ACPS Regular School Board Meeting - Thursday, August 14, 2025

001Come on clock. [Laughter] I hear you. >> Like to welcome everybody to the August Amoris County School Board meeting. Uh Dr. Wells, anything you need to start with? >> Yes, sir. U Mr. Mr. Chair, members of the board, I just want to take a moment to just thank you for uh your support and understanding uh for the past few weeks during my recovery. And uh I also just want to let folks know that are here or watching that due to my restrictions for work, I do have to take a 10-minute break every 50 minutes. So, if you see me get up and walk out, that's why. And then I'll be back after my 10 minutes are up. So, just want to put that out there. So, if anybody sees that and again, just again, thank

002you for uh your understanding as I've been dealing with this. Appreciate it. >> Okay. Thank you. So, if we could rise for a moment of silence and pledge allegiance, please. 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. Okay. Uh board, we have an agenda in front of us. >> Mr. Chair, I'd like to make a motion to amend the agenda to include a closed session at the end of the meeting for personnel matters to discuss the superintendent's goals. Okay. So, we have a motion. >> Second. >> Okay. Um any discussion? Okay. All in favor? I >> I McNarney, can you take care of that, please? >> So, >> have to move. >>

003Oh, sorry. Uh, can I have a motion to approve the agenda? >> Make a motion to approve the amended agenda. >> Second. >> All in favor? I do. We have anybody sign up tonight. Okay. Okay. So, we currently have no one signed up to speak uh at this first um public comment s time. Is there anyone from the audience who would like to approach the board? If so, step forward and state your name. Okay. Well, I'm seeing none. So, we're going to move on. Um 3.0 consent agenda. >> I make a motion that we approve tonight's consent agenda. >> Second. >> Okay. >> Uh all in favor? >> I >> Okay. 4.0 action items. >> So 4.0 action items are the superintendent's personnel actions for the period July 7th through July 8th, 25. I make

004a motion that we approve the superintendent's personnel actions for the period of July 7th through August 8th, 2025. >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes, sir. >> At the um I will be abstaining uh from the vote on this as it affects uh my wife >> employed by the schools. >> Gotcha. Okay. So, we have a motion. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Uh any other discussion? Okay. Uh, all in favor? >> I. Any opposed? One abstension. Okay. Thank you, sir. >> Okay. >> 4.02 are the revisions to the policy manual and the first set um were the ones that didn't have any changes from the VSBA. They did that change last month. So, but I know I received an email from Mrs. Thompson regarding possibility of pulling some of these. So, Miss M

005Miss Thompson, I just >> Oh, thank you. Um board, there were within this particular 4.01 um >> no two 4.02 >> 4.02. Thank you. Just make sure we got um I was looking at GCL which I believe falls in this category. Um and it removes a delay. It removes or it adds a delay of offering highquality IEP training. So I was in favor of GCL, but I didn't understand the rationale for delaying >> I can the implementation. >> Speak to that real quick, Miss Johnson, if you would. >> The the code of Virginia was stated that it gave school divisions up to 2720 to implement. It didn't say they had to, but because it's now code, they gave school divisions who weren't already doing that training the opportunity to give them another year, two years

006to get there. We're already doing it, but it does give divisions who aren't doing it up till a 2728 school year to do that. So, that's the >> Okay, >> that's that one. >> All right. So, if that's the case, and we are offering that high quality IEP training, then I wouldn't have an issue with that one. Um and then in memo I um IG A um it strikes out information going home about fentanyl training. And then we as a border to ID grades 9 through two for opioid and antagon is that >> some kind of >> is the >> drug that counters that? Yes ma'am. um training for all, you know, for students. And so we as a board determine which grade 9 through 12. So I would like to see us keep the

007fentanyl training just because I think it's important and not just dismiss it. And then I felt like before we adopt the policy 9 through 12, we have to have something in our in our plan as to when we wanted to determine which grades would receive that training. And my question was did it involve all students because it may not be appropriate you know for I don't know for like you know some of the adaptive students or something like that. So that was my question for IG AG. Um so um the other one was IGBJ. Um I had a question on coursework options. This is where they're offering advanced math for students. um not parents can opt out but that it offers um students an automatic enrollment if they score in the top quartile of their

008so. So the questions that I had on it was do we have enough math course offerings if a student were not to score in the upper quartile till say seventh grade and they are automatically placed in advanced math in eighth grade. Do we have enough course offerings in eighth grade for to assist that student? The other questions I had was um uh they are there any um supports that we will be offering that's in addition to the current supports we have. Um are there any exit strategies? I know a parent can opt a student out, but I didn't see anything that expressed um listening to student voice on that. So I had those two questions. um policy K Q um it is about vendors and um it says that we as a board will verify

009a vendor's employers and certify in writing that they are of good character. This is about um the felons. Um, and I know there's another policy in here in which it asks us as a board to verify like if we're hiring, you know, a a felon that we would verify their character and there's a whole list of qualifications. They have to have, you know, I'm not going to read them, but the fact that we have to know a vendor's employees enough to certify in writing concerns me that I don't know how we would do that for KQ. And I believe E, F, and there was one. Oh, there's quite a few in J. um JFCD. Um we as a board are supposed to discuss um either option A or B for cases with firearms. Do we

010want all firearm cases or destructive devices to go to our disciplinary committee or do we want the supervisor I mean superintendent to preview that and determine if it comes to the board? I just it gave you two options. I just thought that was something we the board needed to discuss. JFCI um talks about supports for substance abuse. It's a new policy. My question was what would that entail? What does supports mean? Would it involve finances? Is it time? Um is it bringing in programs? So, it was just very generic, which might be okay, but um we definitely want to support substance abuse programs, but what I just wanted to know what the reality looked like for that. JFCM was the cell phone policy, which is new. Ours is JFC-R2, which is our current cell phone

011policy. So, I just need a clarification if these two were the same, >> and if they are, are we going to change JFCR2 to JFCM? So on that one, I can answer that one pretty quick. Okay. >> Since the there was no until the code changed because was just a governor's executive order and then we did our regulation when code changed this past year, it made it code. So we would go with JFCM and make our regulation JFCM-R and just put our regulation supports the policy. So the policy really is what we're doing anyway. We just change our regulation from JFC-R2 to JFCM-R for the regulation to support that policy. >> Okay. So, if we approve JFCM tonight, we were really approving the cell phone policy that we currently have. We'll just be changing the

012name. Okay. Yes, ma'am. >> That's what I thought, but I wasn't clear on it. Then JH CD um was about students being able to have medications on them if they have a seizure. um where they need that type medication. I think they are u part of the policy allows the students to keep it on. The other is the administration being able to um administer the opioid antidote. I don't know if that's the right word for it or not, but there's two parts to that and I felt like we as a board need to at least say do we approve both of those or one or the other. Then JJ Aag um it asks you to um this is about um heat stroke and and games and and it has a section in there that you're

013supposed to insert tiered um provisions or tiered procedures um in that policy based on the temperatures. So, that's missing and I wanted to know if the board wanted that to be inserted before we approved it or whether we wanted to just add that as a regulation. Um, and then the last one and J is very minimal. I I was fine with the policy. It just references um director of student services. I don't think we have that title anymore. So, I just recommend that maybe we write something in there about s superintendent design and it would make it very generic. So that was just sort of a >> So that's quite a lot. So I don't know if we want to take some of these and move them to policy or if we want to discuss

