ACPS Regular School Board Meeting - Thursday, May 14, 2026

001Heat. Heat. [music] [music] lived underath. [clears throat] >> Yeah, that's not even Monday. That's Thursday. >> [laughter] >> Saturday. [laughter] >> My nephew graduates. My niece is prom. >> We don't have two weeks. >> I'm glad that's not me. I don't like the way they set it up. [laughter] >> All right. Before we get started, Dr. Hoden, do you have something you'd like to say? >> Yep. So, uh uh in the last few weeks, uh we lost Mr. Mike Phillips who was a very valued member of our school division. Uh he was a bus driver. So, uh I'd like to uh for everyone just to remember him when we do our moment of silence. >> All right. I call this meeting order. All please rise for a moment of silence. Please join me in the

002pledge. 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. >> Well, I do have to say you guys sounded really good out there. Um, Dr. Hoden and team, we need to make sure we have this many people in the audience for every meeting. All right, board. You have an agenda in front of you. What say you? >> Mr. Chairman. >> Yes, sir. >> Can I make a motion to amend the agenda to add 7.01 budget discussion and approval? >> Yes, sir. You may. >> Second. >> All right. We have a motion and a second. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Say nay. >> All right. So, now we

003need to approve the amended agenda. >> Mr. Chair, I move that we approve the amended agenda. >> We have a motion and a second to approve the amended agenda. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose say nay. >> All right. We now have a working agenda. Uh Dr. Hoden, you're up first. >> All right. So, uh first we moved this up because we have our our two senior reps tonight and we also have the senior wards happening at Ammeris County High School. Typically we do not like to uh merge those but uh because of the number of events we have in in May we had to have them on the same night. So uh we would like to uh first uh call up Lamar Sales and Wyatt say uh and recognize

004them. Um come to the podium. >> Yeah. I want Yep. Go ahead. First of all, I'll give you these in a minute. So stand up front so you can be recognized cuz I want everybody to see uh these two students uh seniors at Ammeris County High School have done a wonderful job this year and uh we have the privilege to recognize them. Uh they stepped up to represent the voices of their peers bringing perspective to the board. Uh that's absolutely essential and uh only that they can provide and they sat with us at the table with their professionalism and we certainly uh appreciate all the things they've done. two very accomplished uh Ammerst County High School students and we want to thank you. [applause] >> We took him out because we figured they'd have a

005better picture. Thank you. Miss one, two, three. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Should have said that they attend school. So, I'd like to again thank our representatives. Uh, we also have a surprised guest here this evening that would like to present an award to one of our student representatives. Can Elaine Duke please come forward? >> Lamar, would you please come back up? Mhm. I stand before you as vice president of our organization, Gamma O2 Omega chapter of Alphacap Alpha Sorority Incorporated because our president is your very own Dr. Wanda Rhodess. She is out of town so I am here in herstead and I hope I can make this um just as beautiful as she would. Um Lamar and good afternoon everyone school board chairman superintendent. It is my honor and joy to recognize a young

006scholar. You've already heard that she is in her position because and congratulations to you also, sir. Today, I'd like to announce that she is the recipient of the Gracie Hughes Melvin Memorial Scholarship presented by our chapter. This scholarship carries a very special legacy. It is given in memory of Gracie Hughes Melvin, a beloved member of our chapter. is given on behalf of her son, astronaut Leland Melvin. What a powerful reminder of the love, service, and example of one woman can reach from a local chapter to a family and community and even the stars. She represented our chapter with scholarship, service, and sisterhood and excellence. The applicants for this scholarship had to do the same thing and she was chosen for the Gracie Hughes Melbourne Memorial Scholarship 2026. We ask that you um join us in

007congratulating her. She will be recognized on June the 6th at what will be our 85th anniversary but fourth annual community day. So, we are inviting all of you, even those of you in the room, to come to the University of Lynchber on June the 5th at 5:45. She's had her photo shoot, right? And she she'll be part of the entire program at the scholarship portion because we're doing sisterhood, service, [clears throat] and scholarship. So, this young lady and three other young ladies will be the stars of that event. Now, a little secret. I was talking to Leland this morning. He's in Florida, but maybe he might come see you in person on July 5th. Don't tell anybody. [laughter] He said we want it to be a surprise. So, young lady, I'd like to just present

008you with a letter of invitation for the fifth and the community day flyer. And while she's doing that, we also would like to let you know on behalf of Dr. Wanda Rose, who is our chapter president, we will be recognizing Amoris County's own Priscilla Lian. >> [applause] >> So, we congratulate you, Lamar, for being the recipient of the Gracie Hughes Melvin Memorial Scholarship. May you continue to soar with excellence, grace, and purpose. So, I'm going TO [applause] DETAILS, but you know, your scholarship person's already told this. >> All right. Thank you. >> As you're going to the University of Virginia and L was thrilled about that. [applause] >> All right. So again, typically we uh the uh student representatives go after all the awards, but because we're going to allow them to leave, I'm now

009going to allow the uh student reps to give their part so they can be >> um hi everyone. Hi board. Um so for the last month, the school has been very senior focused. Um on May 1st, the seniors participated in the very first elementary school walkthrough. Um personally, I went to Temperance. It was a very fun experience. Everyone had different schools had differing experiences, but everyone had seemed to have had a fun time and everyone had the elementary school students cheering them on as they walk through. So, it was a nice full circle reminder of how far we've come. Um, as has been a forer mentioned, tonight is the senior awards night where many seniors are going to be recognized for scholarships, um, department awards, academic achievements, a athletic accomplishments, leadership, and service throughout their

010high school career. Um on Monday we have our decision day. Um seniors this week we're tie dying shirts to wear to whatever school or trade they're going to go into and they will wear those on Monday for our senior picnic. We're going to be raffling off gifts. We're going to have games and ice cream and food and this is going to be one of the final opportunities for our class to spend time together before graduation. Um, we also have the senior sunset which is going to take place on the 21st at 8. And that is the final class event for everyone to come together before graduation. And then of course graduation is next Friday um at 7:00. >> Good evening everybody. Um, last week we had senior signing day where this handful of student athletes

011got to show their commitment where they plan on playing sports at the next four years hopefully. Yesterday morning, we also had senior and junior sunrise where the seniors juniors got to get together and the seniors got to paint their hands and they got to put their handprints on the wall under beside 2026 and then prom this Saturday night which many of us are excited for. That's all we got. [laughter] All right, board. Anything for them before I excuse them to senior awards? >> Congratulations. Congratulations. >> Thank you. Thank you both very much. [applause] >> Good luck tonight. >> Thank you. >> All right. So, members of the board, as you can see, we have quite a few recognitions tonight. Um, those two uh obviously were were pretty important so we could get them uh over

012to the high school. We now have our uh 25 year uh years of service. So the individuals are about to have have given 25 years of their lives as the students, families, and staff of Ammerst County Public Schools. 25 years of early mornings, late evenings, 25 years of showing with their heart, purpose, and unwavering commitment to the community. I'd like to thank them for the dedication uh how they shaped the lives in in many ways that we can never fully measure. Um so the students they have taught, supported, and encouraged carry a place in Ammerst County Public Schools uh when, whenever, and wherever they go. All right. So, I'll call these uh members up to the uh podium. And first, we have uh Mr. Craig Maddox, who I know you all know very well. [applause]

013All right, next we have Laura Price. [applause] Uh Susan Williams I believe is not here tonight. [applause] Carlos Dennett, [applause] Kristen Cox. [applause] and William Mor as everyone knows and Bill Cox, school bus driver. [applause] Again, board, I'd like to thank uh these members for their 25 years of service. If we could get a quick picture. >> One, two, three. Good job. [applause] [applause] [clears throat] All right. Next, we have student of the month. Uh, as I call your name, please come up to the uh front. Okay. From Ammerst County High School, Sabrina Blunt. [applause] Ammerst Education Center. Tinsley Burch. >> [applause and cheering] >> Ammeris Middle School. Jasper Tomlin [applause] Manellis Middle School. Walker Clark, [applause] Amalon Elementary School. Emiline Paxton. [applause] >> She also has a math 24 shirt on. >> Ammerst Elementary

014School. Renee Tomlin, [applause] Central Elementary School. Tyl Carter, [applause] Elon Elementary School. Ella Hail, [applause] I'm sorry, Ella Hall. Madison Heights Elementary. Hosanna Padet [applause] and from Temperance, Winnie Po Dexter. [applause] So again, our uh students of the month board, if we could get a picture. One, two, three. >> Congratulations. Thanks. [applause] [clears throat] All right. Now for our staff of the month, Ammeris County High School and Mayor Arbagast [applause] AEC Sher. Oh, she is here. Sorry behind you. >> Sorry about that. >> Miss Sharon Driscoll, AEC. [applause] >> [clears throat] >> Yeah. [laughter] Ammeris Middle School. Sarah Coleman. [applause] Manellison Middle School. Amanda Stanberry. [applause] Amalan Elementary School. Chase Overholster [applause] Ammerst Elementary School. Christina Farley, [applause] Central Elementary School. Katherine Rogers, [applause] Elon Stephanie Quirk, [applause] Madison Heights Elementary School. Dana Lewis Brown

015[applause] and Temperance. Melody Eastman. [applause] [laughter] >> Miss Ligan. >> One, [laughter] two, three. >> Congratulations. Thank you ladies. [applause] >> All right. Right. So, next, uh, participation in the ACPS district science fair provides students in grades 5 through 8 with an authentic hands-on experience in scientific inquiry. By engaging in the practices of science and engineering, students gain a deeper understanding of how scientific knowledge develops and appreciates the many ways to investigate, model, and explain the world. So, now I'd like to call up our uh, science project winners. Okay. So, I'm going to read out the categories and then what they actually won. So, we'll start with category one, Virginia's natural resources. First, Fletcher Tucker, Ammerstdale. [applause] Second, uh, Aaliyah Desperris and Kinsley Law Horn. [applause] [crying] >> Third, Nikima Chisum Amalon. [applause] All right,

016category two, light and sound. First placed, Zeke Matheni. [applause] All right. Second place in the same category, Meredith Payne. [applause] And third place in the same category, uh, Johnson Rose from Amalon. [applause] All right, our next category, the Rube Goldberg machine. First, Asher Giles. [applause] second Wade Tomlin [applause] and third Malia Tapia. [applause] All right. So, honorable mention Jackson Shruggs, [applause] Courtney Sprouse. [applause] There you go. and Lachlan Fix from Elen. [applause] All right, board. And while they're up here, I'd also like to give a report. So, uh, Miss Desperris and Miss Law Horn from Central were all also best in show in the regional. So, they advanced on and placed in the region. Uh, Meredith Payne at AES was also uh best in show and best oral communicator. and Asher Giles was best in

017show, best problem solver, most creative and the STEM innovator of the future. So those were the regional winners as [applause] well. All right, everybody. One, two, three, four. Congratulations. >> Congratulations. Thank you. [applause] >> Awesome to have all those young future [cough] scientists with us [clears throat] tonight. All right. Next, we have the middle school winners. So in category one physics McKenzie Hall and Aaliyah Smith [applause] congratulations. >> Congratulations. >> Second Maggie Joe Campbell and Eliza Payne. [applause] Third, Keegan Campbell. [applause] An honorable mention in physics, uh, >> Aaliyah Coleman and Jada Mitchell. >> [applause] >> Maya Jennings and Sky Phelps. [applause] >> All right, the second category, chemistry, >> Graceland Mazize. [applause] Second, Chrissy Saunders. [applause] Third, Lennox Vega and Sarah Secha. [applause] Honorable mention Sariah Morgan and Cheyenne Weber. [applause] All right. The

018third category, plant science, environmental science, engineering, and computer science. First, Abram Picar. [applause] Imagine both of his parents are science teachers, so I have no idea where he got that from. Olivia Tucker and Skyler Weeks second. [applause] Third, Naomi. Boy, I didn't proof that one. Volar. [applause] Honorable mention Dominic Rucker and Alex Lopez [applause] >> and Kylie Butler. [applause] and board. I also have some updates on these folks. So, Grace Lames, Ammerst Middle School was in the region, second place for chemistry and the NABT, the National Association of Biology Teachers Award. Cheyenne Weber from Ammerst Middle honorable mention in chemistry that was for the region. Abram Parker Ammerst Middle Virginia Lakes and Streams Award. and Alex Lopez and Dominic Rucker Manellison were third place in engineering. Those were all regional awards. So congratulations to all

019of you. [applause] >> A little bit guys. [laughter] >> One, two, three. >> Thank you all. Congratulations [applause] >> all girls. [cough and clears throat] >> So, we'd like to sincerely appreciate the teachers, staff, and families who supported these students. uh the teachers and judges uh Miss Shup and Miss Brown for their behind-the-scenes assistance. Mr. Maddox, Mr. Presidentell, Miss Ellis for assisting with crowd management. Uh Dr. Crawford, Miss Young, Mr. Jordan, Mr. McBride for graciously hosting uh at the high school. And of course, Miss Matheni, if she has not already left uh for her hard work in this whole thing. And I know a few of the board members are up there. I know Mr. Childress, his daughter participated. And what a what a great uh event at the at the high school that we

020were able to do this. All right, let's see we have next All right. This year, 75 students submitted 61 projects across multiple categories demonstrating creativity, creative creative thinking, and scientific problem solving. Top projects from each Oh, that was science fair. Yep, that's right. All right, we're Oh, I got to flip the page. Sorry, too many papers up here. All right. So, welding wars. I don't know if any of you have ever been able to go to CBCC to watch our welding wars, but Mr. Johnston, who couldn't be here with us tonight, we again swept the welding wars at CBCC. So, happy to share the outstanding accomplishments uh for the recent welding wars. Our students represented Ammerst County High School with excellence, bringing home a remarkable sweep of honors, earning first, second, and third place in

021the competition. What a true testament of both her skill and character. Uh these don't happen by accident. They're a product of countless hours and work. So equally, again, equally deserving recognition was Mr. Johnson whose work, dedication, and exceptional leadership uh make this possible. Uh so please join me in uh join our Emers County High School welding students. Uh Braden Hicks, third place. [applause] Kevin Ham, second place. [applause] >> [applause] >> and Tori House. So, I'd like to talk about this uh young student won the artistic welding competition. She placed third in the judge category, but placed first in the crowd favorite category and she has her [applause] artwork with her. I'd like you to show the board that because that is quite a piece of work. >> [applause] >> One, two, three. >> Congratulations. >>

022Make sure they all see that so they can see. >> Wonderful. Yeah, [applause] >> I would know what to do. >> Yes, indeed. >> So, again, our welder is quite amazing. As you see, uh Mr. Johnson not only has young men, but young ladies in the class that excel. So, again, no uh we're uh usually sweep that at CVCC. So again, if you board members, if you've never been to the welding wars, it is quite a quite an exceptional. >> So Dr. Odin, can you remind us who else participates in that? >> Yes. So that is the region. So Campbell County, Bedford County, Lynchburg, CBCC, Appamatics. So that is that is uh the all the local school divisions. So um and then also typically they have another category uh in that which is the professional.

