Parent Involvement Questions for the Rock Hill School Board

What should PTO's and SIC's be doing? 
PTA’s (Parent Teacher Association) and PTO’s (Parent Teacher Organization) are school support groups.  They often purchase equipment or materials the district is unable to provide and help in other ways suggested by the principal. These groups should consider activities that support student learning such as volunteering to help students on an individual level.


School Improvement Councils (SIC) are required by law to be in place at each school. The council must include parents, community representatives and students when at the high school level. A majority of the council must be "non" educators. At a minimum, they develop and monitor the school's strategic plan and give an annual report to parents and community. However, they should help  the principal and school leadership team in finding innovative ways to educate our children. It was the Saluda Trail Middle School SIC that pushed for and moved the district to standard dress at all our middle schools. 

How are the schools utilizing parents of special need students?  
There is no system in place. Schools utilize parents of students with disabilities no differently than parents of students without disabilities. The same opportunities to participate and to be included in school and classroom activities and volunteer situations are available. It could be that parents of students with disabilities are afforded increased opportunities because of increased meeting times with school personnel and often have increased communication with the school or classrooms. Many students with special needs have weekly or even daily communication between home and school included in their individualized programs. 

The Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Department has initiated a Parent Advisory Committee. An organizational meeting was held in October with great success.  There are plans to meet with this core group informally during the month of December and again formally next semester.

Finance Questions for the Rock Hill School Board

Are the budget cuts over? 
Act 388 has made school funding directly related to the economy. We hope the economy doesn't get worse, but at the same time, we do not expect it to return to pre-2008 levels any time soon.  Many factors affect our revenue and budget, such as how many children have enrolled, property values, the economy, and new state and federal regulations. Because of variables beyond our control, it is not possible to make a definitive statement.

Why buy lights for the football fields and not computers for the classroom? 
The board is committed to meeting standards in everything we do. The lighting levels at District Three Stadium did not meet even 50% of the standard light level for a high school football field. The lighting improvements will put district three stadium on par with York, Gafney, and Dorman high schools. But we also buy computers and technology. This year we've spent  $2.5 million for new computers and technology infrastructure including a wireless network for our elementary schools. 

Why has the district not tried to get a sales tax for schools passed? 
School districts in South Carolina do not have access to local sales taxes like municipalities and counties do.  This is something our local legislative delegation would have to bring up for a public vote.

Elementary School and Teacher Questions for the Rock Hill School Board

Why were the elementary school report cards changed? 
The administration made the change to provide parents  more  information. Below is a chart that is sent to parents explaining the standards-based report card:

Traditional A, B, C Report Card	Standards-Based Reporting
The reporting period defines the beginning and end of learning. If the students do not get it during the reporting period, the class moves on.	The reporting period is only a reporting date. If the students do not get it, then more time and effort is devoted toward mastery.
A single letter grade does not tell parents what their children know and are able to do.	Parents can see all of the skills students are expected to learn and how they performed on each of those skills.
A letter grade is the only feedback a parent or next year’s teacher receives about their student’s performance.	Parents and future teachers can see exactly which indicators the student is successful or struggling. Parents will know what to reinforce at home to help their child succeed.
Students who are more capable of rigorous content are held to the on-grade level indicators and standards.	Students who are more capable of rigorous content are moved on through the learning continuum.
Letter grades often include non-academic considerations like participation, behavior, work habits and effort.	Standards-based focuses strictly on learning - what the students need to know and how they are progressing.
Shifts, sorts, and labels students from best to worst.	Shows parents how close their student is toward mastering each standard.
Students learn “failing” at an early age.	Students understand that they are on a learning continuum and that progressing is the most important aspect of learning.
Next year’s teachers have a single letter of feedback on which to make critical instructional decisions.	Next year’s teachers get specific feedback about the student’s progress which allows them to make more accurate instructional decisions.

Be sure to contact your child's principal if you need help understanding the change.


Did the change produce the desired results? 
Here are the expected results:

• Staff understands  grade-level standards much better now that they have to assess them.
• It is not about evaluating, but about student learning. Students may need more than one opportunity to master knowledge or skills.
• Performance measures should align with the progress shown on standardized tests, reading assessments, class assignments and classroom assessments.
• Students grow at different rates; and when a child does not get it, we intensify the instruction. Also, when a students gets it, there is an obligation to accelerate, enrich, or enhance the learning so that the child moves and is not held back in his or her learning.
• Principals  can tell what their students are learning and what standards/indicators they are not learning.

The administration expects  student achievement to rise with the connection to standardized assessments..

Lower income parents may need some education on these changes.
Nothing has been done to specifically address this question. Parents should always contact their child's principal for help on this.

What can we do to get more physical activity in the elementary schools? 
Providing some intramural (within the school) opportunities after school is a possible addition if resources are available.

