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ALL RIGHT. IT IS 6:00.[00:10:05]
WE'LL CALL THE JULY 18TH MEETING OF THE AIKEN COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION TO ORDER.START ALL OUR MEETINGS WITH A MOMENT OF SILENCE AND THE PLEDGE.
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.
WE NORMALLY APPROVE MINUTES, BUT WE DO NOT HAVE ANY MINUTES PREPARED TO APPROVE TONIGHT.
BUT WE DO HAVE APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.
SO THE AGENDA WAS CIRCULATED AND PUBLISHED TO THE PUBLIC IN THE BOARD IN ADVANCE.
WE HAVE TWO REQUESTS FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.
MR. NUESSLE I THINK SOME BOARD MEMBERS.
I AM MARSHA FINNELL HARRIS, A 1962 GRADUATE OF THE JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL OF BATH, WHICH OPERATED 1956 THROUGH 1970.
IT WAS AN AIKEN COUNTY, SO CALLED SO-CALLED SEPARATE BUT EQUAL SCHOOL, ESTABLISHED THROUGH THE COLLABORATION OF THE LANGLEY BATH CLEARWATER SCHOOL DISTRICT FOUR AND THE NORTH AUGUSTA SCHOOL DISTRICT SIX AT THAT TIME.
JEFFERSON WAS NAMED FOR REVEREND AUSTIN JEFFERSON SENIOR, A COMMUNITY ADVOCATE WHO WORKED FOR BETTER EDUCATION FOR THE AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS AT THAT TIME.
JEFFERSON HIGH, WHERE I CAME FROM, HAD AN AMAZING CULTURE.
I'M THE DAUGHTER OF THE PRINCIPAL, HERMAN W FIDEL.
AND SO I DO HAVE A SPECIAL INSIGHT INTO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THAT CULTURE.
ONE THING ABOUT THAT SCHOOL WAS THAT IT WAS NOT A CULTURE ESTABLISHED BY ONE PERSON.
IT WAS A CULTURE MAYBE LED BY A PERSON, BUT EMBRACED AND ESTABLISHED AND MAINTAINED BY ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS OF THE SCHOOL.
IT WAS A CULTURE THAT VALUED COMMUNITY.
VALUED MAKING THE MOST OF MEAGER RESOURCES.
VALUED MAKING ALL BEING THE BEST THAT THEY COULD BE.
IT WAS A CULTURE THAT VALUED EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE.
I CANNOT SAY THAT ALL OF US VALUE THIS CULTURE AT THE TIME WE WERE STUDENTS BECAUSE THERE WERE SOME TIMES WHEN WE HAD TO ENJOY THE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR DEEDS, WHEN WE WERE NOT TRYING TO BE THE BEST WE COULD BE.
BUT THE BLESSING IS THAT WE CAME IN LATER YEARS TO VALUE THAT
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CULTURE. AND WE VALUE THAT CULTURE THAT MADE US TO BECOME WHAT WE ARE TODAY.WE ARE PROUD OF THE JEFFERSON LEGACY.
YOU SEE IT WHEN WE SPEAK OF THE ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHERS WITH LOVING APPRECIATION.
YOU SEE IT WHEN SO MANY OF US.
AND NOW WHEN YOU SEE WHAT SO MANY OF US AND OUR OFFSPRING HAVE BECOME.
YOU SEE IT WHEN YOU VIEW THE LEGACY PORTRAITS OF REVEREND JEFFERSON AND THE SCHOOL PRINCIPALS THAT WERE PRESENTED TO THE SCHOOL IN 2007. THE CLASS HONORED THOSE GENTLEMEN.
BUT MORE THAN THAT, THEY HONORED JEFFERSON HIGH.
THE PORTRAITS BECAME A WAY TO REMEMBER AND TO EDUCATE ABOUT A GREAT SCHOOL COMMUNITY.
THE PICTURES REPRESENT A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE AND RESPECT THAT WE HOPE WILL BE CARRIED FORTH TO FUTURE GENERATIONS.
RECENTLY, THE CURRENT PRINCIPAL OF JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY REMOVED THE LEGACY PORTRAITS FROM THE FRONT HALL PLACEMENT TO A NEARBY LOCATION, WHICH WAS LESS VISIBLE UPON ENTERING.
I AND OTHERS HAVE BEEN IN DISCUSSION WITH THE PRINCIPAL.
THERE HAS BEEN A CENTRAL SENSORY MURAL PAINTED IN THE PREVIOUS LOCATION OF THE LEGACY PORTRAITS IN HONOR OF A RECENTLY DECEASED TEACHER OF THE SCHOOL.
WHY WAS NOT MORE THOUGHT GIVEN TO HOW TO HONOR THIS TEACHER AND.
RECOGNIZE THE SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS AND STILL MAINTAIN THE PLACEMENT OF THE LEGACY PORTRAITS? I FEEL THAT THE REPOSITIONING OF THE PORTRAITS WAS AN INSENSITIVE GESTURE TOWARD THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE 1953-1970 JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL COMMUNITY.
