CSD Board on proposed attendance zone changes

CLOVER, S.C. - Clover School District’s Board of Trustees met in a special called meeting on September 15, 2025, at 6 p.m. to hear feedback from the first two CSD Reassignment Community Input sessions and the feedback form. Alternative zoning options were also presented. There will be one more Community Input Session on September 16, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the Clover School District Auditorium. District officials analyzed the input from both community sessions and the 243 survey responses to determine the themes of concern regarding the proposed new attendance zones. Based on the analysis, ten specific neighborhood concerns were identified and presented to the board. Out of those ten, three recommendations were made. Options without recommendations were presented for the other seven major concerns.

One concern addressed pertained to the high school boundary west of Five Points, located between Timberlake and Paddlers Cove. The residents are asking to be grouped with their neighbors in Paddlers Cove and be assigned to the new Lake Wylie High School (LWHS). The primary reason behind the request is that, although they are technically two neighborhoods, they share trails, a pond, and recreational areas, so the children feel like it is one neighborhood. The proposed zoning has students going from Bethel Elementary (BTHL) to Roosevelt Middle (RMS) to Clover High (CHS). The alternative presented was to break the clean feeder pattern rule and send the students to LWHS. This would affect 44 elementary students, 17 middle school students, and 25 high school students.

Another area of concern discussed at both input sessions and in online comments was the redistricting of the Lake Wylie Rd. area from Crowders Creek Elementary (CCES) and Oak Ridge Middle (OMS) to BTHL and RMS. An alternative option presented for Lake Wylie Road was to move them from BTHL to Liberty Hill Elementary (LHES), continuing to RMS. Parents expressed in the sessions that they would prefer to stay at CCES and OMS, but if that were not possible, they would like to go to LHES and then RMS. The capacity at CCES was not an issue with these additional students; the capacity at OMS was the district’s concern. Likewise, adding these students to LHES would move the school close to capacity now, which does not leave room for the growth of already approved neighborhoods to the south. This would affect 92 elementary students and 53 middle school students.

Parents in the Montgomery Rd. area of Lake Wylie, including the Heron Cove neighborhood, shared concerns about the proposed zone change from Oakridge Elementary (OES) to CCES. If Montgomery Rd. residents were to stay at OES, the school would remain at a 94.3% capacity, before growth. With the projected growth, another rezoning will likely be necessary sooner rather than later. This would affect 47 elementary students.

An additional area of concern that affects a large group of students is the request to reconsider the proposed zoning change for the Penley Place and Clover Meadows neighborhoods. If Penley Place and Clover Meadows were changed at the elementary school level, 144 students would be affected, and Kinard Elementary would lose 25% of its enrolled students, which would then be considered too low to sustain all of its programs. It was noted that this request came through the feedback form, rather than the community input sessions.

One change that was not proposed by the district but requested by the community pertained to Old Cambridge Road. This area backs up to the fields of RMS, so the consideration of allowing students living there to attend RMS was brought up. The district provided two alternatives to the current lines: one was to break the feeder pattern and allow these students to attend RMS, and the other was to shift the students to Griggs Road Elementary (GRES) and RMS. The district recommended shifting the students to GRES and RMS to maintain a clean feeder pattern as much as possible. This affects 22 elementary students and eight middle school students.

Only two concerns about the proposed changes were recommended to the board for change. Barrett Rd. could be changed to Kinard and Clover Middle School as recommended by Dr.Hopkins due to their proximity to these schools. The Clarendon Estates line was not drawn along the major road, so the suggestion to the board is to maintain its current attendance pattern. Both of these recommendations were made because district officials felt the proposed lines in these cases were mistakes and should not have been changed in the first place.

During the presentation of potential attendance line changes, Dr. Mark Hopkins, CSD Chief Operations Officer, reminded everyone that making tough decisions now would delay the next round of redistricting for all students in the district.

The rest of the concerns impacted smaller numbers of students and can be seen in the slide show that was presented to the board, linked here. Most of the meeting was spent discussing the proposed attendance lines, but other themes of concern were also mentioned. One theme centered around 5th and 8th grade students staying at their current schools, as well as siblings being allowed to stay at CHS if they had a senior sibling there, so families would not have to split schools. Dr. Sheila Quinn, CSD Superintendent, and Mr. Rod Ruth, Chief Student Services and Secondary Education Officer, shared that these were not yet part of the hardship policy, but it was within the Board’s purview to change the policy if they thought it was best. Ruth did share that he had the number of siblings who would be eligible to stay at CHS if this became policy. This would affect 35 freshmen, 32 sophomores, and 18 juniors.

Another question raised by board members concerned varsity athletes being allowed to stay and complete their sports careers with their current team. This spurred quite a bit of discussion around the need to change the board policy, if this was a consideration, and ended with Ruth stating he would get the number of varsity students in Fall sports to provide an idea of how many students might be affected by this change.

