001six and we have seven who have signed up. The board may limit the total time for comments or may reduce the time allotted for each speaker. All comments should address a matter related to the Shannidora County Public Schools. Complaints regarding division employees should be directed to the school principal or an appropriate school division official. The school board expects that each speaker will be courteous, modeling for our students how one can respectfully disagree with others views. Speakers will address their comments to the entire school board and not to one individual board member, to the superintendent, to a staff member, nor to the audience. Speakers will not engage in personal attacks. Speakers may sign up to speak at the school board meeting which they have done on a document provided by the clerk of the school board.
002The school board clerk will ascertain that speakers indicate their role as stakeholders and valid addresses. Speakers are called in the order in which you have signed up if time allows. The chair may allow comments from individuals who have not signed up. A speaker may not speak for more than uh on one specific topic. Speakers who wish to speak on more than one topic must submit a separate request for each item. If a speaker would like to present written comments to the school board, a copy should be provided to the school board clerk as the speaker approaches the podium to speak. Megan, you're up. Megan Winham and the microphone just there on the corner. >> Um I'm here on behalf of the uh Shannondoa Educational Association. I'm president and we have our other board members sitting
003over there. And so we represent roughly around 126 Shannondoa County employees. But um I'm also speaking as a county resident and also a parent. Both my boys attend WW Robinson Elementary in the third and fifth grade. So I look at this budget and in meeting with Dr. Shepard monthly, I know that none of these things are egregious. These are not luxury wishlist items. These are things that are there for daily operations of sustainability and that long-term means that when my boys graduate in 10 years, I will be here in 10 years. So your tenure may be four years, 6 years, but the decisions you make on this budget will likely affect long-term me who will be retiring at Channido County and the likelihood of my boys graduating in 10 years um with a central uh
004diploma. So I ask you to look at those items and logistically we know that you could say yes every one of them and we also have to pass yet another hoop with the board of supervisors. So, um yes, I just ask you to look and put your faith in Dr. Shepard um as we do and and know that she's not asking for anything out of the ordinary. So, thank you. >> Thank you, >> Ben King. Hello, my name is Ben King and uh both my daughters attend Sandy Hook Elementary School and I live in outside of Strawsburg. Um so my apologies if I'm a week late or maybe a week early. I'm not sure. I wanted to speak about the um capital improvements that are being considered by the county. Um I've seen overcrowding the
005whole time my kids have been at school. Um, however, the plan to take the county park and make that an elementary school. Um, it is the only county park that we have. Uh, what I what I did was I did look at the property that the county owns already. Um, Sandy Hook sits on 50 acres that is only 50% used by buildings. Uh, WW Robinson sits on 38 acres. Approximately a third of it is a building. And there's an adjacent piece of property that's 40 acres that's owned by Shannidoa County. I don't know what that means exactly. So I think the county made a very smart move in the late 70s when they consolidated into three campuses. And when we think about the budget long term, having those consolidated campuses allows us to spend money
006in other places which you're considering on the budget right now. Um, if we create a new campus with only an elementary school, we're going to increase costs due to busing as well as increase costs due to an administrative staff that will be duplicated considering it'll be at three other campuses. What I'd like you to consider is creating, especially at the elementary school level, a lower elementary school that is attached to the other the current elementary school. So you have a lower and upper elementary school that can be led by one principal and then an administrative staff of assistant principles for the two lower and upper elementary schools. Um it will save a lot of money to keep those campuses where they are and not expand again to the middle of the county. Um again only
007public park in the county. we're thinking about taking that for a school and I understand why, you know, because the cost, but if we have open land that we're not using, I think we should utilize that property. Uh, it also would allow you, if you did that, to construct a partial building that you could then move students into while you renovate the rest of the building. So, it could solve the problem of where do we put the kids while we're renovating the building. And I just want to share that idea with you so that maybe you could direct your architects to consider that idea to preserve the count of campuses that we currently have. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> And L King, >> you're not going to use that, are you? >>
008I might. I just um I'm this is a shovel that I took to a park last May and these are all parent signatures. So I'm bringing some parents with me tonight who are in agreement with what I have to say. Good evening board members and Dr. Shepard. In 17 days you will be making a critical decision that will impact almost half the students attending Shendo County Public Schools. The board of supervisors has communicated to you. Tell us what you need. We need a new elementary school. I'm sorry to say this. Um, located between the 320 approved housing projects in Strawsburg and the 873 approved housing projects that are in Woodstock that are expected to increase our county elementary schools by approximately 540 students. Those numbers alone would fill a new school with a capacity of
009900 students at 60%. This project cannot be delayed another month, let alone another year. Last year at Sandy Hook, when the new front entrance was being constructed, the crew came in early in the school year, tore down the front entrance to the building, and didn't return for over 3 months. And when they did return, the generator they used created toxic fumes that leaked into the first grade classrooms to the point that students had to be removed and relocated. Then when the project was complete, the primary window access to speak to the main office manager was not installed and it was rumored to not have been included in the original plans and there was no ventilation or AC system for thelo for that enclosed area which was primarily ga or glass. They got was extremely hot
010and those two issues had to be corrected at a later date and took a full school year to accomplish. And then this summer at Sandy Hook, the expectation was that the 50-year-old carpet would be replaced with vinyl tiles and the new trailers would be purchased and installed by October. But here's what actually happened. Over the summer break, only four classrooms had the carpet removed. And then four more over winter break. And the five portable trailers that just recently arrived over a month ago are still unavailable for use and need plumbing for bathrooms and one running water. This alone should be enough of an example as to why you cannot properly or effectively do renovations or improvements while students and staff are in session. The fiscally responsible approach to the issues being presented in the proposed
011budget would to be a build a new elementary school first and then prioritize the urgent structural needs of our other school buildings. A plan that demonstrates fiscal intelligence and not another track of mismanagement of school funds. Presenting the board of supervisors with a more bang for your buck approach will show them that the and the taxpayers that the money will not be wasted but utilized in a way that supports academic success of current students and the generations to come. I know I'm almost done so I'm going to skip. >> You have one second. >> You asked about the shovel. So okay. So building labor cost will only continue to rise. There are more pros than cons to build a new school in Mari Town. I get that none of you sitting here tonight created these
012problems, but you do have the power and hopefully the vision to rectify it. And then in the words of LV, it's time to go big or go home. Thank you, Lisa Rogers. Good evening board. Good evening, Dr. Shepard. Um, my name is Lisa Rogers. I am a teacher in Shando County Public Schools. I'm also part of the board of SCEA. Um, I'm short and sweet tonight. Um, basically, I just wanted to say I also support um all of Dr. Shepard's plans in the plan for um the uh budget. Um couple things I would um want to think about is there is the plan in there for the stipens for the special education but I also hope that in the future we can also think about our pair professionals. They are very hardworking individuals in our
013school and they do not get the um help that sometimes I think they deserve for as hard as we work them. So I hope that in the future we can also consider them in part of our plan. Um and I also hope you also think about um the fact that she is thinking about for us with the healthcare rising costs and trying to level that out. So thinking those together. So those are the two highlights for tonight. So have a good evening. >> Thank you. >> Jessica Syel. >> Hello school board members and Dr. Shepard. My name is Jessica Syel. I teach second grade at Sandy Hook Elementary School. My hope and vision for teachers and students in our county is that we will finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. The
014effects of overcrowding and ignored maintenance have simply become part of our everyday. Having the knowledge that ground will soon be broken and that there will someday be be a new building in our county. Um it would give teachers relief because it would mean that the current conditions would someday improve. All of the issues have been presented already. We all know what they are. Noisy hallways, dangerous traffic conditions, especially at the northern campus. Extended lunch times, special education teachers sharing classrooms, and having to teach in the hallway. The list goes on, and these problems are not unique to Sandy Hook. We know that a change has to be made. I attended the previous board meeting and had the opportunity to watch the options presented by the architects. As a teacher, you start to develop somewhat of
015an ability to see into the future. Uh looking at the plans for extensions to our current schools gave me visions of missed instructional time from walking from one end of the hallway to another. Um as well as even earlier lunch times to accommodate and increased traffic and noise in the hallway. I can just see it. Our current schools do require our our attention. However, we have to start developing a new school first to get the ball rolling. As the architects explained, this is the more cost-effective option with the least amount of interruptions to instructional time. Construction can happen without the displacement of classrooms. When the new elementary school is built, then we can have students from the north end of Woodstock and the south end of uh Strawburg enroll in the new school in Maritown.
016Uh this has to be the first step because it's the project that will take the longest. um developments in the area are not going to slow down in construction. So whether we are ready for them or not, the population is growing. So let's be the ones to invest in the future of our students and provide them with the best learning environment possible. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Kama Ros. Good evening, members of the board. My name is Cara Marose. I come to you as a parent of a first grader, a third grader, and in a year and a half from now, I have a will have a rising kindergartener. So, all of us here have reviewed this capital improvement plan. We see these 75 projects and we see the critical needs and we also
017see the costs. But the job tonight isn't just to review that list. The job is to lead. and leadership demands that we stop rearranging the decks on the chair, the deck chairs on the Titanic. For years, we have been patching, repairing, and keeping this nearly 50-year-old elementary schools afloat. But this presentation and the slides prepared by the administration are clear. With facilities like Sandy Hook at 96% capacity, we are no longer just patching a ship. We are taking on water. The condition of the elementary schools also sends a powerful message to our children. It tells them that how much we value their education and by extension how much we value them and their futures. So let's be crystal clear about what taking on water means for the students that we serve. It means that a
018first grader who is learning to read in a classroom that is so crowded they can't get the individual attention that they need. It means that the special education students who are crowded into one classroom nearly have conditions that are impossible to learn and it means that teachers and students testing in hallways get more anxiety and it leads to poor test results which we have seen this year. The outcomes are sending a clear message um that the students needs are coming in second. The construction of the new elementary school in this plan is listed as an urgent need. And this label is just not enough. An urgent problem demands an urgent response. And that response must be driven by you all in this room. This $41 million project is not an expense to be debated and
019deferred. It is a moral and fiscal imperative that the board must take a stand and champion. Making the school our top priority is really the only fiscally responsible path forward. It is the strategic move that breaks the cycle, this expensive cycle of reactive maintenance, pushing for this new construction and how it will be how you create the breathing room to finally address this other long neglected critical infrastructure that are needed and that can allow for planning in a cost-effective manner. But this will not happen on its own. And so it requires you, the board members, to do more than just vote yes. It requires this board to become the vocal, unwavering advocate for this investment. It is the collective responsibility to push for this funding at every opportunity. You must make it clear to the
020county, the taxpayers, and ourselves that deferring these repairs is losing educational opportunities and is causing a failure. sorry, failing our children. So, please do the right thing and build the new school. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Anna Bortley. short been here tonight. Just give me adjust. Good evening members of the school board, Dr. Shepard, everyone else around the table, and everyone who's here tonight. Um, my name is Anna Bartley and I am a teacher at WW Robinson as well as a parent. I have two students in the central campus here. Um, and I'm here to talk about some of the needs that concern me just both as a a teacher and a parent. Um, this is my 20th year with with um WW Robinson. And in that time that I've been here, I've seen
021just little repairs here and there. I've seen overcrowding. I went from having my own classroom to sharing with two others. I'm a specialist, so I'm working with some of our most at risk students. Um, and I share a room with two others. So, we have 18 kids in there at one time. And these are kids that were supposed to be I work with English learners. uh you know we are trying to devote our time and attention to them and in that type of setting there are many distractions that it's not giving the small group instruction that they are supposed to be having by the demands of our program. So that's one thing to consider. Um, and just statistically like it's really hard when you're in a county that is growing, the population continues to go
022up, and you see our surrounding counties. Since I started in 2006, Harrisonburg City has built five schools. Five um they've built two elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school. And Norly Childhood Learning Center. Um Rockingham County built another elementary school as well in that time. and John Kerr, the new John Kerr opened in Winchester. So, all these surrounding counties are doing all this investing in the the future of their students by providing them those learning facilities they need to be successful. Um, we have all the construction and developments that is happening and and we know the projected numbers. We're looking at adding 400 students to the central campus. And I know on paper it says that our building isn't at capacity, but we are busting at the seams and having to share rooms,
023all the special ed teachers share rooms, all the reading specialist share rooms. Like that that's the biggest concern I have. So when we're moving forward, I think that the expansion into the very limited green space that we already have and maybe taking some of our playground space away, I don't think that's the solution for what our kids need anymore. I think we need to just move forward. And I know we're looking at huge numbers here in in terms of expenses, but I don't think that if we look longterm, I think that's what we need to do. And so I ask you to please think about and consider the the future of of our students in our growing community and how much they deserve to have those facilities and resources that they need and not be
024overcrowded in classrooms of like 26 and 27. Um, and the other concern is the infrastructure because if we're going to expand into our campus, like where do the cars go? Where's the parking? Like that's a a a very nerve-wracking thing to think if we ever had a true emergency, how would we handle that? So, please just consider. I'm out of time. I see that. Um, I'm a little nervous. I've never spoken before. Um, but please consider that we need to make those advances and and take that step for our students. Thank you. >> Thank you. Did anyone walk in late and wish to sign up to speak? Yes. >> Sorry. Thank you. Lucinda Irv. >> Hi everybody. >> Downtown Fischer Hill. >> Yes. Well, no. I'm in Strawburg. Daddy's in Fer. I'll fill that out.
