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  • Inside Voice: 📊 School Report Cards, 💬 Community Con...

    Lexington One’s 2025 School Report Cards align with five year targets The S.C. School Report Cards released on Nov. 3, 2025, demonstrate Lexington One’s progress toward accomplishing the five year targets of the district’s 2024–2029 strategic plan. 🎯 Target 1: 95% of our graduates to be college, career or military ready  Data from the 2025 school reports cards show that 79.3% of Lexington One high school students demonstrated college or career readiness compared to 76.7% in 2024. Lexington One remains above the state average of 75.1%. 🎯 Target 2: 95% of our students on track to graduate Lexington One’s graduation rate is 89.1%, which is above the state’s rate of 86.7% and an increase over the district’s 2024 rate of 88.2%. Our district’s Five-Year Student Success Rate increased to 91.5% (this includes high school diploma, GED and high school employability credential within five years). 🎯 Target 3: An increasing number of middle and elementary school students scoring at or above grade level At the elementary and middle levels, 14 out of 25 schools improved their student progress rating. “Report cards provide a way for us to measure how we are doing to prepare our students for what comes next. Seeing more students college-, career- and military-ready, a higher graduation rate, and more schools rated Good or Excellent means stronger opportunities for every child—whether they plan to enroll, employ, or enlist,” said Dr. Keith Price, Lexington One Superintendent.  “This progress matters because it reflects the daily work providing students across the district with high quality instruction on state standards. We’re proud to be ahead of the state, and we’re not stopping until our five-year targets become our norm, so every student in Lexington One is cared for, supported, heard, celebrated and prepared.” A deeper dive into school report card ratings The number of schools in Lexington One rated Good or Excellent climbed to 61% from 50% last year, with eight schools improving their overall rating. For the fourth year in a row no schools in Lexington One received an unsatisfactory rating and the number of schools receiving a below average rating continues to decrease.     The next Community Conversation is on Nov. 11, 6 p.m., in the library at Pelion High School. Why it matters: Your feedback helps shape our Strategic Plan and the future of our schools. All are invited to attend: employees; students; parents; and community members. A Spanish interpreter will be available to ensure all families can participate. How it works (60 minutes): First 30: Roundtable discussion on district's strategic plan goals — Academics, Culture & Environment and Stewardship of Resources Last 30: Open conversation with board members     ParentSquare Texts getting an upgrade — Here’s what to know Soon, many of the text messages you get from Lexington One and your student's school via ParentSquare will come from regular 10-digit phone numbers. This will make it easier to see who is messaging you. For example, a message from your child’s teacher will come from a different phone number than a message from the school office.  What’s changing?  Right now, most texts come from a 5-digit number. Soon, you’ll start getting texts from different regular 10-digit phone numbers for:  Direct messages Classroom and group posts School posts  Messages from the district, digests and alerts will still come from the 5-digit number.  What should you do? When you receive a message from one of these new 10-digit numbers, save it to your contacts. Here are some suggestions: Save a teacher’s number as: Ms. Davis - 4th Grade Save classroom/group posts as: Lexington Elementary Classes Save school posts number as: Lexington Elementary Updates Read more about this change and some helpful tips: Changes to ParentSquare Text Messages.     Nominations open for the 2026 Tri-District Arts Consortium Summer Program Nominations are now being accepted for the 2026 Tri-District Arts Consortium Summer Program. Middle school students who attend the public schools of Lexington One, Lexington-Richland Five and Richland Two are eligible to participate. To nominate a Lexington County School District One student, click the following link nomination form. Click here to learn more about the Tri-District Arts Consortium Summer Program.     🤖 L&L Products fuels innovation in Lexington One classrooms L&L Products, a technology-driven company based in West Columbia, recently awarded Lexington One a $15,000 grant to support elementary and middle school STEM programs. Through donations like this year's grant, L&L Products has helped Lexington One purchase new 3D printers, robots and STEM supplies for elementary and middle school over the past four years. We are deeply grateful for our ongoing partnership with L&L Products and their dedication to giving students access to cutting-edge technology and real-world problem-solving experiences.   Celebrations 💙 Celebrating National School Psychology Week: “Finding Your Path” During the week of November 3–7, Lexington One joins schools across the nation in celebrating National School Psychology Week (NSPW) — an annual recognition sponsored by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). This special week honors the incredible contributions of school psychologists and the vital role they play in supporting students’ academic success, emotional well-being and personal growth. This year’s theme, “Finding Your Path,” reminds us that everyone’s journey looks different — and that school psychologists help students, families and school communities set goals, overcome challenges and achieve success along the way. As we celebrate NSPW, we encourage everyone to take time to appreciate the ways our school psychologists make a difference every day — by helping children thrive in school, at home, and in life.   Profile Spotlight Highlighting the L1 Graduate Profile in action PHES students thank local heroes with drive-thru event 🚓🚒🚑 On October 28, Pleasant Hill Elementary’s Service Learning students rolled out a warm welcome for local heroes during their First Responders Drive-Thru Appreciation Event. From the car line, students waved brightly colored handmade signs and cheered as police officers, firefighters, EMTs and other first responders drove through the school’s loop. Each visitor received a pre-packaged treat and small token of appreciation, a heartfelt gesture of thanks from the PHES community. The event was part of Pleasant Hill Elementary’s Service Learning program, which gives students meaningful ways to connect lessons in empathy, leadership and civic engagement to real-world impact. Through projects like this, students develop essential skills outlined in the Lexington One Graduate Profile—demonstrating integrity, compassion and the ability to communicate effectively with others.   GHS coach honored with Alumni Distinguished Service Award Gilbert High School’s Head Football Coach Osmond Exume received a 2025 Alumni Distinguished Service Award recipient by Newberry College, recognizing his leadership, community impact and professional achievement. "Coach Oz" earned his bachelor’s in education from Newberry College and a master’s in athletic coaching from the University of South Carolina. He made history as Gilbert High’s first African American head basketball coach in 2020 and, in 2024, became the first African American head football coach in Lexington One. His dedication has earned statewide recognition — from being named a Teacher of the Year Finalist at Gilbert High to joining South Carolina’s “35 Under 35” Coaching Cohort in 2025. Beyond sports, Coach Oz gives back through outreach programs supporting Go4theGoal, breast cancer awareness and student literacy initiatives that connect high school athletes with elementary students.     UPCOMING DATES November 11 — Board of Trustees Community Conversations at PHS 12 — Collaborative planning 18 — Board of Trustees meeting 24–28 — Thanksgiving break December 2 — Board of Trustees retreat 16 — Board of Trustees meeting 18 — Half Day for Students; End of Second Quarter; End of First Semester 19 — Teacher Workday; No School for Students 22–31 — Winter Break (Employees return Jan. 5, and students return Jan. 6.) 2025–26 Academic Calendar 2025–26 Academic Calendar (Spanish)

