May 20, 2016

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IN SPORTS: LMA wins SCISA softball title; baseball series postponed B1 WORLD

Terrorism suspected in Egyptian crash A3 FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2016

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No decision on transgender policy School board unanimously votes to put a hold on third reading BY KONSTANTIN VENGEROWSKY konstantin@theitem.com In a packed room of about 60 parents, Sumter School District board of trustees met

for about a minute before voting unanimously to postpone third reading of a policy that would have allowed transgender students to use facilities of their choice. The school board was scheduled to have

third reading on Policy JBABStudent Gender and Orientation at the June 13 board meeting after approving second reading on it on May 16. The model policy, provided by the South Carolina School Boards Association, states that “a student who has been identified as transgender under these guidelines should be permitted to use the re-

sources assigned to the gender which the student consistently asserts at school.” Sumter School District Board Chairman the Rev. Daryl McGhaney said the reason for the postponement was to allow additional time to review all the information for “the sensitivity and nature of the policy issue.” “The community at large

Saying goodbye with a surprise retirement party

are stakeholders on this issue, and we want to include everyone in the decisions we make in reference to our policies,” he said, after the meeting. McGhaney said the next step would be to have a policy committee meeting on the issue and include stakeholders in that meeting. He said it

SEE POLICY, PAGE A6

See original Norman Rockwell Painting ‘The Recruit’ on display through June 17 BY IVY MOORE ivy@theitem.com

KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Naomi McQuillen and Nya Green hug Susan Hilton, center, during a surprise retirement party held at First Baptist Church on Saturday. Emma Townshead organized former Teacher Cadets, Hilton’s mother and several colleagues for the surprise party. Hilton has been at Sumter High School for 35 years, and the 2016 Paragon, the school’s yearbook, has been dedicated to her. She has taught American government, economics, practical law and Teacher Cadets. Hilton has also served as an International Baccalaureate creativity activity service supervisor. Her plans are to continue to advocate for public school teachers and students.

Senator will keynote YWCA awards banquet BY IVY MOORE ivy@theitem.com When the YWCA of the Upper Lowlands holds its annual awards banquet next Thursday, it will honor persons whose contributions to the community mirror the organization’s mission: eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Keynote speaker for the banquet is Sen. Margie Bright Matthews, who will also receive the YWCA’s Racial Justice Award. Bright Matthews, a Democrat who represents Senate District 45, comprising six low country counties, will speak on the topic “Violence and Social Injustice in Our Community: What Can You Do?” Racism, social injustice and violence are issues very familiar to Bright Matthews, who last year was elected to finish the Senate term of the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, shot to death with eight

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of his parishioners during a prayer service at Charleston’s Emmanuel AME Church on June 17, 2015, in what is alleged to have been a deliberate act of racism BRIGHT and hatred. MATTHEWS A longtime friend of Pinckney and his family, Bright Matthews has said on several occasions that she plans to continue to “chart my own course and try to do what’s right ... (and) try to build on (Pinckney’s) legacy.” One of only two women in the S.C. Senate — Katrina Shealy, RLexington is the other — Bright Matthews is running for re-election to a full term in November. In addition to serving in the S.C. Senate, Bright Matthews has a law practice in Walterboro, she is a member of the S.C. Women Lawyers Association, a past president of the Colleton County Bar Association, former member of the Board of Gover-

nors of the S.C. Bar Association and a former member of S.C. Association for Justice. She has also served on the S.C. Commission on Indigent Defense, is a certified Circuit Court Mediator and is certified by the National Institute of Trial Advocacy, among her many affiliations. In addition to Bright Matthews’ Racial Justice Award, YWCA Executive Director Yolanda Wilson will present several more awards to individuals and groups that have contributed significantly to the community and the YWCA in many areas. Among the recipients are: • Humanitarian award — James McCain Jr. • Service award — SYKES • Citizens’ Advocate — Ione Dwyer and Norma Hodge • Woman under 30 — Kim Johnson • Advocate of the Year — Ruth Fowler

DEATHS, B6 Veronica Grice Ida Davis Clea Thomas O. Tedder Alton Detroit Byrd Jr. Laura M. Nelson Johnnie Lee Livingston Gardenia Moore

Josephine L. Lewis Samuel Holliday Sr. Vashti W. Ruben Marilyn S. Scarborough Willie Mae McDonald Russell Dixon

SEE YWCA, PAGE A5

Norman Rockwell fans and those who weren’t yet born when his paintings often served as cover art for The Saturday Evening Post magazine are “stop(ped) in their tracks” when they see a Rockwell original on display at Sumter County Gallery of Art, says gallery director Karen Watson. The painting is part of the gallery exhibition, “Serious Fun,” which comprises works by 12 artists who use playfulness and fun in their works. Former gallery curator Zach Eichelberger wrote a proposal to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, requesting “Four Sporting Boys,” a suite of four paintings featuring the same four boys playing baseball, golf, football and basketball. While those paintings were already committed to an exhibition at the Rockwell Museum, Watson said the Sumter gallery was approved for ‘The Recruit.” Watson, who also worked closely with Martin Mahoney, curator of collections at the Rockwell Museum, said, “There have been a number of visitors through the gallery” since “Serious Fun” opened April 21 “ ... and they stand in front of the painting, which is displayed in the Ackerman Gallery, seemingly awestruck. ‘The Recruit’ elicits glowing comments – it is a real conversation starter.” Gallery visitors can get a close look at “The Recruit,” seeing Rockwell’s brush strokes and the terrain of the painting, rather than the “flat’ illustrations seen often on magazine covers and calendars

SEE RECRUIT, PAGE A5

PHOTO PROVIDED

Norman Rockwell’s original painting “The Recruit” is on exhibit at Sumter County Gallery of Art through June 17. Admission to the gallery, open Tuesday through Sunday, is free.

WEATHER, A10

INSIDE

COOLER BUT STILL WET

2 SECTIONS, 20 PAGES VOL. 121, NO. 181

Mainly cloudy with a shower likely today; heavy rain and a possible thunderstorm tonight. HIGH 68, LOW 62

Classifieds B7 Comics A8

Opinion A9 Television A7


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