WKDK Local News

LOCAL NEWS

Speers Street School Revitalization
Posted: January 26 7:10 PM

Newberry College held a community-wide reception for the Speers Street Elementary School revitalization on Wednesday January 25. These preliminary drawings were presented by Darryn Bouknight, an architect with Jumper Carter Sease architects and a former student at Speers Street Elementary. When renovations are complete, Speers Street will house the College's Department of Education and a new innovative Institute for Teacher Leadership, which will offer a new Masters-level program in Teacher Leadership.

Below are the site plans and site floor plans. Click on each individual plan drawing to see a larger version.

School Board Meeting
Posted: January 24 7:27 PM

Newberry County School Board met last night at the Career Center. Officer elections were held and a motion passed for all officers to continue in their present positions.

Awards were presented to many students and staff for special recognition. Each recipient was asked to recognize the people who came with him or her. Click HERE to see the names of these students and staff members.

Dr. Downs submitted a memo requesting approval of a new course titled Military History. This course is to be offered to grade levels 10 through 12. "Military History is an introduction to the salient concepts and problems involved in the study of military history. It also addresses the effect of war on human society and development, and examines the significance of war in human culture." This course is requested by JROTC instructors and high school principals and there is no added cost to the school.

The principals of the two schools that were rated below average or at-risk on their Report Card, for their absolute growth ratings submitted their plans for improvement.

Mrs. Dowd gave the financial report on cash flow and stated that the budget is on target and looks good for the year.

Mr. Lee Attaway attended the School Board Association in Myrtle Beach last weekend. He was distressed by the direction the State Department of Education is taking. He mentioned particularly the "No Child Left Behind" Waiver and the negative results posed for county school districts, in particular, the proposed grading system, which would be changed to an A, B, C, D, or F rating. If a school received an F rating, the state could seize the school and place it under charter status without it being subject to charter rules. Mr. Bennett also received a copy of this Waiver and expressed concerns about there being no definitive criteria for the rating system.

The 2012-2013 School Calender is being reviewed and will be on the School District website Wednesday and will be decided on during the February Board meeting. The third Monday in August will be used as the starting date.

A spokesperson for the Girls and Boys Clubs mentioned a presentation she gave to the Board at a previous meeting. Hugh Gray suggested the board add this topic to the agenda for next month's meeting. Several board members decided to visit the program in Winnsboro in Fairfield County to see how it works.

Newberry, SC Voters Pick Gingrich on Saturday
Posted: January 21 11:58 PM

Newt Gingrich won the South Carolina Republican Primary on Saturday.

Gingrich received nearly 43% of the votes in Newberry County, followed by Mitt Romney with 28% of the votes. Click HERE to see how Newberry County voted.

For statewide results, click HERE.

At right: Gingrich spoke at the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce conference on January 17.
PHOTOGRAPH BY TED B. WILLIAMS/ SPECIAL TO WKDK

County Council Report
Posted: January 19 6:35 AM

Newberry Council met in the annex building Wednesday evening.

Council Chairman Buddy Livingston presented service awards to the following people:
• Randel Abrams, 15 years, Sheriff's Department
• Sheila Bannister, 15 years, Sheriff's Department
• Benjamin Chapman, 15 years, Sheriff's Department
• Donna Lominack, 35 years, Auditor

Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Pawmetto Lifeline for Spay/Neuter Program as recommended by Public Works and Planning Committee on 01/09/2012. Tune in to WKDK for more information; more info coming soon on wkdk.com.

Council approved the low bid from Peach State Roofing in the amount of $108,900 for Newberry Square Roof Replacement.
Council also approved the Tax-Advantaged Bond Compliance Policies and Procedures as recommended by Mr. Theo DuBose, Bond Counsel.

Additionally, Council approved the 2012 County Council Committee Schedule, and Council approved the 2012/2013 Budget Calendar.

County Administrator Wayne Adams reported that demolition began on the interior of the new County Complex on Wilson Road.

Click HERE for more Local News.