By: Jeremy Handel, Staff Writer | jeremy@thewoodrufftimes.com
In an unexpected action, the Spartanburg County School District Four Board of Trustees approved the hiring of a new auditing firm.
Assistant Superintendent of Business and Finance Chris Benfield, in presenting the new auditor contract to the Board, said that the district’s current auditor informed him that they were discontinuing their work conducting school district audits.
In light of this development, the district solicited bids from four firms and posted the opportunity publicly. Benfield told the Board that only one firm had responded with a bid, and staff recommended approval. The Board unanimously approved the bid of $127,500 for three years of auditing to Mauldin & Jenkins.
Benfield told the Board that this was a minor increase over the previous auditing firm but within the acceptable range. Mauldin & Jenkins has experience auditing several other school districts.
In other business, the Board approved local board approved courses for the 2024-2025 school year. The action is taken every year to add courses to the curriculum that are not specifically noted in the state curriculum. The courses typically include various elective courses the district offers to students for a more expanded learning opportunity.
Among the courses approved are Algebra Enrichment, Leadership that Works, College and Career Prep, Sports Officiating, and more.
In a ceremony prior to the board meeting, Trustees and district officials recognized the 2024 teachers of the year and the Woodruff High School State Champion Wrestlers and Fishing Team. Teachers of the Year were Ben Smith, Woodruff Primary School; Lindsey Thompson, Woodruff Elementary School; Daniel Westmoreland, Woodruff Middle School; and Laura Matz, Woodruff High School.
In-school reports:
Woodruff Primary School reported that the after-school program concluded on March 27, having served 84 students in the 10-week program, helping improve their math skills. Students celebrated Storybook Character Week in March with dress-up days and activities centered around the pig book character Mercy Watson.
Woodruff Elementary School reported that third-grade students participated in their own March Madness event to learn and practice their multiplication facts. Students were placed in a bracket to compete with multiplication challenges. The school held a successful Spring Family Fun Night with games for parents and families to win prizes, face painting, and more.
Woodruff Middle School reported that math and ELA after-school programs concluded on March 26. Rising sixth-grade students will be touring the middle school on April 12.
Woodruff High School reported that the student council held a Zaxby’s fundraiser to raise money for a prom photo booth. The prom is scheduled for April 13 at Indigo Hall. Graduation is scheduled for May 23. The WHS band received a superior rating at the concert performance assessment by the South Carolina Band Directors Association.
The Woodruff School Board meets on the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. in the district office. The meetings are open to the public, and the next meeting will be held on Monday, May 6.
Author: Tracy Sanders
