RHS School Board Meeting 08-12-25

001Good evening and uh welcome to the August 12th board meeting of the Rockville School District. Local news media outlets were notified in writing of the agenda for this meeting on Friday, August 8th. Uh if you will please for the pledge of >> allegiance. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Please be seated. Board member Noel will join us shortly as he is finishing up his volunteer service with um and with that I will at this point entertain a motion to approve the agenda as motion. Thank you Miss Harris. Do I have a second? Second. I believe Miss Hutchson. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor? All motion carries. 6. So with

002that, um I am going to turn it over to Dr. Elder. Uh today is uh her first board meeting as superintendent of Rockville schools and uh her first uh item for the evening is recognition. So welcome up Dr. >> Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the board. I know this stuff is funny. Thank you so much for the opportunity to introduce our interim administrators. As you know, um we had three interim principles appointed in the spring of last school year. I'll be introducing them this evening, as well as interim assistant principles who have stepped in to help us out while the interim principles are the principles. Um just a little bit of background um on I I try to really model the chain of command and the chain of communication. And so when I made

003the decisions around these principles, the first people I talked to about it was the principles themselves. Next I talked with their administrative teams and then from there I went and met with each of their staff so they wouldn't have any worry or any unknowns about the upcoming school year. And what I said was this. I think we have great interims in place. I have the ultimate trust in Dr. Jones and his selections. Um, we are not at a time that hiring principles is optimal and I believe that we have the right people in place to serve as interim this year. So, they will serve for basically the year. In January, we will start a search process for all three schools. That search process will include community input and have a committee of representatives to help

004inform decisions. And so we'll start that in January. Um looking to name permanent principles mid to late March for the following school year. Um all all interim principles have been instructed to take full assumption of the principal duties, not to be um worried or not to hold back, but their job is to run the school for the year. And so that's exactly what they're doing. And so with that, um, when I call your name, go ahead and start to step up. I'll start with the principal, go to the assistant principal, and we'll go back and forth as you come up, and then, um, actually, um, Dr. Connor, if you could be on deck for Mr. Grant as well. Okay. So, to start with, at Cherry Park Elementary, our interim principal is Miss Kendall Futral. Um

005this year completes six and a half years for her as the founding assistant principal at Cherry Park. Prior to her current assignment, um she served as a classroom and partner teacher for over eight years at Richmond Drive Elementary. She received her bachelor's in early childhood from USC Upstate and a master's in executive leadership studies from Garner Web University. Her interim assistant principal is Miss Robin Taylor. Please join us. Um, Robin is joining us after a rewarding career of 31 years in the Chester County School District. Her career includes teaching, being an assistant principal, coordinator of teacher quality, and the principal of Chester Park Elementary School of Inquiry. She's thankful she's able to give back to her hometown of Chester and now her new community of Rock Hills. She's excited to be a part of the

006Cherry Park Elementary family as interim assistant principal. Next, we have Miss Amber Maize. Come on up. Interim principal of Dutchman Creek Middle School. Miss Maize served as assistant principal at Dutchman Creek for six years. She's a graduate of Appalachian State University and received a master's in administration and supervision from Liberty University. Her work experience includes North Carolina positions in Cavaris County Schools and Charlotte Meckllinburgg. Dr. Al Leonard was not able to join us this evening, but he brings over 30 years of distinguished leadership experience, and we are incredibly grateful for him joining us to help out um at Dutchman Creek this year. Mr. Buddy King, interim principal of Rock Hill High School, is proud to be a member of the Bearcat family for 19 years. Prior to education, he served for 10 years with the

007South Carolina Department of Social Services. After working as a guidance counselor in Fairfield County Schools and at Rockhill High School, he has served as an assistant principal for most of his career at Rockhill High. He is a graduate of Winthre and got his mers in school guidance coun guidance and counseling followed by an EDS in administration and supervision from Converse. Dr. Dwayne Graham, interim assistant principal at Rock Hill High School. Um, he is serving as interim assistant principal with over 20 years of experience in educational leadership. He is deeply deeply committed to fostering student success, supporting staff growth, and cultivating strong, resilient learning communities. And so next, um, Dr. Connor is going to introduce Dr. Carlos Grant. Step on up. it out. >> Good afternoon. I have the pleasure of introducing Dr. Carlos Grant to

008come up at this time. Dr. Grant comes to us as a previous principal of Wade Hampton High School in Greenville, South Carolina. He holds a doctor of education degree from UNC Charlotte, a master's degree from University, and a bachelor of science and education from South Carolina State University. He has served as executive director of middle schools in Cedar Rapids, Ohio, where he improved um reading and math scores in that district. He has a commitment to diversity and earns his recognition as Ferman Raleigh Institute diversity leaders initiative fellows as development administrator of the year. As ex director of alternative learning for Rockill schools, he has responsibility of leading efforts across all five of our district's alternative programs that support mental health services, virtual learning, and students at each of our elementary, middle, and high schools alternative

009program. Welcome to us, uh, Dr. Carlos. Correct. >> And so with that, board members, I present to you our newest administrative staff. And we'll have to go ahead and start this to get handshakes. [Applause] Good to see you again. >> Thank you. >> Congratulations. >> All right, Dr. Conor, squeeze in over here and two. Thank you. [Music] Next up is uh the board of trustees which is welcome back to students. Um so on behalf of the board of trustees um we just want to welcome back um to a new school year here in Rock Hill Schools. Um whether you are a student stepping into a classroom, a teacher, inspiring minds, or staff member, keeping our schools running smoothly, your role is so essential to our shared success. Um we're proud to serve a community that

010values learning, collaboration, and growth. And this year is full of new opportunities. Uh and we are so committed to providing the support and resources you need to thrive. So I hope that we all together as a community uh can make sure that this is a year of achievement, connection, and pride for our entire district. So with that, we just want to say welcome back everyone. Uh we are going to take a picture for the schoolboards association. However, we're waiting for Pete to come in. So we'll kind of break and make sure that he doesn't miss out on the opportunity for the school boards association picture. Okay. Next up is citizens participation. Uh do we have any more? Oh, we just have one. And I am going to welcome up uh Jessica McKinley on behalf of

011PTA. Good evening everyone. U my name is Jessica McKinley and I currently serve as the South Carolina PTA president. Um with me we have Kitty Wakeart, Christa Lavine, and Jennifer Newan. um all of whom are either PTA board members or past PTA board members. On behalf of the South Carolina PTA board, we are honored to recognize and thank our immediate past president, Helena Miller, who also serves as the chair of the Rockill School Board of Trustees. Um Helena, your leadership has been a guiding light, navigating challenges with determination, celebrating successes with joy, and always keeping the needs of children and families at the center. You set a standard of excellence, dedication, and heart that will continue to inspire this board for years to come. So, from all of us, thank you for your time, your

012wisdom, your encouragement, and the way you've lifted up every member of this board. As a small token of our gratitude, we do have a gift for you. While it can't match all you've given, we hope it reminds you of the tremendous impact you've made on the South Carolina PTA and on each of us. Um, so please join me in giving Helena a round of applause as we present her for her gifts. >> Sorry. Don't drop. >> Oh, picture. Thank you. >> Yes. Yes, we are. >> Well, you you all caught me off guard. I was not expecting that clearly. Um, I also did not expect to get tearyeyed on the first board meeting of the year, but nevertheless, um, um, thank you. Thank you. I also apparently forgot the keys in my car this, uh,

013in the parking lot. So, there's nice to have those delivered to me. So, with that said, we are going to move on to the consent action agenda. Um, it contains uh the May 28th business meeting minutes, the June 10th business meeting minutes, the June 24th general fund budget public hearing minutes, and the June 24th uh business meeting minutes, as well as the personnel recommendations that's been submitted into the packet. Do I have a motion to approve the consent action agenda as presented? >> So move. >> Uh, thank you, Mr. Burmers. Do I have a second? Second. Uh, thank you, Miss Daniel. Any discussion? Var. All those in favor? All opposed? Motion carries 6. That brings us to our action agenda. And first up is the 8% uh SKU, which is South Carolina Association of Governmental

