Tax Increase Possible in New School Budget

On Tuesday the 2012-13 General Fund Budget was presented to the Greenville County School Board of Trustees. The following highlights were provided from Greenville County Schools:

• First reading is based on House version of the State Budget. The Senate will next consider.
• Budget includes partial cost of living increase of 2% for all personnel (State mandated for teachers), and a salary increase for teachers with a certificate upgrade.
• Growth of 800 students requires 71 additional teaching positions and 14.5 support positions.
• Projected State Base Student Cost is $2,012 (2000-01 funding level).  The Base Student Cost for Greenville County Schools is $1,461 based on the State Index of Taxpaying Ability.
• Budget is balanced using $16.975 million in generated savings (one-time funds) and a 7.5 mill property tax increase (businesses, rental homes, cars) of the 11.98 mills allowed by State law.  The 7.5 mills are needed to fund underfunded State mandates and Local requirements due to growth and inflation.

Budgeted Expenditures for FY 12 $442,784,098

State Mandated Expenditures for FY 13 (15,639,000)

Goal 2: Ensure Quality Personnel in All Positions

• Partial Cost of Living Increase of 2% for School Level Personnel     7,580,000
• Teacher Certificate Upgrades         800,000
• Employer Retirement Increase (Effective July 1, 2012)      2,808,000
• Employer Health Insurance Increase (Effective Jan. 1, 2012)         490,000
• Employer Health Insurance Increase (Effective Jan. 1, 2013)      1,439,000

Goal 4: Effectively Manage and Further Develop Financial Resources

• Additional Payments to Charter Schools      2,522,000

Local Required Expenditures for FY 13 ($5,919,902)

Goal 1:  Raise the Academic Challenge and Performance of Each Student

• Personnel for Student Growth     4,200,000
• Instructional Supplies for Student Growth           34,902

Goal 2: Ensure Quality Personnel in All Positions

• Partial Cost of Living Increase of 2% for Non-School Level Personnel        761,000

Goal 3: Provide a School Environment Supportive of Learning

• Monarch Elementary School Staffing         656,000
• District Property/Liability Insurance Premium Increase         218,000

Goal 4: Effectively Manage and Further Develop Financial Resources

Fuel for District Vehicles 50,000

Reduction of Expenditures for FY 13 ($115,000)

• Procurement Audit          (15,000)
• Utilities         (100,000)

Total Proposed Expenditures for FY 13  $464,228,000

The 2012-13 Proposed General Fund Budget document is posted at www.greenville.k12.sc.us.  The Board will consider approval of the General Fund Budget on Tuesday evening, June 5.