June 8, 2026 School Board Meeting

001today and this year is more about just transforming buildings. It's really about transforming lives. But there are times when you're going to meet a challenge. You're going to meet an obstacle and it's going to be hard. Check check check. One, two, one, two. Perfect. Thank you. Sure. I was just going to check all there. Check. Check. Check. Is that too loud or do I >> Yeah, I was just in the mic again. Making sure it's not too long. Good evening. It is 4:30. I'm going to call our June 8th board meeting to order. Can I get a motion to approve the agenda? >> Make a motion to approve the agenda. >> All in favor? And the motion carries five to zero. Can I get a motion to enter into executive session? >> Make a motion

002to enter exe executive session to consider the following. Uh item A, selected employment items as seen as exhibit A for action. Item B, select employment items seen in exhibit B for information only. C employee appeal matter pursuant to board policy GBK staff concerns, complaints, and grievances as seen in exhibit C. D. Legal advice regarding parent complaint regarding Harlem's language pursuant to state board regulation 43-170 as seen as exhibit D. E contractual matter regarding construction workforce development lab as seen in exhibit E. F discussion of sale and purchase of property. And G, uh legal advice regarding civil action number 2022-CP-32-01586/ 2025 CP-32-02497 as seen in exhibit F. >> Do I have a sec? All in favor? And the motion carries 5 to zero. will now return to executive session. Good evening. It is 6 o'clock and

003I'm going to call to order the public hearing on the 2627 general fund budget. >> Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the board and our community. It is honored to bring to you for the second the final reading our general fund budget and uh as our CFO Miss Heather Tucker comes to lecture I would just like to say that this has been a process that we have started throughout the year to get us to this point of the public hearing for second and final reading. Our budget represents a plan that we have for looking forward to the future for what we expect in terms of our expenses and our revenue. And uh it's not an audit. We'll have those audit numbers in December for you. But this is more of our for projection view. Uh

004consistent with our board policy. uh we are looking at the uh expectations uh and the priorities the financial priorities uh for the educational program of our system. What are those priorities? Uh we took this year to look at our stakeholder groups and we saw over and over again that teacher pay was the number one priority from the majority of our stakeholder groups. As we look at what we have done in this district as compared to the state in terms of beginning teacher salaries what we're proposing from 2020 uh from 201819 uh to the next uh fiscal year is a 49.7% increase uh in terms of the starting teacher pay. If you look at that starting teacher pay for the state, that's a 57% increase, what you see is uh there's only a few districts in

005the state that actually can afford to pay over the uh state minimum teacher salary. Uh as we look at our top end pay for our max pay for teachers, you can see that's a 23% increase. Why the difference? uh as you know that our pay uh exceeds the state but the state stops contributing at the I believe the 28th year. We go out to the 33rd year and so because of that there's less state funding uh to support the top end. Uh but again uh as I said there are only a I think maybe 20 districts throughout the state of the 72 districts that can even afford to pay above that minimum teacher pay. Uh so why um is our budget uh important uh as we look at the other considerations? Um I did a

006cursorary study I guess through chat GBT asking the most heavily regulated industries in the state of South Carolina. The top five are banking and financial services, healthc care, utilities, but number four in terms of the top regulated industries within the state is education, K12, higher ed. The regulations that we have, they're not going anywhere. Uh and we don't want that all on the teacher. And so as a result, we uh uh depend on our support and our administrative structures to help us with these regulations so that the teachers can focus on teaching. And so as a result, our teachers need these supports. Uh this integrated support ecosystem that we're presenting today is for the instructional purposes of making sure that we meet those needs. And so at this point I want to turn over uh

007to go through the revenues and the expenditures and our recommendation to our CFO Miss Heather Tucker. Miss Tucker. >> Thank you Dr. Ross. Uh Madam Chair, members of the board. Um our state local revenue estimates. Uh just to start we start with proviso 1.3 and this is where we really get our basis of our state appropriations. The state looks at the total number of students across the state divides that by a target teacher student ratio which they use 11.2. to um to get uh essentially the total bucket of what they're going to allocate out to all the districts across the state for salary and fringe. They look at a mast's plus 12 years experience as an average and that becomes our statewide allocation. Um we get a portion of that based on our index of

008taxpaying ability and essentially the basis of our membership. So if you look at our 135th day average membership for the last few years, um we've seen a slight decrease in our membership from 24 to 25 uh 24 25 to 2526 as well as a decrease in our weighted pupil units. Um this plays into our projected general fund revenue from last year to this year. So you can see there are a a budget as approved for 2526 compared to our 2627 projected projection. Um, our local revenue is calculated at 266 mills. Um, our other local revenue. Uh, we have our state revenue, which is our state aid to classroom. And there's been a little bit of a shuffle in how the state gives us our state aid to classroom and essentially move money out of health

009insurance. It looks like we saw a big decrease there, but some of that has moved into our line for state aid to classroom. So, it's not really an apples to apples anymore. Um, we look like we saw a really large increase in our uh CTE funds. Um, but again, that's is moving money between the state aid to classroom line and some of the other lines that the state allocates to us. So essentially we're seeing a small increase in state aid to classroom and then um looking at our other revenue sources. So right now we're looking at an increase of about $5 million from our last year's budget to this year uh from 250 580 to 255 715. So a 2% increase overall. Um so what does that look like in terms of state and local

010revenue? So last year we saw a really large increase in our local revenue because we had essentially the second part of our two counties doing reassessment. So reassessment occurs every five years. Richland County had done their reassessment the year prior. Lexington County did theirs last year and so we saw an infusion of um local revenue from that increase um mostly related to our reassessment but also we saw um an increase in our our state p state allocation as well. um even though we still saw a decrease in students. So last year we saw $4 million in additional funds on the state side and $8 million in additional funds from the local compared to this year essentially 1.6 on both the state and the local. Um even though those numbers are not directly correlated. They just

011happen to be right at 1.6 each this year. Um so it really is an apples to apples. We saw almost a 4% decrease in students 3.5% but a 72% decrease in new revenue. Um, we have seen an increase in students with our IEPs, uh, 6.7% increase from last year to this year, um, with a 58.9% decrease in state new revenue. So, it's really hard to predict what that state um, allocation is going to look like when it's it's not an applesto apples comparison of a decrease in students to your decrease in funding. And what does that look like as far as our budget? When you look at our budget overall, almost 90% of our general fund expenditures are salaries and benefits. So when you're talking about that $250 million, 89% of that really close to

01290 is is people. So we only have about 10 to 11% of our general fund expenditures to play with as far as salaries or supplies, utilities, and purchase services. There's not a lot of um additional expenses outside of salaries and benefits. And how does that break down into the different categories across our district? Um, of those general fund expenditures, 57% is direct instruction. Um, 13% of that is instructional support, 19% of that falls in operations, and 11% falls into leadership. So, for our budget considerations for this year, um, we looked at what we must do. So, we must move every teacher up one step on the current teacher salary scale, and that would cost the district an additional $1.3 million. um to move every support employee up one one step on the current support employee

013salary scale plus add year 24 would be a 1.1 million increase. Dr. Ross mentioned that the state only does um up to 28 years on the teacher salary scale on the support salary scale. We have been adding one year at the end of that every year trying to um do something for those folks that have been here and been loyal to our district and had many years in the system. So we've been adding one year every year as we're able to do that. Um, for administrative staff, move every administrator up one step on the current administrative salary scale. And then there are a few middle school APS that needed to increase their contract days from 215 to 225. So, a small part of that administrative scale. And that's um $300,000 increase. And then the 2%

014for our bus drivers, that's a state mandate since uh we get that from the state. And that's a $400,000 increase. So, all of those must do um total up to $3.1 million in salaries and benefits. So, what would we what do we want to do? We wanted to do an additional increase to our teacher pay raises. So, we looked at the starting teacher salary. Um, last year we were at 50,922 and this year we wanted to move that teacher salary scale up to 515 and essentially apply a 1% increase to all sales across the current salary schedule. Um, we want to make sure we don't have any compression as we bump that minimum up. We want to make sure that we do something uh con um consistent across the board so we don't end up

015with compression in the middle of that salary scale. So that's an additional 1.1 million. The supplemental pay study uh which the board um approved last uh board meeting. We wanted to really look at our supplement study and what is that data driven compensation adjustments to adjust our current salary scale. um to look at moving the target market adjustments for our middle and high school band directors um to 3,000 and $8,000 respectively and to move to more of a um essentially a schedule that aligns with market base for the athletic and the rest of our supplements um to move that across all um across all of our salary scale salary schedules which would be an additional $300,000. And then finally, our tier 2 tutoring program which uh the board voted on this year as a one-time

016funds. We did that at a fund balance this year. It was incredibly successful and we wanted to see that continue. Um so the tier 2 tutoring and the Midlands Tech program um this would continue that tier 2 tutoring program on through next year. Um it would essentially be for one semester. So we would look at the um the students that we would need to pull into tutoring after the first semester and move that into um into um essentially start off at the beginning of the second semester. And then we would also have the Harvest and Campus shuttle for the Midlands Tech Associates program. Um, and then also include two bus drivers to support transportation because that's many additional bus routes for our current transportation supervisor. And so that's an additional $900,000. So 2.3 million for

017our wantto-dos. So looking at our current salary supplement schedule, this is what we have. We have our four salary schedules, our teacher, our administrative, our support, and our bus drivers. Um, in our supplement schedules, we right now have extracurricular special duties and special duties for g grades prek through five. What that will look like next year is we have the same four salary schedules um that will be updated based on what the board approves tonight. Um, and then we will have a different supplement schedule. So, we'll have an academic support schedule and department heads, an art schedule, an athletic schedule, and a special duty schedule um to really make again just align that with the the market that's around us. So proposed efficiencies. So how are we going to pay for the things that we

018are asking for this year without having additional tax increases. So there are 15 repurposed positions that have been identified across the district. Um all of these are vacant positions. And so as we refill these, these will be repurposed into the new position um that is laid out on your slide there. So you'll see the cyber security coordinator. We're not asking to add, we're going to repurpose a current position. the visual and performing arts coordinator, expectation coaches, um literacy lab, and sped teacher assistants. Those will all be repurposed positions for next year. And then efficiencies through reduction of vacant positions. Um so this letter is a little bit misleading because the vacant position teacher to teacher grade two. So that's essentially the position title that it was the last time it was a filled position. So

019the last time that position was filled, it was a teacher for grade two. That position has not been filled. It has not been filled in a while. And so just for the purposes of us tracking those positions through our master position scheduler, um these were the position titles the last time they were filled. And so those are the five vacant positions that we are going to reduce out of our budget. Um so we will essentially reduce our vacant positions by five. So how are we going to pay for this calculation of allowable millage increase? So the state allows us to increase our millillage based on the CPI and population growth. And that information is given to us by revenue and fiscal affairs. So this year our CPI is 2.63%. Our population growth in this area

