Interim Jasper County School District Superintendent Larry Heath is still concerned about the lack of cohesiveness in the district.
When he began his position three weeks ago, Heath said he instantly noticed the district's personnel were not working together.
Apparently not much has changed.
At Monday's regular school board meeting, Heath said he planned to have a meeting with principals and some district staff on Thursday to discuss putting a freeze on non-essential spending, but to also talk about the continued "personality conflicts."
"There's too much bickering," Heath said.
Heath told the board about Thursday's meeting, but the more he talked the more he appeared to want to make clear his frustrations. He believes the conflicts are getting in the way of helping the children. He thinks everybody should be able to work together.
"I don't have to like you to work with you," Heath said. "We've got to change the culture in this district."
Heath's also concerned about technology. He said there's too much equipment not being used and software that hasn't been used in two years. The software programs should be benefiting the children.
"The kids are suffering," Heath said.
Heath wants all technology equipment accounted for and said changes might have to be made.
"Maybe we need to bring some folks in who can work together," Heath said. "I am turning the heat up."

Permanent superintendent search continues
Last week the board met for about four hours and interviewed candidates for the permanent superintendent position. On Feb. 14-15, in executive session, the board will have another round of interviews. Board chairman Michael Hubbard said there might be another interview session this month and then finalists will be made public. The date of offering a contract is yet to be determined.

PASS scores revealed
Jasper County's Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (PASS) 2009 scores were revealed last week. The results include scores in writing, English language arts (reading and research), mathematics, science and social studies and are based on three scoring levels: Exemplary (student demonstrated exemplary performance in meeting the grade level standard); Met (student met the grade-level standard); Not met (student did not meet the grade-level standard).
For writing, at least 50 percent of each of the county's third- to eighth-grade classes did not meet standards. Exemplary performance was achieved by 22.8 percent of third-graders.
In English, the numbers were a bit more encouraging. More than 54 percent of sixth- and seventh-graders did not meet standards, but 41.7 percent of third-graders, 39.6 percent of fourth-graders, 48 percent of fifth-graders and 41.8 percent of eighth-graders, met standards. Exemplary performance was achieved by 23.6 percent of third-graders.
Mathematics and science had some rough scores. At least 61.8 percent of each of the county's third- to eighth-grade classes - excluding fourth-graders - did not meet math standards. Fourth-grade classes had 46.4 percent which did not meet standards. Third-graders had the highest achieve exemplary (8.1 percent).
In science, at least 50.5 percent of each of the third- to eighth-grade classes did not meet standards. The highest not met percentage was third-graders (73), lowest was fifth-graders (50.5). The highest exemplary status achieved was by eighth-graders (4.9 percent).
In social studies, 52.2 percent of fourth-graders and 56.2 percent of sixth-graders met standards. However, 58.8 percent of third-graders, 55.4 percent of fifth-graders, 74.9 percent of seventh-graders and 43.6 percent of eighth-graders did not meet standards.
For individual schools, the highest percent of students to meet standards in a subject were 61 percent of
Hardeeville Elementary School fourth-graders who met standards in social studies
To see full results, go to http://ed.sc.gov/topics/assessment/scores/pass/2009

State scores

PASS results by subject
• Writing - The writing test for each grade level included multiple-choice questions and one extended-response (essay) item. Fifth-graders had the highest "passing" percentage of students meeting the standard or showing exemplary performance - 73.2 percent. The eighth-grade passing score was lowest at 68.2 percent.
• English language arts (reading and research) - The ELA test includes multiple-choice questions based on reading passages. Fifth-graders again had the highest passing percentage at 80 percent. Grade 8 was lowest at 67.5 percent.
• Mathematics - The math test contained only multiple-choice items. Grade 4 had the best passing rate at 76.8 percent. Grade 8 was lowest at 62.7 percent.
• Science - The seventh-grade passing rate of 71.1 percent was best on this multiple-choice test. Grade 3 was lowest at 61.6 percent.
• Social studies - This test also contained only multiple-choice questions. Grade 4 had the best passing rate at 79.8 percent, while Grade 7 was lowest at 60.2 percent.