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The Orangeburg Consolidated School District 5 board voted to approve a 25-cent increase on school lunches for those students paying full price.

The increase will not impact students receiving free or reduced-price lunch.

Previously, full price school lunches in OCSD 5 were $1 for elementary schools and $1.25 for middle and high schools.

The board also mandated that the district go entirely tobacco-free for all students, staff and visitors. Before the vote was taken, Board Vice Chairman Melvin Crum expressed concern that employees of outside firms who perform work for the district might be alienated by the policy.

“I’m trying to be realistic,” said Crum, who wondered if the policy could be enforced for outside parties.

Crum said he was in favor of the measure but wanted to respect people’s personal space.

Superintendent Melvin Smoak said the tobacco-free policy would be explained to any outside agencies contracted by the district.

On Thursday, OCSD 5 spokesman Greg Carson said, “Basically most state agencies have gone to no smoking. The district is following suit. It also plays into our new wellness policy.”

Meanwhile, Early Childhood/ Reading Specialist Ione Saxon informed the board about the district’s early childhood development strategic plan.

Saxon announced the district received an Early Childhood and Parenting grant from the U.S. Department of Education in hopes of having each student reading on grade level by the third grade.

In addition, packets have been mailed to 4-year-old kindergarten students to help them prepare for the coming year, Saxon said.

She said Brookdale and Mellichamp Elementary Schools will start a pilot program titled First Move to teach chess to improve students’ cognitive ability.

Also at the meeting, the board was informed that OCSD 5’s summer school session served 2,233 students. The core subjects of English/language arts, math, science and social studies were taught.

Trustee Susan Gleaton said she wanted an update next year to see if those students improved on the PACT test.

In other business:

* The board will hold a work session to discuss its annual superintendent evaluation on July 14.

* Visual and Performing Arts Specialist Anna Jacobs discussed how the district would use the money from its 21st Century and Small Learning Communities grants. The 21st Century grant will be used to foster good academic habits for 200 students at Sheridan and Brookdale Elementary Schools. The Small Learning Communities grant will be used to improve student achievement at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School.

* The board acknowledged the OCSD 5 Public Relations Department for winning several awards from the National School Public Relations Association.

T&D Staff Writer Lee Tant can be reached at ltant@timesanddemocrat.com and 803-534-1060.

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