The Atlanta Board of Education unanimously adopted the $777 million General Fund Budget for Atlanta Public Schools’ 2017-2018 school year (Fiscal Year 2018) Monday, June 5, during its monthly legislative meeting. Highlights of the spending plan include:

● $35.8 million for the district’s long-term, overarching Turnaround Strategy to improve -its lowest-performing schools. This includes supplemental and critical support and partnerships with educational organizations with expertise in turnaround strategies.

● $10.8 million for school-based flexible spending that will allow principals to address the unique needs of their schools. Principals will have more flexibility and autonomy when APS participates in a pilot program called Fund 150 that allows them to combine federal Title I dollars with their general fund school allotment.

● $10.5 million (a $3.5 million increase over this year’s budget) for signature programming such as STEM, International Baccalaureate and College & Career Prep.

● $6.2 million for whole-child development programs and initiatives including athletics, arts and social emotional learning.

● $6 million for a 1.5% cost-of-living adjustment for employees

● $580,000 for the district’s new Family Engagement Strategy.

Additionally, the budget does not call for a millage increase and includes about $8 million in cuts to central office administration.

Monday’s vote by the Board concludes the annual budget-building process, which began in September of last year and included input and feedback from the public at more than a dozen Budget Commission meetings, regional public meetings and public budget hearings. The 2017-2018 school year begins Tuesday, August 1.