Anna Chappell

The meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda. The Board entered an Executive Session to discuss receipt of legal advice concerning a potential ethics concern, personnel matters, and the Superintendent search, concluding without taking formal action. Following the Executive Session, the Board approved three certified resignations and one certified recommendation. Discussions included the election of Board officers, recognizing students as Character Education Students of the Month, and acknowledging School Board Appreciation Month. The Board approved the minutes for meetings held on December 8, 2025, and December 10, 2025. Key business involved the presentation of the Fiscal Year 2025 audit by Mauldin & Jenkins, which resulted in a clean (unmodified) opinion on financial statements and no material weaknesses found in internal controls. The Board approved school reports on Continuous Improvement Plans, the second reading of policies JICFB, JHE, JH, and JH-R, and selected Calendar Option A for the 2026-2027 academic year. Approval was granted for a contract with CPL for architecture and engineering services to address immediate facility needs, including a secure vestibule at McColl Elementary---Middle School and reopening the A Wing at Marlboro County High School. The Board also took steps to ensure compliance with Policy BID and approved a $5,000 donation to MCHS from The American Woodmark Foundation. During the Superintendent's Report, the Board received an update on the district's finances, including anticipated local tax revenue expected to cover outstanding retirement contributions to PEBA, and discussed preliminary ideas for district reorganization, such as relocating fourth- and fifth-grade students from Bennettsville Intermediate School to Blenheim Middle School to realize facility and staffing savings.

This document outlines the Marlboro County Board of Education's commitment to character education, integrating ideals such as personal integrity, respect for rights, justice, trustworthiness, patriotism, citizenship, empathy, discipline, and respect for property into the district's mission. The program emphasizes a challenging curriculum, positive behavioral reinforcement, and cooperation with parents, with full integration across grades K-12. It aims to involve students, staff, families, and the broader community, ultimately fostering appropriate conduct and good character among students.

The meeting agenda was approved, followed by a segment recognizing the District Character Education Students of the Month. Public comments included concerns regarding a specific teacher's disciplinary action and requests for greater transparency on Board member residency, suggesting proof of residency be provided. In Board Business Action, the second and final reading of revisions to Policies KF, KF-R, KF-E (1), and KF-E (2) was approved, with an amendment concerning publicity and promotion requirements for school facility use. The first reading of Policies JTCFB, JHE, JH, and JH-R was also approved. Discussions focused extensively on Policy GCC and GCD regarding leave structures and payout provisions for 240-day employees, addressing equity and financial sustainability concerns. Further discussion involved Policies GDF and GCF concerning the Board's authority over professional staff employment versus support staff hiring, emphasizing the need for transparency in all staffing changes and potentially granting administrative authority for urgent support staff hires pending notification. The development and implementation of common assessments for ELA and mathematics (K-8) were reviewed, noting that pacing guides are currently slightly behind schedule. An update was provided on an ongoing investigation, confirming it remains active with no new information to release. The Finance Report highlighted that the annual audit resulted in no findings, but the projected general fund balance for the next fiscal year could fall below the state minimum due to a planned deficit, prompting restricted travel expenditures. Capital project updates included funding allocated for mold remediation at the high school CTE wing and addressing water intrusion and a sinkhole at Wallace. The inability to operate the culinary arts program at the high school due to lacking ventilation was discussed, with a temporary relocation planned. The administration is also evaluating transportation costs and instructional time lost due to transporting students to Northeastern Technical College. The Board entered executive session to discuss personnel matters and consideration of an employee appeal, which was subsequently scheduled for a later date. Finally, the Board approved the certified resignation and recommendation presented by the Superintendent.

The meeting proceedings included recognition for several student achievements: the elementary district Student of the Month (Ava Poe, for kindness in January) and the secondary education Student of the Month (Paris Jones, for kindness in February). The Marble County Boys and Girls Wrestling Teams were recognized for their accomplishments, including the girls' team winning the region and finishing third in the state dual competition. The boys' team finished third in their region. Recognition was also given to the Marbor County High girls basketball team and the boys' basketball team. A new award, the Marble County School District Unsung Hero Award, was presented for the first time to Miss Tiffany Coington for her dedication to the Bridge to Triple E alternative program. Updates were provided regarding the distribution of donated jackets to students. Public comments focused on the proposed consolidation, urging the board to fight for an additional principal position at Gleno, and addressing the need to address the high number of first or second-year international teachers on campus.

This document outlines the Marlboro County Board of Education's commitment to career education, focusing on developing skills and knowledge for occupational roles, citizen responsibility, leisure activity, and family development. It details the implementation of the Education and Economic Development Act of 2005 through career clusters aligned with state academic standards, comprehensive career counseling and development from elementary through high school, and a variety of work-exploration experiences. The plan also includes guidelines for a school counseling model, the provision of career specialists, encouragement of parental/legal guardian participation, and academic assistance programs for at-risk students.