The Fort Mill School Board’s latest meeting spotlighted strong academic momentum and careful fiscal stewardship. Finance leaders reported revenues of $24.21 million against $28.92 million in expenditures, with the difference covered by fund balance. The board reported impact fees totaling $81.41 million collected to date (plus $7.46 million in interest). The board approved eight overnight field trips, advanced first readings on livestreaming and school-nurse unencumbered time policies, and confirmed SCSBA delegates. An $80 million bond anticipation note was issued to retire prior debt and fund Flint Hill Middle School construction, while the superintendent noted enrollment at 18,244, August attendance above 95% at every school, and fresh Niche accolades placing Fort Mill #1 in South Carolina and among the top districts nationwide.
Special Recognitions
- Recognition of Board Members for Levels of Service Through SCSBA
Monthly Financial/Impact Fee Update
Mrs. Leanne Lordo provided the following information as part of the monthly update:
Monthly Financial Report
- August 31th – First Month full payroll
- Total Revenue $24,210,300
Total Expenditures $28,922,727
Decrease ($4,712,427) – Cash flow using Fund Balance
- August Vehicle tax collections $2,191,389
Impact Fees
- Total collected to date $81,413,108
- Interest earned $7,463,680
- $84,455,696 submitted in claims with York County
- Single Family units 2,950/Multi Family 2,188/ Total 5,138 Units
- September had 5 homes and 4 multi-family units added
- Calendar Year 2024 Average collections $839,615
September 2025 Actual collections $231,384
October Month-to-Date collections $338,472
Property Tax Notices
- County has printed and mailed tax bills.
Financial Audit
- Year End Audit nearing completion with Greene Finney. Again, this year, working with graphics class this month at Nation Ford High School on cover and tab designs.
Bond Sale in September
- On September 23rd issued $80.0 million Bond Anticipation Note under 2024 Referendum Building Program
- $45 million was payoff of 2024 BAN
- $35 million towards Flint Hill Middle School Construction
Low bidder J.P. Morgan Securities @ 2.386% interest rate
First Reading of Policy BEA Livestreaming of Board Meetings
Mr. Joe Burke presented first reading Policy BEA regarding the livestreaming of school board meetings. The district has livestreamed board meets for several years pre dating the new law. This new policy is now required under South Carolina law but does not represent any needed changes to the current procedures used. The board will consider the policy for adoption at a future board meeting.
First Reading of Updates to Policy GCLE and Administrative Rule GCLE-R Unencumbered Time for School Nurses
Mr. Peter Olinger presented first reading of Policy GCLE and accompanying administrative rule regarding unencumbered time for school nurses. This policy is needed in response to South Carolina General Assembly budget proviso to include school nurses in the daily requirement for 30 minutes of unencumbered time. Unencumbered time is defined as 30 minutes during the regular workday where teachers or school nurses are provided time that is self-directed and free from assigned duties or responsibilities, including direct instruction or supervision of students. The board will consider the policy for adoption at a future board meeting.
Consideration of Approval of Overnight Field Trips
Dr. Mike Waiksnis presented eight overnight field trips for board approval. If a field trip will require students to miss four or more instructional days OR require international travel, the School Board must approve the trip. The board voted to approve the trips as submitted.
Certification of Delegates for the South Carolina School Boards Association (SCSBA) Delegate Assembly, December 6, 2025
The board selected Joe Helms, Dr. Scot Frattaroli, Anthony Boddie as delegates and Lipi Pratt and Kristy Spears.
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Grey Young provided an update on district enrollment, student attendance, recent Niche ratings and calendar events.
Enrollment Update
- Current enrollment is 18,244
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%.
- CRHS – 96.5%
- PKMS – 97.6%
- RTES – 98.1% – highest in the district
Niche Ratings
The district received top ratings from Niche.com in multiple areas.
- #1 Best School District in South Carolina
- #1 District with the Best Teachers in South Carolina
- #2 Best Places to Teach in South Carolina (behind Fairfield County)
- #1 Best Place to Teach in the Charlotte Area
- #1 Best District in the Charlotte Area
- #1 Best Teachers in the Charlotte Area
- #1 Best Place to Teach in York County
- #1 Best School District in York County
- #1 Best Teachers in York County
- #91 of 10,394 Best School Districts in America – placing us in the top 1% of districts nationwide.
- #460 of 11,038 Districts with the Best Teachers in America— placing our teachers in the top 4% nationwide
- #483 of 11,038 Best Places to Teach in America— ranking FMSD in the top 4% nationally
Elementary Schools
- Top 11 Elementary Schoolsin South Carolina, York County, and the Charlotte Region.
Middle Schools
- Top Six Middle Schoolsin South Carolina, York County, and the Charlotte Region.
High Schools
- Top five traditional high schools in South Carolina (when excluding the Governor’s School).
- CRHS #1; FMHS #2; NFHS #4
- Top SIX for traditional high schools in the Charlotte Region
- CRHS #3; FMHS #5; NFHS #6
- Top three high schools in York County
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