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Kershaw County board hears first‑reading budget with proposed 3.5% average teacher increase, plans to use reserves for ~$3.7M shortfall
Summary
At its May 19 meeting, the Kershaw County School Board received a first reading of the 2026–27 budget that proposes an average 3.5% increase to the teacher salary schedule, step increases and a 2% COLA for other employees, leaving a roughly $3.7 million shortfall the district would cover from fund balance.
Carla Churchill, chair of the Kershaw County School Board of Trustees, opened the board’s May 19 meeting and the board received a first‑reading presentation of the district’s proposed 2026–27 budget.
Mr. Willard presented the budget framework, telling trustees the district faces an atypical budget year after a recent enrollment decline and later‑than‑usual revenue data. He said the proposal concentrates resources on personnel and classroom needs while acknowledging “the numbers that we’re using are based off March 31 data” and that projections may change before a second reading.
The proposal includes a teacher salary schedule that Mr. Willard described as “an average increase across that schedule of about 3 and a half percent,” with an average per‑cell change of roughly $1,400 and an example increase of about $2,150 for a teacher receiving a step. For other employee classifications the proposal includes a 2% cost‑of‑living adjustment plus step increases where eligible, aiming to align compensation increases equitably across classifications.
On expenditures, Mr. Willard said salary and fringe increases represent the largest share of the change — “about $6.6 million” — and that certain operational costs are rising, including cleaning services (projected about $3.7 million) and property/liability insurance and energy costs. He said the district added a separate line for trash/garbage to better track that expense and estimated roughly $140,000 to cover districtwide trash service.
Topline figures Mr. Willard presented included proposed expenditures for 2026–27 of roughly $134 million (an increase he described as about $6.6 million, or 5.3%) and projected local and state revenues of about $128.5 million. He said, “this proposal does leave us, as you'll see, with a shortfall of a little over $3,700,000, which we would propose to use fund balance reserves, to balance the budget.”
The presentation also assumes a potential capital transfer of $1,120,000 to offset general‑fund capital needs and reflects an anticipated $950,000 shift of certain Career and Technical Education (CTE) funding from the general fund to state EIA funds. Mr. Willard and Dr. Goodwin noted legislative activity and possible redistricting could affect final numbers and said a second reading is expected in early June unless the state process causes delay.
Board members asked clarifying questions about specific line items. In response to a question about the “property services” line, Mr. Willard said it primarily covers garbage services and was separated into its own budget line to improve tracking.
What’s next: board members were reminded the district must present a millage rollback request to county council on May 26 because of reassessment; trustees were encouraged to attend. The board will consider adjustments and updated state revenue figures before a second reading and final adoption.
Provenance: Topic first introduced SEG 243 and last discussed in this transcript at SEG 721.
