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Burke County board approves 5% COLA for 2026–27 school year
Summary
After budget context and discussion of alternatives, the board voted by show of hands to approve a 5% cost‑of‑living adjustment for 2026–27; staff said interest income and a large upcoming tax distribution would cover much of the cost.
The Burke County Board of Education voted to approve a 5% cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) for employees for the 2026–27 school year after a brief exchange among board members and a financial briefing from district staff.
Ms. Marchman presented COLA scenarios ranging from 3% to 7% and reviewed budget impacts. She told the board the district’s interest earnings were substantial: “As of March 31st, 2026, the school system has made $7,882,549.99 in interest,” and she said the tax commissioner had issued a check “in upwards of $51 million” on April 17 that will appear on next month’s reports. She cautioned that a 7% COLA would create about a $2.8 million budgeted deficit in the next fiscal year but noted the district is projecting a roughly $300 million surplus at year end.
Board members debated recommended levels — one member initially recommended 4%, another preferred 5% — and several spoke in favor of 5%. “I can align with the 5%,” said Mr. Lane during the discussion. A motion to approve a 5% COLA for the 2026–2027 school year was moved, seconded and passed by a show‑of‑hands vote; no roll‑call tally was recorded in the transcript.
The district will proceed with budget preparation incorporating the approved 5% COLA. District staff emphasized that step increases and recently adjusted administrative pay scales had already been accounted for separately in the budget analysis presented to the board.
Next steps: staff will finalize budget documents using the 5% COLA assumption and include the upcoming tax distribution when preparing next month’s financials.
