The Aiken County School district is adjusting the budget passed June 14 now that the 2022-2023 South Carolina state budget has been approved.
The budget approved in June was a little more than $227 million. It was lower than the $230 million approved on first reading in April. That budget was based on figures proposed in March for the state budget by the South Carolina House. By May, the state Senate had approved a version of roughly $12.5 billion. That would mean $2.5 million less for Aiken County schools.
Tray Traxler, the district’s chief financial officer, said the version ultimately approved was based largely on the House’s plan, but some components from the Senate version were incorporated.
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Aiken County schools received $2.36 million in the budget that was finally adopted and signed by Gov. Henry McMaster.
Some trustees were unhappy with the budget approved at the June 14 meeting, including supplements for athletic staff and band directors. Traxler said, when they received the state’s approved budget it would be possible to amend items in the district’s budget.
Among the amendments presented Tuesday night was an increase in athletic supplemental pay.
“The second final reading of the budget that was approved in June, reflected one-quarter of the requested increase in athletic supplements, based on the request from athletic directors,” he said. “This would increase that 40%, which is the full request for athletic directors. The last item that we’ve recommended is increase in the number of high school assistant band director supplements. We’ve proposed up to four supplements for our large high schools, up to two supplements for our 2A and single-A high schools. Part of that will be driven by the size of the band.”
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Traxler also had several recommendations for teachers and other staff ranked along with teaching positions, such as school psychologists. The recommendation is to add $750 to the teacher scale.
He is also recommending adding a step to the top of the teacher scale. Currently there are 27 steps. Traxler wants to add a 28th step.
“Currently, there are 172 teachers that are topped out,” he said. “Those 172 teachers would benefit from the 3.25% cost of living adjustment, but they aren’t a beneficiary of any step increase because they’re topped out.”
Trustees unanimously approved Traxler’s recommendations.
In other action, Micki Dove, the district’s Director of Curriculum Support, presented trustees with recommendations for computer assisted instruction programs for grades K-through-eighth grade.
Dove said the process began with surveys sent to elementary and middle teachers and principals asking what they felt was appropriate for their grade levels. Those responses were reviewed by committees made up of classroom teachers.
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Ultimately, the committees recommended committing funds to purchase computer assisted instruction programs appropriate for each grade level.
“They support effective use of one-to-one technology and digital proficiency, technology proficiency for all students,” said Dove. “They increase our differentiation opportunities through personalized learning pathways. They provide ongoing some organization and structure for our small group instruction settings. And all of the programs offer opportunities for standards-based learning for all students.”
The estimated initial cost is just under $501,000 with an annual expense of $450,000 to purchase the programs for the district’s 16 elementary schools.
Trustees unanimously approved the expenditures.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a general assignment reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
