[{"_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",6213997,"mediaKeyId","3671736-c6d7ba8f12a77ffc222cad9903297eb1","parentId",3671736,"title","Board approves sale of former school on Cynthia Street to coastal Montessori group; approves $450,000 transfer for pool repairs","audioSeconds",380,"startMs",10991000,"endMs",11371000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3671736-c6d7ba8f12a77ffc222cad9903297eb1&start=10991&end=11371","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3671736-c6d7ba8f12a77ffc222cad9903297eb1/thumbnail_10991000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6213997/Georgia/Board-approves-sale-of-former-school-on-Cynthia-Street-to-coastal-Montessori-group-approves-450000-transfer-for-pool-repairs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6213997-4a46e160f913d1d81b2156f9c0184d8a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770416062&Signature=GyJmiIJj0HnoSlkIh4-Kyx-6wJZ0RzeWFUbTPCtTfQGasLbfwvAEGgFJlNakZcfhPXYgEEtxBLUWkLXwsKXMw-JfQ1F7G~70vZ0o2MtrFNEnpVbKDUm1CVOK-IJLiSs8Zd7G7UgXlJ4kO5jcD8WDZvzGAerrLo0zEuDu~8LPEY5pyhgsNqq0XnhlbP0h5IUXeHC5xtaDbsbvmaUHgZALEDL0BhmWi~9Z6l75PPNu-VzmcuwedE~BP~v5M8hSWB5EkyiDMRdxZQtNOLMbCuKNgeQv8CHEvWDDT0s3UWaubwwJ-JGOZwudBBxi~Ys02ukFN9l~bbAls2~t3RR5VEl12Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-04T21:32:10Z","article","The Savannah‑Chatham County Board of Public Education approved a purchase‑and‑sale agreement to transfer the former Coastal Comprehensive Academy property on Cynthia Street to Coastal Empire Montessori Community Organization (doing business as Coastal Empire Montessori Charter School). Board materials state the recombination plat required by the city had not yet been approved but staff anticipated plat approval within 90 days; the purchase and sale agreement provides for closing within 10 days after the plat is recorded.

Separately, trustees approved a budget transfer to fund repairs and upgrades to district‑owned pools, reducing an initial $600,000 request to a $450,000 transfer after trustees agreed to defer $150,000 of the work connected to Schuman pending resolution with the City of Savannah. Board member Miss Kropalski asked staff to withhold the Schuman allocation until city matters were resolved; the board amended the motion and approved the $450,000 transfer.

Staff said pool repairs will not proceed at Schuman until the district and city reach an agreement; other pool work will move forward once funding is available.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular Board Meeting - June 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Trustees authorized a purchase‑and‑sale agreement to sell the former Coastal Comprehensive Academy site on Cynthia Street to Coastal Empire Montessori and approved a reduced $450,000 budget transfer to fund district pool repairs after the board agreed to defer Schuman pool work pending city coordination.","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},6214002,"Board authorizes $8.41 million early work at Georgetown K‑8; staff outlines SPLOST project schedule and capacity limits",2028,4757000,6785000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3671736-c6d7ba8f12a77ffc222cad9903297eb1&start=4757&end=6785","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3671736-c6d7ba8f12a77ffc222cad9903297eb1/thumbnail_4757000.jpg","/articles/6214002/Georgia/Board-authorizes-841-million-early-work-at-Georgetown-K8-staff-outlines-SPLOST-project-schedule-and-capacity-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214002-b72da0c1fece8adfd5a86703277dd0b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770416063&Signature=fCe6kHjU8Pxj0QC7bh4K3WQq0ZHDu53fF~0IbWpB9xh93QE63eG70Yi7fMwcs1d7fiZeNRIH7txvrkyNpLQ~LAgOEmZx-SDAUHng78OiSKgmwMYztAEwDcNWw0CiTWGOm5QHv-xcSMVMh0CCSGgLmdF1yFZrq48sIda5NVkZ5Fgvf5zTGwD1pSlj1hr8ZGseLOIURkeDX~pednhoX1GVly-uElSD5xe0krLpvgvR9ZowL3bdVWwgCbrsMVrikQX8Pv05WYod8kX9IpEjj0zMsgO4o7lG6ECZnh24f2hqDPlit9g6J7VOofzO0QOyAvtZAM89TT38gsSnJTqF63mhlg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Savannah‑Chatham County Board of Public Education authorized up to $8,413,223 for construction startup costs and long‑lead purchases for the Georgetown K‑8 project at the June 4 meeting, approving early‑package work to buy long‑lead materials, start demolition and order equipment.

