County Board of Education members approve technical education center's plan to look ahead

By: Naaem McFadden/Marion Star & Mullins Enterprise | SCNow
Published: November 28, 2007

“I could not find a long range plan for this school, and I think that’s critical,” Marion County Technical Education Center Director Paul Crandall said this past week. Crandall came on board as the center’s director in 2001.

He told the Marion County School Board members at this past week’s meeting about his plans to develop a strategic plan.

The board unanimously approved his request “to investigate the plan’s development for MTEC.” During his presentation, Crandall recommended the hiring of a consultant to help with the evaluation process. The board approved his request to contract Ann Cox as consultant, at the cost of $2,000. The first meeting of the group is set for Dec. 4, and a report is scheduled to be presented before the board on March 18, 2008, he said.

Crandall told board members he simply wanted to “know where we’re going in the future.” Board members asked him who is a part of the planning committee and asked him to make sure the county, as a whole, would be represented on it. A list of the members of the committee assisting with the strategic plan development was presented to the board after the meeting.

In other business, Marion County Adult Education Coordinator Candyce Brooks updated board members on the activities of the school’s 214 students.

Brooks also informed the board that the Adult Ed building was the victim of a burglary, with four computers, two printers, and a set of hand held radios stolen.

Principal Ora Hughes reported that the Marion County Alternative School has 120 enrolled, with seven teachers on staff. She said there is a need for more staff members.

On Nov. 8, a group of 25 students took a trip to the Evans Correctional Center in association with the DJJ, she said. On Dec. 13, the school plans to hold a “kick-off” for a mentoring program. The school will be working with the solicitor and Attorney General to establish a program.

Consultant Frank Hart, got the board’s consensus to have the “Christmas Drop-in” get-together after the county board meeting on Dec. 18.

The December meeting was re-scheduled by the board to begin at 6 pm.

Boardmember Levant Davis recommended drafting a policy to deal with a potential tragedy involving school employees. Davis asked that board members be notified so they could be in a position to pay their respects.