014Organizations general obligation grant for uh the fiscal year 2526. And I'm going to welcome up Mr. Bobby Barnes. Welcome. >> Thank you, Chairwoman Miller, and the members of the board. Each year, Rock Hill Schools administration brings forward a bond resolution for your consideration. This resolution is is in accordance with our 8% debt limitation and represents a short-term financing tool, fully repaid within one year. Proceeds from this bond are strictly designated for capital expenses and equipment purchases each with a useful life of at least one year. To provide a deeper understanding of our 8% debt limitation, walk us through the legal framework surrounding this type of bond issuance. We're pleased to welcome Franny Heiser, our legal bond council from Burr Inform. Franny brings a wealth of experience in public finance and has been a trusted adviser

015to school districts across the state. matters just like this. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. It's nice to be with y'all. As Mr. Barnes said, my name is Franny Heiser. I've worked with the school district for many years. Y'all may remember the uh our firm name used to be the McNair Law Firm. In 2019, we became Bur and Foreman. But the good news is that we didn't really change. So, you have the continuity of service that uh that we are proud to present. Before you uh tonight for your consideration is the bond resolution authorizing the issuance of not to exceed $28 million of general obligation bonds um for the school district. Now just briefly to um mention to you because I think a number of y'all are relatively new board members and may not actually

016have been through a bond issue yet. So in in South Carolina, every school district has the legal authority to issue uh general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed 8% of the assessed value of all taxable property in the school district. So that formula the the rule is the same for every school district. The numbers change, however, because some school districts have larger assessed values. here in Rock Hill. Y'all's assessed value uh gives you a total 8% capacity of approximately $54 million. And so if y'all take action tonight, you would uh be authorized in the issuance of $28 million worth of debt out of that $54 million of total debt limit. Um as Mr. Barnes said, this debt is actually structured so that it's an annual process. Um, every August for the past many,

017many years, y'all have the school board has approved issuance of debt through the program offered by SKGO, the South Carolina Association of Governmental Organizations, which allows the school district to borrow money in in in a excuse me, in September, and repay the debt on March the 1. That has a benefit to the school district and its taxpayers because your debt is only outstanding for a very short period of time and so you're only paying interest on this debt for a short period of time. Also, using the Skego program, you're able to access the lowest possible interest rates through a large public sale. SKGO's purpose is to offer financial programs or borrowing opportunities for school districts. So, in Skgo, every school district issues its own individual bond. They are all collected up, gathered up, pulled, and

018offered for sale initially individually to local banks. But most often, uh, the debt ends up being sold as a part of a pool. And this year, we'll have probably over $400 million of debt being issued. Um, so that y'all will get the benefit of attention being paid by the the most active bond purchasers in the in the um in the industry. you also will receive um prorated uh cost of issuance and capped fees. So we have seen over the years this ends up being a very financially advantageous method for the school district to access these annual capital dollars. Um the document um as I said authorizes not exceeding $28 million. the the resolution delegates to your superintendent the authority to determine the exact amount that is to be issued. In the last many years, we

019have u recommended that the school district issue its general obligation bonds up to am an amount that can be repaid with your existing millage which I believe is 52 mills. That's on a different sheet of paper. Let me just check that. So, um, unless unless there is a different decision made tonight, we would we would imagine that this bond issue will um will roll out um as it has in the last many years. That you will probably see um the amount of maybe a $27 million um bond issue uh being issued um and that capital money will be available to the school district in in the middle of September. So, that's a very quick rundown of the resolution and sort of the legal framework in which we're we're uh operating. And I'm happy to answer

020any questions and I can go into as much detail as y'all like because this is my life and I'm happy to share it with anybody who will listen. M >> Madam Chair, I do. >> Sir, >> I I do have two or three questions, but I must make a statement first. And this is important for the public. I am going to ask some questions, but it's not because I don't know the answer. Because our superintendent um took the time to schedule two-hour meetings with our attorney. We had committee meetings where we were able to ask questions, get a depth of understanding. And so, we're not walking in this board meeting hearing this for the first time and with questions. So, Dr. Elder, I want to publicly say thank you. is important for us as board

021members and our constituents that that we're making informed decisions and we're making those decisions because you created the framework now where we're educated prior to coming into these meetings. So, thank you. So, I am going to ask a couple of questions, but it's really just for the public because obviously these questions were asked privately, but I want to make sure that the public understands. So, first of all, I'm going to support this. I told you privately I was going to support it and I'm still going to support it. Um, but We're issuing 52 mil, but in fact, we could have issued more or less. Correct. >> Yes, sir. That is correct. >> And the 52 mill is a number that's been derived because kind of historically that's what we've done. >> Yes, sir. >> And

022our full capacity um um assessed value is about 50 54 million, right? >> So, we could have gone up to 54 million or we could do nothing. Correct. >> You are right. That's absolutely correct. >> All right. So, one of the questions that we asked privately is historically, at least here in Rock Hill, um the question that I kept asking was the why we've gotten to this 52 million. And I think our superintendent, in fairness to her, just got here in one month. But what she's made a promise is that next year when it comes this time, we will be able to say to our constituents, the taxpayers to why I think we're looking at some type of comprehensive infrastructure plan and we may need more money or we may need less, but we're going

023to support what we have here now and next year we'll be able to answer the why. We're asking for 52 million. So again, superintendent, thank you so much and thank you Francis. So, to our taxpayers, um, we're going to support this. This will get us $28 million next year. It could be more, it could be less. Um, but we'll we'll have a clear understanding of the why going forward. So, thank you. Thank you, Superintendent. >> Madam Chair, >> and and just for clarification, because to Dr. Beltton's point, we did have an opportunity to to sit and talk with you and and meet with you. Can you clarify exactly what that these funds will go to so the public will understand where this windfall will have a better word? >> Certainly. And um the um the

024proceeds of of debt, general obligation bonds on behalf of the school district can only be used for capital expenses. Those are expenses that have a you that are are items, things, not working capital, not people, not not electricity. They are they are items that have a useful life of one year or more. That is the IRS u definition of what a capital expenditure is. So equipment uh roofing um completing or working on I think there's a new school in that's been worked on. And I think uh that project so so this these funds are limited to capital. They um they cannot be used for operations. They can't be used for u for salaries for insurance for retirement. That's just not legally available to the school district. So you are you are right for the people

025to understand y'all are not getting $27 million that you can go and and pay people with. for example. Sometimes people get confused because I know that y'all had to work real hard on your your operating budget and you go through all of that and then you come up and say, "Well, here's 27 million more dollars, but these are very restricted dollars. They can only be used for capital projects." >> Thank you again, Ariel, for setting that up for us. Really appreciate that. I believe that we all feel the same that it's been very helpful and um to be able to have the the more in-depth information about this process. So, thank you so much for that, Dr. Elder. Um I also on behalf of the board wants to say um thank you obviously to uh

026the business services team mainly uh Mr. Bobby Barnes for all the work that you put into it and and uh Franny as always. Thank you for always >> Glad to be here >> be here. to answer our questions. >> Quick question. Dr. Elder, you provided us with a very I felt a very good presentation. Um, will that presentation be I know some of the numbers need to be updated, but will it be available to the public or was that it was the this presentation? >> That presentation was for background. We can certainly publish it. Um, Franny brought it to give us just background on an overview of debt service available for public schools. Thank you. >> Thank you. So, if there are no other comments or questions at this point, I would entertain a motion

027to approve the 8% SKGO general obligation debt for fiscal year 2526. And that would be a resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of not exceeding $28 million general obligation bonds in one or more series in one or more years with the appropriate series designations including a taxcent series and a taxable series if appropriate. of Rockville Schools District number three of York County, South Carolina, authorizing the South Carolina Association of Governmental Organizations to facilitate the sale of bonds under its general obligation debt program, prescribing the terms and conditions under which the bonds may be issued, authorizing the superintendent of the school district to determine certain matters relating to bonds, providing for the payment of the bonds and the disposition of the proceeds thereof, and other matters relating to there too. So move madam chair. >> Thank

028you Dr. Belton. Do I have a second? >> Miss Harris I believe was first. Any discussion? Very none. All those in favor? All opposed. Motion carries 6. That concludes our action agenda which brings us to communications and I'm going to welcome Miss Dr. >> I was Too quick. No, it does not. Uh, next up is Superintendent uh Dr. Deborah Elder with her entry plan. >> Great. Thank you again, Chairwoman Miller, board of trustees for the opportunity to share with you this evening my 100 day entry plan. We are on day 27 already, unbelievably. And so, me that I have not waited to present the entry plan to get deep in the work. Um, but I did want to have the chance to present it this evening um, to the board and for the public interest

