Highlights from the February 5, 2025 Board Meeting

February 5, 2025

Updated February 5, 2025 5:01 PM

Highlights from the February 5, 2025 Board Meeting

Georgia HB 581 Update

At the Informal Meeting of the Board, a report on Georgia House Bill 581 was presented. Otherwise known as the “Save Our Homes Act”, the bill aims to provide tax relief to homeowners. It was passed in the 2024 session due to the Legislature’s concern about rising property value assessment and property tax. The bill provides for a statewide floating homestead exemption and limits annual property tax assessment increases to the rate of inflation. Taxing entities may opt out, as long as they do so by March 1st of this year. Due to the fact that Chatham County residents already have an exemption in place provide by the Stephens-Day bill, and uncertainty about the effects of HB 581 on future funding, SCCPSS intends to opt out. A series of public hearings was announced to allow public input. Learn more here:

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DDDMM75BDF64

2025-26 Academic Calendar Approved

The Board approved the Academic Calendar for next school year. The calendar includes 180 instructional days, 10 staff planning days, 5 pre-planning days, 2 post-planning days, strategic use of Remote-Learning Days (includes election day), an extended October fall break (4-day weekend) for students and school staff, one-week Thanksgiving break, two-week winter break, one-week spring break, and accounts for St. Patrick’s Day. Major breaks are scheduled at the conclusion of winter assessments and in advance of spring assessments. Find the calendar here:

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DDBFKH3F7FA9

Student of the Month Recognized

The Superintendent’s Student of the Month for January is David Rall, a Senior at Savannah Arts Academy. Congratulations, David!

Student of the Month shakes hands with Board President Roger Moss

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DCNKJ651E5BC

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=DCNKJ751E5BD

National School Counseling Week Proclamation

The Board proclaimed February 3-7, 2025 National School Counseling Week to recognize school counselors who are actively committed to helping students explore their abilities, strengths, interests, and talents as these traits relate to career awareness and their ongoing academic development.

SCCPSS Counselors show off their Proclamation outside the Board Meeting room

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DDBFKJ3F8146

National CTAE Week Proclamation

The Board proclaimed the month of February as National CTAE Month as a way to urge all citizens to become familiar with the services and benefits offered by Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education programs in our community.

Dr. Angie Lewis walks the dais after accepting proclamation for CTAE Month.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DDKQVM6B2B10

Policy First Reads

Policy BBA – Board Officers (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy BBA and has determined changes are needed to update language and process in Board Policy for alignment with recent policy updates in Board Policy BBAA: Board Officer Method of Election that was reviewed in December 2024.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DCNKJA51E5C0

Policy JGCD – Medication (Mid Period Review ) • No Policy Changes • Regulation Changes Recommended District Administration has reviewed Board Policy JGCD along with the supporting Regulation JGCD-R. Staff review of the medication audit process revealed a need to include language on this topic in the Administrative Regulation. An additional update to include a reference to asthma medication “Albuterol” was needed.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DCNKJG51E5C6

Policy GBRJ – Arrangement for Substitutes (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy GBRJ and has determined changes are needed to update language and titles in Board Policy. Policy language has been updated to reflect coverage plans in the event a qualified substitute is not available.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DDEHH248834A

Policy Adopted

Policy DCA – Fiscal Goals and Objectives (Four Year Review – Changes Recommended) Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy DCA and has determined changes are needed for clarity and improved language, including specific references for compliance with Georgia Department of Education Reporting requirements.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DCNKJC51E5C2

Other Board Actions and Updates

Budget Transfer for Academic Supplement Plan Approved

The Board approved a budget transfer in the amount of $924,155 for the FY25 Academic Supplement Plan. The Academic Supplement Plan supports the District’s goals to provide competitive compensation, promote equity, and support retention and recruitment initiatives by providing supplemental academic pay for the extra time and work contributions of teacher/staff leaders who serve in one of the nine lead positions that exist at each school. These academic supplements apply to specific priority academic roles that provide work duties beyond regular job-related responsibilities including positions such as Grade Chairs, Department Heads, ESOL Coordinators, RTI and Testing Coordinators, Social Media/Website/Newspaper, Yearbook, and Band and Choral Directors. The Academic Supplement Roles administrative guidebook outlines additional duties eligible for supplements.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DCNKK551E5DB

ESPLOST News

CMR Services Contract Approved for Georgetown K8 Renovations

The Board approved the award of RFP C25-05 (ESPLOST) Construction Manager at Risk (CMR) Services for Georgetown K-8 Renovations to JE Dunn Construction Co., Inc. with an initial Stated Cost Limitation of $25,000,000.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DCNKKH51E5E7

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

Audit Committee Meeting

Thursday, February 6, 2025 – 8am