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Colleton County school board lays out budget priorities as district faces projected $1.9 million shortfall
Summary
At a budget-priority work session, the Colleton County School Board reviewed fund-balance history, heard staff report a near‑term general fund shortfall of about $1.9 million for 2026–27, and prioritized student achievement, teacher pay, and capital needs for next steps.
Superintendent Williams opened a budget priority work session and told the Colleton County School Board that the district is preparing a general‑fund budget for the 2026–27 school year and will align spending requests with the district strategic plan.
The session focused on the district’s recent fund‑balance history and a working‑draft shortfall estimate. Miss Barrett, who presented the financial overview, said the district’s audited fund balance grew from about $7.7 million in 2021 and remains “significantly above historical levels” after one‑time adjustments. Barrett listed interest earnings, attrition savings and a bond‑related $3 million contribution for Chromebooks among the factors that have bolstered reserves. She told the board staff currently estimate a roughly $1,900,000 shortfall for next fiscal year.
Why this matters: board members must set priorities now so staff can prepare a balanced operating budget. Williams and…
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