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Adult education director warns state funding flat since 1990s; district faces shortfall next year
Summary
Lexington 1 adult education director summarized program growth, new local offerings and a looming budget shortfall tied to stagnant state allocations. The district will cover a $50,000 shortfall this fiscal year with one-time reallocations but expects larger needs in 2026 without additional state or federal support.
At the Jan. 28 board meeting, adult education director Chris Barrineau outlined expansion of Lexington County School District One’s adult-education programs and warned that state funding has not risen meaningfully since the 1990s.
Barrineau said the North Lake Community Learning Center now offers GED prep, a high-school diploma online program, English-language learning (ESL), and a Transitions Academy (GED prep for older students who fell behind academically). He reported that the district has seen strong demand: 338 in-person participants in the fall at the center and 435 total participants across programs, with 17 Transitions Academy students this year (three graduates to date). The center also partners with Midlands Tech and local employers for workplace-literacy courses.
Funding problem: Barrineau told trustees that the state’s adult-education allocation (the statewide pool noted in the budget) has effectively been fixed at $17.4 million since the mid-1990s. Lexington 1’s allocation from state and federal sources has varied; the district received roughly $425,000 for 2024–25. Because the number of participants and local programming have expanded, the program’s payroll and operating costs are rising. Staff said they expect a roughly $50,000 shortfall in the current fiscal year once carryover funds are used.
Assistant superintendent Jennifer Miller told the board the district intends to cover this year’s gap by repurposing funds originally set aside for contracted services. Trustees were told the shortfall will be larger in 2026 absent additional state or federal funding.
Barrineau stressed opportunities the program creates: GED earners can move directly into Midlands Tech programs (an admissions counselor now visits the adult ed campus), career-certification opportunities have increased, and targeted workplace classes (example: weekend classes for a local contractor) resulted in measurable gains for participants.
What’s next: District staff said the finance team will include adult education funding needs in the 2026 budget conversations and will seek board direction on whether to increase local support if state funding remains flat.
