Board of Trustees

Will Summerville High School have tennis courts ready by August 1, 2025 for girl's tennis season? Could Summerville partner with County to build courts offsite, if a suitable site cannot be found on campus?

• Courts at FDHS and SHS are scheduled to be resurfaced this summer

 

Given the growing distrust in leadership and the recent exposure of questionable conduct among public officials across the country, what is this board doing to ensure that the individuals who end up on our ballots---and eventually make decisions for our children---aren't hiding criminal histories, ethical violations, or personal conduct that would disqualify them from serving responsibly? Are there any background checks or vetting systems in place, or are we just relying on candidates to be honest and hope for the best?

• School board members are elected officials pursuant to state and local legal requirements. The requirements for a person to qualify to run for the office of school board are that they reside in the geographic area represented by their office and that they submit the necessary forms and fees. Candidates can only be prevented from pursuing office if they have been convicted of a felony or an offense against election laws within the last 15 years. Once elected to office, a school board member can only be removed from that position by the Governor (see SC Code 59-10-60). Neither the Dorchester School District Two Trustees nor the district administration have authority to remove or limit the rights of any duly elected board member.

 

My question is regarding weather days out of school and weather make-up days. Weather days are essentially virtual school days in which the children must participate with all of the assignments in order to be counted "present" for the school day. Since that is the case, they are really not out of school. So, why are they forced to go to school on weather make-up days that was supposed to be a day off for them? Why not just give them the weather day off if you are adding another school day to account for the weather day anyway?

• eLearning Days are an opportunity for districts and schools to provide continuous instruction that would otherwise be postponed due to weather or other disruptive interruptions (power outages, water main breaks, etc.).
• Those eLearning districts/schools that meet the criteria for eLearning as determined by the South Carolina Department of Education may use up to 5 eLearning days.
• If we go beyond 5 elearning days, we must make up those days in person which is "why" we have built in make-up days.

 

Will middle schools in DD2 be rezoned. East Edisto students that reside closer to Oakbrook MS?

• There are no plans to rezone middle school students for the 2025-2026 school year.
• Rezoning/Re-districting will take place for the 2026-2027 school year as new school additions and/or construction is completed. No specifics of how that will look are available now. If rezoning/re-districting takes place, there will be opportunities for public input/feedback because final decisions are made and voted upon by the Board.

Are there any plans to add another high school?

• No, there are no current plans to add another high school.

 

Internet Outage

• Majority of the internet outages we have experienced have been with our provider. For example, the last internet outage was caused by someone cutting AT&T fiber lines due to construction that affected most of Dorchester County.
• However, we have had a few cases where, as a result of power failure our Uninturupted Power Supplies (UPS) failed resulting in our switces shutting down. We are working with our vendors to replace the faulty UPSs.
• We are continuing to monitoring some our aging equipment to ensure outages do not occur during school hours and to replace them.
• We will continue to communicate with schools, parents, and community members whenever Internet outages occurs.

 

Is there anyway you can advise the academic calendar for next school year and allocate weather make up days in the fall semester? By having all of our weather make up days in the spring it makes the semesters too lopsided for high school classes that are semester long.

• We did have one weather makeup day in the fall semester for our current 2024-2025 calendar on January 6, however because of the number of days missed due to the fall Hurricane, the January 6 weather makeup day became a regular school day.
• The 2025-2026 school calendar has already was approved November 11, 2024 and shared with students, families, and the community does not include any fall semester weather makeup days.
• We will make sure this consideration is shared with the Calendar Committee as it begins considerations for the 2026-2027 school calendar.

 

Now that Shane Robbins is gone, is there any discussion on going back to the traditional school schedule and giving these kids their Summer back? Transitioning between breaks makes our teachers' jobs more difficult and finding intermittent child care is equally as difficult as well as very expensive. What have we gained with additional breaks and a shorter summer?

• We are required by law for students to attend 180 days.
• In the past, we have had one week at Thanksgiving and two weeks for Christmas.
• The only days that have been added are the 3 days for a Fall Break for both students and teachers after the first 9 weeks.
• The same calendar exists for the 2025-2026 school year.
• However, we can take this information back to our calendar committee for discussion when developing the 2026-2027 calendar.

