Richmond County Schools approves budget amendments, authorizes continuation budget as district reports near break‑even year‑end

The Richmond County Board of Education approved three budget amendments intended to close out the current fiscal year and authorized operating under a continuation budget while the upcoming fiscal year budget completes state and legislative approvals.

Dawn, the district finance presenter, told the board that budget amendment 23 increases state funds by $596,361.10, amendment 24 increases federal funds by $18,051, and amendment 25 increases other local funds by $306,004.38. Dawn said these adjustments leave a balance described in the presentation and that they are being made to finish the current year’s accounting.

Board members discussed year‑end fund‑balance figures. Finance staff reported the district had used more than $1,000,000 of fund balance in the prior year but was “right at breaking even” for the current closeout and would not need to draw on fund balance to balance the 2025–26 budget. An unassigned/unbounded figure of roughly 1.6 (million) was mentioned during the discussion. Members cautioned that next year’s state‑funded raises — described in the meeting as an average 8% for certified staff with higher step increases for early‑career teachers and a 3% increase for classified staff — will put pressure on locally funded positions and maintenance costs because the state does not fully fund local raises or certain central‑office dollars.

On a separate motion, the board approved a request to operate under a continuation budget so district operations and services remain uninterrupted while the formal fiscal year budget completes required approvals. Board members praised staff work on the budget closeout and said the fiscal position eased concerns that had dominated previous years.

The budget amendments and continuation‑budget authorization were approved by board motion and voice vote.