Aiken County Board of Education Meeting on July 16, 2013 at the District Office at 7:00 p.m.

Dates:

Tuesday, July 16, 2013 - 10:00pm

THE CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT OF AIKEN COUNTY

BOARD OF EDUCATION

AIKEN, SOUTH CAROLINA

OFFICIAL AGENDA _ ______ REGULAR SESSION _7:00 P.M._______JULY 16, 2013

Location: District Office Aiken, SC

1000 Brookhaven Drive

REGULAR SESSION: 7:00 P.M.

DEVOTIONAL & PLEDGE: Mr. King Laurence

APPROVAL OF AGENDA:

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Regular Meeting – June 25, 2013

SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS:

· Public Participation

No Request This Meeting

· Office of Board Chairman

A. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: The following items are for information only and do not require Board action.

1. Financial Report, as of April 30, 2013 (Mr. Traxler)

The financial report of April 30, 2013, is submitted in the approved format.

2. Facilities Construction Projects 2000-2001 to 2012-2013 (Mr. Caver)

The Five-Year Facility Improvement Plan is based on the greatest need at the time the plan is reconsidered annually. The age and condition of schools varied widely as the plan came into being in 2000-2001, therefore, projects were considered on a school by school basis.

A perusal of the attached construction projects for the period 2000-2001 to 2012-2013 shows that all areas and most schools have had one or more additions during these years.

3. RSM Elementary/Middle, CE-MIST, and Aiken Writing Project Grant Partnership (Mr. Laurence)

RSM Elementary/Middle, in partnership with The Center for Excellence in Middle-level Interdisciplinary Strategies for Teaching (CE-MIST) and Aiken Writing Project, will participate in a grant opportunity to improve the teaching of writing across the curriculum. The project will provide teachers with 30 hours of professional development on various topics, including TILTS: Traveling Interdisciplinary Literacy Trunks, Planning interdisciplinary units, engaging students with technology, and reading informational texts.

4. Legislative Update – (Mr. Liner) - No update this meeting.

B. CONSENT ITEMS: The following items will be voted on as a group. Individual items may be discussed prior to a vote being taken.

1. Ratification of Expulsions (Dr. Everitt)

The School Board, according to the Code of Laws for South Carolina Sections 59-63-240, is authorized to expel students from school. Although the Board may receive recommendations for expulsion from others, it solely is empowered to take the final expulsion action.

2. Out-of-District Transfer Requests (Dr. Stowe)

Board Policy JFABC allows the Aiken County Board of Education to arrange with other school districts for the interchange of students. The policy stipulates that when students transfer out of the District, “the School District of Aiken County shall assume no responsibility for tuition to the receiving district.”

3. 2013-2014 Title I Focus Funds (Mr. Laurence)

According to the Elementary and Secondary Act Waiver submitted by the state of South Carolina to the US Department of Education and approved on July 19, 2012, schools who have significant achievement gaps among subgroups are classified as Focus Schools. These schools are required to offer parents the option to transfer their student to a non-classified school, and students who do not meet standard on state assessments are offered Supplemental Educational Services. Schools must also develop a Challenge to Achieve Plan to address achievement gaps, and an allocation is received to implement strategies based on school needs. Aiken County’s allocation for this purpose is $624,737. Aiken Elementary, J.D. Lever Elementary, North Aiken Elementary, North Augusta Elementary, and Paul Knox Middle and Schofield Middle are Focus Schools.

4. 2013-2014 Title I Support Funds (Mr. Laurence)

According to the Elementary and Secondary Act Waiver submitted by the state of South Carolina to the US Department of Education and approved on July 19, 2012, schools that receive a D or F on the state report card are classified as Title I Support Schools and must develop a plan to address specific strategies to improve academic performance. Aiken County’s allocation for this purpose is $67,489. Aiken Middle, Lloyd Kennedy Charter School, and Ridge Spring - Monetta Elementary/Middle are classified as Title I Support Schools.

5. Special Education Related Services Contracts (Mr. Laurence)

The Department of Special Education routinely contracts with related service providers when unable to hire personnel. The contracts include: Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Pathology, Psycho-educational Testing, Applied Behavior Therapy, Orientation and Mobility for blind students and Interpreters for the Deaf and Medicaid.

6. South Carolina School Boards Association Dues (Dr. Everitt)

Over the past years, the Aiken County Board of Education has purchased membership in the South Carolina School Boards Association. In addition to membership benefits, the Association provides a policy update service and legal assistance fund. Also included is an annual policy maintenance and Internet subscription fee.

C. INDIVIDUAL ITEMS:

1. Personnel Appointments (Dr. Hewett)

The certified and classified personnel presented have been screened by the Personnel Services Department and interviewed and approved by the Principal and the Academic Officers.

D. INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS

1. AGENDA ITEMS SUBMITTED BY INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS:

- Mr. Wesley Hightower – Loans

- Mr. Richard Hazen – Area 1 Advisory Council Appointment

2. CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESSED TO BOARD MEMBERS:

3. REPORTS FROM BOARD LIAISON TO VARIOUS COMMITTEES:

E. OFFICE OF DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT:

· Update

F. EXECUTIVE SESSION:

1. CONTRACTUAL ISSUES:

No Items This Meeting

2. LEGAL BRIEFINGS: