Fort Mill board approves 2026–27 budget with 10.5-mill levy; net impact lowered by debt-service cut

The Fort Mill School District Board voted to adopt the administration's proposed 2026–27 general fund budget, a package the superintendent described in the meeting transcript as "272,48,562," tied to a recommended 10.5-mill increase in the operating millage. District officials told the board they expect to offset part of that increase with a 3.5-mill reduction in debt-service millage, producing a smaller net tax impact for many property owners.

Board members and finance staff foregrounded the budget's link to the district's strategic priorities and explained the fiscal mechanics behind the millage change. Finance staff reported revenues to date and said collections and interest earnings left the district with a favorable cash position going into the new year. "We are estimating we will be about 7 million over our budget," finance staff said during the meeting, noting the surplus contributed to proposed one-time transfers and contingency funding.

Why it matters: Board members framed the vote as a response to a multi-year funding shortfall driven by state funding formulas (referred to in the meeting as the Act 388 deficit). Trustees said the district has repurposed positions and pursued refinancing opportunities to reduce long-term borrowing costs, but emphasized that structural relief must come from state-level adjustments to the school funding formula.

Key details: Administrators described the budget as supporting teacher pay increases, positions tied to strategic priorities and the opening of new facilities. They said districtwide spend per pupil was $13,470 in the latest available state data and that roughly 72% of district funds go to instruction and instructional support. Staff also told trustees they would lower debt-service millage by 3.5 mills next year based on rising assessed values, which reduces the net burden when paired with the 10.5-mill operating increase.

Public reaction and board discussion: During public comment, several residents urged the board to focus on long-term fiscal sustainability and to examine contracts and programs for value, particularly while asking taxpayers to approve higher levies. One commenter said the district had absorbed large recurring costs to open new schools and asked the board to evaluate whether program expansions (for example, a publicly funded preschool) should be sustained indefinitely.

Votes at a glance: The board voted to approve the 2026–27 general fund budget as presented. The meeting transcript records voice votes with all members answering in the affirmative on the record at the time of the roll call.

Next steps: Administrators said they will publish more detailed budget materials on the district website and continue outreach to state legislators about the structural funding issue. The board also approved a year-end transfer and a budget amendment (see separate items) to align current-year accounting with the approved plan.