    Tuesday, Nov 04 2025

  • Talk with the Board — Nov. 11, 6 p.m., PHS Library

    The next Community Conversation is on Nov. 11, 6 p.m., in the library at Pelion High School. Why it matters: Your feedback helps shape our Strategic Plan and the future of our schools. All are invited to attend: employees; students; parents; and community members. A Spanish interpreter will be available to ensure all families can participate. How it works (60 minutes): First 30: Roundtable discussion on district's strategic plan goals — Academics, Culture & Environment and Stewardship of Resources Last 30: Open conversation with board members

    Sunday, Nov 02 2025

  • 🌟 Inside Voice: board meeting and community conversa...

    Board of Trustees to meet on Oct. 21 ​​The Lexington County School District One Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly board meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in the auditorium of North Lake Community Learning Center, located at 702 North Lake Drive in Lexington. The agenda for the meeting is posted online and can be viewed on the Lexington One Board of Trustees webpage. The regular monthly board meeting opens 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 on the district's YouTube channel. After the meeting, the district will post a video of the meeting to its YouTube channel, which can be accessed via a link from the district's website. What: Join the Lexington One Board of Trustees for one-hour conversations with parents, employees, students and community members. Why it matters: Your feedback helps shape our Strategic Plan and the future of our schools. How it works (60 minutes): First 30: Roundtable discussion on district's strategic plan goals — Academics, Culture & Environment and Stewardship of Resources Last 30: Open conversation with board members When & where (all start at 6 p.m.): Oct. 28, 2025 — Gilbert High School library Nov. 11, 2025 — Pelion High School Jan. 29, 2026 — River Bluff High School Feb. 18, 2026 — White Knoll High School March 19, 2026 — Lexington Technology Center Vape detectors now active in Lexington One middle & high school Systems that detect chemicals associated with vaping are now in place at all middle and high schools in the district thanks to the proceeds from the Juul lawsuit settlement. Why this matters: Vaping exposes teens to addictive nicotine and harmful chemicals and undermines a safe, healthy learning environment. Also, students face serious discipline consequences for the possession and/or use of tobacco products including out-of-school suspension on the first offense.     Celebrating 20 years of Immersion in Lexington One Get ready to celebrate two decades of language, culture and community! We're thrilled to invite all current and former immersion students, families and educators to a special reunion honoring 20 years of Lexington One’s Dual Language Immersion program. This milestone event is a chance to recognize the incredible journey we've shared — the languages mastered, the cultures embraced and the lasting relationships forged within our world language community. Whether you were among our very first immersion students or are just starting your adventure, your presence has helped shape this vibrant program. Join us for an evening of connection and celebration: Date: Thursday, October 23, 2025 Time: 5:30–7:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m.: Meet and Greet (Food trucks will be available.) 6:15 p.m.: Program Location: Icehouse Amphitheater (107 West Main Street, Lexington, SC 29072)     Vote for Lexington One's Scarecrow Gil Lionknoll Bluffington! Lexington One is showing off our district spirit in the Lexington Chamber and Visitors Center’s annual Scarecrow Stroll on Main Street, Lexington! Meet our scarecrow — Gil Lionknoll Bluffington (see what we did there 😉). He’s proudly representing our district, but he needs your votes to bring home the People’s Choice Award! 🏆 👉 How to help: 1️⃣ Tap this link. 2️⃣ React (👍❤️😆) to our photo on Facebook. 3️⃣ Share the post with your friends, family and school community — every reaction counts! Let’s show everyone that Lexington One pride never scare-crows away! Shoutout to the schools who help us with our display by decorating pumpkins: Forts Pond Elementary, Lake Murray Elementary, Meadow Glen Elementary, Meadow Glen Middle and White Knoll Middle!     Nominations now being accepted for the 2026 Tri-District Arts Consortium Summer Program Nominations are now being accepted for the 2026 Tri-District Arts Consortium Summer Program. Middle school students who attend the public schools of Lexington One, Lexington-Richland Five and Richland Two are eligible to participate. To nominate a Lexington County School District One student, click the following link nomination form. Click here to learn more about the Tri-District Arts Consortium Summer Program.   