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[00:05:04]

IT IS 6:00, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH POLICY B, D AND IN THE ABSENCE OF OUR CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR AS SUPERINTENDENT, I CALL THE REGULAR MEETING

[00:05:14]

OF FEBRUARY 27TH, 2024 TO ORDER.

MY ONLY BUSINESS ITEM IS TO ASK FOR A MOTION TO APPOINT A TEMPORARY CHAIR FOR THE DURATION OF THIS MEETING.

I'D MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPOINT DOCTOR BRADLEY AS THE TEMPORARY CHAIR FOR THIS MEETING, MR. LAURENCE. SECOND. OKAY.

WE HAVE A MOTION FROM DOCTOR HANKS TO APPOINT DOCTOR BRADLEY AS TEMPORARY CHAIR FOR THE DURATION OF THIS MEETING.

AND A SECOND FROM MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON.

ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HAND.

THAT IS EVERYBODY.

SO I WILL TURN THIS OVER TO DOCTOR BRADLEY.

I SAY, I THINK, I SAY THANK YOU.

WE'LL. WE'LL KNOW MORE AT THE END OF THE MEETING HERE.

I DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF TIME TO PREPARE FOR THIS, SO BE FORGIVING.

WE BEGIN OUR MEETINGS, EACH MEETING WITH A MOMENT OF CILENCE.

SO I WOULD ASK YOU TO JOIN ME IN A MOMENT OF CILENCE, AND WE'LL FOLLOW THAT WITH PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG.

OKAY, SO IF YOU WOULD PLEASE STAND AND LET'S PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE.

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 HAS BEEN PUBLISHED, AND EVERYONE'S HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT IT.

TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, NOBODY'S SUGGESTED ANY CHANGES.

SO IN LIGHT OF THAT, WE'LL APPROVE THE AGENDA AS SUBMITTED.

WE HAVE SEVERAL SETS OF MINUTES TO APPROVE THIS EVENING.

WE'LL DO THEM ONE BY ONE, BECAUSE THERE WERE DIFFERENT COMBINATIONS OF ATTENDEES AT SOME OF THESE MEETINGS.

SO THE FIRST IS THE SPECIAL CALL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 1ST, 2024.

IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THAT THE MINUTES OF THAT MEETING.

SO MOVED? MOVED BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON, IS THERE A SECOND, SECOND, SECOND BY DOCTOR HANKS? ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE MINUTES AS SUBMITTED, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.

THAT'S EVERYONE.

EXCUSE ME.

THE NEXT SET OF MINUTES REQUIRING APPROVAL.

OR THE SPECIAL CALL MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALL MEETING, FEBRUARY 5TH, 2024.

IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THESE MINUTES? SO MOVED. MOVED BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON.

SECOND. SECOND BY DOCTOR HANKS.

ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THESE MINUTES, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.

AGAIN? THAT'S EVERYONE.

NEXT IS THE SPECIAL CALL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 6TH, 2024.

IS THERE A MOTION? SO MOVED.

MOVED BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON.

SECOND. SECOND.

DOCTOR HANKS. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.

THE NEXT SET OF MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING ON FEBRUARY 12TH, 2024.

MOTION. SO MOVED.

SECOND. SECOND.

ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.

THAT'S EVERYONE.

AND FINALLY THE REGULAR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 13TH, 2024.

MOTION. SO MOVED.

BY MS. RHINEHART-JACKSON.

SECONDED BY DOCTOR HANKS.

ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.

IF YOU'RE WONDERING WHY WE HAVE SO MANY MEETINGS TO APPROVE.

THESE WERE THE MEETINGS INVOLVED IN DOING THE SEARCH FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT.

SO WE FINALLY CONCLUDED THAT.

SO HOPEFULLY WE WON'T HAVE SO MANY MINUTES TO APPROVE IN THE FUTURE.

UNDER SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.

DOCTOR JOSH BIERNACKI.

I GOT THAT NAME WRONG, EVEN THOUGH I PRACTICED.

WOULD YOU PLEASE COME TO THE MICROPHONE? HE WISHES TO SPEAK ABOUT THE ATHLETIC TRAINERS IN OUR SCHOOLS.

OKAY. WOULD YOU GIVE ME THE CORRECT PRONUNCIATION OF YOUR NAME? LAST NAME IS PANOFSKY.

PANOFSKY. OKAY.

SOUNDS GREAT. ALL RIGHT.

DO I GET A COUNTDOWN? ALL RIGHT. CAN YOU HOLD THIS? IT'S QUITE HEAVY.

I'LL EXPLAIN THAT IN A SECOND.

THANK YOU. YEAH, I SHOULD PROBABLY MENTION THAT WE GIVE EACH PERSON IN PUBLIC PARTICIPATION A FIVE MINUTE OPPORTUNITY TO, AND I THINK WE HAVE A

[00:10:09]

CLOCK THAT REMINDS YOU OF WHAT TIME IT IS.

THANK YOU. FLOOR IS YOURS. I'D LIKE TO THANK THE BOARD AND THE SUPERINTENDENT FOR GIVING ME THE TIME TO PRESENT A FEW POINTS TODAY REGARDING THE NEED FOR CERTIFIED ATHLETIC TRAINERS IN ALL OF OUR HIGH SCHOOLS.

I'D ALSO LIKE TO CONGRATULATE DOCTOR COREY MURPHY ON HIS NEW ROLE AS SUPERINTENDENT, WHICH IS TO START THIS SUMMER.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HIS PERSPECTIVE AND WILLINGNESS TO SERVE.

ALL MY INTERACTIONS THUS FAR FOR THE WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD OR ANYONE WITHIN THE SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN POSITIVE AND PROFESSIONAL.

BOTH SUPPORTIVE REGARDING SAFETY OPTIONS BEING INVESTIGATED, WHICH INCLUDE ADDING ATHLETIC TRAINERS TO ALL THE HIGH SCHOOLS.

USING DEFINITIONS PROVIDED BY THE NATIONAL ATHLETIC TRAINERS ASSOCIATION, WE CAN IDENTIFY THE ROLE OF AN ATHLETIC TRAINER AS SUCH.

ATHLETIC TRAINING ENCOMPASSES THE PREVENTION, EXAMINATION, DIAGNOSIS, AND TREATMENT OF EMERGENT, ACUTE OR CHRONIC INJURIES AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS. ATHLETIC TRAINING IS RECOGNIZED BY THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN AND HEALTH SERVICES AS AN ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSION, I COULD EXHAUST THE REMAINING TIME ALLOTTED JUST TO TALK ON THE SKILL SET OF AN ATHLETIC TRAINER, BUT WE MUST MOVE ON.

BY NO OMISSION OF ANY ENTITY, AIKEN COUNTY SCHOOLS ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING A SHORTAGE OF CERTIFIED ATHLETIC TRAINERS.

THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM, BUT AN OPPORTUNITY.

IT'S VERY COMPLEX, BUT FAR FROM IMPOSSIBLE TO ADDRESS.

I'M CONFIDENT WITH THE HELP OF PARENTS, COACHES, ADMINISTRATORS AND OUR SCHOOL BOARD, WE WILL CREATE A SYSTEM OF ATHLETIC TRAINER COVERAGE THAT WILL APPROPRIATELY KEEP OUR STUDENT ATHLETES SAFE ALL THE WAY FROM NORTH AUGUSTA TO WAGNER, FROM RIDGE SPRING TO JACKSON.

WHAT'S THE CURRENT SITUATION? THERE ARE NO ATHLETIC TRAINERS DIRECTLY EMPLOYED BY OUR DISTRICT TO COVER THE SEVEN HIGH SCHOOLS.

THE CURRENT MODEL USES THIRD PARTY ENTITIES OR CONTRACTORS TO SUPPLY ATHLETIC TRAINER COVERAGE TO OUR SCHOOLS.

THIS HAS WORKED IN THE PAST AND HAS PUT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONTRACTING AGENCY TO FILL THESE POSITIONS.

THERE IS ALSO A LACK OF ATHLETIC TRAINER COVERAGE ON SCHOOL PREMISES THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL WEEK.

A SIZABLE PERCENTAGE OF INJURIES HAPPEN DURING THESE PRACTICE TIMES, SIMPLY FROM THE NUMBER OF HOURS OF COMPETITION DURING THE WEEK RELATIVE TO GAME TIME SPENT.

THIS LEADS TO EXCESSIVE PRIMARY CARE, PEDIATRICIAN AND EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS.

I OPENED MY ORTHOPEDIC AND SPORTS MEDICINE PHYSICAL THERAPY PRACTICE IN MARCH OF 2021.

IN VOLUNTEERING TO SCREEN INJURED ATHLETES, I NOTICED THE GRADUAL DECLINE OF ATHLETIC TRAINER COVERAGE.

THE GRADUAL DECLINE OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS YIELDED 187 ENCOUNTERS IN 2023 ALONE IN MY PRACTICE.

AFTER SPEAKING WITH THESE COACHES, ATHLETIC DIRECTORS AND PARENTS, WE NEED TO FIND A PERMANENT SOLUTION.

AS A PROJECTION FROM MY OFFICE ALONE IN 2024 COULD HIT WELL OVER 230.

I DO NOT CHARGE FOR THESE VISITS AND ENJOY SEEING THESE ATHLETES.

WHICH HAS GIVEN ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO IDENTIFY FIRSTHAND THE NEED FOR EXPANSION OF THIS STRUCTURE WITHIN OUR SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT.

I REMEMBER THE POSITION THAT EVERY SINGLE ATHLETE IN THIS COUNTY SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO ATHLETIC INJURY EVALUATIONS AND OR HEALTH ASSESSMENT WITHOUT EXTERNAL COST TO THEM INDIVIDUALLY.

HOW DO WE GET HERE? IN 2022, ALL ATHLETIC TRAINING PROGRAMS WERE REQUIRED TO GRADUATE THEIR STUDENTS WITH A MASTER'S DEGREE.

THIS RECENT CHANGE CAUSED A SALARY INCREASE, WHICH LED TO JOB POSTINGS AND POSITIONS NOT OFFERING COMPETITIVE SALARIES.

THIS IS A MARKET PHENOMENON THAT IS VERY HARD TO SEE.

HOW DO WE WORK TOGETHER TO SOLVE IT? THERE ARE SEVERAL MODELS THAT WORK IN THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

I HAVE SPOKEN INDIVIDUALLY WITH A FEW BOARD MEMBERS ON HOW WE ADDRESS THIS.

THERE WILL BE SEVEN TRAINERS AND ONE HEAD ATHLETIC TRAINER, WHICH WILL HAVE ADMINISTRATIVE AND CLINICAL DUTIES TO FOR OVERSIGHT.

