Highlights from the March 2026 Board Meeting

Princeton Review High Dose Mathematics Tutoring Contract Approved

The Board approved a contract with TPR Education, LLC dba The Princeton Review to provide tutorial services in Math for the Spring Semester SY 25/26 designed to accelerate learning and close achievement gaps for students across the District. The total contract expenditure will be $196,360. Eighth-grade math tutoring will be implemented for selected students at Hubert, Mercer, West Chatham, Myers, DeRenne, Coastal, Southwest, STEM, and SCELA middle schools, while Algebra 1 tutoring will be offered to selected students at SCELA, Savannah High, and Windsor Forest High. The outcomes from this targeted sampling of schools will serve as a critical foundation for informing future decisions about how the district supports secondary students' math achievement at scale.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DRTJVV4F14C1

 

Ignite Reading Literacy Tutoring Expanded Contract Approved

The Board approved the sole source agreement with Ignite Reading PBC for expanding foundational literacy tutoring services to an additional 500 students for the 2025–2026 school year at an additional cost of $532,500. Independent research by Johns Hopkins University (2024) found that students in Ignite Reading gained an average of five additional months of literacy growth, with significant results for students of color, English Learners, and students with disabilities. SCCPSS Amira Middle of the Year (MOY) Pilot Data shows students receiving Ignite are making an additional month of average growth than comparison peers and students receiving Ignite are making more average percentile growth than comparison peers.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DNJLV75827C5

Summer Learning Opportunities

During the Informal Meeting of the Board, an update on plans for Summer 2026 Learning Opportunities was presented. There will be a combination of traditional Summer School for credit or grade recovery and Enrichment Programs provided at low or no cost for our families.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DRGLPA577DF1

BOEPD Annex Name Approved

In accordance with Policy FDC and Administrative Regulation FDR-R, Naming Facilities, a team was 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 agreed and the Board has now approved naming the Board of Education Police Department Annex in honor of former Board of Education Member Larry Lower. Mr. Lower who 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 was first read into the record at the February Regular Meeting of the Board.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DRLHKZ48F25F

Board Norms and Protocols Approved

The establishment of Board Norms and Protocols as a formally adopted document serves as a best practice for meeting governance standards, and for operation as an exemplary School Board. This document further supports Board development, clearly establishes roles and responsibilities, and reinforces the Board’s support of the Mission and Vision.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DRLHMM492F48

GSBA Legislative Positions Discussed

GSBA represents the collective resolve of the organization’s members, the 180 elected boards of education. These legislative positions determine whether GSBA supports legislation, opposes it, or remains neutral. The Governmental Operations Committee (GOC), a large group appointed by the GSBA Executive Director, holds an annual meeting in May to review the current positions and proposed changes submitted by local boards and makes its recommendations to the Delegate Assembly in June. The Board discussed legislative positions and will review for recommended changes to be officially approved during the April 8, 2026, Board meeting.  A copy of the current GSBA legislative positions is provided:
https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DRLHMV4938DA

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 8-14, 2026, has been proclaimed by the Governor of the State of Georgia as School Board Appreciation Week. The week-long observance calls attention to the contributions of local Boards of Education thanking those who serve and those who demonstrate a strong commitment to quality public education in our great state.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DRTH2S466D4B

National School Nutrition and School Breakfast Week

The Board proclaimed the week of March 2-6, 2026 be recognized as National School Nutrition and School Breakfast Week in the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System and that every citizen join us throughout the entire month of March to recognize the lasting contributions of our school nutrition staff.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DRKFG33EFC08

National School Social Worker Week

The Board proclaimed March 1-7, 2026, as National School Social Worker Week to recognize and appreciate the profound impact our School Social Workers have in our school community. School Social Workers tirelessly provide emotional support, guidance, and resources that enhance our students' academic and personal growth.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DRKFFU3EF602

Student of the Month Recognized

The Superintendent’s Student of the Month for February is Valerie Flores, a Senior at Savannah Arts Academy. Congratulations Valerie!

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DNJLUR5827B7

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=DRWLJC56C464

Policy First Reads

Policy EG – Insurance Management (Four Year Review) • No Policy Changes Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy EG. There are no changes recommended for Board Policy.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DRLHKE48DC41

Policy EGD – Liability Insurance (Four Year Review) • No Policy Changes Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy EGD. There are no changes recommended for Board Policy.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DRLHKL48DF4C

Policy KMB– Possession of Weapons By Visitors (Mid Period Review) • Policy Changes Recommended District Administration has reviewed Board Policy KMB and determined changes needed to update policy with language concerning Weapon-free and Violence-free School Safety Zone postings to align with current District Practices.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DRLHKM48DFF4

Policy MCA – Shared Services with Private Schools (Four Year Review) • No Policy Changes Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy MCA. There are no changes recommended for Board Policy.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DRLHKP48E1CA

