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 of $41,722,656.

The board approved the following personnel and compensation items as part of the budget package: - Certified pay scale adjustment: $1,625 will be added across certified/licensed salary scales (the board and staff described this as applying to all certified positions covered by the district’s certified salary schedule, including classroom teachers, principals, assistant principals and other certified administrators). Board members and the director described the adjustment as a step toward the state’s target starting salary (discussed as $50,000 next year). - Classified staff: a 2% across‑the‑board increase to classified (non‑certified) salary scales was included in the budget as proposed. - State $2,000 licensed‑teacher bonus: the board confirmed the district will pass through the state program for licensed teachers that meet the state’s eligibility criteria; the district received a state list identifying 291 qualifying licensed employees. Finance staff explained the state sends the employer portion of benefits with the payment, but employees will receive a gross $2,000 that is subject to normal payroll deductions (net checks will be smaller after taxes and employee retirement contributions). - Local $2,000 bonus for 30 licensed administrators and school psychologists: budget originally included $60,000 for a local $2,000 bonus to 30 licensed administrators and school psychologists. After motion and roll‑call, the board removed that $60,000 line from the budget. The board then authorized a one‑time $500 bonus for full‑time employees not covered by the state $2,000 bonus (motion passed by roll call). The board directed staff to confirm final payroll counts and exact totals before forwarding documents to the county.

How the board handled the bonuses

Board members debated whether aides, cafeteria workers, bus drivers and other classified staff should receive local bonus payments in addition to the state‑defined list of licensed employees. Several members argued for recognizing support staff given their daily work with students; others noted the district’s fiscal conservatism and that the budget must balance with county and state funding constraints. Ultimately the board voted to remove the $60,000 local $2,000 bonus previously allocated for 30 licensed administrators/school psychologists, then approved a separate amendment to pay a $500 one‑time bonus to full‑time employees outside the state’s 291‑person list. Board members instructed finance staff to finalize exact dollar totals and indicated the district may revisit supplemental bonuses during the fiscal year if financials support it.

Director salary

During the budget debate board members also considered the line item for the director of schools. The original budget included $120,000 for the director’s salary. A motion to reduce that line to $110,000 was made and seconded; another board member then moved to set the director’s salary at $115,000 and that amendment passed by roll call. The director addressed the board during discussion and noted the district’s performance metrics and comparable market pay for directors in the region.

Votes and next steps

The board approved the amended general purpose school fund budget by roll call. The board chair and staff said the approved budget will be submitted to the county commission (the county budget committee will review the packet the coming Monday and the county commission is expected to consider it later in June). Board members asked staff to provide monthly financials and projections so the board could consider possible mid‑year budget amendments if revenues permit.

A note on terminology and implementation

Board members and staff distinguished between certified/licensed employees (who fall on the certified salary scales and received the $1,625 scale adjustment) and classified (non‑licensed) staff (who received the 2% scale adjustment). Finance staff explained the state‑funded $2,000 payments are processed through payroll and that employees will see normal deductions; the state reimbursement covers the employer share of benefits but does not guarantee a $2,000 net payment to employees.

Ending

The board’s approval completes its part of the FY2026 general purpose budget process; the county commission must still review and adopt a final county budget before the district’s FY2026 budget is final. The board left the door open to revisit locally funded bonuses later in the fiscal year if monthly financial reports show sufficient surplus.