023And although we didn't win that this year, I think it's the first year in many years that we haven't won that where it was one of Mr. Johnston's students. So just a quite quite an accomplishment from from our welding. So that's why our the new welding lab is uh is going to be so spectacular for these folks to to you know step up their game on on the on welding. Okay. All right. 406 recognition of the FCCLA students. Uh tonight we recognize a group of students who represented Ammerst County Public Schools with excellence at the FCLA 2026 state leadership and recognition conference. Students competed in the STAR events which is students taking action with recognition. The STAR events are competitive events in which members are recognized for the proficiency and achievement and chapter and individual

024products, leadership, skills and career preparation. These events offer students an opportunity for individual skill development in the real world application of learning and family and computer consumer sciences. What makes STAR events particularly meaningful is their depth and rigor. Each student has been crosswalked in the Virginia family and consumer sciences course competencies FCS national standards the common career technical core career ready practices and career clusters and the 21st century skills. In short, what our students demonstrate in the competition reflects the very best of what career and technical education is. So again, uh it's an honor to uh recognize another uh facet of our career and technical education students. So please join me in congratulating these students as we bring them up. So first first place Izzy Camdy and Karen Gammon. Their category was focus on children

025level three and their national qualifiers. So, Izzy and Kareem, if you're here. [applause] Next, third place, Liliana Fickle. Her category was repurposes level two. [applause] [clears throat] [snorts] First place, Tommy Carver, chicken fabrication level three. [applause] Second place, Evan Bell, category, classic knife cuts. [applause] Seventh place, Jordan Gallier, classic knife cuts. [applause] 10th place, Levi Rays, culinary arts, live cooking. [applause] And sixth place, Leanne Spicer, baking and pastry. [applause] >> Yeah. [laughter] All right. So, the next recognition is for math 24. And I'm not sure uh if any of you have been to a math 24 competition. I was able to go again this year, but it is pretty amazing to see the math skills of these uh young students. So, uh, for those that are unfamiliar, math 24 is a fast-paced mathematical reasoning competition

026which students are challenged to use all four basic operations, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to make the number 24. The ACPS math 24 competition challenges students to think quickly, apply number sense, and use mental math strategies to solve problems efficiently. Through this fast-paced competition, students strengthen uh their fluency, sharpen critical thinking, and build confidence and working flexibility with numbers. So, basically, we have four students sitting at a table. Uh they put the card down in the first one to uh figure that out is uh if they as long as they figure it out correctly, get the card and then the ones that produce through. So, we start with the first round and then go on to the final. So again, very fast-paced and it is amazing to see the skill of of how some of

027these students are. So, uh, we're going to recognize our elementary winners. So, this year, 35 elementary school competitors from six elementary schools participated. And we have the, uh, elementary champion, uh, Judah Knap from AES. [applause] The finalist, the second runner up, Emila Paxton from Amalon [applause] and she has her math 24 shirt on. Each school had their own kind of uniform, so that was uh very unique, too. Uh, the third runner up was Knox Wilson from Tees. [applause] And the fourth runner up was Hudson Godfrey from AES. [applause] Okay. So, these are the elementary students. So, now let's recognize the middle school winners. This year, 13 middle school competitors from two middle schools participated in the ACPS middle school math 24 competition. The middle school math 24 champion, Colin Bennett from Menllison. [applause] Second runner

028up, Abigail Eder. [applause] Congratulations. Third runner up, William Gryer. [applause] >> And the [clears throat] fourth runner up, Angley Giles. >> [applause] >> So board, let's recognize uh these math 24 uh competitors and winners. Thank you. [applause] Great job. [applause] All right. So board, now we have the recognition of the Amoris Middle School FFA students. Uh like to recognize a group of students who have represented our school division with excellence at the state level. Ammeris Middle School FFA students competed in the 2026 state FFA forestry judging competition, which is a rigorous contest that consists of tree identification, forestry and tool identification, topographical map interpretation, tree volume calculations, as well as tree value calculations as it relate to forest industry. Uh to succeed at this level, students must go far beyond the classroom. to develop sharp

029critical thinking and problem skills, a deep understanding of environmental science, and the ability to make sound real world judgments about land and resource stewardship. Uh, competing in forestry judging requires patience, precision, and a genuine passion for the natural work. The students we recognize tonight have demonstrated all of these. Uh, at this time, we'd like to, uh, call these students up. So, the 2026 Virginia FFA Forestry Judging Champions, uh, Keegan Campbell, [applause] Cole Mays, [applause] Congratulations, Samuel Massie. [applause] and Brenley Martin. [applause] I'd also like to mention that Brenley Martin earned first place high individual and Keegan Campbell earned fifth place. Uh also uh I know they're teachers with uh them tonight. If you'd stand up real quick, Miss Par. Good job. [applause] And I know another teacher in the audience that's uh really excited to

030get these students in a short time. Mr. Maze, right? [applause] >> And it's important to know that their coach does not me. [laughter] >> I just bust them. >> Give credit. What are the credits? >> One, two, three. >> [applause] [clears throat and cough] >> So board, I' I'd just like to talk for a second about all these recognitions. It's it's awesome to see, you know, we had science and math skills and we had some CTE skills and so so we have some well-rounded students and, you know, it's it's great to be in a county where we recognize all those things and uh notice how important that our career technical education is and the math and science strengths that we have uh that are supporting these children. So, thank you for that. All right. Well,

031that moves us on to public comment. [clears throat] We have one uh individual signed up, Mr. Porter, uh to speak during public comment. Just a reminder, three minutes for individual, five for group. I am Jeff Porter, 478 Woody's Lake Road, Madison Heights, Virginia, District 5. Um, I have two comments to make. Uh, one is I would like you as a board to consider a modification of how you do your meetings. I would propose that at the beginning of the meeting in place of the moment of silence that you open up with prayer. I have served as a chaplain in the Senate of South Dakota. I have been involved in various governmental uh boards and commissions that have opened up with prayer a recognition of the importance of God being a part of what you all

032do and what we do for the benefit of our children. And therefore I would ask that you would consider making an open prayer a part of how you conduct your meetings here. I think it is important um because it also sets the stage that was part of our founding as a country. There was a deep recognition that without God being a part of what was happening in the creation of our country that we wouldn't have had a country. And so I would encourage you to consider making prayer in lie of a moment of silence or in addition to a moment of silence uh as part of what you do. The second item that I would like to bring before you is um first of all a um thank you for those of you who continue

033to speak directly into your microphones. Uh, I am hearing challenged and I want to hear what you have to say and I know there are other people who either listen online or are here who sometimes have difficulty understanding what you're saying. So, I appreciate the efforts that you make, but I would encourage you to continue to do so. Uh and I guess finally uh I am so proud to be a part of a school district that impacts students in so many different ways as we have seen tonight in the awards that were given. You all are a part of doing a wonderful job. You as a school board, you who are part of the school district. Um, it's an honor and a privilege to be a part of this. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr.

034Porter. Uh, anyone else like to address the board at this time? Coin once, twice. All right. Seeing no one, we will move on to uh action item 6.01. >> Yep. So, Mr. Chair, uh, members of the board, uh, like for you tonight to consider approval of the proise proposed revisions to the Ammeris County Public Schools policy manual. >> Uh, any discussion on the policies as presented? >> Mr. Childress, um, I spent some time reviewing um, the policies and I'd like to recommend the following be approved. BBBA, qualifications of school board members. EB CBA electronic room partitions, JHCF, which is a ACPS student wellness, which we just approved recently. JJ AF, which is the student athlete sudden cardiac arrest. Um, JL JM, restraint and seclusion of students. KC, community involvement and decisionmaking. I would like to

035do I have to do the I would like to separate out the following for referral to the policy committee. Pardon? >> M you just mentioned approval of the policy. >> Sounds good. >> Those specific >> Yeah, let's let's do one motion at a time if we can get >> Thank you. >> All right. So, the motion is to approve the said mention and if we could go through those again for the board. BB B A E B CBA A J H CF F which is the ACPS one JJ AF JL JM and KC. >> Okay board. So we have a motion to approve those specifics policies. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any discussion on those? Anybody else in the readings like to send any of

036those to the committee or are we okay with approving those? All right. Hearing no discussion, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Nay. Okay. So, those uh policies are have been revised. And so, now you have a second motion. >> Yes, sir. I'd like to refer um the following to the policy committee. B C B D J F C D J F C E J G A J H K K G B K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K K A N and KP. >> All right, board. So, we have a second motion to submit the four mentioned

037policies to the policy committee which consist of Miss Justice and Mr. Childress. Any second? Do we have a second? >> Second. >> We have a motion as a second. Any discussion on those policies? Well, I can just say that of a couple of them, the JFCD and I think it was JFCE, um we currently have two ACPS policies that um prioritize local discretion in those policies. So, those were those two. So, >> all right. Any other discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor of sending those to the policy committee? >> I. >> Any oppose? Nay. All right. So, those have been referred to the policy committee. So, >> so we'll get with Miss Justice and Mr. Childress to bring those to the committee. >> All right. So, that brings us to the new 7.01, which

038is discussion of the >> That's right. Yeah. there. We still have some policies that have no action has been taken on. If we can >> Oh, are there additional ones that we didn't bring up? Yes. >> Which ones? >> There there's a lot in G that were listed. There's several under section I. I would need a minute to cross reference what has >> I have the packet here. Got this packet. I think I included these. Um, let me look at it again. GB. I definitely wanted to send that one to the policy committee. >> Yeah, that one wasn't mentioned. Sorry. Um, so I'll make a new motion. >> Well, let's make sure we have them all this time. >> Yeah, >> it was a lot this time. So, >> it was >> the policies. So,

039in the first motion that Mrs. Justice, May I >> Yes, ma'am. Please. >> The policies that were approved were BBBA, EB CBA, JHCF, JJ, AF, JL, JN, and KC. >> Correct. The next motion that was approved by the board was to send the following policies to the policy committee. BBBC, BDD, JFCD, JFCE, JG A, JH, KGB, KK, KN, and KP. The other policies that are listed that no action has yet to be taken on are GB, GBG, GBO, GCBA, GCB, GCB, GCG, GCA, GB, IA, IGBH, IHB, IA, IC, I N, and LB. [clears throat] >> Wow. >> I said there was a lot. There's a lot. >> Okay. >> So, um I make I'm just going to do two separate packets if that's okay. I recommend that GBE and GBG >> All right. Hold on.

040Let them write it down as we're going. um >> GB and GBG be um referred to the policy committee. >> Okay. >> So that would mean that's the motion. >> Okay. Are we assuming we'll approve the others >> in this packet? Yes. I have haven't looked at this one yet. >> So, can we put that? Are you okay with all that being in one motion or you >> want to keep it? Okay. Yeah. >> All right. So, we have a motion to approve >> send to the committee. >> I'm sorry to Right. to send to the policy committee >> GB and >> GBG. >> So, those two policies. >> Is that correct, Miss Justice? >> Yes, sir. >> All right. So, that's a motion. >> You have a second. Any further discussion? All those in

041favor say I. I. >> I. >> Any opposed? All right. So, those also go to the policy committee. >> Got it. >> Now, we have the remainder to deal with. So, I assume we're going to approve those. >> Yes, sir. >> Since we didn't send those. So, can we have a motion for that, please? >> You want me to read the remaining policies in section >> and then we'll say >> as mentioned? Yes. Okay. So, the remaining policies that still need action are GBO, >> GCBA, >> GCB D, >> GCB, GCG, GCQA, and GD. >> Yes, ma'am. I make the motion that policies GBO, GCBA, GCB D, GCB, GCG, GCQA, and GD approved as presented. Right. >> Does that complete that list for you? >> No. We got another package. >> So, we have a

042motion. Second >> and a second. Any discussion of those policies? >> [clears throat] >> Hearing none. All those in favor say I. I. >> Any oppose? Nay. All right. So, those have been approved. >> And then, Miss Justice, if you can just get us an email of what your questions are on those before we get to policy. That is >> I can. And then this last packet is I I make the motion that we refer to policy committee. I a >> thought we just approved. No, that was the second. Yeah. Um and I CC, I NB and LB to the policy committee. >> Mice, can I ask a clarifying question? >> Yes, ma'am. You said IC but the two policies are either IA or IC. >> I don't have my glasses. Sorry. Okay. So, this

043is for approval, correct? No, this is for committee. Okay. So, EA and I I C I NB and is that LB? Yes. >> Okay. And LB be referred to the policy committee. >> Okay. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> I have a motion and a second. Any discussion on those policies? Hearing none. All those in favor of sending that to the policy committee say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Nay. >> Okay. Those are now going to the policy committ. >> Yes, sir. >> Mr. Chair, I recommend we approve IG B I H B and I I C A as presented. >> Does this now fully complete us? >> Okay, sir. Thank you. All right. Uh we have a motion. >> Second. We have a second. Any discussion on those policies? >> That

044all. >> All right. Uh, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any oppose? Nay. >> Okay. So, those policies have been approved. >> Thank you, sir. >> And I think that's all of the policies uh for this. >> That's a lot of policies. So, >> it was a lot of policies, but I think for the most part, most of those were >> relatively easy. >> Simple. Yeah. >> Yeah. It wasn't a big change from what it was previously. >> And that's why it, you know, if um Miss Justice could just let us know what what our questions are, we could maybe have that so that the meeting isn't quite so long for her and Mr. Children. >> Perfect. All right. So, moving on to 7.01, the new 7.01, which is uh discussion of

045budget uh and potential approval of the budget. Um so as everybody is aware um the state still has not finished their part of of it. So we don't know what uh the state's going to approve. But we as a board need to [snorts] um get a plan in place uh to proceed and then if we need to come back later uh pending the what the state does then we can revisit it. We've got to give the administration some direction on which way to go. So, to update everyone, uh last week, uh the board of supervisors met and they uh approved the uh tax rate and they approved an additional uh 1 million uh for the school board budget. >> 1.17 >> 1.1 million. Thank you. Um so, and just as a reminder to everyone, we

046actually needed 1.6 six to be what we considered level funding, right? Because 1 million we pulled out of CIP last for this year to help with operations and then with the local composite index change of 560,000. Uh that's what gave us the 1.6 million we needed to be level funded. Um, having said that, I I do want to re-emphasize the difficulty and the recognition um that the board of supervisors had to work with within the budget process. Um, but the reality of that is that um based on where we are today, we will be $500,000 short of what we said we needed for our budget. So that means we needed to we've got to cut something out of the budget in order to um get our budget finalized. So we're left with either cutting uh

047CIP uh items out of our operating budget or uh cutting positions uh out of our operating budget. Uh, one of the things that I think we need to be reminded of is that we had already um worked to within our budget to reallocate positions for the new positions we were trying to create, right? because we were trying to uh add an additional teacher at Madison Heights Elementary, an additional teacher at uh Central Elementary along with two instructional aids at each of those schools. We were looking at adding uh a CTE teacher to Manellison Middle and Ammerst Middle. We were looking at adding an a science teacher to go into the new classroom uh there >> at Ammers County High School >> at Ammerst County High School. So, those are a lot of uh teaching positions

048that we were adding to the budget, but they would have been budget neutral because we'd already made other changes and moving people around essentially, right? So, we are left with having to make a decision on do we cut those new positions out? Do we cut CIP items out or do we do a mix uh of uh of the two? Um I had sent out um or last week when we met um you know we got information from the superintendent on specific positions and how uh we could potentially um adjust the budget. Uh, and so I feel like we need to go and make a determination on what we're going to do for the budget so that if we decide to keep those positions, the administration has time to advertise and plan and hire those uh

049positions uh because some of it actually requires them creating spaces in the building. the new CTE classroom. If we approve that, they've got to get hardware and create a space in the building and hire a teacher that's certified to teach those. So, we kind of um talked through with the help of the superintendent last time about different options. I had uh emailed communicated with uh the board, sent out a few options. Um what is the any other discussion from the board or how would uh how would the board like to proceed? >> Mr. Childress. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Um I just wanted to um comment that on option number two. I appreciate there if I'm correct, we are only um reducing [clears throat] the new positions by three. Is that correct? teaching positions. >> So,

050and again for transparency, I'm gonna kind of go through them, right? So, the options are we could eliminate all those new positions that we just mentioned, right? The the four IIA positions, two would have went to Mass Heights, two would have went to Central, the the two new elementary teachers uh that we were putting there, the two CTE teachers, the a science uh teacher. Um, so those are would have been new positions in the budget that didn't exist last year. Uh, and so it makes sense to reduce if we're going to cut instructional positions, that's where you would cut it, right? Because you're not affecting actual people that are currently employed. Okay. And the other options that we have is cutting capital improvement items from this year's operational budget. Right. buses. Uh a school bus

051cost us about $150,000, right? And so Dr. Hoden shared with us, you know, certainly the need for continuing to improve our fleet because we have um what did you say? How many buses do we have? >> Approximately 57 buses on the road. >> About 57 buses. And we try to keep them at least 15 years, but the reality is is most of them or many of them are older than 15 years. And to replace them, we need to we really need to be buying >> four to five years >> for a year. And that would keep us at a you know that 15ear cycle. Um, one of the items uh that was proposed is to again cut some of the additional CIP uh to cut um a maintenance vehicle out of the proposed budget. Uh

052to remove the uh painting out of one of our schools for that was a summer project, I think. Um so all of those provide us different levels of savings. Uh and I it's a difficult thing for us because as a board we have said on many occasions our number one emphasis is instruction. How do we continue to move the needle with our students to provide the best education for our kids? Right? And it's a double-edged sword for me because not only does that mean that we need to have quality instruction, quality teachers, quality programs, but we've also got to have quality facilities. We can't get our kids to school if our buses aren't reliable. We who wants to go visit a school where the paint is peeling off the walls, right? So it's kind of