014them tonight. >> Could we have the policy committee meet on those to discuss those? >> I have >> and yeah, I was I was going to ask Miss Justice, you had some did they match or was there >> um I had a few to add, but I did not have a list of the ones. um the well I did but anyways so for policy memo um one um the GCL that was one I had a a question about um policy memo two um I had several questions on those. So the ones that I I personally would like to be seeing sent to policy committee is the the two or one in policy memo I L and then in memo 3 the KQ um to be pulled out and then in memo EFJ the JCJ the

015J EG the JHC the JJ AG, which was one that Miss Miss Thompson talked about, and the JRCA one, which was about student personal information. Did I think you listed GB? Did you? >> Did you say no? Okay. So, GBE, GCB. Um the GCDA also talked about um the moral turpitude and allowing for felons. um GCE was talking about substitute teachers and one of the things that wanted to change was about um a substitute teacher could be a substitute teacher basically for the whole year without a contract versus previous prior to co it was 90 days. Um I don't know if that benefits the teacher that's in that position or not. So that was one. Um GCL, GCPD. Um she mentioned IG AG. I believe our current policy requires that information to be passed out

016within the first two weeks. So I was like I thought we should probably keep that. Um on our driver education one, IG AG, do we have hands-on in the car behind the wheel instruction? We do. Okay. So, that's what that applied to. Um, LBD, LC, LCE. I think that's it. The GCDA appeared to be in conflict with our current policy GCPD. Okay. >> Do you have those? >> So here >> it was a list. >> We have written them down. >> Okay. So instead of me sitting here and >> repeating every one of them, can we just say that the ones that were noted will be pulled? >> Okay. >> Or do you want us to go through and say them all again? >> I I >> for the motion >> I say we can

017just say the ones that were mentioned by Miss Thompson and Miss Justice were pulled and we will approve the other. >> We can read them all if you like. The one question was GCL. Well, I know Miss Thompson after I gave the explanation said she was okay, but do you want to still pull that or is that still >> No, that that was fine with me. If we want to keep GCL from my list and JFCM from my list, that's the cell phone one. I'm fine with that. >> This Justice, you mentioned GCL as well. Are you okay with the explanation I gave Miss Thompson for GCL? >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. So, let me try this way. So, I'm going to do a motion that we approve the following based

018on what was said. We approve JC, FEA, EBD, EBC, EBBA, EBB, EB, ECB, FEA, J-R, JFCD, JFCI, and put the rest back to committee. Um, JFCI was the last one. You said that one. I'd like some information on this. >> You want JFCI? Okay. So, strike JFCI from my motion. >> Second. >> Does that cover your request? >> I think that's just cleaner. >> And do you have that? >> We will off the recording >> document. Okay. I was just making sure. We'll pull it off the record to make sure we didn't miss anything in the minutes, but we'll make sure it's right. >> Gotcha. >> I have it written here. We can get you an email as well with it. So, >> okay. So, board, any discussion on the policies we have taken out

019and the motion that's on the table. >> Only discussion is we're going to take those that have been pulled and send that to policy. Absolutely. >> Then the policy will will look at that and then we'll bring back the original and any recommendations from the policy committee. Okay. >> Yes. Yes. >> And our goal will be to meet between now the next board meeting. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Any other discussion? Okay. All in favor of the motion that's on the table? >> I. >> Anyone opposed? >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> All right. 4.03. These were the DJF, JFC, and KBA. These are the ones that the state um VSBA actually corrected and sent that correction out. So they were not in I pulled them from the initial list up front. Um so it' be

020separated and so um on those this is technically a first read, but if y'all are since you've already seen them with the changes, if you would like to approve, I would recommend we approve. If you want to wait till September to approve that is fine as well. The one thing on I believe it's JFC the big thing there was code now requires a section on cyber bullying being added to our student discipline area there. So that's why that's only really changed. So what my recommendation on JFC is to keep our our JFC which is Ammeris County policy and add that section on cyber bullying to that and the cross references that relate to that and that would be the only change to our JFC and the others were kind of very minimal as the changes.

021So if you like to bring it back in September we can or if you feel comfortable tonight moving forward we can >> were what were those again the >> DJF JFC and KBA? Okay. >> Lord, what say you? >> Not KQ, right? >> No, ma'am. >> Okay. >> DJF, JFC, and KBA. Miss Thompson, Miss Justice, are y'all okay with those? >> Yeah, I was just making sure, but >> they weren't listed in >> Yeah, I was making sure I didn't have them on my list, but um I would make uh a motion that we approve policy D, J, and K items that are in 4.03. >> Second. >> Okay, so we have a motion and a second. Any other discussion? Okay. All in favor? >> I thank you. >> The next policy 4.04 is BDD.

022Um, this is one you're required to update annually. The board has to approve annually and it deals I got to read my notes here. The electron participation in meetings for remote location. So basically is given you permission to participate remotely but code requires it to be updated annually and this is our chance to do that. I make a motion we approve BDD. Okay. >> Second. >> Okay. Any other discussion? >> All in favor? >> I. >> Okay. Next under 4.05 we have JGD and this deals with um the discipline committee. And so I know we have had some some conversation about the discipline committee. So what we thought we'd put in here and again this is the first read but what we looked at this would be that since we with our vape THC vapes

023and things like that which we've had several of that occupies your time typically if it's a first offense and they're not dealing or that type of stuff they do the program and so forth. Um, so we would ask that those types of cases to me to keep you from having to be here for 5 hours on a for those types of cases on a board meeting night that those could come to me or my designate and then they would be heard and then if they appeal it, it goes to the board. Um, anybody who was on a second offense or has been accu has been selling or distributing those products would come directly to the board and any other drugs besides the THC, the CBD and the alcohol would be to the boards. The only

024ones we're talking about are the THC vapes, the CBD vapes and a possession of alcohol would come to the to us. Everything else will still go to the full board or to your to the committee for consideration. So, that's the addition there. Again, this is first read. So, if y'all feel free um if you feel comfortable moving forward, that's fine. If you want to bring it back next month, that's fine as well. >> And just to clear up, um that hearing would look just like it did without the board members in there. So, the parents would still be asked to come, the principal would be there and the students would be there and that that hearing would be just like it would be, you know, if the board members were there. >> Mr. Chair. >>

025Yes, ma'am. >> Um I personally think our current process is better. I think especially with those firsttime offenders, if coming before the board can help them understand the significance of this, don't do it a second time. I think that's well worth um our time as board members for me personally. Um, and it also, um, gives the opportunity to kind of keep our our finger on the pulse, which I think is I, at least for me as an individual board member, it's it's hard to kind of keep the finger on the pulse of what's happening in the schools. And so, I appreciate that opportunity. >> Okay. Well, seeing as how this is a first read, um if everybody could look at them and we will um um we can make recommendations to the policy committee and

026um bring them back next month, >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Yeah, I'm not uh disagreeing. What was the rationale for changing it? >> Just so a lot of it is, you know, >> I mean, did a board member say they didn't want to come? Well, it's very timeconuming, but honestly, that's the way other divisions do it. I mean, they they only come to on the serious ones and so um it's just a timeconuming and a lot of time um it would give uh the opportunity for the scheduling to be a lot better. It's pretty rigid now. It's the you know the either this Thursday or the second. And so sometimes we get into a pinch with students missing more than 10 days and that's why I've had to move some around and um

027we always have to have them in the afternoon and sometimes that's not as conducive for the parents. So I could I could have those meetings for those parents at any time during the day or or evening and it would be a little bit more conducive and then um for those first offenses. So but as I as as Dr. Well said any of those more serious ones I mean would would come to you as a board. >> But have we not met our 10day obligation the best we could? >> No. >> We have been. We have. I mean there there are >> I mean I know when you ask me I try when it's my turn. >> Sometimes it just requires >> I'm not I'm not argumental. I just want to clear the air. >> Yeah.