025Okay. >> Hi, I'm Lucinder, librarian at W Robinson Elementary School. Thank you all for your patience with my voice. Um I wanted to bring another perspective. I don't think the public this is more for the public because I know you guys are very aware um on the uh side of art music library at our elementary schools. We know that WW Robinson used to have two librarians, almost two full-time music teachers, almost two full-time art teachers prior to the 2008 housing market debacle. Um, and there was a lot of belt tightening and one of the things that happened then was losing one of the librarians the art, extra art and music and I don't mean extra necessary. Um, and we saw a glimpse of hope that maybe we would return to numbers that were more rational
026prior to the pandemic than the pandemic happened. And this goes to what some of my um colleagues were saying. We're constantly trying to patch holes, put band-aids on, whatever you want to say, duct tape it, whatever. We're just trying to survive. We need to stop doing that. Our children are at a disservice. Um, every other county at WW Robinson, um, our students get art an average of twice a month. Music just twice a month. That's it. All the other surrounding counties and cities, kids get it every week. And this is because of lack of space, lack of funding. Side note, the additions added in the plan to WW Robinson do not add room for another music teacher, another art teacher. So, you're going to be adding even more kids onto the campus and into the
027school and spreading the art and music programs even thinner than they already are. And this is not fair to our kids. They deserve it more than anything to be able to have those programs. Thank you, BILL. This concludes our public hearing according to the call. Sir, >> chairman, uh, I'd like to ask if I could ask the staff and the audience just one question for a hand raise so we can get an idea. I think it would help perspective for our constituents if I could ask one question. Anybody object? >> It's okay with me. >> I hear no objection. >> Our constituents are always reaching out to us and of course the number one thing we hear are y'all are raising our taxes. You're going to cause our taxes to go up. The staff members
028that are here, if you live in Shannondoa County and you proposed for the new elementary school tonight, you could all raise your hands. I'd like to see how many live in Shannondoa County. >> So quite a few. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Your staff or you're asking for the people who >> staff because the reason I asked for just staff. I apologize. Is because you guys are proposing number one you work here and you live here >> and you realize our taxes are going to go up >> if we do what's necessary. So you realize I mean >> my step's going to go to my tax my step's going to go to my mortgage payment. >> Exactly. >> But my stu my my kids are in that school and I I approve of that. It's
029like I know as all of our parents here, you've all been in the situation where you might have not drank your water because your child's thirsty. You might have not eaten your full plate of food because your child's hungry. I'm willing to give up that money. I'm willing to pay more on my mortgage. And I didn't even called to reassess. Like I said, if that's where you think it is, that's what you think it is. I I know it's going to go up and I know that that that raise, that cost of living is going to go right back in my hand that >> Thank you for that. Thank you all. Thank you all for being here tonight. This concludes our uh public hearing according to the call of the meeting. Um we will reconvene
030at 7 with the other business. But before we do that, we must properly adjourn this meeting if there is a motion to that effect. >> I motion to adjourn the public hearing on the budget. >> Thank you, Mr. Thank you. Is there a second to the motion? >> Second. >> And there are several seconds. All in favor of adjourning until 7:00. Please indicate by saying I. >> I. Oppose. No. >> And we'll be back in business in five minutes. County School Board meeting February 23rd, 2026. >> Start banging. >> Madame Clerk, I note the absence of Mr. Street as previously noted. Is there a motion to approve the agenda as presented? Move >> to approve the agenda as presented. >> Mr. Rickard makes the said motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you,
031Mr. Shying. All in favor of approving the agenda as presented will indicate by saying I. I >> oppose. No. And the agenda is approved as presented. Work session item 2.1 is information and discussion on health insurance. Dr. Shepard, >> thank you. So, over the last several weeks, we have been working with our health insurance consultant to try to get our health insurance rates at a um rate that would be affordable to us. Earlier this year, um we were told that our health insurance rates would raise anywhere between 30 and 40% based on our um claims the amount of health insurance that we've used. So we went out for proposal request for proposal and we received several proposals. We have been negotiating with one of the um people who um submitted a proposal and think we
032have um a a plan. Um the the intent is to keep our health insurance rates the same as they are this year and the proposed increase is around 15.2%. So whenever we get to the budget part of the meeting you will notice that last um at our last meeting the increase for the locality was about 2 >> 3.2 two >> 3.2 and we're down to 1.3 million at this point. No, the ask for the locality was 2. >> So, it's 2.3 million and the ask to locality is 1.3 >> the last the last presentation. I'm sorry. I'll look for it real quick. Um but the um so at 15.2% 2% it would mean that we would remain with our current health care provider which is Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and the increase would be
03315.2% in which the school division would um would um assume all of the responsibility for the increase and the employees rates would remain the same. So if you look at the slide that I have in front of you, it shows that the employee only healthc care coverage um with dental and then the comprehensive dental, the um healthc care insurance 250 with the preventive dental and then the comprehensive dental and the high deductible um plan with the preventive dental and prevent incomprehensive dental. And that all remains the same from last year to this year with no changes. And one of the reasons that is important is um our healthc care insurance was unaffordable 5 years ago. We've got it to a point where it is more affordable for our for our employees. And remember, we're still
034the largest employer here in Channidoa County with over a thousand employees. But if you look at the employeeonly rate, you will notice that the proposed rate is $55. And for Frederick and Rockingham, I have their last year um their current year's numbers because they don't have their future um healthc care proposals um out yet. But for employee only and employee plus spouse, those two that are circled, we are um lower than the other two divisions for employee plus child, employee plus children, and employee plus family. We're a little higher, but we're within the ballpark. So, we, you know, we can compete with Frederick and Rockingham on those two. We do not want health insurance to be a reason that an employee leaves. and we've heard pretty loudly and clearly that our employees prefer the um
035Blue Cross Blue Shield. We did switch to a different company a few years ago and we received a lot of negative feedback on that. So um we would like to propose that we stay with our current company. And then the next slide you will see you will just see the health insurance um exper um cost over the last four years and this year is the proposed year. So you will see four years ago the employee plus children and the employee plus family plan was $913. So five years ago that cost was $1,249 for employee plus children. And you will see we've almost decreased that by half. Um and last of this current school year and next year for the proposal it's to be at $655. But again the employee only is $55. The employee plus
036child is 278 and the employee plus spouse is 328. So again, just another way to look at the same information. You'll notice the preventive dental and then the um the thousand plan with the preventive dental and then right below that is the comprehensive dental and it'll show you where we've been over the last number of years. Following that is um is the 250 plan which is a little more expensive but it has um a lower deductible and I have this information on this sheet of paper if you will pass that around that way. So if you will pass that around that way so it's probably easier for you to read. And then the last one is a high deductible plan with um Shannidoa County public schools plan paying $125 per month towards a health savings
037account and you will see those those costs as well. So the recommendation, my recommendation at the U March 12th meeting is going to be that we stick with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, and that we keep the um the premium costs the same for our employees. >> Floor is open for questions. So Melody, uh, Dr. Mr. Shepard, um I appreciate the goal of keeping healthcare affordable for our employees because it's important for um retention and even recruitment, but given the size of this increase, >> can you help us as a board understand like the multi-year sustainability of absorbing 100% of the projected increase? >> Particularly if claims continue to increase, >> right? So, one of the things that um while it's not been um set in stone, one of the things
038that we're negotiating is to keep the increase um for next year with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield to keep the um premium next year within a certain range. And that's one of our negotiation um points. And while I don't know what the outcome is going to be, but they have said at one point that they would keep it at less than 14%. >> So while that's expensive, um you know, we we've made it a point to keep our health insurance rate and and how is that going to be sustainable? At some point the health insurance rates may need to increase or we'll actually have to start looking at different plans. Um maybe our deductible is a little higher. Maybe we don't have the 250 plan any longer. We move that to a a 500, you
039know, um Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield 500 plan. Maybe um we make a um emergency visit a little more expensive or maybe we look at prescription drugs and make them a little more expensive. But you know, at this point with us trying to keep employees, I think this is the right move to make. >> Thank you. Um, and we do have 75% of our staff on our health insurance. >> Mr. Rickard, >> haven't we've been told in the past the reason this keeps going up um with the insurance company is due to the number of claims every year? >> Yeah. So, um, while I say while I'm going to agree with that, I want to make sure that our employees know that it's okay to use their health insurance because that's what it's there for.
040You know, um, if you have health insurance, you definitely want to be able to go to the doctor if you're sick or you're not feeling well or you want to have those preventative care. But yes, the reason our health insurance is so expensive is because we have a lot of high claims. and those high claims are are either chronic illnesses or diseases or um um our prescription drugs are fairly high. So, you know, it's a combination of multiple things, but our claims are expensive. >> Is there a way we could work with Blue Cross to maybe raise the co-pays a little bit to curb running to the doctor every time you got a sniffle or whatever. Mhm. >> Um >> yeah, so our current co-pay on the thousand plan is um for $40. Is that
041right, Miss Hodgeges? >> Yeah, it's $40. So um one of the things that Blue Cross Blue Shield did say is that if we would increase from the Keyare 500 to the Key, no key of 250 to the Keyare 500, that would save some money, but not a significant amount of money. Um, >> do you know how much that money was? >> Yes, it was 150 >> 200,000 >> $200,000. >> The other piece to this is I compared our health insurance plans with the county health insurance plans and our premiums are very similar. The county health insurance plan is the five that the their go-to plan is the 500 plan. And while our 250 um plan are a little higher and our thousand plan is a little lower, um they're comparable with the county's health insurance
042rates. >> How much would those co-pays go up in order to save that $200,000? >> So, it would move from a um Key 250 to a Key 500, which the deductible would move from 250 to 500. And currently our employees are paying more for the 250 because the deductible is lower. >> But that's a deductible. What is like a prescription co-pay? Because that doesn't usually follow those exact same numbers. I mean, it's not 250 every time you pick up a prescription. So, I mean, and if a lot of our claims are prescription based, it would make sense to to look into that. I I see where you know your thought process is with that Mike and you know um >> yeah I mean whereas Linda said that doctor's visit is $40 each doctor's visit right
043what could we save if we raise that to $50 a doctor's visit Now knowing insurance plans somewhat I don't think you can just raise a co-ay you have to go from the 250 to the 500. So uh but I mean other places have eliminated lower lower deductible rates um and then opened up like health clinics and things for people to go in. So it's not all going through insurance. Um which and that was mentioned at our meeting the other day. Um so somewhere in the middle here would be good because um it's going to be hard to absorb this all the time and us do it solely. Um you know so or even if we split the difference. So currently the um a specialist on the 250 plan a specialist co-pay is $35 and like
044urgent care co-pay is $35 as well. So the that's keyare 250 key 1000 it's $40 co-pay for specialist or urgent care. >> Okay. Well I expected that to be a lot different. I mean that's $5. Um but and then so I mean maybe we consider that um moving up to the other the other plans >> if it would save Yeah. >> And you know, excuse me everybody. I'm not used to $200,000 being like a little bit of money. So >> yeah, I mean >> we save $200,000. That's 200 we could use somewhere else. >> When I hear that number 200,000 I'm thinking of teachers. Yeah, >> you know that's a salary. That's two couple salaries. Couple more positions we could fill. >> What's the number of um employees that we have on our 250 plan?
