Bamberg School District One
Minutes of Regular Meeting of Board of Trustees
Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School
April 24, 2006
7:30 P. M.
Members present: Chairman Dale Padgett, Vice-chairman John E. Bamberg, Trustee Sheri Seigler, Secretary and Trustee Stacey H. Long.
Absent: Trustee Donald Mallory
1. Call meeting to order: Chairman Dale Padgett called the meeting to order and
asked the audience to repeat the Lord’s Prayer.
2. Notice to Media: In accordance with the S. C. Code of Laws, Section 30-4-80
(e), as amended, the following have been notified of the time, date, place and agenda of this meeting:
The Times and Democrat
The Advertizer-Herald
3. Approval of Minutes
The minutes of March 27, 2006, were approved as presented.
Vice-chairman John Bamberg made a motion and Trustee Sheri Seigler seconded to amend the agenda to include Employment and Student Appeal in Executive Session. The motion passed 4-0.
4. Student/Staff Recognition
Superintendent Schwarting reported the following:
· Ben Morrell has been selected to participate in the North-South All-Star game and the South Carolina vs. North Carolina High School Select game.
· Freeman Cooler made the North/South High School All-Star Team. He will be a member of the Class 1A / 4A South team.
· The Baseball and Softball Teams are in the playoffs.
· Leslie Bonnett and Kristen Hicks have been named to the Class 4A-1A South All-Star team.
· Bretta Cook has been selected to play in the Class A All-State game.
· The Boys Track Team won the Region.
· The Girls Track Team came in 2nd place in the Region.
· Several students have been awarded Junior Service League Scholarships.
· Jennifer Forbes, Jennifer Rahn, Sarah Moustafa and Fara Moustafa have received Palmetto Fellows Scholarships.
· Jennifer Forbes has received a full scholarship to Cornell University.
· Band News:
o The high school and middle school concert bands participated in the South Carolina Band Directors’ Association State Concert Festival and received the rating of Excellence.
o The district hosted the Edisto Band Conference which included 14 high and middle schools. Approximately 350 students participated in the two-day event.
o Twenty-five middle and high school students played in the Solo Ensemble Festival in Columbia.
· Trustee Donald Mallory is in The Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg.
5. Assistant Superintendent’s Report
As requested by the Board, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Rick Starr presented the following estimates on facilities that are needed in the district.
New Elementary School (4K-6) $22,600,000
HVAC Replacement at High School 3,000,000
New Roof at High School 630,000
New Roof, where needed, at Middle School 196,265
New Roof, where needed, Ehrhardt 130,000
Kitchen Equipment for Middle and High School 300,000
Field House 900,000
Concession Expansion (High School Football) 100,000
New Restrooms (Football) 300,000
Replace Home Side Bleachers 500,000
New Press Box 85,000
New Track 100,000
Total $28,841,265
Following a discussion by the Board, Vice-chairman John Bamberg made a motion and Trustee Sheri Seigler seconded to approve the construction of a field house, concession expansion, and new restrooms. The motion passed 4-0. The Office of School Facilities will become involved and funding will come from 8% of the district’s assessed tax value which is a total of approximately $1.3 million. The 8% capacity money does not need a bond referendum to be obligated. There is a possibility that the construction work could be completed by the spring of 2007. The remaining needed facilities will be presented to the public through a referendum. There may be enough currently owned property to construct a school within the district.
6. Second Reading:
Policy JFABD – Admission of Homeless Students
Policy JFABD-R –Administrative Rule – Admission of Homeless Students
Vice-chairman John Bamberg made a motion and Trustee Sheri Seigler seconded to accept Policy JFABD – Admission of Homeless Students and Policy JFABD-R –Administrative Rule – Admission of Homeless Students. The motion passed 4-0. This was a second reading on the policy.
7. Third Reading:
Policy JLCD – Individual Health Care Plan (IHP)
Policy JLCD-D –Administrative Rule – Individual Health Care Plan (IHP)
Vice-chairman John Bamberg made a motion and Trustee Sheri Seigler seconded to accept Policy JLCD – Individual Health Care Plan (IHP) and Policy JLCD-D –Administrative Rule – Individual Health Care Plan (IHP). The motion passed 4-0. This policy is required by Federal Regulations and it came from the district’s attorney. This was a third reading on this policy.
