VIP News | May 2026
May 28, 2026 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
Congratulations to Greenville County Schools’ Class of 2026!
Students, Staff, Schools and GCS Partner of the Year Honored at Annual Salute to Education Banquet
Seamless Summer Food Service Program Returns to Greenville County Schools
Unofficial Board Meeting Summary
May 26, 2026
Welcome, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Campbell Czarsty, who just completed fifth grade at Sara Collins Elementary.
Adoption of Consent Calendar
- 2.01 Minutes, Regular Board Meeting - April 28, 2026
- 2.02 Minutes, FY 27 Budget First Reading - May 5, 2026
- 2.03 Minutes, Special Called Meeting: Personnel Recommendations - May 12, 2026
- 2.04 Personnel Recommendations (Executive Session) - None
- 2.05 Home Schooling Applications (Executive Session) - 1
Appearance of Visitors
- Britton Swingle - Edtech
- Grace Pouch - Technology and AI
- Katie Haitz - Technology
- Cinnamon Stetler - AI Policy and Tech Use
- Hank Gettys - Technology in the Classroom
- Benjamin Frick - Wikipedia Access
- Jeffrey Lawson - Mental Health Counselors
- Catherine Schumacher - Appreciation
Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Royster introduced several recently approved and appointed principals for the 2026-27 school year: Dr. Graysen Walles, Principal, Sevier Middle School; J. Paul Crook, Interim Principal, Bell’s Crossing Elementary School; and Jake Gambrell, Interim Principal, Gateway Elementary School.
Action Items
Innovative Course and Honors Course Approvals
The Board of Trustees approved four new honors-level courses under the South Carolina Honors Rubric, including Artificial Intelligence Applications Honors, Business Data Applications Honors, Lodging Management Honors, and Travel and Tourism Management Honors.
Naming of Greenville Middle Academy Media Center
The Board agreed to name the Greenville Middle Academy media center in honor of former principal Yanilka “Nicky” Andrews.
Duke Energy Carolinas Easement at M. T. Anderson Support Center
Trustees approved a Duke Energy Carolinas easement at the M.T. Anderson Support Center.
Acceptance of Audit Team Committee
Board members accepted the slate of Amanda Brett, Jeff Cochran, Michelle Goodwin-Calwile, Glenda Morrison-Fair, and Chuck Saylors to serve on the Audit Team Committee for the 2026-27 school year.
J.E. Sirrine Scholarship Award Recipients
The Board approved the new and renewal recipients for J.E. Sirrine Scholarships in the amounts specified in the Sirrine Scholarship Program Report for the 2026-27 school year.
Community Eligibility Program Resolution
Board members affirmed continued participation in the Community Eligibility Provision for the 2026-27 school year at the 81 schools that participated during the 2025-26 school year.
Lease Agreement with Greenville Technical College
The Board approved the lease agreement with Greenville Technical College for the Golden Strip Career Center Annex Welding Facility.
Property Acquisition for Wade Hampton High School (Executive Session)
The Board approved the purchase of 0.76 acres of land adjacent to Wade Hampton High School.
Property Acquisition for Greenville High School (Executive Session)
Trustees approved the purchase of approximately 0.606 acres of land near Greenville High Academy.
South Carolina Department of Transportation Quitclaim Deed for Greenville High Academy
The Board of Trustees accepted the South Carolina Department of Transportation Quitclaim near Greenville High Academy.
Information Items
Advocacy Committee - Mr. Saylors - We have previously discussed addressing the design of the current tax bill to provide clarity, and we will be looking at potential next steps once Greenville County Council completes their budget process.
Finance Report
The District’s monthly financial statements were presented to the Board of Trustees as an information item.
The meeting adjourned at 6:39 p.m.