Highlights from the December 2025 Board Meeting

 

Update on Performance of Federally Identified Schools

During the Informal Meeting of the Board, an update on the performance of the District’s Federally Identified Schools was provided. The report showed that SCCPSS schools identified for Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI), Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI), and Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI) have made improvements in some areas.  All three formerly identified CSI schools – Mercer Middle, Coastal Empire Montessori, and Susie King Taylor Community School - have now been recognized as CSI Progress Schools.  Plans of support and improvement for all identified schools – those previously mentioned, plus Hubert Middle and White Bluff Elementary were detailed for the Board.https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DCNJZ34F5E4F

Attendance Boundary Changes for Eastern Corridor & Western Chatham County Tabled

The Board voted to table a recommendation on attendance boundary modifications affecting Bloomingdale Elementary School, Pooler Elementary School which will transition to the Pooler Early Learning Center, West Chatham Elementary School, West Chatham Middle School, New Hampstead K–8, Myers Middle School, and Hubert Middle School.  No formal action was taken.  https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DP7G56421588

Enmarket Arena Rental Approved for 2026 Graduations

The Board approved a contract with OVG Facilities, LLC, for rental of the Enmarket Arena for the District’s 2026 graduation ceremonies. The contract will provide for rental of the facilities from May 17, 2026, through May 21, 2026. In addition to building rental fees the following services will also be provided: house staff, security, public safety, stagehands, video & ribbon board production, production, traffic police, catering buyout, ticketing, and parking. The total estimated cost is $145,439.62.https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DP7FZB418538

Jenkins High Girl’s Flag Football Team Recognized for Playing in State Championship Game

The Jenkins High School Girls Flag Football team was recognized by the Board for advancing to play in the Division 2 Georgia High School Association (GHSA) State Championship Game in Atlanta. The team made it to the big game after winning in the semifinals with strong performances including wins by scores of 34-0 and 27-7! They fell in the championship against Greenbrier High School – but we are so proud of all these student-athletes achieved this year!

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DNJH4F46AA62

Student of the Month Recognized

The Superintendent’s Student of the Month for November is Keyonna Mitchell, a Senior at the School of Liberal Studies at Savannah High. Congratulations Keyonna!

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DNJH3S469297

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=DNJH4G46AB65

Policy First Reads

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

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DNKH97475D2D

Policy BBI – Board-Staff Relations (Four Year Review) • No Policy Language Changes Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy BBI and has determined minor grammatical/formatting changes are needed. There are no recommended changes to language.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DNKH98475E0A

Policy BCBH – Board Meeting Minutes (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy BCBH and has determined changes are needed to update language to account for committee meetings and legal requirements for recording those present at meetings.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DNKH99475EC7

Policy GANA – Infectious Diseases (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy GANA and has determined minor changes are needed to update language in Board Policy for clarity on certain provisions that would also encompass students.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DNKGHN43E830

Policy GBA – Professional Personnel Compensation Guides and Contracts (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy GBA and determined that revisions are necessary to expand on the definition of OCGA § 47-3-127, compensation related to “Acting Assignments”, and the addition of Salary Additives. Updates to the corresponding administrative regulation are also needed to accurately reflect the processes for salary additives and acting assignments.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DP8JSC4E8FF0

Board of Education Annual Calendar

The Board of Education's annual calendar of Regular Meetings was adopted for the 2026 Calendar year. The proposed calendar includes two evening meetings and is scheduled generally on the first Wednesday of every month subject to certain times of the year when holiday breaks may occur. Board meeting dates that are subject to the FY 27 Budget Adoption process will require certain additional meetings dates that will be held in accordance with the Georgia Open Meetings Act and other applicable legal requirements.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DNKGJE4406E2

Sale of Former Thunderbolt Elementary to Tybee Island Maritime Approved

The Board approved a Purchase and Sale agreement for the Thunderbolt Elementary Property to Tybee Island Maritime Academy for a sum of $1,375,000. The district closed down Thunderbolt Elementary at the end of the 2016-17 School Year and the facility has since served multiple uses for the District including as rented office space for film productions.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DP8JSZ4EA8D0

Policy Approved

Policy JCDAF: Use of Electronic Devices by Students (Mid Period Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BOE - 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 "Distraction­Free 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. Based on Board feedback, additional updates have been provided to include defined times when students in grades 9-12 may use personal electronic devices. Additional updates including the definition of Bell-to-Bell for K-8 grades and Personal Devices have been included.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DP7FR6405385

