VIP E-Newsletter

February 28, 2018 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.
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News

GCS Security Plan and Law Enforcement Partnerships

Since last week, we have received many questions from parents about security measures designed to protect students in Greenville County Schools. We have also dealt with extensive rumors of threats this week, most of which have been tracked through social media to other states. Greenville County Schools has a strong partnership with local law enforcement that includes an Office of School Enforcement, staffed with Greenville County Sheriff's Office deputies. Every middle and high school has a School Resource Officer (SRO) assigned to and housed at the school. Zoned Security Patrols visit every elementary school and center several times during the school day and randomize those visits so they are not predictable. Law enforcement officers also conduct unannounced security breach tests on schools and provide the results to the district. Additionally, law enforcement personnel routinely use our school parking lots as "offices," completing paperwork and other duties, while providing an additional level of security and acting as a deterrent. Full Story about GCS Security Plan.

School Threats Are Not a Joke

Greenville County Schools recently posted video on the GCS website addressing the issue of school threats made by students. Watch the video to hear advice from Greenville County Sheriff Will Lewis and Greenville Police Chief Ken Miller.

Hillcrest High Grad Wins 2018 Randolph Caldecott Medal

Matthew Cordell (Class of '93) recently received the Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for childrenHillcrest High graduate Matthew Cordell (Class of '93) recently received the Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children, Wolf in the Snow. The prestigious award is presented by the American Library Association. Mr. Cordell wrote and illustrated the book, which tells the story about a girl and a wolf pup lost in a snowstorm and how they find their way home. Cordell attended Plain Elementary, Bryson Middle, Hillcrest High, and the Fine Arts Center. He credits his high school art teacher, Eva Esrum, with being the first person who inspired him to take art seriously. Full Story about Hillcrest High Grad.

GCS Trustees Forgive Three Snow Days

The Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees voted to waive the make-up of three snow days used on January 17, 18 and 19 for students. GCS students have missed six days during the 2017-2018 school year. The first three days will be made up on March 19, March 30 and April 27. Those make-up days were built into the school calendar. If more days are missed because of additional inclement weather, GCS can appeal that missed time to the State Board of Education.

Unofficial Board Meeting Summary
February 27, 2018

Welcome and Prayer - Mrs. Rohleder

Pledge of Allegiance - Ty Chambers, Hillcrest Middle School

Adoption of Consent Calendar

Minutes, Regular Board Meeting - January 23, 2018
Minutes, Special Called Meeting - February 13, 2018
2 Home Schooling Applications
Personnel Recommendations -

  • Karen Bullard, Principal - Blue Ridge Middle, Effective 7/1/18
  • Corey Collington, Principal - Berea Middle, Effective 7/1/18
  • Jennifer Couch, Principal - Woodmont Middle, Effective 7/1/18
  • Stephanie Reese, Principal - Fountain Inn Elementary, Effective 7/1/18
  • Smith, Jeremie, Principal - Dr. Phinnize J. Fisher Middle, Effective 7/1/18
  • Augusta Circle Principal (Internal Transfer) - Mimi Melehes from Ellen Woodside Elementary, Effective 7/1/18

Student Expulsion Hearing Appeal - Approved recommendation from the Administration that the Board affirm the decision of the Hearing Officer to transfer Student A to the High School Alternative Program for the remainder of the 2017-2018 school year based upon the substantial evidence in the records.

Appearance of Visitors
Sarai Bautista
Bettina Bryant
Ruth Patton
Keith Ray
James Campbell
Henry Lear
Tessa Hubbard
Lissette Treanor
Dina Estrada
Ilse Isidro
Jerry Carter
Dianne Hoyos Lopez
Asha Marie
Tobi Kinsell
Hali Wyatt
Adela Mendoza

Superintendent's Report - Dr. Royster presented a Superintendent's Report on school safety and shared a video that is currently posted on the GCS website.

Action Items

Revision of Policy FDC: Naming of New Facilities - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the revision of Board Policy FDC. The revision to this policy provides the opportunity for a retiring employee to be recognized with the naming of an area of a school or building prior to the end of his or her employment. The revision allows for the recognition of a current employee so long as that employee has submitted an accepted resignation and the naming occurs within six months of the effective date of the resignation.

Proposed Resolution to Allow DACA Recipients to Attain Professional Licensure - Approved motion from the Advocacy Committee to approve the resolution as presented. The resolution addresses the concern that students who are currently residing legally in South Carolina as DACA immigrants have been barred from receiving professional and vocational licenses under a 2008 state law. These students legally attend Greenville County Schools and are successfully completing licensing programs. This resolution urges the General Assembly to remove state licensing barriers so that these students can receive the licenses that they have earned and enter our workforce to become contributing members of society.

Audit of Student Activity Funds for FY 2015-16 - Approved recommendation from Internal Auditing Services to accept the audit of Student Activity Funds for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2016.  The audits were performed to determine compliance with the Student Activity Funds Accounting Handbook and policies established by The Board of Trustees of The School District of Greenville County.

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 is looking at action they can take related to school safety issues. Derek Lewis commented that the Board continues to work on the revision of policy BBC.

Board Chair's Update - Dr. Ball O'Connor recognized Derek Lewis, Chuck Saylors, and Lisa Wells for their presentations at the SCSBA Conference. She also discussed the 2018-23 Strategic Plan process and the priorities identified by the Board.

Finance Report - The report was presented as information.

The meeting adjourned at 9:33 p.m.