Inside Voice, June 30 — 🎉 Farewell to Dr. Postlewait...

A Fond Farewell to Dr. Gerrita Postlewait After more than 50 years of dedicated service in education, Lexington One Superintendent Dr. Gerrita Postlewait retires on June 30, 2025. Her passion, leadership, and unwavering commitment to students have left an indelible mark on our schools and community. We thank Dr. Postlewait for her remarkable contributions and wish her all the best in this next chapter. Her legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.     Can we get to 100%? What's happening Almost 3/4 of our students have had their annual registration forms completed for them by their parents/guardians. Help us get to 100% before school starts. How to help Log in to FinalForms to confirm that the process has been completed for your student(s). On the My Status screen check for "Eligible" listed to the left of your student's name under "Status." If you see "Incomplete Forms" under Status, please click the box to complete the process. Why it matters A successful school year for students, teachers, families and our schools begins with having up to do date information. This quick and easy process makes sure we know: ✅ How to get in touch with parents/guardians in an emergency ✅ About students' current medical conditions ✅ Who needs to be picked up and/or taken home by a school bus     Board Subcommittee meeting on July 9 A Lexington County School District One Board of Trustees’ subcommittee will meet on Wednesday, July 9, at 4:30 p.m. in the auditorium in Building One of Central Services, located at 100 Tarrar Springs Road in Lexington, South Carolina. The subcommittee, comprised of Board of Trustees Members Kathryn McCown and Nicholas Pizzuti, and Board Secretary Christopher Rice, will meet with district administrators, including staff from the Lexington One Procurement Office, to develop an RFP for an audit of the 2018 Bond Referendum.  The meeting is open to the public and can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/c/LexingtonOne/live. After the meeting, the district will post a video of the meeting to its YouTube channel and its website. Agenda — July 9, 2025 Review Qualifications for Request for Qualification (RFQ) Process Review List of Projects to be Considered in the Process Next Steps     Garris named Lexington One’s executive director of Information Technology At the June 10, 2025, board meeting, the Lexington County School District One Board of Trustees approved Jenny M. Garris as the executive director of Information Technology, beginning July 1, 2025.  Ms. Garris brings over 20 years of experience in educational leadership and technology integration. She currently serves as director of technology for School District Five of Lexington & Richland Counties, where she leads a 25-member team overseeing IT infrastructure, digital learning environments, and cybersecurity initiatives. Her work has focused on aligning technology services with instructional priorities and ensuring equitable access to devices and digital tools. Click here to read more about Ms. Garris.     4K and 5K Staggered Start Schedule for the 2025–26 School Year To ensure a smooth transition for our youngest learners, ALL Lexington One four- and five-year-old kindergarten students will participate in a staggered start schedule. Here are the details:  Monday, August 4, 2025: ONLY students with LAST NAMES beginning with A–G attend school Tuesday, August 5, 2025: ONLY students with LAST NAMES beginning with H–O attend school Wednesday, August 6, 2025: ONLY students with LAST NAMES beginning with P–Z attend school Please note these are FULL days. Starting Thursday, August 7, ALL four- and five-year-old kindergarten students will attend school on a regular daily schedule. The staggered start creates an opportunity for our teachers to foster a more personal and supportive environment. This setting enhances community building and allows for more focused attention on each student’s strengths and needs through individual assessments. Should you have any questions or need further clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's school directly. Celebrations LHS's Oates wins The Shell Dula award! Congratulations to Jesse Oates from Lexington High School, who has been selected as the recipient of the Shell Dula Athlete of the Year Award from the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association. The Shell Dula and the Mary Dula Awards are presented to an exceptional male and female high school athlete who has demonstrated outstanding performance, leadership, and sportsmanship across multiple sports. Jesse, who ran track and cross country for the Wildcats, will receive a $500 college scholarship.   Lexington One coaches honored for team success Lexington One coaches received honors for their hard work and dedication in supporting our student-athletes. Lexington High's Girls Lacrosse Coach Tiffany Tortorello was named the 2025 S.C. Girls Lacrosse Coach of the Year. Coach Tortorello led the Lady Wildcats in a stellar season, ending with the team winning the SCHSL Class 5A Division I Girls Lacrosse State Championship, the team's first state championship! Gilbert High School Head Baseball Coach Ashley Burnett (right) and Lexington High School Head Baseball Coach Brian Hucks (left) were recently inducted into the SC Baseball Coaches Association's Hall of Fame. Both Coach Burnett and Coach Hucks have led successful baseball programs at their schools, winning numerous state championships!   UPCOMING DATES July 4 — Schools and Central Services closed, Fourth of July holiday 9 — School Board Subcommittee Meeting 28 — Staff returns to school August 4 — First day for students (except 4K and 5K students, who will follow a staggered start) 19 — Regular Monthly Board Meeting 2025-26 Academic Calendar 2025-26 Academic Calendar (Spanish)

Monday, Jun 30 2025

📢 June 10 Board Recap: 2025–26 Budget Approved, Dr. ...

Board of Trustees Update June 10 recap 📢 Board approves 2025–26 General Fund Budget On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, the Lexington One Board of Trustees approved the $401.4 million General Fund Budget for 2025–26. The approved budget meets every priority set by the Board, raises the starting teacher salary to $52,000, and aligns all new investments to the three key areas of the district’s strategic plan: academic excellence, positive climate and culture, and stewardship of resources. Why it matters: This budget reflects the Board's continued commitment to: 💵 Invest in people — Fully funds the Salary Study Committee’s $12.8 million in recommended increases. 🧮 Maintain Lexington One’s staffing standards — Funds school staffing based on the district’s established student-to-teacher ratios, which are considerably lower than state requirements. ⚖️ Balance the budget responsibly — Funds key priorities without a millage increase by utilizing $11 million in fund balance and budgeting conservatively at a 96% staffing fill rate. A closer look: Employee Salaries A majority of the budget (88%) supports salaries and benefits for more than 4,000 employees. The approved budget includes increases across all salary schedules based on the work of the district’s Salary Study Committee. Highlights include: ✔️ Provides fair, consistent pay increases across all steps ✔️ Recognizes employee experience and dedication ✔️ Ensures no employee experiences a decrease in pay as inconsistencies across the certified salary schedule are corrected ✔️ Retains the Bachelor’s +18 classification for certified educators who already hold this certification — even though the state has proposed eliminating it — ensuring continued recognition in 2025–26 Support for schools The following principal-requested items are funded in the 2025–26 budget: ✅ Full-time math coaches at elementary schools (previously half-time) ✅ Additional assistant principals at 3 middle schools (bringing them in line with other middle schools) ✅ One additional assistant principal at each high school (to address academic, behavioral and attendance needs) 📊 Measuring our impact: At the Board’s request, a committee will meet this week to begin developing key performance indicators for newly funded initiatives. These metrics will help the district track and report the measurable impact of budget decisions over time. The committee plans to bring a proposal to the Board in August for feedback. In future years, the district plans to present these indicators alongside budget proposals to support data-informed decision-making. Other items that have to be funded annually include Federal and state mandates Rising fixed costs (insurance, safety systems, etc.) The bottom line: Lexington One’s 2025–26 budget takes care of our employees, builds strong student supports and protects the financial health of our district. It’s another step in helping every student learn, grow and excel. ▶️ Click here to watch the Public Hearing that includes the presentation of the Third Reading of the 2025–26 General Fund Budget and Citizen's Public Comment regarding the budget. ▶️ Click here to watch the Board's discussion and vote on the budget.   Actions taken by the board ✅ Approved 39 certified staff employment recommendations and two administrative employment recommendations for the 2025–26 school year. 📄 Concluded as a board that Dr. Postlewait received an overall extremely effective evaluation for the 2024–25 school year. Click here to watch this part of the meeting. 📌 Approved the Consent Agenda Minutes from May 6 and May 20 board meetings New Hire Support Staff Report 🏛️ Appointed a procurement review panel for the 2025–26 fiscal year and appointed Board Member Nicholas Pizzuti to serve as the chair of the Procurement Review Panel 🤝 Renewed the updated Lexington One Educational Foundation Memorandum of Understanding ▶️ Click here to watch Bridget Winston, chair of the Lexington One Educational Foundation, provide an update on the work of the Lexington One Educational Foundation. 📄 Adopted a resolution to not participate in the Community Eligibility Program due to financial burden 📅 Moved the regular monthly board meeting in July from July 15 to July 14 at 8:45 a.m. at White Knoll High School.   Superintendent's Report ▶️ Click here to watch the Superintendent's Report that includes: Superintendent's 3-Year Look Back Additional 2022B Bond Interest Projects 2025–26 Board Annual Work Calendar ▶️ Click here to watch Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Miller's May 2025 Finance Report that features an overview of the following reports: Capital Projects 8 Percent 2022B Capital Projects 8 Percent 2023C Capital Projects 8 Percent 2024B Capital Fund Expenditures FY 2024–25 (2018 Bond Referendum) General Fund Balance General Fund Budget Transfers General Fund Revenues Quarterly Grants Review Unauthorized Procurements   New Business Brian Nicholson, Director of Mauldin & Jenkins CPAs, provided the Fiscal Year 2024 procurement audit report. ▶️ Click here to watch Mr. Nicholson give a summary of the report at the board meeting. Shane Philips, the district's Director of Assessment and Accountability, presented the results of the program evaluation on the Non-CERDEP 4K Programs. Click here to read the full report. ▶️ Click here to watch this part of the meeting.   Policies Policy revisions presented for introduction: Curriculum Development, Adoption and Review (IG) Policy revisions presented for first reading: Deletion of Student Drug Testing (JJIE and JJIE-R) Second readings of policy revisions — The following revised policies were approved by the Board: Promotion, Retention and Acceleration of Students (IKE and IKE-R) Summer School (IHCA) District Test Security Policy (ILB and ILB-R) State Program Assessments (ILBB and ILBB-R) Tobacco and Nicotine Use by Students (JICG) Student Conduct on Buses (EEAEC)   Honors and Achievements The board honored champion teams and student-athletes 2025 S.C. Class 5A Division I Boys Golf State Champions — River Bluff High Boys Golf Team🥇⛳️ State FFA Convention First Place Winners — Lexington Technology Center 🥇🌱 ITES Teacher of the Year — Adrianna Garcia, Midway Elementary 🍎🥇 Click here to read the Proof Positive for all of the award-winning details.   Upcoming Meetings Abbreviated Regular Monthly Meeting — July 14 (8:45 a.m. at White Knoll High Library) Regular Monthly Meeting — August 19  

Wednesday, Jun 11 2025

🌟 Inside Voice: 🗓️ Board Meeting Tuesday, 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Pa...

Board Meeting on June 10 The Lexington County School District One Board of Trustees will hold a public hearing on the 2025–26 General Fund Operating Budget and its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Building One of Lexington One’s Central Services, located at 100 Tarrar Springs Road in Lexington. The agenda for the meeting is posted and can be viewed on the BoardDocs site for the Lexington One Board of Trustees here. In addition to the public hearing, the agenda also includes the third reading of the 2025–26 General Fund Operating Budget. The regular monthly board meeting opens at 4:15 p.m. with the board voting to enter executive session. The public hearing on the 2025–26 General Fund Operating Budget will begin at 5 p.m. The public session of the regular monthly meeting will follow the conclusion of the public hearing but will not begin earlier than 6 p.m.  Citizens wishing to address the Board of Trustees during the public hearing and/or citizens’ participation — the public-speaking portion of the regular monthly meeting — must sign up to speak. Sign-ups are 4:30–5 p.m. for the public hearing and 4:30–6 p.m. for citizens’ participation. You must be present to sign up to speak. The meeting is open to the public and can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/c/LexingtonOne/live. After the meeting, the district will post a video of the meeting to its YouTube channel and its website.   THIS WEEKEND: The Parent Connections SEPAC Conference Don't miss the Parent Connections SEPAC Conference on Saturday, June 14, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the White Knoll High Performing Arts Center! This is a fantastic opportunity to get information on services to help students with special needs. Hosted by the Lexington One Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC), this conference aims to connect parents of students with special needs with valuable resources and support. Click here to register.   The S.C. Education Oversight Committee wants to hear from you! South Carolina's school report card and state accountability system is currently being reviewed, and the S.C. Education Oversight Committee wants to hear from you! Please consider completing this 10-minute anonymous survey. The survey will close June 30.    Color Your World with Lexington County Public Library's Summer Reading Program! Get ready for a summer filled with creativity, discovery and the joy of reading with the Lexington County Public Library's 2025 Summer Reading Program: Color Our World. "Color Our World" offers a fantastic opportunity for families to connect over books and create lasting memories together. Celebrations Lexington One students earn the Seal of Biliteracy Congratulations to the 202 outstanding juniors and seniors in Lexington One who earned the Seal of Biliteracy this year — our highest number ever!  The South Carolina Seal of Biliteracy recognizes students who attain a high level of proficiency in English and at least one other world language. The seal advances the state’s commitment to preparing every learner for college- and career-readiness in an increasingly international community.   To earn this initiative, a student must earn a 3.0 grade point average in English language arts and pass the Standards-Based Measurement of Proficiency test in any world language. The test ranks students from bronze to gold depending on their proficiency level. Gilbert High School: Jose Julian Aguilar-Gonzales; Tara Elizabeth Andrews; Stephanie Ayala Garcia; Fernanda Nicole Becerra Sanchez; Reece Landry Beebe; Ashlynn Faith Brock; William Thad Bustle; Bailee Hope Buzhardt; Reaves Nelson Coker; Jakquelin Garcia; Jonathan Garcia Maya; Ella Catherine Gunter; Jocelyn Selena Layson; Ella Jane Leaphart; Montserrath Mancilla Delaluz; Jessica Marceleno Contreras; Mary Claire Mathias; Levi Mitchell McLeod; Addison Claire Merrell; Marla Gladys Miller; Joselyn Miranda Hernandez; Bryson David Mitchell; Jensi Nicole Morales; Kathy Moreno Jimenez; Eduardo Alejandro Olivares Soto; Ashley Rubi Ponce-Gomez; Grayson Allen Ray; Ahtziri Rojas Morales; Yaravi Rojas Morales; Cooper Dylan Simmons; Jackson Pressley Talbert; Leonardo Andres Torres-Mares; Melvin Isaac Vasquez; Eric Ezequiel Villalobos Aviles; John Robert Wills and Robert John Woodwyk Lexington High School: Westin Blake Alexander; Elijah Jordan Anthony; Shakty Camila Arrieta-Lopez; Sean Matthew Ascione; Jack Bradley Baker; Gisselle Arianna Bautista; Sarah McKenzie Bost; Kathryn Elizabeth Boyce; William Andrew Brooks; Macy Evelyn Brown; Benjamin Watson Bruder; Macsen Geddings Cleary; Anthony Contreras; Bryson Dale Cotter; LeeAnn Frances Dalton; Cleiry Davila Ortiz; Collin Paul Davis; A'mya Gabrielle Donaldson; Arlie Kate Eubanks; Roman Isaiah Evans; Juan Felipe Galvis; Alexander Mario Garcia; Mira Elizabeth George; Xavier Daniel Gonzalez; Elise Helene Groppe; Renata Guizar Covarrubias; Sophi Shae Hanna; Isabella Joanna Harmon; Taryn Ruth Harmon; Sydney Bell Hilton; Olivia Elisabeth Holloway; Trevor Jenkins; Kylee Denise Johnson; Hudson Jude Kupchinsky; Margaret Elizabeth Kupchinsky; Lauren Jimin Lee; Hiram Lopez Lopez; Isabella Rose Ludy; Vanessa Macias; Santiago Martinez Fernandez del Valle; Mattie Ruth McGee; Abigail Marie McMillan; Jamilyn Makayla Miller; Hope Mikaela Norris; Chloe Rachel Osment; Isis-Marie Estalene Parker; Erika Lizeth Reyes-Rivera; Lara Guiliana Rivera; Noah Michael Roberts; Lauren Marie Sailer; Natalie Faith Schipp; Savanna Ashleigh Senn; McKenzie Lee Stanton; Abigail Brooke Stephens; Cameron Grace Stone Smith; Kassady Kate Strickland; Addison Kathleen Sweatman; Zoe Leigh Thompson; Andrew Thomas Tworzyanski; Rylee Sophia Valdez; Destiny Vazquez; Olivia Reese Warren; Carter Luke Weatherup; and Katherine Leitner Wiggins Pelion High School: Elizabeth Calderon; Eulises Yadir Cruz; Vicente Junior Del Valle Santiago; Daniel Jeremias Dominguez-Rivas; Alondra Monserat Garcia Garcia; Je'Anne Za'Harah Hernandez; Justin Mellado Meza; Ariana Munoz; Edgar Alexander Perez-Salas; Jocelin Rosendo Tenorio and Allison Villafuerte River Bluff High School: Abril Alarcon Disciplina; Robert Gabriel Albetel; Jolie Francesca Bermas; Eric Taylor Brightbill; Clare Elizabeth Brown; Alfredo Carrasco; Ileana Daniela Castro; Hugo Yandel Castro Sanchez; Mike Julian Chala Osorio; Edward Blackston Coleman; Madeline Grace Connor; Daniela Escamilla-Martinez; Elivia Gao; Julio Gervacio Flores; Ximena Gomez-Cantu; Marely Leilani Guarneros Olivo; Sophia Arely Hernandez; Ella Hogue; Darrya Catherine Hutcheson; Andres Sebastian Jandeska; Bao Hoang Quoc Le; Justin L. Lee; Lauren Gabriella Lim; Maria Jose Marquez Garduno; Alexander Patrick McGough; Reynaldo Andres Monasterios Salgado; Domingo Leo Murguia; Kristen Laura New; Ashley Victoria Perozo; Ricardo Andres Perozo Leal; Lila Catherine Powers; Aroosh Qazi; Andrew Shanwei Qiao; Andrea Ramirez; Luna Belen Ramirez-Castillo; Luisdiana Valentina Rodriguez Quilelli; Matthew Simon Roldan; Jonathan Gamble Roquemore; Vaishnavi Radhadevi Sarikonda; Irbin Severiano-Reyes; Sierra Esperanza Sorensen; Griffen Grady Dale Stanley; Cecelia Wade Stewart; Gianna Tak; Oprah Joyce Tchuendem Noubissi; Joaquin Adrian Trejo Ordenana; Domenica Belen Trejo-Ordenana; Caroline Butler Tucker; Meghan Brooks Tucker; Tifanne Michelle Warr; Rose Addison Wheeler; Blake Everett Wilson; Emily Seung-Joo You; Leonardo Gabriel Zambrano Quilelli and Alexander Minh Ziegler White Knoll High School: Jazmin Yareli Aguilera-Martinez; Analaura Altamirano-Perez; Jared Bautista-Garcia; Mariana Bernal Tarazona; Jade Alexandria Blizzard; Cameron Alexander Brown; Juliette Candelario Lopez; Alina Castro Martinez; Gabriela Dorothy Childs; Matthew Angelo Crespo; Kylie Marie Duval; Diego Francisco Mateo; Barbara Itzel Garcia Torres; Kevin Gregorio Gallardo; Ella Benet Guidotti; Gavin Lee Kudela; Nery Francisco Lemus Salguero; Jean Luis Maldonado Adorno; Alyzon Mercado Rios; Sydney Naomi Monroy-Rivas; Cynthia Morales Rojas; Karla Gisselle Paguada Orellana; James Terrell Scott; Marilyn Rosalie Serrano and Maydelin Jaquelin Villalobos Some seniors earned the seal in the 2023–24 school year as juniors and were recognized last year.   BMS and PHES go green for our community Pleasant Hill Elementary has once again been recognized as a Green Steps Certified School, a distinction awarded for environmental education and action. In addition, Beechwood Middle has once again been recognized as a Green Steps Certified School and took home top awards this year by being named the 2025 Overall School of the Year. In addition, Beechwood Middle secured a $450 grant from the Lexington Soil and Water Conservation District to support continued sustainability efforts, thanks to the leadership of BMS Seventh-Grade Teacher and leader of the Project Citizen club, Angie Kruger. BMS’s work has also gained national attention. The Climate Initiative recently “mapped” Beechwood on its Classroom Action Map, highlighting the school’s impactful, student-led project to protect the local watershed, a key component of the Project Citizen initiative. Congratulations to BMS and PHES and their students!   LHS AFJROTC earns Distinguished Unit Award, places among top 12% in state Lexington High School’s AFJROTC unit SC-871 has been awarded the prestigious Distinguished Unit Award, an honor earned by only 21 of the 173 JROTC programs across South Carolina, placing Lexington in the top 12% statewide. This recognition highlights the exceptional leadership, performance and dedication of both the cadets and instructors. Special congratulations to Major Ray C. Hammond Jr., USAF (Ret.) and Master Sergeant Eddie Blue, who were also named Outstanding AFJROTC Instructors for their continued excellence and commitment to student success.   Lexington One music programs earn statewide honors Lexington County School District One is celebrating a record year in music education, with more programs than ever receiving the Outstanding Performance Award from the South Carolina Music Educators Association for 2024–25. The OPA recognizes schools that excel across multiple areas, including: Student selections to Region and All-State ensembles Superior ratings at the SCMEA Concert Performance Assessment Superior ratings at the SCMEA Solo and Ensemble Festival Congratulations to the following Lexington One programs for earning this year’s Outstanding Performance Award: Beechwood Middle Band, led by Craig Davis Beechwood Middle Orchestra, led by Bonnie Pruitt Gilbert Middle Band, led by Matt Boiteau Gilbert High Band, led by Elliot Stewart Lakeside Middle Band, led by Kayla Yost Lexington High Band, led by Kolman McMurphy Lexington High Orchestra, led by Mark Mooningham Meadow Glen Middle Orchestra, led by William Slechta River Bluff High Band, led by Kevin Hebert River Bluff High Orchestra, led by Heather Wilcox UPCOMING DATES June 10 — Regular Monthly School Board Meeting

