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Transylvania County continues above-state support for schools; locally funded positions and supplements detailed
Summary
School finance staff told the Board that Transylvania County Schools employs 495 positions (71 funded locally) with locally funded payroll and benefits of $4.89 million and a local teacher supplement costing about $3.2 million annually.
Transylvania County Schools provided commissioners with staffing and payroll detail during the budget workshop. Finance Director Michelle Mullinax reported a snapshot showing 495 permanent positions systemwide, of which 71 are funded with local dollars rather than state allocations.
School finance figures presented to the Board included total payroll and benefits of $37,742,710 and locally funded payroll and benefits of $4,894,318. The locally funded teacher supplement was reported at $3,201,117 annually. Superintendent Dr. Lisa Fletcher and Finance Director Mullinax answered commissioners’ questions and cooperated with county staff to improve understanding of school finance issues.
Commissioners acknowledged the county’s long record of prioritizing education funding but also expressed concern about sustainability as Average Daily Membership declines and state funding formulas shift. Chairwoman Teresa McCall said local governments cannot indefinitely replace declining state-funded positions and urged discussion of enrollment trends and efficiencies.
The manager and school officials agreed to continue collaborating to present clear information to the public and examine the long-term fiscal impacts of enrollment declines and state funding changes.
