Fiscal Autonomy of South Carolina School Districts

Total independence: school board establishes school tax rate

23 districts

Limited independence
  Referendum required to exceed a specified tax rate

13 districts

  County council must approve rate above a specified limit

4 districts

  Legislative delegation must approve rate above a specified limit

1 district

  Special law required to exceed a specified limit

1 district

  County Board may increase/referendum above a specified limit

12 districts

Statutory cap exists on school taxes
  County council must approve tax rate above cap

2 districts

  Voter referendum required to exceed cap

1 district

  Legislative delegation must approve tax rate above cap

2 districts

No authority to set the school tax rate exists at district level  
  Legislative delegation approves school districts budget

3 districts

  Town meetings held to approve budget

4 districts

County council approves school budgets and set tax rate

20 districts

Source: South Carolina School Boards Association.