[0:05] Apologize, I had the wrong time.

[0:08] Mr. Ramsey is still en route, so Ms.

[0:10] Davenport is going to chair the committee.

[0:14] You can leave this one now.

[0:14] So we'll be moving on to the Finance and Human Resources Committee meeting.

[0:19] Ms. Davenport, you're recognized.

[0:21] Thank you, Madam Chair. I am calling the Committee on Finance and Human Resources

[0:25] to order. I declare there is a quorum of committee members present, and note that

[0:29] the media has been given proper notice pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act.

[0:33] Is there a motion to approve the agenda?

[0:35] So moved.

[0:36] Second. There's a motion and a second. Any discussion?

[0:39] All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[0:42] Aye.

[0:43] Aye.

[0:44] Opposed, nay. The ayes have it, three to zero.

[0:47] The only agenda item this evening is the fiscal year '26,

[0:50] '27 general fund budget, second reading. Ms.

[0:54] Abrahamson, you are recognized.

[1:07] Thank you, Ms. Davenport, Board Chair Wofford,

[1:11] Superintendent Dixon, board members, cabinet members, and members of the

[1:15] public.

[1:16] Tonight, we're presenting the second and final reading of the general fund

[1:20] operating budget.

[1:23] Again, it's kind of a-

[1:25] A repeat

[1:26] ... rinse repeat of the first presentation.

[1:30] Again, a step increase for all eligible employees.

[1:34] All eligible employees will also receive a 2% COLA

[1:37] increase. This will put our first-year teacher salary at

[1:41] $57,905. We will maintain a

[1:45] 31-year salary schedule

[1:48] for years of experience. Due to budget constraints this year, we weren't able to

[1:52] add any years, but we'll look to getting that to 35 as soon as

[1:55] possible. We are decreasing debt service from

[1:59] 55 to 50 mills, and we're going to move that 5 mill

[2:03] decrease to our school operating millage and increase from

[2:07] 141.9 to 146.9. This

[2:11] maintains our current millage rate of 196.9.

[2:15] We are adding 11 SPED positions for a cost of $1.5

[2:19] million, and we are going to transfer $1.9 million from our legal

[2:23] settlement fund over to our school operating budget to shore up any

[2:27] budget variances. And we have no designated use of fund

[2:31] balance.

[2:33] This is an overview of our

[2:36] revenue and expense projections from FY25, '26 to

[2:40] FY26, '27.

[2:42] All in, our projected revenues for this year are

[2:44] $486,007,922,

[2:49] and we are on target to bring in that revenue.

[2:52] Our revenue projections for

[2:56] FY26, '27 are

[2:58] $517,931,159,

[3:02] divided out into our expenses. Our salaries and benefits

[3:06] total

[3:07] $444,810,038,

[3:12] which is about nearly 86% of our budget.

[3:16] Our purchase services, supplies, and equipment budget for schools and

[3:19] departments is $73,121,121,

[3:24] which is 14% of

[3:28] that $517 million.

[3:31] Marcy, can I-

[3:32] Oh, sorry

[3:33] ... can I hold you right there?

[3:34] Sure.

[3:35] We did these slides. I know there are at least a couple of questions.

[3:39] So instead of going back through slides we just went

[3:43] through, do we want to go questions?

[3:47] Sure. So I have one question. We're increasing salaries

[3:50] $24,500,000 plus.

[3:53] Mm-hmm.

[3:53] How much of special revenue pays for salaries on top of that?

[3:57] I will have to get that exact information-

[3:59] Can you get that?

[3:59] ... and bring it back to you, but yes, ma'am, I'll-

[4:00] It'd be interesting. Yeah.

[4:01] Yeah.

[4:01] I wanna know how much total we're spending on salaries this year.

[4:04] But I will tell you, a good bit of our federal

[4:07] monies, our special revenue monies, goes to salaries as benefits as well.

[4:10] If you could give us some context on that, that would help.

[4:13] Yes, ma'am.

[4:14] Thank you, Sally.

[4:18] I wanna say $20 million, but I'm up here guessing, which we shouldn't probably

[4:22] be doing.

[4:24] I was

[4:25] looking at Dr. Ling. Would you be able to pull that together for us, Dr. Ling?

[4:29] Yes.

[4:29] Okay, thank you.

[4:33] Again, this is our five-year revenue growth, just to show how

[4:37] much we've grown in Berkeley County over the last five years.

[4:40] In '22, '23, our budget was

[4:42] $385,472,856

[4:47] million. And we are now at

[4:49] $517,931,159, very close

[4:53] to getting to 520.

[4:56] So that means not only are we increasing salaries, but when we

[5:00] increase salaries, we are also increasing

[5:03] additional workforce.

[5:06] So therefore, when we started at-- Can you go back?

[5:09] Yes, ma'am.

[5:10] When you started at 385 mills,

[5:14] then you're now at the 517. You've added to the workforce, so therefore, you've

[5:18] added salary addition,

[5:21] plus what else?

[5:24] Well-

[5:24] What else has grown since we started other than the

[5:27] workforce?

[5:28] With inflation and, pretty much everything.

[5:30] Inflation, the cost of everything is going up, our SROs,

[5:34] our software costs.

[5:37] It's really packaged-

[5:39] The operation of the entire district.

[5:41] Yes, ma'am. And we opened two new schools this year, and we're reopening-

[5:45] That's not included in this

[5:46] ... Hannaway Middle.

[5:46] Is that included in your '26, '27?

[5:48] The head count's included.

[5:51] Yes.

[5:51] So the new hires.

[5:52] Yes. Not the building, but the head count.

[5:55] Yes.

[5:55] The workforce.

[5:56] Mm-hmm. Yes, ma'am.

[6:01] Okay. Just another

[6:05] refresh of how we got where we are right now without

[6:08] increasing millage is we decreased debt service by

[6:12] five mills and added that to our school operating millage.

[6:16] That'll decrease our debt service by 11.6 million

[6:20] and it'll increase school operating by a much needed 7.3

[6:23] million. And this realignment allows us to move funds into the

[6:27] correct bucket so that we can

[6:30] pay our expenditures out of the proper bucket of money and

[6:34] not put a burden on our local

[6:37] taxpayers.

[6:39] Again, just because we're

[6:42] firm on that 50 mills, I provided

[6:45] a piece of our capital budget presentation that

[6:49] David Sheetwood did for us back in June to show that

[6:54] decreasing to 50 mills, and with our penny

[6:58] sales tax, we're confident that we'll have the money to keep our capital project

[7:02] momentum going.

[7:04] That's right.

[7:06] This is a snapshot of our operating millage.

[7:08] You can see back in 2017, 2018, we were at 163.8

[7:12] mills.

[7:14] 2019, '20 was a reassessment year, and

[7:18] we dropped to 151.8, and we maintained that millage for

[7:22] five years. Then our reassessment year in '24, '25, we

[7:26] dropped to 141.9. We maintained that millage rate

[7:30] last year. And this year, we're increasing our operating

[7:33] millage by the five mills we decreased from our debt service

[7:37] millage, which will be a slight savings for our

[7:41] 4% homeowners, but really a null

[7:45] impact on all other taxpayers.

[7:48] So I did want to comment, I didn't comment the last time you brought this up,

[7:52] but the drop from 151 to 149, that was a

[7:56] reassessment year?

[7:57] Yes, ma'am.

[7:58] So what happens in a reassessment year is the tax

[8:02] assessor's office goes out, and they estimate the value of

[8:05] everyone's home. If your home value went up, then

[8:09] they base your taxes on the new home value,

[8:13] and it's required by law that we reassess the

[8:17] millage at that point. So that

[8:20] was a required millage drop for a reassessment year.

[8:23] Yes, ma'am.

[8:28] And just because we're doing that

[8:30] millage reallocation, I wanted to share our debt service millage history.

[8:35] Again, we were at 73 mills in '17, '18.

[8:39] In '23, '24, after the penny sales tax

[8:42] passed, this board

[8:45] kept their promise and decreased debt service millage

[8:49] to 55 mills, since we had the additional revenues coming in

[8:53] from the penny, and we have maintained that millage for three years.

[8:57] And this year we will drop it to 50. And we are confident that

[9:01] we'll still be able to make our capital project budgets

[9:05] at that 50 mills.

[9:07] This is a snapshot of our teacher salary schedule, again, with a

[9:11] 2% increase added, and it just shows you the comparison between last year's,

[9:16] if you were at the same step in

[9:20] salary, what the difference is. But most

[9:24] teachers will be able, as long as they've provided their number of work days, which

[9:28] I think the majority of them have, they can see what their new

[9:31] salary is if they look at their new years of experience, add their year of

[9:35] experience, and they'll see their new salary.

[9:37] And that yellow part includes the 2% increase.

[9:42] But they'll have to look at the next year of experience to factor in the step

[9:45] increase.

[9:48] Our next steps are to get this approved this evening and

[9:52] close FY25-26

[9:56] on Wednesday morning and bring in the new budgets

[10:00] that afternoon.

[10:04] Questions?

[10:05] Thank you.

[10:08] What is the pleasure of the committee?

[10:11] Madam Chair, I move to approve the '26-27 general fund budget

[10:15] as presented by administration.

[10:18] Second?

[10:19] Second.

[10:19] Oh, give it to Mr. Ramsey. We have a motion by Ms.

[10:22] Wofford, second by Mr. Ramsey. Is there any further discussion?

[10:27] Hearing none, all in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[10:30] Aye.

[10:31] Aye.

[10:31] Opposed, nay. The ayes have it, three to zero.

[10:34] At this time, I will entertain a motion to adjourn this committee meeting.

[10:38] So moved, Madam Chair.

[10:41] I'll second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion?

[10:44] All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[10:46] Aye.

[10:47] Aye.

[10:48] Opposed, nay. The ayes have it, three to zero. We are adjourned.

[10:53] Good

[10:58] evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to this Berkeley County Board of Education

[11:02] meeting this Monday, June 29, 2026.

[11:05] I call this meeting to order. I declare a quorum is present, and the media has

[11:09] been notified.

[11:11] I'll note.

[11:13] For the record, Mr. Ramsey and Ms. Littleton are on the phone.

[11:17] I'll now entertain a motion to approve the agenda.

[11:21] So moved.

[11:21] Second.

[11:23] There's a motion by Ms. Coates, a second by Ms.

[11:25] Davenport to approve the agenda. Is there any discussion?

[11:30] Hearing none, we'll call the question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[11:34] Aye.

[11:35] Aye.

[11:36] Opposed, nay.

[11:39] The ayes have it.

[11:40] We'll now entertain a motion to approve the minutes from the June 15th,

[11:44] 2026 meeting.

[11:46] So moved.

[11:48] Second.

[11:48] There's a motion by Ms. Coates, a second by Mr. Borden.

[11:51] Is there any discussion

[11:53] or suggested edits to the minutes from June 15,

[11:56] 2026? Hearing none, we'll call the question.

[11:59] All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[12:01] Aye.

[12:02] Aye.

[12:03] Aye.

[12:04] Aye.

[12:04] Opposed, nay.

[12:06] The ayes have it.

[12:08] I'll now entertain a motion to enter into executive session.

[12:11] So moved.

[12:12] Second.

[12:13] There's a motion by Ms. Davenport, a second by Mr. Borden.

[12:17] The stated purpose of executive session,

[12:21] 17 student attendance appeals, two

[12:24] out-of-district appeals, discussion of employment contracts

[12:28] and/or appointments of administrators as needed.

[12:31] Is there any further discussion?

[12:34] Hearing none, we'll call the question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[12:38] Aye.

[12:39] Aye.

[12:40] Opposed, nay. The ayes have it. We are now in executive

[12:44] session.

[12:51] Being a part of something great and being able to express yourself creatively.

[12:54] Graduating from Berkeley County School District is a great pleasure.

[12:58] I've been here my entire life, ever since kindergarten.

[13:01] And all these people I've known forever, and now I get to graduate with them.

[13:05] 12 years of my life, working hard to a goal that I've

[13:09] been pursuing for a long time is coming to an end, and I'm starting

[13:13] a new journey in my life.

[13:14] Graduating from Berkeley County feels like I'm graduating from some place

[13:18] that actually feels like my home.

[13:20] All the teachers, all the schools that I've been to, all my friends, they've been

[13:24] so supportive, and they've helped me grow so much.

[13:26] I'm just so glad all my hard work and dedication can come together in this place,

[13:30] and everything I know and love, all in one place.

[13:34] I'm only ever going to get to graduate once.

[13:36] At Berkeley County, there's my family and there's my friends,

[13:40] and today is more than just saying goodbye.

[13:43] I'm getting to celebrate the four years I've had with these people, the friends

[13:46] I've made.

[13:47] From kindergarten to 12th grade, I've grown up with the same people, the same

[13:50] community, and it's awesome to see how close we've come and how close our

[13:54] family is, and now we finally get to walk the stage together.

[13:57] So I'm so grateful for the opportunities Berkeley County School District has given

[14:00] me.

[14:01] I have verified with your faculty and administration that you have met the

[14:04] requirements for a high school diploma.

[14:07] Therefore, by the authority vested in me by the State of South

[14:10] Carolina and the Berkeley County School Board, I do hereby

[14:14] certify these diplomas and pronounce you graduates.

[14:18] Thank you, BCSD.

[14:19] Thank you, BCSD.

[14:21] Thank you, BCSD.

[14:31] Today, we're celebrating the ribbon cutting of Midtown Middle School, right

[14:35] in the heart of the Nexton community.

[14:37] Everything here is beautiful and perfectly cared for.

[14:40] Three, two, one.

[14:49] And we couldn't ask for a nicer school right here in the heart of Nexton.

[14:52] It's a wonderful community, and the kids are just ready to get

[14:56] in and ready to learn and be involved.

[14:59] Indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

[15:03] I'm pumped. I really want to find out the layout of the place,

[15:07] because it looks very unique, and the colors, they pop out

[15:11] really nicely throughout the school.

[15:12] Being here today and walking through the halls, it shows us that we are

[15:16] committed to making a positive difference, that we're going to use those pennies

[15:19] responsibly.

[15:21] And we're excited because we have one more school to cut a ribbon on this week.

[15:24] So it's just thank you, Berkeley County, for trusting us.

[15:27] We are, in fact, putting that penny to work.

[15:29] It is just another exciting opportunity for us

[15:33] to open a new facility. This is number two of three

[15:37] for us, and one, I feel like, is unprecedented.

[15:41] And I haven't seen a library with this many colors, and it's

[15:44] humongous.

[15:46] From what my perspective is, the library looks really cool, and I want to read some

[15:50] more books. It really does have a really good layout, and I

[15:53] love how it sparks out a little to

[15:56] everything in the school.

[15:59] I'm excited because this is a promise kept to our taxpayers.

