written by: CCS Director of Public Relations
CARROLLTON, GA —At the Carrollton City Schools Board of Education meeting on July 8, the board approved lowering the millage rate to 17.214 mills for the 2026 fiscal year, down from 17.866. This is the second consecutive year that the school system has approved a full rollback to help alleviate the impact of rising property values on taxpayers.
While the millage rate is the system’s primary source of operational funding, supporting teacher and staff salaries, safety resources, classroom materials, transportation, and other essential services, district leadership prioritizes meticulous financial planning to minimize the burden on taxpayers without compromising the quality of education.
According to Georgia law, school districts can choose to set a higher rate to meet operational needs. Carrollton City Schools chose to approve the rollback rate to ensure that property owners will not see a school tax increase due to higher assessments.
School leadership has engaged in careful budgeting and financial planning and hopes that easing the tax burden on residents will stimulate local economic growth, leading to a more prosperous community that supports future generations of students and teachers.
CCS Superintendent Dr. Mark Albertus also noted the continued support of ESPLOST, a one-cent sales tax on consumer goods designated for capital projects, as a key part of the district’s financial stability.
“ESPLOST allows us to invest in updated facilities and technology, without adding to the financial burden on property owners,” he said. “This option spreads the cost among people who shop in the county, including visitors who contribute an estimated 30-40% of the revenue.”
The school system is experiencing consistent enrollment growth each year, prompting a new classroom addition at Carrollton Middle School to accommodate the rising number of middle-grade students.
“We are committed to regularly reviewing the millage rate to balance taxpayer relief with the needs of a growing school system,” said David Godwin, chairman of the Carrollton City Schools Board of Education. “Our goal is to build a sustainable financial future while maintaining the educational standards our community takes pride in.”
