Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
Full county-wide school district consolidation is “imminent” but a proposed bill could take that a step further.
A bill currently sitting in a state committee proposes county-wide school consolidation by 2025, followed by the consolidation of school districts in multiple counties by 2030.
If approved, the SC Code of Laws would be amended by adding Section 59-17-35, which states, “No later than July 1, 2025, the area of each county of this State must be constituted as a school district and a county may not have multiple school districts within its boundaries.”
Senator Brad Hutto hopes legislation toward the consolidation of all Barnwell County school districts will be passed in the next 30 days. He feels the consolidation of Barnwell County schools may come even quicker than 2025.
This bill was introduced and read for the first time on January 10 where it was then referred to the Committee on Education and Public Works in the House of Representatives.
Section 59-17-36 was also added, “to provide for the consolidation of countywide school district by July 1, 2030.”
This proposed 2030 consolidation will merge counties under one school district such as Allendale, Bamberg, and Barnwell.
Other counties will be consolidated as followed, if the bill is approved:
● Anderson County, Oconee County, and Pickens County
● Berkeley County, Charleston County, and Dorchester County
● Chesterfield County, Dillion County, and Marlboro County
● Darlington County, Florence County, and Marion County
● Georgetown County and Horry County
● Beaufort County, Colleton County, Hampton County, and Jasper County
● Calhoun County and Orangeburg County
● Cherokee County, Spartanburg County, and Union County
● Abbeville County, Edgefield County, Greenwood County, Laurens County, McCormick County, Newberry County, and Saluda County
● Chester County, Lancaster Counter, and York County
● Clarendon County, Kershaw County, Lee County, and Sumter County
● Greenville County
● Aiken County
● Fairfield County, Lexington County, and Richland County
● Williamsburg County
Although filed, this bill has not been approved and is not currently in effect. Senator Hutto declined to comment on this portion of the bill.
A resolution in support of complete, county-wide consolidation of schools was passed at the February 14 Barnwell County Council meeting.
“Barnwell County Council desires that all of its citizens be afforded the opportunity to obtain a good education; and whereas 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 2025,” states the resolution.
“I have talked to Mr. Brad Hutto, and he said this resolution will really help Barnwell County move forward,” said Chairman Jerry Creech of the state senator who represents Barnwell County.
“We always appreciate input from all the citizens of Barnwell on issues that we are undertaking at the State House, but it's pretty impactful when the county council passes a resolution in support of something that's being contemplated. I think it does speak volumes to the sort of support countywide going forward with this consolidation,” said Sen. Hutto.
The resolution was voted for by all council members but one.
“My position is that this is a school board issue that should be voted on by the school board,” said Councilman Daniel Alexander, who abstained from the vote.
According to Chairman Creech, this resolution was brought before council after a recent meeting he had with Savannah River Site (SRS).
“One reason I’m bringing it up tonight, we met with SRS last week and they basically told me Aiken is eight months into their high-tech school they’re building over there, and they will not come into Barnwell County with two school systems,” said Chairman Creech.
In 2022, $100 million of Savannah River Site (SRS) plutonium settlement funds were proposed to be allocated toward the “construction of consolidated high school and career center and K-8 school for Williston and Blackville,” states legislative bill S.956, which details a possible plan for fund appropriations. This bill is currently sitting in the Ways and Means committee in the House of Representatives.
“They are furnishing equipment and trainees in Aiken County. If we don’t get this high-tech, consolidated school, we’re missing an opportunity of a lifetime,” said Chairman Creech. “Right now, I know there’s people that want it, some don’t want it, but for the good of the county I feel that this is the best thing for the future and years to come.”
Chairman Creech asked County Administrator Tim Bennett to send a copy of this resolution to the State Board of Education and Barnwell County’s legislative delegation, including Representative Lonnie Hosey and Senator Hutto.
This next step to consolidation comes after Blackville-Hilda District 19 and Williston-Elko District 29 merged last year forming the Barnwell County Consolidated School District.
The only school district that has not yet faced consolidation is Barnwell School District 45. That would change if legislation were approved.
To view SC Code of Laws Section 59-17-35, visit: www.scstatehouse.gov/sess125_2023-2024/bills/3154.htm
