Highlights from the July 9, 2025 Board Meeting

ESPLOST V Budget Approved

The Board adopted the multi-year ESPLOST V budget of $821,600,000 including nearly $800,000,000 in construction funds, $14,000,000 for safety and security, $20,000,000 for Capital Project Administration, $7,516,000 for Charter Schools, $20,000,000 for technology, and $30,000,000 for a contingency fund.

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NWEA MAP Growth and Professional Learning Contract Approved

The Board approved the three-year districtwide purchase of NWEA MAP Growth and professional learning services for fiscal years 2026 through 2028. The total contract expenditure will be $1,385,300. NWEA MAP Growth is a nationally normed, research-based, computer adaptive interim assessment solution that measures student achievement and growth in reading, language usage, and mathematics, with optional add-ons for science. This purchase supports teachers and school leaders with actionable data to inform instruction and monitor student progress throughout the year.

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iReady Subscription Renewal Approved

The Board approved contract renewal sole source purchase of the iReady License Subscription and Professional Development for districtwide Elementary and Middle Schools (K-8^th Grade) for a total cost of $612,909.00.  The renewal cost for the District is a reduction in cost from the current two-year contract expenditure of $2,348,660 to $612,909 for a one year contract. Services included in the contract are the iReady assessment and personalized instruction for math and reading, as well as the iReady Partners Implementation Support and Professional Development.

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Agreement Approved with City of Savannah for Operation of Jenkins High Pool

Under the terms of the agreement, the City of Savannah will assume responsibility for daily operation, supervision, water quality, and security for the pool subject to renewal every 30 days. The contract term will expire and not be renewed beyond three (3) years of the Effective Date. through August 4, 2025. The District will continue to manage major and routine maintenance and cover the cost of utilities and insurance. This collaborative partnership allows for continued community use of the pool during the summer months while the District continues to evaluate the best options for optimal use and long-range operation of the Jenkins pool facility.

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Swimming Pool Maintenance Contract Renewed

On July 10, 2024, the Board approved the award of RFP 24-57 Swimming Pool Maintenance Services (Annual Contract) to Aquatic Management, Inc. (Cumming, Georgia). The initial contract period was for one (1) year with the option to renew for two (2) additional one-year periods. The Board approved exercising the first one year renewal at a total cost of $778,340, which includes funds to support necessary repairs to the Brock and Haven pools and to maintain District pools while further exploration is conducted to determine a sustainable long-term solution for operation.

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Legal Updates

At the Informal Meeting, the Board received an update on Legal Matters from In-House Counsel Brian Dennison. The update included a look at recent Supreme Court decisions related to education, as well as new laws that will have impacts on the district moving forward.

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Policy First Reads

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.

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Policy Adopted 

Policy BBD – Board-School Superintendent Relations (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy BBD and language has been included by recommendation of the Board attorney.

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Policy FEB – Educational Specifications (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended)Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy FEB and has determined changes are needed for expanded language to add clarity and to align with updates in State Board of Education Rule 160-5-4-.15.

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Policy GBRB – Professional Personnel Time Schedules (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended)Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy GBRB along with the supporting regulation and has determined changes are needed to include remote work guidance for employees and to include updates regarding time and attendance procedures.

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Policy JBA – Compulsory Attendance Ages (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended)Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy JBA and has determined changes are needed for alignment with definitions contained in State Board of Education Rule and to define protocols that support improved student attendance strategies including remote and recovery options. Additional revisions were provided for refined policy language that moved certain components to the administrative regulation.

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Other Board Actions and Updates

Instructional Coaching Contracts Approved                                                                           The Board approved a contract with Level Data of Boston, Massachusetts to provide leadership and instructional coaching at a cost of $231,086 for SY 25-26. Grow enhances instructional coaching by replacing disconnected tools so coaches can better support the skills of new and alternatively certified teachers. Through data-driven insights that monitor progress and encourage continuous improvement, Grow helps ensure that professional development initiatives and instructional frameworks are implemented effectively so both teachers and students reach their fullest potential.

