Lexington 1 board approves $401.4 million general fund budget with raises, added positions

The Lexington County School District 1 board voted to approve the 2025–26 general fund operating budget on June 10, 2025, adopting a plan with approximately $401,392,479 in proposed general fund revenue that uses roughly $11 million of fund balance and adds district positions while increasing teacher and support pay.

The budget matters because it funds teacher compensation increases voted through the district’s salary study recommendations, sustains lower student‑teacher planning ratios and adds operational staff the district says are needed for instruction and school supervision. The board carried the motion by voice vote after public comment and extended discussion by trustees and staff.

Doctor Price, presenting the proposal, said the salary study committee—made up of teachers, support staff, administrators and board members—recommended hiring and step changes that carry an estimated financial impact of $12,800,000. "Since 2022, the starting salary for teachers in Lexington 1 has risen from $41,410 to $49,000 in this current year and to $52,000 if the proposed budget is approved," he said.

The budget package the board approved reflects board direction to pursue an iteration of the district’s “option 3a,” which included full salary study recommendations plus a set of "would like to do" items prioritized by principals. Miss Miller, summarizing fund numbers, said the proposed general fund revenue includes the use of $11,000,000 of fund balance and that salaries and benefits make up about 87–88% of total expenditures. She also noted the district is budgeting at a 96% fill rate for positions rather than 100% to reflect typical turnover and vacancies.

Trustees and staff described the major components: a larger beginning teacher salary (projected to reach $52,000 under the budget), increases to beginning support staff pay (from $14.71 to $15.60 per hour in the proposal) and bus driver hourly pay increases (from $19.29 to $20.47). The district presentation also said state revenue was expected to increase roughly $6.7 million but that uncertainty in the state funding formula required local revenue and fund balance to meet priorities.

Public comment included a speaker who urged the board to focus on academic outcomes rather than facilities and cautioned that rising spending had not produced proportional academic gains. The speaker noted state test trends showing reading proficiency roughly flat and math proficiency declining since 2019. Doctor Price and other staff acknowledged the relationship between spending and outcomes and described planned performance indicators to track the budget's impact.

Board members who supported the budget voiced conditional support that they expect measurable results. Trustee Vlachnick said her vote would be a "one‑time leap of faith" contingent on clear, measurable, student‑focused outcomes tied to positions and programs. Trustees said they expect key performance indicators and clearer metrics to return to the board in future months.

The board approved the motion to adopt the general fund operating budget after three readings earlier in the budget cycle and a public hearing that evening. The motion to approve was made by Trustee Rice and seconded by Trustee Pizzuti; the motion carried by voice vote.

The new budget funds curriculum and staffing priorities the district tied to its strategic plan, including expansions to 4K, math coaching and some assistant principal positions. Miss Miller said the district will present performance indicators and a plan for tracking the impact of new hires and program investments to the board in the months ahead.

The board and staff noted remaining fiscal uncertainties: final state revenue will be set after the 30‑day student count next May, employer health insurance legislation could increase costs, and the district intends to continue monitoring expenditures and fund balance through June 30, 2025. Miss Miller projected the district would end FY2025 near its planned balance once final adjustments and typical year‑end accruals are recorded.

Votes at a glance: the motion to approve the 2025–26 general fund operating budget (mover: Trustee Rice; seconder: Trustee Pizzuti) carried by voice vote.

Looking forward: trustees asked administration to return with specific, time‑bound performance indicators tied to the budget priorities — especially for teacher compensation, math coaching, and additional assistant principal positions — and said future budget decisions will be guided by measurable student outcomes rather than inputs alone.