By Betsy Finklea
The Dillon County Board of Education discussed several matters at their meeting recently.
The board opened their meeting with a brief update on the school construction projects followed by an executive session on a legal matter.
After exiting executive session, expenditures were approved upon a motion by board member Jimmy Sweatt and a second by board member Nancy G. Finklea. All approved. Chairman Richard Schafer said that the bills in the Dillon County schools  have to come through the Board of Education office and that the county board has to approve all expenses. He said that the board members have a right to review anything they sign for.
Bank bids for 90 days for the passbook savings in excess of $1 million were received from First Citizens Bank, First Bank, and the Local Government Investment Pool. The Local Government Investment Pool won  the bid with a rate of .2042. Motion was made by Sweatt and second by board member John Best. All approved.
Lisa Bethea gave the Attendance Supervisor’s report.
ATEC Director Jerry Strickland said they had a tour set up for Dillon High School on February 28th. The Nail Technician Program has begun. There are 16 students in this program in the morning and 13 in the afternoon. Strickland said it was off to a good start. Strickland said that Daquan McRae was accepted into the NASCAR school.  Strickland said enrollment was picking up and was better than he thought it would be. He said some of the Alternative School students had been sent back to their schools.
The proposed workforce center was discussed. Chairman Richard Schafer said the center was a key element to the potential success of economic development. He said they were working on a way to employ people in Dillon. He said the center addresses everything we need to be successful in industrial development. Dr. John Kirby said that a key element at this center was the ability to be able to get  dual credit—both high school and college. Dr. Kirby said he is not sure where the funding would come from for the center. Four visiting young adults, who were in attendance, spoke about their personal situation and the challenges they had faced in the workforce.
Doug Broome presented the Business Manager’s report.
At the next meeting, plans are to review the audits and to receive mid-year budget updates.