EVEN AFTER MY DISCUSSION AND MEETING WITH THE PRINCIPAL TODAY, I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS.
I HAVE TALKED WITH OTHERS IN MY COMMUNITY WHO HAVE QUESTIONS.
WE WANT TO BE COMFORTABLE WITH THE DECISION ON REMEMBERING OUR LEGACY AND EDUCATING OTHERS TOWARD ITS VALUE.
THIS LEADS ME TO OTHER QUESTIONS FOR THE BOARD.
AS A SYSTEM HAVE YOU HAVE YOU DOCUMENTED YOUR HISTORY? WHAT IS THE LEGACY OF THIS SCHOOL SYSTEM? HOW DO YOU BUILD UPON ITS VALUE AND CURRENT? HOW DO YOU BUILD UPON ITS VALUE FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE STUDENTS? IS THERE A POLICY OR PROCEDURE FOR THE DISPOSITION OR USE OF ARTIFACTS THAT HAVE BEEN TREASURES OF SCHOOLS THAT ARE NOW CLOSED? IS THIS DECISION MADE BY ONE PERSON? OR IS THERE A PURPOSEFUL PROCEDURE IN PLACE THAT
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SEEKS THE INPUT OF ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS AND THE COMMUNITY.I REALLY DON'T WANT TO INTERRUPT, BUT THE OUR POLICY IS FOR FIVE MINUTES AND WE'VE GONE OVER THAT.
THANK YOU. AND I'M JUST TRYING TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE TIME TO GIVE EQUAL TIME TO THE SECOND PERSON.
OUR SECOND REQUEST FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IS MR. DAVE POLLAN WHO'S GOING TO SPEAK TO US IN OPPOSITION TO OUR REVISION TO POLICY IJK SECOND READING.
COULD YOU RAISE IT UP A LITTLE BIT.
MR. POLLAN YOU'VE GOT THE REMAINDER OF OUR 15 MINUTES.
WE A LOT IN THE SECOND MEETING.
WELL, I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THAT AND I RESPECT YOUR GIVING THE LADY THE TIME.
FIRST OF ALL, GOOD EVENING, BOARD MEMBERS SUPERINTENDENT, BECAUSE WE ARE IN 23-24 I WANT TO WISH YOU THE BEST OF SUCCESS IN ALL YOUR ENDEAVORS THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT FOR ALL STAFF AND ALL CHILDREN.
I WOULD SAY THAT WITH REGARD TO SELECTING SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS, EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT IS ORIGINATED BY TEACHERS AND PERHAPS THE PRINCIPAL, BUT IT'S ORIGINATED FOR THE VERY LARGEST PART BY TEACHERS AND THOSE WHO WILL USE THEM.
SO MY COMMENTS ARE DIRECTED AT THE POLICY FROM WHERE THAT CHOICE AND SELECTION ORIGINATES.
SO TEACHERS HAVE CLAIMED DIRECTLY TO ME AND INDIRECTLY IN OTHER FORUMS HERE IN THE DISTRICT THAT THEY WANT AUTONOMY FOR MAKING THOSE CHOICES, BECAUSE NOT ONLY ARE THEY TRAINED. THEY ARE LICENSED AND THEY ARE WELL EXPERTS IN THEIR CHOSEN COURSES OF INSTRUCTION, AND I RESPECT THAT.
HOWEVER, THE BOARD ENGAGES IN POLICIES SPECIFICALLY MEANT TO DO WHAT? TO OVERSEE AND ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE POLICIES THAT YOU DIRECT.
I SUGGEST TO YOU VERY STRONGLY THAT THE TEACHERS REQUIRE VIA POLICY IJK A TIGHTER RESTRICTION ON THEIR AUTONOMY AND YOUR OVERSIGHT.
SO I HAVE SIX RECOMMENDATIONS THAT I'D LIKE TO BRING FORWARD TO YOU.
I PRESENTED THESE IN EMAIL FORM TO MEMBERS SELECT MEMBERS, MY REPRESENTATIVE, CHAIRMAN NUESSLE ADMINISTRATORS, AND ALSO ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND ONE SENATOR THAT REPRESENT US IN THE ELECTORATE LOCALLY.
I WAS GIVEN 100% SUPPORT BY ONE OF THOSE ELECTED OFFICIALS.
SO ITEM NUMBER ONE WOULD BE THAT ALL MATERIALS, EVERY SINGLE ITEM THAT IS IDENTIFIED VIA THE POLICY AS A SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL BE IN FULL COMPLIANCE WITH TITLE 59, THE EDUCATIONAL SOUTH CAROLINA CODE AND PROVISO 1.93, WHICH REPLACES PROVISO 1.105 LAST YEAR.
IT'S A BUDGET PROVISO AND IT HAS TO DO WITH THE USE OF CRT BASED AND DISCRIMINATORY MATERIALS.
IT'S ALSO REFERRED TO AS PARTISAN CURRICULUM IN 1.93.
ALL MATERIALS GO AND GET LEGAL COMPLIANCE.
NUMBER TWO, ALL MATERIALS ARE REVIEWED TO BE COMPLIANT WITH 1.93 PROVISO 1.93 BEFORE THEY ARE USED.
IN OTHER WORDS, THEY CANNOT BE USED WHILE A REVIEW IS UNDERWAY.
THEY MUST BE APPROVED AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH 1.93 BEFORE THEY ARE USED.
CURRENTLY YOUR EDIT SUGGESTS AND IS WRITTEN SUCH THAT ONLY NOVELS ARE REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY A INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICE DIVISION PANEL.
MY POSITION IS THAT ALL MATERIALS, INCLUDING ALL OF THOSE MATERIALS THAT YOU LIST ITEMS A THROUGH J, I BELIEVE, AND TO INCLUDE NOVELS, ALL OF THEM BE REVIEWED BY THIS PANEL.
NUMBER FOUR ALL MATERIALS BE ALLOWED TO BE PREVIEWED PARDON ME BY PARENTS AND LEGAL GUARDIANS.
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WHEREBY A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME IS ALLOTTED TO PARENTS TO PREVIEW SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS EITHER BY THE PRINCIPAL SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS.NUMBER FIVE. ALL OF THESE SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS WILL BE SUBJECT TO AN ADJUDICATION OF NEED, WHICH IS TO SAY THAT WHOEVER IS PRESENTING THE SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL WILL NEED TO ARTICULATE WHY IT IS NEEDED, WHAT IS THE PURPOSE AND WHAT IS THE JUSTIFICATION. AND THEN THAT IS FURTHER SUBMITTED FOR REVIEW BY THE PRINCIPAL AND IT MUST BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH POLICY IJK.
SO WE NEED TO HAVE THE TEACHERS AND THE PRINCIPAL JUSTIFY WHY WE'RE BRINGING IT IN.
WHAT PURPOSE DOES IT SERVE? SO THAT IT CAN BE JUSTIFIED.
NUMBER SIX, ALL THE SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS WILL BE ACCOUNTED FOR SUCH THAT THEY ACCOUNT FOR A LIMITED PERCENTAGE OF THE ENTIRETY OF ANY COURSE OF INSTRUCTION.
FOR EXAMPLE, WE'RE TEACHING BIOLOGY AND WE HAVE SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS RECOMMENDED AND APPROVED FOR MONTH ONE, WEEK SIX, 3 OR 4 TIMES IN WEEK EIGHT, A COUPLE OF TIMES IN WEEK NINE, A COUPLE IN MONTH FOUR, MONTH FIVE.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE BOARD ESTABLISH A POLICY IN CONJUNCTION AND COOPERATION WITH OTHER EDUCATORS AND ADMINISTRATORS SUCH THAT SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS IS LIMITED TO A MINOR PERCENTAGE BECAUSE AS TAXPAYERS, WE PAY FOR THE STATE CURRICULUM THAT YOU'RE REQUIRED TO USE.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOU PRESCRIBE A LIMIT ON THE PERCENTAGE OF THE MATERIAL THAT IS SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL IN ANY GIVEN COURSE OF INSTRUCTION.
AND I KNOW WE DON'T HAVE A BACK AND FORTH HERE, BUT I VERY SINCERELY APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORT TO ADDRESS THE POLICIES AND TO EDIT THEM AND TO DILIGENTLY CONSIDER COMMENTARY FROM THE PUBLIC.
AND I APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THAT BRINGS US TO OFFICE OF THE BOARD CHAIRMAN.
I NORMALLY DON'T SAY MUCH OR ANYTHING AT ALL.
I DO WANT TO GIVE A WARM WELCOME BACK TO EDUCATORS AS THEY COME BACK TO THEY'VE PROBABLY BEEN BACK FOR A WHILE, BUT OFFICIALLY COME BACK TOMORROW.
AND WE HAVE A VERY HEARTFELT WELCOME BACK.
WE WON'T HAVE ANOTHER MEETING NEXT WEEK FOR STUDENTS NEXT TUESDAY.
SO WELCOME BACK TO STUDENTS AS WELL.
ALL RIGHT. THAT BRINGS US TO OUR INDIVIDUAL ITEMS WE'RE GOING TO COVER TONIGHT.
AND THE FIRST INDIVIDUAL ITEM, A1 IS PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS.
HUMAN RESOURCES HAS PROVIDED A LIST OF CERTIFIED AND CLASSIFIED PERSONNEL THAT WE MUST APPROVE.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS AS PRESENTED? MOVED BY MISS RHINEHART JACKSON.
IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND BY MR. SMITH. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS AS PRESENTED, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT'S UNANIMOUS. MOTION CARRIES.
SECOND WE HAVE UPDATED OUR ORGANIZATIONAL CHART AND POLICY CCA.
THIS IS THE SECOND READING, JUST THE CHANGE TO THE ORGANIZATION CHART IN POLICY CCA IS THE ADDITION OF THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR SPECIAL PROGRAMS. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE UPDATE TO THE ORG CHART IN CCA? MOVED BY MISS RHINEHART JACKSON.
IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND BY DR.
HANKS. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT'S UNANIMOUS MOTION CARRIES.
POLICY CCA WITH THE NEW ORG CHART IS APPROVED.