 

When are we going to stop forcing our kids to stare at a screen all day? Countless studies prove that kids simply don't learn as well we teach from a laptop.

• Digital learning is one of the tools teachers use to help students learn. The amount of screen time depends on the student's age, the subject, and what's being taught.
• Younger kids have shorter screen time and do a lot of hands-on and group activities. Older students use technology more because it helps them do research, take notes, and work on projects with others. It also helps teachers give extra help to students who need it.
• When used in a blended approach, technology can make learning more fun, more personal, and more connected to the real world. It helps students get ready for the future, where computers and digital tools are a big part of life.
• DD2 has added a new team of Instructional Technology Speciatlists that will be providing teachers with new and better strategies of integrating technology into learning.

Educators around the world have conducted many studies on the topic of screen time as well as technology use in education at large. These published research has informed educators regarding best practices. DD2 relies on findings in these studies to guide us regarding best practices. You can find some of these Peer-Reviewed journal articles at this federal repository of global educational resources. ERIC - Search Results.

 

Lack of communication from transportation regarding changes in bus schedule

• We communicate as fast as we get information due to Bus Drivers calling out or buses have mechanical issues or accidents.

 

Hello. I greatly appreciate the open acknowledgement of diversity and inclusion that is shown at DD2 schools. Do you expect any impact to funding or any cutbacks to DEI policies?

• The District continues to monitor and comply with all federal, state, and local laws while best supporting our students. Currently, the District is not aware of any anticipated reductions in funding relative to this specific matter.

 

Why was the money & time spent on student IDs and it is not required for students to use them for transportation, school, sports?

• IDs are used for lunch and other extra curricular activities. Parents are strongly encouraged to have their students IDs for buses so they can track their students whereabouts during transition to and from home. Our struggling students face a lot of hurdles during a school day so we want to be careful not to overload them.

 

How do we keep our school buses safe when the driver can't deny someone entry without their ID?

• When the flashing lights come on at a bus stop, all students become our responsibility. Driver IPADs have access to student information and pictures, if a picture is not available school should be notified.

 

There has been much discussion about the new elementary school in the ponds. However, what about the other elementary that is supposed to be being built with the passing of the latest referendum?

• The Yerby Tract is where the other elementary school is to be built.
  • The housing development is just getting started with their build out, in which they are starting in the front.
  • The area that was designated for a school is located in the back of the development where we currently do not have access.
  • More information to come.

 

Why don't the buses have sponsors like the schools do?

• This is an avenue we have not explored to date. Thank you for sharing this idea with us. We are open to exploring the possibility of sponsorships.

 

My concern is with schools requiring a 24 hour notice to come to school to observe my child, even you have a form on file for observation. It comes across as the staff are preparing for the visit and the things parents are observing are not in the daily routines. It also make me uncomfortable as a parent to send my child to school as i have no idea of what's going on once they get off the bus and walk into class.

• The 24-hour notice for classroom observations is in place to ensure that your visit is productive, respectful of all students' privacy, and does not disrupt instruction.
• This notice gives teachers time to prepare for your visit, secure any necessary permissions, and make sure your visit aligns with classroom schedules as sometimes schedules change. We want your visit to be one that allows you to observe your child in a way that reflects a typical day, while also maintaining a respectful learning environment for all students.
• Teachers also provide newsletters and other information via Parent Square and handouts regarding what's happening at school and in classes.
• Please schedule a time to meet with your child's principal as we want all parents to feel comfortable while their children are in the care of our schools.

 

Why and or when can the district/transportation start a positive reinforcement program for excellent student behavior on the bus instead of negative attention and write ups?

• Elementary, Middle and High have positive reinforcements built into their school programs, such as PBIS, Capturing Kids Hearts, and Renaissance several times a year.
• This allows the reinforcement program for the bus to align to the school program instead of a separate one.

 

When can we have at least 3 to 5 paid holidays per year?

• Holidays are given to employees as non-work days

 

Why is the trend to pay someone a year salary for not working?

• Special circumstances regarding a contract, not a trend.

 

Does the board really need a school superintendent?

• Absolutely!

 

Why are your meetings set at a time when lots of people are barely getting off work?

• The time is set to best accommodate the traditional work day and not be too late as to be a barrier to students and families as they prepare for dinner, evening activities, and the next school day.

