Highlights from the March 2, 2022 Board Meeting
School Media Center & Learning Commons Book Selection Process Detailed
At the Informal Meeting of the Board, a report on the process for selecting books that are included in our school media centers and learning commons was provided to Board members. The report included selection criteria, the screening and weeding process, as well as the ways in which parents can seek reconsideration of a book or limit their child's access to it.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CBWTYT758159
Budget Process Update
Also at the Informal Meeting, the Board received an update on the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Process including a report from the Chatham County Board of Assessor's Office.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CBWTZR75A980
District Operational Update
At the Regular Meeting of the Board, the Superintendent presented a district operational report to the Board. That report included updates to masking protocol and quarantine guidance, along with plans for a gradual return of volunteers and visitors and field trips to schools.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CBWU2M75F30A
Faculty and Support Staff Retention Rate Report
The Board received a report on the retention rate of district teachers and support staff as well as goals under the new District Accountability System designed to improve those numbers. The attrition rate for teachers in the 2020-21 School Year was 14.3-percent. School Support Staff was 15.5% and other Support Staff was 12.9%.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CBWUKS7893A4
Good News Report
Dr. Mark Linsky Chosen for National Post
Dr. Mark Linsky, SCCPSS Instructional Specialist for World Languages, has been selected as one of three national directors for the next cohort for the Leadership Institute for Language Learning through the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Language. Congratulations Dr. Linsky!
Dr. Angie Lewis Named to CTAE Advisory Commission
Dr. Angie Lewis has been named to the CTAE Advisory Commission by Governor Brian Kemp. She recently hosted educators, business partners and staff from Georgia Department of Education to review our accomplishments and goals for Economic Development Program Designation, where we outlined our successes with work-based learning, career pathways, and secondary education preparation.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CBFSS772A9A3
Student of the Month Recognized
The Superintendent's Student of the Month for February is Caroline Johnson, a 5th grader from May Howard Elementary. Congratulations, Caroline!
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CBFSS672A9A2
School Board Appreciation Week
Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools are joining a statewide celebration to salute the efforts of local school board members this month. The week of March 14-20, 2022 has been proclaimed School Board Appreciation Week in Georgia. The weeklong observance calls attention to the contributions of local Boards of Education.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CBFSY272FBEF
National School Breakfast Week/National Nutrition Month
The School Breakfast Program is dedicated to the health and well-being of our children, and nutrition education and awareness serves to bring immeasurable value to our school nutrition programs. The Board proclaimed that the District will observe the week of March 7-11. 2022 as National School Breakfast Program with the theme “Take Off with School Breakfast" and observe the Month of March as National Nutrition Month.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CBFSYT737E07
National School Social Workers Week
The Board proclaimed the week of March 6 – 12, 2022 as National School Social Workers Week in recognition of the integral part they play in the educational process that enables student achievement and success in school. The theme for this year's National School Social Workers Week is “Time to Shine."
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CBFSYV73806A
Name Approved for New Woodville Tompkins Gymnasium
A committee comprised of students, staff, alumni and community members considered four names for the new Woodville Tompkins Gymnasium. They voted unanimously to name the gym after Joe Turner and the name was read into the record for the first time at the February 2022 Regular Meeting. The name was voted on and approved at the March meeting of the Board of Education.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CBFSYX73814C
Policy First Reads
Policy LEC and Regulation LEC-R – Booster Organizations (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy LEC along with the supporting regulation and determined a need to update regulation language to reflect the current actions of the District.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CBFSSF72A9AB
Policy IDAA and Regulation IDAA-R – Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) Program (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy IDAA along with the supporting regulation and determined a need to delete the regulation and to update the policy to appropriately reflect the proper policy manual section for language specific to CTAE.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CBFSSG72A9AC
Policy and Regulation IFBD – Media Centers (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed the Board Policy and supporting regulation. Changes are recommended to update policy language to reflect the actions of the District. Changes are recommended to the regulation to streamline the language into sectioned areas, to express in greater detail the steps taken by the District for the selection process for materials and equipment, and to update the reconsideration of materials procedures.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CBFSSH72A9AD
Policy KIA – Political Campaign Materials Distribution (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy and has determined a need to update the language to reflect the current actions of the District.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CBFSSJ72A9AE
Policy DJD – Expense Reimbursement (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy and determined a need to provide improved language for carrying out the policy through financial administrative procedures.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CBFSSK72A9AF
Policy GAHB – Staff Political Activities (Four Year Review – No Changes) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy GAHB. Minimal changes are recommended for word order to ensure clarity and emphasis.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CBFSSL72A9B0
Policy Adoptions!