Is the Fountas and Pinnell (F&P) reading program showing results? 
The administration believes we are seeing benefits in Kindergarten and Grade 1. We will be watching 3rd grade performance in comparison to other school districts.

What are we doing to show more recognition for classroom innovation and performance? 
The Rock Hill School District Foundation provides four opportunities each year for our educators to apply for mini-grants (up to $2,500) for innovation and creative projects.   Educators who receive grants are recognized  through the local news media, on the Foundation's website, and at the annual Showcase of the Arts fundraising event each spring.

Why do so many of our teachers have their children in Fort Mill and Clover?  
Their children attend school where they live.

School Communication Questions for the Rock Hill School Board

What are the schools doing to improve communications between schools and parents?

The schools use many communication systems to inform parents. These include facebook, twitter,  blogs, email blasts, newsletters, special messages, ParentLink telecommunication calls, websites, marqueés, student newspapers, school handbooks, “weekly folders” at the elementary level, parent conferences, and telephone calls regarding attendance and other student-related matters. Be sure to contact you school principal to be sure you are taking advantage of all that is available.

Why do so many of the school and district web sites have old information and bad links? 
Our schools  make every effort to keep websites up to date. Please contact the principal if you find something that needs updating.

Can we have email blasts and teachers of the week?

This has not been a high priority for the administration but is being considered.

Community Partnership Questions for the Rock Hill School Board

Why do other districts have more partnerships with the community? 
We have partnerships from all sectors of the community, including business, civic, nonprofit, and faith groups. Our district uses a  partnership model which provides a framework for schools and  administration to use to define mutually beneficial partnerships based on the needs of  the school and entity involved.  We try to develop strong partnerships in five areas: systemic improvement, management, professional development, classroom enrichment, and special services. 

What are we doing to promote partnerships? 
We promote partnerships by encouraging Principals (and employees) to assess their needs  and  recruit partners that can help.   Our  efforts have been recognized  on the state level for over 20 years. We recognize outstanding contributions annually. 

Food Service Questions for the Rock Hill School Board

What procedures are in place to prevent fraud by those requesting free or reduced lunch? 
A percentage of free lunch program applications are audited annually as required by law (district office, and audited households are required to provide proof that the income is stated correctly). Applications are subject to audit by the district’s external auditors. The Federal Government and the S.C. Department of Education also audit free and reduced lunch applications in districts across the country on a rotating basis.

Why do you continue to use Free & Reduced as an excuse? Why do F&R students not have to pay fees? 
State law does not allow school districts to charge fees to students eligible for free lunch. Students eligible for reduced-price lunches may only legally be charged reduced fees.

What are we doing to reduce food waste, have healthier choices, and improve lunches? 
Food Service tries to provide enough food so every student can have the same choices, yet have limited amounts of leftovers. A student only has to have three of the five meal components (meat/meal alternate, fruit, vegetable, bread/grain, and milk) for a meal. If a student does not want an item, the student is not required to take it.

Food Service regularly samples new products with students and have switched hamburger/hotdog buns to whole grain along with pizza crust, rolls, and cookies. So far, $85,000 has been spent this year to purchase fresh produce in comparison to last year where we spent about $110,000 for the entire year. We have switched to brown rice from white rice and added sweet potatoes, carrots, and leafy green vegetables (collards/turnips) weekly. Very few items are fried.

Schools of Choice and Late Start Questions for the Rock Hill School Board

What is the impact on the "non" schools of choice? What are we doing about feeder schools with schools of choice? How are choice decisions made? Do we have a strategic plan for schools of choice?

The Administration  limits student movement to prevent a major change occurring at an "non" school of choice in a single year. So far, school choice has not had an impact. The York Preparatory Academy, a charter school, has had an impact on our  enrollment.

Currently, the proposed Oakdale to Saluda Trail  Middle School STEM program will be the only feeder system for choice.

The district’s School Choice Committee meets about once a quarter to discuss Rock Hill's choice options. Previous to this year, school choice was driven by the schools, now it is directed from the district level. Contact a school principal to see about being on the choice committee.

Why do we have late start days? What gets done on late start days? Can we show that late start days are helping? 
Late Start Days were requested by school principals to allow for teacher professional development time.  Because this is driven by principals, your child's principal will be the best person to explain what is being done and how this is helping improve the school.

School Calendar and Climate Questions For the Rock Hill School Board

Will high school students be able to take exams before Christmas in future years? 

Getting the exams in  before Christmas is difficult, especially since schools cannot, by law, begin the school year earlier than the third Monday in August. Elaine Baker is working with a committee, which includes high school students, to come up with a calendar for next year. Exam timing is one of the issues they will be addressing. If you have a strong opinion on this, be sure to let the board know.

