The Clarendon County School District Board of Trustees approved the district’s fiscal year 2026–27 budget and recognized student, staff and community achievements during its May 4 meeting.
The balanced budget reflects an approximate 3.95% increase over the current year and does not include a millage increase. It incorporates state-mandated raises, including a $2,000 increase for teachers, a 3% increase for classified staff and a 2% increase for bus drivers.
District officials said the budget was built using conservative estimates amid uncertainty at the state level, including a potential revenue reduction tied to proposed tax relief measures.
“At this time, there have been no final appropriations from the state,” officials noted during the presentation, adding that projections are based on “current collections and trends” while continuing to monitor legislative updates.
The board also approved the second and final reading of an amended sick leave bank policy.
A highlight of the meeting was recognition of student and staff accomplishments across the district. Among those honored were Grace Daney and Owen Johansen for top scores on SC READY assessments in English language arts and math, respectively, and Ethan Preast, named the Santee Lynches Work-Based Learning Student of the Year.
Students were also recognized for their achievements in the Striped Bass and Puddin’ Swamp art contests. Winners included Flor Coello, Grayson Dixon, Paula Centeno, Willie Foster, London Nelson, Olivia Durant, Rhylee McFadden and Magnolia McGuire.
Staff recognitions included Carly Coleman, selected to serve on the South Carolina Social Studies Standards Revision Team; Alicia McFadden, named Career Development Facilitator of the Year; Elizabeth Briley, recognized as Santee Lynches Guidance Counselor of the Year and 2026 South Carolina Guidance Counselor of the Year; and Kyndra Johnson, named the 2026 South Carolina Social Worker of the Year.
The board also received an update from Save the Children, highlighting continued academic progress and expanded support for students and families across the district.
Through its early childhood and school-age programs, the organization reported measurable gains in literacy and math. During the 2024–25 program year, 63% of participating students demonstrated typical or high growth in both subjects, with nearly half reaching proficiency in literacy and more than 60% in math.
Officials emphasized that access to books has been a key part of that success.
“Students receive books each month — not just students in the program, but every student in the four schools where we serve,” a representative said. “This ensures students not only learn how to read, but have the opportunity and motivation to practice regularly, both in school and at home.”
The partnership also included home visits for children ages 0–3, parent-child engagement groups and after-school programming focused on reading and math skill development. Save the Children contributed more than $41,000 in books, classroom supplies and other resources to the district over the past year.
Several student travel requests were approved, including an Upward Bound college tour scheduled for June 8–12, a JROTC leadership camp at Fort Jackson from June 5–11 and a Walker-Gamble Elementary fifth-grade trip to Washington, D.C., planned for March 2027.
During public comment, the district recognized a community contribution from Elders Albert and Lucille Thomas, who donated and helped plant approximately 40 trees along the driveway between Scott’s Branch Middle/High School and Dr. Rose H. Wilder Elementary School. The donation was noted as a lasting investment in the Summerton campuses.
In other updates, the district’s school nutrition department reported ongoing financial challenges due to rising food, labor and equipment costs. Officials said revenues are not currently covering operational expenses, prompting a review of staffing, service models and participation rates.
“We are actively taking steps to address this situation,” officials said, noting efforts to increase student participation, particularly in breakfast programs, and explore more efficient meal preparation methods for summer feeding.
Following executive session, the board approved personnel recommendations and discussed next steps for obtaining appraisals on district-owned property.
The final regular meeting of the CCSD Board of Trustees for the 2025-26 year will be held Monday, June 1.
