VIP E-Newsletter

April 25, 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

2018 Progress Report

The Communications Department has published the 2018 Progress Report which provides information for stakeholders about our five goals areas: student achievement, personnel, environment, resources, and communications. Feature stories showcase employees and students, many with an accompanying video highlight. Take a look at the new Progress Report ebook and share the link to the GCS Progress Report with your friends and family.

Hall of Fame Nominations Accepted through May 1

Do you know an outstanding GCS graduate who has made significant contributions at the local, regional, national, or international level? You are encouraged to nominate him or her for recognition in the 2019 GCS Hall of Fame. The deadline to receive nominations is Monday, May 1, 2018. The awards presentation will be held on Thursday, November 15 at a dinner hosted by the Greenville County Schools Foundation. Click here to see past recipients and download a nomination form.

2018 Best Communities for Music EducationGCS Music Education Program Receives National Recognition

Greenville County Schools has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.

The Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. Read more about GCS Music Education Program.

GCS Announces Ten Finalists for 2018-19 Teacher of the Year

Ten finalists have been selected in the 2018-19 Greenville County Schools Teacher of the Year program. Read more about GCS Announces Ten Finalists.

  • Reem Alnatour, 3rd Grade, Fork Shoals School
  • Matthew Boone, 7th Grade English Language Arts, Northwood Middle School
  • Kristen Chambers, 2nd Grade, Plain Elementary School
  • Katherine King, 7th Grade Social Studies, Lakeview Middle School
  • Steffanie Martin, 2nd Grade, Taylors Elementary School
  • Molly Mosley, 3rd Grade, Brushy Creek Elementary School
  • Corey Ramey, French, Wade Hampton High School
  • Rick Schwartz, Intro to Manufacturing, Greer High School
  • Shelley Smith, Social Studies, Travelers Rest High School
  • Sarah Smoke, English as a Second Language, Mitchell Road Elementary School

Unofficial Board Meeting Summary
April 24, 2018

Welcome and Prayer - Mrs. Rohleder

Pledge of Allegiance - Myddie Parker, Greenville High Academy

Adoption of Consent Calendar
Minutes, Regular Board Meeting - March 27, 2018
Minutes, Special Called Meeting - April 11, 2018
1 Home Schooling Application
Personnel Recommendations

  • Charles Barnett, Jr. Assistant Principal, Wade Hampton High (eff.7/30/18)
  • Barbara Bingham, Assistant Principal, Gateway Elementary (eff. 8/6/18)
  • Heather Dye, Assistant Principal, Mitchell Road Elementary (eff. 8/6/18)
  • Kara Holley, Assistant Principal, Monaview Elementary (eff. 8/6/18)
  • Chris Sloan, Assistant Principal, Lake Forest Elementary (eff. 8/6/18)
  • Amanda Stewart, Assistant Principal, Carolina Academy (eff. 7/30/18)
  • Ashley Wardlaw, Assistant Principal, Wade Hampton High (eff. 7/30/18)

PE exemption for one student at Greer High School.

Appearance of Visitors - Dr. Grady Butler

Superintendent's Report - Dr. Royster ceded the time for his Superintendent's Report to Myddie Parker, Greenville High Academy junior.  Myddie is a member of the district's Interhigh Council and shared some of the work undertaken by that group over this school year.  Interhigh serves as the Superintendent's student advisory council and is composed of the junior class president, senior class president, and student body president from each of the district's 14 high schools.

Action Items

Proposed Revision of Policy LE: School Improvement Councils - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the revision of Board Policy LE. The revisions of this policy update the language to reflect the current requirements contained in state law and regulation pertaining to school improvement councils. The changes emphasize the purpose of school improvement councils to support schools and to create plans for innovation at each school. The revisions also detail the required composition of each council and update the policy to mirror District practices and the guidance provided to schools.

Proposed Revision of Policy LEB: Parent Organizations - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the revision of Board Policy LEB. The revisions of this policy provide an updated and accurate statement pertaining to school support organizations, including parent-teacher associations and booster clubs. The administration has drafted a corresponding administrative rule to support this revised policy that will be provided to the board to review in the near future.

Approval of Fund Balance Expenditures - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to assign $3,000,000 of the General Fund - Fund Balance to fund the enhancement of school capture-area security. This assignment will not impact meeting the requirements of Board Policy DM in maintaining an adequate fund reserve, the other Board approved assignments, or the financial activity of the FY 18 General Fund Budget. The money will be used for the enhancement of school entrance capture areas by installing over-the-counter barriers and/or other devices to further restrict movement out of the capture areas.

Nomination of Mr. Saylors for SCSBA Board President-Elect - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the nomination of Chuck Saylors for the office of President-Elect of the SCSBA Board of Directors. Mr. Saylors currently serves on the SCSBA Board of Directors as Vice-President. Prior to that, he served as Treasurer and Secretary.

Declaration of Approximately 2.0 Acres at M.T. Anderson Support Center as Surplus Property - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the surplus of 2.0 acres of property at M.T. Anderson Support Center. The Administration has determined there are no future needs for the property and is in the best interest of the District to surplus the approximately 2.0 acres and offer it for sale.

Proposed Cell Tower on M.T. Anderson Property - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to allow Milestone Communications to investigate and evaluate this site for a Monopole Communications Tower. The Monopole Communications Tower will replace an existing light pole at the Southside High Football Stadium.

Selection of the Construction Manager at Risk for the New Roper Mountain Science Center Environmental Science and Sustainability Building (Executive Session) - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to accept the Selection Committee's recommendation for approval of Firm 1 as Construction Manager at Risk for the New Roper Mountain Science Center Environmental Science and Sustainability Building. The New Environmental Science and Sustainability Building at Roper Mountain Science Center will be built with a focus on Environmental Science and Sustainability featuring STEM/STEAM-based student-centered labs, open flexible display areas and a kitchen with dining space. Firm 1 is Harper Corporation.

Student Discipline Appeal (Executive Session) - Approved recommendation from the Administration to affirm the decision of the Hearing Officer and deny the appeal.

Information Items

Board Officer Candidate Roster - The roster was presented as information. The updated roster of candidates is listed in alphabetical order as follows:
Chair: Derek Lewis, Roger D. Meek, Danna Rohleder, Chuck Saylors, Lisa Wells
Vice-Chair: Lynda Leventis-Wells, Derek Lewis, Roger D. Meek, Chuck Saylors
Secretary: Derek Lewis, Roger D. Meek, Glenda Morrison-Fair, Chuck Saylors

Information/Action from Board Committees/Liaison

Committee / Liaison Reports - Mrs. Grayson reported that the Advocacy Committee will be considering legislative priorities for next year if Board members want to submit ideas.  SCSBA Board resolutions are due in June.

Mr. Lewis announced the Ad Hoc Committee for Board Policy BBC met on Tuesday and will bring a revised policy to the May Committee of the Whole.

Board Chair's Update - No update.

Finance Report - Mr. Knotts reported an upward trend in revenue from Fee in Lieu of Taxes.

Monthly Financial Report - The report was presented as information.

The meeting adjourned at 9: 20 p.m.