April 28, 2021 Edition

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News

SCREADY, SCPASS Testing Dates Scheduled

Brick and mortar students in grades 3-8 will be eLearning on April 29-30 and May 7 and virtual students will attend in-person school for State testing; State Testing Schedule

All testing will be conducted at the schools' physical locations. Remote testing is not available. Students will be required to follow all established safety measures, including mask-wearing and social distancing.

GCS Hall of Fame Nominations Deadline Saturday, May 1

Greenville County Schools will accept nominations for the GCS Hall of Fame through Saturday, May 1, 2021. Nominations are being accepted in two categories: GCS Graduates and GCS Educators.

The Hall of Fame Graduate distinction honors men and women who have graduated from Greenville County Schools and have made substantial or significant contributions at the local, regional, national, or international levels in areas including academia and education, arts, athletics, business, media, public service, philanthropy, medicine, military, or science.

The Hall of Fame GCS Educator distinction honors men and women who were employed by Greenville County Schools for at least 10 years for their contributions to the profession of education, specifically within the K12 public education sector, and their lasting and positive impact on students. More About Hall of Fame Nominations

GCS announces ticket allocations for graduating seniors

When graduating seniors walk across the stage at Bon Secours Wellness Arena from June 1-4 (2021 Commencement Events Information), they will do so with a larger number of family members in the audience than last year! This year, each graduate will be allocated four, six or eight guest tickets, which is determined by the number of graduates from each high school. For example, a small high school that has fewer graduates and, therefore, takes up less space inside BSWA will be able to accommodate up to 8 guests. A medium-sized high school can allow up to six guests at the arena and still maintain social-distancing between families, while the largest high school, Mauldin High, can accommodate up to four guests per graduate while maintaining proper distancing. Guests will be seated at pods of four or six chairs. Each pod will be separated by six feet. More about graduation tickets

Board Meeting Summary

April 27, 2021

Welcome, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance

Adoption of Consent Calendar
Minutes, Board Retreat - March 16, 2021
Minutes, Regular Board Meeting - March 23, 2021
Minutes, Board Workshop: School Choice - March 25, 2021
Minutes, Board Budget Work Session - March 30, 2021
Home Schooling Application - 1
Personnel Recommendations 
Principals

• Caroline McCuen Bohnenberger, Principal - Bryson Middle School, Effective 7/1/2021

Assistant Principals

• Kristan Alewine, Assistant Principal - Tanglewood Middle School, Effective 8/2/2021
• Christopher Guth, Assistant Principal - Riverside Middle School, Effective 8/2/2021
• Paul Laches, Assistant Principal - League Academy, Effective 8/2/2021
• Kyle Pearson, Assistant Principal - Dr. Phinnize J. Fisher Middle School, Effective 8/2/2021
• David Smith, Assistant Principal - Fountain Inn Elementary School, Effective 8/2/2021
• Carla Washington, Assistant Principal - J. L. Mann High School, Effective 7/26/2021

Director

• Cameron Brice, Program Director - A. J. Whittenberg Elementary School, Effective 5/1/2021

Assistant Director

• Joseph Beaman, Assistant Director - J. Harley Bonds Career Center, Effective 7/26/21

Transfer

• Patrick Jarret, Principal, Northwest Middle to Principal, Hillcrest High, Effective 7/1/2021

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
Lisa McDonald

Superintendent's Report
Introduction of new administrators.

Action Items

Retroactive 2020-21 Pay Raise - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to fund a retroactive step increase as further described in the Facts and Impact statement of 1) a minimum 2% increase for teachers in accordance with the District's salary schedule, 2) a 2% for teachers at the top of the salary schedule, and 3) a 2% pay increase for all other non-teaching employees. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant disruptions to normal routines and unprecedented challenges to every aspect of operations of Greenville County Schools (GCS). As a result, every GCS employee has been called upon to do things differently, to work harder, and to be more flexible and creative. Greenville County Schools has consistently provided a salary increase to all employees any time our instructional personnel are legislated to receive a step and/or cost of living increase. Though the South Carolina General Assembly has acted this year to provide teachers with a retroactive step increase, their legislative action does not include the 4% of our teachers who are at the top of our salary schedule. Additionally, no administrators, teacher aides, food service workers, bus drivers, custodians, or other support personnel who make it possible to provide high quality services to our students and/or support our instructional personnel are included in this action. In keeping with past action, the goals of our Strategic Plan, and the philosophy of this administration and past Boards, a 2% raise for all active teachers on the last step of the salary schedule and all active non-teaching employees was approved.

Addition of Board Policy ACB: Educational Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion - Gave initial approval to recommendation from the Committee of the Whole to approve the adoption of Board Policy ACB: Educational Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. This is the first of two required approvals by the full Board. The administration developed this policy to reflect the District's commitment and unequivocal support of educational equity, inclusion, and diversity. In developing this policy, the administration reviewed policies within South Carolina as well as nationally. This policy addresses the District's commitment to maximize opportunities for all students and to eliminate opportunity gaps and barriers. The policy also acknowledges that the administration will use data to assess which students are experiencing the least amount of achievement and target resources to address the identified needs of those students to improve outcomes and increase success. The policy also addresses the District's commitment to hiring and maintaining a diverse workforce committed to educational equity and creating a welcoming, inclusive, and bias-free culture in schools. The current Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Stakeholder Team comprising community leaders, parents, and staff will assist in the development of the administrative rule.

