CHESTERFIELD – Putting safety first is a priority on the list of many issues for the Chesterfield County School Board. During Monday night’s meeting, the board agreed to place a new traffic light in front of Edwards Elementary School, where board members feel is an unsafe entrance.

Assistant Superintendent of Operations/Middle and Secondary Schools Frank Patterson addressed the board members with the specific request to add a traffic light at the entrance of the school and that the cost would be $50,000.

Patterson said, “If we can come up with the money it would be beneficial for everyone, especially for our students. There simply is not enough manpower to direct the traffic out there in front of the school. The $50,000 would be a one-time expenditure.” Patterson said, “All we have been able to do in the past is to put some flashing lights out there. We really need something more.”

“I know that $50,000 is a lot of money, but I am recommending that we take it out of the building fund to do that. As always, the safety of our students and everyone is our priority,” said Chesterfield County Superintendent Dr. John Williams. “Considering whether or not we acquire other partners to help with this project, I think that we still need to have the light there at the school. We do have an unsafe situation at Edwards Elementary and even though the speed limit has been reduced, that doesn’t mean that it is always obeyed,” said Williams. The matter was approved.

In other business:

•Patterson said that the new visitor’s bleachers at McBee are almost completed at McBee High School.

• Patterson also gave an update on the old Edwards Elementary School project.

• Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction J.R. Green presented a power point presentation for the Summer Enrichment Program and also gave a detailed report for the Summer School enrollment program.

• Superintendent Dr. John Williams reminded the board members of the Chesterfield County School Board Tour schedule on Sept. 14, which will begin at Ruby Elementary and continue to Chesterfield-Ruby Middle School-Palmetto Learning Center-Chesterfield High School-and concluding at Edwards Elementary.

• Williams also addressed the board members with the need to upgrade the school district’s system computer servers. He recommended spending $72,444.65 for these dedicated servers (hardware) to replace the current ones. He stressed that this is required by the state and that they needed to be upgraded. The board approved the recommendation.

• Williams also addressed the issue of the HINI Virus (Swine Flu) caution and told board members that the district needs to be prepared for such matters. “It’s a scary thing and has people’s attention, and we need to be ready for it,” said Williams.

• Williams also commended Chesterfield County School District Public Information Officer Ken Buck, for the school district’s improved website change, which can be viewed at: http://www.chesterfield.k12.sc.us/

• Board Chairman Chad Vick presented Board Secretary Shannon Burr with a certificate from the South Carolina School Board Association (SCSBA).

• The school board also approved to match the $8,000 from the state that Census Chairperson of the Complete Count Committee, Lenora Powe, requested at last months’ meeting regarding the Chesterfield County Census.