029as well. And so, first I want to start with a sincere thank you. I am so grateful to get to serve this district as superintendent. Thank you for choosing me. Thank you for standing by me. And thank you so much for this opportunity. It is one that I will not squander. I am so thrilled to be here and and feel like we're off to a fantastic start. So, thank you. I've organized the entry plan around the five areas that the Zeal um organization that was hired to man the if you will the superintendent search process identified through surveys and focus groups with the community. And those five areas you can see in front of you. I won't read them to you, but those came directly from Zeal's report as the community identified superintendent change priority

030areas. And so those are the five areas that I'm spending this first 100 days diving deeply into looking for strengths, opportunities, and gaps. A little bit about my guiding values. First and foremost, students, student experience, what happens with students and school through the perspective of the student plans that guides every decision I make and every conversation I have and I that's what I listen for as I'm listening and learning. My second value, excellence. I can do and continue to hold myself and all of those around me to high standards of excellence and provide the support to reach those standards and the accountability for doing so both for myself and for others. Integrity. It's very important for me that we do what we say we'll do, be who we say we are, follow up and follow

031through. And so my intent is to always always live with integrity, collaboration. We all know education is not a solitary activity. We need each other both inside our buildings and our entire community. And we have so many examples of that. Um but collaboration is is something that I highly value as well as innovation. We know that every system is perfectly designed to get the results that we're getting. And when we are not satisfied with the results that we're getting, that means we need to do things a little bit differently, change things up. I'm not afraid to make changes. And I encourage my staff to not be afraid of to make changes either. When we see an opportunity to try something new or do something we've done a little bit differently, we need to be bold

032and innovate. My guiding principles um these first hundred days and every day after that is to listen with an open mind and an open heart. Really understand perspectives and understand issues from many different perspectives and actively seek many different perspectives um on all of our five change areas. establishing two-way communication, not that I just get up and talk to people, but that I listen to what everybody has to say to me and connect by creating relationships for a foundation of long-term success. So, of course, the foundation of a strong school district is the relationship between the superintendent and the board of trustees. And so already, as you know, we've already started this work with meeting one-on-one, getting to know each other, learning each other's priorities and how we work together. Um, very important will be

033as as chairwoman Miller will talk about it for our upcoming retreat, leaving with absolute clarity of what the board as a as a whole expects of me and what the deliverables will be. I want to be successful and to do so, I need to have that absolute clarity. Um, and just continuing to to build that relationship. Relationships are built, not made. We all know that in long-term relationships that we have to invest in making them good and quality and move us towards the outcomes that we all want. And so I'm highly committed to that. Uh visiting schools and getting a handle on student achievement is well underway. I always already completed the first item. I visited every school. um met with one-on-one with principles, walked through their buildings, met our summer staff, got to speak

034with our custodians, our maintenance, our grounds, our bookkeepers, our office staff, everybody who makes school run before the teachers and the kids come back. And believe me, they are work, they were working hard and they were busy so that when teachers came back, everything was ready for them. Um, I learned a lot in those walk-in talks and really enjoyed that time one-on-one with principles for us to have a chance to get to know each other. I'm well into uh the second item which is seeing instruction in the classroom. There's nothing better than being in the classroom where kids are learning and teachers are teaching. And so I've been to seven schools for specifically for classroom visits um since school started a little over a week ago. Additionally, um, starting in September, I'll start to hold

035listen and learn sessions with each school staff either before or after school so that the whole staff, teachers, custodians, principals, um, educational assistants, all of the role groups in the school can come and meet and tell me what they're thinking. I'll facilitate those around the five areas so that it so that it's specific and I get the input that I need. Um, engaging with students, of course, is ongoing. I'm very excited that our district already has an advisory committee of high school students that I got to meet with before school even started. So, you'll see that on the next slide. It's already established. I love it. Um, the kids were fantastic and you know, kids are amazing because if you just ask them what they think about something, they tell you. And these kids did

036not hold back and they were professional and just incredible. I enjoyed every minute with them and will continue to rely on them as well as reaching out to students who of different ages and who are having different high school experiences, middle school, and elementary experiences than the students at the advisory committee table. Last, but certainly not least, our parents and caregivers. Of course, that includes grandparents, aunts, and uncles, and everyone who invests in caring for our children. Um, I'll hold six forums in different locations so that families can come and tell me their perspective on their students experience. Um, in addition, I will do some community member meetings for people who don't have students currently in the district. looking at student achievement through the lens not just of the classroom in the school but districtwide

037the systems we have in place and our current data looking at our student performance um over time and our and currently and that's coming out I think very soon I need to understand our district renewal plans our school plans for improvement as well as our continuous turnaround plans for community relations in add to having community forums. Um, I'll attend community events. I've already started with that and and attended some incredible events, met amazing people. Um, not established but participate in students um student advisory council. Um, I've already started to visit some of our dual enrollment partners um as we saw this morning at Winthrop um to foster collaboration and see what's next. What else can we do? What more opportunities can we create for our students? And finally, meet with and ongoing and develop good

038working relationships with workforce development and business community stakeholders because truly public education is at the center of workforce and economic development. And so I believe that our place at the table is very important. And so developing those relationships to always have make sure that Rockill Schools is represented at those tables is very important. mental health and support for students and staff. Really, I need to in in all of the visits and the listening and learning, find out what's working, what's not working, what holes do we have, and what's strong in our support for mental health um for all of our stakeholders, understand our policies and our data and our current state, accountability and leadership, um getting to know our cabinet. We have incredible group of leaders um that have kept the district running and have

039done an amazing job. Um accomplishments like having over 99% of our classrooms filled with teachers before the first day do not happen by themselves. It is truly a team effort with our school administrators and our district administrators. Um all of our cabinet has been working hard. Facilities, communications, human resources, um academics, everybody has been work, but continuing to understand our systems in this first 100 days is another priority. And finally, manage the budget. We have a balanced budget. Thank you for passing that in June. And so now it's my duty and responsibility to manage it responsibly and make sure that we are able to fund our necessities and sometimes in some cases make some hard decisions about things that we're not going to fund because when we have less budget we have to make decisions

040about what we do. So I'm fully prepared to support making those difficult decisions. U finally um participating in my own leadership development. This is my first run at a permanent superintendency as you know. Thank you for pro providing me an executive coach. Everybody needs a coach to get better and so that has been very helpful and will continue to be. Um I also know that I need to grow my network here in South Carolina. I've met with the other York County superintendent already and will continue to grow that network so I can really understand the education context in our state. And so with that, um, at the first January meeting, I'll bring a culminating report of all that I've learned and found in those first hundred days and have have some conversation about where we

041go next. I am confident that the future for Rockill Schools is bright. I am grateful to for the opportunity to serve every student from crayons to commencement. And with that, I ask for your approval of this 100 day plan. >> Thank you so much, Dr. Any. >> I have a quick one and that is >> Miss Harris. >> Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Elder. I just want to commend you for hitting uh the ground running. You from day one, you've been engaging all of our community members and um seeing you go throughout the school districts and the schools and and cultivate and build those relationships. I appreciate that. You are definitely walking your talk and um I too uh really applaud the fact that it's student centered for you. I saw that this morning. I

042saw you in action a couple times over the past 27 days and you are walking your talk. Um, and also you mentioned that um, you're cultivating and bringing us to the table, the district at the table. So, I appreciate that because I always say if you're not on um, at the table, you're on the menu. So, thank you for making sure that Rockill Schools are at the table. Just I commend you and I know that we made the right choice with you. Thank you. >> Yes, Mr. >> Dr. Elder, um, I also want to thank you for hitting the ground running and working so hard. I appreciate how much you have kept us up to date in the loop. I appreciate the transparency that you've brought to this position. Thank you for the very informative

043um and thorough small group meeting we had last week. I appreciate that that you're keeping us updated. There are no surprises and keep doing what you're doing. Thank you very much. >> I just wanted to echo the sentiments, but also thank you for being willing to learn and ask questions. I think that's very important. Um, our community is our community. Rock Hill is very varied, diverse place and I'm just appreciative of your willingness to learn all facets of our community and step into the role and serve all of our children and our families. So, thank you for that. I think very well said by all three of my fellow board members. But in addition, I also want to say thank you for providing a clear path and a guidance and a framework not only for

044the board but also to the community of what we can expect over the next 100 days. Um I think that that is um very commendable and um I hope that this is something that will link it to the website so the people who did not see it today have an opportunity to uh look at it from our because um I think it gives us great hope of where we're going as a school district and as a community uh for the future. So with that I say thank you and um our superintendent had a request which was for the board to uh approve said entry plans. With that I will entertain a motion to >> Thank you. Uh Miss Burns, do I have a second? >> Second. Thank you. Any discussion? I said sorry. All right.

