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SIC chairs push to turn community groups into sustained school partners
Summary
SIC chairs and district leaders in Beaufort County described existing partnerships and proposed a central volunteer pool and stronger ties with local service clubs and chambers to broaden mentorship, fundraising and volunteer pipelines for schools.
SIC chairs and district officials used a Beaufort County School District joint meeting to catalogue community partnerships and urge more sustained outreach to local groups and gated communities.
The Chair detailed programs at Wheel Branch High—such as the Extra Mile Club and the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen—that pair faith-based and community mentors with students, and noted Shanklin Elementary has received more than $60,000 from the Haversham community to support a “bedtime in a box” distribution for incoming kindergarteners. "Beaufort County is loaded with talent," a board member said, urging schools to tap retirees and local experts.
Multiple SIC leaders described practical steps to expand engagement: creating a district volunteer pool for short, concrete tasks; buying institutional chamber memberships so school representatives can routinely attend chamber events; and inviting extended family members to school events to boost turnout. "Invite community members into the everyday things we do. Take away the idea of the family night and create the community night," Kelly Gaudy, assistant principal at Ladies Island Elementary, said.
Why it matters: Speakers said many schools rely on a small pool of repeat donors and volunteers; they argued that widening participation would bring not only dollars but speakers, career mentors and program support. The meeting closed with plans for follow-up communications and a districtwide push to add SIC representation at local councils and service organizations.
