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WE WILL CALL THE JULY 11TH MEETING OF THE AIKEN COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION TO ORDER.WE START ALL OUR MEETINGS WITH A MOMENT OF SILENCE AND THEN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
THE AGENDA FOR THIS MEETING WAS PUBLISHED IN ADVANCE AND DISTRIBUTED, AND I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY REQUESTS FOR ANY CHANGES, MODIFICATIONS TO THAT, AND WITHOUT ANY OBJECTIONS, WE'LL ACCEPT THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THOSE MEETING MINUTES? MOVED BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON.
IS THERE A SECOND, SECOND, SECOND BY MR. SILAS? ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE JUNE 13TH MINUTES, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
OKAY, SO THAT'S FIVE IN FAVOR, FIVE IN ABTENSION BECAUSE WE WEREN'T HERE.
AND MOTION CARRIES THE MEETING MINUTES ARE APPROVED FOR JUNE 13TH.
WE DID NOT HAVE ANY REQUESTS FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION TONIGHT AND I DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR TO COVER UNDER THE OFFICE OF BOARD CHAIRMAN. WHICH WILL LEAD US TO OUR INDIVIDUAL ITEMS. THE FIRST INDIVIDUAL ITEM IS PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS.
ET CETERA. AND WE NEED TO APPROVE THOSE PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS? MOVED BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
IT'S A SMALL UPDATE YOU GOT YOU GUYS.
I'M SURE YOU SAW IT, BUT I BELIEVE THE UPDATE WAS ADDING THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR SPECIAL PROGRAMS. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE UPDATE TO ORGANIZATIONAL CHART AND POLICY CCA? MOVED BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON.
IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND BY DR.
HANKS. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE ORGANIZATIONAL CHART AND POLICY CCA PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT'S UNANIMOUS. THE MOTION CARRIES.
THAT BRINGS US TO WE'VE GOT TWO POLICIES AND TWO ADMINISTRATIVE RULES.
BUT ALL OF THEM ARE BECAUSE OF THE THE LAW THAT WAS SIGNED, ADDING PARENTAL LEAVE.
AND WE NEED POLICIES TO IMPLEMENT THAT.
SO THERE WERE REVISIONS TO PREEXISTING POLICIES, GCC AND GBC TO IMPLEMENT THAT LAW.
AND THEN WE HAVE TWO BRAND NEW RULES ADMINISTRATIVE RULE, GCC-R2 AND ADMINISTRATIVE RULE GDC R2.
OKAY. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THOSE TWO POLICIES AND TWO ADMINISTRATIVE RULES ON FIRST READING? MOVED BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING ON FIRST READING THE CHANGES TO POLICY GCC, GDC AND THE TWO NEW ADMINISTRATIVE RULES GCC-R AND GDC-R PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT'S UNANIMOUS. MOTION CARRIES.
LAST INDIVIDUAL ITEM IS THIS IS A POLICY THAT THE BOARD HAD GIVEN PREVIOUS FEEDBACK ON AND THE ADMINISTRATION WENT AND MADE SOME FURTHER EDITS.
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AND ONE OF THE PRIMARY CHANGES IN THIS IS HAVING A COMMITTEE AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL REVIEWING NOVELS FOR CLASSES, MUCH LIKE TEXTBOOKS. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE ON FIRST READING? MOVE BY MR. EXCUSE ME. DR. BRADLEY SECONDED BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON.IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE REVISION TO POLICY IJK ON FIRST READING, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT'S UNANIMOUS. THE MOTION CARRIES.
THAT'S THE END OF OUR INDIVIDUAL ITEMS. WHICH BRINGS US TO OUR CONSENT ITEMS, WHICH WE WILL VOTE ON AS A GROUP.
BUT WE CAN DISCUSS EACH INDIVIDUALLY PRIOR TO TAKING A VOTE.
FIRST ONE IS RATIFICATION OF EXPULSIONS.
AND WE ARE WE NEED TO RATIFY THOSE EXPULSIONS.
THE SECOND IS AN ANNUAL DUES WE NEED TO APPROVE TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION.
THIRD IS REQUESTS FOR TRANSFERS IN FROM OUT OF DISTRICT INTO OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.
FIFTH, WE HAVE REQUESTS FOR TO ADMIT A FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENT.
IT'S GOING TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO SCHOOL NURSES AS NEEDED.
THAT'S NUMBER SIX CONSENT ITEM.
WE HAVE A LIST OF SURPLUS ITEMS. SO THESE ITEMS ARE DECLARED SURPLUS WITH THE METHOD OF DISPOSAL.
WE'VE BEEN PROVIDED THAT LIST.
IT'S AN ATTACHMENT ON THE AGENDA.
UM, AND I KNOW A LOT OF THOSE WILL GET SOLD AT AUCTION.
THE LAST CONSENT ITEM NUMBER EIGHT IS TO BE CONSIDERED IS THE THERE IS A BID FOR THE DEMOLITION OF THE OLD RIDGE -SPRING MONETTA ELEMENTARY MIDDLE SCHOOL.
YEP. I'D LIKE SOME DISCUSSION ON NUMBER EIGHT.
BRADLEY. I DON'T RECALL ANY ACTION BY THIS BOARD APPROVING THE DEMOLITION OF THAT SCHOOL.
I HAVE NOT BEEN PART OF MAYBE I MISSED IT IN THAT MEETING, BUT THERE'S BEEN NO DISCUSSION AT ALL ABOUT THE DISPOSAL OF THAT BUILDING AND. I THINK WE NEED SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT BEFORE WE GET TO A POINT WHERE WE PUT MONEY INTO TEARING IT DOWN.
WELL, I THINK I THINK THIS WOULD BE THE PLACE FOR THAT DISCUSSION BECAUSE, I MEAN, ANYTHING PRIOR TO HAVING BIDS ON IT WOULD JUST BE AN ACADEMIC DISCUSSION ANYWAY. YOU'VE GOT THE INFORMATION IN FRONT OF YOU AND KNOW THAT THIS THIS IS WHAT IT WOULD COST US TO TEAR IT DOWN.
I KNOW THAT WE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH A NUMBER OF PEOPLE OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS WHO, TO VARYING LEVELS OF SERIOUSNESS, MIGHT HAVE BEEN INTERESTED IN, IN TAKING POSSESSION OF IT, BUYING IT, OR ASKING US TO DONATE IT TO THEM AND THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.
BUT BUT THERE IS NOBODY WHO IS WHO HAS EXPRESSED ANY INTEREST WHO WOULD BE CAPABLE OF DOING THAT. WE'VE HAD FOLKS WHO HAVE SAID, WELL, TEAR IT ALL DOWN EXCEPT FOR THE GYM AND LET US KEEP THE GYM OVER THERE.
WELL IT'S INTEGRAL TO THE BUILDING.
SO WE DO NOT HAVE A USE FOR THE WE DON'T HAVE A USE FOR THE BUILDING ANYMORE.
SO IN 1 IN 1 WAY OR ANOTHER, WE NEED TO DISPOSE OF IT.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? WELL, I PROBABLY WILL BEFORE IT'S OVER WITH BUT, MR. SILAS.
I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG IT'S BEEN GOING ON SINCE WE HAVEN'T HEARD ABOUT IT, BUT DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'VE MADE EVERY EFFORT? I MEAN, BEFORE WE SINK A HALF MILLION DOLLARS INTO TEARING IT DOWN, IS THERE ANY OPPORTUNITY THAT SOMEONE MAY STEP UP OR HAVE YOU DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'VE EXHAUSTED ANY OPPORTUNITY THAT THERE MAY BE?
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WELL, GOOD EVENING, MR. CHAIRMAN. BOARD MEMBERS.AND IT IS EXTREMELY RIDDLED WITH ASBESTOS.
SO I MEAN IT THE ERA OF CONSTRUCTION THAT IT'S IN, IT'S GOING TO COST ANYONE AT LEAST $500,000 IN REMEDIATION IN ORDER TO CHANGE THE USE OF THAT BUILDING AND TAKE OWNERSHIP. AND SO WHEN WE WERE TAKING OR ACCEPTING THE OFFERS FOR THE BUILDING, NO ONE COULD COME CLOSE TO EVEN BEGINNING TO REMEDIATE THAT BUILDING.
I MEAN, THEY WERE JUST, YOU KNOW, FOLKS COMING UP WITH, YOU KNOW, HOUSE MONEY, BASICALLY.
I WAS EXPLAINING TO THEM HOW IT WOULD ACTUALLY COST US MORE TO DO A SELECTIVE DEMOLITION TO KEEP THAT GYM, BECAUSE NOW YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GET SOME SERIOUS ENGINEERING INVOLVED AND NOT COMPROMISING A WALL AS YOU BRING DOWN PARTS OF THE BUILDING AROUND IT AND THEN REROUTING ELECTRICITY, REROUTING SEWER AND EVERYTHING.
SO AND IN THAT TIME, I'VE BEEN IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH THE MAYOR, AND SHE IS DEFINITELY LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING A RESOLUTION AND GETTING THAT BUILDING KIND OF BROUGHT IN, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW IT IS COMPLETELY FILLED WITH WILD OR STRAY CATS.
AND IT IS IT'S BECOMING A NUISANCE TO THE COMMUNITY.
DR. HANKS, DID I OVERLOOK YOU EARLIER? DID YOU? OKAY, SO WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN A VIABLE OFFER AT ALL.
WHAT'S THE BEST OFFER WE GOT ON THE BUILDING? IT WAS UNDER $100,000, SIR.
WELL, WOULD IT BE BETTER TO TAKE $100,000 OR SPEND 450,000? THEY WOULD GET RID OF IT.
EXCUSE ME. I'M SORRY, BUT THEY WOULD STILL HAVE TO REMEDIATE THAT BUILDING.
AND IF THEY COULD NOT REMEDIATE THE BUILDING, THEY WOULD LOOK AT US AND SAYING, WELL, WHY DID THE SCHOOL DISTRICT? IT WAS IRRESPONSIBLE FOR US TO SELL THAT BUILDING TO THEM BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T PROVIDE WHAT IT NEEDS TO REHAB THE BUILDING.
IT WOULD BECOME AN EYESORE AND THEN THEY COME AFTER US FOR MAKING THE SALE IN THE FIRST PLACE.
SO WE STILL BE KIND OF ON THE HOOK.
IN OTHER WORDS, WHEN WE SELL THE BUILDING.
WE DON'T. WE RETAIN RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ASSETS.
WE COULD RETAIN RESPONSIBILITY.
TO TEAR IT DOWN COSTS A LOT OF MONEY BECAUSE OF THE ASBESTOS AS WELL.
WHEN WE WERE TRYING TO SELL IT, THAT LIABILITY WASN'T.
YOU CAN'T JUST BECAUSE ONE OF THE OFFERS WAS TO TURN IT INTO ASSISTED LIVING.
ASSISTED LIVING WAS GOING TO NEED A SERIOUS HVAC SYSTEM.
YOU CAN'T PUT ELDERLY AND INFIRM PEOPLE IN A BUILDING WITH ASBESTOS AND WHEN YOU STARTING TO PENETRATE THE WALLS AND YOU'RE GOING TO BE DISTURBING THE STUFF IT WOULD COST, I MEAN, I'M THINKING WELL OVER $1 MILLION.
AND THEN NOW YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE RETROFIT TO MAKE THAT AIR IN THAT BUILDING COMFORTABLE FOR FOLKS TO COME IN THERE THAT WHO MAY BE ALREADY SUFFERING FROM RESPIRATORY DISTRESS. IT JUST WASN'T A VIABLE OFFER.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM? OKAY. ONE FINAL QUESTION.
WHERE AND WHERE IS THE $450,000 COMING FROM? THAT WILL BE BETWEEN KEVIN AND TREY.
SO THE FIVE YEAR FACILITY IMPROVEMENT PLAN HAS THE FUNDING FOR IT.
WE'D HAVE TO WE'D HAVE TO TAKE IT OUT OF THAT.
SO THEN WE'D HAVE TO MOVE THINGS AROUND.
BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DISPOSE OF THE BUILDINGS.
ARE YOU GOING TO YOU KNOW, ARE YOU GOING TO PAVE IT OVER? ARE YOU GOING TO LEAVE GRASS? SO OUR PLAN IS TO LEAVE, TO RESIDE IT AND MAKE IT, YOU KNOW, AS PRISTINE AS BEFORE WE EVER TOUCH THE AREA.
AND THEN WHAT HAPPENS? WE OWN A PIECE OF PROPERTY.
THEN WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAINTAIN, PROBABLY.
WELL, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.
IS THAT NOT IN THE OTHER COUNTY WILL WE NOT BE SEEING THAT BACK OR WHAT'S THIS? I'M NOT SURE. NO, IT BELONGS TO AIKEN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, EVEN THOUGH IT'S IN SALUDA COUNTY.
I THINK IT WOULD LIKELY BE A MORE VALUABLE AND MORE ATTRACTIVE PIECE OF PROPERTY FOR SOMEONE WHO MIGHT WANT TO PURCHASE IT WITHOUT THAT 65 YEAR OLD SCHOOL SITTING ON IT.
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ANYTHING? IT MAKES AN INTERESTING TWIST TO FUTURE CONSTRUCTION OR RENOVATION OF BUILDINGS, BECAUSE NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT DOING WHATEVER IS NECESSARY TO REPLACE A BUILDING THAT THAT'S OUTLIVED ITS USEFULNESS, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FACTOR IN THE COST OF DISPOSING OF THE BUILDING.ALONG WITH EVERYTHING ELSE THAT IT COSTS SO.
IS THERE A LOCATION HAS A LOT TO DO WITH THAT.
I MEAN, LET'S SAY IF WE HAD NO USE FOR A SCHOOL IN A PARTICULAR LOCATION AND WERE BUILDING A NEW SCHOOL TO REPLACE IT.
DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION, WE MIGHT HAVE ANOTHER USE FOR THAT BUILDING.
IT MAY HAVE OUTLIVED ITS USEFULNESS AS A AS AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OR MIDDLE SCHOOL OR HIGH SCHOOL.
BUT IT MIGHT DEFINITELY SERVE ANOTHER PURPOSE FOR US.
THE LOCATION OF RIDGE-SPRING MONETTA ELEMENTARY JUST JUST DOESN'T ALLOW FOR THAT.
WELL, I'VE JUST HEARD SOME DISCUSSION RECENTLY ABOUT.
AND LOOKING TOWARD THE RE-UPPING OF THE ONE CENTS SALES TAX WHERE WE MIGHT WANT TO LOOK AT CONSOLIDATING SOME SCHOOLS, WHICH WOULD IMPLY THE VACATING OF SOME OF THE OLDER ONES AND DOING WHATEVER TO MAKE SPACE TO PUT MORE CHILDREN TOGETHER.
AND THAT COULD BECOME A FACTOR.
THAT WAS MY CONCERN, YOU KNOW [INAUDIBLE] ALL THESE BUILDINGS.
ANY FUTURE SCHOOL REPLACEMENT? WE DO. YOU'D NEED TO FACTOR THAT IN INTO THE TOTAL PROJECT COST, POTENTIALLY.
THEN OUR DOLLAR WOULDN'T NECESSARILY GO AS FAR.
ANY OTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM? OKAY. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE? EXCUSE ME I LOST THE NUMBER.
THE EIGHT CONSENT ITEMS AS PRESENTED.
I MOVE. WE APPROVE THE EIGHT CONSENT ITEMS. MOVED BY DR. BRADLEY, SECONDED BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON.
ANY DISCUSSION? ON THE MOTION.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
IT'S UNANIMOUS MOTION CARRIES, THE EIGHT CONSENT ITEMS ARE APPROVED.
THAT BRINGS US TO INFORMATIONAL ITEMS. AND THAT'S WHY DOCTOR MURPHY'S NOT SITTING DOWN.
AND WE'RE GOING TO START WITH SOME CONSTRUCTION UPDATES.
BUT ALSO BUT WE'VE GOT A YOU'RE GOING TO GO OVER A CHANGE ORDER NOTIFICATION. YES.
AND SO FORTUNATELY HERE, THESE TWO ARE CREDITS BACK TO US, $5,000 FOR THE AIKEN HIGH CANOPY REPAIR AND $2,858 FOR THE TUCKER CREEK ENTRY LOBBY. OKAY.
ANY QUESTIONS FOR DR. MURPHY BEFORE WE ROLL INTO THE CONSTRUCTION UPDATES? OKAY. OKAY. OKAY.
AND I'LL BEGIN MY CONSTRUCTION UPDATES WITH AIKEN HIGH'S AUDITORIUM.
THE PARKING LOT PAVING AND STRIPING HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
WHEN STAFF AND STUDENTS RETURN IN JULY, OSF APPROVAL FOR THE NEW CORRIDOR WAS RECEIVED.
GLAZING AND METAL WALL PANELS ARE 100%.
PAINTING, FLOORING, CASEWORK AND STAGE EQUIPMENT IS IN PROGRESS.
OSF FINAL INSPECTION HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 29TH.
THE $16 MILLION PROJECT IS WITHIN BUDGET AND IS CONTINUING ON SCHEDULE.
OF NOTE WE DID HAVE A TRAFFIC FLOW MEETING OUT THERE AND THERE WAS A WE TALKED ABOUT HOW THE TRAFFIC IS GOING TO BE COMING IN AND OUT OF THE PARKING BECAUSE IT WAS ASKED BY A BOARD MEMBER IN THE LAST MEETING.
SITE WORK FOR PHASE TWO OF THE CONSTRUCTION HAS BEEN HAS PROGRESSED.
ASPHALT PAVING, INSTALLATION AND INSTALLATION IS EXPECTED TO START THE LAST WEEK OF JUNE.
LIGHT POLES HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN THE NEW PARKING AREA.
SAFETY FENCING HAS ALSO BEEN INSTALLED AT THE TOP OF THE RETAINING WALL ALONG THE SOUTH PROPERTY LINE AND FURNITURE HAS BEEN INSTALLED IN THE NEW CLASSROOM TEACHER AND TEACHER WORKROOM. OSF SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION INSPECTION IS SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, JUNE 26TH, WAS SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, JUNE 26TH. THE PROJECT IS SCHEDULED FOR A WAS SCHEDULED FOR A MARCH COMPLETION.
BUT OF COURSE DUE TO WEATHER DELAYS, WE WERE BEHIND.
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BUT WE DO ANTICIPATE HAVING THAT CAFETERIA OPEN FOR THE STUDENTS COMING IN THE NEW YEAR.CONSTRUCTION IS CONTINUING AND DOWN TO THE WIRE.
SORRY ABOUT THAT. HERE'S A SHOT OF THE INDOOR POOL.