To express any comments or questions, you may fill out a survey or go to the final meeting at the Clover School District Auditorium at 6 p.m. on September 16. There will be no further public meetings, but you can still reach out by emailing here or calling 803-810-8000 and asking for Stephanie Knott or Ginger Marr.

Decisions regarding attendance zones will be made at the Board of Trustees meeting on September 22 at 6 p.m. at 604 Bethel Street, Clover.

Honoring Black History in York

By Kaya Spencer • February 19, 2026
YORK COUNTY, S.C.- Every February, communities across the nation recognize Black History Month, a time dedicated to honoring the history, culture, and achievements of Black Americans. In York County, that history is deeply rooted in the land, schools, churches, and historic sites that continue to tell powerful stories of resilience and contribution. Historic Brattonsville This important historical location is in McConnells, S.C. This living history site features a dedicated African American interpretation, which focuses on the history and experiences of enslaved people. The site also includes original slave quarters and the Enslaved Ancestral Burial Ground, where 481 people of African descent are buried. Throughout February, visitors can attend a special Saturday program titled “By Way of the Back Door: The Life and Times of Molly,” which explores African American life through the perspective of a woman who lived at Brattonsville from 1780 to 1865. Roosevelt School Black history is also closely tied to the Roosevelt School in Clover. During segregation, the school served as an all-Black K–12 school and was originally known as the first Clover Colored School. Although the building was destroyed during integration in the mid-1960s, its legacy remains strong. The school once served as the hub for Black education in Clover before segregation ended. Today, a historical marker stands at the former site, which now includes three baseball fields, a playground, a basketball court, and picnic tables. Green Pond United Methodist Church This church has been a very important part of Black history in the area, serving as one of the earliest and longest-lasting places of worship for African-American residents. At that time, Green Pond was widely the only church serving African-Americans in the Clover area and has remained an all-Black church, continuing to serve as a main gathering place for worship, fellowship, and mutual aid in the community. Stellie J. Jackson served as the pastor of Green Pond Church, giving spiritual leadership and guidance to the congregation. Under his leadership, the church continued its mission of strengthening faith while also supporting the social and educational growth of the community. For generations, the church has been a religious home. It has also served as a symbol of resilience, community unity, and the struggle for dignity and recognition. Green Pond Church Cemetery Another significant site is Green Pond Church Cemetery, the first cemetery for Black residents in Clover. The cemetery holds the remains of many formerly enslaved individuals. African Americans lived and worked in the Clover community before the Civil War, first as enslaved people and later as sharecroppers, farmers, laborers, and skilled workers who helped build the local economy. Even during the hardships of slavery and the Civil War, African Americans played an important role in shaping the region. Following the Emancipation Proclamation, formerly enslaved individuals in the Clover area began building independent lives. Many worked as sharecroppers or tenant farmers while striving to reunite families separated by slavery. During this time, African Americans established their own churches, schools, and neighborhoods, laying the foundation for strong Black communities that would continue for generations. Black History Month serves as a reminder not only of the struggles Black Americans have faced but also of their strength, perseverance, and lasting contributions. York County’s historic sites stand as meaningful landmarks for future generations.

STATE CHAMPS

By Anthony Mathipannha • February 19, 2026
COLUMBIA, S.C.- The Clover High School wrestling team became the SC 5A Wrestling State Champions for the first time in the school’s history. The Dirty Birds defeated James Island 34-31 after a long, hard season. Head Coach Michael Fitzgerald started this program 24 years ago. While the program has experienced ups and downs, including some individual state championships, this is the first team win. Fitzgerald credits the team’s success to getting the right people on the coaching staff and building from there. Fitzgerald shared his feelings about the win as well. “Winning the state championship, the first wrestling state championship in school history for wrestling, definitely was a big moment. It couldn’t have been done without my assistant coaches, our wrestlers, the parents of our wrestlers, the administration, and the support from the faculty and staff. So it’s a true team victory across the board”. In the press conference before the state championship, Fitzgerald spoke about the season. “We were intentional about scheduling tough matches in front of our wrestlers, learning through losses and stacking wins.” As a result, they won important matchups throughout the season to make it to the championship match. Fitzgerald shared, “We are ready to embrace the opportunity we have here on Wednesday.” According to Fitzgerald, there were multiple standouts on the team and all worked hard throughout the season. Winning against the likes of Boiling Springs and Blythewood, picking up wins in dual matches, and beating a few perennial power schools in North and South Carolina helped build the confidence needed to take the state title. Wrestler Owen Tatum believed their winning factor throughout the season was having a great coach like Fitzgerald and being willing to go the extra mile to get their win. Throughout the season, the team focused on their belief in each other, acknowledging that the only thing they could control was themselves, and worked to improve every day. That focus helped them understand each other’s abilities during practice and gave them the confidence to push through each match and work to make each other better than the day before. They put in the work all the way to the end of the season. Wrestler Keller Brunnelson spoke of the team mindset heading into the match, “Overall, we are pretty confident, everybody is just focused to go out there and really put their best foot forward, going out there and wrestling with the mindset that we’re gonna leave it all on the mat.” And leave it all on the mat they did, and they brought home the trophy to prove it.

