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Rockcastle County school board reviews tentative FY2027 budget, cites limited funding and transportation shortfall
Summary
At a special-called Rockcastle County school district meeting, Miss Sweet presented a tentative FY2027 budget showing $36.5 million in general fund revenues and expenditures and a full tentative budget of about $49.2 million. Board members approved the item for further work; officials said limited SEEK growth and transportation underfunding constrain staff raises.
Miss Sweet, the district budget presenter, outlined the tentative fiscal year 2027 budget at a special-called Rockcastle County school district meeting and said the district’s general fund revenues and expenditures are set at $36,500,000.
The presenter said staff and fringe costs account for 51% of that total, equal to $18,400,000, and that instructional resources, transportation, facilities and operations are budgeted at $4,400,000. Miss Sweet said contingency and on-behalf payments make up approximately $9,300,000 of the general fund total. She also reported the district’s full tentative budget as “a little over $49,200,000.”
The budget presenter said the SEEK forecast for the district is currently $17,100,000 and noted the district’s per-pupil figures: $4,005.86 for the current fiscal year and $4,006.26 for the coming year. “That’s less than a 1% increase,” Miss Sweet said, describing constrained revenue growth.
Miss Sweet highlighted transportation funding as a specific pressure. She said the legislature funds transportation at about 81% of cost, leaving a shortfall the district covers; she placed the state transportation funding amount at roughly $1,600,000 while the district’s transportation budget is “almost $2,800,000,” creating a significant deficit.
An administrator emphasized the district’s limited ability to increase pay this year. “We simply cannot do that this year,” the administrator said, noting a $139,561 increase in revenue did not cover expected step and degree-related salary increases. The administrator added the district had previously given annual raises but could not do so for FY27 given current funding levels.
The chair argued attendance also affects funding and urged school staff and families to improve daily attendance, saying small percentage changes have a large financial effect. “If our attendance was 95% to 93%, we would be having a totally different discussion on budget,” the chair said.
Board members asked for additional details on assessment rates and certified values for Rockcastle County; Miss Sweet said once the state certifies assessment rates the figures will be added to the SEEK forecast and the board will receive updated projections. She said the board will revisit budget work with working budgets presented in September.
The board moved, seconded and approved advancing the tentative FY2027 budget for further work; the motion carried by voice vote. The board did not adopt a final budget at this meeting and will return to the item in upcoming sessions.