ABOUT EIGHT POSITIONS TOTAL WILL BE CREATED.

THE DISTRICTS. SOME DISTRICTS THAT SURROUND AIKEN COUNTY HAVE THIS MODEL AND IT IS SUCCESSFUL.

THERE IS A MINIMAL BASIC SAFETY AND HEALTH NEED FOR OUR STUDENTS.

THIS INCLUDES SROS, SCHOOL NURSES AND ATHLETIC TRAINERS AND THOSE ARE JUST TO NAME A FEW.

OUR STUDENTS DESERVE NO LESS THAN STUDENTS IN OTHER DISTRICTS AND WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO GET THERE.

PRIOR TO THIS MEETING, I SENT EACH OF YOU AN EMAIL WITH MY CONTACT INFO TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN ON MARCH THE 26TH FOR MORE IN DEPTH COST ANALYSIS.

FIVE MINUTES IS QUITE SHORT OF TIME.

I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL AGAIN FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

I TRUST YOU'LL SEE THE VALUE OF EXPANDING THIS MODEL OF STUDENT SUPPORT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU, DOCTOR.

[00:15:01]

WELL, THE NEXT PERSON REQUESTING TIME IS MRS. PANOFSKY, I APOLOGIZE, I'M HAVING TROUBLE WITH THAT NAME.

I IS NOT A NORMAL THING.

I DIDN'T GET PHONICS WHEN I WAS IN SCHOOL, AND THAT'S THE TRUTH.

ALL RIGHT.

GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME A FEW MINUTES OF YOUR TIME.

MY NAME IS MELANIE PANOFSKY.

I'M A PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER AND MOTHER OF FOUR WHO ALL ATTEND AIKEN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, JUST AS I DID, THE OLDEST OF WHICH IS A RISING FRESHMAN FOOTBALL PLAYER.

I FOLLOW JOSH'S REMARKS WITH THE WHY WE CAN'T CONTINUE TO IGNORE THIS PRESSING NEED.

AND AS I SEARCHED FOR REAL LIFE INSTANCES OF WHAT CAN GO WRONG WHEN CERTIFIED ATHLETIC TRAINERS ARE NOT PRESENT.

UNFORTUNATELY, MY SEARCH YIELDED FAR TOO MANY ARTICLES AND WAS FAR TOO EASY.

I NEVER WANT AIKEN SOUTH CAROLINA TO APPEAR IN THIS SEARCH.

2021, MACON, GEORGIA, JOSHUA IVORY, A 15 YEAR OLD HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYER, DIED AFTER COLLAPSING DURING A FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE FROM CARDIAC ARREST.

COACHES CALLED 911 IMMEDIATELY.

2022 BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

THE TRAGIC PASSING OF A HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYER, ELIJAH GORHAM, A MONTH AFTER SUFFERING A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY WHERE HE WAS CARED FOR IN A FOOTBALL FIELD SIDELINE FOR 45 MINUTES BEFORE BEING TRANSPORTED TO A HIGHER LEVEL OF CARE.

EXERTIONAL HEAT STROKE IS ON A MAJOR RISE FOR TEENAGE ATHLETES.

TEENAGERS, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THEY OFTEN PUSH THEIR BODIES PAST THE INITIAL WARNING SIGNS, THE SIGNS THAT ATHLETIC TRAINERS ARE WELL TRAINED TO SPOT.

THESE STORIES AREN'T TOLD AS SCARE TACTICS.

THEY ARE SIMPLY TRUE STORIES IN WHICH WE WILL NEVER KNOW IF THE OUTCOMES COULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT WITH ADEQUATE, TIMELY MEDICAL INTERVENTION BY AN INDIVIDUAL TRAINED FOR JUST THESE TYPES OF SITUATIONS.

THE MINUTES IN BETWEEN INJURY AND TRANSPORT TO A HIGHER LEVEL OF CARE CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE VERSUS DEATH.

WILL AN ATHLETIC TRAINER ENSURE THAT NO TRAGEDIES WILL EVER HAPPEN? OF COURSE NOT.

AND WE'RE NOT NAIVE IN THINKING THAT.

BUT HISTORY SHOWS THAT WITH AN ATHLETIC TRAINER PRESENT, THERE IS MUCH MORE OF A FIGHTING CHANCE WHEN EMERGENCIES ARISE.

LET'S CELEBRATE A WIN CLOSER TO HOME.

2023 IN GOOSE CREEK, SOUTH CAROLINA, A 15 YEAR OLD SOCCER PLAYER WENT TO SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST AS HE WAS HIGH FIVING A TEAMMATE RUNNING TO THE SIDELINE.

HE WAS A KNOWN ASTHMATIC CHILD, SO EVERYONE AROUND HIM THOUGHT THAT HE WAS JUST HAVING ANOTHER ASTHMA ATTACK AND PASSED OUT UNTIL A CERTIFIED ATHLETIC TRAINER WAS RADIOED IN BY A COACH FROM A FIELD AWAY AND WAS ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY ASSESS THAT THIS WAS INDEED A CARDIAC SITUATION.

STARTED APPROPRIATE CPR WITH THE USE OF AN AED.

THIS STUDENT IN GOOSE CREEK LIVED TO BE REUNITED WITH THAT TRAINER AND ATTEND ANOTHER SOCCER GAME.

WE HAVE AMAZING AND DEDICATED COACHES IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT AND WE ALWAYS HAVE.

THEY SERVE AS MENTORS, COACHES AND OFTEN EXTENDED FAMILY TO OUR STUDENT ATHLETES, BUT THEY CANNOT AND SHOULD NOT CONTINUE TO BE PUT IN LIABLE POSITIONS TO ALSO WEAR THE HAT OF BEING MEDICAL PROVIDERS.

THEY CANNOT BE EXPECTED TO ADEQUATELY COACH GAMES AND LEAD PRACTICES, WHILE ALSO BEING REQUIRED TO BE ON THE READY FOR ALL INJURIES.

YES, THEY ARE CPR CERTIFIED, AED TRAINED AND CONCUSSION PROTOCOL AWARE, BUT THEY CAN'T BE EXPECTED TO HAVE EYES ON THE SIDELINES AND THE BENCHES AS WELL AS THE FIELD AND COURT AT THE SAME TIME.

I, AS A PARENT, WANT TO BE ABLE, AS MY CHILDREN GROW, TO WATCH THEM PLAY SPORTS AND ENJOY WATCHING A GAME RATHER THAN SITTING ON A SIDELINE ON CONSTANT ALERT AS A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER, LOOKING AROUND TO SEE OTHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT COULD POSSIBLY HELP IF AN EMERGENCY ARISES.

WITHOUT PROPER ATHLETIC TRAINER COVERAGE, I FEAR THAT IT IS NOT A MATTER OF IF A POTENTIALLY PREVENTABLE TRAGEDY COULD OCCUR HERE IN AIKEN, IT IS A MATTER OF WHEN.

WE MUST BE PROACTIVE RATHER THAN REACTIVE.

WE OWE IT TO OUR STUDENT ATHLETES AND COACHES.

I ASK OF YOU, AS BOTH A CONCERNED PARENT AND PEDIATRIC PROVIDER, TO PLEASE STRONGLY CONSIDER ALLOTTING APPROPRIATE FUNDS IN YOUR 2024- 2025 BUDGET TO HAVE DESIGNATED FULL TIME ATHLETIC TRAINERS IN ALL OF OUR HIGH SCHOOLS IN OUR COUNTY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU. THE NEXT PERSON REQUESTING AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD IS PETER DELOREAN.

WHO WISHES TO SPEAK ABOUT DEI TRAINING? IT'S EMBARRASSING. GOOD EVENING, I'M PETER.

AM I CLOSE ENOUGH? I'M PETE DELOREAN FROM WINDSOR, AND I'M RESPONDING TO SOME DEI DISCUSSION I HEARD IN

[00:20:02]

JANUARY. COULD YOU SPEAK INTO THAT MIC A LITTLE BETTER, HAVING A LITTLE DIFFICULTY HEARING YOU BETTER.

THANK YOU. START OVER.

I'M PETER DELOREAN FROM WINDSOR, AND I'M TALKING IN RESPONSE TO SOME COMMENTS I HEARD ABOUT DEI TRAINING IN JANUARY, ONE OF JANUARY'S MEETINGS.

AND FOR YEARS I'VE LISTENED IN THIS ROOM TO GREAT MOMENTS OF NIGHTS LIKE TONIGHT, WHERE YOU'RE GIVING AWARDS TO MANY PEOPLE IN THE ROOM.

BUT I'VE ALSO LISTENED TO SPECIAL INTEREST, ESPOUSED POSITION, ESPOUSED POSITIONS DETRIMENTAL TO TEACHING THIS COMMUNITY'S DIVERSE STUDENT POPULATION.

AGAIN IN JANUARY, THERE WAS ANOTHER SUCH PUBLIC COMMENT ABOUT THE DISTRICT'S PLAN DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION TRAINING PROGRAM.

IT WAS MENTIONED WITH A NEGATIVE TONE THAT THE TRAINING MIGHT ADDRESS THE INTERSECTION OF THE VARIATIONS IN RACE, GENDER, SEXUALITY, NATIONALITY AND CLASS FACED DAILY BY TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND STAFF IN THE DISTRICT.

IT'S TIME FOR A DIFFERENT VOICE TO BE HEARD.

TOMORROW IS NOT SOON ENOUGH FOR THE DISTRICT TO BEGIN THE DEI TRAINING.

IT WILL HELP THE DISTRICT'S TEACHERS AND STAFF BETTER UNDERSTAND OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITY AND IMPROVE THEIR ABILITY TO HELP STUDENTS LEARN HOW TO THINK AND NOT WHAT TO THINK.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.

SORRY. THANK YOU SIR.

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS.

NEXT UP AS MAYOR PICCOLINO WILL INTRODUCE THESE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, DOCTOR BRADLEY.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE BOARD, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE COME DOWN TO THE FLOOR.

THANK YOU. JOHN HUTCHINS IS A BOARD MEMBER AND CHAIR OF THE GRANT REVIEW COMMITTEE FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION PARTNERS. HE ALSO SERVES AS DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL PROGRAMS AT THE RUTH PATRICK SCIENCE EDUCATION CENTER ON USC'S AIKEN'S CAMPUS. HE HAS SOME VERY SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS TO MAKE TONIGHT, AND I WOULD LIKE TO ASK HIM TO COME FORWARD TO DO SO.

THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO BE HERE THIS EVENING TO RECOGNIZE THE RECIPIENTS OF THE PUBLIC EDUCATION PARTNERS FALL 2023 CLASSROOM INNOVATION GRANTS.

SO THE OVERARCHING GOAL OF OUR PEP CLASSROOM INNOVATION GRANTS IS TO SUPPORT TEACHERS IN DEVELOPING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE METHODOLOGIES AND STRATEGIES THAT ENGAGE AND ENHANCE STUDENT LEARNING IN MEASURABLE AND MEANINGFUL WAYS.

EACH GRANT IS AWARDED UP TO FIVE, GRANT RECIPIENT IS AWARDED UP TO $500.

TEACHERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PARTNER TO PROVIDE LEARNING IMPACT TO IMPACT THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF STUDENTS.

THE GRANT APPLICATIONS WERE EVALUATED BY THE PEP GRANT COMMITTEE AND JUDGED ON SEVERAL FACTORS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE SCOPE OF THE IMPACT TRUE INNOVATION OR CREATIVITY OF THE PROJECT DESIGN, INCLUDING THE LEARNING OBJECTIVES, THE ABILITY TO MEASURE RESULTS, IMPROVEMENTS MADE AS A RESULT OF UTILIZING THE GRANT, AND THE ABILITY TO ACCOMPLISH THE GOAL OF THE GRANT WITH THE FUNDS PROVIDED.

WE'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE GRANT RECIPIENTS THIS EVENING.

IF YOU ARE HERE, PLEASE JOIN THE BOARD AS WE CALL YOUR NAME.

SO OUR FIRST RECOGNIZED GRANT RECIPIENTS ARE DOCTOR KAYLA HOSTETLER AND MRS. EMILY GREEN FROM AIKEN HIGH SCHOOL.

AND THEIR GRANT IS ENTITLED EDUCATIONAL ESCAPE ROOMS. OKAY. OKAY.

EVERYBODY. EVERYBODY.

EMILY IS ALSO A RECIPIENT OF A GRANT CALLED CONVERSATIONS WITHOUT BORDERS.

NO. YOU'RE GOOD.

KATHY GRIFFIN, ALSO FROM AIKEN HIGH SCHOOL AND A DISTRICT WIDE GRANT IS BEING RECOGNIZED FOR HER GRANT GET HIRED.

ABBY REINHOLD AND TAMI ALLEN.

[00:25:05]

A DISTRICT WIDE GRANT TITLED WHAT DOES YOUR EYE CONDITION MEAN? EWEN GRIFFITHS FROM HAMMOND HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WITH HER GRANT, S FOUR, STUDENTS STEM, SENSORY AND SUCCESS.

JENNIFER MCMILLAN FROM JACKSON STEM MIDDLE SCHOOL.

HER GRANT IS ENTITLED NOTHING MICRO ABOUT IT.

LYNELL WILLIAMS FROM KENNEDY MIDDLE SCHOOL WITH A GRANT TITLED PROJECT THANK YOU.

COREY LENNON FROM MIDLAND VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL WITH A GRANT ENTITLED GREAT CHEFS GET ROLLING IN THEIR PASTA. I THINK COREY AND HER STUDENTS PROVIDED FOOD FOR TONIGHT FOR THE BOARD.

LAURIE HARMON FROM MOSSY CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WITH A GRANT ENTITLED FLEXIBLE SEATING AND A RESOURCE CLASSROOM.

PATRICIA SAXON FOR NEW ELLINGTON STEAM MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR A GRANT BOOK NO FURTHER.

MEGAN SCHULTE FROM OAKWOOD WINDSOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WITH HER GRANT WISE OWLS CAN CODE.

AND MICHELIN LANGFORD FROM WARRENVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WITH A GRANT ENTITLED GENERATING GEOLOGY GROWTH THROUGH STEM.

SO THESE GRANTS TOTALED $5,517.65.

SO LET'S GIVE THEM A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

WE'D LIKE TO PRESENT THE CHECK.

FROM THE PUBLIC EDUCATION PARTNERS IF THE BOARD CAN JOIN US UP HERE AS WELL.

OH, YEAH.

ALL RIGHT.

CHECK OVER HERE.

I'M SORRY. I WAS LIKE, WAIT A MINUTE.

NO. NO.

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR TEACHERS FOR ENTERING THOSE GRANTS.

I'M INTRIGUED BY YOUR TITLES AND WOULD LOVE TO READ THEM, BUT PLEASE, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE AND GET READY FOR YOUR SCHOOL DAY TOMORROW, PLEASE DO.

READY? OKAY.

NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING WEEK WAS RECENTLY CELEBRATED IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT AT THE BEGINNING OF FEBRUARY.

THIS YEAR WAS ESPECIALLY SPECIAL FOR OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT, AS WE HAD THREE STATE WINNERS WHO HAD JUST RECEIVED THEIR CONGRATULATIONS AT THE PALMETTO STATE SCHOOL COUNSELORS ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL MEETING.

WE HAD TWO WINNERS OF OUR SCHOOL COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR AWARD, WHICH IS THE BEST OF THE BEST.

THESE COUNSELORS ARE RUNNING A TOP NOTCH COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAM AT THE ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, OR HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL.

NOMINEES SUBMIT THEIR PROGRAM AS EVIDENCE THAT THEY'RE UTILIZING DATA AND BEST PRACTICE TO SUPPORT STUDENTS AT AN

[00:30:08]

OPTIMAL LEVEL, AS WELL AS THEIR FAMILIES.

WE ARE SO EXCITED TO HAVE TWO OF OUR COUNSELORS HERE TONIGHT WHO RECEIVED THOSE AWARDS, AND THOSE INCLUDE MARLEY CALLOWAY, MARLEY, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE COME FORWARD.

SHE'S A SCHOOL COUNSELOR AT NORTH AUGUSTA MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND SHE WAS NAMED THE MIDDLE SCHOOL COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR FOR THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA. MRS. ANNA STEWART IS A SCHOOL COUNSELOR AT NORTH AUGUSTA HIGH SCHOOL, AND SHE WAS ALSO NAMED COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR FOR THE STATE AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL.

IN ADDITION TO MISS STEWART'S RECOGNITION.

ALSO AN ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT NORTH AUGUSTA HIGH SCHOOL, MISS KRISTEN RISHER, WAS RECOGNIZED AS THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR FOR THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

THE ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR GOES TO SOMEONE WHO HAS DEMONSTRATED THEIR BELIEF IN AND SUPPORT OF SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAMS. THEY RECOGNIZE AND SUPPORT THE SIGNIFICANT ROLE THAT SCHOOL COUNSELORS HAVE ON STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY.

WE'RE SO EXCITED. THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.

I KNOW YOU HAVE SUPPORTERS WITH YOU, SO I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE THEM AS WELL.

MISS CALLOWAY HAS HER CO-COUNSELOR WITH HER AT NORTH AUGUSTA.

MIDDLE. MISS SUMMER BARGE HAS JOINED HER TONIGHT.

AND I DO SEE OUR COUNSELING COORDINATOR IN THE BACK THERE.

MISS SHARON WORLEY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

WE'RE GLAD TO HAVE YOU HERE TONIGHT.

KRISTIN RISHER IS JOINED BY HER HUSBAND, SEAN RISHER.

GLAD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

AND, ANYA STEWART, YOU SEE THESE CUTIE PIES IN THE BACK? HER TWO CHILDREN, TRIP STEWART, COLEMAN STEWART AND HER MOTHER IN LAW, MISS RUBY STEWART.

WE'RE GLAD YOU'RE HERE.

WE'D LOVE TO GET SOME PICTURES OF YOU ALL WITH THE BOARD.

YES.

CONGRATULATIONS. WE'RE SO GLAD TO HAVE YOU HERE TONIGHT.

THANK YOU. AND THAT'S IT TONIGHT.

THANK YOU.

UNDER THE OFFICE OF BOARD CHAIRMAN.

I WOULD LIKE TO CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO A CELEBRATION THAT OCCURRED AT CILVER BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL LAST SATURDAY NIGHT.

IT WAS THEIR INITIAL INSTALLATION OF THE OUTSTANDING ATHLETES FROM THE PAST.

AND THEY HAD EIGHT INDUCTEES.

AND IT WAS QUITE A GATHERING, I'M TOLD.

AS FAR AS I KNOW, BOB WON'T SAY THAT BECAUSE I'M PROBABLY WRONG.

BUT ANYWAY, IT'S AN OUTSTANDING GROUP OF PEOPLE.

CILVER BLUFF HAS BEEN A MODEL OVER THE YEARS.

OF WHAT? CONSOLIDATING SMALL SCHOOLS.

CAN DO. THEY TOOK A BUNCH OF KIDS FROM NEW ELLINGTON WHO WERE ATTENDING AIKEN HIGH AND MIXED THEM WITH THE JACKSON HIGH SCHOOL.

AND CREATED A THEN VERY NICE FACILITY.

IT'S GOT SOME AGE ON IT NOW.

IT WAS OPENED IN 1980, BUT IT BECAME AN OUTSTANDING SCHOOL BOTH ATHLETICALLY AND ACADEMICALLY FROM THE GET GO. AND SO I'D LIKE TO CONGRATULATE EVERYBODY WHO WAS A PART OF THAT.

[00:35:10]

I'D LIKE TO REMIND THE BOARD MEMBERS THAT YOUR STATEMENT OF ECONOMIC INTEREST WITH THE ETHICS COMMISSION IS DUE ON MARCH 30TH.

THERE IS A FINE ATTACHED IF YOU DON'T GET IT IN.

SO. OKAY.

WE NOW GO TO OUR INDIVIDUAL ITEMS. THE FIRST IS PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS.

THE ADMINISTRATION PRESENTS TO THE BOARD A LIST OF PEOPLE THEY WANT TO HIRE.

AS SCHOOL PERSONNEL FOR THE NEXT YEAR.

AND WE HAVE RECEIVED THAT LIST, AND WE'RE BEING ASKED TO APPROVE THE HIRING OF THESE FOLKS.

I NEED A MOTION TO ACT ON THE SUBMITTED LIST.

MOVE BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON.

IS THEIR SECOND? SECOND.

MISS TYLER.

ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.

ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.

THE PERSONNEL SUBMITTED OR APPROVED.

SECONDLY IS A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR FINANCIAL AND PROCUREMENT AUDIT SERVICES.

WE CONTRACT WITH AN OUTSIDE AUDITOR TO AUDIT THE BOOKS AND SO FORTH EACH YEAR.

