Vote Tuesday to determine future of Jasper County School System

JASPER COUNTY, SC. (WTOC) - The South Carolina State School Board is expected to vote on a request from the State Superintendent to take over Jasper County schools Tuesday afternoon.

PREVIOUS COVERAGAGE: Superintendent of SC announces intentions to take control of Jasper County School System

The state school board will gather in Columbia to vote, but before that vote, thousands of students returned to the classroom across the county Monday morning.

Some students are celebrating their first-ever day of school, while others are celebrating one of their last first days.

“My youngest daughter it’s her first day, so worried about her being nervous, but other than that, it’s been a good day,” One parent said.

Hundreds of cars lined up along Jaguar Trail in Ridgeland for several hours waiting to turn into the elementary school and secondary academy of excellence to drop off their kids for the first day of school.

Parents we spoke with say that this time of year can sometimes be stressful and emotional, but they hope their kids have a successful year.

“I hope she learns a lot and makes friends,” said Jasper County parent, Heather Whitaker.

“I’m hoping that my daughter is not as shy because she is a very shy person, so I am hoping this opens her up and she makes a lot of little friends and then for my son he’s good how he is,” said Jasper County parent, Deandrea Halsey.

This year could be a little different for the district because a vote on Tuesday could change who is in charge.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

If the state board approves State Superintendent Ellen Weaver’s request to take over the district, the school board would be disbanded, and Jasper County would join two other school districts that are under state control.

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Following the vote, Jasper County’s school board will have ten days to file an appeal.

One parent we spoke with says that she hopes the state board makes an informed decision that benefits the students.

“I have a lot of mixed feelings, but I’m just hoping for the best for my babies, as long as my babies are good with their education. I am hoping that whatever move they are trying to make is good for the children and not money-wise, then I am good,” said Halsey.

That board meeting will take place at 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday.

The meeting will be live-streamed on their website here, and we will bring you the latest on their decision both on air and online.

WTOC Investigates: State-of-education emergencies can last years

The Jasper County School District could be staring down the barrel of a lengthy overhaul by the State.

The State Board of Education (SBE) will have to approve the State Superintendent’s action. If they do approve it, that means the Superintendent would take over the district and all of its schools, disbanding the school board.

Right now, two school districts in South Carolina are already under state control.

The Allendale School District went under state control in 2017, and the Williamsburg County School District followed soon after in 2018. Last October, Williamsburg was given the ability to make its own decisions with state approval.

Just a little over a week ago, the state took fiscal control- though not total control- of the Marlboro School District.

The SBE will decide in its August 5 meeting whether to turn over control of the Jasper County School District to the State Superintendent, dissolving the school board. If it’s approved, the district can appeal the decision within 10 days.

Stick with WTOC as we continue to follow this story.