Monday, Jun 09 2025

Summer Fun Starts Now!

Summer Fun Starts Now... But So Does Next Year's Planning! Hey Parents, We know what you're thinking: School's out! Time for popsicles, vacations, and no more alarms! And you're right, enjoy every minute! But while summer fun is in full swing, there's one quick thing we need your help with to make sure  next school year (2025-2026)  is just as fantastic for your student. Right now, only  40% of our amazing families have completed student registration  for the fall. Getting this done now, even amidst summer vibes, really helps us: Secure your child's spot  in their classes and programs. Plan our amazing teachers  and staff for a great year. Prepare classrooms  with all the resources they'll need. Think of it as setting up future-you for success!  A few minutes now saves you a scramble later. How to Get It Done (Super Easy!): You can register your student from your phone by the pool or your laptop on the porch! Hop onto our school website:   Lexington1.net Follow the simple steps  to confirm your student's enrollment and update any info. Please aim to complete registration by July 1, 2025!  This helps us immensely. Questions? We're Here to Help! If you hit a snag or just want to chat, don't hesitate to reach out. Give us a ring:  821-2158 Shoot us an email:  rthompson@lexington1.net Enjoy your well-deserved summer break! We can't wait to see your students thriving next year! Warmly, The Pelion High School Team

Thursday, May 29 2025

📣 Highlights from the May 20 Board Meeting: Budget, ...