[16:03] When we put the penny tax on the ballot and our

[16:06] taxpayers voted for it, we promised that we were going to

[16:10] open

[16:11] Midtown Middle and upcoming Bee Tree Elementary.

[16:14] I want people to walk in and like, "This is Midtown. We are so proud to be here.

[16:18] These are our colors. This is our mascot, and we're going to know that this is

[16:20] here."

[16:21] I loved seeing the new staff here. I'm so excited to welcome Principal May.

[16:25] The band room, the dance room, to see all of the excitement in the kids'

[16:29] eyes.

[16:30] Everything we do should be about our students and making it the best place ever.

[16:33] So if I had something to say, that's our mission here at Midtown.

[16:37] Everything is for our students and making them the best that they can be.

[16:39] So go Astros.

[16:49] I want to thank everybody for coming today to the luncheon.

[16:52] Our SROs, they go above and beyond just being a police officer.

[16:56] This is something that the district likes to do and put on for all of you all for

[17:00] all the hard work you all have done throughout the year.

[17:02] To be an SRO is honestly making a

[17:05] difference.

[17:06] I thank the sheriff every day I put that uniform on.

[17:09] You get to show the younger generation that we're here to

[17:13] help them.

[17:14] I had pride in that school because I considered that my school.

[17:17] These are my kids.

[17:18] Several years ago, the district started recognizing

[17:22] a Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, as the SRO of the Year.

[17:26] This year, it's my honor to recognize Officer Brian Middleton

[17:30] from the Hanahan Police Department. Do you want to come up, Brian?

[17:34] Officer Middleton is always a smiling face.

[17:37] We just have loved having him at school this year. The kids love him.

[17:40] We see him in the halls. He does traffic.

[17:43] He does anything and everything that anyone could ever ask him to do, and he does

[17:46] it all with a smile on his face.

[17:48] For those who know me, thank you for laughing at my corny jokes.

[17:51] To honor an SRO of the Year, that's a lot of pride.

[17:55] We have five different agencies within the Berkeley County School District.

[17:58] To be the SRO of the Year for the Berkeley County School District, it is a big

[18:01] deal.

[18:02] I feel like everybody here

[18:04] is amazing and well-deserving. So

[18:08] to get recognized

[18:10] It's... I'm still speechless.

[18:13] Look around, look to your left, to your right.

[18:15] Everybody's an integral part of the Berkeley County School District and each

[18:18] agency.

[18:19] It's one of those things that you think about and you plan for,

[18:23] but it comes so quick.

[18:25] Soon-to-be retired Corporal Randy Goodman, come up.

[18:28] When I first started, I was real hesitant about being an SRO because I really

[18:32] didn't know what the job was about.

[18:34] But once I got in there, that was my thing.

[18:37] 14 years in the school system as an SRO. What a statement.

[18:41] To be a Fox, that's the most proudest thing, is being part of that family out

[18:45] there.

[18:45] That just shows you where his heart is.

[18:47] With the kids, I know the kids will miss him, the parents, the community.

[18:50] To certify that Corporal Randy Goodman have served faithfully, honorably, and was

[18:54] retired from the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office on the 3rd day of August in 2026.

[18:58] You just can't believe

[19:00] how fast time flies. I'll never have another job like this.

[19:04] Wherever I go, I don't think I'll ever have

[19:08] a community that backed me like they did. Kids, parents.

[19:13] I'm just so lucky to have had that.

[19:16] We thank you for your unwavering commitment, leadership, and positive impact on the

[19:20] students, staff, and families. Your dedication to safety, mentorship, and service

[19:23] has left a lasting legacy that will never be forgotten.

[19:40] Well, I'm one of the custodians at the school. I love Stratford.

[19:44] I bleed red and black because I graduated from Stratford, and

[19:49] Stratford's been very good to me. I enjoy what I do.

[19:52] He's a special guy, and he loves this place, and so we wanted to show just a little

[19:55] token of appreciation for all that he does for the school, for students, for

[19:59] staff, for athletics. It's

[20:02] real special.

[20:03] You'll usually see him driving around the Gator, picking stuff up outside the

[20:07] cafeteria. He's a funny guy. Cracks jokes all the time.

[20:11] He's a good guy.

[20:13] He's here

[20:15] 24/7. He's constantly around school,

[20:19] football games, after school, before school, during school.

[20:23] James does a lot for the school, does a lot for everybody in the school.

[20:26] So I know he always takes care of his Gator, does a lot of stuff for those Gators.

[20:29] He probably puts 100,000 miles a year on the Gator.

[20:32] I see him every day on that Gator. Everywhere.

[20:35] Everywhere he goes, any time, he's always pulling up on that Gator.

[20:39] Even after school, he's in that Gator.

[20:40] The Gator was allegedly purchased around the

[20:44] '90s.

[20:45] All the tires were bald. It was leaning to the right side. It'd barely brake.

[20:49] I realized that we had neglected that Gator for some time,

[20:53] and I gave Mr. Dupree a call. It might've been 8 or 9

[20:57] o'clock at night, and I said, "Now James is out on leave next week.

[21:00] You think we can pull a miracle off?" And he said, "I don't know, but we're going

[21:04] to try."

[21:05] So whenever Mr. Packett came to me and said, "Hey, let's do something for James

[21:08] with this Gator," I was all about it. Makes sense for it to be Stratford colors.

[21:12] Makes sense to do it for James.

[21:13] And we just wanted to do something nice for James because of how much he does for

[21:17] the school.

[21:18] Making it a James Mobile just for him.

[21:20] Making it his own personalized vehicle.

[21:23] We've done the bed liner. We painted the rims.

[21:27] They replaced some of the plastics.

[21:30] Just making it look better, painting it red and black, Stratford's colors.

[21:34] And they're going to change the name to James Deere instead of John Deere.

[21:37] James has done a lot for Stratford, done a lot for us,

[21:41] so it's just a little surprise for him.

[21:53] Hey, James.

[21:56] We know you love Stratford High School, and we know you love Stratford

[21:59] Athletics. And you have been a steadfast for Stratford High

[22:03] School for a very long time. And so me and some special members

[22:07] wanted to do something special for you for all the things that you do for Stratford

[22:10] High School. And so, as a token of appreciation, we did a few

[22:15] upgrades for you within the Auto Tech class.

[22:17] So if you gentlemen would, let's please spread it open.

[22:26] I don't know

[22:28] if you-

[22:31] Oh my God.

[22:32] I don't know if you recognize your Gator.

[22:34] We got

[22:35] a new Gator.

[22:35] But we've got new tires. We got a new paint job.

[22:40] We've got a brand-new logo. And look, we got some custom badging

[22:44] for you.

[22:44] Oh my God.

[22:45] So now you can be riding in style.

[22:48] Yeah, James. Yeah!

[22:55] Thanks.

[22:59] If you know James, James is never speechless.

[23:01] I'm almost out of words. It is the most amazing that they

[23:05] went out of their way to do this for me.

[23:07] For him to be speechless, it means it's truly special.

[23:10] What Stratford means to me is it's a home for me. It's like family.

[23:15] All the coaching staff, principals, assistant principals, they're all like family

[23:18] to me. This is something that I really, really appreciated that they did for me.

[23:23] Just having all hands on deck, and it goes back to the culture that we're

[23:27] continuing to build here. When they say, "Once a Knight, always a Knight," couldn't

[23:30] be truer than with James.

[23:48] We are going to create and design your dream bedroom. Ellie Mae, what do you think?

[23:52] A pool.

[23:54] A pool in our bedroom?

[23:55] Yeah.

[23:55] Ellie Mae is a sweet little girl. She's very caring.

[23:59] Draw your picture,

[24:01] then you're going to write about it.

[24:03] She likes to interact with other kids

[24:07] and is just a really caring little girl.

[24:14] Each year we do the Kids Heart Challenge, and so I guess that's

[24:17] kind of where this began.

[24:19] She told me what it was all about, and I'm like,

[24:23] "Okay,

[24:24] let's do it."

[24:25] I am a huge advocate for

[24:29] health and making sure that kids understand we get one body.

[24:33] Heart health is super important.

[24:35] We always say, "Hey, if you know somebody who is impacted,

[24:39] then raise your hand." And they raise their hand, and

[24:44] Ellie Mae was one that had raised her hand.

[24:46] She came up and was saying that her mom has a heart

[24:50] issue.

[24:51] My mom is a heart hero.

[24:56] She has a

[24:58] thing in her heart. Well, it's a big heart, technically.

[25:01] She really wanted to do something for kids that also have

[25:05] heart issues.

[25:06] I got enough people to give us the money,

[25:10] just

[25:13] for all those people that have heart disease, because I want them to feel better.

[25:17] I don't want them to have heart disease. Good morning, Boykins.

[25:21] We had gotten her on the news show here at Fox Bank.

[25:25] How can others do the Kids Heart Challenge?

[25:28] By signing up and learning hands-only

[25:31] CPR.

[25:32] And she was able to share with the entire school, and then encourage others

[25:36] to sign up.

[25:37] It's really important because your heart's right here.

[25:39] This is what keeps you running all the time.

[25:43] So we got to look after it and give it what

[25:47] it wants so we can stay healthy.

[25:49] We have 1,300 kids, and so it's really exciting when one of them

[25:53] finds a passion she can show

[25:57] the other students in the class and be able to be an advocate

[26:01] for heart health.

[26:03] I won Kids Heart Challenge for next year.

[26:07] Getting to be the heart ambassador for two years.

[26:10] It's very exciting that she has this opportunity again.

[26:12] Do you like helping people?

[26:14] Yes.

[26:14] What is it about helping people that you enjoy?

[26:16] Just the-

[26:18] Why do you do it, Ellie?

[26:19] Just the smile on their face.

[26:21] I'm very proud. I'm so happy that

[26:24] she has a heart to care for others.

[26:28] It makes my heart happy that she wants

[26:32] to do that.

[26:33] And my mom knows that I'm doing this for other people, and

[26:37] really

[26:39] love my mom.

[26:52] Hi, my name is Madison Rice.

[26:54] Hi, my name is Lyra Cureton.

[26:55] Keller Walford.

[26:56] Jordan Sigmon.

[26:57] Eli Bullington.

[26:58] Isabella Montoya Castaneda.

[26:59] Anna Alomar.

[27:00] My name is Albert Lin, and I'm a senior at Cane Bay High School.

[27:03] I'm a senior at Timberland High School.

[27:04] I'm a senior at Berkeley High School.

[27:06] And I am a senior at Cross High School.

[27:07] This week, during Teacher Appreciation Week, I wanted to thank Mr. and Mrs.

[27:11] Bordiano.

[27:11] Today I'm here to surprise Dr. Godfrey with a teacher appreciation letter.

[27:15] Oh, geez,

[27:17] Hey, Ms. Paulhamus.

[27:18] Hey. I wrote you a letter for Teacher Appreciation Week.

[27:21] Is it okay if I read it to you?

[27:22] I would love it.

[27:23] And I decided to choose you

[27:25] and recognize you.

[27:26] I've had many teachers who helped me shape me into the strong, intelligent, young

[27:29] woman I am today.

[27:30] Whether it was in the classroom or on the soccer field, your wisdom and guidance

[27:34] has had an everlasting impact on my life.

[27:36] You are truly an inspiration and a shining example of what it means to be a

[27:39] spectacular educator.

[27:41] I want you to know that you've made an impact on me and a bunch of other seniors in

[27:44] Cane Bay's class of 2026.

[27:45] The semester I spent in your classroom stands out to me the most.

[27:49] Your impact on my life was still great.

[27:51] Every day you met me at the door with a positive attitude and a smile.

[27:54] I'm very glad I have been able to be in your class for the past two years.

[27:59] While other teachers may give me academic skills, you have given me much more.

[28:02] You have provided me with the discipline, critical thinking, and personal skills to

[28:05] succeed. You have been not only a mentor, but a role model, inspiring me to become

[28:08] the best version of myself.

[28:10] As I see you as a genuine role model for how I want to approach my own future.

[28:14] I loved your class, and I know I'll miss it when I graduate.

[28:16] Thank you for being an amazing teacher.

[28:18] You made me feel seen, valued in ways that no other teacher has.

[28:22] Thank you again for everything you've done for me and this school.

[28:25] Constantly exemplified what it means to be a servant leader, always putting me, my

[28:29] peers, and even other teachers' needs before your own.

[28:32] I don't normally get emotional, but I appreciate all you've done.

[28:34] You may not remember it, but one day earlier this year when I was having a rough

[28:38] day, you gave me a Kit Kat. It's such a small act of kindness, but it made my day

[28:42] in a way you will never understand.

[28:44] I can confidently say that the path to success would've been much harder without

[28:47] your guidance and direction. You opened my eyes to what I can achieve, and for

[28:50] that, I cannot thank you enough.

[28:52] Now my high school career is coming to an end, graduating in a month.

[28:55] I look back at those classes and smile. They have been so kind and generous to me.

[28:59] Mr. and Mrs. Bordiano will always have a place in my heart.

[29:02] I know there will be kids who come and go, some kind and some rude, but forever

[29:06] remember that you are an incredible teacher, person, and friend. Thank you, Mr.

[29:09] Vargas.

[29:10] As I follow my own path of becoming a teacher, I want you to know that you will

[29:13] always be an influence on the kind of teacher I hope to become.

[29:17] I want to give you the biggest thank you.

[29:23] Thank you so much. That's awesome.

[29:25] Thank you.

[29:26] Thank you so much.

[29:26] Thank you so much. That means a lot.

[29:28] Of course.

[29:28] It really does.

[29:29] Thanks, Albert. Appreciate it, man.

[29:30] Of course.

[29:30] Great. Thanks. We'll give a hug here.

[29:32] Thank you so much.

[29:32] Yes, ma'am, of course. Thank you to every teacher across the district.

[29:36] We really appreciate you.

[29:37] Big thank you to all the teachers.

[29:39] Thank you for everything you do for us, not just for me, but for Berkeley County.

[29:42] We really appreciate what you do for us.

[29:44] Thank you so much.

[29:44] To all the teachers in Berkeley County who have done a wonderful job.

[29:47] We appreciate you guys more than you realize.

[29:49] Thank you to all of our teachers for all that you do.

[30:06] We are so excited to be at West View Elementary and West View

[30:09] Middle School today. West View Elementary and West View Middle

[30:13] are

[30:14] model schools for our Collective Leadership Initiative program.

[30:18] We selected these schools because they have shared leadership in

[30:22] their building, and we are here today for them to

[30:25] show all of our other Collective Leadership schools the great things

[30:29] that they are doing within their building.

[30:31] A bunch of different schools all over the state are coming over

[30:35] to watch our school, and we've got all kinds of things planned.

