AUGUSTA, Ga. ()- Local school leaders are continuing discussions about the homestead exemption.

Richmond County School Board members started their public hearings two weeks ago before the snowstorm, where we heard former Augusta mayor Bob Young share his frustrations about the recommendation.

During Monday night’s meeting, more Richmond County parents are saying the same.

“As a disabled veteran and homeowner, I don’t need any more burden placed on me to be able to stay here in Richmond County,” said one parent.

House Bill 581 was signed into law by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp last April to provide tax relief to homeowners.

But Chief Financial Officer Bobby Smith is recommending opting out of the exemption because the millage rate cap is already in place, along with existing homestead exemptions.

“It doesn’t affect assessed values, so it’s not an additional exemption for the taxpayers and homeowners who pay taxes. But it does actually reduce our millage rate that the board sets, and because of that they’re actually saving money because we are capped at what we can set,” said Smith.

Some parents also taking to the podium to show support of this recommendation. 

“Your community lives and breathes on the quality of your schools. Monitoring this, many counties across the state are opting out because it is so important to keep that money there for your students,” said Lisa Martin.

The school board also discussed improving school safety at the regular board meeting.

School leaders will soon be working with the school’s public safety and climate departments to add metal detectors in three high schools in the county.

Interim Superintendent Dr. Malinda Cobb confirmed this during her Superintendent’s update.

Last fall, Deputy Superintendent Horace Dunson confirmed to parents they would be installing metal detectors at Cross Creek High School.

Now they will soon look to add them at Laney and Butler High Schools as well.

Based on results, the school system could consider installing metal detectors at all high schools in the county.

It is unclear when this process will begin, but count on NewsChannel 6 to provide more information as soon as we get it.

Here is the full list of remaining public hearings on House Bill 581 for local school districts:

Richmond County:

• Tuesday, February 11th at 3:30 PM at 864 Broad Street
• *Adoption Public Hearing* on Tuesday, February 18th at 6:30 PM at 864 Broad Street (during regular board meeting)

Columbia County:

• Tuesday, January 28th at 6:00 PM at 4781 Hereford Farm Road
• Wednesday, January 29th at 8:00 AM at 4781 Hereford Farm Road

Wilkes County:

• Tuesday, January 28th, 2025 at 6:00 PM at 313 N Alexander Ave
• Monday, February 10th, 2025 at 8:30 AM at 313 N Alexander Ave

Warren County:

• Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 6:00 PM at 115 Gibson Hwy