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Polk County School board meeting notes

COLUMBUS—The Polk County Board of Education took time Monday to honor some of its finest staff members across the district.

At its regular monthly meeting, held at Polk County High School, the board celebrated its 2021-22 Teachers of the Year and its Principal of the Year. Board Chairman Mike Ashworth recognized each recipient with a plaque and expression of gratitude.

Leading the honorees was District Teacher of the Year Dale Rush of Polk County Middle School. Polk Middle’s Todd Murphy was also recognized as the district’s top principal.

Other Teachers of the Year honored at the meeting included Kristy Cox (Polk Central Elementary), Jeff Thomas (Polk County High School), Tara McDonald (Saluda Elementary), Julie Wilson (Sunny View Elementary) and Parker Mullinax (Tryon Elementary).

Teachers of the Year are selected at each school by their peers. A district-wide committee then selects the Polk County Schools’ Teacher of the Year. District principals choose the Principal of the Year.

Rush will now take part in the Regional Teacher of the Year selection process, with that award announced in January.

In other business conducted by the board:

* Superintendent Aaron Greene updated the board on current COVID-19 metrics and impacts. The board voted to continue its temporary mask requirement for students and staff with a specific metric of two consecutive weeks with a county positivity rate of less than five percent as the threshold for returning to optional masking.

* Greene shared the latest Polk County Schools’ Niche.com rankings with the board, highlighting the district’s ranking as second-best in the state.

* Assistant Superintendent Dave Scherping provided a comprehensive presentation on the state and federal rules for identifying economically disadvantaged students and families, the implications of variance in those rates over time, and how recent changes to the determination process may impact funding in future years. Scherping also presented an update about the ongoing PCHS HVAC project.

* Preschool Director Kathy Harding presented the district’s Head Start Annual Report.

* The board approved an overnight field trip for the PCHS Competition Cheerleading Team to participate in state competition later this year.

* Greene offered brief remarks regarding the lack of a state budget being approved to date, outlining this fact as the reason a local budget resolution has not been finalized or submitted, and the relaying the significant negative impact that has on the district’s local budgeting process.

* The board approved the first reading of Policy 6304 – Use of School Bus Safety Belts. This will require all students riding buses equipped with safety restraints to wear them at all times on the bus.

The board’s next regularly scheduled meeting will be Monday, Dec. 13 at 6:30 p.m.