0015:30 and um we can call to order the uh June 12th, 2025 regular school board meeting for Shannidoa County School Board. Um we will um take a recommendation for convening in close session. Dr. Shepard. Thank you. I recommend the Shannidoa County School Board convene a closed meeting under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act in order to discuss and consider several personnel matters involving the assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, the motion salary, discipline, or resignation under Virginia code 2.2-3711A14, 2-3711A14 and to have a briefing by staff members or consultants pertaining to actual or probable litigation where such consultation or briefing in open meeting would adversely affect negotiating or litigating posture of Shannidoa County Public Schools under Virginia code 2.2-3711A7 in pursuant to the provisions of Virginia code 2.2-3711A29 2-3711A 29 to discuss the award of a public
002contract invo involving the expenditure of public funds including interviews of bidderers or offerers and discussion of the terms or scope of such contract where discussion in an open session would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body. Thank you. Do I have a motion to that effect? I move that the Shannido County School Board convene a closed meeting under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act in order to discuss and consider several personnel matters involving the assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, demotion, salary, discipline, or resignation under Virginia code 2.2-3711A14 2-3711A14 and to have a briefing by staff members or consultants pertaining to actual or probable litigation or such consultation or briefing and open meeting would adversely affect the uh negotiating or litigating posture of Shannidoa County Public Schools under Virginia code 2.2-3711A7 and
003pursuant to the provisions of 1 Virginia code 2.2-3711 2-37118 A29 to discuss the award of a public contract involving the expenditure of public funds including interviews of biders or offers and discussion of the terms or scope of such contract where discussion in the open session would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body. Thank you, Mr. Coach. Is there a second to that motion? Second, Mr. Ricker, thank you for the second. All in favor of convening close session, please signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? None. We will reconvene in close session. We're ready for the invocation pledge. And Mr. Ricker, you're the you're the Bubba. If everybody could please bow their heads with me. Dear heavenly father, Lord, I thank you for all of us that are gathered here tonight.
004Lord, I ask that you open our ears that we may hear your counsel during our time together. Lord, I ask that you guide and direct us as we make decisions uh regarding our public school system. Lord, I ask that you continue to bless our school system. Lord, I thank you for this beautiful day that we've had. I thank you for our time together, Lord. In your heavenly precious name, I ask these things. Amen. Amen. Please stand for the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Uh, do I have a motion to approve the agenda as it has been presented? I move to approve the agenda as presented. Thank God I'll
005second. Second. Second by Mr. Rickard. All in favor of approving the agenda, please signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? None. And that brings us to recognitions. Dr. Shepard. Thank you. So tonight I'm going to introduce Mr. Hartwig who will be talking about the Signal Middle School FFA advisor. So Mr. Hartwig. Thank you Dr. Shepard. Good evening ladies and gentlemen of the board. Again I'm Derek Harwig, assistant principal at Signal now Middle School. I'm here tonight to recognize Mr. Dakota Stra um who was the recently selected as a national teacher ambassador for the upcoming school year by the national FFA organization. He's one of two honores from Virginia who will undoubtedly represent Signal now Middle School and the county public schools with the utmost pride and professionalism. Mr. Shout who was recently named Shendo County
006Public School teacher of the year is an extraordinary educator whose dedication to a program a education has earned him a national recognition once again. This is a true reflection of not only his ex exceptional teaching abilities but also his unwavering commitment to develop the next generation of agricultural leaders. Through his work in our a science program, Mr. Shroud has transformed countless young minds, fostering critical thinking skills, hands-on learning experience, and a deep appreciation for vital role of agricultural plays in our society. His selection for this honor is a testament to the impact he has made in the community where students have flourished under his guidance, developed not only technical skills in agriculture, but also leadership qualities, work ethic, and confidence that will serve them throughout their lives. On a side note, kind of on a
007hot press, hot off the press, warm off the press at this point in time, um Mr. Shroud has also led Signal Knob Middle School FFA to another milestone this week at the state convention. Um, Signal Knob Middle School was named the number one middle school FFA chapter in Virginia for the third year in a row. [Applause] We are incredibly proud to have such a dedicated educator representing our school, our division, and our students at the national stage. And we know that his influence will continue to grow as he takes on this important role. Congratulations, Mr. Shroud. This is an honor. Well, [Applause] Thank you. Thank you, sir. And another Northern Campus recognition, Miss Holtz. Uh, do you want to recognize Mr. Matt Hazererman from Stsburg High School? Dr. Shepard, Chairman Barlo, and members of the
008board, thank you for the opportunity to come before you this evening to share a recognition from Strawburg High School. On May 1st, I had the privilege to travel to Richmond to attend the Virginia Interscolastic Athletic Administrators Association's annual conference in recognition lunchon. At the luncheon, Mr. Matthew Heisermanman, athletic director at Strawburg High School, was announced as the Virginia class 12 athletic administrator of the year. I have had the honor of working with Matt for the past 10 years. His leadership, vision, and dedication to the development of our student athletes, coaches, the athletic department, and our community is quite impressive. His focus to ensure that our student athletes receive the necessary academic and personal support to succeed has been instrumental in the overall success of Strawburg High School. What is even more impressive is Matt's unwavering
009commitment to athletics across the state. Matt is viewed as a leader by his counterparts and by those with the Virginia High School League. I am proud for the opportunity to publicly recognize and celebrate Mr. Matthew Heisermanman, the VITAAA class 12 athletic director of the year. Congratulations, Matt. [Applause] That concludes the recognitions for this evening. Thank you. Thank you. Uh now we're going to consider the consent agenda. Um we've been provided with the various um reports and so forth. 3.2 to 311. Um so can I have a motion to approve the consent agenda? Hold on. Public comments. Public comments. Oh, public comments. Oh, I'm sorry. And you're front and center. I think it public comments. We can go on to this later. Thank you. I don't have anything formally prepared. I I would like to thank