[30:39] We have classroom tours for them to go and check out what our

[30:43] amazing teachers are doing. We have data info for

[30:47] them to show how much growth that we've made from doing the Collective

[30:50] Leadership Initiative, and we are just here to celebrate our

[30:54] school and to help others learn and grow and

[30:58] make changes in their schools as well to make all the kids have a positive

[31:02] outlook at school.

[31:04] There's a lot of great things happening across our state in schools.

[31:07] I think West View is very fortunate to be recognized.

[31:09] We have a lot of systems in place to encourage teacher leaders.

[31:12] We do a lot with collaboration. We have a really high teacher retention rate.

[31:16] Our school report card has moved significantly in the last three years.

[31:19] Two of those years were with CLI work, and so I think all of those things kind of

[31:23] come together and make us a great place to visit.

[31:26] And then, again, the benefit of this is not only people visiting us and taking

[31:29] ideas from us, but there's a collaboration there.

[31:31] There's a time for conversation and reflection where we're going to get some

[31:34] feedback from the people that come see us and tell us what their

[31:38] perspective is, because you can always gather more information.

[31:40] It's not a show they're seeing today.

[31:42] It's something that our teachers and our staff and our students really live by

[31:45] every single day.

[32:03] My sophomore year of high school was when I truly found myself at Cane Bay High

[32:07] School, and this is something that truly is my passion.

[32:10] My name is Leah Scarmeas, and I am a senior at Cane Bay High School.

[32:14] My dad serves in the Air Force, so I like to call him my superhero.

[32:17] I am a military child, so I've been to about eight different schools all throughout

[32:21] elementary, middle school, and high school.

[32:23] It is a big challenge, and it's a big sacrifice that not only he has to take,

[32:27] but us military children have to face as well.

[32:30] My dad has missed so many Christmases, birthdays, daddy-daughter

[32:33] dances, just simple things that normal kids don't experience throughout their

[32:37] lives. This book is dedicated to every military child

[32:41] who's ever had to say goodbye, start over, or be the new

[32:45] kid. I actually have a Goldendoodle at home, and his name is Chewy, which is

[32:49] why my book is called "Brave Like Chewy." He is a big,

[32:52] 100-pound Goldendoodle. Looks like a teddy bear.

[32:55] So I thought about my own personal sacrifices and my journey.

[32:58] What would five-year-old Leah and my little sisters want to be able to have?

[33:02] There's a map on there where all the military children can cross off the places

[33:05] that they've lived or visited their dad when they are overseas.

[33:08] A diary that kids can write about when their dad or mom is deployed, and all

[33:12] the things that they want them to know and hear about when they do come back.

[33:16] Pageantry is not something that I have done my whole entire life, and it was kind

[33:20] of a last-minute decision, if I'm being honest.

[33:22] I decided to sign up on deadline day for the South Carolina Teen USA,

[33:26] and then I won that Saturday night.

[33:28] I completely started bawling, and I was like, "Oh, my gosh.

[33:32] This does not feel real." I felt like I was on cloud nine.

[33:36] I didn't just do this. I did this for you, Mom.

[33:38] I did this for you and Dad and my two sisters also sitting in the

[33:41] audience. The biggest thing with pageantry that I have found that I love

[33:45] is the service that goes with it. Every single year for a month of a

[33:49] military child, I go to my local elementary school, Cane Bay Elementary, where my

[33:53] little sister attends, and they have a celebration for every single

[33:57] military child. On that day, they all wear purple.

[33:59] They get cupcakes and certificates.

[34:01] And just going there every single year and sharing my story for the past four

[34:05] years and seeing the impact that I make on these kids, just walking in there

[34:09] with my crown and sash, and then I start talking, and I'm like, "I am just like you

[34:13] all. I have sat in this same exact position, being a military child,

[34:17] feeling lost, feeling vulnerable," but I'm standing here today, being able to share

[34:21] my story. Every child needs to find their voice, especially girls and especially

[34:25] military children during this amazing month.

[34:48] This is a momentous occasion for some of our most treasured

[34:51] students in Berkeley County School District.

[34:55] Welcome to the One Berkeley Unified Games.

[34:57] I'm Superintendent Anthony Dixon, and we're just so excited to be here for our

[35:01] annual event for our students. This is an opportunity that we all

[35:05] can come out and just enjoy the unique differences of

[35:09] all of our students here in Berkeley County.

[35:11] So Berkeley United Games, as a parent, means everything.

[35:14] It means joy, excitement, inclusion for my child.

[35:18] We are so thankful as parents in the Special Ed department of Berkeley

[35:22] County School District for our child to be a part of this day.

[35:24] It is truly, truly special.

[35:26] Today wouldn't be possible without the collective efforts of

[35:30] everyone, and for that, we are truly

[35:33] grateful.

[35:34] I just want to thank all of our partners. I want to thank our administrators.

[35:38] I want to thank our cabinet. I want to thank special services, human resources,

[35:42] child nutrition, facilities. This is our time when everybody in

[35:46] Berkeley comes together just to show our

[35:49] appreciation and love for all of our students.

[35:53] We have representatives from 20 Berkeley County schools joining

[35:57] us today.

[35:58] As you can see behind me and around me, students are having the times of their

[36:01] lives. They're enjoying their field day. They're enjoying their games.

[36:05] They're enjoying their pizza. And our teachers and our volunteers

[36:09] from Stratford High School are just enjoying being together

[36:13] and celebrating each other. In Berkeley County, we believe in making a positive

[36:17] difference, and this is what we're doing here, making a positive difference

[36:21] in our students' lives, one student at a time, one school at a time,

[36:25] and to enjoy and unite us all in Berkeley County.

[36:38] I appreciate the drivers and the monitors and everything that they do.

[36:41] And this month is called Love Your Bus.

[36:44] Pork and beans, chili, potato chips.

[36:48] Just a lot of stuff for the drivers.

[36:49] They really showed us that they really appreciate the work that we

[36:53] do.

[36:53] It warms my heart. It brings a smile and a tear in my eye.

[36:57] I love it, because I know they appreciate it. It's a good job.

[37:01] I've been doing it since 1990.

[37:04] So I love it.

[37:07] Their job is very difficult. Hats off to all

[37:11] the drivers and the monitors especially,

[37:14] because to man 60 students on a bus,

[37:18] kudos. I could not do that. I love the drivers for that,

[37:22] and I appreciate them day by day.

[37:24] That's why it makes me come to work every day.

[37:26] I retired and I came back. So yeah, it makes me come back

[37:30] to work because I enjoy my job.

[37:32] They're appreciative of what we do.

[37:34] The little things that we do for them, I know they appreciate it and

[37:39] they come to work and they do their job very well.

[37:42] Everybody here,

[37:44] everybody loves you. The people that I work with, my

[37:48] coworkers, the children,

[37:50] we just like a big loving family. Have fun, enjoy each

[37:54] other. That's the best way to work.

[37:57] Lord, I just want to thank you. I want to

[38:01] thank you for being so good to

[38:05] me. So good to me.

[38:15] Welcome to the 2026 Berkeley County School District hiring fair.

[38:19] I'm Superintendent Dr. Anthony Dixon, and we're so excited to

[38:22] have everyone here today, and we can't wait to see how you make a positive

[38:26] difference here in Berkeley County Schools.

[38:29] I just got hired at Fox Bank with Ms. Gabriel.

[38:34] And my mom just got hired at Nexton with Ms. Hoots.

[38:38] We are so excited, and Berkeley County has been so welcoming from the second we

[38:41] walked into the door. It just feels like family and we're so excited.

[38:45] Good morning. How are you?

[38:46] Good. How are you doing today?

[38:47] Good. Welcome.

[38:48] Good morning. Yay.

[38:51] So I got hired by Daniel Island School for a cross cat

[38:55] position, and I just fell in love with the district because

[38:58] of the staffing and the communication.

[39:02] Everyone responds to me very quickly, and you can tell that they really want you.

[39:07] Berkeley County School District is one of the very best places that you can

[39:10] work. Not only do you get to be in Berkeley County, which I tell everyone is the

[39:14] best place to live, work, pray, and play, but Berkeley County School

[39:18] District gives you that small town school district feel with all of the

[39:22] benefits of large school districts.

[39:23] We are just doing some incredible things.

[39:26] The programs we offer, the compensation for our staff, the way we treat

[39:30] our students, there's really nowhere like it in the low country.

[39:33] Berkeley County is large in terms of size, but we are very much

[39:37] a family-oriented district. We support one another.

[39:40] We love one another.

[39:41] So one of the things that I think really makes Berkeley County the best place to

[39:44] work is the sense of community. When you go into our schools and you go into these

[39:48] classrooms and you see the teachers and you see the staff, there is a sense of

[39:52] community at every school.

[39:54] Our investment is to make a positive difference in the lives of our students.

[39:58] And if you are somebody who wants to truly make a difference, not just come to work

[40:01] for a job, but to make a difference and see the increased student

[40:05] outcomes, Berkeley County School District is the place to be.

[40:14] What's up, Mr. Middleton? Just being in the classroom itself is a joy.

[40:18] And you're going to do great today. Cross is definitely unique.

[40:21] Last year we were seventh through 12th, and this year we're sixth through 12th.

[40:24] You don't need a computer. No. We won't need any computers today.

[40:26] We've been adapting to that change really well and working with the teachers

[40:29] one-on-one and just being able to assist them as much as possible.

[40:32] These are your what? Constants. Do they change?

[40:36] No, a constant doesn't change. Right now, we are focusing on solving linear

[40:39] equations. My constant would be three, so I need to put a three here.

[40:43] Letting the students do hands-on learning so they can get a better view of really

[40:47] what's happening whenever we're solving equations.

[40:49] So we're going to work on balancing equations using our blue

[40:53] cones and our red constants. Getting them to see that they can model it using those

[40:56] manipulatives. Six plus six is?

[40:59] 12. 10 plus two is? 12. Are they balanced? Yes. Yes.

[41:02] That class is very unique. It is two people in the classroom all the

[41:06] time. I go in periodically, but the goal is for all the learning to be

[41:10] student-centered. What type of a positive or negative? Negative.

[41:14] Okay. If I'm just up there lecturing, are the students really grasping the concept?

[41:18] So letting them actually model us the lessons and actually have productive

[41:21] struggle. So that productive struggle is giving them the opportunity to, "Hey, I

[41:25] made an error. This is how I made this error," so that they can actually see what's

[41:28] going on for themselves instead of us just going and telling them.

[41:31] What strategy did you all use? I think you're using a different

[41:34] strategy than what the middle group used.

[41:37] Letting them work together so they're able to feed off each other and help each

[41:40] other. For our students here at Cross High School, it definitely works really well.

[41:44] Being able to actually model it out makes a difference, doesn't it?

[41:48] It makes that problem seem so much easier, doesn't it? That's great.

[41:52] Good job.

[41:53] Having that more one-on-one time with the students definitely helps the

[41:56] students understand better. How can I divide 12 evenly three ways?

[42:01] That's excellent. Thank you. Good job.

[42:03] Pushing them to be the best that they can be.

[42:06] Good job.

[42:07] I used to always say before they leave, "Just remember what?" And they'll always

[42:09] say, "I can do great things." That was always our little affirmation before we

[42:13] leave because they can. Small community, but they can always do great things and I

[42:16] know they will. Just pushing them to be the best of the best.

[42:19] Smaller numbers, big in heart, Cross High School.

[42:22] You did great today. Very proud of you.

[42:36] This year, I had the great opportunity of hiring Ms.

[42:39] Caroline Ballentine. Growing up, she went to Bonner Elementary,

[42:43] and at that time, I was her assistant principal.

[42:46] Now, I get to hire her to teach second grade, which has been a

[42:50] great experience.

[42:51] Starting my first year teaching in January was definitely nerve-wracking, very

[42:55] scary. I think the first day, I was 10 minutes late to recess, and they were

[42:59] texting me in the group chat, "Where you at?

[43:01] Where you at?" But my team made it very easy to transition

[43:05] into being in a classroom. Also with administration, they were

[43:09] amazing. They let us in over Christmas break, and I had so much help from my

[43:13] teammates who I hadn't even met yet, but met me at school and helped set up

[43:17] classroom and helped with everything that they could, and administration being

[43:21] here to support me. And it's just been a great process and a great transition.

[43:25] It couldn't have gone better.

[43:26] Being a first-year teacher in general is just so intimidating.

[43:28] So if we can alleviate some of that stress for her with

[43:33] materials or how to do something, or what to hang on the wall,

[43:37] or just any questions that she might have.

[43:39] We've all been first-year teachers, so we've been in her shoes.

[43:41] So anything that we can help her with, we've done or tried to do, and I think we've

[43:45] done a good job supporting her in that way.

[43:47] And as a team, we plan together, so we're all unified.

[43:51] We're doing the same lessons, whether it's HMH or i-Ready.

[43:54] We're all planning the same thing, so if she or someone has a question, we

[43:58] can say, "Oh, well, this is how I taught this." Making sure that

[44:02] they're prepared, and they know what resources we are using, too.

[44:05] Like, "Oh, my class really likes this video, so I'm going to play this

[44:09] to get them engaged before starting," and then that will get them

[44:13] excited about the lesson or something like that, too.

[44:16] So we're hopping on Beanstack. Like they announced in the

[44:20] morning show, we're keeping track of how many minutes each student is

[44:24] reading. This is to get us reading more, reading more books, reading more

[44:28] words to make us better readers.

[44:30] Here in Berkeley County School District, we really do our very best to support all

[44:34] of our teachers. But we really look at our first-year teachers.

[44:37] We want to make sure that they get the

[44:40] mentoring, the coaching that they need so that they're successful,

[44:44] which then, in turn, their kids are successful.

[44:47] My whole family's from Berkeley County. We all live here.

[44:50] We all went to school here, all graduated from Berkeley.

[44:52] My parents graduated from Mastonia.

[44:54] So we're just a Berkeley County family, and it feels like home.

[44:57] And I love how successful Berkeley County is and how accountable

[45:01] they are, and they hold themselves to a higher standard, and that's what I

[45:05] like. If I want to do something, I want to do it the best, and I think Berkeley

[45:08] County does it the best.

[45:18] Today is a great day in Berkeley County.

[45:20] We honored someone who makes a positive difference every day.

[45:23] Ellen Weaver, it's nice to meet you.

[45:25] Nice to meet you.

[45:25] Are you so excited for your mom?

[45:27] I am.

[45:27] The State of South Carolina Department of Education Superintendent Ellen Weaver and

[45:31] her team came down here to announce the fifth

[45:34] finalist for the South Carolina State Teacher of the Year, and that's Ms.

[45:38] Alex Wharton.

[45:39] She has been named our final finalist as Teacher of the Year. Are you guys ready?

[45:42] We're ready.

[45:43] Let's do it.

[45:43] Yes.

[45:48] $10,000- ... as one of our five finalists.

[45:52] How about that?

[45:53] I felt honored.

[45:54] You deserve this.

