BCSD launches new Ambassadors Academy

The inaugural class of the Berkeley County School District Ambassadors Academy had its first meeting on February 23 at Philip Simmons Elementary and Philip Simmons Middle Schools. Among those present were several key BCSD personnel: Superintendent Brenda Blackburn, Deputy Superintendent Archie Franchini, Chief Human Resources Officer Glenda Levine and 2016 District Teacher of the Year Sharon Blackwood.

Also present were the new District Ambassadors themselves - 24 of Berkeley County’s most highly motivated parents, grandparents, business owners and faith-leaders. The new representatives, many of them BCSD graduates, were selected from a pool of more than 50 applicants on the strength of their vested interest in the well-being of students, their communities and the success of Berkeley County schools.

The purpose of the Ambassadors Academy is to provide a first hand opportunity for these select Berkeley County residents to learn directly from BCSD leaders about how the district operates and the factors that drive the often challenging decisions that affect county schools. The Academy also gives ambassadors an opportunity to provide their own feedback and concerns about policies and decisions with BCSD leaders, and share their thoughts on how best to meet the current and future needs of the district.

“It’s not efficient or effective for us to throw information at you,” advised Brenda Blackburn as she outlined the logistics of effective governance. At the helm is a compassionate yet demanding School Board that carefully scrutinizes every decision made by Blackburn and her team, yet operates from fair system checks and balances that enforces prudence and integrity. “We need the input of our constituents to be as fully effective as we can be,” observed Mrs. Blackburn. “That’s why we created the District Ambassadors Academy.”

District Ambassador Lisa Kerns, a mother of two children in BCSD schools, and the PTSA president at Philip Simmons Middle School, sees her new role as an “invaluable experience.”

“[The Academy] is an initiative that shows that the district understands that it is the parents, not the politicians, administrators or educators who know what’s best for our children. I feel I have a true voice beyond monthly district meetings…being able to ask questions, offer suggestions and come to the table to discuss how the district can better serve families and, in turn, how the families can serve the district.”

The first part of the BCSD’s stated mission calls for BCSD leaders “to work in partnership with the community,” stated Blackburn. Partnership is a collaborative effort that requires the give and take of two-way communication to be successful.

“They can tell our story,” observed Franchini, when discussing the role of the new Academy. He explains that the ambassadors are in an ideal position to explain the “why” behind every policy decision and initiative BCSD puts into motion, especially when the directives are a direct result of budget constraints. “We need people who can help their communities better understand why we make the decisions that we do.”

Indeed, the district’s best intentions have been hampered by being underfunded by the state for the 2016-2017 academic year by $31,000,000, according to Franchini. Prior to the recession, he explained, South Carolina put into motion a law (Act 388), which replaced tax funds from owner-occupied homes with funds from the penny sales tax, which the state then sent back to the districts. Any increase in local revenue for the operating fund is the financial responsibility of area business and industry. Additionally, the Education Finance Act, another source of income from the state, has been significantly underfunded for the past several years, added Franchini.

Despite the financial setbacks, the school district has performed well - rating 24th out of 83 districts in academic achievement, and 67th out of 83 in per pupil expenditures, based on the latest statistics available.

“While we did have a hiring freeze, no teachers ever got a pay cut, lost their jobs or were mandated a furlough,” said Franchini. “We are very strategic about where and when we spend every dollar. Simply put, we’re excellent stewards of our money.”

The ambassadors also heard from Levine, who talked about the district’s ongoing efforts to attract quality educators. Levine underscored the urgent need for math teachers, particularly in the district’s rural communities, and encouraged the ambassadors to tap qualified family, friends, and others in their communities to apply or attend the BCSD Teacher Fair on Saturday, March 11 at Cane Bay High School.

Teacher Sharon Blackwood (3rd grade, Sedgefield Intermediate) pointed out that the tremendous support that the district provides its teachers is unparalleled, and is one of the main reasons she continues to make the long drive across the Don Holt Bridge - and over the county line - from her home in Mount Pleasant every day for more than 20 years.

Daniel Island resident Janice Stephens Jolly, a retired educational administrator and grandmother of a kindergartener at Daniel Island School, is another ambassador who looks forward to working with the district and her community.

“I want to become a team player that can help connect the schools with business and industry,” she said. “Together we can mold and develop our students into the successful, productive workforce we need to complete in changing global economy.”

The next Academy meeting, scheduled for March 23, will focus on the challenges and solutions of accommodating a diverse and rapidly growing student population.

Daniel Island Publishing

225 Seven Farms Drive
Unit 108
Daniel Island, SC 29492 

Office Number: 843-856-1999
Fax Number: 843-856-8555

 

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