HORRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

M I N U T E S

BOARD MEETING

Meeting #:
Date:
-
Location:
District Office
335 Four Mile Road
Conway, SC 29526
Board of Education
  • Ken Richardson
  • John Poston
  • Chris Hardwick
  • Holly Heniford
  • Janet Graham
  • Janice Morreale
  • Neil James
  • Ray Winters
  • Shanda Allen
  • Sherrie Todd
  • Helen Smith
Horry County Schools' Staff
  • Velna Allen, Mary Anderson, David Beaty, Daryl Brown, Terra Budkins, Kelly Campman, Anna Carroll, Shwin Chapman, Edi Cox, Meagen Cox, Christina Delarede, John Gardner, Ashley Gasperson, Roger Gray, Leon Hayes, Leann Hill, Marie Holden, Leslie Huggins, Candace Lane, Ebony Livingston, Dr. Rick Maxey, Jimmy McCullough, Richard Neal, Heidi Oates, Mark Porter, Jeremy Rich, Lucas Richardson, Rebecca Schroyer, April Scott, Scott Scrivner, Vicki Underwood, John Washburn, Kelly Wilson, Mark Wolfe

​As required by SC Law 30-4-80, local news media were informed of the date, time, place, and agenda of this meeting. Copies of the agenda were posted at the District Office and distributed to schools for posting.


Board Chair Richardson called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.

 Ms. Sherrie Todd offered the invocation.

The Conway High School Navy JROTC presented the Colors and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Each Board member was asked to introduce herself/himself and state the areas which he/she represents.

A motion was made to amend and approve the agenda. Ms. Heniford moved to amend the agenda to include an additional Discussion item regarding the newly acquired property adjacent to the athletic field at North Myrtle Beach High School. This will be Discussion item. Ms. Smith seconded Ms. Heniford's amendment.  

  • Moved By: Mr.Winters
    Seconded By: Ms. Todd

    The Board Chair did not cast a vote on this item.

    Board Action: Carried Unanimously

A motion was made to approve the February 4, 2019, minutes as presented. 

  • Moved By: Mr.Winters
    Seconded By: Mr. Hardwick

    The Board Chair did not cast a vote on this item.

    Board Action: Carried Unanimously

Mr. Scott Scrivner acknowledged and congratulated each member of the South Carolina Elementary Honor Choir.  Mr. Scrivner noted that the Honor Choir consisted of more than 10% students from Horry County Schools. Each student had previously been awarded a certificate. 

Two from same high school. Mr. Rich and rep from prudential financial. secondary school pincipals. Spirit of community award for outstanding community service.  2019 - here in SC, reported two in this 

  • Jennifer Jackson addressed the Board on the topic of ABA Therapy.
  • Judith Davies addressed the Board on the topic of disciplinary hearings.
  • Ann Steinmuller addressed the Board on the topic of the conditions at St. James Elementary.
  • Will Taylor addressed the Board on the topic of the conditions at St. James Elementary.
  • David Warner addressed the Board on the topic of ABA Therapy.
  • Patricia Milley addressed the Board on the topic of Bill H3759.
  • Kristy Roderick addressed the Board on the topic of the conditions at St. James Elementary.
  • Cori Shuford signed up to speak on the topic of Bill H3759.  Ms. Shuford did not come forward when called.
  • Meredith Smith spoke on the topic of the conditions at St. James Elementary. 

Mr. James gave a report from the Facilities Committee which was held prior to the Board meeting.  Mr. James stated there were six main discussion points during the meeting.  Mr. James stated the first item to be discussed was the St. James Elementary IAQ report.  Mr. James noted this item was a topic of discussion later in the agenda and that Mr. Brown and Dr. Maxey would give that report.

The next item is the appointment of a selection committee for the RFQ evaluation for the HCEC. Per HCS Policy, five members from the Facilities Committee must be appointed to the selection committee. The members appointed were Ms. Heniford, Ms. Todd, Mr. Winters, Ms. Graham, and Ms. Smith. 

Mr. James stated the Board received a request for the naming of E Field at the Myrtle Beach Sports Complex. The Board has received the name Lawrence Jones to be considered.  Ms. Todd will present that name to the Myrtle Beach Advisory Committee.  This item will be brought to the Board at a later date once approved by the Myrtle Beach Advisory Committee.

The next item is the Wetland Analysis behind Aynor High School. Ms. Allen requested the area behind Aynor High School be looked at for future growth. After pursuing a Wetland Analysis, the property was mostly wetland and may not be suitable for future development.  Mr. James noted that HCS was going to continue to explore if that was the correct delineation.

The last item discussed was Modular Classrooms for 2019-2020. There is a total of twelve proposed with six at Ocean Bay Elementary and six at St. James High School.  Lakewood Elementary is on the watch list for a possible addition of two modular units depending on enrollment.

Following the conclusion of Mr. James Facilities Committee Report, Board Chair Richardson opened the floor for Ms. Heniford to address her portion of the amended agenda. Ms. Heniford then reviewed the map of the Stevens Building property located adjacent to the North Myrtle Beach High School athletic field.  Ms. Heniford addressed the heavy tree line around the property and addressed her safety concerns. Ms. Heniford is requesting the Board look into removed the trees and stumps and securing the property.

 Mr. James stated that the Facilities Committee would take a look at the options and cost comparisons for both the clearing and fencing options.

