Staff reports
On Monday night, June 22, 2026, Beaufort County Council unanimously approved the Beaufort County School District’s (BCSD) Fiscal Year 2026–2027 General Fund budget, totaling $395.3 million.
The Board of Education approved the budget prior to submission to County Council.
The budget aligns resources with the BCSD’s strategic priorities identified through stakeholder engagement: Staff Compensation, Academic Programs, Operational Services, and Safe Learning Environment.
With strong emphasis on employee compensation, 83% of all new funding is dedicated to salary increases in order to recruit and retain high-quality staff across the district. As part of the approved budget, BCSD will increase the starting teacher base salary by $2,500, raising it from $60,087 to $62,587. When combined with the $1,500 locality supplement, first-year teachers will earn a total starting compensation of $64,087 — positioning the district among the highest-paying in South Carolina.
All BCSD teachers will receive a $2,500 increase, in addition to a state-mandated step increase, and the teacher salary schedule will be expanded to a maximum step of 31. These changes are designed to strengthen BCSD’s ability to attract high-quality teachers and retain experienced educators who support student achievement.
Classified, administrative, and professional employees will receive a 3% cost-of-living increase, along with annual step increases where applicable. Similar to the teacher schedule, these pay structures will also expand to a maximum step of 31, providing additional advancement opportunities over time.
“This budget is a direct investment in the people and programs that make a difference for students every day,” BCSD Superintendent Frank Rodriguez said in the media release. “By increasing teacher and staff compensation, expanding services for students, and maintaining safe learning environments, we are strengthening our ability to attract and retain exceptional employees while ensuring every student has the support they need to succeed. We are also proud to do so without increasing the tax burden on Beaufort County residents, demonstrating our commitment to both educational excellence and responsible fiscal stewardship.”