August 28, 2019 Edition
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News
Three GCS Schools Among America’s Most Challenging High Schools
J. L. Mann High Academy, Greenville High Academy, and Riverside High School are listed among the Washington Post listing of America's Most Challenging High Schools.
- J. L. Mann High (Ranking 743) - E&E% (38); Lunch (33); Index (3.027)
- Greenville High Academy (Ranking 864) - E&E% (66); Lunch (53); Index (2.784)
- Riverside High (Ranking 1,401) - E&E% (31); Lunch (18); Index (2.045)
America's Most Challenging High Schools ranks schools through an index formula using this ratio: the number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and Advanced International Certificate of Education tests given at a school each year, divided by the number of seniors who graduated that year. A ratio of 1.000 means the school had as many tests as graduates. Read more about America's Most Challenging High Schools.
Science Teacher Susan McCoy Named GCS Teacher of the Year
Greenville County Schools Superintendent Dr. Burke Royster announced the selection of Susan McCoy, an eighth grade science teacher, the 2019-20 Greenville County Teacher of the Year. Mrs. McCoy will begin teaching this year at Tanglewood Middle School.
Also announced were first runner-up Lori Robbins, ESOL teacher at Mauldin High; second runner-up Jamie Walden, Welding teacher at Enoree Career Center; and third runner-up Kathryn Polley, Music teacher at Augusta Circle Elementary.
Finalists are Krista Ennis, Music, Woodland Elementary; Jill R. Parker, Kindergarten, Skyland Elementary; Charnley DeMeritt, STEM Lab, Oakview Elementary; Teresa Rozakos, Math, League Middle Academy; Benjamin Sinnett, Science Greenville Middle Academy; and Brook Tidwell, Four-Year-Old Kindergarten, Child Development Centers. Read more about GCS Teacher of the Year.
Tool Donation Removes Financial Barrier for Students
Sandvik Coromant Gives Toolkits to Bonds Career Center Machine Tool Students
Sandvik-Coromant, an international tool manufacturer located in Greer, donated tool kits to every student enrolled in J. Harley Bonds Career Center's first year machine tool class. Sandvik also provided safety glasses to the entire student body. Sandvik was recently named Business Partner of the Year by the South Carolina Association for Career and Technical Education.
"We found out that the $250 tool kit was going to be an obstacle for some students coming into the program that could lead to a lifelong career for them, so we decided to eliminate that obstacle," said Sandvik site supervisor Mike Hickey. Read More about the Tool Donation.Unofficial Board Meeting Summary
August 27, 2019
Welcome, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
Tonight's Pledge of Allegiance was led by Heaven Byrd, a 4th grade student at Welcome Elementary School.
Boardsmanship Institute Recognitions
- Mr. Roy Chamlee - Level 2
- Mr. Derek Lewis - Level 4
- Ms. Lynda Leventis-Wells - Level 5
- Ms. Glenda Morrison-Fair - Level 5
Recognition of Personalized Learning Initiative Completion - The Greenville County Schools personalized learning initiative is complete, which means that every GCS student in grades three through 12 has been issued a Chromebook. As part of this rollout, members of the GCS Education Technology Services Department had to cover 14 million square feet with Wi-Fi, led 2,316 total training hours, issued 78,370 Chromebooks, and opened/supported over 90,000 Google Accounts.
Adoption of Consent Calendar
Minutes, Regular Board Meeting - June 25, 2019
Minutes, Special Called Meeting - June 25, 2019
Minutes, Special Called Meeting - August 13, 2019
24 Home Schooling Applications
Personnel Recommendations - None.
Appearance of Visitors - None.
Superintendent's Report - The Superintendent's Report focused on the work done this summer to prepare for the 2019-20 school opening.
Action Items
Revision of Board Policy EB: Building and Ground Maintenance & Tobacco-Free Policy - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the revision of Board Policy EB. The policy revisions to Board Policy EB (Tobacco Free Policy), JCDA (Students-Behavior Code), JCDAB (Students-Tobacco), and GBRL (Employees) reflect the new law that was recently enacted by the General Assembly. That law, Section 59-1-380, requires school districts to have a policy that prohibits the use of tobacco products and alternative nicotine products, which encompasses vaporizers and e-cigarettes. These revisions incorporate the term "alternative nicotine product," as defined by state law, into the relevant District policies. The revisions meet the other requirements in state law pertaining to the communication of the policies and prohibitions, discipline and enforcement, and the implementation of tobacco education and cessation opportunities.
Revision of Board Policy GBRL: Restrictions on the Use of Tobacco Products - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the revision of Board Policy GBRL. Details of the revisions are listed in the above item, Revision of Board Policy EB: Building and Ground Maintenance & Tobacco-Free Policy.
Revision of Board Policy JCDA: Behavior Code - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the revision of Board Policy JCDA. Details of the revisions are listed in the above item, Revision of Board Policy EB: Building and Ground Maintenance & Tobacco-Free Policy.
Revision of Board Policy JCDAB: Tobacco Use - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the revision of Board Policy JCDAB. Details of the revisions are listed in the above item, Revision of Board Policy EB: Building and Ground Maintenance & Tobacco-Free Policy.
Revision of Board Policy EBB: School Safety and Security - Substitute motion made to approve Board Policy EBB as revised and available on Board Docs. Substitute motion approved. Motion approved as substituted. The revisions to this policy and the deletion of EBC and EBCA are intended to strengthen language in policy pertaining to school safety and security. The revisions also incorporate state law that requires schools to conduct at least two fire, active shooter/intruder, and severe weather drills each year. Our current practices meet and exceed this requirement and additional information related to drills and other safety and security measures will be delineated in additional detail in an administrative rule to accompany the policy. The revisions also address collaboration with law enforcement and public safety entities, school inspections, emergency planning, and safety training.
Deletion of Board Policy EBCA: Vandalism Protection - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the deletion of Board Policy EBCA. Details of the changes are listed in above item, Revision of Board Policy EBB: School Safety and Security.
Deletion of Board Policy EBC: Security - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the deletion of Board Policy EBC. Details of the changes are listed in above item, Revision of Board Policy EBB: School Safety and Security.
Property Acquisition for Summit Drive Elementary School Addition (Executive Session) - Approved recommendation from the Administration to approve the purchase of 0.42 acres to support the addition to Summit Drive Elementary School. The acquisition of the property will allow the District to improve traffic flow of car lines with increased stacking capacity as well as potentially providing additional parking spaces. This parcel will allow for expansion of existing play areas as well as provide the District a source for on-site fill material to use during construction.
BEST Director Reappointment - Approved recommendation from the Administration to approve the reappointment of Andrew Jones to serve an additional three-year term on the Building Equity Sooner for Tomorrow Board of Directors. The term on the BEST Board for Andrew Jones expires in 2019. The BEST Board voted to reappoint Mr. Jones to another three-year term on June 25, 2019.
Information Items
Internal Auditing Services' Project Status Report - The report was presented as information.
Information/Action from Board Committees/Liaisons
Committee / Liaison Reports - Mr. Derek Lewis reported that the Advocacy Committee has scheduled a meeting with the Legislative Delegation on Oct. 22 at J.L. Mann High School. The discussion will center around the State of the District and Senate Bill 419.
Mrs. Lisa Wells provided a report on the SCSBA Law Conference that took place last weekend. Topics included FOIA, the use of social media, the consolidation of districts, and other relevant issues.
Mr. Meek reported that the Ad Hoc Committee for personnel policies met today to begin the review of policies related to sick leave and other topics.
Monthly Financial Report - The report was presented as information.
The meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m.