Superintendent Dr. Billy Strickland was hopeful in his legislative update on what he termed some positive proposals by the by the South Carolina House Ways and Means Committee. He noted a proposed increase of $100 to the base student cost, bringing that to $2,700. Strickland did note, however, that some of the funds the district now receives from the lottery will be reduced. Superintendent Strickland also reported the state proposing more flexibility in the spending of funds coming in from numerous sources. He said “Now this is a long process to have this bill enacted, but it looks like it will be the first time in years that we are seeing this much positive action by the State Department of Education.”
Tara Dean updated the District 55 School Trustees on the $300,000 per year Midland’s “Gear Up Grant” that follows a student’s progress from the seventh grade till the first year of college. She noted the GEAR UP project is designed to provide an integrated and cohesive program to support low-income students in completing high school and enrolling in and successfully completing a postsecondary education.
The District 55 School Board last night voted unanimously to appoint Wilamena Jones and Rev. Bryant Cheek to three-year terms as representatives on the Laurens Education and Development Board.
Election of officers was held at last night’s Laurens Dist 55 School Board meeting, with all officers elected by unanimous vote. Susan Calhoun-Ware was elected as chairman for this year, Terri Martin was elected as Vice Chair and Mike Fortune was elected as secretary.
