[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6653583,"mediaKeyId","2478126-e40a3ea5934b1c7e10f0fdf52d81f1fb","parentId",2478126,"title","Cane Bay High teacher urges board to revisit $20-per-day retirement leave reimbursement","audioSeconds",130,"startMs",4775000,"endMs",4905000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2478126-e40a3ea5934b1c7e10f0fdf52d81f1fb&start=4775&end=4905","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2478126-e40a3ea5934b1c7e10f0fdf52d81f1fb/thumbnail_4775000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6653583/South-Carolina/Cane-Bay-High-teacher-urges-board-to-revisit-20-per-day-retirement-leave-reimbursement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653583-f424882aafcc99eaebab44f8735f5d5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775291769&Signature=bM8LiOBqtsu6c~r4rUy2eUCtGdjd28~Rav5FqYv~eDPELcrzJA6EdgFns2qZIIWaVOxHye~dzFwEloySOFgRF28yJFLFIdEg3hjFelqGJELLiQSUzpa2QhMsCEQBxcqw942Qol4-CE8eAW9liLSUm35tqBb7SdI2QjGX113J2YIl4CQoPXt3klI~4UKUPfpfxkxJQH9TTNpfYeAhhj6XKbtXa~jd-0z6r9lx5UR09NEwTl3gRDswDThftmqXPn-Y91nAS-qQIKsEECw8FqqLMs~lCYyxnUzg4GrAdL9Iz6xn-V7fXatdi0Mtv6BA8i7wGgz7knixbWMJMN5BjL-xMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Berkeley 01","date","2025-03-04T00:17:51.85Z","article","William Keith Everett, a social studies teacher at Cane Bay High School, asked the Berkeley County Board of Education on March 3 to review the district policy that pays $20 per day for accrued leave when an employee retires.

Everett said 63 Cane Bay teachers signed a letter asking the board to reevaluate the reimbursement amount, which he described as \"inadequate\" and, based on examples he offered, insufficient to cover basic expenses such as a small pizza. He praised recent work on pay but said the retirement-leave reimbursement needs review.

What was said

\"Basically, I got 63 teachers to sign off on it at Cane Bay. So a lot of people agree it should be reviewed,\" Everett said. He compared the $20-per-day reimbursement to substitute pay and to a local price example, saying the amount felt insulting to some staff.

Board response and next steps

The transcript records Everett’s public comment during the stakeholder comment period; the meeting record does not show an immediate board action or motion to change policy at that time. Administration or board representatives did not provide a policy change timeline in the public comments portion recorded in the transcript.

Why this matters

The monetary value placed on accrued leave at separation affects employee compensation and perceptions of fairness among staff. Everett presented the comment as a request for policy review and said he had peer support from 63 teachers at Cane Bay High.

What’s next

Everett’s request was recorded in public comment. The transcript does not document any specific follow-up action by the board at the March 3 meeting; if the board or administration intends to review policy, that action was not recorded in the meeting motions or committee recommendations in the transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Berkeley County School District Board Meeting - March 3, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A Cane Bay High social studies teacher told the board that the district's reimbursement policy for accrued leave at retirement — $20 per day — is inadequate and asked the board to review the policy; the comment was supported by signatures from 63 Cane Bay teachers, per the speaker.","taxTitle","Berkeley 01, School Districts, South Carolina","taxId",14916,"location","South Carolina","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6653588,"Parent raises alarm about loaded gun at Philip Simmons High; board approves security contract for event screening",2046,4988000,7034000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2478126-e40a3ea5934b1c7e10f0fdf52d81f1fb&start=4988&end=7034","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2478126-e40a3ea5934b1c7e10f0fdf52d81f1fb/thumbnail_4988000.jpg","/articles/6653588/South-Carolina/Parent-raises-alarm-about-loaded-gun-at-Philip-Simmons-High-board-approves-security-contract-for-event-screening","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653588-fec3435aae909f09ee248a3e36abb14f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775291769&Signature=MBULxKTUQ71SCNj3XDppTOozyRrbSpuPtzic-urXG7pKG1UZvVUeTtNffnJAU0I-JbOHx0-CSg~XY2gYA3vZ-0kMyVPsIpetKKxo~S0-nOKHM5asFuA~spoHfB--ypaPfv~Crd2FBsjTTFj56Q-gnMFqXvV5S6dmGVXAZnjGovkgbaO2qHshp4lSq4bUY7MTzKLfMFoT1DF1uc61nEV3Zu3eSASIXv3pXVGK53PiVsYNKPSuP1vH8WseP3q1Tze-ZdhXuTJ66~JjWGHMxaAUSTka~qo9bsdYjxQFZm5uG6mSewv2pkhyzRNWr73Vg077sPzciN3aXVoaO7cEN7SdJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A parent told the Berkeley County Board of Education on March 3 that a loaded gun was brought into Philip Simmons High School in December and remained inside the school for about four hours before a student alerted authorities.

