Darlington County School Board approves new high school schedule

The Darlington County School Board unanimously approved a new seven-period schedule for district high schools for 2010-11 during the monthly board meeting in Darlington. Board member Charles Govan was absent and did not vote.

Dr. Rainey Knight, Darlington County Superintendent, said the schedule change would create savings through natural attrition of personnel. She said this would not be achieved through a reduction in force but through natural retirements and resignations that would not be replaced.

“The larger schools will have more flexibility,” Knight said. “The smaller schools, Mayo and Lamar, are going to be a challenge.”

The schedule will provide 165 hours of instruction in the class compared to 135 hours in 4x4 block schedule, according to Knight.

“I was here when it was like this before,” Dr. Allen McCutcheon said. “I know how hard it was to change to the block scheduling. There was a lot of apprehension then.”

The next action item was the change in the use of facilities policy. McCutcheon recommended the board approve the changes as presented. The changes were approved with one dissenting vote from Joyce Thomas.

The 2009-10 budget cuts unanimously were approved. Warren Jeffords noted that the budget cuts would not cut any positions.

The board also approved for second reading the Policy IKC (for class rankings and grade point averages) and the Policy IMD (for school ceremonies and observations).

The board approved a motion for Knight to accept bids under the $6 million budget for the Hartsville High gym, which she will open on Dec. 3.

Knight presented a report on teacher turnover in the district compared to the state and national data.

“We’re right at state teacher turnover rate at 12.9 percent,” Knight said.

Nationally, 33 percent leave teaching after the first year, but in Darlington County, only 22 percent leave.

“A really good teacher is worth their weight in gold,” Knight said. “Teachers are special. It takes a very dedicated, energetic person.”

“Those teachers are just so dedicated. There’s so much nice stuff going on in those schools. I would like for us as a board to promote what we do,” Thomas said.

Other items presented to the board as information included an analysis of state finances, the bus procedure, the first Darlington Middle School newsletter to parents and information on the annual school board conference.

Knight also suggested the board consider looking at a separate building fund.

Wanda James addressed the board during citizen’s comments. Her concern was for special needs children in the district. She presented a thick stack of correspondence she received from the district in relation to her own son.

“How can we help those kids at greatest need?” James said. “I’m raising this concern because too many children are falling through the cracks.”

The board said they would address her issue in writing at a later time.

Martha Bryan from Webster Rogers LLP provided the board with an overview of a draft audit report. The report detailed the revenue and expenditures of the district with specifics and footnotes, and Bryan delivered a clean, unqualified opinion.

“You can’t get any better than a clean opinion,” Bryan said. “It’s not something you’re guaranteed. You have to earn it year after year.”

The district has 85 days of cash flow on hand. It takes roughly $204,000 per day to run the district.

Among the many recognitions and congratulations of the night, the board congratulated the Hartsville and Lamar High School football teams for making it to the playoffs; the Hartsville High Red Regime for winning Lower State Championship and for placing eighth in the state competition; the clean schools of October, Thornwell School for the Arts and North Hartsville Elementary; and Carolina Elementary for being one of five S.C. schools receiving National Blue Ribbon School recognition.

Knight also extended a special recognition to Larry Stegner for his work with the school district and in the fire station.

Chairman Connell Delaine asked that the board review its flag policy at a future meeting. Delaine also invited the board the the groundbreaking of Society Hill’s new library at 10 a.m. Saturday prior to the Catfish Festival Parade.

Tuesday, the board will attend the Lamar High School track groundbreaking at 10 a.m.

The school board will meet next at 6 p.m. Dec. 14 at Rosenwald Elementary and Middle School in Society Hill.