Board Brief

This publication is designed to share the actions from the December 10, 2012 Board Meeting.

December 12, 2012

REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

South Carolina Bank & Trust (SCBT) Teachers of the Month for November – The following teachers were recognized at the board meeting for their selection as SCBT Teachers of the Month for November:

  • Sheila White – Ridgeland Elementary School
  • James Dunbar – Hardeeville Elementary School
  • Lauren Levin – Hardeeville Ridgeland Middle School
  • Cynthia Hasty – Ridgeland Hardeeville High School

Each teacher was given a monetary incentive from the Jasper County Board of Trustees and Superintendent for this recognition.

Palmetto Electric Bright Ideas Winners – The following teachers were recognized for winning Bright Ideas Grants through Palmetto Electric Cooperative:

  • Angela Mason – Hardeeville Elementary School
  • Paula Greab – Hardeeville Elementary School
  • LaQuandra Stevenson – Hardeeville Elementary School
  • Sylvia Cobb – Hardeeville Ridgeland Middle School
  • Euphemia Southall – Hardeeville Ridgeland Middle School

Some of the teachers were asked to explain their grants to the Board and how these will benefit their students academically.

Diabetes University Student Participants – Students from Ridgeland Hardeeville High School’s Medical Careers Club were recognized for their participation in the Diabetes University that was held in November:

9th Graders - Deja Brownlee and Kayla Hasty

11th Graders - Myril Nobleza, Emily Avila, Christopher Gonzales and

Alexis Williams

12th Graders - Danielle Rivers, Deviere Garvin-Lephere, Rakkira Fuller

and Tori Ervin

Cynthia Robino, Work-Based Coordinator, was also recognized for her leadership given to these students.

“Years of Service” Recognition – Barbara B. Clark was recognized for two years of service on the Board (November 2010 – December 2012). Ms. Clark resigned from the Jasper County Board of Trustees effective December 21, 2012. She was elected in November to serve on the Jasper County Council and will be taking her seat in January.

(Continued)

BOARD BRIEF – DECEMBER 12, 2012

PAGE TWO

Introduction of Induction Teachers – Dr. Arthur Lee Holmes, Chief Officer of Academics and Human Resources, recognized twenty-nine Induction Teachers for the 2012-2013 school year: Doretha Brown, Susan Culver-Shaw, Shana Miller, Matthew Brown, Joseph Chunko, Peter Commodore, Kennard Smalls, Shaquandra Stevenson, Richia Wedzik, Lawasia Wimberly, Jeffrey Young, Roman Bender, Juvonna Chatman, Jason Davis, Tineesha Glover, Lauren Levin, Danielle Nye, Shirlette Washington, Porshia Mitchell, Miriam Bennett, Gilbert Bosire, Stacey Francesconi, Cynthia Hasty, Monica Rani, Jacqueline Waite, Andrew White, Sridevi Kodavalli, Steluta Stefanesc and Laura Lopez. The purpose of the Induction Program is to facilitate beginning teachers’ successful transition into professional practice.

Board Member Appointments to the ACE (Academy for Career Excellence) Board – Ms. Berty Riley, Board Chairperson, appointed three board members to serve on the ACE Board for a two year term: Alina Hamilton-Clark, Randy Horton and Tedd Moyd. Dr. Debora Butler will serve as the Alternate in case one of the others cannot attend a meeting. All were in agreement to serve on the ACE Board.

Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Washington shared a PowerPoint Presentation on the annual academy and awards ceremonies that were held last week. The first Saturday Academy for Parents & Teachers was held on Saturday, December 1, 2012. Three computers were donated by Don Cotnoir, Sun City Resident, to be given as door prizes to three lucky parents. A second session will be held in the Spring. Jamie Daily, Reporter from WTOC, and Brittany Shane, Reporter from WSAV, served as Guest Presenters at the two Evenings of Excellence that were held at both school campuses. Students were recognized for scoring exemplary on PASS and HSAP, GPAs over 3.0, SAT Scores of 1000 or above as well as exemplary in Art and Music. Dr. Washington also reported that Coastal Carolina Medical Center will host an art competition this year for students.

Public Relations Plan – Shellie Murdaugh, Public Information Officer for the District, shared her plan which outlines a strategy to generate positive exposure for the Jasper County School District through media, website, internet site and publications on an ongoing basis. Her plan includes internal communication, external communication, crisis communication, public relations objectives, target audiences, strategies, procedures, publications, media relations and the release of information. The District will release its first newsletter for the semester (Fall & Spring).

Base Salary for Teachers – A teacher salary study was presented to the Board by Gary West, Chief Officer of Finance and Data Management, which included (1) the District’s 2012-2013 Certified Salary Schedule based on the educator’s degree, years of experience and a 190-day work year, (2) the state’s minimum salary requirements plus the EIA supplement, (3) a historical comparison of the South Carolina average teacher salary with the Southeastern average teacher salary, (4) the number of classroom teachers at each degree and experience level, and (5) a comparison of the 2011-2012 Certified Salary Schedules for Allendale, Bamberg 1, Bamberg 2, Charleston, Colleton, Hampton 1, Hampton 2 and Savannah-Chatham County (GA).

Superintendent Receives Rotary’s Paul Harris Fellow Award for Community Service and Support – Information was shared on Dr. Washington’s receipt of this award presented at the Jasper County Rotary Meeting on November 27, 2012 by the South Carolina State Rotary Governor Ed Duryea.

Design-Build: District Stadium Improvements Recommendation for Selected Vendor – Darryl Owens, Chief of Operations, presented information on the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) that were received from five interested parties for the stadium improvements at the old Jasper County High School Athletic Complex. A non-partisan committee was chosen to independently review and evaluate each proposal based on a list of criteria. The committee members independently and unanimously selected M. B. Kahn Construction Company, Inc. as its vendor of choice based upon their professional ability to adequately meet the current needs of the District and serve as the Awarded Contractor for the District Stadium Improvements. The Board approved this recommendation and the expected date of completion for this project is May 15, 2013.

There will be no board meeting on December 24, 2012.

“Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.” – Chinese Proverb

Submitted by: Dr. Vashti K. Washington, Superintendent