Aiken County Board of Education Meeting on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at the District Office

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Dates: 
Tuesday, March 22, 2016 - 7:00pm
THE CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT OF AIKEN COUNTY
BOARD OF EDUCATION
AIKEN, SOUTH CAROLINA
                                       
 
OFFICIAL AGENDA _______REGULAR SESSION _7:00 P.M._______MARCH 22, 2016  
 
Location:                                     District Office                                                     Aiken, SC
                                                   1000 Brookhaven Drive
 
 
 
REGULAR SESSION: 7:00 P.M.
 
 
 
DEVOTIONAL & PLEDGE:  Mr. Ronnie West
 
 
 
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
 
 
 
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
 
Regular Meeting – March 8, 2016
 
 
 
SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS:
 
 
  • District Academic Team Winners
 
  • NAHS Robotics Team
 
  • Spelling Bee Winner
 
 
  • Public Participation
 
                                    No Requests This Meeting
 
 
 
  • Office of Board Chairman  
 
           
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  1. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:  The following items are for information only and do not require Board action.
 
 
1.         Construction Status Reports for the Leavelle McCampbell Middle School Project (Dr. Foster)
 
            In an effort to keep the Board current on the status and budget of this school construction project, the Architects for this project, McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture and the Administration prepare a monthly status report for the Board’s review.
 
 
 
2.         Legislative Update (Mr. Liner)
 
 
 
3.         Teacher Recruitment Fair Debriefing
 
 
 
  1. CONSENT ITEMS:  The following items will be voted on as a group.  Individual items may be discussed prior to a vote being taken.
 
 
1.         Ratification of Expulsions (Dr. Alford)
 
            The School Board, according to the Code of Laws of 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.
 
 
 
2.         Out-of-District Transfer Requests (Dr. Stowe)
 
            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.”
 
 
 
3.         Proposed Schedule of School Board Meetings, 2016-2017 (Dr. Alford)
 
            The School Board has historically scheduled its regular sessions on the second and fourth Tuesday evenings of the month.  Executive sessions have been held, as needed, on these same dates.
 
 
 
4.         GMP for Leavelle McCampbell Middle School Building and GMP for Chillers at Leavelle McCampbell Middle School, Aiken High School & North Augusta High School (Dr. Foster)
 
            H.G. Reynolds Company received bids for CM at Risk for Leavelle McCampbell Middle School Building and the Chiller Package for Chillers at the 3 schools as stated above.  The original construction budget approved by the board had an early site work budget of $3,148,200 and a building package budget which included HVAC Chillers of $19,705,400 for a projected construction budget of $22,853,600.  The value of the chillers for Leavellle McCampbell Middle, added with the building package, and site package is $22,602,565 which is approximately $250,000 less than the original construction budget approved by the board on January 26, 2016.  The total budget needed is $27,659,402 that was approved on January 26, 2016 as well.
 
 
 
 
5.         Construction Bids for the 2016 Scrubbing & Recoating of Gymnasium Floors District Wide for Aiken County Public Schools (Dr. Foster)
 
            Bids were received for the 2016 Scrubbing & Recoating of Gymnasium Floors District Wide on March 8, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. and publicly opened.  There were 2 bidders with Sports Court Solutions by Floor Action, Inc. submitting the lowest responsible and responsive bid in the amount of $15,235.00 for Base Bid A and the amount of $12,425.00 for Base Bid B.  Total project cost would be $27,660.00.  The Five Year Facility Improvement Plan for 2016-2017 has the funds needed to complete these projects.
 
 
 
 
6.         2016 Installation of Flooring @Byrd Learning Center, Aiken Elementary, North Augusta Elementary, Center for Innovative Learning at Pinecrest & Belvedere Elementary (Dr. Foster)
 
            Bids were received on February 25, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. an publicly opened for the 2016 Flooring @ Byrd Learning Center, Aiken Elementary, North Augusta Elementary, Center for Innovative Learning at Pinecrest & Belvedere Elementary.  There were 4 bidders for this project with the lowest responsible and responsive bidders being Bonitz Flooring Group of Aiken, SC, & Gleaton Floor Covering of Sumter, SC:  Base Bid A ($69,900.00) for North August Elementary; Base Bid A ($128,115.00) for ByrdLearning Center; Alternate #1 ($24,255.00) for Byrd Learning Center.  The Five-Year Facility Improvement Plan for 2016-2017 has the funds needed to complete these projects.  Total contract amount is $590,369.00.
 
