County council accepts Kershaw County School District budget for inclusion in county third reading; district asks to keep millage at 162.9

Superintendent Dr. Goodwin and Chief Financial Officer Bridal Willard presented the Kershaw County School District’s operating budget and requested the county incorporate the district’s proposed millage (162.9 mills) into the county’s third-reading budget. Goodwin described steady enrollment patterns with pockets of growth, emphasized that roughly 85% of the district budget is salaries and fringe, and noted state funding formulas now cover an estimated 75% of base costs leaving districts to fund the remainder locally. Willard summarized the practical effect of reassessment and reiterated that the district is not asking for a millage increase but is asking the county to maintain the current operating millage level.

Council members thanked the school board and staff for the presentation and for past partnership. Several members expressed support for keeping the millage steady, and the council voted unanimously to accept and receive the school district’s proposed budget to be incorporated into the county third-reading budget package. Members noted that any final county decision on millage and offsets will come at third reading.