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THAT BRINGS US TO ANOTHER SECOND READING, AND I'M GOING TO LIST ALL THE POLICIES.BUT THE WE'VE GOT CHANGES TO POLICIES, GCC AND POLICY GDC.
THIS IS THE SECOND READING AND THE CHANGES WHICH WE HAVE COPIES OF AND THIS IS SECOND READING IS TO IMPLEMENT THE PARENTAL LEAVE THAT WAS REQUIRED BY THE STATE.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CHANGES ON SECOND READING TO GCC AND GDC? MOVED BY MISS RHINEHART JACKSON.
IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND, SECOND BY MR. SMITH? ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THE REVISIONS TO POLICY GCC AND GDC IS APPROVED ON SECOND READING.
THE NEXT SUBJECT IS A ESSENTIALLY A BUDGET AMENDMENT.
BUT THE ADMINISTRATION HAS PROPOSED AND WE HAVE THE WRITE UP HERE.
HAVE PROPOSED A BUDGET AMENDMENT TO CREATE GIRLS AND BOYS LACROSSE SUPPLEMENTS.
AVAILABLE TO ANY HIGH SCHOOL IN THE COUNTY THAT FIELDS LACROSSE TEAM.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THAT BUDGET AMENDMENT? SO I HEARD MR. SMITH MADE THE MOTION.
AND HEARD SECOND BY MISS TYLER.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS BUDGET AMENDMENT? DR. BRADLEY.
A LITTLE UNDER $100,000, BUT ONE OF THESE GUYS CAN GIVE YOU THE EXACT NUMBER.
YES, SIR. THAT'S GOOD EVENING, BOARD MEMBERS.
MR. NUESSLE. MR. LAWRENCE? YES, SIR.
THE ESTIMATED COST IS $100,000 ON THIS IF ALL SUPPLEMENTS WERE BEING USED.
OUR RECOMMENDATION IS THAT WE ONLY PAY SUPPLEMENTS FOR THOSE THAT ARE BEING USED.
MR. TRAXLER THE TOTAL EXPOSURE IS MAY BE $98,000 A YEAR IN THAT BALLPARK.
YES, SIR. IF ALL WERE UTILIZED.
WHY ARE WE DOING THIS NOW? WHY DIDN'T WE DO THIS WHEN WE DID THE BUDGET? I DON'T YOU KNOW, WE SPENT HOURS TALKING ABOUT ATHLETICS.
I MEAN, I JUST THINK THE TIME TO DO IT IS BUDGET TIME.
I AGREE WITH YOU. I THINK I THINK THIS WAS AN OVERSIGHT.
SO IT WAS MORE OF A ON A VOLUNTEER BASIS.
AND THEY ACTUALLY HAD THE GIRLS ACTUALLY MADE IT TO THE PLAYOFFS THE FIRST TIME OUT.
AND ONE OF THE ONE OF THE BOYS GOT A SCHOLARSHIP IN LACROSSE.
AND A LOT OF THOSE THINGS CAME TO LIGHT KIND OF AT THE END OF THE BUDGET PROCESS.
AND I DID ASK US TO RECONSIDER INCLUDING THOSE LACROSSE SUPPLEMENTS.
CORRECT? WELL, IT'S A SPRING SPORT.
I GUESS IT'S POSSIBLE THAT A SCHOOL COULD FIELD LACROSSE TEAM FOR THE SPRING SEASON.
SO IN LINE WITH TRACK AND BASEBALL.
SOFTBALL. OTHER QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION OF MR. SILAS. I STILL HAVE ONE YOU ANSWERED TO AS TO WHEN IT IS AND CONFIRMING THAT WE ONLY HAD ONE SCHOOL INTERESTED HAVE WHAT ARE OUR ATHLETIC DIRECTORS SAYING ABOUT THIS ACROSS THE DISTRICT? ARE THEY IN SUPPORT OF THIS?
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DO THEY WANT IT AS AS A GROUP.OUR UNDERSTANDING IS THAT WHEN THE GROUP MET IN NOVEMBER PRIOR TO THE BUDGET REQUEST BEING SUBMITTED, THAT ALL WERE ON BOARD AND AFFIRMED THAT THEY WERE BEHIND DOING THIS.
DO YOU REMEMBER IF THAT WAS PART OF THEIR WANT LIST WHEN IT CAME TO THE BUDGET? I DON'T RECALL. YES, SIR.
IT WAS AMONG THE BUDGET REQUEST ITEMS THAT WERE LISTED.
IT DIDN'T INDICATE WHO SAID YES OR NO.
BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE GROUP AS A WHOLE WAS ON BOARD WITH OFFERING LACROSSE.
WHAT OTHER SPRING SPORTS DO YOU KNOW? IS THERE GOING TO BE A PROBLEM WITH COORDINATING THAT? AND, YOU KNOW, JUST A THOUGHT I HAD.
YOU'RE CORRECT. I CAN'T ANSWER THAT ONE.
I KNEW YOU COULDN'T, BUT IT'S JUST A THOUGHT I HAD.