020is 1.6. So we're allowed to increase our millillage by 4.23%. So our 2526 operating mills was 261. So we are allowed to go up by 11 this year um without using any look back. Um and we have a significant amount of look back millillage because we have not increased our millage over the last few years. So we could actually increase by 32.8 Um so what would that look what does the last few years look like as far as our operating millage increase? Um in 2425 we looked at a mill cap of 15.3 with a collection rate of 95%. So the increase to the general fund was $1.6 million. Um last year we looked at a mill cap of 12.14 at a collection rate of 97% which is more in line with what we're actually collecting

021across the um across the years. And so that was 4.3. And so let this year we could increase 11. Um and if we did that, that would be an additional increase of 3.9 million. So looking at what our um mill values are across uh the districts around us. So what where do we fall? We fall um kind of right there in the middle looking at 366 361 for a value of a mill at 266 um and our operating mills. And so the first reading recommendation was to um increase the to 266. Um a local increase of 3.4 um mill increase of five which would give us an additional $5 million and allow us to do the things that we want to do and also the things that we must do. Um we looked at a

022way to do that without increasing our taxes overall. So to reduce our debt service mills by five and increase our operating mill um understanding that the value of those mills is different. And so it's essentially um across to the taxpayer it's essentially a a no net difference. Um but to the district we will lose money on our debt service but we'll gain that on the operating millage but it's not necessarily a one for one. But that will allow us to do the things that we want to do in this budget without having any tax increase to the the local taxpayers. And so our recommendation um our revenue increase of 5.1 million with our expense increase of 5.4. We're finding efficiencies of about $300,000 through our 15 repurposed FTEES and our five FTE reduction um to

023balance our budget. And so the administration's recommendation would be to approve a budget of $255 million 715,12681. um approved setting the millage rate at 266 and the debt service millage rate at 64.5. So that is my recommendation and I will stand for any questions. >> All right. Thank you u Miss Tucker before we open it up for public participation. I will stand for questions from the board. Mr. Scully. >> Yeah, Miss Tucker. Just so you can clarify on the one of the efficiencies was the removal or elimination of a uh student nutrition administrator. >> Can you just clarify for the district and the public that we are still taking care of our student nutrition? Uh we're not we're we're we're losing that position, >> but we're making it up somewhere else. So we're not losing

024that. >> Correct. We are not losing that. that we are not losing that expertise. Um, we are essentially renewing that position. Um, and so we are not losing we are not losing the person. >> Thank you, Mr. I'm just going to go up now. I was just going to add I got my property tax bill for my truck today and um just under 68% goes to school district 5. So, I do appreciate the continued goal of lessening impact to our taxpayers. I know there's always areas we can tighten further, but I do at least appreciate the effort. >> Thank you, Mr. >> Um, yes. If you go back to Well, I first have one question without going back to a slide for um LOAS, which are letter of agreements, people that have come back that

025are retired, does the district have to to pay retirement on those individuals or is that not required? >> So, we if they are employed, we are still allow we are still required to pay into the retirement system. Um they essentially we're we're still paying in, but they won't be getting that back. But because they're employed, we we have to pay it into the system. >> So, we have to pay and they don't get it. Okay. Um on the um tier 2 uh tutoring go back. I think it is there. >> Yes. >> So, um I wanted to make sure I heard correctly. Are are we saying we um we won't be doing the after school tutoring the first semester? We'll only be doing it the second semester. >> That's my understanding and I might Miss

026McCascal can weigh in, but tier 2 tutoring would be based off of those test scores in the fall. And so, we would identify those students after their fall or winter map winter map scores. Winter Ira. um when are I ready scores and they would be identified in the fall based on those scores and then we would pull them in the spring for for tutoring because we want the tier one um interventions to start first. >> But this year we did start it in the fall, didn't we? >> We started. Okay. Okay. Um and then if you to go to the repurposed positions. >> Okay. So just to clarify, these are 15 new positions. >> So they are not new positions. So essentially, we're taking a current vacant position and renaming it for something else. So

027they will be there's not a net increase. They will be repurposed. >> Okay. So we're using funds from somewhere else, but the visual performing arts coordinator is a new position. We're funding it by not filling >> by filling another. Correct. >> Can we or have we received a list of the positions that are not being filled to make up for these? >> So we got the 15 from. >> So that list is basically those control codes. Uh to um Miss Tucker's point, um we can show you where they were last, but since they weren't filled, they weren't. So I think you would be going back to the point that they weren't filled to see what they were at that point. >> So we could look at the control code that's listed there, that number, and

028it right now it shows it's a certified position. So, it would be a teacher position, a certified teacher position that was vacant because we didn't need to fill that. Um, but we could look at what those control code numbers are just like we did for these positions. Um, and it just what it was the last time it was vacant. >> Okay. So, if you go back one slide, um, the current position type certified means it is that is most likely a teacher position. It could be a administrative position that requires certification, right? Most likely a teacher position. Okay. Um, thank you. That everybody. All right. Thank you so much, Miss Tucker. At this time, we will open it for public participation. Miss Taylor. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. We have one speaker for the budget

029hearing. It is Kim Murphy to speak about the budget. Good evening. Um I'm somewhat surprised at the administration's recommendation to offset the millage rate uh i.e. tax increase for the operational uh general fund budget which is used to pay to operate, maintain um and staff and teacher salaries with um a decrease in the debt service millage rate which is used to pay principal and interest on outstanding loans. First uh I feel the budget increase over last year and the last few years has been too high with the ongoing and significant decline in enrollment. Therefore, the millage rate to fund it, the tax increase, is too high. When a board member requested information that might lead to a reduction, she was denied. Second, the debt service millage rate, which you are proposing to reduce, is strictly

030based on a calculation of known numbers. It is to be no higher or lower than the amount needed to pay the upcoming year's principle in interest. If you are reducing it because the tax rate was too high um then um you brought in more revenue than you need then then say that don't quite understand why it can be reduced that rate can be reduced um to to um represent that it's going to be lower might actually be illegal. uh if you go down this road and you find out that it is illegal, the taxes that we will have to pay will be higher because there was not consideration given to reducing the budget, cutting expenses that are not critical to educating children. Also in most most recent year or actually almost in all years the

031district has overcolcted taxes and the overage is placed in fund balance which is like a slush fund and can be p spent on anything and not what was budgeted. I request that a motion when a motion is made to approve the budget that it also includes a motion to um include any overcolcted taxes that you collect from this this budget to go to offset next year's revenue. Thank you very much. Anybody else? Do we have any other questions or comments from the board? Right. Thank you. Um that concludes the um public hearing on the general fund budget and that will move us into our regular scheduled um board meeting. Thank you all for being with us this evening. We're already running a little behind so I'm just going to jump right in um and turn

032over to Mr. Scully for the invocation and the pledge. >> Okay. Thank you. um for the invocation. I'm just gonna uh take a a second to honor our recent graduates. Um so I'll start with our alma mater, great and true. Loyal praise we sing to you. And to thee ever shall we stress all our love and gratefulness. We treasure dear our school days there. For Imo High we breathe a prayer. Will ever call our memories back. Hail to our dear golden black. Uh, congratulations graduates for Chapen High School. Chapen, dear Chapen, the school so dear to me. It makes my heart rejoice to sing of thee. The rapture of my voice shall ever chant thy name and boast of thy great fame, our dear old school. Congratulations, Shaven High graduates. To you, Dutch Fork High

033School, we proudly hail your name. Where mighty foxes triumph triumphantly will reign. A promise of hope we strive to fulfill. A love that will never die. Hail silver and green. Building memories and dreams. A family of pride. Dutch fork high. Congratulation to our Dutch graduates. And finally, her mighty stallion singing together all as one. We thank thee for thy counsel. Thy spirit lives in us. We strive for truth and unity. The red we wear doth prove. Our zeal for thee will never fail. We hail thee, O Spring Hill. Congratulate Congratulations to our Spring Hill High graduates. Please stand for the pledge. Madam Chair, members of the board, Dr. Ross, good evening. So glad to be with you tonight. Um, just wanted to take a moment tonight for our schoolboard spotlight to celebrate what a great

034year it was for school district 5. Um, we had a wonderful spring. So many wonderful student accomplishments. We were able to celebrate. staff achievements we were able to celebrate and then as Mr. Skully said a great graduation day where we um celebrated so many of our seniors. So um I want to take just a minute tonight to share with you all our year and review video. It's always so inspiring to me to look back at all the great things we were able to do in a year. And um thank you to Barrett Isel in the office of communications for putting this together for us. today and this year is more about just transforming buildings. It's really about transforming lives. But there are times when you're going to meet a challenge. You're going to meet an

035obstacle and it's going to be hard to overcome. And that belief is is grounded in the things that you don't see. Your belief is in what you you don't see. That's where faith lives. That's where faith defines and resides. >> Every child comes to us with doubts and fears and moments when they feel like their work is too big. And that's exactly where our belief steps in. Before we can teach letters, numbers, or even how to hold a pencil, we have to teach kids to believe. Believe that they can grow. Believe that mistakes are okay. And most of all, believe that somebody sees the brilliance in them, even if they can't see it themselves. Belief isn't something extra in education. It's the foundation. Never underestimate your impact. Use your gifts, use your talents, and find

036your power and transform a child's life. When we lead with grace, when we allow others the space to grow, empathize rather than criticize, and choose to focus on what unites us, we begin to build something stronger. >> Consistent faith and consistent effort, you will feel it in the heart because that's where transformation happens. All going to come to that point where we're going to say, I don't know if I can do this. And we have to lean on each other to get us over the hump. Kids just know. They know what transformation feels like when someone stands beside them, cheers them on, and helps them keep going even when things feel hard. And they know what belief does. It lifts them and how it changes them. But just as important, maybe even more important, is

037the belief that we're going to carry into every room we enter. Belief is the soil transformation grows in. Not just for our students, but for us, too. Let's make this year a year where belief isn't something we just talk about, but something that we truly live. Let's believe in the kids who aren't ready to believe in themselves. Let's believe in each other and let's believe in us. But to share one vision, we must move together. That means there are moments when some may need to hold back so that others can shine. having to stretch beyond our comfort zone to lift the team. It's about understanding when to lead and when to follow and trusting that a team's success is everyone's success. One vision allows us to reach a goal that's bigger than any one of

038us alone. One vision, one team, one future. That's how we transform our district. We can accomplish amazing things together this year. As we acknowledge each other's gifts and talents, give grace in our weaknesses, and focus more on what we have in common, our eyes will clear, and we will see with one vision. The sway and heartbeat of our schools and our district will begin to sink as one. Together, we can transform the lives of thousands of children and ours in the process. I want you to just remember who we are, what we do. Uh but also remember when you believe when you believe they will achieve. This is for our year to believe in our students, to believe in ourselves. Let's stick together. Let's change lives. And as Optimus Prime would say, let's roll out.

039Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the board. And uh our theme this year was operation transformation and being a part of the helm of the transformation of the district. The superintendent's report. Um as always, we start off with our three critical questions that define us as a system. Why do we do this work? How do we accomplish that? Why? and what are our outcomes or why is that we love and grow our students. Uh we're focused on academic, social, emotional growth and development as our mission statement and then our strategic plan outcomes. We are working to ensure that every day our students feel loved in our schools and have demonstrated academic growth in our school as defined by our four performance goals. We measure our success looking for opportunities for growth and celebrating our areas

040of achievement. But we know that uh uh every number that we have, there's a name behind that number that we're working to to meet. Our goal of graduation rate um is 90.9%. Uh we at the last week of school we're at 90.21. I think there's about 11 students. So, we're looking for summer graduation to put us over the hump there. Uh graduation alliance, but all the things that you put in place for admentum grad alliance, uh the afterchool tutoring, you put a lot of things to transform the lives to get our students there. This is the closest we've been to the strategic plan uh since I've been uh serving as superintendent. So, I'm I'm really excited about this goal and thanks to all the staff that have worked tremendously hard to get us to it.

041You can barely see any difference between those lines and touching. Uh so, uh as we work, uh you know, those scores will come in the summer and we'll start to see how students did on SC ready. Uh but we looked at uh fall and winter and one of the things I just wanted to uh thank the board as they consider the tier 2 tutoring tier one works in the in the fall and the winter. That's where we really uh dip deep into our our tier one services and uh then we execute tier two in the in the spring and to see uh the growth that we have recognizing that even the students in the red they're making growth uh so that we can get them on level. So uh as the state's goal is 75%

042we know that we're going to continue to uh to do work. This represents uh some of the highest achievement scores you see in the Midlands. So, we also want to stand and applaud our students, our staff, and our teachers for the amazing work that they're able to do. But that's what Operation Transformation was about. Uh it is about transforming the lives of students so they can go from that I can't to I can. And what does that look like? You were a part of it this spring at those graduations. Uh so the honoring the alma madas of each of those schools. Uh as we looked at 1315 graduates, you can see the makeup in terms of the four high schools. The 23 that stood to be recognized as they will go on to serve our

043country in the armed forces. $21 million in offer scholarships with uh almost a thousand hope and life scholarship recipients and 113 pomemetto fellows. Uh to see the academic achievement within this district is is very impressive. The season continues on May the 28th. uh Harris hosted the adult ed graduation uh and he sent me the stats with me but the number of students that uh at that point earned their GED their diploma and career certificates. So to recognize that we uh even uh students that may not have made it across the stage in the four-year cohort, they still have opportunities in student district 5. some very powerful stories of students who had an opportunity of redemption or second chances and u we were very proud to see them cross the stage at Irma High School on

044May 28th. So that is our our year in review of the work that we do through our uh strategic plan to bring us these results. At this time uh to the lect turn is our chief of human resources uh Dr. Tamara Turner uh to bring our human resources report. Dr. Turner. >> Good evening Madame Chair, members of the board and Dr. Ross. Our South Carolina laws regarding teacher contracting have very critical deadlines. And so tonight, I'd like to provide an update regarding those deadlines and the results of the teacher contracting process in lecture five. In compliance with South Carolina law, our district and all districts in the state are required to issue contracts for reemployment no later or prior um to April the 30th. We were in compliance with that. And of the contracts that

045are issued for reemployment, and I'm emphasizing reemployment because this statute governs governs reemployment. It does not include firsttime employment does not include letters of agreement. So I want to make that distinction. By May 10th, under the same statute, educators who were issued contracts for reemployment, they have to notify us of their acceptance. For last year, for this coming um for this year, in preparation for next year, 95.6% of the contracts that were issued were accepted. This is comparable to last year with a difference of less than one percentage point. Last year's was 96.4%. And again, this year's acceptance is 95.6% for certified. We use the same time frame um although this is not required in this statute, we use the same time frame to also reach out to our um support staff. We issue assurance

046forms to support staff to inquire about their acceptance for returning. This year for support staff assurance form, we had a 96.4 acceptance rate. This is unchanged from last year where we also had a 96.4 acceptance rate for um classified staff. So with that update um before I transition to the updates on the supplement uh schedule. Um if there are any questions um I stand prepared. >> Do we have any questions for Dr. Turner? >> Real quick, great job. To me, those uh those numbers indicate that we are keeping our employees happy and here in our district. So, um congratulations to you guys and thank you so much for your work. >> Thank you, Mrs. As we I'm so sorry. >> N I was just making sure anybody else >> Okay. Go ahead, Dr. Ch. I'm

047sorry. >> The next update was with regard to the work um that we've done with communication about the updates for the supplement uh schedule. So, one of the items that you'll notice whenever you look at this um is that the updated proposal, it includes the three areas for the supplement schedules that are not included in athletics and those are special duties, arts, and academic supports. to this um up to the point that we are pre presenting the the budget proposal. What we've done is engage with the various groups um to get their feedback and what we've explained to them is that based on what they are desiring in terms of um how the supplements are to be paid and applied pending the approval of this new scale. The next part of our work will involve

048actually looking at funding to help them determine how to fit um these um payment amounts within what they're wanting. So when you look at the new supplement scale, you'll notice that some of these are annual amounts. where we're working right now is where the annual amount is recognized, but a few of these um arts position, for example, they prefer to have their supplements broken down into seasons. And so what we've asked them is that following approval of this budget, we'll begin working with them to transition the language of $3,000. How does that equate to seasons so that they can maximize staffing and not be restricted to giving the supplement to one person at $3,000? So, we have promised them a followup um following board approval so that they understand how to maximize staffing u within

049the um expectations outlined in this. And with that, I stand for questions uh regarding board supplement. So with that explanation, when do you think like boots on the ground, these um you know assistants for the different programs can be working with students and that pay goal? >> What we've asked them is to wait until the final approval. And so what we anticipate is after tonight a few steps that have to happen is we need to communicate to them this is the approved rate. Many of them have their um their folks in the pipeline, so to speak, and are ready to go. It usually takes about a week for us to say, "This is the approved amount that we can pay." The next step is that they identify who they'd like to have employed. It takes

050a few days because for each of those employees, we do have to make sure that we employ them, do background checks. Um but that's that's doesn't take very long. So, I would say over the next week, we can um follow up as we said we have. It'll take just a minute to get those employees officially on the books to get the payroll going for them. >> Good. So, that's encouraging for those that are watching. They can kind of expect for the fall ready to go for school. >> Yes. And our two coordinators for support staff um have a plan pending tonight's um actions to reach out and get that coordinated. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome, Miss Hut. >> Um I don't have a question. supplements. But I do have an HR question. I got

051a couple of emails um thanking the board for a graduate assistance program >> and um I've never gotten emails like that before. So I was wondering is that have there been changes that are new or it just so happens that people are more excited about it? Why are we getting emails? >> It's our support and advertisement of the programs. Many times um programs will reach out to us and they will say please share this information with your staff for them to take advantage of. So the most recent opportunity that I shared was either through USC or project create it was one of the partners that we've already had but the biggest thing for us was to make sure we were pushing it out just to share those opportunities. And so I I what I perceive

052is it's that um support of being willing to share opportunities that they can take advantage of. It doesn't come directly through us, but we certainly are a liazison to getting that information to staff so that they can take advantage of it. And we intend to do that a lot more because that should also impact um employee retention when they know we support these opportunities. Take advantage of it. >> You're welcome. So, in response to Mr. Bannon's question about the the hiring process, will the onboarding for those supplemental positions be a little more streamlined than what it would be for a certified teacher to give these programs a little bit more agility to move quickly and hire folks when they have those needs? >> Yes. Not present um tonight, but incredibly supportive um has been Mrs.

053Cassie Young. the onboarding process will completely change how they get their referrals, how we process the referrals. She has been able to work directly with the programs to come up with something that she feels confident about and they feel confident about. So that will be the part that will be implemented to see if we can get a little more efficiency for them in terms of that. Um, and I don't have the details of that, but I do feel confident that she has a plan that's very supportive of what they're asking for, and it does significantly change how we do it. >> All right. Thank you. All right. Thank you, Dr. >> That concludes the superintendent's report. >> All right. That moves us to the approval of the minutes from the May 18th board meeting. Do

054I have a motion? I'll make a motion to approve the amendments of the May 18, 2026 board meeting. >> All in favor? And the motion carries six to zero. That moves us to public participation. The board welcomes and encourages public participation. We respectfully ask that you adhere to the procedures provided in board policy BEDH, public participation at meetings. Your comments should be limited to three minutes and must remain on either the topic noted on your signin form or a listed agenda item. Questions asked during public participation will be handled in accordance with board policy behav complaint. >> Good evening. My name is Aviana Thorp and I am a student at Dutch High School. I will be entering the 12th grade this fall. I am here because I was one of the students in the classroom

055when this material was presented. When I first saw the assignment, I felt uncomfortable, confused, and hurt. As an African-Amean student, it was difficult to understand why language and descriptions like that would be given to students in in a classroom setting. I understand that the material may have been written a long time ago, but that did not change how it felt to sit in that classroom and see those words and stereotypes presented as part of an assignment. What has stayed with me the most is not just the material itself, but what happened afterwards. One of my classmates, who was a Caucasian male, shared that he took the material home and showed it to his family, and they laughed about it. Hearing that made me feel even more uncomfortable. It made me feel like something connected to

056my race and identity had become a joke. That It's not okay. When students are hurt by something in school, we should be able to speak up and trust that our concerns will be taken seriously. Instead, it felt like what happened was minimalized and pressed aside. The fact that I am still talking about this month later in therapy, at church, with my family, and now at a school board meeting shows that this was not a small issue to me. One thing that has been especially difficult for me is that there was never a clear apology or explanation given to the students who were exposed to this material. Because the material was presented publicly in a classroom, I believe there should have been a clear apology explained to students that the material was not approved, that it

057did not reflect the standards, values, or expectations of the school district, that it should not have been used in the classroom. I also believe students should have been told clearly that the language, stereotypes, and racist content contained in the material were inappropriate and did not belong in a learning environment. That apology would not have only been for students who look like me. It would have helped all students understand that racism, derogatory language and harm harmful stereotypes were not are not acceptable and should never be treated as a joke. As students, we are supposed we are expected to be accountable for our actions every day. If we are tardy, break rules or make mistakes, there are consequences. We are taught that accountability matters. I believe the same standard should apply to teachers, especially those who work

