Springfield Middle named ‘School to watch’

Springfield Middle School has been named South Carolina’s newest School to Watch in the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform’s National Schools to Watch Program.

The program recognizes middle schools that continue to progress in academic excellence, social equity, developmental responsiveness and organizational structures, according to a Schools to Watch press release. Springfield aims to prepare students to be confident and successful society members by identifying individual career readiness and interests.

Springfield applied for the designation and was chosen among schools from across the nation, said Superintendent Chuck Epps.

“It shows the passion shared by the staff there for what they do,” he said. “It’s a huge honor for our district to have a School to Watch winner.”

The Fort Mill School Board honored Springfield Middle School Principal Keith Griffin and staff during their regular meeting on Tuesday.

“This was a total team effort,” Griffin said.

The designation is held for three years, after which schools must reapply. Indian Land Middle School was re-designated as a School to Watch as well.

Financials

As of Nov. 30, the district had $26.4 million in revenue and $35.3 million in expenditures, depending on the fund balance for $9 million, a trend expected for this time of year, said Leanne Lordo, assistant superintendent of finance and operations.

The district reported $87,500 in impact fee revenue for December, Epps said.

The Fort Mill School District is in good financial health, according to the most recent annual audit.

The district saw an increase of $1.07 million in the general fund balance for 2015 to $18.5 million, said David Phillips, an accountant with Greene, Finney & Horton, the company that conducted the audit.

A strong fund balance can help offset unexpected costs and provides flexibility for the district, Phillips said.

“It’s important in uncertain economic times,” he said.

The district had $88.4 million in general fund revenues, showing an increase of $3.81 million, which Phillips said was due to an increase in base student cost and the number of students as well as the 6-mill increase imposed on property tax rates.

The district’s expenditures increased by $9.03 million to $88.9 million, mainly due to increases in wages and employee benefits, additional positions due to growth and operating costs, Phillips said. Overall, the district came in at $557,000 under the final 2015 budget.

Phillips said the district is in compliance and has made good financial decisions.

The district compiled the report with help from Nation Ford sophomore Lexie Ratliff, junior Kayla Sowul, senior Alondra Lara, junior Morgan Broom, sophomore Sydnee Nieves and graphic arts teacher Joseph McConkey.

School Construction

Due to wet weather, Pleasant Knoll Middle School is 20 days behind schedule, said Jim Britton, with Cumming Corp., a Fort Mill-based construction management company. He said they hope to have a bid recommendation for the board in February.

Other Business

The district approved a resolution in support of the SC Infrastructure SCTIB Financial Assistance of I-77 Corridor Interchange Improvement Project.

The district gained three students from Dec. 2 to Jan. 4, Epps said.

The attendance award went to Riverview Elementary School, he said.

This story was originally published January 13, 2016 at 3:49 PM with the headline "Springfield Middle named ‘School to watch’."