[{"_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",6255119,"mediaKeyId","3166545-d19210b50727c38d5796e756bb1fc360","parentId",3166545,"title","Votes at a glance: Richland 1 board approves contracts, personnel actions and first reading of FY26 budget","audioSeconds",328,"startMs",7155000,"endMs",7483000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3166545-d19210b50727c38d5796e756bb1fc360&start=7155&end=7483","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3166545-d19210b50727c38d5796e756bb1fc360/thumbnail_7155000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6255119/South-Carolina/Votes-at-a-glance-Richland-1-board-approves-contracts-personnel-actions-and-first-reading-of-FY26-budget","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6255119-45914dfb82ea75c0ab78eb52413174b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198020&Signature=Dyv7LMBL9okMy6x~6iVpI4dHC0jbTYXYFyPGFrBomn4KLwT5dgO6-RuI-L-HVX3LMMfAeVT~xCVK7t3MzrzBiRLTFUnRLqtVBJomRu0VMyCqE1Gky7WMrRHnn840e9zrcc0ktVrzxPoc-yYBB2arS~W6z14OeJTGMmKJBYcvacf2seiQX4Bxgrf21ngCTCRrhzdaeb4dQ8UBf~DMKWp4YPYncjW-h0VSoQZldBvKJbWr91U7FmpDoRQi7Lrx4RBrznHOwOGAEtKA4YNoc5sK~BLD8Tpyn~GCUZEEMaVYxmrfaINuKyjcxKaEvkzMOJ08I3e24GT0hwAA0HW6Tq-ClA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richland One TV","date","2025-04-29T00:00:00Z","article","The Richland County School District One Board of School Commissioners took the following formal actions at its April 29 meeting. Summaries include the motion text as recorded in meeting materials, movers/seconders where noted in the transcript, and final vote tallies.

1) Consent agenda (minutes and March 2025 financial report)
- Motion: \"I move that we approve the consent agenda as presented.\" (mover: Commissioner Devine; seconder recorded)
- Outcome: Approved unanimously.
- Notes: Consent items were minutes of the March 25 regular meeting and the March 2025 financial report.

2) Contract — Scholastic Lit Camp summer reading literacy program (Scholastic Inc.)
- Motion: Administration requested approval to purchase Scholastic Lit Camp summer curriculum in the total amount $259,752.
- Mover/Seconder: Motion by Commissioner Bishop; seconded by Commissioner Devine.
- Vote: Approved unanimously.
- Notes: Staff stated the purchase is exempt under district procurement code as copyrighted educational materials; the materials were described as supporting third-grade summer/school programs (materials listed in vendor purchase order reflect grade bands, but district said purchase will serve third‑grade summer program implementation).

3) Contract — Security camera equipment and installation at CA Johnson High School (A3 Communications)
- Motion: Award contract for a new Avigilon video surveillance system, estimated cost $358,405.56, anticipated completion August 2025.
- Mover/Seconder: Motion by Commissioner Bishop; seconded by Commissioner Clyburn.
- Vote: Approved unanimously.
- Notes: Contract will install ~25 cameras, servers, switches and cabling as part of a phased capital project for the CA Johnson cluster.

4) Contract — Campus monitoring/security services (Walden Security)
- Motion: Award a multi-year contract to Walden Security for 24/7 campus monitoring/security services districtwide, total contract value $5,653,764.48 over initial term and renewal options.
- Mover/Seconder: Motion by Commissioner Moore; seconded by Commissioner Clyburn.
- Vote: Approved 6–1 (one commissioner opposed).
- Notes: District ran a sealed RFP process; Walden Security was the highest-ranked responsive and responsible offer. Discussion covered differences between current outsourced overnight/site coverage and school security associates who staff daytime shifts.

5) Personnel — Leaves of absence without pay (group of employees)
- Motion: Administration recommended approval of specified leaves of absence without pay pursuant to policies GCC/GDC for the 2024–25 school year for named employees.
- Outcome: Approved; vote recorded as carried with 6 yays and 1 member not present for the vote.

6) Administrative hire — Coordinator, McKinney‑Vento (student support services)
- Motion: Administration recommended hiring employee R.A. to the position of coordinator of McKinney‑Vento in Student Support Services for 2024–25.
- Vote: Approved 4–2–1 (four yeas, two noes, one not present).
- Notes: The motion carried after discussion; roll-call details in meeting minutes.

7) Personnel — Hiring of 15 teachers for 2025–26
- Motion: Administration recommended hiring the listed 15 teachers for the 2025–26 school year.
- Vote: Approved (motion carried with 6 yays and 1 not present).

