Thank you all for your diligence and support! We have exceeded our one thousand signee milestone with 1,044 as of today. We will keep going until our plight is properly addressed and resolved.
At the June 21st Board meeting the Superintendent presented a plan to include the history of how the three schools came together. The plan is to include it in freshman orientation, develop lessons through a particular course initially how the name, mascot/emblem and colors came about. Also incorporating the history at the African American History Conference. However, there was no mention in the plan of correcting or restoring the changes already made to the mascot/emblem and colors.
A couple of Board members tried to discuss this issue but was quickly dismissed as it “not being on the agenda.” This is appalling and disrespectful. Although we appreciate the plan for incorporating the history, the mascot/emblem is also a particularly important part of the history. We would think that this plan was already in motion before now. Remember the mascot/emblem and colors came from the two African American schools that were included in the consolidation of the three schools. Those of us who attended at least two of these schools strongly feel that the original agreement should be honored after all the sacrifices that we made in the transition and the mascot/emblem and colors should be restored and preserved.
This Board is not being transparent. It is still not being discussed or shared how this change of the mascot/emblem took place without the proper protocol. Someone must be accountable to keep this from happening again.
In addition to continuing with our petition and providing updates to the Board and Superintendent – they cannot ignore us forever – we are asking that if you are in the area, also reach out to your district representative and superintendent by calling, writing, or emailing and attending the meetings voicing your concerns. You may also email community.comments@beaufort.k12.sc.us.
Following is a list of Board members, the Superintendent, their contact information, and the districts they represent in addition to the Board office information.
BEAUFORT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Address: 2900 Mink Point Boulevard, Beaufort, SC 29902
Phone: 843-322-2300
District Office Hours: M-F 8:00 am-5:00 pm
Board Members
David Striebinger, Chair
District 2
161 Sea Pines Drive
St. Helena Island, SC 29920
(843) 694-7743
david.striebinger@beaufort.k12.sc.us
Term Ending: 2022
Cathy Robine, Vice Chair
District 8
54 Ribaut Dr.
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
(610) 888-5296
Cathy.robine@beaufort.k12.sc.us
Term Ending 2022
Angela Middleton, Secretary
District 6
9 Edisto Court
Okatie, SC 29909
(843) 941-0922
angela.middleton@beaufort.k12.sc.us
Term Ending: 2024
Earl Campbell
District 1
93 Bruce Smalls
Grays Hill
P.O. Box 768
Lobeco, SC 29931
(843)476-7512
Earl.campbell@beaufort.k12.sc.us
Term Ending 2024
William Smith
District 3
164 Ball Park Road
St. Helena Island, SC 29920
(843) 441-4993
William.smith2@beaufort.k12.sc.us
Term Ending 2022
Tricia Fidrych
District 4
1016 12th Street
Port Royal, SC 29935
(843) 812-4410
Patricia.fidrych@beaufort.k12.sc.us
Term Ending 2022
Richard Geier
District 5
32 Petigru Dr.
Beaufort, SC 29902
(843) 441-6683
Richard.geier@beaufort.k12.sc.us
Term Ending 2022
Rachel Wisnefski
District 7
129 Planters Row Ct.
Bluffton, SC 29910
(843) 941-9535
rachel.wisnefski@beaufort.k12.sc.us
Term Ending: 2022
Christina Gwozdz
District 9
77 Gascoigne Bluff Rd.
Bluffton, SC 29910
(843)636-8555
Christina.gwozdz@beaufort.k12.sc.us
Term Ending 2024
Melvin Campbell
District 10
546 Spanish wells Rd.
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
(843) 941-9858
Melvin.campbell@beaufort.k12.sc.us
Term Ending 2022
Ingrid Boatright
District 11
56 Bridgetown Road
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
(843) 986-7872
ingrid.boatright@beaufort.k12.sc.us
Term Ending: 2024
Robyn Cushingberry, Executive Assistant
(843) 322-2357 - office
(843)812-9761 - cell
(843) 322-2342 - fax
robyn.cushingberry@beaufort.k12.sc.us
Superintendent
Frank Rodriguez
2900 Mink Point Boulevard
Beaufort, SC 29920
(843) 322-2300
frank.rodgriguez@beaufort.k12.sc.us
We must keep going! Continue to share this petition with your family, friends, and all alumni of the three schools asking for their support.
If you live in the area, please attend the meeting. So ppreciative of those attending the board meetings and calling in. Keep it up!
Next School Board meeting July 12th at 6pm
Hilton Head Library
11 Beach City Road
Hilton Head Island, SC
If you are not able to attend, please feel free to call in during Public Comment. It is a straightforward process,
You can watch it live at https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCountyChannel
Request for PUBLIC COMMENTS PARTICIPATION
Request for the first Public Comments will be accepted between 5pm–5:30pm.
Request for the second Public Comments will be accepted between 7–7:30pm.*
Phone in: Send an email with your NAME, PHONE#, and TOPIC to robyn.cushingberry@beaufort.k12.sc.us.
You will receive a phone call during Public Comments where you will be able to speak and address the Board for a maximum of three (3) minutes.
In person: You may address the Board for a maximum of three (3) minutes. Each speaker must fill out a Public Comment Card. Please see the Board Clerk for a card.
*The second Public Comments will take place prior to adjournment no later than 9:00pm. The second forum will be limited to 15 minutes.
In the event the Board has not finished addressing all items listed on the July12, 2022, Agenda, the Board will reconvene at 6:00 pm on June 13, 2022, the next business day to finish the agenda.