FORT MILL, S.C. — The Fort Mill School Board unveiled a proposed $272 million General Fund budget for the 2026–27 school year during its May 19 meeting, featuring a recommended 8.5-mill tax increase to support staff retention and classroom instruction. Alongside the budget proposal, the board introduced plans to lower average class sizes for grades 4–12 and discussed upcoming policy changes regarding school choice and interdistrict transfers ahead of a new South Carolina state law. The meeting also saw the approval of minor school meal price hikes, changes to high school course weightings, and the strategic allocation of a $9.5 million fiscal year-end surplus for one-time district improvements.
May 19, 2026
Fort Mill School Board Meeting Highlights
Special Recognitions
Dr. Latoya Dixon and Dr. Mike Waiksnis recognized administrators who took part in the Leadership Academy.
Discussion of the 2026-27 Budget
Mrs. Leanne Lordo shared information regarding the Proposed General Fund Budget for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2026-27.
Budget Process:
The district began the budget process in January with requesting the schools and departments to submit their needed requests after meeting with faculty, staff, and SICs. The senior leadership team met with all principals and department heads to discuss their requests in person. All requests are well thought-out and represent needed items, and are not considered a “wish list”.
Budget Goals:
- Balanced Budget
- Focus on Recruiting and Retaining staff in all areas
- Maintain Reasonable Class Sizes
- Stay in Compliance with all statutes and regulations
Proposed Budget Summary Based on Current Information:
- Proposed total budget of $272,083,005
- The administration recommends utilizing an 8.5 mill increase from the maximum allowable 19.7 mills. This would fund items from priority categories 1-4 as well as a portion of category 5.
Mrs. Lordo also provided information to the board about the district’s per pupil sending in comparison to 20 other comparable districts in the state. The district’s per pupil spending is lower than most of the district’s analyzed and the largest percentage of the per pupil spending total is dedicated to instruction and classroom support (71.9%), followed by operational costs (20.7%). The district utilizes just 0.5% of the total per pupil spending for management costs at the district level. More information regarding this topic will be shared on the district’s website in the near future.
The school board will hold a public hearing on the budget at a future meeting.
Discussion of Year End Transfer – Mrs. Lordo
Mrs. Lordo presented information regarding a proposed Year End Transfer. The district anticipates the final revenues for the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2026 to exceed budget by approximately $9.5 million. To maintain Fund Balance at 18% to 19% of next year’s expenditures, we will need to keep $4.9 million of this excess in the General Fund.
Consistent with prior years, the district is requesting that the board consider utilizing a portion of these funds for non-recurring expenditures that were requested during the operating budget process, but were not able to be funded with general fund monies. The recommendation includes:
- District wide eBook/Hardbound Media Center Collection to maintain compliance standards
- School Small Capital Purchases
- School furniture replacements
- Digital student records scanning project – phase 2
- Software – manage inter-district transfer process
- New PreK classroom setups
- Middle School athletics 26-27 equipment replacement
- Curriculum items
- Teacher Professional Development
- STEAM funding
- Superintendent Second Year Initiatives
- Contingency Fund
Discussion of FY2025-26 Budget Amendment – Mrs. Lordo
On the advice of the district’s auditing firm, Mrs. Lordo recommends formally amending the current year budget due to a new national accounting standard, GASB Statement No. 103 “Financial Reporting Model Improvements” which takes effect this fiscal year and requires our auditors to publicly report and explain any significant differences between our Board-approved budget and actual financial results. They are recommending a formal budget amendment before year-end to minimize those reportable variances and demonstrate sound fiscal oversight.
