North Charleston, SC - In a series of eight meetings, the Charleston County's school district explains how much money they are losing with the budget cuts, but at tonight's meeting, school officials couldn't share that with parents. That’s because none of them showed up.

Meanwhile, Charleston County School District is millions of dollars in debt and it may see it get worse.

The school district has already closed schools, increased class sizes, and furloughed employees. Even with the threat of even more cuts, there was no turnout at North Charleston Elementary School to hear about it.

But, North Charleston’s constituent board member, Ted Cozart says his community does care.

“The parents care. They call us up constantly, they’re constantly involved. There was a meeting downtown today, and I think a lot of people wanted to be there. That’s a really key issue. Sometimes these meetings are above people’s heads, they’re a little dry, so we'll try to report back to them and make sure they get the proper information,” he said.

School district officials explained information like how much the schools risk losing if they don’t get the stimulus money, money Governor Mark Sanford (web | news) does not want to take.

“So we'll go ahead and create a budget that will show stimulus and no stimulus. We'll have a larger number of cost controls in one without the stimulus,” said Charleston County School District Chief Financial Officer, Michael Bobby.

With a $3 million difference, it could mean more furloughs and reducing support staff. North Charleston board members at tonight's meeting said they were worried about how the cuts and how it  will affect students.

“This has to be a priority for Dr. McGinley and Charleston County,” said Cozart.

Whether or not it’s a priority for parents, school officials hope to find out in the next few weeks.

There will be seven more chances for communities to go to these meetings, listed below.



Tuesday, May 5, 2009: District 23 (Hollywood, Adams Run, Ravenel, Yonges Island, Edisto Island)
Location:    Baptist Hill High School – Cafeteria
Time:     6:30 PM – 8 PM


Tuesday, May 12, 2009 – District 9 (John’s Island, Wadmalaw, Seabrook Island, Kiawah Island)
Location:     St. John’s High School - Auditorium
Time:     6:30 PM – 8 PM


Wednesday, May 13, 2009 – District 2 (Mt. Pleasant/East Cooper)
Location:     Cario Middle School – Cafeteria
Time:     6:00 PM – 8 PM


Thursday, May 14, 2009 – District 1 (Awendaw & McClellanville)
Location:     Lincoln High School – Cafeteria
Time:     6:30 PM – 8 PM


Monday, May 18, 2009 – District 3 (James Island)
Location:     James Island Charter High School – Auditorium
Time:     6:30 PM – 8 PM


Wednesday, May 20, 2009 – District 10 (West Ashley)
Location:     St. Andrews Middle School – Auditorium
Time:     6:30 PM – 8 PM


Thursday, May 21, 2009 – District 20 (City of Charleston)
Location:     Charleston Progressive Academy 
Time:     6:30 PM – 8 PM

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