Aiken County Board of Education Meeting on April 20, 2021 at the District Office at 6:00 p.m.

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Submitted by Kim_Chriswell on Wed, 03/31/2021 - 11:35am

Dates:

Tuesday, April 20, 2021 - 6:00pm

THE CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT OF AIKEN COUNTY

BOARD OF EDUCATION

AIKEN, SOUTH CAROLINA

OFFICIAL AGENDA REGULAR SESSION 6:00 P.M. APRIL 20, 2021

Location: 1000 Brookhaven Drive Aiken, SC

Tuesday’s meeting will be live streamed on our website, acpsd.net

REGULAR SESSION: 6:00 P.M.

MOMENT OF SILENCE & PLEDGE: Dr. John Bradley

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Regular Meeting – March 23, 2021

SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS:

Public Participation

Video Recognition

Middle School Academic Team Champions – Paul Knox Middle School

Middle School Boys & Girls Basketball Champions – Paul Knox Middle School

Special Recognition – Dr. Gary Senn

Office of Board Chairman

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

Updates from the Division of Instruction (Mrs. Glover)

Construction Status Reports for the Belvedere Elementary School Addition & Renovations Project (Dr. Murphy)

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.

Construction Status Reports for the Hammond Hill Elementary Additions & Renovations Project (Dr. Murphy)

In an effort to keep the Board current on the status and budget of this school construction project, the Architects for this project, Cheatham Fletcher Scott (CFS), and the Administration prepare a monthly status report for the Board’s review.

Construction Status Reports for the Millbrook Elementary Additions & Renovations Project (Dr. Murphy)

In an effort to keep the Board current on the status and budget of this school construction project, the Architects for this project, Goodwyn Mills and Cawood (GMC), and the Administration prepare a monthly status report for the Board’s review.

Construction Status Reports for the Ridge Spring-Monetta Elementary Phase 3 Addition Project (Dr. Murphy)

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.

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

Out-of-District Transfer Requests (Dr. Minolfo)

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.”

Out-of-District Transfer Requests (Dr. Minolfo)

Board Policy JFAB allows the Aiken County Board of Education to arrange with other school districts for the interchange of students. The policy stipulates that non-resident students transfer into the District “the parent/legal guardian must assume responsibility for transportation. The Board will hold nonresident students to the behavioral and academic requirements set out in policy JFAA, admission of resident students. The district may change tuition to nonresident students seeking to enroll in district schools.”

Request to Admit Foreign Exchange Student (Dr. Minolfo)

School Board Policy JFABB establishes guidelines for the admission of the exchange students to the high schools in the School District of Aiken County.

Proposed Schedule of School Board Meetings, 2021-2022 (Mr. Laurence)

The School Board has historically scheduled its regular sessions on the second and fourth Tuesday evenings of the month. Executive session have been held, as needed, on these same dates.

Award of the Dairy Alliance School Nutrition Equipment Grant to School Food Services – FY-22 (Mr. Traxler)

The Aiken County Public School – School Food Services Department has been awarded The Dairy Alliance School Nutrition Equipment Grant for 7 school sites.The funds will be used to purchase equipment that improves access to and consumption of low-fat and fat-free dairy produces.The School Food Services Department was awarded a total of $9000.00 for equipment for the following schools:

Midland Valley High School Value-$3000.00

Moo Brew Solutions

Ridge Spring-Monetta High School Value-$1000.00

Moo Brew Solutions

Aiken Intermediate School Value-$1000.00

Yogurt Smoothies Solutions

Ridge Spring-Monetta Middle School Value-$1000.00

Yogurt Smoothies Solutions

North Aiken Elementary School Value-$1000.00

Cocoa Moo Solutions

Oakwood-Windsor Elementary School Value-$1000.00

Cocoa Moo Solutions

Ridge Spring-Monetta Elementary School Value-$1000.00

Cocoa Moo Solutions

Submission of the Fuel Up to Play 60 Grant by School Food Services – FY22 (Mr. Traxler)

Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by the National Dairy Council and NFL., in collaboration with the USDA, to help encourage today’s youth to lead healthier lives.School Food Services is requesting to submit this $24,000.00 grant for used to purchase equipment that improves access to and consumption of low-fat and fat-free dairy products, display refrigerators, advertising chalk boards, and small wares to encourage students to choose healthy snack options as well as PE equipment for the following schools:

Ridge Spring-Monetta High School

PE Equipment:$1000Smoothie equipment:$3000.00

Midland Valley High School

Smoothie equipment:$4000

Paul Knox Middle School

PE Equipment:$1000Smoothie equipment:$3000.00

Schofield Middle School

Smoothie and Cocoa equipment:$4000.00

Aiken High School

PE Equipment:$1000Moo Brew equipment:$3000.00

North Augusta High School

PE Equipment:$1000Moo Brew equipment:$3000.00

Proposed utilization of Title II funds for recruitment incentive – FY22 (Mrs. Hart & Mrs. Cansler)

The Federal Programs Department allocates Title II funds for use in recruitment and retention. The district is currently experiencing a critical shortage of Special Education Teachers, while employing over 40 special education certified teachers currently working in another capacity.

