001Call to order the April 27th, 2026 Shannidora County School Board work session and final budget adoption. Madame Superintendent, do you recommend the Shannidoa County School Board convene a closed session? >> I do. Thank you. I recommend the school board of Shannidoa County convene a closed meeting under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act in order to discuss and consider several personnel matters involving the assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, demotion, salary, discipline, or resignation of several employees of Shannidoa County Public Schools under Virginia Code 2.2-3711A14 2-3711A14 and for the discussion or consideration of the acquisition of real property or a public purpose or of the disposition of publicly held real property where discussion in open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body under Virginia code 2.2-3711A3. >> Call upon vice chairperson
002Pence. Thank you, Chairman Vance. I move that the school board of Shannido County convene a closed meeting under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act in order to discuss and consider several personnel matters involving the assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, demotion, salary, discipline, or resignation of several employees of the Shando County Public Schools under Virginia Code 2.2-3711A14 2-3711A14 and for the discussion or consideration of the acquisition of real property for a public purpose or of the disposition of publicly heard real property where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body under Virginia code 2.2-3711A3. >> You have heard the motion. Is there a second? Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Rickard. All in favor of convening into a closed session indicate by saying I >> oppose. No. >>
003I record that madame clerk is six to nothing and we shall convene in close session. to reconvene and open session. >> Move to reconvene and open session. >> Mr. Rickard. Thank you. And is there a second? >> Second. >> And second, Mr. Shy. All in favor of the motion, indicate by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed? No. Shandro County School Board hereby certifies by roll call vote that to the best of these members knowledge only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements by Virginia law were discussed in the closed meeting to which this certification resolution applies and two only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the closed meeting were heard discussed or considered by the Shannidville County School Board. Each member responds ISO certify when called. The chair
004calls for a roll call vote. Madame clerk, >> Mr. >> I so certify. >> Mr. Street, >> I so certify. >> Miss Caria, >> I so certify. >> Mr. >> I so certify. >> Mr. >> I so certify. >> Is there a motion to approve the agenda as presented? >> Move to approve the agenda as presented. Mr. Rickard makes a motion to approve. Is there a second? >> Second by Mr. Shy. All in favor of approving the agenda as presented will indicate by saying I. >> I. >> And oppose. No. We will record that as 6 nothing. Madame clerk. Work session item 3.1 information on the town of Strawsburg request for deed of easement for the Riverwalk. Dr. Shepard. >> Thank you. So on February 13th, 2025, the school board voted to grant the town
005of Strawburg permission to establish a parking area and walking path on Shannidoa County Schoolboard property along along South Holiday Street. Uh this action was taken because the town of Strawsburg received a grant to expand the Strawsburg Riverwalk. So the next step is for the school board to approve a deed of easement which was attached to the agenda item and I understand that board doc still is not working. So we will walk through this project. The grant that Strawburg um the town of Strawsburg received will pay the entire cost of the project including extending the riverw walk and um then adding the parking area and boat ramp. So, it was anformational item on January the 9th and it was approved on February the 13th. And now, um, the school board tonight is the information and the
006request will be for the school board to approve the deed of easement at the May 13th meeting. And here is diagram of what that would look like. So, let me orient myself. Um, here is Strawsburg High School and then here is Holiday Street right here. Here's the bridge that goes over the river. This is property that we own right here. They would put parking here and then an access down to the river. And there's where the boat ramp would go as well. So, it all remains contained on um that side of and I don't know whether it's east or west or north or south that side of the uh of the um holiday street. >> Didn't we also vote back then when we approved this that we were not going to extend the riverw walk
007along the school property where the football field is? >> Yes. So, there the riverw walk will not be extended on school property. This is the only um on our property. This is all that the town of Strawsburg will be adding. And then here is the engineering diagram of what that would look like. And it looks like about 10 to 15 parking spots. Do you actually access that off Holiday Street? >> Um >> or is that accessed off High Street? It's all behind the old middle school. You go down street. >> And this is Melanie Ship. She's a town manager. Strawberry. >> I knew you look familiar. Thank you. >> Any questions while we have the experts here with us? >> I'm covered now. >> And I think that's the Yeah, I thought that was the
008last slide. Any questions, concerns, thoughts? >> So, when is this going to be um completed? >> Been a very long project. We're hoping in the next few months start to bid for the project and then start. There is a time frame where we're not allowed to cut any trees down because of the season of the bats. So, there's two large trees. >> Okay. Had we ever have we ever had any ideas, thoughts, plans drawn up to do anything with that in any long-term plans? >> No. >> Okay. The parking lot, is that paved? Is it gravel? >> Okay. All right. And you walk down to a boat landing. >> It will be eventually be able to walk down there. >> Well, how do you get your boat down there? >> It's going to have a
009path down there. We have to install all of that right now. So, you'll be able to drive down there. You got to carry it. >> You're going to be able to drop it off, I believe, and then turn around, circle back out to park at the parking. >> Oh, so it'll be a road. Okay. >> It'll be gravel. >> Now, do we own that old school on High Street? >> It's a church now. >> We We do not. >> So, do you all have permission from the church to access that? >> It is public road down to the point where it turns into a school. >> Okay. >> Southport Street. is just behind the old school. >> It's the road where the old bridge used to be by the cylinder house. >> Yes. >> I
010just want to read one other piece of this. The school board keeps the right to limit or close access um at any time to protect students, staff or and school operations. The town is responsible for building, maintaining, and ensuring the area and for handling any risks or issues that may arise. And the agreement also cannot be transferred without permission. And it's a 25 year end in uh 25 25 year term. Is that area in a flood zone? So, hypothetically speaking, let's say someone leaves their boat in the parking lot and there's a flood. Um, talk to me as in terms of who who would be responsible if let's say that boat was caught up in a flood and ram through somebody's house. So, who is then just hypothetically speaking >> if it ran through the
011house? I guess the technically a person who left the boat there. Okay. >> Fall back to them >> where the parking would be. It's been a very long time since the water's gotten that high. >> Okay. >> The area it goes it starts down decline and it starts down into it gradually goes down. So, it's got to come up some gradual slopes to get that. There's no And there's no houses relatively close. There's some at the very end of South Street. So, High Street goes down here. Southport's coming this way. There's a house like right here. Once you get past that, there's nothing else left down there. >> And how often will that area be patrolled by law enforcement? >> Our guys are out all the time. There are going to be some signs that
