During their meeting Tuesday, The Anderson School District One Board were presented with detailed information on a first draft budget for the 2024-25 school year.
Meeting increased state mandated costs, keeping employee raises competitive and a loss of “ESSER” funds results in a deficit of almost $1 million at the current level of revenue the District receives. This is before any employee raises for next year.
ESSER funding is Federal money provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Education Stabilization Fund for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund.
The purpose of providing emergency relief funds was to address the impact that COVID-19 has had, and continues to have, on elementary and secondary schools across the nation.
In District One, the ESSER funding amounted to $5.1 million which was used for 54 salaried positions including Mental Health Counselors, Behavior Specialists and Interventionists.
Budget Highlights include:
The District currently operates on a $106,344,364 budget with a millage rate of 158.05, which is the lowest in Anderson County.
Meeting increased state mandated costs, keeping employee raises competitive and a loss of ESSER funds results in a revenue shortage at the current level. State mandated salaries with Step raise amount to approximately $3 million. ESSER funds currently provide $5.1 million for 26.5 positions which include Mental Health Counselors, Behavior Specialists and Interventionists in the District.
The District will need an additional eight teachers, 6.5 for schools and 1.5 for Special Ed, ML.
Becky Brady presented information on school/staff growth, absorption of current teachers related to ESSER loss and expected growth.
The loss of ESSER funding will result in 21.5 positions that will be absorbed back into the schools but will be paid out of the General Fund. Six new teachers will be needed due to growth, Brady said. Special Ed/ML will require an additional 1.5 positions.
In addition, a $6 million reduction in the assessment of Duke Power’s Lee Steam Plant will result in an additional $950,000 loss in revenue for District One.
Finance Director Thomas told the Board that anticipated expenses will amount to $113,504,811. Anticipated revenues will amount to $112,543,716. The result is a deficit of $961,095, not including recommended raises to keep the District competitive in hiring.
Binnicker presented salary increase options for the Board to consider. He recommended a 2.7 percent salary increase (including step) for teachers and 2.5 percent increase (including step) for assistants, bus drivers, custodians, nurses, bookkeepers, attendance, clerk/secretary and food service employees. He also recommended a 2.5 percent increase (including step) for non-salary scale employees. If approved, the recommended salary increases will amount to an additional expense of $1.75 million.
Budget options for the Board include reducing additional expenditures related to personnel, reduce expenditures for supplies/materials and purchased services, use previously assigned fund balance and/or use additional money from the unassigned fund balance.
The Board is also considering an increase in the millage rate from the current 158.05 to 166.5 which would generate an additional $1,155,776. The increase in millage would affect businesses, cars, boats and rental properties.
Funding revenues for the School budget may also change depending on what the SC House and Senate decide for the State Budget.
