News Summary
The Aiken County Board of Education has proposed a budget of approximately $289.9 million for the upcoming school year, which reflects a 9.88% increase from the current budget. This proposed budget includes measures for enhancing teacher compensation, hiring additional staff, and a 20-mil increase in property tax millage. A public hearing will give residents a chance to provide feedback on the plan before the board conducts a second reading and final approval.
Aiken, South Carolina – The Aiken County Board of Education has proposed a budget of approximately $289.9 million for the 2025-2026 school year, reflecting a 9.88% increase over the current budget of $263.8 million. A public hearing is scheduled for May 13, 2025, where residents will have the opportunity to review and provide feedback on the financial plan.
The new budget includes a 20-mil increase in property tax millage specifically designated for school operations, marking the first such increase since the 2013-2014 budget year. However, it is crucial to note that this increase will not affect primary residences due to a state law implemented in 2006, which utilizes state sales tax for school funding. The increase will impact taxes for rental properties, business personal properties, manufacturing properties, utilities, agriculture, and personal vehicles.
Included in the proposed budget are several measures aimed at enhancing teacher compensation and staffing. The plan allocates funds for a $2,500 pay increase per teacher along with an annual step increase. Approximately 90% of the recommended pay increases from a salary study conducted in late 2024 will be incorporated into the new budget. If approved, Aiken County would rise from 30th to 20th in teacher pay ranking for individuals with a bachelor’s degree and three years of experience, while it currently holds 7th place for teachers with a master’s degree and ten years of experience.
The funding will also facilitate the hiring of additional educators, including two assistant principals for elementary schools, extra math and English language arts teachers at middle schools, and eight teachers for multi-language learning programs. Furthermore, the budget includes provisions for hiring licensed social workers in six high schools.
Additionally, the proposal accounts for an expected 4.6% increase in health care premiums, which will add approximately $2 million in expenditures. Aiken County’s current school operating millage is 134.2 mils, significantly below the state average of over 220 mils, which underlines the financial strategy aimed at maintaining competitive education standards without imposing excessive tax burdens on homeowners.
For property owners, specifics regarding the tax impact include an increase of $80 per $100,000 in value for properties assessed at 4%, and $12 per $10,000 for properties assessed at 6% (including rental properties). Meanwhile, taxes for business personal properties, manufacturing, and utilities assessed at 10.5% would rise by $210 per $100,000 in value.
A penny sales tax that was approved by Aiken County voters will continue to fund specific school construction projects, renovations, and improvements, ensuring that capital needs are also met alongside operational costs.
The board is scheduled to conduct a second reading of the budget on May 27, 2025, with final approval required by June 10 to facilitate payroll processing for teachers and staff as the new school year kicks off on July 5, 2025. As educational demands evolve alongside economic considerations, this proposed budget reflects a significant step toward improving the overall educational landscape in Aiken County.
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Additional Resources
- Aiken Standard: Aiken School District Budget Explainer
- WJBF: SC Governor Denied Requested Funds for School Resource Officers
- Post and Courier: Aiken School Board Budget First Reading
- Wikipedia: Education in South Carolina
- WRDW: Aiken High Schools Approved for Field Upgrades
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School