Kristen Scanlon, who identified herself during public comment, said she had not received a response from district leaders 60 days after first raising the incident and urged the board to take steps to protect students and staff, including use of metal detectors at school entry points. \"Protect these kids. Protect these teachers,\" Scanlon said.

At the same meeting the board approved a contract to supply security guards for extracurricular activities. The contract, RFP 7-17, was awarded to Metropolitan Security Services d/b/a Walden Security for an initial 1-year term valued at $80,000 with four one-year renewal options (potential five-year value $400,000); the superintendent may extend for two additional years at contract end.

District officials described the private security personnel as entry-screening staff who will operate weapon-screening equipment at events, not as replacements for sworn School Resource Officers. In committee-level discussion, administrators said the screeners will be positioned at event entrances and will call SROs if a screening or other concern requires law-enforcement intervention. \"They're going to be for the weapon screeners at football games, so we don't put our staff in the position... to deal with when the screener goes off,\" a district representative said during the meeting.

What was said in public comment

Scanlon told the board she promised the principal at Philip Simmons High School she would continue to press the issue. She said a gun — which she described as loaded — remained in the school for about four hours and that she was \"outraged\" and \"not willing to put any of [her] children's lives at risk.\" She asked why metal detectors previously used at a January meeting were not deployed at her son's school entrance and requested a response from the district.

Board and administration response

The transcript records Scanlon's public remarks and a later administration explanation of the security-contract role, but it does not record the board taking immediate action at the meeting specifically in response to Scanlon's comment. The RFP award was considered and approved on its own motion following committee recommendation; administrators said the contracted staff will serve as entry-screening support and will coordinate with SROs when a screener detects a concern.

Why this matters

Parent accounts of weapons on campus raise safety concerns for students and staff. The board-approved contract establishes a vendor-managed, paid screening presence at extracurricular events; the district said SROs and school administrators retain law-enforcement and disciplinary authority.

What’s next

Implementation details for the security contract (schedules, specific event coverage, training and coordination with SROs) were not specified in the public motions recorded at the meeting. The parent asked the board to follow up; the transcript records Scanlon saying she \"look[s] forward to hearing from any of you after this night.\"","A parent told the Berkeley County board that a loaded gun was in Philip Simmons High School for four hours in December. At the same meeting the board approved a contract to provide security guards to operate weapon-screening entry points at extracurricular events; the administration said screeners support SROs and school staff.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6653593,"Berkeley County school board approves security contract, technology and facilities bids; rules and student placements voted",0,6914000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2478126-e40a3ea5934b1c7e10f0fdf52d81f1fb&start=6914&end=6914","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2478126-e40a3ea5934b1c7e10f0fdf52d81f1fb/thumbnail_6914000.jpg","/articles/6653593/South-Carolina/Berkeley-County-school-board-approves-security-contract-technology-and-facilities-bids-rules-and-student-placements-voted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653593-6f1a4bea46e9ed52f17312d5d259159e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775291769&Signature=bbgKlR3M3ciU-CI563uQfiaGAYKSJD~1vQcEaJvWuI8wJ-L9YBF7EdaeFcplK9l0-5DeOg0N9x6cEmCqHVGT-9bwlwfSKmSRLdN4BNeQP4uGU1YuML9l2N~cPTDiQNESfyAiajv6xHvGRNLrLrT6GzNw50Yt1JGlgw~i51f85gU8GfpotFJsZE4oLs1aWVJwLSZ8WCIEH0Y~nljXbiQUQsph9G4hv28Zyvi2oTQRoKt-fclulP-gobWvnxgsVx28nJvoa0xGFN~OJoe8tMpSoTGgZIgXIHnydzJhAyjuimBc5HGbyQpXXkoKmVkqRq~UF4in7dFpIh~N6GEyw6yuaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Berkeley County Board of Education on March 3 approved multiple contracts and formal actions, including a security-guard contract for extracurricular-event screening and an E-rate-funded network upgrade, and concluded two student-discipline matters that were considered in executive session.

The actions were presented from committee and in open session; several motions passed unanimously, while one student-placement vote passed 5–2. The board also completed second reading approval of a support-staff discipline policy revision and approved a first reading of an updated expulsions policy.

Key votes and motions

Votes at a glance (motions, movers/seconds where recorded, vote tallies and outcomes):

- Student appeal (Student No. 1): Motion to deny the appeal made by Mr. McQuillan, seconded by Ms. Davenport; vote: 7–0 in favor; outcome: appeal denied. (Transcript excerpts: motion at 5470.595; result at 5493.595.)

