Highlights from the February 2026 Board Meeting

Teacher Vacancies and Employee Retention Update

During the Informal Meeting of the Board, an update on efforts to fill teacher vacancies and retain employees was presented. Some important data points include the teacher vacancy rate being reduced by 3.20% in the last year, the Employee Referral Program resulted in 162 hires, and 34 employees transitioned from Classified to Certified positions.

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Financial and Budget Process Update

The Board received a Finance presentation that included a look at Revenue, Expenditure, and Fund Balance trends. Key points included historical enrollment declines, revenue projections and property tax valuations, historical expenditures and forecasting, and the current fund balance level for the District as aligned to policy requirements. The presentation also detailed planned improvements such as responsible millage rate setting and Improved budget accuracy.

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Attendance Boundary Changes for Eastern Corridor & Western Chatham County Approved

The Board approved a plan for boundary changes in Western Chatham County and the Eastern Corridor that include Bloomingdale Elementary School, Pooler Elementary School/Pooler Early Learning Center, West Chatham Elementary School, West Chatham Middle School, New Hampstead K–8, Myers Middle School, and Hubert Middle School. These changes further the District’s goals to optimize facility usage, improve transportation efficiency, and ensure equitable access to high-quality educational environments.

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Name Proposed for New BOEPD Police Annex

In accordance with Policy FDC and Administrative Regulation FDR-R, Naming Facilities, a team has been appointed by the Superintendent to provide a recommendation for the naming of the Board of Education Police Department Annex after a naming request was received. The committee unanimously agrees to name the Board of Education Police Department Annex in honor of former Board of Education Member Larry Lower. Mr. Lower was a former police chief and the visionary behind the Junior Police Academy, as well as a school resource officer and veteran of the United States Marine Corps. The name will need to be read into the record at a second Board Meeting scheduled for March 11, 2026 before being voted on.

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Groves High School JROTC Wing Name Approved

The Board approved naming the JROTC Wing at Groves High School after former student-athlete and soldier Sergeant Tyrone L. Chisholm. The name proposal was presented for First Read to the Board at the January 14^, 2026 meeting.  Sergeant Chisolm was Killed in Action in Iraq in November 2005.

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National School Counseling Week Proclamation

The Board proclaimed February 2-6, 2026, as National School Counseling Week to recognize school counselors who are actively committed to helping students explore their abilities, strengths, interests, and talents as these traits relate to career awareness and their ongoing academic development.

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National CTAE Month Proclamation

The Board proclaimed February 1-28, 2026, as National School Career, Technical, Agricultural Education (CTAE) Month as a way to urge all citizens to become familiar with the services and benefits offered by the CTAE programs in this community and to support and participate in these programs to enhance their individual skills and productivity.

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Educational Innovator Award

Krystal Bell, School Support Officer for our K-8 schools was recognized by the Board after being awarded the 2025 Education Research and Development Institute’s (ERDI) Educational Innovator Award. This award honors pre-k thru 12 leaders who reimagine learning through creativity, forward thinking, and a commitment to meaningful, measurable improvement. Dr. Bell was granted a scholarship to be awarded to an educator within the district who demonstrates strong collaboration, accountability, and a growth-oriented leadership approach, with a commitment to enhancing learning and practice at the core of their daily activities. Alea Hicks-Campbell, Assistant Principal at Pulaski K-8 School was selected as the recipient of the ERDI-ACE Scholarship. Congratulations to both on this accomplishment!

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State Champion Swimmer from Jenkins High School Recognized

Board members congratulated student-athlete Victor Clinton-Rosario on his performance at the GHSA Swimming State Championships. Victor, a Senior at Jenkins High School, won a Gold medal in the Boys 200 Freestyle AND took the Silver in the Boys 100 Butterfly.

Student of the Month Recognized

The Superintendent’s Student of the Month for January is Jayla Boulware, a 3rd Grader at Garrison School for the Arts. Congratulations Jayla!

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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.

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Policy First Reads

Policy EGA – Staff Insurance Program (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy EGA and has determined minor updates to titles and grammar are needed. No material changes have been provided.

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Policy EGB – Student Insurance Program (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy EGB and has determined minor updates to grammar are needed only. There are no material changes proposed.

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Policy GAMA – Drug-Free Workplace (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy GAMA and the supporting regulation and has determined changes are needed to update language to ensure clarity on employees who are subject to drug testing including those who are subject to random drug testing.

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Policy GBI – Professional Personnel Evaluation (Four Year Review) • No Policy Changes • Recommended Regulation Changes Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy GBI along with the supporting regulation. There are no changes recommended for Board Policy. The Administrative Regulation includes recommended revisions to the language and titles to align with current District practices. Additional updates include a change to the evaluation deadline that moves to a mid-month requirement (May 15) and updates to allow the use of an appropriate evaluation tool as aligned to job descriptions.

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Policy GBKA – Professional Personnel Lay-Off (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy GBKA and has determined changes are needed to define the purpose, scope, and basis when a Reduction in Force (RIF) is necessary. Further language within the Administrative Regulation has been updated to ensure clarity on criteria when determining positions affected.

