The Pierce County School Board gave tentative approval to a $44.1 million spending plan for 2026, up about $1.3 million from this year.
The board will hold hearings to receive input on the plan at 8 a.m. Thursday, June 5 and 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 9.
Finance Director Melanie Helms reviewed the budget with board members during their regular monthly work session last Thursday.
The plan does not call for a millage rate increase.
The budget is balanced and is similar to the current year, with the exception of new spending to cover the costs of health insurance and retirement increases for teachers and staff.
Helms pointed out that about 89 percent of the budget goes to salaries and benefits.
Helms says the budget will also include state funding for school security improvements.
Pierce County taxpayers will provide about $11.2 million for the budget from ad valorem property taxes, car tags and related taxes. Federal funds comprise about $7 million and the remainder comes from state sources. Helms pointed out the state reduced its funding by about $448,000 in equalization money next year. The equalization money helps smaller, rural school districts. The reduction is due to growth in Pierce County’s tax digest due to reassessment last year.
Timeline for the budget includes public hearings and final approval next month and setting the millage rate in August or September.
