Aiken County Board of Education Meeting on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at the District Office at 7:00 p.m.

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Submitted by vicky_durden on Tue, 04/11/2017 - 1:50pm

Dates:

Tuesday, April 18, 2017 -

7:00pm to 10:00pm

THE CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT OF AIKEN COUNTY

BOARD OF EDUCATION

AIKEN, SOUTH CAROLINA

OFFICIAL AGENDA _________REGULAR SESSION _7:00 P.M._______APRIL 18, 2017

Location: District Office Aiken, SC

1000 Brookhaven Drive

REGULAR SESSION: 7:00 P.M.

DEVOTIONAL & PLEDGE: Mr. Jeremy Mace

APPROVAL OF AGENDA:

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Special Called Meeting – March 21, 2017

Regular Meeting – March 28, 2017

SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS:

ACPSD. Leadership Cohort

All State Band -postponed

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.

1. Legislative Update (Mr. Liner)

2. Enrollment Trends Recommendations (Dr. Alford)

3. Charter School Application - Cotton Mill Charter School (Mr. Burkhalter) - This item moved to C-14 for public hearing and Board of Education discussion and pending action on application.

4. Facilities Construction Department Quarterly Change Order Notification (Dr. Foster)

Policy FGG sets the limit of approval for construction change orders by the Superintendent or designee up to $15,000.00. The policy requires a summary of such change orders to be presented to the Board at least once a quarter for notification.

5. Construction Status Reports for the North Augusta High School 2A & 2B Addition Projects (Dr. Foster)

In an effort to keep the Board current on the status and budget of this school construction project, the Architects for this project, McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture and the Administration prepare a monthly status report for the Board’s review.

6. Construction Status Reports for the Leavelle McCampbell Middle School Project (Dr. Foster)

7. Construction Status Reports for the Aiken High School Phase 2A Addition Project (Dr. Foster)

In an effort to keep the Board current on the status and budget of this school construction project, the Architects for this project, LS3P Associates LTD., and the Administration prepare a monthly status report for the Board’s review.

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. Alford)

The School Board, according to the Code of Laws of South Carolina Sections 59-63-240, is authorizes 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 (Mr. Laurence)

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. Potash Donation to Belvedere Elementary School – FY17 (Dr. Washington)

Belvedere Elementary was given a $1,500 donation from Potash for their Science Day. The funds from this donation will be used to pay for the two speakers and activities for the Science Day.

4. Purchase of C-Cans for Aiken County Public Schools Operations Center (Dr. Foster)

Bids were received on March 23, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. from 1 bidder and publicly opened. Touax Modular was the low bidder at $29,700.00. Base Bid A is to purchase (9) 9’-6” storage containers for the maintenance department.

5. Adult Education and Family Literacy/Engagement Collaborative Grant – FY18 (Dr. Washington)

Freedman Parenting Center was awarded $17,980 from the Adult Education and Family Literacy/Engagement Collaborative Grant. The funds from this grant will provide adult education students who are parents or guardians of children ages birth to eight with an opportunity to improve their academic skills and to use those skills to enhance the literacy skills of their children.

6. Bob Richards Toyota Donation to Aiken County Public Schools – FY17 (Dr. Washington)

Aiken County Public Schools was given a $2,000.00 donation from Bob Richards Toyota. The funds from this donation are assigned to help cover the cost of meals for educators during the Leaders in Literacy Conference.

7. Women’s Study Club of Ridge Spring Donation to RSM Elementary School – FY17 (Dr. Washington)

RSM Elementary School was given a $2,000 donation from Women’s Study Club of Ridge Spring. Funds from this donation will be used to purchase books for the library.

8. Change Order Number 1 for the New Leavelle McCampbell Middle School Building Project (Dr. Foster)

Change Order Number 1 for the New Leavelle McCampbell Middle School Building Project from H.G. Reynolds Company, Inc. is presented for your review and approval. Four (4) Additional classrooms are needed to replace collaborated spaces due to increased growth in Area III. Change Order Number 1 in the amount of $303,940.00 is submitted for your review and approval. GMP#2 Building Project is increased from $19,238,883.00 to $19,542,823.00. Project Contingency has adequate funds for this work.

9. South Aiken High School Football Stadium Toilets & Concessions (Dr. Foster)

Bids were received for the South Aiken High School Football Stadium Toilets & Concessions on March 30, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. and publicly opened. Bids were received from 3 vendors with J.E. Stewart Builders, Inc. submitting the lowest base bid of $693,544.00. The design, printing, advertising and contingency amounts to $200,000.00. The budget needed is $893,544.00 and will come from the Athletic account in the Five Year Facility Improvement Plan for year 2017-2018.

10. Project Lead the Way Launch Grant to Hammond Hill Elementary School – FY18 (Dr. Washington)

Hammond Hill Elementary School has been awarded a grant from Project Lead the Way Launch in the amount of $7,500 ($5,000 for 2017-2018 and $2,500 for 2018-2019). Project Lead the Way Launch is a K-5 interdisciplinary program that uses hands-on activities in STEM areas to help students become better problem solvers. Funds from this grant will be used for participation fees, training, and required equipment and supplies to implement the modules in the program.

