[{"_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",6210256,"mediaKeyId","3720483-06a9d8e53c15b8c1f954e597c33ac86f","parentId",3720483,"title","Board hears proposal to pair retired teachers with first-year teachers as volunteer mentors","audioSeconds",59,"startMs",4092000,"endMs",4151000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3720483-06a9d8e53c15b8c1f954e597c33ac86f&start=4092&end=4151","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3720483-06a9d8e53c15b8c1f954e597c33ac86f/thumbnail_4092000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6210256/South-Carolina/Board-hears-proposal-to-pair-retired-teachers-with-first-year-teachers-as-volunteer-mentors","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210256-993e016818eed21bb2284e0278adbbae/orig.mp4?Expires=1770521875&Signature=O6F76HkazIiDfmeh2HKdHId13OgEaJajgGnESpZExEP8oEXPZQWNRWAIF6C5xxVG7DKdYpdEXhxmtVqguu1bPAhsJRVDtjopEkuqHSGdT7tsjrvqT7d7TKBJeUWZQ0cIwVyjhbNyIatYvL5TreFPVuFeFaZxow3bZ~9xzv~illqBJC4y9brvXmRZAAm84dpW1meXfMasOs~c3v~feVeYcq42XcKrqOaLFPXPLVMgqlFxlAoEk0O5ahd0tqV4GEs6CU4daj6dEFU0eNSOzj3CyQRDW-xO6HN0rEHCQBrKh-nGM~SIH-uomFJuDOKffY~4-YykIdlfoG-KJLK2h~lGMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","The School District of Oconee County, SC","date","2025-06-03T10:48:28Z","article","A board member proposed Monday that retired teachers be paired with first-year teachers as volunteers to provide mentoring, classroom support and encouragement; the board signaled support to pursue the idea and asked staff to include it in summer or fall implementation planning.

Board member Mrs. White outlined the proposed model and read details into the record: \"This program's intended intended to enhance the already established school mentor program. It is a volunteer program that will be no expense to the district. We already have 15 confirmed individuals who have expressed interest.\" She said the volunteers would be matched to first-year teachers by grade level or subject area and would provide monthly contact and support, classroom help during the first week of school, assistance with copies and materials, observation and feedback when requested, and other help as requested by new teachers.

Mrs. White also named Pat Bowman, a former principal, as a volunteer who had offered to help spearhead the effort. Board members commented in favor of the volunteer approach and noted it aligns with board goals addressing teacher supports and professional development. No formal board action was taken; the consensus was to explore implementation logistics and to look for opportunities to include the program in the board's forthcoming goals and fall startup work.

If the board moves forward, staff indicated they will handle coordination with schools, compile the list of first-year teachers, and develop an informal pairing process and expectations for volunteers.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board Meeting 6/02/2025","oneSentenceSummary","A board member proposed a volunteer mentoring program that would pair retired educators with first-year teachers. The program would be cost-free to the district; the board asked staff to pursue implementation steps and include the idea in upcoming goal work.","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},6210261,"Board discusses moving graduations to Littlejohn Coliseum; staff to report options in July",118,3706000,3824000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3720483-06a9d8e53c15b8c1f954e597c33ac86f&start=3706&end=3824","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3720483-06a9d8e53c15b8c1f954e597c33ac86f/thumbnail_3706000.jpg","/articles/6210261/South-Carolina/Board-discusses-moving-graduations-to-Littlejohn-Coliseum-staff-to-report-options-in-July","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210261-05b7df133047675bc9a87071d9916b20/orig.mp4?Expires=1770521875&Signature=bX5XigMxh4uo6Mq-ox5tR2TRCt4Q~ynbdmwtuNfrjKQqDNymT-e4RZP3Dr0iN8f-gLRyzMJmIJHFqkh2PgUUPLqMYQ8qCwus5SMtfPdRdv7I3r4-Wa8JQ~cC7YlQd0WYg514p5omHsVy0MtdZqOlaFHc6RZJV-6GZKg00BIKdTqD9k~ddCKTd1urPlQA86zy9nbE6DQKWI4~yips5s6lI3lTXmJ0COWpht6ztUcdVqPzXMYeb6sfIvXrWRVoZmqD50IlOSax797ykPfXqxwLbHBGARMfhbw24x1F2RGly~aoDopa-JyNJneMlaaHmd1fpxQ4znVmCnzVIp84stoyTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board discussed the possibility of moving district graduation ceremonies from high school stadiums back to Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson, with board members noting accessibility and weather considerations and staff saying they will return a set of options at the July meeting.

