[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6068142,"mediaKeyId","3108938-941295077c8431d7b39ffbc12737a9fe","parentId",3108938,"title","Florence 1 presents $208.9 million budget first reading; board told millage increase ties to SRO, facility needs","audioSeconds",977,"startMs",4999000,"endMs",5976000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3108938-941295077c8431d7b39ffbc12737a9fe&start=4999&end=5976","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3108938-941295077c8431d7b39ffbc12737a9fe/thumbnail_4999000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6068142/South-Carolina/Florence-1-presents-2089-million-budget-first-reading-board-told-millage-increase-ties-to-SRO-facility-needs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6068142-163adc27d2c0c6545b2d7ec36c9d0d8b/orig.mp4?Expires=1772407143&Signature=YD7bhIPzhZx6SuPcvSV6edipjbFuI7CEYvbQn6eRKffEPY6pci5QKEkypKq39IOIeqFkJPkrcEVFhZWViU9F5zlUlFq7-YGoxiXGbJX7ybF-ipEM5CHyBcb0c3f4TJ2M02DXav1nGk5yKm-ExNjNXgFEXMlzGuaTZzdBlhMkIriOjHDqkU6P9kpINleEUj49fPoTu~6DF24Bbw6jOLEbPXO-Vj5i7fzlW6fTELtfKDTUKbwebmVj03n7ZQhD28ZkRQWzKM~GQ-pOx0D57UGjRRF0E0jeoslq1JfHcY5J9qBrsNhrudTtonzujEwCF~9myJKux1H7V8KEs4OHsgpkSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Florence 1 Schools","date","2025-04-10T00:00:00Z","article","Florence School District 1 presented the first reading of its proposed FY2025–26 operating budget on the board’s May meeting, with total revenues of $208,942,723 and a proposed operating millage that administrators said would rise from the current 210.7 mills to 213.72 mills.

“Total budget revenues are going to be $208,942,723,” said Laura Shao, who led the budget presentation. Shao told trustees the district expects roughly $74,270,002 in local tax revenue (about 36% of total revenues), the remainder from state aid and transfers; she also listed an $8 million (4%) revenue increase over the prior year.

Shao said the increase in operating millage proposed this year is largely tied to security costs the district currently funds locally. “Contracted services for security personnel is costing the district $1,600,000 this year. That is all being paid by local tax dollars,” Shao told the board, and she said those costs equal the three mills the district is asking for in the budget presentation. Shao noted the district had staffed SROs in middle and high schools before statewide funding initiatives and therefore did not qualify for some state SRO reimbursements.

The finance presentation broke down major spending areas: personnel and benefits at about $177,000,723; teacher salaries as presented at $124,427,403; direct student services (therapists, medical transport and contracted special services) totaling multiple millions, including a reported $7,500,000 in outsourced direct services. Shao said state aid to classroom for teachers is roughly $98,000,000, creating a local shortfall of about $26,000,000 that local taxpayers must cover.

Shao described other budget items and planned investments: a modest $600,000 increase for technology (licenses and software), continued funding for transportation and maintenance, $1,500 one-time pay increases for many staff groups, and an expanded operational budget for the new Pointer Medical Magnet School opening January 1 (including salary/fringe for an executive director and added utilities). She told trustees the district spent about $18,000,000 with local Florence County vendors last year.

On district fiscal health, Shao and administration highlighted improvements in the annual state risk assessment—where a lower score is better: the district’s risk score moved from 27 to 12 in earlier years, had been 11 for three years, and was reported at 10 this year; administrators said their target is 9. They also noted the district’s Moody’s score was 2.85 (double-A2) and that a small change in assessed value per capita could move the district toward a 2.68 score and closer to a double-A1 rating.

Board members asked clarifying questions about enrollment assumptions and the effect of state legislative decisions. Administrators said they expect a small enrollment decrease at the 135-day count tied to early high-school graduates and confirmed the 45-day count was the basis for current projections.

Shao said the district continues to absorb state funding shortfalls for services such as Medicaid-related transfers and pre-K programs and that the district’s operation depends heavily on local tax revenue because federal funds are not included in the general fund. She described changes in state funding mechanics that have left local taxpayers responsible for portions of compensation and benefits, and she previewed discussion points that will be part of the public hearing process leading to second reading and certification of the millage in June.

