Three members of the Spartanburg District Five Schools Board of Trustees saw their last meeting on Monday night.
Board members Alex Perez and Sherri Taunton officially closed their terms in office at the regularly scheduled meeting. Board Chairman Jeff Boland also wrapped up his time as chairman on Monday.
“I have no idea where four years have gone, but they have absolutely flown by,” Boland said. “... I know we’re deemed elective officials, but at the end of the day, we’re just volunteers. We’re here to serve our community and make sure that we continue to put every child, every day, first.”
Taunton was elected to the board in 2021. She says that she always strived to put students first in her work, and hopes that the board will continue to do so going into the future.
“It’s been a great experience,” Taunton said. “All three of my children were raised in Spartanburg District Five, so to be able to give back — it’s been good.”
Similar to Taunton, Perez is raising his three kids in District Five. He hopes that his work on the board helped to improve the educational experience not only for his children, but for all district five students.
“Education changed my life and my approach,” Perez said. “If I’ve been able to change one child’s life, I’ve done my job.”
In addition to honoring these three board members as their time comes to a close, the Board approved two resolutions and a list of local board-approved courses. The two resolutions both concern the $200 million bond referendum that was recently approved by voters.
The first resolution officially declared the results of the referendum, which was on the Nov. 4 General Election ballot for voters in the district. This referendum passed, with 79.8% of voters in favor.
Following the approval of this resolution, the Board also approved a resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds related to the referendum. This resolution is not an official issuance of a bond, but is a required legal step in order for the school system to issue the bonds in the future.
The funds from these bonds will be used to construct a new middle school on the southern side of the district, and to reconstruct Duncan Elementary School of the Arts and Byrnes Freshman Academy. Architects for the projects were selected at the Aug. 25 school board meeting.
The Board also heard a list of local board-approved courses, which are courses that go beyond the state courses identified by the S.C. Department of Education. The request for the board to authorize these courses comes yearly, with the only new class added this year being creative writing. The Board approved the list unanimously.
Finally, trustees recognized a fifth-grade Tyger River Elementary student, Nolan Copeland. Copeland designed the winning card for the annual Holiday Card Contest hosted by the district. His design will be printed on 2,000 cards that the district will give out.
For more information on Spartanburg District Five, visit the district’s website.
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