DRAFT
Gwinnett County Public Schools
, as we do, that public education is an integral part of the seamless fabric
of the American experience, we, the Gwinnett County Board of Education, derive our
core beliefs and commitments for public education in Gwinnett County from the
foundational principles of the United States of America, specifically those espoused in
the Declaration of Independence. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men
are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable
Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness,” and “That to
secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers
from the consent of the governed…”.
public schools exist to undergird and advance these principles. They are
the one place where all children and youth in our great, diverse country are provided a
common, free education. They must educate every child for success in life and for the
responsibilities of American citizenship.
we commit ourselves to a world-class education that meets the needs of
individual students, to a sharp focus on the traditions and values at the heart of our
constitutional democracy and the rule of law, and to the civic virtues that bind
together communities of many cultures, faiths, viewpoints, interests, and histories
into a unified nation. E pluribus unum. Out of many, one.
• Ensure our core business of teaching and learning is built on a rigorous
curriculum, effective instruction, and high-value assessments
• Educate every student to world-class standards and individual potential
• Provide a safe and secure learning environment
• Optimize the school effect to have a positive impact on every child
• Govern the district fairly and openly, seeking the engagement of the many
stakeholders we serve.
Gwinnett County Public Schools will become a system of world-class schools where
students acquire the knowledge and skills to be successful in college and careers.
The mission of Gwinnett County Public Schools is to pursue excellence in academic
knowledge, skills, and behavior for each student, resulting in measured improvement
against local, national, and world-class standards.
Gwinnett County Public Schools will
 Ensure a world-class education for all students by focusing on teaching and learning
the Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS) curriculum.
 Ensure a safe, secure, and orderly environment for all.
 Optimize student achievement through responsible stewardship of its financial
resources and the proactive pursuit of all resources necessary to meet current and
future demands.
 Recruit, employ, develop, and retain a workforce that achieves the mission and goals of
the organization.
 Support instructional and operational needs with technological systems and processes
that support effective performance and desired results.
 Provide and manage the system's facilities and operations in an exemplary manner as
determined by programmatic needs and best management practices.
 Apply continuous quality improvement strategies and principles as the way the
organization does business.
Fully fund K-12 education under the existing QBE formula or the proposed funding
formula developed by the Governor’s Education Reform Commission in December 2015.
This formula is expected to be an integral part of the Governor’s 2017 legislative agenda.
The state’s funding commitment also should include equalization funding and protection
of the K-12 education appropriation from further austerity reductions. Since FY2003,
austerity cuts to the QBE funding formula have resulted in a loss of state revenue for
Gwinnett County Public Schools of $882.2 million.
***
**
2003
$10.7 million
2004
$22.9 million
2005
$27.6 million
2006
$27.0 million
2007
$15.5 million
2008
$13.4 million
2009
$47.4 million
2010
$132.7 million
2011
$107.9 million
2012
$113.9 million
2013
$113.3 million
2014
$107.0 million
2015
$76.8 million
2016
$48.7 million
2017
$17.4 million
For FY11, the State used Federal Stabilization funds of $12,397,558 to offset a portion of the austerity reduction.
The net austerity reduction was $95,509,018.
For FY10, the State used Federal Stabilization funds of $60,851,349 to offset a portion of the austerity reduction.
*
The net austerity reduction was $71,886,294.
For FY09, the State used Federal Stabilization funds of $15,171,612 to offset a portion of the austerity reduction.
The net austerity reduction was $32,202,827
Gwinnett County Public Schools supports the Governor's Education Reform Commission’s
proposed new K-12 education funding formula, which is student-based, provides local
school districts with greater flexibility, and is simpler to understand and administer. When
the General Assembly is asked to consider this proposed formula, or another new way of
funding Georgia’s public schools, we support adoption of a formula that meets the
following criteria. The new formula should be:
 Quantitative – The formula should establish a base amount per student for all
students enrolled, using an objective method of determining the component
costs associated with meeting the fundamental educational needs of all
students.
 Student-based – The formula should provide funding based on each student’s
individual characteristics (Special Education, ESOL, Gifted, CTAE, Economically
Disadvantaged, etc.). These student characteristics should be defined, and
funding “weights” should be established for each characteristic over and above
the base amount per student.
 Adequate – The formula should provide districts with full reimbursement for
state-mandated employer costs, including, but not limited to, teacher
retirement, health insurance, and training and experience.
 Equitable, rather than equal – As long as the property tax remains the sole
source of local operating revenue for districts, the equalization grant should be
retained and fully funded. This will ensure a base, minimum level of funding
equity statewide, so less-wealthy districts have the necessary resources to
provide their students an education that compares equitably to that provided by
wealthier districts.
