CCSD Board of Education Meeting

001Don't have a countdown on this. I'd like to bring the Chesterfield County Board of Education June the 8th meeting to order. If there are no objections, we will approve the agenda by consent. Okay. At this time, I need a motion to go into executive session. I move to enter executive session to discuss personnel matters pertaining to employee hiring, compensation, terminations, resignations, contractual and legal matters. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> All right. We shall return in 30 minutes. I will um entertain a motion to come back out into p open session. >> Second. >> All those in favor? Uh-huh. >> Okay. Thank y'all for coming. We appreciate you're here on June the 8th with us. Um, we're going to have a moment of silence followed by the pledge of allegiance. I

002pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, [snorts] indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Larry Brown, [snorts] we're so glad you're here this evening. Thank you. He's our SRO. All right. Um Dr. Hail, our assistant superintendent for special recognitions. Good evening, Madam Chair, members of the board. Dr. Ballinger. Tonight, we are proud to recognize Chesterfield County School District students who have gone above and beyond through dual enrollment opportunities. These students completed college level coursework while still in high school. That takes focus, discipline, and commitment. So, we also want to recognize the parents, any family, other family members, teachers, school counselors, administrators, others in the audience who supported these students along the way. Student success is rarely accomplished alone and

003your encouragement helped make this achievement possible. First, we will recognize students who have earned a certificate of studies from Northeastern Technical College through the dual enrollment coursework. At this time, I will call each student forward to be recognized. Dr. Ballinger and Madame Chair Burch, will you please come forward to congratulate each student as they receive this recognition? All right. From Central High School, this is the introduction to university studies certificate. Miss Tiffany Thunderberg. Is she here? Okay. And do Oh, yeah. Jeriah Saul. All right. We will move on to Chesterfield High School University Studies Transfer Certificate. Braden Burr, Kristen Goodwin, [applause] you can stay up here. also from Chesterville High School, Kristen Goodwin, Bowie Graves. All right, we'll move on uh to introduction to University Studies Certificate from Chesterville High School. Carla Chinchilla Giron, Xander

004Huntley, Katherine Johnson, Aniston Tucker. Okay, so we'll move to Sher High School, Introduction to University Studies Certificate. Cody Bozard, Kamaya Drake, Alex Gaston, Mby High School, Hannah Mloud, who was also the valadictorian. Um, okay. So, um, you can go ahead and get a picture and then because we're going to recognize some other ones next. Okay. [applause] So, next we'll recognize Chesterville County students who earned a 2-year associates degree from either USC Lancaster or Northeastern Technical College. Chesterville High School Associate in Science from NEC, Madison Gatewood, [applause] Ella Stevens, who is also the valadictorian of her class. Sher High School associate in arts from USCL is Chance Ingram. Also had [applause] he also had 12 years of perfect attendance. >> Wow. All right. [applause] Christian Melton. And then again from Sher High School, associate in arts

005and associate in science. Two of those uh 74 transfer credit hours. Jala Hudley, also validictorian of her class. [applause] And last but not least, Jakar Spivey. [applause] While the picture is being taken, I just want to mention that these students manage not only the expectations of high school while also completing college level coursework. On behalf of Cheshville County School District, we congratulate each of these students. We are proud of you and look forward to seeing what you do next. [applause] All right, we have another scholarship. Okay, the prestigious Agnes Lyall Scholarship is awarded once every four years to outstanding graduating seniors. Each recipient receives $10,000 annually for up to four years to support their college education. As part of the application process, students completed a comprehensive application that included an essay, high school transcript, and

006college acceptance letter. In their essays, the applicants reflected on three significant high school or community activities, identified five characteristics or experiences that define who they are, and described a personal failure from which they learned and grew. We are proud to recognize the recipients of the 2026 Agnes L scholarship. The first one goes to Xavier Davis from Sher High School. [applause] He will be attending Francis Marian University to pursue a bachelor of science degree with plans to become a blood profusionist. Did I say that right? All right. Also from Sher High School, Jakar Spivey. [applause] Jakar will be attending the University of South Carolina, my alma mada, majoring in nursing with aspirations of becoming a neurologist or a neurosurgeon. Pretty cool, right? [applause] from MAC B High School, Ava Aquino. [applause] Ava will be attending Colgate

007University, majoring in biochemistry with plans to become an eptomologist. Did I say that? Epidemia. Yes, that All right. Next from MAC High School, Molly Carter. [applause] Molly will be attending Clemson University with plans to pursue a career as a criminal psychologist. Okay. Okay. Um, again from Central High School, Miss Ava Richardson. [applause] She will also be attending the University of South Carolina Honors College, majoring in biological sciences with plans to become a neurosurgeon. Wow. Congratulations to these exceptional students in this remarkable achievement. Their dedication, leadership, academic excellence, and commitment to their future goals exemplify the values of the Agnes Lyall Scholarship. Okay. [applause] >> Thank you so much. Good afternoon, Dr. Ballinger, Madam Chair, members of the board. >> At this time, we would like to recognize the MAC High School varsity baseball team. So

008if they would come to the front, [applause] the Chesape County School District proudly recognizes the Magbby High School varsity baseball team for an outstanding season and their remarkable achievement as the South Carolina High School League class A state runnerup. Throughout the season, these student athletes demonstrated exceptional talent, determination, sportsmanship, and teamwork while representing their school and community with pride. Their dedication and perseverance led them to one of the highest accomplishments in South Carolina high school baseball and served as an inspiration to younger athletes across the district. We also extend our appreciation to head coach Josh Tiller and his coaching staff for their leadership, commitment, and guidance in helping this team achieve such an exceptional season. The concerts of Magbby High School varsity baseball team have brought great pride to Magbby High School, their families, and

009the entire Chesterfield County community. Congratulations, Magby High baseball team. [applause] Coach Tiller, before we get the photo op, if you like to say something on behalf of your team, we want to give you this space. He said he's [laughter] good. Thank you, sir. >> [laughter] >> Let's give him another round of applause. >> [applause] >> At this time, we would like to recognize the Chesterfield High School varsity softball team. They will come to the front. [applause] The Chesterfield County School District proudly recognizes the Chesterfield High School varsity softball team for an exceptional season that resulted in a state runnerup finish in the South Carolina High School League class 2A softball championship. Through hard work, perseverance, teamwork, and a commitment to excellence, these student athletes competed at the highest level and represented their school and community

010with pride and distinction. Their success on the field is a reflection of the dedication they demonstrated throughout the season and the character they displayed in competition. We also congratulate head coach Graham Harp and his coaching staff for their outstanding leadership, mentorship, and commitment to the development of these young athletes. The Chesfield County, the Chesville High School varsity softball team has brought great pride to their schools, families, and the entire Chesfield County community through this remarkable achievement. So, congratulations to the Chesville High School varsity softball team. [applause] Coach Hart, would you like to say something on behalf of your team? Thank y'all for recognizing. >> Absolutely. >> Mr. Kato, you want to say something? >> I'm just messing with you. [laughter] >> Absolutely. Let's give him another round of applause. [applause] >> The Chesterfield County in

011her absence, she's on vacation. But we would like to recognize Miss Journey Huff. She is a recent graduate at Central High School for her outstanding achievement in winning the South Carolina High School League class 2A state championship in the 400 meter dash. Journey's dedication, perseverance, and commitment to excellence has distinguished her as one of the top track and field athletes in South Carolina. Her accomplishment is a testament to the countless hours of hard work, determination, and competitive spirit. We also commend Coach Dale for his leadership, guidance, and support in helping Jouri reach this remarkable milestone. Journey success has brought great pride to the Central High School, her family, teammates, and the entire Chesfield County community. So once again, Miss Journey Huff, our 2A [snorts] 400 meter state champ. [applause] We'll take a little break if

012anyone else would like to leave and not stay for the business meeting or have you got something else? >> Uh, Madam Chair, yes, we did leave someone off. Uh, Miss A, if Miss, if you guys would come back for me, Miss Ava Aquino from Mackie High School, will you please come back up here? >> Thank you. She will be receiving the associates in science from NETC. So we wanted to recognize her for that. Okay. [applause] Congratulations Can it play? All right. No public comments. Board members, you've been given the minutes for May the 11th meeting and overnight student travel. If I hear no objections, these will be approved by consent. Now, we'll turn our meeting over to our chief financial officer, Mr. Casy, for our financial report. >> Madam Chair, Dr. Ballinger, members of the