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11. Project Lead the Way Launch Grant to North Augusta Elementary School – FY18 (Dr. Washington)

North Augusta Elementary School has been awarded a grant from Project Lead the Way Launch in the amount of $7,500 ($5,000 for 2017-2018 and $2,500 for 2018-2019). Project Lead the Way Launch is a K-5 interdisciplinary program that uses hands-on activities in STEM areas to help students become better problem solvers. Funds from this grant will be used for participation fees, training, and required equipment and supplies to implement the modules in the program.

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 – Final Reading (Mr. Laurence)

Beginning in fall 2015 the district has undergone a realignment of its organizational structure. Many current policies refer to positions and titles that no longer exist.

3. Changes to Policy GBAA and Administrative Rule GBAA-R Sexual Discrimination and Harassment – Final Reading (Mr. Laurence)

This policy and administrative rule set expectations for a working environment free of sexual harassment. They also define sexual harassment and establish procedures for the redress of grievances based on sexual harassment.

4. Changes to Policy JI and Administrative Rule JI-R Student Rights and Responsibilities (Complaints and Grievances) – Final Reading (Mr. Laurence)

This policy and administrative rule set expectations for students’ right to learn in an environment free of discrimination and sexual harassment. They also define sexual harassment consistent with policy GBAA and establish procedures for the redress of grievances.

5. Changes to Policy KF Community Use of School Facilities – Final Reading (Mr. Laurence)

This policy establishes the basic structure for community use of school facilities.

6. Non-Renewal of Identified Annual Contract Certified Personnel for

2017- 2018 School Year (Ms. Smalls)

Personnel are employed for a one year period by the Board of

Education. According to state law, certified personnel must be informed by May

1st of their employment status for the ensuing year or be automatically deemed

“re-employed.” Persons presently serving under annual contracts, but who are

not being recommended for re-employment, have limited due process rights

under South Carolina law.

7. Non-Renewal of Identified Continuing Contract Certified Personnel for 2017-2018 School Year (Ms. Smalls)

Personnel are employed for a one year period by the Board of

Education. According to state law, certified personnel must be informed by May

1st of their employment status for the ensuing year or be automatically deemed

“re-employed.” Persons presently serving under continuing contracts, but who

are not being recommended for re-employment, have limited due process rights

under South Carolina law.

8. Non-Renewal of Identified Induction Contract Certified Personnel for

2017-2018 School Year (Ms. Smalls)

For certified personnel under Induction Contracts, non-renewal of

employment notifications require a certain type of motion. All personnel are

employed for a one year period by the Board of Education, and such personnel

must be informed by May 1^st of their employment status for the ensuing year or

be deemed automatically “re-employed.”

9. Re-employment of Certified Personnel, Subject to Certain Conditions, for

the 2017-2018 School Year (Ms. Smalls)

Personnel are employed for a one year period by the Board of Education.

According to state law, certified personnel must be informed by May 1st of their

employment status for the ensuing year or they will be deemed “re-employed.”

Many certified employees who are otherwise recommended for employment for

the next school year must nevertheless meet certain qualifying conditions or

stipulations. These may be in order to qualify for the continuation of

employment, or they may be conditions affecting their status for the following

year. (Appearance of names of employees on this list should not give rise

necessarily to a perception of a problem or concern, as many of the required

stipulations are very routine in nature, as already mentioned.)

10. Re-employment of Certified Personnel for the 2017-2018 School Year (Ms. Smalls)

Personnel are employed for a one-year period by the Board of

Education. According to State law, certified personnel must be informed by

May 1st of their employment status for the ensuing year, or they will

automatically be deemed “re-employed”. Pursuant to procedures previously

approved by the Board, certified persons not otherwise subject to special

conditions or requirements and whose contract entitlements are not affected by

reassignment, are recommended as a group for re-employment for the

following year (with the exception of employees who have given notice of their

retirement or who have indicated an intention to resign prior to the start of the

next school year).

11. District Strategic Plan Update (Mr. Laurence)

Each school district must develop a five-year district strategic plan, and each school must develop a five-year school renewal plan as required by the Early Childhood Development and Academic Assistance Act of 1993 and the Education Accountability Act of 1998. District and school plans shall coordinate and align improvement initiatives [State Board Regulation 43-261]. As part of a continuous improvement process, each district is required to submit an update to its strategic plan every spring.

12. Selection of External Auditors for the Fiscal Years 2016-17 through 2020-21 (Mr. Traxler)

Board Policy DIE and DIE-R address annual audits of the District’s financial statements, the criteria for selecting an external auditor, and length of contract for auditing services. The District’s previous contract for auditing services expired with the conclusion of the June 30, 2016 audit.

13. 2017-2018 Preliminary Budget (Mr. Traxler)

In its 2017-2018 budget calendar, the Board scheduled presentations of the preliminary budget for April 18, 2017, the tentative budget for May 9, 2017, and the final budget for June 27, 2017.

14. Charter School Application - Cotton Mill Charter School (Mr. Burkhalter)

D. INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS