By Betsy Finklea
The opening of school and other matters were discussed at the Dillon District Four School Board’s meeting on Monday night.
Superintendent Ray Rogers said the opening of school was like it never stopped from last year. Rogers said he visited every school and everyone was on task. He said the buildings look fantastic.
First Day of School
Rogers said the new gym floors at Dillon High School and Lake View High School have been poured. Students should be able to get on the courts by next Monday; the floors should hold up for more than 20 years.
Rogers said they were all excited about football season opening up at the schools. He said both Dillon and Lake View won their games on Friday night, and there were good athletes on both teams.
It was also noted that all students are getting a free breakfast and a free lunch this year due to a grant they were awarded.
Assistant Superintendent for Finance Art McMillan gave the budget report. He stated that .044 percent of the budget has been expended. The balance of all funds as of July 31st is at $3.538.187.29.
Lynn Liebenrood reported on student services. She gave board members a copy of the Student Discipline Code Book and a copy of the Crisis Response Plan. She said there were no changes.
Some changes were made to the Grades 6-8 Promotion/Retention Form. To be eligible for sports, students must be academically promoted and not socially promoted.
The following line was inserted into the form: “The student cannot fail more than two of the four subjects to be eligible for athletic sports and must have an overall passing average.” The change will make it clear who is eligible and not eligible for athletics. The motion to make the change was made by Trustee Burt Rogers and seconded by Trustee Alex Lewis.
The 2014 Spring PASS Test Scores were reviewed. There was a drop in scores as there was statewide.
Liebenrood said there was a big drop in sixth and eighth grade scores. She said the test was more rigorous.
The HSAP (High School Assessment Program) scores were also reviewed. Last year was the last year that the test will be given as they will no longer test with HSAP.
DILLON HIGH SCHOOL (Percent Pass Rate)
ELA (English Language Arts): 2013 – 80.6%, 2014 – 75.6%
MATH: 2013 – 69.0%, 2014 – 62.7%
LAKE VIEW HIGH SCHOOL
(Percent Pass Rate)
ELA (English Language Arts): 2013 – 78.7%, 2014 – 80.7%
MATH: 2013 – 82.0%, 2014 – 67.2%
In Grade 11, all students will take the WorkKeys test, a workforce skills assessment test. Students will also take another test which is being developed.
Several changes to various policies were reviewed by Dr. Polly Elkins and Liebenrood. Among the changes in the policies were:
• Putting cursive writing back in the curriculum. Beginning in third grade, students will be introduced to lowercase letters and will move on from there.
• Students will be memorizing multiplication tables. By the spring of 2nd grade, students will have learned the 0-5 tables and will have mastered all tables before 4th grade.
• Removing the credit limit on distance/virtual school courses. Students have been limited on the number of courses.
• Having a 100% Tobacco Free School District, Tobacco Free Schools and Staff, and no tobacco use by students.
Other policies dealt with staff compensation, professional contacts, health education, board meeting agendas, time limits on makeup work, vending machines, open community use of school recreation areas, and security.
The policies were approved upon a motion by Alex Lewis.
The personnel report was presented by Dr. Elkins. Recommendations: Geneva Baker–Teacher– Dillon Middle, J. Keith Coward–Long Term Substitute Teacher–East, Leslie T. Heasley–Teacher–South, Julia Hodges–Teacher–Lake View High, James Kirby– Teacher–Lake View High, Lisa M. Lee–Teacher–Lake View Elementary, Sharon Leonard– Teacher–South, Marilyn Locklear-Hunt–Teacher– Dillon Middle, Jamie McClellan–Teacher–Dillon Middle, Desma Manigault-McElveen–Teacher–Dillon Middle, Audrey Schafer– Dillon High, Judith Squires– Teacher–Dillon High, Jestine Wade–Teacher–Dillon Middle, Jeremiah Barfield–Assistant– Stewart Heights, Grace Currie –Assistant, Gordon, Vickey Ford – Bus Driver, Gwendolyn Jackson–Secretary–South, Carolyn Lockamy–Secretary – Dillon High, Alexander McLellan–Custodian–Lake View Elementary, Se’Lisa Scott –Secretary–Technology, Nicole Shelley–Food Service Manager–Stewart Heights, Tierra Townsend–Bus Driver, and Kimberly Williams– Assistant –Stewart Heights.
Recommendations for Re-Hired Retirees: Lloyd Lindsay –Food Service Operator and Crystal Richardson – Assistant.
Resignations: Melissa Blair – Teacher, Kathy W. Bryant– Teacher, John Berry Dew, IV– Teacher, Sheila Gerrald– Teacher, Jennifer Grainger– Teacher, Johnny Mitchell– Teacher, Alanna McLellan– Assistant, Fred Taylor– Custodian, and Edward Temoney– Assistant.
Retirement: Marion Coward–Teacher and Holly Jacobs– Teacher.
Rehired Retiree Not Returning for the 2014-2015 SY: Inetta Robinson– Secretary.
The motion to accept the personnel recommendations was made by Rogers and seconded by Trustee Earl Gleason, Jr. All approved.
