Barnwell County School District

This Consolidated Continuous Improvement Plan/Turnaround Plan for the 2025-2026 school year outlines specific improvement areas for underperforming schools and districts, with a focus on Guinyard Butler Middle School. The plan establishes three key performance goals: achieving 100% fidelity in Tier 1, evidence-based ELA and math instruction by May 2025; increasing student proficiency in SC READY ELA by more than five percentage points by Spring 2025; and improving student proficiency in SC READY Math from 15.9% to 20% by Spring 2025. It emphasizes resource equity, data-driven strategies, community input, continuous progress monitoring, and targeted professional development.

The agenda included standard opening business such as calling the meeting to order, reflection, Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the agenda and consent items (which covered minutes from November 24, 2025, the January Personnel Report, and the October Financial Report). Key discussions involved recognition for the 2026 South Carolina School Board Recognition Month and the signing of the Board of Trustees Ethical Principles. The Superintendent provided updates on the BCSD Facility Plan and general school/district matters. New business involved approvals for an overnight trip for the FCCLA organization, School Choice Requests, Out of District Requests, and Continuous Improvement Plans for three specific schools. The Executive Session focused on personnel matters (employee discipline, student discipline, contractual matters related to employees), contractual negotiations (FEMA Safe Room, Hazard Mitigation Grant, new high school planning/construction), and receipt of legal advice regarding contracts.

The agenda includes updates on the BCSD Facility Plan and the BCSD Consolidation Plan. Key action items involve approving re-elect lists for certified and non-certified staff (following executive session), field experience approvals for the Barnwell County Career Center Agriculture Program, approval of Bands of Barnwell County's participation in a summer symposium, a Gear Up field trip, and a Barnwell High School TSA team's participation in a state conference. Additional action items include a school day waiver approval, and a resolution for an annual capital bond issue. An executive session will discuss employment matters, contractual arrangements (including facility rentals, FEMA grants, and land acquisition), and legal advice related to contractual agreements.

The Barnwell County School District's plan focuses on using ESSER III funds for learning loss recovery through dual modality instruction, summer enrichment, and instructional material improvements. Title I funds will support enriched educational programs and professional development. Title II funds aim to improve educator quality. Title III funds support English proficiency development. Title IV funds support well-rounded educational opportunities and technology. Title V funds support student instruction and technology. District academic recovery goals include reducing achievement gaps in ELA and math, increasing career readiness certifications, and improving social-emotional learning. Strategies involve summer programs, utilizing iReady and other programs, implementing interventionists, providing professional development, and maximizing instructional time. The plan emphasizes parent involvement, curriculum alignment to state standards, and the use of various assessments to monitor student progress.

The meeting will include approval of several consent agenda items, including meeting minutes from November and December 2024 and a January personnel report. Presentations of the audits for Barnwell School District 45, Barnwell School District 48, and Barnwell County Career Center will be given. The agenda also includes recognition for South Carolina School Board Recognition Month and the signing of the Board of Trustees Ethical Principles. Superintendent reports will cover updates on the BCSD Facility Plan, land donation, and the Barnwell County School District Consolidation Plan. Policy readings and approvals are scheduled for Board Meetings, Social Media, student promotion and retention, graduation requirements, and concussions and student athletes. An executive session will discuss employment matters, contractual arrangements (including FEMA Safe Room and Hazard Mitigation Grant), and legal advice regarding contractual agreements.