South Carolina Department of Education
South Carolina Education Superintendent Molly Spearman announced a state takeover of Florence County District Four.
South Carolina Education Superintendent Molly Spearman announced a state takeover of Florence County District Four.
South Carolina Education Superintendent Molly Spearman announced a state takeover of Florence County District Four.
South Carolina Education Superintendent Molly Spearman announced a state takeover of Florence County District Four.
South Carolina Education Superintendent Molly Spearman announced a state takeover of Florence County District Four.

South Carolina takes over control of financially troubled school district

May 9, 2018
Florence School District Four is the third school system that the state has taken over since last year.

The state of South Carolina says it is taking over a rural school district whose finances are in a "state of emergency."

The Columbia State reports that the South Carolina Education Department announced Wednesday it is taking control of Florence School District Four, based in Timmonsville, which has lost 32 percent of its students in the last decade "while still paying millions in administrative salaries and related costs."

"Now, with just over 600 students among its three schools, the district’s finances are in dire shape and require immediate action,” state schools Superintendent Molly Spearman says in a news release.

The emergency declaration removes the district's school board, and gives Spearman the authority to contract with nearby school districts and private companies for services.

"I am declaring a state of emergency in the district and will work quickly and diligently to find a sustainable solution to provide the students in Timmonsville with the opportunities they need and deserve for years to come.”

The district is the third school system that has been taken over by the state since last year. 

In 2017, the state took over Allendale County's school district, citing it as having one of the state's worst academic records. Last month, the state took over Williamsburg County schools while the State Law Enforcement Division investigates district finances.

“Communities and leaders across South Carolina must plan sustainably for the future and always keep the interests of our students as the top priority," Spearman says. "It has become clear that the current model is not working here and taking away funds where they are needed most — the classroom."

Florence Four has had the state's highest financial risk ranking for the last three years, and the district has been unable to submit a timely audit because of the state of its financial records, Spearman says.

Florence Four has three schools — Brockington Elementary, Johnson Middle and Timmonsville High.

Sponsored Recommendations

How to design flexible learning spaces that teachers love and use

Unlock the potential of flexible learning spaces with expert guidance from school districts and educational furniture providers. Discover how to seamlessly integrate adaptive ...

Blurring the Lines in Education Design: K–12 to Higher Ed to Corporate America

Discover the seamless integration of educational and corporate design principles, shaping tomorrow's leaders from kindergarten to boardroom. Explore innovative classroom layouts...

Room to Learn: Furniture Solutions for Education

Preparing students for the future. Utilizing our experience in the education market, we offer a dynamic selection of products that pair technology with furniture to help stimulate...

Transforming Education: A Case Study in Progressive Classroom Design

Discover how Workspace Interiors and the Baldwin School District reshaped learning environments in Long Island, New York, creating pedagogically responsive spaces that foster ...