[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6066540,"mediaKeyId","3166582-88c17aca2c92eda837d092b1b2c447cb","parentId",3166582,"title","Board recognizes state-champion girls' basketball team, librarians and school highlights","audioSeconds",544,"startMs",766000,"endMs",1310000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3166582-88c17aca2c92eda837d092b1b2c447cb&start=766&end=1310","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3166582-88c17aca2c92eda837d092b1b2c447cb/thumbnail_766000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6066540/South-Carolina/Board-recognizes-state-champion-girls-basketball-team-librarians-and-school-highlights","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6066540-7e18ea272f2d3538b1f654ae620272ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159238&Signature=dFE5c6oLDcbmzI5wAOj-LF2ROuFs8y8W3SndYAl9TuPBMmyM6-ojoXQh71nJjh3svwlGG1mF2eLjaBN2dOJzR7j7vrPD48Lld70M~TkRj0srSgBuFXsBqNZkQu0uJDDFRUEc7pq9nz2-OUMgczcNRTcFtKF2m5y3AvirOX~47CLd9arEUL2Iup7n7lwWjFGujDibS9X5WjMkDx0QsItQIYgONVPK~ZdZ3JzDnq5dQd9FLHVbC8B1kV11a5w7O5mQrpIdLksg~G3aDFNVYrPFgAD9b1pXdrzmD8ycLrTS0ACVkXc61A2Xkg5RZkhdHJ5-vkCBCzrjpzBjBSdbwNU5oQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","The School District of Oconee County, SC","date","2025-04-14T00:00:00Z","article","The Oconee County School District board dedicated time in the meeting to recognize student and school accomplishments. Head coach Byron Winfrey and members of the 2025 Walhalla High School girls state basketball championship team were introduced to the board; Winfrey praised the players for both on-court accomplishment and classwork performance and invited a photo opportunity with board members.

The board also observed School Library Month and heard from district librarians and a speaker who described the modern school library as a hub for digital literacy, research skills and community-building. The speaker said librarians co-teach lessons, host family literacy events and curate materials intended to reflect students' lives.

School highlights included an extended report from Kiwi Elementary describing family engagement initiatives (All Pro Dads, Family & Me sessions for preschoolers), an attendance improvement program that exceeded its goals for targeted students, community partnerships and recognition of student achievements (Beta Club inductions, DAR essay winners). Walhalla Elementary highlighted special education staff and its Unified Club activities tied to Special Olympics; speakers described Unified Club activities, reading buddies and inclusion efforts across grade levels.

The recognitions gave board members an opportunity to thank teachers, librarians, staff and volunteers and to acknowledge community partnerships, including university and YMCA involvement mentioned by presenters.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board Meeting 4/14/2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the meeting the board honored Walhalla High School's 2025 girls state basketball champions, observed School Library Month and heard highlights from Kiwi Elementary and Walhalla Elementary.","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},6066545,"Board approves new math textbook lineup for 2025-26 after teacher review",315,7049000,7364000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3166582-88c17aca2c92eda837d092b1b2c447cb&start=7049&end=7364","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3166582-88c17aca2c92eda837d092b1b2c447cb/thumbnail_7049000.jpg","/articles/6066545/South-Carolina/Board-approves-new-math-textbook-lineup-for-2025-26-after-teacher-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6066545-49e77b0d5b3c01631a9970ca3252324b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159238&Signature=f29b6cZgOcV4LgKTsSB9TRNg8f9CLZFt5Q707avGg8~0rhhCtsMlpX2je4NjrWCTe8U-RHD7z-HqqWpfqCis9NylBVjAZ5GXFdO4TKVWIEknZnhUkX3S6VTUicK4acYswuSxr~QHqQnKaSF3SQjte3AIvaLzDvJUN--ibrp57JcFaaUM37RWKG3jOp4YgRSrWLyQOarZOXRHw0oJePWhDkpjXh5kFjia9cfJ1~YN282EBQiojzx~wreJHRV~Stl8SNgmRmt2HiLI5nWg~mE6wuYkEh9eM4NI-xvZYGCQGzaIwZbBHKQiwOoUUvffzeYE7cR-ZsBghV0tCDl1BLvhuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oconee County School District board approved a recommended set of K-12 math instructional materials following a multi-stage review that involved teachers, instructional specialists and a public review tied to the state's adoption of new math standards.

