[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",6106118,"mediaKeyId","2784395-bfd916f44b5ef978870bd641e075ae0a","parentId",2784395,"title","Public offers budget ideas: classroom cameras for special needs, summer related‑arts positions, apprenticeship program, band equipment overhaul","audioSeconds",1430,"startMs",1505000,"endMs",2935000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2784395-bfd916f44b5ef978870bd641e075ae0a&start=1505&end=2935","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2784395-bfd916f44b5ef978870bd641e075ae0a/thumbnail_1505000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6106118/South-Carolina/Public-offers-budget-ideas-classroom-cameras-for-special-needs-summer-relatedarts-positions-apprenticeship-program-band-equipment-overhaul","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106118-c3a7abbd6b69de38bfc8081205efd7e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135980&Signature=MVeOd2L2NK00vTpLdzHbxP1oYM-nRubLWhTCGmtP4L-AfKR7bsa4fl103q7GtZeAhuPaRhUVva1eklVRNM1QMUyJPrxS7m8IKymEbzFyE65n3IjWHUAUid7EquW2G~eBKxkzfPcCrM-7Rr4FPTNgZBAvcueQyX9YW1cUZNr8lCu-fcId1GcE3HUj7fuAyDJW7oz8igz-8FluUftfRzdlTDdksYJa8oWSya6X~2CWm8sxtjLttUKxOOyD8Digd2I19-UjBFP1HkCH1UOJL0s8w9HKHcheJLCtLcyTulX-ip8RGIFjCYfkQ7K~iHHjSTJV8RsML7Z4wQs-bXoIfzUbgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richland 02 School District","date","2025-03-26T17:31:39Z","article","Several community members used the March 25 meeting to present specific budget proposals and community programs for the board’s consideration.

Cameras in special‑needs classrooms: Latoya Davis, a parent, requested that the district use part of the budget to install cameras with no blind spots inside pre‑K and all special‑needs classrooms (elementary, middle and high). Davis said cameras would create an objective record to document abuse or neglect claims for students who are nonverbal and cannot always report incidents.

Related‑arts positions proposal: Cortina Ricketts, speaking for the North Springs Elementary School Improvement Council, proposed three incentivized, year‑round related‑arts positions for each elementary school (political science with State House field trips, sustainable agriculture with Clemson Extension, and computer coding). Ricketts presented a rough per‑school cost range of $120,000–$135,000 per year depending on incentive structure and estimated a districtwide total of roughly $2.4 million for 18 elementary schools.

Apprenticeship program: Corey Dwyer (owner/CEO, 4 Progression Mentor Apprenticeship Program) described a nascent 501(c)(3) apprenticeship program that places students with local businesses for 120 hours over 10‑week terms, provides training and issues a cash stipend; participating partners include local clinics, dental offices and restaurants. Dwyer asked the district to note the program as a community partner and explore routes for support.

Band percussion equipment: Student speaker Max Whitener (Blythewood High School) asked the board to consider funding an overhaul of his school’s percussion keyboards, which he said are over 20 years old and beginning to fail. The band director estimated a replacement cost of $50,000–$70,000 for keyboards districtwide at Blythewood and proposed donating serviceable older instruments to other schools.

What the board heard and next steps
These were public budget proposals and community program presentations; none were before the board as formal budget amendments. The district will consider these requests as part of the 2025–26 budget process and community outreach. Trustees did not vote on any of these specific funding requests during the meeting.

Ending: Speakers said the proposals range from safety and equity requests to curricular and extracurricular supports; staff will factor community input into budget drafts and follow up where appropriate.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richland School District Two Board of Trustees Meeting | March 25, 2025 at the District Office","oneSentenceSummary","During budget input and public participation, residents proposed installing cameras in pre‑K and special‑needs classrooms, creating incentivized year‑round related‑arts positions, expanding a mentor apprenticeship program, and replacing percussion keyboards at Blythewood High.","taxTitle","Richland 02, School Districts, South Carolina","taxId",14819,"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},6106122,"District leaders say data meetings and new systems are producing early academic gains",868,6740000,7608000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2784395-bfd916f44b5ef978870bd641e075ae0a&start=6740&end=7608","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2784395-bfd916f44b5ef978870bd641e075ae0a/thumbnail_6740000.jpg","/articles/6106122/South-Carolina/District-leaders-say-data-meetings-and-new-systems-are-producing-early-academic-gains","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106122-0f7f1e2dbfc3ab22cebb5d1649b6c91e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135980&Signature=Ozcah1jl~~K9mgM83D9nn5cTJo85w2ATn6nGRFFyOi-m5hu3eZqoJi-UsI~Mhh~C3R4x-SS6taovCcRtVq7ec6SuACtT7aAms9Lw6mjDM0KAbRvanbJxyMmoXXzZL5I0x9o1UKUxNC3CEn0kNOubhS-Z5BNLTWuB64kj4XLMKk0mC6kSfn3pQoRmqcJcVxHJUSwB2EPJQ~VLDxePS4CFD8~JyvxX23UGTQhE4453A8zD8PFl3GnkdBHjXKAXQ-ruyMsl2RTWmEETLEn2pvR39scboxnEWdJvNZQtf7wTwqnbu5VMcMGz38wWrKdLNspG8rO~sx3bFSGTPM-Ymd3dPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Richland District Two district leaders on March 25 described a districtwide continuous‑improvement approach that they say is producing early evidence of better outcomes in some schools.

