November 29, 2017 Edition

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News

Coach Nance Receives Frank Kovaleski Professional Development Award

GCS Director of Athletics Darryl Nance has been named the recipient of the Frank Kovaleski Professional Development Award. The award is presented by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) to an individual who has made significant contributions and demonstrated excellence in professional development at the local, state and national levels.

GCS Graduation Rate Continues to Increase

Greenville County Schools' performance indicators, including graduation rate, continue to increase, according to the State Report Card issued last week by the South Carolina Department of Education. The district's graduation rate increased from 86.8 percent in 2016 to 87.3 percent in 2017. Since 2012, the school district's graduation rate has increased about 21 percent (14.9 percentage points). Read more about GCS Graduation Rate.

Students Support Korean War Wall of Remembrance

GCS students are raising money to honor Korean War veterans from Greenville and across the state. The fundraising goal is $200,000. The amount is enough to have the names of all South Carolina KIAs and MIAs etched on the Korean War Wall of Remembrance in Washington, D.C. Click here to make an online donation. You can also write a check to the GCS Wall of Remembrance Fund and drop it off at any GCS school location or mail it to 301 E. Camperdown Way, Greenville, SC, 29601.

Important Dates to Remember

Change in Assignment Choice Lottery Window for 2018-19
Monday, November 20-Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Kindergarten and First Grade Registration
Monday - Thursday, December 4-7, 2017

GCS Hall of Fame Induction Dinner
Thursday, November 30, 2017

Unofficial Board Meeting Summary
November 28, 2017

Welcome and Prayer - Mrs. Rohleder

Pledge of Allegiance - League Academy student Morgan Weiner led the Board and meeting attendees in the pledge of allegiance.

Performance - The League Academy chorus performed five songs, ending with We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

Adoption of Consent Calendar
Minutes, Regular Board Meeting - October 24, 2017
Minutes, Board Retreat - October 31, 2017
Home Schooling Applications - 2
Personnel Recommendations - None

Appearance of Visitors
Brooke Cain
Michael Cain

Superintendent's Report - Dr. Royster yielded his time to the GCS Teacher of the Year Suzanne Billings, who spoke to the Board in honor of American Education Month and the #teachlikeme campaign.

Action Items

Online Testing Waiver Request to SDE - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the 2017-18 online testing waiver requests for SC Ready ELA for grades 3-5 and for Residential Treatment Centers, including group homes and homebound located in the Greenville County School District. By State proviso, Districts may request a waiver from the State Board of Education for online testing. Greenville County Schools requested and was granted a waiver from online testing in 2016-17 for SC Ready ELA in grades 3-5. Greenville County Schools also requested and was granted a waiver from online testing in 2016-17 for all tests for all residential treatment centers and group homes in our District. Residential Treatment Centers and Group homes continue to have insufficient internet connections for multiple users and insufficient server specifications. Additionally, the servers at the group homes do not meet the specifications to be able to install a Testing Site Manager (TSM). Residential Treatment Centers and Group homes are privately owned and are not under the control of Greenville County Schools. Online testing at these facilities cannot be expected to be successful with any reasonable degree of certainty.

Submission of Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees' Resolution Regarding the EOC to the SCSBA Delegate Assembly - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to present the proposed Statement of Belief to the SCSBA Delegate Assembly from the floor during the 2017 Legislative Advocacy Conference.  The proposed Statement of Belief is based on the resolution approved by the Board on October 10, with changes noted.

Comprehensive Annual Financial Report - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to accept the FY 2017 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report as presented.

Mechanical and Electrical Commissioning Firm Selection (Executive Session) - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the selection of  Commissioning Consultants, Engineering Economics, Inc., KLG Jones, and System WorCX to provide mechanical and electrical commissioning for the next five years. The Facilities Department seeks to contract with multiple Commissioning Agents to guarantee the quality of HVAC System from schematic design through the long term operation of the buildings. Four (4) firms submitted qualification packages.

Testing and Balancing Firm Selection (Executive Session) - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the selection of Palmetto Air and Water Balance to provide for Testing and Balancing of Heating, Cooling, and Ventilation Systems for the next five years. Over the next five years we will require Testing and Balancing of Heating, Cooling, and Ventilation Systems to provide a safe and productive building and achieve the energy efficiency achieved resulting in cost savings for years. In accordance with the District's Procurement Code, the Engineering Selection Committee received qualification packages from one (1) firm for Testing and Balancing.

Internal Auditing Services' Self-Assessment with Independent Validation - Approved recommendation from Internal Auditing Services to accept the Self-Assessment with Independent Validation. This self-assessment was performed to ensure that Internal Auditing Services conforms to the Standards as required by, and detailed in The Professional Practices Framework published by the Institute of Internal Auditors. The results of the self-assessment were validated by a qualified, independent reviewer in accordance with the Standards.

Audit of Student Activity Funds Analytical - Approved recommendation from Internal Auditing Services to accept the audit of Student Activity Funds Analytical, July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016. This audit was performed to review the financial activity for Student Activity Funds.

Information Items

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

Information/Action from Board Committees/Liaisons

Committee / Liaison Reports - Mrs. Grayson reported that the Advocacy Committee met with the Student Dreamer's Alliance at Carolina High to discuss the challenges they face in terms of industry certifications and higher education.  Mrs. Wells reminded Board Members that the SCSBA Legislative Conference and Delegate Assembly is this weekend.  She also encourage everyone to attend this, the  final year for Roper Mountain Science Center's Holiday Lights.  Mrs. Leventis-Wells mentioned the GCS Hall of Fame Dinner benefitting the GCS Foundation will take place Thursday night.  Mrs. Bush indicated that the Board Governance Committee continues to work on the policies related to Board officers.  At Mrs. Grayson's request, Mr. Saylors recapped the work that went into the GCS Board's efforts to earn passage of legislation creating a state-wide employability certificate for students with special needs.  This effort earned the GCS Board of Trustees the SCSBA's Advocacy Program of the Year Award, which will be presented Saturday at the SCSBA Legislative Advocacy Conference.

Finance Report - The report was presented as information.

The meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m.