Kershaw County trustees approve 2027–28 calendar, district wellness policy and policy revisions; accept personnel recommendations after executive session

The Kershaw County School Trustees voted Thursday to approve the districtwide 2027–28 academic calendar, adopted a district wellness policy to align with current USDA and state requirements, and approved second-reading revisions to personnel and school-year policies required by the Educator Assistance Act. After an executive session to discuss personnel matters, the board accepted administration recommendations on employment matters.

Board staff presented the calendar prepared by a countywide committee that included parents, teachers, principals and district staff. Andrea Stanette, a parent on the committee, and Emily Bakamo, a middle-school librarian, told trustees the committee weighed legal requirements, local traditions and practical trade-offs when settling on the draft. The committee discussed a possible midweek Aug. 4 start and raised concerns that changing the start date could push the state's tax-free weekend until after the first day of classes and could create high-school exam scheduling or attendance disruptions. "We talked about the fact that the calendar decisions need to be made with the best interest of the children and academics in mind," Andrea said.

Dr. King moved to accept the calendar and a second was recorded; the board adopted the calendar by voice vote.

Administration presented the district wellness policy (policy ADF) for approval, saying it formalizes the district's commitment to student and staff health and builds in a structured review process. "This policy reflects our district's commitment to supporting the health and wellness of our students and staff and ensures full compliance with the most up-to-date USDA and state requirements," a district presenter told trustees. The board approved the wellness policy on a motion by Miss Furnus, seconded by Coach Blackman.

On second reading, trustees approved revisions to policies GBC (staff compensation), GCK (professional staff assignments and transfers), GCQC/GCQD (resignation of professional staff), and IC (school year) as required by the Educator Assistance Act, which administration said became effective July 1, 2025. These revisions were presented with no additional changes since first reading and were adopted by voice vote.

The board moved into executive session to discuss resignations, retirements, employment, assignment changes and transfers of certified and classified personnel; the motion was made by Miss Fern and seconded by Miss Hley. After reconvening, the board accepted the administration's employment recommendations on a motion recorded as made by M. Robert and seconded by Dr. King; the chair announced the vote as unanimous. A motion to adjourn followed and the meeting ended.

Votes at a glance: - Adopt proposed agenda: motion by Coach Blackman, second by Miss Furnus; voice vote, announced unanimous. - Adopt consent agenda: motion by Mr. Cameron, second by Miss Runlet; voice vote, announced unanimous. - Approve 2027–28 academic calendar: motion recorded in open session; voice vote, announced unanimous. - Approve wellness policy (ADF): motion by Miss Furnus, second by Coach Blackman; voice vote, announced unanimous. - Approve policy revisions (GBC, GCK, GCQC/GCQD, IC): motion by Mr. Roberts, second by Dr. King; voice vote, announced unanimous. - Enter executive session (personnel): motion by Miss Fern, second by Miss Hley; voice vote, announced unanimous. - Accept administration employment recommendations: motion by M. Robert, second by Dr. King; voice vote, announced unanimous.

The meeting packet included a memo noting the association officer nomination timeline and supporting handouts for the policy revisions; no roll-call tallies or recorded individual votes were provided in the transcript.