The Calhoun County School Board learned on Nov. 13 that three of the four schools in the district met the qualifications for Adequate Yearly Progress under the federal No Child Left Behind law.

During the Tuesday night board meeting, Associate Superintendent Lyn Dukes reported that Guinyard Elementary made AYP for four years, while Calhoun County High School made AYP for two years. Sandy Run Elementary School made AYP this year for the first time.

Dukes emphasized that no other district in the state had 75 percent of its schools achieving AYP.

She said John Ford Middle School will have sanctions and supplemental education services for failing to achieve AYP. Dukes also noted that Sandy Run Elementary School was recognized as one of nine schools in the state that received an "Excellent" rating in physical education.

In other business, the board addressed a number of concerns from the public, including Linda Brantley, who said her son was beaten by other boys at school. She said the classroom teacher did not stop it and was concerned that the teacher is back at work.

"My son was not protected. He had marks so severe that the doctor contacted the Sheriff's Office for child abuse. Why was the teacher back at work?" Brantley said.

"I want to know what the school board is going to do about this. The teacher's responsible for his kids," Board member Sandra Tucker said.

Brantley said her son had not returned to school and would not return before the end of the year.

Calhoun County School Superintendent Ken Westbury later said legal action was taken against four boys related to the incident.

Westbury said two boys were tried as adults, with the charges later being dismissed for the lack of credible evidence. The superintendent said two other boys have proceedings pending as juveniles, while remedial action was taken with the teacher. Changes have been made to his classroom so that the teacher can see the carpenter shop from his office, Westbury said.

Sandy Run parent Cathy Huffman addressed the board, stating that there is a need for more teachers in the early development classes.

"You cannot ignore this, and it should be remedied immediately," Huffman said.

Westbury said the classes are running at capacity. He said Calhoun County is one of few districts that offer full-day classes and that the additional funding comes from the county, not the state.

Resident April Jarrell reported to the board that a janitor had followed girls into the restroom at Guinyard Elementary School. She said she was told the janitor resigned, but she questioned the screening of school employees. She also questioned the competency of a teacher that yelled at a class to which her child was assigned.

Resident Kris Flodin expressed concern regarding what he considers overcrowding in kindergarten and pre-K classes. He said the overcrowding was affecting teachers and that another one was needed to ease the overcrowding burden.

Also during the meeting:

* Ned Nelson, Calhoun County School District director of operations and athletics, reported that district construction projects are on track. He said the high school gym had been painted and new bleachers are being installed. Planning for the new K-8th grade school and the construction of the Sandy Run Elementary School addition is continuing and should be ready for bidding in January, Nelson said. Construction is slated to start in March or April.

* Nelson noted that the Calhoun County High School football team finished the season with a record of 9 wins and 2 losses and won the Region 4-A championship. He said the men's varsity basketball team is the preseason pick of the South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association to win the 2007-2008 Division A championship.

* Westbury delivered a curriculum and instruction segment, stating a series of policy amendments. The board unanimously approved first reading of a distance/online/virtual education policy that would give credit for online courses not available in the district. The board also unanimously approved a request from Calhoun County High School for a College Tour requiring students to travel out of state.

T&D Correspondent Larry P. Jordan can be reached by phone at 803-874-3276.

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