School district seeks 4.3-mill increase, proposes $4,000 teacher base raise and step changes

Superintendent Frank Rodriguez and CFO Tanya Crosby presented the Beaufort County School District’s proposed FY 2025–26 general fund budget and a millage ordinance to the county committee on May 19. Rodriguez said the budget totals about $376,980,000 and the district projects a $17.8 million increase driven primarily by employee compensation — roughly 80% of the increase — and recommended a 4.3-mill increase to operations (from 121.8 to 126.1) to help close that gap.

Rodriguez and Crosby detailed a proposed compensation structure that would raise the teacher base by $4,000 and restructure early steps (collapsing step 0–5 and advancing certain veteran steps) to move new starting teacher pay toward a $60,000 target. Rodriguez said the district faces a $2.9 million loss in state funding related to recent changes in the Education Finance Act formula, and that a minor temporary state adjustment restored about $291,000; the district still anticipates a net state funding loss of roughly $2.6 million. The superintendent outlined academic and safety priorities and noted the district has reduced about 60 positions aligned with current enrollment to offset costs.

Committee members raised procedural options for a council-level resolution to press the state on funding formula changes; several members indicated willingness to collaborate with the superintendent and legislative delegation. The committee approved forwarding the ordinance and accompanying budget materials to full County Council for the first reading and final action.