MR. TRAXLER, DID YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING TO THIS? BUT WHAT THIS IS, IS A LIST OF WE'RE ASKING PEOPLE, AUDIT FIRMS AND ALL TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL.

YES, SIR. ACTUALLY, IT'S WE'VE GONE OUT FOR PROPOSALS.

WE HAD TWO FIRMS THAT PUT IN FOR THAT.

IT'S AN AUDIT THAT THE STATE REQUIRES EVERY YEAR.

SO OUR REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS INCLUDED THE FINANCIAL AUDIT AND THE PROCUREMENT AUDIT.

AND WE MADE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD AS A FIVE YEAR CONTRACT.

OKAY. YOU WANT US TO ACT ON THAT TONIGHT? ALL RIGHT. IS THERE IS THERE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE ADMINISTRATION'S RECOMMENDATION FOR THE HIRING OF THE FIRM FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS? MOVE BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON.

IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND BY DOCTOR HANKS.

ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.

AND MR. LAURENCE, DO YOU WANT TO ANNOUNCE THAT TONIGHT? NO, I THINK WE'VE GOT A..

YEAH. GOTCHA.

I DIDN'T KNOW WHETHER WE DID THE AUDIT TEAM THE WAY WE DID, PERSONNEL OR NOT.

ALL RIGHT. NEXT GROUP OF ITEMS ARE CONSENT ITEMS. WE HAVE SIX ITEMS FOR APPROVAL.

WHAT WE DO IS WE APPROVE THESE SIX ITEMS AS A GROUP.

WE WILL GO THROUGH THEM ONE BY ONE.

AND IF NECESSARY, WE CAN VOTE ON THEM INDIVIDUALLY.

BUT IF THERE'S NO OBJECTION, WE VOTE ON ALL OF THEM AS A GROUP.

FIRST IS RATIFICATION OF EXPULSIONS.

THESE ARE A LIST OF STUDENTS WHO'VE BEEN RECOMMENDED FOR EXPULSION AND WHO DID NOT APPEAL.

SINCE THEIR TIME HAS EXPIRED, FOR THEM TO APPEAL, THE BOARD HAS TO RATIFY THE EXPULSION.

SO. THAT'S WHAT THAT IS.

THE SECOND IS OUT-OF-DISTRICT TRANSFER REQUEST FOR A STUDENT WHO LIVES IN OUR DISTRICT.

TO ATTEND ANOTHER DISTRICT, WE HAVE TO VOTE TO RELEASE HIM OR HER.

SO THAT'S WHAT THAT WOULD BE.

AND THAT'S FOR THE PERIOD OF TIME, 24-25.

WE ALSO HAVE A SIMILAR LIST FOR 23-24.

AND WE'LL BE LOOKING AT THAT ONE ALSO.

AND THEY HAVE OUT OF DISTRICT TRANSFER REQUEST AGAIN FOR TRANSFERS COMING INTO OUR DISTRICT FROM OTHER DISTRICTS FOR SCHOOL YEAR 24-25.

WE HAVE A PUBLIC EDUCATION PARTNERS OF AIKEN COUNTY GRANT AWARDS TO THE AIKEN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THESE. I THINK THE ONES THAT WE JUST RECOGNIZED.

BUT THEY DO HAVE TO BE APPROVED BY THE BOARD.

TO BE INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET.

AND LAST THE AMERICAN COMPANY DONATION.

AIKEN HIGH SCHOOL FOR FY 24.

THEY'VE GIVEN US A 300.

I MEAN, A $3,000 DONATION DESIGNED TO SUPPORT THE SCHOOL'S PROJECT.

[00:40:02]

LEAD THE WAY PLTW PRE-ENGINEERING PROGRAM.

IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THESE THESE ITEMS? MOVED BY MS. RHINEHART-JACKSON.

SECOND. SECOND.

SECOND BY MS. TYLER. ANY DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.

THESE SIX ITEMS THEN ARE APPROVED.

WE HAVE ONE INFORMATIONAL ITEM THIS EVENING, AND THAT'S A PRESENTATION ON OUR SOAR PROGRAM.

I'M GOING TO ASK MR. POSTELL, WHO IS THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR SECONDARY EDUCATION TO BRIEF US.

THANK YOU, DOCTOR BRADLEY.

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. MR. LAURENCE.

GOOD EVENING.

IT'S MY PLEASURE TO BE WITH YOU TONIGHT TO BRING YOU AN UPDATE ON OUR SOAR EFFORTS, WHICH AND BASICALLY IS A COMBINING OF EFFORTS TO SERVE OUR STUDENTS.

BEFORE I GET INTO THE POWERPOINT, I DO WANT TO ORIENT YOU TO SOME MATERIALS THAT YOU HAVE WITH YOU TONIGHT THAT WILL HELP YOU AS WE GO THROUGH THE PRESENTATION, THE FIRST ITEM THAT I GAVE YOU ALL IS A REFERENCE SHEET.

IT'S A ONE PAGER WITH SOME COMMON TERMS THAT WE'LL BE USING AT THE TOP.

SOME OF THOSE ACRONYMS WE ALWAYS USE THAT I MIGHT BE TALKING ABOUT IN BELOW THAT IS A CHART OF DATA BY SCHOOL.

SO AS WE TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF STUDENTS WE'RE GOING TO BE SERVING OR THE PROPOSAL SERVES, YOU CAN SEE WHICH SCHOOLS, YOUR SCHOOLS, HOW THAT HOW THE NUMBERS IMPACT THEM.

JUST TO KIND OF ORIENT YOU TO THE CHART.

WE HAVE OUR HIGH SCHOOLS DOWN THE SIDE.

THE COHORT SIZE IS THE GRADUATING COHORT THAT WE EXPECT THIS YEAR THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO GRADUATE THIS YEAR.

WE HAVE COLUMNS FOR HOME SCHOOL EXPULSIONS AND DROP OUTS.

THOSE ARE STUDENTS WHO ARE NO LONGER WITH US.

THE NEXT COLUMN IS OFF GRADE LEVEL.

THOSE ARE STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT CURRENTLY 12TH GRADERS BUT SHOULD BE GRADUATING, WHO PROBABLY WON'T.

THE LAST COLUMN IS IN JEOPARDY.

OR MAYBE THOSE ARE STUDENTS WHO MIGHT BE FAILING THINGS, WHO COULD POSSIBLY PULL IT, PULL IT TOGETHER, AND GRADUATE, BUT ARE, OF COURSE, IN JEOPARDY OF NOT MAKING IT.

AND IN THE TOTAL GIVES YOU THE COLUMN TOTAL BY SCHOOL FOR EACH OF THOSE CATEGORIES.

SO I'LL BE REFERRING TO SOME OF THOSE THINGS AS WE GO THROUGH THE POWERPOINT.

SO I JUST WANTED YOU TO HAVE THOSE SO THAT YOU CAN GO BACK TO THOSE NUMBERS AS YOU SEE SOMETHING THAT SPARKS YOUR INTEREST IN THE POWERPOINT.

AND AT THE BOTTOM, JUST SOME OTHER DETAILS ABOUT THE ABOUT THE PROPOSAL.

SO SOAR STANDS FOR STUDENTS OF AIKEN REENGAGED.

SO OUR GOAL IN THIS IS TO GRAB STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT CURRENTLY FULLY ENGAGED IN THEIR EDUCATION AND BRING THEM BACK INTO THE ENGAGEMENT PROCESS, BACK TO ENGAGING IN EDUCATION WITH US SO THAT WE CAN GET THEM THROUGH SCHOOL WITH THE THINGS NECESSARY TO GO OUT AND BE PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS.

I HEAR IT MAKING A NOISE.

I HAD IT UPSIDE DOWN.

ALL RIGHT. SO WE DECIDED WE ALSO HAVE A NEED OF ME HAVING TUTORING ON THE CLICKER.

SO THE NEED WE ESTABLISHED IS THAT WE HAVE A NEED TO GRAB STUDENTS AND KEEP THEM ENGAGED, SAVE THEM IN THEIR EDUCATION PROCESS, BRING THEM BACK INTO THE FOLD SO THAT WE CAN SERVE THEM AND DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR THEM SO THAT THEY CAN GET OUT INTO SOCIETY AND BE PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS.

GRADUATE, GO ON TO WHAT'S NEXT IN THEIR LIVES.

SO THE FIRST FIRST CATEGORY OF STUDENTS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS THOSE STUDENTS SENT TO ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL.

WE WANT TO GIVE THEM BEHAVIORAL SUPPORT AND THERAPY IN AN ALTERNATIVE SETTING TO KEEP THEM ON TRACK, GET THEM BACK TO THEIR HOME SCHOOL SO THAT THEY CAN BE SUCCESSFUL.

THE OTHER GROUP OF STUDENTS WE'LL BE LOOKING AT TONIGHT ARE THOSE EXPELLED WHO POSSIBLY COULD HAVE BEEN SERVED IN AN IN LIEU OF EXPULSION TYPE PROGRAM, WHICH I'LL TALK ABOUT TWICE IN THE PRESENTATION TONIGHT.

I PUT A NUMBER THERE FOR YOU.

THERE ARE 18 WHAT WE CALL NINE GR 21 STUDENTS IN THAT CATEGORY WHO HAVE ALREADY BEEN EXPELLED THROUGHOUT THEIR FOUR YEARS.

SO IF YOU REFER TO YOUR REFERENCE SHEET, THE NINE GR 21, THAT'S HOW WE CLASSIFY THE COHORT OF STUDENTS WHO SHOULD BE GRADUATING THIS YEAR.

THOSE STUDENTS STARTED SCHOOL AS FRESHMEN OR STARTED HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR.

AND SO THEREFORE SHOULD BE GRADUATING IN THE SPRING OF 24.

AND ALL OF THE NUMBERS THAT I GIVE YOU WILL GO BACK TO THAT NINE GR 21 OR THE COHORT WHO SHOULD BE GRADUATING THIS YEAR.

SO 18 STUDENTS THERE.

WE'RE TALKING ALSO ABOUT STUDENTS WHO GO TO HOME SCHOOL.

A LOT OF STUDENTS LEAVE US TO GO TO HOME SCHOOLING FOR VARIOUS REASONS.

WE'VE HAD 117 OF THOSE IN THE CURRENT GRADUATING COHORT OFF GRADE LEVEL STUDENTS NOT GRADUATING ON TIME, 61 OF THOSE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IN THIS COHORT, AND THEN STUDENTS WHO NEED THAT NONTRADITIONAL EDUCATION AND HOW WE SERVE THEM.

WE HAVE, I PUT THE DROP OUT.

[00:45:01]

NO DOCUMENTATION STUDENTS IN THERE.

