Highlights from the November 2025 Board Meeting

Choice Programs Update

During the Informal Meeting of the Board, an update on the district’s Choice program application process for the 2026-27 SY was provided. A student support framework being developed to assist students who may be struggling in the program was also discussed. It will be designed to be guided by two key principles: ensuring consistency across all schools and prioritizing continued enrollment decisions that considers the best interests of each student’s academic success.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DM8PWF6697E8

Transportation Update

Also at the Informal Meeting, Board Members received a report on the district’s Transportation Program. That report showed that there has been great progress in on-time arrivals for students – a key performance indicator for the department. On-time arrivals rose to 77.4% in the last school year from a starting metric of only 68%. In the week ending October 7^th this year – the on-time or early arrival percentage was 83%.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DM8PYB66DFC2

Choice Shuttle Pilot Proposal

A pilot program designed to try to provide increased access to Choice Programs for our families was also detailed for Board Members at the Informal Meeting. The proposal is to Pilot a shuttle program with designated pick-up and drop-off locations at local businesses and school sites to give families a safe, convenient place to meet the bus. The pilot schools would be Charles Ellis Montessori and Garrison School for the Arts due to their wide grade span that includes younger students with limited transportation options. The Pilot, which Transportation hopes to conduct in the fall semester next school year, would involve just over 1100 students and 20 buses. If the program is deemed a success – it could be expanded in future school years. Learn more about the proposal here:

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DM8PWW66AB99

American Education Week Proclamation

The Board proclaimed the week of November 17-21, 2025, be the 103rd Annual Observance of American Education Week in the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System and all throughout Chatham County. The proclamation highlights our public education systems as the backbone of our great nation, providing young people with the tools they need to maintain our precious values of freedom, civility, and equality. SCCPSS Teacher of the Year Jennifer Hughes received the proclamation.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DMBGPH44C545

Retired Educator’s Day Proclamation

The Board proclaimed November 2nd, 2025, as declared by the Governor of the State of Georgia, be recognized as Retired Educators’ Day in the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System and that every citizen join us throughout the entire month of November to recognize the lasting contributions of retired educators.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DMBGPR44CE7B

Student of the Month Recognized

The Superintendent’s Student of the Month for October is Sulamita Cinto Pineda, a sixth grader at West Chatham Middle School. Congratulations Sulamita!

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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.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DM9NDW5F5CB1

Policy First Reads

Policy BBFA – Local School Councils (Four Year Review) • Policy Changes Recommended Pursuant to Board Policy BDE - Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy BBFA and has determined changes are needed to provide a greater understanding of the role of School Council as set by law. Additional revisions have been provided to clarify council input when a school principal vacancy arises.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DM9NDY5F5CB3

Policy EBB – Safety (Mid-Period Review) District Administration has reviewed Board Policy EBB – Safety and has updated language to include requirements for student and staff eye protection during certain courses of instruction. Language has also been updated to align with current emergency management best practices. References for emergency drills have been deleted and included in the appropriate Board policy section EBBC: Emergency Drills.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DM9NDZ5F5CB4

Policy EBBC – Emergency Drills (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE - Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy EBBC and provided updates to the policy and the regulation. Language that references emergency drills that was previously included under Board Policy “Safety” is now included in Emergency Drills-EBBC. Appropriate references to statutory requirements have also been added.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DMUGBS430E37

Policy JCAB – Interviews and Searches of Students (Mid Period Review) • No Policy Changes • Changes Recommended for Regulation only District Administration has reviewed Board Policy JCAB along with the supporting regulation. There are no changes that are recommended for Board Policy. The regulation JCAB-R has been updated with improved language to clarify the role of a law enforcement official during an administrative search.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DMUGBT430EDD

Policy JCDAF: Use of Electronic Devices by Students (Mid Period Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE - Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy JCDAF and provided updates to the policy and the regulation. The updates have been provided based on the requirements of HB 340 "Distraction[1]Free Education Act" that requires policy revisions to be adopted by January 1, 2026, in alignment with new statutory requirements for student use of personal electronic devices.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DMUGDK43475D

Policy GA – General Personnel (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy GA along with the supporting regulation and has determined changes are needed. Language has been updated to clearly state factors of ineligibility for employment with the District and requirements for pre-employment screenings for those seeking temporary employment. Additional revisions for title updates have been provided and references using “gender” have been applied where appropriate.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DMWLPQ578DE9

Policy GAMB – Possession of Weapon by Employees (Mid Period Review – Changes Recommended) District Administration has reviewed Board Policy GAMB and has determined an update is required to include language that makes clear the allowance of awarding a police officer’s firearm and badge in accordance with O.C.G.A. 35-1-20.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DMXNNT60CBA3

Policy Approved

Policy GARH – Employee Leaves and Absences (Mid Period Review – Changes Recommended) District Administration has reviewed Board Policy GARH and has determined changes are required to clarify when appropriate paid leave is applied for staff serving as a juror or witness. Additional revisions were provided to align with the statutory requirements of the Georgia Supporting Living Donor Educators Act (HB 235).

