In a letter to the state School Board, South Carolina Superintendent Ellen Weaver said the Department of Education (SCDE) wants to take over the financial operations of the Marlboro County School District (MCSD), citing the district’s failure to meet its fiscal responsibilities and provide a stable operational plan for the 2025-26 school year.
SCDE placed the district under a financial emergency in February, when it was announced that MCSD would be $6.9 million short on its annual budget, unless drastic action was taken.
Over several board meetings, Marlboro County School Board members debated ideas including school closures, staff reductions, pay freezes, stopping bonuses, and, at one point, a 26-mill tax increase to cover the shortfall.
Ultimately, the board balked on cuts and what would have been the biggest tax hike in the district's history. The district's budget was due by June 30, but the school board did not adopt one until Wednesday. It voted 6-3 to pass a budget that included reconfiguring several schools to cut all but $1.4 million from the shortfall.
The $1.4 million will be taken from the district's general fund.
A deeper look into the district's finances by SCDE over the past few months uncovered declining student enrollment and the district's trouble retaining teachers.
SCDE was careful to call the move "a remedial measure" and not a full takeover of the district.
The financial operations takeover must be approved by the State Board of Education.
If approved, SCDE financial staff will assume authority over district financial planning and management, and the Marlboro County School Board must submit all financial transactions, contracts, and hiring decisions to the SCDE for approval.
"Our highest priority is ensuring students in Marlboro County have access to a safe, stable, and effective educational environment,” Weaver said. “Unfortunately, the district’s fiscal condition leaves us no choice but to act.”
SCDE stated that it still could seek a full district takeover, "should conditions in Marlboro County continue to deteriorate."
News of the financial takeover was welcomed by state House Reps. Jackie Hayes and Jason Luck, and by State Sen. J.D. Chaplin, who all said it was a necessity.
Marlboro County School Board Chairman Michael Coachman said only, "We welcome the state's help."
