News Summary
The Greenville County School Board has approved a budget that includes significant raises for teachers and investments in school infrastructure and student support.
Greenville – The Greenville County School Board of Trustees has approved a budget of $963 million for the fiscal year 2026, which includes significant raises for teachers in the district. Passed unanimously on June 2, this budget allocates just over $16 million specifically for teacher salary increases as part of an effort to improve teacher retention and recruitment in light of ongoing challenges in those areas.
The budget prioritizes a comprehensive strategy to enhance teacher pay, with $6.8 million earmarked for state-required salary step increases based on experience and education levels. Additionally, Florence County will see an allocation of $190,000 for the creation of a new salary step aimed at teachers who have over 37 years of experience. Coupled with an enabling base salary increase of $1,300 for each teacher, the district expects to invest about $9.5 million solely on these raises. Collectively, these adjustments reflect an average salary increase of approximately 3.3% for teachers, raising the current average salary in the district to $71,261, with a starting base pay of $50,503.
Beyond teacher salaries, the budget also includes critical investments in school infrastructure and support systems. Nearly $3 million is directed towards staff at the new Reedy Laurel Elementary School set to open in August. Further, $924,000 is allocated for building maintenance, along with $965,000 to cover estimated insurance premiums. Additionally, the budget provides for $6.6 million allocated specifically for non-teacher pay raises and features a significant increase in compensation for special education aides, raising their hourly starting pay from $16.31 to $18, which totals $506,000.
The Greenville County School District is also keen on addressing mental health needs among students. The budget includes funding of just under $1.5 million to hire 48 mental health counselors and two new behavior specialists. This initiative demonstrates the district’s commitment to provide adequate emotional and psychological support for students, further enhancing the educational environment.
The funding of local schools primarily derives from state and local taxes, and although there were concerns regarding potential cuts to fee-in-lieu-of-taxes (FILOT) revenue, the district will still receive $25.5 million from the county. This is critical to ensure full funding for school operations despite earlier budget proposals that threatened local funding sources. Furthermore, the budget does not propose any millage rate increase for the upcoming fiscal year, marking the fourth time in 11 years that the district has avoided increasing property taxes.
Superintendent W. Burke Royster has stated that this budget reflects a focus on attracting top-tier talent to the school district while ensuring responsible fiscal management. The approved budget represents a proactive response to ongoing challenges surrounding teacher recruitment and retention, supporting the district’s mission to maintain competitive salaries in the educational sector.
In summary, the Greenville County School Board’s decision to pass the $963 million budget for the fiscal year 2026 underscores a firm commitment to enhancing teacher compensation and providing necessary resources to support students, all while ensuring fiscal responsibility. The significant raises for teachers, coupled with planned increases in student support services, illustrate the board’s dedication to both educators and learners in the district.
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Additional Resources
- WYFF4: Greenville County Schools Budget Funding
- Greenville Online: Teacher Raises and Counselor Hires in Budget
- Fox Carolina: Greenville County Schools Approves Budget
- Wikipedia: Education in South Carolina
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
