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Cherokee County board unanimously approves $109.2 million FY27 general fund budget and staff pay increases
Summary
The board approved a $109,191,599 general fund budget for FY2026–27, including 3% across‑the‑board adjustments for most staff, additional step increases for teachers, and 4% increases for principals and assistant principals; the vote was unanimous.
The Cherokee County School Board of Trustees voted unanimously June 8 to adopt the FY2026–27 general fund budget, which finance staff said carries $109,191,599 in total expenditures.
Administration told trustees the final reading reflected reclassifications and line‑item adjustments rather than revenue changes; state revenue figures were still pending final approval. Finance staff said the district shifted several salaries out of the general fund (notably 4K positions) and reclassified utility and trash accounts to correct object codes, which reduced the general‑fund salary line. The packet and presentation also discussed options to close a projected fund‑balance gap, including enrollment growth and expenditure reductions; the administration recommended using a fund‑balance supplement to balance the budget (the transcript’s stated supplement amount was unclear in the public record).
On employee compensation, the finance presenter said teachers will receive a 3% schedule adjustment plus their annual step increases, producing an overall increase “somewhere between 3.5 to 5% depending on where they are on the schedule.” Other district employees outside of assistant principals and principals will receive a 3% net adjustment, and principals and assistant principals will receive a 4% increase. A trustee asked what a first‑year teacher’s salary would be; the presenter replied the district’s bachelor 0‑step salary would be about $51,592.70 under the adopted schedule.
A trustee moved to approve the second and final reading; after brief discussion the board voted unanimously to adopt the budget.
Looking ahead, administration said they will monitor enrollment and state funding and may adjust FTEs early in the year if necessary to keep class sizes within district thresholds.
