Auditor: 'District had a good year'

Jerry E. Halmon, Staff Reporter

Bamberg School District One had a “good year” financially with “no findings” on its 2011-2012 audit, Auditor Elizabeth Inabinet of C.C. McGregor told board members at their November 20th, school board meeting. Inabinet noted that according to the district’s Government Wide Statement the district’s assets exceeded its liabilities by approximately $9.9 million, which at June 30th represented a $754,000 increase over last year.

The district’s general fund ended the year with a $3 million fund balance or 29 percent of the general fund balance from last year. The district spent approximately $22 million out of the construction and renovation account and as of June 30th the building fund showed a balance of “a little over” $3 million.

Inabinet noted that compared to previous years, the district finished last year with a net asset balance. Revenues finished the year approximately $176,000 over what was budgeted, while expenditures were about $58,000 over what was budgeted. The district added $84,500 to the general fund balance for the year.

“That shows with no amendments to the budget, y'all did a very good job of projecting your income and expenditures for the year,” Inabinet said. The auditor also recognized the job done by district Finance Director Devon Furr. “Devon has done an excellent job with all the work going on in the district,” Inabinet said, adding, “to have everything as clean and ready for us as she did, she certainly needs to be commended for that.”

Also during the meeting, Superintendent Schwarting gave an overview of the District’s 2012 Report Card. Schwarting noted the district received an Absolute Rating of “average” meaning the district met standard. The district’s growth rating was in the “good range.” The superintendent noted that raising test scores in the “underachieving” groups of students helped to contribute to the increase in scores. “We’re closing the gap in the high school with students we’ve had problems with before,” Schwarting said.

Under staff and students recognition Superintendent Schwarting noted 149 students at BEHS were recognized at the Garnet and Black program for making the various honor rolls. Each student was given a certificate of achievement in recognition of their accomplishment. The B-E football team was recognized for finishing the season with a 10-2 record and making it to the third round of the state playoffs. B-E senior football player Nick Halmon was recognized for being selected to the North-South All Star Football Team.

It was reported that the district has received delivery of a new short activity bus, with two new larger activity buses expected after the first of the year. A recommendation by School Board Chairwoman Rita Sease to give all district employees a $100 stipend before Christmas was tabled pending more information. Board members deadlocked on the recommendation with Rita Sease and Tony Duncan voting for the stipend and board members Chris Wallace and Dr. Dale Padgett voting against the stipend pending more information.

In the public comments portion of the meeting, board members heard from a parent whose son allegedly did not receive credit for a “weightlifting class” he had taken. It was noted the class did not meet the state mandated requirements for credits and was an extracurricular activity. The course will also be taken out of the Planning Guide.

Board members heard from Betty Mack, who enquired about the status of a picture of Principal Richard Carroll that is to be restored. She was informed the photo will be restored over the holidays. Mack also wanted to know about sealed bids on items from the old RCES. She was informed that a silent auction was held.

Board members also heard a report from BEHS junior Matt Maxwell concerning all the activities the Student Council had been involved in this year. Board members commended Maxwell for all the work the B-E Student Council has been involved in this year.

South dominates North in 64th Annual All Star Game

Jerry E. Halmon, Sports Editor

The 44 players that comprised the South football Team in the 64th Annual South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association Annual North- South All Star Football Game held at Myrtle Beach High School’s Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium had heard enough. Since the time the players arrived in Myrtle Beach on Sunday, they were constantly reminded of how the North team composed of 44 players from traditional upper state powerhouse high school football programs had dominated the series for the last four years.

“We knew we had to get a win,” Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School senior safety/linebacker Nick Halmon, who started on defense for the South team, said. “We’d heard how the North team had won the last four years,” Halmon, who recorded five tackles and had a key pass breakup near the end of the game with the North team driving for a score, said after the 23-0 South win.

The first half was pretty much a defensive struggle as the two talented teams would battle to a 0-0 tie at the break. But in the second half it would be all South All Stars as Fort Dorchester’s Daitwan Commodore would score two touchdowns for the South Team and Summerville’s Jarrod Tucker would add another as the South Team pounded the North Team in the second half of the 64th Annual North- South All Star Game.