FINISHES ON PROGRESS IN THE GYMNASIUM FLOOR AND INSTALLED.
WHEN I FIRST SAW THE PICTURE, I SAW A POOL.
THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING. IT'S AWFULLY BLUE.
YES. PLUMBING, MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL FIXTURES ARE TRIMMED OUT AND IN PROGRESS.
AND AGAIN, WE WERE 4 TO 6 WEEKS BEHIND.
BUT WITH THAT CO WE'LL HAVE ENOUGH FLEXIBILITY TO MOVE FORWARD AND I'M SORRY, A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY THAT ALLOWS US TO START MOVING IN. WE CAN'T MOVE IN BECAUSE WE DON'T TECHNICALLY OWN IT YET UNTIL THEY GIVE US THAT.
AND OVER TO WAGENER SALLEY, WE HAVE WALLS NOW, SO THAT'S PRETTY NICE.
AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, THIS IS SOME OF THE INTERIOR WALLS AND CORRIDORS ARE GOING UP.
THIS IS A $50 MILLION PROJECT AND WE ARE ON TRACK TO HAVE THIS COMPLETED BY THE 1ST OF JULY OF 2024.
SURE. GO BACK TO AIKEN FOR A MOMENT.
THE PARKING LOT THAT'S DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE NEW AUDITORIUM.
YES, MA'AM. IS THAT THE ONLY PARKING LOT THAT HAS BEEN PAVED TO DATE? ARE WE TALKING TO THE LEFT OR TO THE RIGHT AS WE FACE THE AUDITORIUM? IF YOU'RE FACING THE AUDITORIUM IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF THE AUDITORIUM, IS THAT WHERE YOU'RE SAYING PAVING? I MEAN, YES, PAVING AND AND STRIPING HAS BEEN COMPLETED? YES, MA'AM. THE STRIPING WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART BECAUSE WE HAVE TO DIRECT THE TRAFFIC IN.
AND WE HAD TO WE MET OUT THERE TO TALK ABOUT SIGNAGE AS WELL BECAUSE WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE TRAFFIC COME IN AND GO VEAR TO THE RIGHT AND THEN COME BACK IF THEY WANT TO GO ACROSS TO THE ANCILLARY PARKING.
WE DO HAVE. THAT'S THE INFORMATION ITEMS WE DO HAVE TWO INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBER ITEMS. THE FIRST OF WHICH MISS TYLER WISHES SHE COULD BE HERE TONIGHT, BUT SHE'S ON REQUIRED BUSINESS.
BUT MISS TYLER HAS NOMINATED SOMEONE FOR THE AREA FOUR ADVISORY COUNCIL.
AND I'LL PROCEED WITH THAT MOTION.
SO I MOVE THAT WE APPOINT MR. CHARLES MCCRAY TO THE AREA FOUR ADVISORY COUNCIL.
SO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE MR. CHARLES MCCRAY TO THE AREA FOUR ADVISORY COUNCIL, SECONDED BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
AND WHILE I'M ON A ROLL, WE ALSO HAVE THREE MEMBERS LONG SERVING MEMBERS OF THE AREA, ONE ADVISORY COUNCIL THAT NEED TO BE REAPPOINTED AND SERVE ANOTHER TERM.
SO, MS. ALBERTINE GRANT, I MOVE THAT WE APPOINT MISS ALBERTINE GRANT, MR. CLARENCE JACKSON AND MISS LINDA KARYOTAKIS TO ANOTHER TERM ON THE AREA ONE ADVISORY COUNCIL.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THOSE THREE ARE APPOINTED FOR ANOTHER TERM ON THE AREA ONE ADVISORY COUNCIL.
ALL RIGHT. THAT BRINGS US TO AN END OF MY ITEMS. AND MR. LAURENCE IS GOING TO GIVE US AN ANNUAL REPORT.
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MIC] WELL, MR. CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO TO SPEAK TO YOU THIS EVENING.YOU HAVE A REPORT WITH YOU ALREADY IN FRONT OF YOU.
AND SO I WON'T I WON'T SPEND A GREAT DEAL OF TIME GOING THROUGH THAT.
BUT I WANT TO START WITH MY VISION.
AND THIS IS THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS HAS DEVELOPED A LITTLE MORE OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS.
BUT FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME TO SEE THAT AIKEN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS WAS GOING TO BE THE AREA'S LEADER IN PROVIDING INNOVATIVE, PERSONALIZED LEARNING THAT WE WANT TO BE THE CHOICE.
WE WANT TO BE WHERE PEOPLE BELIEVE THE CITIZENS OF AIKEN COUNTY BELIEVE.
NEW CITIZENS MOVING INTO AIKEN COUNTY BELIEVE THAT WE ARE THE PLACE THAT THEY WANT THEIR CHILDREN, THAT WE ARE GOING TO ATTRACT THE HIGHEST QUALITY PROFESSIONALS INTO OUR SCHOOLS, TO TEACH, TO LEAD, TO MEET THE OTHER OTHER FUNCTIONS THAT WE HAVE AS A SCHOOL DISTRICT.
AND IF WE DO OUR JOBS RIGHT, THEN THAT VISION BECOMES A REALITY.
SO THREE GOALS THAT WE THAT WE PUT INTO PLACE TO ADDRESS THAT, ENSURING HIGH QUALITY LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT WILL POSITIVELY IMPACT ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND MEET THE NEEDS OF ALL STUDENTS, MAINTAIN POSITIVE, SAFE AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENTS FOR ALL STUDENTS AND STAFF, AND REFINE PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN HIGH QUALITY EDUCATORS TO SUPPORT AND SUPPORT STAFF.
SO LOOKING AT THOSE GOALS, I'M GOING TO TAKE THEM ONE BY ONE.
BUT WE HAVE SEVERAL INDICATORS IN EACH OF THOSE GOALS AND THOSE INDICATORS KIND OF LET US KNOW IF WE'RE ON TRACK, IF WE'RE DOING WHAT WE SAID WE WERE GOING TO DO. THE FIRST ONE OF THOSE I WANT TO MENTION IS JUST UTILIZING DISTRICT AND SCHOOL DATA TO FOCUS ON CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, AND THAT IS CRITICAL.
WE HAVE TO REVIEW AND ANALYZE STUDENT DATA AND DETERMINE WHAT OUR SPECIFIC NEEDS ARE.
NOW, WE'VE TALKED ALL YEAR ABOUT WHAT OUR DATA SHOWS US FROM AN ACADEMIC STANDPOINT ABOUT MATH.
LOOKING AT OUR DISTRICT STRATEGIC PLAN AND OUR SCHOOL RENEWAL PLANS TO ALIGN WITH WITH COGNITIVE FINDINGS AND COGNITIVE, OF COURSE, WAS OUR REGIONAL ACCREDITATION VISIT THAT WE HAD THIS YEAR AND COLLABORATING WITH SCHOOL AND DISTRICT LEADERSHIP TEAMS TO MAKE DATA INFORMED DECISIONS.
SO MAKING OUR DECISIONS BASED ON WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT OUR STUDENTS, BASED ON WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THEIR ACHIEVEMENT, MAKING OTHER DECISIONS, NOT JUST INSTRUCTIONAL DECISIONS, BUT MAKING CAPITAL DECISIONS BASED ON THE DATA AND BASED ON WHAT WE KNOW AS A SCHOOL DISTRICT.
EVERYTHING ELSE SUPPORTS THAT MISSION.
EVERYTHING ELSE THAT WE DO SUPPORTS TEACHING AND LEARNING.
SO MAY CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT THAT THAT THAT ADDRESSES THAT CORE FUNCTION THAT WE DO AS A SCHOOL DISTRICT WELCOMING NEW TEACHERS AND OTHER EMPLOYEES AND ONBOARDING THEM TODAY WE SPENT THE MORNING WELL SOME FOLKS SPENT ALL DAY WITH THEM. I SPENT JUST THE MORNING WITH WITH OUR NEW TO DISTRICT TEACHERS AND JUST HAVING BREAKFAST WITH THEM, SAYING A FEW WORDS TO THEM, GOING AROUND AND MEETING I WON'T SAY MEETING AS MANY AS I CAN BECAUSE THERE WERE A COUPLE HUNDRED PEOPLE THERE.
AND AND WE HAVE WE HAVE PUT A REAL EFFORT INTO ENSURING THAT OUR TEACHERS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED, THAT THEY ARE SATISFIED WITH THE WORK ENVIRONMENT THAT THEY HAVE HERE.
ANOTHER ONGOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
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ONE THING THAT IS VERY CRITICAL FOR OUR STUDENTS TO BE SUCCESSFUL IS STUDENT ENGAGEMENT.OUR STUDENTS HAVE TO BE ENGAGED WITH THE CURRICULUM.
THEY HAVE TO BE ENGAGED WITH THEIR TEACHERS.
THEY HAVE TO BE ENGAGED WITH EACH OTHER.
THEY HAVE TO BE ENGAGED WITH THE INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES THAT ARE GOING ON IN THE CLASSROOM.
WE'VE BEEN KIND OF LACKING IN HOW WE MONITOR THAT.
SOMETHING THAT I CHAMPIONED EIGHT YEARS AGO AS ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT WAS THE ELLIOTT AND THAT IS JUST AN OBSERVATION PROTOCOL THAT FOCUSES SPECIFICALLY ON STUDENT ENGAGEMENT.
