Highlights from the August 13, 2025 Board Meeting

School Opening Report   

During the Informal Meeting of the Board, a report on school opening for the 2025-26 SY was provided. Successes and challenges were detailed with an overall smooth opening reported.  See the full report here:

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DCNK8M4FBCB7

Charter School Operations and Statutory Updates 

Also at the Informal  Meeting, a report was presented to explain recent legislative changes and how they reshape charter authorization practices.  The report also highlighted how SCCPSS is adapting its oversight, evaluation, and support systems in alignment with new state standards.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DCNK8N4FBCB8

REACH Charter School Application Approved   

The Board approved REACH Public Schools for a five-year charter contract beginning in the 2026–27 school year, with the following conditions recommended by staff to guide the planning and early implementation phases of the charter term:

• Strengthen internal academic monitoring systems to ensure alignment with SCCPSS performance standards and expectations.

• Submit a detailed and time-bound Board development and training plan prior to school launch in 2026–27.

• Establish and maintain proactive collaboration with SCCPSS departments in areas such as safety, student support services and accountability.

• Closely monitor student enrollment and staffing to support stable growth and maintain program quality.

REACH Public School will enroll high school grade level students who may struggle in traditional school settings.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DK4G8M4294FA

Exchanging of the Plates

At the Regular Meeting of the Board, the traditional Exchanging of the Plates between the outgoing and incoming Teacher of the Year and Instructional Support Person of the Year took place. The outgoing Teacher of the Year Emily Graham, and outgoing Instructional Support Person of the Year Dolores Borden welcomed their successors TOTY Jennifer Hughes of Southwest Elementary School and ISPY Officer Jabari Hymon of Windsor Forest High School.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DK9QEV6900B5

Policy Adopted

Policy FGC – Bids and Quotations (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy FGC along with the supporting regulation. It has been determined changes are needed to update language and process in Board Policy and regulation for clear alignment with Georgia Public Works Construction law. Policy and Regulation language have been modified for further clarity to define this policy area specific to the procurement of professional services for facilities projects.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DJNDP636655F

Other Board Actions and Updates

Intergovernmental Agreement Approved in Support of Starbase Program

The Board approved an Intergovernmental Support Agreement with the United States Army Garrison Ft. Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield in support of the Department of Defense Starbase Youth Program. The goal of Starbase is to provide interesting ways to improve student knowledge and skills in science, technology, engineering and math. Under the terms of the agreement, the District will provide transportation services for students from participating schools to Starbase on Hunter Army Airfield and back to their schools. Transportation costs will be reimbursed by the United States.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DJNDP9366562

Superintendent’s Annual Contract as Amended Approved

The Superintendent’s annual contract as amended was presented for the Board’s review and approval at the Regular Meeting. The contract was approved and shall be effective July 1, 2025.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DJNDPB366564

MOU Approved with Savannah Music Festival for Jazz Academy and Musician Explorers

The Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Savannah Music Festival Jazz Academy and Musical Explorers for a total cost of $125,000.00. Savannah Music Festival’s Jazz Academy and Musical Explorers (SMFJA) will provide musical exploration, instruction, and experiences that are designed to stimulate student learning, cultural knowledge, and inspire creative interests in the arts.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DKBQRF6A8E0B

Special Education Staffing Contract Approved

The Board approved a contract with Epic Special Education Staffing to provide special education teachers and school psychologist services for a one-year period for a total cost of $777,470. The psychological services to students will include psychological-educational testing, observations and consultations with administrators, teachers and parents due to the vacancies we are currently unable to fill for school year 2025-2026. Services will be provided on an “as needed” basis.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DJNDPD366566

 Contract Approved to Provide High Dose Tutoring

The Board approved the sole source agreement with Ignite Reading PBC for foundational literacy tutoring services for the 2025–2026 school year at a total cost of $250,000.  Ignite Reading provides a Science of Reading-aligned, 1:1 virtual tutoring program designed to build fluency and automatic word recognition in early readers. Students who participate in this program will receive 15 minutes per day, 5 days a week of individualized instruction, delivered via a proprietary platform with certified tutors trained in structured literacy.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DJNDP436655D

