Mellichamp Elementary School was recognized for having its entire faculty registered to vote in the 2008 general election at an Orangeburg Consolidated School District 5 board meeting Tuesday.

Rise SC, a public education advocacy group, presented Mellichamp Principal Beverly Stroman-Spires with a $1,000 check for the accomplishment.

"It was important for our faculty to vote in such an important election," Stroman-Spires said. "Of course, we didn't worry about who they were voting for, but it's great to know all our faculty had their voice heard."

Mellichamp was one of 10 public schools that won cash prizes from a drawing of 80 eligible schools in the state. Each of those schools had all faculty members registered to vote.

Mellichamp was the first school in the Midlands to receive a check from the group.

Also during the board meeting, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Helena Tillar reported an external review team from the State Department of Education found that Robert E. Howard Middle School and Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School met expected progress. An external review team is sent to evaluate each school that has an unsatisfactory rating on their state report card. The team works to help schools develop improvement strategies.

O-W, Howard and North Middle/High School were the only schools in OCSD 5 to receive the low rating last school year. Tillar said North Middle/High School didn't met two of the expected progress goals. North Principal Alvin Pressley wasn't able to complete the required amount of classroom observations because he missed time due to an accident, Tillar said. In addition, she said the team cited North for not having a summer reading camp. Tillar said the reading camp would be implemented this summer.

Trustee Susan Gleaton asked how the external review team's work would translate into student achievement. Tillar said she hopes it will boost test scores.

In other business:

* The board approved a policy to accommodate students with military parents who move frequently. The policy puts the district in sync with a recent law passed by the General Assembly. The law allows those students to attend any public school in the state within a 70-mile radius from their residence.

* Assistant Superintendent Donnie Boland said the district had $5.8 million in revenue and spent $4.4 million during December.

* Bethune-Bowman Elementary School Principal Charlene Stokes said her school is focusing on increasing parental involvement this year.

* Superintendent Melvin Smoak said the district's energy conservation efforts have saved $55,000 so far this school year.

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.

You must be logged in to comment.