The Colleton County School District held its Committee of the Whole meeting March 11, 2025 at the Colleton County School District Offices.
I. CALL TO ORDER
The Call to Order and Invocation was given by Chairperson Lynn Stroble. The National Anthem was sang acapella by Kristen Varnadoe, Class of 2025, a CCHS singer to a round of applause. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by the attendees.
The Colleton County School District Mission Statement was given by the Forest Hills Honor Chorus which is, “Colleton County School District will prepare every student to graduate with a 21st century education to be globally competitive for their chosen college and/or career path.” The Honors Choir is led by Ms. Taylor Fussell of Forest Hills Elementary who spoke proudly of her students. Fussell commented last school year the choir was small, but they caught the attention of many in the community. This year the Honors Choir, which has grown to 17 students has performed at many functions throughout the city such as the Hanging of the Greens, for members of the Historic Society, and most recently at the Forest Hills Elementary School Black History Month program where they gave an exceptional performance. Later this year they will be performing with the Colleton County High School Honors Choir at the finale of the WHAM! Festival. After the choir members present introduced themselves (Omoyeni Obasoyin, Henley Douglas, Jasmyne Graham, Presley Douglas, Aiden Singleton, Brooklyn Edwards, and Ava Nettles), the choir gave a performance for the Board of Trustees and those present to resounding applause. Superintendent Jessica Williams also thanked the parents of the choir members The entirety of the Forest Honors Choir is: Grady Bazzle (3rd grade), Presley Douglas (3rd grade), Brooklyn Edwards (3rd grade), Kobe Ford (3rd grade), Jasmyne Graham (3rd grade), Tristen Harley (3rd grade), Davarin Jordan (3rd grade), Easton Williams (3rd grade), Ivan Withrow (3rd grade), Henley Douglas (4th grade), Andrea Malpica-Perez (4th grade), Sadie Williams (4th grade), Karleigh Hall (5th grade), Ava Nettles (5th grade), Omoyeni Obasoyin (5th grade), Kairi Ortiz (5th grade), and Aiden Singleton (5th grade).
The Civility Pledge was then recited by the Board of the Trustees.
Item 1.07: Approval of Agenda
All Bop
A motion was requested by Chairperson Stroble to accept the Agenda. A motion was made to accept the agenda, said motion was seconded, there was no discussion, and motion passed unanimously.
2. Chairperson’s Report
Chairperson Stroble requested Board members to mark their calendars for April 9th. School Boards from around the state are invited to a day at the capitol.
3. Staff recognitions
Superintendent Jessica Williams took time to recognize staff members of the Colleton County School District who have gone above and beyond in their work.
Kawaii Elliott—Bells Elementary School—Teacher
Ms. Elliott goes above and beyond for her students every day. She is not only a great teacher but an excellent Robotic coach. Her team of students advanced to the First Lego League Regional Conference in February. She goes above and beyond to make sure that her students excel at a high level. She gives her personal time and money to help meet some of their needs. I appreciate all she does for our students.
Belinda Robinson—Black Street Early Childhood Center—Cafeteria Manager
Ms. Belinda always has a smile on her face. She has a kind and gentle spirit. She is a team player and always wants to make sure our students are well fed and taken care of. She and her staff are often the first faces our littles see each morning and we are so grateful for everything she does. We absolutely love Ms. Belinda!
Kerry Ann Brown—CCMS—Teacher
Mrs. Brown came to administration with a vision of celebrating diversity at the middle school. She planned a cultural event that included all of the different cultures that are represented at the middle school. She planned and worked tirelessly with all staff to create an event that was epic, memorable, and meaningful. Our parents and stakeholders had an amazing time. Mrs. Brown is always helpful and is always willing to lend a hand when needed. We are so fortunate and blessed to have her at CCMS.
Hannah Hampleton-TCTC (Bookeeper)
Besides staying on top of the many field trips, professional development, and other activities our facility engages, she has been responsible for managing the purchases of materials and equipment for our new barbering and nail tech programs and seeing that they were all in place when the programs opened.
4. Policy Items-First Reading
4.01 Police GCEC Posting Advertising of Professional Vacancies. Will be ready for first reading next week.
5. Presentations-Effective Leadership Supports Learning and Optimal Performance for All Students
5.01-Superintendent’s Report
Mrs. Williams relayed CCSD celebrated Public Schools Week the week of February 24-28. This event celebrates the incredible work public school systems around the nation and also recognize educators, staff, parents, and school board members schools, parents, who are dedicated to support continued student success. This year’s Public Schools Week theme was Community Engagement. Emphasize how schools and communities should collaborate with each other to advance student outcomes. Mrs. Williams sent an email to CCSD staff during this week and gave them a challenge for each day.
• Tuesday, February 25th was for teachers to share student success stories
•Wednesday, February 26th was CCSD staff to recognize an educator who influenced them and pay tribute to any other staff member they would like to recognize
• Thursday, February 27th celebrated Community and Family Engagement
• Friday, February 28th recognized the importance of the future of public education
Highlight the importance of public education in Colleton County and asking champion for public education and be a voice for pub ed. Thanked school board members for being strong advocates for public education.
Workforce Development Opportunities for Students
How collaborate efforts with external stakeholders for students for the development opportunities.
Boeing South Carolina Manufacturing Student Development Program
• Allows current high school students and recent graduates to gain meaningful manufacturing experience through a paid, on-sit, hands-on training experience
• All high school students
• Paid, full-time work from 6:00 am to 2:30 pm, Monday-Friday, June 13, 2025 to July 24, 2025
Program Information
• Assembly Program: Students will learn mechanical assembly, blueprint reading, precision measurement, Lean manufacturing principles, and other critical advanced manufacturing skills.
• Paint Program: Students will learn industrial paint skills, blueprint reading, precision measurement, Lean manufacturing principles and, other critical advanced manufacturing skills.
• Alumni Assistant Program: Students returning from prior years will assist the instructors and coordinators with activities, help set up tools, service as floor coaches, organize documentation and performing other tasks.
• All programs will include hands-on projects, tours, job site exposure and resume and interview workshops.
Zeus Technical Academy
• A company-sponsored program that provides paid-time classroom instruction to prepare welding and engineering students for the next step in their careers.
• Participants complete in-state college coursework and gain real-time, on the job training which allows participants to apply their knowledge and skills through job shadowing.
• Tuition is covered by Zeus.
• Curriculum track: maintenance and machining
• Have 12 students will be visiting the facility in near future
Additional CTE Courses
Are planning future conversations with City and County Officials as the district explores instituting new CTE classes for high school students focused on the following:
• Law Enforcement
• Fire Science
Recommendation to forgive days due to inclement weather and community events. Have used 5 E-Learning days and have made up 3 days due to inclement weather. Requesting Board considers:
• State law states that school districts must use their make-up days built into the calendar before making a request to the Board to forgive additional days missed.
• March 7, 2025 was the 3rd make up day.
• Requesting the Board to forgive January 23, 2025 and January 24, 2025 due to Winter Storm Enzo.
• Requesting Board to forgive March 5, 2025 due to Inclement Weather/Wind and threat of Tornadoes
• Requesting April 25th as a half day for the Rice Festival
• Requesting May 23, 2025 as a half day for the Last Day of School
These will be action items for next week’s School Board meeting.
5.020-SCAGO Bond Resolution-Mr. Bob Darmon, financial consultant for CCSD bonds
Action item for next week
5.03-Textbook Adoption Process regarding Math textbook
Presented by Janis Headden
Action item for next week
6. Adjournment
Chairperson Stroble called for a motion to adjourn, a motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously.
