001Good evening, Miss Hannah. Would you open us? Our thought for the day is from 1 Colossians the 7th chapter selected verse 24. So brothers and sisters, in whatever condition each was called there, let him or her remain with God. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, will you reach out every day to touch the lives of all your people? Grant us your grace as you continue your presence in our lives as we go about the business at hand. Bless and keep in your love and care our defenders and those who respond to our call and those who give their time and effort to keep us in your vineyard. And also those who suffer so that we might enjoy freedom. remember our hidden wounds. Lord, in your mercy, here our prayers. Amen. >> Call the Kershaw County School
002Board of Trustees meeting to order for June the 2nd, 2026. Is there a motion to adopt the proposed agenda? Properly motion by Dr. King, second by Coach Blackman. All those in favor, let it be known by saying I. I. >> That's unanimous. Is there a motion to adopt the consent agenda approving the cons? Is there a motion to adopt the consent agenda? Proper motion by Miss Mr. Cameron, second by Mr. Roberts. All those in favor, let be known by saying I. >> I. >> That's unanimous. We want to thank the staff and for being here with us this evening and those in whom are joining us online. Um we do not have anyone that has signed up for public forum. That moves us down to chairman's report. Uh we've already signed up for the law
003school conference. Just a reminder in event that anyone have not, but I believe everyone have. So that moves us down to the second reading of the approval for our 2026 27 budget. Mr. Willard. >> As Mr. Willard walks forward. Want to um [clears throat] just give you a couple of quick updates. Uh number one, you know, you're not going to see anything new tonight because this has been a process since February and we'll be bringing you that. Uh, I appreciate those who were able to attend in person and in spirit last Tuesday night when we uh went before county council to discuss millage and and where that would be set and was very pleased with the the one team sort of atmosphere and approach. I uh I know that uh that that's something that we
004don't take lightly and has been cultivated over time. And um it was nice to hear them basically tell Mr. will or not to sit down because they needed to vote and move on. Um so that that was that was actually a real positive. Um that, you know, solidifies, you know, what things look like for us on the local funding. It makes it a little bit easier to not stab in the dark. Um so we we'll do that. [clears throat] The other thing is Mr. Willard's going to mention it, but I'm I'm going to mention it be at the beginning. You may hear about the conference committee with the state budget and that they've not yet reached an agreement, but there is a continuing resolution at the state level that's already in place that if they
005don't get it by the ending of the the extra session, then they'll still have time or they'll operate on the same funding level as this year. uh we would do the same. We or actually we would go ahead and implement the new budget because there's really not much that can change on the uh on the educational side. [clears throat] Most of that funding is already agreed upon on the House and the Senate. So, it's locked. So, it would not change anything significantly for us. So if you hear that out on the street or you read that in the clips, we feel very confident where we are and that we can just move forward with the adoption number one of our budget, but also number two with the uh with the fact that we can go
006forward even if there's a state continuing resolution for a short period of time. So Mr. Willard, sorry to take you thunder, but wanted to get that out in front first. That that's fine. Shortens up what I need to say a little bit. Uh Mr. Chairman, members of the board, good evening. Um, as Dr. Goodwin mentioned, uh, I too thank you for for those of you that were able to to be there and those of you that were, uh, not there, but with us, as he said in spirit as we, uh, spoke to the county council. Um, I too thought it went very well and I'm excited about where we're moving uh going going into next year uh with regard to that and uh you know having that reassessment behind everybody in the county uh every
007five years is a good feeling because I know a lot goes into it at the county level. [clears throat] So this evening we'll move into our second reading of the budget and get that solidified for next year. And the first slide um you have seen. So there is nothing that has really changed regarding the legislative mandates or our view of cost of living adjustments and steps with regard to our staff. Um I'll just remind everyone that the mandates that we mentioned on this slide apply to the minimum schedules, not the actual schedules that we implement as long as we stay ahead of those minimums. and we are ahead of those minimums uh when it comes to teachers and bus drivers as mandated. So looking at the uh just a summary of adjustments and objectives that
008we've looked at. Um again this slide is familiar. Um however I have added or changed a little bit a couple of bullets and I'll just reference those just so we hit that again. So uh when we looked at the salary schedules as we mentioned in first reading uh we looked at everything across the board in a mindset of uh being equitable. So uh we approach those salary schedules both certified and non-certified with the approach of equity and average uh across all and what that means is that equitable uh look and percentage of that means on average that we are at about 3 and a.5% uh cost of living increase plus a step and that's for all schedules again certified and non-certified. Uh the next bullet that I've added is working retirees. uh we would propose
009in this budget reading to increase those retirees as eligible uh one step and um in a lot of cases that gets us especially in the certified area very close to having them at max on the schedule. Uh based on the state minimum schedule we would we would be one year short. Uh but again we would hope to come back to you with another year increase uh in future year. uh but that takes care of working retirees and all classifications. Uh and again with that step their schedules also change by the cost of living increase as well. Um [clears throat] so just to reiterate a a few of the challenges um again a familiar slide that we've talked about and the only update to this slide um as Dr. Goodwin mentioned uh the last bullet uh
