A revised calendar, alternative education programs, the future of Aiken County Public School District and more were shared during the monthly North Augusta breakfast.
As part of the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce Breakfast, business and community leaders heard from district leaders the latest on the upcoming schools and education they can expect for years to come.
Current Superintendent King Lawrence, incoming superintendent and current Director of Operations and Student Services Corey Murphy, and Director of Finance Trey Traxler discuss the upcoming budget, the Aiken Student Re-Envisioning Program, and the newly revised calendar. We talked about the success and the money raised. Along with penny sales tax.
In addition to these updates, Mr. Lawrence also spoke about the future of the district, including building quality facilities for students, staff, faculty and parents, and preparing students for workforce development.
“We are building the future in the Aiken County Public School District,” Lawrence said.
Murphy talked about the new Highland Springs Middle School and North High School Jacket Park, which will serve as a high school baseball and softball facility. Murphy said $9 million is being invested in the project.
He also mentioned the penny sale, or penny sale, that the district implemented in 2015 following a vote by Aiken County residents in November 2014. Revenue from the 1% sales tax has been used for projects within the school district, including Aiken. High School and North Augusta High School.
This tax is scheduled to expire in February 2025.
“Every penny adds up,” he said.
Murphy said the district plans to go out to the community in May to get input on the district project. He said projects are underway, including renovations to several schools, kitchen updates at Paul Knox Middle School and security enhancements throughout the district.
budget
Traxler spoke about the school budget for the upcoming 2024-25 school year after it was discussed at a special school board meeting on April 16. The proposed budget is approximately $261 million.
Traxler said the majority of the budget comes from the state. He said the budget includes teacher pay increases and the addition of a second school resource officer at North Augusta High School.
The first reading is scheduled for April 23rd, and the second and final reading is scheduled for May 28th. He said the budget would be approved in late May or early June.
SOAR program
Lawrence said the SOAR program is a re-imagining of alternative education and there are different district programs because there are kids in the community who don't do well in a traditional school environment. These programs include Aiken County Virtual Academy, Aiken County Night Program, Aiken iNNOVATE, and Alternative Placement Behavioral Intervention (Innovative Learning Center).
She said some programs will be held in virtual environments, in-person settings and evening classes, with a focus on self-correcting behaviors and students who need attention beyond academics.
He also talked about improving school nutrition programs with chef-inspired foods and how food is made fresh. The week from April 1st to his 12th also offered an intersessional art and coding program.
He also mentioned the revised school calendar, which he said was working well because students had quarterly holidays and a short summer break.
“It gives us an opportunity to provide some rest and refreshment not only for students but also for teachers and families,” he said.