[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,76,88,99,111],{"_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",6278411,"mediaKeyId","2641135-54989fa546410427d0bb1fab3e78430a","parentId",2641135,"title","At a glance: key votes and executive actions, March 11, 2025 — Richland 2 School Board","audioSeconds",307,"startMs",3161000,"endMs",3468000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2641135-54989fa546410427d0bb1fab3e78430a&start=3161&end=3468","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2641135-54989fa546410427d0bb1fab3e78430a/thumbnail_3161000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6278411/South-Carolina/At-a-glance-key-votes-and-executive-actions-March-11-2025-Richland-2-School-Board","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278411-1798f416ccfb736c745afbc06d04882d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450850&Signature=ZDVv1wK2GVJUnyyNnYtLaaPlhwlZfTIPHX-YM99nNqbhuspvDi~orphTNhA4lxdPFqyUsHWVcy-8kHCJlI99lx3bRQbG928cpmqjmJxHcf~LltnhNwBXldu7L9hoc-~87osiSz0sJaD~0MUqS~Q~egXcWZ5HaZwByZvFnQRDd9Oluf-GEapjxojG0JqsL0ei5msxMhe93kbwEfNXB6AG07woaCjnErK13jaa9v-l5jeoWPZJhxHSgVjiDgPc5QzdGWbwuchSBDa2NwtU7dwe4xDvPowO2fgxOIQ76CVubeBU01cRnPn60QcQy0VrV-~u9JXBy6IM94~TsKSYBBTl8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richland 02 School District","date","2025-03-15T00:30:23.573Z","article","The Richland School District 2 School Board held votes on multiple consent and executive session items during its March 11, 2025 regular meeting. The board recorded unanimous votes on the following motions:

- Approval of the March 11, 2025 meeting agenda (initial vote recorded 6–0; later procedural votes recorded 7–0).
- Authorization for the superintendent to proceed with property transactions discussed in executive session to purchase 6.51 acres shown as a portion of Richland County TMS 223000‑03‑06 from JNW Investments 1 LLC, with documents to be made public after completion (motion by Mrs. Washington; seconded by Mr. Dennis). Vote: 7–0. The board directed that the transaction documents be released to the public once the purchase is completed.
- Approval of a student admission request into the district’s adult education program for Student Number 1 (motion by Mr. Dennis; seconded by Mrs. Nash). Vote: 7–0.
- Approval of employment recommendations and certified releases as presented (motion by Mrs. Nash; seconded by Mrs. Porter). Vote: 7–0.
- Approval of the requested budget transfer as presented (motion by Mrs. Nash; seconded by Mrs. Williams). Vote: 7–0.
- Approval of the consent agenda, minutes and other routine items (vote recorded 7–0).
- Motion to adjourn the meeting (vote recorded 7–0).

The board convened and concluded an executive session to receive legal advice on a contractual matter regarding property purchase, to review student admission requests, and to consider employment recommendations and certified releases. In each case, a public motion with recorded votes followed the executive session and the board recorded unanimous approval of the actions noted above. The minutes state that documents related to the property purchase will be made available once transactions are completed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richland School District Two Board of Trustees Meeting | March 11, 2025 at the District Office","oneSentenceSummary","Trustees approved several routine and executive session items including a property purchase authorization, student admission to adult education, employment recommendations and a budget transfer; all recorded votes were unanimous.","taxTitle","Richland 02, School Districts, South Carolina","taxId",14819,"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},6278416,"Board debates options to host legislators; leans toward short local visit format",916,5331000,6247000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2641135-54989fa546410427d0bb1fab3e78430a&start=5331&end=6247","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2641135-54989fa546410427d0bb1fab3e78430a/thumbnail_5331000.jpg","/articles/6278416/South-Carolina/Board-debates-options-to-host-legislators-leans-toward-short-local-visit-format","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278416-ea20282bc364304bc4fbd75ec83284cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450850&Signature=IYnRmp8tgZPr75GX0FFC47Rz53dqeuj5nRvZ2Bl3Gvt8nM0hVTihbVj3~Q56E0UgGqRbWMOPkua9K5Q4saDndOYcb4bA~vXi6axPO~iy1zjgHt9p4tw8xRQcZB5zBv4jkGsdF2uOVa2JFTq~F5rO1HaDKOJr5tdg2VKfwk9mwsouGe90b2n2nUp-ofts6hp-hxXYqeX25NqpvkW-8dQpfbA1Z3hTHFbfDu8GSgoasrkt9Nz9voAeiUFl5tQL7leBvKToQq097sGk3RXPdRtfUDO3flAuE3HbuDfP9KrkO-WPJrE55XMp-bYPDJjBrp7Fg6eJWztDk0OsKVsr5XGnBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Trustees discussed how to engage state and county legislators and delegates about Richland School District 2 district priorities, with three options presented by board members: a comprehensive half‑day legislative event, a one‑to‑one‑and‑a‑half hour visit at the district’s R2I2 facility, or individual outreach by trustees using a staff‑prepared one‑page summary.