Budget Transfer Approved to Fund PreK Programs

The Board approved the amendment of the General Fund (Fund 100) budgeted expenditures and Pre-K (Fund 560) budgeted revenues by $1,072,932.  Actual expenditures for the Pre-K fund exceeded actual revenues for FY25. This resulted primarily from the state Pre-K funding formula, which does not include a training and experience factor in the salary calculations. To prevent a deficit fund balance in the Pre-K fund, the additional operating transfer from the General Fund was needed.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DKBJZ44F5377

Budget Transfer Approved for School Nutrition

Based upon staff projections, the School Nutrition Program has a projected loss for fiscal year 2025. Since the School Nutrition Program does not have adequate fund balance to cover this loss, an operating transfer in the amount of $5,900,000 from the General Fund (Fund 100) to the School Nutrition Fund (Fund 600) for Fiscal Year 2025 was approved.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DK4P8463539A

Contract Approved for Purchase of Police Uniforms, Accessories, and Body Armor

The Board approved the award of Bid 25-13 Police Uniforms, Accessories and Body Armor (Annual Contract) to A-1 Uniforms, Smyrna Police Distributors, and GT Distributors, Inc., at an estimated annual cost of $1,097,652 for one (1) year with the option to renew for two (2) additional one (1) year periods.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DJNDPH36656A

ESPLOST News

Budget Transfer Approved to Fund Improvements to Savannah High Ball Fields

The Board approved the transfer of funds in the amount of $197,250 from the ESPLOST IV unallocated account to Savannah High School Baseball and Softball Field Improvements fees-architectural account.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DJNDNY366559

Budget Transfer Approved to Fund Garden City Renovation Architectural Fees

The Board approved the transfer of funds in the amount of $440,727 from Garden City ES Renovation construction account to Garden City ES Renovation fees-architectural account.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DJNDNX366558

Budget Transfer Approved to Fund 3^rd Phase Design Fees for Gamble Rd. Transportation Facility

In accordance with the master plan, Phase III will add the site and parking lots. The stated cost limitation for this phase of work is $7,700,000, and the design fee proposed is $181,700 with a $20,000 reimbursable expenses budget.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DJNDNZ36655A

Change Order Approved to Add Additional Temporary Parking at Windsor Forest High

The schedule for the demolition and removal of the existing WFHS building was extended due to the additional time needed for asbestos abatement. With the extended demolition time and subsequent delay in constructing new parking, there are fewer parking spaces than there were previously, so additional temporary parking needs to be constructed on site. The Board approved GMP change order #32 for the construction of the Windsor Forest High School Replacement School to J.E. Dunn Construction Co., Inc. in the amount $300,000 for the cost of work allowance for temporary site parking; and increased the GMP to $83,822,833.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DJNDNV366556

Construction Contract for Georgetown K8 Renovations Approved

The Board approved the GMP of $29,887,983 for RFP C25-05 CMR Services for Georgetown K-8 Renovations to J.E. Dunn Construction Company.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DKBMCX589293

Personnel Moves

There were a number of personnel changes approved at the August Board Meeting…

Timothy Cox was named Principal of Hubert Middle School.

Julian Robinson was named Chief Technology Officer in the Office of Technology and Business Systems.

Christina Madonado was named Director of Oatland Island Wildlife Center.

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

Capital Improvement Committee

Tuesday, August 19, 2025 – 2pm

Whitney Administrative Complex

Academic Excellence Committee

Wednesday, August 20, 2025 – 3:30pm

Whitney Administrative Complex

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony– CTAE Building

Thursday, August 21, 2025 - 10am

Davis, Edwards, Harris Complex

100 Priscilla D. Thomas Way, Savannah

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony– Athletic Facility and Police Annex

Thursday, August 28, 2025 – 11am

Davis, Edwards, Harris Complex

100 Priscilla D. Thomas Way, Savannah

September Board Meeting

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

3:00PM- Informal, 6:00PM- Regular

Whitney Administrative Complex