[45:55] Oh.

[45:55] Oh my God. Thank you.

[45:56] I was moved to tears for the first few minutes.

[46:00] I couldn't believe it was happening.

[46:02] And for a minute there, I just had to

[46:05] gather myself because it's unbelievable.

[46:08] We're so excited for you. Congratulations. Can we give her a round of applause?

[46:15] This is my 34th year of teaching, my eighth year in South

[46:19] Carolina, and so I just felt like this was honoring my

[46:22] 34 years of service to children. And I felt blessed.

[46:26] It just warms your heart to see that this is a

[46:29] teacher who is called for this work, who pours

[46:33] in to everyone that is around them.

[46:36] Oh my God.

[46:37] Ms. Wharton has a great family. They're all so humble.

[46:41] They're so supportive.

[46:44] Motto in our house as a family is, "You give the best because

[46:48] God expects the best." And so even in the hard

[46:52] times, he's always been there to push me.

[46:54] And so having him here to celebrate that with me,

[46:57] it meant the world to me because this isn't just my accomplishment, it's his as

[47:01] well. This was as much their victory as it was mine.

[47:07] Berkeley High School is my family away from my family.

[47:11] When I moved to South Carolina, they became my second family, and I wouldn't trade

[47:14] being a Stag for being anything else.

[47:16] It's an opportunity to represent what Berkeley County is and who we are

[47:20] as a district.

[47:21] Being able to see the district in a wider perspective has opened

[47:25] my eyes and given me a greater appreciation for the district, and even for the

[47:29] vision that Dr. Dixon and the rest of the cabinet and the board members

[47:33] have for us to become one Berkeley.

[47:35] She's a representative of the great teachers that we

[47:39] have in this district. No better representative than

[47:43] Ms. Alex Wharton.

[47:44] And I'm proud of being a part of Berkeley County School District.

[47:48] I'm proud to be on the leadership that has a vision to

[47:52] make us one. And I hope everyone can just come together

[47:56] under that vision and make Berkeley County School District the best

[48:00] in the state and the best in the nation.

[48:17] One fruit, vegetable, or 100% juice.

[48:20] I like learning about why smaller children do what they do.

[48:23] What might be their challenges, and any way that I can help.

[48:26] I've always wanted to do something with kids, whether it's being a teacher or being

[48:30] a kid counselor.

[48:32] So breakfast. We're going to talk about the purpose of breakfast.

[48:35] This class that I am teaching is early childhood education.

[48:38] During part one, the students did a lot of book

[48:42] work knowledge, and part two of the class, they get a lot of

[48:45] hands-on experience with actually working with the students.

[48:49] So you have details in the passage right here.

[48:52] Students were participating in their internship experience at St.

[48:56] Stephen's Elementary School, where they go out and they

[49:00] work with students so they can become career ready.

[49:04] It's actually cool. It's actually cool to see where I was once,

[49:08] and that was once me.

[49:10] I'm back in the environment I was in 10 years ago.

[49:13] It brings tears to my eyes because this was me a couple years ago.

[49:16] Now I'm learning how to teach the young children.

[49:18] The kids I was watching were taking a test, so I was just going around,

[49:22] helping them, making sure they understand the right question.

[49:25] So why did the author put that in there? What does it show us?

[49:29] It's a wonderful experience for the students and for me

[49:34] and for the teachers that they get to work with.

[49:37] Forget those and put right here how you got this answer. Ms.

[49:41] Williams, she was my fourth and fifth grade teacher, actually.

[49:43] She helped me learn the importance of school.

[49:47] I like that.

[49:49] I like the way you put that.

[49:50] Makes you feel good because they are getting the same

[49:54] learning experience I got, and I know mine was good, so I know

[49:58] theirs is good.

[49:58] Label the parts of speech of each underlined word.

[50:02] A noun, conjunction-

[50:03] All of the skills that they have learned in early childhood education will

[50:07] carry over into their personal lives, because my students are

[50:11] going to get 15 hours of health and safety

[50:14] training, and so that's going to help them

[50:18] know how to work with kids from ages birth

[50:22] all the way up to ages 12.

[50:24] I would say Ms. White is an amazing teacher.

[50:27] It's a good program, especially I got into it when I think I was in 10th grade,

[50:31] and it made me want to come back. Do it. Do it for the experience.

[50:34] Do it to

[50:37] learn more and grow more and actually learn.

[50:41] Take this course because like I said, it will be very important in the future.

[50:45] Everything is growing within education, and so we are going to need some

[50:49] really great teachers out there on the field.

[50:51] And so I'm looking forward to even my students

[50:54] continuing their education and pursuing education as a

[50:57] career.

[51:16] Hey, good morning. My name is Steve Zupcoff.

[51:18] I'm a lieutenant at the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office.

[51:21] We're out here this morning at the Bike to School Day.

[51:24] If we come to a stop sign, we're going to stop, and we're going to look both ways

[51:27] and make sure that the traffic's clear and we can cross the street safely. Okay?

[51:31] There's other schools throughout the county that are doing this same event.

[51:34] It's a great event that promotes activity,

[51:38] teamwork, community outreach, bonding, that type of thing.

[51:42] We're really excited to get on the bikes and ride.

[51:55] So this is my third year doing National Walk and Roll to School Day with Carolyn

[51:58] Lewis School.

[52:00] We've been doing it since the school opened, and we started out with, I believe,

[52:04] 10 bikers, and this year we've grown exponentially.

[52:07] We are now deemed an Agrihood, so we invited our local farmer,

[52:11] Chris, and Farmer Emery and their teams to help lead us on the John Deere as we

[52:15] made our way through Carnes Crossroads.

[52:17] I contacted local law enforcement to make sure that they could escort us here

[52:20] safely, because our biggest thing in Carnes Crossroads and at Carolyn Lewis is

[52:24] child safety. So we wanted to make sure all of our students participated in a

[52:28] community event. They were out, they were active, but they were safe in the process

[52:31] of doing that.

[52:33] Good morning. Happy Wednesday. Hope you have a great day today.

[52:37] I love seeing the kids ride their bikes in and just having a smile on their face.

[52:40] Good morning. Happy Wednesday.

[53:04] This is my favorite week at Bonner Elementary.

[53:07] So we have our Artist in Residency week, where we invite seven professional

[53:11] artists to collaborate with our students, all the way from pre-K through

[53:15] fifth grade. For our kindergarten students, we have Becky Becker.

[53:18] She is a puppet master, and she is teaching our

[53:22] students how to play, to engage with puppets, tell

[53:25] stories.

[53:26] I love puppet class.

[53:28] In kindergarten, we have the Charleston Stage, and they are putting on a musical

[53:31] with our kindergarten students. So they are singing, dancing, acting, and tomorrow

[53:35] we get to see it all put together in a magical performance.

[53:38] First grade is working with Bailey Mann.

[53:40] She's part of Wolftrap through Spoleto, and they are doing theater

[53:44] integration.

[53:45] Second grade is working with Baktie Larry Howe.

[53:47] He is a

[53:49] phenomenal West African drummer.

[53:51] He's actually one of the elders in his community, and they are doing a West

[53:55] African drumming unit. With third grade, we have Ms.

[53:58] Kat Brantley, who's doing indigo dyeing.

[54:00] The students have done scientific drawings of an indigo plant.

[54:03] Then they have also created their own map of the

[54:07] world by indigoing individual areas, and they're going to put it together to

[54:11] have this big collaborative piece of artwork that we get to hang in our school.

[54:14] I want to learn more about indigo because I want-

[54:18] Clothes and stuff because it's cool

[54:22] looking and my favorite color is blue.

[54:25] Fourth grade is working with Libation West African Dance, where they are learning

[54:29] to dance, sing, drum, and learn all of the history of

[54:33] West African culture with dancing and singing.

[54:37] In fifth grade, we have Mr. Dave McDonald, and he is a published cartoonist,

[54:41] and he is making comics with our students.

[54:44] Learning new arts is fun because then you can start continuing it, and you get

[54:47] better at it. I like Arts in Residency. It's pretty fun.

[54:51] We're just hoping to continue every year to offer them this

[54:54] immersive week of arts and creativity, and hopefully

[54:58] inspire them to take it home, tell their parents, so that their parents can

[55:02] engage in the art form alongside their students.

[55:06] That is our goal. How do we, as a community, engage in the arts,

[55:10] celebrate the arts, and celebrate our students' success?

[55:19] Good morning. We are hosting our annual Staff

[55:23] Professional Development Day. Do you know where you're headed today?

[55:26] I think it's absolutely probably one of the best things that this district does.

[55:29] It's one of our most exciting days throughout the year because we have the

[55:32] opportunity to come together and really engage with

[55:35] high-quality opportunities to learn and grow in our practice.

[55:38] To have a day when we can come together as teachers and just share

[55:42] ideas, things together.

[55:45] You have to work together. Go.

[55:48] This is an opportunity where we can say, "Hey, I've really been interested in

[55:51] learning more about gamification.

[55:53] I'm going to go to that session." And because we have so many sessions all

[55:56] throughout the day, you can get a lot of learning packed in and get

[56:01] a lot of growth.

[56:01] It's all standards-based, but it's fun. It's engaging.

[56:04] Teachers were so excited. They were moving. They were engaged.

[56:08] They were having fun. They were asking questions like, "How can we use it with our

[56:11] class?" Or, "How could I change the content?"

[56:14] I really wanted to focus on the writing portions for this day.

[56:18] So it's been really cool just to see what other teachers are doing, and how I

[56:21] can implement those in my classroom to make sure that my students are successful.

[56:25] I love attending the professional development days because as an educator, we're

[56:29] constantly learning. There are still things that I can continue to work on, still

[56:32] continue to grow in. And being able to network and collaborate with other

[56:36] educators in the same discipline, in the same area, I'm able to walk away

[56:40] with additional nuggets of information, things that I can bring back to my

[56:43] classroom.

[56:43] It's just been really cool just to talk with other English teachers from around the

[56:47] district and just say, "Hey, what's going well in your classroom?

[56:50] What have you been successful with this year?" And especially as a first-year

[56:53] teacher, I'm always like, "Hey, give me all the points.

[56:56] Give me all the things that I need to do. What's working for you?

[56:59] What's not working for you?" And then I take those things and see how I can

[57:02] implement them in my own classroom. So it's been really cool.

[57:04] It's an opportunity to be seen by one another and to connect with one another,

[57:08] and to really show the value we place in the work that we do.

[57:12] Because we would not take an entire day out of our academic calendar

[57:16] if we did not think that this was important for teachers.

[57:19] So it's important for us to know that this is one of the ways

[57:23] that our district sees us and values our professional expertise because they want

[57:26] to help us keep growing in our practice.

[57:28] Just to know that we're all here as a community and be like, "Oh, there are other

[57:31] teachers out there going through the same things that I am.

[57:34] I am doing everything that I can. I'm doing great. My kids love me.

[57:37] I love my job." So it's just really encouraging and really reassuring.

[57:54] So being career specialist here in Berkeley County School District, I believe

[57:58] is one of the most impactful roles

[58:02] because I get to work with every student and help them

[58:06] shape their future. And a lot of students might not know what they want to do,

[58:10] so I get to help them figure that out.

[58:12] And I think it's not only the most impactful position, but

[58:16] it's also the coolest because I get to do all the fun

[58:20] things with the students and help them figure out what they want to do, what they

[58:24] want to be, where they want to go. And I think that's pretty neat.

[58:28] Different things that I set up here at Cane Bay High School are our Lunch and

[58:32] Learn program, where I have different employers come in every month.

[58:36] And it's not even just employers, but it's different programs,

[58:39] colleges, military recruiters, where they talk to

[58:42] students and

[58:44] educate them on different positions and opportunities.

[58:48] I have classroom guest speakers that come in.

[58:51] I'm helping shape the future workforce, and that's

[58:55] really important because as we know, a lot of that is

[58:58] changing and shifting. So we need those jobs filled.

[59:02] So I think that that's the most important part.

[59:05] And just helping them be good citizens and good community

[59:09] partners and just overall good people,

[59:12] I think that's the best part.

[59:24] Art means expression, opportunity.

[59:27] I love to paint. I love to draw. I love to express my creativity.

[59:30] I love to express myself.

[59:31] It's pride as being creative.

[59:33] It's a reflection of what's happening in the classrooms.

[59:35] It's a reflection of the community.

[59:37] Leaving your mark, right? Everybody wants to be remembered for something.

[59:40] It's a reflection of what it means to be a Stratford Knight.

[59:44] We have some art students here from Art Club and our National Art Honor Society,

[59:48] and they are working on a new mural for Stratford High School.

[59:51] We call this area the senior pit. It's kind of a special area,

[59:55] and we wanted something for seniors to commemorate their time at Stratford.

[59:59] And so the design that we chose from our students was "Once a Knight, always

[1:00:03] a Knight."

[1:00:04] Not the white box, but the design itself.

[1:00:07] I had met with our two graffiti artists in Goose Creek, Nate and Tina.

[1:00:10] And she was like, "Hey, can you come help the art students do a mural?" We were

[1:00:13] like...

[1:00:15] Absolutely.

[1:00:15] Yes, absolutely.

[1:00:16] Love that.

[1:00:17] When I spoke to them, they said, "How are we going to do this? Are we gridding it?

[1:00:19] Are we projecting it?" And with all those questions, they told us that they are

[1:00:24] using a Meta Quest 3 headset for their murals. It's really cool.

[1:00:27] The image is just projected on the wall perfectly with all the

[1:00:31] colors.

[1:00:32] It was like having a new perspective on drawing

[1:00:36] and creating. It really put a point of where our

[1:00:40] technology has come this far and this advanced that we can now see the art

[1:00:44] straight in front of us, and we can now see, "Oh, wait, this is where this line

[1:00:48] goes. Now we just need to draw this over and make sure it looks nice."

[1:00:52] They're always going to be able to come back to their senior pit, because it's

[1:00:56] everybody's senior pit that walks through these halls, be able to say that, "I was

[1:00:59] here when that was done." And I think that's powerful, and I think that's another

[1:01:02] reason why we have alumni here.

[1:01:04] She was a Knight

[1:01:05] before I was.

[1:01:07] I was a Knight, and they're Knights.

[1:01:09] And that means a lot to me, because it shows that they still have their pride and

[1:01:12] spirit. It shows that they still see the school as the same, and the school still

[1:01:15] means a lot to them.

[1:01:16] It's got that nostalgic feel. You're always part of Stratford High School, even

[1:01:19] after you've graduated.

[1:01:20] Stratford's a really good school, so it's kind of like saving the things that you

[1:01:24] learn here and then use them in your life in the future.

[1:01:27] Providing access and opportunities for our kids.

[1:01:30] And I mean, what better way to do it than through art and cutting-edge

[1:01:34] technology and passionate educators and alumni?

