Lexington School District 2 public meetings in 2021
10 substantive meetings from 2021, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Regular Monthly Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The board will consider approving the guaranteed maximum price for construction of a performing arts center and district education center on Platt Springs Road, with a total project cost of $60,605,200. They will also conduct the annual election of officers, approve out-of-state student travel requests, and receive reports on COVID-19, finances, and a new five-year strategic plan. Executive session items include property matters, personnel appointments, and ten student expulsion appeals.
- Vote on guaranteed maximum price for performing arts center and district education center on Platt Springs Road, total cost $60,605,200
- Annual election of Board of Trustees officers
- Approval of out-of-state student travel for basketball tournaments, drama festival, and French class trip
- Monthly financial reports including federal funds (ESSER II/ARP) update
- Discussion of ten student expulsion appeals and personnel appointments in executive session
The Board of Trustees approved a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) of $52,459,273 for the construction of the Performing Arts Center and District Education Center. The Board also approved several student travel requests and personnel actions. A groundbreaking ceremony for the new centers is scheduled for December 7.
- Approved $52,459,273 GMP for Performing Arts Center and District Education Center (5-0)
- Retained current Board officers: Christina Rucker (Chair), Beth Branham (Vice-Chair), and Cindy Kessler (Secretary) (Unanimous)
- Approved overnight/out-of-state travel for Brookland-Cayce High basketball, drama, and Airport High French students (Unanimous)
- Accepted administration recommendations for personnel appointments and resignations (Unanimous)
- Approved reporting breach of contract to State Department of Education for three teachers from Northside Middle, Springdale Elementary, and Wood Elementary (Unanimous)
- Approved placing students A, B, C, and D on virtual learning for the remainder of the 2021/22 school year
- Accepted monthly financial reports (Unanimous)
Board of Trustees' Workshop
The Lexington School District 2 Board of Trustees will hold a workshop to continue review of Section G policies, including changes to staff compensation (TERI language), ethics/conflicts of interest, conduct with students (Title IX), drug/alcohol policy, personnel records, and grievance procedures. They will also be introduced to Section J policies, though no discussion is anticipated at this meeting. The meeting is a workshop, so no formal votes are expected.
- GBC Staff Compensation: update TERI language
- GBEA Staff Ethics/Conflicts of Interest: remove third paragraph
- GBEBB Staff Conduct with Students: incorporate Title IX language
- GBEC Drug and Alcohol Free Schools/Workplaces: add additional examples
- GBJ Personnel Records and Files: add FOI language
The Board of Trustees and administration reviewed and discussed policies in Section G. Attorney Molly Flynn provided information on state law and Department of Education changes and will work on updating the wording based on Board suggestions.
- Approved meeting agenda by unanimous consent
- Reviewed and discussed Section G board policies
Regular Monthly Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Lexington School District 2 Board of Trustees will review and vote on administrative proposals during its October 19, 2021 meeting at 509 Bulldog Boulevard, Cayce, SC. Key actions include adopting a temporary COVID-19 leave protocol, approving a mask policy to comply with state guidance, and authorizing architectural design and engineering services. The board will also receive monthly financial reports, including updates on federal ESSER II and ARP fund expenditures, and review a first reading of proposed changes to employee board policies.
- COVID-19 leave protocol: 100% pay for up to 10 days for initial contacts or positive cases, 2/3 pay for subsequent periods, expiring December 31, 2021.
- Mask policy: Authorizes the superintendent to adopt an administrative rule to enforce masks when metrics support it, to comply with DHEC guidance and Senate Bill 147.
- Architectural Design and Engineering Services: Consideration of Bid #22-004 for consultant agreements.
- Federal funds report: Update on ESSER II and ARP expenditures for school reopening and learning loss.
- Board Policy Section G: First reading of proposed amendments to employee-related policies.
The Board of Trustees approved the meeting agenda and previous meeting minutes. Superintendent Dr. Nicolas Wade reported that he does not see a reason to continue enforcing the current mask mandate beyond October 31, 2021.
- Approved meeting agenda (unanimous consent)
- Approved September 2, 2021, Special Board Meeting minutes (unanimous consent)
- Approved September 16, 2021, Regular Board Meeting minutes (unanimous consent)
Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Lexington School District 2 Board of Trustees is holding a special meeting to consider approving construction documents for a proposed Performing Arts Center and District Education Center. The administration recommends approval. The meeting also includes a consent agenda to approve the meeting agenda.
- Consideration of approval of construction documents for the Performing Arts Center/District Education Center
- Administration recommends approval of the construction documents
- Meeting held at Lexington Two Innovation Center, 509 Bulldog Boulevard, Cayce, SC
- Special meeting on October 7, 2021
The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the construction documents for the Performing Arts Center/District Education Center. The facility is planned to include 1,555 seats, including approximately 500 in the balcony.
- Approved construction documents for the Performing Arts Center/District Education Center (unanimous)
Board of Trustees' Workshop
The Lexington School District 2 Board of Trustees will hold a workshop to discuss the long-range district technology improvement plan, including anticipated costs, as part of the broader capital improvement plan. The board will also begin a comprehensive review of board policies under Section G. No formal votes are expected; this is a discussion session.
- Discussion of long-range technology improvement plan with anticipated costs
- Long-range capital improvement plan covering facilities, transportation, technology, and operations
- Comprehensive board policy review beginning with Section G
- Upcoming regular board meeting scheduled for October 19, 2021
The Board of Trustees conducted a workshop to review the district's long-term technology plan and 44 proposed new or revised policies in Section G. No formal votes were taken on these items; policy discussions will continue at future meetings.
