VIP News | November 2025
November 19, 2025 Edition
Welcome to VIP News, a newsletter that is distributed to GCS employees and community leaders to update them about important GCS news and events. If you have any questions about the Board meeting or news articles, please contact the Communications Department.
News
GCS is Reaching New Heights!
Registration Dates for Change in Assignment, Magnet, Virtual, 4K, 5K and 1st Grade
Honoring Our Super Stars: American Education Week 2025
Greenville County Schools is celebrating American Education Week from November 17-21, 2025, by shining a light on the 12,000 GCS employees who work to ensure success for every student. Throughout the week, GCS is highlighting the immense collective effort required to keep students engaged, provide nutritious meals, transport children to safe buildings, and develop creative solutions for the unique circumstances each student faces. Each day, the district recognizes specific employee groups, starting with School Support Staff on Monday and Transportation Staff on Tuesday, followed by Educators on Wednesday. The celebration continues by honoring Operations and Maintenance Staff on Thursday and concludes with District Staff on Friday, underscoring the vital role every employee plays in connecting families and building a bright future for Greenville students. Watch the Videos
Lifelong Learning Program Earns Statewide Acclaim
Greenville County Schools’ Lifelong Learning program has solidified its reputation as one of South Carolina’s premier Adult Education providers, recently earning multiple honors from the South Carolina Department of Education’s Office of Career Readiness and Office of Adult Education. This recognition highlights the program’s sustained leadership in the state, marking the second consecutive year that GCS Lifelong Learning has met all 12 national benchmarks for measurable skill gains among both Adult Basic Education (ABE) and English as a Second Language (ESL) students. View the Program’s Achievements
Unofficial Board Meeting Summary
November 18, 2025
Welcome, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Jamiera Alexander, fifth-grade student at Cherrydale Elementary.
Adoption of Consent Calendar
2:01 Minutes, Regular Board Meeting - October 28, 2025
2:02 Minutes, Special Called Meeting: Superintendent's Annual Evaluation - Nov. 10
2:03 Home Schooling Applications (Executive Session) - 1
2:04 Personnel Recommendations (Executive Session) - None
Appearance of Visitors
Yolanda Crittendon-Jones - Introduction of Teacher Fellows of Public Education Partners
Cadence Gaines - Future Teachers Academy Leadership Board
Shawnte Beeks - Discipline and Referrals
Jomarion Smith - Future Teachers Academy Leadership Board and Student Athletic Leadership Council
Andrew Bennett - Emergency Rescue Inhaler Stockpile Program
Superintendent’s Report
As an annual tradition during November and in recognition of American Education Week, Superintendent Royster invited the GCS Teacher of the Year, Morgan Smith, to make remarks. Mrs. Smith is a fifth-grade teacher at Robert E. Cashion Elementary School. She reflected on the people—family, former teachers, and professional mentors—who shaped her as an educator and inspired her work, including a staff-led initiative called SPARK to build community and support colleagues. She shared stories of students whose growth shows the power of connection, belonging, and high expectations. Mrs. Smith thanked the Board of Trustees for its trust, advocacy, and leadership, which strengthen schools and help teachers and students thrive.
Action Items
Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
The Board of Trustees voted to accept the FY 2025 draft Annual Comprehensive Financial Report as presented in order to meet the December 1, 2025 deadline, but if there are any findings, significant deficiencies, or material weaknesses in the single audit following receipt of the revised guidance, the audit must be resubmitted for consideration by the Board.
Procurement Audit
The board voted to accept the FY 22-24 Procurement Audit as presented.
Physical Education Exemption (Executive Session)
Board members voted to approve a physical education exemption for one student at Mauldin Middle School.
Student Discipline Appeal 1 (Executive Session)
The board voted to affirm the decision of the Hearing Officer and deny the appeal for Student A.
Student Discipline Appeal 2 (Executive Session)
The board voted to affirm the decision of the Hearing Officer and deny the appeal for Student B.
Information Items
Committee/Liaison Reports
AI Ad hoc Committee
Ms. Mosley - Committee met this afternoon and reviewed a draft of a policy. Following some edits, it will be brought forward to the entire board for review.
Finance Report
The District’s monthly financial statements were presented to the Board of Trustees as an information item.
The meeting adjourned at 6:38 p.m.