Prior to the July Bamberg County School Board District One meeting Monday night, several district residents expressed concerns about a reported name change to Richard Carroll Primary and Elementary Schools. Apparently, it was reported that the board, in the wake of the closing of the Ehrhardt Elementary School, had decided to rename the two historic schools to Bamberg Ehrhardt Elementary and Bamberg Ehrhardt Primary respectively.

Bamberg District One Chairman, Dr. Dale Padgett, reassured the residents that as long as he was on the board there would be no name changes to the schools. According to Padgett, if the board had intended to change the school names, it would have had to been finalized by June 30th. That deadline has passed.

During public comments after the meeting, Virgie Bamberg, a graduate of Richard Carroll, expressed her appreciation of the boards consideration of the Richard Carroll school alumni and mentioned that in the future it would be helpful if when things are reported in error the board have a retraction printed to avoid undue community distress.

Betty Mack expressed concern about former board member Sherry Seigler's residency in the school district. Seigler turned in her resignation earlier this week due to a recent move to Lexington. Mack expressed concern as to exactly how long Seigler served on the board after her move, and asked for specifics from the board.

Superintendent Phyllis Schwarting told Mack that she had no way of knowing exactly when the move took place and that there were extenuating circumstances. She reassured Mack that the district’s attorneys were aware of situation and that the district is following their advice in the matter.

Schwarting also said that the district has 90 days from the date of the resignation of a board member to fill a vacant seat and that a special election for the Ehrhardt seat would be held on Election Day in November.

In other board meeting business:

• Schwarting announced that there would be a training workshop for substitute teachers on August 7th from 9am-12noon. Anyone wishing to substitute in the district that does not have a teaching certificate must complete the workshop. Schwarting also express that there was a need for substitutes and asked that anyone interested contact the district office.
• The board also approved a Bond Resolution to help fund unexpected repairs for the schools during the coming year.
• The board approved first reading of a policy to address the proper discipline of students with disabilities.