[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6293163,"mediaKeyId","2523792-c9235000d72cf0d3e6eba9a19e00de00","parentId",2523792,"title","Committee reviews teaching‑assistant salary schedule and considers $1–$2 hourly increases","audioSeconds",1384,"startMs",2895000,"endMs",4279000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2523792-c9235000d72cf0d3e6eba9a19e00de00&start=2895&end=4279","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2523792-c9235000d72cf0d3e6eba9a19e00de00/thumbnail_2895000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6293163/South-Carolina/Committee-reviews-teachingassistant-salary-schedule-and-considers-12-hourly-increases","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6293163-e662eb18f7388241ecf3a9da1329e4ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1771002080&Signature=XuV3ZZgYox6KL7OdFUdCTG2u~lt1PX9KHK76fUrK2Vr63CiRpc7oaD4o-OIObeFKTkHyOmtLRaQXXGnqcZRmDir-uJWxHeGhZlRxVWNCQnRs82cQE06o5bYCLE0HeG7GAWR5OCUYGEmGaZ6FYAk9WZRUjB0~wHgCVir6O~OmLAswsMtiTUCtvelph1jJkZYxFG~e7wKpC~lr1956gezkhXPBwl~QfGYJdo6w499oa-CcT-zQb-T7jofOSVe8UxiXMl9EpB51CS-c6IppyA1tCqA0uXIrvw2p9HanNbqXkIJb8GmNuo0FN8ebwi8mcaw~wp-qy01qFHvdPWaRaMVUYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","ASD5 External Affairs","date","2025-02-25T00:00:00Z","article","The finance committee reviewed the district’s teaching‑assistant (TA) salary schedule, a cross‑district comparison and several “what‑if” scenarios for raising TA hourly pay. Staff said raising the TA base rate would be possible but asked trustees to indicate a target (for example $1.00, $1.50 or $2.00 added to the base) so staff can compute the budgetary cost.

Amy, presenting the comparison, summarized the district’s TA schedule and the cross‑district pilot: “the lowest you can make is $14.14,” she said when pointing to Anderson 5’s step‑one hourly rate on the schedule. She also read the four‑year degree range from the salary booklet: “If you have a 4 year degree, you start out at $14.86 and you go to $21.99.”

Committee members discussed how different districts handle steps and contract days (which affect annual pay even when hourly rates are similar). Amy said some districts have fewer steps or additional contract days; that can move other districts ahead on annual pay even if hourly rates are similar. The presenter also provided head‑count context: roughly 200 teaching assistants fall into the regular‑education TA categories in the district’s inventory; principals and funding sources vary by school and assignment.

Board members proposed straightforward scenarios so staff could run budget estimates. One trustee suggested a $1.50 per‑hour across‑the‑board increase; Amy responded, “I would put a dollar 50 on this,” and agreed to model a half‑dollar, $1.00, $1.50 and $2.00 scenario for the committee.

The committee discussed funding and Title I constraints. The presenter warned that labeling new positions as “reading interventionist” and funding them with Title I can trigger supplanting rules that increase the district’s general‑fund obligation. She said: “If we call them reading interventionists, then we're gonna come back in here and have to pick up every so those 24 might end up being 35.” The committee talked about targeting general‑fund‑funded instructional support assistants to focus on reading or other priorities without creating supplanting obligations.

No formal vote was taken. Staff said they will model dollar‑and‑headcount scenarios (including costs for a $0.50, $1.00, $1.50 and $2.00 increase) and return with the budget impacts and options for how positions could be funded across Title I and general fund.

Ending: Staff will return with modeled cost estimates and staffing counts for the committee’s review before final budget decisions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2/25/2025 - Finance Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Staff presented a cross‑district comparison and the district’s teaching‑assistant salary schedule, reported that the lowest Anderson 5 starting hourly rate is $14.14, and the committee discussed scenarios to raise the base by $0.50–$2.00 per hour and the budget and Title I funding implications of adding assistants.","taxTitle","Anderson 05, School Districts, South Carolina","taxId",12931,"location","South Carolina","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6293168,"Finance staff proposes raising board fund‑balance target from 16% to 20%",645,2094000,2739000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2523792-c9235000d72cf0d3e6eba9a19e00de00&start=2094&end=2739","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2523792-c9235000d72cf0d3e6eba9a19e00de00/thumbnail_2094000.jpg","/articles/6293168/South-Carolina/Finance-staff-proposes-raising-board-fundbalance-target-from-16-to-20","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6293168-9d96ffede0d29f3774d21cdfc9011e5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771002080&Signature=CuauZsUHS5DJjv5XmzzqcM9g7Nba-R8WuafUnZKmc~nqapA-PUmm0Zq230THP3CiUsEUSKnfV3hSlNHnLYFedKUAXzQ6EWsVJyh~tYTMVH4Z4R1BjoC93YQ5NkwGFnipDTKuY-yShHs1k7ga4A8BOdHTho3vDLfpeURUUeu5Y6JOOuVuNqvPOEVq~Y92vfmAdl~6Dr3~l4QhpXKRiUIPAxXIjd4xYw2CejKM58yvbXDesNqoIDfEWVbcJIljBmHzVBaD2MjAeRcl2Oo5wP9SeA7MS3W3Ii-DNHCIKAe-PcUFXelZm3jaqrHz6G2zMTPb0axiNXyLIcOkxIoKkQ~ZHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Finance staff presented a proposal to consider raising the district’s minimum undesignated fund‑balance target, explaining the policy’s origins, the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) guidance the policy follows, and the possible effects on bond‑rating discussions.

