The cost of healthcare for Georgia school systems has risen “astronomically” over the past 16 years, experts say — forcing educators to make tough choices about the services they’re able to provide for students.
Fulton County, which approved a budget with a reported $57 million shortfall this year, budgeted $206 million for healthcare in its general fund next year. The DeKalb County School District plans to spend a total of $284 million for employee healthcare coverage.
In Baldwin County, a small school system in Milledgeville, employee benefits make up about one-third of its $56 million annual budget. Of $16.5 million in benefits, the school system must cover almost $10 million with local funding, said Superintendent Kristina Brooks…