At the latest school board meeting for Lexington County School District Two, members recognized staff, discussed the upcoming school year’s calendar and reviewed school improvements and innovations.

Three teachers—Kim Harden, a science teacher at Brookland-Cayce High; Caitlyn White, a theater teacher at Airport High and Colin Richardson, the orchestra director at Airport High—were awarded the Bright Ideas Grant from Mid Carolina Electric Cooperative

Chet Henderson, the Innovation Center’s Teacher of the Year, highlighted the barbering program’s impact on the community.

The program has grown over the years, with 36 students signing up this past May, though only 20 can be accepted. Students are selected based on GPA and attendance. They also have the opportunity to cut hair for community members, with students typically cutting between 45 and 55 heads of hair.

Laird Thompson was recognized as WLTX Teacher of the Week after being nominated by a former student.

Larissa Cuffie, the district’s Gifted and Talented coach at Wood Elementary, received the Latonya Dililgard McDuffie Heritage Award. Pine Ridge Middle also received a $22,500 AEP grant.

In other news

The board approved the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic calendars, which were created with input from teachers, staff, administrators, parents and district employees.

The first day of school for the 2025-26 school year will be Tuesday. Aug. 5, with the final day on Friday, May 22.

The first day of school for the 2026-27 school year will be Wednesday, Aug. 5, with the final day on Tuesday, May 27.

Both calendars feature a weeklong Thanksgiving break, a two-week winter break and three weather makeup days required by state law.

Board members were also presented with upcoming school projects and renovations.

At Airport High and Brookland-Cayce High, stadiums will be re-turfed. At New Bridge Academy, HVAC improvements will take place, and Northside Middle and Wood Elementary will have roofing repairs.

The next regular board meeting will be on Jan. 16 at 6 p.m. at the District Education Center, located at 3205 Platt Springs Rd. in West Columbia.