Colleton County school board shown scenarios to close $1.4 million 2026–27 budget gap

Superintendent Williams told the Colleton County School Board at a budget work session that the district faces a projected $1.4 million shortfall for the 2026–27 school year and presented multiple staffing and program scenarios to narrow that gap.

The presentation, led by Superintendent Williams and finance staff Miss Barrett, traced the shortfall to three main factors: a roughly $2.1 million withdrawal from the fund balance to cover FY25–26 commitments, a projected county millage increase that fell short of earlier expectations, and declines in average daily membership (ADM) that reduced state revenue. "We withdrew about $2,100,000 from the fund balance," Williams said, summarizing prior budget actions that shaped the district's starting point.

Barrett, who reviewed state revenue projections and formulas, said the district's FY27 revenue projection is based on the 45-day ADM and on weighted pupil units that allocate additional funding for students with greater needs. "The key takeaway is the average daily membership is the foundation and funding starts with student counts," Barrett said. She told board members the House Ways and…