News Summary
Greenville County School District Board urges rejection of a budget proposal that may divert $8 million from education funding.
Greenville, South Carolina – The Greenville County School District (GCSD) Board of Trustees has formally urged the Greenville County Council to reject a controversial budget proposal that could divert millions of dollars away from local education. The board unanimously passed a resolution during a meeting on Tuesday in response to the proposed county budget, which is projected to cost the school district around $8 million.
GCSD Superintendent Burke Royster indicated that the district had anticipated receiving $25.5 million in funding from the county for the upcoming fiscal year. However, the proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 totals $488 million and allocates $40 million specifically for road improvement projects funded through a significant increase in fee-in-lieu-of-taxes (FILOT) revenue. The county council’s plan intends to raise its share of FILOT revenue from 31% to 60%, which could severely impact local funding for public education, as well as affordable housing and land preservation initiatives, potentially cutting $1 to $2 million from each of those sectors.
In addition to the potential funding cuts, Tim Waller, the school district’s Director of Media Communications, noted that approximately 75% of GCSD’s funding originates from the state, while the remaining 25% comes from local sources. This context highlights the critical need for stable local funding to maintain quality education in Greenville County.
The school district had already approved its budget on May 6, which included a noteworthy provision for a $1,050 salary increase for teachers without raising local taxes. As the council proceeds with its budget deliberation, Superintendent Royster expressed deep concerns that funding cuts could threaten these essential raises for teachers and staff, potentially exacerbating the staffing crisis in the district.
The meeting also addressed accusations made by County Council member Curt McGahhey, who suggested that the school district was pushing for a tax increase under the guise of student performance concerns. The GCSD defended its record, stating it ranks among the top eight in academic performance across the state. In response to McGahhey’s claims regarding tax allocations toward public schools, the district issued a statement refuting his figures, which further emphasizes the importance of clear communication in addressing local educational funding issues.
The proposed FILOT budget plan is scheduled for introduction before the County Council on May 20, and the school board has cautioned that any continued reductions in local funding could severely impact personnel and instructional delivery, potentially undermining the quality of education provided to students in the community.
As GCSD officials await the finalization of both the county and state budgets, they are poised to determine subsequent actions in light of the impending financial implications. With significant concerns about the potential reduction in educational funding, members of the school board are advocating for a reassessment of the budget to ensure that critical resources remain available for teachers, students, and local educational initiatives.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Greenville County Schools Opposes Budget Changes
Greenville City Council Approves Operating Budget
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
House Republicans Propose Massive $4.9 Trillion Tax Breaks
New York’s Budget: Changes and New Powers for Governor Hochul
Funding Disparity Between Public and Charter Schools in South Carolina
Proposed Funding Cuts Threaten School Meal Programs in South Carolina
Additional Resources
- Greenville Online: Funding for Greenville Schools Uncertain
- Fox Carolina: Greenville County Schools Could Lose $8M
- Greenville Journal: School Board Pushes Back Against Funding Cut
- Wikipedia: Education in the United States
- Google Search: Greenville County Schools
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.
