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