The use of electronic devices, specifically cell phones, was discussed at the Sept. 17 school board meeting for Lexington County School District One. The electronic device proviso was brought up during Superintendent Gerrita Postlewait’s report with a first reading at the Oct. 22 board meeting. A second reading will follow at the November meeting.

The proviso requirements indicates that in order to receive state funds allocated for state aid to classrooms, the school district “shall implement a policy adopted by the State Board of Education that prohibits access to personal electronic communication devices by students during the school day.”

It goes on to say for the purpose of this provision, “a personal electronic communication device is considered to be a device not authorized for classroom use by a student, utilized to access the internet, wi-fi or cellular telephone signals.”

Pointed out at the meeting were requirements, permissions and considerations the board may want to think about. For instance, devices are to be turned off from first period until the end of the instructional day, however, it doesn’t determine use on buses, during field trips and athletic events, for instance.

The state policy does allow for permission if required for 504 plans, IEPs, medical plans and volunteer firefighter positions.

Disciplinary measures are to be taken if a student violates policy. It was stated by a couple of board members that discipline for using phones shouldn’t bar students from the classroom and take away from instruction time.

Other issues not addressed include emergency situations, consequences and if the superintendent can permit use in ther classroom.

The board did not take any action as the superintendent only informed about the state proviso. A first reading will be held Oct. 22.

In safety news, Lexington One’s Director of State and Emergency Services Chris Ellisor informed the board about CrisisAlert which is wearable technology that allows teachers to notify law enforcement and the appropriate people through dispatch of an emergency situation.

Ellisor explained that the schools are divided into three regions and they are in the process of training schools about the alert button.

“It empowers teachers and staff to alert at a moment’s notice,” he said. “It can lock down a school in a moment’s notice… working within seconds.”

He said he hopes to have the district utilizing the alert system later this year. The alert system was funded through capital project funds.

Board compensation

It was only discussed by board members whether Lexington One school board members should receive compensation for their time and travel put in.

According to the S.C. School Boards Association, Lexington One, Three and Four receive no district pay. They are among 28 districts who do not compensate their school board.

Lexington Two district pays $100 a month to the board chair for travel and $50 a month to board vice-chair and secretary. Lexington-Richland Five receives $9,846 a year.

While many board members discussed the positives of a board stipend, board member Beth Shealy was hesitant at the time about the prospect of receiving a stipend or compensation.

Student testing highlights

The district’s Director of Assessment and Accountability Shane Phillips presented the board with highlights from this past year’s standardized testing including SC Ready and End of Course Examinations.

Overall, Phillips said the district “had a successful year and saw good to remarkable growth in SC Ready.”

Postlewait said, “There is still work to be done but we have improved since Covid.”

Some of the highlights from the SC Ready include:

• The Title I schools grew in both math and English language arts from 2023.
• In English language arts, 52% of schools surpassed the state proficient rate and in math, 72% of schools surpassed the proficient rate.

As for the end-of-course exams, students either met or exceeded the goal for English, math and science, while social studies came up short. Although Phillips said the district did improve.

As for highlights, it was noted:

• Pelion Middle School improved by 21 points in algebra while five other schools improved by 10 points. All of the high schools improved in proficiency in algebra from 2023.
• In biology, 100% of high schools improved their proficiency rate with Pelion High School in the lead improving by almost 22 points.
• In English 2, 80% of high schools improved proficiency rates from 2023. Pelion High and White Knoll High improved proficiency by more than six points.
• In U.S. History, 80% of high schools improved proficiency from 2023. Gilbert High and Pelion High increased proficiency by more than six points.

In other news, the annual board assessment and superintendent evaluation will be Oct. 8.

The board approved the use of 2018 bond referendum funds for HVAC repairs. Between $35-40,000 will be used to update controls for the HVAC.