Sumter board hears fine-arts strategic plan; administrators seek board approval to start phased rollout
Summary
District fine-arts staff presented a four-year arts strategic plan tied to a three-year grant; staff requested board approval to implement July 1 and outlined goals for curriculum, facilities, professional development and equitable access.
Sumter School District fine-arts staff presented a district arts strategic plan to the board on May 19 and asked trustees to approve the plan so it can take effect July 1.
Heather Clemens, presenting the Sumter School District Fine Arts Strategic Plan, said the plan was developed during the second phase of a three-year grant awarded by the South Carolina Arts Commission. The grant funded a full-time fine-arts coordinator and requires a three-year phased rollout: year one established the coordinator role, year two produced the strategic plan, and year three is implementation.
Clemens outlined four district goals to be achieved by June 30, 2029: implement a standards-aligned arts curriculum across all grades; upgrade and expand facilities and materials for equitable access; create a professional development program for arts educators and students; and establish a comprehensive and equitable arts program across schools. Action steps listed included performance-based scheduling, facility needs assessments, securing annual fine-arts funding and expanded course offerings.
The presentation described stakeholder engagement during plan development—monthly committee meetings with fine-arts teachers, parents, a community partner and administrators—and summarized needs identified in surveys (teacher vacancies and retention, funding for supplies and instruments, scheduling and access issues, facilities upgrades and parent/community engagement).
Clemens told trustees the plan is intended to position the district for additional grants and to align arts instruction with the Profile of a South Carolina Graduate. Trustees praised the work; one member said, “This is needed, and I'm very happy to say that it looks like it's going to be a very fine program for all of our students.” There was no recorded motion or vote on the plan at the May 19 meeting.
District staff said the plan is planned to go into effect July 1 if approved and would sunset June 30, 2029, consistent with the three-year grant phases and longer-term implementation schedule.