045With that said, um all those in favor? All opposed? Measure cares 70. Thank you. Okay. Next up is communications and I'm going to welcome up Miss uh Dancy Powell. While we're waiting on the next person to come, thank you for going to the podium and speaking. That's so small, but it just means so much that the community can see you. You're standing as a leader. You're presenting to the community. You're taking responsibility for what's being said that's coming from behind that. So, thank you for that. Good evening, Raquel. Good evening. Good evening. Oh, hi, Madam Superintendent. How are you? I pray for you. I pray for you. I don't have much time this evening. Thank you guys for having me. This is my second time here this this year. Three months ago, I think I

046was here talking to you guys a bit of you guys to do some changes. I listen to everything you guys are saying. If you don't understand me, I am I repeating myself. I speak nine different languages. So sometime English going to French and French going to different languages. So work with me on that one. I have draft a couple of stuff that we I want to talk about. The first thing was back to the trees. When I look at us as community and leaders spending thousand and hundreds of dollars on our buses and I see that the trees I don't know your parameter in South Carolina who is responsible for what super owner this place that I don't know all I know is that somebody is responsible at is discussed with my director Mr. Gil

047and told him about it and I also told him he gave me a little idea in terms of how the work can get done. B told me that um is nobody getting paid to do that work the city or still somebody responsible. So what I'm saying is that no matter how you look at it, when I put my money into helping the state of South Carolina get a bus for the district, I want to make sure that the bus last at least for the year. And moreover, the bus is not well equipped with the things that we need. Uh some of us from different different states, we work in different different states and different different things. We see what go on all the states. Our bus in Texas after the school shooting in Texas. Our

048buses have security alarm that can allow the superintendent office can allow transportation, can allow the police department, everybody at a click of a button for everybody to know what is going on. Zero emergency. Last year driving a school bus, I found a gun shot something on my soluting and I was scared because I don't know who brought it on the bus. So I as myself the question is that I asked the safety coordinator during our inservice meeting. He said that um we should call shot and I'm like is somebody putting gun to my head? I cannot call shot but I can press I can press a button that will let the police department know that I'm in danger. I need a help on the bus with just a push of a click without the shooter

049know that what is going on. The next thing is that um parents continue to run the bus stop letting uploading student parents and community shame on everyone else. We running the bus stop and I am very very afraid. I keep saying it. Even if I leave South Carolina today or tomorrow, go back to whatever the Lord will take me, I will remember Raquel and I will speak up on national TV and let them know that I did say it over and over that we need to do something. The police is not getting paid to eat the money and sit home. They are getting paid to help us to protect our children to protect our community. So during the AM round and the PM round I dance the power but the power I want to see

050the police helping us because if a parent run this time they can hit a child and kill somebody child. I don't want to see your children your nephew get hit any kind of way. I don't want to see that's a trauma right there for the rest of my life. I'm from a war to country so I don't want to see that. The third thing I'll talk about is making sure that we are mothers. We on medication blood pressure medication. Hey in transportation we have only two bathroom for women over 100 and some more driver at transportation. Two bathroom for women that's a lineup to go to the bathroom is a shame and disgrace embarrassing to every one of us. We all are women and we know the important of going to the bathroom after taking

051your morning coffee or taking your pressure pills. So we online. I cannot use Mr. Bonakio bathroom. That's disrespectful. I cannot use Mr. Owen bathroom. That's also disrespectful. So the only bathroom I need to use is the bathroom that's accessible to me. But I cannot enter the bathroom. 85% of the time in the day we have a pee on our pretty much because trying to get to the bathroom when the light is long. So please um and the superintendent you're always going to do something about it and do it fast. The situation is becoming very serious. Um I know this not part of your something but I want to talk about it because I know it brings safety for everyone of us. Again special ed and regular ed I noticed that they loading and offloading at

052the same location. The school parameter is very big and we have a lot of exits into the school. If we can make access for parents to come in and drop their children, the priority one is special air buses coming to one location and regular air buses going to one location. My son who is a special air can run. He's a runner. He can take off and mate he get hit by the bus. I'm going to sue the district. I don't want to do that. I'm being honest. I don't want to do that. That's not nice to do because I work for the district. I love the district, but I don't want to do that. So, we have to come up with a plan and a strategy where the special air will upload the children and

053the regular air will upload the children so we cannot be caught up in a crossfire with the two buses coming at the same location. The the next thing I want to talk about back again for safety. I'm sorry. I am a black woman. I'm black. Very black. My everything is black. But I grew up in Texas and all the white folks I grew up with with the black folks in Texas, we put safety on the top of our list in Texas. So when it come to safety for us, it's not a joking game. It's not a play game. I drove for the school last year to call um Raven. I may not pronounce the name right, but you guys will know what I'm talking about. Raven is a very terrible school. The kids over there

054has out of they out of control. I feel sorry for the teachers and whoever a sound out there, but at the same time to protect our teachers in Raven and some of the student that really want to mine after the shooting in many states in the in the United States school shooting. There was a platform set up in Texas to our behavior school that we call raving over here. We may not have fun. We may not have fun but that's something you guys pray about and think about it because it is very critical that raping and all the schools that have behavior have at least a basic metal detector so when the kids come to the door with with parents firearming and backpack or whatsoever we can be able to take a serious precaution on

055that in work and 85% of our schools in Texas are covered with that through those making sure that we don't bring children don't bring ammunition in school or whatsoever or somebody who want to come and bust to school So please look into that is very important after seeing what I got to say right now. Last thing madam superintendent is for you as you're going through the budget. I listen to you very carefully as you're going through the budget whatever you're going to be going through. Look in it for budget for transportation. We need money. I need money. I can't be able to drive the route. Mr. Gil told me when I'm driving I should miss that where trees have problem. And I took my route and gave it to him. I said everywhere need help

056the whole rock cut the trees down. So if he's asking me to do that job, there is no way I can do it while I'm driving your children to school because everywhere I twist and turn, there is trees hitting the buses. So when I read it again, he told me the person who saved the corridor is is not responsible. And I told he is responsible. It's part of a job description. During the summer when school closed, he can take a week or two and drive around and see what the problem is. He will know better than me because I am not from here. He need to go around. If he can't do it, he should bring it to the table to you guys to find a solution to it to save our money. We cannot

057be crying for money and let the money go down the drain. They gave me a new bus. It's a bluebird. Yay. The bluebird. When I need a home to work, it don't work. And I get frustrated and the new bus check engine like it's on. So please when you guys talking to the states are saying these buses they should not take our money and send us garbage. They must take our money and send us something good that will be worth our time. So thank you for your time. I appreciate you. Hopefully you'll give us some money. Hopefully you'll give the a some money. Hopefully you will make a good decision. And I pray God that you stay here for a little while longer to do a good job. You look fabulous. I like you. Thank

058you so much. Any questions? I got to go. >> Uh just a quick comment that uh thank you for being here uh Miss Powell in advocating. Um I believe that the majority of your concerns are security related. So it probably does make sense if we set up a meeting between you and Andrew Jones who's our head of security. U so look for an email. It probably will be tomorrow morning connecting the two of you and that way he can help you with some of those specific items. Anything you would like to add to that. >> I think that's that's exactly where I would have gone. >> Yep. >> I'm just um I just wanted to thank um uh Miss Miss Monday and her staff. They've actually you mentioned about parents running the stop signs >>

059every day. >> Yes, ma'am. Um, and I just wanted to to point out that um, our uh, information team has put out a couple things on our Facebook page uh, basically speaking to the importance of watching buses and looking first buses. Uh, so thank you for that. I think that's a very important issue. Maybe we could um, continue to do reminders every couple of weeks uh, for the first start of school. She's already put out three or four and maybe that could be a communication push that we could put out from the district just to continue to send those reminders. This is a piece of tip for this you okay a piece of tip send the email out is great but when a drunk driver is driving and run the stop sign he he don't