Policy FDC and Regulation FDC-R – Naming Facilities (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy FDC along with the supporting regulation and determined a need for changes to update the language to align with current and improved processes.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CBWUBX7786B1
Policy KB and Regulation KB-R(0) – Public Information Program (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy KB along with the supporting regulation and determined a need to delete the outdated regulation and update the policy to align with current process.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CBWUBY778754
Policy KBC and Regulation KBC-R – News Media Relations (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy KBC along with the supporting regulation and determined a need to delete the outdated regulation and clarify process and current practice through policy language.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CBWUBZ7787E9
Policy LDAA – Fiscal Authority (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy LDAA and determined a need for minor changes to bring the language in line with correct and appropriate authorities related to bond referendum.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CBWUC277888B
Board Approves Resolution to Close Port Wentworth Elementary
The Port Wentworth Elementary School has been phased out per the specifications of the Georgia Department of Education and will no longer be available for instructional use. At the conclusion of the 2021-2022 school year, the facility will be utilized administratively to support operational needs identified by the school district.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CBWULV791888
Attendance Zone Modifications Approved Due to Phase Out of Port Wentworth Elementary
The Board approved a reconfiguration of the attendance zones in Western Chatham County due to the upcoming phase out of Port Wentworth Elementary School. The reconfiguration will affect Rice Creek School, Brock Elementary, Garden City Elementary a report was presented to the Board on the phasing out of the Port Wentworth Elementary facility and the proposed reconfiguration of attendance zones in the Western Chatham County that will affect students from Port Wentworth Elementary, Rice Creek School, and Garden City Elementary beginning in the 2022-23 School Year.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CBFSTW72A9DA
ESPLOST Updates
ESPLOST IV Budget Adoption
The Board adopted the multi-year ESPLOST IV budget in the amount of $420,000,000. The Capital Improvement Committee will review economic trends and monthly income on a semi-annual basis to make necessary recommendations for adjustments should economic conditions necessitate modifications
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CBWULH78CFAA
Pulaski Elementary Conversion to K8
The Board approved a contract with Goodwin Mill Cawood, LLC for Design Services in the planned conversion of Pulaski Elementary to a K-8 facility for a total Design Professional Fee of $1,010,000.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CBWULP78D6FB
Godley Station K8 Addition and Site Improvements
The Board approved a contract with Cogdell & Mendrala Architects, PC for Design Services for a classroom addition and site improvements for Godley Station K-8 for a total fee of $481,750.00.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CBWUBW778622
Budget Transfer: Coastal Middle School Renovation
The Board approved the transfer of funds from EII Unallocated Account to EII Coastal Middle School Renovation Accounts. The transferred funds will be used to perform internal renovations at Coastal Middle School.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CBWULL78D04D
PERSONNEL MOVES
Congratulations to the following on new positions with SCCPSS!
Laura May is the new Executive Director of Accountability, Assessment, and Reporting.
Ashok Batra has been named the new Executive Director of Projects.
Douglas Jones has been named the new Interim Executive Director of Facilities Management.
Robert Youngblood is the new Senior Construction Manager Capital Projects.
More personnel moves can be found under the agenda items here:
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CBFST972A9C5
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CBFSTA72A9C6
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Capital Improvement Committee Meeting (CIC)
Wednesday, March 9, 2022 - 9:00 AM
Whitney Administrative Complex, Building G 2 Laura Avenue
Academic Excellence Committee Meeting
Thursday, March 10, 2022 - 3:00 PM
Whitney Administrative Complex, Building G 2 Laura Avenue
Audit Committee Meeting
Thursday, March 24, 2022 - 8:00 AM
Whitney Administrative Complex, Building G 2 Laura Avenue