028Sometimes requires you to have to jump through hoops of schedules. If we have some of those events where the board meeting is today and somebody does something tomorrow and they don't meet we don't meet again till next month. So we had to bring try to get you in for a meeting to do the discipline. But again, it's your schedule. So it was brought forward. We thought we'd bring it to you. And so again, take your time to consider it. And then it nothing saying we have to do it, but again, we just want to bring it forward as an option. >> Yeah. >> Barry. >> Yes, sir. And I guess if we could drop out the three board members for the the first offense, what if we don't completely drop out three board members? Maybe

029it would be easier and more flexible if just one board member shows up. Just an just an option, you know, if just one board member has to show up and then maybe the scheduling conflict might resolve itself there because one out of seven might be a little bit easier to schedule than three out of seven. you know, that might be an option and and we can continue to discuss >> and that could be that the one board member is still optional like if nobody's able to attend or you can't get anybody. >> Correct. >> That would not shoehorned into a certain number. >> I mean, >> but it's only on the first offenses, the ones that are called out. >> Yeah. >> Right. You know, the one that the member said in last week, that

030would be that would have been one where I would have required or requested three. Right. >> Right. >> And my my recommendation would be for the board to take time this month to discuss if there's since there seems to be some need to do that and y'all can as a board >> and we can bring it to the committee or you can give any recommendations to the committee and then we can move forward and bring it back to you on September. >> When do you um if if you guys can let me know when the policy committee is going to meet. I'd like to have everybody send me an quick email. thumbs up, thumbs down, changes, whatever. I'll compile that, get it to Dr. Wells for the policy committee to hash over during the meeting

031and then we can um be ready for next month. >> Who was it? I'm sorry, Mr. Chair. >> Yes, ma'am. >> What policy committee? >> Those who look at these things already. >> Yes, ma'am. >> I mean, what what would that solve? >> Well, we can we can take what's already proposed, >> write our discussion down as to what we you know, I get >> what you think, what I think. when Dr. uh >> and then we will send those I'll put them all together and this is the consensus of the board. Yeah, we had >> five members think this way and two this way or whichever direction it ends up going and that way we get a good consensus and we know that's the flavor of the board. >> Okay, does that make sense?

032>> Yeah. >> Okay. But if if uh somebody could just let me know when they think that policy committee will be >> we will get with Miss Thompson, Miss Justice to find a date that works. That's fine. And do that. That's fine. All right. >> So, can I ask a question? >> Yes, sir. >> So, Mr. Odin, so these are the the hearings where we we follow a standard protocol as far as the outcome uh for the first offense >> under normal circumstances. >> Normal circumstances. Yes, sir. Where they >> are pretty much, you know, placed in the horizon program. And that's that was the other reason for you know, doing this so that it's not, you know, >> right? So what it >> time consuming for you for something that we're you know not

033to say that that's you know they're all going that same box but >> right so what would be the benefit of having board members in those meetings if it's a standard protocol the outcomes already I don't want to say predetermined but if if you're following the same standard for each of those cases what would be the benefit of of taking three board members and have them Well, it's your time. I mean, it's, you know, each board member has a time to review the grades and things like that. That's basically what I would be doing in that case. I would be acting like that. You know, we would I would discuss their grades. I would talk about other discipline. So, again, I would handle that. >> But the benefit for you, I think that historically, it's

034been to the board has been able to the members have been able to talk to families, answer, ask questions, find out what's going on to families. I think that's where the board has come in wanting to be engaged in that in these situations. And so I think that's that part of it, but on the other side of it, um, you know, you have the the other aspects that are there as well. So, >> good. Thank you. >> I I don't have a nature issue with by no means, but tried this some years ago and then all the parents did was said we want a board member. >> Okay. >> So, I mean, you know, I'm just saying just want to throw that out there. I understand this is simple cases if if there's such thing

035as a simple case of discipline. I don't think so, but I know what you mean. But yes, ma'am. >> The reason we had to back this up, and I don't want to be because I'm old, but we backed it up because parents would say, um, well, I want I want a board member involved. >> And so all we had to do then, you'd have to call us anyhow. But like we said, we sent it to policy and then come back with I don't I'm just throwing that out there. >> And again, not that we have to do what everyone else does, but usually the other divisions have a policy committee and that's, you know, that doesn't go to the board unless it's something serious >> or more serious. >> Okay, Mr. Yes, sir. >> And

036our discipline policy as it's written now, any offense that's 365 requires, >> Correct. >> Three board members. >> So, the first offense is still a 365 offense. So, we're going to be modifying that policy. So, Yes, sir. >> We want to make sure we do it right. >> We're not doing it over. >> Correct. That's correct. >> Good discussion, board. Anything else? >> Um, Mr. Chair. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Um, as Mr. Barasi was referencing that our what our per current policy says. One thought that comes to mind is that the perception may be a softening of response to the first offense because we're change if if the board decides to change it that a 365 for a first offense doesn't go before the board. To me, that could be perceived as reducing the seriousness

037of that. >> Mr. Mr. Chairman, >> I don't think T Dr. Hoden is going to be any softer than we would be on these guys when they come in because, you know, they start crying, then I start crying and it's just a mess. So, I really think that, you know, for me, if it's standard, I'm okay. I trust Dr. Hoden's opinion. He's doing this all the time. That that would be my opinion. >> Well, it would be it would be things that are all fit in that same bucket. All when we're done have the same outcome. And you know and if we chose as a board if we wanted to say that you know we would have one member there or option of having one or more members there or I mean for flexibility sake

038so for ones that people who are available and they want to attend because of for whatever reason you know they could but think it over send me a little something and when the board when the policy committee meets I'll make sure I've gotten something to them as the preference of the board. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> So, next we have instruction. We have 5.01. Turn over to Mr. Neighbors. >> Good evening, Mr. Chair, members of the board. I'm going to start by inviting Mr. Maddox and Mr. Presnell up to the podium. Uh our first item this evening, they've prepared a series of presentations for the board relative to RCT programming. We wanted to provide an overview of current state of CTE uh so to speak as well as

