Batesburg-Leesville Elementary Schools’ turnaround plan was approved by school board members at its latest meeting. This came after the school received an overall rating of below average.

The South Carolina Department of Education requires all schools with unsatisfactory or below-average ratings to submit turnaround plans outlining strategies for addressing areas of weakness and improving performance.

The turnaround plan focuses on three main areas: academic achievement, student progress and English learners’ progress.

School report cards are scored in four main areas: academic achievement, student progress, English learning students’ progress and school climate.

In the 2023-24 school year, Batesburg-Leesville received a rating of 13.25 out of 35 points in academic achievement, 12.86 out of 35 points in student progress, 1.76 out of 10 points in English learning student progress and 8.03 out of 10 points in school climate.

To improve academic performance, the school has divided student progress and academic achievement into two categories: math and English. For math, goals consist of data meeting opportunities with administrators, teachers, interventionists and instructional coaches; personalized learning and small group instruction to elevate math understanding and professional development in I-ready assessments for teachers.

In English achievement, the school will improve writing with thinking maps, offer professional development for teachers and provide personalized learning and small group sessions to help identify and address challenges.

To see growth and improvement in performance for multilingual students, the plan includes assessing strategies and content, addressing language gaps, providing additional support to students, having teachers engage in professional development and encouraging collaboration between multilingual teachers and general education teachers.

Strategies discussed at this meeting include tracking students' progress in math and reading, providing students with 40 minutes each week of personalized instruction with math and English, and having teachers participate in multiple I-Ready professional development sessions.

Additionally, teachers, administrators and instructional coaches will have reading and math meetings each month to discuss student progress, achievement and academic performance.

Time throughout the school day will also be utilized to address students’ personalized goals and teachers will submit their small group plans to administration. Schools will also receive schoolwide writing instructional support.

In other news

School board members signed the South Carolina Schools Boards Association (SCSBA) ethical principles poster, committing to uphold the principles and improve public education in their community.

Gariane Gunter, a school board member, was recognized for her 15 years of service in Lexington Three. She was awarded a certificate of achievement and a lapel pin from the School Board Association.

Superintendent Ashley Atkinson presented his report, where he recognized Adrain McDade, who was recently hired as the new director of child nutrition. Atkinson also discussed upcoming district events.

On Jan. 17 at 6 p.m., the new gym at Batesburg-Leesville High School will host its first-ever Heritage Hoops event, where they will celebrate and recognize special guests. The Batesburg-Leesville Primary School and High School will host an open house on Jan. 30 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event will showcase the construction projects and facility upgrades made possible by the 2020 bond referendum.

The next school board meeting will be held on Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. at the district office, located at 338 West Columbia Ave. in Batesburg-Leesville.