An Important Message For Governor Mark Sanford

The Rock Hill School Board Needs Your Help

The Rock Hill School Board will have a called work session to discuss budgeting issues on Monday, May 4, 2009 at the District Office. Below are some questions that have been asked by Board members. Please be mindful that these are questions for information or clarification, not an indication that action will be taken in any of these areas. If you are aware of areas where other districts have found savings or you believe there could be savings for our district, please leave a comment or email me directly at jvining@rock-hill.k12.sc.us

Budget Questions From Board Members
· How much money is in the budget for consultants?
· How many district credit cards are there and how much is being charged to them?
· How many cell phones (and the amount being spent) are being paid for by the district and schools? Does the district coordinate the contract for these and have we gone out for competitive bids on them?
· How much do we spend on our email servers and spam filter? What would be the cost to convert email to GMail?
· How much do we spend on software license? Have we considered switching to open source programs instead?
· How many employees have exited Terri? How much money would be saved if those employees were restricted to making no more than someone with 28 years experience?
· How much money is in the budget for "in district" travel? For out of district travel?
· How much money is in the budget for contract work (cleaning, maintenance, grass cutting, ect.) and what are the major activities?
· How much do we spend for graduation and have we considered selling tickets to defray costs (first 4 tickets free)?
· How much money would we save in utilities if our "out of city schools", primarily Rock Hill , Castle Heights , and Independence were in the city?
· How much money would we save if all our schools on city power had the same "new schools" power cost.
· How much is in the budget for professional development? For late start days?
· How much is in the budget for "District" printing and publications?
· How many district employees have access to vehicles at home? What is the cost for this?
· How much money is spent by our district and schools on mailings and trinkets (shirts, pens, coffee cups ect.)?
· How much does it cost to operate the pony for district communications? Is there a savings by reducing the frequency? Using a more fuel efficient vehicle?
· What is our current contract with Kelly Services (substitute teachers)?
· How many substitute hours/days/people does $250,000 equal (amount recommended for removal from budget)?
· Looking back at the Consultant's recommendations, are we making progress on special needs classes & teachers as recommended by the consultant?
· List of positions that did not renew contracts and their current salaries?
· Review travel request form and how conferences and workshops are selected?
· Cost for I.B program(s)?
· Cost for school nurses (attrition)?
· Can any positions be shared by schools?
· How much could be saved by not printing payroll stubs (have them available online)?
· How much to we contribute toward IB and AP exams?
· How much do we spend on overtime and are there opportunities there?
· How much do we spend on postage and are there opportunities there?
· How much do we spend printing High School course catalogs and can we put this online instead?
· Do we have materials needed for a few classes that we should be charging student fees for?
· Do we still have a minimum number of students required for advanced classes (primarily IB) and could we raise the minimum to save money? Should we get rid of the easy math class for IB?

Take that John Stossel! Some good education news!

From the BoardBuz Blog:

Ok. BoardBuzz admits, we’re picking on media’s most vocal school-basher. But educators should be forgiven if they gloat over these results: at every age, by every student group, in both reading and math, American schoolkids are outperforming their counterparts from 30 years ago. Moreover, our 9- and 13-year olds are scoring at their highest levels since scores have been collected.
According to NAEP’s Long-Term Trends released today, reading and math scores also increased by statistically significant margins in the four years between 2004 and 2008, with the one exception of 17-year-olds in math. In addition to higher student performance, the report shows dramatic increases in the numbers of students taking high-level math. Nearly two-thirds of 13-year-olds (62%) were taking algebra or pre-algebra compared to one-third in 1986. And a whopping 72% of 17-year-olds had taken courses Algebra II and higher, up from 47% in 1978.

The folks at Education Week had a markedly different take on the matter.

For more information, be sure to check out the Center for Public Education. You can also participate in an online discussion hosted by NCES at 2:00 p.m. ET. Click here to submit your question in advance and participate in the chat.

Rock Hill Schools Cancel Snow Make-up Day

The Rock Hill School Board voted to cancel the make-up snow day that was scheduled for Memorial Day during the April Business meeting held on Monday, April 27, 2009. The vote was 5-2 with Norwood and Vining voting against.

