Winnsboro (WLTX) -- The Fairfield County School District is under review by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and that could mean trouble for some college admissions.
But, for now, SACS says there is no reason to worry.
The group provides accreditation for school districts and colleges across the south, including every district in South Carolina. But because of some parental complaints, SACS sent in a review team on October 26 to see if action needed to be taken.
On Tuesday though, it was a non-issue for Lamanda Grier and her two kids. Six-year-old Dequaja and seven-year-old Quavarte go to Fairfield Magnet School. And Tuesday was awards day.
"I won for perfect attendance and my all A's," Dequaja said with a big smile.
Both kids came out of school carrying balloons and gift bags, you'd never know anything was wrong in Fairfield.
And in their eyes, they say, nothing is.
"At this point this is a happy day," Lamanda said. "We're celebrating and we're going to stick by our district."
And the district office is hoping SACS decides to stick by them as well.
Jennifer Oliver, a spokesperson for SACS, said this type of review isn't uncommon, but it is the first time it has happened here in South Carolina.
The issues SACS says were brought up in written complaints involve the governance of schools, the school board and superintendent relationship and the district's finances.
Jill Cincotta, spokesperson for the district, wouldn't comment on the specifics of the review, but did say that the district has had eight superintendents in 10 years, and are currently searching for a new one.
Oliver says that high turnover can be a concern for the review board.
The reason accreditation is such a big deal involves college admission and scholarships.
For instance, Georgia's equivalent of the Life Scholarship, The Hope, requires students to graduate from a SACS accredited school. However, according to the State Board of Education, SACS accreditation is not required for South Carolina's Life Scholarship.
The same holds true for some of the larger public colleges and universities in South Carolina. We made calls to USC, Clemson, College of Charleston and S.C. State only to learn they do not require a student to graduate from a SACS accredited school.
However, some out of state schools do require SACS, or an equivalent.
But Oliver insists we not get ahead of ourselves here. She told News19 that there is still a lengthy process involved in the accreditation review.
SACS will provide a written report to acting superintendent Marie Milam by the end of November. If they come back with any problems, it will outline a timeline for the district to correct the problems.
Even if SACS did decide to revoke the accreditation, the district would keep it through an entire appeals process.
Long story short: There's a long way to go here.
And Grier says she wouldn't consider taking her kids out of the district she graduated from.
"I'm keeping them right there at the Magnet School in Fairfield County," she said, "They both have great teachers, and that's awesome."
For a complete outline on the review process you can click here.
You can click here to head to the Fairfield County School District website and learn more about the district.
11/4/2009 7:28:02 PM