BUT AS FAR AS I CAN TELL, THEY CAN HIDE IT AND HAVE ANY TROUBLE COORDINATING IT THIS YEAR.
MR. BROOME. MY BIG CONCERN WITH THIS IS AND THIS I'M GOING TO SPEAK VERY STRAIGHT.
I THINK WE WOEFULLY UNDERPAID THE COACHES IN THE SPORTS THAT WE HAVE NOW.
I KNOW THERE WAS SOME RAISE GIVEN, BUT I THINK WHEN WE DO OUR SALARY STUDY, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT WE'RE NOT EVEN COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER DISTRICTS WHEN IT COMES TO OUR SPORTS. AND IT SHOWS WITH, YOU KNOW, BACK IN THE OLDER DAYS, YOU HAD COACHES THAT JUST STAYED WITH THE KIDS, AND THEY DID THAT BECAUSE THEY LOVED IT.
BUT NOW MONEY PLAYS A BIG PART IN ATHLETES.
AND THE MORE WE OFFER, WHICH I'M A SPORTS GUY, I'D LOVE TO OFFER EVERY SPORT, BUT ALL I'M SAYING IS WE'RE I THINK WE'RE ALREADY SPENT SPREAD WAY THIN.
AND I THINK IT'S SOMETHING WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIX IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
AND THE MORE WE PUT ON THE PLATE, THE MORE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIX.
I'D LOVE TO SEE US DO A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS, BUT I MEAN, YOU LOOK AT THE SUPPLEMENTS WE GOT NOW, THEY NOT COMING CLOSE TO COVERING WHAT WE'RE ASKING SOME OF THESE COACHES TO DO, AT LEAST OUT IN MY AREA, I DON'T KNOW WHAT SOME OF THE OTHER AREAS HANDLE THEIR HEAD COACHES, BUT WHEN YOU'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FIELD, YOU'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING WITH THE SUPPLEMENTS WE GOT.
IT'S JUST TOUGH. I MEAN, AND IT'S SHOWING MORE AND MORE AND THE PEOPLE WILLING TO DO IT.
SO THAT'S THAT'S MY ONLY COMMENT.
SO WE'RE ASKING FOR THE BOARD TO APPROVE A BUDGET FOR $100,000, GIVE OR TAKE A LITTLE FOR ALL SCHOOLS, NOT KNOWING HOW MANY ACTUALLY WANT TO PARTICIPATE.
WORST CASE, WE'RE ANTICIPATING $100,000.
BUT AT THIS POINT, AIKEN HIGH IS THE ONLY ONE ACTUALLY FIELDING TEAMS. DID WE GIVE AN ADDITIONAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE ATHLETIC DIRECTORS AT DURING THIS LAST BUDGET AMENDMENT? BECAUSE THEY'RE ALWAYS ASKING AND IT'S ALWAYS BEING SAID THAT THEY'RE NOT UP TO PAR ON THE PAY.
SO IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR WE HAD A 40% INCREASE IN THE SO THAT'S SIGNIFICANT.
SORRY. OTHER QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION? DR. BRADLEY.
WE'RE OPENING THE YEAR WITH SOME TEACHER VACANCIES AND WE SEE THOSE BEING OFFSET.
THE SUPPLEMENTS BEING OFFSET BY THOSE TEACHER VACANCIES.
YEAH. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR MR. TRAXLER? THANK YOU, MR. TRAXLER. I JUST THINK JUST TO AS A POINT OF DISCUSSION AND THEN WE CAN HAVE OTHER POINTS OF DISCUSSION.
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DID THIS WITH NO FUNDING EXCEPT FOR MAYBE SOME GRANT MONEY.BUT I'LL BEFORE I CALL FOR A VOTE, I JUST ASK IF THERE'S ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION.
I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE THE BUDGET AMENDMENT.
OH, WE'RE SORRY. WE'RE ALREADY THERE, AREN'T WE? WE WERE AT DISCUSSION. I DON'T KNOW WHY I DID THAT.
WE ALREADY HAD. DID WE ALREADY HAVE A MOTION? YEP. I APOLOGIZE.
I GOT LOST IN THAT, SO I DIDN'T NEED TO DO THAT.
ALL THOSE OPPOSED, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT'S FIVE. THE MOTION FAILS.
MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE UTILIZATION PLAN ADOPTION.
SO THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE PROCUREMENT CODE REQUIRES THAT WE ADOPT A PROCUREMENT CODE, YOU KNOW, BASICALLY ADOPT A MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE UTILIZATION PLAN.
AND WE WERE GIVEN THAT FOR CONSIDERATION AND CONSIDERATION.
EXCUSE ME. AND YOU HAVE THE DETAILS OF THAT.
IS THERE A MOTION TO ADOPT? THE UTILIZATION PLAN MOVED BY MS. RHINEHART JACKSON.
IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND BY MR. MOULTON. ANY DISCUSSION.
MISS TYLER. I SEE THAT IT'S ACTUALLY 10% BEING SUGGESTED.
DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MUCH WE CURRENTLY SPEND ON MBES? YES, MA'AM, WE ACTUALLY HAVE.