8) Fiscal year 2025–26 general fund budget — first reading
- Motion: Administration recommended first-reading approval of the FY26 general fund budget of $422,865,928, based on current house projections and a projected mill-cap increase under Act 388 calculations.
- Mover/Seconder: Motion by Commissioner Devine; seconded by Commissioner Bishop.
- Vote: Motion passed unanimously on first reading.
- Notes: The budget included an increase to the teacher salary minimum (to $48,000 as a baseline then an adjustment to reflect a new minimum of $51,102 after a 2% schedule adjustment), a step increase for teachers, a 2% bus-driver schedule increase, employer benefit adjustments and program personnel requests. Administration said final state and county revenue totals will be used to adjust second and third readings.

These votes were drawn from motions made during the meeting and the verbal vote calls recorded by the chair; full roll-call tallies and supporting documents are available in the district minutes and procurement records.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board Meeting 4-29-2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its April 29 meeting the board approved multiple procurement and personnel actions, including Scholastic summer curriculum purchase, CA Johnson camera system, a multi-year campus-monitoring contract, leaves of absence and the first reading of the FY26 general-fund budget. Vote tallies and key details are listed.","taxTitle","Richland 01, School Districts, South Carolina","taxId",14919,"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},6255124,"Meadowfield parents urge broader principal search, cite repeated turnover",387,6105000,6492000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3166545-d19210b50727c38d5796e756bb1fc360&start=6105&end=6492","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3166545-d19210b50727c38d5796e756bb1fc360/thumbnail_6105000.jpg","/articles/6255124/South-Carolina/Meadowfield-parents-urge-broader-principal-search-cite-repeated-turnover","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6255124-b693daf31fe23ec5d0dbfbeedec6453f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198020&Signature=RH6fdzqS4Dl1wMS~XTi5ocJew7IFtvAa4KSw2Z-cUZHvG-0zV6WGKSMNu~-a4OxzaP7~WGxLWoKt2zh-c8G3emqyKy5-VbrGcubeZlpn0a3G4wotNb5lOR2v7cJzhs2NS-k-6FYwAAArXI2Qc0hlkIftK0mvCOCvFrDweh9MbryI0VSjY1DDEWorximZBNJVTTlZH~zhpv6Jlymy1qGYmYZ2aC2-ayrUHjnQp9U5yF4r26XWhzdZYMkezbHmd~pecYmMG9Ypq9BwEidHBBKsgGr1tMhUUr-KcOZmp0fQUGQORy6xWEPcy7EA8s~UmN0ErWqF70KUcULy8MWUDYwx7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Three Meadowfield Elementary parents who submitted remote comments and two in-person speakers told the board that Meadowfield has experienced frequent principal turnover and asked the district to allow more time and stakeholder input in selecting the next principal.

Jessica McMillan, Lisa Freeberg and Bethany Tisdale submitted written comments read for the record and asked that the district open the search nationally, prioritize applicants with experience at large elementary schools, and consider Montessori/Padea experience for Meadowfield, which parents said operates a unique program model. The commenters requested that staff prioritize teacher and staff input and that the district address an anticipated kindergarten staffing shortfall for next year.

In-person speakers also thanked district leadership for restoring homecoming traditions at a high school and asked for consistent facility-use rules for tailgating; they separately raised concerns about a foundation's use of school facilities and requested clearer accounting and facility-use payments when outside groups use school property.

Superintendent and staff did not make an immediate staffing action during public comment; parents asked the board and administration to ensure adequate community notice and staff engagement during the principal-selection process.","Multiple parents signed public comments asking the district to widen the principal search and solicit staff and parent input after Meadowfield Elementary learned its principal was leaving. Parents said frequent leadership turnover harms teacher retention and school stability.",{"_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},6255129,"District presents quarterly update on turnaround plans for underperforming schools; four remain unsatisfactory",479,4616000,5095000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3166545-d19210b50727c38d5796e756bb1fc360&start=4616&end=5095","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3166545-d19210b50727c38d5796e756bb1fc360/thumbnail_4616000.jpg","/articles/6255129/South-Carolina/District-presents-quarterly-update-on-turnaround-plans-for-underperforming-schools-four-remain-unsatisfactory","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6255129-0729619117389cf640113ed4300a5ebc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198020&Signature=FlQ8Emuk72lux7L6srXpKbogQ2CBZYCP1q~F-Z3plrr-jrk~wvFP~WMpg35flIj3K5MsVkI~0SKcdo-AAhyzaHTFgPgdzdmF3k~0z0BEkDnifSgVrASx5e7MIJaFlkCPGj3hvuJcT6teU9wTyh2sb-pDpWmZq~1MbtRWX6PdSVALn2UFzdS7Om45wmKMhzh2GBUrxLcisW74gpPkFRYzv12yWnAXfLS-8zeGs1fJwAiTM~pQ13rksZaQucjtZNGDmDxGRWS0BXgQxiRDSySIFr2RYli05mB34qlc13DUcdUjA3xnsZhN307kUW2quHeBRPpPaJ0-osPOXdg6KwzQFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Minor presented the district’s continuous-improvement and turnaround plans for schools rated below average or unsatisfactory. She told the board that for schools designated “unsatisfactory,” a revised strategic plan must be included on the local school board agenda at least once each quarter after the state approves the plan.

