The District has begun the process of planning the budget for the 2026-27 school year!

We recently received the Governor’s Executive Budget and now know the amount of State Aid we can expect based on the first aid runs. It is important to bear in mind that this could change when the final Legislative Budget is released, but historically the change has not been significant. Fulton’s State Aid allocation is not projected to increase as much as it has in past years. The largest unrestricted portion of our State Aid, Foundation Aid, is slated to increase 1.32%. Many districts across the state are seeing a minimal 1% increase in Foundation Aid. Advocacy efforts are underway to appeal to local and state representatives as this slight increase in aid does not keep pace with normal operating expenses. Some of our other categories of State Aid did see more of an increase leading to our overall increase growing to 2.49% compared to just over 4% in 2025-26.

 

A very positive portion of the Governor’s proposal involves an increase in funding for Universal Pre-Kindergarten programs. This is exciting news that will allow us to continue to offer the best experience possible to our youngest learners. 

State Aid represents the largest portion of the school district’s revenue. As we continue the budget process, we will need to refine our projections regarding other revenue sources including revenue generated from the District’s tax levy. We will also continue to dedicate time and thought to the expense side of the budget. It is essential to closely study expenses and estimate as accurately as we can in order to make the necessary decisions and adjustments to bring the revenue and expenses into balance. The 2026-27 budget certainly presents a challenge with the possibility of receiving a small increase to our aid, however, we will continue to work toward offering the best possible outcomes to our students and keeping their needs at the forefront of the budget development process.  

The Business Office will continue to provide budget updates at Board of Education meetings as well as at Budget Workshops, which will be scheduled as needed throughout the remainder of the budget process. The Public Budget Forum is scheduled for May 7, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. and the Budget Vote/Board Election will take place on May 19, 2026. Look for more information as the dates approach!

School Business Administrator

Thank you to the more than 300 families who completed the Strategic Coherence Plan (SCP) survey. We appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences and ideas.

Thank you for partnering with us as we continue working together to support every student’s success!

Being at school every day helps students learn, build routines, and stay connected to their teachers and peers.

Regular attendance supports academic success, social development, and overall well-being. Even missing a few days each month can add up over time. We review attendance to identify patterns early so we can support students and families—not to penalize.

This year, FCSD students and staff will work together to SOAR in the classroom and beyond. Our Red Dragons will be able to show: