News from Carol...June 2024

It's already June. Our teachers and students are on summer break. And the Charleston County School Board just completed its 2024-25 budget. It's a historic budget by giving our teachers an $8,000 salary increase and valuing our classified staff with salaries at 100% of market value. We hope it helps our employees meet the financial challenges of living in Charleston. We need them to live in our community to educate our students and support our schools.

CCSD is a unique school district. There is a 9 member Consolidated School Board and various Constituent Boards. I am the District 9 Consolidated Board Trustee serving James Island, Folly Beach, parts of downtown Charleston and Johns Island, Kiawah, and Seabrook. Within my district is the District #3 Constituent Board that serves the James Island and Folly Beach communities with 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 1 alternative school, and 1 high school. As a district, CCSD includes 88 schools with a mix of neighborhood, magnet, charter, and public private partnership schools. There are 50,000 students...with 46% in poverty, 13.9% as multilingual learners, and 11.4% with disabilities. Other demographics include: 50.5% white, 29.3% black, 14.5% Hispanic, 1.6% Asian, and 4.2% other. Our students are taught by 2558 full time teachers, 51 part time teachers, and 667 teacher assistants. Our mission is to educate and support EVERY child in achieving college, career, and citizenship readiness.

Many of you follow CCSD School Board meetings on YouTube or comment on my social media posts. I appreciate your feedback and encouragement. Working on a school board is challenging...so many issues and perspectives to consider; however, I assure you I speak out on ethical, policy, and legal issues while remaining focused on excellence in teaching and learning for all students.

So what's happening? I'm very focused on student outcomes and appreciate the encouraging achievement reports for the district's goals and guardrails. One major accomplishment was the increase in pay for teachers and the classified staff. Our James Island schools and students are benefiting from the Weighted Student Formula which helps students in poverty, as multi-language learners, and with disabilities

It's been a busy 6 months. I really enjoy visiting schools and attending the events our students and families experience in schools. A new English Language Arts program based on the "science of reading" was adopted, the district was accredited by COGNIA, a 2025-26 calendar was adopted, and of course the historic FY 25 budget. I also chair the Ad Hoc Committee for the Superintendent Evaluation Instrument and we are working collaboratively with Ms. Anita Huggins, our new Superintendent, who is focused on EVERY student's success.

Facilities matter too. James Island was granted funds for an early childhood center. in the last referendum. With input from the community and the schools, Stiles Point Elementary and James Island Elementary will have new facilities for early childhood education (opening August 2026). Our island has a very impressive career and technology center located on the James Island Charter High School campus. With a federal grant to the district, it's good to know that our students have access to summer meals delivered to the Baxter-Patrick Library on Grimball Road.

I'm pleased with the district's strong emphasis on supporting our neighborhood schools. Our community schools are working together to be JAMES ISLAND #1. In the spring they collaborated with George and I and the district on a community-wide showing of Screenagers...a documentary on mental health, vaping, and drugs in the digital age. Schools are partnering to expand their art and music programs. The island schools hosted an outstanding Science Fair and Math Competition. Schools invited parents to art, dance, and music concerts. Camp Road held it's first school wide play as well as chorus and band concerts. In August, an effort is underway for all schools to implement Restorative Practices..a program that helps students resolve conflict and build relationships with their teachers and peers.

Moving forward, I will continue to advocate for best practices in public education. My priorities for the next few months will be: working with Ms. Anita Huggins to accomplish the board's achievement goals and the district's strategic plan, supporting District 9 schools and their School Improvement Councils, working with the D3 Constituent Board, attending education workshops, and finding ways to retain and support teachers and staff, lower class size, and enhance neighborhood schools.

Upcoming dates:

First Day of School for students is August 13.

Regular School Board meetings resume in August. Times for the 2nd and 4th Mondays are usually at 5:15pm. Audit and Finance meets at 2 pm on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. Here is the calendar for meetings. I look forward to seeing and speaking with you at 75 Calhoun.

Elections for the Consolidated Board (Districts 2, 4, 6, and 8) and Constituent Boards are on Tuesday, November 5. Please take the time to know the candidates and vote.

I carry this motto with me each day to stay focused on the important work that needs to be done. In the words of Maran Wright Edelman...

Education is for improving the lives of others and

for leaving our community and world better than you found it.

Again, I thank you for your support of my election to the school board and the recent honor from The City Paper.

Respectfully,

Dr. Carol Tempel

CCSD School Board Trustee, District 9

carol_tempel@charleston.k12.sc.us