Berkeley County School District News
Berkeley County School District (BCSD) will host a series of six public forum meetings, entitled Moving Berkeley Forward…A community that empowers every student for success.
Community members who attend the forum will hear a short presentation and have an opportunity to ask questions to a panel of district officials.
The purpose of the forums is to allow the community an opportunity to receive pertinent information about opportunities afforded to students, plans for growth, district finances, the next generation of high-tech jobs, and how individuals can get involved.
The public forum meeting dates, times and locations are below. Each forum will be held in the auditorium or multipurpose room of the schools listed:
Thursday, September 29, 2016 at Stratford High School beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, October 4, 2016, at Cane Bay High School beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Monday, October 10, 2016, at Berkeley High School beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, October 18, 2016, at Timberland High School beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 26, 2016, at Daniel Island School beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 1, 2016, at Hanahan High School beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Make-Up Day
Monday, October 17, 2016 has been scheduled as the make-up day for the Friday, September 2, 2016, weather-related school closing. The date was already designated as an inclement weather day on the 2016-2017 instructional calendar.
BCSD exceeds aggressive student enrollment projections
BCSD continues to experience significant growth in student enrollment, increasing by 755 students from last year to this year. The 2016-2017 Day 10 Attendance Count totaled 34,082 students, exceeding the aggressive enrollment projections from the Spring 2015 Strom Thurmond Report by 332 students.
“We are very excited to welcome these children and families to Berkeley County School District,” said BCSD Superintendent Brenda Blackburn. “Our Board proactively addressed the projected substantial growth by approving a budget that provided the personnel and resources necessary to meet the needs of the increasing student population.”
Based on the Strom Thurmond Institute Report, Berkeley County School District will continue to see significant growth, expecting to serve approximately 55,000 students by 2035. BCSD will face the need to construct up to 23 schools to serve the growing population.
BCSD Chief Financial Officer, Brantley Thomas, commented, “This growth, while exciting, also presents challenges to school finance. State student funding remains at the 2006-2007 levels. The state’s choice to continue underfunding education resulted in an $18.6 million loss of potential revenue for BCSD this school year. The only revenue sources available to the school district are state funding and property taxes, which exclude owner-occupied homes.”
Act 388 of 2006 prohibited school districts from taxing owner-occupied homes for the purpose of the General Fund Operating Millage. As a substitute, the state instituted a one-cent increase in sales tax. In Fiscal Year 2015-2016, BCSD received $11.6 million less in state sales tax revenue than it would have received from tax revenue from owner-occupied homes, BCSD said in a press release.
“As we begin the 2016-2017 school year, we look forward to the increased partnership opportunities with businesses and residents moving to Berkeley County,” said Blackburn. “We will continue to use sound financial management practices to maximize opportunities for students within the constraints of our funding.”