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News from Carol...February 2024
I can't believe I've been serving on the Charleston County School District Board for over a year. 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 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 reports of the achievement our teachers and students are making on the district's goals and guardrails. One major budgetary accomplishment was the increase in teacher pay. I really enjoy my visits to schools on James Island and across the district. Most of the spring & summer months of FY 23 year centered around hiring Dr. Eric Gallien as superintendent and then unfortunately he resigned. Still the district carried on under the leadership of Ms. Anita Huggins, a CCSD veteran teacher and administrator, who was issued a contract in January 2024.
Facilities matter too. In the last referendum, James Island was granted funds for an early childhood center. 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). Recently, George and I toured the new Career and Technology Center at James Island Charter High School and we were impressed with the career and vocational programs. Most recently we've heard reports from the Constituent Boards and I appreciate their information and wisdom. With a federal grant to the district, it's good to know that our students will continue to have free breakfast and lunch.
The upcoming challenges include: adoption of new English Language Arts instructional materials based on the "science of reading", supporting the new superintendent, stabilizing the school board, completing the COGNIA certification process, and of course the FY 25 budget. Budget workshops are being held monthly prior to the Committee of the Whole meetings in March and April. Budget considerations are significant especially with addressing teacher and classified employee pay for recruitment and retention, and sustaining impactful programs that were funded by ESSER. I'm pleased that there seems to be a strong emphasis on supporting our neighborhood schools and addressing the needs of children of poverty within our schools. Soon we should be considering options for the FY25 calendar.
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. Huggins and the board to accomplish her long range/short range goals and the board's strategic plan, supporting District 9 schools and their School Improvement Councils and the Constituent Board, attending workshops related to education, and finding ways to adequately compensate teachers and staff, lower class size, and enhance neighborhood schools.
Coming up on the island...
Science Fair and Math Competition. Thursday, March 7 at Camp Road MS at 5:30 pm. Come out and see the our creative student minds at work.
Screenager Film. Monday, April 8 at James Island Charter High School at 6:00 pm. This is an informative documentary for teenager and parents on vaping, drugs, and social media.
Upcoming School Board Meetings...
2/26 (Regular School Board Meeting); 3/5 (Audit & Finance at 2 pm); 3/11 (Committee of the Whole) and 3/26 (Regular School Board Meeting). Times for the 2nd and 4th Mondays are usually at 5:15 pm. Here is the calendar for meetings. I look forward to seeing and speaking with you at 75 Calhoun.
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
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