Highlights from the April 9, 2025 Board Meeting

2024 CCRPI Report Presented

At the Regular Meeting of the Board, a report on the SY 2024 College & Career Ready Performance Index was presented. Highlights include:

·       SCCPSS exceeds the Comparison Group at all grade levels in all components that make up the CCRPI score.

·       SCCPSS exceeds the state in Progress at both the Middle and High School Grade Levels.

·       SCCPSS continues to exceed the graduation rate of both the State and Comparison Group.

See the full report here:

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DEGJ9A4B882D

Board Approves Resolution to Apply for Free Lunch Program for All Students

SCCPSS students already receive a free nutritious breakfast at every school, but the School Nutrition Program now seeks to utilize the Community Eligibility Provision of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture to provide lunch at no cost to every student as well beginning in the 2025-26 SY.  CEP will provide benefits for increased student access to healthy, no-cost school meals; eliminate unpaid meal charges; and will streamline program administration and meal service operations.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DFBJZR4FA1CE

Bell Time Modifications for the 2025-26 SY Approved

Bell time modifications for three SCCPSS schools were approved to accommodate school movement due to construction projects. Bell-time adjustments will support transportation needs and route updates for swing site schools – J.G. Smith and Georgetown K-8, and will return Bloomingdale to the elementary schedule.  See the approved changes here:

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DEGK53501CB4

2026-27 & 2027-28 SY Draft Academic Calendars Considered

The calendar development process considers the framework from the previously adopted 2025-2026 Academic Calendar and considers certain scheduling components that are unique to our area including periodic breaks aligned to the observance of federal holidays and major community events. See the draft calendars that were presented to the Board for awareness and will be posted to the website for public feedback here:  https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DEGK55501F94

Bloomingdale Elementary Gymnasium Naming

A team was appointed by the Superintendent to provide a recommendation for the naming of the Bloomingdale Elementary School Gymnasium after a request to rename the facility was received. Two committee meetings were held, and a proposed name was presented to the Board during the regularly scheduled Board meeting on March 5, 2025.  The Board approved the Bloomingdale Elementary gym be named after Dr. Ronald Wayne Bland in recognition of his contributions as a former Public School Teacher and Administrator, as well as his longstanding service to the Bloomingdale community as both a Fire Chief and City Councilman.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DEGJ874B880A

Charter Schools Annual Reports

At the Informal Meeting of the Board of Education, Annual Reports were presented by two of the district’s five Charter Schools. Find the reports from Oglethorpe Charter School and Coastal Empire Montessori School below:

Oglethorpe Charter School

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DCNJXX4F561F

Coastal Empire Montessori

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DFAL2Z54395A

Annual Board of Assessors Update

Also at the Informal Meeting of the Board, a presentation from the Chatham County Tax Assessors Office was provided as part of the annual Budget Development Process.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DCNJXZ4F5621

 Student of the Month Recognized

The Superintendent’s Student of the Month for March is Wyatt Giovannini, a fifth-grader at May Howard Elementary School. Congratulations, Wyatt!

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DEGJ7X4B8802

 

Superintendent’s Professional Senate Report

A report from the latest meeting of the Superintendent’s Professional Senate was presented by our District Teacher and Instructional Support Persons of the Year.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DEGJ824B8805

 

Good News Recognitions

The Board recognized some accomplishments by District students and staff during the Regular Board Meeting.

Charter School Teacher of the Year

The Georgia Charter School Association has named Robin Allison of Tybee Island Maritime Academy, the 2025 Charter School Teacher of the Year! She was recently recognized at the GCSA annual conference. The Charter School Teacher of the Year Award spotlights dynamic educators who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to charter school students, their families, and their communities.

Savannah High Boys Basketball Team State Championship

And the Savannah High Boys Basketball Team – a group of eleven seniors – and their coaches were honored by Board members for winning the State Championship last month!

