Twiggs County is planning for a projected $250,000–$290,000 drop in state funding next year after October enrollment fell by 33 FTE, and the superintendent said staff reductions are being considered if other revenue does not arrive.
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The policy desk
The debate over phones, screens and the school day.
The policy desk
How artificial intelligence is changing classrooms and school rules.
The policy desk
Students speaking up, organizing and helping shape their schools.
The news desk
On July 23, 2026 the Montgomery County Board of Education adopted the FY27 budget, 5-0. The superintendent told both public hearings that, because of current property assessments in the county, the district lost $1,940,312 in state equalization and 5-mill share money, which leaves the FY27 budget $771,641 in deficit. She called the equalization cut one of the largest in the state. No one from the public spoke at either hearing.
On July 21, 2026, the interim superintendent introduced Mr. Ingram as the new principal at the high school, with Zach Harris returning as an assistant principal.
Principals presented 2026-27 handbook changes on July 21, 2026. Middle school students cannot have phones out during the school day and phones are collected as they arrive; elementary students in grades 3-5 check phones in. High school phone rules start in January 2027. Any fight that disrupts the school day now brings an automatic 10-day suspension, up from 5 to 10 days.
Treutlen County School District
The July 20, 2026 agenda asked the board to move $1.2 million from general fund savings into capital projects for A/C and HVAC work.
On July 20, 2026 the board approved a $2,000 monthly stipend for Chief Financial Officer Cheryl Weathersby for 15 months, about $30,000 in all. The minutes say the bond closing and new building at Spring Creek Charter Academy have added a lot of work for her.
At its July 20, 2026 meeting the board voted 5-0 to approve a new contract for Superintendent Dr. Ronda Hightower from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2028. After a closed executive session, the same minutes record a motion by Mr. O'Conner, seconded by Mr. Williamson, "to terminate Dr. Ronda Hightower's contract," approved 5-0. The minutes give no reason or effective date. Dr. Hightower kept running board meetings in August and September and is listed as superintendent on the October agendas.
The July Board Notes says the board approved a resolution on student screen time and technology use 7-0; the recap describes a direction for screens to be closed by default and opened only with purpose.
Treutlen County School District
The FY2027 budget plans $16.6 million in general fund spending but only $14.7 million in revenue. The district would use $1.9 million of savings, cutting its savings from $6.45 million to $4.52 million.
The June Board Notes says the board adopted the FY2027 General Fund budget 6-0.
On June 15, 2026 the board approved an amended class size policy. The minutes say it allows a total of 200 high school students, whatever their grade level.
On June 15, 2026 the board approved $63,270 to Richter Contracting for roof repairs and a new roof over the PCA kitchen. Richter was the only company that bid. The finance committee noted it is also the roofer for the new Spring Creek construction.
In April an asbestos survey found asbestos in 3 of the 4 old middle school buildings. On June 15, 2026 the board voted 5-0 to award TDC of GA the contracts for abatement and demolition. Abatement started July 20 and was finished by September 17, with demolition next. In August the board learned the Annex has mold from a water leak, so it moved special education offices into unaffected Annex classrooms while it compares repair estimates. Only 2 of the 4 air conditioners in the elementary gym work. A baseball field renovation estimated at $1,687,500 is still undecided.
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