White County Board approves amended FY2026 general purpose budget after debate over teacher raises, staff bonuses and director pay

The White County Board of Education on May 29 approved its fiscal year 2026 general purpose school fund budget, amending the proposal to reflect a $1,625 across‑the‑board adjustment to certified salary scales, a 2% increase for classified staff, removal of a $60,000 local bonus for certain licensed administrators and school psychologists, and a $500 one‑time bonus for full‑time employees who are not covered by the state’s $2,000 licensed‑teacher bonus.

The vote completes the board’s step one of a two‑part budget process; the approved budget will go to the county commission for final approval before state submission. The board’s discussion focused on state funding formulas, how to apply mandated teacher pay changes under Tennessee funding rules, and whether to extend locally funded bonuses more broadly to support staff.

Why it matters: the budget includes the district response to recent state guidance on teacher pay and to a state bonus program. The board’s choices decide which district employees receive locally funded bonuses now and set the district’s position before county and state review.

Board discussion and key changes

Board members and staff said updated revenue estimates and corrected expenditure postings changed the numbers the board reviewed at its May 27 work session. Finance staff reported a net reduction of $4,040,520 in projected revenues from the earlier packet; identified expenditure corrections reduced spending by $601,765, producing a new total expenditures figure…