Board elections, grant announcements, student performance highlight meeting

GREELEYVILLE— A special presentation by students of Greeleyville Elementary School kicked of last week’s meeting of the Williamsburg County School District. Trustees sat with members of the audience and watched students recite pieces of poetry, receiving praise and applause from all.

The session resumed with board elections, the Rev. Norman Gamble retaining his position as board chair, as did Kent Evens for secretary. Both received five votes in favor and none against. Norma G. Bartelle was also re-elected as vice chair, however she did receive one vote against her from trustee Bunny McKenzie. All three were sworn in immediately following the votes by the district attorney Charles Boykin, who presided over the election.

The possibility for a district wide communications system was discussed by the board at the meeting as well. The system, which was said will cost the district anywhere between $15,000-$20,000 annually, was referred to the budget committee upon the request of McKenzie, who suggested more time be given to review the material.

A motion to extend the lease on the playground of Chavis Elementary School to Williamsburg County was passed after some discussion. The final vote included both McKenzie and trustee Joe Lee voting against the 20-year lease extension of the playground near the old Chavis Elementary School just outside of the town of Hemingway.

A motion to continue the early college spring semester program, held in conjunction with the Williamsburg Technical College, was approved. The program has been cut from its original size, set to include only juniors and seniors rather than a full four year arrangement. Linda Huell, interim superintendent for the district, said students currently enrolled in the program that are not juniors or seniors will be put back into their home schools in honors courses. This year’s senior class will be the last to participate in the program full term.

During public comment, citizens brought several issues before the board, including matters regarding the coaching situation of the C.E. Murray High School football team. One person suggested the board consider the team’s early exit from the playoffs when reviewing the matter. Other questions asked included issues involving high and elementary school students ridding school buses together, rumors of a SLED investigation within the district and issues student’s book bags. There was also a question regarding further rumors of corruption that have been reported within the district, the president of the PTO at Greeleyville Elementary saying corruption is hampering the students ability to learn at their school and throughout the district. A request for a new gymnasium at GES was also presented.

Field trip requests for students at Hemingway and Kingstree High Schools were approved. Student involved in the FBLA program at each school will travel to Orlando Florida Nov. 18-20 for the National Fall Leadership Conference. A field trip was also approved for students in 7th-9th grade students from the Hemingway High School gifted and talented program travel to Washington, DC in the spring. The students will tour the city a visit historical sights.

The board approved a partnership with the United States Census Bureau, encouraged by South Carolina’s state superintendent, Jim Rex. Trustee Garner reminded those present of the important roll the census plays in a number of issues that effect citizens within the district.

Various teachers and administrators were recognized by the board for grants written that awarded additional funding to various schools. Holly Williamson and Stephanie Evens, two kindergarten teachers from Anderson Primary wrote and received a grant from Santee Electric Cooperative for the amount of $965. The grant will be used to implement the two’s idea of “Promoting Thinking Skills During Physical Activities.”

DP Elementary School teachers received three grants, Latavia Brown, Michele Burks and Judy Morris, and Natalie Robinson all received grants for $1,000 each to implement programs involving science, library books and studies of South Carolina potters and pottery.

Dr. Shannon Robinson was recognized for the publishing of her children’s book: “The Adventures of Katie Koala: Oops, My Mama is Lost.”

A partnership was announced between the South Carolina Department of Education and the upstate Anderson School District Five. The board said it was done in an effort to gain access to the “innovative curriculum” to all SC schools.

The week of Nov. 15-Nov. 21 was been designated as American Education Week by the National Education Association.