August 30, 2017 Edition
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News
Plain Elementary’s Suzanne Billings Named GCS Teacher of the Year
Greenville County Schools Superintendent Dr. Burke Royster announced the selection of Suzanne Billings, a fourth grade teacher at Plain Elementary School, the 2017-18 Greenville County Teacher of the Year. Also announced were first runner-up Anjosia Ellerbe, business education teacher at Wade Hampton High; second runner-up Erin Rigot, a communications teacher at League Middle Academy, and third runner-up Ashley Jenkins, a tenth grade world history teacher at Woodmont High School.
Finalists are Scott Buhr, Physics and Earth Science, Hillcrest High School; Jeremy Bowen, Mathematics, J. L. Mann High Academy; David Dejesa, Social Studies/Speech & Debate, Riverside High School; Chancey Greco, Sixth Grade English Language Arts, Greenville Middle Academy; Lauren Long, Eighth Grade English, Hillcrest Middle School; and Thomas McAuliff, Third Grade, Taylors Elementary School. Read more about Teacher of the Year.
Greenville Federal Credit Union Named 2017 South Carolina Business Volunteer of the Year
The South Carolina Board of Education recognized Greenville Federal Credit Union as 2017 Business Volunteer of the Year during the State Board August meeting in Columbia. The State Board of Education Volunteer Awards Program annually recognizes businesses, civic organizations, individuals, and school improvement councils for significant contributions to public education.
Greenville Federal Credit Union was recognized for the launch of its student-run credit union branch inside Greenville High School during the 2016-2017 school year. The credit union, along with Greenville High School, turned a student-run credit union branch from concept into reality. This 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 real-life experience and preparation for both college and future careers. Students earn course credit and gain hands on experience as they manage and operate a fully functioning Greenville Federal Credit Union branch. Read more about Greenville Federal Credit Union
Cliffs at Glassy Fundraiser Aims for $90,000 for Schools
Representatives from Heritage Elementary and Tigerville Elementary, along with Deputy Superintendent Dr. Mason Gary, and Cliffs of Glassy residents gathered atop Glassy Mountain for a back-to-school picnic to celebrate and recognize the Cliffs' financial contributions and volunteer involvement in both schools. The Cliffs Resident Outreach (CRO) plans to raise $90,000 to fund two key initiatives - education and human services. The CRO's mission is to provide resources to school children that promote opportunities for lifelong success.
Unofficial Board Meeting Summary
August 29, 2017
Welcome and Prayer - Mrs. Rohleder
Pledge of Allegiance - Wade Hampton High School Student Body President Kathleen Champagne led the Board of Trustees and audience members in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Awards Presentation - The SCSBA Champions for Public Education Award was presented to Public Education Partners. PEP has been a leader in strengthening public education in Greenville County Schools for more than 30 years, crafting initiatives that directly benefit students and teachers throughout the district.
Adoption of Consent Calendar
- Minutes, Regular Board Meeting - June 27, 2017
- Minutes, Special Called Meeting - August 8, 2017
- Minutes, Special Called Meeting - August 15, 2017
- Home Schooling Applications - 18
- Personnel Recommendations - None
Appearance of Visitors
Jennifer Hull
Latonia Copeland
Superintendent's Report - Dr. Royster recognized school board members who had earned a new level of professional development in the South Carolina School Boards Association's Boardsmanship Institute. Level 6 is the highest achievable level.
Michelle Goodwin-Calwile - Level 2
Crystal Ball O'Connor - Level 3
Lynda Leventis-Wells - Level 4
Joy Grayson - Level 5
Action Items
Reappointment of Four BEST Board Members - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the reappointment of James Blakely, Duke McCall, Joseph Sullivan, and William Renninger to serve an additional three-year term on the Building Equity Sooner for Tomorrow Board of Directors.
Termination Appeal (Executive Session) - Approved motion to refer this item back to the administration for further review.
Resolution to Approve Releasing the Blythe Academy Surplus Parcel from BEST Encumbrances Meeting - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the Resolution authorizing the execution of an amendment to the Base Lease Agreement and the School Facilities Purchase and Occupancy Agreement between the School District of Greenville County and BEST releasing the 0.84 acres of property at Blythe Academy. The Board of Trustees has already designated the .84 acres of property as surplus given that the property is not needed for school operations. The BEST Board voted unanimously at its annual meeting in July to release the property.
Greenville County Request for Lakeview Middle Right-of-Way Easement - Approved recommendation from the Committee of the Whole to approve County of Greenville's request for a ±1,124 feet long permanent right-of-way easement on Lakeview Middle School property. This easement will be used for bikeways and walking trails.
Lease Renewal with City of Greenville for Croft Park - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the lease agreement renewal between the City of Greenville and the School District for the use of Croft Park for the students at Stone Academy for a period of five (5) years. Stone Academy uses Croft Park as a playground for students. The lease will begin on September 20, 2017 and end on September 19, 2022 at a cost to the District of $1.00 per year.
Sale of Former Sue Cleveland ES Property (Executive Session) - Approved recommendation from the Administration to approve the sale of ±1.75 acres at the former Sue Cleveland Elementary School to Durban Acquisitions, LLC, for $115,000.
Naming of Bryson ES Media Center - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve naming the Bryson Elementary Media Center in honor of Mr. Thomas Chambers, long-time Bryson Elementary School principal. Principal Chambers retired at the conclusion of the 2016-17 school year. Members of the school community have requested that the school's media center be named in his honor.
Naming of Buena Vista ES Media Center - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve naming the Buena Vista Elementary Media Center in honor of Dr. Ann Mohr, long-time Buena Vista Elementary School principal. Dr. Mohr retired at the conclusion of the 2016-17 school year. Members of the school community have requested that the school's media center be named in her honor.
Naming of Sterling School Terrace - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve naming the terrace area at Sterling School in honor of Mr. David Johnstone, the founding principal of Sterling School/Charles Townes Center. Mr. Johnstone left the District at the conclusion of the 2016-17 school year. Members of the school community have requested that the school's outdoor terrace area be named in his honor.
Audit of Accounts Payable - Approved recommendation from Internal Auditing Services to accept the audit of Accounts Payable for calendar year 2016. The audit was performed to review the Accounts Payable process to ensure transactions were properly approved, processed and recorded. In addition, the Accounts Payable Master Vendor File was reviewed for any duplicate vendors.
Information Items
Internal Auditing Services' Project Status Report - The report was presented as information.
Information/Action from Board Committees/Liaisons - Mrs. Grayson provided an update on the work of the Advocacy Committee including a motion recommending adoption of the committee's 2018 Legislative Priorities. The motion was approved through voice vote.
Committee / Liaison Reports - Mrs. Bush provided an update on the Board's Committee for Board Leadership Policies and stated that the committee will have policy updates ready for a Board vote in the coming months.
Mr. Lewis provided an update on the work of the Communities in Schools (CIS) board. CIS is responding to cuts in Title I funding. On Monday, October 16, CIS will host golf tournament to raise money in support of their mission.
The meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m.