Latest news with #BCSD
Yahoo
39 minutes ago
- Business
- Yahoo
BCSD to use general fund to finish HVAC projects after US Department of Education rescinds spending extension
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The Bakersfield City School District is expected to fund the remaining $22 million balance for its HVAC improvement projects through its general fund after federal officials abruptly canceled a previously approved COVID-19 fund spending extension in March. The HVAC upgrade and chiller replacement projects seek to replace the chiller-based heating and cooling systems at schools with new HVAC systems, which provide 'more energy-efficient and reliable climate control' while also improving indoor air quality for students and staff, according to BCSD spokesperson Tabatha Mills. The project is ongoing and under active construction at eight schools: Munsey Elementary Fremont Elementary Wayside Elementary Washington Middle School Horace Mann Elementary Mt. Vernon Elementary Pioneer Drive Elementary Roosevelt Elementary Mark Luque lands new job after surprise resignation as head of Bakersfield City School District These projects were launched when the school district received funding through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief III program, which was meant to support American schools as they address the impacts of the pandemic, according to Mills. The remaining project balance is $21,912,159, according to the agenda for the board meeting set for Tuesday. On March 28, the United States Department of Education rescinded its decision to extend the spending deadline for ESSER III for school districts that applied and were approved to get an extension. While local education agencies like BCSD who were approved for an extension had until March 2026 to liquidate all its received funding, the Department of Education changed the deadline to March 28, 2025. KHSD to consider banning discriminatory teaching material in proposed revision to policy U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon announced the new deadline in a letter addressing state education chiefs on the same day as the new deadline, saying they 'ran the risk' of getting their extension request denied by not meeting the formal deadline in January. 'Extending deadlines for COVID-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the COVID pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department's priorities and thus not a worthwhile exercise of its discretion,' McMahon said. This change prevents BCSD from finishing the HVAC improvement projects using federal grants. At the board meeting May 27, the board approved the updated ESSER III Expenditure Plan. Through the updated plan, the funding source for the HVAC updates was moved from ESSER to the district's general fund to successfully complete the projects. Never miss a story: Make your homepage This shift in funding will not result in any increase to BCSD's general fund budget and the board is not looking to approve new spendings regarding these projects at tonight's meeting, according to Mills. If approved, BCSD will report the remaining construction commitments as of June 30 in its financial statement, Mills said. The projects are all expected to be completed in the next fiscal year, according to the agenda. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
TikTok challenge being blamed for fire evacuations at Bullhead City Middle School
The Brief Bullhead City officials are saying two middle schools have been impacted by a TikTok challenge that caused damage to computers and forced one school to be evacuated. The Chromebook Challenge, which is where people stick foreign objects into the computer's USB ports, is what authorities are blaming as the cause. Parents are being asked to talk to their children about the dangers of social media and could be held financially liable for the actions of their children. BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz. - Authorities are blaming a TikTok challenge that caused damage to two schools in Bullhead City. One of the schools had to be evacuated in a fire drill. What we know The TikTok challenge is a new trend that encourages students to vandalize computers by inserting foreign objects into the USB ports on the sides of the devices. Six Chromebooks were vandalized at Fox Creek Junior High School on May 7 using methods similar to the TikTok challenge. The next day, students at Bullhead City Middle School were evacuated after a laptop started smoking in a classroom. What they're saying "This is yet another urgent call for parents and guardians to talk to their children about social media responsibility, and the inherent dangers – and consequences – that come with poor decisions," said BCSD Superintendent Dr. Carolyn Stewart. "These are not innocent pranks." What's next Police are investigating students and interviewing witnesses to determine what discipline is necessary. Parents of the students could be held financially liable for the damages. There were no injuries reported in the incident. What we don't know None of the suspects have been identified due to privacy laws protecting students and juveniles.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ball-Chatham providing counseling, accepting donations after deadly crash
