NEWBERRY — Susan Dowd, chief financial officer of the School District of Newberry County, presented the Minority Business Enterprise Procurements for July 2018-December 2018.
According to Dowd, it is the goal of the Newberry County School District to have Minority Business Expenditures at 10 percent, but that is just a goal.
“We can only use minority vendors that want to work in the District, and they have to be registered with the state (to be considered a minority business),” Dowd said.
During the six month time span, purchases from minority businesses made up $208,816.58, or five percent of expenditures.
The following businesses used were as follows; Lindler’s Construction ($42,705), Kunkle Oil Company ($800), The Flooring Connection ($24,823.82), Lorick Office Products ($27,073.61), CrossRoads Environmental ($12,086.76), Musical Innovations ($6,751.94), DiCorte Excavating ($42,595.78), Contract Building Systems ($43,103.33), P&B Promotional ($636.34) and Wilson and Associates ($8,240).
In other business, Pam Arrington, executive director of Human Resources, presented a new microsite to help recruit teachers to Newberry County.
“Effective July 1, 2018, our District became eligible to participate in a Rural Recruitment Initiative Grant for the 2018-19 School year. To get funding, the District had to implement approved incentives, including website updates,” Arrington said.
The School District has now launched www.teachatnewberry.com, and are advertising on a variety of social media platforms. The new site includes testimonials, pictures and a variety of other pieces of information about being an educator in Newberry County. The site also allows applicants to see what jobs are available in Newberry County, and how to apply.
In other business, the Board recognized students, teachers and even a few boardmembers during their meeting. First up was Kobe Sligh from Newberry High School, he was selected to play in the North/South Football All-Star game.
“Kobe was selected to play in the North South All-star game, December 15 at Coastal Carolina University. Kobe was selected by the North squad to play defensive tackle. Kobe played offense and defense for Newberry High School this football season. He was selected All-Region III AAA this year and helped guide another play-off run for the Bulldogs,” Arrington said.
Donald Addis, Whitmire Community School, was also recognized for being named the South Carolina Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association Teacher of the Year Award.
“The South Carolina Driver and Traffic Safety Association is the only state association that represents both high school and commercial school driver educators. It seeks to promote the teaching of driver and safety education to students in the state of South Carolina,” Arrington said.
Also recognized was Lee Attaway, former boardmember, he was recognized for 20 years of “loyal and dedicated service to the School District of Newberry County.” Boardmember Lucy Anne Meetze was also recognized for 15 of years of service on the Newberry County School Board.
Other business
• Jody Hamm was elected chairman of the Newberry County School Board for 2019, Ike Bledsoe was elected vice chairman and Clyde Hill was elected secretary. Hill was also appointed claims liaison and Meetze was appointed legislative liaison.
• In honor of School Board Appreciation Month the members of the Board signed the S.C. School Board Members Ethical Principals Pledge.
