Charleston County School Board begins talks about changing schools’ structure to maximize dollars, achievement

BY DIETTE COURRÉGÉ CASEY

dcourrege@postandcourier.com

A number of Charleston County schools have declining enrollment, parents choosing other alternatives, under-used buildings and high per student operating costs.

County school board members started talking Thursday about those schools and changes they could make. Some possibilities floated were altering grade configurations and consolidating schools.

It was a preliminary discussion and no decisions were made. District officials plan to research board members’ feedback and return to them with more information.

“This was taking the temperature of this board and seeing what are their ideas,” said Schools Superintendent Nancy McGinley. “We didn’t want to come in with any recommendations. We wanted to hear their ideas.”

McGinley said her staff will look at options to determine feasibility, cost, and possible ramifications. The board would make the final call on whether and when to move forward with any suggestion. Her top concerns are whether the changes would provide a better academic environment, result in more equitable per pupil funding, increase program offerings and capture more neighborhood students, she said.

Read more in tomorrow’s Post and Courier, and get the latest education news by following @Diette on Twitter.