October 27, 2021 Edition

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News

Clemson's MAT Middle and Secondary Program

We need more teachers and Clemson University's College of Education is re-launching a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program in middle level and secondary education. This fully online program provides a unique opportunity for individuals seeking to change careers and enter the teaching profession, but who cannot leave their jobs or responsibilities in their current community to move to Clemson and pursue their degree. This program is for individuals who want to enter the teaching profession in one of the following areas:

Applications are open now, and the first cohort of students will start in Fall 2022. For more information, contact Anna Morrison at ahmorri@clemson.edu.

Ready to Work (R2W) Career Readiness Online Assessment

Students in grade twelve will have the opportunity to take or retake the Ready to Work (R2W) career readiness online assessments the week of October 25 - November 5, 2021. Schools will notify parents and students of your school's testing schedule. Students will need to bring their charged district-issued device for testing. Students enrolled in the GCS Virtual Program will test at their homebased school. More information about R2W.

Board Meeting Summary

October 26, 2021

Welcome, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance

Presentation of Award
Champion for Public Education Award - Mt. Calvary Baptist Church

Adoption of Consent Calendar
Minutes, Regular Board Meeting - September 28, 2021
Minutes, Special Called Meeting - September 30, 2021
Minutes, Board Workshop - October 12, 2021
Home Schooling Applications - 10
Personnel Recommendations - None

Appearance of Visitors
Hagen Rogers - Social Emotional Learning
Michael Brown  - Non-Masking and Non-Vaccine Mandate
Judith Tanzola - Email response
Cathleen Griffeth - Civics Education
Lynne Brown - Non-Masking
Mary Ann Coleman - Contact Tracing
Dakota Fitzgerald - COVID-19 Response and Human Trafficking
Mark Roberts - Contact Tracing

Superintendent's Report - Announced that we set a new record of $48,500 for scholarship funds generated at our annual Golf Tournament. Thanks to all who participated.

ACTION ITEMS

Appeal of the Material Review Committee Decisions - Approved recommendations from the Administration to uphold the decision of the High School Material Review Committee regarding the appropriateness of the books Dark Money, The New Jim Crow, Nickel and Dimed, and Talking to Strangers for use in an AP Language Course, a course that focuses on rhetoric and recognizing bias. The Committee met three times and rendered a decision on each book separately in accordance with process contained in Policy KNBA. The Committee unanimously agreed that the books are appropriate in light of the age of the students reading the books and the educational value contained in the four books.

SCSBA Delegates - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to certify the slate of delegates with each Trustee named as both a delegate and an alternate, and with the Chair assigned three votes and the remaining Trustees two votes each. The Board is required to certify its voting delegates to the South Carolina School Boards Association (SCSBA) by November 15, 2021.

Revision to Board Policy GBO: Resignation and Release of Contract - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the revisions to Board Policy GBO. The revision involves moving the date that employees must submit their resignation and release from an employment contract from July 1 of each year to June 1. This change would allow the District to know the positions that need to be filled sooner and hire candidates earlier.

Innovative Course Approvals - Approved motion from the Committee of the Whole to approve the proposed Local Board Courses (Business Finance Honors and AVID Seminar). Schools have submitted courses over the last six months that further develop students' strengths and interests in multiple subject areas including courses that were previously unable to be offered at the honors level.

Information/Action from Board Committees/Liaison
The Advocacy Committee met on Monday and studied past resolutions adopted by the Board. The Board had planned to have regional meetings with delegation members, but since this is a redistricting year, decided to have have a meeting for the entire delegation on January 10 at Fountain Inn High School.

November 18 will be the GCS Hall of Fame Gala at the Greenville Convention Center. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased at https://app.mobilecause.com/form/tiN9Dg?vid=mu3nc.

Financial Report

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