Archive for October, 2008

The 5th Land Acquisition Referendum

The Shelter Cove Community Park preserves views of Broad Creek for the public and is the location of many community events.

Assistant Town Manager Curtis Coltrane Describes the Program

On October 15, Assistant Hilton Head Island Town Manager Curtis Coltrane spoke to Indigo Run residents at Indigo Hall about the Town of Hilton Head Island’s Land Acquisition Program.   Mr. Coltrane told residents that each of the four previous referenda in 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2003 passed with 78-90% voter approval.  The fifth Land Acquisition Program will be on the November 4 ballot and will be non-binding.

The Referendum will authorize the Town of Hilton Head to issue up to $17,000,000 of general obligation bonds so that the Town can purchase land for these goals: 

• The public purpose of purchasing developed and undeveloped land    
• Development rights and conservation easements in order to manage growth and development 
• Mitigate traffic congestion
• Protect water quality and other aspects of the environment
• Establish active and passive parks
• Construct public facilities
• Preserve historic sites

 Land Acquisition History and Examples 

On the boardwalk at the Folly Field Beach Park

The quotes throughout this article are from Mr. Coltrane’s  presentation.  ”The Town has acquired 127 separate parcels that total 1,172 acres at a cost of $150 million.   This is quite a lot of property and it  represents 5 % of developable land within Town limits and 19% of the developable land outside the PUDs (planned unit developments).  There are few if any Towns in the Country or the world that have this much per cent of land within its boundaries.  

The first land acquisition by the Town was the Coligny Beach parking lot in 1987 but the program as we know it today began in the early 1990s and it continues to this day.  The Town’s acquisitions have been mostly along the William Hilton Parkway.   Examples of acquisitions include the Chaplin Park, the Islanders Beach Park, Dreissen Beach Park, Honey Horn Plantation, the Northridge tract, a piece in front of Indigo Run that could have been high density development, the Crossings Park, the Boggy Gut property on Pope Avenue, several parcels at the Coligny Beach Park, a parcel at Palmetto Dunes and the Ulmer property in Bluffton.”    

The Ulmer Tract in Bluffton

“This acquisition is different for two reasons:  The property is in Bluffton and we did not buy the property but we bought the right to develop this property.  By doing so we limited the property largely to agricultural use and use by the Sellers of five-acre sub-parts for their residences. The 400 acre Ulmer property Is in Bluffton but it has been a very important purchase for the Town of Hilton Head Island.  The Town bought this property because the Ulmer family was negotiating to have it  annexed into the Town of Bluffton and the developer agreement they wanted would have allowed the number of houses that would be built there to be about the same as we have now in Hilton Head Plantation – and there would be additional commercial buildings.  All of the traffic for this development would have entered US 278 at the bridge to Hilton Head Island.  As we know, the Moss Creek stoplight can be problematic even on a good day .  This additional development would have created even additional problems and that is why the Town Council believed that forestalling the  development at that site was a worthwhile expenditure of funds.   The result for the Town is that nothing needs to be done to the entrance to Hilton Head Island for a long time.  The Town does not pay taxes on this property and has no additional financial obligations for it.  Because the Town purchased this property, Beaufort County has since reciprocated by spending over four million dollars to purchase over 20 acres of land on Hilton Head Island.”

The Shelter Cove Community Park during Wingfest in March, 2008

The Jenkins Island Tract

“The Town purchased this property  in the mid 1990s when the owner was negotiating to sell it to with a big box retailer – K-Mart.  Again, it’s a gateway piece to Hilton Head Island so instead of having a big box store you have about a mile and a half of trees.  The parcel Is about 85 acres and it has a Public Service District reverse osmosis plant on it and nothing else.”

