Fulton County school board members on Thursday adopted a $1 billion general fund budget that includes creating a school safety advisory committee.

School district Superintendent Jeff Rose said the committee will have a “keen focus” on strategies to better protect its schools, particularly Fulton’s elementary schools. Rose wants recommendations 90 days after the committee is created, which could come as soon as July. Implementing the recommendations could cost several million dollars, Rose said.

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State leaders are looking to make schools safer through policy and structural changes instead of gun legislation.

Board members spent about an hour discussing how much money should be committed and concerns about what security information will be shared with parents chosen to be on the committee.

The seven-member board adopted a tentative budget earlier this month for the coming school year. The general fund budget will provide spending for most classroom expenses and teacher salaries, which includes an average salary increase of about two percent for the district's teachers and staff, Fulton County school district officials said.

The entire budget, which includes spending for capital projects, school nutrition and other costs, is about $1.7 billion.

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Michelle Roache, pictured with her two youngest children, 3-year-old Elijah and 4-year-old Gianna, recently graduated from Clayton State University. She received a child care scholarship through Quality Care for Children and the federal Child Care Access Means Parents in School grant, which made it possible for her to finish her degree. Now the grant is on the chopping block. (Courtesy of Michelle Roache)

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Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat speaks during a press interview at the district attorney’s office in Atlanta on Friday, July 12, 2024. Public safety officials presented findings from a report on repeat offenders. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com