ITALY – These members of the Fairfield District Honors Chorus are shown here following a performance in Italy. The group and several chaperones spent a week touring and performing in Florence, Rome, Pisa and other places of interest in Italy.
Category: Schools
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Chaisson named Head of RWA
WINNSBORO – Kristen Chaisson has been named Head of School by the Richard Winn Academy Board of Directors effective July 1. She has been serving as Interim Head of School since April.
Chaisson Chaisson has been with RWA for four years, serving as a lower and upper school educator and Curriculum Director.
“We have witnessed her dedication, energy and enthusiasm to support and lead our students to success,” the school’s Board of Directors said in a press release.
Prior to joining RWA, Chaisson served four years at Sandlapper Elementary where she worked as an instructional assistant, interventionist, related arts educator and military-child support coordinator.
“Kristin’s passion for teaching and learning derives from her commitment to ensure all students have an effective learning environment to ignite a student’s love of learning,” the Board added.
Chaisson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in General Studies with Elementary Education Emphasis from Western Kentucky University, a Master’s of Science in Psychology from University of Phoenix and a Master’s in Education in Teaching and Learning from Liberty University.
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R2 board names new officers
Manning COLUMBIA – Richland Two’s board of trustees has new leadership.
James Manning is now chairman, taking over for Amelia McKie, who remains a voting member.
Teresa Holmes was named vice chairman and Cheryl Caution-Parker became secretary, according to votes taken at the June 25 meeting.
Manning and Caution-Parker were unanimously voted into their new positions. The board voted 4-1 to make Holmes vice chair, with McKie and Caution-Parker abstaining. James Shadd cast the lone dissenting vote.
Holmes McKie had nominated Shadd for vice chair, but that vote failed 4-3, with McKie, Caution-Parker and Shadd voting in the minority. Shadd declined a separate nomination to serve as secretary.
Manning said he’s appreciative of the support the board displayed in nominating him as chairman. His goals include successfully managing the school’s building program, improving school safety and boosting student achievement.
“I want to continue to focus on those things, to make sure that we do the best we can,” he said.
Caution-Parker One board issue that’s arisen lately is public participation at meetings. In recent months, some residents have complained that the former chair altered the order in which speakers registered to muffle public criticisms.
Manning said he plans to follow board policy.
“Public input, like everything else, is managed through our policies,” he said. “I do think that’s something we need to take a look at, but ultimately the board chair should not have any undue influence in that process.”
The board officer turnover comes at a controversial time for the Richland Two board, with one member owing nearly $51,000 in ethics fines and another facing a criminal disorderly conduct charge.
In July 2018, the S.C. Ethics Commission fined McKie $41,000 for various campaign violations.
The most current ethics commission’s debtor list available online, which is dated Jan. 3, 2019, still lists McKie’s fine at $41,000.
However, documents obtained by The Voice state that the fine increases to $50,750 if McKie misses certain deadlines.
Documents state that McKie was supposed to pay the first $20,000 by Dec. 31 and the remaining balance by June 30.
An Ethics Commission representative said via email Monday that there has been no change in McKie’s status.
Richland County resident Gus Philpott, a frequent critic of the board, said he’s looking forward to seeing positive changes with new board leadership at the helm.
However, it still doesn’t change his belief that McKie and Holmes should step down from the board.
Philpott maintains that McKie and Holmes aren’t legally allowed to serve because neither filed Statements of Economic interest forms until after taking the oath of office. State law prohibits elected officials from taking the oath when SEI forms haven’t been filed.
“They are, in my opinion, not legal board members,” Philpott said. “Teresa Holmes was nominated for the position of vice chair and was elected. My contention is since she is not a board member, she cannot serve as an officer.”
Asked about Philpott’s comments, McKie provided the following response:
“One of the most sacred aspects of our American democracy is that every citizen is entitled to his/her own opinion, regardless of the accuracy of the same. The day that ceases to be is the day we no longer embody a democracy.”
Holmes said she doesn’t plan to step down, and disputes that she’s not legally qualified to serve on the board.
“There is no reason that he should continue to say that,” Holmes said. “He knows that that’s not true.”
Elkins-Johnson is also facing legal difficulties.
In January, the Richland County Sheriff’s Office charged her with disorderly conduct following an altercation occurring after a board meeting.
According to a police report, the suspect shouted obscenities and threatened relatives of a state senator and the board chair.
The Richland County Public Index lists a tentative court date of July 22, though the case has been continued several times.
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Chamber Scholarship
BLYTHEWOOD – Greater Blythewood Chamber Interim Director Phil Frye, left, and board member Deborah McCutchan, right, presented Westwood High School graduate Abigail Daniel-Perez a $1,000 scholarship during Tuesday’s monthly Chamber meeting. Abigail, the first in her family to graduate from high school, will be attending the University of South Carolina.
