Jasper Co. School District leaders discuss future after state takeover

JASPER COUNTY, SC. (WTOC) - We heard from the new interim superintendent of the Jasper County School District for the first time since the state took over.

She, along with the state superintendent, met with city and business leaders to discuss their future for the district following the state takeover.

Those groups met at Palmetto Electric in Hardeeville.

It brought together principals, students, business leaders, and city officials to talk about what’s ahead for the district and how each group can help in the process.

“We have coined the mantra lately that we are making progress over perfection, and we know that over the years, we have continuously made progress,” Ridgeland Elementary Principal, Renata Johnson-Green said. “With your support, we can’t go anywhere but up.”

This meeting comes following the state’s takeover of the district after the state school board deemed Jasper County Schools a “financial emergency” after allegations of fraud and criminal activity against a former superintendent came to light.

“We have to understand what the goals, desires, and needs of the community are to understand how we best can come alongside and reach those ambitious goals that we have for our students here in Jasper County,” South Carolina State Superintendent, Ellen Weaver said.

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The district school board was dissolved, and now it’s Dr. Hickson’s job to rebuild the district.

She says the priority needs to be making sure that students and teachers at every school have a safe place to learn and teach.

The second is making sure each student gets quality education, and lastly is building trust throughout the community and in the schools.

Especially when it comes to telling people how their money is being spent within the school district.

“We want to start to put systems, processes, and procedures in place for our finances. We want to make sure we have accountability in place and just want to make sure that we are prudent with taxpayers’ monies,” said Dr. Hickson.

She says some of those processes are already in place.

“For travel, procedures are in place for purchasing any type of supply or any contract services,” Dr. Hickson said.

If you missed this strategic session, don’t worry, they will host one on Tuesday in Ridgeland and will then start to hold monthly meetings to discuss their progress in the schools and provide updates on the district’s finances.