010um the board and everybody for um the advocating for the funds for the CIP things that looks like we might get some things done um for multiple schools um with funds from the board of supervisors. But again, um, with that being said, I still feel the need that we have to come up with a solid plan for the future of our elementary schools. The things that have been approved are definitely going to benefit probably the health and safety of our students. But even those things that are going to be done are still going to take years. you know, the HVAC system. They brought in people to clean our carpets already. I'm not sure why we're cleaning the carpets and spend money on that if we're going to get funds to maybe replace the carpets this
011summer. So, that's another thing. Um, I was a little confused about when I saw that happening last week as Sandy Hook. Um, I've heard too if we do get funds for building a new elementary school, it's going to take years to make that happen. I get that. So, I'm going to advocate yet again to get that plan started now. We are seeing these houses being built and we are not ready yet. We're going to expect year after year that we've been doing here in Chand for decades for our staff and and students to do more with less and we can't continue down that road. So, I'm asking the board to look ahead to start planning now. Where are we going to build this school? What's the order that we need to look at first? Is
012it where we're going to put this school and then get the funding? I don't know how it works, but we need to figure it out. Thank you. Thank you. Is there anybody else who would like to uh make a comment um on public and staff comments? Okay. Now we will move to the approval of the consent agenda. Uh do I have a motion to accept the uh consent agenda? Move to approve the consent consent agenda as it has been presented. Thank you, Mr. Gutshaw. A second. Second. Did I hear you LV? I'm going to call you LV. There you go. So, we're we're good here. So, um that's a second. So, all those in favor of approving the consent agenda, please indicate by saying I. I. I. Any opposed? None opposed. We will move into
013the instructional agenda. The middle school advanced math courses. Miss Proctor, speak loudly with the crowd that we have tonight. I'll I'll try really hard. Good evening, Chairman Barlo, board members, Dr. Shepard. I want to take this opportunity to talk to you this evening about uh middle school advanced math. We have some changes that are coming. Um, House Bill 2686 was just approved when the budgets were going through this spring. Um, and so this bill requires each school board to develop and adopt a policy outlining the criteria for students in grades 6 through 8 to be eligible for enrollment in advanced or accelerated mathematics. And so there's some criteria for that. The first one is subject to course offerings and availability. The option for parents to opt out any student who scores in the statewide grade
014level upper cortile of an endofear so math assessment will be automatically enrolled into an advanced or accelerated math course. uh multiple additional pathways for students can be moved in or moved out of those accelerated pathways and that we would have annual parental notification regarding mathematics course options. Um this bill also mandates that each school board report and the Virginia Department of Education post data on student participation in the performance of these advanced or accelerated courses. So at the top here you can see this is our regular middle school to grade nine pathway for an average middle school student. They take math 6, math 7, math 8, and then algebra 1 as a nth grader. We're proposing for the accelerated path. Our sixth graders would take a combination of sixth and part of seventh grade curriculum.
015Our seventh grade students would take a part of seventh the rest of seventh grade curriculum and the eighth grade curriculum. And then in eighth grade they would do algebra 1. And then in ninth grade geometry. Any questions about that before I move to the next slide? All right. And then this next slide shows that there are different onramps and offramps. So let's say I'm a sixth grader. I'm an upcoming sixth grader. I'm doing really good in fifth grade. I'm showing that I'm capable of doing an accelerated math course. But then I get into that course and I'm struggling for whatever reason. So then the next year that first row shows that I would move back to math 7 and then math 8 and then algebra 1 as a nth grader. And then it also shows
016um on-ramps as well. Say I'm uh doing fine. I'm an average kid. I don't seem to need anything accelerated. So I take a math six and sixth grade, a math seven and seventh grade, but then I do really well in that grade seven. Then I could be moved into algebra 1. So we've created some on ramps and offramps for our students. Let me ask you right there. Um y any changes in midyear or these are just after the year is complete? After the year is complete. Okay. We can always look at kids on an individual basis if we need to if they're like struggling. Um and that would be a parent request, teacher request or whatever, but typically on the average it's always at the end of the year. So those two middle pathways there,
017math 8 is not required in some instances. Correct. Okay. Yes. So, just to recap, seventh graders with a pass advanced score of 500 or higher are automatically going to go into algebra 1 as an eighth grader. For students that score in the 400 to 499 range, we have other criteria that we use to place them into that algebra 1 course. Um, and for sixth and seventh graders, it'll be that upper quartortile of students based on their so scores that will go into an accelerated course. That upper quartortile will be given to us by the state. That won't be something that we set within SCPS. The state will share that with us. And then of course, parents may opt their students out of an accelerated course if they would like to. Any questions? Algebra for a
018one and eighth grade. That's that hasn't been offered in the past. Yes, we currently offer that now and that we have criteria that we use now. The only difference is automatically if you score a 500 or higher you are going into algebra 1. Before we looked at lots of other data points so not just your so score this your score you're an automatic in. Thank you. Y any other questions. Okay. Thank you. Dr. Shepard, library book materials purchase list. Yes, thank you. So, this is the May um 2025 library materials book list. Um, as with the last few months, there will be a list on the um, schoolboard agenda every month of the first monthly meeting of the new library books that the librarians um, library media specialist um, have looked through and are requesting.