012Okay. Thank you. Anything else? This will be up on our action agenda as uh noted by the superintendent on Wednesday, 13th of May. Item 3.2 is discussion of fiscal year 2027 budget and capital improvement plan. Dr. Shepard. So, we were very hopeful um on Thursday, April the 23rd when the general assembly reconvened for their special session that we would have a state budget or at least know where the state was going. Um they reconvened and then they recessed fairly quickly. Um so we do not know what our state funds are going to be. So as we walk through um the budget for this upcoming year, we have taken some things out of the budget in hopes that when um we get the state uh funding aotment that we will be able to read them. And
013we were very uh strategic in the things that we took out because often there are um criteria that we have to meet with state funds that um these the things that we took out would actually qualify for state funds for students at risk. So when the board of supervisors met earlier this month, um they level funded us from last year to this year. So you can see our local our excuse me, county funds um are remain the same um this year as they did last year. One of the things that the county did is they are giving us $2 and a half million dollars more this um this upcoming year than they did this year for our capital improvement projects. So to the tune of $5 million, but we had requested seven almost $760,000 in
014additional funding from from the county which we did not receive. And this slide shows the places um where we have made up that funding deficit from the $760,000. So you'll notice we went from um increased vacancy assumption from two to 2.45%. And if you need to know more about that, I'll I'll point to Kayyn here in a minute. But we're also going to reduce um the raise from a 3.25% plus a step to a 3% plus a step. That saves us 151 um,000. We're going to uh freeze to the recommendation is to freeze two um proposed positions at $28,000 and then to remove proposed all-in tutoring at $121,000. And this funding when I mentioned earlier that um we were very strategic about how we um looked at our budget because this this will be funds
015that we can likely put back in as soon as we get our our state funding aotment. Um we have seen from the um proposal earlier that the house proposed a 3% pay increase but the senate prop I think I have that backwards um one side of the general assembly proposed a 3% and then the other um side of the general assembly proposed a um flexible spending. So either way, we would qualify for additional funding from the state either way that it's approved. So we believe that we can at least put in put back in the two um proposed positions and then the all-in tutoring. >> Can we ask questions now? I'd like um >> for Kayn to please explain the vacancy uh assumption. So looking at the last couple years of where we've had vacant
016positions or where we've had attrition and we've retired or lost experienced teachers and brought in less experienced teachers, we have run approximately a 4% surplus on our salary and benefits lines due to these changes in employment or existing vacancies. So what this is is kind of a bet of risk, taking on a little bit of risk that we will see two and a half% approximately in those kinds of savings um and they're taken off of every position in the district so that it's spread evenly. It won't all come in evenly as we all know because the vacancies don't all show up at the same spot, >> but it will kind of even out over time as those various vacancies come in. >> Okay. And then I do have one more question. Um, freeze to full-time
017employment presents. What positions are they? >> That'll I think that's the next slide. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Um so um here is the information that was presented earlier and we've marked through um and um put a red font to it. The positions one is the the um full-time equivalent uh special ed program compliance teacher and that is at the northern >> signal yeah northern campus signal knob and strawsburg high school. However, this is one of the first um one of the first positions that we would put back um once we received additional state funding. And then we took out one full-time equivalent interventionist that is at WW Robinson and that was a position that has been vacant all year this year. And then um you'll notice the last one that is lined through is
018the tutoring. We are leaving the attendance recovery program. Um I think that's $30,000 but um taking out the tutoring which is $121,000. >> How how many of our students um take use of the tutoring? >> Do you know? >> We do. And um I have Mrs. Proctor is not here but I have that information that I can I can share with you. >> What was your question, Mike? I asked how many students participate in in the tutoring, you know, is that something um with kids that are >> It's funny because >> keeping up the grade level. I mean, is that the best place to lose that money? >> These are tutors that come in. Sorry, Mike. These are tutors that come in um during the day and work with our kids. So, um, Signal Knob
019has two hours every day, um, that they have the tutors come in and work with work with specific students on, um, reading and math. Um, so, so do is this a place where we want to cut? Absolutely not. Um, this was grant funded before with All in Virginia. Um, however, this would meet the state's definition of at risk. So if the money has um ties attached to it that we additional funds that we get from the state, this would meet those additional ties. >> How um >> that criteria? >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Go ahead. >> Um the tutoring you said that was 120,000 >> 121,000. >> So how many tutors would we be able to keep if we were to get rid of the 60,000 for the middle school sports? >> Half. Mhm. Um
020>> so roughly how many tutors is that? >> It it's dependent we allocate hours I think to the schools. So it's dependent on how many hours across the various schools and who needs the most focused attention. >> Just to give you guys an idea, a teacher reached out to one of those tutors and it was a student that was apparently struggling with math. Their math score went from a 150 to a 500 with tutoring. That's a three and a half year gain over this past school year. I think the tutoring might take precedence over the middle school sports, but that's just my opinion. >> Well, or is there any else anywhere else we could find, you know, we could get that because I mean I, you know, there's a lot of kids that, you know,
021and parents that I know who take advantage of that and it it makes a big difference. So, um you know, I'm a little concerned about losing that and hoping we get the state funding. >> So, I'd like us to have maybe an alternate way to cut that. >> So, we're confident we're going to get the extra funding from the state. Both the House and the Senate had proposals on the floor that would have given us anything from $250,000 more revenue recurring to a million dollars more revenue recurring. The $250,000 had some one-time funds attached that could be spent over a number of years similar to the all-in we are finishing up this year. All of those proposals were for at risk expanded special education, those types of things. >> Yeah. Well, and that's a good
022point because it seems like, you know, we're cutting possible sped positions and this it seems like, you know, >> we're the possible cuts are all going to from the most needed spots. >> It doesn't feel good, right? But when we go to get state when that state funding comes through, then that's where >> they're the first things that would get. Yes. Okay. >> Whereas the sports, you know, and I'm not saying we shouldn't cut the sports. That would be difficult um to put back in with at risk funding. >> Okay. I get it. >> Yeah. No, I get it. I just worry that we don't get that money for at risk >> because I mean, as you all just heard, a score from 150 to 500, that's a three and a half year gain in
023less than a year. um middle school sports. I mean, my son played basketball, football, and all that right up until 8th grade. 8th grade you can start playing sports in the school system. So, >> I don't know. >> So, just to be clear, so then when the at risk funds come, those are going to be the first ones that are going to be funded. >> Yeah. So the tutoring, the interventionist, and the program compliance teacher. >> Okay. So it's a calculated risk but >> um so uh we did not cut anything from the um so the first $180,000 the top line is the um is our increased electricity cost and some additional funds for um our maintenance um program. And then the second is the um what we are calling the project manager um for
