001Good evening and thank you for coming. Today's May the 18th and this is. A scheduled board meeting before we get started like to ask Mr. Ricketts for the invocation and after that the Myrtle Beach High School Navy JROTC will be giving the Pledge of Allegiance Mr. Ricketts. Thank you Mr. Cox. Let us pray. Gracious God as we gather here this evening. Lord we gather with thankful hearts. We are so blessed in this world and Lord we are so thankful that we can call upon you to continue to guide us in the direction that we should go. Lord as we go through this meeting we ask that you be with us that you give us wisdom that we may do the things that will benefit the children of all recounting. Well we thank you for everyone
002who has come to be with us this evening. We ask blessings upon them and their families. And Lord we lift up the family of Mr. Barnard as they mourn his loss. Lord we know he was such an important part of this district on this board and we are so thankful that we had the opportunity to know him and to benefit from his wisdom. Lord and we just ask that you move with his family. Now Lord got us to the rest of this meeting and we give you thanks for all your blessings. These things we ask in thy name. Amen. Thank you. Please rise. Hope. It step left turn. Me and say. Let's go to. Legions to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under
003God and the divisible with liberty and justice for all. Carrie. Step right turn. Hutch. Heard. Thank you, BCed. So that was well done. Thank you. Very much, Mr. Beach. We appreciate it. And now moving into the introduction of the Board Members starting for Scoot. Good evening. My name is David Cook and it is my pleasure to represent North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach Attendance Areas. Hello my name is Debbie Edmonds and I represent the Myrtle Beach area in a small part of Carolina Forest and I served District 2. Good evening. My name is Tracy Winters. I represent District 3 which is Carolina Forrest. And I also serve on the South Carolina school Board Association as Regional 4 Director. Good evening. My name is Wendy Hodges and I represent District 4 which is Myrtle Beats. Myrtle
004Beach Soccess D in St. James. Good evening. I'm Melanie Wellens for District 8 which is portions of Conway Carolina Forest and Suckas Tate. I am James Edwards. I represent District 9 which includes Green C Floyds. Lawrence North Myrtle Beach a small portion of Carolina Forest and small portion of Myrtle Beach. Good evening. My name is Neil James. I represent District 10 which includes portions of the LoreS Green Sea Floyds Conway and Carolina Forest Attendance Areas. And good evening. I'm Daryl Ricketts. I represent District 11 which includes the ANA attendance area part of the Conway attendance area and the Floyd section of the Green Sea Floyds of Tennessee. Thank you. And my name is David Cox. I have the pleasure of being the Chairman of this Cran Board and we are missing Ms. Graham District 7
005and Ms. Dawson District 6. They're not feeling well tonight. So keep them in your prayers. Next we'll go to an acknowledgement of the late Howard Barner. Please bear with me for a minute. On behalf of the Warrior County Board of Education. I would like to acknowledge the loss of one of our own. Mr. Howard Barnard. Who was a retired colonel from the Air Force. He was first elected to the board and did November of 2020 and served until this past April when he stepped down due to health reasons. He did an excellent job representing not only the District 5 but all the families and staff of Warry County Schools. Howard will be missed. He was a good friend and he was funny too. For the night's meeting we honor Howard's years of public service and
006dedication to the education, Ory County by draping the chair and placing a white carnation where he sat, as our colleague, at this time if there were any board members who wished to share a memory or have make a statement, please do so. Debbie. Thank you so much for this opportunity. Howard was a man filled with integrity. With honesty, with character. He was a man who was a person of action over words. And when he believed in something he wholeheartedly went after it and addressed it. And he was an amazing human being, a great friend. And a gentleman who will be sorely missed not only on this board. But I know in all the organizations he served and in the hearts of the many, many people that he touched over the course of his life. And
007if you haven't read his obituary and all the things that he did in his service life, not just being in the Air Force, but also his service life outside of that, it would be well worth reading. And definitely a man with a legacy that very few will have. So it was an honor to know him. Thank you. Thank you Mr. Edmonds. Anyone else? Mr. Jane? Mr. Chairman, I've known Mr. Howard for over 20 years. I served previously on the O - Re County Airport Advisory Committee. And I've also served here on the school board with Mr. Howard. I can tell you he was very passionate about both of those things. Aviation as well as students and kids. And I can honestly say he made a difference. So we will certainly miss him. He will always
008remain in our thoughts. Thank you Mr. James. Anyone else? To me, Howard Barner believed deeply in the power of literacy. From day one, he challenged me. As the superintendent. It was a promise to create an environment where every kid can learn and read. During my short time at Orient County Schools, Howard's kindness. His wisdom. His unwavering support, and his faith. For students made me a lasting impression on me. One that I always remember. He not only challenged reading and learning across the schools, but he also personally challenged me as a superintendent. To make sure that my values were shown through not only a budget, but also the time and actions in this seat. He came at it from a place of belief. A belief for students, a belief, and educators, a belief in his faith,
009and a belief that every kid could be a strong reader. So I'm grateful for his leadership, his friendship, and the lasting impact that he's had on me. Howard's legacy will continue to live on through countless lives that he impacted. Here in Ori County. Thank you, Mr. Jones. So over my 18 years, this is the sixth time I've seen in black. Drape. And the more times I see it, I guess the older I get, the more impactful it becomes Howard was a good man. He was a godly man. And then there was family loves him and we'll miss him. Please join me in a moment of silence. There's a slide presentation plays, Lucas. Our. Vulnerar District 5, and it's a band amazing year. I've talked to all the principles in the cluster of burgers St. James.
