News Summary
The Greenville County School District could see a $14 million funding cut due to a proposed budget change in the distribution of Fees in Lieu of Taxes.
Greenville — The Greenville County School District is facing a potential funding cut of approximately $14 million if the county’s proposed budget is approved. The budget, currently under review by the county council, includes a significant change in the distribution of Fees in Lieu of Taxes (FILOT), which would allocate 60% of the funds to the county and only 30% to the school district, a move that could dramatically impact educational funding.
County Council Chair Benton Blount acknowledged the severity of the funding issue during a recent budget workshop, referring to the proposed cut as the “14 million elephant in the room.” The estimated loss of $14 million exceeds initial figures by $6 million, raising alarm among educational stakeholders.
Prior to the budget workshop, discussions took place among county officials and school district representatives, reflecting growing concern over the proposed reductions. Superintendent Dr. Burke Royster and Board of Trustees Chair Carolyn Styles engaged with Blount to explore the budget’s ramifications. Styles emphasized the importance of preserving funding for the school district while maintaining hope for constructive dialogue.
In response to the financial strain, County Administrator Joe Kernell proposed an alternative plan aimed at reducing the cuts to $5 million. This plan would include revising funding for road improvements, suggesting an allocation of $36 million instead of $40 million. The council also considered a ‘phase-in’ approach to the funding cuts, proposing to delay more significant reductions until the next fiscal year.
However, some council members voiced concerns about diverting necessary funds from education to address road infrastructure issues, asserting there is a disconnect between fixing roads and supporting education. Furthermore, Councilman Curt McGahhey insisted on a commitment to prioritize road improvements as a condition for agreeing to the phased-in cuts. Kernell explained that the challenges with road funding stem from a rapidly growing population rather than simple maintenance issues.
Additionally, several council members expressed unease over the county’s dependence on fluctuating FILOT funds for road financing. They leaped into discussions about potentially placing a penny sales tax on the ballot next year to stabilize funding sources.
The proposed budget cuts would also impact local support services, such as reducing funding by half a million dollars from the Donaldson Fire District and the South Greenville Fire District, further compounding financial issues for these entities. The Greenville County Schools have made it clear that they oppose any reduction in the FILOT distribution across tax-supported organizations, including local fire districts.
Amid the budget deliberations, the council’s decision to cut funding from library services has attracted public criticism, highlighting further discontent related to community needs versus budget priorities. The council plans to hold a second reading of the budget on June 3rd, with prior workshops indicating ongoing tensions in aligning educational priorities with necessary infrastructure funding.
Ultimately, the discussions within the Greenville County Council underscore a significant divide between educational funding and infrastructural needs. As stakeholders continue to voice their concerns, the focus remains on balancing projected growth in FILOT funds while ensuring that essential educational services do not suffer at the expense of road improvements and other infrastructure projects.
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Additional Resources
- Fox Carolina: Greenville Co Schools to Lose $14 Million
- Greenville Online: Crowd Packs Greenville County Council Budget Meeting
- WSPA: Greenville City Council Approves $291.2 Million Budget
- Greenville Online: Council Considers Mitigation Plan for Funding Cuts
- Fox Carolina: Greenville Co Council Sends Divisive Budget Back
- Wikipedia: Greenville, South Carolina
- Google Search: Greenville County Budget 2025
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Greenville
- Google News: Greenville County Funding Cut