CHATHAM, Ill. (WCIA) — Just hours after a car crashed into a building, killing four people at an after-school program, the Ball-Chatham Community Unit District announced that all schools will have an eLearning Day on Tuesday. All extracurricular activities have also been canceled. IL leaders offer condolences for Chatham after-school center tragedy 'Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with the affected families,' District officials said in a statement to BCSD families and staff. BCSD officials also said they will have counseling available at Glenwood Middle School for all students, staff and family on Tuesday, beginning at 9 a.m. If you are interesting in contributing supplies, you can bring donations to Glenwood High School on Tuesday between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the west side garage, near the teacher parking lot. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
BCSD, TCL expand dual enrollment options
BEAUFORT, S.C. (WSAV) — Beaufort County School District (BCSD) and Technical College of the Lowcountry (TCL) are accepting applications for a rising ninth grade students to enroll in a full-time dual enrollment program. Students can attend TCL's New River Campus or Beaufort Mather Campus, the district said. BSCD Tides will function like traditional dual enrollment courses where students earn high school and college credit for completing classes. Dual enrollment classes are free to district students. The district said that students BCSD students that complete the program beginning in ninth grade will be able to graduate high school with two associates degrees and a technical certificate. BSCD Tides majors and minors are: MAJORS: Associate of Arts: University Transfer Pathway Associate of Science: University Transfer Pathway MINORS: Associate of Applied Science/Computer Technology-Programming Associate of Applied Science/Computer Technology-Networking Associate of Applied Science/Cybersecurity Associate of Applied Science/Business Administration Associate of Science/Allied Health Science Associate of Science/Allied Health Science – Medical Assisting Associate of Science/Allied Health Science – Entrepreneurship/Small Business Certificate 'Qualifying students attending Bluffton, Hilton Head Island and May River High Schools will be eligible for the cohort housed on TCL's New River Campus and will have the opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities and athletics at their home high school,' the district said. 'Qualifying students attending Whale Branch Early College, Beaufort, and Battery Creek High Schools will be eligible for the cohort housed on TCL's Beaufort Mather Campus and will have the opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities and athletics at their home high school.' Students must be enrolled in the Beaufort district, be a legal U.S. citizen or resident, have a 3.0 GPA and a qualifying PSAT score. Any other criteria will be determined by TCL Admissions and the district. You can find applications and more information on the BCSD website by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Free college classes are now being offered to Beaufort County students. Here's what to know
Ready to kick-start college or maybe make your degree a little cheaper? This year, the Beaufort County School District and Technical College of the Lowcountry are opening applications for their 2025-2026 free dual enrollment program for high school students. This program, called BCSD Tides, is the first semester this opportunity is open to students, allowing qualified rising ninth-grade students to enroll in a full-time dual enrollment cohort. This program has been in the works for a while now, with BCSD and TCL working together to fit this program to the students' needs. Now, Beaufort County students can kick-start their higher education and have the chance to leave high school with two associate's degrees and up to three technical certificates. 'The BCSD Tides dual enrollment model is the result of both learning institutions' commitment to elevating student learning experiences through technology and teaching,' said Dr. Mary Stratos, chief instructional services officer for the district. Like traditional dual enrollment courses, students will earn both high school and college credit for completing classes taught by TCL instructors. Accepted students will complete the program as a cohort beginning in ninth grade and can continue through high school graduation. According to program administrators, there will be 50 students per cohort year, divided up into groups of 25 students at each TCL location. Students can choose one of two associate degree pathways as a 'major' for their ninth and 10th grade years and then can declare an associate degree minor that comes with a technical program emphasis for their junior and senior years. Dual enrollment classes are free to Beaufort County district students. In addition, the Beaufort County School District has a Memorandum of Agreement that incurs all costs, including textbooks and meals. Students attending the following high schools are eligible for this cohort: Bluffton Hilton Head Island May River High School Whale Branch Early College Beaufort Battery Creek High School Rising ninth-grade students who are interested in BCSD Tides and are currently enrolled in private, charter or homeschool organizations are also encouraged to apply. Eligibility is based on the following criteria: Enrolled in BCSD Must be a legal U.S. citizen or legal resident Must have a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 unweighted scale) A qualifying PSAT score Additional criteria as determined by TCL Admissions and BCSD (this includes a holistic view of the student and academic readiness) This free dual enrollment program is intended to provide more than just college credit, it provides students with critical soft skills, time management and other necessary skills to excel in higher education and the workforce. 