 

As a bus driver for DD2 I have serious concerns in regards to what schools are doing to handle the ongoing issues of parents not complying with the rules set forth to receive their children off the bus when a parent is required. On any given day, we have parents snatching the children of the bus and it seems like they are not being held accountable. As drivers, we are the ones that are charged with making sure these children are going to the correct individuals. What can we put in place in the future to make sure that parents are held accountable?

• School Administration and Transportation handle these cases. Parents have been conferenced, charged and put on trespass notice.

 

How are Gifted and Talented students served in 5th grade? What strategies are used to challenge them, and how does their curriculum differ from that of regular classes?

• Students receive differentiated services through a "special class" model (SC Regulation 43-2220) third grade through high school.
• GATE teachers are state endorsed in gifted and talented education. The state endorsement courses are two graduate level classes that assist teachers in recognizing and understanding the unique learning and social emotional needs associated with the academically gifted.
• Teachers implement differentiated instructional experiences through acceleration (depth, complexity, and/or abstract thinking) in order to challenge the minds of the academically gifted.
• Fifth grade GATE classes use specialized curricula to support these learning goals.

 

I am unable to see the info sent on text messages. I guess a "smart phone" is needed. How can I gain access through "conventional" means without a "smart phone" i prefer the USPS but have a computer and email?

• ParentSquare does not require a smartphone. You can access and use ParentSquare through the ParentSquare website on any computer or device with a web browser. The mobile app is available for iOS and Android smartphones, it is not mandatory. You can still access all ParentSquare features and functionality through the web platform.
• Please contact your school for assistance.

 

Will you all provide tutoring throughout the school year for all grades?

• Schools provide tutoring when available based on students' needs, available funding, and current data.

 

I am new to the teaching profession; therefore I am unsure whether my question is appropriate for this format. I have been doing some reading in the area of school size. My understanding is that the size of the schools DD2 is planning to build is larger than what research indicates is best for student outcomes. I work at RISE, and therefore the mental health of our students is always a concern for me. Is it possible for the board to address the reason the district is investing in large schools, given the current research?

• The existing literature and research provides conflicting perspectives on what size schools should be.
• Cost is a major factor as building a new school is very expensive.
• For us to have more schools based on size, it will require us to have additional costs to maintain additional facilities with our limited resources.
• According to the research from John Hattie, the biggest effect on student outcomes is Collective Teacher Efficacy.

 

Why do these matter? You're going to make your own decisions anyway! It's all political.

• Town halls are important to the Board because they create a space for open, two-way communication with the community. Our regular Board meetings do not allow for this.
• These meetings allow board members to:
  • Listen directly to parents, students, staff, and residents, which helps us understand concerns, answer questions, and learn about issues that might not come up in regular School Board meetings.
  • Build trust and transparency by showing we are accessible and willing to engage in honest conversations.
  • Explain decisions and policies in a clear, personal way, helping the community better understand the reasoning behind them.
  • Gather ideas and feedback that can shape future planning, budgets, and programs in ways that reflect the community's needs.
  • Your voice matters, and town halls are one of the most important ways we can ensure it is heard.

 

Why is there no longer any communication if the bus is a double back? District transport email address used in the past doesn't work. App has no messages. Bus 231 (FDES) has been a double back for weeks.

• We will share this concern with Transportation and the school principal to address.

 

What is being done to restore a normal schedule to the schools. Ending early every Wednesday is very disruptive. The summers have also gotten way too short. For comparison: ours is May 30 - August 6 my sister's district is May 22 - August 14. Thank you

• We have a calendar committee made up of representatives from all Stakeholders who work together to create a rough draft. The rough draft Calendar goes through our Parent Liaison, Teacher Liaison, District Office Staff, and Building level Principals to a recommendation to the School Board, who ultimately approves the final Calendar.

 

I have questions on why afterschool cost? Some families can't afford it but some families also work late and need the kids to go. I just don't understand why it can't be free or a little cheaper.

• We cannot afford to provide this program without charging families because it is self-sustaining, as we have to pay for staff, supplies, materials, and activities.
• When you break down the cost:
  • $20 per day for 4 hours = $5 per hour
• This afterschool program is something extra that DD2 has chosen to provide our parents and employees.
• All neighboring county daycares charge a fee.

