County Council outlines 2026 budget with $35.7M increase in revenue

Forsyth County Schools is set to see a significant budget increase for the 2026 fiscal year, with a proposed rise of approximately $35.7 million, marking a 5% growth from the previous year. The breakdown reveals that local funding will contribute about $22.3 million, while state funding will add around $13.4 million to the budget.

Key revenue sources include local taxes, with projections estimating around $361 million generated from a 15.28% millage rate. This is expected to yield a net collection of approximately $352.3 million after accounting for the tax commissioner's deductions. Notably, the district has improved its collection rate to 99.84%, a significant increase from the previous two years.

Salaries and benefits continue to dominate the budget, accounting for about $678 million, which reflects a $36 million increase from last year. This rise is largely attributed to escalating state health costs and contributions to the Teacher Retirement System (TRS). In contrast, operational expenses represent only 9.6% of the overall budget.

The budget also includes provisions for reserves, with a projected fund balance of $169 million at the start of the fiscal year. This includes a reserve of $31 million for debt service and additional funds earmarked for ongoing projects, such as the Mashburn project and safety security enhancements.

As the district prepares for the upcoming fiscal year, the focus remains on balancing growth with the need for sustainable financial management, ensuring that educational services continue to meet the needs of the community.