In executive session, the Board voted to hire Mrs. Jill Jett to be the Principal of Strom Thurmond High School. Mrs. Jett has served as Assistant Principal since 2009, and has been serving in the position of Interim Principal. She brings 25 years of educational experience to our district.

To begin the Edgefield County School Board meeting, Mr. Dean Campbell, United Way Director for Edgefield County congratulated and presented a $500 check to WE Parker Elementary School and Principal Gaye Holmes for raising the most funds of any school in the county in support of the United Way. Mr. Campbell stated, “This is our fifth year having this competition between the schools and this is the highest participation we’ve ever had and the highest amount of money raised.” He thanked everyone for a job well done.

Mr. Mitchell Yonce, Technology Coordinator for the School District gave a proposal for the installation of the V-Brick system, a streaming media service for the school district provided by SCETV. He applied for a grant that will fund the project providing 80% of the total installation and equipment costs with the district funding the remaining 20%. “The total cost of the project is estimated at $170,000, but the school would only be responsible for $28,000 if the grant is approved.

According to Mr. Yonce, “This system could handle all network activity, update our email system, and provide all of the district technology needs and improvements necessary to bring us into the 21st Century.” He asked the board to consider adding a district-wide WIFI system if the grant funding is received. Of the many advantages, it will also provide streaming video. An example he gave was the graduation ceremony. “We can have streaming video of our graduation for parents who are in the service or family members who cannot be there in person. They can watch it streamed live from our website.” One board member suggested that one day it could replace the need for books. Mr. Yonce also suggested a District Wide Alert System, which would send notification alerts through email, texts, and voice mail. With the one-time installation costs and regular updates, Mr. Yonce stated, “This system could be here for the next 15 years.”

“Everything is going digital, he continued. Please consider the possibilities if we get funding.”

In last month’s meeting, the board discussed moving forward with the accreditation process through AdvancED. Acting School Superintendent, Dr. Carol Linderman stated the estimated costs would be $10,000 for the AdvancEd accreditation and “the money will come from technical assistance budget to take care of this.”

Mr. James Courtney reported on the Maintenance Department offering a solution for closing the gap on the bleachers. This was necessary due to the recent fall of a child during a home game. Mr. Courtney displayed a metal partition that would close the back gap on the bleachers, adding, “We have looked at many avenues and this is the best solution that will solve our problem so we can retrofit the stadium.” He added that the insurance companies agreed this is a workable solution.

This opened up a board discussion of an inadequate press box, bleachers with aisle ways that you have to come to the front of the bleachers to exit, and an outdated stadium. Chairman Brad Covar asked for a motion to assign board members, James Bibbs and Chris Hoffman to work with Mr. Courtney and the Maintenance Department to come up with a plan for improving or replacing the existing stadium in the future.

Mr. Courtney also shared that he applied for and won an Educational Alliance Grant for Strom Thurmond High School. He said the grant opportunity came in an email, so he applied. He presented the check from Barnes Oil and Propane to Strom Thurmond High School’s Interim Principal, Mrs. Jill Jett.

The School Board adjourned and will reconvene Tuesday, November 13, 2011, at 7pm. #