WHAT IS THE STUDENT DOING IN THE CLASSROOM AND HOW IS THAT STUDENT ENGAGING WITH, LIKE I SAID, THE CURRICULUM WITH OTHER STUDENTS, WITH THE TEACHER AND WITH THE INSTRUCTIONAL PROCESS. SO AND THE LEARNING PROCESS.
SO WE'RE GOING FULL SPEED AHEAD WITH THAT AND ENSURING THAT OUR ADMINISTRATORS AND MENTORS, DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF, THEY ARE ALL WELL TRAINED AND ABLE TO MONITOR THAT PROCESS, CONTINUING TO EMPOWER TEACHERS, ENCOURAGING TEACHERS TO INCREASE THEIR LEARNING, ENCOURAGING THEM TO GO FOR NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION, LOOKING AT THE ACADEMIC STANDARDS, WE HAVE NEW ACADEMIC STANDARDS IN SEVERAL AREAS, MAKING SURE THAT THAT WHERE CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE IN THE STANDARDS WE MAKE, CHANGES TO OUR PRACTICES, WE MAKE CHANGES TO OUR CURRICULUM.
AND ENSURING THAT WE'RE PUTTING RESOURCES WHERE THEY BELONG AND ENSURING THAT WE ARE MAKING SURE WELL, ENSURING THAT WE ARE USING THOSE RESOURCES EFFICIENTLY IN THE BEST NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS.
WE'VE GOT 35 TITLE ONE SCHOOLS, SO EACH OF THOSE SCHOOLS IS GETTING SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING AND IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO US TO BE VERY PARTICULAR ABOUT HOW WE SPEND THAT SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING.
MAINTAINING 1 TO 1 TECHNOLOGY.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAD PLANNED TO DO FOR A VERY LONG TIME.
EVENTUALLY, WE WERE GOING TO BE A 1 TO 1 SCHOOL DISTRICT.
IT HAPPENED FASTER THAN WE HAD ANTICIPATED.
HAVING A SOLID LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.
WE USE SCHOOLOGY HERE HERE IN AIKEN COUNTY TO HELP TEACHERS AND STUDENTS COLLABORATE, TO ASSESS INSTRUCTION, TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS. WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO TO HAVE ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
AND THAT ALLOWS US NOT ONLY IN THE CLASSROOM BUT ALSO IN OUR THEY CAN INNOVATE OUR VIRTUAL LEARNING PLATFORM AND AND ALSO SOME AREAS WHERE WE'RE ABLE TO DO DUAL MODALITIES.
NOW, WE KNOW THAT HAVING 23,000 STUDENTS, EACH ONE WITH A DEVICE.
AND THE BOARD WAS VERY GENEROUS THIS YEAR TO DESIGNATE WITHIN OUR FUND BALANCE $7 MILLION FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF 1 TO 1 DEVICES. AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO LOOK AT AND DETERMINING WHAT IS GOING TO BE THE BEST WAY TO ENSURE THAT ON A FIVE AT MOST SIX YEAR CYCLE, WE'RE REPLACING THOSE DEVICES.
PROVIDING ALTERNATE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES THAT JUST MENTIONED AIKEN INNOVATE AND BUT ALSO OUR AIKEN COUNTY VIRTUAL SCHOOL ACVS. SO WE'VE EXPANDED ENROLLMENT FOR NEXT YEAR.
WE'RE PROVIDING DUAL MODALITY OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS.
AND A LOT OF OUR TEACHERS HAVE REALLY EMBRACED THE IDEA OF DUAL MODALITY.
MANY OF OUR TEACHERS, WE WOULD LIKE FOR IT TO BE A LOT MORE OF THEM, BUT MANY OF OUR TEACHERS DON'T HAVE STUDENTS COMING BACK TO SCHOOL HAVING TO MAKE UP WORK BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN IT WHILE THEY'RE OUT OF SCHOOL.
AND IF WE CAN CONTINUE TO HAVE TEACHERS EMBRACE THAT, THAT'S GOING TO BE A GOOD THING.
CENTER FOR INNOVATIVE LEARNING AND EXCEL ARE ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS WHO WHO HAVE VARIOUS ISSUES THAT THAT PREVENT THEM FROM BEING SUCCESSFUL IN THE REGULAR SCHOOL SETTING. OTHER E-LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES ARE PROVIDED.
AND ONE THING THAT FROM A CAREER IN TECHNOLOGY STANDPOINT, ONE OF THE PATHWAYS THAT WE HAVE IS COMPUTER REPAIR AND WE HAVE A PARTNERSHIP WITH DELL TO DO THAT.
HOW MANY HOW MANY COMPUTERS HAVE WE REPAIRED THIS YEAR? IT'S A LOT. A LOT.
BUT OUR STUDENTS ARE REPAIRING OUR COMPUTERS.
[00:35:07]
AND THAT IS THAT'S A SERVICE TO US.BUT IT'S ALSO GIVING THEM THAT VALUABLE HANDS ON EXPERIENCE.
HIGHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES.
WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE AIKEN SCHOLARS ACADEMY AND THE EARLY COLLEGE AT MIDLAND VALLEY THAT GIVES STUDENTS A BOOST, BUT ALSO PROVIDING MORE OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH AIKEN COUNTY CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER.
AS YOU KNOW, WE RECENTLY SIGNED THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH AIKEN TECHNICAL COLLEGE TO PROCEED WITH BUILDING OUR NEW CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER ON THEIR CAMPUS.
THAT IS GOING TO OPEN UP HUGE NEW WINDOWS.
SO NOT ONLY CORE ACADEMIC COURSES ARE GOING TO BE CONVENIENTLY OFFERED AS DUAL ENROLLMENT COURSES, BUT MANY MORE CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY COURSES ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO BE DONE THROUGH DUAL ENROLLMENT PLUS OTHER OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO SHARE SPACES, SHARE FACULTY AND LOTS OF OTHER THINGS WITH AIKEN TECHNICAL COLLEGE.
WE'RE WORKING ON ARTICULATION OF OUR CYBER PROGRAMS. WE'RE VERY CLOSE TO HAVING THAT.
IN FACT, WE DO HAVE THAT WELL THOUGHT OUT WITH AIKEN TECHNICAL COLLEGE AND WE'RE WORKING WITH USC AIKEN TO GO FROM K-12 INTO THE TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM INTO FOUR YEAR UNIVERSITY.
AND A STUDENT COULD BUILD ON THOSE THOSE CREDENTIALS ALL THE WAY THROUGH.
WHILE ALSO WORKING AND EARNING A LIVING.
SO SO WE FEEL GOOD ABOUT THAT.
MAHAN AT AIKEN TECHNICAL COLLEGE SAYS ALL THE TIME IS THAT WE HAVE A IT'S NOT UNIQUE, BUT IT'S PRETTY CLOSE TO A UNIQUE SITUATION HERE IN AIKEN COUNTY BECAUSE WE HAVE A SELF-CONTAINED SCHOOL DISTRICT.
THERE'S ONE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN AIKEN COUNTY.
WE HAVE A TECHNICAL COLLEGE THAT'S PRIMARY SERVICE AREA IS AIKEN COUNTY.
NOW STUDENTS COME FROM OTHER PLACES, BUT THE PRIMARY SERVICE AREA IS AIKEN COUNTY.
AND WE ALSO GO OUTSIDE OF THAT.
UM, TEACHER, STUDENT AND PARENT ENGAGEMENT.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS CRITICAL.
WE WANT TO HEAR WHAT OUR STUDENTS HAVE TO SAY.
WE WANT TO HEAR WHAT OUR PARENTS HAVE TO SAY.
WE WANT TO HEAR WHAT THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAS TO SAY.
WE WANT TO HEAR WHAT OUR TEACHERS HAVE TO SAY.
THINK ABOUT ZONING FOR HIGHLAND SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL.
AND I THINK THAT THE CONCERNS THAT THEY SHARED AND THE IDEAS THAT THEY EXPRESSED ENDED UP DETERMINING WHAT THE FINAL PLANS WERE GOING TO BE. SO TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE KNOWLEDGE, TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE EXPERIENCE, TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE HISTORY THAT WE HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITIES IS SO IMPORTANT FOR US.
GETTING OUT INTO SCHOOLS, LISTENING TO OUR STUDENTS.
I KNOW I PARTICIPATED AND MY STAFF HAS PARTICIPATED IN A LOT OF READ ALOUD OPPORTUNITIES.
MANY OF YOU HAVE DONE THAT AS WELL.
WE LAUNCHED A VIDEO SERIES THIS YEAR, AND I'M NOT GOING TO ASK FOR A SHOW OF HANDS.
I DO NOT WANT A CRITIQUE ON SIT DOWN WITH THE SUPER.
BUT I HAVE REALLY ENJOYED RECORDING THOSE INTERVIEWS WITH STUDENTS.
AND THAT WAS ANOTHER GOOD PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAD WITH THE WITH THE CITY OF AIKEN.
SO AGAIN, TEACHER FORUM IS SOMETHING ELSE THAT'S IMPORTANT.
WE MAY TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE LATER.
BUT THE TEACHER FORUM HAD NOT DISAPPEARED BUT HAD BECOME VERY INACTIVE.
AND I THINK IT'S ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE CASUALTIES OF TWO YEARS OF ISOLATION.
AND IF YOU REMEMBER THE PICTURE AT THE BEGINNING AND SOMEBODY ASKED ME, YOU, MR. SILAS, DID YOU ASK ME WHAT SCHOOL THAT WAS IN AT THAT PICTURE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE OF THE SLIDE SHOW, MR. MOULTON ASKED THAT WHERE WERE WE WALKING DOWN THE HALL.
