School Improvement Council (SIC)

School Improvement Council (SIC) Meeting Minutes

Date: September 11, 2025

October 9, 2025

• Welcome
• Bates, Case, Stewart in IEP meetings
• Fuller, Robinson, Amanda, Irving, Hogan, Nauert attended in person
• Montez and Greer joined online

Good Things

1. Fall Break
2. Irving is going to Disney
3. Robinson is officially a soccer and dance mom

Public Comment

No public comment at this time.

Elections

Due by: October 15

One parent vacancy needs to be filled. Robinson will reach out to parents who attended previous meetings to gauge interest.

Faculty members voted on October 8 for the following representatives:

• Madison Nauert
• Bailey Hogan
• Jaylin Irving
• Christie Stewart
• Leanne Fuller

Appointed positions: Lt. Montez Aiken and Fire Marshall Greer will continue as members as voted by committee.

Ex-Officio Members: Bates will remain, Robinson will remain, and Case will replace Kori Brown.

Goal Updates

1. Buddy Benches

   Similar to benches outside the nurse’s station. Fuller discussed how previous benches were acquired.

   1. Explore grants and funding from PTA
   2. Robinson will contact a previous staff member who builds items
   3. Marshall shared that Boy Scouts of America built items for another school; Robinson has the contact. Mason Scruggs is also a Boy Scouts contact.

   Facilities visited Sires and will add additional seating. Shading for the new playground was identified as a need. The group will continue communicating with Facilities for updates.

2. Outdoor Classroom

   Awaiting additional updates from the park.

3. SIC (School Improvement Council)

   Parent participation is needed. While Facts and Fees increased awareness and signatures, responses from the first email were limited.

   1. Distribute SIC brochures within communities
   2. Vote to update brochure from K. Brown to J. Case and revise parent information — all in favor. Motion by Robinson, seconded by Nauert.
   3. Provide updated brochures to business partners
   4. Suggestion to send a ParentSquare message encouraging parents to join SIC

Celebration Data

• 3rd grade: 6.2% not met
• Decrease in 4th grade “Not Met” for students with disabilities
• School Report Card: Climate improved from Below Average to Average

Future

Officers will be elected at the next meeting.

Principal Updates

• Day of Caring
  • All 15 volunteers registered to help
  • Garden support with soil and vegetables for school use
  • Workroom organization and tidying
  • Painting touch-ups in select areas
  • Food Bank shelves built to keep food off the floor
• Backpack Food Program

  Questions raised regarding student participation and distribution process. Robinson will bring this topic to leadership.

• Safety Patrol

  Open to 4th and 5th graders as a leadership opportunity. Students assist with hallway monitoring and escorting peers to class. Applications will be required.

  • Target launch: second nine weeks
  • Goal: 25 students
  • Aiken asked about impact on Climate Survey; confirmed as beneficial
  • Suggestion to adapt concept for lower grades as rotating classroom roles
  • Additional idea: students highlighting positive behaviors

Closing Message

Whatever it is that you are dreaming of, continue to reach for it. It may happen in small parts, but it will happen.

SIC Minutes for November 6, 2025

Members Present: Jennifer Bates, Jaylin Irving, Amanda Hess, Crystie Stewart, Bailey Hogan, Leanne Fuller, Courtney Threatt, Jennifer Robinson, Jerica Loving

Members were welcomed. Attendance included members participating both in person and virtually.

Good things were shared by members who wished to participate.

An opportunity for public comment was provided. No public comments were made.

SIC Members

1. Members present were reminded that SIC membership was discussed during last month’s meeting.
   1. The full roster of members has since been reported to the state SIC.
   2. Officer elections were held during this meeting.
      1. Chair: Amanda Hess (will remain)
      2. Vice-Chair: Jerica Loving
      3. Secretary: Crystie Stewart (will remain). Crystie Stewart will begin sharing minutes monthly with Bailey Hogan. Bailey Hogan will serve as backup to take minutes as needed.
      4. The current roster of members was shared again.
2. Data Review
   1. The state released each school’s report card.
   2. Our school’s rating changed to Average due to updates in the scoring methodology.
   3. Principal Bates explained how points are calculated, including how points can be earned for a full year of growth.
   4. The Sires School Report Card was displayed and each section was explained by Principal Bates.
   5. Achievement remains strong; however, growth on state testing is the primary area for targeted improvement.
   6. In many areas, Sires outperformed district and state averages.
   7. School climate increased to an Average rating based on teacher survey results. It was noted that students may need support understanding survey vocabulary, which will be addressed moving forward.
3. Progress on Main Goals
   1. Buddy Benches: Contact has been made with the Boy Scouts, who have completed similar projects previously. The goal is to have two benches completed by March so that 5th-grade students can contribute. Two additional benches may be added annually until a total of six benches is reached.
   2. Outdoor Classroom: Communication with the local park continues, though progress has been delayed due to training commitments. School funds originally earmarked for this project were redirected to required math manipulatives. Future funding support may come from PTA. Additional support will be requested from the District Office for a new playground and front lobby improvements. An additional playground will be necessary next year due to increased enrollment from the Spann closure.
   3. SIC Awareness: The SIC brochure is being finalized and will be shared with business partners, Sires parents, and families of future students currently attending Spann. An upcoming informational meeting for Spann parents may provide an opportunity to host an SIC information table.
4. Principal Updates
   1. Principal Bates introduced the new RAYS matrix outlining schoolwide behavior expectations.
   2. Discussion included upcoming information regarding which Spann teachers will be joining Sires next year.
5. Launch

   All members play a role in SIC. Increased sharing and collaboration will help the school community grow together.

