School committee discusses school sizes, replacements and groupings

An Aiken County School District committee is wrapping up a discussion of a variety of issues - among them building capacities, building utilization, attendance area configurations and school choice issues.

Board of Education member Dr. Christine Sanders is serving as chairperson of the facility student and utilization committee, which will make a report at a special board meeting Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m.

"We've had suggestions made in the past on these kinds of issues," said Sanders, "but they haven't been studied in depth. We're trying to give all the board members the data to make informed choices at the beginning the budget season."

She and other committee members - composed of assistant superintendents, community representatives and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Bill Gallman - emphasized that they brought up many ideas, but none has been decided and many probably won't be pursued.

The committee looked at the feasibly of building a new school to replace Wagener-Salley High School and Ridge Spring-Monetta High School that would be located roughly halfway between the two existing schools.

"I have mixed emotions about that," said trustee John Brown, who represents that area. "We could provide more offerings to students, but I'm yet to be convinced because the communities are so spread out."

Educators acknowledged that transportation would be a problem. "But we don't have the variety of courses we need," said Area 4 Assistant Superintendent Joy Shealy. "We're losing the kids who are interested in upper level classes, and decisions like that hurt the schools."

Committee members also noted that such a construction project isn't on the district's five-year building plan through 2010-11.

The committee also considered greater flexibility in school choice between the Aiken County public schools. However, more than 2,000 students are already attending schools other than their home schools, either through approval of area councils or through federal NCLB choice. Committee members discussed allowing greater ease for parents in choosing another school for their children. However, the School Board would have to consider capacity issues and identify schools that are already at a maximum enrollment.

The district's smallest schools - Gloverville Elementary School, New Ellenton Middle School and Greendale Elementary School - also generated discussion. If New Ellenton were converted to another use, its seventh and eighth-graders could go to Jackson Middle School. The sixth-graders could be divided among Greendale and Redcliffe Elementary School, which would required the full School Board to permit the current grade configuration of K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 at the county schools.