024our capital programs. And then we went from a 3.25% 3 and a quarter to a 3% which saved us saved us some money. And um the rest is remains the same. So, any questions about that before we move on to CIP? >> Um, is this an opportunity for the board to be okay with the with the the pay increase? I mean, that to my knowledge, we haven't discussed that at all, have we? So, this is an opportunity to discuss it because you're going to vote on it in the action items here in a Yeah. a couple agenda items. >> That is now the time. Yep. >> I just think the board should discuss it, you know, at least be, you know, whatever we're on board with it. But we have to answer to the public
025when they say, "Well, why did you vote for that kind of raise?" I I can't say why I didn't. I didn't, you know. That's what I like to say. >> Yeah. >> What What's the board's thoughts? >> Talk about it. >> Tell the public when that figure 3.25 was put out that the inflation rate was 2.8%. And tell them check the uh price of gasoline today. >> I understand that. >> I think you'll see it as uh a lot more than 2.8%. I understand that, but I just think we're obligated to talk about it instead of just >> Well, we can talk now or we can talk during the action part. >> So, that's my two that's my two cents worth. >> Well, for sake of argument, then let's talk to this a little bit
026now. So, by cutting it back from 3.25 to three, we We put how much money back into the budget? >> 160ish. >> 151. >> What if we cut it back to 2.8 plus the step >> to follow his inflation number? >> So >> yeah, but that's an old inflation number. That's when we first floated the idea 3.25. >> Okay. Keep in mind, we don't have to give a even across the board 3% to the whole county. I was very unpopular my first year on the board when I proposed that schoolboard office employees at the upper echelon got less than the staff in the buildings. That's something we could do that's been done in previous years. >> I think the county uh budget has 3% 3% total 3% raise. Yes. >> Yeah. But we've got three
027plus the steps. So we are actually over >> to my knowledge. A step you might as well just figure a step as a percent. It's give or takes depending on what what department you work in. So roughly a percent. So it's a 4% right now. Whitney, >> it also depends on where you already are on the salary scale. Um, I have a really hard time giving a 3% raise to someone who is has a salary way above at the top here versus the folks quite frankly whose year's salary is way below the poverty line. Um because that 3% for someone who's making $16,000 a year is completely different for someone who is making 50 60 70,000 >> a year, right? and even as far up as you know six figure salary. >> That's a good
028point. >> That's the part I've always struggled with. >> But how complicated is that to basically tear raises depending on your position or salary level? >> Shouldn't be hard. we have pay scales for that reason. >> So the step between except for maybe the first two um the percentage between each step of the teacher scale is 1.1%. the step and um I don't know all of them off of the top of my head but the step between a um >> administrators are 085 >> administrators is 085 or 75% >> is one and a half >> pair is yeah it's one and a half so you know it just it just depends but that's the you know between step one step two step three that's the exact calculation between each of the steps And what about
029part-time custodians? Bus drivers. >> So they're parttime or um substitute are hourly. Bus drivers have a scale and >> it's hourly scale. >> Um it is in your budget book. >> It's starting on >> it's right here. your book. >> 38 has the scales. >> Thank you. >> 38 on. >> Yes. >> So, I do have them memorized because I have them on this sheet of paper right here. um custodians the the um percentage between each step is one and a half% bus drivers is 1% food service u managers is 1.2% 2%. So, it's it just it varies. It's different. >> There are some exceptions between step C and D. Um on some of the scales, on a majority of the scales, it's a little higher, but um other than that, all of the other
030steps are are exactly the same. Um 1.5, 1.2, 1.1 So if you increase um the percentage at um like say step zero to step 10 and leave step 11 through 30 the same. You may have someone with 10 years of experience getting paid the same as someone as 15 years of experience depending on how that what that would look like. And we're required by the state to be at the the 3%, right? Whatever they come out like, you know, and but that that would be including the step. >> Whatever they come out with, we are required to meet in the combination of the step and the raise in order to get the revenue. >> All right. So, but for just for clarification sake, so if we are at 3% plus the step, if we reduce
031the step to equal to 3%, then we would still be eligible for you know the the help and the other monies that the state offers. >> Yes. >> Right. Okay. 3% 600 bucks. >> Even the teachers we don't they're still going to get a an increase. >> Yeah. And here's another point I've kind of just thought about as I look. through my first budget season as well as some of the information I learned from that going back and looking at budgets from years before and I can appreciate that our staff is the majority of our budget but we also have buildings that we haven't taken care of and I haven't seen with any of the past years of budgets, us sacrificing salaries to staff in order to take care of our buildings. And I'm not
032saying that's something that we should do, but you know, at some point when we have buildings that have significant infrastructure core core infrastructure issues, um, you know, and there's constantly staff with concerns about those buildings at at some point, and we've heard maybe one or two people say they'd be willing to give up a bit of their pay in order to help us with our buildings. And I don't see where we have ever done that. And I'm not saying sacrifice staff to, you know, help with the infrastructure of our buildings, but at some point we need to look back at the the effort that we are giving to make sure that our staff is maintaining their salary versus the effort that we have given over the past to take care of our buildings. And they
033simply just don't equate. Do I make sense? >> No, I Yeah, I mean I get that. Um, if we cut if we drop the percent to say two 2.25, how much of the money would we gain back for the sped positions and the things we want to cut? >> Think of it as 150,000 per quarter percent. >> Okay? >> So, if you took it from 3 to 2.25, 25. That's a 75. So 150 time three is $450,000. >> Okay. And how many of those positions would that get back? The ones that we may cut for the I mean that would get back the tutoring. What about um any of those sped positions? >> It would be almost all of them. It would be almost all the positions. >> Okay. But then you got to account
034for how many teachers are we going to lose >> because the surrounding counties are giving bigger raises than what we're giving. >> Well, what are the other counties giving? Are they giving >> Melody had provided us that information? I don't still have it readily available. >> I mean, are they step? Yeah, Frederick County just approved theirs and it was a three and a half percent, but I don't know if they were given a step or not. And I'm not sure where Rockingham County is. >> I was going to say they're just doing their budget now just like we are. >> I think Warren was 4%, wasn't it? >> Paige is giving 3% and a stop. >> Wasn't it 4%? >> Warren. >> Thank you. >> But they're already they've already they've already finalized their budget.
035>> It's proposed. >> Yeah. I don't know. I >> I think they're raising uh real estate tax 19 cents. >> Mhm. >> I guess I'm some, you know, just to throw it on the table. I guess I'm somewhere, you know, like 2.5 or 2.75 plus a step. That still puts it at three and a half, 3.75. It's not a bad raise, especially when we're Well, I won't say too much, but >> I think >> and that would gain us the 150,000 back towards some of these other things. So, >> and I mean I I absolutely and big fans of our staff and teachers. You know, I want to give them everything we can, but um you know, I'm worried even though you guys are confident about that, you know, it's still not in our hands.
036So, you know, um, if we get 150,000 back and maybe cut one of those positions and and keep the tutoring, you know, I I I'm a lot more comfortable with that personally. >> So, if the state comes through with the uh the money, the ones that the money that they feel confident towards, would you boost those salaries back to 3% instead? >> Can we? >> Well, you can't. At that point, we're done. It would be really hard to issue contracts mid year with those kinds of adjustments. It's not impossible, but it would be really hard. >> Yeah, that's a good point, Larry. >> The only view I'm taking is is Yeah, I I Hey, I'd love to see everybody get a big raise. You know, yeah, I'd like to, but the bottom line is if
037it's all said and done, us six are the only one that have to answer to the citizens. Everybody else gets to say, "Oh, the school board voted on that." talk to them, call them. You know, if the if if the if the countyy's getting a 3% raise and the teacher and and school is getting a 4% raise, which I hey, I I wish everybody could get a 5% raise, you know. Um, but it we're the ones that have to answer are responsible and have to answer the questions. >> When you say a big raise, I have a hard time saying a big raise when, like Whitney said, we have people making below poverty levels. So 3.25% to them as an as much as somebody making 150,000 a year. >> I agree. >> That's why year
038one I proposed I think we were talking a two and a half% raise back then. I said 2% for for the people in the buildings and 1% for people making above 100,000 at the schoolboard office and ad and and in administration. And that was not a very um wellreceived idea. I actually kind of like that idea. I mean, if we're I would rather not have to cut anybody, but if we had to, um I'd be very hardressed to cut the people who are making so little. um and also our teachers, especially when we've been working so hard to try to put us on par with the other surrounding um counties. But I just don't know if that's going to make a big difference. I mean, what are we talking about? How many people are we
039talking about in terms of administration that are making that bigger salary? >> I don't know off the top of my head. I'm sorry. Is that include like principles also or is that only people here? >> Yeah, administrators. >> Anybody over a 100,000 or 120,000? >> Off the top of my head, it's probably less than 15 people making. >> I'll pull it up, but I think it's less than 15. >> Less than 15. I was thinking we probably had at least 15 at the schoolboard office making above 100. >> Oh, you said 120. I will look for 100. Well, we're waiting for her. >> Sorry. >> To give us some numbers, >> she's having to dual authenticate. >> Yeah, >> Doug makes it really hard to get into my computer. Um, and we don't know if
040Rockingham or Warren or the ones we mentioned gave a step. >> So, another option would be to cut the step and level fund to three and a half. And what would that save us? >> I could find out about Warren in real time if you'd like. A step is about $771,000. Greater than a h 100,000 greater or equal to $100,000 is employees with many of not many some of them being teachers. >> How many at the school board office? I have a stupid question. Are principles considered schoolboard office in this scenario? >> No. >> Okay. >> 10 greater than 100,000 >> 10 out of it's 11 once I include the um well the CTE position the CTE director is the principal of triplet so it's 10 out of 100 or greater >> that are at
041the schoolboard office >> correct I mean, is that something that the board would be interested in exploring just having the two different percentages for people who are making under a certain amount and then people who are making over a certain amount or >> Well, I mean, I'd be curious to know what it would save us towards these, you know, other positions that we're >> because I mean, if we did like >> and to echo what Melody said, doesn't make me feel good that we're even talking about, >> right, >> reducing our sped department with with, you know, with our most at need kids and, you know, and it's not like we're chasing away sped teachers. I mean, you know, it's it's something that >> I will we be able to fill those positions, I don't
042know. But um you know if we can I would I really want to fund that anyway. >> Warren County is doing 3% plus a step however it has not been finalized. Um but she brings up a good point we're not thinking about. We are asking our employees to pay more towards their healthcare. Correct. >> Yeah. >> That she brought that up that their employees are taking a huge hit on insurance. Yeah, that's why I I be hardressed I mean to lower it beyond you know below a 2.85 plus a step for the teachers and our staff. I mean we need to give them at least the inflation and then a step I think I mean to keep us you know competitive and also to kind of make up for what they're having to pay for
043the insurance and all that. Would you say two and a half plus a step or 2.7 285 which is the inflationary rate but you know >> that would push me back to sticking with the three and >> I mean I'd rather >> at risk money comes but >> I'd rather I mean I would tend to think that if you're fairly confident that this money is going to come from the legislator. I it it you guys would know better than I do, but I would tend to think that this is the kind of stuff that the legislature would be funding. >> You would hope, but we're not talking about the Ynan administration either. >> No, but I think this I think from what I read, I think they would, too. >> I think likewise. >> Yeah.
044I think this is the kind of stuff that they would be more likely to fund. >> And what was that number? They're going to likely fund >> anywhere from $250,000 to a million dollars for us. >> Okay. >> For sped and all that >> anywhere from 250,000 to a million. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. They >> pretty Yes. Yeah. Okay. No, I I you know, I I can understand what Gloria's saying and I I I'm just going to throw this number out there. I'd hate to see anybody I'd hate to see, especially the st teachers or what we're talking about go below three and a total of three and a half. It's just a number that I'm throwing out there. You mean three and a half >> Total. >> So with the step and all that.
045>> So that would be 2.5 plus a step approximately. >> A minimum. That's just my opinion. Minimum. >> So about 285. >> How about 285 plus a step? That way at least we're covering the inflation inflationary rate. I had to think too. I mean, we are the biggest employer in Shindo County that we are the bigger biggest employer in Shindelle County. So, we >> I also feel like we need to take care of, you know, >> agreed >> our staff because they're also >> 100% >> giving back into the community. A lot of them are taxpayers as well. Um, so we if we want to make sure that even helping the economy going, we need to take care of our our citizens. >> Well, so if we went to the 2.85 plus the step, how
046much would that give us? I know 0.25 is 150,000. >> Come out. >> Give me just a couple minutes. >> Sorry. I just have to get to where I need to be. I'm going to say it's 90,000. 91,000. Let me see what Kayn comes up with. >> 91,000. Look at my math. >> How much? >> What was that figure? >> 91,000. Back towards >> I didn't hear you. 91,000 >> 91,000 out of 10 whatever million dollar budget >> we are sitting at almost exactly $und00 million. Yes. >> Yes. Might as well go with the three in the step. and count on the general assembly to do their job. I'll take all the phone calls that you don't want to answer, Mr. Three. >> Oh, I'll answer the phone calls. I just, you know, there's no
047way I can pass a budget and and tell the citizens, you know, when they this comes up, oh, we didn't discuss it. We just passed the budget. Now, how am I supposed to say now? There's no way I can say that. I don't think anybody on this board should say that. >> We've discussed it. >> Okay. But I don't think I kind of question whether we were or not because we're not doing our job if we don't discuss it. >> But what we discussed the original one when we set it up. So now it was just a matter of whether >> Yeah, the 325. >> Must have missed that discussion. Let's go in the bathroom. >> We talked about we talked about that when Dr. Shepard provided us what all the surrounding counties were proposing.
