Goodbye Minimally Adequate: Support the Constitutional Amendment for a High Quality Education in South Carolina

NS Supports “High Quality” Education

by Patrick Moore, GwdToday.com
October 15, 2008

The Ninety Six District 52 School Board moved swiftly through their meeting last night. First Superintendent Dan Powell put forth a letter in support of ending the minimally adequate wording on the state’s constitution and asked the board for their approval.
The state constitution of South Carolina says that we will provide a, “Minimally Adequate” education to our kids. Those in favor of a change to the constitution say that the words, “Minimally Adequate” should be changed to “High Quality.” Although NS is in support of this change there is much work to be done to make this state constitutional change. There is a movement currently underway to get 1 million signatures in support of this change by 2010.

GwdToday reported earlier the details surrounding this change. It not as simple as it seems and could end up costing taxpayers much more in the long run.

Next Powell made his final recommendation to the board on how to develop an expulsion committee. This committee was suggested several meeting ago by board member Dayne Pruitt. Pruitt suggested developing a committee to hear expulsion cases basically for two reasons: 1. The time required for hearings. 2. Concern of their qualifications to make expulsion decisions.

The committee will be made up of the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent and three principles. The principles will rotate duty and the principle of the school recommending the student for expulsion will not be on the committee for that hearing.

Board member Michael Bryant shared stiff concern of this change and even made motion to put this in place under a temporary status. Bryant shared other concerns surrounding the two principles who basically would always attend these hearings (primary and elementary principles). He pointed out that these were principles of much younger students and their role is more geared toward nurturing. Bryant said that is no disrespect saying that what they should be.

Powell’s response pointed out the fact that the board’s two newest members were also nurturing people because they are mothers. Powell said in his opinion if the board wants to do this then he believes this is the right choice.

After this discussion the motion Bryant made to temporarily approve this change was accepted. They will review the success of the change at the beginning of school next year and decide then to make it permanent or not. Although this change is accepted, students facing the expulsion committee can appeal their decision and still take it in front of the board. Powell stressed to the board that if they develop this committee, they should make sure they support their decision or there would be no need for the committee.

This basically concluded the meeting although the board did review and approve several policies recommended by Mrs. Rhonda McDowell.

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