053a we need to look at the whole picture right I certainly want to focus and you've heard me every board meeting I think mention instruction instruction we [snorts] need to think about that but also the the CIP and the option two that I shared which was uh this is what option two consists of it's removing uh one of the two IAS out of the new budget so that would mean that we would keep the elementary teacher the additional elementary teacher and IIA for that classroom at Madison Heights Elementary and at Central Elementary. I'm also proposing that we keep one of the CTE teachers and speaking with the superintendent and Mr. Maddox, uh they could work that into the the phase. Um one one middle school is a little bit larger than the other so it

054fits and helps with the wheel there. Um we would remove one of the two buses out of the CIP. that would be give us a savings of $150,000. Uh remove one maintenance uh vehicle out of the budget, that's a $60,000 saving. And then the painting uh at one of the the schools at $180,000. That gives us a savings of 552,000 um which is just under the 500,000 that we're short. Now, I want to put a big asterk in front of that. This is all contingent on the state approving a 3% increase because our budget has a 3% increase for our staff. If they don't, then we've got to come back and revisit, right? So, if the state doesn't give us the 3%, then we got to figure out how we're going to make that happen

055for for our staff members. >> Mr. Childress. >> M. Justice. >> Okay. I think um there are two thoughts that come to mind. One is that um my understanding from the board of supervisors was that it was a matter of delaying until their audit was completed that once their audit was completed, they felt confident they could get the other 500 to us. The second was that once the Congress approves um the budget that likely we've made our budget based on the governor's budget which is the leanest that likely in our current environment we will be seeing more as a division. So, um I've had a number of conversations with the board of supervisors and yes, so once they I feel confident once they go through their budget or through their audit process, they are certainly

056willing to work with us if they have funding available. Right. >> Yes. >> Uh but we I don't think we can count on that. Right. So, we've got to make a decision that we can live with in case that doesn't come to fruition. So, what would seem to me, and I think this is why number two appealed to me, was it had the least reduction in instruction, which you can't really delay finding qualified people for instruction. You can't say, "Well, okay, we're going to get an extra 500 maybe in two months when the board of supervisors has finished their audit." But with our CIP that can wait a little longer. So that is my personal preference. My concern is that the language appears to be saying that that 500,000 isn't going to be coming. We

057have to choose not to have it right now and this is the cut we're going to be making. Does that make sense what I'm saying? Whereas I think it's a delay. I think likely we will be able to add those things back in. >> Well, again, I would say I'm hopeful that we can add them back in, but I don't think we can build a budget >> on counting that. Again, I I think the the board of supervisors wants to work with us. I mean, they certainly support the school system, right? But I don't know that they'll have it and we can't count on it because they don't know that they have it. So that's why I'm truly trying to emphasize whatever options we go with, we need to be able to live with that

058all year. And if we get a gift midway through, then that would be great, right? And so I liked option two because for the same reasons you said, it it keeps our focus on instruction and it does put aside a little bit of the CI the CIP um maybe for a year. Uh but having said that, we have to recognize next year we've got to have those items in in the CIP, right? So we can delay it this year hoping, but next year if we don't get it, then we've got to we're going to have to make some very difficult decisions, right? And some of that's just being transparent up front with the community, with the board of supervisors. We cannot delay delay delay taking care of our facilities because at some point you won't

059have a place to teach your kids and you won't have transportation to get them there. Right? So, but I think for me and I'm only one on this board, but for me focusing on instruction this year, putting those off, fingers crossed that things will work out. the board of supervisors will find the extra money and they'll be able to help us fix the CIP and uh we'll have smooth sailing moving forward. >> Mr. [clears throat] Chair, >> just like >> two things and that's just me. I wasn't I didn't know we was going to talk about this tonight because it wasn't on the agenda. And I think something that's important should have been told to us earlier so that we would looked at these options more carefully. I don't mind the discussion here, but when

060we're trying to deal with this budget, I think it calls for a little more planning. I'd also like to hear what the recommendation is from staff >> if that's okay with you. >> Yes, ma'am. Yes, [clears throat] ma'am. So, um, last week, if you recall, um, you know, I gave you the option one, which was kind of a a mold. So, it it's it's a tricky situation. Um, I think, and I was still going off worst case scenario. That's why mine was based on the 1.9. Mr. Childress, um, his suggestion was a 1.6. Certainly, I'm hopeful of that, but again, you know, it's a it's a pretty tough it's a pretty tough situation to be in. Um, so, you know, we we've looked at this um all sorts of ways. We can't afford to cut

061all the CIP items out of the budget. Uh, and we can't afford to, you know, to cut all the all the staff out. So, you know, um, the difference in in what I presented last week to you and what Mr. Childish did was basically the semantics of offering the the worst case scenario. I said with that, some of the staff uh, that uh, Mr. shoulders recommend putting in weren't on there. But I do agree with the fact that if we don't get this until June, we're not going to be able to hire qualified staff. So, you know, I'm honestly, we talked about it in senior staff today. Um, and if we're going to, you know, be able to to add that other CTE teacher and those other, um, teaching staff, uh, at the two elementary

062schools, uh, it would, it would be okay to add those now because then we could advertise for those and actually get qualified teachers because if we wait till the end of June, honestly, we're we're not going to get them. So, um, you know, hopeful that, um, that number is going to be closer to the 1.6 6 and not the 1.9 that we needed to be whole. Uh I you know we're we're fine with with adding those positions in because we we really need to to move forward and you know that's why we you know we discussed u you know being able to to send the contracts out. Other other divisions are doing that. So you know we don't want to lose any more qualified staff in the last week. We've we've lost some staff members

063to other divisions and so we we don't want that to to continue. So we want to make sure we get our uh our contracts out. And we want to make sure that um with these positions that we can get them advertised. Of course, we have the uh in-house. We have the high school uh a teacher position. Well, we do not have the middle school a position that I know of unless you know someone transfers. But if that happens, then we'll still have to backfill that. Correct. So, um, with that in mind, um, you know, I think that that the way we're looking at this is is the right way to go and that we need to, you know, we need to have some sort of a, you know, u approval based on, you know, our

064numbers. And it's a tough position. You know, I know on Soup's call on Monday, all the soups were very frustrated with the fact that we don't have we don't have the numbers yet. And, you know, Miss Lucich has been working hard and her staff and we've had many discussions about this. So um >> so they um answer my I mean for my comments. So there's a sense of urgency tonight um for what he said and you said that we choose one of these options. >> Yeah. the I think the sense of urgency is the fact that if we continue to delay it, then we're essentially saying we're not going to add any of these instructional positions because we're not giving the administration time to plan for it. And especially with the CTE uh classroom because

065they've actually got to make modifications to the classroom space to get ready for that and get additional equipment for that space. >> Okay. So, I I understand that part. I still was just saying what I said beginning that with that sense of urgency known uh perhaps that should have been on there earlier and we could have did more homework because we're here now. Yes, we were presented with this last week but not in open session. It's first time we talked about an open session, is it? >> It is. Yes. >> So, I'm not sure that's all that bag of chips. Good. That's just me. But I'm prepared to listen to I've heard what you said in which so you all have collaborated uh on these options for us tonight of to make a choice the

066administration and I guess you have talked >> yes >> on the best option to present to the rest of us >> correct >> and is that two is that option two >> yes ma'am >> is that I I heard what you were saying as well Miss justice but I still say that does this require more conversation or are we prepared with everything we don't know >> quite a bit we don't know a lot. We don't know about the state. >> We don't know a lot. We don't know what the state's going to do. >> We only know local. >> Correct. >> And which I'm aware of and and we know that that's okay with me. Um so the the only unknown is the state, but we've kind of built in this facade of hope of

067[snorts] whose budget will come about with the 3% and all these scenarios. Okay. >> Right. And so this is the the same options that I shared with the board last Thursday with the exception I did add option two was new and I moved the other ones down because again it to be our focus was on instruction and the difference with that was we keep the an IIA for each of those new classrooms right um and again the the difference for a point of clarification for the board the difference between the 1.6 six need and the 1.9 is the raise, right? If because we're proposing a 3% because that's what we were asked to do by the board of supervisors. All the other school divisions are doing it 3%. So if we do 3% and the

068state only gives us two then our need would have went to 1.9 worst case scenario. If they give us 3% we only needed the 1.6 six to be level funded across the board. Correct. >> That's I'll let you it to be close. Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. >> The fact that we only got the 1.1 is why we're at option two right now >> about 500,000. >> Right. So the the need that we're saying again assuming we get the 3% pay increase the need is $500,000 is what we would be short and all of the options uh that are presented there in some way or fashion give us the $500,000 savings. It depends on how you get it. How do you slice it? Right? It's either we're cutting deeper into the new instructional positions or we're

069cutting CIP. uh options one and two is a is more of a mix of uh the instructional positions and CIP whereas options three and further keep more CIP less instructional >> right and miss justice back to your question um [clears throat] you know if if we are able to get some extra funds you know they may just be one-time funds so we would probably pump those into CIP like some buses and the painting so that we could we could make sure we take care of those so we're hopeful that we get some, but we we just can't hold a hope for that. So, I know that that would be that would be my hopes and I know Miss Campbell would be appreciative if we could get a couple more buses and Mr. Rogs would definitely

070like to get that painting done, but you know, we so we hold out hope for that and we're hopeful that we can get that. >> Mr. Chair, so bringing this up now allows the administration to start advertising for those positions, right? And so we've got kind of a time crunch there, right? If we delay this part of it, [sighs and gasps] then we have the risk of not filling the new positions, signing contracts and such. And if we get more funding future, we'll still have those positions anyway, >> right? >> And we will be able to use those funds for the things that we're losing with option two. they would come back, >> put the money back into the CTE labs and and Mr. Maddox was able to get a partial amount. I think it

071was about $35,000 for for the CTE labs. There's still a chance that we might get a little bit more grant money, but we may not know that till June. So hopefully, you know, and then if we get more funds, okay, then we have a little bit left over from the IAS and the math works out, maybe we can also put a little bit more money between that and Perkins so we can get some more equipment. And Mr. Maddox and I talked today about some of the uh some of the things that that he would that he would be able to purchase for for both schools and then, you know, pump some some more into Manelison for the for the new program. >> He's not still here, but yeah, >> Mr. Chair, make a motion we

072accept option two. >> Okay, >> I second it. So have a motion. Uh so I'm going to read what option two is uh just for transparency for everyone. So uh when we talk about option two, it is um from our current proposed budget, it is removing one additional IIA that we have proposed from Madison Heights and one from Central. Remove one CTE teacher that we have proposed. So that means we'd be keeping one. uh to remove one bus, remove one maintenance vehicle, and to remove the uh painting from an elementary school. >> Correct. >> And that would that's given us a savings of $552,113. So, we have a motion. We have a second. Any additional discussion? Any Okay. Uh, all those hearing no further discussion, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> Any

073opposed? Nay. >> All right. Motion carries. So, um, Dr. Odin, you we have a budget pending the >> uh, Commonwealth's approval >> of their budget process, which hopefully they'll get their act together soon. >> Yes, sir. >> And we can resolve this. But um fingers crossed that the state will do what they need to do. They'll give the 3% and um eventually the board of supervisors will find some additional funding after their audits done and we can add those CIP items back into the budget. So I do appreciate everybody's uh thoughts on this and and most of all I appreciate the the discussion and the thought of how we can best impact uh instruction. So thank you. All right. So, now moving on to uh consider approval of the minutes. >> Move for approval, Mr.

074Chair. >> Second. >> All right, we have a motion, a second. All those in favor? >> I. >> Any oppose? Nay. All right. So, we're gonna actually have to go through the consent agenda one at a time because we added >> or do you just want to lump the rest together? >> You can lump everything. >> Okay. >> All right. So, if Ward, if you would, if someone would if you're fine with this have a motion to approve 702 through 705. >> It's 802. >> 80. >> Yeah, it's Yeah. >> Oh, sorry. Right. Okay. >> So, 802 through 805. >> So, move, sir. >> All right. We have a motion. >> Second. I have a second. All those in favor? I. Any oppose? Nay. All right. So, uh, passes. >> Okay. Um, I'd like to

075take one quick pause for a second. [clears throat] >> So, last week, uh, you approved, uh, Mr. Brian Hoffman as a new principal for Madison Heights Elementary School. So, Mr. Hoffman is actually here tonight. uh he brings more than a decade of experience in education and school leadership uh having uh served students and families in both Appamatics County and Lynchburg City Schools. He's a graduate of the University of Virginia uh holds degrees in education and leadership and has a reputation for building uh positive school cultures. He's also in the uh doctoral program at the uh University of Lynchber. Uh throughout his career, Mr. Hoffman has demonstrated uh committed uh student success, collaboration, and continuous improvement. We're excited to welcome him to Ammerst County Public Schools. So, Mr. Hoffman. [applause] >> Oh, good evening. Uh, thank

076you all for the vital work that you all do, especially during budget time. That's not a fun time for anyone, I'm sure. Um, I know you all have a packed agenda and it's been a long night and it seems there's many more points, so I'll be brief. Um there are two earthly pillars that have been foundational to my development, family and public education. Uh for me, these are more than just my personal values. They are the bedrock of a strong, vital community. I come from a family that lives this mission. My parents, my three siblings, my wife have all dedicated their careers to public education. Um spanning every level from elementary, middle to high school to community college and to uh four-year universities. Um, I plan on bringing that commitment to Madison Heights Elementary. Um,

077my recognition of the importance of both family and the public education system will be evident in everything that I do. Um, I'm honored to join this team and I look forward to working together. You all have a great night. >> Thank you. >> Appreciate it. >> All right. So we're number nine, >> right? 901 U 902 and 903 now are a few items board that u Mr. Childress uh and I talked about uh discussion of technology and K2 uh discussion of the 5C's and then discussion of a classroom. So just need to uh know what the pleasure of the board is uh for the information that you'd like for the our staff to bring forward on this. >> So if you don't mind Dr. take 801 first and then we can lump 802 and 803

078together I think. Um >> but 801 so talking about uh technology uh as it relates to >> uh K2. So there have been a lot of studies I think on uh technology in the classroom uh especially in the younger classrooms. Um so I think it's important for us to make sure you know we we talk about doing the best for our kids. Um and part of that I think is is following up on the most recent studies and how technology is potentially negatively affecting uh those students. And I know this is uh a weird topic uh to come from someone like myself whose career is technology. Uh but I think uh it's more important that we uh you know focus on how to support our kids and if the if techn is getting in the

079way then I think we need to address that. So, um, any other thoughts, comments, uh, from the board on, uh, technology and and K2? Well, Mr. Childress. I had the opportunity to visit three different elementary schools this past week and handing out the lunches for the educator appreciation week and it gave me the opportunity to have a lot of great discussions with counselors, administrators, teachers and there was a pretty common consensus that some of the challenges of technology in the classroom for K2 too definitely outweighed the benefits especially in the developmental um development of their social skills, their handwriting, their fine their fine motor skills. And it seemed that it created more of a problem because they didn't have the maturity to um handle what was being given to them through the devices and that

080as great as our tech department is at creating firewalls and protecting our students, our students are innovators and they find ways around it. And so those were some of the things that I heard. Um, I know there has been a trend among private schools to be reducing the technology aspect in the classroom for the same reasons that old-fashioned pen and pencil dialogue conversation is creating a more complex development especially in the matter of um the brain matter the impulse control. So, thank you very much. >> So, I I want to be um you know, clear when I say this. This is in no way um representative of how well or not well we think our tech team is doing, >> right? It's a matter of how we feel the techn or may be affecting our

081students, right? So, what I would um if I can get consensus from the board, uh what I would like to do is ask the administration to put a um a team together, a committee together to evaluate >> uh what the current trends are and what's appropriate use uh in in those classrooms. And it may be that they come back and say, "No, we we feel like we have a great handle on how this is being handled in in our classrooms and we keep moving forward." or anything from there to let's pull out all technology, right? So, I think having you put together a team uh to look at I think for me, I'd like to have a a well-rounded committee that's certainly focused have teachers and maybe some parents uh to be a part of

082that to really get uh some community input uh in that as well. So, >> board, can we get consensus for that? >> I'm seeing all heads shaking. Yes. Okay. >> Okay. >> Yep. Got it. >> All right. So, again, that's it's not, you know, representative of how we think we're doing, you know, good or bad with it. It's, uh, just more of what do we think is long-term better for our kids. All right. So, the next two items, um, 802 and 803, uh, for me, I get lumped together. Um, and this came about, so I want to set the stage, uh, for this conversation for the board. Um, everybody knows I work in technology. Uh I'm the CTO for our school system and I've done a tremendous amount of work with artificial intelligence already. Um