 

Why are the school grounds closed to the public after school hours and on weekends? In every other state I've lived in they are open as public parks for use by the community. Thank you

• Safety and Supervision (Liability)

 

Why is bullying being continually swept under the rug?

• DD2 is always looking at best practices when it comes to our policies, processes, and procedures for student-safety. Topics include and not limited to are the following: drug awareness, bullying/cyberbullying, digital citizenship and conflict resolution.
• The district policy and accompanying rule outlines the procedures for harrassment, intimidation, and bullying.
  • Policy JICFAA  https://boardpolicyonline.com/?b=dorchester&s=254462
  • Administrative Rule JICFAA-R  https://boardpolicyonline.com/?b=dorchester&s=254463
•  

Will DD2 employees get a pay increase?

• The Board of Trustees and district administration is committed to giving pay raises to all employees of DD2.
• We are "right sizing" the district and working with county officials for additional millage to be able to give as many dollars to those that are dedicated to working with the students of DD2.

 

How are you working to bridge the gap from K-2, when only 34% of kids in 3rd grade are reading on a 3rd grade level?

• Last year in DD2, 61.5% of 3^rd grade students met or exceeded state expectations in ELA on SC-Ready.
• We are doing many things to continue to improve literacy in primary grades.
  • LETRS training for all K-3 teachers
  • Implementing best practices in Science of Reading
  • Updating assessments to align with instructional practices
  • Offering Summer Reading Camp to 2^nd and 3^rd grade qualifying students (will extend this to 1^st grade students in the future)
  • Implementing new state standards to include foundational literacy skills as well as a state-adopted curriculum that supports these instructional practices
• We are also revising our Multi-Tiered System of Supports to ensure interventions are in place for students as early as kindergarten if a student struggles with literacy.

 

The kids do not get the support of the teachers at Summerville high and not enough notice to get support on outside educational health

• Please contact the principal and administration at SHS to get your child the support needed to be successful.

 

How can I run for the school board or at least volunteer on a committee?

• To run for school board seat, you must reside in one of the seven districts. Please go to the Dorchester County website to get more specific information.
  • Please attend board meetings to learn more about DD2 and how to get involved.
• If you would like to volunteer, you can do it by the following:
  • Parent-Teacher Organizations at a school is the best place to start.
    • Schools have different committees to be a part of to help with school improvement.

It is my understanding that the district has a hiring freeze in place right now. Is there an estimation for when that might end? Because of the budget cuts, my department had to eliminate a position, and mine was the one eliminated as I was only on a letter of intent. I would like to stay within district, if possible, but other schools are telling me that they are under a hiring freeze.

• Dorchester School District Two does not have a hiring freeze. Each school/department has a set number of allocations or positions. These may change from year to year based on current student enrollment and projected enrollment for the upcoming year. Sometimes this means an addition of positions for school and sometimes it means a reduction of positions.
• Actual student enrollment for the 2024-2025 is 1000 less than original projected for growth and 595 students did not return. This means schools were allocated for almost 1600 students that are not in the district.
• For the 2025-2026 school year, the budget process requires right-sizing of school allocations. Right-sizing may mean an addition of positions in some schools/department as well as reductions in others.

 

How and when will the district assist substitute teachers in pursuing further career opportunities via training, mentorship, and pathways to full-time positions including professional development, establishing clear career advancement opps, through pathway programs in partnership with universities and building supportive community through buddy systems and networks?

• We now conduct clearance interviews with all substitute applicants where we can engage in conversations about long-term professional goals.
• We currently provide initial professional development to all new hire subs in person.
• Personnel has information about alternative certification pathways listed on our district website.
• Dorchester Two partners with CERRA to provide guidance on steps to becoming a certified teacher.
• The Personnel Department conducts several recruitment events throughout the year where substitutes and part-time employees can seek full-time employment.
• The Personnel Team is always available to speak and discuss individual career goals for advancement within DD2.

 

What impact does DEI have on student's education, especially Special Education/students w/IEPs

• The District continues to monitor and comply with all federal, state, and local laws while best supporting our students. Currently, the District is not aware of any anticipated reductions in funding relative to this specific matter.

