Audit and Finance Committee approves reallocations for school projects, reviews enrollment and ESSER closeout
January 07, 2025 | Charleston 01, School Districts, South Carolina
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Charleston County School District Audit and Finance Committee on Jan. 7 approved several funding reallocations to cover interim classroom needs, capital-maintenance projects and facility upgrades, and reviewed preliminary enrollment counts and federal ESSER spending closeout.
The committee voted to reallocate Phase 5 funds to provide mobile classrooms for Stahl High School’s expansion project, approving a single-unit modular classroom that contains four classrooms and one bathroom to add interim capacity while the permanent project proceeds. The motion to approve the item moved forward to the regular board meeting after a voice vote.
Committee members emphasized capacity pressures at Stahl. "That school has seen a substantial increase in enrollment over the last couple of years," said Mr. Perez, describing the expansion project and the need for temporary classrooms. Committee members and staff noted Stahl’s enrollment at the 45-day count and confirmed trailers were intended as an interim measure until construction is complete.
The committee also approved a $14.6 million reallocation from Phase 4 sales-tax interest earnings to fund five capital-maintenance tasks including HVAC and ductwork replacement at Calhoun Street (and related systems at Bridgeview), HVAC replacement at Mount Pleasant Academy and Military Magnet Academy (gym), restroom renovations at Meeting Street at Brentwood, and replacement of the track at Wando High School. Jeff Baroy (staff) told the committee that the funds come from interest earnings on the 2017–2022 sales-tax program and are eligible for capital-maintenance and technology work under the referendum framework. "The interest earnings on the balance can be used on any projects that were eligible under the original referendum," Baroy said.
Staff said the Phase 4 interest account had roughly $37.4 million previously allocated to program contingency, and that after the proposed reallocations about $22.7 million would remain in contingency. Baroy estimated continuing monthly interest postings of roughly $280,000 to $300,000 while funds remain invested in the state local government investment pool.
Separately, the committee approved a fixed-cost-of-ownership reallocation for fiscal year 2025 to add roughly $205,000 to facility services for the district tables-and-chairs initiative and about $197,000 to security to replace the camera system at the former James Allen Middle School building now used by Turning Point Academy (TPA). Anita (staff) said prioritization for tables and chairs was based on principal input and the first and second phases will supply on-site storage-capable schools; staff said the list covers "just over 40 schools" and that the committee would receive the detailed list.
On procurement, staff reported one new competitive procurement for a turf athletic field at Stahl High School procured under a cooperative (TIPS) contract that was advertised for 55 days and received two bids. The packet reported the amount for consideration as $1,340,000 (as listed in the committee materials). Finance, legal and procurement staff reviewed the award for compliance before presenting it to the committee.
The committee reviewed the district’s preliminary 45-day average daily membership (ADM) counts used for state funding. Miss Milne said the district’s 45-day numbers were still preliminary and submitted but not finalized by the state. Milne reported an increase of 589 students compared with the prior year’s 45-day count and noted changes in subgroups, including a rise in multilingual learners and pupils in poverty that will affect weighted funding distribution. "The 45-day numbers are our preliminary funding. That's how they forecast what they're gonna give us for the year," Milne said.
On federal funds, Mr. Prentice presented the final ESSER III report for November 2024 and said the district had expended and claimed the full $163.2 million awarded under ARP ESSER III for the SR3 grant. He told the committee that state audits for FY24 and a partial FY25 period remained pending and would be shared once complete; he also summarized corrective actions taken after procurement issues identified during prior program work and the FY24 financial audit, including new procedures requiring state review for certain purchases over $10,000.
Committee members asked for follow-up materials: a detailed list of schools that will receive tables and chairs, documentation on the Phase 4/Phase 5 project-selection process, and the ESSER impact/assessment reports used in the budget process. Staff said they would provide the requested information or put it on the February agenda where appropriate.
Actions recorded at the meeting included adoption of the agenda, approval of the Dec. 3, 2024 minutes, and committee approval to send items 2a (mobile classrooms for Stahl High), 2b (Phase 4 interest reallocations), 2c (fixed-cost items for tables/chairs and cameras), and the procurement listing to the regular board meeting for final action.