039talk about some long range planning and programming goals. So Mr. Maddox, Mr. President. >> All right. Got it. >> All right. So first uh Mr. chair, members of the board, uh Shan and I really want to thank you along with the division staff and and our amazing CTE instructors, our community partners and businesses for all the support you've given our programs. Um Shannon and I often when we are at the other director's meetings and folks come up and they say, "Well, how is CTE supported, you know, in in your division?" So, you know, I tell them we have a board that understands and sees the value of the CTE programs. We have superintendent who was supervisor of CTE. We have assistant superintendent that was supervisor of CTE. So, uh and we have a staff at

040second to none. We have great students. So, we're just blessed. We really are. And it's not it's not this way at a lot of divisions. I can tell you that. So, just wanted to thank you guys and and thank everybody. So, this evening we're going to share with you uh where Ammeris County Public Schools stands as far as our career and techn education programs. We're going to talk about career awareness, our current offerings, and then some future plans and where we would like to see our programs go. So, I'm going to start off and let Mr. President talk about our K through 12 career awareness programs. First, I'd like to thank the board for allowing me to present this tonight and reiterate what uh Mr. Maddox said. We have unbelievable support and we can't thank

041uh Dr. Wells and Dr. Hoden, Mr. Neighbors, and everyone else involved throughout the buildings for the support we receive. It's very nice to go to the elementary schools, middle schools, high school, and see smiling faces every time we come in the door. So, I do want to talk about our career awareness program. The whole goal is to start our youngest learners on being life ready. We want our students to graduate ready for that next step of life. And I get really excited about it. Uh Miss Saunders knows that. So we have, you know, three basic phases. There is a program for K through five that concentrates on career awareness. um grades six through eight in the middle school, it's more investigative, digging a little bit deeper, investigating and being curious about these different uh pathways,

042the different occupations that are out there and the relevance to the core area instruction. Um in 9 through 12, we immerse our students into different pathways and different occupations through our CTE courses, through workbased learning opportunities, through dual enrollment programs. So, just to give you a little bit of information, uh K through five, uh we use in our K through2 um elementary uh classes, we use Virginia career view, which is supported and linked to Virginia career wizard, which is approved, um as a program to be used, uh by VDOE. Um Virginia career view is very interactive, very animated, and it gives a great overview of what careers actually are, what a farmer does. very interactive. I'm in classrooms all the time watching these students learn about these different careers and what they actually are. Our

043ITRTS can't thank Miss Moore and um um Miss How enough for what they do. Our school counselors, they participate, our administrators, our teachers, we try to get all the stakeholders involved. So, and um also two through five, we kind of overlap >> the mic there. >> Oh, sorry. in two through five. Uh we use um an overlap of Virginia career view and Virginia career wizard. I didn't realize my voice was that low. U Virginia career where the Virginia career was of course is supported by the state. Uh we use that as interactive activities that u we feel are more appropriate for grades three through five. There are a few for grades two. Um just looking at what the students are are accomplishing. But basically in elementary school, we want to expose these students to what

044careers are, what occupations are out there, what these people do, what does a farmer do, what different types of farming are there. We want to make it fun for them. Um, we want to expose them to the skills that are needed for these occupations. We want to look at what their interests are through interest inventories and uh things of that nature. And we do want it to be age appropriate. Elementary students, we want them to have fun with it. We want them to learn at the same time. Um, we do have guest demonstrations. We'll have a uh co-op extension agents. They'll come in. AS come in with simulations on how people line workers climb poles. We have the Ammeris County uh fire departments. They've came plenty of times uh to career fairs and demonstrated what

045they what they do in their jobs. And students really love to see the demonstrations um throughout their Virginia Career Wizard um activities. It culminates in an academic and career plan portfolio. And I have a redacted one right there. Um the academic career plan portfolio while they're going through their activities in Virginia career wizard wizard in grades three through five. Um there are it automatically populates this. The students don't have to go in and actually enter all this information. It automatically populates at the end of fifth grade. These are all printed out and put into their um permanent records in section four. It's the very first thing in section four. This also can be printed out and sent home to the parents and start conversations of what these careers are and involving the stakeholders and create

046that triangulation between the home, the students and the uh administrators. So, we're very happy with the feedback we've gotten from our parents on their students being able to explore all this. Um, we also have our CTE uh career awareness bus that Mr. Maddox is going to talk about a little bit later. And if uh I believe all of you have seen demonstrations of what we do with that, you could tell the students enjoy it. We really enjoy. It's a very fluid thing that we're always adding things to. Um and all of those um activities are relevant to skills that are needed according to a lot of the Trailblazers data in our region in region 2000. So moving on, 6 through 8, we have a Virginia Career Wizard um program for middle school, the middle grades.

047In the seventh grade, all students in seventh grade rotate through a nineweek career investigations course in each respective in Ellison and Ammerst Middle and they'll complete Virginia career wizard activities, other career interest inventories and things of that nature and we do some academic and career planning that's appropriate for middle school and it's all approved by the state and I'll show you that here in a minute. We do have more guest demonstrations come in. We take the kids on field trip. We have the worlds of opportunity night effectively known as WOO um that the students are allowed to participate in. we've had future opportunities nights. Um, this culminates into an academic and career plan. And of course, in those grades, we have a teacher who teaches the career investigations course, but uh the the school counselors,

048myself, Mr. Maddox, teachers, parents, we're all involved in this. And you all know how important the conversations are to create buyin and for everybody to be clearly communicating and providing clarification. So, the middle school academic and career plan, of course, this is redacted, uh, looks like this. So basically what they're doing at the top is they're in fifth grade, you know, this culminates in this three-year 3 through five uh process of looking at what their career interest may be. In seventh grade, that may change. So we want to kind of revisit this in an age appropriate way and Virginia Career Wizard has that. Um to see if their career interests have changed. Um if they have, that's great. We'll go with that. If they haven't, then we know this this student is possibly looking at

049going into something maybe. Um we also um and this automatically populates the top of this automatically populates in the matrix there you see in the spreadsheet that's where students are uh required to plan out their coursework and in the middle grades we plan out seventh grade which is what they're taking. So, they fill those out, their drop- down lists, uh, and we plan out eth and ninth grade. For that, it's the career investigations teacher, um, myself and the school counselor. We go in and help the students with this, uh, looking at what they possibly want to take and having conversations. If you look at that section at the bottom, that's actually a whole page that goes home, but I just I snipped it out. This goes home. All right? This is required to go home.

050I keep electronic copies of it. This goes home to a parent. needs to be signed by a parent and by either a school counselor or I believe it says a school design up there, the school representative. So once this comes back, you know, we can start having those conversations. Of course, the student and the parent can have their conversations at home, which is unbelievably important to to have. And then we can come back and again make that homeschool connection. So which is which is unbelievably important. Um this then in the eighth grade is put into the permanent records to then go on to the high school. So you have the academic career plan portfolio uh from fifth grade going into the permanent record. You have the academic career plan from the eighth grade. We send

051it into the eighth grade being put into the permanent record and that goes to the high school. And I want to reiterate that all the elementary schools do the same process of do the same projects and follow the same structure. Um so we're sending the exact same things. the kids have been through the same thing to each respective middle school. Both middle schools do the exact same have the exact same structure as well. So we're sending the exact same things to the high school. So we're providing consistency there. So in our 9 through 12 again there is a high school Virginia career uh career wizard activity um program for grades 9 through 12. We continue on with the academic and career planning in a more intense way. We're looking at what are your post-secary plans?