The update covered four schools currently designated unsatisfactory for the 2023–24 accountability cycle; staff said that number had declined from a larger group the prior year. Each unsatisfactory school prepared plans addressing three goals; principals joined the presentation and were available to answer questions. Dr. Minor said these updates are informational and that staff will return each quarter with progress reports.

Commissioners asked about consistency and supports. Dr. Minor and Dr. Williams said supports are multi-tiered and tailored: the district’s teaching-and-learning team, executive directors and school leadership work with principals monthly, and supports include instructional coaching, leadership development and school-specific interventions. Board members and staff discussed attendance, discipline and other non-academic metrics that can appear in school plans in addition to academic targets.

No action was requested; the presentation served as the required first quarterly update for the unsatisfactory-designated schools.","District leaders presented revised strategic plans required for schools rated unsatisfactory. Staff said the list of underperforming schools changes yearly and that the four unsatisfactory schools will provide quarterly updates to the board as required by state rules.",{"_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},6255134,"Richland 1 showcases expanded school-library services and renovated learning spaces",1022,3147000,4169000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3166545-d19210b50727c38d5796e756bb1fc360&start=3147&end=4169","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3166545-d19210b50727c38d5796e756bb1fc360/thumbnail_3147000.jpg","/articles/6255134/South-Carolina/Richland-1-showcases-expanded-school-library-services-and-renovated-learning-spaces","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6255134-65986961258b8e4e9bc5d8c35c253f3a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198020&Signature=Nv-4iaOD87Oh57UTeBN~OWCfzoMBDexvCLmjVpehIDKx7BrtLBXUGu3e9tnI0yuiwGust~XqEvmv6QikzYwF2dNq7ycYDgDisrUuSSWIUEBwfhrVtbP7qnBju7EKt4ZMkQlDqRLfGGmqCUhpTwDo0lj-NVMMwJ4taXnrA-ps9PWZcQ0mQv6wqDgzJMGylzpr5DG5i4xD~WMbSv7eeBmlL9XIwp4dpwx4aiN0eWA~X5nch-4A83udGFgHL2x9~M-Z4fe7G8OOSDQl4xyJlFKreqgwUuwW-YA0dMmgt630rTa420-VT0h11QsVzUgKmVlxaR0lfg20zVznbhxzKvTmQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Travis Nelson, speaking for the Office of Learning Environments and Instructional Resources, told the board that school librarians in Richland County School District One serve as certified educators who support literacy, research and digital learning across K–12.

Nelson said district libraries collectively manage more than 500,000 resources and more than 60,000 educational devices and that librarians use data-driven collection plans to keep materials current and culturally relevant. He described several district partnerships that expand access: a Richland Library ConnectED arrangement that issues public library cards to students and links them to student IDs, Cocky's Reading Express with the University of South Carolina that has given thousands of books to students, and author visits that bring writers to schools.

The presentation illustrated programming: portable STAR Lab planetarium events, author visits (including nationally known authors who have visited district schools), student news crews presenting at conferences, a spelling bee organized by librarians, and a district STAR Lab used for both science and literacy events.

Nelson and the board also discussed learning-environment renovations. He said about 93 percent of elementary school libraries have been redone; middle and high schools are just over 50 percent complete. New designs prioritize flexible, modular furniture, collaborative learning spaces and community input during planning. The Office of Learning Environments coordinates with principals and librarians on site-specific configurations.

Commissioners asked about collection age and cultural representation in materials. Nelson said average collection age is about 02/2011 and that librarians can audit collections by subject and diversity metrics to identify gaps. He said collection development follows district policy and state guidance while being responsive to school communities.

