Smore logo
remove_red_eye 2.3K
page background

VIP News | December 2025

VIP News | December 2025
VIP News |December 2025

December 10, 2025 Edition December 10, 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 News

GCS Celebrates Historic Academic Achievements

At the December principals’ meeting, Greenville County Schools continued Reaching New Heights as Superintendent Burke Royster celebrated schools for exceptional gains in student achievement. The Superintendent’s Academic Achievement Awards highlighted impressive accomplishments in Graduation Rate, College and Career Readiness, Work-Based Learning, Industry Certifications, and CTE Completers, showcasing the many pathways students are pursuing toward bright futures. This year’s celebration also shined a spotlight on schools making notable progress with Multilingual Learners and Students with Disabilities—two groups whose growth plays a vital role in our overall success as a district. All of these achievements reflect the heart of our Graduation Plus initiative, which ensures students leave high school not only with a diploma, but with college credit and/or industry certifications that prepare them to thrive in college, careers, and beyond.

Blue Ridge High School Principal Ashley Wardlaw Named 2026 SC Secondary Principal of the Year

The South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA) has named Blue Ridge High School’s Ashley Wardlaw the 2026 South Carolina Secondary Principal of the Year, recognizing her strong leadership, meaningful school-community connections, and focus on instructional coherence through initiatives like RidgeNation. The surprise announcement was shared with students, staff, district leaders, Board members, and her family. Selected through a rigorous nomination and review process, she stood out among top administrators statewide. Under her leadership, Blue Ridge High has seen exceptional gains, including raising its graduation rate from 84% in 2024 to 91.8% in 2025, earning its first Excellent state rating, and receiving multiple Superintendent’s Academic Achievement Awards for high performance and growth in core subjects. A Blue Ridge alumna, Wardlaw is known for fostering collaboration, driving student success, and building strong community partnerships. Photos of the Surprise Announcement

4K Application Window December 1 - January 30, 2026

Four-year-old kindergarten is a child’s first step into school, offering rich, play-based learning experiences that build essential literacy, math, and social skills. Each classroom is staffed with a certified teacher and instructional assistant, ensuring personalized support during this important early year. A limited number of 4K spaces are available at selected elementary schools and five child development centers across Greenville County. To help children ease into the school routine, 4K students will begin the 2025–26 school year on a staggered schedule for readiness assessments, based on the first letter of their last name as reflected on the 4K Student Calendar. Classes follow the elementary school day schedule of 7:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., and families will receive a welcome call from their child’s teacher before school begins. The 4K application window runs December 1 through January 30, 2026. Register

Unofficial Board Meeting Summary Unofficial Board Meeting Summary

December 9, 2025

Welcome, Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Cameron Roof, a senior at Wade Hampton High School and the Fine Arts Center.


Student Performance

The Board of Trustees enjoyed a performance by the Wade Hampton High School Chamber Choir, directed by Ms. Amy Moyer.


Adoption of Consent Calendar

2:01 Minutes, Regular Board Meeting - November 18, 2025

2:02 Personnel Recommendations (Executive Session) - To approve the recommendations as presented


Appearance of Visitors

Catherine Schumacher - Appreciation

Action Items

Letter to Congressional Delegation Regarding Changes to U.S. Department of Education

The Board of Trustees approved a letter to federal lawmakers expressing concerns about recent U.S. Department of Education seeking clarification on issues that could impact local budgeting, program planning, and the continued delivery of essential services for students.


Sanitary Sewer Easement at Oakview Elementary School

Trustees approved a sanitary sewer easement at Oakview Elementary School.


Access and Parking Easement at Oakview Elementary School

The Board also approved requested access and parking easement from Five Forks Methodist Church for Oakview Elementary School.


Student Discipline Appeal (Executive Session)

Board members affirmed the decision of the Hearing Officer and denied a student’s disciplinary appeal.

Information Items

Committee/Liaison Reports


South Carolina School Boards Association - Mrs. Morrison-Fair and Mr. Saylors - We recently brought forth a Resolution to the Delegate Assembly at the SCSBA Annual Business Meeting asking that the Employability Credential be factored into the calculation for On-Track-to-Graduation metric on the State Report Card, which passed unanimously. My appreciation to the Board for supporting this. This could not have been accomplished without Traci Hogan and Julie Horton.


Finance Report

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


The meeting adjourned at 6:18 p.m.


VIP News | Greenville County Schools
Loading indicator

close

Created with

Communicate quickly and effectively with interactive newsletters.

Smore empowers educators to connect with their community, streamline school communications,
and increase engagement.

Create a newsletter