The Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees had its first reading of the Fiscal Year 2027 General Fund Budget on Tuesday morning, highlighting salary adjustments and new positions.
As of the first reading, district officials are expecting $989,408,000 in revenue and expenditures for fiscal year 2027. Community members are invited to provide feedback on the budget or to ask questions in a public forum happening next month.
“This proposed budget demonstrates the District’s continued commitment to be competitive when attracting and retaining exceptional teachers and staff,” said Dr. W. Burke Royster, Superintendent of Greenville County Schools. “The strength of our schools depends on the quality of the people who serve our students each day. By investing in our employees, we are investing in student achievement and in the long-term success of our community.”
The public forum will be held at the Central Office (301 E. Camperdown Way, Greenville) on Monday, June 1, 2026, at 6 p.m. The forum will be immediately followed by the Board’s second reading of the budget.
Community members can get a full look at the proposed Greenville County Schools Fiscal Year 2027 General Fund Budget on the Board of Trustees’ website.
Here’s a look at some highlights from the budget:
Greenville County Schools officials say they anticipate $989,408,000 in revenue and expenditures for 2027. This is an 2.74% increase from last year’s General Fund budget, which was $962,992,000. Officials note that district administration is not recommending a millage increase as part of its budget.
In terms of expenditures, the district is expecting to put the majority of funds toward employee salaries and the creation of new positions. The budget includes a salary step increase of 3.5% for teachers at every level. Teachers will also receive an additional $2,550 added to their salary at every level.
There will be a 6% increase in substitute teacher pay, as well as a pay increase of $2/hour for special education aides. The district is also working to increase pay for principals and assistant principals, budgeting about $242,000 in pay increases for these positions.
$8,847,000 of the budget goes toward state-mandated expenses, such as state health insurance premiums and teacher salary step increases. Currently, $1,600,000 is budgeted to account for proposed changes to the state’s paid parental leave program. A Senate bill currently in the State House would increase required paid parental leave, going from six to 12 weeks for the primary caregiver.
If the bill passes as it currently stands with no associated state funding, the district will allocate these funds to the program. If the bill fails, Royster says the additional funds would go toward providing larger increases in employee pay.
The District has also budgeted for new positions, including 15 permanent substitutes and several special education roles. It has been budgeted to add 10 special education aides, five behavioral support liaisons, four special education specialists and three behavioral specialists.
Strengthening the special education department is a long-standing goal of the district, and the Board approved the creation of a parent resource representative role for the department last March. Royster says that 15% of the district population is in special education, making it an important sector.
A recording of the first reading of the budget is available on the Board of Trustees’ YouTube channel. Read the full proposed budget on the Board’s website and attend the public forum at the Central Office (301 E. Camperdown Way, Greenville) on Monday, June 1, 2026, at 6 p.m.