Board of Trustees Update May 20 recap Click to view May 20 agenda Click to view May 20 video Second reading of the budget 📊 Budget Breakdown: What’s in the 2025–26 General Fund Budget The big picture: At their May 20 regular monthly meeting, the Lexington One Board of Trustees reviewed the Second Reading of the proposed 2025–26 General Fund Budget, totaling $401.4 million — a 2.2% increase over last year’s budget. Why it matters: This budget funds major salary adjustments recommended by the district’s Salary Study Committee, a group made up of employees, administrators and board members. The changes aim to improve recruitment and retention, and provide consistent pay increases across all steps. The proposed budget based on second reading includes: 🧑‍🏫 $12.8M allocated to implement the salary study recommendations: $3,000 increase to teacher starting pay (now $52,000) Raises and step increases for support staff Retention stipends and wage adjustments for special education staff 🏫 88% of the budget goes toward salaries and benefits 📉 No millage increase — property tax rate lowered from 325.86 to 303.2 mills due to reassessment and the calculation of rollback millage. 🏦 $11M will come from the district’s fund balance to balance the budget What’s next: A final public hearing and third reading will be held June 10 at 5 p.m. at Central Services to finalize the budget. ▶️ Click here to watch this portion of the meeting.     Key Action Items Employment Recommendations The Board approved 55 certified staff and three administrative recommendations. This includes Bryson Williams as the director of Alternative Educational Services (AES), who replaces Chris Rabon who is taking a position with the district's Student Services department for the 2025–26 school year. Mr. Bryson Williams Mr. Williams currently serves as an assistant principal at Lexington High School, where he has led numerous initiatives to strengthen student support systems, professional learning and instructional leadership. Under his guidance, the school enhanced its approach to Section 504 supports, launched a mentorship initiative for at-risk students and implemented robust professional development aligned with the Lexington One Graduate Profile.  Prior to his role at Lexington High, Mr. Williams served as an assistant principal at Pelion High School. There, he led data-driven instructional teams, introduced a ninth-grade co-teaching model and launched a student mentoring and leadership program. He also played a key role in implementing the AVID college readiness system and facilitated school-wide recognition programs. Mr. Williams began his career in Lexington One as a business education teacher at White Knoll High and later River Bluff High, where he also served as a lead teacher and assistant athletics director. A graduate of Charleston Southern University with a Bachelor of Arts in business administration, Mr. Williams holds two master’s degrees — one in secondary education from Grand Canyon University and another in educational administration from Fort Hays State University. Board Goals After reviewing suggestions for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound (SMART) goals at the April 22 board meeting, the board voted to approve goals for the 2025–26 academic year in the areas of data-driven accountability, strategic policy alignment, safe and supporting learning environments, community engagement and communication, fiscal stewardship and long-term planning. The goals call for the Board to: Implement a semi-annual reporting process to monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to student achievement, program effectiveness, and system efficiency. Review and revise (as needed) at least 80% of board policies to ensure alignment with the district’s strategic plan and findings from audit findings. Receive an annual progress report on indices such as student and staff safety, mental health and access to support services. Establish a governance engagement plan to conduct one stakeholder engagement session in each of the five high school feeder patterns per year, and ensure consistent communication updates. Oversee the development and adoption of a comprehensive five-year financial, facilities and technology strategic plan, with annual progress reviews.     Other actions taken by the board 🖊️ Authorized the administration to sign the necessary documents expressing no objection to the homeowners’ request for a variance to the Town of Pelion zoning ordinance. 📄 Authorized the administration to execute the necessary waiver of right of first refusal documents regarding .05 acre of Parcel #TMS007500-01-004 near Deerfield Elementary School for a road widening project. ✅ Approved the slate of hearing officers for the 2025–26 school year as discussed in executive session and authorized administration to enter into the necessary contractual arrangements to engage those hearing officers. 📌 Approved the Consent Agenda Minutes from the April 1, April 22 and April 29 meetings New Hire Support Staff Report     New Business Instructional Technology Belief Statements: Instructional Technology Director Howard Bissell will share belief statements that have been developed to inform how we use technology to enhance teaching and learning. District advisory councils have provided feedback on the drafted instructional technology belief statements.  ▶️ Click here to watch this portion of the meeting.     Policies Second readings of policy revisions — The following revised policies were approved Field Studies and International Travel (IJOA, IJOA-R and IJOA-E) Threat Assessment (ECAA) First readings of policy revisions — The following revised policies were presented for first reading. Promotion, Retention and Acceleration of Students (IKE and IKE-R) Summer School (IHCA) District Test Security Policy (ILB and ILB-R) State Program Assessments (ILBB and ILBB-R) Tobacco and Nicotine Use by Students (JICG) Student Conduct on Buses (EEAEC)     Superintendent's Report ▶️ Click here to watch the Superintendent's Report that includes: 2025–26 Program Evaluation Results Capital Funding Adjustment ▶️ Click here to watch Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Miller's March 2025 Finance Report that features an overview of the following reports: General Fund Revenues General Fund Balance General Fund Budget Transfers Unauthorized Procurements Capital Projects 8 Percent 2022B Capital Projects 8 Percent 2023C Capital Projects 8 Percent 2024B Capital Fund Expenditures FY 2024–25 (Bond Referendum)   Honors and Achievements The board honored champion teams and student-athletes 2025 S.C. Class 5A Division 1 Girls Lacrosse State Champions 🥇🥍 CLASS National Chinese Language Talent Show Winners 🇨🇳🎤 DECA State Champions 📊🏅 HOSA State Champions 🩺 🏅 Lexington One Educational Foundation Joseph M. Bedenbaugh Administrator of the Year Outstanding Theatre Educator by S.C. Theatre Association S.C. Speech and Communication Association State Competition Winners 🎭 SkillsUSA State Champions 🛠️ 🏅 Southeast Regional Aerial Drone Champions 🛩️🎯 Click here to read the Proof Positive for all of the award-winning details.     Board Reports Board Member Nick Pizzuti provided an update on the work of the RFP Development Subcommittee regarding the work to develop the RFP for the 2018 Bond Referendum Audit. ▶️ Click here to watch this part of the meeting. Board Member Mike Anderson provided a legislative update. ▶️ Click here to watch this part of the meeting. Board Chair Kathy Henson summarized the impact of the book study of "Great on Their Behalf." ▶️ Click here to watch this part of the meeting.     Upcoming Meetings Regular Monthly Meeting, Public Hearing for the Budget — June 10  

Wednesday, May 28 2025

📰LHS Wildcat Announcements 5/27/25

Wildcat Announcements May 27, 2025   Summer Hours - Beginning Tuesday, May 27 Monday - Thursday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Closed Fridays   Important Dates May 27 - School Summer Hours Begin 7:30 - 5:00 Monday - Thursday. Closed Fridays. July 8 - 10 Senior Pictures (you must sign up for an appointment) July 30 - Aug 1 - Senior Pictures (you must sign up for an appointment) Wildcat Athletics Games/Meets/Matches Tuesday, May 27 - Varsity Baseball @ James Island - Game time 6:30 Thursday, May 29 - Varsity Baseball v. James Island - Game time 6:30 Saturday, May 31 - Varsity Baseball - Game Three - if needed - at Riley Park in Sumter (USC Sumter), Game time 1:00   Class of 2026 Information   Senior Pictures Class of 2026 Senior Pictures will be taken on the below dates. YOU MUST SIGN UP FOR AN APPOINTMENT!!! July 8-10  9 A.M-4 P.M.     July 30-31  9 A.M-4 P.M      July 30    9- 4 and 5-8  @ Wildcat Welcome and Cat's Kickoff Day   August 1   9 A.M-4 P.M     A sign-up link will be sent out shortly!   LHS News & Highlights     Summer Reading Adventure Get ready for an unforgettable summer reading adventure! From May 30 - July 25, Lexington High is participating in “Splash into Stories,” Beanstack’s summer reading challenge. As you start the summer seeking rest, remember that reading is the perfect way to unwind. Students are invited to immerse themselves in the wonderful world of books and discover the joy of reading, absolutely anything they desire. We challenge everyone in our community to read and log at least 600 minutes in Beanstack during the challenge. For logging your minutes read, you will earn fun, new badges, and the top-performing schools can win special prizes from Beanstack. Explore all the summer reading details by visiting our website! How to Participate: Read Anything! Explore any books, e-books, magazines, or graphic novels. There are no required titles! Download the Beanstack App.  Log in to Beanstack using your Lexington One account.  Track Your Reading: Log the books and time you read throughout the summer. Earn Rewards & Recognition: Participate in the challenge for opportunities to earn digital badges and potential recognition when school resumes in the fall.     South Carolina Youth Outdoor Writing Competition The South Carolina Outdoor Press Association (SCOPE) is partnering with the Hampton Wildlife Fund and South Carolina Wildlife magazine to sponsor a South Carolina Youth Outdoor Writing Competition annually, beginning in 2025. The competition is open to high school students in grades 9-12. The target audience will be entries from South Carolina but entries from any state are eligible for the competition. Entries will be 300-to-500 words in length and topics include any outdoor subject that is presented in a positive manner. One entry per contestant. Entry Forms are available on the SCOPE Website at https://scoutdoorpress.com. by clicking the Youth Writing Contest link at the top. Competition entries will be accepted beginning April 1 and continue through June 16, 2025. Prizes total $1,000, with $500 for First Place, $300 for Second Place, and $200 for Third Place. The three winners will be invited to the South Carolina Outdoor Press Annual Awards Banquet to receive the awards. Plus, the students will receive free SCOPE student memberships for one year. In addition, the entries will be published on the SCOPE website and the first-place winner will be published in the prestigious South Carolina Wildlife magazine. Entries can be submitted electronically to the South Carolina Outdoor Press at sc.outdoorpress@gmail.com or mail via US Postal Service to: SCOPE, 550 Summer Lakes Drive, Aiken, SC 29805. Use Microsoft Word for submissions if possible. The 2025 Youth Writing Contest is SCOPE’s initiative to raise awareness about our natural resources and the career and part-time opportunities that exist in this field. The stories they write can focus on a wide range of outdoor adventures and activities. While fishing and hunting topics are popular, students can also explore and write about hiking, canoeing, camping, outdoor cooking, dog training, shooting, and more. The primary focus area for topics relates to our natural resources. The core components of the contest are writing a 300-to-500-word story of interest to them, painting a picture of the event with their own words, and expressing why or how it was important to them. Many high school students are beginning to plan their college fields of study. This competition provides a platform for them to test/develop their communication skills and learn about outdoor communication careers while possibly earning a monetary prize.     Lowes Foods - Cart 2 Class Program CART 2 CLASS AND EARNING MONEY FOR YOUR SCHOOLS Here at your Lowes Foods on Augusta Hwy we are big on growing community. One of the biggest ways we do this is with our Cart 2 Class program. This program allows our Guests to earn money for their schools at NO EXTRA COST to them. In years past, we have donated thousands of dollars to local schools and hope to donate more this year. This money can go towards computers, gym equipment, renovations, uniforms, supplies or whatever the school needs. The program works when Guests, who are signed up for Cart 2 Class, purchase our private label brands.       LHS Cats' Pantry The Lexington High School Cats’ Pantry program is a free service for any student in need.  The program provides a weekend’s worth of easily-prepared, individually packed food items (typically two breakfast items, two lunch items, two dinner items and two snack items). The bags of food are delivered to the students in a discreet manner once a week on Fridays throughout the school year. Anonymity will be assured. If you would like for your child to participate in this program, please complete the form below. Since we have a variety of students participating, it will not be possible for us to accommodate food allergies. We ask that you and your student read the labels carefully to ensure your student’s safety. If you have questions, please contact Mrs. Bausch at abausch@lexington1.net or 803-821-3400. Sign up form     NONDISCRIMINATION POLICIES ​ Lexington County School District One does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability or age in admission to, access to, treatment in or employment in its programs and activities. The following people have been designated to handle inquiries or complaints. The Chief Human Resources Officer handles inquiries/complaints regarding Title IX. The Director of Middle Schools handles inquiries/complaints regarding Section 504. The Mathematics Coordinator handles inquiries/complaints regarding Title II. Contact these people if you have questions regarding these issues at 100 Tarrar Springs Road, Lexington, SC 29072 and telephone number (803) 821-1000. ​