Superintendent Dr. Moore and Senior Chief of Academics Jennifer Morrison outlined four academic priorities for 2024–25: a comprehensive aligned support system for every school, professional learning for principals, clarity on requirements versus recommendations, and internal department alignment. Morrison said the administration reorganized academics to reduce silos and has run monthly data meetings and system reviews with principals.

Executive director of accountability Dr. Jennifer Coleman described the district’s continuous improvement process and said the district uses formative assessments and regular check‑ins to adjust instruction before state testing. Coleman said eight schools were identified as underperforming based on 2023–24 report cards; two schools previously identified under the ATSI process exited mid‑cycle after implementing systems.

Three principals described school‑level systems they have implemented: Conder Elementary introduced weekly professional learning communities and strategies to “buy back teachers’ time”; E. L. Wright reported a 41% decrease in office referrals and reductions in suspensions after a focus on celebrations and process; Richland Northeast reported exceeding district benchmark averages in all four content areas after targeted, teacher‑led professional development sessions and biweekly content specialist support.

What the board heard and next steps
District leaders said data meetings will continue, with 90‑day and June check‑ins for schools. They described program evaluations, assessment system reviews and differentiated supports for schools as part of sustained improvement work.

Ending: Superintendent Moore said the emphasis on systems is aimed at sustainable improvement and that administration will use data meetings and school feedback to set 2025–26 priorities.","Superintendent Dr. Moore and academic leadership described a districtwide continuous improvement system, weekly principal data meetings and school‑level professional learning communities; principals reported measurable reductions in disciplinary referrals and gains on district benchmarks.",{"_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},6106124,"Richland Two parents and staff press board for more social workers, psychologists, multilingual staff and higher pay for specialists",1242,421000,1663000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2784395-bfd916f44b5ef978870bd641e075ae0a&start=421&end=1663","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2784395-bfd916f44b5ef978870bd641e075ae0a/thumbnail_421000.jpg","/articles/6106124/South-Carolina/Richland-Two-parents-and-staff-press-board-for-more-social-workers-psychologists-multilingual-staff-and-higher-pay-for-specialists","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106124-7e66ea1253e6032af0ba6461dbc49767/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135980&Signature=N8-XwRyJtlk9ext1oyHHJUocLsP-ZGQzsVToXcIJ4oflWAkOUFZves6nTCI9M1bbLNISBaOxYra804sxXN~qp~bvsEf1483k~r5qv~k9TdSvk9xJym5vj-xgixqYY8~9ICa-turRBt-bUNy873Xkthg5XeMvnNpuSJfqqMUOFfopHNekf49fxoRROe82nvetlB4Kh9xtihlWr4BZvtkcF7Xq9OxQeqpudPi3CvIcm1jpdv~C7QVVNBL08JGuB~Tv5Zmba8F3~3d1bG59ykRyJATXXJMRiHlnvLAFqsCyGkW9I~M-agIzy61AzRT0HY61vQac9OZN6ZOVIVBVMweddw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple speakers at the March 25 public input session urged trustees to expand student support staffing and fix pay and recruitment gaps for specialized educators.

Abby Cobb, the district coordinator of social work, told the board Richland Two employs 23 school social workers and currently averages one social worker per 1,354 students—far above the national recommended ratio of 1:250. Cobb said only five schools have full‑time social work at the middle‑school level and last year the board sustained two social work positions previously funded by COVID relief; she and other speakers asked the board to add at least three social work positions to place six additional schools on a full‑time model.

Joanna Schenck, introduced as a lead psychologist in Richland Two and a parent, said the recommended ratio is roughly one school psychologist per 500 students and the district is “well over double that ratio” with multiple vacancies and five working retirees still filling roles. Schenck asked trustees to consider clerical support to reduce non‑clinical tasks and financial incentives to improve recruitment and retention.