010And we've had amazing test scores. You've had an amazing year and I'm proud of every one of you from the support employees to the teachers and their principles. Thank you, Staff, for putting that together. It was well done. Well done. Okay. So now we'll move on. I need approval of the agenda. Mr. Chairman. Yes ma'am. I would like to make a motion to amend the agenda by moving the at will positions. Currently listed under the consent agenda. Personnel recommendations to the item K under business for separate consideration. Okay, thank you. Do I hear a second? Second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Poe's like sign. Okay. I'm sorry Ms. Amendt didn't pass. So we'll move on to the approval of the agenda. So moved. Yeah, I'm sorry. Yeah. The only favorite AI. Please like sun
011hearing none. We need an approval of the minutes for April 29th and May the 4th. So move. Second. Second. In favor of the AI. Foo's like sign hearing none. We're moving into discussion of the Finance Committee Medie Report Mr. Edwards. Thank you Mr. Chairman. This afternoon, the Finance Committee met today at 3. 30 Ms. Melanie Wellens. Mr. David Cox and myself were present for this meeting. Uh, we heard from Mr. Gardner on several items. Um, we had an emotion to approve and move to the full board the 26 - 27 Superintendent's Comprehensive Budget. And we did so. Um, Mr. Gardner, uh, informative of our debt service. And that was presented and reviewed. We looked at our Capitol Projects Funding. Um, it was also made by Mr. Gardner and the community also approved two additional motions
012to the. Authorized expenditures for revenues collected from the Educational Capital Improvement Sales and Use Tax. We made a motion to bring that to the full Board. And we also made a motion to consider funding for the administrative dean positions requested into 26, 27 budget. Those were 27 positions there. And that was the business that we conducted this afternoon. Thank you. Are there any questions? Comments hearing none. Thank you Mr. James. Thank you Mr. Chairman. The Facilities Committee met earlier today. And I'd like to begin with a short video update on our capital projects. Lucas. Demolition in the Myrtle Beach Kitchen began in early May. Renovations to the kitchen and serving area as well as work on the floor upstairs classroom wings are all on track to be completed with their school begins in August. I
013Carolina Forrest High. Renovation phases one through five are complete and phases six and seven are underway. Most of this work will take place over the summer and will be completed by the end of next school year. Work on guacamolees heating and cooling systems is ongoing. The new cooling tower has been set and rooftop units on the 300 wing have been installed. Phase two will start as soon as school. New outside air units ceilings and lighting as well as sprinkler system editions duct work and HVAC units. This project will run through August of 2027. The new tennis courts, sockastie high. We're completed before spring break and are already in use for the spring, Tennessee. New playground equipment and surfacing were completed at Myrtle Beach Primary and students are enjoying the new playground now. Additional school playgrounds
014in the District are being planned and will begin this summer. The spring, the District Office parking lots and drives underwent repairs before being sealed and restriked. Ory County Schools building on the penny. Thank you Lucas. As you can see the lots of projects that are ongoing many which will be complete this summer. It's just exciting to see all of the enhancements that are occurring in our facilities. And to see those kids on that playground enjoying it's just a reminder of why we're here. So a lot of Africa is into planning these facilities and we have much to be proud of. In addition to the Project Update, there were three other items. The first one was a proposed renaming of the Green Sea Floyd's tennis court in honor of Sani Shelley. We will discuss that more
015at our next Board Meeting, but it did pass the Facilities Committee. It will be presented for a full board consideration. It did receive approval from both the school improvement council as well as Advisory Committee from Greensea Fluids. We also heard a request from staff that we allocate 300, 000 out of our residual fund to perform a fine arts audit or an assessment of our facilities to what? To see what needs to be, I guess, enhanced. So they're asking that that be placed on the business as well as discussion topics of at our next Board Meeting. And that did pass the Facilities Committee. So it'll be on the agenda at our next board meeting. And the last topic that we discussed was an update on the St. James Elementary School. Very pleased to report that it
016is on schedule. Uh, there is a slot overrun on the cost. As you can imagine, the cost of raw materials, diesel fuel and related material is escalating up. So right now we're looking at about a six percent increase your contingency typically is for a project of this magnitude. So that was our update on four projects. Are there any questions. You know, thank you Mr. James. And we'll move as Mr. Gardner to come up to consider annual request or authorized expenditures and revenues collected from the Education Capital. Improvement sales and use tax Mr. Gardner. Good evening, Chairman Cox. Vice Chairman Wellens Board members Mr. Jones. We presented this information at the Facility at the Finance Committee meeting earlier today. And basically this is the annual request that we prepared. Um, BER Foreman has prepared to resolution.