Tuesday, May 27 2025

Inside Voice: Board Meeting Info, Last Week of Schoo...

Board Meeting on May 20 The Lexington County School District One Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly board meeting on Tuesday, May 20, in the auditorium of Lexington One Central Services Building One, located at 100 Tarrar Springs Road in Lexington. The agenda for the meeting is posted and can be viewed on the BoardDocs site for the Lexington One Board of Trustees by clicking here. At this meeting, the Board will continue their work on the 2025–26 General Fund Budget with the Second Reading. The board meeting begins at 5 p.m., with the board voting to enter executive session. The public portion of the meeting will resume at 6 p.m. Citizens wishing to address the Board of Trustees during citizens’ participation — the public-speaking portion of the meeting — must sign up to speak. Sign-up opens at 5 p.m. and ends at 6 p.m. You must be present to sign up to speak. The meeting is open to the public and can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/c/LexingtonOne/live. After the meeting, the district will post a video of the meeting to its YouTube channel and its website.   Thank you to our Retirees! Lexington One honored more than 80 retirees at our annual Retirees Banquet on Thursday, May 15. As we prepare to say goodbye to these extraordinary members of the Lexington One family, we reflect on their profound impact on the students of Lexington One throughout the years — a combined total of 1,536.5 to be exact. Through decades of dedication, they have shaped countless lives, leaving an indelible mark on students, colleagues, parents and the entire community. We are so thankful for them and wish them well on their retirement! We recently asked a few of our students how they would spend their retirement. Enjoy!   School Calendar Reminders The countdown to summer is almost complete! As we wind down the end of the year, here is the schedule for the last week of school: May 19 and 20 — Regular Schedule for Students May 21 — Half Day for Students (Lunch will be served.) May 22 — Half Day for Students (Lunch will be served.) Schools will be dismissed on the half days as follows:  Elementary Schools at 11:20 a.m. Middle Schools: All but GMS at 12:05 p.m. GMS at 12:15 p.m. High Schools: LHS, WKHS and RBHS at 12:45 p.m. PHS and GHS at 12:25 p.m.    Hats off to the Class of 2025! Lexington County School District One is excited to announce the graduation details for the Class of 2025! Graduation ceremonies for Gilbert High, Lexington High, Pelion High, River Bluff High and White Knoll High will be held at the University of South Carolina's Colonial Life Arena on May 21 and May 23, 2025. Dates and Times: Wednesday, May 21, 2025 River Bluff High School — 8 a.m. Pelion High School — 12 p.m. White Knoll High School — 4 p.m. Friday, May 23, 2025 Lexington High School — 12 p.m. Gilbert High School — 4 p.m. Guest Policy: Clear bags are required, and there are no limits on the number of guests allowed. Click here for details about Lexington One's graduation ceremonies. We look forward to celebrating this important milestone with our graduates and their families!   Lexington One to offer free summer meals for all students Lexington County School District One is committed to supporting our community by participating in the USDA Summer Meals Program that provides all Lexington One students with nutritious meals at no charge during the summer months. Meal pick-up will be available on June 11, June 18, June 25 and July 2, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the following locations: Centerville Elementary School, 4147 Augusta Highway, Gilbert, 29054 Deerfield Elementary School, 638 Longs Pond Road, Lexington, 29073 Pelion Middle School, 325 Main Street, Pelion, 29123 HOW TO SIGN UP FOR MEALS: Parents/Guardians can easily sign up for meal pick-up through ParentSquare during the following designated timeframes: Sign up June 5–8 for June 11 pick-up Sign up June 12–15 for June 18 pick-up Sign up June 19–22 for June 25 pick-up Sign up June 26–29 for July 2 pick-up Parents/guardians will need to sign up all students in their household to make sure all students receive meals. IMPORTANT PICK-UP INFORMATION: To ensure accurate meal distribution and the safety of our students, parents/guardians must provide documentation verifying their relationship to the child(ren) if the children are not present at the time of pick-up. Acceptable forms of documentation include: Student(s) listed in ParentSquare App on mobile device Student identification card(s) Report card(s) Birth Certificate(s) Legal guardianship paper(s) ***Please note these documents can be photos on your mobile device. You do not need to bring a physical copy.  For more information, please contact Krista Hineline at 803-821-1378 or khineline@lexington1.net.   Attention Support Staff members: Ready to Become a Teacher? Share Your Career Goals & Unlock Teacher Resoures At Lexington One, we value the contribution of each and every one of our support staff members, mentors and volunteers. We also want to support each of you in fulfilling your career goals.  As critical members of our school community, you already have a tremendous impact on our students. If you've ever considered taking the next step to becoming a certified teacher, we're here to help! Will you take just a few minutes to share your career aspirations with us, so we can best support you in meeting your goals? One lucky survey respondent will be selected to win a $1,000 scholarship from our partners at TeachSC, should they go on to enroll in an educator preparation program. This could be you! So, go ahead and take the 5-minute survey! You'll also gain access to free tools and resources from TeachSC designed to help you find your pathway to become a full-time classroom teacher. They include: 1-on-1 expert advice for any question along the way from teachers who’ve been in your shoes Step-by-step guides and checklists that breakdown the process of applying $100 fee reimbursements towards application and testing expenses, and more! We’re looking for dedicated staff members like you, who already know and serve our students so well, to consider taking the next step in their career. Are you up for the challenge? We can’t wait to hear from you! The deadline for completing the survey - and being eligible for the $1,000 scholarship - is June 1, 2025!   Get Ready to Color Your World with Lexington County Public Library's Summer Reading Program! Get ready for a summer filled with creativity, discovery and the joy of reading with the Lexington County Public Library's 2025 Summer Reading Program: Color Our World. This year's program is a vibrant invitation for readers of all ages – from our littlest learners to the grown-ups – to dive into the magic of books and explore their imaginative side. Whether you're a fan of thrilling adventures, fascinating facts or heartwarming stories, there's something for everyone to enjoy. And the best part? Participation is absolutely free and open to everyone! Reading is a fantastic way to keep young minds engaged and entertained throughout the summer months, preventing that summer slide and fostering a lifelong love of learning. "Color Our World" offers a fantastic opportunity for families to connect over books and create lasting memories together. Celebrations RBHS students earn wins at National Chinese Language Talent Show Three River Bluff High students achieved top honors at the prestigious Chinese Language Association of Secondary-Elementary Schools (CLASS) National Talent Show Competition. Braelyn Davis and Maelle Wong's remarkable entry secured first place in the Immersion Group for the Chinese Language Category. Sarah Fang placed second in the Heritage Group Fine Arts Product Competition! A testament to their impressive linguistic abilities, this competition truly put their language skills to the test, and they excelled. Their dedication and the significant progress they have made in their language learning journey are truly commendable. Congratulations!   LHS students soar at drone competition Lexington High students soared above the rest at the Aerial Drone Southeast Regional Championship! Vik Kulkarni, Shawn Li and Rushil Patil won the Communications Mission Championship at the Aerial Drone Southeast Regional Championship! This prestigious award recognizes their exceptional organization and communication prowess, clearly demonstrated in their interview and meticulous logbook. What makes this victory even more significant is that this regional championship effectively serves as the National Championship for Aerial Drones. Their mastery of problem-solving, teamwork, critical thinking and technical application was not only impressive but also a shining example of the future of STEM education. This team also received a perfect score of 214 points in the Teamwork Alliance. Donghyun Lee, Owen Gregory, and Patrick Grey also achieved a perfect score in the Teamwork Alliance. Both teams advanced to the semifinals, showcasing their impressive skills and teamwork. Congratulations!   RBHS students shine at ArtFields Jr. 2025 River Bluff High artists were highlighted at ArtsField Jr. 2025. Seniors Savannah Fox, Hannah Harder, Tupac Mallory and Xavier Shaw were selected for the 10-day juried art show, competing statewide and alongside Southeast professionals. Xavier even had his artwork purchased! Presley Yesnach also displayed her work and won the 2025 ArtFields Jr. Student Choice Award, voted on by her peers. These artists will also compete in the Midlands Regional ArtFields Jr. competition this summer. Congratulations to all!   LHS's Ms. Dellinger named Outstanding Theatre Educator Lexington High's Leslie Dellinger was recently named the recipient of the Outstanding Theatre Educator award by the South Carolina Theatre Association. This significant award acknowledges the individual at the K–12, college or teaching artist level who has made the most profound contribution to theatre education in South Carolina over the past year. Ms. Dellinger will be recognized at SCTA's Annual Gala on Saturday, June 7, at the South Carolina Children’s Theater in Greenville, SC. Congratulations and take a bow!   Lexington One once again named Best Community for Music Education Lexington One has been recognized as a "Best Community for Music Education" by the NAMM Foundation for the eighth consecutive year. This achievement highlights the district's strong commitment to music education and its dedication to making music part of a well-rounded education.  The award program, now in its 26th year, recognizes school districts and schools that demonstrate a deep commitment to music education. The NAMM Foundation recognizes districts and schools that demonstrate a high standard of excellence in music education, with Lexington One being one of only five districts in South Carolina to receive this recognition.  The district's dedication to music education is evident in the collective efforts of teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who work together to expand opportunities for students to learn and grow through music. This includes bringing together students of all abilities to create music and fostering a sense of belonging within the music community. UPCOMING DATES MAY 20 — Regular Monthly School Board Meeting 21 — Half Day for Students/Lexington One Graduations River Bluff High — 8 a.m. Pelion High — 12 p.m. White Knoll High — 4 p.m. 22 — Half Day for Students/Last day of school 23 — Teacher Work Day/Lexington One Graduations Lexington High — 12 p.m. Gilbert High — 4 p.m.

