New K-8 School Opening Update
At the Informal Meeting, the Board received an update on the new K-8 school being built behind New Hampstead High School. The school is scheduled to open for students in August and district staff are working to review projected enrollment, community growth indicators and existing school capacity levels for western Chatham County schools which will be taken into consideration as part of the redistricting process.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BYBUVF73AEAF
Naming the New K-8 School – FIRST READ
In accordance with Policy FDC and Administrative Regulation FDC-R, Naming Facilities, a team was appointed by the Superintendent to provide three proposed names for the new K-8 School constructed in western Chatham County. Three proposed names were read at the March Board Meeting and will be voted on in April. The nominated school names are:
New Hampstead K8 School
West Chatham K8
Bloomingdale K8
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BYK4TR0840C5
The Way Forward 2026 Strategic Planning
As we come to the close of our existing 5-year strategic plan, we have started The Way Forward 2026 strategic planning process. The purpose of this initiative is to formulate a plan that will focus our work, resources, and funding for the next five years. This is a six-month process that is scheduled to be completed in August of 2021.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BYJQD768BD4E
Budget Update
Board members also received an update on the Budget Process during the Informal Meeting, including a presentation by Roderick Conley, Chief Appraiser of the Chatham County Board of Assessors.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BYJQAL685B64
Superintendent's COVID-19 Operational Update
An Operational Update was provided during the Superintendent's Report to the Board to include District updates for the second semester launch of the 3/Day-2/Day Hybrid Model. A review of current COVID-19 Transmission Rates was covered also.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BYBUMS72F232
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 15-21, 2021 has been proclaimed School Board Appreciation Week in Georgia. Each member of the School Board was recognized and thanked for their dedicated service.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BYBUMV72F235
National School Nutrition Month/Breakfast Week
At the Formal Meeting of the Board, members proclaimed March 8-12, 2021, as National School Breakfast Week and the month of March as National Nutrition Month to recognize the benefits of the School Breakfast Program and to highlight the importance of nutrition education.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BYBUYR75744E
National School Social Workers Week
This year the theme for National School Social Workers Week is “Beacon of Hope: School Social Workers – Lighting the Way." To recognize the valuable contributions of our School Social Workers, the Board of Education proclaimed March 8 to March 12, 2021, as National School Social Workers Week.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BYBUYS757626
Students of the Month Recognized
The Superintendent's Student of the Month for January is Patrick Weiland, a 1st grader from Southwest Elementary School. Congratulations, Patrick!
The Superintendent's Student of the Month for February is Eriona Fludd, an 8th grader from West Chatham Middle School. Congratulations, Eriona!
Professional Senate Report
A report from the latest meeting of the Superintendent's Professional Senate was presented by our Teacher of the Year and Instructional Support Person of the Year.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BYBUY274D29E
Policy Adoptions
Policy II & II-R Testing Programs (Mid Period Review – Changes Recommended) Based on continued COVID-19 fluctuations in the testing/assessment schedule and to improve District operational efficiencies, Administration has reviewed Board Policy II and the supporting regulation.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BYBUNY72F258
Policy JR & JR-R Student Records (Mid Period Review – Changes Recommended) Language has been added to clarify the disclosure of Directory Information in response to Georgia Open Records Act. District Administration has reviewed Board Policy JR and supporting regulation. It was presented for first reading on February 3, 2021.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BYBUR472F29B
Policy and Regulation IFBG & IFBG-R – Internet Acceptable Use (Four Year Review) /Deletion of Exhibits IFBG 1 and IFBG 2
District Administration has reviewed Board Policy IFBG along with the supporting regulation and has determined a need for changes to adapt to the most current conditions of employee and student social media and internet usage. District Administration also recommends that the exhibits be deleted from the policy manual and be maintained in other places. It was presented for first reading on February 3, 2021.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BYBUQZ72F298
Assessment Calendar Amendment Ratification (3rd Amendment)
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the following updates were necessary to the assessment calendar after the July 2020 published date.
- Elimination of MOY and EOY MAP Reading and Math Readiness Assessment.
- Postponement of National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) test.
- Extension of GMAS-EOC Make-Up days.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BYJQVM6AC3DD
Policy First Reads
Board Policy ABD – School Superintendent Legal Status has been reviewed by District Administration and a need has been determined for changes to the policy to include more defined language of the Superintendent's functional relationship with the Board.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BYBUNE72F246
Policy and Regulation AFC- Emergency Closings has been reviewed by District Staff who have determined a need for changes in order to identify the responsible person(s) and actions taken for the opening, delay, or closing of the District's facilities.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BYBUNH72F249
Policy JG (1) Video Surveillance and New Regulation JG (1)-R District Administration has reviewed Board Policy JG (1) Video Surveillance and created Board Regulation JG (1) – R to enhance and improve video surveillance, monitoring, and preservation protocols. In addition, the supporting links within the Board Policy are recommended to be removed from Board Policy, as they are no longer valid.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BYBUNV72F255
ESPLOST NEWS
Project Updates
At the Informal Meeting of the Board, an update on ESPLOST projects across the district was presented to Board Members. Highlights include:
- Jenkins High School Replacement: Roofing and masonry in progress. Interior framing and drywall started.
- New Hampstead K8: Exterior masonry; roofing; and interior painting in progress.
- New Multi-School Campus: Construction demo activities have begun.
- Beach High Auditorium Addition: Terrazzo flooring in lobby, drywall ceilings, stage floor, site work, interior painting are in progress.
- Woodville Tompkins Gym & Auditorium Addition: Roof is complete, electrical and mechanical rough ins are ongoing, brickwork is 90% complete on gym.
- Savannah High Stadium: Site work, utilities, footing & foundations for field buildings in progress.
- Savannah Arts Academy New Cafeteria & Interior Renovation: Design work underway.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BYBUSG72F2C7
Savannah High Stadium Change Order
The Board approved Change Order #1 in the amount of $53,135 to Sprinturf LLC to provide a dark blue track to match the school color.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BYJQVS6AC5F9
Upcoming Meetings
THE WAY FORWARD 2026: STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 – 9:00am to 11:00am
Whitney Administrative Complex - Building G
2 Laura Avenue
BOARD ACCOUNTABILITY COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday, March 23, 2021 - 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM- Via Zoom
AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETING
Thursday, March 25, 2021- 8:00 AM
Whitney Administrative Complex- Building G
