TIMMONSVILLE, SC (WBTW) – State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman has declared a state of emergency in Florence School District Four due to chronic financial instability.
In a release Tuesday morning, Spearman said the school district is not spending tax payer money in a way that benefits the students’ education.
“Over the past ten years, Florence Four has lost 32% of its student population while still paying millions in administrative salaries and related costs. Now, with just over 600 students among its three schools, the district’s finances are in dire shape and require immediate action,” said State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman. “For each of the past three years, Florence Four has received the highest financial risk rating and once again was unable to submit a timely audit because of the state of its financial records. I am declaring a state of emergency in the district and will work quickly and diligently to find a sustainable solution to provide the students in Timmonsville with the opportunities they need and deserve for years to come.”
Spearman is in Timmonsville Tuesday morning meeting with district officials and will meet with the media to release more information, according to Chief Communications Officer Ryan Brown.
The State Superintendent of Education is able to declare a state of emergency if a school district is classified as a “high risk” because of its financial status, according to a press release from Superintendent Spearman’s office.
The state has managed two of the three schools – Brockington Elementary and Johnson Middle – in Timmonsville for the past two school years
Timmonsville High School and the management and operation of the district office have been overseen by the local school board and a mutually agreed upon district superintendent.
With Tuesday’s announcement of Florence District Four being under a state of emergency, Spearman plans to build contracts with neighboring school districts, as well as private companies, to provide “district services in order to create a sustainable level of operations and management for the future.”
The press release from Spearman’s office did not specify what those district services would include.
The emergency circumstances alleviate the board of all duties previously designated to them. The South Carolina Department of Education will continue to provide assistance through school transformation coaches, professional development, and direct program oversight for the remainder of the school year, the release states.
“Communities and leaders across South Carolina must plan sustainably for the future and always keep the interests of our students as the top priority. It has become clear that the current model is not working here and taking away funds where they are needed most – the classroom. The students in Timmonsville deserve every opportunity to be successful and that means using tax dollars efficiently and in ways that improve student academic achievement,” said Spearman.