- Approved the meeting agenda by unanimous consent
- Reviewed long-term district technology and capital improvement plans
- Discussed 44 proposed new or revised Board Policies in Section G
Regular Monthly Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The board will hear monthly reports on COVID-19, finances, enrollment, and staffing. Action items include rescheduling the October 2021 and February 2022 board meetings, selecting delegates for the SCSBA convention, and approving an out-of-state choir trip to Chicago. The meeting also includes a public participation period and an executive session for property, legal, personnel, and a tuition waiver request.
- Monthly COVID-19 report and its impact on learning and operations
- Monthly financial reports including federal ESSER II/ARP fund expenditures
- Annual staffing report for 2021-2022
- Consideration of rescheduling October 21, 2021, board meeting to October 19, 2021 (action)
- Consideration of out-of-state overnight student travel: Brookland-Cayce High School Honors Choir to Chicago, IL, February 17-21, 2022 (action)
The Board of Trustees approved the meeting agenda and minutes from three previous August meetings. The Board also accepted monthly financial reports, including revenues and expenditures, by unanimous consent. No changes were made to the existing mask mandate following public comment.
- Approved meeting agenda and minutes from August 5, August 19, and August 30 (unanimous)
- Approved temporary suspension of Public Participation Policy to allow four speakers (unanimous)
- Accepted monthly financial reports, revenues, and expenditures (unanimous)
Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The board will hear a COVID-19 update from the superintendent and consider a temporary emergency mask mandate for students and staff from Sept. 3 to Oct. 31, 2021. The mask policy is recommended to comply with DHEC guidance and state liability protection. A public participation period is also scheduled.
- Temporary emergency mask mandate for students and staff, effective Sept. 3 to Oct. 31, 2021
- Superintendent provides COVID-19 update on learning and operations
- Consent agenda includes approval of agenda
- Public participation period under policy BEDH with email option
The Board of Trustees approved a temporary emergency mask mandate for all district students and staff to comply with DHEC guidance and reduce quarantines. The mandate is effective from September 3, 2021, through October 31, 2021. The Board also authorized the Superintendent to adopt Administrative Rule ADD-R to enforce the policy.
- Approved temporary emergency mask mandate for students and staff from Sept 3 to Oct 31, 2021 (5-2)
- Authorized Superintendent to adopt Administrative Rule ADD-R, Face Coverings (5-2)
- Approved Consent Agenda (unanimous)
- Approved motion to temporarily suspend Public Participation policy to allow five speakers (unanimous)
Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Lexington School District 2 Board of Trustees is holding a special meeting that includes a consent agenda, executive session, and potential action on any items discussed in closed session. No specific items or topics are listed in the agenda; the meeting is predominantly procedural.
- Consent agenda and approval of agenda (procedural)
- Executive session (closed to the public)
- Possible action on executive session item, if needed
The Board of Trustees approved the consent agenda by unanimous consent. The board entered an executive session for legal advice, but no action was taken following that session.
- Approved Consent Agenda (unanimous)
Regular Monthly Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Lexington School District Board of Trustees will consider several actions at its August 19, 2021 meeting, including a salary and compensation study, updates to COVID‑19 leave protocol, and student travel requests. The board will vote on adopting the proposed study and on policy changes affecting disciplinary hearings. Additional items include approval of overnight travel for Airport High School choral students and for Camp Leopold participants.
- Approve request for overnight travel for Airport High School choral students
- Approve overnight travel to Camp Leopold for multiple elementary schools
- Adopt revised COVID‑19 related leave protocol with expiration Oct 31, 2021
- Approve salary and compensation study (Management Advisory Group)
- Approve changes to Board Policy JKAC Student Disciplinary Hearings
The Board of Trustees approved a temporary COVID-19 related leave protocol and a comprehensive classification and salary study. They also authorized specific out-of-state and overnight student travel requests. Financial and instructional reports were accepted as presented.
- Approved COVID-19 Related Leave protocol (unanimous)
- Approved $69,200 contract with Management Advisory Group International for salary and compensation study (unanimous)
- Approved Airport High School Choral trip to New York City, March 23-27, 2022 (unanimous)
- Approved overnight travel to Camp Leopold for students from eight elementary schools (unanimous)
- Accepted Monthly Financial Reports, Revenues, and Expenditures (unanimous)
Special Meeting
The board will hear reports on returning to in-person instruction, the Performing Arts Center and district office project (including cost and timeline changes), and enrollment numbers. It will also consider a proposed revision to Policy JH on student absences during remote learning days and hold executive sessions for personnel, out-of-district attendance, and property matters.
- Update on returning to in-person instruction for 2021-22
- Performing Arts Center and District Office update with changes to location, design, timeline, and costs
- Proposed revision to Policy JH adding attendance rules for remote or eLearning days
- Superintendent's goals for the 2021-22 school year
- Executive session discussions on personnel appointments, three out-of-district attendance requests, and property matters
The Board of Trustees approved a revised student absence policy for remote learning and authorized a property contract. The district will open the 2021/22 school year with five days of face-to-face instruction and will not offer a Virtual Academy.
- Approved Consent Agenda and June 17, 2021, meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Approved revision to Policy JH regarding student absences during remote or eLearning (unanimous)
- Authorized Administration to sign a property contract (unanimous)
- Approved personnel appointments and resignations (6-0)
- Approved out-of-district attendance request for one student's senior year (unanimous)