017There's attached to this. And is recommended that the Board Authorized Expendier of Not to Excede 90 million dollars from the sales tax revenues for the direct payment of costs associated with approvement projects including classroom and instructional technology. The short - term facilities plan of 2021 - 24 facilities plan and the current 2024 - 29 capital. And we plan to put this on the agenda next time as a business item. If you're seeing questions, I'll be happy to answer those. Seeing noon, I would thank you and ask Ms. Anderson step up. I'm going to take this one for our. If I need backup, I'll do a tag team on this one. What are. We also shared Chairman Cosby. We also shared this information with the Finance Committee meeting. And what the purpose of this is to
018enable the District to post and hire highly qualified individuals for the 27 administrative dean positions. And we're recommending that the Board Authorizes the utilization unsigned fund balance in the amount of 2, 904, 687 dollars. 27 positions. Pending approval of the 2026, 27 budget. This will also be a business art. We actually add this as a business item later on the agenda. Questions, comments. Hearing none. We thank you and ask Mr. Jones to step up to the plate. Thank you Chairman Cox, Vice Chair Wellens Board members, staff, community. Um, our students who are here tonight as well. Board members, thank you for building a system. That people want to be part of. That they're paying attention to. That they're leaning in on. It's your leadership that invites this. And I appreciate that. Because we're pushing for
019kids. Here in Oriente County Schools. And this is being noticed. And your leadership is key to this. As we close out another school year, I want every student already county schools to know this. That graduation and promotion, there's our endings. Those are transitions to our next chapters in life. For our seniors, that step might be college. It might be a technical education. It might be employment. It might be enlistment or another pathway that is unique to them. For others, it might mean moving to a new school. Maybe even a new grade. With new opportunities and challenges. But wherever life takes you, you stay curious and stay engaged. Read often, students, interact with people, not technology. Keep learning about the world and about yourself. Know this, that Ori County schools will always be part of your
020story. And your journey from this point forward. Because we're proud of you. It's a shared pride that has been at the heart of this past year. We have read together, we have grown together. We have celebrated together. We have mourn together and we've worked through challenges together. So thank you for being part of this community. And I know the Board feels this as well. Your future leaders to us. It just does. And we cannot wait to see where your future leads. At this time, I'd like to recognize our teacher of the year. We have a slide for that. A few weeks ago, the Ori County Schools gather together for dinner. And we named our 2027 teacher of the year. She isn't just a great teacher. But the very heart of what makes Ori County schools
021very special. And it's Ms. Taylor Sinkler. And she represents the best of our profession. She's dedicated. She's compassionate. She has high expectations. She has unwavering belief in all the children that enter her classroom. It's her fourth grade classroom at Daisy Elementary where this magic happens on a daily basis. She's helping students build confidence, curiosity, and a love for learning. Especially in literacy that will stay with them for years to come. We know that teachers change lives every day and often in ways that cannot be measured by a test or captured by a metric. They inspire, they encourage, and they help students see possibilities within themselves. Ms. Sinkler does all of that and more. On behalf of Orie County Schools, congratulations to our 2027 Teacher of the Year, Ms. Taylor Sinkler. We are incredibly proud of
022who she is and what she stands for. At this time, I'd like to call Ms. Lisa Borsier for a multitude of Recognitions. Our students have been active and they've been successful. Yes, we have several this evening. Good evening Chairman Cox, Vice Chair Wellens Board members and Superintendent Jones. It's been a very busy couple of weeks, and so we do have several recognitions this evening. First, we would like to congratulate Myrtle Beach High School Boys Tennis Team. A winning the Class 5A Division II state championship with a 42 victory over Greenwood. The Seahawks continue an incredible run of success capturing yet another state title and adding to their championship legacy. We would like to also congratulate A. N. High Schools Elocate Barnett, the South Carolina Coaches Association of Women's Sports has named her the state player
023of the year for the third time. This is an amazing accomplishment on top of her two golf state championships. Wow. HCS not only showed up, but we showed out at the Trik and Field State Championships over the weekend. Uh, we have lots to congratulate tonight. First from Inner High School, case and Shaw Class 3A Boys Pole Bolt, also Tirianne Richardson, class 3A Girls Triple Jump. From Carolina Forest, we have Miracle McLean class 5A Division I Girls High Jump. Green Sea Floyds, we have Lakely Menci Class 1 A Boards 3200 meter, Judalie Class 1 A Boys Long Jump. Tanisha Myers, class 1A Girls Triple Jump, and also Tanisha Myers, Maya Jane A. Smith Nelly Clark in Janayra McLeod, Class 1A Girls 4 by 400 Meter Relay. Next is Lawrence High School with Luequisha Hardy Class 3A
024Girls 100 meter. And then in Myrtle Beach High School, we have Aaliyah Livingston, class 5A Division 2 Girls High Jump. Julian J. J. Brown class 5 A Division Boys High Jump, and he also won the Class 5A Division Boys Long Jump. Next, North Mortleach High School is Dylan Kemp 5, Class 5A Division 2 Boys Pole Vault, and finally St. James High School is Jefferson Sterling, class 5A Division 2 BoysSDS, and Kaylee Carney classify a Division 2 girls long jump. Next, the South Carolina Baseball coaches association has named Inner Heiss Chad Sarvis, it's class 3A Coach of the Year, and North Myrtle Beach Highs Brian BA Alderson, it's class 5A Division II Coach of the Year. And it's my understanding, we have a couple of more on the list, so we will bring that back on
025the June 8th meeting. Next is Esther, Eurdumian Smith, she retired as an HCS English teacher in return to the classroom as a substitute teacher, and she was recently named the 2026 Kelly Services National Substitute Teacher of the Year. Esther often Subs at the AAST, or principal Kelly Wilson, says she brings consistency, expertise, passion, and love into their school. So we'd like to really congratulate Esther on this accomplishment as well. April Troglauer, the orchestra director at Inter Middle School was recently honored in the school band in orchestra plus magazines May issue. She was selected as South Carolina's representative in the magazine's annual 50 - plus music teachers who make a difference list. And then finally, Project Lead The Way has announced its distinguished programs list for the 2526 school year, including nine HCS schools among those
026honored. We'd like to congratulate AAST Carolina Forest Thai, Kingston Elementary, Lakewood Elementary, Myrtle Beach, Early Childhood, Palmetta Bay's Elementary, Socrates - D elementary, South Conway Elementary, and finally Wacamo Elementary. And that concludes tonight's recognitions. Thank you Ms. Boucher. Thank you Mr. Jones. Moving into public comments, Ms. M. Wellen, you have something to read. Sorry. At the appropriate time, you will be recognized by the Board Chair, and you will be given up to a maximum of five minutes to speak. Depending on the number of people who have requested to speak. A maximum of 30 minutes during the regular Board Meeting has been allocated for citizens. Citizens will speak in the order in which they have registered. In cases of abusive or full girl language profanity threatening remarks or comments of purely personal attacks on students, staff,
