Russellville City Schools Board of Education approves $43.26 million FY26-27 budget

The Russellville City Schools Board of Education approved a $43.26 million budget for FY 2026-2027 at its final meeting of the current fiscal year on September 15th.

The budget is a slight decrease from FY25-26’s $43.3 million budget, but there are several variations in the percentage of each revenue source, RCS Chief Financial Officer Lisa Witt explained.

Of the anticipated $42.36 million in revenue, the Education Foundation monies from the state’s Education Trust Fund represent 59% of the system’s revenue, $25.54 million.

That total includes a two percent across-the-board increase for all employees.

The system’s earned teaching units declined by almost three full units. Teaching units are calculated from each school’s Average Daily Attendance based on last fall’s numbers.

One positive change in the FY26-27 budget is state funding for 100% of transportation costs. In prior years, Witt said, that number has been as low as 60% and the system had to use local funding to make up the shortfall. This year, those local funds can be redirected for other expenses.

The new budget allocates $1,000 for each RCS teacher to use for instructional supplies.

Although the new budget shows a revenue shortfall of $723,731, there won’t be an actual decrease in funds available due to the upfront funding of state Advancement and Technology (A&T) monies for the next fiscal year.

So actual available funds won’t decline until next year, where the decline in FY26-27 A&T funding of $900,000 will be a direct hit to the system’s bottom line. Only an increase in FY27-28 A&T monies can prevent that scenario.

Another bright spot this year is the increase in Renewing Alabama’s Investment in Student Excellence (RAISE) funding. Those monies are allocated based on several demographical criteria, including percentage of special education, English Language Learners and gifted students along with the poverty level in the community served by the system.

This year’s budget includes $1.3 million in RAISE funds, an increase of $160,000 from the expiring budget.

Federal revenue of $5.14 million comprises only 12% of the system’s total revenue.

Local funding, including sales tax, ad valorem tax and the allocation from the City of Russellville, are expected to be $11.49 million, 27% of the FY26-27 total revenue.

Russellville City Schools will receive the increased amount of $385,000 in Simplified Sellers Use Taxes, an eight percent flat tax assessed on online goods sold by companies who do not have a presence in Alabama.

The Franklin County Commission allocates SSUT taxes with 1/3 going to the Franklin County Commission, and 2/3 divided by Russellville City Schools and Franklin County Schools, based on student numbers.

Ahead of the November 3rd Alabama general election, Witt also stressed the importance of ad valorem tax revenue from the three different millages that provide vital revenue for the system.

Two of those, a 4.5 and 5.5 mill tax, will appear on the November 3rd ballot with voters considering renewing them for a 30-year period.

A third 7.8 mill tax was renewed in 2015 through 2045.

“These funds are so important to our system. With ad valorem revenue, we have a School Resource Officer in every school, and state-of-the-art security cameras, a badge system for visitors, all helping to keep our schools safe,” Witt said.

Millage revenues also supplement operating costs, maintenance, instruction outside of basic course funding and all extracurricular activities.

“Please remember on November 3rd what we use this money for and please share its importance to Russellville City Schools,” Witt said of the $1.4 million the two millages account for each year.

Superintendent Tim Guinn expressed his appreciation to Witt for navigating the system through the annual budget, which can be a labyrinth of rules and regulations.

“We certainly appreciate Mrs. Witt for the job she does with this very hard-core process. I can’t even imagine how difficult it is,” Guinn said.

In other agenda items at the board’s September 15th meeting, it approved:

—facility use request for RHS Football Stadium (track) on October 3rd for the National Honor Society and the GFWC Book Lovers Study Club to host a “Walk to Wellness” to raise funds for individuals undergoing cancer treatment.

—Teacher Excellence and Accountability for Mathematics and Science (TEAMS) contracts for Hunter Kilpatrick and Emily Stewart, from July 1, 2026 until June 30, 2027.

—trip request for RHS students on October 30th to travel to Shiloh National Military Park in Shiloh, Tenn., to conduct a staff ride with JROTC Cadets and history students.

—personnel moves including resignation of Renae Cochran, CNP worker, PPL for teacher Caitlan Swinney from August 17-October 14, 2026, leave of absence for custodian Sandy Goins, from Sept. 16-Sept. 30, 2026, the employment of Chelsea Nieves as CNP Worker and temporary employment of Josey Dill as a student worker in the Park and Recreation Department.