Budget Overview
For an overview of the FY 2024-2025 General Fund Budget, click on the following:
Budget Summary
The annual budget development process is one of the largest and most complex projects that SDPC undertakes each year. Our budget reflects the priorities of our district and the community as a whole. Understanding our budget is essential as we work together to ultimately achieve student success.
The District’s FY 2024-2025 budget continues to build our educational programs while remaining sensitive to the taxpayer. We are pleased to offer the community a budget that supports continued academic success for our students without raising taxes. The South Carolina General Assembly's commitment to funding education in the state budget, as well as growth in local revenues due to Pickens County's economic growth, made this achievement possible.
Note that while the state allows districts to raise School Operations millage annually, the School District of Pickens County is not proposing this for 2024-25. It is also important to note that while the Operating Millage rate for Pickens County stands at 110.00, where it has remained since 2021. It is critical to understand that SDPC Pickens County working to reach its goals with the 2nd lowest School Operating millage rate in the state of South Carolina. Other than Oconee County, all other surrounding districts range from 156.7 – 195.2 mills levied for operations.
The overall goal of the Fiscal Year 2025 operating budget is to establish a financial foundation for the long term. The budget has been carefully crafted to ensure that we can continue to provide an exceptional educational experience for our students while also addressing the evolving needs of our workforce and embracing innovative approaches to learning.
Priorities include:
Continue the expansion of educational opportunities and increase student achievement
Move to a more competitive position with surrounding districts on teacher pay and support staff pay
Manage increasing state-mandated benefits costs
The FY 2024-2025 General Fund Budget totals $178,067,598, an increase of $12,097,468 from the FY 2023-2024 amended budgeted revenue. Of the revenue increase, a significant portion is additional state revenue.
Noted budget expenditures:
Average teacher salary increase of 5.1%; with a range of 3.4%-6.8%
Average classified/support staff scale increase of 3.9%; with a range of 3.0%-4.6%
Average bus driver scale increase of 3.8%; with a range of 3.0%-4.6%
Average nurse salary schedule increase of 4.5%; with a range of 3.4%-5.7%
Leadership Pay increase of 3.0%
$12,500 for a pilot reading program targeting students with specific reading disabilities
Academic growth and excellence are central to our mission, and we remain dedicated to providing a strong foundation for our students. Our early-childhood efforts have proven to be instrumental in shaping the futures of our youngest learners, and we are committed to continuing these initiatives. Additionally, we have prioritized the provision of resources to support our students and staff, including instructional supplies, increased funding for fine arts, athletics, after-school activities, and specialized services. By fostering an environment rich in resources and support, we aim to nurture the growth and development of every individual within our school community.
Attracting and retaining a high-quality workforce is essential to the success of our school district. As the nation faces a teacher shortage, we recognize the importance of supporting and nurturing our educators, administrators, and staff members, as they play a crucial role in shaping the lives of our students. SDPC is committed to implementing strategies for offering competitive starting salaries and maintaining market competitiveness.
The budget includes a pay increase for all district employees, including, at a minimum, a $2,500 increase in all cells on the current teacher salary schedule. The budget also adds additional steps on the pay scale for teachers with 31 and 32 years of experience (following the addition of 26-30 years of experience last year). All support staff will receive a minimum of 3% increase in pay.
Noted Budget Expenditures:
(See www.pickens.k12.sc.us/page/financial-information - Budget FY 2024-2025 for full details)
Legislative Mandates / Required Expenditures:
$974,698 – 11.8% State Required Health Insurance Increase
Strategic Initiatives from the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan
Promote a People-Focused Supportive Culture:
Teacher and Educational Support Staff Compensation
$986,997 - FY 2025 Year of Experience (YOE) Teacher Step
$4,032,053 - Adjust all cells on the current teacher salary schedule by at least $2,500
$190,185 - Add Years of Experience 31 and 32 to the teacher salary schedule
$741,014 - Increase Support Staff pay schedule by 3.0% and provide a level increase
$314,136 – Increase Bus Driver Salary Scale by 3.0% and Year of Experience for Drivers and Bus Companions
$172,820 - Increase Nurse Salary scale and YOE
Empower Visionary Future-Focused Innovation / Ensuring Academic Growth and Excellence:
$257,717 - 3.0 FTE Elementary World Language
$234,514 - 2.0 FTE PCCTC Program Support – additional programs
$233,981 - Increase Athletics & and Fine Arts Activities support for MS & HS
$12,500 - Pilot reading program targeting students with specific reading disabilities
$241,430 - RISE Academic Support Program
The budget consists of salaries and benefits as well as instructional, maintenance, transportation, and operational costs.
In conclusion, the FY 2024-2025 General Fund Budget reflects our unwavering commitment to providing an exceptional educational experience for our students. By prioritizing the attraction and retention of a high-quality workforce, we can better engage students in innovative educational opportunities and ensure academic growth and excellence.
We deeply value the partnership and support of our parents and the community and look forward to working together to make the upcoming academic year a resounding success.
Archives
The School District of Pickens County Finance Office oversees the District's finances and budgeting. For more information regarding the SDPC current and upcoming General Fund Budget, click on the following links:
The budget consists of salaries and benefits as well as instructional, maintenance, transportation, debt service, and operational costs.
The District's fiscal year is from July 1 through June 30.