September 27, 2017 Edition
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News
GCS Seniors Outperform State and Nation on SAT; Increase AP Passage Rate
Greenville County Schools' students are outperforming the State and Nation on the SAT college entrance exam and have increased their passage rate on Advanced Placement (AP) exams by three percentage points, according to information released today by the College Board.
A total of 2,332 GCS seniors from the class of 2017 took the SAT, posting an average score of 1089, which is 45 points higher than the national average for public school students (1044) and 31 points better than the State average (1058). Five GCS high schools averaged scores greater than 1100, while 11 of 14 scored at or above the national SAT average for public schools. SAT Scores for the Class of 2017 reflect a new baseline for the widely-recognized exam, due to significant changes to the test that include moving from a 2400-point scale to a 1600-point scale. Read more about GCS Seniors
Job Fair for Bus Drivers, Aides, Custodians, and Food Service Operators
Greenville County Schools will host a Job Fair for bus drivers, bus aides, custodians, and food service operators on Tuesday, October 3, 5-7 PM at Woodmont Middle School, 325 North Flat Rock Road, Piedmont. Great benefits, including health and dental, retirement, sick leave, and free life insurance, are available for employees who work 30 or more hours per week. Training is provided. All categories received a pay increase this year: Bus Driver $14.33 - $17.96; Bus Aide $10.22 - $15.58; Custodian $10.55 - $12.92; Food Services $10.55 - $12.92.
21 GCS Seniors Named Semifinalists in 2018 National Merit® Scholarship Program
Officials with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced that 21 Greenville County Schools' seniors are among 16,000 Semifinalists in the 63rd annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented students will compete for 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million that will be awarded next spring. List of Semifinalists
Unofficial Board Meeting Summary
September 26, 2017
Welcome and Prayer - Mrs. Rohleder
Pledge of Allegiance - Tommie Fortner, a 5th grade student at Alexander Elementary School, led the Board of Trustees in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Adoption of Consent Calendar
Minutes, Regular Board Meeting - August 29, 2017
Home Schooling Applications - 1
Personnel Recommendations - 0
Appearance of Visitors
No visitors
Superintendent's Report
Deputy Superintendent Dr. Mason Gary spoke on behalf of Dr. Royster and expressed appreciation for those who have attended the Superintendent Breakfasts at Eastside High and Travelers Rest High.
Action Items
Revision of Policy BCA: Meetings: Types - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the proposed revisions to Board Policy BCA. The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act has been amended recently and the proposed revisions and deletions bring our policies in compliance with state law. The changes in state law center on the requirement for public bodies to have an agenda and to provide at least a 24-hour notice to the public and to the media before adding an items to the an agenda. The only exception to the 24-hour notice requirement is that the Board can add an agenda item or hold an emergency meeting if it finds the existence of an emergency or exigent circumstance that must be immediately considered and voted upon. Further, if an item is not final in nature and the public will have a later opportunity for public comment, the Board has the ability to add the item without the required 24-hour notice.
Deletion of Policy BCAC: Meetings: Special - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the deletion of Board Policy BCAC. See above explanation for Policy BCA.
Deletion of Policy BCAD: Meetings: Adjourned - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the deletion of Board Policy BCAD. See above explanation for Policy BCA.
Revision of Policy BCB: Meetings: Procedures - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the proposed revisions to Board Policy BCB. See above explanation for Policy BCA.
Revision of Policy BCBA: Meetings: Procedures and Place - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the proposed revisions to Board Policy BCBA. See above explanation for Policy BCA.
Revision of Policy BCBD: Meetings: Procedures: Agendas - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the proposed revisions to Board Policy BCBD. See above explanation for Policy BCA.
Revision of Policy BCBFA: Meetings: Procedures: Quorum - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the proposed revisions to Board Policy BCBFA. See above explanation for Policy BCA.
Revision of Policy BE: School Board Records - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the proposed revisions to Board Policy BE. See above explanation for Policy BCA.
Revision of Policy KBA: Public Information Program: Public's Right to Know - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the proposed revisions to Board Policy KBA. See above explanation for Policy BCA.
Architect Selection for the New Fountain Inn High School - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve Craig Gaulden Davis Architects to design the New Fountain Inn High School for grades 9-12. The New Fountain Inn High School will be designed as a 1,000 student school for grades 9 through 12. In accordance with the District's Procurement Code, the Architectural Selection Committee held interviews with the (5) five firms that were short-listed for the design of this high school.
Information Items
Internal Auditing Services' Project Status Report - The report was presented as information.
Information/Action from Board Committees/Liaisons - Mrs. Grayson, chair of the Board's Advocacy Committee stated that the committee met and agreed to draw up two resolutions for future consideration – one requesting the abolishment of the Education Oversight Committee and the other nominating Mr. Chuck Saylors and Mrs. Traci Hogan for the Legislative Advocacy Award. Mrs. Grayson also reported that the Transportation Working Group has met a number of times and is working with the State Department to address concerns related to the State bus system.
Mrs. Wells reported that the Instructional Policies Committee will continue its work once a teacher survey is complete so that teacher input can be taken into account in the policy making process.
The meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m.