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2026-2027 Budget

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Horry County Schools Budget Reflects Both Strong Fiscal Stewardship and a Clear Commitment to Sustaining Student Success

On June 8, 2026, the Horry County Board of Education gave final approval to the Superintendent’s Comprehensive Budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, which does not require a tax increase.

For the second year in a row, HCS is reducing its reliance on reserve funds, which is an important step toward long-term financial stability.  The implementation of the Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB) initiative began this year with the Academics and Human Resources Divisions. This was developed to ensure that every dollar spent directly advances the district’s mission to improve student outcomes, strengthen instructional quality, and support a world-class workforce.

As the district continues to experience enrollment fluctuations, inflationary pressures, and increasing demands for accountability, a traditional incremental budgeting model no longer provides the flexibility or transparency needed for strategic decision-making. This project introduces a data-driven, student-centered approach that begins each budget cycle from a “zero base,” requiring every program and expenditure to be justified in alignment with district priorities such as #RiseWithReading, teacher recruitment and retention, and professional learning. The purpose is to create a more agile and sustainable financial model that aligns resources with the initiatives that most powerfully impact teaching, learning, and the overall student experience.

The Comprehensive Budget includes the General Fund, which serves as the district’s main operating fund. For fiscal year 2026-27, the proposed budget for the General Fund is $708,792,472. This covers salaries and benefits for 4,082 professional staff and 1,936 classified staff, with 86.3% of the total operational budget dedicated to employee compensation. The remaining 13.7% is allocated for the procurement of supplies, materials, utilities, and technology, as well as for payments to public charter schools and other operational costs.

To fulfill the budgetary requirements, $27.2 million from the unassigned fund balance will be utilized. The anticipated fund balance for the General Fund on June 30, 2026, is projected to be $173.8 million, which adheres to the Board's established minimum of 15% and ensures sufficient reserves for the 2026-2027 period.

In the foreground, bold text announces %22NO TAX INCREASE%22 and %22$1.2 BILLION TOTAL BUDGET%22 with icons for a piggy bank and a document, while the background features the %22FY27 APPROVED BUDGET%22 title and a graph with a prohibition sign.
In the foreground, icons represent increases in teacher pay, support staff wages, longevity, and cost of living, while the background features a large dollar sign and text about investing in employees.
A stack of white books in the foreground is beside a list of academic programs, with a blue banner at the top announcing %22Enhancing Literacy Development.%22
A new elementary school with a modern design is shown in the foreground, while the background features text detailing a strong capital improvement plan for Horry County Schools.

Key Budget Highlights:

• The total budget is $1.2 billion.

• The funding plan for 2026-27 provides compensation adjustments for all employees. An increase of $0.50 per hour for support staff. This adjustment, with the 3% COLA, would increase the beginning support staff hourly rate to $16.76 (currently $15.77). All eligible employees will receive a longevity increase of 1.6% and a 3% cost of living (COLA) increase. As a result of these adjustments, the beginning teacher salary will increase to $54,138. ($23.9 million)

• A staff attendance bonus has been introduced. ($3 million)

• The district anticipates serving around 147 new students at the start of the school year in August.

• All students in Horry County Schools will continue to receive free breakfast and lunch during the 2026-2027 school year as part of the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program. 

• Other new expenditures include the addition of 27 administrative deans, the implementation of mid-year strategies aimed at enhancing K-3 literacy development, and the introduction of additional academic programs. ($3 million)

• In reviewing the district office's non-personnel expenditures, staff were able to reduce 45 budget packages for a total reduction of $2.6 million.

About Horry County Schools

Horry County Schools is inspiring possibilities for student success through a broad range of unique teaching and learning opportunities.

Horry (pronounced O-Ree) County Schools is made up of 58 schools within nine attendance areas: Aynor, Carolina Forest, Conway, Green Sea Floyds, Loris, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Socastee, and St. James. Horry County Schools has more than 47,000 students and is South Carolina’s third-largest school district.