 

Why do thousands of students all have lunch @ once. There should be 4 different periods for lunch. It's absolutely ridiculous! Go back to the old days when students enjoyed eating a nice lunch & the reg classes weren't an hour & a half long. The new system @ SHS is awful. Other schools have designated lunch periods.

• ILT has been used at all three high schools for approximately 9 years. It allows students to seek academic help during the school day. Many of our students and families cannot come before or after school to get help. Having one lunch period has reduced discipline infractions due to less transitions and lunch periods. Traditional Schedule had students spending more time in halls transitioning than in any class period.

 

My kids wanted to go on vacation with friends and family during their spring break, but it wasn't possible, because Dorchester Two spring break was just too early. If possible can 2025-2026 spring break be after the Easter weekend, if not the weekend before Easter?

• The 2025 -- 2026 school calendar has already been approved.
• We will take this information and share with the calendar committee that helps decide the 2026-2027 school calendar.

 

A student was expelled last year at ROMS for being is hand gun to school. My question is why has this student been re admitted to ROMS and not sent to a different school?

• We are not able to discuss specific student information and discipline due to FERPA.

 

My daughter broke her arm at while at school and I never received a phone call. She then had to ride the bus home with broken arm. Reached out to the district and school and basically was just brushed under the rug and no email response. So my question is what would you have done if it were your child?

• Contact the principal of the school
• Contact the District Grade Level Director for the school

 

How does the board plan to address the immediate pay disparity between Dorchester District 2 and neighboring districts like Charleston and Berkeley County, especially considering the growing teacher shortage and the need to retain high-quality educators in our schools?

• The Board of Trustees and district administration is committed to giving pay raises to all employees of DD2.
• We are "right sizing" the district.
  • We have absorbed 52 positions from elementary, middle school, high school, and district office for this upcoming year's budget to give all the dedicated and loyal employees of DD2 a pay increase.
  • We are NOT eliminating positions but absorbing teaching positions when people leave.
  • We will still have to hire, as we typically hire about 300 people to start each school year on average.
• The Charleston and Berkely school boards have the fiscal autonomy to raise the millage to increase their funding to pay their teachers, administrators, and support staff higher salaries.
• The DD2 Board of Trustees does NOT have the fiscal autonomy to raise the millage.
• DD2 board of trustees must work with County Officials to get a millage increase to help with paying our staff higher salaries.

 

What research has been conducted and reviewed on the EXTENSIVE use of computers as student's primary method of learning? I am concerned about my child staring at a screen all day long in a non-ergonomic environment for 20+ hours a week. This is especially concerning when considering the spines of our rapidly growing young children. I realize Covid led us down this path, but will DD2 ever return to traditional instruction models?

(as previously stated above) Digital learning is one of the tools teachers use to help students learn. The amount of screen time depends on the student's age, the subject, and what's being taught.

• Younger kids have shorter screen time and do a lot of hands-on and group activities. Older students use technology more because it helps them do research, take notes, and work on projects with others. It also helps teachers give extra help to students who need it.
• When used in a blended approach, technology can make learning more fun, more personal, and more connected to the real world. It helps students get ready for the future, where computers and digital tools are a big part of life.
• DD2 has added a new team of Instructional Technology Specialists that will be providing teachers with new and better strategies of integrating technology into learning.
• As to how much research- it has been extensive over the years. Both the pros and cons have been identified. There has also been a lot of studies that have been conducted to provide best ideas for practice. In DD2, ETS uses these research to inform how teachers integrate technology into daily students learning. One place to find Peer Reviewed researched articles on the subject is: ERIC - Search Results.

 

Could we please get a police officer at the traffic light coming out onto patriot to hold the cars and allow the buses to keep moving so we don't get stuck in all the traffic. Everywhere I've worked in the past 30 years we have never had issues like this. There's always been safety patrol officers to hold traffic to allow buses to keep rolling once they come out of the schools. This is definitely a big problem.

• We will share this request with our Director of Safety and Security.

My specific concern/question is…

I am a masters level social worker who is looking to relocate to SC. Specifically Summerville. I am interested in becoming a part of Dorchester County School department district in the capacity of Social Worker and or School Counselor. Are there positions open at this time.

Personnel has located Ms. Matuella’s application & has spoken with her directly. 

