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Lexington County School District 3 approves second reading of $32.36 million 2026–27 budget, proposes 3‑mill increase
Summary
At its June 9 meeting, the Lexington County School District 3 Board of Trustees gave second-reading approval to the proposed 2026–27 budget totaling $32,356,762. The plan raises beginning teacher pay to $51,500, adds staffing and security funds, and proposes a three-mill operating increase expected to generate about $145,500.
At a regular meeting June 9, the Lexington County School District 3 Board of Trustees gave second-reading approval to the administration's proposed 2026–27 budget, which the administration presented at $32,356,762.
The budget document includes a beginning teacher minimum salary of $51,500 — above the state minimum cited by staff — a $2,000 adjustment to salary schedules, a 2% increase for other schedules and step increases where eligible, additional maternity pay (six weeks without requiring use of other leave), and increased insurance costs. Mrs. Rhoden, who presented the budget highlights, said the district will add a nursing assistant position in kindergarten, create an alternative education site, increase special-education tuition and mileage funding, and allocate money for scanning and document storage as well as additional event security.
Mrs. Rhoden also outlined the revenue plan: anticipated local revenue of $11.3 million, state revenue of about $17 million, approximately $2 million in transfers from EIA accounts, and a planned use of $1.9 million from fund balance. To help offset property-tax base changes tied to a watercraft rollback, the administration proposed a three-mill operating increase that Mrs. Rhoden said would raise roughly $145,500.
"We are proposing a three mil increase," Mrs. Rhoden said during her presentation. She also reported that a delayed homestead payment from Saluda arrived in May for $75,000 and that the district received about $31,000 in teacher recruitment funding that month.
Board members moved and seconded the motion to give second-reading approval to the budget. The chair called for the vote and the motion carried unanimously.
The budget presentation noted personnel and program shifts: one fewer second-grade teacher, a reduction from five district nurses to four with the creation of a lead nurse role, and the reinstatement of a guidance position after a recent resignation. The budget also designates roughly 86% of expenditures for salaries and employee benefits.
By approving second reading, the board advanced the budget as presented. The board did not record extended public comment during the meeting; next procedural steps were not explicitly stated during the presentation.
