Haywood County Schools seeks $3 million county increase in proposed $96 million FY2026‑27 budget to fund pay raises and avert cuts

Haywood County Schools staff presented a recommended FY2026‑27 budget that asks the county for a $3,000,000 increase to help pay for personnel raises and operational needs.

Leanna Moody, presenting the budget details, said the district is requesting a $3,000,000 increase in the county appropriation ‘‘which would bring it to $21,285,134.’’ Moody said that additional county support would raise the per‑pupil allocation to $3,082.07 for FY2026‑27 — an increase she described as roughly $460.64 per student.

The budget presentation front‑loaded personnel costs. Dr. Putnam, who opened the hearing, said the district’s priorities include recruiting and retaining staff and ‘‘to reestablish the graduated pay scales for non‑certified and classified’’ positions. The recommended local current expense assumptions include a 5% salary increase for certified personnel, higher employer FICA and retirement costs, and an approximate $9,000 annual hospitalization cost per employee.

Moody said the proposed total FY2026‑27 school budget is about $96,000,000. She described the funding mix as roughly 55% state sources, 20% local funding, with federal and other sources making up about 7% each. Moody cited a state planning allocation of $48,902,784 and reported federal grant funds of $6,276,344 restricted to Title I, II and IV programs.

Enrollment estimates in Moody’s presentation used average daily membership (ADM) counts. She reported state ADM for FY2026‑27 at 6,359 students and said combined ADM including charter and virtual students would be 6,974, down from 7,056 the prior year. Moody also warned that recent state planning numbers would reduce funding across teacher assistance and central office allotments, producing an estimated $350,000 impact and the loss of three teaching positions.

On the local side, Dr. Putnam said anticipated county revenue that matches projected expenditures is $21,535,134. Moody told the board the requested $3,000,000 increase would reduce or eliminate the need to appropriate fund balance for operations.

The board closed the budget hearing after presentations and public procedural exchanges. Dr. Putnam said the board ‘‘will vote on the budget later’’; no formal vote was recorded during the session.

Why this matters: the request would alter per‑pupil local funding and directly affects staff pay and retention plans as the district grapples with rising benefit costs and enrollment declines.

Sources: presentation to the Board of Education by Dr. Putnam and Leanna Moody. The hearing closed with no vote; the board will consider the appropriation and overall budget at an upcoming meeting.