April 24, 2024 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 Recognizes 2024 ACE Awards Recipients

Seventy-six middle and high school students who are considered "unsung heroes" within the District have been named 2024 ACE Awards honorees. The ACE Awards, originally founded by Greg Blatt and Coaches4Character, recognize students who have exhibited strong character and valuing education. The awards are given to two eighth-grade and twelfth-grade students from each middle and high school. This year's keynote speaker is Bob Richey, the head coach for the Furman University men's basketball team. 2024 ACE Award winners

Greenville County Schools Launches Executive Leader Institute

The first Greenville County Schools Executive Leader Institute cohort is underway. The new initiative is an effort to advance the skills of aspiring and current district leaders and will focus on optimizing practices to guide and support schools aimed at academic excellence and student well-being. It features a rigorous curriculum to challenge educational leaders. Members of the cohort will further collaborative and interpersonal leadership skills and implement individual development plans, learn from colleagues, senior-level leaders and executive leaders from other districts, improve services to schools through job-embedded projects, collectively manage and resolve authentic challenges, practice facilitation and communication skills, and coach and be coached to further their leadership strengths. More information about Executive Leader Institute

Two GCS Schools Named Finalists for Riley Award for SIC Excellence

Lake Forest Elementary and Sterling School/Charles Townes Center are among five schools in South Carolina whose School Improvement Councils (SICs) have been named statewide 2024 award finalists for their accomplishments in parent and civic engagement within their school communities. The SC School Improvement Council’s annual Dick and Tunky Riley Award for School Improvement Council Excellence was created in 2002 to recognize the significant contributions made to public education by more than 11,000 local SIC members who volunteer in the state’s 1,100-plus K-12 public schools. The winner of this year’s Riley Award will be selected from these finalists by an independent panel of reviewers and announced during an awards luncheon later this spring. Riley Award News Release

Unofficial Board Meeting Summary

April 23, 2024

Welcome, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Lucas Nelson, a fourth-grade student at Slater-Marietta Elementary School.

Student Performance
Students who attend the ARMES Elementary Music level 2 program at the ARMES Central Site at League Academy performed for the Board of Trustees and audience members.

Adoption of Consent Calendar
2.01 Minutes, Regular Board Meeting - March 26, 2024
2.02 Minutes, Board Workshop: Strategic Education Plan - April 9, 2024
2.03 Minutes, Board Work Session: FY 25 Budget - April 11, 2024
2.04 Home Schooling Applications - 2
2.05 Personnel Recommendations:

• Dr. Maureen Tiller, Assistant Superintendent for Secondary School Leadership - Group 1
• Dr. LaTonya Leeks-Shepherd, Director of Secondary Support

Appearance of Visitors
Jennifer Yamamoto - Blythe Academy
Catherine Schumacher - PEP Programming

Superintendent's Report
Dr. Royster recognized Dr. Maureen Tiller who was approved to serve as the Assistant Superintendent for Secondary School Leadership - Group 1 and noted that Dr. LaTonya Leeks-Shepard would be introduced at an upcoming meeting. He also extended appreciation to the students from ARMES Elementary Music Program who performed at the meeting.

Action Items

City of Greenville Easement Request at Sirrine Stadium
The Board of Trustees approved the easement agreement with the City of Greenville for sanitary sewer service at Sirrine Stadium. The Board also approved the termination of the existing easement at the same location.

Approval of Annual Audit Plan
Board members approved the 2024-25 annual audit plan for the external auditor to provide District accountability and transparency, and to implement best practices.

General Obligation Bonds Resolution
Trustees voted to approve the April 2024 General Obligation Bonds Resolution needed to fund the BEST bond payments and the operations of the facilities department.

Student Discipline Appeal (Executive Session)
The Board of Trustees voted to affirm the decision of the hearing officer and deny a student's discipline appeal.

Approval of Legal Representation (Executive Session)
Trustees voted to approve providing legal representation for and the defense of Dr. Burke Royster, Dr. Graysen Walles, and Mr. Harold McPhail in accordance with Board Policy GAEA and South Carolina law in the matter of 2024-CP-23-01951.

Information items

The Board accepted the list of members who wish to be considered for one or more offices. The list includes:

Chair: Carolyn Styles (current Board Chair)
Vice-Chair: Lynda Leventis-Wells, Angie Mosley
Secretary: Ann Marie Middleton

Information/Action from Board Committees/Liaisons

Advocacy Committee - Mr. Saylors - The Advocacy Committee's next meeting will be immediately following the May Committee of the Whole meeting.

Monthly Finance Report

The District's monthly financial statements were presented to the Board of Trustees as an information item.