The Aiken County Board of Education Regular Meeting, July 14, 2026 6:00 p.m. at the District Office - 1000 Brookhaven Drive, Aiken, SC 29803

SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT

SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS

A. INDIVIDUAL ITEMS: The following items will be voted on individually.

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

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

Over the past years, the Aiken County Board of Education has purchased membership in South Carolina School Boards Association. In addition to membership benefits, the Association provides a policy update service and legal assistance fund.  Also included is an annual policy maintenance and Internet subscription fee. 

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 is solely empowered to take the final expulsion action.

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.”

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 nonresident 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 charge tuition to nonresident students seeking to enroll in district schools.”

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

The Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) is designed to provide funding to improve security at schools and on school grounds in the recipient’s jurisdiction through evidence-based school safety programs. Each award is three years (36 months) in duration for a maximum of $500,000 per award. Aiken County Public School District will be applying for $500,000 and providing 25% matching funds of $125,000 per grant requirements.  The allowable uses of SVPP funds include: 

ACPSD seeks funding to consolidate the district’s four separate surveillance camera systems into a single, unified platform, enabling real-time monitoring and improved coordination with law enforcement during emergencies. Additionally, outdated and non-compliant surveillance equipment will be replaced to meet federal cybersecurity standards and ensure the reliability of critical safety systems.

New Ellenton Middle STEAM Magnet would like to submit an application to the SC Arts Commission for the Arts in Basic Curriculum (ABC) Advancement Grant in the amount of $12,500.00.  This is year one of a three-year arts grant opportunity to provide a comprehensive and sequential arts education. The ABC Advancement grant program is funded by the South Carolina Arts Commission and supports schools committed to implementing standards-based arts curricula and to making the arts an integral part of the basic curriculum and daily classroom instruction. ABC Advancement grants are available to certified ABC Schools, and NEMS completed ABC recertification in May 2026. The monies from the Advancement Grant will be used to fund substitute teachers for teachers to conduct strategic arts integration planning and to attend professional development conferences, to implement arts integration strategies across all content areas, to purchase equipment, supplies and materials for school-wide art and music integration, artists in residence, instrument repair/maintenance, and supplies for an intersession arts enrichment program that connects NEMS students with area elementary students.  

The Golden Harvest Food Bank has donated $9,540.30 to Oakwood-Windsor Elementary School for the purpose of starting a new clothes closet and food pantry for students in need. The donation funds will be used to purchase storage cabinets/containers for the items as well as the items themselves.

The Public Education Partners has donated $5,752.48 to the District Fine Arts Program for approved projects submitted by teachers/schools. The donation funds will be used to purchase the items designated on the approved list which will include items such as: ChompSaws (with Hole Punch & Scoring Tool), musical instruments, music books, musical notes rug, and Silent Disco headphones and transmitter set.

Aiken, Belvedere, Hammond Hill, Gloverville, and Warrenville Elementary Schools have received a donation from the Public Education Partners (PEP) of Aiken in the amount of $7,500.00. The funds will be used to purchase interactive STEM kits to enhance, replenish, or provide new resources, giving students additional hands-on learning opportunities in STEM subjects under the guidance of Dr. Amy Edwards, Chief Officer of Instruction, and Kathy Langston, Director of Elementary Teaching and Learning.

The South Carolina Code of Laws, § 12-43-217 (A) states “…once every fifth year each county or the State shall appraise and equalize those properties under its jurisdiction. Property valuation must be complete at the end of December of the fourth year and the county or State shall notify every taxpayer of any change in value or classification if the change is one thousand dollars or more.  In the fifth year, the county or State shall implement the program and assess all property on the newly appraised values.”  Reassessment has been completed, and reassessed values will be reflected on fall 2026 tax bills. State law requires that rollback millage be used in a year in which a reassessment program is implemented.  Rollback millage ensures that a government entity does not receive a windfall for changes in existing property tax values as result of reassessment.  

Bids were received for the East Aiken School of the Arts roof replacement on June 17, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. and publicly opened. There were 10 bidders, Porter Roofing Contractors, Inc. submitted the lowest responsible and responsive bid in the amount of $1,533,500.00. The project will be funded by 8% funds.   

Change Order Number One reflects an additional charge for the Aiken Intermediate Bus Parking Lot project. Provide material, labor and equipment to export and dispose of 5,306 cubic yards of unsuitable soils offsite to remediate the attached highlighted area in the attached sketch at the Aiken Intermediate Bus Parking Lot.

Change Order Number One:

Additional Amount: $53,060.00

Total Change Order Amount: $53,060.00

Change Order Number Two reflects the shared savings credit for the GMP related to the football field turf installation, amounting to <$139,957.08>.

Change Order Number One reflects the shared savings credit for the GMP related to the South Aiken High School Athletics, amounting to <$29,335.37>.

Proposals were received for a District-wide inventorying of capital assets on May 29, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. The District’s last complete inventory was nearly 25 years ago. While Finance has updated annually for additions and disposals, a complete inventory would ensure completeness of our listing and provide updated valuations for insurance and other purposes.  Services would be coordinated through the District’s Business Services Department. 

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

The administration has completed the scope of needs for the cafeteria renovations at Paul Knox Middle School. The architectural firm Method Works (MW) has utilized this scope to produce the conceptual design for this project.

The Business Services Department submits monthly financials for Board review, consideration, and acceptance.

D. INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS

E. OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT

F. EXECUTIVE SESSION

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RETURN TO OPEN SESSION

ACTION ON ITEMS DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION

ADJOURN