By any measure, the Charleston County School District finds itself in an awkward position: it touted a one percent rise in the sales tax as a way to forgo a rise in property taxes--and won.
Be careful what you wish for; you just might get it.
Now it must explain to the public that none of the millions from that extra sales tax can be used for its most basic budgetary needs--running and staffing its schools. Thus, unavoidable budget cuts loom. CCSD holds informative meetings for feedback.
What could anyone possibly say at one of these meetings that would make any difference?
Just think. Charleston County will have the best looking, state-of-the-art school buildings in the state, but it won't be able to pay the salaries of the teachers it needs for its students.
On the other hand, if CCSD had raised property taxes, it wouldn't be able to spend millions on seismic evaluations or renovating bus stops.
What a trade off.
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
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About 60 downtown residents gave CCSD officials an earful on Tuesday night at the public meeting held at Burke High School. As usual, CCSD officials weren't listening. The audience wasn't amused, either, when Michael Bobby finally responded to a direct question about his own salary of $140,000 per year. That would be with an additional 22% in benefits on top of the $140,000.
The district’s chief financial officer has a curious sense of humor. He then said he received an additional $5,000 per year for haircuts. I thought I heard that but doubted my ears. After another person confirmed the same thing I realized how condescending he was toward the audience. No doubt the District 20 audience pegged him as an a$$, too.
McGinley was nowhere to be seen at the first budget hearing. By now she knows better than to face the wrath of downtown parents. They don't trust her and would have given her twice the trouble they gave Michael Bobby.
But really what good is it doing? We went thru it with the Buist move...they are not listening and have already made up their minds! That, Bobby made that comment about haircuts is amazing but shows his true colors. We did not have the $ to move all those downtown schools and now we may not even have teachers at them when we do get into the state of the art buildings...I would have voted to stay where we were. Do you know how much it is costing in gas alone to cart all those children all over hells creation?!??! Our school board and leaders are complete joke. I have no faith in them at all. Going to those meetings is a huge waste of time. So sad for our children.
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