June 29, 2022 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.
subscribe | update your information.

Please "Like" us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/gcschools) and follow us on Twitter (www.twitter.com/gcschools). Our Facebook page is updated often with new and exciting information about our students, staff, and schools. We also encourage you to share GCS Facebook posts with your friends. Ask them to "Like" us on Facebook so they can be informed about their public schools.

News

Greenville County Schools named Outstanding District of the Year by South Carolina PTA

The South Carolina PTA has named Greenville County Schools the 2022 Outstanding District of the Year. GCS earned the recognition for a number of activities, including an increase in total membership; number of new units; number of 100% student/family membership and faculty membership units; attendance at school board meetings, and percent of units participating in special projects and activities. Ten additional awards were presented to GCS schools, staff, and volunteers. Read more about SCPTA Awards.

Greenville Federal Credit Union Named GCS 2022 Partner of the Year

Superintendent Dr. Burke Royster recently announced Greenville Federal Credit Union as the 2022 Greenville County Schools Partner of the Year at the Salute to Education banquet. The 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. Founded by teachers in 1968, Greenville Federal Credit Union continually seeks ways to support Greenville County Schools teachers, staff, and students and celebrates their achievements by partnering on Teacher of the Year, Emerging Teachers of the Year, Employee Spotlight, the Salute to Education banquet, the Golf Scholarship Tournament, and much more. Read more aoubt GCS 2022 Partner of the Year.

Project Search Interns Complete Program

This month, Greenville County Schools and Bon Secours St. Francis Health System celebrated eleven Project SEARCH interns who successfully completed the program. Project SEARCH is a transition from high school to work program for students with disabilities in Greenville County Schools. The hospital provides the students an opportunity for real-life work experiences, fully immersed in the hospital setting with school-required academics. The goal of Project SEARCH is to prepare the students for securing competitive employment in the community. The Down Syndrome Association of the Upstate recognized the Project SEARCH Greenville County Schools teacher, Mrs. Kara Ozmint, as Post Secondary Instructor of the Year. Read more about Project Search in Greenville County Schools.

Board Meeting Summary

June 28, 2022

Welcome, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance - Benjamin and Jonathan Ballenger, rising 6th graders going to Greenville Middle Academy

Adoption of Consent Calendar
Minutes, Regular Board Meeting – May 24, 2022
Minutes, FY23 Budget Public Hearing – June 6, 2022
Minutes, FY 23 Budget Second Reading – June 6, 2022
Minute, Special Called Meeting – June 14, 2022
Personnel Recommendations:

• Assistant Principals:
• Carmen Jones, Taylors Elementary School
• Susan King, Hollis Academy

Appearance of Visitors
Jonathan Hausman – Bullying
Jennifer Hausman – Bullying
Stacey Sherman – Graduation Day Policy Regarding US Military
Sasha Patton – Recess
Michael Joy – Strategic Plan

Superintendent's Report
Introduction of the following new administrators:

• Associate Superintendent for Operations:
• George Ward, District Office
• Principal:
• Danielle Lee, Duncan Chapel Elementary School
• Assistant Principals:
• Marsha Braga, Pelham Road Elementary School
• Carmen Jones, Taylors Elementary School
• Susan King, Hollis Academy
• Assistant Director:
• Julius Burns, Lifelong Learning

Action Items

Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC, Easement at Dr. Phinnize J Fisher Middle School
Board voted to approve a request from Duke Energy for a utility easement at Dr. Phinnize J. Fisher Middle School to provide power for a new electric bus charging station.

Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC, Easement at Roper Mountain Science Center
Board members also voted to approve Duke Energy's request for an easement at Roper Mountain Science Center that is necessary to provide power to the new CTE Innovation Center.

Recommendation for Indefinite Delivery Contract Design Services for Multi-Term, Small Projects (Executive Session)
Trustees voted to hire six (6) architectural firms to provide services for multi-term, small projects throughout the District for the next five years.

Amendment to FY 23 General Fund Budget
Board voted to amend the FY 23 General Fund Budget to reflect a $10 million revenue increase based on the state budget passed by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor.

Amendment to Long Range Facilities Plan - Capital Improvement Program (LRFP-CIP)
Trustees voted to waive Board Policy BBC and to approve the amendments to Long Range Facilities Plan - Capital Improvement Program to specify the planned use of the former East Gantt Elementary School, Wade Hampton Elementary School and Highway 253 property.

Physical Education Exemption (Executive Session)
Trustees voted to approve a physical education exemption for one student at Mauldin Middle School.

FY 23 Debt Service Budget
Board voted to approve the FY 23 Debt Service Budget which accounts for debt service revenues, annual general obligation bond payments, and distribution of general obligation bond proceeds to the BEST Debt Service Budget and Building Fund Budgets.

FY 23 BEST Debt Service Budget
The Board also approved the FY 23 BEST Debt Service Budget. Interest and principal payments totaling $77.2 million for BEST Bonds will be paid on December 1, 2022 and June 1, 2023.

FY 23 Building Fund Budget
Additionally, the Board approved the FY 23 Building Fund Budget to pay for major projects, including roof renovations, HVAC projects and technology refresh programs.

FY 23 Food and Nutrition Services Budget
Trustees also voted to approve the FY 23 Food and Nutrition Services Budget, which reflects a change to the USDA program that bases student reimbursements on free/reduced/paid meal status from all free student status. However, due to the recently passed Keep Kids Fed Act of 2022, reimbursement rates for breakfast and lunch meals have been increased by $0.15 and $0.40, respectively.

FY 23 Special Revenue Budgets
Board members approved the FY 23 Special Revenue Budget, which includes support to Special Education, professional development, teacher salaries and fringe supplements, and at-risk student learning, among other things.

Election of Board Officers
Roger Meek (Area 26) – Chair
Debi Bush (Area 19) – Vice-chair
Carolyn Styles (Area 17) – Secretary

Information Items

Internal Audit Report Package
Board members were presented with a package of internal audit reports completed through December 31, 2021, along with recommendations from the superintendent. No action was taken.

Information/Action from Board Committees/Liaisons

Board Self-Assessment Ad Hoc Committee – Dr. Styles reported that the committee had their first meeting to discuss developing a revised Board self-evaluation process. 

Advocacy Committee – Mr. Lewis asked Ms. Julie Horton, GCS Director of Government Relations, to report on Education Scholarships Bill (S935). The Senate adjourned without accepting the Conference Committee report, due to the lack of accountability measures in the bill. Therefore, the legislation did not pass and will likely be brought back in the next session.   

Superintendent's Evaluation Ad Hoc Committee – Mrs. Wells reported that the Committee is looking at the tool used for the Superintendent's evaluation, and Board members can provide feedback to Mrs. Nancy Fitzer.

Finance Report
Monthly Finance Report – The report was presented as information.

The Board recognized Mrs. Sherri Stokes for her service of 33 years as Board Recorder.

The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.