 
 
7.         Potash Donation to Belvedere Elementary School’s Science Day Fair – FY16 (Mr. Laurence)
 
            Belvedere Elementary was given a $1,815 donation from Potash for their Science Day Fair.  There will be two guest presenters at the Science Day Fair.  One will give a gemming presentation and the other will give a fossil presentation.  The funds from this donation will be used to pay for the presenters and their supplies.
 
 
 
8.         Submission of Verizon’s Project Lead The Way Gateway Grant for Jackson Middle School (Mr. Laurence)
 
            Verizon has partnered with Project Lead The Way (PLTW)            Gateway Program to offer middle schools nationwide the opportunity to apply for a two-year grant to support the implementation of PLTW’s Gateway’s new specialized units – Introduction to Computer Science I (ICS I) and Introduction to Computer Science II (ICS II).  This grant opportunity will expose students at Jackson Middle School to curriculum-based project-based learning and will assist in strengthening critical thinking skills that is paramount in today’s college and career arenas.  PLTW Gateway will provide a strong foundation for STEM/STEAM learning in high school and beyond as it challenging students to solve real-world problems.  Upon entering high school, students at Jackson Middle School will be ready to meet the challenges of advanced engineering and mathematics course offerings.  Grant funds in the amount of $20,000 will be used for PLTW participation fees, teacher training, required technology for program, and instructional supplies.
 
 
 
9.         Submission of Verizon’s Project Lead The Way Gateway Grant for New Ellenton Middle School (Mr. Laurence)
 
            Verizon has partnered with Project Lead The Way (PLTW)            Gateway Program to offer middle schools nationwide the opportunity to apply for a two-year grant to support the implementation of PLTW’s Gateway’s new specialized units – Introduction to Computer Science I (ICS I) and Introduction to Computer Science II (ICS II).  This grant opportunity will expose students at New Ellenton Middle School to curriculum-based project-based learning and will assist in strengthening critical thinking skills that is paramount in today’s college and career arenas.  PLTW Gateway will provide a strong foundation for STEM/STEAM learning in high school and beyond as it challenging students to solve real-world problems.  Upon entering high school, students at New Ellenton Middle School will be ready to meet the challenges of advanced engineering and mathematics course offerings.  Grant funds in the amount of $20,000 will be used for PLTW participation fees, teacher training, required technology for program, and instructional supplies.
 
 
 
 
10.       Waterford Early Learning System (Mr. Laurence)
 
            Waterford Early Learning is a set of two powerful digital programs designed for early education – Waterford Early Reading Program and Waterford Early Math and Science Program.  The adaptive nature of these programs helps to guarantee that every student receives an individualized lesson in ELA, math and science each day.  All activities take place within a teacher’s classroom and students are able to develop technology skills with daily practice beginning in 4K.
 
            The Read 2 Succeed Act emphasizes the attainment of literacy and numeracy proficiency by grade three.  Waterford Early Learning provides individualized support in core instruction to help early childhood and primary students attain the foundational skills needed to reach proficiency.
 
 
 
11.       Correction to the Previously Approved Sound and Lighting Upgrades for the Auditoriums at Midland Valley High School, Silver Bluff High School and South Aiken High School (Dr. Foster)
 
            The School Board approved on March 8, 2016, bids for sound and lighting upgrades for auditoriums in several of our schools for $211,455.68.  There was a typographical error and the amount should have read $271,455.68.  The funding for the sound and lighting upgrades will come from the District’s Fund Five Account.
 
 
 
 
12.       2016 Painting of Center of Innovative Learning at Pinecrest, Greendale Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, Midland Valley High, Aiken Elementary (media only) & North Augusta Elementary (media center)  (Dr. Foster)
 
            Bids were received on February 25, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. and publicly opened for the 2016 Painting of Center for Innovative Learning at Pinecrest, Greendale Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, Midland Valley High, Aiken Elementary (media only) & North Augusta Elementary (media center).  There were 6 bidders for this project with the lowest responsible and responsive bidder being R.D. Brown Contractors, Inc.; Base Bid A ($79,200.00) for Center for Innovative Learning at Pinecrest; Base Bid A ($128,700,00) for Jefferson Elementary; Base Bid A ($8,400.00) for Aiken Elementary (media only); Base Bid A ($8,400.00) for North Augusta Elementary (media only).  S&A Enterprise, Inc.: Base Bid A ($95,000.00) for Greendale Elementary; Base Bid A ($205,000.00) for Midland Valley High.  The Five-Year Facility Improvement Plan for 2016-2017 has the funds needed to complete these projects.  Total contracts are in the amount of $524,700.00.
 
