February 24, 2021 Edition

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News

Two GCS Middle Schools Named National Schools to Watch

Northwest Middle School and Ralph Chandler Middle School have been named Schools to Watch for 2021 by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform and the Association for Middle Level Education. This is a national designation awarded to schools that embody the ideals of academic excellence, social equity, developmental responsiveness and organizational structures and processes. Northwest Middle School and Ralph Chandler Middle School met the National Forum's rigorous criteria for high-performing middle schools. GCS superintendent Dr. Burke Royster and Assistant Superintendent of Middle Schools Dr. David McDonald made surprise visits to both schools to deliver the news to teachers. Watch the videos.

A.R.M.E.S. Program Accepting Nominations

A.R.M.E.S. is an after-school artistic Gifted and Talented program for rising 3rd through 8th grade Greenville County students. A.R.M.E.S. allows students to explore their chosen art form in depth while promoting individual creativity in areas such as Strings, Art, Dance, Creative Writing, and Drama. Students may be nominated and audition for as many areas as they have interest, but once accepted into the program, can only participate in one area per year. A separate nomination form for each discipline is required. Anyone can nominate a student, including teachers, parents, other adults, or the student. Visit the ARMES Program Website, click on the link, "ARMES NOMINATION" and complete the online nomination. Nominations will be accepted through April 1, 2021.

Board Meeting Summary

February 23, 2021

Welcome, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance

Awards and Recognitions
SCSBA Champion for Public Education Award: Operation Santa SC
Miracle Worker Award: Tatiana Oliveira

Adoption of Consent Calendar
Minutes, Regular Board Meeting - January 26, 2021
Home Schooling Applications - 1
Personnel Recommendations - Mark Loach, Principal, Monarch Elementary; Kelly Sanderson, Director, J. Harley Bonds Career Center; Rhonda Rhodes, Transfer from Principal of Taylors Elementary to Principal of Rudolph Gordon School.

Adoption of Public Comments - Approved recommendation from the Administration to adopt comments submitted electronically, 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 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.

Appearance of Visitors
Kristin Burrell – COVID-19 mitigation – universal masking
Michelle Martin – COVID-19 mitigation – universal masking
Judson L Boehmer – Athletic eligibility
Carmela Epright – COVID-19 protocols
Kurt Blocher – COVID-19 impact on teachers

Superintendent's Report
Dr. Royster introduced the new principals/directors.  He ceded the rest of his time to Chuck Saylors, who presented the Board of Trustees with the SCSBA Legislative Advocacy Program of the Year to the GCS Board of Trustees.

Action Items

Request for Use of CARES Act Funds for Personal Protective Equipment - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve $635,000 of CARES Act Funding to ensure adequate Personal Protective Equipment through summer 2021. We have identified a need for additional supplies for maintaining hygiene and sanitation and social distancing protocols, including masks, hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, gloves, face shields, gowns, etc. This additional need is largely driven by the larger number of students that will be served through summer programming.

Request to Use CARES Act Funds for Academic Support Due to Pandemic Impact - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the use of $38,513,000 of CARES Act 1 & 2 funds for supporting academic activities for summer 2021 and the 2021-22 school year. This action will cover the various remediation and support strategies in place (or soon to be in place) to help struggling learners reach grade level and content expectations.

Innovative Course Approvals - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the proposed Local Board Courses as recommended.
The following courses were approved at the honors level under the new South Carolina Honors Rubric: French 2 Honors, German 2 Honors, Yearbook Management 3 Honors, Yearbook Production 3 Honors, Music in Media Honors. The following courses were approved under the innovative course process: African-American Literature, Avid 3, Avid 6th, Avid 7th, Avid 8th, Culinary Arts Management 3, Culinary Arts Management 4, Fire Fighting 3, Fire Fighting 4, Music in Media CP.

Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Year Ended June 30, 2020 - Approved recommendation from the Administration to accept the FY 2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report as presented. This report details the financial operations of the District and includes an independent CPA opinion on the financial statements of the District. Included with the report is the External Auditor’s Management Letter and accompanying District response. Greene Finney completed the CARES ACT single audit testing and has issued its opinions. There were no findings from the CARES ACT testing. As a result, the final CAFR has been issued. Greene Finney has issued an unmodified opinion.

Property Acquisition for Fountain Inn High School (Executive Session) - Approved recommendation from the Administration to approve the purchase of 1.045 acres adjacent to the new Fountain Inn High School for $260,000. The district originally attempted to obtain this parcel when the original parcels were purchased but was unsuccessful at the time. The subject parcel includes a single-family dwelling.

Information/Action from Board Committees/Liaisons

Committee / Liaison Reports

Monthly Finance Report - The report was presented as information.

The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.