THOSE ARE STUDENTS WHO HAVE LEFT US AND WE DON'T REALLY KNOW WHERE THEY WENT, OR WE KNOW THEY WENT SOMEWHERE AND THEY MAY HAVE GONE TO WORK OR JUST GONE.

AND WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO PULL THEM BACK IN SOME OF THEM AND SERVE THOSE STUDENTS.

AND THEN WE HAVE 150 STUDENTS CURRENTLY IN JEOPARDY OF NOT GRADUATING DUE TO POOR GRADES, MAYBE FAILING SOMETHING THEY NEED FOR GRADUATION.

SO THAT'S THE NEED WE ESTABLISHED.

THOSE ARE THE STUDENTS WE LOOKED AT IN DEVELOPING THIS PROGRAM.

WHAT I'LL GIVE YOU THROUGH THE PRESENTATION TONIGHT IS THE PURPOSE OF SOAR.

FIVE KEY GOALS THAT WE HAVE IN THE PROGRAM AND DESIGNING THE PROGRAM, THE FOUR PROGRAM COMPONENTS.

AND THEN GO INTO A SUMMARY OF EACH COMPONENT TO TELL YOU WHAT'S DIFFERENT ABOUT THE THREE THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE, AND THE FOURTH ONE THAT WE'RE PROPOSING TO DEVELOP.

SO OUR PURPOSE, LIKE I SAID AT THE BEGINNING, IS BASICALLY TO COMBINE PROGRAMS WE ALREADY HAVE INTO FOUR MAJOR COMPONENTS IN ORDER TO SERVE STUDENTS MORE EFFICIENTLY, MORE EFFECTIVELY SERVE STUDENTS WHO ARE OTHERWISE NOT ENGAGED IN THEIR CURRENT EDUCATION, NOT DOING WHAT THEY SHOULD BE DOING TO GET WHERE THEY NEED TO GO.

SO BASICALLY, WE'RE PROVIDING OPTIONS FOR SERVING STUDENTS, AND WE'VE LISTENED TO WHAT SCHOOLS HAVE ASKED.

WE'VE LISTENED TO WHAT TEACHERS HAVE ASKED.

WE'VE LISTENED TO WHAT YOU HAVE ASKED US TO DO AS FAR AS PROVIDING OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS OUT THERE.

SO AS I SAID, FIVE MAJOR GOALS FOR SOAR.

THE FIRST ONE IS TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH THOSE SELF-CORRECTING BEHAVIORS, TOOLS TO LEARN, THOSE SELF-CORRECTING BEHAVIORS TO REPLACE MISBEHAVIORS THAT ARE GETTING IN THE WAY THAT COULD CAUSE THEM TO BE EXPELLED, SUSPENDED, CAUSE THEM ULTIMATELY TO DROP OUT OR FAIL COURSES.

THAT'S THROUGH THE ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM.

PROVIDE A MEANS OF STUDENTS TO EARN AN EDUCATION AND BEING PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS IN WAYS OTHER THAN ATTENDING THE TRADITIONAL SCHOOL.

CURRENTLY WE HAVE AIKEN INNOVATE THAT DOES THAT.

LATER WE'LL TALK ABOUT AIKEN INNOVATE AND PROPOSAL FOR AN EVENING SETTING.

WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE EDUCATION TO STUDENTS WHO JUST CAN'T FUNCTION IN THE FACE TO FACE SCHOOL SETTING DUE TO POOR BEHAVIOR CHOICES OR VIOLENT BEHAVIORS OR THINGS THAT JUST SHOULD KEEP THEM OUT OF THE SCHOOL WITH OTHER STUDENTS, BUT WE DON'T WANT TO TOTALLY MOVE THOSE STUDENTS TO SOMETHING ELSE.

WE DON'T HAVE AN OPTION RIGHT NOW EXCEPT TO EXPEL THOSE STUDENTS.

SO WE'LL TALK ABOUT A LITTLE BIT LATER HOW TO MEET THIS GOAL THROUGH AND IN LIEU OF EXPULSION PROGRAM AND THROUGH ADDING SOME THINGS TO OUR CURRENT ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM, SUCH AS A REMOTE OPTION.

WE WANT TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE BEHIND TO CATCH UP THAT HELPS THEM GRADUATE ON TIME AND STAY ON TRACK FOR GRADUATION, WHICH IS A NEW STATE MEASURE IN THE SCHOOL REPORT CARD AND THEN ALSO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE NONTRADITIONAL STUDENTS TO EARN THEIR DIPLOMA IN A DIFFERENT SETTING.

AIKEN INNOVATE DOES THAT NOW.

EVENING PROGRAM COULD DO THAT.

AND I WANT TO PAUSE ON THAT ONE FOR A SECOND, BECAUSE THOSE ARE REAL STUDENTS, REAL FACES WHO JUST NEED SOMETHING ELSE.

WE JUST DID A ROUND OF GRADUATION AUDITS ON THIS COHORT OF STUDENTS.

THAT'S HOW WE CAME UP WITH THESE NUMBERS THAT I HAVE FOR YOU.

THERE ARE STUDENTS IN THIS CATEGORY WHO MAYBE THEY HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF A CHILD, AND THERE'S NO ONE AT HOME TO DO THAT DURING THE DAY.

SO THEY STAY HOME, SO THEY DROP OUT.

ADULT ED IS NOT AN OPTION FOR THOSE STUDENTS.

WE HAVE SOME STUDENTS WE TALKED ABOUT.

WE SAID, WHERE DID HE GO? HE'S BEEN GREAT, GREAT GRADES.

WELL, HE'S WORKING CONSTRUCTION RIGHT NOW WITH HIS DAD, MAKING LOTS OF MONEY AND DOESN'T WANT TO COME BACK TO SCHOOL.

WELL, THAT'S SOMEBODY WHO COULD BE SERVED IN AN EVENING SETTING AND WORK DURING THE DAYTIME.

ALL KINDS OF NONTRADITIONAL WAYS.

WE HAVE STUDENTS WHO TAKE CARE OF PARENTS OR SIBLINGS WHO JUST CAN'T BE THERE DURING THE DAYTIME.

SO WE LOOKED AT THOSE DIFFERENT THINGS TO SERVE STUDENTS.

SO THE FOUR MAJOR COMPONENTS.

THIS IS JUST A QUICK REVIEW OF IT, BECAUSE I'LL GO INTO A LITTLE BIT MORE DETAIL IN THE NEXT IN THE SUBSEQUENT SLIDES.

BUT THE FOUR MAJOR COMPONENTS OF SOAR WOULD BE AIKEN INNOVATE, WHICH IS OUR CURRENT FULL 100% ONLINE PROGRAM WHERE STUDENTS GO IN LIEU OF GOING TO THEIR HOME SCHOOL FACE TO FACE SETTING.

THEY'RE STILL CONNECTED TO THEIR HOME SCHOOL.

THEY STILL HAVE ACCESS TO EXTRACURRICULARS AT THE HOME SCHOOL.

WE HAVE AIKEN COUNTY VIRTUAL ACADEMY, WHICH IS KIND OF AN A LA CARTE.

STUDENTS TAKE INITIAL CREDIT COURSES OR RECOVERY COURSES AS NEEDED THROUGH THAT.

THAT'S A FRANCHISE WITH THE SOUTH CAROLINA VIRTUAL SCHOOL.

WE HAVE THE AIKEN COUNTY EVENING PROGRAM, WHICH IS PROPOSED TO SERVE STUDENTS IN THAT NONTRADITIONAL SETTING IN TWO DIFFERENT TIERS, SO THAT WE CAN TAKE STUDENTS WHO ARE BEHIND AND CATCH THEM UP, AND TAKE STUDENTS WHO CAN'T ATTEND INTO THE TRADITIONAL SETTING AND GIVE THEM AN EDUCATION AND GIVE THEM A MEANS TO ACHIEVE THAT.

AND THEN WE HAVE OUR ALTERNATIVE PLACEMENT FOR BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION, WHICH I'LL TALK ABOUT SOME ENHANCEMENTS WE WANT TO MAKE TO THAT.

THAT'S CIL AS WE CURRENTLY KNOW IT.

[00:50:05]

SO AGAIN, KEEPING THOSE FOUR MAJOR COMPONENTS IN MIND.

AND THAT'S THE LAST BULLET ON YOUR REFERENCE SHEET.

IF YOU WANT TO GO BACK TO THOSE AND SEE WHAT THOSE WERE, THOSE ARE THE KEY COMPONENTS ON YOUR REFERENCE SHEET.

SO AIKEN INNOVATE WAS THE FIRST ONE I MENTIONED.

AGAIN, THIS IS OUR FULLY ONLINE SCHOOL WHERE STUDENTS APPLY.

THEY HAVE TO BE IN GOOD ACADEMIC STANDING.

THEY HAVE TO SHOW THAT THEY'RE ABLE TO WORK ON THEIR OWN, GO TO SCHOOL ONLINE, ATTEND THOSE LIVE SESSIONS, DO THEIR WORK KIND OF INDEPENDENTLY, BUT WITH THAT TEACHER SUPPORT AS NEEDED.

ONE ADDITION TO THIS IN ORANGE AT THE BOTTOM IS AND WE'RE ALREADY EXPLORING THE OPTIONS OF PUTTING IN ATTENDANCE INTERVENTION PROCESS FOR AIKEN INNOVATE FOR STUDENTS WITH AFAS AND FA MEANS FAILURE DUE TO ATTENDANCE AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL.

WE WE ISSUE CREDITS AND THE STUDENTS WHO FAIL, WHO HAVE MISSED TOO MANY DAYS OF SCHOOL TO RECEIVE CREDIT, RECEIVE AN FA FOR THAT COURSE, WHICH IS THEN FACTORED IN AS A FAILING GRADE ON THEIR TRANSCRIPT.

SO SOME STUDENTS HAVE LEGITIMATE REASONS WHY THEY CAN'T MAKE IT TO SCHOOL.

AND SO AIKEN INNOVATE MIGHT BE A WAY TO SOLVE THAT.

AND THAT IS A CHANGE THAT IS NO COST TO US.

IT JUST INVOLVES ADDING STUDENTS TO AIKEN INNOVATE.

THEY APPLY. SCHOOLS RIGHT NOW ARE GOING THROUGH LOOKING AT STUDENTS WHO MIGHT QUALIFY, AND THEY'RE GOING TO BRING A LIST TO THE TABLE TO OUR AIKEN INNOVATE STAFF AND AND LOOK AT GETTING THEM IN THE PROGRAM.

SO IT'S A WAY WE CAN SAVE STUDENTS THERE.

OUR AIKEN COUNTY VIRTUAL ACADEMY, AGAIN THAT'S OUR FRANCHISE WITH VIRTUAL SC, WHERE WE OFFER ONLINE COURSES WITH OUR TEACHERS IN AND OUTSIDE OF THE NORMAL SCHOOL DAY SETTING. STUDENTS TAKE THAT FOR INITIAL CREDIT TO CATCH UP.

THEY MIGHT TAKE IT AS AN ONLINE AP CLASS IF IT'S NOT OFFERED AT THEIR SCHOOL.

THE PROPOSED CHANGE THERE WOULD BE POSSIBLY SERVING STUDENTS IN AN IN-LIEU OF EXPULSION OPTION.

RIGHT NOW, OUR HEARING OFFICERS HAVE THE OPTION OF SENDING A STUDENT BACK TO SCHOOL, SENDING A STUDENT TO CIL, OR EXPELLING THEM.

AND THERE'S A CERTAIN GROUP OF STUDENTS AND IN THE, IN THE NINE GR COHORT, WE HAD 18 OF THEM WHO MIGHT FIT THAT IN LIEU OF EXPULSION OPTION.

AND I'LL TALK ABOUT THAT IN MORE DETAIL IN THE NEXT FEW SLIDES WITH OUR ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM, AND KIND OF FLESH THAT OUT FOR YOU.

SO THAT'S AIKEN INNOVATE.

I MEAN ACVA.

OUR ALTERNATIVE PLACEMENT FOR BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION IS CIL.

THIS IS WHERE WE GIVE STUDENTS THOSE BEHAVIORAL CORRECTIONS AND SUPPORT, SO THAT THEY CAN GO BACK AND BE SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR HOME SCHOOL.

AND STUDENTS GO HERE THROUGH A MULTIPLE THROUGH A FEW DIFFERENT MEANS.

IN THE CORE PROGRAM, WE PROVIDE INTENSIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORT.

ONE OF THE PROPOSALS WE'RE MAKING IN THIS, TO ENHANCE WHAT MR. DUGGER AND HIS TEAM DO IN SERVING STUDENTS AND SAVING STUDENTS, IS ADDING THAT BOARD CERTIFIED BEHAVIOR ANALYST, OR BEHAVIOR SUPPORT TO THE PROGRAM TO PROVIDE INTENSIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORT TO STUDENTS WHO NEED TO CORRECT THOSE BEHAVIORS IN ORDER TO BE SUCCESSFUL BACK IN THE HOME SCHOOL.

ANOTHER POSSIBILITY THERE IS WE'D LIKE TO LOOK AT THE POSSIBILITY OF ADDING A LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COURSE, SOMETHING THAT I'VE HEARD MANY PEOPLE SAY WE NEED OUR WE NEED TO TEACH OUR STUDENTS LEADERSHIP SKILLS.

MAYBE THEY NEED SOME COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS.

THEY NEED SOME SKILLS TO JUST BE CONNECTED TO WHO THEY ARE AND WHERE THEY FIT AS CITIZENS IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

SO WE WANT TO TEACH THEM THOSE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT SKILLS, AND WE'RE ALREADY PROVIDING TARGETED SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS WHEN THEY TRANSITION BACK TO THEIR HOME SCHOOL THROUGH A TRANSITION SPECIALIST, WHO WE HAVE AT CIL FOR THE SECOND YEAR NOW.

SO THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE ALREADY HAPPENING AND WE WANT TO ENHANCE THOSE.

TWO OTHER OPTIONS WE WANT TO ADD TO THE ALTERNATIVE PLACEMENT BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION.

ONE IS THE REMOTE SETTING.

SO THIS ONE, I'LL SLOW DOWN A LITTLE BIT ON STUDENTS WHO DO NOT NEED THAT INTENSIVE BEHAVIORAL SUPPORT.

THEY MAY HAVE DONE SOMETHING THAT'S A CODE OF CONDUCT VIOLATION WHERE THEY NEED TO BE REMOVED FROM THE SCHOOL SETTING FOR A PERIOD OF TIME.

THEY NEED TO CONTINUE THEIR COURSEWORK, BUT THEN THEY CAN TRANSITION BACK TO THAT HOME SCHOOL SETTING.

WHEN THAT PERIOD OF TIME IS OVER.

THAT COULD BE A 30 DAY REMOVAL, A 45 DAY REMOVAL, WHATEVER THE TEAM DECIDES THAT SHOULD BE.

AND THAT IS NO COST.

THAT CAN BE SERVED WITH OUR OUR TEACHERS RIGHT NOW WE HAVE AN ONLINE CURRICULUM THAT WE CAN USE WITH THAT.

SO THAT'S A WAY TO SERVE STUDENTS.

AND ANOTHER OPTION FOR THE HEARING HEARING PROCESS.

THE BIG CHANGE HERE WOULD BE THE IN-LIEU OF EXPULSION OPTION.

WE HAD THIS A WHILE BACK.

WE DID SOME OF THIS THROUGH ACVA, SO THIS COULD BE STUDENTS WHO WE'VE DEEMED THEM TO BE TOO DISRUPTIVE TO STAY IN THE FACE TO FACE SCHOOL SETTING.

IT MAY BE THAT, THAT FIGHT MAYBE IT'S A SECOND FIGHT AND IT'S TIME FOR THAT STUDENT TO BE RECOMMENDED FOR EXPULSION.

[00:55:07]

AND WE HAVE A LITTLE HEARTBURN AND SAYING, GOSH, WE DON'T REALLY WANT TO EXPEL THIS STUDENT COMPLETELY AND SAY, YOU'VE LOST THE ENTIRE YEAR.

WE'RE PUTTING YOU BEHIND.

THIS IS KIND OF THAT PURGATORY THAT WAY STATION BETWEEN.

GO INTO THE ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL AND BEING EXPELLED, SO THE IN LIEU OF EXPULSION OPTION WOULD BE A MORE LIMITED COURSE OFFERING WHERE STUDENTS COULD BE SERVED THROUGH ACVA, WHICH IS OUR VIRTUAL ACADEMY THROUGH VIRTUAL SC, AND THOSE STUDENTS WOULD GO INTO THAT FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. SO THAT'S A VIOLENT STUDENT SOMEBODY WHO JUST CAN'T BEHAVE.

TEARING THE PLACE UP.

THEY COULD GO INTO THIS SETTING FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SCHOOL YEAR IF WE DEEM IT'S NOT WORTHY OF EXPULSION.

NOW, THIS WOULD NOT INCLUDE YOUR WEAPON OFFENSES, YOUR ASSAULT OFFENSES, AND THINGS THAT ARE SO EGREGIOUS THAT WE JUST HAVE TO GO THROUGH WITH AN EXPULSION.

AND AGAIN, THAT WOULD BE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

SO OPTIONS WE'RE PROVIDING OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS.

THE LAST PIECE OF THE FOUR COMPONENTS WOULD BE THE AIKEN COUNTY EVENING PROGRAM.

THIS ONE, UP TO NOW, EVERYTHING THAT I'VE MENTIONED COULD SERVE HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS, BECAUSE WE SERVE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS THROUGH OUR ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL.

THE EVENING PROGRAM OPTION WOULD BE FOR STUDENTS TO RECEIVE CREDIT.

SO THESE WOULD BE HIGH SCHOOL BEARING CREDIT BEARING COURSES.

SO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS SERVED IN TWO TIERS.

SO JUST TO KIND OF GO THROUGH THE LIST HERE.

THE PLAN WOULD BE THAT WE COULD SERVE UP TO 180 STUDENTS THROUGH SEATS, 180 SEATS OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR.

THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN 180 STUDENTS.

THAT COULD BE 200 STUDENTS, THAT COULD BE 250.

AS A STUDENT FINISHES THE PROGRAM AND VACATES A SEAT.

ANOTHER STUDENT MOVES IN TO TAKE THAT PLACE.

SO WE'RE FIGURING ABOUT 180 SEATS IN TWO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS.

SO JUST TO GO THROUGH THIS, THIS IS IN-PERSON TEACHER SUPPORT WITH STUDENTS OUTSIDE OF THE NORMAL SCHOOL SETTING.

WE'VE HAD A FOUR YEAR GRANT TO DO SOME EVENING PROGRAMS, AND WE'VE LEARNED THROUGH TRIAL AND ERROR THAT THE FACE TO FACE, IN-PERSON SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS DOING COURSE WORK IS WHAT WORKS.

WE CAN'T PUT THEM ON A ON A COMPUTER AND SAY, GO DO IT AND LET US KNOW WHEN YOU'RE DONE.

IT HAS TO BE THAT FACE TO FACE, SHOULDER TO SHOULDER SUPPORT WITH THE TEACHERS HELPING THAT STUDENT THROUGH THE CURRICULUM.

SO THE PROPOSAL HERE WOULD BE.

STUDENTS WOULD ATTEND IN PERSON.

AND AS NEEDED BASED ON THE COURSES THEY'RE TAKING TIER ONE STUDENTS WOULD BE THAT RECOVERY SUPPORT.

SO I MIGHT BE A STUDENT AT, SAY, MIDLAND VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL.

I FAILED A COURSE FIRST SEMESTER THAT I NEED FOR GRADUATION.

I CAN'T REALLY FIT THAT IN MY SCHEDULE SECOND SEMESTER TO RESCHEDULE IT, BECAUSE I'M IN SOMETHING ELSE THAT I NEED TO MAYBE DO A COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR CTE OR GET THAT ENHANCED EDUCATION THAT I WANT.

SO I COULD THEN GO TO THE EVENING SETTING AND RECOVER THAT COURSE INSTEAD OF HAVING TO COME TO SUMMER SCHOOL OR RETAKE IT THE NEXT YEAR.

SO AGAIN, IT'S A WAY TO KEEP STUDENTS ON TRACK FOR GRADUATION, GET THEM THE CREDIT THEY NEED, AND HAVE THEM KEEP PROGRESSING THROUGH THEIR EDUCATION.

TIER TWO WOULD BE THE STUDENT WHO NEEDS THAT NONTRADITIONAL EDUCATION, WHO MAYBE DOESN'T FIT FOR ADULT ED AND COULDN'T MAKE IT IN AIKEN INNOVATE BECAUSE THEY NEED THEY NEED TO BE DIRECTED BY A TEACHER.

THEY NEED THE SUPPORT OF A TEACHER SITTING THERE WITH THEM, HELPING THEM THROUGH IT.

BUT THESE STUDENTS CAN DO THE WORK.

THEY JUST NEED AN ALTERNATE SETTING.