027or board members, the chair will rule the person out of order and require her, him to relinquish the floor. In cases of speakers promoting unsolicited commercial services products, or of speakers promoting political candidates or related political activities, or confidential information about students, employees, board members, or others, the Chairwold Person out of order and require him to relinquish the floor. Please note that the purpose of public forum is to give the public an opportunity to make the Board aware of issues the administrative staff have been unable to resolve or to express a viewpoint concerning Board Business. The Board will listen to the Viewpoint Express, but will not respond to the individual at the meeting. The Board will direct the Superintendent to do so within two weeks, if possible, or needed. Thank you, Mr. Melons. And tonight
028we have eight requests to speak. And as stated, that will be three minutes and 30 seconds each. They're in the order in which the request came in. Please pay attention to the clock. When it gets to zero, it's time to sit down, okay? So I'd ask Missoya Barkdale to come, please. Zero bullion and harassment policy. Thank you, Ms. Barksdale. Good evening. Uh, before I begin, I want everyone to think of that. One child or grandchild holds a piece of your heart. I am here tonight because Ori County Schools, St. James High School, and District Leadership have made one thing very clear to my family. They want us to stop asking questions, stop pushing for records, and stop demanding accountability and move along. Let me be equally clear. I am not over it. I am not
029moving along. And I am a parent, and I am a mother. Who's not going to be mess with. By some reported unwinted sexual contact by a wrestling teammate, and that had happened at least three times. He wanted it to stop. The school's written records described physical contact repeated poking, conduct directed towards his rear end, and an adult warning that other students to that student not to push, to put their hands on anyone. Yet, a common statement I was made was no fingers went missing. Let me ask you all, how would you like to have your butt crack swatted. Um, and I just once, but at least three times. Um, we saw the footage, and we know. Yet somehow after all of that, the message of my family became clear. Nothing happened, move on. And the
030case is closed. And worse than that. My son was basically labeled a liar. When adults tell other wrestling parents, nothing happened to him. They're not minimizing the incident. They're painting him as person. They're making my child who reported unwanted contact to look like the problem. Or a county school loves to advertise he something, say something. Best algo, diga algo. Yet it is on screens and throughout the school. And you tell parents and students that their safety matters. But when my son saw something, he experienced something and said something, what happened. He was not clearly protected and no supportive measures were provided. The student he reported was allowed to continue access to him through the residentivities and records became inconsistent in explanations kept changing. The explanations that we requested. That is not student safety, that is
031institutional self - protection. The March 3rd District letter claims that my child Caleb was not interviewed because of our concerns were submitted in writing. I want everyone to sit for a moment and think about that comment. A student reports unwanted sexual contact involving his own body. And the District completes an investigation without interviewing him because his parents put it in writing. That is not thorough investigation. That is not trauma - informed. A reported a potential conflict of interest involving a brothership between its staff, member and the student involved. I was informed that he only forwarded information to the administration. Yet, the records that were sent by the District Officials themselves showed that he was fully involved in the investigation. Question of students and asking other students how they felt about my son's situation. So what
032is it? Was he involved? Or was he not? Because both cannot be true. And while all of this has been happening, my son keeps being forced to carry the emotional weight of adult failures. This past Friday, my son was celebrating being a junior marshal for being in the top 10 percent of his rest of his graduating class. The individual whom has been connected with the program around him who does not make him feel safe was the person who drove the bus and joined him during his lunch. So even in a moment that should have been honoring my son's hard work, leadership and academic achievement. He was once against place in a situation where he did not feel safe. Thank you, ma'am. I'm sorry, Ms. Barksdale. We've ruined out of time. Thank you for your comments.
033Ms. Pat Milley. Good evening. Thanks for having me. I'm glad to be back. And there I think that we are making progress. I really do. And now I think it's ready for us to talk about medical records. When are they private and when should they be public. Now if little Johnny is taking ADD Medicine, that is private information. But if the whole school has 300 kids taking some form of medication, that should be public knowledge. And I have asked for years. For D - Heck to give us the number of pill boxes in the nurses offices in these schools since 1999. Because when I taught it days, they say for 16 years, Arapill Boxes were like this. And the last time I went today, he said they're a pillbox that were like this. And I
034said, what is that? And they said the nurse is pillboxes. So we need to know if half of our kids have medical issues. And I think that is a must. And the other thing is I heard that you were thinking of an alternative school for the elementary kids. Well, if you'll put in an hour of recess of outdoor recess, you won't need an alternative school for the little ones. I talk at Daisy for 16 years, and we have some of the best people in the county and some of the poorest. And that is known as the Title I School. And I loved it dearly. It was my grandmother's school. And I belonged to the area. And the thing is. Is that children should not be on pills. So if you'll have put in that 15
035minutes in the morning, 45 minutes in the afternoon, give a kickball or some kind of ball game on Friday for an incentive to be good. That's all you have to do. You won't need an alternative school for elementary. So do y'all have any questions for me. I would love to answer them. But anyway, my thing is, is that I believe that we're going to get recesses. The American Pediatric Association has come out for recess. Another group came out for recess. Everybody's coming out for recess. I just feel like the winds are blowing in favor of putting the children back with healthy, happy recess time. And you're working on the curriculum. I have high hopes for the curriculum. I have high hopes for Superintendent Jones. I think he's going to be one of the greatest superintendents
036that O'Re County has ever had. I loved Mr. Dawson. With Mr. Dawson was here. He was a great man. And I'm so happy that Mr. Dones is here. And I'm looking forward to a great reformed school system. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Pat. Ms. Jessica, early paraprofessional pay. Thank you. Susan Hub, good support professional raises. Good. Evening. My name is Susan Hobgood, and I serve as president of the Ori County Education Association. First, I want to sincerely thank Mr. Jones. The Board and everyone involved in the budget process for taking the issue of educational support staff salaries seriously. Our employees noticed that this conversation has been given real attention in that matters. Tonight, though, I want to focus less on numbers and more on something just as important. Value. Of course, compensation matters. We know
