Weighted Student Funding (WSF)
The Goal
In short, by transitioning to a weighted student-based funding model, CCSD can:
- Sustain Academic Gains
- Increase Support for All Students
- Maintain Effective ESSER Programs
- Increase School Autonomy
WSF is a best practice allocation model used by school districts across the country to better support all students. Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District has been using this model for over a decade.
LINKS: Committee of the Whole, Superintendent's Report - March 11, 2024
The Reasoning
- If we believe getting all students to read on grade level by 5th is key to ensuring all students are Algebra 1 ready by middle school and college and career-ready by high school, a scaffolded approach of WSF ratios for elementary, middle and high schools is needed.
- If we believe responsible resource allocation means first fortifying schools, WSF ratios that allow decreases in school support are not acceptable.
- If we believe mitigating the impact of the ESSER cliff is essential for sustaining academic gains, WSF ratios that provide schools with the means for sustainability is non-negotiable.
LINKS: Budget Workshop Presentation - March 11, 2024
Weighted Student Funding Process and Guardrails
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Investment and Process
- Staff followed the Project Management Framework to implement Weighted Student Funding.
- Internal guidance for academics, finance, and an overall project management plan is coming into focus.
- Budget meetings with schools included a review of intended use of Weighted Student Funding dollars.
LINKS: Board Workshop Presentation - April 15, 2024
Weighted Student Formula in the Budget
The most notable expansion in the FY 2025 budget is the implementation of the Weighted Student Funding formula, which will be the first implementation of such a formula in South Carolina. Funding totals $32.8 Million and is provided as an additional allocation above what schools usually receive, based on the number of pupils in poverty, multilingual learners, and students with disabilities. This funding will fully offset the sunset of ESSER and is able to be implemented with the support of funding that was set aside in prior fiscal years to ease pressures on the General Operating Fund.
LINKS:
- Second Reading of the Budget - June 24, 2024 (Approved 8-0 vote)
- First Reading of the Budget - May 20, 2024 (Approved 6-0 vote)
- Weighted Student Funding Matrix by School
Weighted Student Formula Update - May 13, 2024
Superintendent and staff met with Dr. Marguerite Roza, Director of Edunomics Lab at Georgetown University
- Edunomics focuses on education finance.
- 2-day in-person course followed by virtual training sessions with office hours for district support
- Superintendent Huggins will lead a team to attend 2-day training in Washington, DC, in early fall to focus on CCSD’s implementation of WSF
WSF In the News
November 14, 2024 -- A new funding model was implemented in Charleston schools. Here's what it looks like in classrooms (Post and Courier)
June 25, 2024 -- Charleston County School board members approve budget with $8,000 teacher pay raise (Post and Courier)
June 25, 2024 -- Charleston County School District passes FY 25′ budget that includes teacher pay raises (WCBD News 2)
June 25, 2024 -- Charleston Co. School Board passes ‘historic’ budget with $8K teacher raises (Live 5 News)
May 31, 2024 -- Charleston Co. Schools superintendent details district’s budget (Live 5 News)
May 16, 2024 -- $15.2M proposed to uplift North Charleston schools, focuses on equity (myTV Charleston)
May 16, 2024 -- CCSD teachers could get big pay raise under new budget (City Paper)
May 15, 2024 -- CCSD Superintendent sits down to talk FY 2025 budget (WCBD News 2)
May 13, 2024 -- Proposed budget would make Charleston Co. schools first in state on two decisions (Live 5 News)
May 13, 2024 -- CCSD FY 2025 budget ready for first reading, teacher pay raise included (WCBD News 2)
May 4, 2024 -- Huggins further explains weighted student funding vision for Charleston County schools (Post and Courier)
May 2, 2024 -- CCSD's new funding model enhances resources for vulnerable learners, no tax hike (ABC News 4)
May 1, 2024 -- Hicks: Charleston schools' targeted funding could be the game-changer local education needs (Post and Courier - Opinion)
April 19, 2024 -- CCSD in brief: Budget updates, policy changes, bus driver recognitions (Post and Courier)
April 4, 2024 -- Huggins: Putting Charleston County students first starts with getting the money right (Post and Courier Editorial)
March 24, 2024 -- CCSD considering school funding shake-up (Post and Courier)
March 12, 2024 -- Charleston County School District could change the way it allocates funding (WCBD News 2)
March 11, 2024 -- New funding option could give Charleston Co. schools more resources (Live 5 News)
March 11, 2024 -- Charleston County schools consider weighted funding model ahead of 2025 Fiscal Budget (ABC News 4)
Board Meeting Links and Resources
- Audit and Finance Committee Meetings
- Committee of the Whole Meetings
- Board of Trustees Meetings