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St. Simons Elementary School

Board Brief - September 8, 2026

Posted Date: 09/09/26 (09:50 AM)
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Work Session Highlights
During the September 3, 2026 work session, the Board reviewed several key updates and action items, including:

Financials & District Operations

  • Financial Reports: Reviewed the July 2026 Financial Report.
  • Board Policy Revision JBC (School Admissions): Reviewed revisions to ensure compliance with recent Georgia legislative updates regarding foster children.
  • Safety: Discussed purchasing 3 new OpenGate Detection Systems.
  • Georgia Milestones Results:Michael Ferra, Director of Testing & Measurement, presented 4-year trend data and state average comparisons (excluding ELA due to the state's rollout of new learning standards):
    • Elementary Schools (EOG): Demonstrated strong, steady growth across grade levels. 4th and 5th Grade Math, as well as 5th Grade Science, outpaced state averages. 
    • Middle Schools (EOG): Exceeded state benchmarks in every single reported subject and grade level. 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Math, along with 8th Grade Social Studies, all posted positive growth in proficiency. Standout performance goes to 8th Grade Science, which beat state averages by double digits across all levels (+10.28% in Levels 2–4 and +11.62% in Levels 3–4).
    • High Schools (EOC): Significantly outperformed state averages across all reported End-of-Course subjects. High schoolers topped the state by 8.95% in Algebra proficiency, 20.55% in Biology proficiency, and an incredible 28.86% in U.S. History proficiency.
  • Workforce for Georgia Grant Recognition: GICCA was awarded a $50,000 Workforce for Georgia Grant, sponsored by Georgia Power and the Georgia Foundation for Public Education. These competitive state funds will equip the new Phlebotomy/Clinical Lab Technician (CLT) pathway. With a newly hired instructor dedicated to foundational healthcare courses, Glynn County Schools will simultaneously expand Patient Care (CNA) capacity and launch the accelerated Phlebotomy/CLT track - giving students stackable credentials and direct pathways into the local healthcare workforce.
  • CTAE Perkins Budget Grant: Reviewed the grant request to secure federal funding for local technical education programs.
  • CTAE & GICCA Program Updates:Celebrated record-setting growth across career-technical pathways and initiatives. Our future workforce is sitting in our classrooms right now, and it is a true pleasure to see so many of our students so passionately career-focused:
    • Enrollment & Pathway Expansions: GICCA enrollment jumped 16% to 1,215 students (representing 33% of all high schoolers). High demand in Cosmetology, Welding, HVAC, Construction, and Automotive. Manufacturing returned after seven years, and Clinical Lab & Phlebotomy will be debuted — building on four pathways launched last year (Workforce Career Ready, Heavy Equipment Operators, Dental Science, and Fire Science/EMT). Waitlist for the next school year are already starting!
    • Credentials & Testing Success: GICCA students set a record with 416 passed End of Pathway Assessments (a 22% increase). The resulting 87.52% pass rate ranked #1 in the RESA and beat the state average by 14.43%. Dual enrollment students earned 137 Technical Certificates of Credit through Coastal Pines Technical College last school year, and 37 CNAs were pinned. On Signing Day alone, 15 companies were represented with 31 new hires alongside numerous job offers, $37,500 in total scholarships were awarded, and 61% of the Class of 2026 completed a CTAE Pathway.
    • Accelerated Career Diploma: Participation in the ACD program, which enables 10th–12th graders to simultaneously earn a high school diploma and a postsecondary credential, surged 88%, bringing active participation to approximately 55 students.
Facilities & Construction Update
  • Sterling Elementary: Roof replacement is 90% complete, targeting late September wrap-up following brief rain delays.
  • Goodyear Elementary Renovation: Nearing full completion with final punch-list items.
  • Glyndale Replacement School: Construction remains on schedule. Main entrance and daycare work is underway, cafeteria wing windows are installed, interior painting has begun, and masonry is set for October completion.
  • C.B. Greer Elementary Renovation: Bids are closing soon to begin site and drainage work as quickly as possible.
Board Meeting Highlights
Spotlight
  • Teachers & Staff of the Year: Recognized and celebrated the district’s outstanding Teacher of the Year and Staff of the Year award recipients. To see the full list of recipients, please visit our website.
Official Board Actions
During the regular meeting on September 8, 2026, the Board of Education formally approved the meeting agenda along with the consent agenda, including:
  • August Board Meeting Minutes
  • Personnel
  • Field Trips
  • Gude Report
  • July Financial Reports
  • CTAE Perkins Budget Grant Acceptance
  • Purchase of 3 OpenGate Detection Systems
To see the details of September's Work Session and Board Meeting, please follow this link to see the complete agendas: Meeting Agendas