Savannah Chatham County Public School System (SCCPS) Update:
- Attendance improved across all grade bands with aims to increase the 77% of students meeting absence criteria through new strategies this year.
- The latest Georgia Milestones Assessments showed progress in elementary math and science while declines occurred in ELA and Social Studies.
- Nora Zeigler, a fifth-grader at White Bluff Elementary School, was recognized as the Superintendent’s Student of the Month.
- Partnership with the City of Savannah will enhance student opportunities through Jump Start Programs at various high schools.
- The Board approved a purchase of new buses to replace aging vehicles, ensuring improved fuel efficiency and lower maintenance costs.
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
Read more on the official SCCPSS website
