Savannah-Chatham County Public School System Packet Summary — May 6, 2026
Key Items on the Agenda
The Savannah-Chatham County Board of Education is scheduled to consider a wide-ranging agenda covering instructional materials, student technology, special education staffing, school safety, facilities, financial adjustments, policy reviews, and contract renewals. The regular meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on May 6, 2026, at the Whitney Administrative Complex.
$7.8 Million K–12 Mathematics Textbook Adoption
Staff recommends awarding RFP 26-21 Mathematics Textbook Adoption to Savvas Learning Company for the district's K–12 mathematics instructional resource. Sixteen firms submitted proposals, four advanced to a classroom pilot and educator/parent community review, and Savvas is recommended based on evidence related to student engagement, teacher support, technical integration, instructional quality, and stakeholder feedback.
The proposed adoption of enVision Mathematics would include licensing, print consumables, and professional learning support. The packet identifies $4,688,719.24 in Year 1 costs and $3,125,812.83 in Year 2 costs, for a total of $7,814,532.07, funded through General Fund fund balance. The immediate Year 1 focus is grades 6–12, with K–5 alignment also identified.
$8.06 Million for Special Education and Behavior Support
The board is scheduled to consider RFP 26-12 Special Education and Behavior Support Services, which would establish contracts with 12 firms to provide personnel for special education and behavioral support needs. The district received 32 proposals and recommends the 12 highest-scoring firms following its evaluation process.
The first-year cost is estimated at $8,059,680. The packet says the estimate reflects current third-party staffing quotes, projected needs associated with unfilled teacher positions, and special education service needs that can change as students are evaluated and found eligible for services.
Student Cell Phone Pouches and Lockers
Staff proposes a one-time districtwide purchase of cell phone storage equipment totaling $993,285. The proposal includes $253,785 in cell phone pouches from RealFitty Trading, Inc. for K–8 and $739,500 in cell phone lockers from CDW-G for high schools.
The proposed action also calls for $143,285 in fund balance to support the expenditure.
$4 Million Student Chromebook Purchase
The board is expected to consider purchasing $4 million in student HP Chromebooks from Arey Jones Educational Solutions under the district's existing RFP 24-07 contract. The packet identifies the purchase as an ESPLOST IV investment supporting student devices and districtwide digital access.
A corresponding $4 million budget transfer is also proposed.
Major Financial and Contract Items
Hubert Middle School Renovation Change Order
Staff recommends a $1,535,500 change order to the Hubert Middle School renovation contract with Samet Corporation. The additional work would provide temporary modular classrooms, including rental costs, site preparation, sidewalks, canopies, mechanical and electrical work, and network connections while renovation work proceeds.
The change would increase the project's guaranteed maximum price from $17,171,793 to $18,707,293 and add 87 calendar days, moving the substantial completion date to October 25, 2027. The packet states the revised amount is fully funded and does not require a budget transfer.
$3.7 Million School Audio and Communications Renewal
Staff recommends the first renewal of RFP 25-26 Audio Enhancement with NetPlanner Systems, Inc. for an estimated $3.7 million. The work covers districtwide upgrades to school intercom systems, classroom communications, and classroom audiovisual systems.
The packet describes components that include enhanced classroom audio, EduCams, integration with existing safety systems, and the SAFE alert notification system, which can allow a teacher wearing a microphone to discreetly signal for help during an emergency.
105 New AED Units
A consent-agenda proposal calls for purchasing 105 automated external defibrillators to replace aging equipment, increase availability across schools, and provide units for off-site district events. The district currently has 323 AEDs, including 48 units more than 10 years old.
The packet says the district's goal is for every school to have at least five units and cites Georgia requirements for AED availability at public schools and school-related functions.
School Nutrition Software
Staff recommends awarding RFP 26-02 to Harris School Solutions for a School Nutrition Program accountability software platform. The system would support meal planning, nutritional analysis, point-of-sale operations, student management, eligibility, online parent services, inventory, production records, and ADA-compliant menu and webpage support.
Harris received the highest final evaluation score among three shortlisted vendors and proposed an implementation-plus-three-year cost of $189,002.29. A $70,118 budget transfer within the School Nutrition Fund is also requested.
The consent agenda includes a proposed award of Bid 26-31 to Kopesky Enterprises, Inc. dba SureLock Technology for the Cohesity Data Management and Security Platform. The district says its existing backup solution no longer meets current cybersecurity, resiliency, and recovery objectives.