013board, good evening. Prior to this evening, you all received a copy of my financial review for the month of April. And the highlights from that report are as follows. >> Okay, we're just going to go through the highlights of the report. We don't have it loaded up right now. Uh but our uh revenues received as of April 30th, at this point, we do expect to receive in excess of 100% of our budgeted local revenue. Right now, we're at 98.9%. Uh our state revenues continue to come in as expected. Right now we're at just under 81% collected there and federal revenue for general fund is at 30.2%. On the expenditure side, our current labor and non- labor year-to- date expenditures are 79 and 94% uh expended respectively. We currently do anticipate a year-end use of general

014fund balance of approximately $1.9 billion. that fund uh that figure is contingent upon summer school costs, some variability there, as well as uh we have an unknown total amount of our local revenue from the county that we're still waiting. We're still waiting on a few final transfers from them to be able to get a final number on that. Uh state t sales tax collections, as of today, we received 4.597 million in total for the year. uh which puts us on track to receive about $16,000 more than what we had originally budgeted. So it's going to be uh 5.516 million is what we currently project as our total annual collections for sales tax. And we did just have our facilities committee meetings prior to this board meeting where we discussed that some of those expenditures and

015projects are getting underway in June. So we should see those projects start to pop up and we'll see some expenditures hit the books here over the next couple of weeks. A couple of financial highlights. Uh we do want to mention the Senate finance revenue projections did come in in the middle of May and they were pretty much in line with our expectations. We lost approximately 245,000 additional dollars with that 135th day ADM update and that will apply to both this year's revenue as well as the revenue projections for next year which we'll go through in just a few minutes with the budget presentation. Uh the second item is we do have Mr. Bob Damron here with our financial advisors at Compass Municipal. He's here to talk about the bond resolutions for next year. So, we'll

016hear from him in just a few minutes with our action items. Any questions as far as the financial review goes for April >> questions? >> Yes, sir. >> The majority of that is actually a transfer. So the majority of that, more than half of that is actually our indirect pulse from our food service fund that we hold in our general fund all year. We make that transfer on June 30th. >> Any other questions? All right. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Jess. >> All right. Our chief academic officer, Miss Stubs, for our curriculum report. >> Good evening, Madame Chair, Dr. Ballinger, and members of the board. Um you've been given the curriculum report but there are just a sever several items that I would like to highlight. Um adult education hosted a construction roundtable to

017introduce new um the new introduction to construction trades program um to get feedback from potential partners in the community. Uh this program is slated to begin in the fall and adult ed is currently uh recruiting and pre-esting potential participants. Uh the adult ed graduation will be held on June 25th at 6 pm at CRMS with the CTE program. Um on May 11th, 40 juniors and seniors were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society at Matby High School. Um this is the honor society for secondary and postsecary career and technical students. um and has recognized outstanding achievements since 1984. The Sher High School clinical uh clinical studies class of 2026 participated in the P pinning ceremony on May 21st um with two students earning their CNA certification and one more expected to receive that before graduation.

018Um in addition um there is information in there regarding um the the summer program uh and for elementary as well as for middle school camp accelerate. Um and as you can see we are targeting third grade students um and first grade students this this year and then next year we will be really focused on first, second and third. Um and those are based on guidelines from the state department. Um so we have um uh sites across the district and um it is currently going very well and so we're excited to see the results of this summer program. Um, CERNT also has a summer program. Um, that's our 4K students. Um, and so we've got several sites throughout the district um that we are offering um that high quality um program for those students that are

019going to be uh going into kindergarten. So, it's been a been a great um transitional program for them. um with federal programs. Wanted to point out that this past year, federal programs spotlighted all the Title One schools recognizing and celebrating their work um in in approve in improving student achievement and closing the learning gaps. Um and so the efforts highlighted the dedication of school leaders, teachers, and support staff who work to make sure that each child has access to highquality educational opportunities. In addition, federal programs um provided summer reading books to our students um 5K through fifth grade um so that students would have the opportunity to read over the summer. With fine arts, there are several things that have happened um in the spring. Um for example, Petersburg launched a campus beautifification project to

020update its rock garden. Chesterville Ruby Middle hosted a fine arts showcase. Chesterville High School held another fine arts showcase um along with performances by the band and chorus. The school also presented Beetlejuice Jr. Sheral High School hosted its first chamber night on May 12th and Long Middle held a band concert on May 14th and Jefferson Elementary also delivered an outstanding performance on May 19th. Um, the teacher of the year banquet was held at White Plains Golf Course in Pageland. Miss Shannon Jacobs from Shaw Intermediate was named the 2627 Chesville County District Teacher of the Year. And nurse Renee De from Jefferson Elementary was named the 2026 27 employee of the year. And finally, um, school testing finished up this spring. Individual scores will be available to parents when they when students return to school in

021the fall and the summary scores will be available to the public um around October 1st. Are there any questions? >> That's correct. Um, third grade is required and first grade we are strongly encouraging those parents to of course to send their students or send their child. Um, but it is not um a mandate um at this point for first grade. So in third grade, if the child does not have a good cause um exemption. Um then then the uh the success rate or the students coming is very high. Um every once in a while will have a parent that says they do not want their child to come to summer school. Um and in that case the child most probably will be retained. Um but but the parents sometimes make that decision. Um but but

022really as far as parents sending their their their children, we're it's it's been going really well. >> Any other questions? >> Thank you, Miss Stubs. Now I'll call our chief of student services, Dr. King. >> Yes, ma'am. Good afternoon again, Dr. Bali, madam chair, members of the board. So I would like to go over the discipline data for the month of May. Uh so this data is an overview of discipline trends throughout the district within our grade levels. So we'll start with high school. So our top five infractions for high school was at the top was phone violations at 13.4%. Tardies 10.7% disrupting class at 8.4% 4% dress code violations at 5.7% and lording at 5.4%. Which totals 43.6% of incidents reported in power school for high school. In the middle school, the top five

023infractions at the top was truency at 23.3%, habitual truency at 12.3%. Inappropriate behavior at 12.3%, violation of class rules at 7.9%, and disrupting class at 6.1% which total 61.9% of incidents reported in power school. For the elementary and primary top five infractions at the top would be inappropriate behavior at 25.7%. Hitk kick push at 22.3%. Truency at 10.9% bus violations at 9.4% and disrupting class at 6.9% which totals 75.2% [clears throat] of incidents reported in power school for the elementary and primary level. And lastly, our district-wide top five infractions for the month of May. At the top is truency at 13.7%. Inappropriate behavior at 12.8%. Disrupting class at 7.0%. Habitual truency at 6.1% hitkick push at 5.9%. Totaling 45.5% of incidents reported in power school districtwide. So for the year, elementary discipline data indicates that

024appropriate behavior, inappropriate behavior, excuse me, hit, kick, push, truency, and bus violations were the most significant contributors to disciplinary incidents throughout the school year. Uh while physical aggression decreased after the first quarter, behavioral regulation and attendance concerns remain persistent. Continued focus on proactive behavior supports, attendance interventions, transportation expectations, social emotional learning will be critical improving school climate and student success during the upcoming school year. So for the middle schools, the discipline data reveals that consistent pattern of behavioral attendance and classroom related concerns throughout the year. While inappropriate behavior remained the dominant discipline issue for most of the year, attendance related infractions became increasingly significant during the second semester. The data also indicates a gradual shift from general behavior concerns to issues involving student engagement, compliance, and school attendance. For the high school, the discipline data

025for the year, the discipline data demonstrates a highly consistent pattern throughout the year with the majority of the incidents being centered on student engagement, attendance, punctuality, and compliance with school expectations. Uh unlike the elementary and middle school levels, high school discipline concerns are less focused on behavioral regulation and more concentrated on behaviors that directly impact instruction time, including phone violation, tardiness, truency, and class cutting behaviors. The data suggests that the primary challenge at the high school level is not student misconduct in a traditional sense, but rather student engagement and accountability. So, the district-wide discipline data for the 2526 school year reveals a consistent pattern of behavioral attendance and classroom management concerns across all grade levels. So, while individual schools experienced unique trends, the district data demonstrates that inappropriate behavior, attendance related infractions, classroom disruptions, phone

026violations were primary drivers of disciplinary incidents throughout the year. Um the data also reflects a gradual shift from early adjustment and behavior concerns to mid and late year challenges involving student engagement, attendance, and compliance with school expectations. So we have some takeaways from the data that we collected throughout the year. So one takeaway is that behavior and engagement are closely connected. The data indicates that many of the district's most frequent infractions are directly tied to student engagement and participation in the learning process. Improving student engagement may significantly reduce overall discipline incidences. Another takeaway is that a small number of infractions drive most of your discipline incidents. So the same four to five infractions appeared repeatedly throughout the school year. So we can focus our efforts on a limited number of high impact behaviors rather than

