001Good evening, Miss Hannah, if you would lead us invocation. Our thought for today is from Jeremiah 29:11. For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future of hope. Let us pray. Father in heaven, lead us this day with the understanding that we are guided by the Lord Almighty. He blesses us with the power of his love for us to do and say what is good for us. Bless our defenders of freedom and first responders as they care for us. By the arm of God, we are rewarded by those things he gives us. Bless and protect our men and women of our armed forces as they protect us. Remember those with hidden wounds. Lord, in your mercy, here our
002prayers. Amen. >> Call the Kershaw County School Trustees meeting to order. Is there a motion to adopt a proposed agenda? a motion by coach Blackman, second by Miss Furnus. All those in favor have been known by saying I. >> I unanimous. >> Is there a motion to adopt the consent agenda? Properly motioned by Mr. Cameron, second by Miss Runlet. All in favor have been on by saying I. >> I post unanimous. I want to thank each and everyone for gathering here this evening. Our next item on our agenda is presentation. Abigail Shoemaker. Several years ago, one of my friends, Samantha Gladen, took her own life. Then the following year, another one of my friends, Maryanne Large, passed the same way. Hearing the news of both their passings was both devastating and shocking. To this day,
003it still feels unreal. Both Sam and Maryanne were people who bettered my life in significant ways, and I would not be the person that I am today had I not met both of them. They showed me how to remain positive and friendly in a world riddled with negativity. I know that I'm not the only person that saw the light inside of them. I would like to honor this light forever. On behalf of the graduating class of 2026, I am donating memorial benches to be placed at the entryway of Luca Foden High School. These benches are a symbol of the impact that both Sam and Maryanne had on the school and on everybody inside of it. The two benches will replace the current red benches at the school's entryway. They will be six feet long, wooden,
004and will both have plaques that are engraved with in memorial of Samantha Gladen and in memorial of Maryanne Large. The benches are planned to be unveiled on Friday, March 13th at Logo Fudgeon High School with just the families of these girls and anyone that they choose to invite. I would like to thank those who made these these benches possible. That being Mr. Corey Wright and the staff at Lugofen High School, Royy's Wood Products in Lugof, Connell Law Firm in Lugof, Charleston Battery Bench, and Jada Diaz the student body president at Lugofen High School who helped me organize this project. Unfortunately, she cannot be here today, but I do still want to extend a thank you to her. I would also like to recognize the members of Sam and Maryanne's family. We have some of them
005in the audience and I would like to thank them for allowing the school and myself to honor their daughter's memories in such a beautiful way. Uh, Miss Bean has just passed out packets to you guys with designs for the benches and information regarding them. Thank you so much for all that you have done and for remembering those in whom have touched the lives of many that have transitioned. If if a member of the family would like to take a picture with Abigail, we will at this time. Or family members, if you would come forward at this time, please. Thank you. >> We do not have anyone that have signed up for public forum and our own new business at this time. We have our calendar for approval. That's Becky if you recall. >> Good evening,
006Dr. Smith, Dr. Goodwin, members of the board. I'm joined tonight by several calendar committee members, and I'll let them introduce themselves, Andrea and Emily, in a few minutes. Um this evening we're presenting you with a recommendation for the 2728 academic calendar for your approval and vote. As a reminder, the draft you have before you is the work of a countywide committee with repres representation from each school and district as well and district office as well as community members. The committee also includes parents as well as teachers, principles, and district office staff. And as a reminder, each year the calendar committee changes. introduce yourself. >> My name is Andrea Stanette. I'm a mother of a student who is at Stover Middle School and Lugoff Elgen High School. And I'm Emily Bakamo. I'm the librarian at Lugoff
007Elgen Middle School. Um, so our committee met and we reviewed over the principles of calendar planning and discussed those things that must be in a school calendar, which a lot of people I don't they really need to know more about. um by law or by board policy as well as those items that have been traditions in our district. We talked about the fact that the calendar decisions need to be made with the best interest of the children and academics in mind. We also talked about the fact that this process is one that often involves compromise in order to develop the calendar that is the best recommendation overall for the students. At our meeting, we worked through the requirements of the 2027 2028 calendar and committee members had a chance to develop calendar recommendations. And this