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DMHHAF478B4E

Other Board Actions and Updates

World Language Readiness Grant Approved

The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) has awarded SCCPSS a 2025 $500,000 DoDEA grant to implement a World Language Advancement and Readiness Program at Pulaski K-8 School. The World Language Advancement and Readiness program will focus on professional development, curriculum acquisition, and instructional support. Expected outcomes include measurable growth in literacy and language proficiency, students earning high school credit in Spanish, and progress toward the Global Seal of Biliteracy by the end of 8th grade.  The DoDEA grant funds are to be spent over the course of a five-year (5) performance period effective 09/30/2025 to 5/31/2030.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DMBHJZ48CB19

Purchase of Programs to Assist ELL Students Approved

The Board approved two contracts for programs to assist English Language Learners. The first in the amount of $123,500 for Lexia Learning Systems. Lexia English targets listening and speaking skills, two of the most challenging areas for ELLs. Lessons are centered on listening comprehension and oral expression, offering repeated practice in hearing fluent English models and responding appropriately.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DMUGGL43C312

Another contract in the amount of $143,452.20 to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) for the Language Launch/English 3D program. Language Launch/English 3D is an explicit and interactive English Language Development curriculum designed by Dr. Kate Kinsella. The program is designed for all English Learners, including long-term English Learners, advanced language learner and English language development students.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DMUGGN43C4A2

Financial Assessment and Consulting Contract Approved

The Board approved a contract with the firm of Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) Public Sector Services, LLC to provide professional financial assessment consulting services at a total cost of $1,360,000. Engaging A&M to provide financial leadership, project management, execution, and change management support will help drive the planning, implementation, and sustained improvements to financial systems and processes, without interrupting the finance team’s support of day-to-day operations.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DMWK4J500E21

Gym/Weight Room Equipment Contract Approved

The Board approved the award of Bid 26-04 Gymnasium/Weight Room Equipment (Annual Contract), to the firms of Fitness Superstore, Inc.; School Health Corporation; and Varsity Brands, Inc. dba BSN Sports LLC for an initial twelve-month period with the option to renew for two (2) additional twelve-month periods at a total award cost of $499,591.25. The vendors will provide “as needed” gymnasium/weight room equipment District-wide.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DMBHKN48E4F7

Safety Netting Approved for Windsor Forest High School Football Field

The Board approved the purchase of the Storm Guard Football Safety Netting System and Installation for the Windsor Forest High School Football Field (Sole Source) to provide a safety mechanism to protect spectators, property, and players from errant sporting projectiles such as footballs, that may travel beyond school property. This is particularly important due to the vicinity of athletic fields near surrounding neighborhoods. As an added benefit, Storm Guard Football Netting System is the first and only netting system designed and engineered to respond to extreme weather conditions. The "break-away" design, allows the netting to release in high winds (around \(70\) mph) to prevent the net and poles from being damaged, then be easily reset after the weather conditions subside. Total Cost for Football Safety Netting System, Installation and Stamped/Sealed drawings and calculations by a licensed professional engineer for Football Safety Netting System with Ground Sleeve Insert is $103,490.49 and will be paid for out of ESPLOST IV funds.

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Personnel Moves

Kevin Railey was named Center Leader for Building Bridges Middle School.

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

Staff Planning Day

Monday, November 10, 2025

No School for Students

 

Veterans Day

Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Holiday for All District Staff, School Staff and Students

Finance Committee Meeting

Wednesday, November 12, 2025 – 9am

Whitney Administrative Complex

Capital Improvement Committee Meeting

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 – 2pm

Whitney Administrative Complex

Academic Excellence Committee Meeting

Wednesday, November 19, 2025 – 2pm

Whitney Administrative Complex

Thanksgiving Break

School Staff and Students

Monday, November 24, 2025- Friday, November 28, 2025

Thanksgiving Break

Holiday for All

November 26, 2025-November 28, 2025

All District Facilities will be closed in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday