DALTON, Ga. — The Dalton Board of Education has tentatively approved an adjustment to the district’s operating millage rate from 7.824 mills to 8.05 mills for the 2026 tax digest. The proposed adjustment is designed to strengthen Dalton Public Schools’ long-term financial position while protecting the employees, programs and services that directly support students.

The proposed rate reflects the combined impact of several financial pressures rather than any single expense. These include changes to the local tax base, increased homestead exemptions, payment for Tax Allocation Districts (TAD), rising employer costs for retirement and health insurance, unfunded state mandates, and the district’s recent reliance on fund balance to support recurring operating expenses.

In fiscal year 2026, Dalton Public Schools used approximately $5.9 million of its $21.5 million fund balance because recurring revenues were not sufficient to cover recurring expenditures. Even with the proposed millage rate, the fiscal year 2027 budget anticipates using approximately $1 million of the district’s estimated $15.6 million fund balance.

District leaders have also taken significant steps to reduce spending. A net of 14.5 positions were eliminated, reducing salary and benefit costs by approximately $1.8 million. School and central office budgets for materials, equipment and supplies were reduced by 15%.

At the same time, several required costs have increased. The employer contribution rate to the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia increased from 21.91% to 22.32%, and employer costs for the State Health Benefit Plan also increased.

Dalton Public Schools has worked to balance these financial pressures with the need to remain competitive in recruiting and retaining high-quality employees. The fiscal year 2027 budget provided a modest increase in compensation for all district employees.

The district also continues to prioritize investments that directly impact students. Dalton Public Schools will maintain six existing literacy interventionist positions as part of the Dalton Reads! initiative and continue supporting instructional coaches, school nurses, social workers, psychologists and school resource officers.

The district also remains committed to educational opportunities including elementary fine arts, Dual Language Immersion, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and AP Capstone programming.

The fiscal year 2027 General Fund budget totals approximately $120.3 million. While that represents an increase over the original fiscal year 2026 budget, it is approximately $500,000 less than fiscal year 2026 actual expenditures of approximately $120.8 million.

The proposed 8.05-mill rate is intended to help Dalton Public Schools better align recurring revenues with recurring expenses, reduce reliance on reserves and establish a healthier operating budget for the future.

Dalton Public Schools will continue identifying efficiencies and responsibly managing taxpayer resources while protecting the people, programs and services that make the greatest difference for students.

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To learn more about Dalton Public Schools’ millage rate, including the Notice of Property Tax Increase and the Current 2026 Property Tax Digest and Five-Year History of Levy, visit Dalton Public Schools Millage Rate Information