[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6140127,"mediaKeyId","5579504-b459d37cd55cd6f1ed3b0fed26475f60","parentId",5579504,"title","Board approves $777,470 contract with EPIC Special Education Staffing to fill vacancies","audioSeconds",235,"startMs",2710000,"endMs",2945000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5579504-b459d37cd55cd6f1ed3b0fed26475f60&start=2710&end=2945","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5579504-b459d37cd55cd6f1ed3b0fed26475f60/thumbnail_2710000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6140127/Georgia/Board-approves-777470-contract-with-EPIC-Special-Education-Staffing-to-fill-vacancies","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140127-0b0085e0b5e257a2ae3cbcdbb389e72b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770522205&Signature=Rq2YqGaM6~aHg2L86~YXjBfVCJlSH8VtFJZ5GXU7cgBTvQkA6eT6J14koOzGn4vh-Ay2cNzgFHzMKjCAZGkz0VeLl76kQmfy7CSoP7Eb3nOC4xbksfO3gOvu0r4n3ieQ-SakgCHVYKCYCrs76M6SgJTARr9AU9cBbbY~fdvMqWKJsPyKRDiD8xIZcG21EgO4uhIwM~3p7aGG1jjHw0bU5Jh43TKy6hNQhqJXgip10EIKUUYZ6WYPxGw-tEp4eSoye2Ml5Wb4cVEVfqh4orex~~UCl3xSyPS0TS~eVFGJwsixCj0L2DYuSb6~s~aYuKWigKw1n0C7SADy7LJaz-wp0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-08-14T08:20:42Z","article","The Savannah Chatham County Board of Education approved a one‑year contract with EPIC Special Education Staffing on Aug. 13 to provide special education teachers and school psychologists to address current vacancies. Staff described the contract as an as‑needed professional services arrangement for the 2025 fiscal year.

District staff said the estimated cost for EPIC Special Education Staffing is $777,470, composed of $216,000 for professional services (psychological services and testing) and $561,470 for teachers. Staff indicated funding will come from a combination of federal and state grants.

During discussion, a board member asked why the district had not used a bidding process for this item given its dollar amount. Staff responded that multiple vendors were reviewed, that the district has used this vendor in prior years for similar services, and that they would provide clarity to the board about procurement compliance. The board member said the public should be assured that the district is following competitive procurement and stewardship practices.

Action taken: The board moved and approved the contract with EPIC Special Education Staffing for a one‑year period at the estimated total cost of $777,470, with funding to come from various federal and state grants.

Why it matters: The contract addresses immediate operational needs to provide special education instruction and psychological services while the district continues recruitment for permanent staff. A board member urged the district to evaluate salary scales and recruitment strategies to reduce reliance on contracted services.

What’s next: Staff said they would confirm procurement compliance and report back to the board as requested; the special education department will track usage of contracted services and pursue recruitment to fill vacancies.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular Board Meeting - August 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved a one‑year contract with EPIC Special Education Staffing to provide special education teachers and school psychologists, citing current vacancies; the contract is estimated at $777,470 and funded by federal and state grants.","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},6140131,"Board authorizes $5.9 million transfer to cover school nutrition deficit",2045,3766000,5811000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5579504-b459d37cd55cd6f1ed3b0fed26475f60&start=3766&end=5811","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5579504-b459d37cd55cd6f1ed3b0fed26475f60/thumbnail_3766000.jpg","/articles/6140131/Georgia/Board-authorizes-59-million-transfer-to-cover-school-nutrition-deficit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140131-f9ebf5b8f5e4782914991ce9f36a419f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770522205&Signature=L6qnd-Vn5cWlehvCn0BI6ObEqRFaznjOsJijpxT4RnozNISZhdX0KkDBVYsVqZz9oKlV1Fl2sfQrnyP1kUS~a9RXoeDHfOzXzGXXUQO4TXf4PSPG8jDal6Q-Gwjzwn0A~Za6bQ5LzCJnsvp3CuV31jL1jkV4RnnlNoPmgSEHqDNgSW5Kp6TBOUVyDXl6LhTUGwZhqCtCtqUKAto31mTvECB0mPxmWx3NIr0rYBp0swtLZIEeWn5cKUHQjcuJvshbOIWA5~EMz59fCHGKHoGTfVKsfGX66ozNqFfU85-35SiagY0Im0aBguFwKPZ0H4hOoE3lF5dUBSby4g5c3KbDbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Savannah Chatham County Board of Education approved an operating transfer of $5,900,000 from the general fund to the School Nutrition Fund (Fund 600) on Aug. 13 after district financial staff reported the fund was showing a net loss for the fiscal year that ended June 30.

