September 28, 2022 Edition

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News

Mitchell Road Elementary named National Blue Ribbon School

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona named Mitchell Road Elementary School one of 297 National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2022. The recognition is based on the school's overall academic excellence or its progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. This is the second time Mitchell Road Elementary has received this distinguished honor. Greenville County Schools has 17 previous National Blue Ribbon Schools winners. They are A.J. Whittenberg Elementary (2020), Augusta Circle Elementary (1994), Bakers Chapel Elementary (1992), Bethel Elementary (1996 and 2016), Brushy Creek Elementary (1997), Buena Vista Elementary (1990), Crestview Elementary (2008), Hillcrest Middle (1985), League Academy (1983), Mauldin High (1985), Mitchell Road Elementary (2001), Oakview Elementary (2000 and 2006), Pelham Road Elementary (1997), Skyland Elementary (2017), Taylors Elementary (1997), Tigerville Elementary (2018), and Wade Hampton High (2016).

Read more about Mitchell Road's Blue Ribbon Award.

GCS breaks ground on CTE Innovation Center

This month, Greenville County Schools celebrated the groundbreaking of the new CTE (Career and Technical Education) Innovation Center. Opening in August of 2023, the $12.7 million, 29,145 square foot center will be a world-class facility created to house future-focused, innovative programs that have a growing presence in Greenville County. The CTE Innovation Center is located on the Roper Mountain Science Center campus. The classrooms and labs are designed to allow students interested in these STEM-related (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) career paths the opportunity to problem-solve and collaborate in a real-world setting using equipment that aligns with current industry standards.

Read more about the new CTE Innovation Center.

High school test data shows GCS outperformed the state

Greenville County high schools outperformed the state in all subject areas on the End of Course Exam Program (EOCEP) assessment, showed notable gains from spring 2021 to spring 2022, and made strong progress in returning to or exceeding the levels they were at before the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are very pleased that we continue to see gains at the high school level on the End of Course exams,” said GCS Superintendent Dr. Burke Royster. “This data highlights the areas where we have much to celebrate as well as where we need to focus on continued improvement as we make strong progress toward exceeding pre-pandemic levels of academic achievement within all of our schools.”

Read more about the high school test data.

Unofficial Board Meeting Summary

September 27, 2022

Welcome, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance – Madison Grooms, Simpsonville Elementary School.

Adoption of Consent Calendar
2.01 Minutes, Regular Board Meeting – August 28, 2022
2.02 Minutes, Board Workshop – September 13, 2022
2.03 Home Schooling Applications - 12
2.04 Personnel Recommendations

Appearance of Visitors
Jack Logan – EVOLV Technology System
Eugene Titus – COVID Employment
Mary Coleman – Questionable Books in School Libraries
Susana Saravia – Student Education
Lynne Brown – Dress Code
Danielle Kinsley – Recess
Sasha Patton – Recess

Superintendent's Report
Dr. Royster addressed false rumors that have been circulating in the community and on social media locally and nationally. He also asked parents and community members who have a concern about this issue or any issue to first contact their local school's principal, and then the district's ombudsmen, rather than rely on rumors or social media posts as their primary source of information regarding what's happening in schools.

"I think it's important tonight to address a number of false rumors that have been circulating in the community and on social media, some of which you heard alluded to tonight," said GCS Superintendent Dr. Royster. "Some of the rumors are claiming that our schools are putting in litter boxes for students who behave like cats or other animals and allowing students to respond to teachers by meowing, among other things. The things that have been described would be disruptive to school and therefore would not be allowed. These types of rumors have been documented as circulating across the country for at least nine months and, to our knowledge, have all been unfounded. Regardless of what is or is not happening in other parts of the country, I can assure you, our parents and our community, that if students behave inappropriately, it will be addressed, and Greenville County Schools has not and will not be implementing any of the things described in those rumors or social media posts that are circulating. The most important thing for me to leave with all of us tonight is that if parents have a concern about this issue or any other issue in one of our schools, they should first and foremost reach out to that school's principal. If it is a concern at the district level or if for some reason the concern is not sufficiently addressed at the school level, reach out to one of our district's ombudsmen. It is their job to help resolve issues and solve problems. I never imagined that I would have to deliver this kind of Superintendent's report, but as the last two weeks progressed and culminated in some comments made tonight, it is clear that some people are getting all of their information from social media and the internet, drawing conclusions based on that information as opposed to going directly to the source. Have students on occasion worn things that may be disruptive following some sort of trend that is popular at the moment? Absolutely. There is no one in this room, no matter what age or when you went to school or when you graduated, that you can't think back to some group of students or one or two individuals who wanted to stand apart from others and draw attention to themselves in some way. That will probably last as long as there are young people and there are schools, but the kinds of things that have circulated on social media and that we have read about are absolutely not the kinds of things happening in our schools. Before you believe that, and more importantly, before you pass that along, we would ask that you talk to the principal of your local school. Thank you."

Action Items

Revision of Board Self-Evaluation Instrument
The Board of Trustees approved a revised Board Self-Evaluation Instrument based on research on and best practices of boards in high-performing districts. The Committee presented the proposed revision to the Committee of the Whole on September 13 for discussion and input.

Naming of Blue Ridge High School Football Stadium
The Board approved the naming of the Blue Ridge High School football stadium in honor of former Coach Jim Howard, who served the school from 1981-1997 with outstanding dedication and commitment. In addition to coaching football, Coach Howard also served as Head Track Coach and Athletic Director.

Instructional Material Review Committee Pool Members
The Board voted to approve appointments to the Material Review Committee for a three-year term. As challenges to instructional materials are submitted by parents or community members, members will be pulled from this pool to serve on the committee in the various roles as outlined in Board Policy KNBA. Due to the number of eligible applicants in the pool (256 total), not all pool members may be called to serve on a Material Review Committee during the term. Upon receipt of a challenge, individuals will be called to serve in randomized order. If selected applicants are unable to participate in the review, alternates will be called from the list. This pool ensures that we will have adequate representation in each of the roles required per Board Policy KNBA.

BEST Director Reappointment
The Board approved the reappointment of Andrew Jones to serve an additional three-year term on the Building Equity Sooner for Tomorrow Board of Directors.

Information/Action from Board Committees/Liaisons

Advocacy Committee - Mr. Lewis reported that the Advocacy Committee had originally planned to have a meeting with the Greenville City Council and Mayor in October, but that meeting must be rescheduled.  

Finance Report

Monthly Finance Report – The report was presented as information.

The meeting adjourned at 7:48 p.m.