First Reading of Policy DDA Federal Fiscal Compliance – Mrs. Lordo
The federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has published updates to the Uniform Grant Guidance (2 CFR Part 200.217) which is related to receiving federal grant awards. To conform with the new required regulations the section “Reporting Procedures and Whistleblower Protections” is proposed to be inserted between Disclosure Requirements and Cash Management Procedure. Formally amending the budget to reflect current projections:
- Reduces the number of variances auditors must flag and explain
- Confirms we operated within our legally approved spending authority
- Demonstrates proactive, transparent financial management to the public
First Reading of Revisions to Policy IIB Class Size – Dr. Latoya Dixon
Dr. Latoya Dixon presented changes to policy IIB as first reading. The proposed ratios provide a framework for equitably distributing students across existing sections without increasing classroom counts or staffing positions. Principals retain the flexibility to assign students thoughtfully, ensuring appropriate matches between students, teachers, and peer groups to support academic success and positive classroom dynamics. They also reflect the district’s commitment to research-aligned instructional conditions as the district moves forward with the interdistrict transfer policy and a potential limited school choice program. The proposed class sizes are as follows:
Grade Current Proposed
Kindergarten – Grade 3 21 : 1 21 : 1
Grades 4 – 8 25 : 1 23 : 1
Grades 9 – 10 26 : 1 25 : 1
Grades 11 – 12 28 : 1 25 : 1
These are district-wide averages. Individual schools or classes may fluctuate, but the district’s commitment is to maintaining the balance across each grade band as a whole.
New Enrollment Protection – No student may enroll through the limited school choice or non-resident interdistrict transfer process if doing so would cause any grade band to exceed the ratios above.
First Reading of Revisions to Policy JCA Assignment of Students to Schools and JFB School Choice
Dr. Latoya Dixon also presented changes to policies JCA and JFB as first reading.
Changes to Policy JCA include a new intradistrict student section that outlines options for students residing in the Fort Mill School District to apply for school choice placement at a school other than their zoned school based on residence. School choice options will be limited by grade-level capacity, student/teacher ratios, & enrollment projections. The process will include an application and lottery procedure for student placement.
Policy JFB changes include the creation of a process for interdistrict transfer for students residing outside of the Fort Mill School District in response to the new state law taking effect in the 27-28 school year. Interdistrict transfer capacity will be based on available grade-level capacity and the process will include an application and lottery process for student placement. The policy is designed to be in accordance with the model policy provided by the South Carolina Department of Education.
First Readings of Revisions to Policies GCB Professional Staff Contracts and Compensation, GCC Professional Staff Leaves and Absences and GCQC/GCQD Resignation of Instructional Staff/Administrative
Mr. Peter Olinger presented the following changes to policies GCB, GCC, GCQC and GCQD as first reading:
Policy GCB changes include requiring the acceptance of staff contracts before May 11 annually and requires the superintendent to notify teachers of their tentative assignment no later than 14 calendar days before students return to start the school year.
Policy GCC changes include adding “grandchild” to the list of “immediate family” for the use of bereavement leave and clarifies when the three bereavement days can be used.
Policy GCQC and GCQD changes include updated language terms, a new breach of contract section that details the break of contract process, and updates the contract release deadlines and requirements.
Consideration of Approval of Student Nutrition Meal Price Increases
The board voted to approve a $.05 increase in meal prices for both breakfast and lunch at all schools. This adjustment is intended to help offset cost-of-living salary increases and support the department’s budget for the 2026–2027 school year. The SND budget operates independently and does not receive funding from the district’s general fund.
Consideration of Approval of Additional New Courses for 2026-2027
The board voted to approve changing the following courses from CP to Honors weighting:
- Principles of Biomedical Science
- Human Body Systems
- Medical Intervention
- Introduction to Engineering Design
- Principles of Engineering
- Digital Electronics
- Computer-Integrated Manufacturing
- Civil Engineering and Architecture
- Aerospace Engineering
- Environmental Sustainability
- Engineering Design and Development
Additionally, the board voted to make the following changes:
- Creative Writing 1 & 2 CP: Will be taught together in one semester as half-credit courses.
- Advanced Creative Writing CP: For students who would like to continue their study of creative writing.
The board voted to approve the following changes in Special Services:
- Academic Strategies will transition to a new local board approved course name and number: Student Support Seminar
- Student Support Seminar 1-8
- This course is designed to actively engage students in developing the executive functioning and post-secondary life skills essential for success across all subject areas and beyond.
- In addition to skill development, students receive targeted academic support in reading, writing, and mathematics. The course fosters self-advocacy and independence, transforming students into confident, self-directed learners prepared for the transition to post-secondary life.
Fort Mill School Board meetings can be viewed live or on demand on the district’s YouTube channel or with the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/@FortMillSchoolDistrict
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