[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6295551,"mediaKeyId","2520432-70bd0b887441a1948a17992cfeadec75","parentId",2520432,"title","Board receives first read recommending Bloomingdale gym be named for Dr. Ronald W. Bland","audioSeconds",119,"startMs",2656000,"endMs",2775000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2520432-70bd0b887441a1948a17992cfeadec75&start=2656&end=2775","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2520432-70bd0b887441a1948a17992cfeadec75/thumbnail_2656000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6295551/Georgia/Board-receives-first-read-recommending-Bloomingdale-gym-be-named-for-Dr-Ronald-W-Bland","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6295551-b8e7f54d30735f935a029d806ba651c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1776557645&Signature=gIJGDpBvDaN27v-ThEwtoqfldZX~9A-sTYDoLrTzfOsfDY-wqrfA4wzSxoaQd7C~k8-amEUJV3UvIfuqdy4DVxAc-msyUmAvQwlwy8~q-RmuL~-L4KMP8R57o4I8xtLDogYDdeO06ukHWczCb4mqs9ZAkZMemPzbVws2QbswygbctRHH4YyGMzNKzcojOPbwPiiY~9hiAPUoAHF13gnjEtFi2MNPSAnaVQul1tHWoL2C4gjGVoCKDMlYg1yjFUf0cnLKws7qxVwpZpzC3nxl6YH~a-vW~-icK1Ap91jxn70QR9uf1lVdrGjvkiH0rrxylxd2T5pMpvRK6oi6TJXDng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-06T16:41:13Z","article","Trustees heard a first read on a naming recommendation for the Bloomingdale Elementary School gymnasium at the March 5 meeting. The naming committee, appointed under board policy FDC and related administrative regulations, unanimously recommended the gym be named the Dr. Ronald W. Bland Gymnasium.

Stephanie Campbell, the board member representing the Bloomingdale area (District 7), presented the committee’s report and said two meetings had been held and minutes posted for public review. “The committee unanimously agrees to name the gym after Dr. Bland,” Campbell said. The superintendent had appointed the committee to follow the district’s naming policy after a community recommendation; staff noted that the school name Bloomingdale Elementary will remain unchanged and the action concerns the gymnasium facility.

This item was presented as a first read; per board policy it will return for a formal vote at the April 9 board meeting. Trustees also noted that because the gym will include a vestibule accessible to the community when school is not using the facility, the naming was seen as reflecting both school and neighborhood use.

Why it matters: Naming public-school facilities follows board policy and community input. The first-read presentation begins the required public process and gives trustees and community members time to review meeting minutes and the naming committee’s rationale before a final vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular Board Meeting - March 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A naming committee unanimously recommended the Bloomingdale Elementary gymnasium be named the Dr. Ronald W. Bland Gymnasium; the item was presented as a first read and will return for a final vote April 9.","taxTitle","Savannah-Chatham County, School Districts, Georgia","taxId",15361,"location","Georgia","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6295557,"Teachers and residents urge board to address staff morale, inequities and low academic proficiency in public comments",480,5700000,6180000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2520432-70bd0b887441a1948a17992cfeadec75&start=5700&end=6180","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2520432-70bd0b887441a1948a17992cfeadec75/thumbnail_5700000.jpg","/articles/6295557/Georgia/Teachers-and-residents-urge-board-to-address-staff-morale-inequities-and-low-academic-proficiency-in-public-comments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6295557-6860050eb9c747455419ea6c98195e4c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776557645&Signature=oavKBK1rUnL~lzGl~tfT1DHKhp28wiL~dLqUqikIr4Q7xED34ONpwo0IM6JEgCio4eTEi6nkteYZkblCRfow686Tx7f6JLSblzxHUbn6vKFjtLgxvYbSQDMHXZ5nSYti6fUCEr61AajuJpt0zULcDPgwP8LjizrH08nY9URMrLj-RGkITHpZJAu5hcLBs0SCjTXP2K7grUoMStvSBjZQQOGfkVclH-1PFY5f-KsM~X4c5fgyMNin3mYWUayklrJGZXIjsxUGvg1Y-PMnbmMEP7xIJZki4r32Rm7J7JlNGOKEkHDFtpDmjNsgpPTWoQ79lmbG7rpRrYs~Zbj0M~JN6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two public speakers during the March 5 public-comment period urged the Savannah-Chatham County Board of Public Education to address teacher retention, staff morale and poor student proficiency results.

