Horry County Schools
District Office
Conway, S.C.
Members of the Board:
The public has very little understanding of how Horry County Schools spends over $500 million annually and who makes the decisions on how it is allocated. The public needs to be well-informed in order to be appropriately involved in discussion and debate of how their tax monies are being used, especially during an economic slump and a projected shortfall of $17 million for next year.
I became very interested in this matter during the last school year when a board member was quoted in a local newspaper suggesting possible cost savings by eliminating certain programs such as International Baccalaureate. Since then, the Scholars Academy has been cited for possible elimination in our local papers . Also on the cost-saving table is the status of at-will employees and scheduling.
Budget trimming demands that value judgments concerning our human and non-human resources be made. In a democratic-republic, logic demands that taxpayers be involved by offering their individual and collective voices and by engaging their elected representatives, the Board of Education. This can only be done by having appropriate figures and data readily available for public evaluation.
This is more than just about money, although money is perhaps the driving force. What we value as a school district must be the heart of this issue. Where should we place our efforts and energies? Why? After establishing a sound philosophical base, we can then prioritize and make final determinations about how monies should be spent. To do this, all citizens should have reasonable access to information on all major programs, initiatives, and resources. Not only should we know major costs, but we should have data for comparative purposes on successes, achievements, and accomplishments. Otherwise, how could we assess the relative value of one item over another.
There is no escaping the competitive nature of this issue, but cooperation is also needed in providing a fair process for all involved. Although many will not want to discuss this publicly, this is exactly where it should be discussed - not behind closed doors. We should always be very mindful of how the public’s money is spent and give ourselves the very best possible return on our investment. This demands decisions that weigh the relative significance of all our expenditures.
Salaries of all public employees are easily accessible but information on the costs of major programs and data related to their effectiveness are not often readily available.. Without these, it is impossible for me as a taxpayer to evaluate adequately how I believe my tax money should be spent.
According to OE-9 of our Coherent Governance policies, our Superintendent has the responsibility to communicate to the public annually our "...revenues, expenditures, and costs of major programs..." In examining our annual report on-line, revenues and expenditures are addressed, but I have been unable to find any costs of major programs. In addition, I have requested this information from the district office but have yet to receive it. If it is published somewhere, no one has informed me where to look.
Our projected $17 million shortfall represents approximately 3% of our budget. Before the Board acts on any aspect of the at-will issue or scheduling, I humbly beseech you to examine all of our resources in context, to engage the public on all major issues, and to make monetary decisions accordingly. If this is done, I am sure that the creative energies of the public and the wisdom of this Board can produce a positive outcome.
In addition, I am attaching an address which I originally intended to give tonight entitled "Scheduling and Budgeting." Its focus is on the monetary ramifications of moving from the 4 x 4 block schedule to the 7-period day. I would appreciate your study of this issue. If you have any questions, please contact me, as the issue is much more complicated and detailed than the brief I have prepared for you.
Thank you again for all you do. I especially appreciate the opportunity to address you as a citizen first and a teacher second.
Sincerely,
Bobby Chandler
722 Pine Drive
Surfside Beach
South Carolina 29575
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