BAMBERG -- Bamberg-Ehrhardt School District 1 is renovating several of its school buildings to ensure that children with special needs receive an optimum education with the help of $1.2 million in grant funds.

BSD1 Assistant Superintendent Dr. Rick Starr reported that the district received $1,270,747 in renovation and IDEA grant funds which it is using to renovate buildings in each of the district's five schools. Most of the buildings are used for special education instruction.

"We were required to hire an architect to do some of these jobs by the South Carolina Department of Education, and so we're in hopes of getting the process started this week," Starr said during the regular school board meeting on April 28.

Starr said the district has started the bid process on several areas. The district has let the bid on the project to include re-roofing part of Richard Carroll Primary School. He said the district used part of its school bond money last year on roofing work. Starr reported that the school will be totally re-roofed by the beginning of the 2003-04 school year.

The district has also let a contract for an electrical company which will rewire the RCPS building. The building had old lines which had been part of the building since 1937, Starr said.

"I think that's going to be a boost for the school," he said, pointing out that the rewiring will enable the school to handle the amount of new technology students will need for the next century.

In response to BSDI Board of Trustees Chairman John Bamberg's question as to how RCPS would technologically compare with other school buildings once the rewiring is completed, Starr said it will be the only building in the district "in the 21st century as far as wiring goes."

He said the rest of the school buildings, including Richard Carroll Elementary School and Bamberg-Ehrhardt Middle School, do not have enough power to handle the current number of students in the classrooms. The district hopes to combine grant money to boost power in those schools by either rewiring or bringing in new junction boxes, Starr said.

He told Trustee Dr. Dale Padgett that the IDEA funds could only be used for special needs students. Congress enacted IDEA in 1975 to ensure that children with special needs and disabilities would be educated.

The district also plans to write a grant this week which will provide funds to replace heating and air conditioning units in some of its school buildings, Starr said. He said more efficient, energy-saving units will help save on next year's power bills.

Students will be starting school earlier next year under the district's proposed 2003-04 calendar. BSD1 Superintendent Phyllis Schwarting reported that school will begin Thursday, Aug. 7, following a teacher work day on Aug. 4 and two professional development days on Aug. 5-6.

She said the schedule will allow students to take exams prior to the Christmas break which runs from Dec. 18 to Jan. 2. The administration felt it would be to the advantage of the students -- particularly those at the high school level -- to complete final examinations prior to the extensive vacation, Schwarting said.

The second semester will resume on Jan. 6, 2004, followed by a Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Jan. 19 and two make-up days on Feb. 13 and Feb. 16, which is also President's Day.

March 5 will be a state teacher's meeting, followed by spring break April 5-9. The 2004 high school graduation will take place at 7 p.m. on May 21. Teacher work days will fall on May 24-25, followed by a professional development day on May 26 and an optional work day for teachers on May 27.

In other business:

-- Schwarting recognized students and staff for their accomplishments, including RCPS, which raised more than $2,100 for this weekend's Bamberg County Relay for Life, and the first- through fifth-grade students at Ehrhardt Elementary School who were selected as winners in the 2002-2003 Salkehatchie Creative Writing competition. School nurse Deloris Bunch was also recognized for being nominated for the 2003 Palmetto Gold Award for exemplifying professionalism and excellence in school nursing.

-- Bamberg County Council Clerk Rose Shepherd swore in Trustees Donald Mallory, Sheri Seigler and John Bamberg following their wins in the April 8 election.

-- Schwarting said the district was "clear" with accreditation through the state Department of Education's Office of School Quality except for two areas which have been corrected.

-- The board approved a student transfer to Orangeburg Consolidated School District 4 following an executive session.

T&D Staff Writer Dionne Gleaton can be reached by e-mail at dgleaton@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5534.

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