001Good evening and welcome to the Sump School District Board of Trustees meeting regular scheduled meeting tonight. Uh today is Monday, May 5th, uh 2025. May we pause for a moment of meditation followed by the pledge of allegiance. Thank you. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Again, welcome to our meeting on this evening. This meeting is held in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act. The news media has been notified and a copy of the agenda has been made available to the public. This meeting is open to the public and the public is welcome to attend in person. All persons wishing to attend uh the meeting uh by virtual means may do
002so via YouTube Sumpter School District board meetings and Sumpter School District's Facebook page. Vision something school district is committed to educating, empowering, enriching the and and enriching the lives of all students to reach their full potential. Mission Sumpter School District is committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and high quality educational environment that supports diversity and equip students for local and global success. I am Sean Reagan. Uh, area five chairman. We have Mr. Brian Austin who's with us tonight. Area 1 vice chairman. Dr. Gloria Lee. Uh, area 7 clerk. Uh, Miss English who area two who serves area two who's not with us on this evening at the moment. Uh, Dr. Raph W. Kanty senior. Area 3 is not present at the moment. Uh, Miss Tara Johnson, area four. Uh, Mr. Mac Mloud, Matthew Mc Mloud,
003area six. Uh, Mr. Phil Levenz, area 8, Miss Bonnie Disney Esquire, area 9, and Miss Deborah McQueen, our Shaw, Air Force Base representative. We have our superintendent, Dr. William T. Wright Jr. who's with us tonight and our administrative manager, Miss Shante Scott, as well as we would like to acknowledge the presence of the administrative staff that is in the uh audience. Ladies and gentlemen, we're now proceed with our meeting at this time. We'll call this meeting to order. Item number two, uh approval of the agenda. Mr. Chair, yes. I'd like to make a motion to amend the agenda to add an action item regarding summer school, an action item regarding uh the capital projects, and an action item regarding the budget for fiscal year 2526. Second. Been a motion and a second to amend the
004agenda for the purpose of adding the action items for summer school uh capital projects and the budget fiscal year 26. Uh any discussion hearing? None. We may vote by uh show hands at this time. All in favor to add those into the amended agenda uh you can uh do so by raising up your hand at this time. All right. All oppose, you may raise your hand at this time to be recognized. All right. Uh it passed. All right. Before we move to public participation, uh I do want to uh acknowledge uh or express to the board tonight um that our agenda uh is very lengthy tonight. And so what we are what I'm asking uh as chairman tonight is that we would consider that with the amount of items that we have to discuss and
005uh being that it is public participation um if we can limit the amount of questions that we have. If they're burning questions then certainly that's fine. You may answer them but please let's be careful um as we ask our questions that we don't repeat uh the questions that have already been stated uh just because of the length of the agenda tonight. certainly will understand that. All right, thank you so much. Let's move to item number three, public participation. Tonight we have uh five individuals who going to join us tonight. And before you do so, I'm going to read um our statement and our policy. The board of trustees is pleased to offer time at the regular monthly board meeting each month for public participation both in person and electronically. According to our policy, the board
006will allocate 15 minutes at the outset of each meeting, regular meeting for public participation to address the board. The board chair uh reserves the right to limit discussions of same topic issues in an effort to provide individuals the opportunity to be heard on a variety of topics. Public participation will not exceed three minutes for each individual unless waved by the majority vote of the board. Consideration may be given for a public hearing for gaining input on critical issues. Speakers may offer objective comments on school operations and programs that concern them. The board will not permit in public session any expressions of personal complaints about individuals, school personnel, or any persons connected with the school system. At this time, ladies and gentlemen of the board, we have uh Miss Jackie Olsen, who will come before us
007at this time to share public comment. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and board members. I appreciate this. Um, my name is Jackie Olsen. I am a former teacher. I taught for 25 years at Alice Drive Elementary. Loved every minute of it. That was when it was district 17. Since consolidation, this board has not been unified. Why? Different ideologies. Plain and simple. If you can't be unified in your in your ideology, you're not going to be an effective leader. People read about it in the newspaper. They see it on Facebook. Parents talk. Kids hear the parents talk about it. And I think we're sending a terrible message to our children. This is about the children. We want our district to use ladders for success, not stepping stones leading to poverty. And I see in your vision
008here that you want to um you're being committed to educating, empowering, and enriching the lives of all students to reach their full potential. So I hold you to that vision. If we had when I taught, if I had underachieving students, which I did, I met with their parents. Their parents had a responsibility. And together we made every effort to help the child get caught up. No handouts, just extra work to prove that they were interested in getting caught up and interested in learning. Learning starts at home. That's their first piece of education. If you're going to birth them, you need to show some responsibility. All children were created by God and they were conceived by one man and one woman. Parents, whether they're together or separate, they must be held accountable for the education of
009their children. They found a way to do that at Liberty Charter School. And they have a school where they're the majority of their students are on the poverty level. They have to be. They have no discipline problems. So why can they do it? And we can't. It's inexcusable. Teachers deal with multiple levels of intelligence in a single classroom. But the last thing we need to do is to water down the curriculum and offer a 50% grade flow. I don't know where your discussion is at this point, but handouts are killing our society. And if you give them a grade that they haven't earned, they're going to continue to expect to get handouts that they haven't earned. They have to earn it. They'll grow up to expect more handouts. Give a child a fish and he'll
010eat for one day. Teach a child to fish and he can fish and eat all his life. We have the opportunity to unite with one common goal to make the best school district with the best learning opportunities for the children of Sumpter School District. We need to set aside our desire to be powerful and controlling. This has nothing to do with the color of your skin. And if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem. If you went to the mayor's prayer breakfast last week, you had the absolute privilege of hearing Rodney Bullard, who by the way is black, you heard the most inspiring and powerful message about unity. And Mr. Reagan, you were on in the gospel choir. I saw you performing in the gospel choir. Good job. Um, but this
011is what Mr. Mr. Bullard said. You can't change the world, but you can change what's happening three feet from you. Now, you look around this room. Wait, your three minutes is up. Um, certainly if you have anything else, you can certainly put it in writing to the board at this time and we'll be glad to uh hear further from you in writing. Okay. Thank you so much. Thank you very much. Thank you. At this time, I would like to call uh Dr. Patty L. Wilson at this time. Good afternoon. Good afternoon, chairman and uh doctor and members of this board. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak. I have three things I want to say to you. And it concerns one our children, two the ethics and three the trust. First of all
012our children are important to us I think and it should be common to all of us. Our children are important and they are supposed to be our greatest asset. Right now I am a little concerned about them and I do hope that you are as well. But let me say now, how much do they matter? How much do they really really truly matter to you all? Lately, I'm beginning to think about that. I have been concerned with what I'm reading about and I am concerned very concerned when it comes to our children now and the ethics of what's going on with you all with trying to create another school and place some of our children in this other school and the ethics of the possibility of you all participating with that other school and you
013know who you are our children are not going to benefit with being stripped from this school and placed in that school. I believe our kids are very important and they can use your expertise by remaining here with them and giving them everything that you've got to offer them. They are important. They plan to be here and you should be here with them. And the other thing is we placed our trust in you. When we elected you to be here, we trusted you. And the last thing I want to say to you, if you don't want to be here with us, then leave. We shouldn't have to pay you to to stay here. Just go away and let someone else come and be here with us. Thank you very much. Certainly. Thank you, uh, Dr. We
014will send at this time we will call uh Heather Sanport. Hello board and thank you. Um I have a few topics that I just wanted to bring to your attention. There's a lot going on at different schools that needs to be addressed. um severe concerns. I've gotten into it with a few of the board members, so I'm not going to get into it here. Um but they are severe concerns that have been ignored. The buses are overcrowded, which is forcing kids four to a seat, which is unsafe, and if they bump into each other, they're assumed to be fighting and kicked off the bus, which means they then have to walk home. um the medical which is both physical and mental needs of the children do need more attention and empathy. The faculty are not
015trained enough to deal with the behaviors of the students today. I get there's a lot of burden on the teachers. There's more burden now. There's more behaviors now. There's less familial supports now. But we all need to adapt to help the students. Um the faculty at the schools want students to be held accountable for their own actions but the adults are not being held accountable for their actions which is modeling inappropriate behaviors for the students. We learn socially. If you look at sociology, we learn from our interactions. And if adults are doing breaking laws, which they have in the school, and get away with it, then why is the student getting held accountable for speaking out minor fractions? There needs to be more consistency with IEP and follow through. Um, this is a big one
016because a lot of kids with special needs cannot advocate for themselves and I think a lot of it's used I think the teachers are overburdened losing track of IEPs but these kids need the IEPs are in place for a reason that needs to be followed more. Um, parent concerns need to be listened to more. Parents should be heard and feel heard. They should not have concerns ignored, emails ignored, um, having to send, "Hey, I'm following up with you from my last email." Parents shouldn't have to do that. Parents should be able to list their concerns and know that it's being heard and taken care of, not months later still fighting the battle of trying to be heard. Um, I definitely think that we need to crack down and find the areas of concern, listen to
017the parents as well. and make corrections to the school system to better the children's lives. This is setting them up for their jobs, their home life, and adulthood. And I agree that if they're handed grades, that's not going to help them. That's actually hindering them. So, I think we need to get down to the bottom of it and remember that we're here for the children in our community. We want to make this whole community better which starts with the children because what they learn now is how they act in 10 years, 20 years and how's our community now? We want to make it better. We need to start with the children. Thank you. Thank you. Next we will have uh air in brown Taylor come forth at this time. Good evening. Good evening. My name
018is Amir Brown Taylor and I am a student at Sumpter High School. I am a proud graduate of the class of 2025. I know there are many negative things going out about something high school. I wanted to address them from an attendant student perspective. I was blessed to have teachers and advisors, classmates, and my family to support me throughout my four years there. I enter a new career path into the Army National Guard, and the staff at SHS supported me and encouraged me to move forward in my decision. I am more involved in the community and in numerous clubs and organizations because of SHS. Because of SHS, I am a better person. I want to thank Dr. Lee for encouraging me to be the very best I will be. To the SHs staff, my classmates,
019Mr. Endor, my family, and all of those coming behind me. Set your goals and begin your work. Thank you. Thank you. [Applause] Next we will have uh Keith Schultz at this time. All right. Good evening everyone. I've been here before. Y'all know that. This is the can we've been kicking down the road for about the last 10 or 12 years. Please have a seat at this time. Yes, sir. I will. Thank you. That's the flat can. That's where we at now. Now, we can't kick it no farther down the road. It's hard to kick. All right, we're going to cast a little shade tonight. As I understand it, this school district has no collaboration with Liberty Steam or any other person that's not not out or outside school district. We don't have any of that
020collaboration. I'm curious about that, especially given information that I'm told has directly to do with our board chairman. You got a conflict of interest. At this time, you will refrain. Talk about a You will refrain from mentioning any board member according to policy. Okay. I will refrain. There are nine board members here. Four of which voted recently to approve turn down 50/50. Said they didn't want it. Poor people. Thank you for the one that changed their vote. I appreciate that. I do think it's confusing though. Now, some new board members said they were or new board members said they were flabbergasted about the decision and and I agreed with them. Using the Greenville School District as a comparable for a 50% rule does not make it right. Recent legislation introduced by Senator Jeffrey Zale and
021Senator Fawn Pedalino will prohibit this process from ever happening in this state and has bipartisan support. That vote will occur next week. It is my understanding there are many other states that are inquiring about that. So, I'd like to thank our board vice chair for his initiative and bringing this wonderful success to the state of South Carolina and we'll never have to see it again. All right. This is the year third graders will be held back if they're not proficient state law. The public will be watching how this plays out. I encourage your transparency. School choice is coming. The average is $12,400 a year per student as I understand it, even higher here in Sump. Okay. You sir have a conceive a perceived conflict of interest and I'm asking for your resignation tonight. Now, with
022regard to our superintendent, comment was made previous. If you don't want to work here, get on out. Well, sir, three years, that kind of money, I commend the board for turning that down. But here's how I feel about it. You got it. Thank you. You want Thank you for your comments. All right, that concludes our uh public participation at this time, ladies and gentlemen. We'll now move to uh the next item on the agenda and it calls for board communication. 4.1 uh announcements. Any announcements at this time from any board members? Any announcements? Hearing none, we'll move to 4.2. uh committee reports and recommendations at this time, Mr. Chair. Yes. Um yes, for the committee reports, uh we will have second reading of policies KI, KI-R, KI-R2, KI-E metal detectors, and AR- metal detectors. Those
023are our U metal dete or weapon detection system policies as well as our visitor policies that we'll um have second reading tonight. Mr. Chair. Yes, ma'am. I have a report from the finance committee meeting that was held on April 23rd. Um and uh of course that meeting is recorded on Sumpter School District's YouTube channel as well as the Facebook page. But um from that meeting were some key recommendations for the full board to come before us at a meeting. And those recommendations include approval to fund a request from Cwell Drive Elementary School in the amount of $14,000. And that cost would cover vehicle maintenance, fuel, and insurance for a mobile learning express RV if they are successful bringing this to fruition. and commendations were given to Croswell Drive Elementary School for their innovation and thinking
024outside the box for their school. We know that it's not innovative technology but it is for them to bring it forth um for their school. Uh the second request is uh to the facilities committee and this was from the actual finance committee to adjust the following on their order of priorities and that was to move line item 8. The fieldgo netting and installation up to line two. The cost for that would be $18,500 and it would sit alongside any approvals for the fencing and the stansions. Um also there was a discussion to approve that request which would come before the board. And then um the final recommendation is budget and finance session 101 and that's specifically focusing on the general fund balance and that presentation would take place on I guess May would it be
025May 19th? May 19th um the May 19th school board meeting at Crestwood High School and would be conducted by our CFO Miss Shikica Spearmint. All right. Thank you uh Miss Johnson for your report and recommendations. Any further uh committee reports and recommendations at this time? Hearing none, let us move to item 4.3 uh board legislative update. I do want to recognize that I do see uh Dr. Kenny who has joined us uh on a virtual uh platform at this time. Dr. Candy, did you have a report tonight? All right, we'll move for forward. Uh, at this time, we're now down to item number five, superintendent report. Um, we'll at this time turn it over to you, Dr. Wright, at this time. Uh Mr. Chair, members of the board, we'll begin with our round the district
026item 4.1. District Teacher of the Year finalist. Join us in celebrating Kia Smith from Sumpter Career and Technology Center, Shelley Stokes from Alice Drive Elementary, and Christina Talbert from Wilder Elementary. Uh they are our three finalists, uh teacher of the year finalist, and they were recognized last week at Lakewood High School in our celebration of excellence. These outstanding educators go above and beyond each day uh to inspire, empower, and make a long lasting impact in the lives of our students. We have a state award winner. We are proud to announce that Mr. Robert Easley of Hillrest Middle School has been selected as the Swamp Fox chapter of the Air and Space Forces Association, South Carolina AFA Teacher of the Year. His passion for teaching and dedication to inspiring the next generation of leaders is unmatched.
