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Burke County Public Schools reports midyear budget pressures amid enrollment decline
Summary
School finance officials reported midyear results showing modest local funding increases but declines in state and federal revenue, a $1.4 million reduction in low‑wealth state funding, and declining enrollment (699 kindergarteners vs. 923 seniors) that will pressure next year’s budget.
Burke County Public Schools officials told the Board of Commissioners on Tuesday that midyear finances show growing pressure as enrollment declines and certain state funding streams shrink.
Keith Lawson, presenting the school system’s midyear report through Dec. 31, 2025, said state funds were down about 1.8% midyear while federal funds were down 7.8% as the system returned toward pre‑pandemic spending levels. Local funding rose 1.1% (reflecting recent county increases) and special‑revenue funds were down 12.1%.
Lawson said the district lost 93 students year‑over‑year and absorbed a $1.4 million reduction in low‑wealth state funding while employer retirement matching rose by roughly 3% and health‑insurance premiums increased about 5%. Those factors, he said, created a midyear revenues‑under‑expenditures position of about $130,000.
"We have 699 kindergarteners and 923 seniors," Lawson said, noting the cohort‑replenishment problem that drives enrollment declines and funding pressure in later years. He said the district’s payroll accounts for about 86% of spending, most of it teacher salaries, which limits short‑term flexibility.
Lawson said the district had taken reductions to address the current year’s deficit and was planning for next year, when state forecasts and continuing demographic trends may produce further gaps.
What happens next: the school system will continue fiscal adjustments and work with the county as state budget developments clarify next year’s funding; commissioners can expect the full midyear report to appear on the consent agenda at the regular meeting.
