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2013
INSIDE
WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY
this edition:
Program offers high school education through online classrooms
American Profile
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Lady Knights still in it Crestwood girls beat Hanahan in 2nd round of 3A state playoffs. B1
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VOL. 118, NO. 100 WWW.THEITEM.COM
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2013 | SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA
FOUNDED OCTOBER 15, 1894
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District to merge alternative schools BY JADE ANDERSON janderson@theitem.com Looking to save money, Sumter School District has announced another consolidation of sorts. Academic Learning Center and Brewington Academy are set to merge for the 2013-14 school year for an initial sav-
ings of $710,880. The Brewington Academy building will need little to no infrastructure change to accommodate the entire alternative program, according to Thursday’s news release. The Academic Learning Center could then be used to house staff that currently works at the Administrative Annex,
Man facing life in prison gets 15 years
which would save the district an additional $27,000 annually in maintenance and utility expenses. A director for the merged programs has not been named, said Shelly Galloway, spokesperson for the district. Eleven full-time employees will be reassigned to other locations to fill positions left
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open by attrition for an additional savings of $683,880, states the news release. This move will also allow for the use of one less bus, saving on the cost of transportation and reducing ride time for students, Galloway said. “In preparation for fiscal year 2013-2014, Sumter
Malachi Delfield Hunter now knows what it’s like to get a break in general sessions court. The 23-year-old Sumter resident faced from 15 years to life in prison for charges of first-degree burglary obtained nearly two years ago when he broke into a home in broad daylight. He would’ve had to serve 85 percent of that sentence and would not be eligible for parole. “Instead, I think the (3rd Circuit) Solicitor’s Office has given you quite a break by allowing you to plea to a lesser burglary,” 3rd Circuit Judge Howard HUNTER P. King said Thursday after Hunter pleaded guilty at the Sumter County Courthouse to second-degree burglary, violent, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. King sentenced Hunter to 15 years in state detention for the burglary, along with five years to run concurrent for the drug charge. Third Circuit Assistant Solicitor R. Kirk Griffin told King that Hunter’s original first-degree charge stemmed from Hunter’s removal of a shotgun from the home during the burglary, which took place May 10, 2011, at a home in the first block of Tucson Drive.
Gov. Nikki Haley calls for additional state revenue to be spent on highways and bridges during a news conference in Columbia on Thursday. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Haley wants more put toward roads
SEE MERGE, PAGE A8
looks like a
BY ROBERT J. BAKER bbaker@theitem.com
SEE BREAK, PAGE A8
School District has worked diligently to identify means to reduce expenditures,” Superintendent Randolph D. Bynum Sr. said in a news release. “We have taken great strides to reduce our deficit and will continue to take measures to increase efficiency.”
Lady PHOTOS BY NICK McCORMAC / THE ITEM
Four “ladies” of Tuomey Healthcare System strutted their stuff on Thursday as part of the hospital’s Mr. Heart and Sole 2013 fundraiser. Dr. Michael Mease, a radiologist wearing a shimmering purple and green number, was crowned the winner for taking in the most money for the American Heart Association. Also participating were Chris Moore, clad in a lime green church getup; Lefford Fate, program director of the Senior Life Improvement Center, doing his best Madea; and Patient Account Analyst Jason Sparrow in a flowing black and red floral dress.
COLUMBIA (AP) — Gov. Nikki Haley called on legislators Thursday to put additional revenue toward fixing South Carolina’s roads and bridges. Haley’s news conference in front of road construction equipment came a day before the state’s economic advisers are set to revise their revenue projections. Haley predicts they’ll increase estimates by more than $100 million. Haley’s executive budget proposal uses November estimates. The House budget-writing committee will use the new numbers next week as its members put together their 2013-14 budget SEE HALEY, PAGE A6 20 N. Magnolia St. Sumter, SC 29150 (USPS 525-900)
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