Richland School District 2 presents FY2027 budget proposal that boosts teacher pay while trimming some programs

Superintendent Dr. Moore and district finance leaders presented a proposed FY2027 general fund budget at a Richland School District 2 board workshop on April 16, 2026, emphasizing competitive teacher pay, safety and compliance investments and a set of reductions intended to align resources with projected enrollment and revenue.

The superintendent framed the presentation as an estimate-based recommendation, cautioning that “we do not have firm numbers from our legislators” and that staff were using the best available projections while the General Assembly remained in session. CFO Ms. Williams and budget coordinator Willie Green walked trustees through the budget book, revenue projections and a package of proposed cuts and investments intended to produce a balanced plan without asking for a millage increase.

Why it matters: The proposed plan seeks to preserve classroom priorities while responding to an expected enrollment decline and changes in state funding rules that could shift how some dollars are distributed. Board members repeatedly pressed staff for clearer impact details about personnel and safety reductions before a final board decision.

Key points

• State and county estimates: Staff said local revenue projections from the Richland County auditor were the basis for the no‑mill model. Willie Green said the auditor’s estimate for net taxes and local fees was roughly $202,556,032 (with carryover and adjustments included in the district’s FY27 local revenue projection).

• Enrollment and formula changes: Ms. Williams told trustees…