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Whitlock and Bells receive Muller Awards
BLYTHEWOOD – Muller Road Middle students Jessica Whitlock and Luther Bells have been named winners of the 2019 Catherine McCuen Muller and George Frederick Muller Awards.
These annual awards are presented by the Muller family to honor students who exemplify the characteristics that are modeled by the legacy of their parents, George and Catherine Muller. Students receiving these awards are a “boy and girl who are best suited by exemplary character, academic achievement, physical fitness, appreciation for the arts and concern for others, as citizens and leaders looking to the future and making the world a better place for all.”
Whitlock and Bells both received awards for their presentations at the University of South Carolina’s annual Region II Science and Engineering Fair in March. Whitlock won an Honorable Mention for Chemistry for her drug solubility project and Bells won the Grand Award – Junior Division for his leopard gecko project, which allowed him to apply to present his project at the 2019 Broadcom MASTERS national middle school science competition in Washington DC – only ten percent of science fair projects nationwide are selected for this opportunity.
Additionally, Whitlock played volleyball for Muller Road, was named a SC Junior Scholar and earned all As in eighth grade. Bells played soccer and football, sang in the Mustang Chorus and was named an Outstanding Spanish student for 8th grade.
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Agostini: Board chair plays favorites with speakers
COLUMBIA – Amid budget discussions, policy revision votes and a slew of special recognitions, one board member’s critique of the Richland Two chairwoman’s job performance punctuated a more-than-four-hour meeting.
The drama began at about the 38-minute mark of the May 14 meeting when board member Lindsay Agostini called attention to “inconsistent” enforcement of the board’s public participation policy.
Agostini Agostini accused McKie of giving preferential treatment to some speakers while shutting down others.
“At a Feb. 12 meeting, we denied a participant. The chair stated they had missed the signups. The chair stated we are going to strictly adhere to board policy going forward because we are going to be as ethical and policy abiding as we possibly can,” Agostini began.
The speaker in question had, at a previous meeting, called for McKie to step down, saying that McKie was not legally seated due to having failed to file a statement of economic interest form which is required by law before an elected school board member can be sworn into office.
“However, on March 26, a different community member came to speak who admittedly showed up too late to sign up on the list, and the forms had been pulled,” she continued. “When I expressed concern to our board chair in an email, she responded by saying she chose to allow latitude to allow the person to speak.”
McKie said she had started cracking down on public participation after she felt some speakers failed to display proper decorum.
“When our meetings became out of order, when they became a three-ring circus, and people used my graciousness and latitude for personal gain and for insult, I chose to abide by public policy,” McKie said. “I don’t make any apologies for that. I’m happy to abide by public policy.”
McKie has come under fire in recent months, largely over a litany of violations of state ethics laws.
The S.C. Ethics Commission recently fined her $51,750 for failing to file various ethics forms. There have also been calls for her to step down from the board.
As public participation began last Tuesday night, the evening’s only speaker sided with Agostini and called for greater transparency from the board.
Columbia resident James Mobley, who ran unsuccessfully for the board in the past, also called upon the board to extend public participation from three to five minutes.
“You have hurt Ms. Agostini and I’m sad about that,” Mobley said. “I believe that she deserves an apology. Unity should be a driving factor on this board.”
Later, during the board member comment period, Agostini again raised the issue of inconsistent adherence to district policies. Then she turned to McKie’s ethics issues.
Agostini didn’t directly mention McKie by name, though she referenced a story in The Voice that stated McKie hadn’t filed her April 2019 quarterly campaign disclosure report as of May 7. It was due April 10.
According to Ethics Commission filings, McKie filed the form May 8, the day after The Voice notified her about the tardy filing.
Agostini stated the missed ethics deadline came on the heels of the board adopting a policy demanding punctuality from staff when submitting reports and assignments.
“Once again we’ve heard from the media of another missed deadline for campaign disclosure reports after being assured in January that it wouldn’t happen again,” Agostini said. “When do we start walking the walk and hold ourselves to the same standards we put in place for others?”
McKie was visibly frustrated with what she called “accusations” and “personal attacks,” though she never addressed anyone by name.
“I have a bevy of comments to share but in the respect of your time I won’t do so,” McKie said. “I won’t dignify certain accusations tonight that haven’t been asked of others.
“You can’t pick and choose who’s acceptable to hurt and who’s not,” McKie continued. “At a board meeting or any facility, nobody should be hurt. Nobody should be injured; nobody should be castigated.”
Other board members, most of whom have also missed ethics filings, and some of whom have paid fines, avoided addressing Agostini’s comments. Most declined to say anything at all.
Board member Cheryl Caution-Parker was the only other trustee to speak. She didn’t directly address any issues from the meeting.
“I do have something to say, but I’m not going to say it, but it’s on the tip of my tongue,” Caution-Parker said. “I’m sure a lot of you out there know what I want to say.”
