Randolph County schools seek $2.2 million from commissioners as costs, charter losses and building needs rise

Randolph County School System leaders told county commissioners that they will ask for $2,215,299 in local funding for fiscal 2025–26, citing increasing personnel and insurance costs, continued losses of students to charter and virtual schools, rising special‑transportation bills and a continuing facilities upgrade program.

The superintendent, speaking for the school system, said the request bundles current‑expense needs and a $100,000 capital‑outlay ask tied to the district’s long‑running nine‑year facility upgrade and repair plan. “Today is the start of what I think is the start of budget season,” the superintendent said, explaining the district’s approach to asking for local support and emphasizing “trust and transparency.”

Why it matters: The presentation framed next year’s local request as largely routine continuation costs plus targeted items to address enrollment shifts, a technology platform transition and deferred facility maintenance. County decisions on these requests will affect staffing, student services and the timing of school renovation or replacement projects that district leaders say affect multiple high schools and an elementary school.

Key budget components and district rationale - Continuation costs: The superintendent said the district’s “continuation costs” total $1,067,299, driven by a projected 5% insurance increase (about $109,000), a 5% projected increase in employer retirement contributions (about $208,000) and a 4% legislative salary increase for locally paid employees (about $349,000). The…