Celebrations ​October is National Principals Month In honor of National Principals Month, Lexington One recognizes and applauds our principals, who work hard every day to make sure our schools run smoothly. National Principals Month recognizes the essential role that principals play in making schools great. We celebrate and honor the incredible work our principals do every day, transforming our schools and impacting lives.   Lexington One celebrates National School Lunch Week ​ Learning is tough work and kids need fuel if they’re going to learn! That’s why a healthy midday meal is crucial to the growing children who go to school. Did you know that Lexington One's 184 food service employees at our 32 schools serve 17,551 meals a day, with multiple meal options for students and staff? Across Lexington One, cafeteria professionals—like the team at Saxe Gotha Elementary shown below—provide delicious, nutritious meals for students and staff.   Looking ahead — School Bus Safety Week Lexington One celebrates National School Bus Safety Week (Oct. 21-25) — a week for parents, students, teachers, motorists, school bus operators, school administrators and staff to join forces and address the importance of school bus safety. Together, we can all work to make sure our more than 13,500 bus riders travel to and from school and other events safely each day! Here are some things you can do to support school bus safety: Thank our bus drivers, bus monitors and transportation staff for all they do for our Lexington One students. Share our school bus safety video linked below. Review South Carolina's school bus law. Watch our bus safety video!   Profile Spotlight Highlighting the L1 Graduate Profile in action From GHS/LTC to the national spotlight Lexington One graduate Blake Hicks recently spoke as a guest panelist to the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce, addressing leaders including Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette and other state dignitaries serving on the Coordinating Council for Employment and Workforce Development. A 2022 graduate of Gilbert High School and Lexington Technology Center’s Firefighting Program, Blake (pictured with Lexington Technology Center Director Bryce Myers) now serves his community as a firefighter with Lexington County Fire Services. His journey from student to public servant exemplifies the Lexington One Graduate Profile, demonstrating a learner who is collaborative, resilient, service-minded and future-ready. Also representing Lexington County at the event was Sergeant Daniel Rusinyak of the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, who serves as the department’s recruiter and internship coordinator. Through strong partnerships with programs like Lexington Technology Center’s Law Enforcement Program, the Sheriff’s Department helps prepare students for real-world careers in public safety. Together, Blake and Sergeant Rusinyak highlight the power of education, community partnerships and hands-on learning experiences that equip Lexington One graduates to lead, serve and thrive beyond graduation.   UPCOMING DATES October 21 — Board of Trustees meeting 23 — Immersion Celebration 28 — Board of Trustees Community Conversations at GHS November 11 — Board of Trustees Community Conversations at PHS 12 — Collaborative planning 18 — Board of Trustees meeting 24–28 — Thanksgiving break December 2 — Board of Trustees retreat 16 — Board of Trustees meeting 18 — Half Day for Students; End of Second Quarter; End of First Semester 19 — Teacher Workday; No School for Students 22–31 — Winter Break 2025–26 Academic Calendar 2025–26 Academic Calendar (Spanish)

    Monday, Oct 20 2025

  • Talk with the Board — Oct. 28 at Gilbert High library

    What: Join the Lexington One Board of Trustees for one-hour conversations with parents, employees, students and community members. Why it matters: Your feedback helps shape our Strategic Plan and the future of our schools. How it works (60 minutes): First 30: Roundtable discussion on district's strategic plan goals — Academics, Culture & Environment and Stewardship of Resources Last 30: Open conversation with board members When & where (all start at 6 p.m.): Oct. 28, 2025 — Gilbert High School library Nov. 11, 2025 — Pelion High School Jan. 29, 2026 — River Bluff High School Feb. 18, 2026 — White Knoll High School March 19, 2026 — Lexington Technology Center

