Exciting Updates from Aiken as New School Board Members Take Office!

Exciting Updates from Aiken as New School Board Members Take Office!

Hey, Aiken! There’s plenty of activity buzzing around town, especially when it comes to our schools. The Aiken County Board of Education just had a big meeting on November 19, where we saw some fresh faces sworn in to help lead the educational charge in our community. The new members, Colen Lindell and Liz Morris, bring a lot of enthusiasm and commitment to their roles, promising to serve as effective leaders for our students. Let’s dive into what went down!

New Faces, New Perspectives

First up, Colen Lindell! This enthusiastic educator was elected via write-in ballots for the District 4 seat—a role that covers North Augusta. He’s stepping into the position previously held by Dr. Patricia Hanks, who chose not to run for another term. “I feel good. I’m just excited to be able to represent North Augusta tonight and hopefully, like I said on the campaign trail, be a strong voice and an effective leader for them,” Lindell shared with a spark of energy before the meeting.

On the other hand, Liz Morris gained her spot on the board through a special election held on November 12, and she represents the District 6 seat, which covers the Midland Valley area. Morris is stepping in for Dwight Smith, who resigned in August. She expressed her excitement, stating, “I feel great, because so many of these people worked with my kids K-12 and now they’re 23, 26, and 20. To be able to work with them on this level means so much!”

All Hands on Deck

The meeting delightedly kicked off with not only new members being sworn in, but also the reelection of Cameron Nuessle, John Bradley, and Deborah Tyler. Superintendent Dr. Corey Murphy conducted the swearing-in ceremony. The buzz in the room was palpable, as board chairman Nuessle warmly welcomed Morris and Lindell to the team, saying, “We’re excited to have you on the team and we look forward to your contributions as we work together.”

Nuessle also took a moment to thank the community for supporting a penny sales tax, which will significantly help improve the district’s schools. He highlighted the importance of this initiative, saying, “You have no idea what that means for this district…to try to renovate aging buildings, make repairs, and equip our students with more modern learning spaces.”

Policies Under Review

In addition to the exciting new board members, the agenda also included a discussion about first-reading approval of a revised policy on student use of cellphones and electronic devices. This new policy is set to align with state budget requirements. Here’s the scoop: elementary students won’t be allowed to bring phones to school, while middle and high school students will have to keep their devices off and stowed away during the school day.

Superintendent Murphy explained the rationale behind the policy, noting, “Some students are walking home alone and some kids’ parents use their phones for tracking them…Our procedure moving forward will not involve actual confiscation, but strict enforcement of the rule throughout the day.”

Future Projects Ahead

The meeting wrapped up with some discussions around exciting new projects like the installation of artificial turf at Aiken High, Midland Valley High, and Silver Bluff High. However, they decided to hold off on negotiating a contract with a management company for these installations while weighing the costs and benefits. Board member Jim Broome raised some valid concerns about the expenses involved.

Murphy assured everyone that the district does need outside assistance. “We do not have the capability right now to supervise simultaneous projects of that scope and scale.” Board chairman Nuessle mentioned that this topic would be revisited in the next meeting, suggesting that it’s a matter worthy of further discussion.

Looking Ahead

With these changes and new initiatives, folks in Aiken can look forward to a bright future for our local schools. Let’s all experience the energy these new board members will bring and continue to support our educators and students in every way we can!

Stay tuned as we keep an eye on what’s happening at the Aiken County Board of Education. Who knows? It might just lead to something great for our community!