Jackson County Public Schools is requesting $14.1 million in local funding for the 2025-26 school year an increase of about $1 million over last year as the district prepares for changes, including a new middle school.
Key budget drivers include rising costs to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students, new funding for the JROTC program at Smoky Mountain High School, and $500,000 in upgrades to the HVAC and fire alarm systems at Jackson Community School. The district also plans to raise local supplements for staff and is preparing for a possible state-mandated salary increase of up to 4%.
Meal participation has grown since all students began receiving free meals, and the cost to maintain that program is expected to reach $700,000 this year. The district is also budgeting nearly $1.5 million for charter school pass-through payments, as required by state law.
Of the $14.1 million request, $8.2 million would cover general operations, with the remaining funds allocated to staff supplements, nutrition services, facility upgrades, and charter school payments.
Meanwhile, planning continues for the new middle school. The county has secured a site and received a $52 million grant from the state to support construction.
