VIP E-Newsletter
September 23, 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.
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News

New Guidelines for High School Football Ticket Sales

Due to the limited number of seats for high school athletic events this fall, Greenville County Schools is making changes to how tickets will be sold and distributed. Because of social-distancing requirements set forth by the state Department of Commerce and the South Carolina High School League, seating capacity at both indoor and outdoor venues has been reduced to approximately 15-percent. As a result, we have made the following changes:

  • No tickets will be sold on Friday evenings at football stadium ticket windows
  • All game participants (both home and visitors) will have the opportunity to purchase 2 tickets before the event goes public
  • Varsity football - players, cheerleaders, band
  • Sub varsity football - players, cheerleaders
  • Volleyball - players
  • Any remaining tickets will be sold to the public via the GoFan app which is free to download

Unfortunately, no Golden Circle/employee passes will be honored until further notice
Everyone attending athletic events will be required to wear masks at all times. Football games remain clear bag events. Concessions will be available in prepackaged items only. Questions regarding an event should be directed to the home school athletic office.

Virtual Financial Aid Workshops for Parents

Parents are invited to participate in one of four virtual financial aid workshops sponsored by Greenville County Schools. The workshops will be conducted every Tuesday in October from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. QR codes to access the workshops are available on the flyer. Please note that each meeting has a separate QR code.

On Tuesday, October 20, there will be a Spanish interpreter available for parents' questions.

All workshops are open to the public. Hear from school counselors and college financial aid officers regarding the most current financial aid information and strategies for successfully navigating the financial aid process.

All types of financial aid, including scholarships, grants, and loans, as well as information on FAFSA, will be discussed. Parents will also receive information on the Sirrine Scholarship. For more information call 355-3391 or 355-3392. You may also visit the Scholarships and Financial Aid page on our website.

Greenville Drive Hosts Virtual Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Event

The Greenville Drive, in partnership with Hubbell Lighting, BMW Manufacturing, and Greenville Technical College, will host the 5th annual Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering event on Sunday, September 27 at 2 p.m. This much-anticipated event will take on a unique and virtual format this year while continuing to provide students, parents, and technology and manufacturing advocates across the Upstate with a first-hand experience of how companies and organizations in our region are shaping the future of manufacturing and engineering. Students who pre-register and submit a question before September 27will be entered to win door prizes.

In Greenville County, about 800 manufacturing firms employing nearly 30,000 people pay about 30 percent more, on average, than other jobs. The average weekly wage for all jobs is $973, while the average weekly wage for manufacturing jobs is $1,265.

More Details & Registration

Unofficial Board Meeting Summary

September 22, 2020

Welcome, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance

Adoption of Consent Calendar
Minutes, Regular Board Meeting - August 25, 2020
Minutes, Special Called Meeting - September 8, 2020
Minutes, Special Called Meeting - September 16, 2020
Home Schooling Applications - 15
Personnel Recommendations - None

Appearance of Visitors - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to adopt the attached comments and include them as part of the official minutes of the board meeting. At the May 12, 2020, Special Called Meeting, the Board of Trustees approved a 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. To be consistent with Board Policy KCA this process will allow the public to communicate their comments while also adhering to safety and health precautions and legal requirements. At a Special called meeting on September 22, 2020, the Board also approved a revised process that allows the for in-person public comments, under specific conditions. Details and sign up information for both public comment options

In-person on 9-22-20
Shaun Bosar
Sara Head
Andrea Lowery
Theresa Beeson
Kimberly Rieser Wooten
Ashley Martin

Superintendent's Report
Dr. Royster provided an update on student and employee quarantine/isolation data related to COVID-19. Dr. Royster's Presentation

Action Items

Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC Easement Request at Summit Drive Elementary School - Approved recommendation from the Administration to approve the easement as requested by Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC at Summit Drive Elementary School. This easement is necessary to provide power to the school and grounds for the new addition at Summit Drive Elementary School.

External Audit Services Contract (Executive Session) - Approved recommendation from the Administration to approve the accounting firm Greene Finney, LLP to provide external audit services to the School District of Greenville County. In compliance with Board policy and District Procurement Code, proposals were solicited from accounting firms for external auditing services. Through the solicitation process, responses were received from four accounting firms. A team of finance personnel independently reviewed the proposals and evaluated them using the following factors:

  • Comprehensiveness of audit work plan, reasonableness of time estimates, and timeliness of expected completion.
  • Technical Audit experience of the firms including experience in governmental accounting, audit experience with school districts, large enterprise resource planning systems and use of technology in the audit process.
  • Size of the firm, qualifications of the firm's staff, experience and continuing education.
  • Successful experience with CAFR certification programs of the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) and Association of School Business Officials (ASBO).
  • Cost of providing proposed services inclusive of all potential years of performance.

Physical Education Exemption (Executive Session) - Approved recommendation from the Administration to approve a physical education exemption for one student at Wade Hampton High School.

Audit of the Berea High School Student Activity Fund - Approved recommendation from the Administration to accept the Audit of the Berea High School Student Activity Fund revenue.
The audit was performed to determine if Student Activity Fund (SAF) revenue was received and accounted for according to SAF guidelines.

Audit of GCS Warehouse Inventory - Approved recommendation from the Administration to accept the audit of the GCS Warehouse Inventory for fiscal year 2020. The audit was performed to verify physical inventory to inventory value on the year-end financial statements.

Information/Action from Board Committees/Liaisons
None

Committee / Liaison Reports
No reports

Monthly Finance Report - The report was presented as information.

The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.