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MIC] FOLKS WE'RE KIND OF WAITING ON OUR LEADERSHIP TO GET HERE.
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THERE WAS A LEGISLATIVE MEETING TODAY AT 5:00 AND WE HAD TO HAVE SOMEONE ATTEND, AND THEY'RE ATTENDING.WE'RE WAITING ON THEM TO GET HERE.
AND I'M BEING TOLD IT MAY BE CLOSER TO QUARTER TIL BEFORE WE CAN GET STARTED.
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FOLKS, I'VE ALWAYS SAID WHEN YOU WORK WITH EDUCATION, YOU HAVE TO BE FLUID IN YOUR IN YOUR PROGRESS AND THOUGHTS AND SO FORTH.YOU HAVE TO BE READY TO CHANGE. SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE A CHANGE.
I JUST RECEIVED A MESSAGE THAT THEY'RE STILL TALKING WITH THE LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION.
UM, AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, WE ALWAYS START OUR MEETINGS OFF WITH A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
AND IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE JOIN ME IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
OKAY. IF YOU WOULD PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE.
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.
AT THIS POINT, WE NEED TO APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES FOR AUGUST THE 8TH.
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THAT'S WHAT I MEANT TO SAY.EXCUSE ME. APPROVAL OF AGENDA.
OKAY, NOW APPROVAL OF MINUTES.
DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF AUGUST 8TH AND SPECIAL CALL MEETING ON AUGUST 15TH.
GOOD EVENING, MR. CHAIRMAN. ACTING MR. VICE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE.
I'M JOHN PETTIGREW AND I HAVE A STUDENT AT AIKEN HIGH SCHOOL WHO'S A JUNIOR, AND I JUST HAD A STUDENT GRADUATE FROM AIKEN HIGH SCHOOL AFTER FOUR YEARS THERE. SO THIS IS OUR FIFTH YEAR WITH EXPERIENCE AT AIKEN HIGH SCHOOL AND ALSO I SERVE ON THE AREA ONE ADVISORY COMMITTEE THANKS TO Y'ALL'S APPOINTMENT THERE, AND I'VE ENJOYED THAT EXPERIENCE.
AND DURING THOSE MEETINGS WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS A LOT OF ISSUES WITHIN THE AREA ONE SCHOOLS, AND IT'S BEEN VERY BENEFICIAL.
AND I JUST WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU A FEW THOUGHTS TONIGHT.
IF STUDENTS DON'T FEEL SAFE, DON'T FEEL SECURE, IT'S EXTREMELY HARD TO LEARN.
AND LATELY, THERE HAVE BEEN MORE AND MORE PROBLEMS AT AIKEN HIGH SCHOOL UNFORTUNATELY, AND UNFORTUNATELY, THOSE PROBLEMS HAVE SEEMED TO HAVE GOTTEN WORSE.
IT'S HURT THE REPUTATION OF OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT AND IT'S HURT THE REPUTATION OF OUR COMMUNITY.
AND I URGE YOU STRONGLY TO CAREFULLY CONSIDER WHAT WE CAN DO TO MAKE THINGS BETTER THERE AT AIKEN HIGH SCHOOL. AND THESE THINGS DIDN'T JUST START HAPPENING THIS YEAR.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH THE BOARD HAS BEEN INFORMED ABOUT THINGS LAST YEAR THERE WERE A NUMBER OF INSTANCES TOWARD THE END OF THE YEAR AND THE EMAILS HAVE BEEN SENT TO MR. LAURENCE HAVE BEEN SENT TO MR. POSTELL CONCERNING THIS, AND ABOUT THE ONLY THING THAT THE PUBLIC GETS IS LIKE THIS FROM MR. LAURENCE WHY WE DO NOT OPENLY SHARE OUR SAFETY PLANS.
I ASSURE YOU THAT THE RESOURCES ARE IN PLACE TO MAINTAIN ORDER AND SECURITY AT AIKEN HIGH.
THAT WAS IN APRIL 27TH OF 2023.
MR. POSTELL ALSO ON APRIL 27TH, 2023, THIS IS WHEN THERE WERE A NUMBER OF FIGHTS GOING ON DURING THE WEEK THERE AT AIKEN HIGH AND SAYS WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER IN OUR COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE PERSONNEL AND MATERIAL SUPPORT ON FRIDAY AS LONG AND AS LONG AS NEEDED AND ARE CONFIDENT IN THE PLANS DEVELOPED BY MISS HAMRICK AND HER TEAM.
AT OUR ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING ON MAY 16TH, 2023.
A DISCUSSION WAS HELD BY RYAN ORR REGARDING AIKEN HIGH SCHOOL, AND A NUMBER OF US ON THE COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTED TO THIS DISCUSSION. THE CONCERNS DISCUSSED WERE SCHOOL SAFETY, LACK OF COMMUNICATION WHEN EVENTS OCCUR, SUCH AS FIGHTS THAT CAUSE THE STUDENTS TO EAT IN THEIR CLASSROOMS INSTEAD OF THE CAFETERIA AND STAGGERED RELEASE.
PARENTS WERE NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT THE CAMBRIDGE EXAM SCHEDULE.
RUMORS THAT 17 TO 20 TEACHERS ARE LEAVING.
LACK OF VISIBILITY OF THE PRINCIPAL.
FORMER PRINCIPALS WERE VISIBLE DURING LUNCH CAR RIDER, BUS RIDER AREA AND THE HALLS.
MR. JEFFCOAT WILL MR. JEFFCOAT IS OUR STAFF ASSISTANT ON THE ON THE BOARD.
MR. JEFFCOAT WILL SHARE THE CONCERNS WITH MR. POSTELL, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR HIGH SCHOOLS, AND ASK HIM TO CONTACT RYAN ORR, THAT WAS BACK IN MAY.
[00:20:10]
THE PRINCIPAL IS A TOUGH JOB.AND AIKEN HIGH SCHOOL IS PROBABLY THE TOUGHEST JOB AS A PRINCIPAL IN THIS IN THIS COUNTY.
AND IN TALKING WITH STUDENTS AND PARENTS AND TEACHERS AND STAFF THAT WE'VE GOTTEN TO KNOW OVER THE PAST OVER FOUR YEARS, IT SEEMS THAT ONE OF THE MAIN PROBLEMS IS THE LEADERSHIP AT AIKEN HIGH SCHOOL.
AND THESE THINGS WILL PROBABLY HELP A LITTLE BIT, BUT I DON'T THINK THEY WOULD HAVE PREVENTED ANY OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED THERE THE END OF LAST YEAR AND THE BEGINNING OF THIS SCHOOL YEAR.
AND IT ALL COMES DOWN TO HAVING A PRINCIPAL WHO IS RESPECTED, HAVING A PRINCIPAL WHO KNOWS HOW TO COMMUNICATE, HAVING A PRINCIPAL THAT IS VISIBLE IN THE SCHOOL.
MR. CLARENCE JACKSON, WHO WAS A FORMER PRINCIPAL AT NORTH AUGUSTA HIGH SCHOOL, HAS SAID TWICE IN OUR MEETINGS THE PRINCIPAL HAS TO BE VISIBLE, HAS TO KNOW THE STUDENTS, HAS TO LET THE STUDENTS KNOW THAT THEY CARE AND THAT THEY'RE THERE AND TO BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE.
AND A LOT OF PROBLEMS WILL BE SOLVED.
AND SO I JUST URGE YOU TO CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE LEADERSHIP AT AIKEN HIGH SCHOOL AS NECESSARY TO TURNING THINGS AROUND AND GETTING US OUT OF THE NEGATIVE NEWS.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
I'M GOING TO READ FAST BECAUSE I HAVE A LOT AND I KNOW WE HAVE A TIME CONSTRAINT.
CAN WE GET THAT STARTED OVER? I WANT TO SECOND WHAT MR. PETTIGREW SAID ON A FEW THINGS.
ACTUALLY, 30% OF THE STAFF LEFT THIS YEAR.
IF YOU COUNT BUS DRIVERS, CAFETERIA WORKERS, JANITORS, ET CETERA.
AT LEAST 30% LEFT UNDER THE CURRENT LEADERSHIP OF OUR PRINCIPAL IN ONE YEAR.
THERE WAS SOMETHING ELSE YOU SAID IT'LL COME BACK.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
SORRY IF I GET TONGUE TIED, I'M GOING TO TRY TO READ FAST.
WE ARE UPSET OVER MANY EVENTS AND ISSUES STARTING LAST YEAR OR LONGER, MANY AT AIKEN HIGH, STARTING WITH THE NEW PRINCIPAL LAST YEAR AND AT THE DISTRICT SINCE COVID. I'D LIKE TO START WITH ONE EXAMPLE OF WHAT AN ACCUMULATION OF POOR LEADERSHIP HAS COSTS AIKEN HIGH SCHOOL.
SHE COULDN'T BE HERE TONIGHT, BUT I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT A YOUNG GIRL NAMED MORGAN SPRINGS.
MORGAN SPRINGS COVERSON SHE SPOKE TO YOU ALL LAST YEAR.
