Aiken County Board of Education Meeting on Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Dates:

Tuesday, January 10, 2017 -

7:00pm to 10:00pm

OFFICIAL AGENDA __ ____REGULAR SESSION _7:00 P.M.______JANUARY 10, 2017

Location: District Office Aiken, SC

1000 Brookhaven Drive

REGULAR SESSION: 7:00 P.M.

DEVOTIONAL & PLEDGE: Mr. Tad Barber

APPROVAL OF AGENDA:

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Regular Meeting – December 13, 2016

SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS:

STEM AdvancED Accreditation – Jackson Middle and New Ellenton Middle

Public Participation

No Requests This Meeting

Office of Board Chairman

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

Security Screening Protocols (Dr. Foster and Mrs. Piccolino)

In an effort to increase the security of our school campuses and the safety of students and staff, administration has enhanced the requirements for visitors and volunteers in its schools. To automate the process of background screenings for Level Two volunteers and provide an additional measure of safety for all visitors, administration will provide for a consistent, electronic security screening protocol district-wide.

2. Legislative Update (Mr. Liner)

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

Donation to LBC Middle School Special Education Class – FY17 (Dr. Washington)

LBC Middle School was given a $3,800 donation for Ms. Miclaus’s special education classroom. This donation was made possible by the collaborative fund-raising efforts of parents from the school. Funds from this donation will be used for technology, field trips, and furniture and materials for Ms. Miclaus’s classroom.

Curb Appeal Landscaping Project Phase II (Dr. Foster)

On March 8, 2016, the Board allowed the Administration to use funds from the sale of an unused 3.13-acre corner tract of property at the Aiken Elementary School Site for landscaping and grounds improvements at eleven schools. The sale of the property generated a total $470,451.75 in additional funding.

North Augusta Forward Donation – FY17 (Dr. Washington)

North Augusta Forward gave a $1,500 donation to be distributed as follows: $500 to North Augusta High School for their stringed instrument music program; $500 to Paul Knox Middle School for technical reading materials for math and science classroom libraries; and $500 to North Augusta Middle School for technical materials for math and science classroom libraries.

Public Education Partners Donation – FY17 (Dr. Washington)

Public Education Partners gave a $1,500 donation to be distributed as follows: $500 to North Augusta High School for their stringed instrument music program; $500 to Paul Knox Middle School for technical reading materials for math and science classroom libraries; and $500 to North Augusta Middle School for technical materials for math and science classroom libraries.

Items to be Declared Surplus and Method of Disposal (Mr. Traxler)

Two pieces of food service equipment do not enhance any recipes or menus and have been identified as obsolete and of no use to the District. Board approval is necessary to dispose of these items (Procurement Regulations: Surplus Management XXVII,C,1).

INDIVIDUAL ITEMS:

1. Personnel Appointments (Ms. Smalls)

The certified and classified personnel presented have been screened by the Personnel Services Department and interviewed and approved by the Principals and Executive Directors.

2. Policy Changes Related to Reorganization (Mr. Laurence)

Beginning in fall 2015, the District has undergone a realignment of its organizational structure. Many current policies (GBEBC, GCK and GCK-R) refer to positions and titles that no longer exist.

3. Changes to Policy GCB Professional Staff Contracts and Compensation (Mr.

Laurence)

This policy establishes the structure for professional staff contracts and compensation. Recent legislation extends the annual deadline for teachers to accept contacts. Section 59-25-420 of the S.C. Code, 1976, as amended states, “A teacher who is reemployed by written notification pursuant to Section 59-25-410 shall before May eleventh notify the board of trustees in writing of his acceptance of the contract.”

4. Changes to Policy GDC Support Staff Leaves and Absences (Mr. Laurence)

This policy establishes the structure for all types of support staff leaves and absences. Recent new and/or updated policies impact that structure.

5. Calendar Revision to Make-up School Days Lost Due to Hurricane

Matthew (Mr. Laurence and Dr. Foster)

Section 59-1-425(B) of the 1976 Code, as amended by Act 250 of 2006, reads: “(B) Notwithstanding any other provisions of law to the contrary, all school days missed because of snow, extreme weather conditions, or other disruptions requiring schools to close must be made up.All school districts shall designate annually at least three days within their school calendars to be used as make-up days in the event of these occurrences.If those designated days have been used or are no longer available, the local school board of trustees may lengthen the hours of school operation by no less than one hour per day for the total number of hours missed, operate schools on Saturday, or may waive up to three days.”The SC Department of Education clarifies that the first three missed days must be made up.Days four through six may be waived by majority vote of the local school board or may be made up by extending the school day or on Saturdays.Days seven through nine may be waived by the State Board of Education.

Aiken County Public Schools has lost a total of four days due to weather-related closings. Those dates are September 2, 2016, and October 5-7, 2016.September 2, 2016 was made up on January 3, 2017.Since January 3, 2017 was a scheduled teacher workday, teachers made up the time through extended hours.

D. INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS