August 24, 2022 Edition

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News

Brushy Creek Elementary Teacher Wendy Frans named 2022-23 Teacher of the Year

Brushy Creek Elementary School fifth grade teacher Wendy Frans received the district’s highest teaching honor this month when Superintendent Dr. Burke Royster named her the 2022-23 GCS Teacher of the Year. Frans grew up as the youngest of six children in her family. Neither of her parents graduated from college and despite this, they instilled in her the importance of education and a college degree. With 20 years of teaching experience, Frans says it is exciting to create engaging lessons and see the “lightbulbs” come on. Michelle Stein, seventh grade special education inclusion teacher at Northwest Middle School, was named First Runner-up; Lesley Hipp, a second grade teacher at Robert E. Cashion Elementary School, was named Second Runner-up; and Bekki Benjamin, an English teacher at Wade Hampton High School, was named Third Runner-up. Read more about Teacher of the Year awards.

Superintendent Dr. Burke Royster Named Green Day Honoree

Greenville County Schools Superintendent Dr. W. Burke Royster was recognized as the 16th Annual Green Day Honoree by the Greenville Drive. Dr. Royster was recognized during the team’s annual Green Day celebration on Wednesday, August 10 at Fluor Field. The Greenville Drive selected Dr. Royster based on the many accomplishments during his 40+ year career in education and as Superintendent of GCS, including improving the district’s State Report Card to excellent for the first time, achieving a double-digit increase in the high school graduation rate, establishing innovative public/private partnerships, and focusing on preparing students for the real world through the Graduation Plus initiative, which has resulted in a more prepared area workforce for our community.Read more about Dr. Royster's recognition.

Unofficial Board Meeting Summary

August 23, 2022

Welcome, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance - Logan Shuler, Oakview Elementary School

Adoption of Consent Calendar
2.01 Minutes, Regular Board Meeting - June 28, 2022
2.02 Minutes, Board of Trustees Kick-Off Event - August 2, 2022
2.03 Minutes, Special Called Meeting - August 9, 2022
2.04 Home Schooling Applications - 15
2.05 Personnel Recommendations

Appearance of Visitors
Jennifer Hausman - Choices and Bullying
Laura Pouch - Recess and Technology
Sasha Patton - Recess
Amanda McDougald Scott - Recess
Erin Nunley - Introductions
Michael Joy - Book Content

Superintendent's Report
Dr. Royster introduced new personnel and updated the Board on preparations for the new school year, including 21,605 completed work orders, 19 gym floors replaced, 15 ADA playgrounds upgraded and over 600 employees trained over four days at Custodial College. 

Action Items

Sara Collins Elementary International Baccalaureate De-Authorization
The Board approved ending the IB Primary Years Program at Sara Collins Elementary, which will allow the school to implement the District curriculum, pacing guides, and scope and sequence, and better utilize the results from benchmark tests to provide intervention to students who have not met standards.

Revision of Board Policy JCAB: Searches, Student Interrogations, and Arrests
Board members approved the revision of Board Policy JCAB to better align with the District's implementation of the EVOLV systems in its schools and facilities.

Revision of Board Policy JCAC: Use of Weapon Detection Systems
The Board also approved changes to Board Policy JCAC to better align with the District's implementation of the EVOLV systems in its schools and facilities.

Naming of Hillcrest High School Weight Room
Board members approved the naming of the Hillcrest High School weight room as The Younts Family Performance Center in honor of Melvin, Dollie, Laney, and Joe Younts and their family. Joe and Laney, as well as their children, are Hillcrest graduates and have continued to give back to Hillcrest through their time, talents, and resources, serving as athletic coaches, SIC members, and scholarship program trustees.

Recommendation for Electrical Engineer Indefinite Delivery Contract (Executive Session)
The Board approved the selection of two firms to provide electrical engineering services throughout the District.

Extension of COVID Leave
The Board of Trustees approved the extension of the District's current COVID leave program through August 31, 2023, providing up to 80 hours of leave for documented COVID-related circumstances following the same parameters as the GCS sick leave policy and to be paid for with ESSER funds.

Waiver of Student Reduced Meal Price
The Board voted to waive the cost to students of reduced-price meals for the 2022-23 school year.

Property Acquisition for Stone Academy Elementary School (Executive Session)
Board members approved the purchase of a 1.243-acre property adjacent to Stone Academy.

Physical Education Exemption (Executive Session)
The Board approved a physical education exemption for one student at Mauldin Middle School.

Information/Action from Board Committees/Liaisons

Board Self-Assessment Ad Hoc Committee - Dr. Styles reported that the Committee has met twice and has a rough draft of the Board self-assessment instrument, which will allow them to set goals for improvement and will be presented at the next Committee of the Whole meeting.

Superintendent's Evaluation Ad Hoc Committee - Mrs. Wells reported that the Committee had an initial meeting and is still accepting feedback on the instrument to streamline the process.

SC School Boards Association Liaison - Mrs. Wells reported that the Law Conference will be in Greenville this weekend.

Advocacy Committee - Mr. Lewis reported that the Advocacy Committee met today. Upcoming meetings will be scheduled with the City Councils of Greenville, Travelers Rest and Greer, as well as with Greenville County Council and Legislative Delegation. The Committee will be bringing several resolutions to the September and/or October Board meeting.

Finance Report

Monthly Finance Report - The report was presented as information.

The meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m.