Marlboro County school board approves academic calendar, instructional materials and accepts STEM donation

The Marlboro County School Board voted to adopt the 2025–26 academic calendar (Option A), approved a slate of South Carolina Department of Education–approved instructional materials for the coming school year, and accepted a donation designated for the district STEM program during its public meeting.

The superintendent presented the calendar proposal, saying, “I am presenting tonight to the board for approval the 2025–2026 school calendar,” and described an earlier teacher return date and student start in late July along with longer Christmas break periods. After discussion about parents’ concerns over an earlier start and a longer Christmas recess, a motion to adopt Calendar A was seconded and approved by a 7–2 vote.

District staff then presented the list of instructional materials approved by the South Carolina Department of Education and described the adoption process and professional-development plans for teachers. The board moved, seconded and approved the instructional-materials adoption.

Earlier in the meeting the board heard that an outside donor had offered funds for the district’s STEM program and moved to accept the gift; the board accepted the donation by voice/hand vote. The transcript records inconsistent figures for the contribution (several different amounts were mentioned during the discussion); the board accepted the donation pending final confirmation of the donor name and exact amount.

The meeting record shows motions to approve the minutes of the prior regular meeting, to accept the donation, to adopt the calendar and to adopt instructional materials; each motion received a second and was approved during the meeting. The board adjourned following a brief financial update.