Marietta School Board Votes to Keep Millage Rate Flat

MARIETTA — The Marietta Board of Education voted to keep its millage rate flat at its regular meeting Tuesday evening.

The board voted 6-1, with board member Jaillene Hunter opposed.

The millage rate, which determines how much homeowners will pay in property taxes to the school district, has remained the same for more than a decade.

Superintendent Grant Rivera proposed keeping the millage rate flat and the board tentatively adopted that rate when it approved its 2024-25 school year budget in June.

While the tax rate will not increase, the millage is considered a tax increase under state law, due to rising home values bringing an additional $4.9 million in tax revenue. The higher revenue represents an increase of 6.3% over last year.

According to the school district, the proposed tax increase for a home valued at $450,000 is approximately $225.

The Marietta school board’s rate of 17.97 mills is slightly lower than neighboring Cobb County School District’s rate of 18.7 mills.

In an interview this week, Hunter called for a rollback, arguing the district could lower the rate without sacrificing academics.

“I am absolutely in favor of reducing the millage rate while keeping academics and competitive teacher pay the priority. … I think we can do both,” Hunter said.

Board Chair Jeff DeJarnett said while a rollback is possible, the uncertainty surrounding the school district’s future finances is what swayed him to vote for adopting the rate.

“Every dollar counts for people who are paying property taxes,” DeJarnett said. “At the same time, we want to be sure … that we are in a good position to be able to continue to provide what we need to do.”

Prior to voting, board member Angela Orange took a moment to thank Erin Franklin, the district’s chief financial officer, and her team for their work putting together the budget.

“We’ve been able to deliver great results for the second lowest millage rate in metro Atlanta,” Orange said.

In other business, the board unanimously voted to approve:

♦ A $2.3 million contract with Kelly Services to provide substitute teachers and paraprofessionals during absences.

♦ A $200,660 adapted curriculum for students with disabilities to have access to general education materials.

♦ Replacing football uniforms for Marietta Middle School with BSN Sports for $26,255.

♦ A $26,000 college and career adviser role for Marietta High School in partnership with the Etowah Foundation and Georgia Highlands College.

♦ $25,000 architectural plans for an outdoor learning space at Marietta High School.

♦ Renewing licenses for the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) tests from the Northwest Evaluation Association.