083and we hear all the time about how AI is um going to change the workforce um and how it's changing it already. Um, I was originally, um, I wasn't on board with how quickly it was going to impact, uh, our students until it got to where I was, I'm actually creating agents, artificial intelligent agents to do work for my school system. And I finally came to realization, these are eliminating positions. like these you have, you know, sock engineers that do what these programs that I'm creating are doing. And it wasn't until I came to that realization that I realized it it's coming and it's coming as quick as you hear a lot of people talking about how uh artificial intelligence is changing the workforce. And so that got me to thinking again in in public

084education, we tend to run behind the curve when changes happen, you know, out in uh in the community. Well, I'd rather Ammerst County not be behind the curve on this one. Um, so thinking about how AI is is is changing to the point where the students that will be graduating high school when they go off to college in four years, the workforce that's there today is going to be totally different. The jobs that are available, those entry- level jobs are not going to be there. And that just made me think, we have got to do a better job of preparing our kids for what that workforce is going to be. How do we use, and I'm not talking about using chat bots, right? I'm not talking about using chat GPT or or whatever your favorite

085um AI is. I'm talking about really using artificial intelligence uh on a much deeper level to where it is going to be replacing people. And so we've got to understand and teach our kids how to use it, how to understand it, how to take knowledge that's available at our fingertips and how do we begin to use that to create and do new things. And that's where the five C's comes in. Thinking about, you know, being able to critically think, right, and thinking about our community, right? So, as as you go through all the five C's. And so, again, what I would uh like to ask the board if I can get consensus on is again having the the administration put together another committee looking at how AI is going going to change uh the workforce

086and how do we begin to integrate and prepare our kids from elementary [clears throat] all the way through graduation and what does that mean for our seniors? Right? And I I personally feel if we don't begin to make those changes today, we are doing a disservice and and quite honestly not doing our jobs. >> I know that was a lot uh and but I do want to open the floor up for other discussion from other board members and [clears throat] >> comments. Can I interrupt you for a second? >> Yes, sir. Dr. >> Lean, [snorts] I think um are you gonna >> have me >> exit? Yep. >> Yes, ma'am. She uh before go to senior awards. >> Yeah, I'mma drive I'mma drive extremely fast through Amherst. Um so if I get a ticket, I'mma

087send it to y'all. Um I'll look at the rest of this tonight. But now on one hand, this is just me. You know how I am. You say, "Let's stop technology." And on the other hand, you said, "Let's get rid." So now let's make our minds up. What is too I know we can talk about. What is too early to start? And I've been told, I've heard it both ways, you know, the >> the pen and pencil is gone and AI and everything is here and yet we say what uh you know, we don't want to do it too soon. So, I'm just leaving that. >> Well, and I appreciate that comment and and it's important, right? Because when we talk about how do we teach AI or get kids ready in elementary for AI,

088we're not talking about actually using technology. >> I know, >> right? We're talking about how do we get them to think critically, to use their brains, right? And so that's the lack of technology that you need for that, right? >> Tell me tomorrow. >> Um, no, I I think it's important for our audience to understand that >> have a meeting >> as well, right? Um, >> good luck tonight, Miss Le. >> And so I think again, that's why that's so critical that we think about this as a phased approach. How do we teach our kids to be able to use information and do stuff with it, right? And part of that is beginning to teach them to think critically. Um, but anyway, I think that's what the the committee needs to put together like what

089that how early is too early. When do when do you phase that in and what does that look like from elementary to middle to high school? I don't know what the right answer is. I just know that it's coming and it's coming fast. And if we don't begin to change and prepare our kids when they graduate, we've done we we have not done our jobs. >> Mr. Chair, >> I think it's really hard to teach critical thinking when we have to teach to a test so kids can pass an. I mean, it may not have a lot to do with their technology and it may have something to do with it, but I know a lot of it has to do with we got to teach to a test. And so, if those questions are

090off, I mean, you see it every day. If you ask a question is a little bit different, it throws people totally off. And so, you know, we can't get away from them. So, we've got to figure out how to work around it or work with it some other way. I don't disagree with that. You know, that's conversation I've had with the administration a little bit as well is that we do still have the SOS that we have to deal with. And I hope we we're not teaching to a test, right? If we're teaching to a test, we're failing. Uh because we should be teaching students how to the information they need. And that's where AI is going to change, right? Because the information is available, >> right? So there's a whole paradigm that's going to

091have to change in the way we educate our kids. and it's coming and it's coming very quickly. But I appreciate the the comments. Any other thoughts, board? >> Mr. Chair, >> Mr. Rossy. >> So, I had the opportunity of hanging out at the STEM graduation and the presentations that were there and listening to some of those presentations. Obviously AI was brought up and it led me to understand a [snorts] little bit more of it and the students are basically saying in a not so subtle way that they know they're not ready for it. that they know it's coming and it's going to have an impact on college and their futures. It's coming that fast. My guess is if somebody is currently in school and maybe looking to be oh, I don't know, a legal aid,

092that job might not be there in two years. It may be gone. And you're you're going to have to find better ways to to use AI, understand how it works, so you're not one of those people that get left behind because I have a feeling there's going to be a lot more job loss than people are ready to admit to. And we need our community to be on board and our teachers need to be not afraid of it, but embrace it. I know when all this discussion started a year or so ago that I started paying more attention to it, teachers were afraid of, oh well, the students are just going to use it to cheat on tests. Well, teachers need to embrace AI and use it to their advantage and start to understand it

093because if not, they may be replaced. Also, I'm not saying that AI is going to take out teachers. I'm not saying that. I'm just saying that the the way of teaching is going to change. I'd rather it start here than somewhere else and leave us behind. So, I think having a committee that understands it a lot better than I do and give us the direction we may need to discuss and go into. Yes, I think that would be the right move. And I do believe that our kindergarteners, first graders, it might be too early for technology because you have to have the foundation. And for 250 years, this country has gotten the foundation without a computer. So I think we can get there without a computer for the first couple years. let them learn the

094basics and then we can we can move them into the technology slowly the progression because there's going to be a curve and it's going to be sharp and it's going to hurt and we better be ready for it. >> Thank you, Mr. Rossy. Any other thoughts, comments, board? >> All right. So, can I get consensus from the board to have the administration go and form another committee to evaluate um how to better integrate artificial intelligence and prepare our kids for the future of tomorrow that's coming today? >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. Um Dr. Hen, you have your >> got it. >> marching orders for that board. I appreciate your your patience and as we talk through that uh and I know it does seem a little contradictory. You know, we one end we talk

095about let's reduce technology in K2 and then well wait a minute how do we go and start preparing the kids but again preparing kids for that world is more than technology. It's how do we really use our brains to be able to accomplish tasks right because the information is going to be available but how do you use that information? So all right um so that takes us to uh nine I'm sorry 10 >> 10 now. Yep. Instruction. >> Mr. Neighbors is taking care of a couple board members. [laughter] The sun is blinding him up there. So, >> take a quick pause on that. [laughter] >> He wants a car. >> The best thing I'll do. >> No, [clears throat] I think the information you're getting ready to tell us is going to be some good

096stuff. >> Collect myself here. >> Well, good evening, Mr. Chair, members of the board. Mr. children. I'm glad the sun is no longer in your eyes, sir. Hope that works out [laughter] for you. Uh I sent the board an email earlier this afternoon. Copy that is included at your place, but did want to give a preliminary update. We are two whole days into testing as of uh yesterday. Today was our first day of third grade testing. We have another day of that tomorrow as well as some retakes coming up. But just kind of wanted to give a general overview of where we are at this juncture. Uh because we are very early in the process, I'm going to walk a little bit of a tight rope in regards to making sure I'm giving meaningful information

097but not being overly specific because we are talking about a data set that is as we speak still changing and evolving uh with students coming in taking assessments and as I said before uh continuing through the end of this week. Uh definitely some things to be excited about with the initial returns on data. Uh we are going all the way down to individual student level but really looking a lot at our individual schools and grade levels within those schools. Uh this week has been all about reading. That's the performance that we've been looking at. I think I've been on the phone with most of our administrators at this point. Some of those phone calls are very late into the night looking at some data uh and asking some questions. Uh but at the end of

098the day we are seeing some very positive uh trends. Specifically, I wanted to shout out one of our cohorts at the elementary level, looking at their per performance last year into this current year. And I provide a little more detail in the email about which grade level I'm referring to there. Seeing some substantial growth from last year to this year. Uh those are also at schools that we would normally tra traditionally associate with that kind of jump. Uh but we're talking at least at this point with where the data set is, uh doubledigit number increases from where we were last year. So, some very exciting pieces there. Uh, when we're looking at those individual grade levels and individual classes at some of our schools. Uh, we do have some data that we're very closely monitoring.

099A couple of our grade levels, one elementary, one in middle school. We want to see consistency of how students are performing, not just with each other, but what we've been seeing throughout the year, right? It's a big piece of it. We've kind of seen that trend with those growth assessments. We want to see that play out as we're getting to these end ofear assessments. And what we would expect to see that is a data set that we expect to be heavily impacted as we have students that are qualifying for retakes, as we have more students that are completing those assessments. As I mentioned in my email, we also have alternative assessments for our students with disabilities that they are going to be uh coming on board with this data set as well. But I do

100think it's important to note that not everything is shiny at this point. There's still a lot that we are looking at kind of waiting on that full data set to know where we are and what those next steps need to be. All of the conversations that we've been having in our office and the conversations I've been having administrators this week, it's drilling down to that individual student level. Let's talk about why Josh got this score. Whether we're talking about that scaled score or the vertical scaled score, what does that represent? How does that match up with how we know he's performing? how is that going to help us as we're going forward, not just the rest of this year, uh, but into next year as well. So, I'm appreciative already seeing a lot of those

101conversations soldered around here's where we are, how we're going to continue to take steps forward and do well with it. But looking for that glimmer of hope that uh maybe that piece where we're going to say, "Yep, we've seen we've done some good things this year. Uh there are some large increases, some very good things happening at some of our grade levels. others were still waiting for some of that data to develop and see where we need to be. So, a little bit of uh all over the place perhaps with that update, but wanted to be as comprehensive as I could be without being overly specific at this point in the data set being developed, but be happy to answer any questions the board might have. >> So, Mr. neighbors. So, um just from my

102edification to kind of repeat what we're hearing is first too early to really celebrate at this point. >> Yes, sir. Absolutely. >> But we are seeing some glimmers of pop of light >> that the scores are seemingly moving in a positive direction in comparison to what we've seen in the past. Yep. I >> they are [clears throat] >> aligning with the mastery scores that you're have been sharing with us on a monthly basis. >> That's correct. Yes, sir. >> My question is in thinking about looking where our students are and you mentioned that you're looking individually. [clears throat] >> The students that surprised us either way, right? who we thought were green or maybe yellow [clears throat] >> and who maybe didn't make the bar >> are we evaluating those and then the ones who

103we thought were red but maybe surprised us and did well >> evaluating well how did that happen? >> Yeah, most certainly and that's the best way to look at it, right? It's not always that negative connotation. We have those other surprises that are very welcome for students that outperform what that data set may look at. The question out of the way is why? what what was it that resonated in that way where we have the student that wasn't performing to that level throughout the year and all of a sudden it just fit on that given day and that given time they were able to do what they needed to do. The opposite also being true. This just isn't consistent with what we've seen throughout the year. What can we tell about what happened either during

104that test session or in a leadup to that test session that may have had an impact on performance? Those are the types of conversations that we're already having even this early into the data set. And again, all kudos to administrators and teachers. The moment that data starts to flow to them, that's where the conversation goes. They are going student by student. Yep, that's exactly where I expected Josh to be. No, something was off here. Let's dig into that. Let's figure it out. Even looking question by question, where were we not quite hitting the mark? How can we move that student forward? Particularly if we're talking about a student who's qualified for an expedited retake. >> Awesome. Yeah. And I guess, you know, again, it's too early to really to know, but I I would assume

105and I would hope that >> once this is all done and we we do have some positive uh places to celebrate. >> Yes, sir. >> Uh that we certainly give the credit where credit is due >> 100%. >> To those hardworking teachers that are literally boots on the ground >> who have dedicated their lives to to to that. >> Absolutely. So, I'm excited about, you know, again, I shared with you before, looking at the reports you're giving us and seeing the numbers grow >> in the positive side is a is a good thing. >> And I've also shared that, you know, my expectation is that we see that >> that's right. >> In the end results and so it sounds like we're heading in that direction. We we don't know for sure. >> We don't

106know for sure. >> Still very early to to >> to [clears throat] jump to that conclusion. >> Yep. >> Uh but everything's moving in a positive direction. >> Very encouraging. >> For sure. Okay. >> Absolutely. >> Board, any other questions or thoughts? [clears throat] >> No. >> Yeah. >> Well, I I just want to finalize and say again, great work on that. Uh and and again, we cannot encourage our teachers enough. >> Absolutely. Could not agree more. And again, just looking to early returns. There's going to be some celebrations classrooms throughout the division here in the coming weeks. Uh, if the board liked this, if this was acceptable or good, I'm more than happy to do a weekly update and just kind of keep the board updated between now and the next meeting. I know

107it's a big data dump when we get to June and looking at all that, but be more than happy to keep providing highlights if that's okay. >> Yeah. And and while we certainly want to celebrate the things that are going well, we we do need to hear the things that may not be going well as well, and so we can dive into >> into those. So, I don't want it to just be uh these are the the bright moments, you know. So, but hopefully that's all you will bring to us. >> That would be wonderful. Yes, sir. But we'll make sure it's it's all the way around. [snorts] Uh while we're on accountability, I did want to share with the board. I had a couple of conversations with uh Dr. Crawford at the high school

108this week. Uh he sent me an email that I'll be forwarding to the board here shortly uh but related to our soon to be graduating seniors. Uh so at the beginning of this school year coming into day one, we had 91 seniors that were slated to graduate at the end of this year here in just a week or so uh that needed something in regards to verified credits for graduation, either an so or CT credential uh something along those lines. As of right now, that number is down to one. There's one student who needs one more essay on that LAVC process that the board approved not too long ago. uh they expect that to be any minute now and the number of then will then be zero. So that is something that I wanted to

109celebrate. I don't know how many people we have watching on YouTube. But all credit to the staff at the high school, the work that they do every single day to make sure that the main thing is the main thing. We've got to get these students graduate. We've got to make sure they're ready to take that next step. It's a tremendous achievement and I didn't want to go without alerting the board to that excellent news this evening. >> That's awesome. We don't normally like zeros, but in this case, we will celebrate that. >> Yes, sir. We love that zero. Absolutely. But I'll be forwarding that email to the board so that you all can express your congratulations directly to Dr. Crawford and he can share that with his staff because that's something to be celebrated for

110sure. All right. Uh well, moving right along. uh doesn't quite mean as much in our current climate of getting so test done, but our monthly mastery of standards report not too unusual in regards to how we're looking at that month over month. Uh but we are at that time of year where we're a little less concerned about what's been done and a little more concerned about what's being done in regards to those test sessions with SOS. But as always, if there are any specific questions with that, I'll be happy to answer for the board. Well, I for me again I think just the you know looking at it reading uh looks very positive, right? Very little on the red side. Uh math is still very concerning. >> Y >> uh and so I'm I'm assuming

111we >> are putting things in place or have put things in place to help uh with that and >> absolutely. >> I'm hoping our results are end up better. >> I'm very eager to see the results here in the next two weeks. Absolutely. Okay. All right. Well, there no other questions. I'll keep on rolling on. Uh just a quick update on where we are with kindergarten and prek registration. Uh so good news on kindergarten. We're right about 245 students currently registered for kindergarten next year. It's literally right at where we are this year, just slightly below where we were this time last year. So, some good consistency there. We would kind of expect that with general trends to come down a little bit. Uh, but to be right where we are now, that's that's a

112good indication this time of year. We always get some friends that join us at the last minute and over the summer. Uh, so we certainly expect that number to go up. Uh, we were able to screen 159 of those students in April. So, kind of got that first blush. Uh, how are we working with those kiddos? Got to meet those teachers, interact a bit. Uh, that's always a time that they appreciate having with those incoming students and and knowing where they are. uh prek very happy to say that we are up a bit. It wasn't looking great a couple weeks ago. Uh but we've actually come up and very very similar to where we were this time last year. Uh that is with increasing our referrals to Head Start. So we've been working much more