060read the email what we did in Texas was that this is Texas they said don't mess with Texas everything is big in Texas that's in Texas in Texas our bus have camera all over the bus I'm driving now has camera what the essence of the camera when I cannot push a button to send a ticket straight to my house when I stops on. So whosoever that fixing the bus, you have common sense to know say if this person run the bus run the bus, that's revenue coming into the district because if I run the arm, you I will get a fat ticket in the mail and that ticket will come to the district. That's revenue. So when I'm driving around Raquel, I see a lot of revenue. I see a lot of stuff. And we

061we put in money in our community to make our community successful. Our schools, our teachers need help. They are drowning. It's a shame that we were will sit down and just look at it. We are drowning. Our schools need help. Our teachers need help. And we have money wasting. I am an immigrant. I see money. The fourth of July I went to the park. Maybe there for the mayor because when I went to he were looking at my face like I from a different planet, which I am. I went to the park to a beach and I was trying to park my car. There were nobody to park the car. And I said, "But why? I can't park my car and give you $20. Let me go to the beach for a couple hours." And

062there's a lot of revenues found way to make money. There is money out there. We should not sit down all the time and just look in one aspect. We should look at all the aspect or how to make money to help our district. So send the email is good. But this not looking at email working two three job. So they not looking at it. But when there is a push of button on the bus the moment that driver run the stop on the next thing in the mail. Yeah. We don't have to run. You don't have to waste our time to waste time to send an email. Now the ticket in the mail will tell you say do not run to stop again. Don't mess with Raquel. You see what I'm saying? We have to

063come up with an idea how to make the money. >> If you break the law, you pay for it. Simple. He kill somebody. $300 is less than killing somebody child. >> Come up with an idea. >> Yes. And I think Miss Val, um we we hear your passion and we we certainly share um the the belief that all of our students and bus drivers should be safe. And luckily we do have uh Mr. Andrew Jones uh and he can go through in detail and hear some of these things uh together with Dr. elers's input and and come up with a plan to address those. Some of the things that you bring up um are not things that are the responsibility governmentally from Rockville schools, but they have the ability to connect you with the people

064and and as well as us reaching out based on your feedback uh to make sure that the other agencies in town are aware about some of these concerns. >> Okay. >> So, thank you. And I will send the email tomorrow morning. You probably won't be tonight, but uh you will get the email tomorrow. >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you so much. >> Thank you so much. >> And gave us more bathroom and more money. >> Yes. >> Um that concludes our communications which moves us to presentations. Um the first uh presentation is really um on policy be board meetings which is up for first read. Um board as you've seen in the Uh there's a memo in there. Um, and for the community's benefit, as part of the ongoing process of our policies, uh, when we,

065uh, either review or change anything in policy, they are submitted to the South Carolina School Boards Association for review. And um and the last time when we reviewed changed policy be was in January of this year and we have gotten some feedback that based on that because under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act they are asking that we firm up some of the language in there. Mainly what it says currently is that under a work session uh a discussion item not an action item but a discussion item can be added by half or a majority of the board that does not uh fit the uh foyat law. We have to be a little bit more strict uh which uh requires a change to 23 vote of the members present. So with that I have

066um presenting that to the board for consideration. This is for first grade and then it would be up for final read in order to comply with the legal advisors association. Any comments or questions? No. Um with that it will be up for second read at the end of the month and um we're going to move on to the back to school update. I'm going to introduce Dr. Marty Craz. Welcome. >> Good afternoon, Chairman Miller, members of the board, Dr. Elder. Thank you all for this this evening. I'm going to give a brief uh back to school update on where we are. Just a commercial, if you will, about our back to school. I would say we had a very successful back to school uh this this year. Last week we talked with principles in the

067schools and had a a great back to school. So we'll share some brief updates uh commercial about about back to school. Uh this is more of a combination of several departments but more so also the school innovation student development department that supports the schools directly around back to school items. So we'll share those details about that at this time. Uh the first thing in conjunction with transportation just want to share just to brief uh this data that we have here uh this afternoon or this evening rather is simply uh data from the first day of school. These numbers have increased somewhat but our presentation uh details from August the 4th as you see here on the slide uh 719 bus routes that we have uh for the first day of school was uh on time.

068uh 91% of those are on time and safe uh in the AM arrival time. Uh 84% for the PM arrival. Those are the routes that we have uh commuting back and forth to school. Uh also in this information, we also have the My Ride Bus app that parents can use in order to uh track their students arrival and pickup times. We have 7,490 parents register for that. Uh, also as you see here, uh, our bus times, of course, uh, first week of school is always a little bit congested with traffic, but for the most part, our pickup times were around somewhere between 20 and 30 minutes of bus times in the morning and in the afternoon time. The next slide here talks about more um, the details of the AM and PM arrival times. You

069see here um in the morning time school bus riders are right at 6,200 6,272 uh am bus riders. We have for school bus riders for PM 7,48 for the car riders of course a little bit more in the morning time. The drop off 8,373 and for the car riders 5,771. Of course you can imagine with after school activities and things like that you have a little bit less. Uh the afternoon more peers dropping off in the morning time on their commutes to work etc. The next slide here talks about more of our technology distribution and deployment for this year. Uh we're very proud to say that we have uh again about by August the 4th uh 12,525 devices were deployed. Of those, as you guys know, we we had some new devices that we purchased

070uh back in May and June. 3,650 of those devices are new. running about 80% employment as of August 4th. There was a delay in that because the K2 wanted to pause devices going out the first couple days of school. That number is now about 98% at this time. Total devices that we have for distributions also entails for third grade 92% issued, sixth grade 56% issued, and 9th grade is 66% issue for our kids that received those advice that were new as well. Want to give an update also on day treatment. As you guys know, day treatment had a very small restructure to a certain degree in some of our processes, but a new partnership with MUSC. Uh Dr. Grant along with the team members there and myself, uh Darlene's been on the phone and in

071conjunction with uh MUSC gave gave some new structures to that program. Want to share that with you at this time. Of course, our capacity right now is 20 uh students in elementary uh 210 in both classes. Our hours of operation is between 7:30 and 3:30 every day. We're located also at the Belleview Center uh for the day treatment program. There are three different segments of our day treatment program that runs with MUSC. Uh the first part of that is course academics. We have three teachers uh and one assistant hired by the Rockco school staff. Um they all teach for core subject areas in both middle school and elementary. Uh there are two elementary teachers and one middle school teacher. This one teacher assistant goes between both classrooms supporting uh those instructional um endeavors for ELA,

072math, social studies, and also for science. There's also a clinical part of this with MUSC. There's individual group therapy that we have that supports the students that need those group therapy sessions for uh the more therapeutic side of the grant. um I'm sorry the partnership but also we have a recreational component as well more skill building uh positive behavior supports for recreational side as well. So there's pretty much three large components if you will to the uh MSC uh day treatment partnership that we have uh that goes on at the building center with day treatment. The next area we want to share is the mental health support services. Again once again um more insights and updates about that. Uh we working very hard to really um uh implement um some new processes. As you guys

073know, mental health uh was a conversation back in the spring and the fall of last year is working very well this year. Uh we have a a great team of mental health therapists uh 10 of which uh serve all of our schools in middle school and high school. They serve between two and three schools each. Our partnership is with Atrium Healthcare, which are insured patients, uh Affinity Healthcare or non-insured and also our community resources. We have about three or four partners that we have as a support as well for in mental health services. The PCG Medicaid billing system what we use our platform for Medicaid billing and right now we're projecting right about 400 cases for this year. We're off and running already had a conversation actually about two hours ago about kids that are

074that are already involved in our mental health services and being served um through our schools at this time. A pretty large endeavor that we are working on this year started really a couple months ago back in uh June and and May out of more conversation that we've had around uh behavioral support for our students and being able to address what we know are are some areas of improvement. Uh we want to make sure that we're working this year not only to uh have a long-term plan but also have a plan we can do things uh real time this fall and throughout the course of the school year. So what I want to share with you just in brief is our comprehensive behavioral uh student support model that we work on this entire year. Our goal

075is to create a model that really focuses on uh about five different areas. It's for our middle school, high school and elementary. Uh one thing important factor we have additional metrics for all of our schools middle school, high school and elementary. Uh we also want to ensure that we provide those clear consistent supports for student intervention behaviors and also making sure that we have clear guidelines for how to manage behaviors in school. One big part that we've already kind of worked on for the last couple of couple of weeks here is our intervention supports that are positive incentives for our kids that we'll be working toward for this school year. And the very last thing is our collaboration with parents in our community and how we engage with behavior. We will have an advisory committee.

