VIP E-Newsletter
January 29, 2025 Edition

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News

GCS Career Centers Accepting 2025-26 Applications

GCS high school students who are interested in enrolling in a career center program for the 2025-26 school year may apply online through March 12 using their GCS Backpack account. This is a great opportunity to explore careers and earn certifications in fields such as culinary arts, machine tool, mechatronics, aircraft maintenance, welding, building construction, barbering, automotive technology, and firefighting. Interested students should click on "Programs" in their Backpack account to access the appropriate Career Center. Applications must be completed by Wednesday, March 12 to be considered in the first round of applications. Career Center Application Details

National Board Certified Teachers Announced

Three GCS educators have earned National Board Certification for the first time, and 19 GCS educators have earned National Board Certification renewals. Greenville County Schools has 333 National Board Certified teachers, one of the teaching profession's most respected achievements. South Carolina ranks fourth in the nation, with 9,515 National Board Certified Teachers. The National Board Certification program is coordinated by The Center for Educator Recruitment, & Advancement (CERRA). CERRA's mission is to recruit, retain and advance South Carolina educators. List of educators who are board certified

Blue Ridge High, Mauldin Middle Named to SC-SIC Honor Roll

The School Improvement Council for Blue Ridge High School and Mauldin Middle School have been named to the SC School Improvement Council's 2025 Honor Roll for their significant efforts to foster civic engagement in public education. The schools are among six public schools in South Carolina to earn a spot on this distinguished list. As Honor Roll recipients, the SICs are in the running for the annual Dick and Tunky Riley Award for School Improvement Council Excellence to be selected in April. The award is named for the former U.S. Secretary of Education and South Carolina Governor and his late wife, and recognizes the vital contributions made by more than 1,100 local SICs and their 11,000-plus SIC members across the state. SC - SIC Honor Roll Details

Unofficial Board Meeting Summary

January 28, 2025

Welcome, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Karina Kirby, an eighth-grade student from Lakeview Middle School.

Adoption of Consent Calendar
2.01 Minutes, Regular Board Meeting – December 10, 2024
2.02 Minutes, Board Workshop - December 10, 2024
2.03 Personnel Recommendations (Executive Session)

  • Jacqueline Harris-Solomon, Principal, Armstrong Elementary School
  • Justin Ludley, Principal, Wade Hampton High School
  • Hunter McClure, Principal, Berea Elementary School
  • Morgan Warner, Principal, Mitchell Road Elementary School

2.04 Home Schooling Applications (Executive Session) – 4

Appearance of Visitors

  • Jack Logan – Artificial Turf Funding
  • Terrell Brown – School Board Appreciation Month
  • Scott Powell – Awards
  • Roger Nelson – Turf Fields
  • Anna Gregg – Turf
  • Sarah Magg – Artificial Turf
  • Aeryal Suttles – Future Teachers Academy
  • Chefonda Caldwell – Astroturf
  • Justin Hoffman – Turf Fields
  • Nate Manning – Turf
  • G. Fred Payne – Cooperative Purchasing
  • Bailey Colliver – Teacher Advocacy
  • Brian Mahan – Athletic Turf Fields
  • David Harner – Turf
  • Laura Allen – Artificial Turf
  • Megan Brock – Mauldin High School Parking

Superintendent's Report
Dr. Royster introduced the four newly approved principals, listed in Personnel Recommendations above, for the 2025-26 school year. The Superintendent also gave a brief history of school boards and their important role as School Board Appreciation Month (January) concludes.

Action Items

Revision of Board Policy KCA: Public Participation in Board Meetings
The Board of Trustees approved revisions to Board Policy KCA to provide the public an even greater opportunity to register and participate in the public comment period at board meetings, which will begin in February.

Transforming Game Fields with Artificial Turf
Board members approved the transfer of $24,060,010 of Unassigned General Fund-Fund Balance to Building Fund to offset the cost for the conversion of grass stadium fields to artificial turf.

Property Acquisition for Wade Hampton High School (Executive Session)
Trustees approved the purchase of 2.575 acres adjacent to Wade Hampton High School for future growth.

Information/Action from Board Committees/Liaisons

Advocacy Committee – Mr. Saylors – The Committee met today. Bill H3778 was filed in the South Carolina House of Representatives asking for the eight days of missed school due to Hurricane Helen to be forgiven. Additionally, the Committee discussed the book resolution requesting the Library of Congress to facilitate the implementation of a rubric for rating appropriateness of books. We asked the South Carolina School Boards Association (SCSBA) to present it, and it was sent back to Committee for adjustments. We recognize that not every district in the state has experienced the same level of concern from their communities that we have on this matter so our visions may differ. Our recommendation is that we send a letter to the SCSBA withdrawing this from their consideration, and we will send it straight to our U.S. Congressional Representatives.

South Carolina School Boards Association – Mrs. Morrison-Fair – I'd like to remind my colleagues that the SCSBA Conference will be February 22-23.

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

The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.