By: Jeremy Handel, Staff Writer
The Spartanburg County School District Four Board of Trustees approved the academic calendar for the 2022-2023 school year and voted to join districts five and six in approving a new oversight model for the RD Anderson Applied Technical Center, which will put day-to-day operation under the staff of district 6.
Superintendent Dr. Rallie Liston introduced the proposed calendar for the upcoming school year, telling trustees that it is very similar to this year’s calendar. The year will once again end before the Memorial Day holiday weekend for students.
All districts in Spartanburg County work to coordinate their calendars so students are on similar schedules. Students will begin the 2022-2023 school year on August 15, and the last day of classes will be May 26. In addition to the usual holidays, the district will also have five teacher in-service days throughout the school year.
Trustees also unanimously approved the oversight change at RD Anderson that puts the day-to-day oversight under the staff at district six. Previously, the school’s director did all oversight with major decisions elevated to the board of directors, which is made up of two members each from the school boards in districts four, five, and six.
RD Anderson is the local technical school for the three districts providing students with an applied learning environment to learn marketable job skills in career fields like automotive technology, nursing, culinary arts, and more.
Under the new structure, district six administrators and personnel will provide another layer of oversight above the school’s director. The new set-up will allow for more efficient decision-making without having to wait for a board meeting on personnel and spending matters.
Dr. Liston explained that district six is the closest to the school, making them the most logical entity to take on the role.
“Thankfully, district six was willing to take this on through their offices,” Liston said. He also emphasized that the change was in no way related to any improprieties and is supported by all three districts to improve the efficient operation of the school.
In school and staff reports, trustees received information on the following:
· Woodruff Primary School reported that second-grade students and teachers raised nearly $1,000 in their Christmas giving project to provide gifts for a local family in need over the holidays.
· Woodruff Elementary School staff and students enjoyed the holiday season with some themed days, including candy cane day, ugly Christmas sweater day, pajama day, and a Christmas program.
· Students at Woodruff Middle School’s Maroon on a Mission program made and delivered 150 homemade Christmas cards to local nursing homes.
· Woodruff High School reported that the student council held a toy drive for victims of the devastating tornadoes in Kentucky.
District four school board meetings are held on the first Monday of each month. The next meeting will be held on Monday, February 7 at 5:30 p.m.
Author: Tracy Sanders
