March 25, 2020 Edition
Welcome to VIP E-News, an electronic newsletter that is distributed to GCS employees and community leaders to update them about important GCS news and events. If you have any questions about the Board meeting or news articles, please contact the Communications Department.
subscribe | update your information.
Please "Like" us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/gcschools) and follow us on Twitter (www.twitter.com/gcschools). Our Facebook page is updated daily with new and exciting information about our students, staff, and schools. We also encourage you to share GCS Facebook posts with your friends. Ask them to "Like" us on Facebook so they can be informed about their public schools.
News
All GCS Schools Closed through April 30 per Governor's Order
In response to the spread of COVID-19, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster ordered all K-12 schools in South Carolina to close effective Monday, March 16. On March 24, the closure was extended through April 30. Beginning Wednesday, March 18, teachers began providing eLessons to ensure students continue to master important content. These lessons are available electronically for 3rd-12th graders via Google Classroom or Echo, while packets are provided for K-2nd grade students through teacher websites and can be printed at home. Packets are also available at each school. Click here for our eLearning Parent page.
Food Services, Bus Drivers Delivery Meals, Wi-Fi
Greenville County Schools is providing two meals at one time (lunch and tomorrow's breakfast) for all children ages 18 and younger and special needs adults up to age 21. We are utilizing buses to deliver meals to 66 community locations across the county plus 15 school sites. Meals can be picked up from 10 a.m. – noon, Monday through Friday. Per USDA regulations, children must be present to receive the meals. Click here for locations.
Additionally, our school buses are equipped with Wi-Fi. Students can visit any of the 66 community meal delivery sites to access Wi-Fi between the hours of 10 a.m. and noon, Monday through Friday. They can also connect to GCS Wi-Fi from the parking lot of our schools between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Charter Offering Free Wi-Fi for 60 Days
Charter is offering free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription at any service level up to 100 Mbps. To enroll call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households. With this service, students with district Chromebooks will have internet access. Please be very clear with the provider of the terms of the agreement and the point at which any charges may assessed. For a list of free Spectrum Wi-Fi hot spots with locations visit www.spectrum.com/wifi-hotspots
Unofficial Board Meeting Summary
March 24, 2020
Welcome, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
Adoption of Consent Calendar
Minutes, Regular Board Meeting - February 25, 2020
Minutes, Special Called Meeting - March 10, 2020 am
Minutes, Special Called Meeting - March 10, 2020 pm
Minutes, Special Called Meeting - March 15, 2020
Home School Applications - 3
Personnel Recommendations – Nanette Davis, Assistant Principal, Hughes Academy
Approval of Annual Personnel Contract Recommendations (Executive Session)
Superintendent's Report
Dr. Royster's report detailed the school district's COVID-19 response, dating back to March 1. He emphasized that the district has tried to provide a continuity of instruction and a sense of normalcy for our students during this unprecedented event.
ACTION ITEMS
Architect Selection of New CATE Innovation/Incubator Center at Roper Mountain Science Center – Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve Firm 1, SGA/NarmoutWright Design, to design the New CATE Innovation/Incubator Center at Roper Mountain Science Center. The New CATE Building will be designed with focus on emerging Career and Technology Education (CATE) programs with flexible classroom and lab space for anticipated programs of study such as Biomedical Sciences, Clean Energy Technology, Cybersecurity/IT and Emerging Automotive Research. The new facility will serve high school students throughout the District.
Right-of-Way for Road Improvements at the New Fountain Inn High School – Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the deeding of 1.975 acres of land at Fountain Inn High School to the Greenville Legislative Delegation Transportation Committee for road improvements at Quillen Avenue, Cross Road and Hellams Street and approve construction slope permissions.
Waiver of Policy IHAA: Final Examinations – Approved recommendation from the Administration to waive Board Policy IHAA to enable the administration to award course credit without a final exam for the duration of the 2019-20 school year. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 school closures, students on block schedules taking classes such as US Government/Economics were not in school the week they were to take the final exam for the first half of the course. As the length of the closure is unknown, it is possible we may not be able to administer final exams in many middle school and high school classes at the end of this school year.
Waiver of Policy KCA: Public Participation – Approved substitute motion from the Board Chair to waive Board Policy KCA to allow public comment at COW and Board meetings at the discretion of the Board Chair during the current COVID-19 State of Emergency. Due to the dangers of the COVID-19 pandemic and in accordance with state and federal guidance, GCS has closed its buildings to visitors effective March 23, 2020. Citizens will continue to have the opportunity to contact Trustees via US Mail, email, and telephone during this period. In accordance with Board Policy BBC, this agenda item was being brought directly to the Board without going through the Committee of the Whole, as it does not directly affect the operation, administration, or direction of the school district.
Waiver of Policy BBAA: Officer Elections – Approved recommendation from the Board Chair to waive the provision of Board Policy BBAA directing the Board Secretary to announce the roster of candidates for Board Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary for the subsequent year at the April meeting of the Committee of the Whole, and instead require the Secretary to release the 2020-21 roster to the Board and public by April 7, 2020. Due to the dangers of the COVID-19 pandemic and in accordance with state and federal guidance, the Board Chair has utilized her authority under Board Policy BBC to "change this [Committee of the Whole] date when necessary" to cancel the April 2020 Committee of the Whole Meeting.
Finance Report
Monthly Finance Report – The report was presented as information.
The meeting adjourned at 8 p.m.