Cherokee County proposes unchanged FY27 millage of 17.95 mils; budget funds raises, security and devices

Superintendent Davis and district staff presented the Cherokee County School District's proposed FY27 budget at the second of three required millage-rate hearings, announcing an unchanged total millage rate of 17.95 mils and a slate of investments for staff and students.

"The proposed millage rate for the FY27 recommended budget is 17.95," Superintendent Davis said, explaining the total comprises a 16.45 maintenance-and-operations mill and a 1.50 bond mill. He and staff emphasized the district has kept its overall millage at this lower level since 2022 while local property-value growth will increase tax revenue without raising the rate.

The administration framed the budget as focused on instruction and retention. Mr. Owen, who delivered detailed slides, said "this budget includes a 3% increase for all eligible employees along with a step increase," and highlighted additional pay changes aimed at recruitment: a $1 hourly raise for bus drivers, increased daily pay for substitute paraprofessionals (from $100 to $120) and alignment of pre-K teacher pay to district teacher scales.

The presentation included revenue context: Mr. Owen noted that "a single mill brings in about $17 million in Cherokee County" and explained why the district's per-mill yield is lower than some neighbors. He said the district's net M&O millage available for general fund operations is about 11.12 mils after the first 5 mils are dedicated to the state QBE funding formula and roughly one-third of a mil is deducted for county tax collection fees.

Staff detailed program investments funded by local revenue: added personnel for special populations (two speech-language pathologists, three teachers on special assignment, one occupational therapist, one teacher for the deaf and hard of hearing, and four custodians); a middle-school one-to-one student device rollout; and a $1 million local investment in cybersecurity. The budget also increases school-based allotments (about $1.4 million more year over year) and adds five campus crossing guards (up from three).

Officials said operational efficiencies also factor into the plan. The administration described roughly $5 million in cumulative reductions over two years from removing nonaligned classroom resources, and plans to improve operations such as adding a restroom at the Twin Forks bus depot. They identified legislative and benefits costs that affect the local budget: an estimated $718,000 local expense tied to implementing an internal-auditor requirement from HB 845, a $50 monthly-per-member increase in the employer share of the state health benefit plan, and an estimated $3.8 million local impact from TRS changes.

On student nutrition, staff said the district will raise prices for the first time in five years: breakfast up $0.15 and lunch up $0.80, to help offset inflationary pressures.

Board member Kelly asked whether staff had modeled the budget impacts of bills passed this year. District staff said they are tracking legislation and are awaiting guidance on SB 33 — legislation that consolidates a set of tax-relief provisions — until the governor signs it, and noted the district's five-year projections were modeled at 3–4% growth (with the package as landed showing a 3% assumption).

The administration reiterated the timetable: a final public hearing was scheduled that evening at 6:30 and the school board is slated to consider the proposed budget at its April 23 meeting. With no public speakers signed up, a motion to adjourn the hearing was made and the session was closed.

The board will consider the proposed FY27 budget and the unchanged millage recommendation at its upcoming meeting on April 23; the district's budget book is available on the district website for review.