BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–Berkeley County School Board members received the FY 2016-2017 Budget Update presentation at their meeting Tuesday evening, February 23.
The update, presented by Berkeley County School District (BCSD) Chief Financial Officer, Brantley Thomas, included the legislative and District budget calendars; comparative analysis on base student cost and per student spending; and a FY 2015-2016 Act 388 Analysis.
“It is important that BCSD continue to be transparent during the entire budget process,” said Superintendent Brenda Blackburn. “The District has shown, and will continue to show, that we are good stewards of the money received from our local community, the state and federal government. We will continue these informational updates so that our Board members and stakeholders have access to all of the information that we are using to plan for the coming year’s budget.”
As outlined in the budget calendars, BCSD Superintendent Blackburn will recommend the FY 2016-2017 budget to the Board on May 20, and a public hearing for Board approval will take place on June 28.
Thomas presented information to the Board illustrating that school funding does not align with what the law says student cost should be, this year the difference in that gap will amount to $581.00 per student.
When looking at comparative analysis figures on per student spending, Thomas stated that, “BCSD operates $1,278 per student below the state average.” Additionally, Thomas provided the FY 2015-2016 Act 388 Analysis that totaled the loss in revenue at $11,620,657.
BCSD ranks 67th out of 83 South Carolina School Districts in Per Pupil spending, yet ranks 24th of 83 in Academic Performance.
“There are serious gaps in funding and challenges surrounding underfunded and unfunded mandates; however, BCSD does not allow these obstacles to thwart our commitment to providing a quality education for our students,” said Brantley Thomas, BCSD Chief Financial Officer. “We will continue to do our part by operating within a balanced budget and providing our students and teachers with opportunities to continue our legacy of excellence.”
On May 24, the BCSD School Board will come together for a board workshop, and a proposed budget will receive a first reading on June 14.