008was harder than it seems. District staff in attendance at the meeting answered our questions and provided input. And we don't always agree, but everyone on the committee was allowed to voice their opinions. And I really enjoyed serving on the calendar committee. >> Was this your first time? This was actually my second, but not consecutively. Okay. Um, and uh, Andrea, and I know one thing that she brought up in the calendar committee that was important and is something that maybe the state needs to look at is the tax-free weekend. You know, with our date changing, sometimes that tax-free weekend falls after we have our first day. But I know that um we've kind of talked about and it was a good idea that we'll remind principles and um school staff to kind of be flexible with
009that. You know, you don't might not need all those glue sticks on the first day of school. So people that might want to wait and get some of that. So feedback like that is great to have in the calendar committee as well. Um so thank you both. And it was a joy to serve with um both of these ladies and I hope they'll maybe be nominated again by their principal to serve in the future. Um, at the last meeting we did with the board, we reviewed the feedback from uh the community, the families and staff. And as promised, following that meeting, I contacted the calendar committee back with the options that we discussed. Um, asked for their input and asked them to solicit input from their schools. Um, tonight in your uh board pack, you'll
010notice that we have not made changes to the draft calendar because the majority of the committee did not think that changing the start date to the midweek August 4th in turned to changing the winter break would be wellreceived. Um, they also noted that um they would expect a lot of school absences on that Monday and half day Tuesday if we did do that because that was kind of what we were looking at. And um some high school feedback was would we have exams on that Thursday, Friday and then they thought probably really high schoolers might not come that Monday and half day Tuesday. So all those kind of things and I mean when we talk about a compromise it it definitely is because I think Andrea maybe would have preferred that we did move it
011to the Wednesday start whereas again some of the other um folks on the committee and the majority did not um want to move that. So tonight we are bringing you the draft calendar 2728 for the academic calendar for your approval and we'll be happy to take any questions. >> Dr. King, >> first of all, um, gratitude for serving on the committee. I I had the opportunity to do that a couple times when I was working and I can't say I ever enjoyed it. You both said you enjoyed it. So you got to come back. >> We learned something about that. I like learning. We learned something. >> I'm kidding about that. It was, but it's it's a laborious process and and I I hope the public realizes just how much information is in front of
012the calendar committee and just how how many variables are in come into play when you decide um and and there's not a one-sizefits-all. And um I I support the rendering or rendition that you guys have presented. Um I like the Monday start. I know some folks don't particularly at the elementary level because of logistics of buses and and working out those first few days and first week fatigue and all that stuff but um I think the way that you have done this is um articulated quite well but mostly just want to say thanks for the effort and uh looks like a great calendar to me. >> Was that a motion? >> We accept it. >> A second by Miss Furnace. All those in favor know by saying I >> I thank you all so much
013for >> Stan. Good evening Dr. Smith, Dr. Goodwin, and members of the board. Um, I am here tonight to present the district wellness policy, policy ADF, for your approval. As a reminder, this policy reflects our district's commitment to supporting the health and wellness of our students and staff and ensures full compliance with the most up-to-date USDA and state requirements. It also includes a structured review process to ensure we are working under the most current approved guidelines. So, I thank you for your continued support of student wellness in our district, and I respectfully present the district wellness policy for your consideration and approval, and I'm happy to take any questions you may have. >> Hearing none, is that a motion? Motion by Miss Furnus, second by Coach Blackman. All those in favor, let me know by
014raise your right hand. And that's an Thank you. >> Thank you. >> So, good evening, Mr. Chairman, Dr. Goodwin, and members of the board. Tonight for second reading, the administration presents revisions to four board policies required by the Educator Assistance Act, which became effective July 1, 2025. Since the first reading, no additional revisions have been made to policy GBC, staff compensation. Policy GCK, professional staff assignments and transfers. Policy GCQC, GCQD, resignation of professional staff, and policy IC school year. Mr. Chairman, these policies are respectfully submitted for board approval. >> Yes. >> Motion to accept them. >> Motion probably for a second. Second by Mr. Roberts. All those in favor, let me know by saying I. I >> thank you. >> Next, our South Carolina School Board Association annual convention report. Miss, would you lead us?