Monday, May 19 2025

🌟 Inside Voice: 🗓️ Board Meeting on Tuesday, 🎉New Pr...

2025–26 General Fund Budget First reading — April 22, 2025 Click here to access information about the First Reading shared in the Board Recap post. This includes details about the Board's vote to give preliminary approval of the Salary Study Committee's recommendations contingent upon final approval of the 2025–26 General Fund Budget. Recommendations include but are not limited to: Certified salary schedule: New starting salary: $52,000 Steps 0–5: 1.5% increase per step Steps 6–40: 1.1% increase per step Support staff salary schedule Increase starting pay by 3% Increase of 1.7% between steps Second reading — May 20, 2025 Public Hearing and Third Reading — June 10, 2025 Board Meeting on May 6 The Lexington County School District One Board of Trustees will hold a brief business meeting on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in the auditorium of Lexington One Central Services Building One, located at 100 Tarrar Springs Road in Lexington. The agenda will be posted later today (Friday, May 2) on Board Docs. The meeting begins at 8 a.m., with the board voting to enter executive session. The public portion of the meeting will resume immediately after executive session. There will be no citizens’ participation at this meeting. The meeting is open to the public and can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/c/LexingtonOne/live. After the meeting, the district will post a video of the meeting to its YouTube channel and its website. Board Subcommittee Meeting on May 6 A Lexington One Board of Trustees’ subcommittee will meet on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 8:30 a.m., in the auditorium in Building One of Central Services, located at 100 Tarrar Springs Road in Lexington, South Carolina. The subcommittee, comprised of Board of Trustees Members Kathryn McCown and Nicholas Pizzuti, and Board Secretary Christopher Rice, will meet with district administrators, including staff from the Lexington One Procurement Office, to develop an RFP for an audit of the 2018 Bond Referendum.  Agenda, May 6, 2025 Review Draft of Scope of Work Approve Scope of Work Next Steps   Allison to serve at WKES's principal Lexington County School District One proudly announces that, effective July 1, 2025, Bridget A. Allison will serve as the new principal of White Knoll Elementary. The Board of Trustees approved this personnel recommendation during its April 29, 2025, business meeting.  Bridget A. Allison With 17 years of experience in public education, Ms. Allison brings a deep commitment to student growth and a strong record of instructional leadership. She currently serves as an assistant principal at Hyatt Park Elementary, a Title I school in Richland School District One. Ms. Allison has spent the last decade helping educators refine their practice — first as a literacy instructional coach and now as a school administrator. Her expertise in data-driven instruction and student-centered support systems has made a tangible difference in the schools she’s served. Ms. Allison holds a Master of Education in educational leadership from the American College of Education and a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from South Carolina State University. Her certification areas include elementary principal, early childhood and elementary education, and she holds endorsements in literacy coaching and gifted and talented education.   Updates on Demographics & Facilities Studies Now Online Lexington One is proactively addressing the future of its facilities through a comprehensive study conducted by external professional contractors. This initiative, launched in the fall of 2024, aims to provide a clear understanding of the current state of all district-owned buildings and properties, offering data-driven insights for future planning and investment. To help keep our students, employees, families and community members informed about this process, information is being posted on our website. By clicking here you will find information related to the ongoing studies that help us plan for the future needs of our growing district.   Hats off to the Class of 2025! Lexington County School District One is excited to announce the graduation details for the Class of 2025! Graduation ceremonies for Gilbert High, Lexington High, Pelion High, River Bluff High and White Knoll High will be held at the University of South Carolina's Colonial Life Arena on May 21 and May 23 2025. Dates and Times: Wednesday, May 21, 2025 River Bluff High School — 8 a.m. Pelion High School — 12 p.m. White Knoll High School — 4 p.m. Friday, May 23, 2025 Lexington High School — 12 p.m. Gilbert High School — 4 p.m. Guest Policy: Clear bags are required, and there are no limits on the number of guests allowed. Click here for details about Lexington One's graduation ceremonies. We look forward to celebrating this important milestone with our graduates and their families! Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! Lexington One loves our teachers! May 5–9 is Teacher Appreciation Week, a week-long event dedicated to recognizing and honoring the dedication and hard work of educators. It's a time to show appreciation for the vital role teachers play in shaping the lives of students, families, and communities! Honor your amazing teachers this May! Thank your favorite teacher for helping you grow as a student! The Lexington One Educational Foundation gives families the chance to show their appreciation to their teachers by donating in their honor to the Educational Foundation. Although Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5–9, 2025, the Foundation is celebrating our awesome Lexington One teachers during the whole month of May! Make a donation anytime from now until the end of the school year, and the Foundation will help you thank your child’s terrific teachers! The Foundation offers two levels of giving for families to consider when honoring a special teacher: $15 Honorarium – Your child’s teacher will receive: Personalized Note of Appreciation from your child $25 Honorarium – Your child’s teacher will receive: Personalized Note of Appreciation from your child AND a Social Media* “Shout Out” on the foundation’s Facebook, Instagram & X apps. *Note that a Social Media “Shout Out” will not include your child’s name on it due to privacy concerns. Click here to donate. Once you submit the form you will see a link for an online payment or you can pay through our Donate button.  Questions? Please contact Educational Foundation staff Tracy Rouillard (trouillard@lexington1.net) or Heather Johnson (hyjohnson@lexington1.net/ 803-821-1288).   Thank you, School Lunch Workers! Lexington One celebrates our school lunch workers with School Lunch Superhero Day on May 2. We are so thankful for our school nutrition professionals, like the team at White Knoll High School pictured below, and the difference they make every day! Between preparing healthy meals for Lexington One students, adhering to strict nutrition standards, navigating student food allergies, and offering service with a smile, school nutrition professionals are true heroes.   Happy School Nurse Day! May 7 is School Nurse Day, and Lexington One School Nurses play a critical role in supporting the health, wellness, and academic success of our students. Each day, our school nurses, like Meadow Glen Elementary's Rebekah Bennett and Lexington Elementary's Courtney Fick, play a vital role in improving attendance and supporting student wellness. We couldn't do what we do without them!   