Finance staff told the board that Fund 600 was currently showing a net loss of $5.9 million and that additional year‑end entries could post during closing; the transfer would prevent a fund balance deficit. Staff said the shortfall reflected lower-than-expected revenues relative to the budgeted amounts and that the district will revisit revenue estimates tied to the Community Eligibility Provision and federal reimbursements.

The board moved and approved an operating transfer in the amount of $5,900,000 from the general fund to the school nutrition fund. The transfer is funded from a set of general fund accounts described in board materials as \"various accounts,\" including salaries, supplies, software and equipment; staff said they would identify specific account transfers in budget amendment documentation.

Board members asked for additional analysis and future reporting on the fiscal impact of the district’s transition to the Community Eligibility Program (CEP), the influence of projected federal reimbursements, and whether the CEP affected revenue assumptions. One board member said the district should evaluate whether the CEP transition produced a material fiscal difference and requested a baseline and further financial reporting.

Why it matters: School nutrition operations affect meal service to students and the district must maintain solvency in that fund to avoid interruptions to meal programs. The board-approved transfer preserves the fund’s solvency for the current fiscal year while staff examine revenue assumptions.

What’s next: Finance staff said they will perform further analysis of school nutrition revenues, coordinate a baseline assessment under CEP, and recommend any necessary budget adjustments going forward. The board approved the transfer and corresponding budget amendment.","District financial staff reported a $5.9 million projected deficit in the school nutrition fund and the board approved an operating transfer of $5.9 million from the general fund to prevent a deficit for fiscal year 2025.",{"_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},6140135,"Board approves $250,000 pilot for one-to-one virtual tutoring from Ignite Reading",875,2952000,3827000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5579504-b459d37cd55cd6f1ed3b0fed26475f60&start=2952&end=3827","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5579504-b459d37cd55cd6f1ed3b0fed26475f60/thumbnail_2952000.jpg","/articles/6140135/Georgia/Board-approves-250000-pilot-for-one-to-one-virtual-tutoring-from-Ignite-Reading","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140135-3579d57d91093fb25c635f01568dc54f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770522205&Signature=T1JRBTNoQ6IE0J3h7SfPRxkeDNLLF8dOMN-zJdCLarI70A9-oQb5BSdoe2d5jSEiuU~1tdWR2JkQs9xmRudTodepNzqRPwcpdf9gTnsTojXt8XpPVyyNxDEeg6D0tvVv-aTAEXkpNqw2AweLDg3qTtgmeQrbKQ6yRifYnWiBQqkSppihu9WB~x7gQsnjQEtem7Nyafgbmacc1MaVNebTa5ZijlJvhNp-EWAZP6XeWwxk1XxKIFREb-uYp5F3CWrqvtTruJZkLSEOEbSvtLr96ivAeOskLss0B6qkTfBiVQcEFI-qgfyNgeZwwfeGr-Wo2VYeUgn3r9CWEkkQpppAoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Savannah Chatham County Board of Education voted Aug. 13 to contract with Ignite Reading PBC for a district pilot of high‑dosage, one‑to‑one virtual reading tutoring in the 2025–26 school year at an estimated annual cost of $250,000. Staff described the purchase as a sole‑source procurement based on Ignite’s proprietary platform and curriculum.

Shraddha, a district staff member leading the pilot briefing, told the board: \"It is daily 1 on 1 tutoring,\" and explained students would receive 15 minutes a day, five days a week of individualized instruction from trained tutors. Staff said the program pairs tutors with a dedicated literacy specialist who will report on student progress every 14 days and coordinate with school leadership.

District staff said the pilot will target 100 students in second and third grade who are two or more grade levels below on the district’s diagnostic assessment, beginning after the district’s beginning‑of‑year EMIRA scores are available. The pilot will use four demographically similar comparison schools to evaluate impact and will include an ROI lens with involvement from the director of research and evaluation.

Board members highlighted the pilot as an example of innovation and asked for frequent progress reporting. \"I didn't want it to be buried in the consent,\" said a board member who moved to pull the item for full consideration, adding that the pilot was a promising use of resources to address early literacy. Staff confirmed they will monitor implementation every 14 days and provide updates to the board if the program is effective and scalable.

