District overview
Allendale County School District
Funding structure, how it compares to peers, and where major projects stand.
Who runs Allendale County schools?
Allendale County School District runs three main schools in Allendale and Fairfax, South Carolina: Allendale-Fairfax Elementary, Allendale-Fairfax Middle and Allendale-Fairfax High, plus the Aspire Academy alternative program. A five-member elected Board of Education meets monthly, and Superintendent Dr. Vallerie Cave leads the district. The state Department of Education still oversees the district under emergency management. Its budget for 2025-26 was approved by both the board and the state.
State oversight
In November 2025 the superintendent said work on an exit plan had begun. In September 2026 she said the district is still under emergency management, with a state visit October 19-20 and a turnaround plan to follow.
Shrinking enrollment
About 767 students in fall 2026, down 197 over five years. The superintendent says the district has more staff than it needs.
Large savings
The FY2025 audit showed a 4.9 million general fund balance, close to a full year of spending.
Monthly public meetings
Meetings are livestreamed and posted on YouTube. The 2026-27 dates are Oct 26, Nov 23 and Dec 14, 2026, then Jan 25, Feb 22, Mar 22, Apr 26, May 24 and Jun 28, 2027.
State test scores rose in many grades in 2025 and 2026, and the auditor gave the district a clean opinion. State oversight alone does not show the schools are getting worse.
Where the district stands
Up from $16,769,513 in 2025-26; plans to use $530,000 of savings.
96.6% of a year's spending, per the auditor.
397 elementary, 165 middle, 196 high. It was 785 in February 2026.
$17,385,086 general fund divided by 767 students. Context only: excludes federal grants, food service and capital spending.
Major projects
Middle/high school renovation and assembly room
underwayRenovated cafeteria and gym, a secure entry vestibule, new bleachers, and a new multipurpose assembly and performing-arts room with retractable seating.
- Phase three remodel described, about 18 months out
- Groundbreaking for performing arts room
- M.B. Kahn construction update
- Handover expected about Oct 16, occupancy about Nov 16
Funding
District capital projects fund and bonds (amount not stated in recordings)
State emergency management and turnaround plan
underwayThe state still oversees the district. A state assessment visit and a turnaround plan come this year, alongside a Cognia accreditation review.
- Superintendent begins exit-plan talks with the state
- State turnaround orientation (approximate)
- State assessment visit (Oct 19-20)
Funding
Not stated
Elementary school building repairs
proposedRestrooms, leaks and uneven floors at Allendale-Fairfax Elementary need work. Repair options were promised but not yet presented.
- Superintendent says three recommendations will come
Funding
Unfunded / not yet decided
Recent news
Ten monthly Board/Community Meeting recordings (October 27, 2025 to September 28, 2026) from the district's official YouTube channel, reviewed through YouTube's auto-generated captions. The district website returns an error to our collector, so agendas, minutes and budget documents could not be collected.
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