Daitwan Commodore of Fort Dorchester was named the South Team Offensive MVP and Darius Leonard of Lake View was named the South Team Defensive MVP. Asked to sum up his week as part of an elite team of athletes Halmon said: “It was a great week, I was blessed that I made the team,” Halmon said, adding, that the team practiced twice a day. He said the fun part of the week was “eating at a lot of different places, meeting different people and escorting a group of underprivileged kids on a shopping spree for Christmas.

“Going on the outing with those less fortunate kids was really special,” Halmon said. As for his performance in the game and the position he played on defense: “ I felt good, it was basically the same position I played at Bamberg- Ehrhardt, strong safety and down in the box helping with the run. All in all it was a good week.”

Other area players in the game on the South Team were: DB Jamarius Loynes from Orangeburg-Wilkinson and DT Devonte Moore from Allendale-Fairfax. Area Players on the North Team were: DL Jahmaya Jenkins from Williston-Elko.

Bamberg Board of Public Works

Mallory D. Biering, Staff Reporter

Will Martin, Bamberg Board of Public Works Manager, said he hopes the new facility at 267 Elm Street, will be open by the first of the year. At the November 29th board meeting Martin along with Chairman Marion Dwight, and Commissioner Matt Medlin, discussed the possibility of having a grand opening for the facility which will house the majority of the board's equipment, and offices for BPW employees to utilize for planning, file storage, and meeting areas.

Currently, the BPW is working out of several buildings located on opposite sides of town, rather than being able to work out of two or less locations in close distance of one another. Coverings have been added to the warehouse behind the new facility, which will allow trucks and other larger equipment to be kept out of the weather. Once the warehouse has been enclosed, which is currently being done now, equipment from the current warehouse and the facility waste water plant will be relocated to the new enclosed warehouse. Martin said the goal was to, "maximize the storage," available for BPW use. Martin also said employees are in the process of adding a "generator" that will be used in the case of a "power outage." Martin noted with a situation like a power outage, the generator will keep the facility running as it normally would.

In other areas of business:

• BPW Assistant Manager Scott Hildebrand worked on a project that was named, "Aiken's award-winning storm water initiatives continue," in a publication of the Municipal Association of South Carolina known as, 'Uptown.' The project focused on "installations [that] reduce erosion and provide the city with a smart, sustainable solution for city storm water management." Hildebrand said the project has previously won several awards.

• It was reported that Well No. 8 is down because it is currently in the process of being painted. Martin also updated the board on the dredging still being done at the waste water plant. The ponds are being drained of water until what needs to be removed is dry and free of any water.

AJA JV Girls improve

Mike Hall, Contributing Writer

In JV action on 12-6 vs. Faith Christian the Andrew Jackson Academy JV Girls improved to 3-0 on the season with a 34-9 victory over Faith Christian. Caitlin McCallister led the way with 14 points and 7 steals. In JV Boys action Faith defeated AJA 47 to 11. AJA (1-2) was led by Joseph Stanfield with 9 points.

On 12-7 vs. South Aiken Baptist Christian AJA remained undefeated with a 26-15 victory. Caitlin McCallister led the JV Lady Confederates with 16 points, 9 steals, and 8 rebounds. In the JV Boys game SABC defeated AJA 44 to 13. For AJA (1-3), Hunter Waltz had 7 points and 8 rebounds. Christian Lee added 4 points and 7 rebounds.

AJA Varsity Girls

Mike Hall, Contributing Writer

The Andrew Jackson Lady Confederates Varsity basketball team took three more wins last week improving to 6-2 on the season, while the varsity boys’ team is still looking for that elusive first win. On 12-4 the girls defeated Orangeburg Christian 57-24. AJA was led by Cassidy Hall with 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 steals. In the Varsity Boys game the Andrew Jackson Academy Varsity Boys lost a heartbreaker to Orangeburg Christian, 44-39 in overtime.

On 12-6 in Varsity girls’ action AJA defeated Faith Christian 53 to 24. The Lady Confederates were led by Kasey Mixon's 15 points and 3 steals. In the Varsity Boys game Faith Christian defeated AJA 79-37.

In Varsity action later in the week the AJA girls’ team improved with a 54-40 win over South Aiken Baptist Christian. Cassidy Hall finished with 19 points, 6 rebounds, 5 steals, and 5 assists to lead the Lady Confederates. In the Varsity Boys game SABC defeated AJA 66 to 34. AJA (0-8) was led by Michael Mathias with 12 points.