076Uh right now we have about 24 stakeholder groups between principles, teachers, uh community members, law enforcement, our deans, uh of course a few board members be on that team as well. Our first meeting is on August 28th. Uh we'll begin to work once a month to really put into practice uh this long-term comprehensive behavior model for our for our schools and for our students. Our timeline for that is really um is broken up into four quarters, if you will. Our first couple of meetings are starting a August 28 will be to have a SWAT analysis around behavior and student support. Get into the October time frame, November quarter two, we'll really look at the more comprehensive model what that plan will actually be. Uh third quarter, more in January, the planning, the training, the coaching

077for what that looks like, the implementing schools. In the fourth quarter, we're going to pilot to really implement that plan fully with some of our schools that that we've identified and getting the progress money to monitor for revisions for the upcoming school year. I do want to highlight again and say that this is just a model that we'll have more comprehensively for the uh for the entire year, but we will be implementing some of these plan actions in real time throughout the course of the school year. The very last update, as you guys are very well aware, uh we uh um introduced a new policy, policy JCA. We mentioned that we'll provide an update in August. And of course, it's August. So, we'll provide that update at this time. And so, we have so far

07817 applicants. We have accepted nine of those applicants. Uh three of which are from South Point High School that's been accepted, one from Rock Hill High, and five from Northwestern High School. Wilson those that were not accepted didn't meet our criteria either were not residents of Rock here or they attended some other school begun a charter for the schools and those people uh were not accepted really didn't fit our criteria so that concludes our uh very brief commercial back to school update we're glad to uh answer any questions this time but once again I want to say we had a great opening we met and talked with principles this uh this year we had a super opening some locker wood and we continue for the next couple of days and hopefully we can get through

079our first 10 days of school No major hiccups, but a great opening this year so far. Any questions? >> Thank you, Dr. Connor. Any questions? >> Then we say thank you to you and team and um we look forward to hearing more updates uh as the year comes along regarding the progress of the school innovation development plan. So, thank you. Next up is uh an update from safety and emergency management. Uh so I'm going to welcome up Mr. Andrew. Right. Good evening, Dr. Elder, Adam Chair Miller, Vice Chair Hutchinson, distinguished board members, our friends in attendance, everybody watching online. Um, my name is Andrew Jones. You guys know that. Um, I'm the proud executive director of the safety and emergency management department now within the district. Um, those of you who don't me know me,

080very briefly, I spent 11 years in law enforcement. The last four of those I was a school resource officer. Thoroughly enjoyed that time. Um, the opportunity came up for me to move into the classroom to be working with students full-time. I took that opportunity and again gained some valuable experience as a classroom teacher. Um after that journey I got an opportunity to move into an administrative role in a neighboring school district and also took that opportunity again learning valuable information that I believe all of this combined helps me um be the best that I can be and provide the best service that I can to you and to our community. Um I'm very excited now to be entering my third year in the district. Today briefly I'm going to go over some of the updates

081and some of the things that we're working on um within the district. Um, starting with our name, um, as you guys may know and remember, um, our name has traditionally kind of been safety and security. Um, we are making a very deliberate adjustment to safety and emergency management. Um, this is done for several reasons. Um, we are now putting oursel in a position to qualify and be eligible for more resources, um, more programs and more grants. Um, things that I believe that'll be beneficial to to our district, um, and to our students. Um so I will briefly go into this with the new structuring we have also reorganized our priorities and this is one of the things that I worked with our team to develop and to ensure that we have um our priorities moving

082forward with this new restructuring. So first we will be working on prevention preparedness and partnerships. Um with prevention we're going to focus on the identification of this of these risks through training student supports safety assessments and screenings. the preparedness side. We're going to maintain that readiness with safety planning, regular drills, um act quickly during emergencies. And then our partnerships, we're really looking forward to continuing that collaboration that we've already developed and strengthening that with many of our emergency management partners. some of the programs and initiatives that we have been working on um and to align uh with this. First is I know looking around the room I know some of the board members are able to join us on this and I'm gratefully uh grateful for you guys joining us. The act of asalent exercise

083we did conduct that again this year in partnership with Rockill Police Department. It's a fantastic exercise that lasted two over two days. um every Rockill police officer um was able to go through that training and we had over a 100 district volunteers that came out to assist us with that as well. So, I'm very thankful for that opportunity. Next, we're working on a camera server update. We are working on an overhaul for our entire district to include to include, excuse me, new camera servers at every one of our sites that will allow us to have additional um storage capacity. And we're looking at adding over 400 new cameras to our sites within the district. We're also working with um first aid kits and red bags. Some of you may not be familiar with the term

084red bags. Um but inside every classroom and inside every office, actually there's one hanging right beside you there, Dr. Melton. We have red bags that we um have available for all of our classrooms and all of our offices. Thank you, sir. I appreciate that. Inside those red bags, there's a lot of emergency equipment that may be available uh for um all of our staff and students to include um you know galls and other emergency equipment that may be needed. Additionally, with the first aid kits, we have gotten approval and we'll be putting OSHA approved first aid kits in all district vehicles this school year. Working with operations with that and very thankful for that partnership with them. Next, we work on the impact resistant film installation. We have completed that over the summer. Um, and

085that impact resistant field has been installed at all of our school locations in the front office of Estabio areas. We're very excited about that. Um, safety assessments and inspections. We're continuing that and continuing to grow that not only through skiis. We do we work through with them as our insurance provider to um conduct assessments. We also conduct our own assessments and we work with our school administrators because I said this from the beginning. The goal of my department is to be a support system for our administrators. And that's what those are for is how additional ways we can go through not a gotcha and you did this wrong, but how can we work together to improve our school safety around the district, our safety drill management, this is the second year in a row that

086we've had 100% compliance on all of our drills within the district. We're very proud to report that and that is a direct thank you and I see know some of them are still possibly in the room, but some of them thank you to our principles, our school leaders, our safety assistant principles to help us with that. that is a direct reflection of their hard work in ensuring that we get these done um and they take them seriously. Our safety response team two that's twofold. You guys know that we have our safety response team that we partner with allied security and contract with them to have officers that are inside our schools to assist with our safety screenings. Um they additionally if there's you know reports of rumors or things at schools they can respond to

087that. They help us with all of our lockdown drills which we were right in the middle of completing for the school year. our that goes along with our safety screening protocols. They assist with that. Again, that's the that's the protocols where we go into the schools. That team goes in assist administration with our random safety screenings. Um we're expanding that this year. We did in the fall. We piloted it to include hall suites, bathroom suites, um based on some feedback from our administrators and some assistance that they needed. So, we're trying to help with that in addition to um additional K9 sweeps and searches with a partnership with Rocket Annual County Sheriff's Office. um single point entry very quickly. We already have that. We're expanding that and continuing to ensure that those are all completed

088with fidelity and looking at ways to update those and upgrade those as we can. Then briefly, I'll go through the next two or next three um staff safety equipment. We were able to purchase um some additional staff safety equipment to include um safety box cutters for our staff this year, our custodial staff, our maintenance staff, um some reflective vest, um some bilingual wet floor signs, things like that that we have to use for safe staff safety. Um our standard response protocol, that's the SRPs. Um that is the the procedures that we use in the event of emergency. Um, we train every single teacher that walks into our district at Learn the Rock and then periodically we go into the schools and retrain all the staff on it again to ensure that it is done completed

089with fidelity. I actually did one of those right before coming here at a school. Um, lastly, we have implemented our weather monitoring stations guys may remember that we piloted it at D3 stadium two years ago. We were able to secure the funding to expand that throughout the district. We now have live live weather stations um at every one of our district sites that has a field. Um we have access to that has a live camera, has barometers, rain gauges, I've told you guys before, access to 24-hour meteorologists and we consistently uh monitor those. Briefly, I'll just go over this. We had a large meeting. Thank you, Dr. Elder Elder for letting us do this. Um we invited all of our emergency management partners from the county that we work with directly to a meeting. We

090had a breakfast. It was a wonderful meeting to continue and to strengthen the collaborative efforts that we have within this district. I tell them all the time, I'm one person. It takes all of us to do this and do it right and we have some amazing partners in this district in this county and they were very engaged and we're very much looking forward to continuing that. They have ideas and see things that I don't. So that's what we need is to continue to work together on that. Uh again very briefly some of the community engagement. Um as part of the emergency management we now qualify for sled fusion center. I'm very excited about that. That is their intelligence network. We now get information real time. If there's something going on and there's a threat to

