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Beaufort County board certifies $376.98 million budget, approves debt fund and 4.3‑mill increase to cover teacher raises
Summary
The Beaufort County Board of Education unanimously certified a $376,980,000 general‑fund budget and a $108,300,686 debt‑service budget for FY2025–26, approving a 4.3‑mill increase expected to generate about $8.2 million for teacher salary and compensation initiatives.
The Beaufort County Board of Education on May 20 approved and certified a $376,980,000 general‑fund budget for fiscal year 2025–26 and separately certified a $108,300,686 debt‑service budget, voting unanimously in roll call on both measures.
CFO Crosby told the board the proposal is a 5% increase over the prior year and that roughly 80% of the increase is devoted to employee compensation, including a $4,000 boost for starting teacher pay and a 3% cost‑of‑living increase for other staff. "This budget is a 5% increase over the prior year," Crosby said, adding that the district plans to raise the starting teacher salary to about $60,087 and extend steps to retain veteran teachers.
Why it matters: board members described the vote as central to recruiting and retaining teachers ahead of the next school year. Crosby said declining state revenues and rising local pressures make the plan necessary; the board recorded a 4.3‑mill increase to balance the budget, an amount the district estimates will produce about $8.2 million to fund the compensation changes and related costs.
Supporting detail: Crosby also said the district holds roughly $27 million in federally funded accounts that must remain committed to avoid risk of losing those funds and noted temporary delays in federal authorizations for a magnet program. The budget presentation included investments in academic programs, workforce and career education, and continued funding for school resource officers and mental‑health supports.
Votes and next steps: The general‑fund budget and debt‑service certification were both approved by roll call with all recorded votes in the transcript as "aye." The district will proceed with the advertised millage readings required under state law and move into implementation and reporting tied to the budget schedule.
Board reaction: Board members praised the effort to balance competitiveness in teacher pay with fiscal prudence; several members emphasized ongoing oversight of results and asked for follow‑up reports on outcomes tied to the new compensation and program investments.
