Gov. Brian Kemp on Thursday unveiled proposals that would add several hundred million dollars for public education in Georgia.
Some of the additional spending would come in the amended fiscal year budget, which modifies the current fiscal year’s budget. It makes up for differences in school enrollment and other needed adjustments. Other spending would be allocated in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins on July 1.
Pre-Kindergarten to 12th grade education comprise roughly 40% of the state’s current budget. Here are five education-related expenses in the governor’s $37.7 billion proposal.
It contains $50 million in school security grants
In light of the Sept. 4 shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder and the recent shooting of a Cobb middle school student, school safety will be a priority for the General Assembly this session. The governor said Monday he plans to provide an additional $50 million this year in grants for school security. The additional money brings the per-school safety grant total to $69,000. The funds can be used to pay for security cameras, school resource officers or other safety measures. Kemp has allocated a total of $159 million toward the grants.
It reduces insurance costs for school districts
The cost of insurance through the State Health Benefit Plan has risen sharply in recent years. The state has covered some expenses, but the majority of the cost burden has fallen on school districts. The governor’s budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year allocates more than $173 million to help districts shoulder expenses.
The governor says the plan fully funds K-12 schools
The governor’s proposal allocates a total of $523 million to fund QBE, the state’s K-12 school funding formula. A press release from the governor’s office describes the allocation as “fully funding public schools.”
Georgia Association of Educators President Lisa Morgan, though, said the formula is outdated.
“The governor’s budget recommends full funding of the QBE formula, however, that formula is from the mid-1980s,” she said, referring to 1985 when QBE was developed. “Needs, resources, necessities for education have certainly changed in 40 years.”
A recent audit of the formula could prompt some changes to the process this legislative session.
It reduces pre-Kindergarten class sizes
Credit: Contributed
Credit: Contributed
The budget draft for fiscal year 2026 also includes about $14 million to restore lower student/teacher ratios in Georgia’s pre-K classrooms. Increasing class sizes from 20 to 22 students was part of a bipartisan bargain struck in 2011 when proceeds from the Georgia Lottery, which funds the program, had trouble keeping pace with demand. Early childhood education advocates have pushed for class sizes to return to 20 students since the cuts took effect. The plan will be phased in over four years.
It gives districts more money for transportation
Credit: Miguel Martinez
Credit: Miguel Martinez
Over the last several years, the state has contributed less toward school transportation, passing on much of the costs to districts. Those expenses are especially high due to a shortage of bus drivers, which has pushed salaries up. In his fiscal year 2026 budget proposal, Kemp has allocated $10.3 million toward transportation costs to help relieve districts. The draft also includes $20 million to replace 227 school buses. That should please some metro Atlanta school districts, which put transportation funding on their list of legislative priorities this year.
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