019Um, so the lists are attached to the agenda item and if no one has any questions or concerns, this will be um presented on the consent agenda for the July meeting. Any questions? Moving into theformational agenda, the formation of the school infrastructure planning committee. Dr. Shepard, thank you. At the May 27th uh special call school board meeting, the school board discussed establishing a school infrastructure planning committee. The proposed committee would include two representatives from the school board, two representatives from the board of supervisors, the county administrator, and myself. This group would work to plan for major capital projects um within the school division, including potential renovations and new construction. The recommendation is to present the formation of the committee at the June um present the information at tonight's meeting with further further discussion um on
020the appointments at the um June 23rd work session. So is there any other place for us tonight to discuss this other than this moment? This is the only place to discuss it at this moment. Yes. Okay. And I believe we have it on um both information and action at the June 23rd I believe you're correct meeting. Yes. So um just on the board to understand that um um this joint meeting um consisting of two members of the board of supervisors and two members of the school board along with Dr. Shepard and Evan Bass from the board of uh supervisors met to um consider how those uh surplus funds would be used. uh and um but there was a a growing appreciation from I think all who attended that there needed to be some greater collaboration
021between the board of supervisors and the U and the school board about these um building plans uh and especially this long-term renovation or building projects that need to be um planned way ahead of time and considered in terms uh uh budget and um not just budget but needs and um unfolding requirements in the future. Uh and it I think it was a and u it was I think you were there obviously. still um we had the the chairs and the vice chairs and so correct me if I'm wrong in anything I'm about to say here but it seemed to me there was a um consensus among the four members of the of the two boards that this was a priority item uh that uh we had kind of missed opportunities in the past to collaborate
022as two boards working on something as important and as long range as building projects for the school system. and the uh the three uh building projects that we had included in the u in our uh considerations are various I think we wound up with eventually six different options. Um those were um it was assumed or I guess stated that those would be three items that would be included uh on on the agenda opening agenda for that for that planning committee. So um so I see this school infrastructure planning committee is meeting fairly regularly uh and um having a great impact on the long-term planning process and so it uh it behooves us on the work session on June 23rd to figure out who those folks are going to be. Um logic might dictate it's people
023who are in the building on the building committee. Um but there be could be other committees involved or somebody who has a special interest. Uh and so um like the school board members to come with as much information as they have or can can get so that we can uh develop our point of view for uh working with the board of supervisors in developing this uh this u this committee and establishing its uh its authority and its planning structure. But uh I think the uh the import against was that it gets started quickly uh because these uh these building projects even though they're long term cannot wait any longer to be uh considered. So, I do invite um the members of the of the board to think carefully about how we could uh impact that
024uh school infrastructure planning committee and uh with whatever we come up with uh on the on the 23rd uh is something that we can take quickly to the board of supervisors for their buy in. Kyle, do you have anything further to say about that meeting? You got it. Okay. Are there any questions from the school from the members of the school board? Yes, sir. Uh yes, Mr. Chairman. Is my impression I was under impression that this is basically for uh two people representing each board just for communication purposes not really I just want to make it clear probably to people in the public not to really be deciding anything but just communication purposes of representing each board. Is that correct or not? Am I wrong? I'd say that was true. Obviously, we're going to keep
025our own integrity as a board and so is board of supervisors. Nevertheless, I think the um the feeling was that the discussions about the ramifications of budget and renovations and scheduling and so forth are going to be pretty intense such that it um will will work like a committee which will come back to both groups with recommendations for their boards to pass. So while it has no authority of itself, uh the uh the recommendations and the research it does I'm thinking will have an impact. Does that that make sense? Yes, that is I mean it'll it'll be come back with recommendations for us to follow it. And I think what I think we might I think the major positive gain from this would be to look at the budgets as they're being formulated and seeing
026how those potential building projects would impact future budgets so that we could actually think about and plan to go to the board of supervisors with the concept of loans and future purchases. Again, um but but you put your finger on it, it's it's not going to be an authoritative group that will tell us what to do. Okay. Would our um two representatives on this committee find any value in expanding this this planning committee to include in limited number? Of course, you can't have everybody in Shannidoa County building a school. Um but to include um some parents and and teachers. I think the I think the organiz that committee will be able to develop its own informal rules and I would assume that they would make great use of community resources, influencers, etc. uh to come
027in and so I'm assuming that would be part of their but I I can't speak to that specifically but it but but that that board um and again the the the six people with the superintendent and with the u what does that title county administrator county administrator uh will have the ability to be able to um to do that to make up their own informal rules that would that would allow that to occur. So the first meeting whenever that may be is going to largely be uh organizational and and that possibly that could be agreed to by whoever makes that decision, the committee itself. So yes. Okay. Yeah. Certainly, you're certainly right that their organization and structure and so forth will be the main thing they'll be trying to decide that and that kind of
028discussion about what other people could be brought in as adjunct members on a guest basis or whatever will would be would be discussed. Mr. Ricker, you have a comment. I will not be in attendance for the June 23rd meeting. However, I would like to uh like to throw my name in the hat for possible representation of the board. good for that committee. Good. Happy to hear that. Um and if you if you can um I would recommend some sort of just resume, you know what I'm saying? So that um we we could consider that uh and kind of why you want to do it, that kind of thing, and we can take that into account on the meeting on the 21st. Sounds good. Okay. Thank you. Yep. All right. Thank you, Dr. Shepard. I I