048Yeah, but we never I don't remember us saying, "Yep, that's the number we want to get away with." That 3.5 just came across. >> We never said yes. >> Yeah, >> but we never said no. >> Touche, >> but no. Agreed. >> I mean, we >> But I'll take phone calls, too. I'm I'm with the three in the >> It's been in the mixing bowl for, you know, weeks. The 3 point Well, the 3.25 25 in the step and now we're at three plus the step. So it's not something we're springing on you here. >> But Tom's point is I mean sen we do need to talk about it given everything that's going on but um I we're reducing it already from a 3.25 to a three. The question is do we go any lower
049than that? Um me personally I would not feel comfortable going any lower than 285 plus step but ideally I think the 30 >> but I think with the >> insurance that you know that we didn't really talk about in this too until now you know that's what's pushing me back towards the three. I was at the 2.5 but or 2.85 85 rather plus the step. But if other counties are doing steps and all that and we're asking them to pay some more for the insurance that's what pushes me back to the three personally. So include that for the individuals in the administrative building that are 100,000 plus or not don't include them in that. >> How easily could you figure that out Kayla? Right now, anybody over making any administrator or schoolboard office employee making
050over 100,000, if we change that to 2% for those staff, what would that save us? >> It'll take me a few minutes. >> So, while she's calculating that, do we want to go ahead and look at the CIP portion of it? And then she can let us know. I'm just trying to be efficient with our time. Well, you don't want to be here all night. >> Good idea. >> The other question is also if you can, you know, we're talking about insurance going up. Any ideal roughly percent or cost or you know? >> So, it's going up um for employees $25 per month per employee. >> $25 a month >> per employee. Yes. >> Okay. So this is a slide that you have seen um multiple times. Uh added to the very end of that
051is the $5 million that um the county funded. Um we went up from 2.5 million last year to 5 million this year and it's for capital improvement funds. And we wanted um we really wanted to make sure that our HVAC needs were um considered. you know, that's our our the biggest number here at 3.3 million, but there are some additional things that we needed to add in there, like we have a roof at Central High School um that needs to be replaced that is currently leaking. And then um the athletic facilities, I think this is on future slides, but the athletic facility, the track at uh Strawburg High School is unusable now at this, you know, unusable because it needs some some um some work. So, we'll go through and you can see what what
052we've um uh kept in there and then also what we've removed. So, you'll see that flashing safety lights and this will be at our northern campus. Um while we still will need um some additional money for our flashing safety lights of $50,000. Um you'll notice that uh we cut that by in half. um HVAC replacement from 13 a.5 million to 3.3 million. This will allow us to get our DOAZ units. It's the units that remove the moisture from the air um before it actually gets into the classroom. So, this will allow us to get all the DOAZ units at all of our elementary schools. Um, we have scheduled work for um I'm gonna ask Kevin to verify this, but we've scheduled work for um Sandy Hook and WW for this coming summer and Ashb will
053be next summer. Is that right? >> That's right. And then um some while we need new controllers and boards um we reduce that money to just the bare minimum and we may need to find additional money as our controllers um because they're obsolete and they um they are not making them any longer. So u we would have to go we may need additional controllers after this. Yes sir. >> One question. I don't know if Kevin's been with us long enough to answer it. Those controllers, can they be troubleshot and rebuilt down to the component level? Do you know that? >> Okay. >> I've not heard of anything like that. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Can we go back to that slide? Flashing safety lights. >> Okay. Code of Virginia says if it's within the limits
054of a town, the town is supposed to furnish the lights. So I mean Strawburg and Woodstock are in the town limits. Those towns should be paying for those >> well >> for the furnishing and technically um well is is Ashby Lee or you know is that campus in in the corporate limit? Yeah. So I think that's out of the limits of Mount Jackson even though they get the water you know they're that water line runs through there. So, I mean, I'm just, you know, that's been a big concern of mine with these lights, but um if we need to come back and find more money later, it might may be time to look into the people who I believe are supposed to be paying for them actually paying for them. >> Have we looked into
055them paying for it or >> No. Um that's news to me. So, I do know that we um when we were working with VOTE on the um lights at the southern campus, they VOTE said that they did not fund them. I just assumed that VOTE was the the funding source. They are not. >> So, >> now that I'm thinking about it, at the northern campus, we don't have any flashing lights, but I think it's because the speed limit on that road is 25. >> Roof replacement at Central High School. Um it's replacing um part of the original roof at $600,000. Um this track resurface is at uh Strawburg High School at 500,000. >> Uhhuh. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Go ahead. >> Are we still replacing the roof at um >> Stonewall Jackson this summer?
056This summer. Yeah. >> So that's moneyies from last year. >> Yes. Yes. >> Okay. Just wanted to make sure. >> And Strawburg High School. Yes. Yeah. So, we're replacing two roofs and central is uh the third that theirs needs to be replaced as well. >> Original roof. >> Uhhuh. Um things live well past their useful life in a school division. And then um Ephus, I call it Ephus, um repair at North Fork, Stonewall, Jackson, and and North Fork. Um what happens to um in I believe this is correct is that once it starts chipping off oh it's North Fork and Stonewall Jackson um then uh cold weather and it freezes in behind there and bees and ants and bugs get in there. So it yeah needs um so those both need to be replaced but
057any of our um schools that have EPAs there's uh there's some work that needs to be done. And then North Fork gym floor. Um, this uh floor needs to be uh stripped and resealed. And this is the only gym I believe that has not been done. So that's why um it's left on this on this list. I think that's it. So any questions or any thoughts about capital before we move back to the fiscal year 2027 budget? uh any uh questions about any of the things that we've left on um projects or concerns that we've left them on >> except for the the the flashing safety lights and I don't know the answer to that about towns funding that. >> One quick question. The tennis courts at Strawsburg High School, >> are those being repaired?
058Where do things stand with that? Do we know? Um, so I I think they were on this list and and we removed it because we really, you know, our our um main priority is the HVAC replacement and upgrade. That's that's number one. >> Do the kids have an alternate place to practice and play? >> Yes. >> Because I know somebody had told me Central doesn't have tennis courts and neither does Stonewall. Um they use the town uh they use the park the town park. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I think at all three of our campuses the town park is used. >> Okay. >> Town parks. All right. No other questions. Kaylin, what did you calculate? >> $25,000. >> How much? $25,000 >> that we'd save by going from 3% to 2% on the 32
059making over $100,000 >> on on those making $100,000 or more in central office. Yes. >> Yeah. Which was 10, not 32. >> The 32B. >> Oh, you were talking about everybody. >> All 32. >> Okay. >> Times that times three. I don't know. Some some of those are teachers, >> huh? >> Some of those are teachers. >> Okay, >> that's coming. >> So, we have teachers with more than 40 years with the county. >> How many of those? >> One. >> We still >> And she's making more than 100,000 when a year 40 only makes 85. on a 12-month contract. >> Oops. Still getting all right. He's just not as substantial as the other one. >> That's okay. You all know I'm not very >> I'm not going to be welcomed to the schools. >>
060Yeah. What school is she from? >> Your district. >> Say talk to Whitney. >> What are y'all talking about? >> He said that teacher was in my district. So she'll be calling me. >> She's at Central High School. it. >> Where's the 12 month scale? >> What's the 12 month? 12 month contract. How is that different? >> The administrators are in the building all year round. >> No, but why is that teacher in the 12 month? So, why is that teacher in the 12 month? What does that mean? >> Oh, because she's FFA. >> Oh, okay. Got it. Got it. Got it. >> All of our egg positions um are 12-month positions. >> Okay. >> Uh middle Yeah, middle and high school. >> Quick math takes you to $53,000. >> 53,000. I'm waiting for more
061discussion >> or I'm ready to go to 3.3. >> Huh? >> Or I'm ready to go to 3.3. >> 3.3% plus a step. >> No. Save that for the action part of the show. Okay. I was still in theformational section. Well, I just throw it out there. I'm okay with you. What you're comparing it over the 100,000, you know, 2.25 plus a step, but I'm still stuck on the others. 2.85 plus a step. That's a 3.85. That's not a bad raise. But that's just my opinion. >> Well, but we're it'll get open back up for discussion >> in a few minutes, right? >> Yes. >> Once we have a motion, either discuss it now or discuss it later. You pick. >> And just to be clear, so we're not saying that we're gonna reduce that
062and save the money. It's just we're using that money to pay for some other stuff, right? So, it's not like anybody's saving that money. >> No, you're not saving it. >> Yeah. >> So, no money's been saved >> somewhere. >> It's just being spent somewhere else, which in this case, >> it's still the same concept. >> Well, no, but I'm just saying it's it's the same amount of money. >> You can spend it somewhere else. It's the same amount. I mean, you're going to spend it. You're really not going to save us. But again, that depends on >> That's the way I think. But that's that's okay with you all. But I'm just I'm just doing my part to be what I feel is, you know, Yeah. I would love Hey, y'all want 6% raise?