Policy MDA – Shared Services/RESAs (Four Year Review) • No Policy Changes Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy MDA. There are no changes recommended for Board Policy.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DRLHKQ48E277

Policy MGB – School Boards Associations (Four Year Review) • No Policy Changes Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy MGB. There are no changes recommended for Board Policy.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DRLHL248F3EB

Policy MK – Educational Accreditation Agency Relations (Four Year Review) • No Policy Changes Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy MK. There are no changes recommended for Board Policy.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DRLHKR48E3F5

Policy Adopted

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.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DRLKFK51AB76

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.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DRLKFL51ACD6

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.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DRLKFN51AE5A

Other Board Actions and Updates

Purchase of Headphones Needed for GMAS Testing Approved

The Board approved a budget transfer and the purchase of headphones for GMAS Testing using RFP 24-07 Technology Products - Hardware and Software (Annual Contract) from Arey Jones Educational Solution in the amount of $115,500. The headphones will be utilized for the Georgia Milestones (GMAS) Testing for students in grades 3-8 and for high school students enrolled in English Language Arts (ELA) courses aligned with end-of-course exams. The SY26 ELA testing includes video and audio files embedded in the test items. It is essential for the students to listen and view these files to respond to the test questions effectively. The ELA assessment also includes students who are taking the test using supplemental paper materials.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DRTH4L46B065

Budget Amendment and Operating Transfer Approved for Pre-K Program

The Board approved the amendment of the General Fund (Fund 100) budgeted expenditures and Pre-K (Fund 560) budgeted revenues by $2,087,208 for the PreK Program. While Bright from the Start, administered by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, now funds Pre-K teacher salaries based on the State Salary Schedule, the allocation does not include the District’s local salary supplement. Additionally, the state allocation does not fully cover employer-paid benefit costs associated with the District’s total compensation package. To prevent a deficit fund balance in the Pre-K fund, an additional operating transfer from the General Fund is needed.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DRVHAZ4799C2

Budget Transfer Approved for Overtime

Due to ongoing bus driver and other staffing shortages, overtime expenditures have gone over originally allocated amounts, and additional overages are expected throughout the remainder of the school year. The Board approves a budget transfer to account for overtime expenditures in the Transportation Department in the amount of $2,138,256.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DNJLV95827C7

Contract Approved to Improve Network Security

The Board approved the M26758 Palo Alto Security Software and Hardware Purchase from MGT Impact Solutions, LLC with Redundant Add-Ons – State of Georgia Contract #99999-SPD-SPD0000219-0010 for a total cost of $627,319.91.

The purchase includes the renewal of software licenses and support for multiple Palo Alto Networks security tools. It also includes high-availability (HA) firewall hardware to provide fault tolerance for our Internet connections, reducing the risk and impact of a hardware or software failure on a single firewall.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DRTHSQ49A67B

ESPLOST UPDATES

Quarterly ESPLOST and Capital Improvements Update

Also at the Informal Meeting, The Board received a update on Capital Improvements and ESPLOST projects. Those updates included among others:

Windsor Forest High – Gym Addition/Demolition/Sitework – Parking Lot is complete. Landscaping and signage is in progress.

Jacob G. Smith Renovation – Cafeteria steel joist and decking is complete with enclosure work and interior renovation ongoing on schedule.

SCCPSS Athletic Complex at Islands High – Bleacher seating ready for games, Visitor’s team room/restroom building in construction.

208 Bull Street/Central Office – RFP due April 2, 2026.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DRGLPJ578748

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

Monday, March 16, 2026

REMOTE LEARNING DAY (STUDENTS)

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

HOLIDAY- St. Patrick’s Day (ALL SCHOOL STAFF AND STUDENTS)

Saturday, March 21, 2026 – 10am-2pm

NATIONAL READING MONTH AT OATLAND ISLAND

711 Sandtown Road, Savannah

Thursday, March 26, 2026 – 8am

AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETING

Whitney Administrative Complex

Thursday, March 26, 2026 10:00 AM -3:00 PM

SPRING BOARD RETREAT DAY 1

210 Technology Circle, Savannah

Thursday, March 27, 2026 8:00 AM -3:00 PM

SPRING BOARD RETREAT DAY 2

210 Technology Circle, Savannah

MARCH 30-APRIL 2, 2026

SPRING BREAK (ALL SCHOOL STAFF AND STUDENTS)

FRIDAY APRIL 3, 2026

SPRING HOLIDAY HOLIDAY FOR ALL

(ALL DISTRICT,SCHOOL STAFF AND STUDENTS)

April 8, 2026 8:30 AM

FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING

Whitney Administrative Complex

April 8, 2026

APRIL BOARD MEETING

Informal- 10:30AM Executive- 12:30PM Regular- 2:00PM

Whitney Administrative Complex