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Dorchester 2 tables consultant agreements on consolidation study, will ask DD4 to consider revenue-sharing
Summary
The board voted to table two consultant agreements to study consolidation and revenue-sharing with Dorchester School District 4 and authorized staff to send DD4 a letter outlining Dorchester 2's information needs and expectations; the board said updated fiscal analysis is needed before further action.
Dorchester School District 2 on May 19 tabled two consultant agreements that would fund (a) an updated fiscal and economic impact study of consolidation with Dorchester School District 4 and (b) a separate review of revenue-sharing arrangements used in other multi-district counties.
Ms. Mignet told the board the consultant work would update older analyses, including a South Carolina Education Oversight Committee study from 2003 and a 2006 study prepared for the Dorchester County legislative delegation. The consultants' work would examine assessed property values, current operating and debt millage, teacher pay scales, outstanding bond indebtedness and other comparative revenues. The consultant estimates discussed in the meeting capped the study price at $5,000; board members noted the revenue-sharing study exposure could be up to $5,000 and that one update to the older study might be Dorchester 2's share of $2,500.
Board member Mr. Lee moved to table both consultant agreements and to send a formal letter to Dorchester School District 4 outlining Dorchester 2's interests and the information the district expects to have included in a combined study. Ms. Bates seconded the motion; the board recorded the motion as carrying (vote announced as 6 in favor, 1 absent).
Board members debating the motion said they wanted current data before pursuing consolidation or revenue-sharing changes. Several trustees noted the 2003 and 2006 studies are out of date and expressed concern about paying for a study that would not have cooperation from DD4. The board directed staff to draft and send a letter to DD4 requesting its response to participating in a combined study that includes revenue-sharing analysis.
The motion to table the agreements and request DD4's response does not approve consultant work; staff said the board may revisit the matter if DD4 agrees to participate or if legislative developments change the local funding environment.