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The Board approved a contract with Relay Graduate School of Education of New York, New York to provide leadership and instructional coaching at a cost of $196,700.00 for SY 25-26. This professional development solution will support those who coach teachers and leaders (principals) and will be essential for leaders (school support officers and network superintendents) responsible for building the system that supports leaders and teachers to achieve instructional and cultural excellence. Professional development and training will be provided to all elementary, middle, K-8 and high school principals, and school level and district specialists. 

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Islands High Athletic Fields Expansion Contract Approved

The Board approved a contract with Dabbs-Williams General Contractors, LLC for the Islands High School Athletic Field Expansion at a total cost of $4,524,000.

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ESPLOST News

Hubert Renovation Design Change Order Approved

The Board approved professional service agreement change order #03 to Greenline Architecture in the total amount of $200,000 for providing additional design services for Hubert Middle School. Included in this additional scope is a maintenance building for sports fields; greenhouse for AG Lab; site improvements for new sports fields; civil engineering for outdoor learning areas; further interior renovations; and phasing plans for construction.

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Contract Approved for Design Work on New Gamble Road Gas Station

The Board approved the design fee of $140,720 to Goodwin Mills Cawood, LLC for design services for the new gas station at the Gamble Road Maintenance and Transportation site. This phase will replace aging underground gas tanks and upgrade an outdated fuel dispensing system; expand the service capacity for both buses and other Board vehicles; and will allow the district to add parking spaces and improve safety by revamping vehicular circulation.

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Classroom Audio And Camera Communication Systems Budget Transfer Approved

The Board approved a budget transfer in the amount of $4,772,000 to complete the audio enhancement systems integration project which includes upgrades to the intercom, classroom communications, and classroom audio-visual systems district-wide.

Highlights of the system include:

• Enhanced classroom audio systems for improved student engagement and reduces

teacher fatigue

• School Intercom Systems

• EduCams (camera systems) is included in classrooms for enhanced learning and provides

professional development for staff and contains certain security support mechanisms

• Integrates current safety systems to create redundancies and fail-safe frameworks in schools

such as access control, vape detection, and emergency response buttons

• Includes SAFE (Signal Alert for Education) System™

- SAFE is an alert notification system designed to work with Audio Enhancement's classroom systems allowing a teacher wearing their microphone to discreetly signal for help in the event of an emergency.

This work will be completed under RFP 25-26 – Multimedia Classroom Presentation Systems and Learning Commons Audio Visual (Annual Contract) awarded to NetPlanner Systems, Inc. The schools receiving the last phase of audio enhancement are Southwest ES, Southwest MS, West Chatham ES, West Chatham MS, Stem Academy at Bartlett, SCELA, Hopkins Swing Site, Woodville Lower, Oatland Island Wildlife Center and Pooler ES. 

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Islands High HVAC Replacement Contract Approved

The Board approved a contract with Mock Plumbing & Mechanical, Inc. for the Islands High School HVAC Replacement at a total cost of $10,795,250.

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Personnel Moves

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

Timothy Cox was named Acting Principal of Hubert Middle School.

Shomari Gilford was named Acting Principal of The School of Liberal Studies at Savannah High.

Patrice Prince was named Acting Principal of Charles Ellis Montessori School.

Tyiesha Oliver was named Principal of Haven Elementary School.

Angela Stephens was named School Support Officer in the Office of School Leadership.

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony-The Early Learning Center at Formey

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Henderson E. Formey, 400 E. Broad Street, Savannah, GA

10:30AM - 11:30AM

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony- Bloomingdale Elementary School

Friday, August 1, 2025

101 East Main Street, Bloomingdale, GA

10:30AM-11:30AM

First Day of School (Welcome Back)

August 4, 2025 

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony – Davis-Edwards-Harris Athletic Facility/Police Annex

Thursday, August 7, 2025

100 Priscilla D. Thomas Way, Savannah, GA 31408

10:30 M -11:30AM

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony- Windsor Forest High School

Friday, August 8, 2025

12419 Largo Drive, Savannah, GA 31401

3:30PM – 4:30PM

August Regular Board Meeting

Wednesday, August 13, 2025

Whitney Administrative Complex, 2 Laura Avenue, Savannah, GA 31401