SO THAT WOULD BE TIER TWO.

SO SERVING UP TO 180 STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF A YEAR.

TWO DIFFERENT TIERS.

SEATS. STUDENTS CAN COME IN AND OUT OF THE PROGRAM AND IT KIND OF WORKS.

IT WORKS LIKE THIS WITH STAFFING.

SO IT WOULD NOT BE A NEW POSITION.

IT WOULD NOT BE NEW PEOPLE CREATED NEW FTES.

IT WOULD BE SERVED THROUGH EXTRA DUTY.

PROPOSAL WOULD BE TO HAVE TWO SITES.

A MAIN SITE TO SERVE OUR CLOSE IN SCHOOLS.

FIGURED THAT ON FOUR TEACHERS.

THREE HOURS A DAY, FOUR NIGHTS A WEEK.

SO UP TO 48 HOURS OF GENERAL EDUCATION TEACHER SUPPORT.

UP TO 12 HOURS A WEEK OF SPECIAL EDUCATION, TEACHER SUPPORT AND SCHOOL COUNSELOR SUPPORT TO GET THE STUDENTS IN THE RIGHT COURSES.

DESIGN THAT PROGRESSION SO THAT THEY STAY ON TRACK FOR GRADUATION.

A POSSIBLE AREA FOUR SITE TO SERVE STUDENTS IN RIDGE, SPRING AND WAGNER AREA SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO COME IN TO A CENTRAL SITE.

THE MAIN SITE WE'D PROPOSE ABOUT 120 STUDENTS.

THE NEEDS A LITTLE BIT SMALLER WITH THE SMALLER SCHOOLS.

SO WE'RE PROPOSING ABOUT 60 SEATS THERE.

SO 24 HOURS A WEEK OF TEACHER SUPPORT.

THAT COULD BE MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS.

I HAVE MY MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHER PRESENT.

SO STUDENTS TAKING MATH AND SCIENCE SHOW UP ON MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS.

[01:00:03]

AND THEN THE OTHER TWO DAYS I MIGHT HAVE SOCIAL STUDIES AND ENGLISH, AND THE STUDENTS COME IN AND TAKE THOSE.

SOME LESSONS WE LEARNED FROM THIS.

AGAIN I SAID FACE TO FACE.

FACE TO FACE SUPPORT WORKS.

WE NEED TRANSPORTATION FOR THE STUDENTS TO GET THERE.

CENTRALIZED LOCATION IS GOOD, AND WE HAVE TO SCREEN STUDENTS THE RIGHT WAY TO FIND THE STUDENTS WHO ARE GOING TO BE MOTIVATED TO DO THE WORK, WHO CAN DO THE WORK, WHO ARE GOING TO PUT IN THE TIME AND TAKE THAT SEAT AND USE IT TO IMPROVE THEIR SITUATION.

SO YOU MIGHT ASK, WHAT'S THE COST AND WHAT DO YOU NEED? TAKING THE POSITIONS WE HAVE USING THE FTS WE CURRENTLY HAVE, AND ADDING JUST A FEW THINGS TO IT.

WE BELIEVE WE CAN SERVE STUDENTS IN THESE WAY IN THIS WAY FOR, RIGHT, AT, OR POSSIBLY UNDER THAT 300,000 MARK.

PROPOSAL WE BROUGHT TO YOU ABOUT THIS TIME LAST YEAR, I THINK IT WAS WAS AROUND $760,000.

SO WE HEARD YOU.

WE NEED TO SERVE STUDENTS.

WE HAVE TO SAVE THEM.

WE HAVE TO PROVIDE OPTIONS.

YOU WANT OPTIONS. TEACHERS WANT OPTIONS.

PRINCIPALS WANT OPTIONS.

WE LISTENED. AND WE'RE TRYING TO DO THAT WITH IN A MUCH, MUCH MORE COST EFFICIENT WAY.

WITH ALL THE COMBINED PROGRAMS THAT SERVING SOMEWHERE BETWEEN SIX, TEN AND 650 STUDENTS PER YEAR.

AGAIN, IT COULD BE MORE WITH STUDENTS ROTATING THROUGH THOSE 180 SEATS, BUT THAT ALSO INCLUDES AIKEN INNOVATE, ACVA, ALTERNATIVE PLACEMENT, AND THEN THE EVENING PROGRAM. SO REALLY THE COST IS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 461 AND 491 PER STUDENT.

THE POSITIONS THAT WOULD ENTAIL.

THERE REALLY ARE ONLY THREE THAT WOULD BE ADDITIONAL POSITIONS.

ONE WOULD BE AN ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL POSSIBLY NEEDED TO SUPPORT THE ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL.

ONE WOULD BE THAT BCBA, THE BOARD CERTIFIED BEHAVIOR ANALYST OR THE BEHAVIOR SUPPORT PERSON TO SUPPORT THE ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL AND GIVE STUDENTS THOSE BEHAVIOR SKILLS.

THE CORRECTIVE MEASURES THAT THEY NEED TO GET BACK IN AND BE SUCCESSFUL.

AND THEN ONE WOULD BE THAT SCHOOL COUNSELOR.

SCHOOL COUNSELOR WOULD SUPPORT AIKEN INNOVATE PART TIME AND THEN PART TIME IN THE EVENING PROGRAM.

WHAT WE SEE IN AIKEN INNOVATE IS THOSE STUDENTS STILL BELONG TO THEIR HOME SCHOOL, BUT IT'S HARD FOR THE COUNSELORS AT THE HOME SCHOOL TO DESIGN SCHEDULES IN OUR AIKEN INNOVATE PROGRAM. REALLY NEED COUNSELOR SUPPORT THERE TO HELP WITH GUIDING THAT ACADEMIC PROGRAM AND THEN PROVIDING SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FOR THOSE STUDENTS.

THE REST OF IT WOULD BE FUNDED THROUGH ADDITIONAL DUTY.

THE NUMBER OF HOURS WERE BASED ON THREE HOURS A DAY, FOUR DAYS A WEEK FOR 28 WEEKS.

WE FIGURE IT'S GOING TO TAKE TWO WEEKS TO GET STUDENTS IN AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH QUARTER.

WE RUN IT FOR SEVEN WEEKS, THEN WE TAKE A BREAK, RESET, BRING THE REST OF THE STUDENTS IN AND RUN IT FOR ANOTHER SEVEN WEEKS, AND DO THAT OVER AND OVER THROUGHOUT THE CYCLE DOES NOT INCLUDE SUMMER PROGRAM BECAUSE HIGH SCHOOLS RUN THEIR OWN SUMMER PROGRAMS. AND FINALLY, THE LAST PIECE THAT I'LL BRING TO YOU IS OUR ANTICIPATED BENEFITS.

WE'RE LOOKING AT HOW THIS BENEFITS SCHOOLS AND STUDENTS NUMBERS REPORT CARDS.

AND YOU CAN SEE LISTED THERE INCREASED GRADUATION RATE BY KEEPING STUDENTS ON TRACK GIVING THEM THE COURSES THEY NEED.

THAT ON TRACK FOR GRADUATION RATE WHICH IS NOW REPORTED ON THE SCHOOL STATE SCHOOL REPORT CARD.

STUDENTS RECEIVING THE BEHAVIORAL SUPPORTS NEEDED TO BE SUCCESSFUL THROUGH CIL.

MR. DUGGER AND HIS TEAM DO A WONDERFUL JOB TAKING STUDENTS FROM ALL SORTS OF BEHAVIORS AND TRYING TO GUIDE THEM BACK TO THEIR HOME SCHOOL TO BE SUCCESSFUL, BUT WE BELIEVE WE CAN ENHANCE THAT A LITTLE BIT, AND THEN OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE DROP OUT.

IF WE CAN CATCH THEM AND PULL THEM BACK IN, THEN THAT'S MOST DEFINITELY WHAT WE WANT TO DO.

AND FINALLY THAT STUDENT WHO WE'RE NOT QUITE READY TO EXPEL.

BUT WE REALLY CURRENTLY DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO DO WITH THAT.

IN LIEU OF EXPULSION OPTION IS A GOOD ONE FOR THEM.

SO THAT IS SOAR STUDENTS OF AIKEN REENGAGED.

TRYING TO REENGAGE THOSE STUDENTS, KEEP THEM WITH US BECAUSE WE KNOW IF THEY'RE WITH US, WE HAVE AMAZING TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS AND COUNSELORS WHO WILL WRAP THEIR ARMS AROUND THEM, SUPPORT THEM, AND WALK THEM THROUGH THE PROCESS OF GETTING WHAT THEY NEED.

SO THAT'S OUR GOAL.

SO WITH THAT, HAPPY TO TAKE YOUR QUESTIONS.

MR. MOULTON.

MR. POSTELL, THE FIRST OF ALL, NOT A QUESTION AT ALL.

I'VE BEEN WAITING FIVE YEARS FOR THIS.

I REALLY LIKE IT.

I APPLAUD YOUR EFFORTS AND EVERYBODY THAT'S BEEN ON THE TEAM TO DO THIS, AND I APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS.

I DID HAVE A COUPLE QUESTIONS.

[01:05:02]

THESE ARE NOT CRITICAL QUESTIONS.

THESE ARE INFORMATIONAL QUESTIONS.

YES, SIR. OKAY. THANK YOU.

ONE, YOU SAID YOU CAN YOU HAVE A CAPACITY OF UP TO 650 STUDENTS.

AND WE'RE CURRENTLY BY THE NUMBERS YOU HAVE FOR THE NINE GR 21 CLASS.

WE'RE 524.

SO WE'RE WELL WITHIN THE 650.

THAT BRINGS THE QUESTION FOR ME.

THE PART OF THIS I LOVE THE MOST IS THE IN LIEU OF EXPULSION POSSIBILITY.

AND SO I KNOW WE WERE AT WAS IT 18 EXPULSIONS.

IS THERE A LIMIT ON HOW MANY WE CAN HANDLE THERE? I DON'T EXPECT THAT WOULD CHANGE A WHOLE LOT, BUT JUST KIND OF NUMBER.

NO, SIR. THEY ARE, THAT WOULD BE SERVED THROUGH OUR AIKEN COUNTY VIRTUAL ACADEMY.

THOSE TEACHERS CAN TAKE UP TO 30 STUDENTS APIECE.

AND IT REALLY DEPENDS ON WHAT THEY NEED.

IF THEY NEED, YOU KNOW, THE COURSEWORK THAT THEY NEED TO CONTINUE.

OF COURSE, WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GIVE THEM THE FUN ELECTIVE COURSES.