Facilities staff presented a multi‑project update that covered Windsor Forest High School, Bloomingdale, DEHS athletic complex, Henderson, J.G. Smith, Montgomery and others. Staff said many projects are on track for August occupancy or fall completion and that furniture and finishes are being installed at several campuses. Islands High School expansion was bid under budget and will be awarded at a future meeting, staff said.

Board members used the facilities briefing to press for clarity about project definitions (for instance, the distinction between a practice field and a full athletic complex), site constraints (wetlands at Woodville‑Tompkins were cited as a reason previous athletic work was postponed) and timing concerns. Several trustees urged the district to consider outsourcing some program management or bringing on additional project managers to accelerate work, but staff cautioned that hiring is constrained by market pay rates and workforce availability and that outsourcing can reduce owner control.

The Georgetown authorization was presented as a necessary step to secure long‑lead items and start demolition; the board approved the expenditure for the early package and staff will return with guaranteed maximum price details where required. Trustees asked staff to provide clearer project sheets for future packages showing FTE assumptions, square footage and the stage of design before projects move to bid.","Trustees approved up to $8,413,223 for early procurement and demolition for the Georgetown K‑8 construction project. Facilities staff briefed the board on progress across multiple SPLOST projects and warned that internal capacity and hiring constraints limit how many projects can be advanced simultaneously.",{"_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},6214007,"Board approves $285,000 financial assessment contract after trustees question procurement process",692,3880000,4572000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3671736-c6d7ba8f12a77ffc222cad9903297eb1&start=3880&end=4572","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3671736-c6d7ba8f12a77ffc222cad9903297eb1/thumbnail_3880000.jpg","/articles/6214007/Georgia/Board-approves-285000-financial-assessment-contract-after-trustees-question-procurement-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214007-cf6a148a264d78d341e569f55904b4b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770416063&Signature=Bmthra~ZxFNi7Mmu2Yy~PzXg5V2ikeTmm9A3g0KtZA1KQprGkTKIWDaneIrp63foEyYfkvA8ZzhZITOJJ-3g0Kh7PnL~cMjcmfAE1oR5mJEq2A0K53qyn4RBl4oNUC8u3Fv1jDn~ejH8G~C-Wdohi8Dt64IGEQqOs2V6REVCUEB7cSsvxbNgaJl8yOo-FWnjk80SsPYxKpf1c6mTw~9RjdJ8szER1JzfttKMK297qFxDcXQu30PBKk7pfrpmVTxw~A1J6tWr29C4fc29kma03EsOCa6Goid45XIsPSIVeDv3xPGRREpfhsBvkxeap60DCGrS3Tqb1z69d~S2JFgSeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Savannah‑Chatham County Board of Public Education approved a $285,000 professional financial assessment consulting contract to Alvarez and Marcel Public Sector Services LLC on June 4 after an extended public discussion about procurement procedures and vendor selection.

Board member Dr. Austin Sprout pulled the item from the consent agenda to ask why the district did not solicit competing proposals for what he called a substantial contract. Sprout asked whether the district had given potential firms an opportunity to bid and why principals listed in the vendor materials were described as “may work on the project.” He said he would support the work but planned to vote no on the contract because of the procurement process.

Superintendent Denise Watts and staff described the contract as a professional services engagement procured under the district’s procurement policy, which allows selecting specialized professional vendors without a full competitive RFP when the service meets defined criteria. Staff said they conducted internal vetting, reviewed other providers and determined this firm matched the district’s required scope. The superintendent also said timing was a factor: “If we go through an RFP process, we likely wouldn't be launching this for several more months,” and the board heard that the district wanted the assessment completed in time to inform next year’s budget cycle.