Whatever funding formula is approved by the General Assembly, it should generate at
least as much funding for K-12 education state-wide as would be generated by the current
QBE formula if it were fully funded. Furthermore, the state should appropriate the funds
as required by the formula, as opposed to developing a formula that would generate a
predetermined amount of funds to be appropriated.
Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT)
Gwinnett County Public Schools supports eliminating the “local target collection amount”
threshold from the TAVT legislation and utilizing the rates of distribution for each year as
presently included in O.C.G.A. 48-5C-1.
The inclusion of a “Local Target Collection Amount” for state-wide TAVT collections
prohibits many school districts and local municipalities from receiving the minimum
amount of TAVT collections required to be “made whole” for lost motor vehicle Ad
Valorem Tax collections.
The Gwinnett County Board of Education requests the Gwinnett Delegation to support and
approve non-partisan elections for School Board Members.
Local boards should retain their authority in the following areas:
Gwinnett County Public Schools supports the state in its commitment to ensuring a
rigorous and engaging curriculum for all students as captured in the Georgia Standards of
Excellence. Nonetheless, we oppose any state mandates that would impede the teaching of
Gwinnett County Public Schools’ Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS) Curriculum.
GCPS opposes any state legislation, rules, or guidance that would impose certain
requirements on a local education agency or in any way hinder the LEA’s ability to develop
its own process for the adoption of instructional resources.
GCPS urges the state to develop, or allow local districts to develop, a comprehensive,
balanced assessment system that measures student learning in a more meaningful,
cohesive manner. Such a system should be comprised of fewer, more rigorous districtdeveloped formative assessments, as well as summative and norm-referenced
assessments, administered at limited key grade levels to a statistically valid sample of
students.
Decisions relating to the student behavior code and student discipline should be left to
local boards of education. No additional legislation is necessary that would require an LEA
to implement further measures related to the management of its student code of conduct.
GCPS acknowledges the existence of a number of social issues that impact school
operations, climate, and instruction. We urge the Georgia General Assembly to refrain
from adopting legislation as a means of mandating operational controls for these issues.
Current legislation exists that adequately protects the rights of all individuals.
Local boards of education should not be restricted by legislation from levying local Ad
Valorem Taxes to ensure funding for the quality K-12 educational programs their citizens
expect. Any change in the tax code that would adversely affect the ability of local boards
of education to generate local revenue should be opposed.
Establishment of the annual school-year calendar, including starting and ending dates and
the establishment of the instructional day, should rest solely with local boards of
education.
GCPS supports full flexibility from Title 20 mandates for a Strategic Waiver School System
without requiring the system to identify specific provisions to be waived. The current
requirement of identifying specific provisions limits the intent of flexibility.
Gwinnett County Public Schools supports charter schools as authorized in the Charter
Schools Act of 1998. GCPS supports holding charter schools accountable to the same
level of academic achievement and financial stewardship expected of all public schools.
We also support the allocation of funding to charter schools (i.e., state special schools or
locally approved charter schools) which is no more or no less favorable than the allocation
provided by statute to public schools.
GCPS does not support proposed rules or guidance that would impede or hinder the
constitutional authority of a local board of education and increase bureaucracy through
unnecessary state-mandated compliance.
GCPS supports a comprehensive annual review of sales tax and state tax exemptions, in
order to eliminate any financial and budgetary impact on local educational agencies.
Gwinnett County Public Schools urges the Georgia General Assembly to refrain from
adopting legislation that is in conflict with the recommendations in the “Vision for Public
Education in Georgia.”
GCPS supports a comprehensive review of health benefit alternatives in order to contain
the escalating health benefits cost for school districts and their employees. Major
emphasis should be given to finding a solution to the ever-increasing burden being placed
on school districts to fund the employer costs for non-certificated personnel. We urge the
General Assembly to consider all possible solutions, including both cost savings and the
restoration of state appropriations for employer costs for non-certificated personnel.
The safety and security of students at school is a priority. Federal, State, and local
agencies need to provide school districts with the resources to maintain a safe and
secure environment for students in order to support current policies and
procedures.
Local systems should not be required to provide contracts of employment for
classified employees. Emphasis should be put on enhancing the benefits provided
for classified employees.
Legislation that allocates public funds for private schools or home study programs
through voucher or tuition tax credits or scholarships should be opposed. No
verifiable, objective research exists that correlates vouchers or tuition tax credits
with improved academic achievement. Furthermore, vouchers or tuition tax credits
erode public education funding, thereby limiting the programs and services
available for students who attend public schools.
Establish a mandatory, minimum 12-month waiting period prior to the
implementation of any new state education legislation. In addition, require a clear
and complete description of the potential fiscal, operational, and programmatic
impact of the legislation on local schools and school districts.