027Congratulations, Mr. Easley, on this welldeserved honor. For our induction teachers of the year, Sumpter School District is proud is proud to recognize and celebrate All right, let's continue. Induction teachers of the year. We're proud to recognize and celebrate our amazing induction teachers for the 24-25 school year. These passionate educators are already making a big impact in their classrooms and beyond. Special congratulations go out to our 2025 induction teachers of the year. The elementary level, Jaylen Heel from High Hills Elementary, middle level, Marichu Alakantra from Ferman Elementary. and at the high school level. Leaguan Aquino from Lakewood High School. Your dedication, energy, and commitment to excellence inspire us all. Keep shining in shaping the future, one student at a time. We're proud to celebrate excellence in education with congratulations to Bates Middle School for being named
028best middle school, Sumpter High School for being for earning best high school, and Ashley Kappelman of Alice Drive Middle for her accomplishments. Congratulations to you all. These are our around the district for May 5th, 2025. Mr. Chair, I actually have one or two more here. This this computer is computering. U if it's okay. Okay. All right. We're proud to celebrate excellence in education. Uh, congratulations are in order to Ava Breeland from Sumpter High School, Santiago Polo from Lakewood High School, and Natasha Aguilar Martinez Martinez. Kathy Cruz Marquez, Jennifer McDougall, Alexandro Santgo Martinez, and Frederick Wade, all from Crestwood High School for earning the Harmon scholarship, which recognizes exceptional students who excel academically, lead with passion, and are committed to creating a better future. Each student has been awarded a full tuition scholarship to either Clemson
029University or the University of South Carolina. And now at this point that ends the around the district for May 5th, 2025. Okay. At this time, we're ready for item 5.2, uh, which is, uh, Kelly education substitute presentation be done by, uh, Dr. Jerry Oats and, um, Kelly Services and Kelly Services. Thank you. Good evening, Chairman Reagan, board of trustees, Superintendent Wright. Tonight we are joined by our partners Kelly Services and as you know they provide Sumpter School District with substitute teachers, paraprofessionals and custodians. As you know we are in constant competition for these employees with other school districts and the job market at large. And tonight Miss Desiree Chase and Miss Caroline Clayton will give an overview of their collected data and provide recommendations for us to remain competitive with these respective groups. So, I
030will ask Miss uh Chase and Miss Clayton if they will come to the table. Good evening everyone. It's great to see a lot of you again and to see some of you for the first time. Good evening. Perfect. Um what we have presented today and we've got little books for everybody. If you don't have one, I can give up mine or we can give up one of ours. Perfect. Um, we've got here some data regarding a proposal for substitute pay increase for Sumpter School District um, in order, as Dr. Oats said, to stay competitive both with the local school districts um, that are around here and also the Sumpter County jobs for entry- level positions, which most of our substitutes fall in that entry level job position market. Okay. So, on the first page here,
031um it's just a really brief overview of um the competitive pay increases and what it brings to the table. Um the first two. So, our biggest competitors for for employees um substitute employees for this district is Darlington County, Kershaw County, and Clarendon County. As we know, Kershaw and Clarendon sit right there on our north and our south. Um, and Darlington, while it's a little bit farther away, they are one of our most competitive for keeping subs in the area. Um, and then our local area drops. Okay, so we'll go ahead and go to the next page. The pay increase benefits. Some things that we've seen at other districts when pay increases have been approved by their boards is an increased fill rate. That's our most obvious and I have data on that if you guys
032want examples. um which for you for the schools provides fewer combined classrooms which is big for our teacher motivation when we don't have enough subs in the building. You know the classes have to combine and that's hard on teachers to suddenly go from their regular 30 person class to 45 students in a class or more. Um it also gives better support for our sumpter schools and reduces again that teacher burnout. It usually provides us with an increased number of applicants, which helps us to be able to narrow our pool of subs to a better quality person that we're able to hire as well. Um, we've also noticed in some districts where we've had increased pay rates that it reduces turnover for both subs and for teachers with that reduced um teacher burnout and increases um
033job satisfaction for our subs. Okay, so the next um few pages are breakdowns of how the Sumpter pay rate for substitutes compares to the local area and to the local school districts and the exact numbers there that are offered. to collect the data on this first rate or first page of tables. I utilized indeed.com and local Kelly internal information um to pull up jobs that were advertising as actively hiring and showing the exact rate at which they were hiring. So to avoid any of the skewed information because Indeed will sometimes just say it's around this area, I made sure it was specific from the employer that they were offering these pay rates. As you can see, Sumpter School District subs are paid um quite low compared to a lot of the local area jobs. I've
034got the two different lines there for Sumpter School District substitute pay. Um one for our teachers, that's $80 a day as it sits right now for a substitute, which comes to 1067 per hour. That's for the substitutes who have any level of education but do not have a certified teaching license. So, we have subs that range from just a high school diploma all the way up through we've had doctorate level degree subs in here working at that $1067 an hour for $80 a day. Um, then we have the pair professional and custodian rate which is currently set to $9.34 per hour. Um, this is the area in which we struggle the very most to find subs is in the custodian and pair professional area. What we are proposing, and we'll break this down further, but
035what we are proposing is that for the daily teacher substitute rate for those who do not have an active teaching license, we propose a raise from $80 per day to $95 per day, which brings that rate from 1067 per hour to 1267 per hour. We propose that the pair professional substitute rate be brought from 934 per hour to 1215 per hour and that the custodian rate go from 934 per hour to $11 per hour. With this, we're able to stay kind of in the mid-range of local area jobs so that we're able to be more competitive and being in better candidates. So the next page here is specifically looking at the teacher sub rate. In yellow, I've highlighted our three most competitive districts in the area. They also happen to be serviced by Kelly Education.
036So, we have a lot of good data um in these districts. Sumpter School District right now, as you can see, is paying considerably less for a daily teacher substitute and for a long-term substitute. right now. Um, even for teachers that hold active teaching licenses, if they're filling a long-term vacancy, they're only receiving $110 per day, which is considerably lower than our competing districts, which the lowest district pays $195 plus dollars per day based on the number of years of experience that certified teacher has. Um, what we are proposing is that we bring this rate again from 80 to 95. And the $90 per day is what the certified teacher subs are currently making. And we propose that that be brought to $110 per day. For the long-term rate, we're proposing an increase from $100 per
037day for non-certified teacher subs to $110 per day. So, an increase of $10. and an increase for certified teachers who are filling long-term vacancies from $110 per day to $180 per day. This still puts the long-term rate significantly lower than our competitive districts in the area. The next page just breaks down pair of professionals. And I won't go line by line because I don't want to waste your time. But as you can see for our competitive districts in this area, they are paying anywhere from about $270 to $3 more per hour than what the subs are currently making here for those paraprofessional positions. So we are proposing that we bring this up to 1215 per hour, which brings us very slightly above Clarendon County School District um while still being a little bit below Kershaw
038and Darlington, but making it so we can be a little more competitive in our hiring for those positions. Okay, for custodial pay rates, I've included information here both from the districts in the area that use custodians and for local area um custodial jobs. So again, right now the pay rate is set to $9.34 per hour. Um and we have Clarendon County Schools sitting at $10 per hour and Darlington County School sitting at $13.16 per hour. Kershaw County does not use custodial subs. That is why they are not present on this chart. We're proposing the rate increase to $11 per hour to put us right about in the middle for C offered custodial pay rates for the local area and the two closest competing school districts. This next page is something that I won't go through
039bit by bit because it's more information for you guys to look at, but it shows the overall usage of subs and the number of absences per week over the entire school year. This report I've given to each principal as they have really liked it to be able to see what areas of the year their school is struggling. If you guys have further questions on this, we'd love to answer them or I can provide further data if um one or many of you would like further data on the absences over the school year. The next page is a month-by-month breakdown. Again, I don't want to waste your time and go through all of this right now, but I wanted you to be able to see the trends that we're seeing from this school year's substitute fill
040rates compared to last school year. In general, we are up about 1% um in the num the percent of positions filled from last school year. Um but we are down a little bit on the number of positions filled. This can be multiple reasons. It can mean that your teachers are feeling a little more motivated to come to work, which is always great. You guys have done a good job and a lot of improvements for teachers this year, and I know that they feel that and our principles have reported that as well. Um, but we still have a lot of jobs on the table that we would like to fill and we hope that with a pay rate increase we can get those positions filled more. Um, the next page is your fill rates for this
041school year through the 26th of March. I can provide updated data at any request through whatever day we are currently on. Um, and on here I've highlighted any fill rate that is above 85% in green. fill rates that are between 70% and 85% in yellow, meaning those are the ones that we would like to see a bit higher and fill rates that are below 70% in red. These are areas where we really need to focus on getting more subs out into those positions. And as you can see, if you look at the pair professional fill rates, almost every school is in that red or yellow range with very few falling in green. This is where we struggle the very most to find subs. The end here just shows you a proposed markup or the proposed
042rates with our proposed um rates. Sorry, proposed rates per position. That's what I meant to say. Um we've got our current markups on the left and our proposed rates on the right. Just so that everything was right there and easy for you to see in one glance. Um if you have questions on that, of course, feel free to ask. And that's the end of the prepared information. Now, we would like to answer any questions that you guys might have. All right. Any questions at this time from any of the board members? Mr. Chair. Yes. Um, we're looking at this dollars and cents. Of course, we haven't thrown into this whether or not some schools are easier to to go in and sub of course and than others. So, even though I agree with you, I
043think you know the numbers are needed, but it's not always numbers. No, it's not. Um, and when I've been having my one-on-one meetings with principles, which I've been conducting over the past three weeks, we've been addressing a lot of those individually. Um, and I'm welcome to speak on those in a little bit more private. I don't want to speak to individual school issues in a public setting like this. I don't feel like that's fair to those administrators. I'm only just saying Oh, of course. What's the whole picture? Yes. All right. Any other questions or comments? Yes, Mr. Chair. I do have a question. Go ahead. And my question is, do you all survey the substitute teachers? Yes. How often or when, at what point? Yeah. So, we do informal surveys throughout the school year, but
044I send out a formal survey at the end of each school year around the beginning of May. I actually sent out the one for this school year about one week ago. Um, overall our subs are generally finding their experiences within Sumpter School District positive. Um, however, on the responses that I got, over 30% of the responses noted that they would like an increase in pay. And for those that have left, all but one of them um, who voluntarily left the district, all but one of them left due to higher pay in other opportunities, whether it be different districts or just different jobs within the county. And so that is something that we're seeing a lot of. Um, also when we do surveys for those who are hiring that maybe don't make it all the way
045through the hiring process, we do have a lot of comments on, you know, the pay is lower than they want to have. Um, we can get more data on that. Um, we're just waiting for some information from our recruiting team. And does the school district receive the survey results? They can. If you want them, I can provide them to you. So, we don't currently get them. Currently, no. I share the information that I get with principles, but I um currently have not like directly sent that to you guys, but I once I get more results, I can always send those out. Okay. And Mr. Chair, I do have one more question. How long have we seen the uh pay discrepancy that you're sharing with us today? Honestly, since when Kelly started with the district, um,
046in the very first presentation that I made to the board after we started, which I believe was in February of 2023, I presented very similar data that there was a need for pay increases. Um, I've also spoken with um, when Dr. Kumis was here, we had meetings about it and I've spoken with Dr. Oats about it in the past as well. Um, we know that no one comes to work in the schools in any position from substitute to a superintendent to make a lot of money. No one's expecting to become rich by being an educator because we're here to support the students. But we do need to be able to help these subs be able to meet their needs, um, to be able to pay their power bill, pay their rent, and things like that.
