September 25, 2019 Edition

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News

Taylors Elementary Principal Nationally Recognized

Rhonda Rhodes will represent the South Carolina Association of Elementary School Principals at the 2019 National Distinguished Principals program. Rhodes, who has led Taylors Elementary School for the past six years, is being recognized for her collaborative leadership style, creating a culture of leadership, and raising student achievement scores. Read more about Taylors Elementary Principal.

Greenville County Schools Honored with Wellness Award

More than 30 Greenville County Schools are recipients of a "Wellie Award" from LiveWell Greenville. On September 19th at Bon Secours Wellness Arena LiveWell recognized partners who have adopted healthy eating and active living policies, systems and environments where people live, learn, work, play, and pray. According to LiveWell these programs have impacted approximately 68,000 individuals. Read more about Wellness Award.

Materials Review Committee Members Needed

Greenville County Schools needs members of the community to serve on the Elementary, Middle and High School Materials Review Committee. The committees are responsible for handling complaints from the public concerning the appropriateness of instructional materials. The deadline for submitting letters of interest is Friday, November 1, 2019.  Read more about Materials Review Committee.

Unofficial Board Meeting Summary

September 24, 2019

Welcome, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance - The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Zuri Blackerby, a 5th-grade student at Mitchell Road Elementary School. Zuri always looks for ways to show kindness to others and she's a model student ambassador for Mitchell Road's new Capturing Kids Hearts program.

Adoption of Consent Calendar
Minutes, Regular Board Meeting - August 27, 2019
Minutes, Special Called Meeting - September 10, 2019
Home Schooling Applications - 6
Personnel Recommendations - none

Appearance of Visitors - none

Superintendent's Report - Dr. Royster introduced three previously approved administrators:  Vee Popat and Kaci Cotter, the new Director and Assistant Director at the Fine Arts Center, and Damon Officer, a newly selected Assistant Principal at Tanglewood Middle School.

ACTION ITEMS

SCSBA Champion for Public Education Award Nomination - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the nomination of First Presbyterian Church for the SCSBA's Champions for Public Education Award. The nomination is based on the extensive support the congregation provides to Greenville County Schools through its comprehensive volunteer program at Hollis Elementary School over the past ten years.

Property Acquisition for Fork Shoals School (Executive Session) - Approved recommendation from the Administration to approve the purchase of approximately ±25 acres for Fork Shoals School. The District currently leases approximately 4.6 acres of the subject property for a septic drain field and Fork Shoals School also leases a portion of the same property for a walking and nature trail. The purchase price is $243,321.

Audit of Education Finance Act Student Classifications - Approved recommendation from Internal Auditing Services to accept the audit of EFA Student Classifications. This audit was performed to ensure that students were properly classified in the PowerSchool system in order to receive maximum Education Finance Act funding.

INFORMATION ITEMS

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

Proposed Cell Phone Tower Leases at Berea and Southside High Schools - The item was presented for information and discussion. The recommendation from the Administration, and any corresponding agreements and resolutions, will be placed on the agenda for final approval at a Special Called Meeting on October 8, 2019.

INFORMATION /ACTION FROM BOARD COMMITTEES / LIAISONS

Advocacy Committee - Mr. Lewis, committee chair, shared information on an upcoming meeting between the board and Greenville's legislative delegation. This meeting is specifically designed to discuss language in the Senate's bill on education reform.

Ad Hoc Committee on Personnel Policies - Mr. Meek, committee chair, reported they met today and had a lively discussion.  It will probably be several months before they have recommendations for the Board.

Mr. Saylors thanked all who participated in the SCSBA Regional Advocacy event last week.

FINANCE REPORT

Monthly Finance Report - The report was presented as information.

The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.