Savannah Chatham County Public School System (SCCPS) Update:
- 3rd Grade Reading performance declined; Board reviewed causes and presented district literacy improvement strategies for the school year and beyond.
- Student Discipline Report showed fewer suspensions; student incivility, fighting, and disorderly conduct remain top referral categories; improvement strategies outlined.
- Long Range Facilities Plan update included timelines, potential redistricting on East and West, and efforts to resolve transportation and underutilized facilities.
- Coastal Empire Montessori Charter School renewal approved on a two-year probationary term with annual performance benchmarks required.
- Legislative Priorities for 2026 approved: increased Pre-K funding, revised enrollment age, QBE funding review, and expanded ESPLOST flexibility.
3rd Grade Reading Report
During the Informal Meeting of the Board, a report on the district’s 3rd Grade Reading performance as measured in the latest GMAS assessments was presented. The report showed the percent of students reading on grade level in SY 2025 dropped 5 percent from the previous year to 53%, falling behind both the comparison group and state. The report went on to detail planned strategies to improve literacy in this school year and beyond. Learn more here:
https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DCNK7Z4FB81E
Student Discipline Report
Also at the Informal Meeting, Board Members received a report on discipline in the district over the past year. The report showed the district’s Weighted Suspension Rate in SY 2025 for students in grades 6-12 was 18.90, a decrease of 2.5 points from SY 2024. Overall, Student Incivility had the highest number of referrals in the district. Fighting and Disorderly Conduct referrals were among the top five referrals for the district as well as students in grades 6-12. District leadership outlined strategies for improving student discipline. Learn more here:
https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DL8G95423FC5
Long Range Facilities Plan Update
An update on the District’s Long Range Facilities Plan was also presented at the Informal Meeting. The presentation included updates on timelines and plans for a multitude of SCCPSS schools and facilities, as well as information on potential redistricting on both the East and West sides of the district. Boundary changes are being explored to resolve some transportation issues and help balance populations at some underutilized facilities.
https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DLTRJU6E46CA
Coastal Empire Montessori Charter Renewed for Two-Year Probationary Term
Coastal Empire Montessori Charter School (CEMCS) submitted a charter renewal petition for a term beginning in the 2026–27 school year. After a comprehensive review of the petition, contract, supporting documentation, and state performance data over time, the SCCPSS Charter Review Committee recommended and the Board approved that CEMCS be renewed on a two-year probationary term rather than the standard five-year renewal. As a condition of the two-year probationary renewal term, CEMCS must achieve a number of benchmarks annually. Learn more here:
https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DL8JGJ4D1DC7
Legislative Priorities
Also at the Regular Meeting, the Board approved a set of Legislative Priorities for the 2026 Legislative Session. Those include:
- urging legislators to provide increased appropriations for support of Pre-K programs to set students up for educational success.
- urging legislators to modify age requirements to require school enrollment before first grade and to keep students in school through their 17th birthday.
- urging the General Assembly to continue the work of the Senate Study Committee to Review Educational Funding Mechanisms (the Quality Basic Education (QBE) Funding Formula) and expand the use of ESPLOST to provide flexibility and address changing market conditions.
Learn more here:
https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DLTJWK4F2EE0
National School Lunch Week Proclamation
In recognition of the importance of the SCCPSS School Nutrition Program and the dedicated employees who work tirelessly to provide healthy meals to the students of our great school system, the Board proclaimed the week of October 13-17, 2025 as National School Lunch Week.
https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DL8K7P50845C
School Bus Safety and Transportation Week Proclamation
In recognition of the importance of the SCCPSS transportation workers who travel millions of miles every year and who work tirelessly to provide safe transportation to the students of our great school system, the Board proclaimed the week of October 20-24, 2025, be observed as School Bus Safety and Transportation Appreciation Week.
https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DL8K8250913F
Custodial Workers Day Proclamation
In recognition of the importance of the SCCPSS Custodial Staff and the dedicated employees who, for the health and safety of all, work daily to ensure staff and students have clean and safe work and instructional environments, the Board recognizes and supports the nationally recognized date of October 2, 2025, as National Custodial Workers Recognition Day.
https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DL8K89509974
National School Principals Month Proclamation
Each October, we proudly join the American Federation of School Administrators, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, and the National Association of Secondary School Principals in celebrating National School Principals Month. This month-long tribute shines a spotlight on the unwavering dedication of school leaders who champion high-quality principalship and shape the future of education.
https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DL8K8Y50AEB0
Cause for Applause Recognitions
At the Regular Board Meeting, the Superintendent and Board brought forward several district employees and school representatives that have recently received recognitions including:
Executive Assistant to the Board Tamika Edwards and Executive Assistant to the Superintendent Michelle Finch-Wirth were both recognized for having recently completed their Administrative Professional Certification.
The Principal of Coastal Middle School Paul Sidney, and the Principal of the STEM Academy at Bartlett Middle School Lydia Taylor were each recognized for their school’s recent re-designation as a Lighthouse School to Watch.
