June 17, 2020 Edition
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News
Parent Survey Regarding Re-Opening of School
One parent/guardian from each GCS family is asked to complete our survey on the re-opening of schools this fall. This survey is to determine parent preferences and expectations given the restrictions that may be in place next year, either at the time of re-opening or at any time during the school year. This survey will no longer be available after June 24, 2020.
This survey does not contain open-ended questions due to the need for a quick and automated analysis of responses. We encourage parents with specific questions or input to contact the Service Center at 355-3100. Those individuals can take your input or direct you to the appropriate department for guidance/feedback. This survey is designed to determine the best options if the regular school schedule is not possible.
Parent Survey | Encuesta de padres
Statement from W. Burke Royster, Ph.D., Superintendent of Greenville County Schools
Read Statement from W. Burke Royster, Ph.D.
Greenville Drive Named GCS Partner of the Year
Superintendent Dr. Burke Royster recently announced the Greenville Drive as the 2020 Greenville County Schools Partner of the Year. This award was created to recognize and affirm organizations, groups, or individuals who are making a significant positive impact on our ability to fulfill the school district’s mission. This impact is seen through volunteer time, financial contributions, in-kind donations, or other collaborative supports to students, schools or the district as a whole. Read more about Greenville Drive GCS Partner of the Year.
Unofficial Board Meeting Summary
June 16, 2020
Welcome, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
Election of Board Officers
Board officers were elected unanimously as follows:
- Chair - Lynda Leventis-Wells
- Vice-Chair - Lisa Wells
- Secretary - Derek Lewis
Adoption of Consent Calendar
Motion to approve the Consent Calendar was made by Pat Sudduth, seconded by Michelle Goodwin-Calwile, and passed unanimously.
Minutes, Regular Board Meeting - May 26, 2020
Personnel Recommendations:
- Graysen Walles, Principal, Tanglewood Middle School, Effective 7/1/2020
- Abigail Cook, Assistant Principal, Blue Ridge High School, Effective 7/27/2020
- Bethany Cummings, Assistant Principal, Greer Middle School, Effective 8/3/2020
Adoption of Public Comments - Approved adoption of the public comments in keeping with the Board's Temporary Procedure for Public Input to Board Meetings during the Governor's current State of Emergency and any subsequent State of Emergency pertaining to the COVID-19 Pandemic and consistent with Board Policy KCA to allow the public to communicate their comments while also adhering to safety and health precautions and legal requirements. Submitted comments are available on Board Docs under the meeting's Consent Calendar.
Superintendent's Report
The Superintendent's Report detailed the planning and logistics that went into the GCS graduation ceremonies that took place at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena May 27 - June 4. He included a public thank you for the staff members who worked to ensure safe and efficient ceremonies.
Action Items
FY 21 General Obligation Bond Resolution - Approved recommendation from the Administration to approve the resolution for the FY 21 General Obligation Bonds. The Administration annually projects the amount of General Obligation Bonds that must be approved for issuance to fund the BEST bond payments and the operations of the Facilities Department. The amount to be issued for FY 21 is not to exceed $148 million.
FY 21 Debt Service Budget - Approved recommendation from the Administration to approve the FY 21 Debt Service Budget. The Debt Service budget accounts for the debt service revenues, annual general obligation bond payments, and distribution of general obligation bond proceeds to the BEST Debt Service and Building Fund Budgets.
FY 21 BEST Debt Service Budget - Approved recommendation from the Administration to approve the FY 21 BEST Debt Service Budget. During FY 21 interest and principal payments totaling $77.3 million for BEST Bonds will be paid on December 1, 2020 and June 1, 2021. The funding sources are interest income and transfers from District Debt Service.
FY 21 Building Fund Budget - Approved recommendation from the Administration to approve the FY 21 Building Fund Budget. The FY 21 projected expenditures are $131.9 million and includes approved Capital Improvement Program (CIP) expenditures. Major projects, roof renovations, HVAC projects, and technology refresh programs are the largest scheduled expenditures for FY 21. The projected revenues are interest income, proceeds from General Obligation Bonds, and fund balance.
FY 21 Food and Nutrition Services Budget - Approved recommendation from the Administration to approve the FY 21 Food and Nutrition Services Budget. The revenue budget reflects a 2.0% increase in the USDA per meal reimbursement rate. It also includes an increase in the projected Lunchroom Meal Sales revenue, which is tied to the projected student enrollment increase and the resulting growth in the estimated number of lunches and breakfasts served.
The USDA, for FY 21, has waived its requirement that Food Service operations increase their full paid student lunch price by a minimum of $.10 cents if the price of the lunch plus the USDA reimbursement for that lunch does not equal that of the free lunch reimbursement. The USDA wavier applies to Food Service operations that had a positive or zero balance in the food service account as of January 31, 2020. FANS has a positive fund balance and therefore meets the criteria of this wavier. The District's full-paid student lunch price for FY 20 was $2.50. The Administration is recommending that the FY 21 full-paid student lunch price remain at the FY 20 level of $2.50. FY 21 will be the fourth consecutive year with no increase in the full-paid student lunch price.
The FANS expenditure budget reflects an increase in staff hours due to projected additional meals in line with the district's enrollment increase, an increase in the employer portion of employee benefits, and a projected 2.0% increase in cost of food due to inflation and the student population growth.
FY 21 Special Revenue Budgets - Approved recommendation from the Administration to approve the FY 21 Special Revenue Budgets. A "Special Revenue Budget" is established when the District receives Federal, State or Local funds that have restrictions on how the funds can be spent. While the District's "General Fund Budget" funds the general day-to-day operations of the District, a special revenue budget is set up with a specified purpose or direction.
The restrictions on special revenue budgets vary budget by budget. Some budgets fund only equipment purchases while the focus of other funds may be on professional development. The District's responsibility ranges from that of fiscal "flow through" agent for some budgets to monitoring all aspects of the budget activity to ensure compliance with Federal and State laws and regulations.
The South Carolina Department of Education annually issues a Funding Manual stating the restrictions on how Federal and State allocations can be spent. There are more stringent regulations concerning Federal funds such as Title I and IDEA. There are no substantial changes in the funding of the ongoing special revenue programs from FY 20 to FY 21.
Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC Easement Request at Fountain Inn High School - Approved recommendation from the Administration to approve the easement as requested by Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC at Fountain Inn High School. This easement is necessary to provide power to the school and grounds for the new Fountain Inn High School. Three additional connections to the existing utility corridor are required in order to install essential electrical infrastructure for the new school.
Information Items
Facilities Project Update - The report was presented as information.
Internal Auditing Project Status Report - The report was presented as information.
Information/Action from Board Committees/Liaisons
Committee / Liaison Reports - Mr. Lewis thanked board members who attended the Advocacy Meeting prior to the Board Meeting. Mr. Meek stated the Audit Committee will meet again on July 29.
Finance Report
Monthly Finance Report - The report was presented as information.
The meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.