Phase 1 of the heating and air conditioning upgrade at Calhoun County High School will begin May 31 and be completed by Aug. 10, the school district’s finance director reported at the board of trustees February meeting.

The work is part of the Calhoun County School District’s $32.9 million facilities plan approved by the U.S. Department of Justice.

The district plans to close Guinyard Elementary and John Ford Middle schools, spend more than $31 million to build a new K-8 facility in the lower county, build a middle-school addition at Sandy Run Elementary in the upper county and install a new heating and air conditioning system and a new roof at Calhoun High.

District Finance Director Jerry Sullivan also noted at the Feb. 26 meeting that Phase 1A, which will be air conditioning for the gym, will not be completed until November.

Also during the meeting, Superintendent Ken Westbury presented a plan to move the alternative school and adult education program from the old Bethlehem School building to new portables to be placed on the high school campus. He said that the recommended location is near the student parking lot and would be fenced off for security.

Several board members, however, raised concerns about the proximity to the high school population to the alternative school and adult education program if it is relocated there.

“Is this something we need to do now?” Trustee Sandra Tucker asked.

Westbury said the district’s insurance company expressed concerns about the old Bethlehem building because it has not been used for more than two years.

Board Chairman Tom Arant asked Everleen McFadden, director of Calhoun County Adult Education, for her opinion, and she said she didn’t think relocation of the alternative school/adult education to the high school campus would be “appropriate.”

“I don’t think it is in the best interest of the (high school) students,” McFadden said.

The school board voted 3 to 1 against relocating the alternative school/adult education to the high school. Arant and Trustees Gary Porth and Debra Fredrick opposed the relocation, Trustee Michael Drake voted for the relocation and Tucker abstained.

At Westbury’s request, the board voted unanimously to hold the March 19 board meeting at the old Bethlehem School to further discuss placement of the alternative school and the adult education program.

In other business:

n It was announced that Thomas Wright was inducted into the Adult Education Hall of Fame for 25 years of service.

n McFadden presented two awards the adult education program received – the Palmetto Achievement Award and the Palmetto Performance Award.

n McFadden reported that her department partnered with Orangeburg Calhoun Vocational Rehabilitation and that nine students obtained GEDs.

n The John Ford Middle School Basketball Team was recognized for winning the 2006-2007 Mid 12 Basketball Championship.

n Resident Isaiah Holman had questions about the reorganization of the career clusters being implemented at Calhoun County High School, including which three of the 16 clusters would be implemented.

He wanted to know who makes the decision, adding, “I would like to be involved.”

Associate Superintendent Lyn Dukes said nine clusters were already incorporated, and Westbury noted that the district was in a consortium with Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College.

“We want students grounded in technical systems before graduation,” the superintendent said.

n Westbury reported that the grading system is being standardized as required by the state and will be incorporated as policy. He said some end-of-course testing is already in place for English and algebra.

n Westbury noted that the district has a Web site: www.calhounk12.sc.us, adding that board policy as well as other district information is posted on the site.

n Dukes presented the 2007-2008 school calendar. Teachers will report on Aug. 14, and students will return to school from summer vacation on Aug. 20, she said. Christmas holidays will be from Dec. 20 through Jan. 1, Dukes said, and school will end on June 2, with graduation ceremonies set for the morning of May 31. The board voted unanimously to accept the calendar.

n The board unanimously approved the high school senior trip to Orlando, Fla. All expenses ($265 each) are being paid by the students.

n The board discussed purchase of championship rings for the Calhoun County High School basketball team which won the North State Championship and was scheduled to play Saturday, March 3 in Columbia for the state championship. Coach Zam Fredrick said the rings would be purchased with gate receipts from the game. The concern of members was that, in past years, the athletic department had exceeded its budget.

The coach said they are not asking for district money. The board decided to allow the purchase of the rings this year and then look at how this will be handled in the future.

n Resident Chris Flodin asked if the Department of Justice consent order was available, and Westbury said copies would be made available. Flodin also asked if the new construction plans could be provided to the public. Westbury said the architectural plans would be brought in.

T&D Correspondent Larry P. Jordan can be reached by phone at 803-874-3276. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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