Amy, the staff presenter, summarized the policy history and rationale. She said the district originally adopted a fund balance policy in February 2009 after the 2007–2008 budget shortfalls, and that the policy reflected GFOA best practices: “our board policy says that we have no less than 16%.” She told the committee she was asking trustees to consider changing that threshold to 20%: “I'm just asking if y'all would consider us changing that to 20%.”

Amy framed the change as a precaution to improve the district’s fiscal resilience and to make the district’s position clearer to rating agencies should the district pursue future bond issues. She noted the district is currently holding more than the present minimum: “We're not at that rate right now. We're at 25.”

The presenter reviewed the district’s experience during the 2007–2009 downturn, when the district’s low fund balance forced emergency steps, and reminded trustees that borrowing to cover payroll (tax‑anticipation notes, or TANs) has a real interest cost. She said: “If we ever have to come to you and say that we need a 10, a tax anticipation note, we're just asking to borrow money to make payroll,” and added that when the district previously borrowed to make payroll it cost roughly $50,000 in interest.

Committee members said they were interested but wanted additional analysis. One board member suggested the finance committee could recommend the change to the full board if the committee reached consensus; others said they wanted more time to analyze implications for the budget and for any potential use of fund balance.

Ending: Staff offered to return with written language and cost/benefit analysis if the committee wants to develop a formal recommendation to present to the full board.
","Finance staff revisited the district’s fund‑balance policy (DIG), explained the policy’s history and GFOA guidance, and recommended the board consider increasing the minimum undesignated fund balance from 16% to 20% to strengthen fiscal posture for future borrowing and bond ratings.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6293174,"District projects net loss of elementary teachers under current enrollment projections",561,915000,1476000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2523792-c9235000d72cf0d3e6eba9a19e00de00&start=915&end=1476","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2523792-c9235000d72cf0d3e6eba9a19e00de00/thumbnail_915000.jpg","/articles/6293174/South-Carolina/District-projects-net-loss-of-elementary-teachers-under-current-enrollment-projections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6293174-315957f8498c4484ac89e83317e02092/orig.mp4?Expires=1771002080&Signature=nznzVZARQwhGofsb6n4aDSGnYh~S3YALJ081tvnlhzRr~LMSqlgVPSYFDyPIqKYNSVmUiXJPVQGasVbXVprgQQf-S2Gw6m5FiBxEdahUs5YsZhruQFWAmeG~VgLESP8XPFMlF0aj~rG-ARHQZNAN1BLbNj5Gy2rIczjqQQJsXinXhYTBEkWVzyyOxI8daEozI4iEiTAeIQimW5wpsu62GPzMdH4fMvHARoHZ3rLsM2LcrnXA4rravF3MMjGPRh71piH9dchofIMyz9Ys324WIZRqNf9XhxoKKc2BsuL7xQ8r5cAeu8Bb37fc6MDHHy3mRBbY9RPa72ZBzqMUFcTq6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Dr. Kelly presented the district’s teacher‑pupil ratio (TPR) projections and enrollment data, saying the district is using current enrollment to allocate classroom teachers and will monitor numbers through May before making any staffing changes.

Dr. Kelly told the committee: “the district ratio is 2 teachers for 25 kids in kindergarten. That's a teacher and a teaching assistant. And then first through third, it's 1 teacher for 21 students. And then fourth through eighth, it's 1 teacher for 25 students.” The presentation removed self‑contained special‑education students from general‑education counts so the ratios reflect general‑education homerooms.

Using current enrollment counts and those ratio rules, the superintendent walked through each elementary school’s projections. She said Calhoun’s kindergarten cohort is 57 as of Feb. 21 and that Calhoun is scheduled to lose two teachers under the model; she clarified this would occur via attrition, not layoffs: “Calhoun is losing 2 teachers. And I wanna make sure when I say that, no one's getting fired. What that happens is through attrition.”

After reviewing the school‑level projections, Dr. Kelly summarized the district total: “So, losing 11 teachers from elementary and losing 1 from them.” She told trustees the district will continue to monitor registration and enrollment between now and May and that teachers could be added back if head counts increase.

