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Superintendent warns of more than $1M in unbudgeted special-education costs and rising teacher pay impact
Summary
During a March 2 presentation, Superintendent Dr. Thorsland told the Marlboro County board that staff uncovered roughly $1 million in special-education expenses not included in the passed budget and that the state's $2,000-per-teacher pay increase will cost the district roughly $433,000 in wages plus about $575,000 when fringe costs are included.
Superintendent Dr. Thorsland told the Marlboro County Board of Education on March 2 that the district has discovered more than $1 million in special-education expenses that were not included in the FY26 budget and will have to be covered from the general fund for the current year.
"We—re going to pay over a million dollars in special ed expenses this year that we learned wasn't budgeted," Thorsland said, describing a mix of contracted services and unbudgeted positions the district must cover to meet its legal obligations to special-needs students.
Thorsland also outlined how a state-directed draft teacher salary increase — $2,000 'per cell' on the teacher schedule — affects the district. With 216.5 certified positions, he estimated the baseline cost at $433,000 and projected a roughly $575,000 fiscal impact once fringe benefits are included.
He emphasized that salaries and fringe are the dominant drivers of the general fund and that local options to balance the budget are limited: "You can reduce expenditures or you can increase revenue," he said, noting the district could consider small millage increases but that state budget outcomes and local decisions in June will determine exact numbers.
Board members and staff also discussed internal salary-scale inconsistencies flagged during recent reviews; the superintendent said some employees have been placed incorrectly on schedules, which contributed to budget pressure. Trustees urged that any retroactive corrections or reductions be handled fairly and suggested using seniority as one principle if reductions are required.
Financial staff (executive director of finance Latonya Watson and consultant Angela Grant) identified several accounts with negative balances or below-target percentages and committed to follow up with research and email responses. Watson noted some lines (homebound services, workman's comp, health services) may run over because of uncertain, service-driven costs.
What happens next: staff will present refined budget options in the coming weeks. Thorsland said he will provide comparative salary schedules for neighboring districts to inform any proposed scale changes and will bring staffing-standard scenarios and revenue options to upcoming board meetings so trustees can approve a balanced FY27 budget.
