USC Aiken tuition to increase
University of South Carolina officials gave approval Thursday to a budget plan that would raise tuition for most students by 3.6 percent, saying stimulus funds helped avoid even higher increases and saved vital programs.
Tuition at the Aiken campus will rise 4.9 percent or around $370 a year. The committee approved a 3.6 percent increase for tuition and fees at the Beaufort and Upstate campuses.
USC will get around $30 million in federal stimulus funds in each of the next two years, but has lost $55 million in state funding over the past year for its main campus and its seven branches.
USC's full board of trustees will give a final vote this month.
Aiken County schools cut teacher aides
Forty-seven Aiken County School District special education and instructional aides were let go last week in an effort to save $941,000.
Even with $6.9 million in federal stimulus funds coming to the school district next year, the district will still have $6 million less than last year's approved budget, Comptroller Tray Traxler said at the June 9 school board meeting.
The school board has a $143 million tentative budget approved, but that doesn't include stimulus funds.
Superintendent Beth Everitt would not specify which schools absorbed cuts, but said all five attendance areas were affected. Aides employed based on students' individual education plan will stay on with the district.
If new positions are added or one opens up, those let go would be the first considered to fill the spot.
School cell phone policy to change
The Aiken County School Board approved the first reading of next year's student code of conduct June 9, which includes students no longer being able to have cell phones in the classroom.
The new policy would prohibit cell phone use during school hours, and cell phones would have to be kept in a locker or car. Administrators said having a cell phone on them caused too much temptation for students.
The change was recommended by the district's discipline committee.
Violations include:
1. One day of in-school suspension; 2. Three days of in-school suspension; 3. Out-of-school suspension and loss of privilege to have on campus; 4. Expulsion
Possession or use of acell phone or pager in a restroom is subject to loss of privilege for the rest of the year and at least a three-day suspension.
Shooting suspect surrenders
Dewayne Issac, 35, turned himself in Friday to the Aiken County Sheriff's Office after being wanted in the fatal shooting of Exzradrian Holloway.
Holloway, 32, was shot while trying to leave 376 Woodberry Lane about 1 p.m. Thursday, according to Aiken County sheriff's Capt. Troy Elwell.
Several shots were fired in the home. Elwell said they were searching for more than one suspect in the shooting.
Elwell said an argument began over a woman. She was not at the home during the shooting.
Holloway, of 542 Hugh St., was a 1996 graduate of North Augusta High School and a member of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church.
He is survived by four children, Deonna Holloway and Exzradrian Holloway, Jr., Greenville, S.C., Zavonia Holloway, Augusta, and Aniyna Mitchell, Atlanta, Ga.
No funeral arrangements for Holloway have been announced.
Planning commission to discuss zoning, historic properties
The North Augusta planning commission will meet Thursday to discuss use of entertainment facilities and historic properties on the market.
The commission will hold a public hearing on issuing zoning permits for public and private clubs and use of city facilities for entertainment.
Current establishments would be grandfathered in based on requirements, said Skip Grkovic, Economic and Community development director. Grkovic said the changes would mostly affect establishments near residential areas. A complete listing of requirements can be found on the commission's agenda at www.northaugusta.net.
The commission will also discuss current historic properties for sale, including Rosemary and Lookaway halls and the former Palmetto Lodge lot. Grkovic said no action is expected to be taken.
Merriwether administrators resign
The chief financial officer of the Edgefield County School District and two school administrators at Merriwether Elementary School have resigned.
Confirmation of the resignations of Teresa Clark, the district's CFO, and Merriwether Elementary Principal Gene Huiet and Assistant Principal Robert Ellis were received June 10, and vacancies for the three positions are already listed on the district's Web site.
Edgefield County school board member Andy Livingston said the resignations are a cause for concern, and that they would be discussed at the board's next meeting on June 23.
"I am surprised and concerned, especially with (Ms. Clark)," said Livingston. "I didn't know any of them were coming. With three resignations in two weeks time we will have to talk about that."
Sewage rates to increase next month
City council unanimously voted on final reading Monday to increase sewer rates.
Beginning July 1, residents will pay about 57 cents more each month toward their sewer bill.
The new rate reflects costs passed on to the city by Aiken County Public Service Authority.
Council also unanimously agreed on final reading to adopt the 2008 National Electric Code.
In other business, city employee Add Mims received a plaque in honor of more than 24 years of service to North Augusta. He is a heavy equipment operator and retires July 1.
City council will meet again at 7 p.m. July 6 at the new municipal building on Georgia Avenue.
While I believe it is a positive move for the county school board to approve a new policy concerning students ability to have a cell phone in the classroom, I do believe the issue needs to be addressed with teachers as well. I have two children; one 13 and one 16, and on numerous occassions I have heard each of them talk about teachers making or receiving calls from their cell phones while in the classroom. Teachers are leaders and we lead by example, if we don't want kids using cell phones in the classroom than teachers should not be allowed either. What we want other's to do in moderation, we must do in excess.