063>> Hey, is there a second to the motion? >> Yeah, I'd love to do that. I'm just trying to be responsible in my position, that's all. >> Board is down, but this is being recorded, right? >> Yes. All right, good. >> I'd love to do that, but the money's not, you know, I'm just, you know, I live I live the life of reality, and the reality is we're only dealing with so much money, >> and we can only do so much. >> That's all I'm saying. >> But, but my point was that it's not like we're saving the taxpayers any money in this case. We're just spending it in other places. >> Oh, yeah. Well, in theory because if the money comes in from the state to fund those other things, that will be in
064our that'll get returned at the that'll be an overage at the end of the year, right? >> Yeah. >> So, I mean, so I mean it in the end it could save it >> could >> because you know, we'll send it back to the board of supervisors and ask for it to be reappropriated again. So, I mean it could based on their calculated risk if the state comes in and gives us the money. I'm sure I'm sure the board supervisor will cut a check to Chandville County taxpayers. >> Well, let's invoke closure and come back to this under action. >> 3.3 discussion of draft policy KB-B selection and approval of Brookbear materials. Dr. So, a school board member introduced draft policy KB BFF. Um, selection and approval of bookf fair materials. The intent of the
065draft policy is to ensure that all materials offered for sale or distribution during school sponsored book fairs aligns with educational goals, community standards, and legal requirements of Shannidoa County Public Schools. Since that time, um the school board member who introduced the um the policy also um asked our attorney for revisions and attached our to the um if board docs was working. Attached to board docs is the um uh policy with attorney revisit revision. So I will let the school board member who um proposed it speak now. >> Yes. And that is me. There's been a lot of speculations about that and why this has come up. Um but uh in in some of our recent discussions um it it occurred to me that we don't really have an official policy um on what is permitted
066in in anything um revolving around the book fairs. So um but since I had initially proposed that I've been speaking um via phone emails with numbers of librarians and the volunteers who run our book fairs and the initial policy with everything that um they would have to do to get us the list of what they were ordering and stuff seemed way too burdensome. So, um, I took that into consideration and at our last meeting, those nice librarians came in and told us, "Here's how we review it." Now, um, and then in the meantime, I have learned that some of the other librarians are actually using our library book policy format to to vet the books. Um, so as our board is ultimately responsible because I mean we're basically endorsing anything that is coming out of
067or being sold or whatever in our schools um for liability reasons. Um that's why I proposed this policy. Um I have since revised it some even after that. Um, I asked our attorney again to look at it and he sent back one small amendment to to it. So, this is not up for action tonight or, you know, or even scheduled. So, um, I have no problem. Uh, when when will we have a book fair again in our schools? Sometime next year, right? >> I don't think we have any for the remainder of the year. But since board docs is down, I can't look at our our fundraising. >> Well, stuff, >> right? I'm pretty sure that we don't. >> So, um there is no there's no urgent need to pass this >> next week or
068whatever. So, um and you know, I'm I'm open this up for all us of us to work on together, including the staff. Um and I got a lot of a few positive emails asking for, you know, for changing it up. Um because that was the complaint. it's too burdensome and we can't do this. And a lot of the book um suppliers, they have online cataloges. So, it should be pretty easy for us to say here's what they offer and um and then have a review process, you know, if somebody has a complaint with it. Um so, that's why it was brought up. Um, and there are many other counties, Rockingham, Hanover, Spennsylvania, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach all have policies regarding book fairs. So, um, you know, this isn't anything out of the order or out
069of the um out of the ordinary and, you know, we have custodial responsibility for what's coming out of our schools. So, I think this is one um, you know, it's a hot button with with everyone. I mean, I've been sent some screenshots of things on social media that look, they're banning books. Um, anybody who wants ever to come over and look at my house and our lower level with the probably 1,200 books there, you know, this isn't about censoring books. This is about protecting us potential lawsuit because we need to have everything the same for any vendors or anyone that comes in. And if we're vetting somebody at Sandy Hook differently than we're vetting somebody at Northfor, that could end up with us in legal trouble. So that's why um I proposed it and it's
070a work in progress and you know we can talk about it at other meetings, get more feedback, get our policy committee to look at it, you know, whatever. But I you know I I kind of insist that it's necessary before we have a problem. >> So this will be for umformational agenda at the next meeting. >> Um that's I mean it can be we can get more feedback and talk about it again. >> Yeah. >> I mean like I said I mean we don't we won't have anything till >> you know August you know I don't think we're having any in August or September whatever when school opens. So, I think we've got enough time to review it >> further. And I want to thank our attorney. He's very busy, but you know, he gets
071back. This is the second time he gave feedback, but right before the meeting, so you know, he's he's right on time. >> Any other comments or questions on the um book fair policy proposal? Then let's move to section four action items. And I see the first thing under action is the adoption of the fiscal year 2027 budget and capital improvement plan. Is there a motion? So, I move to approve the adoption of the fiscal year 2027 budget and capital improvement plan as presented. >> As presented. Is there a second to the motion? >> I'll second. Has been properly made and seconded. And the floor is open for discussion on the motion. So, as presented, we're at 3% plus a step. >> Correct. I'm not hearing any discussion. I'm about ready to call for the question.
