March 1, 2023 Edition

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News

Tuition Assistance Offered for Counselor Education Cohort

Greenville County Schools, in partnership with Clemson University, announced a $5.8 million award from the U.S. Department of Education. This grant, which will fully cover tuition, will be used over the next five years to identify and educate current Greenville County Schools employees who seek to become school counselors, allowing current teachers and other employees in the district to continue working while pursuing this opportunity. Elizabeth House, director of school counseling services for Greenville County Schools, said GCS has the lowest ratio of students to school counselors in the state, but seeks to have more counseling support due to its size and its desire to increase diversity among school counselors. View the full article about counselor tuition assistance.

SC Association for Middle-Level Education honors two GCS teachers

Two Greenville County Schools teachers were honored with a 2023 South Carolina Association for Middle-Level Education award. Samantha Slover, a sixth-grade math and science teacher at Greenville Middle Academy, received the Promising Educator to Watch Award, and Sara Ritchie, a sixth-grade English Language Arts teacher at Ralph Chandler Middle School, was named the Regional Teacher to Watch for the Piedmont Region. Award recipients were nominated by peers. More about Middle-Level Education award.

Blue Ridge Middle School named School to Watch

Blue Ridge Middle School is among the latest South Carolina middle schools to be named Schools to Watch® by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. The schools' emphasis on strong academics, sensitivity to young adolescents' needs and interests, and commitment to providing all students equal access to a high-quality education resulted in the well-deserved recognition. Schools are recognized for a three-year period, at the end of which they must apply for re-designation and demonstrate that they are continuing to meet the National Forum's rigorous criteria. Also receiving re-designation as Schools to Watch are Beck Academy, Sevier Middle School and League Academy. View details of the Blue Ridge Middle award.

GCS and Greenville Federal Credit Union Announce Student-Run Branch at Greer High School

Greenville Federal Credit Union and Greenville County Schools announced the opening of a student-run branch at Greer High School. The Branch at Greer High is set to open in August of 2023. The program brings real-world financial literacy and education into the school and allows students to gain real-life experience and preparation both for college and future careers as outlined in the District's Graduation Plus initiative. An application process will open this spring for students at Greer High interested in working within the branch. This is the second student-run branch of Greenville Federal Credit Union to operate inside a Greenville County Schools high school. The Branch at Greenville High opened in 2016. Combined, the two programs represent a $1.2 million investment by the credit union towards supporting financial literacy efforts within public schools. Read the full article about the Greer Branch.

Unofficial Board Meeting Summary

February 28, 2023

Welcome, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance – Kaylor Gilchrist, a 5th grade student from Brushy Creek Elementary School

Adoption of Consent Calendar
2.01 Minutes, Regular Board Meeting – January 24, 2023
2.02 Home Schooling Applications – 5
2.03 Personnel Recommendations

• Dr. Bryan Skipper, Executive Director of Student Personnel Services
• Jenni Dunagan, Sue Cleveland Elementary School
• Jessica Preisig, Fountain Inn Elementary School
• Candice Stanton, Slater-Marietta Elementary School

Appearance of Visitors

• Stacey Sherman – JL Mann Concern
• Terrell Brown – Thank You
• Caitlin Scott – Recruitment/Retention
• Michael Joy – Reminders

Superintendent's Report
The Superintendent welcomed and introduced new administrators. Dr. Royster recognized Captain Mike Rinehart with the Greenville County Sheriff's Office for 10 years of service as the liaison to Greenville County Schools. Captain Rinehart is transitioning to a new assignment within the Sheriff's Office to oversee the Office of Professional Standards. Captain Pat Donohue was welcomed as the new liaison overseeing the Specialized Investigations Division, which includes the School Enforcement Unit. Dr. Royster also thanked Lt. Hans Weinmueller, who will continue to lead the School Enforcement Unit, and emphasized how vital the work and support of the School Enforcement Unit is to the safety of students and staff.

Action Items

Innovative Course Approvals
The Board of Trustees approved a plan to raise the academic challenge and performance of students by adding more than a dozen honors levels courses under the new South Carolina Honors Rubric.

Advocacy Committee Recommendations Related to Teacher Relief and Student Services
The Board approved four Advocacy Committee recommendations related to teacher relief and student success. The recommendations include eliminating the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA), maximizing 4K funding, increasing flexibility in state funding for multilingual learners, and discontinuing formative assessment requirements.

Sale of Property on Blythe Drive
Board members voted to sell a 0.8 acre outparcel of land on Blythe Drive.

Information/Action from Board Committees/Liaisons

South Carolina School Boards Association – Mrs. Morrison-Fair reported that the SCSBA held its Annual Convention in February. Approximately 150 newly elected Board officials from across the state were introduced and onboarded. Attendees, including members of the GCS Board of Trustees, participated in sessions on a variety of topics and met the new SC Superintendent of Education, Ellen Weaver.

Advocacy Committee – Mr. Saylors expressed appreciation of the Board's support of the action item earlier on the agenda and the committee's work on those recommended items. There is a breakfast meeting with members of the Greenville County Legislative Delegation on Friday, March 3 at Roper Mountain Science Center.

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