Johns Creek Symphony marks 20th anniversary ► PAGE 3
J u n e 2 5 , 2 0 2 6 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 3 0 , N o . 2 6
Fulton Schools to cover deficit using reserves By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — The Fulton County Board of Education formalized adoption of a $2.3 billion budget for 2026-27 after receiving an updated financial report at its June 11 work session. The district still faces a $56.9 million deficit when balancing revenues against expenditures and expects to use around 20 percent of this year’s remaining fund balance to cover the gap. Despite tapping into the fund balance, Chief Financial Officer Marvin Dereef estimates reserves will rest at more than $233 million by the end of Fiscal Year 2027. When Fulton Schools began budget preparations, staff initially projected a much bigger deficit. “Despite significant financial pressures, including inflationary impacts, rising employment benefit costs and enrollment declines … the district successfully reduced an initial projected budget gap of approximately $95 million down to $57 million while maintaining core services,” Dereef said. Fulton County Schools used its G.L.I.D.E. initiative, which started last year, to find cost-saving opportunities and revenue-generating strategies without disrupting student services.
See SCHOOLS, Page 19
‘Like a party with a purpose’ Johns Creek celebrates Juneteenth By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Johns Creek’s Juneteenth celebration is going strong. Four years after the City Council placed the holiday on the city calendar, members of the community-led Planning Commission have continued to organize the Newtown Park celebration. This year, residents again showed they value the gathering with about 1,000 turning out for an evening of music, food and more. Zoya Griffith, commission member, said she was impressed with the attendance and takes it as an indication for how much the holiday is valued in Johns Creek. She said it’s important to hold a Juneteenth party in Johns Creek. “We're not going anywhere, and we're going to continue to have a good time,” Griffith said. “We just want everyone to come out and celebrate.” Celebrated since 1866, Juneteenth marks the arrival of Union forces in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865. It was made an official federal holiday in 2021. In Newtown Park, community members gathered under and around a central pavilion stage where live music and dance acts performed. Along a nearby park roadway that was closed for the event, almost a dozen food trucks served tasty eats to long lines of eager customers.
See JUNETEENTH, Page 10
Regina Troupe sings on stage at the 2026 Juneteenth celebration in Newtown Park June 20.
JON WILCOX/APPEN MEDIA