WE HAVE OUR OUR ANNUAL MINORITY REPORT THAT'S INCLUDED ON THE BOARD AGENDA TONIGHT.
AND WHAT PERCENTAGE WOULD YOU SAY THAT IS? BUDGET OR YOUR TOTAL SPEND? LESS THAN 10%.
ONE OF THE DECISION POINTS HERE IS WHAT EXPENDITURES WE WOULD COUNT WHEN DETERMINING THAT PERCENTAGE TAKEN OUT, SALARIES TAKEN OUT, FRINGE UTILITIES, THINGS OF THAT NATURE, FOCUSING ON SUPPLIES, SERVICES, CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS.
I DIDN'T RUN THE PERCENTAGE, BUT I WOULD VENTURE TO GUESS WELL BELOW 10%.
IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT 10% IS THE MINIMUM STANDARD THAT IS IN THE LEGISLATION, THAT'S THE GOAL.
OKAY. THANK YOU. I JUST DIDN'T MY CONCERN WAS IF WE WERE WELL BELOW THAT NOW, I WOULD BE CONCERNED THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO REACH THAT GOAL WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR OR SO WITHOUT PROPER PLANNING AND SEEKING OUT SMALL BUSINESSES.
YES. I WILL ADD, IF I MAY, WE, UM, WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS PUT A LOT OF EFFORT INTO IDENTIFYING MINORITY BUSINESSES.
SO WE ASK ALL VENDORS TO SUBMIT VENDOR INFO FORMS AND IDENTIFY THEMSELVES.
SO WE WE DID IDENTIFY THOSE VENDORS IN OUR SYSTEM.
THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION.
ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO ADOPT THE MBE UTILIZATION PLAN.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
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IT'S APPROVED.THE LAST INDIVIDUAL ITEM NUMBER SIX IS SECOND READING OF OUR REVISION TO POLICY IJK SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL SELECTION AND ADOPTION, WHICH WE REVIEWED AT THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THAT REVISION ON SECOND READING? MOVED BY MISS RHINEHART JACKSON.
DISCUSSION. MR. SILAS. YES, SIR.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I'M SATISFIED WITH THE REVISION WE MADE AND THE REASON WE MADE IT BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM THAT CAME OUR WAY WITH ADDITIONAL REVIEW OF NOVELS. AND I'M OKAY WITH GIVING OUR PRINCIPALS THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE SOME JUDGMENTS ON SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS.
YOU KNOW, OF THE OF THE OTHER NATURES THAT WERE DESCRIBED OR LISTED.
BUT, MR. LAURENCE, DO YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE IN MAKING THEIR DETERMINATION AND CONSIDERATION, THAT THEY'RE EXTREMELY AWARE OF THE POLARIZING NATURE OF OUR SOCIETY AND SOME OF THESE TOPICS? I MEAN, IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY IF NOT EVERY DAY, EVERY WEEK, CERTAINLY A SCHOOL DISTRICT AND A SCHOOL BOARD SOMEWHERE IS CALLED TO THE CARPET FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS DONE IN A SCHOOL.
SO IT'S JUST MY ASK THAT OUR PRINCIPALS ARE MADE AWARE OF THE NATURE OF SOME OF THESE THINGS THAT THEY MAY JUST FLIPPANTLY APPROVE AND CONSIDER, YOU KNOW, THE THE GRAVITY OF SOME OF THOSE DECISIONS.
YES, SIR, THEY ARE. AND THAT'S WHY THAT MORE SPECIFIC LANGUAGE WAS PUT IN THERE TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT MATERIALS THAT ARE AGE AND SUBJECT TOPIC APPROPRIATE AND THAT THEY DON'T CONTAIN ANYTHING THAT WOULD VIOLATE ANY STATUTES OR BE QUESTIONABLE FROM THE STANDPOINT OF COMMUNITY STANDARDS.
MR. MOULTON MR. LAURENCE IT'S PROBABLY JUST ONE QUESTION FOR YOU.
THAT'S THE STATEMENT. THE QUESTION IS THIS THE ONE THING THAT HE SAID THAT KIND OF CAUGHT MY ATTENTION WAS WHAT PERCENTAGE OF A CLASS OF A CURRICULUM ARE SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS? AND THAT'S A LITTLE CONCERNING.
WE GO THROUGH A LOT OF TROUBLE TO APPROVE CURRICULUM FOR CLASSROOMS. AND SO IF YOU HAD A CLASS THAT 40% OF IT IS SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL, WHICH I'M SURE IT WOULDN'T BE, THAT WOULD BE DO WE HAVE A LIMIT? SHOULD WE HAVE A LIMIT? THAT'S MY QUESTION.
YEAH, I WOULD TEND TO AGREE WITH THAT, THERE SHOULD BE A LIMIT TO THE AMOUNT OF SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS IF A CLASS IS OVERWHELMED BY SUPPLEMENTAL THINGS, WHAT'S THE POINT OF, AS YOU SUGGEST, HAVING A CURRICULUM? SO SO I WOULD AGREE WITH THAT.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT PERCENTAGE WOULD BE, BUT AND IT WOULD PROBABLY FLUCTUATE FROM TIME TO TIME.
