During their meeting Tuesday, Anderson School District One Board of Trustees approved second reading on policies addressing paid parental leave and heard an update on the building program.
Wren High School was recognized for being named the top athletic program in South Carolina 3A by the SC High School League.
Casey DiPasquale spoke during public comments. Before DiPasquale spoke, Board Chair Nancy Upton read from Board policy regarding time limits and other guidelines and restrictions on speakers.
Dispasquale stated that due to a recent URL update, search history on the District is no longer available and interested persons are not able to research district curriculum.
She urged the Board to find a solution to maintain the basic information and preserve availability. She also requested that a copy of her previous comments made during board meeting be entered fully into the record. She said the minutes from the meetings do not accurately reflect what she said. She also urged the Board to stream and record all regular meetings. She also said that the District is going through a transformation and pointed out charts and information presented at the last meeting including information from the NY Times, NPR, out of state attorneys and the World Economic Forum as examples.
District One Finance Director Travis Thomas reported that the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST)for Anderson County took in $3.1 million for April. District One’s share amounted to $1,039,000. Of theat $831,000 went to Capital projects and $207,000 to property tax debt relief.
The 2019 Building Program has $3.8 million left in the fund balance. Palmetto High School Baseball field upgrades are almost completed with only punchlist items including cabinet tops for concessions left.
A room addition at Powdersville Middle is underway and should be completed by December. The recent 10 room addition was constructed so that an additional 10 rooms could be added on top, Superintendent Robbie Binnicker said. “The old roof is gone and most of the work should be completed before school starts,” he said. The new addition includes 10 new rooms on top and 12 new rooms on the bottom floor.
The Powdersville High Football Stadium expansion will be bid out in October and work on the project should begin after this season, Binnicker said.
The Board unanimously approved a recommendation by the Superintendent to use Bell Carrington Law Office for a land purchase for a new school. Binnicker said the firm has a good record in handling land purchases for school districts and is economical.
The Board approved second reading on GSCC-Paid Parental Leave policy and AR-GSCC – Paid Parental Leave Administrative Rule. The policy allows leave during a twelve-month period and addresses new born biological child or foster of a child.
Becky Brady reported that all students in Palmetto area feeder schools will be eligible for free meals during the upcoming school year. Superintendent Binnicker said that “Other schools in the District didn’t qualify” for the free meal program. Free and reduced meals will be available to eligible students at other District One schools for families meeting income requirements and filling out appropriate forms.
