Anderson School District One Board members were recognized for their service as part of Board Appreciation Month in South Carolina.
Superintendent Dr. Seth Young read the Governor’s Proclamation.
District One Teacher of the Year Candice Cherry, along with Janice Rice-Kafafy, Teacher of the Year at Powdersville Middle School, presented gifts to Board members on behalf of the school district and Teachers of the Year Forum.
Dr. Young shared that two of our board members were among twenty-eight in the state of South Carolina to be recognized for milestone years of service. He presented state certificates and lapel pins to Melissa Hood for fifteen years of service and to Board Chair Nancy Upton for thirty-five years of service on the Board of Trustees for Anderson One.
Previous board member David Merritt was also recognized for twenty-eight years of service on the Board.
Assistant Superintendent of Personnel Becky Brady welcomed five new hire teachers for the 2025-26 school year.
Assistant Superintendent of Administration Dr. Jeff Wilson recognized the Powdersville High Girls’ Volleyball team for their AAA State Championship and presented them with a banner recognizing the state championship. The team is coached by Coach Brooke Passini.
Grant Young was recognized as the Wren High School AAAA Boys’ Cross Country State Champion. He and Coach Mark Wilson were also presented a banner recognizing the championship.
Dr. Young reviewed the District’s Investment Accounts which includes forty-seven CDs with a total investment of $10,671,000 and annual interest of $289,566.
Student nutritional services has two CDs with a total investment of $396,000 and annual interest of $4,368. The Food Service Account has a balance of $2,358,911.
The Building Fund Account has a $2,131,893 fund balance.
Building Fund Investment: $26,848,720
District One Finance Director Travis Thomas reported the District currently has three projects underway, the Oak Hill Elementary School, Concrete Primary renovations and Palmetto High Fieldhouse. The Building Program Fund currently has a fund balance of $8,295,170.
In the Instructional Report, Director of Digital Learning Kristen Hearne presented information on the Digital Learning Program. Hearne said the program began in 2012 by teaching lessons using technology, providing professional learning to create a foundational understanding of technology, and providing materials to support individual teachers.
The Digital Learning Team is coaching teachers in tech-enhanced instruction, professional learning at the point of need and curating materials to support collaborative teams and the district.
In her nutritional report Becky Brady said the program continues to increase in number of meals served. She shared that a School Nutrition Association Decision paper was presented to Congress with three main goals: to increase reimbursement rates, protect the Community Eligibility Provision program, expand access to healthy school meals for all students and to address unpaid school bill debt.
In the Building Program update, Dr. Young presented visuals of the front entrance of Concrete Primary along with information on office updates, the car line and classrooms.
He also had updated the Board on progress at the new Oak Hill Elementary school being built in Powdersville. The presentation included renderings of the front entrance, gym, library, main corridor and classroom locations.
Dr. Young stated that attendance lines would be finalized in the near future, the interview process of hiring the principal is currently underway and furnishings for the school are being determined.
The District is planning community meetings in late February or March to answer questions regarding attendance zones for parents, Dr. Young said.
The Board approved first reading on six Board Policies including:
ID – School Day – This policy clarifies the instructional day of schools as required by statute.
IHAA – English/Reading/Writing/Language Arts Education – This policy reflects changes in state statutes related to instruction.
IHAA – English/Reading/Writing/Language Arts Education – This policy reflects changes in state statutes related to instruction in the areas of English, reading, writing, and language arts.
IKE – Promotion, Retention, and Acceleration of Students – This policy provides clarity on promotion, and retention acceleration based on new state statutes.
IKF – Graduation Requirements – This policy reflects the ability of a school board to waive the 120 required instructional hours for a unit of credit through a student demonstrating mastery of the subject matter of a given course.
JIHC – Use of Weapons Detection Devices – This policy updates the former policy on metal detectors to reflect the current terminology.
AR JIHC-R – Use of Weapons Devices (Administrative Rule) – This administrative rule updates the former administrative rule on metal detectors to reflect current terminology.
Dr. Wilson shared a safety update regarding the weapons detection devices and plans in the implementation of the devices rotating them among schools.
Dr. Young shared with the Board appreciation for the joint efforts in funding and sharing the devices and defender personnel with Hollie Harrell, Director of the Career and Technology Center for Anderson One and Two.
Dr. Young updated the Board on the progress of the architects and Triangle Construction for renovations at Concrete Primary. He said that completion was on track with the timeline previously laid out and closely aligned with the budget.
At the recommendation of Dr. Young, the Board approved a bid by Triangle Construction to begin the projects at a cost of $4.8 million.
The Board went into executive session to Review the Superintendent’s Contract
Upon returning to open session, Board member Wendy Burgess made a motion to extend the Superintendent, Dr. Young’s contract until June 2028. The motion was seconded by Dr. J.C. Neel and was unanimously approved 6-0. Boardmember Pat Cox was absent.
The Board unanimously approved five new teacher hires, one retirement and one resignation.
