Georgetown County board adopts $117.4 million 2024–25 general fund budget after brief presentations

Chairman Gaskins presided as the Georgetown County School Board held a public hearing and voted to adopt the 2024–25 general fund budget recommended by administration.

Miss Johnson, presenting the budget on behalf of district administration, told the board and public that the budget encompasses roughly $117.4 million in revenues and expenditures and asked the board to vote for adoption. "At the conclusion of the presentation... we will ask you to vote to approve the general fund budget of a $117,400,000 in revenues and expenditures," Miss Johnson said during her presentation.

The administration described the spending plan as an 8.5% increase in expenditures over last year driven largely by compensation and benefits: "87.2% is salaries and benefits," Miss Johnson said, and the presentation included specific pay actions such as a $2,500 teacher step increase, raises to bus driver and classified pay scales and an increased base hourly rate to $14.49 for classified staff. The plan also included new or shifted positions — for example, a paraprofessional moved from one elementary school to another — and targeted additions such as ROTC salaries at Waccamaw High and reading coaches at two high schools.

On revenues, presenters said property taxes are the largest source (presenter-cited 45.4%) followed by state classroom aid and restricted grants (presenter-cited ~31.6%). Miss Johnson said the district would use $2,000,000 of general fund balance to offset rising costs this year and reiterated that the district is budgeting before the state finalizes its budget. She described an increase of 5.9 mills being added to current tax assessments but the final operating millage figure was not stated clearly in the record.

Gina Smith, who spoke for Innovations and Special Programs, reviewed federal program allocations and said Title I funding declined by a little more than $200,000 while Georgetown High School was added to Title I eligibility. "As you can see, 69% of the funding goes towards salaries," Smith said, listing funding for class-size reduction teachers, interventionists, instructional coaches and parent liaisons.

Dr. Green, speaking for Special Services, summarized IDEA and related funds and said the district spends the bulk of those dollars on personnel. "Out of our IDEA funds, we spend the bulk of those in salaries and benefits, which comes up to 82 percent," Dr. Green said, and added that exact IDEA totals will be known in the late fall.

After the presentations, the board heard no registered public comments. Administration recommended adoption of the budget "in the amount of $117,402,920" as recorded at the time the motion was moved and seconded and the board approved the budget by voice vote.

Board member Miss Hammond thanked staff for their work on the budget, saying it was difficult to find funding for all needs and that the budget was closely aligned to student needs. Chairman Gaskins then offered thanks to staff, singled out Gina Smith for appreciation, and adjourned the meeting.

The approved budget will be implemented beginning July, with staff to update members should the state budget change significant revenue assumptions.