[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6119778,"mediaKeyId","2710968-e1d8528e8926043c0b329b7b180743e8","parentId",2710968,"title","Oconee County board discusses metal detectors, Syntegix rollout and other security upgrades after high-school weapons incident","audioSeconds",1042,"startMs",2384000,"endMs",3426000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2710968-e1d8528e8926043c0b329b7b180743e8&start=2384&end=3426","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2710968-e1d8528e8926043c0b329b7b180743e8/thumbnail_2384000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6119778/South-Carolina/Oconee-County-board-discusses-metal-detectors-Syntegix-rollout-and-other-security-upgrades-after-high-school-weapons-incident","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6119778-174b6338278a686eaf6e317407648516/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193137&Signature=bRBKdXMrLud68rul-oy2anJ4QbBnx22WRFhpweyyHI~Zc-4Memc40XrRE2q9NnRvl3G7S5qJhAzIXy6kO44NIqrNtwOCVQwY7wL-gRIJ111T3X3nDHTt8hRfjigMDwpTtXxJdFtiBWDueXeBpwZO5aR0kfURSzoQBZLZD8zAcTJ72Dxuw1~JyT0DzLvyIDzzB3SkE4aFEAgS54zWxEVMUoU0j4RvrYbWzydh2uiI2vpPrXAxRUM~gxfS80FMY3iz6lS5xbByy6ceNlkRIyMGo-2b0At-oLClEa1qPlF1VM0jT4Z-AMFS8qsy2PuVAA7eNzrwoiwSu9fVXpan-modwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","The School District of Oconee County, SC","date","2025-03-10T00:00:00Z","article","A parent urged the School District of Oconee County Board of Trustees on March 10 to install metal detectors at the district’s high schools after a student recently brought a firearm onto school grounds. Tierra Barnwell told the board she presented a petition with more than 100 signatures and said, “We cannot afford to wait for a worst case scenario.” She added, “What is the price of a life?”

The board heard a detailed security update from district leadership that outlined existing measures — school resource officers in each building, double-secure entry points, cameras, drills, nurses in every building, canine searches, internet/keystroke monitoring, and parental controls for district devices — and described several projects in progress: installation of Syntegix emergency/location devices, testing of strobes and sensors in classrooms, installation of protective film on first-floor glass, and districtwide distribution of “Stop the Bleed” kits.

Superintendent Dr. Thorsland and staff said Syntegix trainings began this week for key personnel with a planned broader rollout to staff during the spring; the district hopes equipment and training will be in place by April 1 if procurement and installation stay on schedule. Dr. Thorsland said the system’s room-based sensors and panic/alert devices can detect and pinpoint emergencies and that many schools already have strobes and other hardware installed.

Board members and staff described field visits to other districts to compare systems. Staff reported seeing two broad approaches: daily/entry screening at a fixed entrance and rotating/spot screening with portable units. The board discussed at least three product categories observed: fixed walkthrough detectors (permanent installations), portable walk-through or gate-style detectors (moved between sites), and supplemental x-ray-style checks used in some places for items such as electronics. District staff described one vendor configuration called “Evolve” (portable system) and a brand name often used for permanent walkthrough detectors, Garrett.

Staff gave example cost and staffing figures observed elsewhere: one permanent detector reported at roughly $15,000 per unit, an Evolve-style portable system quoted in demonstrations at about $75,000, and a fully purchased system in one district reported near $150,000. Implementation requires trained technicians and security staff: Greenville County’s program uses a team of about eight technicians to move and operate three portable systems, plus a small security team of former law enforcement personnel (five security staff reported, with a goal of increasing to seven). Staff told the board vendors have lead times of roughly 8–10 weeks after order, and districts implementing daily screening said systems smoothed operationally after a few months.

Staff emphasized tradeoffs: higher detector sensitivity catches small metal objects but can slow morning entry and create exterior lines; lower sensitivity speeds entry but could miss small metallic threats. Staff said districts that operate detection daily typically screen all students and visitors; staff are sometimes exempt from daily checks. Board members raised concerns about school climate, the potential for lines and backups, operational staffing needs, and the cost of ongoing vendor fees.

Funding and timeline questions were raised. District staff said some state-level safety grant funding has previously been awarded to districts for security projects and that the governor had proposed school safety items in the state budget; however, the board was told it is not yet clear whether a future state grant would reimburse purchases made before an award is issued. Staff recommended seeking more detailed cost estimates and survey feedback from teachers, parents and staff and returning to the board at the April meeting with itemized costs and options.

Discussion also included other security options: the possibility of a “floating” SRO to cover absences, continued use of random canine searches, and non-detection investments such as protective glass film and improved building PA connections. Miss Hughes, the district’s director of student services, was cited by staff as managing much of the safety work and as a point person if metal-detection deployment were pursued.

The board did not take a formal vote on weapons detection at the March 10 meeting but requested more detailed cost information and stakeholder feedback before any commitment. Staff indicated an implementation this school year would be unlikely unless decisions and procurement happened immediately; most vendors’ timetables pointed to an August rollout if the board chose to proceed now.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board Meeting 3/10/2025","oneSentenceSummary","A parent urged the School District of Oconee County Board of Trustees on March 10 to install metal detectors at the district’s high schools after a student recently brought a firearm onto school grounds.","taxTitle","Oconee 01, School Districts, South Carolina","taxId",14963,"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},6119766,"At a glance: board votes — minutes approved, policy first reading, and move to executive session",1986,2525000,4511000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2710968-e1d8528e8926043c0b329b7b180743e8&start=2525&end=4511","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2710968-e1d8528e8926043c0b329b7b180743e8/thumbnail_2525000.jpg","/articles/6119766/South-Carolina/At-a-glance-board-votes-minutes-approved-policy-first-reading-and-move-to-executive-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6119766-2c1e17a470ed07828c1549812b21ce13/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193137&Signature=kR84-9RRapwkEcJ4~vYzaDPdl2LRT~8U1vEYtii7HxImRbo8pBa86fbi4x2TR9P9~yjbKKXoSBRVP2j6gEgqWNE0Qc1lEDHEBwy9BLcYJirBMi~JTQBHwFNQ66XoUeTajXvd3NpekePafeLnm4vOWOeeQhX7-lwYwSJbErbgz4IDSVGuKtxgDmk~nFklSzpofHUzfXdOjSgCTqb-o1Dr9VYipllioyybfzUbbaM0mFsfCJY3LdHlr434Znn7xAAJICirsmOmSCzJ3wnEtolTno54sA334eg-4fsl~sTvC05IRzppxiYaFnq4aJ~sA4cewsLh82b7aVW4JBAZuu8H6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board recorded the following formal outcomes at the March 10 meeting:

- Approval of minutes for the Feb. 10, 2025 board meeting: motion and second recorded; voice vote 5–0 in favor (no recorded nays or abstentions).

- Approval of Administrative Policy Manual Section G on first reading (Exhibit 4): motion passed by voice vote, 5–0. The item returns for final reading next month.

- Motion to enter executive session for personnel items (employment recommendations and changes): motion seconded and approved by voice vote, 5–0. The board left the public meeting to consider personnel matters in closed session.

Motions were made and seconded by board members; the transcript does not attribute mover/second to named trustees for these procedural motions in the public record. No other formal votes were recorded in the public portion of the March 10 meeting.","The School District of Oconee County Board of Trustees recorded three formal votes at its March 10 meeting: approval of meeting minutes (5–0), approval of Administrative Policy Manual Section G on first reading (5–0), and a unanimous vote to enter executive session for personnel matters (5–0).",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6119771,"Board approves first reading of Administrative Policy Manual Section G; final reading next month",68,4287000,4355000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2710968-e1d8528e8926043c0b329b7b180743e8&start=4287&end=4355","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2710968-e1d8528e8926043c0b329b7b180743e8/thumbnail_4287000.jpg","/articles/6119771/South-Carolina/Board-approves-first-reading-of-Administrative-Policy-Manual-Section-G-final-reading-next-month","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6119771-a6d5171a03b2d7c51b8d7e451857103c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193137&Signature=Y7PXHzWpqmSPobPzzghYRBjoSRnrjgBRLVXlXRSeR0ljgJW1qkNWSnhQWNdBnRIFudKr0AHl8~0LeSDTYiirT1dZB~Z5~othBq4WT1UwPwDwxAczEjTOtIGzaaFL1VqUMh9JNUBVYJw7zFrGH2NCkhYQ~6LRM8xTqn09Og~VHFPa7Il-7yG~i4R4VR4ibOhrHyqi2WhzKc62gn-uzPYQyGArfQrAfGPhNU81fkLUFYsYY8j0ewth-eW4dG28dr0SMlzlG2mCq1FW9u5mrSQGldgLCLDadXDNKWzCz2OXii830dRPeKuvhmnJ2zO4J4wit-l8Qu4SPSlgOiDhwtByow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The School District of Oconee County Board of Trustees approved the first reading of Section G of the district’s Administrative Policy Manual at its March 10 meeting. The motion to approve Section G on first reading passed unanimously, 5–0.

