Daniel Prentice

Daniel Prentice is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the Charleston County School District (CCSD), the second largest public school system in South Carolina with a budget of $1.7 Billion, where he leads the district’s financial strategy with a strong focus on transparency, equity, and sustainability. A graduate of CCSD schools himself, Prentice brings a deep personal commitment to public education in the Charleston area.

Prior to joining CCSD, Prentice served as Deputy County Administrator and CFO for Dorchester County, where he managed complex public finance operations, including a complement of public safety operations and utilities. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the College of Charleston and earned his MBA from Louisiana State University Shreveport. He is a Six Sigma Green Belt and an active member of state and national government finance organizations.

Since joining CCSD, Prentice has implemented a long-range financial model that projects future budgetary needs based on a decade of historical data, helping the district plan with greater foresight. Under his financial leadership, the district passed a historic FY 2026 budget, which included a $4,000 raise for teachers, bringing starting salaries to nearly $65,000—the highest in South Carolina and much of the Southeastern USA.

He was instrumental in launching a weighted student funding model, which allocates resources based on student need, and a pilot incentive program that rewards families for perfect student attendance. Prentice’s work reflects a strategic, student-centered approach to school finance—ensuring dollars follow need and the district’s fiscal outlook remains strong.