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Scotland County Schools asks commissioners to preserve $19.5 million appropriation and fund buses, maintenance and athletics
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Summary
Dr. O'Dell Baldwin told the county board Scotland County Schools needs the current $19.5 million appropriation kept intact and sought additional targeted spending — an activity bus (~$186,000), three maintenance vehicles and $100,000 to shore up athletics — citing transportation, safety and student-support gaps.
Dr. O'Dell Baldwin, speaking on behalf of Scotland County Schools, asked the Board of Commissioners to maintain the district's current county appropriation of $19,500,000 and to consider three targeted additions: one activity bus (estimated $186,000), replacement of multiple maintenance vehicles and $100,000 to support athletics programs.
Baldwin opened by summarizing district size and staffing, saying the system serves more than 5,100 K–12 students (plus roughly 300 pre-K) across 10 schools and employs about 846 staff, of whom an estimated 73 percent live in Scotland County. He highlighted gains—“our 4‑year cohort graduation rate is 90.7 percent, surpassing the state average,” he said—and noted a very low dropout rate (about 0.8 percent), while also flagging persistent academic proficiency gaps and concentrated student needs.
The specific asks were framed as operational and safety priorities. Baldwin said the activity bus is essential to give students travel and exposure opportunities that the district cannot otherwise afford, noting many teams and classes currently rely on borrowed vehicles and that his fleet includes buses with more than 215,000 miles. He told commissioners “every dime you can give us” would help keep students engaged and prevent a slide toward pay‑to‑play athletics, adding that transportation and equipment shortfalls threaten programs that provide exposure and opportunity.
Baldwin also requested funds to replace three aging maintenance vehicles and $100,000 in athletic support largely to cover transport and basic competitive equipment, with roughly half of that amount targeted for the high school and the remainder split among middle schools. He said those dollars would be a short‑term “shot in the arm” to avoid cutting student opportunities and help keep gear, helmets and pads on a replacement rotation.
Commissioners pressed Baldwin on measures of academic proficiency and graduation credentials; Baldwin clarified that the graduation rate is based on awarding diplomas (not a single state competency exam) and that the district counts students receiving certificates toward its graduation numbers. The board also asked about how federal and state funds (including potential tribal-designation funding for Native American students) might offset costs; Baldwin said any future federal funding tied to tribal recognition would likely flow to Scotland County schools and that the district is actively encouraging families to complete documentation needed to claim those resources.
The presentation concluded with the board thanking Baldwin and asking staff follow‑up questions about bus procurement, vehicle lifespans and the district's prioritized list of needs. The commissioners did not take an immediate, final vote on additional funding at the meeting; Baldwin asked only that the existing appropriation be maintained and that the three targeted items be considered in the budget discussions.
