Lauren Bacall was more than just Humphrey Bogart’s wife A6
Health care and college Here’s what you need to know if your child gets sick A4
SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894
THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 2014
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School board members get raises Trustees also approve 7 percent increase in bus driver pay BY RAYTEVIA EVANS ray@theitem.com (803) 774-1214 After some tumultuous years during consolidation, Sumter School District’s board of trustees returned to the issue of board pay, considering the school district is now in a much better financial place than it was in previous years. The seven-member board recently approved an increase
Gunman gets 20 years in shooting
in board compensation after discussing the matter in executive session during the recent meeting. According to the school district, the board approved an increase in per diem from $450 to $650 per SCHULTZ month for board members and from $550 to $700 for the board chairman. According to board minutes,
the increase was passed with a 4-2 vote, with Karen Michalik and Patty Wilson voting against it and the Rev. Ralph Canty abstaining. Canty also abstained his vote, and Michalik and Wilson voted against the first reading to policy BID, which refers to board compensation and expenses, increasing allowance from $75 to $125 for in-state and out-of-state meals and incidentals. The school district’s board
policy states that board members receive no compensation for their services, but each elected member will receive a per diem for attendance at board meetings, limited to one board meeting each month. No board member receives a per diem unless he or she is in attendance for regular board meetings or on official business of the board. “When we first initially formed as a consolidated district, we came together, our fi-
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‘The clergy (has) got your back’ Ministers pray for teachers, students at annual event BY RAYTEVIA EVANS ray@theitem.com (803) 774-1214
BY ROB COTTINGHAM rob@theitem.com (803) 774-1225 He’s been suffering for four long years and has endured 17 surgeries in the process, but former corrections officer Robert Johnson finally has a reason to smile. Sean Echols, the man hired to kill Johnson, was sentenced to the maximum of 20 years in prison Wednesday after he plead guilty to conspiracy to use interstate facilities in a murder-for-hire ECHOLS in April. “I’m glad we finally got him,” Johnson said. “I wish we’d got more, but I’m satisfied. I’m not disappointed.” In the early morning hours of March 5, 2010, a man burst into Johnson’s home and fired several rounds from a .38-caliber revolver, striking Johnson in the chest and abdomen six times. Luckily, Johnson survived. In the investigation that followed, law enforcement determined the shooting was done in retaliation for Johnson’s extensive work — and success — in preventing the flow of contraband into his prison, Lee Correctional Institution. It was discovered that a plot was developed by certain inmates who used cellphones to communicate with contacts outside the prison. Phone records connected the suspected leader of the plot with Echols, who was further incriminated through interviews that revealed he played an active role in the orchestration of the hit on Johnson. Echols was to be paid $6,000 for the deed. The first payment was sent via mail to Echols shortly after the plotting concluded. The use of the postal service and cellphones — both of which are facilities
nancial picture was not as black and white as it is today. And our board elected to forgo any discussion on salary increases at that time,” explained Chairman Keith Schultz. “The salaries we were paid at that time were kind of commensurate with what the former District 2 and District 17 board members were paid. We put that off for some time with the understanding that it
RAYTEVIA EVANS / THE SUMTER ITEM
Keynote Speaker Pastor Al Sims of Bethesda Church of God speaks to Sumter County teachers and administrators during the 16th Annual Sumter County Teachers’ Luncheon on Wednesday afternoon at the Sumter County Civic Center.
DEATHS, B5 Walter M. Kennedy Sr. Levi Evans Sr. Julia M. Richburg Vivian Burris Leslie Argabright Alton Sharpe
Suester M. Evans Frances B. Cook Shamara Henry Inez Hollman
Hundreds of teachers, administrators and members and leaders of the faith-based community in Sumter gathered for the 16th Annual Sumter County Teachers’ Luncheon on Wednesday afternoon at Sumter County Civic Center. With the theme “Building on Our Unity,” members of Sumter County Ministerial Alliance and Sumter County Concerned Clergy gave encouraging words to educators; prayed for students, support staff, families and administration; and prayed for a successful school year. “This event is not just to have a meal. We’re here to let you know the clergy (has) got your back,” said keynote speaker Al Sims. “We’re praying for you.” Ministers and representatives from several churches attended the event to show their support of education in Sumter County schools and of the teachers and leaders in public and private schools before the 2014-15 school year begins. Also in attendance was Sumter School District Board Chairman Keith Schultz, Mayor Joe McElveen, representatives from The Tuomey Foundation and Sumter School District Superintendent Frank Baker. The superintendent thanked the ministerial alliance and the concerned clergy for their support and shared some of the district’s goals, adding that unity, collaboration and passion will make teachers, students and schools successful. “We’re all in this together. Each of us can draw on the strength of others for support,” Baker said. “We would not be able to have this event today without collaboration — not only in schools, but in our county, and that includes the faithbased community. And we always must keep our passion
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Expect mostly sunny skies today; mainly clear tonight HIGH 88, LOW 68
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