Mr. Wolfe addressed the board on the topic of the Myrtle Beach Elementary School Conversion.  Mr. Wolfe stated the work is nearly complete. Mr. Wolfe stated that the work was being completed from the inside out with the outside work being the last items to be completed. Mr. Wolfe noted a successful DHEC inspection of the kitchen area on February 11, 2019, with substantial completion on February 28, 2019. Mr. Wolfe noted a final Offfice of School Facilities inspection on March 13, 2019.  Mr. Wolfe estimated a final completion date to be around March 30, 2019. Mr. James asked if there was anticipation of any issues with the Office of School Facilities inspection. Mr. Wolfe stated not that he was aware of. 

Mr. Brown updated the Board on the progress of events at St. James Elementary School.  He stated that HCS had contracted with Palmetto EHS and discussed the summary of work provided by Colleen Eubanks, CIH, CSP, CET.  Tests were conducted at St. James Elementary on November 30, 2018; January 21, 2019; February 10, 2019, and February 18, 2019. The letter from Ms. Eubanks along with the test results had previously been released to parents along with a copy of the letter to Ms. Jennifer Read, Chief of Staff, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, sent by Dr. Maxey. Ms. Read stated in her response to Dr. Maxey's letter that DHEC recognized all actions taken by HCS as appropriate.  Dr. Maxey noted that additional testing was done today, February 18, and HCS would take appropriate measures, if needed, once those results returned.  

Mr. James addressed the Board regarding the list of projects that were prioritized during the December 3, 2018, Budget Retreat. Mr. James noted there were five distinct areas of focus.  Those areas are as follows: capacity and growth, replacement and renovation, sustainment projects, athletic projects, and ground projects.  Mr. James remarked that it was time to finalize the results from the retreat. Mr. James stated to move forward with these projects, it would need to come before the Board for a vote.

Ms. Heniford stated she was uncomfortable with voting on a plan when a budget had not been discussed. Mr. Poston noted that a specific methodology was used and this information should be used to create a prioritized list.  Mr. Poston suggested that the Board endorse the sustainment projects using the funds available. Mr. Poston suggested the priority needed to be on HVAC, then roofing, and then electrical/plumbing. 

Mr. James then reviewed the handout regarding the prioritization of projects. Ms. Morreale and Mr. Poston expressed their concerns of the remaining budget.  Mr. James addressed if funding was remaining after the project completion, it would then roll over to the next project on the list. 

Ms. Smith expressed her concerns on voting on projects now that she did not vote on during the December 3, 2018, Budget Retreat, and that may change priority in the upcoming years. Ms. Smith commented that she didn't think that there should be a vote taken tonight on the current list but that this process should go back and begin again. 

Ms. Heniford stated she was concerned about voting for items when there were not dollar amounts associated with them. 

Ms. Smith remarked that she felt the process we used needed to be redone.  

Mr. Winters remarked he felt we were at a point where we should move forward because the staff needs direction for projects to be at a point where we can reevaluate priorities if funds become available. 

Ms. Heniford presented a map of potential growth in the North Myrtle Beach attendance area.  

Ms. Allen expressed concern over the growth in the Aynor attendance area.  

Board Chair Richardson remarked the Board should look at the district as a whole and not just individual areas of representation. 

Mr. Wolfe stated that process of hiring the tennis and track design firm has begun.  Mr. Wolfe remarked three firms responded to the RFQ.  Those firms have been presented to procurement.  An evaluation committee made up of five individuals.  This committee evaluated and ranked these firms.  Those firms were then asked to participate in personal interviews.  CHA Design Construction Solutions was ranked highest. Facilities is now asking the Board to enter into fee negotiations with CHA Design Construction Solutions. Upon successful negotiations, Facilities will then return to the Board for final approval. There were no questions from the Board.

Mr. Gardner updated the Board on the collection of taxes.  Mr. Gardner stated he hoped to see State funding at the next meeting.  Mr. Gardner presented the Board with a copy of the 2019-2020 budget board calendar.  Ms. Smith commented that this was a great report.

 

 

Dr. Maxey shared the 2019-2020 Academic Calendar.  Dr. Maxey stated the South Carolina law requires 180 days of instruction and includes 10 days of professional development and work days for teachers. .  This calendar has been shared with our stakeholder cabinets for their input.  

 

Dr. Maxey noted their were over 400 candidates from twenty different states attended the recent Job Fair at Conway High School.  Dr. Maxey shared a video of the event.  Dr. Maxey noted 140 interviews were conducted on the spot with 54 contracts issued.  Dr. Maxey expressed thanks to Ms. Anderson and included all the staff involved in event. Dr. Maxey reminded everyone of the upcoming 16th Annual Robotics Convention at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center from February 28 through March 2nd, 2019.  

A motion was made to move into Executive Session at 7:46 PM.  Board Chair Richardson recused himself from item 6 b, Discussion of Potential Purchase of Property.

A motion was made to adjourn the Executive Session at 8:19 PM.  It should be noted that no votes were taken.  

  • Moved By: Mr. James
    Seconded By: Ms. Heniford
    Board Action: Carried Unanimously
  • Moved By: Ms. Heniford
    Seconded By: Mr. Hardwick
    Board Action: Carried

a.
Discussion of Personnel Recommendation
 

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 8:20.  

  • Moved By: Mr.Winters
    Seconded By: Ms. Heniford

    A motion was made to adjourn the meeting.

    Board Action: Carried Unanimously