Hispanic immigration cause and effect, Saluda South Carolina | News

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Vintaria Holloway's 4-year-old son Mason has mostly Hispanic and Latino children in his pre-K class. It's hard for him to relate to other children who aren't from here, she said.

"I feel like your child should be around a variety of people. But it's not a variety of people,” she said. “It's just them."

Livingston is aware of the complaints, but said it's the district's job to help children succeed regardless of where they come from. He added, “We welcome all kids."

Although he does not speak Spanish well, Livingston makes an effort to connect with Spanish-speaking families in the district. He tries to maintain eye contact with parents in conversation, even when relying on a translator. The district sends out notices in both English and Spanish. And this year staff made "newcomer kits," bookbags and hygiene kits for children who had just arrived in the United States.

The extra effort made a difference for parent David Cifuentes, who came to Saluda in 2014 from Guatemala. The teachers and district staff have been very kind, he said, and helped the eldest of his 11 children learn English at school.

Cifuentes, a construction worker, said Saluda is a good place to raise a family. The town is peaceful, the weather is good and the schools are close to their home near downtown.

"My children are happy here," he said.

Buzhardt said she has found her new students smart and eager to please.

"I've fallen in love with my little ML (multilingual) students. They didn't choose to be here, their families chose for them to be here. They can't help that," she said. "So I don't even think about it, personally."

Pamela Buzhardt uses an instructional picture book to demonstrate English words in a multilingual iclass at Saluda Primary School, Monday, August 19, 2024, in Saluda. Buzhardt uses Skittles and toy prizes to reward participation in class.

Laura Bilson/Staff And the kids keep coming. Enrollment has increased 20 percent over the last decade, and the district has 100 more students enrolled this year than last, Livingston said. For a small, rural district, that is significant. Now, the school buildings need updating.

For the second time in the school district's history, residents voted to raise taxes to update and expand the schools. In November 2022, voters approved a $49 million bond referendum to fund new construction and renovations at Saluda Elementary, Middle and High schools, as well as Hollywood Elementary School, which were built in the 1940s. The rest of the $90 million-plus project will come from state funds.

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