Trustee David Bremen and others urged greater transparency in future contract documents, including clearer procurement rationales and standardized templates that explain which procurement policy subsection was used. Several trustees asked staff to develop standard language to accompany future contract recommendations so the board and public can more readily see why a noncompetitive professional selection was justified.

The board approved the contract recommendation; multiple trustees recorded support but at least one member announced a planned no vote on procedural grounds.","Trustees approved a $285,000 professional financial assessment contract with Alvarez and Marcel Public Sector Services LLC but several members raised concerns about the lack of an RFP, vendor selection process and timeline; the superintendent said internal vetting determined the firm met the district’s needs and timing was a factor.",{"_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},6214012,"Board tentatively adopts $659.5 million FY26 budget, sets 17.481 mills for advertisement amid rollback debate",2345,8835000,11180000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3671736-c6d7ba8f12a77ffc222cad9903297eb1&start=8835&end=11180","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3671736-c6d7ba8f12a77ffc222cad9903297eb1/thumbnail_8835000.jpg","/articles/6214012/Georgia/Board-tentatively-adopts-6595-million-FY26-budget-sets-17481-mills-for-advertisement-amid-rollback-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214012-d3a509f95fe6ff624293e6747a4d0d9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770416063&Signature=Y7IfdZ6T0EbUocpB7wY6FPbOEA2BlwWBab2i9GYEVrH97z3h8ho3VletdSwqw0P~a3YILp~nGJSuUM0f5CyFJ0yWe7E8Qw2NUCoHv8-hCB6hx2Yc91EVqPNhEe7A4pUSrXK-Yi0hWUpBYxQ3InIt1HMLB4pA1k~7sZHhd3zBex3IF3skIHDbiMOUG-uzvMOImCGrmZDr~Qf0l9mWzh8wss34GSr5Qv27C6fYSTiiqXN-zPU5lwlROVSh4XGMlAyF2llFldn939QXTsiCTRVew3fV-tP0tV4p1721BSyEEWCYzjVVTNIWThUpQXSPXBllX9bynSIM5QhYE592efZ2qQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Savannah‑Chatham County Board of Public Education on June 4 tentatively adopted the fiscal year 2026 budget for all funds and authorized staff to advertise a combined millage rate of 17.481 mills for calendar year 2025. The vote advanced the district’s tentative budgets while trustees debated whether to reduce the advertised millage prior to the final adoption vote on June 25.

Staff presented the budget totals used for the tentative adoption: a general fund budget of $659,511,639; estimated local revenues of $440,176,930; state revenues of $216,090,965; federal revenues estimated at $1,300,000; and a planned use of fund balance of $1,943,744. The capital projects funds budget for FY26 was presented as $162,123,459.

Chief financial staff explained the district must advertise a tentative millage and that the advertised rate may be higher than the eventual rate; staff noted the proposed rate exceeded the statutory rollback and that, under state law (O.C.G.A. 48‑5‑32.1), the district must advertise the proposed rate and disclose the percentage above rollback (the proposal was 3.89 percent above the rollback rate). Several trustees said they preferred a partial rollback but did not provide an agreed reduction amount at the meeting. Trustee David Bremen and others said they believed a small rollback could be absorbed without cutting program priorities; others urged caution given federal grant uncertainty and potential revenue volatility.

Board members and staff discussed timing: the district received updated digest information from the tax assessor’s office the morning of the meeting and staff said the updated figures were close to the estimates in the budget. Trustees were reminded the advertised tentative millage can be lowered at the final June 25 hearing but not increased above the advertised level.

