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Cleveland City Schools board adopts $72.7 million 2026–27 budget, proposes 1% staff step increase
Summary
The Cleveland City Schools Board of Education unanimously adopted a $72,713,372 general fund budget for 2026–27 and a $4.67 million child‑nutrition budget, endorsing a proposed 1% step/salary increase and a $54,616 starting teacher salary while noting a modest decrease in estimated state TISA funding.
The Cleveland City Schools Board of Education on Monday adopted a $72,713,372 general operating budget for 2026–27 and a child‑nutrition budget of $4,674,981, approving a package administrators said balances revenue pressures with competitive pay priorities.
Director of Schools Dr. Elliott told the board state funding accounts for roughly 63.5% of general revenues, Bradley County contributes about 26%, and the city roughly 9%. He said the district’s March estimate for TISA funding fell about $151,000 compared with last year, and that the proposed budget includes a district‑wide 1% step and salary increase for staff, estimated to cost $816,192.
“We want to continue to be very competitive in pay scale,” Dr. Elliott said as he reviewed priorities. The presentation put a $54,616 starting salary on the proposed pay scale for a bachelor’s‑degree, step‑zero classroom teacher for the coming year.
Board members pressed for transparency about how state‑coded budget items will be tracked; the board motion that accompanied adoption requires mapping those items to cost centers and providing detailed schedules to members before June 30.
The board voted unanimously to adopt the budgets. Ms. Wheeler called the roll in a recorded vote: Carolyn Ingram, Andy Lay, Peggy Pesterfield, Jody Riggins, Nate Tucker, Renee Diamond and Matt Coleman each voted yes.
Budget documents presented to the board show salaries and benefits remain the largest cost driver—about 83% of the general fund—and administrators said the district reallocated some positions, moved a school psychologist from IDEA funding into the general fund and included modest increases for retirement‑period transitions and insurance annualization.
Dr. Elliott said the administration chose to prioritize a one‑percent raise over repeating a one‑time holiday bonus included in last year’s budget, noting that if financial conditions change the board could revisit that decision.
The board’s approval sends the adopted budget forward to city council as part of the city’s overall budget process.
