VIP E-Newsletter
December 11, 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.
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News

Ten Outstanding GCS Employees Recognized in Employee Spotlight Program

Ten employees who have made significant workplace contributions or accomplishments at Greenville County Schools are being recognized in the District's Employee Spotlight Program. This year's recipients were nominated by fellow GCS employees, who provided information about the employee and his or her work ethic. Each honoree received an award and a breakfast celebration for the recipient and their entire school, center or department. The program is sponsored by Greenville Federal Credit Union. List of this year's honorees

Greenville County Schools Accepting 4K Applications

Four-year-old kindergarten is a child's first experience in school and provides opportunities for children to learn foundational skills necessary to be successful in kindergarten. From now until January 31, 2025, parents can submit applications for their children to attend one of the District's 4K programs. A limited number of spaces are available at specific locations. Four-year kindergarten classrooms are offered at various elementary schools and six child development centers across Greenville County. Your child must turn four years old on or before September 1, 2025 to be considered for the 2025-26 school year and must have applied through Parent Backpack on the GCS website. More information about GCS 4K applications

2025-26 Virtual Program Application Window Now Open

GCS students can now register for the full-time Virtual Program. The initial application for the 2025-2026 GCS Virtual Program opened on December 9. It will continue through 11:59 p.m. on February 3, 2025. To apply, students must be enrolled in Greenville County Schools and parents must have a Backpack account. Please note, the Virtual Program will not be offered for Specialized/Magnet Programs such as Charles Townes Center, Language Immersion and preschool programs, or the most intensive special education services, which is typically referred to as self-contained programming. Additional Virtual Program application information

Unofficial Board Meeting Summary

December 10, 2024

Welcome, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Viktoriia Krechkovska, an 8th grade student at Riverside Middle School.

There was a student performance by the Eastside High School Saxophone Quartet led by Director Jeanene Smith.

Adoption of Consent Calendar
2.01 Minutes, Regular Board Meeting – November 19, 2024
2.02 Personnel Recommendations (Executive Session)

  • Dr. Scott Turner, Deputy Superintendent
  • Drew Brittain, Director of Planning and Demographics

2.03 Home Schooling Applications (Executive Session) – 1

Appearance of Visitors
Miriam Mazer – Bullying
Michelle Jorgensen – Bullying
Charlotte Barnette – Future Teacher Academy Leadership
Reade Bush – Special Education
Jordan Gentry – Plans on Becoming a Future Teacher
Catherine Schumacher – Future Teacher Academy Leadership

Superintendent's Report
The Superintendent welcomed and introduced new administrators approved by the Board at tonight's meeting. He also outlined a plan to conduct a strategic review of the District's Special Education program, which including multiple methods and opportunities for parent input and participation. 

Action Items

Revision of Board Policy JCDA: Cell Phones and Other Personal Electronic Devices
The Board of Trustees approved revisions to Board Policy JCDA to incorporate the model policy as required by the state.

Revision of Board Policy BCBA: Board Meeting Procedures and Place
Board members approved a revision to Board Policy BCBA to change the start time of the regular monthly Board of Trustees meetings from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., effective February 1, 2025.

State-Designated Underperforming and Elevate Schools Plans
Trustees voted to approve the Continuous Improvement Plans for Berea High, Carolina High, Southside High, Lakeview Middle, Berea Middle, Grove Elementary, and Sue Cleveland Elementary Schools.

Indefinite Quantity Contract Civil Engineering Services (Executive Session)
The Board voted to approve five selected firms to provide civil engineering services for the School District.

Indefinite Quantity Contract Land Surveying Services (Executive Session) 
Trustees approved four highly-rated firms to provide land surveying services for the School District.

Indefinite Quantity Contract Roofing Consulting Services (Executive Session)
The Board of Trustees voted to approve five selected firms to provide roofing consulting services for the School District.

Indefinite Quantity Contract Building Envelope Consulting Services (Executive Session)
The Board of Trustees voted to approve five selected firms to provide building envelope consulting services for the School District.

Physical Education Exemption (Executive Session)
Board members voted to approve a physical education exemption for one student at Mauldin 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 7:49 pm.