Board hearing on purchasing restructure: director’s role proposed for elimination; purchasing staff warn of compliance risks

Berkeley County Schools administrators told the board at a public hearing that the district plans to eliminate the standalone director of purchasing position and absorb purchasing responsibilities into existing operational and federal-program structures as part of a phase 2 central-office reorganization. The administration said the change is intended to increase efficiency and redirect savings to classrooms.

Administration materials entered as exhibits described a shift that would retain a buyer and a secretary but remove the director-level role. The administration said the restructured model would place procurement oversight inside existing programmatic leadership so that purchases better align with instructional and operational priorities while remaining compliant with purchasing regulations. "This restructure consolidates purchasing responsibilities into existing district office structures, ensuring more responsive service and greater alignment with instructional and…