[1:01:38] I think it's pretty clear.

[1:01:40] I think I'll put it in there. We're going away.

[1:01:44] I'll now entertain a motion to return to regular session.

[1:01:47] Make the motion.

[1:01:47] Second.

[1:01:49] There's a motion by Mr. Ramsey, a second by Mr.

[1:01:53] Borden to return to regular session. Is there any discussion?

[1:01:57] Hearing none, we'll call the question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[1:02:01] Aye.

[1:02:01] Aye. Opposed, nay.

[1:02:04] The ayes have it, nine zero. We are now in regular session.

[1:02:09] For the minutes, Ms. Littleton is participating via phone.

[1:02:13] Please now stand for the pledge of allegiance.

[1:02:21] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of

[1:02:25] America and to the republic for which it stands,

[1:02:29] one nation under God, indivisible, with

[1:02:33] liberty and justice for all.

[1:02:39] Next on the agenda, item four, difference makers and special

[1:02:43] recognition. Ms. Tanner, you're recognized, and if the board will

[1:02:47] step down to the front of the dais.

[1:02:52] I think we got a good high five.

[1:02:55] Good evening, Madam Chair, Superintendent Dixon, members of the board, and everyone

[1:02:58] who has joined us this evening. Tonight, we are recognizing student

[1:03:02] athlete excellence in Berkeley County as we celebrate our individual and

[1:03:06] team track and field state champions.

[1:03:09] Overall, we had five schools win individual gold medals at the state

[1:03:13] track and field championships: Philip Simmons High, Goose Creek High,

[1:03:17] Timberland High, Hanahan High, and Stratford High.

[1:03:21] Philip Simmons High girls and boys track teams also won state

[1:03:25] titles in Class 2A. First up, Philip Simmons High

[1:03:29] won multiple individual medals in both the boys and girls

[1:03:32] track and fields programs.

[1:03:40] And once again, both the girls and boys won team state championships

[1:03:44] in Class 2A. Both the girls and boys four by

[1:03:48] 800-meter relay teams smoked the competition and took home first

[1:03:51] place. Individually, Ashley Rouche vaulted over the

[1:03:55] competition yet again and took home first place in the pole vault for the second

[1:03:59] year in a row. Likewise, Laura Perry ran away with two gold

[1:04:03] medals for her performance in the girls 1,600-meter and girls

[1:04:07] 3,200-meter races for the second consecutive year.

[1:04:10] And Flynn Taylor also defended her spot as the reigning champion in the

[1:04:15] 800-meter race. For the first time, Julia Riley hopped to the

[1:04:18] top spot in the girls triple jump, and Jeremiah Richardson sprinted to

[1:04:22] first place in the 200-meter dash.

[1:04:25] Way to outrun the competition. Congratulations, Iron Horses.

[1:04:35] All right, one, two, three.

[1:04:46] I want to thank Dr. Dixon again and the board for inviting us here.

[1:04:49] This never gets old. I know it seems like we're here a lot, but we absolutely love

[1:04:53] it and we appreciate it. Something that is coming out in the next week

[1:04:57] or so, just so let everybody know, we once again won the

[1:05:01] Carlisle Cup for the second straight year.

[1:05:08] For those who are unfamiliar, they take your rankings from all the

[1:05:11] classifications, all the playoffs, and we were the best team athletically in 2A for

[1:05:15] the second straight year, so very, very happy about that.

[1:05:23] Next up, for the second consecutive year, Goose Creek High's Courtney

[1:05:27] Horn ran away with a gold medal in the 100-meter hurdles in

[1:05:31] Class 5A, Division 2.

[1:05:36] Way to go, Courtney.

[1:06:00] All right, one, two, three.

[1:06:09] Come

[1:06:12] on,

[1:06:14] baby.

[1:06:16] I

[1:06:17] am very proud of Courtney. She has

[1:06:21] maintained her title, and she's worked very hard to do so.

[1:06:25] She's a hardworking athlete. She's very dedicated, very

[1:06:28] motivated, very inspiring to the group, and we love having

[1:06:32] her as a part of the team. So, thank you.

[1:06:41] Next up, for the Wolves, Timberland High's Malik Goodman took home the state

[1:06:45] title in the boys 400-meter hurdles for the first at

[1:06:49] this year's state track meet. Additionally, Carter Hawkins is now a

[1:06:53] two-time state champion-

[1:06:58] ... after being named the triple jump state champion in Class 2A track and field

[1:07:02] yet again. Congratulations to Malik and to Carter.

[1:07:13] Come this way. Somebody- Y'all

[1:07:17] slide down the front this way a little bit. A little bit. Okay.

[1:07:21] There you go.

[1:07:26] And y'all, second row, slide forward a little bit.

[1:07:29] Am I second row?

[1:07:29] There we go.

[1:07:32] All right. One, two, three.

[1:07:46] Good evening, everyone.

[1:07:48] I am the assistant coach with the Timberland High track and field team.

[1:07:53] It's just an honor and pleasure to be here.

[1:07:57] It's just a blessing to have an opportunity to coach Malik

[1:08:01] and Carter, because they are outstanding kids, and

[1:08:05] outstanding students as well. So, to have this honor to be in front of you,

[1:08:09] for y'all to recognize them,

[1:08:11] there's no better feeling, there's no better opportunity than this right

[1:08:15] here. So, thank you. Thank you to them, and thank you for your

[1:08:19] time.

[1:08:26] Next up is Hanahan High's Avery Maness, who soared to the

[1:08:30] top spot to win an individual medal in girls' pole vault in Class

[1:08:33] 3A. What an incredible accomplishment for Avery and the Hawks.

[1:08:59] One, two,

[1:09:02] three.

[1:09:13] I'm Coach Lewd with Hanahan High School.

[1:09:16] I just wanted to say thank you to everybody today, and

[1:09:20] congratulations to all the athletes that are here also today.

[1:09:24] But I just want to let you know, Avery has been a blessing for us over the

[1:09:28] past three years. She set our high school

[1:09:32] pole vault record at 12 feet 10 inches this past year.

[1:09:36] But that's only the beginning. She's got a lot more to go when she goes off to

[1:09:39] college. But thank you very much. It's been an honor and a pleasure.

[1:09:48] All right. And last but not least, Stratford High's Lucas

[1:09:52] Koluck took home first place in the pole vault in Class 5A

[1:09:55] Division 1 for the second year in a row.

[1:10:05] Congratulations to Lucas, the Knights' way to vault over the competition.

[1:10:10] See how she did. Picture

[1:10:13] time.

[1:10:16] Scoot

[1:10:21] your butt.

[1:10:23] All right. One, two, three.

[1:10:36] I'm Chef Calvert from Stratford, one of the assistant coaches, and I basically

[1:10:40] work with Lucas in pole vault. I have to say, it's been a great five years with

[1:10:44] Lucas. He's a back-to-back state champion.

[1:10:46] He just came in second place at Adidas National last week, so he's making

[1:10:50] Stratford and Berkeley County look great.

[1:10:52] Lucas also has

[1:10:54] the top 15 heights at Stratford High School, basically at

[1:10:58] state, getting 16 feet. So it's been super to have him, and we're looking forward

[1:11:01] to just continuing the classiness that he's set

[1:11:05] for the standards of Stratford. Thank you very much.

[1:11:13] Thank you, and that concludes tonight's recognitions.

[1:12:07] In order to conduct the meeting in an orderly and efficient manner, we ask that you

[1:12:11] honor the following guidelines. Stakeholder comments are welcomed and

[1:12:14] encouraged. However, the board will not take immediate action on public comments at

[1:12:18] this meeting. Any person wishing to address the board must

[1:12:22] register prior to the meeting. Comments must be regarding

[1:12:25] programs, policies, or procedures.

[1:12:28] Comments regarding complaints against employees other than district level

[1:12:32] executives, or references to students other than the child of the

[1:12:36] speaker, will not be heard in public session.

[1:12:38] Groups addressing the same topic should select one speaker.

[1:12:42] Comments will be limited to three minutes per speaker.

[1:12:45] The board chair reserves the right to allot additional time or halt public comments

[1:12:48] that do not adhere to the guidelines.

[1:12:52] First speaker is Adrian Serpe,

[1:12:55] Transparency of District Diabetes Policy. Welcome.

[1:13:01] Good evening. It's Adrian Serpe, and I am an advocate and a

[1:13:04] parent of a Type 1 child in Berkeley County School District.

[1:13:08] Before I begin, I want to make one thing very clear, that I'm not

[1:13:12] here to criticize school nurses because they have been our lifeline in our

[1:13:16] schools. We are so grateful for the ones that have cared for my son,

[1:13:20] and without them, we likely would not still be in this district.

[1:13:23] But they are held to district policies.

[1:13:26] The problem is not every family has the same experience with school

[1:13:30] nurses across the district because there are no clear policies and

[1:13:34] procedures in place, and when they are inconsistently

[1:13:37] communicated, it creates confusion and inconsistent care.

[1:13:42] Every time I have emailed and raised concerns, I get very

[1:13:46] similar emails back. "Thank you for your concern.

[1:13:49] We're reviewing it. We're going to follow up." But it never

[1:13:53] happens. So since 2021, the same thing.

[1:13:57] What's going on? Why don't we have these policies?

[1:13:59] Why aren't we utilizing the Dexcom follow-up in the nurse's office to be

[1:14:03] proactive in preventing hypoglycemic incidences in the

[1:14:07] school? And I have been basically ignored or brushed off.

[1:14:11] I do want to recognize and appreciate deputy superintendent's

[1:14:14] email and Ms. Davenport reaching out to me to ask questions

[1:14:18] and just some kind of communication.

[1:14:21] It's something, but the problem is none of my questions from the last board

[1:14:25] meeting were actually answered. I was told that things were going to be

[1:14:29] under review, but we're asking for transparency.

[1:14:33] What's being reviewed? Who is responsible? What are we addressing?

[1:14:37] And when can we expect answers? Because as of right now,

[1:14:41] we're going into another school year, again, without any

[1:14:45] updated medical guidance with diabetes policies.

[1:14:49] Yet again, we are not aligning with current ADA guidelines,

[1:14:53] and I'm literally scared to start the school year, again, knowing that

[1:14:57] we're likely going to face some medical emergencies.

[1:15:00] We are asking for transparency. I just sat here and looked at

[1:15:04] your budget, and I'm actually caught off guard that with a $518 million

[1:15:08] budget, you're not prioritizing student safety.

[1:15:11] There was nothing in there about updating staff and nurse training, or

[1:15:15] nurse raises, or even how you're going to update medical

[1:15:19] training, or interventionists and therapists, and where is the

[1:15:22] investment in ensuring every child with a life-threatening medical

[1:15:26] condition is protected?

[1:15:28] Nobody thought about that one, but we have.

[1:15:32] I need some answers, please, on how these procedures are going to be reviewed

[1:15:36] and updated. When was the policy last written?

[1:15:39] Who's reviewing it? Can we get a meeting with them?

[1:15:41] Are families being asked for any input whatsoever?

[1:15:45] We need transparency in the district.

[1:15:48] We don't fear paperwork. We fear medical emergencies,

[1:15:52] and my child deserves answers. Our children deserve no less

[1:15:56] than to be safe at school. So as we go into this next school year,

[1:16:00] we are asking the district to give our children the safety and

[1:16:04] respect that they need. We're really demanding this of the district.

[1:16:07] Transparency, please.

[1:16:10] Thank you very much for coming to speak.

[1:16:12] The next speaker is Amanda Hebel, helping with teacher supplies.

[1:16:15] Welcome, Ms. Hebel.

[1:16:21] Hey, friends. I'm back. I know you missed me.

[1:16:25] I'm here tonight for a simple request.

[1:16:28] First, I need my teachers that are watching, especially those of you who are

[1:16:32] redeployed or moving to a new classroom, to begin sharing your

[1:16:36] Amazon wish lists. Second, we need you, district

[1:16:40] office and school board, to help those teachers that are being redeployed

[1:16:44] pay for their new classrooms, because you know what the district supplies?

[1:16:48] Four walls, and if you're lucky, enough desks and chairs for all your

[1:16:52] students. Since most of you haven't been in a teaching position in well

[1:16:57] over a decade, or ever, you may not realize the cost of turning

[1:17:01] a classroom into a home. Teachers who have been in a classroom for at

[1:17:04] least a year usually have a stockpile of materials that they may or may not

[1:17:08] reuse each year. However, new teachers and

[1:17:12] those that you're putting back into classrooms won't have those materials on hand.

[1:17:16] It's highly unlikely that the Title I facilitators, middle school coaches,

[1:17:21] innovative learning coordinators, and anyone else the district has moved back into

[1:17:24] the classroom will still have materials from when they were classroom teachers,

[1:17:28] some more than 15 years ago.

[1:17:31] What the district doesn't provide are things like books, classroom

[1:17:35] decor, lamps, expo markers, chart paper, more books, index cards,

[1:17:39] folders, crayons, markers, colored pencils, scissors, even

[1:17:42] more books, writing paper, pencils, pencils, and more

[1:17:46] pencils, cardstock, books, composition notebooks,

[1:17:50] magnets, copy paper, books, flexible seating options, hand

[1:17:54] sanitizer, tissues, indoor recess items, playground equipment,

[1:17:58] headphones, pencil pouches, supply boxes, special education

[1:18:01] curriculum, and so much more. Did I mention pencils and

[1:18:05] books?

[1:18:06] These are some items that make a classroom functional and feel like a second home.

[1:18:10] The average cost is approximately $2,828,

[1:18:14] give or take, depending on the grade level. And I know what you're going to say.

[1:18:18] There are supply lists for parents to purchase these items.

[1:18:21] But what about our Title I families?

[1:18:23] Are they expected to foot the bill for your redeployed employees?

[1:18:27] My ask is simple. Help the people you are displacing.

[1:18:31] First, start supply drives so that those with the means

[1:18:35] can help toward this daunting list.

[1:18:38] Second, raise the millage. You knew you were opening two new

[1:18:42] schools, yet you're refusing to fund them appropriately.

[1:18:45] This has been years in the making. You've had the time.

[1:18:48] Third, don't take a raise. Instead, use that money to help

[1:18:52] supply these classrooms. Dr. Dixon alone has received a salary

[1:18:56] increase of $125,000 since being named superintendent in

[1:19:00] 2022. Can you imagine what the salary increases for the rest of the

[1:19:04] cabinet have been? How many teachers could we have hired?

[1:19:07] How many classrooms could we have supplied?

[1:19:09] How many students could have benefited if just once you had said,

[1:19:13] "I'll defer my raise"?

[1:19:17] Thank you, Ms. Hibel. Up next, Ms. Lindsey Dragel, Budget and

[1:19:21] Accountability.

[1:19:25] Welcome.

[1:19:31] Good evening.