Mister Smith summarized the process used by the state and the district: vendors first submitted materials to the state RFP; those resources were publicly posted for review in 2024; and district teachers examined samples in professional learning sessions and via surveys in February and March. District staff said elementary and high school teachers showed a clear preference for specific vendors while middle school teachers evaluated two nearly equal options before additional local review.

The board approved the district's recommendation for the 2025-26 school year: I-Ready Math for elementary grades; Envision Mathematics (Savvas) for middle school and for high school geometry, Algebra I and Algebra II (with probability); BW WASH for the new Applications and Modeling course; and Pearson for Statistical Modeling. Additional elective or specialized courses will continue with existing resources as noted in the recommendation.

Board members affirmed that teachers do not \"teach the textbook\" but the standards; staff said the chosen resources were the ones teachers judged to best align with the new state K-12 math standards and support instructional planning. The motion to adopt the recommended materials passed (vote recorded 5-1).","After district-wide teacher review and public posting tied to new state math standards, the board approved the district's recommended K-12 math materials for 2025-26.",{"_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},6066549,"District rolls out Syntegix panic alerts; board orders pricing for phased weapons-detection purchase",3652,3244000,6896000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3166582-88c17aca2c92eda837d092b1b2c447cb&start=3244&end=6896","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3166582-88c17aca2c92eda837d092b1b2c447cb/thumbnail_3244000.jpg","/articles/6066549/South-Carolina/District-rolls-out-Syntegix-panic-alerts-board-orders-pricing-for-phased-weapons-detection-purchase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6066549-24decff4b6cc1703252861a94f1a13b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159238&Signature=ZjBNt0kiWvXQjovzu~Daf4h7VLupc1TeZ8k7ueOg3j9IdXdcMEH9sWAmzolOJZlk6365YinlcvJvoJcTBigGj-FQbwVL10NmHPOWSS0VecRwCzmetIfdI45i3rNakAzmOBZTRUsOdBfnh3QWo9IwlTz4C7fx3UhDtNS~Iapa63Z9p9gZXQisUGXQt9~FJ0kpfz91D-bUfMVzKI-ZjrEIrUS3FxonOWrB2TCHNQb3piifbdQi3yy5D9LbhHcDiYKBlhFWtizinffM5t9~OPHGySP73WVVcrtiSNaacOSX5lGxHXF~nLRdS04sQ8tGPqP0xJ0VWSb-Suvydb7M49d92w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District technology and safety staff reported that the Syntegix panic-alert system is operational in all buildings and described successful law-enforcement drills demonstrating rapid location pinpointing. Technology staff said the district used capital funds and vendor credit (for an existing IdentiKid relationship) to pay most of the Syntegix contract and that ongoing annual software costs will be budgeted.

Chief technology and safety staff said the panic-alert badge and code features have already been used to summon administrators, nurses and SROs for student medical incidents and that law enforcement was pleased with drill results that showed dispatch receiving room-level locations in seconds.

Separately, the board heard results of a district safety survey and discussed weapons-detection options. Staff recommended Open Gate's mobile screening devices because they are battery powered and can be moved between events and buildings. Staff provided a vendor estimate of approximately $20,000 per device (including batteries, stands and training) and said retrofitting PA systems to integrate with state-mandated mobile panic alerts had already been estimated at roughly $600,000 for the district.

Board members instructed the administration to pursue pricing for a phased deployment focused on high schools, middle schools, the Career and Technology Center and Oconee Academy; the board directed staff to return with official pricing for the proposed phase 1 package. The motion passed (vote recorded 5-0).

