September 2, 2025 Board Brief

Attendance Update

During the Informal Meeting of the Board, a report on the district’s attendance rate and efforts to improve attendance were provided. The report showed that attendance did improve in all grade bands from the 2024 SY to the 2025 SY as measured by the percent of students absent less than 10-percent of enrolled days. The district as a whole only has 77% of students who meet that criteria and the report detailed strategies that will be used this year to improve that percentage, including a pilot program that will include six district schools.  Learn more here:

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DKRG74425ECB

GMAS Presentation

At the Regular Meeting, Board Members received an update on the district’s performance on the most recent Georgia Milestones Assessments. The District saw improved content mastery in elementary math and science, but declines in ELA and Social Studies across tested grade bands. Key Academic Strategies to build upon successes and address deficiencies were also presented.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DKXFZD418790

Cause for Applause Recognitions

At the Regular Board Meeting, the Superintendent and Board brought forward several district employees and one of our Charter Schools that have recently received recognitions including:

Michael Pendergraph – a Shop Supervisor in Transportation, Michael was named a finalist for the “2025 Garage Star” by School Transportation News.

Raymon Watson - a third-grade teacher at New Hampstead K-8 who was selected to participate in the Georgia Department of Education’s Teacher Policy Fellowship.

Tybee Island Maritime Academy - named a School of Distinction by the Association for Middle Level Education.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DKJFWH40FBE8

Student of the Month Recognized

The Superintendent’s Student of the Month for August is Nora Zeigler, a fifth-grader at White Bluff Elementary School. Nora was unable to attend the meeting so her nominator, White Bluff Teacher Renee Rabbitt, attended on Nora's behalf to pick up her certificate and gifts. Congratulations, Nora!

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DKJFWG40FBE7

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=DKJFWF40FBE6

Policy First Reads

Board Policy IFBG: Internet Acceptable Use (Mid Period Review) • No Policy Changes • Changes Recommended for Regulation only District Administration has reviewed Board Policy IFBG along with the supporting Regulation. The Regulation IFBG-R has been updated for alignment with legislation under the "Protecting Georgia's Children on Social Media Act" (SB 351).

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DKJFWK40FBEA

Policy IDFA – Equity in Sports (Mid Period Review –Changes Recommended) District Administration has reviewed Board Policy IDFA and the associated Administrative Regulation. Based on guidance from the Assistant Board Attorney (In[1]House Counsel), language modifications have been provided to ensure alignment with the Riley Gaines Act (HB 267).

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DKJFWL40FBEB

Policy LEC – Booster Organizations (Mid Period Review) • No Policy Changes • Changes Recommended for Regulation only District Administration has reviewed Board Policy LEC along with the supporting Regulation. The Regulation LEC-R has been updated based on guidance from the Assistant Board Attorney (In-House Counsel) to align language with the Riley Gaines Act (HB 267).

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DKJFWN40FBED

Other Board Actions and Updates

Real Time Teaching and Leadership Coaching Contract

The Board approved the contract to the firm of CT3 Education to provide Real Time Teaching and Leadership Coaching to the District at a total cost of $464,095 for SY 25-26. Professional development and training will be provided to select elementary, middle, K-8 and high school principals, school level and district specialists. The schools include Haven, Hodge, Gadsden and Butler Elementary Schools; Hubert and DeRenne Middle Schools; and Groves and Beach High Schools. Additionally, district leaders (School Support Officers and Network Superintendents) will receive leadership professional development on the provided training to principals.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DKVQFF6917E7

LLC Curriculum and Learning Tools Contract Approved

The Board approved the sole source contract with Everway (formerly n2y, LLC) for a one-year period at the estimated cost of $159,785.75 for the school year 2025-2026. Everway Curriculum & Learning Tools provide technology-forward, age-appropriate curriculum and support materials for students with unique learning challenges and the educators who support them.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DKJFXL40FC0B

Gym Floor Finishing and Rescreening Contract

The Board approved the award of Bid 26-03 Gymnasium Floor Screening and Refinishing Services (Annual Contract), for a twelve-month period with the option to renew for two (2) additional twelve-month periods to FloorCare Specialists, Inc. dba GameDay Floors at a total estimated cost of $511,514.37. The vendor will provide “as needed” screening and refinishing services for gymnasium flooring District-wide. The Department of Athletics intends to have all gymnasium floors screened on an annual basis, with at least one (1) school being refinished on a rotated annual basis – with high schools being the priority.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DKJFXG40FC07

Jump Start Program MOA Approved

The Board approved a Memorandum of Agreement to enter into partnership with the City of Savannah Jump Start Programs. The District agrees to provide opportunities to schedule information and recruitment sessions at various high schools to expose students to the City of Savannah’s Jump Start programs at the city resource centers located at Pennsylvania Avenue Resource Center and Moses Jackson Advancement Center.  Jumpstart Programs provide training in the following areas with no cost to participants:

• Certified Kitchen Cook Program

• Fast Track Manufacturing Program

• Clinical Development Associate Program

• Certified Nursing Assistant Program

City of Savannah agrees to provide materials (flyers, brochures, and program guidelines) for the program; provide CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) scholarships to cover program costs; provide program transportation for offsite visits, facility tours, etc.; provide soft skills training to participants that focus on personal traits behaviors and thinking skills; and to provide a myriad of support services to include counseling, educational support, and access to community resources.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DKJFXJ40FC09

Bus Purchase Approved

The Board approvde the use of Statewide Contract 99999-SPD-SWL20200630-001 for the purchase of 5 (5) 84 passenger and four (4) 28 passenger buses at a total cost of $1,773,640.00. This purchase ensures the replacement of aging, high-cost vehicles with new, more fuel-efficient, lower-maintenance buses.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DKVQSW6AC32B

ESPLOST News

Quarterly ESPLOST Update Provided

At the Regular Meeting, the Board received the quarterly on ESPLOST projects currently underway or in the planning stages. Those updates included but are not limited to:

·       Continued work on Windsor Forest High where Gymnasium Renovations; the Addition of a Weight Room; Parking and Site work are underway.

·       West Chatham HS, K-8, Athletic Complex • Shortlist – October Board Award • Site – Wetland Delineation Report in progress

·       208 Bull Street • Abatement Survey Completed • Historic and Programmatic Input • Staff Relocations Ongoing

See the complete report here:

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DKJFYB40FC22

Personnel Moves

There was a personnel change approved at the September Board Meeting…

George Washington was named Assistant Chief of Police for BOEPD.

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

Superintendent-Board Retreat

Tuesday, September 23, 2025 - 8:00AM -4:00PM

Campus Police Annex

101 Priscilla D. Thomas Way,

Garden City, GA

Superintendent-Board Retreat

Wednesday, September 24, 2025 - 8:00AM -4:00PM

Campus Police Annex

101 Priscilla D. Thomas Way,

Garden City, GA