I'VE KNOWN HER SINCE SHE HAS BEEN IN SECOND GRADE AND HAS BEEN AN ADOPTIVE CHILD OF MINE.
IF ANY OF YOU KNOW HER, SHE'S NEVER SPOKEN A CUSS WORD, NEVER SPOKEN A MEAN WORD ABOUT ANYBODY.
I'M SORRY. LET ME PUT MY GLASSES ON.
OKAY. SHE CAME TO YOU FOR HELP.
THEY CAME ASKING YOU ALL TO HEAR THEM.
YOU ALL DID SAY YOU HEARD THEM, BUT THEN NEVER TOOK ANY ACTION.
YOU HAVE ALSO BEEN TELLING US AS PARENTS SINCE COVID, YOU HEAR US, BUT NOTHING HAS CHANGED.
I WANT TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE RUNDOWN ABOUT MORGAN.
SHE PLAYED VARSITY GOLF VARSITY JUNIOR VARSITY TRACK.
TRACK STATE TITLE FOUR BY 100 AND BROKE THE SCHOOL RECORD IN HURDLES.
SHE IS NO LONGER AT AIKEN HIGH.
SHE LEFT THIS YEAR HER SENIOR YEAR.
BUT HER AND THE OTHER STUDENTS FELT THEY WERE HEARD, BUT NOTHING MORE.
THEY BROUGHT SEVERAL ISSUES TO YOU.
ALL RIGHT. SHE LEFT AIKEN HIGH TO GO TO ANOTHER SCHOOL.
[00:25:01]
HER MOTHER WAS ALSO AN EMPLOYEE OF THE DISTRICT AND LEFT THE DISTRICT DUE TO THE SAME LEADERSHIP PROBLEMS AT THE DISTRICT AND AIKEN HIGH.SHE AND OTHERS FELT ABANDONED.
YOU LOST NOT ONLY A GOOD EMPLOYEE, BUT A GOOD STUDENT.
CHEERLEADING AND FIGHTS AREN'T THE ONLY BROKEN AREAS OF AIKEN HIGH AND THE DISTRICT.
THE CAMBRIDGE PROGRAM AND TESTING HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS. MRS. HAMRICK WAS IN CHARGE OF THAT FOR A WHILE.
TEACHERS, STAFF AND STUDENTS UNHAPPY, DISAPPOINTED, HAVE LOST RESPECT FOR THE PRINCIPAL AND SUPERINTENDENTS DUE TO LEGITIMATE COMPLAINTS FALLING ON DEAF EARS. NO HOPE.
NO ACTION FROM THE DISTRICT WITH OUR COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UP.
WE HEAR TEACHERS COMPLAIN TO US BUT CAN'T SPEAK OUT BECAUSE THEIR EMPLOYEES, THEY CAN'T COME HERE.
I CAN'T GO TO THE PRINCIPAL'S OR SUPERINTENDENT DUE TO FEAR OF REPERCUSSION.
THEY JUST TRY TO MAKE IT THROUGH.
KIDS ARE AFRAID OR UNWILLING TO USE THE RESTROOMS DUE TO BULLYING, FIGHTING AND UNCLEANLINESS.
WELL, USING MY PERSONALLY EXPERIENCE THIS WHILE USING A FAMILY STAFF BATHROOM DURING VOLUNTEERING.
I APPROACHED AN ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL.
HE TOLD ME TO GO FIND A JANITOR.
THAT JANITOR WHO WAS A SUPERVISOR JANITOR TOLD ME TO GO FIND ANOTHER JANITOR.
HIS ELEVATOR DOESN'T GO ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP.
SO I FOUND THAT JANITOR POINTED OUT THE PROBLEMS. I WAS JANITOR FOR A DAY.
SUPERVISOR. PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL.
I SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN TASKING A JANITOR.
THREE DAYS LATER, I WENT AND USED THE SAME BATHROOM.
THE FECES WAS GONE, BUT THE REST OF THE BATHROOM WAS HORRIFIC.
GOSH, I HAVE SO MUCH MORE TO SAY.
I HAVE SO MANY EXAMPLES, SOLID EXAMPLES I PERSONALLY WITNESSED.
WE NEED CHANGE OF LEADERSHIP NOW AT THE HIGH SCHOOL.
OKAY. WE WANT YOU TO HEAR US AND TAKE ACTION.
DON'T FAIL MORE STUDENTS, TEACHERS, STAFF AND PARENTS.
AND SO ARE THEY. WE DESERVE BETTER.
IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE EXAMPLES, PLEASE CONTACT ME.