Board member Mrs. Porter introduced the proposals and said she had drafted three options to gather feedback. Option A would be a half‑day event with updates, Q&A, facility tours and lunch during the summer; Option B would be a shorter 60–90 minute visit or a 1.5‑hour event at R2I2 showcasing programs and facilities; Option C would be individualized outreach by trustees supported by a staff one‑page summary of celebrations and challenges.

Several trustees said they preferred Option B as a practical, budget‑conscious way to invite legislative engagement. Mrs. Williams asked how the event would be funded; Mrs. Porter said any board‑sponsored event would be paid from the board budget. Mr. Dennis and other board members noted legislators’ limited availability and the importance of scheduling at times that work for delegates; trustees suggested later‑day windows (for example, 5 p.m.–6:30 p.m.) or coordinating the outreach with existing board events when possible.

Mr. Trapp urged the board to adopt a mindset of regularly inviting legislators to district events and to coordinate invitations for events such as performing‑arts openings that already occur. Porter and Trapp said they would follow up with trustees to assign calls to the delegation and return with a recommended schedule and format.","Trustees discussed three outreach options to engage state and local legislators — a full half‑day event, a 60–90 minute R2I2 visit, and individual outreach — and expressed support for a shorter, district‑hosted option (Option B) to fit legislators’ schedules and board resources.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":46,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6278421,"Richland 2 presents proposed 2026–27 academic calendar after committee vote; board debates Monday start and July work week",924,4392000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2641135-54989fa546410427d0bb1fab3e78430a&start=3468&end=4392","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2641135-54989fa546410427d0bb1fab3e78430a/thumbnail_3468000.jpg","/articles/6278421/South-Carolina/Richland-2-presents-proposed-202627-academic-calendar-after-committee-vote-board-debates-Monday-start-and-July-work-week","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278421-d8195a6bfe160b8f9ea134d72aeee3ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450850&Signature=ZOcU5mSh1BcjkqdDZTAd8eiomcbClzO5JQ4z4aSifixkWBZFZN31~-1d7-bFw~cO5YkIU6Qat8XdKK51jQyVV9sG~jp0XNr2Yc77ZoTLcei9UhRSWxfGX3LMxcPqCr7fLCyW-JJB9a7fbNTxdSUHwohfE3Fc3ZO4meggD~oH~iAt8WwJUDYRjY~3S6q3NBQQxjF6mooRI3cKqRpUxV9ydr-bNQiNJ6Dp8K75vCIZ51OHrQ~ucGk4zxZg3Y8BSZKZwINBtPOZwiowFx7zYqxny3qUdIwwfgOrjiGGZW7EDTE6UjKNOjOc0POSLzJujKpVluzRjx-wSFv5RuWZFjXOMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff and calendar committee members presented a proposed academic calendar for the 2026–27 school year and reviewed how the committee selected the recommended option.

Deputy Superintendent Dr. Marshallyn Franklin briefed the board on the committee process: nine draft calendars were reduced to four, partner groups provided feedback, and three calendars were presented to parents and staff by survey. Of 23,580 households and employees contacted, 4,932 responded. Sandra Baker, the committee member who drafted Calendar B, explained the features and rationale behind her calendar, which received the most total votes across all respondent groups.

Calendar B’s notable elements include teachers returning the week of July 27 for preparation, a Monday start for student instruction, a four‑day October break, the full week of Thanksgiving off, and a May 27 last day for students with a teacher workday May 28. “The overall goal was to have some type of break during each month to give our teachers and students time for rest and rejuvenation,” Baker said.

Board members raised concerns about the Monday start and the July teacher work week. Board member Miss Porter said educators prefer a mid‑week start to allow time to work out issues, and board member Mr. Dennis noted earlier summer commitments, camps and military Permanent Change of Station (PCS) schedules could be affected by earlier teacher start dates and July work weeks. Student representative Ethan Cropp said he also preferred a mid‑week start but appreciated that the calendar finished before Memorial Day.

