Audit & Finance committee advances FY26 $71M facilities and IT plan, approves limited CBO awards after vetting discussion

CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Charleston County School District Audit & Finance Committee on March 4 voted to advance the district’s FY26 fixed-cost-of-ownership (FCO) budget and related financing resolutions to the full board and approved a set of limited, one-time community-based organization (CBO) awards after extended discussion about vetting and oversight.

The committee forwarded to the regular board meeting the district’s FCO package, a detailed program of equipment, maintenance and school-improvement projects that staff presented as a $71 million request for fiscal 2026. Staff said the program covers routine lifecycle replacements and smaller renovation projects — from HVAC and roof repairs to playgrounds, security upgrades and band instruments — and includes a one-time equipment and renovation project to outfit a culinary arts/performing-arts space at St. John’s High School.

The presentation emphasized the program’s largest categories as facility maintenance, information technology and software. IT items highlighted in the request include lifecycle replacement of classroom devices and staff computers, $4.6 million for network and infrastructure work, and a recommended software budget of about $16.1 million. Staff told the committee they plan to convert roughly 10 contractor positions to district full-time roles to reduce recurring contractor costs and improve in-house capacity for device management and project work. The committee voted to move the FCO package to the board for approval.

Why it matters: the FCO program funds recurring upkeep and mid-size improvements that keep buildings and learning technology operating between major capital projects. The committee’s action sends the full proposed FY26 operating and capital maintenance priorities to the board and preserves the district’s plan to manage device lifecycles and reduce contractor reliance.

Key details from staff presentations

- FCO total request: staff presented a $71 million FY26 FCO request covering 17 program areas including facilities maintenance, playgrounds, security, FF&E (furniture, fixtures and equipment), fine arts, athletics and special-project work (notably, the St. John’s…