Savannah‑Chatham County BOE previews expanded summer learning, scholarships and transportation pilots

The Savannah‑Chatham County Board of Education received details on the district’s Summer Learning 2026 plan at an informational meeting on March 11, 2026.

Stacy Pinger, coordinator of strategy for academic and student services, and Secondary Network Superintendent Dr. Renardo Reeves said the program — themed “Leveling Up, Challenge, Growth, and Confidence” — aims to support students who need course recovery, provide enrichment, and expand access districtwide. “Our summer learning goals for this year are supporting students who need additional academic support,” Reeves said, outlining strands for initial credit (grades 10–12), credit and grade recovery (grades 3–12), blended‑learning supports and literacy enrichment for younger students.

Staff said teacher planning days are May 28–29 and student instructional days will run June 1–25, Monday through Thursday, with elementary hours roughly 8 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and high school student hours 7 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Reeves corrected a draft calendar that listed June 26, noting the district will not hold summer classes on Fridays.

Miss Pottinger, who described partner sites and specific camps, said the district is coordinating multiple community partners and scholarships to reduce cost barriers. Among programs announced were a JROTC STEM Leadership Academy (held at Georgia Southern, free to cadets), a cosmetology “Style Studio” camp for rising sixth through ninth graders (June 15–18; $100 fee applied to supplies), MSAP STEAM offerings with transportation, and a consolidated Explorers Academy combining junior‑university and CTA camps. Staff said some partner offerings already show strong interest and that seats are limited for several programs; one combined offering currently has 150 seats available.

Transportation was a recurring theme. Staff described a Seismic pilot that will use a hub system — four buses serving seven locations across the county — to address transportation as a barrier to enrollment; staff said the pilot would move roughly 100 students per week into Seismic camps and that district scholarships would remain available. For some programs (Massie, Oatland), staff said transportation is not provided and families must supply lunch.

Board members asked for a clear cost breakdown for the district. One member pressed whether high‑school credit recovery would remain fee‑free; staff said it will not be charged this year and that a fund balance request is expected to cover program costs beyond current allocations. “We will get you the cost,” staff said, acknowledging a forthcoming fund balance request.

Several board members raised concerns about academic rigor and whether a three‑week program can reliably produce mastery — particularly for high‑school students attempting to recover credit. Members urged that summer courses match regular‑year rigor and asked staff to track repeat summer participants and post‑summer outcomes. Staff responded they will use MAP and other assessment data to target instruction and determine promotion eligibility, not solely grades.

The board and staff also discussed youth workforce offerings: a SWAP apprenticeship for students 16 and older (May 28–June 25) and other work‑based learning opportunities; staff noted historically declining applications for some positions and said the district will continue outreach to recruiters and schools.

Staff outlined communication and registration timelines: an initial announcement in March, scholarship application availability from March 16–April 10, program registration in April (except for programs already released), and final reminders and route posting in May.

The meeting was informational; no votes were taken on the summer‑learning plan. Board members asked staff to return with detailed cost outlines, mechanisms to monitor program rigor and student outcomes, and clearer information on which programs include transportation and which do not.