School district concerned with lawmakers' decisions

Marion School District 2 Superintendent Nathaniel Miller said it’s been a good year. He sat alongside members of the district’s board of trustees during this past Thursday’s monthly meeting and counted down the 16 days left before the school year ends.

“Unfortunately, we continue to struggle with budget concerns and reductions in our districts, as well as the state,” he said, adding that superintendents share the same concerns regarding future budget projections. In addition to that, a possible legal battle could ensue to get the stabilization of the student base cost (EFA funds) and to get a definite vote instead of having to wait, he said.

After the district's Business Director Russell Causey presented the monthly financial statement, Miller said he wanted to make it clear that the state had cut close to $1 million out of the budget.
“That $1 million roughly that they’ve taken out of our budget will manifest itself…” he said, adding that each district in the state is facing a budget crunch in the coming school year.

Vice Chairman John Hughes agreed, saying, “All districts are facing the same type of situation that we are."

In other business, Miller thanked the staff at the various schools and administrators on a great job closing out the school year.

“They’re quite a few banquets, awards, celebrations, graduations and closing school programs,” he said, encouraging the community to support the end of the year programs.

Director of Instructor Nancy Graham said during her update that test data is being reviewed and she can see a lot of growth in students. “We’re moving our students at a rapid rate. We try to get the data and use it,” she said.

Graham reported a committee is being organized to help maintain and improve upon discipline matters by developing a uniform plan. The district hopes to have a policy in place for the upcoming year.

Student accomplishments

Marissa Lyons, an eighth grader at Palmetto Middle School, won a two-week summer arts program at the Governor’s School of the arts. Director of Fine Arts Marissa Monroe said Lyons had submitted 20 drawings for consideration. Miller said the district’s student academic awards banquet was great for Lyons as a multiple winner.

McCormick Elementary student Jessica Fetch’s poster was selected as the state representative for the 2009 Missing Children’s poster contest. The fifth grader’s work is now entered in the national competition.

Nicole Haperkli earned recognition from board members for being honored as a Palmetto Fellows Scholarship recipient. “That’s an outstanding academic accomplishment,” Miller said, adding that she is one of four students to receive the award. The graduating senior is heading to Winthrop University to major in biology.

According to the S.C. Commission on Higher Education, The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship is a merit-based program established in 1988 to recognize the most academically talented high school seniors and encourage these students to attend college in the State.