113closely over the last several years with that organization, Lin Kag and Lynchburg. So, even though we have more referrals going out to Head Start, we're still holding serve with the number of students that we have already brought in uh and accepted for our program for next year. Uh so, in June of last year, we were just above, we're right above 60. So, we still got a little time before we get there. This year, right around this time, uh we were in those mid to upper 50s. So, kind of right where we would expect to be this time of year to keep those seats filled. uh very important next year to make sure we're filling as many of those seats as possible. As the board will recall, we've been held harmless uh from the state for

114our VPI seats for next year. We want to keep having that be the case. We need to f have these seats because we fill these seats. We need to have those opportunities for families. So, very excited to see that we're right on track with where we'd want to be with registration for those students at this time. So, some good things happening with our earliest learners. I'd be happy to answer any questions board might have. report. Any questions? >> Um I do have a question on you mentioned the number of kindergarteners and um >> that we picked up some prek. Have we uh done uh projections uh to or like a five-year trend to see what our projections are for the next five years that because we're talking, you know, there's mentions of needing to do

115an addition to an elementary school and of course all the housing development that's that's taking place. Have we taken a deep dive into that and have a a good understanding of what those projections, long-term uh projections are going to be? Yeah. So, deep dive, not as deep as we probably need to with that. We do have some of those projections available. What I would need to do is work with Dr. Hoden to make sure kind of all those projections as it relates to those developments in the area have fully been incorporated. We do get that information. We do have that internally, what we look at, but making sure we've incorporated those pieces would be important. >> And we [clears throat] also uh had when we back when we did our comprehensive plan, um we had

116some folks from the county that were on our team, Mr. was on that and we talked about the the number of uh the number of new developments coming in and the unknown is just how many people and >> right right like how many how many will have kids right >> right but they they have a formula that they really they use for projecting that >> uh based on the type of housing and um the use of you know that property so >> I think it's it's important for us to really understand that uh you know especially when we get to the point when we're seriously talking about additions and absolutely >> you know if you're as you guys already aware when you're planning like the addition at the high school that's a multi-year >> process

117before you ever get boots on the ground right so you got to go through >> the planning phase of it we need it what is it going to look like and then once you've decided that um you know then you got to do your um your civil designs, building design, architectural design, and then the building process itself. So, that's a multi-year process. So, >> yes, sir. >> Thank you. >> All right. Well, if there are any other questions, I will keep on moving. Uh, you do have a memo that was in Bordox as well as at your place from Miss Ceil, our supervisor of school counseling, as well as Mr. Maddox, um, looking at our enrollment in some outside programs. So, the Governor's School program, early college, CTE Academy, STEM Academy, um, and kind of

118outlining what that process has looked like for this year. So, again, with Governor's School, CTE, and STEM, uh, seeing that strong enrollment, strong interest, no problem filling those seats. Uh, early college continues to be an area where we want to focus, make sure we're building up resume for students. That often suffers from students getting into other programs. So we have those students that are now in government school or CT or STEM that applied for early college. Uh so it pulls away some of those applicants even though it's a larger number there. But making sure that we are providing that pathway and providing that guidance through our school counselors uh to make sure that they have what they need when the time comes to submit those applications. I will say uh for the board's awareness, we

119are also working with CBCC on more dual enrollment offerings at the high school. um all of which would be free of charge for the students that are there. Some of that uses the instructors that we already have in place at the high school. Others are virtual options that they can participate in. Uh there are actually two pathways that we're working to develop with them. They're there. We're just kind of figuring out how we do that logistically with our folks. Uh passport uh which is 15 credit hours as well um as a certificate program is 30 credit hours. and as a part of their relationship with instate colleges and universities or get some of that guaranteed transfer credit. So just trying to build more and more of those pathways where you don't necessarily have to leave

120Ammerst to get access to that or leave the school to get access to it. Uh and trying to build that as much as we can but as usual a lot of strong things here a lot of good things happening for kiddos with these programs and just wanted to provide that update to the board. Happy to answer any questions the board might have. >> Yeah. Um, as far as like the STEM Academy goes, we have I think there were six students enrolled in that. Is that correct? >> Should be eight total. >> Eight total. >> And now I know some of the students were in the nursing programs and then some of the students kind of did a little work at Flow Serve. >> Now other companies that want to get involved in that program, how

121would they get started in that? I know we've got, you know, other manufacturing stuff going on in the area. If another company wanted to get on board with that, do they do they bring the I guess professor to the college? How does that all manifest if you don't? >> Yeah. So ultimately, it's all about that relationship with CBCC. I know some of that can also flow through divisions. Uh making sure that we're kind of looking for what what is next. So if it's that area of high demand, it connects to some of those data points within the specific region. That's really what they try to focus on. It's a scenario we really need to make sure we're bringing those folks up, bringing those kids along in training. But that's absolutely something that we could put

122together if there's recommendations along those lines. I know Mr. Maddox would be happy to have some of those conversations as well as Miss Matheni and Miss Sorry, Cecil. Yep. All right. Thank you. All right. Well, I'm gonna keep on moving. My last one this evening is our Medicaid update. We had our first monthly report for the board here. Uh, a couple of things with this one. I want to ensure that this is what the board would like to see on a monthly basis. We want to be able to give some of that historical context of what we received in prior years, but also represent where are we now. Um, as you can see, we are seeing that increase in interim billing. the interims, that monthly billing, that more frequent billing that's done based on the

123services we're providing for students, uh, gets a little more convol convoluted when we're talking about that quarterly billing or cost settlement procedures. Uh, some of that is still outstanding. We're waiting for some of that money to come in. But when we're talking about budgetary impact, when we're talking about really being able to plan and program counting on this money, that interim billing is what Miss Lacage and myself consistently go to. Are we seeing that rise to that level of being consistent enough to support not just what we already have, but continuing to grow some of those supports and services for students? Uh, but at this point, just wanted to make sure that this was what the board would like in regards to the representation there. Uh, we tried to distill it down as much as

124we could. Uh, but we just want to be real and want to be open about what we're actually getting and what that looks like year-over-year. >> So, if we could, could we just kind of go through? So interim claims means that we've submitted for reimbursement for that. >> Yes. >> Not have [clears throat] not yet received it. >> No, sir. Everything you see there as a dollar sign in that chart, that's actual money that's come back. >> That has come back. It's a little bit of a a little bit of an odd thing because of how the money comes back to us. And Miss Lacage can certainly uh smack me in the back here if I'm explaining anything incorrectly. We get some of that money later. So it might be a fiscal year, sometimes even

125two behind when we're thinking about quarterly billing or we're thinking about cost settlement. Interim billing is I submit it one week and a week or two later we get that money back. Yeah. So that's that quick turnaround. That's that money that we feel like we can consistently count on maybe is the way to say that. >> Board, any thoughts, questions? >> Yeah. Um [clears throat] and I appreciate this being put up. That's that's what I was looking for when I had asked for this. >> Uh the only other thing that I think would might benefit is the amount of not the dollar amount but the amount of claims. >> Gotcha. >> Do we put in 60? Do we put in 360 >> just to see what that need is? Might be >> I mean it

126doesn't have to break it down just to say you >> this many claims. >> Absolutely. And we can talk about that. Probably will relate more so to that interim billing component, but we can also break that out for for the others. We can look at that. >> Yeah. It doesn't have to be. Yeah. Just the >> if we get this once a month I or a quarter. So we're doing quarters on this. Are we doing this once a month? >> We can do this every month for you. And our billing is the one that's going to change the most, but the others are also going to trickle in as they become available. >> All right. Thank you. >> Right. Because the the ultimate goal is that we get enough billing that would end up paying

127for the person that's doing the claims. >> Yes, sir. >> But then also those lab positions that we put into the school. >> That's right. >> That are providing those services. >> Yep. And then hopefully expand from there that money come in to be able to create more opportunities for support. Right. Absolutely. >> But look, and not trying to [clears throat] focus on negative, >> but looking at what we're seeing right now, we're not meeting that bar. >> We're not there yet. No, sir. And is that is that because we're just slow getting the claims put in or because we haven't generated enough services to ask for those claims. >> No, it's the timeline. So the behavioral services which is a big focus of what we're looking at going forward, those have just come online.

128That was that set of services where we were waiting, I think it was over a year at one point to get claims even approved by the state. So it's been on the books for a while. We're only at this point six or seven months into being able to actually get those reimbursements back for behavioral supports. That was the big hangup with it. We really expect that to start going up. >> So then there are claims that we've submitted but haven't gotten approval on. >> In certain respects there are not with interm at this point. What you see up there is what we've submitted and what we've gotten back with maybe some limited exception. Very very recent claims to be on there. I explain that right. Okay. Okay. >> What would you estimate the correct >>

129the the claims that we've asked for but haven't gotten approved back yet? >> So depending upon which one you're talking about there with quarterly or with cost settlement that can vary pretty drastically. Um ultimately if we're looking at those three categories so what we have for this year for quarterly and cost settlement and then last year's cost settlement you're talking about six figures. you're talking about rather sizable amount of money when all of that gets submitted and reimbursed. Part of our cost settlement for this year, we won't even submit that until later this calendar year. So that that's kind of that delay component to it. And so when we get that money back, and this is probably a question for Miss Kunch, >> do we have to do special requests from the board of supervisors

130to be able to incorporate that into that year's budget that would pay for those positions or would that go into our year-end balance that then gets converted into CIP? >> So you we do have in our operating budget a set amount of of Medicaid dollars. Anything that goes above that, we would come back to you as a supplemental appropriation. Um, and we can tell you how we're going to spend it. And yes, ultimately that does go to the board of supervisors. If it's not being spent, it would, you know, it would go into and affect our year-end funds because these are expenditures that happened in the prior year. >> Correct. >> Yes. >> Okay, >> Mr. Childress. >> Justice. >> Thank you. This is very helpful, especially what I'm looking at our supplemental appropriation that

131we voted on earlier. So, when I look at the appropriation, it says Medicaid $200,000. Is that referring to some of these funds? >> Um, yes, we have received $232,000 this fiscal year. Um again it can be from things from the prior year but that is what we have actually received into the bank account and it is exceeding. We wanted to start this off budgeting it conservatively because we don't we can't control how fast it you know the system works. Um but we were able to put 200,000 in um in the supplemental appropriation to help cover some of the cost and it would we are experiencing costs this year um as well. you know, the personnel and some of the um contracted services. Um so that's going to help cover those. >> And does um are

132we able to reimburse for like our best labs yet? >> Yep. So we are able to do that. Ultimately, there's a process. We're looking at eligibility of the individual students accessing that. There's lensure components with those best lab techs, which that was part of the front loading we did with that program to make sure we were there. We also had a number of test balloons when we knew that we should be able to reimburse for behavioral services. They were allowing to do that. We had that kind of lined up. So, those are still things that are coming online. We're looking at what that number is going to end up being. The short answer is yes. Uh but there was kind of a lot of front-loading work that needed to be done to make sure we

133could. >> So, would our best labs um fall under interim claims? >> They will. And actually depending upon which part of it we're talking about any individual service could fall under any of those three categories. We can uh reimburse for different pieces. So the direct services we're providing, the actual cost associated with having the personnel as a part of it, and then anything we're doing from a material standpoint, anything we're doing from a training and development standpoint, our administrator here at SAO that does a lot of our Medicaid reimbursement, all those pieces can also come into play. So, that's also part of the puzzle we're putting together. How many different ways can we access parts of these funds to be able to continue to have that number go up? >> Thank you very much. >>

134Absolutely. >> I I like this report a lot. It definitely uh gives the board because we've been asking a lot about this over a period of time and it's good to have it and it's good to see the numbers going up >> and it's extremely uh good to hear, you know, that we put 200,000 back into the account. Yeah, >> absolutely. >> All right. Well, I end it on finance tonight. Thank you very much. If there any questions going forward, please let me know. >> All right. And that takes us to number 11. >> 11. Yes, sir. Uh so for administrative um [clears throat] just a couple construction updates. Uh I'll let Mr. Ro uh talk about that. Uh but um we're still continuing on some work at the CTE wing. So Mr. Ro Yes.

135So, as far as the uh CTE wing, the egg lab is is just about finished. Um we're having a few little things we got to do as far as the the firewalls go in there. Um but that's pretty much complete. All the cabinetry and stuff like that is in place. The um what's happened in the last week and a half, the uh the classroom uh one of the additional classrooms, which is right across from the culinary area, uh that's actually been demoed. um door frame got put back in the wall built back up and it's actually I think got that painted today. So, uh that is progressing well too. That's just an additional classroom. We'll have that on the CTE wing. We've also began um moving things out of the welding lab in preparation uh

136to that work. As you know, it's going to be a very tight schedule over the summer and uh so Mr. Johnson's working with us and we're getting those areas cleared out a little bit. Uh, I think his last day he'll be using stuff is this coming Friday and next week we'll hit it pretty hard to get it emptied out so that um hopefully the week of Memorial Day we can get in there and uh start doing some some actual work. The other thing we'll be doing um [clears throat] over the summer, actually the week of June the 29th, is paving the lots at uh the high school. All the lots except for the two new lots, the um one right behind the new addition and the other new lot we built where the house was.

137all the other lots, junior lot, senior lot, uh the ramp at the football field, um parking lot out front, all that stuff is going to get paved uh the week of the 29th as well. So, it's going to be a very hectic summer. >> Any questions? >> I just want to say thank you. Uh I know firsthand all the work and effort that uh you put into this project and uh if you know you only have to go visit the high school and see the the beautiful auditorium, the cafeteria, those new classroom spaces to know uh what what a great job you guys are doing and our uh general contractors doing on site. So keep it up. >> All right, Mr. Chair, members of the board, uh you have in front of you the uh

138suspension report uh for April. Any questions? All right. And next, uh 11.03 uh student services. Do you have the best lab update? Any questions on that? Okay. All right. Mr. Cottage 12 finance. >> Good evening, Mr. Chair, members of the board. Um, before you tonight are your April financial reports. Um, one thing I want to point out is on your child nutrition revenue, the April revenue is looking really low. Um, their monthly reimbursements that they get from the state. It was not received until May 1st. So, that $36,000 is not reflected. Um, but I can assure you that it did come in, but it will it's not on these reports. Um, you'll still see that child nutrition still has a spending deficit, but remember that they had that excess balance that they were required to

139spend down. We purchased the high school equipment um in the kitchen and that money is going to be coming to you in a end of the year appropriation um to approve approve that overspending. Um, on the operation side, we're winding down. We're still waiting for, you know, for our final calc tool um that should come in June. Our ADM is trending higher, still um looking at what it was in March. Um 3645 versus the 3615 that our budget was built on. Sales tax is still showing strong. We still have four months. So even though we're, you know, we're currently in May, um and this report is through April, our sales tax will go through August for this budget. um revenue reports. Um on our objectico report, probably need to point out that in preparation for

140my next topic on the bonus, we did go ahead and expense an additional $1.5 million to our health insurance. Um that is to fund the claims that we are experiencing this year. I felt that you all needed to see this report with that with that being reflected before you make a decision. Um so that is in there. The professional services you're going to see is over budget. Um the Medicaid money is going to assist with that overages as well as some of the other grants will take care of the instructional materials and some and the VPSA will take care of some of the technologies. Um but so do you have any question on this before we go to the um bonus? >> Are you concerned at all about where we are in the budget and

141any of the um overspending, you know? No, we I mean we we've talked about it and I mean everybody realizes that this is a year to not be coming to say, "Hey, with year-end funds, can we buy this and buy this?" It has been a rough year um with the health insurance claims. Um we've it we've had high claims. We've also had more people come onto the plan and it wasn't, you know, built into our budget. Um so we've we had that from two fronts. Um, but as you can see when you look at this report, we still have some available, but you won't be seeing the year-end funds that you're used to seeing. >> And then on the um I guess the plus side though is the higher enrollment, >> right? Because we're what

142do you calculate about a little over 9,000? >> Yeah. So, >> per student and you're talking how many students? >> It's about um it it's about 30 students. When I ran the looked at the calc tool because the February one that had the um bonus funds in there reflected the 3645, it was about $300,000 more in state funding because of that ADM increase. And our sales tax is trending. Um I would be feel comfortable to give an estimate of about 100,000 over um what is out there. But again, you've got to wait till that June the final capital. But there is additional state revenues from the area. >> Well, that's I wanted to bring that up, right? Because it's not all doom and gloom. >> Right. So, there are some positives that we can highlight.