Administrators noted potential grant or state reimbursement sources but cautioned that timing and grant amounts were uncertain. Staff also explained training and deployment timelines (roughly a six-week vendor lead time) and recommended coordination with law enforcement and the district's security coordinator for on-site implementation.","The district reported full deployment of the Syntegix panic-alert system and approved a motion to obtain pricing for a phased purchase of Open Gate weapons-detection units for high schools, middle schools, the career center and Oconee Academy.",{"_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},6066554,"Oconee County schools present FY26 budget request: $3.5 million local increase, first reading approved",2593,2566000,5159000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3166582-88c17aca2c92eda837d092b1b2c447cb&start=2566&end=5159","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3166582-88c17aca2c92eda837d092b1b2c447cb/thumbnail_2566000.jpg","/articles/6066554/South-Carolina/Oconee-County-schools-present-FY26-budget-request-35-million-local-increase-first-reading-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6066554-6c889b935f19787f4449d53ac1b191b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159238&Signature=hh3rXYnn1pyFIbcLBhBdMFDrzOBxl9aeuPirbnRgaihZBIkJ1GI3rNCI~8q34-MKEzo8RqkD46ycEERplugx3YPNEwikJY-txktscPCKYoWzcF2k2QTkzFrBeKzl3-XTt-jRTSTkFsoz65XWIujL0jYjTagdgFS-Hrw~bo5jE7sAz6C8DhoC~Fa4DIhYdzVXg7cs5qveLTg7CJrLyLEommagSERqKznGdvnZOFInXFqScPF-mtTQkHCUFewGqZdAFQbfmuue-3NSsADGK9GDPJa-QCuJPK0pfODJSwe7G4YJAHfeDSFOlF30JogRrWtA7sY5WB7009yS4WT4iEULKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oconee County School District presented its proposed fiscal year 2026 general fund budget on the first reading, asking the county for roughly $3.5 million more in local ad valorem revenue and outlining compensation parameters tied to state funding changes. The board voted to approve the first reading of the FY26 general fund budget.

District leaders said the request would raise the district's local ad valorem ask to approximately $59,200,000, a 6.4% increase from the current year, largely to cover teacher salary step increases and the state's proposed $1,500 per-cell increase in teacher pay. Superintendent Doctor Thorsland and Chief Financial Officer Mister Schickling led the presentation and fielded board questions about revenue forecasting and long-term fund balance goals.

The budget makers told the board they expect roughly $1.4 million in additional state support tied to the House Ways and Means proviso that contains the teacher-pay parameters, but stressed that the state share historically covers only part of teacher cost increases. Schickling said the district would be responsible for an estimated 41% of teacher pay increases, higher than many regional peers, based on the state's local capacity index. He also warned that collections to date from county taxes stood at $51,104,000 versus a requested $55,650,000, a gap that could reduce the district's usual positive variance.

The presentation outlined compensation steps the district intends to fund if the state proposals hold: a $1,500 per-cell increase for teacher pay plus step increases, a roughly 3% starting-pay bump for bachelor's-level teachers, a 3% across-the-board increase for classified staff, and a 2.5% adjustment to administrator bands with steps where eligible. Schickling also described how benefits budgeting was adjusted this year to include benefits for currently vacant positions, which makes benefits look to grow faster than base salaries in the FY26 proposal.

Budget staff reviewed nonpersonnel costs, including technology and contracted services, and said roughly 88 percent of the proposed operating budget would go to salaries and wages (including contracted substitute services), with nearly all remaining operating costs driven by utilities, repair and maintenance, software and student-safety contracts. The administration said they are using Moody's guidance and district fund-balance targets (board policy minimum 20%) to shape a conservative request.

Board members asked about forecasting risk and whether the county's disbursement pace could change the district's positive variance. Schickling recommended presenting this package to county council with the board's support, noting the district's long-range capital plans and the variable nature of some local revenue sources (fee-in-lieu receipts). The board approved the first reading of the FY26 general fund budget by voice vote (motion passed; tally recorded as 5-1).

The administration said it will bring finalized numbers and any adjustments back to the board before a final vote and will brief the county council when the package is presented. The board also heard related legislative updates during the session, including a discussion of Proviso 1.3, paid family leave proposals, and state-level mobile panic alert mandates that could affect district costs.","Superintendent and finance officers presented the district's proposed FY26 general fund budget and compensation parameters tied to state proposals; the board approved first reading and scheduled further review with the county funding ask highlighted.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board recognizes state-champion girls' basketball team, librarians and school highlights

Board approves new math textbook lineup for 2025-26 after teacher review

District rolls out Syntegix panic alerts; board orders pricing for phased weapons-detection purchase

Oconee County schools present FY26 budget request: $3.5 million local increase, first reading approved