[1:19:33] My name is Lindsey Dragel. Not only am I a mom, I was an early childhood

[1:19:37] educator for over 20 years. Most teachers will tell you that once you're an

[1:19:41] educator, you're always an educator.

[1:19:43] It's hard for me to look past my own child's growing reluctance to go to

[1:19:47] school every day and not see the same thing happening to so many others.

[1:19:51] My background also includes being a director, which means I'm trained to step back

[1:19:55] and see the big picture. And right now, the picture is not good.

[1:19:58] The teachers are struggling, the administrators are struggling, the district is

[1:20:02] struggling. The system is failing our students.

[1:20:05] As a parent and educator at heart, I cannot sit back and watch the continuing

[1:20:08] downward spiral of our schools.

[1:20:11] When parents and employees begin bring forward data and

[1:20:15] concerns, the response has been redirection or deflection rather than

[1:20:19] answers,

[1:20:20] if we even get a response at all. I understand this board receives

[1:20:24] a lot of pressure from many directions, but you were elected by the

[1:20:28] community and the first stop beyond school administrators

[1:20:32] to bring our concerns to. We are worried about starting the school

[1:20:36] year without enough staff. We're worried about starting the year in survival mode.

[1:20:41] As of today, Applitrack, a job posting system the

[1:20:45] district uses, is currently showing over 100 open teaching positions with

[1:20:49] six weeks until school starts, and that number is likely just the surface.

[1:20:53] When positions are cut and allocations are reduced, the vacancies don't disappear,

[1:20:57] they just become invisible. The district even moved

[1:21:00] $4.1 million in salaries off the general fund

[1:21:04] into a separate fund this year. Redeploying employees into vacant

[1:21:08] teaching positions from positions that have been cut to prevent layoffs is only

[1:21:12] half the story. If the general fund grew by $31.9

[1:21:16] million and required a one-time $1.9

[1:21:20] million

[1:21:22] legal settlement transfer just to balance, what does that say about the

[1:21:25] underlying structural gap? How does a $31.9

[1:21:29] million general fund increase still produce staffing cuts?

[1:21:33] You cut one tax and raised another to match,

[1:21:36] then still cut

[1:21:40] staff. That was a choice. Opening two new schools doesn't fully explain the

[1:21:44] gap this size. The decisions you are making are not working.

[1:21:47] Some spend time in your schools, forget about the influences in your

[1:21:51] ears that are encouraging these decisions, and consider the human

[1:21:54] cost. Maybe we need to not spend money on the wrong things, like

[1:21:58] heartwarming videos. The district is promoting beautiful propaganda while the

[1:22:02] schools burn. We don't need more highlight reels.

[1:22:05] We need this board to spend time in actual schools and listen to what is being

[1:22:08] said, not manage the narrative around it.

[1:22:11] When I talk to teachers and fellow parents, the frustration is real and

[1:22:15] widespread. But frustration whispered in parking lots and social

[1:22:18] media doesn't move anything. So I'm asking you, the people in this room and the

[1:22:22] people watching tonight,

[1:22:25] make it loud, send an email, sign up to speak, show up,

[1:22:29] because the only thing this board cannot ignore is a room that won't stop filling

[1:22:32] up. Thank you.

[1:22:33] Thank you for speaking. The next speaker is Sarah Khalil.

[1:22:38] "Are you serving your stakeholders?" is the nature of her

[1:22:43] speaking. Welcome, Ms. Khalil.

[1:22:47] Good evening. My name is Sarah Khalil, and I am a representative of the Berkeley

[1:22:50] County Education Association. Tonight I ask the school

[1:22:54] board to reflect on one question. Are you serving your

[1:22:58] stakeholders? You are the elected representatives of the

[1:23:01] entire community served by Berkeley County School District.

[1:23:05] We depend on you to hold the district

[1:23:08] accountable for meeting the needs of students, teachers, and

[1:23:12] families. The district's decisions are hurting real

[1:23:16] people.

[1:23:17] Students deserve schools that are fully staffed, and by fully staffed I

[1:23:21] don't mean redeploying necessary staff to hide the number of

[1:23:24] vacancies. Parents deserve public schools that fully serve

[1:23:28] their children with robust arts programs, realistic class

[1:23:32] sizes, and academic programs tailored to each student's needs.

[1:23:36] Teachers deserve supportive work environments where they are not overburdened with

[1:23:40] tasks beyond the scope of an instructional day,

[1:23:44] and they deserve not to be harassed and intimidated by their

[1:23:47] administration and/or the district office for voicing

[1:23:51] concerns. The community deserves transparency from the

[1:23:55] district office, not rigged statistics, hidden

[1:23:58] salaries, and last-minute decisions.

[1:24:01] They don't deserve a district driven by corruption and nepotism where

[1:24:05] executives serve only their families, friends, and professional

[1:24:08] connections. Instead, stakeholders in BCSD are

[1:24:12] being completely overlooked.

[1:24:15] The district is refusing to respond to concerns and questions from the

[1:24:18] community.

[1:24:20] This lack of response is a sure sign that they do not value their

[1:24:23] stakeholders. They do not value their input.

[1:24:26] They do not value their concerns. They do not value their employees or the

[1:24:30] damage they have caused to their lives and careers.

[1:24:33] They do not value effective teachers. They do not value retaining them.

[1:24:37] They do not value our students as whole children.

[1:24:40] They do not value the support that these students need beyond the standardized

[1:24:44] curriculum. They do not value the families who have come forward with

[1:24:47] serious concerns and pleas for help.

[1:24:50] They do not value the damage and distress their self-centered decisions have

[1:24:54] caused. Because right now, the only thing the district office cares

[1:24:57] about is the district office.

[1:25:00] We do not value your propaganda, your endless loop of PR

[1:25:04] videos trying to put a glossy finish over deep systemic issues in this

[1:25:08] district. Fancy videos don't solve real problems.

[1:25:12] It is your job to make sure we solve them.

[1:25:16] Respond to your stakeholders' emails, calls, and requests for help and

[1:25:19] information. Fully staff our schools.

[1:25:22] Give us back our support positions.

[1:25:24] Tell teachers where they're going to land next year immediately.

[1:25:28] Reimburse them for the extra days, supplies, and miles required to

[1:25:32] create new classrooms. Raise the millage and

[1:25:36] fund our schools. Make district-level salaries public,

[1:25:40] just as CCSD does. If the district needs to make cuts,

[1:25:44] start with its hidden salaries. If they aren't publicly available, they must have

[1:25:48] something to hide. How do you justify inflated salaries when they aren't

[1:25:52] fulfilling their responsibilities?

[1:25:54] Perhaps the district office should ask teachers how to do more with less,

[1:25:58] something teachers have been doing for years. Thank you.

[1:26:02] Thank you, Ms. Khalil.

[1:26:05] Up next, agenda item six,

[1:26:10] superintendent's report. Dr. Dixon, you're recognized.

[1:26:14] All right.

[1:26:15] Good evening, BCSD board of trustees, senior-level

[1:26:19] cabinet, district staff, citizens, and guests.

[1:26:23] Before beginning tonight's business, I want to first express my sincere gratitude

[1:26:27] for the outpouring of support my family and I received during the sad,

[1:26:31] sudden illness and passing of my aunt.

[1:26:33] Your prayers, cards, calls, and words of encouragement were deeply

[1:26:37] appreciated. During difficult times, you're reminded that

[1:26:41] beyond titles and positions, we are a community of people

[1:26:45] who care for one another. For that, my family and I are truly

[1:26:48] grateful.

[1:26:50] Thank you. And tonight, I bring before you, we bring before you,

[1:26:54] the second reading of the fiscal year 26/27 budget.

[1:26:58] This budget represents months of hard work, collaboration,

[1:27:02] innovation, and thoughtful decision-making.

[1:27:05] The board of trustees has been an integral partner throughout this process.

[1:27:10] While difficult decisions were necessary, I believe this budget is well-developed,

[1:27:14] fiscally responsible, and responsive to the economic realities facing our

[1:27:18] country, our county, our state, and our

[1:27:21] nation. Over the past four years, the district has

[1:27:25] experienced significant growth and achievement, and we cannot ignore that.

[1:27:31] I have shared these accomplishments with you on many

[1:27:34] occasions. While we are proud of our progress, we are not

[1:27:38] satisfied. We remain committed to continuous

[1:27:42] improvement and to ensuring that our time, talent,

[1:27:46] and resources remain focused where they matter the most,

[1:27:50] in the classroom. As part of this budget, we have consolidated

[1:27:54] senior cabinet positions, and upon

[1:27:57] approval, we will begin strategically realigning responsibilities

[1:28:01] among these highly qualified leaders.

[1:28:04] We have also repurposed school-level positions to strengthen impact

[1:28:08] in curriculum and instruction,

[1:28:10] while ensuring we have highly qualified teachers in the classroom

[1:28:14] and allowing more funds to schools to be used to

[1:28:17] directly impact student achievement.

[1:28:21] This is not new to Berkeley County, Charleston County, Dorchester

[1:28:25] 2, or Dorchester 4. This happens in every

[1:28:29] district. These changes are not simply

[1:28:32] organizational. They're intentional efforts to strengthen

[1:28:36] support for our schools, our principals, our

[1:28:40] teachers, our staff, our students, and

[1:28:43] families. Positions may have been redeployed,

[1:28:48] but unlike certain other places and other districts across our state,

[1:28:53] they have not lost any jobs. We have

[1:28:57] maintained and ensured that everyone has a position.

[1:29:02] Education is not a linear system. Every individual plays

[1:29:06] an essential role in student success.

[1:29:09] We need students in school and on time.

[1:29:13] We need nutritious meals that fuel learning.

[1:29:16] We need clean, safe, and well-maintained facilities where students can

[1:29:20] thrive. We need reliable technological infrastructure

[1:29:24] that allows instruction to occur without interruption.

[1:29:28] We need social and emotional and academic support that

[1:29:33] develop the whole child.

[1:29:35] We need leaders who are committed to the vision

[1:29:39] and teachers who place students first and embrace the

[1:29:42] power of an aligned research base curriculum.

[1:29:48] Research. Research consistently demonstrates that a

[1:29:51] guaranteed and viable curriculum is among the most

[1:29:55] significant school-based factors influencing student

[1:29:59] achievement. The budget before you supports each of these critical

[1:30:02] areas. Over the past several weeks, some have

[1:30:06] suggested that increasing taxes is necessary to address our

[1:30:10] financial challenges. As both a taxpayer

[1:30:14] and the superintendent of Berkeley County School District, I respectfully

[1:30:17] disagree that now is the appropriate time to increase the overall

[1:30:21] tax burden on our citizens. Instead, I

[1:30:25] stand firmly behind the proposed millage swap

[1:30:29] A strategy made possible because of the strong financial

[1:30:32] stewardship this board has demonstrated over the past four years.

[1:30:37] By shifting existing millage rather than increasing the

[1:30:41] overall rate, we are able to maintain critical

[1:30:45] services, preserve investments in our students and staff,

[1:30:49] and avoid placing additional financial strain on the

[1:30:53] families we serve.

[1:30:55] This approach provides meaningful relief to working families at a

[1:30:59] time when many continue to experience the effects of

[1:31:03] inflation and rising costs of living.

[1:31:06] Importantly,

[1:31:08] because many of our employees also reside in Berkeley

[1:31:12] County, this strategy allows them to retain more of their

[1:31:15] hard-earned income,

[1:31:17] and in many ways, it serves as an additional investment in our

[1:31:21] workforce without requiring additional district

[1:31:24] expenditures. This decision reflects several important

[1:31:28] principles. Relief for working families by avoiding

[1:31:32] additional local tax burdens.

[1:31:34] Protecting the take-home pay of our resident employees

[1:31:38] by avoiding additional tax increases.

[1:31:42] Fiscal accountability through responsible stewardship of taxpayer

[1:31:45] dollars.

[1:31:46] We got that funding

[1:31:47] Resource optimization by prioritizing needs,

[1:31:51] redeploying positions that are recurring costs,

[1:31:54] reallocating existing resources efficiently, and

[1:31:58] funding critical initiatives such as employee step increases

[1:32:02] and additional special education support without

[1:32:06] expanding the overall tax base.

[1:32:09] And this opportunity will allow us to put more of our

[1:32:12] federal dollars, our Title I funding, that

[1:32:16] we are using to creatively and innovatively

[1:32:20] redeploy into the hands of schools.

[1:32:23] As a principal, as an assistant principal, as a teacher,

[1:32:27] I never worked for a principal that did not provide me with the supplies

[1:32:31] I needed. And our state also provides us with

[1:32:35] teachers with teacher supply checks to help cover those resources.

[1:32:39] And we've always supported... I'm talking, no one else.

[1:32:44] And we've always supported our teachers when they needed the

[1:32:48] support with their funding.

[1:32:51] This is what responsible governance looks like.

[1:32:54] I also want to acknowledge something that often goes unnoticed.

[1:32:58] Public education is built on public trust, and public

[1:33:02] service naturally invites differing opinions,

[1:33:05] disagreements, and criticism. Healthy dialogue

[1:33:09] is essential in a democracy, and every citizen has the

[1:33:13] right to express their views. However, I

[1:33:17] believe there is a difference between disagreement and a personal

[1:33:20] attack.

[1:33:22] Many members of the senior leadership team, including myself,

[1:33:26] have endured personal attacks on multiple occasions.

[1:33:30] Yet through it all, this team has continued to lead with

[1:33:34] integrity, professionalism, and unwavering focus

[1:33:38] on what matters most, our students.

[1:33:41] To my senior leadership team, I want to publicly thank you.

[1:33:45] Your resilience, courage, and steadfast commitment to our

[1:33:49] mission have been exemplary, and I'm honored to serve

[1:33:53] alongside of you each and every day.

[1:33:57] Leadership is not always easy.

[1:33:59] To whom much is given, much is required, and it requires

[1:34:03] resilience, courage, and an unwavering focus on purpose.

[1:34:08] Those who serve in leadership positions understand that criticism

[1:34:12] often accompanies responsibility, yet we must never

[1:34:16] allow disagreements among adults to distract

[1:34:20] us from our shared mission.

[1:34:23] Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "We must learn to live together

[1:34:27] as brothers or perish together as fools." I believe

[1:34:31] those words are as relevant today as they have ever been.

[1:34:35] Progress does not require uniformity of thought.

[1:34:39] It does, however, require respect,

[1:34:43] understanding, and a willingness to work together for the common good.

[1:34:47] We will not always agree, and different perspectives can

[1:34:51] strengthen our work when approached constructively.

[1:34:55] Personal attacks do not help.

[1:34:58] We can choose collaboration over division,

[1:35:01] solutions over conflict, and service over

[1:35:05] self-interest. That commitment becomes even more

[1:35:08] important during difficult moments.