058in a district that seeks to provide a safe, secure d first and equitable learning environment for their students. If students are expected to take responsibility for their actions, adults should be expected to do the same. I am not here because I am looking for punishment. I am here because I believe accountability matters. I want students to know that when they speak up about something that hurts them, their voices matter and will be taken seriously. I hope that this board will ensure that situations like this are addressed fully, that students are heard, and that other student has to experience what I experienced. Thank you for your time and for listening. >> Thank you. >> Darnell Johnson is here to speak in support of Aviana Thorp. >> Good evening. My name is Darnell Johnson. I am the

059school administrator for Valley Coach and Logistics Commercial Driver Training School. Um I stand here in support of Miss um Miss Thorp here this evening because I'm a numbers guy. Um, I just want to applaud you guys because you guys actually did great with the numbers. Your numbers are tall in teacher recruitment, retention, also when it come to budgetary matters. But what I'm one thing I want to be very specific that I speak on is one bad apple. We understand that one bad apple sometimes turn into a part or a piece of cancer. Any y'all anybody here knows what cancer does. It spread over time. Anything with one bad apple, we know if there's one bad apple present, there's another bad apple present. And for all the educators who sitting in this room, we know 1

060plus one, yeah, the synergistic effect equals more than two. So we actually definitely want to address this issue head on. Um we did sit down with the principal and administrative staff to speak about this issue as well. Um in which we were also told that the policy um it was in violation of the policy of the educational system as well and wasn't submitted for approval. Um I submit to you that even in your own mission statement, it clearly talks about the safe and secure and diverse equitable learning environment. um that focus on emotional growth as well. Um for the student population, I do applaud Miss Thor because at the end of the day, how many students didn't come forward and mention that it is 2026. I often times call it 2027 because, you know, we

061we live in the future, not the present, definitely not the past. So, I definitely submit to you all that, you know, definitely check into the policies and procedures. Like I said, I am I have always been an ambassador for education. I support your numbers 100%. But I do challenge you all to look into that less than 4% that was never um didn't resubmit their applications into this wonderful district. Um also within that 96% I believe that was your number that you submitted. Um definitely look a little deeper into that system as well to make sure that we're addressing any bad apples or any cancerous environment. But again, it's not a beatd down. I I believe in clapping, applauding, and submitting just the greatness to the education to the educators because I know you guys do

062a wonderful job. Um, last but not least, I'm also stand here before you for a secondary matter. Um, again, I'm the school administrator for Valley Coaching Logistics Commercial Drama Training School. Um, we're located headquartered in Orangeburg, but we do have a facility facility here in Richmond County off of Bush River Road. Um, we do build programs in multiple school districts statewide and also within the CT program. So, it's good to know that y'all have some good funding in the CT program as it relates to the budget. But again, um, if we can be of any assistance in any form or fashion, I'm a parent volunteer as well. Although I'm a transient to the area, you know, please use my services, use my staff. I mean, we are here to support the district in any means

063and um any all means necessary. But again, I do stand with students as um Miss Thorp um because truth be told, they are not only the present, but they also the future of our society. So, thank you for your time. >> Brenda Thorp is here. speak about a parent complaint regarding unapproved instructional material. >> Good evening. My name is Brenda Thorp and I am the parent of Aviana Thorp. She will be a senior at Dutch High School this fall. I appreciate the board's willingness to review my complaint and consider the relief I've requested. Throughout this process, much attention was given to the material itself and the procedure surrounding it. However, my concern has always been the students. All students deserve to understand that racial stereotypes, comments about colorism, comments about the features of African-Americans, their

064lips, the structure of their face, their hair, as well as harmful assumptions about them being violent or any other group of people are not acceptable and does not reflect the values that I teach my daughter, the values of the school and the community. The district has a mission that states students should learn in a safe, secure, diverse, and equitable learning environment focused on their academic, social, and emotional growth and development. There's also a mission that states we love and grow our students. To me, loving and growing our students means more than just academic achievement. It means that when a mistake is made, we use it as an opportunity for everyone to learn and grow. the students, the teachers, administrators, administration, and the district itself. That's why I continue to believe and advocate for a classroom

065level acknowledgement and apology that was never given. This was in a racially diverse classroom and all students were exposed to this material. They deserve to hear clearly that it was not approved. It did not meet the district standards and it should not have been used. And the reason why is because the racist language, the stereotypes, and derogatory content contained in the material were inappropriate and inconsistent with the type of learning environment the district promises to provide. So, I'm requesting a clear acknowledgement and apology to the students who were exposed to this material, including an explanation that the material was not approved, should not have been used, and did not meet district standards. I also request the recognition of the racial impact and the racial harm that this material had on all students, not just my

066daughter. Communication to parents regarding what occurred and how it was addressed, appropriate accountability measures beyond procedural acknowledgement, and safeguards to ensure that this situation which included unapproved instructional instructional materials are not introduced into the classroom in the future. I am especially proud of my daughter who is here today willing to use her voice even though I know it has been difficult for her. She is learning to advocate for herself. She will be 18 tomorrow and I'm so glad that she is able to speak up when something feels wrong and I and I want her to ensure that her experiences are not ignored. Thank you so much for your time. You >> Courtney Thomas is here to speak about a complaint pursuant to regulation 43170. >> Hey y'all. My name is Courtney Thomas. I'm the political

067director for the American Civil Liberties Union of South Carolina. I am also a Dutch High School graduate, class of 2011. Go Foxes. Um, I do want to acknowledge the impact that this material had on the students present and the students that were in the classroom at the time. Um, from the complaint that I read, it is very clear that context was not given and that the material was not approved. So, I want to affirm that the district's action was appropriate. you took the steps, you reviewed the material, you um sat down with the teacher, and you responded back to the complainant. I want to just point out some of what regulation 43170 says. And I know this is going to sound strange for some of y'all because the ACLU is no fan of regulation 43170,

068but I've only pointed this out because some of the relief that is sought goes beyond the regulation and I worry that it is um leaning more on the side of censorship rather than actually what the regulation itself says. So the regulation is um particular to uh the developmentally appropriate nature of the material. So we've already checked off one box and said that that material was not approved. So that part is dealt with. But some of the expansion and the preeemption that's being asked for in the relief is just not appropriate in accordance with the regulation. And I want to remind this board that the regulation actually reminds us that um we are not to disagree with the viewpoint of what is in the material rather that if you believe the material itself is developmentally appropriate.

069And just as a graduate of this school district, my concern is that if the boundaries for what we believe is developmentally appropriate for our children get smaller and smaller and smaller, they will not be ready for the world. I also want to acknowledge again that yes, the language was offensive. Okay, but there's there's a lot of our nation's history that's offensive and I think with appropriate context that students can understand the um intention of the material and the writer itself. Um and just as a personal point of privilege, um I'm a big fan of Zoran Neil Hursten. I was first introduced to her work in uh at Dutch High School in ninth grade with African-American um literature when we read Their Eyes Were Watching God. There were a lot of things I did not understand,

070but in the context of the classroom, I was able to um seek understanding in a learning environment, and I think that's what should happen here. So, um I appreciate the board's time and um your understanding of this matter, and I'm happy to take questions if you have any for me. We're not allowed to do that, but >> Yes, ma'am. >> Thank you. >> Our final speaker tonight is Kim Murphy to speak about misinformation regarding um related to Irma High. >> Good evening. Um when the board when the superintendent came to the board to build the new east wing, he sold the board on the need for it because of the condition, safety, and structural issues of the old east wing. The board bought into it and approved it, I think unanimously, to build a new

071$40 million east wing. I noticed that uh after it was approved when the architect presented the schematic drawings to the board which were colorcoded with the subjects to be taught in the classrooms um there were classrooms for foreign language and required electives that weren't weren't shown. You have to have those. What that means is that the classrooms colorcoded for core subjects for math, English, etc. would have to be reduced so that foreign language and electives could have classrooms. By reducing the classrooms designated for the core subjects, the capacity of the school would be reduced. There would be fewer classrooms for the core subjects. This meant that the capacity of the new east wing would be less than the capacity of the existing east wing. I asked the superintendent who um approved who approved the capacity

072reduction and the response was that he did. I think that's actually should have been a board decision. So what is the capacity? Now the proposal is to keep a substantial portion of the east wing um that was proposed to be demolished because of um safety and structural issues that were significant. Um however there have been um no real clear uh understanding of what the building would be used for. But when the administration uh changed the position, the existing building that the existing br building was safe and did not have to be demolished and a board member motioned that before approval to keep the existing east wing that a structural engineer um uh be hired and an air quality study be done. This board denied it. um how can you make such a decision to keep

073it without that information and um how much would it cost to correct it? Love to hear that information. Thank you. >> Thank you. That moves us to the action agenda. First up, action is necessary or appropriate on matters discussed in executive session. Do I have any motions? >> Um Madam Chairman, I move that pursuant to board policy GBK, the board not the employee and affirm the decision of the administration. All those in favor? And I'm abstaining um from this vote, but the motion carries four, five, six. Yes, five. Sorry. Five with one extension. Um, Madam Chairman, I move that um we approve selected employment items per exhibit A. >> All in favor and motion carries six to zero. I'll make a motion that we approve contractual matter regarding construction workforce development lab as seen in

074exhibit E. >> All in favor? And the motion carries six to zero. And um I move that upon legal advice, the board approves the settlement agreement and release covered by our schisbit insurance regarding case number 2022-CP-32-01586 and 2025-CP-32-02497. All in favor? And the motion carries six to zero. All right. I'd like to make a motion that the board approve the use of the Harlem language handout by instructional staff only and as it relates only to the approved curriculum. >> Yes. to hear that. It's got it on agend. Y'all spoke at public participation, but do you have anything else you want to say on this matter? Okay, you can come forth. >> Good evening again. >> Um, I'm just trying to find the right words for this matter. Um, and I must direct myself to the

075word of God because the word of God teaches us as parents not to take teach, you know, take our children, you know, to wrath. So therefore, I challenge, you know, the staff in this district as well. If that's the word of God for us as parents, I submit to you to make sure that the prop the appropriate punishment or administrative matters are hereby addressed accordingly when it comes to this because again again I'm not here to treat the district as a punching bag but I will say definitely jump in and address the bad apple you know the cancerous sale that may be within your ranks because I'm convinced as a leader myself no I don't have thousands of employees but I do 25 and I can promise you I guarantee you this if I have

076a cancer cell in my organization is going out. So as it relates to the other young lady who stood up on behalf of I believe the matter of which we are addressing now I think it's 43170. Um when it comes to that I do submit to you all to definitely take into consideration of the actual child the tender age child who was actually part of that product of that aspect. And I also address this to you that be very cautious because if our job is to make sure our children are at peace, we see so many things that goes on around the nation and I'm convinced that when these bad things break out in our nation's schools, it didn't start at home. Something telling me that it really broke out within the educational body itself.