The board advanced the tentative FY26 budget and authorized staff to advertise the 17.481 mill rate; trustees will vote on final budget adoption and final millage on June 25.","The Board of Public Education tentatively adopted the fiscal 2026 budget and recommended a 17.481‑mill levy for advertisement; trustees debated whether to rollback the millage and how much fund balance to use, and staff said final millage can be reduced at the June 25 final adoption.",{"_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},6214017,"SCCPSS board hears extensive debate over attendance policy changes, including 5‑day truancy definition and waiver timing",1720,2073000,3793000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3671736-c6d7ba8f12a77ffc222cad9903297eb1&start=2073&end=3793","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3671736-c6d7ba8f12a77ffc222cad9903297eb1/thumbnail_2073000.jpg","/articles/6214017/Georgia/SCCPSS-board-hears-extensive-debate-over-attendance-policy-changes-including-5day-truancy-definition-and-waiver-timing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214017-04bc926da351a1190fc68a4fe521a227/orig.mp4?Expires=1770416063&Signature=I4a5RgJbEu0NkjEjjTGwskrYXNaZRq~KZPsc-8LpR-hl50l344PQIVEEb0c4FQHLHhvQMG7VIZpE314gbpW450T4~AxGVsXcfk1iC1Uak43lw2fmuAT3iqvsLKzqInrNipLCwp9DwJmML63vuqksM56BpL8p0fIWSzFLIbb2HJ0BJmBJBoIMDv5j8qUtt4nH6552vDpPKbrKwvIJRkT6~mirAAtu5-YP8vNFs84y5hLfCX6keR9BCgfOiCYYHcuAeGuTxcXAm~5qEn9aaG2PqWxwjSjC59uUmMHsKH-KLkzYnUWCBC2UPun-PDHlIWfsz58qgrfhPKosqUEn76ndXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Savannah‑Chatham County Board of Public Education on June 4 held a lengthy first read of proposed revisions to board policy JBA (Compulsory Attendance Ages), focusing on how the district will treat truancy, attendance waivers, remote participation and related administrative procedures.

Board members and staff discussed why the policy text was changed to align with the state board of education rule that defines truancy at five unexcused days rather than the district’s prior local practice of 10 days. Superintendent Denise Watts told the board, “we're now in line with how the actual state board of education rule defines truancy as 5 days.”

The discussion centered on several points: when a family must request an attendance waiver; whether the waiver deadline—currently the end of the term—gives schools enough time to implement recovery plans; what academic standard should qualify a student for a waiver; and how remote participation should affect teacher workload.

Board member Dr. Howard Hall and others pressed staff on the 70 percent grade threshold cited for attendance‑waiver eligibility and on whether “proficient” (as used on a rubric) is consistent with the grade‑based standard in policy. Superintendent Watts and other staff said the rubric is separate from the policy and that the 70 percent threshold aligns with the district’s promotion and retention rules. Several trustees urged clearer wording so families and administrators understand whether the 70 percent refers to class grades or assessment proficiency.

Trustees also questioned timing: Dr. Austin Crow asked that waiver decisions occur earlier than the last day of the term so students denied a waiver can still complete attendance recovery without being forced into summer school. He suggested a deadline such as April 30 or “30 days before the end of the term”; staff said they will develop clearer guidance on timelines and appeals.

On remote learning, board members asked about teacher workload. Staff clarified the district’s plan for remote participation is asynchronous, noting that “the remote participation option, the work, expected of the teacher, is, asynchronous,” and that teachers will use the district’s learning management system to post assignments.

No formal action was taken; this was a first read. Staff were directed to bring revised language and supporting administrative guidance back for a July second read and potential adoption.","The Savannah‑Chatham County Board of Public Education reviewed a first read of revised compulsory attendance policy JBA, focusing on the state rule that defines truancy at five unexcused days, the timing and standards for attendance waivers and remote participation rules; no formal vote was taken and staff will return with revisions for July.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves sale of former school on Cynthia Street to coastal Montessori group; approves $450,000 transfer for pool repairs

Board authorizes $8.41 million early work at Georgetown K‑8; staff outlines SPLOST project schedule and capacity limits

Board approves $285,000 financial assessment contract after trustees question procurement process

Board tentatively adopts $659.5 million FY26 budget, sets 17.481 mills for advertisement amid rollback debate

SCCPSS board hears extensive debate over attendance policy changes, including 5‑day truancy definition and waiver timing