Mister Hamby reported he had made initial contacts about availability at Littlejohn and that scheduling is constrained: \"as soon as he responds to me with what he has available, I will let you all know, and then we'll see if it's even a I mean, it might not even be a mean, they had to you can't really do it a week and a half after. Right. You can't do it before they finish. So you've got a 4 or 5 day window.\"

A board member who spoke in favor of the move said returning to Littlejohn would help families who have multiple graduates across schools and reduce weather-related disruption: \"That continues to be, you know, concern of mine that we go back to little John because, personally, I love seeing all the graduates, you know, graduates, all the from all the high schools, I love celebrating with all them and all their families. And, additionally, grandparents don't have to and cousins, you know, relatives don't have to choose, but if they have multiple, family members in graduation, they don't have to choose.\" The same speaker also noted concerns about stadium seating and parking at some high school ceremonies.

Staff said they could survey stakeholders (students, parents) if the board wanted and will bring availability and options back to the July meeting for further discussion. No motion or vote was taken on changing graduation venues at the June 2 meeting.","Board members debated the merits of returning district graduation ceremonies to Littlejohn Coliseum (Clemson) citing weather, accessibility and family logistics. No decision was made; staff will return options and availability at the July meeting.",{"_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},6210265,"District reports modest second-grade MAP gains, sets a 4.82% district growth target",467,3072000,3539000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3720483-06a9d8e53c15b8c1f954e597c33ac86f&start=3072&end=3539","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3720483-06a9d8e53c15b8c1f954e597c33ac86f/thumbnail_3072000.jpg","/articles/6210265/South-Carolina/District-reports-modest-second-grade-MAP-gains-sets-a-482-district-growth-target","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210265-1db418af5245697cf1738d079037ab90/orig.mp4?Expires=1770521875&Signature=MhYQLtZVpQkfCO2zS0~d8rWmTgwNiZmC03tczl7i9q4U~G4E5jlmq9CqFpjyug-XzcHKnCzzVQzJIoKkvidzD3VZwcmzFTFZzDy6tyMitTpILzvU9xyB7cvJ6xGoSvoVovY1xvoUwLktYULopF2HP9Idv0FYvI2rPwqEGR9qHK1BEXSaepoFQ2w3MFo5Xf8AhVd-qaHN4hRKqvF-0nQPHVR7nGA6QkTip8mAm3pXJayHhBu077axq4F79Rn7tIOTHiJfGtUEOOqUBA0logv4UrR4orbzpREC-5eoqZHLUcLhj7u-m8BHFTbplWwSiiWbhJodhJTHBP4~tx7U2c8sww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District administrators reported Monday that a cohort of students measured at the end of their first grade year and again at the end of second grade rose from 45.18% to 48.15% being \"on track for success,\" and the district adopted a collective second-grade growth target of 4.82% for principals and PLCs.

The presenter told the board the goal: \"Our goal as a district was for 50% of our second graders to be considered on track for success by the end of the school year.\" The target is meant to be a districtwide stretch goal so schools move together rather than forcing identical targets on schools starting from different baseline levels.

The data discussion emphasized growth and the assessment context. The staff explained first-grade MAPs are read to students, while second-grade MAPs are not; second graders take the assessment independently on the same platform used for older grades. The presenter said that at the 50th percentile a student is performing at the top of average and that the district's 50% target is intended to place more students in the upper half of the distribution before third grade.

John Arnold in the district data department provided the growth calculation used to set the target: principals were told each school would need to grow by 4.82% for the district to reach 50% on track collectively. The presenter reported last year's end-of-first-grade figure at 45.18% and the corresponding end-of-second-grade figure for the cohort at 48.15% this year. When disaggregated, some schools met or exceeded the target; the presenter noted one school, Westell, \"made about 16%... 12% above what they were asked to do,\" a description that combined two figures discussed in the meeting (the presenter clarified that 16% was the total growth and that 12% was how much that exceeded the 4.82% target).

Board members and staff described the MAP growth work as tied to the district's professional learning communities (PLC) work and teacher professional development. No formal board action was taken; the result was a staff-driven directive to continue PLC-focused interventions and to keep the 4.82% growth target as a planning metric for principals and administrative reviews.

