District overview
Montgomery County Schools
Funding structure, how it compares to peers, and where major projects stand.
How is Montgomery County Schools paid for?
Montgomery County Schools in Mount Vernon, Georgia runs an elementary school, a middle school and a high school. A five-member elected Board of Education sets policy and the budget, and hires the superintendent, Dr. Ronda Hightower. Georgia's QBE formula supplies most of the money, with equalization grants for districts whose property tax base is small. For FY27 the district says rising property assessments cut its equalization and 5-mill share by $1.94 million, and the adopted budget runs a deficit.
FY27 budget
About $17.78M across all funds, including about $12.48M in the general fund; adopted 5-0 on July 23, 2026.
State aid cut
Loss of $1,940,312 in equalization and 5-mill share, leaving a $771,641 deficit (budget hearings).
Grants
A $927,507 USDA RUS distance learning grant paid for an $824,584 Ecare technology refresh (laptops, panels, auditorium sound).
Who decides
Five board members elected by district: Henry Price (chair), Eugene "Pete" Ward (vice chair), John O'Conner, Allen Williamson and Susan Beard.
Most votes in the year were unanimous, and the district moved $500,000 of SPLOST money and $500,000 of general funds into capital outlay lines before the state aid cut was announced.
Where the district stands
The July 23 called-meeting minutes print $171,641.
Major projects
Old middle school asbestos abatement and demolition
in progressTDC of GA was awarded the abatement and demolition contracts on June 15, 2026. Abatement was complete by September 17, and demolition is next. The minutes do not state the contract amounts.
- Asbestos found in 3 of 4 buildings
- Contracts awarded to TDC of GA, 5-0
- Abatement complete
Funding
Not stated
Baseball field renovation
under considerationThe architect's estimate was $1,687,500. The board is weighing whether to cut the scope or wait until it has more money, and still has to tell the architect whether to go ahead.
- Estimate $1,687,500
- Board still reviewing quotes
Funding
Not decided
Annex mold repair and SPED office move
under considerationMold from a water leak was found in the Annex. Special education offices moved into unaffected Annex classrooms while the board compares repair quotes against converting the school residence, which would cost about $56,054 to connect to the network.
- Mold reported; temporary move agreed
- Repair quotes under review
Funding
Not stated
RUS grant technology refresh
completeNew teacher laptops, instructional panels and an auditorium sound system were bought from Ecare and delivered by July 2026.
- Ecare quote approved 4-0
- Equipment delivered; installation underway
Funding
USDA RUS distance learning grant
Recent news
Built from Montgomery County Board of Education agendas and minutes (November 2025 to October 2026), the FY27 approved budget and the 2026-27 student handbook, all posted as public Google Drive files linked from www.mcboe.net.
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