027implementing broad discipline initiatives. And lastly, attendance is emerging as a systematic challenge. Attendance related infractions appear consistently throughout the year and became increasingly significant during the second semester. Attendance improvement efforts have to be integrated in district and school improvement strategies. So some priorities for the upcoming year is reteing expectations throughout the school year, identifying at risk students early in the year, increase family engagement and attendance monitoring and develop interventions for chronic absenteeism and habitual truency. Provide professional development with classroom management and monitor disruption trends regularly. Any questions? questions. I have some, >> but I got to process I got to process all this. >> That's a lot of information to process. No problem. But you have it all in your reports. >> Dr. King at the high school level. >> Mhm. >> The block schedule

028is what time frame? >> I think it's I think all the if you're on the regular four 4x4 block, it's like a 90-minute classes. And I'm not sure if every one of our high schools are on the same block schedule because I think some may be on periods versus some block >> because I was curious. I know that we probably don't have data from back when we did the periods, seven periods a day. The long class seems like that's you might can lose your attention >> and give you a chance to get into some trouble because you get bored so to speak. So, >> so it does come down to engagement and that's one thing. Uh, Miss Stubs is going to be u hosting some curriculum meetings this summer. Um, and she's going to be

029hosting those from elementary all the way to high school. Uh, looking at streamlining our instructional programs. um also streamlining resources that are that can be used and also um talking about how to implement some additional project- based assessments to where there's more active engagement going on with our students instead of the sit and get um you know we we do need to engage our students um make them more active learners um and instead of passive learners. We also need to um disengage. We're going to look at limiting the amount of Chromebook time that that we will have with our students. That is one thing that we have discussed and I'm just now throwing that out there to everybody. But I've had that conversation with my cabinet about limiting um how often or how how much

030time we can allow Chromebooks to be used um in the classroom to to make sure that we are increasing engagement and cooperative learning and things of that nature. So, um, you know, this is just the first bit and what we can get done this year, we're going to be happy with. We're not going to probably be able to tackle all of that at one point in time. Uh, I know, but Miss Stubs and and her team will be having those those curriculum meetings discussing um our curriculum program and and we're just going to build that in in more detail, which one of the actions tonight you have as a board in front of you is the uh program of studies. And again, that [snorts] helps to streamline things for us as a district, helps to

031know what programs we're offering, how we then move forward with engagement, and a lot of different things. >> Thank you. >> To add to Mr. what uh Mr. pointed out, the only high school in uh the county is on the seven period. Is it Chesterfield? Is that correct? >> Is that correct? >> No, they're all blocked. They're all blocked, I believe. Uh they're all blocked. The only thing >> high schools are blocked. >> Yes, sir. Yes sir. >> Yeah. Chesterfields I think switched after Scott Racken retired. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Now what you will see like some of them have instead of 90 minute blocks like for instance I believe this is how MacB is set up um is that they have what's called panther time and so they will squeeze the the um the

032blocks down to maybe it's a 60 minute block or maybe it's a 70 minute block and then they will have this panther time that they utilize or something of that nature. Sometimes you squeeze an extra period in there that's for remediation. So instead of it being a 90 block, it could be a 70 block 70 minute block class. >> I was going to say Mr. Palra, I think, had brave time. >> 80 >> 85 minutes. So they'll they'll squeeze. So he probably has has something on that nature. Depends on how much the time they need. If they want to get 20 minutes in there, if they want to get 30 minutes in there, if they want to get 40 minutes in there, they can squeeze those block schedules to determine how much time. So, if

033you're, you know, as a school, if you're wanting to get 40 minutes, you need to squeeze 10 minutes at each with each block to get an extra 40 minutes to where you could have something else within your day other than the four blocks. >> Any other questions? >> Thank you, Dr. Palra. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. King. >> All right. At this time, we'll turn uh the floor over to Dr. Ballinger, our superintendent, for his report. >> Well, thank you, Madam Chair. Uh again, I would like to welcome everybody that's in that has joined us tonight in person, those that are joining us online. Uh thank you for your vested interest in Chesterfield County Schools and and the children of Chesterfield County. I really do not have a lot to report

034tonight. Um, you know, the summer is a time that we do a lot of the work that I just mentioned concerning curriculum development. Uh, we start planning for things for next year. Uh, we will have some administrative meetings over this summer to where we will discuss moving forward and and with processes and procedures and making sure that we are all rowing in the same direction. uh when we get on our boat next year when school starts that we're all able to to get where we need to go. Um so I really do not have a lot to report. I would I I did tell her that I would not call on her, but I felt that since this may be her last meeting uh and if we don't have another special meeting, um I was

035going to see if Dr. Hill had anything that she would like to say as far as uh her time since this could be her very last meeting as a Chesterfield County School District employee. As a matter of fact, I do. Okay. [laughter] Uhuh. >> Oh, I think this may be payback time. >> Um, so I would simply like to say thank you, but serving Chesterfield County School District has been one of the greatest honors of my career. 32 years ago, I thought my path would lead me to Lancaster, uh, where I was currently living, but it led me here. and I have never regretted that decision for one minute. Madame Chair, Chesterville County also became personal for my family because of you. Thank you for the special role you played in connecting my daughter Ally

036with Mr. Billy Hog of Paisley. I leave with a full heart, deep appreciation, and confidence in what this uh that this work will continue. Thank you for allowing me to serve alongside you, Dr. Ballinger and the board. Thank you so much. [applause] >> Thank you for all your work all over these years, Dr. Hail. And um I don't usually play matchmaker, but [laughter] that one worked. That's the only one that I've ever. you can come back and assist at any time. Thank you. >> That is my report, Madam Chair. >> All right. Thank you, Dr. Ballinger. All right. Dr. Vaughn, our chief of um human resources, you'll give our personnel exhibits and addendums. >> Madame Chair, Dr. Ballinger, and members of the board. Good evening. Prior [clears throat] to prior to this evening, you received

037personnel exhibits for your review. I re recommend your approval of the personnel report and um the addendum. >> Second. >> Thank you. All those in favor? >> Thank you. Thank you. Sorry. >> Now, Dr. Hail, our assistant superintendent. [laughter] >> You're going to talk about our 2728 calendar? >> Yes. Yes. U Madam Chair and members of the board, Dr. Ballinger, the district has shared two rough drafts for the 2728 modified year-round instructional calendar with all of our district employees. I would like to thank the teacher forum for his input in the process. I want to give a special thank you to Mr. Josh Jenkins of Chesterville High School. uh he he took the lead on this work. I appreciate the careful review and support provided by Miss Beth Suds behind me, Miss Nicole Gullage and

038others involved in preparing the calendar options. Both options follow the modified yearround structure. So each inter each includes the inter session weeks in October and February, a full fall break during Thanksgiving week, winter break, spring break, and the required holidays. One of the main differences between the two options is the student start date. Option one begins on July 29th. Option two begins on August 3rd. And you have that calendar. I think uh you probably looking at it now, but based on the survey results, option one received the most support with 58.8% of the vote. Option two received 41.1%. Uh the chart on page three shows option one as the preferred calendar. Also reopen the survey for a second round of voting because we only had 308 responses in early May. With the additional time participation

039more than doubled. So throughout the survey window, option one remained the preferred choice among the employees. And based on this feedback, our recommendation is to move forward with option one for the 2728 school year. Okay. Board members, would you like to accept option one as a preferred calendar? >> Need a second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I >> All right. Thank you, Dr. H. >> Thank you. >> All right, Dr. King, you're up again >> with the new school logo for Ruby Elementary. Yes, [clears throat] ma'am. So, administration respectfully requests board approval for the Ruby Elementary School new school logo. The logo selection process included input and feedback from faculty, staff, and community members to ensure the design reflects the school's identity, values, and traditions. After careful consideration of stakeholder feedback, the

040final logo design that you have been presented with is being presented for board approval. Approval for this logo will provide Ruby Elementary School with the unified visual identity to be used in school communications, publications, and branding efforts. At this time, we ask for your approval for the Ruby Elementary School's new logo. >> So, okay. [laughter] >> All those in favor? >> I thank you. >> All right. Thank you. All right, Miss Stubs, you're back again for um 26 27 program of studies. >> Okay, good evening again. Um Dr. Ballinger mentioned the program of studies or the course guide. Um so this course guide or program of studies is will serve as a roadmap. Um it is a comprehensive guide that outlines the academic, the career, technical and elective courses for high school students. It provides