047All right. Can you just turn him off, Mr. Chair? All right, Mr. Chair, I do have a question. Yes, go ahead. Um, and I'm not sure if this question is really to Kelly Service, but thank you all for this information and this presentation. Um, I guess what I'm I'm struggling with when I'm seeing the number of substitutes that we have in our district. Yeah. Um, is it just because of are we employing subs to fill vacancies or are we employing subs because maybe a staff member is out? Both. So, each year that we've been with the district, we've been filling some vacancies that the school has had that they haven't been able to hire for. And then we also of course fill your regular absences, teachers sick or they're going on maternity leave. Um the
048number of vacancies that we filled last year, it was right around a 100 different vacancies that we filled throughout the school year. That does not mean that it was 100 through the whole year, but it was right around 100 vacancies. This year, I believe it's floating right around 85 to 90. I would have to check to give you a exact number. And I know this question is going to expand a little bit. Yeah. Um since you said upwards of somewhere around 100 that you're filling vacancies. Yes. Um do you all keep track? Are these subs in our core classes or are there they're in all different types of positions. We have people who fill vacancies in custodian work. We have people who fill vacancies in regular ed and special ed pair professionals. We have teachers
049in all different levels where they're core um in our middle schools and high schools or elective courses. Really, if there's a position out there, we've probably put a sub in there in a vacancy in that similar type position at some point in time. When it comes to the instructional subs, yes, in particular, how many of our current instructional subs have active teaching certifications if you It's very few. Um, I did not get that number before I came here, but I believe it is between 10 and 15 substitutes that we have that are currently licensed teachers. Some of them had licenses in the past and have retired. They didn't re renew them, but I believe we have between 10 and 15 licensed active license holding teachers. And Mr. chair. And I'll just say this and end
050my remarks. Um I'm extremely concerned that we have the number of vacancies that we have for one. Um for two, that we have a number of the vacancies filled with non-certified substitutes in across the district, whether that's core classes or um our elective courses as well. And I will go to to the fact that with this proposal, we potentially could have subs making more in certain positions than we have our current staff making. And so I guess a question, it would be a question posed to the administration. How do we plan to balance the markup when it comes to our sub rate compared to our staff that are actual something school district employees? Yes, thank you. All right. Yes. If I could follow up on what the vice chair said. Um, when you say making
051more, you mean costing more because of right the markup? Nothing personal. Um, but I did want to ask one question. How many of our people who are listed as subs or permanent subs actually have teaching certificates but not in the subject they are teaching? that number. I'm not sure. I mean, because I immediately looked at that list, saw a gentleman's got a PhD, teaches in college, teaches in high school, but he's not teaching in the area in which he has. Yeah. What I can share is that many of our substitutes who do have certified licenses, um, they are with us because they want that flexible um, part-time schedule. And so we have while we might have 10 to 15 who hold teaching licenses, I think we have only between three and five that are teaching
052in vacancies because the people who have come to us that have those, they're mostly retired folks or people with young children that want to be able to work around the needs of their family. All right. Any other questions? The mentioning of custodians. Yes, sir. We your proposed rate was was it 11 $11 per hour. I'm not sure what you pay your custodians now. We would never ask for a sub to be paid more than your permanent employees. Um but that is what we're proposing. You don't have the the current pay rates for the district. No, I do not. Okay. Yeah. All right. At this time, any further questions uh relating to this presentation? hearing none. Uh, thank you so much. Thank you. We really appreciate it. Mr. Chair, members of the board, we're ready for
053item 5.3 from the Office of Student Support Services, uh, South Carolina Pathways Project. I'll be presented by Mrs. Veron Davis and company. Good afternoon, board chair Dr. Reagan, superintendent Dr. Wright and other board members. The office of student support services, in particular the office of special services is really excited about this another opportunity for the students of Sumpter School District called the South South Carolina Pathways Project. It is essentially another diploma option for students with disabilities. The team that consists the the team implement patient team for this committee consisted of Dr. Tara Kanty our coordinator of secondary education for special services, Dr. David Laws, our director of innovation and CTE and yours truly right here, Miss Lisa Coral. She's a retired special education teacher of 36 years of Substitute School District and she happily accepted
054the opportunity to come back and help us work on this project because this is something that has been near and dear to her heart throughout her career of being a teacher. Essentially, the South Carolina Pathways Diploma Project is a grant in which Sumpter School District was one of five school districts in the state selected for this um alternate diploma option, another diploma option. We are currently in year two of this diploma option that we've been working on. What we have been doing is working on the two essential courses, but we have completed one for this pathway. The first course is a an ELA course. The courses um have emb have all the standards embedded in them and also embeds the CTE compon compensies as well as uh opportunity for the students to have a paid
055apprenticeship at the end of this of their senior year. What the um committee has done is work eagerly to complete this first course. The curriculum committee consists of Tiffany Brunson, Rome McDaniel, Celisa Corals, Linda Thomas, and Toan Wilson. At this time, we have currently completed the first course, which is the English course. And this will be a local approved course that will need the approval of Dr. Reagan and Dr. Wright. the the program the first course when we start the two courses it will begin the 26 27 school year. So at the end of that year the students will have the opportunity to have that paid apprenticeship and work with these two courses. We're excited that we have the opportunity to collaborate with with CTE. I met with Dr. Miller and the courses will be
056housed there so that students can um can feed from all three high schools for this for this diploma option. The application um has already been submitted to the state department and from there we should be able to move forward with the approval from this body. As Mrs. Davis said the pathways project is just another pathways but to a real diploma. We are not modifying any diploma needs or requirements. Nothing is being modified. The classes that we are completing applications on the innovative class application is what standards we are going to use, how we're aligning those to the academic standards of that subject. And then as she said we embedded in this case health science the state department of education uh through their data health science is the leading career cluster for our students with disabilities
057from the three high schools. So that's why we selected to go with that career cluster first. the application as said so we went to the state department they kind of reviewed it their implementation team reviewed to make sure that we were in line with the grant and the grant requirements and then we're coming to you with with our application once we get approval on this level then we submit it again to the state department of education and it's it's not an elective course it is going to be a Carnegie unit course of English. So it it's not just an elective that they take it. They can take it. It's English for the workplace 4. So that can go as their fourth English. So it's going it's a class um to do that. We are looking
058at beginning the math application right before school gets out. We'll have consumer mathematic applications. And a lot of this also we're trying to tie into that win software to kind of help the the um career ideas with that testing. What our students are going to look like. They're going to be 11th or 12th grade students that are taking the health science classes at the career center that have IEPs. For the purpose of this grant, it is for students with disabilities. they are completing the courses online with the standards. When I talked with different teachers, that was something a little difficult to get. But no, we they need to be working towards the diploma because it's just they're going to be taking this English 4 and not British literature. It but it's an English four class
059is approved from the State Department as an English 4 class and it goes towards that diploma. they're planning to go directly to work to the workforce right after graduation. They're a hands-on learner and that they do have that ability to master soft skills. We hear a lot from our partners in the business world when we are doing work-based learning that soft skills is is a need, a definite need for our students and for all students to to have a better understanding of those. So we're that's one of the topics that's actually embedded in there also with we're working with different partners with AEL South Carolina and they're doing a pre-employment training with all the districts that are on the SCP and they're working on soft skills folk rehab on the state level is working on
060the internship placements. So once they finish their apprenticeship, the apprenticeship, excuse me, we have to make sure we say apprenticeship. Once we finish, they will have their diploma and ideally they're going straight into the job force with the job ultimate. Ultimately, just to reiterate, this is another diploma option for students. This will ultimately help our graduate graduate especially for those students who could potentially earn a certificate of completion. This is an opportunity for them to actually earn a pathways diploma with an embedded apprenticeship. Any questions for us? All right. Any question? Yes. All right. It's nice to be a dinosaur. I taught English three and English for communication to the workplace. It was uh this was at Sumpre High School and we we had dual tracks if you want to call them tracks. I remember.
061Yes. And you know we all were excited about it and it actually works. It does. it works and there's a lot of uh students work in pairs and and just uh the the literature is not necessarily part of the class but the English is something that the students like enjoyed and he worked and passed very well and it's that hands-on and we part of the application is to what are the the methodologies that you're going to be using and there's a lot of hands-on there's a lot of in place type things there's embedding those health science needs in with the novel Frankenstein was absolutely fun I mean that was that was fun to sit there and work on that and and do those standards that way and it's aligned to the standards we haven't removed
062the stand that was the problem then right we didn't have standards they came along later so I think that's why that was shoved under the table but whoever found it and Thank you. It does work. And yes, you do deliver dot, but you have right. Thank you. It will work. Oh, yes. It most definitely. And I I was telling Miss Davis outside, I hope we don't stop at two classes. That's just a recommendation. We need to have more than two more than one science, excuse me, one ELA and one math. We need to have a Thank you. much more. You're welcome. And not not jumping too far ahead, but in two years, the state could possibly open this up for all students, not just students with IEPs. So, this is definitely a test a test
063pilot now that we're excited about. They dropped it. I couldn't believe it. Thank you. I remember the change. All right. Any other questions that Mr. Chair? Yes. Uh, thank you all for the presentation. Um, I do have a couple of questions. Considering that it's only going to be two courses offered, is there a cap that you all are placing and how would you make the determination of I know it's for students with IEPs. Um will that be something that's decided by the counselors at the respective schools or will it be something that's in tandem with uh the parents and the student as well to make this decision whether they want to go this pathway? The parents are a part of the process and now they are actually involved now when the student is working with
064Ablenet. so they understand what is taking place. The cap would depend on class size. That is something that we don't want to necessarily think about, but if it's an something that we have to consider and may have to open another class, that would be ideal. All right. Any further questions? Certainly. Thank you. Thank you for the presentation. Thank you. Mr. Chair, members of the board, we're ready for item 5.4, uh, which is, uh, summer school. Uh, Dr. Jade Mloud will be coming forward. Good evening, Chairman Reagan, Vice Chairman Austin, Superintendent Wright, members of the board. Um, I'm here tonight to share a summer school proposal um limited in scope for seniors needing to recover credits in order to be summer graduates and juniors needing to recover credits to be promoted to senior status. and that
065would be with their Nigio Niggr cohort or their four-year cohort. Um, as you know, the ESSER funds are no longer available. They have gone through and sunset and just as a reminder, previous to co Sumpter School District summer programs were very limited. They consisted of the required third grade reading camp which was funded by the state. Um we have had um those third grade requirements for quite a few years. Um also we have a summer gifted arts camp. Some of you may know it by its name reach. We are required to serve artistically gifted students a specific number of hours and that is partially funded by the state. We also have some schools that have some enrichment programs paid for with federal funds such as title one one and those are based on the indiv
066individual schools comprehensive needs assessments and the plans they create for their schools. So um previous to co that's um what we had in our summer programs. Um just a note with that that most federal programs do not allow for um promotion. You can have enrichment but not promotion. So, um, with the anticipation of the loss of our ESRE funds, um, discussions began and have been going on with school leaders since last year to make sure that the students and parents were aware that there um, hasn't been a budget for summer school. And this has continued to go on all year. Um we've discussed it multiple um principal meetings and I have been in buildings myself and heard um principles making um announcements in the morning announcements. I have seen correspondence that has gone out from
067schools to make sure that parents and students are aware. They've had parent nights, um data nights, um student le conferencing activities and things um of that sort. But um as Dr. Harriet and Dr. Gambo and I have continued to work with the high school leadership this year and track student progress towards graduation using our tracking system. the end of the third quarter um indicated a need to see if um there was any way that we could um possibly use our current budget allocations to target those seniors that could recover credits and qualifies these summer grads or juniors that could recover credits and qualify as seniors at the end of the summer to get back on track. so that they would be able to graduate with their appropriate four-year um graduation cohort. As you know, every
068year the ontrack measure goes up. This year was the sophomores. Next year it's the juniors and every year your four-year cohort for graduation has been in place. So, um, it's increasingly important to get them on track, keep them on track as they continue to metriculate in high school. So, being able to do that um would positively affect our high school graduation rates, which is a large portion of the high school accountability system. So, I um I did check with some of our surrounding districts um over the last semester about their offerings and um their cost and most of them um are theirs are very limited and they're charging. Kershaw is only offering for seniors for credit recovery. they are charging. At the time they had not made a decision on the amount that they would
069be charging. Um they charged last year. Also Orangeberg is also charging at at that time they had still not made a final decision um when they found out they could not use federal funds to help support. Richland one was the only one that I found that was not um charging for their um summer services. Richland two was charging $450 per course with a limit of two courses for high school and $350 per course with a limit of two for recovering for middle schools. That's the only one I found in our area that um was actually allowing for middle schoolers to um make up credits. And then um Clarinon, they are charging for credit recovery for seniors only at a rate of 120 because we were looking at a possible way to um serve these students.
070And then we also talked to Miss Spearman to see if any of the funds that we haven't already used could be repurposed and we could come forward to ask if we could offset those costs. And I have out of the office of academics a um FTE that we just put the person in place. So we have that partial FTE that has not been the salary has not been used for this year that may be able to offset that. And then after that we met with her about the possible cost. Then we also met with the superintendent, Dr. Harriet, Mr. Myers, um, Miss Spearman, and, um, the high school principles about the possibility of this invitationon credit recovery option for those targeted students. And what we came up with was the purpose, which is to provide
071the credit recovery for students to earn those credits not mastered during the regular school year. And um this is approved through the state department to be able to do the personalized learning within the larger course framework because they have had the course. This would focus on those sections of the course for credit recovery that they have not mastered. And um if you'll go to the next slide, we wanted to make sure that we have met all of the state regulations that because any kind of summer program must meet the state board regulations which are the same as your regular program. So um those have all been checked off. You have to have a certified administrator to handle the district-wide program or school site program. You have to follow the same teacher qualifications. As I stated,
072we're looking at 11th and 12th graders for credit recovery. And to qualify for credit recovery, those are the students that made a 50 to a 59 during the 24 25 school year. For credit recovery, you cannot go past one school year. that that's also a regulation. They have to retake the entire course. And due to our personalized learning waiver, we are able to do this and we would not be able to um provide for initial credit. That would be the first time taking the course. However, adult has ed has reached out and they are um offering an option for seniors needing additional credit initial credit to be eligible to be a summer grad. So we are trying to work with them also and there is one other option available to students and that's through virtual
073SE which is free and it also gives preference to juniors and seniors for initial credit and credit recovery needs. That registration window closes May 15th. Um the only concern we have with that, we have used that in the past is that with us being on a modified calendar, the window for exams is July 30th through August 5th and the final grades of score are stored on August 6th. So, we are awaiting a request to the state department for the virtual FC option to see if they will allow us to include that data in the summer grad data because normally summer grads, they have to be graduated before the first day of the next school year and our students come back July 31st this year. um they did allow that last year. So, I'm very hopeful
074of that and hope to have um that response soon because that would be another option to be able to help our students with this. Um so, that is what the state recks require. If you'll go to the next slide, this is what we came up with the principles. Um the dates would be June 2nd through 26th, Monday through Thursday, Sumpter High offered to host. And we could do a if we are interested in the future, we could do a rotation each year. The instructional hours would be 8:30 to 12:30 and we would have the breakfast and lunch, but the 12:30 8:30 12:30 would be the instructional time. Um, you have to be specific about the instructional hours when we send in the um information to the state department because they do come visit. We had
075stated that um transportation um would not be provided when we've had the summer programs running with the ESRE funds. Um high school students using the bus transportation was very limited. Not very many of them took advantage of using um bus transportation for those. Um, as I stated, we have to follow the regulations. And we're looking at um having a core area academic teacher that's certified. So that would be at least one English teacher, math teacher, science, social studies. Um, we may need a CTE teacher. You have to have a certified administrator, certified school counselor, a lab manager, and a nurse. the um county would provide the SRO. The meals would be provided through the summer feeding program and the students would receive the breakfast and lunch daily. And the schools have provided their scenarios thus
076far for their juniors and seniors that would fall into this category. And um Crestwood has 10, Lakewood has 37. Sumpter High, she she put the very very worst case scenario of 86, but that number should go down as um we get closer to the end of this school year because as I looked at some of them today um I think she was having the discussion and putting them on the list so that they would see the seriousness. So that would be our proposal for the summer program for our juniors and seniors. We still have options for those that may be off track that are in the lower grades um freshman and sophomore that we can work within the school year to be able to help them um catch up and get back into their correct
077cohort. using our credit recovery and content recovery labs. Okay. Uh thank you uh Dr. Mloud. Um do we have any questions at this time? Mr. Chair. Yes. You knew I was going to ask. Yeah, I just happened to look that way. I don't know. Thank you for doing this. Um we're on the same team. So my questions are not punitive or anything. um credit recovery. I just want to make a statement when I need to ask you questions. Um you know how teachers love to tell me everything. They say that a lot of times a student will sit in class do nothing and say sorry I'm going to do credit recovery and normal normal school is from August to December. So I do see that you're putting in a few rules. Number one, the student
078has to have at least 50 to 59 points. And none of these are giveaways because we give run away with the 50%. That's correct. So the kid did work work. We got a 509 something. Yes, that's a good thing. All right. Now, let's talk about the actual days. We know he comes to my class in August. I have every five days a week until a lot of days to cover all that information in English. All right. So, how many days will they be with the teacher? I know we said June 2nd 26. It's 16 days. At four hours a day. At four hours a day. Okay. So, the ad. And we said there would be a teacher, right? In other words, it's not going to be sit at a computer and you're going to have
079eye to eye instruction um with a qualified teacher. Yes. teacher will be in the classroom. It's it's still they are using the program because they're doing the pre-EST and the post- test and all the instructional mo modules, but there's also teacher support with the content area teacher there. Will there be some sort of pre-est so they can figure out Yes. where do you fall? Yes. The wagon for each unit. That's correct. Okay. And it's not going to be just computerenerated. No, ma'am. Thank you. All right. Any any other questions, Mr. Chair? Yes. Uh I do have a question and then I have a comment. Uh my question, what is the fiscal impact based on the approximate number of students that that you uh stated? I think it was maybe somewhere around 120 kids between the
080three high schools. Do you know a fiscal impact? Miss Spearman, Miss Spearman assisted with that. Um, well, I uh would only estimate that we would have a less than $100,000 impact to the general fund because of the only 120 kids. And we are going to be paying the esser related rates to our teachers, our administrator and our pair professionals because once you get used to those that money, you don't you can't control it back. And so that's what we will do. We will use that er model to do it. Um and the estimate right now based on the positions that we need, the rates that we will pay. Um transportation though would have uh exceeded made us exceed that estimate. So right now it's at 100,000 less than 100,000. Well, I guess I do have
081a second question now that you said that and I know Dr. Mloud you said traditionally or historically we have not had a great use for transportation out of the 120 potential students have we surveyed them to see what their transportation needs are to ensure be and the only reason I'm asking that is because I don't want it to become an educational equity issue where a child that needs the credit recovery a child that may need the initial credit uh to or the credit recovery to be classified as a senior to not have that opportunity because of transportation. That's something outside of a child's control. So, have that survey been taken of the potential students that's going to be impacted? No, sir. Not yet. Okay. I want to make sure that it was a possibility before.
