Pickens County board approves $187.24 million FY 2026 general fund budget with no tax increase

The Pickens County School District Board of Trustees voted to approve the second reading of the FY 2026 general fund budget, a balanced plan totaling $187,236,124 that does not raise local property taxes.

District finance staff presented the budget on the evening the board considered staff recommendations, teacher pay changes and staffing additions. "The second reading does not include a tax increase and is balanced in the amount of $187,236,124 without the use of fund balance or tax increase," the presenter said during the budget summary. The board approved the second reading by voice/hand vote with no recorded opposition.

The budget package includes a $1,500 across-the-board increase to each step of the state-certified teacher salary schedule and a separate year-of-experience increase for eligible employees. "This $1,500 increase will put our starting pay for a bachelor's degree at $50,600 and for a master's degree at $55,600," the presenter said. The administration said the average total increase for teachers, combining the scale increase and step movement, is about 3.3%, with individual increases ranging from roughly 2.2% to 4.7% depending on degree level and years of experience.

Other salar…