The Board voted to have a work session on Monday, May 4 to discuss next years budget and to approve the application for renewal of the Children's Attention Home Charter. Both votes were 7-0.

Ten parents (or grandparents) came to speak to the board about continuing the Challenger after school and summer programs. One of those parents also talked about keeping National Board Certification pay.

Guest Post on National Board Pay

It took me close to ten years to feel I could make the commitment to tackle the National Board process. Each year I received e-mails from the district office and from my principal encouraging me to participate in the process. I was afraid. While I already had my masters, I knew that National Board required intense work over a three year period. As a single mom I questioned how that much time away from my children would impact them. For some reason....I guess the girls were older....I decided to try. The process took one year and a half for me. I started early to get a leg up on things before I enrolled. It was very difficult and demanding. Yet, when I finished and before I was certified I ALREADY DEEMED the process worthwhile. I decided that even if I did not achieve certification, I was glad I had gone through the process. National Board is ALL ABOUT HOW TO INCREASE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND MAXIMIZE LEARNING. The program teaches you to look at your own methods and assess your own strategies each and every day in order to be the best teacher you can be. There is absolutely no,"Oh well, that child does not want to learn." There is no, "Oh they are just a bad class." Instead you ask yourself, "What else can I do to make learning more interesting for this child." I use the self-reflection process daily. It makes me a better teacher. An example: I have a class of students right now who are less "motivated" than most. I was very frustrated the first couple of weeks trying to decide how I would teach them. After stepping back and thinking I decided to begin with higher interest assignments. I decided to forget trying to follow the path I had always chosen. It might have been working for my other classes, but for these students it was a disaster. After perseverance on my part, things slowly turned around. Now the class is working on age-appropriate and standards-based assignments. I had to first help them feel successful in art. They had to believe that I wanted them to learn.

In addition, National Board was an outstanding program for me because it focused on my field of expertise: art education. Most courses offered by the district are more general. Returning to school to take more art ed courses is just not an option with the price of tuition.
National Board provided me with a means of growing as a teacher and advancing in my area that I could not have otherwise experienced. It is a good feeling to know that I have a Masters Degree and I am Board Certified. Most of the folks who supported me had a masters first too before attempting National Board.

While I understand that these are very difficult days for those making decisions about finances, I do hope that National Board teachers will not be singled out to bear more than our share of the financial deficit. In my case, if the district and state did not support National Board financially and with two days of furlough, I will bring home at least $10,000 less in future years. The "extra" money for our family simply pays bills and should allow me to feed some money into the education plan for my children. Dare I ask what it would say to suddenly decide to not pay any teachers for advanced course work such as a master's degree or a doctorate? We could do that and generate a lot more income but would that be right????

The vast majority of teachers are hard workers. This is no less true of National Board people. I believe the gift in Board Certification is allowing teachers to "do more" in a profession which has limited options for teachers to advance once they receive their masters.

It has always been my impression that our district is committed to the National Board program. I hope that we will not falter in those commitments as we face difficult financial mountains.

Thank you for your time.

Susan Barnette
Art Education at Sullivan Middle School

Rock Hill Schools 2009-10 Budget is Bad. REALLY BAD!

The Rock Hill Schools administration will present two draft budgets at the April Business Meeting on Monday, April 27, 2009 (6 pm at the District Office). The worse case budget is based on the SC state senate proposal which does not include stimulus money the governor has refused to accept. Highlights of that are:

• No supplemental National Board Teacher pay - a reduction of $3,000 for Nationally Certified Board Teachers and a reduction in the budget of $750,000
• Teacher pay reduction of 2.6% and all others having a 3.8% reduction, resulting in $2.25 million savings in the budget
• Eliminating 70 jobs with a budget savings of $3.7 million
• Eliminate Challenger Scholarships for a savings of $75,000
• Reduce the amount spent for substitute teachers for a savings of $250,000
• Reduce supplies to the schools in the amount of $80,000
• Reduce travel by 50% for a savings of $200,000

The SC state house budget version includes stimulus money. If this plan is adopted by the state, only 20 jobs will be eliminated, National Board pay will be reduced by $1,000 instead of being eliminated and salaries will only be reduced by 1.1% and 1.5% respectively.

Neither option to be presented by the administration is a balanced budget. Both include dropping the district fund balance below limits set in Board policy and request a maximum tax increase of 6 mils.

In action items for the meeting, the administration will be asking the board to forgive the last snow make up day and to agree to a called work session on May 4 just to discuss the budget.

Anyone wishing to speak to the Board on National Board Pay or the Challenger program can sign up before the meeting and address the Board at the beginning of the meeting.

The Board agenda can be found here., and below:

I. Call to Order

Approval of Agenda

(Under consent agenda, all action items will be voted on after one motion and second to approve them without discussion. If a board member wants any action item discussed or voted on separately, the board member, before the agenda is approved, must ask that the action item be moved to the discussion item section.)

II. Citizen Participation

III. Special Business

A. Recognition of Winners of State Superintendent's Writing Awards Program

B. Recognition of District Accreditation from Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

C. Recognition of ATC State Winners

IV. Consent Action Agenda

A. Approval of Minutes

1. March 23, 2009 business meeting

2. April 6, 2009 work session

B. Approval of Personnel Recommendations

C. Approval of Overnight Field Trip Requests (2)

D. Approval of Children's Attention Home Charter School Application

E. Approval of Funding Flexibility Application

V.Communications

VI. Report of the Superintendent

A. Announcements

B. Preliminary Budget Report

C. Technology Report

D. Title VII Funding

VII. Review of Work Session

VIII. Action Agenda

A. Forgiveness of Snow Make-up Day

B. Called Work Session for Budget Purposes – May 4

IX. Other Business

X. Executive Session

XI. Adjourn

Rock Hill Schools Teacher of the Year, Bryan Coburn, to be on ETV show on Sunday, April 26

The SC ETV Television program, "In Our Schools" will focus on this years Teacher of the Year finalists. Northwestern High School's Bryan Coburn, one of the five state finalists, will be on the show.

The show airs from 6 to 7 p.m. Sunday, locally on South Carolina ETV channel 30 (WCNC) or Rock
Hill Cable channel 7.. "In Our Schools" is designed for parents and educators and produced by ITV,

which is part of the state Department of Education.

Rock Hill Schools Announces 2009-10 Teachers of the Year

New Teachers of the Year for 2009-10 are as follows:

David Finley

Masonry, Applied Technology Center

Krystal Berry

Kindergarten, Belleview Elementary

Liz Goble

Media Specialist, Castle Heights Middle

Denise Catoe

Pre-school, Central Child Development Center

Page Hinton

Montessori (ages 3/4/5), The Children's School

Toyota Douglas

Careers & Technology, Dutchman Creek Middle

Pattie Starnes

Physical Education, Ebenezer Avenue Elem.

Kristi McGuirt

Grade 2, Ebinport Elementary

Mary Kennington

School Psychologist, Exceptional Student Ed.

Donna Elliott

Grade 3, Finley Road Elementary

Stephanie Carter

Grade 5, Independence Elementary

Merri Anna Allred

Media Specialist, India Hook Elementary

Kelli Fermet

Special Ed./Resource, Lesslie Elementary

Melisa Smith

Media Specialist, Mount Gallant Elementary

Kim Ham

Art, Mount Holly Elementary

David Pittman

Special Ed./Resource, Northwestern High

Julie Marshall

Grade 5, Oakdale Elementary

Laurel Hilton

Art, Old Pointe Elementary

Jennifer Baughman

Math, Phoenix Academy

Kelly Shaw

Math, Rawlinson Road Middle

Heather Dobbins

ESOL, Richmond Drive Elementary

Risé Strickland

English, Rock Hill High

Diane Alexander

Grade 1, Rosewood Elementary

Eileen Garrett

Special Ed./SC/PMD, Saluda Trail Middle

Cynthia Robinson

Family & Consumer Science, South Pointe High

Elaine Morales Acevedo

ESOL, Sullivan Middle

Karen Holt

Literacy/Reading Recovery, Sunset Park Elem.

Tomi Kay Simpson

Grade 1, York Road Elementary

Kristy Knight

Grade 3, Northside Elem. School of the Arts

Is Governor Sanford Consistent?

