White County — White County school leaders told employees and board members at the July 10 board meeting that the county has not yet adopted a fiscal-year 2026 budget, and the district must operate on last year’s numbers until the county approves new funding.
The director of schools said the district cannot implement pay raises or one-time bonus payments until the county’s budget is finalized. “Because we are operating on the previous numbers, we can't institute any of the new raises or any of the bonuses,” a board member said during the meeting; the board plans to send a notice to staff to set expectations.
Why it matters: the district's ability to pay raises, bonuses or other changes that require county funding depends on the county commission’s action. District officials said any approved increases would be applied retroactively to affected payroll periods if the county passes a budget after the start of the fiscal year.
What officials said: during the work session, a board member said he and fellow board member Markham had discussed drafting a communication for employees. The board member said, “we have to operate on the previous numbers… if whatever point that gets approved, we can go back and pay those raises or pay those bonuses at that point.”
Chad, a district staff member involved in finance, said there was no statutory deadline in the related legislation requiring payment by a specific date, and that retroactive payment would be possible if the county acts soon. “There wasn't anything in the legislation that required it by a certain time period,” Chad said.
Operational detail: officials said the only immediate payroll impact would be on the mid-month payroll (July 15) if the county had not acted; any approved increases would be paid retroactively when funds become available. The board advised staff not to expect changes on their July paychecks until the county budget is adopted.
Board context: the board emphasized transparency and said it will send staff a formal notice explaining that implementation of pay or bonus changes depends on county approval. Director of schools Mister Stromberger and board leadership expressed confidence the county will resolve the budget soon but said they must plan for operating under last year’s appropriations until it happens.
What’s next: board members said the county commission may act at its next full meeting; if the commissioners approve the county budget, the district will proceed with payroll adjustments and retroactive payments as allowed by statute and comptroller guidance.