029think it was important that we that we discuss that. Absolutely. Okay. 5.2 uh recommendation for the designate to attend meetings of the school board in absence of the division superintendent. Dr. Shepard, thank you. Schoolboard policy BCA, schoolboard organizational meeting requires a school board to appoint on an annual basis the designate for the division superintendent to attend meetings of the school board in the absence or inability of the superintendent to attend. And um unfortunately that position is becoming vacant because one of our um um trusted colleagues is um retiring here in the couple of weeks. Um so it is my recommendation that Mr. Chad Hensley, who will be the assistant superintendent for student services and operations, and or Jennifer Proctor, who will be the assistant superintendent of instruction, be appointed as designates to attend the meetings
030um of the school board in the absence of the division superintendent and that is uh it will be an action item 6.4 under action. Okay. and uh and so we have the enviable position of uh of having two such designates which sounds like a great idea. So thank you for that. Um we has a resolution that requesting a section of a hallway at Stonewall Jackson High School be named Dorman's way. Dr. Shepard, you want to tell us about that? Absolutely. So policy FFA, naming of school facilities, permits the dedication or um naming of appropriate areas within a school facility such as a library, media center, college area, or gymnasium um in honor of individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the reputation and accomplishments of the school, the school division. Principal Mike Dorman has devoted
03130 years of outstanding service to Shadow County Public Schools. He served as a teacher, a coach, assistant principal and principal. And he was also a proud graduate of Stonewall Jackson High School. Um, principal re uh Dorman returned to his alma moater to lead the um to lead with distinction and commitment. In recognition of his lasting impact um on students, staff, and community, um we would like to officially name a section of the hallway where Mr. Gorman stood each day to greet students and staff. and I put as Dorman's way. If somebody has a better idea, I am open to it and we can still change it um because this um resolution will go to the school board for approval at the July 10th meeting. So, if someone else has better um a better thought on
032the name, happy to hear it. Dr. High records, as you mentioned, we're going to bring you up here and you can tell us about the policy updates. Do that. Good evening, Chairman Barlo, members of the board, and Dr. Shepard. Um the last week we met um and went through the policies that we received from SBMA and um I want to just kind of I'll just very briefly show you um what you have in front of you. first the first uh nine policies that are in your that are grouped together in your packet are policies that were reviewed but not revised by uh SBMA. So you have those as you know policies have to be at least reviewed every 5 years. So this is in concert with that. I wanted to highlight six and 6A of
033that portion of the total packet because six and 6A 6A has been altered by the school division in the past. So you want to read that one when you get a chance and see how it correlates with number six which is the newly recommended or newly revi excuse me newly reviewed policy from SBMA to see if those two things are in sync with what you all want. Okay. So um I would encourage you to do that. Then policies 10 through um are policies that have been revised and then you can you you have the redline versions in front of you so you can look through those and and see. Um I don't believe there's been a whole lot of substances changed. There's definitely been some revisions, but some in some places there has been some
034additions of of a paragraph, but I don't think there's anything that's really changed that policy um in its original um intention. Um but nonetheless certainly want to look look through those and there are two that are new policies. I tried to put in the document that is in board docs um a link to the policy the title of the policy and then the third column is just a very brief synopsis of what that policy is about. And then the very bottom of that document, you'll see there are three more links and those are policies that you are well aware of the the library policy and those are policies that were changed by Shandor County Public Schools and the the changes that are in this group are simply uh changing the name to reflect the new
035organization structure. um from from directors who would review to assistant superintendent of instruction. So that's just a title change is really all that that's there. But those are the three groups of policies that are before you um that will come back to you next month for for action. So if you have any questions, I'll try to answer them now. And if you read over these in the next week or so, you want to call, don't hesitate to do that either. I don't have a question. Um, I just want to thank you for this. When I walked in this evening and saw this, I thought, man, this is simple, easy to read, well put together. Going to miss this. Yeah. Well, um, Miss Turjan, uh, we met with I think she's she's got a good I
036think she has a good grasp and I think we'll be able to keep the ball rolling. Thank you. Yeah. If not, we'll just call you. Um, yeah, thank you for that, Dave. Before you have to see, but I wanted to call on on the the committee chair for policy and talk a little bit about that meeting so the board can understand context if that's okay. Absolutely. Don't go away. But uh Mr. Vance, over to you. Did you look at my notes while we were back there in the I I I tried, but Well, you did a good job. I pretty much everything I have notes on, uh you've already spoken to. Um we did meet last I'm going to pretend you didn't say all this. Okay. Okay. Uh we did meet last Thursday. uh chairman
037Barlo and myself uh the representatives on the policy committee we were joined by the superintendent uh Dr. Hinegardner Mr. Hensley and I am told by the clerk that the notes were taken and they will be posted. Am I right, Miss Jet? The notes will be posted uh from that particular meeting and u you are did write about uh Jill's input although she was there via something virtually. Yeah, that happened too. Yeah. Uh Zoom. She was there via Zoom, right? Um are you going to speak to the legislative package also? Yeah, I I can. You mean with regards to the those that were revised? Yeah, that's policy, right? Yeah, that's that's the packet that um at the top of that page says legislative session policy revisions and those are the ones that you'll see the red
038line versions that were changed via um policy updates. Um, again, it seemed to me to be more clarifying language versus a real change. Um, there there are a couple, but mostly just more clarification um on on what that particular policy is about. And correct me if I'm wrong, we are not going to take a whack at the legislative positions yet. the the the July 10th meeting, we will vote on the policies that that we've got here that that you've developed for us on this um chart. I'll call it chart, right? Um but shortly after we do have the packet, the legislative um policy p the legislative policy packet which which we will consider at that point. So it follows on shortly after this one. Is that correct? Well, at my understanding they're they're all in
039this group together. They're all they're all in this same packet. The the revised group and the and the Well, I'm just different differentiating between the policies here which we got in one slug from SBAMA and then the legislative packages which we got about a week later. Okay. And so they they'll be considered on on the tail end, but they're not exact they're not policies per se, but positions on the legislative legislative positions, which are slightly different. I'm I'm with you. Yes. Um you're right. You're right. I was on the Yes. Okay. That's that I haven't received that. I I don't believe that that update of the position. I think we just got it that day and uh Okay. And that's why it wasn't considered. Okay. Yes. Yeah. I I haven't seen that part of it.
