District Parent Presents Curriculum Issue, District Receives Clean Audit

By: Jeremy Handel, Staff Writer
A Woodruff parent expressed her nerves about standing before the Spartanburg County School District Four Board of Trustees, but her resolve in what she had to share with them was strong enough that she overcame her fears.

She addressed the Trustees to open their January 11 meeting, pointing out a potential issue with the district’s policies regarding students on the honors track. An issue that she said the district told her stems from an unwritten policy not followed by neighboring districts.

The issue was brought to [the parent’s] attention when she attended a meeting regarding her child’s graduation progress and what courses the child would need to take to stay on track. They discussed dropping her child from the English honors track because it wasn’t the preferred track and was causing stress. [The parent] was informed that her child would then need to take the same English course, at a lower College prep level, the following year, even though they had already passed the honors equivalent of that class – essentially repeating a class two years in a row.

“This is a waste of everyone’s time – my child and the teacher – and the taxpayers’ money,” she told the Board.

According to [the parent] she was told the reason for repeating the class was that students are required to take an English and math course every year. If her child was advanced to the next level English course, then they wouldn’t have an English course available in their final year of high school. She pointed out that this policy would result in students taking five credits in English when the state graduation requirement is only four.

[The parent] took her issue to the principal and eventually to district officials, who told her that the requirement for an English and math course every year is not a written policy in the district. She also reached out to neighboring districts and said most of them did not have the same requirement – written or unwritten. Other districts allow their students choices regarding the English curriculum.

[The parent] went on to point out issues she feels are unfair with the honors program and its treatment of AP versus dual-enrollment courses. Both courses provide students with college credits they can take with them to reduce the number of classes they need to take in college to graduate. The main difference is that AP courses require a final exam that must be passed in order to get college credit. The dual-enrollment courses are actually taken through a local college rather than through the high school. They can also be taught at the high school by a qualified teacher.

Per [the parent’s] presentation, Woodruff High School only offers AP courses, which can cost some students, who may not perform well on the final exam but have completed all the coursework and sufficiently passed the class, their college credit.
[The parent] told the Board that she is happy with District Four schools and believes they are some of the best in the area but that she feels there needs to be something done regarding these issues.

“I think the District owes it to the students to explore other options,” she said.

Since [the parent’s] presentation was a public comment item, the Board was not able to take any action or hold any discussion on the item. However, Board Chair Tony Davis indicated prior to [the parent’s] presentation that they intended to take up the issue for discussion at their February meeting.

In a follow-up conversation, Superintendent Dr. Rallie Liston said he appreciated [the parent’s] presentation and prior conversations he had with her. He said district administrators are currently conducting their annual curriculum review, including the issues [the parent] raised, for potential changes next school year.

Dr. Liston said the proposed updates and changes to the curriculum will be presented to the Board at the February meeting. The Board will have an opportunity to discuss the curriculum changes, but it is not an item they need to approve by vote. Dr. Liston said the Board is welcome to suggest other changes or revisions for the administration to review as well.

He also pointed out that any changes that are made to the curriculum under the review would be available for all students to take advantage of, even if they have already submitted their requested schedules for the new year.

In other business, the Board received good news from Assistant Superintendent of Business and Finance Chris Benfield regarding the financial audit. An independent audit of all financial aspects of the district and each school came back with an unmodified opinion. Auditing firm Cherry Bekaert found no material weaknesses or deficiencies in the district’s finances.
The Board also took a moment to recognize two of its members. Dr. Liston presented certificates and letters of recognition from the South Carolina School Boards Association to Chair Tony Davis for 10 years of service on the board and Gordon Godfrey for 20 years of service.

Under new business, the Board voted unanimously to approve the 2023-2024 school calendar. Dr. Liston pointed out that the calendar for the new year was being adjusted to start a week earlier than normal, allowing the school year to end prior to Memorial Day weekend. The adjustment was agreed upon by all districts in Spartanburg County.
In school and department reports:
●Woodruff Primary School reported that the after school program would begin on January 23 and run until spring break. Students are invited based on need and will attend Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday afternoons. Approximately 60 students are already enrolled.
●Woodruff Elementary School recognized Jayden Brissie as the spelling bee winner, and Reagan Tumblin was the runner-up. The elementary school will also begin it’s after-school program on January 23.
●Woodruff Middle School reported the Maroon on a Mission group sponsored a project to make and deliver 150 homemade Christmas cards to local nursing homes. It was also reported that the school is pursuing the addition of an archery team.
●Woodruff High School reported the marching band performed at both the Woodruff Christmas lighting ceremony as well as in the Greenville Christmas Parade. The school also told the board that the application for a Coast Guard ROTC program was denied but that there were still applications for programs with the Navy and Army still pending.
●Facilities and Assistant Business Manager Clark Simpkins, Jr. pointed out that the district will be hosting a trade partner interest meeting on February 3 for local contractors that are interested in participating in the new school construction project. The meeting will be held at the district office.