The Sumter County School Board met April 14. Students from Sumter County Primary School won first place at the Georgia Movie Academy, and were recognized by the Board for their achievement. They created a 3-minute video, and chose the topic myth busters.

Employee Angela Laster received the 2025 Malcom Quillen Nutrition Hero Award. Margaret Goodin, director of school nutrition, praised Laster. “The winner of this award must show outstanding service both to their community and school nutrition and have an excellent work record. This year’s recipient is dedicated to ensuring that no child goes hungry, especially during the summer months. When faced with challenges, she looks for ways to make it easier for all involved with getting the summer lunches out to all students in her kitchen, there’s always an atmosphere of joy, encouragement and positivity.”

The winners of FLEX, a shark-tank style competition where students learn practical business skills, were also announced. Lauren Harris with Lauren’s Fragrances was the Sumter County local winner, receiving $3,000. Janiyah Jackson with NiaNova was the second-place winner, receiving $2,000, and Carolyn Campbell with Campbell’s Sweet Treats was the third-place winner, receiving $1,000. Harris was able to compete in the state finals on April second, finishing third place and winning $2,500.

The third nine-weeks course subject pass rates for the entire district for the 2025-2025 school year were 91% in science, a one percent drop over the previous year, and 92% in social studies, a five percent gain over the previous year. Reading was 87%, a seven percent gain over the previous year, English language arts was 84%, a two percent gain over the previous year, and math was 83%, a six percent gain over the previous year.

The Board also reviewed the progress of students compared to what was expected for their grade. In the category of reading, during the 2024-2025 school year, 12% were at or above grade level at the beginning of the year, increasing to 30% in the Spring, while 39% started at one grade level below, lowering to 31% by the Spring, while 49% started the year at two or more grade levels below, which dropped to 37% of students at two or more grade levels below by the Spring.

In the category of math, during the 2024-2025 school year, 5% started the year at or above grade level, rising to 23% by the Spring. 44% started at one grade level below, rising to 45% by the Spring. 52% started two or more grade levels below, which lowered to 32% by the Spring.

STAR reading data for seventh grade from the 2024-2025 school year, for the 278 students tested, was as follows: 15% (42 students) were at urgent intervention, 32% (90 students) were at intervention, 18% (49 students) were on watch, and 35% (97 students) were at or above the benchmark.

The Board compared that from data from the previous year, which showed gradual improvement. During the 2023-2024 school year, STAR reading data for the 262 students tested in seventh grade was as follows: 37% (96 students) were at urgent intervention, 28% (74 students) were at intervention, 14% (36 students) were at on watch, and 21% (56 students) were at or above benchmark.

Student attendance for the month of March was 94.13%, a 1.05% increase over March of the prior year.

Knighton gave the finance report. The day-to-day general fund balance as of the end of March 27 was $16,511,032.61. Combined capitol and special projects funds were $5,588,604.69. SPLOST collection for the month of March was $445,888.57. The 396-fund balance is $18,247,692.93. While all other reports are for March, the nutrition report lags by a month. The balance for school nutrition as of February is $1,215,580.83. The debt service remaining balance is $10,645,350. The last payment was made in October and totaled $3,335,675. The next payment, this April, is $263,450.

For other news from the April 14 meeting of the Sumter County School Board, see the companion piece Low High School climate star rating discussed by Sumter County School board during April 14 meeting.