045>> Give me three minutes. >> There you go. >> Yeah, >> I know I have that information. It's just not at the tip of my hands. Um, our 250 plan surprises me at how because it's more expensive, um, at how many people actually opt into the 250 plan versus the thousand plan even though it it costs them a little more money. >> Approximately 190 >> 190. >> So less than 10% of our staff. >> 200 of our 750. >> It's not quite a third. >> I thought we employed over a thousand. We do, but only 750 take our health insurance. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Well, there's also that point of view. So, there's 25% of our staff who doesn't take doesn't take the benefits, which doesn't count cost us or the county anything. And
046then, you know, we're talking about the people who do basically giving them what amounts to a tax-free raise by covering more of their their their um their costs. So, um you know, I don't I'm not sure what the right answer is there, but um that's that's something to consider. And some of our feedback that we've had in the past when we haven't done anything with health insurance is that we're getting a 3% raise or a 2% raise or whatever, but that's all going towards health health insurance. So, we want to make sure that it's not negative that our our employees aren't going into the negative, right? >> We do a raise. Well, is there a way to incorporate us covering more of their benefits into their their race, you know, and that that way the
047people who aren't doing this would still get more of the 2%, you know, could we work that into the cost of living increase somehow? >> I'm not sure I understand what you're saying. Mhm. >> Um, so if we we're talking about a 2% raise across the board, but if you're let's say we're covering more of your health insurance, so that would drop whatever the amount is that we're covering in your health insurance. That way it's an equal raise for all employees. >> Um, you know, and >> so you give give them the option of if they want to get it from the health insurance, then that kind of lowers their >> Yeah. >> other Yes. I mean, you know, so I just don't want to, you know, create any sort of, >> you know, hierarch,
048you know, and, you know, um, we want to keep teachers. I don't, you know, want anyone saying, "Well, gosh, you got more of a raise than I did this year, you know, and I did more work than you or whatever." So, you know, I'm just spitballing there that, you know, um because, you know, this this will and if it continues to increase and we continue to cover their you know, the full the full amount of the rise, I mean, these people are getting significantly more of a an upgrade each year than somebody who isn't getting the insurance. And I guess guess kind of related to that my question was going to be because just to be sure that I still understand. So last year we were paying more to kind of lower those um those
049cost. So now if uh if the insurance are going to go up 14% then it's that amount of money plus 14%. Is that correct? So last year's increase, >> so so last year we gave um we um we in the budget we I think I remember correctly, we did actually um put some money towards lowering that cost. >> Correct. So then I'm sure I'm assuming we're going to have to do it again this year because that those costs are still there. So, we're still going to have to do that except that now the cost may be go going up another 14%. From Anthem. So, then we're talking about we're paying that money that we originally paid plus another 14%. >> Over the last five years, our health insurance has not decreased. >> Um, so we
050have put more money towards health insurance every year over the last five years. And I think um if you talk to any organization um in the Commonwealth, they're going to say their health insurance hasn't decreased over the last 5 years. So health insurance just continues to to rise. And um and and you know, it really is based on our our utilization of the health insurance. Um currently we pay it's it's an extreme number. We pay 10 and a half million dollars for health insurance. Um how and we're only paying Blue Cross Blue Shield 11 million dollars. So they and they have um they have to pay people to do our claims and things like that. So they're losing money on Shannidoa County schools. >> I understand that. I was just trying to to figure out
051what the number is because um again we're not just talking about 14%. We're talking about 14% plus what we already paying. >> Mhm. So then um so it's whatever that number was last year plus a 14%. I don't know what that number is. Maybe Kayn has it. Um but what are we talking about exactly in terms of >> the big number? >> Well, yeah, it's so what you're asking is what is what are we putting out now as a division plus the 1.3 and additional that we're going to have to pay in. I think that's what >> it's last year plus the 14% that we're going to >> Yeah. >> Assuming it's 14, >> right? So I think I just said it. Uh it's, you know, our our premiums are $11 million. >> 11 million.
052So then they're thinking about raising it 14% from that. >> Our our increase for next year is currently proposed at 2.3 almost 2.4 million to absorb that 15.2% increase to the rates and keep our employee contribution the same as it is this year. that also has some assumptions built into it assuming that perhaps new employees who come on might participate a little bit more. So we might get a little bit higher than that 75% participation >> and we might get a slight shift in the mix like more people might choose the 1000 plan or the high deductible plan over 250. >> That's a lot of assumptions that come out to the 2.3 2.4 million proposed increase. So we're so that would be what we the what the school board is paying in and the rest
053is what the employees are paying. Yes. Right. >> So if I'm hearing you correctly, how many employees do we have participating with the insurance in general? >> About 750. >> 750. So we're paying $11 million to insure 750 people >> in the current year. >> Holy cow. And how much is the money for races that we're going to be um paying this year? >> 2.8 million. Is that what you're talking about? Total. >> Okay. Yeah, exactly. So that's over $14,000. Over $14.5,000 for our employees that have insurance. >> Insurance is not cheap. >> I'm just thinking about the employees that aren't on our insurance. That's really short changing them when it comes to salaries. >> I mean, that's huge. Now that 2.8 million in um for raises. How much is the state paying for that
054or is that >> that's not been decided yet. The governor's proposed budget included a 2% but the general assembly is still um doing their reviews. >> Okay. So it would be 2% of the 3% that the state and then we would pay for the 1%. If it happened like that, >> they pay their portion of the SOQ positions. >> What does that mean? >> Would you like me to answer that? >> Yeah, you don't take a stand. >> So, the state has a vision of what a minimum school looks like. They might say, and I'm making up numbers here, that it takes a 100 people to staff a school. We might staff that at 120 because we decide that we need an athletic director. that's not an um an SOQ position. We might decide we
055need extra ESL EL teachers um even though the SOQ says we only need a certain number. So the state only gives us 60% of that 2% raise for the people they say we need. >> 60%. Okay. >> And SOQ are bare bones. >> And SOQs are bare bones. I mean, we don't we don't know of a division anywhere in the nation that would really staff at Virginia Soc >> I would probably guesstimate that of the 3% raise, the state would consume just under 1%. Anything else on insurance? So, I think what I hear is um you want me to come back with a proposal. What would the cost be if we eliminated the key 250 and made it 500? I think at least having that information would benefit us >> greatly. >> Yes. Yeah. And
056if we can encourage more um participation in the the healthc care savings accounts that could mitigate the issue with the higher deductible because you know if you have money in that account and you're you don't touch it and it's there. It's a lot easier to meet a thousand dollar deductible than looking at the app on your phone and going, "Geez, I'll have to wait till next week to go to the doctor." So, I mean, if we could encourage some of that, that may be a way to help us mitigate, you know, some of the costs. >> Do we have that data already? How many of our employees are participating in health savings? Um, of the 750, approximately 118 are on our high deductible plan and therefore would we offer the health savings account. Whether or
057not they participate, I don't have that in front of me. >> So, we don't offer the HSA unless they're on the high deductible. >> Could we offer the HSA for the 500? could, but it would cost more. >> Okay. >> Yeah. $125 per month for the number of Yeah. >> Gotcha. >> times the number of employees that would be on that plan. >> Okay. >> Now, you're saying $125 for us. >> That's what we contribute per month. There would also be any administrative fees or anything else with setting those HSAs up and managing them. What about the employee putting in pre-tax dollars to the HSA? >> We we already offer that. >> So, do we have the numbers on how many participate in that? >> I don't. >> Because I'm assuming that HSA is open
058to all employees. Is that correct? >> No, we only we only offer the employer sponsored HSA to the high deductible >> where we're putting in money. Can they not put in their own tax deferred? >> They would have to open a private HSA. >> The flexible spending account for medical expenses is the employee contribution plan. If they have the high deductible health plan, then they do the HSA and they can contribute additional dollars. >> Gotcha. Thank you. >> Could but at the 500 level, could we put in less money? Like, does it have to be 125? I mean, what if we put in 75? That adds up, too, right? I mean, just asking if that's an option. 250. >> Do the,000 So that would be $387,000 if we did $75 per month per 430 employees.
059>> Okay. >> So that cost us more >> than um >> than what we would pay in the other thing. Okay. >> Thank you for the quick math over there everyone. By the way, >> any other questions? Would you like to see anything else on health insurance at the March 12th meeting? Besides moving from the 250 to a 500. >> Um, is there any chance that we can negotiate them down any further? >> No. Okay. Unless we changed deductibles or pharmacy. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Well, I guess that's it. >> Discussion of the superintendent's proposed fiscal year 2027 budget and capital improvement plan. Madame superintendent. >> Thank you. >> We anxiously await. Thank you, D. So, just I won't go through these in their entirety. I will point to a couple of slides that
060are different, but here um is the timeline over the next couple of months. Our next meeting is Thursday, March the 12th, and that's when the school board will um propose approve a fiscal year 27 budget. And then on Monday, March the 16th at 1 p.m., the school board and the board of supervisors meet to talk about the education budget. And then shortly following that, the board of supervisors will establish the tax rate for the advertisement, budget advertisement. And then um the public hearing for the board of supervisors proposed budget and tax rate is April the 6 at 7. So we always look at our budget goals and our three uh division goals that we that have budget priorities attached to them are academic achievement and growth, recruitment, support and retention of of professionals in high
061quality and adequate facilities and learning environments. So nothing on this page changed or on this slide changed from the last meeting. We are still requesting three special ed um teachers. One special ed program compliance teacher at the northern campus to serve both Signal Knob and Strawburg High School. And then two elementary uh two full-time specialed teachers, one at Ashb Lee and one at WW Robinson Elementary School. Right below that, you'll see grant grant absorption. Um, so we had allin Virginia funds for the last few years and from those all in Virginia funds, we would like to um continue to employ three full-time special ed teachers, an assistant principal at Ashby Lee Elementary School, an interventionist at WW Robinson Elementary School. Um different and then tutoring um and attendance recovery program. At the last meeting, Mr.
062Rickard asked if we had any um supportive documents on whether the tutoring and attendance recovery programs are have been successful. And I sent you guys I sent the schoolboard information on the attendance recovery. We are still gathering information on the tutoring um and the success of that program. So, we should have that for you um soon. But the in the halftime um aviation instructor was grant funded through a personal donation. So um we would like to include all of those things in the budget at 737,000. And then we also have um I have proposed three additional sports program. Middle school volleyball, seventh uh grade boys basketball and seventh grade girls basketball. We currently have six sports programs at the middle school which includes eighth grade, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls cross country and
063boys and girls track. So those are the the athletic programs currently at the middle school. Um we used to have athlet more athletic programs at the middle school. Someone talked earlier about the recession back in 2008 910 something around that time and those programs um were cut at that time in order to save money. >> Are our middle schools doing something different across the county? Because at our middle school, you can participate in middle school basketball, boys and girls in sixth grade and seventh grade. >> That's if you make the team. So, for example, we had a um a middle school that had 65 students boys go out for um boys basketball and you know they only have one team so they have you know it's considered an eighth grade team but they have one
064team and sometimes the eighth graders play up to JV but when you have 65 students go out for um a team that you can only keep 15 players. You know that means that 45 players are are not on the team. And I know our coaches want to keep as many as possible because, you know, being cut from the uh the team or um either not making the team or not being able to play really discourages a kid um from continuing that activity. >> So, you're proposing at our end of the county it would be two basketball teams, boys and girls at the middle school. Mhm. So it would be there would be a seventh grade team which sixth graders could play and there would be an eighth grade team which maybe some seventh graders would
065play up but there would be two teams. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> And each of those um are about $20,000 a piece. So for the G the um the middle school girls volleyball team about 20,000 for seventh grade boys basketball and that includes officials uniforms travel >> coaches >> and then um recruit and support enthusiastic professionals. Um the proposal is a 3.25 cost of living and that is 2.869 869 million and then also provide a $5,000 stipen to individual teachers who serve as special ed teachers. So whether they're either newly hired or currently in that role. And this would be um this would be one of those position or one of those stipens that would likely stick around for a long time. So if we fund it this year, we would need to continue
066to fund it. We know that the most vacancies that we have um are teachers the hardest to fill is are our special ed teachers. And then health insurance increase. This is the number that changed. And I have my old slide here. So this went from 3.2 million to 2.3 million. So that that decreased from the February 12th meeting. So from 3.2, so about $900,000 to 2.3 based on our negotiations with the health health insurance. And this slide is the same as it was previously. And then the last two items were the um additional funds for our um increased electricity bills and some maintenance some additional maintenance funds and then capital improvement plan management and oversight fund. This would be a for a person who would oversee the um our CIP, our capital improvement projects. >>
067Would that I'm sorry, would that end up being a permanent position or temporary one? So, it could be temporary, but we know if we're going to embark on some major capital projects, it would be sort of long-term because if we're doing major capital projects for five to seven years, whether we renovate, expand, or build new, we're going to need somebody to manage those projects. And in the long run, it could save us more than $155,000 a year. Um, but it could be one of those positions that are on a yearly contract. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. And that number 155,000 salary and benefits including BRS and health insurance so on and so forth. >> But whereas what buildings were the windows overlook, Sandy Hook, and there was another one on those renovations to the lobbies.
