August 29, 2018 Edition

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News

Back to School 2018-2019

Greenville County Schools welcomed the return of students on Monday, August 20. Here's a quick look at GCS by the numbers:

• Students: 76,000
• Employees: 10,000
• Facilities: 106
• Teachers: 5,757
• New teachers hired: 633
• First year teachers: 265
• Schools with new principals: 11
• Meals served daily: 82,000
• Bus routes: 369
• Miles driven by buses daily: 41,000
• Students who ride the bus: 27,000
• Athletic teams: 555
• Student athletes: 11,200
• GCS is the largest school district in South Carolina
• GCS is the 44th largest district in the nation
• GCS is the second largest employer in Greenville County

Travelers Rest High Teacher Named GCS Teacher of the Year

Congratulations to Shelley Smith, a social studies teacher at Travelers Rest High, on being named the 2018-19 Greenville County Teacher of the Year. Also announced were first runner-up Rick Schwartz, Introduction to Manufacturing Teacher at Greer High; second runner-up Matthew Boone, 7th Grade English Language Arts Teacher at Northwood Middle; and third runner-up Reem Alnatour, Third Grade Teacher, Fork Shoals School.

Greenville County Schools Names Two Emerging Teachers of the Year

Jordyn Lyles, a third grade teacher at Bryson Elementary School, was named the Elementary Level Emerging Teacher of the Year, and Elijah Edwards, a culinary arts teacher at Golden Strip Career Center, was named Secondary Level Emerging Teacher of the Year.

The Emerging Teachers of the Year Program, sponsored by Greenville Federal Credit Union, recognizes two second or third year teachers for outstanding performance. Each winner receives $500, a crystal award, and $500 for their school. Read more about "Greenville County Schools Names Two Emerging Teachers of the Year".

Eastside High Wins National Academic Tournament

The Eastside High Academic Team was recently named the best team in the nation at the 2018 National Senior Beta Club Convention. Eastside's team represented South Carolina and Eastside well by prevailing against teams from Illinois and Missouri in the championship rounds. They aced the tournament in the final round when they defeated the opposing team by 100 points.

The Eastside Academic team qualified to compete at Nationals in February after winning the SC Quiz Bowl Tournament Championship at the Beta Club State Convention. Team members are Robbie Pokora (Captain), Tai Zheng, Caroline Patterson, and Jackson Ashley. Timothy Nguyen served as Alternate. The team is coached by Mr. Ray Steadman.

This victory represents the first national win for the EHS Academic Team.

Unofficial Board Meeting Summary
August 28, 2018

Welcome, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Landon Finley from Bell's Crossing Elementary School. Landon is an Honor Roll student, a member of the Battle of the Books team, and a Student Council Representative.

Awards Presentations
Recognition from Greenville Police Department for Officer Allen Jacobs' GREAT Summer Camp
Boardmanship Institute Recognitions - Mr. Lewis and Dr. Ball O'Connor

Adoption of Consent Calendar
Minutes, Regular Board Meeting, June 26, 2018
Minutes, Special Called Meeting - August 14, 2018
19 Home Schooling Applications
Personnel Recommendations - None.

Appearance of Visitors
Ms. Carolyn Smith

Superintendent's Report - What we did this summer!
Dr. Royster reported on some of the work that occurred over the summer in preparation for the start of the new school year. For example:

• 1,072 employees hired and processed through human resources, including 596 teachers
• 58 new employee orientation sessions
• 14,950 acres of grass cut
• 25 gym floors refinished
• 76,920 square feet of flooring replaced
• 28,573 calls made to families by the transportation department
• Enhanced entry security installed at 21 schools and centers
• 95,342 summer meals served as part of the Seamless Summer Program
• Warehouse inventoried
• Thousands of hours of training provided to employees regarding food service, maintenance and custodial services, financial protocols, legal matters, transportation safety, maintenance safety, floor care, etc.
• Additional training for teachers, counselors, media specialists, etc., through Summer Institute

Action Items

Revision of Board Policy BBBA - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to accept the revision to Board Policy BBBA as presented. Current Board policy mandates the use of the SCSBA's Self-Evaluation Assessment. The proposed additional language will provide flexibility to the Board to utilize a different self-evaluation instrument as it deems appropriate.

School Renewal Plans 2018-2023 - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve all GCS school renewal plans for 2018-2023. Using the District's strategic plan template, schools' goals and strategies mirror those of the district, ensuring alignment to the District's vision and actions. In addition to the District's Strategic Plan, each school leader is required to follow a quality process to annually update and present their strategic plan, also referred to as school portfolios or school renewal plans, to the Greenville County Schools' Board of Trustees and the South Carolina Department of Education for approval. From this point, annual updates to the Strategic Education Plan, including school portfolios, will be presented each April. View all of the schools' Portfolios/RenewalPlans

New Lease Agreement between the School District of Greenville County and the City of Greenville - Washington Center Nature Trail - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the lease agreement between the School District and the City of Greenville for after-hours use of the nature trail area located at Washington Center for a period of five (5) years beginning August 2018.

Naming of Wade Hampton High School Track - Approved recommendation from the Administration to approve the naming of the Wade Hampton High School track for Mr. Sam McCollum. The Wade Hampton High School community has expressed strong support for honoring Mr. Sam McCollum, who taught social studies and coached track and football at the school for over 30 years.

Information Items

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

Information/Action from Board Committees/Liaisons - Mr. Derek Lewis, Chairman of the Advocacy Committee, announced the formation of a sub-committee focused on state and federal policies related to improving school safety and security. That sub-committee will be chaired by Joy Grayson. Mr. Lewis also announced the committee's recommendation that teacher recruitment and retention be added to the Advocacy Committee's advocacy efforts. Finally, he shared the committee's plans to schedule regional meetings with the legislative delegation and an annual meeting between the school board and county council.

Mrs. Lisa Wells commented on the quality of the South Carolina School Board Association's (SCSBA) Legal Conference that was held last weekend and thanked GCS General Counsel Doug Webb for presenting at that conference. She mentioned that a number of changes in law and policy that will require revisions to local board policy. She also reminded everyone about a Sept. 5 Regional SCSBA meeting at Hillcrest High.