143>> Absolutely. >> Uh within the budget, >> and there's still um I know Mr. Neighbors just stepped out, but you know, previous conversations is we may receive that another Medicaid cost report. Um and that would just be additional funds as well. Thank you. >> So, let's go to the fun topic of bonuses. >> Okay. So, at your place, you should have um two sheets. One is just the revenue from that will state the revenue because I threw a lot of numbers at you at that one board meeting. Um these are what the state is funding and what the locality what our required local match is. The second sheet is the recommendation for the retention bonus um the eligibility requirements. So, >> and remember I gave you that one sheet last week as well just correct

144small. >> So, you're talking about this sheet here, correct? This is one. >> That is the um >> color >> and then you the it's not colorful. This one >> board >> and I believe you had this the last week. >> I did that to you last week. Yes, sir. Um the only thing we added was one bullet just said that the the employment had to be continuous. So I'll give you a chance to look at it. Um the state funding plus the required local match. This is what we had given you previously as to what we're required to spend. if we we actually took our list of employees and made the adjustments of who is leaving and who would not be deemed eligible under those parameters and that's what you get at the bottom

145the estimated bonus cost >> right and so correct me where I'm wrong but the board two meetings ago I think um gave consensus to say yes we were going to proceed with the bonus But that's not a guarantee that we were going to do the bonus, right? Because depending on >> what these numbers look like would the board needs to make a decision, right? And so again, just being transparent. So the the total cost for the bonus would be $679,3. >> That is correct. And I just want to state that it's ever changing by, you know, one person coming up, one. So it's going to be not exact, but this is a is this is the estimate as of today. >> Correct. And so of that 679,000 we [cough] our local component of that would

146be 218,11900. >> That that is correct. Our required local is the 198 935, but based off of our current count, >> right, in order for us to give the bonus to the people we said we were going to give it to, that's accurate. We're looking at 218119, >> right? And because we're going to use this as a retention bonus, if we were to get um a uh resignation, that number would drop because that person would not get the get the bonus. So, we're going to use this Our goal would be to use this as a retention. >> Could you speak up, Mr. Porter? >> So, um that we'd use this as a retention bonus. So, if uh someone gave the resignation, they would not get the bonus. So, those numbers would then go down. Correct.

147That would drop our need the overall amount, but just >> worst case scenario, these are kind of the numbers we're looking at, right? >> Yes, that is correct. >> For those listening online, um $679,3 is what the bonus would cost us. Uh altogether, and then our match would be 218119. Um, how much of a bonus are we talking about giving to because we'd have a different for full-time and part-time, correct? >> Yeah, it's $1,000 for full-time and 500 for part time. >> So, a full-time employee staying with us. New hires don't get it. >> Correct. >> Right. So, if they're just coming on, they wouldn't get the bonus, but people staying on full-time will get a,000 and part-time would get 500. >> Correct. So there is just a just for transparency if you look at

148the recommendations there is a section for full bonus and a partial bonus. >> The partial bonus is I mean that we are still hiring people this month that haven't been here the entire year but we did not want to exclude them. Um but we wrote and if they come back next year we definitely want to recognize that. But it it seemed diff this proposal this um is that we're recommending will separate the people that have worked um at least at least a semester to all year versus someone that's been here a month and getting a >> So what's the break on that? What if they started in December? >> They would receive it. So if you look on on this, it's going to be employees who were contracted and paid after the div after the

149division. I'm sorry, I'm going to the wrong one. The employees who are contracted and paid on the division's January 2026 payroll and who meet all the other eligibility [clears throat] requirements will qualify for the full bonus amount. Okay? >> So, they would have to have been here at the start of the second semester. Um, employees who were contracted and paid after the division's January 2026 payroll and who meet all other eligibility requirements will qualify for a partial bonus amount. >> Okay. That's all based on uh contract. If they sign their contract this year is what will make them. So if they came in half a year last year, they would get the $500 bonus if they sign contract for next year. >> That is correct. >> Okay. >> Well, and they want you to get

150the money until they're back next year because this is going to be paid out in July. Correct. >> We actually initially it was July. >> Okay. So I asked Miss Lucan when it would be best for her folks and she said June. So in our discussion today uh we wanted to make sure it would work because June 15th is kind of a magical time when folks have to say that they are coming back. So if they are sign their contract by June 15th uh we're able to uh give that at the end of June according to Miss Connage. Are we able to add a caveat that if they decide to leave and not actually return that they have to return the bonus? >> So if they Jim, you can talk about what happens if they

151there's a lot of things that happen after June 15th. Well, at least for, you know, teachers and licensed contracted individuals once you signed your contract after June 15th, you're not permitted to be released from contract unless it's for promotional opportunity, but you can't have a lateral move to another division without implications on your license and impact. And not that's not that's all divisions here regionally practice that. So, if you're locked in on the 15th, um, then you're not going to leave unless of course you leave for a promotion, which we do permit. Um, and you beyond that they're locked in. That makes sense. That that does not necessarily impact support staff contracts in that regard. >> That's true. >> What would be the implication to put that caveat in there, Mr. Connage? >> I think

152putting it in there is not a problem trying [laughter] >> difficult. >> Yeah. And I don't know if that's something that can then be pulled from the final payout if in fact it's in the if it's in the contract. No. >> See the payout would have been through the would be in the July payroll for people that aren't 12 months and we're not going to know if they actually return until >> August. >> Yeah. That would be after >> but if we did it in July like we talked earlier that was still going to be other than your 12 month that would still be a risk. >> She just has new payroll. So I kind of contributed to her on that to what was best. >> Yeah. We don't want to either. >> Miss Justice,

153you have a comment. >> Yes, sir. Um, so if I understand correctly, the framework that's being presented is upon signing a renewal of a contract. >> Yes. Bonus. >> Yeah. They get a bonus. Okay. >> Well, it's not when they sign it. They they would get the bonus in the June 15th if they signed it. >> the June 30th payment, >> right? But [clears throat] they would have to sign uh a new contract in order to qualify. >> Correct. Correct. Yeah. I was just And I apologize. I was just clarifying they don't get it when they sign it, but June 30th. >> Correct. >> The final uh paycheck agree to >> correct. Yeah. >> But they would have to sign it in order to get it. >> Correct. >> Yes. Any other thoughts? So, when

154do you need a decision from the board on if we want to proceed with that? You need it tonight. >> Yes, sir. [clears throat] >> Because we don't have another meeting until >> call Priscilla. [laughter] >> Yeah. So, this is a big one because so the the net effect for me, right? And this is what we talked about last time because I mean nobody wants to be the guy that says did not vote for a bonus. But the conversation we had earlier about we we already cut CIP items to keep those instructional new instructional positions in. We're now going to potentially be taking out an additional almost an additional quarter million dollars. So 218,000 right to fund a bonus. What impact will that have on year end funds? Because that's that will come out of

155year in funds, right? Our rollover money that would be CI that would use for CIP next year. So I guess what for me I need to hear from you, Dr. Oden and I need to hear from Miss Lanage that this is not going to negatively affect our plans for CIP and the things that we've got to get done. We had a whole conversation about that earlier. We got to have good buses. We got to have clean schools, you know, balls painted, those type of things. What type of impact is this going to have? >> So, I know Mr. Sukconich was crunching numbers up until this afternoon to to do this because I made wanted to make sure that um that we could do it. And I think at the end of the day what you

156have to weigh out is um you know as Mr. Gallagher and his staff, you know, retention is our new recruitment. So I think that this is something that um uh would be a great morale boost and and it would be great if we could do it. And yes, there are some trade-offs, but I'll let you know, Miss Lonish talk about that a little bit. But, you know, I think that that we feel that that we can make this happen. And, you know, the other side of that, I would hate to to turn back $450,000. >> So, but doing um projections, I mean, we we encumber all of our payrolls. We have open POS for everything, you know, that's non-personnel. Um, I still have to set aside stuff. We still have, you know, subs that we're

157going to pay. We're going to have summer school. We have leave payout. Um, if you look at the reports, as of right now, we have, um, encumbered in non-personnel $925,000. Um, even taking all that into consideration with the additional state funds, looking at the sales tax, I still look at about a half a million. Um, but again, that can change, you know, based off of what the actual payrolls are. Um, we may get more Medicaid money in. That would be great. Um, one option is, you know, we're in this situation because we had a $1.5 million health insurance that, you know, that we needed to do to fund everything. We do have a health insurance reserve. I would not want to deplete that. But were you to take 200,000 out to help cover the health

158insurance, it would free that up to do the bonus if you so desire. The health insurance fund um currently has 1.7 million. So >> we can't touch that. That's not an option. >> Okay. So right now, and again, I'm going to say this is unofficial because until the audits are done, um what we have in our carryover, our year-end funds is around 1.1 million. That is my calculation. That is not confirmed with the county. Um, >> so we will be taking the 218,000 out of the 1.1 million. >> It would come out of my my [laughter] I'm estimating about a half a million. So it would be red it would you be about it would come out of our current year. It would not fall into year-end funds. It would be expensed in this year

159if we pay it in June. >> Correct. Right. Um, so it would just minimize what's being added. >> That's what I'm saying. It would reduce that. >> That's correct. >> So, help me understand again because we said 1.1 million and you said a half million. What's the >> So, the 1.1 is what's actually the county is holding those funds. It is not our current year budget. I'm still looking and looking at projecting our revenue versus our expenditures to see what we could potentially add to that those funds. And right now I'm I feel comfortable saying a half a million dollars. Um >> so you're suggesting that our carryover might be a half million. >> Yes. >> And then we'd be taking the 218 out of the half million. >> That was actually after I did

160the >> That would be after. >> Yes. >> So if we pull the 218, we would still have >> a half a million. >> Half a million. >> Again, that could go up if we get the Medicaid. If you know it, it there's still a lot of moving parts. our health insurance could go the other way. Um, you know, we're covering 1.5 if it goes the other way. You know, we have a few more months, but again, you still if that came to in as opposed to over spending a budget, which we don't want to do, you may then look at if we have further deficits going to the reserve if we need to. So, okay. >> It is it is definitely a tough decision. And I'm certainly not trying to put you on the

161spot or the administration, but do you feel comfortable where we're at and the board approving that amount? I feel comfortable where we're at ex with the caveat of we're not going to be be putting a lot of money into CIP and you're tough decisions are going to be have to once because currently our CIP is frozen until after the audit. Um, so once we're ready to go and we have that number, there's going to we're going to have to revisit and probably shift some of the projects. I mean, $1.5 million is is a huge number to absorb. >> Um, one second. Priscilla Ligan's calling. I don't know if she's trying to call into the meeting. >> Would you mind board? Go ahead, please. >> Hey, Miss Ligan, did you want to call in? Yeah, we

162are. Would you like to be added virtually? >> Have to do something. >> Um, we are uh discussing the bonus. >> I don't think she can rejoin it, sir. Because we didn't do that in the beginning. >> Well, one second. We're clarifying if we can even add you in right now. Could you come back to the meeting to be in person >> if we do a vote? >> Okay. Yeah, come on back. >> Okay, >> that's better. >> She's going to come back. So, I'd rather if we can board, let's wait for Miss Lian to come back. >> I'd love to get her input on it as well. >> Uh, and it we don't have a lot of audience members uh out there that we're killing time either. So, >> it's fine. >> I got

163a question. What's stopping us from doing a two-year or three-year contract for teachers? Is there anything stopping us legally? >> Yes. >> And and what what exactly is that? Funding is number one. We don't have funding to commit us to >> hiring them for. >> It's just the way that that contracts are yearly. >> It is true. It is true. And and they do all >> Well, some contracts I know because we've signed them here for more than one year. >> So, >> yeah, I understand that. But that's still budget money. It's still funding. So, I don't know why there's an exception for superintendent and not possible teachers. I can't give you the actual legal backing on that except the fact that it's not done anywhere and they're always year to year. >> Just because

164it's not done doesn't mean I understand but I didn't say that. I said I could find that information for you and to say that's something you'd have to look into. That's not something you could just make a decision this evening. But you can certainly look into that possibility. I think it's highly unlikely for a variety of reasons. But what I can do is kind of dig in to the possibilities and what the positive or negative implications of that would be. The other reason is that come to mind immediately are the financial. So each year you know that that changes based on step or based on you know what the you know increase would be. So you'd never be able to lock them in at any rate because that changes year to year. So you can

165only give them one year worth of a rate and and the likelihood is people wouldn't commit because they probably would also want the flexibility year to year. And some people want the security of more than just a one-year contract. So >> I understand. I can find that information about all angles. I can certainly look at all angles and kind of just let folks know kind of what that would look like and come back with that >> and board. While we're waiting on Miss Lian, uh I do I guess I need need to make a statement as far as conflict potential conflict of interest. My wife is a teacher and so if we approve this bonus, she would get that bonus. So I wanted to be transparent with the audience listening to this that I do

166have a potential conflict with that. >> Recess. >> So I believe Mr. Childress in that situation if there was a a conflict of interest I think you can just abstain, right? I can I mean I can vote as long as I've made it clear, but I can also stop abstaining. >> Mr. Childers, if you'd like while we're waiting, um do you want to move to HR and let Mr. uh >> Yes. Yeah. Let's So we're going to table >> now we got Jim warmed up. >> Yeah, we're going to table uh the bonus discussion and and move to >> Yes. >> Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Rossy, I will get information on that and get back to you just so we can answer that question. But but again, formally, good evening, uh Mr. Chair, members of

167the board. The first item that I have for HR is our U vacancy memo for the evening. So you have that in front of you and can take a look at that. Happy to answer any questions. As you know, that has ebbed and flowed uh throughout the course of this year. Uh and what you have in front of you um four of those have been hired since we posted this last week and we've got 10 positions that are either interviewing or we have offers out. So there's always movement. Um but it has you know grown in some areas and reduced in some areas since last time. It's a lot of activity uh this year but we are always constantly active to be trying to fill those as quickly as possible also speaks to the fact

168that you know getting those new positions posted quickly is of great benefit. So while we have individuals out there and qualified individuals who want to definitely strike while the iron's hot. >> Do I really see only one bus driver? >> No. No. [clears throat] on that side. That's the position and I don't have them listed um by numbers uh on that. So I think that that would be the same which I believe was four and three from full-time and part-time. >> Any other questions, comments, board? >> Okay. All right. Uh with the next piece that we have is that we have our employee work calendars just forformational purposes there. We provide those to the board every year for all the different um areas and classifications of our contracted employees whether that be from the 180

169day through the 250day contracts which just outlines their their different work schedules and calendars, days off and the days that they're actually working throughout. Um, so those are there for your review and if you have any questions for any of those more than happy to answer hearing none. And lastly, and potentially most importantly, just a reminder of the retirement reception next Wednesday, uh, which is the 20th over at Sweet Brier College Prothrow Dining Hall. Uh, we'll be taking an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate all of our amazing retirees from Ammeris County Public Schools. So, um, you all are on on the, uh, invitation list. I have all of y'all included for that, and I hope that each and every one of you will be able to participate. It's always an amazing event, hopefully good

170food and a time to get together and just recognize and celebrate folks who have put so much time and effort into this county to our students and our families and to each other. So, I do hope that everybody will join us next Wednesday at Pro for our retirement ceremony. >> Mr. Gallagher, what time is that, please? >> That starts at 6:00. So, right at 6, we will start. You want to get there a little early because >> you know, you might have a little bit back up there at the gate. So, >> well, last time it poured rain, so I was glad I was not late. >> I can't I can't predict the weather or try to do anything with that, but hopefully it'll be nice. >> I beat the weather. [laughter] >> So, hopefully

171everybody will come out. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Gallagher. How many how many retirees we got this year? >> I think it's 22, I believe, and they'll be coming. I think 21 22 and they'll be coming with their with us with and one, right? So, they can come with their one other individual. And um this should be a very nice evening. As you remember, we get to reflect on each one of them individually for their experience and their time with county public schools and present them with their rocking chair that they have earned and well deserved. So hopefully you all will be there. Yeah. >> And real quick, what is do you know off hand what that total years of service was is? >> Not no I mean I do have that but I haven't

