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Smith, Weeks cautious on road bills BY JIM HILLEY jim@theitem.com Local Reps. Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, and David Weeks, D-Sumter, both say there are many more discussions to be had after the introduction of two bills in the state House to generate more money for South Carolina’s roads. One bill is the idea of a special ad hoc House panel that would lower the state’s gas tax and raise the sales tax on fuel. That bill was written by Rock Hill Republican Rep. Gary Simrill. Smith, who was a member of the
panel, and Weeks are listed as sponsors. The second bill is Gov. Nikki Haley’s proposal to raise the gas tax by 10 cents. That bill was introduced by Greenville Republican Rep. Tommy Stringer and started with 36 sponsors, including Smith. “I think the goal in the House is to marry the two bills,” Smith said, adding there are portions of both bills he likes. “I am hopeful that what we do is work those two bills in tandem and find some agreement in those and con-
tinue to work with the governor’s office on this issue,” he said. Weeks said the ad hoc bill has some features he might support. “I signed on to the House bill because I think they worked very hard in trying to pull some things together, and I think it is more comprehensive,” he said. “The other thing that the House bill does that I really like is putting the focus on reform of the Department of Transportation, which is something we really, really need. It is not functioning very well, particularly for (rural) counties situated like Sum-
ter County.” Smith said he is concerned about provisions turning some roads over to the counties. “Although it’s optional,” he said. “I’ve read that the counties don’t want to take back the roads,” he said. According to the House bill, 19,000 center line miles of roads would eventually be turned over to the counties for maintenance. Most of those would likely be rural roads. “The problem we have in Sumter
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Career Center’s STEM program gets rolling BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com STEM 10 is the 10th-grade extension of Sumter Career and Technology Center’s mechatronics program, which is offered to 11th- and 12th-grade students. Mechatronics students have the opportunity to attend advanced mechatronics classes at Central Carolina Technical College, receive a certificate in basic mechatronics from CCTC and spend a semester receiving hands-on training with Continental Tire the Americas during their senior year. Students can receive close to 30 credit hours with CCTC through the STEM 10 and mechatronics program. “They can get up to 14 dual enrollment credits just for that first semester,” said Principal Shirrie Miller. Mechatronics instructor Wendy Jacobs, who has been teaching at the career center for two years, said she gladly switched from teaching mathematics to teaching mechatronics. “This school, to me, is probably the most important school in our area. I stopped teaching math. And I love math,” she said. The classroom workshop is filled with equipment Jacobs uses to teach students everything about mechatronics, such as hydraulic, electrical
Keith Gedamke / The Sumter Item Kody Puckett, Tre Haggie, Richard Dozier, Kenneth Jordan and Eddie Goins II, students at the Sumter Career and Technology Center, check the performance of the robot they and other students developed in the mechatronics program. The robot is designed to collect the school’s recycling bins and will feature a lifting arm when it is finished. and motor equipment. The career center has received donations from Caterpillar, Central Carolina Technical College and other local businesses. In fact, the state appropriations committee provided the career center with money to purchase mechatronics equipment. “We just got in a lot of
equipment, about $156,000 worth of equipment, to go with the program,” Miller said. Jacobs said her students are frequently tested on the equipment’s safety procedures, and if students do not wear the proper attire, they cannot participate that day. “They have to do a course in basic safety before they can
mess with any of the equipment at all,” she said, “which is why we spend a good bit of time at our desks learning.” The school’s robotics club also started this year, and there are 14 students participating. Jacobs and Miller think that the robotics club is a great way for students to test their knowledge.
“That’s mechatronics all in one little bot,” said Jacobs. “After they’ve learned different standards, finding an exciting way or interesting way that they would like tests if they really know what they are actually doing,” Miller said. Any student at the school can join the robotics club, no matter which course her or she takes. “They don’t necessarily haves to build the robot, but there is a role that they can play as a part of the robotics team,” Miller said. Students also participate in community outreach, fundraising or plan events as part of the robotics club. The robotics club meets after school and dedicates a great amount of time to putting their newly obtained knowledge to use. “They put in a good 30 hours, sometimes, in a given week,” Jacobs said. The robot is constructed from a kit of parts purchased from FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and will be used to pick up recycling bins around the school. Five of Jacobs’ mechatronics students are a part of the school’s robotics club, which has built a robot that will eventually be used to pick up recycling bins around the campus.
SEE STEM, PAGE A9
Officers encouraged during awards banquet BY MATT BRUCE matthew@theitem.com A room filled with officers from several local law enforcement agencies was urged to remain faithful and to police with passion Thursday. That was the message veteran educator Delcia HarperBaxter delivered during the Rotary Club of Sumter-Palmetto’s annual Law Enforcement Day banquet. “It is up to us to continue to stay encouraged,” she said. “To stay encouraged from the heart so that our children will know we love them and that
we know they were wonderfully made to do great things.” Harper-Baxter has been a staple in the Sumter County school system for nearly 25 years. She serves as principal of Lemira Elementary School and has a teaching career that spans more than 30 years. Harper-Baxter delivered the keynote speech during Thursday’s banquet, a special event designed to honor the work and sacrifices of area law enforcement men and women. At least 100 Sumter County deputies, City of Sumter police officers and South Carolina Highway Patrol troopers
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MATT BRUCE / THE SUMTER ITEM
Cpl. Michael Buchanan is congratulated by fellow officers moments after being named Sumter County Sheriff’s Office deputy of the year Thursday during the Rotary Club of Sumter-Palmetto’s annual Law Enforcement Day at Sunset Country Club in Sumter.
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gathered inside the banquet hall at Sunset Country Club and listened to Harper-Baxter’s impassioned motivational sermon. She spoke of encouraging herself with an inspirational song called “My Name is Victory,” which plays when her alarm clock jolts her awake each day. She also spoke of doing the same for her students at Lemira each morning, reminding them that they are born to do great things as they pass by her in the hallways. She challenged officers on
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