Colleton County board adopts $57.65M balanced budget, authorizes up to $16M in bonds

The Colleton County School District Board on June 30 approved a $57,649,305 general fund budget for fiscal year 2026–27 and authorized the sale of up to $16 million in general obligation bonds.

Miss Ramona Barrett, the district’s chief finance officer, opened the evening’s public hearing and told the board the proposed budget follows state funding estimates: "Fiscal year 26 budget was 60,288,314. The proposed fiscal year 27 budget is 57,649,305." She said the budget presented to trustees is balanced without use of fund balance and that the district did not request a millage increase for general operations, which remains at 119.42 mills.

Superintendent Williams — speaking in her final meeting after 41 years with the district — stressed enrollment losses as a major fiscal driver. She said the district lost 318 students year-over-year and 843 students over five years (about 16.9% of enrollment), noting that average daily membership (ADM) is the basis for state funding and a leading cause of revenue declines.

Board members debated the budget before the vote. One board member announced a planned no vote and said the budget eliminated 38 positions through attrition, including nine classroom teachers and reallocated more than $600,000 to other funding sources; the speaker said that was the reason for opposing the budget. Another trustee responded that the loss of teaching positions corresponded with the loss of students.

After discussion, a motion to adopt the FY 2026–27 budget passed 5–2. The board also approved a bond-resolution read earlier in the meeting authorizing the superintendent and the South Carolina Association of Governmental Organizations to facilitate the sale of not-to-exceed $16 million in general obligation bonds, allowing for tax-exempt and taxable series as appropriate.

Votes at a glance - FY 2026–27 general fund budget: adopted 5–2. Outcome: approved. - Resolution authorizing sale of up to $16 million in general obligation bonds: motion carried (board authorized the resolution during the meeting). - Policy second readings (IHBB gifted & talented; JKE expulsion): approved unanimously. - Personnel and student admissions/releases approved following executive session: approved by unanimous consent.

Why it matters The budget preserves a balanced general fund without drawing down reserves, but trustees flagged real impacts on staffing and instructional capacity tied to a sustained enrollment decline. The bond authorization gives the district a financing option to support capital projects described in staff reports.

What’s next Miss Barrett said the district will proceed with the approved budget and will return to the board with any needed amendments if state allocations change; bond issuance details and any project-specific spending would return for further board review.