The State Newspaper offers an interesting twist to the Governor's recent positions. Makes for some interesting discussion. Is he for bail outs? Apparently he is for private schools. Read their comments here.

Rock Hill's Angelina Blackmon Makes All-ACC

Northwestern High School Graduate Angelina Blackmon earned All-ACC honors in the 800 meters with a third place finish in the event to lead NC State to a seventh-place finish at the ACC Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Blackmon just missed All-ACC honors in the 1,500 meters with a fourth place finish in the event. Her 4:25.06 was a NCAA regional qualifying mark, the second of the season for her in the event.

Is Sanford Fit For Office? You Decide

This will be the impact on South Carolina if Sanford does not take all the Federal Stimulus Money:

• The State will become #1 in the nation in unemployment
• Public education funding will drop to 1999 levels (1995 for higher ed)
• SC will lose $300 million in matching health programs and health care for the poor will be much worse
• Food inspections will drop from 4 times a year to 1 time a year
• 3 prisons will be closed and an equivalent number of inmates will be released with fewer parole officers to monitor them
• There will be 40 fewer highway patrol officers and 125 fewer SLED agents
• South Carolina will be paying for programs in other states, keeping their citizens employed and educated. $10 million will go to North Carolina, money which could be helping South Carolina.

This is Sanford's response:



So....Do you think he is making decisions in the best interest of South Carolina? If not, contact State Senator Mick Mulvaney and tell him to do something about it.

Rock Hill Schools Information For Thursday, April 9, 2009

® Rock Hill High School’s Baseball Boosters will have their annual chicken BBQ sale on April 10 from the school's baseball concession stand from 11:00-1:00 and from 4:00-6:00. Plates are $7. To place an order, contact Eddie Hill or Teri Turner.

®Students at Finley Road will be treated to an amazing experience from Discovery Place in Charlotte on April 10, thanks to a $1,000 grant award received by Principal Deborah Maynard. Students will attend an assembly and then participate in 10 discovery science stations throughout the school between 10:00 and 1:00.

®Tthe Rock Hill High School Concert Choir placed first in sight reading and fourth overall (out of 27) in the state choral festival. On April 4 the choir received a gold rating and the Adjudicator's Award (for the highest score in their category) at a competition in Annapolis.

®The Northwestern Troubadours received a rating of superior and placed first in the AAAA Division Choral Competition in Orlando. The Chamber Singers, directed received a rating of superior, placed first in the Chamber Choir Division, and were selected as Choral Grand Champion for receiving the highest numerical score. The two groups combined brought home the Sweepstakes Trophy.

®The South Pointe High School Stallion Corral Concert Choir received a superior rating at the state choral concert on Mar. 27. South Pointe placed 5th in the state in the AAAA category with a score of 290 out of 300 and third in the state for sight reading.

® Northwestern High School Theatre Art Students placed first at the South Carolina Theatre Assn. competition and were finalists at the South Carolina Thespian Festival.

® The Rock Hill High School orchestra performed at the S.C. Music Educators Assn. Concert Festival. The Concert Orchestra received a rating of excellent, while both the Honors Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra received ratings of superior.

®Tthe Castle Heights Middle School orchestras received ratings of excellent at the SCMEA Concert Festival.

® The Dutchman Creek Middle School Orchestra received a rating of superior at the S.C. Orchestra Contest Festival on March 27. Students missed receiving a perfect score by one point.

® Northwestern High School’s three bands received straight superior ratings at the S. C. State Concert Festival. This puts the band program in position to receive the S.C. Outstanding Performance Award for the 18th consecutive year.

®Tthe South Pointe High School orchestra earned a superior rating, at the S.C. Music Educators Conference and the judges awarded them with a perfect score.

School Improvement Councils and York County Education Association To Discuss Legislative Issues on April 9, 2009

 For the past  2 years , the School Improvement Councils have  held a joint meeting with the YCEA concerning legislative issues.   The meeting this year will be this Thursday the 9^th of April at the  Rock Hill Schools Cyber Café from 5:30  pm  until 8:00  pm (Old Castle Heights Middle School).  Mike Fanning will be presenting the program.   Any interested parties are welcome to attend. 

