“Pack the House” event brings big crowd, strong words to school board members

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.
“In December, I had one parent show up for parent conferences, and in February, only 10 parents showed up out of the entire sixth grade for parent conferences.”
Mabry told the school board that adding a new sixth-grade academy won’t help, and neither will over testing kids.
“You have no idea what we go through on a daily basis because you don’t come visit the schools,” said Mabry, addressing the board members. “Yet, you make the decisions that affect us. I sent emails and gave a speech, and yet only one of you responded to me.”

Asking for more communication
In a written speech in February, Colleton County educator Robin Mabry wrote, “Dr. Cave says she has met with her Superintendent Student Senate Advisory Team a few times. How is a group of 20 middle and high school students’ representative of the population of Colleton County? When is she going to meet with teachers? With parents? When are you, our elected school board members, going to meet with us and find out what’s really going on? When are you going to address our concerns? We teachers/staff are tired of having little or no voice in the decisions that impact our work. It seems as if our professional opinions mean nothing. I’ve never felt less valued than I have this school year.”
Mabry is leaving the Colleton district to teach elsewhere. She was one of several teachers who spoke to the school board last week about their concerns in the district.
Educator Shannon Dandridge also spoke to the school board last week about what she calls a “lack of communication from the administration in this district.”
“An email was sent to staff members and teachers and an announcement to parents about upcoming tutoring that will be offered by the district in the new school year, but staff found out at the same time as the general public,” said Dandridge. “This happens too often in this district.”
She also talked about the new modified calendar.
“During the week of remediation, for teachers who want to work there will be outside agencies to do the job. Who are these agencies? How much will this cost the district? Where will these funds be allocated from?” added Dandridge. She went on to inform the board that meetings have now taken up teacher plan time. “They only get one plan period per week to plan for six to seven subjects they have to teach, call parents, grade papers and more.”
Dandridge also remarked that inaccurate assessments are required, and the grades are inaccurate because no score under a 50 is allowed to be documented. “Even if no work is completed, the student still scores a 50. How will this bring up the state test scores?”

School Board Responses
School board member Charles Murdaugh spoke up and told the crowd that Colleton County Superintendent Dr. Cave had not been here that long and that everyone needed to give her a chance. “We can’t hire somebody new every year just because you disagree with something going on,” said Murdaugh. “We won’t do that.”
Board member Sharon Witkin commented later in a written statement about the meeting and what occurred.
“I recognize and appreciate the feedback from our staff. Teaching through Covid has been a roller coaster. I am grateful for all CCSD staff and the commitment they have to our district and our children,” Witkin said.
Murdaugh and Witkin were the only two school board members to comment. No other board member commented on the meeting or the concerns of the parents and teachers.
“I implore you to come talk with us, to come into the schools and spend an entire day,” said Mabry, to the school board.
“It seems as if you would listen to the ones you were elected to represent and not jump on the bandwagon of someone new to our district with lots of expensive initiatives she wants to implement.
“You must also have a leader that communicates openly and makes a connection with teachers, staff, the public; someone who seeks multiple perspectives and practices active listening. This isn’t happening!
“A truly outstanding leader and school board would seek authentic, honest feedback and use it for betterment. Be an advocate for those that elected you!”