The Anderson School District One Board recognized the 4A State Champion football team and two Wren High golfers during their meeting Tuesday. The meeting was held in the Wren High School Auditorium where Wren Hurricane football team and parents were recognized along with their coach Jeff Tate.
Tate said as a former player and coach at Wren to come back and coach at Wren has been special.
He said that it took a lot of love and support from coaches, administration, the superintendent, and so many people to win the school’s first state championship in football. He said the win meant so much to former players and thanked everyone for their support. “I appreciate how much you support this team and for recognizing these players.”
A short video of highlights from the State Championship game in Columbia was presented.
During the meeting, Financial Director Travis Thomas reported that the District received $701,395 from the Local Option Sales Tax collections for October. Of that, $140,279 went to property tax relief and $561,117 went to Capital projects fund.
Thomas said the LOST fund balance currently has $5,141,000 in it.
January is School Board recognition month and Director of Education Jane Harrison said the AD1 Board is “A model school board.”
Board member Melissa Hood was recognized for 10 years of service and Board Chair, Nancy Upton was recognized for 30 years of service as a school board member. Superintendent Robbie Binnicker presented them with certificates from the South Carolina School Board Association. “We really do” have a model school board, he said. “We don’t always agree, but your thoughtfulness and dedication to our school district shows. I could not have asked for a better school board during my first year as a superintendent.”
During the nutrition program report, Dr. Kelly Pew said the District has received two breakfast grants. The District has a vending machine pilot program at Palmetto High School and offers a second chance breakfast for late arrivals. She said the cafeterias at the new Palmetto and Wren Middle Schools will be larger when those projects are complete.
She also reported that the new school calendar for next year has been approved by all five Anderson County school districts and will be posted soon.
Superintendent Binnicker presented an update on the building program with a presentation featuring photos of current work.
Binnicker said the building referendum was passed in April and nine months later, “It is pretty remarkable what this district has done.”
Work on the two middle schools is progressing with Wren Middle being a bit ahead of schedule, he said.
Brickwork has been done and some interior work including mechanical and HVAC. There has also been sheetrock, ceiling and painting in the library at the new Palmetto Middle. Binnicker said they expect to move furniture in by the middle of July.
“It is a very aggressive schedule,” he said.
Binnicker showed photos of preliminary work where the eight room addition at Spearman Elementary and ten room addition at Powdersville Middle will be constructed. “Both elementary schools are on track to open in August,” he said.
Construction cost budgeted at Powdersville Elementary was estimated at $3,123,847, but is currently $184,000 under that with a guaranteed maximum price of $2,939,848.
Powdersville Middle was budgeted at $7.3 million and is currently under that by $191,364 with a guaranteed maximum price of $7,152,560.
Spearman Elementary was budgeted at $2,303,156 and is currently $167,477 over at $2,470,633, according to Binnicker. A new connector wall was needed, adding to the cost.
Tate said as a former player and coach at Wren to come back and coach at Wren has been special.
He said that it took a lot of love and support from coaches, administration, the superintendent, and so many people to win the school’s first state championship in football. He said the win meant so much to former players and thanked everyone for their support. “I appreciate how much you support this team and for recognizing these players.”
A short video of highlights from the State Championship game in Columbia was presented.
During the meeting, Financial Director Travis Thomas reported that the District received $701,395 from the Local Option Sales Tax collections for October. Of that, $140,279 went to property tax relief and $561,117 went to Capital projects fund.
Thomas said the LOST fund balance currently has $5,141,000 in it.
January is School Board recognition month and Director of Education Jane Harrison said the AD1 Board is “A model school board.”
Board member Melissa Hood was recognized for 10 years of service and Board Chair, Nancy Upton was recognized for 30 years of service as a school board member. Superintendent Robbie Binnicker presented them with certificates from the South Carolina School Board Association. “We really do” have a model school board, he said. “We don’t always agree, but your thoughtfulness and dedication to our school district shows. I could not have asked for a better school board during my first year as a superintendent.”
During the nutrition program report, Dr. Kelly Pew said the District has received two breakfast grants. The District has a vending machine pilot program at Palmetto High School and offers a second chance breakfast for late arrivals. She said the cafeterias at the new Palmetto and Wren Middle Schools will be larger when those projects are complete.
She also reported that the new school calendar for next year has been approved by all five Anderson County school districts and will be posted soon.
Superintendent Binnicker presented an update on the building program with a presentation featuring photos of current work.
Binnicker said the building referendum was passed in April and nine months later, “It is pretty remarkable what this district has done.”
Work on the two middle schools is progressing with Wren Middle being a bit ahead of schedule, he said.
Brickwork has been done and some interior work including mechanical and HVAC. There has also been sheetrock, ceiling and painting in the library at the new Palmetto Middle. Binnicker said they expect to move furniture in by the middle of July.
“It is a very aggressive schedule,” he said.
Binnicker showed photos of preliminary work where the eight room addition at Spearman Elementary and ten room addition at Powdersville Middle will be constructed. “Both elementary schools are on track to open in August,” he said.
Construction cost budgeted at Powdersville Elementary was estimated at $3,123,847, but is currently $184,000 under that with a guaranteed maximum price of $2,939,848.
Powdersville Middle was budgeted at $7.3 million and is currently under that by $191,364 with a guaranteed maximum price of $7,152,560.
Spearman Elementary was budgeted at $2,303,156 and is currently $167,477 over at $2,470,633, according to Binnicker. A new connector wall was needed, adding to the cost.
During the business portion of the meeting, Binnicker recommended District One provide funds for requested equipment at the District One and Two Career and Technology Center. Binnicker said the CTC requested funding to help purchase three items including a Paint Spray Simulator which will cost $40,000; a virtual dissection table called an Anatomage Table, $81,000; and a tractor for the agriculture class at $30,000. School District One and Two contribute funding to special requests like these, Binnicker said. District One has about three times as many students, and the funding is being allocated based on that. District Two is providing $40,000 while District One is providing $120,000.
The request for funding in those amounts was approved unanimously 7-0 by the Board.
The Board then went into executive session to discuss personnel, a contractural matter and to review the superintendent’s contract.
Upon returning to open session, Binnicker’s contract was approved for one year.
The request for funding in those amounts was approved unanimously 7-0 by the Board.
The Board then went into executive session to discuss personnel, a contractural matter and to review the superintendent’s contract.
Upon returning to open session, Binnicker’s contract was approved for one year.
