Bits and Pieces - FSD3 Happenings

Florence School District 3’s Board of Trustees voted Tuesday in a called meeting to accept Dr. Laura Hickson's resignation for retirement effective May 30, 2025.

“We would like to thank Dr. Hickson for all she has done - and continues to do - for our students and community, said Board Chair Jac’Kel Brown. “Her passion for education and her dedication to academic excellence have left a lasting mark on Florence School District Three, especially through her leadership as our Superintendent.”

“I am committed to ensuring a smooth and seamless transition for the district,” Dr. Hickson stated. “I will gladly support whoever is appointed Interim Superintendent, as there may already be a plan. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve as your superintendent. Under my leadership and with the collective efforts of my team, staff, students, and the board, we have achieved great things for FSD3.”

Under Dr. Hickson’s leadership, safety of students and staff were a top priority with the addition of upgraded front entrances with intercom and video capabilities at all schools and the addition of access control systems at Lake City High, J. Paul Truluck Magnet and Dr. Ronald E. McNair Junior High as well as ongoing upgrade of security cameras. The district’s teacher retention rate has improved considerably during her time as superintendent, while the fund balance is the highest it has been in over 20 years. She also spearheaded the opening of two free tutoring centers for students as well as partnerships with postsecondary institutions such as the USC’s Darla Moore School of Business. Building improvements under her tenure include a cafeteria expansion at Scranton Elementary STEAM Academy and gym renovations at J. Paul Truluck Magnet and Dr. Ronald E. McNair Junior High.

Dr. Hickson was appointed as FSD3 superintendent in February 2015 and officially assumed the role on July 1, 2015. Prior to her appointment, she served as the district’s assistant superintendent for instruction for three years. Her career with FSD3 spans more than four decades, beginning in 1983 as an elementary and middle school teacher. She later served as an assistant principal at both levels, a middle school principal, and the senior director for accountability.

Former multi-sport standout Belita Salters is returning to her alma mater as the new head coach of the Lake City High School girls’ volleyball team.

A 2004 graduate of Lake City High, Salters was a dominant force in athletics, earning 14 varsity letters across volleyball, basketball and track. She garnered All-State honors in all three sports and claimed five individual state championships in the triple jump and hurdles. Her volleyball talent earned her a spot in the prestigious North-South All-Star Match. She was inducted into Florence School District 3’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015.

Salters continued her athletic career at the University of South Carolina, initially competing in both volleyball and track before dedicating herself fully to volleyball. She was named to the 2008 All-SEC Team and left her mark on the Gamecocks' record books, ranking in the program’s top 10 in five categories: hitting percentage, solo blocks, block assists, total blocks, and blocks per set. Following college, she played professionally in Puerto Rico before returning to the Lake City area.

Now stepping into the role of head coach, Salters is eager to lead the Panthers to new heights.

"I am honored and excited to come home to Lake City High School and build a very competitive volleyball program," Salters said. "I cannot wait to meet the players and get to work to bring a banner to The City."

Panther Choice School of Innovation welcomed guests speakers Charyl Epps-Nornoo and Ashaunta Epps on Friday, March 21.

These sisters shared their stories of growing up in Kingstree and striving towards success while taking two very different paths. Ms. Epps-Nornoo told her story of entering the workforce at a young age and being inspired by the adults around her. She wanted to travel, and this became her passion. She decided to pursue a career in engineering to afford to travel when and where she wanted. She encouraged students to find a passion and create a plan to pursue it. She told students to be intentional about their futures and to work with end goals in mind.

Ms. Epps shared her path through grade school and explained that her primary goal was financial security. She explained that in high school she had challenges related to an injury that limited her ability to participate in sports and enjoy things that she liked, which led her to misbehave. She urged students to be “all in” in pursuit of their goals. She said she worked towards a degree in computer science and became a leader in the corporate world. While working in the corporate world, she learned to play golf and developed a passion for the sport. She explained that golfing was a great opportunity to engage with her colleagues and exercise. She is now one of the best female golfers in the nation. She has since established A Perfect Swing Foundation to put a golf club in every child’s hand.

Following their inspiring presentations, the sisters introduced students to the fundamentals of golf, allowing them to experience the sport firsthand.

Overall, their messages conveyed to the students that with passion and dedication, anything is achievable.

Florence County School District Three has scheduled two public hearings on its projected

FY. 2025-2026 General Fund budget, Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 5 p.m. and Friday, May 16, 2025 at 12 p.m. in the Board Meeting Room located behind the District Office at 125 South Blanding Street, Lake City. The public can also participate in the meeting virtually.

