Haywood County Schools officials present tight 2025–26 budget as major grants and ESSER funding end

Haywood County Schools officials presented the recommended budget for fiscal year 2025–26 at a board work session, saying the budget balances projected revenues and expenditures but faces significant near‑term pressure as federal ESSER funding and a $3 million state grant expire.

"The mission of Haywood County Schools is to work passionately and productively to support student success," said Doctor Putnam. He and staff framed the budget around recruiting and retaining staff while limiting new local spending as enrollment and one‑time funding decline.

Board members were told the recommended budget combines six funds — local current expense, local restricted, capital outlay, child nutrition, state public school, and federal grants — and is organized to meet statutory requirements under the school budget and fiscal control act. Leanna Moody, who led the line‑item discussion, said several assumptions shaped the draft: a 5% pay increase for certified staff, 3% for non‑certified staff, employer retirement matching of 24.75% (she used a three‑year average), employer FICA at 7.65%, and an assumed increase in hospitalization costs.

Moody said ESSER III funding had supplied $15,692,592 to the district over multiple years and that ESSER‑paid salary costs for 2024–25 totaled $878,287. "That is a huge impact affecting our budget this coming year," Moody said, noting…