National School Library Month

The Board proclaimed the month of April 2025 as National School Library Month to recognize Library Media Technology Specialists who actively encourage students to read to expand their abilities, interests, and curiosity in the world they live in and beyond. Library Media Technology Specialists are considered an integral part of the educational process that enables student achievement and success in school.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DEGJ884B880B

Policy First Reads

Policy BBBE – Board Member Compensation and Expenses (Four Year Review) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE - Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy BBBE and offers revisions for clarity related to compensation and to update legislative actions that provide for authorization.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DEGK4W501351

Policy DJ – Expenditure of Funds (Four Year Review) • No Policy Changes • Changes Recommended for Regulation only Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy DJ along with the supporting regulation. There are no changes recommended for the Board Policy. The regulation DJ-R has been updated to improve the reporting structure for investigating irregularities to include two points of contact in the District.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DEGK525016A1

Policy GAN – Employee Tobacco Use (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy GAN and has determined changes are needed to update language and process in Board Policy for improved clarity and specific references to “tobacco” products. This Board Policy has been reviewed by the Board Attorney and the Superintendent. During the March 5th meeting of the Board, this policy review was tabled. With approval from the Board to remove this item from the table, this policy will be presented for first read.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DEGJ8V4B8820

Policy JCDB – Student Dress Code (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy JCDB to implement certain modifications to the Student Dress Code including a specific inclusion for school “spirit wear” as an allowable component of the dress code.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DEGJ844B8807

Policy JBC(1) – Homeless Students (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy JBC(1) and has determined changes are needed to remove vague language, improve formatting, and make clear references to related policies.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DEGJ854B8808

Policy KJ – Advertising in Schools (Four Year Review) • No Policy Changes • Changes Recommended for Regulation only Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy KJ along with the supporting regulation. There are no changes recommended for the Board Policy. Administrative Regulation KJ-R(1) provides condensed language to include references to an administrative guidance document, procedures for receiving monies, and procedures for instances where an advertising agreement is offered

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DEGK4Q501141

Policy JGCB – Student Immunizations (Four Year Review) • No Policy Changes • Changes Recommended for Regulation only Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy JGCB along with the supporting regulation. There are no changes recommended for the Board Policy. The regulation JGCB-R has been updated to include appropriate references to the required Georgia DPH form for “Religious Objection”, and to include personnel as designated by the school principal to have authority to complete student records for verification of immunization.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DEGJ864B8809

Policy JGCCA – Head Lice (Four Year Review) • No Policy Changes • Changes Recommended for Regulation only Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy JGCCA along with the supporting regulation. There are no changes recommended for the Board Policy. The regulation JGCCA-R has been updated to reflect best practices and approaches to include treatment recommendations, examination schedules, and guidance for missed days of school.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DEGK4T50126F

Update on Board Policy JCDAF:  Use of Electronic Devices by Students

Future policy revisions will coincide with the passing of HB-340-Distraction Free Education Act into law. The 2025 Session of the General Assembly adjourned Friday, April 4. The Governor has a 40-day window to either sign or to veto legislation, or he may allow it to

become law without signature.  HB-340 requires K-8 public schools to ban personal devices like smartphones and smartwatches during school hours. Learn about potential changes here:

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DFBJYU4F8461

Policy Adopted

Policy BHA – Board Member Conflict of Interest (Four Year Review)

Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed

Board Policy BHA. This Board Policy has been reviewed by the Board Attorney and the

Superintendent and was presented on March 5, 2025.

Based on feedback received, District Administration has further reviewed Board Policy

BHA with legal input and recommends language remain as written with no changes to

prevent any interpretation that Board members are employed.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DEGK4X501451

Other Board Actions and Updates

Gulfstream Grants Boost Groves High Aviation Program

The Board approved budget amendments resulting from grants provided by Gulfstream for Groves High School’s Aviation Manufacturing and Service Program.  The first grant to the program was in the amount of $335,485. The Gulfstream partnership under the Aviation Manufacturing & Service program provides students with training and certification preparation for aircraft assembly, composite technology, and aircraft structural diplomas. Additionally, students have the opportunity to participate in a student apprenticeship at Gulfstream Aerospace during the summer

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DF6MYR5D9115

The second grant, in the amount of $291,363 is specifically designated to purchase professional grade tools, diagnostic equipment, and certification kits for the Avionic Lab.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DEYJEB4CC98A