    Tuesday, Oct 07 2025

  • 📣 Inside Voice: grades, celebrations, key days ➕

    📊 Supporting growth, connecting through conferences Next week marks the end of the first nine weeks and time for parent–teacher conferences. Report cards/progress reports will be issued on Oct. 16. 💡 Tip for parents/guardians When attending a conference, come with one or two questions about your child’s progress and how you can support learning at home. Teachers want to partner with you to make sure your child is on track to meet their learning goals. 📅 Check attendance, too Total up any days your student has missed during the first nine weeks. Too many absences—excused or unexcused—can keep a student from succeeding in school and in life.  🎯 Why it matters: Guiding students to learn, grow and excel goes beyond grades. In Lexington One, we focus on both academic mastery and developing the life-ready skills outlined in our Graduate Profile. ✅ When we all work together, here's what’s possible: Elementary students build strong reading and math foundations by the end of third grade Middle schoolers pass key courses that prepare them for high school High schoolers stay on track to graduate College students earn degrees Workers succeed in their careers Let’s keep the momentum going. Attend conferences. Ask questions. Prioritize attendance. Through our partnership, we’re helping students grow into tomorrow’s leaders. Celebrate military kids: Nominations open for 2026 Military Child of the Year® Operation Homefront is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Military Child of the Year® Awards, which honor the resilience, leadership, and achievements of military teens (ages 13–18). Parents, teachers, mentors, and community members are encouraged to nominate deserving students. 📅 Nominations are open Sept. 3–Dec. 2, 2025. 👉 Click to Learn more or submit a nomination In Lexington One, many of our students are part of military families. This is a wonderful opportunity to shine a spotlight on their strength and character. Award recipients will be recognized at a gala in Washington, D.C. on April 23, 2026, during the Month of the Military Child. Each honoree receives a $10,000 cash award, a laptop, and a three-night trip with a parent or guardian. Click to read Sept. Board Recap     Celebrations Lexington One leads the Midlands with 202 seals Lexington County School District One students earned 202 South Carolina Seals of Biliteracy in the 2024–25 school year — the most in our district’s history. This achievement places Lexington One #1 in the Midlands and #2 statewide. The South Carolina Seal of Biliteracy recognizes graduates who demonstrate high levels of proficiency in English and at least one additional language. Students who earn the seal gain: A competitive edge for college admission and scholarships Access to advanced language placement and/or college credits at participating institutions A nationally recognized credential affirming multilingual skills for today’s global workforce This milestone reflects the strength of Lexington One’s world language, multilingual learner, and immersion pathways, as well as the dedication of our teachers, counselors, test coordinators, and school leaders who support students on their language-learning journeys.   On Oct. 2, National Custodian Appreciation Day, take a moment to recognize and thank our district's hardworking and caring housekeeping, custodial and maintenance staff. Their dedication keeps our spaces safe, welcoming, operational and clean.   Lexington One schools earn National Beta Club recognition Lexington One is proud to announce that several of our schools have been recognized by the National Beta Club for their outstanding commitment to student leadership and achievement. Lakeside Middle School — School of Distinction and School of Merit White Knoll Middle School — School of Distinction White Knoll High School — School of Merit River Bluff High School — School of Merit Schools of Distinction increase membership by at least 10% from the previous year, highlighting growth and engagement. Schools of Merit include members from all eligible grade levels, reflecting a broad and inclusive approach to student involvement.   🔒 October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month! Cybersecurity Awareness Month reminds us of the importance of protecting digital information and maintaining safe systems. Our Information Technology (IT) team plays a vital role in this effort. These professionals work diligently behind the scenes to protect sensitive data, monitor and secure our networks, and ensure that daily operations across our schools and offices run smoothly. Their commitment and expertise strengthen our district and allow us to focus on teaching, learning and serving families. This month, we extend our gratitude to our IT employees for their dedication to keeping Lexington One safe, connected, and prepared for the future. 💻✨     Profile Spotlight Highlighting the L1 Graduate Profile in action Congratulations to Lexington One's newest semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship competition. Semifinalists represent the top 1% of high school seniors across the United States. These seniors continue in the competition for approximately 7,600 National Merit scholarships worth more than $30 million. Approximately 90% of the 16,000 nationwide semifinalists will attain finalist standing in February 2026, with half of those winning a National Merit Scholarship. Scholarships include National Merit Scholarships worth $2,500 each, college-sponsored Merit Scholarships that provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study, and about 1,000 corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarships.   From GHS/LTC to the national spotlight Lexington One graduate Bryson Cook has been named a 2025 Work Ethic Scholarship recipient by the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, founded by Dirty Jobs host Mike Rowe. The scholarship honors students who exemplify hard work, integrity, and perseverance through the S.W.E.A.T. Pledge (Skill & Work Ethic Aren’t Taboo). Bryson’s path began when he discovered welding through his father. By his freshman year at Gilbert High, he had launched a small business, crafting items out of horseshoes and selling them at local festivals. Over time, his work grew into BC Welding & Fabrication, where he now creates larger projects like deer stands. He sharpened his skills at Lexington Technology Center, where he excelled in welding classes and even served as an intern helping to teach younger students. Today, Bryson is continuing his education in welding technology at Midlands Technical College while working with Fisher Tank Company. Bryson's journey affirms that following your passion and developing the attributes of the Graduate Profile puts students on a successful path to becoming "College, Career, Military Ready."   WKHS teacher receives national award White Knoll High School CATE/AVID Teacher John Trowbridge received the 2025 Everyday Champion Award winner for Grades 6–12 educators from the National Center for Learning Disabilities. “This award is a testament to Mr. Trowbridge’s tireless dedication to his students and his passion for creating welcoming, engaging learning environments,” said WKHS Principal Nicholas Pearson. “We are incredibly proud to see his commitment recognized on a national stage.” The Everyday Champion Award recognizes exceptional educators who go above and beyond to support students with learning and attention issues. Honorees demonstrate innovation, compassion and leadership — attributes that align with the Lexington One Graduate Profile. As part of this recognition, Mr. Trowbridge will receive a $5,000 award and an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City in November, where he will be honored at the NCLD Annual Benefit.   UPCOMING DATES October 1 — Collaborative planning day 7 — End of the first quarter 10 — Teacher workday/ parent-teacher conferences (No school for students) 13 — First weather make-up day (Schools and district offices will be closed if this day isn't needed to make up a missed day of school.) 16 — Report cards issued 21 — Board of Trustees meeting November 12 — Collaborative planning 18 — Board of Trustees meeting 24–28 — Thanksgiving break 2025–26 Academic Calendar 2025–26 Academic Calendar (Spanish)