082Okay. We pulled this based on where they are based on their student scores right now as far as pol their where they're falling as far as being behind. And my comment and I'll be done. Um, I was disheartened when I've heard from from students and staff and community members that we potentially may be charging our students for for summer school for this opportunity for the simple fact that we've had school uh we've had schools in our district that have not been able to provide credit recovery throughout the school year. and now having those same students that may have needed that credit recovery throughout the school year now potentially having to pay and hearing some of the rates from neighboring districts considering that we are a high poverty school district. I think it is insane for
083us to even consider charging our students when we know that we need the additional supports in our schools when we know that our students need credit recovery and it has not been offered across the district at all of our facilities. So, I would implore this board um to bite the bullet, if you will, when it comes to to the fiscal impact that that the fund balance will take to ensure that our students have the same opportunities uh to be successful and potentially graduate this summer or to be on track to graduate next year. Thank you. All right. Uh Dr. Mloud, this current plan that you're presenting tonight, students will not have to pay for summer school. Now, we talked about using the amount that was left from the FTE to be able to cover. Yeah.
084Which brings me to my next question. Which position was was that that you pull the funds from? It would be the director. Mhm. So there was no use for that position. We have gone through and had interviews two times, made offers twice and both times um both candidates have declined based on salary. Okay. All right. So we are in the process again. All right. I I don't know if it's safe to ask and you can correct me if I'm wrong, but how much funding would that have brought with that position? It's a little over a hundred. A little over 100. You you're counting benefits and everything in there. Okay. All right. Um this this summer school plan that you all are presenting tonight, when did you develop this plan? When did we develop this plan?
085We s we started discussing it um as the third quarter was ending. We've been following the um the grad the senior cohort very closely and then looking into the junior cohort because that's your next um group and started to see where some of them were starting to struggle and that's when we felt that we needed to look at something to be able to support them and um the alt started discussing it and then we wanted the principal's input on it before we brought it forward because it would require a change in the budget um from one item over to another. Okay. All right. Uh any any further questions at this time? Any further questions? I I do have one more. I'm sorry. Um, talking about summer school, I don't know if it's been like this
086in the past. You can correct me if I'm wrong. When we're doing summer school, you made it clear it's not for initial credit. It's for credit recovery. That's correct. However, is there a particular grading floor for summer school? for content recovery you have to it has to be a 50 to a 59. Would you consider that a grading floor or how just that's how the state identifies it. If it's below that they feel you need to retake the entire course because you can't um it's not proficiency then you've missed too much of it. So for you're doing a pre-EST and a post- test and then for the units they're identified that you're not you don't have mastery of then you're going to do those units pre-EST post test and um the assignments with the teacher
087support in those units. So you don't do the entire course again. You do the sections that you did not master the content grading floor but implemented by the state. Well, the 50 to 59 is required by the state. Okay. All right. And if we don't abide by that when they check our they audit our transcripts, they will definitely let us know. Yeah. Yeah. And and uh and our students spend how long is that? 3 weeks, four weeks in that it's um it's self-paced because of our proficiency. We make sure that they have four hours a day for the 16 days. If they need additional time at home like doing homework, they have that all assessments are done in um in the school and being proctor by the certified teacher. Yeah. Yeah. Um, one more. I
088heard uh Trustee Disney mentioned that for clarification purposes, I believe that a teacher would be present. Yes. Okay. And they provide instruction. They will they will provide instruction. Yes. Okay. All right. Okay. All right, Mr. Chair. Yes. I do have a clarifying question. I just want to clarify, are we or are we not offering the third grade reading camps, the gifted arts camp, and the enrichment programs? We have. We are. Okay. All right. And is transportation provided for those programs? Yes. Okay. Thank you. All right. Any any further questions? Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Mloud. Thank you. And Miss Spearman. Thank you. Ask one question for you O leave. I'm sorry. And it Miss Johnson question sparked in my head. If we are to provide transportation for summer school, do you have a fiscal
089impact for that? Not at this moment. Okay. Can we only one but can we request that information from you all to get that fiscal impact in the event that we do need to provide the transportation based on the surveying of the students that we will serve? Thank you. Oh, and I would I would note that um you cannot do failure for attendance in recovery and credit recovery. [Applause] Okay. All right. I'm disturbed by what I heard. I may have misunderstood So if a kid misses, they're supposed to be there four days a week and they miss 12 days. Yeah. Okay. What did you What did you say? If a student has missed too many days in the semester, they cannot come to credit recovery. Got you. Got you. To make that up, right? I got
090you. Okay. We're ready now for item 5.5 uh which is um academic strategies in attendance. Uh that'll be presented by Dr. Tvita Harriet along with Dr. Mloud. Good evening. Um, moral support. Good evening. Good evening. Um, I hope this presentation answers the questions. Um, some of this information is information that I presented on February 25th of 25. So, nevertheless, um I just retitled the portion of it academic interventions, which some may see as strategies, but nevertheless, these are interventions that we offer our students every day, all day in Sumpter School District as we promote um as educators, as we educate, empower, and enrich our students to be um progressive, successful global members of society. Next slide, please. The whole basis of our MTSS framework is act 213 from 2018 which serves as the foundational legislative
091um legislative framework aimed at supporting students through our multi-tered systems of support. It requires us to use universal screeners. At that time we identify students that may be at risk um of acade academic difficulties in the areas of academics attendance andor behavior/social emotional and it mandates evidence-based interventions for these students. Um, Miss Scott, you don't have to click on the link, but that link is there for you because that is a link to the state department's um framework guidance for MTSS via SCDE. Next slide, please. Strategies in Sumpre School District to support academic success for 2025. Things that we look at is the student currently being served in any other capacity? What does their academic performance look like? Are there any other physical or health related concerns that we need to address? Are there any
092behavior concerns? What is the root cause of these issues that may arise? Are there attendance concerns? And Miss Scott, if you will click on the PDF referral form. Um, I will share with you the first one is the electronic referral form that we ask all of our teachers to use. The second one will show you the referral form for our MTSS, the PDF of referral form. And while you do that, Miss Scott, um it just kind of go walks you through the different questions that the teacher, counselor, parent, another adult that um serves the student in the building has to answer to say, you know, why do we think we have student concerns? What supports can we put in place? Will you stroll down for me, please? The sections are broken down into academics, behavior,
093andor attendance. So, as we identify the different areas of support that are needed, you see who makes the referral. It gives you a option to say the rationale why, what the students name is, what school they attend, their grade level. Um, and if you scroll down a little bit more, it already it will ask you what other means of support are they already receiving. Can scroll down some more, please. Keep going. are they already being um served in any of those other capacities? And if you keep going, it asks you what actions have already been taken. Have you done a parent referral? Have you done an attendance um intervention plan? Have you had a parent conference, student conference, individual counseling, and so forth. It strolls down to cover behavior to see if there's areas um
094that need to be supported by your school counselor and or your tier three supports which are the um outside agencies that support our schools and parents that need an additional layer of support. And so as you see in that link, it covers again all three areas. Miss Scott, if you would please go back to the presentation and look at the sample referral form as one has been completed as a sample for you. As the document loads, this is what the school will see. Okay. Well, the document will load with the Sumpre School District logo on top. It will in turn address the areas that were outlined by the person that completed the referral form. The school's MTSS level team will meet to decide what area of concern needs to be addressed. And at that point,
095that team will decide what interventions need to be offered to the student. Um, we do have students that are served in multiple areas. So you can have a behavior support, you can have an academic support, you can have two academic supports, math and ELA and behavior as well as attendance. So again, it's based on the needs of the students and how we best serve them to support their continued academic success. Please go to the next slide. This slide is copy and paste from the February 25th presentation. It is a link to my MTSS schooly page which also includes each school level team lead each school level Tim team members a copy of the year at a glance which was the PD schedule that was offered to every team lead monthly PDS a copy of our
096school district handbook a copy of our school district resource guide as well as the link at the bottom Scott if you would click on that one that is a list of widely used MTSS interventions within in our district. And if you would widen the screen just so they can see for a moment the persons providing those interventions. There is a key on the right hand side um on the outside of the tiers one, two, and three. So you can see what interventions are offered, what tiers they can be offered on. There are some that are listed as just tier one, tier two, but um for example, if we have a social worker or a outside counselor that's working with the student, they may offer one of those same level of supports on a tier three
097um level. So again, it's based on the individualized need of the student, how we support them. It is progress monitored and all of our interventions we aim to have researchbased. Are we there 100% right now? No. But are we working in the right direction? Absolutely. You can just scroll down that real quick, Miss Scott, so they can see that there's And this is not even a complete list of interventions. This is just our typical day-to-day norm of what we do and we provide for our students. And that does cover the different areas again, academics, behavior, and attendance. If you would please go to the next slide on the presentation. as Miss Scott goes to our last slide. This is just another um slide from 22525 on the approach about supporting attendance and engagement. Um, this
098information was shared previously by Miss Perkins, our coordinator of attendance for the district. And in doing so, she shared a copy of the foundational supports based on tiers one, two, and three of what the attendance protocols and procedures are and have been outlined for us in Sumpter School District. And as it says, our tier one strategies are aimed at encouraging better attendance for all students and preventing absenteeism before it affects achievement. because we know our students cannot learn if they are not present and able to do so. Any questions at this time, Mr. Chair? Yes, I have a couple questions. Um, thank you for the presentation. Um, if so, we're using MTSS as our academic strategies, basically our big umbrella to support students. what or how are we ensuring accountability, consistency, and fidelity in the
099implementation of MTSS across the district? And before you respond, let me let me finish this part. And the reason I'm asking that question in that way is because it looks different in certain schools. It looks different in certain classrooms. So how do we ensure that MTSS is working if is there a mechanism in place to to track the accountability the feas uh the fidelity of it or the consistency of it being implemented across the district. You go ahead. Perfect timing. Um, yes. And again, we are a work in progress. As you know, I've transitioned or in the midst of transitioning, but one of the things that, um, I've been rallying for is one consistent platform. MTSS is all of our systems of support in every building. So, the culture of every building will be different.
100The needs of every student will be different. However, one single tracking system to ensure fidelity and consistency is what we need. um our superintendent has allowed us to begin to look at other vendors to see because we will not be able to see honestly the fruit of our labor if we continue to compare apples and oranges. So the document that I was sharing with you was the sample PDF of what it looks like with us housing that data in a Google drive. The goal is to shift from a Google Drive and go to one platform that will help us with identifying the students. The key to that will be at that point we all see the same thing. So if it's the ELA team that needs to offer support, they will be readily able to
101identify. If it's the math team that needs to offer another layer of interventions, they will see what we see. So to pull everyone out of silos and allow everyone the opportunity to see how we all serve our student in our area of expertise through the MTSS platform. And two more questions. Have you all actually evaluated how effective on that slide that showed the different types of interventions? Have you all evaluated which ones are effective? Which ones may need to be eliminated or maybe need to be tweaked uh to better serve students for a better student outcome? Um last year I gave the SAMS assessment which is the MTSS assessment um that looks at the key areas of support within the schools. I can say I've not given the SAMs at the end of this school
102year yet but the goal is to do so and compare. Last year was the first year that the assessment was given. Last year was the first year that we have really had someone standing in the gap to provide training in the midst of turnovers changes and all of the other barriers that we've had. So, it's been a while for someone to consistently offer um professional development for those key people to know how to support. So, I'm hoping our Sam's assessment findings from this year compared to last year will show growth. Our teams as we have had some interventions that the state has decided to not provide, we've pulled them from our list. So, we are constantly, it's a team effort. It is not just me by all means. um any academic area of support, Miss
103Perkins in the attendance area, those others in the behavior areas. If there's anything we need to add or um adjust, we do so in our respective areas to continue to support our students appropriately. Mr. Chair, I just have one more one more question. Um I can acknowledge in lie of the the grading floor discussion. Um we received some information from Dr. Mloud and I just want this board as we're having this conversation around the academic strategies and attendance. Um, in that communication with Dr. Mloud, she asked that there be a more robust survey to include alternative to support students, recommendations for monitoring the supports and willingness to serve on research and development committees to improve our processes processes for student outcomes. I know that that has kind of been left in limbo, but I think
104after hearing this presentation um and hearing some of the concerns from around the day is that that is something that we need to get on like yesterday um as we approach the 2526 school year and I would just ask this board that we take that in consideration um this evening as well because I know it's often said that we are mirrored in controversy when it comes to how do we get to the goal of ensuring that our students are college, career or military ready. And I don't think that it's it's controver it's not controversial at all because we're all I don't believe that there's one person that sits around this day is doesn't that does not want to see our students succeed and be successful in life. It's just our different beliefs of how we
105get there. And I think that we as a board need to get that focus to say we can disagree, but the focus is always going to be on ensuring that our students are going to achieve and be successful and be productive citizens in our community. And I think that even with the discussion around the grading floor, I think we heard a lot of different a lot of different thoughts and opinions on it, but I think that was helpful for us as a district to hear those and be open and honest in that process with one another. Um, so I applaud you all for the work that you're doing and I want this board to get on board with the administration to ensure that we're putting together these academic strategies and an attendance plan that is
106paramount because if our kids are not in our buildings, they're not learning. So I just want all of us to be on the same page that we're not in controversy as a board. We just have different approaches to how we get there, but it's all about how we work together to make to reach that goal. So, thank you. All right, Miss Johnson. Yes. Um, as it relates to this multi-tered support system, the three areas, academics, behavior, um, absence or absenteeism, if I were if I needed to know more about what it is that you do on a daily basis, I would ask you to describe your workflow in the day of a life up. because this isn't that type of situation. I want you to describe for me what that support looks like. I want
107an example of academic support, behavior support, and absenteeism. And the reason why I'm asking for this is because in light of teacher shortages, in light of substitute teachers in classes, I imagine we're already stretched very thin. And I'm just curious to know how we're aiding these students whenever we already facing these types of shortages. I also would like to know how parents are made aware of this so that they can make referrals because I did see in one of the forms that even parents can make referrals and then um in the absence of a full-time um uh true what truency officer. Yes. in the absence of a full-time truency officer, how are we actually identifying the piece for absenteeism? Because if we're just trying to catch kids when they're in school, then we're definitely missing
108the boat. And I know that's packed and it's it's a quite a bit. So, just to the best of your ability and if you needed to follow up with us, just kind of top level give us the information and we can follow up later. Give me your part a first. It's the academics. How are we what does it look like? What type of support are we actually offering that's going to make a difference for the students as it relates to academics, behavior, and um absenteeism? What What is it that we're actually doing? What does that support look like? when you say we as far as support from what I do or support that is offered within the building within the building. So again, we have our monthly PDS. Um our principles decide who sits on
109those MTSS teams. Our principles decide who the MTSS team lead is. Every month we hold our PD meetings based on the needs overall. So we've had our academics team for example provide professional development on tiered supports in the academic areas. We've had Miss Perkins come in and provide PD on how to support each school on tiered interventions for academics. So the expectation is the person that is the team lead that has been decided by the building administrator will then take those presentations the information that is provided and share it with their individual level teams. That is something that is a work in progress. That is something that we are continuing to look to improve because we do understand like you stated there are shortages. We do have substitutes and a lot of other factors that
110we have to take into consideration, but we did have to build at least a framework of consistency. Our goal is for everyone to begin to know the same language, to understand the language, and use the language consistently. So, when it comes to the grassroots where it's really going to matter assisting the student, we haven't quite gotten there yet. No, ma'am. as far as consistently with every school all of the time. Again, there was that document that I showed that are that are interventions that are offered. Can we say they're offered consistently in every building the same way? No, ma'am. But all of those opportunities are available to every school. If I could clone myself and offer PD every day in every school, we would. But realistically, as one person, it started off easier to offer
111a training to the person that's identified as the school's team lead. Any school that has reached out and asked for individual training, I've provided that as well. Okay. And then how are parents made aware of this? School websites. Um I've attended after school meetings and title one meetings. Miss Perkins has several of us attend. So if we happen to be one of the topic um presenters, if we happen to be someone that they include in another type of meeting, we all share that information. Also information should be shared on every school website and we will be updating that information on our district website as well. And I think we need to look at what that communication looks like and how we really get it to the parents because I don't think they're aware in all
112honesty. Uh and then the last piece probably is directed more to Dr. Right. And that is around um the absence of a full-time uh truency officer. Uh because absenteeism is a problem and we need to know how we're going to address that in the near term. the the original plan as as you're u hopefully will remember was that the director of student success um program would oversee that work for sure. Um Dr. Harriet as she has said I think counter sort of um is still transitioning. We have not we have u advertised for the backfield position. Um we have not um identified anyone as of yet u to do that work. Um and so once that happens uh we'll have a more consistent focus on u those things that fall under the director of student
113success. Um, as we do with any position, uh, we'll evaluate the needs and and maybe coming back to this board if we need to, um, to for additional help. Um, but right now, that's where we are um, at this stage of of the school year. Thank you. All right. Any any further questions? Just help me out. Didn't act 213 started 218. Yes. The problem was, right? Yeah. So, when did we start utilizing this NTS because kids weren't in school? I'm sure when did the push and the workshops and all of this got really? Was it 2022? Because I I went to one of your workshops. It seems like that was 2022. I took the role of coordinator in 2022. Um, but I will say before that, prior to me, there were others that started the
114work. Um, I definitely will encourage you to look at our district handbook and resource guide. Those date back to 2020 at least. So, there were other um, soldiers on the ground before me. I just happened to be the one that they passed the baton to to pick it up and keep it going. All right. Any Go ahead. I have a question for clarification. So So do we have a full-time truency officer or Dr. Harriet, are you responsible for to be the truency officer and the director of student success? I I guess that's why I'm confused at this time. We do not have a full-time jointy officer. I guess I guess my question is back to did the previous board did you all approve and I guess this is to my colleagues on the board now.
