Fort Mill School Board Highlights: Strong Test Scores, $21.2M Bond Issued, and Enrollment Tops 18,000

The Fort Mill School Board convened on September 3, 2025, to address a range of recognitions, financial updates, policy approvals, and student performance data.

Special Recognitions

Recognitions of Staff Members Who Achieved 25 and 30 Years of Service to the District
Recognition of Fort Mill High School FFA Gold Chapter Designation and SC Program of the Year
Recognition of Fort Mill High School JROTC as a Naval Honor School
Star Lab Logo Student Recognition – Ava Coberth River Trail Elementary School

Monthly Financial/Impact Fee Update

Mrs. Leanne Lordo provided the following information as part of the monthly update:

Monthly Financial Report

July 31^th – 1^st month of new fiscal year.
Total Revenue $11,536,921

Total Expenditures $6,080,624

Net Income or Increase to Fund Balance $5,456,297

Vehicle Tax Collections $2,294,093

Impact Fees

Total collected to date $80,843,252
Interest earned $7,436,522
$82.2 million submitted in claims with York County
Single Family units 2,942/Multi Family 2,181/ Total 5,123 Units
August had 11 homes and 0 multi-family units added
Calendar Year 2024 Average collections $839,615.

August 2025 Actual collections $326,040.

Bond Sale in August

On August 27^th issued $21.2 million bond (inc. issuance costs):
- $15.7 million for High School Projects
- $5.4 million IPP and Equipment Acquisition payments
- Low bidder UBS Financial Services @ 2.311% interest rate

Financial Summary

Impact Fee Report

Procurement Updates

The South Carolina Consolidated Procurement Code requires that all State agencies or agencies that have adopted a procurement code that is substantially similar to the State code formulate a Minority Business Enterprise Utilization Plan (“MBE Plan”). The MBE Plan is designed to ensure that minority businesses are offered the opportunity to fully participate in the overall procurement process of the district. The MBE Plan must be approved annually by the school board.

Report of the South Carolina School Boards Association (SCSBA) School Law Conference, August 23-24, 2025

An essential part of school board service is understanding how state and federal laws affect public education. From legal procedures and regulations to new legislation aimed at boosting student achievement, school-related law is constantly changing – and it is important for school board leaders to have the latest insights and information. The SCSBA School Law Conference presents a slate of legal experts and policymakers who provide up-to-date analysis and guide board members through the often-complicated terrain of school policy and law.

Consideration of Approval of Board Policy KBE Relations with Parent Organizations

The board voted to approve updates to Policy KBE Relations with Parent Organizations. This policy establishes the basic structure for board and district relations with parent organization such as but not limited to, booster clubs, parent-teacher organizations, parent support groups, business-school partnerships, and education foundations to enhance the district’s educational program.

Consideration of Approval of Procurement Updates as presented

The board voted to approve the updated procurement manual as presented.

Superintendent’s Report

Superintendent Grey Young provided an update on district enrollment, student attendance, recent test score data and calendar events.

Enrollment Update

Current enrollment is 18,236

Student Attendance Update

According to a comprehensive study conducted by the U.S. Department of Education, students who attend school regularly are 1.7 times more likely to achieve proficiency in core subjects such as math and reading compared to their counterparts with irregular attendance.
Students who attend school regularly are 2.5 times more likely to graduate from high school, setting the stage for future success in higher education and the workforce.
A national survey revealed that students with an attendance rate of 95% or higher are more likely to earn grades of A or B, while those with lower attendance rates are at a higher risk of falling behind academically.
Physical presence of students matters!
Every school for August was above 95%.
- FMHS – 96.6% All three at 96.3% and above
- GHMS/PKMS – 97.2%
- RTES – 97.9% – highest in the district

Test Score Updates

Overall, our test scores continue to be very high. We have not had a chance to look at every district’s data yet, but we feel it is safe to say we are leading the state in almost every category.

SC Ready ELA (grades 3-8)
- All tested grades (grades 3-8) scored above 80%, exceeding the 75% proficiency goals set by the state.
- The district’s overall proficiency percentage increased from 77.3% to 82.2%. The next closest district was at 77%.

SC Ready Math (grades 3-8)
- The meets/exceeds % for FMSD has increased the last three years.
- 2022-2023 67.69%
- 2023-2024 67.92%
- 2024-2025 69.43%

High Schools
- Algebra 1 EOC
  - Increased 6.25% in Algebra 1 EOC students scoring a “C” or higher.
  - 68.27% of students scored C or higher in 2023-24 to 74.52% in 2024-25.
  - 5th in the state overall

US History EOC
- Increased 2.7% in U.S. History EOC students scoring “C” or higher
- 1st in the state (excluding Governor’s school)
English 2 EOC
- Increased .7 percentage points.
- 1st in the state
Biology
- 2nd the in the state