By VICKI BROWN
The Colleton County School District boardroom was filled with standing room only for a “Pack the House” event, held during the school board’s meeting on Tuesday, March 15.
More than 65 people attended the meeting, which was part of a promotion encouraging parents to get more involved with school board decisions. Jennifer Shipp, a parent, pushed and advertised the event via Facebook and word of mouth, creating a social media campaign encouraging parents and educators to attend the recent school board meeting.
“I am just hopeful that more parents will get involved in the decision making in the district,” said Shipp. “We need more parental involvement.”
Shipp is not the only person in the school district who is concerned with policies and management, she said.
During the public input portion of the meeting, people were given three minutes to voice their concerns to the school board. Multiple people spoke during this part of the meeting.
The complaints and concerns were varied and covered a range of issues. District Technology employee Darryl Erwin spoke to the board about teachers and employees needing the opportunity to speak their minds without fear of retribution from district personnel.
“Doesn’t it concern the board that teachers and staff are afraid to speak at board meetings or post on social media because of what can only be described as a toxic work environment?” he told the school board.
Erwin said he is also concerned that there are metal detectors being used for the first time as visitors entered the building.
“Is that welcoming?”
Erwin went on to admonish the board for not visiting schools and seeing what is happening. “Every school has a staff meeting each week. Why don’t you show up at one of those and ask the teachers to be honest without fear of retaliation or intimidation? That way you could make informed decisions that represent the whole,” said Erwin. He went on to say that the IT department was overwhelmed, understaffed, and undersupplied.
Longtime Colleton County teacher Jenny Bunton also spoke to the school board. She said she is a veteran teacher of 24 years and has never seen morale so low. “Teachers and staff feel like their voices are not being heard…some fear retaliation. Each week I hear of another teacher or staff member leaving the district or profession…and it isn’t just first year teachers,” she said.
Speech Pathologist Lynn Beach made a plea to the board, asking them to help with classroom overcrowding and student behavioral problems. According to Beach, she can transfer to the neighboring Dorchester Four School District and make an additional $4,737 per year for her salary. She made similar statements to the board, saying other neighboring districts also pay more than Colleton:, Dorchester District Two would pay her $6,895 more per year; Beaufort County would pay her an additional $9,707 per year; and Charleston County would pay her an additional $13,412 per year.
“We can drive 30 to 45 miles in any direction and make more money,” said Beach. “But we don’t. We choose to be here. We choose Colleton because it is our community and we love our kids. We are not here for the money, and teachers are not leaving because of the money.
“Yet, people are getting demoted, not recommended for their same position next year or moved. Colleton County is losing excellent teachers, staff, and administrators.”
Melissa Evans, a 16-year veteran teacher, spoke about what she calls an unfair policy regarding Covid-19 policy changes.
The district policy changed from 10 days paid leave to five days, but no one was notified, she said. Therefore, Evans said she was forced to quarantine for 10 days at one point and was later told that it should have been only five days: the five days lost were reflected on her paycheck, she said.
“I followed the instructions given to me by the school nurse and administrator,” said Evans. “This was procrastination and poor communication on the part of the district.”
Evans requested that the leave and pay be returned to the teachers affected by the decision to reduce days.
“The 10 days is still listed on the current website,” added Beach. “Employees stay where they feel valued and appreciated.”
Teacher Robin Mabry told the district that she was leaving and going Dorchester Two.
“Parents and students must be made more accountable,” said Mabry. She went on to say that in her classroom of 26 students, reading levels ranged from pre-k to 12th grade.
According to Marby, there is “no way” she can give one-on-one personal time with those who are behind, and the new year-round schedule will not help.
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