115Did you all approve a standalone position or you all approve that to be in addition to student success? So, if it's stand alone, has there been marketing that we're looking for a truency officer? I mean, how are we getting it out there that we're in need of a truency officer? Because I This is my first time hearing that there's not a truency officer. I was under the impression that the position was filled or being handled by Miss Perkins in attendance. I don't know, Mr. chair. It was my understanding that we funded the uh that position. I guess we need a clarification. Where's the money going if we funded it? Mr. Chairman, isn't that a question for the superintendent? Okay, go ahead. I'm saying isn't that a question for the superintendent? What Miss Dizzy just asked?
116Yeah. uh the superintendent can answer it. I think you just answered. We we'll we'll we'll we'll provide clarification. The the truency work was uh embodied under the director of student success uh work, but we're we're glad to go back and look at that and um and bring it at the next meeting. Okay. Any further questions um concerning the uh PowerPoint at this time? Hearing none, let's move to Oh, sorry. Uh we're ready at this time uh for item 5.6, which is Crestwood Field football field update. um with with permission of the board, we're we're trying to call it the Crestwood Athletic Complex cuz we're going to play more than football on that field. So, um but anyway, we've got that update. Um it'll be tag team with Mr. Samuel Meyers and Mrs. Shikica Spearman. Well,
117good evening. Good evening. We'll be providing uh some updates in reference to um Crestwood Athletic Fields. Um we've spent several weeks trying to pull that information together and we have uh we've utilized the services of um our administration at Crestwood as well as the athletic coaches and AD um and we've asked them to prioritize a listing that you see before you at this time. Uh the list itself is prioritized and I'm going to share that list. But I must say at first that the football field and the track have been um used uh several times. We've had soccer games and we've had track meets uh on used in the facility already and it's been several weeks that they have been actively utilizing um those uh facilities. Uh we've had regular meetings with uh the administration
118and coaches and district level administrations. Um we've visited several other sites that are similar to the one at Crestwood. Um and we've come back with information that we're hopeful we can we can move forward with. So um the work has been completed, but however, there are a few things that we do need assistance with and we need your support with and I will share those. Um when we talk about additional restrooms um we would look at three additional units um that are permanent mobile units. Uh we visited some other sites that have those particular units. Um and um along with that would come uh the installation of plumbing and lift stations and electrical uh sections of those units themselves that would be installed. And I'm just going to share that with you and Miss Spearman
119would be able to respond to the financial uh costing of those items. Um in our finance committee meeting, it was suggested that we would move one of the sections section 8 up to section two. Uh because of the safety aspect, uh we were looking at fencing and and stansions and we moved to that area the field goal netting installation. And we moved it there because uh if there are footballs that'll be kicked over the the goal post and over the scoring uh board itself, ball may injure someone who's standing around waiting. And so we move that to that area. And those three particular sections are the the initial prioritized listing that uh the administration and coaches felt were items that they needed for us to give specific consideration to. Additional pieces to that would be
120the existing parking lot and resurfacing that area. Um additional grass area parking to be graded. It would crush and run. that would be behind the home stadium. Um adding asphalt um an asphalt stripe or strip from the track to the driveway uh would give that support for anyone who may be going to the track and going back out to uh the driveway itself. We would be looking at adding a visitor's press box with that 600 additional seats. Uh additional stairs to the home uh press box that would be uh connected to the side of the press box itself. Um we talked about an additional ticket booth. However, subsequent meetings we found that we could take the current press B, current ticket booth, I'm sorry, and divide it one side for home and one side for
121visitors. And that in itself would not be an additional cost uh not an additional substantial cost if you will if we divided that for those two entities. We looked at the need for new LED lighting. The current lights have been existing uh for some 20 28 years for the time the school has been in existence on that field. U with those lights themselves the parts are no longer available. However, um the LED lighting itself would be uh would give us some 25 years worth of service. And uh we've had lights that have been changed throughout the some of our schools. But we know that this piece itself is one that's that's vitally important. And we've checked the other schools that we visited their stadiums as well. And they do have LED lighting as well. The
122fieldhouse is is a a big entity itself. It's one that we we know that that has to be in place, but it's something that can be done uh down the road. However, we we would like to entertain that. But we think that in itself is one that can come along at at a later time. Um if if that were to be put into place, there would be architectural engineering fees that would go along with that. And we're at this point now where we uh we're presenting this prioritized listing. And if Miss Beerman would like to share some of those costs or if you have any any questions at this point, we'll um entertain those at this time. All right. Thank you, Mr. Myers. Do we have any questions um at this particular time? All right.
123I see two hands. Uh Mr. Leven, and then I'll defer to Mr. Mloud first. I want to hear the question. All right. M was talking about parking the um the island that's out there in the middle of the parking lot. Will that be removed and used as some parking or will that remain there? I know it's got a curve around it so you can't they can't use it for parking right now. Um and also I went out there last week, walked around the field started got on the track, walked around to the um the visitor side, looked back across the field. Um field looks very nice. the field. The stands on the home side, the um press box looks maybe a little smaller than it should have been. Um, but going on around and looking
124back, I'm glad to see that it says that we're looking at putting a press box on the visitor's side and 600 additional seats cuz when I got over there looking back, it looked like a middle school stand over there because of no press box and the number of seats over there. But, um, I guess the question is the parking. Will they be able to use that? And also coming, I know that Crestwood Games, if Ster High is there, of Lakewood's there, you got some of the Florence schools coming. We're probably going to have to use parking out in front of the gym. Maybe. Will there be a walkway put there, a concrete walkway put around the gym? Because that's kind of low. I was just wondering it might get kind of muddy on a rainy
125night. In response to the island that you mentioned, we have begun to uh get quotes on uh removing a portion of the curbing in order that on both ends so we can utilize that area and we would approximately be able to get maybe 40 different vehicles that could park in that area. That that's just a rough estimate. Uh but we've already um begun to get quotes on removing a section of the curving on both ends. So we can drive on to that. But to answer your question, yes. And it would remain grass or actually be f it will remain grass. Yes. In reference to um possible um sidewalks from the parking lot to uh the ticket booth itself. That has not been discussed. worthy of a discussion uh because it it it would rain and
126that may become a problem. Um when we're talking about parking, we are going to utilize the gym parking area, um the auditorium parking area, parking in the front of the school, and there's parking on the band practice field and off to the side near the softball field. So, uh, we've had some experiences with some of the activities we've had and, um, been somewhat challenging. Um, but we've met with the administration and, um, some law enforcement, um, and they, they are looking to find a better way to structure that and I'm pretty sure we can work that together. So, it should not be, um, that much of a challenge. So, I'm I'm I'm certain we can make that happen. Yes, sir. Thank you. Yes, sir. All right, Mr. Levenz. Thank you. Um, I wasn't here when
127all this happened and and I'm sorry that I'm not aware, but we really have to go back to the beginning because as I understand it, and have to tell me if I'm wrong, this is way over the original budget. Do you recall the original scope and budget and when did this project start? Did it include uh all the extra bathrooms, parking lots, u expansion and etc etc. Please tell me where we started and where we are. We only included the athletic field because this district did not have the funding to do what needed to be done for this. So we are doing this in phases and so we are now in phase two. Phase one has been completed. It was only for the field itself. And if if I might ask you, what was the
128original budget? Um approximately originally about one one and a half million and that was an estimate because all of these capital projects are only estimates. I understand until the actual work gets done, but there was considerable work that needed to be done for Crestwood. So how much has been spent on the project to date? We can get you that number because that number has changed. We did present that amount at the finance committee meeting. So, we can get you some updated numbers on that. Now, please give me the one at the finance. I can understand the differences. It's not shouldn't be that big. I wouldn't imagine around I believe four was it five? I would have to get that original number because I don't have it on the front of my head. Substantively higher. When
129did the board approve the expansion in scope or when was the board made aware? There have been multiple capital projects that we get. We get one every fall and spring and we have always brought forward an amount to pay for the remaining project for Crestwood. Are we looking at the same amount five plus maybe seven million four? Well, actually what you're asking for now would be one and a half, I think. maybe 7 million for the other two stadiums. No sir, we already um uh about a year or so ago now. We did request an allocation of 2.5 million for both of those fields because they were more developed than what Crestwood was. So again, that's an estimate. It may be more, it may be less, but would the scope change? Would it be to
130add additional buildings and facilities that weren't originally in the scope? Are you referencing the two additional sites? Well, at the two additional sites, but just like this site, I don't I didn't hear that the additional restrooms were in in the original scope. No, they weren't. I don't um and and uh this just has to be a concern because this board has got to create a an effort to fund tremendous amount of school building and I mean some of these school buildings are older than I am and I'm not the oldest one on the board. Dr. Kenny's a month older than I am. Um so anyway the point is is that we've got tremendous amount of of this facing us. Did we use a project management team or did we try to do it inhouse? We
131utilized the there was a number of contractors and engineers that guided us through this. Did our architects guide us? I mean that's where a lot of the guidance normally comes from is architects as well. Yes. Um because for these tens of millions that we need to bring our schools up to date which our children and our students deserve. We're going to have massive projects that that we probably ought to pay a project manager because they're they're going to be more than a full-time job. Um, those are the questions I had right now, Mr. Chairman, uh, regrettably because I I'd asked about this information. Um, I I would not feel comfortable at this time going forward with these projects, but that's just my my comments, but thank you. All right. Thank you. Uh, any any further
132uh questions or comments at this time? Um I I guess the ultimate question that I I I have at this very moment, Dr. All right. Um I remember having previous conversations um with this body and and you know asking that there be an ongoing um or some type of continual uh review of this project out at Crestwood and uh led under the directions of yourself being that we did not have a project manager whatsoever. Um but my question is when will we come sort of be finished with with this whole project? Is there Well, well, tonight is key. Um tonight is key because we're going to um talk about what the needs are and the phasing and all of that. Um some things are depending on the information that we're going to share tonight. Um
133we have been meeting on a regular basis. Uh we feel like we've got a pretty um finite list of needs. Uh now uh Mr. Mloud brought up something that we certainly need to go back and take a look at. Uh but um you know the the list we think is pretty comprehensive and you know as soon as we um you know get approval then we'll know you know kind of how to proceed. But, uh, we're we're hoping to, um, be in a situation where we ought to be able to play, um, uh, when when the football season arises, um, at that field. Um, it's going to take, you know, a lot of summer involvement over, you know, we got to have some, um, and pods is not the right terminology, but we got to have
134some some some things installed and things of that nature. So, um, I guess the short answer to your question, Mr. Re, uh, Dr. Reagan, is we're going to try to get ready for a football season to be able to play. Um, I do think that in 2526, u, there will still be some work going on because of the phasing that needs to be done. Um, and I and I hope that I don't I don't have to eat those. We'll be ready by the beginning of the season. But right now, it looks like we we'll be able to play. It's just a matter of, you know, if we're talking about having a fieldhouse in place, for instance, that that won't be in place by uh by by August of 25. So, Okay. Yes, sir. All right.
