News Summary

Aiken County has approved a $289.9 million budget for its Public School District for the upcoming school year, marking a 9.88% increase from last year. This budget introduces a new millage rate increase for the first time in over a decade, affecting various property types differently. Homeowners with primary residences will see limited tax impacts due to state laws, while other property owners face significant increases. Teacher pay raises and staffing adjustments are also included to improve educational outcomes, though the district anticipates a substantial funding shortfall ahead.

Aiken County Approves School Budget for 2025-2026 with Millage Rate Increase

Aiken County has approved a new budget for the Aiken County Public School District for the 2025-2026 school year, which amounts to $289.9 million. This budget represents a 9.88% increase from the current year’s budget of $263.8 million, equating to an additional $26.1 million in funding. The increased financial commitment is accompanied by the first rise in the school operations millage rate in over a decade, moving from 134.2 mils to 154.2 mils, a hike of 20 mils.

While property tax increases will not affect primary residences due to a state law, other property types will see significant tax hikes. For instance, homeowners with a primary residence valued at $100,000 will experience an increase in their property tax from $536.80 to $616.80 as a result of the new millage rate. Taxes on properties assessed at 4%, such as private agricultural land, will climb by $80 for every $100,000 of value. Rentals will see rises of $12 for every $10,000 in value, and business personal property assessed at 10.5% will face increases of $210 per $100,000.

Teacher Pay Raises and Staffing Adjustments

In an effort to enhance the quality of education, every public school teacher in Aiken County will receive a $2,500 pay raise along with an annual step increase. The Board of Education also anticipates an increase of 5 mils annually for the school years 2026-27, 2027-28, and 2028-29 as part of a plan to sustain recent salary adjustments.

The budget allocates funds for the hiring of two new assistant principals in elementary schools and additional teachers for middle school math and English Language Arts. Additionally, eight multi-language learning teachers and licensed social workers for six high schools will be part of the new staffing initiatives.

Funding Challenges Ahead

Despite the approval of the budget by a vote of 7 to 1, with Colen Lindell of District 4 as the only dissenting member and Brian Silas of District 3 absent, the district faces a projected funding shortfall of approximately $5.3 million. This financial challenge will require careful management and evaluation moving forward.

The increased millage rate is facilitated by a state law enacted in 2006, which permits school districts to receive operational revenue from state sales tax revenues, thus minimizing the impact on taxes for primary residences. This legislative framework provides some relief but does not mitigate tax increases for other property types, which could place additional burdens on those property owners.

Future Evaluations and Program Continuity

Looking ahead, the effectiveness of intercession remediation classes will be assessed in spring 2026 to determine if these programs will continue into the subsequent budget year. This evaluation will play a crucial role in defining future educational strategies and funding allocations.

The decisions made in this budget cycle are significant for the financial and academic trajectory of the Aiken County School District, with increases in teacher salaries and staffing aimed at enhancing educational outcomes for students. However, the district must also navigate the upcoming financial shortfall while implementing the new budget to ensure sustainability and effectiveness in its educational programs.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

City of Aiken Design Review Board Meeting Announcement
Aiken County Residents Face Utility Rate Hike
University of South Carolina Aiken Introduces New Electrical Engineering Degree
Aiken County Public School District Approves Budget Increase
USC Aiken Set to Boost Local Economy with New Facilities
Aiken County Sheriff Raises Concerns Over Budget Shortfalls
Aiken County Sheriff’s Office Faces Significant Budget Shortfall
SRP Federal Credit Union Donates Over $290,000 to Aiken Schools
73-Year-Old Man Found Dead in Aiken, No Foul Play Suspected
Aiken County Board Proposes Significant School Budget Increase

Aiken County Approves School Budget with Millage Rate Increase