The Fort Mill School District (FMSD) remained one of the fastest growing school districts, per capita, in the state of South Carolina during the 2017-18 school year. The district grew at a rate of 7.38% which equated to 1,045 new students. The enrollment at year-end was approximately 15,200 students. The primary challenge for FMSD continues to be funding the operating needs of a growing district with modest or flat annual increases in state funding.
FMSD is helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the SC Graduate by a systemic focus on literacy and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.) The STEAM strategy is designed to enhance student engagement and learning through a STEAM Leader Corps model of sustained, rigorous, and job-embedded professional learning. STEAM Learning Labs in each school will build the professional capacity of teacher and school leaders. Teachers were also trained to lead STEAM camps that are designed around real-world problems. More than 400 students participated in these exciting summer opportunities. Our commitment to student engagement in all classes through integrated STEAM and literacy initiatives will maximize authentic and digital learning opportunities that prepare students for success in college, career, and citizenship. As part of the Read-to-Succeed initiative, all teachers and administrators are learning and integrating effective literacy strategies across the curriculum. Struggling readers are offered reading interventions during the year and in summer programs. The district offers summer math camps to strengthen math and critical thinking skills.
Individual and student awards were too numerous to mention, but the following deserve special recognition: over $31 million in scholarship opportunities were awarded to high school graduates; Nation Ford High School’s band won the AAAA state marching band championship; approximately $2 million was included in the 2018-2019 general fund budget to address additional safety and security measures and mental health needs; Kathy Seastead of Nation Ford High School was named the 2017 South Carolina Biology Teacher of the Year by the South Carolina Biology Teachers Association; the second class of inductees for the Fort Mill School District Hall of Fame included Lee Carothers, Anne Close, Jane Langley, Simon White, and Stormy Young. Our fifth middle school, Pleasant Knoll Middle School, opened in August 2017; and our third high school, Catawba Ridge High School, is slated to open in August 2019. On March 20, 2018, a successful $190 million bond referendum was passed by the public that included monies for two elementary schools and one middle school.
Even though we face financial issues going forward, the School Board, the administration, the teachers and staff pledge to continue to provide a quality educational program to our constituents. To assist with this pledge, the district was able to increase impact fees on new housing units. The additional revenue will be used for buildings and other capital expenditures which will allow for tax reductions on all businesses and homeowners. We utilize our Ten Year Facility Needs Plan to identify when and where new schools are needed. As always, we will focus our resources at the classroom level.
Thank you for your past support. The FMSD looks forward to continuing to work with our community in ensuring that we maintain a high quality school system.
James N. (Chuck) Epps, Jr., Ph.D., Superintendent
