January 28, 2015 Edition

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News

League Academy Selected Second Time as a National School to Watch

League Academy of Communication Arts has been selected for a second time as a National School to Watch for its ongoing commitment to increased rigor through arts integration, professional development, and student engagement in the curriculum. The school initially received the designation in 2011 from the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. Examples of the school's academic excellence include:

• 2013-14 Winner Palmetto Silver Award for Closing the Achievement Gap
• 2013-14 Winner Palmetto Gold Award for General Performance
• 2014 School Report Card Ratings: Excellent Absolute Rating and Excellent Growth Rating

Rudolph Gordon ES and J.L. Mann HS Councils Named to 2015 SC School Improvement Council Honor Roll

The School Improvement Councils (SICs) of Rudolph Gordon Elementary and J. L. Mann High Academy have been named to the SC School Improvement Council's 2015 Honor Roll for their significant efforts to foster civic engagement in public education. Honor Roll SICs will continue in the running for the SC SIC's annual Dick and Tunky Riley Award for School Improvement Council Excellence.

Unofficial Board Meeting Summary
January 27, 2015

Board Members Present (12): Lisa Wells, Chairman; Dr. Crystal Ball O'Connor, Vice Chairman; Debi Bush, Secretary; Kenneth E. Baxter, Sr., Joy Grayson, Lynda Leventis-Wells, Derek Lewis, Roger Meek, Glenda Morrison-Fair, Danna Rohleder, Chuck Saylors, Pat Sudduth. Absent (0): None.

Welcome, Prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance - Mrs. Rohleder

Recognition of Guests - Boy Scouts and college students were recognized.

Adoption of Consent Calendar - Approved.

• Minutes, Regular Board Meeting - December 16, 2014
• Personnel Recommendations - None.
• Request for P.E. Waiver at Blue Ridge High School

Appearance of Visitors - Mrs. Leah Garrett.

Superintendent's Report - Mr. Royster noted January is Board Appreciation Board and thanked the Board for their service, noting the importance of the school board and their various roles, including overall governance, policy making, and advocacy.

Action Items

Disposition of the Former District Office Annex - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to declare the District Office Annex Building property on Tindal Avenue in Greenville as surplus property so that it may be sold. The building has been vacant since 2010.

Selection of Professional Services Provider for Investment - Grade Energy Audit (Executive Session) - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve Firm A and Firm E to provide Investment Grade Energy Audits for the District.

Charter School Student Count Audit - Approved recommendation from Internal Auditing to accept the Audit of Charter School Student Count for FY 2015. The audit was performed to ensure the accuracy of student enrollment information for Brashier Middle College Charter High School, Greer Middle College Charter High School, Langston Charter Middle School, Legacy Charter School, and Meyer Center. The audit determined there were no material exceptions regarding the number of students enrolled and reported versus the projected enrollments.

Proposed Master Internal Audit Plan for the 2015 Calendar Year - Approved recommendation from Internal Auditing to approve the Proposed Master Internal Audit Plan for the 2015 Calendar Year.

Request to Change the Date of the June Board Meeting - Approved to change the date of the June, 2015, Board meeting from June 23 to June 16 due to a conflict with the South Carolina Association of School Administrators' (SCASA) Summer Leadership Conference. Many district staff members will attend and several will serve as presenters.

Information Items

Internal Auditing Services' Project Status Report - The report was presented as information.

Information/Action from Board Committees/Liaisons

Advocacy - Mr. Meek noted the Day at the Capitol will be March 18.

SCSBA - Mrs. Rohleder reviewed the work of the SCSBA Board of Directors during its recent retreat and the transition of leadership to Scott Price as the association's executive director.

Approval of Advocacy Committee's State Budget Letter and Letter of Thanks to the State Superintendent- Approved the recommended letters. The letter to the Legislative Delegation urged them to support increased funding in the 2015-2016 State General Appropriations Act for the Education Finance Act and replacement cycle for school buses, and to not support legislation that is overly prescriptive and/or does not fully fund mandates and regulations. The letter to State Superintendent Molly Spearman thanked her for granting local school districts the flexibility allowed by the Healthy, Hunger - Free Kids Act Smart Snacks in School Nutrition Standards for school fundraisers. The flexibility allows schools to determine, with their local communities, the appropriate balance between our commitment to strong nutritional standards and permitting special fundraisers.

Finance Report - The report was presented as information.

The meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m.