068How much did that cost us in change orders to go back and put those in? >> I'm not sure what the cost in change orders, but yes, it was overlooked. >> Whereas, if we had somebody overseeing those projects, it's less likely to get overlooked. >> Yeah. And change orders cost more money >> because the contractor adds their markup and the architect adds their markup. And so change orders do cost more money and they can look through the plans and see if there are cost savings measures before they actually get started. I worked on a project where the construction contractor actually identified the type of block um was a premium block. So, they changed the block to a less premium block that the scope was the same. The the um block did the same as what
069it was supposed to, but it saved $250,000. So, that could be something that a construction person could do. Well, and you know, and um no disrespect to Kevin, but I think he has enough to do without handling building new schools, renovating other words um and all that. That would be an insurmountable task. So, um I think this is a great idea um to to have um but it should have a sunset clause. I mean, you know, >> what >> sunset clause? I mean, you know, when when we're done with the capital improvements to this level that the position would go away. If not, my other suggestion would be that we, you know, subcontract and 1099 with somebody to do, you know, a construction management firm, but um that may end up being more money later,
070but it would cost less in benefits if we did it that way. Of course, if we do that position on a yearly contract, >> yes, >> then we don't need the sunset clause, right? >> So then the potential request from the county is $1.3 million. Um if you now this number will still has some opportunity to go down. The general assembly just did crossover this past weekend and the crossover um the I think I have it right. The Senate proposed a 3% increase and the House proposed a 2% increase and there were some other things in there that could decrease this number uh two or $300,000. So, um we will we will not know um hopefully we'll know before March the 12th, you know, kind of the direction which they're headed, but I don't know
071that we'll know before then. But this number, this $1.3 million was actually 2.15 um at our February 12th meeting. So it has decreased because the health insurance decreased. And with if if we decide to go with if the school board decides to go with the Key 500 versus the Key Care 250, that may also decrease this number as well. Okay. So, I'm going to stop here and give the school board an opportunity to actually talk about what you just heard before we move into the capital improvement plan because I think that's a separate discussion and we want to we want to have this discussion first before we move into the next the next discussion. >> I I appreciate all the information you shared. I'd just like to delve a little deeper into the insurance aspect
072of it. I'm just not a big proponent on eating all that cost. >> You know, if if the inflation is due to how much it's being utilized rather than, you know, people being a little more cautious of when they're going to run out to the doctor. Um maybe they would do a little bit better job of watching their health. So, I think the number of claims that we have over 50,000 is extreme. And that's not people running to the doctor, you know, for a sniffle or the flu or whatever. That's people who have um serious health conditions. And um we had I don't remember the exact number, but we had quite a few claims. I think it was $2.3 million that were over 50 thou when you combined them all together that were over 50,000.
073So those are those are not claims that are necessarily going to go away. Also look at that number almost $15,000 per employee on health insurance compared to the people that don't partake in our health insurance. That's quite a huge number. Yeah. And I'd like to figure out a way to, you know, just spread that spread that love out a little bit because um, you know, that's uh that's I I didn't do that math. That's Thanks for doing that, Mike. That's that's a lot of money. So, you know, I'm I'm not saying now we turn around and give everyone $15,000 additionally. But um you know for I'm concerned I mean you know we're that we're creating you know different tiers of compensation here um you know uh as coll you know as a collateral damage or
074whatever unintentionally because I mean you know we're talking about $5,000 stipens for certain employees. I mean does that apply to power pro I mean power pros um you know there are sped kids in gened classes quite a bit. um you know they're not always in just a sped classroom. So I mean um so I'm if I'm a teacher and I I don't take health insurance and I don't work in the sped uh department. I'm a gen ed teacher. Well, I'm kind of being left behind. everyone else right now is getting something more. And you know, and I know everyone doesn't teach for the money, but um I I worry about um creating just unintentional consequences that um you know, that could create competition or dissension amongst our ranks, you know, and add that into buildings
075that are falling apart. I mean, you know, um there's a lot of things here. So, >> and while um I understand that logic, any employee of Shannidoa County Public Schools has the opportunity to participate in health insurance. So, you know, while under I I completely understand the logic because I have had employees reach out and say, "Well, I don't take health insurance. I would like to have some of that compensation." I get that, too. But any employee has the opportunity to take health insurance. And um things change. We had an employee whose spouse lost their job, so they needed to get on our health insurance. Um so so they were able to um because of change in change in something status. >> Yeah. And and one thing too that I learned at the um at
076the committee meeting the other day, you know, um where I I I went to the insurance and benefits committee um was that we a lot of our employees like the ability for us to switch to another carrier, you know, who whomever, United or or whatever is limited because a lot of the a lot of people would have to change doctors. So, um, you know, if we switch to United, my guess is people would have to decide, well, I stay with Dr. Smith or I don't take the insurance, you know. So, um, none of this is a direct easy line to figure out. >> Yeah. Currently, Anthem serves 99.5% of our doctors, whereas other health insurance only did 90%. So, so people are choosing >> Yeah. So >> would either have to change doctors or pay
077>> right >> for those visits. >> Are there any other things on the previous slide that you would like to speak about other than health insurance? >> I have a quick question. Mhm. >> Um I can understand that our special education staff, they're the toughest to recruit, but c can you help me understand what are the 80 positions that um are potentially that was in our budget book to receive the the 5,000 stipen. It would be our teachers who are working specifically with who have a case load um manage IEPs and manage um students with disabilities. And then would when would they receive the stipen? So it would be every month in their paycheck which would then go towards their VRS retirement. And we did a little research on this and um we have many
078of the school divisions that surround us are currently already offering this $5,000 stipen and those who are not are planning on on offering something whether it's a $5,000 stipen or something >> and that would be like an an onboarding stipen. You wouldn't have to be with us for you know a certain amount of time before that stipen kicked in. >> That's right. I think it might help the rest of the board. Mike went to the SEAK meeting today, but there was a SEAK meeting last year, I think, or the first year I was on school board. And when you get to hear from the staff that are sped teachers and you start breaking down a gened teacher that only has to prepare one lesson plan to a sped teacher that has to plan out 27
079individual lesson plans, that's when you start to notice the difference. um and to get that presentation. Maybe maybe Miss Jouell could speak to that and help the rest of the board understand the workload on the sped teacher as compared to a regular gen classroom teacher. >> And how many sped short teachers are we short right now? >> Six or eight? I think it's six. >> And that adds to what you just said because they have to do more because their case load is bigger. >> Yes. Um >> that that's correct because our long-term substitutes cannot um do >> IEPs, >> right? >> And keep in mind, we have teachers in the gened classroom that have sped certification but have gotten away from sped because of the workload more than likely. All right. Is there anything
080else on any of these other slides that you wanted to chat about? Okay. So, we will move to capital improvement. This is um the same information that Mr. Hensley and Miss Campbell have been presenting over the last month, two months maybe. This slide may have changed slightly. I just added um the the numbers to the graph to the chart so that you guys would have them in front of you, the requested versus the funded, but otherwise it was included in all of the other. We're we will not talk about the major capital at this time because we will talk about that next. Um, so we will save that one for um, a few minutes down the road. But you can look um, you know, here was a chart that just said, you know, the estimated
081cost of our desirable, necessary, and urgent. And I think what Mr. Hensley has said a couple of times is some things are in the desirable desirable category because the way that they're scored, they don't necessarily ever make it to urgent. However, they are still urgent, you know, urgent projects because they've been on the desirable because it doesn't take a lot of time to plan for these projects or maybe it doesn't have a direct impact on student learning. So, um they may stay undesirable forever. This is this sheet right here um actually breaks it down with transportation safety and security HVAC and what those costs are per year over the next five years. And if you subtract out the the major capital items, that's right at 20 $20 million. And the $8 million that we'll talk
082about in a little bit is for the design. And I want to be clear on it's design. It's actually architectural drawings which CAD plans so that a construction contractor actually can look at those plans and say this is what we need to do to either renovate or expand or to build new. It's not another study. I hear a lot of people saying are we paying for another study? It is not another study. is actual design drawings >> and then question at that point that's when we start trying to get some of the grants that we have been talking about that we have been missing on >> okay >> yes and both the general assembly and the senate I don't know where my page is have put in some additional funds for um construction projects >>
083in their cross budget >> would that be for the next year or what's the deadline >> be for the next fiscal year yes 127 million. >> How much? >> 127 million. Yeah. >> So, again, we're going to skip this right now um because we'll be talking about our major capital here in a minute, but um here's our transportation requests and you can see, you know, this is the total costs from fiscal year 27 to 31. Um our safety and our security. Nothing has changed in any of these in any of these slides over the last two months. So, I'm going to kind of scan through them really quickly. If you need me to stop, please tell me to do so. Anything that is in red, if we do another project, if we do an expansion,
084if we do a renovation, if we do a new build, these may be removed because we don't want to waste money. Um, we want to make sure that we are um with those renovations or those expansions or the new bill that we're um being good stewards of our funds. And then there's our budget timeline. For the purpose of this discussion, I'm going to scroll back to here. And if you have this sheet from probably the last meeting, this is probably the best thing to look at to actually get a good idea or if you want to discuss any of the specific projects or whatever, this this is a good visual for you. And if anybody needs one, I have one here in my hand. >> I can't find mine. Thank you. This is all covered
085in this book though as well, right? >> It is. Yes. But it's Yeah, that's kind of a >> Yes, it is. So, be happy to answer try to answer any questions. And I have the experts here with me, Kevin Farmer, Chad Hensley, Kaylin Campbell. They were the ones who did the the site visits along with the principles to identify these projects for the CIP list. >> Has the numbers for the HVAC moved anymore? Like where are we at with the >> We actually meet with train tomorrow. >> Okay. >> So, we'll get another update tomorrow. They're waiting on some subcontractors as far as electrical. >> That's correct. So, I have a question on the transportation because I know that was a question last year too and Tom's not here and to ask questions. Um, the
086it says the five school bus purchase, but it says necessary. So, is that something that we're actually doing? I mean, is that included in there? And is that because they need to be replaced um even though they still have mileage in them or is it because we're adding routes or what exactly is that for? >> So this is just for replacement and I think we moved from a 15-year replacement at Tom's request to more of a 20-year replacement, but there were a couple of years and I'm going to let Chad correct me if I'm wrong, but there were a couple of years where we we purchased 10 buses and nine buses and and um because we had CARES funds or whatever. We have to put those into the equation because it's going to be very
087difficult for us to replace 10 buses at at one, you know, at one time because that would be a couple of, you know, several million dollars. So, this is just for bus replacement on a 20-year cycle. >> So, replacing five this year, >> five buses, and that's the average number of buses that we need to replace every year on that 20-year cycle. Is that right? >> Yes. >> Okay. We're trying to get into a cycle so that we're not purchasing a large amount of buses at one time >> that because what you said before we had funds so we purchased large amounts. So there will come a time that those buses will reach their mileage and their time too. So we're trying to look at all of our fleet and very strategically pick the buses
088that we're replacing to make sure it works out. We have 94 routes that that we run. >> Will any of the um possible new building and stuff with that add more routes? >> So, >> or will we a be able to reroute everything? I don't Yeah. >> Yeah, I think we'll be able to reroute. It just, you know, maybe if >> it just depends on, you know, what the decision is. Um, but maybe another school starts at maybe one of our schools start at 8 and the next school starts at 8:15. It and one ends at 3:00 and one ends at 3:15 something. You know, there can be some some adjustments in that manner, but that may increase pay, but we we'll just have to see what the decisions are, >> right? Okay. Any other
089questions, thoughts, changes? All right. Think you have one more, Eric. Major capital. And this is identical to the last two I believe that the last two meetings. Um it has not changed. So I will scribble through a lot of this really quickly. I do want to stop on the approved housing. Um, Strawsburg we have 320 homes which would be about 145 students. Woodstock there are 873 which would be almost 400 students. In Edinburg it's 30 with approximately 14 students. And remember these students would be um between grades K through 12. So they wouldn't all land in one school. They would be likely spread throughout um So, I am going to skip because you've seen all of this. I'm going to skip through all of this fairly quickly, but I do want to get to um
090the page that has the information right here, the summary for the potential elementary school project. So on the left hand side you will see new elementary and renovation of existing elementary schools and you'll see the cost of the new elementary school. Preliminary is about 45 million and then you'll see the renovated costs. You know these are all preliminary projected numbers estimates. I can't say that enough estimates. Um and you'll see what those costs are there. And then at the bottom you will see those numbers combined. So the total preliminary budget and estimated cost for new um elementary school and renovation of existing elementary school is about 70 million but you can see where the range is which is right above that and then the expansion renovations of elementary schools you'll see where Sandy Hook WW
091Robinson Ashb Lee this would add the 10 classrooms to Sandy Hook and the 10 classrooms of WW in it was fewer than 10 at Ashby Lee. I think it was six and that cost is about $48 million. So I think if the board would like to talk about this first and then we will go to the CTE projects and we can talk about that. Does and this is just does this include any of the existing renovations HVAC and things that are already on the CIP for the elementary schools. So if we were to do the expansion in the renovation of the elementary schools or even the renovation of the elementary schools, it would those projected costs include those items in um those those costs, the HVAC, the roofs, the um painting, so on and so
