MARLBORO COUNTY — Monday night the Marlboro County School Board held what proved to be another contentious board meeting, again discussing the budget before proceeding ahead with a unanimous vote to consolidate fourth and fifth grade students from Bennettsville Intermediate to Blenheim Middle School of Discovery. The district anticipates the new plan will be implemented at the beginning of August.
Also under the plan, staff will move from the district’s downtown Bennettsville office to one located inside Bennettsville Intermediate School.
Before Monday night’s vote the plan was discussed during February’s board meeting.
Following that discussion, the district says it received over 350 responses from surveys mailed out by the district asking about the consolidation plan. Reportedly only 26% of those who responded live inside an affected area of the district.
Board members say they believe consolidating schools will save the district close to $500,000 in the long run.
The plan is not a new one for the district, a similar proposal was made under former superintendent Dr. Helena Tillar, at a time when the district was facing a nearly $7 million budget deficit — leaving many residents asking, why now when the state is overseeing the district?
Attempting to answer that question, the state’s technical assistance director, Dr. Michael Thorsland, who has continued to serve as interim superintendent following Dr. Tillar’s November 2025 departure, said intervention by the state is necessary to prevent the district from going bankrupt.
“For four years, the general fund balance went from over $14 million to just under $5 million. We could’ve left things alone; we could’ve had no intervention whatsoever and the school district would be bankrupt really soon,” explained Thorsland, adding that he thinks consolidations could save the district potentially $650,000.
Additional job cuts and possible millage increase for taxpayers were also discussed as the board looks to finalize its budget for fiscal year 2027, expected to be approved in July.
The principal of Blenheim Middle School assured parents that younger students will not interact with older children at the school.