Shelter Cove Community Park, 

Boggy Gut and Leg O’Mutton Road

• “The Shelter Cove Community Park and is a 26 acre parcel that features various wine and food fests and it also has the Veterans Memorial.  The view from the Park is across the marshes and Broad Creek is quite lovely and it has been preserved for the public. 
• The construction of the Compass Rose Park there is a substantial material improvement over the former McKibben’s Firestone that used to be on the corner of New Orleans and Pope Avenue. 
• The parcel on Leg O’Mutton Road near the entrance to Indigo Run that used to be a concrete plant land is currently not scheduled for any development.  If it is developed it will be for some unintensive use like a church.” 

The Discovery House at Honey Horn Plantation

Substantial Development Is Precluded 

“It is my belief, certainly, that the Town’s Land Acquisition Program has been a benefit to the residents of the Town of Hilton Head Island and does a lot of things to improve our lives.  One thing that the Land Acquisition Program has done is to reduce the ultimate build out of Hilton Head Island.  All of the things that were zoned for those properties will not be built.  This includes 4.37 million square feet of commercial development that represents 62% of the 7.49 total square feet of commercial development that currently exists. 

It has also precluded 1,365 motel rooms.  This represents 45% of he 3,010 hotel/motel rooms that currently exist.  One of these sites had an old service station on it at the Chaplin waterfront.  The site has been opened up to allow a view of the Broad Creek from US RT 278 for the public.    

In addition, the properties bought by the Town were zoned for and could have been developed as 4,467 residential or timeshare units.   This represents 30% of the 15,031 currently existing multi-family and timeshare units on Hilton Head Island.  One example is a parcel at the Yacht Cove tract near the Palmetto Dunes intersection.  This parcel had been approved for timeshare development and it would have created far too much traffic at that location where a traffic light would never have been permitted anyway.   The land provides a vista across Broad Creek and a park will ultimately be developed on that site.”

Hilton Head Has Less Measured Traffic

“All of that additional development just described would have created an additional traffic impact of would have required additional road improvements to handle it and which would have chewed up more land and required more paving.  Frankly, most people think that more paving is less attractive than less paving.  So, in addition to not having more traffic we get the benefit of a more open space and a less-built environment here on Hilton Head Island. 

We measure traffic by trips during the peak hours of 4-6 in the afternoon.  The total amount of development that has been precluded by the Town is 36,327 potential peak hour driving trips - a significant number and even more significant because the Squire pope Road / William Hilton Parkway intersection experiences 4,844 vehicles between 4:45 pm and 5:45 pm each day.  This intersection could be experiencing a 9 fold increase in traffic had the Town not precluded it.  For that reason I believe that the Program has been a success and has improved the quality of life for those people who live on Hilton Head Island and those who visit Hilton Head Island.” 

The Pier at the Discovery House in Honey Horn Plantation, Jarvis Creek and the view toward the ‘Spanish Wells Peninsula’.

Saving Beautiful Hilton Head Vistas

“As important as reducing traffic is the the preservation of our scenic vistas on Hilton Head Island.  At the back of the Honey Horn Discovery house we have a view across the headwaters of Jarvis Creek to the trees of what I call the Spanish Wells Peninsula.  The area of the Peninsula is comprised of three parcels that are also under contract with the Town.  A convenience store could have been built there but the view from Honey Horn will always be of trees.  This is not an acute thing like having to sit at a stop light but an important thing for residents and visitors to Hilton Head Island.”

 Land Along William Hilton Parkway

“Along the same line, the ownership of property by the Town protects open space.  The Town Council has always believed that the green space along William Hilton Parkway is a good thing that both visitors and residents appreciate.  You may notice that the green space along the Parkway is unbroken as much as possible.  The Jenkins Island tract was previously discussed.  One of the Town’s primary goals is to protect the green space along Rt 278.” 

