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VIP News | August 2026

VIP News | August 2026
VIP News | August2026

August 26, 2026 Edition August 26, 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 News

Alexander Elementary’s Academic Gains Highlighted During Visit by SC Superintendent Ellen Weaver

South Carolina Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver visited Alexander Elementary School following the release of 2025-26 SC READY results to highlight the school’s dramatic academic turnaround. Alexander Elementary is the seventh most improved school in South Carolina, with the percentage of students meeting or exceeding expectations increasing 36.5 percentage points in English Language Arts and 26.8 points in math since 2024. Fourth-grade science proficiency has also climbed from 16.4% in 2022-23 to 50% in 2025-26. The gains build on Alexander Elementary’s move from an Unsatisfactory to an Excellent state report card rating during the first year of Greenville County Schools’ Elevate initiative, a four-year pilot focused on strengthening historically underperforming schools through high-quality educators, professional learning, instructional coaching and targeted student support.

GCS Outperforms State on SC READY, End-of-Course and Career Ready Assessments

Greenville County Schools students outperformed the state across multiple assessments in 2025-26 while continuing a three-year trend of academic growth. GCS elementary and middle school students exceeded statewide results at every tested grade level in SC READY English Language Arts, Math and Science, including a 15.5 percentage-point advantage in fourth-grade Science and an 11.3-point advantage in fifth-grade Math. High school students also surpassed state passage rates on the English II, Biology I and U.S. History End-of-Course exams, with GCS outperforming the state by 9.1 points in Biology and 10.2 points in U.S. History. Career readiness results were also strong, with GCS students exceeding the state on South Carolina’s Career Ready Assessment. The results continue a pattern of steady improvement across grade levels and subject areas and reflect the district’s ongoing focus on strengthening instruction and preparing students for success after graduation. Dive into the Data

Unofficial Board Meeting Summary Unofficial Board Meeting Summary

August 25, 2026

Welcome, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Darren Rickenbacker, a senior at Eastside High.


Adoption of Consent Calendar

2.01 Minutes, Regular Board Meeting - June 9, 2026

2.02 Minutes, Special Called Meeting - August 18, 2026

2.03 Home Schooling Applications (Executive Session) - 20


Appearance of Visitors

Sarah Beth Wood - Thank You For New Technology Guidelines

Chelsey Troutman - Teacher Forum

Katie Haitz - Rule IA

Grace Pouch - Rule IA

Jeffrey Lawson - Sirrine Stadium Thank You


Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Royster updated the Board on the many projects completed over the summer, highlighting how the months between the school years are a busy and productive time for GCS, from facilities improvements and academic initiatives to professional development for employees.


Action Items

Right-of-Way Road Improvements and Permission for Slopes at the New Northwest Middle

The Board of Trustees approved the deeding of 1.251 acres of land at the New Northwest Middle School to the Greenville Legislative Delegation Transportation Committee for road improvements on Robertson Road and Belvue Road and approved construction slope permissions.


Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc. Right-of-Way and Easement Request at Bryson Elementary

The Board approved granting the requested right-of-way and easement at Bryson Elementary School.


Riverside Middle Lease Agreement Renewal with the City of Greer

Trustees approved a lease agreement renewal with the City of Greer, allowing the city to use the softball, baseball and football fields at Riverside Middle School to provide recreational services to the surrounding community.


Procurement Review Panel

Board members appointed Scott Cline to serve as the Chair of the Procurement Review Panel in accordance with the District’s Procurement Code and applicable South Carolina law.


MBE Utilization Plan

The Board approved the FY 27 Minority Business Enterprise Utilization Plan as presented.


Physical Education Exemptions (Executive Session)

Board members approved physical education exemptions for two students at Mauldin Middle School.


Information Items

Committee/Liaison Reports


South Carolina School Boards Association - Mrs. Morrison-Fair - The SCSBA Law Conference is this weekend in Greenville.


Advocacy Committee - Dr. Styles on behalf of Mr. Saylors - There will be an Advocacy Committee meeting immediately following the September Committee of the Whole meeting.


Finance Report

The District’s monthly financial statements were presented to the Board of Trustees as an information item.


The meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m.


VIP News | Greenville County Schools
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