Countywide school district consolidation bill filed

A bill introduced to the S.C. Senate on Wednesday, March 22 proposes the complete consolidation of all Barnwell County school districts by July 1, 2024.

The consolidation bill was introduced to the Senate last week and had two readings. Following a third reading on Tuesday, March 28, the bill was sent to the S.C. House. On Wednesday, March 29, the bill was introduced and read for the first time in the House. It was also referred to the Barnwell delegation.

Senate Bill 654 steers the merging of Barnwell County School District 45 (BSD45), Barnwell County Consolidated School District (BCCSD), and Barnwell County School District 80, otherwise known as the Barnwell County Career Center (BCCC).

“This will be my final consolidation bill because with this every single school district in my area will be consolidated,” stated Senator Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg.

Senator Hutto’s region consists of Allendale, Barnwell, Bamberg, Colleton, Hampton, and Orangeburg counties.

“If it passes, it could be before the governor for his signature within the next several weeks," said Sen. Hutto.

In July 2022, the former Blackville and Williston districts were consolidated into the BCCSD. In recent years, Orangeburg County schools have been consolidated from eight districts to one as well as Bamberg County and Hampton County schools from two districts to one.

Senate Bill 654 states; “To consolidate Barnwell School District 45, Barnwell County Consolidated School District, and Barnwell County School District 80 into one school district known as the Barnwell County School District; to abolish Barnwell County School District Forty-Five, Barnwell County Consolidated School District, and Barnwell County School District Eighty on July 1, 2024.”

This is a local bill, meaning it only needs the support of the local delegation. In Barnwell County, the local delegation is just two people: Senator Hutto and Representative Lonnie Hosey.

As done previously, "this consolidation will not impact schools at this time. This process is about consolidating administrative (district office) services," said BCCSD Interim Superintendent Dr. Marcella Shaw..

To facilitate the consolidation of BCCSD, BSD45, and BCCC, each district’s board of trustees “and their superintendents, administrators, and personnel shall cooperate fully with the Barnwell County Legislative Delegation and the delegation staff,” states the bill.

“We anticipated the introduction of Senate Bill 0654. As a BCCSD team, we are poised to work hand-in-hand with all parties involved to ensure a successful consolidation. We are committed to conducting the business of consolidation in a manner which reflects the highest level of integrity and fidelity,” said Shaw. “Most importantly, we are dedicated to ensuring that we keep the needs of all Barnwell County scholars as the focal point of the important decisions to be made during and throughout this journey."

“At the Barnwell County Career Center, we are already serving students from the three high schools in our county. We will continue to serve in that capacity to continue giving our students the skills necessary to be successful, whether they attend college or go straight to work,” said BCCC Director David Augustine.

“We are aware of the bill that was introduced and, while our Board of Trustees has repeatedly expressed concerns with the negative impact this legislation could have, we will work together to plan next steps if this legislation is passed,” said BSD45 Superintendent Dr. Crissie Stapleton.

“We wish we had more control over a decision such as this; however, it is out of our hands, and we hope our legislators make the best decision for the future of this county. Our priority is always for our students and families. That will never change,” said Dr. Stapleton.

Initially, a five-member board of trustees will be appointed for the newly-created Barnwell County School District.

“These appointed members shall serve on the Barnwell County School District Board of Trustees until their successors are elected in school district elections conducted at the same time as the 2024 General Election and qualify,” states the bill.

Barnwell County Council adopted a Resolution in Support of School Consolidation at their Feb. 14 regular meeting showing their support of county-wide consolidation.

The resolution states, “the SC Code of Laws was amended by adding Section 59-17-35 so as to require county-wide school districts no later than July 1, 2025.”

This amendment (bill 3154) was introduced in the House of Representatives and read for the first time on January 10, 2023. It was then referred to the Committee on Education and Public Works.

Bill 3154, which is separate from the bill Sen. Hutto introduced strictly for Barnwell County last week, also breaks down the proposed consolidation of county-wide school districts into regionally-wide school districts by July 1, 2030. The People-Sentinel covered this bill in the Feb. 27 edition.

Read the full version of Senate Bill 0654 at www.scstatehouse.gov/sess125_2023-2024/bills/654.htm.