5 takeaways from Atlanta Public Schools’ State of the District address

Giving a speech about anything on a night when the Atlanta Dream are playing in the WNBA Finals is a tough assignment. But talking about school budgets and education policy might be more difficult. Nonetheless, Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Bryan Johnson promised to make his State of the District address tight enough that attendees would make it home in time to watch Angel Reese lead the Dream to victory during Game 3 on Wednesday. The address took place at the Herman J. Russell West End Academy, a middle school named after the real estate and construction entrepreneur who passed away in 2014.

Here are some key takeaways from Johnson’s address:

Money is tight

Johnson pointed out that APS is enrolling about 1,000 fewer kindergarten students this year compared to 2016. That means less money from the state, which uses student headcounts as the basis for its school funding formula. Meanwhile, costs such as employee health benefits are skyrocketing. Although the district balanced its budget this year and was able to roll the millage rate back slightly, Johnson warned that financial pressures are high and show no signs of slowing down.

“The last place we will touch is the classroom, but we also know we need to be more efficient,” he said. “Our revenue has to, at a minimum, keep pace with our expenditures.”

Still, he has big plans

Johnson unveiled several “big bets” he’s taking — which include expanding pre-K for 3– and 4-year-olds, paying an average teacher salary of $100,000 a year, and increasing the number of college counselors and advisers for students. He also wants to invest in literacy training for teachers to the tune of $20 million.

“We will find that $20 million,” he said, adding that he was making new Chief Financial Officer Shanika Clay nervous by making that declaration.

But … money is tight

Throughout his address, Johnson referred to research from Harvard showing Atlanta ranks dead last among 50 U.S. cities when it comes to economic mobility. That means a child born in poverty in the Atlanta area has a more difficult time moving out of poverty than in most other large U.S. metro areas.

“If you start behind, you have to run faster,” Johnson said, quoting noted Atlantan, civil rights leader and former Morehouse College President Benjamin E. Mays.

But in an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Johnson acknowledged there’s some uncertainty around the overall financial picture not just for Atlanta, but for all Georgia school districts. State lawmakers introduced several bills this year aimed at reducing or eliminating property taxes. That would heavily cut into the APS budget, which receives about 80% of its revenue from property taxes.

“You’re talking about decisions that I think legislators are considering that have wide-ranging implications, and so yeah, it is a concern,” Johnson said, adding he plans to keep communicating with state and local leaders about the issue.

He really, really likes E-SPLOST

Johnson, who came to Atlanta from Chattanooga, Tennessee, two years ago, called Georgia’s Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax “an amazing opportunity.” The one-cent education sales tax, which is earmarked for things like capital improvement projects, will be on the ballot next month. If voters approve it, Johnson wants to use it to modernize some buildings in ways he thinks will help improve academics.

He referenced plans to create a school for the performing arts at Carver as an example. Johnson said the tax, which he called “a penny with a purpose,” would be helpful in repurposing some of the 16 buildings APS has decided to close because of lower enrollment.