052Is that work? Is that the military? Is that a certification program, community college, four-year university? You know, what what would you like to go into? Um, we have guest demonstrations dependent on interest. We have a very very very very vibrant and close relationship with our uh business and industry partners in the region and they are more than gracious to come and uh give demonstrations to our students, talk with them. They invite us. We have an unbelievable part partnership with Hickey Electric and Mechanical. Um, so we're just keep we're going to keep building those relationships. We also take them on a lot of field trips as well. Of course, we have our JVG program uh where we take a lot of field trips and that's a a great grant from um the state. Uh but we

053also have an academic career plan in the ninth grade. We're going to review what was sent in eighth grade and again see if there's a change in interest u from the eighth grade and and until the ninth grade. Uh once we do that, we're going to look at um their and I'll flip back and forth. We'll project their courses. You see it looks the same as the middle school, but we look to see how their interests have changed or have they not changed. So, we're going to project out their courses according to their interests and and this gives a chance to to look at graduation requirements in a lot of other areas too all the way from 10th to 12th grade. So, we may have to go back to ninth grade and look at if

054a kid has changed their entrance interests. Then, we'll go back and redo their schedule to accommodate what they're wanting to go into as closely as we can. Again, this goes home and needs to be signed by a parent and then come back and signed by a school representative or school counselor with a date. Every time we make an edit to this, it is re is reprinted out and sent home so the parents know exactly what is going on and we know what's going on. and it creates that cohesiveness. But going back um our workbased learning program ties into this as well. And I have numbers. So last year we had 316 seniors. 222 of those participated in a state approved high quality workbased learning experience which I think is absolutely unbelievable. I I cannot tell

055you how proud I am of our students for this. Um, we had students that were participating in work-based learning opportunities within the school. We had a lot outside of the school. Um, on my visitations, there was positivity all the way around. Great resume builder, a great experience for the student and gives them that opportunity to look at here's what I'm interested in. Here's the coursework I'm taking that's going to lead me to this. Here's a real world opportunity to get some experience. Um, so we look at the post-secary assistance and planning. We have a career coach um Yolanda Burns who I believe this is her third year uh with us. And we have a brand new um college coach. Um she just came this year. Her name is Michaela Smith. And I believe we've been

056participating in this program for four years. I work closely with them and the counselors at the high school. So we're all included on the benefit for the student. So we wanted to see these students be completely life ready for whatever that next step is. and prepared to assume adult roles and responsibilities and prepared to move on to the next stage of their life. And we follow them afterwards with our follow-up surveys for our completers in CTE to see what we've provided. And we are always receptive of feedback. So we try to include all the stakeholders in the community. Thank you. >> Thank you sir. >> You was on a roll. I was just let [Music] >> Yes, that one. >> You want me to click for you? >> Okay, >> I'll try. >> All right.

057So, you're going to be able to bring that up. Okay. So, first we want to talk about our current programs. >> Turn your mic around just >> I'm not over I'm gonna be over here. So, so yeah, these are our current programs. Uh with this chart, it shows every program we have at the high school, includes the programs that are offered at CTE Academy. Uh the link should work. I hope they all work. You should have access to it. It takes you directly to the CTE resource site, which we'll show you that here in a little bit. And actually gives you the description. You can see what competencies and this is available out there to the public. It's not. But our teachers and our students use this a lot. Our counselors do to make sure,

058you know, when a student's taking a class, they understand, you know, what the class is about. So, and you also see in there, and I'll talk about that a little bit bit later, where some things say when we're getting ready to do the program of studies, like that's coming up here pretty quick. Sometimes in our program of studies, it says depending approval. So, when you see that in there, that's because we've put that in, but we're waiting for the approval from VDOE, and I'll talk about that in a little bit. Down at the bottom, we also have a tab for our our middle school programs, and that's a programs we offer there, and what schools they're offered at. Okay. So, um, next. So the next slide is our completer and credential comparison. So the data

059shows many our students have completed programs and how many have earned industry uh recognized credentials. Um, and the credentials that we give are from the VOE uh credential approved credential list, which they're in the process of revamping that now, and hopefully we'll get the new list here pretty quick. So, as you look at the data, you see our completer numbers continue to rise. So, we're doing a good job getting that through. But you also see that students passing credentials is dropping. It's decreasing. Now I want to point out that 400 and some credentials. That's the year after we had our co. So students that were in ARRA did not complete credentials. So that year we doubled up on credentials cuz when they were when they were virtual they didn't get to complete the credentials. So

060that's why that 400 you see that that's that's two years because those students came back that year. We had to give them the credentials. So we doubled up the credentials that year. So uh I think our students are having a hard time passing test and exams. We see that in our other assessment data. Uh credential passing rates are trending downward and that is not acceptable for us. So we have already talked with our instructors. We're going to buy provide supports to our students and our instructors whether it's going to be study materials, practice test, small groupoup sessions, whatever we need to do to get the students back on track. I mean, this is a key measure for us. Um, the credentials are a direct pathway into businesses and give our students a better chance of

061landing jobs and stuff when they get out of school. I can ask you a question on that. So looking at 20 324 >> so about 330 students credentialed, right? So how many students attempted? So like what was our pass rate for that? So usually pass rates are given. It depends on the credential and I can get your report on the different pass rates per credential and per class that we give. But usually we're around 400 450 credentials that we give. The wise test is is our test that every so all the sophomores take with econ personal finance. Um but then >> 20% are failing. >> Right. Right. And I mean some programs some programs are worse than others. You know some some programs uh pass rates are tough. I I can tell you with our

062cyber security and the CompTIA test and you know network plus and all those things they're tough tests taking them. >> Yeah. So um but we we're having those discussions. Uh we're trying to work with some businesses and team up with them. We did that a few years ago with ITG with our cyber kids and it was very successful just getting them they were in class getting instruction but they were going out one night a week to ITG and doing some hands-on things and getting some different and it just made it relevant and our students did really well. So Shannon and I are going to try to get out and see if we can get some businesses and start working with some businesses to to maybe help us with this and partner with them for that.