040All I've seen is the policy changes, but and I want to uh request each member of the the school board take their time to to look at any of these that concern you between um and we can discuss those um let's see at the at our work session. So, if there's any concern of the policy things here, it's another thing you might want to do, Mike, is take a look at any of those any questions you might want to have for somebody to ask that day on the 23rd. All right, Dr. Heiner, thank you. Sorry, I didn't mean to throw you a curve there. That's okay. Before you walk away, I just like we'd like to thank you for, you know, your service to the school division for the last many years. Um, you know,
041speaking for Dennis and I over the last three and a half years, you've been a tremendous help. I know you've worked closely with Dennis on policy and other things. So, we do appreciate it. We'll miss you and uh it's uh we'll we'll have you at the work session and then right he'll ride in the sunset. But do appreciate it. Thank you. Mr. Rick was talking about how good a and he tried to thank me for it and said I'd love to take credit for it, but you're the engineer of this. We appreciate it. Well, I appreciate it. Thank you very much. Thank you. Okay. Now we are on the action items and the first one is our personnel. Uh do I have a motion to approve the personnel list as they were presented? I move
042to uh pass the I move to approve the personnel list as it's been presented. Thank you, Mr. Rickard. Second. Second. Thank you, Mr. Coach, for that second. All in favor of u accepting the uh personnel list, please indicate by saying I. I. Any opposed? None opposed. Okay. 6.2. I'm going to turn it over to the vice chair to uh honcho this one. So, Mr. Barlo introduced back meetings ago this resolution to send to the Virginia High School League um discussing keeping men or boys out of women's and girls sports. So, we have it up for action tonight and like to see if we have a motion to approve the resolution and send it to the Virginia High School League. We're going to have discussion or Well, we need a motion. We need a motion. I
043move to approve the uh resolution. Okay. All right. Is there a second? Second. Second by Mr. Vance. Discussion. Okay. So, I'd like to give the school a little um background. uh back in uh April uh the uh Freedom Foundation indicated that uh maybe uh I'm trying to use a term that Josh Hler used was that the the VHSL and its position on or maybe non-position at that point on uh allowing some biological males to participate on female teams, girls teams uh was uh something that uh we wanted to uh clarify and something that we wanted to make sure that the VHSL was uh paying attention to and um it was at that point a little bit before that that the VHSL actually accepted uh now it's a 501c3 so you have to understand that the
044VHSL is a Um it's a uh charitable nonprofit organization. Uh and so they took it upon themselves to take um President Trump's executive order in February entitled keeping men out of women's sports. Uh but the problem was that uh for the months of February, March and April uh there were no real um guidelines for how that would be done. And there were some um some concerns about whether it would be written up in regulation by the Virginia State High School League or whether it would be uh kind of left, you know, there undefined. So various um various of us got in touch with the Virginia High School League um the director Mr. Hong uh and the SBMA itself uh developed a letter which we sent to the VHSL. I helped draft that letter and it
045was sent out uh by um our president Vicky Manning and the person that made the presentation at the BHSL meeting on this topic was uh one of our board of directors member um Meg Bryce who just happens to be um Antinine Scalia's youngest daughter and she did a really super job of presenting presenting it and I think it had its impact or had an impact on the VHSL. Still, uh there is the concern that there is no regulation as to how the policy will be implemented. And so with that in mind, I crafted this um simple resolution uh on improving the Virginia High School League's implementation of President Trump's executive order 14201 titled Keeping Men of Women's Sports. I'm not going to read it. Um it's a very positive uh statement about our belief in
046the VHSL uh standing for good sportsmanship and providing insurance and guidelines that we all rely on. Nevertheless, uh the resolution contains and I'll just skip to the uh the last two bullets on there. It urges the VHSL to develop its handbook and policy manual in a timely manner in accordance with the state of policy of prohibiting males from participating in women's high school athletic events. And the final bullet is that number five, it urges the VHSL to develop and disseminate a clear and feasible methodology for implementing this policy which does not rely on self-reporting by schools but instead develops a logical set of procedures to verifying the actual biological status of student athletes. And so, uh, I brought this forward in April for our consideration and it's, uh, it's time that it was it was
047acted on in in my my belief. As a final comment, I did call Mr. Han today. He said that the policy speaks for itself. uh that that there is there's no allowance for u males to participate in female sports uh and that um any school so doing uh would be subject to disciplinary measures. Now asking I asked him whether that still relied on self-reporting. He said no. Uh that um others could report a person who was suspected of being a male participating if they had evidence of that which was a slight change from what he had indicated earlier. So uh we feel that our input has had some impact. We still believe that um I still believe that school boards individually need to stand up for protection of our young women in high school and