072>> Well, I'm sticking to what I said earlier. I I don't have a problem with what they were talking about earlier. You know, up to 100,000 2.85 plus a step and over 100,000 2.25 plus a step is my >> what I'm sticking with. But if I don't have the support, the amendment. I mean, do you want to propose the amendment? >> Well, I guess I can, but I don't, you know, if I don't have it doesn't go, it doesn't go. I guess >> I wasn't be in all honesty, I wasn't tracking what you were saying about the 2.85. I don't know where we got to 2.85. >> Early in discussion, >> inflation. inflation plus a step >> cost of living. >> I said 2.75, but Gloria said 2.85. >> I mean, >> at least we
073cover the inflation and then we give on the step. >> I was talking about the 3% and the 2%, but Kaitlin brought up the point it's only going to save us $53,000, which that money will then be allocated somewhere else. So, we really haven't gained anything. And from 2.85, did you did you do that one already? How much would we save from >> 91 92,000? >> From 2.85 to three >> from 3 to 2.85. >> Mhm. 91,000. >> That's why I said 2.75. I always say more. Hey, too fine. How about that? Well, I'll be honest. I mean, I I'm torn on this. Um because I do believe that the general assembly will give us that money, but I don't know that for a fact. So, >> prediction is difficult, especially about the future. >>
074Especially Yes. Exactly. Especially with Well, and in this case, being realistic, especially with an administration we know nothing about. you know, they've been all over the place. >> No, but we know the makeup and so forth. And I agree with you that >> Yeah. If they're pay for anything >> is a high priority. >> That's that's my gut feeling is that if they're going to pay for anything that this is it, >> but I could be wrong. >> I would like those tutor positions to be one of the first things to come back. >> Yeah. And I agree. I mean, that is my concern. I mean, we do need that. I've heard from other students saying that they do take advantage of that. Um, so I really don't want to get rid of that, but
075again, you know, it's it is a gamble that we're taking. >> Well, you know, but if we cut that, I mean, we would have to go back to the 0.25 to gain enough to to do that because that would bring us 150 back. So if we did that, that would guarantee we would have the money at least to pay for the duder. >> If we did what? >> If we went to 2.75. >> I just struggle with that knowing we've got people making less than $25,000 a year in our schools. >> I I agree. I'm just saying that's the number. I'm not saying that that's >> Yeah. And then we've got people making over $100,000.75. >> That's a drastic difference. So the number 0.25 gets us 150 left. >> Yeah. I mean I I know
076personally of one of our employees that's working two jobs as a as a widow and she had to pay taxes last year. I mean I'm like holy cow. And I know what she makes. I know what she makes at her two jobs. >> I don't mind I don't mind making an amendment and see if it gets it support. If don't get support then that's fine. At least we're going somewhere. I'm just glad we're talking about so just saying I'm >> well as presented with 3% in a step that is and we've talked about a step um equating to 1% we're given a 4% raise right there. Um and that is quite significant especially for the employees at the upper end of our salary ranges. I would agree. >> Well, can I make an amendment? See
077if it gets any support. >> Of course, you can make an amendment. >> I'd like to make an amendment that up to 100,000. It's 2.85 plus a percent. Over 100,000 is 2.25 plus a percent. >> I mean a step. I mean step. >> Step. >> What? >> 25. >> So 225 on there. You want me to write it out? >> Kaylin did. >> Kayn, you'll have to forgive me. Do we know what that savings is? What Tom just suggested? >> No. >> Is there How quickly could you calculate that? Not >> well earlier she said >> it's roughly what she said early plus the 91,000 >> if we moved to 2.85 for all >> 2.85 plus a step for everybody up to 100,000 >> and I think he said 2.25 plus a step for everybody
078above 100,000. I'm gonna have I'm gonna have Mr. Street read the motion again and then I'll look for a second if there is one and then we'll finish this discussion sometime this century. >> Okay. >> And I'll need a copy of it. >> Yes. >> Nope. had my >> Mr. Street. What is your motion? >> Make an amendment that that salaries up to 100,000 that it would be a 2.85% increase plus a step. Salaries over 100,000 would be 2.25% pay increase plus a step. >> Is there a second to Mr. Streets. Motion. >> I'll second. >> Mr. Shy second. Discussion. Floor is open for discussion. >> I would like to know what that equates out to in savings before I >> before I make a decision. I like the motion. I do like the motion.
079Um but I'd like to know if it equates to enough money to say put the tutoring positions back in, which is 121. If other people have other discussion, it will be another couple minutes. >> Well, we can start talking about it. I mean, I can obviously, you know, I like everybody else, I would rather give the full amount that we're talking about, but I do have concerns about some of the stuff that we're not paying for. Um, I think this is the absolute minimum that I would support. Um but yeah, I would like to see what the final numbers are. If it's not something that's going to be um significant, then I would rather just pay for what we were going to pay for for our teachers and staff and then hope that the assembly
080pays for um the at risk cost that we've been talking about. But I'm open, you know, this is a I think this is workable >> to make sure I wrote it down correctly. 2.25 25 plus a step if you are over $100,000 and 2.85 plus a step if you are under. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> $123,000. >> Look at that. >> That would bring back the tutoring. >> I would I would uh agree to that if we're going to bring back the tutoring. Someone's on the dot. >> Well, the amendment's been seconded, right? >> Yes, >> it has. For discussion, >> I don't have any further discussion for me. >> I mean, I would just have to say like that tiered scale. >> Guess we can call it that. Um it just to me it
081provides a greater support to our lower end and mids salary employees while also acknowledging the employees that we have on the higher end. Um that's and it gives us the opportunity to bring back that tutoring position. >> So that is that's the one I'll be voting for. So >> yeah, because if we get that money from the state that you're talking about that we're betting on getting back, we can find other areas to use that money that we get back. Correct. >> Yes, but we would have to um bring it back to the school board for additional appropriation. Is that right? any anything the state gives us, we'll have to amend the budget and we'll have to request your appropriation. And at that time, we'll have to come with compliant programs for whatever the strings
082attached to the funding are. >> As you can see, we don't mind meeting for however long we have to. >> Yeah. >> This is nice. We get to talk. >> Exactly. >> And that will require more discussion later. So, >> all right. >> Read the motion, please. I receive a 2.8% over 100,000 2.25%. >> So, what we're voting on is the amendment to the original proposal of uh 3% plus the step. And you've heard the the amendment. Roll call vote, please. Mr. Shy. >> Yes. >> Mr. Street. >> Yes. >> Miss. >> Yes. >> Miss Caria. >> Yes. >> Mr. Rick. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> No. So 51. The amendment passes. We now vote on the main motion as amended. And again a roll call vote. What, >> Mr. Chairman? >> Yes, sir. >>
083What if we want to add another amendment? >> It's possible. >> Do we do that after this next roll call vote? >> No, we do this now. >> I'd like to make a motion to amend that we put the tutoring back in the budget. >> I second. >> Yeah. >> Point of order. How much money is that? Uh, just so we have that as part of the motion. 12100 pardon >> 121. >> Okay. So, what you're asking for is the uh savings from the salary proposal be allocated towards the tutoring of $121,000. >> Yes, sir. >> Are we clear on the amendment? >> Yes, sir. >> I'm waiting. Ready? Roll call vote, please. >> Mr. Shy, >> yes. >> Mr. Street, >> yes. >> Miss, >> yes. >> Minia, >> yes. >> Mr. >> Yes,
084>> Mr. >> Yes. That'll be recorded as six to nothing. Any other amendments? And we would now vote on the motion as amended twice, the uh tiered salary adjustment and the allocation of the saved money towards the tutoring. Roll call vote, please. >> Mr. Shy, >> yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. Yes, >> yes. >> And the motion passes unanimously. Personnel. I'm still swimming in numbers. Personnel. We're done with the budget. Amen. >> Is there a motion to approve the personnel list as presented? >> I move to approve the personnel list with the exception of number two. >> Is there a second to the motion? >> I'll second. >> And it a second. >> Another roll call vote, please. We generally don't discuss personnel. >> Mr. Shy. >> Yes. >> Mr. Street. >> Yes. >> Miss.