041a description of the course, the prerequisites. Um, it gives information about what students need need to do to be a CTE completer, a fine arts completer. Um, it provides that information about graduation requirements to students and their families. So, this is very important that that all students have access to this along with their families. Um, this would be a living document. So, it would be on our our website, but as you know, the state will have us there's there may be um updates and so when that happens, we would come to you, the board, um and request approval for those updates. Um but we see this as a as a living document that everyone would have access to. Um and so we're we're requesting approval of the course of studies um for the next school

042year. And before I forget, I do want to say a special shout out to Katie Brun for um doing a lot of hard work on this document. So, um as you can see, it is very detailed. >> Yes, it is. >> And there's a lot of information in there and um she has really worked hard. So, >> and we also had a lot of other input from counselors, administrators. Yes, we did. >> Um this was a year-long process. >> It was it was we we had a kind of a a one that we we started with a working document. We got feedback from our school counselors um let them see it. We let let other administrators look at it and so got based on that feedback changes were made. Of course, Dr. Ballinger provided feedback

043as well. Um so this has been a you know been a long process but we're very um excited about this this document to have on our website >> and I just want to say thank you to everybody that's put work into this. I know how daunting of a task this is. Uh when you go through and rewrite and sometimes redo a program of studies. Um it it does take a lot of time and effort and looking at prerequisites and then you know are we currently do we currently have the number of students in a course or are there courses listed that we haven't offered in the past five years? You know why are they still on our program of study if we no longer have staffing for them? and you know so things of that

044nature just cleaning things up it takes a lot of communication and hard work and I just want to say thank you to everybody involved in this process um to Miss Brun Stubs I want to say thank you to to you as well for for helping to lead that so it it's good work >> and it's good that um parents and teachers they can all go to this document and get all the information they should need All right. I need a motion to accept this document. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> All right. Mr. Ky, our chief financial officer is um here for the general obligation bond re resolutions for 27. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. At this time, I'll welcome Mr. Bob Damron with our financial

045advisors at Comp Compass Municipal to come up and discuss our FY27 GEO bonds and tax anticipation. >> Good evening. Glad to be with you all tonight. Misser was unable to make the meeting issues replacement. Um so we have three resolutions tonight. These are resolutions that are very similar to what you all have adopted in the previous years. U I think I've been a financial adviser here for over 20 years and we seem to do these each year. Uh the first is a not to exceed of $3 million for a tax anticipation note. Uh this is solely a cash flow tool so that the school district has enough cash in the bank to make all the payments, pay teacher salaries and so on until the county starts collecting taxes at the middle to the end of

046the of the year and then into January. And this assures the uh the district that you have adequate resources to make all the operational payments that are necessary. Uh the second uh resolution is a not to exceed 4.5 million for a tax exempt uh bond issue that is sold through SKGO. Uh SKGO is a organization of about 25 or 30 school districts that issue jointly each year collaboratively. Uh so we you reduce the issuance cost and it's absolutely the cheapest way of financing. Uh and as I said last year there were 32 school districts in uh the bond issue and you all were one of those. So, you'll be one again this year. Um, and that money will be used to make payment on the 2015 B bonds, which are tax exempt bonds. Um, and

047they will be payable uh in the tune of about $500,000 payment at the end of this year and then next spring's payment. Um, and in addition to that, this is your new capital money piece. So each year the district has capital needs for technology [clears throat] maintenance and a variety of other issues. Uh so this this new money piece is about 3.2 million of that will go into your capital account so that you can use that to pay for all the capital needs throughout the district uh that are not part of the referendum. And then the third uh resolution is a not to exceed of 2.5 million. This makes the final payment on the 2015A installment revenue bond. So that will be gone away after this this year's payment. Uh and so all three dist

048all three bonds are action items on your agenda for this evening. I'll be glad to answer any questions. All these by the way are satis uh size so that there is not a tax increase. Uh millage stays current at the 34.75 mills which has been in place for many many many years. Okay, I need a motion to accept these three resolutions. >> A second. Any discussion, questions? >> How much is it costing this? >> Um, I would have to go back and I don't have the bonding schedules with it. Sko has a standardized fee. We have a standardized fee and Mr. Riser Heiser has a standardized fee, but I don't have what that number is, but they're all SKGO's numbers are extremely low. Uh, and ours are the same thing that we charge each year.

049It's not a rate increase. >> Okay. >> We will provide that information to uh the district uh Dr. Ballinger and to Kevin prior to going to market. So they'll have a chance to review those uh in comparison to what they are. It's called a fee disclosure letter that goes out to them prior to the bonds. These bonds will be sold probably in late August. >> Okay, we have had a motion and a second. All those in favor? >> All those posed. >> Thank you all. Now we're going to turn it over to um Doc Ballinger and our chief financial officer, Mr. Casy, for our 27 general fund budget presentation. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. And we'll kind of go through this as quickly as possible. Uh we are going to highlight some pages that we

050did have some updates um concerning the last time this presentation uh was viewed um at shown to the public. Uh so just bear with us as we get through our slides. We do want to make sure that we make note to board members concerning those updates and where they are. Um, now I will also let you guys know that the slide presentation has that that's up is a little bit different than the one on board docs at this point in time because on Friday we did have a a request by a board member to add a couple of slides explaining some things. So we did do that um and we will have that posted. I did share that uh with Miss and she will post that to board doc. So some of our slides we

051did add a few extra slides today when Mr. Casky was able to get to that. Um, and we will address those as we get there. So, again, our our mission is the same thing. We're we're here for our students. Um, and we want to make sure that they're productive citizens in a changing society. Um, and then again, we have our facilities there. Um, now this is going to get me off because I'm We wrote down these numbers, so I'm having to kind of count my head, I guess, uh, as we get to it. And Kevin, maybe you can help me out. >> All right. So, >> when this one's time to stop, >> huh? >> Stop. >> Yeah. Yeah. When we get to slide 10 is where we're supposed to stop right now. Um so

052uh actually again with our budget development process you know we look at numbers we look at uh we did also provide some property tax information uh as far as historical numbers. uh when we get into our budget development process. Uh again, that line is when the state changed our funding formula and you can start seeing what what has happened to our um our reserves or carryover. Uh since that we did have that one-year increase, but since then everything else has been on a decline. [snorts] Uh here's the one of the extra slides that we did add um when it comes [snorts] to um understanding how we got to where we are um with our budget. And so we just made we we call this the impact on current and previous budgets. And I'll let Mr.

053Casy talk about these next two slides a little bit. >> Thank you, Dr. >> You didn't mean for us to see it, did you? >> Yeah, it's a little tough to see with with background. You didn't mean for us to say it, did you? [laughter] >> I'm gonna go through everything. So hopefully we can get it verbally if we can't see it. >> Like Dr. Brown just said a couple of times we got the question in throughout this process is, you know, how do we get here? >> Um, and you know, it's a it's a fair question when you're looking at, you know, we used $3.4 million fund balance last year. We're looking at using another 1.9 this year. As you've seen in our previous presentations, we've cut upwards of $3 million out of the

054budget so far and looking to cut another 1.3 $1.4 million tonight as we pass the budget for next year. So with all that cutting, like I said, it's fair to ask, how do we get up how do we end up in a situation that requires that much adjustment? Uh so in response to those questions, I did put together these few slides that list all the various factors that we have that have been working against us over the past several years. Um it's nothing we haven't already discussed up to this point, but this just kind of lays everything out at one time so everybody can get an appreciation of kind of the uphill battle that we've been facing. So this first slide uh represents the external factors. I kind of split it up external and internal.