ANYBODY REMEMBER WHERE IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN? MIDLAND VALLEY. YEAH, IT LOOKS.
IT LOOKS LIKE IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN MIDLAND VALLEY.
I WAS CLOSE. THE REASON I BRING THAT UP IS THAT THIS TEAM WORKS VERY WELL TOGETHER.
THAT. THAT WE PUT OUR HEADS TOGETHER, WE SOLVE PROBLEMS. WE REACH OUT INTO OUR SCHOOLS.
WE LISTEN TO WHAT OUR TEACHERS HAVE TO SAY.
WE LISTEN TO WHAT OUR OUR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS HAVE TO SAY.
BUT I SAY THAT TO SAY THIS, DR.
EDWARDS REALLY TOOK THE BALL AND RAN WITH TEACHER FORUM THIS YEAR.
[00:40:09]
MACON COUNTY ONCE AGAIN. SO WE'RE VERY PLEASED WITH THAT.BUT AND THAT IS PART OF IT, AND WE'LL MENTION THAT AGAIN.
BUT JUST A COUPLE OF THE THINGS THAT WE IMPLEMENTED THIS YEAR, THE WEAPONS DETECTORS AND THESE YOU KNOW, THE SCHOOL BOARD INVESTED $1.1 MILLION IN WEAPONS DETECTORS FOR OUR SCHOOLS.
AND WE'RE CONTINUING TO TRAIN WE'RE CONTINUING TO INCREASE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THOSE.
KEEP IN MIND THAT THESE AREN'T TYPICAL METAL DETECTORS.
THESE ARE THESE ARE SMART DEVICES.
THEY DO IDENTIFY WEAPONS, NOT JUST CAR KEYS AND CELL PHONES.
SO THAT'S SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER.
SAFETY MONITORS ARE ANOTHER AREA THAT WE'VE THAT WE'VE INVESTED IN AND THAT'S GOING TO CONTINUE IN ALREADY IN OUR HIGH SCHOOLS AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS, BUT ADDING THAT TO OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS FOR NEXT YEAR.
AND WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE LAST YEAR TO BE ABLE TO GET UP TO 22 SCHOOLS WHO WERE ABLE TO EAT BREAKFAST, STUDENTS IN 22 SCHOOLS WHO WERE ABLE TO EAT BREAKFAST AND LUNCH WITHOUT ANY COST TO THEM.
SO SO BEGINNING TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY, ALL OF OUR STUDENTS WILL WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO EAT BREAKFAST AND LUNCH AT NO CHARGE TO THEM. SO WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
SOME UPGRADES, SAFETY UPGRADES ON FACILITIES, THINGS THAT NOBODY THOUGHT ABOUT WHEN THESE SCHOOLS WERE BUILT 20, 30, 40 PLUS YEARS AGO. BUT CREATING BARRIERS AT THE ENTRANCES TO OUR SCHOOLS.
AND WE THINK THAT'S GOING TO CERTAINLY HELP LIMITING ACCESS TO A SINGLE ENTRY POINT.
AND IT DOES MAKE IT A LITTLE MORE DIFFICULT AND IT MAKES IT A LITTLE INCONVENIENT.
AND SOMEBODY SAID SAFETY IS INCONVENIENT.
WE'VE ALREADY MENTIONED HIGHLAND SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND WE SAW AN UPDATE ON THAT.
BUT JUST REMINDING YOU THAT STUDENT PARENT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WAS VERY HEAVILY INVOLVED IN THAT, DETERMINING WHAT AREAS OF THE COUNTY WOULD BE ZONED FOR HIGHLAND SPRINGS.
AND WE'RE STILL VERY OPTIMISTIC.
IT'S OPTIMISTIC. THE WORD I WANT TO USE HOPEFUL.
WE'RE GOING TO THAT THE SCHOOL IS GOING TO BE READY FOR US TO OCCUPY.
WE ALSO SAW THE REPORT ON HAMMOND HILL ELEMENTARY.
THE NEW CAFETERIA THERE COMPLETING THAT THAT PHASE AS WELL.
AND WE SAW THE WALLS GOING UP OVER THERE AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO ABOUT THIS TIME, MAYBE A LITTLE EARLIER, MAYBE JUNE, 11, MONTHS FROM NOW, HOPEFULLY MOVING INTO THAT NEW HIGH SCHOOL.
ALL RIGHT. I'M OKAY WITH JUNE.
YOU KNOW, I'LL SAY ANYTHING UP HERE.
SO YOU HAVE TO THEY HAVE TO KEEP ME FROM THEY HAVE TO KEEP ME FROM OVER PROMISING.
THE IDEA IS WE ALWAYS WANT TO UNDER-PROMISE AND OVERDELIVER.
AND THEY HAVE TO REMIND ME THAT FROM TIME TO TIME.
ANOTHER THING, INCREASING ONLINE MONITORING.
I THINK THAT MR. PENCILLE DID A GOOD JOB OF DEMONSTRATING HOW GOOD OUR LIVE LINE SYSTEM IS IN STOPPING PREDATORS, STOPPING UNWANTED INTERNET TRAFFIC AND REALLY PROTECTING OUR STUDENTS. SO WE PILOTED THAT THIS YEAR.
WE'RE GOING TO FULLY IMPLEMENT IT GOING INTO GOING INTO THE 23-24 SCHOOL YEAR.
SO WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT AS WELL.
[00:45:10]
REALLY PAYING A MUCH GREATER AMOUNT OF ATTENTION TO THAT THIS YEAR.AND WE'RE GOING TO INCREASE THAT AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
AUDIO ENHANCEMENT IS ANOTHER ONE THAT WE'VE STARTED IMPLEMENTING.
TEACHERS ARE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE MORE EASILY WITH THE OFFICE.
PLUS, IT CREATES A BETTER HEARING ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR STUDENTS.
A TEACHER CAN USE HIS OR HER NORMAL VOICE, AND STUDENTS HEAR IT EVERYWHERE.
AND IT'S NOT AN AMPLIFICATION SYSTEM.
IT'S A MORE OF A CLARIFICATION SYSTEM SO THAT ASHLEY IS SITTING RIGHT HERE AND THE WAY SHE HEARS ME SPEAKING, SOMEBODY BACK IN THE CORNER, BETH, BACK IN THE CORNER WOULD HEAR ME EXACTLY THE SAME WAY WITHOUT ME HAVING TO SHOUT.
BECAUSE WHEREVER THE TEACHER IS, THEY'RE CONNECTED TO HELP AT ALL TIMES.
SO REWARDING NEW HIRES AND RETURNING EMPLOYEES.
THIS IS THIS HAS BEEN A BIG FOCUS FOR US.
IT'S BEEN A BIG FOCUS FOR EVERYBODY.
AND WE KNOW THAT WE STARTED LAST YEAR WITH WITH FEWER STAFF MEMBERS THAN WE NEEDED.
RIGHT NOW, WE'RE STILL NOT WHERE WE NEED TO BE, BUT WE ARE FURTHER ALONG THAN WE WERE THIS TIME LAST SUMMER, AND WE'RE ALSO FURTHER ALONG THAN WE WERE TWO WEEKS BEFORE SCHOOL OPENED LAST YEAR.
SO WE FEEL A LOT BETTER ABOUT ABOUT THE POSITION THAT WE'RE IN FROM A FROM A STAFF STANDPOINT.
ONE OF THE THINGS IS TRYING TO GET BARRIERS OUT OF THE WAY.
EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT EMPLOYEE IS REQUIRED TO HAVE A TB TEST.
WELL, THEY HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT.
WELL, WE PARTNERED WITH A COMMUNITY PROVIDER TO PAY FOR THOSE.
$10,000 BONUS FOR CERTAIN TEACHERS MATH, SCIENCE, SPECIAL EDUCATION AND A FEW OTHER OTHER AREAS FOR COMMITTING TO A THREE YEAR FOR MAKING A THREE YEAR COMMITMENT TO US.
WE THINK THAT'S HUGE AND IT HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE IN FILLING THOSE HARD TO FILL POSITIONS, BUT ALSO APPRECIATING THE TEACHERS THAT WE HAVE AND PROVIDING A BONUS FOR THEM AS WELL.
INCREASING THE COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT THIS YEAR TO 3% ADDITIONAL STEP TO ALL OF THE PAY SCALES.
BUS DRIVERS PAY HAS GONE UP SIGNIFICANTLY.
TEACHER SALARIES GOING UP BY $2,500 PER [INAUDIBLE].
THOSE ARE THINGS THAT THAT HOPEFULLY ARE SHOWING OUR EMPLOYEES THAT WE ARE APPRECIATIVE OF THEM AND WE WANT THEM TO STAY AND CONTINUE TO BE A PART OF AIKEN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
HIRING, HOSTING HUGE HIRING EVENTS NOT ONLY IN AIKEN COUNTY, BUT GOING TO COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, NOT ONLY IN SOUTH CAROLINA BUT AROUND THE SOUTHEAST AND OTHER PLACES.
IT IS SO CRITICAL FOR US TO YOU KNOW, WE'D LIKE TO KEEP EVERYBODY, BUT PEOPLE DO RETIRE.
PEOPLE DO HAVE FAMILY TRANSFERS AND OTHER SITUATIONS THAT CAUSE THEM TO NEED TO LEAVE.
