Richland School District 2, SC

Board Work Session Meeting

The Richland School District 2 Board will hold a work session to discuss and potentially act on several items, including requests for at-home instruction, adult education admissions, and employment recommendations. The board will also discuss student screen time, a capital improvement update for the Spears Creek Church Road facility, and proposed policy revisions on employee leaves and sick leave bank. This is a working meeting, not the final decision-making session.

• Discussion on student screen time
• Capital improvement update: Spears Creek Church Road facility
• Policy revision proposals: GCC/GDC (Employee Leaves) and GCCAAA (Voluntary Sick Leave Bank)
• Votes on at-home instruction requests, adult education admissions, and employment recommendations
• Consent agenda includes classified employment releases and transfers

Regular Board Meeting

The Richland County School District Two Board will hold a regular meeting with an executive session for personnel matters, followed by public session to vote on employment recommendations, certified releases, and a consent agenda including minutes and classified employment actions. The meeting includes public participation and superintendent's report.

• Vote on employment recommendations and certified releases from executive session
• Approval of consent agenda including minutes and classified employment releases/transfers
• Public participation periods scheduled
• Draft agenda for August 25, 2026 work session meeting

The Richland School District 2 Board approved the agenda, convened in executive session to discuss employment and personnel matters, and later approved the employment recommendations and certified releases as presented. The consent agenda, including minutes and classified employment releases, was also approved. The meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m.

• Approved the agenda for the August 11, 2026 meeting (7-0)
• Convened in executive session to discuss employment recommendations, certified releases, and superintendent's evaluation (7-0)
• Approved the consent agenda, including minutes and classified employment releases (7-0)
• Approved employment recommendations and certified releases as presented (7-0)

Special Called Board Meeting (via Zoom)

The Board will meet via Zoom to review and approve administrative employment recommendations. This process includes a discussion in Executive Session followed by a vote in Public Session.

• Review and approval of administrative employment recommendations

Regular Board Meeting

The Richland County School District Two Board decided on several personnel and policy matters. The Board authorized a property transaction for water line access and approved a bond resolution.

• Authorized easement and water line access for the City of Columbia at 1151 Kelly Mill Road
• Approved the Eight Percent Bond Resolution
• Approved revision to Policy IKADD - Credit and Content Recovery
• Approved employment recommendations and certified releases
• Approved classified employment releases and in-district transfers

The Board authorized the superintendent to grant the City of Columbia an easement and access to water lines at 1151 Kelly Mill Road. Other approved actions included a bond resolution and a policy revision regarding credit and content recovery.

• Approved easement and water line access for City of Columbia at 1151 Kelly Mill Road
• Approved Eight Percent Bond Resolution
• Approved revision to Policy IKADD - Credit and Content Recovery
• Approved employment recommendations and certified releases
• Approved classified employment releases and in-district transfers
• Approved Continuous Improvement Plans update
• Denied motion to add Board Member and Superintendent comments to the 2nd meeting of the month (2-4)

Academics Committee Meeting

The Academics Committee will meet via Zoom to discuss future academic procedures. The agenda includes reviews of grading practices compliance and the transition of Deaf and Hard of Hearing services.

• Grading Practices Compliance
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Transition
• 2026 June Conferences district accomplishments
• Follow-up on May Committee Action Items

Board Work Session Meeting

The Board decided on revisions to the nonresident student admission policy and approved employment recommendations. Members also discussed the use of artificial intelligence, capital improvement updates, and an eight percent bond resolution.

• Approval of revised Policy JFAB - Admission of Nonresident Students for the 2027-2028 school year
• Approval of employment recommendations and certified releases
• Approval of classified employment releases and in-district transfers
• Discussion on the use of artificial intelligence
• Discussion of the Eight Percent Bond Resolution

The Board elected Niki Porter as Chairman, Joe Trapp as Vice Chairman, and Shelley Williams as Secretary. Members approved a revision to the nonresident student admission policy effective for the 2027-2028 school year. The Board also approved employment recommendations and certified releases.

• Approved revision to Policy JFAB - Admission of Nonresident Students for 2027-2028 school year (7-0)
• Elected Niki Porter as Board Chairman (7-0)
• Elected Joe Trapp as Board Vice Chairman (7-0)
• Elected Shelley Williams as Board Secretary (7-0)
• Approved employment recommendations and certified releases (7-0)
• Approved Consent Agenda, including previous minutes and classified employment releases (7-0)
• Added Safety and Security quarterly report to future meeting agenda (7-0)

Alternative Pathways Committee Meeting

The committee is meeting to follow up on previous action items and discuss next steps. The agenda includes a review of student services celebrations and a discussion on future agenda items.

• Student Services Division Celebrations
• Follow-up on March Committee action items
• Discussion of next steps
• Review of topics and policies for the Academics Committee

Regular Board Meeting

The Board held a public hearing and voted to approve the General Fund Budget and funding flexibility for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The Board also approved revisions to policies regarding board organization and superintendent evaluations.

• Approval of the 2026-2027 General Fund Budget
• Authorization to transfer new water lines at Dent Middle School to the City of Columbia
• Approval of funding flexibility for the 2026-2027 fiscal year
• Revision of Policy BD (Organization of the Board) and Policy CBI (Superintendent's Evaluation)
• Approval of student admission requests for the Adult Education Program

The Board approved the General Fund Budget and funding flexibility for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. Other actions included revising board organization and superintendent evaluation policies and authorizing a property transfer at Dent Middle School.

• Approved 2026-2027 General Fund Budget (7-0)
• Approved funding flexibility for 2026-2027 fiscal year (7-0)
• Authorized transfer of Dent Middle School water lines to City of Columbia (7-0)
• Approved revision to Policy BD - Organization of the Board (6-1)
• Approved revision to Policy CBI - Superintendent's Evaluation (7-0)
• Approved Adult Education Program admission requests (7-0)
• Denied student appeal (7-0)
• Authorized superintendent to apply for 2026-2027 special funded programs (7-0)

Finance Committee Meeting

The Finance Committee will meet to discuss future academic procedures. The agenda includes discussions on capital projects and contract thresholds.

• Discussion of Capital Projects
• Discussion of Contract Thresholds

The committee approved the meeting agenda. Members discussed capital improvement project requests and the potential for an 8% Bond Resolution at a later June meeting, as well as the review of district contract thresholds.

• Approved the June 8, 2026 meeting agenda

Work Session Meeting

The Board decided not to participate in the district-wide Community Eligibility Program for the 2026-2027 school year, citing financial burden. Other actions included closing a certificate of deposit at First Palmetto and approving adult education admissions. The body also discussed superintendent evaluation policies and strategic planning.

• Resolution to not participate in the Community Eligibility Program for 2026-2027
• Authorization to close the certificate of deposit at First Palmetto
• Approval of student admission requests for the Adult Education Program
• Approval of employment recommendations and certified releases
• Discussion of Policy CBI regarding the Evaluation of Superintendent

The Board voted to opt out of the Community Eligibility Program for the 2026-2027 school year, citing financial burden. Other actions included approving adult education admissions, employment recommendations, and the closure of a certificate of deposit at First Palmetto.

• Declined district-wide Community Eligibility Program for 2026-2027 (6-0)
• Authorized closure of certificate of deposit at First Palmetto (7-0)
• Approved all student admission requests for Adult Education Program (6-0)
• Approved employment recommendations and certified releases (6-0)
• Approved consent agenda (6-0)
• Approved meeting agenda (7-0)

Academics Committee Meeting

The Academics Committee met to discuss future academic procedures and district accomplishments. The body reviewed updates on instructional plans and summer programming.

• Discussion of Second Semester Fine Arts Celebrations
• Review of teacher coaching for 2026-2027
• Update on 2026 Summer Reading Camp with a special education focus
• Instructional Plan Update #3 regarding middle and high schools

The committee approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from the April 29, 2026 meeting. No substantive policy or budgetary decisions were made; the remainder of the meeting consisted of staff updates and discussions.

• Approved agenda (2-0)
• Approved April 29, 2026 meeting minutes (2-0)

Regular Board Meeting

The Richland County School District Two Board conducted a regular meeting to handle personnel matters and administrative elections. The Board voted on several appeals and admission requests following an executive session and held a first reading of the 2026-2027 General Fund Budget.

• Election of Niki Porter as Board Secretary
• First reading of the 2026-2027 General Fund Budget
• Approval of admission requests for two students into the adult education program
• Granting of a student appeal (Student #1) and denial of a parent appeal
• Approval of employment recommendations and certified releases

The Board elected Niki Porter as Secretary for the remainder of the 2025-26 school year. Following an executive session, the Board voted on several appeals and employment recommendations. The 2026-2027 General Fund Budget was presented for first reading.

• Elected Niki Porter as Board Secretary (7-0)
• Granted appeal for Student #1 (5-2)
• Denied parent appeal (7-0)
• Approved adult education program admission for students 1 and 2 (7-0)
• Approved employment recommendations and certified releases (7-0)
• Approved classified employment releases and in-district transfers (7-0)
• Denied adding Policy BID - Board Compensation to May 26 agenda (3-4)
• Approved May 12, 2026 meeting agenda and previous meeting minutes (7-0)

Academics Committee Meeting

The Academics Committee met to discuss future academic procedures and review district accomplishments. The meeting included updates on school designations and the 2026 Summer Reading Camp.

• Discussion of Elementary and Secondary Instruction Accomplishments
• Update on 2025-26 R2 School Designations
• Update on 2026 Summer Reading Camp
• Review of policy overview

The committee approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from the previous meeting. Members discussed elementary and secondary instruction accomplishments and school designations, but no substantive policy or budgetary actions were taken.

• Approved meeting agenda
• Approved minutes from previous meeting

Work Session Meeting

The Board conducted a work session including an executive session to address student and parent appeals and personnel matters. The Board voted to remove Trustee Dr. Elkins-Scott from her roles as Board Secretary and Chairman of the Alternative Pathways Committee. Other actions included approving adult education admissions and employment recommendations.

• Removal of Trustee Dr. Elkins-Scott as Board Secretary and Chairman of the Alternative Pathways Committee
• Approval of student admission requests for the District's Adult Education Program
• Granting of a student appeal for placement at Blythewood Academy
• Approval of employment recommendations and certified releases
• Ratification of administrative multi-year recommendations

The Board removed Trustee Dr. Elkins-Scott from her positions as Board Secretary and Chairman of the Alternative Pathways Committee. Other actions included approving student appeals, adult education admissions, and employment recommendations.

• Removed Trustee Dr. Elkins-Scott as Board Secretary and Chairman of the Alternative Pathways Committee (6-1)
• Granted appeal for Student #1 with placement at Blythewood Academy (6-1)
• Approved student admission requests into the Adult Education Program (7-0)
• Approved employment recommendations and certified releases (7-0)
• Ratified administrative multi-year recommendations (7-0)
• Approved the agenda (7-0)
• Approved the consent agenda (7-0)
• Tabled parent appeal pending additional information

Policy Committee Meeting

The Policy Committee will meet to discuss the potential content for a policy on Artificial Intelligence. The discussion will cover opportunities, risks, and necessary guardrails for AI use.

• Discussion of AI opportunities
• Discussion of AI concerns and risks
• Discussion of AI conditions and guardrails

The committee held discussions regarding the opportunities, risks, and necessary guardrails for the use of AI by students and employees. Input from these discussions will be used by district administration to develop a draft AI policy.

• Approved the meeting agenda

Board Budget Workshop

The Richland County School District Two Board met for a budget workshop. The primary purpose of the meeting was to discuss the General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.

• Discussion of the FY 2027 General Fund Budget

The Board held a budget workshop to receive a presentation on the Superintendent's recommendations for the 2026-2027 budget. No substantive actions or votes were taken regarding the budget recommendations.

• Approved the meeting agenda
• Adjourned the meeting

Regular Board Meeting

The Richland County School District Two Board conducted a regular meeting to address personnel recommendations and student appeals. The Board approved several administrative actions and instructional materials via a consent agenda. Key decisions included property transfers and adult education admissions.

• Authorized the transfer of new water lines at Westwood High School to the City of Columbia
• Approved student admission requests for the District's Adult Education Program
• Adopted computer science instructional materials
• Ratified professional recommendations for the 2026-2027 school year
• Denied a student appeal for Student #1

The Board voted to censure Trustee Monica E. Scott for violating board policy and the superintendent's contract. Other key actions included approving the 2027-2028 school calendar and authorizing a property transfer of water lines at Westwood High School to the City of Columbia.

• Censured Trustee Monica E. Scott (5-2)
• Authorized transfer of Westwood High School water lines to City of Columbia (7-0)
• Approved 2027-2028 school year calendar (7-0)
• Approved revision to Policy IKF - Graduation Requirements (7-0)
• Approved budget transfer requests (7-0)
• Approved student admission requests for Adult Education Program (7-0)
• Denied appeal for Student #1 (7-0)
• Ratified professional, administrative, and multi-year recommendations (Various votes)

Alternative Pathways Committee Meeting

The Alternative Pathways Committee is meeting to discuss future academic procedures. The agenda focuses on reforming school discipline and the implementation of restorative practices.

• Classified Staff Roundtable outcomes regarding reforming school discipline
• Implementation of restorative practices
• Board request for alternate placement duration language
• Virtual options for middle school discipline
• Program visits to Kershaw County Continuous Learning Center and Lexington 2 New Bridge Academy

The Alternative Pathways Committee approved the language for alternate placement duration after reviewing feedback from General Counsel and district leadership. The committee also approved the meeting agenda and previous minutes. Members planned future program visits to Kershaw County and Lexington 2.

• Approved March 31, 2026 agenda
• Approved January 28, 2026 committee minutes
• Approved alternate placement duration policy language
• Approved agenda items for next meeting regarding program visit feedback

Academics Committee Meeting

The Academics Committee will meet virtually to discuss future academic procedures. The meeting includes discussions on student services, college and career readiness, and several policy revisions. No actions are requested for the unfinished or new business items.

• Discussion of Revision to Policy IKC (Class Rankings)
• Discussion of Revision to AR JLCD-R (Assisting Students with Medications)
• Discussion of Revision to Policy IJL (Media Center Materials Selection)
• Discussion of New AR IJL-R (Media Center Materials Selection)
• Discussion of College and Career Readiness

The committee approved the agenda for the March 26, 2026 meeting and the minutes from the February 26, 2026 meeting. No substantive actions were taken on unfinished or new business items.

• Approved agenda for March 26, 2026 meeting
• Approved minutes from February 26, 2026 meeting

Work Session Meeting

The Board is conducting a work session to gather public input on the 2026-27 budget. The meeting includes discussions on the 2027-2028 school calendar and graduation requirement policy revisions.

• Public input session for the 2026-27 Budget
• Proposal for the 2027-2028 School Year calendar
• Policy Revision Proposal for Policy IKF - Graduation Requirements
• Approval of student appeal for placement at Blythewood Academy
• Approval of professional positions elimination

Maintenance and Facility Committee Meeting

The Maintenance and Facility Committee will meet to discuss future maintenance and facility procedures. The agenda includes updates on ongoing construction and capital projects.

• Ongoing Construction Update
• Top Maintenance Trends
• Spear’s Creek Update
• Capital Project Review

Safety and Security Committee Meeting

The Safety and Security Committee will meet to discuss future safety and security procedures. The meeting includes reviews of quarterly statistics and specific district safety policies.

• Review of Quarterly Safety Report and Statistics
• Update on event coverage for the 26-27 school year
• Update on security and safety schedule and restructuring
• Review of policy JICI (Weapons in School)
• Review of policies JIHC (Metal Detectors), IJCH (Drug & Alcohol Use), and JLDBB (Suicide Prevention)

Regular Board Meeting

The Richland County School District Two Board is holding a public input session for the 2026-2027 budget. The Board is also deciding on personnel matters, policy revisions, and the sale of district land.

• Public input session for the 2026-2027 Budget
• Proposed sale of 0.584 acres of vacant property (TMS R20600-03-13) to the South Carolina Department of Transportation for road, right of way, and sidewalk expansion
• Revisions to Policy GBC (Staff Compensation), Policy GCB (Professional Staff Contracts and Compensation), and Policy GCK (Professional Assignments and Transfers)
• Approval of student admission requests for the District's Adult Education Program
• Approval of classified employment releases and in-district transfers

Academics Committee Meeting

The Academics Committee will meet to discuss future academic procedures. The agenda includes discussions on class rankings, library materials, and instructional plans for students quarantined due to measles.

• Discussion of Policy IKC (Class Rankings)
• Discussion of Policy IJL (Library/Media Center Materials)
• Instructional plan for students quarantined due to measles
• Revisions to Administrative Rule JLCD-R (Assisting Students with Medications)
• Update on District Guidance Documents and Communication

Regular Board Meeting**

The Richland County School District Two Board is meeting to discuss legal advice regarding staff reduction-in-force policies and board governance. The board is also voting on employment recommendations, certified releases, and policy revisions for board meetings.

• Legal advice on Policy GCKA (Support Staff Reduction-In-Force) and Policy GCQA/GCQB (Professional Staff Reduction in Force)
• Approval of Classified Employment Releases and In-District Transfers
• Approval of Local Board Approved Courses
• Revisions to Policy BE - Board Meetings
• Employment Recommendations and Certified Releases

Work Session Meeting**

The Board will hold a work session to discuss several new business items. No formal actions are requested for the primary discussion topics.

• 2026-27 Budget Survey results
• 2nd Quarter Financial Report
• Policy revision proposals for staff compensation (Policy GBC), professional staff contracts (Policy GCB), and professional assignments (Policy GCK)
• Alternative Pathways Committee update
• Board Member Ethics Training

Regular Board Meeting

The Richland County School District Two Board conducted a regular meeting to address personnel and student matters. The Board voted on several items following an executive session and reviewed a report on remaining competitive.

• Denied student appeals for students 1 and 2
• Approved adult education program admission requests for students 1-4
• Approved employment recommendations and certified releases
• Approved classified employment releases and in-district transfers
• Discussed policy revision proposal for Policy BE - Board Meetings

Alternative Pathways Committee Meeting

The Alternative Pathways Committee will meet to discuss future procedures and student discipline. The body will review a proposal regarding the duration of alternative placements and a bus discipline matrix.

• Proposal to change alternative placement duration
• Review of RSD2 Bus Discipline Matrix
• 2025–2026 Semester 1 Discipline Update

Academics Committee Meeting

The Academics Committee will meet to discuss future procedures and review district accomplishments. The body will evaluate 2025-2026 academic programs and discuss special education services.

• 2025-2026 Academics Program Evaluations
• Discussion regarding Special Education Services
• Proposed topics and policies for the Academic Committee
• Planning for Academics Committee Reports

Regular Board Meeting

The Richland County School District Two Board met to conduct regular business and vote on items from an executive session. The Board approved property transfers to the South Carolina Department of Transportation and ruled on student appeals.

• Authorization to sell portions of district property at Pontiac Elementary (TMS R25700-02-14) and Richland Northeast High (TMS R16914-01-01) to the SC Department of Transportation
• Approval of an appeal for student #1 to attend Blythewood Academy
• Denial of an appeal for student #2
• Approval of Classified Employment Releases and In-District Transfers
• Discussion of 2026-2027 projected enrollment and strategic resource alignment