Rock Hill School District News For Tuesday, July 3, 2012

From Elaine T. Baker, Director of Information Services, Rock Hill Schools

Back-to-School Event

The Rock Hill School district will hold a back-to-school event for teachers and administrators on Friday morning, August 17, from 9:00-10:30 in the auditorium at South Pointe High School. Ron Berger, author of An Ethic of Excellence, will be the keynote speaker.

School Board to Meet July 16

When the school board approved the operating budget for 2012-13 on June 25, it was approved based on the contingency that the anticipated funding from the state would be provided. The state's budget has now been approved. However, school districts will not get "hold harmless" funds (calculation of the Education Finance Act funding formula due to provision for Act 388); and for Rock Hill Schools, this amounts to a reduction in funding of $1.2 million. Therefore, the school board will meet at 11 a.m. July 16 to get a report on the administration's recommendation to the budget to allow for this loss in revenue. It is expected the board will take some action after the recommendation.

ExplanationWhen the Rock Hill School Board approved its operating budget of$124,916,000 on June 25, approval was based on the contingency that all anticipated state funds would be provided. When the state budget was approved last week, the budget did not include "hold harmless" funds for school districts across the state.  This resulted in a loss of $1.2 million for Rock Hill Schools. 

When Act 388 was approved in 2006, S.C. taxpayers no longer had to pay residential property taxes, causing districts to lose lots of tax dollars for education.  To offset this loss in funds, the state provided districts with "hold harmless" funds to compensate for their loss in tax dollars. The S.C. General Assembly, which approves a state budget each year, has now decided that "hold harmless" funding has ended.

South Carolina's Tax-Free Weekend

August 3-5 are the dates for S.C.'s tax-free weekend. Tax-free savings will apply to clothing, accessories, footwear, school supplies, computers and computer equipment.

Blood Donations

The American Red Cross has an emergency need for blood and platelet donors of all blood types. In an effort to help, the Rock Hill Central City Optimist Club will sponsor a blood drive this Saturday, July 7, at the Rock Hill Galleria between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

School Supply Drive

On Tuesday, July 10, and Thursday, July 26, Chick-fil-A on Cherry Road will host Back-to-School Spirit Days for Rock Hill Schools from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.  Proceeds from collected receipts will be donated to the district for its School Supply Drive to benefit students in need of assistance.  Volunteers are needed  at Chick-fil-A for both dates to assist with creating an awareness of the need in our community; to accept monetary donations for supplies; and to recruit volunteers who wish to serve at our supply distribution event on Saturday, August 11, at the Rock Hill Flexible Learning Center. The name of each donor contributing $10 or more will be entered into a drawing on July 27 for a tailgate party for eight. To register for a time slot on July 10, July 26, or for August 11, contact Serena Williams at serenaw@rhmail.org or call 981-1006.