063>> Yeah, I think when you do that, that helps make it real for the kids. They they start to see those connections, the correlation between >> I do this because of this and it's >> some of those it's hard to teach in the classroom. >> Yes. Yes. It it's a different environment. So are you looking at also how we can increase the number of students that are working towards being credentialed? >> Oh yeah. Yeah. So every I mean we have a couple of programs that didn't offer credentials. Last year we had new teachers and this year we've already met with teachers and we've tasked them with okay when this new credential list coming up we're going to sit down. Let's figure out because the credentials that we give you know the wise test is econom

064personal finance. that's trying to capture those kids for that graduation requirement. But for the rest of them, it's it's for whatever the businesses in this area, the the credentials that they, you know, want or would help our kids. So, um, so yeah, I mean, we're going to we're going to try to pick credentials off of that credentiing list that's going to be better for our kids and do what it needs to do to help them when when they graduate. >> I guess what I was getting to is more of we trying to not necessarily encourage, but kind of encourage students to pursue those programs. >> Right. Yes. Because we need electricians, we need plumbers and HVAC. >> Yes. And so hopefully we're kind of drawing kids to that. They have an interest in that. >>

065Well, and I think that's really helped us with the CTE Academy as far as offering those programs that right now we don't have those programs. We don't have an HVAC program and we don't have those things. So partnering with CBCC, that's been a tremendous opportunity for our kids. And again, thank you as a board for allocating funds so we can have those spots in in that. So yeah, that's I mean it's I mean it's a great program and they're they're going to increase some of their offerings as well. >> Mr. Chair, >> yes ma'am. >> Sorry. Um on these tests, these certification tests and lensure tests are these tests that we are paying for? Yes. >> Okay. And do we are do students take the test multiple times? Is it something like they pay for

066it once they pass or they pay for it? We pay for it each time they take it. >> We pay for it each time they take it. >> Okay. >> And some of the lensure exams like our CNA exam or cosmetology, we pay for that first one, but they know after that because usually they're graduated by then. Um I will tell you our CNA so you're going to see numbers when it come uh for this year whenever VDOE releases you're going to see our lensure numbers are down because our CNAs have not finished their lensure test. They finished the written test, but they're still waiting to get dates to for the practical and that's due to the fact that VDOE decided to uh go with a different vendor and it's been a struggle. So, what

067we're doing for those students, the instructor, uh the students are letting them know when their test date and then we're going to open the lab up so the students can come back and practice before they go take the practical. Lady, >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Another question. Um, >> there's a desperate need for CNAs, right? Yes. >> Um, are any of the care providers in our area um offering these tests? Um, if a student graduates and if they're going through another program, like I don't even know a central I know CBCC doesn't have it, but if they're going through another program, then they're, you know, they're probably offering it. I can tell you most of the businesses and things around if a student don't if they don't have a credential even in welding

068or whatever, the businesses are providing that. They're they're paying for their training and things like that. We work with Fairmont for our practical with the nursing and I mean I can find out if they actually do that but I I bet that most businesses if there's a certification that a student needs in today's world they'll pay they'll pay for it. So >> thank you sir. >> Welcome. >> Yes ma'am. >> Here um I just want to understand the chart really quickly. Um, >> yeah. >> Do we not administer workplace readiness or the ASVAB? >> We did. We actually did some ASVAB testing this past year. So, that data is not up there. Um, I would like for us to take the ASVAB test and have more students do that because it is a wonderful career

069awareness aptitude test. Um, and we're having conversations now to see how we could get more students to take that test. The workplace readiness test, we did that the first year. Um, we kind of did a pilot and did that and the wise test and looked at the pass rates. Um, the workplace readiness test is about 100 questions. They'll give you a they'll give students a longer a longer time to take it, but our pass rates were much better with the wise than it was with the workplace readiness. >> So, we could do either or you >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Right. >> Um and then you mentioned one that you said had doubled because it was two years worth. Was that the >> That was the 400 and 46 >> credentials earned. >> Yeah. Industry

070certifications. And why were our students not able to take it the prior year? >> Because the certifications some of them they they couldn't do it online. And that was our students. That was the year that the students were in ARRA and they were doing virtual learning after CO. So when they came back to school this year, we ended up testing them. So that's why the industry was kind of jumped up because we were testing students for that year plus students from a previous year. So if I'm looking at the state lure and the industry certification are they also doubled or they just indicative of the 2122 year? No, cuz what happened then the lure the only lure test we had then was the CNAs and we didn't have it the CNAs could not take CNA

071virtual so those students came to school [Music] because I mean I mean some some of the credentiing test the students have to be there and they have to go through the process. uh just taking a written test is you you're not going to be able to weld or or anything like that. So, >> thank you, >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Question here. Um, with the ASVAB, if our students were referred to the recruiters in town and they took the Pyat there and did the March to Success and then had it confirmed through CBCC, would that be able and they could bring back um proof of how they performed? Would the school be able to take credit for that? >> Would that go into our numbers if they were current students? >> I think

072that's an approved What? The ASVAN? >> Oh, I don't know if that's >> So, is that a separate test you're talking about from the ASVA? >> Well, the PYAT is they take it at the recruiter's office. Sometimes I think they can do it online and then they um go and confirm it. And the benefit to it is they can take it multiple times and improve where they're at. And then when they get the score that they like, they can then go into CBCC within the week to have it confirmed. I would think that the recruiters office would be happy to have students funneled that way and that might that wouldn't cost the division anything. And um and it is it's as my my son just went into the army and that's what they did. >>

073Yeah, I think we'll have to see if that comes out. The only approved uh credential right now that I know of through that uh pathway would be the ASVAB test. >> I would recommend reaching out because I think that is an ASVA. The Pyat I think is a part of that. Yeah. >> Is that a Okay. >> Yeah. Because I mean I would I mean right now if we the more students we could get to take the ASVAB test um the recruiters give it it's free >> they come back and give the students the information and I think one of the things that folks always say well that's a military test but unless the student actually checks that they want the recruiter to contact them they don't get contacted. Exactly. >> So, we're we're having

074conversations and we're going to try to move that way because I I just think it's a better it's a great test, especially for the aptitude and career awareness and what student strengths and weaknesses are. >> Mr. Maddox, is there a benefit for a student to take that even if they're not interested in going into >> services? Oh, yeah. That's what it's it's a great >> So, we give that information out to students and promote that to them. Okay. Thank you. and we actually had some students take it this past year. Um, so and that that information will come out when VDOE releases it and how many students actually met the minimum score of 31. Okay. So, new course approval. So, I'm going to try to to get through this. Um, whenever we have a new

075course and we want to offer a new course, it has to be approved through VDOE. It's an application process. VDOE reviews the application. It has to be associated with your local workforce. You have to have a qualified teacher. Uh, all of these different things. We able to pull that up. And I'm not going to go through this whole thing, but it is uh you have to provide are you going to have a sequence? Is it going to be a course sequence where they're going to be completers? Um what the sequence will be, what year you're going to implement. Uh you have to go through and pull data from the trailblazers uh to pull all the workforce data to back up the need. Plus the student interest surveys where sometimes we'll do a survey or sometimes

076we actually put those courses in the program of study pending videoe and then when I get the course requests from a students I send a course request and then we're also required to send um like any job um descriptions any jobs out there in your area. So I usually go on Indeed and copy a bunch 18 20 pages worth and that goes along with the application. So it's a little different process than than just adding a a regular course for us. So, Perkins overview, just for those that are not aware, um Virginia's total federal Perkins award is divided. 85% goes to secondary schools, 15% goes to postsecary to like CBCC in those places. Secondary share is split uh school divisions. It's based on 70% on poverty measures and then 30% on our CTE enrollments. Uh

077and VDOE keeps 1.6% uh at state for competitions and workbased uh learning carryover pools. If you spend all your money and you they have carryover pools where you can actually and we've had we've done this a few times, but a lot of times they put stipulations on that a few years ago. They had carryover funds and I think we ended up with about couple thousand extra, but it had to be spent on credentiing. That was a deal. So, we went back and pulled some of our credential and uh data uh that we didn't get reimbured from the state. We sent that in so the Perkins could pay. So, we we submit a local plan every year and then we get reimbursements to Omega. So I work with Miss Lonnage and we uh we purchase the

