The Greenville Public School District’s board of trustees conducted their regularly Tuesday meeting in which some officials and administrators elected to attend via Zoom — an application which allows for quality video and audio conferencing.
With the mission to “Strive for 45,” or to achieve an accountability grade of a C or higher for GPSD, Dace requested the board’s consideration for repositioning a few moving parts in the district, which include the hiring of a science specialist, reclassifying for a reading specialist in lieu of an interventionist, reclassifying for a professional development testing coordinator, hiring a director of leadership support and accountability and the hiring of an assistant maintenance director in lieu of a secretary.
“As we look at data and what’s expected for accreditation for the upcoming school year, I’m asking the board to assist with realignment and positions,” Dace said while addressing the board.
Dace explained the addition of a science specialist next year would be a new position paid for using federal programs funds.
“This person will support science throughout the district from elementary to high school and perhaps some additional support in math,” she said.
Dace then explained that currently at the district level, there are two intervention specialists; so, in lieu of the two, Dace asked to reclassify one of the interventionists whereas the other could be for the reading specialist position.
“Their job description for intervention specialist basically says they lead or support efforts with teacher support team or Response to Intervention (RTI), so knowing the needs in the district, I’m asking to reclassify,” Dace said. “The current interventionist position is funded out of the district funds, but in reorganizing that, the reading specialist position would be funded out of federal programs, so that would leave those funds available for other use.”
Dace highlighted the salary and number of work days for the individual would remain the same and the only change would be the actual name of the position.
Dace noted the individual would be a reading specialist for grades pre-K through fifth.
Keeping with district funded positions and reclassification, the trustees received a description of what the duties of the professional development testing coordinator would entail.
“Right now, the academic director does testing and we’re needing more support in that area, someone who is really dedicated to that as well as professional development,” Dace said. “This person is also the other intervention specialist and she’s helped a lot with that already. So, instead of just adding this as additional duties, this is going to be that person’s responsibility.”
Dace discussed with the board at length the significance of the role of director of leadership support and accountability, but first noted the district funds, which would have been used for a reading interventionist, would be reallocated to support the implementation of director of leadership support and accountability.
“This year, we’ll have to go through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) with that advanced education accreditation as well as focus more on accountability and providing leadership to our principals at our 13 sites,” Dace said. “So I’m asking the board to consider this new job.”
She enclosed a description of the position to the board and reiterated it would be offset by the funds previously used for the reading interventionist.
GPSD trustee Shirley Cartlidge asked who would the person in this new role report to directly.
Dace responded, “This person would report directly to the superintendent … they would support as far as providing leadership to the principals and directors.”
Board president Dr. Doris Thompson asked, “And the ultimate goal is to make sure that our test scores increase from all these changes?”
Dace assured Thompson an increase in test scores is certainly the ultimately goal and the individual in that role would drive that focus, being there’s such a large number of schools in their district.
“Thanks to the board for providing some contractual days for leadership support in four of our schools, we saw the benefit and Akin was one of those schools where we had some leadership support and it definitely made a difference,” Dace said. “Time is of the essence, so we do want to build the capacity of the administrators we have.”
Dace added the person in this new role will monitor and ensure accreditation standards are being met on a regular basis.
“With so many things being required, I just wanted to make sure someone had their thumb on this at all times,” she said.
Finally, Dace requested the board’s consideration for an assistant maintenance director in lieu of a secretary.
“Of course, anyone in the district can apply for this job, but it takes effort because there are so many issues with the facilities when it comes to cleanliness and the grounds,” she said.
Dace said while the maintenance director is doing a great job, another set of eyes to as well as hands is needed.
“I feel like this person can go out more so and help monitor and assist with the custodians in the buildings and ensure repairs are getting done,” she said.
Thompson asked would the assistant maintenance director go to various sites and Dace said the person would indeed, as well as perform clerical duties.
The board unanimously approved each of Dace’s requests.
