Savannah Chatham County Public School System (SCCPS) Update:

Key takeaways

Public Engagement phase of the five-year Strategic Plan begins with a survey on January 20 to gather staff and public feedback.
Boundary changes proposed for Western Chatham County and the Eastern Corridor after December vote tabling; revised plan presented to the Board.
School safety grant approved: $1,276,465 budget amendment to fund security personnel and safety items across the district.
ESPLOST IV revenue amendment approved, recognizing an additional $34,528,686 and aligning budget with final collections.

Strategic Plan Progress Update

During the Informal Meeting of the Board, an update on work to create the District’s Strategic Plan for the next five years was presented. The planning is moving into the Public Engagement stage with a survey opening on January 20th that will gather feedback from both district staff and the public. In March through April that feedback will be used to Refine systemwide priorities and focus areas, define success measures and key indicators to track progress, and to align investments, training, and supports to operationalize the plan.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DPFLNU576D12

Attendance Boundary Changes for Eastern Corridor & Western Chatham County Proposed Adjustments Presented

The Board was presented a plan for boundary changes in Western Chatham County and the Eastern Corridor that detailed a number of newly proposed adjustments following the tabling of a vote on changes at the December Meeting of the Board. See the complete proposed plan and revisions here:

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DQ4GEL437825

Groves High ROTC Wing Naming Proposal

A proposal to name the JROTC Wing at Groves High School after former student-athlete and soldier Sergeant Tyrone L. Chisholm was presented for First Read to the Board. Sergeant Chisolm was Killed in Action in Iraq in November 2005. The proposed name must be read into the record for a second time at the next Board Meeting before being voted on.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DQ5LU457B413

Savannah Arts Academy Cross Country Team Recognized for Winning State Championship

Savannah Arts Academy Cross Country Team and Coach pose for a photo at the Board Meeting

The SAA Girls Cross Country team was recognized by the Board for winning their second straight state championship – and third in the last four years!

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DNJLSA57DCE4

Savannah Arts Academy Theatre Students Recognized for Winning State One Act Play Championship

Savannah Arts Academy One Act Play State Champions pose for a photo at the Board Meeting

SAA students who recently competed in and won the Class 2AA State GHSA One-Act Play Competition were also recognized by the Board. The Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Class AA One Act Play competition is a regional and state level event where high schools perform a fully staged play within a 55-minute time limit. Student Tyler Shaw was named Best Actor and Asa Clark and Edward Austin Bradford were named to the AllStar Cast!

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DNJLSA57DCE4

Student of the Month Recognized

December SCCPSS Student of the Month Dorothy Dean accepts a bag of gifts at the Board Meeting

The Superintendent’s Student of the Month for December is Dorothy Dean, a 5^th Grader at Marshpoint Elementary School. Congratulations Dorothy!

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DNJLS957DCE3

Board Officers Elected/Committee Appointments Made
As is customary at the first Regular Board Meeting of the new year, elections of new Board Officers were held. The new Officers are:

– Vice President Shawn A. Kachmar

– Vice President Pro Tempore Cornelia H. Hall

Each term is for a one-year period.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DPFLCE55E62F

The Board also announced Committee Appointments for 2026. Those can be found here:

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DPFLCG55E786

Policy Approved

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=DPFLGP56840E

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=DPFLGG567CA5

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=DPFLKG56EE00

Other Board Actions and Updates

School Safety and Security Grant Approved

The Board approved a $1,276,465 budget amendment to account for grant funds provided by the Georgia Department of Education to continue funding for approved school security personnel positions and other security items related to school safety and security.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DQ4GUS458B63

Renewal of Contract for Educational Interpreter Services for the Deaf

The Board approved the first renewal of contracts under RFP 25-01 Educational Interpreter Services for the Deaf (Annual Contract) with Soliant Health, Inc., The Stepping Stones Group, PSI Associates, LLC d/b/a PSI/Academic Staffing, The SOS Agency, and Interpreters Unlimited, Inc. at a total estimated annual cost of $623,680. This contract with qualified vendors will continue to provide support to students that have been identified as Deaf or Hard of Hearing who require specialized communication assistance to access instruction and fully participate in the educational environment, and to maintain compliance with IDEA and Section 504 while ensuring equitable access.

GaDOE Student Mental Behavioral Health Services Grant Approved

The Board approve the receipt of the GADOE Student Mental/Behavioral Health Services grant and the associated Budget Amendment in the amount of $460,000. The Georgia Department of Education (GADOE) has allocated $20,000 per identified middle and high school in the school system to provide direct mental and behavioral health support to students in grades 6-12. While GADOE allocated funds based on the school’s designation as a middle or high school, the District has the option to distribute funds to schools and programs serving students in grades 6-12 as it determines. As such, the District will ensure all schools with students in grades 6-12 have access to mental health services.

ESPLOST UPDATES

ESPLOST IV Budget Revenue Amendment

At the Regular Meeting, Board Members approved an ESPLOST IV Revenue budget amendment to align the revenue budget with actual recognized revenues for final ESPLOST IV collections and Operating Transfers In (TAVT) collections, and increased Federal E-Rate (EIV) reimbursements to reflect an additional $34,528,686 in revenue.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DQ4GUR458A6C

Design Services Contract Approved for Windsor Forest Elementary Replacement

The Board approved a contract with Croft & Associates for Design Services for the new Windsor Forest Elementary School Replacement project for a total Design Professional Fee of $2,242,250 with a $20,000 reimbursable expense cost for a total contract amount of $2,262,250

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DQ4HCK46CCDA

Change Order Approved for Georgetown K-8 School

The Board approved GMP Change Order 1 in the amount of $3,899,754 and an increase in the GMP to the amount of $33,787,737 for RFP C25-05 CMR Services for Georgetown K-8 Renovations to JE Dunn Construction Company. Certain changes are proposed to the project scope that resulted in the change to the GMP. Those changes include but aren’t limited to: kitchen upgrades including new freezer and coolers, exterior improvements including repairs, pressure washing, and painting, new artificial turf for the PreK playground, and replacing signage, interior upgrades including new electrical wiring and circuits, new lavatories and water closets, new classroom cubbies and more, plus renovations and an addition for a CTAE program including an electrical transformer, plumbing wash stations, floor drains, fencing and an exterior concrete and canopy walkway.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ga/sccs/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=DQAFTR40B516

Personnel Moves

There was one personnel change approved at the January Board Meeting.

Jacquelin Harden was appointed Center Leader of WINGS.

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

January 19, 2026

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Holiday for All

January 20, 2026

Capital Improvement Committee Meeting – 2:00pm