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Stewart County school board approves 2026–27 budget, hears staffing and testing updates
Summary
The Stewart County School Board approved the 2026–27 budget and $18,000 in 2025–26 amendments, was told eight teaching positions will be posted, and heard that PECAP testing starts next Thursday and a state-funded WIN tutoring program is under way.
The Stewart County School Board voted to approve the 2026–27 budget and adopt $18,000 in 2025–26 budget amendments at its most recent meeting.
Board members discussed several line-item adjustments described by Dr. Duncan, including moving Perkins funds from staff development into instructional supplies and shifting food-service equipment funds to cover medical insurance after an employee enrolled in the plan. "What can I say about food? Food's gone up," Dr. Duncan said, explaining rising food and disposal costs were part of the reason for the amendments. The board approved the amendments by voice vote.
Board members then moved and approved the full 2026–27 budget, which the board had previously reviewed in a work session. No roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript; motions were carried by voice votes.
On staffing, the board was told by the administration that eight job postings would be released the following day to replace departing teachers and staff. The administration said several openings are at the middle school and one is to replace Cheryl Wooden's position. "We have eight jobs being posted tomorrow," Dr. Duncan said. The administration indicated it expected to fill most openings and to post some teaching jobs that also include coaching duties.
The director's report also covered the upcoming PECAP testing window and a state grant-funded tutoring program. Dr. Duncan said PECAP testing would start Thursday the 16th and run about three weeks under a revised state schedule. He also described a WIN tutoring program funded through a state grant that pays teachers to provide extra help during planning periods: "it's been phenomenal," he said, praising teachers' work.
The board opened the meeting with a moment of silence and a pledge, then recognized Leslie Luton, a teacher with 18 years in the school system, for her service before moving through routine business including approval of the agenda, minutes and a consent agenda that included a fundraiser and two field trips.
Next steps noted at the meeting included opening-day professional development scheduled for July 27 with sessions through July 30 and the immediate posting of teacher vacancies. The transcript records that motions to approve the agenda, minutes, consent agenda, director evaluation, budget amendments and the 2026–27 budget all passed by voice vote.