    Monday, Sep 29 2025

  • Sunday weather update

    School is on as scheduled for this week! During a morning briefing with representatives from the Lexington County Emergency Management Division, the National Weather Services shared an updated forecast. The tropical system is predicted to make a turn away from the South Carolina Coast. The Midlands area is not expected to be impacted by strong winds or large amounts of rain. As always, we will continue to monitor forecasts should there be an unexpected change or development.

    Sunday, Sep 28 2025

  • Lexington One monitoring the weather

    Weather Watch: Early Next Week A developing weather system in the Atlantic Ocean could strengthen into a tropical storm or hurricane. Based on current forecasts, the system could impact our area Monday afternoon through Tuesday. What are we doing now: We’re planning for school on Monday and will keep you posted if anything changes. District leaders are monitoring forecasts and coordinating with Lexington County Emergency Management and the National Weather Service. What families can do now: Check your family emergency kit using the SC Emergency Management Division checklist. Review the district’s First Semester Make-up Plan, which is included below: If the first missed school day occurs before Oct. 13, 2025, school will be canceled for that day, and an in-person make-up day will be held on Monday, Oct. 13 (designated as the first weather make-up day on the academic calendar). For any additional missed days in the first semester, the district will implement eLearning on the missed day if conditions allow for virtual instruction. If eLearning is not possible, the district will use the designated weather make-up days: Feb. 16, 2026 (second weather make-up day) March 16, 2026 (third weather make-up day) Special Note for Grades 3-5: Your student is bringing home their district-issued device and charger today. No decisions have been made at this time, but we want to be prepared should the unpredictable weather system impact our area earlier than expected. 

