Katie Wall Barber

The Rock Hill School District Reading Plan outlines a comprehensive approach to enhance reading proficiency from kindergarten through fifth grade. It details strategies for reading assessment and instruction, emphasizing foundational skills, the science of reading, and structured literacy. The plan also describes the district's use of data for targeted interventions, initiatives to engage parents in supporting literacy at home, and continuous progress monitoring. Key pillars include ongoing teacher training, data analysis for continuous improvement, and specific SMART goals aimed at increasing student achievement in reading and vocabulary.

This document serves as a report on the Superintendent's 100-day entry plan for Rock Hill Schools, detailing findings and actions based on community-identified priorities. It outlines five key areas: Student Achievement, Community Relations, Mental Health and Safety, Accountability and Leadership, and Managing the Budget. The report provides a foundation for establishing long-range organizational goals by summarizing assets, barriers, and proposed actions within each priority area, aiming to elevate the district by fostering trust, aligning efforts, and focusing on student outcomes.

This document outlines the detailed process and timeline for developing the Rock Hill Schools District Strategic Plan for 2024-2029. It describes a multi-stage approach involving coaching, consultation, and feedback sessions with various stakeholders, including the Superintendent, district staff, strategic planning team, community members, families, educators, and the Board of Education. Key activities include initial meetings, data analysis, visioning, professional development, and synthesizing feedback to finalize the district's vision, mission, values, and strategic goals, incorporating frameworks like the SC Portrait of a Graduate and the 4 Disciplines of Execution.

The business meeting included the approval of the agenda and acknowledgments for veterans. Key action items involved the approval of the consent agenda, which included minutes from the October 18th meeting and personnel recommendations. The main discussion centered on proposed middle school course additions and modifications for the 2026-2027 academic year, including new agriculture courses from Sullivan Middle School and curriculum consolidation from Saluda Trail Middle School (combining creative writing and journalism, and integrating robotics into engineering courses). The board also discussed the adoption of a Personal Finance textbook, with the teachers' recommendation favoring Ramsey Solutions (digital only), which prompted extensive board discussion regarding the necessity of print materials and digital equity for students and parents. The vote on the textbook adoption was tabled pending further information regarding print material availability and student/class choice options.

The work session of the RHS School Board involved discussions around the roles and responsibilities of board members, focusing on driving excellence from a governance perspective. The board members shared what drives them in their roles, with common themes including a desire for excellence and competition in the school system. The session also touched on the importance of the executive role in hiring and appraising the right superintendent, as well as the legislative and policymaking processes. Board members identified areas where they felt most and least comfortable, such as staffing, public relations, and financial resources, and discussed how to leverage each other's strengths to ensure the board functions effectively.