055Uh the first of those factors being the statemandated teacher salary increases. I think everybody in this room would agree that we're all in favor of teacher salary increases. That's not that's not what we're arguing here. when you're talking about such large amounts of increases in such a short time period that that has a very high cost to the district. Uh when we look at uh from between 2022 and 2027, the starting teacher salary in Chesterfield County, our actually in Chesterfield will have increased by more than 33% uh from $37,800 in 2022 up to $50,500 next year. That's with the $2,000 increase to that starting minimum salary. To put that in perspective, instructional labor, uh that that's all of what it takes for us to pay the people that are actually inside the classrooms teaching the

056kids. This is not even talking about your guidance counselors or your media specialists or principles or any of this is just the teachers that are in the classroom. Makes up 58% of that $80 million budget that we're talking about tonight. So when you look at that number and you think about that's the piece of our budget that's increasing by 33% over five years. That's the level of increase that we're talking about just so you can get an appreciation for how much that actually is when it comes to our overall budget. Uh and then the second thing here uh at the same time basically in FY2023 uh the state implemented their new state classrooms funding formula. And I'm not going to go through that at Nauseium because I know we've been over that a lot. Uh

057but the thing to note is that while we are seeing these massive expenditure increases, the mechanism that was put in place to provide the majority of the funding to pay for those expenditures is systemically broken at at at the ground level. It's not providing us near the level of funding or at least traditional districts the the level of funding was needed to absorb those cost increases. And a glaring example of this is was shown in the state's 135th day update for the funding in which 53 out of 72 traditional school districts were listed under the hold harmless clause of the formula. And basically what that is, that's our safety net. That's that's the clause in the formula that says we're legally not allowed to pay you any more any less. I apologize. Pay you any

058less from the state aid classrooms formula than we're currently paying. That's 53 out of 72 traditional districts are in that scenario with us this year. This will be the first year that we've gotten into it. There's been a lot of districts that have been in it for several years. But that just that shows you the the inequity. And at the same time, you see on the other side public charter districts that are getting more funding than what is necessary to cover those same expenditures that we're trying to cover. So those are the two biggest external factors. And uh the next slide that we can look at is the uh is >> and Mr. if you don't mind, but that ties into that previous slide right there with that state funding formula uh that Mr. was

059just talking about as the costs have shifted to the schools uh back in FY22 and that has helped with all [snorts] school districts receiving initially actually less state aid because now they're only paying a portion and and the school district has to come up with the with their proportionate share. So um that those two slides tie together and that's why we put these two slides here just so you can look at it. So, so question moving forward, >> it seems like we're not getting any more state funding at this point. So, we're going to be faced with this deficit going forward if we don't >> talk about how we going to balance this issue because correct >> us proving that tonight if possible, we're going to be faced with the same scenario next year because

060we're not getting any more state funding. So I guess my question would be when it comes to our senators and state representative of I mean I heard you say across the state 50ome districts but I mean our tax base is not sometimes you know even compatible >> to local districts like Lancaster and Kershaw County you know so that that's a huge concern. Absolutely. >> It is it it's not equitable, but we have to look at as a district moving forward our our structures, our processes, our our practices. Um you know, and and look at the makeup of Chesterfield County Public Schools and, you know, could there be other hard decisions that we have to make in the near future as well? Yes, there could be. Um, you know, but I do know we have, you

061know, we're we're making strides in the right direction right now. So, sorry, Mr. Casky. I'll let you go ahead with your second slide here. >> Uh, so like I like I said, this next slide identifies those internal factors that have been contributing to those recent bud budget overages. So, first and foremost, as you as you all are aware, we've seen a significant decrease in our student count over the past several years. Just uh looking at the fall of 2023 to this most recent update this spring, we've lost 414 students, which represents about a 6.2% overall reduction in our uh in our student population. So, while while a student count doesn't track exactly with our revenue because of the new funding formula, it is important to note that a 6.2% reduction in our revenue would be

062almost $5 million. So, that that's a big piece. So you can just see how much that student count really influences our revenue as it as it's coming in. Um the other piece of it that we have here is our our ESSER funding. Uh we're still feeling the effects of that ESSER funding rolling off. Uh that funding was between 2022 and 2024 when we had that money. We received over $30 million in that time period from the Corona virus relief grant. And uh over that time we hired upwards of I think more than 25 new positions with that money. Um it was used to purchase IT equipment, expand summer school, purchase almost 100% of our custodial supplies during that time. Uh some additional educational supplies, our Chromebooks, library volumes, all of these things that now over

063the past two years we've been asked to try to absorb back into the general fund. Now, we've done a good job of that and over the last couple of years, we have absorbed most of it. Uh we still do have uh about 10 of those original 25 plus er positions that are still positions within the district. The rest of them have been either cut or they have been rehired as those people uh decided to move on to other other opportunities. Uh but we are still seeing the effects of absorbing all of that cost back into the general fund. And like I said, all of these things are happening at the same time. this perfect storm of stuff that is that is that's causing the situation that we're currently in. And the last thing that I

064put on here, as you all are very much aware, uh is the millillage. Between 2019 and 2025, uh there was no millage increase. And while we did increase mills last year, which I think was a very wise decision by the board because that put us in a position this year to where we can completely eliminate the budget shortage that we've been experiencing over the last couple years. that that set us up to be able to get there this year. But the fact remains that during that time, during that six-year period, that gap did get wider and wider as we did not keep up with our our local revenue. Uh so that that is kind of a big picture. This is not an exhaustive list of things that that will cause that cause some of those

065issues, but those are the major areas that uh have been have been causing some of those expenditure increases and revenue decreases that that are putting us in this position we're in. So that that's just kind of our response to that question and we have received it from several folks. So we figured we would put it in the presentation tonight. Any any questions with regard any of those factors or anything else? questions. >> You um this is not in our presentation in our presentation. >> That's part of the slides he was talking about that were added this afternoon. >> Okay, we add we will be adding that to board docs and and making [snorts] sure that or or to diligent so that the public has it and and that the board members have that. Um we

066were just working on those over today um because we did have that request to add these two slides and we wanted to make sure we got them in. >> Please use a different background. >> Huh? Please use a different background. >> Okay. [laughter] >> Okay. Yeah. And I don't know if some of those, you know, if that monitor can swing a little bit or or anything of that nature to to where if that helps or or hurts. >> I think it's just the back >> the background with the with the black. Okay. >> All right. We'll work on that. All right. Um All right. Slide 21. Again, these are things that we just covered. This is the funding formula. I don't think you want Mr. Casky to to go deep into the funding formula again.

067Um, but this is a a state revenue projections. This is a slide that did change. >> Yes. So, this this is one when I when we were discussing uh from the prior meeting. Uh that $250,000 reduction that I mentioned in my finance report from earlier this evening. Uh this is where that will be reflected. So there will be a $250,000 approximate $245 to $250,000 reduction in our state revenue projections based on the state classrooms update that we got this spring. And the next slide, >> slide 23. >> Local revenue projections right now they're holding pretty steady at these numbers. Uh this one actually did not change. It could potentially that's another one that I was saying that we are still waiting on a few things from the county to finalize that number for the year.

068Uh it could change slightly. I don't anticipate any large swings one way or the other. Uh but it it could change slightly uh once we get those final few payments in, but that won't be until later in the month. >> We did update this slide. This is slide 27. Um as far as our general fund initiatives, uh we did leave the $2,000 increase to all sales of on the teacher salary scale. Uh we did change that uh to a 25 cent per hour rate increase for all classified employees on the G scales. Uh 2% pay rate increase for bus drivers. Um you know there there we did have a 1% on there but as far as with the recommendation moving forward uh we did make some of those changes and that's why I reflected those

069changes right here on this slide. Um because I I am making the the recommendation for those changes. Uh the next slide that we did add. >> Let me let me ask a question. [clears throat] >> I'm going back to your um your general fund initiative initiative. >> Uhhuh. >> Boy, you got 25 cent an hour rate. >> We started off with one we started off with $1, then we ended up with 50 cent and now we're down to uh 25 cent. So somewhere along the line, we're going to have to make a commitment somewhere to um increase our current base salary, especially for um workers that fall into this category. What What category is this? G7, G7 or >> G? Those would be all G's. >> All G's be all G. Okay. So, you know,

070we're still looking at 1250 uh $1210 for um current rate uh salary rate. We can't keep nobody. We can't we can't keep custodian. We can't keep cafeteria workers uh with this kind of with this kind of uh salary group. I mean, >> listen, um you can go to McDonald's and start off with $15 an hour. >> Mr. Sweeney, I agree with you 100%. I think the goal is and I agree with you is that uh you know, one thing that I'm going to do as far as from my perspective is I'm making this a concerted effort by within 3 years, this is where I want these salaries to be. Um, you know, and I have that threshold set. Um, I may not be able to grab it this year, but maybe I can grab it

071next year. uh we do have to make sure that once we get those initiatives and sometimes it takes a little longer to get an initiative completed but as long as we're moving forward um you know do I agree with you that yeah a dollar is not 25 you know 25 cents is not a dollar but also 25 cents is not zero um and so I think when we look at it trying to make headway and trying to make movement that is really what we that I'm trying to do with this budget it. I can I will say that what was the total we we had to wind up cutting to back 4.3 million. >> I know it was we were at 3.1 that we have already cut. I believe this is is this adjustment be

