By David Meade
The Anderson School District One Board of Trustees heard an update on the building program and the 2013-14 budget during their June meeting Tuesday.
David Havird, who took over as District One Superintendent following the retirement of Dr. Wayne Fowler, said that the five year, $86 million building program has significantly improved facilities and technology in District One.
Havird recapped those improvements stating that the program allowed construction of the new Powdersville High School, additions and improvements to 10 different schools, improvements to athletic facilities and additions to the District office.
Havird said the building program allowed the District to make safety and security improvements to buildings and campuses and upgrades in “a lot of technology.”
“There are smartboards in every classroom,” he said. Havird told the Board, “It is an outstanding job you did with that money.”
Havird said that low bids and the economy allowed the program to come in under budget. The program is coming to a close with approximately $172,000 left which allowed an addition and improvements to the District office, he said.
Havird said that the improvements have also prepared the District for expected future growth. District One is expecting 90 or more new students this year. “We are poised and prepared for any growth,” he said. Almost all schools have extra classrooms as a result of the building program.
Superintendent Havird said that the budget was presented to the County School Board on June 13 and was received “very well.”
“They commented on our excellent test scores, low per student cost even with high pupil/teacher ratios,” Havird said.
He said he expects the budget to be approved by the County Board with no problems. Havird said that some additional funding provided by the State, particularly the Base Student Cost which went up to $2101, allowed the District to offset the raises for District One employees in the new budget.
Havird reported that the District is now required to meet State purchasing guidelines due to the District reaching a $75 million threshold as a result of the construction at Powdersville High School. Havird said the new procurement policy required for the District is 90 pages long and requires a lot more paperwork and guidelines that have to be followed.
The District has operated on a procurement policy that was 30 pages he said.
The new policy will be presented for first reading at the July meeting.
Following a breif executive session, the Board approved the following personnel recommendations:
Request for leave – Allyson Cox Southerland, K-5, West Pelzer.
Transfers – Kristen Hearne, Media S[pecialist, Wren Middle to Schools Instructional Technologist; Tammy Poole, K4, Wren Elementary, from .5 FTE to 1 FTE.; Chelsea Roberts, Grade 1, Cedar Grove Elementary to West Pelzer Elementary, Grade 2.
Resignations – Dr. Eunice Williams, Principal, Cedar Grove; Mourning Pace, Business, Palmetto High School; Lisa Wimmer, Grade 2, West Pelzer Elementary.
Recommendations – Katherine Anderson, Grade One, Concrete Primary; Amanda McCall, Grade 2, Palmetto Elementary; Michael Noble, Business, Palmetto High; Susan Page, Math, Palmetto High; Jordonna Tamburro, Resource, Palmetto Middle; Christina Vaughn, Self-Contained LD, West Pelzer Elementary.
Administrative – Kristie Finley, Principal, Cedar Grove Elementary.
