Because of Lexington School District Two’s participation in the Community Eligibility Program (CEP), all students within the school district will eat breakfast and lunch at no cost for the 2024-2025 school year.
The Community Eligibility Provision is a part of the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010. The provision allows for school districts with a higher than average population of low-income community members to provide an alternative for free and reduced meals that don’t involve households applying for the program, according to the press release.
Because of the provision, all students enrolled in the district will automatically receive free meals and households will not have to fill out applications for the program.

Suspect arrested in bank robbery
The West Columbia Police Department arrested a suspect on June 27 that was found to be connected to a robbery that took place earlier that day at Security Federal Bank located off of Sunset Boulevard in Lexington.
30-year-old West Columbia resident Satorius Martin was arrested around 1:30 p.m. on June 27 and transported to the Lexington County Detention Center as she awaits her first court hearing. Martin was charged with counts relating to the robbery.
The suspect was apprehended with help from the FBI and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.
"We are grateful for the quick and coordinated response by our officers and partners at the FBI and the Lexington County Sheriff's Department," West Columbia Police Chief Marion Boyce said in the press release. "This arrest is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of all the law enforcement personnel involved."

One dead after shooting on Calvary Church Road
The Lexington County Coroner’s Office has positively identified the victim of a homicide that occurred near the 1000 block of Calvary Church Road on June 25.
60-year-old Swansea resident Robert Bailey was pronounced dead at the scene due to a gunshot wound on his upper body. Another victim was taken to the hospital with critical injuries, according to the press release.
“He found a man who had been shot but was conscious and breathing, then a witness told him someone else was shot down the road. The deputy performed CPR on the second shooting victim until EMS arrived. The second victim was later pronounced dead,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said in a separate press release.

One charged in Calvary Church Road homicide
One Lexington County resident has been charged after killing one and injuring another after fighting with one of the victims days earlier on June 25 on Calvary Church Road.
29-year-old Swansea resident Joey Inabinet Jr. was arrested and charged with murder, attempted murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
“We found shell casings at the scene consistent with a gun we know has been in Inabinet’s possession,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said in the press release. “Our investigation into this case is ongoing; however, we are very glad to have Inabinet in custody.”
Inabinet is currently being held at the Lexington County Detention Center.

Lexington School District Five gets new CFO
Lexington County School District Five hired a new Chief Financial Officer during the most recent school board meeting. The Board of Trustees appointed Heather Tucker to the role.
Tucker previously served in the state government as the Director of Planning, Budgeting and Reporting for the S.C. Department of Health and Human Services from 2014-2017 and as the Director of Budget for the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division from 2017-2022.
Since 2022, she has taught Financial Literacy and Fundamentals of Computing at Chapin Middle School. She received a bachelor’s in political science with a minor in business administration from Clemson University and a masters in public administration with a concentration in business analysis from Georgia Southern University.
Superintendent Dr. Akil E. Ross said in a press release that “the district is fortunate to have Mrs. Tucker serve as our chief financial officer. … Her real-world experience as a budget director will be a great addition to our team. Mrs. Tucker’s experience in developing governmental budgets, combined with her background as a classroom teacher, will ensure that our budgeting decisions are in the best interest of students.”

Lexington School District Five hires new leader for adult education
Dr. John McMillan will replace retiring director of adult education Paula Wright as the department’s new leader.
McMillan has served as an assistant administrator at Irmo High School and Dutch Fork High School. He has also served as an adult education and English teacher before becoming an administrator.
He has received a bachelor’s in mass communication from Jackson State University, a masters in English education from South Carolina State University and a doctorate in education administration also from South Carolina State University.
McMillan has received several awards for his work including winning Lexington-Richland School District Five Assistant Principal of the Year and a Presidential Award for Services outside of the classroom.
McMillan said in the press release that he is excited about his new position.
“I am looking forward to serving everyone to the best of my ability. I am so thankful to be in this position, and I hope that everyone is looking forward to the great things we will do together. I know I am,” he said.
Lexington School District Five’s Chief of Student Services and Planning Michael Harris said in the press release he is confident in McMillan’s ability to succeed in his new role.
“As a seasoned administrator, I am confident that Dr. McMillan will lead the students and staff in the Adult Education Program to even greater heights of success. We are fortunate to have a leader of Dr. McMillan's character to join the team as Director of Adult Education,” he said.

Lexington School District Five appoints new head of virtual education
Veteran educator Jerusha Spain has been selected to lead Lexington Five’s virtual education program, also known as FIVE, as its newest coordinator.
Spain is currently serving as a logistics officer for the South Carolina Army National Guard but she has spent more than 15 years in the field of education including as an assistant principal in high school and as a coordinator of adult education.
She has received a bachelor’s in interdisciplinary arts and sciences from the University of Washington and two masters in educational leadership and social sciences education from Western Governors University.
Chief of Academics for the school district Tina McCaskill said the district is enthusiastic about Spain starting her new role.
“Mrs. Spain is an enthusiastic leader who has focused on building positive and supportive relationships with students, faculty and parents to support the growth of all students. We are confident that her depth of experience will help our FIVE program continue to evolve and succeed,” she said in the press release.

Lexington School District Five to offer gold passes for senior citizens

Lexington School District Five is offering gold passes again to encourage senior citizens in the community to become more involved in school-sponsored activities.

The pass provides free admission for those in the community who are 60 and older to most athletic and cultural arts events for the district excluding playoff games for all sports.

“The Golden Pass program brings community members of all ages together and provides an opportunity to say thank you to our senior community for volunteering and supporting our schools,” School District Five Superintendent Dr. Akil E. Ross, Sr. said in the press release. “When the stands are filled, our students feel supported by the community and recognized for their efforts.”

Passes will be issued on July 23 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and on July 24 from 9 a.m. to noon. The passes will be issued at the district administration office at 1020 Dutch Fork Rd. in Irmo. These passes are for a lifetime and do not need to be renewed.