8. Approval: 2006-2007 School Calendar
Superintendent Schwarting reviewed for second reading and asked the Board to approve the 2006-2007 District’s School Calendar.
August 8-10 - Staff Development (No School for Students)
August 11 - Teacher Workday – 8:00 a.m.
August 14 - School Opens – Full Day
September 4 - Labor Day – Holiday (No School)
September 18 - Interim Reports High School
September 25 - End of First Six Weeks
October 16 - End of First Quarter
October 23 - Staff Development (No School for Students)
October 24-26 - HSAP Exams – Grades 11th -12th
October 27-Nov. 3 - HSAP Make-up
November 7 - Election Day – No School
November 8 - End of Second Six Weeks
November 22-24 - Thanksgiving Holidays (No School)
December 4 - Interim Reports – High School
Dec. 18-Jan. 2 - Winter Break (No School)
January 3 - School Resumes
January 10 - End of First Semester
End of Second Quarter
End of Third Six-Weeks
January 11-12 - Teacher Workdays
January 15 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday (No School)
February 15 - Interim Reports – High School
February 19 - Presidents’ Day (No School)
February 27 - End of Fourth Six Weeks
March 2 - Staff Development (No School for Students)
March 21 - End of Third Quarter
March 30 - Staff Development (No School for Students)
April 2-6 - Spring Break (No School)
April 19 - End of Fifth Six-Weeks (Elem)
April 24-26 - HSAP Testing – Grades 10th - 12th
April 27-May 4 - HSAP Make-up
May 7-22 - PACT Testing
May 9 - Interim Reports – High School
May 30 - Half Day for Students
May 31 - End of Fourth Quarter
End of Sixth Weeks
Half Day for Students
Last Day for Students
June 1 - High School Graduation (7:00 P.M.)
Teacher Workday – 8:00 a.m.
Vice-chairman John Bamberg made a motion and Trustee Sheri Seigler seconded to accept the district’s 2006-2007 School Calendar. The motion passed 4-0.
9. Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Schwarting presented the following:
· A Memo from the Delegates of the Class of 2006 was presented to the Board and discussed. The students petitioned the Board to reconsider having graduation in the Leon Maxwell Stadium in order to accommodate more visitors and family members. The class acknowledges that inclement weather may prohibit the graduation from being held in the stadium.
Superintendent Schwarting stated that she is not in favor of having graduation outside due to inclement weather conditions and the lack of workforce to move indoors at the last minute. By request in the past, students with large families have received extra tickets.
o James J. Hutto, senior, voiced concerns of having the graduation outside because his family is large and he would like to have them at his graduation.
o Brittany Toomer, senior, voiced concerns of having the graduation outside in order for families not to be limited in attendance. She also believes that if parents did not need a ticket, there would be more for others.
o Principal Randy Maxwell stated that he has never been opposed to outside graduation but one would still have to prepare for inclement weather. An indoor set-up requires more work. Changing locations would require two practices – one for the gym and one for the stadium.
After a discussion in Executive Session, Trustee Sheri Seigler made a motion and Vice-chairman John Bamberg seconded to leave the location of graduation to the administration. The motion passed 4-0.
· The Board of Trustees, District Operations, Adult Education, Cope Area Career Center, Ehrhardt Elementary, Richard Carroll Elementary, and Bamberg-Ehrhardt Middle received “All Clear” from Mr. John Suber, Director, Office of School Quality,. Bamberg-Ehrhardt Middle received “Warned” due to the media specialist not being properly certified at the time. (Board Packet Enclosure).
· The newsletter entitled “Comment on Character” published by Mrs. Cindy Hurst was reviewed [Board packet enclosure].
· The graduating class of 2006 will receive a copy of activities and obligations necessary in order to participate in Awards Night and Graduation. Seniors will be required to sign-off stating that they received the information.
· Mr. Michael Miller, band director, requested permission to take the Marching Band to Indianapolis, Indiana, to compete in the “Band of American Grand National Championship”. Chartered buses will be used and the booster club will pay for the trip. Students will leave on Thursday, November 9, 2006, after school and return on Sunday, November 12, 2006. They will participate with 90+ bands that represent 22 states. They will probably miss a play off game.