Staff said they will continue to disaggregate MAP results by school and subgroup and present progress reports to the board.","District staff reported cohort growth from 45.18% to 48.15% of students \"on track for success\" between the end of first grade and end of second grade and set a districtwide second-grade growth target of 4.82% to reach a 50% on-track goal.",{"_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},6210269,"Board approves FY26 general fund budget; finance report flags revenue shortfalls and capital transfer",51,3999000,4050000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3720483-06a9d8e53c15b8c1f954e597c33ac86f&start=3999&end=4050","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3720483-06a9d8e53c15b8c1f954e597c33ac86f/thumbnail_3999000.jpg","/articles/6210269/South-Carolina/Board-approves-FY26-general-fund-budget-finance-report-flags-revenue-shortfalls-and-capital-transfer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210269-b8a20f9853b5f0f2a1bf8fc769a50c6a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770521875&Signature=BGY9278czmIBSE14KvHjZwnWOKsi7faYeJF6C6BaVwmoqrVile8Zd80HHymFpjo0BPiCZQiy7~ghV9rRTkUmUXKvuDcSpk-c83efd1QxPRpYjqRRdZaz165HNfGRvU62sIZbwhTlReiRbUbkxPsqNXnytRclsc0EuahxLIIWW7qFjmcVtbJa9FnF6blniYZu3Ui37pvqqPk8gWF8pCMJ15mHyRnvSzKGbi~rfIJYslI~OHib4OE3qCYSytf11whCjTay1~8ek6~eX1BXoJfa3-kK47iHdbFnYLfv-7PS9b6zBCtyy8qUFQO1hlyoRwmfjiM73kt4Z04Y7hiW3VlxRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oconee County School Board approved the FY26 general fund budget on third and final reading Monday, June 2, 2025, with a recorded vote of 5-0.

Board members voted to adopt the budget after hearing the district's monthly financial report for May. Jay Schickling, who presented the report, said the district is \"getting to the point in the year now where the variance column on the far right, is actually something to monitor or has some impact.\" He noted both revenue and expenditure items that will affect year-end balances.

The budget matters because it sets the district's planned spending levels and transfers for the coming fiscal year, including capital projects. Schickling pointed to a transfer to the capital fund as the single largest line-item change in May: \"If you look at the very bottom of that expenditure report and the transfers, you'll see 1,400,000 there as a transfer to capital, which is an expenditure out of the budget. That reflects the board's approval to transfer $1,200,000 as well as moving the revenue from the sale of Seneca Middle School into the capital fund where it can be utilized for capital purposes.\"

In his presentation, Schickling highlighted revenue items to watch: local tax revenue remained about $2,000,000 short of budgeted expectations with two months of collections remaining; roughly $2,800,000 in formula aid remained uncollected at the time of the report; and the district had a Tier 3 monthly payment of about $1,600,000 with two payments still expected (June and a 13th-month payment). He also reported a $571,000 payment from EIA, leaving roughly $564,000 remaining to be collected from that source. For May, Schickling said total revenues were \"close to $8,000,000 for the month of May.\"

On expenditures, Schickling described overspending in purchased services at some levels driven by the use of Kelly Services to cover long-term vacancies while salary lines remained under budget. He named roofing projects, food service management, and intercom upgrades as among the largest nonpayroll disbursements and capital work in progress.

Board discussion also touched on the county council's planned cap on millage. As presented to the board, staff recommended leaving the district's requested millage unchanged and allowing any county-imposed cap to reduce realized revenue, rather than proactively reducing the budget request and appropriating more fund balance. That approach will let the district show the actual revenue outcome on its financial statements and inform planning for next year.

Action taken: a motion to approve the third-reading, final FY26 general fund budget was made and seconded; the board voted in favor, 5-0. No amendments were adopted at the June vote.

The district will continue to monitor tax collections and formula aid receipts and report updates to the board. Staff also indicated capital funds now include proceeds from the sale of Seneca Middle School and the previously approved $1.2 million transfer, reflected together as the $1.4 million May transfer to capital.","The school board gave final approval to the FY26 general fund budget on June 2, 2025. The district\u0000finance presenter reported May revenue and expenditure details, including a $1.4 million transfer to the capital fund and concerns about local tax and formula aid collections.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board hears proposal to pair retired teachers with first-year teachers as volunteer mentors

Board discusses moving graduations to Littlejohn Coliseum; staff to report options in July

District reports modest second-grade MAP gains, sets a 4.82% district growth target

Board approves FY26 general fund budget; finance report flags revenue shortfalls and capital transfer