District presents teacher working-conditions survey and school report-card results; trustees debate a district survey

Superintendent presented district results from the South Carolina teacher working-conditions survey and urged trustees to use the data to address workload, professional development and student engagement. She reported that 656 teachers completed the survey — about 65% of district staff who were asked — and highlighted areas for improvement including planning time, workload and student behavior.

A trustee characterized the survey visuals and national comparisons — citing RAND data on teacher well-being — and moved that the board "endorse the creation of an employee survey to be developed and presented to the board for final approval at our March board meeting." The motion was seconded, but several trustees objected that the item had not been placed on the published agenda and therefore could not be voted on that night; the chair ultimately ruled that the board would not take the vote because of procedural concerns. The superintendent said she had collaborated with the trustee in advance and that administration would be the point person if the board later approved development of a district-specific, board-endorsed survey.

Separately Miss Elrod summarized the 2024-25 South Carolina Department of Education report card ratings, explaining the five-tier labels and noting that 94% of the district's schools met state standards; she highlighted a few schools that moved off improvement plans or reached "average" from a prior improvement rating.

Board members asked for further breakdowns of revenue sources and for administration to return with follow-up proposals and clarified timelines.