KARISSA MILLER
The Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education on Monday approved a $65.2 million local current expense budget request for fiscal year 2025-2026.
The funding request includes an approximately $8.6 million increase over the previous budget of $56.6 million, which represents a 15.2 percent increase.
The budget request will be sent to the Iredell County Board of Commissioners, which will ultimately decide whether to approve the request or provide less funding.
“The budget incorporates projected mandatory salary and benefit increases along with recommended expansion requests,” explained I-SS Chief Finance Officer Adam Steele.
There are many unknowns about the state budget, which will impact the local budget, he added.
According to Steele, 3 percent mandatory salary and benefit increases are the norm.
The district’s retirement plan contribution will increase from 24.04-percent to 25.04-percent and the county’s share of health insurance premiums is expected to increase from $8,095 to $8,500 per employee.
“This is all an estimate at this point. We don’t know at this point. We anticipate starting to hear some budget numbers in late April or early May. We are hopeful of getting a State Budget by July 1,” he explained.
Steele said that the formal request to the County Commissioners is due on Wednesday, March 5.
Preliminary Budget Highlights
Steele outlined some of the revenue challenges facing the district, including the loss of three grants that have supported behavior health across the district. I-SS’ behavior support team is currently being paid out of three grants, which will ending June 30, 2025.
Steele said that the district is hoping for additional funding to continue this team. The cost is approximately $574,116.
Another important focus for the school board is working towards turning around the district’s low-performing schools. Some notable and new proposed budget highlights include strategies to enhance academic performance and growth. This includes targeted support and professional development for educators.
The budget also includes $130,000 in incentives bonuses for math teachers, Steele said. Math teachers in grades 6-12 who meet growth would receive $2,000 and teachers who exceed growth would receive $4,000.
The board is also requesting additional Professional Development funds to help support teachers at low-performing schools. The budget includes $250,000 for Professional Development.
Exceptional Children
Superintendent Jeff James explained that the state does not give school system’s adequate funds to pay for the special services required to serve their special needs children population.
The needs are great, James said, and a lack of funding has put the district in a bind.
According to Steele, Exceptional Children costs continue to rise as the student population is 13.35-percent and the state funds at 13-percent of the total student population.
“Our cost for contracted services has continued to rise, thus EC funding is in the hole,” he said.
The board has designated $1.8 million for EC contracted services “overage” costs.
Budget Additions
Under this budget proposal, the major additions include:
• $1,838,789 for mandatory raises and benefit costs
• $1,800,000 for Exceptional Children Contracted Services — “overage”
• $585,200 for charter schools
• $574,116 for behavior support team with benefits
• $379,450 for Utilities
• $322,675 for five additional teachers
• $312,000 for fuel, oil, grease and tires
• $250,000 for Professional Development for Low-Performing Schools
• $188,499 for security costs
• $136,000 for contracted custodians
• $130,000 for Math bonuses and benefits
• $94,000 contracted substitute costs
• $6,610,729 Total Additions
Budget Reductions
• $150,000 for Contract teachers
• $260,000 for mowing contracts
• $410,000 Total Reductions