WELL, IF YOU'RE A TEACHER OF OF EUROPEAN HISTORY AND, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE YOU'RE TEACHING A UNIT ON EASTERN EUROPE AND YOU LOOK AT UKRAINE AND YOU'RE GOING TO BRING IN THE WAR WITH WITH RUSSIA.
BUT THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE COURSE SHOULD CERTAINLY BE FOCUSED ON THE THE APPROVED CURRICULUM.
ABSOLUTELY. BUT EVEN THAT, THE PRINCIPAL NEEDS TO APPROVE IT.
BRADLEY. I AGREE WITH MUCH OF WHAT MR. POLLAN SAID ON HIS SIX POINTS.
I CAN PICK UP 3 OR 4 OF THOSE THAT I LIKE.
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GROW AND BE MODIFIED AS WE EXPERIENCE THE APPLICATION OF THE POLICY TO THE PROBLEMS THAT COME ALONG.AND I BASICALLY FAVOR IT IN ITS FORM NOW.
AND WE CAN ALWAYS COME BACK AND MAKE CHANGES IF WE NEED TO AT SOME FUTURE DATE.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE REVISION TO POLICY IJK ON SECOND READING.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT'S UNANIMOUS. MOTION CARRIES.
THAT WAS OUR LAST INDIVIDUAL ITEM.
KIND OF SORTA, BECAUSE AS WE MOVE TO A CONSENT ITEMS, THIS IS A AGENDA PLANNING SNAFU.
WE HAVE ONE CONSENT ITEM, SO IT COULD HAVE JUST BEEN INDIVIDUAL ITEM SEVEN.
NORMALLY LOCAL BOARD COURSES ARE IN CONSENT ITEMS. SO WHAT WE'VE GOT HERE IS AN ADDITIONAL LIST OF COURSES THREE DESIGNATED AS LOCALLY.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THESE LOCAL BOARD COURSES FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR? MOVED BY DR. HANKS.
SECOND BY MISS RHINEHART JACKSON.
DISCUSSION? UM, I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS.
THE THREE CLASSES AS LOCAL COURSES TEND TO BE OR ELECTIVE IN NATURE.
RIGHT? AND IN THIS CASE, WE'VE GOT BASICALLY AN ARTS CLASS AND THEN AN ELA CLASS AND AN ROTC CLASS OR JUNIOR ROTC.
ARE THESE CLASSES HAVE? DO THEY USE TEXTBOOKS OR DO THEY NOT USE TEXTBOOKS? SO IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING AND FIRST OF ALL [INAUDIBLE].
I DO WANT TO MENTION THAT THESE THREE COURSES WERE INADVERTENTLY LEFT OFF BY MR. POSTELL. THEY WERE DELIVERED IN APRIL AND AN EMAIL GOT LOST, SO THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE ORIGINAL [INAUDIBLE].
FROM WHAT MY UNDERSTANDING IS FROM MR. POSTELL AND BY THE WAY, HE'S OUT TONIGHT DOING INTERVIEWS FOR BUT THE MATERIALS ARE IN HOUSE AND AVAILABLE.
UM, BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN APPROVED PRIOR TO TONIGHT.
AND FOR INSTANCE, THE ART FIBER AND TEXTILE IS JUST COURSE NUMBER TWO.
COURSE NUMBER ONE IS APPROVED AND THE MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE IN HOUSE.
AND NOW IT'S BACK JUST BECAUSE THE THERE'S AN INTEREST FOR THAT CONTENT.
OTHER QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION? WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THIS LIST OF THREE LOCAL COURSES, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT'S UNANIMOUS. MOTION CARRIES.
THAT TAKES CARE OF OUR ONE CONSENT ITEM, WHICH LEADS US TO SOME INFORMATIONAL ITEMS IN CASE THE MR. TRAXLER PROVIDED TWO REPORTS FOR US.
IN THIS CASE, WE HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW THEM IN ADVANCE.
I DON'T THINK YOU HAVE A PRESENTATION ON THIS, MR. TRAXLER. NO, BUT HE CERTAINLY IS AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS.
DID ANYBODY HAVE QUESTIONS UPON FOR MR. TRAXLER UPON REVIEW OF THOSE TWO REPORTS? OKAY. WE DO NOT HAVE ANY INDIVIDUAL BOARD ITEMS FOR THIS MEETING.
THIS BRINGS US TO THE SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE, MR. LAURENCE. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
I JUST WANT TO JOIN MR. NUESSLE IN WELCOMING THE MAJORITY OF OUR INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF BACK TOMORROW.
OUR TEACHERS WILL BE BACK ON A.
[00:55:01]
FOR THEIR OFFICIAL FIRST DAY.AS MR. NUESSLE NOTED, TEACHERS HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR QUITE SOME TIME THIS SUMMER, BUT TOMORROW BEING THE FIRST OFFICIAL DAY AND THEN A WEEK FROM TOMORROW, OUR STUDENTS WILL BE RETURNING. IN MY REPORT LAST WEEK I MENTIONED THAT WE WERE WELL, THAT WE WERE HOPEFUL, BUT I WAS CONFIDENT THAT THAT WE WOULD BE IN HIGHLAND SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL ON TIME.