- Student appeal (Student No. 2): Motion to deny the appeal made by a board member; motion failed on voice vote. A subsequent motion by Mr. McQuillan, seconded by Mr. Baker, to assign the student to Berkeley Alternative School passed 5–2; outcome: student assigned to Berkeley Alternative School. (Transcript excerpts: initial motion at 5499.0303–5513.775; failed motion noted at 5513.775–5520.675; assignment motion at 5521.215–5546.735.)

- IFB 7-25 / Cisco closet switching infrastructure (E-rate): Motion to award to BridgeTech Solutions LLC, d/b/a Lockstep Technology Group, for an estimated value of $1,165,236.75 for an initial 1-year term or until E-rate funding is exhausted; board approved on committee recommendation; vote recorded as unanimous (7–0). The administration confirmed the project is funded primarily by E-rate (80%) with a 20% district match. (Transcript excerpts: procurement presentation beginning at 5727.945; motion at 5799.0654; final board approval at 6846.27–6879.3403.)

- RFP 7-17 / Security guards for extracurricular activities: Committee recommended award to Metropolitan Security Services, d/b/a Walden Security, for an initial 1-year term valued at $80,000 with four one-year renewal options (potential five-year total $400,000); superintendent may extend for two additional years at contract end. The board approved the committee recommendation by voice vote (7–0). Administration described the contractors’ role as entry security for weapon screeners at events; SROs remain primary law-enforcement officers. (Transcript excerpts: committee recommendation and Q&A at 6914.065–6972.09; full-board approval near 6977.21–6987.8447.)

- IFB 7-20 / Hanahan Elementary HVAC replacement and roof repair (capital planning committee): In committee, the invitation for bid was awarded to Triad Mechanical Contractors Inc. for a project total of $2,255,000; committee vote recorded 2–0. The work covers removal of six rooftop HVAC units, repairs to roof areas where units are removed, and setting three units on the ground; procurement staff said the repairs address air-quality concerns and age (units ~20 years old). (Transcript excerpts: presentation at 6115.095–6187.785; motion at 6209.9–6226.92; committee vote at 6340.97–6358.915.)

- IFB 7-24 / Complete door and hardware replacement (seed project Sangaree Elementary): Committee recommended award to Lock Dock Security for an initial 1-year term at $51,055 with the option to extend up to four additional 1-year terms (potential total $255,275); committee vote recorded 2–0. The initial project is to replace 12 exterior fire-rated doors at Sangaree Elementary; future door projects will be bid as needed. (Transcript excerpts: presentation at 6386.41–6443.21; motion and term clarification at 6467.28–6582.07.)

- Policy GDQD (discipline, suspension and dismissal of support staff): Administration sought and the board approved second reading of the policy revision. The motion carried on voice vote in committee and then before the full board. (Transcript excerpts: presentation at 5904.02–5930.51; committee motion and vote at 5932.65–5954.89.)

- Policy JDE (student expulsions): Administration presented revisions and the board approved the policy language on first reading. The updated language replaces a specific reference to \"Berkeley alternative schools\" with the broader phrase \"alternative setting\" and includes limits on students attending other school activities/grounds while assigned to an alternative setting. (Transcript excerpts: presentation at 5966.245–6007.2153; first-reading motion at 6010.7603–6024.965.)

Other actions: Out-of-state travel approvals were approved on committee recommendation. Several committee items were pulled forward for board action after committee consideration.

Why this matters

The combination of student-discipline decisions, policy updates and new contracts touches classroom safety, facilities reliability and district technology infrastructure. The E-rate-funded network work will affect connectivity at specified high schools and middle schools; the security contract targets screening at extracurricular events; capital projects address aging HVAC and roof conditions at an elementary school and door replacements at Sangaree Elementary.

What’s next

Several contracts were awarded with multi-year renewal options; implementation details (schedules, start dates) were not specified in the public motion text. The student-placement outcomes take immediate effect per board action. For items adopted on first reading, the board will return for the required subsequent reading before final policy adoption where applicable.

Votes provenance

Evidence segments in the meeting transcript supporting the actions above include the executive-session actions and committee and procurement presentations. Examples: student appeal motions and votes (transcript blocks starting at 5470.595 and 5521.215), IFB 7-25 discussion and motion (5727.945–5799.0654), RFP 717 discussion (6914.065–6972.09), Hanahan HVAC award in capital planning committee (6115.095–6226.92), door/hardware award (6386.41–6467.28), and policy readings (5904.02–6024.965).","At its March 3 meeting in Goose Creek, the Berkeley County Board of Education approved several procurement awards and personnel/student actions, including a contract for event security screeners, an E-rate network upgrade, roof/HVAC work in committee, door/hardware replacement contract, and two student-discipline outcomes from executive session.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cane Bay High teacher urges board to revisit $20-per-day retirement leave reimbursement

Parent raises alarm about loaded gun at Philip Simmons High; board approves security contract for event screening

Berkeley County school board approves security contract, technology and facilities bids; rules and student placements voted