As Sumter County Schools Superintendent Dennis McMahon opened the doors for the regular meeting of the Sumter County Board of Education on Sept. 4, one could sense an aura of completion, order and conciseness that carried throughout the hour long meeting.

Under the direction of Donna Minich, Board chairman, the Sumter County Board of Education zoomed right through the agenda. Topics discussed and voted on were:

• The adoption of the agenda and consent agenda, including the approval of the minutes of the Aug. 14 and 20 meetings, as well as the approval of fund raisers, school use requests and overnight field trips; and then Board committee recommendations, like from Personnel, Finance, Property, and Curriculum.

• Points of discussions centered around the 4-E Learning proposal for expelled students and the idea for matching funds for Truancy Prevention Program. The Technology Committee reported that there was no need for any action to be taken from the Board, but Carolyn Whitehead did state, “There is a lot of action going on behind the scenes.”

• Doug Goodin reported for the Property Committee that the construction going on was “mostly completely except for the Bus Shop. They are having to do some work after hours, around the students’ schedules at South Campus, but everything does look good.”

Goodin also stated that quotes were received for a Drivers’ Education Car. The Board approved the quote for a 2008 Chevorlet HHR from Rob Doll Pontiac GM.

Also under discussion was a Board retreat which would be their goal setting meeting, as well as a proposal for energy management.

• Mark Waddell spoke for the Personnel Committee. The following recommendations were made regarding personnel issues: (1) Resignations: Allison Hogan, Teacher, effective Aug. 28, 2008; Saundra Mathis, Bus Driver, effective Aug. 28, 2008; David Edmiston, Science Teacher, effective Aug. 22, 2008; Alesha Jackson, Language Arts, effective Aug. 28, 2008; Walter Phillips, principal, effective, Sept. 5, 2008; Heather Burgess, K-teacher, effective, May 2, 2008; Jill Cochran, first grade teacher, effective May 20, 2008 ; (2)Termination: Maxine Brown, Transportation, effective, May 16, 2008; (3) Employment: Susan Calinski, science, effective Sept. 2, 2008; Frederick Mohl, automotive, effective July 31, 2008; Deborah Smith, math, effective, July 28, 2008; Timothy Hadley, principal, effective, July 28, 2008; Rita Ingram, long term substitute, effective, Aug. 20, 2008; Kenyatta Aldridge, Language Arts, effective, Sept. 2, 2008; April Blakely, Nutrition Assistant, effective, Sept. 12, 2008; Tracie Pitts, Nutrition Assistant 1, effective, Sept. 11, 2008; Brenda Kimbrough, nutrition assistant manager, effective, Sept. 11, 2008; Kimberly Cobb, substitute monitor, effective, Aug. 20, 2008; Thomas Jackson, regular driver, effective, Aug. 29, 2008; Nelson Jefferson, regular driver, effective, Aug. 29, 2008; Rhonda Reddick, 21st Century, effective, Sept. 1, 2008; (3) Family Leave: Kim Baldwin, paraprofessional, effective, Aug. 29, 2008; Jakera Dawson, first grade, effective, Aug. 14, 2008; (4)Transfers — Michael Johnson, Pre-K resource, effective, July 28, 2008; Juliette Furlow, Pre-K parapofessional effective, July and Cheryl Raven, paraprofessional, effective, Aug. 25, 2008 .

The meeting was adjourned after announcements were made. Board Committee meeting dates and times were set, with one change to be made. Announcements will be made later in the newspaper regarding those meetings.

There will be a board work session at 6 p.m. on Oct. 6, with the next regular board meeting to be at 7 p.m. Oct. 8.