TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 59-1-490 SO AS TO REQUIRE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITHIN A COUNTY TO COLLABORATIVELY DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A PLAN TO CENTRALIZE ALL PROCUREMENT, PERSONNEL, AND FINANCIAL MATTERS INTO ONE COUNTY OFFICE, TO PROVIDE FOR AN ADMINISTRATOR AND STAFF FOR THE OFFICE, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL APPOINT AN ADMINISTRATOR AND STAFF TO OVERSEE THE COUNTY OFFICE IF SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITHIN A COUNTY FAIL TO CENTRALIZE THESE OPERATIONS BY JULY 1, 2012.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Article 5, Chapter 1, Title 59 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 59-1-490.    If a county is comprised of more than one school district, the school districts within that county must collaboratively develop and implement a plan to centralize all procurement, personnel, and financial matters into one county office. A county may not have multiple offices to oversee these operations. Each county office must have no more than one administrator to supervise a staff of no more than ten people. If the school districts within a county fail to implement the provisions of this section by July 1, 2012, the State Superintendent of Education shall appoint an administrator and staff to centralize these operations."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.