AND THAT IS LOOKING MORE AND MORE LIKELY.
WE FEEL VERY, VERY GOOD ABOUT THAT.
WE INFORMED PARENTS THAT WE WERE CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC THAT THAT EVERYTHING WAS GOING WELL.
TEACHERS ARE ALLOWED IN THE BUILDING TOMORROW.
SO THE STATE HAS GIVEN US THE OKAY FOR TEACHERS TO BE IN THAT BUILDING SO THEY'LL BE ABLE TO DO THEIR NORMAL ROUTINES AND GET THEIR CLASSROOMS SET UP AND BE READY FOR STUDENTS ON TUESDAY.
WE DO HAVE 1 OR 2 HURDLES TO GET OVER BETWEEN BETWEEN NOW AND MONDAY WITH SOME INSPECTIONS.
BUT WE ARE VERY CONFIDENT THAT THOSE ARE GOING TO GO SMOOTHLY.
AND WHILE I CAN'T SAY WITH 100% ASSURANCE THAT STUDENTS WILL BE IN IN THOSE CLASS ROOMS ON JULY 25TH.
I BELIEVE VERY STRONGLY THAT THEY WILL BE.
AND AND WE HAVE ASSURANCES FROM OUR CONTRACTOR THAT THINGS ARE GOING ACCORDING TO PLAN AND WE SHOULD BE READY IF FOR SOME REASON WE ARE DELAYED, WE HAVE OUR CONTINGENCY PLANS.
BUT AT THIS POINT, WE DO NOT BELIEVE WE'RE GOING TO NEED THOSE CONTINGENCY PLANS.
THANK YOU. [INAUDIBLE] THANK YOU, SIR.
WE WILL NEED AN EXECUTIVE SESSION TONIGHT.
AND THEN WE HAVE EMPLOYEE AGREEMENTS AND FOLLOWING THE EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETING, THE BOARD WILL RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION TO ANNOUNCE THE MATTERS CONSIDERED AND TAKE ANY ACTIONS AS MAY BE NECESSARY.
IS THERE A MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THESE REASONS? MOVED BY MS. RHINEHART JACKSON.
IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND BY MR. SMITH. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF ENTERING EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THESE REASONS, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
LET'S TAKE ROUGHLY A TEN MINUTE BREAK AND WE'LL START AT 7:00 IN THE ROOM.
[02:05:58]
ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE HAD OUR EXECUTIVE SESSION AND WE ARE IN NEED OF A MOTION TO RE ENTER REGULAR SESSION.[02:06:06]
MOVED BY MISS RHINEHART JACKSON, IS SECONDED BY MR.[02:06:09]
SMITH. ANY DISCUSSION?[02:06:12]
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF ENTERING REGULAR SESSION, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.[02:06:15]
THAT'S UNANIMOUS.[02:06:16]
MOTION CARRIES. WE ARE IN REGULAR SESSION.[02:06:19]
WHILE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION WE HAD TWO MATTERS THAT WE ON THE AGENDA.[02:06:25]
BOTH EMPLOYMENT MATTERS.[02:06:27]
THE FIRST OF WHICH WAS THE ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENT FOR RIDGE SPRING MONETTA MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL.[02:06:34]
IS THERE A MOTION CONCERNING THAT ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENT?[02:06:41]
YES, SIR. I'LL MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT THE DISTRICT'S RECOMMENDATION FOR PRINCIPAL AT RIDGE MONETTA.[02:06:49]
SECOND. MOTION HAS BEEN MADE BY MR.[02:06:51]
SILAS, SECONDED BY MR.[02:06:52]
SMITH, TO ACCEPT THE DISTRICT RECOMMENDATION FOR THAT ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENT.DISCUSSION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE DISTRICT'S RECOMMENDATION FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENT AT RSM MIDDLE-HIGH, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT IS SEVEN.
ALL THOSE OPPOSED, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
ALSO, WHILE WE WERE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, WE HAD A CONSIDERED A EMPLOYEE GRIEVANCE.
AND I MOVE THAT BASED ON THE BOARD'S REVIEW OF THE WRITTEN RECORD REGARDING AN EMPLOYEE GRIEVANCE AND DISCUSSION OF THE MATTER DURING EXECUTIVE SESSION, THE BOARD FIND THAT THE ALLEGATIONS IN THE EMPLOYEES GRIEVANCE WERE UNSUBSTANTIATED AND THAT THE BOARD DENIED THE REQUEST FOR ANY FURTHER PROCEEDINGS INVOLVING THE GRIEVANCE.
IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND BY DR.
BRADLEY. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE MOTION IN REGARDS TO THE EMPLOYEE GRIEVANCE, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THOSE ABSTAINING? THAT'S ONE. MISS TYLER.
MOVED BY MISS RHINEHART. JACKSON.
IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND BY MISS TYLER.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
WE ARE ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.