172calculated pulled together but I'll certainly have it for that evening. So yeah. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. That's all I have for the evening. >> Thank you Mr. Chair, before we uh go back to the other um I conferred this with Miss Lucich may ease up what y'all are thinking up there. So or your next board meeting is June 11th and if you want to table that to the vote till next till the next meeting. We could have it ready and then wait. So I conferred with her. So that might make things a little bit easier. She'll have funds a little bit closer. We should have our calc tool by then. Cross >> and so we're fine. I wanted to make sure that she didn't do that. So, I know if that makes it easier,

173we would probably have our pencil sharpened a little bit more as well. >> We just have more. We'd have another month's worth of data. >> Okay. Board, what's your pleasure on that? So, we're talking about the bonus and whether we want to we originally asked it to approve it tonight. Uh but now it looks like we can wait till the uh meeting on the 11th, June 11th. >> Uh of which uh I will not be present for that meeting. I will need to call in for it. But uh in which case for this I will abstain from voting since I [clears throat] will have a direct conflict. >> Sir, >> Mr. Childress. So returning to the bonus and year end just for figures. So if we were to do the 219, we would only have

174a rollover of about half a million to go into our CIP from unspent funds. Correct. Minimally. >> Yes. And again, I I always prepare for the worst case. Um, and that's why another month we would have the we would have the May payroll known and we would only be projecting the June. >> Um, but that is what we have this evening is 500,000. And in our insurance account, we have 1.7 million, right? >> That's in the reserve at the county. >> Okay. So, but we had to spend 1 million extra in claims this year. Is that correct? That we're having to reabsorb. That's >> correct. We have not We tried not to go into the We don't want to go into that now. >> Just because that is our That is our safety net. >>

175Well, I recall in our budget meeting in March, we were talking about the significance that we aren't currently contributing >> correct >> adequately to that reserve. Um, we have not added to it since we became self-insured. >> Wow. Okay. [snorts] [sighs] So, if we were to go with the bonus, which thankfully we're not voting tonight, that's the equivalent of one and a half buses about, right? 219,000. A new bus is 150. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Okay. >> New buses would be $300,000. >> Yeah. Roughly. And again, you guys haven't decided yet. So, I need, you know, we need to you guys would need to make a motion to vote on if you want to table that. Right. >> Well, we don't need to make a motion to table it because we didn't never >> Okay,

176that's fine. >> We've never addressed it. >> Right. Miss >> Okay. No vote. I'm sorry. >> Yeah. >> Just a consensus. Yes, sir. >> I suggest we table it for next month. we will have more information and real numbers and still have enough time to should the board choose to um implement it as a retention. >> Right. And and and again I want to be clear anyone listening to this online, you know, this is a retention bonus and we certainly as a board want to do it, >> but we've got to be fiscally responsible and make sure that we're able to do it right. And so we don't want to put the money out there and then suffer next school year because we don't have the adequate funding that we need for CIP and or

177health insurance or what have you. So you know I appreciate us being methodical and thinking through this and and making sure that we can do it. So Mr. Um I would just want to clarif the the requirements that we propose the recommendation are they are you in agreement with those because we're going to I mean we have a quick turnaround if if you do say June 11th we're going to have to go ahead and start preparing. >> Sure. Let's let's review it again for Miss Lian that just came in if you don't mind. >> Okay. Um, so it's this piece of PA paper, but um, we did make a little adjustment to it. So, it is a retention bonus. They have to be under contract this year and be returning for next school year, and

178they have to have signed their contract by June 15th because it's going to be due to the county the following day in order for us to meet it if we pay it in June. um employees who are contracted and paid on the division's January payroll. So they have been there the all the first semester and at the start of the se the second semester they will qualify for the full bonus amount. Employees who are contracted and receive their paycheck their first paycheck after that so February or beyond they they would be re be eligible for a partial bonus amount. Um, if someone has separated and then comes back, we're going to use that separation. The date that they come back the second time is whether or not they qualify. So, this lists everything. Um, the

179full-time employees are consider those that work 6 hours or more per day, 30 or more hours a week. Part-time or less than 6 hours, less than 30 hours a week. And then so that gives us the full bonus of 1,000, a part-time bonus of 500. If they've come in the second half of the year, um they would be eligible as a full-time for 500 as a part-time partial of 250. Um, and we did that because we've we've hired people this month and we don't want to exclude when they come back, but at the same time, they haven't been here um in the current year of any long period of time. So, if you're okay with those parameters, we're going to use those as we build it and prepare in case you do approve the bonus.

180My my question is where did we come up with the the 30 hours as fulltime? >> That is what we use for VRS. >> That's VRS. >> VRS. Okay. All right. >> All right. >> Thank you, >> Board. Any comments on that? Everybody okay with Mr. >> Mr. Ross? Can >> I have one thing? Yeah. So, I'm probably going to catch a little shade for this, but I think in the future when we start talking about bonuses, and I I understand that we're trying to you use this as a retention bonus. Um maybe in the future when we start structuring bonuses for teachers, they should be based on performance [clears throat] of teachers. Maybe instead of we can combine it with retention, but also performance with what are their scores like? Are there students passing?

181And maybe that's what makes them eligible for the full B bonus and not their well the retention part and the full bonus instead of just the retention part. And maybe we need to look at structuring bonuses in the future based on job performance. That's what a bonus is for. >> And then you could break it into retention and job performance. >> So the way this money comes in from the state, Mr. Rossi, they give us the money for the SOQ funded positions. It's not given to us like that. So that's >> So are you just going to give them to the SOQ funded positions or are you giving it to everybody? >> No, sir. We have to That's >> okay. Well, yeah. >> There you are. >> Well, I think what he's trying to express,

182Mr. Rossi, is that the the nonsoq funded positions aren't the teaching ones. They would be our technicians, our our bus drivers, our maintenance workers that would >> So they'd be eligible for the retention bonus but not necessarily a per a performance bonus. >> Correct. >> So we split it performance bonus with the teachers because the money is not given. It was either all or nothing, >> right? >> They all get either you fund your entire SOQ or none. >> Right. >> You can't pick and choose. Am I correct on that? >> That's right, sir. Yes, sir. And that's because the portion of it that is state funded. >> Correct. The state mandates that. >> All right. Well, board, we got some work to do. >> Can I can I one comment if I could? And

183it's just out there just for consideration the timing of the decision. Um, you know, between now and, you know, one month from now in June, it's just a it's a big time when a lot of people are making decisions as to whether to sign their contracts that go out tomorrow. So for retention bonus, the impact of them knowing that they have that pretty soon, I think would increase people people to sign um their their contracts and to remain under contract. Whereas if they don't know till almost that June 15th cut, you know, that may make a big difference in the retention aspect. And I know you have a lot of other factors. That's just one of them. you know, knowing that that's out there when bonuses I mean, when contracts come out tomorrow, I think

184is an incentive for to get people under contract. Whereas, if they don't know that until it's time for them to make a decision to leave, then they make they they could make other decisions based on that. I just need to throw that out there because it is retention based. >> Yeah. And I and I totally understand that the retention aspect of it, but as a board, we need to be responsible enough if we have to step back and say, "Okay, we can't answer this question right now." I trust our teachers will make the decision knowing that we have the bonus. It looks like by the board's consensus that we do want to give the bonus. However, we got to be responsible about giving it. And I trust our teachers enough to understand where we're at

185after all the budget talks and the board of supervisors meetings. We can't just, you know, invest all this money >> and take it from CIP or take it from other positions. So >> I understand that. I was just making the point just from, you know, $1,000 is a lot of money right now. It definitely is. Would it change somebody's decision? I I don't know. I don't know if it's enough. I don't know if it's an I I think maybe they've already had their decision made and this might sweeten the pot a little bit, but I think the decisions for the retention has probably already been figured out. >> Mr. Terry, >> Mr. So I know in years past we have moved the June meeting up a week. You've already expressed that you wouldn't be available.

186Is that something that gets us any extra time? Does it give us enough data time? Does it give a better approval and get it out? I'm just throwing it out there as an option because probably wouldn't have the count tool. Mr. Terry is what Mr. >> I probably wouldn't have the CP tool. >> I just I can't say for certain I'll have it at the current >> more likely you >> we would know we would have another >> that's a great thought >> few weeks of health insurance claims and we would have another payroll under the belt. Yeah. And again, let's let's go at it this way and to try and address your concern, Miss Galla, because I think it's a valid concern, right? We're trying to do this as a retention tool, but at

187this point, I don't know that we feel comfortable partly because I don't know that the administration feels 100% comfortable, right? And it's not trying to put anybody in the spot, but we've got to be fiscally responsible. But I think given let's get consensus from the board that all things being equal and if we're still looking at you know half million dollar carryover I think the board would be amenable to approving right >> approving it. So again I think that helps with your concerns. It it the board wants will want to do it. I think every if you ask anybody individually again I can't speak for them but I think they would all say yes we want to give the retention bonus but board do you would you mind if we did a consensus on that

188I know it's kind of asking how you'd vote at the next meeting but everybody kind of feel leaning towards if it stays at a half million for our carryover would you feel comfortable providing this bonus knowing that $ 218,000 um would not be there. So, we would carry over 500,000 or 718,000. All right. That's a kind of our our choices >> and we're hoping that's worst case scenario. >> Worst case scenario. >> Is that a a fair what's that? Okay. So, either we carry over 718,000 or we give the bonus and we carry over half a million dollars. >> Mr. Childress, I want to give a bonus. really really want to give a bonus but I really struggle with coming to the table in in giving an extra 220,000 when a reduction of 500,000 from

189the board of supervisors caused us to reduce um new positions in CIP. I I I I struggle with seeing that as being consistent. So, I want to give a bonus, but I'm not certain that I see that as being consistent with what we're communicating to the board of supervisors about how much we need. >> I'd just like to remind you though that if we don't, that's that's that 450 almost half a million dollars that we'd have to turn back. It's kind of like if I go to the store and there's a sale. If I buy three of them, I get two free. But did I need that? I mean, I might want that one. I might really want that one. But can I do it right now? I might not be able to even though

190it's amazing opportunity. >> Point taken. U board. Any other >> Well, I I do want to address that comment and it and I understand turning away the money part and it's the money's going like this. It's not really it's flowing through us and I don't know if that has an advantage for the district budget in the future. the fact that that money came through the division or not. Is that why because you brought it up several times and I don't know if that's if that's like if there's something there other than the fact that it's just flowing from our hands. Well, not really from our hands, from the county's hands, from the state hands because that's what you're talking about, the state side funding >> and just going through to the teachers bonuses, right? Because

191it's not like we're holding on to it. It's coming from the state going through our hands. >> It's a one-time thing. So, it's not like it adds to our >> So, it doesn't So, >> it's just >> All right. >> Just the point of, you know, 200,000 gets us 600,000. >> Yeah. I mean, yeah, look, it looks good, but it really doesn't >> I understand and I understand that. I understand both points. I do, [clears throat] >> Mr. Children. So, I understand everything I was listening is driving. Um what are the other and I I don't compare too often but it might be good now. What are other localities doing with this bonus from the state? In my meeting on Monday, I [clears throat] need immediate ones. Uhu. >> In my meeting on Monday, every

192other locality but one and that was in the um >> uh we don't need western part of the state and that's because they gave a bonus at Christmas time is given the bonus either June July. There were one or two that were waiting till September >> uh to give it because they were wait they just felt like they were they were doing it you know next year but most of them are are trying to give it in June. Uh >> just I mean you know we have a different situation of course or not but just getting an idea. >> Yes ma'am. >> People do talk to one >> another talk the same thing. I'm sure >> the ones the ones that I've spoke spoken with they are doing a bonus. They were tying it to

193retention. >> Um some are doing it next year. >> Yeah because of what I do in Lynchburg city. I knew that. But the word retention I must have missed. Had did that come for everybody? Is that just a a thing that the state is calling this? We we named that. >> The ones that are the ones that are doing June, they're kind of calling it retention bonus. You're ones that are giving it later. It would be it would be >> That's when I was reading this, I like I didn't know they turned into a retention bonus, right? >> Can't hurt, but at the same time, u >> we were trying to use it as a positive misle. No, I I I agree. I agree. I'm just getting that straight in my head. But yeah, >>

194but no, I don't have I understand what you were saying. I'm just saying the timing here once again uh is waiting when we come back again putting her to uh situation of of of hurry or not and I I know why we're waiting kind of and I know why we're waiting but is that is this are we doing the right thing by not giving this approval tonight or the wrong thing timewise for the finance officer? >> Well, I think it's at the pleasure of the board. I mean, if we feel for me, it's a matter of how confident they feel in our numbers that we have to carry over cuz our number one thing is we've got to be fiscally responsible because I don't look good in orange. >> So, you're saying to So, the

195CFO is saying it is to our best advantage for all of those things. I heard you to wait until June when you have better numbers. I mean, I've given I've given projections and and I I still sense there's some hesitation. Um, waiting till June would give you another month of actual data because I'm actually, you know, projecting out what the payrolls are going to be in May and what the addition what the subs and the additional, you know, so it is based off projection, but I'm I I I am doing it as sort of the worst case. I want to make sure I have enough in there um to cover it. >> Okay. >> Um >> that's all I need to know. >> Okay. >> I mean, I was just asking so you're not going

196to be in a rush situation. >> I'm going to go ahead like I was telling Dr. Hoden, we're going to still proceed as if it's approved so that we're ready to go. Um once you do do decide or do not decide because I want if we waited till the 11th, it would be too rushed to do it. Um, but I can prepare. We can prepare as if you are doing it so that we're ready to go for June. >> Is that when we meet in another? >> Yeah. >> What did you just say? >> For the June payroll, the end of the month payroll. >> That's that's what I was asking. I'm good. >> I'm sorry. >> No, no, I'm good, >> Miss Justice. >> Yes. I just wanted to bring up I believe most

197of the divisions around here raised the uh employee portion significantly in their health insurance in in the past year and I that's to me a bonus also because we didn't do that. Um you know so that's a high retention point as well. Um so >> it is an additional additional retention point. >> Yeah. >> But back to your point I think Mr. Childress you know if in fact theoretically you believe the idea that if that money was there that you would likely do it and it's just a matter of if it's there. That's why I think the consensus would have been a nice thing just to say that the concept you you you agree with. It's just whether you come back and it actually is there in June. a consensus of mindset that it is

198a good thing to do I think would go a long way just to reiterate. >> Yeah. I mean I think all of us are big on retention. We because we have great teachers. So it's it is definitely >> and if we all won the lottery tomorrow we would be like yes let's do this. But I know I sit in the audience and watch David and Miss Laconage and Dr. Hoden, get up and try to defend our our budget and and then to turn around. That makes it hard, right? It makes it hard to turn around and say, "Okay, we're going to we're going to spend more money and and to the community is not only to the board of supervisors, but also to our community." And it is a hard decision, and I 100% believe

199in retention. I 100% want to give this bonus. I just would feel better if I knew what the exact numbers were. >> [clears throat] >> So, it seems like if we voted tonight, we voting on theory. If we vote next week, next month, we're voting on fact. >> Act, >> Mr. Rossy, >> I've got one more shade point. Retention. If $1,000 is going to make the difference between a teacher choosing Ammeris County or not choosing Ammeris County, maybe they're not the right teacher. I'm just that's just my opinion. I just wanted to put that out there. $1,000 is a lot of money, don't get me wrong, >> but if signing a contract and working in this division versus going to another division is making the difference, then whether we voted yes or no tonight probably

200isn't the deciding factor for that contract. >> Yeah, I wouldn't argue that. I don't know that would be the deciding factor. You know, when you look around, if we were the only division not to be doing so, it's also a perception thing. So I I get that. I understand. I don't think it would be the the lone soul deciding factor, but it's something to look positively on. It's an incentive. Um and it's also a perception thing. So >> and and you know it is an incentive because they can go over the border and make more money. So we have to remember that too. I mean that'd be pretty easy to do. >> Yeah. Yeah, I mean again, you know, we talk about this when we talk through budgets when we're talking about trying because I

201know the last several budget cycles, we've tried to increase certain tiers for our teachers to to get, you know, to get them up to be more competitive with the localities. So, again, our focus, we're focusing on the right things, right? We we want to pay our our our staff um and but we've also gota be fiscally responsible. And I and I again, not speaking for the whole board, but we want to be able to give the bonus. We just got to make sure that we can actually afford to do it and not negatively impact next school year as part of the process. So, um I think we've said all we can say on that tonight. So, we will uh table that until the um June 11th meeting. Okay. All right. So, moving on to 14.

