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Spartanberg board hears budget first reading proposing $2,000 teacher increase; authorizes $15M and $140M bond issues
Summary
At its first reading the board reviewed a FY26-27 budget that includes a $2,000 increase to the teacher pay scale and step increases that together average roughly a 4% raise for teachers; trustees also unanimously approved resolutions authorizing up to $15 million and up to $140 million in general obligation bonds.
The Spartanberg School District 1 board on first reading reviewed a FY26-27 budget that includes a proposed $2,000 across-the-scale increase for teachers and additional step increases that together amount to an average pay increase of about 4 percent for teachers. Finance director Miss Brady said the district's share of a $2,000 teacher-scale bump would cost the district roughly $1.067 million including benefits.
Brady told trustees the budget also includes a teacher step increase (cost with benefits about $375,000) and recommended increases for other staff that together would produce an overall 4% increase for employees. The proposed FY26-27 operations budget is about 3.3% higher than FY25-26, with a total increase of a little over $2.2 million. Brady said the budget accounts for half of last year's health insurance premium change and projected additional local revenue tied to a recently approved intergovernmental satellite-class arrangement.
On capital financing, the board unanimously adopted two resolutions authorizing the issuance of general-obligation bonds. The first resolution authorizes issuing not-to-exceed $15 million in GO bonds to acquire remaining facilities under a 2015 transaction and retire existing related debt. The second authorizes issuing not-to-exceed $140 million in GO bonds and bond anticipation notes related to projects approved in the November 2025 bond referendum. Both bond resolutions passed by voice vote with unanimous support.
Votes at a glance: - Consent agenda (minutes, overnight trips, check registry): motion to approve by Mr. Graham; second by Mr. Vanderford; outcome: unanimously approved. - Retirements, resignations, employments (personnel packet): motions moved and seconded; outcome: unanimously approved. - Resolution authorizing up to $15 million GO bonds: motion moved by Mr. Green; outcome: unanimously adopted. - Resolution authorizing up to $140 million GO bonds (and BANs pending issuance): motion moved; outcome: unanimously adopted.
What happens next: The FY26-27 budget will return for a second reading on May 11, 2026, with a final third reading and public hearing scheduled for June 8, 2026. Bond authorizations allow the district to proceed with scheduling financing steps and preparation for the projects approved by voters in 2025.
