NEWS ANALYSIS — A few weeks ago, I referenced a guest editorial in the Atlanta Journal and Constitution (AJC) that was part of a series addressing educational legislative issues in the 2024 session. I took issue with Steven Owens’ comparison between Fayette and Clayton schools.
First, let me apologize as it is, Dr. Steven Owens, an achievement worthy of note for sure. To be clear, Dr. Owens and I are on the same side urging Georgia to meet its obligations under the State of Georgia Constitution to provide for public education under the Quality Basic Education (QBE) Formula. However, the Georgia Legislature has often underfunded the QBE forcing local systems to raise the difference.
I am always concerned when someone mentions Fayette County public schools because they often miss how serious our cost and funding issues are due to a restricted tax digest and our strategic school costs.
Previously I have stated that a school board source reports that nearly thirty percent of our property tax digest is exempt from School property taxes. This creates a challenge in times of rising costs to maintain the “Fayette Advantage” of smaller class sizes in smaller neighborhood schools.
I am proud to say our quality schools have managed to do a great job providing Fayette’s children a superior education while maintaining a cost near the average in Georgia. They prove that you do not need an endless supply of funds to maintain great schools.
Dr. Owens is correct that Fayette County property values are much higher than neighboring Clayton. We agree that a large factor in the difference in property values is the quality of our excellent Fayette County Public Schools. My focus is to ensure our schools are properly funded to ensure their continued success.
While his concern for our Clayton neighbors is commendable, in his rush to defend them, he missed that I offered an option to consider that every system can use.
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