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5 <br /> Our Fiscal Year 2027 (FY 2027) budget request reflects our values of fiscal responsi- <br /> bility and operational efficiency, aligned to strategic priorities established by our <br /> Board of Education and district leadership: <br /> • We will recruit and retain a high-quality workforce trained and focused to sup- <br /> port student proficiency, growth, and well-being in all areas — from academics and <br /> social-emotional learning, to arts and athletics, and every aspect of our opera- <br /> tions. <br /> • We will continue allocating resources that most directly meet the needs of stu- <br /> dents and staff in every area to help us achieve the highest possible return on eve- <br /> ry dollar invested. <br /> We have consistently managed our operational strategy to maintain a healthy reserve <br /> while accounting for trends in enrollment, the educator preparation pipeline, and <br /> budgetary moves at the state and federal level. When we continue to invest strategi- <br /> cally in our students and our staff, we expect to sustain the strong academic returns <br /> that are helping our students prepare for their next stage in life. <br /> We know that Governor Stein has proposed a FY 2027 budget aimed at raising start- <br /> ing teacher pay to the highest in the Southeast (13% increase for starting teachers, <br /> nearly 6% for teachers overall, on average). By contrast, the continued uncertainty <br /> around a final state budget and federal education priorities adds unprecedented chal- <br /> lenges as we plan for and begin a new fiscal year. <br /> On the heels of a year with no staff pay increases where many experienced a net de- <br /> crease in pay due to rising insurance premiums, we are eager to reinforce the com- <br /> mitment we share to serving our students and staff and to being sound stewards of <br /> the resources provided by the taxpayers of our community. <br /> On behalf of our Board of Education and district staff, it will be our pleasure to work <br /> with you on this budget to ensure the effective operation of Orange County Schools <br /> in the 2026-2027 school year. <br /> Sincer <br /> Dr. Danielle Jones <br /> Superintendent <br /> Orange County Schools <br /> 5 <br />