The Aiken County Board of Education Meeting, December 14, 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, 12/10/2021 - 3:45pm

Dates:

Tuesday, December 14, 2021 - 6:00pm

THE CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT OF AIKEN COUNTY

BOARD OF EDUCATION

AIKEN, SOUTH CAROLINA

OFFICIAL AGENDA ______REGULAR SESSION _6:00 P.M._____DECEMBER 14, 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 – November 9, 2021

SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS:

Public Participation

No Requests This Meeting

Election of Board Officers

Office of Board Chairman

Discussion of Policy IJ

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

Wagener-Salley High Project Update (Dr. Murphy)

ABM Update (Dr. Yarborough)

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

In an effort to keep the Board current on the status and budget of this 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 and 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 Report for the Highland Springs Middle 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.

Construction Status Reports for the Millbrook Elementary Additions and 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.

Financial Report, as of July 31, 2021 (Mr. Traxler)

The financial report as of July 31, 2021, is submitted in the approved format.

Financial Report, as of August 31, 2021 (Mr. Traxler)

The financial report as of August 31, 2021, is submitted in the approved format.

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

Indoor Air Quality (Dr. Murphy)

As stated in out 2021-22 Return To In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan, Aiken county Schools has an ongoing initiative to improve indoor air quality.Each classroom has been equipped with individual air purifiers equipped with HEPA and carbon filters.The school district has also contracted with an independent air quality specialist to survey all District HVAC systems to determine the feasibility of installing needlepoint bipolar ionization devices.That process is now complete.

Change Order #1 for the Belvedere Elementary School Addition and Renovation Project (Dr. Murphy)

Change Order #1 for the Belvedere Elementary School Addition and Renovations Project for Aiken County Public Schools is submitted for your review and approval.

Provide sitework, fencing, and concrete sidewalks associated with the playground and securing school access.

……………………………………………………………………………$139,229.00

These items are additional scope not included in the original plans and specifications and therefore are cost additive items.The Owner’s contingency is adequate.

Total Change Order #1 amount is ………………………………………..$139,229.00

Request for Approval for Home Instruction (Dr. Murphy)

The School Board, according to the Code of Laws for South Carolina, Section 59-65-40, is authorized to approve home schooling for parents not opting for approval by the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools.The program has to meet certain standards as outlined in the bill, Policy IEK and IEK-R.

Submission of Grant Application by the Division of Human Resources and Administration for the South Carolina School Boards Insurance Trust Risk Control Grant – FY22 (Mrs. Hart)

The Division of Human Resources and Administration would like to submit a grant application for $46,150.07 South Carolina School Boards Insurance Trust Risk Control Grant.The non-competitive grants program provides funding for the one-time purchase of a product or service that supports a member district’s risk management objectives.The money from this grant will be used for SafeSchools online training for all district staff, slip resistant shoes for all custodial staff, large tilt/trash carts, reflective vests and flashlights for transportation services, non-slip mats to go under water fill stations and lunch delivery carts with closed sides to prevent spills.

Central Carolina Community Foundation Grant Donation for the Midland Valley Area Elementary School Libraries – FY22 (Mrs. Glover)

The Central Carolina Community Foundation has awarded a grant in the amount of $6,000.00 to be distributed equally to the six Midland Valley Area elementary schools and are to be used to purchase books for the schools’ libraries.The following schools will each receive $1,000.00 for books for their libraries.

Byrd Elementary School$1,000.00

Clearwater Elementary School$1,000.00

Gloverville Elementary School$1,000.00

Graniteville Elementary School$1,000.00

Jefferson Elementary School$1,000.00

Warrenville Elementary School$1,000.00

Aiken County Public School District (ACPSD) Head Start/Early Head Start Program Selection Criteria (Mrs. Glover)

The school district was approved for a five-year Head Start/Early Head Start grant in May of 2020, and the 5-year project period began on July 1, 2020 and extends through June 30, 2025.Governing bodies have a legal and fiscal responsibility to administer and oversee the agency’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs.The governing body is responsible for activities specified at section 642(c)(1)(E) of the Head Start Act.

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.

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 Principal or supervisor for each location.

Revision of the following policy: Policy IHBB Gifted and Talented Education, Second Reading (Mrs. Glover, Mrs. Cansler, Dr. Minolfo)

Aiken County Public School District offers gifted and talented education to meet the needs of all students. The board requires the administration to establish educational standards and develop a special program for students identified as “gifted and talented.”

Revision of the following policies and administrative rule: “L” Policies (First Readings) (Dr. Minolfo)

Aiken County Public School District cyclically reviews policies and administrative rules, Section L – Education Agency Relations are policies that provide guidelines for the district in collaboration with education agencies, including research agencies, colleges and universities, specifically for student teaching and internships, and education accreditation agencies.

Reviewed or revision of the following policies and administrative rule: “K” Policies (First Readings) (Dr. Minolfo)

Aiken Count y Public School District cyclically reviews policies and administrative rules.Section K – School-Community-Home Relations are policies that provide guidance for the district in developing and maintaining positive relationships with parents and community.

Revision of the following policies and administrative rule: “I” Policies (First Readings) (Dr. Minolfo)

Aiken County Public School District cyclically reviews policies and administrative rules. Section I – Instruction are policies that provide guidance for the district on instructional practices in the district.

Proposed Adjustment to Experiential Credit for Nurses (Mrs. Hart)

A service credit model is used to calculate compensation rates for employees.Experiential credit is given for both same and similar experiences.Since the inception of the service credit model, nurses have only received same experiential credit for school nursing experience.However, hospital, physician office, and other forms of Registered Nurse experience also provide valuable experience and expertise to our schools and for our students, and the nursing services required of our staff continue to increase in volume and complexity.In addition, the job market is becoming increasingly competitive with rising pay rates for highly qualified nurses. The Administration is seeking ways to recruit and retain experienced nurses.

Proposed Sign-On Bonus for Special Education Bus Drivers and Special Education Bus Monitors (Mr. Traxler)

The School Board approved sign-on and retention bonuses for bus drivers at its October 26, 2021, meeting in an effort to attract new bus drivers and retain current and new bus drivers.While some progress has been mad in filling regular bus driver vacancies, the District still has a critical shortage of special education bus drivers.Transporting medically-fragile students requires additional levels of responsibility and care.As a result, many individuals opt for regular bus routes over special education routes.

In additional, the District is having difficulty attracting special education bus monitors for the same reason share above.