135And and as we wrap this up, um I I hear you, Mr. Um we're requesting $4.7 million to complete everything that needs to be completed. Okay. Was that additional chair? additional four from whatever has already been spent on the project. It would be an additional 4.7 that they're requesting for us to approve. Miss McCloud and then you and then we'll wrap it up. Um talking about a timeline, will the visitors press box and additional seating be in place by the beginning of this season, this coming season? the additional press box and the seating. Um that depends on the funding and um we're we're very close to the time frame that we need to have that done. So um it could be I I can't can't say I know it depends on the funding that if
136we we had that we can move right away and get that going. we already have um uh quotes and vendors who are available to to make that happen. So, all right, Miss Johnson. And I was just going to say I know something came up just a few minutes ago around parking and breaking up asphalt for a pathway to the field. So, those costs would not be included here. Correct. Right. Okay. that that that grass part that he was talking about it that would be minimal of Mal Jaws. It wouldn't be because the the structure is there just a matter of um for lack of a better expression inserting uh ramp to get into that area. So it those costs will be minimal. Let me say it that way. Thank you, Mr. Chair. All right. Go
137ahead. What a record. What's the total cost of this project? I mean, everything from what the entire board started to everything that's been going on, what's the final cost of this project? We really wouldn't know because these amounts here, the 4.7 that we're asking to finish the project are are estimates. And once the actual costs come in, they could be higher or lower than what we have here. Don't commit me to it because it I don't know. We're going to bid this stuff out and we don't know what the cost is going to be. And we're at was it four? Was it about four? Four has been spent. We've gotten approval from the board to spend the 4 million because we've asked in multiple uh capital proceeds bonds and we got the approval to move
138forward with what we needed to do. We're now in phase two of it. Uh, so four plus this four would make it about eight or nine. Again, it could be more, it could be less. And so that's why I can't answer because these bids come in and and they guide our procurement guides the cost. Thank you. Yes, ma'am. All right. And Mr. Chair. All right. We're trying to wrap it up. Um, however much uh we do have two more board members that would like to ask of a question. Okay. Is that all right? I'mma defer to Miss Cowser Johnson and then I I'll call it. All right. All right. Uh Mr. Chair, it it it's no wonder Crestwood was built what 28 years ago, 1997, I think is when I ended up going in to
139that school. It's no wonder that the project wasn't completed at that time. It was cost. Um, unfortunately it was Crestwood that had to bear the brunt of not having the complete facilities to be able to operate its um, athletic programs on site. So now we're faced with the dilemma of getting it done. We've started the project. We cannot turn back now. And this is are you all in the the planning or brainstorming phase when it comes to how you're going to address Lakewood and Sumpter High? Like is there a plan being developed? Because I know that's something that keeps coming up. Where's the plan? Where was the plan for Crestwood? But we're in the work of Crestwood now. So it's kind of too late to come up with a plan. But are you all planning
140or developing a plan for something to high in Lakewood? And what is your plan? I I think there was some conversation about it because I had serious concerns about fund 527 that was used for Crestwood when that fund was supposed to be used for the current athletic facilities that we had in the district in the fall of 2021. Fund 527 that was used towards Crestwood was supposed to go to the current facilities we had at the time to upgrade the tracks and do repairs to the football fields in the district at that time. Is there a plan to for C mean for Lakewood for Sumpter High and for all the other middle school facilities that were supposed to be addressed with fund 527? In reference to your initial question about Lakewood and uh Sumpter High,
141yes, there is a plan. We've begun that process and we've had uh surveying and engineering and and architectural drawings and all of that in place and we're ready to um very soon put out the bids, especially for the Lakewood area. Um we're constantly looking at the Sumpter High one as well. Um we met with uh that group this morning um the principal and the coach in reference to um some of the some of the issues that have been put forth about the Sumpter High area. However, we have a plan and it's in motion and we're going to continue to push forward with it and you'll begin to see uh bids going out and we'll get started with that process. Want to do 527. Okay, she got respond as far as the uh monies that we
142we utilize to start with Crestwood and for the others. So, since that money was used to get that started and done, we can request in future bonds to uh go back and get those up to par and look back at those. Um I believe, if I'm talking, if I'm speaking correctly, um Alice Drive had some work that was done. uh I'm not going to say pro bono but we didn't have to pay for it and so that type of thing where we're looking at the existing fields we wanted to get the high schools done is what the uh move was right and so that is what that was for but yes we will continue to make sure all of our athletic fields are done but because of the limited funding that we have we wanted
143to move forward with the Crestwood and it is the perfect one to start with because you get so much experience on doing the rest of Yeah. All right. Thank you. Uh thank you, Mr. Myers. Um and All right. Okay. Uh Mrs. Spearman does not get to go anywhere right now. Uh we are ready for item number 5.7. Uh general fund revenue and expenditure through April 2025. Okay. So I will give a quick update. We had some um uh some things I wanted this body to know about some of our general fund revenue that I learned about um after, you know, talking with the county and getting prepared for this meeting. Um let me see here. Okay. So, as it relates to our general fund, this is the activity. Um Oh boy, I think I've messed
144up. The activity for April. Is that April? April. Okay. Well, I'm gonna have to use that one because I surely got March right here. Okay. Um, for April, we have several variances that we have and I call it a variance when it exceeds what we budgeted for. Again, uh, our revenue in lie of taxes. We receive more $4.1 million of that um, is what we are at now. and we uh talked with the county about that being exceeded because normally that's a fixed amount. I mean it is related to the um the tax that these businesses were uh allowed to take. Um however um that is no longer available and so that money has now coming in from those businesses when they got some type of tax relief. And so that's where we are with
145the revenue in of tax. Um, our investments have done so well. If you recall last year, we were being very conservative. We had a a budget of only $400,000. It quickly exceeded that. And um our investments that are approved by the state, they are allowing us to um invest our cash um in the local government investment pool and we're doing very well with that. And so the um interest on investments uh is doing very well. Um, our rentals are doing well. $42,000 is one of our um very um a little bit high um from past rentals. So, we're getting our monies in for that refund of prior years and the receipt of insurance and legal settlements. We're getting those in. um our m miscellaneous local revenue um that is where our proviso revenue is housed
146and so that money is slowly coming in and just anything that's not otherwise coded above that is a little low than what we've normally gotten and so we're at 62,000 right now in April. So right now we're at a 103% collection for our local section of our revenue. Um we've collected $38 million and um we uh are doing well with that um with our advorum taxes and getting that in. We're working well with the county on getting that in timely because we have every month been in compliance with the proviso that requires school districts to submit a monthly fund balance to the state on a form that they they have for us to get. And so every fund balance that is presented to you as a body is sent to the state. And so when
147I say at the end of my report, if we were to close business down today and I give you what that fund balance would be, that is the same one that has been reported to the state. They require it to be sent in monthly and that's what we have been in compliance with by the 20th of the month. As we go towards our state revenue, um, one item of interest is the transportation workers compensation. We've normally that's been a fixed number of about 71,000. That has, um, been, uh, down to 60,000 and we don't anticipate to receive any more on that one. And so, we'll reflect that reduction in the, um, estimate for our revenue for next year. Our retirey insurance, we're on par to receive our $6 million. Um, we know about what we
148get because each month the state gives us an estimate of the state revenue lines and what we should expect. Um, another item is the state aid to classrooms. That's a biggie that we'll talk about more tonight. Um, and we're at about a $69 million amount. If you recall, the $88 million that we recommended for this year's budget was um, it's about a year ago now that we had some estimates to come in for that. And so we kept that, but our numbers have have gone down. And so that basis um is a little different. And so we won't collect the 88. We'll find out more about what that number will be. But thankfully, it will all balance out because we're um doing well on the other lines. Um our health insurance, that is a lump
149sum that we should get um more closer to the end of the year. um our local residents property tax relief tier 1. Um we are still expecting to receive the 4.2 million. Um it is uh the rest of that is on its way. Homestead exemption that is a lump sum that we get at the very end of the year. We're still expecting to get that as well. Um property t tax relief tier three. This comes in to us from the re the revenue and fiscal affairs office. they give us what that number will be and so we expect to receive that. Um as we go down to the other lines, thank you. Um our state forest commission revenue that is another line item that comes at the end of the very end of the year
150and so we expect to receive that. Um our impact aid program has exceeded what we expected. So, we have been getting those forms in, thankful to our military family and our um our students. And so, we've been claiming that and making sure that we still utilize that program. Again, our other financing sources, the transfer from other funds and direct cost that is related to the leftover esser that we were able to claim um after the September deadline and that we were to utilize that those monies, but that is where we get all the indirect costs from the grants that we house in this district. And so that is uh pretty much that um amount. So the total revenue to date is 136,975 054. This represents an 83% collection as of today. And let me make
151sure I didn't cover something else. Okay, I think that may be it. Oh, one other thing on variance number six. Um that is uh where we get our phone and check and virtual check rebates and the the the AP program that we have where we get a portion of what we spend if they pay um via a virtual um method. To date, we've collected $6,000 for those proviso students. And in the expenditure, I'll share what we have uh sent out related to that. And so, yes, I think that would complete the revenue portion of Oh, I'm sorry. Could you go back to that revenue line, Ashante? I'm sorry because I don't have it in my face. Um, Black River. Oh, those are refunds. Okay. And could we go back up? Um, Miss Scott. Yes. Okay.
152All right. So, that I think that's everything. Yes. I'm sorry. I picked up the wrong month on my desk. So that's why I'm a little off a little bit. And so that's where we are for the month of April activity. And so again, May and June, we're going to see the revenue coming in uh like it always does at the tail end of the month, which is why we're glad that we have had been successful in having a positive fund balance to go to the next year so that we can operate because we get our money so late in the year. If there are no questions for revenue, I can go on to expenditures. Any questions? Miss Spearman, during the finance meeting, uh I raised a question about I guess it would be the revenue
153or the rebates we get for the recycling of technology equipment. Is that are we able to see that somewhere in the revenue? I can pull that out. Um that is what I've asked our um uh information technology personally be in the I believe it will be in m miscellaneous if I'm not mistaken. Uh but I can pull that out and get that number and send it out to you all this week if that is okay. Yes, ma'am. Because you did ask for that. So I'll check and see what the status of that request is. Okay. Thank you. Yes, sir. Okay. As it relates to our expenditures related to our general fund activity for April, um our salaries, as you can see, uh those expenditures are right around the 71 78%. So, we're right on target
154for where we are in the year. We know that our payroll is pretty much um about a month in the whole per se. And so, that money will continue to expand out into July, but for the end of the year of June. So, we know that we're right where we need to be. As it relates to the property insurance, as you stated, as you all know, we did have a higher premium than what we um had uh estimated about a year ago now. And so, uh this is an example of things coming in a little higher than what we um expected. If you can go on down, Miss Scott, see, we talked about the repairs that we did, the um small equipment purchases that we made um to support our schools and buildings, um our
155dues and fees, that's the Cogna line, uh 640 for us, and those type things. Um and the transits the 720 that is the line item that shows what we've paid when we've um received other school district students the part that we pay and so that's what we've expended out for that. Um also if we go on up let's see here scroll on up. I'm sorry. Um okay. So you know with this budget, the fiscical year 25 budget is the first official budget that we um allocated an assigned fund balance amount to where we dedicated part of our fund balance and it was used to balance the budget for 3,88,267. And so that is what is showing there. Right now, um, we've spent a total expenditure of approximately 119 thou, million655,751. That represents an overage of
156about $17 million in revenue. Remember, we still have approximately um four six um payroll cycles now to include summer school if that is um approved or whatnot. And so that money will have the ups and downs with the additional revenue coming in and the additional expenditures that we have remaining for our payrolls, our um for paying our AP and for summer school. And so if we were to wrap this up and close down business, our fund balance and the one that I will report is the 66 million is that 665177. That is what would be our monthly ending fund balance. um that will be reported to the state on the 20th of this month. And so that is the revenue and expenditure um operations for um April. Um, as you will see, um, as it
157relates to one line item that we learned from the county, the county mistakenly sent us, uh, $2.7 million related to a, uh, credit that was to benefit not only school district, but everyone else in the county that supports that the county supports. And so, of that 2.7, our portion was only 1.2. And so they will reduce our amount by the difference of the 2.7 and the 1.2 which is 1.5 in our next month's allocation. And so I just want to prepare you that you'll see that number go up and then it'll go back down. So um that was what I wanted to share with the board once I found that out. But it's an honest mistake. They thought that the credit was completely for us but it was not. It was to be split. We
158can keep it. I know right. I was like let us keep it. Right. But um just wanted to prepare you for that when you see that. All right. Any any questions? That number was 66 uh million866. See, I can't see but so far. Yeah. No problem. Yes. But it will be that that number will be reported. Okay. All right. Yes, sir. Thank you. All right. Any questions? Hearing none. All right. All right. The next is the capital projects update. Um, Mr. Austin, I hope you like this report here. You do? Okay, good. Um, as we go through these, I'm just going to highlight some of the um, statuses on it. Um, the of course the Maywood is the oldest one that we still have out. Um, we have a remaining balance of 119,000. Do we
159also have a encumbrance of uh, 35,000? So as those as that project and the things come in related to that um go away we are thinking that there is going to be a balance remaining and we will be requesting permission to utilize that balance for whatever reason I don't know if it's continued Maywood but we will not just put that into like other uh other facility because um we know that this was a very important project and we want to make sure that we do what the board wants to do with this Normally our process is is when a project is completed, we just put it to where it's needed. We do wherever another project may have gone over or we do another facility needs uh transfer. So we will not do that automatically. We
160will seek the guidance and approval from the board regarding the balance of the Maywood monies. So that is the only project that's in there. Um the projects that's 520. We jumped to 524. So you're probably asking, well where is 521? Where's 522? Where's 523? Those projects have been totally utilized. So, they're cleared and they're done. So, 524 has a remaining balance of about $120,000. And we have uh just the walkie-talkies in there. We've spent some money on the the district office entry gates and um we have some HVAC unit money that we use. And so, we still have a remaining balance of about 52,000. We have some incumbrances of things we're waiting on to be completed of 7,000. And so again, we will continue to um utilize those funds appropriately according to um the law
161and um our district policy regarding any remaining balances left over. So that one should be the next one that rolls off very soon. 525 has a balance of about 38,000. That one definitely should be rolling off. We've um always try to get some portion of environmental testing fees uh there for those tanks. Uh roofing repairs has been done. Um and we have incumbrances the surveillance and access control from our IT area. They have monies in there and they haven't um they've spent monies in there and so we have encumbrances totaling 9500 and we still have a remaining balance of 13,000. So again, once those projects are done, once um estimates are completed, we will recommend um where we would utilize those and making sure that projects that may have gone over would be utilized for
162anything remaining over 526. So, as you can see, the later that the uh series bond series is, the more balance that's left. We have about $2.2 million left on 526. In this we have um spent monies for the Hillrest Stadium renovation. We have spent money for the Bates remediation and you'll see the Bates remediation um on multiple series because we wanted to make sure that was done. We've done some window replacements. Um we also purchased a portable wheelchair lift um for that out of this bond. That was something that we definitely know we needed for um our students and uh for what we needed. And so that is an incumbrance. So, we're waiting to fully pay for that once it comes um once it's finalized and the invoice and everything is done. We've bought real
163mower. We've done um more access control expansion for our IT area. Um and so we have total incumbrances of about 890,000 on this series. We still have a remaining balance of $967,000 on this bond uh series as it relates to 527. 527 was um issued in the fall of 2021 that u Mr. Austin um made a reference to. Um we've had some athletic track project monies that was allocated and um we have an incumbrance still out there of about 3,700. This is an example of the pro of a project that slightly went over on that. And so we will utilize the monies uh for whatever is uh goes under to cover that. And so it will all be a wash on that. We've done repairs with maintenance, painting, carpeting, and fencing. And so that this
