This is a press release from the Bulloch County Board of Education.
The Bulloch County Board of Education is scheduled to vote September 10 on a resolution which asks state lawmakers to introduce legislation to update the school board’s compensation per meeting.
Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-55), the compensation rates of boards of education and other local governments may be adjusted by the General Assembly through a local Act. If the resolution is approved by the Board of Education at its scheduled regular session on Thursday, a signed copy will go to Bulloch County’s legislative delegation. They will then work with the legislative council office’s staff attorney to draft a legal public notice to appear in Bulloch County’s legal organ, The Statesboro Herald, for 60 days prior to a vote by the Georgia General Assembly in January.
“School board members are not traditional employees of the school district, so this update is not a performance raise,” said Dr. Torian White, superintendent of schools. “Updating compensation helps ensure that serving on our local school board remains accessible to everyday citizens, parents, and working adults and not just those who can afford to volunteer and invest hours per month unpaid.”
If the legislation is approved by the state, any updated compensation would take effect in 2027 once it is signed by the governor. Funding for board compensation comes directly from the local school district General Fund budget.
In Bulloch County, Board members have not had a compensation change in 27 years. Right now, local board members earn $100 per meeting. In a typical year, Board members attend two official meetings per month: a regular session and a work session. Additionally, depending on the year’s operations, they may have other special called meetings for public tax hearings, student disciplinary hearing appeals, fair dismissal hearings for employees, or searches for a new superintendent. However, the Board of Education members also attend many community functions at their own expense, including graduations, school programs, etc. Board members are reimbursed for the actual expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of their official duties, excluding mileage reimbursement for travel within Bulloch County.
The Board of Education members receive no health insurance, pension, or extra benefits from the school district.
In comparison board members in school districts of comparable size receive higher compensation for similar work. Board members in Bryan County earn a minimum of $750 per meeting for a minimum of $9,000 per year. In Emanuel County, members earn $400 per meeting ($4,800 annually) and can receive health insurance benefits. In Barrow County, members earn $550 per meeting, and in Floyd County $1000 per month.
The eight-member Bulloch County Board of Education is elected by voters from eight voting districts, yet as an elected Special Purpose Local Government, the board members don’t just serve as a representative to their voting district. They are required to represent all students. By state law, they are held to a higher ethical standard than all other elected officials in Georgia (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-5). They are required by law to adopt and follow a Code of Ethics policy, a Conflict of Interest policy, obtain a required number of annual training credits and adhere to a nepotism requirement. They are also tasked with maintaining accreditation for the school district every five years, this provides multiple opportunities for students, including ensuring that they remain eligible for Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship to help cover dual enrollment and post-graduation tuition expenses. \
School board members also hold major legal and financial duties. They set policy, oversee the district budget, and approve personnel, including the superintendent. When the Bulloch County Board of Education’s current compensation was set by state law in 1999 (Fiscal Year 2000), the school district’s General Fund expenditures were $51.6 million with a millage rate of 10.4 mills. Since that time, the school district and its Fiscal Year 2027 Budget have grown significantly. It is the county’s second-largest employer with an annual General Fund budget of more than $168 million, with a millage rate of 10.125 mills, more than 2,700 employees, and serves more than 11,000 students annually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Board of Education proposing a compensation change?
Bulloch County Board of Education compensation was set in 1999 and has remained unchanged for 27 years. Meanwhile, the school district’s operational budget ($168M+), student population (11,000+), and public responsibilities have grown substantially. The update aims to reflect the time commitment required and stay competitive with surrounding school boards.
What is the process and timeline to change school board compensation?
Because school board compensation is tied to local legislation, it requires a multi-step public process:
- September 10: Board members are scheduled to vote on the resolution to increase
- November 2026: A required legal notice must be published in the local newspaper 60 days prior to legislative introduction.
- January 2027: Local state legislators introduce the bill during the Georgia General Assembly session.
- March 2027: Following passage by both legislative chambers and local approval, the new rate takes effect.
Where does the money come from?
Board compensation is paid from the school district’s general operating fund.
Can the school board vote to update their compensation?
No. Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-55), local school boards can pass a resolution recommending changes, but the final compensation rate must be established through local legislation passed by the Georgia General Assembly.
