VIP E-Newsletter

May 23, 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 Staff Members Named Employees of the Year

Greenville County Schools and Greenville Federal Credit Union announced the recipients of the Employee of the Year Awards at the annual Salute to Education banquet. Winners were selected in six categories: School Support, Operations, District Support, Assistant School Administrator, District Professional, and School Administrator. Each award winner received $500 cash and a special award commissioned by Greenville Federal Credit Union. Their school or department also received $500 cash so all employees can share in the honor. Read more about GCS Staff Members Named Employees of the Year.

U.S. News Best High Schools

Eastside, Wade Hampton, Mauldin, and Riverside High schools are among the top-ranked high schools in South Carolina and the nation, according to the 2018 U.S. News Best High Schools rankings. The schools earned Silver Medals for their accomplishments. Berea High School also earned a Bronze award for their accomplishments. Read more about U.S. News Best High Schools.

  • Eastside High ranks #4 in South Carolina and #1,034 in the nation.
  • Wade Hampton High ranks #5 in South Carolina and #1,133 in the nation.
  • Mauldin High ranks #10 in South Carolina and #1,438 in the nation.
  • Riverside High ranks #14 in South Carolina and #2,046 in the nation.
  • Berea High is nationally ranked.

2018 Graduation Information

2018 Rehearsal and Graduation Schedules

Unofficial Board Meeting Summary
May 22, 2018

Welcome and Prayer - Mrs. Rohleder

Pledge of Allegiance - Juan Pablo Hernandez, Chandler Creek Elementary Student Body President and Chorus Member

Student Performance - Chandler Creek Elementary School Chorus, led by Mrs. Ranessa Fernander.

Adoption of Consent Calendar
Minutes, Regular Board Meeting - April 24, 2018
Minutes, Special Called Meeting - May 8, 2018
Personnel Recommendations:

  • Leland Blankenship, Director, Donaldson Career Center

Assistant Principals

  • Daniel Anderson, Rudolph Gordon, Effective 8/6/18
  • Jonathan Duty, Riverside High, Effective 7/30/18
  • Daniel Green, Northwest Middle, Effective 8/6/18
  • Sundra Latson, Riverside High, Effective 7/30/18
  • Tiffany McElveen, Mauldin High, Effective 7/31/18
  • Robert McGowens, Jr., Woodmont Middle, Effective 8/6/18
  • Jeremy Murphy, Sterling School, Effective 8/6/18
  • April Roberts, Pelham Road Elementary, Effective 8/6/18
  • Meredith Welch, Oakview Elementary, Effective 8/6/18
  • Tonya Woods, Woodmont Middle, Effective 8/6/18

Appearance of Visitors
None

Superintendent's Report
Dr. Royster reviewed some of the district's accomplishments from the 2017-18 school year, including: 

  • 16% of our students participate in our school choice program.
  • Our energy costs have not increased over the past 11 years, though we have grown significantly in square footage, rates have increased, and we have opened several new schools.
  • GCS has grown by 6,819 students over the last 10 years.
  • During 2017-18 our high schools raised in excess of $1.16 million for charity through Spirit Week activities.
  • 20 employees from throughout the district were recognized this year as part of the Horace Mann Employee Spotlight.
  • 117 athletic teams posted a GPA of 4.0 or better this year.
  • GCS received 47 new buses this year and anticipate another 27 arriving this summer or fall.  Many will be propane powered.
  • We maintain the highest possible bond rating a school district in SC can receive.
  • An ADA Nature Trail is under construction at Washington Center and will be completed soon.
  • GCS is ranked as the #3 school district in South Carolina in preparing students for college according to U.S. News and World Report.
  • SAT score of 1089 is above the state and national averages.
  • Class of 2018 has 21 National Merit Semifinalists.
  • The graduation rate for African-American, Latino, Limited English Proficiency, and Subsidized Meal student subgroups are rising faster than the overall student rate.
  • Our CTE students will earn over 700 certifications this year, compared to 601 last year.
  • We launched the Michelin Youth Apprenticeship Program with five signees earlier this spring.
  • 21 Schools in GCS have been named Palmetto's Finest.
  • Four GCS high schools (Eastside High, Wade Hampton High, Mauldin High, and Riverside High) are ranked among the best in South Carolina by U.S. News and World Report.
  • 14 total National Blue Ribbon Schools - Skyland Elementary won this year.

Action Items

Co-Curricular Activities - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to encourage the Superintendent's continued robust support and development of all co-curricular activities throughout all Greenville County schools.

Proposed Revision to Policy BBC: Board Committees - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to amend Board Policy BBC with proposed revision. Chairman Ball O'Connor created an ad hoc committee to review Board Policy BBC and bring recommended revisions -- both to ensure compliance with revised FOIA interpretations and to ensure more clear processes for having items added to agenda. The committee included Joy Grayson, Roger Meek, Glenda Morrison-Fair, and Lisa Wells, and was chaired by Derek Lewis.

Proposed Revision to Policy CEI: School Superintendent: Evaluation, effective January 1, 2019 - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to revise Board Policy CEI as presented, effective January 1, 2019. This revision changes the date of the Superintendent's evaluation to no later than November 15 of each year, and the deadline to change the evaluation rubric to no later than January 30 of each year, effective January 1, 2019.

J. E. Sirrine Scholarships (Executive Session) - Approved recommendation from the Administration for new and renewal scholars for Sirrine Scholarships in the amounts specified by the Sirrine Scholarship Program Report.

Renewal of Lease Agreement between the School District of Greenville County and the City of Greenville - Augusta Circle Elementary School - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to renew a lease agreement between the School District and the City of Greenville for after-hours use of the playground area located at Augusta Circle Elementary School for a period of five (5) years beginning May 2018. The City of Greenville uses the area to provide after-hours recreation for the Greenville community.

Renewal of Lease Agreement between the School District of Greenville County and the City of Greenville - East North Street Academy - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to renew a lease agreement between the School District and the City of Greenville for after-hours use of the playground area located at East North Street Academy for a period of five (5) years beginning May 2018.The City of Greenville uses the area to provide after-hours recreation for the Greenville community.

Renewal of Lease Agreement between the School District of Greenville County and the City of Greenville - Sara Collins Elementary School - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to renew a lease agreement between the School District and the City of Greenville for after-hours use of the playground area located at Sara Collins Elementary School for a period of five (5) years beginning May 2018. The City of Greenville uses the area to provide after-hours recreation for the Greenville community.

Renewal of Lease Agreement between the School District of Greenville County and the City of Greenville - Summit Drive Elementary School - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to renew a lease agreement between the School District and the City of Greenville for after-hours use of the baseball field/walking track and playground area located at Summit Drive Elementary School for a period of five (5) years beginning May 2018. The City of Greenville uses the area to provide after-hours recreation for the Greenville community.

Audit of Student Activity Funds for the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2017 - Approved recommendation from Internal Auditing Services to accept the Audit of Student Activity Funds for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2017. 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.

Audit of Extracurricular Events - Approved recommendation from Internal Auditing Services to accept the Audit of Extracurricular Events for the period September 2016 through April 2018. The audit was performed to ensure that funds of ten various extracurricular events were handled in accordance with SAF procedures.

Information Items

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

Information / Action from Board Committees / Liaisons

Committee / Liaison Reports
Board members reported on today's learning conversations about Foreign Language, School Planning and Demographics, and Career and Technical Education.

Finance Report
The finance report was for information only.  Mr. Knotts responded to board questions regarding current expenditure budgets.

Monthly Financial Report - The report was presented as information.

The meeting adjourned at 8:34 p.m.