What’s Next For Lexington School District One?

What’s next for Lexington County School District One? At Tuesday’s breakfast, sponsored by SAFE Federal Credit Union, Superintendent Dr. Greg Little shared with Lexington business owners the district’s vision to “empower each child to design the future.”

Lexington One is a highly desirable school district growing just above 500 new students per year since 1988. The growth is amazing but it also keeps the
school improvements and building plans increasing. Since 2018, the $365 million bond referendum has allowed the building of several new schools including
Centerville Elementary, opened August 2020, and Pelion Middle School, opening December 2020. With this growth, the district has created prototype schools
to allow for a stream-lined design process for quicker openings. More upcoming projects include Pelion High School’s agribusiness center to be mirrored
at Pelion Middle School and performing arts centers to be built at White Knoll and Gilbert high schools.

The next project for Lexington One is relocating Lexington Middle School. This relocation will allow the district to not only improve safety in removing
the school from a main road, but also provide modifications to improve traffic flow on Old Cherokee Road. The two old middle schools will provide space
as Early Education Centers, staff offices and partnerships in training with Palmetto College and Midlands Technical College. Dr. Little shared his
thanks to the Lexington small business community for entrusting them with decisions in the use of bond funds. Good news the school district only needed
to increase mils by 4 rather than the anticipated 14 to 15.

In academics, Dr. Little shared that dual enrollment since the start of his tenure had increased from 50 students to nearly 600. The program has saved
$2.3 million in tuition for families and is equivalent to an estimated $10,000 scholarship award per student. This program has reached nearly 100 percent
of families at the poverty level and 62 percent of students of color. This as well as the opening of the College Center in Gilbert is important as
both provide opportunities for first generation college students.

During the pandemic, Lexington One is continuing to phase students back in to weekly four day in-person classes. The return of high school students will
be more time sensitive coming between two holidays. The district is practicing tactics including safety checks to keep students, staff and families
safe. Fridays are still being used to ensure thorough facility cleaning and intentional time to check in with students who may currently be in quarantine.

For more information about Lexington School District One, visit lexdistrict1.com.