I'VE CONTACTED MR. POSTELL. I'M NOT SURE WHAT HE LOOKS LIKE.
AND THEN, AND ONLY THEN HAVE I RECEIVED RESPONSES.
THANK YOU. APPRECIATE YOUR INSIGHTS, MISS JACKSON.
UM, WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO SPECIAL RECOGNITION.
VICE CHAIRMAN SMITH, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE BOARD, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE A VERY DESERVING STUDENT AND EMPLOYEE THIS EVENING. LAURIANA CABANA, RIDGE SPRING-MONETTA MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT, WON FIRST PLACE AT THE AGRICULTURE EDUCATION CAREER DEVELOPMENT EVENT.
SHE IS A STATE CHAMPION WITH SOUTH CAROLINA FFA.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN GIVING HER A ROUND OF APPLAUSE [APPLAUSE].
THE PURPOSE OF THE AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION CAREER DEVELOPMENT EVENT IS TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP SKILLS ESSENTIAL TO A CAREER IN AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION, I.E.
TO BECOME AN AGRICULTURE TEACHER.
KEY COMPONENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL AGRICULTURE TEACHER INCLUDE BEING ABLE TO DEVELOP LESSON PLANS AND ACTIVITIES WITH THE VARIOUS AGRICULTURAL PATHWAYS, USING A VARIETY OF HANDS ON TEACHING STRATEGIES TO REACH A MULTITUDE OF LEARNERS.
LAURIANA CREATED HER OWN LESSON PLANS ON ON-SOIL PROFILES AND PRACTICED IMPLEMENTING THIS LESSON PLAN MULTIPLE TIMES. SHE EVEN TAUGHT THIS LESSON TO A FIFTH GRADE CLASS JUST NEXT DOOR AT RIDGE SPRING-MONETTA ELEMENTARY.
[00:30:02]
HER LESSON UTILIZED VARIOUS FOODS THAT REPRESENTED IT THAT REPRESENTED DIFFERENT SOIL LAYERS.HER STUDENTS WERE REQUIRED TO CONSTRUCT THEIR OWN SOIL PROFILES FROM THESE ITEMS. AFTER RECEIVING A BRIEF LECTURE OR LESSON OVER SOIL, ITS PROFILES AND THEIR IMPORTANCE.
WE MAY JUST HAVE WITH US TONIGHT A FUTURE AIKEN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS EDUCATOR.
THE COMPETITION WAS SCORED BASED ON THE COMPONENTS OF HER LESSON PLAN, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MULTIPLE METHODOLOGIES AND ALL LESSON PLAN COMPONENTS. HER TIME MANAGEMENT.
IT WAS A TIMED COMPETITION, HER ABILITY TO ENGAGE AND REACH STUDENTS AND AN INTERVIEW AFTER THE LESSON, WHICH SHE ALSO COMPLETED.
IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR STATE, THE STUDENTS NEEDED TO HAVE A WELL CONSTRUCTED LESSON PLAN.
LAURIANA QUALIFIED IN THIS MANNER AGAINST 20 OTHER STUDENTS ACROSS THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
THERE WERE ONLY TEN QUALIFIERS FOR OUR STATE.
SHE COMPETED AT THE STATE LEVEL AND BEAT OUT ALL NINE OTHER COMPETITORS.
AGAIN, SHE IS A FIRST PLACE STATE WINNER.
MR. SMITH, IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE HAVE THE BOARD COME DOWN JUST TO CONGRATULATE THIS STUDENT.
YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU [APPLAUSE].
AND THERE IS A PLAQUE WITH A GOLDEN FFA EMBLEM WHICH SERVES AS THE AWARD IN ACHIEVEMENT, AND IT'S GOING TO BE HUNG ON THE WALLS OF THE SCHOOL. WE'RE GOING TO GET A PICTURE WITH LAURIANA.
AND I KNOW WE HAVE QUITE A FEW OF HER FAN CLUB WITH US TONIGHT.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE YOU COME UP IN JUST A SECOND AS WELL, IF YOU WOULD.
AND WE HAVE MR. MATT SCHEFFLER, THE NEW PRINCIPAL OF RIDGE SPRING-MONETTA MIDDLE HIGH.
MR. TIMOTHY CRIM, WHO IS A AGRICULTURE TEACHER AT THE SCHOOL.
AND CO-TEACHER HAYLEY LIVINGSTON, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
AND LAURIANA I KNOW THAT YOU PROBABLY HAVE STUDIES.
WE WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO STAY ALL NIGHT, BUT FEEL FREE TO LEAVE AT ANY POINT AFTER YOUR RECOGNITION.
