Oconee County schools present FY26 budget request: $3.5 million local increase, first reading approved

The Oconee County School District presented its proposed fiscal year 2026 general fund budget on the first reading, asking the county for roughly $3.5 million more in local ad valorem revenue and outlining compensation parameters tied to state funding changes. The board voted to approve the first reading of the FY26 general fund budget.

District leaders said the request would raise the district's local ad valorem ask to approximately $59,200,000, a 6.4% increase from the current year, largely to cover teacher salary step increases and the state's proposed $1,500 per-cell increase in teacher pay. Superintendent Doctor Thorsland and Chief Financial Officer Mister Schickling led the presentation and fielded board questions about revenue forecasting and long-term fund balance goals.

The budget makers told the board they…