And Elyse Butler and Christy Crisp of the Georgia Historical Society addressed the audience to present two awards to SCCPSS employees who have been selected Volunteers of the Year by their organization. Congratulations to Elementary Social Studies Teacher Specialist Tomika Courtney and Secondary Social Studies Teacher Specialist Kathy Shutts!
https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DL8HBN479A3E
Student of the Month Recognized
The Superintendent’s Student of the Month for September is Kavianna Aiken, an eighth grader at Myers Middle School. Congratulations, Kavianna!
https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DL8HBM479A3D
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=DL8HBP479A3F
Policy First Reads
Policy KG – Use of School Facilities (Four Year Review) • No Policy Changes • Recommended Regulation Changes Pursuant to Board Policy BDE- Policy Review, District Administration has reviewed Board Policy KG along with the supporting regulation. There are no changes recommended for Board Policy. Minor updates are recommended for the Administrative Regulation to ensure access to restrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms, shower rooms and any designated sleeping quarters are in alignment with appropriate statutory requirements.
https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DL8HBV479A45
Policy GARH – Employee Leaves and Absences (Mid Period Review – Changes Recommended) District Administration has reviewed Board Policy GARH and has determined changes are required to clarify when appropriate paid leave is applied for staff serving as a juror or witness. Additional revisions were provided to align with the statutory requirements of the Georgia Supporting Living Donor Educators Act (HB 235).
https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DL8J3A4B2FB0
Policy Approved
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 (InHouse 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=DL8HBS479A42
Other Board Actions and Updates
Literacy Support Coaches Grant Approved
The Georgia Department of Education has awarded Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools $300,000 for the FY26 Title I-A School Improvement Literacy Support Coaches Grant for Coastal Empire Montessori and Susie King Taylor charter schools. The Board approved increasing the FY 2026 Grant revenue and expenditure budgets by $300,000 to align the local budget.
https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DLSQFD69151B
Conflict Resiliency Services Contract Approved
The Board approved a contract award with The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire to provide mediation, restorative conferencing, and youth programing to support students and staff at a cost not to exceed $200,000 for the school year 2025-2026.
https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DLRL9D55281B
Bus Lift Purchase Approved for Transportation
The Board approved the purchase of a Stertil Koni Ecolift – heavy-duty in-ground bus lift from Federal Contracts Company using Federal Supply Schedule Contract GS-03F-113DA at a total cost of $350,750.00. This equipment will significantly enhance the District’s ability to maintain its fleet of school buses safely and efficiently. The lift will support the full range of our fleet, including newer, heavier models, and will allow for safer undercarriage inspections, brake and suspension repairs, and other critical maintenance tasks.
https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DLRL5U54BAD5
GaDOE Site Approval – Georgetown K-8 Addition
A gym addition designed for the Georgetown K-8 school. O.C.G.A. 20-2-260 (c) (7) requires GaDOE “review and approve proposed sites”. The Board approved the application for site approval for the Georgetown K-8 addition and authorized the Board President and Superintendent to sign the application for submission to GaDOE.
https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DLRL9C552748
ESPLOST News
Design Contract Approved for West Chatham Schools Project
The Board approved the contract award under RFP C26-01 Design Professional Services for West Chatham Schools project to Hussey, Gay, Bell & DeYoung, Inc. and authorized the beginning of the Programming and Master Plan phase of the project upon the start of ESPLOST V proceeds, for a Lump Sum Amount of $300,000 and a $30,000 reimbursable allowance.
https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DLRL9F552953
Pulaski K-8 Modular Classroom Change Order Approved
Modular classrooms are required at Pulaski K-8 to accommodate the increased student population. The site infrastructure work to support the units includes site grading, concrete sidewalks, plumbing, electrical, fire protection service feeds and final connections. Balfour Beatty Construction, LLC and their major subcontractors are on site completing the additional roadway and parking lots authorized under their CMR contract for the K-8 expansion. The Board approved GMP change order #2 in the amount of $392,947 to Balfour Beatty Construction, LLC for the infrastructure work for the owner supplied modular classrooms and revise the contract substantial completion date to January 2, 2026.
https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DLRL6A54BBBB
Personnel Moves
There were a number of personnel changes in the Capital Projects and Maintenance Department approved at the October Board Meeting…
Ross Cairney was appointed Executive Director of Capital Projects & Maintenance.
Drevon Jones was appointed Executive Director of Capital Projects & Maintenance.
Nicole Callahan was appointed Senior Director of Technology, Strategy and Innovation.
Randy West was appointed Senior Director of Maintenance Trades.
Cassundra Huntley was appointed Operations Project Director & Quality Assurance for Facilities.
UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS
Finance Committee Meeting
Wednesday, October 8, 2025 – 9am
Whitney Administrative Complex
DISTRICT 8 TOWN HALL MEETING
Wednesday, October 8, 2025 – 6pm
Groves High School, 100 Priscilla D. Thomas Way, Garden City
FALL BREAK
NO SCHOOL FOR SCHOOL STAFF AND STUDENTS
October 10-13, 2025
Board Accountability Committee Meeting
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 – 3:30pm
Whitney Administrative Complex
Audit Committee Meeting
Wednesday, October 30, 2025 – 8am
Whitney Administrative Complex
Read more on the official SCCPSS website