085>> Yes. Board member comments. I like to go first for a change. >> Go for it. >> I'd like to congratulate all those who were recognized and honored last Thursday at the staff excellence banquet. I'd also like to uh make commendations to all those who helped with the setup and the decorations and all the details that go into an event like that. It was a very very successful evening. Um, and my thanks to the food service team for a fantastic meal. And I'm sorry I left my appetite at home. >> Who would like to go next? >> I'll go. >> Miss Carenio. >> Okay. So, I have a couple of things. Um, one is I wanted to remind everybody we're going to have the personnel committee meet uh meetings. Uh we have Central tomorrow. We
086have Stonewall Jackson on Wednesday. And we have um Strawburg, the Northern Campus over in uh what is it? Tuesday the 5th. So everybody's invited. You guys can all come if you want to listen. You know, it's not going to be a meeting, but you can guys can listen. Um I'm really looking forward to talking to the staff and hearing what they have to say. Uh there's a couple of things um that usually come up with, well, mostly the whole retaliation issue. I wanted to let everybody know I'm working with the with the attorney right now. So, he's helping me uh draft that. So, I'm hoping to have that soon. And the other thing that I want to hear from the teachers because I've already heard from a lot of teachers and we actually just heard
087a little bit more uh on Thursday. It's about uh what our policies are going to be regarding screen time. And I know we're going to have a presentation from um Miss Proctor, but I really want us to start considering this more seriously before the summer um before our teachers start working on their curriculum and all that. With that in mind, I have a couple of things that I wanted to pass out. Uh just a couple I have so many articles on this, but just um to kind of give you guys um an idea of some of the things that are going on. you know Norway for example which was one of the countries that was always um avanguard with the whole technology and they gave iPads to all the students um they decide they realized
088that ever since they started using the iPads their reading achievement has actually gone down so now they're thinking about um coming back and and and leaving some of that technology because they they've realized that it's not helping them it's actually make things worse Um, and then I have another article here from I think it was on Yahoo, but it was from another one of those um, forums that was talking about how nationwide we're starting to see a push from parents and teachers about the screen time and and they just want to abolish the screen time for um, especially the younger kids because they realize that rather than make our kids better and smarter, it's made them all dumber. I mean, unfortunately, but um so read those. I have more if you want. I have plenty
089of I have so many of these articles. Um I just picked this two because they just came out in the last week or so. Um but I really would like us to to think about that. And finally, this is only tangentially um related to the school board, but um I just want to congratulate our colleague Mike Rickard because he was uh he did a sermon yesterday at his church and I was uh able to to watch it. um today in the video and I was actually very very happy to see that. Um one of the great things about being the school board is all the people that you've met that you meet and all the great people that you get to uh form relationships with. And um you know Mike has been pretty much my
090brother here on the school board but um also a brother in Christ and I was very very touched to to to hear him um do that sermon. And I actually invite everybody to watch it. Um, and I didn't want I I didn't tell him that I was going to do this. I don't I didn't mean to um put you on the spot, but it was it was beautiful and I hope that everybody gets to gets to see it. So, that's what I wanted to say. >> Thank you. Who's next? >> I guess I can follow that one up. >> First of all, thank you, Gloria, but all glory goes to God. Um, I was honored with the opportunity my pastor had to step out for this past weekend and asked me to step up and
091I've been a member of the church for 16 years and have been leading adult Bible studies. So, I took that on and as you all know, I'm not great at public speaking. Um, but if any of you all ever read the Bible, Moses was called and Moses his first claim to God was, "I don't speak well." And God said, "Not to worry. I will give you the words." Um, the one thing I never finished at church yesterday and my sermon was God granted Moses, he was able to use Aaron in his place, but God still told Moses, "I will give you the words. You give them to Aaron." Um, that being said, I don't take any of the accolades. If you get a chance and you want to watch it, I'll share it with you.
092Um, that being said, I second what Larry said. The awards banquet the other night to the people that set that up. Um, to the food service workers, it was fabulous. And we have got some top-notch employees in our school system. Um, even though there were many that that weren't there that night, like I said, in the past couple years, coming to know ones that I didn't know before, we've got a lot of great employees and kudos to you all. You all do a great job. Um, other than that, hopefully you all are counting down down the days as much as I am. My son graduates in a couple weeks. So, he's our last one. That'll be it. But, uh, thank you to all the staff here tonight. Thank you for staying late. Thank you for
093all the staff in our buildings. Um, that's all I've got. >> Who's next? >> I'll take your normal position that you take sometimes. >> There's nothing normal about. >> I I do not have a comment tonight. put you down, >> Mr. Street or Mr. Shabby. >> I guess I can go. Um, sorry I didn't make it last Thursday. Son had a ball game, has a ball game tonight or did I was not able to make it and I'm sure it was nice. Um, I do want to back up uh what Glory was saying as far as reducing I've always been um no, even though I didn't really speak out, but me being me, I've always been an advocate for reducing screen time, I guess you'd say, and more back towards the book. But it's interesting.
094I don't know if y'all saw in the news, but I've seen it more in the news lately. I've seen it in the news, but just lately, like just the other day, the big the second biggest school division is taking action on red in LA is reducing screen time. Um, so anyway, I do uh support that. Um, want to thank everybody for what they do and I know the this year's coming to an end. Um the only thing I'll touch on lightly because it's my opinion and my opinion only is um I will share with the board recently as some know uh we talked about healthcare earlier in regards to health care. I did feel obligated to do a little I don't know what you want to call it test example was the southern campus and
095provided a doctor to come in and talk about because our health care is going up and there's a reason it's going up. Okay. Read between the lines. So, you know, I feel kind of obligated. Maybe we need to uh provide some education on that, I guess you could say. But it's just my opinion. But I will say I was disappointed a little bit. Quite dis, you know, I was disappointed that on a teacher's work day, um, a doctor was brought in that has done a lot of research to talk on nutrition, to talk on health, to talk on those kind of things. and only five out of the Southern campus plus triplet tech only five staff members showed up. So I was hoping for I would have thought a bigger turnout being a teachers and
096I understand some people already had some teachers already had plans. They probably had team meetings or something. I get it. said, "No need to call me, but I'm talking about a whole." I would have thought more than five, but so I thought that I was hoping there'd be more interest in help, but anyway, that's all I got to say. My turn. Um, what are we 19 days left? >> Oh, I don't know. >> Yeah, I think that's what the boys told >> to be 18. >> Yeah, I think that's what the Good point. Um, so, um, as always, I appreciate our staff, all you guys are expected to do, um, you know, with budgetary concerns, buildings that are messed up. Um, you know, um, but the success of our students is coming from your hard
097work. Um, and I mean, as, uh, people already talked about the, you know, the staff recognition dinner and all that. Um, that was great. But um I also went to the scholarship awards thing and that was impressive the amount of scholarships and kids that were there. So um you know from across all the schools um you know we're we're doing a lot here um you know in aging buildings and with limited budgets. So um and that none of that happens without our staff, our administration and our teachers. So, I appreciate all of you. Um, speaking of teachers and the screen time thing, I was at um a film shoot this weekend. Um, and I was sitting there and next to um a a guy that was working a cannon next to me and he goes,
098"Wait, aren't aren't you on a school board?" And I said, "Yeah." And he said, "Are you going to do anything about like in your division about cell phones in the schools?" And I was like, "Well, coincidentally, we already have a bell to bell." and he called me, you know, a playful name, not a word I would repeat here. And then he brought up, what about screen time because we're being mandated by the state, you know, and um he was he's in Maryland and a middle school teacher and he would love nothing more than the policies that and resolutions that we've recently come up with. So point being, you know, similar area, not overly populated in Maryland, they feel exactly the same way. So, um, kudos for for leading that stuff. Um, you know, that's that's
099really important. Um, and, uh, as you know, and once again, you know, we're asking taxpayers to fund things. So, but, um, an investment in education will pay the highest dividends for us all. >> So, that's it for me. >> That concludes the, uh, >> member comments. Is there a motion to adjourn? I vote to adjurnn. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Is there a vote of I for yes and no for no? >> I. >> Six to nothing. Madame clerk, we adjourned >> at 10:09. >> The ice cream stand is closed. >> Would probably approve it. >> There goes my dinner. >> Scary. I need help.