September 28, 2016 Edition

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News

30 GCS Seniors Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists

Officials with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced that seniors from 30 Greenville County Schools are among 16,000 semifinalists in the 62nd annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented students will compete for 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth close to $33 million to be awarded next spring. Read more about National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists...

Student-Run Credit Union Opens at Greenville High Academy

Greenville Federal Credit Union and Greenville Senior High Academy held a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the opening of the first student-run branch called The Branch at Greenville High. The initiative brings real-world financial literacy and education into the school and allows students enrolled in the school's Academy of Law, Finance, and Business to gain experience and preparation both for college and future careers. Read more about Student-Run Credit Union...

30,000 Books Distributed to District, Community Agencies

Greenville County Schools is the recipient of approximately 1,500 books as part of Read Greenville's efforts to get thousands of books in the hands of underserved families. The books were donated by Bon Secours Health System in partnership with Greenville First Steps and Christ Church. Read more about 30,000 Books Distributed...

Unofficial Board Meeting Summary
September 27, 2016

Welcome, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance - Mrs. Rohleder

Adoption of Consent Calendar
Minutes, Regular Board Meeting - August 23, 2016
1 Home Schooling Application
Personnel Recommendations - none

Appearance of Visitors - Mr. Bob Davis, Ms. Lisa Arnold, Mr. Delmer Howell

Superintendent's Report - Dr. Royster presented an overview of the summer work done with a focus on Goal 3, Provide a School Environment Supportive of Learning. He reviewed the activities accomplished by the facilities, energy management, transportation, building services, and maintenance departments.

Action Items

Champions of Public Education Nomination - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to nominate The Herff Jones Company and The Home Depot of South Pleasantburg to receive the South Carolina School Boards Association Champions of Public Education Award. Both companies have worked in partnership with Greenville County Schools, and particularly Carolina High and Academy, to support our students and public education as a whole. These companies have contributed to the GCS goal of raising the academic challenge and performance of each student, while also helping to develop graduates who are college and career ready.

Elimination of 7 Policies: ICD, ICFA, IDDB, IEA, IFAB, IFBDA, and IK - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to eliminate Policies ICD, ICFA, IDDB, IEA, IFAB, IFBDA, and IK. After a review by the Ad Hoc Committee for Instructional Policies, it was determined that these policies are no longer needed or are covered in other areas of the GCS Board policy manual.

Student Classification Audit - Approved recommendation from Internal Auditing Services to accept the audit of Student Classification for the period of July 1, 2014 - March 26, 2015. The audit was performed to ensure that students were properly classified in the PowerSchool system in order to receive maximum Education Finance Act (EFA) funding.

Pelham Road Elementary School Audit - Approved recommendation from Internal Auditing Services to accept the audit of Pelham Road Elementary School for the period of August 2000 - February 2016.

P.E. Exemption Requests From Two Students (Executive Session) - Approved recommendation from the Administration to approve PE Exemptions from two high school students.

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

Amendment to Capital Projects Budget - Rudolph Gordon - No action was taken. The administration will recommend a motion to approve the amendment to the Capital Projects Budget for the Rudolph Gordon Expansion at a Special Called Meeting on October 11.

Information / Action From Board Committees / Liaisons - Mrs. Grayson reported that the Advocacy Committee will meet with William Timmons, a candidate running for the Greenville County Delegation, on October 25 at 5 p.m. She noted that the SCSBA will host a webcast on October 26 from 12-1 p.m. to discuss upcoming bills. Dr. O'Connor reviewed the next steps of the Instructional Policy Committee, noting that five policies involving legal updates will be brought to the next Committee of the Whole meeting. Mr. Baxter gave an overview of the SC School Law Conference and their discussions.

Monthly Finance Report - Mr. Knotts reported that the district's credit agencies, Moody's and Standard and Poor's, have confirmed Greenville County Schools' ratings of Aa1 and A-1+ respectively, noting they are the highest ratings possible for a school district and the highest ratings of all South Carolina school districts. The finance report was presented as information.

The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.