The Former Gullah Flea Market Parcel

“The Squire Pope Road, Rt 278 intersection with Rt 278 will have a traffic light and the intersection will use some of parcel that used to the the Gullah Flea Market.  Prior to this latest plan there were a series of curb cuts that allowed residents to come out and make dangerous left hand turns.  They don’t have to do that anymore.  Now they can come out at the new stoplight.  There is a possibility that there will be a frontage road in the area that will connect with Spanish Wells Road and the final layout of that road has not yet been determined. ”

A bench at the Coligny Beach parking area

Hilton Head Island Recreational Properties

“One other thing that the Town has done with these properties is to provide considerable amount of land for recreation facilities.  One example is the Crossings Park that is located on the south end where the bridge lands.  It has three baseball fields as well as soccer fields and general picnic fields.  Chaplin Park and the Barker Field complex also have fields.    There are a large number of people involved in baseball and soccer programs here and these parks are always full of families with children and people who enjoy this kind of activity.  If any of you have been out to these parks then you know that they are heavily used.”

Preservation of Wildlife Habitats

“Another thing that is accomplished by the Land Acquisition Program is the preservation of wildlife habitat.   For example, the Northridge tract  is a significant property with a large wildlife habitat.  It has a beautiful lake that is home to a wide variety of aquatic life and birds.   You might not even know that it was there if you did not take the time to drive down there and look at it.  If you do, you will be rewarded with some stunning scenery.  It’s a natural, undisturbed body of water that provides a place for fish and reptiles to live and grow.”  

Protect Hilton Head Historic Sites

“We have also been able to protect historic sites around Hilton Head Island.   One of these is Honey Horn and what is now known as the Discovery House. The Honey Horn acquisition is roughly 60 acres on Jarvis Creek.  It was an operating farm until the 1980s.  It now houses the Coastal Discovery Museum and a tremendous amount of activity has been done to upgrade the facilities there.   It is home to many festivals like the Concourse Auto Show that is coming next month.  Private events like weddings have also become very popular there.  A great facility like Honey Horn is not at all common for a town of our size to own and operate.  It is another example of the kind of thing that has been done with the land acquisition funds to date.” 

Protection of the Ecosystem

“The Jarvis Park site has a large lake does two things:  It provides a place for people to fish and walk.  There are walking paths all around it and you have to love the scenery.  But the lake is also  a spillway for water from the other side of 278 that filters its way through the marsh and the woods that have been left in place to the headwaters of Jarvis Creek.  If you have never been never been down there to see it, once again I commend it to you.  There is all kinds of wildlife there that you just don’t see in your backyard or many other places.  It is spectacular and something that you don’t get in towns of any size and in particular, towns of this size.”

Leaving the beach at the Coligny Beach Park

Land for Capital Improvement Projects

“One less exciting feature of the Land Acquisition Program is that it allows us to have the space that we need to build our capital improvement projects.  For example: our new fire station on Marshland Road near Indigo Run.  Ten years ago there were five fire stations on Hilton Head Island.  There are now seven and they are all being upgraded.”  

Keeping Hilton Head Property Values High

“All of these things that reduce traffic, reduce construction and allow capital improvements help to keep the property values up on Hilton Head Island and help to make Hilton Head Island a desirable place to live.  The reduction in build-out also reduces the demand in public facilities and therefore we don’t need to build something on every piece of property that we have.   We already discussed the Ulmer tract that precluded the development of many new homes and commercial properties.  By the way, the development of this tract for which we paid over seven million dollars has encouraged Beaufort County to purchase land on Hilton Head Island such as the Spanish Wells Peninsula at Jarvis Creek for which the County paid half.” 

The wheelchair mat at Coligny Beach.  The Coligny Beach Park is one of six Hilton Head Island beach parks with wheelchair access.

Funding Mostly from Transfer Fees

“Real estate transfer fees have been a steady source of funding since 1995 when they began to be collected.  A big spike higher occurred in 2005 with some big hotel sales and high residential sales but we are down this year.  However, it has proved to be a steady source of funding.  The Town uses this source to pay off the bonds that we issue and that will be the intention as we go forward if the current referendum passes.   Bonds allow you to have enough money all at once to do land acquisitions rather than having to wait for money as it comes in.”

