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Dorchester School District 4 asks county for 15.5‑mill increase as budget approval is postponed
Summary
Trustees removed final approval of the 2025–26 operating budget and heard a finance report saying the district faces a budget shortfall; the finance presenter said the district has requested a 15.5‑mill increase from Dorchester County to help balance next year’s budget.
Dorchester School District 4 trustees opened the meeting by amending the agenda to remove final action on the proposed 2025–26 operating budget and then heard a finance report on the district’s funding outlook.
Miss Hu, the finance presenter, said the district is operating in a deficit driven largely by salary and fringe costs and that the district has asked Dorchester County for a 15.5‑mill increase to help balance next year’s budget. "We don't know an answer yet," she said, noting the county will meet further before responding.
The presenter described salary-related pressure from state‑level changes and the district’s decision to increase teacher steps and cost‑of‑living adjustments above the state‑mandated baseline. Miss Hu said salary and fringe account for the majority of the budget and that the district is exploring county support and awaiting final state funding numbers before returning with a complete proposed budget.
Board members approved the agenda amendment removing final budget approval; no public speakers addressed the budget during the public‑hearing portion of the meeting.
Why it matters: the board said it does not want to adopt a final budget before receiving definitive county and state revenue figures. Trustees said awaiting those numbers will avoid having to revisit an approved budget after external changes.
Next steps: the district will reconvene a special meeting to consider the full 2025–26 operating budget once Dorchester County and the state provide final numbers.
