Greenville County school board reviews funding, renames security center for fallen deputy
Here is a recap of the Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees workshop and meeting on May 27.
Presentation: School district funding
Frank Rainwater, executive director of the South Carolina Office of Revenue and Fiscal Affairs, spoke to the board about school district funding during a workshop on Tuesday afternoon. The presentation broke down GCS revenue sources which include:
- State K-12 appropriations – 36%
- State property tax reimbursements – 10%
- Local property and other taxes – 35%
- Local licenses, fees and miscellaneous – 6%
- All federal sources – 13%
Rainwater explained that GCS receives a higher percentage of state revenue and a lower percentage of local revenue compared to the statewide average. His presentation highlighted the two main state appropriations the school district receives which are State Aid to Classrooms and property tax relief reimbursements.
The State Aid to Classroom formula provides funding for instructional positions and classroom expenses to school districts. GCS recently raised concerns about the funding formula and the new K-12 aid for classroom funding allocation it would receive for fiscal year 2026.
Rainwater also shared information on the GCS’s local revenue from property taxes. The school district’s FY26 budget was presented for first reading on May 5 without a millage rate increase. The second and final reading of GCS’s budget for FY26 is scheduled for June 2, following a public hearing.
Approved: State employability credential resolution
The board unanimously approved a resolution asking the South Carolina School Boards Association to change the SC School Board Report Card calculations. The resolution requests that the employability credential for students with disabilities be added to the calculation for the On-Track-To-Graduate in the High School Success Indicator.
The employability credential helps prepare students with disabilities for post-graduation employment. According to the SC Department of Education, 401 students graduated with an employability credential in 2024.
Approved: Artificial intelligence honors course
The South Carolina Department of Education selected Riverside and Woodmont High Schools to pilot a new CTE pathway about artificial intelligence. The school board unanimously approved a new honors course for the pathway called ‘Introduction to Artificial Intelligence Honors.’
The honors course will introduce students to artificial intelligence concepts through hands-on learning with advanced technology hardware and software. It would be offered to students in the 9th and 10th grades.
Approved: Policy revision for expulsion
The board approved a revision to the district’s expulsion policy. Expulsion is a disciplinary action that removes a student from school for the remainder of the school year.
When a recommendation for expulsion is made, a district hearing officer will conduct hearings and determine whether the student should be expelled, assigned to an alternative school, suspended, put on probation or permanently expelled. The approved policy revision does not allow a student to be assigned to an alternative twice within a one-year period unless extenuating circumstances exist.
Approved: Naming of security center
The board unanimously approved naming the school district’s security center on Space Drive after the late Sgt. William Conley Jumper, Jr.
Jumper was a member of the GCS School Enforcement team and a 28-year veteran of the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office. He died in the line of duty in October 2020.
GCS recently completed renovating the security center at 2 Space Drive. The facility will now house the district’s security team and Greenville County Sheriff’s Office School Enforcement Unit personnel.
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