Floyd: Alter way schools are fundedBY ANDY PARAS
The Post and Courier
Monday, August 11, 2008
MONCKS CORNER — Berkeley County Schools Superintendent Chester Floyd will retire in January, leaving the fast-growing school district with a lot of questions to answer. Floyd sat down with The Post and Courier recently to discuss his last six months in office and how the district can address its long-term needs with a state funding system that he feels needs to be changed soon. Q What's something about the school district people don't know? A I'm not sure that the general populace understands the sense of urgency about the funding for all districts, including Berkeley County, and what I think Act 388 has done. On the one hand, it has given significant (tax) relief to anyone that owns a home. On the other hand, it has created a very uncertain future for funding public education. I truly believe that if there is not a major overhaul in funding for public education in how we do it … I think school districts all across the state are headed for a major train wreck. I do not believe that the one-cent sales tax will continue to meet the mandates of our citizenry in the long run. I don't know if people sense the urgency about that. I do believe that the members of the General Assembly know that a comprehensive approach to funding education is something they have to tackle, and tackle quickly. Also, I don't know that everyone understands the urgency about the need for a site and a school in the Daniel Island-Hanahan-Cainhoy area, particularly a middle school and a high school. My concern is we won't have the funding to do that in a timely manner so we will have major, major problems at Hanahan High School in terms of overcrowding before we get that done. … I know the members of the board understand that that is something that is critical now. I hope before I leave that we can figure out some way to get the funding, without raising taxes, to build the middle school at Cane Bay. We open the high school (in August) and the elementary school is scheduled to open the following year. But we are putting more and more trailers around Sangaree Middle School right now, so that (building a Cane Bay middle school) has to take place. Q Do you ever see this county approving another referendum that would fund schools? A I really hope the state will create some kind of facilities infrastructure bank. I think there is going to be an explosion of the student population at some point in time. Maybe the economy has to turn back around, whatever, but districts that are growing extremely fast — I don't know that the citizenry will be willing to fund the facilities to handle that. Under the current structure that we have right now, I sure hope that future leaders can pass another bond issue. I really hope the state comes along with some help in that capacity. I don't know what can we do with that. Q What advice would you give the next superintendent? A This district really is unique. I really think it is. As I've said before, it mirrors the state of South Carolina more than any other place that I'm aware of. We have areas that are above-average wealth. We have areas that are in extreme poverty. We have areas that are high-density — you can take a bus and make one or two stops and fill it up. We have other areas where you have got to drive miles to get a half a busload of kids. We have areas that are predominantly white, very much predominantly white. And we have areas that are almost all African-American. It's the same kind of environment that you have on a statewide basis. All of those areas require different kinds of strategies for how you provide opportunities for youngsters. They're different. The same is not equal when circumstances are totally different. My advice for the superintendent is to recognize that up front — that you have a unique county system that is extremely large in terms of land mass … and it's very different from one location to the other. While you want the same opportunities for every location, it requires different strategies to produce that. That would be something that, if it's someone who's not from this area, will need to grasp very quickly. Reach Andy Paras at 745-5891 or at aparas@postandcourier.com. |
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Posted by moonpie on August 11, 2008 at 6:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"We have areas that are predominantly white, very much predominantly white. And we have areas that are almost all African-American."
THEN WE ARE STILL SEGREGATED? THOSE PEOPLE THAT THOUGHT YOU COULD BUS KIDS TO DIFFERENT SCHOOLS TO SEGREGATE HOWS THAT WORKING OUT? IT'S ALL ABOUT THE ECONOMICS.
Posted by WhoCares on August 11, 2008 at 7:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why is it all about whites and African-Americans? Why can't it be about white Americans and black Americans...or better yet, just about Americans? I'm guessing that fewer that 20 percent of the affected students (white or black) could even point out Africa on a map if asked to do so! If you don't want us segregated, why keep using devisive labels??
Posted by hollyman on August 11, 2008 at 8:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good comments, RW and WhoCares! You are both correct. Industry has no incentive to come to an area where the population cannot do math and can barely read and write their own names. When the education level improves, income rises, and people are more able to own homes, segregation will take care of itself. People are inclined to purchase homes they can afford, regardless of the racial makeup of the community. Improved education will almost automatically take care of many of our social and economic problems. Sounds like a good project for the NAACP, along with other groups.
Posted by poor_paul on August 11, 2008 at 9:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
WhoCares, I agree - political correctness. I agree it should be white and black (and hispanic), not some politically correct term.
moonpie, I think he was referring to where they live, not segregation of the schools. I think he made a pretty good point about understanding the needs of the different areas in order to best serve all the students.
Posted by goodkarmasc on August 11, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's not about race....it's about m-o-n-e-y. Hollyman is correct though, improved education COULD take care of many of our social/economic problems. Problem is, most of the crowd that's in charge of South Carolina government believes it's easier to lock up youths rather than spending the money needed to educate them.
You hear it all the time "you can't throw money at the problems with public education"....but at the same time, you can't withdraw money from it either. Poor performing schools can be directly traced to a lack of economic performance of it's citizenry, regardless of race. To break the cycle, more money and resources are needed in the poorest districts to help keep kids in school, educate parents, and help generate jobs.
Posted by tc1 on August 11, 2008 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Stop manufacturing excuses for not doing the right thing and avoiding or being unable to instill disipline would work wonders. Harder on some then others? No dought, but thats reallity and it can be done.
Posted by Dreamer728 on August 11, 2008 at 3:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Glad to see him go!!! When I was in High school at Stratford high about 7 years ago, I had a bus driver and her friend another bus driver ask 2 other girls to get on my bus to jump me. These girls didn't ride my bus! Let’s just say it didn't work out like that! I went right home and told my mom what I thought had just happened. We went right back to the school and spoke to the asst. principle at the time! I love that lady! I had to find the girls in a week period so the school officials could ask there side of the story. They said the bus drivers asked them to get on my bus and jump me. Only the driver that asked got in trouble she was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor the judge ordered that she never drive in Berkley county again. The following year Chester Floyd re hired the bus driver who asked 2 girls to jump me. Just think about the parents who never knew that! Might I add that these 2 ladys still drive for Berkley county! Thanks Mr. Floyd for protecting me!!