2021 District and School Strategic Plans Update - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the District and schools' strategic plan updates. District Strategic Plans and School Renewal Plans are to be developed every five years and updated annually as required by the Early Childhood Development and Academic Assistance Act of 1993 (S.C. Code Ann §59-139-05 et seq.), the Education Accountability Act of 1998 (S.C. Code Ann §59-18-1300, 1310, and 1510) and the State Board of Education Regulation 43-261. District Strategic Plans and School Renewal Plans, as well as Annual Updates, are due by April 30th of each year, and the plans become effective on July 1.

Naming of Accessible Playground at Monarch Elementary School - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the naming of the new accessible playground at Monarch Elementary School for Vaughan Overman in recognition of her 42 years of service to our students, District, and community as an educator. Mrs. Overman was the founding Principal of Monarch and is retiring at the end of this school year. She began her career as a special education teacher, and as a principal, Mrs. Overman has worked to support all students and ensure that everyone feels included, valued, successful, and loved. She has allocated money from local funds and grants and partnered with the Monarch PTA to purchase playground equipment for students with disabilities. This spring, the school opened a new, ADA-accessible playground for students with physical and cognitive disabilities.

Champions for Public Education Award Nomination: Mt. Calvary Baptist Church - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the nomination of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church/Pastor Robert Vincent for the SCSBA's Champions for Public Education Award. Mt. Calvary Baptist Church/Pastor Robert Vincent was nominated based on the extensive support the congregation provides to Greenville County Schools through its comprehensive partnership with and volunteer efforts at Cherrydale Elementary School spanning 17 years.

Approval of Annual Audit Plan - Approved recommendation from the Audit Team Committee to approve the annual audit plan as presented. Board Policy DIDB states that the Audit Team Committee will recommend an annual audit plan to be approved by the Board of Trustees each April to be effective for the upcoming fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). The external auditor will perform projects that are not regularly performed by the District's administration or those that the Board of Trustees decide are necessary for District accountability, transparency, and to implement best practices. These audits must at least be periodic in nature and consist of a comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) of the District's General Fund, Building Fund, Food Service Program, Special Revenue Funds, Education Improvement Act Funds, and Debt Service Funds.

Lease Agreement Renewal with the City of Greenville - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the renewal of the lease agreement for Kiwanis Park at Blythe Academy with the City of Greenville. The City uses this site to provide recreation services to the surrounding community after school hours.

Resolution to Approve Releasing Parcel of Property at Rudolph G. Gordon School from BEST Encumbrances - Approved recommendation from the Administration to approve the Resolution authorizing the execution of an amendment to the Base Lease Agreement and the School Facilities Purchase and Occupancy Agreement between the School District of Greenville County and BEST releasing the approximately three (3) acres of property as depicted at Exhibit B at Rudolph Gordon School. This property is part of the property at Rudolph Gordon School and is part of the BEST-encumbered property, and as a result, this parcel must be released from BEST Facilities Agreement prior to the School District selling the property to the City of Fountain Inn. The BEST Board has approved the release of this property.

Surplus and Sale of Portion of Rudolph G. Gordon Property to the City of Fountain Inn for a Proposed Fire Substation (Executive Session) - Approved recommendation from the Administration to declare approximately 3 acres of property at Rudolph Gordon School surplus and to approve the sale of that property in accordance with the Agreement. The sale of this parcel to the City of Fountain Inn will benefit Rudolph Gordon Schools and the surrounding community allowing the City to construct a Fire Substation on the property to serve the local fire district. The three acres is not necessary for school operations and the District would benefit from having the substation located in close proximity.

Information Items

Board Officer Candidate Roster - The roster of candidates is as follows:
Chair - Roger Meek, Lisa Wells
Vice-Chair - Debi Bush, Derek Lewis
Secretary - Carolyn Styles

Board Policy BBAA, as revised in December 2017, outlines the Board of Trustees Officer election process as follows:

• A Board member wishing to be considered for one or more offices for the subsequent year (chair, vice-chair, secretary) shall submit a letter of intent to the Secretary by April 1. The letter of intent shall include the office(s) for which the individual wishes to be considered.
• The Secretary shall prepare a roster of candidates seeking each office, to include their respective letters of intent, and present this roster to the full Board at the April meeting of the Committee of the Whole.
• A Board member wishing his/her name to be added to or deleted from the roster shall notify the Secretary in writing within the next seven calendar days.
• The Secretary shall present the final roster to the full Board for their consideration at the regular April Board meeting.
• Officer elections will be held at the regular June Board meeting. The vote shall be by show of hands.

Information/Action from Board Committees/Liaisons

Committee / Liaison Reports

Advocacy - Mr. Saylors updated the board on several pieces of pending legislation related to public schools. The education subcommittee carried over the voucher bill and as of today, no fiscal impact statement has been developed. The State Budget is currently in discussion.  The Senate version of the budget is slightly more positive for public education.  S.147 holds employers harmless related to litigation based on COVID.  It has passed the House and Senate and is awaiting the Governor's signature, but has language that still requires employers to follow public health direction.

Audit - Mr. Lewis updated the board on the process for selecting board members to serve on the Audit committee. GCS is a member of NFUSSD; their next conference is coming up this Oct. 10-12 in Nebraska.  Please let the Board Chair know if you are interested in attending.

Monthly Finance Report - The monthly Financial Statements are being presented as an information item.

The meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m.