Melinda Brown

Key discussions during the meeting included the approval of the agenda and authorization for four students to proceed with Adult Education admissions. The Board recognized several achievements, including the 2025 Holiday Card Contest winner, Jayandre Mitchell, and multiple championship-winning sports teams from Spaulding Middle School and Hartsville Middle School. Other recognitions included two students earning spots on the 2025 SCCAWS 4A All-State Volleyball Team, the retirement farewell for Assistant Superintendent Chuck Miller, and recognition for Board member Charles Govan's service as SCSBA President. The Superintendent provided updates highlighting arts programs, the Lamar High School football team's championship, student activities involving cursive writing, and the Champions for Education Award given to North Industrial. Actions taken from the subsequent executive session included a motion to report a breach of contract to the State Board of Education and approval for a pilot program to award $250 incentives to teachers with perfect attendance in the third and fourth quarters.

The meeting commenced with the reading of the FOIA statement, followed by the approval of the agenda. Key discussions included the recognition of eleven students for achieving perfect scores on one or more sections of the 2024-25 SC READY Assessment. The Board received the August 2025 Budget Reports for information. Policy matters reviewed included the second reading approval of POLICY BE -- Board Meetings & POLICY BEA -- Livestreaming of Board Meetings, and POLICY GCLE Unencumbered Time. Policies presented for the first reading included POLICY GCB Professional Staff Contracts and Compensation, POLICY JH Student Absences & Excuses, POLICY CFC Assignment and Transfer of School Administrators, and POLICY GCC Sick Leave Bank. The Superintendent provided an update highlighting career exploration programs, literacy and math foundation strengthening efforts, and recognition of Principal Appreciation Month. The Board approved eight students for Adult Education admissions and all subsequent personnel actions after concluding an executive session focused on personnel matters, recommendations for terminations, hires, and/or transfers, and contractual matters.

The meeting included recognition of the 2026 School Board Recognition Month and presentations for several awards, including the 2026 Service Award for Mr. Charles Govan (25 years of service), the 2025 SCSBA Champions of Public Education award given to North Industrial Machine, the Maxwell Leadership Student Ambassador award to Peyton Avritte, the 2025 SCHSSCA Girl's State Strength Champion award to Mariah Black, and selections for the 2025 Touchstone Energy North-South All-Star Football Team and 2025 SCFCA All-State Football Teams. The Board reviewed top attendance achievement awards for several schools. Policy items involved approving the first reading of Policy DKC (Expense Authorization-Reimbursement) and Policy CCA (Organizational Chart). Financial reports for November 2025 were received, and the 2024-2025 General Operations Financial Audit was presented, concluding the district had a good audit. A mid-year academic data review was presented. Action items included the approval of the State Department Underperforming Schools plans for Black Creek Elementary School and Darlington High School. The Superintendent provided an update highlighting recent district activities, including the launch of the High-Intensity Tutoring Project. The meeting concluded with personnel actions approved and discussions held during an executive session regarding personnel and contractual matters.

The work session included an amendment to the agenda. A significant discussion item involved a presentation by the Chief Communications Officer for Lexington I, representing the South Carolina School Boards Association, on the process for running a successful school bond referendum, covering steps such as research, planning, funding strategy, and voter education. Additionally, the Superintendent reported that the Darlington County School District received a grant for teacher compensation, resulting in significant gains in ELA and Math for specific teachers at Hartsville Middle School and Darlington High School, with distribution planned as a surprise event. The Board entered into an executive session to discuss personnel and contractual matters, returning to public session with no actions taken resulting from the executive session.

The special-called meeting focused on discussions relevant to the upcoming legislative session. The Superintendent presented the district's goals centered on excellence in teaching and learning, outlining priorities such as student success, teacher support, workforce development, and responsible stewardship. Specific discussion points included initiatives to improve graduation rates, support for educators through professional development and hiring events, career exploration programs for students, and an overview of the facilities study detailing needs for new and updated school buildings. The discussion also addressed potential legislation affecting funding and school choice, where the district leadership offered their expertise as a resource to the attending legislators, who in turn commended the district's workforce development efforts.