Several members of the Orangeburg Consolidated School District 4 Board of Trustees have raised concerns about ending classes early on Tuesdays for staff development.

"We're losing nine days per year without instruction on Tuesdays. If a child misses ten days of instruction, they may not pass," board member Dr. William O'Quinn said during the board's Tuesday meeting.

Every Tuesday in the district, students are dismissed early at 1:30 p.m. to allow principals, faculty and staff to coordinate strategies, analyze testing data and improve instruction techniques, among other activities. School ends at 3 p.m. on other days.

O'Quinn questioned the staff development time after several principals said they used the time to work on Red Carpet School applications. He said it places an unnecessary burden on teachers to work on Red Carpet School applications during those sessions.

Red Carpet Schools is an initiative by the S.C. Department of Education to recognize schools that create a family-friendly environment and excellent customer service.

O'Quinn said schools in Branchville need to be cleaned up, and not just when they are being reviewed for accolades.

"It needs to be done all year long and not wait for a survey group to look at it. Ninety-five percent of the time it is not fixed up," O'Quinn said.

Superintendent Dr. Darrell Johnson agreed with that sentiment and said, "We've got 10 schools in the district. We are doing the best we can."

Board Vice Chairwoman Peggy Tyler expressed concern that the schools are all doing different activities during the staff development days.

"They are all doing their own little thing," she said. Tyler also said the children need every bit of instruction they can receive.

Johnson said that one size does not fit all the individual needs of the district's schools.

"The things we are doing are going to turn the district around," Johnson said about the staff development activities. If the board feels the early Tuesday dismissal is not benefitting the district, the board should eliminate it, he said.

That statement prompted Board Chairman Aaron Rudd to ask each principal in attendance for their thoughts on the subject. Except for Hunter-Tyler-Kinard High School Principal Dr. Fred Moore, who declined to comment publicly on the issue, the principals universally agreed they needed the extra development time.

Carver-Edisto Middle School Principal Jeannie Munson was unequivocal in her defense of the extra development time.

"How can anybody think we can do all this without the extra two hours? We need every minute we can get, because there is so much to do," Munson said.

The board approved the purchase of 50 high-definition televisions for classroom use. The HDTVs will be used as a projector for lessons, and as well provide students with knowledge of current events.

The board recognized Lockett Elementary School for winning the Orangeburg County Library's summer reading program for the seventh consecutive year. Fifty-five Lockett students read 677 books over the summer.

Lockett Principal Hercules Busby told the board that the school is looking for its eighth straight victory in the contest next year.

The board also recognized the Edisto High School "Blues Machine" Marching Band for being the U.S. Scholastic Band Association's regional winner. The Edisto Marching Band got approval from the board to travel to Atlanta to attend the Bands of America contest on Oct. 27.

In other business:

* The board approved second reading of policy revisions concerning graduation requirements, adult education, textbook selection and grading systems. The board approved deleting policies concerning curriculum pilot projects, child care programs and school libraries.

* The board received financial and operations reports. Finance Director Tom Ashley said the district is in line with its budget projections for the 2007-2008 budget.

* Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Shirlan Mosley-Jenkins gave the board a report on the Measure of Academic Performance test. The MAP test helps teachers assess whether or not students are on grade level in particular subject.

* Four students read their essays on self-control to the board. Self-control is the Orangeburg County Community of Character trait for the month.

T&D Staff Writer Lee Tant can be reached by e-mail at ltant@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-534-1060. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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