2 Closed Schools Left out of Study Board Members, Interim Superintendent Expected All District Property to Be Included in Facilities Study by BRUCE MILLS and F.J
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STATE McMaster wants raises for teachers, $200M tax rebate Governor releases proposal SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894 for S.C. budget A2 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019 $1.00 2 closed schools left out of study Board members, interim superintendent expected all district property to be included in facilities study BY BRUCE MILLS and F.J. DeLaine Elementary schools mentary School. bia, and two smaller partners. [email protected] in Wedgefield — are still officially dis- “I see Salterstown Warehouse is va- Carl Tickel of Alpha Facilities Solu- trict property, and the consultants’ de- cant, and you did a report on that,” tions, who was speaking on behalf of The consultants charged with com- tailed analysis of all the district’s McGhaney said, “but I don’t see the consulting team at the time, ex- pleting Sumter School District’s facili- buildings and structures even includ- Mayewood, and I don’t see DeLaine. … plained the consultants were tasked ties assessment study presented their ed one vacant warehouse. I was under the impression we were first in the study in late March of last report Monday to the district’s full Board members the Rev. Daryl Mc- getting a facilities study for all the year with doing an “initial review” of board, but several trustees and the in- Ghaney and Barbara Jackson noted schools in the district, and I was cer- proposed consolidated schools, which terim superintendent said they were the omission of DeLaine and tainly looking for that.” included Mayewood and DeLaine. surprised that two recently closed Mayewood, which currently still hous- McGhaney also noted Brewington’s After conducting a feasibility report schools were not included in the re- es alternative school Brewington absence from the report in question- on merging Mayewood into nearby port. Academy, at the board’s regularly ing the consultants, which included Those schools — Mayewood Middle scheduled meeting at Alice Drive Ele- Cumming Corp., based out of Colum- SEE STUDY, PAGE A8 Find your way with the city’s new signs BY ADRIENNE SARVIS [email protected] Those new to Sumter, as well as some longtime residents, will have an easier time navigating the city and county once the city of Sumter completes one of its newest projects to install directional signs this year. This project has been many years in the making, city communications direc- tor Shelley Kile said. It’s an idea from the tourism and eco- nomic development sectors that started in 2012 after multiple stakeholder inter- views revealed that tourists had a hard time finding their way around the city, she said. While the first stage of the project will focus on installing pedestrian signs downtown, city administrative services director Staci Johnson said drivers will also benefit when everything is com- plete. Signs will be installed at public build- ings such as the Sumter County Judicial SEE SIGNS, PAGE A8 PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CITY OF SUMTER YOUR IMPACT Donations help mother Chamber of Commerce BY THE NUMBERS to ‘celebrate Sumter’ at $875 who was stalked, lost job Total this week BY ADRIENNE SARVIS [email protected] annual weekend retreat $32,342 When a woman showed up BY KAYLA ROBINS ident and CEO of the Cham- Total this year to Sumter United Ministries [email protected] ber. “This year will be a little after a wanted stranger who different with regards to the $48,601.18 may have been stalking her More than 175 business, gov- actual programming. This cost her her job, the ministry ernment, education, industry year is about celebrating all of Total last year was able to help through The ent managed a convenience and other community leaders our accomplishments as a Sumter Item’s Fireside Fund. store, had great rapport with are set to gather in Hilton community over the last 15-20 $1,615,689.25 Established in 1969, the her company, took her re- Head this weekend to “cele- years. Retreats in the past Fireside Fund is an annual sponsibilities seriously and brate Sumter.” have helped mold the program Total since 1969 wintertime fundraiser during earned well. The Greater Sumter Cham- for the upcoming year, but which people donate money “She proudly told me how ber of Commerce’s annual re- since we have a strategic plan through the paper, which she managed to avoid any treat, which will be Jan. 18-20, in place, we had time to focus NEED HELP then gives it, in recent years, form of public assistance,” he is a time for the group to dis- on something different this OR WANT TO to Sumter United Ministries said, “and was completely in- cuss how to keep Sumter’s year.” to help clients with heating dependent with her salary.” “growth and momentum on The incoming chairman of DONATE? needs. The woman worked late at the incline.” the Chamber’s Board of Di- Anyone in need of assistance Kevin Howell, director of night in a rural part of the “Though a great deal of rectors plans the retreat, and with heating or heating the Crisis Relief Ministry, county, and a man she had work goes into the planning, it Dennis Turner is spotlight- utility costs can call Sumter said a female client in her 40s never met began to frequent is well worth the time spent ing growth in Sumter that interviewed about a final no- her shift at the store, he said. when we see the brainpower has taken place in the last United Ministries at (803) tice with her electric bill. The man exhibited strange and leadership around the 775-0757. She heats her home entire- room,” said Chris Hardy, pres- SEE RETREAT, PAGE A4 ly with electric heat. 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Any Officer placed in every S.C. school that private businesses can solve a lot of prob- eligible for ongoing benefits SNAP recipient whose recer- lems, law enforcement and veterans deserve in February. tification is approved after COLUMBIA (AP) — South Carolina Gov. raises and tax breaks and something needs to This is not a bonus pay- today will receive his Febru- Henry McMaster wants to send taxpayers a be done to stop sharp rises in college tuition. ment and SNAP recipients ary benefits on the normal $200 million rebate, raise teacher salaries by 5 His spending plan offers a 6 percent in- will not receive another ben- monthly issuance date in percent and make sure a police officer is pres- crease in funding for colleges that agree to efit in February, even if the February. ent in every school in the state thanks to an freeze tuition. The governor hopes to contin- federal government reopens, All program rules, includ- unexpected windfall of about $1 billion. ue that funding increase yearly through sales states a release from DSS. ing verification of income, McMaster released his proposal for South tax now collected on online shopping, but the Households are strongly are not waived because of Carolina's $9 billion budget on Tuesday. He state's predictions on how much encouraged to carefully plan this early issuance process. said the extra cash — both in one-time money revenue that can bring in each and budget benefits accord- Questions can be directed and tax revenues the state can expect to col- year still vary widely. ingly. to the local DSS office at lect each year — gives leaders a unique op- On education, along with $155 DSS has been instructed (800) 616-1309 or call DSS portunity to address problems in education, million to give each teacher a 5 by the U.S. Department of Connect at 1 (800) 616-1309. law enforcement salaries and even ethics re- percent pay raise, the governor form. proposes a $10 increase on what Board advisory Finance Committee to meet "It's like a gift from the sky," the governor MCMASTER is called the base student cost, or said.