Highlights from the December 18, 2024 Board Meeting

Choice Programs Update

At the Informal Meeting of the Board a report was presented on the district’s Choice Programs.  A timeline for the upcoming lottery application process was shared along with criteria for participation. Current enrollment data was presented which showed while some Choice programs have waitlists, a number of others have seats unfilled. An improved marketing plan is being created, along with a planned assessment to gauge interest and evaluate the demand for new programs and locations. All were encouraged to save the date for January 11, 2025, to join us at the annual Student Success Expo and learn firsthand about Choice options.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=D7HNXN6213CC

 

Long Range Facilities Plan and ESPLOST V Update

An update on Long-Range Facility Plans and ESPLOST V proposals were also presented at the Informal Meeting of the Board. Projects highlighted for discussion included new facilities including a high school at a Western Chatham County Multi-Complex, new facilities for Windsor Forest Elementary and the STEM Academy at Bartlett, and Academic Programming integration at the 208 Bull Street Central Office among others. The project list has been discussed and identified for inclusion in a Board resolution that would seek to collect $705,000,000 over the life of the ESPLOST extension. Learn more here:

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DAXKY654195E

Student of the Month Recognized

The Superintendent’s Student of the Month for November is Thien An Nguyen, a senior at Johnson High School. Congratulations, Thien!

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=D7HP2M61D186

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=DALNTT617364

 Policy First Reads

Policy IDCH – Dual Enrollment (Mid Period Review) • No Policy Changes • Changes recommended for Regulation only District Administration has reviewed Board Policy IDCH along with the supporting Regulation and has determined changes are needed to update language and process in the Regulation to align with Amendments to State Board Rule 160-4-2-.34 (Dual Enrollment).

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DAXL7S5537BB

Policy JCE – Student Complaints and Grievances (Four Year Review) • No Changes to Policy • Recommended Changes to Regulation Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy JCE along with the supporting regulation and has determined changes are needed to update language and process in the regulation for clarity in reporting under Title IX, and to include related process for complaints and grievances found in the Parent Bill of Rights, Objectional Content for Reconsideration of Materials, and Federal Program Compliance. These recommendations are provided under guidance from the Assistant Board Attorney (In-House Counsel)

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DAXL7Z553F4C

Policy IGB – Student Support Team (Four Year Review- Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy IGB and has determined changes are needed to update language and to describe the Multi-Tiered Systems (MTSS) and Student Support Team (SST) roles specific to the SST process. Further revisions were provided to clearly state that requests and referrals for evaluation or eligibility determinations under IDEA should not be delayed or denied based on the SST process. These recommendations are provided under guidance from the Assistant Board Attorney (In-House Counsel).

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DAXL8P5559CF

Policy IFBG – Internet Acceptable Use (Four Year Review- Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy IFBG along with the supporting regulation and has determined changes are needed to update language and process to align with current District practices.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DAXL4C54B6B8

Calendar of 2025 Board Meetings Approved

The Board of Education's annual calendar of Regular Meetings is presented for adoption for the 2025 Calendar year. The proposed calendar includes two evening meetings and is scheduled generally on the first Wednesday of every month subject to certain times of the year when holiday breaks may occur. Board meeting dates that are subject to the FY 26 Budget Adoption process will require certain additional meetings dates that will be held in accordance with the Georgia Open Meetings Act and other applicable legal requirements. See the full calendar here:

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DALMC35A84AD

Memorandum of Understanding Approved with Chatham County to Support PPI Program

The Board approved the Memorandum of Understanding with the County to support staff coordination of the Positive Peer Influencers Program and authorized the Superintendent to execute the agreement and future renewals within the term of the agreement. SCCPSS, The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire and the Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team (CNT) have joined to provide the Positive Peer Influencer Program, which is designed to help local teens make healthy choices.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DBCGPK44C85B

Policy Adopted

Policy CE – School Superintendent (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy CE and has determined changes are needed for improved language, clarity, and alignment to state law.

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Policy AA – School District Legal Status (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy AA and has determined minor changes are needed to clarify language references in Board Policy.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=D7HP2Q61D189

 Policy BBAA – Election of Board Officers (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy BBAA and has determined changes are needed for improved language to clearly state roles as stipulated in O.C.G.A. 20-2-57 “Organization of county boards; chairperson and secretary”.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DATML45BB5D7

Policy DB – Planning Programming Budgeting System (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy DB and has determined revisions are needed for improved language.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=D7HP2P61D188

Other Board Actions and Updates

Contract Approved for Teletherapy Services

The Board approved a contract with Hazel Health, an approved partner of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health, to provide teletherapy services for students at 20 SCCPSS school sites. Students at the 20 identified schools (9- elementary, 5-K-8, 2-middle, and 4-high) will have access to a licensed counselor for 6 to 8 weeks of therapeutic counseling after being referred by the student’s school, a process which will be monitored by the district’s Wellness Center. Hazel Health will provide licensed therapists with the ability to communicate in over 19 languages and complete visits in school or at home with students. Additionally, Hazel will provide the equipment needed for students to participate in each visit. The cost of the contract is $258,375 which is being provided in the form of a grant from the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DBCGGK43C0EC

