Greene County School Board adopts $52,475,793 FY2026 budget and approves retention bonus for staff

The Greene County School Board voted to adopt the fiscal year 2026 budget, recorded in the motion as $52,475,793, and approved a retention bonus for eligible staff as recommended by the superintendent.

Dr. Whitmarsh told the board the district’s revised state revenue is $29,708,241 and that the division expects “an additional $1,100,000 in funds” partly because the adjusted daily membership increased by about 80 students. She explained that “SOQ funded positions will receive a $1,500 bonus” and said the district will receive $307,739 from the state toward that bonus while the local share was estimated at $418,899. “If the contracts for professional staff are signed by May 27, they will receive the bonus,” she said, adding a different payout schedule for support staff because of work‑agreement timing.

A board member moved to approve the FY2026 budget and the retention bonus; another board member seconded the motion and the board adopted the budget by roll call. The minutes record multiple affirmative roll-call responses. The motion as read included the retention-bonus language and the dollar amount above. The superintendent said the bonus would be paid in June 2026 as a separate payroll.

Board members noted the bonus is not a salary increase but a retention payment tied to contract signing. One member urged continued work on salary competitiveness and retention as a longer-term solution than one-time payments.

What happens next: the budget as adopted will be implemented for the remainder of FY2026 and the district will process the retention payments for eligible employees per the timetable summarized at the meeting.