Currently vacancies are available on Applitrack which is accessible via the district’s webpage: https://www.ddtwo.org/district/join-our-team

 

My specific concern/question is…

We need better communication to families entering into DD2 schools. As a parent of a child entering into Kindergarten it has been very difficult finding any information about the new year. Parents are told to visit multiple social media platforms, the DD2 page and school pages but there has not been sufficient information supplied on any of these sites. Parents need a way to be informed in one localized spot about events and what they are. New parents have no access to the specific apps either. "Facts and Fees" may be straight forward to some but new parents do not know what this entails. Additionally, parents need information on how and when they will be sent information about the school year at the time of registration. An email with important dates, what to expect, the websites to look at etc would be extremely helpful even. We provide all of our contact information during registration but it is not utilized. Thank you for taking the time to read this concern. I believe quality communication builds the best foundation to prepare kids for new experiences, especially nervous kindergartners.

The section for New Students on our DD2 webpage for Registration provides information from the district level regarding new student information. Each elementary school will provide additional school specific information at Facts & Fees.  We can certainly share these opportunities for improvement with our elementary schools so they can ensure consistent and seamless communication for all families. 

 

My specific concern/question is…

How is our district continuing to research and invest in cyber security moving forward? With ever changing technologies, how is our district team keeping up with advances and keeping our children safe at school and beyond?

DD2 has heavily invested in defending the district against cyberattacks.  We have purchased equipment that allows our cybersecurity team to defend against cyberattacks.  Additionally, DD2 security team has been providing the district employees with training  regarding best practices online including randomly conducting phishing campaigns.  DD2 has also parnered with the South Carolina Cyberseecurity Infrastructure unit of SLED and the FBI and other national organizations.  Our team is constantly working with both private and government groups to stay current and get guidance.

 

My specific concern/question is…

Being that the 2025-2026 school year is about to begin for DD2, what can we do about students wearing school uniforms for the upcoming school year(s). With the price of everything going up, to help parents financially, could this be an option?

Currently, Dorchester School District Two does not require school uniforms as part of its student dress code. However, families are welcome to choose uniform-style clothing for their students if they find it more affordable or convenient.

 

My specific concern/question is…

Non-resident attendance is causing overcrowding. Why are students outside of DD2 (i.e. Ridgeville) allowed to attend Ashley Ridge High School when they do not pay county taxes that contribute to our schools.  We are essentially paying taxes for them to benefit from the school’s programs

We understand the concern regarding school capacity and the perceived financial impact of non-resident students attending Dorchester School District Two schools. It’s important to clarify how our schools are funded:

State Funding: The majority of funding for Dorchester School District Two, on average about 70%, comes from the state, based on student enrollment and specific student educational needs.

Local Taxes: The remaining 30% typically comes from local taxes. However, under Act 388, homeowners do not pay local property taxes on their primary residences that directly fund school operations. Only taxes on vehicles, watercraft, secondary homes, rental properties, and businesses and industry contribute to local school funding.

In regard to student enrollment from outside the district, as a practice Dorchester Two does not permit students from outside the Dorchester Two zone to attend our schools with the exception of those students whose parents are active duty military.

We continue to monitor enrollment and building capacities closely, and we value community input as we evaluate our policies. If space becomes limited, the district can make adjustments, including placing caps on transfer approvals to protect instructional quality and minimize overcrowding as a result of non-resident student attendance.

 

My specific concern/question is…

Does the School board have an opinion on the proposed apartment  complex across the street from Flowertown elementary?

Community development near our schools is an important topic that we monitor closely. At this time, the Dorchester School District Two Board of Trustees has not taken an official position on the proposed apartment complex across from Flowertown Elementary. However, district staff and leadership are aware of the proposal and are actively reviewing its potential implications.

We recognize that residential developments can have significant impacts on:

·         Additional housing often leads to increased enrollment at nearby schools. Flowertown Elementary, like all DD2 schools, is closely monitored for capacity and long-term growth.

·         The district shares concerns about traffic congestion, student safety during arrival and dismissal, and general access to the school campus. We routinely communicate with county planning departments and local municipalities to raise these concerns when new developments are proposed near school zones.

·         Our facilities and operations team works in coordination with local government to plan ahead for infrastructure changes and evaluate when boundary or facility adjustments may be necessary.

