News Summary
Greenville County’s proposed budget changes threaten to redirect millions from school funding, prompting concerns from the school board and community leaders.
Greenville County is facing a potential budget crisis as proposed changes could redirect millions from local schools’ funding. The budget discussions involve diverting funds from the fee in lieu of taxes (FILOT) to allocate resources for road improvements, which may result in an estimated loss of $8 million for Greenville County Schools.
The Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees unanimously passed a resolution on May 13, urging the county council to reject this funding diversion plan. Superintendent Dr. Burke Royster has warned that the proposal threatens the district’s budget stability for the upcoming fiscal year, specifically impacting plans to implement teacher pay raises without raising taxes. Director of Media Relations Tim Waller stated that the diversion would harm public schools and undermine the district’s ability to maintain a balanced budget.
Waller also highlighted that if the budget plan moves forward, the district may be faced with the necessity of raising the millage rate to supplement lost funding. Board Chair Dr. Carolyn Styles criticized the proposal as a devaluation of public education, calling attention to the poor timing and rationale behind the decision. Royster echoed concerns about the precedent this funding change could set, suggesting it might lead to more significant reductions in school funding in the future.
The proposed budget change comes at a critical time as the school district prepares its fiscal year 2026 budget presentation, which was specifically designed to avoid a tax increase while still providing raises for teachers. Before the proposed changes, the school district projected to receive approximately $25.8 million from FILOT payments for fiscal year 2026. Initial projections from the County Council indicated that the district could lose around $14 million due to these alterations, a shift that would also have implications for other local agencies, such as fire departments.
In a response to the community’s concerns, Council Chairman Benton Blount mentioned that there are efforts to recalibrate the proposal, which may lower the funding cuts from roughly $8 million to approximately $5 million. However, Councilman Ennis Fant expressed frustration regarding the preliminary revenue changes being presented without notifying other taxing jurisdictions, complicating their own budget planning efforts.
The new proposal may lead to a decrease in funding for infrastructure improvements, as reduced school revenue could limit available resources designated for road maintenance. The tension between funding for education and infrastructure projects in Greenville County is exemplified by the school district’s strong performance metrics and efficient budget management, which counters assertions of fiscal irresponsibility from the county council members.
Additionally, the school district is grappling with ongoing state funding challenges that threaten its overall financial stability. Legislative changes present further uncertainty regarding future funding levels, compounding the pressures created by the proposed budget reevaluation. The discussions center around fundamental questions regarding resource allocation and community priorities in Greenville County, with the outcome poised to significantly impact both education and infrastructure in the region.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Budget Cuts Threaten Greenville County Schools Funding
Greenville School District Fights Budget Cuts
Greenville County Schools Opposes Budget Changes
Greenville City Council Approves Operating Budget
Concerns Rise Over Proposed Funding Cuts to Greenville Schools
Funding Disparity Between Public and Charter Schools in South Carolina
Proposed Funding Cuts Threaten School Meal Programs in South Carolina
Additional Resources
- Greenville Online
- Wikipedia: Greenville County, South Carolina
- Fox Carolina
- Google Search: Greenville County School Budget
- Greenville Journal
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Public Education
- WSPA
- Google News: Greenville County Schools Funding
- Post and Courier
- Google Scholar: Greenville County budgets
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
The HERE Greenville Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenville community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenville Our team includes lifelong Greenville residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sales in the Heritage Historic District 17 , Greenville’s textile and railroad heritage 2 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Greenville Technical College programs) 27 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
