News Summary
The Greenville County School District is pushing back against a budget that may cut $7.7 million from schools to fund road improvements.
Greenville, South Carolina – The Greenville County School District (GCSD) is urging the Greenville County Council to reject a proposed budget that could divert approximately $7.7 million away from local schools to fund road improvement projects. The GCSD Board of Trustees recently convened and unanimously passed a resolution expressing their concerns about the potential budgetary impacts on educational funding.
According to GCSD Superintendent Burke Royster, the district anticipates receiving $25.5 million in funding from local sources, which is essential for maintaining educational programs, salaries, and resources. However, the proposed county budget, which totals $488 million for the 2026 fiscal year, includes a plan for $40 million dedicated to road projects. This funding would come from an increase in Fees in Lieu of Taxes (FILOT) revenue, which the county intends to capture 60% of—a significant increase compared to their typical share.
The proposed shift in funding priorities raises alarms within the GCSD, as keeping such a large portion of the FILOT revenue would lead to budget cuts that may also affect initiatives for affordable housing and land preservation, each facing potential reductions of $1 to $2 million.
GCSD’s leadership is currently weighing options to offset the financial impact of these proposed cuts while waiting for final details from both the state and county regarding their respective budgets. The district’s budget, which has been balanced without tax increases for four consecutive years, includes plans for salary raises for teachers and staff, now at risk due to the potential loss of funding.
Approximately 75% of the GCSD’s funding arrives from the state, with the remaining 25% coming from local sources. Education funding discussions are further complicated by statewide allocations, wherein the district has received merely $3.75 million of the $22 million earmarked for public schools, in contrast to the $90 million allocated for charter schools.
Councilmember Curt McGahhey has raised questions about the school district’s financial practices, claiming they are top-heavy in administration and that budget increases have been frequent. His statements have sparked pushback from the GCSD, which has a strong record of academic performance, ranking among the top eight statewide and consistently exceeding state and national consensus on standardized testing achievements. The school board emphasizes the need for precise public communication regarding educational funding, as the welfare of over 78,000 students hinges on these discussions.
McGahhey suggested that the school district should pursue greater frugality in their funding strategies to prioritize road improvements, reflecting a tangible tension between educational funding and local infrastructure needs. The county council’s proposed budget is still pending votes from its members, and there are plans for further workshops to discuss the implications of the budget and gather additional feedback from community stakeholders.
As the Greenville County Council prepares for upcoming budget discussions, the GCSD remains committed to advocating for the importance of maintaining sufficient funding for educational purposes. The outcome of this budget proposal will significantly influence the district’s financial stability and its ability to support both its students and educators moving forward.
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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.