164bond uh it was about $2.7 million available at the start of the year. Um and we pretty much will be utilizing every dollar in that bond series. So, it will definitely roll off roll off uh as one of the ones that will roll off as well as it relates to 528. 528 there's only $71,000 available on this particular bond series and we have encumbrances of 48. And so, we definitely this will be another one that we'll continue to use. As you see, the district tries to use every cent of these bonds. Even when projects come under, we try to maximize those um those dollars. 529 was issued in the fall of 2022. It has approximately $2,89,000 available. We've had the security doors that was a big part of this project. Um and then the base
165remediation again we wanted allocated for that to get that done. The lane renovation started with this particular bond. Um and we've had some marquee replacements. Um stage curtains were purchased. Bus cameras was part of this bond. And it had a lot of the Prometheium board monies that they spent for our students for our teachers classrooms. Um, and this was also a bond that had a fine arts allocation because you see the visual arts supplies, performing arts supplies, instrument supplies, and so we try to make a routine of allocating anywhere from 150 to $200,000 to fine arts um in the fall bond is what we normally do uh that part of the year. And so we will continue to do that and support our fine arts. As it relates to fund uh bond series 531, this
166was issued in the fall of 2023. Again, this one also had a fine arts allocation. Um it was from flooring and carpentry done, some lane roofing and HVAC was done. Um the lane if you look at that line item at the bottom of that page um it had an allocation of 467,000. There were um 81,000 left in encumbrances. We spent 97 and so we have a balance of 288. And so that is a project that is ongoing. Um um the second page of the 531 um we had a lot of um mulch for the playgrounds. We utilized districtwide office furniture. As you recall, Esser paid for a significant amount of our schools getting new furniture for the schools. And so, we wanted to allocate monies for our um district office to utilize for um the
167outdated furniture that we've had in some of the offices. And so, we've actively been using that money. As you can see, um our um auditorium systems, we um did get um some requests during our meetings with our schools for the budget process that I will tell you about. um that they needed their systems updated and so we hear them and we will be allocating monies in future bonds to make sure that all those systems are work because we know that that is a security uh safety thing as well. So we um hear that and we will be making uh recommendations for that. Um 531 was a fine arts allocation. As you can see, there were some instrument maintenance, marching band travel, and arts initiative travel in this. And you can pay for those type of
168things out of these bonds. We make sure that we're in compliance with the South Carolina Department of Education as it relates to what you can pay out of these bonds. And so we can pay um travel and operate in that such a way. Also, whenever we allocate fine arts, we also allocate an athletic um allocations for our athletic programs. And so, they have a small allocation out of this, too. And so, that um that bond 531 had a balance brought in this year of 6 million, 6.1 million. It was issued in the fall of 2023. We have incumbrances of 2.3. We spent 2.7. And so, we have a remaining balance of right over a million dollars for this bond. So we are utilizing these funds and limiting our uh requirement to pay any arbitrage which
169is a minimal amount but it it does require you to be actively putting these pro projects out. 532 is our next to last bond that we have um issued. It was issued in the spring of 2024. Um here we have some grease trap septic pumping um activity. We have some interpreter services. uh our bully notification systems purchased out of this bond. Our AB discipline uh amount will be will be purchased out of this bond. Um basketball shot clocks will be um done. Some have been done, some will be finished up. You will see another allocation of environmental fees. Uh identicid is scheduled to be paid out of this bond. We have some serving line items for our cafeteria, dish machines, um and also from our IT area, we have some school servers, signal boosters that
170we put to maintain access, and um our um athletic insurance and activity bus repairs. And so we've been we've really stretched this particular bond out. So we have about 4.9 million that we brought in for this year. Um and we have a remaining balance of 1.7. Again, these b these monies are being utilized. Our last bond is our 533 bond that was issued in the fall of 2024. In this particular one, we have some uh fine arts allocation as you can see um that we uh we utilized. Uh we have the high heels gym renovation that was done out of this. Our annex elevator uh was um listed as an item. So we are working still working on making sure that that gets done. Uh still looking at quotes and still looking at um what
171is needed for that particular structure since it is um you know a little dated. Um we're doing we've got security alarm repairs out of this. There was a drainage project that was allocated for Willow Drive out of this. Still working on making sure that we're in compliance with that and getting that done. Track replacement and artificial turf. This is where the Lakewood and the uh Sumpter High allocation was approved in the fall of 2024 bond for 2.5 million. We've done some preliminary surveying and architectural work. That's where you will see us incumbrances to get those projects started and hopefully to get it all done simultaneously. Um we've um upgraded softball back stops. We've done scoreboards for our athletics. Um, another allocation of environmental testing fees for our tanks is here. Um, more office furniture ma
172uh master. Um, again this was a fine arts allocation. As you can see, the fine arts department is utilizing and maximizing their dollars. We had two activity buses that are encumbered and so that will that invoice will be paid very shortly. Um, and uh more athletic supplies for our different athletic groups. And so this particular bond came in this year with a 9.4 $4 million balance and we have 7 million being um left over. We have 1.8 in in comrance and so those funds will be utilized as well. All right. Any questions? Mr. Chair. Yes. Miss Scott, could you go up one? Go back one. Yes, ma'am. Okay. Right here. Um I see that there in the fall issuance bond there was three vehicles that were purchased for $122,000. Were those what areas were those
173vehicles purchased for? I believe that was maintenance, transportation and safety, security those vehicles for those areas. You said maintenance, transportation and security. Yes, sir. What what is your process for determining what department needs vehicles or not? We take a look at the u the age of some of the vehicles that we have and we have uh several of them that have some age on them and we try not to um utilize them on the road as much. We have many different persons who are um doing recruiting and going various places and they need a vehicle where they can go and not have to be concerned about it breaking down or having um excess mileage on it or anything like that. But we we monitor those kinds of things and that gives us um a leadway
174as to what we need to get next. Those vehicles are only utilized for official business during is it during normal operating hours or well sometimes it may be if they're coming back after hours. Um but it's all within the the scope of work that has to be done. All right. Any any further questions at this time? technology uniforms that what is that the department just purchasing uniforms for the well they're this the same colored shirts to make some uniformity when they go out we said that that was for food service IT and transportation to have some uniformity about what they do when they go out into the school buildings and so they'll be notifi identified so just not technology it's no it's not just technology no all Okay. All right. All right. Thank you. Next.
175Yeah. All right. Right ahead. All right. Thank you, sir. Uh 2025 spring capital bond. We expect to receive these funds from the county on May 15th there or about. And so it will only be $5 million. I say only because we're normally receive about 6 to7 million of every fall and spring. This particular one is only5 million. And so we wanted to maximize that. Um we did in the priority order um our HVAC systems are in need of um updating and installation. And so we said that was priority one um to about 1.36 million of that 5 million. The priority number two is our security door project which is almost done. So we wanted to finish that project with another $200,000 um for that. Here is where the Crestwood piece comes in. We are requesting
176that we fund priority number one and priority number two on the Crestwood priority list. That totals 1.5 million $1,56500 to include the netting. Right. So that um is what we want to use for that portion of the 5 million as well. Next priority is districtwide painting for 300,000. And number five, um, we wanted to do the five, uh, the teacher laptop, staff desk, and active panels for teachers. Um, there was not an, uh, IT allocation for that in the last couple bonds. So about 1.2 million of that to go to the IT area for that. And then we wanted to have an other facility needs line just in case a project goes over or some emergency comes up that we need to get approval for to utilize. So that um is about $374,500. That will
177total the $5 million that we are set to receive. So that will fund uh phase two of the Crestwood project. In the fall, we are expecting to receive $12,400,000 in bond proceeds. So with that and with your approval, we're going to request to finish up Crestwood. We're going to request to replenish uh the um IT piece that I'm going to ask that you approve along with this spring 2025 uh capital bond proceeds because it wants to do a lot of their work during the summer and they actually need more than the 1.2. They need $2.65 million to get uh uh the things that they need done during the summer. And so what they will do, the shortfall is about $1.4 million. They will use existing funds that they um have to do transfers out to
178finish this project for the 2.65. So we're asking that you approve the transfers that we have listed. Do are those transfers on that sheet? You see them? I think there were about four of them. Yes, there they go. Five of them. I'm sorry. So, we're asking that uh we show where the balance is today, what what fund is in. We're uh pulling multiple funds 526 529. So, we're going to ask that those balances be transferred out for those amounts to get the 1.45 million that we need at the time that we take this away. When we receive the other monies, we're wanting to replenish that to uh restore them back. But they will only be able to do the 2.65 in the next coming months to uh get the schools ready, replace um laptops, replace
179desktops, replace the active panels, and do everything that they can to make sure that when July 31st come, the schools are ready um as far as it is concerned. Uh so we're asking that this be approved along with the capital projects. And we're only doing this because it's only $5 million this time. And that's not a lot of money to get the things we need done. So please, please, that would make everything work perfect in our world if you would approve that. You're saying no, you're not going to you're not gonna Okay. All right. So, did everybody understand what I was trying to do? What we're trying to do? Okay. Thank you. I'm good. All right, we got two more and then I will not sit in front of you any longer. Um I did
180want to present officially the budget timeline that we've um already followed um with um this budget timeline uh started back in February where we are determining the standard staffing sizes. Um we met with principles uh most of our um budget meetings were completed in February. Uh so we were very proud of that because I think it was March that we uh finished the ones last time we did salary and benefit projections based on staffing. Um we met with department heads um as of April. The last meeting that I had was this April. So that's why that's ongoing but it's really completed. Um and department budgets were all sent in. So now we're only on the review of the budget. After I present tonight um we will go into review mode. Um we have some things
181that we have to um check off. Um the executive staff will be familiarized with what we're bringing forward. Our teacher advisory committee will discuss it of course with the finance committee that may be May or June um that we do that. Um we will discuss the initial budget with you. That's what we're doing tonight. Um and discussing the initial budget and presenting it. Um we reviewing salary study results and determine the budget effects. Um, again, that is part of us making sure that we don't get behind in the steps like we did before. So, we're going to bring forward salary um uh increases that we want to do to maintain those um our budget hearings May of May of this month, May and June. Um, we are required to legally advertise uh for the budget
182and that should say 2526. I did not update that. My bad. I should have done that. Uh so we will put an ad out in the paper for this month to uh have a um public input meeting for that. Um in June we always present the budget to our county council and then we will ask for your vote to approve it at that time uh in June uh so that we can go ahead and start loading the budget. What we have asked the schools and bookkeepers at each school to do is to go ahead and uh secure purchase orders for those activities in July and August so that we will have time the finance office will have time to load the budget. This budget could be upwards of $170 million and we have to load
183every cent of it. It will take while a while to do that. So to prevent them from going into ratification, to prevent them from not having the things that they need when the school year starts, we ask them to go ahead and secure purchase orders that we call prepaids on our financial statements to go ahead and secure those so that they can continue to operate. And so they have been very um responsive responsive to that and have done what we've asked them to. So, we don't anticipate any uh increase in ratifications or any um uh uh instances of them not having what they need to start the year. That is your budget timeline. The final item is the first reading of our budget. Again, this is for the 2526 budget. this budget. Uh we have
184uh some items that we will continue, some priorities that we will continue and some that we um added for this year. Um our superintendent believes and superintendent and administration, our administration believes that these priorities are essential for this year's budget. We want to maintain a professional development focus. We want to always continuously recruit and retain the high performing workforce, have competitive salaries. We want to improve our facilities. We want to continue to know that the post esser operation still affects our budget because there were some things that we had to continue to maintain on this. We have that new one, the instructional supports, and we'll talk more about what that is that we want to fund with this um this budget. And we'll always leverage fund balance. we may need to utilize fund balance again
185this year um in the instance that our uh revenue does not exceed our expenditures and so we'll talk about that I love to start with the expenditures first because that is where you have to cover those expenditures with our budget um at a minimum I just gave a small chart to show where we've grown with the starting salaries um on that first level bachelor um level. We've uh began back in 1718 with a starting salary of $30,113 and uh we're at uh $47,000 um for the current year. And of course, as you know, the state is proposing the 485 for next year. Um that is that $1,500 increase that we uh will have to provide. um they'll provide funding, but we'll have to make sure we increase it on our expense side, too. So, that's
186where we are. So, that's about a $17,000 increase over several years since 2017. Um, as we start, this is our first listing of our FY2026 projected expenditures. uh for the first one, we tried to put them in the um uh priority order, per se. So, our certified teacher salary, which is the $1,500 per sale that you're you've been hearing about. Um for salary and fringe, that's what SNF stands for, salary and fringe, we estimate about $1,422,050 just for the $1,500 per sale piece to move them up to the step. So we would have to do both increase the sale and move them up. But the portion for just moving them up to the step is about $2.9 million for our teachers. And so really we can't do one without the other per se. So those
187numbers would be combined, but I wanted to show you them broken down. Bus driver proposed about two 2% increase only on the state portion. As you know, the district pays um more. we went up to the 18, but the state portion only is going up 2%. And so that's about 74,000. Um the step increase to include the bus drivers for everyone else other than teachers, uh we're estimating at $4.5 million for our other staff. a district request because of the title one reduction that is expected. We um are requesting that the that six schools or six positions of behavior interventionist be funded because we have behavior interventionists already being funded in the general fund. And so this would completely take this off of the title one so that we won't be in comp in not
188in compliance with the supplanting. And that is estimated with salary and fringe of about $432,590 to completely fund uh those behavior interventionists for six positions. We are requesting that there be 15 positions of instructional coaches salary infringe about $1.9 million. uh to secure that. Again, the schools utilize their funding for title one to fund behavior interventionists and instructional coaches to help with the support of their schools. And so, we um are requesting that we put that on that general fund so that they can free up those monies and get what they need. We are requesting after listening to our schools during the budget hearings that we had, we met with each and everyone um an additional assistant principal for Cherry Veil Salary and Fringe a total of 130,861 estimated. We are requesting an administrative assistant
189for Rafting Creek salary and fringe $41,29 estimated. We're requesting an American Sign Language interpreter for our student support services. Uh a salary and French. What is that? L $40,000. A transition specialist for Sassy. We met with Sassy um last week to discuss all of the information that they presented to the board to ensure that they would get what they needed and the resources that they needed. Out of that meeting, we were able to utilize existing resources for most of that. And out of that meeting, we realized we only needed a transition specialist to be funded for salary infringe of approximately $47,000. And so that was um after talking in depth with um all members relating to the sassy um that whole framework our district request for a preventive maintenance specialist. This is coming from our
190maintenance area. What we realize is that of course as everyone knows our maintenance team is not um as um we don't have a lot of the of the team. We have to contract out a lot of our repairs and what have you. But if we maintain what we have, if we have someone dedicated to changing out different things to keep our machines and our items up to par so that we can get the longest life out of them, then that person would be dedicated to doing that and that would be about $60,000 salary infringed. A request from the schools have come that we needed to get our district and non-district coaching type stipens in line with other competing schools. And so to increase those, we've estimated a increase of about $200,000 for that. And so
