Fulton County Schools set its tax rate at 17.95 mills, up from 17.08 but below the 18.08 it proposed. On a typical Sandy Springs home, that is about $238 more a year.
The Fulton County Board of Education has set the school system’s property tax rate at 17.95 mills. That is 0.87 mills above the current 17.08 mills. It is also lower than the 18.08 mills the district proposed in August.
The board approved the rate Thursday, Oct. 22, at the South Learning Center, according to the district’s Board Bulletin for Oct. 23. The bulletin calls it the 2027 millage rate, after the district’s 2027 budget year, which runs through June 2027.
The school rate is the biggest part of most Sandy Springs property tax bills. It is nearly four times the city’s rate of 4.731 mills.
How the rate changed
The district’s own bulletins trace the rate through the fall:
- Aug. 12: Superintendent Mike Looney said he would recommend a tentative rate of 18.08 mills, a 1-mill increase, according to the Board Bulletin for Aug. 12. He said he would lower it if the certified tax digest allowed.
- Oct. 14: The board took up final approval of a rise from 17.08 to 18.08 mills. The district said the extra mill would raise about $50 million a year, according to the Board Bulletin for Oct. 14.
- Oct. 22: The board approved 17.95 mills.
The Oct. 23 bulletin does not say why the final rate came in below 18.08. It does not give the vote count or a new revenue figure.
Why the district raised it
The district gave several reasons in August:
- rising costs and inflation
- higher employer contributions for health care and the Teachers Retirement System
- less local tax revenue because of senior property tax exemptions
The district said the increase would reduce its reliance on reserves and remove a proposed employee furlough day. It said it would also leave room for future raises. The Oct. 23 bulletin ties the rate to the district’s GLIDE review, which has recommended spending cuts and new revenue. It gives no figures for either.
What it means for you
A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed value. In Georgia, assessed value is 40% of the market value the Fulton County Board of Assessors puts on a property.
Here is the math on a home worth $685,103, Sandy Springs’ typical value in September according to the Zillow Home Value Index:
| Rate | School tax before exemptions | |
|---|---|---|
| Current rate | 17.08 mills | $4,681 |
| Approved rate | 17.95 mills | $4,919 |
| Difference | 0.87 mills | about $238 a year |
Your own figure depends on your assessed value and your exemptions. Homestead exemptions, including senior exemptions, cut the school tax for many owners. Our property taxes guide explains the exemptions and how to appeal.
The city of Sandy Springs sets its own rate after its last hearings at 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, at City Hall. Our story on the city’s hearings has the details. Fulton County Schools’ own tax rate calculator lets you enter a home value and a rate to see the school share.
For more on home values, see our story on Sandy Springs’ record typical home value.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Fulton County Schools millage rate?
The Fulton County Board of Education approved a rate of 17.95 mills on Oct. 22, 2026. The current rate is 17.08 mills, so the rate rises by 0.87 mills.
How much more will a Sandy Springs homeowner pay?
Each mill is $1 for every $1,000 of assessed value, and assessed value is 40% of market value. On a $685,103 home, Sandy Springs’ typical value, 0.87 mills is about $238 a year before exemptions.
Is the school rate higher than the city’s?
Yes. The school rate is the largest part of a Sandy Springs property tax bill. The city’s rate is 4.731 mills and Fulton County has proposed 8.87 mills.
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