092forth. >> Right? So, um, I've emailed the school board, um, and and you guys a little bit of a hybrid model of both of these, which also includes, um, some some work to triplette and expansion in in a couple different ways. Um, I've been I've managed a lot of construction projects, not to this size, but um, there's one thing that keeps coming out to me with building a new elementary school. If we started today and decided, let's vote. If we voted on that tonight, um, there's a chance that this still might have to go through a referendum in the county. um and the planning stage, VOTE approval, all those things. I don't believe that there is a kid in kindergarten at Sandy Hook or Robinson right now that would set foot in that new school
093before it was time for them to go to middle school. I just I know how construction takes. Look at our vestibules. We had problems. So, my suggestion is we do the renovations at the schools and the new building at the same time. Go big or go home. Um, you know, and I've heard our some of our board of supervisors say we can do more things at once. Um, so I've developed the basis of a plan that will help address all the needs in the most efficient amount of time. Um you know so funding of course is not in our hands but um if we renovate and start renovating those existing schools right away and start design the design process on the new elementary school we're not wasting any time because I think about um well
094Miss Wine King's here all the time and she's you know really gung-ho with this. I mean, um, I feel that if we prioritize building a new elementary school and we wait till the end to renovate those kids, you know, we're looking at 7 to 10 years of kids that are still going to be in the same conditions that we're complaining about today. So, um, but how do we alleviate overcrowding? We have to move kids out of the building. So, is it feasible to wait until we finish building a new elementary school? Um, I tend to disagree with that. Um, because we need to move them out now. Um, because if we start building a new elementary school, we're going to outpace the construction in Strawburg and and Woodstock. I doubt it because they have already
095started. Um, and there's a lot more hurdles in building a school than there is a house or a townhouse. So, um, my plan and, you know, I'll ask for it to be put on the agenda for us to go into deeper at the March 12th meeting or or if it's not enough time, the one after that. But um my proposal is to to do that to begin design and work on the new elementary school to begin renovations immediately by moving kids out which would enable us to work in blocks um within the schools. Um because I do not see any way for us to be able to I mean to not work when there's kids in the school. Um, and if we can isolate five, 10 classroom blocks, move five or 10 classrooms worth of
096kids out, you know, and my my first um attack or or plan there would be to move the prek kids um maybe the kindergarten kids to offsite or we bring in modular units to to keep them on on each campus. But, um, that would give us room to start to work. Um because my calculations even at a very quick pace with people in the building, it's going to take us three years minimum to do all this renovations inside the classrooms that um that should have been done 20 years ago. So if we wait another 10 years, I mean, you know, I feel that there's kids that are going to kind of feel left behind. Um and and then I also look at the other aspect with the staff. How do we decide which staff gets
097to leave the, you know, the the dilapidated buildings that are sick buildings um and goes to a brand new one? I mean, you know, we're we're going to create a a lot of a log jam. I mean, eventually that will happen, but um but the main push for my idea here is it can address everything including CTE. Um, at the same time, we do have some options and some possible things in CTE, which um, Dr. Sheepard's going to get through here soon, but we could move some of the kids out of CTE, possibly up here to Woodstock to some existing buildings, which would give us some room to start renovating inside. It would create block space inside um, triplet as well. And um a lot of our plans, you know, and I look at being,
098you know, certain c certainly um connected directly with Ashb Lee. I look at the gym problem there and we're bidding building brick and mortar and block buildings. I mean, you know, for for gym and you know, and all that. And I've been to the gym up at at Sandy Hook, the one that isn't connected. I mean, um, it's a metal building, but, um, it's the nicest gym space we have, minus the fact it doesn't have plumbing. I mean, you know, it's the most modern. So, I think if we looked into like, you know, on the list is is to expand a gym at least at Ashb Lee. Well, we could use a steel building there. And we could also use a very large steel warehouse type building at Triplette Tech to give us the room
099that our dirties need. um there and then we could move them out into that building which would be permanent and um we could then create lab and classroom space in in the you know that's needed inside that building. So um you know it it needs work but um this is I think a plan going forward and our board of supervisors had has asked for a long time for us to bring them a plan. So, um, my intent here wasn't, you know, to do away with any of the other plans, but I've got some detail here steps. Um, you know, and it would be a five to sevenyear process, you know, with the longest part being building the new elementary school because that's going to take longer than any of the other parts here. And then
100um it would give us time as well at the end um depending on how much it costs to explore traffic changes at Woodstock and maybe a future CTE building there. So um you know that's hopefully that was the time to bring all this up but here we are. So um but you know and I think it's something that hopefully we can work ahead. Um we have a a um infrastructure committee meeting next Monday. >> Yeah. Um with the board of supervisors. So I mean maybe we can start to hammer out together a little bit more of a plan other than build this or build that. Um because I don't look at I don't I can't prioritize in my own mind anything on this list. to me they're all of equal need which is renovating our
101existing schools because we can't close them. CTE is a shining star in this county and that has to be addressed too but I think simultaneously we have to look at um at building the new elementary school at the same time. I just don't see how we can wait till the end. Um, you know, and I've talked about this with different staff, um, you know, because another thing, and it, you know, this is the one that, um, will make me unpopular with some people, um, if I'm not already, is, um, that we may have to move fifth graders out of the buildings, at least temporarily, back into the middle schools to create room to do these renovations. So, but these are all ideas um and you know the formulation of a plan but in my mind
102it it can address everything on our list um you know and I think it'll be cheaper than adding on to you know the cost of adding on and expanding the schools um because I don't know if that's a forever option eventually. Um uh one more thing. So right now, luckily the building and expansion is limited to the towns. Our county has um has zoning rules that you really can't build multi, you know, I think it's um five acres to build a house somewhere around there or you have to ask for it to be be reszoned. So um if that ever changes, you will see what's happening in Woodstock spill spill everywhere. So, we do have a buffer and there's a few board of supervisors here. So, please keep that buffer for a while because we
103need it. Um because, you know, we we can't keep up with the new construction unless we plan ahead. And um I think that the plan I've come up with gives us we're looking farther ahead than um than we have been. >> Back to you. >> Let's go back to something you said about a referendum. What is the uh trip wire for that? >> Um the money >> it depends on how it's financed. So um you know so and I I asked uh Mr. Vas and he explained it to me. Um but you know it's it's still as clear as mud to me but there is a chance depending on how it's financed or how it's paid for that a referendum might be be required. So, um, and that that also jumped out at me that
104say we should really look at the renovations because what if it went to a referendum and we were deciding to spend money on on plans and it doesn't pass. We're right back to where we are now. >> So, >> that referendum would apply to the renovation money as well, right? >> Uh, it depends. You know, it it could. Yeah, it could. >> so I mean, we're talking about the money total. >> Yes. But that could, you know, we could ask for it to be divided up to, I'm sure, in a referendum. You know, I'm I haven't thought that far ahead, but >> Well, and I think that's um yeah, that that was one of the things that I was going to ask about. Um so I do have several questions because I think all along
105the idea has been that we would or at least for some of us that we would be starting with the new elementary. At the same time, we would start renovating some of the stuff that we can with the elementary schools. um the CT at triplet. Well, I I personally um um favor the idea of moving it to a central campus starting with a smaller um blueprint there for just like a few of the classrooms and the business, but at least that way we have the architectural plans that would go forward. So, you know, it could be several stages. Maybe the first stage is moving a few of the business ones. then you know the other ones can stay where triplet is and a few years later when we had the money then we expand over
106to the next wave and and do it by stages. So so I don't think CTE is going to be a problem. I don't think they're going to be displaced. Um ultimately the question is for elementary schools what would happen? Um, and I know we've explored this and talked about this over the last year that um, if we build the new elementary then, you know, obviously that's going to relieve the pressure from the nor the northern and the central campus and eventually the southern campus potentially. Um, the question has always been, well, what do we do about the renovations because those are going to have to be done one way or another. Um, and by the way, one of the reasons why I want to get started on the new elementary school, something that we've talked
107about is like Dr. Shepard said, once we have those blueprints, then we can start asking the state for help to help us um with some of those funds. We've been missing out over the last year because we've done nothing on this. Um, so again, question is um about the current elementarymentaries, you know, what do we do with that? because we really can't have that construction at the same time that we have the kids in there. So that that that's where I can I guess more clarification on what this is about. Um because we had talked about the idea of having the additional classrooms or you know the trailers or even moving to another um um offsite like what you said here. But uh Dr. Shepherd had and some of the other people had clarified that
108even if we do that that site has to be made, you know, you know, renovated or have all the permits and have it ready for those kids. We can't just pick a building and say, "Okay, yeah, we're going to put those classes in there." That's going to take some time. Um, in addition to the time, it's going to take money. You know, it's going to be the money to get the the building or the modulars or whatever and then the money to renovate those. So, I guess the the question regarding that would be, do we have an estimate of how much that would cost? Because if we're scrambling to get money here to just even renovate our schools, are we going to have money to renovate, you know, build a new school, renovate a school,
109and renovate the buildings where those students are going to be in the meantime or the modulars? Um, I mean even right now to get the ones that we just got for Sandy Hook was that was hard and we still don't have them ready, you know, and that was, you know, like uh like Miss Wankin said, they were supposed to be there in October and here we are, they're still not ready. So, you know, there's a lot of this stuff that we had talked about in the past that um come up um and even those modulars, how much are we paying for each one of them? For the quad unit, it for total install in the first year's lease is going to be approximately $400,000 and then I believe it's a little over $90,000 a year
110after that for lease. So we're and that's just for how many for four classrooms. So we'd be we're talking in the millions already then once you're talking about the two schools. So so again it's it's the idea of of that you know that cost um and then the time is it is going to take some time. So, you know, obviously it's not an easy answer. Um, and like you said, and like other people have said, this is the result of of years of neglect, of years of the board of, you know, of this board just kicking the can down the road and not doing anything about it. And then things, you know, obviously as they age, they get worse quicker. Um, like it happens to us. But, um, but in the end, um, yes, I'm
111I'm, you know, Um, personally for the new we need to work move on the new elementary and get the plans and all that. Um, we do need to start doing the the the renovations. Um, I thought that the architects had looked at a way that we could stagger those renovations so that they would that they would um interfere the least amount with our students. I thought we had heard that some point that there was that they had a a plan that they said, "Well, we can fix this during the summer. we can fix this one year or we can fix this once the kids are moved over. But I wasn't sure. Did we hear that or not? I thought we did. >> That's what I honestly thought. >> I was under the impression that the
112architects had already done that. So, um so in any case, that that those were my comments. Um because again, um I think we really need to move on that new elementary and I just really don't want to kick it down the road anymore. Um, and then the renovations. I would like to get then better clarification from the architect if we had that plan, the stagger plan already. Um, or if this is what we need to do instead, you know, come up with our own plan. Um, because again, I was under the understanding that that the architect was doing that. >> So, that was something Dr. Hardner talked to um RRMM about. So I don't know that it was a plan that was um it was written down but it was a conversation that was had.
113Absolutely. >> Yes. >> So this is something that maybe we could ask the architect um as they're doing throwing the plans for this um what are the suggestions on how we can do this with the minimal amount of you know interference for our school day. >> Yeah. Well, and you know, and the plan I've that I'm coming up with as a starting point does not include adding all those classrooms. So, I just want to be clear there. Um, you know, it it doesn't it's not really expanding other than in a few spots addressing the cafeteria problems, which is, you know, mostly flow. We don't have enough, you know, lines to get kids in and out efficiently. So that would help in those aspects, but I don't see how we can renovate those schools without, you
114know, I mean, it can't be done in the summer. That's impossible. And if we have, you know, we're we have roofs, we have HVAC, if we have a wet summer, you're behind schedule. And, you know, and we're it it's going to impact the schools to a point. I mean, the vestibules did. So, I mean, you know, but if if we get kids out of the building, my thought is that we can we can affect less at one time, >> right? So, >> but and that's what I think we've been trying to do this over the last couple years. It's been, you know, can you let's do the roof first and then let's do the Hback and then let's pull the carpet and then, you know, we've been doing it peace meal by now because that's
115the only way that we can not interfere with the students. Um the the problem is if we do try to tackle them on at the same time then like I said then we're running into the additional cost of getting another site of preparing that other site or getting the modulars or you know uh and where do we put the modulars because then it wouldn't be just one or two it would probably be a lot more than that if we're going to be doing a whole you know half of the school or half the other school. So um so again um if we were to consider that then we would have to add that into the budget. Oh, no. >> Agreed. And that that isn't something I mean, I didn't line item and and budget the
116whole thing. This is just something for us to discuss to try to see. >> By the way, I appreciate you doing this. >> No problem. >> I know that I appreciate doing this work. I was just um it's just one of the things that again I thought I was under the impression that the architect had talked about doing this already for us. um because I I I would like to you know hear their input on this um as to what since they are the ones who will be doing the actual work. What suggestions do they give in terms of doing this with a minimal amount of interference with our >> well and this would be something that they would coordinate with our new con you know the person who would be in charge of this.
