Oct 10, 2007

District 5 Chairman, Paula Hite


District 5 Superintendent Dr. Scott AndersEn with Paula Hite, Kelly Payne and members of the Interact Club

Report of Lake Murray - Irmo Rotary Club 10/10/2007
Kevin Adams, reporter

After President Beetle Bailey called the meeting to order, Rod Funderburk led us in our opening prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Next John Hanson welcomed our guests and visiting Rotarians. Lyman Whitehead then brought is his dose of Health and Happiness.

Ginny Barr reminded us for our meeting on 10/24/2007 at the Department of Juvenile Justice that all weapons should be left at home and that the ladies should lock their purses in the trunk of their cars. Everyone should lock their vehicles, too. She will have a pre-approved list of Rotarians visiting that day but if you will have a visitor with you, please be sure and see her as soon as possible so they can be added to the list. The Interact Club will be conducting the meeting and they are very excited about it. Ginny also provided written directions to DJJ for us because she knows the men won’t ask for them.

Ben Herritage reminded us of the upcoming golf tournament on 10/29/2007. We still need more teams. Also, due to the golf tournament, we will not have our regularly scheduled meeting on 10/31/2007.

The Chair of School District 5, Paula Hite, was glowingly introduced by her husband Dr. Cary Hite (he should be out of the dog house for at least a day or two). Paula provided for us a brief biography of the district superintendent Dr. Scott Andersen. Dr. Andersen has been with District 5 for about 1.5 years. Prior to coming to South Carolina, Dr. Andersen spent several years as a school superintendent in the northeast. Along the way he has received numerous awards in the public education arena.

Dr. Andersen conveyed to us the bottom line purpose of his presentation was teaching and learning. District 5 has a stellar reputation as being an excellent school district and the impression he gave was to keep that reputation intact.

In that the last bond referendum was passed in 1996, Dr. Andersen feels our present facilities are woefully inadequate for an anticipated growth of 3,700 students in the next 10 years. In 2003 and 2006, two different community based groups were organized to evaluate two studies that had been prepared regarding the present facilities. Though that process, 9 recommendations have been formally presented to the Board for consideration.

The Board has proposed a $256 million bond referendum to address these facility needs. If approved, the bonds would be paid out over a period of 20 years. Proceeds would be used to renovate nearly all of the elementary schools in the district as well as Chapin High School, Irmo High School and Dutch Fork High School. Further, a new high school will be built along with a new middle school, elementary school and a career and technology center.

Without the bond referendum, Dr. Andersen predicts the growth of students in the district would require an additional 143 portable classrooms over the next 10 years. Dr. Andersen lamented that recruiting for high quality teachers has been hampered because some of the recruited teachers have refused to teach in a portable.

Following a brief question and answer session, President Beetle dismissed the meeting.