Savannah-Chatham County Public School System Regular Board Meeting Summary
Meeting: Regular Board Meeting
Date: April 8, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Jessie Collier DeLoach Board Room at the Whitney Administrative Complex
Overview
The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS) Board of Education held its regular meeting on April 8, 2026. The meeting included student recognition, district updates, policy reviews, action items, and public comments.
The meeting opened with a performance of the National Anthem by the Charles Ellis Seventh and Eighth Grade Band, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Opening Items and Announcements
The Board approved the meeting agenda at the beginning of the meeting.
Announcements included upcoming district events and meetings, including:
- A Superintendent Live strategic plan progress update scheduled for April 9 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
- A Capital Improvement Committee meeting scheduled for April 21.
- A Celebration of Excellence event at Beach High School on April 21.
- A committee meeting scheduled for April 23.
- A Books, Blankets and Family Fun event at Daffin Park on April 25.
- A Board Accountability Committee meeting scheduled for April 28.
- The next regular Board meeting scheduled for May 28.
The Board also recognized the passing of John Harris, a former assistant principal at Sol C. Johnson High School, with a moment of silence.
Superintendent's Report
Student Recognition
The Superintendent recognized the Student of the Month, an eighth-grade student from Pulaski K-8.
The student was recognized for:
- Academic growth across subjects.
- Maintaining A grades in all classes.
- Strong improvement in English Language Arts writing.
- A reported grade point average of 96%.
The student was described by the nominator as kind and motivated.
District Highlights
The Superintendent also provided district updates and recognized positive accomplishments happening throughout SCCPSS.
Board Policy Reviews
The Board reviewed several policies as part of the district’s four-year policy review process.
Board Policy GAC — Staff Involvement in Decision Making
The Board reviewed Policy GAC.
Discussion included:
- The policy review process.
- The importance of staff engagement and participation in decision-making.
- Whether the existing policy language provides enough guidance if district leadership changes in the future.
No recommended policy changes were presented.
Board Policy GBIA — Teacher Evaluation Appeals
The Board reviewed Policy GBIA.
Discussion noted:
- No material policy changes were recommended.
- Minor language cleanup and grammatical corrections were identified.
- The item was presented as complete under the four-year review process, subject to Board feedback.
Board Policy GALB — Compensation
The Board reviewed Policy GALB.
Discussion included:
- No substantive policy changes.
- Removal of redundant language in the policy section.
- Updates primarily involving regulation language and outdated references.
Board Policy IFBG — Internet Acceptable Use
The Board reviewed Policy IFBG.
Discussion focused on:
- Requirements related to Georgia Senate Bill 351.
- Updates involving social media policy requirements.
- Clarifying references to discipline-related consequences and ensuring alignment with district discipline policies.
Board members discussed the importance of providing clearer guidance for staff and students while maintaining appropriate flexibility.
Board Policy EGAG — Unemployment Compensation
The Board reviewed Policy EGAG.
No policy changes were recommended.
Board Action Items
National School Library Month Proclamation
The Board considered a proclamation recognizing April 2026 as National School Library Month.
The proclamation highlighted the role of school libraries in:
- Supporting student learning.
- Encouraging reading.
- Providing educational resources.
- Supporting diverse student interests and backgrounds.
The Board approved the proclamation.
School Year 2026–2027 Bell Schedule Modifications
The Board considered proposed bell schedule modifications for the 2026–2027 school year.
The presentation explained that adjustments were proposed to accommodate school relocations and campus changes, including:
- Jacob G. Smith Elementary returning to its home site schedule.
- Georgetown K-8 returning to its previous bell schedule.
- Pooler and Bloomingdale schedule adjustments while sharing a swing-site arrangement.
- Wings Alternative Program moving to an elementary schedule timeframe.
The proposed changes included:
- Jacob G. Smith Elementary changing from 8:45 AM–3:30 PM to 9:15 AM–4:00 PM.
- Georgetown K-8 changing from 9:00 AM–4:00 PM to 8:15 AM–3:15 PM.
- Pooler and Bloomingdale changing to an 8:40 AM–3:40 PM schedule while sharing a site.
- Wings Alternative Program changing from 7:40 AM–2:40 PM to 9:15 AM–4:00 PM.
Board discussion included concerns about school start times, including research regarding adolescent sleep patterns and the challenges of balancing athletic schedules, transportation, and after-school activities.
The Board approved the recommended bell schedule modifications.
Consent Agenda
The meeting agenda included consent agenda items covering routine approvals and personnel matters, including:
- Previous meeting minutes.
- Retirements.
- Resignations.
- Appointments.
- Reassignments and salary adjustments.
- Charter school personnel actions.
- Other listed administrative items.
Community members addressed the Board during public comment.
Topics raised included:
- Concerns about policy implementation and communication processes.
- Requests for accountability and timely responses to submitted concerns.
- Questions about parent access, student records, and communication procedures.
- Concerns about how attendance-related policies may affect educators and school culture.
Speakers emphasized the importance of transparency, communication, and accountability.
Closing
The Board concluded the meeting by accepting a motion to adjourn.