Additional Sources of Funding Have Been:

• General revenues – but they have not been done too often since the real estate transfer fee was adopted. 
• Donations.  Some have been  made to the Town with the specific purpose of acquiring real estate. 
• Capital improvement projects like money to purchase land for roadway improvements.
• Grants

The Criteria for Land Selection

1. Reduction of Traffic Congestion and Management of Growth
2. Preservation of open space along major roads
3. Improving public access and views to water
4. Preservation of historic sites
5. Obtaining parcels that further the Town’s Capital Improvement Programs (roads, pathways, storm water, parks)

In Summary

Mr. Coltraine concluded his excellent presentation:  ”We think that the Land Acquisition Program has improved the quality of life on Hilton Head Island.  The Town Council would like to continue that program because the program has been a success and the money that the Town has for it is nearing its end.  The Council has voted to put a new bond referendum before Islanders on the November 4 ballot.  We are ask to approve borrowing up to 17 million dollars.  This will be financed with a 1 mil property tax increase which is $4 for each $100,000 value of our homes.  This kind of program must be funded by residents and will never be funded by the State or anyone else.” 

Hilton Head Land Aquisition Referendum Election Results

To see the outcome of the election on November 5, see Election Day on Hilton Head Island and in Bluffton, 2008.

Richard Kadesch, Owner and Broker-in-Charge The Gated Community Specialist ® Go Gated Realty ® Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Rich@gogated.com www.GoGated.com 1-800-333-5025 Read Some of My Clients’ Success Stories

 

The Exhibit is at the Coastal Discovery Museum in Honey Horn Plantation

Michelle Maffei, “The Basket Weaver”,  oil

Don’t miss the Art League of Hilton Head’s annual show at the Coastal Discovery Museum.  The show continues  Monday-Saturday until November 3, 2008 and admission is free.  There are few places as beautiful as Honey Horn Planation and this show there at the Coastal Discovery Museum is a special treat.  I had a great time at the show and I hope that you will too.  These pieces and many others are on display for your enjoyment.

David Musial, “Hilton Head Animal Shelter”, oil

From the show’s brochure: “The Art League of Hilton Head and all it’s member artists are so pleased to present our annual Member Show once again this year here at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn.  This warm and inviting environment affords a perfect place for all of us to share our very best work with the entire community.  Our artists work all year long to provide this exhibition and we are certain you will enjoy it.

Our heart felt thanks to both our artists and members who have made this event possible.  To all our friends and visitors, we thank you for your support and partronage.  Together, we truly have made Hilton Head Island an artist’s destination.”   Cindy Chiappetta, Special Events

Caroll Williams, “Six Feet and Rising”, assemblage

From the Art League Show brochure: “The Art League ofHilton Head remains the Island’s leading force in developing and implementing Visual Arts programs for both residents and tourists.  This Member Show is just one example of these programs, and I am sure you’ll find the artwork of top quality…perfect for your home.

A special thank you to Cindy Chiappetta, Helen Evans, Barbara Snow and Carol Williams and their committee for again making this a successful event.”  Terry Brennan, President

Don Nagel, “Shorescape #4″, pastel

 From the Art League show brochure: “Welcome to the Art League of Hilton Head’s 2008 Member Show.  The Art League of HIlton Head promotes and supports the visual arts through education, exhibitions, and partnerships for the cultural enrichment of the community and its visitors.

Our permanent gallery is located at Pineland Station – Suite 207.  All mediums are represented.  The gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The Art League’s Art Academy offers a variety of classes throughout the year at our studios located at 106 Cordillo Parkway.  Classes are open to both Art League members and non-members and are for all ages and level of skill.  Offerings include a wide variety of media and special interest topics scheduled both day and evening. 

Visit us at www.ArtLeaguehhi.org.