015Again, it was a conference that was very memorable um to me and all the other board members that had an opportunity to go. I'm just going to briefly give some highlights and there other members who went that would also share some quotes and some highlights from that um convention as well. Our keynote address was given by Annie Marie Anderson and these are some of the highlights of what she had to say. the moment of impact. Understanding your influence and this was these some of the major points that she brought across to us. Operational clarity is important. Change behavior to meet expectations. Know the philosophy of your people. Do we know who is the front row on the board and who in our community has our front row? In greetings from the superintendent of education, Ellen
016Weaver, she talked about how the teacher vacancy was down and also she was saying that leadership is important. David Beasley also gave us an opportunity to hear something that he had to say. Feeding the body and mind is a pathway to peace and he addressed four different things. Address the root causes. Learn how to break bread together is important. respectfully disagree and love your neighbor as your equal. In the first breakout session, I'm right, you're wrong, and shut up. This was done by Dr. Lee Pritzet, and he said, "Where are we today? People want to tell us their opinion." And then he gave us a some playbook um checklist as the board. How do you know a team is highly functional? First of all, by our purpose and intention, not getting defensive. We do team
017self assessment choice. When there is a problem, you can either ignore the problem, live with the problem, or fix the problem. Unlocking dreams by cultivating hope through education was done by Liz Huntley. And the name of the book that she wrote was more than a bird. And she shared the story behind her book. And she also instead of trying to fix everything, we need to learn how to shape the lives of human beings and just learn how to help them through it instead of try to fix it all the time. The next breakout session was school employees social media posts about public matters or persons. When do they cross the line? When schoolboard employees speak out or make controversial social media posts in the capacity as a private citizen on matters of public concern, their
018speech is likely protected by the first amendment. However, there are limits. Those limits are based on the disruptiveness of the speech outweighing the employees speech rights perhaps when these posts at times can be deemed inappropriate, insensitive or they may be callous. Leading the school district's governor versus management. This was done by um attorney Garwin and she was she's a partner with the Barkin and Davis LLC. A handout was provided this evening in your folder that goes into greater detail. And the final session um the li the leopard women's chorus from Kershaw County had an opportunity to perform. They were outstanding. After that, we received the greetings from the superintendent of the year, Dr. Sean Farsa from Orangeberry County School District. And these are some of the highlights and these are the ones that I noted.
019Leaders finish before they leave. As leaders, we must seek solutions. You need the right people. Look for them. Suspicions are not evidence. Leaders are reborn to be made better. Leaders run to provide a better future for those that follow. We do not need a lot of people. We just need the right ones. And your purpose is older than your position. And the very last one for the speaker for that evening or for Sunday morning. If you can't say something nice, what do you say? Practical solutions for working together better. There is also a handout in your packet this evening. And there's a QR code in there. If you scan it in, you become a person that that she will send out um emails to. And this is what she says. Say what you mean. Mean
020what you say. Don't say it mean what you say. say what you say in a nice way. I think Autumn has some more things that she would like. Any other board members that had an opportunity to go um please feel free at this point. >> I I just want to follow up with Miss Hie and I pretty much attended >> every everyone together. Um we ended up in the same room. So So my I follow exactly what you said. There was just some quotes from different things that that really stood out to me. Um, with Anmarie Anderson, one of her things was, "We change our behavior to meet the expectations of our community, but when we look for our front row, we should look for the people who want to see you succeed and hold
021your standards when you are not in the room." So, so the support is is our front row. And I thought that was really great. um the breakout session from I'm Right, you're wrong. The the quote in there was students outcome don't change until beha and until adults behavior changes and that was one that stood out to me just in the quotes of you know they they follow our lead and if if we can't do right that doesn't teach them by doing wrong. And then my last one was from um Liz Huntley, the keynote speaker that said she said, "Don't judge a child by the door that they walk out of." And that hit really hard to to see the children we see every day that are judged by other children in classes and in the
