Glynn County Schools present tentative FY26 consolidated budget, report stronger-than-expected revenues
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Summary
Glynn County Schools staff presented a tentative FY2026 consolidated budget and a March financial update showing higher-than-anticipated tax and state revenues, proposed transfers of some Title III-funded positions to the general fund, and departmental increases driven mainly by utilities and insurance.
Miss Cody, finance presenter for Glynn County Schools, opened the budget hearing and reviewed March financials and the proposed fiscal year 2026 tentative consolidated budget.
"Our general fund revenues are 85.6% of budget, and expenditures are at 70.5% of budget," Miss Cody said, noting the district was about three quarters of the way through the fiscal year. She reported March investment interest of $646,342.40 and an estimated ending fund balance of $25,200,089.
The presentation highlighted several changes since the April work session: Miss Cody said she raised the projected tax digest growth from 6% to 8%, "which resulted in a $7,620,900 increase in tax revenue" for FY25. The district also received an initial QBE allocation that increased revenue by $4,960,900, she said. QBE refers to the state’s Quality Basic Education funding formula.
On federal funding, Miss Cody cautioned that guidance is still pending but summarized staff expectations: "We are not anticipating any big changes to Title I, but there could be a consolidation of our Title II and Title IV funds. We have been told that Title III may be eliminated entirely." She said that because some ESOL positions (ESOL tutors and 25% of the ESOL coordinator salary and benefits) were currently funded with Title III, the district plans to move those salaries and benefits into the general fund next year.
Departmental budget increases total about $1,963,100, Miss Cody said, and when asked what drove the increases she replied that roughly 65% of the rise is due to higher utility costs, plus insurance increases and moving Title III program expenditures into the general fund. She offered to provide a department-by-department breakdown on request.
The district’s special revenue funds show an estimated expenses-over-revenues deficit of $1,677,700, primarily to cover workers’ compensation premiums, Miss Cody said, adding that fund balance is used each year for those payments. Capital projects discussed included ongoing work under the East Plus projects (noted as East Plus 3, 4 and 5 in the presentation); staff said collections for East Plus 5 began April 1 and residuals of $16,228.11 were still being received.
Miss Cody described the consolidated budget presented for advertisement and for a formal vote at the June meeting: "This would be the proposed tentative budget that I would advertise and that you all would vote on in June." No formal vote on the tentative budget was recorded in the transcript.
Clarifying details discussed include the tax digest adjustment and QBE increase described above, the $646,342.40 interest received in March, and the $25,200,089 estimated ending fund balance. Departmental increases were attributed primarily to utilities, insurance and program shifts rather than new programmatic expansions.
If the board proceeds with advertisement in June, the item will return for formal action at the regular voting meeting.
