At its regular meeting on May 26, 2026, the Union County Board of Education officially approved a $40.8 million tentative budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The strategically crafted plan focuses heavily on investing in workforce retention, supporting key district instructional initiatives, and reinforcing the school system's financial stability.
The budget was developed to directly address critical needs in personnel, instruction, transportation, facilities, and maintenance. Despite flat local property tax revenues, the district achieved its core funding goals through careful financial management and an increase in state SEEK (Support Education Excellence in Kentucky) revenue.
“Our primary goals with this budget were twofold: to make our salaries highly competitive with surrounding districts and to continue expanding our vital instructional programs,” highlighted Superintendent Dr. Terra Hancock. “Thanks to disciplined fiscal oversight at the district level and increased state support, we have delivered a budget that honors our staff while protecting our taxpayers.”
A major pillar of the 2026-2027 budget is a robust compensation package aimed at attracting and retaining premier educational talent. Key highlights of the approved salary and incentive plan include:
- District-Wide Pay Increase: A minimum 3% pay raise for all UCPS certified and classified employees.
- Support for New Educators: Significantly higher starting salaries for beginning teachers to strengthen recruitment.
- Early-Career Acceleration: Accelerated pay increases for certified employees during the first 10 years of their careers.
- Stipend Continuations: Sustained funding for the district’s "Elevated Educators" milestone service, alongside stipends for Veteran/New Teacher Mentors.
- Specialized Classroom Support: Supplemental pay for certified teachers dedicated to Behavior Support and MSD special education classrooms.
In addition to these personnel investments, the approved plan actively strengthens the district's long-term financial health by increasing its contingency funding to 6.87%. This healthy reserve ensures UCPS remains prepared for unexpected operational or facility needs.
District leaders expect that the targeted incentives built into the new budget will foster a supportive work environment, keep high-quality educators in Union County classrooms, and ultimately drive long-term academic success for all students.
The tentative budget will now move forward in the standard state approval pipeline as the district prepares for the upcoming school year.
To learn more about the district budget and salary schedule as well as how to apply for employment with Union County Public Schools, you may visit the school district website at union.kyschools.us.