3 days ago
Greenville Co. Schools approve nearly $1Billion budget
GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – The Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees unanimously approved the proposed FY 26 General Fund Budget Monday night.
School officials confirmed with 7NEWS that the FY 26 budget is balanced, as required by policy, and reflects revenue and expenditures totaling $962,992,000.
Officials said for the fourth time in 11 years that there is no millage increase; since this is a reassessment year, the total millage will be reduced by the provisions of statutes governing reassessment.
According to the school district, the budget is based on favorable developments in the state's FY 2025-2026 budget and includes updates to state aid to classrooms, employee insurance, and retiree insurance.
The projected revenue also reflects the assurance provided this fiscal year by Greenville County not to remove existing FILOT revenue from that previously committed to the district.
Officials said a major focus of the budget is to increase salaries for teachers and employees to address inflation while remaining competitive in recruiting & retaining the best personnel in all positions.
The budget also includes a $1,300 addition to every cell on the GCS teacher salary schedule.
All other eligible employees will receive a step, school officials said. If the step is not valued at a minimum of 2.4%, it will be adjusted to equal a 2.4% increase.
Employees not eligible for a step will receive a 2.4% increase.
Expenditures – Notable new expenditures, according to GCS, in the budget include:
$1,300 Increase to Every Cell on the GCS Teacher Salary Schedule
A Step Increase for All Teachers
A Step or Minimum 2.4% Increase for All Eligible Non-teaching Employees
Funding for Student Growth
Opening of Reedy Laurel Elementary School (36.75 FTE)
Special Education Teachers (10.0 FTE)
Special Education Aide Salary Scale Adjustment and Additional Days
Behavior Specialists (2.0 FTE)
Bus Driver Compensation for Years of Experience
Mental Health Counselors (48.0 FTE)
Custodians for Increased Square Footage (6.5 FTE)
Bus GPS Management Tool Subscription
Utility Cost Increase
District Property/Liability Insurance Premiums
Cost Increases for Existing Service/Supply Contracts
A complete list of new expenditures, according to GCS, is available below:
Expenditures Due to State Mandates: The items shown below are mandated through legislation.
Teacher Salary Step
$6,802,000
Teacher Certificate Upgrades
1,321,000
State Health Employer Contribution Rate Increase of 11.8% (July – December 2025)
3,396,000
State Health Employer Contribution Rate Increase of 4.6% (January – June 2026)
2,122,000
Total
$13,641,000
Additional Expenditures: The following items reflect priorities needed to meet local requirements of the Education Plan for FY 26.
Increases Associated with Student Growth
$1,088,000
Reedy Laurel Elementary School (36.75 FTE)
2,919,000
Special Education Teachers (10.0 FTE)
965,000
Secondary MLP Curriculum Consumables
83,000
Teacher Salary Schedule Increase of $1,300
9,598,000
Add Step 37 to Teacher Salary Schedule
190,000
Adjust Special Education Aide Salary Scale
506,000
Special Education Aides Additional Days (3 days)
289,000
Behavior Specialists (2.0 FTE)
266,000
International Teacher Fees
207,000
Peer Evaluator Stipend
160,000
Non-Teacher Salary Schedules Step Movement – Minimum 2.4%
6,675,000
Bus Driver Compensation for Years of Experience
85,000
Mental Health Counselors (48.0 FTE)
1,484,000
Custodians for Increased Square Footage (6.5 FTE)
340,000
Bus GPS Management Tool Subscription
114,000
Utility Cost Increase
237,000
District Property/Liability Insurance Premiums
965,000
Cost Increases for Existing Service/Supplies
924,000
Total
$27,095,000
Total Proposed Budget: $962,992,000
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