The proposed platform is intended to strengthen backup and disaster recovery, ransomware resilience, and recovery of district systems and data. The packet identifies $439,544 for the contract and requests a corresponding transfer from equipment repair/maintenance to subscriptions.
Other Significant Contract Recommendations
The packet also includes several proposed renewals, extensions, and purchases:
- $2,000,000 estimated annual renewal with DFA Dairy Brands Fluid, LLC dba PET Dairy for School Nutrition Program milk products.
- $700,000 second annual renewal with Ameriserve Commercial, LLC for kitchen-equipment preventive maintenance, repair, replacement, and installation.
- $700,000 first renewal with SACAL Environmental & Management Company for asbestos inspection, testing, and abatement at five identified district sites.
- Up to $400,000 for the second renewal of as-needed painting services for projects under $100,000.
- Up to $200,000 for the second renewal of as-needed sidewalk and concrete slab/pad work.
- $224,241 for an eight-month extension of the districtwide copy-paper contract with Staples Contract and Commercial, LLC, through December 31, 2026.
- $246,840 for a proposed security-services contract with Metropolitan Security Services, Inc. dba Walden Security.
- $200,000 estimated for a one-year extension of charter-bus contracts with Coachlight Tours, LLC and Kelly Tours, Inc.
- $160,000 estimated for an extension with Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC for auditing services for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.
- $145,957.15 estimated annually for a technology support desk ticketing system from Incident IQ LLC.
- $119,120 for landscape turf installation at New Hampstead K–8.
Budget and Financial Items
FY 2026 Midterm Budget Adjustment
The board is scheduled to consider an amendment to the FY 2026 General Fund budget following the state's QBE midterm allotment. The packet identifies a $473,279 decrease in district QBE revenue and a $451,415 increase in charter-school QBE revenue.
The proposed amendment would also remove the $500,000 originally budgeted for an anticipated midterm adjustment and increase use of fund balance by $451,415 to offset the district's midterm revenue reduction. The additional charter-school revenue would be matched by corresponding expenditures for Oglethorpe, Savannah Classical Academy, Susie King Taylor Community, and Tybee Island Maritime Academy.
March Financial Report
The packet includes district financial statements through March 2026, representing 75% of the fiscal year. The report lists $595,832,460.81 in total cash and investments, including approximately $208.5 million unrestricted and $387.3 million restricted.
The General Fund report projects a June 30, 2026 fund balance of $190,935,800 after identified assignments, compared with approximately $119.7 million representing two months of annual budgeted expenditures.
Other Proposed Budget Transfers
Several transfers are scheduled for consideration, including:
- $3,654,273 for costs associated with the temporary relocation of administrative personnel during the future use and reconfiguration of the 208 Bull Street facility.
- $1,075,000 to reclassify ESPLOST V software funding into communications web-based subscriptions for state accounting and reporting alignment.
- $653,452 in remaining Henderson E. Formey, Jr. Early Learning Center renovation funds to the ESPLOST IV unallocated account following project closeout.
- $180,000 for moving services associated with returning staff and students to the renovated Georgetown K–8 building from the Largo-Tibet Swing Site.
- $163,226 within athletics-related accounts to address overtime and related costs associated with Campus Police support at athletic events.
School Nutrition and Community Impact
Adult Meal and À La Carte Price Changes
Staff recommends changing several School Nutrition Program prices for the 2026–2027 school year following an April 2026 Georgia Department of Education review. The packet says adult meal prices must fully recover food, labor, equipment, and overhead costs and cannot be subsidized through USDA commodities or student meal funds.
Under the proposal:
- Adult breakfast would increase from $2.50 to $3.50.
- Adult full lunch would remain $5.25.
- Adult à la carte entrées would increase from $4.00 to $5.25.
- Adult à la carte sides would increase from $1.25 to $1.75.
- Student à la carte entrées would increase from $2.50 to $3.50.
- Student à la carte sides would increase from $1.00 to $1.40.
Reimbursable student breakfast and lunch would remain free under the Community Eligibility Provision.
City Use of District Swimming Pools
The consent agenda includes an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Savannah covering district-owned pools at Jenkins High School, Haven Elementary School, and Brock Elementary School. The proposed agreement would allow the city to operate the pools for educational and recreational purposes.
