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Cherokee County school budget workshop presents 2–3% raise option, fund‑balance and millage tradeoffs
Summary
In a budget workshop April 20, district finance staff said the FY27 budget is salary‑heavy and not yet balanced; officials presented options that include a 2% or 3% cost‑of‑living raise, using fund balance, or levying additional mills. The board requested detailed supplements and stipend lists before the first reading.
Cherokee County School Board finance director Mr. Pettit told the board during an April 20 budget workshop that the district's general fund is heavily weighted to personnel costs and the proposed FY27 budget is not yet balanced. "About 85% of our budget is salaries," Pettit said, adding that when special revenue is included the salary share approaches 89%.
Pettit outlined three courses of action for the board: a 1% district‑wide raise that would balance without using fund balance; a 2% raise or a preferred 3% raise that would require either supplementing with fund balance or a hybrid approach using some millage. Under the finance office's assumptions, a 3% raise with no millage would require roughly $1.59 million from fund balance to reach balance.
The presentation included revenue and millage analysis. Pettit said the district currently levies 201.8 mills and that the estimated value of one mill, based on a three‑year trend methodology, is about $173,000. He noted 2027 is a property reassessment year, which could favorably or unfavorably affect available revenue and influence whether additional mills are needed.
Board members asked for clarifications. Mr. Bateman asked about procurement controls on P‑cards and Pettit replied that principals or directors generally hold cards and that a staff report on total cards would be provided. The board also requested detailed stipend and supplement schedules, particularly for athletics, and a year‑to‑year comparison of coaching supplements as a follow‑up prior to the first reading.
Pettit summarized projected year‑end fund balance and policy targets: current projections estimate about $26.2 million at June 30, and board policy sets a minimum target equivalent to roughly 60 days of operating budget with a 90‑day goal. Pettit warned that routinely supplementing recurring costs with fund balance is not advisable without a plan to scale out of that practice.
The superintendent, Dr. Fitzpatrick, framed the workshop as an opportunity for the board to review numbers and provide feedback prior to the May first reading and the June final reading. Pettit said he would deliver requested backup (stipend lists, coach/supplement comparisons, and other clarifications) to the board before the May meeting.
The board approved the meeting agenda at the start of the session and adjourned at the end after the staff committed to supply the follow‑up materials.
