ST. MATTHEWS - Sandra Tucker was sworn in for a new term on the Calhoun County School District Board Tuesday night.

Tucker was unopposed in the Nov. 4 general election for the District 3 seat and was certified by the Calhoun County Election Commission on Monday.

The remaining two school board seats were also certified by the county commission but those election outcomes are being protested by District 4 incumbent Michael Drake and District 1 candidate Tommie J. Glover.

Superintendent Ken Westbury noted that although District 1 incumbent Gary Porth and District 4 challenger Joyce Jones Parrish were certified as winning, the protesters have until Monday, Nov. 24 to file an appeal with the state Election Commission. So the swearing in of Porth and Parrish must wait for the outcome of the appeal process.

Also Tuesday, the board received the district audit for 2008-2009 from Ann Ross of the accounting firm of J.W. Hunt & Co. LLP. Ross said the firm gave an "unqualified opinion," meaning the district received a clean audit.

In the financial report, Chief Financial Officer Jerry Sullivan said the district's budget had experienced its third cut. He said the first one was for 3 percent across the board and the second was for 6 percent but did not have an effect at the local level. He said the third cut may possibly be another 3 percent across the board, but since the district anticipated budget cuts, it would not affect Calhoun County schools.

"The district's OK," Sullivan said, but he warned the board he expected another 5 percent cut after the first of the year.

Sullivan also noted said the board should expect a request for a $1 million bond request after the first of the year to finance demolition of old buildings.

The school board unanimously passed first reading by title only of a revision that will bring its policy related to voluntary retirement contributions into compliance with state law.

In his report, Westbury opened a discussion on the board's action to stop Alternative School students from riding the school buses. He called on Leroy Hampton, who expressed his concern that this action would be detrimental for these students.

Hampton said creating the Alternative School was an action taken by the board to lower the school dropout rate, adding that he felt the decision to eliminate these students from riding the buses was "not well thought out and has no educational merits." Hampton said the board's action punishes the parents who must work and still provide transportation for their children.

Hampton said he contacted the Calhoun County Mental Health Center staff, which has agreed to provide intervention services for those who need help, but he said he did not want to see students who are not a problem hurt by the board's decision.

"I'm asking you not to throw the baby out with the bath water," he said.

Board Chairman Tom Arant said the problem is that the Alternative School is not for academic but behavioral problems.

"The purpose is to keep the kids who don't know how to act away from other kids," Arant said.

Resident Betty Houser said she appreciated her son having the opportunity to attend the Alternative School, but she said she works and can't provide transportation to school for her son.

Resident Marion Guess said the Alternative School students have pressure on them, noting that only a few are misbehaving.

"Don't punish the kids for the actions of others. If parents have to take their kids to school, they can't keep their jobs," Guess said, adding that he is a supervisor for Koyo. Having to take children to school can jeopardize some parents' jobs by causing them to be late for work, he said.

Guess said some of the Alternative School students are "trying to get it together," and he pleaded for the board to give them a chance.

The school board agreed to give the situation another look.

In other business:

* The school board discussed the Student Probation Contract being considered for all students placed on probation. Arant and Trustee Gary Porth objected to a provision that eliminated participation in any extracurricular activities. Arant said that should only happen when the infraction is associated with that activity.

* Westbury announced a pre-bid conference was held for demolition of the old gym next to the district office. The deadline for submission of bids was Nov. 20, he said.

In public comments, Isaiah Holman said he was concerned about the officiating at last Friday night's Calhoun County High football game.

"We can't let those kids be treated like that," he said.

Westbury said the game films have been forwarded to the South Carolina High School League.

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