Terry Brennan, “Honey Horn Barn”, oil

 Upcoming Hilton Head Art League events:

• Sunday, November 16 :  The Second Annual Fundraiser “Got Art” at the Mall at Shelter Cove.
• December 8 – January 3: “Holiday Boutique” , the Art League Gallery, Pineland Station. 
• Saturday, February 28, 2009: ”Fabulous Fakes”, the Art League Gallery, Pineland Station.  

John Diamond, “Purple Heart/Myrtle Burl”, woodturning

Sheri Farbstein, “Flowers on my mind”, clay

Richard Kadesch, Owner and Broker-in-Charge The Gated Community Specialist ® Go Gated Realty ® Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Rich@gogated.com www.GoGated.com 1-800-333-5025 Read Some of My Clients’ Success Stories

Hilton Head Home Prices Search for the Bottom

Sep 07 Oct   Nov   Dec  Jan 08  Feb   Mar   Apr     May   Jun    Jul    Aug   Sep

600     611    507    601    576   399   569    501   520    537   452    513   536

 Hilton Head Home Sales Prices x $1,000.

We don’t need the Go Gated Blog to tell us that Hilton Head home prices have fallen.  Statistically, home prices have fallen from September 2007 to September 2008 by 10.8%.  But, are prices at the bottom and if not, when will this happen?  The fact is that  nobody knows exactly when prices will bottom and economic events like that are impossible to predict accurately.  But, we can study our local housing numbers as we do in this blog and draw our own conclusions about what may happen next.  

The best statistics about Hilton Head home sales for us to study come from the Hilton Head Multiple Listing Service and come with this disclaimer:  “The statistical data presented herein has not been verified by the Multiple Listing Service of Hilton Head Island Inc, Richard Kadesch or Go Gated Realty.   The publication of the information hereof is not a representaiton of any fact whatsoever.”  

The Number of Hilton Head Homes Sold

Sep 07 Oct   Nov   Dec  Jan 08  Feb   Mar   Apr     May   Jun    Jul    Aug   Sep

169      90     87    143   66     113   107   140     156   129   148    106    83

A Summary of Hilton Head Home Sales Data

Here is a summary of some 13-month statistics taken from the HIlton Head MLS: 

• The average sales prices of homes shows a gradual decline in the past 13 months (see the graph, above).  The average home sale in September 2007 was $600,496 vs the average home sold in September, 2008 of $535,719 shows a decline in average sales price of $64,777 or 10.8% year to year for September.  We will probably see some lower average sales prices in 2009 and we will have to monitor the data to see when we hit bottom. 
• The number of homes sold shows a gradual decline (see the graph, above).  169 homes sold in September 2007 vs 83 sold in September 2008. This is a decline of 50.9% for these  two months year to year.  Okay, so there are fewer buyers but to speculate about why is to ask if prices are still too high, credit is too tight and if buyers are waiting for the presidential election or some other event as a buying signal.  
• The dollar volume of Hilton Head homes sold declined from $101,483,835. in September 2007 to $44,464,691. in September 2008 ( see the graph, below). This is a decline of 56.2%.  This number, together with the number of homes sold data tells me that more homes are selling in the lower price range, at least in September, 2008.    
• The average days on the Market to sell is up from 125 in September 2007 to 149 in September 2008 (see the graph, below).  This is an increase of 24 days, or 19.2%.

 Hilton Head Home Sales in Millions of Dollars

Sep 07 Oct   Nov   Dec  Jan 08  Feb   Mar   Apr     May   Jun    Jul    Aug   Sep

101    55      44      86      38     45      61    70     81      69      67      54      44

 What Must Change For Prices to Recover

• The supply and factors must change.  Demand must increase more than the supply increases.  The supply must decrease.  We see this happening and many sellers do not renew listings and withdraw properties from the market.  In September of 2007 there were 2,904 Hilton Head homes for sale vs 2,842 homes for sale in September, 2008 – a reduction of 2%.  
• The rate of foreclosures must diminish.  While foreclosures are a small part of the sales inventory, they depress prices at the low end..
• Credit must be available for buyers and at attractive interest rates.   The government is not committed to this issue.
• Buyer confidence must improve.  Many buyers are waiting for the market to settle down and to me, this means that they expect to get lower prices by waiting or they must sell before buying.  Buyers also don’t like uncertainty in general and there is a lot of that right now.  We need to have the Presidential election to eliminate the uncertainly about who will be our next President.  We need more assurance that the national and world economy will improve. 

