Contact: SCDE Communications
communications@ed.sc.gov
PRESS RELEASE - Hampton, S.C. - State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman today announced the allocation of $52 million in state funding to Hampton County School District to assist in the renovation and replacement of antiquated existing school facilities with safe, modern facilities to accommodate current and future county enrollment trends. The funding is part of the $140 million under Proviso 1.92 of the General Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2022-2023.
In April of 2022, the SCDE commissioned independent facility studies of schools in the state’s poorest counties to aid in decision making for capital funding appropriated by the General Assembly for disadvantaged schools. Hampton County is composed of ten separate schools and a career and technology center. Current enrollment of the county-wide district is approximately 2,455 students.
The funding being provided by the SCDE will be used to address the district’s most critical need as identified by the facility assessment team - the replacement of Wade Hampton High School.
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“The South Carolina Department of Education is thrilled to announce $52 million in state funding for the replacement of Wade Hampton High School,” said State Superintendent Molly Spearman. “It is crucial that the state provides financial support for counties like Hampton that cannot afford to build new facilities on its own. Thank you to the South Carolina General Assembly for their generous support in making this funding possible.”
“This is a great day for the citizens of Hampton County,” said Rep. Shedron Williams, who serves District 122 in the General Assembly and chairman of the Hampton Legislative Delegation. “I would like to thank my fellow members in the South Carolina General Assembly for their investment in our community. We look forward to seeing the impact this will have on the lives of our educators and families for years to come.”
“This focus on education shows the commitment to our students and families and will result in stronger economic development for the entire region,” said Sen. Brad Hutto, who represents District 40 in the General Assembly.
“Never has Hampton County received such a boost to our K-12 education system,” said Sen. Margie Bright Matthews, who serves District 45 in the General Assembly. “I am honored to have had a part along with my legislative colleagues to show our support for the impact education can make in the lives of our students and community.”
“A resounding thank you to Superintendent Spearman and our legislators at the South Carolina State House and Senate for their support and making this funding available,” said Dr. Ron Wilcox, Superintendent of Hampton County School District. “Our students and educators deserve safe, state of the art facilities to learn and grow in each day. Next year, the district will combine Estill High School and Wade Hampton High School into the consolidated Hampton County High School. We cannot wait for the building process to begin as we anticipate with excitement opening the doors of the new high school for all of our students in Hampton County.”
