Top recent storylines from Sumter School District

NEW STATE CELLPHONE BAN GOES TO LOCAL LEVEL

On Sept. 3, the state Board of Education finalized a new model policy that bans South Carolina public school students from using their cellphones or other personal devices during the school day.

Local school districts, including Sumter, have about four months to adopt the policy, and the ban requirement will go into effect statewide in January.

District leaders will also have some decisions of their own to make. The state board's policy bans students from accessing their personal devices from their arrival to school until afternoon dismissal, but it leaves districts with flexibility in how they would like to enforce the ban and discipline students who may break it.

At the local level, the state Board of Education's new model policy will initially go to Sumter School District's Board of Trustees' Policy Committee and then on to the full board for passage later this fall.

District spokeswoman Shelly Galloway anticipates clear communication with students, families and staff.

"We anticipate a one-month planning process, a two-month intentional multimedia communication and education rollout for students, staff and families," Galloway said. "Also, we will establish a firm go-live date for when students return from winter break in January."

CANTY OUT AS BOARD CHAIR; DISNEY IN

To the surprise of many, the Rev. Ralph Canty resigned as Sumter School District's Board of Trustees chairman at the Aug. 26 meeting. Canty cited visionary issues with Superintendent William Wright Jr. and a majority of the school board for his resignation.

"Two-years plus into Dr. Wright's administration, and as chair I don't know what that vision is, and I don't know that a board member can articulate that vision," Canty said. "I don't know what strategy he has for improving our schools."

With two years remaining in his term, Canty said he will complete his four-year term, which runs through November 2026.

Essentially, at the time of his resignation, Canty had less than three months left in the chair's seat because the full board will have a reorganizational meeting in its initial meeting after the Nov. 5 general election.

Board vice chairwoman Bonnie Disney will fulfill the duties of board chair for the final months of Canty's term.

WILDER WINS LIBRARY INITIATIVE, 1,000-BOOK DONATION

Wilder Elementary School, 975 S. Main St., recently unveiled its "Dog Man" Little Free Library. The school was one of 50 nationwide to receive the grant as part of the "Power Up with Reading" Scholastic and Little Free Library initiative. As part of its winnings, Wilder received a 1,000-book donation as well, with most coming from best-selling "Dog Man" author and illustrator Dav Pilkey. The "Dog Man" book series is described as graphic novels like a comic book, funny, playful and wholesome.