Raymond Watson, who identified himself as an educator, said teachers in the district feel ignored and pressured to remain silent. “The environment that is created here is an environment of fear that teachers are afraid of speaking out because of being labeled a troublemaker,” Watson said. He urged teachers to organize and advocate publicly, saying district leadership has repeatedly promised to listen without visibly responding to teacher concerns.

Citizen Rick Roni offered a broader critique of board leadership and district culture, urging trustees to demand higher performance across the staff. “We currently have 13 elementary schools where only 20% of our third graders are proficient in ELA, math, and science,” Roni said. “That leaves 80% who aren’t. What is going to happen to those 80%?” He said the board should prioritize building a culture of excellence and replace low performers.

Both speakers described the issues as long-running and systemic. The board did not take action during the public-comment period; comments were recorded for the public record. Trustees did not provide immediate responses beyond acknowledging the speakers and thanking them for their remarks.

Why it matters: Teacher morale and student proficiency are central to district performance and public confidence. The comments put the district’s staffing and academic results on the public record and may shape future board discussions, though no formal motions were offered during the session.","Public commenters used allocated time to say teachers feel ignored by district leadership and to press the board to demand higher performance from staff amid low proficiency levels in some elementary schools.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6295562,"Board hears East Blos(s) construction update as district prepares summer moves and renovations",719,4048000,4767000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2520432-70bd0b887441a1948a17992cfeadec75&start=4048&end=4767","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2520432-70bd0b887441a1948a17992cfeadec75/thumbnail_4048000.jpg","/articles/6295562/Georgia/Board-hears-East-Bloss-construction-update-as-district-prepares-summer-moves-and-renovations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6295562-6f8a27973c361ed0ed8d3008209bc784/orig.mp4?Expires=1776557645&Signature=o1qPnXvTIUysmcBumWI9vMspFjzKWEV8EzoFkLYN49cLpOvwThu0shD~D7Ua35tDcvtHbdfgMnoLMKHq9VKAv6fqGtYNozipsVAP8QSW1tC0z-OzYFCBKC20DiQiW5ua2DoppaXI4Nkc6Yn59GrQpWnNFWMQmzUg1YxEDYSnpAlsUMf9DhB6DHMeC6mQH9ZKSKEv1u2hgAe8t56tvaREDJCdzEOLZ4PbEv0wcMuOv7TdABzPtYNY7vaWxc3FC6SeTkFGJAUhaIJi82VTU8OtLdZUtcRcN1kILjSyT4lxIOaz-YOqVMLOaR3EM2CYnjKxROB2HPtRDd5EnqZWKGoR5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District facilities staff delivered a detailed update on East Blos(s) projects and other capital work at the March 5 meeting, outlining schedules, budgets and construction milestones as the district prepares to occupy newly built or renovated school buildings this summer.

Staff said roughly 650,000 square feet of new or remodeled space must be ready by Aug. 1, including finishes, furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) and technology. The largest projects discussed were Windsor Forest High School and the new Bloomingdale Elementary facility; both were reported on schedule for an August opening. The board packet included photographs, cash-flow estimates and a program schedule for multiple projects.

Other projects described in the presentation included the DeRenne/DEH athletic complex (track, stadium and multiuse fields), renovation of the Henderson Early Learning Center, a major renovation and new middle-school-sized gym at Georgetown, planned work at Hubert (interior renovations, HVAC and field improvements), an alternative education center at the former Mercer School to house Building Bridges and WINGS programs, and an expansion of athletic facilities at Islands High School. Staff also listed several roofing and HVAC contracts scheduled for summer work, generator installations and playground or site-completion tasks at multiple locations.

Staff told trustees the contractor for DEH had delivered a certificate of occupancy allowing use of the baseball field; however, some site work had been delayed by poor weather in January–February and staff said contractors had worked to recover schedule. Trustees pressed staff on logistics for summer moves, salvage and disposal of furniture, and coordination with schools that use facilities in summer programs.

Board member Jessica Grabowski suggested establishing a program to repurpose salvageable furniture (for example by donating to Habitat Restore) rather than placing items in roll-off dumpsters. Staff replied that furniture was reviewed for salvage and stored at staging sites; they acknowledged additional organizational work may be needed to facilitate donations or reuse.