077That's why these matters need to be addressed accordingly to make sure we're not, you know, submitting and participating in these matters as it relates to our children. In this case situation, I don't believe that would be the case. But at the same time, she actually spoke up. Someone else can be out there stewing, brewing really good within your ranks. And I'm talking about the children. And as it relates to this matter, I really say definitely anytime there's a violation of policy, I think that's enough to take this matter beyond serious. And again, thank you for listening to the parent. Thank you for listening to Miss Miss Thorp. And again, as a parent, as a community leader myself, seeing young and old, I just think that, you know, this is just a time that we need

078to be very cautious on the things that we allow within our ranks, especially when we we living in a sensitive time. Um, especially when a matter is actually foreseeable to equal a 42 USC 1983 federal violation. Um, as it relates to this district and this board and the school and officials involved. So that's something to keep in mind as well. So I'm big on being proactive. I challenge you to do the same. Thank you for your time again. >> Thank you. >> I would like to share a final response. Um I understand that it was an author. I understand um that the author was a black woman and the and the writing was developed in the 1920s almost a century ago. I was told in a response from the district that the information was shared

079because it reflected the richness and the nuances of black culture. I disagree with that statement. Black culture is rich, diverse, and resilient and is complex. Black culture does not stop here in the United States. It expands into every continent and it does not start with slavery or derogatory words about African-Americans. The stereotypes, derogatory descriptions and racial assumptions contained in the material do not represent the richness of black culture. Rather, they reflect some of the racial attitudes, racial attitudes, sorry, and realities that African-Americans were forced to navigate in that time period. They're not forced to navigate that today. And like myself and my daughter, we will speak up about things like this when it comes up. I understand the history, but I was not alive in 1920. I've never even seen any of those words. I

080don't teach my daughter any of those words or my other two children. And I have a daughter that graduated from Dutch Fork and she is now a a um she will be a junior at Columbia College and she will be an educator. That's her goal. And so when I shared this with my almost 21 yearear-old daughter, she was discussing how she is learning about policies and procedures in her education classes. That's something that she's learning about. So the teacher that presented this information without it being review, she also had to go through those same channels when she went to school. also when she's in school now with teacher um and in service days where they have trainings and where they talk about what you should have approved and what you should not have approved when

081you present this to your class. This should not have happened in 2026. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um before I call the vote out of order, but I do think um there's one thing that needs to be addressed is the clarity on what it is that we're voting for. Um because um um I'm conflicted on this because I'm concerned that our vote can be perceived as one thing based on what I feel like y'all are asking us for. And um what y'all are asking for isn't actually what's being brought for us for consideration. Um our bill is purely on the handling of the supplemental material, not the um not the original tax, which I believe is is approved by the state. So that's above our that's above our pay grade, the book itself. Um but

082the supplemental material obviously is not, which is why they had the teacher pull it. So, I just want to clarify just that one piece of it is that that is the only thing before us in a vote. Um, your other concerns as far as um the apology and the addressing it with the class is not something that we handle at the board level and I just want to make sure that that is clear because I'm concerned that that is not clear. Um, so I just thought that was important to Mr. Satderfield. Yeah. And one other thing I want to add is thank you all for coming in tonight. It really is important that you do talk to us as a school board. Um talk to the community. The other young lady that came from the

083>> ACLU. Thank you. Um especially thank you for your daughter's courage to stand up there and talk and I hope she's up for great things in her life. It sounds to me like she is. Um but um in these tumultuous times, for the lack of a better word, um it's important that we hear from the community and that does help us as a board because, you know, it's not like things are either really right or really wrong. We there's a lot of things that we discuss or that we deal with that are really in a lot of gray area. And I may that may not be the best way of putting this, but uh um your input and your communic communicating to us your concerns really does uh help us a great deal uh when

084we go through the process that we go through. And thank you, Miss Snipes, for explaining exactly what our role is in in all this. But um anyway, I appreciate you all coming. We all do. Um we all appreciate you very much uh uh in coming and um um this is one of those many issues that that comes before the board um that um we have you know we have to deal with as a school board. But uh just again thank you so much for coming and sharing with us. Miss >> um the wordings of motions sometimes are kind of complicated. So I just kind of wanted to put in my own words and you guys can tell me if I'm I'm wrong about this, but if this motion passes, it means that that supplemental material

085will no longer or it cannot be distributed to students. Um it it means that the the teacher can have it but only to answer questions really as it relates to other of this language that was in that essay or in another essay, but that the teacher cannot copy it, distribute it, put it up on a wall. They can't do any of that. Um, am I right on that? >> I think so. >> Okay. I just want to make sure any Okay. Any other discussion? All right. We have a um motion on the floor and it has been properly second. All those in favor? Opposed? And the motion carries 4 to2. That moves us um to number 17, approval of temporary land lease agreement. I'll make a motion to approve the temporary land lease agreement addendum

086between chap and recreation commission and school district 5 of Lexington and Richland counties as seen in exhibit H. >> Do we have any discussion? >> U this is Mr. KN if you can correct me if I'm wrong. This extends the current land lease that we have uh with ICRC. Uh their commission has approved this land lease agreement. We're extending it as we work on other uh property matters. Correct. >> Yes, sir. >> Uh yes, sir. Out to December is when this >> I think this goes out to um >> September >> till September October time frame. That gives us enough time to make sure we get everything that we need. >> Mr. Riser, would you like to speak to the matter? Sure. Th >> this agreement extends uh the the current land lease agreement um

087under its terms because we were we were in the process of updating the current agreement and uh summer board schedules for the ICRC and and this district uh didn't allow us to get all of those questions answered. And so what we're doing rather than have the the original agreement um terminate, this extends all of that um and to no later than the end of the year in December, but we should have plenty of time to to get the the full agreement um uh revised and approved before then. >> Thank you. Um we have a motion that's been properly second. Do we have any questions? All right. All those in favor? And the motion carries six to zero. I make a motion to approve addendum one of the memor memorandum of understanding between chapen recreation commission

088and school district 5 of Lexington counties for afterchool programming as seen in exhibit I >> just as a discussion item for the board's consideration uh this pro this addendum to the uh agreement of theou with ICRC allows for the continuation of the TR program. That's the therapeutic recreation program. Uh it's added to our agreement for extracurricular and after school activities uh for our students. the changes of the bus routes. Um we wanted to make sure that students had a way and a method to go from their home schools to the therapeutic recreation programs at Crooked Creek Park as well as Seven Oats Park. Uh so this would ensure that there's no breaking services. >> Any questions? >> And just to confirm for everybody, we did contact the amilies that were going to be affected either

089way and they're all been alerted. >> I think of all of the total population of TR students there were 27 that were um the routes change all of them have been contacted and informed that pending the vote today there will be no interruption of services. >> All those in favor and the motion carries six to zero. I'll make a motion to approve the second and final reading of the 2026 2027 general fund budget as seen in exhibit J. I'll make a motion. I will withdraw my previous motion. I can make a motion to approve the second and final reading of the balance fiscal year 2026 2027 general fund budget for the amount of 255,715,12681. Can we have discussion first? Um, so I know we've already had the meeting. Um, and we really just have questions

090and I'm concerned on the the and I know I'm going to lose this vote, but I have to put it out there anyway that the 15 repurposed positions are all certified positions. So these are by and large classroom teacher positions that we are repurposing other than the sped assistants which I think we very much need. We're repurposing them into nonclassroom teacher positions. Um I don't care what study you look at the number one impact in the educational outcome for a student is a teacher um and lower class sizes and the best teachers possible. And so it It concerns me that we balance this budget by reducing classroom teachers. Now, you could say we don't need them, but I would say that's never the case. If we have them, let's use them. Let's make smaller classroom

091sizes. Let's have more tutors. Um, so anyway, I just I have to share that that concern. >> Uh, I would make sure we're very clear that these are vacant positions uh that we have. We have We have been hearing so much about the reduction of students and so I think if you look at the repurposed positions um if you go through them one by one we see the need um again we're the most one of the most regulated industries that you're going to have in the state of South Carolina. We either put those duties on the teacher or we give the teacher support. The first one is cyber security uh liaison. We hear so much from parents about VPNs and the we have Chromebook committees that talk about what we need to do more about

092uh uh the the technology uh you need safety in the as a district that went through a cyber security attack working with SC kick is important the dynamics of the performing arts that's instruction So when you have someone that is in the marching band or is in dance or in orchestra from elementary, middle, and high, that's instructional. They need support. So teachers will tell you the number one thing that you can do for a child as a teacher. But the research doesn't end there. Says the second thing you can do, you must do is support that teacher with the supplies and the resources they need. You cannot have one with the other. to just place teachers in classrooms without the supports, it will not be beneficial. I don't care what research you look at, it

093always has the comma that they must be supported. That's why we have continued with the expectation coaches, the expectation coaches because when teachers have disciplinary problems, that's who comes to the door to support them to ensure that they can continue teaching so that the behavior is managed from someone else. If you look at the other positions, instructional coaches, I've showed the board many times that we don't have classrooms where the reading level is just one or two reading level in the classroom. We have classrooms where there's eight different reading levels within one classroom. Yes, the teacher is important, but they must be supported with resources. Having an instructional coach that can support them, especially on the middle level. We show every board meeting that the red bars that are most stubborn to move secondary bars,

094those middle school bars. We're placing more instructional coaches and reading interventionists in those middle levels to help us move those red bars in the middle level. We need the teachers, comma, they need resources. And the last are special education. We grew 6.7% in the number of students with IEPs yeartoear. over 153 new accommodations that or just students that need accommodations. Some of these classrooms have so much uh intense support that that teacher that you put in there needs two extra assistance just to support their classroom. Yes, we need teachers, and they need supports. This budget without an overall tax increase provides you those supports by repurposing certified position admin or teacher into the support for the teachers. And so I believe this is a more rounded that allows us uh to not only hire the

095teachers, give them a raise, keep our class sizes, but provide those supports uh so those are successful. Those are the 15 repurposed positions we bring. >> Go ahead. >> Um yeah, I would like to say this too. Um, as a former principal, you can't keep looking at how it used to be and think that's how it's supposed to be. Um, education has got to move forward. We can't look at every classroom and say, "Well, I have to put 25 desks in there and one teacher, so that's how many teachers we need based on those numbers of kids." You just can't do that. You have to really be able to think outside the box. Education has got to be progressive. And if you're not progressive, then you're constantly trying to catch up. And that's what you

096do. You try to do that academically. So, what do we do? We try to uh give makeup days. If Dr. Ross, you know, some of those things, you give makeup days and then you give kids extra chances for this and try to catch up just so that you help them get through there. But part of the reason that you're doing that is because we're not atly supplying or providing those resources during the school year. I'm I'm very excited about the tier 2 when we started doing that program last year and we got so many positive reports to it and it just to me made sense. Um but I think um this a little bit of flexibility that this gives us for these certified folks. It could be that one of those gets pulled into uh

097help team teach a class where you've got readers that reading on the second grade and on the eighth grade level. So um I I think you have got to be more progressive and we're repurposing current positions. We're not adding new positions. So, I think it's a I think it's a smart step forward and uh as always, you know, at the end of the year, re-evaluate what you've done and say, how was this a good idea? Did this work? But you can't be afraid to step out in in that direction. Otherwise, you're stagnant. >> Yeah, thank you. Um, I also just want to add clarity and emphasis on the So, we're talking about 20 positions in total that are being affected by either efficiency cuts, reductions, or 15 uh there are five of those and then

09815 repurposes. I just want to make sure that everyone understands even with the repurposing and the cuts, nobody not there's no actual people or person that's losing their job. >> That's correct. Okay. Um and also with this budget, Dr. Ross, can you confirm um just in general, who's getting a salary or a pay increase? >> Yes, sir. All employees will get the step increase. Bus drivers will get a pay raise. Teachers will get a pay raise. >> Okay. Teachers are getting a pay raise with this budget. >> Yes, sir. >> Bus ride bus drivers are getting a pay raise. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. So a vote for this budget is a vote for giving a teacher's a pay raise. >> Well, so the budget is teacher pay raise, bus driver pay raise, and supplement

099>> um >> support staff because the >> step increment uh so coaches also get a pay raise with this. >> Okay. And because of the millage swap, nobody's taxes are going up. There's not a net increase in your >> not a net increase uh at all on your total millage and a reduction for homeowners primary. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. We have >> I just want to point out that a vote for this budget is also a vote a vote for a 1% teacher pay raise in addition to step and no increase for other staff in addition to step. So we'll look at it either way. >> Mr. Um, I appreciate the look at our special education teachers and and all the teachers and we you spoke to the increase in um our

100special education students. question once we get into the school year or getting close to, you know, since we've spread out the program, um, if there are schools that may need an extra assistant, is there flexibility to shift an expectation coach to be a special ed assistant until we can hire additional because I noticed we had like five repurpose for expectation and that just goes back to making sure these teachers are safe, they feel safe in some of these middle and high school. passes. Um, is that a possibility? >> Yeah, I want to um I appreciate that question because you look at our budget. We're cutting to make this budget. So, this is not in a typical fashion of um you know there is no fund balance assignment or any of that. Um we are looking

101at efficiencies. Uh I would not recommend as Dr. Harris thinks different taking expectation coach and making them a special ed assistant. Um they are two different skill sets and special ed assistant teachers um we truly need the the skill set to be successful in those classrooms. I would also say that uh you know we have to kind of look at the funding um you know the the statement of only 1% is really misleading right we had a a 3% reduction 3 and a half% reduction in students we had a 72% reduction in overall new funding we had a 6% 6.7% increase in special ed students we had a 58% reduction in new um state money. So unless there are new revenues, we're really maintaining with our current position. Uh and so the blessing of being

102able to give 1% I want to laugh at in the face of the realities of our budget. Um I think it's it's so uh to answer your question, we're going to have to reevaluate on the 10th. This gets us through where we are. And I'm not going to I mean M Tucker we haven't found any more pennies. Uh this is really down to the bone. Uh and so on the 10th day we'll reevaluate where we are ability to be flexible uh is really diminished. >> We have a motion on the floor that's been properly second. All those um in favor of the approval of the budget opposed. And the motion um carries 5 to one. >> Make a motion to approve the setting of the operating millage rate at 266.0. >> All those in favor

103opposed. And the motion carries 4 to2. I'll make a motion to approve the setting of the debt service millage rate at 64.5. >> All in favor? I have a question. Miss Huddle, >> um, how are you able to do that? >> So last year the reassessment with Lexon County, I think our reassessed values were the original report was high and so we based our the rates off of what the county had given us. Um Richland County came in um Lexington County ended up coming in lower than what our values were. Richland County was a little higher. So now that we are essentially a year in, we have looked at those total assessed values and basically recalculated. And so we are we had dipped into our sinking fund for debt service and we are really right

104at the top. We are if we are if we lower our debt service millage to 64.5 this next year we are going to be essentially max out our capacity. um we have no like if something happens and we would have to borrow we would we wouldn't be able to do that. So, we are really um like right at that level, we wouldn't be putting anything into our syncing fund. Um which now that we're calculating based at like 97% collection rate, I think we are really more in line with where we should be. Um but that was really looking at it. Um we were just looking at the reassessed values into the total assessment. Um we were able to lower it slightly. um makes me a little nervous, but I've confirmed with both the county and

105our um financial advisor that this will be able to make our payments for next year like right at the line. >> So regardless of what decision was made on the operating millage, this was going to happen anyway, right? We could lower. We could lower, but again, like I said, >> this was based off of looking at reassessed values last year and the the essentially what was projected versus what was collected and >> because we were charging 69.5 mills on X assessed value and those assessed values went up. So, we were going to collect more money, correct? No matter what. So, this would have happened no matter what. Thank you. All those in favor opposed and the motion carries 42. That moves us to the discussion agenda. Um at the last meeting we have um we

106already voted to move forward with the um east wing um construction. But um we are opening the floor for discussion on this um just for public uh clarification. So I'll turn over to the administration. >> Uh thank you madam chair, members of the board. As you heard even from the lectern today in public participation, the safety and structural issues cons of Irma High School East Wing continue to be uh a concern. Um there was a letter to the editor posted in the news. This was obtained on May 29, 2026. um talking about the uh unanimous vote uh to build a new academic building to replace the current east wing and demolish uh the old east wing uh as safety and security of our students and staff as our top priority. Uh we wanted to make

107sure that the administration's records were accurate and therefore uh brought forth this discussion. The statement from the letter said, "So in late 2022, early 2023, the board voted unanimously to build a new academic building to replace the current east wing and demolish the old east wing. The superintendent is not aware of a unanimous vote to demolish the high school old east wing. Uh, and just was seeking clarification of where those records were." Uh the statement went on to say not only of their long-term consequences of inhabiting a poor quality building, there is an annual cost to keeping this space. Uh the superintendent's uh records show that a successful 2024 bond referendum provides funds to renovate and reconditional high school. uh and that does not support that statement uh that there's long-term consequences of inhabiting um

108this building because uh we are addressing poor quality buildings in the uh the bond referendum. So as a result I wanted to make sure that we share the entire record for the community's review uh and so that the community can see for themselves without any editorializing it just proving the record and if there's any errors to the record uh that that information be brought forth uh so that we can address it. Uh so in your packets and the packets online are the full documentation u of minutes for your review. If we go back to and basically this is a five-year conversation that we're going to have in three minutes here. But all board decisions are made in public meetings and recorded in board me minutes. That's the record that we have. On October the 9th,

1092023, the board unanimously approve the following motion. I move that the board approve for bidding by a pre-qualified contractor for new Iring as seen as exhibit D. That was the motion. It was passed. D does not show the demolition of the old east wing. Now, if we look at uh exhibit D, you can see this was the presentation that was for the approval of the bid uh at the bidding process for October the 9th. Uh this was the end of the the contract. This was the point uh that we were going or end of the planning phase. This is the point that we're going forward uh with the bid to the contractors. As you can see, this is the site um that was finally approved on October 9th, 2023 in exhibit D. And uh in

110that exhibit, you see the site plan with the full building of the old east wing standing. So, let's go back to the start of this. There's a video uh from September the 27th, 2021 uh that goes along with the uh memo at that time uh from the executive director of operations uh to discuss this in the uh capital plan. I encourage you to review the full memo, the full video because in that video uh they talk about the MB column report from 2019. That report was February 27, 2019. And then the administration recommended that Hermal High School uh address the media center, 21st century classrooms and labs, HVAC and roof improvements, increased uh security features, ADA accessibility, administration area, upgraded ergonomic furniture. The only mention of safety was about the seven stairwells in the old

111east wing and this board has recently went to demolish four of those stairwells uh to maintain three. But this um was important to look at because at that time we were talking about a budget of 48.7 million for this project. Um If you look in the MBOM report, you see nothing about the structural inefficiencies of fire issues other than replacing the fire alarm system at Irmmo High School. That's from the MBOM report of 2019. Also, Immo High School was not the only building that was rated poor. So, being in a poor uh facility had long-term impacts. There were three other facil that also had that rating. Harvest and West Nursery Road and the district office. There were no plans to address that until the bomb referendum of 2024. So, let's go through the process very

112quickly. Uh this is the process that has been presented to us as how we go from envisioning to actually creating what we're going to do through the bidding process. Uh we start out with envisioning um and that's when we brought in LS3P they did community input sessions to envision what this project could look like. Then we went to conceptual design at the conceptual design that was improved uh October 24th 2023. The full minutes are in your packet for review. You can see the motion to approve and then you can see the exhibit. In the exhibit to approve this, um, you see the four phases that were approved for Irma High School. Phase one was the new east wing. You see it outlined there. Phase two was the student center cafeteria. You see that outlined there.

