Savannah R-III board adopts conservative FY27 budget with staff raises and high reserves

The Savannah R-III Board of Education adopted its proposed FY27 budget after a presentation that emphasized three priorities: increasing staff compensation, maintaining healthy reserves and continuing investment in academic programs. The board approved the measure by roll call, producing four affirmative votes and one abstention.

Superintendent Brian presented the plan, saying the budget was deliberately conservative on revenue assumptions. He told the board the district was using a lower state adequacy figure in its calculations and modest local growth assumptions, and that the proposal anticipated roughly $31 million in revenue against roughly $33 million in expenditures, leaving a gap "of about $2 million." He also reported the district would retain an operating fund balance near 40 percent.

On compensation, the proposal would raise the certified-teacher base by $1,330 to a $45,630 minimum — a change the superintendent said equates to roughly a 4 percent increase when combined with step movement. Classified staff would receive a new salary schedule with a base increase the presenter described as a 3 percent raise to the base and an effective increase closer to 5 percent for many positions. The district will also continue contributing to employee health insurance; the transcript records the monthly employee contribution and a board reference to a $677-per-month figure for certain plans.

Board member Leightton moved to approve the budget; a second was recorded and the roll call produced four yes votes and one abstention, after which the chair declared the motion carried. The transcript does not attribute individual roll-call votes to named trustees beyond that tally.

The superintendent and trustees framed the budget as cautious, saying it balanced modest pay increases with reserve protection while leaving some funding gaps to be addressed if state revenues come in higher than the conservative estimates. The board also approved routine operational motions associated with closing the fiscal year, including authorization for the superintendent to transfer funds as necessary to close out FY26 and to disburse checks between June 11 and June 26.

Next steps: The approved FY27 budget will be included in board materials and implemented per standard procedures; trustees and staff said they will monitor state aid and local receipts and adjust plans if revenues differ from the current estimates.