May 1–7 is National Physical Education and Sport Week This week is National Physical Education and Sport Week, a celebration of the importance of physical education and health education! Engaging in physical education helps students develop essential motor skills, personal and social skills, and core character values such as resilience, fairness and respect. We are so thankful for our health and physical education teachers and coaches! Important Information for Families 4K and 5K Staggered Start Schedule for the 2025–26 School Year To ensure a smooth transition for our youngest learners, ALL Lexington One four- and five-year-old kindergarten students will participate in a staggered start schedule. Here are the details:  Monday, August 4, 2025: ONLY students with last names beginning with A–G attend school Tuesday, August 5, 2025: ONLY students with last names beginning with H–O attend school Wednesday, August 6, 2025: ONLY students with last names beginning with P–Z attend school Please note these are full days. Starting Thursday, August 7, ALL four- and five-year-old kindergarten students will attend school on a regular daily schedule. The staggered start creates an opportunity for our teachers to foster a more personal and supportive environment. This setting enhances community building and allows for more focused attention on each student’s strengths and needs through individual assessments. Should you have any questions or need further clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's school directly.   Public Review of South Carolina College- and Career-Ready Visual and Performing Arts Proficiency Standards The updated South Carolina College- and Career-Ready Visual and Performing Arts Proficiency Standards are now available for public review and feedback. Parents and community members can review the draft document on the South Carolina Department of Education's website and share feedback via this form by 5 p.m. on May 30, 2025.   Save the date for the Parent Connections SEPAC Conference Don't miss the Parent Connections SEPAC Conference on Saturday, June 14, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the White Knoll High Performing Arts Center! This is a fantastic opportunity to get information on services to help for students with special needs. Hosted by the Lexington One Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC), this conference aims to connect parents of students with special needs with valuable resources and support. Click here to register.   Upcoming Triple P Seminar: Helping Children Deal with Bullying Mark your calendars for our next Triple P Seminar: Helping Children Deal With Bullying on Thursday, May 8, from 6–7:30 p.m. at North Lake Community Learning Center. This seminar aims to equip parents and guardians with strategies to support their children in navigating peer relationships, preventing bullying, and managing conflict. The seminar will explore proactive approaches and offer valuable insights into fostering resilience in children facing bullying situations. Can't make it in person? Attend the virtual seminar on May 13, 2025.   Apply for the Maxwell Leadership Foundation’s Student Ambassador Program Is your high school student passionate about leadership and making a difference? The Office of Student and Community Engagement, in partnership with the Maxwell Leadership Foundation, is offering an exciting opportunity to become a Maxwell Leadership Student Ambassador (MLSA). This unique program will equip your student with durable life skills essential for college, career and military success. South Carolina is one of only four states hosting this training this year! Applications are being accepted now through May 12. Click here to apply Accepted students will participate in an in-person workshop on Tuesday, July 15, followed by monthly virtual coaching sessions, valuable networking opportunities, and chances to practice leadership and service. Cost is $150 for the year (financial assistance available) For questions, please contact Mandy Roberts at mroberts@ed.sc.gov. Profile Spotlight Highlighting the Graduate Profile in Action! LTC's 5C Awards Connect Core Values to Graduate Success Lexington Technical Center (LTC) celebrated students embodying its core values – Character, Community, Craftsmanship, Creativity and Career Preparation – at its annual 5C Awards luncheon on April 3, 2025. Teachers nominated students who demonstrated these qualities, explaining their selections at the event. This year, each "C" was linked to Lexington One's Graduate Profile Competencies, highlighting the positive impact of these traits. The 2025 LTC 5C Award recipients include: Career Preparation — John Atkinson, LeeAnn Dalton, Addison Feary, Mary Ella Harvey, Addie Porth and Kaelyn Terminie Character — Cynthia Aranda Ojeda, Bellatrix Catoe, Emersin Clamp, Aline Collinsworth, Aaliyah Cook, Stephen Crawford, E. McKinnen Geiser, Anna Goodwin, Justin Morst, Salma Natsheh, Antuan Morris, Sydney Spooner and Katherine Voegele Community — Karla Castrejon-Arroyo, William Dannels, Lazaro Mejia, Claire Prater, Abby Sane, Piper Sestito Craftsmanship — Mary Anna Baker, Logan Crow, Noah Drafts, Abigail Dobson, Jenna Durstine, Andrew Georgia, Britni Plath, Kathryn Prickett and Jayda Williams Creativity — Shakty Arrieta-Lopez, Chloe Brannen, Johnathan Burns, Caroline Locklair, Mark Ullman and Yohanna Watson LTC students fly high with new drone licenses Congratulations to Lexington Technology Center students who recently earned their FAA Drones Licenses! Ready to fly are students Gary Blankenship, Ishaan Bolar, Daniel Butler, Angad Cheema, Salma Natsheh, Thalia Nieto, Ved Patel, Aaron Sharp, Nathan Stone, Trace Vermullen, David Wardlaw, Chesney Williams and Dawson Wiman. Front Row (l to r): Gary Blankenship, Ishaan Bolar, Chesney Williams, Salma Natsheh, Thalia Nieto, Nathan Stone Back Row (l to r): Angad Cheema, LTC Instructor Patrick Martin, AINautics Instructor Anthony Nedd, Dawson Wiman, LTC Director Bryce Myers, Aaron Sharp, Trace Vermullen, David Wardlaw Not Pictured: Daniel Butler, Ved Patel   Have you seen or been part of the Graduate Profile in action? The Communications Department wants to highlight our students and employees demonstrating the qualities of the Lexington One Graduate Profile: Knowledgeable; Creative Thinker and Problem Solver; Independent Learner; Communicator; Collaborator; Future-Ready Literate; Personally and Socially Responsible; Kind; and Resilient. Email details of examples to communications@lexington1.net. Celebrations WKMS's Jones named 2025 South Carolina Teacher of the Year by Teachers of Tomorrow Congratulations to Catrina Jones, geography and social studies teacher at White Knoll Middle School. She has been named the 2025 South Carolina Teacher of the Year by Teachers of Tomorrow. Teachers of Tomorrow is the nation’s largest alternative teacher certification provider, having certified more than 80,000 educators since 2005. Celebrating over 20 years of service, the organization partners with school districts to prepare committed, high-quality educators through affordable, flexible online training. “Ms. Jones consistently demonstrates exceptional skill in inspiring and engaging her students while cultivating a respectful, supportive, and dynamic classroom environment,” said mentor Dr. Jamal Sanders, who nominated Jones. “She has an unparalleled ability to balance structure with flexibility, ensuring that students remain engaged and motivated.” Ms. Jones wins a $500 award for classroom supplies and professional development, and now advances as a finalist for the National Teacher of the Year competition. The winner of this competition, which is chosen by public vote, will receive a $5,000 prize.   PHES's Schrodt named Columbia College APEC Fellow of the Year Congratulations to Katy Schrodt, kindergarten teacher at Pleasant Hill Elementary, who was named the Columbia College APEC Fellow of the Year! Mrs. Schrodt works hard every day to prepare her kindergarteners at PHES.   UPCOMING DATES MAY 6 — Special Called School Board Meeting 20 — Regular Monthly School Board Meeting 21 — Half Day for Students/Lexington One Graduations River Bluff High — 8 a.m. Pelion High — 12 p.m. White Knoll High — 4 p.m. 22 — Half Day for Students/Last day of school 23 — Teacher Work Day/Lexington One Graduations Lexington High — 12 p.m. Gilbert High — 4 p.m.

Friday, May 02 2025

Kindergarten Countdown — Getting Ready for the 2025–...

