During their meeting Tuesday, the Anderson School District One Board of Trustees announced their selection for the next Superintendent for District One, recognized students, athletes and others and approved a number of board policy changes.
The Board unanimously approved hiring Dr. Seth Young who will succeed current Superintendent, Robbie Binnicker upon his retirement at the end of the school year. (See separate story) Dr. Young will officially take over the position on July 1, 2024.
The Board meeting was held in the Palmetto Middle School Cafeteria to accommodate a large crowd of students, parents, teachers and administrators.
The Palmetto High Cheer Team was recognized for winning the State 3A Cheer competition and several team members were recognized for being named to the All State Region Team.
The Wren Cross Country Team was recognized for winning the State 3A Championship.
A number of students were recognized for having perfect scores for math and reading on the SCReady test.
Comparison data on five year SC Ready Achievement testing was also presented.
School Board members were recognized as part of School Board Recognition month. Superintendent Robbie Binnicker read a proclamation by Governor Henry McMaster and Board members were presented gift baskets put together by each of the District’s Teachers of the Year.
District One Teacher of the Year Braden Wilson thanked Board members for “Putting our kids first and doing what is best for teachers in Anderson School District One.” The baskets included a small plaque made from bleachers removed from Spearman Elementary School. It also included cards from students and other items. “Thanks for doing what you do for AD1 and all of our kids,” Wilson said.
Sherry Cecconi, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and School Board, who is retiring, was also recognized by Superintendent Binnicker.
Dr. Jeff Wilson presented information on five year SC Ready testing data for School District One.
According to Wilson, District One showed higher achievement scores and lower D and F scores for grades three through eight on all comparisons for schools in Anderson County, the Upstate Region and the State similar to those in District One.
“We beat everybody in every single category,” Dr. Wilson said.
District One students performed better on ELA, Math, Science, EOCEP, US History and the Constitution, Biology, English II and Algebra I than schools they were compared to.
“It didn’t matter what area you looked at, our kids, in any category are doing better work than what we are compared to,” Dr. Wilson said.
Superintendent Binnicker updated Board members on the building program.
According to Binnicker, the stadium expansion at Powdersville High “is going well.” He said the project included expanding the number of restrooms in relation to the number of seats in the stadium expansion.
The 12 room addition at Powdersville Middle is complete with a few punch list items remaining, he said.
Dirt is being moved for the new elementary school in Powdersville, Binnicker said. “We are on target to open the school in June 2026.”
In a related matter, the Board approved a property swap with adjacent property owners at the new school site. The swap included 0.6 acres on New Oak/Elrod Road property. Binnicker said the District needed additional property for a turning lane and the adjacent property owners agreed to the swap.
The Board approved the use of WM Building Envelope Consultants as the District’s Roof Consultants. Binnicker said the District “has used a roof consultant to design, implement and install the best roof product we can have.” He said the consultants have saved the District money on roofing projects in the past.
The Board approved second reading on ten policy changes including: GBEBE – Gavin’s Law (Staff); JICFB – Gavin’s Law (Student); IKF- Graduation Requirements; AR IKF-R Graduation Requirements Administrative Rule; JFABD – Admission of Homeless Students; JFABD-R – Admisson of Homeless Students Administrative Rule; JFABH – Military Temporary Remote School Enrollment; JLCDB – Use of Lifesaving Medications; JLIG – Sun Safety; and EBCB – Safety Plans and Drills.
First reading was also held on changes to the District Organizatonal Chart to reflect District Office changes for the 2024-25 school year.
Binnicker said the Elementary Education Director position and the Director of Secondary Education position are being removed. Added are Director of Personnel and Chief Academic Officer.
