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Rock Hill board adopts $232.8 million budget with millage increase to fund support‑staff raises
Summary
Rock Hill School District trustees voted to adopt a balanced $232,836,528 general fund budget for fiscal 2025–26 and approved two amendments including a 3‑mill increase to fund raises for support staff and reinstating OEC funding; board members debated funding options, vacancies and program reductions during a public hearing.
Rock Hill School District trustees on [date not specified] approved a balanced fiscal 2025–26 general fund budget of $232,836,528.
Interim Superintendent Dr. John Jones presented the proposal, saying, "The budget is based on anticipated revenues of $232,836,528 and proposed expenditures of the same amount." He told the public the plan reduces reliance on one‑time funds from last year — dropping one‑time uses to about $1,064,303 and avoiding a transfer from capital funds.
During the public hearing and board discussion, staff outlined a series of required and local expenditure increases — including rising employer health‑insurance costs and other state mandates — and explained the administrative approach to bring total expenditures in line with projected revenues. Harry Miley, a finance advisor, described fund balance as an accounting reserve the district maintains for cash flow and bond‑rating purposes.
Board members and members of the public pressed staff for detail on how cuts would affect schools: officials said district‑level reallocations and a 15% reduction target in certain departmental allocations will be required, while schools will retain most of their site‑level instructional allocations. Staff also said some programs — including a middle‑school virtual option — would be trimmed while other services such as day‑treatment will continue in a modified form through a planned MOU with MUSC.
A board member moved to approve the budget as presented with two amendments: a 3‑mill tax increase dedicated to pay raises for support groups 1–5 (noncertified support staff) intended to get those employees as close to a 10% raise as possible, and restoring the OEC to the general fund (about $30,000). The motion was seconded and the chair announced the motion passed.
The vote followed public questions about vacancies (one audience member cited roughly 127 postings on the district website) and staffing decisions; district staff acknowledged online vacancy listings may lag recent hires and said some J‑1 visa funding would be reduced by roughly one‑third while leaving about $400,000 allocated for international teacher recruitment.
The board also noted that a passed budget can later be amended; trustees said the new superintendent will have opportunities during the fall to recommend reallocations or amendments if needed.
The board thanked the interim superintendent, finance staff and consultants for the budget work and moved on to other business.
