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By David Stephens
HOMETOWN NEWS
The District Two School Board of Trustees convened in monthly session on June 9 with all trustees and Superintendent Dr. Scott Mercer in attendance.
In a public comment, Jeremy Smith, representing a construction firm from the Gaffney, SC, area, addressed the board with a concern about District Two policy and procedures regarding the pre-qualification of contractors who may bid on projects. Smith said, “I feel the pre-qualifying procedure is unfair and eliminates some companies from being able to bid.”
Smith asked the board to evaluate their process to ensure fairness in bid competition. The board took his comments under advisement and Board Chairman Danny McDowell informed Mr. Smith that he would receive a written response to his concern.
Chairman McDowell then turned the floor over to invited guest speaker, State House Representative Steve Parker who commended the school board and provided some legislative updates. (See related article.)
Next, Carlisle-Foster’s Grove Principal Nicha Jordan and school literacy coach Teresa Burnett were recognized for the excellent writing program at that school.
Dr. Quincie Moore, Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services then presented several updates. Moore stated that the migrant school program had 60 children enrolled and that 44 had attended the first day. She also said that Converse students were assisting in the school. Moore said that curriculum updates continued and that fine arts updates in art, chorus, instrumental music, and orchestra were being worked on. Moore informed the board that next school year a new math out - of - the - box initiative would be introduced at the K5 level with assistance from Clemson University aiding teachers in instructional methods.
Next, Moore said that technology teachers at the K-8 grade level were going to be trained at the Spartanburg County Instructional Technology Academy. On the topic of single - gender classes, Dr. Moore announced that parent meetings had been completed at Boiling Springs Intermediate School (BSIS) and Hendrix Elementary. She said that next school year BSIS would have 6 boys and 8 girls classes and 10 co-ed at the fifth grade level. At Hendrix for third grade there will be 2 boys and 1 girls class and 5 co-ed and in the fourth grade there will be 1 boys, 1 girls, and 5 co-ed classes. It was announced that BSIS Principal Tammy Greer had been appointed to the State Single Gender Advisory Board as a result of her efforts at BSIS.
On the topic of the Scholars Academy, Moore said that students there had finished the term with averages in all subjects in the 90 to 93 range and that they had also completed community service projects as part of the required curriculum at the Academy. Moore said that in regards to the Electronic Individual Graduation Plan program (EIGP), 99 percent of 8th through 10th grade district two students had completed a plan. Moore informed the board and showed examples as well of some of the new textbooks for next school term. Moore then updated the progress of district goals with indicators showing continuous improvement in all goals.
Lastly, Dr. Moore announced that the combined scholarship monies earned by seniors at Chesnee and Boiling Springs High Schools this year totaled over $14 million dollars, which was an increase from last year.
Next, Mr. Gilmore, lead architect for the construction projects at Chesnee High and Boiling Springs High provided updated pictures of progress at both locations.
At this point the trustees then went into executive session to discuss contract and personnel issues. Upon their return and after a public vote, it was announced by Director of Student Services, John King, that Beam Construction from Hickory, N.C. had been awarded the approximate $15.5 to $16.5 million dollar contract for construction of the new Rainbow Lake Middle School. Beam is the current construction firm working on the Chesnee High and Boiling Springs High projects and has completed other construction for the district.
The trustees then approved a request to purchase 53 acres of land for future school construction. The location was unspecified at the time.
A discussion about disposing/selling the old Chesnee Elementary School then was tabled pending further study.
One trip request from Boiling Springs High School as well as three student releases to other districts was approved.
Dr. Kristi Woodall, Director of Personnel, then presented various certified and administrative appointments for approval which was granted.
Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations, Don Denton, next provided the board with a financial expenditure report for the month of May.
The FY2010 General Fund and Debt Service Budgets were then presented for first reading. One modification that was approved by the trustees was to add another School Resource Officer at the Junior High School at a cost of approximately $50,000.00. Dr. Mercer also endorsed the idea as he felt that once the new school opened and lessened the student count at the Junior High, the additional officer could possibly be moved to the new school. Second reading and possible approval of the new budget will take place at a special called meeting on June 17, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. at the District Offices. The public is welcome.
The director of public relations Rhonda Henderson, then provided the new schedule of board meetings for 2009-2010 as well as information on other upcoming meetings of interest to trustees. Henderson said that Summer Safety Training by the Sheriff’s Department was also scheduled. Lastly, Henderson stated that graduate photographs had been mailed to all graduates along with a letter from the district.
In the Superintendent’s report, Dr. Mercer noted that copies of the yearbooks from Chesnee High and Boiling Springs High were received and that they just seemed to get better and better each year. Mercer added his congratulations to the 579 graduates for the over $14 million dollars in scholarships they had received. Dr. Mercer summarized the football violation that had happened at Boiling Springs High School and said that the appeal would be heard on June 11, 2009, by the South Carolina High School League and that he would attend that along with Chuck Gordon and football coach Bruce Clark. (See details of the league’s decision on Page 2B.)
Mercer then stated that he had been informed that Spartanburg County Council was currently evaluating the distribution process of money received from fees in lieu of taxes (FILOT) that some county businesses pay and that if change was adopted it would be beneficial to District Two.
Lastly, Dr. Mercer re-stated that the budget meeting would be on June 17, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. The meeting then adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
The next scheduled meeting is on August 11, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. at the District Two Administrative Offices at Carlisle Crossing. Contact Rhonda Henderson at 864-578-0128 for information.
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