SO WE HAVE TO HAVE A PIPELINE TO REPLACE THOSE FOLKS.
AND OUR HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT IS AMAZING.
AND THIS MORNING WORKING WITH THOSE FIRST YEAR TEACHERS WAS WAS INCREDIBLE.
MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAD WHAT THEY NEEDED WHEN THEY NEEDED IT, GETTING THEIR QUESTIONS ANSWERED.
IT WAS JUST SUCH A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT.
AND THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO TO LET OUR NEW AIKEN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FAMILY MEMBERS KNOW THAT THEY'RE APPRECIATED AND THAT WE WANT THEM HERE AND WE WANT THEM TO STAY HERE.
CUSTODIAL POSITIONS ARE VERY HARD TO MAINTAIN.
SO, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A COMMITTEE WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY IT IS TO LOOK AT CUSTODIAL RETENTION.
WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO HELP THEM TO BE MORE COMMITTED TO THAT, TO TO TO AIKEN COUNTY? WHAT ARE WE NOT DOING THAT'S MAKING THEM BE WILLING TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE? BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE OUR TURNOVER IS.
[00:50:10]
HOW TO WORK WITH PEOPLE VERY OFTEN.AND WE SEE IT NOT ONLY IN THAT IN THAT AREA OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, BUT IN OTHER AREAS, SOMEBODY WHO IS SO GOOD AT THEIR JOB, WHAT DO WE DO? WE PROMOTE THEM AND WE PUT THEM IN CHARGE OF OTHER PEOPLE.
WELL, THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THEY KNOW HOW TO BE IN CHARGE OF OTHER PEOPLE.
SO YEAH, THEY WERE GREAT AT THEIR JOB AND THEY CAN CONTINUE TO BE THAT.
WE PILOTED STATE INTERVIEWS AND WE PLAN TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT.
BUILDING BETTER RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SUPERVISORS AND REPORTS.
EXIT INTERVIEW DATA IS ALSO BEING USED TO IDENTIFY TRENDS AND ADDRESS AREAS THAT NEED IMPROVEMENT.
I MENTIONED EARLIER THAT WE HAD REESTABLISHED THE TEACHER FORUM AND SUPPORTING THE TEACHER FORUM WITH THEIR INTEREST, HELPING WITH TEACHER MORALE, WORKING WITH TEACHERS WHO HAVE HAVE LIKE AREAS OF INTEREST AND RESPONSIBILITY.
AND I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE VERY IMPORTANT.
SO UNENCUMBERED LUNCHES AND CAPPED CLASS SIZES.
WELL, 30 MINUTES OF UNENCUMBERED TIME IS SOMETHING THAT THAT WAS PART OF LEGISLATION.
BUT DIFFERENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS DID IT A DIFFERENT WAY.
I'M VERY PROUD OF OUR SCHOOL BOARD.
I'M VERY PROUD OF OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR THE WAY THAT WE ADDRESSED IT.
WE DIDN'T TRY TO GET AROUND IT.
WE DIDN'T TRY TO COME UP WITH GIMMICKS.
IT PROBABLY WILL BE LUNCH, BUT IT WOULDN'T NECESSARILY BE LUNCH.
AND CAPPING ELEMENTARY LEVEL CLASS SIZES.
WE DIDN'T FEEL FROM A BUDGETARY STANDPOINT THIS YEAR THAT WE SHOULD CUT THE NUMBERS.
AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'VE DONE EVERY YEAR SINCE WE'VE BEEN HERE.
IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH IT.
WHAT WE'VE ALWAYS DONE IS SAY THE PUPIL TEACHER RATIO IS 20 TO 1.
WELL, WE'D ALWAYS HAVE A TWO STUDENT LEEWAY ON THAT.
WE WOULD SAY THE LIMIT IS 20 TO 1, BUT WE'RE GOING TO LET YOU HAVE 21.
AND THAT'S HOW WE'VE KIND OF MANAGED THAT.
STILL DIDN'T GET PAST 22, BUT WE WE MANAGED IT THAT WAY.
NOW WE'RE SAYING WE DON'T WANT TO GET IT PAST 20.
SO WE'RE I CAN'T STAND UP HERE AND SAY THAT'S A THAT'S A HARD NUMBER BECAUSE IF I'VE GOT FIVE FIRST GRADE OR LET'S SAY SECOND GRADE CLASSES, IF I'VE GOT FIVE SECOND GRADE CLASSES AND I'VE GOT 80 STUDENTS, I'M NOT NECESSARILY GOING TO HIRE A TEACHER WHEN WE GET 80 STUDENT NUMBER 81.
AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THAT THAT I'M VERY PROUD OF.
WE HAD A SUPPORT PROGRAM A WHILE BACK CALLED I CARE, AND IT KIND OF DRIFTED AWAY AND MR. JEFFCOAT TOOK THE LEAD ON THIS WITH WE CARE AND AND GOING OUT AND JUST VISITING.
DROPPING BY LITTLE A LITTLE GIFT.
THIS WAS FOR OUR NEW TO DISTRICT FOLKS AND JUST LETTING THEM KNOW WE APPRECIATE YOU RECOGNIZING SPECIAL DAYS LIKE SCHOOL CUSTODIAN WEEK GOING AROUND AND PASSING OUT A LITTLE A LITTLE SERCY.
I'M GOING TO USE THE WORD SERCY.
I DID NOT I HAD NEVER HEARD THE WORD SERCY, BUT NOW I'M USING IT ALL THE TIME.
SERCY ALWAYS HAD A LITTLE GIFT, BUT A LITTLE GIFT, APPARENTLY IS A SERCY.
SO GOING OUT AND DOING THAT AND JUST LETTING PEOPLE KNOW THAT WE APPRECIATE YOU AND, YOU KNOW, A PAT ON THE BACK, A KIND WORD, WHATEVER IT IS, AN OFFER OF OFFER OF SUPPORT, ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO.
AND THEN JUST RECOGNIZING PEOPLE, WE EXPANDED OUR STARS OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.
[00:55:03]
CELEBRATION DAYS.MANY PERSONAL VISITS TO SCHOOLS, SPOTLIGHTS AT SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS.
YOU KNOW, WE WENT A COUPLE OF YEARS AND WE DIDN'T INVITE ANYBODY TO OUR SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS.
AND I THINK THAT FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED FOR SOME GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT, I THINK THEY REALLY APPRECIATE COMING UP HERE AND HAVING YOU GUYS GIVE THEM A HUG AND A PAT ON THE BACK AND THE APPRECIATION.
WE DID THAT AGAIN IN THE DOWNTOWN ALLEY.
WE CONNECTED IT WITH OUR DISTRICT FINE ARTS FESTIVAL THIS YEAR, SO WE HAD BACK TO BACK.
WE TOOK OVER AIKEN FOR THE WHOLE WEEKEND.
JUST YESTERDAY I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF A PICTURE OF IT THERE IN THE BOTTOM LEFT CORNER.
KNOX FROM RIDGE-SPRING MONETTA, WHO IS THE SOUTH CAROLINA SCHOOL BUS DRIVER OF THE YEAR.
SO IT WAS IT WAS EXCITING TO GO DOWN THERE AND SURPRISE HER.
AND SHE WAS HAPPY ABOUT THAT, TOO.
THAT WAS A GREAT A GREAT EVENT DOWN THERE THAT OUR TRANSPORTATION FOLKS GET TO PARTICIPATE IN.
WE WANT TO FILL AIKEN COUNTY CLASSROOMS. WE WANT TO FILL AIKEN COUNTY SCHOOLS WITH OUR OWN PEOPLE.
SO EXPANDING PARTNERSHIPS WITH WITH COLLEGES AND OTHER POST-SECONDARY ORGANIZATIONS, HELPING OUR TEACHERS HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITIES ONLINE, SUPPORT FOR OUR TEACHERS WHO NEED HELP, OR FUTURE TEACHERS WHO NEED HELP WITH PRACTICE CERTIFICATION.
WE HOSTED A PATHWAYS TO TEACHING EXPO THAT COMBINE UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS AND TEACHER LICENSURE PROGRAMS. A LOT OF TIMES IT'S VERY HARD TO NAVIGATE THOSE THINGS.
OUR ASPIRING ADMINISTRATORS ACADEMY WE'VE ENHANCED THAT.
WE'VE STRENGTHENED IT. WE'VE ADDED TO IT SO THAT WE HAVE A LEADERSHIP PIPELINE.
AND A LOT OF OUR PARTICIPANTS HAVE SECURED ADVANCED ROLES IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR NEXT YEAR.
SO SO OVER HALF OF THEM ARE ALREADY PRINCIPALS, AND I'M SURE THE REST OF THEM WON'T BE FAR BEHIND.
WE NEED TO KEEP OUR LINES OF COMMUNICATION OPEN WITH OUR STAFF.
WE ESTABLISHED AN EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER.
IT IS A IT'S A GREAT EFFORT THERE.
AND YOU CAN SEE JUST A SNIPPET OF IT THERE ON THE SLIDE AND IN THE AND IN THE HANDOUT THAT YOU HAVE.
HELPING TEACHERS AND OTHER EMPLOYEES HAVE WHAT THEY NEED THE FIRST DAY AT WORK.
THAT'S SOMETHING I CAN REMEMBER WHEN STAFF MEMBERS WOULD WAIT DAYS OR EVEN WEEKS TO GET A PASSWORD.