Request for GaDOE Assistance In Developing Five Year Facilities Plan Approved

The District’s Local Facility Plan (LFP) will expire at the end of the next fiscal year on June 30, 2025. School Districts utilize the assistance of the Georgia Department of Education (GADOE) when working to create a new LFP.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DBCHKQ48D75E

Funds Approved to Purchase Supplemental Resources to Support LETRS

As the first cohort of Lexia LETRS trained teachers nears completion, plans are underway to provide supplemental resources in alignment with the LETRS Science of Reading Professional Development Plan. The projected cost for Year 1 supplements is $567,000, with Year 2 estimated at $601,500, totaling $1,168,500. To support this initiative, the Board approved using the fund balance to cover the cost of LETRS Training Supplements for science of reading training for K-5 teachers, administrators, and district leaders during the FY24-25 and FY25-26 school years, at a total cost of $1,168,500.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DBVQC5689AA6

ESPLOST News

ESPLOST Resolution Approved

The Board approved a resolution for the continuation of the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax.  If approved by Chatham County voters, this would be the fifth ESPLOST and would provide for the continuation of the existing 1% sales tax.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DBVUK57C610D

ESPLOST Project Updates

At the Regular Meeting of the Board, a report on multiple on-going ESPLOST projects was presented.  Those projects included among others:

·       Replacement Windsor Forest High School – Roofing, interior rough-in, brick and block exterior is underway.  The school is expected to be ready for students at the start of the 2025-26 SY.

·       Replacement Bloomingdale Elementary School – Masonry, roofing, enclosure, and terrazzo are underway. It is also expected to be complete next summer.

·       Davis-Edwards-Harris Fields and Fieldhouse – Masonry and enclosure work, Grandstand construction and Fencing are underway. The complex is expected to be ready for Baseball and Softball this Spring.

View the complete report here:

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DAXL96556BF9

ESPLOST Performance Audit Approved

The report of an independent auditor on the districts ESPLOST expenditures was approved by the Board. The independent auditor found that the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System complied, in all material respects, with Article VIII, Section VI, Paragraph IV of the Georgia Constitution and Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) 48-8-141 regarding expenditure of sales tax for educational purposes during the year ended June 30, 2024.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DBVUS97D6C62

Contract Approved for CTAE Renovations at Davis-Edwards-Harris Complex

The Board approve the award of Bid C25-06 CTAE Modifications at DEH Educational Complex to Samet Corporation in the amount of $2,626,722.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DB7QLE699AD6

“On Call” Design Professional Services Annual Contract Approved

The Board approved the award of RFQ C25-04 “On Call” Design Professional Services (Annual Contract) to Barnard Architects (Savannah, Georgia), Brian Felder & Associates, LLC (Savannah, Georgia), CDH Partners, Inc. (Savannah, Georgia), Cogdell & Mendrala Architect, PC (Savannah, Georgia), Croft & Associates, Inc. (Savannah, Georgia), Goodwyn Mills Cawood, LLC (Savannah, Georgia), Greenline Architecture, Inc. (Savannah, Georgia), Hussey, Gay, Bell & DeYoung International, Inc. (Savannah, Georgia), LS3P Associates LTD (Savannah, Georgia), Pond & Company (Savannah, Georgia), Raymond Engineering – Georgia, Inc. (Savannah, Georgia), and SSOE, Inc. (Savannah, Georgia) for a total estimated cost of $20,000,000.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DBCHCU4476D0

Safety and Security Updates

On September 4, 2024, the Board approved a budget amendment for a $2,780,316 safety grant from the Georgia Department of Education. This grant enabled the District to create 27 new School Safety Officer (SSO) positions and reallocate budgeted funds for existing SSO positions (31) to the grant, thereby freeing up $1,500,000 in the current budget. The Board approved the Campus Police proposal to use these available funds to purchase additional weapons detectors for all schools and to support security at special events.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DB7HUX4A41E9

General Fund Balance Transfer for Long-Range Facilities Plan Projects Approved

The Board approved the assignment of General Fund balance in the amount of $60,000,000 for Long-Range Facility Plan projects. The district's Long-Range Facilities Plan outlines critical investments in infrastructure, technology, and facility improvements necessary to meet the growing needs of our student population and community. To ensure the timely execution of these initiatives, additional funding is required to supplement the Capital Projects Funds. The General Fund has an available fund balance that exceeds the district’s required reserves and operational needs, making it a viable source to support these strategic investments.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DAXLAA557C94

Personnel Moves

Kimberly Lee has been named Captain of Professional Standards and Accreditation for Campus Police

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

Winter Break for Students

Monday, December 23, 2024 – Monday, January 6, 2025

Staff Planning Day

Monday, January 6, 2025

Finance Committee Meeting

Wednesday, January 8, 2025 – 9am

Whitney Administrative Complex