    Friday, Sep 26 2025

  • 🏛️ Lexington One Board Meeting Recap

    Board of Trustees Update Sept. 16, 2025 Board works on two board goals In May 2025, the Lexington One Board of Trustees approved 2025–26 Board Goals. At the September 2025 meeting, the Board made progress toward accomplishing two of those goals. Safe and Supportive Learning Environments Goal: By September 2025, the Board will receive an annual progress report on indices such as student and staff safety, mental health and access to support services. The Board received the inaugural report presented by Superintendent Keith Price. He highlighted student and staff safety initiatives; mental health data; and support services. ▶️ Click here to watch Dr. Price's presentation. Community Engagement and Communication Goal: By August 2025, the Board will 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 through multiple channels to promote transparency and trust. The Board voted to approve the Community Engagement and Communication Plan that included holding Community Conversations as: October 28, 2025, at Gilbert High School November 11, 2025, at Pelion High School January 29, 2026, at River Bluff High School February 18, 2026, at White Knoll High School March 19, 2026, at Lexington Technology Center  ▶️ Click here to watch the Board's discussion and vote on the the governance engagement plan.   Board Actions ✅ Approved five certified staff employment recommendations for the 2025–26 school year. 📌 Approved the Consent Agenda Minutes from Aug. 19 board meeting Student Travel Requests New Hire Support Staff Report Homeschool Requests 🛠️ Approved allocation of up to $280,000 in 2018 bond referendum funds for the River Bluff High School Press Box project amendment, including removal of the wing wall structure. 🧑‍💻 Approved the Edmentum Reproductive Health Unit for high school, as recommended by the Comprehensive Health Education Advisory Committee. ✅ Approved reallocating $1,438,483 from the 2024B Series Capital Project Budget (originally for technology devices) to the interactive panel refresh project. 🗓️ Approved cancellation of the October 7, 2025 Board Self-Assessment meeting; rescheduled for the December 2, 2025 Board Workshop. 📌 Approved rescheduling the June 23, 2026 Board of Trustees meeting to June 16, 2026.   Policies Policy revisions presented for first reading: School Board Legislative Program BJ Deletion of Administrative Rule for School Board Legislative Program BJ-R Board Meetings BE Livestreaming of Board Meetings BEA News Media Services at Board Meetings BEDI Deletion of Board Meeting News Coverage KBCC Deletion of Public Hearings KCC Unencumbered Time GCLE, GCLE-R Entrance Age JEB Student Absences and Excuses JH, JH-R Deletion of Student Attendance JE Second readings of policy revisions — The following revised policies were approved by the Board: Competitive Food Sales/Vending Machines EFE, EFE-R (replaces EED) Safety Plans and Drills EBCB Deletion of Food Service Records Data/Records Retention EEC Deletion Finance Records Data/Records Retention EF   Superintendent's Report ▶️ Click here to watch the Superintendent's Report from Dr. Keith Price. His presentation provided information on the following topics: New Grading Update Budget Calendar/Timeline for 2026–27 Device Replacement Update Board Policy Manual Update ▶️ Click here to watch Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Miller's July 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 2025–26 (2018 Bond Referendum) General Fund Balance General Fund Budget Transfers General Fund Revenues Quarterly Grants Report Unauthorized Procurements   Honors and Achievements recognized at the September meeting Pelion High School Head Athletic Trainer Zachery Richards received the NATA Emerging Leader Award from the National Athletic Trainers Association for service, integrity, professionalism and leadership. America's Healthiest Schools — Oak Grove Elementary, Midway Elementary and Beechwood Middle Beechwood Middle received the All-Star Award, one of the first schools in SC to receive this distinction Beechwood Middle was named 2025 Overall School of the Year by the SC Green Step Schools program for projects in conservation, protection, and restoration. New Business The board received a post-bond sale report from Mr. Mike Gallagher, director with Compass Municipal Advisors. ▶️ Click here to watch the presentation of the report. Jessica Buzhardt, Coordinator of Early Childhood & Family Engagement, presented an update on the district's preschool programs. ▶️ Click here to watch her presentation. Dr. Shane Phillips, Assessment and Accountability Director, summarized student progress on the beginning-of-the-year iReady diagnostic assessment in Grades K-8 reading and math. ▶️ Click here to watch his presentation.   Board Information Members of the Board of Trustees who attended the 2025 S.C. School Boards Association (SCSBA) School Law Conference on August 23-24, 2025, shared highlights from the conference. The SCSBA Delegate Assembly is the association’s policy-making body, composed of voting delegates from member boards. Each board’s votes are based on student enrollment; Lexington District One has nine votes. Per Article V, Section 4, boards must certify delegates by November 12, 2025. Lexington One will ratify its delegates at the October 21, 2025 Board of Trustees meeting. The Delegate Assembly will meet on December 6, 2025 during the SCSBA Legislative and Advocacy Conference. Upcoming Meetings Regular Monthly Meeting — Oct. 21 at the North Lake Community Learning Center  

