Savannah-Chatham County Public School System
Highlights from the March 5, 2025 Board Meeting
![Highlights from the March 5, 2025 Board Meeting]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1741222272/spsccpsscom/f6zcnhnlywzik2hiapc3/MARCH2025BOARDMEETING-4.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1741222272/spsccpsscom/f6zcnhnlywzik2hiapc3/MARCH2025BOARDMEETING-4.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1741222272/spsccpsscom/f6zcnhnlywzik2hiapc3/MARCH2025BOARDMEETING-4.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1741222272/spsccpsscom/f6zcnhnlywzik2hiapc3/MARCH2025BOARDMEETING-4.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1741222272/spsccpsscom/f6zcnhnlywzik2hiapc3/MARCH2025BOARDMEETING-4.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1741222272/spsccpsscom/f6zcnhnlywzik2hiapc3/MARCH2025BOARDMEETING-4.jpg","width":2200}])
Highlights from the March 5, 2025 Board Meeting
Sheila Blanco
Summer Learning Update
At the Informal Meeting of the Board, a report on plans for Summer Learning 2025 was presented. The district will offer a wide range of summer programming to support students who need additional academic support, expand opportunities for enrichment and real-world opportunities, ensure students stay on track for success in the upcoming school year, and increase access through expansion of opportunities. More information on summer enrichment opportunities will be shared with families in early April. Read the full report here:
https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DCNJZC4F625B
Teacher Vacancies and Employee Retention
The Board also received a report on teacher vacancies and employee retention at the Informal Meeting. The report showed the number of vacancies has been reduced from 180 in August, to 149 in January. Key strategies for recruiting and retaining employees were also shared. See the full report here:
https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DDSNEY5FA584
Student of the Month Recognized
The Superintendent’s Student of the Month for February is Elizabeth Pilar-Hernandez, a Senior at the School of Liberal Studies at Savannah High. Congratulations, Elizabeth!
https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DDSN5P5E20FC
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=DDSN5R5E20FE
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 10-14, 2025 has been proclaimed by the Governor 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. SCCPSS Cabinet Members presented certificates of appreciation to Board Members.
https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DDSN5S5E20FF
National School Social Workers Week
The Board proclaimed March 2-8, 2025, 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=DDSN5V5E2102
National School Nutrition Month
The Board proclaimed the week of March 3rd – 7th , 2025 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. School Nutrition staff also received recognition for having a Marshpoint Elementary lunch tray win GaDOE’s Tray of the Week competition last month!
https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DDSN5U5E2101
AP Honors School Principals Recognized
Principals from seven SCCPSS high schools were also recognized for their schools having been named AP Honors Schools last week based on 2023-24 SY AP scores. Congratulations to all!
Policy First Reads
Policy BHA – Board Conflict of Interest
No Policy Changes Pursuant to Board Policy BHA- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy BHA. There are no changes recommended for Board Policy.
https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DDSN7R5E4F37
Policy BBBD – Bonded Members (Four Year Review) • No Policy Changes Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy BBBD. There are no changes recommended for Board Policy.
https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DDSN7U5E504B
Policy Adopted
Policy BBA – Board Officers (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy BBA and has determined changes are needed to update language and process in Board Policy for alignment with recent policy updates in Board Policy BBAA: Board Officer Method of Election that was reviewed in December 2024.
https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DE7HV64961D0
Policy GBRJ – Arrangement for Substitutes (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy GBRJ and has determined changes are needed to update language and titles in Board Policy. Policy language has been updated to reflect coverage plans in the event a qualified substitute is not available.
https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DE7HV74962C4
Other Board Actions and Updates
Name Proposed for New Bloomingdale Elementary Gymnasium
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 for first read to the Board. The Committee proposes that the Gymnasium be named in recognition of the contributions of former educator Dr. Ronald Wayne Bland – a former Public School Teacher and Administrator, as well as a public servant to the Bloomingdale community as both a Fire Chief and City Councilmen. The name is expected to be voted on by the Board at the April meeting.
https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DDSN875E7DF8
Attendance Audit Approved
The results of an Audit of Student Attendance to evaluate the risks within the District’s processes relating to monitoring student attendance and addressing absenteeism was approved by the Board. The Internal Audit Department determined an overall rating of the audit as Needs Improvement, with risks identified in the following areas: • Implementation of Attendance Procedures • Documentation of Procedures for Monitoring Student Attendance • Identifying Factors that Contribute to Student Absences. Read the full report here:
https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DE7HV84963D8
Vocational Construction Grant Approved
The Georgia Department of Education has awarded Savannah-Chatham County Schools $660,000 for fiscal year 2025 Georgia State Financing & Investment Commission (GSFIC) Vocational Construction Equipment grant. The Division of Finance requests the Board to approve the adjustment of the budget to match the grant for both expenditures and revenues.
https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DDSN755E212A
ESPLOST News
Quarterly ESPLOST Projects Update
A report was presented to the Board regarding ongoing ESPLOST projects. Included in the report were updates on:
Windsor Forest High School – Ceilings, casework, floor and wall finishes are underway. Work is beginning on the multipurpose field. The school is expected to be finished in time for the start of next school year.
Bloomingdale Elementary School – Exterior enclosure and building finishes are underway. It is also expected to be ready in time for the start of the 2025-26 SY.
Davis-Edwards-Harris Athletic Fields and Fieldhouse – The baseball/softball field is undergoing inspections, and the Fieldhouse/Concessions are in progress. All are expected to be finished by July.
For more on ESPLOST projects currently underway, view the full report here:
https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DDSN6Z5E2126
Personnel Moves
David Gay has been named Captain, Director of Training for the BOE Campus Police Department.
UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS
Staff Planning Day/No School for Students
Friday, March 14, 2025
School-Based Staff/Student Holiday
Monday, March 17, 2025
Board Accountability Committee Meeting
Wednesday, March 25, 2025 – 3:30pm
Whitney Administrative Complex
Audit Committee Meeting
Thursday, March 27, 2025 – 8am
Whitney Administrative Complex
Spring Break for School-Based Staff/Students
March 31-April 4, 2025
E-Learning Day
Monday, April 7, 2025
April Informal Board Meeting
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 – 11am
Whitney Administrative Complex
April Regular Board Meeting
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 – 2pm
Whitney Administrative Complex