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Policy KG – Use of School Facilities (Mid Period Review) • No Policy Changes • Changes Recommended for Regulation only District Administration has reviewed Board Policy KG along with supporting Regulation. There are no changes recommended for the Board Policy. The Regulation KG-R has been updated to include the section titled “Limited EventBased Alcoholic Beverage Allowance for Massie Heritage Center and the Oatland Island Wildlife Center”. The language has been reviewed and determined to better align in Policy section KG as a use of facility designation, rather than being included within Policy GAMA Drug Free Workplace.

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Other Board Actions and Updates

Islands High Athletic Field Expansion Unsuitable Soils Mitigation Approved

The Board approved a change order to Dabbs Williams General Contractors, LLC in the amount of $200,000 to increase the contract allowance for replacement of unsuitable soils in the excavation area of the expanded Islands Athletic Field.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DQYHNH494FF7

Mid-Year Budget Adjustment

The Board approved the amendment of the General Fund (100) and Capital Projects (308) budgeted revenues and expenditures by $6,872,675 for the allocation of funds to support identified mid-year priorities.  Those priorities include Ignite Tutoring, Staff Support and Professional Development, School Furniture and Playground Equipment, Technology Fleet, and Cellphone Lockers or Pouches to implement the state’s new Distraction Free Kids Act.

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ESPLOST UPDATES

Georgetown K-8 Additional Design Scope Approved

The Board approve Change Order #5 to Cogdell & Mendrala Architects, PC for additional design services for the kitchen upgrades, exterior improvements, interior upgrades, and CTAE renovations for the Georgetown K-8 Renovations & Addition project in the amount of $233,985. The construction change order for those additions to the scope of work was approved at the January Board Meeting.

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Playground Equipment Purchase for Georgetown K-8 Approved

The Board approved the purchase of new playground equipment for Georgetown K-8 School at a cost of $441,130.03 from PlayPower LT Farmington, Inc. c/o Playworx Playsets, LLC.  The purchase will replace aging infrastructure and ensure safe, age-appropriate outdoor play areas for students.

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Purchase of Sun Shades Approved for Jacob G. Smith Renovation Project

The Board approved a Change Order for the J.G. Smith Elementary School Renovation project with Balfour Beatty Construction, LLC, in the amount of $250,000, increasing the project Guaranteed Maximum Price from $41,221,064 to $41,471,064, for the addition of playground and courtyard sunshades.  As part of the District’s evolving standard practice, sunshades are increasingly being incorporated into playground designs to support student safety, heat mitigation, and improved outdoor usability.

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Artificial Turf Purchase for Savannah High School Baseball and Softball Fields Approved

ESPLOST V work scope includes installing artificial surfaces on the baseball and softball fields at District high schools. The first fields scheduled to receive the new artificial surface are located at Savannah High School which has had an unplayable grass surface for several years. The project will consist of demolition and removal of existing fields and fences; regrading for drainage; site utility piping; new artificial surfaces; backstops and fencing; dugouts; scoring tables; and scoreboards. The Board approved utilizing the Gordian Contract # GA-ST02-040820-PCI for the installation including allowances for unsuitable soils at a cost of $4,291,900.

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CMR Manager Contract Approved for Hubert Middle School Renovation

The Board approved the award of RFP C26-03 (ESPLOST) Construction Manager at Risk Services for Hubert Middle School to Samet Corporation with a Guarantee Maximum Price (GMP) amount of $17,171,793.

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Alternative School Renovation Contract Approved

The Board approved a contract with Carroll Daniel Construction Co., the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, for the SCCPSS Alternative Schools Renovation project at a total cost of $20,421,260. The old SCCPSS Mercer Middle School will be renovated to house four different school programs: Building Bridges High School, Building Bridges Middle School, Wings Elementary, and SCELA.

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Audio Enhancement Budget Transfer Approved

The Board approved a budget transfer in the amount of $1,501,310 to support the audio enhancement systems integration project which includes upgrades to district-wide intercom, classroom communications, and classroom audiovisual systems. This budget transfer will cover the cost of implementing the SAFE alert system infrastructure supporting SAFEalert badges at six district schools and sites.

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UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

District 8: Woodville-Tompkins Town Hall

February 25, 2026 – 6-7:30pm

Woodville-Tompkins High School

 

The Massie Heritage Center Process to Print

A dynamic pop-up exhibition in celebration of Black History Month

Artist Talk & Book Signing

February 27, 2026 - 4:30 pm-6:00 pm

Free to the Public

 

Modern Band Bash

Hear bands from all grade levels perform.

Thursday, February 26^th – 6pm

Plant Riverside District Live

 

Finance Committee Meeting

March 11, 2026 – 8:30am

Whitney Administrative Complex

 

March Informal Board Meeting

March 11, 2026 – 3pm

Whitney Administrative Complex

 

March Regular Board Meeting

March 11, 2026 – 6pm

Whitney Administrative Complex