School Board approves funding for Wren area project, school calendar

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By David Meade
The Anderson School District One Board of Trustees approved funding for a sidewalk and road improvement project in the Wren School area and the 2012-13 school calender during their regular monthly meeting held Tuesday, Jan. 31.Anderson County Chief Engineer Judy Shelato presented information about the Wren Schools Safe Routes to School Project to the Board.

Bids on the project came in less than expected, with a low bid of $336,209 by S&S Construction.

Funding for the project will include a Safe Routes To School (SRTS) grant of $174,951; Anderson County, $95,350; and School District One, $65,908.

Anderson County Council Representative Ken Waters will allow $17,000 to come from the Council District 6 paving fund. It will help pay for asphalt testing according to Shelato.

The Board unanimously approved the requested funding with a 10 percent contingency for a total of $72,500.

Start date on the project will be April 2 with completion by July 31.

The 2012-13 school calendar is a County wide calendar approved by all five Anderson County School Districts. The calendar is similar to the current one and ends school the first week of June, according to Superintendent Dr. Wayne Fowler.

District One Associate Superintendent David Havird chaired the County Calendar Committee.

Board member David Merritt was recognized with a certificate and pin for 15 years of service on the school board.

Director of Elementary Education Jane Harrison reported that Title I auditors were at the District last week. She said they had good things to say about District One, which had never had a school not see improvement and has 14 schools with excellent report cards.

Harrison also reported on new Common Core State Standards (CCSS) which will provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn. The standards are designed to be relevant to the real world, reflecting knowledge and skills that young people need for success in college and careers, Harrison said.

The standards for Mathematics and English Language Arts were adopted by the state in 2010 and will be implemented over the next three years with full implementation in school year 2014-15.

The Associate Superintendent reported that the Nutrition Services had revenue of $242,689 and expenses of $193,285 for a profit of $49,403 in December.

Havird said the program is showing a year to date loss of $3754 but should be showing a profit soon.

Havird also said the District received approximately $40,000 in USDA commodities in December. The food items are made available to school districts based on number of students and participation in the free and reduced lunch program, Havird said. Districts receiving the food items are only required to pay for the transportation cost.

The Board also unanimously approved personnel recommendations including six resignations, two retirements and nine administrative recommendations.

Resignations include Guilford Cade, Palmetto High Coach; Dixie Dulin, Spearman Elementary School, Kindergarten; Judy Friello, Spearman Elementary, Grade 1; Jill Hodge, West Pelzer Elementary, Grade 2; Crystal Holland, Palmetto Middle, Special Education; and Anna Slade, Palmetto High, Science.

Retirement – Lynn Brown, Wren Middle, Guidance; Ladelle Holcombe, Powdersville Middle, LAUNCH.

Administrative recommendations – David Havird, Associate Superintendent; Jane Harrison,Director of Elementary Education; Dr. John Pruitt, Director of Secondary Education; Becky Bracy, Director of Personnel; Steve Uldrick, Director of Finance; Dr. Brian Keith, Director of Special Services; Debbie Joye, Director of Nutrition Services; Andria Hancock, Director of Technology; and Chris Lesley, Director of Maintenance.