Officials confirm invasive hornet species in York County

By Kaya Spencer • January 28, 2026
YORK, S.C. - An invasive species known as the yellow-legged hornet has been confirmed in York County, raising concerns among state officials, beekeepers and environmental experts. The hornets, which are native to Southeast Asia, pose a serious threat to honeybee populations and local ecosystems. Officials with the Clemson University Department of Plant Industry confirmed a yellow-legged hornet nest in McConnells, located in York County, in early December 2025. The discovery marked the first confirmed detection of the invasive species in South Carolina. Yellow-legged hornets typically range in size from .07 of an inch ro an inch in length. The head is mostly black, with some front-facing yellow or orange and black eyes. The thorax is black or dark brown. It also has alternating bands of dark brown/black and yellow/orange on the abdomen. The most distinctive feature are the black-brown legs that become yellow on the ends. The yellow-legged hornet was first identified in the United States in November 2023, when it was discovered near Savannah, Georgia. Since then, the species has spread to other areas in the Southeast, prompting increased monitoring and response efforts from state and federal agencies. While the hornets are not considered highly dangerous to humans, officials say their presence poses a significant risk to honeybees. Yellow-legged hornets are known to prey on bees by hovering near beehives and attacking returning workers. Over time, repeated attacks can weaken or destroy entire colonies. Bees play a critical role in pollination, which is essential for the growth of many crops, gardens and native plants. A decline in bee populations can have widespread consequences, including reduced agricultural yields and disruptions to local ecosystems. “When bee populations decrease, the effects ripple throughout the environment,” officials said. Reduced pollination can impact farmers, home gardeners and natural plant life, potentially leading to long-term ecological and economic consequences. The discovery of the hornets in York County has prompted concern among local officials and agricultural track and contain the species. Clemson officials are encouraging residents to remain vigilant and report any suspected sightings, particularly near wooded areas or beehives. Experts advise residents not to approach hornet nests, as the insects can become aggressive if disturbed. Instead, sightings should be reported to local agricultural authorities or Clemson University’s Department of Plant Industry for proper identification and removal. Officials say early detection is critical in preventing the hornet from becoming established in South Carolina. Continued monitoring and public awareness will play a key role in limiting the spread of the invasive species and protecting the region’s bee populations. As efforts continue, state agencies emphasize the importance of cooperation between residents, beekeepers and environmental officials to address the growing threat posed by the yellow-legged hornet. To learn more about this species, including making traps and reporting sightings, visit https://blogs.clemson.edu/regulatory/december-2025-yellow-legged-hornet-update-movement-of-ylh-beyond-lowcountry-confirmed/

Clover School District impact fee passes at $8,000

By BY EVAN FRINTER, CHS JUNIOR AND KELLY CLARK, ROARING EAGLE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF • December 18, 2025
YORK COUNTY - York County Council approved an impact fee for Clover School District on Dec. 15, setting the amount at $8,000 for single-family homes.

CSD Impact Fee Ordinance faces final vote

By Evan Frinter and Kelly Clark • December 12, 2025
The Impact Fee Ordinance is up for its third and final reading on Dec. 15, 2025, after passing its second reading unanimously on Nov. 17. However, it only applies to the Urban Service Boundary.

York County Council listens to D2 residents: Approves impact fees

By By Evan Frintner, CHS Junior and Kelly Clark, Roaring Eagle Editor-In-Chief • November 18, 2025
York County Council listens to D2 residents: Approves impact fees 

Clover Will Have Two New Eateries and They are Coming This Spring

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The Cattle Car

Kindness Corner: Girl Scout Troop 888 spreads joy and service

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LAKE WYLIE, S.C. - At Girl Scout Troop 888, the motto “make the world a better place” is more than just a slogan-it’s a guiding principle. With 87 members ranging from Kindergarten to 7th grade, Troop 888 is making a big impact in the Lake Wylie and Clover communities. Under the leadership of Lucinda Woodard, a lifetime Girl Scout with nearly 28 years of experience, the troop is dedicated to teaching young girls the importance of service and giving back.

Recipes from Ireland

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Kindness Corner: A Spotlight on Community Compassion

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Welcome to the Kindness Corner, where we celebrate acts of kindness that make a real difference in our community. Each month, we’ll highlight heartwarming stories of generosity and showcase ways you can get involved in spreading kindness too.