Ending: The board received the first reading; no vote on the final millage or budget adoption occurred at the meeting. Administration will provide additional detail during the budget process, with required public hearings and a June second reading and certification schedule.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Florence 1 School Board Meeting-April 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Florence School District 1 presented a $208.94 million proposed FY2025–26 budget first reading that includes a proposed operating millage increase to 213.72 mills to cover security and other locally funded costs.","taxTitle","Florence 01, School Districts, South Carolina","taxId",14959,"location","South Carolina","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6068133,"Votes at a glance: Florence 1 board approves contracts, program renewals and executive-session outcomes",2680,10065000,12745000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3108938-941295077c8431d7b39ffbc12737a9fe&start=10065&end=12745","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3108938-941295077c8431d7b39ffbc12737a9fe/thumbnail_10065000.jpg","/articles/6068133/South-Carolina/Votes-at-a-glance-Florence-1-board-approves-contracts-program-renewals-and-executive-session-outcomes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6068133-f37050de25bf453819d773a62fd5b5be/orig.mp4?Expires=1772407143&Signature=BUJus3onaAa8Yg3bnaljtefnale4qD3YtYnNqM59lMVP2rUBhFR~vCN9~LI7DRafzVbVFnrk5MWAokC23mWraaZGsEr6y0fllJR8104UlT5ktUzo~56XEi4eJf4PFkTpVWCEiPVbQqTjW1h6vzWV2kKoxz89Z~-1-5I45TEDRb~CeypVw6U2eCuZKDvUO9O1VEvp4GaX-ezm09PaoOENKmP5PcYke1SaNNaIUJPG7jczENIdCaAOPPXAH-qDrZ~Nk2toJes-wL8AyLeVzElXgL~vZWPunpeZATp9y4egellwdJcB8YVzWw5oGR74AMLFQq0zXEaR1WChEl0FVXpz3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Florence School District 1 Board of Trustees approved a slate of action items and formal motions at its meeting. Below are the principal outcomes the board recorded by voice vote or motion; the meeting transcript shows the motions moved and seconded and approved by voice vote unless otherwise noted.

Votes at a glance

- Action items bundle (agenda items 1–3): The board approved the financial statements, minutes and field trips as a bundled motion.

- Revised teacher contract form (agenda item 4): Approved after presentation (see separate article on contract changes).

- April personnel sheet (agenda item 5): Approved by motion as presented (personnel sheet distinct from contract renewals).

- Contract renewals for 2025–26 (agenda item 6): Trustees approved recommended renewals for certified teachers, certified administrators, noncertified administrators and letter-of-agreement administrators. One board member recorded an abstention on a single employee listed as employee number 261 (transcript note); the motion otherwise passed.

- Nonrenewal of letter-of-agreement at-will employees (attachment B under item 6): Approved as presented.

- Financial audit contract 2025–2028 (agenda item 8): The board approved a three-year engagement with the district’s current auditors under procurement exemption code 6b (certified public accountants/auditors). Administration said the current auditor proposed modest fee increases ($2,000 per year for the financial audit) and argued continuity was preferable given audit timing pressures and a thinning market of school-audit firms.

- Board policy first readings (items 9 and 10): GCCAC (employee wellness/dental exam leave) and GCCAA (community volunteer leave) were presented on first reading and will return for a second reading; no final action was taken.

- Board policy second reading (item 11): JLCDA (use of life‑saving medication) was adopted as revised following prior committee review.

- International-exchange agencies (item 12): The board approved two agencies for accepting foreign exchange students in 2025–26 as meeting policy requirements (Academic Year in America and High School Exchange Year).

- USDA Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) participation (item 13): The board approved continuing the district’s participation in the federal CEP program that provides free breakfast and lunch to students; administration reported Florence 1’s identifying student percentage at roughly 62.85% and explained CEP enrollment is contracted by the state and may be affected by federal or state policy changes.

- District strategic school renewal plans (item 14): Trustees approved the district’s required annual renewal updates for the five-year school plans and authorized submission to the state.

- Dual enrollment memorandums of agreement (item 15): The board approved eight MOAs with postsecondary institutions for dual-enrollment courses (the list included Francis Marion University plus seven other South Carolina institutions and technical colleges as provided in the packet).

- Grounds and maintenance memorandum with Florence School District 2: Approved continuation of the maintenance agreement for Timmonsville (contract listed at $32,000 in the packet; administration said actual expenditures historically have been lower and the district monitors spending).