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=DP7FZY419D9E

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=DP7G3641CA5E

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=DP7G3741CB4C

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=DP7G3841CC80

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=DP7G3941CD61

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=DP7G3A41CE8D

Other Board Actions and Updates

MOU with Chatham County Commissioners Approved for Chatham Community Blueprint

The Board agreed that SCCPSS will Support Chatham County in establishing a local Violence Prevention Network to increase interaction, improve communication and information sharing between law enforcement and school officials through multidisciplinary training and implementation of community policing practices to improve school safety. The network will regularly communicate, collaborate, and consolidate knowledge for which plans are made, actions determined, and future decisions influenced. As part of the agreement, the County will reimburse SCCPSS up to $143,187 for expenditures associated with equipment and installation of badge access technology.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DP7FX4413235

Intergovernmental Agreement with City of Bloomingdale Approved for Use of Gym

The Board approved an Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Bloomingdale to allow for City directed and operated community-based use of the SCCPSS gymnasium at Bloomingdale Elementary School.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DNKGR244FEB0

ESPLOST UPDATES

Quarterly ESPLOST Update

At the Regular Meeting, Board Members were provided with a quarterly update regarding ongoing ESPLOST projects. Those updates included, but were not limited to:

• Windsor Forest High School – Gym Addition/Demolition/Site Work. Demolition Completion expected this month. Wrestling Room Addition is underway and Sitework is expected to take place January through March.
• Jacob G. Smith Elementary Renovation – in the demolition stage. There will be renovations and finish upgrades to the existing school including a new front entry and cafeteria. Expected to be completed and ready for move in Summer 2026.
• SCCPSS Athletic Complex @ Islands High School - In Progress: Additional grandstand and bleacher seating; new press box; team rooms; public restrooms. Mobilization and Silt Fencing are underway. Expected to be complete in July.

See the complete report here:

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DNKHEG4822D1

Design Services Contract for Charles Ellis Montessori Renovations Approved

The Board approved a contract with Pond & Company for Design Services for the Charles Ellis Montessori Academy Renovations project for a total Design Professional Fee of $464,500 with a $20,000 reimbursable expense cost for a total contract amount of $484,500.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DP7FYE4162AE

Pooler Renovations Design Contract Approved

The Board approved a contract with CDH Partners for Design Services for the Pooler Elementary School Renovations project for a total Design Professional Fee of $544,190 with a $20,000 reimbursable expense cost for a total contract amount of $564,190.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DP8JNJ4DFFD0

Design Contracts Approved for Two Roofing Projects

The Board approved a contract with Cogdell Mendrala Architects for Design Services for Myers Middle School Re-Roofing for a total Design Professional Fee of $188,000 with a reimbursable allotment not to exceed $2,000 to be paid out for actual costs incurred, as well as a $5,400 alternate week site visit and field reports, beyond typical biweekly visit, report, & OAC meeting for a total contract amount of $195,400.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DP7FZV419B16

The Board approved a contract with LS3P for Design Services for Woodville-Tompkins High School Roof Replacement. In addition to the lump sum fee of $237,250, a reimbursable allotment not to exceed $2,000 to be paid out for actual costs incurred, as well as $24,000 additional services that includes selective exploratory demolition and core samples, and enhanced construction administration services, for a total contract amount of $263,250.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DP7FZX419C05

Construction Manager Selected for Gamble Road Project

The Board approved the award of RFP C26-05 (ESPLOST) CMR Services for Gamble Road Projects to Reeves Young, LLC with an initial Stated Cost Limitation not to exceed $20,000,000. The contract for Construction-Manager-at-Risk Services for the Gamble Road Projects consists of a new restroom and office building; new re-fueling stations; refurbished site and parking lots; renovations to the Maintenance facilities; and new storage buildings.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DP7FR44051B1.

Staff Laptop Purchase Approved

The Board approved the refresh purchase of 1,400 HP Laptops from Arey Jones using RFP 24-07 in the amount of $1,077,454. This purchase is intended to replace outdated staff devices district-wide and will support the maintenance of the established five-year refresh cycle.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DP8JJU4D3B93

Apple iPads Purchase Approved

The Board approved the refresh purchase of 4,250 Apple iPads from Apple Education using the state approved cooperative NASPO contract 99999-SPD-T2025-0630-0001 in the amount of $1,978,774.00. The purchase of new Apple iPads will help to maintain a modern 1:1 student device ratio.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DP7FV440E69F

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

December 22, 2025- January 2, 2026

Winter Break

All Facilities will be closed in observance of the Winter Break

January 5, 2026 Staff Planning Day

No School for Students

January 6, 2026

Students Return to School

Finance Advisory Committee Meeting

January 14, 2026 – 8:30am

Whitney Administrative Complex

January Board Meeting

January 14, 2026 - Informal 10:00am; Executive 12:30pm; Regular 2:00pm

Whitney Administrative Complex