022school, but then what do we as adults look at? So that one really stuck with me was was don't judge a child by the door they walk out of. And the last one was a quote that has been quoted many times is they don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Chair. And and just a couple of really brief things. Um Amarie Anderson was the keynote that kicked things off. Uh wonderful presentation. Um comment she made that really stuck out with me and she made it more than once. She made it more than once. Um, when you know better, you do better. So, you know, I think it it's a good to keep in mind that that we should always be looking to know better,
023know more so that we can do better um for our kids and our community and and what they do. Um, Governor Beasley, um, he's former governor. You would think he's going to come and preach politics and he did not. He preached and he preached um you know that that we're not doing enough as as a a community or as a state in terms of the politics that we present that they're too divisive and that we need to come together and do things together. Um I I think that's one of the great things about this board is that um we're not a very political organization if we're political at all. And and I I appreciate everything that we do here. um my first year on board has shown that this group works more towards about what's
024good for kids in our community and our school district than anything else. There's no agenda presented from anybody here. Um but he talked about the one of the things that was overarching in his he said there's two institutions that shape humans and ironically they are the church and the school. Um, and as much as we do to to make sure that we're in compliance with the law, um, it needs to be remembered that those two institutions are what what really molds our kids and our communities and and um, we really need to work together to make sure that we're doing those things together. Um, Miss Huntley, very powerful message from her background and where she came from. Uh, I also appreciate the fact she talked about schools can't fix home problems, but they can help
025people through them. And I think that's something that needs to be kept in mind, too. All these things that we do, all these policies that we we work on and that we we've changed due to the law and and the things that we do in our school district, um, we can't fix it. We can't necessarily fix everything or we can't fix it at all in the home, but we're here to help and facilitate what you need to to get you where you need to be to get the things that you need. And the overall overarching theme, I thought, even though I don't think anybody ever published it or put it out there, was about hope and love. There was a lot of discussion about hope and love and all the sessions that we were in.
026Um, and especially from our our speakers that that started off our sessions and stuff early in the mornings and and just just an overall great conference. >> Yes, Dr. >> I won't say anything in particular about any of the sessions. I uh tagged along with a lot of folks and we were in some of the same ones together. But I will say um the one thing that I notice um and having been on the board three non-consecutive times, I always hear when I um I don't want to say commiserate, but collaborate, talk with other board members from other districts is just how good we have it here. Um Mr. Cameron kind of um inferred that and and stated it in not so many words, but I am so appreciative when I hear just how much
027dissension and negativity and sometimes argument that occurs with other boards. Um, again, having served three times here, we've ne, you know, we've had disagreements. We've had um some heated discussions, but never anger, and it's always people trying to do what's right by our kids and our staff and our district. And at the end of the day, when we walk out of here or out of the executive session, we're on the same page. And not not many districts, boards can say that. And I really really appreciate it. And as a prolific Facebooker and a salty old guy, um the one session that I did go to was on Facebooking and um it resonated with me is to say just because you can publish it on Facebook doesn't mean you should. Um and I caution um you
028know I am a huge believer in the first amendment. Um it's very well protected or Facebook is very well protected by the first amendment. But I I caution folks and warn folks, you know, when before you put something out there, read it through different lenses. Who's going to see that? Is it going to be that student you taught 10 years ago? Is it going to be that student or a parent of a child you're teaching or dealing with um acting with right now? Um your preacher, your your spouse, your family, your friends, and uh and just read it again and make sure that's what you want to put out there for the world to see. And um I have to be mindful of that myself sometimes. But um again um the last thing I will
029say um it's always a pleasure for me um because you know if you you read on Facebook, social media, in the news, we get hammered in public education sometimes. Um, if you witness any of these student groups we get to see and hear, um, that are committed to their craft, be it the arts, um, um, academics, I I still say it and I'll say it every day, we're in good shape. We got some good leadership coming up. We got great kids coming up. We got great staff members teaching them and guiding them along the way. And um and I will say that I'm I'm so proud of our leopards coral group who came and and um and showed out in my opinion. They they were the best of all of them. And even the uh
