Development News for Fort Mill, South Carolina

Fort Mill School District Adopts School Choice Policies, Adjusts Class Size Ratios

The board adopted revised policies concerning limited school choice and inter-district transfers, aiming to provide families with more options while maintaining fairness and managing capacity. Key policies adopted include IIB (class size standards), JCA (student assignment), and JFB (school choice procedures). The class size ratios were adjusted to 21:1 for K-3, 23:1 for 4-8, and 25:1 for 9-12. The school choice program will operate via a lottery system with sibling prioritization, and transportation remains a parent's responsibility. Seat allocation is data-driven, using target ratios and a buffer for late enrollment, with a total of 295 available lottery seats (140 elementary, 155 middle). The process is designed to be cost-neutral for the district.

Fort Mill School Board Approves Federal Compliance Policy, Recognizes Staff Efforts

The board discussed and approved several administrative and operational updates, including the adoption of federal fiscal compliance policy DDA, which incorporates whistleblower requirements for federal grants. This policy ensures compliance with federal guidelines and is crucial for federal program audits. The board also acknowledged the diligent work of staff, particularly Ms. Lordo, throughout the budget process and celebrated various school and district achievements, including student awards, retirements, and new principal hires.

Fort Mill School District Approves 2026-2027 Budget with Net 7 Mil Tax Increase

The school board approved the 2026-2027 general fund budget of $272,485,562, which includes a 10.5 mil increase offset by a 3.5 mil decrease in debt service, resulting in a net impact of a 7 mil increase for taxpayers. This budget aims to support district goals and maintain continuous improvement towards excellence. An end-of-year transfer of $4,589,470 was also approved to cover various expenses, including funding for the new Flint Hill Middle School opening and the superintendent's initiatives. Additionally, the board amended the 2025-2026 budget to reflect actual year-end transfers and financial reporting changes.