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Board tables drone and district-vehicle policy readings pending airport and legal review
Summary
Trustees postponed first readings of unmanned-aircraft (drone) policies and related district-vehicle rules after members flagged a five-mile airport proximity clause and asked administrators and attorneys to confirm who can grant flight approval; a STEM club's planned flights prompted urgency for clarification.
The Bamberg County School District Board of Trustees on Monday voted to table the first readings of proposed unmanned-aircraft (drone) policies (ECAH and ECA-R) and related district-vehicle administrative rules until the February meeting so staff can obtain legal and administrative clarification.
Board members raised a concern that draft language bars flights "within five miles" of a designated airport unless the operator "receive approval from the proper airport and control tower authorities," and noted that Denmark High School and other district campuses may fall within that radius. One trustee asked who would be the approving authority; the board requested staff follow up with local officials and counsel.
Trustees also said a school STEM group is preparing to operate drones and that, while the group had done some research, board policy drafting should not impede student activities without the proper legal review. "We need to know the distance between our Denmark schools and that location and ... get that information to our attorney," one trustee said. The board voted to table the policies by voice vote with no opposition.
Board members directed staff to consult with county administration, local airport contacts and the district attorney before returning revised policy language to the board in February.