Continue supporting legislation that provides local educational agencies options to
implement flexibility in order to increase student achievement and operational
effectiveness.
Fund capital outlay at the 100% funding level for Regular Entitlement.
FY2017
Requests
Maintenance
and
Operations
Instructional
Materials,
Supplies and
Textbooks
Training and
Experience Lag
Sick
and
Personal Leave
Transportation
(State-mandated
services only,
estimated)
Gwinnett’s
Total Cost
State
Funds
Gwinnett’s
Funds
State
Percentage
Local
Percentage
$112,047,000 [’17]
$53,710,000 [’17]
$58,337,000 [’17]
47.94% [’17]
52.06% [‘17]
$106,035,000 [’16]
$99,827,000 [’15]
$96,196,000 [’14]
$89,324,000 [’13]
$53,710,000 [’16]
$52,811,000 [’15]
$51,463,000 [’14]
$50,009,000 [’13]
$52,325,000 [’16]
$47,016,000 [’15]
$44,733,000 [’14]
$39,315,000 [’13]
50.65% [’16]
52.90% [’15]
53.50% [’14]
55.99% [’13]
49.35% [’16]
47.10% [’15]
46.50% [’14]
44.01% [’13]
$30,235,000[’17]
$18,900,000 [’17]
$11,335,000 [’17]
62.51% [’17]
37.49% [’17]
$28,833,000 [’16]
$21,270,000 [’15]
$32,107,000 [’14]
$24,065,000 [’13]
$18,900,000 [’16]
$18,255,000 [’15]
$17,708,000 [’14]
$14,560,000 [’13]
$9,933,000 [’16]
$3,015,000 [’15]
$14,399,000 [’14]
$9,505,000 [’13]
65.55% [’16]
85.83% [’15]
55.15% [’14]
60.50% [’13]
34.45% [’16]
14.17% [’15]
44.85% [’14]
39.50% [’13]
$2,831,000 [’17]
$2,831,000 [’17]
100.00% [’17]
$5,689,000 [’16]
$6,029,000 [’15]
$3,200,000 [’14]
$6,100,000 [’13]
$5,689,000 [’16]
$6,029,000 [’15]
$3,200,000 [’14]
$6,100,000 [’13]
100.00% [’16]
100.00% [’15]
100.00% [’14]
100.00% [’13]
0.0
$12,208,000 [’17]
$1,812,000 [’17]
$10,396,000 [’17]
14.84% [’17]
85.16% [’17]
$12,208,000 [’16]
$11,117,000 [’15]
$10,869,000 [’14]
$11,101,000 [’13]
$1,812,000 [’16]
$1,773,000 [’15]
$1,723,000 [’14]
$1,662,000 [’13]
$10,396,000 [’16]
$9,344,000 [’15]
$9,146,000 [’14]
$9,439,000 [’13]
14.84% [’16]
15.95% [’15]
15.85% [’14]
14.97% [’13]
85.16% [’16]
84.05% [’15]
84.15% [’14]
85.03% [’13]
$81,075,000 [’17]
$5,265,000 [’17]
$75,810,000 [’17]
6.49% [’17]
93.51% [’17]
$75,176,000 [’16]
$69,886,000 [’15]
$65,928,000 [’14]
$63,660,000 [’13]
$5,198,000 [’16]
$5,214,000 [’15]
$5,180,000 [’14]
$5,174,000 [’13]
$69,978,000 [’16]
$64,672,000 [’15]
$60,748,000 [’14]
$58,486,000 [’13]
6.91% [’16]
7.46% [’15]
7.86% [’14]
8.13% [’13]
93.09% [’16]
92.54% [’15]
92.14% [’14]
91.87% [’13]
$29,873,000 [’17]
$29,873,000 [’17]
100.00% [’17]
Gwinnett
Retirement
System
$27,718,000 [’16]
$36,954,000 [’15]
$29,555,000 [’14]
$20,935,000 [’13]
$27,718,000 [’16]
$36,954,000 [’15]
$29,555,000 [’14]
$20,935,000 [’13]
100.00% [’16]
100.00% [’15]
100.00% [’14]
100.00% [’13]
$17,389,000 [’17]
$17,389,000 [’17]
100.00% [’17]
Austerity
Reduction
(See notes 1-2)
$48,658,000 [’16]
$76,824,000 [’15]
$107,046,000 [’14]
$113,310,000 [’13]
$48,658,000 [’16]
$76,824,000 [’15]
$107,046,000 [’14]
$113,310,000 [’13]
100.00% [’16]
100.00% [’15]
100.00% [’14]
100.00% [’13]
0.0
0.0
Prior years’ figures are based on actual costs. Current year figures reflect FY2017 budget projections.