The Aiken County Board of Education Meeting, October 26, 2021 at 6:00p.m. at the District Office 1000 Brookhaven Drive Aiken, SC 29803

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Submitted by Kim_Chriswell on Fri, 10/15/2021 - 4:30pm

Dates:

Tuesday, October 26, 2021 - 6:00pm

THE CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT OF AIKEN COUNTY

BOARD OF EDUCATION

AIKEN, SOUTH CAROLINA

OFFICIAL AGENDA REGULAR SESSION 6:00 P.M. OCTOBER 26, 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.

CALL TO ORDER

MOMENT OF SILENCE & PLEDGE: Dr. John Bradley

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Regular Meeting – October 12, 2021

SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS:

Public Participation

No Requests This Meeting

Office of Board Chairman

No Items This Meeting

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

COVID-19 Update (Mr. Laurence)

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

Ratification of Expulsions (Mr. Laurence)

The School Board, according to the Code of Laws for South Carolina Section 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.

Proposed 2022-2023 Budget Calendar (Mr. Traxler)

Board Policy DBG requires that the Aiken County Board of Education adopt a budget calendar by November 1 each year.

2022 Graduation Ceremonies in USC-A Convocation Center (Dr. Murphy)

Since 2009 graduation ceremonies have been held in the Convocation Center.The schools have been supportive of this.The Convocation Center has been bey accommodating to the schools for the graduation exercises.

ACPSD Board Liaison for Head Start/Early Head Start Policy Council (Mr. Laurence)

The Head Start/Early Head Start Policy Council includes an ACPSD Board Member who serves as Board Liaison to provide two-way communication of HS/EHS related matters that come before the board for approval

C.INDIVIDUAL ITEMS

Personnel Appointments (Mrs. Hart)

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

Revision of Policy DA Fiscal Management Goals/Priority Objectives, First Reading (Dr. Minolfo & Mr. Traxler)

Policy DA Fiscal Management Goals/Priority Objectives establishes the board’s vision for sound fiscal management of the district. Policy DA outlines the process to ensure decisions are made to provide the most effective educational program for the district.

Revision of Policy GCC Professional Staff Leaves and Absences, First Reading and Policy GDC Support Staff Leaves and Absences, First Reading (Mrs. Hart & Dr. Minolfo)

Aiken County Public School District offers the opportunity for existing employees to utilize accrued leave and absences. Policy GCC Professional Staff Leaves and Absences and GDC Support Staff Leaves and Absences provide guidance to employees regarding the accrual and use of various types of leave.

Revision of Temporary Administrative Rules GCC-R (2) (Professional Staff) and GDC-R (2) (Support Staff), COVID-19 Related Leave (Mrs. Hart)

Administrative Rules GCC-R (2) (Professional Staff) and GDC-R (2) (Support Staff), COVID-19 Related Leave, approved May 5, 2020 established guidelines for implementation of temporary leave requirements under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).FFCRA concluded December 31, 2020, and paid leave was extended through June 30, 2021.Extension of paid leave from July 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021, was approved by the Board at its meeting on September 14, 2021.

Revision of Policy JFABC Admission of Transfer Students, First Reading (Dr. Minolfo)

Students are assigned to schools according to the location of the residence of their parent/legal guardians, unless specifically authorized to attend a different school.The board has the authority to transfer and assign students within the district.Student transfers will comply with adopted board policy and state laws.

Revision of the following Temporary Administrative Rule JE-R Student Attendance (Dr. Minolfo)

State law requires all children of compulsory attendance age to regularly attend school.The board authorize the administration to implement procedures for regulating student attendance during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), ensuring that absences are recorded and truancy is reported in accordance with policy JH, Student Absences and Excuses.

Revision of Policy IKA Grading/Assessment Systems, First Reading (Mrs. Glover & Dr. Minolfo)

Aiken County Public School District offers a uniform grading policy to provide guidance for schools. Policy IKA Grading/Assessments is based on the South Carolina State Board of Education’s Uniform Grading Policy (UGP).The UGP was updated in May 2019.

Proposed One-Time Use of Fund Balance – Employee Christmas Bonus (Mr. Traxler)

The School Board has provided Christmas bonuses to employees in recent years as a show of appreciation.Bonuses were $150 in December 2018 and December 2019.Last year’s bonuses, to offset the frozen pay scale at the time, considered each employee’s continuous employment with the District.Bonus amounts paid in December 2020 ranged from $150 to $750, depending on longevity with the District.

Proposed Incentive for Bus Driver Recruitment and Retention (Mr. Traxler)

Our District, like many others, continues to deal with a significant shortage of bus drivers.Most drivers are working longer days and driving additional routes to compensate for the shortfall.This results in earlier and delayed student arrivals and delayed student departures (which also impacts school staff who may be required to arrive earlier, stay later, and/or forego other duties in order to monitor students).The Administration is seeking ways to recruit new drivers and retain employed drivers.