Morgan Israel Batiste, a district speech‑language pathologist, urged pay parity or a separate salary schedule for SLPs. Batiste said SLPs complete a minimum master’s degree, more than 400 clinical hours, state license renewal and national clinical certification; she asked the district to align SLP compensation with other allied‑health district professionals (occupational and physical therapists and psychologists) to improve recruitment and retention.

Multilingual Program Specialist Dr. Anna Parrish returned to thank the board for prior funding to reduce caseloads and to report positive reading and writing outcomes among her small kindergarten cohort after case‑load redistribution; she asked the board to sustain funding for multilingual staffing.

What the board heard and next steps
Speakers asked trustees to prioritize recurring budget support for mental‑health staffing, preserve comprehensive psychological services, and create targeted recruitment incentives and clerical support to free clinical staff for direct services. No formal staffing changes were voted at the meeting; comments were recorded for budget planning.

Ending: District leaders will consider public input as they finalize the 2025–26 budget; speakers asked for concrete personnel additions and compensation changes in the district proposal.","Several school employees and parents urged the board to use the 2025–26 budget to add school social workers, preserve psychologist services, continue multilingual program hires and improve compensation for speech‑language pathologists and assistants covering classes.",{"_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},6106126,"Richland Two librarians push for per‑pupil book allocation after district ranks low in state survey",196,811000,1007000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2784395-bfd916f44b5ef978870bd641e075ae0a&start=811&end=1007","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2784395-bfd916f44b5ef978870bd641e075ae0a/thumbnail_811000.jpg","/articles/6106126/South-Carolina/Richland-Two-librarians-push-for-perpupil-book-allocation-after-district-ranks-low-in-state-survey","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106126-9a33f86db8e39be32adc80f2a38398be/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135980&Signature=Ql7gfrNs5uA3wxISMUhpVcyXWaEOZX5A95yoZsg46Bj43HeugaJLjYm7bazYbDZotzdHzW9gd2g1FhoX0UvNlMv4KEGs1UznF8WgJw3GtBQnKlOQQzR1M62KHgq63KC6aeNCC09kG4vsv59oaPN516VOx72eX0zPqV1sTQr693ve4cFZbakVeL5WS7y1-cUg9rxGbGJr0SvGfAPve2kMr8AgPg~2~eTZAh7qOhQjkTT9RkG7GRDwksMBhEFpn6tT6g0jd9Lze~FQn3YqZpshomonNtJUzJwCS6WguGYTyoC2dyZbBpIkHl3o7ZvaqdsCU~xZ5MQDFpfaNRhkf0bV7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Librarians and media specialists from across Richland District Two urged trustees on March 25 to restore district funding for school library book collections and to adopt a per‑pupil allocation to ensure equitable, sustained purchasing.

Amy Whitfield, lead librarian at Blythewood High School and district representative for secondary libraries, told the board district libraries are underfunded and asked for a per‑pupil allocation so every student “can enjoy the benefits of a distinguished school library program.” Whitfield said research links strong library programs with higher student achievement.

District library leaders distributed a packet that included a South Carolina School Library Survey comparison. Jennifer Bartel Boykin, a school librarian at Mueller Road Middle School, summarized the survey figures: Richland Two’s average per‑pupil spending on books is $4.44; the South Carolina state average is $14.10; neighboring Richland One spends $32.03 per pupil; Fairfield County spends $37.89 per pupil. Whitfield said eight district libraries received no school or district funds for books in 2023–24 and that Richland Two ranked 56th out of 63 districts on per‑pupil funding.

Librarians also described operational workloads: Cindy Simons, a media specialist at Round Top Elementary, said district library collections total more than 350,000 volumes and that media specialists together recorded more than 300,000 physical checkouts between August and February. Speakers asked the board to fund collections equitably to support classroom instruction and student reading.

What the board heard and next steps
Librarians asked the board to include a per‑pupil library book allocation in the 2025–26 budget to restore years of inconsistent funding and reduce reliance on principal discretionary budgets, grants and book fairs. Trustees did not vote on a library appropriation at the meeting; the remarks were recorded as budget input for staff to consider during budget development.