South Carolina Arts Commission – Education-Arts Teacher Support Grant Award – Aiken High School – FY21 (Mrs. Glover)

Aiken High School has been awarded a South Carolina Arts Commission Education-Arts Teacher Support Grant Award in the amount of $1,200.00.The monies will be used to cover a field trip to the Garcia Project at USC-A and to purchase materials and supplies for their theatre class.

Submission of the 2021-22 Nita M. Lowey 21^st Century Community Learning Centers Grant Application by Belvedere Elementary School – FY22 (Mrs. Glover)

Belvedere Elementary School would like to submit an application to the SC State Department of Education for the 2021-22 Nita M. Lowey 21^st Century Community Learning Centers Grant in the amount of $260,000.00 which is renewable for up to four years.The purpose of the 21^st CCLC program is to provided funds for communities to establish or expand activities in community learning centers that

Provide opportunities for academic enrichment, including providing tutorial services to help students, particularly students who attend low-performing schools, to meet the challenging state academic standards.
Offer students a broad array of additional services, programs, and activities, such as youth development activities: service learning, nutrition and health education: drug and violence prevention programs; counseling programs; arts, music, physical fitness, and wellness programs; technology education programs; financial literacy programs; environmental literacy programs; mathematics, science, career, and technology programs; and career exploration; and
Offer families of students served by such centers opportunities for active and meaningful engagement in their children’s education, including opportunities for literacy and related educational development.

If awarded, grant funds will be used to fund salaries for teachers and staff for the afterschool program, Saturday school, and/or summer programs, field trips, transportation, Parent nights, and instructional program equipment and material. The various programs supported by the grant will benefit all students with a focus on students who are at risk of failure or retention.

Submission of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) Programs – Adult Education Competitive Subgrant-FY22 (Mrs. Glover)

In order to continue providing adult education and literacy services to the area, the Department of Adult Education request to submit a grant for $295,000 through the 2021-2025 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) Programs – Adult Education Competitive Subgrant Aiken County Adult Education provides diplomas, GED, WIN, ABE and ESL services to all of Aiken County, and each year the program serves approximately 750 individuals.To support local workforce needs, the program aligns with the Lower Savannah Work Force Investment Area and coordinates academic and career education efforts with SC Work Force Investment Area and coordinates academic and career education efforts in the area are lower than the national average (U.S. Census Bureau, 2016).Consequently, a significant portion of the population lacks access to skilled jobs and post-secondary educational opportunities.

Submission of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) Programs – Integrated English Literacy/Civic Education (IEL/CE) Program Competitive Subgrant- FY22. (Mrs. Glover)

In order to continue providing adult education literacy, and civics education services to individuals who speak English as a secondary or other language, the Department of Adult Education requests to submit a grant for $25,380.00 through the 2021-2025 Workforce Innovation and opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) Programs – Integrated English Literacy/Civic Education (IEL/CE) Program Competitive Subgrant.Each year the program serves approximately 80 individuals.

Submission of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) Programs – Corrections Education Competitive Subgrant – FY22 (Mrs. Glover)

In order to continue providing adult education and literacy services to individuals detained in local correctional facilities, the Department of Adult Education request to submit a grant for $19,900.00 through the 2021-2025 Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA) Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) Programs – Corrections Education Competitive Subgrant.Adult Education provides WIN and ABE support to incarcerated individuals. Each year the program serves approximately 50 individuals.

Anonymous Donation to School Food Services for Hammond Hill Elementary School – FY21 (Mr. Traxler)

School Food Services has received a $2,500.00 donation from an anonymous donor to be applied to student food service accounts for students with greatest need at Hammond Hill Elementary.The funds will be used to clear negative balances for students who qualify for free lunch but who may not have completed an application and for those on reduced lunch.

Aiken County Public School District Head Start/Early Head Start Program CRRSA Act Grant Submission – FY21

As a result of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, approximately $250 million is available for grants to Head Start grantees for one-time activities in response to COVID-19. All Head Start, Early Head Start, and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership grantees are eligible to receive this funding. The Aiken County Head Start/Early Head Start Program has been allocated $115,572.00 in CRRSA grant funds.