091a nuclear site or something like that, we get that information now as a fusion flow officer, which I was became certified to do now that we are an emergency management agency. So I'm very proud of that, very um excited to to work with him on that. Um, AOB is all on board. I think many of you are familiar with All on Board. We partner with them every year. So thankful for that that partnership. Um, I'm not the only person in the district that's a part of it. I know Dr. Smith, I think I saw her earlier, maybe she's a part of it as well. I'm very thankful to be a part of that program and want to continue that partnership with them. Their whole goal is to help keep students off of drugs and that's

092what they're there for and we want to support that. The National Weather Service, we are a National Weather Service alert certified. myself and another member of our department went and got that training so that way we can accurately um give the information that we need to Dr. elder and team to make the decisions we need as it relates to weather. The SCASA round table, you guys are familiar with the South Carolina School Administrators Association. We are round table members. Um I have been elected co-chair this year. I'm very excited to serve in that capacity and to represent Rockill School District um best I can. And then lastly, York County Safety Coalition. We work together. We joke a lot in York County that we compete for academics, but we're not going to compete for safety. So

093we work together. we meet quarterly to talk and help and support each other in anything that we can do. Um and excited to continue that. And this I won't read all of it so I can get out of here. Um and someone else can come up and talk. Um but just briefly um we're always looking for opportunities. Always looking for opportunities of things that we can do to help keep our schools safer. We have qualified and applied for some competitive grants, some non-competitive grants. We have uh been able to secure some grant funding through Skizbit. That's what helped us get the OSHA compliant um first aid kits, the floor signs, the anti-slip tape and things like that that I mentioned earlier. And then also the Department of Education, we were able to purchase the impact

094resistant film um and some emergency handheld radios that we needed. And we're looking for the future to apply for additional access control locks and some labeling and numbering systems throughout the district. I know that was brief and quick. I talk really fast. Y'all know me. I could stand here for two hours and talk about this because I love this. >> Any questions? >> Thank you, Mr. Jens. Did I have any questions for just comment? I I just wanted to say thank you again for allowing us to participate in active asalent training strike training. Um that was very eye opening. But I'm very thankful that we have the partnership with Rock Police Department. We know that our um children will be safe and protected if the unthinkable happens. Prayerfully never happens, but it's good to know

095that you all are preparing are So, thank you for that. Appreciate that. >> Thank you for a couple first steps. >> Mr. Jones, thank you. Um, I saw pictures online of the partnership event that you had. I really appreciate you collaborating with all the law enforcement agencies in our area. I think it's just it's critically important that, you know, if we ever have to have an emergency response that all of these agencies, all these officers are familiar with our schools, familiar with our principles, familiar with our kids. I think the more that you can collaborate with them, absolutely the better. We work better as a team than we do just as individuals. So, thank you very much. >> None of us is as smart as all of us. That's why I tell them all the

096time. So, >> yes, sir. >> Miss Daniel. >> And to follow up with that, you mentioned several times in your presentation about certifications and trainings that you your team have kept up on. I really appreciate that. Um, I appreciate you looking forward and looking toward grant and money and certifications and things to make sure our children and our staff are safe. So, thank you. >> Yes, ma'am. >> And if you guys see anything or there's opportunities that you find, send it by way. >> We're looking always, but you might have some resources, too. So, thank you. I appreciate it. >> Then we say thank you to you and your team and what you're doing. >> Last but certainly not least, um, we can have a communications update and team introductions. Uh, and I'm going to

097welcome up Miss Indeed. Ask my team to join me. Hey everybody, great to see you. Chairwoman Miller asked um at the beginning of summer to introduce my team, Dr. Elder, board of trustes. It's my pleasure to do that. I've been on the job a little over four months. Um it feels like a lot longer and I mean that in the best of ways. Um I have um tried to dive in with two hands, two feet, and I've got a tremendous team behind me. So as of July one, this is the communications team. Uh want to start with Serena Williams, the familiar face uh in the district. Miss Serena um truly has become a right hand and all that institutional knowledge is just invaluable. She is the assistant director of public information. Uh there's a lot

098of requests that come through our office and it is wonderful to be able to lean on somebody for a lot of that. Uh she's also one of our biggest cheerleaders when it comes to videos. So if you've seen a lot pushed out, know that we have somebody behind the scenes who's keeping us very excited about the work we're doing. And so thank you Serena for that. Uh William Rice, another familiar face here at board meetings and um he is now the assistant director of digital communication. Uh that is a big umbrella as you can imagine as we're heading into uh the school year. We are thrilled to have him on the team. I know he's been engaged with board meetings for a long time, but it felt like really perfect synergy to bring him onto

099the team. We are going to lean on him a tremendous amount. Uh and he too is a lot of fun. And he's going to hop back up here in a minute to give you a website update. Uh so stand by for that. Uh and then Trey Mio Trey Mio and I go back in in the news world for those who who didn't know. So he worked with me for about 10 years at CN2. I thought I knew what I was getting and I've been blown away. So uh he has surpassed my expectations. He's double teaming as it is right now. He's directing this program while he's standing up here with us. Um so multitasking at its best. uh and he and the rest of the team um are hopefully continuing to make Rock Hill Schools

100look great and make those of us who work here feel really great about where they live work rather. So I'm going to uh ask Mr. Rice to come up give a little website update. I feel like I need that stool and like right in the middle of like petite and not and I might need to do that next time. >> Good afternoon school board. Um, we did flip the website. So now you should see a new district website. Um, also the every school now has a you can use the the initials. So Cherry Park for an example since that's the first school is cpes.rock-hill.k12.n. us. Um, if you're getting any information, if you try to go to Google and search for the district uh web pages right now, currently Google have to catch up with

101our DNS changes. So, thank you. If any questions, comments, or concerns, but we're still tweaking. Um, we also have looked into the calendar feature for the website. So, we're trying to work on a master calendar so everyone can see those events. So, if you go to the calendar tab, I'm still currently working with the school web masters to help them learn the website system as well and we'll go from there. >> Just a quick comment to say thank you. Um, I think that the new uh website is much easier for the general public as well as staff and board to navigate. Uh, it certainly has more of an updated, maybe a little bit modern, uh, sleeker look to it. Um, and as any time where you do technology updates, you always sort of brace yourself

102for the transitioning period as we know that things may have a little bit of a hiccup, you know, and I have been positively surprised over how smooth it has been and um just thank you for this. I think our community and certainly our staff and the board really needed a fresh look for Rockville schools. So, thank you for that. >> Thank you. I agree. And um again, this team, it took all of us to make that happen. Um one ball can be rolling and another can be spinning and all things are getting done because we have So, it's been really great. Uh, social media update, we've seen a lot of growth across many platforms. Engagement is up and we love seeing that. Um, as well as media coverage. So, we've been pleased with what we've

103been able to do um, again in just a number of months. And we'd love to update you also on the back to school pep rally. Those of you who were there, we loved having you. We miss those who couldn't. We do have your shirts. So, after the meeting, if you would like to grab your shirts, we have them waiting for you. Um, but it was wonderful to celebrate our of the year winners. I know Dr. Elder is going to name them in a little while. Um, we'll be sending out a staff survey to just get some feedback. But it was a great celebration. We stepped up. We put boots on the ground. We danced. We had a great time. And, uh, we had great energy. And we certainly hope we're adding to the energy as

104the school year begins. So, we thank you for supporting our team and supporting our schools and for all that you do. Any questions, comments? >> Sarah. >> Yes. I just um, Miss Monday, I just want to And thank you to you and your team. Um just the narrative that you've been putting out for our district has been positive and I appreciate that. I appreciate that. Oftent times um we know that bad news spreads but we I think we've fallen short in the past of sharing our good news and celebrating our strengths. So I've seen that change as a parent. I thank you for that. And also as a board member and just thank you to the your staff. I know you go above and beyond. love seeing you out on the weekends um giving up

