Lexington County School District 3 Board approves $29.8 million 2024–25 budget

The Lexington County School District 3 Board of Trustees approved the district’s proposed 2024–25 general fund budget on second reading Tuesday, adopting a $29.8 million plan the administration said will preserve pay increases and cover new positions and operating costs.

Mrs. Rad, presenting the budget, said the package includes a 2% across‑the‑board salary increase and step increases for eligible employees. She told the board the district is proposing a teacher minimum salary of $47,500 for the coming school year, above the state minimum referenced in the presentation. The budget also adjusts substitute pay and formalizes paid parental leave provisions described in the presentation (six weeks paid for female employees and two weeks paid for husbands), which the administration said will not count against other leave accruals.

Other additions in the budget include funding for wrestling and increased athletic stipends, two FTE split between an assistant principal and athletic director, a dropout‑prevention coordinator, intercession weeks covered by the general fund, software purchases, higher property insurance and projected increases in employer fringe costs beginning in January 2025. The administration said salaries and fringes make up roughly 85.6% of the budget.

To balance the budget, Mrs. Rad recommended using $2.3 million of the district’s existing fund balance. She said the district could legally consider a tax increase based on consumer price index and population growth but the administration was not recommending that option at this time.

Mr. Kaufman moved approval of the second reading of the budget and the motion passed unanimously.

The board’s vote finalizes the district’s spending plan for the 2024–25 school year; the administration will implement the changes and make staffing adjustments aligned with the approved allocations.