New Video Management Service Approved for Campus Police

The Board approved the use of Georgia Statewide Contract #99999-SPD0000172 with A3 Communications to purchase the Motorola Avigilon Alta Cloud Platform for Video Management System at an estimated cost of $1,692,000. The Motorola Avigilon Alta Cloud Platform includes a 5-year licensing agreement and hardware to support the district's existing 3,448 cameras. This new solution will replace our existing outdated video management system.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DF6N7L5E081A

Equipment Purchase for Windsor Forest High School Labs Approved

The Board approved the purchase of equipment from Southern Educational Systems for outfitting the HVAC Technology, Construction, Early Childhood Education, and Drone Labs for Windsor Forest High School at a cost of $285,742. Southern Educational Systems offers a comprehensive, turnkey solution due to its established partnerships with manufacturers who supply the necessary materials and equipment and the outfitting of the labs is expected to be completed by June 30, 2025.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DEYJED4CCBEC

ESPLOST News

ESPLOST Continuation Resolution Results Certified

The Board certified the results of the March 18, 2025 election in which Chatham County voters approved the continuation of the Educational Purpose Local Option Sales Tax with 64% of the vote.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DF6N7N5E1C7A

GMP Approved for J.G. Smith and Montgomery Swing Site Renovations

The Board approved a GMP of $41,221,064 for RFP C24-15 CMR Services for J.G. Smith Elementary School Renovations to Balfour Beatty Construction, LLC. This GMP includes the cost of the work, the construction manager’s contingency, and the construction manager’s fee along with all costs for pre-construction services and construction services related to the work for the Montgomery Swing School as previously authorized by the Board.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DEGJ9H4B8834

Change Order Approved for Windsor Forest High School Project

Included in the project scope for the new Windsor Forest High School facility is demolition and removal of the existing building. After review of a recently completed asbestos survey by Arrowood Environmental Group dated January 13, 2025, and Terracon Consultants dated February 14, 2025, it has been determined that additional abatement is required. This change will require additional time and will extend the final substantial completion date for the project (all phases) back to March 11, 2026. The new school will be completed as scheduled and will be ready for occupancy for the start of school in August 2025; however, the demolition of the existing building will be extended an additional 44 days for the abatement and consequently the completion of the parking and sitework will be extended accordingly. The additional work required will increase the cost an additional $749,361.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DF3PN365273A

Gamble Rd. Maintenance/Transportation Design Contract Revision Approved

A contract under RFQ C25-04 “On Call” Design Professional Services was awarded to Goodwin Mills Cawood, LLC (GMC) in the amount of $80,500 for master planning services for the site at Gamble Road. A new building with restrooms and offices for transportation has been master planned for the site and design is ready to start. The building is programmed for 5,580 square foot with an estimated construction cost of $2,620,000. The proposed design base fee is $188,400 plus $20,000 for reimbursable expenses to be paid for actual costs. The total revised contract fee is $288,900.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DEYJEC4CCA58

Savannah Arts Academy Gym Floor Replacement and Renovations Approved

The Board approved a proposal in the amount of $439,413.83 from Johnson-Laux Construction, LLC to replace the gym floor in Savannah Arts Academy which cannot be repaired. In addition to the floor replacement, it was decided to replace all the existing seating with new aluminum benches; replace the basketball backstops and scoreboard; replace doors that are badly worn; stain the concrete flooring and do handrailing and wall painting. The work is expected to be completed over the summer to have it ready in time for the upcoming volleyball season.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DEGJ924B8825

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

Finance Committee Meeting

Wednesday, April 16, 2025 9:00 AM

Whitney Administrative Complex

Board Finance Workshop

Wednesday, April 16, 2025 10:00 AM

Whitney Administrative Complex

HOLIDAY FOR ALL

Friday, April 18, 2025

Audit Committee Meeting

Thursday, April 24, 2025 - 8:00 AM

Whitney Administrative Complex

SCCPSS Books, Blankets and Family Fun

Saturday, April 26, 2025 - 10:00am

Daffin Park, 1301 E. Victory Drive, Savannah