Board members said the policy review committee (Miss Holder, Miss Bay and staff) and district leadership (including Dr. Thorsland) had reviewed recommended edits in prior committee work. The policy was presented on first reading as Exhibit 4; board members were told there remains one more month for additional tweaks before final reading and adoption.

Procedural record: a board member moved and another board member seconded the motion; the chair called for a voice vote and all present voted in favor. No amendments were offered at the March 10 meeting.

The board will consider the policy package for final adoption at the next meeting, after members have had time to review the written edits included in the meeting packet.","On March 10 the board approved Section G of the administrative policy manual on first reading (vote 5–0). The item returns for final reading next month after committee review and staff revisions.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6119775,"District hears state legislative proposals on education scholarship accounts, educator certification and non‑certified teacher pilot",223,3130000,3353000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2710968-e1d8528e8926043c0b329b7b180743e8&start=3130&end=3353","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2710968-e1d8528e8926043c0b329b7b180743e8/thumbnail_3130000.jpg","/articles/6119775/South-Carolina/District-hears-state-legislative-proposals-on-education-scholarship-accounts-educator-certification-and-noncertified-teacher-pilot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6119775-c8fc2ee13eab0672c9a13be3cde4fff1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193137&Signature=UL6jKsD25FvtR-j7CYkcfze~W8CVoBhY8eW-ai1sGm3EoMpsgo3rv3VPR3UEzGMkcGWbipM4s3EEbX3DWs5AnKK~6NIPuQqzHGf6tXGkK8IAifn888fO1kjNBZ2lz6wwpybF0WzaAQ7T8FiVT1fL2ccJP3KGMLjlb8s~WcCiSkERWtBFmo-GKnIxh4Hr8L4T2ESLctVmpq5LNuFvCeLT~C5XpkBZrKRLI7P2hMJdGtQQ2SBaqMW05q7dkRvcL24sRRPqfEktBgWXuj2jQaGyn6ihziqbevTjDI5EkG96ExU8YQFvqOA0rXTVlm4CMzn0ysKn8biLNzqQFRWP~zP5aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. McDonald briefed the School District of Oconee County board on three state legislative items during the March 10 meeting: proposed changes to education scholarship accounts, the Educators Assistance Act, and a non‑certified teacher pilot program.

On the education scholarship account, Dr. McDonald said the House and Senate versions differ. The House version would fund the program from the general fund rather than lottery proceeds, remove previous income eligibility caps so any family could be eligible, eliminate the annual cap on how many accounts can be created, and raise the allowable transportation reimbursement to $3,000 per year. The Senate had proposed lottery‑funding for the accounts; the bills must be reconciled in the two chambers.

Dr. McDonald said the Educators Assistance Act had passed the House and been sent to the Senate and that it would change recertification processes and permit more district‑based professional learning; the bill also contains provisions discussed in the room about lifetime certificates for retired educators.

The non‑certified teacher pilot program, Dr. McDonald said, recently moved from a Senate committee to the full Senate. The pilot would create a pathway for candidates with a bachelor’s or graduate degree and at least five years of workplace experience to serve as teachers; earlier versions had limited participating schools by rating, but the current proposal removed those qualifiers so any school could participate. Dr. McDonald said the intent is to expand pathways for career changers and address teacher shortages, and the district will monitor how provisos and budget decisions at the state level proceed.