117So, you know, um which I which is another reason I think that that position that we decided that is great because that could expedite this and you know and handle a lot of things cuz um we'll need you know if we're going to work in five places at once, you know, we're going to need either five different contractors or, you know, one big huge company that is going to be able to handle all those things at once. So, um, but no, I hear that. And, you know, um, the idea of, you know, of bringing in modulars, um, if we put, you know, we got three of them or whatever on a site, um, for three years and put the prek and K kids in there until we did the renovations and, you know, then they
118would go back. Those would be temporary, but um we don't, you know, and there aren't a whole lot of I mean, I wish the county still owned all the old elementary school buildings that they got rid of because, you know, maybe we could open those for for, you know, periods of time, but um >> we've talked about that. I know we've talked about some of the buildings and that's part of the problem is that we >> No, I mean, correct. We're limited. >> You can add you can jump in because I know that we've had this conversation and um in talking about it with Dr. Shepard, there was just nothing. I mean, there was just nothing we could do and if we obtain a new building, then obviously it's going to be the cost of
119the new building and the renovations, you know. So, we've um we've really explored a lot of that and it just seems like our hands are tied in many ways. And I'll be honest, I think I'm not going to assume anything, but this could be part of the reason why this has been kicked down the road. It's a lot easier to just say, you know what, this is too hard. I'm just not going to do it. So, you know, it's going to be a challenge, but I think there are ways that we can definitely >> No, you know, but um you know, it's um it be for me personally, it' be hard to prioritize anything over starting to address the problems in the buildings that we have right now. Like I don't want to have to
120choose either or. But that's why I mean, you know, I think hopefully we can come up with the United Way to say we need to do all of this when we ask the board of supervisors because um to me waiting until we complete an elementary school is going to push it too far down the road. >> Well, no, and I think that's why we adding it in. That's why I think new elementary plus renovations. We are that that was the whole point was to actually do both of them at the same time. >> Right. I feel like we're getting too deep in the weeds. all the supervisors want to know is >> what we need. Let's let I appreciate all the work you did and I love it. However, one teacher already reached out to
121us today about moving eighth graders and fifth graders and all that and the impact that has on the kids. Um, but I feel like we're getting too deep in the weeds here and >> but yeah, >> but I agree. We need to build a new elementary school and simultaneously we need to renovate. I'm 100% on board with you. How are we going to renovate with the kids in the building? There's experts out there that can figure all that out. Um, when I saw your plan, I saw dollar signs and then I hear the teachers that came to talk tonight and there was another lady that came to talk. Her and her husband have been in this ever since the beginning. Karum Rosac, she's like, "Make a decision and just stick with it and do something."
122We've been talking about this and beating this horse for over a year now and the the board of supervisors just wants to know, hey, tell us what we what you need and let us figure out how we're going to finance it and then we go to the professionals and say, how can we do all this? Well, I think that's one of the major points here is that the board of supervisors have been asking for something in writing and you know, right now it's it's here in black and white kind of extended from the previous option A, B, and C. Um, you know, providing like a workable starting point, which quite frankly hasn't been available before. I'm you know this isn't perfect and we're not expecting to do it like step by step but again it's
123it's a starting point to what the board of supervisors has clearly asked us for and I can commend you Mr. Shy for putting all this together >> thank you >> I greatly appreciate it. Um >> so but um you know but I've viewed what the board of supervisors has asked for differently because I mean I've spoken to them individually and they've asked for a plan not just a you know a broader view. So I mean but we'll talk about that on Monday. Um you know so um you know and that was that was a main push for this. So um because I I don't know if they're all on the same page with what they're expecting from us. Um because it seems like when they've asked, you know, we brought things or, you know, we
124want option C, they said, but we want to, you know, we want more. So what's the more they've been asking for? Because they've been asking for >> the more takes money to hire professionals and say >> this is what you need to do. >> I mean, for what you did, >> Yeah. >> What's it going to cost us to get modular units at all the elementary schools? What's it going to cost us to lease space wherever it's available to get the permits, all that stuff? Because that tax on money on top of the budget already. >> Oh, understood. And that and that we have to figure out. But um you know, >> but but the alternative is, you know, we we hold off on all that. You know, I I don't you know, that's where
125>> thing is is we're talking this thing and planning it to death. Whereas there may be an architects and planning firm that can say, "Hey, based on this, we could do this, this, and this over a summer, and then we could move this over here." >> You know what I mean? >> Mhm. >> Well, if I can add something, I think part of the problem that we've had in the past is that, you know, the options that the board was considering for the last year or so was, do you want a new elementary, do you want to renovate, or do you want the new triplet? So one of the things that we were like deciding between those three which ones are your priorities whereas now we've kind of come up with the you know with
126the idea well you know what what we really need is this you know say for me is the new elementary school and you know renovating the schools but if we can get started on the CTE and the triplet um which would not only start the ball rolling but would also um take advantage of some of the other opportunities that we we're getting from the donors um then you know that would be a better plan. So to me, this is the plan. The plan is, you know, this is the the new elementary, the renovations, and if we can get started with a smaller um you know, school for the triplet and have the plans to grow it, that would be ideal. But then in the past, we've had this problem where it was pick between the
127three and then we would pick this and then somebody would say, well, how about if you move triplet to the freedom, you know, the the free press or what if you keep it at triplet and then renovate it. So there were just so many options out there that I think the problem was everybody was talking and everybody was having a different idea um that it got confused I think and and in the end I think what we needed to do was say okay this is what we really need. We listen to the community we see what's coming down the pike we really think this is a priority you're an elementary school so if we can do this and we can do that and then we can also do this then that would be a great
128plan. So I I believe that that's what um they were looking for as opposed to something more, you know, detailed like this. I could be wrong. I have not. >> Yeah. Yeah. And no and and I absolutely understand that. But you know, up until you know now or you know or if it happened in the past, it was in very small um you know it it wasn't broadly spoken about. We're not addressing the overcrowding that we have right now. and we have to address that right now. So that's that's the only reason I came up, you know, with with this thing. I mean, none of this is is going to cost I mean, it's all going to cost money and lots of it. Um, you know, so, you know, we'll have to figure out what's
129going to be financed and what isn't. But, um, like I said in the beginning, they're all my, you know, I think they're all pretty much equal priorities. Um, and the other thing too is I mean, you know, I've been reading studies and different things. We want to get those test scores and stuff up. I mean, you know, the the most immediate and and um coste effective way to help the our two elementary schools that are having trouble is going to be fix those buildings. The the that that dollar is going to go farther than than the new elementary school right now because what happens to the kids who don't go to that new elementary school? they're still in the same thing. So, I mean, the overcrowding will end, but um you know, I I think
130we need to address the overcrowding now, not, you know, down the road. That that's the only reason I really push this and and put all those steps in there. So, and like you know and I'll you know I'll let the rest of you have a meeting here soon. But um you know this is this is just you know an idea to try to work from because um you know the us versus them that we have here that I'm looking at you know we want a new school, we want this. I mean I want to find out a way to give them all what they want you know and not have my taxes go through the roof. But I mean you know I'll raise my hand with what Mike asked too. I mean, there's no way
131around that no matter what we do. So, but if we spend more money now and plan it out further, it will cost Shannidoa County less money 40 years from now. >> I find myself largely in agreement with the board members on my left. >> I've never board member on the left. >> Oh, you are >> never on the ideas that were expressed. >> That's funny. Um, the new elementary school deserves to be prioritized. You can build that school in three years. >> I I respectfully disagree with that. I respectfully submit that the second largest office building in the world is the Pentagon and it was built in 16 months and 16 days and it has 4 million over 4 million square feet and we're only asking for 81,000 square feet. It can be done. That's
132what 750 work days in three years. And I do not agree with this business of moving the uh fifth and eighth graders to another school. It is highly chaotic and disruptive and unfair to the kids and the family. And you're not just moving the kids, you're also moving the teachers and their belongings and and how many manpower hours will be consumed aligning moving teachers and their possessions and so forth and then moving them back. And I know you you use the term swing space. You're creating space to do the renovations. I understand that. But do you really want to do the renovations while there's a student population in the school for the reasons cited by uh the lady with the shovel uh with the with the noise and the chaos and >> te tell me
133how you do it without doing that >> summers and breaks. >> That's I mean that's that's so that I think would extend it out to probably a 12 year thing. I mean, it took us six months to build vestibules. >> That all depends. I mean, being in the construction world, I can tell you there's projects out there that run 24/7 to get them done. It just depends, >> but at a much higher cost. >> Sure, it's going to increase the cost. How quick do you want to get it done? >> And, you know, and on the Pentagon thing, how long did they take to plan it? you know, I I I'm sure that stretched it out, you know, a lot longer, but no, but you know, I I agree. I mean, you know, and these
134are all points, you know, that I'm that I'm bringing in. I understand that. I'm just, you know, I I'd like to know how we can do it quickly and efficiently um without waiting for that elementary school to be done. Well, because I think what what's happening here is we're going to be prioritizing, right? Like the things that we can do um now before we have that new elementary school. So, for example, the Hback system has been something that has been a a real big problem for us. I mean, we keep hearing from parents and and about the mold and all that kind of stuff. We're going to have to deal with that. >> It's not going to be able to wait for the new elementary. It's not going to be able to even wait for
135the quads. I mean, this is something we're going to have to be doing now. And and we have been doing it. We have been taking care of that as we go along. Um the same thing with the roof um of some of our schools. So I think that those are, you know, the ones that are real priorities we're going to have to be, you know, dealing with right away. The the sticky point is going to be when we're talking about the cafeteria and all kind of stuff. That that's going to be a little bit harder. I don't know if that can, you know, be done over a summer. >> That could be. >> So but but again, those are things that that that's the way we've been kind of doing it anyways and we're going
136to have to do it. Um it's just a pity that we can't, you know, do all the renovations in the next six months because we have students. So, it's obviously going to have to be stretched out. But, um but it is the way that we have been doing it in the last well, at least since I've been here. Um is at least, you know, targeting the stuff that is um more urgent. >> Um and um and that's the one thing that we don't need the supervisors to do. We don't need even us. I mean, I don't know if we need to vote on that or not, but um I believe that the administration will be able to, you know, prioritize which are the things that need to be changed right away um next summer, you
137know, all that kind of stuff. Um you know, I would have to think that the people who are doing the HVAC are not the same people who are doing the roof, so they could both be working at the same time during the summer. So, I don't I mean, I don't know, but that that's just something that what Mike was saying is kind of getting a little bit more into the weeds. um that I don't think we need to do that. Um I think that's something that can be solved as we are going along. Whether we vote on this or not, we're gonna have to do it, right? >> Like whether we vote on this or get a new elementary, those things in the in the uh the current elementary schools are going to have to
138be fixed. >> You know, whether it's the Hback or the plumbing or the electrical or whatever, that's going to have to be done >> regardless. One thing we definitely want to avoid, sorry to interrupt, um, is putting something in and then changing it during construction. So, we want to make sure that we spend our our money wisely, whatever that is. So, we don't want to put in an HVAC system and then three years down the road replace it, >> which would happen if we were expanding, >> right? We want to make sure that it it's relevant and that it's going to stay. >> Whatever we do, we want to make sure that it's >> it's going to stay. >> But that's something that you can do that that that can be done. So yeah, >>
139I happened to be in the building in 2003 when Strawsburg High School was renovated and I think the summer break was three months instead of two, but you know, maybe it was two and a half. And and you left there in June and you came back in late August. And where did all this come from in such a short amount of time? new gym, renovation of classrooms, office space, classrooms. It was remarkable what they got done in those 75, 80 days of of break time. And as you said, there are some folks who who will do it 247 when when the uh little kids are not there breathing the vapors that were spoken about. And the other thing, this is just perspective. You look at the development that's going on in Woodstock and it's on
140the south end extending to the west, the Eagle property, the enormous whatever elementary kids there will be, the 0.5 that we sometimes take. And I know they won't all be at the elementary level. I understand that. Well, naturally, they're going to go to Robinson. And you look at Strawsburg and the housing out there is on the north end. Well, whatever elementary kids will go to school will go to Strawburg. And it just makes sense to have that that new building somewhere between the attendant zones of Woodstock and Strawsburg to reassign those students to the middle to the middle between the attendance zones of Woodstock and Strawsburg to make room for those housing development kids. I'm not sure I'm labeling that right, but to make room for the kids that will be coming in on the
