February 27, 2019 Edition

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News

Shining Stars Teacher Recruitment Event March 4

Greenville County Schools and the business community will host a Shining Stars Teacher Recruitment event at the Greenville Convention Center in Greenville on Monday, March 4 from 8:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. The deadlines to register is Wednesday, February 27.

The Shining Stars event is hosted each year by Greenville County Schools as a way in which candidates searching for teaching positions can meet GCS principals and district staff. All candidates who have not previously received a district interview will be interviewed by a member of the district staff. Read more about Shining Stars.

Teacher Helps Student Save Father’s Life

First grade teacher Keller Sutherland was driving home from Ellen Woodside Elementary down a busy four lane highway when she spotted a former student riding his bicycle down the middle of the road. He looked scared and was pedaling frantically. Sutherland stopped to check on him and learned that 8-year-old Cameron was trying to get help for his dad who was in a diabetic coma. Watch the story here.

A.J. Whittenberg Elementary Unveils Portrait of School’s Namesake

During a school-wide Black History celebration, A.J. Whittenberg Elementary presented two inaugural awards in honor of their namesake Abraham J. Whittenberg. Whittenberg was a civil rights activist who successfully sued the School District of Greenville County in 1963 after his requests for black students to attend all-white schools were denied. As a result his daughter Elaine began attending Greenville Junior High (an all-white school) in 1964. Elaine Whittenberg-Boyce attended the celebration and helped to unveil the portrait. Read more about A.J. Whittenburg Elementary.

Give Me Five

The GCS Communications Department is surveying its external audiences to assess our success in aligning understanding and support of the district’s vision, services, and accomplishments. We want to hear from you. The survey will be available through February 27. Click here to take the survey.

Unofficial Board Meeting Summary

February 26, 2019

Welcome, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance - Catherine DeYoung from Northwood Middle School led the Pledge of Allegiance. Catherine is President of both the Student Council and National Junior Honor Society, and is also an active member of the Beta Club. She hopes to attend Clemson University and then go on to medical school, with the goal of becoming a surgical oncologist.

Award Presentation
Miracle Worker Award: Keller Sutherland
Miracle Worker Award: Tina Hamilton

Adoption of Consent Calendar
Minutes, Regular Board Meeting - January 22, 2019
Minutes, Special Called Meeting - February 12, 2019
Personnel Recommendations - None.

Appearance of Visitors
Mr. Bob Davis

Superintendent's Report
Dr. Royster decided to delay his report to another month based on the positive Miracle Workers presentations that highlighted how our teachers care about and nurture our students every day, his introduction of new administrators approved earlier this month, and Mrs. Goodwin-Calwile's observations on the life of Dr. Thomas Kerns, former Superintendent of GCS, in honor of Black History Month.

Action Items

Innovative Course Approvals - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve 13 Innovative Courses. Nine courses are at the honors level under the new South Carolina Honors Rubric, and three are approved under the innovative course process.

Revision of Policy IHF: Academic Achievement: Graduation Requirements - Approved recommendation from the Ad Hoc Committee for Instructional Policies to approve the revision of Policy IHF: Academic Achievement: Graduation Requirements. Dr. O'Connor made a separate motion to evaluate the Latin Honors designation ranges after the first year of implementation, due to the recent change in the uniform grading scale. This motion was added by unanimous consent and was approved.

Renewal of Charter Application for Langston Charter Middle School - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to renew the charter contract for Langston Charter Middle School. The charter application for Langston Charter Middle School was originally approved in August 2004. A renewal of the charter application was approved in May 2009, which extended the contract through 2019. Per the South Carolina Charter Schools Act, approval of the current renewal application will extend the contract through 2029.

Proposed Cell Tower on Berea HS 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 would replace an existing light pole at the Berea High School Baseball Field.

Proposed Master Internal Audit Plan for 2019 - Substitute motion was made to approve the Revised Proposed Master Internal Audit Plan for the 2019 Calendar Year. Motion was amended to allow Internal Auditing to fill a fourth position that is already budgeted in that office. The substitute motion as amended was approved.

Audit of Food and Nutrition Services' Internal Controls - Approved motion from Internal Auditing Services to accept the audit of Food and Nutrition Services' Internal Controls. This audit was performed to evaluate and document the financial internal controls of Food and Nutrition Services. This internal control review and evaluation was performed to ensure that the internal controls provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance that the fundamental elements of the system are sufficient to accomplish their intended purpose.

Information Items

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

Information/Action from Board Committees/Liaisons

Committee / Liaison Reports
Mr. Lewis reported that the Advocacy Committee met on Tuesday to study House Bill 3759, commonly known as the Education Reform Act. There is a companion bill, Senate Bill 419, which has deviated substantially in its content. It is difficult for the Advocacy Committee to build consensus and make recommendations at this time because these bills are so different and are changing daily. The committee will continue to follow those bills and have recommendations for the Board as a whole as soon as possible.

Mr. Lewis reflected on the National School Boards Association (NSBA) Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C. The NSBA held GCS up as a featured district due to its work around and implementation of the Employability Credential for students with special needs.

Mrs. Lisa Wells shared information on the South Carolina School Boards Conference last weekend, which focused on Safety and Security.  Topics ranged from facility hardening to mental health services for students.

Finance Report

Monthly Financial Report - The monthly Financial Statements were presented as an information item.