We encourage families and community members to participate in public planning or zoning meetings where this development will be discussed, as this is often where final decisions are made. The school district will continue to advocate for what is best for our students, staff, and school communities.

 

My specific concern/question is…

Will there be new rezoning again?

 

Rezoning students within a school district is a common strategy used by School Boards and district leaders to balance enrollment, address overcrowding, promote equity, and better use available resources.  It is probable that the district will look at rezoning as our community dynamics continue to change and we bring on new Schools.

 

My specific concern/question is…

Why do elementary school kids have computers? What studies show that effective learning happens with computer based learning? Is this saving money utilizing and updating these computers?

Both national and international research shows that technology (not just computers) can enhance teaching and learning in all levels when used appropritely.  DD2 has a team of Instructional Technoloy Specialist that train our teachers, students, and administrators on the best practices for integrating technology into teaching and learning. You can go to the Institute of Education Sciences (https://eric.ed.gov) website and search for articles on the topic. DD2 has adopted the use of Chromebooks for students because of cost effectiveness without loosing the learning benefits computers give them.  Our rotation circle is 3 – 4 years based on the type of warranty we signed with the manufacturer.

 

My specific concern/question is…

I’d like to ask about compensation practices across grade levels. Currently, high school and middle school teachers receive pay when they cover colleagues’ classes. Elementary teachers do not. Will the board consider extending this compensation to elementary educators in the 2025–2026 school year?”

It’s true that in middle and high schools, teachers are typically compensated when they cover a colleague’s class during their designated planning period. However, elementary schools function differently in structure and scheduling, which impacts how coverage is handled and why compensation practices may not be the same.

Elementary planning time usually occurs during Art, Music, PE, and teachers are responsible for escorting students to and from those classes.

Coverage for a colleague’s absence may involve splitting students among multiple classrooms or combining classes, rather than a single teacher covering during a set planning time.

To address coverage needs more effectively, each elementary school is assigned a full-time school-based substitute teacher, available on campus each day.

Because of these unique differences, the elementary model does not allow for as straightforward a coverage-and-compensation system as is used at the secondary level.

We are always open to reviewing current practices to ensure they are supportive and fair. If there is a specific situation or concern regarding coverage and compensation, we encourage staff to begin by discussing it with their school principal, who will then consult with the Grade Level Director at the district level.

 

My specific concern/question is…

1) What are schools doing in Dorchester to control Costumes in the school, specifically “Furry” store? 2) How are the schools managing the ordering of workbooks for the school year and the waste we are seeing in the school with those workbooks not being used? Why are we spending money on supplies that aren’t being used? My child brings home unused workbooks at the end of every school year. This is a big concern..

 

In regard to the portion of this question about  “furry” costumes in schools, this is not a  significant issue that has been seen in  Dorchester School District Two. Our  district maintains board policy  JICA and JICA-R which address student dress. This policy clearly defines appropriate student dress for schools. This policy includes a requirement staff members must be able to recognize the identity of students and ensures that school administration can take action when student attire has the potential to cause a disruption to learning or student safety.

 

My specific concern/question is…

Will the attendance policy be reviewed for the coming year? Giving kids 5 days no matter if they are excused or not is a bit extreme. Some kids can be sick for more than a day or two especially considering it is recommended that a child running a fever wait 24 hours before returning to school.

Under South Carolina State Board of Education rules and state law, students enrolled in credit‑bearing courses must earn a minimum of 120 instructional hours per Carnegie unit to receive course credit, regardless of academic performance. All absences—including excused, unexcused, medical, etc.—count toward this limit, with limited exceptions such as school‑sponsored field trips, documented college visits (up to three per semester), or extracurricular activities.

If there are verified medical reasons, serious illness, or other extenuating circumstances, parents may appeal to the principal along with documentation (e.g., physician’s notes, court documentation, etc.).

 

My specific concern/question is…

Homecoming and Watson Hill neighborhoods are building more houses daily. How are the new students that are all designed for Beech Hill going to be accommodated when BHES is over capacity currently? Has there been consideration to update the school boundaries considering these huge new neighborhoods that are growing so quickly?

Rezoning students within a school district is a common strategy used by School Boards and district leaders to balance enrollment, address overcrowding, promote equity, and better use available resources.  It is probable that the district will look at rezoning as our community dynamics continue to change and we bring on new Schools.

