SCSBA names Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission Champion for Public Education

The South Carolina School Boards Association (SCSBA) will honor the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission (ICRC) with a Champions for Public Education Award on Monday, November 14, during the School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties board meeting at Spring Hill High School at 7 p.m.

Kathy Coleman, SCSBA president and member of the Saluda County Schools Board, will present the association’s award to Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission Executive Director Elizabeth Taylor and Recreation Superintendent Jack Terrell.

The District Five board nominated the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission for the award, which is presented to community residents, organizations or local businesses/industries whose support of and contributions to public education have significantly benefited the school district or public schools statewide.

“The Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission is clearly focused on taking actions that are in the best interest of the community. We can always count on ICRC to provide advocacy, support and resources to school and district projects and services,” the nomination reads.

ICRC and School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties work closely together in service to better of the youth of the community.  The partnership, through a district-commission agreement, allows the district and commission to share facilities to better serve the children of the community. The ICRC contributes to the physical well-being, emotional wellness and academic success of the children in the community.

Some recent support highlighted in the nomination includes: opening many of its parks and fields to athletic teams at no cost to the district so that sports would not have to be put on hold during recent school construction; supporting the Environmental Science Magnet Program at Dutch Fork Elementary School by providing educational materials and outdoor classrooms; and providing advocacy for the district by participating on 14 of the 23 district Student Improvement Councils.

“The Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission’s support of the students and staff of District Five shows exactly what it means to be a Champion for Public Education. On behalf of the South Carolina School Boards Association, I want them to know how much their efforts are appreciated,” says SCSBA Executive Director Scott Price.

To receive the award, recipients must meet the following criteria:

• show leadership in support of ongoing or special programs authorized by the school board
• demonstrate, through actions, pride for the school district and effectively work for the betterment of the schools in the district as a whole or for public schools statewide
• understand public education’s importance to democratic society and actively inspire

support for quality public schools within the community or state

• make a difference for the entire school district or schools statewide