037many of our support staff still struggle with the cost of living in Ora County. We know paraprofessionals, custodians, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, Office staff, maintenance, workers, and others work incredibly hard for wages that often do not reflect the importance of what they do. But salary is also about what we communicate to people. Too often, many of our support staff feel overlooked during the budget process because the focus is on teacher raises, which I'm a teacher. I'm happy to take a race. Give me one. But they tend to feel overlooked. Our ESPs are often the first people students see in the morning and the last people they see before going home. They calm anxious children, help students with disabilities succeed, clean classrooms, prepare meals, answer phones, fix problems, drive buses safely and keep schools functioning every
038single day. And much of their work is invisible until it isn't done. One thing I especially appreciated this year was Mr. Ricketts taking the time to shadow care professionals. Experiences like that matter because they turned job titles into human beings. They allow leaders to truly see the patients, emotional energy skill and responsibility these employees carry every day. I would encourage all leadership, including board members, administrators, and district office staff to spend time shadowing support professionals across our schools. Spend time with custodians opening a building before sunrise. Sit with cafeteria workers during a rush lunch period. Watch Office staff juggle phones, parents, students, and emergencies all at once in every staff person knows the secretary is really the person who holds the school together. I believe these experiences would leave everyone with the same conclusion. These
039employees are not extra help. They are essential. As final budget decisions are being made, I ask you to prioritize our support professionals as strongly as possible. Competitive salaries matter not only because employees need to support their families, but because compensation reflects value. And the people who keep our schools running every day deserve to know their value is recognized, not just in words, but in action. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Hov. Good Ms. Shannon Urri. Support staff pay. Them very nervous. So just bear with me. Um, my name is Shannon Yuri. I am honored to serve as this. She has support staff of the year. For Palmetto Bay's Elementary. This is my second time getting support staff of the year in the past eight years that I've worked for a county schools, both at Palmetto Base.
040Um. I work now as a family school coordinator since our school is a Title I School, but I have worked previously, um, as a kidney garden park professional, a special Ed Paraprofessional and many other positions. These positions have allowed me to work closely with students and families every single day. And they have shown me just how important support staff are to the success of our schools. I myself went to college and hold a degree in medical administration. I could go find a job making more money in that field, but I choose to stay in education because I want to do work that I enjoy. Work where I feel. I truly can make a difference. These kids depend on support staff. Teachers have the responsibility of making sure students are learning and receiving an appropriate education.
041That responsibility is incredibly important and they work extremely hard every day. But support staff are there for so many of the other needs that students have throughout the day. We are the ones helping when a child is disrupting the classroom and needs additional support. We are the ones that give extra attention to students who may be struggling emotionally or academically in Special Education classrooms. We help feed students change diapers and assist with daily care needs with compassion and dignity. We clean bathrooms and classrooms, cook meals and serve them. Great parents and families when they enter the building. Keep track of attendance, make copies, laminate materials, cover classrooms for breaks, supervised lunches assists during transitions, help with the PTO hold clubs after school and step in whenever or wherever we are needed. But most importantly, we
042build relationships with these children. The connection matters. There is not a better feeling than running into a student at the local grocery store and seeing the excitement on their face when they recognize you and realize you shop the groceries too. It is heartwarming when students who once worked with now in high school are even college stop and say, do you remember me? That means you made a difference in their life. It is not just the teachers making an impact. It is everyone in the building working together. We are a team. After eight years of dedication, my gross annual salary is approximately 26, 000 dollars a year. My paycheck every two weeks is about 575 dollars. When you look at the cost of living in our area, those numbers simply do not work. One of the
043more affordable apartment complexes and Myrtle Beach area, canterbury, apartments lists the one bedroom apartment for approximately 1348 a month. A two bedroom for 1593. That does not include utilities, food, transportation, insurance, gas, anything else. How can someone afford to live on our salary? In South Carolina, the growth's monthly income limit for assistant programs, assistance programs for a household of three, which is me and my two children is approximately 2, 887 dollars per month I don't make that. I make at least 500 dollars less. The people helping care for and support students every single day are considered to be living in or at neopovity level. Thank you. I appreciate that. Thank you. Thank you Ms. Urdi. Mr. Steven Barksdale Zero Tolerance Policy. So. I'm here to continue what Sarai was saying earlier. I have some binders
044here with all the evidence and facts. From, uh, it's all the email correspondence, everything that we've had so far. It's a timeline of all the events. Um, very detailed. It's just everything that we've sent between the administration and us and the district. So if there's a way I can get these to you guys so you can look at them and see what we're saying. Now because of that, I have no choice but I'm continuing what's where I was saying earlier. And now because of that, I have no choice but escalate the situation. Not because I want this to become legal. And because I wanted to be standing here month after month, but because the district has shown my family the plight emails good faith request and reasonable questions are ignored, minimize, and brush aside. So
045now this will be handled differently. You may have been able to dismiss other families or other families may feel unable to keep pushing. But my family will keep continuing to seek cancers. You may be used to parents getting tired, intimidated, embarrassed or worn down. We are not those parents. I'm not going away. I'm not going to be quiet. And I'm not accepting case closed when the records contradict each other. I'm not accepting nothing happened when your own documents describe unwanted physical contact. I'm not accepting my son being painted as a liar. And I'm not accepting a District Safety slogan. That means nothing when a child actually needs protection. My son is not an inconvenience. He's not a public relations problem. He's not a file. You can close and forget. He's a child. He's a student.
046He is an eagle scout. He is a leader. He's an athlete. He's the top 10 percent of his class and he deserved better from every adult that touched the situation. So here's what I'm demanding. I want an independent review of how the matter was handled. I want written accounting of what the district was notified who was involved. Who reviewed the video? Who interviewed the students? What records exist? What supportive measures were put in place and why District's explanations do not match the written records. I want the Board to stop allowing District Leadership to hide behind silence while parents are forced to fight for the truth. And until Ori County schools can prove to see something, say something actually means protection, accountability and action. Then take those signs down. Because right now they are false advertising.