The initial term would be 180 days, with automatic 180-day renewals unless terminated as provided in the agreement, and could not extend beyond three years. The city would provide operational staffing at its expense; maintenance, utilities, insurance, safety, and other responsibilities are divided between the city and district under the agreement.
Policy and Governance Items
Student Discipline and Personal Electronic Devices
Policy JD — Student Discipline is scheduled for a first reading as part of a mid-period review. District administration says proposed revisions address personal electronic devices, while related administrative-regulation changes focus on truancy, referrals involving chronic disciplinary problems, and clarification of long-term suspension processes.
The packet notes that further review of the administrative documents making up the Student Code of Conduct remains underway and that some modifications remain subject to final policy review and approval.
Grading Systems
The board is expected to review revisions associated with Policy IHA — Grading Systems. The packet says there are no material changes to the policy itself, while the administrative regulation would clarify and standardize grading definitions, expectations, and authority across grade levels.
Proposed regulation changes address distinctions between classwork and assessments, reinforce the teacher of record's responsibility for assigning grades, require weekly gradebook entries, and provide more explicit rules for grade recovery, retakes, make-up work, grading scales, weighting, and grade calculations.
Equal Educational Opportunities
Policy JAA — Equal Educational Opportunities is scheduled for a first reading following a four-year review. Proposed changes include updated titles and revisions to the accompanying regulation explaining where the community can find Section 504 Coordinator contact information.
Staff Involvement and Employee Compensation
Two policies previously presented for first reading on April 8 are scheduled for second-read adoption on the consent agenda.
Policy GAC — Staff Involvement in Decision Making includes additional language following Board feedback and describes possible avenues for employee input, including surveys, staff satisfaction data, virtual sessions, committees, in-person feedback sessions, and digital platforms.
Policy GALB — Employee Compensation and its administrative regulation include updates to outdated references and titles and clarification regarding step-increase eligibility, minimum wage, and overtime provisions.
Audit and Oversight
Travel Practices Audit
The consent agenda includes the Audit of Travel Practices, which the Audit Committee approved on April 23 and which is now presented to the full board for approval. Internal Audit rated the district's overall travel practices Satisfactory, while identifying weaknesses in documentation and centralized monitoring.
Auditors reviewed 341 travel transactions and found one or more documentation or compliance deficiencies in 68 transactions, or 20%. The report identifies findings in 18% of sampled employee-travel transactions, 14% of local-mileage transactions, and 50% of sampled Board-member travel transactions.
Management's corrective-action plan includes strengthened documentation requirements, a standardized travel checklist, a pre-audit review process, targeted training, districtwide cost-efficiency guidelines, stronger documentation of expected travel benefits, and centralized oversight. Target dates range from within 30 days of the report through July 2027.
FY26 Audit Plan Amendment
The board is also scheduled to consider replacing the planned Audit of Non-Traditional Program Supports with an Audit of Alternative Learning Centers. The packet says the district's direction changed after the Board previously approved REACH Charter School and shifted its focus toward potential supports associated with that relationship.
The replacement audit is intended to examine current instructional strategies, needs, and potential improvements associated with transitioning from a program to a school.
Facilities and Capital Projects
Garden City Elementary and Coastal Middle State Funding Application
The packet includes a resolution requesting revision of an FY23 state capital-outlay application because the original work scope and schedule changed. The proposed resolution would remove Garden City Elementary Facility (23-625-003) and Coastal Middle Facility (23-625-004) from that application and restore the associated state funds to accumulated entitlement for future projects.
New Hampstead K–8 Turf
Capital Programs recommends $119,120 for landscape turf at New Hampstead K–8. The turf would replace loose rock material that the packet says creates a continuing risk of damage to windows and other exterior building components.
What to Watch at the Meeting
Several agenda items combine major spending decisions with districtwide operational or instructional changes. Among the most consequential are the $8.06 million special education and behavior-support proposal, $7.81 million mathematics adoption, $4 million Chromebook purchase, $3.7 million audio-enhancement renewal, and the proposed $993,285 cell phone storage initiative.
The board will also have multiple policy matters before it at different stages of review, including student discipline and electronic devices, grading practices, equal educational opportunities, employee compensation, and staff involvement in decision-making. Financial oversight is another significant theme, with the FY 2026 midterm adjustment, March financial statements, travel audit, audit-plan amendment, and numerous budget transfers scheduled for consideration.
