Florence School District 3’s Board of Trustees gave final reading Thursday to the district’s $36,556,053 general budget for the 2-24-2025 fiscal year.
Approval of the district budget was delayed until the state legislature approved a state budget for 2024-2025 so more accurate revenue numbers were available. However, FSD3 is still waiting on final revenue numbers.
The budget was built to achieve the district’s mission and six operational goals aligned to the district and schools strategic plans. The operational goals are:
- To improve the academic success of all students.
- To ensure the safety of all district schools, offices, students, and staff.
- To increase the number of students reading on grade level in grades K-3.
- To recruit, retain, and train excellent instructional and administrative staff.
- To build effective school, community and business relationships/partnerships.
- To ensure financial stability.
The budget includes increases to the State Minimum Teacher Salary Schedule based on educational degrees and years or experience. In addition, the budget supports a 2.75% salary increase for bus drivers as well as a step increase for teachers and classified employees.
Expected revenues include $25 million from the state and $8.8 million from local sources, which includes a 9.65 mill increase. For a home with a fair market value of $100,000, the millage increase with total $38.60 and $19.30 for a home valued at $50,000. The district will utilize $2.4 million from funds originally set aside from the general fund balance to be used for a new athletic stadium in order to balance the budget.
Superintendent Hickson is looking forward to continuing to serve our students and providing our students with a quality education in a safe environment.