Aiken school board accepts recommended cuts

The Aiken County School Board on Tuesday night accepted a list of recommended cuts totaling more than $9 million for the 2009-10 school year.

Those cuts will include raising teacher-student ratios by three students in elementary schools and two in middle and high schools, which will account for $4.9 million. Other cuts would include eliminating the international baccalaureate program and reducing funding for athletic programs by 20 percent. More than 20 positions also could be eliminated throughout the district, but Superintendent Dr. Beth Everitt reiterated that the school system would try to restructure to prevent the position cuts from causing anyone to lose their job.

Teachers and personnel will receive further information on those plans by e-mail Wednesday morning. Board chairwoman Dr. Christine Harkins said the budget won't be finalized until June, but officials couldn't wait until then to start working on it.

The historic district in Bartow, Ga., was added recently to the National Register of Historic Places, making properties there eligible for an assortment of tax incentives and preservation programs.

Bartow, in Jefferson County about nine miles from the county seat of Louisville, was incorporated in 1887. Its nomination to the National Register was approved Jan. 13.

The town's population peaked at about 500 residents between 1910 and 1920. According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Bartow Historic District is significant in architecture, commerce, industry and black heritage. The National Register is the federal government's official list of historic buildings, structures, sites, objects and districts worthy of preservation.

North Augusta City Council incumbents Pat Carpenter, Jason Whinghter and Arthur Shealy won Tuesday's primary election held at Riverview Park.

By the time the polling booths closed at 7 p.m., more than 600 voters had turned out, said David Toole, the chairman of the North Augusta Republican Party. He had hoped for at least 500 voters.

Because no Democrats filed to run for the positions, only independents can now challenge Tuesday's winners in the April 28 general election. The deadline for an independent to file a nominating petition is noon Thursday. To qualify as an independent, candidates must demonstrate they are backed by at least 5 percent of registered voters.

Richmond County Superintendent Dana Bedden has proclaimed February "Bullying Prevention Awareness Month" for all schools within the system.

In recent years, bullying has become a hot-button issue in school systems across the country, according to a news release marking the announcement.

On Jan. 21, Richmond County educators attended a workshop led by a national bullying expert.