First Reading of Proposed FY25 GCS General Fund Budget

Greenville, South Carolina – The Greenville County Schools Administration presented its proposed FY25 General Fund Budget for first reading to the Board of Trustees today. A second and final reading of the $922,256,000 proposal is scheduled for Monday, June 3, at 6:30 p.m.  A public hearing at 6:00 p.m. will provide an opportunity for community members to comment on the budget proposal preceding that meeting.

Projected Revenue – Local Funding: Current local tax millage for the General Fund is 156.7. Per Act 388, no taxes are collected on owner-occupied homes to support the General Fund budget, but School Boards can raise millage on other property (businesses, cars, motorcycles, etc.) based on a formula built to meet inflation and population growth. Based on this formula, the GCS Board has the authority to raise millage 10.2 mills to meet inflation and growth for next year. Additionally, the Board has at its disposal an additional 25.3 mills in carryover from previous years, bringing the total taxing authority available for FY25 to 35.5 mills. Of those mills available to the Board, 0.2 are left over from FY22 and will lapse if not levied this year, due to a three-year expiration period included in the law. This budget includes a proposed increase of 3.8 mills, which is significantly below the total taxing authority of 35.5 mills available to the Board this year. The proposed FY25 General Fund Budget projects local revenue of $318,850,000, including the recommended mill increase.

Projected Revenue – State Funding: The state appropriations bill has not yet been finalized. The SC House and Senate each have their own versions, and it is expected that both bodies will work toward a final compromise bill. The projected revenue from the state included in the first reading of the FY25 General Fund Budget is $525,040,000.

Expenditures: Notable new expenditures in the budget include:

• $2,700 increase to every cell on the GCS teacher salary schedule
• A step increase for all teachers
• Adding a step for teachers at the top of the schedule, resulting in a top pay of $104,665
• Entry-level teacher salary of $50,503
• Increase District minimum hourly pay to $16.08
• Step increase for all eligible non-teaching employees at a minimum of 3.5%
• 3.5% increase for all non-teaching employees not eligible for a step
• 5% increase for registered school nurses
• Funding for student growth
• Funding to meet the required employer contribution for health insurance 
• Permanent substitute teachers at all schools
• Funding to support school-level student activities
• Arts and athletic supplements/athletic support funds

“This proposed budget reflects a priority by Greenville County Schools to attract and retain the highest quality teachers and staff in an increasingly competitive environment,” said Dr. W. Burke Royster, Superintendent of Greenville County Schools. “We know that the quality of teachers and staff within our schools has a direct impact on the achievement of our students, and we must continue to invest in their collective success and the future of our community.”

A complete list of proposed new expenditures is available below:

Potential Expenditures Due to State Mandates: The items shown below are mandated through legislation and total $14,420,000. 

Additional Expenditures under Consideration: The following items totaling $47,904,000 reflect priorities needed to meet local requirements of the Education Plan for FY25.

*This item is zero-costed based on the transfer of positions from among other schools whose enrollment baseline number decreased their allocated positions.  

Reduction of Expenditures: The administration is proposing the following reductions to the General Fund Budget, totaling $4,263,000.

Total Proposed Budget - $922,256,000