October 25, 2023 Edition
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News
GCS Students Nationally Competitive on SAT, ACT and Improved AP Passage Rate
Greenville County Schools' students outperformed their state and national peers on the 2023 SAT and ACT tests, and improved passage rates on Advanced Placement exams compared to 2022. On the SAT test, the average score for GCS students was 1032, which is 29 points higher than the national average (1003) and 12 points higher than the state average (1020). Six schools—Riverside, J.L. Mann, Wade Hampton, Greenville, Mauldin and Eastside—scored above the state and national average. The Class of 2023 earned an average ACT composite score of 20.2 on the ACT's 36-point scale. This exceeds both the state and national average composite scores. Statewide, public school students recorded an average composite score of 18.4, compared to a national average composite score of 19.5. The national score reflects both public and private school test-takers. Read more about GCS student success.
72% of Greenville County Schools Rated Excellent or Good on State Report Cards
In Greenville County, 37.2% of schools scored Excellent and 34.8% scored Good on the South Carolina Department of Education (SDE) annual school report cards for the 2022-23 school year, which is significantly higher than the 22.5% of schools across the state scoring Excellent and 24.5% scoring Good. The district's high school graduation rate increased to 85.1%. Additionally, 74.7% of the 2022-23 graduation cohort met one or more of the markers for College and Career Readiness, which is a 2.0% increase from last year. The report card ratings, graduation rate, and college and career readiness results all point to the intentionality and positive impacts of the district's Graduation Plus initiative, which is the district's framework from Pre-K through 12th grade to ensure that GCS students graduate with a diploma PLUS college credit and/or industry certification. Read more about the state report card.
Greenville County Schools Hall of Fame Inductees Announced
The Greenville County Schools Hall of Fame will induct six new members at its annual Gala in November. The 2023 Class includes four graduates and two educators. The graduates are Mike Chibbaro, Wade Hampton High School Class of 1977, Betty Farr, Greenville High School Class of 1951, Ray Lattimore, Wade Hampton High School Class of 1978 and Krish Patel, Mauldin High School Class of 2004. The 2023 educator inductees are Dr. J. Brodie Bricker, representing multiple schools and district administration, and Clark Woods, Hillcrest High School. The GCS Hall of Fame is the vision of District Superintendent Dr. Burke Royster. The induction event is hosted by the Greenville County Schools Foundation. Read more about the Hall of Fame inductees.
Unofficial Board Meeting Summary
October 24, 2023
Welcome, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Selden Peden, 8th grade student at Dr. Phinnize J. Fisher Middle School
Adoption of Consent Calendar
2.01 Minutes, Regular Board Meeting - September 19, 2023
2.02 Minutes, Board Goal-Setting Session - October 10, 2023
2.03 Minutes, Board Retreat - October 17, 2023
2.04 Home Schooling Applications – 2
2.05 Personnel Recommendations – None
Appearance of Visitors
Chelsea Fleming – Lakeview
Tanner Woody – Elevate
Ashley Vaughn – Lakeview Middle Elevate Model
Marc Shaduk – Proposal
William Davenport – Elevate
TJ Rumler – Elevate
Arianne Wahrer – Save the French Immersion Program
Joanna Castillo – Lakeview
Suzanne Billings – Teacher Forum & Thank You
Bronwyn Grant – Lakeview Middle School
Cecilia Carpenter – French Immersion
Nicolas Philipp – French Immersion
Lynnette McMaster – Lakeview
Elizabeth Bailey – Alexander Elementary
Edward Anderson – Community Partnership – High Poverty Schools
Sumur Phillips – Lakeview Middle School
Benjamin Frick – Religion in Schools
Action Items
Employee Incentive Model
The Board of Trustees approved an employee incentive model called Elevate, which is a four-year pilot program to attract and retain high-quality certified personnel for the District's lowest-performing schools.
Innovative Course Approvals
The Board also approved a slate of new courses that further develop students' strengths and interests in multiple subject areas, including courses that were previously unable to be offered at the honors level.
Instructional Material Review Committee Pool Members
Trustees approved and appointed the 2023-2026 Instructional Material Review Committee Pool, which includes teachers, parents, community members, students and clergy members.
SCSBA Delegates
The Board certified its list of voting delegates to the South Carolina School Board Association as required.
Revision of Board Policy IDBA: Gavin's Law
The Board of Trustees approved revisions to Board Policy IDBA that requires the District to implement a policy to educate students, parents or guardians, the public, and school personnel about Gavin's Law, which makes sexual extortion a felony offense.
First Steps Board Nomination
The Board voted to appoint Dr. Susan Stevens to represent Greenville County Schools on the Greenville First Steps Board of Directors.
Commissioners of Public Works Easement at the New Elementary School on the Old J. L. Mann High School Site (61 Isbell Lane)
The Board voted to approve a water line easement as requested by Commissioners of Public Works at the new elementary school on the old J. L. Mann High School site (61 Isbell Lane).
Upstate Greenways and Trails Alliance Permanent and Perpetual Easement and Right of Way Request at Bryson Elementary School
Trustees approved Upstate Greenways and Trails Alliance's permanent and perpetual easement and right of way request at Bryson Elementary School.
Upstate Greenways and Trails Alliance Permanent and Perpetual Easement and Right of Way Request at Fountain Inn High School
Trustees also approved Upstate Greenways and Trails Alliance's permanent and perpetual easement and right of way request at Fountain Inn High School.
Physical Education Exemption (Executive Session)
The Board voted to approve a physical education exemption for one student at Mauldin Middle School.
Employee Grievance Appeal (Executive Session)
The Board of Trustees voted to deny the request for a hearing of the employee grievance appeal and affirm the Administration's response to the grievance.
Legal Representation of an Employee (Executive Session)
The Board voted to approve providing legal representation of the named employee in accordance with Board Policy GAEA in the matter of 2023-CP-23-05019.
Engagement of Outside Counsel for a Teacher Hearing (Executive Session)
Trustees approved the hiring of Duff, Freeman, and Lyon to advise the Board of Trustees pertaining to the teacher appeal hearing scheduled on October 30, 2023.
Information/Action from Board Committees/Liaisons
COSSBA Federal Advocacy Conference – Mrs. Middleton – Several Board members attended the recent Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA) Federal Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C. where they met with legislators.
Monthly Finance Report
Monthly Finance Report – The report was presented as information.