Students, teachers and community speakers press board on STEM instruction, property cleanup and school pride
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Summary
Public commenters urged the board to expand early STEM instruction, address a 19-acre vacant lot across from Westside High, and recognized TL Hannah High School's girls golf team as state champions; teacher of the year Courtney Goldsmith thanked the district for support.
Several community members and district employees addressed the Anderson School District 5 Board of Trustees during the public-comment portion of Monday's meeting.
Cynthia Wanzer, STEM teacher at Nova Forest Elementary, urged the district to expand early STEM instruction and said teachers are spending class time teaching basic Chromebook skills that students are expected to have: "They're never actually being taught how to use a Chromebook," Wanzer said, describing multiple class sessions she has devoted to basic device and software skills for early-elementary students.
A student speaker from Westside High's marketing class, Lenny Garland, described a 19-acre vacant lot opposite Westside High that has accumulated hazardous glass and debris and asked the district to engage the owner (referred to in the remarks as "English corporation") to clean the site, remove a 'for sale' sign, or pursue development or green-space options on behalf of student and community pride.
The board also paused to honor TL Hannah High School's girls golf team as 2025 state champions, with school staff and coaches highlighting team records and multiple all-state individual honors. Courtney Goldsmith, the district's teacher of the year, thanked the board for support after attending a state teacher forum and said she was honored to represent Anderson 5.
Board members thanked speakers and asked administration to follow up where appropriate.