R2 Board pay increases with more meetings

Bender: Invoking FOIA to Increase Pay is Creative Interpretation COLUMBIA – Richland Two school board members say they aren’t enriching themselves at taxapayer expense by meeting more often. Until recently, district policy set trustee pay at $395 per person, per meeting, according to Chair Joe Trapp. The policy also caps the total number of meetings […]

Richland Two teachers are Financial Literacy Masters

COLUMBIA – Four teachers in Richland Two became Financial Literacy Master Teachers through this year’s Future Scholar Bronze level cohort. Participating were Debbie Sweat (Blythewood High School), Chanelle Sharper (homeschool), Sharon Fleming (Lonnie B. Nelson) and Tim Ray (Kelly Mill Middle). Applicants must complete professional development, as well as create and teach professional development training […]

R2 seniors graduate with millions in scholarship offers

COLUMBIA – More than 2,100 seniors in Richland School District Two’s Class of 2024 are receiving some significant financial assistance in their pursuit of a college degree. Officials at District Two’s five high schools report that graduating seniors earned more than $171,694,479 in college scholarships. That is an increase of nearly $3 million from last […]

BHS, WHS teachers among R2 teacher of year finalists

COLUMBIA  — Richland School District Two has announced five finalists for 2023-2024 District Teacher of the Year, two of which are from Blythewood-area high schools: Will Epps, Blythewood High School and Jennifer Tinneny, Westwood High School join Stacey Higgins, Forest Lake Elementary NASA Explorer School; Kathia Rivera de Guzman, Pontiac Elementary School; and Ahmad Stephens, […]

R2 implements safety screenings

BLYTHEWOOD – Students in Richland School District Two returned to schools on Tuesday. A big difference for high school students this year: security screenings. Yesterday, the district tweeted, “Today was day one in the operation of safety screenings at all five Richland Two high schools,” and it seemed to be a success at Blythewood High […]

R2 board announces 3 superintendent finalists

COLUMBIA – Following a nationwide search, the Richland Two Board of Trustees has narrowed the pool of applicants for the position of Richland Two Superintendent to three finalists: Dr. Nia Campbell, Chief Academic Officer for the Aurora Public Schools in Aurora, Colorado; Dr. Benjamin Henry, Regional Superintendent of the Polk County Schools in Polk County, […]

R2 changes free/reduced meal price policy

COLUMBIA — Richland School District Two has changed its policy for free and reduced-price meals for children served in schools under the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. During the pandemic, the USDA provided public school districts with waivers to provide free breakfasts and lunches for all students. The waivers ended in […]

R2 board votes 4-3 to not be required to hear grievances

Gilchrist: The Board’s Vote Could Deny Due Process COLUMBIA – Discussion of a complaint policy took center stage at Tuesday’s meeting of the Richland Two School District Board of Trustees. The two opposing factions on the board appeared to talk past each other about the intent of a change in wording to a rule known […]

R2: 20-21 budget OK; 21-22 may not be

COLUMBIA – Richland Two doesn’t anticipate any tax increases or job losses in next year’s budget beset by the COVID-19 pandemic. District officials, however, cautioned that both actions remain a distinct possibility in the 2021-2022 budget. “2020-2021 ought to be fine,” said Dr. Harry Miley, the district’s chief financial officer. “2021-2022 may be the more […]

R2 to hold virtual career fair April 22

COLUMBIA — Richland Two School District is holding a virtual All Positions Career Fair from 1-4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22. Candidates will need to preregister using this link: https://forms.gle/dnSqSiB5xbcAzvgJ7. In the document, candidates will provide contact information and then indicate two preferences for interviews. All candidates must register and have a completed application on […]

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