THANK YOU. IN THE MORNINGS, MRS. LACHERYL KNOX NOTICED THAT STUDENTS IN HER COMMUNITY WERE WAITING FOR EXTENDED AMOUNTS OF TIME FOR THE SCHOOL BUS TO ARRIVE.
WHILE IT WAS NEVER HER INTENTION TO BECOME A BUS DRIVER ABOUT A YEAR AGO, SHE APPLIED SIMPLY TO HELP CHILDREN GET TO SCHOOL ON TIME AND TO BE OF HELP TO THE TRANSPORTATION SHORTAGE THAT SHE WAS AWARE OF.
THROUGHOUT THE LAST YEAR, MRS. KNOX HAS PERFORMED IN AN EXEMPLARY MANNER TO PROVIDE SAFE, EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT TRANSPORTATION FOR STUDENTS IN THE RIDGE SPRING-MONETTA AREA.
WHEN IT COMES TO SAFETY, MRS. KNOX PERFORMS HER PRE BUS AND POST TRIP BEFORE AND AFTER EACH ROUTE.
IF THERE ARE ANY ISSUES WITH THE BUSSES OPERATION, SHE IMMEDIATELY COMPLETES A BUS REPAIR FORM AND CONTACTS THE TRANSPORTATION SUPERVISOR OR THE BUS TECHNICIAN.
[00:35:06]
ROUTE IS DONE IN THE MOST EFFICIENT MANNER.FOR THE CONSCIENTIOUS AND PROFESSIONAL MANNER IN WHICH MRS. KNOX PERFORMS HER JOB TRANSPORTING THE WORLD'S MOST PRECIOUS CARGO.
WE ARE VERY EXCITED TO CELEBRATE WITH MRS. KNOX, OUR TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT AND HER FAMILY, THAT SHE HAS BEEN NAMED THE SOUTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION FOR PUPIL TRANSPORTATION BUS DRIVER OF THE YEAR [APPLAUSE].
WE'RE GOING TO GET A PICTURE OF YOU MRS. KNOX, WITH OUR BOARD. AND I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A QUITE A LARGE ENTOURAGE THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME UP AS WELL AFTER WE GET THIS FIRST PICTURE.
HER HUSBAND, MR. WILLIAMS KNOX IS HERE JOINING US IN CELEBRATING MR. LARRY MELVIN.
PLEASE COME FORWARD [APPLAUSE].
I'M SORRY. HE WANTED TO BE HERE.
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AS WELL.
RASHAD ROWLAND, OUR TRANSPORTATION SAFETY AND TRAINING SUPERVISOR.
DEXTER GLEATON, THE SOUTH AIKEN AREA SUPERVISOR, AND CHARMAINE TOMPKINS, THE SPECIAL EDUCATION TRANSPORTATION SUPERVISOR. THANK YOU ALL, ALL FOR BEING HERE.
AND THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHT IS ON RSM.
THE RIGHT ONE. I'M TRYING TO SEE MY GLASSES.
OKAY. GOOD EVENING, VICE CHAIR SMITH AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
TONIGHT I'M GOING TO SHARE WITH YOU WHAT SETS NEW ELLENTON APART.
WHY NEW ELLENTON MIDDLE? BECAUSE EVERYBODY BELONGS.
EVERYONE HAS A PLACE AT NEW ELLENTON.
[00:40:02]
WOLVERINE DESIGNS AND PRINTS IS OUR STUDENT BUSINESS.THEY MADE YOUR SHIRTS, SO I HOPE YOU ENJOY THEM.
THANK YOU. SO THEY ARE OUR STUDENT BUSINESS.
SO THEY'RE TAKING ORDERS FROM COMMUNITY PATRONS.
SEE US AT NEW ELLENTON MIDDLE [LAUGHTER].
ANOTHER THING THAT SETS US APART IS OUR AMAZING JAZZ BAND.
WE HAVE A CLIP OF A SOUND SO YOU CAN ENJOY SOME.
OKAY. SO FOR THE SAKE OF TIME, I'M [INAUDIBLE].
SO STEAM HAPPENS EVERY DAY AT NEW ELLENTON MIDDLE SCHOOL, WHETHER IT'S IN OUR WEEKLY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEARNING COMMUNITIES WITH OUR TEACHERS INTERDISCIPLINARY PLANNING AND TECHNOLOGY GUARANTEES, OUR WEEKLY GRADE CHECKS AND CONFERENCES THAT WE HAVE WITH OUR STUDENTS TO HELP WITH METACOGNITION AND TO HELP TAKE OWNERSHIP FOR THEIR ACADEMICS AND ALSO OUR STEAM FACILITATORS.