THEY'D HAVE TO KIND OF GO DOWN TO A BARE MINIMUM OF, HERE'S WHAT WE NEED TO KEEP YOU ON TRACK FOR GRADUATING, WHICH WOULD MOST LIKELY BE CORE PLUS, MAYBE A BASIC ELECTIVE OR TWO.

OKAY. BUT MOST DEFINITELY I JUST GOT TWO MORE QUESTIONS.

I'LL BE DONE BECAUSE I'M SURE THERE'S OTHERS.

SECOND QUESTION I CAME ACROSS WAS JUST THINKING ABOUT THIS.

ARE WE GOING TO HAVE TO REVISE THE CODE OF CONDUCT FOR ADMINISTRATORS TO BE ABLE TO CHOOSE SOME OF THESE OPTIONS, OR IS THIS SIMPLY DONE AT OUR LEVEL OR AT THE HEARING OFFICER LEVEL? YOU KNOW, THAT KIND OF THING? YES, SIR. I THINK WE'D HAVE TO HAVE SOME DISCUSSION ON THAT.

INITIALLY IT WOULD BE THE OPTIONS WOULD BE FOR THE HEARING OFFICERS TO, TO GUIDE STUDENTS IN THAT DIRECTION.

THE EVENING PROGRAM REALLY WOULDN'T BE DISCIPLINE BASED.

IT WOULD BE MORE ACADEMIC NEED.

OKAY. SO I DON'T REALLY SEE ANY ADJUSTMENTS NEEDED THERE.

WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A SET CRITERIA OF WHO WE WHO YOU KNOW, THE PROFILE OF THE STUDENT WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN THAT PROGRAM.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

AND LASTLY MY ONLY OTHER QUESTION, AFTER HAVING DEALT WITH THIS FOR A WHILE, AND I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT THINKS THIS WAY IF WE WERE TO APPROVE THIS AND FIRST OF ALL, IT'S A GREAT REVAMP OF THE FIRST PRESENTATION.

THANK YOU. BUT IF WE APPROVE THIS AND WE'RE ABLE TO COME UP WITH THE FUNDS TO DO IT, IS THERE ANY WAY TO MAKE IT RETROACTIVE? I MEAN, IS IT IS IT ACTIVE, LIKE STUDENTS THAT WE HAVE JUST RECENTLY EXPELLED OR, YOU KNOW, OR HEARD APPEALS ON AND EXPELLED, WOULD WE CONSIDER BEING RETROACTIVE WITH IT? I THINK UNDER THE EXPULSION, I THINK WE'RE UP TO I FORGET WHAT OUR NUMBER IS THIS YEAR WHEN WE COMBINE ALL THE COHORTS.

WHAT WE'D PROBABLY WANT IS FOR THE TEAM TO LOOK AT THE CASES INDIVIDUALLY AND SAY WHO DO WE WANT TO INVITE BACK INTO THE PROGRAM TO DO IT? OKAY.

YES, SIR. AND I KNOW WE HAVE TO PUT A LIMIT SOMEWHERE, BUT JUST, YOU KNOW, THERE'S JUST SOME CASES THAT COME TO MIND THAT SEEM LIKE THEY WOULD FIT REALLY WELL.

SO THEY ALL THEY ALL PULL ON OUR HEARTS, DON'T THEY? THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

OTHER QUESTIONS, MISS REINHART.

THE AIKEN COUNTY EVENING PROGRAM.

WHAT TIME OF, WHAT KIND OF TIME FRAME ARE WE TALKING? DO YOU ALL HAVE ANY IDEA AS OF YET? MOST LIKELY OUR OUR.

YES, MA'AM. MOST LIKELY 4 TO 7.

SEEMS LIKE THAT'S ABOUT WHEN, YOU KNOW, HIGH SCHOOLS, HIGH SCHOOLS RELEASE AT 3:30.

SO 4 TO 7 WOULD BE A GOOD TIME FRAME.

WE COULD ADJUST THAT, CERTAINLY IF NEEDED.

AND DID I HEAR YOU CORRECTLY WHEN YOU SAID THAT WE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION FOR THIS? YES, MA'AM. WE WANT TO.

SOME STUDENTS WOULD BE ABLE TO GET THERE ON THEIR OWN.

TRANSPORTATION IS ALWAYS A HURDLE TO ACCESSING THOSE PROGRAMS. SO I HAVE NOT LOOKED VERY FAR INTO WHAT IT WOULD TAKE.

WE NEED TO KNOW WHERE THE STUDENTS WERE COMING FROM, BUT THAT WOULD BE PART BUILT IN.

YES, MA'AM. I THINK WE HAVE TO.

OKAY. OTHER QUESTIONS.

THE COST OF THAT TRANSPORTATION HAS NOT BEEN CONSIDERED YET, OR THE ADDITIONAL POSSIBLE HIRE OF.

YES, MA'AM. CORRECT.

CORRECT. I HAVE ONE QUESTION.

THE COURSES IN THE IN LIEU OF EXPULSION PROGRAM.

WOULD THAT BE LIVE INTERACTIVE OPPORTUNITIES? ARE THEY GOING TO BE COMPUTER DRIVEN? THEY WOULD BE THROUGH OUR AIKEN VIRTUAL ACADEMY PROGRAM, WHICH IS THAT'S OUR FRANCHISE OF VIRTUAL SC SO IT IS COMPUTER DRIVEN WITH A TEACHER, THOUGH IT WOULD BE ONE OF OUR TEACHERS AT THE OTHER END OF THAT PROGRAM INTERACTING WITH THE STUDENTS.

SO SORT OF A HYBRID OF THE TWO.

YES, SIR.

ARE. IS THERE ANY WORK BEING DONE BY THE VIRTUAL PEOPLE AND TO GET TO A POINT WHERE WE CAN DO LIVE INTERACTIVE.

[01:10:02]

WE DID THAT, YOU KNOW, BY PAYING THE TEACHERS AN EXTRA STIPEND AND ALL DURING THE LAST YEAR OF COVID, I BELIEVE.

AND, BUT I THINK THAT WE COULD USE THAT MODEL MUCH MORE EFFECTIVELY THAN I THINK THESE KIDS WOULD RESPOND TO THAT MODEL MORE THAN THEY WOULD SOME COMPUTER PROGRAM.

SO YES, SIR, I AGREE.

WE'VE BEEN URGING THAT I KNOW IN GOAL SETTING WE'VE SET THAT SOME SEMBLANCE OF THAT GOAL FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS.

I WOULD URGE YOU ALL TO DO THAT.

IF THERE ARE NO MORE QUESTIONS, THANK YOU, MR. COSTELLO. THANK YOU.

PRESENTATION. APPRECIATE IT.

WE'VE RECEIVED NO REQUESTS FROM INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS FOR CONSIDERATION.

ITEMS HAVE NO CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESSED TO BOARD MEMBERS TO CONSIDER.

BRINGS US TO THE SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE.

MR. LAURENCE. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. AND JUST JUST VERY BRIEFLY, I DO WANT TO THANK PUBLIC EDUCATION PARTNERS FOR BEING HERE THIS EVENING AND FOR PRESENTING MANY OF OUR TEACHERS AND OTHER STAFF MEMBERS WITH MUCH NEEDED SUPPORT IN THEIR CLASSROOMS AND IN THEIR SCHOOLS.

SO WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THAT AND WE APPRECIATE OUR CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP WITH YOU.

DO WANT TO MENTION THAT WE ARE ONE MONTH AWAY FROM SPRING BREAK, AND WITH THAT, OUR NEXT OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE EXTENDED SUPPORT FOR OUR STUDENTS.

SO INVITATIONS HAVE GONE OUT FOR THAT INTERSESSION PERIOD, WHICH AGAIN, WILL BE THE FIRST WEEK IN APRIL.

SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING THOSE MEANINGFUL LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOR MANY OF OUR STUDENTS DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME.

THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.

WE'RE GOING TO NEED AN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

BUT BEFORE I DO THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EVEN THOUGH HE'S HAD ADEQUATE PUBLICITY AND SO FORTH TO INTRODUCE DOCTOR MURPHY, OUR UPCOMING SUPERINTENDENT.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A WORD OR TWO? ANYTHING? THIS IS THE FINAL TEST.

THIS IS THE BEST. FIRST OF ALL, GOOD EVENING, MR. CHAIRMAN ANDTHE REST OF THE BOARD MEMBERS, MR. LAURENCE AND COMMUNITY AT LARGE.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN.

I APPRECIATE THE VOTE OF CONFIDENCE YOU ALL HAVE BESTOWED UPON ME, AND I JUST LOOK FORWARD TO A LONG AND PRODUCTIVE RELATIONSHIP.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE'RE PLEASED TO HAVE YOU WHERE YOU ARE.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. WE WILL NEED A EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSIDERING THE FOLLOWING MATTERS.

IN SUCH ORDERS THE BOARD DEEMS APPROPRIATE.

WE ONLY HAVE ONE ITEM FOR THIS EVENING.

A STUDENT APPEAL FROM EVERYONE.

FOLLOWING THE EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETING, THE BOARD WILL RECONVENE IN REGULAR SESSION TO ANNOUNCE MATTERS.

CONSIDER AND TAKE ANY ACTIONS AS MAY BE DEEMED NECESSARY.

IS THERE A MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT THIS POINT? MOVED BY MISS RHINEHART-JACKSON.

SECOND. SECONDED BY DOCTOR HANKS.

ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.

WE WILL RECONVENE.

TEN MINUTES.

SO. RECONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

YES.

[01:24:31]

NO.

[01:31:56]

OH,

[01:39:20]

GOSH.

[01:48:44]

ALL RIGHT, I NEED A, I NEED A MOTION TO GO BACK INTO REGULAR SESSION FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION.

[01:48:54]

IS THERE A MOTION?

[01:48:55]

MS. RHINEHART-JACKSON A SECOND.

[01:48:57]

SECOND. MR. MOULTON. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.

WE ARE BACK IN REGULAR SESSION.

WHILE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, WE ARE HEARD THE STUDENT APPEAL FROM AN AREA ONE STUDENT WHO WAS APPEALING A PLACEMENT IN THE ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL.

IS THERE A MOTION? I MOVE THAT WE UPHOLD THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE HEARING OFFICER.

THANK YOU. ANY DISCUSSION? MS. TYLER, THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY.

NO DISCUSSION.

NO. NO DISCUSSION.

ALL IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.

THAT'S UNANIMOUS.

STEP. MOTION TO ADJOURN.

SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HAND.

WE DIDN'T DISCUSS THAT ONE.

GOOD NIGHT. GOOD JOB, DOCTOR BRADLEY.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.