By: Jeremy Handel, Staff Writer | jeremy@thewoodrufftimes.com
Among the many impacts on our community in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene was a number of missed school days due to extended power outages. The School Board took action at the November meeting to excuse three days from having to be made up at the end of the school year. The Board also approved a number of State-recommended policy revisions.
Superintendent Dr. Aaron Fulmer explained that according to South Carolina policy, if multiple days are missed during the school year, the first three must be made up, the next three can be excused by the local school board, and beyond that, the State Board of Education can excuse them. Staff recommended that the District Four Board excuse the three days they have control over to reduce the number of make-up days at the end of the year, which was approved unanimously.
The Board heard and approved the second reading of a number of recommended policy changes submitted by the State Board. Dr. Fulmer indicated that no changes or other comments had been submitted since the first reading and that changes were all straightforward and did not raise any concerns with the District.
The changes result from regular review of education policies by the State, which local districts must then comply with. The policies affected included items regarding summer school, instructional resources, graduation requirements, assisting students with medication, and more. In all, 22 policies were revised.
The Board also heard the first reading of recommended changes to four additional policies that will be brought back to the next meeting for final approval. These policy revisions were undergoing further review by the district before being brought to the Board for approval.
In other business, the Board approved granting a utility easement to Church at the Mill for a water line running between the church property and the Woodruff Learning Center. The easement allows the church to conduct any needed future repairs to the water line without getting permission from the District.
During staff reports, Director of Facilities and Assistant Business Manager Clark Simpkins shared that the District would plant 51 new trees at the new high school. The donated trees will be planted by volunteers from the high school and include oak, red maple, and crape myrtle.
In-school reports:
The primary school reported that preschool students went on a field trip to Stewart Farms, kindergarten students learned about fire safety from the Trinity Fire Department, and first-grade students took a field trip to Publix to learn about how the grocery store operates.
The elementary school reported that the Farm to School celebration was successful, with students sampling local produce and learning about healthy food from representatives from Taylor Boys Produce and the Farm to School organization.
The middle school reported that the student council presented a check for $700 to the Bearden Josey Cancer initiative with funds raised through “pink out” sales at the school. Principal Lawson also reported that the school has begun using the new metal detectors and is continuing to learn best practices for the school.
The high school reported that several students participated in the Drive to Survive program in September, teacher cadets started their observations in October, and seniors participated in College Application Day as well. The WHS Marching Cadets finished fourth in the state competition.
The Spartanburg County School District Four Board of Trustees typically meets on the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at the district office. The meetings are open to the public, and the next meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 2.
Author: Tracy Sanders