    Thursday, Sep 25 2025

  • 🏛️ Lexington One Board Meeting Recap

    Board of Trustees Update August 10 meeting recap   Actions taken by the board Board approves capital projects The Lexington One Board of Trustees approved a resolution providing for the issuance and sale of General Obligation Bonds for the routine installment purchase revenue bond payments and provide funding for capital projects. Why it matters: Funds generated from the sale of the bonds, referred to as Series 2025B, will pay for the Eight Percent Bond Capital Project Budget that includes projects in the areas of: Operations — $17.3 million Information Technology — $9.8 million Safety — $1.5 million Instructional Services — $1.0 million Transportation — $300,000 Athletics — $100,000 Click here to review the list of projects included in these areas. ▶️ Click here to watch the discussion and approval of the Eight Percent Project Budget ▶️ Click here to watch the Board's discussion and vote on the budget. Other actions taken by the Board ✅ Approved 15 certified staff employment recommendations for the 2025–26 school year. 📌 Approved the Consent Agenda Minutes from July 14 and July 24 board meetings Student Travel Requests New Hire Support Staff Report Homeschool Applications 📄 Approved the 2025–26 Minority Business Plan ✅ Ratified two purchases to address auditing technicalities 🤝 Granted a utility line easement to the Town of Pelion 🏛️ Appointed Board Vice Chair Chris Rice and Board Members McKenzie Flashnick and Katie McCown to serve on the evaluation panel for the 2018 Bond Referendum Audit Request for Proposals  ✅ Approved a motion that the Board hear the results from the evaluation panel and render a decision on the issuance of the award for the 2018 Bond Referendum Audit RFP following the evaluation process.   Policies Policy revisions presented for introduction: School Board Legislative Program (BJ and BJ-R) Policy revisions presented for first reading: Competitive Food Sales/Vending Machines EFE and EFE-R (replaces EED) Safety Plans and Drills EBCB Deletion of Food Service Records Data/Records Retention (EEC) and Finance Records Data/Records Retention (EF) Second readings of policy revisions — The following revised policies were approved by the Board: Curriculum Development, Adoption and Review (IG)   Superintendent's Report ▶️ Click here to watch the Superintendent's Report from Dr. Keith Price. His presentation provided information on the following topics: Back-to-school Updates Curriculum Management Plan eLearning Update KPI Metrics ▶️ Click here to watch Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Miller's July 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 Unauthorized Procurements   Honors and Achievements The board honored: Rory Travis, Gilbert High, 4A Track and Field State Champion (Javelin – 41m) Madison Kyzer, Pelion High, 2A Track and Field State Champion (Javelin – 33.58m) Lexington District One Educational Office Professionals Administrator of the Year — Mary Gaskins, Chief Academic Officer Lexington District One Educational Office Professionals Office Professional of the Year — Holly Schneider, Superintendent’s Office Specialist Lexington One Nurses of the Year — Susan Wright (Meadow Glen Middle) and Joanna Sebree (River Bluff High) School Social Workers Association of South Carolina School Social Worker of the Year — Alma Puente Ruiz Best Communities for Music Education Award — Lexington One (eighth consecutive year; one of only five SC districts in 2025) Family Connection of South Carolina's Parent Leadership Award — Lexington One Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Family Connection of South Carolina's Pat Head Advocate of the Year — Dr. Nicole Adams, Special Services Executive Director 2025–26 School-Level Teachers of the Year — Beechwood Middle’s Shannon Boatwright, Carolina Springs Elementary’s Fannie Boeman, Carolina Springs Middle’s Saadia Cardwell, Centerville Elementary’s Leianne Glymph, Deerfield Elementary’s Hope Hartley, Forts Pond Elementary’s Parker Areheart, Gilbert Elementary’s Koleen Taylor, Gilbert High’s Cielo Holt, Gilbert Middle’s Céline Miller, Lake Murray Elementary’s Ashley Yelman, Lakeside Middle’s Joanna Connell, Lexington Elementary’s Kerri Santulli, Lexington High’s Jessica Bonnette, Lexington Technology Center’s Amy Cooper, Meadow Glen Elementary’s Jessica Thrift, Meadow Glen Middle’s Susan Myrick, Midway Elementary’s Adriana Garcia, New Providence Elementary’s Adele Yanssens, Oak Grove Elementary’s Lindsay Resnick, Pelion Elementary’s Michelle Vestal, Pelion High’s Justin Tipton, Pelion Middle’s Sarah Burke, Pleasant Hill Elementary’s Mary Elizabeth Copeland, Pleasant Hill Middle’s Merrissa Ritch, Red Bank Elementary’s Donee Taylor, River Bluff High’s Walt Overbay, Rocky Creek Elementary’s Sarah Simms, Saxe Gotha Elementary’s Carmen Cimpian, South Lake Elementary’s Blair King, White Knoll Elementary’s Emily Cava, White Knoll High’s Kayla Finn, and White Knoll Middle’s Lauren Blakely. 2025–26 Lexington One Teacher of the Year — Beth Ancone, Special Education Teacher at Deerfield Elementary Click here to see photographs.   New Business Chief Operations and Student Services Officer Clark Cooper presented a Facilities Rental Report, which is one of the Data Landscape Deliverables that district administrators will provide to the Board throughout this school year. ▶️ Click here to watch the presentation of the report. Chief Academic Officer Mary Gaskins presented the School Programs Annual Report that provided updates on the dual immersion, gifted and talented, The College Center and Title I programs. ▶️ Click here to watch this part of the meeting. Dr. Shane Phillips, director of Assessment and Accountability, shared the findings from the Summer Arts Program evaluation. ▶️ Click here to watch his presentation. The Board discussed a proposed engagement plan in support of their Community and Engagement goal. ▶️ Click here to watch this part of the meeting.   Upcoming Meetings Regular Monthly Meeting — Sept. 16  

    Thursday, Aug 21 2025

  • Getting Ready for Back to School: What You Need to K...

