School Board recognizes success at West Pelzer Elementary

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During their monthly meeting Tuesday, Anderson School District One Board of Trustees recognized West Pelzer Principal Dr. Stacy Hashe and teachers at the Title 1 School for being named Superior by the state.

Assistant Superintendent Jane Harrison said that all three Title 1 schools in the District were recognized as Reward Schools and that performance and progress at West Pelzer resulted in it being named a Title 1 Distinguished School. She said success at the schools is the result of team approaches in education.

“Collaboration is a very important part of our success,” Harrison said.

The school is receiving a $5,000 grant and an opportunity to explain what they do during a state session. They are also in the running for an invitation to attend a national session in San Diego.

“Everybody in that building is making an impact,” Harrison said.

Dr. Hashe said that everyone at the school is working hard everyday and that it is was rewarding that somebody else noticed. “We are proud to have that recognition,” she said.

Hashe said the school has three teachers and an academic assistant to help their at risk students. They also use technology such as IPad labs for teaching and motivation.

“We want students to know we care and encourage motivation and self confidence,” Dr. Hashe said.

Superintendent David Havird pointed out that West Pelzer Elementary is having great success after having two schools and two faculties combined recently. Havird said the blend of the two staffs, which included competent and capable educators with a lot of experience and young new teachers, contributed to the success.

“They care deeply about their students and parents and work very tirelessly to make sure these kids succeed,” Havird said.

Assistant Superintendent Robbie Binnicker reported that the nutritional services program showed a loss of $16,000 more in August of this year compared to last year. Binnicker said start up costs for the first month contribute to the loss along with other one time expenditures.

Proceeds from the program have allowed the District to purchase new tables for Powdersville High School at a cost of $6,000; a new computer system costing $16,000 and new uniforms for staff at a cost of $18,500.

Binnicker also reported the District had 4200 free and reduced lunch applications and 46 percent of the students in the District participate in the program.

The Board held first reading on four new/revised policies covering concussions and student athletes (JLCEE); concussions and student athletes administative rule (JLCEE-R) evaluation of instructional staff (GCOA) and graduation requirements (IKF-R).

Binnicker said that the High School League and School Districts “take concussions very seriously” and the additions to school policy and student athletic manual include signs and symptoms and other guidelines for parents, student athletes and the school district to follow.

The GCOA policy addresses continueing contracts and practices for instructional staff.

The IKF-R reflects changes and new names required to the 24 credits necessary for a high school diploma.

Following a brief executive session to discuss a contract issue, the board approved the following personnel recomendations:

Leave – Melanie Longtin, Wren Middle School.

Transfer – Bill Claytor, Math, Wren High 91.0) to Wren High School (.5) and to Powdersville High (.5).

The Board also named board members Melissa Hood, Dr. Doug Atkins and Fred Alexander as delegates to the South Carolina School Board Association (SCSBA) Delegate Assembly.

Board members Brenda Ellison and Nancy Upton were named as alternates.