Dorchester 02 board approves budget presentation to county seeking 7.6 mills; awards Austin Middle door contract

Dorchester School District 2 voted on April 28 to approve a budget presentation to Dorchester County Council that requests a 7.6-mill increase as the district’s preferred ask to fund teacher steps and a target teacher salary of $51,000. Finance officer Miss Meunier summarized cash-flow and fund-balance projections through March 31 and presented a budget slide showing proposed expenditure reductions of about $5.1 million and staffing/step priorities. The board approved the presentation (motion carried with 7 votes in favor recorded during the vote that followed the discussion).

Separately, the board approved awarding the contract for door replacement at Austin Middle School. The bid award was discussed in closed/confidential packet material; Mr. Guthrie moved the motion, Miss King seconded it, and the board recorded a vote in which remote member Mr. Lee voted ‘‘yay’’ and the motion carried. The meeting record notes the award is confidential until the vendor is formally notified.

Board members also discussed a proposed fiscal-impact study (not to exceed the district’s portion of $10,000) on possible consolidation with Dorchester District 4 and alternative revenue-sharing models. Multiple members asked for a clearer scope, written cost estimate and consideration of optics before moving forward; the board did not approve the study that evening and asked staff to return with more details.

The board approved personnel recommendations and student-enrollment recommendations presented in the packet (both motions carried 6 in favor, 1 absent). The meeting concluded after an executive session to consider enrollment items.