BCSD exceeds aggressive student enrollment projections

Berkeley County School District (BCSD) continues to experience significant growth in student enrollment, increasing by 755 students from last year to this year. The 2016-2017 Day 10 Attendance Count totaled 34,082 students, exceeding the aggressive enrollment projections from the Spring 2015 Strom Thurmond Report by 332 students.

“We are very excited to welcome these children and families to Berkeley County School District,” said BCSD Superintendent Brenda Blackburn. “Our Board proactively addressed the projected substantial growth by approving a budget that provided the personnel and resources necessary to meet the needs of the increasing student population.”

Based on the Strom Thurmond Institute Report, Berkeley County School District will continue to see significant growth, expecting to serve approximately 55,000 students by 2035. BCSD will face the need to construct up to 23 schools to serve the growing population.

BCSD Chief Financial Officer, Brantley Thomas, commented, “This growth, while exciting, also presents challenges to school finance. State student funding remains at the 2006-2007 levels. The state’s choice to continue underfunding education resulted in a $18.6 million loss of potential revenue for BCSD this school year. The only revenue sources available to the school district are state funding and property taxes, which exclude owner-occupied homes.”

Act 388 of 2006 prohibited school districts from taxing owner-occupied homes for the purpose of the General Fund Operating Millage.  As a substitute, the state instituted a one cent increase in sales tax. In Fiscal Year 2015-2016, BCSD received $11.6 million less in state sales tax revenue than it would have received from tax revenue from owner-occupied homes.

“As we begin the 2016-2017 school year, we look forward to the increased partnership opportunities with businesses and residents moving to Berkeley County,” said Blackburn. “We will continue to use sound financial management practices to maximize opportunities for students within the constraints of our funding.”