What are the schools doing about bullying? 

School Counselors have small group instruction on the topic of bullying.  The high schools are hosting Rachel’s Challenge.

What are the schools doing to create a safer environment? 

We have  cameras on our campuses and  school buses. Resource Officers (local police) are in all middle and high schools and an officer is available for elementary schools.

Academic Questions For the Rock Hill School Board

What academic clubs are in place and what are the plans to add more? 
Each school has its own set of clubs. Some at the high schools include Beta Club, National Honor Society, Environmental Club, Robotics Club, International Club (or language-specific clubs like Spanish or French), History Club, Junior Marshals, Future Business Leaders of America, Thespians, Model United Nations, Kitty Hawk Air Society, Literary Magazine, and Yearbook. Parents can get a complete list from their child’s school and can work with the principal to form more clubs. Forming a new club requires student interest and an adult willing to sponsor.

What successful school districts are we benchmarking? 
We benchmark against other districts and schools with a similar poverty index such as Oconee, Kershaw, Lancaster, Anderson 5, Spartanburg 2, and Beaufort.

How do Rock Hill Schools rank nationally? 
We do not have national rankings per se. We do have nationally normed test data such as the SAT and ACT. The district administration will be posting a district dashboard on the web site with comparisons to schools similar to ours. Target for this to get started is the first of 2012. You can click here to see some SC state report card comparisons for the York County School Districts.

What are the schools doing to improve graduation rates? What are we doing to improve test scores?  We are reducing failure rates by offering mastery based credit vs. seat time; offering courses for credit and content recovery; allowing alternative instructional time (Phoenix Academy) to improve literacy abilities K-12; differentiating instruction; responding to the individual needs of students in math and reading; and increasing 4K programs to improve readiness for school. However, progress has been very slow.

Rock Hill Schools Outreach Update

The Rock Hill School Board held parent meetings  in each of our schools this semester. We asked for comments and questions. Over the next several posts, we will attempt to answer the questions received. Today, we'll answer questions concerning the School Board:

What does the School Board do? 
The school board has two primary functions, to hire and evaluate the superintendent and to make district policy which gives the superintendent rules for operating the district to our community expectations. In performing that role, the board wears many of the hats below:

• represent the interests of the entire district when making decisions
• study issues and enact policies
• support employment of the persons best qualified for staff positions and ensure a regular and impartial evaluation of all staff
• determine a school calendar
• determine operating and capital budgets and set millage rate for district
• support legislation and funding which will improve the educational opportunities and environment for students and staff
• study current educational issues and participate in training programs such as those offered through the S.C. School Boards Association and the National School Boards Association;
• make the educational setting (facilities) the best possible for teaching and learning;
• visit schools
• advocate for public education.

When are school board meetings? 
A work session is held on the second Monday of the month, January through December, at 5:30 p.m. in a school or in the district office. The board’s business meeting is held on the fourth Monday of the month, January through November, at 6:00 p.m. in the district office. A tape of each business meeting is shown on Comporium Cable 114 for two weeks following the meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The agenda for the meetings is posted on the school district web site by the preceding Friday. Minutes of previous business meetings can also be found on the district web site.

Why can't we watch meetings on the Internet? 
The district does have the capability to stream board meetings live at an additional cost. If there is enough public interest, the board may decide to do this in the future.

How can we watch meetings on TV?  
Business meetings of the board are televised on the Comporium Education Access Channel, Cable 114.

Why isn't the board in schools more? 
Board members visit schools frequently, often at the invitation of individual schools.  State law requires schools be visited each year. They enjoy learning about the uniqueness of each school by attending school programs and by watching students perform.

What are the board's priorities for this year? 
The board has not established a formal priority list for this year. The board does support our shared district performance goals of challenging, engaging, and learning. You can find reference to this in the August 1, 2011 and August 22, 2011 minutes. The dashboard  of measures related to this can be found on the district website under Dashboard.

How do decisions that affect the schools get made? 
The board discusses the issues in a collective setting and  reviews recommendations from the administration, teachers, parents and students.

What is the attack on Public Education? 
This response will vary based on who is asked, but the failures of public education seem to be publicized and misrepresented more than the achievements, which is disheartening to teachers who work so diligently with students. Also, teachers get very little input  on state laws which govern public education.

Rock Hill School Board Starts on 9th Week of Outreach

The Rock Hill School Board has completed the 8th week with a visit to Saluda Trail Middle School.  Click the questions below to see the survey responses:

What are we doing well?

What would you like to see us do better?

What matters to you about education?

Any questions or comments for the board?

General Comments

You can access the online survey site by clicking here.  Check the calendar on the blog site for a future meeting.

Click here for the link to see the video.

The Board has gotten feedback on the meetings. You can view the responses  by clicking here. If you attended a meeting and would like to give feedback, click here for an online survey.