072another 1.3 on top of that. >> So I'm just happy that we're able to do any positive movements when you have to cut so deep in a budget. Um and they're definitely not where I want them to be. Not at all and not by a long shot. And I agree that we need to make a concerted effort. And one of the things as we go, we will be redoing our five-year strategic plan this year as a school district. And I think that as a school board, if you want to have those goals set, then you need to set those goals as as far as how we how are we going to attack um you know, the salary scales in this school district because that becomes your Bible as as a school board when you set

073the strategic vision and and us moving forward. >> Also, I I just want to express that because I've been on this board long enough to know that we keep kicking this can down the road. Um, we talked about this many years before you got here. We did a salary study and everybody at the top ended up based on the salary study got an increase. >> But the folks at the bottom didn't get an increase. So when you look at a family that takes home $600 every two weeks and they always ask me, "What can I do with $600 with three children? Pay the rent, what have you." We go up on the millillage. the millillage for Roma property uh goes up then that owner is going to pass it on to the person who's at

074the bottom and a lot of them are the folks that we're talking about. >> So appreciate your concern on that but I definitely think as a board we need to make a commitment towards that effort and you know not the quarter not the 50 cent we need to talk about [snorts] dollars. >> That's right. I think as as we move forward, I think moving into to next year with the uh working through our strategic plan, if the board wants to set a goal for where you want the starting salaries, um then that is a goal that we set and then as a board that drives your decision making when it comes budget time because if you don't have it as a goal, then it's not going to be a priority. >> Good. >> And so

075I think you you know as a board can we establish those? Yes, we can. We can establish whatever you as a board want for your goals. You can establish those. >> Question also with the uh 2% increase with the bus driver, is that what state mandated or that is what we're actually adding? >> That's statemandated. >> So, are we doing anything inhouse for our bus drivers like like Mr. W talking about? Will they get that 25% also? >> Uh, no. They won't get the 25 cent, they get the 2%. Is that correct, Kevin? I'm going to defer to Mr. Casy on this. So, Yes and no is the answer to that question. So uh as bus drivers their rate will increase 2% on their bus rate but nearly 100% of our bus drivers also occupy

076positions in which they would they would receive the 25 cent per hour in their other position. Yes, sir. >> I guess why I'm asking that because I mean we know we have issue with keeping bus drivers and some of our bus drivers are at max pay as we're talking now and so uh along with what Miss Winnie is saying and like you said and I I get the answer yes and no, but it's almost like I mean when I think about a bus driver it takes it to a whole another level. In some cases a bus driver got two classrooms on a bus at one time. that is a huge responsibility in terms of uh us really taking that in consideration. I like your response, but you know, um it's a hard conversation. We really

077got to talk. >> It is. And and you know, we we will get there. And you know, as I as I mentioned, I think if the board wants to set those goals, then we need to do those. I mean, I'm setting those goals for me find as the superintendent, but I think it just helps to support from the board in setting those as well. Um it just solidifies that that that conversation when we start having our finance meetings. Then we have to look back at our goals uh from our strategic plan and say okay what where are we moving forward now? Um how are we going to get this down to the next bend in the road? Um you know so we can definitely get there but it's going to take some time. I'd also

078like to add though we do see the 25 cent but there is a step value too. Correct. So this is 25 cent in addition to >> their step. >> It is. Yes, they do. They are getting their step as well. >> Okay. >> Um for some that could be, you know, a a 40 cent or a 50 cent. Um those at the top of the scale it'll only be a 25 cent. If they're step 18, there's no to move >> move forward. But >> but yeah, I mean so they will get their step um with with some of that. >> Okay. Great. They will all get a step. All right. Sorry, I've got a one we had no changes. Um believe we had no changes here either. >> Changes to that one, >> huh? >>

079No changes to >> this one was a new slide added. Um we meant we meant to add this uh at the last meeting. uh there was a a request from a board member to show um you know how many positions were cut at central office uh versus schools and so we we actually forgot to add this slide. We did talk about it um but I did want to add this slide in there because that was a request um from from a board member at a prior uh meeting and so I did want to make sure that this was I think we did share this with you guys. I I can't recall but I did want to show this for the public as well. Um the next thing we had this this is a change on

080this slide. What has changed? Um and Mr. Casky, you want to kind of talk about that um added piece there? >> Sure. So if you look at that yellow highlighted piece right there, that's the only piece that was added. So we are looking at the elimination of the class coverage payments for teachers for next year. Uh so during the FY24 year, that's when that was initially approved by the board. That was the $60 per uh period that will cover when teachers skip their planning period to cover a class uh over FY25 and FY26. So far, the general funds expended $145,000 and $147,000 respectively for that program alone. Uh and we look we're looking at the addition of that third party substitute company for FY27 and that's expected to largely eliminate the need for the practice

081anyway. Uh but in addition to the the third party the third party company um we are looking at the the elimination of that as a as a payment option for for teachers skip the plan >> and that just has to be built into that sub budget. Any questions? >> Labor funding stayed that stayed. >> That's one. So, um, as we talked about, uh, we had some small small expenditure fluctuations since the last meeting. Nothing nothing severe. Uh, what we do see is that $250,000 reduction from on the revenue side. That's why you're seeing that that red number, that net shortfall that we saw at the last meeting. I believe it was somewhere one and some change or 1.1 and some change and now it's up to 1.372. Uh that that's representative of that that reduction

082of state revenue. So our total our total shortfall right now on the general fund is $1.372 million. That's what we're looking to cut uh the additional amount that we still need to cut out of this budget to get to a balanced budget for next year. Just as a reminder for for everybody, this is just a a look at what was approved at the first reading uh with the exception of the updated revenue and expenditure numbers that have been uh updated as of today. Uh but if you look the eliminations or the reductions that we discussed at first reading were to remove two BCA BCBA positions to reduce the teachers uh from that full $2,000 salary increase to the uh state minimum mandated increase which was a $250,000 savings to the general fund budget to hold

083the chief of exceptional education position. uh to cut uh meals and professional development travel costs by $100,000. And then finally to cap administrator administrators or sorry administrator and teacher working retirees at step 23 for next year in addition to a 3 mil increase. And originally when we passed that in first reading that represented a $29,000 surplus but as I mentioned before with that reduction to the state revenue that now represents a 90,000 shortfall. So the option that we approved at first reading is now $190,000 in the hole. So uh with that said and some discussions with the finance committee after the finance committee meeting, uh we have a new proposal for for tonight for second reading that adds and subtracts a few things to get us back into that surplus territory. But before we want

084to talk about that, I want to talk about some of the changes that you can kind of see up here. Uh when you look at the the working retiree cap options down there, you'll notice that a lot of them are missing the the percentages that we're talking about at first the first couple of readings actually in first couple finance committee meetings. Uh those we felt were unnecessarily confusing because they represented a number that wasn't truly a year-over-year reduction for our teachers or administrators or whoever was getting uh cut next year. Um what you saw presented at the first reading in the at the workshop was a budgeted reduction, a a budget savings. Uh so when we're actually talking about year-over-year changes to teacher salaries with each one of these options, if you'll go to the

085next slide, uh we actually developed some some charts that we discussed at the finance committee meeting. Um and if you look at the the green chart up at the top, I know it's difficult to see. uh that represents the working retirees that are at the top of the master's scale. Uh the orange peachish color at the bottom, that chart represents working retirees at the top of the M's plus 30 scale. And then each one of the rows represents a different option for next year. Cap at step 23, 22, 21, and so on. The left side of each one of those charts is representative of if we reduce that teacher raise next year below that $2,000. Just take them to the state minimum required increase for next year for all sales. The right side of each

086one of those charts represents if we gave the full $2,000 teacher pay increase to all sales of teacher salary schedules. I know that's a lot, but that's just kind of set up what we're talking about here. Uh so for example uh the first reading was to cap working retirees at step 23 and that also did not include the full $2,000 teacher pay increase. That was just to go to the state minimum. So, if you'll look at what that option looks like for each one of those charts, the green and the orange, uh the first one up there at the top on that left side of the green on the first row, you'll see that uh the current FY26 salary for an employee, a teacher, at the top of the master scale $68,817. Next year, under

