School officials report $17.8M budget gap and say a 4% raise would cost about $12.6M

The Williamson County Schools' finance staff told the Education Committee on April 27 that the district's operating gap for 2026-27 stands at about $17,796,415 and that providing a 4% pay increase aligned with county departmental recommendations would add roughly $12.6 million to the district's cost base.

"Our current gap is now 17,796,415," Rachel said as she walked the committee through the updated projections, noting the gap had narrowed from earlier estimates of about $22 million because of stronger-than-expected sales-tax receipts and adjustments to fund-balance assumptions. Rachel cautioned that sales-tax receipts fluctuate month to month and that the district still awaits final fiscal-capacity and average-daily-attendance (ADA) numbers from the state, which could either improve or worsen the projection.

During the discussion staff explained why the district sometimes shows large remaining "fund balance" amounts: encumbrances (purchase orders not yet paid), unspent grant funds that carry forward, and savings tied to unfilled positions or operational underspending. The presenter said audited accounting changes (leasing rules booked in 2020-21) also affect year-to-year comparisons.

Public commenters urged funding for a 4% raise. "I respectfully ask you to make the choice to fully fund the district's budget, including the 4% raise for our teachers and staff," Beverly Purvis, president of the Williamson County Education Association, said during the public-comment period. Candidate Christie Bidinger said the district had already made "more than $4 million in operational cuts and approximately $5.7 million in personnel reductions" and said a 4% raise would cost roughly $12.5 million.

Commissioners probed specific budget levers: whether the 4% figure should be applied to currently unfilled positions, how much of the raise estimate depends on staffing assumptions, and whether insurance or shared-service arrangements could yield savings. Staff said they will provide more detailed breakdowns (including the raise impact across filled vs. vacant positions) and additional benefit-cost information from county risk/benefits staff.

The committee did not take a final vote on the operating budget tonight; members and staff agreed to meet again after updated sales-tax numbers and state fiscal-capacity figures are available. The committee discussed alternative meeting dates (May 26 or a June 1 joint budget committee meeting) instead of the May 25 date that falls on Memorial Day.