Board members asked for clearer access to the full program schedule; facilities staff agreed to provide the spreadsheet as a readable PDF. The update included design, bid and construction timing for projects expected to start this spring and proceed over multiple summers.

Why it matters: The work affects where thousands of students will be assigned this fall, the district’s summer staffing and moving plan, and budgets tied to East Blos(s) bond proceeds and capital funds. Delays or weather impacts to site work could affect athletic schedules and start-of-school readiness.","Facilities staff told trustees the district expects to ready about 650,000 square feet of new or remodeled school space by Aug. 1, outlined progress at Windsor Forest and Bloomingdale, and described multiple roofing, HVAC and athletic-field projects across the district.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6295567,"Votes at a glance: Board approves grants, contract renewals and multiple budget transfers",138,3610000,3748000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2520432-70bd0b887441a1948a17992cfeadec75&start=3610&end=3748","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2520432-70bd0b887441a1948a17992cfeadec75/thumbnail_3610000.jpg","/articles/6295567/Georgia/Votes-at-a-glance-Board-approves-grants-contract-renewals-and-multiple-budget-transfers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6295567-beb2bbbc6e135f815e3229315677e889/orig.mp4?Expires=1776557645&Signature=APJfeJ~DKkymU7B9FvxaASmrC9QJCukjmIrh05ttzGBEkE6If~IOF16bEqGQGdHM2yW56uRcdaDZmyAJOVUWoXlql8J470jSw6WqmYkK5OYwCLP8WV503CAwh0wxSB9~QitGxpzmL~zB~X3NHf8PyfakcN9mV5xfYQ8gXWoY6DoqrY-5hm1~UhHcp~wumOcfxtNzEfMg1~Wsoq7v-jcNXynQ6jrlNU4mMP0ADbH9TMMdgRef6hDOMIbpkEk2jcTiXEhQbv7rBZAkx9Naa13-5roWqUMMYLe3i0QJ6psoLTRdxT2DnpSYxIqfjZf3jjBsFgT9EMqEih~yzr~Nb6jCeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Savannah-Chatham County Board of Public Education on March 5 approved several finance and contract items on the consent and action agendas, including a $660,000 vocational construction equipment grant, renewal of a district technology contract, and multiple budget transfers tied to the district’s East Blos(s) capital program.

Budget amendment: GSFIC vocational construction equipment grant
The board approved a budget amendment recognizing a Georgia Department of Education / Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission (GSFIC) fiscal-year 2025 vocational construction equipment grant in the amount of $660,000 to be applied to both revenue and expenditures in the district’s FY2025 budget. The board accepted the superintendent’s recommendation and approved the amendment by voice vote.

Contract renewal: RFP 24-07 technology products (hardware and software)
Staff recommended and the board approved the first one-year renewal of RFP 24-07, the annual contract for technology products (desktops, laptops, Chromebooks, printers, monitors, scanners and related products). The original award (03/06/2024) was to the firms Airey Jones Educational Solutions and CDW Government LLC. The renewal covers an estimated annual amount of $7,000,000 and leaves three additional one-year renewal options.

Capital and operating transfers; energy contract renewal; charter facilities grant
The board considered and approved a package of items (motions 9.05–9.08) that included an operating transfer to Fund 307 for deferred maintenance and facility repairs; the second renewal of RFP C201-03 Energy Conservation Services annual contract to Georgia Power (estimated annual savings reported as $702,821); budget transfers related to East Plus 3 (final closeout and allocation to JG Smith Elementary renovations); and approval of $600,000 in charter schools facilities grants for FY2025.

Consent agenda and minutes
The board approved the consent agenda and accepted minutes for prior meetings. Several items were discussed briefly in committee reports before being approved as part of the consent agenda.

What the record shows
Most votes were taken by voice without roll-call tallies read into the public record; meeting minutes or posted agenda materials list the detailed budget spreadsheets and the grant chart referenced in the public packet. Where individual trustees expressed positions during debate, those comments are recorded in the transcript; the board moved, seconded and approved the listed items during the March 5 meeting.