The following activities are allowable with these funds:

Mental health services, supports, crisis response, and intervention services.
Coordination, preparedness, and response efforts with state, local, tribal, and territorial public health departments and other relevant agencies.
Provision of meals and snacks not reimbursed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Training and professional development for staff on infectious disease management.
Purchasing necessary supplies and contracted services to sanitize and clean facilities and vehicles.
Other actions that are necessary to maintain and resume the operation of programs, such as hiring substitute staff, investing in technology infrastructure, making improvements to air conditioning systems, or other emergency assistance.

The ACPSD Head Start/Early Head Start program proposes to make purchases and conduct activities to include the following to support children, families, and staff during the COVID-19 Pandemic:

Purchase and replace HVAC systems, install filtration systems and purchase supplies to enhance air quality
Removal of existing carpet at the Williston and Aiken ELCs and replace with vinyl tile flooring
Purchase Partitions for HS/EHS Director, Family Services/Content Manager offices at Aiken, Monetta, Macedonia Elementary, and parenting/breastfeeding rooms @ Wagener and Gloverville
Purchase sanitizing/disinfecting extractor-fogger machines and chemicals to operate the machines
Purchase laptops for all managers and specialists to support virtual/remote instruction and timely communication with families and staff
Hot spots for families with no internet access (service fees included)
Purchase and install Internet booster packs at early learning centers to support stronger internet connectivity
Purchase walkie-talkies and megaphones
Provide families with Health & Nutrition Care packages to address food insecurities, promote healthy eating and physical and oral health needs
Purchase food warmers and other kitchen equipment to maintain food temps for remote food distribution
Services of contractual janitorial company for enhanced weekly disinfecting at early learning centers
Purchase virtual, non-contact recruitment activities to include radio and newspaper ads, billboard/kiosk ads, recruitment yard signage,
Staff wellness activities & stress relief/wellness workshops, tools/gadgets
Over-sized envelopes for weekly educational packets
US postal stamps for mailing of educational packets and intent to return letters
Touchless hand sanitizing stations for parenting and breastfeeding rooms
Handheld touchless thermometers
Plexi glass dividers/shields for staff desks and children’s tables
Individualized educational/curriculum implementation totes/bags for children
Headphones for child laptops
Hands-free covered trash cans
Shoe covers
PPE (Adult Masks, Children’s Masks, Face shields, Goggles, Gloves, Disposable and washable Smocks, Spray Bottles, Cleaning Cloths)
Social Distancing Signage
COVID-19 prevention and social distancing signage
Additional cleaning & disinfecting supplies (hand sanitizer, anti-bacterial soap, disinfecting wipes, cleaning cloths, disinfectant cleaners and spray, spray bottles) in response to enhanced cleaning protocols
Touchless soap dispensers
Copy paper for educational learning packets/worksheets,
Single serve disposable paper ware and utensils
Water dispensing pitchers

Design Development Drawings/Budget for the Highland Springs Elementary & Middle Project (Dr. Murphy)

The administration in conjunction with the Architect has completed the Design Development Plans and Budget for the Highland Springs Elementary/Middle Project and will present to Aiken County Board of Education for approval.The project budget for construction is $39,759,750.The overall budget is $50,985,915 with a 5% contingency.The project team is still reviewing cost scope changes where applicable.Additional amount needed over the original budget of $32,000,000 is $18,985,915.These funds will come from 8% cyclic reserves.A detailed cost estimate and a project budget summary will be provided by LS3P Architects and H.G. Reynolds, Inc. at the board meeting.

School Violence Prevention Program Grant (SVPP) (Dr. Murphy)

The COPS office under the Department of Justice is tasked with issuing and evaluating the School Violence Prevention Program Grant (SVPP).This grant is up to $500, 00 with a 25% match creating a total project of up to $625,000.

Kevin Wren, School Safety Advocate, assists school districts with the SVPP Application process and present the SVPP Grant presentation.

LETRS Professional Development Pilot Program at J.D. Lever Elementary School (Mrs. Glover)

J.D. Lever has experienced incremental growth in its reading achievement scores based on the state’s summative assessment SCReady over the past three years – from 30.6% meeting expectations in 2017 to 40.1% in 2019; however, in the early grades as well as the upper grades, data shows that students have gaps in foundational reading skills. Over the course of the 2020-2021 school year, the administrative team researched pedagogical practices and programs that show evidence of yielding positive results to assist teachers with knowing how to combat reading gaps in the classroom. The team’s investigation led to LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling), which is an intensive two-year professional development program focused on the research behind the science of reading.

