►  Polk County School Board approves Beginning Teachers Support Program

The Polk County School Board approved a Beginning Teacher Support Program for the 2016-2017 school year at their board meeting on Monday, June 13. According to Aaron Greene, the plan will ensure teachers new to the profession in Polk County are given the support needed to perform their function as teacher in an effective and efficient matter. This program is a state requirement to afford beginning teachers a sound induction program. Teachers will be assigned a mentor, learn how to develop a professional development plan and be subject to peer observations during the first three years of their career.

►  Polk County School Board approves new roofs for Saluda Elementary and gym

The Polk County School Board has approved the purchase order for new roofs for Saluda Elementary and the adjoining gym. These roofs will be installed later this summer. Hal Cannon of Cannon Roofing, LLC out of Spartanburg will install the roofs for an estimated total of $126,250. The funds are coming from the lottery portion of the Polk County Schools budget. Replacing the roof of the main elementary school building will cost $103,300 and replacing the roof of the gym will cost an additional $22,950.

►  Polk County School Board approves inter-county student transfers agreement

The Polk County School Board has approved an agreement with the Henderson County Board of Education regarding Saluda district students within Polk County. The board made the motion to allow students to choose whether they attend Henderson County Schools or Polk County Schools since the Saluda district lies in both counties. This agreement has been in existence between the two school boards for more than 20 years, according to Superintendent Bill Miller.

► Tryon to hold budget public hearing Tuesday

The Town of Tryon is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2016-2017 budget on Tuesday, June 21. The town is proposing no tax increases or rate increases next fiscal year, which begins July 1. The town’s meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the McCown Room at Tryon Town Hall.

►  Polk County set to approve 2016-2017 budget

The Polk County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to approve the county’s 2016-2017 fiscal year budget on Monday, June 20. The budget is proposed to increase the property tax rate by two cents in order to pay debt service for a new jail and also includes increases in four of the county’s fire department tax rates. The county held a public hearing during its June 6 meeting and heard no comments. The county’s meeting begins at 7 p.m. Monday in the R. Jay Foster Hall of Justice, located in the Womack building in Columbus.

►  Saluda to pay Eagle Scout to paint historic street signs

The City of Saluda approved paying Eagle Scout Jericho Thomas up to $500 ($15 per sign) to paint the remainder of the city’s historic street signs. Thomas painted 26 monument signs as part of his Eagle Scout project with the city estimated there are 25 or so remaining. The monuments are concrete markers that stand at the end of streets in Saluda.

►  Saluda to open bids on Laurel Drive lift station repairs June 30

The City of Saluda announced during its June 13 meeting that it will open bids for its Laurel Drive lift station project on June 30. Saluda approved borrowing $150,000 from its fund balance to make repairs to the lift station, including replacing the discharge line to the station. City manager Jon Cannon said a number of companies said they couldn’t meet the city’s previous schedule so the city extended the deadline. There have been six companies to request packages. Cannon said he anticipates the project will begin the end of July or first of August.