(*Corrected to change the name of the director of transportation)
Columbia County’s Board of Education met on Aug. 9 to discuss the start of a new school year and review some minor issues, ongoing construction, teacher achievements and further updates on some new programs.
With more than 28,000 students enrolled in Columbia County schools, board members discussed that carlines and traffic were a bit hectic the first day of school.
Allen Connor, director of the Columbia County District Department of Transportation, said some buses were filled to capacity and collectively Columbia County schools received more than 600 bus-related phone calls on Thursday – the first day of school – but calls decreased a little every day after. Connor predicts as more students opt to ride the buses to and from school, the traffic will dramatically decrease with less cars driving the same route.
Various construction projects throughout the county, such as Harlem Middle School adding outdoor classrooms and Westmont Elementary continuing with building plans, were also highlighted during the meeting.
MORE: Aiken County students prepare to return to school
Programs such as the Junior Achievement Discovery Center, the District Leadership Program and Lakeside High School’s new zero period are projects Columbia County’s School Board seeks to improve and implement as soon as possible.
Lakeside High School principal Rodney Tyson said teachers volunteered for the facility’s zero period, which offers students free extra tutoring before classes begin in the morning. The extra period allows students an opportunity to learn or catch up on any difficult subjects while also providing free breakfast.
“Teachers from Lakeside volunteered to spend this extra time with students, for no additional pay, because they love Lakeside, the job and care about their students,” he said.
Tyson continued by highlighting the Link Crew at Lakeside which acts as a sort of transition program that utilizes upperclassmen to welcome new freshmen and get them adjusted to high school.
The next Columbia County Board of Education meeting is set for Sept. 13 at 5:30 p.m. at 4781 Hereford Farm Rd.
Liz Wright is a staff covers education and general assignments for The Augusta Press. Reach her at liz@theaugustapress.com