LETRS provides in-depth professional development in the four core domains endorsed by the American Federation of Teachers in Teaching Reading is Rocket Science (1999). These core domains include the following: (1) an understanding of the psychology of reading development, including the stages of reading growth, the reasons why some children have difficulty learning to read, and the role of instruction in learning to read; (2) structure of the English language, including phonology, morphology, semantics and syntax, and the way that print represents speech; (3) the ability to practice or execute the components of research-based instruction to obtain good outcomes with children; and (4) ongoing assessment for grouping children and determining outcomes of instruction. These core content domains are intended to complement and reinforce any program-specific professional development that the state, district, or school already provides. As teachers learn to implement a central, comprehensive reading program, LETRS helps teachers understand why they need to implement all components, which principles of instruction are most supported by research, and how to interpret screening and progress-monitoring data. The training gives teachers a basis for choosing and implementing supplemental programs for students who need intervention.

The trainings consist of completing three sections each week: participating in an online component with videos and tutorials; participating in required readings in a professional development textbook; and completing a bridge to practice component by applying new learning with students in teachers’ classes each week. During this weekly cycle, the teachers and administrators will discuss their learning as part of professional learning community (PLC) meetings.

J.D. Lever administration and district office instructional staff met with Dr. David Mathis, Deputy Superintendent of Division of College and Career Readiness from the SC Department of Education, to discuss LETRS and the only other state-sponsored pilot in Darlington School District. The SCDE literacy specialist who serves Darlington in the pilot program also met with the school staff to discuss LETRS and potential obstacles that may arise as well as proactive steps to avoid them. The SCDE has offered to support the pilot at J.D. Lever for up to 40 certified participants at the cost of approximately $3600 per person over the course of two years.

CollegeBoard Springboard Curriculum Pilot Program in ELA and Math in grades 7 and 8 at Kennedy Middle School (Mrs. Glover)

The CollegeBoard is the organization that gives the SAT and the Advanced Placement exam yearly to students for college credit and admissions. They have also established a dynamic SpringBoard curriculum that prepares middle school students for the advanced rigors of Advanced Placement.Given to all students in a grade level, the SpringBoard curriculum, in essence, teaches vital skills to students to prepare them to eventually take more advanced coursework. Going above and beyond, SpringBoard also opens up a tremendous amount of resources and professional development to teachers that they would not typically have access to. From its close reading and writing workshops for students, to its language workshops for English Language Learners, SpringBoard meets students where they are academically and “springs” them forward to instill confidence in them in their academic abilities. The types of skills SpringBoard instills are as follows: critical thinking and problem solving through close observation and analysis of texts, evidenced-based writing, higher order questioning, engaging in academic conversations, collaboration with others in a variety of settings, and teaching students how to communicate in an advanced academic setting. Likewise, additional resources include access to the ZINC Learning Lab, TurnItIn Assist, and the Quill Writing Lab, all tools current college students use on a regular basis at major universities. To give middle school students access to these resources in order to prepare them for Advanced Placement gives them an edge over others as this is what universities already use. In the area of Professional Development, teachers are taught how to incorporate these resources into their everyday teaching, but it also gives them access to many more resources, only accessible through the CollegeBoard, such as already aligned texts for Advanced Placement and math lessons specifically designed with Advanced Placement in mind.

C.INDIVIDUAL ITEMS

Personnel Appointments (Mrs. Hart)

The certified and classified personnel have been screened by the Human Resources Department and interviewed, and/or approved by the Principal or supervisor for each location.

Re-employment of Certified Personnel for the 2021-2022 School Year (Mrs. Hart)

Personnel are employed for a one-year period by the Board of Education.According to state law, certified personnel must be informed by May 1^st 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 exceptions 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).

Re-employment of Certified Personnel, Subject to Certain Conditions, for the 2021-2022 School Year (Mrs. Hart)

Personnel are employed for a one year period by the Board of Education.According to state law, certified personnel must be informed by May 1^st 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.)

Non-Renewal of Identified Induction Contract Certified Personnel for 2021-2022 School Year (Mrs. Hart)

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 personal must be informed by May 1^st of their employment status for the ensuing year or be deemed automatically “re-employed.”

District Strategic Plan (Mrs. Glover & Dr. Minolfo)

Each school district must develop a five-year 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 improvements 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.

Curriculum Technology Specialist Position Using ESSER II Funds (Mrs. Glover)

The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER II) resulted from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA), which was signed into law on December 27, 2020.Aiken County Public Schools is projected to receive $28.2 million of this pot of funding.On March 23, 2021, the school board approved the use of ESSER II funds for a variety of activities under 15 allowable categories.District administration included a proposal to hire an additional curriculum technology specialist under the Department of Curriculum Support in the Instructional Services Division, but that items was not approved, and additional information and a job description were requested.

2021-2022 Budget – First Reading (Mr. Traxler)

In its 2021-2022 budget calendar, the Board scheduled presentations of the first reading of the budget for April 20, 2021, and the second & final reading for May 25, 2021.