048be able to um to keep males from participating by signing this resolution which has no binding power over us or them or the Virginia High School League. It's only temporary in ter but it is a uh statement of of importance that I would like to send uh to the VHS that will indicate our strong position on on this uh on this action. So um with that anybody has any other comments that's fine. Thank you Mr. Marlo. Any other thoughts? Um yeah, and obviously I've been very um uh consistent in that. I absolutely agree with um holding uh VHSL and all the schools actually accountable on this and asking them to follow the uh president's executive order. And uh I do like that this um resolution does say that we need to follow President Trump's executive
049order um keeping biological men from playing on women's sports and also later on like Mr. Barlo just um uh reiterated uh doing accordance with the state policy of prohibiting males from participating in women's high school um events. And so my question is because uh we had similar very similar language to what we're asking BHSL to do. Um I had actually introduced some of this uh Mr. Rickard had also introduced some of this and it it had been rejected by this uh board back in April 11th 2024 when we were expressly asking for what this uh resolution is asking as well. Uh so it seems to me that it's a little bit of we're asking them to do something that we ourselves were not willing to do. Uh so the question is um if we are
050going to vote for this does that mean that we as a board and I know Mr. Gardo said that we must have school boards must stand up for females against males in women's sports. Does that mean that we are going to go ahead and reintroduce the language that um either I or Mr. Rickard actually introduced last year and which was rejected um by all the members and and this is except for Mr. Rickard and Mr. Vance wasn't here. So, so the question is, are we, since we're going to be asking BHSL to do this, are we going to do it ourselves or are we going to be asking them to do something that we ourselves are not willing to do? I'm not sure that we actually have to have a policy to do that since
051this is what we're this is what we're condoning. However, I do not recall us ever turning that down. So, if you could point that out. On April 11th, 2024, we had um an amendment for any athletic program or activity that is designated for female athletes, no biological male shall be permitted to participate except to the extent that federal law requires otherwise. And then we have number three, for any athletic program or activity that is designated uh for female athletes where biological uh males are permitted to participate. No female athlete or coach for such team shall be forced to participate in such a program or activity. Both those were uh rejected. Um I think Mr. Barlo, Mr. Street, Mr. Got Show and Miss Ruts actually voted uh to take that out of the policy last year.
052So again, part it was part of the other policy and there's more to it than just that. So I'm going I'm just going to say that in this is 2025. We have this executive order that has come down. We have a new president. this information is out policy within VHSL and we want them to write an a regulation that is takes takes a strict interpretation of that and has some teeth to it as indicated in number four and five. So let me just ask a question again since we're going to it is 2025 and we do have an executive order. Um again since we're asking BHSL to do that are we going to do that ourselves here on the school board? you you can put forth any motion you like. This is a resolution we're
053sending to the VHSL. If you now there, as I said, there are other things in there that we talked about last time. This was part of the was part of we did the general transgender bill that we and various parts of it. So, there was more to it than just this. No, that was voted separately. We we I I know but there were various segments as whether we're working down for this and I'm just saying that was before we had a new president before we had the executive order and before VHL had the policy. So the intent of this is not to pass a new policy. The intent of this is to tell the VHSL that this is what we want them to do whether we do it ourselves or not. The policy is already
054there. No, our policy doesn't say that. So that's why I'm asking the question. I mean, are we going to be doing that ourselves or are we just going to be voting for the resolution but not do it ourselves? But I think I got my answer. Any other comments? All right. Hearing none, we will call this to a vote. Miss Jet. Mr. Stre. Yes. Miss Carlinia. Yes. Mr. Vance, yes. Mr. Rickford, yes. Mr. Barlo, yes. Mr. Pet, yes. The motion carries by six nothing vote. Mr. Barlo, thank you. Item 6.3. This is the overview of the K through five math textbook adoption process. Um uh and um so do I have a proposal that we approve this math textbook adoption as was presented? I move to approve the K through five math textbook adoption as presented.
055I have a second. Second. Second by Mr. Street. Uh all those in favor of accepting the math textbook adoption K through five, please indicate by saying I. I. Any opposed? None opposed. And then 6.4, the appointment of the design to attend meetings of the school board in the absence of the division superintendent. Um, do I have a motion uh to appoint those uh those people who are nominated by the superintendent? I move to appoint Mr. Shadwick Hinsley, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services and Operations, and Miss Jennifer Proctor, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, as the design for the superintendent to attend meetings of the school board in the absence or anability of the superintendent to attend for the period of July 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025. Thank you, Mr. Ricker. A second. Second. Second by Mr.
