News Summary
The Aiken County Public School District has approved a budget of $289.9 million for the upcoming fiscal year, marking the first millage rate increase since the 2013-2014 year. This budget includes a $2,500 salary increase for all public school teachers and additional staffing provisions to enhance educational support. The increased millage rate will result in higher property taxes for residents, although Aiken’s rate remains significantly lower than the state average. The budget reflects a commitment to improving educational resources amid rising operational costs.
Aiken, South Carolina – The Aiken County Public School District has approved a budget of $289.9 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, which includes a significant increase in the millage rate from 134.2 mils to 154.2 mils. This is the first increase in millage rates for school operations since the 2013-2014 budget year and reflects a 9.88% rise compared to the current year’s budget of $263.8 million.
The budget, passed by a vote of 7-1, provides a $2,500 salary increase for all public school teachers and an annual step increase to keep pace with salary growth. An additional increase in the millage rate of 5 mils is projected annually for the fiscal years 2026-27, 2027-28, and 2028-29 to sustain the salary adjustments proposed by a recent salary study.
The millage rate increase will result in higher property tax payments for residents. For a home valued at $100,000, property taxes will rise from $536.80 under the previous millage rate to $616.80 with the new rate. Additionally, properties assessed at 4%—including private agriculture—will increase by $80 per $100,000 in value. Rental properties, assessed at 6%, will experience a rise of $12 per $10,000. Business personal property, manufacturing property, and utilities assessed at 10.5% will see an increase of $210 per $100,000.
The budget also focuses on expanding school staffing, including the addition of a second assistant principal at elementary schools, along with more middle school math and English Language Arts teachers. Other provisions in the budget aim to hire multi-language learning teachers and licensed social workers for six high schools, enhancing the support provided to students and staff.
Despite the budget allocates 90% of the raises recommended by the salary study conducted in late 2024, full funding would have necessitated an additional $12.2 million. A public hearing held on May 13 was part of the budget approval process, with the second reading and final approval scheduled for May 27, prior to the implementation of the new millage rates, set to take effect in August as confirmed by the county tax assessor.
Aiken County’s millage rate for school operations continues to be notably lower than the state average, which exceeds 220 mils. The board member Colen Lindell, the only dissenting vote, expressed concerns during the vote, but a majority of board members supported the budget in light of the financial requirements for raising teacher salaries and increasing school support.
The Aiken County Public School District’s budget reflects the broader trend of increased public investment in education amid rising operational costs and a commitment to enhancing the quality of education for students. As the new budget takes effect, supporters argue it will lead to improved resources and staff retention, making the district more competitive in attracting and retaining quality educators.
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Additional Resources
- WRDW: Aiken County School Board Increases Millage Rate with New Budget
- Wikipedia: Aiken, South Carolina
- Post and Courier: Aiken School Board Budget
- Google Search: Aiken County School Board Budget
- WRDW: Water Treatment Plant Upgrades Aiken County Could Raise Residents’ Utility Rates
- Google Scholar: Aiken County School Budget
- Post and Courier: Aiken School District Budget Explainer
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Aiken County South Carolina
- SC Daily Gazette: Facebook Parent Company Building $800M Data Center in Aiken County
- Google News: Aiken County News
Author: STAFF HERE AIKEN
The AIKEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAiken.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Aiken, Aiken County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Aiken Horse Show, Aiken Bluegrass Festival, and polo matches at Whitney Field. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Aiken Chamber of Commerce and the Aiken County Historical Museum, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and tourism that power the local economy such as Bridgestone and the Aiken County Visitors Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