113Phase three was the small business incubator. And phase four Phase four was the new west wing. This was approved preliminarily. It was designed to be four phases of this construction process. Uh and also you can see that that building uh the old east wing is not there within the preliminary phasing site plan. But also in the documents of that, if you tell the entire story, you can see that the note was you budgeted $49 million there. This project is 55.4 million and that's does not include the demo of the old east wing. That was in October 24th, 2022. Let's move on to schematics. We get to schematic. This was approved February 27th. The full minutes and provided for your board packets. You can see the vote to approve the schematic that was on the February

11427th, 2023. See the the motion and the vote. You go to the exhibit. It's in that packet for the schematic design. Uh you can see that this was the existing site plan. This was the schematic design. Again, the building is removed in the schismatic design. But look at the full packet. In the full packet, the schematic design goes up to 62 million. 62 one million. Again, it says this does not include the demo of the east wing. So, we go to design development and design development. There's no approval of that but there was a budget and uh as you see we talk about wants but there's no funding that comes along with it. It reminds us as we we talk about adding resources but not adding the funding. No funding was uh provided for the

115demolition of the old east wing. We went through the entire process saying that there's no funding for the demolition of the entire east wing. We showed options. We showed options. We showed options. There was no funding. There was no funding. There was no funding. So, when we get to uh the record for June to this is approving the budget. You can see all of the votes on the budget just as we did today. Voting in the budget. there is no options for the funding of the demolition of the old east wing. And so I'll show you the everything highlighted, but you can see the full report. This is what was in the administration's recommendations. You can see that we asked to use fund balance to address just the the east wing. uh a breakdown of

116that fund balance shows that a fund balance assignment to include a carryover to purchase land um and carry over money from fund balance to address the more high renovations and then teach uh six additional teachers and their benefits. That was what was in the in the in the budget that was approved. And so we get to the final when we're going to put this out to bid. This is what the project will be. Uh you can see we're now at um at the end of the the district's uh projected project is 63 million and this does not include the demo of the east wing construction of new parking lot. It has been consistently stated through the entire process. And so you have the phasing update for the project. Uh and then this is the site

117plan. I am simply asking if our records are in error and there was unanimous vote to demolish that. Um we're asking for that documentation to be provided for us so that we can address it. Uh last um we're thankful for the referendum which allowed us to address the NPS study and the MBON study. But you see here the results of the MBON study uh that rated four facilities as poor and the facilities that are rated as fair. We came back in 2023. In February of 2023, we had the I'm sorry, in 2023, we had the uh MPS study that was presented. The MPS study resented the schools rated two, rated three, and rated four. And from that um we were fortunate to move forward with the bond referendum that allowed us funds to address the

118facility issues at all of the poor rated facilities uh as well as the uh to address those critical ones and twos that were in the NPS report. There was not a unanimous vote for the referendum and so we're fortunate that we were able to move forward to address all our poor rated facilities as well as those ones and twos throughout the the district. And so that brings us to the question of safety. I think this is important that because if there's any documentation uh that the facilities that we have are not safe uh that needs to be uh immediately addressed. Not only do I send my students there, I send my own child uh into that building. And we're seeking for for that evidence. After two facility studies that don't say anything that would um

119that require that facility to be demolished, uh the board then voted uh to demolish part of that building for our recommendations to put a parking lot there to replace what we have. Um and if you look at the recommendations, we go way back to 2021, it was about the conducive space. Please read the MBON report. Um, we're getting rid of that space because that it's not 21st century, not conducive. The furniture, um, there was, uh, all of the things that are outlined in there, the new media center, the new admin, that's coming directly from the MBON report. We programmed the entire building. I think it's misleading to say that the wing should have had all of the new The entire campus has been programmed for the replacement of of that. But I do think going

120back to that first preliminary report of the four phases that it would do us well to keep part of this building. Uh we can recondition it and uh that will be expanded space for that four phase that was originally planned. what it will cost us to rebuild that in five years or 10 years, I can only imagine. But if we're not willing to fund that now, I think we keep the asset that we have. Um, it was reported to me, Dr. Ross, there were uh in the MPS report, there were some level ones um under structural other uh that um that needed to be addressed. There were two that we are aware of of structural other they're not loadbearing. Um there's not anything about fire safety. Um those two number one rated items were on

121the west wing, not the old east wing and there's been no talk about demolishing the west wing. We can address those with the referendum monies to recondition the facilities. And I also want to make um this notion that they're we're putting students in a fire trap. We just had our fire marshall come out to the site. There are a lot of buildings on our site that are not sprinkled. The gym, which labeled gym, is not sprinkled. The west wing is not sprinkled. There's been no talk to provide funding for all facilities that are that don't have sprinkles. The code is to get the students out with a working fire alarm. That's up the code. And that's what we have. So, uh, I want the public to be rest assured that we have no documentation that

122we're pulling air from, uh, the middle of a building or tar pitches or that we're not meeting fire codes or that any of our inspections have not passed where we cannot have students in those buildings. Um, and we just want to present the record, Madam Chair. If there's any part of our record that's an error or as an omission, then this discussion allows us to receive that information so that we may move forward. >> I don't take questions. Miss Huddle. >> Um, I'm the one that wrote the article and um, it's my job to let people know what's going on. I had a lot of questions. We I'm gonna go through what happened with all of this. I have my documentation which I'd like to put in the minutes so you will have it Dr.

123Ross. But there were lots of board meetings, lots of questions, lots of questions even to this day that people said, well, why are you making Armo High School so big when the enrollment's not increasing? And I've consistently told people we're not. Um, we were replacing the East Wing. Um, but I do want to go back. I asked for the video that you referenced to be played tonight. Um, I assumed it my request probably would not be honored. Um, so I have put it on my Facebook page so anybody who wants to watch it, they can. I put a link to the entire video so they can watch it. But I've transcribed had it transcribed and um on the Dr. Ross sent us a memo. I'm the only person that was on the board um here

124tonight at that time, but sent us the memo um that he showed earlier um through Todd Beenbball. Todd Beanb was the head of operations and the head of facilities was Klay Cannon. He was a um professional certified civil engineer. Um, that memo was sent to us and it it said, "Ermo High School's east wing was built in 1964, resulting in a poor condition rating from the 2019 district-wide facilities need assessment. And then under proposed major construction using 8% money, and this is really important. I'm going to come back to that. 8% money is the district's debt ceiling limit. Um, the board is allowed to borrow money up to 8%. If we want more money, the only option is to go to the public with a bond referendum. Proposed major construction high east wing site work

125demolition design and construction $48.75 million. So we got that memo and then um on September 27th, 2021, that board meeting, the board was broken into pieces and we were taken in groups of two and three to tour the the building. Um, I personally saw cracks in the walls. We were taking up the stairwell where there are steel doors that open up and you can see the coal cold tarp pitch roof with the HBAC unit sitting on it that were the top that were in the outside when the building was originally built because it was a one-story building. But 50 years ago, a second or so, a second story was added and instead of moving all that and getting rid of it, they just put it the second story on top. So that is the backdrop

126to that um September 27th, 2021 meeting where Todd Beenbball, the head of operations, said, "We had a study done in 2019 rated Irmo High School as poor condition. Imo High School has a need for significant change and the building's old. It would be almost impossible if you've seen the mechanical area, Mr. Loveless, that was one of the board members he looked at. We went inside of that tonight in between the floors. It creates a lot of challenges for us. So, it would be almost impossible for us to make changes that would be coste effective for a high school. We have seven stairwells in the east wing. If when you went up those stairs, you could see they're not safe. They're just not safe environment. So, the experts say between 40 and 50 years, you should

127consider replacing a school. So East Wing is 57 years old. Maintaining is nearly impossible. This is from the head of operations with his head of facilities standing right behind him who again certified professional civil engineer. I think we do a great job. If we can build a new east wing at Irmo High School, we can save money in the future on cost savings on energy. So tonight we would like to recommend that you consider building a new east wing for Irma High School. So we're we are requesting just as in discussion. Um and that's because that night there it was not on the action agenda. So following that the board unanimously approved to issue an RFP. The the RFP stated that the contract included removal of the existing east wing after construction. Go look at

128it. It's online. That's what the RFP said. The board the designers architects bid. The board was presented with the um committee's recommendation and asked to issue a contract. The board approved awarding the contract. The contract stated it included removal of the existing east wing after construction. Twice after that they came back with their design. We approved schematics. A site plan is not schematics. you have to go back to that those two board meetings and specifically the February 2023 board meeting where the final schematic was approved and the schematic that is labeled schematic that was voted on clearly shows the east wing gone and a parking lot in its place. So why did the budget say it didn't it it wasn't in the budget? Well, that goes back to that 8% money and the 48.7 million

129The problem was that the board approved 48.7. We were told we had debt capacity slightly above that. The architect came back and said, "Uhoh, doing all of this is going to cost $62 million." We didn't have $62 million. So, we said, "Well, guess what? We don't have to demolish it right away because you can't demolish it until the students move into the new building. We also don't have to do furniture right away." So that is why the budget says that if there was never an intention to demolish it, the budget wouldn't have even spoken to it. It had it in there because the intent was we're going to do that later when we get the money to do it. And we knew we were going to have the money because the Pineywoods bonds were going

130to be paid off before the new east wing was completed. Um Mr. Loveless was um in fact chair of the facilities committee. He was vice chair um of the board and um he wrote me an email. It was never contemplated by the administration to leave the old building because to do so would negate the narrative he wanted for building the new wing in the first place, which was that the building could not be brought up to code because to do so would have been cost prohibitive. That's the story. You know, if we want to change our mind and vote for something different, that's fine. But you can't rewrite the past. The board voted to demolish the east wing. The schematic that the board voted on by policy as required have to vote on the schematic

131was to demolish the east wing. And in the five years since we were asked to do this because there were unsafe conditions again the building was rated in poor condition and Mr. Beenbball said there were unsafe conditions. In the five years since then, I have never heard that changed. That no one has ever come to this board and said, "You know what? That MBON study was wrong. It's not in poor condition." You know what Mr. What Beenb told you with Mr. Cannon standing right beside him is not true. Nobody's ever said that. And so at our last meeting, I asked, "Well, you guys want to do it? Can we at least get an engineering study? Can we at least get a air quality study?" And you said, "No." And that is perhaps probably the most

132disappointing vote that has ever occurred since I've been on this board. We spent half a million dollars on PD for software for for um Chromebooks. But we can't do an engineering study and an air quality study to make sure that this building is safe for the foreseeable future after all the information that we did receive said there are issues. >> Miss Huttle, I have a question for you. Um you it's your position that for at a minimum of five years this has been an issue at Irma High School that it is unsafe that there is poor air quality. Why didn't you and whoever was on the board speak up or do something? That's a great question. I'm not saying that it's this day. I'll go over there today. I w I walked through it in

1332021 and I've been back to visit it two times. It's not a question of is is it in immediate danger? Is it going to fall down? No. If I had thought that, I'd say let's, you know, put up portables and move the kids out. It's a question of over time, you have a building that MBcon said in 2019, seven years ago, was in poor condition. You have a building where the head of facilities and operation said it was impossible to maintain. Okay. Over time, buildings continue to deteriorate. So, am I emotional about this? Yes. Because I don't think that you stay in that kind of building for the foreseeable future with no plans to renovate it because I asked in the last meeting, are we going to renovate it? Are we going to address these

134issues? And I was told we don't have to. So, that's the issue. It's not the immediiacy, it's the progressive nature of the way that buildings continue to deteriorate. >> Madam Chair, can you repeat your I didn't hear your question. >> I'm sorry. I just asked Miss Huddle if it was her position that for at a minimum of 5 years, her and previous board members were aware that the builder was supposedly unsafe, had bad air quality, and the other things that she mentioned, why were we why was she just making it a thing now? Like, you know, why are we here? >> I would also like to add that we had a plan to to remove it. I mean, I was blindsided by this. We had a plan to build a new building, to move the

