Board hears first draft of 2024–25 budget showing $4.7 million shortfall
May 07, 2024 | Georgetown 01, School Districts, South Carolina
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Miss Johnson presented the Georgetown County School District’s first draft of the 2024–25 general fund budget, using the latest state funding projections and district estimates. The presentation outlined mandated cost increases of roughly $6.7 million and district practice requests of about $1.5 million, leaving the draft about $4.7 million short of a balanced budget.
The draft proposes a $2,500 increase on teacher salary steps, a targeted bus driver pay increase (raising entry pay from $17.30 to $17.91 per hour and adding steps for years of service), a 3.5% increase for all classified scales, and benefit-rate adjustments. Miss Johnson said the proposal includes an additional $900,000 in tax revenue attributed to growth and recent state aid projections.
On potential offsets, Miss Johnson said the board could choose to draw about $2 million from the district’s fund balance as a one-time measure but cautioned that recurring costs would need to be incorporated into future budgets. She noted the district currently carries roughly 70.8 days of operating reserves and reiterated the general guidance that 60 days helps avoid fiscal watch; the recommended target is two months of operating funds.
Board members asked for clarifications about prioritized requests, including interventionist positions at Sampit and Kensington elementary schools and startup funding for a new ROC program at the high school. Miss Johnson said some startup and one-time items could be funded through capital or grant sources (for example, ESSER or capital funds for classroom equipment) but recurring personnel costs would require longer-term funding.
Chair Gaskins said updated state figures were expected before the board’s next meeting and asked members to review the board priority list so staff can return with options, including potential millage scenarios, for a vote later in the budget cycle.
The district plans to return on the next scheduled meeting with revised figures and options for closing the gap.
The draft proposes a $2,500 increase on teacher salary steps, a targeted bus driver pay increase (raising entry pay from $17.30 to $17.91 per hour and adding steps for years of service), a 3.5% increase for all classified scales, and benefit-rate adjustments. Miss Johnson said the proposal includes an additional $900,000 in tax revenue attributed to growth and recent state aid projections.
On potential offsets, Miss Johnson said the board could choose to draw about $2 million from the district’s fund balance as a one-time measure but cautioned that recurring costs would need to be incorporated into future budgets. She noted the district currently carries roughly 70.8 days of operating reserves and reiterated the general guidance that 60 days helps avoid fiscal watch; the recommended target is two months of operating funds.
Board members asked for clarifications about prioritized requests, including interventionist positions at Sampit and Kensington elementary schools and startup funding for a new ROC program at the high school. Miss Johnson said some startup and one-time items could be funded through capital or grant sources (for example, ESSER or capital funds for classroom equipment) but recurring personnel costs would require longer-term funding.
Chair Gaskins said updated state figures were expected before the board’s next meeting and asked members to review the board priority list so staff can return with options, including potential millage scenarios, for a vote later in the budget cycle.
The district plans to return on the next scheduled meeting with revised figures and options for closing the gap.
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