202>> 14. Yes, sir. Uh, so this is a very busy time of year as as everyone knows. We've had so many events. Uh, Mr. Gallagher already reminded you about the uh retirement dinner. Uh, but uh recently we had the Golden A ceremony which was uh phenomenal. It was really awesome to see uh students uh where they recognized their kindergarten teacher, their elementary teacher, you know, maybe a coach. We had several that actually did their parent that was a teacher. That was kind of a a neat twist as well. So, just great to see that, not only uh to see our students, but to see some of our educators uh that that work hard and and are honored in that. And that's that's quite a tribute. Um and also in that, like tonight, I said we

203had the uh science and we had the math and we had the CTE. Well, also in that you had, you know, you had students from all walks. You had you had career tech students. you even had a cosmetology student in there that recognized our new cosmetology teacher. So just kind of an amazing, you know, uh uh bandwidth there of of who was recognized. So just wanted to share that. And then uh I will share that the uh golden tassel ceremony uh was was a very uh wellreceived uh event as well. So very very good to see that. So and then some date reminders. Uh May 14th, that's today. Senior awards. I'll let Miss Lean talk a little bit about that. that I won't steal the thunder since we had to uh we weren't able to

204go with that. And then this weekend is the prom at Sweet Brier. Um and we're gracious to them. And then on May 22nd is graduation. >> So Dr. Hoden, one comment on the senior awards. Uh do we normally do that the same night as a board meeting? >> So as I as I shared, um there were literally they scoured the calendar. No, they do not. You have to remember with the senior awards um they they try not to have it on the day we have a game day we have and so we actually moved the golden A and the golden tassel ceremonies up a little bit because May is just so crazy and and yeah trust me we yeah we miss Lean um you know we we really tried to to do something different but

205that's why we let her let her scoot over there for a for a personal uh reason on on a grandson but you know it's it's a hard time and we talked to Dr. Crawford about that, but unfortunately it was just the way things go sometimes. >> And then uh one more date in May, so May 20th is retirement. >> Yes. Yeah. And Mr. Gallagher already talked about that. So, but the um just to talk about graduation, I think um two of you I think um uh Miss Saunders and um Miss Lean uh we did send an email out that if anyone would like a ride u we can secure that. So if you do need that, I'll need to know that by tomorrow so we can set that up. >> So we'll just do like

206we do we've done in the past, right? We'll meet at food line. >> Well, there's a there's two. >> Yeah, here or food [laughter] line. Yeah, here are food line and Amalon. So just let us know. >> Yeah, she'll resend it. Just please reply. >> I think I asked it back there. >> You did? Yes, ma'am. Miss Lean and Miss Saunders were the ones that >> I need a ride. Okay, >> so reply to the email, please. Would you resend it? So, um, we'll have we'll have a van for you. That'll make things easier. Um, and then, uh, educator appreciation week, May 4th through 8th. So, a few of you, uh, helped hand out lunches and, uh, that was nice. I tried to get to all schools, but I didn't make it because some were

207kind of going on at the same time, so I couldn't be at two. So, uh, that's just just during that week, but that's a that was a a great thing to try to do. We gave Chick-fil-A to the uh staff and there are very few that don't like Chick-fil-A. So, we we they were appreciative of that. And then the uh June schoolboard meeting we talked about on June 11th. And then the other thing um that we just went to today, Mr. Neighbors and I. So, uh the transition program at Ammeris County High School uh where our uh older special ed students uh are transitioning into the workplace. We were able to go to that today and what an event. So, what I've asked uh Mr. Neighbors to do, we're going to have the uh teacher

208and maybe one of the students come to in June and present because it it's just it's a different side of what you see and just it was just just pretty neat to see that. So, uh we were glad to to be able to go over that today. So, just a just a a twist on that and we're going to try to line it up for you in June so you can kind of understand what those students do and it it's pretty cool. So, and that's all I have, sir. All right. Uh, moving on. 1501 committee reports. We'll start with you, Miss Saunders. >> Committee of one. And I want to thank everyone, staff, and the board who's um trying to get this budget passed. It has been a difficult decision. I'm on both ends. I'

209I've got I'm straddling a fence on both sides. So, but you know, for all of us, our goal is always our students, um, their education, but also their safety. So, We need to always keep that in the forefront and we do. Um, but we're also so proud of our students and their accomplishments. I mean, tonight was just one small part of what we've been looking at all year. So, I just want to say finish hard and congratulations to all the seniors and y'all have a great summer. Everybody, parents, teachers, staff, everyone. Thanks. On Tuesday, I was able to attend the STEM Academy senior award night, which for the four Ammerst seniors, they did a great job. We actually had one that won the outstanding leadership out of the 27 total seniors in the STEM Academy.

210Um, it was a fun night just seeing the the pictures that they put up and talking about what they learned. That was a great uh opportunity and to thank the whole staff with what you do. I'm know everybody gets bullied and beat up over little things here and there, but that's the way we have to keep it and to keep this county's education striving. Thank you. Thank you very much. So, um, Central Virginia Gov School had a meeting in May and then they have another meeting June 3rd. All of our Ammerst positions are filled, which is excellent news and we had 15 applications. So that's really good because we need those weight list people because you never know what's going to happen in a student's life or their parents' life. So um that's really exciting.

211Um something that stood out to me was um the FCCLA. I had to look it up [laughter] and it was Family Career and Community Leaders of America. And what was so exciting to me was that all those um awardees or were not here because they were being celebrated at the senior awards. They are leaders in their community and they're the exceptional people that are going to go out and inspire more leaders. I was blessed by the elementary senior walkthrough, first one ever, giving back to the community and that was studentled, that was grassroots inspired from within themselves and that is the kind of student that is representative of Ammerst and not many divisions can say that and it's just another reason why I love this area. Um, I got to go to the educator appreciation.

212I got to go to Temperance, Madison Heights, and Amalon. And I got to speak with Miss Gray, and I believe it's Miss Graaser that is her assistant Glaze. Thank you. I was doing it from memory. Not very good. I got to visit a lot with Bobby Campbell. I got to um visit with the SRO's. I got to sit with Mr. Hutchinson and watch him interact with his students that are leaning against the wall. He's saying, "Sing is so good, but can we do that at chorus and not in the classroom?" And I just I loved talking with our educators and our aids and our staff and every one of them is putting so much heart into their students. And so that's just an awesome awesome thing to be a part of. Let's see. One of

213the things that stood out to me in the Golden Ace ceremony, which I've been able to attend three times now, is a consistent expression of students who said things like, "This instructor helped me see I had value in who I was, that I could achieve and go forward." Another one was I got to be me. I got to authentically express with integrity who I am. And in an age that rewards those who look like everyone else, the golden age just reaffirms again and again the importance of seeing our students individually and that's what our educators and staff do. So I just want to say um congratulations seniors. I want to say congratulations to all our students that are finishing up and I just want to say have fun but please stay safe. We want this

214break to be the summer of great memories and um you all are so precious to us. Yeah, I'm not going to go into a whole lot, but for those who are listening on radio or couldn't see what the room looked like um to see how many students and family members we had and Dr. Hoden put a lot of certificates down. >> So, if those people had been here, we would have needed the high school auditorium to do this meeting. Um, so, um, which is great because we we did we celebrated a pretty diverse group of of kids and, um, and those that weren't here being celebrated were being celebrated at the high school, uh, for their accomplishments and their successes there. So, um, uh, I do want to reiterate what Miss Justice said. Um, you

215know, these are great times for our students and, uh, I cringe every time I get a text from our superintendent this time of year just because it's that curse of the end of the year and I just fear what that that text is going to say. So, uh, please be safe out there and, um, help us get good text. >> Thank you. >> I like that. >> Yes. Well, I thought you people would be at home in the bed by now. [laughter] I was going the other direction. Made a U-turn on 29, but that's cuz I love you. Got to have a little fun sometime. But anyway, um we didn't Laurel didn't meet uh last week or week before and things are well there. We did adopt a budget there and it is included. The

216bonus is included because they're under Lynchburg City and I think there's a 15. >> Yes, ma'am. That's correct. >> Which we were excited about that. That's not comparison, but just letting you know that uh the graduation is coming up at the end of the month. We do not have a uh Amherst uh student graduating this year, but we do have Camel County Approatics. So, I plan to attend that again. I was at Early College for many reasons because I work there. But it's always good when they say Amherst County and watching those young people walk across and get their associate degree. So, uh it's good stuff to see and and as everyone has said, it's been a good month, a busy month, but it's a good month because everybody's having fun celebrating. And uh I

217did not get to the lunch this time, Mr. Gallagher because I was giving exams. Every time I thought I was going to come out, I had to talk to somebody. But anyway, I I hope the teachers enjoyed that and and these are now I'm going to tell you this don't happen in everywhere for everybody that's talking about retention and and leaving and what we need to do to stay. Uh we're doing all we can, I think. Um but don't everybody get appreciation lunches all over the United States? So, I'm glad that we do that here. That's not saying that we are better or worse, but I'm glad we do. Um, I did want to ask a question. Maybe was talked about while I was gone. Summer school. Did we cut I'm going stop using that

218word. Did we change something in summer school from last year and then I'll be through. >> Yes, ma'am. Just what Dr. Metta discussed last time around. Uh, but I can have him reach out. >> Okay. >> Not a big deal. I'm just trying to think what did we um what did we change there and and why did we do that? And then I'm hoping that uh sometime during the summer months uh when things are a little more relaxed that we're still looking into Amos Middle School as to what's going to happen there before they come back to school. Uh looking into that gym situation and let's not cuz people will ask us until we say something that we're going to do uh about that. And I was excited to know that this is this class

219this graduating class is 30 300 and some is that right Dr. Hoden? Um, and so, um, I'm excited. And the the awards tonight were just wonderful. >> Uh, got there in time for, uh, over half of it. Well, not not really, but it's just good. It's just good to see students walk across stage and get something. And, uh, I can't say I won't have my grandson and and your niece. So, we all just having a good time with everything that we're doing. So, I'm looking forward to, um, coming back with new news, new money news, uh, uh, whatever that means. And I think we will excel and and we've been here before. The whole nation's in this. We're not by ourselves, you know. We think we are because we have to be uh frugal for

220Amherst County, but everybody's doing the same thing. When I read the VSBA reports every morning at at Daybreak, there's some adjustment all over the state of Virginia. The budgets of uh things the word cut, cut, cut, change, change, eliminate, eliminate. And we don't like those words. So, we're doing the best we can here not to do that. But um we'll see it. I'll see you all tomorrow. And then did we change June meeting is still the same? >> Stay safe. >> Okay, I'm good. [sighs] >> It's been a long night and I will not uh belabor everything. Um I do want to talk about STEM Academy. I was able to go to their presentations. Very very exciting. Um those students got together, worked on their projects, presented it to everybody there. Um it was great

221to see everybody working as a team even though they weren't classmates. Some of them were, some of them weren't, but they all got together and they worked together to get a job done. Um they enjoyed the the nursing program did really really well. Heard a lot of highlights about it. some of the stuff I didn't even know. But uh it it's very interesting and the word I could think of is hope. These students brought hope to me that the future is bright. Some of these kids are extremely talented and some of the things that I heard just amazed me. Especially when they were talking about AI and some of the flowserve stuff where they're talking about building and 3D printing. It was just all amazing stuff and it is the future so we got to

222be on board with that. Um, another thing I would like the board to consider a suggestion that was made tonight about bringing prayer into our meetings. I know the board of supervisor does it. I do like the idea of a hybrid possibly. Um, and the question that's always been asked to me about prayer at at a board meeting was who's going to say the prayer? So hopefully we can get it on the agenda, have a conversation about it, and answer that question. Uh, congratulations to our soon to be graduated seniors. Uh, I know it's going to be a a good time up there at the college and looking forward to it. And that's all I have for tonight. >> Thank you, Mr. Russy. Well, as usual, board, I will keep my comments brief. Saunders. Um

223so I would like to ask um you know we we did ask the administration three I think three board meetings back uh to look into the Ammeris Middle School gym uh situation. Uh I think it's fair to ask for an update on that in the June meeting. >> Yes sir. >> Uh so if we could bring that and give us your assessment of what the real issue is there, how we can rectify it. I know there was some conversation around um doing some B team type stuff. Uh I will just say I'm not a proponent of that because you're reducing the the amount of students who can participate in that. Uh but we need to be safe if we're using the facility. So I would appreciate a feedback on that. Um again if you weren't

224here looking out of the audience and and to see just I mean the whole place there was not one empty seat and in fact it was standing room only. That's what I wish our board meetings could be like every meeting and quite honestly for the whole meeting not just for the recognition but I wish the community cared enough to actually be there listen and comment on what's going on. um and to hear the board and how sincere we are about making instruction better and honestly we'd love their input. Um but kudos to our graduates. Um you know they they have successfully finished you know a very difficult chapter in their life graduating high school and they've got many more chapters and and what an awesome experience. I you know I'm 54 years old and I

225still look back at my high school years and talk about it. So a lot of great memories that they've built uh here in Ammeris County, the great teachers uh and great school system. So I'm I'm excited about that. Um I did get to um go to the Manellison spring cleaning event that they had a few weeks back. Um I got to listen to the band, the chorus, the band led by Mr. Tomlin, chorus by Miss Jarrett. Um, and what a phenomenal job those kids did and how professional they presented themselves and it was it was just a great a great time. Um, I even bought some plants uh from the F uh FFA uh led by Mrs. Ell. Um, although I will say I was disappointed when I left because I didn't win my silent

226auction. I bid on I don't know three or four things. Um and I didn't win not one. So I was disappointed with that. But um kudos to them. They they they raised a lot of money for the PTO. So great job with that. Um I did also get to attend Shrek. Uh and what a phenomenal production to be able to uh do that in the new uh auditorium. Uh and to to the stage production. Uh it was just a a great um opportunity to see our students uh shine literally on stage. Uh and so uh I would highly encourage our community next year. Don't miss out. I mean these plays, they are phenomenal. Our our teacher, you know, she does a great job working with the students and our students are phenomenal at what they

227do. Uh and we got to even see Mr. Crawford on stage. So that was that was great. Uh well, boy, that's all I have uh at this time. So again, uh thank you to the administration. You know, the year's not quite over yet, but uh we're counting down the days now. So uh keep it up, keep us informed, and and as Mr. Terry said, please remind our students to be safe. A few seconds longer to get there is not going to hurt you. So, >> all right. Having said that, that brings us to our public comments. Uh, anyone in the audience that would like to come on up. State your name and individual three minutes. U group. [laughter] >> Good evening, y'all. Sam, District 2 Dad. And you're right, there should be more people in

228the audience. I'm once again the only parent andor guardian in the room. It' be great to have some people here just to compare notes with and to even just be here in the room with y'all [clears throat] when y'all are making these difficult decisions. From my position, my vantage point as a parent, I think there was some harsh words for teachers. I think it's important and I wish y'all had said something to that effect like, "Hey, yes, these teachers could be making 10 grand more across county lines. That doesn't mean like like that means they're they are loyal, you know?" So, um, let's be gentle, please. I think the, um, admin was making good points about this, just the optics of it. As a parent, I need the people in the room with the children

229to be taken care of, right? You got to have happy workers. So, that that's a it's a given for any enterprise, right? Really like this idea of prayer, y'all. Uh, Eric and Jeff are talking about it. So, let me use some of this time right now for silent prayer. And let's do some silent prayer because today is the day, the celebration of life for Charles Skippy Brown, a local legend, a man who did so much for this community and had such an amazing impact on such a wide swath of our community. So, let's take a modem of my three minutes for Skippy. Thank you. Skippy is a man who showed us that if you can dream it, you can make it your reality. He conjured all of this stuff through his own hard work and

230determination. and his son Kelvin Brown as he eulogized him today wanted us to come away with this point that what his father had said to him towards the end was take everything as a positive. Peace and love y'all. Anyone else like to address the board? Seeing none. Uh I I and again we don't normally make comments but I I do just want to readress the the comment about the the teachers and the pay. We certainly did mention that. We mentioned about how every budget cycle we have worked to try and increase those pay bands. We do take our teachers pay extremely serious and we've tried to make adjustments to get those bands up to get us more competitive to the localities. Uh it's unfortunately it's it's the beast of the budget. And so um it's

231definitely high on our priority list. So board uh what's your pleasure? >> I'll make the motion to adjurnn. >> Second. A motion and a second. All those in favor. Any opposed? Anybody want to stay? All right. We are adjourned.