Dalton, GA — The Dalton Board of Education has tentatively approved an increase in the operating millage rate from 8.00 mills to 8.25 mills for the remainder of the 2024 tax digest and anticipates continuing this same rate for the 2025 tax digest. This adjustment is essential to maintaining the high-quality educational services expected by the community while ensuring fiscal responsibility and stability in the face of statewide funding challenges. While the Board had previously reduced the millage rate for several consecutive years, current financial conditions necessitate an increase to meet the district’s operational and instructional needs. The decision reflects the district’s commitment to investing in programs and personnel that directly impact student success.
Dalton Public Schools is navigating rising costs that are not fully funded by the state. Specifically, the district is facing a 9% increase in employee health insurance costs totaling $3 million for the 2025–26 school year, with only $1 million in state funding provided to offset these expenses. The remaining $2 million must be covered locally. In addition, Dalton Public Schools received only a 0.6% increase in overall state funding for FY 2026 while also losing $1.3 million in equalization funds, which are essential for balancing funding disparities across school districts. Reducing the millage rate further would hinder the district’s ability to meet Georgia’s required Local Fair Share, resulting in an estimated $1 million loss in future state funding due to the two-year lag in funding calculations. Using the proposed rate enables the district to meet required obligations while protecting vital state funding and preserving services that directly benefit students and staff.
The fiscal year 2026 board approved budget uses the proposed millage to make several key investments. The district plans to implement a 0.75% increase to the local salary supplement for all teachers and staff. This raise is funded entirely through local dollars, as the state has not provided an increase in educator compensation for the upcoming fiscal year. Step increases for all eligible employees will continue, and a 23rd step on the teacher salary scale will be introduced to further incentivize long-term service and support teacher retention.
The district will also continue to prioritize literacy through the Dalton Reads! initiative, which includes a newly adopted, research-based reading curriculum. Seven literacy support positions will remain funded to provide instructional support across the district’s elementary schools. These positions are part of a broader commitment to ensuring that every student becomes a confident, capable reader.
Beyond state-mandated requirements, Dalton Public Schools continues to fund critical programs and staff that are essential to student well-being and success. These include instructional coaches at every school, full-time school nurses, social workers, psychologists, and school resource officers. Additionally, the district supports fine arts programs in elementary schools, Dual Language Immersion programs, and rigorous academic pathways such as Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and the AP Capstone program at The Dalton Academy.
Earlier in the year, the Whitfield County Appraisal Office implemented a temporary tax digest following legal proceedings that adjusted property value assessments based on the 2023 digest plus 10%. This resulted in a significant shortfall in anticipated local revenues. The FY 2025 General Fund budget of $114 million was originally based on a 19% projected increase in property values—expected to yield an additional $6 million. With the approved temporary digest reflecting only 3.3% growth, the district faced a $5 million revenue gap. To address this, the Board adopted a 1.00 mill increase to bridge the shortfall.
Looking forward, projections show no inflationary growth in the 2025 digest, meaning it will closely mirror the 2024 tax base. By using the same millage rate for both years, the district can avoid further penalties related to state funding formulas, use second billing revenue to strengthen reserves, and continue providing the high-quality educational services the Dalton community values.
Dalton Public Schools remains dedicated to responsible fiscal management and student-centered investment. Even amid challenging economic conditions, the district is committed to prioritizing the people and programs that make a lasting difference.
Learn more here: Dalton Public Schools Millage Information
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