Open Letter to Governor Mark Sanford

 

What a shame  teachers  don't get the respect  they deserve.  Please read   the  email below :     " The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.   T he Governor  decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, 'What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?' He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: 'Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach.' To stress his point he said to another guest; 'You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?' Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, 'You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began...) 'Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor winner I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental. You want to know what I make?' (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.) I make kids wonder. I make them question. I make them apologize and mean it. I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions. I teach them to write and then I make them write. Keyboarding isn't everything. I make them read, read, read. I make them show all their work in math. They use their God given brain, not the man-made calculator. I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know about English while preserving their unique cultural identity. I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe. I make my students stand, placing their hand over their heart to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, One Nation Under God, because we live in the United States of America. Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life. (Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.) ' Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with my knowing money isn't everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant... You want to know what I make? I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make ? '

Sanford: “They’re Not Going To Get That Money”

Asked at a press conference today what state agencies awaiting word on the money should do, Sanford said that if his administration has anything to do with it, “they’re not going to get that money.” Read more at fit news web site

Comments on Federal Stimulus

A comment was made at Monday's press conference that only a fool doesn't change his mind. I'm hoping the governor has changed his and will accept the stimulus funding. While you are pondering  your position, here are a few comments made by District Three Teacher of the year Bryan Coburn:

"It has been widely reported that if Gov. Sanford cannot use the federal stimulus money to pay down the state's debt, he will not accept the funds. These millions of dollars intended to help our schools, and let me repeat, help our schools, will be sent to other states if the Governor makes good on his promise.

The citizens of South Carolina held varied views concerning the stimulus package. Some were against it, some supported it, and others felt it needed to be further vetted.  However, we stand united in our belief that to reject the stimulus money would be irresponsible.  If our state, our economy, and our children’s education are the basis for your decision Gov. Sanford, then not accepting the stimulus money would not be a consistent position.   

For example, instead of being able to purchase needed instructional materials; continuing educational programs that are working for our students; using new dollars to avoid teacher furloughs and lay- offs; South Carolina's share of the federal funds will be sent to other states where they will be able to hire teachers, work more effectively with their students, and maintain lower class sizes.  That is not putting our children and our state first.  I am not here to make a political statement; I am here to make a common sense statement.

It is the goal of every educator to provide the best possible education for the students and communities that we serve.  We understand that there may be political and philosophical differences as it relates to the stimulus funds; however the reality is that the stimulus package was passed.   There are certainties that we face on a day-to-day basis, as we deal with the most significant funding decreases on record which outweigh any political or philosophical ideology.    It is illogical to ask the citizens of South Carolina to shoulder the burden of paying the taxes for our neighboring state of North Carolina so they may spend our tax monies for their needs and ignoring the needs here in York County and the great state of South Carolina.

South Carolinians are proud of the great strides we are making in our educational systems. Our students continue making educational gains. Our state's accountability system is one of the most rigorous in the country. As a matter of fact, the chairman of the Federal Reserve is a product of our fine education systems!  We have many miles to go before we can proudly say that every student in the state will have the education to reach the level of Mr. Bernake.  However, if Governor Sanford has his way, the great strides that have been made will be severely handicapped. 

If you agree with our concerns, we urge you to contact Governor Mark Sanford today. It is essential that you make the call, encouraging him make a prudent decision that is in the best interest of the citizens and state of South Carolina.  His number is 803-734-2100.

Thank you all for your support for public education in South Carolina."
:

Rock Hill Schools Expecting 2009-10 Funding to be at 1999 Levels

Bill Mabry will present 2009-10 revenue projections at the April 6 Rock Hill School Board work session. Those projections will show state student funding to be $1,929 per student - or about what the funding was in 1999. Total revenue is expected to be $118 million which is $8.5 million less than the 2008-09 budget. Since 85% of the budget is in salaries, there will be some serious employee reductions in addition to a dip in the reserve funds.

The other main item on the agenda is a discussion on school balance. The administration is asking the board for feedback in the following areas; school capacity; proximity to school; free & reduced lunch; State test scores; Household income; and ethnic background.