The committee discussed Title I funding and local balancing choices. Dr. Kelly noted that a Title I school may use its federal allocation to buy additional teacher positions; in one example, the superintendent said a principal had five teaching assistants equating to about $250,000 and that she offered the principal the choice of converting some assistant funding into two teacher positions. The principal chose to keep the teaching assistants: “I want my teaching assistants.”

On regulations, a board member asked whether state rules govern ratios. Dr. Kelly said state regulations exist and the district is “way below that,” adding she believed kindergarten state limits are 30 students, and that the district’s ratios remain lower than the state maximum.

No formal staffing reductions were approved at the meeting. Dr. Kelly said the administration will keep the committee updated, run scenarios as registration changes, and use the district’s formulas to reassign teachers where needed.

Ending: The administration will continue enrollment monitoring and return to the board with revised projections if registration changes materially before May.","Superintendent presented teacher‑pupil ratio projections and enrollment estimates showing net reductions in elementary classroom teachers through attrition unless enrollment rises; committee discussed Title I, special‑education mainstreaming and monitoring plans.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6293179,"Finance committee reviews substitute pay; Anderson 5 shown highest in local comparison",804,107000,911000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2523792-c9235000d72cf0d3e6eba9a19e00de00&start=107&end=911","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2523792-c9235000d72cf0d3e6eba9a19e00de00/thumbnail_107000.jpg","/articles/6293179/South-Carolina/Finance-committee-reviews-substitute-pay-Anderson-5-shown-highest-in-local-comparison","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6293179-fdc91b19d5906d291a799c86c0d575a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771002080&Signature=XSAl14njilyEmLmngOB9nFNs-nSMzp1CRveHZcAKUxqHl9aTXZ4kpdmDoDlKCwUbAIigotAP0pNTSgg9HekHA~nbRVVHu6O6aSToLkcRH2dL76wjqg8kSg5go4A3qQ~yvNRAc65~2jFFEpRJveFWOhfEHrUUQj9IR47XM4VPbd58M2NzRO2M2Z1EHIPBLCfMZidgQ2~kv01RdXCEqp0Qk7fHhYZk0OLlfUAi3XFn8HWUTGz9Ipv0ldq883v6x1oVc0d7qq3Yk-KRRgEwuNIiqxy~i248B0P8cybqo00oZrMO9GCK2dDTojG8rqJKQtobyd5ecSh1aayd29apk2UGcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Trustees Finance Committee reviewed a cross-district comparison of substitute-teacher pay during its work session, with district staff presenting rates for Anderson 5 and neighboring districts and explaining how vendor fees and certification status affect what substitutes actually receive.

Amy, a staff member presenting the comparison, said, “As you can see, Anderson 5 is the highest.” She explained the district list includes separate entries for non‑certified substitutes (those who may have a high school diploma or a four‑year degree but not a teaching certificate) and certified substitutes (licensed teachers). “I do know the 90 is for someone with a dual degree,” she added when clarifying the $90 figure shown on the table.

The presentation noted differences in how districts and staffing services pay and manage substitutes. Amy said that Anderson 1, 3, 4 and 5 use Educational Staffing Services (ESS) as a vendor, while Pickens and Oconee use Kelly Services; Anderson 2 manages substitutes in‑house. She told the committee that district vendor arrangements affect total cost and timing: “the rates that you see is what the teacher gets… when we have a teacher that goes through ESS and we pay them a hundred and $50 a day, that's probably $200 a day.”

On in‑district practice, Amy described the district’s approach to long‑term substitutes: “After the tenth day, we increase ours to a hundred and $50 per day.” She also summarized the district’s priority order for filling absences: certified teachers first, then four‑year degree substitutes, then those with high school diplomas when necessary.

Committee members asked about specific dollar steps and whether the table included non‑certified high‑school rates. Amy acknowledged the committee’s interest in exact step amounts and said she would provide the complete salary-book figures in follow‑up materials. She also described the district’s online scheduling tool for substitutes—ESS—which allows teachers to schedule planned absences in advance and helps principals and administrative staff avoid making dozens of early‑morning calls to fill vacancies.

No formal action or vote was taken at the meeting. Staff said they would deliver the requested clarifications and any missing line‑item figures to the committee.

Ending: Staff will provide the full substitute pay schedule and any outstanding clarifications to the committee for follow up at a future meeting.","At a finance committee work session, staff presented a cross-district comparison of daily substitute-teacher pay, explained how district vendor fees affect net pay, and described the district's long-term substitute rate structure and scheduling tools.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee reviews teaching‑assistant salary schedule and considers $1–$2 hourly increases

Finance staff proposes raising board fund‑balance target from 16% to 20%

District projects net loss of elementary teachers under current enrollment projections

Finance committee reviews substitute pay; Anderson 5 shown highest in local comparison