Berkeley County Board of Education Budget Workshop - June 8, 2026

The Berkeley County Board of Education held a budget workshop on June 8, 2026, focusing on the school district's fiscal planning for the 2026-2027 academic year. Key procurement-related discussions included the allocation of funds toward instructional support, leadership coaching, and teacher retention initiatives. The board reviewed a proposed budget that reallocates $2.1 million in savings to enhance classroom resources and support special education positions. They also discussed a millage reallocation plan to shift five mills from debt service to general operating funds, increasing operating revenue by approximately $7.3 million to cover operational costs for new schools. The budget includes a 2% pay increase for all eligible staff, with a total compensation increase of about 3.5% to 3.75% when combined with step increases, and plans to maintain reading coaches in every elementary school while expanding math coaching support. The board considered using $2 million from a legal settlement fund to balance the budget, acknowledging this as a one-time measure. Overall, the workshop emphasized strategic investment in student outcomes, staff development, and fiscal stewardship to support district growth and academic improvement.