The Go Gated Blog will be monitor events and HIlton Head home prices.  The needed changes will happen slowly.  National experts see a housing recovery underway but that will take several years to complete.  Hilton Head is typically among the last places to feel a recession and among the first to recover.  This is in part because there are many affluent buyers of prime Hilton Head Island real estate.  It is also true that Beaufort County is among the fastest growing counties in the State of South Carolina.  There are many new jobs here and baby boomer demographics favor the Hilton Head retirement and second home housing market.  

 Some Good News for Hilton Head Home Sellers

• The gradual decline in prices gives sellers a reasonable expectation of what buyers will pay.     
• There are buyers in the marketplace. 
• We are probably at or near the bottom of home prices.
• Banks do have money to lend and interest rates are generally pretty good. 
• If you sell low now and will buy again, you will probably buy low too. 

Average Days on the Market to Sell

Sep 07 Oct   Nov   Dec  Jan 08  Feb   Mar   Apr     May   Jun    Jul    Aug   Sep

125   128    101    146   130    139   145    162    151   118   149   147   149

 What is a Hilton Head Home – Statistically?

All sales from the entire HIlton Head MLS area is used for the data in this article.  Yes, the Hilton Head statistial home is a combination of some trailers down the road, a few ocean front mansions and numerous other homes.  Please ask the Gated Communities Specialist ® about the sub-market of the neighborhood that interests you.  Recently a client who bought a house from me last year in Hilton Head Plantation called to find out how much he believed home prices must have fallen in his neighborhood.  The numbers told me that prices where he lives have not fallen at all.  He loves his home and has no regrets.  He could not have bought it now for the low price that he got even if it was for sale today.   

Remember, this data describes homes - not villas or lots.  That data will be presented in separate blog posts ASAP.  Most sales of the Hilton Head Multiple Listing Service occur on Hilton Head Island or in Bluffton, South Carolina.   Other areas that are part of the Hilton Head MLS include Ridgeland and Hardeeville, both in Jasper County.  Also included are homes in Barnwell, Hampton, and Orangeburg counties.

Richard Kadesch, Owner and Broker-in-Charge The Gated Community Specialist ® Go Gated Realty ® Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Rich@gogated.com www.GoGated.com 1-800-333-5025 Read Some of My Clients’ Success Stories

 Part 2: The Biggest Issues Facing Hilton Head and Bluffton Schools Today

In this second of six parts, Dr. Valerie Truesdsale, Beaufort County School Superintendent talks about the three biggest issues facing Hilton Head and Bluffton schools according to a survey by the Hilton Head-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce.  These issues are: quality of instruction, school funding and the explosive growth of our community.  She spoke along with other top local educators at the State of the Schools event sponsored by the Hilton Head-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and held at the Hilton Oceanfront Hotel on Thursday, August 28, 2008.   The Go Gated Blog is posting the event in six parts:      

1. Fred Washington Jr,  Chairman, Beaufort County School Board.
2. Dr. Valerie Truesdale, Superintendent, Beaufort County Schools.
3. Mike Lindsey, Headmaster, Hilton Head Christian Academy.
4. Peter Cooper, Interim Headmaster, Hilton Head Preparatory School.
5. Questions from the audience and answers from the Panel.
6. The Coaches speak about student-athletes and character.   

Dr. Valerie Truesdale,  Beaufort County Schools Superintendent 

Dr. Valerie Truesdale has been an educator for over 25 years.  She earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of South Carolina in 1988, and MBA from Georgia State University in 1978 and a Bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Clemson University in 1974.  Dr. Truesdale is starting her second year as Superintendent after serving as Superintendent of Oconee County Schools from 2003-2006. 

