The Lexington County School District One Salary Study Committee presented its recommendations to the board during the Dec. 17 meeting. The recommendations included adjustments to teacher salaries, support staff salaries and special supplements for hard-to-fill positions.

The committee, which has been working together since October, consists of Keith Price, superintendent-elect, three teachers, three principals, three support staff, three district leaders and two school board members.

Committee members were divided into three groups, each focusing on different salary categories. The teacher salary group concentrated on what the district's scale should be compared to the state scale. The support staff salary members focused on what should be the minimum starting pay for each grade band. Members of the special supplements group focused on incentives for hard-to-fill positions.

The staff that focused on teacher salaries discussed three recommendations: maintain a $2,000 cushion above the starting salary on the state minimum scale, include a steady percentage and examine increases in pay based on years served. Increasing the salary helps to ensure the district is competitive with other schools in the Midlands.

Members of the support staff group came up with three priorities: when the board provides raises, provide them for all classifications, standardize step progressions and evaluate work calendars and pay grades to match work expectations.

The committee recommended that the board consider strategic custodial expectations and compensation based on the level of the school, consider increasing days for a certain number of housekeeping positions from 190 to 230 days, review staffing formulas for all positions to ensure consistency and intentionality and set a minimum starting salary at $15.60 per hour, adjusting scales accordingly after that.

The Special Education supplement group presented two recommendations: shift special educational assistants from pay grade seven to pay grade eight and move to eight hours per day. They also recommended that the board implement a special education teacher retention stipend: $1,000 for year one, $2,000 for year two and $3,000 for year three and up. This would be paid in half, once in December and once in May.

These recommendations will be looked at by board members and they will decide if they would like to implement them or not.

In other news

The board held its officer election. Kathryn Henson became the new chair, Elizabeth Shealy became vice-chair and Chris Rice became secretary.

Three students were recognized for winning the state swimming competition. Maecy Wells from River Bluff High placed first in the 100-yard butterfly, making her a three-time state champion. Maecy also placed first in the 100-yeard backstroke, making her a two-time state champion.

Maecy along with River Bluff High students Anna Heath Ray, Carli Wells and Lakeside Middle student, Ellie Wells took first in the 200-yard medley relay.

Megan Pasek-Rankin, The College Center’s dual enrollment graduation coach, received her Global Career Development Facilitator credential. Kelly DuBose and Julie Painter earned their Certified School Business Officer certifications from the South Carolina Association of School Business Officials. Both DeBose and Painter completed all mandatory courses and passed all required exams.

Board members also approved for the superintendent to sign a document with the Be Smart organization which focuses on securing guns to save lives.

The next scheduled board meeting will be on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 6 p.m. at the Lexington One Central Services Building One, located at 100 Tarrar Springs Rd. in Lexington.