The chairman of the Orangeburg County Board of Education said Monday he will consult with cash-strapped school districts before the board votes on raising teachers' pay.

The law which merged the county's eight school districts into three requires the board to set a salary schedule for teachers countywide.

"We owe them ... an adequate salary," Chester Ray said.

The board has been adding 10 percent to the minimum salary set by the Legislature "to maintain quality teachers and be competitive with other districts," Ray said.

But economic downturns are slashing tax collections for public education and other governmental services, not only here but across the state and throughout the nation.

Consolidated 4 will lay off some teachers unless more money is found.

Board members Tim Zeigler and Vernon Stephens advised giving the districts the opportunity to comment on teacher salary increases. Ray said he will write letters to each superintendent and board chair.

Also Monday, board member Jerry Lewis reported that the board had $389,035.13 in the bank as of March 31. That's likely to grow by $50,000 by June 30, board members said.

By law the board receives a half-mill of property tax revenue for its own operations. Board members have only spent about half that much. They have asked legislators to let them give most of that money to the districts, but that wish has not yet been granted.

In other business, Ray brought up a letter from Consolidated 5 requesting faster disbursement of tax dollars.

Disbursement approvals are sent to the county treasurer's office within days, sometimes the very next day, after the county board meeting, Ray said.

"I'm not sure what District 5 wants," Ray said. "They're probably getting their check at the same time as the other two districts. ... I'll check and find out specifically what is the problem."

T&D Staff Writer Lee Hendren can be reached by e-mail at lhendren@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5552.

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