Lexington-Richland County School District Five approved its 2025-26 budget, totaling $250,580,020, with an operating millage rate of 261.0; however, it wasn’t unanimously approved. 

Chief Financial Officer Heather Tucker informed board members this year’s budget increased by $10 million, and the administration recommended increasing the minimum salary schedules for beginning teachers from $47,500 to $50,992.

In a board meeting in May, the administration presented salary and benefit reductions, including the removal of temporary time-limited Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) positions. These positions included nine clinical counselors, one youth engagement counselor, one behavior program lead and one social worker.

During that meeting, however, some board members raised concerns about removing those positions. After consideration, the budget now includes six clinical counselors for the 2025-26 budget, making them permanent, general fund FTEs. 

During public participation, Dina Marlo raised her concern about the board increasing taxes on Richland County residents.

“The teachers, do they deserve a raise?” she asked. “Yes, to some degree. But for our taxes to go up like that, for everyone else to suffer for them—no, I’m sorry, it doesn't. It’s not for the betterment of the whole.”

In the budget presentation, a list was included of additional salary and benefit items for board members to consider, totaling $1.1 million.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s included on the list:

• Two assistant principals for the transition from intermediate school to middle school at $310,000
• Increased contract days for behavior specialist from 210 to 225 at $5,000
• Two p.m. maintenance custodial teams (two maintenance specialists and four custodial positions) at $498,000
• Onboarding/offboarding coordinators at $300,000
• ESS substitute payment increases totaling $186,000
• 13 elementary athletic lead supplements at $19,500
• Five middle school athletic lead supplements at $17,000
• Additional band supplements at $30,000

Board member Catherine Huddle raised concerns about money going towards administration, maintenance and supplements instead of the students and classrooms.

Huddle then made a motion to move $900,000 out of the $1.1 million and use that money for reading and math interventions. Huddle said the only items she would keep in the budget in regards to additional salary and benefit considerations are increasing contract days for a behavior specialist and ESS substitute pay increases.

While board member Mike Satterfield said he agrees with the need for reading and math interventions, he doesn’t believe the district should be taking away money from other areas to fund them.

Similarly, Chairwoman Kimberly Snipes said, “I don’t disagree with wanting to see us do more around reading and math. I have a daughter that can benefit from that,” she said. “But, I do support the recommendation from the district.”

Superintendent Akil E. Ross joined the discussion, telling board members that the budget does include interventions. 

“I don’t want the public or anyone to feel that we put together a budget that does not take care of the academics and needs of our students,” Ross said.

Board member Scott Herring shared his thoughts, saying the roles Huddle doesn’t approve of are meaningful for teachers and schools.

“My heart breaks, and I can’t explain this to people---how we’re going to increase their taxes, and this is the slide we’re going to show them on how we’re spending it,” Huddle said when discussing those additional salary and benefit recommendations. 

“We are not increasing taxes,” board member Kevin Scully responded. “We’re not increasing tax rates. If nominal tax dollars increase as a result, it's not because of the school district raising taxes.”

For the 2025-26 budget, the value of a mill increased to $355,629. In the 2024-25 budget, the value of a mill was set to $304,061.

In addition, $7.4 million has been assigned to the fund balance, which includes items such as employee retention incentive, NERI payments, capital and equipment expenditures, and six full-time equivalents (FTEs) for critical needs areas.

When the discussion ended, the vote took place, resulting in a 4-3 outcome, with Huddle, Jason Baynham and Elizabeth Barnhardt voting no.