Highlights from the October 6, 2021 Board Meeting
GMAS End of Grade/End of Course Report
At the Regular Meeting of the Board, the Division of Data and Accountability presented a report on 2021 Georgia Milestones End of Grade and End of Course results. Student performance on the Georgia Milestones Assessment System End of Course tests and End of Grade tests normally serves as a data point to calculate student achievement and growth. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, GMAS testing was suspended in SY 2020 and waived from being used in federal and state accountably measures in SY 2021. In addition, participation requirements for GMAS testing were waived in SY2021. Overall, SCCPSS ELA and Math participation rates averaged just over 40%, while science and social studies participation rates averaged just under 40%. GaDOE has stated that summaries of results by student group, school, system, or state should not be used as a part of a longitudinal trend analysis without including context of this year's pandemic and associated learning disruptions, and varying access to instruction. See the full report:
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=C79KXX52AE3B
STEAM/STEM Initiatives
At the Informal Board Meeting, the Board received a report from Academic Affairs on District-wide STEAM/STEM Initiatives. The presentation included information on the Magnet Schools Assistance Program. As part of that program, the school district was awarded a grant in the amount of $14- million to be dispersed over a 5-year period. The three MSAP schools benefiting from that grant are A.B. Williams, Hubert Middle School, and Savannah High School. The Comer School Development Program, also known as the Comer Process or the Comer Model, is being implemented under this grant. The purpose is to improve the educational experience of socio-economically challenged ethnic minority youth by improving school climate through a collaborative, consensus-building, no fault approach to problem solving between parents and school staff.
The district has also been awarded two $500,000 DoDEA Grant Awards. A 2019 STEM grant benefiting Georgetown K8 and Pulaski Elementary and a 2021 STEAM grant focused on Southwest Elementary, Southwest Middle and Godley Station K8. Both grants promote military connected student enrichment.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=C79KYM52BE9B
Budget Planning Update
The Division of Finance gave Board members an update on the Budget Planning process at the Informal Meeting. Enrollment projections are beginning this month. Items of focus for FY 2023 include Enrollment and Staffing Stability, Lingering COVID-19 Impacts, State Budget / Austerity Reductions, Year 5 of the Modified Compensation Plan, Continued Financial Stability, and ESPLOST IV.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=C79L6P533970
Superintendent's Good News Report
2021 President's Education Awards Program Recipients
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona congratulated the 2021 President's Education Awards Program recipients, recognizing nearly 1.85 million elementary, middle, and high school graduates on their educational accomplishments. In Savannah, students from White Bluff Elementary, Windsor Forest Elementary, Garrison K8, and Oglethorpe Charter School students all received recognition this year. Congratulations!
Early College Student Chosen for State Superintendent's Student Advisory Council
Savannah Early College student Jeremiah Salley has been selected for State Superintendent Richard Woods' 2021-22 Student Advisory Council. 66 members were selected from a pool of more than 1,000 applicants who applied to serve on the council; students in grades 10-12 are eligible to apply. Congratulations to Jeremiah!
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=C79KSY52AD9C
Student of the Month Recognized
The Superintendent's Student of the Month for September is Nikola Majerova, a 7th grader from Coastal Middle School. Congratulations, Nikola!
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=C79L6P533970
Superintendent's Professional Senate Report
A report from the latest meeting of the Superintendent's Professional Senate was presented by our Teacher of the Year.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=C79LNF555D73
Policy First Reads
Policy IF and Regulation IF-R – Instructional Resources (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy along with the supporting regulation and determined a need for minor changes due to position titles.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=C79KTG52ADAC
Regulation GARH-R(1) – Employee Leave & Absences (Mid Period Review – Changes Recommended) District Administration has reviewed Administrative Regulation GARH-R(1) – Employee Leave and Absences and determined a need for changes to the regulation to reflect improved practice.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=C79KTK52ADAF
Policy GAA – Personnel Goals and Objectives (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy GAA – Personnel Goals and Objectives and determined a need for minor changes in language to reflect current practice.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=C79KTN52ADB2
Policy GBRL and Regulation GBRL- R – Employee Dress Code (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy GBRL – Employee Dress Code along with the supporting regulation and determined a need for changes in both the policy and regulation in order to update dress code guidelines.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=C79KTR52ADB5
Policy DFF and Regulation DFF - R – Grants (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy DFF – Grants along with the supporting regulation and determined a need for changes in both the policy and regulation to update the language to reflect improved and current practice.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=C79KU252ADBE
Policy MK – Educational Accreditation Agency Relations (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy MK – Educational Accreditation Agency Relations and minor clean up edits to the language.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=C79KU852ADC4
Policy MGB – School Boards Associations (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy MGB – School Boards Associations and determined a need for language clarification.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=C79KUB52ADC7
Policy MDA – Shared Services/RESAs (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy MDA – Shared Services/RESAs and determined a need for minor changes in the language to reflect proper Board process.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=C79KUE52ADCA
Policy EBBC and Regulation EBBC - R(O) – Emergency Drills (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy EBBC – Emergency Drills along with the supporting regulation and determined a need for changes in both the policy and regulation in order to update the language to reflect SCCPSS's current practices.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=C79LSD55FDF3
2022 Legislative Priorities Discussed
At the Regular Meeting, the Board reviewed Legislative Priorities previously adopted for updates in advance of the 2022 Legislative Session. Priorities will be adopted during the November 3, 2021, meeting.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=C79LSF55FFBB
School Bus Safety and Transportation Appreciation Week Proclamation