Ending: Librarians said sustained, predictable funding is essential to maintain and refresh collections that district staff say support literacy and instruction.","District librarians told the board Richland Two spends about $4.44 per pupil on library books—below the South Carolina average— and asked trustees to add a per‑pupil allocation in the 2025–26 budget to restore consistent, equitable funding.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":104,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":107,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6106127,"Richland District Two board approves academic calendar, auditor contract and other items; hears budget input",5296,6107000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2784395-bfd916f44b5ef978870bd641e075ae0a&start=811&end=6107","/articles/6106127/South-Carolina/Richland-District-Two-board-approves-academic-calendar-auditor-contract-and-other-items-hears-budget-input","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106127-fe367ddd25a96a7211e20a0ac5ca72df/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135980&Signature=EpwkVkNHVS3mo8KZ8T7B4zu8eR9t6xvpcuG1qy2DRwcajOlDIIKM3KrCxCiM0jwJBvSuZM54X7zHeqBP8wKVNNpJAp-EAWbpS3~m2xoLaIZtWoBRKqxisAOCgZDDTAqZEeb~9Jv6vdr6Yt2ekE~mXybr2jLqoknyQ4Of-WSYG-0CPpeCV3br~FSk9Yw7uevlF8ZHO3sG3LIuyrCbSJdouUzGpf8xtFEgpc7wpqYKKFKzkWSMHDr3grfKtlEQtQXG8RdU8nrMdvF41nMRsgmiIGcilLMBY9S3bHPi~hNKowTtDGV8O0EHRNl8h2g0UghBQZ5r1MC8jBSlWig2dRqoOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richland District Two Board of Trustees on March 25 approved its 2026–27 academic calendar, a three‑year external audit contract and a set of personnel actions, and heard extended public comment on the 2025–26 budget.

The board approved calendar C as the academic calendar for the 2026–27 school year after two votes; an initial motion for calendar B failed and the later motion for calendar C passed 5–2. Trustees also voted 7–0 to award a three‑year external audit contract to Greenfinney Cawley LLP and to approve employment recommendations and certified releases. The board approved selecting Hubbert & Gottschall Law for insurance‑matter legal representation and granted 1 parent’s student appeal to Blythewood Academy.

Why it matters: the calendar selection sets the year’s instructional schedule; the external audit contract and legal counsel selections affect how the district manages its financial review and litigation; staffing and student‑placement votes change services for individual students. Public budget input signaled community priorities that include library funding, mental‑health staffing and instructional supports.

Supporting details and vote list
- Academic calendar (2026–27): Motion to approve calendar B failed (2 yes, 5 no). Motion to approve calendar C passed (5 yes, 2 no). Motion made by Mrs. Porter; second by Mrs. Williams on the calendar C motion.
- External audit contract: Approved 7–0 to award a three‑year contract to Greenfinney Cawley LLP for the district’s annual comprehensive financial report audit. Motion made by Mrs. Washington; seconded by Mr. Dennis.
- Legal counsel for insurance matter: Approved 7–0 to retain Hubbert & Gottschall Law. Motion made by Mrs. Washington; seconded by Mr. Trapp.
- Student appeal (student #1): Board voted to grant the parent appeal and move the student to Blythewood Academy for the remainder of the school year (6 yes, 1 no). Motion made by Miss Williams; seconded by Mrs. Nash.
- Employment recommendations and certified releases: Approved 7–0. Motion made by Mr. Dennis; seconded by Mrs. Nash.

Public input highlights and next steps
Members of the public used the evening’s budget input and public participation sessions to press the board on library funding inequities, expanded school mental‑health staffing, pay and recruitment incentives for speech‑language pathologists and psychologists, multilingual staffing gains, and targeted equipment and program requests. The board did not take final budget votes at the meeting; public comments were recorded for budget development and future consideration.

The board announced a legislative roundtable event for April 24 and reviewed continuing work on the district’s academic improvement systems; district leaders said data meetings and targeted professional learning are informing next steps for the 2025‑26 school year.

Ending note: Board actions taken March 25 affect district operations and budgeting timelines; most budgetary decisions remain pending as administrators prepare the final 2025–26 proposal for later board consideration.","At its March 25 meeting the Richland District Two Board of Trustees approved the 2026–27 academic calendar (calendar C), a three-year external audit contract and several personnel and appeals items, and heard 90 minutes of public budget input on library funding, staffing and other requests.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public offers budget ideas: classroom cameras for special needs, summer related‑arts positions, apprenticeship program, band equipment overhaul

District leaders say data meetings and new systems are producing early academic gains

Richland Two parents and staff press board for more social workers, psychologists, multilingual staff and higher pay for specialists

Richland Two librarians push for per‑pupil book allocation after district ranks low in state survey

Richland District Two board approves academic calendar, auditor contract and other items; hears budget input