Greenville County Schools holds first reading of FY27 general fund budget, proposes teacher raises and staffing additions

Greenville County Schools presented the first reading of its FY27 general fund budget at a May 5 board meeting, advancing proposals that prioritize teacher pay increases, targeted staffing additions and preparation for potential state mandates.

Superintendent Dr. Royster framed the recommended budget as focused on “the people that do the work,” highlighting district academic performance and the role of compensation in recruiting and retention. He told the board the district would recommend a $2,550 increase on the teacher salary schedule, cited as producing about a 4.9% average increase for teachers, and a minimum 3.5% adjustment for other non-teaching personnel.

The administration also proposed targeted pay changes, including a $2-per-hour premium for special-education self-contained aides, a 6% increase for substitute teachers and an increase to assistant-principal and principal pay (including a $1,000 competitiveness add-on for principals). The budget document on file lists salaries and benefits as the largest component of the general fund; the presentation cited FY26 salary and benefit totals of $888,400,000 and other expenditures of $74,600,000.

Ms. Stack, who presented revenue projections, reported projected FY27 property tax revenue of $327,946,000, reflecting a 2.8% increase in projected mill value from revised FY26 collections through March 2026. Dr. Royster also reviewed longer-term revenue impacts, saying that tax abatements have materially affected district receipts: over nine years his presentation cited $329,900,000 in tax revenue withheld through abatements (equated to 167 mills on FY26 values).

Board members pressed staff on operational details. LaVentes Wells asked where the proposed 15 new permanent substitutes would be assigned; administration replied the positions would be directed to the schools with the highest unfilled sub rates and that every K–12 school currently has one permanent substitute. Questions about special-education staffing clarified that the district has roughly 537.5 FTE special-education aide positions and face ongoing vacancies; presenters said higher pay and targeted hiring would improve fill rates.

The administration raised a potential cost the board is building into the draft: pending state legislation to expand paid parental leave. Dr. Royster described the likely fiscal impact if the legislature doubles leave and does not fund the change, saying the district estimated an additional $1,600,000 in FY27 and described it as an unfunded mandate if enacted without state funding.

Other notable line items: a request to add 15 mental-health counselor FTEs ($700,000) by moving positions from an expiring Healthy Greenville grant into the general fund; $707,000 to add 15 permanent substitutes; a $617,000 allocation to add a third grade at Reedy Laurel Elementary; transportation–technology cost increases ($335,000) after loss of E-rate eligibility; and several reductions (for example, $400,000 from athletic trainer agreements with Prisma Health and smaller savings from wireless provider changes).

Board members also asked about consumer-facing clarity: several trustees said tax bills are misleading to residents about how much goes to schools and directed staff to draft a resolution or letter for the county to improve tax-bill presentation to make millage and actual tax-dollar allocations clearer.

The board did not take a vote on the budget at the May 5 meeting. The administration reminded trustees that the public hearing and second reading are scheduled for Monday, June 1 (public hearing at 6:00 p.m., second reading at 6:30 p.m.), and requested that board questions for written response be submitted to Ms. Fitzer by end of day Tuesday, May 12. The meeting adjourned after a voice motion to adjourn.