$272M budget heads to June vote with 8.5-mill tax request

Board reviewed the third FY 2026–27 budget presentation, approved meal-price and course-weighting changes, and heard another round of public comment on chemical-safety concerns near Flint Hill schools.

The Fort Mill School Board met for nearly four hours on May 18 to review a proposed $272,083,050 budget for fiscal year 2026–27, the third such presentation before a planned June 2 vote. Superintendent Young’s recommendation includes an 8.5-mill tax increase, down from an earlier-proposed 10-mill figure, and earmarks $3.5 million in year-end transfers as contingency for the opening of Flint Hill Middle School in August. The board took action on two operational items — meal pricing and course weighting — and received policy revisions for first reading. Public comment again focused on chemical-safety concerns about the Silfab solar-manufacturing facility adjacent to the Flint Hill campuses.

1. i.

   School Meal Price Increase

   Motion to accept the administration’s recommendation to raise meal prices five cents per category across all schools, effective August 2026. Driven by 2.5% food-service salary adjustments and equipment replacement.

   5–2 · Approved Moved by Spears · Seconded by Boddie Approved
2. ii.

   Course Proposal Changes

   Accept recommendation to change weighting of 11 Project Lead the Way courses from CP to honors, and approve Creative Writing I, II, and Advanced Creative Writing CP plus Student Support Seminar 1–8 as local-board-approved courses. Prompted by state-level loss of dual-credit eligibility for the affected PLTW catalog.

   7–0 · Unanimous Moved by Frattaroli · Seconded by Branning Approved
3. iii.

   Certified Staff Replacement Positions

   Accept the administration’s recommendation for 26 replacement certified positions for the 2026–27 school year, contingent on state allocation confirmation by May 14.

   5–2 Trustees Pratt and Helms voting no Approved
4. iv.

   Principal Appointment — Catawba Ridge High School

   Motion to accept the administration’s recommendation to name candidate referenced as “Candidate A” as Principal of Catawba Ridge High School, effective July 1, 2026. Identity withheld in public session pending notification of current employer.

   7–0 · Unanimous Following executive session Approved

• Facilities

  FY 2026–27 Budget Discussion & Approval Path

  Total proposed: $272,083,050 (+6.8% YoY). Tax-rate request reduced from 10 mills to 8.5 after the April 29 bond closing freed 1.5 mills of debt service. Flint Hill Middle opening is the largest single driver, requiring 44 new FTE and roughly $5M in startup costs. $3.5M held in year-end transfers as Flint Hill contingency. Final action scheduled June 2.

  Recommendation for 8.5 mill tax increase instead of originally proposed higher amount. Within CPI allowance of 8 mills plus 2.5 additional permitted under Act 388.

• Policy

  Policy GCB — Professional Staff Contracts & Compensation (First Reading)

  Revisions adjust the contract-acceptance deadline to before May 11 and change assignment notification from August 15 to fourteen calendar days before students begin school, aligning with the modified school calendar and the Educator Assistance Act. First reading; second reading expected at the June 2 meeting.

  14 calendar days before students begin school, aligning with modified school calendar and the Educator Assistance Act.

• Mr. Burke · Miss Lordo
  Develop public messaging on district website covering budget, tax situation, and growth context.
  By 2 Jun
• Mr. Olinger
  Review bereavement-leave policy; consider extending beyond standard 3 days for spouse and child.
  TBA
• Mr. Olinger
  Review military/business-transfer language in contract-release policy for protected-class consideration.
  TBA
• Dr. Dixon
  Operationalize limited school-choice program: identify participating schools, develop application, conduct lottery.
  By 31 Dec
• Dr. Dixon
  Report to board if school-choice intake proves overwhelming for student-services team.
  Ongoing
• Supt. Young · Miss Lordo
  Host a business-community meeting on state funding challenges; build advocacy for state-level funding changes.
  Summer
• Miss Lordo
  Provide detailed metrics on special-education students requiring 1-to-1 support.
  By 2 Jun