    Can you believe it's almost August? It's time to get ready for the first day of school — August 4! This is the third edition of our Back-to-School Newsletter, designed to help Lexington One families and employees ease into the new school year with confidence. Here is new information you will find in this issue: Welcome Back message from Dr. Price New administration Grading information ParentSquare account activation You will also find a recap of our past issues: Student fees reminder Bus transportation information Free and reduced-price meal applications 4K and 5K staggered start details Annual Registration reminders Upcoming dates Thank you for taking a few moments to review the information below.   New Information Welcome back teachers and staff! After a long summer, the quiet hallways are ready to be filled with activity again. We are so excited to welcome back our dedicated teachers and staff for the 2025-26 school year. With the start of a new academic year comes new opportunities to make a difference. Welcome back!   New Faces/New Places/New Roles Click here to meet the new faces to the Lexington One family as well as the individuals stepping into new roles and new places!   Supporting Growth, Not Just Scores: What You Need to Know About Grading As we get ready for another school year of guiding all students to learn, grow and excel, district and school leaders want to help parents/guardians understand how grading reflects student growth and equip you with resources to support learning at home. We also want to make sure all employees and parents/guardians are aware of the changes to the grading and reporting practices that are being implemented this school year. GRADES K–2 | Feedback-Driven Progress Reporting (FDPR) Your child’s growth is measured using four terms: No Progress (NP), Partially Met (PM), Approaching Met (AM), and Met (M). The FDPR shows where your child is on the path toward grade-level mastery. It’s not a final score, but a snapshot of progress your child is making toward meeting academic standards, which reflect what he or she should know/be able to do at the end of the school year. GRADES 3–5 | Standards-Aligned Numerical Grading Grades reflect your child’s mastery of grade-level standards, not effort or behavior. Each core subject includes major (60%) and minor (40%) assessments. Reassessment opportunities are available on specified assessments to support students’ growth and mastery. Reassessment opportunities allow students to learn from mistakes, deepen their understanding and improve their performance.  GRADES 6–12 | Secondary Grading Practices Grades are earned through major (70%) and minor (30%) assessments and reflect mastery—not completion or behavior. In middle and high school, grades are a snapshot of where your student stands in mastering key standards. Opportunities to retake major tests support learning, and our goal is to guide students in taking ownership of their progress. ✅ Before School Starts: 3 Ways to Set Your Child Up for Success 📲 Verify your ParentSquare account. This is the best way to receive updates from your child’s school and send direct messages to teachers. (See the article below on how to do that!) ⏰ Establish a morning routine. Start practicing consistent wake-up and drop-off times now to make the first week of school smooth—and to build habits that support strong school attendance all year long. 🎒Talk with your child about learning goals. Ask what they’re excited to learn this year and how you can help at home. Your encouragement makes a difference!   Make sure to verify your ParentSquare! Your ParentSquare account is the best way to receive updates from your child’s school and send direct messages to teachers. But first, make sure you’ve verified your account to stay connected. What to do: Find the email from your school and click to get started, or: Go to parentsquare.com/signin (or install the ParentSquare app) and follow the prompts to sign up. Use Google single sign-on, your email or your phone number to set up your account. Your email/phone number must match the contact details in the school’s database for this to work! If your contact details aren’t recognized, contact your school administrator to get them added. After they update your information in their database, the new contact details will appear in ParentSquare after the next daily sync, and you will be able to verify your account. Note: After you are added to ParentSquare by your school, you will receive school communications even if you have not verified your account. However, you will need to verify your account in order to participate in two-way communications and to access any confidential student-specific documents or forms. Once you have logged in, you may need to confirm some details: If you have unverified contact information, you will see one or more contact cards under, “Action Required: Confirm Your Account Information.” Note: You can also click “Confirm Contact Info” on your Account page to start the process. Confirm Email and/or Phone. A verification code will be sent to the email or phone number. Enter this verification code in ParentSquare to confirm. Confirm Child(ren). Confirm your name and school affiliations by clicking Yes, this is me.   Important note about school fees Remember, you will pay any class fees for the 2025–26 school year the week of August 18 to ensure the fees match your student’s final schedule. So for now, no need to worry—we’ll send a reminder on August 18 when it’s time to log in and take care of those fees. One exception: If your account shows unpaid school fees from the 2024–25 school year, those remain on your account until they’re paid or a fee waiver is approved. Any outstanding meal balances from last school year are shown in LINQ Connect. You can pay past-due fees at any time. If you have questions, please contact your child’s school for assistance.   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.   Bus Transportation Information If your child will be a bus rider for the 2025–26 school year, it's very important for you to review the following info: Check your student’s bus number, bus stop locations and pick-up/drop-off times in Parent Portal Log in to Parent Portal Under the Navigation menu on the left-hand side of the screen click on the Bus Info icon Review your student’s bus information in the table on the screen that looks similar to the table below. ** Important Note regarding special needs routes: Bus information for our special needs routes will not be listed in ParentPortal at this time. The team working on those routes, both drivers and hub dispatchers, will contact parents directly once the routes are finalized. Next steps If your student’s bus information is listed in the table, please make sure you log into the Parent Portal a few more times before school starts as pick-up and drop-off times will most likely change between now and the start of school. At a minimum, please make sure you check the times on August 3 (the day before school starts). If you have questions about the bus information listed, click here for contact information for our bus hubs. If there is no information listed in any of the fields, complete annual registration in FinalForms. Your child can not be assigned a bus until annual registration is completed. Click here for information on how to complete annual registration.   Meal Applications Free & Reduced-Price Meal Applications Now Open for 2025–26 Free and reduced-price meal applications for the 2025–26 school year are now open as of July 7, 2025! Families must reapply each school year unless they receive Direct Certification. Last year’s benefits will expire after the first 30 school days, so don’t delay. Click here to apply online! Fast, secure and available in multiple languages One application per household Income-based eligibility If you need a paper application, they will be available in the front office of your child’s school beginning July 28, 2025. Questions? Please contact the Office of Food Service and Nutrition at (803) 821-3940 or slowery@lexington1.net. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Thank you for supporting healthy meals and student success!   Updates for 4K and 5K 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.   Other Useful Information Can we get to 100% complete for annual registration? What's happening We are getting closer to having 100% of our students with completed annual registration forms! 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   UPCOMING DATES 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)

    Tuesday, Jul 29 2025