Georgetown County Board of Education approves 2026–2027 budget
June 24, 2026
During a Special Called Board Meeting held Tuesday, June 23, 2026, the Georgetown County Board of Education approved the Georgetown County School District’s 2026–2027 General Fund Budget by a vote of 6-3. The approved budget totals $128,033,066 and reflects the District’s continued commitment to supporting students, employees, and schools while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
The budget includes investments in employee compensation, special education services, classroom support, and school safety while addressing enrollment changes and rising operational costs. Approximately 83.4 percent of General Fund expenditures are dedicated to employee salaries and related benefits.
Among the highlights of the approved budget are:
- A $2,000 increase to each step of the teacher salary schedule, raising the starting teacher salary from $50,103 to $52,103.
- A 3 percent increase for bus drivers, classified employees, and administrators.
- Increased substitute teacher pay through Kelly Services to help maintain classroom coverage.
- Additional funding to support special education compliance, including personnel, supplies, software licenses, and temporary staffing.
- Increased funding for utilities, fuel, and contracted services to address rising operational costs.
To offset increasing expenditures and reductions in some state funding related to enrollment declines, the budget includes a 3.1-mill increase in the operating millage rate, increasing the operating levy from 120.0 mills to 123.1 mills. Additional local tax collections and growth, along with state reimbursements and other local revenues, contributed to balancing the budget.
The approved budget also reflects staffing adjustments made primarily through attrition, including reductions associated with declining enrollment and district administrative vacancies that will remain unfilled.
“Developing a balanced budget requires thoughtful planning and a commitment to aligning resources with the needs of our students and employees,” said Chief Financial Officer Lisa O. Johnson. “This budget reflects strategic investments that support student achievement, employee compensation, and the continued operation of our schools while maintaining the District’s long-term financial stability.”
Superintendent Dr. Bethany A. Giles expressed appreciation to the Board of Education and District leadership for their collaborative work throughout the budget development process.
“Our budget is a reflection of our priorities,” said Dr. Giles. “The 2026–2027 budget demonstrates our commitment to investing in our employees, supporting the needs of our students, and ensuring that Georgetown County School District remains focused on providing opportunities for every child to achieve success. We appreciate the Board of Education’s support and the work of our Finance Department in developing a budget that balances fiscal responsibility with the needs of #TeamGCSD.”
Additional information regarding the 2026–2027 budget, including the presentation provided to the Board of Education, is available at https://aptg.co/CZCzn6.