Action taken: The board approved a sole‑source agreement with Ignite Reading PBC for foundational literacy tutoring services for the 2025–26 school year at a total estimated cost of $250,000.

Why it matters: The pilot targets students at risk of falling behind in early reading and is structured to produce regular progress data and comparison results to determine whether to scale the program in future years.

What’s next: Staff will begin implementation after beginning‑of‑year assessments are complete, monitor progress biweekly, and report outcomes to the board and district leadership.","The board approved a sole‑source procurement for Ignite Reading PBC to deliver a one‑to‑one, daily 15‑minute virtual tutoring pilot (estimated $250,000) targeting early readers in second and third grade, with data monitoring and comparison schools identified for evaluation.",{"_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},6140140,"Board approves Reach Public Schools charter with conditions for launch in 2026–27",776,1849000,2625000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5579504-b459d37cd55cd6f1ed3b0fed26475f60&start=1849&end=2625","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5579504-b459d37cd55cd6f1ed3b0fed26475f60/thumbnail_1849000.jpg","/articles/6140140/Georgia/Board-approves-Reach-Public-Schools-charter-with-conditions-for-launch-in-202627","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140140-4306a13fce295c5583ac30006b659abc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770522205&Signature=B2vr8iIpXHo-F8e7UL4B7eQj-K1o0lk3SxK-siOLlf7p8o93poBLyglWqy1Kzb0MMJ-YjXUBBWssAYqBaiRb2Qefb4yXyofvYCbE90qsUAWhfC7VaVNgGidpzEEjRcK52UWB6BlhfYjft5ZDvRgK5PLam5rX6x4qXBnBzZexDBmPDTCebXq6gqbVCw~F18XXUiJL89KjDd~isoDmvg1U2~3B4N5k5UaHiruvdOZP~H53Li1mEebZ8zYjlxVE7dkK1t53~uc9~J3vzZgLAl8BN5u9pXTikYCOVWNU79XgPVPt5YSJgoZA4VWMGBY34On9gLmzjrffmuFBiH8yvv5btg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Savannah Chatham County Board of Education voted Aug. 13 to approve a five-year charter contract for Reach Public Schools, a proposed startup charter scheduled to open in the 2026–27 school year. The approval followed a staff recommendation and a review by the district's Charter Review Committee.

The district's deputy superintendent reported that the committee recommended approval but also identified pre-launch conditions, including strengthening internal academic monitoring systems, submitting a time‑bound board development and training plan, establishing proactive collaboration with district departments on safety and student support, and closely monitoring enrollment and staffing to support stable growth. Those conditions were incorporated into the motion presented to the board.

Board members voiced general support for the petition and emphasized both the opportunity and the responsibilities that accompany a charter start. \"Please use our board and our staff as a resource,\" said Mr. Kachmar, a board member, adding that operating what is written on paper is the hard part and urging the petitioners to learn from existing charters. Dr. Brinkman said she supported the approval and urged the new school to treat the charter as part of the public school system: \"There are all of our children, Savannah Chatham County,\" she said.

Board members also asked procedural and governance questions. One board member noted the petition's language allowing board members to be dismissed \"without cause\" and asked the petitioners to clarify the rationale for that clause. Petitioners identified a potential facility location in an existing building previously used by a higher-education institution in the eastside area of the county, which staff said was part of the petition materials.

Action taken: The board moved and seconded a resolution to approve Reach Public Schools for a five‑year charter beginning in the 2026–27 school year with the staff-recommended conditions. The board voted to approve the charter.

Why it matters: The charter is intended to serve a population of students described in the petition as having high needs and to use nontraditional, flexible scheduling and individualized graduation planning. The board attached conditions to help align the startup with district performance expectations and to require early board development and explicit collaboration on safety and student supports.

What’s next: The petitioners and district staff will proceed with the conditions outlined by the charter review committee and the board prior to the school’s launch. The board and staff recommended ongoing communication during the planning and early implementation phases to support the charter's stability.

","The Savannah Chatham County Board of Education voted to approve a five-year charter contract for Reach Public Schools, a startup charter planned to open in the 2026–27 school year, while attaching conditions around academic monitoring, board development and collaboration with district departments.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves $777,470 contract with EPIC Special Education Staffing to fill vacancies

Board authorizes $5.9 million transfer to cover school nutrition deficit

Board approves $250,000 pilot for one-to-one virtual tutoring from Ignite Reading

Board approves Reach Public Schools charter with conditions for launch in 2026–27