Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
Parents, students, and community members applauded each student who was awarded for academic excellence.
Hydrangea Cahuich was recognized as a Waterford Reading Program high scorer.
Kendra Moore is awarded as Bus Driver of the Month.
Sixth grader Aiden Isham was named the Allendale-Fairfax Middle School Student of the Month for his honesty and responsibility.
Evening school student Zakiyah Williams was recognized for her dedication to her education.
School board members shake the hand of each student who was awarded for high scores.
Game Time
Students in the Allendale County School District (ACSD) are in a studying blitz as state testing season is almost here.
S.C. iReady spring test dates for elementary, middle, and high schoolers will be held from May 9 to May 27, including make-up days.
“It’s game time,” said Superintendent Dr. Margaret Gilmore of not only state testing season, but also budget season.
2023-24 Budget
ACSD Finance Director Angela Grant presented an overview of the proposed 2023-2024 budget and pending decisions to be made by the board.
Grant is still waiting for input from the House of Representative on the budget and presented the Senate’s version at the meeting. The presented version is not final.
Projected expenditures in the upcoming proposed budget total $14.1 million showing a $250,562 decrease from the previous year.
“Keep in mind numbers will change because we have not included in these numbers what the amount of the bonuses will be,” said Grant.
Pending decisions regarding bonuses include an increase in teacher’s pay with a one step increase. A step is an increase in an employee’s pay alongside their grade. For more information on this scale, visit the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s General Schedule Overview.
Bus drivers at ACSD are receiving a 25% state required increase with one step. Teacher, coach, administrator, and classified staff positions are all potentially increasing.
A retention bonus of $1,000 pending signature of contract still has to be considered by the board. Employees would receive half of this money in October and the other half in February.
Also to be considered is a $10,000 sign-on bonus for teachers paid over three years. International teachers do not apply due to the extra fees the district is responsible for when they are hired, according to Grant.
“Dr. Gilmore has recommended a $3,000 sign-on bonus for all classified staff,” said Grant. This bonus includes all classified staff such as teacher assistants, food service workers, secretaries, bookkeepers, or any hourly employees who are not certified. This payment will be spread over a three-year period.
Another bonus to be considered is the $800 Christmas and fuel/mileage bonus. Both have been rolled into one and applies to all ACSD employees.
Grant also broke down the funding ACSD receives from the state through Act 388 and the Homestead Act.
“Every year with Act 388, we get over $2.5 million dollars in interior funding,” said Grant. “This is revenue that the state sends Allendale County to help with our operational costs.”
The proposed budget states ACSD will also receive funding from the Homestead Exemption and Property Tax Relief totalling $726,665.
There will be less funding coming to the district from the State’s General Fund in this year’s budget going from $4.1 million in the 2022-23 school year to $3.9 million in the 2023-24 year.
“The state provides revenue based on the number of students enrolled in your school district,” said Grant. “So as the enrollment numbers decline, less state revenue is received.”
State funding is determined by the combination of the district’s student enrollment, weighted pupil units, and the index of taxpaying ability.
According to Grant, ACSD had 985 students enrolled in the 2022-23 school year. A total enrollment of 971 students are projected for the upcoming year.
The population of Allendale County declined 20% since 2000, according to Grant. In 2000, around 11,000 people resided in the county. In 2020, the census recorded just over 8,000.
Now in 2023, only 7,900 people are in Allendale County which aligns with the downward trend in enrollment experienced at ACSD.
“You can base your enrollment numbers according to how many people are leaving the county,” said Grant.
Grant informed the community that debt and operating mills will remain the same.
A motion was made to approve the first reading of the budget, but did not receive a second making the action lapse. This item will be revisited at the next meeting.
For the month of March, Grant reported $9.4 million in expenditures and $10.8 million in revenue totaling an around $1 million surplus.
Recognitions
Jordan Triplett, a second grader in Mr. Lawrence’s class was recognized as the Allendale-Fairfax Elementary School (AFES) Student of the Month. Triplett was described as cheerful, friendly, and never meets a stranger. Triplett’s teachers described him as “committed to doing his best at school.” Triplett will also be playing the role of the Woodcutter in AFES’ upcoming production of Red Riding Hood, which Triplett has already memorized his lines and songs for.