078equipment or materials and then we go back and do a reimbursement. So we have to purchase it up front then get a reimbursement. This is just some state reporting. This is we have a lot of reports that are due throughout the year for CTE and Mr. Kevin Harrison helps uh with all this data, but just gives you an idea of the different reports and the different things that we we do with CTE and when they're due. Um I think Kevin has all the reports under left. You can go down and you can put course names or course numbers in and it'll actually bring up the courses that are available and you can actually look at the courses by career cluster. So the courses that are here are the courses that are available for us to

079apply to get permission uh to have those courses in our schools. So, so now we're going to talk about our five-year plan. Okay. So, Mr. President and I worked on this cuz we talk about it all the time, but a lot of times this is first time we kind of put it all on paper cuz we we have all these ideas jumping in our head and what we want to do. So, so this this was a good uh good activity for us, >> keep us straight. So, our vision, we want to make sure we empower every student with skills, knowledge, and experience needed to thrive in a dynamic workforce and to pursue lifelong success. Uh, Ammeris County Public School CTE program strives to inspire, innovate, foster career readiness, and build strong partnerships with industry and

080the community to prepare future leaders, creators, and problem solvers. So our strategic goals, we want to strengthen the middle and high school programs we currently have. We want to expand CTE career pathway education at the elementary level. We want to establish new middle school CTE program handson uh maybe surround maybe working with the modules that we have on the bus and creating a class where we we get the students excited with the bus at the elementary level but then when we get to middle school we don't have a program there where they can spend more time with a welder or with a robot or with a drone. So, we would like and we don't we we have no idea what we're going to call it or what program we're going to have to use cuz

081we're going to have to figure it out and look at the state list and kind of compare and figure out how this fits. Um I know other you know we could call it career investigations um but we'll have to do do something with that. We want to strengthen career awareness. So, we want to do more things in the classroom, at elementary level, and with the bus. We want to build more partnerships with business and industry. And that we want to strengthen the pipeline for our CT programs at the high school. So, middle and high school CT programs. We always do this. Last year we didn't have We always do an annual review and that's usually a a teacher reviewing their program, giving us feedback and reflecting on what's working, what's not. Uh but last year,

082you all know we went through our uh federal audit, so we didn't, you know, that was our annual review. And I'll let you know, we have not received our report as of yet. uh as soon as we do, then we'll take time to make sure you know all the things that that we got to go back and and uh clean up for them and and all that. But we do annual reviews, want to update equipment and facilities. We want to expand credentiing. We've already talked about that. But we only want to expand credentiing with the ones used by our local businesses, the ones that mean something. Okay. um [Music] expand elementary career awareness programs. So we'd like to start by having a CTE career pathway instructor in each elementary school by 203031. Okay. That teacher

083would take the place of what our ITRTS library media and they would be somebody in the building that's there every day. Our ITRTS now float. They're one they're in a building one day, they move to another building, they have a rotation. uh this would put a teacher in front of those kids every day to not only do career awareness but to do uh steam activities and to do some things that's along the career awareness side but but actually the kids would get something every day with that where now they're rotating. Okay. We want to make sure we strengthen our career exploration curriculum. Mr. Presidentell is always looking into different different curriculums and different things we can do there. And we want to connect that instruction at elementary to the career clusters. Oh, what did I

084do? Okay. All right. So, new high school CTE programs. So now this is just right now what we know for next year. It's not five years and this is the only programs that we're going to try to offer. Okay. But I just wanted to put in here these are two programs that we feel very confident. Of course the agriculture program is already there. We're going to have the new a lab and that's going to be up and running by um next year. Right. M. Right. Dr. Hoden. >> Okay. So, and we already have a teacher in place that's going to take take over that program. She's currently working in biology and it's actually our a teacher at the high school now. Uh it's his sister. So, that's going to be great. Uh but then Shannon

085and I met last week with the Johnson's Health Center and they really want us to start a dental assistant program using the building that's are that's vacant now uh out in Manellison. So we had a very we had a great conversation with them. We're actually going to meet them again in September and they want to get the ball. They want that program to start next year and we'd probably look at starting with about 10 kids, 10 students for that. Okay. So, strengthen the career awareness car uh K through 12. We want to expand the bus activities. We've been doing a lot of things. We've been going to steam nights. Uh it's not just going to the elementary schools. We've been going to the middle schools. Mr. Presnell, if you want to talk a little bit

086about the VSBA event, you can talk about that. >> So, it was three weeks ago, Dr. McInness, that we went down there. >> Well, yeah, two or three weeks ago that uh we were invited to showcase our CTE career awareness bus at VSBA and short pump and it was a huge hit. Huge hit. Um, a lot of school systems, we've got a lot of people that are going to be requesting some PD days to come here and look at what we're doing with this. Uh, they loved it. They loved it. I was, uh, so glad to share that with Dr. McGinness, um, Jeff Hilty from our transportation department who so graciously drove for us and helped us out tremendously uh, with the instruction. And, uh, my son went with us, too. And I was so

087proud of him and how far he's come along. All thanks to the help from our CTE and and high school, middle school, elementary. I can't thank our instructors enough for what they've done. Just watching that, that was a personal moment for me that I was proud of. Um, but it was a huge hit. Um, everybody loved it and they want to come see how we did it. And I told them we have unbelievable support from our school board, senior leadership, community members, all the stakeholders are supporting CTE as well as other educational opportunities. Really thank Dr. McInness too. The Amoris Express Engineer. That's Dr. McInness. Okay. So along with that we want to increase um career weeks, guest speakers, industry tours, um using more digital platforms like we use at Virginia Wizard, but a lot

088of the platforms we use on the bus if we end up having a program at the middle school, those programs like the ZSpace program where students get into the health and medical sciences and they can dissect a human heart and they can do some of those things. Uh also with the auto tech feature where they can actually get in and take engines apart and do things. All of that thing all of those are are platforms for career awareness. So uh we want to increase those. We are increasing some of the things with the bus. We have CNC machines on the bus now. Um we're going to incorporate video media now on the bus. We bought our MEOS. So, we'll have students going around and they'll actually be recording and running and somebody will be doing

089the video and things like that because all again all these programs and all the things that we have on the bus support our programs at the high school. And as always, we want to we want to build increase internships, apprenticeships and mentorships, continue to our articulation agreements with uh all of our colleges and continue our advisory boards and things like that with the businesses. That keeps our teachers, that keeps us knowing what changes are happening in business. So if we need new equipment, if we need to do things a little bit different, um then that's where we get that information. We pull it all from business and industry. So with all that, we want to make sure we can u strengthen our CTE pipeline, continue with the middle school pairway, uh pathways, expand CTE showcase

090events, um and track student, you know, progression into our high school programs. That's how we'll know if we're successful. So implementation timeline. Now again, this is subject to change depending on resources and things because if we had the resources and stuff, Mr. Presnell would start on this tomorrow and we we would uh take that five years and we could do it in >> six months. So, well, what we're looking at is to hire two elementary career pathway instructors, pilot the middle school program that we talked about, um, and launch the A and the dental assistant program. And that's for next year. In 2027 28, hire two more elementary instructors and expand that middle school, expand that program to the other middle school to Amoris Middle. That'll give us a year to work through the curriculum

