Aiken County schools welcomed lots of "new" in 2008.

The new Byrd Elementary school, on Bettis Academy Road, opened Aug. 18. While the playgrounds weren't quite ready, pupils didn't seem to mind too much as the first day was spent "oohing" and "aahing" over new features. The school is the most technologically up-to-date in the district and features a SMARTboard in every classroom.

The school district also welcomed several new administrators, including Superintendent Beth Everitt. Dr. Everitt took over on Jan. 2 and quickly began putting together a new reading initiative for the district.

Students now receive 90 minutes of uninterrupted reading each day. The initiative also includes creating positions for four partner teachers.

The teachers coach eight schools in the district on how to set up ideal classrooms with the most effective lessons.

Those teachers then pass the information on to others in their school.

The program eventually will spread to more elementary and middle schools in hopes of improving literacy district-wide.

New administrators who work with Dr. Everitt include Deputy Superintendent David Caver, Associate Superintendent of Instruction Kevin O'Gorman and Associate Superintendent of Administration Cecelia Davidson.

Four new school board members were elected in November. Richard Hazen, Donna Moore Wesby, Keith Liner and John Bass vied for seats that were left open after all four incumbents said they would not seek re-election.

Seven of the nine members have held their seats less than two years.

The members will face a steep learning curve with the budget, as it will be the district's biggest challenge in 2009.

The school district has cut almost $7 million from the budget since March.

Although no cuts have affected the classroom yet, any more reductions from the state could result in not hiring for open positions, increasing pupil-teacher ratio or furloughs.

The tight budget also means any new construction or renovations will be limited.

A recent facilities need study by Columbia-based M.B. Kahn revealed the district would need at least two more elementary schools and extensive remodeling to existing schools in the next five years.

Without a change in state tax codes or a bond referendum, those projects are unlikely to happen in the near future.

The Aiken County school system includes seven high schools, 11 middle schools and 20 elementary schools.

For more information, see www.aiken.k12.sc.us.

EDGEFIELD COUNTY

The Edgefield County school system includes four elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools: Fox Creek -- a public charter high school -- and Strom Thurmond High School. Matthew Schilit became principal of Strom Thurmond in August.

At the top of his list of goals are installing magnet programs to help lift test scores and offering new areas of study. Single-gender classrooms are another consideration.

"We're going to look at the programs that we have and see what is currently being offered and what isn't. There is no reason why Strom Thurmond can't be one of those schools that are winning awards like the Palmetto's Finest," he said.

Strom Thurmond High fell just short of meeting No Child Left Behind's mandated adequate yearly progress, meeting 19 of 21 objectives. Other schools falling short of meeting progress goals were Merriwether Elementary and W.E. Parker Elementary.

Charter school Fox Creek High School was the only district school to meet adequate yearly progress, reaching all nine of its objectives. The school also posted a graduation rate of 62.7 percent for the year. For more information, visit www.edgefield.k12.sc.us.