087the current option that we have that we approved at first reading, you would see a $567 reduction year-over-year for that teacher. they would make $567 less than they did this year. Now, if you go over to the orange spreadsheet down there, you'll see that same option and same sales, you'll see a $72,441 current salary. And next year, that that same employee, the employee had that same sale of the Masters Plus 30 would see a $1941 reduction in their year-over-year salary from one year to the next. So part of what we were addressing, what we're trying to illustrate with these charts is the inequity of who is actually bearing the weight of the reduction with the with the option that was approved at first read. So you can see that the masters plus 30 group is

088bearing the vast majority of the brunt because they're seeing that $1,941 reduction where your masters teachers are only seeing that 567. Now let's look at a different line item. If we just say step 20 on the on those two charts. Now look at your uh the right side of your column for the step 20 line. You can see that the on the master scale. If they were capped at step 20 with the full $2,000 pay increase, they would see a $1666 salary reduction next year from this year. That's all the way down to step 20. Then you would see on the Masters Plus 30 a an $1,835 reduction year-over-year. Now, what you can see there is that those two numbers are a lot closer together than that 567 and 1941. And you'll see that at

089every single line on this on those two charts by giving the full $2,000 teacher pay increase it ex giving the full $2,000 teacher pay increase instead of dropping teachers dropping the raise down to the state required minimum. You make that a lot more equitable within that full working retiree group. They're going to see a very similar reduction. Now, the Masters Plus 30 is always going to be a little bit higher just because of the salary difference, but it's a lot more equitable that way. In addition, you can't really see it on these charts. As we were looking at this, we determined that there were actually 185 teachers that were going to be affected by not giving the full $2,000 raise. Outside of that's that's completely ignoring the working retiree conversation. There's 53 more teachers once

090you add those back into that equation. I think it's 230. I can do the math in my head. 230 something uh employees in total that would be impacted by giving less than the full $2,000 teacher pay. Now, that doesn't mean they're getting nothing, but they're getting some amount less than 2,000. And as you can see, it makes it more equitable and you're going to impact those other 185 non-working retirees in a positive way by adding that full $2,000 teacher raise back into the budget. That was one thing that we were asked to look at from the finance committee is if there's any way to work that option back into the budget. So this this kind of represents the the difference at least on the working retiree side of the conversation that you actually see when

091you when you do those two options. I know that's a lot a lot of numbers a lot of sales. Any questions on that? >> Questions? No. So with that, this is actually our our new recommendation based on the updated expensure and revenue projections for next year. So the new the new recommendation is to remove all four of the BCBA positions and that would represent a $43,200 savings to the budget to remove the 1% cost of living adjustment for non-teer top of scale employees. I know we haven't really discussed that option uh yet in these or at least haven't discussed it much uh in these discussions. So I'll just bring that that is what that would have been would have represented a 1% increase to those non-teers that were capped at the top of their salary

092scale. So if you're at step 18 and you don't don't have room for another step, you go to your 19 years of experience, you're not going to get another step. that 1% would have gone to that employee on top above and beyond their salary just as a a replacement for the step that they would not have received. That's something that we're looking at putting in place at least in future years if we can't grab it this year. Even Dr. Ballinger was I think talking about two or 3% at one point. Um if we can't get to that level then uh that's that's that's something we can achieve later but right now that is one of the options that we're looking at removing from this year's current. >> So question to make sure I'm understand you

093correctly a person that's a non-eing employee is at a certain classification they they're capped out you're saying perhaps not even giving them the 1% of cost of living that the state is >> Yes. So that that would be if if an employee was already capped out this year at at step 18 on a salary scale that only goes to 18 steps. What that 1% would have done is it would have given them somewhat of a step. It wouldn't even really have been a full step, but it would have just been something to replace the step that they were not eligible for because they had been capped out. That's something that's been we've needed to address that for a long time. There's a lot of people that are capped out at the top of whatever salary

094scale they're on, but at this point this year, it doesn't look like we're going to be able to afford, at least for this budget option, to be able to do that. >> So, would this same person be in the situation as it relates to that 25% that we were talking about offering, >> it would include some of those employees. Now, uh if you uh if you're talking about an employee that perhaps was a step 18 of one of those Gcales going with that 25 cent increase, they would get the 25 cents. There would just be no step in addition to that. >> This is just something and you know, it is a goal of mine to make sure we have um a a cola at the top of the salary scale for those people that

095top out. Um because as as you look at with inflation, inflation continues to grow. Um but if your salary is capped, then your purchasing power becomes diminished because prices continue to increase but your salary stays stagnant. And so that's one of the things and that's why as Mr. Cask you mentioned >> [snorts] >> um you know we were I was discussing even a a 2 to 3% um we had to back that down to try to even get a 1% um but it's it's something that is a goal to make sure that we get in there um moving forward. >> You you seem logic because I've seen where a person is at that cap and the state mandates a cost of living raise 1% uh and we don't give it to them. uh you can

096see the discrepancy there because you know it don't seem like much but if I am cap and I'm still not getting the 1% cost of living range it it continue to put me at a place that I'm really receiving very little based upon which SW has already addressed. That's that's a concern because I've seen that over years in state employment when the state mandates those cost of living raises and we don't hold true to it. It looks kind of odd when some are getting and some are not. So, so, so that becomes a real concern. >> So, ju just to address, sorry, just just to address that, the the 1% we're talking about state mandates, there's nothing statemandated. Um, the only thing that the state mandates from percentage standpoint each year when they talk about

097state employee increases, that only applies to our bus drivers >> and then 20,000 for teachers. >> Me, but that's the reason that the only set of our employees that that is applicable to the state employee increase. So that that 1% is a number that we arrived at internally because we wanted to go higher than that. We backed it down to one. It was actually inclusive of teachers at at the beginning of it. Uh we had to back that down because we want to give them their full 2,000. So there's a lot of give and take with that. We're getting to that 1% number. But that wasn't nothing there is a state mandate percentage that we're that we're not giving that we were told to give. That's that's a number that we internally locally want to

098provide. One of the items that um finance committee [clears throat] brought to our attention is that in our last budget increase we was looking at percentage percentages you know um when we were looking at percentages we thought that if you thought 9% or 10% that that salary was going to be cut at 9 or 10%. But that was brought that was a little bit different. Uh that was shared a little bit different. Um and I think that was the pretty much norm throughout the system that it was being cut 9% or whatever we decided to do. We we decided the last time that we'll do 3%. But based on this new formula that they came out with giving everybody $2,000 and then looking at it somewhat different, it's not as bad as we thought it

099was going to be in terms of cuts. actually turns out to be about a 3.2 and a 3.5 I think respectively. [clears throat] >> Okay, Mr. Casky. >> Uh, moving on down here, we see the reduction to the 25 cent per hour increase for the classified employees. That's what we talked about earlier this evening. uh reducing that from a 50 cent per hour increase down to a 25 cent per hour increase would be about $137,500 savings to our budget. That meals and professional development travel cost cut of $100,000, that's what's remained the same throughout this process. Uh that has not changed. And then the working retiree cap recommendation that we have on here is to move to step 19, which would be a $350,000 savings to the general fund. And down there you see a

100also would include a 3.5 mil increase. And with all of that, we've come to a $43,115 surplus. If you added 25 cent to the um um if you added 50 cent to the classified employees, what will our projected general fund surplus how much will it go over? >> So it would it would go down by $137,500. So approximately 90 something thousand uh deficit >> another another 60,000 on to what you're talking about >> 94 385 >> 94 >> that'd be a negative negative balance of 94,385 >> and you said that's giving 50 cent perhaps to >> nclassified instead of taking them down from right now there's a 50 cent per hour increase built into the budget. And this would be reducing that to 25. If you don't reduce that to 25, then you add that

101137,500 back into the budget. >> And we're talking about a 3.5% increase in taxes. >> 3.5 mill? Yes, sir. >> I mean 3.5 million tax. >> Hold on. On a $36,000 residential nonowner occupied real estate. That's going to increase that bill to what I gotund [clears throat] about 175. Is that right? You looking at >> huh? >> Which sheet? >> I'm looking at the sheet that we went over in the financial section where it says 2026 2027 budget prep. down there. >> Uh commercial real estate total appraised value 600,000 but 6% uh sales value would be $36,000. >> So that that would be the $600,000 worth of commercial real estate. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> And look down at the bottom on the millage chart bottom left. >> That's what I'm looking at. >> What

102does the three mill say? >> 15 $154. >> Okay. What is the one mill? >> One meal says 5130. So what whatever half of that one bill is added back to the 153. So somewhere in the $175 range annually increase for that for that. Okay. Um can we work within $100,000 of this budget? If if this budget pays and we're $100,000 uh well whatever that figure you gave us while ago $94,000 >> can addition work within that >> um >> if we increase this to 50. >> So I mean you know one I I will say that um Mr. Casy and I are a lot more comfortable where we are right now with the budget than where we were at um in beginning this process. Um you know we we have got to turn the