The board did not take action; the presentation was informational.","District staff described librarians' instructional roles, collection-management practices, community partnerships and progress on redesigned library/learning-environment projects across elementary, middle and high schools.",{"_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},6255140,"Richland 1 presents middle-school assessment results; administrators say predictive tests underpredict proficiency",1450,1344000,2794000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3166545-d19210b50727c38d5796e756bb1fc360&start=1344&end=2794","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3166545-d19210b50727c38d5796e756bb1fc360/thumbnail_1344000.jpg","/articles/6255140/South-Carolina/Richland-1-presents-middle-school-assessment-results-administrators-say-predictive-tests-underpredict-proficiency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6255140-a16b9dad2f9743df25aabeeeb053a367/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198020&Signature=a62AfrElmwVjfd-QMbUJzL69QCGRWJjtQNimzdUytUq9d6Pyt2wTheHddNUrE9r5qNFNyMX-9eIbdcZFbE42PkUYrGQMSKy2ytB-t9npIMYrVYnIWPDxNIyfkDl3RSk0ycbe1oF7URRHi~v-Gj7CcYbkHYcUrpzItYABGtnP0To0uciiZ2KJ3UCqiooFnn6DnEcskofPTSI-yx6YJ9MBvvCrdjelcOnkG~g9-lRdkSV3Hu6QzJT7ZNHvpttp8QZ6-HJw8CE4G7fZLCwzQ5BWVWqzwcQ~Mlgme0f2d17lyBsmxSW4OSYTXupqsywte68SVD-73UojkISxF-yN2tXgWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Hassinger, speaking for the Office of Teaching and Learning, told the Richland County School District One Board of School Commissioners on April 29 that district formative and predictive assessments show mixed results for middle-school students.

Dr. Hassinger highlighted three assessments the district uses to guide instruction: the STAR benchmark, I‑Ready diagnostic, and the district's MVPA predictive assessments. He said 58.7 percent of students in grades 6–8 met their reading growth goals on district measures; the MVPA prediction of SC Ready proficiency for the same group was 42.5 percent. For mathematics, 56.7 percent met district growth goals and the MVPA proficiency prediction was 29.3 percent.

The presentation emphasized that the district’s internal counts include every student regardless of state accountability exclusions, which can make district percentages differ slightly from state-published SC Ready reports. “Our goal is really to ensure that you all walk away with a sense of what our big 3 formative assessment items and predictive assessment items are at the middle school level and how we leverage that data,” Dr. Hassinger said.

Administrators also reviewed subgroup and special-education data. I‑Ready results for students with disabilities showed progress in both reading and math: a proportion of students met typical-growth goals and a smaller share met “stretch” goals (growth greater than one grade level). Dr. Hassinger noted that 36–37 percent of students in some math analyses had improved a grade-level placement since the middle-of-year measure.

Board members pressed for clarity about how the benchmark predictions align with final SC Ready outcomes. Dr. Hassinger and staff showed historical comparisons for 2023 and 2024 indicating that district predictive assessments have “slightly underpredicted” actual outcomes but have grown closer over time. The presenters warned that 2025 is the first year for revised ELA standards and a new test format for some assessments (including a new text-dependent writing format), which adds uncertainty to this year's predictions.

Superintendent Witherspoon and board members thanked staff for compiling detailed notebooks with subgroup breakdowns and asked that the district continue quarterly updates and provide principals and the board with responsive, disaggregated data to inform interventions.

Board members and staff discussed how assessment reports are used at the school and classroom level to target instruction, identify “bubble” students who could be moved to proficiency with small-group work, and guide IEP goal-setting. Dr. Hassinger and Ms. Sturtevant said I‑Ready, MVPA and STAR reports provide teacher- and student-level detail intended for teachers and principals to plan small-group instruction and targeted interventions.

The presentation did not include a board vote; it was given as information and followed by questions from commissioners.","District staff told the school board that middle-school students met many growth goals on district formative tests but that predictive benchmarks (MVPAs/STAR) tend to underpredict actual SC Ready outcomes. Administrators flagged concerns about eighth-grade gaps and the new ELA standards and tests.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Richland 1 board approves contracts, personnel actions and first reading of FY26 budget

Meadowfield parents urge broader principal search, cite repeated turnover

District presents quarterly update on turnaround plans for underperforming schools; four remain unsatisfactory

Richland 1 showcases expanded school-library services and renovated learning spaces

Richland 1 presents middle-school assessment results; administrators say predictive tests underpredict proficiency