Next steps
Staff said the budget adjustments and contract renewals will be implemented by the district finance and operations divisions, and the East Blos(s) funds will be allocated per the approved transfers and project schedules.","At its March 5 meeting the Savannah-Chatham County Board of Public Education approved a $660,000 vocational construction equipment grant, renewed a technology products contract, and approved a set of budget transfers and grant allocations, among other consent items.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6295572,"Board approves GSBA positions to lower compulsory attendance age, seeks local control for rehiring retired teachers",200,3182000,3382000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2520432-70bd0b887441a1948a17992cfeadec75&start=3182&end=3382","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2520432-70bd0b887441a1948a17992cfeadec75/thumbnail_3182000.jpg","/articles/6295572/Georgia/Board-approves-GSBA-positions-to-lower-compulsory-attendance-age-seeks-local-control-for-rehiring-retired-teachers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6295572-12c594c545a1f52b06210ad50a84fc3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776557645&Signature=EGaFj4WML~vKrQgCXERWPfyAZPpYrNaZqJsiXOOyHqi-~SCnFAGzIqjVAqB0MZ5O8dYOgF7ooXE3bP0jGQFrEULXgexGPguWC~PMQ36EZrDJpT5Rbya7WGpt4WrqFpwqJvLsplfrjTKcT6gJk35~dQNpbZ5zTzI-tv32IRntu7rSPSm9oLTc9Y5XobWVBmm87KPFkvalP3tGhiAjWfnksOvhgURCYlqVx0N7ifpk~-rrYkO16j2BTVSdefQdfPoJKjKdApyuTHQEUufpxxI~EclO9mB-JUTgA~zhYCvJ~X22ZA~QeQ0nN4EB2-KJ7tuU2BO381m7J57LaDMdaIzKmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Savannah-Chatham County Board of Public Education on March 5 approved two recommendations to the Georgia School Boards Association aimed at changing state education policy: lowering the compulsory school enrollment age from 6 to 5 and asking the GSBA to support changes that would let local districts define eligibility for rehiring retired teachers.

Board member Jessica Grabowski introduced the proposals and framed them as aligning district priorities with statewide legislative momentum. “If ever we want to propose something different to GSBA, that it needs to be voted on by our full board,” Grabowski said, noting that Senate Bill 65 had been introduced by “Senator Mallow, also sponsored by Senator Hickman,” as a related effort to reduce the school starting age.

The board approved the motion to amend GSBA language in Section 3.8.1 on compulsory attendance by changing the referenced starting age to 5 years through 18 years for students who have not graduated from high school. The board also voted to add a new legislative position (listed in the meeting materials as 1.D.07) asking GSBA to support revising the Teacher Retirement System rules established under HB 385 (July 2022) so that local districts—not regional definitions—determine which high-need areas may hire retired educators returning to work.

Dr. Howard Hall said he would not support the entire package because of one provision. “There is one position on here I cannot…agree with, and that is taking the hiring of the state superintendent away from taxpayers and leaving that to a board,” Hall said, identifying a parliamentary or scope concern separate from the two items the motion chiefly addressed. The motion passed; Hall stated opposition on at least one element during debate.

Superintendent Dr. Denise Watts, Board President Roger Moss and other trustees participated in the discussion; no detailed roll-call tally was read into the record during the motion. The recommendations will be submitted to GSBA by the board’s deadline of April 10, 2025, as required for GSBA consideration.

Why it matters: Lowering the compulsory enrollment age would expand the district’s policy priorities into early childhood education, a area district leaders cited as aligned with local strategic goals. The change to rehiring rules for retired teachers would, if enacted statewide, give Savannah-Chatham County more flexibility to address local staffing shortages by defining its own high-need positions.

The board’s action does not change Georgia law; it records the district’s formal positions for GSBA’s lobbying and platform-development process. GSBA must consider and adopt proposals before any change to state code occurs. The board’s packet cites HB 385 (July 2022) as the statute that currently defines eligibility for rehired retired educators.","At its March 5 meeting, the Savannah-Chatham County Board of Public Education approved recommendations to the Georgia School Boards Association to lower the compulsory attendance starting age from 6 to 5 and to seek revisions that would let local districts set eligibility rules for rehiring retired teachers.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board receives first read recommending Bloomingdale gym be named for Dr. Ronald W. Bland

Teachers and residents urge board to address staff morale, inequities and low academic proficiency in public comments

Board hears East Blos(s) construction update as district prepares summer moves and renovations

Votes at a glance: Board approves grants, contract renewals and multiple budget transfers

Board approves GSBA positions to lower compulsory attendance age, seeks local control for rehiring retired teachers