House budget would add about $1.5M to Kershaw schools but charters and CTE changes raise questions

Summary

At the March 17 school board meeting, CFO Brad Willard told trustees the House/Ways and Means budget would yield roughly $1.5 million more for the district but left open key details: charter funding is being taken 'off the top,' the CTE weighting was restructured, and PEBA health‑insurance costs remain uncertain.

Brad Willard, the district’s chief financial officer, told the Kershaw County School Board on March 17 that the House/Ways and Means version of the state budget would translate into roughly a $1.5 million increase in funding for the district.

"So this is basically a 1 and a half million dollar increase in funding for the year," Willard said, while cautioning that about $1 million of that figure reflects a reallocated career and technical education (CTE) appropriation rather than unrestricted general‑fund revenue.

Why it matters: the House version raises the formula starting teacher pay and minimum steps by $2,000 and increases the state average per‑pupil amount by roughly $140, changes that could require local adjustments to meet new state minimums. Willard said the formula sets the master's step 12 (about $80,000)…

House budget would add about $1.5M to Kershaw schools but charters and CTE changes raise questions

Summary

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