Orangeburg School District honors Read Across America winners at April meeting

The Orangeburg County School District (OCSD) held its April 2025 Board Meeting on April 8, 2025, focusing on several key agenda items, including the approval of the meeting agenda and minutes, as well as recognizing student achievements.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance, led by the parliamentarian. Following this, the board moved to approve the agenda for the evening. A motion was made and seconded, resulting in a majority vote in favor, despite one member expressing opposition due to concerns about unaddressed corrections in previous minutes.

Next, the board addressed the approval of the minutes from the March 11, 2025, meeting. A motion was again made and seconded, and while the minutes were approved, the same member reiterated their concerns regarding the accuracy of the previous minutes.

The meeting then transitioned to the awards and recognitions segment, where Superintendent Foster highlighted the accomplishments of students and staff within the district. Due to a large turnout of students and their families, the format for recognition was adjusted to accommodate everyone present.

Superintendent Foster introduced the South Carolina Education Association's Read Across America Art Contest, celebrating the creativity of students across the state. Notably, all winners from the OCSD were from William J. Clark Middle School. Mr. Tom Hudson, the executive director of the SCEA, presented the awards, beginning with Hanukkah Faith Di Gracia, who received the Best in Show award for her artwork. Other winners included Jordan Simpson, who took first place in Division III (grades 6-8), and Alia Patel, who received second place, along with Nicole Ortiz, who earned an honorable mention.

The meeting concluded with a sense of pride in the students' achievements and a commitment to continue recognizing their hard work and dedication. The board's next steps include addressing the concerns raised regarding the minutes and planning for future meetings.