Rock Hill Schools March Business Meeting Results

The Board took the following action:

Approved consent agenda consisting of the minutes of the Feb. 23, Feb. 25, and March 9 school board meetings; personnel recommendations; a field trip request submitted by South Pointe; and agreed to rent classroom space and the gym at the Flexible Learning Center to the YMCA for summer camps. Vote was 7-0

Approved a six-month extension of the rental agreement with Impact Community Church to use the auditorium at Rawlinson Road Middle School for Sunday church services and an additional payment of $1,000 per month. Vote was 6-1 with Brown against because he believes it is a violation of state law.

Approved a 99-year lease of the Liberty Hill School property for $1 per year, as requested by Dr. Bertha Maxwell-Roddey, so that she can apply for grant funding to restore the African American School located on the site and for a wellness center to benefit the children and adults in the Catawba community. The lease will be null and void if grant funding for the purpose given is not approved. Vote was 7-0

Approved second reading of policies GCC/GCD (Professional Staff Leaves and Absences) and GDC/GCC (Support Staff Leaves and Absences). Vote was 7-0

After an executive session, a motion to reject an administration decision on a student expulsion failed due to lack of a majority. Vote was 3-3 with Rentschler abstaining. Brown, Vining, & Norwood voted against the motion.

Seven schools were recognized as winners of 2008 Palmetto Gold or Silver Awards —Rock Hill High, the Applied Technology Center, Northwestern, Belleview, Finley Road, India Hook, and Rosewood.

Rebecca Partlow, executive director of personnel, was recognized on her selection by the York County Chapter of the Society of Human Resource Management and the York County Regional Chamber as the 2009 Human Resource Professional of the Year for organizations with over 750 employees.

The Rock Hill School District Foundation presented a video on support for programs such as Back the Pack. René Brannan, president of the Foundation, stated that school employees will soon hear about supporting Back the Pack through monthly payroll deductions. Below is the video:



The administration reviewed a draft of a policy that addresses the basic structure of reassigning students. (Due to continuing growth within the district and the goal of balancing schools, the board had requested that a policy be drafted, outlining the circumstances under which reassignment should be considered.) The board was requested to provide comments and suggestions regarding the draft so that discussion can take place at their April 6 work session. This item was added to the agenda so parents could speak to the board at the meeting. Four parents from Oakdale Elementary who want the board to redraw attendance lines impacting Oakdale as soon as possible and, hopefully, in time for the beginning of the 2009-10 school year spoke. Their comments are below:



Heard report on National History Day participation in the schools and on regional competition at Winthrop University on March 13 from Meredith Spradley, instructional specialist, and teachers Emily Warner, Martha Warner, and Bud Cope. It was announced that 45 RH middle and high school students will compete in state competition in April.