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Gwinnett Representative and Majority Leader, Chuck Efstration recently said, "I am firmly opposed to Gwinnett County School’s efforts to opt out of legislation I was proud to vote in favor of and that so many of my constituents supported at the ballot. I hope the ongoing public outcry will cause the board to reconsider their efforts and instead look for ways to cut costs rather than increase taxes on hardworking property owners."
Other county representatives, Soo Hong, Rey Martinez, and Derrick McCollum as well as others across the state have shared the same concerns. Georgia voters were clear in November when they voted by 63% to cap the rate of property tax increases to the rate of inflation. Counties, cities, municipalities, and school boards should not subvert the will of the people.
*Did you know in FY2023 the GCPS budget was $2.8 BILLION! In FY2025, the budget is now $3.2 BILLION.
*Did you know in FY2023, GCPS offered more than $185.7 million in academic, athletic and miliary scholarships? In 2024, GCPS offered more than $242 million in the same scholarships. These are taxpayer funds.
*Did you know Gwinnett County had 182,865 students in the 2022-23 school year and 182,518 students as of October 2024? These numbers indicate a DECREASE year over year.
*Did you know in 2022-23, the cost to education ONE CHILD per year was $10,182? That number rose to $13,825 in 2024.
*Did you know homeowners in Gwinnett County carry the overall school tax burden by 2, 3, 4+% times MORE depending on the assessed home value than the average apartment/high-density property renter who receive the same benefits from GCPS?
*Did you know that since 2019/2020 the population growth of Gwinnett has slowed to an average of 0.75% last year according to World Population News. The Georgia Governor’s own Department of Planning and Budget only projects Gwinnett County increasing in population by 10,000 or less over the next several years.
As concerned citizens, we must continue to tell our county Board of Commissioners and School Board to reign in unsustainable spending and increases. Please consider joining us on February 20th at either 2 p.m. or 6 p.m. for the final School Board public hearings to receive public comments prior to their vote.