056Vance. Uh all in favor please signify by saying I I I. Any opposed? None oppose 6. And now we are moving to the superintendent's report. Thank you. So I would like to congratulate all of our graduates. Um we had great graduations. Um over a busy three days we celebrated over 440 seniors uh for the class of 2025 from Strawburg Central and Stonewall Jackson high schools. We're sad to see them go, but we're looking forward to see all they accomplish in the next few years. Um would like to also recognize uh Strawsburg High School freshman Cooper Hulcom. He won a state title in um VHSL class 2 boys 100 meter dash with a time of 10.76 seconds. Central High School tennis and softball teams make deep runs in postseason. Uh Central High School had a trio
057of teams reached the state playoffs. The Central boys team reached the state semi-finals. The Central uh girls tennis team reached the finals for the second year in a row. And the Central High School softball team will play Central Wise in the state semi-finals tomorrow. So that's Central versus Central, which It should be a good game after they beat another Central the other night. Yes, Central Lunberg. Um, Signal Knob um I think Mr. Hartwig um gave us a this information earlier, but Signal Knob Middle School FA chapter won a state championship again. Our Signal Knob Middle School FFA chapter was named the state champion in the Virginia FFA National Chapter Contest for 13 in a row. And then um Ashb Lee Elementary School uh sweeps the stock market game regionals. We are going to have to
058get our Ashble students to help us invest our money because that this is the second year in a row that our elementary school students won the stock market game. So very excited for them. So happy to answer any questions. um the trailers, the HBAC, all that stuff. Looking forward, hoping that that's approved and voted into. Are we looking at getting that done as soon as possible? Are we starting to look at moving forward like July? We are, but I don't think they'll be ready for the start of the school year. So, I know we've already started looking at pro procurement and um getting um the appropriate documents out so that we could procure those um units the way we're supposed to. So, um so I don't know how long it'll take, but we are looking
059at at um trying to get them as soon as we can after the start of the school year. It was mentioned tonight about carpet cleaning. Do you know why they would be cleaning those carpets? I do not. And I don't know if if Mr. Dr. Hunger knows. I think they were cleaning carpets that weren't going to be removed. Not every single carpet in every single classroom will be removed. Just the worst ones at this stage. Are we jumping on that the minute the money's approved? Yes. Thank you. School board member comments. Won't you start? Usually kick it off. Go ahead, Mike. Um, so I had the opportunity of attending an eighth grade graduation at the end of the school year and of course being the end of the school year and teachers, some teachers making
060the decision to leave. Um, and of course we have personal relationships. Um, so naturally I get to hear all the reasons teachers are leaving. Um, but I also in being at that eighth grade graduation, I got exposed to a lot of positive feedback from teachers that are staying. Um, so it got me thinking because as we know, two of our schools in particular are problem areas where we are experiencing a great loss. Um but the one thing I was hearing was uh I had a teacher come to me. She had just completed her first year with Shannondoa County and she said, "Mr. Rickard," she said, "I want you to know the reason I came here was the climate in this school in particular." She said, "I came from Rockingham County." And she said, "I applied
061and I wanted this position at this school." And she said, "I look forward to coming back next year." She said, "The one thing that you all have at this school that I could not find in Rockingham County at any of the schools I worked at there," she said, "It's not unusual for our administrators to come into our room and tell us, "Hey, why don't you go take a break? Do what you need to do. I got class for the next 15 minutes." Um, we talked tonight about support and to me as I've talked to different teachers from the southern end to the northern end, you hear that same rhetoric from Signal Now Middle School. Um, to me the administrators in those buildings, Scott Slatt or Anarie Nunan, they're displaying real leadership abilities. um they don't
062ask anything of their staff that they're not willing to step up and do themselves. And it's nice to hear that. And what I'd like for us to talk about um is our schoolboard office employees, the ones that make the decisions um about our admins, about our teachers. I'm curious how long it's been since some of them have been in the classroom. Um, we hear about discipline in the schools and and holding kids accountable. Sometimes I feel like we get in these positions where we start to forget about what it was like when we were in that position. Um, so I'd like us to start looking at the possibility of schoolboard office employees maybe going out and substitute teaching for a day at a school. Um, so they get a feel for what the climate is
063nowadays as compared to, you know, whether it's been five years ago, 10 years ago, whatever it may be. Um, I would like for us to start having that discussion. I think it might move the climate in the county in a positive direction when when the people at the top start realizing what kids act like today, what the expectation of the teachers are. Um, so I'd like to see us do that. Like I said, it's always it's always you can always find somebody to give you the negative. Um, but it's always nice when people are coming forward with the positive and telling you, "Hey, this is why this school's great, or this is why this administration's great." Um, it'd be nice if our administrators spent some time in a classroom teaching a class and seeing what
064the teachers have to deal with on a daily basis. Um, I think it would go a long way with uh with how our teachers view our administrators, how they view our schoolboard office. Um, I think that's my big thing. And like I said, kudos to Dr. Nunan, kudos to Scott Slutner, um, and all their staff in those two buildings. Um, they do an awesome job and it was nice to hear all the positive feedback. Oh, one more quick question. The Nightlock security grants, have we started researching those yet? Yeah, it's not due until um later in the summer. Thank you. Miss Linton will get that done before she retires. Awesome. Thank you. Um, I want to kind of piggyback on what Mike just said, um, with regards to having more people from the administration go