Dr. Valerie Truesdale

Dr. Truesdale has served on many boards and commissions including four years as a Board Member of the International Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), an association of teachers and instructional leaders with over 175,000 members worldwide.  She was recently named President-elect of ASCD.  Dr. Truesdale previously served as President of the Allied Division of the S.C. Association of School Administrators, President of the S.C. Network for Women Administrators and Chair of Leadership Columbia.   She was recently appointed to the South Carolina Public Charter School Board.  Dr. Truesdale serves on the External Advisory Board for Clemson University’s College of Health, Education and Human Development and has taught graduate courses for Clemson University and the University of South Carolina.

High ‘E’ in Hilton Head and Bluffton Public Schools

“The state of education in our 28 public schools: I have to say that this is our ‘E’ year.  This is the year that we have so much excitement and energy and enthusiasm in our public schools that you can bottle it!  You can touch it!  You can feel it in our schools. There’s always excitement and enthusiasm in the first part of each school year.   We ’school people’ get refreshed in the summertime and we come back with renewed enthusiasm.  We are in our 9th day of traditional schooling and so we are still pumped. 

There is particular energy in our Hilton Head schools.   We had Envisioning Educational Excellence activity last October with 40 community members and they outlined a new mission for us.  Those folks are pushing us towards educational excellence in all aspects of what we do. There is also a lot of energy in our schools because of new technology.  We are all lifetime learners, but with new technology many of us are really learning because some of us are not just technology natives as our students are.  Some of us are technology tourists and we’re learning it together with our students, which creates a lot of energy. 

The Importance of Math, Science and Technology

Last year we focused and identified what works in our schools and in our state and national best practices and we brought some of those best practices to Beaufort County.  We looked across our landscape and saw the rich heritage of strong achievement in our classes and we began to ask how we can replicate that in all of our schools so that the best practices used by our best teachers are the best practices used by all of our teachers.  We have a strong legacy of excellence in our classrooms and we want to replicate that across all of our schools.  So we focused on improving student achievement, particularly in math and science.  Those are two areas that need a little push and we’re going to kick it up a notch. 

So we have four focus areas:  Literacy, Numeracy, Technology, Alignment.  Alignment means that the 3rd grade curriculum and the strategies used are the foundation for the 5th grade and the 7th grade and the 9th grade.  It’s very deliberate and thoughtful and it’s not left to happenstance. 

Mathematics is the language of the 21st century.  We know that our students must be extraordinarily strong to be competitive in math, science and technology.  When I came along and finished college 34 years ago, a book worm could do well in school.  These days it’s not okay just to be a good reader; you also have know math and technology and science in order to be literate for the 21st century marketplace.  We are really focusing in on that.  Each one of the 18 elementary schools has the structural coaches that will focus on math and science as well as other instructional areas this year.    We received a lot of grants last year for implementation this year. 

Vertical Articulation PK-12

We are also helping with vertical articulation which is what I was just talking about: the PK through 12 experience so that we don’t build our schools with the child in mind; We walk through the schools in the mind of our children so that we see where there are gaps and overlaps from the student’s perspective, not the adult’s perspective.   If we can plug some of those gaps and eliminate some of those overlaps we have better instructional use of time.   With that, math coaches will be helping to standardize our elementary curriculum in mathematics across the county.  We have also added technology integration coaches to help those of us who are technology immigrants or visitors to get comfortable with extending the learning of students using technology to all students in all 24 elementary and middle schools.  They will help teachers took for links and opportunities to make technology come alive in the classroom.  There is not a single student that does not use technology every single day in their normal lives. To help students cement their keyboarding skills we added lab assistants in the elementary schools.   They need to be able to have the touch skills that they need to be able to move quickly so that they don’t do hunt and peck, like some of us! 

