Pendleton County board adopts $20.635M FY27 budget; approves adult/staff meal-price increase as child nutrition shortfall noted

The Pendleton County Board of Education voted to adopt a $20,635,073.39 budget for fiscal 2027 and approved an increase in adult and staff meal prices as part of the district’s child nutrition briefing.

The superintendent presented the budget, describing it as balanced and noting that about $450,000 of the increase reflects pay raises and fixed-benefit costs. He said the proposed budget includes no bus-replacement expenditures this year, continues an annual $50,000 transfer into a permanent improvement (Fund 41), and anticipates modest increases in state aid and local taxes that together produce a roughly 2% overall rise in spending compared with FY26.

Why it matters: Board members were told the district is facing tighter carryover reserves and that a projected FY27 reliance on roughly $1.767 million in carryover will make the year “tight.” The superintendent said some positions funded with federal grants in prior years may move to the general fund as federal allocations decline, which could reduce carryover and affect the fund balance going forward.

Child nutrition: Holly, the district’s child nutrition director, walked the board through the program’s FY27 projection. She said projected revenues total about $726,334 and projected expenses—food, milk, labor and other costs—come to roughly $1.2 million, leaving an expected county contribution near $475,000. Holly gave the cost-per-meal figures used in the analysis: "What it costs for us to make a breakfast is $5.19, and lunch is $6.92," she said, noting that student meal prices will not change.

To reduce waste and costs, Holly described district adjustments such as implementing offer‑versus‑serve at the elementary level and a share‑table initiative; she said those measures have already trimmed food and milk spending in the current year.

Meal-price change: The board approved raising visitor and staff prices to $5 for breakfast and $6 for lunch. The superintendent and Holly said student meal pricing will remain unchanged; the change affects adults and staff who purchase meals in school cafeterias.

Other finance actions: The treasurer’s report showed a cash position of about $3.23 million as of April 30, 2026; the board approved the treasurer’s report. During the budget discussion the superintendent also described Fund 61 (special revenue/child nutrition and grants) changes and noted a small increase in state aid tied to funded student counts.

Board action and next steps: After a motion, second and discussion the board approved the FY27 budget, the adult/staff meal-price increase, and the treasurer’s report by voice votes with no roll-call recorded in the meeting transcript. The superintendent said continued monitoring of revenues and expenditures will be necessary as the year progresses and that fall and winter discussions will revisit assumptions and staffing decisions.

What’s next: The district will proceed under the adopted FY27 budget and the child nutrition program will continue with the approved pricing for adults and staff; administrators said they will return to the board if circumstances require further action.