- Executive session: The board met in executive session on student admission requests and three student disciplinary appeals, returned to open session, and issued the following public actions based on executive-session deliberations: (1) Approved the admission recommendations for four kindergarten admission requests (administration recommended unfavorable; board voted to approve admission for the listed applicants); (2) For student disciplinary appeal #1, the board upheld the hearing officer’s decision; (3) For student disciplinary appeal #2, the board sustained the hearing officer’s decision but allowed the student to enroll in adult education and participate in class-level activities subject to conditions (academic placement, ongoing progress and South Carolina High School League rules for athletics); (4) For student disciplinary appeal #3, the board affirmed the hearing officer’s decision but offered a modified return-to-learn phased plan with specific community-service requirements and conditions tied to reinstatement of the prior expulsion if conditions are not met.

Notes on votes and textual record: The meeting transcript records motions moved and seconded and repeated voice votes of “aye” and “those likewise.” The transcript documents one explicit abstention (employee #261) and several occasions where motions were seconded but no roll-call tallies were read into the record. Where the transcript did not provide named movers, seconders or roll-call tallies, the summary notes the motion and outcome without attributing a specific mover or count.

Ending: Several substantive items (notably the budget first reading and the contract renewals) require follow-up (public hearings, July salary letters, certification of millage) and will return to the board for required next steps.","Trustees approved a package of action items including contract renewals, continuation of auditing services, school plans, program agreements and executive-session outcomes; the meeting included a separate first reading of the FY2025–26 budget.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6068138,"Board hears first readings of employee wellness and community volunteer leave policies",809,7532000,8341000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3108938-941295077c8431d7b39ffbc12737a9fe&start=7532&end=8341","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3108938-941295077c8431d7b39ffbc12737a9fe/thumbnail_7532000.jpg","/articles/6068138/South-Carolina/Board-hears-first-readings-of-employee-wellness-and-community-volunteer-leave-policies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6068138-06d63694531127520382e76b920777d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1772407143&Signature=Lc3ZYKd6Mdj8vzTZk8X-hJcxtzG66~cLKprSF7Mme98LEHRVgnOo9Pf54xEEYWQJYCmWyGCreo~fzcFtTRgAnZDo49n90wIpqBTB8ssJRU8yessKDJj3u0cJ7Q~KuJXQ7ZuKPmQ48RDB3jPvURlwOM9quC-XYgrPV4rIQtclPq-SUeUw3uIVG5AWiFsltj9od0AI3R2jh5ZaVZ0m0lnG40wioPQE9fQNfrXEpTu6jSua5XdIML7uKXTx5UJl06EGf8aSXN3TrXXbv8FaV4ryTB~ztQCtqeNrVoNpgDdGrgnQCmbzxg~uifEm2yzcGSO8Y9ZCTliKZ8th-ZA513SAmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Florence School District 1 Board of Trustees reviewed on first reading two new personnel-oriented policies intended to support employee health and community engagement.

Policy committee members introduced GCCAC (employee wellness and dental exam leave), which would allow eligible full-time employees to take up to one paid day per school year (in half-day increments) for personal wellness or dental appointments. The proposed policy requires five days’ advance notice where feasible, documentation signed by a health-care provider within three work days of the appointment, and prohibits using the leave to extend holidays or scheduled breaks. Supervisors would approve and track the use of the leave.

The committee also introduced GCCAA (community volunteer leave), which would allow eligible full-time employees with at least two years of district service to take up to one paid day per school year to perform approved volunteer service for nonprofit or community initiatives aligned with district values. Requests would require documentation from the organization and a 10-business-day approval window, and volunteers could not use the leave for partisan political or conflicting-interest activities.

“Out of our staff that have health insurance, last year only 10.4 percent of our staff had a wellness checkup or a biometric,” a committee speaker said while describing metrics the policies seek to improve. The committee framed the policies as parts of a broader employee health strategy tied to local wellness initiatives.

Board members asked clarifying questions, including whether volunteer time at nonprofit events held in houses of worship would qualify (committee members said service to a nonprofit hosted at a religious location can qualify as long as the activity is not promoting religion). The policies were presented as first readings and will return for final action after required notice and committee follow-up.