OR DAYS OR EVEN WEEKS TO GET GET OTHER THINGS THAT THEY NEED TO DO THEIR JOBS.
WE HAVE MADE A CONCERTED EFFORT FOR THEM TO HAVE WHAT THEY NEED WHEN THEY START.
SELF CARE TIPS, SENDING THOSE KINDS OF THINGS OUT TO OUR OUR NEW TEACHERS TO TRY TO HELP THEM PREVENT BURNOUT AND HELPING TEACHERS KNOW AND OTHER STAFF MEMBERS KNOW HOW TO ASK FOR HELP.
AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THEY IN THE PAST THEY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN AS COMFORTABLE WITH.
SO BEING PROACTIVE ABOUT THAT AND STREAMLINING THAT PROCESS FOR THEM.
I THINK THAT JUST ABOUT COVERS EVERYTHING.
I'M GOING TO ASK YOU IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME, BUT JUST KNOW THAT THAT WHETHER IT'S IT'S DR.
MURPHY'S TEAM WITH STUDENT SERVICES AND WITH FACILITIES AND MAINTENANCE OR WHETHER IT'S MISS HART AND HUMAN RESOURCES WHETHER IT'S IT'S MR. TRAXLER AND AND FINANCIAL SERVICES OR WHETHER IT'S DR.
EDWARDS AND INSTRUCTION OR OUR ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTS WHO ARE SUPERVISING OUR PRINCIPALS AND AND PROVIDING WHAT OUR SCHOOLS NEED IN A FORM OF LEADERSHIP AND RESOURCES.
THIS TEAM WORKS SO WELL TOGETHER THAT AIKEN COUNTY IS A PLACE THAT I THINK IS GOING TO BE RECOGNIZED, JUST LIKE I SAID IN MY VISION AS A PLACE THAT PEOPLE WANT TO BE.
IT'S THE PLACE THAT TEACHERS ARE GOING TO WANT TO TEACH.
IT'S THE PLACE THAT LEADERS ARE WANT TO ARE GOING TO COME AND LEAD.
AND IT'S THE PLACE WHERE PARENTS AND FAMILIES ARE GOING TO WANT TO HAVE THEIR CHILDREN.
SO THANK YOU AND I WILL ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS.
MR. MOULTON. A PROBABLY A COUPLE MORE COMMENTS THAN ONE QUESTION.
[01:00:01]
THE COMMENTS WERE, FIRST OF ALL, I'VE SAID FOR A LONG TIME, I'VE TRIED TO TELL YOU, I TOLD DR.I'VE ALWAYS FELT VERY STRONGLY, BUT RIGHT NOW I AGREE WITH YOU.
I THINK THEY'RE I THINK THEY'RE FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS.
I THINK THEY'RE DOING A GREAT JOB.
THE PERSONALLY I LOVE AND I KNOW MISS HART KNOWS THAT I LOVE THE ASPIRING PRINCIPALS PROGRAM, THE STATE INTERVIEWS, ALL OF THAT IS IS GREAT STUFF.
ONE QUESTION AND I'LL FINISH UP AND IT'S NOT BAD.
I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHEN WE COME TO THE 1 TO 1 TECHNOLOGY WE'VE DISCUSSED AND HAVE WE FIGURED OUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO MAINTAIN THE FUNDING FOR THAT? BECAUSE I KNOW WE'VE GOT TO DO THE MAINTENANCE AND WE'VE GOT TO DO THE REPLACEMENT COST.
AND HOW FAR OUT ARE WE ON MAINTAINING THAT FUNDING RIGHT NOW? WELL, WE BUILT SOME INTO ESSER FUNDING, SO THERE'S A LITTLE BIT THERE.
THE BOARD SET ASIDE $7 MILLION, AS I SAID, IN OUR FUND BALANCE.
WE'RE GOING TO NEED, I THINK, OVER FIVE YEARS, $35 MILLION EVERY FIVE YEARS, I THINK, TO TO MAINTAIN OUR 1 TO 1 TECHNOLOGY. SO SO THERE'S DEFINITELY GOING TO BE SOME SOME CONVERSATIONS THAT NEED THAT NEED TO BE HAD.
NOW THAT IS A CAPITAL EXPENSE.
SO SO WE CAN CERTAINLY LOOK AT SOME OF OUR CAPITAL FUNDING SOURCES AS OPPOSED TO GENERAL FUNDING SOURCES OR A COMBINATION OF THOSE. SO YEAH, YOU'RE RIGHT THAT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THAT WE THOUGHT ABOUT FROM THE BEGINNING THAT WE KNEW THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE OPTIONS AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT.
AND JUST ONE FOLLOW UP QUESTION IS PROBABLY FOR FOR YOU AND MR. TRAXLER, THE IS THERE STILL ARE THERE NO PLANS FOR THE STATE TO FUND THAT SORT OF EFFORT? NOT NOT RIGHT NOW.
THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THAT WOULDN'T BECOME THE CASE LATER.
THAT IT WOULDN'T BE SOME MECHANISM WITHIN THE STATE SYSTEM FOR THAT.
BUT AS OF NOW, THAT'S NOT THE CASE.
OKAY. MR. SILAS? YES, SIR. CAN YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT MTSS? I THINK THAT'S BEEN AROUND A WHILE.
IS IT A GOVERNMENT MANDATED PROGRAM OR PROCESS, OR IS THAT A LOCAL THING? YEAH, IT IS REQUIRED.
AND MULTI-TIERED SYSTEMS OF SUPPORT.
WHICH JUST MEANS, YOU KNOW, AND AS I VERY BRIEFLY STATED, TIER ONE IS SIMPLY GOOD CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION, MAKING SURE THAT OUR TEACHERS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED, MAKING SURE THAT THAT THE CURRICULUM IS SOLID, THAT INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES ARE SOLID, THAT RESOURCES ARE THERE, AND THAT THE TEACHER IS ABLE TO ADDRESS NEEDS OF STUDENTS IN THE CLASSROOM.
WELL, THERE'S GOING TO BE A SMALL GROUP OF STUDENTS THAT NEED MORE THAN THAT.
MISS TAYLOR, 10% WOULD BE TIER TWO.
IN A PERFECT WORLD, IS THAT WHAT WE USUALLY 80/55.
OKAY. SO SO 80% OF THAT TIER ONE.
THERE MAY BE A LOT OF ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS THAT WE PUT IN PLACE FOR THAT STUDENT.
AND THEN THAT 5%, THAT WOULD BE THE GROUP OF STUDENTS WHO ARE MOST IN NEED OF ADDITIONAL SUPPORT.
AND THEY MAY NEED ONE ON ONE SUPPORT.
THEY MAY NEED MORE RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT SOMEHOW.
I MEAN, THERE ARE A LOT OF APPROACHES THAT YOU MIGHT TAKE WITH A STUDENT WHO IS TIER THREE IN ADDITION TO TIER ONE AND TWO.
BUT THE MOST INTENSIVE SUPPORT WOULD BE AT THAT TIER THREE LEVEL.
BUT YES, TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, IT IS REQUIRED.
REQUIRED BY WHOM? REQUIRED BY STATE.
OKAY, SIR. SO I THOUGHT IT WAS LIKE AN OVERARCHING DISCIPLINE RELATED PROGRAM.
I MEAN, YOU LOOK AT THE I DESCRIBE TIERS FOR INSTRUCTION KIND OF GENERICALLY, BUT ABSOLUTELY.
WE LOOK AT THAT TIER SYSTEM FOR FOR BEHAVIOR AS WELL.
[01:05:05]
I WOULD SAY 80% OF STUDENTS TEND TO RESPOND TO HERE ARE THE RULES ON THE ON THE WALL.ABIDE BY THOSE RULES AND THEY RESPOND TO REDIRECTION AND GENERALLY DO WHAT THEY'RE ASKED TO DO.
AND THEN AND THEN AGAIN, THAT 15% NEEDS A LITTLE EXTRA SUPPORT TO ENSURE THAT THEY Y STAY ON TRACK.
AND THEN YOU DO HAVE AND YOU AS A SCHOOL BOARD HAVE ENCOUNTERED A NUMBER OF THOSE 5% STUDENTS WHO REALLY NEED ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO FIND A WAY AND THAT AND THAT'S THE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE GENESIS FOR EXCEL.
THAT'S WHY WE HAVE EXCEL FOR THOSE STUDENTS WHO JUST CAN'T GET IT FROM A BEHAVIORAL STANDPOINT.
AND WE NEED TO TEACH THEM THE SKILLS AND HELP TO TRAIN THEM SO THAT THEY CAN COPE AND SO THAT THEY CAN CAN NAVIGATE SCHOOL LIFE AND BE SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE IT'S THEIR BEHAVIOR THAT'S KEEPING THEM FROM BEING SUCCESSFUL.
AND IF WE CAN TEACH THEM NOT TO BEHAVE THAT WAY, THEN HOPEFULLY THEY BECOME SUCCESSFUL IN SCHOOL.
MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON, I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE A QUESTION OR A STATEMENT, SO JUST BEAR WITH ME.
UM, SPECIAL NEEDS OR SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDENTS? SPECIFICALLY HIGH SCHOOLERS.
HAVE WE OR ARE WE GOING TO MAKE A MORE CONCENTRATED EFFORT TO WORK WITH THESE STUDENTS AND PARENTS FOR MORE POST-SECONDARY OPTIONS? YEAH, WILL COUNSEL WITH OUR COUNSELORS, WORK WITH OUR HIGH SCHOOLERS.
