Johnston, SC – Whether the news has been academic or athletic, the Edgefield County School District (ECSD) has displayed continued excellence during the 2022-2023 school year. That same performance also includes fiscal management, and the planning and oversight of funds needed to operate ECSD schools and provide high-quality educational opportunities to all Edgefield County students.

For the second consecutive school year, members of the Edgefield County Board of Trustees approved a decrease of six mills from the school district’s debt service millage. The current Debt Service Millage for Edgefield County stands at 44 mills. This is a decrease in debt service millage from 56 mills two years ago. 

Edgefield County taxpayers support school district needs through two funding mechanisms – School Operations Millage (funds used for the school district’s general operating budget for teacher salaries, supplies, employee benefits, etc.) and Debt Service Millage (monies to cover the annual cost of construction projects and building maintenance budgets).

Additionally, for the fourth consecutive school year, school operations millage did not increase.

“Based on the current needs of the school district, our recommendation was to return those mills as relief to the taxpayer,” stated ECSD Assistant Superintendent, David Fallaw.

“When we brought forward the bond referendum in 2018, we included debt relief consideration for Edgefield County taxpayers as part of our presentation and we’ve been able to provide that relief,” added ECSD Finance Director, Ashley Davis. “We’ve returned twelve mills over two years.”

The debt service millage relief was followed by the issuance of an unmodified opinion by financial auditors of the school district’s annual financial statements. An unmodified opinion is a “clean” opinion and is the highest level of confidence issued by external auditors.

The school district’s 2021-22 financial statements were reviewed by the firm of Manley Garvin.

“The school district’s fiscal services team really did an excellent job,” commented Manley Garvin Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Luke Vickery. “It was a good fiscal year for the Edgefield County School District.”

Celebration of ECSD financial excellence continues this month with the announcement of a signing bonus for all ECSD employees who choose to return during the 2023-2024 school year.

The February meeting of the Edgefield County Board of Trustees (February 14, 2023), included school board approval of a $1,000 signing bonus for full-time ECSD employees who sign a contract or letter of agreement to continue their employment during the 2023-2024 school year. Part-time employees will receive a $500 signing bonus. 

The board then approved 2023-2024 personnel lists for contracts during its March 14, 2023, meeting this week, clearing the way for the issuance of employee contracts and letters of agreement for the 2023-2024 school year.

The approved signing bonus is scheduled to be paid to employees in August 2023.

“Thank you for your hard work and dedication to our school district’s students and families,” stated ECSD Superintendent Dr. Kevin O’Gorman in a message delivered to ECSD employees on Wednesday (March 15). “We look forward to “Growing Greatness” with you again during the 2023-2024 school year.”