The Henry County School Board and Board of Supervisors held a joint meeting on Feb. 25 to begin discussions about the fiscal year 2025-26 (FY26) budget. The meeting allowed the school board to outline its projected budget needs and priorities for the upcoming school year.
The school system does not have an estimate for total funding, as the budget is still pending. But the current proposal is a total budget of $115 million, including total projected salaries plus benefits at $73,336,893, with projected salary increases of $1,983,037, or three percent, according to Assistant Superintendent Dr. Benjamin Boone, who reviewed revenue projections and the school budget.
State legislators recently approved $83,471,413 in state funding, which in Henry County represents a local share of $20,798,096—an increase of $3,333,102 over the previous year.
Most staff would receive a 3 percent pay raise under the proposal, a nearly $2 million increase over last year. The administrative salary scale will increase by 2 to 2.5 percent, with one step added.
“We’re very competitive,” Boone said, noting that the county’s pay scale is attractive to teachers.
He pointed out that 60 teachers are at the highest step of the pay scale, which he said is an indication of employee satisfaction.
The district’s capital improvement plan includes $13 million in proposed upgrades for FY26, depending on available funds. A five-year capital project snapshot outlines over $50 million in planned projects, excluding potential Career Academy expansions and athletic facility improvements.
The district is also requesting additional funding for:
- English Learner (EL) teaching positions
- Full-time substitute teachers
- Increased substitute pay
Superintendent Amy Blake-Lewis emphasized the district’s commitment to student safety and academic achievement.
“We put students first,” Blake-Lewis said, and highlighted several accomplishments from the past year, including career and technical education (CTE) industry certifications that help students transition into the workforce.
Among the district’s recent achievements:
- 13 percent of seniors are graduating with an associate degree.
- 30 percent of students are enrolled in dual-enrollment courses.
- Chronic absenteeism has decreased by 20 percent this year.
- The Harvest Foundation SEED program continues to provide students with access to free college education.
The district has also made facility improvements, including new bleachers at middle schools, as well as HVAC, lighting, and ceiling upgrades at Bassett High School. Additional safety measures are planned for elementary schools.
“Visitors that come during the day can be screened,” Blake-Lewis said, adding that similar security measures will be implemented at middle school events.
In the upcoming fiscal year, the district aims to invest in new initiatives, including a program for Safe and Civil Schools to help teachers with classroom management.
The Career Academy will continue to expand, with an emergency medical technician (EMT) program launching in 2025-26 and an automotive technology program the following year. These programs are designed to help students find employment in Henry County.
Iriswood District Supervisor Garrett Dillard inquired about upgrading the county’s track facilities to better support student-athletes competing at the state level.
“If we wanted to try to chip away at that, we would need to look at that and divide it over five years, possibly 10,” Blake-Lewis said.
Cherie Whitlow, At-Large member on the school board, praised the district’s athletes but acknowledged that facility upgrades require planning.
“We are impressed with how our athletes are doing. There are just a couple of steps before we can get to the tracks,” she said.
Ben Gravely, vice chairman of the school board, urged the Board of Supervisors to consider long-term funding commitments.
“As you see, we are willing to offer those programs. However, as stated, there may be some renovations we have to do with our schools,” Gravely said. He also warned that losing grant funding would lead to teacher layoffs and larger class sizes, making classroom management more difficult.
Dillard stressed the importance of prioritizing student success.
“What do we want the end result to be? Students going out and being successful,” he said, adding that investing in education could help reduce crime.
Collinsville District Supervisor Joe Bryant defended the Board of Supervisors’ efforts to balance funding across various county agencies.
“We are not the bad guys,” Bryant said. “We budget as best we can to support the different agencies in the county.”
Dillard suggested the county could support schools without a major financial strain.
“I don’t want to say we can’t afford it,” he said.
However, Supervisor Chairman Jim Adams encouraged the board to gauge public opinion on potential tax increases to support education.
“Ask yourself how you feel about a tax increase. Are you willing to go on record saying that you will support it?” Adams asked, recommending that officials discuss the issue with constituents.
