By: Jeremy Handel, Staff Writer
jeremy@thewoodrufftimes.com
Playground Approved for New Intermediate School
The new intermediate school opening this fall will receive a new playground following approval by the School Board at their March meeting. The Board also approved a contract for lawn maintenance at the new high school.
With the opening of the new high school this fall, the district will also add the new intermediate school, which will take over the current middle school. The younger age of the students at the school brings the need for different playground and recreation equipment.
The Board approved a proposal from Great Southern Recreation for just under $55,000 to construct the new playground, which has a capacity of 62 students, the largest of the four proposals received. The new equipment will be handicap accessible and includes safety ground cover and observation benches. The equipment is expected to be ready for the new school year in the fall.
Lawn Maintenance Contract Approved
Board members also voted to approve a three-year lawn maintenance contract with Roebuck Wholesale Nursery & Landscaping to maintain the lawn at the new high school. The contract is shorter than the typical five-year lawn maintenance contract, so it can be combined with the district-wide contract when they both expire.
The cost of maintenance is approximately $1,465 per grass cutting, and the district typically has about 30 cuttings per year. This is only for the high school grounds and is separate from field maintenance.
Student Poetry Presentations Open Meeting
To open the March meeting, students from Beth Ramey’s ELA class at Woodruff Elementary presented original poems they composed about their favorite activities. The students set their poems to music and used a variety of poetic styles to express their passion for their chosen activity.
Mrs. Ramey played the recorded poetry presentations from students Jayden Brissie (basketball), Leigha Clutter (soccer), Caleb Henderson (basketball), Aubrey Shealy (dance), and Sophie Tropeano (dance).
Additional Board Business
In other business, the Board approved local board-approved courses for the next school year. This is an annual approval that allows for classes outside the state-approved courses to be offered in the district. It is common for school boards to offer a number of elective classes.
Assistant Superintendent of Business and Finance Chris Benfield reported to the Board that the state budget is still in progress, but all indications at this point show a $2,000 increase to each pay scale for teachers. The Legislature is also considering an item that would extend paid parental leave from 30 days to 60 days for all employees, and another unfunded mandate requiring the implementation of mobile panic alerts. None of the items has been approved yet.
School Reports
Woodruff Primary School reported that students will be raising money in March and April for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, including through a walk-a-thon on April 23, which raised $9,000 last year.
Woodruff Elementary School reported that the overall winners for the 2026 Science Fair were Brees Johnson (first), Isaiah Lawson (second), and Avery Stonesifer (third). Students also celebrated Read Across America week with several themed days, including dressing as what they want to be when they grow up.
Woodruff Middle School reported that students Sophia Wotjun, Sarah Watson, Barlee Morris, Saylor Lanford, and Wes Newsome currently have their art displayed at the Chapman Cultural Center.
Woodruff High School reported that eighth-grade orientation meetings with students and parents were held, Honors English III and IV enjoyed a matinee performance of Macbeth by USC Upstate students, and the MLL class participated in its second Cooking Up Confidence class.
Upcoming School Board Meeting
Woodruff School Board meetings are held on the first Monday of each month. The meetings are open to the public. The district does not hold an April meeting, so the next meeting will be on May 4.