141north end of Strawsburg and the south end of Woodstock. So, it needs to be there and and and attack the overcrowding. 97% at Sandy Hook. Holy cow. Holy cow. That That's just not safe. It's just not sane to have that many kids in that little space. So from a geographic perspective, there's a need for that school to be in somewhere between the jurisdictions of Woodstock and Stellsburg and soon. >> And uh can we address um also the concern with the park? The park would still be there, right? This is just additional area in that Morytown. Um because I know there was a concern from from a citizen um that that would not affect the current park that we have in in Mortown. It would be areas that are not being developed right now. >> So
142while this is still a conversation we have to have with the county administrator and the board of supervisors, there's hundreds of acres. I don't know, you know, a couple hundred of acres there. I don't know how much of it's buildable. I don't know how much of it's allowed for this type of um project, but um and if we didn't do it there, would there be another spot that it could go? But yes, that was just used as an example. Um >> and we've had those preliminary conversations with the county administrator, but nothing in great detail. and look at the infrastructure that is on that site that is has to be tweaked as the architect said. But he he sealed the deal for me when when I mean his face lit up when he pointed to
143that potential drawing. >> Um I didn't hear the cash register ring when he space lit up but it's a beautiful site and and you have Morytown Thomas Brook sewer and water. You have the um you have a road which he acknowledged would have to be fitted to the school. You have some recreational areas already in place and >> and vital on >> it is it is and to go back to that metaphor Larry hit on about the Pentagon. I mean we're all assuming how long it's going to take to build this thing. a general contractor may be able to come in and go, you know what, I'll have this thing done in a year and a half or two years, whereas we're all assuming it could take three to four to five until we talk
144to general contractors and architects. We're guessing at things, whereas I really don't think we need to know all that at this point. We're just the school board. >> All we need to know is what's it going to cost? What's it going to take to get it done? Hey, my Empire State Building one year 45 days and built during the Great Depression. >> Holy crap. >> Yeah. >> By hand. >> I did not know that. >> And uh consider all the square feet that takes up. >> All right. And we're only asking for 81,000. Am I not right on that 81,000? >> That's that's what we had on the long-term facility plan. I think the architect proposed something different. made it 90. >> Well, let let's shoot for the moon. Let's make it 100,000. >> We'll
145go ahead. We'll go ahead and put a county pool in there. We'll put a auditorium. >> Yeah, >> that's what I would like to see. >> Go big. Mhm. >> And and I got to say, I know we haven't even hit on the triplet tech thing yet, but >> that that bottom line needs to be centrally located and we have the land there at central campus. To me, I mean, we're missing out if we don't get something started there. I liked your plan. I hadn't even thought of it of building it in phases. Start with something small. Just get it going. So, with that segue, I'll just forward to you've seen all of these slides before, but right here is the is the breakdown of the CTE. We've got the renovation and expansion of triplette
146where it's currently at at 38.6 million. Remember that these three different um scenarios, the renovation expansion of Triplette Tech had a $1.5 million for equipment. The renovation of Mount Jackson Press building and renovation of Triplette Tech had a $2.5 million um what's the word I want to use? um for for new equipment and then the new CTE um and renovation of triplettech had a $5 million. So while all three of those if you take that number out of there they are all within about the same the same cost. So, if you take that new equipment number out of there, because I think your new equipment number is going to be the same regardless of which facility that you have because the equipment that's capable of being moved um will be moved and the ca the
147equipment that's not capable of being relocated will stay will stay where it's at. So, um so I think regardless that the new equipment cost should not not be in those numbers at this at this point. But then that makes them really close to the same number and that's not taking into consideration that the new facility in the central actually gets the donor. >> That's correct. >> So that actually >> makes it even lower. >> Yeah. So, the project on the right, if we did the project on the right, we do have a um a person who has obligated $5 million um for this this project. And that's the new CTE facility um in the center of the campus. And um they actually indicated that they would help with um the actual um building of of
148that facility. And it didn't have to be a 90,000 square foot could be a beginning of a of a CTE center >> which Gloria had come up with the idea I don't know if you guys were on school board yet and that was have the plans drawn up for a 90,000 foot building but just to get things off the ground and rolling right now because that person would like to see something coming to fruition do it in phases. You know, if we can't afford to do it all right now, the new CTE building, 30,000 square ft of it with the ability to expand later on, but have the drawings drawn up for the whole project, >> right? >> Yeah. Yeah. So that so it would take longer that for sure, but it's fine because we're
149probably not going to have all the funds right away. But the idea was um once we have all the blueprints, we can also seek funding from grants and all that stuff too. Um and it would also um help with the donor that has, you know, very generously um offered um to donate to our triplet through our CTE program. So the idea was, you know, we we start out with a smaller building that could have some of the um business classes, you know, like cyber or maybe um cosmetology or whatever um that do not require the high bays, that do not require any special, you know, um areas uh to conduct the classes. So we start with that we continue to have all the other ones still back at triplet and then eventually um the next
150stages after that's done then we go on to the next stage and then start building the high bays or the you know um I don't know if the culinary would be at the beginning or at the end I'm not sure what we had kind of talked about it but but that's the idea is that at least you already have the plans you've already paid for the blueprints you already have you already know how everything's going to go. Um so in addition to all that this also helps because part of the budget that we have in here has to do with the um egress from that central campus. So it would actually add more ways to get in and out of the central campus um which right now is a huge bottleneck. Also it's a nightmare.
151So it would actually open up another way to get into the campus um which would also help all the other schools in there. So, um, so that was kind of the idea of doing the stages, um, for the for the new CTE if we did at the central. And again, and I know we've talked about this before, um um I know there's there's a emotional attachment to triplet in the southern part of the district and I understand that. But if we are to be fair right now, there's a lot of kids in the northern campus that are not able to really take advantage of that because it's very far. So, um, in that sense, I think it would be more fair to have it in the center where we can have more students coming also
152from the northern part. And, um, and the triplet building, I mean, it's still going to be used. We can actually still use that. We've talked about that. That's something that we can use for other um, facilities for our uh, district. But at least this way when it comes to the CTE, we're making it available to other student all our students. Um, well, in this plan, does is that a simultaneous thing like where we're going to start to to plan and build in in Woodstock but still renovate the existing triplet? >> Guess it depends on the funding we get from the county. >> Yeah. Well, you know, and back to my plan, I mean, this is in that too, you know, and and kind of going back to that, you know, my my my plan is
153or, you know, or proposal is to try to hit all of this at once if we can afford it. Um, but um, you know, we need shop space now. So I mean you know I think the renovation at the existing triplet would you know in simultaneously with planning for something new would make a lot of sense and um you know but I also think that we could use a steel structure there um to create shop space that won't require the nearly the type of money it will to build it in concrete or block um and that um CT center in Co Pepper. They built the entire thing out of, you know, um a steel, you know, steel building. They have warehouses. They put shops in them, you know, um farm buildings. So that that is
154a less expensive option for renovations that maybe, you know, would be more immediate. It also takes a lot less time to put that in, you know, and um and that money could be spun back into something else, you know. So, but >> my only concern with putting a steel building on that site is that's additional cost when what I believe we're trying to do is move the whole CTE, the whole triplet tech to the central campus. So now we've constructed another building at the triplet campus. What do we use it for then? >> Storage. We don't have a single storage building in the entire district. I mean, you know, so but we you just said it. I mean, yourselves, we're going to start small and move and move up later. I mean, you know, when
155is later? I mean, none of us will be on the board anymore. So, I mean, um, so I mean, that would solve their immediate needs, which are there. I mean, you know, um, Mr. Judy's here, you know, how he in order to move a car in and out, I mean, he's like shuffling cards. I, you know, you should work in Vegas with how you guys move those cards around. So, I mean, um, you know, once again though, that's, you know, back to my original point. These are all pretty urgent needs that we need to, uh, you know, we need to >> push through fast. >> But what you're saying is, um, have those in that triple tech, uh, renovation budget. That's what you're saying that >> and erase erase building a big shop space and
156and supple, you know, and switch it out with building bringing in something that's more or less prefab would go up faster and they could it would get them in it a lot quicker. >> Okay. So, it would be replacing some of those costs. >> Yes. Yep. >> With lower ones. >> So, it may lower. you know, and yeah, from from my calculations, it's could be anywhere from a third, >> you know, it could be a third to 40 30 to 40% cheaper or and sometimes much more than that than building it in, you know, with concrete and and steel. I >> think it's worth exploring. I mean, yeah. >> Do we need to touch on the health sciences move here? So, not at this time. There's no definitive. Um, but I will just give a
157little bit of information. There's been a lot of conversations um with Shannidoa Memorial Hospital about moving our healthcare sciences classes to um to Shannidoa Memorial Hospital. This is actually something that started um probably two years ago and Todd Lynn was very integral in helping with you know those conversations as well. But it was moving all of our healthcare classes even our biomedical sciences classes to an facility at um at Shannidoa Memorial Hospital that they're interested in renovating to make classroom space for Shannidoa County Public Schools. So, while they're still raising that money, um they've got part of it donated, >> but but they would absorb the renovation costs and and and you know, and I believe there was a speesus in there. >> Um so, you know, that would be another readymade, you know, and
158quick way >> to, you know, temporarily or permanently move. Yeah. To relocate. >> Would there be any long-term lease costs on that lease? >> That's right. Not at this time. we've not, you know, gotten into that level of detail, but at this time they want to give. So, we benefit because our kids actually go to school and um in a place that is um likely their future workplace. So, you know, so we benefit and our kids get the opportunity to go to the um the emergency room or you know, uh get to be able to do things that they wouldn't be able to do at Triplette Tech. and the hospital benefits by seeing our students in their facility and hiring them as soon as they're ready to be hired. So, it's it's, you know, it's
159a pretty um win-win situation with both. Um I know there's been some hesitancy with our healthcare teachers about wanting to move away from from triplet tech, but you know, that's you know, that's a consideration as well. But, um but the relationship, the conversations has been ongoing. I just met with Sheno Memorial probably two to three weeks ago and they're still um they're still rolling and interested in doing that. >> I know the last meeting we had at Triplet there was a whole lot of talk amongst the teachers against it. Has that needle moved any or have those conversations continued at all? No, I think the teachers are still very concerned. Um, the ones that would move to Shannidoa Memorial are still very concerned about moving because it separates them from their other colleagues. >> Yeah.
160>> They've developed relationships with over the last, you know, many years. One good option or point though might be that the phbotomy um people would have some other people to practice on because they practice on each other and every time I go there they ask if they can you know do you want to go get stuck? So you know at least they'd have some more there but there's my positive spin. >> You know it gets them closer to those um job sharing opportunities, internships, all of that. I assume you're done with major capital. >> I think so. >> Now, let's move to cell phones. >> Okay. >> Another a uh >> So, I am um a school board member requested for us to revisit our cell phone policy. So, I am going to turn it
161over to that, Mr. Shotti. >> Me again. Um all right. So um you know my uh the the drive to um adjust and and make our cell phone policy um or cell phone use particularly by students uh during school policy was just to make it a little more encompassing to cover things um in particular AI glasses, beta glasses and things like that. Um I made no um attempts to change the original policy um you know especially in regards to staff use because um I did you know we did get an email concerned over you know staff use um you know and uh a couple constituents had talked to me about it um and teachers were asking you know does that mean I can't have my wearable design device if I, you know, use it for
162my kids or whatever. And me, I mean, people see me looking at my phone during the schoolboard meetings. You know, I have a 8-year-old who's a type 1 diabetic, and I count on this to see what his blood sugars are. So, but to me, that is covered under appropriate use. Um, you know, I don't see any reason to totally reinvent the wheel here in this policy other than to make it a little more encompassing, you know, because, you know, there will be kids that will come in. Well, it does it's not on there. It doesn't say. So, um you know, this just gives us a little bit wider of a net, um you know, and specifically to um to address tech, you know, unsupervised technology use in our schools. So, um, you know, and the
163proposed, you know, the changes, um, that's all they do is they make it, you know, they list more more items that would be included in in a cell phone or wearable. It doesn't really change the already passed policy. >> Yeah. I mean, to me, I don't see an issue with it. I just look at our teachers and our staff. We're putting more on them about monitoring this stuff. I don't know. I mean, now they got wearable rings, you know. So, >> yeah, I was going to say, >> yeah. So, I mean, I was a little bit more loose on the cell phone free education back when we first did this. I said, you know, let them have them during lunch, >> right? >> You know, that type of thing. But I don't I don't know.
