Daniel Prince
Finance director says SC House is recommending $2500 salary increase for teachers
In Monday’s school board meeting, the board heard from a concerned parent about its grading policy. Melissa Betsill expressed her concerns about the way that the district’s grades are weighted, with major grades counting 70% and minor grades counting 30%. She said that unfairly penalizes someone who may do well in daily assignments but has trouble taking tests, and it unfairly rewards those who may not take their classwork seriously but can do well on the test. She asked the board to consider changing the policy, suggesting that major grades and minor grades could each be weighted at 45%, with the remaining 10% being class participation or something along those lines.
Board members presented their takeaways from the School Board Association Annual Convention. They mentioned everything from following procedures, proper documentation, school investigations, partnership and teamwork, community engagement, and encouraging middle school students to get interested in the teaching profession.
Superintendent Joey Haney said this year’s recruitment fair was probably the best of the three they have held so far. He said six signed contracts on-site, and several others have signed since then. He thanked those who took part in the district’s strategic planning session last week, noting the large number of community stakeholders who were involved. He noted several things coming up next week, including the all-day 4K and new 5K student registration event at Union County Stadium next Tuesday, March 7, from 9-5. He played a promotional video for the event, which is available on the district’s Facebook page. The next early release day will be Wednesday, March 8. A parent interest meeting for the district’s Early College at USC Union will be held at Union County High School on Thursday, March 9, at 6 p.m.
New Finance Director Linda Griffin presented the financial report for the district. So far, the district has a net balance for the year of just over $2 million, with revenues so far reported at $17.6 million, and expenses at around $15.6 million. She said they had the first of what will be quarterly meetings with the school secretaries. They discussed procedures, year-end closeout, and procurement. She said the House Ways and Means committee has released their recommendations for the upcoming budget. They are recommending a $2500 increase to the state teacher salary scale. The budget will go to the full SC House in mid-March, and Griffin said she hoped to have more numbers in time for the March board meeting.