The Aiken County Public School District held a special called Board of Education meeting on Tuesday night to discuss the budget for the 2024-25 school year, along with the One Cent Sales Tax.
2024-25 budget
Board of Education members began taking a closer look at considerations for the upcoming school year’s budget.
Some of the key considerations discussed for 2024-25 include a step increase for teachers and “teacher-like” positions (a step increase is a pay raise based on a teacher’s years of experience and education level); teacher scale increase (adjustment to the entire salary schedule for teachers); bus driver step and Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA); state retirement increase and a state health increase.
Several budget priorities were named during a March 12 board meeting, and these include a continued focus on early childhood education, the implementation of Athletic Trainers, employee salaries and mental health resources.
“Whenever we think about the budget, it’s a balancing act,” said Tray Traxler, the district's chief officer of finance who gave the board an overview of these considerations and priorities.
The first official reading of the budget is scheduled for April 23. A second and final reading is planned for May 28.
One Cent Sales Tax
The One Cent Sales Tax (also known as the Penny Sales Tax) is a 1% sales tax that was first implemented in March 2015 after being voted for by Aiken County citizens in November 2014, and is applied to most purchases made within the county. Revenue generated is designated for specific projects within the school district.
At its start in 2015, the tax was focused on five project areas: Aiken High School, North Augusta High School, Leavelle McCampbell Middle School, Ridge Spring-Monetta’s K-12 Campus and updates to the Aiken County Career and Technology Center.
The tax is set to expire in February 2025, and the ACPSD is now discussing what projects should be up for consideration with the next round of the Penny Sales Tax.
On Tuesday, the board revealed a One Cent Sales Tax timeline with proposed dates, including some that have already passed:
- Nov. 28, 2023 – the Board of Education held a special-called meeting where sales tax projections were discussed with representatives from the Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office.
- April 16, 2024 – Work study and discussion of projects for consideration
- May and June 2024 – Community input on projects
- June 11, 2024 – Regular meeting, adopt resolution ordering referendum
- By noon on Aug. 15, 2024 – Bond attorney to provide certified copy of resolution to elections office.
- August and October 2024 – Education efforts, information sessions
- Nov. 5, 2024 – Sales tax referendum / general election
- Within approximately three days of election – Certification of election results
- Feb. 28, 2025 – End of original November 2014 sales tax
- March 1, 2025 – New sales tax commences if voters renew in November 2024
Current Superintendent King Laurence said: “Between now and June, we want to look at getting community input.” He added that the board will work on determining whether the community wants to have community input meetings, surveys or another way to share their thoughts on potential projects for the next round of Penny Sales Tax.
Projects suggested for consideration include renovations, additions or the rebuilding of South Aiken High, Silver Bluff High, Midland Valley High, North Augusta Middle, Langley-Bath-Clearwater Middle, Area 5 middle schools, Gloverville Elementary, Kennedy Middle, Paul Knox Middle Kitchen and Cafeteria, Jefferson Elementary and security.
“We’re just tossing around ideas and getting kind of focus areas,” said Board Chair Cameron Nuessle.