047My family saw something. My son said something. We've been ignored, dismissed, blamed and told to move along. But I'm telling you tonight, I'm not moving along. I'm not standing down. And this is not over. Is there a way I can get these binders to you guys or is that Mr. Girett. Thank you Mr. Sparks. You'll know Zoe Barksdale, honor of Eaglescount. Good evening. My name is Zoe Barksdale and I'm here tonight to speak for my older brother Caleb. My brother is not a troublemaker, nor does he seek attention. He's kind, hardworking, faithful and goofy. He simply tries to do what is right. Last October, Caleb and I earned our Eagle Scout ranks together. He's a varsity wrestler. A newly promoted cadet sergeant and JRTC is on the Raiders team. And a children's ministery church volunteer.
048He is also on the top percent of his graduating classe selected as a junior marshal. This is just a small glimpse of whom my brother is. And that is why it hurts so much to stand here and say that St. James High School and Ori County Schools absolutely failed him. For years, Caleb was bullied on the St. James Wrestling Team. He was excluded, mocked and belittled. Caleb is socially awkward. He misses social cues and talks passionately about things he cares about. Some people call him weird for that. But being different does not make someone less valuable, less deserving of respect or target to be mistreated while adults took the other way. Because of this Boeing was allowed to continue at escalated. Eventually my brother came forward to report unwanted sexual contact by another wrestler. Please
049think about how difficult this is for 17 year old boy to say those words out loud. He spoke up. He trusted the adults. Instead, he was treated like the problem and essentially labeled a liar. He did exactly what students were taught to do, see something say something. It splastered all around our school. Our family is trapped on an emotional roller coaster, watching someone we love to battle deep feelings of unworthiness, not wanting to return to a sport he loved practicing since he was five years old. The only actual sport he cared to ever be a part of. As his sister, it fills my heart with great sadness and anger that it was allowed to be treated this way. My brother's not an inconvenient. He's my best friend. Tonight I'm asking the sport to do more
050than justice. Look honestly at the administrative failures of St. James High School and Ori County Schools officials asked the hard questions. Please do not answer his courage with silence, because in the face of abuse, silence is not neutrality. It is complicity. Thank you. I hope you have a good night. Thank you, Zoe, for your words. Ms. Gene Reed. Proposed pay for paraprofessions. No. Support professionals, I'm sorry. That's hard to. Follow. Up. My name is Gene Reed. I serve as the vice president of the Ori County Education Association. And I'm reading a letter on behalf of Caleb Page, who works at Green Sea Floyd's Elementary School. She had originally signed up, but it had a sudden change in her schedule. I am here on behalf of all kindergarten prior professionals in Ori County. My job is
051not easy. I must be alert and ready for anything. Having 26 five - year - olds inside one room, you must be prepared for anything. It's not for the faint of heart. I absolutely love my job for all the reasons I love children. I love watching their faces light up when they get an answer correct or when they can finally blend a word for the first time. We have been considered as the backbone of our school, but our salary isn't comparable to our day - to - day responsibilities. I have listed my day - to - day responsibilities and would love to give you a copy of them, but I'm not going to read everything that I must do day to day. My time would be up before I finished. I did give those copies
052to Mr. Jotterette. What I really want to talk about tonight is our salary. We work 185 days a year and our blessed to have summers off. But the check we get during the summer is not free money. It's our money that we have already worked for. My coworker, who has been working at Ori County Schools for 19 years, she makes more than all of us. Only brings home 1, 300 dollars a month. Yes, you heard me right 1, 300 dollars a month. Ask yourself, could you make ends meet by bringing home 1, 3 your car payment or a house payment? Or would you need to make sacrifices on something? My other coworker who has been at Ori County Schools for eight years and who brings home less money than 1, 300 dollars a month must
053get a second job to make ends meet. She worked seven hours a day at school, clocks out, and then goes to her second job at least two days a week. Then she must work on Saturday and some Sundays to make enough money to get through the month. How is that fair? Ask yourself, would you want to work seven hours straight and then clock out and go to another job to work four or five hours? Then give up your whole weekend. The weekend should be used for catching up with your loved ones or rest and reset. Instead, she is working. Then there is me. I have been at Ori County Schools for five years. I subbed for three years before I accepted the job as kindergarten assistant. Let me just say that my salary went down
054once I became a full - time employee. How is that fair? Why do you substitute teachers make more than full - time employees at Ori County Schools? It is not because I have insurance because personally I'm on my husband's insurance. I bring home less than 1, 400 hours a month. I have two kids at home, our grocery bill is over 200 dollars a week sports. I have a car payment and house payment. I am blessed that my husband has a great job if it were not for him I couldn't pay my grocery bill. Let alone anything else that comes up. Think about that. What if you had to depend on your spouse to make enough money to cover all your bills that your check cannot cover? I work hard every day, but cannot help financially
055in our household. Tonight or in the next month or so, please reflect on some of the key points I have stated. Our salary needs to be increased. Our economy is off currently. If everything keeps increasing but our pay, there will be people that may leave the job they love dearly to find another one just because it pays better. I know there was talk of 25 cents an hour raise, but do you really think that would help? That's a dollar 75 a day. Thank you so much for your word. One job should be enough. Thank you all for being here tonight. Now we will be going into executive session and I need a motion for that please. Mr. Chairman, I'd like to make a motion to go into executive session for the purpose of employee grievance
