Dorchester County Council gives schools some of what they ask for

ST. GEORGE — Dorchester District 2 supporters packed County Council chambers tonight to beg council not to cut the requested schools budget.

They were partially successful. Council amended the proposed budget to kick in another $1.8 million, even though it will mean a tax increase for businesses.

School officials were asking the county to give $2.8 million more than required by state law. They said they needed the extra money to buy eight more trailers at overcrowded schools and for programs to reduce the dropout rate.

"We've been in a hole for years," Superintendent Joe Pye told council. "We're going to fall even further behind. ... Political football is what it's turning out to be, and the children are being caught in the middle."

Council was set to approve a budget without the extra money. At least 200 people filled the room, some sitting double and on the floors, to make their case for more money. Others stood along the walls and more spilled out of the room. A fire official had herded some of them out of the aisles to satisfy the fire code.

In other business, council extended the moratorium on new residential developments another four months.

The moratorium targets residential developments of at least 10 units in Dorchester District 2, which includes the Summerville area. It went into effect in December and would have expired June 10 if not extended. Council's vote extends it another 120 days, unless repealed earlier.

After a public hearing that drew only one brief comment in favor, council voted 4-2 to extend the moratorium. Councilmen Murphy and Mike Murphree voted no.

Read more in Tuesday's editions of The Post and Courier