Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District presents second reading of budget as state projections pending; board told to expect pay increases and a remaining shortfall
Summary
District officials delivered the second reading of the fiscal 2025–26 budget, warning of a roughly $1.2 million shortfall tied to state funding uncertainty and higher employer health‑insurance costs. The plan includes a $1,500 stipend for teachers and across‑the‑board raises totaling about 3.5 percent, subject to final state revenue projections.
Spartanburg School District 1 presented the second reading of its fiscal 2025–26 budget on Tuesday and asked trustees to hold judgment until the state provides final revenue projections. Administration said it is budgeting pay increases while trying to close an expected funding gap that currently stands at roughly $1.2 million.
Miss Brady, the district finance lead, told the board the draft budget includes an across‑the‑board compensation package that combines state‑required step increases with local supplements: “All teachers will receive an additional $1,500. This is in alignment with all Spartanburg County School Districts,” she said, adding the combined step and supplement would be roughly a 3.5 percent total increase for teachers and similar increases for other staff.
Why it matters: The district must provide state‑required step increases and cover employer contributions for health insurance and the state retirement system. The administration said the state’s final appropriations and allocations — including a proposed adjustment to how virtual charter schools are weighted — are still unresolved in the General Assembly, and the district expects updated revenue numbers “any day.”
Key budget items and shortfall drivers: Officials highlighted a 4.6 percent employer health‑insurance cost shown in recent budget proposals (estimated to add roughly $150,000 to the district’s fringe costs), state retirement contributions (about 25% of wages), mandated bus‑driver pay increases and additional transportation hours (about $250,000), and higher costs for ESSER transitions and vendor charges. The draft also assumes the district will absorb certain federal grant reductions and ongoing costs previously covered by ESSER funds.
Administration’s approach and next steps: Brady and Superintendent Dr. Mark Smith said staff are hunting for savings and have already absorbed several resignations and retirements in ways that avoid increasing class sizes. The district intends to provide a third‑reading budget update once the state releases final allocation numbers and said the board may consider a brief special meeting or shift the final approval date if necessary.
Substitute staffing and other operational issues: Trustees discussed substitute teacher procurement and costs. The district uses a third‑party vendor (Kelly Services) for substitute placement; administration said the vendor’s fee is roughly a 2 percent premium over the employer cost the district would bear directly, but that the vendor provides higher fill rates and manages payroll and onboarding. The board also reviewed transportation staffing and overtime costs.
What the board did Tuesday: The board received the second reading and engaged in discussion; no final approval was required at this meeting. Trustees asked for a follow‑up timeline and a third‑reading packet once state projections arrive.