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FCSD’s Chanda Jefferson named South Carolina Teacher of the Year
Gov. Henry McMaster presents the S.C. Teacher of the Year plaque to Chanda Jefferson. Looking on are S.C. Superintendent of Schools Molly Spearman, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Fairfield School District Superintendent Dr. J.R. Green. Photo: South Carolina Department of Education WINNSBORO – When Chanda Jefferson was named South Carolina’s 2020 Teacher of the Year last week, she made more than her mother proud. All of Fairfield County was bursting at the seams with pride for one of its own.
A native of Beech Island, SC, Jefferson has been teaching for eight years, the last three as a Biology teacher at Fairfield Central High School. Prior to that Jefferson was named S.C. Outstanding Biology Teacher in 2014, and was one of 20 teachers to receive the Princeton University Fellowship for Teachers. Other honors during her career include being invited by a Harvard University professor to speak to world-renowned scientists and researchers at the 74th Annual Society of Developmental Biology Conference in Utah.
“This has been a crazy adventure and a blessing at the same time!” Jefferson posted on her Facebook page.
FCSD honored Jefferson in a parade in front of Fairfield Central on Monday. Other District Teachers of the Year and 2019 Dual Enrollment graduates were also honored during the parade. | Martha Ladd The day after being named the top teacher in South Carolina, Gov. Henry McMaster honored the state’s new 2020 Teacher of the Year, and on Monday, the Fairfield County School District held a parade on Highway 321 in Winnsboro in Jefferson’s honor.
A graduate of the University of South Carolina, Jefferson traces her love for teaching to her childhood.
“As a child, I enjoyed playing school with my nieces, nephews, and cousins. I always took the role of teacher,” she said.
Jefferson said she is thrilled to be honored and that the work of every teacher is something to be recognized on a regular basis.
“Each day that we walk through the doors of our schools and classrooms, we positively impact the lives of students and that deserves to be celebrated every day, every day,” Jefferson said. “I am so thankful, honored, humbled and blessed to stand before you as the 2020 South Carolina Teacher of the Year.”
Jefferson has said her goal is forming relationships and lighting the way towards achievement for her students and the students across South Carolina.
“Each year, teachers receive students from all walks of life, and it is our job to teach them. Some students enter our classrooms with a village of support, while others enter alone,” she said. “Yet no matter how they arrive to our classrooms, we must build relationships with them, engage them, and show them that we care. All students will face challenging situations, hardships, and confusion, but in the midst of varying degrees of adversity, teachers have the power to show them how knowledge, uniqueness, and individual interests can empower them and create endless possibilities in life.”
Jefferson will receive a total of $25,000 and the keys to a new BMW to use while serving a one-year residency at the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement. Jefferson will be a roving ambassador providing mentoring, attending speaking engagements and other duties as she serves as the spokesperson for 50,000 teachers.
Her winnings will also include a set of new tires – for when she’s finished with her new ride – and a Jostens ring.
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Jefferson named SC Teacher of the Year
Photo: South Carolina Department of Education COLUMBIA – Chanda Jefferson of Fairfield Central High School was named the 2020 South Carolina Teacher of the Year last night in Columbia.
Jefferson received a total of $25,000, use of a BMW for a year and will serve a one-year residency at the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement.
Jefferson teaches biology at Fairfield Central.
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Geiger teacher’s summer reading initiative sparks community effort
Nicole Hunter’s Child Development class at Geiger Elementary proudly displays some of the books donated by the community for summer reading. | Photo: Nicole Hunter 
Hunter RIDGEWAY – What started as a request to friends on Facebook by Geiger Elementary School Child Development teacher Nicole Collins Hunter quickly turned into a community effort.
Hunter knew that most of her students would not have access to books over the summer and worried about them battling the ‘summer slide,’ so on March 26, Hunter posted a request to her Facebook friends.
“I need your help,” Hunter wrote. “Studies show that access to books during the summer prevents drastic loss in reading skill, especially for kids in need… I am determined to send my students home with five books for summer reading.”
Hunter’s students are excited to take their books home for the summer. Hunter’s status was quickly shared by community members, and the effort was contagious. Her original goal of five books per student was swiftly met, and, as of May 8, Hunter has received 200 new and gently used books for her 15 students.
As a way of making the donated books even more special, Hunter asked that donors send a message with the books that she could share with her students. An anonymous Geiger faculty member purchased and donated canvas totes, which will be personalized in a collaboration with the art teacher, for the students to carry their books during the summer.
“Thanks in advance for helping instill a love of reading that lasts throughout a student’s life,” Hunter concluded in her Facebook plea.
To contribute to Hunter’s summer book drive, drop new or gently used books off at Geiger Elementary or mail to Nicole Hunter, Geiger Elementary, 150 T.M. Cook Lane, Ridgeway, SC 29130.
One student looks over his options as he chooses summer reading books.