HOLLY HILL - Orangeburg Consolidated School District 3 is facing a projected budget shortfall of approximately $800,000 for the upcoming school year, the district’s superintendent reported at June’s OCSD 3 Board meeting.

Dr. David Longshore said this will necessitate a tax increase of approximately 7 mills to meet EIA assessment.

“Eighty-four percent of the budget is made up of salaries and benefits,” he said.

Also during the meeting, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Betty Garrison announced that the teachers and principals will participate in a “Meet and Greet” for the new teachers at a luncheon on Aug. 7. She said the date has not been set for a teacher program on communicating with parents and teachers and the law, adding that it will be held sometime in September.

Associate Superintendent Gerald Wright reported that there are four remaining professional staff openings left to fill for the 2008-2009 school year. Those positions include a curriculum coordinator for Lake Marion High School, a speech teacher at Holly Hill Elementary and two special education teachers at Elloree Elementary.

Wright noted that the district has approximately 21 foreign teachers on staff.

The board also approved student field trips a one-day basketball camp at Clemson University and a one-day basketball camp at the USC-Aiken.

T&D Correspondent S.W. Shoptaw can be reached by e-mail at Swsx5@aol.com.

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