During their meeting Tuesday, the Anderson School District One Board recognized Wren High Students in Action Team for placing second in the nation for the Multiplying Good program. The organization received national recognition with a Silver Jefferson Award for their work with mental health awareness and fostering an acceptable environment for discussing mental illness following the suicide of a fellow classmate.
The organization pulled out of the competition last year due to concerns and worries about virtual learning and classes due to COVID, but picked back up where they left off for this year. The program included a garden and sponsoring activities that would bring joy to the school. They competed virtually with groups across the nation and submitted their project in writing for the competition.
Multiplying Good is a national nonprofit that believes in the power of service to others to unleash potential, inspire individuals, and transform lives.
District One Finance Director Travis Thomas reported Anderson County received $2,906,000 from the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) receipts for June. District One received $935,000 from that. Of that $187,000 went to property tax relief and $748,000 to the capital building fund. The LOST fund balance is $5,817,000.
Thomas also reported that the building fund balance is currently just under $2 million. Revenues for the district are coming in as expected, he said.
Dr. Jeff Wilson updated the Board on the COGNIA evaluation that is under way for National School Accreditation. He said 200 pages of documentation on the District has been submitted and each of the schools have submitted their information. Board members will have a virtual interview meeting with COGNIA representatives on Dec. 6. Wilson said he was very confident in responses by District One teachers, parents and board members during the interview process.
Becky Brady reported the Student Nutrition Services program has served more than 176,000 meals. The program hit a one day record on Oct. 6, serving 9,477 reimbursable meals in a single day. She also reported that the program includes two student workers. Priorities for the program are food safety, restaurant quality food, presentation and customer service, Brady said.
Superintendent Robbie Binnicker updated the Board on the building program. He said the Wren Middle phase 3 should be completed by March. Punch list items are being addressed at Palmetto High School. Roofing at Palmetto High should begin in two to three weeks.
Installation of the front entrance at the Adult Education building should be completed in two to three weeks.
For the Palmetto High Ag Building, the pad is done and construction will begin in a few weeks.
At Palmetto Elementary the new bus loop has been paved and the sidewalk will be poured next week. Two lanes are now being used for pickup and drop off and are working well with Kindergarten and First grade in the back and everyone else on the front.
Roof work at Wren Elementary and Spearman Elementary is complete.
Paving on the Palmetto High walking track will begin Nov. 29.
Installation of Johnson Controls at Wren Elementary is complete and a few punch list items are being completed. Controls for a fire alarm device at Palmetto Elementary is on order.
Work on HVAC at Cedar Grove and West Pelzer Elementary will be coming up next.
There will be an architect meeting Thursday for the Powdersville High press box and the Palmetto High baseball press box. Plans are done for the Powdersville project and they need to make sure they have everything they need. The Palmetto press box needs structural repairs.
The Board approved second reading on IHAC regarding Social Studies Education and IKA-R regarding grading/assessments.
The Board introduced two new hires for the 2022-23 school year. They are: Sarah Beth Crawford, Elementary Education Teacher, who will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in December. She is completing her student teaching at West Pelzer Elementary.
Kelsey Smith is being hired as an Early Childhood Education Teacher. He is a graduate of Clemson University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and will graduate Grand Canyon University with a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education in January. Smith is completing student teaching at Wren Elementary.
There was one resignation – Ashleigh Stoddard, Fifth Grade Teacher at Hunt Meadows Elementary.