164It's just a whole big open can. Um I think I would lean to Dr. Shepard and her staff how the school's been doing since we've adopted the cell free cell phone free policy. So, what we've heard is that um there is a lot more noise in the cafeterias during lunchtime because kids are actually talking to each other and not looking at their um social media. So, um we've heard teachers sing praises because they don't have to worry about um kids bringing them out during class. So, I think I think it's worked well. And and there again, you brought up a good point about your own son. >> I've heard from other parents who have 504s and their kids are allowed to have their cell phones. >> Yeah. >> So, I mean, there again, the teachers
165got to figure out, okay, Johnny's got this device, but does he have a 504 that allows him to have that device? You know what I mean? >> I just wish our teachers could just teach. I don't know. >> Sure they do, too. >> Yeah. I guess, you know, I mean, schools are doing so much more than just teaching anymore. >> Like I said, if this stuff needs to change, I'm not against it. I Yeah. >> It doesn't affect me one way or another. >> This to me is would, you know, um kind of and I was looking at it and you know, and I talked to some teachers um in in the Southern campus and you know, this would make it a little easier on them because it's already defined. that's included versus, you know,
166having to go through it later and all. So, and it also, I think, would help give them a little more of a heads up. Hey, I need to look at these. So, um, you know, because until somebody sent it to me, I was like, what are you talking about? What the heck are, you know, I looked and I was like, wow. And then he sent me a video of him wearing them and, you know, and then I was like, what do they look like? And they look like the old, you know, Henry Kissinger glasses. So, and from that errand. So, >> funny because after you talked about it, um I think the next day I saw an ad. I think it was Oakley maybe that had >> Yeah, in the Super Bowl. Yeah, that was
167the only thing I remembered about that. >> So, I No, I commend I I like it. I think this is not going to be the last time that this is going to be updated. >> Agreed. >> Um so, um um and I have heard of some students, you know, using their you know, I have a an Apple, what is it? Apple Watch, whatever it's called. I just use it to work out so I can listen to my music and that's all I know about it. I know people can, you know, talk and they can get their phone calls and they can send their emails and I can do all this stuff. So I um I agree with this. I think it's fine. Uh like I said, it's not going to be the last time we
168update it. So I'm I'm on forward. I mean uh in favor of it. Well, I'm also told that these um phone I mean uh watches that parents can track where their children are which >> I don't know what they >> you don't have to be a helicopter parent to uh >> you want to keep an eye on where they are and particularly when you're doing extracurricular things. >> Does this does this policy do away with the uh with the watches? >> Uh well, >> yes, but it is a >> Yeah. Well, I mean it during in classroom time. I mean this policy, unless I'm wrong, is bell-to- bell. So extracurricular is really >> that kind of steps away from that. >> So if you're sitting in u in class and you're running cross country and
169practice gets cancelled because of the rain or whatever, but you can't have your cell phone to tell mom to pick you up at 3:30 instead of 5:30. and she has to make those adjustments in her schedule. >> Shouldn't there be a place for that? >> That's why I fought for lunchtime getting the cell phones was for that exact reason. The kids that play sports or do activities after school. But in light of what Larry's talking about, the kids can have the cell phones in their book bags. >> Yeah. So, if my kid has his cell phone in his book bag and his book bag is with him, it can be on and I know his location throughout the day. Um, there again, there's watches out there that look like smart watches that aren't necessarily smart
170watches. So, I mean, this is where I'm like, you start down that road, you're >> Well, but we kind of already have, >> right? which is what Gloria is saying it's just going to keep going. But um >> you know I think that um in my personal opinion with what you're saying though I mean even if it's not a watch hey you know coach cancel practice I got to call my mom. What do they do now in the existing policy? I mean you know I would think that if they went and said ask permission they'd be allowed to use their phone. >> Yep. So there's two things that they do. Um, one of the things is yes, they can go use the phone in the office, but when this uh the original cell phone policy
171came out, we asked the coaches to do something different than they were doing previously, not to communicate to the kids, but to communicate to the parents and I think it's through the Remind app or sports you that's correct. Yes. So, that's how the the parents know that practice is canceled or delayed or the game is canceled or delayed or whatever. And on the tracking thing, I just see it as a article of safety. >> But like Mike said, like the parent away will still track them. I mean, as long as that cell phone or whatever is near them, >> you know, or in their book bag, it will still do the same thing. I mean, >> okay. But I mean, I'm kind of along the lines of Larry, but that's why I deferred to Dr.
172Shepard and her staff if we're not having a problem with watches and wearables now, like I said, I'm not against it. Whatever whatever you guys feel that we need to do, but if it's not an issue now, do we even need to worry about it? >> No, I mean, you know, >> Yeah. Yeah, I mean I think the I think we had talked about it uh before in terms of um the only reason why we were okay with the smart watches whatever is to moni like kids who had to monitor you know like seizures or but that can be already um >> well yeah that's covered in a 504. >> Exactly. They'll get a 504. So those kids are still going to get that. >> Yep. >> Um >> and uh with regards to that
173you know as Dr. Shepherd said with the remind or whatever. Um, when my kids were doing sports, we were getting that too. So, we were getting the notifications if something was cancelled just like they were. So, we knew all along. If anything, it's probably better because that way the kids can cannot pull a fast one on you and, you know, say, "Oh, no, I still have practice." And then go and do something else and get in trouble. So, um, so yeah, I I don't really see that as a concern. Where are we now? Oh, report of board members and other business. Mr. Rickard, you're first. >> Oh, well, thank you. >> Well, you're welcome. >> Really don't have anything. Thank you all for the jobs you continue to do. Thank you for staying here and
174putting up with our stuff for these late nights. Thank all our staff and community members that showed up and taken interest in what goes on in the county. It is much appreciated. Um it's nice to know what the constituents are thinking, especially the constituents who are also staff members. Um because of course they have a higher stake in this than just the people that live here. They live and work here. Um, so I really appreciate each and every one of y'all that take the time to show up and speak what you believe should be the priorities and uh take an interest and not only our students but our our buildings and our schools and the budget. Um, other than that, that's all I've got. >> 654. Mrs. Pence >> like uh Mr. Vicard, I also
175want to thank the public for just coming out and um giving us your opinion, letting us hear what's going on. Um you know, I value the community's engagement and it it really does provide an interaction that we can't get any other place, you know, if we're not coming in and seeing you or you're not writing to us. So, I do commend every single person that has come here um to speak with us. And um as we talk about planning and investing for the future, I just want to recognize National FFA Week. Um I want to commend our uh FFA students and our adviserss for the work that they do. Um and we can just remember that uh that agriculture is the number one industry in Shannidoa County. Um so and then uh Mr. Vance and
176I have began briefly just um visiting the campuses just to get in front of folks and I just want to say how well we've been welcomed there and I'm going to allow you to elaborate a little bit more on your comments as well. Um, and then finally, um, I had the opportunity, I think it was Valentine's weekend, um, to attend Central High School's production of The Wizard of Oz, and it was phenomenal. Um, if you didn't make it to that, you're really missing out because it was it was really great to see the talent and dedication of our students and staff. Um, so I just want to commend them on that and I'm actually looking forward to um seeing the rest of the productions that are going on in the county. And as usual, thanks
177to all the folks who are around this table um the folks who are the boots on the ground every day within our schools. We do really appreciate um what you do for us. Thanks, >> District Three. I don't have a whole lot, but I don't want to sound like a broken record, but I want to thank everybody for being here today because um honestly, you guys are and should be the ones that help guide what we're going to be doing. And if we don't hear from you guys, um you know, things can get lost. So, for all of you who came here, for sure, I thank you. But also for the people who weren't able to come here and sent us emails about this, I really appreciate that. Um I want to send my condolences
178to all our kids who did not get a snow day. while while the rest of the eastern seabboard did get one. Um uh it was funny. I was looking at the at the forecast um yesterday and there was this little sliver that didn't get anything and that was us. Sorry. Um and then finally after sitting there for two years, I really don't like this. I feel like I'm giving my back to the people and I I I really do not like that. So, I was gonna make a request that maybe we can put the board members an L like that so that I can at least face them because I I feel really rude. So, I apologize for my rudess. So, um that's all I have. >> That's interesting cuz when I had that chair,
179I felt the same way. >> But you didn't speak up. >> Yeah, I don't like it. >> Uh district two absent district one, Mr. Sh. >> Um well, I'm seconding uh what Miss Pence says. Um you know, thank you. It's FFA recognition time and um that is just such an amazing program. So, and you you know you never hear problems from it. So, I mean that that's another shining star. Um you know and um on the CT stuff, I want what everyone wants. I want a new school. I want triplet. And I want to fix the schools. So, I I'm just impatient. I want to do it all at the same time as quickly as possible. So, I I want to be clear there. I'm not arguing to renovate the schools instead of building a
180new elementary. I I'd like to try to figure out a way to do both. And um you know, we are at a unique spot here in Shenoa County. Um you know, we've got years of neglect, we've got reassessments, we've got taxes coming out of Richmond. So, um I feel like um in that on that um Andrea Gale boat or whatever in the perfect storm with George Clooney because you know this school board and the board of supervisors, we're we've got to make some decisions um that you know have been put off for a long time. So, um you know, I think we have to be frugal and disciplined in in every dollar we spend and um you know, and I still 200,000 is still not a little bit to me. um you know that that
181will help somewhere. Um so but um and to our teachers, you know, I see I hear I hear you know what you're saying. I I know the conditions you're working in and you all do an amazing job in in poor conditions in you know in in a lot of cases. So um you know we're we're in it with you. At least I am. And you know, and that's my main, you know, my main concern is the the teachers. You're you're the in direct direct contact with our our kids every day. And um you know, and I I can relate to what you're dealing with being as being a coach uh for so many years. So um you know, but you know, we're we're all in this together. So a unified division is going to be
182what's best uh for for all our kids. Um and uh I'm going to pull one. So last uh at the last meeting I had a quote from Abraham Lincoln on his birthday that I forgot but um you know so but since it is still is February um you know George Washington uh once said that knowledge is in every country um the shest basis of public happiness. So, um, you know, our schools are the most important thing to to all of us, um, and to our government and to our country overall. So, thank you everybody here for listen to me rambled tonight and, um, but for being dedicated for, you know, what we're all here for, and that's for Channidoa County kids. So, thank you. >> So, it's my turn to ramble. Is that what you're
183saying? >> Yes. Let me begin by thanking Mr. tremendously for some prompt action on some u pruning, shaping, and removal of some trees at the Sandy Hook campus and also to Kevin the part you played in that. And I know cuz I was over there the other day when they leaf out, they're going to look so good in that tulip shape. And there's more to come right with the uh dead pen oaks on Ram Drive. And I'd also like to thank Mrs. Proctor and Miss Heindgardner for allowing me to go to Sandy Hook last Thursday and visit the uh targeted intervention and I want to go back and I want to see them matching those lesson plans to those uh objectives and I was really impressed and I've told some other people this just one
184little minor thing those little tool boxes that that were in there teaching kids to count the spots on the dice and so forth. I thought that was a nice manipulative. Okay. Uh as chairman, excuse me, as chairperson, vice chairperson m uh Pence said, uh we've had the opportunity to go to the uh campuses and uh and to visit. We were in the northern campus last Wednesday. We were in the middle campus last Friday and we will be in the southern campus tomorrow morning. And this uh this tour that we're doing was actually scheduled for the week of the blizzard, so it had to be rescheduled. And um it was just so good to to sit down with some of those principles and see how the pieces fit together in their schools and see the different
185incentives they have for the students. Um Mr. Mr. Schletner spoke at some length about the uh incentive programs he has for improved grades and attendance and that uh Peter Milenberg for example the vice principal if they make 97% this month he's going to shave his head for in front of an assembly and they were very very close. What was it? 96.5, wasn't it? 96.5. I guess if you did the rounding, but he's demanding 97%. So, I can understand that. And the kids. Well, let's see. We started out in the life room at Strawlesburg High School. Well, they serve coffee at 8:15, too. That helps, too. But the kids were glad to see us. And then we moved on to to other parts of the building at Sandy Hook. We saw a demonstration of uh yo-yos
186and uh that was very cleverly done and we walked about to the outside the classrooms and around and then we came back to the cafeteria and you know what I'm talking about and so do you and get to witness the luggage that they carry. And oh my goodness, some of that luggage is really really really heavy. It really it just pulls on your heartstrings. So anyway, it's been a good tour and we look forward to finishing it up uh tomorrow 8:15 at uh Stonewall Jackson I think is the correct >> is the kickoff for that. So it's all good all the time. Who would like to make the motion to adjurnn? >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Thank you, Mr. Rickard. Who would like to do the second? Right here we got second and we have
187a vote of yes to adjourn. Indicate by saying I and oppose no. And we stand adjourned until 12th of March at 5:30.