Anderson 5 board freezes out-of-district tuition at $4,148 for 2025–26
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Summary
Trustees voted 7–1 to keep the out-of-district tuition rate at $4,148 for the 2025–26 school year and discussed enrollment, athletic multipliers and possible scholarships.
The Anderson School District 5 board voted to maintain the out-of-district tuition rate at $4,148 for the 2025–26 school year, rejecting an administrative calculation that could have raised the rate to $4,907.
“We currently charge parents $4,148 if they're out of school district and want to join Anderson 5,” Amy Hurd said during the discussion. Hurd said the board previously froze the rate and could again set any amount below the statutory maximum; administration had calculated a formula-driven cap that would have allowed up to $4,907 for some out-of-county students. The board motion to keep the rate at $4,148 passed on a recorded show of hands with one opposed.
Why it matters: trustees debated capacity, equity and competitive factors. Enrollment for out-of-district students in the current year stood at 22 students, Hurd said, with 13 at TL Hannah High School and the rest across other schools. Officials noted state scholarship funds (the Education Scholarship Trust Fund) may provide up to $7,500 for qualifying families and could mitigate tuition costs for some applicants.
Board members also discussed athletic classification effects for schools that accept out-of-district students: the board noted that a multiplier applied for some athletic eligibility calculations and that admitting nonresident students can affect school classification in South Carolina High School League divisions.
Mister Galloway described the district’s admissions process for out-of-district applicants: the district requires a completed form, academic records, tax statements when applicable and a screening for behavioral history; staff may contact the student’s prior district and the receiving principals before approval.
Trustees discussed operational constraints: some classrooms and special-education settings are legally capped and cannot accept additional students. Board members asked staff to notify prospective families promptly of any tuition changes so families can plan payment before the school year.
The board instructed administration to communicate the maintained rate to affected families and to provide details on how the district applies property-tax credits for applicants who own property or businesses in Anderson 5.