065to the schools. I think I actually mentioned that last year that I would like to see that even if it's just go in and um, help with, you know, with lunch crowd or just with the morning. I think it would, um, like Mike said, I agree that it would definitely help um, I think strengthen those um, relationship between the teachers and the admin. I think there's uh at least from the teacher side there's a bit of a of a gap in there in terms of what they feel like they can relate to and it's one of the things that it's there may not be something something but if that's their perception then maybe um I would think that that would be something that could help. Um I did want to say I uh I apologize
066for all the ceremonies that I missed and I know the people who missed me while I was gone. Um, I was gone out of the country for a couple of weeks. It was my daughter's uh graduation from from college. So, we're celebrating that. Um, and um I I'm sorry that I missed uh the last uh work session uh that this board had which was actually scheduled while I was away. So, um unfortunately I wasn't able to attend. But had I been there, I I I would like to have said um especially for our speakers today and all the people who emailed us and all the people who talked to us, which is a lot. I mean we had a lot of emails uh regarding the building of the new schools um especially from the from
067the northern campus but we have seen some from the central campus as well. I mean I have heard a lot of concerns from parents in the central campus regarding um the overcrowding and what we're seeing in terms of construction. So I just want to tell those parents and all those teachers and u all those people who came that um I'm not going to forget. I'm going to keep on working on this. I'm going to keep on sounding the alarm bell that we need this to happen because we all know that even once we decide to build a new school, it's going to take years. I mean, we're talking several years um before we can actually have a school. And um it was one of the things that is going to hurt our community if if
068we don't do something about it um as soon as we can. So, I know we had a speaker today and I want to thank her because she's been bringing a lot of this u uh items to our attention and u I do encourage all the parents and people who are concerned to keep on coming to us to not let it um just fall in their ears. Uh we keep bringing it to us. Uh the squeaky wheel gets the oil. So, make sure that that you keep bringing those concerns to us so we can at least try to solve them. So, thank you. I'm good, Tom. Yes, sir. Um, uh, real quick, first of all, uh, you know, want to thank Mr. Dorman again, uh, again for all he's done, his service to the to the
069education system, this county, and and, uh, I wish Mr. Dorman the best in his retirement. Also, Dr. Hindardner, wish you the best here in the future. um and all the other ones. Uh Mr. Linton and Tim Tibo Taylor and I don't know this keeps going on but I thank you all the ones that are retiring. That's what I call Tim anyway but that thank you all for ones that are retiring and moving on for your service. Um graduations congratulations to the three high schools on graduation and the middle the other schools but obviously the focus on the high school. Um, but I also want to point out I was at the triplet tech graduation and um I was really really impressed or it hit me actually being there to see you know not only these
070students graduating from high school but they're graduating with a trade and you know boom going right into work field with with good jobs and and I just felt proud being part of Sheno County school system that we make that opportunity available for those students. So, it it hit me actually being there that that that hit me. So, congratulations to all of them. Um, lastly, I guess uh to thank you again to the to the staff and everything we do and and and you know, I always remember somebody giving me advice that education never plateaus. It it it always keeps going on. So, you can't get stagnant. But, but thank you to everyone. last um I'm going to take up for the board of supervisors and I just want to make a comment. Um I have
071enjoy you know I enjoy working with them and and our discussions and and there is a you know I feel that there is a unity there. Um we both boards want to go in a positive direction and we we both see the fi future. Um but I will take up for the board supervisors. I just ask the public that if you have concerns and they want to hear you both all boards, they they want to hear the public. That's what we're representing. But I just ask you do it in a positive way and do it in a respectful way. Um I was just a little disappointed how the public approached them at their basically last meeting. And so I just ask the public to be more definitely approach your representative, approach your boards, but but
072do it in a positive and respectful way. That's all I have, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Tom. Uh, just happy the school school year winded down in a positive manner. Um, good luck to the central athletic teams and then congrats to Matt Heiserman and Dakota Shroud for their uh, accomplishments and uh, that's all I have. Okay. I uh when I was a when I was a teacher, classroom teacher, um as soon as of course we used to go to school till June 19th. Anyway, it's weird, but uh we couldn't wait, the teachers couldn't wait to get off and find our summer jobs and now we're going to feed ourselves over the summer. But um so we just kind of put it in second gear and uh went out there and tried to find jobs like umpiring
073baseball games and lining fields and stuff like that. I remember doing that stuff. But um it's interesting sitting here in the perspective of what the staff has to do immediately upon the the ending of the school and just seeing the kind of things that have to be done immediately. Uh, and I'm in some some sort of awe because it I'm I'm sure that uh the superintendent and staff members and others who are 12 months employees um didn't even have a time to take a breath after the uh graduation ceremonies and u getting uh to work at the purchases for those things that that were scheduled and for the so revamp that are coming and the and and all the the work that goes into finding and hiring the new teachers and um I'm just kind
074of amazed that uh that the energy level hasn't stopped if anything. it's uh it's kind of ticked up a little bit. Uh, and so I think it's a it's it's pretty remarkable thing the um energy and focus that that the staff brings um to this and uh it does make me feel that there's a a symbiotic relationship between the different factors and the different um groups within our system and that u that interplay and and and respect from group to group is is so key to that kind of success. Anyway, it's um it's heartening to see people who are who are so so self-motivated and and energetic. Uh so, thank you for making the end of the school year not a time to exhale, but a time to actually dig in and and do a
075lot of prep work for what promises to be an even greater year next year. So on that note, I will ask for somebody to move forjourn. Move to adjourn. Second. We got a quick motion tojourn and a second. It's uh 811. 8:11. And uh all those in favor of German, please signify by saying I. I. Those opposed, none. We did adjourn at 811.