School board votes to demolish school, discusses 2023-2024 goals
The Darlington County School District Board of Education, pictured here at a previous meeting. (from left to right): Lucas Reed (Dist. 2), Audrey Gore (Dist. 3), School District Superintendent Dr. Tim Newman, Amanda Thompson (Dist. 5), Warren Jeffords (Dist. 4 & Past Chairman), Leigh-Anne Kelly (Dist. 1), Jamie Morphis (Dist. 8), Chairman Wanda Hassler (Dist. 7) and Charles Govan (Dist. 6). FILE PHOTO
By Stephan Drew, Editor
During the Darlington County School District board meeting on July 10, 2023, it was decided to demolish Brunson Dargan Elementary School (formerly Brunson Dargan Junior High School). New goals for the upcoming school year were also discussed, while also keeping the goals from last year.
The goals of the 2022-2023 school year were: Safety and Security, Mental Health Supports, Parental/Guardian Involvement and Academic Achievement. Those are very important goals for the school system. Added to that list this year are: Student Success, Staff Excellence, Community Engagement, and Resources/Operations. The school board will focus on these new goals while also keeping the old ones in place. The board also suggested tracking the success in reaching their goals throughout the year as a measurement of their progress.
The school board voted to demolish Brunson Dargan Elementary School. The school has been empty for the past 3 years and is in a state of disrepair. The buildings on the property will be torn down. The board also discussed changes to school polices regarding field trips. Some students have conditions which require medical monitoring and, sometimes, medication. Forms are available for parents to complete which give the medical information necessary to adequately prepare for the field trips ahead of time. The policy changes include these forms.
The board also approved the Minority Business Enterprise Utilization Plan, which requires that a certain percentage of school contracts are rewarded to minority businesses. This plan has been in effect for some time and has to be renewed each year.
In addition, the board voted to acknowledge the property transfer of approximately ¼ acre of land from the Hartsville Community Development Foundation to the Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM). The property is in the vicinity of the GSSM and currently brings in taxes of approximately $1200 per year to the county of Darlington.
During the meeting, Superintendent Dr. Tim Newman announced that Jackie Lynn, Principal of Bay Road Elementary School, has been appointed to the S. C. State Board of Education. Dr. Newman expressed how proud the board is to support her representation of Darlington County.
The next meeting of the Darlington County School District Board of Education will be held on August 14, 2023.
