The Putnam County Board of Education reviewed its proposed fiscal year 2027 budget during a combined work session and regular meeting on June 15.
The board also approved construction-related projects, software purchases and personnel recommendations, while discussing future facilities plans.
Much of the meeting focused on the proposed FY27 budget. District leaders, including Putnam County Schools Superintendent Derick Austin, outlined continuing financial pressures, including decreased state funding, increased health care costs and changes related to local fair-share funding. Officials also said rising fuel and energy costs were factored into budget planning.
According to information presented during the meeting, approximately $58.3 million of the district’s operating expenditures are allocated to instruction. The projected ending fund balance is $7.89 million.
The discussion expanded on a budget update presented during the board’s May meeting. At that time, district officials reported an approximately $300,000 decrease in Quality Basic Education funding, coupled with a roughly $300,000 increase in the local fair-share contribution, creating an estimated $600,000 negative impact on the budget.
Additional cost pressures include increased health care expenses, Teacher Retirement System contributions and employee step-pay increases. School officials said the budget will undergo another review before being presented for final approval at a future board meeting.
Board members also approved software purchases requested by Austin and authorized athletic field lighting projects at multiple schools. Officials said the lighting work is expected to be completed this summer.
The board also approved construction services through Performance Services for a planned field house project. District leaders said the facility remains in the design phase and that a general contractor has not yet been selected. Officials added that the building's final size has not been determined and that demolition costs and the installation of an elevator are expected to be included in the project.
The June discussion followed several facilities-related actions approved during the board’s May meeting. Board members approved a $143,434 change order for the old high school driveway project after additional costs were incurred because of water line relocation, sidewalk work and utility conflicts. Officials said AT&T utility work remains the final obstacle, with the goal of completing the project before the start of the new school year.
The board also approved the purchase of a replacement agriculture and FFA truck for $64,968. Austin said the school system’s current truck had reached its service-life limit under student transportation safety regulations and will be reassigned to maintenance use.
Personnel recommendations submitted by the superintendent also received board approval.
During the May meeting, the board also approved serving as the fiscal agent for Family Connection for fiscal years 2026-27 and adopted a calendar amendment combining its June meetings into a single meeting day.
Board members also discussed plans for a future board retreat to be held off campus following a conference in Savannah.
The next Putnam County Board of Education meeting is scheduled for July 20 at 158 Old Glenwood Springs Road in Eatonton.