The Board proclaimed the week of October 18-22, 2021, to be observed as School Bus Safety and Transportation Appreciation Week in recognition of the contribution drivers and other school transportation staff make to our public education system.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=C79LT45634D2
National School Lunch Week Proclamation
The Board proclaimed the week of October 11-15, 2021, as National School Lunch Week and encourages all residents to join us in this recognition in hopes of achieving a more healthful citizenry for today and the future.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=C79LT55635A6
National Custodial Workers Day Proclamation
The Board recognized and supports the nationally recognized date of October 2, 2021, as National Custodial Worker's Recognition Day and encourages all citizens to join us and celebrate their daily contributions all through the month of October.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=C79LT656364F
Policy Adoptions
Board Policy FF: Facilities Project Financing (Four Year Review) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy FF. Minor changes have been included based on guidance from the Board Attorney.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=C79KWE52AE0A
Policy DO and Regulation DO-R School Properties Disposal Procedures (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy DO along with the supporting regulation and has determined changes are needed to align the policy and regulation with current procedures.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=C79KWE52AE0A
Policy IB – Instructional Program Goals and Objectives (Four Year Review – Deletion of Policy Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy IB. This policy is recommended for deletion as Board Policy BA – Goals and Objectives sets forth the Board's and the District's goals and objectives.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=C79KWL52AE10
Policy EA – Business Management Goals and Objectives (Four Year Review – Deletion of Policy Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy EA. This policy is recommended for deletion as Board Policy BA – Goals and Objectives sets forth the Board's and the District's goals and objectives.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=C79KWP52AE13
Regulation JCEB – Student Hearing Procedures (Mid-Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy JCEB along with the supporting regulation. No changes are recommended for the Board policy; however, changes to the regulation are required to bring language up to date with current position/title references.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=C79KWS52AE16
Policy JGH and Regulation JGH-R - Food Service, Deletion (Four Year Review - Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy JGH along with the supporting regulation and has determined a need to delete Board Policy and Regulation JGH & JGH-R Food Service and address the deleted information from JGH within the newly created Board Regulation EE-R, Food Services Management. This action properly places the District's food service management requirements in the business management section of the Board Policy Manual.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=C79KWV52AE19
Policy GAE (2) and GAE(2) - R – Complaints and Grievances, Certified Employees (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy GAE along with the supporting regulation and determined a need for changes in both the policy and regulation to update language based on recommendations from GSBA. Updates were provided for further clarification based on changes that occurred during the 2021 Legislative Session and the creation of Policy GBIA. GSBA guidance provides for the elimination of inconsistencies by giving precedence to the most recent statute and eliminating the “procedural deficiencies" language from Policy GAE.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=C79KWY52AE1C
Technology Updates
Staff Laptops Purchase Ratified
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the department of Data and Accountability has realized a need for greater mobility among staff and has purchased 700 additional laptop computers from contracted vendor Broadway Typewriter dba Arey Jones under RFP 19- 11. These laptops will provide staff physical portability and reassurance that they will be able to continue working on daily tasks and projects as assigned without a hinderance to District operations. The Board ratified the use of ESSR II Grant funds to purchase 700 laptops for staff in the amount of $490,483.00.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=C7BMRT5C89CD
Interactive Boards Purchase Approved for High Schools
The Board approved the use of $1,500,000 in ESSR II Grant funds to update the District's current classroom multimedia systems. The current system uses a combination of projectors, Mimos, and Promethean boards. This outdated system will be replaced with more advanced Interactive Boards, which combine the functionality of all three components of the current system into one unit.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=C7BMXD5D5946
Mac Books for Groves High School
The District utilized a 1:1 model of the MAC Book with Apple Education prior to the pandemic at Groves High School. The Board ratifed the use of ESSR II Grant funds to purchase 150 Mac Books for Groves High School in the amount of $122,092.50. This purchase will return the District to using the Apple OS platform as the preferred choice for Groves High School students. The purchase will also maintain continuity in computer devices that are used in support of student learning.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=C7BMRU5C8AA2
Budget Transfer
The Division of Operations has identified additional cafeteria modifications and upgrades along with emergency equipment needs that were not met during FY21. The Division of Finance has would like to use vacancy accumulation and other expenditure savings that resulted from limited operations as a result of Covid 19 to support critical District functions. The Board approved an operating transfer of just over $5 million to Capital Projects to create cafeteria modifications, HVAC upgrades, emergency equipment and security projects.
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=C7BN335D8BFE
Budget Amendment
On May 5, 2021, the Board approved the State's Mid-Term adjustment in the General Fund that included $3,326,820 for FY22 Debt Service payments. At Wednesday's meeting the Board approved an amendment of the General Fund and the Debt Service fund to adjust the revenues and expenditures in the amount of $6,673,985 to pay all remaining capital leases (FY23-26) which leaves the District DEBT FREE!
http://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=C7BN345D8D04
Personnel Moves
Teresa Peyton has been named Interim Principal of Southwest Elementary School.
Latasha Quarterman has been named Interim Principal of Gadsden Elementary School.
Tara Fitzgerald has been named Principal of the New Hampstead K8 School.
Dr. Angie Lewis has been named Interim Executive Director, Office of CCR and MSAP.
Amy Perry has been named Interim Director of CTAE Programs.
Congratulations to all!
Upcoming Meetings
Capital Improvements Committee Meeting
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
9:30AM-10:30AM
Whitney Administrative Complex, Building G
District 6 Town Hall-Dr. David Bringman
Topic: ESPLOST Construction Program
Wednesday, October 13, 2021 - 6:00pm
Windsor Forest High School
Audit Committee Meeting
Thursday, October 28, 2021
8:00AM
Whitney Administrative Complex, Building G
