Horry County Schools’ proposed 2015-16 budget $91.9 million more than last year

Horry County Schools’ proposed 2015-16 budget is expected to be more than $91.9 million above last year’s budget, but taxpayers shouldn’t worry about the impact to their wallets.

The Board of Education held its annual budget workshop Monday to hear the district’s proposed budget for the next fiscal year. John Gardner, chief financial officer, presented the proposed expenditures and revenue projections.

Most of the proposed budget’s increase comes from the school building fund, which requires an extra $72.9 million during the 2015-16 fiscal year. The total cost of the school building project is $451.6 million, to build five new schools and renovate two others over about 10 years.

“The biggest reason for the increase is we are finally kicking off the short-term facilities plan,” Gardner said. “That’s why you see a big increase in the budget.”

Though student enrollment and capital project funds are increasing, millage rates levied by the district will stay steady at 133.1 mills.

“That means no change to the taxpayer,” Gardner said. School board members expect to have a final vote on the budget by July.

The 2015-16 proposed operational funds total $459.5 million, Gardner said.

The district is planning for a two percent salary increase for all regular employees, including those who have not yet met their step increases, Gardner said.

If the proposed budget is approved, employees eligible for the step increase will not be awarded that increase but will get the two percent salary raise, Gardner said.

“I would be in favor of a one or two percent bonus, but because of budget limitations I would not vote for a two percent increase for all employees at this time,” said Joe DeFeo, board chairman.

The addition of 1,221 new students next year should cost the district about $5.1 million, and the addition of a Personalized Digital Learning (PDL) initiative for fifth graders will cost the district and additional $558,000.

“We’re growing; we grew more this year than we initially expected, and that adds to our budget,” Gardner said.

Charter school enrollment, increased fixed costs – such as utilities – and additional clerical assistance at the school level will cost about $1.9 million, Gardner said.

One of the biggest expenditures every year is “supplies,” which includes food costs and utilities, Gardner said.

“One of our biggest costs is electricity,” Gardner said. “It’s not just pencils and pens.”

Local funds are generated through property taxes and revenue from the one-cent sales tax, and the district plans for about $6.4 million more local revenue next year. The district expects about $9.5 million more in state and federal funding for the 2015-16 school year.

Gardner said the budget allows for a $18.1 million unassigned fund balance by June 30, 2016, which is money the district can spend on anything.

Janice Morreale, district five representative, said the human resources committee proposed an additional four English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) staff for the 2015-16 school year. The district planned to add 11 teachers already.

“The ratio of ESOL teachers to students is short, and we just want to lessen that gap,” Morreale said.

Board members will next meet with fiscal services staff and other applicable departments from May 18 to 22, and provide a preliminary approval on May 26. There will be a public hearing and approval of the budget on June 15, with a possible final approval on June 29.

This story was originally published May 11, 2015 at 10:35 PM with the headline "Horry County Schools’ proposed 2015-16 budget $91.9 million more than last year."