Dr. Moore told the board the committee selected Calendar B because it had the highest total number of votes, even though employees preferred Calendar C and parents preferred Calendar A. He noted the district’s goal to finish the first semester before winter break drove earlier start dates in the calendar drafts. The board did not vote on a final calendar at the meeting; the item is scheduled for a vote on March 25 per the published agenda.","A calendar committee recommended Calendar B after a districtwide survey of 4,932 responses. Calendar B starts teachers in late July, begins student instruction on a Monday, and preserves a full Thanksgiving week — prompting board questions about teacher prep and impacts on military families.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6278426,"District shares upbeat survey results showing strong participation, identifies pay and career pathways as top concerns",580,4405000,4985000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2641135-54989fa546410427d0bb1fab3e78430a&start=4405&end=4985","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2641135-54989fa546410427d0bb1fab3e78430a/thumbnail_4405000.jpg","/articles/6278426/South-Carolina/District-shares-upbeat-survey-results-showing-strong-participation-identifies-pay-and-career-pathways-as-top-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278426-6bab3a0039425b3156fbd5df0150f3b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450850&Signature=h7ziLy-x632OYSpa-nGiDFohv6t~k2SikoMn37oCqgGoSiGLo8FjUjcWNCAoXB1HgChj8lpA3oYSrvK1oyqbcz4YyafH60Zm~qFauU2gy19w1G2WCSIVn2RsoZHeeWUXzskeQe2eh1XDhOlkFrhPNRbOeCNIPdfmOtaLkMsYCBxr4zsXRmBEGHVeZJBKHwLBIEdS9otxAFvwvtLUYhOV5F8uyjOiQ0idaTgilaV26Vwfx9TvcN4X-jOkelGS3yhBKrTX3-AZjfpEkD4C6XLuAu7UwXGsd9onYTyKKy8OhHa~virmi3Q6wadoV9zcA50v1yCxzIGVJ8jQmzDKCuTK5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Richland School District 2 officials presented the results of an UpBeat employee engagement survey at the March 11 board meeting, reporting high participation and data the district hopes to use to improve teacher retention.

“Teachers had 1,644 completions, which was an 86% completion rate,” said Andrew Saturna, UpBeat program manager, describing district participation that exceeded UpBeat averages. UpBeat’s leadership team highlighted district strengths — including equal opportunity (94% positive), instructional leadership (92%) and belonging and well‑being (87%) — while flagging career and compensation (49% positive) as a relative area of concern compared with statewide partners.

Kylie Shapiro Davis, UpBeat’s chief operating officer, said UpBeat couples research‑based survey reporting with coaching for principals and district leaders. Luke Mano Durakman, head of leadership at UpBeat, said nearly every Richland 2 principal had a one‑on‑one consult with an UpBeat coach to review school‑level data and develop specific action steps. “Our main focus of the survey…was to have a greater than or equal to 70% teacher participation,” Saturna said. UpBeat’s data showed the district exceeded that target.

UpBeat compared Richland 2 responses to its larger South Carolina cluster, noting the district’s career and compensation score was roughly 7 percentage points lower than the South Carolina cluster and that professional development perception was 6 points lower than the state cluster. UpBeat representatives named other South Carolina districts in the cluster, including Greenville and Beaufort counties, and said comparative data can help shape local action.

Human resources officials said the district has used the data at the school level: after principals met with UpBeat coaches, they were expected to share reports and work with faculty to translate results into action plans that address local priorities such as work‑life balance, professional development and career pathways.

Board members praised the participation rate and said the one‑on‑one principal consults and school‑level working committees are the intended next steps. Richland 2 officials said they will continue using UpBeat results alongside other workforce data as the district seeks to improve teacher working conditions and retention.","Richland 2 presented results from the UpBeat employee engagement survey: 86% teacher response, strengths in instructional leadership and belonging, and lower scores for career/compensation that the district plans to address in principal‑led school action plans.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6278431,"Richland 2 public commenters press board to raise pay, improve staffing amid budget talks",1974,111000,2085000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2641135-54989fa546410427d0bb1fab3e78430a&start=111&end=2085","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2641135-54989fa546410427d0bb1fab3e78430a/thumbnail_111000.jpg","/articles/6278431/South-Carolina/Richland-2-public-commenters-press-board-to-raise-pay-improve-staffing-amid-budget-talks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278431-999a9737fbe6dc6901538addf8b9e0b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450850&Signature=F-d-5H1nci6FT9dBycRwZdYdpCLn--AQXZxbrcEcN7Z8DGzglfb9dTUb663Fgri1V14iP0CJ9Ml7gpMPl3Oeex6uOeiYYAZLh0DGgAn~NJ4KhZT~O-QVzxKksboYVPEIy6IoiXRyQ5khrh77Zy6QKd6nmXiE49zQSTD~3cbbkRZtM~zFcOL9ndcIQDy3IRI~pM7IKx2Jc3dJ6E7WMM4jZzdVBfnuWQEfinRPeQk7COvepmVXDV6TSvNTTLUWddmsjd5Qdh1I0wDp1t9dJo0YHCDZQClg~ra4mwcMciYoq2-RD5fpi5VqET1HsTeDwVP1MaxOnwcVnTgDSEwpFTJ~Ig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of employees and contractors addressed the Richland School District 2 board during the public input session on the 2025–26 budget, urging higher pay and changes to staffing that they said are needed to recruit and retain qualified staff.

