State oF SoutH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OFEDUCATION (MOLLY M. SPEARMAN STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION January 10,2022 Via email: psewart@megowanlaw.com Via mail: Mr. 8, Porter Stewart Il, Cai Florence Distiet One Schools 319 South Irby Street, Florence, SC. 29501 Dear Chairman Stewart: The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) has managed the entirety of Florence County Schoo! District Four (Florence Four) since a State of Emergency was issued in May 2018, with Brockington Elementary and Johnson Middle under management since May 2016. Since that time, significant improvements have been made to enhance the quality of instruction, ‘opportunities for students and teachers, and more efficient operation of the district, ‘The financial status of the district has improved and an on-time, clear audit witha reserve fund ‘of more than the statutory requirement was received, Federal programs are in compliance with all original deficiencies having been corrected, specifically in the areas of special education regarding related services provided o students and record keeping, Professional development on ‘rigorous and personalized instruction, stability of administrative and teaching staf, additional instructional resources and programmatic offerings for students, and improved facilities have helped to make a better experience forall students and staff For example, in May 2016, Brockington Elementary was the lowest performing school in the state Afcr these continuous efforts and technical assistance were provide to Florence Four, Brockington Elementary is no longer designated asa Priority School, meaning the stunts ae now perfonning above the 10" percentile among all schools in he sate ‘This progress has been the result of dedicated work ofthe Florence Four teachers and staff, significant support from the SCDE, and strong partnerships of shared services from both Florence County School District One (Florence One) and Florence Coun'y School District Two. ‘While improvements have been substantial, the ability to sustain operaticas and programming is RUTLEDGE BUILDING. 1429 SENATE STREET -COLUMBIA, SC 29201 PHONG 803-734-8800. Fan 803-734-3989. EDSCGOYextremely difficult. Curenly, the student population ofthe district rests around S8Sstudens, Brockington Elementary (3K- grade S with 298studens), Johnson Mile (grades 68 with 124 students) and Timmonsvile High (grades 9-12 with 163 student). Forence One offered open énxollment to Florence Four students; curently 118 students and thei families opted to attend sixteen of Florence One's twenty schools in grades K-12 An additonal twenty have moved into the Florence One zone. After much review and deliberation, I am invoking the authority granted to me in Proviso 1.12 (SDE-EIA: Technical Assistance) to call forthe consolidation of Florence Four with Florence One, effective June 30, 2022, In the 2022-23 school year, all middle and high school students in ‘what is now Florence Four wll attend the middle and high schools inthe current Florence One and will have choice among those schools. Brockington Elementary will continue to serve the students of Timmonsville and will be enhanced as an elementary 4K-5 Magnet School for the ‘As, which will feed into the two arts magnet middle schools in Florence One. ‘As this is a tremendous change for students, staff and families in Timmonsvill, I rust thatthe Florence One Schoo! Board, staff, and community will embrace this process and weleome their neighbors to ensure a smooth trnsition, Immediate action should be taken to inform students and parents of school and class selection. I request that teachers and staff from Florence Four be considered with priority for staffing needs. also ask that they be notified as soon as possible so that they can be assisted in locating employment shoulda positon not be available. ‘To facilitate the consolidation, I request that the board of Florence One allow Dr. O'Malley to begin acting asthe designated superintendent of Florence Four, reporting to me as to matters in that district, up uni the formal consolidation date. | strongly believe that the educational future of families in Timmonsville and Florence County as well asthe economic development of the area will be brighter because ofthis alignment. My staff and I stand ready to support these efforts in any way. State Superintendent of Education RUTLEDGE BUILDING 1429 SENATE SrREEr .CoLuMBIA, SC29201, PRONE: 8-72-8500 FAX: RMTALAIEO.ED SC GOV