THEY'RE THE ENGINES THAT HELPS RUN OUR STEAM PROGRAM AND OUR STEAM ADVISORY COUNCIL.
SO EVERY YEAR WE DO ONCE A YEAR WE COMPLETE A SCHOOL WIDE STEAM PROJECT TO REINFORCE THE SKILLS THAT ARE OUTLINED IN THE PROFILE OF A SOUTH CAROLINA GRADUATE. AND SO IT REINFORCES SKILLS SUCH AS COLLABORATION, PERSEVERANCE AND CRITICAL THINKING.
AND THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF A VIDEO THAT OUR TEACHERS DID THAT AND THIS IS A HOOK TO HELP EXCITE OUR STUDENTS ABOUT OUR STEAM PROJECT.
AND IT'S A CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, ACCIDENT OR FOUL PLAY ? [VIDEO] SO I COULD IMAGINE THAT EXCITED OUR STUDENTS AND GOT THEM VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS STEAM PROJECT.
SO THESE ARE SOME CLIPS ABOUT SOME OF THE HAPPENINGS THAT SURROUNDED ACCIDENT OR FOUL PLAY.
STUDENTS MAPPING OUT THE SUSPECT, CONNECTING THE EVIDENCE TO THE SUSPECTS.
WE HAVE PICTURES OF OUR CRIME SCENE AND PICTURES OF OUR STUDENTS PRESENTING TO DISTRICT EMPLOYEES AND OUR SUPERINTENDENT AND THE JUDGE WITH THE GRAY HAIR IS MY HUSBAND.
[LAUGHTER] HE WAS HE WAS THE JUDGE FOR THAT DAY.
SO EVERY ONCE A MONTH WE HAVE OUR STEAM CLUBS AND OUR STEAM CLUBS GIVE STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY, HANDS ON EXPERIENCES TO PRACTICE AND APPLY STEAM SKILLS THAT THEY'VE LEARNED THROUGHOUT.
AND HERE ARE SOME AND SOME OF THE EXAMPLES OF THE STEAM CLUBS THAT WE HAVE.
ALL OF OUR TEACHERS PARTICIPATE.
RUNWAY PROJECT, SHARK TANK AND NEMS NEXT INK MASTER.
EVERY YEAR WE PARTICIPATE AT SEED DAY AT AT USC AIKEN, AND IT'S OUR STUDENTS WHO ARE VOLUNTEERING TO PARTICIPATE AND FACILITATE THESE STEAM PROGRAMS SO THEY LEARN STEAM AND THEN THEY SHARE AND THEY TEACH IT TO OTHERS.
SO WE HAVE THE VR HEADSETS TAKING VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO LEAVE THE CLASSROOM.
WE HAVE OUR PUFF MOBILES THAT STUDENTS ARE BUILDING AND REMODELING AFTER THEY PRACTICE.
IT'S A SMALL CLUB, BUT IT'S A MIGHTY CLUB.
[00:45:04]
SO MY BAND ACCOLADES.AND WE'RE VERY PROUD OF MISS MISS MALLORY BURLEY.
WE ALSO RECEIVE ACCOLADES IN OUR ART.
SO THIS IS ONE OF OUR STUDENTS KATIE RAYNER AND SHE WAS RECOGNIZED.
SHE ALSO SHE WON SEVERAL PRIZES FROM THE AIKEN LIONS CLUB FOR WINNING THEIR POSTER CONTEST.
MONEY AS WELL. WE ARE VERY PROUD OF OUR STEAM PROGRAM AND HOW HARD WE WORKED FOR THAT CERTIFICATION.
SOME OF OUR ACADEMIC ACCOLADES INCLUDE RECEIVING AN EXCELLENT RATING ON THE PAST THREE YEARS ON OUR STATE REPORT CARD, AND IN 2019 WE WAS AWARDED FROM PALMETTO STATE ARTS EDUCATION, THE SOUTH CAROLINA STEAM SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE AWARD.
SO THAT IN A NUTSHELL, JUST A SHORT SNIPPET OF NEW ELLENTON AND WHAT SETS US APART.
AND I CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT MY WONDERFUL TEAM, MY ADMIN TEAM, MY TEACHERS AND MY STAFF.
AND SO THEY'RE THE ONES THAT THEY'RE THE ONES THAT CREATE NEMS MAGIC AT NEW ELLENTON MIDDLE.
SO THIS IS WHAT MAKES US EXCELLENT AND SETS US APART.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME [APPLAUSE].
AT THIS POINT, WE'RE GOING TO MOVE INTO INDIVIDUAL ITEMS. THE FIRST.
