A Summary of the Action Taken at the March 13, 2020 Board of Trustees Meeting

Members present: S. Porter Stewart, Chairman, Barry Townsend, Vice-Chairman, Artie Buxton, Secretary, Trisha C. Caulder, Bryan Chapman, John Galloway, Davy Gregg and Alexis D. Pipkins, Sr.

Superintendent’s Update

Superintendent of Florence 1 Schools Dr. Richard O’Malley recommended that the April Board of Trustees meeting which is scheduled for Thursday, April 9th (during the week of spring break) be moved to Thursday, April 16.

Dr. O’Malley made the Board of Trustees aware that some teachers in Florence 1 Schools are planning to take a personal day to participate in the SC for ED at the State House in Columbia on Tuesday, March 24. He indicated that the numbers of teacher requests for personal days is being closely monitored to determine the effect on the school instructional day.

Dr. O’Malley informed the Board of the Florence 1 Schools communication messages sent to parents and the community regarding the coronavirus pandemic. He told the board that school administrators are ensuring that a week’s worth of e-Learning material is ready for student use in the event of school closures. Kindergarten and first grade levels are ensuring a week of student packets, and students in 2nd- 12th grades are to take their Chromebooks home daily and over the weekend to be ready for use if needed for eLearning instructional days.

Dr. O’Malley also announced that if schools were to close due to the pandemic, Chartwells culinary services is prepared to provide meals for students replicating the plan used during the summer feeding schedule at school and community locations.

Action Items

The Board approved the South Florence High School Fine Arts Strategic Plan as presented by Principal Kimberly Mack and Assistant Principal Jackie Shuler.

The McClenaghan amendment for demolition and asbestos abatement by Thompson Turner was approved at a cost of $407,514.

The Board of Trustees moved to suspend all field trips until the April board meeting as a part of the district’s response to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.

Personnel recommendations and financial statements were also approved.

Recognitions & Awards - The Board of Trustees recognized transportation employees Jack Pickett (first place, regular education category), Brenda Schaber and Vera Johnson (third place, special needs category) who earned top honors in the South Carolina Association of Pupil Transportation’s Roadeo Competitive Event.