6. Next Meeting

   The next SIC meeting will be held on December 9, 2025, at 2:45 p.m.

SIC Minutes for December 15, 2025

Members Present: Madison Nauert, Courtney Threatt, Jaylyn Irving, Kara Greer, Jeffrey Case, Amanda Hess, Chris Bornflett, Morgan Venters, Jennifer Bates, Bailey Hogan, Leanne Fuller, Crystie Stewart, Jerica Loving, Jennifer Robinson

Members were welcomed. Attendance included members participating both in person and virtually.

Good things were shared by members who wished to participate.

An opportunity for public comments was provided. No public comments were made.

Update on Goals

• Buddy Benches: Benches are planned for the playgrounds with the addition of handprints from 5th-grade students. The team is awaiting completion by the Boy Scouts. Lowe’s, a business partner, may be donating materials.
• Goats and chickens have been re-homed to help prevent mice from accessing food areas.
• A new playground may be added due to increased enrollment from students transitioning to Sires when Spann closes next year.
• PTA continues to support the outdoor classroom. A Booster fundraiser scheduled for January will direct funds toward improvements such as additional seating.
• Awareness of SIC continues to be a focus and is still in progress.

Principal Updates

• Spann is being repurposed, and some students will be rezoned to Sires next year. Several Spann teachers are touring Sires as they consider transferring within the district.
• The school is closing out the second quarter and preparing to begin the third quarter.
• The school Spelling Bee was held recently.
• All Pro Dad and Mom Events: A new Mom-focused event was launched, with the first event held last week. Parent feedback has been positive. Morning events tend to have higher attendance than evening events. Additional ideas from parents and community members are welcome.
• Principal Bates launched a Principal Panel with students and has been reviewing discipline data. Trends indicate younger students are still learning school expectations. A new incentive is planned, informed by ideas shared by the student panel.
• Dr. Robinson initiated Safety Patrol for students in grades 2 through 5. Thirty-two students were selected from more than 80 applicants.
• Staff Recognition: Dr. Floyd, a music teacher in his first year of elementary education, was named Rookie Teacher of the Year at the school level, selected as the district’s rookie teacher of the year for DD2, and is now a top five finalist at the state level.
• MAP testing is nearing completion. Early ELA data is promising. While the school is learning a new math curriculum, gains are being seen from last year’s adoption of a new ELA curriculum.

Launch

Continue moving forward. Significant progress has been made this year, and the goal is to maintain momentum and continued growth.

Next Meeting

The next SIC meeting will be held on January 22, 2026, at 2:45 PM.

SIC Minutes for January 22, 2026

Members Present: Jerica Loving, Austin Zuniga, Chris Bornfleth, Amanda Hess, Crystie Stewart, Jaylyn Irving, Courtney Threatt, Leanne Fuller, Madison Nauert, Jennifer Bates, Kara Greer, Jennifer Robinson, Stormi Kerchner

Members were welcomed. Attendance included members participating both in person and virtually.

Good things were shared by members who wished to participate.

An opportunity for public comments was provided. No public comments were made.

Update on Goals

• Buddy Benches: The goal is to install two benches on the playgrounds and allow fifth-grade students to add their handprints. A local scout leader plans to present the project at an upcoming scout meeting and indicated interest from scouts. A visual example of the bench project was shared digitally.
  • Another local scout expressed interest in creating a “litter picker” project for the playgrounds, including buckets students could use to collect trash and return to a central base.
• Outdoor Classroom: The district is developing a proposal for a new playground along with additional seating and shade for the outdoor classroom. The design may include a stingray theme, depending on final costs. PTA may assist with funding.
• Awareness of SIC: The completed SIC brochure was reviewed. Faculty will review it to confirm no changes are needed. Once finalized, it will be shared with parents and posted on ParentSquare.
  • Suggestion to share SIC information on the school’s Facebook page.
  • Suggestion for parents to include SIC meeting information in parent newsletters.

Review of Sires 5-Year School Improvement Plan

• The five-year School Improvement Plan was displayed and reviewed. The plan remains in place for five years, with ongoing adjustments based on available data. Each goal includes an action plan. The purpose of the review was to raise awareness among parents and community members that the plan is available for public viewing.

Principal Updates

• A new behavior incentive program began after Winter Break. Students with zero referrals during the third quarter will attend a bounce house party. Students with zero referrals during the fourth quarter will attend a water-themed event. Students with zero referrals for the entire second semester will earn a field trip, which may include a movie, Stars and Strikes, or a visit to the local county park. A meeting member representing Dorchester County Park shared available field trip opportunities.
• The Booster Fun Run is scheduled for Monday.
• PTA Winterfest took place approximately two weekends ago and was enjoyed by attendees.
• Spann is closing, and approximately 200 students, along with some teachers, will transition to Sires next year.

Launch

Be not afraid of growing slowly; be only afraid of standing still.

Next Meeting

The next SIC meeting will be held on February 19, 2026, at 2:45 PM.