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Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities requests $1.2M operational boost, new film equipment and additional mental‑health support
Summary
The Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities requested a $1.2 million increase in operating funds, $100,000 in film equipment and an additional mental‑health counselor during a K‑12 budget subcommittee hearing.
The Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities asked the K‑12 education budget subcommittee for several recurring and nonrecurring budget items to address inflationary pressures, program growth and student mental health needs.
Top priorities and rationale: Dr. Mark Adderley, president of the Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, said the school’s top recurring request is $1.2 million in increased operating support to cover rising utility, insurance and technology costs and expanded preventive maintenance for the 26‑year‑old campus. "Some of these numbers include a 38% increase in janitorial, HVAC, plumbing, lighting, [and] a 35% increase in insurance," Adderley said.
The school also requested $100,000 for film equipment to outfit a newly launched film program that enrolled 11 juniors this year and will expand to a second class. Adderley noted partnerships with the South Carolina Film Commission and local industry that the program is building on.
Student services and personnel: Adderley asked for an additional full‑time mental‑health counselor to augment an existing counselor, citing high demand: the current counselor served individual students equaling 48% of the student body last year. "This is unfortunately consistent with the national trend and with the increase in student mental health concerns throughout school environments," Adderley said; he added that the department of administration supported the request.
Other requests include converting four full‑time temporary positions (regional recruiters, a student services assistant, and a production costume coordinator) to permanent roles at no net new recurring cost, and a capital project to construct a new, re‑sited art gallery to improve campus security and limit public access to student residential areas.
Context and outcomes: Adderley reviewed the school’s outreach (service to all 46 counties and over 163,000 individuals across programs) and said the school continues to report strong student outcomes and awards. Subcommittee members asked about telehealth usage for counseling; Adderley said telehealth is used but that a single counselor is overwhelmed by demand and on‑campus capacity would improve response.
Ending: The subcommittee heard the request and took it under advisement. Staff and members asked for follow‑up on cost details and implementation planning for the capital gallery project.
