School Board Connection

    • A Summary of the Action Taken at the September 9, 2021 Board of Trustees Meeting

      Members Present: S. Porter Stewart, Chairman, Trisha C. Caulder, Vice-Chairman, Kimrey-Ann Haughn, Secretary, Bryan Chapman, (virtual attendance); John Galloway, Davy Gregg, EJ McIver, (virtual attendance); Alexis D. Pipkins, Sr., and Barry Townsend.

      Superintendent’s Update 

      The Board of Trustees received the following updates:

      Graduation Rate Increases
      For the fourth year in a row, Florence 1 Schools’ graduation rate has surpassed the state’s, according to the newly issued state report card. In 2021 Florence 1 had a 91.2 percent graduation rate, the district’s highest graduation rate ever, compared to the state’s 83.3 percent.  In 2020, Florence 1 as a district ranked 36th in the state. This year, out of more than 80 school districts, Florence 1 is ranked 10th.

      Two of the district’s three high schools, South Florence and Wilson, also had their highest graduation rate ever, 92.3 and 91.7 percent respectively. West Florence’s graduation rate dropped slightly but was still above the state average at 90 percent.

      International Baccalaureate (IB)Program Survey Update
      Assistant Superintendent for 6-12 Instruction Gregory Hall and IB Coordinator Brian Howell presented an overview of the International Baccalaureate, Middle Years and Primary Years Program.  It included the enrollment, data from a recent stakeholder’s survey,  and a Growth Plan for 2021. 

       Language Arts Program
      Florence 1 Schools English/Language Arts Coordinator Alyssa Leibman, provided an overview of the ELA Redesign of the Curriculum Alignment Document:  Recovering Literacy and Raising Rigor for grades K-5, 6-8, and 9-12. 

      Community Education Update
       With the move into the McClenaghan building, Florence County Adult and Community Education is offering a variety of educational opportunities for the larger community. For more information, go to:
       https://www.f1s.org/florenceadulted.

      COVID 19 Update:  Dr. O’Malley reviewed the weekly COVID 19 numbers with the Board of Trustees.

      Action Items

      The following items were approved by the Board of Trustees:

      Employee COVID paid sick leave; 

      Florence 1 Schools will provide staff members with emergency paid sick leave for up to 10 days for specified reasons related to COVID-19. The following provisions are for the 2021-2022 school year, effective July 26, 2021. 

      Two weeks (up to 80 hours) of paid sick leave at the employee’s regular rate of pay where the employee is unable to work or telework (remote) because he/she: 

      • is subject to a Federal, State, or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19; 
      • has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine related to COVID-19; 
      • is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and is seeking a medical diagnosis.

      Teacher Dual Modality Program 

       Florence 1 Schools will provide all certified classroom-based teachers, excluding media specialists and school counselors, $2,000 as compensation for dual-modality instruction for the full 2021-2022 school year. The compensation will be payable on September 15 ($1,000) and December 15 ($1,000).

      School Nurse Case Management /Contact Tracing Incentive
       Florence 1 Schools will offer a financial incentive for all full-time school nurses for the extra work they complete for COVID case management and contract tracing. 

      Award amount: $10,000.00; 

      Award paid: September 15, 2021 $5,000.00; 

      December 15, 2021 $5,000.00.

      Award amount is equal to approximately one extra day of work per week for 36-weeks.

      Bus Driver Incentive Program
      Florence 1 Schools will offer a financial incentive for all full and part-time school bus drivers during the 2021-2022 school year. The incentive is as follows: 

      Short Term (August 2-September 10, 2021); 

      Award amount: full time $750.00, part-time $375.00.  

      Long Term (September 13-December 17, 2021; January 5-March 18, 2022; March 21-June 1, 2022) 

      Award amount: full time $1,000 EACH term, part-time $500.00 each term.  Eligibility requirements apply. 

      Certification of Delegates for the 2021 Delegate Assembly
      Board Chairman S. Porter Stewart, will serve as Delegate and Board Secretary Kimrey-Ann Haughan will serve as alternate for the South Carolina School Boards Association’s Delegate Assembly.  

      The Board voted to table the Mask requirement discussion item.  

      Other Action Items
      The board approved personnel recommendations, minutes, and financial statements.

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