The Clarendon County School Board reassured the community that the Agricultural Science Program at Manning High School is here to stay during its regularly scheduled meeting on July 8.
During the meeting, a passionate Arthur Moyd, Board Chair, voiced strong support for the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program, sharing personal anecdotes and emphasizing the program’s significance. “I support FFA 100%. The program is not going anywhere,” Moyd declared. “This means a lot to me. My daughter was in FFA, and I wouldn’t allow it to go anywhere.”
In response to residents’ concerns regarding rumors that the program was in danger of losing funding, the district released a statement titled “AG is Here to Stay.” The statement clarified that the Career and Technical Education Ag Science Program is not being discontinued. “As with any personnel issue, we are unable to discuss it publicly, but please note that we always work in the best interest of our students,” the statement read. It also highlighted the challenges in finding qualified agricultural science instructors but expressed confidence in the HR Recruitment Team’s efforts.
Beyond the FFA program, the brief meeting covered several other important topics.
A community member raised issues regarding the basketball program, specifically the need for more financial support. “We have to raise money for our kids,” the speaker noted.
The board discussed an upcoming trip to Washington, D.C., scheduled for March 2025, as part of the district’s annual overnight field trip program.
The board reviewed the financial report for May, detailing total revenues and expenditures for the month and year-to-date. The district reported local revenues of $484,517.16 for May and a year-to-date total of $13,595,000.
Updates were provided on various facilities projects, including preparation of schools for the new academic year, improvements to the custodial program with the hiring of three new facility managers, and the completion of the last bathroom project. There was also progress reported on the early childhood exercise framework, soil removal and compaction to prevent future settling issues, fire lane grading, and primary exercise route completion. The board noted upgrades to fire panel systems for better safety management.
The transition of classrooms from the primary school to the junior high was nearly complete, with only a few minor items remaining. The board also discussed lighting issues and upgrades to fire panels to enhance safety measures.
The board expressed gratitude for the hard work and dedication of the district’s staff in preparing for the new school year and ensuring a safe and enriching learning environment for students.
For more accurate information and updates, the district encouraged the community to seek information directly from the district’s official channels.