Ending: Both policies were presented and discussed in committee; no final vote was taken at the meeting.","On first reading the board reviewed two new personnel-support policies: a one-day-per-year paid wellness/dental leave for full-time employees and a one-day-per-year paid community volunteer leave for eligible staff; both items were presented by the policy committee and will return for final action after the second reading.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6068147,"Florence 1 board approves revised teacher contract after yearlong staff input",665,4097000,4762000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3108938-941295077c8431d7b39ffbc12737a9fe&start=4097&end=4762","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3108938-941295077c8431d7b39ffbc12737a9fe/thumbnail_4097000.jpg","/articles/6068147/South-Carolina/Florence-1-board-approves-revised-teacher-contract-after-yearlong-staff-input","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6068147-5e523b9ec204abd73c54f643952f388a/orig.mp4?Expires=1772407143&Signature=bru3StUQCrfDeZN8DRHgKdk7w87wfrfvCBb2bT4Z~yg65W6RY1pC1efOqC5DtwT-F5XOIgV2OG1vsJW2bolzxsTshs1IDFuLtjECAPWoBBU2QxBMiR~9jC5T-O1LoH5NhUfSO1XlHE1755JDBaZ7Jps4qILdW2xHk7cA2zQ--wuZQfvwFrdR6-IMj7b-f8W0RmSzgs6BXOQHKqpBmLgyKXs62JBmhDDaMMXvlaGYzK1O7XiImERuUGpj0SdXiLBrfDXEqrGQteHGQjSe0W4Y2ZwNhnjF9B1EpQv5-sh~pdR~68NWGn7g4xGFHGH7nqXWkp7~tGUamUg0TC~xSsyXOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Florence School District 1 Board of Trustees voted to approve a revised teacher contract after administrators presented a draft they said was shaped by roughly 25 school-based listening sessions and review with teachers and district counsel. The board approved the contract by voice vote after a presentation and brief discussion.

District staff said the revisions were the product of nearly a year of engagement with teachers and a review of contract language used in other states and districts. “This is almost a year in work,” Nate Marshall, Chief People Officer, told the board, describing school meetings, follow-up emails and collaboration with teachers of the year and legal counsel.

Marshall highlighted key changes included in the draft: removal of the phrase “tentative location” in favor of “location,” language committing administration to “every effort” to limit changes in teacher assignments, moving the salary notice near the top of the contract so teachers know the salary offered before signing, explicit inclusion of unencumbered planning time in the contract, removal of extracurricular duties language (because those are covered by separate agreements), and insertion of explicit references to sick leave, personal days and eligibility to join the district’s sick-leave bank.

“Let me know right out the gate what my salary is,” Marshall quoted teachers as saying; the contract now includes a sentence that the salary listed reflects the employee’s 2024–25 salary and that a July salary letter will reflect steps and any legislature- or board-approved increases. He also described adding a provision that a full-time employee may join the sick-leave bank by donating one sick day and, if approved, access up to 30 days for catastrophic illness.

Superintendent Robert O’Malley (identified in the meeting as Dr. O’Malley) and board members praised the process of soliciting teacher input. Mistina Cruz, a North Vista teacher who was introduced to the board as the incoming president of the South Carolina Education Association, was recognized during the presentation; administrators credited teacher leaders with contributing feedback.

After administration’s presentation, the board chair asked for a motion to approve the revised contract form. The motion was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting minutes provided.

The board’s packet contained a redline draft and a summary of changes; administrators said the district attorney reviewed the language before its presentation. No new salaries or step amounts beyond what was already included in the packet were enacted by this single approval: administrators said actual firm salary letters reflecting step placement would be issued in July once legislative and board budget actions are final.

Implementation note: staff said changes are intended to clarify existing policy entitlements and make several benefits more explicit in contract language rather than create new entitlements beyond policy. The board’s approval was for the contract form presented; personnel placement and salary letters will follow the district’s normal processes.

Ending: The board approved the contract form after the presentation and the item moved on to subsequent personnel and budget items on the agenda.","The Florence School District 1 Board of Trustees approved a revised teacher contract that incorporated staff-solicited changes including explicit salary disclosure, location guarantees, unencumbered time and sick-leave bank membership; administration said the changes followed extensive teacher feedback and attorney review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Florence 1 presents $208.9 million budget first reading; board told millage increase ties to SRO, facility needs

Votes at a glance: Florence 1 board approves contracts, program renewals and executive-session outcomes

Board hears first readings of employee wellness and community volunteer leave policies

Florence 1 board approves revised teacher contract after yearlong staff input