191if you add up all of those additional expenditures, um we're at about 11.8 million in additional expenditures. Remember the budget for FY2025, which is approximately $167 million, is now it will be our base budget number. And so everything that we add to the budget will be on top of the $167 million. And so that uh the first reading is always the largest one because once we get those items in place, we then go back down into the FY2025 budget and we see what the actual is and what budgets were not utilized and we make recommendations to make reductions to that base as well as add to what we have. As you saw, that was a document that I presented to this body last year so that we could maximize our funds. And so we plan
192to do that again. Now that we've identified the items that we want to make room for per se, um, and what you all will approve and not approve, uh, regarding that, um, we will go back and dive down into the budget line by line to see what actually happened. We had recommendations for expenditures last year. We'll see where we are. Um, and those positions and all of those things that we did. We'll look at all of that. And so, we're at $1.8 million on that. Then we going to turn it to revenue. You have a question? Yeah. Yes, please. During our last meeting, um there was conversation around one of the high schools not having a FTE to offer credit recovery year round. Has that been taken into account when it comes to this budget
193proposal for the upcoming fiscal fiscal year? They have it now. It just wasn't filled or I mean Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Chair, I do have a clarifying question as well as we look at the um projected expenditure for additional AP at Cherville. Is that just an average uh salary for the assistant principles that we have now? Is that how you Okay. It's very much average to for that to include salary and fringe it is average. Okay. Yes. Okay. All right. Um the next piece is the revenue piece. So I've we've done the expenditure piece. Now we're going to see okay, do we have enough to cover this 11.8? We will see. We'll start with talking about millillage. Again, like I've said, I've been in conversation with our um contact at the county who's
194been a great help on getting us the information. We are at 159.4 mills for our operating millage and we are at 60 mills for our debt service. The next slide shows the breakdown of what we expect to receive as it relates to our tax adorum. Those are is three pieces that we um utilize that we estimate on this. For the current portion of the taxes, we have a net millage current net millage value of $160,656. We estimate um a growth of about 2.5%. And we also have to do an uncollectible percentage of about 5% to say that we're not going to collect. And so after you do that calculation, we have um a current base of 24,936. Um our delinquent uh me and the county contact uh agreed that we needed to do a flat
195number estimate which one uh kind of what showed was trending in the past years. uh a flat number because we don't know who's not going to pay or what not. And so we estimated that at 1.2 that we would collect on that uh vehicle. Uh what we did on calculating this one is saying what we have current to date and then look at last year's April, May, and June to determine what that is. So currently we're at about 6.3 u related to the vehicle piece of our taxes. Last year we collected for April, May, and June 2,67. We now have a number estimate of 8.4 million. Add those three together, we have about a 34,567,691 collection on our tax revenue. Again, that is an estimate and that is how we broke that down and and
196colle and estimated that. I um the next slide is just for information. Each year the revenue and fiscal affairs office sends us a maximum amount of percentage that we can ask for millage increase. This is just for information. This year uh that amount was our Sumpter area population growth plus the CPI factor. The population growth for Sumpter is 0.35% and our CPI is at 2.95 5%. And so together the maximum amount percentage of millage that we can ask is 3.3%. That is approximately 5.26 mills. Um and that value at 160 for the net meal value is about $845,000. Again that is what that is the um a maximum that we can request. Um also Dr. right has informed us about some conversations about us receiving possibly three meals earmarked to reduce class sizes. So we'll
197wait for further information on that that that might be a possibility. Did you want to say anything else about that? Okay, just just that. All right. So that is what we're looking at regarding our millillage and tax revenue. Um also wanted to talk about our student enrollment history. As you can see, um I just took a difference between the percentages for each year. Um we've seen a slow and steady decline u regarding our um 45th day and our 135th day. Um as you can see in most cases our 135th day is a little less than what our 45th day is. Um but our funding is primarily based on the 135th day. And so um I just projected a 3% um shortfall reduction again because that is the trend for our fiscal year 2526. Um as
198you see what our current one is um 13,269 and 13,223 for our 135th day for our current year. Just want to give you that for information. Our South Carolina funding formula. I also want to talk briefly about this on how they um calculate uh our funding. Just a little bit about that. Uh currently the number of students in the state of South Carolina are at 770,54 uh for our public schools divided by our target student ratio which is 11.2 and we multiply that by the salary in French for a masters with 12. that masters with 12 is the salary in the dead middle of the teacher salary scale. That is what they use as an average. What districts are finding is that that doesn't fully fund the increase of salaries and so it's never been
199fully funded to be honest. So right and so um that is what we had a great conversation at my uh CFO round table about a week or two ago and we realized that that there were some mechanics and some nuances within the formula uh that needed to be addressed and so they're constantly trying to work with our we have a representative from our our round table that meets with our legislators and they try to talk about how to get this thing right and so that schools that experience experience growth will not be penalized and that's what's happening with this formula. So that is what they're working on now constantly staying in contact with our contacts. So um for fiscal year uh 20 26 they're estimating that for the 770,54 students that are in the state
200divided by the teacher student ratio that we need 68,795 teachers for this state. multiply that by that average that's in the middle of the salary uh scale and the total funding is 5.3 billion. But for this that year, we have $112 million of extra additional monies that needs to be allocated. And that's what they do. They will allocate that um and based on our weighted pupil units u which is tied to our 135day numbers. Um we wanted to also show they presented this at our the my CFO round table that of the $112 million per state proviso 50 million of that is funded funds our charter schools which has 57,000 students and the remaining 61 million funds our public schools which have 770,000 students. The revenue per charter school student is 8.89.47 47 for this
201portion and the revenue per public school student is about $79 per this um per this per student for this and excuse me if I if I might um I did the math this district will lose $728,000 over equal funding not preferable funding to public school students versus charter school students but equal funding and um there are only 6.7% of the state students in charter schools 93.1 obviously uh 6.9 911 so um I think we need to be critically aware of that because it impacts us tremendously. Yes. Yes, sir. Thank you. Yes, sir. Thank you for that. All right. And so for our um the only version for what Sumpter School District will receive in the way of the um state aid the classroom is the House Ways and Means version. And so that is saying
202that we are estimated to receive $82.9 million of uh the state aid classroom line for FY26. Again, we're waiting for the Senate version. We're waiting for the final numbers to come in. So this is still early in the process right now. The next piece of our revenue is section well one. We'll now put the numbers together. Only the increase because remember the $167 million budget that we have for FY25 right now is our base. So only the increases is what I'm working with. So we expect an increase in our ablurum taxes of 3.1 million. We expect an increase of our interest on investments of 750,000. So for that top section of our um local tax, we are estimating a $3.8 million increase. But if you look to the state, we're expecting some decreases on that.
203And if you would zero in on the uh the school bus driver salary, we know that'll increase because of the increase that they're going to send us. Uh the transportation workers comp is going to go down as well as the handicap transportation. But I am recognizing a reduction for the state aid the classroom of about 2.5 million. If you recall our statement that the FY2025 budget is our base and in that base it had an old estimate from last year where we thought it was more money coming to us from the state aid classrooms but due to our reduction in our weighted pupil units in our ADM that actual amount which they adjust at the 135 reduced that amount and so I want to do small decreases of that to get it in line with
204what we're actually receiving. So 2.5 million is what I'm recognizing as a reduction of it. But again, that is because the state aid, the classroom number that was in last year's budget, which is our base, was higher than what we actually received and what we plan to receive in FY26. So that is what that is. I'm trying to I'm trying to balance it out, even it out so that we can have true numbers on what we're working with. And so with those reductions and those additions and also the property tax relief tier three, the revenue and fiscal affairs office says we'll re receive over $20 million for that number. That represents a $984,000 increase. And so with all of those increases and minuses, we are recognizing a reduction in our state revenue projection of $742,63.
205And so um our impact aid we're going to we don't expect any significant increases on that. So that's zero. So our total increase in revenue is about 3.1 million. Okay. But you're going to compare that to the 11.8 in expenditures that you need to cover. So that means we have a shortfall of about $8 million because of the expenditures. Right? So what that will do now that we have this and we put this together is that we will go back into our base year this year to look at what can be reduced, what can be adjusted, then add what we need here. And so then you won't necessarily have to dig into your fund balance to the tune of $8 million. Remember the first reading is always the worst one because you're putting it all
206on top of the base. And so it is now my job to go into FY2025 and look at what was not spent, what can we reduce to fit what we need for this year. And there may be some items that we listed um that were important to us that we thought were important for the district that you all don't agree that should be included or should be a line item for expense. Certainly there are things like the teacher salary um amount that we have to fund. we don't want to get behind on the other um areas of salary uh because at one point we were four steps behind. So those those type of things that you want to include maybe that's what we all need to be thinking but my job will be synthesizing digging
207into the current budget to see where we are. As you saw, I reported on the FY2025 for April, I reported a uh about almost a 10 to $15 million um fund balance. Okay? And we're expecting more revenue, but we're expecting more um expenditures. And so, we will go into this budget and dig deep into it and see what we can do. And then I will make res recommendations just like I did last year where you saw the minuses for each line of the budget and the pluses and see where we end up. So I intend to hopefully not utilize $8 million of our fund balance to balance this budget. That is not my intention. So next steps of course we've had our first reading officially Monday May 5th. Today we've had it. Um my duty,
208which is the most important part of this, is to re-evaluate revenue and expenditure estimates, dig into FY2025 for any um shortfalls or anything that we can reduce. Um we have to have a public input meeting where we have to advertise for that. We'll make that uh determination uh to be determined. We'll also do the county council school budget presentation. We'll prepare that. Again, I expect our numbers to change that this will not be it. It will change. Um, and then we'll have our final second reading. For this district, it is required that two readings be done before you can approve the budget. And so we plan for that to be done after the county council meeting. And so that is our next steps for plans. Does anyone have any questions? All right, board members, any
209questions at this time? Mr. Chairman, just one question. U Mr. Pairman. Yes, sir. Are you saying that if the council doesn't meet our request that you will then submit a budget that is in line with what they send us? Is that what happened? Well, with when we go to the county, um we basically we're required by law just to present it to them for them to approve it. Um we can ask for the additional millillage um if if they will approve and then that will be the budget that we go with. But then I can make the changes between now and then. So we're just trying to tick off the provisal required, the law required that we have them approve our budget. Okay, that's a better understanding. Okay, great. Great. All right. Any further questions,
210Mr. Chair? with uh you said about going back to evaluate the fiscal year 25 budget and I know that during the conversation about summer school you talked about repurposing the funds for that one position will the remaining three positions since we're already looking at taking one for to use for summer school the remaining three positions will they be looked at as well to see yes I think before we do that I think that we have as you can see like I said We've had right now we're ahead with our revenue and expenditures and so $100,000 is not a whole lot of money. I don't know if we even need to touch that position if we if y'all if we agree that we need the position. It was just something to equate what it would cost
211us. And so if we do do that, we will look at that position and see if we still need it. We'll look at those others that are not filled as well that we still if we still need it. We'll talk with our superintendent. will make any recommendations to you all uh that will require that. But I think that that is just really for me in my mind it was just used as an equate to something to equip equate it to what it would cost this summer school. And so that would be a savings because it's not filled but it's budgeted. It's budgeted and so that's where we are with that. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Uh Miss Spearman. Yes, sir. Thank you. Thank you for all of your presentations. Thank you. Every last
212one. Great job. Thank you so much. Lunch. [Applause] Uh Mr. Chair, members of the board, that concludes the superintendent's report for May 5th, 2025. Okay. All right. Thank you. We'll now move to item number six, uh, executive session. Do we have a motion? Mr. Chair, like make a motion like to make a motion that we enter into executive session for discussion of individual student matters, transfers in and out of district and the monthly personnel report, appointment, compensation, promotion, demotion, discipline, termination, andor release of an employee in contractual matters. Second. There's been motion that we enter into executive session for the purpose of discussion of individual student matters, transfers in and out of the district and the monthly personnel report, appointment, compensation, promotion, demotion, discipline, termination, and or release of an employee and contractual matters. Any
213discussion? Hearing none, you may vote your pleasure at this time. Just got you can Yes. At this time the vote passes. Thank you ladies and gentlemen um of the public uh for attending tonight. We'll now enter into executive session and we will try to be back shortly. [Applause] Shante is the budget poweroint is that together. Let's go. Did you return to open? Action. It's okay. It's okay. Why don't you walk around a room? We'll now return to open session at this time. Uh ladies and gentlemen of the board, we'll now move to item number eight, action item 8.1. Any items related to executive session at this time? Sir, motion to allow students AC to attend school in Sumpter District for the 25 2025 2026 school year. Second. It's been a motion and a second to
214allow students A through C to attend schools in SA school district for the 2526 school year. Any discussion? Hearing none, you may vote your pleasure at this time. Vote passes. Vote passes. Uh, any other action items from executive session? Yes, Mr. Chair. I move to release students A through X from the Sumpter School District for the 202526 school year. Mr. Chair, I second that motion. All right. It's been a motion and a second to release uh students A through X from the Sump School District for the 2526 school year. Any discussion at this time? Hearing none, you may vote your pleasure. Vote passes at this time. Any other motions or action items from executive session at this time? Is it is it a monthly report? Okay, it's not here. Hearing none. Let's move to item
2158.2 uh monthly personnel report. Chair motion to motion to approve the personnel report for the Monday. Is this for is it Monday? April 7th. All day. Yeah, it's May 5th. Okay. Chair. Motion to approve the personnel report for May 5th, 2025 as presented. Second. A motion and a second to approve the personnel report monthly personnel report uh for May 5th, 2025 as presented. Any discussion? Hearing none, you may vote your pleasure. Vote passes. Vote passes at this time. Uh 8.3. Do we have a motion? Mr. Chair, I'd like to make a motion to approve second reading of policies KI, KI-R, KI- R2, KI- E, metal detectors, and AR- metal detectors. Second. There's been a motion and a second to approve second reading of policies KI, KI-R, KI-R2, KI-E, metal detectors, and AR metal detectors. Any
216discussion hearing? None. You may vote your pleasure at this time. It's not on my my thing. Yes. The answer. I'm sorry. Vote passes. Uh 8.4. Do we have a motion? 8.4. Do we have a motion? I'll make it. I I move that we approve the summer school plans for credit recovery for juniors and seniors. Second. Okay, it's been a motion and a second that we uh approve and offer summer school for credit recovery for juniors and seniors. Any discussion is that hearing? None. You may vote your pleasure at this time. Yes. Vote passes. Vote passes. Uh 8.5. Mr. Chair, I'd like to make a motion that the board authorize the superintendent and administration to develop academic strategies and an attendance plan for the 2526 school year. Second. It's been a motion and a second um
217to authorize the superintendent and the administration uh to develop academic strategies and an attendance plan for school year 2526. Any discussion hearing? None. You may vote your pleasure at this time. Vote passes. Uh 8.6. Do we have a motion? Mr. Chair, I'd like to make a motion that we approve first reading of budget for fiscal year 2526. I second that motion. Okay. There's been a motion and a second to approve the budget for fiscal year 26. Any discussion? Do we need to add the language here? Okay. All right. Um, you want to restate the motion? Sure. Please. Mr. Chair, I'd like to make a motion that we approve first reading of the budget for fiscal year 2026. Mr. Chair, I second that motion. All right. It's been a motion and second to approve first reading,
218excuse me, of the budget for fiscal year 26. Any discussion? Hearing none, you may vote your pleasure at this time. passes. Vote passes. All right, ladies and gentlemen, we'll now move to item number seven, consent agenda. Uh upon uh without any con, excuse me, objection, upon consensus, uh the agenda consent agenda will stand approved. Hearing none, it's approved. Uh item number 10, closing of the meeting. Certainly thank you to um all of you board members who gathered here tonight um for our meeting and certainly thank you to all the presentations from the administrative staff and certainly we thank you uh to the public as well. Ladies and gentlemen, we'll now consider this meeting ajourned and you all have a restful evening. Thank you.