Rachel Jones
The Island Packet
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Past articles by Rachel:
Memorial for 10-year-old childhood cancer activist dedicated on Hilton Head Island
The elementary student’s fight with leukemia expanded to charity work and advocacy to Congress for pediatric cancer research and funding. Now, his Hilton Head elementary school is honoring his memory. → Read More
‘I wanted that feeling forever’: Beaufort Co.’s new superintendent talks priorities
Beaufort County’s new school superintendent Frank Rodriguez is a Cuban-American and a former history teacher and soccer coach. What are his plans for referendum, FBI investigation, teacher pay, budget and critics? → Read More
Beaufort Co. School District employees lodge grievances against board member
The elected officials over Beaufort County’s schools have employed a lawyer to look into district employee complaints of harassment by a board of education member. Board members have not seen the complaints. → Read More
What’s happening with the FBI’s investigation into Moss, Beaufort Co. schools?
The FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office’s examination of Jeff Moss and his use of a North Carolina construction company to build schools has left Beaufort County SC board of education members waiting for answers. → Read More
Beaufort Co. auditor: Some taxpayers may be overcharged by school district next year
Beaufort County SC teachers, voters and parents supported the budget at County Council, but the school district and county disagree over what renters and business owners will pay to fund staff and classrooms. → Read More
Beaufort Co. school board was told to cut its $254M budget. So it did ... by $3,000
Former educators representing Hilton Head, Bluffton, Port Royal and Beaufort school districts weigh in on cuts to instructional coaches and the superintendent’s office as they ask for a property tax increase. → Read More
Is the largest expense on Beaufort Co. school bond referendum a sign of school closings?
As Beaufort County’s school bond referendum date approaches, board of education members and taxpayers are concerned that the Election Day ask could lead to closing elementary schools north of the Broad River. → Read More
Beaufort Co. school board approves $345 million bond referendum for November
The board of education approved a referendum that could improve conditions across the district, including Beaufort, Bluffton, Hilton Head, Battery Creek, May River, Whale Branch and River Ridge schools. → Read More
‘How long could you go missing?’ Beaufort Co. teacher’s aide under investigation, police say
A Beaufort County SC teacher’s aide has been on paid administrative leave since March while police investigate harassing comments a student says the aide made after showing her a picture of his car. → Read More
Were your school taxes less last year? Renters could soon pay the consequences of that
Property tax law in South Carolina exempts primary residences from school taxes, meaning that owners of businesses, boats, vehicles and rentals are stuck with the bill. Beaufort Co. may increase these taxes. → Read More
Challenges ahead as Beaufort Co. school board considers $300 million-plus projects list
Beaufort County School district’s board of education is preparing for a school bond referendum, following failures to raise money for construction under Jeff Moss. What’s on the multimillion dollar proposal? → Read More
‘Stepped on and pushed out’: No raises for some Beaufort Co. school employees since 2004
Support staff at the Beaufort County SC School District say they aren’t being paid enough. Their salaries range from $26K to $43,000. The board of education voted on budget without pay increase for data clerks. → Read More
Beaufort Co. school board to district: Plan to cut budget is too harsh on support staff
The Beaufort County SC Board of Education rejected the school district’s proposed cuts to its $256 million budget because it reduced support staff pay raises by too much and didn’t cut enough from administration. → Read More
New Beaufort Co. schools superintendent to get $2,000 monthly housing stipend at first, contract says
The Beaufort County SC Board of Education finalized its contract for new superintendent Frank Rodriguez over Memorial Day weekend. Here’s how it differs from Jeff Moss’ and Herb Berg’s contracts. → Read More
Survey: 40% of Beaufort Co. parents say start time change is hurting students, families
A group of Beaufort Co. SC teachers presented the results of a survey to the school board that showed nearly 40 percent of parents say that the 2016-17 start time change has had a negative effect on students. → Read More
Beaufort Co. school board OKs salary, contract for new superintendent
The Beaufort County Board of Education voted Thursday to approve a $210,200 annual salary and a four-year contract for Frank Rodriguez, who was hired to be next school superintendent and replaces Jeff Moss, who left in 2018. → Read More
Beaufort Co. school board hasn’t agreed on terms for a new superintendent to start July 1
Although the Beaufort County Board of Education voted April 16 to hire Palm Beach Fla.’s Frank Rodriguez as the school district’s new superintendent, no contract has been signed for a July 1 start date. → Read More