 

My specific concern/question is…

Is DD2 still merging with DD4? If so, when will that take place?

While there was discussion from State Representatives concerning merging the two school districts, a formal bill was not filed during the 2025 legislative session. 

 

My specific concern/question is…

https://www.besureconsulting.com/ If your district were given the opportunity to provide free, nationally recognized training for your SROs focused on preventing school violence and improving student outcomes, would you be open to partnering with Be Sure Consulting to deliver this training? This training has already occurred in North Charleston with fantastic results.

 

SROs in Dorchester School District Two are employed and trained by their respective law enforcement agencies (Summerville Police Department, Dorchester County Sheriff's  Office, and the North Charleston Police Department). Any recommendations for training should be  provided to those agencies for consideration.

 

My specific concern/question is…

What specific steps/policies or actions do you have in place for bullying? My son will be a new 6th grader and there have been constant rumors/conversations about bullying at AMS. I want to assure my son that he will be safe and protected while attending school. Is there a particular person that a student can contact while at school? Is there someone in particular that a parent can contact? Bullying is a huge problem that trickles down into many areas of a students life and my husband and I want to know that it’s being addressed/prioritized and that as parents we have specific recourse if an issue occurs to protect our son.

We recognize that bullying is a serious concern that can impact a student’s emotional well-being, academic success, and overall sense of safety. Dorchester School District Two is committed to creating safe, respectful, and inclusive school environments, and we have specific policies, procedures, and personnel in place to address bullying at all grade levels.

Dorchester School District Two follows Policy JICFAA – Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying, which defines bullying and outlines required procedures for reporting, investigating, and addressing incidents.

Students are encouraged to report bullying to any trusted adult at school, including teachers, counselors, administrators, or staff members.

Parents are always welcome to contact the school if there’s a concern. At AMS, you can reach out to:

·         The principal

·         Your child’s grade-level assistant principal

·         The assigned school counselor

Concerns are documented, investigated, and addressed according to district protocols. Parents will be kept informed throughout the process and are encouraged to stay in communication with school leadership.

We are glad your son will be joining the AMS family and want to assure you that we take student safety and bullying prevention seriously. If at any time you feel your child is not being protected or a concern is not addressed appropriately, please escalate it to school administration or the district office.

 

My specific concern/question is…

Will this be event be streamed for those not able to attend in person?
 

The Town Hall events are not currently livestreamed; however, all board and committee meetings are livestreamed and available on our website.

 

My specific concern/question is…

I am wondering why school is starting so early when South Carolina Code of Laws §59-1-425 mandates that public schools must start after the third Monday in August. I know the exemption is if the school is operating year around, however, these schools are not. If the law requires the school to start no earlier than the 3rd Monday in August, will this be adjusted?

 

The reference to the statute is correct; however, the state department  of education has indicated that modified year around calendars may   take a variety of forms.  For the 2025-2026 school year, Dorchester School District Two has opted for a modified calendar  which would begin the school year earlier than the third Monday in August but allow for additional breaks throughout the school year.

 

The District forms a calendar committee, comprised of parents and staff, to draft proposed calendars for Board approval. If you are interested in participating in or providing feedback to this committee, I would encourage you to reach out to the Community Relations Office.

 

My specific concern/question is…

Will the School Board remove the district policy preventing parents from viewing their students completed assessments?

There is not a district policy preventing parents from viewing student assignments.  There are, however, procedures in place for secure assignments (some test, quizzes, assessments, projects, etc.) to have limited access after administration to ensure security guidelines. 

 

My specific concern/question is…

Will the School Board require the district to stop using AI/stop allowing teachers to use AI to write assessments and homework? There were many problematic questions last year that were unreasonable. The use of AI to grade the assessments and homework also lead to many answers graded erroneously on both.

Artificial Intelligence (AI), although not a new technology/concept, was popularized by the announcement of the ChatGPT.  In theory, AI is used to some extent in all software applications today.  Regarding specific uses of AI, DD2 is currently studying the broad use of AI in education with the intent of establishing a guiding policy for use among teachers, students, and administrators.  DD2 has been looking at different models that have the potential to assist teachers and help students learn while eliminating the cons associated with AI.