May 7, 2024
Fort Mill School Board Meeting Highlights
Special Recognitions
• Fort Mill High School Health and Occupational Science Association (HOSA) State Champions Victoria Griffin (Medical Assisting 1) and Caroline Tucker (Nursing Assisting 1)
• Fort Mill High School Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) SC State Conference Champions Isabella Martin and Jackson Smith – Entrepreneurship Decision Making
• Catawba Ridge High School Percussion and Winds Ensembles for Winter Guard International (WGI) Championships
• Fort Mill High School FFA Floriculture Team Jasmine Intawiwat, Victoria Day, Madison Mager, and Tillman Shiplett State Champions
School Spotlight – Tega Cay Elementary School
River Trail Elementary School (RTES) Principal Savannah Steger and several of her school staff shared information about their mission and Otter Code, including ways they are increasing teacher and student self-efficacy through goal setting, celebrating achievements, and pursuing high expectations.
Monthly Financial/Impact Fee Update
Mrs. Leanne Lordo presented the monthly financial and impact fee report:
Monthly Financial Report
• March 31 – Ninth Month in Fiscal Year
• Total Revenue $181,972,717
Total Expenditures $151,307,183
Increase $30,665,534 – Positive Cash flow
• No significant delinquent real estate collections this month
• Vehicle tax collections $1,693,840
• Projecting tax revenue out to June – estimating $2.0 million over budget
Impact Fees
• Total collected to date $65,784,476
• Single Family units 2,512/Multi Family 1,679/ Total 4,191 Units
• April had 26 homes and 0 multi-family units added
• Comparable data for 12 months rolling for Single Family
o Apr 2023 to Apr 2024 $6,900,040 or 380 SF Units (84.5% more)
o Apr 2022 to Apr 2023 $3,740,548 or 206 Units
• Comparable data for 12 months rolling for Multi Family
o Apr 2023 to Apr 2024 $1,382,300 or 115 MF Units (50% less)
o Apr 2022 to Apr 2023 $2,764,600 or 230 Units
• Calendar Year 2023 Average collections $597,188.
April 2024 Actual collections $472,108.
SC Legislature
• The Senate passed their State Budget bill. Full Senate adopted the Senate Finance recommended amount for Education Aid to Classrooms at $200 million vs. the House Budget amount of $230 million. This resulted in a decrease in State Funding for Fort Mill of $528,202. These allocations are based on the 45-day student counts and will be updated for 135-day numbers.
• Teacher Supply funds did remain in the new budget at $400 up from $350 this year.
• The State Budget will now return to the House and then Conference Committee to resolve differences.
Discussion of 2024-2025 Budget
Mrs. Leanne Lordo shared information about the ongoing 2024–2025 budget process. The report included new projections for state funding based on recent activity in the state legislature. The Public Hearing on the Budget is scheduled for June 4, 2024 at 6 p.m.
Curriculum Update
Dr. Mike Waiksnis along with the district curriculum coordinators presented a curriculum update to the board. The update described the impact the coordinators have with teachers and staff by providing PLT support, instructional support, and collaboration.
PLC Support Includes:
• Attend PLT meetings
• Middle/High Math Labs
• Essential Standards work to establish a guaranteed and viable curriculum
• Unpacking standards
• Team-based coaching support
• Elementary standards-based report card updates (K-2)
• Facilitated job-alike sessions in the fall for middle/high content
• Engaged to Learn support
• Creation of the PLC Playbook
• Book studies
Instruction Support Includes:
• Instructional Rounds
• Ci3T observations
• EdCamp and Jump Start support
• Book studies
• Professional Development
• STEAM presentations
• Marzano assessment training for middle school
• Using data to drive instruction (SC Ready, STAR, formative and summative)
• EOC data conversations
• Instructional materials
• LETRS training for elementary
• Managing instructional changes from the state
• Read to Succeed
Collaboration Includes:
• Building Relationships
• Book studies
• Curriculum meetings
• Grading and Assessment work
• Coaching Academy
• Leadership Academy
• API/PLC Specialist meetings
• Literacy and Math Specialist meetings
• State-level meetings
• Standard overviews/caravans
• Conferences
• Interventionist Collaborative meetings
• Work with other district-level departments
• Community Partnerships (ASC Greenway, Fort Mill History Museum)
Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Chuck Epps provided an overview of upcoming events for May and June, 2024. The next school board meeting is tentatively scheduled for May 21, the last day of school is scheduled for May 31 and Graduation Ceremonies are scheduled for June 1 at the Winthrop Coliseum. For a complete listing of events please click the calendar link below.
Dr. Epps announced the March teacher attendance winners with Nation Ford High, Gold Hill Middle and Springfield Elementary winning for their respective grade levels.
Fort Mill School Board meetings can be viewed live or on demand on the district’s YouTube channel or with the link below.
