The Richmond County Board of Education will hold its first two millage rate hearings on Tuesday.
The first hearing well be held at noon on Tuesday, Aug. 20 at the Board of Education office. According to the agenda document, the administration is recommending a millage rate of 18.33 mills for fiscal year 2025. This is an increase of 1.837 mills from the fiscal year 2024 millage rate.
At the Aug. 6 called meeting to discuss the millage rate, Bob Smith, the school system’s chief financial officer, highlighted certain items approved in the district’s budget. These items include a classroom teacher pay scale increase of $3,200 implemented to recruit new teachers “fresh out of college” with a starting pay of more than $50,000.
“The reason we had to do that is our local school districts in the area were already around the $50,000 mark, and we were having issues with recruiting teachers with a lower pay rate,” said Smith.
Smith also stated that the school system has been paying staff retention bonuses of $1,000-$2,000 each year using American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds, which are expected to be cut off in September. The RCBOE budget and finance department staff are recommending a similar retention program, offering one-time $500 bonuses in December, the Augusta Press previously reported.
The second hearing will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 20 at 6 p.m. The third millage rate hearing will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 5:30 p.m. and a called meeting will be held at 6 p.m. to adopt the rate.
Regular school board meeting
During the regular school board meeting at 6 p.m., there are multiple student and staff recognitions on the agenda. There are also several informational items on the building program, ELA standards, textbook adoption process and wraparound services, according to the agenda.
Under new business is the approval of the amendment and restatement of Richmond County Board of Education Retirement Savings Plan.
“WHEREAS, the Employer has maintained the Richmond County Board of Education Retirement Savings Plan (“Plan”) since November 1, 1999 for the benefit of eligible employees; and WHEREAS, the Employer is restating the above-referenced Plan to enhance the retirement benefits of eligible employees in compliance with Section 403(b) regulations and to continue to receive the tax benefits of an IRS pre-approved plan. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Employer hereby adopts the Richmond County Board of Education Retirement Savings Plan as a complete restatement of the prior Plan, to be effective July 1, 2024,” says the resolution.
For more information on the millage rate, visit rcboe.org/millagerate. To view the full agendas, visit rcboe.org.
