designated for it in the state accounting system.
Ninety percent of the budget went to staff costs, including an increase in salary and benefits for all staff. The budget also had to accommodate ongoing supply chain issues and inflation.
Austin noted for the board that the Teacher Retirement System costs continue to increase, reaching about $5.5 million this year. Healthcare costs are also increasing, reaching $8.7 million this year. Together, they account for more than $14 million of the budget. Austin reported that these costs will continue to grow over the next few years.
Austin reminded the board that SPLOST VII will be on the ballot in November. The current SPLOST places a 1% sales tax on eligible items. The sales tax revenue funds major capital projects, like school renovations, and relieves the general fund (local tax fund) from selected expenditures, like buying technology.
The recommended millage rate for the 2025 budget is 10.724, which is lower than 90% of all counties. Austin remarked that Putnam County is in the “bottom 10% overall.” Over the last five years, the district has continued to lower the millage rate and, according to Austin, tries to “adhere to doing more with less” to relieve taxpayers.
Moving into school reports, each school reported a smooth transition into the new year. Putnam County High School was the only school to report slightly lower enrollment from the previous year. The high school also reportedly had fewer dress code violations within the first week, with parents praising the new, understandable dress code.
Putnam County Middle School introduced a new sixth-grade meet-and-greet event this year to help sixth graders feel less anxious about transitioning to a new school and to meet the new administration. The event was “well attended,” and there are plans to host it again next year.
Each school also reported on their goals for the year. Putnam County High School is focusing on “more class time” by implementing a new dress code, tardy policy, and more to keep students out of in-school suspension.
Putnam County Middle School is focusing on visibility in school to encourage staff and students to interact with each other and to show students that staff are readily available when needed.
Putnam County Elementary School is focusing more on celebrating small achievements, like attendance, and redesigning its instructional framework. As part of this goal, the school is implementing a Character Champion of the Month program in which one student will be honored each month for outstanding character.
Finally, Putnam County Primary School is focusing on literacy and attendance.
The next board of education meeting will be Aug. 19 at 6 p.m.