The Fort Mill School District is proposing a $271,683,055 general fund budget for the 2026 to 2027 school year that would raise starting teacher pay to $54,500 and seek a net 10.5 mill tax increase, district administrators told the Board of Trustees during its May 5 meeting.
The proposal calls for an 11.5 mill increase from the maximum allowable 19.7 mills, offset by a one mill reduction in debt service. District officials said the plan would fund items from priority categories 1 through 4 as well as a portion of category 5. A public hearing on the budget will be held at a future meeting.
Teacher Pay and Compensation
Administrators recommended increasing the district’s starting teacher salary from $52,500 to $54,500, matching the state’s $2,000 increase to the minimum teacher salary scale, which is rising from $48,500 to $50,500. The proposal also adds a 30th step to the pay scale and includes a 2.5 percent cost of living increase for all other employee groups.
Salaries and fringe benefits account for 89.3 percent of the proposed budget. District officials cited teacher recruitment and retention as a primary driver of the compensation plan.
Funding Challenges
Senior staff told the board the district continues to face challenges under the state’s Education Funding Model, with no improvement in the funding distribution formula for faster growing, lower poverty districts. State Aid to Classrooms funding is set to decrease by $605,773, which administrators said will not cover the proposed teacher salary increase.
Projected revenue includes $161,113,331 in local taxes and $105,527,124 in state funds. The budget assumes a value of a mill at $400,000 and projected student enrollment of 18,818, up from a current 135 day average daily membership of 18,254. A $3,500,000 contingency transfer is included to support the opening of Flint Hill Middle School.
Monthly Financial Update
Mrs. Leanne Lordo reported total revenue of $219,682,935 against expenditures of $180,036,894 through March 31, the ninth month of the fiscal year, producing a positive cash flow of $39,646,041. The district is projecting tax revenue $2.8 million over budget through June.
Impact fee collections total $83,691,572 to date, with 5,228 total units recorded, including 2,996 single family and 2,232 multi family. April 2026 collections were $341,100.
The district issued $20,900,000 in Series 2026A Bonds on April 29. J.P. Morgan Securities submitted the low bid of 2.6185 percent interest among 14 bidders. The sale reduced debt millage by 1.5 mills, from 86 to 84.5 mills.
Student Nutrition Price Increase
The School Nutrition Department is requesting a 5 cent increase in both breakfast and lunch prices for the 2026 to 2027 school year. Officials said the adjustment would help offset cost of living salary increases. The department operates independently of the district’s general fund and is partnering with local farmers to feature South Carolina grown strawberries on menus for a six week period. The board will vote on the price increase at a future meeting.
Recognitions
Former Superintendent Dr. Chuck Epps and former Assistant Superintendent Marty McGinn were announced as the 2025 Hall of Fame honorees, with a reception scheduled for June 2 at the district Training and Support Center.
Catawba Ridge High School teacher Nicole LaFave was recognized as the South Carolina STEM Educator of the Year. River Trail Elementary was recognized as a Model PLC School. Tony Caricari, Jim McCord, Alexis Claassen, and Landon Bailey received the Superintendent’s Red Nose Award.
The Fort Mill History Museum presented high school student board members Ryan Cunnyngham of Catawba Ridge, Bryce Wilson of Fort Mill, and Skylar Robinson of Nation Ford.
Tega Cay Elementary, a Collective Leadership School through the State of South Carolina, delivered the school spotlight presentation. Staff highlighted the school’s 2025 to 2026 Priority of Practice question, “How might we develop Titans as Leaders?”
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Grey Young reported current district enrollment of 18,245. Orchard Park Elementary led student attendance for March at 97.04 percent, followed by Pleasant Knoll Middle at 96.6 percent and Fort Mill High School at 95.4 percent.
The state legislative session ends Thursday, May 14. The House is reviewing State Budget amendments this week, with a Conference Committee expected to be named to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions.
