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Coffee County board approves FY2026–27 budget with 2% pay increase for employees
Summary
The Coffee County Board of Education approved its FY2026–27 general budget, adopting option one which provides a 2% across-the-board increase for all employees after debate about long-term revenue and capital needs.
The Coffee County Board of Education voted to approve its general school budget for fiscal year 2026–27, adopting option one that includes a 2% across‑the‑board increase for all employees.
Director of Schools Scott Hargrove urged caution in the vote, saying the 2% recommendation gave the district “some little more flexibility” as officials weigh uncertain future TCEA funding and other revenue pressures. "My recommendation is option number one, which is a 2% raise," Hargrove said during the presentation.
Board members debated the tradeoffs before the roll call. Supporters said the smaller increase protects fund balance and leaves flexibility for expected capital needs; other members said larger raises would better support staff retention but could stress reserves. The board approved the budget in a recorded vote during the meeting.
The approved budget also carries forward the district’s commitment that beginning teacher pay meets the state-required floor (the director said the budget would keep beginning teacher pay at $50,000). Officials noted the district absorbed an unanticipated revenue hit last year when the Monterey event was canceled and flagged that capital demands — including referenced school construction needs discussed during the meeting — will require planning in coming years.
What happens next: the budget approval sets the district’s compensation and spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year. The board also approved related budget amendments and the school nutrition budget during the same meeting.
The board discussed several clarifying budget figures during the meeting: February revenues of $7.4 million (year-to-date $39.4 million), a reported capital outlay line currently above budget (driven by approved high‑school security improvements), and district expenditures year-to-date that staff said leave several months of revenue and expenditures still to be recorded. Officials said fund balance will be monitored as other obligations — including long-term capital estimates referenced in the meeting — are refined.