 
 
 
 
 
C.        INDIVIDUAL ITEMS:
 
 
1.         Personnel Appointments (Mrs. Dillon)
 
            The certified and classified personnel presented have been screened by the Personnel Services Department and interviewed and approved by the Principal and Academic Officers.
 
 
 
                            2.         Non-Renewal of Identified Induction Contract Certified Personnel for
                            2016-2017 School Year (Mrs. Dillon)
 
                            For certified personnel under Induction Contracts, non-renewal of employment
                            notifications require a certain type of motion.  All personnel are employed for a
                            one year period by the Board of Education, and such personnel must be
                            informed by April 15th of their employment status for the ensuing year or be
                            deemed automatically “re-employed.” 
 
 
 
                            3.          Non-Renewal of Identified Annual Contract Certified Personnel for
                            2016-2017 School Year (Mrs. Dillon)
 
                            Personnel are employed for a one year period by the Board of Education.            
                            According to state law, certified personnel must be informed by April 15th of their
                            employment status for the ensuing year or be automatically deemed
                            “re-employed.”  Persons presently serving under annual contracts, but who are
                            not being recommended for re-employment, have limited due process rights
                            under South Carolina law.
 
 
                            4.          Non-Renewal of Identified Continuing Contract Certified Personnel for
                            2016-2017 School Year (Mrs. Dillon)
 
                            Personnel are employed for a one year period by the Board of Education. 
                            According to state law, certified personnel must be informed by April 15th of their
                            employment status for the ensuing year or be automatically deemed
                            “re-employed.”  Persons presently serving under continuing contracts, but who
                            are not being recommended for re-employment, have limited due process rights
                            under South Carolina law.
 
 
 
                            5.          Re-employment of Certified Personnel, Subject to Certain Conditions, for
                             the 2016-2017 School Year (Mrs. Dillon)
 
                             Personnel are employed for a one year period by the Board of Education.
                             According to state law, certified personnel must be informed by April 15th of their
                             employment status for the ensuing year or they will be deemed “re-employed.” 
                             Many certified employees who are otherwise recommended for employment for
                             the next school year must nevertheless meet certain qualifying conditions or
                             stipulations.  These may be in order to qualify for the continuation of
                             employment, or they may be conditions affecting their status for the following
                             year.  (Appearance of names of employees on this list should not give rise
                             necessarily to a perception of a problem or concern, as many of the required
                             stipulations are very routine in nature, as already mentioned.)
 
 
 
                            6.          Re-employment of Certified Personnel for the 2016-2017 School Year
                            (Mrs. Dillon)
 
                            Personnel are employed for a one-year period by the Board of Education. 
                            According to State law, certified personnel must be informed by April 15 of their
                            employment status for the ensuing year, or they will automatically be deemed
                            “re-employed”.  Pursuant to procedures previously approved by the Board,
                            certified persons not otherwise subject to special conditions or requirements and
                            whose contract entitlements are not affected by reassignment, are
                            recommended as a group for re-employment for the following year (with the
                            exception of employees who have given notice of their retirement or who have
                            indicated an intention to resign prior to the start of the next school year). 
 
 
 
D.        INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS
 
  1. AGENDA ITEMS SUBMITTED BY INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS:
                          -      Mr. Wesley Hightower – Communications Committee Update
  1. CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESSED TO BOARD MEMBERS:
  2. REPORTS FROM BOARD LIAISON TO VARIOUS COMMITTEES:
 
 
E.         OFFICE OF DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT:
  •      Update
 
 
F.         EXECUTIVE SESSION:
 
            1.         CONTRACTUAL ISSUES:    
 
                                         -      Update on Real Property Status
 
             2.         LEGAL BRIEFINGS:
 
                                         -       Legal Briefing
 
 
             3.         PERSONNEL ISSUES:
 
                                         -       Discussion on Personnel Matters
 
 
             4.         OFFICE OF DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT:
 
                                                   No Items This Meeting   
 
 
              5.         APPEALS:
                                  
                        a.         Out-of-District Transfer (Area 2)
                        b.         Out-of-District Transfer (Area 3) - Withdrew 3/22/16
                        c.         Student Appeal (Area 4)
                        d.         Student Appeal (Area 5) - Postponed to 3/29/16
                        e.         Student Appeal (Area 2)
                        f.          Student Appeal (Area 2)
 
 
RETURN TO OPEN SESSION
ACTION ON ITEMS DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION:
ADJOURN
 
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