[1:35:11] During times when we read Facebook messages that personally attack

[1:35:15] our families, our personal lives, and those that are

[1:35:19] around us.

[1:35:20] Everyone up here, including myself, has a son that has that

[1:35:24] available. And if we care anything

[1:35:27] about any human, to have a 16-year-old read

[1:35:31] these attacks should mean something to you.

[1:35:36] So that commitment becomes even more important during our difficult moments,

[1:35:40] particularly when criticism becomes personal or when

[1:35:44] efforts are made to undermine individuals rather than

[1:35:47] improve the system. Our responsibility remains

[1:35:51] unchanged. To stay focused on our mission during the good

[1:35:55] and the bad, and to continue doing what is best for

[1:35:59] the students, the staff, and the families we serve.

[1:36:04] My prayer is to never stop moving forward.

[1:36:07] We will remain focused on the real work before us, creating

[1:36:11] the conditions that ensure every student in Berkeley County receives

[1:36:15] an exceptional education and every employee feels

[1:36:19] valued and supported.

[1:36:22] The work is too important to allow division

[1:36:25] among

[1:36:29] students, adults to derail creating

[1:36:32] conditions for principals to lead, for teachers and

[1:36:36] staff to thrive, for students to achieve, and for our

[1:36:40] families and communities to benefit. Will we get it right all the time?

[1:36:45] No. Will we do our best to try? If we

[1:36:49] have time to try to do so, if we are allowed that

[1:36:52] grace, we will ensure that we will.

[1:36:55] Thank you for your continued leadership, partnership, and commitment

[1:36:59] to the children of Berkeley County School District.

[1:37:02] Thank you.

[1:37:03] Thank you, Dr. Dixon.

[1:37:06] We'll now move on from action from executive session.

[1:37:10] We'll start with student attendance appeals.

[1:37:13] We'll start with student number one for attendance appeals.

[1:37:17] Madam Chair, I move that we grant the appeal.

[1:37:19] Second.

[1:37:21] Which one is this?

[1:37:22] Student number one, attendance appeal.

[1:37:24] Okay.

[1:37:25] There's a motion by Mr. McQuillan, a second by Mr.

[1:37:28] Borden to grant the appeal. Any further discussion?

[1:37:33] Hearing none, we'll call the question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[1:37:37] Aye.

[1:37:38] Aye.

[1:37:39] Opposed, nay.

[1:37:40] Nay.

[1:37:41] Nay.

[1:37:42] Let's go. Ayes.

[1:37:46] One, two, three, four, five. The ayes have it.

[1:37:49] What was the-

[1:37:50] Five-four.

[1:37:51] Okay.

[1:37:52] Student number two.

[1:37:54] Madam Chair, I move that we grant the appeal and approve the student's

[1:37:58] request.

[1:37:58] Second.

[1:37:59] Second.

[1:37:59] There's a motion by Ms. Coates, a second by Mr.

[1:38:02] Borden to grant the appeal of student number two.

[1:38:05] Any further discussion?

[1:38:07] Hearing none, we'll call the question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[1:38:11] Aye.

[1:38:12] Opposed, nay.

[1:38:14] Nay.

[1:38:15] The ayes have it, eight-one. Ms. Littleton, on student one,

[1:38:20] were you affirmative or negative? I may have marked you down wrong.

[1:38:24] Affirmative. Affirmative.

[1:38:25] 6-3.

[1:38:26] It was six-three on student number one, eight-one on student

[1:38:30] number two. We'll now hear a motion for student number three.

[1:38:34] I move that we grant the appeal for student number three.

[1:38:37] Second.

[1:38:37] I approve.

[1:38:38] There's a motion by Wofford, a second by Coates

[1:38:42] to grant the appeal of student number three. Any further discussion?

[1:38:47] Hearing none, we'll call the question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[1:38:50] Aye.

[1:38:51] Aye.

[1:38:52] Aye.

[1:38:52] Opposed, nay.

[1:38:53] Nay.

[1:38:55] The ayes have it, eight-one. Student number four.

[1:38:58] Madam Chair, I move that we deny the appeal.

[1:39:00] Second. There's a motion by Mr. McQuillan, a second by Ms.

[1:39:04] Davenport to deny the appeal of student number four.

[1:39:07] Any further discussion?

[1:39:09] Hearing none, we'll call the question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[1:39:13] Aye.

[1:39:13] Aye. Aye. Opposed, nay.

[1:39:18] The ayes have it.

[1:39:20] Student number five.

[1:39:22] Madam Chair-

[1:39:23] Madam-

[1:39:23] Go ahead.

[1:39:23] Madam Chair, I move that we deny the appeal of student number five.

[1:39:26] Second.

[1:39:27] Motion by Ms. Coates, second by Mr.

[1:39:29] McQuillan to deny the appeal of student number five.

[1:39:32] Is there any further discussion?

[1:39:34] Hearing none, we'll call the question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[1:39:38] Aye.

[1:39:39] Aye. Aye. Opposed, nay.

[1:39:44] The ayes have it nine-zero. Student number six.

[1:39:48] Madam Chair, I move that we deny the appeal.

[1:39:50] Second.

[1:39:51] There's a motion by Mr. McQuillan, a second by Ms.

[1:39:53] Coates to deny the appeal of student number six.

[1:39:57] Is there any further discussion?

[1:39:59] Hearing none, we'll call the question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[1:40:03] Aye.

[1:40:04] Aye. Aye.

[1:40:06] Opposed, nay.

[1:40:08] The ayes have it.

[1:40:10] Student number seven.

[1:40:13] Madam Chair, I move that we deny the appeal of student number seven.

[1:40:16] Second.

[1:40:17] Second. There's a motion by Ms. Coates, a second by Mr.

[1:40:20] Borden

[1:40:21] to deny the appeal of student number seven. Is there any further discussion?

[1:40:25] Hearing none, we'll call the question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[1:40:29] Aye.

[1:40:30] Aye.

[1:40:31] Aye. Opposed, nay.

[1:40:34] The ayes have it. Students eight and nine

[1:40:38] are related, and they will be heard together.

[1:40:40] Motion for students eight and nine.

[1:40:43] Move to deny the appeals.

[1:40:45] Second.

[1:40:46] There's a motion by Mr. McQuillan, a second by Ms.

[1:40:48] Bradley to deny the appeals of students eight and nine.

[1:40:52] Any further discussion?

[1:40:55] Hearing none, we'll call the question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[1:40:59] Aye.

[1:40:59] Aye. Aye.

[1:41:01] Opposed, nay.

[1:41:03] The ayes have it. Student number 10.

[1:41:06] Madam Chair, I make a motion that we approve the appeal of student number 10.

[1:41:10] Second.

[1:41:10] There's a motion by Ms. Coates, a second by Mr.

[1:41:13] Borden to grant the appeal of student number 10.

[1:41:16] Is there any further discussion?

[1:41:18] Hearing none, we'll call the question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[1:41:22] Aye.

[1:41:23] Aye.

[1:41:25] Aye.

[1:41:25] Opposed, nay.

[1:41:26] Nay.

[1:41:28] The ayes have it, eight-one.

[1:41:31] Students 11 and 12 are related and will be heard together.

[1:41:35] Is there a motion for students 11 and 12?

[1:41:37] Move to deny.

[1:41:39] Second.

[1:41:40] There's a motion by Mr. McQuillan, a second by Mr.

[1:41:43] Baker to deny the appeal of students 11 and 12.

[1:41:46] Is there any further discussion?

[1:41:49] Hearing none, we'll call the question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[1:41:53] Aye.

[1:41:55] Aye. Opposed, nay.

[1:41:57] The ayes have it. Student number 13.

[1:42:00] Madam Chair, I move that we deny the appeal of student number 13.

[1:42:04] Second. There's a motion by Ms. Coates, a second by Ms.

[1:42:07] Davenport to deny the appeal of student 13.

[1:42:10] Is there any further discussion?

[1:42:13] Hearing none, we'll call the question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[1:42:17] Aye.

[1:42:19] Aye. Aye. Opposed, nay.

[1:42:22] The ayes have it nine-zero.

[1:42:25] Student number 14.

[1:42:28] Move that we deny the appeal of student number 14.

[1:42:31] Second.

[1:42:32] There's a motion by Mr. Baker, a second by Mr.

[1:42:34] McQuillan to deny the appeal of student number 14.

[1:42:37] Is there any further discussion?

[1:42:40] Hearing none, I'll call the question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[1:42:44] Aye.

[1:42:44] Aye. Aye.

[1:42:46] Opposed, nay.

[1:42:48] The ayes have it nine zero. In the matter of

[1:42:52] Student 15, I move that we grant the appeal of student

[1:42:56] number 15.

[1:42:57] Second.

[1:42:59] There's a motion by Wofford, a second by Ms.

[1:43:01] Coates to grant the appeal of student 15.

[1:43:04] Is there any further discussion?

[1:43:07] Hearing none, we'll call the question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[1:43:11] Aye.

[1:43:12] Aye.

[1:43:13] Aye. Opposed, nay.

[1:43:15] Nay.

[1:43:17] The ayes have it seven two. In the matter of student number

[1:43:21] 16-

[1:43:22] I think it was three

[1:43:24] Oh, I'm sorry. Six three?

[1:43:25] Yeah.

[1:43:26] Six three.

[1:43:28] Me, Matt, and JP.

[1:43:28] Borden, Baker, McQuillan.

[1:43:32] And the poor new software can't catch up, so we'll just have a whole bunch of no's.

[1:43:36] I'm making a note. Yeah.

[1:43:37] It's bad. Student number 16. Is there a motion for

[1:43:41] student number 16?

[1:43:42] Move that we deny the appeal of student 16.

[1:43:45] Second.

[1:43:46] Second.

[1:43:46] There's a motion by Mr. Baker, a second by Mr.

[1:43:48] Borden, to deny the appeal of student 16.

[1:43:51] Is there any further discussion?

[1:43:54] Hear-

[1:43:54] Real quick. Isn't 15 and 16, aren't they siblings?

[1:43:59] They are related.

[1:44:01] Related.

[1:44:02] They're related.

[1:44:03] All right. So everybody that voted yes, remember that.

[1:44:05] They're related.

[1:44:07] All in favor to deny the appeal,

[1:44:10] please respond by saying aye.

[1:44:12] Aye.

[1:44:13] Opposed, nay. Nay.

[1:44:16] The ayes have it. It is denied for student

[1:44:20] 16.

[1:44:22] Student number 17.

[1:44:24] Madam Chair, I move that we deny the appeal of student number 17.

[1:44:28] Second.

[1:44:29] There's a motion by Ms. Coates,

[1:44:31] a second

[1:44:32] by Ms. Davenport to deny the appeal of student

[1:44:36] 17. Is there any further discussion?

[1:44:39] Hearing none, I'll call the question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[1:44:43] Aye.

[1:44:44] Aye.

[1:44:46] Aye. Opposed, nay.

[1:44:48] The ayes have it nine zero.

[1:44:51] For student number one for out-of-district appeals.

[1:44:55] Move to deny.

[1:44:57] Second.

[1:44:57] There's a motion by Mr. McQuillan, a second by Ms.

[1:44:59] Davenport to deny the appeal of the out-of-district appeal

[1:45:03] student number one. Is there any further discussion?

[1:45:07] Hearing none, we'll call the question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[1:45:11] Aye.

[1:45:12] Opposed, nay.

[1:45:14] Nay.

[1:45:15] The ayes have it eight one. Student number two for

[1:45:19] out-of-district appeals.

[1:45:20] Move to deny.

[1:45:22] Second.

[1:45:22] There's a motion by Mr. McQuillan, a second by Mr.

[1:45:25] Borden

[1:45:27] to deny the appeal of student number two for out of district.

[1:45:31] Is there any further discussion?

[1:45:34] Hearing none, we'll call the question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[1:45:37] Aye.

[1:45:38] Aye.

[1:45:39] Aye. Opposed, nay.

[1:45:43] The ayes have it nine zero.

[1:45:46] We'll now move on to HR

[1:45:51] from executive session.

[1:45:52] Madam Chair, I move to accept the

[1:45:55] personnel recommendations of the administration as discussed in executive session

[1:45:59] for the current school year.

[1:46:01] Second. There's a motion by McQuillan, a second by Wofford

[1:46:05] to accept the personnel recommendations of the administration as discussed in

[1:46:09] executive session for the current school year. Is there any further discussion?

[1:46:14] Hearing none, we'll call the question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[1:46:18] Aye.

[1:46:19] Aye. Aye. Opposed, nay.

[1:46:21] The ayes have it nine zero.

[1:46:24] Madam Chair, I move to accept the recommendation of the administration to name

[1:46:28] Samantha Kelleher as Director of Support and Compliance with a

[1:46:31] contract date to begin July 1st, 2026.

[1:46:35] Second.

[1:46:36] There's a motion by Ms. Davenport, a second by Wofford to name Samantha

[1:46:40] Kelleher as the Director of Support and Compliance with a contract to begin on

[1:46:44] July 1, 2026. Is there any further discussion?

[1:46:48] Hearing none, we'll call the question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[1:46:52] Aye.

[1:46:52] Aye. Opposed, nay.

[1:46:55] The ayes have it nine zero. Congratulations, Ms. Kelleher.

[1:46:59] She's not able to attend tonight.

[1:47:04] All right.

[1:47:06] Madam Chair, I move to accept the recommendation of the administration to name Dr.

[1:47:10] Maya Rosenberg as Coordinator of Related Services with a

[1:47:13] contract date to begin July 1st, 2026.

[1:47:16] Second.

[1:47:17] There's a motion by Ms. Davenport, a second by Mr. Borden.

[1:47:20] Is there any further discussion?

[1:47:23] Hearing none, we'll call the question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[1:47:27] Aye.

[1:47:28] Aye. Opposed, nay.

[1:47:30] The ayes have it nine zero. Congratulations, Dr. Rosenberg.

[1:47:39] Dr. Rosenberg was not able to be here tonight.

[1:47:43] Madam Chair, I move to accept the recommendation of the administration to

[1:47:47] name Stephanie Mansfield as Coordinator of Special

[1:47:51] Services for the middle school with a contract to begin July

[1:47:54] 13th, 2026.

[1:47:56] Second.

[1:47:57] There's a motion by Ms. Bradley, a second by Mr. Borden.

[1:48:00] Is there any further discussion?

[1:48:02] Hearing none, we'll call the question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[1:48:06] Aye.

[1:48:08] Aye. Opposed, nay. The ayes have it nine zero.

[1:48:11] Congratulations, Ms. Mansfield.

[1:48:23] Madam Chair, I move to accept the recommendation of the administration to name

[1:48:27] Latonya Brown as Coordinator Special Services for compliance with the

[1:48:30] contract to begin July 1st, 2026.

[1:48:33] Second.

[1:48:34] Second.