Rock Hill Schools Outreach Into 8th Week

"Learning is by nature curiosity." Philo

The Rock Hill School Board has completed the 7th week of its new outreach to improve communications with visits to; Ebenezer Elementary School; Northwestern Band Boosters and; the School District Wide School Improvement Meeting.  Click the questions below to see the survey response so far:

What are we doing well?

What would you like to see us do better?

What matters to you about education?

Any questions or comments for the board?

General Comments


You can access the online survey site by clicking here. We will also be meeting with Rock Hill School parent/teacher groups over the next few months. Check the calendar on the blog site for a future meeting.

Click here for the link to see the video.


The Board has also started getting feedback on the meetings. You can view the responses so far by clicking here. If you attended a meeting and would like to give feedback, click here for an online survey.

Rock Hill Schools Outreach Going Into 7th Week

The Rock Hill School Board has completed the 6th week of its new outreach to improve communications with visits to; Sylvia Circle Elementary School; Ebinport Elementary School; Mount Gallant Elementary School; Mount Holly Elementary School and; Rosewood Elementary School.  Click the questions below to see the survey response so far:

What are we doing well?

What would you like to see us do better?

What matters to you about education?

Any questions or comments for the board?

General Comments


You can access the online survey site by clicking here. We will also be meeting with Rock Hill School parent/teacher groups over the next few months. Check the calendar on the blog site for a future meeting.

Click here for the link to see the video.

"I am not who I think I am. I am not who you think I am. I am, who I think you think I am"

Rock Hill School Board Completes 5th Week of Outreach

The Rock Hill School Board has completed the 5th week of its new outreach to improve communications with visits to; Castle Heights Middle School; Rawlinson Road Middle School; Old Pointe Elementary School; Ebinport Elementary School; York Road Elementary School and; Sunset Park Elementary School.  Click the questions below to see the survey response so far:

What are we doing well?

What would you like to see us do better?

What matters to you about education?

Any questions or comments for the board?

General Comments


You can access the online survey site by clicking here. We will also be meeting with Rock Hill School parent/teacher groups over the next few months. Check the calendar on the blog site for a future meeting.

Click here for the link to see the video.

Rock Hill School Board Completes 4th Week of Outreach

The Rock Hill School Board has completed the fourth week of its new outreach to improve communications with visits to; Sullivan Middle School; Richmond Drive Elementary School; Oakdale Elementary School and; Lesslie Elementary School.  Click the questions below to see the survey response so far:

What are we doing well?

What would you like to see us do better?

What matters to you about education?

Any questions or comments for the board?

General Comments


You can access the online survey site by clicking here. We will also be meeting with Rock Hill School parent/teacher groups over the next few months. Check the calendar on the blog site for a future meeting.

Click here for the link to see the video.

Third Week of Rock Hill School Board Outreach

The Rock Hill School Board has completed the third week of its new outreach to improve communications with visits to Friends of Northwestern HIgh School and Independence Elementary School. Click the questions below to see the survey response so far:

What are we doing well?

What would you like to see us do better?

What matters to you about education?

Any questions or comments for the board?

General Comments


You can access the online survey site by clicking here. We will also be meeting with Rock Hill School parent/teacher groups over the next few months. Check the calendar on the blog site for a future meeting.

Click here for the link to see the video.

Second Week of Rock Hill School Board Outreach

The Rock Hill School Board has completed the second week of its new outreach to improve communications with visits to Northside Elementary School of the Arts, Saluda Trail Middle, and Sunset Park Elementary Schools. Click the questions below to see the survey response so far:

What are we doing well?

What would you like to see us do better?

What matters to you about education?

Any questions or comments for the board?

General Comments


You can access the online survey site by clicking here. We will also be meeting with Rock Hill School parent/teacher groups over the next few months. Check the calendar on the blog site for a future meeting.

Click here for the link to see the video.

First Week of Rock Hill School Board Outreach

The Rock Hill School Board has completed the first week of its new outreach to improve communications with visits to Lesslie Elementary, Dutchman Creek Middle, and Ebenezer Elementary Schools. Click the questions below to see the survey response so far:

What are we doing well?

What would you like to see us do better?

What matters to you about education?

Any questions or comments for the board?


You can access the online survey site by clicking here. We will also be meeting with Rock Hill School parent/teacher groups over the next few months. Check the calendar on the blog site for a future meeting.

Click here for the link to see the video.

A Discussion About Public Education

The Rock Hill School Board wants to have a discussion with you about public education. Please visit our survey site and answer 4 questions about your perceptions on public education. You can access the site by clicking here. We will also be meeting with Rock Hill School parent/teacher groups over the next few months, and later, in the community. We look forward to your input. Thanks in advance.

Click here for the link to see the video.