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Gordon Gazette Opinion
The Annexation Problem No One’s Talking About: Why Our Schools Are Losing
By: MARSHA WILSON
Wednesday, July 30, 2025

GORDON COUNTY, GA – As Gordon County continues to grow and develop, an important question is emerging for local citizens: How do commercial and industrial annexations affect our public-school systems? Behind the scenes of new warehouses, retail centers, and industrial complexes lies a funding shift that has serious implications for Gordon County Schools especially when these properties are annexed into the City of Calhoun.
What Is Annexation?
Annexation is the legal process by which property that is currently located in unincorporated Gordon County becomes part of the City of Calhoun. Once annexed, that land falls under the city’s jurisdiction, and with it, any tax revenue from that property shifts as well. In terms of public education, this means that commercial and industrial properties that are annexed into Calhoun no longer contribute to the Gordon County School System. Instead, they support Calhoun City Schools, a separate district that serves students within city limits.
Who Approves Annexations?
Annexation decisions are not made by school boards. Instead, they are approved or denied by the Calhoun City Council. Even when annexation is requested by the property owner, the current process negatively impacts the county school system’s finances. Currently, when commercial and industrial properties are annexed into the City of Calhoun, the property tax revenue from those properties shifts to the city, including funds that would have gone to Gordon County Schools. This means the county school system loses all potential funding from valuable developments. *One possible solution is for Gordon County and the City of Calhoun to enter into a revenue-sharing agreement, where a portion of the property tax collected from annexed commercial and industrial sites is returned to the County School System. Local elected officials have the final say, and their decisions affect more than just maps. They impact classrooms, children, and the future of education in our community. It is critical for citizens to stay engaged and informed.
Why Does It Matter to County Schools?
The Gordon County School System relies heavily on property tax revenue to fund schools. When high-value properties are annexed into the city, the county loses a key source of income. This can limit the county’s ability to:
• Offer competitive salaries to retain and recruit qualified teachers
• Invest in academic programs and resources
• Maintain and improve school facilities
• Keep pace with student enrollment growth
According to Association County Commissioners of Georgia, “There are 21 cities with independent school systems in Georgia. When one of these cities annexes property, unless other arrangements have been made, the property taxes levied by the school board shift from supporting the county school system to supporting the city school system. This can cause problems when commercial and industrial properties are annexed, but not residential properties. *It leads to a transfer of taxes but not a transfer of students. The legislature passed a law to delay the loss of school tax revenue due to annexations for one year after the effective date of the annexation. However, the real financial impact is still felt – just a year later.”
See https://www.accg.org/library/ACCG%20 Annexation%20Report%20Final.pdf for more details.
Over the years, numerous commercial and industrial properties have been annexed into the City of Calhoun. A major example is the annexation of the two Shaw Industries plants on Union Grove Road. Since 2019, this single annexation has cost Gordon County Schools over $1 million in lost revenue. As more properties like these are annexed, the county loses critical funding and the burden shifts to homeowners. That means local families are paying more in property taxes to make up for what the school system no longer receives from annexed businesses.
To view more Calhoun/Gordon County annexations, please see https://www.georgiaplanning.com/boundary/annexations/showCounty.asp?FIPS=13129&CountyNAME=Gordon
While Calhoun City Schools may benefit from added revenue, the shift can leave county schools struggling to meet rising demands with fewer resources.
FACTS: Understanding County Revenue and the Annexation Impact
• Gordon County Schools’ primary source of local revenue is through commercial, industrial, and residential property taxes — but only if that property remains unincorporated in Gordon County
• Once annexed into Calhoun, the school tax revenue goes to the city, not the county.
• This directly affects how much money is available to fund Gordon County Schools, which serve thousands of students across a wide geographic area.
• Without additional revenue sources or protections against revenue loss, Gordon County Schools face growing pressure to do more with less — from paying teachers to supporting student services.
• This is why Gordon County must explore alternative ways to generate revenue, to ensure sustainable funding for competitive educator pay, robust academic programs, and necessary infrastructure growth.
• Calhoun City Schools currently operate 5 schools serving approximately 4,190 students.
• Gordon County Schools operate 10 schools serving approximately 6,265 students — over 2,000 more students with nearly double the number of campuses to maintain.
• A Georgia state law allows (but does not require) counties to charge local boards of education up to 2% for tax collection services. *Gordon County’s Board of Commissioners currently charges the Gordon County Board of Education approximately $650,000 annually — meaning citizens are paying the county to collect their own school taxes! See https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-48/chapter-5/article- 8/section-48-5-404/ for more details.
• When commercial and industrial properties are annexed into the City of Calhoun, only the county school system loses funding. The county government continues to collect its share of tax revenue regardless of annexation.
Did You Notice an Increase in Your Property Tax Assessment?
If you have noticed a rise in your property tax bill recently, you are not alone! There is a reason behind it that many residents may not realize. When commercial and industrial properties are annexed into the City of Calhoun, Gordon County Schools lose valuable tax revenue. That lost revenue does not just disappear! It has to be made up somewhere else. That “somewhere” is you! While property assessments are based on market value, the county may need to adjust tax rates or rely more heavily on residential property taxes to make up for the shortfall. This places greater financial strain on homeowners. In short, the loss of revenue from annexed businesses lead to higher tax burdens on local families. So, while city boundaries expand and new businesses thrive under a different tax structure, Gordon County homeowners are left footing a larger share of the bill, even as funding challenges for county schools continue to grow.
What Can You Do?
Citizens have the power to influence how Gordon County grows and how its public schools are supported. Here is what you can do:
• Attend Gordon County Commission and Calhoun City Council meetings
• Ask questions about how annexation decisions are made
• Speak up about the importance of protecting school funding
• Support local policies and leaders who prioritize long-term educational equity.
Growth is inevitable, but how we manage it will determine whether our children thrive in classrooms that are well-funded, well-staffed, and well-equipped for the future.
As Gordon County moves forward, let’s make sure the best interests of all students (county and city) remain a priority.