030the students or the one student and representing other students from Lug Elgen High School, what a a remarkable thing for that. Their senior gift is to recognize and honor lost classmates and the just that's profound to me. So, uh great conference and this uh kudos to the school boards association for doing a good job putting it together every year. >> And Dr. King, you reminded me um the the the arts programs that we had, the music programs and stuff we have are very outstanding. The opening program we had was from a district that's that's struggling in our state. And um it it's I I think I told um Dr. Goodwin that it's remarkable the things that are going on in schools that when you only hear about the things that their report card was lousy
031or that they're being assisted by the state to get to certain goals and things that are done, but kids come out and they show I'm learning things. I know things. I I'm I'm, you know, I I can do things. And the schools are really really working hard to to ensure our kids are getting a good education. just sometimes the other things hit the news that that people to focus on. And the things I saw and heard this weekend were that that weekend a couple weekends ago was just amazing. And and those kids coming from districts that are struggling and still have this artistic professionalism about themselves and they're they're they're knocking it out of the park and and the schools are knocking it out of the park and those are things people don't see. And
032I think people need to to realize that what you do see and hear on a regular basis is just this the surface stuff and things that people are required to report. Um get out and help your schools and go see what's going on in the programs. Go to go to a concert, go to an art program. Um go to an art gallery show by kids in the school or by the district and look at what the kids are doing. See it firsthand. Don't just rely on somebody else or a sound bite or a news source to give you the information that you want to have comments about what's going on in schools and base it on that. Get out there and learn about it. I'm going to um kind of pick it back on everything
033y'all said. Um you said it well and our representatives at the school board conference is really great from my standpoint. The Liz Huntley story really hit home to me a little bit and I'm sure it hit hit home to others that are on the board, but uh her story was unlocking dreams and cultivating hope through education. Excuse me. and she spoke a lot about how the schools where she went to actually saved her life in a way and how she was um had a tough time coming up like I would say I believe it's in her book and um she spoke a lot about how the teachers treated her and she was loved as a growing up and that really meant a lot to me and as I'm getting to my point here. I reflect
034back on education overall. We have I'm going to agree with you. We have great teachers. Uh we have great administrators. We have um employees and at every level I think that care about our kids. But I'm going to touch a little bit about some folks that get a bad rep sometime, but yet they don't get a lot of recognition unless they're winning. And that's going to be coaches. And I thought about that as a coach and I'm not that's not about me. But a lot of times these coaches that we don't think about and these these uh folks that are interacting with our children not only during the school days or the school time but after school and they have taken a lot of time with children after the classroom ends in that last bell.
035And um I would brag on our district with our coaches, not only the head coaches, but the assistant coaches because there's been many of times that children have uh didn't have a ride and uh they need a way to get home and um I've seen it firsthand that coaches care and teachers care. Our teachers care and love their children. That's why they're doing this. And I think about Kershaw. I thought about Kershaw County at the time. I said, you know, Kershaw County is exceptional to me because I really believe that uh we have exceptional employees across the board everywhere. I can't think of anything else. Um and um it really touched home a little bit to me with with her story and um because as you said, nobody cares how much you know until they
036know that you care. And that's an absolute truth. They're going to look at you and they're going to see if you really care about them. because a lot of times at school is the best place they're going to be all day long. And uh and it's because the teachers that we have and the administrators that we have and the um activities that we have for these children, they look forward to it and uh that meant a lot to me. But so I I kind of like put that together. Now on a funny note, I went to another session called AI and uh artificial intelligence. Well, I debated what here's my artificial intelligence. So, I got I was on the lighter side of everything, but I said it I sit in the room and uh a
037lot of the stuff went over my head, but I think it you'll click away from good or you click away from bad. And uh that's one of the things that that touched me as far as uh the conference was concerned. But I did appreciate being at the conference with our board members and I think everybody everybody enjoyed it and everybody got a lot out of it. Thank you. >> Okay. Well, thanks to everyone for your present and for and for sharing. Um the school board association does a lot and trying to put it on. I must say um this probably been one of the most enlightening, inspiring, uh touching um conference I've been at. Um matter of fact, I used a part of what's um Miss Autumn said um in a message this past week.
