The Anderson School District One Board of Trustees approved a slight increase in breakfast and lunch meal prices and heard in update on the building program during their June 24 meeting. They also approved a continuation of the summer meal program for next year.
Finance Director Travis Thomas reported that the Building Fund has a balance of $2.6 million. The Palmetto High Field House project has been completed. Work continues at the new Oak Hill Elementary and Concrete Primary.
The Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) brought in $3.8 million to Anderson County in February. Anderson District One received $1,285,000. Of that $257,000 went toward property tax relief and $1,028,000 to Capital projects.
The LOST Fund Balance as of May was $23.1 million.
Superintendent Dr. Seth Young told the Board that he was “pretty confident” that AD1 would not need to use $1.9 million allocated from the General Fund Balance to make up a deficit in the 2025-26 budget that was recently approved.
He also recommended the Board approved a change in the current list of procurement exemptions. The Board unanimously approved the recommendation.
In his instructional report, Chief Academic Officer Brad Moore said that administrators from Palmetto High and Wren High presented information on PLC at a recent meeting of The South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA). Director of Personnel Melissa Tollison and Assistant Superintendent of Personnel Becky Brady also presented information on supporting leaders in the District. “They shared with others in our state including the need to continue to support leaders,” Moore said.
Assistant Superintendent of Administration Dr. Jeff Wilson shared information about the June leadership meeting with principals and vice principals looking at data, school report cards and taking time for reflections on positive things needed to grow, specifically setting goals and reaching those goals.
Becky Brady reported that the student nutrition summer feeding program served approximately 40 students at Palmetto Elementary and approximately 100 at Spearman Elementary. She told the Board that all schools in the District qualify for funding with thirty percent or more at poverty level, but the cost for additional programs would be $800,000 to $900,000. After her presentation, Brady recommended the Board approve the Community Eligibility Program continue next year with the same structure, with two schools participating. Any student in the District could participate in it, she said.
The Board unanimously approved the program.
The Board also approved an increase in breakfast and lunch meal prices. Breakfast will increase by 20 cents to $1.50; Lunch prices will increase by 15 cents to $2.50 for Elementary. Lunch for Middle and High School will be $2.65. Brady said the increase will bring in an additional $55,000 to cover rising costs and ingredients.
In his Administrative report, Dr. Wilson said there are 2100 new home already approved in District One and the Board should “expect to see growth”. According to Dr. Wilson, most of the growth is out of state people moving south for jobs. “It is a positive but also brings its challenges,” he said.
The Board unanimously approved first reading on language changes for two policies – ADF District Wellness and IMG Animals in Schools. Wording on the animals policy was changed to reflect legal recommendations by the State regarding what can be asked. They can be asked about training and what the animal is trained to do and use of a vest and ID.
Dr. Young updated the Board on the Building Program. Work at Concrete Elementary continues , primarily on the entrance and redoing the car line to allow double stack. He said the car line will be different when school starts back. Work on classrooms continues, new lights and ceiling have been installed and they are waxing some floors.
Building at Oak Hill Elementary are coming along with the gym, library, cafeteria and kitchens and class room structures in place. Windows are scheduled to be installed in August. Car loops are also being graded.
Dr. Wilson reported that vendors are coming in to work on safety with the Raptor and Omni programs and the District continues to partner to make sure safety and security is the next step.
The Williamston Police Department, Anderson County Sheriff’s Office and school SRO will help test the Omni alert system on July 7. The system screens for long guns, shot guns and pistols and will pick up barrels and body language, Wilson said.
The Board then went into executive session to discuss a personnel issue.
