News Summary
Greenville County Schools officials express concerns over a funding formula favoring charter schools, jeopardizing public education finances.
Greenville – Greenville County Schools officials have expressed growing concerns regarding the funding discrepancies between public school districts and charter schools in South Carolina. A recently proposed funding formula indicates that approximately $112 million in new state funding will predominantly benefit charter schools, with around $90 million earmarked for them, while public school districts, including Greenville County Schools, will only receive about $22 million.
With an enrollment of roughly 78,000 students, Greenville County Schools serves more students than the entire pool of charter school students in South Carolina, which totals around 57,000. This has prompted officials to argue that the current funding formula is unfairly skewed towards charter schools, thereby jeopardizing the financial stability of public education in the region.
Concerns from Greenville County Schools stem from the identified funding pressures that could hinder the district’s ability to provide necessary resources for its students. The potential impact on financing could lead to challenges with teacher raises and recruitment, further complicating the situation. Efforts are being made by local lawmakers, such as State Rep. Bruce Bannister, to address these discrepancies by working towards a temporary fix in the funding formula, but they have faced resistance from the Senate and virtual charter schools.
The South Carolina House recently passed a bill that reduced the weighting for virtual charter schools from 0.65 to 0.36. Additionally, this legislation established a proviso for a study committee tasked with reviewing how funding distributions are managed, with recommendations needed by December 1, 2025, for key legislative leaders.
The ramifications of reduced funding could significantly affect the proposed teacher raises for Greenville County Schools. While there is a possibility that state bills could enhance teacher raises to an average of $1,400 next school year, this is contingent on funding adjustments being made. In the absence of these adjustments, Greenville County officials estimate that average raises will be lower, around $1,000.
Despite these funding concerns, Greenville County Schools is not planning to propose a millage increase in their budget, aiming to keep taxes stable for local residents. The district’s budget for the 2024-25 school year is projected at $922 million, with future projections exceeding $962 million for 2025-26. Interestingly, over 90% of the budget is allocated to salaries and benefits, with a portion also designated for growth and essential operations, including the construction of a new elementary school.
Additionally, the potential implications of a proposed bill requiring the Greenville County Council’s approval of the school district’s budget have raised alarms among officials. Board chair Carolyn Styles has labeled this move as an erosion of local governance, highlighting her commitment to the autonomy of district decisions.
Greenville County Schools is also addressing the logistical challenges posed by Tropical Storm Helene, with students scheduled to have three make-up days for classes missed due to the storm. These make-up days will include a self-paced e-learning component to facilitate continued education.
A public hearing concerning the budget will occur on June 2, 2025, at the district’s office, giving residents an opportunity to voice their opinions about the proposed budget and its implications for the local educational landscape.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Greenville Celebrates New Health Initiative
Alabama Schools Face Uncertainty Amid Department of Education Closure Talks
Trump Freezes Financial Aid to South Africa Amid Tensions
Major Changes Expected for Education Services in the U.S.
Greenville Tech Foundation Sets Scholarship Records
Additional Resources
- WYFF4: Greenville County Schools State Funding Concerns
- Wikipedia: Greenville County Schools
- Greenville Journal: Special Education Review Forums
- Google Search: Greenville County Schools education funding
- Fox Carolina: Greenville Co School Board Budget Proposal
- Google Scholar: Greenville County Schools
- WSPA: State Bill on Budget Approval for Greenville Schools
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education Funding
- Greenville Online: Schools Schedule Make-Up Days
- Google News: Greenville County Schools budget