056A and B and discussion of personnel matters and reviewing of the applications for the District 5 vacancy. I'll second that motion. If they were to say aye. Aye. Aye. Spose likes on here. No, we'll be going into executive session now. Mr. Chairman, it should be noted that no decisions were made and no votes were taken during executive session. Thank you so much. Now we're moving into. Business which starts with employee grievance A. Mr. Chairman, yes. I used to put our consideration of employee A's appeal, and I reviewed the documentation related to the matter. I make the motion to not grant employee A's request for a hearing before the Board and support the Superintendents Recommendation for Termination. Second. Okay, thank you. We have motion in a second. Please vote. Unanimous. Thank you Mr. James. Next grievance
057B. Mr. Chairman, yes. Based upon our consideration of employee B's appeal, and I review the documentation related to this matter. I make the motion to not grant employee B's request for here. And before the Board and support the Superintendent's Recommendation for Termination. Second. Go second. Please vote. Unanimous. Thank you. Now we move into the District 5 vacancy. Mr. Chairman, I'd like to make a motion that the following individuals be interviewed for the District 5 Vacancy. Monica Floyd. Janice Moriel, Matthew Robinson, Cindy Stockdale and Tammy Trulove. Second. Okay, we have a motion to second. Please vote. I was unanimous. Thank you, Mr. Jennerett. Mr. Jones. Mr. I think it's me. Chairman Cox, I would like to recommend Ms. Jennifer Monday Kerr and Assistant Principal at Ocean Bay Middle School for the position of principle of Ocean
058Bay Middle School. I would like to second. Okay, very second. Please vote. We didn't have. A motion. I thought you made a motion. Ms. Tracy made a comment. You can't. Can't second wreck me. She made the motion. She made the motion. Yeah. He made a second. Second. Vote. Neville. Dang. Once I get up my fluid baby. Okay, Mr. Jones, you just did that. And now Mr. Generate, if you please. Board members, you have before you, for your consideration and finality is BSR5, which is Board Superintendent Relationships as it relates to board governance. Okay. I'm overpro BSR5. I'll second. Okay. Please vote. Unanimous, thank you Mr. General Mr. Gardner. Quarterly Financial Report. Thank. You, Mr. Chairman. There has not been any changes since our last presentation. Okay. Motion to approve. Second. Continue, sir. Likewise, with moderni5
059Financial Planning, there have not been any changes since our last meeting as well. Move we approve. Thank you. Please vote. Unanimous it. Thanks, sir. Now, where we at? Mr. Jones. Yep. So. Chairman Cox and Board Members, Mr. Gardner comes forward today. I would like to say a few words about the budget. This year's budget was built around three simple goals. The first was support our teachers. The second was Empower our students. And the third was respect our taxpayers. The proposed budget reflects a growing District - Serving nearly 47, 000 students that are pulling roughly 6, 000 employees, while the budget has increased to meet those needs. We have work to spend more thoroughly and more strategically by investing in our people. Spending on academic programming and long - term stability without raising taxes as a
060hallmark of this budget recommendation. We are prioritizing compensation by increasing pay for teachers and support staff providing eligible employees with longevity and cost of living increases and recognizing the extra work employees do beyond their contracts. We also continue to invest in student opportunities to rise with reading. Career and technological education and innovative partnerships like 3DE at Conway High School. At the same time, we are strengthening our Financial Stewardship for the second year in a row. We are reducing reliance on fund balance reserves and expanding zero - based budgeting practices to ensure every dollar aligns to student outcomes. I'm proud of this budget because it reflects both our values and our vision. It lays a strong foundation for the future while ensuring Ori County schools continues to inspire possibilities for every student. As with any fiscal
061conservative budget, we were not able to address every need or every want in a single year. However, this budget reflects important progress in a clear direction forward. Our community can expect continued efforts in future years to increase support staff pay toward a more livable wage, expand investments and programs like the arts. Further, it strengthened composition structures for principles and other employee groups, all while taking steps closer to a balanced budget. We also want to increase capacity building opportunities for our students. I mean, for our teachers that allow employees to grow professionally, expand their impact and increase their earning potential through leadership development specialized training and microcredentialing opportunities. We remain committed to building a compensation system that is competitive, fair, and reflective of the important work our employees do each day for students in Ori County
062Schools. With that, I'll give you Mr. Gardner. Thank you, Mr. Jones. Our May 4th, 2026 meeting. We presented a general fund budget. And what we have upcoming on June the 8th, there will be a public hearing on the 2026 Superintendents Comprehensive Budget and a special called meeting requesting approval of the 2026 - 27 Superintendents Copperhensive Budget. What we're asking today is recommended that the Board of Education gets preliminary approval to the following comprehensive budget in the amount of 1, 229 million dollars. Motion to approve. Second. Okay. He's vote. Mr. Chairman. That's helping for discussion. Let's open for discussion, yeah. Let's don't vote yet. Race that. You have questions, sir. I have two comments. First is I like the budget. It's been prepared. I think it included everything that Mr. Jones mentioned, which was some of
063the, I guess, absolutes that we desire to have in the budget. So I commend the staff for presenting a budget that was, it included some cuts. And also some key enhancements. So I commend them on the budget. The second thing is I would like to ask that sometime next year we do a salary study. To compare where we are against other Districts like us to ensure that we are truly competitive with the market. You know, I know in the past, we've gotten one, and then we tried to massage the results. I would hope that when we get the results, we would support the results. Uh, we would trust a professional group to do the salary survey. And I hope that that we would support the results. So. I will be voting yes for the budget.
064I like it, but just as suggestions sometime in the near future, I'd like forced to do a salary study. Okay. Dearly noted. Any more comments? Mr. Chairman? Yes. Yes, sir. Um, again, and I, um, I also applaud efforts. Um, I do, uh, the zero - based budgeting this year. Excuse me, I just, I think that a lot of additions have been made. I think we did a really good job. We had a lot of cuts and a lot back in some great positions. Um, I will tell you that, um, I am disappointed with the supplements. We've talked about that for four years, you know, before your time. We've been talking about them. Um, all the way did add, um, academic supplements this year, which was a surprise for me. And I'm very happy about that.