135kids to the new building, and then not worry about it. But now, we're going to say, "Oh, we're going to keep it. We're not going to do air quality. We're not going to do engineering. It's fine for another 20 years." I mean, that's um mind-blowing. Mrs. say something. >> Yeah, I have I wasn't on the board during that time, so I wasn't privy to all that obviously. Um, I guess I need to speak into the mic. Um, I looked back at that MBcon report and it did say that they recommended two schools be torn down and replaced. Why did the board not address that? And the and the other thing is, Dr. Ross, if um if let's say that part of the east wing was removed and it was renovated, would OSF have to be

136involved with that process? >> That's correct. So the the term we use in is reconditioning and there's uh referendum money to address the reconditioning of the old east wing and also that would include not only OSF but the fire marshall but also have to be able to certify that that building and I want to point out for those people are listening we use terms like OSF that's the office of school facilities and that's a state department uh organization and they have to come in and inspect correct and make sure they make sure everything is structurally correct. It's ADA correct. It's everything. Um they won't they won't allow students to come in there unless they come in. So if we did go through that process, they would have to approve it. Now you can can you

137answer the other two questions? The other elementary schools why why did that why if I was nursery road >> I'm sorry >> was it nursery road? It was Harvest and W um you know >> be torn down. >> Yeah. I I don't think that was the recommendation from the administration at that time. I think the recommendation was to um especially with Harvest West to address the walls and the nursery road was the same issue. Um I mean the board the administration never brought to the board a vote to tear down and rebuild partisan west and nursery road that I'm aware of. of that >> the administration did bring forth a recommendation to address all the poor that was with the bond referendum and that was not unanimously supported. I want to be clear on the

138record there are no 8% as you said in your statement cannot go over 8% without asking for a referendum. If you will remember, the superintendent recommended a referendum before the 2024 referendum. That's on record. That was denied. So to say that this was not recommended after all of the facility committees that we had, the recommendation was to do a referendum to address the poor rated facilities in that was denied. That's what the records show. So we don't want to say things that are not supported by the evidence. This was recommended to be addressed. If poor rated facilities were important, then we would have acted on that when the first recommendation for a referendum was was put forth to the board. >> Um Miss I'd like to address that. Um, I'll clarify. There was not a

139separate recommendation from the administration to to do any other buildings to replace any other wings or buildings other than Irma. There were um some replacements in the bond referendum that Dr. Ross originally proposed. I don't remember all of them, but there was a lot more than that, too. It was not just it was a new district office. There was a lot of things in there. And yes, the board did not um pass that recommendation on to the public at that time. Since then, obviously, we had a new bond referendum. >> Mr. B, >> two questions. Do we know for the new east wing? Understanding the additions of the like elective classes, do we have like a total for capacity where we would need the portion of the east wing or do we have other plans

140for that portion? Before we get into the capacity, I'll just say we do have other plans for for that. One of the things I would just ask the board to consider is when you make um facility decisions, make that with a 20 30 year outlook. If you make it for right now, you can really miss the mark. Um some believe that the population of Irma will decrease, others say it will increase. And if you look at some of the turnover that we're In some of our neighborhoods, White Hall to be example, these neighborhoods, Quill Valley, they start to turn back over to families. We're going to need that capacity in also there's a lot of development coming to South Carolina with and that's why I had the greenway presented to you because there's a lot

141of interest of moving families to South Carolina. Great education, great place to live. Uh and so having that capacity is not about about what you're going to need in the future. So, uh I think it's an asset that will be um very much needed in the future. >> Mr. Wait, I'm sorry. We had two questions. >> Yeah, I just What's the capacity of East SW? >> I would have to get that information. I don't have that readily available. >> Do you think it's gone down from the 1600 approximately? Are you are you asking what what the total capacity is >> for students? >> You know, um >> of the building itself or what will the what will the capacity be of students going into this upcoming year >> if the existing east wing is gone?

142How many students could earn our high school? >> I would have to get that number. I don't have that available. >> It might be on one of those slides. There was one of those budget slides that had the the student capacity on it >> because if it's not the the final one, I wouldn't quote that. So, we can get that number. >> Oh, Mrs. >> Just want to make sure we get some important answers. Um, but I I' to follow up on your question, Madam Chair, as to um if they knew that the building and and the word unsafe is being thrown around and used, and that's where that's what kind of bothers me. if if they knew in 2021 the building was quote unsafe, why did the board continue to allow students in there?

143That that's a massive question in my head. Like if if we're saying that in 2021 we knew the building was unsafe but no motion was made to keep students from they should have they should have not gone back tomorrow the next day after we knew that. Um and that's that's worrisome. Uh so and then regarding the stairwells what Dr. And madam chair, what was it specifically about the steroid wells that was identified as not being safe? >> That was a question I had too. I think some of it had to do with some of the gang issues and the fighting that we had at the time. >> And I think, you know, if you look at some of the supervision issues you have in those stairwells, just because of the line of sight issues, >>

144they're not like a traditional stairwell. I can stand one person top Harris, you can correct me if I'm wrong, kind of see and supervised all the way down. There were a lot of sight issues that were causing its not related to a structural Noir or an air quality or a fire hazard issue. >> No sir, we have just to prove that we have air quality uh of our schools um and we can present air quality of of Hermo. Um, you know, we all joke about how that school was built on top of another school. >> Um, and so between that space, uh, is the old roof, >> but we don't pull air from there. Air comes from outside. >> I will say I did the thanks to the class of 1990. One of the stairwells

145did become temporarily unsafe due to air quality because they dropped a stink bomb down there on on us sophomores and uh caused an issue. But I agree. I I think there's definitely a sight line of sight issue in those. They're dark or they were back even 30 years ago. Um but but the bottom line is it's not because of a structural issue that was identified or or any kind of fire code violation or anything like that. >> No sir. And the proposal that you you voted on is to remove of the seven stairwells, we'll be removing four of those. So uh only three will remain. >> Okay. And so now kind of going back to my original point and question, um, is Hermo High School as we sit here today determined to be safe or

146is there any documentation present as of right now that we have that determines it to be unsafe? Because if it is, I'm not letting kids go back there tomorrow. So is Hermo High School safe or unsafe? The building is safe. >> Yes, >> I do want to bring up uh just a couple items that y'all seen uh with NBC report. The very first bullet point that you that you see on the report from a high school is school layout is unconductive to the current educational program needs. And if you've been in the school, and I'm in the school often, it can be a maze. You know, you do have the stairwells, you have a lot of a lot of things, but for a school that is of that age, it's not in bad shape. Okay.

147Um spoke with the with the uh the contractor about dropping down that portion of the building. and I said, "This is going to be tough." You know, spoke with a civil engineer that we referenced a little while ago. He said, "That thing's a tank." Tried to get him here tonight and he wasn't able to make it. So, um, you know, as I look at the MBON report, I'm not seeing anything in the report that says, "Hey, this building's unsafe." I'm not seeing anything that says, "Hey, this we have structural issues in the MBON report." The first and foremost thing is that it is um it's unconductive the layout is unconductive to the current educational needs uh program needs. So you know when we look at that um you there's some other opportunities for improvement within

148the building. I mean that's what happens when you have a building that was you know was about 50 50 years old or so um but we're not seeing anything else that says hey this building's going to fall down. I know there were two things that we that we um that we're addressing under the NPS report and it's a lentil that holds that that holds the brick up above a door and another lentil that holds the brick up above a window. So I just kind of wanted to put that in perspective and bring that to y'all's attention. Um you know what we have here now years ago I I don't know what was said. I wasn't at the district. I didn't have my eyes on it. Um you know that my kid's going to be going

149to Irma High School. So, you know, I would never allow my child or any child to be in a building that's not safe in the world. U I'm I'm actually a healthcare safety professional. I know this isn't healthcare, but this is you're dealing with children. If you find something that is not safe, if somebody says, "Hey, this isn't safe." Okay, now we stop using whatever that whatever it is. Someone says, "Hey, a playground piece of equipment is not safe." Okay, they're reported not safe. Now, you have to stop using it. So we get it repaired replaced. So I think that's just something we need to think about is coming in that saying hey this is unsafe. Um you know we just need to make sure hey is it unsafe um or is it that this

150is not meeting the needs of um you know of the school today. >> M did you have something else before we wrap up? Um yeah I would just like to go back to you need to watch these meetings. um you need to talk to the people that were on the board at the time. Um it was portrayed that this building was not good for the future. Again, Mr. Being Bob with a civil engineer standing right beside him said it's not a safe environment. Said maintaining is nearly impossible and he said it's in poor condition. Um, and if you guys are at all worried about it, which I think it would be worth the money to spend to do the civil engineering study and to do the air quality study specific to the material that's between

151the two floors. >> Mr. H got to speak, so I will allow him to make a comment before we move to the next item. Let's say that both of my children have gone to two of these schools. And if I were on this board and I heard that it was unsafe like Mr. Scully, I would not have wanted kids in there, I would have immediately demanded we move them. And if I was told that Harbison West and Nursery Road also needed to be redone, when it come time to put that bond referendum up, I would have voted for that bond referendum if I knew those conditions were poor and going to be unsafe for the future. My children went to both of those schools. Actually, they went to all three of those schools. Irma, Harvest,

152and West, and Nursery Road. And here we sit in this building. Also, that was poorly rated. I would have voted for that bond referendum if I truly had concerns about that safety. That moves us to number 21 on the discussion agenda, discussion of the district attorneys listed for 2627. Miss Tucker. >> Hi. Good evening. Um so per board policy BDGR board attorney and legal services it states that the board will um evaluate and approve a list of attorneys at least annually. Um so in your packet tonight you have a list of proposed attorneys that the board has worked with in the past and proposed to work with in the future. I will call to your attention um we have updated the list of attorneys at each at each firm to make sure that those are

153current. And I did there is one that is no no longer on your list. Smith, Curry, and Hancock. Um none of the attorneys that were listed under that firm last year are remain at that firm and we have not done business with them in the last um four years. So we removed that firm off of the proposed attorney list for 2627. So we'll stand for any questions. >> Have any questions? No questions. Thank you, Mr. Tucker. All right. And finally, um the last item on the agenda is the procurement review panel. Um this typically is brought to the board at this time every year to um renominate a chair and to look at our um the list of uh members for next year. Our current chair is Mr. Scully. And I know that it is

154election season. So if um it would be uh the the administration's recommendation to defer this um until after the election and we can look at the procurement review panel if >> I have no concern with that if that works. >> Sounds good to me. >> All right. Thank you. Make a motion to adjourn. >> All in favor? And the motion carries six to zero. Yeah. Have a good night.