The cost of school lunch for students who don’t receive free or reduced lunch in Marlboro County School District will increase by 20 cents for the coming school year.
Members of the district’s board of education unanimously have approved the increase of 20 cents, bringing the total cost of lunch to $1.75.
Randall Malachi, public information coordinator for the district, said about 780 students pay full price for lunch. The district doesn’t charge students for breakfast.
During the board’s special session Tuesday, Wes Park, the district’s director of finance, discussed the costs of renovations at the Murchison building; purchasing a house for the Teach House project; and building a new elementary school.
The Murchison building would be an extension of the high school and would be used for additional art programs. It would allow for additional space for visual, performing and culinary arts.
It is estimated to cost $200,000 to $400,000, Superintendent Alisa Goodman said in a previous interview. The administration is seeking grants and donations for the renovations.
As for the Teach House, the district is working with the state Department of Education to establish a place where new teachers can live together for a cheaper rate.
The Teach House, which would be located in Bennettsville, will provide new teachers with a place to live, as well as support from other teachers. It also would help attract teachers to the school district.
The house must have 10 bedrooms, five bathrooms and not be a major construction project. The house should have little-to-no cosmetic or structural issues.
The purchase of the house will be funded through federal, state and grant funds at no cost to the district.
Malachi said the district originally was set to receive $750,000 from the state Department of Education, but that funding was reduced. He said a grant allows for $10,000 for each teacher living in the house per year.
“Overall, it’s a $350,000 investment, from a grant standpoint (during a three-year period),” Malachi said.
No house has been selected for the program.
Park also discussed the possibility of building a new elementary school that would be located between Blenheim and Bennettsville. One option is that the school could house students from Blenheim Elementary/Middle School, which has a low student enrollment, and Bennettsville Primary School, which is overcrowded.
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