065Um, I will also be voting for the budget, but I would like, um, obviously a better look at supplements across the board for, um, especially fine arts. Thank you, Mr. Cook. Anyone else? Yeah. Mr. Chairman, thank you. First of all, I want to say I'm very supportive of the Superintendent and the efforts have been going, that have gone into building this budget. I thought back in February when we first got the parameters and we talked about, uh, support staff that we made a commitment to move them towards 18 dollars, which is certainly something that we should be trying to do. Uh, I just don't feel like we did that with a quarter an hour. Uh, as I talk with support staff and some of the ones that come, uh, that just doesn't add up. And
066when we look at the percentage we've been given, uh, support staff have been given the lowest percentage over this growth time that Mr. Edwards talked about in the finance committee. So that, that kind of bothered me. Uh, we've gone into our classrooms, our educational support staff. We see those aids teaching classes. They're teaching groups. And just to hear them say that, uh, when a kindergartenat is out, they're teaching, I mean, when the kindergarten teachers out, uh, that kindergarten age teaching, that class. And they have a substitute in there making more than they are to do that. So that concerns me. So, uh, I would like to have seen us go a little bit farther towards the 18 dollars this time rather than 25 cents. Uh, the second thing is I don't believe that, uh, the
067three million for an attendance born. This will make a big difference. We've had a ten that's bonuses before. Uh, they didn't have a long term effect on people coming to work. I think that's a cultural thing. I think several have talked about that being a cultural thing today. So, uh, I don't know that that's going to be a good use of taxpayer money. Uh, I don't know of other government entities that give away onuses a lot. So I think we need to look at that. I would have rather seen us take that three million and added a dollar per hour for our support staff and made a true difference in their salaries this coming in. Yes, we'll put it off a year, but they have to live during this year. And I've talked about some
068of the other things that go about it. But because of that reason, I will not vote in favor tonight. Mr. Chairman. Um, just, just for clarity here, um, I believe it's more than a quarter. I believe it's 73 cents. Is the increase from last year to this upcoming budget? When you apply the three percent cost of living on there. And, um, also, um. Teachers have gotten a 36 percent increase over the last five years, support staff has gotten 37. 28. Now I know that's different base, but, but percentage wise, they've actually gotten more. So, um, just want to make sure the numbers are clear. Davey. I did. I did push my butt and thank you. Um, thank you for the opportunity for us to weigh in on this. I really do appreciate it. Um, first
069of all, I want to take note that, um, Mr. Jones, this is your first year here. We appreciate all the fresh ideas clear headed. Approaches and strategies that you've brought to Ori County Schools. The zero - based budgeting, amazing. Having each department look at cuts and make viable cuts very smart, very smart. That's what a business is, right? Mr. Gardner just gave the amount. It's 1. 2 plus billion dollars. And so it's really important that we do utilize those funds to the very best ability to impact student outcomes in a positive way academically that we can. And so there's also that reality, right? In one year, you can't change everything. I would like to have seen over the past 10 years that this would have been built upon and coming up to what it needed
070to be over the last 10 years. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. And so now we can't do it all in one year and have a balanced budget. And everybody was real happy with the holiday bonus. So whether we call it a holiday bonus or an attendance bonus, it's people are appreciative to have that extra funding during a time of year. So however we want to word that. But this could have been addressed over the last 10 years, and it wasn't. And so to think that in one year, everything can totally change is not practical. So thank you for that. Anybody else. I guess not. Yes. I steal, and I've spoken before, I feel as if we are underpaying the support staff. And even though in our area, it may be comparable with the hourly wage. I
071would still like for us to continue to see, do something with that. Because if we're continuing over time, that's one thing. But having to live on 1, 300 dollars a year. I mean, a month. I take home. I just, I think we need to do something. That's just an embarrassment. For me to be on the board. In this county with an over a billion dollar budget and to see that people are living in poverty like that and coming to work at our school district. Thank you. Any more comments. Okay. So we've had all the comments. We've had a motion. We've had a second. I think we now can vote. And so it is. Thank you. Mr. Scott, consider national competition funding request. Good evening, Chairman Cox, Vice Chair Wellens. Board members of Mr. Jones. At
072our last meeting, we shared a request for Principal Posten at St. James High School for national competition funding per our procedures. In the materials provided for you tonight, you'll see that we're moving forward with that request. And I'll be happy to answer any questions that you may have at this time. I'm a commotion. We move. Second. Okay. You have a question, Dave. I didn't see you on there. Normal question, Ms. Scott. How much have they raised on their own? A thousand. Thousand dollars? Yes, sir. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There was a motion. I'll second Mr. Edwards. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Yes, ma'am. Mr. Gardner. Administrative dean positions requested. Hopefully this will be my last time up here tonight. We present this earlier in our recommendation is that
073the Board authorizes the utilization of unassigned fund violence and the amount of two, nine hundred and four thousand, six hundred eighty seven dollars. She post and hire 27 administrative dean positions pending the approval of the 2026, 27 budget. Most to approve. Second. I have a discussion, please. Yes, sir. Press the button. I love this idea. I think it's wonderful. I think it will be very beneficial to every single school. Um, and I love even more the vision going forward with it that some of these people will be given that opportunity to grow professionally and to move into potentially other roles. Um, from this experience with that in that they will be guaranteed a job. If they do get hired for this position that they would still be offered a teaching position afterwards, they would not
074be removed, for lack of a better word. So thank you. Okay. Any more discussion, any comments or questions. All righty then. So we had a motion in a second. That's right. That looks good. Thank you Mr. Gardner. Now we're moving to the consent agenda, need a motion. To approve. Second favorite CIA. Aye. We've liked sound hearing none. And we're in devotion. Moving to her. That's right. Second. On a favorite CIN, we're adjourned.