Orange County Schools board approves operating budget request to county commissioners

The Orange County Schools Board of Education voted to approve an operating budget request to present to the county commissioners for fiscal year 2025–26, district staff said. The district presented a continuation budget that includes a projected 3% salary increase and associated employer costs and asked commissioners to consider an additional $4.1 million split between $1.8 million for continuation operations and roughly $2.3 million for proposed expansions, including certified teacher pay increases, classified supplements for lower bands and higher hourly pay for bus drivers.

District staff said the enrollment figure that drives funding calculations is projected at 6,908 students for 2025–26. Staff also told the board that final numbers depend on the district audit for the year ending June 30, 2025, and that federal funds available this year are about $6.6 million. Board members and staff discussed uncertainty from inflation and rising commodity prices; presenters said some purchases (for example maintenance and fuel) are exposed to short‑term market volatility and that the district factored a 3% salary assumption into the request because it reflects current state‑level guidance.

Public commenters urged the board to prioritize pay for teachers and staff and to expand mental‑health and substance‑use supports. Speakers at the public comment period described a successful pilot substance‑use prevention program at Orange High School and asked the board to fund expansion to other schools. Board members thanked speakers and noted there are several funding sources schools can pursue, including district risk funds and school‑level allocations, and that redirecting district funds would reduce other commitments.

The motion to approve the budget request was made and seconded during the meeting; the chair called for a vote and announced the budget approved. The board will deliver the approved request to the county commissioners as the next step; the commissioners retain final authority for county allocations.

Sources: district budget presentation at the board meeting and public comment period.