News Summary
The Greenville County School District appeals for a rejection of a proposed budget that redirects funds from schools to road projects, risking educational programs.
Greenville County, South Carolina – The Greenville County School District (GCSD) is calling on county councilmembers to reject a proposed budget that could redirect millions of dollars away from local schools to road improvement projects. This proposal, if accepted, is expected to have significant repercussions for the school district’s funding and educational programs.
During a Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, the GCSD unanimously adopted a resolution advocating against the budget that threatens to strip the district of vital financial resources. Superintendent Burke Royster indicated that the district had initially projected approximately $25.5 million in funding from the county for the upcoming fiscal year. However, with the anticipated lost revenue, the district estimates a funding shortfall of around $7.7 million. The county council has not yet clarified the exact losses in funding.
The proposed county budget totals $488 million for the fiscal year 2026, a plan presented by Greenville County Administrator Joseph Kernell earlier this month. A significant portion of this budget, totaling $40 million, is earmarked for road improvement projects, funded through a reallocation of fee-in-lieu-of-taxes (FILOT) revenue. This reallocation would increase the county’s share of FILOT revenue from 31% to 62%, potentially redirecting an estimated $8 million from schools.
In addition to impacting the school district, the proposed budget’s changes would also affect funding for affordable housing and land preservation, expected to see reductions of $1 to $2 million each in the next fiscal year. Currently, local funding makes up 25% of GCSD’s total budget, with the majority, 75%, coming from state sources.
GCSD’s balanced budget for the forthcoming year had been unanimously approved during its first reading on May 6; however, this plan did not account for potential losses from FILOT revenue. According to GCSD’s Director of Media Communications Tim Waller, the potential loss of FILOT funding could jeopardize critical financial plans, including a proposed $1,050 pay raise for teachers, as well as a 2% raise for other staff members, without raising taxes.
As these budget discussions unfold, Superintendent Royster raised concerns about the uncertainty now surrounding the district’s financial framework. He also expressed worry over the distribution of new state aid, noting that only $22 million of the $90 million allocated for charter schools would reach public schools, with GCSD poised to receive only $3.75 million of that total.
In discussions of the budget and proposed changes, Councilmember Curt McGahhey criticized the school board for frequent tax hikes and pointed out dissatisfaction with student performance, suggesting that the administration is “top-heavy.” In response, the school board defended its spending practices by highlighting its position among the top eight districts in the state regarding academic performance and minimal administrative expenditures. This year would have marked only the fourth time in the past 11 years that the district would not have increased the millage rate.
The resolution from the board urges all elected officials to maintain transparent communication with the public concerning the education of over 78,000 students and responsible stewardship of taxpayer funds. District officials expressed concern not only for the immediate implications of funding losses but also for the potential long-term impact on educational programs if the trend of redistributing FILOT funds continues.
A second reading of GCSD’s fiscal year 2026 budget is scheduled for June 2, where further developments on this critical issue are expected as the district continues its advocacy efforts.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Greenville School District Opposes Proposed Budget Shift
Budget Cuts Threaten Greenville County Schools Funding
Greenville School District Fights Budget Cuts
Greenville County Schools Opposes Budget Changes
Concerns Rise Over Proposed Funding Cuts to Greenville Schools
Greenville Schools Face $8 Million Funding Loss
Greenville County Schools Face Potential Funding Cuts
Greenville County Allocates $43 Million for Road Maintenance
Greenville Schools Raise Concerns Over Funding Disparities
Funding Disparity Between Public and Charter Schools in South Carolina
Additional Resources
- Greenville Online
- Fox Carolina
- Greenville Journal
- WyFF 4
- Wikipedia: Greenville County, South Carolina