HAVE A GOOD NIGHT, MISS DUGAR.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. GREAT PRESENTATION.
UM, FIRST ITEM OF INDIVIDUAL ITEMS. WE. MR. LAURENCE ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT LAST WEEK.
UM, THE BOARD DOES NEED TO VOTE TO ACCEPT THAT.
AND OF COURSE, WE CAN, YOU KNOW, SAY MAKE COMMENTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
I'D LIKE TO START US OFF JUST WITH THE MOTION.
I MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT MR. KING LAURENCE'S RESIGNATION FROM HIS EMPLOYMENT WITH THE DISTRICT EFFECTIVE JUNE 30TH, 2024, FOR THE PURPOSES OF HIS RETIREMENT.
ANYBODY? SO THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND ON THE FLOOR TO ACCEPT MR. LAURENCE'S RESIGNATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF RETIREMENT EFFECTIVE JUNE 30TH, 2024.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT'S UNANIMOUS. MOTION CARRIES NINE TO NONE.
ALL RIGHT. NEXT ON THE INDIVIDUAL ITEMS, WE HAVE PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS, SO THERE IS A LIST OF CERTIFIED AND CLASSIFIED PERSONNEL PRESENTED THAT WERE SCREENED BY HR AND PRESENTED TO THE BOARD THAT WE MUST RATIFY.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE LIST OF PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS? MOVED BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON.
IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND BY MS. TYLER. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT'S UNANIMOUS. MOTION CARRIES.
FIRST IS WAS A LIST AND SOME OF THESE ARE PRETTY STANDARD.
FIRST WE HAVE A LIST OF THE BOARD BY LAW MUST APPROVE PEOPLE REQUESTING HOME INSTRUCTION.
WE'VE BEEN PRESENTED THAT ALSO THERE IS A REQUEST FOR TO ADMIT FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENTS AND WE'VE BEEN SUPPLIED THAT LIST. THEN THERE ARE SOME SOME DONATIONS OR GRANTS.
[00:50:03]
A.L. CORBETT MIDDLE SCHOOL HAS RECEIVED A $2,000 GRANT FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS.AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS GRANT IS GOING TO USE FOR EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS WITH SOMEONE TO HELP REDUCE, EXCUSE ME, PREVENT YOUTH, TOBACCO AND VAPE USE.
THE FOURTH ITEM IS AN ANONYMOUS DONATION TO SCHOOL FOOD SERVICES FOR AN AMOUNT OF A LITTLE OVER $100 TO BE APPLIED TO STUDENTS FOOD SERVICE DEBT.
THOSE FUNDS ARE USED FOR PURCHASE SURFACES OF SOME ITEMS NEEDED ON SCHOOL WIDE MATH DAY.
AND THEN THE LAST ONE IS ALSO RECEIVED BY MILLBROOK ELEMENTARY IF APPROVED.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SIX CONSENT ITEMS AS DISCUSSED? SO MOVED, MOVED BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON.
IT'S UNANIMOUS. MOTION CARRIES.
THERE WERE NO INFORMATIONAL ITEMS PLANNED FOR THIS MEETING.
WE DO HAVE ONE INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBER ITEM AND I WILL TURN THAT OVER TO MR. SILAS. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. THE AREA THREE ADVISORY COUNCIL HAS TWO SEATS THAT EXPIRED IN THE END OF JUNE, I BELIEVE.
SO THESE TWO INDIVIDUALS WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE FOR ANOTHER TERM.
SO WITH THAT, I MOVE TO HAVE MS. RITA TURNER AND MR. LANCE THOMAS EXTEND FOR ANOTHER TERM ON THE AREA THREE ADVISORY COUNCIL.
IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THOSE TWO INDIVIDUALS FOR ANOTHER TERM ON THE AREA THREE ADVISORY COUNCIL, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT'S UNANIMOUS. THE MOTION CARRIES.
THANK YOU. AND THE LAST ITEM FOR REGULAR SESSION IS THE SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE.
THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. AND I WILL BE BE VERY BRIEF HERE.
I APOLOGIZE TO THE PUBLIC FOR OUR NOT BEING HERE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING.
AND I APPRECIATE THEM ASKING US TO DO THAT.
BUT A THANK YOU TO OUR LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION FOR THE SUPPORT THAT THEY GIVE US.
THEY ARE CONSTANTLY WORKING TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS FOR EDUCATORS IN SOUTH CAROLINA, INCREASING SALARIES FOR OUR TEACHERS AND OTHER EMPLOYEES, BUS DRIVERS AND YOU NAME IT.
THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO THEM.
AND THEY WORK VERY HARD TO IMPROVE THAT.
FOR US, SPECIFICALLY IN AIKEN COUNTY, ENSURING THAT WE HAVE THE ADDITIONAL $30 MILLION SO THAT WE COULD DO WHAT WE REALLY NEED TO DO FOR OUR CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER ON THE CAMPUS OF AIKEN TECHNICAL COLLEGE.
AND OF COURSE, WITH JUST OVER A YEAR FROM NOW, THE RENEWAL OF OUR PENNY SALES TAX.
WE CAN'T LET IT GO BY WITHOUT SAYING THAT OUR DELEGATION WAS INSTRUMENTAL AND WORKED TO ENSURE THAT THAT LEGISLATION WAS PASSED THAT ALLOWED US TO SEEK A SPECIAL PURPOSE SALES TAX IN AIKEN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THAT HAS GONE A LONG WAY TOWARD IMPROVING THE CONDITIONS OF OF OUR FACILITIES AND AT THE SAME TIME PROVIDING PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR CITIZENS.
SO I APPRECIATE THEM FOR THAT.
WE ARE IN NEED OF AN EXECUTIVE SESSION THIS EVENING, AND WE NEED A MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSIDERING THE FOLLOWING MATTERS IN SUCH ORDER AS THE BOARD DEEMS APPROPRIATE.
THERE ARE THREE STUDENT MATTERS.
ALL STUDENT ALL THREE ARE STUDENT APPEALS FROM AREA ONE.
[00:55:03]
AND THEN THERE IS ONE LEGAL MATTER SOME RECEIVING SOME LEGAL ADVICE ON POLICY JB.IS THERE A MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THESE PURPOSES? MOVED BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON.
DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
WE WILL ENTER EXECUTIVE SESSION.
IT'S ABOUT 7:19-20 BY THAT CLOCK BACK THERE.
SO AT 7:20 WE'LL START EXECUTIVE SESSION IN THE ROOM CONFERENCE ROOM AT 7:30.
[02:25:43]
WE NEED A MOTION TO RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION TO TAKE ACTION ON ITEMS THAT NEED IT.[02:25:48]
MOVED BY DR.[02:25:49]
BRADLEY. IS THERE A SECOND SECONDED BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON?[02:25:52]
ANY DISCUSSION?[02:25:54]
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF RETURNING TO REGULAR SESSION, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.[02:25:57]
THAT'S NINE. MOTION CARRIES.[02:25:59]
WE ARE IN REGULAR SESSION WHILE IN REGULAR SESSION.[02:26:04]
WE CONSIDERED THREE STUDENT APPEALS FROM AREA ONE.[02:26:11]
IS THERE A MOTION IN REGARDS TO STUDENT APPEAL A?[02:26:14]
MOVE WE UPHOLD THE ADMINISTRATION'S RECOMMENDATION TO EXPEL.[02:26:19]
SECOND, THERE'S A MOTION TO UPHOLD THE ADMINISTRATION'S RECOMMENDATION IN REGARDS TO STUDENT APPEAL A AND SECONDED[02:26:28]
. ANY DISCUSSION?[02:26:31]
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.[02:26:33]
THAT'S NINE. MOTION CARRIES.[02:26:37]
IN THE MATTER OF STUDENT APPEAL B, IS THERE A MOTION?[02:26:41]
I MOVE WE UPHOLD THE ADMINISTRATION'S RECOMMENDATION TO EXPEL.[02:26:47]
DR. BRADLEY MAKES A MOTION TO UPHOLD THE DISTRICT'S RECOMMENDATION FOR EXPULSION IN REGARDS TO STUDENT APPEAL B, SECONDED BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON.[02:26:54]
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.IS THERE A MOTION IN REGARDS TO STUDENT APPEAL C? MOVE WE UPHOLD THE ADMINISTRATION'S RECOMMENDATION TO EXPEL.
IS THERE A THERE'S A MOTION BY DR.
BRADLEY, SECONDED BY MR. MOULTON, TO UPHOLD THE DISTRICT'S RECOMMENDATION FOR STUDENT APPEAL C.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
ALL THOSE OPPOSED. PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
THAT IS THREE. THE MOTION CARRIES 6 TO 3.
IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, WE ALSO RECEIVED SOME LEGAL ADVICE AROUND POLICY JB.
THERE'S NO ACTION NECESSARY ON THAT.
AND THAT CONCLUDES OUR BUSINESS.
IS THERE A MOTION TO ADJOURN? MOVED BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON, SECONDED BY MR. SMITH. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.
WE ARE ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.