[1:48:34] There's a motion by Ms. Coates, a second by Ms. Davenport.

[1:48:37] Is there any further discussion?

[1:48:39] Hearing none, we'll call the question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[1:48:43] Aye.

[1:48:45] Aye. Aye. Opposed, nay.

[1:48:47] The ayes have it nine zero. Congratulations, Ms. Brown.

[1:48:59] Madam Chair, I move to accept the recommendation of the administration to

[1:49:03] name Dr. Gilbertha Sandy Delice as

[1:49:07] coordinator special services for the elementary schools, with a contract to

[1:49:11] begin July 13th, 2026.

[1:49:14] Second.

[1:49:15] There's a motion by Ms. Bradley, a second by Mr. Borden, to name Dr.

[1:49:19] Sandy Delice as the coordinator of special services elementary, with a

[1:49:23] contract to begin July 13th, 2026.

[1:49:26] Is there any further discussion?

[1:49:28] Hearing none, we'll call the question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[1:49:32] Aye.

[1:49:33] Aye. Opposed, nay. The ayes have it, nine zero.

[1:49:37] Congratulations, Dr. Delice.

[1:49:47] Madam Chair, I move to accept the recommendation of the administration to name Mrs.

[1:49:51] Leslie Creel as coordinator of special service secondary,

[1:49:55] with a contract to begin July 13th, 2026.

[1:49:59] Second.

[1:50:00] There's a motion by Ms. Coates, a second by Mr. Borden.

[1:50:02] Is there any further discussion?

[1:50:05] Hearing none, we'll call the question.

[1:50:06] All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[1:50:09] Aye.

[1:50:10] Aye. Opposed, nay. I'm sorry, Cathy.

[1:50:15] The ayes have it. Congratulations,

[1:50:25] Ms. Creel. Congratulations.

[1:50:25] Madam Chair, I move to accept the recommendation of the administration to name

[1:50:29] Janet Kehoe as assistant principal at Stratford High School, with a contract to

[1:50:33] begin July 13th, 2026.

[1:50:36] Second.

[1:50:37] There's a motion by Mr. Baker, a second by Ms. Davenport.

[1:50:40] Is there any further discussion? Hearing none, we'll call the question.

[1:50:44] All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[1:50:46] Aye.

[1:50:47] Aye.

[1:50:48] Aye. Opposed, nay. The ayes have it, nine zero. Congratulations, Ms.

[1:50:52] Kehoe.

[1:51:00] Madam Chair, I move to accept the recommendation of the administration to name

[1:51:03] Blake Hall as the assistant principal at Stratford High School, with a

[1:51:07] contract to begin July 13th, 2026.

[1:51:10] Second.

[1:51:10] There's a motion by Mr. Baker, a second by Ms. Davenport.

[1:51:13] Is there any further discussion?

[1:51:15] Hearing none, we'll call the question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[1:51:19] Aye.

[1:51:21] Aye. Aye. Opposed, nay.

[1:51:23] The ayes have it, nine zero. Congratulations. Mr.

[1:51:27] Hall is not able to be with us tonight, but congratulations nonetheless.

[1:51:35] Madam Chair, I move to accept the recommendation of the administration

[1:51:39] to name Dr. Vanessa Middleton as coordinator of math,

[1:51:43] grades 6 through 12, with a contract to begin July 13th,

[1:51:47] 2026.

[1:51:48] Second.

[1:51:49] There's a motion by Ms. Bradley, a second by Mr. Borden.

[1:51:52] Is there any further discussion?

[1:51:54] Hearing none, we'll call the question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[1:51:58] Aye.

[1:52:00] Aye. Opposed, nay.

[1:52:02] The ayes have it, nine zero. Congratulations, Dr. Middleton.

[1:52:14] We would love for you to stay and enjoy the school board meeting.

[1:52:17] It's got a couple of items left, but if you came

[1:52:21] during your summer to be promoted to a new position and you want to

[1:52:25] go celebrate with your family, please do so.

[1:52:28] If you would like to stay for the remainder of the meeting, please feel free.

[1:52:31] We would love for you to participate.

[1:52:33] We'll now move on to the reports from the standing

[1:52:37] committees.

[1:52:39] A report from the Committee on Academics and Innovation.

[1:52:42] Because Chair Littleton is on the phone, Mr.

[1:52:45] McQuilllen will be reading the report from that committee.

[1:52:48] Madam Chair, the Committee on Academics and Innovation met on June 15th,

[1:52:51] 2026. And on recommendation of the committee, I move to approve the Head Start

[1:52:55] budget expenditures report for April 2026, credit card

[1:52:59] report for April 2026, and prospective new hires.

[1:53:03] Thank you. We have a recommendation from the committee. No second is required.

[1:53:06] Is there any further discussion?

[1:53:09] All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[1:53:11] Aye.

[1:53:12] Aye.

[1:53:13] Aye. Opposed, nay.

[1:53:15] The ayes have it, nine zero.

[1:53:18] Madam Chair, that concludes the report.

[1:53:20] Thank you, Mr. McQuilllen. Next is the Committee on Finance and Human

[1:53:24] Resources. Chairman Michael Ramsey, you are recognized.

[1:53:28] Madam Chair, the Committee on Finance and Human Resources met on June the

[1:53:32] 15th, 2026. And on recommendation of the

[1:53:36] committee, I move to approve out-of-state travel as presented.

[1:53:40] We have a recommendation from committee. No second is required.

[1:53:42] Is there any further discussion?

[1:53:45] Hearing none, we'll call the question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[1:53:49] Aye.

[1:53:51] Aye. Opposed, nay.

[1:53:53] The ayes have it, nine zero.

[1:53:55] Also on recommendation of the committee, I move to approve the funding

[1:53:59] flexibility as presented.

[1:54:01] We have a recommendation from committee. No second is required.

[1:54:04] Is there any further discussion?

[1:54:06] Hearing none, we'll call the question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[1:54:10] Aye.

[1:54:11] Aye. Aye. Opposed, nay.

[1:54:13] The ayes have it, nine zero.

[1:54:15] Also on recommendation of the committee, I move to approve the issuance

[1:54:19] and sale of general obligation bonds of the school

[1:54:23] district in the principal amount not to exceed $100

[1:54:27] million for the purposes of repayment of existing

[1:54:31] debt, funding of capital projects, and funding

[1:54:35] other initiatives of the school district, and paying the cost of

[1:54:39] the issuance of the bonds.

[1:54:41] We have a recommendation from committee. No second is required.

[1:54:44] Would like to note for the minutes that Mr.

[1:54:47] McQuilllen has submitted a recusal in writing per board

[1:54:51] policy.

[1:54:52] Is there any further discussion?

[1:54:55] Hearing none, we'll call the question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[1:54:59] Aye.

[1:55:01] Opposed, nay.

[1:55:03] The ayes have it, eight zero one.

[1:55:07] Also on recommendation of the committee from earlier this evening, I move to

[1:55:11] approve the second reading of FY26-27

[1:55:15] general fund budget as presented.

[1:55:18] We have a recommendation from the committee, no second is required.

[1:55:21] Is there any further discussion?

[1:55:24] Madam Chair, were we able to get the figure of salaries from special

[1:55:27] rev?

[1:55:29] Dr. Ling.

[1:55:47] Thank you for doing this.

[1:55:51] Thank goodness there was a ready computer to pull things up on.

[1:55:56] Special revenue really encompasses a large

[1:55:59] list of state and federal funding for

[1:56:03] very specific categorical purposes.

[1:56:06] Tonight, I can really only share the numbers for the three

[1:56:10] grants that have been submitted from our office for the state department's initial

[1:56:14] review, which are our Title I, Title II, and Title IV

[1:56:17] grants.

[1:56:20] This year, Title I, our preliminary allocation, and

[1:56:24] we will not receive final allocations for those formula grants until

[1:56:28] around late October, but our preliminary allocation is

[1:56:32] $8,419,009.

[1:56:36] $6,501,600

[1:56:40] is what is allocated at this point in the preliminary

[1:56:44] application for instructional salaries and benefits

[1:56:48] and instructional support salaries and benefits, which is

[1:56:51] 77% of the total grant.

[1:56:54] Thank you.

[1:56:55] For the Title II grant, which this year's preliminary

[1:56:58] allocation is $1.2 million,

[1:57:03] 1.1 is set aside for

[1:57:06] instructional support salaries and benefits, which is

[1:57:10] 92% of that grant.

[1:57:13] And for Title IV, which this year's preliminary

[1:57:16] allocation is

[1:57:17] $629,347,

[1:57:21] $439,454, which is

[1:57:26] 70% of that grant, is set aside for instructional salaries and

[1:57:29] benefits and instructional support salaries and

[1:57:33] benefits.

[1:57:34] Since special revenue funds from state and federal

[1:57:38] sources are all supplemental to general operating funds,

[1:57:42] all of these positions represented in these dollars, which is

[1:57:48] 79.6% of these three grants,

[1:57:52] are all supplemental positions as well.

[1:57:55] They are not positions that are allocated through our

[1:57:58] salary formulas or our salary book.

[1:58:03] Thank you.

[1:58:04] Thank you, Dr. Ling. Any further questions or discussion related to the

[1:58:08] 2026/2027 general fund budget?

[1:58:13] Just for the board's certification, that's roughly

[1:58:16] $451 million on salaries total that'll be

[1:58:20] spent next year.

[1:58:22] Probably about 88% to 90% of the budget, I would think.

[1:58:25] It is. That's just the salaries.

[1:58:27] Yeah.

[1:58:28] That still has the other, so that's a lower-

[1:58:30] Even less that, yeah

[1:58:30] We're now hitting around 451.

[1:58:34] Any further discussion?

[1:58:36] Hearing none, we'll call the question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[1:58:40] Aye.

[1:58:42] Aye.

[1:58:43] Opposed, nay.

[1:58:45] The ayes have it, nine zero.

[1:58:47] Madam Chair, that concludes my report.

[1:58:49] Thank you, Mr. Ramsey. Next is the Committee on Capital Planning.

[1:58:53] Chair Joe Baker, you are recognized.

[1:58:55] Madam Chair, the Committee on Capital Planning met on June 15th,

[1:58:58] 2026, and on recommendation of the committee, I move to

[1:59:02] approve the award of

[1:59:06] IFB 76725-26 to Crew

[1:59:09] Kell Company Incorporated for an initial one-year term

[1:59:13] valued at 120,000, with the option to

[1:59:17] renew automatically for four additional one-year terms in single

[1:59:21] increments for an estimated contract value of

[1:59:23] $600,000. At the end of the five-year contract

[1:59:27] term, the superintendent may extend the contract for an additional two

[1:59:30] years. Actual expenditures for each contract shall not

[1:59:34] exceed the approved annual budget amounts.

[1:59:38] We have a recommendation from the committee, no second is required.

[1:59:41] Is there any further discussion?

[1:59:44] Hearing none, we'll call the question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[1:59:48] Aye.

[1:59:49] Aye. Opposed, nay.

[1:59:51] The ayes have it, nine zero.

[1:59:53] Also, on recommendation of the committee, I move to approve the award of

[1:59:57] RFQ 77125-26,

[2:00:01] Architectural and Engineering Services for Cane Bay High School addition,

[2:00:06] to Moseley Incorporated in the amount of

[2:00:08] 1,457,000.

[2:00:12] We have a recommendation from the committee, no second is required.

[2:00:15] Is there any further discussion?

[2:00:17] Very excited. I know Ms. Davenport wants to say that.

[2:00:20] Very excited to be moving ahead with the Cane Bay addition.

[2:00:24] Yes.

[2:00:25] All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[2:00:27] Aye.

[2:00:28] Aye.

[2:00:30] Aye.

[2:00:30] Opposed, nay. The ayes have it, nine zero.

[2:00:34] Also, on recommendation of the committee, I move to approve the award of

[2:00:38] Request for Qualification

[2:00:40] 77225-26,

[2:00:43] Construction Manager at Risk Services for Cane Bay

[2:00:47] High School addition to Harper General Contractors for

[2:00:51] pre-construction services in the amount of

[2:00:54] $119,200.

[2:00:57] We have a recommendation from committee, no second is required.

[2:01:01] Is there any further discussion?

[2:01:04] Hearing none, we'll call the question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[2:01:08] Aye.

[2:01:09] Aye.

[2:01:09] Opposed, nay.

[2:01:11] The ayes have it nine zero.

[2:01:13] Madam Chair, that concludes my report.

[2:01:14] Thank you, Mr. Baker.

[2:01:18] Oh, absolutely. So next is the board chair update,

[2:01:22] and I'm going to give some time back to Dr.

[2:01:25] Dixon

[2:01:27] because I think Ms. Brooks is here, and we missed the teacher forum

[2:01:29] recognition.

[2:01:31] Yes. We want to recognize the real MVP, Ms.

[2:01:34] Megan Brooks, our teacher forum representative.

[2:01:37] Let's give her a round of applause.

[2:01:41] Thank you for taking time out of your summer and tutoring to

[2:01:45] be here with us today, tonight.

[2:01:48] Thank you.

[2:01:49] So for the board chair update, there was a

[2:01:53] meeting scheduled for July the 6th.

[2:01:57] We are planning to have a July 20th meeting

[2:02:00] only. That will be the committees and then the full

[2:02:06] board after that. So no meeting on July the 6th.

[2:02:11] Both committee and full on the 20th?

[2:02:12] Both committee and full on the 20th.

[2:02:14] Yes, ma'am.

[2:02:16] Can I say something?

[2:02:17] Absolutely, Mr. McClellan.

[2:02:18] I just wanted to recognize Mr. McDowell.

[2:02:21] This is his last-- We're going to have you back, don't you worry.

[2:02:24] We're going to recognize you, but this is his last-

[2:02:26] We can get rid of him for the whole year

[2:02:26] ... meeting before he retires.

[2:02:47] Now, those are some big shoes to fill.

[2:02:50] I don't know anyone

[2:02:52] that we have that can resolve issues and

[2:02:56] calm fears, nerves, situations,

[2:02:59] deescalate like Mr. McDowell. You will be sorely

[2:03:03] missed, sir. I hope you enjoy being granddad, and as

[2:03:07] soon as you get bored of it-

[2:03:09] Back

[2:03:09] ... come on back because we'll be happy to have you.

[2:03:13] All right. I will now entertain a motion to adjourn.

[2:03:16] Make the motion.

[2:03:17] Second.

[2:03:18] There's a motion by Mr. Ramsey, a second by Mr. McClellan to adjourn.

[2:03:21] Any further discussion?

[2:03:23] Hearing none, we'll call a question. All in favor, please respond by saying aye.

[2:03:27] Aye.

[2:03:27] Aye. Opposed, nay. The ayes have it nine zero.

[2:03:31] We are adjourned.

Berkeley County Board of Education Meeting - Jun 29 2026

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