School District Five Board approves $1M for Tier 2 Tutoring and Student Support Services

For Immediate Release – February 3, 2026

School District Five Board approves $1M for Tier 2 Tutoring and Student Support Services

IRMO – The Lexington-Richland School District Five School Board has approved $1 million in funding to expand Tier 2 tutoring and student support services for elementary, middle, and high school students who need extra support inside the classroom.

"When Trustee Herring asked the Office of Academics to 'dream big' for our students, I knew exactly what that dream was,” Chief of Academics Tina McCaskill said.  “Our new Tier 2 Tutoring for Academics and Mental Health ensures identified students feel valued and supported while receiving targeted academic interventions and wraparound mental-health services. By pairing small-group tutoring with school-based counseling, transportation support, and community partners, we remove barriers to learning so students who are identified can build skills, confidence, and resilience — because academic growth and wellbeing go hand in hand.  We are grateful to Chair Snipes and the other trustees for their support and belief in this new program.”

The investment will strengthen targeted, small-group and individualized instruction designed to help students close learning gaps, improve academic performance, and build confidence in core subject areas. In addition to tutoring, the funding will support expanded school counseling and mental health services to address the social and emotional needs of students.

The school counseling sessions will be available to students and their families and will include but not be limited to study skills workshops, parent education sessions, small group and individual counseling sessions, and structured student skills groups without screens.

“This tutoring program ensures students get extra support they need, and I'm proud of our board for putting students and families first,” School Board Chair Kimberly Snipes said.

The funding will be implemented across schools during the current academic year, with ongoing monitoring to measure effectiveness and student progress.