Welcome to the Lexington One family! Here in Lexington One, we are deeply committed to cultivating a nurturing, supportive, and empowering environment, guiding all students to learn, grow, and excel. We believe in igniting a passion for learning and fostering the development of well-rounded individuals. Our dedication extends to ensuring your children evolve into confident communicators, curious and knowledgeable learners, compassionate and resilient individuals, innovative thinkers and problem-solvers, future-ready and literate citizens, personally and socially responsible contributors, self-directed learners, and effective collaborators. As we eagerly anticipate the start of the 2025–26 school year, we will share important information with you over the coming months to help you and your family feel fully prepared and connected, ready to start kindergarten in the fall!   4K and 5K Staggered Start Schedule for the 2025–26 School Year To ensure a smooth transition for our youngest learners, ALL Lexington One four- and five-year-old kindergarten students will participate in a staggered start schedule. Here are the details:  Monday, August 4, 2025: ONLY students with last names beginning with A–G attend school Tuesday, August 5, 2025: ONLY students with last names beginning with H–O attend school Wednesday, August 6, 2025: ONLY students with last names beginning with P–Z attend school Please note these are full days. Starting Thursday, August 7, ALL four- and five-year-old kindergarten students will attend school on a regular daily schedule. The staggered start creates an opportunity for our teachers to foster a more personal and supportive environment. This setting enhances community building and allows for more focused attention on each student’s strengths and needs through individual assessments. Should you have any questions or need further clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's school directly.   Check out ParentSquare! Lexington One uses ParentSquare to communicate with families. ParentSquare is an on-the-go communication tool that allows you to easily communicate with your student's teachers and school staff, and to stay up-to-date on school and district news and events. Click here to download the ParentSquare app. Below are the steps for Parents and Guardians to complete the setup process on ParentSquare: Your child's school should have sent you an invitation for ParentSquare through email or text. Click Activate your account or tap the link to activate your account. Create a Password for your ParentSquare account and click Register. Click Confirm for your email and/or phone number. A verification code will be sent to the email and/or phone number.  Enter the verification code to Confirm. Confirm your child(ren) by clicking Confirm. Use "Not My Child" if a child listed is not associated with your account. Select YES, This is Me when you have confirmed your contact information and child(ren) associated with your account.   Apps for Parents Lexington One uses a variety of tools to help families stay connected and involved in their student's education. Need help knowing which tool to use? Let's simplify things! This guide will help you quickly find the right tool. ​   There is still time to apply for Immersion Did you know that Lexington One offers an Immersion Program for rising kindergarteners? This program provides students with the opportunity to learn Chinese, French, or Spanish, helping them become multilingual and/or enhance proficiency in their home language. Click here to learn more about Lexington One’s Immersion Program and submit an application for your student!  

Monday, Apr 28 2025

Board of Trustees Update: 🗓️ Upcoming Meeting (April...

Board of Trustees Update Meeting notice and recap   Upcoming business meeting on April 29 The Lexington County School District One Board of Trustees will hold a brief business meeting on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in the auditorium of Lexington One Central Services Building One, located at 100 Tarrar Springs Road in Lexington. Click here to view the agenda for the meeting. The meeting begins at 8 a.m., with the board voting to enter executive session. The public portion of the meeting will resume immediately following executive session. There will be no citizens’ participation at this meeting. The meeting is open to the public and can be viewed live at https://www.youtube.com/c/LexingtonOne/live. After the meeting, the district will post a video of the meeting to its YouTube channel and its website.     April 22 Board Meeting Recap Click to view April 22 agenda Click to view April 22 video   Key Action Items Preliminary Approval of Salary Study Recommendations Following the First Reading of the FY 26 General Fund Budget, the Board voted to give preliminary approval of the proposed 2025–26 Certified Salary Schedule to include all the Salary Study Committee's recommendations with the understanding that this approval is preliminary and contingent upon final approval of the FY 26 General Fund Budget by the Board. ▶️ Click here to watch the presentation and discussion of the First Reading of the FY 26 General Fund Budget. ▶️ Click here to watch the preliminary approval 2025–26 Certified Salary Schedule to include all the Salary Study Committee's recommendations. Employment Recommendations The Board approved multiple employment recommendations for the 2025–26 school year. These include Dr. Stephanie L. Burgess as the new principal of Gilbert Middle School and H. S. “Tradd” Denny III for the role of director of student services. Dr. Stephanie L. Burgess Dr. Burgess brings more than 23 years of educational experience to her new leadership role, including 14 years as an assistant principal at Lexington High School. She is known for her deep commitment to student-centered learning, innovative instructional practices and strong community relationships. She was named the 2023 South Carolina State Assistant Principal of the Year by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators. Dr. Burgess holds a Doctor of Education from the University of South Carolina, a Master of Education in curriculum and instruction from Winthrop University, and a Bachelor of Science in biology from Lander University. A National Board Certified educator, she holds certifications in science and secondary supervision. She began her career in education as a science teacher at Batesburg-Leesville High School in her hometown. She is a member of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals. H. S. Tradd Denny  Mr. Denny is stepping into the student services director position from his current job as the district’s student services coordinator/hearing officer. Prior to that role, he served as an assistant principal at River Bluff High School and Northside Middle School, assistant director at Lexington Technology Center, and a business education teacher in Lexington One and other districts.  A graduate of the College of Charleston where he earned a degree in communications and played baseball, Mr. Denny earned his Master of Education in educational administration from the University of South Carolina. Mr. Denny is a member of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators and the Palmetto State Teachers Association. 2026–27 Academic Calendar The Board approved the 2026–27 Academic Calendar as presented by the Calendar Committee with the exclusion of Collaborative Planning Days, which will be voted on at a later date. ▶️ Click to watch this portion of the meeting.   New Business Program Evaluation Plan: Chief Academic Officer Mary Gaskins presented an update on the district's plan for conducting regular evaluations of district programs. Discussion on the programs to be evaluated next year will occur at the May board meeting after board members submit their individual priorities from the list of "Programs Not Yet Evaluated." ▶️ Click here to watch this portion of the meeting. Program Evaluation Report: Dr. Shane Phillips, director of Assessment and Accountability, presented the findings from the program evaluation of The Center for Law and Global Policy Development at River Bluff High School. ▶️ Click here to watch Dr. Phillip's presentation.   Other actions taken by the board ✅ Approved a motion for Board Member Katie McCown to serve on the 2018 Bond Referendum RFP Development Committee in place of Board Member McKenzie Flashnick. 📄Authorized administration to submit a waiver application to the S.C. Department of Education for approval of an internal Principal Induction program. 📘Approved the renewal of an Innovative Course Application for Chinese Honors 5, which is part of the Chinese immersion sequence in the district. 📌Approved one administrative recommendation for the 2024–25 school year, and for the 2025–26 school year: 24 certified staff recommendations; 10 administrative recommendations; and 2179 certified contract renewal recommendations. 📄Authorized administration to enter into a lease agreement with Lexington County First Steps. ✅Approved the Consent Agenda Minutes from the March 13, 2025 and March 25, 2025 meetings Student Travel Requests New Hire Support Staff Report   Policies Second readings of policy revisions — The following revised policies were approved: Home Schooling (IHBG) and (IHBG-R) First readings of policy revisions — The following revised policies were presented for first reading: Field Studies and International Travel (IJOA, IJOA-R and IJOA-E) Threat Assessment (ECAA)   Superintendent's Report ▶️Click here to watch Dr. Postlewait's Superintendent's Report that includes: Board Budget Priorities Board Goals Annual Planning for 2025-26 Board Meetings Other Items ▶️Click here to watch Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Miller's March 2025 Finance Report that features an overview of the following reports: General Fund Revenues General Fund Balance General Fund Budget Transfers Unauthorized Procurements Capital Projects 8 Percent 2024B Capital Projects 8 Percent 2022B Capital Projects 8 Percent 2023C Capital Projects Bond Referendum   Honors and Achievements The board honored champion teams and student-athletes Logan Crooks from White Knoll Middle: Middle School Boys Division State Winner in Bullseye Category at S.C. NASP State Tournament🎯 🎉 Wilson Oxner from Gilbert High School: Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizens State Award Winner🏆 River Bluff High Chess Team: 2025 South Carolina High School Chess Champions 🥇♟️ Meadow Glen Middle RoboGators: First Lego League South Carolina State Champions🥇🤖 River Bluff High "We the People" Team: "We the People" State Champions🥇📜 Rosa Serna, Lexington One Float Nurse: South Carolina Association of School Nurses 2025 LPN of the Year🥇💙 Click here to see the April 22 Proof Positive.   Book Study As the Board continued their Book Study of Great on Their Behalf, Board Member Nick Pizzuti summarized Part V Align Resources. ▶️Click here to watch this part of the meeting.   Upcoming Meetings Special Called Board Meeting — April 29 Special Called Board Meeting — May 6 Regular Monthly Meeting — May 20  

Sunday, Apr 27 2025