105your Saturdays and Sundays. So just just thank you for your time and for your investment to our children and our community. >> Thank you. >> I think we can all just echo that sentiment that this year has just so keep it going. >> Thank you. We're bringing out the best of each other. Appreciate it. >> I'm sorry Mr. Burns and I being bad. We need this picture. Don't they look like men and women in this picture? >> Sorry. Was this coordinated? Leave it to William Ryan. >> I can color coordinate is my kind of team. Yeah, it is a little men and black moment. >> I'm glad it's not just me. >> No, Mr. Burns and I are killing ourselves over here. Thank you, Chris, for the picture. >> We appreciate it. >> Thank you

106so much. >> That's all I can think. So, next up is our report of the superintendent. And I'm going >> I know Mr. I know Mr. Rice had you ought to do that, right? So, you have a job for the next 10 years, right? >> Hope so. Madam Chair, members of the board, um, as we kick off this school year, I just want to commend our dedicated team, both those who are in the schools directly serving our students, as well as those who aren't in the in the schools every day, but serving those who do serve our students directly. Um, We have had a tremendous start to the school year. Knock on wood. Um but we have started, as I said earlier, with 99.5% of our classrooms full well above um national trends. Additionally, our

107impressive 89% teacher retention rate reflects our dedication to our staff. And so we want to just keep that going and keep growing. Um the busy start of the school year included many community events um that I got to attend. Um one was the black back to school block party at Sylvia Circle. I was absolutely blown away by the generosity of our community and the way our community just wraps around our kids. kids were leaving with shoes and backpacks and and the parents had resources and it was it was really amazing coming in as an outsider to just see our kids wrapped up in that way. And from there that Saturday I went to the Kataba Nation where I got to be part of the back to school bash and same thing we had registration set

108up there. We had computers set up a hot spot so we could help families get their kids registered for school. There was basketball happening. There was music, there was there were resources for families and and again, just to see the way that the community wraps up our kids is just incredible. I think you may take that for granted because you're used to it. That's normal for you. Um, and I've seen it before, but not like this. Rock Hill does it amazing. Um, and it makes me very proud to get to be a part of it. Um, again, I had the privilege to visit every school before school started. I am on round two enjoying being in classrooms with kids learning and teachers teaching and really setting that precedent and that relationship setting of of two-way

109communication and respectful listening and learning. Media coverage has been generous. Um, Miss Monday has kept me busy. Um, I have spoken with every local Rock Hills, Rock Hill news outlet, including WHI, CN2, the Herald, Posting Corer, as well as all six Charlotte TV stations sharing the excitement of back to school and the anticipation of of this great event. And so, I do thank the communications team because they have been running hard. I really wish I could share everything that I've been able to do in the leadup to school. There is not time for that. Um, but I do want to wrap up with just sharing a look back at our pep rally assembly again. My first one with the Rock Hill Schools and that was absolutely incredible. 2400 employees in a gym, boots on the

110ground, stepping up, ready to hit it for our kids the following Monday. And then the next Monday, the kids came and we did it. we stepped up and we've got our boots on the ground to continue um that upward trajectory all year long. I do want to recognize our uh of the year winners at in this forum as well. Our mentor teacher of the year was Marilyn Robas from Saluda Trail Middle School. Our beginning teacher of the year was Elizabeth Kato from Evanport. Those of you who were there and saw her, she was so touched and just um it was really special to get to see her reaction to being awarded. Assistant principal of the year was Chip Newton from Castle Heights Middle School, principal of the year, Dr. Kimberly ODM from Independence Elementary, support

111staff of the year, Dia Gray from Dutchman Creek Middle School, and teacher of the year, James Barry from Northwestern High School. And I do have several mentions specifically for our families who are listening this evening. Um we have published a list of options for families for um additional child care during the inter sessions. Um I'd like to thank Serena Williams for pulling that together for us. She's been in touch with all of our care providers in the community. So October 6th through 10th and February 17th through 20th. Those options are are on our website and the latest in the latest newsletter that went home to families. I'd like to thank our community partners for stepping up with us to support kids during inter session just as they've as they've always done over winter break, spring

112break, and for summer break. Um insurance for families, families can find a link on our new website that looks amazing for optional insurance families available for purchase. There are multiple plan options and nutrition Rock Hill Schools. I'm very proud to say is again offering free meals for all students this year thanks to the healthy hunger hunger-free kids act. And so we encourage everyone to take advantage of that opportunity. I am so excited about what we have accomplished already and what we are stepping up to accomplish this school year. Grateful to be here and um appreciate everybody stepping up to to take our kids to the next level this year. So thank you. >> Thank you so much Dr. So we do have an executive session today um for the purpose of discussion of employment. Um

113uh so at this point uh I would entertain a motion to join the open session and the executive session for that matter. >> Do I have a second? Any discussion? Any discussion? Various [Music] picture now. Good evening and welcome back uh to the first uh school board meeting of August. Um we have a meeting in the executive session uh for the purpose of discussion of employment. Uh at this point I will enter a motion to adjourn the executive session and reconvene the open session. >> Motion to adjourn. >> Thank you Dr. Belton. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Thank you Mr. Nos. Any discussion right now? All clear. All motion car. Do I have any motions coming out of executive session? >> Madam Chair, I move that we approve the superintendent recommendation for

114the position of director of instructional program effectiveness. >> Thank you. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Mosal. Any discussion? Very none. All those in favor? All oppose? Motion carry. Madam chair. Yes, I have a motion. Thank you. Um, I move that we accept the superintendent's recommendation for the position of director of exceptional student education. Thank you, Lester Hutchinson. Do I have a second? >> Thank you, Miss Harris. Any discussion? Very none. All those in favor? All motion carries. 70. Do I have >> Madam Chair? I have a motion. >> Thank you. >> I move that we approve the superintendent's recommendation for the position of elementary assistant principal. >> Thank you. I have a second. >> Second. Any discussion? Very not. All those in favor. All motion cars 70. Madam chair, I

115do have one question. Um the motion that Miss Hutcherson made it said director of children. Wasn't that an executive director's position? It's just director position. All right. Motion is correct. >> Thank you for checking that. Um I believe that concludes emotions coming out of executive. Correct. That is correct. So other and future business. So uh couple of things. Um first up calendar committee for context. Um we had um had a lot of conversation about calendars this spring. Uh by policy we have to approve the coming year school calendar by December. And in May, at the request of some board members, we appointed a calendar committee to start working uh on the academic calendar for the 26 times year. Uh so uh this evening, it's our opportunity uh to let the board and to know where

116we stand on this. So I'm going to turn it over to the three members that are serving on that committee. That would be Samuel, Vice Hopson, and Harris. >> Yes. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um the three of us have actually discussed in in separate pockets, not together, but we will be presenting to you a list of committees members that we would like to present for approval. Um we will be asking Dr. Elder to assist us with obtaining those committee members. Uh we're looking to get staff, administrators, uh teachers, students, parents, and other community advocates and stakeholders involved. So we will be sending out a memo to you for update. We would like to hold our first meeting after Labor Day and allow the community to give their input. Our goal and our hope is as

117as the three of us to kind of let the community take charge um and making sure and of course your staff, your public information officer as well to ensure that uh we have the right calendar for the school district going forward. So please expect a memo from us in the next few days. >> Thank you ma'am. >> Sounds good. Thank you. Um, next up, uh, just a quick comment on the August 27, uh, board retreat. You've heard, uh, mentioning, uh, both in presentations as well as casual conversation, uh, over the past couple months that we are planning a entry retreat. Uh, it will be uh, one out of several uh, in the coming years. Uh, but it is the board's opportunity to work together with Dr. to set uh goals and work on uh how

118uh this district is going to look and how we gather together within the next um so that is scheduled for August 27th um and more information will come out as far as the logistics of that >> and and madam chair um at least what I've been told all seven members have committed to be there all day long and I think that's huge that all of us are committed to working together to help the superintendent achieve the goals that she's outlined. So to my colleagues on the board, thank you. I know that's a tremendous sacrifice for all of us who are well, even for those who are not working full-time jobs, we all have things to do and to make that happen. Thank you all so much for that. >> On a personal note, um I

119think this is going to be an amazing experience for all of us. Um and um I really look forward to having that time together as well. superintendent uh and I think that all of our staff in this group are going to be much better because of the work. So just wanted to give a friendly reminder and as Dr. Elder and myself will push out more specific details about the logistics as we get closer. So anyway just a quick update. Anything else under there in future business? >> If not um I will entertain a motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn at 7:51 p.m. >> Thank you, Dr. Belton. >> Second, Miss Harris. Any discussion? Hearing none. Those in favor? All oppose? Motion carries. 7.