038Um, I just shared that with you because it was like, you know, it it gave me a deeper insight on when you look a child in the eye, you know, what's behind the pupils and what they're going through. Um, so I I wanted to share that because, you know, the impact it had, it makes you want to do what our teachers do. You know, you get down on a child level and just let them know that you care. And that was a saving grace that coach made reference to. So thanks to everyone and to the association. So fill out your uh your evaluation that the sent out. Anything else before Dr. C? >> Well, speaking of the school board's association, um in your packet tonight, you'll find a memo from Scott Price with the school
039board association. Um, it's hard to believe, but it's time for school uh board association officers, board of directors to be uh nominated and voted on again. And you will notice that region six is this is the year that they vote on that. And you will notice that Kershaw County is in that group. Uh it's been a long time since we had a Kershaw County representative and Dr. Smith's been our representative in that region now for four years. And um not that I'm trying to sway an election, but I am. Uh I would really like to uh see someone have the uh wherewithal to to uh nominate him again for that seat. I have spoken with him. He would uh gladly serve again and I think it says a lot for our school district to have
040someone in the leadership role in there. So, uh, if you, uh, would consider that, uh, you noticed we do have until June to get those, um, nominations in, but I'll be honest, I'm not willing to put things off like this. So, uh, if there's anything we can do to help, if if one of you or multiple of you want to nominate someone, Dr. Smith, uh, we, uh, Wendy stands ready to help you and, and Becky will stand ready to help you get everything ready to to send in. Yes, sir. Is it better for us? I'm certainly willing to make a nomination. Um, would it be better if we all did it or do we just jointly do it? What's better? >> Becky, I'm gonna defer to you. >> I remember Okay. And and so we
041we'll work on that part before our next meeting and then if it's okay, we'll we'll we'll move forward then with whatever she finds out. And of course, the reason I put her on the spot is because she used to work for schoolboards association before she worked with us. So, but uh I do think I do think there's a lot of value in having uh one of our members to be that director to to give our voice and uh that's nothing against those other counties that are in our region. Know I know all of those folks well and they are good people but um something about home that makes it a little more special. So, um Mr. Chair, there's just one other thing that that I want to mention if I can. Um today, um we
042changed a couple of years ago, we changed the way we do our principal of the year. And in the past, we had been in this room for a principal meeting and we just sort of invited the spouse or the person and snuck them in and then we we named principal of the year. Spouse came up, we did it right here and that was about all the fanfare there was. We put pictures and such on social media, but um we we made a change that that just did not seem authentic enough. We changed the process, too. It's a true nomination process, a true narrative of what the person is has done to to deserve the recognition as principal of the year. And you'll know that last year uh they snuck around and moved all of the
043students at Camden Middle School to the gymnasium without Mr. Faulenberry knowing it, which is quite a feat. I still don't know how pull that off. And then got him called they one of the assistant principles, Lenley, called him and said there was a problem in the gym. They needed him now. And he said, "Well, I'm with somebody." And she said, "No, we need you now." And there's video of her saying that. And I'm like, I can't believe y'all are doing this to this man. And uh but the whole school got to recognize Mr. Falenberry as being the the district principal of the year. We did something very similar today at Pine Tree. Um we kept uh Dan's staff kept uh Marquita tied up. Um I think she thought she was in quite a bit of
044trouble because the entire instructional staff came to meet with her. It was all a conspiracy obviously to uh to keep her out of the way while they moved all of the students to the center rotunda. and uh her husband was also able to attend and um so we named um Miss Barbara as the uh district principal of the year. She'll be formally recognized at the teacher of the year um uh um celebration in April and um then of course u she'll also then address the entire uh uh staff next fall as we come back. I guess you would call it next summer when we come back since we come back in July. But uh just more so than than just recognizing Miss Barber, I wanted to recognize the work that our staff has put into
045a true recognition. Now, I don't know that we ever going to be able to move a whole another school around to recognize somebody. That's a little bit of a tall order. Uh but we'll figure something out for the next one. We'll we'll we'll get our minds together. But uh congratulations, Miss Barber. But most of all, congratulations to all the students and staff at Pineree for the great job they're doing. This recognition is only a reflection of their hard work. So, uh, congratulations to her. >> Is there a motion to go into executive session to discuss resolating retirement of certified and classified personnel, employment of certified and classified personnel, assignment changes, and transfer of certified and classified personnel? properly motioned by Miss Fern, second miss by Miss Hley. All in favor say I. I. >> That's
046unanimous. Is there a motion to reconvene the open session? Proper motion by Miss Furn, second by Miss. All in favor, let be known by saying I. >> I post and it's unanimous. In executive session, we discuss resignation, retirement of certified and classified personnel, employment of certified classified personnel and assignment changes and transfer of certified and classified personnel. Is there a motion to accept the administration recommendation concerning employment matters? >> So move second. >> Proper motion by M. Robert, second by Dr. King. All those in favor, let be known by saying I. I. >> Is there a motion to adjurnn? >> Second. Motion by Miss Fern, second by Miss H. All in favor, let know by said I. I. That's not