AFES students also completed a Service Learning Project where students would meet with a young girl with cancer named Azalea. Through Zoom, the students were able to talk with Azalea each week and learn about having empathy and being charitable for others. Their project ended on March 31, and the students raised $7,372 for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Aiden Isham was named the Allendale-Fairfax Middle School (AFMS) Student of the Month for his constant honesty, responsibility, and intelligence. Isham was described as shy, but never unnoticed by AFMS educators.
“We notice his kindness and willingness to work hard, and his daily practice of treating others nicely,” said Dr. Gilmore.
Isham is a Beta Club member and honor roll student.
Lokeya Robinson is a senior at Allendale-Fairfax High School (AFHS) and serves as the Battalion Commander for the JROTC Tiger Battalion. C/MAJ Robinson was named the Student of the Month. During the past month, Robinson has displayed “excellent leadership skills by planning and spearheading several student project events.”
Zakiyah Williams was named the Evening School Student of the Month for her dedication to her education, and always coming into the classroom ready to work.
Roxanne Griddle, a Pre-K 4 teacher, was named Teacher of the Month at AFES because “she knows how to make things happen.” Griddle also is a driving force behind the Waterford Reading Program, which her students have made recent strides in.
Stephanie Weir-Cox is an eighth grade history teacher who only started working at AFMS in January. Weir-Cox “sets a high standard for her scholars and instills in them the confidence to reach it.” She also spearheaded the Black History Month program and the Gallery Walk where she highlighted notable African Americans from both the past and present.
Danielle Williams is the AFHS cosmetology instructor and in her second year with the district. She is described as a well organized teacher who develops inspiring relationships with her peers and scholars. Williams is “always eager to offer words of encouragement and support to our team” at Professional Learning Community meetings. All of Williams’ students have earned their nationally recognized Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) certification.
Kendra Moore serves as the District Driver Trainer, Safety Officer, and prepares new employees for Commercial Drivers License (CDL) exams. She is described as an integral part of the ACSD transportation department. Moore, who has been with the district for four years, is “eager to assist whenever needed, and she sacrifices for the transportation department.” Dr. Gilmore expressed the department is a “better department because of Ms. Kendra Moore.”
Four students received their OSHA certifications: Nyasia Mixson, Kanylah Brown, Moneisha Hightower, and Doneshia Smoakes.
Two students were celebrated as STEM Signing Day recipients: Arian Williams and Leah Duncan. Both students have committed to schools for STEM-related studies.
JROTC
C/1LT Rebekah Powers and C/MAJ Robinson stood alongside Allendale-Fairfax High School JROTC administrator Chief Jeffery Gordon as he gave an update on the club.
C/MAJ Robinson played an integral role in bringing some of the upcoming events together. She helped plan the JROTC Cadet Challenge held on April 28 and JROTC Day coming up on May 1-3. C/MAJ Robinson also assisted in planning a professional development trip in March.
On May 3 at the annual JROTC Leadership Awards banquet held at Newberry Hall in Aiken, C/MAJ Robinson will be honored with a leadership award for good moral character, academic excellence, and potential to serve as an officer in the armed forces.
“Our kids are inspired for greatness,” said Dr. Gilmore.
Cadet Zy’Nahriah Rhodes was in Dr. Gilmore’s student spotlight for sharing exciting news with the superintendent. Rhodes was exuding happiness in the hallway after a meeting with an educator and wanted to share a bit of her enthusiasm with Dr. Gilmore.
Cards for Trooper Fraizer
Students all across ACSD are making get well soon cards to send to Lance Corporal Bentrice Fraizer, who recently returned home after being shot during a traffic stop on April 16 near Denmark.
As Trooper Fraizer was being escorted home by the S.C. Highway Patrol through Allendale, the community was on the roadside showing their support with signs and cheers.
Upcoming events
May 4 – JROTC Awards Ceremony, 11:30 a.m
May 5 – JROTC Field Studies
May 13 – AFHS Junior/ Senior Prom
May 18-20 – AFHS Senior Trip
May 26 – BETA & National Honor Society Field Studies
May 30 – Senior Breakfast
June 2 – AFHS Graduation
