October 23, 2024 Edition

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News

GCS Graduation Rate Increases to Highest Level in District’s History

Greenville County Schools' high school graduation rate increased to 88.7%, the highest level in GCS history and an increase of 3.6 points over the previous year. Each high school's graduation rate increased or maintained its level from the previous year. Additionally, 81.1% of the 2023-24 graduation cohort met the markers for College and/or Career Readiness, which is a 6.4% increase from last year. Nearly 90-percent (88.4%) of schools scored Excellent, Good, or Average, with 31.4% achieving the highest designation of Excellent, on the South Carolina Department of Education (SDE) annual school report cards for the 2023-24 school year. GCS schools scored significantly higher than the 18.4% schools across the state scoring Excellent and 81.4% scoring Excellent, Good, or Average. See which high schools had the highest graduation rates.

GCS Students Outperform SC and Nation on SAT and ACT, Improve AP Passage Rate

Greenville County Schools' students outperformed their state and national peers on the 2024 SAT and ACT standardized tests, and improved passage rates on Advanced Placement exams compared to 2023.

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 2024 Class includes five graduates and one educator. The Hall of Fame honors men and women who have graduated from or worked at Greenville County Schools and have made substantial or significant contributions at the local, regional, national or international levels in areas such as academia and education, arts, athletics, business, media, public service, philanthropy, medicine, military or science. The ticketed event is Thursday, November 21, at 5:30 p.m. at the Greenville Convention Center. List of this year's inductees or to purchase tickets.

Unofficial Board Meeting Summary

October 22, 2024

Welcome, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Divine Armstrong, a fifth-grade student at Duncan Chapel Elementary School.  

Adoption of Consent Calendar
2.01 Minutes, Regular Board Meeting – September 24, 2024
2.02 Personnel Recommendations (Executive Session) – None

Appearance of Visitors

• Evan Trammel – School Calendar
• Amy Hibbs – Special Education
• Allison Huffstutler – Special Education
• Terry Lane – Special Education
• Alisha Taylor – SEAC Special Education
• Tara Servatius – Virtual Program
• Kristen Wallace – SEAC
• Sawyer Killian – Virtual Program
• Tinsley Maness – SEAC
• Amanda Myers – Daughter
• Selah Bischoff – Future Teacher Academy
• Liz Alverson – Future Teacher Academy

Superintendent's Report

Following earlier comments by Dr. Styles and others, Dr. Royster shared his appreciation on behalf of the entire District for Mrs. Debi Bush's 28 years of service on the Board of Trustees. He remarked that she has provided a constant, steadying influence on the Board and represented her constituents as well as the best interest of all students, no matter their circumstance, geography, abilities, or interests. As a Trustee, she was a part of the District's record growth in academic achievement and provided support of the BEST program, which resulted in updated, outstanding facilities. She provided support to all employees regardless of their role within the district and supported better pay for teachers and all employees. She has been a model Board member, understanding the issues, studying the materials, advocating in the right ways, and alerting the Administration when there was an issue. Through character, conviction and public service, she has truly made a difference. Thank you, Mrs. Bush.

Dr. Royster expounded on the District's 2023-24 graduation rate which reached 88.7%, the highest level in the District's history. The District experienced record-high subgroup gains in graduation rates with Students with Disabilities at 66.5%, African-American students at 83.7%, and Hispanic/Latino students at 86%. These three subgroups, along with Multilingual Learners and Pupils in Poverty, all outpaced the District's overall gains. The Class of 2024 also achieved a record-high college- and career-ready rate of 81.1%. GCS now ranks 8th out of 73 regular school districts in South Carolina, which is up from 12th in 2023 and 19th in 2012.

The tremendous progress is due to the support and expectations of this Board, the hard work of the 12,000 employees, the commitment of students, and the support and partnership with parents and our community.

Action Items

Proposed Student Assignment Plan for Reedy Laurel Elementary School
The Board of Trustees approved the student assignment plan for Reedy Laurel Elementary School and other schools as presented.

Proposed Resolution Regarding Book Fairs
Based on the Administration's update that the District determined a process for book fairs to resume in January 2025, the Board deferred action on the drafted resolution.

Request to General Assembly for Waiver of Days Missed Due to Hurricane Helene
The board approved a resolution requesting forgiveness from the General Assembly for the eight school days missed due to Hurricane Helene between September 27 and October 8, 2024.

Waiver of Board Policy GBRI
Board members approved a motion from the administration to waive Board Policy GBRI through June 30, 2025 to allow the Superintendent or Deputy Superintendent to grant employees up to six days of personal leave to be deducted from the employee's sick leave, in addition to the amount already provided in the policy, to address significant losses as a result of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Helene.

Innovative Course Approvals
Trustees approved a list of Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses at the honors level to increase the likelihood that students will be prepared to take Dual Enrollment classes and complete a CTE pathway.

SCSBA Delegates
The board approved a motion to certify its voting delegates to SCSBA with each Trustee named as both a delegate and an alternate, and with the Secretary assigned three votes and the remaining Trustees two votes each.

Audit Firm for Procurement Audit
Trustees voted to approve Greene Finney Cauley, LLP to conduct the FY 22 – FY 24 three-year external procurement audit and the FY 25 one-year external procurement audit as required by the Procurement Code, with the option to renew the contract annually through FY 29.

Architect Selection for New Northwest Middle School (Executive Session)
The board approved the architectural firm, with which successful fee negotiations are achieved, for the new Northwest Middle School.

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

The meeting adjourned at 8:38 pm.