The funding found in the State To Aid Classrooms, proposed in the FY. 2025-2026 Executive Budget, amended by House Ways and Means. The projected FY. 2025-2026 budget is preliminary, based on the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) formula and current projected revenues. All budget figures are subject to change as more budget information becomes available from the SCDE.

Florence County School District Three projects the district’s millage for 2025-2026 to be 255.19 mills for operations.

A copy of the budget presentation is also available at the District Office, the Lake City Library, and at www.florence3.k12.sc.us.​

Lake City High School’s Gentleman’s Leadership Club held its Passing of the Torch Ceremony on Thursday, March 20. Students and their advisors came together to celebrate their organization's successes and set the stage for the upcoming year.

The program was led by Jerloyshous Graham, who began by introducing Jeffery Burgess who offered the welcome to guests, followed by Rakeem McCray who delivered the invocation. Outgoing GLC President Antwan Jones provided opening remarks followed by the history of the GLC by Jalen Toney, who shared how the GLC is designed to shape the lives of the young men who participate, helping them to become leaders in their school. GLC advisor Seneca Barron introduced guest speaker Jerry State. Mr. State encouraged the young men to continue to be examples in the school and to be ready to serve their school and the greater community.

After Mr. State's message, outgoing President Antwan Jones officially passed his leadership role to incoming President Jordan Boyle, who shared that he will continue to lead the GLC in a positive direction and work to collaborate with clubs in other schools. He expressed his interest in having a young man's day where they can invite young men from the community to come together and fellowship.

Before closing, remarks of pride were expressed by Principal Jason Cook, Superintendent Dr. Laura Hickson, and chairman of the GLC Ned Blake.

The Gentleman's Leadership Club overall is creating a strong foundation for the young men in this district.

Florence School District 3 is seeking input from all stakeholders to identify needs to begin the 2025-2026 school year planning process. This survey will assess the district's needs and provide information necessary to build a Comprehensive Needs Assessment.

The results will allow both considerations of the needs within our schools and determine the effective use of the anticipated 2025 -2026 federal funds. The intent is to ensure that all students are allowed to meet the state's student performance standards.

This survey should take about 15 minutes to complete. Please note that *questions will require a response.

The survey is set to close by 5 p.m. on Monday, March 31.

Links to the survey
English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/F2YQ89S
Spanish: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HT77F2X

The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) has released the 2025 Bus Driver Training Classroom Schedule, which combines SCDE and Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) components over four days of comprehensive instruction.

Completion Requirements

Individuals who already possess a Class A or Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsements must complete the entire training class. This training meets the ELDT requirements under 49 CFR Part 380 and provides candidates with the necessary knowledge to pass the written tests for a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Participants are required to bring a copy of the current South Carolina DMV Commercial Driver’s Manual. This manual can be downloaded for free at SCDMV Forms and Manuals or purchased at any SCDMV location.

Trainees must have access to a computer, tablet, or similar device, along with a reliable internet connection, to participate in classroom training sessions conducted via Microsoft Teams.

Training Schedule

SCDE will conduct initial school bus driver classroom instruction on the following dates:

April

April 7-10
April 14-17 (Evening Class: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM)
April 21-24

May
May 5-8
May 12-15 (Evening Class: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM)
May 19-22

June
June 2-5
June 9-12 (Evening Class: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM)
June 16-19

July
July 7-10
July 14-17 (Evening Class: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM)
July 21-24

August
August 4-7
August 11-14 (Evening Class: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM)
August 18-21

September
September 8-11
September 15-18 (Evening Class: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM)
September 22-25

October
October 6-9
October 13-16 (Evening Class: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM)
October 20-23

November
November 3-6
November 10-13 (Evening Class: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM)
November 17-20

December
December 1-4
December 8-11 (Evening Class: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM)
December 15-18

Session Details:

· Daytime sessions run daily from 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM.

· Evening sessions run daily from 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM.

Participants should enroll through their school district transportation department. Districts will also assist driver candidates in setting up their Moodle accounts before the first day of instruction.

Annual In-Service Requirements

School districts may choose to use online classroom instruction to fulfill annual in-service requirements. This training covers essential topics for maintaining Type A and Type B certificates, including:

· Procedures at railroad crossings

· Steps to take in the event of mechanical failure

· Guidelines for handling accidents

· Bus evacuation protocols

This comprehensive schedule and training aim to ensure that South Carolina’s school bus drivers are well-equipped and prepared to meet all state and federal requirements.