103tides uh when it where it comes to um the the where where our budget was headed. Um, I think that, you know, one thing that the board needs to take into consideration is, um, making sure that we do have a a balanced budget or something that is close enough to a balanced budget. Um, you know, could there be some things that that we could do to help try to offset $94,000? I mean, yeah. I mean, we we we are always working the budget. We're going to work the budget every single day, every single month, every single thing that comes across our our desk, we are working the budget. Um, you know, I think we also have to be cognizant of some unforeseen um expenses that that are could be coming our way. Um, you know,

104I do know that we are looking at a couple extra special education teachers that we may have to have at our schools. Um, you know, that's not built into this budget. So then if you start your budget at $94,000 um to uh you know in in the red >> and then you add two more teachers now now where are you sitting? U so I I hear what you're saying Mr. Sweeney and and I get you but we can work within the budget and we can try to do whatever we can. I'll do whatever the board wants us to do. Just keep this in mind for non resident owners that has commercial property. When we did the reassessment using the same $36,000 when we did reassessment back in 2005 25 this county that rental increase property

105increased on them over $100 for $36,000. Now, I don't know for these folks who got uh larger properties 80 and 90 and $100,000. I don't know how much that increased. And now we adding on another $154 based on this budget here. Well, more than that. I'm looking at 3 mill. We added on more than 3.5 mill. Now, we either going to have to face going down the road some serious cuts or some serious something to this budget because I don't think that the taxpayers of Chesterfield County is going to look at us uh with uh with continuing to increase. And I understand where we are. I know that the county is planning on putting a penny sale tax u uh for their on the ballot this time. I we don't know how much they're going

106to raise their millage, >> but I just know that we'll >> they're not we're throwing a lot out. >> They're not they're not raising millage this year. >> They're not going to they're not going to do >> they're not raising millage this year. >> Okay. So, the only thing they're going to do is just put the penny >> and our county millage isn't that much comparatively to the >> is6 and theirs is 146. >> So, so Mr. Sweeney, you know, if you're wanting to make a recommendation concerning some of our Gcales, I would say and and go back to something that Mr. Casky has talked about. Um, and and we don't have to do all Gcales, but maybe we do our lower G scales and say, let's give our lower G scales 50 cents and

107the other G scales only get 25 cents. And so if you look at your uh G G3 through G6, >> well, you're talking about 80 you're talking about about 80 employees then out of the um >> out of the 159. >> Yeah, those those are your your lower skilled I I I believe employees that that 50 cent would have more of an impact on. Mr. Casky, you want to talk about that a little bit? Sure. So if you're looking at uh G3, G4, G5, and G6, uh that represents all of your cafeteria staff, all of your custodians, all of your guidance clerks, ISS monitors, all your instructional aids in the classroom, all of your instructional and noninstructional aids from schools. That that's that's group of employees. Um when we start getting up into the higher

108levels of your G7s, G8s that represent your cafeteria managers, some of your attendance clerks within the schools, your bookkeepers, uh, and then up into the district office. Uh, some of those, anybody, all the administrative assistants in district office that are not specialists, that's the group of employees that you're looking at on the higher end of the GCS. So if we look at rather than doing a just just looking at some of the numbers, if we look at doing a 50 cent increase to the G3 through G six and instead of doing no increase for G7 through G10, that would represent about a $200,000 cost to the general fund where this is 137, sorry, this 1375, but we have the 25% reduction. everybody. Um, so from a 50 cent across the board, that was what was

109looked at at the first reading, the $275,000 cost to give a 50cent raise to all of the Goss. That's what we originally had discussed. If you only give that 50cent raise to G3 through G6, that's about a $200,000 cost. So you're going to save about $75,000 there. and you're addressing you're getting the 50 cent raise for the G3, G4, G5 or G6. So that's what you do if you wanted to do the 50cent raise for those and 25cent raise for the G7 through G10 and you're looking at probably a $235,000 $240,000 expense to the general rather than 275 >> and that means >> well >> a little bit higher. That would well that would also cut into um you know that 94,000 you know that that you're looking at there. >> Okay. I'm I'm beating

110the dead horse here. I leave it alone. >> Mr. Sweeney, I just want to say I agree with you on the salary scales um and and the salary rates. >> No conversation. We >> we we will we will make a concerted effort to to make sure that this happens. >> Any other questions as it regard regarding anything that we've discussed so far? Uh if not then this is our recommended second reading for the budget. >> Any other questions? We only have so much. [laughter] Unfortunately, >> and I will say just looking at the millage rates across the state, we're not real high. Not compared to our borders, counties, but we work within our means. The finance committee has worked very hard last several months along with Dr. Ballinger and Kevin Cassie. So now we have

111a budget presented before you. I will say this before the motion goes on the floor. Um I do appreciate the work that they've done. They've been very transparent throughout this whole process. Yeah, this is I I don't know if I've been through a budget process like this now, maybe 10 or 15 years where we've gone through and stayed up here sometime 10 11:00 at night. >> That's right. >> So, we're not doing it this time. We did it through committees. So, I I will give you uh your your your thanks uh for that. Uh I do know that y'all put in a lot of work. Uh very transparent. Every question that we asked uh they was quick to get the answer back to us. It has been a quite a process. I don't know whether

112I'm getting too old for this or not. I'm thinking that you may get need to get somebody younger. >> You going to be on this finance committee next year. [laughter] >> I'm just letting you know ahead of time. Uh but I say that I'll let somebody else go ahead and make the motion. >> Madam Chair, I'd like to offer motion first. I agree, Miss Sweet. Uh the transparency has been very high. So I like that we um receive the recommendation of the uh second reading of the budget. >> Got a second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Um all those opposed? >> No. >> Okay, we'll have a roll call vote now. In that case, Mr. Sweeney >> approve it. >> Yes. >> Mr. Robson, >> approve. >> Mr. Dr. Coleman, >> approve.

113>> Mr. Teal, >> no. >> Miss Burch, I Mr. Sims, >> approve. >> Black, Miss Black, >> Mr. >> approved. >> Okay. And Dr. Chapman is not in attendance. Um, so we have seven to one. It's approved. >> Thank you for all your hard work. >> I know. >> You'll be back next year. [laughter] >> I'd like to also add on on the end of that, Mr. 20, it's been a pleasure working with you on that finance committee because like you said, there's been a bunch of phone calls. >> Yeah. and all throughout to the staff and administrative and they have been just really Johnny on the spot about answering any questions that we may have and I do appreciate that as well. >> Thank you for >> I appreciate everybody's uh concern and everything

114about the budget. I've never voted for a millage increase in 10 years and I'm a no vote. I'm still a no vote. >> You're keeping that perfect record, huh? >> [laughter] >> I promise my district seven what I voted and I stand behind it. >> Thank you. Now, um Dr. Ballinger, you're going to do a uh present a 2627 organizational chart. >> Yes, ma'am. So, before you is the uh recommended organizational chart changes. Um and so just need to have that approved by the board. >> So move. >> Okay. All those in favor? >> Opposed. Okay. Thank you. All right. And I would like to entertain a motion to nominate uh Eric to be disguised for region six board of directors nominee. >> Second. All those in favor >> oppose. Blessing. >> Can I oppose

115myself? [laughter] >> Sorry. Can't take it back. >> Okay. And sorry, I skipped over the authorization of federal programs director Dr. Ballinger. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, I would just like to recommend to the board that uh we appoint Dr. Candace Hoffman as the title one, title two, title three, title four, title 5's uh representative for the 25 26 27th school year. >> So move. >> All those in favor? >> Opposed? Thank you. She's not here. Um, okay. So August the 10th will be our next regular board meeting at PLC at 5:00. Executive session followed by meeting at 5:30. Okay. August the 29th through the 30th will be the SCASPA school Law Conference. That's in Greenville this year. Is that correct? Okay. If you want to go, let Becky know. We don't need any

116second ex We do. >> Yes, sir. >> We need a second executive session. So, I need a motion. >> I move to enter second executive session to discuss personnel matters pertaining to the boy hiring and compensation. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. So move. >> All right. Dr. Come back for usel. [snorts] >> Yes. Thank you. Uh Madame Chair, board members, I'd like to recommend your the approval of the second addendum for tonight. Please. >> So move. >> Second. >> In favor. Thank you. >> Second favor. [laughter]