August 24, 2016 Edition

Welcome to VIP E-News, an electronic newsletter that is distributed to GCS employees and community leaders to update them about important GCS news and events. If you have any questions about the Board meeting or news articles, please contact the Communications Department.
subscribe | update your information.

Please "Like" us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/gcschools) and follow us on Twitter (www.twitter.com/gcschools). Our Facebook page is updated daily with new and exciting information about our students, staff, and schools. We also encourage you to share GCS Facebook posts with your friends. Ask them to "Like" us on Facebook so they can be informed about their public schools.

News

District Releases Findings of Emergency Plan Review
Retired FBI Special Agent Leads Review, Calls Greenville County Schools "Safe Place to Educate Children"

On August 2, 2016, Greenville County Schools conducted a review of its Emergency Operations. The review was initiated by District leaders and directed by former Special Agent Mike McComas, a 27-year veteran of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Since his retirement McComas has been contracted by the Federal Government to conduct security and anti-terrorism training internationally. The district received the final report from Special Agent McComas (retired) on Thursday, August 11th. Continue reading at GCSD website.

Guidelines for School Volunteers and Visitors Announced

With the start of a new school year upon us, we want to remind parents and other volunteers of the guidelines for visitors that are in place to ensure the safety of our students and staff. We value the positive impact of community volunteers and are grateful when parents and visitors are interested in supporting our schools. However, we have specific protocols which all prospective volunteers must follow.

All interested volunteers are required to complete the GCS Volunteer application process which includes a National Sex Registry check and may include a criminal background check. Anyone who is interested in volunteering is encouraged to complete the following application.

Cliffs Residents Support Tigerville, Heritage Elementary Schools

The Cliffs of Glassy residents held a back-to-school fundraising picnic to celebrate and recognize the Cliffs' financial contributions and volunteer involvement at Heritage and Tigerville Elementary schools. On hand for the event were representatives from Heritage Elementary and Tigerville Elementary as well as School Board representative Joy Grayson. The Cliffs Resident Outreach (CRO) plans to raise $75,000 to fund education and human services at both schools. Continue reading at GCSD website.

Montebello Community Partners with Lakeview Middle

Residents of the Montebello community joined hands with teachers and students at Lakeview Middle School as they unveiled plans to partner with the school. Ed Winkler, president of the Montebello Cura Foundation (Cura is Italian for cares), said they want to recognize teachers for their efforts. Members of Cura visited the school to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Day and to deliver bags of apples, candy, and notes of encouragement to teachers. Cura is currently raising funds to provide every Lakeview student with at least one school uniform. Continue reading at GCSD website.

Unofficial Board Meeting Summary
August 23, 2016

Welcome, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance - Mrs. Rohleder

Adoption of Consent Calendar
Minutes, Regular Board Meeting - June 28, 2016
Minutes, Special Called Meeting - June 28, 2016
Minutes, Special Called Meeting - August 9, 2016
17 Home School Applications
Personnel Recommendations - None

Appearance of Visitors
Henry Lear, Officer Michelle Lentz, and City Police Chief Ken Miller

Officer Lentz and Chief Miller recognized Superintendent Royster and Sterling School Principal David Johnstone for their support of youth violence prevention programs.

Superintendent's Report
Dr. Royster introduced new principals and assistant principals:

• Julie Cooke, Principal, Lake Forest Elementary
• Brad Griffith, Interim Principal, Southside High
• David Burgess, Assistant Principal, Buena Vista Elementary
• Mason Garrett, Assistant Principal, Skyland Elementary
• Debbie Goulart, Assistant Principal, Riverside Middle
• Jason Hudak, Assistant Principal, Greenbrier Elementary
• Matthew Irvin, Assistant Principal, Riverside High
• Amy Roessler, Assistant Principal, Travelers Rest High
• Kelly Sanderson, Assistant Principal, Greenville High Academy
• Leah Stafford, Assistant Principal, Simpsonville Elementary
• James Dusso, Interim Assistant Principal, Southside High

Action Items

Lease Agreement Renewal with the City of Greer - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the lease agreement renewal with the City of Greer for the use of softball/baseball and football fields at Riverside Middle School to provide recreational services to the surrounding community.

Easement for Duke Energy at Rudolph Gordon Elementary School - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC's request for a 20-foot wide permanent right-of-way easement on the Rudolph G. Gordon Elementary property. The easement will be used to provide electrical services to the school.

BEST Bond Resolution - Approved recommendation from the Administration to approve the BEST Bond Resolution, re-affirming the Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees' approval of the BEST Bond Resolution on June 16, 2015.

Information Items

Internal Auditing Services' Project Status Report - No report.

Information /Action from Board Committees/Liaison

Committee / Liaison Reports

Dr. O'Connor reported that the Instructional Policy Committee held its first meeting to discuss how to approach the remaining instructional policies. They will recommend the deletion of seven policies that are no longer needed at the next Committee of the Whole meeting.

Mrs. Grayson said the Advocacy Committee plans to meet with new members of the Greenville Legislative Delegation this fall.

Mr. Saylors thanked the Board members who provided lunch to school administrators this summer.