CCSD Discusses Facilities, Test Results in Public Report

RISON - Test scores, facilities and finances were among the topics discussed during the Cleveland County School District's annual Report to the Public held last week at the Rison Elementary library/auditorium. The report included presentations by Superintendent Jerrod Williams, Rison High School Principal Letitia Walker, Rison Elementary Principal Angie Hudson, Facilities/Transportation/Athletics Director Davy King and Cleveland County Head Start Administrator Laura Burns. Here is an overview of each presentation: Superintendent's Report Williams told those attending the Report to the Public that his objective is to make sure that the Cleveland County School District will continue to exist over the long term. He went over the district's enrollment trends over the past five years, showing that the official average enrollment for the Cleveland County School District has fallen from 824 students for the 2019 fiscal year to 698 for 2023, a loss of 126 over that five-year span. Based on the state's current foundation funding of $7,618 per student, Williams pointed out that equates to a loss of $959,868 in state funding for the district. In addition, Williams showed a graph plotting the closing balance in the district's general fund over the same five-year period. According to the chart, Cleveland County had a closing balance in the general fund of $1,184,310.19 for the 2018-19 school year and a closing balance of $982,281.75 for the most recent 2022-23 school year. That reflects a loss of $202,028.44 in the general fund over that five-year period. Williams explained that operations five years ago were based Board approved bids for both the security cameras and playground fencing during its regular monthly meeting this month. King also gave an overview of the district's fleet of school buses, showing a list of four of the oldest buses that will be put up for auction. In addition, Ki...