DCSD approves calendar change for solar eclipse
By Melissa Rollins, Editor, editor@newsandpress.net
Darlington County students will have the opportunity to view the solar eclipse with their family, thanks to a special exemption by the state legislature.
Darlington County School District Public Information Officer Audrey Childers told the board of education, during the March 13 meeting, that it would be a one-time exemption.
A joint resolution, S0338, was issued in February that stated the legislature was allowing a change “to provide that the opening date for students to attend public schools during the 2017-2018 school year may be as early as Thursday, August 17, in the discretion of the school board of trustees”
“We are excited that the legislature did allow us, one time only, to start school a little bit early,” Childers said. “We have ordered glasses so that our students and our staff can safely watch the eclipse. By starting early, we will be able to distribute the glasses to everyone ahead of time.”
Based on the recommendation from district administration, the board voted unanimously to start school on August 17 and close the district on August 21 so that students and staff could take part in the momentous occasion in whatever way they want.
In other business, the board recognized 10 DCSD students for the first place honors they received at a recent Beta Club State Convention.
The National Beta Club is the largest independent, non-profit educational organization in the nation dedicated to promoting the ideals of academic achievement, character, service and leadership among elementary and secondary school students.
The students recognized were:
Handmade Jewelry – Katherine Harper, Hartsville High School
Drawing – Sarah Fender, Mayo High School for Math, Science & Technology
Language Arts Division 1 – Meredith Tallon, Mayo High School for Math, Science & Technology
Character Skit –
Taylor Boggs, Mayo High School for Math, Science & Technology
Judson Greene, Mayo High School for Math, Science & Technology
Dajonia Jackson, Mayo High School for Math, Science & Technology
NyAsia James, Mayo High School for Math, Science & Technology
Taylor Lee, Mayo High School for Math, Science & Technology
Alexandria Moore, Mayo High School for Math, Science & Technology
Patrick Williamson, Mayo High School for Math, Science & Technology
Also on the agenda was a request from the Hartsville High School band program for a $20,000 loan from the school district to be paid off in four yearly installments of $5,000. The board had a similar agreement with the program previously and it was successfully paid off ahead of time.
“This particular group has shown that they have the ability (to pay it back) and have done so in the past,” said Chairman Jamie Morphis. “They had a loan that was set for five and they have paid it off three years early. (The loan) is for band uniforms.”
Board member Charles Govan expressed concern that the district was having to loan money to a school in order to pay for band uniforms.
“I think this board needs to look at a funding mechanism for the bands, not just Hartsville High bands but for all the bands,” Govan said. “Right now, the bands are struggling to replace and maintain. If groups are going to have kids be on the band, there is going to have to be some means (by which to fund them) and right now that is not happening.”
Morphis said that there are needs in the district, educational and extra-curricular, that they are not able to meet
“If you look at all the needs of the district, you look at what we are challenged with every day…we are going to have to start dipping into pockets. Again, that is something we are going to have to communicate to the public, we have to educate the public of our needs…but it is going to come down to decisions this board is going to have to make; we’re talking about taxes…I hate to say it but you get what you pay for.”
The board voted unanimously to approve the loan to Hartsville High School.