VIP E-Newsletter

June 27, 2018 Edition

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News

GCS Awarded for Outstanding Financial Reporting

The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) has recognized Greenville County Schools with the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting (COE) award. ASBO International's COE recognizes districts that have met the program's high standards for financial reporting and accountability. Greenville County Schools has earned the Certificate of Excellence for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for 23 consecutive years. Read more about the GCS Financial Reporting Award.

Harrison Hall Reopens

The newly renovated Harrison Hall at Roper Mountain Science Center has reopened. The renovation includes structural upgrades like a new entry, windows, floors, roof and support systems.

The renovation also includes an overhaul of the Marine Lab including new immersive tanks and exhibits with an expanded focus on the coral reef and the food web. A new shark exhibit featuring a Megalodon jaw and shark tracker has been added. Several of the habitats for the more than one hundred animals that call Roper Mountain home have been upgraded. Read more about Harrsion Hall Reopening.

Seamless Summer Feeding Program

Greenville County Schools' Food and Nutrition Services Department will be participating in the Seamless Summer Food Service Program during the months June, July and August.

Nutritionally balanced meals will be provided to all children regardless of race, color, sex, disability, or national origin during summer vacation when school breakfasts and lunches are not available. All children 18 years old and younger are eligible for meals at no charge, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service. See the list of summer feeding program sites here.

Unofficial Board Meeting Summary
June 26, 2018

Welcome, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance

Welcome and Prayer - Mrs. Rohleder

Pledge of Allegiance - Luke Whitehouse, rising 5th grader at Pelham Road Elementary School, led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Luke is a member of the All-Star Chorus and WPRS News Team.

Election of Officers

Election of Board Officers - Newly elected officers for the Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees, effective July 1, 2018:

Chair - Chuck Saylors
Vice-Chair - Lynda Leventis-Wells
Secretary - Glenda Morrison-Fair

Adoption of Consent Calendar

Minutes, Budget, First Reading - May 2, 2018
Minutes, Budget, Public Hearing - May 21, 2018
Minutes, Budget, Second Reading - May 21, 2018
Minutes, Board Meeting - May 22, 2018
Minutes, Special Called Meeting - June 12, 2018

Personnel Recommendations:

Assistant Principals

  • Joshua Albin, Bryson Elementary, Effective 8/6/18
  • Erin McCauley, Brushy Creek Elementary, Effective 8/6/18

Appearance of Visitors

Appearance of Visitors - Ms. Carolyn Smith

Superintendent's Report

Superintendent's Report - Dr. Burke Royster expressed his appreciation to the outgoing officers of the Board of Trustees.  He also announced the scholarship total for the Class of 2018; this year 4,636 GCS graduates earned scholarship offers totaling $138.9 million.  Lastly, he recognized Executive Director of Career and Technical Education, Brooks Smith, as he leaves Greenville County Schools to become the Dean of Augusta Technical College.

Action Items

FY 19 General Obligation Bonds Resolution - Approved the Resolution for the FY 19 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2018, as presented. This budget projects the amount of General Obligation Bonds that must be approved for issuance to fund the BEST bond payments and the operations of the Facilities Department.

FY 19 Debt Service Budget - Approved the FY 19 Debt Service Budget as presented.  The Debt Service Budget accounts for the revenues, annual general obligation bond payments, and distribution of General Obligation Bond proceeds to the BEST Debt Service and Building Fund Budgets.

FY 19 BEST Debt Service Budget - Approved the FY 19 BEST Debt Service Budget as presented.  During FY 19 interest and principal payments totaling $70.3 million for BEST Bonds will be paid on December 1, 2018, and June 1, 2019.  The funding sources are interest income and transfers from the District Debt Service.

FY 19 Building Fund Budget - Approved the FY 19 Building Fund Budget as presented. The projected expenditures are $85.5 million with major projects, roof renovations, HVAC projects, and technology refresh as the largest scheduled expenditures.

FY 19 Food and Nutrition Services Budget - Approved the FY 19 Food and Nutrition Services Budget as presented. The budget's revenue line reflects a 2% increase in the USDA per meal reimbursement rate.  It also recommends that the FY 19 full paid student lunch price remain at the FY 18 level of $2.50.  We are able to maintain meal prices at the current rate due to a waiver granted by the USDA.

FY 19 Special Revenues - Approved the FY 19 Special Revenue budgets as presented.  Special Revenue Budgets are established when the district receives Federal, State, or Local funds that have restrictions on their use.  While the district's General Fund Budget funds the day-to-day operations of the district, a special revenue budget has a narrowly defined purpose or direction, and cannot be used for other expenses.

Nomination for Champions for Public Education - Approved the Committee of the Whole's recommendation that the Greenville Drive be nominated for the South Carolina School Board Association's Champions for Public Education.  This award is presented to organizations that show extensive district-wide support for public education and its initiatives.

Renewal of Lease Agreement between the School District of Greenville County and the County of Greenville at Slater-Marietta Elementary School - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole approving the lease agreement between the School District and the County of Greenville for after-hours use of the park area located at Slater-Marietta Elementary School for a period of five (5) years beginning June 2018. Greenville County uses the area to provide after-hours recreation for the Slater-Marietta community.

Audit of Separation of Employees for Period of July 1, 2017, through February 28, 2018 - Approved recommendation from Internal Auditing Services to accept the Audit of Separation of Employees. The audit was performed to determine if payroll checks and benefits are terminated in a timely manner after an employee resigned, retirees, or is terminated.

Revision of FY 19 General Fund Budget - This item was withdrawn.  The legislature has not completed its work on the State Budget.  At this time, preliminary information does not indicate that a budget revision will be necessary.

Acquisition of Property - Approved the purchase of 1.23 acres at 718 Quillen Avenue, the site of the planned Fountain Inn High School.

Information Items

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

Information / Action from Board Committees / Liaisons

Committee / Liaison Reports  - Ms. Lisa Wells reminded Board Members of the upcoming SCSBA law conference.

Board Chair's Update

Finance Report

Monthly Financial Report - The report was presented as information.

The meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m.