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Board approves eight school improvement plans after presentations from Chapman, South Columbus, West Columbus and Williams Township
Summary
The board accepted school improvement plans from eight schools after presentations that highlighted gains, attendance and behavior initiatives, and multi-year targets; presenters emphasized targeted small-group instruction, data-driven PLCs, interventions for economically disadvantaged students, and staffing strategies.
The Columbus County Board of Education approved eight school improvement plan presentations following updates from several schools that outlined enrollment, performance data, behavior interventions, and multi-year performance goals.
Chapman Elementary Principal Herman Blaine told the board Chapman's enrollment had risen to about 250 students, chronic absenteeism had fallen by 17.8 percent, and the school's performance grade rose from a D (42) to a C (55). Blaine described a focus on "learning circles" (intensive small-group instruction), weekly walkthroughs and PBIS-based interventions to reduce instructional time loss tied to student behavior.
South Columbus High School presenters emphasized a non-negotiable focus on "Data to Action," strategies to improve growth for economically disadvantaged subgroups (more than 50% of the student body), and plans to reintroduce remediation time. They reported a graduation rate of 89.7 percent and highlighted gains in some EOC areas while identifying English 2 and other tests as priorities.
West Columbus High School reported steady enrollment (~443), a shift from a D to a C performance grade, and recent gains in Math I that exceeded state averages. School leaders said vape and cell-phone incidents are the primary disciplinary drivers and described collaboration across departments to replicate successful strategies in math for other subjects.
Williams Township School presented detailed K-8 strategies, daily K-2 "flooding" interventions, micro-PD and co-teaching MCL supports, and a multi-year plan to return to higher performance grades (targeting a 56 this year and 61 by 2028). School staff described staffing stability and targeted supports for EC and AIG students.
After discussion and short Q&A across the presentations, Superintendent Beck recommended the board approve the school improvement plans as presented. A motion and second were recorded and the board approved the presentations by voice vote ("the ayes have it"). The record shows the board approved the eight presentations and moved on to the next agenda items.
The board did not record detailed roll-call tallies in the transcript; approval was taken by voice vote. Presenters were asked to provide follow-up updates during the year so the board can monitor implementation and student progress.