010there still is no state budget. So um we did notice that some things on the state projections for revenue uh changed slightly for us between first reading and second reading. Part of that was due to an error uh based on the funding formula uh where things get placed, how things get shifted. Um but it's nothing to panic about uh because we can negotiate that challenge. uh we just have to continue to remain uh aware of where we are with regard to fund balance and what we've been able to accumulate for ourselves over the years. So that leads us into a slide uh that I thought I would put in here about the state budget status just to give you a quick update. As Dr. Goodwin mentioned, there is a continuing resolution that's been signed at
011the state. um he and I are in agreement that if we pass a budget, we think we should begin the year with that budget, knowing that a budget at the state level will be passed pretty quickly and very little would change. However, we we would come back to you with any information if the state were to require a continuing resolution before the end of June. Uh but we feel like we could uh handle that very quickly and swiftly through communications. Um, second bullet I I had on there as we presented this to you that the Senate was going to reconvene on June 10th. Uh, that has not changed. Um, if you look at the calendar online, that's what it says. If you pull up that that video, reconvene on June 10th. At the same time,
012the conference committee had not scheduled a meeting, but we got word yesterday that they were meeting this afternoon at 2:00. [snorts] And I did tune in to that meeting and I can tell you that all of the K12 items that were alike on the House and the Senate side were deemed to be approved. So there was really no discussion about any K12 uh budget items. So we do not expect anything to change very much through conference committee. The question is going to be um once they come to an agreement, how long does it take them to get things approved, get the information to the governor, go through vetos, and get it signed uh into law. So, we'll jump into the numbers and take a look at the expenditures first. Um on this first slide of
013expenditures uh there's really no uh material changes to uh to highlight uh since first reading. The primary change is some reduction in the certified salaries and that's going to be row two uh teacher salaries on your list. And the reason for that is just simply changes in our system as we take folks out put folks in. But the other thing that we've done as opposed to estimating what that CTE shift that we've talked about would look like, we now have that built into the expenditures. So that is the main reasons for the change. And obviously when you change salaries in any any line, you're going to change fringe cost as well. So you'll see some small changes on insurance, retirement, and matching FICA. [snorts] So [clears throat] moving on to the second page of expenditures.
014Um there are absolutely zero changes on this page of expenditures uh since first reading. All these categories remain the same as proposed. The only thing that you will note is that the uh total of expenditures since first reading to this reading has gone down from 134.3 million to 133.4 million. largely reflective of that CTE shift that we talked about. So, as we bring those expenditures over and compare that with our revenue, uh I will take some time on this slide to go over a few things. Uh the first thing that I'll go over is the top line for local the advorum. And as a result of the most recent discussions of the reassessment, you'll see that we have increased the projected revenue uh proposal from 32.8 million to 33.6 million uh for uh advalorum and
015local tax collections. Now I I will say that there is a lot still to be done in that area of reassessment before actual values and everything hit the tax cards. So, um we're not sure exactly where those are going to land. Uh but we ve feel very comfortable about that uh estimate at this time. Second thing is I'll mention uh as we noted uh some some changes uh that took place on the state revenue side. Uh we look at those top two rows of state revenue aid to classrooms general fund and EIA transfer. Uh you'll see that there was a shift in both of those. um based on the the change in the the state spreadsheet and the projection. Um but again, we can we can handle that change in light of the local revenue
016and some other things that we will plan to do that I'll talk about in just a few minutes. We will also get a little bit of help from our health insurance revenue. Uh that was changed this year. Part of that health calculation is in the formula. part of health was taken out of the uh uh proportionate share formula. So, we do stand to get a little bit of help on the health insurance side. We just cannot predict what that is because it's based on our year-end staffing report as we go into next year. Then I'll mention the other state revenue. Uh you'll see that we went from 5.4 million to 5.7 million since first reading on that that row. uh it's about halfway down the state sources uh section. Um that's basically just a slight
017uptick in the state projections uh since first reading. So we adjusted accordingly. And then you'll notice uh the transfer line other financing sources transfer in. We adjusted that from 1.1 million to 1.5 million. Um that is another area where we can kind of insulate ourselves and have some contingency in the event that we need it. Uh I'm not suggesting we need that in either this year or next year. Uh but that basically represents some capital money that we've been able to uh keep aside based on the the prior year general fund performance and we would be prepared to move that to help preserve our general fund balance if needed. And then lastly, um looking at the last line, uh you can see that the uh result revenues compared to expenditures still leaves us with a
