Richland 2 trustees debate removing district career-prep program; leaders propose state credential instead

Richland School District Two trustees heard a first reading of proposed changes to policy IKF (graduation requirements) on March 24, as administrators recommended removing the district’s legacy career prep program and replacing it with the South Carolina high school employability credential.

Senior Chief Academic Officer Jennifer Morrison told trustees that enrollment in the district’s career prep program has declined to 19 students and that only three of the district’s five high schools currently run active programs. Morrison said the district proposes removing the language describing the career prep program from policy so the district can instead expand student access to state-recognized pathways.

"Only 19 students from all high schools right now are enrolled in the special program. And only 3 of our 5 high schools have active programs with those 19 students," Morrison said. She added the district plans to work with the existing students to ensure they can complete the program with support from job coaches.

Morrison also described replacing the district’s transition-certificate language with the South Carolina high school employability credential, which she said is a state-recognized credential for qualifying special education students. "Last year we had 11 finishers for the employability credential," she said, and officials told trustees they want more students to follow that path.

Trustee Dr. Elkins Scott voiced strong objections to removing the career prep program without broader board discussion. "I guess I'm sitting here in shock because I know how important the career prep program is… to just dissolve that and for the board to hear this for the very first time, that's just appalling to me," Dr. Elkins Scott said, urging more conversation and documentation for trustees.

Other trustees and administration members said the committees have already reviewed the matter and that details will be posted in board docs and committee recordings. Trustee Nikki Porter said committee work and state alignment guided the recommendation: "We're giving them a credential that actually applies to the workplace."

The change was presented as a first reading; trustees agreed to follow up through the academic committee and to provide more detailed materials, including how the district will support the 19 current students and map specific program transitions.

Clarifying details - Current career prep enrollment: 19 students across 3 of 5 high schools (as presented by administration). - Transition: proposed replacement with the South Carolina high school employability credential; last year 11 students completed that credential in the district.

Next steps: administration and the academic committee will provide fuller materials and a board brief about how students currently enrolled will be supported and how state credentials will be applied for tracking and school report card recognition.