News Summary
The Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools launched the new school year with both challenges and successes, including a power outage at May Howard Elementary and HVAC issues at several schools. Superintendent Denise Watts praised the staff’s response to incidents while addressing transportation issues and increased safety measures. Despite challenges, school meal participation surged, and new policies aim to enhance attendance and remote learning. The district continues to focus on student safety and addressing parental concerns as the year unfolds.
Savannah – The Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools (SCCPSS) kicked off the new school year on Monday, facing both challenges and successes on the first day. Notably, a tree fell on a power line during rainy weather, resulting in a power outage that delayed the opening of May Howard Elementary School by one hour. Superintendent Denise Watts commended the May Howard team and district employees for their prompt response to the incident.
During her first-day press conference at the Eli Whitney Complex, Watts addressed some minor issues that arose primarily due to the adverse weather conditions. However, other problems persisted as HVAC issues have been reported at several schools including Islands High School, Rice Creek K-8, Herman W. Hesse K-8 School, Southwest Middle School, and Savannah Classical Academy. Particularly, the upper grades building at Savannah Classical Academy remains non-operational due to ongoing HVAC challenges, with repair funds still pending from the ESPLOST V.
On the transportation front, the department handled 405 calls throughout the day, resolving 305 of them by 3:30 p.m. Additionally, there was a significant increase in requests for student passes for the Chatham Area Transit (CAT), rising from 29 to 180 for Choice Program schools over the weekend.
Delayed school bus arrivals were noted, primarily attributed to the inclement weather and resulting traffic. The district thanked families for their patience in managing the increased congestion around schools, which was compounded by the first-day excitement. The Board of Education Police Department (BOEPD) and local law enforcement were deployed to enhance student safety as students returned to the classroom.
Furthermore, concerns emerged regarding the district’s policy mandating clear or mesh backpacks for security scans, leading to the confiscation of several backpacks. This policy aims to uphold safety standards, but it has raised concerns among parents.
On a positive note, the district experienced a record 22% increase in participation in its free school breakfast and lunch program, which has prompted discussions about potentially adding another lunch period at Islands High School to accommodate the rise. Meanwhile, reports of unconfirmed mold at Charles Ellis Montessori Academy resulted in a thorough deep cleaning by Servpro due to moisture-related issues from an overflow in the restrooms and a roof leak. As a precaution, air quality checks are currently being conducted at the academy.
Watts observed a noticeable excitement among students, appreciating their enthusiasm and newly chosen outfits, as many students began the school year. This year also marks an update to the district’s attendance policy, which now emphasizes daily attendance with new options for families to support their children’s school involvement.
In response to evolving educational needs, the district introduced a new synchronous remote learning option that allows students and families to participate in up to five days of remote classes. Further enhancing school safety measures, a new Georgia law now mandates the installation of panic buttons for teachers, which will contribute to improved emergency protocols across the district.
For the current school year, the district has deployed an increased police presence with 68 officers assigned to schools to ensure student safety. Although SCCPSS successfully hired 456 new employees ahead of the school year, there are still vacancies to fill, particularly within special education roles.
In light of recent concerns, a Change.org petition has been initiated by parents regarding the transitions of autistic students to new classrooms. The district continues to prioritize problem-solving and addressing family needs as the school year unfolds amid these various challenges and triumphs.
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Additional Resources
- WTOC: Savannah-Chatham Co. Students Head Back to School
- Wikipedia: Savannah, Georgia
- WJCL: Savannah-Chatham Schools Kick Off New Year
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Georgia (U.S. State)
- WSAV: Savannah-Chatham County Public School System’s First Day Back
- Google Search: Savannah schools first day
- WALB: Parent University Helps Local Families Prepare for First Day of School
- Google Scholar: Savannah Chatham County schools
- MSN: Buses Take Final Practice Runs Before First Day of School in Savannah
- Google News: Savannah Chatham County Public Schools
Author: STAFF HERE SAVANNAH WRITER
SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER The SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESavannah.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Savannah, Chatham County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Savannah Music Festival, St. Patrick's Day Parade, and Savannah Jazz Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Coastal Empire, plus leading businesses in aerospace, education, and logistics that power the local economy such as Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Colonial Group. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HEREAugusta.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