018shortfall, but since first reading, we've been able to knock that shortfall down by about $436,000. So that potential use of fund balance or reliance on fund balance from budgetary standpoint goes from 3.7 million down to about 3.3. [snorts] Um [clears throat] I have I have given you what our approved budget was coming into this year in that second column for approved uh 2526 budget and that was just short of 3 million but as you can see I have projected that we will uh finish the year um at about a break even point. It shows a use of about $185,000. Uh but at this point with work left to do for the audit year in close out I can certainly live with that uh because that is not a very big impact of our fund balance
019if we should have to use that. So with that um that concludes my presentation for the second reading of the budget for next year. Um, I will say that this has been a very interesting budget year in light of the third year now of the new funding formula. Um, and we keep getting changes that that surprise us a little bit. Um, and this is one of the very few years that nothing changed in the legislative process or anything coming to K12 education from ways and means all the way through Senate and then House 2. So, uh, a little bit of a different budget year for from our perspective. Um, however, we we want to continue to reiterate that our focus is on our people and if that's the only thing that we need to adjust
020and can adjust in our budget, uh, we will do everything we can to take care of folks. Um, even if it even if it does cost us a little bit of additional investment in our fund balance, but I assure you, we'll make sure that we uh, take care of that fund balance and keep us in good standing. So with that, that concludes my presentation and I'll be glad to open it up for questions, remarks from Dr. Goodwin or additional discussion. >> Thank you, Mr. Wilbert. Any questions? >> I have a question. >> Go ahead, Mr. Rivas. >> Just because I don't know what it is. Um, the change in market value on investments on slide 15. >> Okay. >> What What is that? What is that? So we um we have uh monies that are
021invested as allowed under state law both for capital and operations. So um with the interest rate markets being in flux, they've been very positive lately. Um however, it's very difficult for us to project what interest rates are going to be a year down the road. So we do have some contingency built in there in the event that that becomes an expense or a loss. Is that is that a bond fund more or less? >> Uh those are not bond funds. >> Those are actually uh invested dollars. They are liquid. >> Really? >> Yes. >> Okay. I was just I saw we're invested and I was like okay wonder what that means. >> Right. >> All right. That's what it means. All right. Thank you. >> Yes. >> If if I could mention, you know, there
022are times in the year when we have more cash than others. So it actually moves up and down and in and out through LJIP and other ways of of investing. So it's a real fluid. It's not we have this set amount that we have in investments. It's it's different every single month. >> Is it tied to [clears throat] >> uh well we're governed by uh regulations and rules as a government entity and what we can invest in. So, we can only invest in um guarantees. Um now, we could invest in bonds that could lose value, but as long as we hold those to maturity, we're guaranteed the original principle. Um but we we we invest in in things that are definitely not over a year. Um so, we're three months to a year um in
023guaranteed interest earnings. So it's pretty aggressive. [snorts] >> U we we don't aggressive we don't invest in an aggressive uh demeanor as far as seeking returns and duration. Uh but we >> that is correct. >> Yeah. This is our second reading. Um, I will accept a motion to adopt the an approval of the proposed budget for year 2627. Is that a motion? Properly motioned by Dr. King, second by coach Blackman. Any further question or discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor, let it be known by raise your right hand. And that's unanimous. still up. >> All right. We thank you for your support on that and we will definitely keep you informed. Um, so the next item we bring before you this evening is our annual SKGO general obligation bond. And what this bond does
024is it uh is in place to primarily make our payments for our installment purchase revenue bonds uh that came into existence several years ago. Many of you have been around as those were put in place. Um this is uh this also gives us some annual maintenance uh money for deferred capital needs uh if we so need. Um all of this is generated through debt service. Uh the good thing is these are short-term issuances paid back in less than a year. Uh so they do not impact our debt service millage. So we operate on these under our current debt service uh cap. Um, and these do not affect our 8% borrowing capacity should we have to go to any other type of general obligation bond. So, you can see that the uh the issuance is slated
025for a not to exceed amount of 24 million. Uh, it will likely be less than that, but that is just the not to exceed amount to get the resolution uh going. So, we bring that before you for approval this evening. >> Yes. Are there any questions? If not, I will ask that a motion be presented for the adoption of the resolution. >> Proper motion by coach Blackman, second by Miss Ronlet. All those in favor has been known by saying I. >> I post and it's done. >> Thank you. [clears throat] Anything else, Dr. Bill? Is there a motion to go into executive session to discuss resation, retirement of certified and classified personnel, employment of certified and classified personnel, assignment changes, and transfer of certified and classified personnel? Proper motion by Mr. Roberts, second by Mr.
026Ribers. All those in favor have been known by saying I. >> I. Those opposed and it's done. Motion to reconvene to open session >> properly. Motion by Miss Runlet, second by Mr. Cameron. All those in favor, let it be known by saying I. >> I. >> That's unanimous. In executive session, we discuss resignation and retirement of certified and classified personnel, employment of certified and classified personnel, and assignment changes [music] and transfer of certified and classified personnel. Is there a motion to accept administration recommendation concerning employment matter? Proper motion by coach Blackman, second by Mr. Reeves. All those in favor known by saying I. I. >> Those opposed and it's unanimous. Is there a motion to adjourn? Second >> proper motion by Mr. Roberts, second by Miss Hley. All those in favor have known by saying
027I. >> I. >> And that's unanimous.