Following a discussion in Executive Board Session, Vice-chairman John Bamberg made a motion and Trustee Sheri Seigler seconded to give Mr. Michael Miller, Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School Band Director, permission to take the band to Indianapolis, Indiana, on November 9-12, 2006, to compete in a band championship. The motion passed 4-0.
· A grant will be submitted to assist with Truancy and Dropout prevention efforts. Comments or suggestions from the Board, parents or other members of the public are welcomed and may be directed to Ms. Phyllis Overstreet at the District Office at 245-2053.
· Mr. James Washburn, Director of Adult Education for the past 22 years for Bamberg and Barnwell School Districts and previously Allendale, will retire at the end of the school year.
· The administration is in the process of developing an Athletic Handbook that would be reflective of all sports and will be used as a guideline for athletes.
· The Academic Awards Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, April 26, 2006, at 11:30 a. m. in the Bamberg-Ehrhardt Middle School gymnasium. [Handout]
10. Monthly Financial Report
Board Packet Enclosure: Financial Report – March 2006
Finance Director, Devon Blume, reviewed the current finance report. A Budget Work Session is scheduled for May 17, 2006.
11. Visitors’ Comments
Bretta Cook asked the Board for permission to look into students graduating early and not being able to graduate with honors -- valedictorian and salutatorian. She would like to have the current adopted Administrative Rule become effective 2005-06 rather than 2006-07. She believes it would be a great idea to have a co-salutatorian if the policy is not instituted earlier. Presently, students must have 24 credits in order to graduate.
12. Executive Session
Chairman Dale Padgett called for a motion to enter Executive Session. Vice- chairman John E. Bamberg made a motion and Trustee Stacey Long seconded to enter Executive Session. The motion carried (4-0). The purpose for entering executive session was to discuss:
a. Employment Resignations
b. Student Transfer Requests
c. Employment
d. Student Appeal
Open session: Chairman Dale Padgett declared the board out of Executive Session.
A. Employment Resignation
Vice-chairman John Bamberg made a motion and Trustee Stacey Long seconded to accept the resignations of Mrs. Janice Wrightenberry, Nurse; Dr. Tasha Louis-Nance, Director of Student Services; Mrs. Carmen Clary, English Teacher at Bamberg-Ehrhardt Middle School (Retiring); Mrs. Judith G. Free, English Teacher at Bamberg-Ehrhardt Middle School (Retiring); and Mrs. Pam Squires, teacher at Richard Carroll Elementary School – Campus A (Retiring), at the end of the 2005-2006 school year. The motion passed 4-0.
B. Student Transfer
Trustee Sheri Seigler made a motion and Vice-chairman John Bamberg seconded to accept the attendance transfer request of Rebecca Ann Spires from Bamberg School District One to attend school in Orangeburg Consolidated School District Four for the 2006-2007 school year. The motion passed 4-0.
Vice-chairman John Bamberg made a motion and Trustee Sheri Seigler seconded to accept the attendance transfer request of Brett Ardis and Deanna Ardis from Bamberg School District One to attend school in Orangeburg Consolidated School District Four for the 2006-2007 School Year. The motion passed 4-0.
Vice-chairman John Bamberg made a motion and Trustee Sheri Seigler seconded to accept the attendance transfer request of Michael Wyatt Kinard from Ehrhardt Elementary School to attend school at Richard Carroll Elementary School Campus A for the 2006-2007 school year. The motion passed 4-0.
C. Employment
Trustee Sheri Seigler made a motion and Vice-chairman John Bamberg seconded to accept the employment of Mr. James Terry Collins, math teacher at Bamberg-Ehrhardt Middle School, for the 2006-2007 school year. The motion passed 4-0
Trustee Sheri Seigler made a motion and Vice-chairman John Bamberg seconded to accept the employment of Mrs. Stephanie VanFaussien Roach, French teacher at Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School, for 2006-2007 school year. The motion passed 4-0
D. Student Appeal
Vice-chairman John Bamberg made a motion and Trustee Sheri Seigler seconded to deny Mr. Robert Payne’s request for a meeting and uphold the Superintendent’s recommendation. The motion passed 4-0.
With no other business before the board, the chairman adjourned the meeting.
Minutes approved:
_____________________________
Dale Padgett, Chairman
_____________________________
Sheri Seigler, Secretary