Left to right, Dr. Hugh Wilson, former director of The Palmetto School; Carol Aust, executive director SC Public Charter School Alliance; Dr. Bill Cook, Rock Hill Schools superintendent; Mick Zais, US Deputy Superintendent of Education; Chantell Tarver, director of The Palmetto School; and Patti Rubenzer, director of school development with the SC Public Charter School Alliance.
Rock Hill Schools has been named the 2019 South Carolina Charter School Sponsor of the Year by the Public Charter School Alliance of South Carolina for its continued support of The Palmetto School at the Children’s Attention Home.
Nominated by former director Dr. Hugh Wilson and current director Chantell Tarver, Rock Hill Schools superintendent Dr. Bill Cook accepted the award at a ceremony on November 21 in Columbia.
The relationship between The Palmetto School and the district is unique in that the school’s charter has been authorized by the Rock Hill School Board of Trustees since the school’s founding in 2004. With its focus to serve at-risk youth who are facing adverse challenges and who may live at the Children’s Attention Home, the district provides direct support to the staff, students, and their families. As a district-authorized sponsor, The Palmetto School receives a portion of its funding through Rock Hill Schools and operates separately from the school district
As a district sponsor, Rock Hill Schools is able to provide additional collaboration through professional development for teachers and administrators, shared support services for students with exceptional needs teaching materials and programs, and additional personnel for tutoring through multiple grants. Parents also can receive family engagement resources.
“We have a wonderful partnership with the administration, their board, and staff, and we are honored to be selected as the charter school sponsor of the year,” said Dr. Cook following the presentation. “I remain appreciative of the collaboration between our district and The Palmetto School, and am grateful to serve alongside educators in Rock Hill who focus on improving outcomes for all students while demonstrating that we are one team on one mission for one Rock Hill. The Palmetto School is a very special place with special people, and we are fortunate to support their mission.”