OUR SPECIFICALLY OUR SPECIAL ED HIGH SCHOOL IS MORE THIS YEAR TO MAKE A MORE CONCENTRATED EFFORT TO LOOK AND HELP THEM GET TO WHERE IT IS THEY NEED TO BE.
I DON'T FEEL CONFIDENT IN PROVIDING DETAILS ON THAT.
EDWARDS OR MS. TAYLOR WOULD LIKE TO TO SPEAK TO THAT.
BUT I DIDN'T HAVE TO YELL. UM, SO TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, WE CURRENTLY HAVE SEVERAL PROGRAMS IN PLACE THAT HAVE BEEN IN PLACE, AND ONE OF THOSE IS OUR CURRICULUM BASED INSTRUCTION PROGRAM, AND THAT IS SPECIFICALLY FOR OUR STUDENTS WHO ARE GOING THROUGH THE SOUTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL CREDENTIAL PROCESS.
SO THAT'S THE ALTERNATIVE CREDENTIAL TO THE STATE DIPLOMA FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE UNABLE TO GET A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA, BUT THEY STILL HAVE TO TAKE SPECIFIC COURSEWORK AND GET A CERTAIN NUMBER OF INTERNSHIP HOURS AND THEN THEY RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE FROM THE STATE THAT ALLOWS THEM TO TO BE UP FOR EMPLOYMENT IN MULTIPLE DIFFERENT AGENCIES.
THIS YEAR, WE'RE STARTING A NEW PROGRAM CALLED PROJECT SEARCH, WHICH IS FOR OUR STUDENTS WHO MAY NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR OUR CREDENTIAL PROGRAM BUT HAVE SOME SKILL SETS THAT THEY CAN USE TO BE EMPLOYED IN THE COMMUNITY.
AND THAT PROJECT SEARCH PROGRAM WAS ACTUALLY IN THE PAPER VERY RECENTLY.
WE SIGNED SOME STUDENTS TO IT FOR OUR INAUGURAL YEAR.
IT'S GOING TO BE HOUSED AT AIKEN HIGH AND THOSE STUDENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO TAKE SOME CLASSES, RESUME BUILDING, INDEPENDENT SKILLS, INDEPENDENT LIVING, AND THEN THEY'LL DO SOME INTERNSHIP HOURS, ACTUALLY PARTNERING WITH AIKEN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT.
SO THEY'LL BE ABLE TO WORK IN SOME OF OUR CAFETERIAS WITH OUR CUSTODIAL STAFF.
THEY MAY WORK IN SOME OF OUR CLASSROOMS WITH THE HOPE THAT AT THE END OF THE YEAR THEY WILL APPLY FOR JOBS WITHIN AIKEN COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO EMPLOY THEM STRAIGHT FROM OUR PROJECT SEARCH PROGRAM.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, ONE OF OUR FOCUSES THIS YEAR IS ACTUALLY ON OUR DIPLOMA TRACK STUDENTS AS WELL, AND NOT JUST ON POST-SCHOOL OUTCOMES WITH WORK AND EMPLOYMENT, BUT ALSO ENSURING THAT THEY GET THAT DIPLOMA AND HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR TECHNICAL SCHOOL AND COLLEGE AS WELL.
AND WE'RE PURCHASING SOME PROGRAMS TO HELP US TRACK ON TIME GRADUATION AND THOSE KINDS OF THINGS SO THAT WE CAN SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS BETTER WITH HAVING THAT DIPLOMA IN HAND TO OPEN THOSE OPPORTUNITIES UP FOR THEM WHEN THEY LEAVE HIGH SCHOOL.
HANKS, QUICK QUESTION CONCERNING DUAL MODALITY DURING THE MIDDLE OF AND TOWARDS THE END OF COVID, WE WERE IN EMERGENCY MODE AND WE SORT OF CAME UP WITH A MANDATE THAT WE WANTED ALL TEACHERS TO BE CAPABLE OF DOING THESE CERTAIN THINGS.
BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S A LARGE NUMBER OR LARGE ENOUGH NUMBER.
DO WE HAVE A PATHWAY THAT YOU ARE STILL CONSIDERING? BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO HAVE DROPPED ALONG THE WAYSIDE OF WHERE WE CAN MONITOR AND KNOW EXACTLY HOW MANY TEACHERS ARE CAPABLE OF OR WHAT WE NEED TO DO
[01:10:05]
TO GET THEM TO A POINT OF BEING COMFORTABLE WITH BOTH MODALITIES IN CASE IT'S EVER THERE'S A NEED ALWAYS.AND THAT IS I DON'T THINK THAT IS THE BEST APPROACH BECAUSE THE TECHNOLOGY IS THERE.
THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAD TWO YEARS AGO IS NOT THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE NOW.
I MENTIONED THE AUDIO ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM.
ONE OF THE FEATURES OF AUDIO ENHANCEMENT IS LESSON CAPTURE SO THAT EVERYTHING THAT THE TEACHER IS PUTTING ON THE SCREEN IS BEING CAN BE CAPTURED SO THAT STUDENTS AT HOME CAN GET THE CAN CAN GET THE LESSONS THAT WAY.
WE HAVE EVERYTHING IN PLACE TO MAKE THAT WORK.
AND MANY TEACHERS ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THAT.
THEY'RE YOU KNOW, THE LAPTOPS HAVE CAMERAS ON THEM AND THEY'RE DOING THAT.
THEY'RE GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT RUSTY.
AND WE DO NEED TO MAKE A CONCERTED EFFORT TO IMPROVE TRAINING IN THAT RESPECT.
NEXT PIECE OF THE PUZZLE WHICH WHICH WE HAVE NOT DONE YET, BUT THAT I THINK THAT WE SHOULD DO AT SOME POINT IN THE NEAR FUTURE IS TO ADD THE CAMERAS TO OUR AUDIO ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM, BECAUSE THE CAMERA, WHICH IS CONTROLLED BY THE TEACHER, ALLOWS THE TEACHER TO PROJECT EVERYTHING THAT HE OR SHE IS DOING TO.
AND I THINK THAT'S THE LOGICAL NEXT STEP THAT WE NEED TO BE MOVING TOWARD.
DR. BRADLEY HAS BEEN PUSHING FOR THAT FOR YEARS.
BUT I DON'T KNOW, 1984 WAS ALMOST 30 YEARS AGO.
SO LET'S YEAH, I JUST THINK WHATEVER WE CAN DO SO THAT THAT NUMBER OR THAT PERCENTAGE OF TEACHERS THAT ARE STILL RESISTANT OR ARE NOT UP TO PAR OR HAVE GOTTEN A LITTLE RUSTY THAT WE ARE WORKING ON AND CONTINUING TO THINK ABOUT.
YEAH, OUR BEST SALESMEN ARE THE TEACHERS WHO ARE DOING IT BECAUSE THOSE TEACHERS WHO ARE DOING IT ARE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THEY'RE NOT DEALING WITH MAKE UP WORK AND THEY'RE NOT DEALING WITH JUST THE HEADACHES THAT COME ALONG WITH STUDENTS BEING ABSENT BECAUSE IT'S NOT THE SAME STUDENT EVERY DAY.
THOSE TWO ARE ABSENT THURSDAY AND ANOTHER ONE ANOTHER DAY.
SO YOU'RE CONSTANTLY HAVING TO JUGGLE STUDENTS WHO ARE WHO ARE BEHIND ON ONE THING OR ANOTHER AND THOSE WHO ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THIS TECHNOLOGY THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO THEM ARE FINDING THAT IT DOESN'T INCREASE THEIR WORKLOAD.
THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR MR. LAURENCE? OKAY.
WE HAVE AN EMPLOYEE MATTER, WHICH IS A GRIEVANCE, AND WE HAVE A LEGAL MATTER.
GET SOME LEGAL ADVICE CONCERNING POLICY IMB.
IS THERE A MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THESE REASONS? MOVED BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON.
IS THERE A SECOND, SECOND, SECOND BY DR.
HANKS. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR FOR ENTERING EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THESE REASONS, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT'S UNANIMOUS. MOTION CARRIES.
WE'LL TAKE A SHORT TEN MINUTE BREAK AND WE'LL BE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION THE BOARD ROOM FOR AT AROUND 7:25.
[02:46:48]
OKAY WE HAVE COMPLETED EXECUTIVE SESSION.[02:46:53]
IS THERE A MOTION TO RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION?[02:46:56]
MOVED BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON.[02:46:57]
IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND BY MR.[02:46:59]
MOULTON. ANY DISCUSSION?[02:47:03]
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.[02:47:06]
THAT'S UNANIMOUS.[02:47:07]
MOTION CARRIES. WE ARE IN REGULAR SESSION.[02:47:10]
WHILE WE WERE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, WE DID DEAL WITH AN EMPLOYEE MATTER[02:47:21]
AS WELL AND HEARD SOME LEGAL ADVICE ON A POLICY.[02:47:27]
THERE WAS NO ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE BOARD AT THIS TIME BECAUSE OF THAT IS THERE A MOTION TO ADJOURN?[02:47:36]
MOVED BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON.[02:47:37]
IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND.[02:47:39]
SECOND BY DR.[02:47:40]
BRADLEY. ALTHOUGH ANY DISCUSSION.[02:47:42]
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.[02:47:44]
THAT'S UNANIMOUS.[02:47:45]
MOTION CARRIES. WE ARE ADJOURNED.* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.