The committee set its next meeting for Feb. 4, 2025, at 2 p.m. in the boardroom and adjourned by voice vote.
The committee voted to reallocate Phase 5 funds to provide mobile classrooms for Stahl High School’s expansion project, approving a single-unit modular classroom that contains four classrooms and one bathroom to add interim capacity while the permanent project proceeds. The motion to approve the item moved forward to the regular board meeting after a voice vote.
Committee members emphasized capacity pressures at Stahl. "That school has seen a substantial increase in enrollment over the last couple of years," said Mr. Perez, describing the expansion project and the need for temporary classrooms. Committee members and staff noted Stahl’s enrollment at the 45-day count and confirmed trailers were intended as an interim measure until construction is complete.
The committee also approved a $14.6 million reallocation from Phase 4 sales-tax interest earnings to fund five capital-maintenance tasks including HVAC and ductwork replacement at Calhoun Street (and related systems at Bridgeview), HVAC replacement at Mount Pleasant Academy and Military Magnet Academy (gym), restroom renovations at Meeting Street at Brentwood, and replacement of the track at Wando High School. Jeff Baroy (staff) told the committee that the funds come from interest earnings on the 2017–2022 sales-tax program and are eligible for capital-maintenance and technology work under the referendum framework. "The interest earnings on the balance can be used on any projects that were eligible under the original referendum," Baroy said.
Staff said the Phase 4 interest account had roughly $37.4 million previously allocated to program contingency, and that after the proposed reallocations about $22.7 million would remain in contingency. Baroy estimated continuing monthly interest postings of roughly $280,000 to $300,000 while funds remain invested in the state local government investment pool.
Separately, the committee approved a fixed-cost-of-ownership reallocation for fiscal year 2025 to add roughly $205,000 to facility services for the district tables-and-chairs initiative and about $197,000 to security to replace the camera system at the former James Allen Middle School building now used by Turning Point Academy (TPA). Anita (staff) said prioritization for tables and chairs was based on principal input and the first and second phases will supply on-site storage-capable schools; staff said the list covers "just over 40 schools" and that the committee would receive the detailed list.
On procurement, staff reported one new competitive procurement for a turf athletic field at Stahl High School procured under a cooperative (TIPS) contract that was advertised for 55 days and received two bids. The packet reported the amount for consideration as $1,340,000 (as listed in the committee materials). Finance, legal and procurement staff reviewed the award for compliance before presenting it to the committee.
The committee reviewed the district’s preliminary 45-day average daily membership (ADM) counts used for state funding. Miss Milne said the district’s 45-day numbers were still preliminary and submitted but not finalized by the state. Milne reported an increase of 589 students compared with the prior year’s 45-day count and noted changes in subgroups, including a rise in multilingual learners and pupils in poverty that will affect weighted funding distribution. "The 45-day numbers are our preliminary funding. That's how they forecast what they're gonna give us for the year," Milne said.
On federal funds, Mr. Prentice presented the final ESSER III report for November 2024 and said the district had expended and claimed the full $163.2 million awarded under ARP ESSER III for the SR3 grant. He told the committee that state audits for FY24 and a partial FY25 period remained pending and would be shared once complete; he also summarized corrective actions taken after procurement issues identified during prior program work and the FY24 financial audit, including new procedures requiring state review for certain purchases over $10,000.
Committee members asked for follow-up materials: a detailed list of schools that will receive tables and chairs, documentation on the Phase 4/Phase 5 project-selection process, and the ESSER impact/assessment reports used in the budget process. Staff said they would provide the requested information or put it on the February agenda where appropriate.
Actions recorded at the meeting included adoption of the agenda, approval of the Dec. 3, 2024 minutes, and committee approval to send items 2a (mobile classrooms for Stahl High), 2b (Phase 4 interest reallocations), 2c (fixed-cost items for tables/chairs and cameras), and the procurement listing to the regular board meeting for final action.
The committee set its next meeting for Feb. 4, 2025, at 2 p.m. in the boardroom and adjourned by voice vote.
View full meeting
This article is based on a recent meeting—watch the full video and explore the complete transcript for deeper insights into the discussion.
View full meeting