'The BCSD Tides program reflects a deepened partnership between BCSD and TCL in providing district students with more innovative and unique opportunities to excel while in high school as well as advance their academic and professional futures,' said BCSD Superintendent Dr. Frank Rodriguez. This program is unique in its design, as BCSD Tides students can complete the program with two associate degrees and a technical certificate from TCL. This dual enrollment program offers a variety of majors and minors that students can apply and benefit from in their future studies. These programs include: Majors (Associate Degrees): Associate of Arts: University Transfer Pathway Associate of Science: University Transfer Pathway Minors (Certificate Degrees): Associate of Applied Science/Computer Technology-Programming Associate of Applied Science/Computer Technology-Networking Associate of Applied Science/Cybersecurity Associate of Applied Science/Business Administration Associate of Science/Allied Health Science Associate of Science/Allied Health Science - Medical Assisting Associate of Science/Allied Health Science - Entrepreneurship/Small Business Certificate The option to declare a minor with a technical certificate is an added option for upper-grade high school students who want to continue specializing their education and earn class credit. Certificate degrees are useful because they are focused on their objective and are related to a specific job or career niche, setting students apart in college applications or the workforce. 'What I enjoy most about teaching in the BCSD Tides program is how the students challenge me as an instructor,' said Daniel Herrin, an English instructor at the TCL. 'They are bright and curious, always looking beyond the standard boundaries and approaches, which constantly challenges me to re-think how I teach.' Students interested in this program who do not attend a Beaufort County high school are still encouraged to apply. This includes private, charter and homeschool students. The MOA for this program permits students within a 50-mile radius to be eligible. Some private and charter schools may already have a dual enrollment agreement set in place, so check with your school to see if that applies. For homeschool students, you must register as a student through the Beaufort County School District. Visit the BCSD registration page to contact the correct school. If a student is above the ninth-grade level and is interested in this program, they can still apply but may not reap the same benefits, such as earning an associate's degree in time for high school graduation. Their acceptance depends on available cohort space. The BCSD and TCL are looking to keep 'pure cohorts' to preserve the uniqueness of the program and allow participants to experience all these classes have to offer. Eligible students can apply to BCSD Tides starting March 1 through April 11, 2025. To apply, visit Program advisors state that applicants should be notified by mid-May of their acceptance. They also state that there will be an appeals process at the end of May for those who wish to do so. Classes are divided between TCL's New River Campus and Beaufort Mather Campus. Bluffton, Hilton Head Island and May River High Schools will be located at the New River Campus in Bluffton. Whale Branch Early College, Beaufort and Battery Creek High Schools will be located at the Beaufort Mather Campus in Beaufort. Both BCSD and TCL program representatives state that before all else, students involved in this dual enrollment program are students of their zoned high schools first. Meaning that continued participation in sports, clubs and other extracurriculars through their zoned high school is encouraged. For more information on the program and how to apply, BCSD and TCL are hosting the following sessions: Virtual Information Session: Wednesday, March 5 Virtual, 5:30-6:30 p.m. RSVP here Northern Beaufort County: Monday, March 17 Beaufort Mather Campus, Building 12 Auditorium, 5:30-6:30 p.m. RSVP is required Southern Beaufort County: Wednesday, March 19 New River Campus, Room 126, 5:30-6:30 p.m. RSVP is required If you are interested in a tour, you can visit the TCL's New River Campus in Bluffton. You can schedule a tour by clicking here or visiting If you're wondering if dual enrollment is the right path for you, your school counselor can help. Battery Creek High School: Kirsten Nash Contact: or (843) 322-5658 Beaufort High School: David Favata Contact: or (843) 322-2025 Bluffton High School: Katie Cox Contact: or (843) 706-8947 Hilton Head Island High School: Julie Markle Contact: or (843) 689-4918 May River High School: Keisha Glover Contact: or (843 )836-4870 Whale Branch Early College High School: Giovanni Glover Contact: gglover@ or (843) 466-2771
