MORNING HEADLINES | The Charleston County School District (CCSD) board of trustees is advancing a proposed $848 million district budget for 2024-25 that prioritizes a $7,500 increase for teacher salaries. If approved, the district would have the highest pay for teachers in the state.
The total proposed budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year is $847.5 million, with 69% going to personnel and salaries, according to reports. The new budget reflects a nearly 20% increase over last year’s budget.
In addition to a teacher pay hike, school staff — including clerks, classroom support staff and teacher assistants — are to get a 6% raise. District officials said achieving pay rates that are 100% of market value for non-teachers has been a goal for more than 10 years.
Recommendations for the budget include a 3.9 mill rate increase on operating millage, an increase that CCSD spokesman Andy Pruitt said would have no impact on property taxes for primary residences. In fact, he said, it would decrease taxes for primary residences by $12 for every $100,000 of taxable value.
The budget also recommends implementing a weighted student formula proposed by CCSD Superintendent Anita Huggins in March. The model seeks to provide additional funding to schools based on specific student needs, targeting multilingual learners, special needs students and pupils in poverty. If approved, Charleston County would be the first school district in South Carolina to adopt the model.
In other headlines of note:
NHC issues outlooks today, including 7-day forecast. The National Hurricane Center today will issue its first Tropical Weather Outlook of the 2024 hurricane season. This provides a forecast up to 7 days into the future to help predict the likelihood of tropical system formation.
Mount Pleasant OKs $114M budget, higher fees for recreation, planning. Mount Pleasant Town Council adopted a $114 million operating budget for the next fiscal year, which will implement higher fees associated with instructor-led recreation classes and planning fees.
Mount Pleasant Medal of Honor Museum unveils $3.5M renovations. The long-awaited unveiling of the newly renovated Medal of Honor Museum took place this afternoon.
Folly Beach officials research what long-term rentals would mean for the city. The City of Folly Beach is looking into the cost of a long-term rental incentive program as part of its 2024 strategic plan.
Owners of Captain Sams Spit respond to lawsuit. The owners of Captain Sams Spit on Kiawah Island have responded to a lawsuit filed by the town and others that alleges they failed to take measures to permanently protect the sandy inlet.
Charleston bus stop bench removed, forcing riders to stand or sit on ground. A downtown bus stop bench has been removed, making what has been an easy commute more difficult for many.
Johns Island to get new roundabouts, lose live oaks under county construction plan. A proposed 12-foot paved path for bicycles and pedestrians is drawing criticism from island residents.
Remembering Gamber, Zito, who died in Morrison Drive hit and run. Arianna Gamber and Lizzy Zito traveled to Charleston with two close friends during the last weekend of April, but tragedy struck when they were hit by two different vehicles on Morrison Drive.
Charleston group brings communities together for racial reconciliation. The Christian-based mental health services Life Resources hosted an event called “A Healing Conversation: Two Communities, One Voice,” at St. Andrew’s Church in Mount Pleasant on Wednesday evening.
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