government
DeKalb County School Board faces budget woes after tax miscalculation
By Tyisha Fernandes at WSB-TV (ABC) - News
· July 13, 2026
· 2 min read
The DeKalb County School Board must delay certain school enhancements because all the plans the district made were based off the money they thought they were getting from tax dollars. As Channel 2 Action News reported in June, the school board knows the district has been taking the wrong ESPLOST ...
Key takeaway As Channel 2 Action News reported in June, the school board knows the district has been taking the wrong ESPLOST percentage for four years.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The DeKalb County School Board's budget woes have significant implications for the community, particularly in terms of delayed school enhancements. The error in calculating ESPLOST funds will not only affect DeKalb County but also impact neighboring districts, including Atlanta , which is owed approximately $12 million. This financial misstep may lead to a reevaluation of resource allocation, potentially affecting bus purchases and critical infrastructure upgrades like fire alarm enhancements. As the board navigates this challenging situation, transparency and accountability will be crucial in maintaining public trust. The decision to postpone final decisions until the end of July will give the community a chance to weigh in, and it will be important to monitor how the board addresses the concerns of its members and the public, including the call for accountability for the multimillion-dollar mistake. The impact on local schools and students will be a key factor to watch in the coming weeks.
About this story
Original reporting by WSB-TV (ABC) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSB-TV (ABC) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: July 13, 2026 ·
Source: WSB-TV (ABC) - News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The DeKalb County School Board must delay certain school enhancements because all the plans the district made were based off the money they thought they were getting from tax dollars. As Channel 2 Action News reported in June, the school board knows the district has been taking the wrong ESPLOST ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 13, 2026 by WSB-TV (ABC) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Tyisha Fernandes at WSB-TV (ABC) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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