The Clarendon County School District Board of Trustees convened for its regularly scheduled meeting on Feb. 3, at Manning High School, where board members reviewed departmental reports and discussed routine business matters.
The meeting featured updates from the Office of Finance, Office of Nutrition, Office of Facilities, and Office of Safety & Special Projects. Superintendent Dr. Johnson and board members engaged with presenters to assess the district’s financial health, ongoing construction projects, student nutrition services, and campus safety measures.
The Office of Finance presented the district’s monthly financial report for December 2024, detailing revenue and expenditures. The district reported $3,016,279.59 collected in December, with year-to-date revenues totaling over $17.4 million. Expenditures for the month stood at $3,782,017.98, with a year-to-date spending total of $20.1 million.
Additionally, a proposed budget calendar for the 2025-26 fiscal year was set to be reviewed but was tabled due to pending state legislation that could impact the district’s budget timeline. The board will revisit the issue once there is clarity on the legislative outcome.
The Office of Nutrition provided an update on food service operations, highlighting the successful submission of the district’s School Lunch Program (SLP) financial report to the State Department of Education. The report, a requirement to secure future funding, was submitted pending completion of the district audit.
Clarendon County schools continue to operate under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), ensuring all students receive meals at no cost. The department also discussed compliance requirements, emphasizing that failure to meet meal service standards could result in funding reductions. A state evaluation is scheduled for Feb. 27 to assess food preparation and service practices.
The Office of Facilities reported progress on the construction of the new Walker-Gamble Elementary School building, noting that recent cold weather may have caused slight delays. However, the project has only lost three days due to weather since its inception. The district is also working with the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) on road widening permits for surrounding areas.
Other facility updates included the nearing completion of the Manning Early Childhood Center’s gym, pending final fire marshal approval. Additionally, concerns at East Clarendon Middle-High School’s athletic building prompted sewer system upgrades, while aging light poles at the school’s softball field are being assessed for replacement.
At Scott’s Branch High School, gym lighting has been upgraded to LED to enhance visibility and energy efficiency. Several schools, including Manning Early Childhood Center and Rose Wilder Elementary, are undergoing general lighting improvements.
The Office of Safety & Special Projects provided an overview of district-wide safety initiatives, reporting a 95% compliance rate for locked classroom doors during random safety checks. The district continues to refine emergency preparedness measures, with upcoming evacuation and reunification drills scheduled for Feb. 11 and 12 at Summerton and Turbeville campuses.
In collaboration with local law enforcement and emergency responders, these drills will simulate gas leak scenarios to test evacuation procedures and parent-student reunification protocols. The district is also focusing on student mental health, citing the importance of reducing technology-related anxiety as part of its broader school safety strategy.
During the meeting, the board approved several overnight field trip requests, including student participation in leadership conferences and a state convention. The board also heard a presentation from Take Action SC, an environmental education initiative aimed at integrating recycling and waste reduction programs into Clarendon County schools.
As the meeting concluded, board members expressed appreciation for community engagement and encouraged residents to familiarize themselves with district policies. Chairman Bonaparte emphasized the importance of adherence to established procedures in addressing concerns.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Clarendon County School District Board of Trustees is set for March 3, 2025.
