At its March 20 meeting the Florence County School District 3 board of trustees approved first reading of the 2025–26 general fund budget, adopted new math textbooks for multiple grade bands and approved several policy actions. The board also set dates for a policy work session and changed two regular meeting dates.
Superintendent reported a year-over-year decline in the number of students involved in fights and discussed prevention strategies, partnerships and the continuing impact of social media and community violence on school safety.
Superintendent told trustees the district finalized bond pricing at a 4.2127% rate for $21.37 million in authorized bonds and said planned administrative-rule updates will raise small-purchase and procurement thresholds to align with federal guidance.
District staff reported that the Florence County School District 3 tutoring centers are serving students across grade bands and showing measurable winter-to-fall MAP growth for regular attendees.
At its Feb. 20 meeting the board approved the FY25-26 general fund budget timeline, extended its auditor contract through Dec. 2026, approved routine agenda items and entered executive session to discuss personnel and student-discipline matters; all motions carried.
Superintendent Dr. Laura Hickson reported completion of Phase 1A repairs funded by remaining ESSER money, outlined the scope of Phase 1B work at Lake City Early Childhood and other sites, and said Phase 2 — larger HVAC, lighting, roof and window projects — will move forward only after bond match and her signature.
Superintendent Dr. Laura Hixson told the board about a Jan. 2 reunification walkthrough at the Pentecostal Holiness Conference Center (Robinson Memorial), upcoming teacher recruitment and internship opportunities, and district partnerships and programs including READ 180 and a USC Darla Moore School of Business partnership.
The board approved continuous improvement (CI) plans for JC Lynch, Ronald E. McNair, Atlanta Elementary and Lake City High School, including specific student-target numbers and academic goals presented by district instructional staff.
The Florence County School District 3 Board of Trustees swore in four newly elected members and completed its annual officer elections; the board also approved the meeting agenda and consent agenda by voice vote.
District finance staff presented the general fund status and budget figures as of Dec. 31, 2024, including the approved FY24-25 budget and planned use of fund balance.
