SC Governor’s School to allow students on campus, reversing ousted board’s virtual plan
New board members of the Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics voted Friday to allow students the option to return to campus in the fall, despite the threat of the coronavirus.
The move was a stark reversal from the old school board’s decision to hold only virtual classes, a decision that was made just days before the governor replaced several of the board members with new appointees.
The newly appointed board chairman, Robert Brown, said during a meeting broadcast on Zoom Friday that the school’s residency program, where students live on campus, is a key part of the school’s identity.
“The major part of the discussion for the last couple of hours was around the safe return of students to the school, and everybody at the level of the administration and of this board understands what makes the Governor’s School the Governor’s School is in large part its residential aspect,” Brown said. “It is our highest aspiration to return the students to this great school in that capacity absolutely as soon as safety will allow that.”
The plan, which was submitted to and approved by the S.C. Department of Education, includes options for the school’s about 280 gifted students to return to the Hartsville campus “in small groups for two week residencies,” mirroring the plan that was originally approved by the Governor’s School for Arts and Humanities, which is located in Greenville and serves about 250 students. The plan also offers a fully virtual option for students.
The decision comes weeks after S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster ousted most of the previous board members — including the chair and vice chair — just days after they voted for the second time to hold virtual class. The six members who were serving on expired terms were replaced, and McMaster also filled three vacant seats.
Their vote followed shortly after McMaster held a press conference with Republican legislative leaders calling for schools to reopen for in-person instruction five days a week.
McMaster did not make any changes to the board for the Governor’s School for Arts and Humanities, which opted to go with a hybrid approach to the fall semester, rotating students on and off of the residential campus. McMaster’s spokesman told The State the changes to the Hartsville’s schools board were only meant to fill vacant seats and replace members serving expired terms.
The school in Greenville has board members serving expired terms as well as vacancies.
The Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics students and parents have expressed support in the past for returning for in person classes.
In early July, students submitted a petition to the board asking for in person classes. At least 130 students signed it, as well as some parents. Parents were also upset that the school’s task force that considered all options for reopening in the fall only included school staff members and left out students and parents, according to an appeal letter written to the school’s board.
Joe Bustos contributed to this story.
