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School board approves revised FY27 budget to add floating SRO and pilot Fire 1 program
Summary
The school board approved a revised FY27 general fund budget and will transmit it to Oconee County Council for first reading; the revision includes funding for a floating school resource officer (salary/benefits) and a $30,000 pilot Fire 1 program slated for summer 2027.
The school board on April 28 approved a revised FY27 general fund budget that adds funding for a floating school resource officer and a pilot Fire 1 program and directed staff to transmit the revision to Oconee County Council for first reading.
The superintendent told the board that county leaders and the sheriff’s office had discussed creating a floating SRO to cover absences across schools and to support initiatives such as weapons detection. The board would cover the SRO’s salary and benefits; the county, if it agrees, would provide the vehicle and equipment. “This would be a combined commitment between the county council and the school board,” the superintendent said.
The board also approved adding $30,000 to launch a Fire 1 pilot so students can pursue fire training in conjunction with existing EMS/EMR coursework. The superintendent said the pilot would not create a new full-time equivalent position and would be used to pay a certified instructor and related summer costs. When a board member asked if the superintendent meant summer 2026, he corrected that the program is planned to begin in summer 2027 to allow time for recruitment and certification.
Presenter Mr. Schickland told the board the net effect of the proposed amendments would be roughly a $120,000 increase to the district’s budget request and reiterated that the additional local costs are outside state support and would be funded with local tax revenue.
The motion to approve the revised general fund budget — $143,581,747 with an ad valorem tax request of $63,670,000 — was moved by a member and seconded. The Chair recorded the board’s vote as 4–0 in favor; Dr. Sloan was noted as unable to hear at the time of that vote.
After the public portion, the board moved into executive session to consider employment recommendations. On returning, the board approved the employment recommendations and changes that had been presented in executive session by a 5–0 vote. The meeting then adjourned by a 5–0 vote.
Votes at a glance: The board approved the revised FY27 budget and transmission to county council (recorded 4–0 at initial vote, Dr. Sloan absent/unable to be heard). The board approved employment recommendations after executive session (5–0).