The agenda is presented below

SCHOOL BOARD WORK SESSION
LOCATION:	Rock Hill High School
5:30 p.m.
April 6, 2009
ITEM#	AGENDA TOPIC	DISCUSSION LEADER	TIME
			5-5:30
	WORK SESSION - Media Center
1	Presentation by Rock Hill High School	Judy Mobley	30 minutes
2	Children's Attention Home Charter School Renewal	Harriet Jaworowski	15 minutes
3	Reassignment Priorities / School Balance	Harriet Jaworowski	60 minutes
4	Funding Flexibility	Elaine Bilton	5 minutes
5	Revenue Projections - 2009-2010 Budget	Bill Mabry	60 minutes
6	Impact Community Church	Bill Mabry	5 minutes

Rock Hill Schools News for April 2, 2009

Upcoming Events
®Willy Wonka, Jr.
Presented by: Rawlinson Road Middle School Musical Theatre Department
Directed by: Elise Archie and Brooke Rice
7:00 p.m. April 6 and April 7
Tickets: $5 for adults and $2 for students
®Finley Road Elementary School Art Show
Coordinated by: Vivian McMoore
6:00-8:00 p.m. April 9 in cafeteria
Note: Artwork, matted /framed, will be for sale.
®The Wizard of Oz (non-musical version)
Presented by: Rock Hill High School Theatre Department
Directed by: Stephanie Daniel
7:30 p.m. April 9 and April 10
Tickets: $7 for adults and $5 for students.
Note: Students from RHHS, Northside and Independence will perform.
®A Trip Around the World (song and dance)
Presented by: Finley Road Elementary School
Directed by: Terri Westphal
7:00 p.m. April 23
Location:  South Pointe Auditorium
Tickets: Donations will be accepted.

Summer Camps
®Rock Hill High School  will host a developmental volleyball camp for girls ages 10-14 from 8:30-noon, June 15-18 at a cost of $100 which includes a t-shirt.

®Northwestern High School  will host the "Little Trojan" Football Camp the mornings of June 22-26 from 8:30-noon for $75. Interested parents should contact Coach Jimmy Wallace or Rose Baker at 981-1231.

Congratulations to . . .
®Elise and Will Archie and the Cadet Guard, comprised of students from Rawlinson Road Middle School, Dutchman Creek Middle School, and Castle Heights Middle School, on placing first and being selected as the  Cadet Class Champions at the March 28 Carolina Winter Ensemble Assn.'s  winterguard competition in the Winthrop Coliseum.

®Marsha Gross and the Northwestern High School  Chamber and Masterpiece Chamber orchestras for earning superior ratings at the S. C. Concert Festival.

®Beverly Laney and the South Pointe High School  Stallion Corral Concert Choir on receiving a superior rating at the state choral concert on Mar. 27. South Pointe placed 5th in the state in the AAAA category with a score of 200 out of 300 and third in the state for sight-reading. Five of 6 schools in York County placed in the top six in the state, including all high schools in Rock Hill.

®Kim Le and the Rawlinson Road Middle School Eighth Grade Orchestra on earning a superior rating at the S.C. Concert Festival.

®Heather Turner and the South Pointe High School orchestra on its recent performance at the S.C. Music Educators Conference. The orchestra earned a superior rating, and the judges awarded them with a perfect score.                                          

Noteworthy
®The Northwestern High School  Athletic Dept. is proud to announce a new promotion sponsored by Clinton Family Ford called Drive 4 UR School. For every person who test drives a new Ford/Lincoln/Mercury in the NHS gym parking lot on April 4, the athletic dept. will receive $20 for its programs. Test driving will take place between 10:00 and 5:00.

®Students of Sullivan's Valerie Sims, computer teacher, and Starr Lee, home arts teacher, are collaborating with Winthrop students (in a free enterprise program) to create a small business to market, create jobs, and raise money for a charity selected by Sullivan. Stormy Clark, career specialist, states that Sullivan is having a friendly competition against Rawlinson Road Middle School  students and that the Sullivan sale (ice cream) will take place April 8.

®The York County Legislative Forum, with Mike Fanning from the Old English Consortium as speaker, will be held from 5:30-8:00 p.m. April 9 in the Cyber Cafe at the Rock Hill Flexible Learning Center.

®Independence Elementary School  raised over $4,100 for the American Heart Assn. through their "Jump Rope for Heart" project