Board members did not take action on the bills during the meeting; Dr. McDonald said the district would continue tracking developments through the budget and proviso process at the statehouse.","Dr. McDonald updated the board on three state bills under debate: education scholarship account changes, the Educators Assistance Act for recertification and lifetime certificates, and a non‑certified teacher pilot program to widen the teacher pipeline.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6119777,"School district financial review: board hears February report, fund-balance strategy and budget outlook",441,3366000,3807000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2710968-e1d8528e8926043c0b329b7b180743e8&start=3366&end=3807","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2710968-e1d8528e8926043c0b329b7b180743e8/thumbnail_3366000.jpg","/articles/6119777/South-Carolina/School-district-financial-review-board-hears-February-report-fund-balance-strategy-and-budget-outlook","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6119777-eee5fbc9ed68030ac5325162dc5a181f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193137&Signature=RkYbTT764l3KWpNqanw33r~nUOad4DACcEMmIT2qJmrbpNLt-0QSuLnl7k-oWpEelukxy-iHcD7Jjhqa36EKvszI6fOzbDjUU~-tx0cskRWC7dE2~04EklwBG33PaP8Pm7hh5i90MNVwnn3SVwgQfJqUqjZdlWKblDLGZ67nWDgupbjj4K0dZO4XS3yh~Xo9kpPzCvUY1NlTb4xc1IApWwVq4bQDnCEeooUrLqXe47QsMl3u0ULW9sM1m4DfUWJqHQ9qS9cq0JatRLjzqOW4WEvaU06l7ntAC-kplxaJrpyvHyDm0BOoWaM9xWVFXQ~Cw2No5-cvrLsslPND7kZugQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The School District of Oconee County’s finance staff presented the board with the February financial report and an early look at next year’s budget development at the March 10 meeting. The presentation described recent cash collections, monthly expenditures and a fund‑balance reinvestment plan the district has followed since an anomalous surplus year.

Finance presenter Mr. Shickling said the district’s cash position included a large inflow in January (reported on the February statement) and that overall general‑fund receipts for the reporting window totaled about $41,093,000. He said routine monthly disbursements are roughly $10.5 million to $11 million, and that February expenditures were approximately $10.9 million. The presentation noted an error on the capital projects report — a misplaced parenthesis — and staff corrected a line, saying completed projects should be reported at $11,100,000 rather than the incorrect $6.3 million figure shown in the packet.

Shickling and colleagues walked the board through variability on revenue lines that complicate budget planning: fee‑in‑lieu receipts tied to industrial agreements are variable; interest earnings peaked during high federal rates and have since declined (Shickling said interest receipts that were above $1 million in prior years had declined to about $700,000 in the latest report); and state formula aid consolidated multiple line items into a single block in recent years, making year‑to‑year comparisons different.

The presentation reiterated the board’s fund‑balance policy to hold a reserve equal to 20% of prior‑year expenditures. Staff noted Moody’s Investors Service rates districts for bond purposes and considers a “very strong” district to hold 25% or more; Moody’s also reviews the matching of recurring revenue sources to recurring expenditures. Shickling reviewed recent fiscal history: the district’s fund balance rose to roughly 29.3% after an anomalous year (extra tax collections related to a certiorari case), then the board used some of that balance for one‑time investments, including an early payoff related to a YMCA pledge and transfers to pupil‑activity and capital projects. After those reinvestments and other adjustments, the fund‑balance share declined toward the board policy target.

Shickling summarized instructional and support cost drivers. He described staffing counts and funding sources for core instruction, special education and federal programs: for example, IDEA funds totaling about $2.8 million support positions (roughly $1.5 million of that was described as used for special‑education teachers, equating to about 28 FTE). He noted the district had used indirect cost recoveries from food service and other federal reimbursements as a legitimate mechanism to offset general‑fund costs.

Looking ahead, staff flagged state proposals that could affect next year’s budget: a proposed teacher‑pay scale change (discussion of cell increases), different state aid totals under competing budget proposals, and an anticipated employer/employee health‑insurance contribution discussion. Shickling said the district plans to present first‑read budget materials next month and continued to emphasize the principle that one‑time surpluses should not fund recurring costs.

Board members asked clarifying questions about transportation mileage, utility cost trends and the capital‑project report correction. No budget decisions were taken on March 10; staff will return with a first read of a proposed budget in a later meeting.","Finance director presented February collections, expenditures, capital-project corrections and a multi-year fund-balance narrative; board heard that some revenues are variable and staff outlined principles to preserve credit rating and avoid relying on one-time surpluses for recurring costs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Oconee County board discusses metal detectors, Syntegix rollout and other security upgrades after high-school weapons incident

At a glance: board votes — minutes approved, policy first reading, and move to executive session

Board approves first reading of Administrative Policy Manual Section G; final reading next month

District hears state legislative proposals on education scholarship accounts, educator certification and non‑certified teacher pilot

School district financial review: board hears February report, fund-balance strategy and budget outlook