Whiteboards and our Teachers’ Knowledge

We believe that our teachers need to  have the tools for learning at their fingertips and that they are comfortable with it so that every teacher in Beaufort County is receiving a lap top so that they can have the technology, the ability to plan at home and the infrastructure to support technology which is part of our bond referendum this year, uplifting our schools so that the infrastructure supports technology. 

Last year we had a pilot of 72 interactive whiteboards.  The success of that pilot resulted in our equipping 60% of our classrooms this year with interactive whiteboards moving towards 100%.  A lot of training is going on for teachers and educators on interactive whiteboards.  Why are those important?  They are the visual, tactile extensions of the auditory learning process in the classrooms.  It makes it a more complete package.

We believe in investing in our teachers’ knowledge by providing outstanding training here at home and when students are not in school so that our teachers can come back each year when they are refreshed and energized.  This past summer in June, for the first time we hosted our first summer institute with intense training by nationally known speakers.  We expected 150-200 teachers but 735 teachers of 1,600 total gave up a week of their vacation and attended for their own learning. The title of the conference was “Gifted Strategies for All Learners” and our teachers came and learned and shared and networked and had a terrific investment in our students for the following year because those teachers invested in their own learning.  

Extended Math and Science Learning

Just as we have arts-infused schools at Lady’s Island Elementary School and the Hilton Head Island School for the Creative Arts, we’re extending learning in math and science at three sites using engineering.   This offers opportunities for kids to have hands on learning in realistic settings.  The University of South Carolina College of Engineering in Columbia is lending us their teachers to teach our teachers how to use Legos, robotics and other things to make technology come alive in our schools so that kids can learn physics without meaning to. 

We added a Gifted Magnet this year called the advanced math, engineering and science academy  for students who qualified by the State’s criteria for gifted and talented students for grades three and four.  That’s underway right now:  a stand alone school within a school for gifted education for science and math housed at Beaufort Elementary School.

Expectations ’Stretch’ Hilton Head and Bluffton Students

We are raising expectations across the board in academics and extracurriculars.  I am so proud that we are going to hear from our athletic partners this morning.  We are blessed that our Athletic Directors are monitoring our students’ grades and making sure that our student athletes are high quality leaders in our schools and that they set great role models.  We have added expectations teams in each school that work to make sure that no child can hide from high expectations.  Every student who is a no show, or every student who might drop out has to chat with this expectations team.  Every student who is not stretching him or herself to the potential that the adults see evident in that student’s background and or test scores, IQ scores, etc, ask “are you stretching”.    Push might be a four letter word but it’s a good four letter word and sometimes adults have to push a little bit to make sure that young learners are stretching themselves to the degree that ought.  I’m a mom of three kids and I know that every once in awhile a swift kick helps them to focus and say on track.  Students who are involved in school stay in school  and they achieve in school –  so we’re extending that. 

We have a campaign through the PTAs to  ‘Be There’.  The idea is to be there for your kids, for your teacher, for our schools and to make sure that we are on the same page on the same day. 

We are blessed in Beaufort County that we have a cohesive Board of Education and supported by a County Council that believes in children and that they have put funding behind making our schools as excellent at they can be.  You also have as an outgrowth of the Envisioning Educational Excellence, one of the strategies that was identified was establishing an educational foundation.  We are very blessed to have the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry supporting us.  Some of the Founders of that organization are in the audience today and thank you for what you do. 

In a nutshell:  We are excited about the state of education in Beaufort County.   We’re focused on excellence.  We’re energized and enthusiastic.  You can just feel it and it’s electric! ” 

After Dr. Truesdale spoke, John Vann, Board Chairman of the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce announced that Dr. Truesdale had raised a budget surplus of over 5 million dollars in her first year as Superintendent and that the Board was putting that money to work in the Beaufort County public school classrooms this year. 

Richard Kadesch, Owner and Broker-in-Charge The Gated Community Specialist ® Go Gated Realty ® Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Rich@gogated.com www.GoGated.com 1-800-333-5025 Read Some of My Clients’ Success Stories