The comments opened with Dawn McAdams, coordinator for health services for Richland School District 2, who outlined staffing needs and pay disparities among school nurses. “School nursing is not for the faint of heart,” McAdams said, describing the scope of school nurse responsibilities from immunization audits and individualized health plans to life‑threatening emergencies. She said the district currently has 37 full‑time registered nurses with one vacancy and 12 guest nurses. McAdams requested higher experience credit on the nursing salary schedule, pay for advanced degrees and national certification, an increase in guest nurse pay and additional RNs so high schools would have two RNs each and a lead nurse to support mentorship and retention.

Public commenters representing other groups asked the board to revise pay and supplement policies as part of the 2025–26 budget. Board‑certified behavior analyst Tori Vate told the board BCBAs in Richland 2 are paid on a teacher scale despite additional training and certification and that district hourly rates for BCBAs “are around $40 an hour” while staffing agencies charge the district about $45 an hour; she noted comparable clinical BCBA salaries in the region start near $80,000. Melissa Gerald, another district BCBA, said she and colleagues have more than 30 years of combined special‑education experience in the district and asked that compensation be adjusted to reflect market rates and the district value of continuity of care.

Multiple student activities directors urged higher extracurricular stipends. Lisa Ellis, student activities director at Blythewood High School, said the district’s extracurricular supplements had not increased in more than 24 years and argued that rising responsibilities and a teacher shortage make it difficult to find advisers. “When we fail to fairly compensate them for extracurricular sponsorships, we send the message that their time outside the classroom is not valued,” Ellis said. Several other directors — including Ashley Truss of Westwood High School, Regina Germany Cherry of Richland Northeast High School and Paige Fennell of Ridgeview High School — described months‑long event planning, community engagement and additional duties that they said are not reflected in current stipends and urged the board to increase supplements.

Esther Clavo, a certified guest teacher and former classroom teacher, asked the board to pay certified guest teachers the certified daily rate on day one of service. She said a new vendor scale this summer reduced the pay gap between certified guest teachers and substitutes without certifications, and she urged the district to “change how we value guest teachers by paying us our certified daily rate on day 1 of service.”

Speech‑language pathologist Ashley Patton said the district currently has six SLP vacancies posted and faces rising caseloads and more complex student needs. She asked the board to adopt a professional salary schedule for SLPs that aligns with other related service providers in the district to help recruitment and retention.

Speakers repeatedly tied compensation requests to student services and continuity of care. McAdams cited 73,000 health‑room visits reported through February and said the district’s pediatric emergency department sees 67,000 annually, noting the high volume handled by school nurses. Several speakers also said hiring through agencies and high market demand make local recruitment difficult and recommended targeted salary adjustments, recognition for advanced credentials and additional staffing lines.

Board members acknowledged the comments and noted the requests are being considered as the administration works on the coming year’s budget. The public input session on the 2025–26 budget concluded after roughly an hour of testimony; the board has scheduled an additional input session at 5 p.m. March 25.

The requests from nurses, BCBAs, student activities directors, guest teachers and SLPs were presented as budget priorities rather than enacted policy changes; no formal vote on new compensation measures occurred during the meeting.","Dozens of district employees and contractors spoke during a public input session on the 2025–26 budget asking the board to raise pay and change staffing structures for nurses, behavior analysts, student activities directors, guest teachers and speech-language pathologists.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

At a glance: key votes and executive actions, March 11, 2025 — Richland 2 School Board

Board debates options to host legislators; leans toward short local visit format

Richland 2 presents proposed 2026–27 academic calendar after committee vote; board debates Monday start and July work week

District shares upbeat survey results showing strong participation, identifies pay and career pathways as top concerns

Richland 2 public commenters press board to raise pay, improve staffing amid budget talks