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By David Stephens
HOMETOWN NEWS
The School District Two Board of Trustees convened in monthly session on May 12 with nine of ten trustees and the district superintendent in attendance. Following approval of minutes from the April 2009 meeting Public Relations Director Rhonda Henderson announced recognition for two groups. First recognized were District Two students who have been selected to participate in the Duke University Talented Identification program which provides resource support to exceptionally bright students. Next, persons retiring from District Two at the end of the school year were recognized.
In her report, to the board, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services, Dr. Quincie Moore, stated that curriculum updates were being completed for the gifted and talented program, English and math, grades 3 - 5, elementary school curriculum and the fine arts program. Moore stated that she had recently met with the parents of the 10 District Two students who have been selected to attend the next session of the Scholar’s Academy at USC Upstate and that all candidates had confirmed their attendance.
Moore next provided information pertaining to various locations in the district that summer school will be held. Dr. Moore provided trustees with a copy of the staff development brochure that lists courses available for teaching staff over the summer and a copy of the annual schools summary report. Dr. Moore stated that the ROTC program at Chesnee was looking promising and that 58 students had already applied.
Lastly, Dr. Moore requested and received approval for the released time programs at Chesnee and Boiling Springs High School for next school year.
John King, Director of Student Services, then received approval for three trip requests and student releases with parents working in another district.
Next, Mr. Gilmore, architect for the Chesnee and Boiling Springs High School projects showed slides of progress at both sites and said construction was on track despite the rain. Gilmore also said that bids for the new Rainbow Lake Middle School were out and will be returned on June 4, 2009.
Dr. Kristi Woodall, Director of Personnel, then provided information on classified appointments and resignations and certified appointments. Woodall received approval for two certified resignations and appointments.
Next on the agenda Finance and Budget Officer Don Denton provided trustees with a copy of the April 2009 expenditures and financial statement. Denton stated that the district was in a “wait and see” posture regarding a new budget, but that the budget would be presented for first reading at the regular June 9, 2009, school board meeting. Denton asked for received approval for the issuance of a general bond for the construction of the new middle school.
Public Relations Director Rhonda Henderson then updated trustees concerning upcoming meetings and conferences and stated that transportation would be provided to the June 3 graduations at both high schools. Henderson then requested and received approval to apply for a $28,000.00 safe schools grant.
Trustee Jack Mabry addressed the asembly and stated that he had recently visited Columbia. He stated that two budgets were being worked on; one with and one without stimulus funds.
In the superintendent’s report, Dr. Scott Mercer reiterated the finance officer’s statement of “wait and see” on the budget, but said he had some information that said the state budget may be done by May 21, 2009, but that was not a certainty. Dr. Mercer stated that Barbara Hopper in Finance had recently obtained a 5 percent reduction in district insurance programs amounting to $22,000.00. Mercer said that during the swine flu “scare” the district appeared to have fared well with only a few cases of students with flu like symptoms being sent home and that no schools had been closed. Dr. Mercer then informed the board that the Spartanburg Fellowship of Christian Athletes was having a fundraiser at Spartanburg First Baptist Church on May 22 and 23.
Board Chairman Danny McDowell then opened the floor for discussion of the one - year extension of the Superintendent’s contract. One trustee made the motion which was seconded to not extend the contract by a year which sent the issue to a vote. By a 7-2 margin the board voted against the motion thereby putting a one year extension into effect.
Acting upon a motion and vote, the board then convened in executive session to discuss personnel issues. During the break Board Chairman Danny McDowell was asked about the extension and said, “I would just like to point out that the superintendent’s contract is in line with other contracts in most of the districts.”
The next meeting of the District Two School Board will be on June 9, 2009, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the district administrative offices. Contact Public Relations Director Rhonda Henderson at 864-578-0128 for more information.
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