Georgia charter schools are facing a perfect storm of financial challenges in 2026. Teacher salaries continue climbing, healthcare and retirement costs are skyrocketing, facility expenses are rising, and enrollment patterns remain unpredictable post-COVID—all while per-pupil funding increases lag behind. We’ve worked in Georgia charter finance long enough to recognize the pattern: budgets don’t usually fall apart because leaders are careless. They fall apart because schools m

Navigate charter school facilities financing in Georgia with expert guidance. Learn about financing options, common pitfalls, and how to make smart facility decisions that don't cripple your budget.

Here's something we don't love admitting: we've seen too many promising charter school petitions get denied over budget issues that were completely avoidable. Not because the petitioners weren't passionate. Not because their educational model wasn't strong. Because the budget section of their petition told a story the authorizer couldn't believe. We spent a combined 15+ years each on the authorizer side of the table — at both the Georgia Department of Education and the State