091and all that, plus to find an instructor. 2829 complete elementary staffing. Uh have the full middle school program in place and then by then 2930 expand internships. Uh but then we'll have to update some of the other labs that are not getting updated through the renovations and then evaluate and then comprehensive review. uh plan for the for next expansions and then refine and look at whatever we need to change to make it better. So resource needed number one at the top is qualified CTE staff and qualified instructors. We can have the best equipment. We can have the best curriculum. We can have the space. But if we do not have the instructor in a classroom that can build those relationships with the kids and teach the kids what they need to know to be successful,

092it's not. And like I said, we're we're blessed. [Music] So, we'll also need curriculum, instructional materials, uh, equipment updates, professional development, industry, and college partnerships. We'll continue to do that. Our evaluation metrics, how we know if this is working, it's going to be our enrollment and retention in CTE programs, number of credentials we can increase and earn, participation in career activities, internships and apprenticeship placements, and then student survey data and readiness indicators. So our next steps in our plan would be to share the plan with the stakeholders which I think we started tonight. Begin staffing and curriculum development, launch phase one in 2026 27 and then monitor and adjust annually. So in closing, we just want to prepare our students and get them ready for future success. And we think building the program from the

093bottom up and strengthening what we're doing at the elementary level, we have seen some success of that with the bus. But I think if we can expand that and then bring that into the middle schools, then we can really grow the programs that we have at the high school and introduce new programs as they come along. That's going to support our workforce. The workforce and what we have around here drives drives what we do. And any questions? I know that was a lot. >> Any questions? >> Yes, sir. >> All right. Um so I heard a lot about strengthening strengthening the pipeline um to high school CT pathways, >> right? >> Um and then I see in the presentation you mentioned uh in the timeline about the the pilot the middle school career pathways, >>

094right? >> Um because when we go back and we look at the the current offerings, >> right? >> Not a lot happening at the middle schools, >> Right. So there's not a lot of pathways happening. >> Right. So what is the in detail what is the the middle school career pathway program that you're talking about because I didn't see that. >> Okay. So if we take if we take everything and start with the modules that are on the bus then those modules hit just about every career pathway and different things that we have at the high school. Okay? And we're going to continue to add to that as we add programs. So if we had a program similar to the old synergistics program where students would go in and they could pick the modules that

095they want to spend 3 weeks here, 3 weeks there >> and they would rotate through them. Uh that's what I'm talking about as far as a pilot uh working with the current schedule. Now, not to say that if we wanted to get together and change a schedule alto together and try to offer more actual courses because I know there are other divisions doing that and Shannon and I want to investigate some of those things, some of those divisions as well. Um because some divisions only do the uh exploratory rotation in sixth grade and then in seventh and eighth grade students actually pick their classes and they actually have 18week classes just like we would do at the high school. But doing that again the resources have to be there cuz that's going to probably be

096more staffing. What we have in our five-year plan is trying to get something in there where the kids get an opportunity to rotate through different pathways in that one course. >> Yeah. So, the your plan it talks about hiring two elementary >> instructors, right? >> But it doesn't mention hiring any at the secondary level. >> You can't do it with the staffing you have today. >> You mean at at the middle school level, right? at at the middle school level to get every both middle schools on the same page, we would have to have at Manelson Middle, we'd have to have a business teacher and then we'd have to have a teacher that could teach the modules, the old synergistics piece, okay? Cuz when I was at Melisonson before, that's what we had. Okay? Okay.

097And then when the business teacher that took my place went somewhere else, then that that position was made into the uh dean of students. So right now we have we're down a business teacher roughly. We have one teacher teaching career investigations. We have an a teacher and that took us a year and a half to find an a teacher. And then we have two sections of digital apps. So we're really missing a business teacher that we don't have. So you're looking at three positions. Two positions at Manellison, one position at Ammeris Middle. >> Right. But digital apps is only at Ammeris Middle. >> Correct. >> No, >> it's at both. >> Yeah, >> cuz the one that said was only at Ammeris Middle. >> Uh that's the computer solutions. at sixth grade because we we

098don't have the business teacher because the teacher at Nelson is doing career investigations. That's what she does. >> Okay. I was just getting that when your timeline it talks about hiring two elementary. >> Right. >> Obviously, we've got to hire others that aren't accounted for what you're saying here. Right. >> Right. Um, but I think if we can get the program with the bus modules and get that program going where we can get more kids interested in what we're doing, I think we could we would be able to both middle schools. That's a way that we could have one teacher that could actually affect a bunch of different career pathways. than that. They're not saying that we wouldn't maybe need another business teacher or something like that to to fill in to to get everybody

099back. >> Are you suggesting that you would would you leave that those activities on the bus or would you bring that into the school? >> We would we would bring that into the school. So basically we would have the bus that would go around to the elementary schools and then basically at the middle schools the students would spend more time with whichever modules you know if they want to spend welding or robots or whatever. >> Yeah. Because the the key is one introducing the the students to it, >> right? to build that interest so that you're starting to build, as you said, those pathways to the high school so that the kids have have seen it, >> they can build some interest in it, >> right? >> Want to do it and then potentially pursue

100a career in it, >> right? >> And that's the piece that we're really missing. Yes. Today at the middle school. >> Yes. >> Uh and that we've really need to >> Yes. >> correct like soon. >> Yes. >> So, and I I'm with you. If um if if I were to speak with the board today, which I can't obviously, I'd be like, we need to hire teachers today for that because it's I mean it's it's missing. It's been missing for a while and something that >> I think as a board we really need to take serious. And >> the way you take that serious is you put money towards it, >> right? Well, and you know, remember it's it's also the point where we have a a teacher that's already certified in teched that could

101teach uh the class. Um, but we would have to hire somebody. We'd have to find somebody else certified in that. That is a very hard certification, very hard lensure person to find. They just they're just not out there. We have one right here. There you go. Uh but and that that practice uh we have >> we have been doing a lot of things. We've been pulling we some teachers from uh that we pulled actually a PE teacher and they take it practice. So, we've been doing some things, you know, just just trying to get teachers in positions, but that tech ed practice. >> Yeah. If you can find the right person, it is an awesome class because you get >> so many different things, right? So, you got to have a person that's really kind

102of interested in multiple factors >> and that is awesome. >> Yeah. Um and certainly offering opportunities to help them pass the practice, >> right? Yeah. board. Yes, ma'am. Sure. >> I'd like to say thank you very much. I appreciate the efforts to put into your vision and where you want to take the program because I know that um our board here as well as board supervisors would definitely support CCT expansion and more opportunities for our students in our in our county. Um, so we we understand it's going to take more resources and unless we have a plan and a pathway and we have some conversations about it, we'll never get there. So, you've started us and I appreciate that very much. Um, moving forward, um, I would be interested maybe in seeing some of your

103finalized curriculum. I know that if you have a specific course at the high school, you can have curriculum for that. But I'm talking about K through 8, >> you know, like what's the skills by grade, what's the career by grade, >> um so that which >> which skills will be >> presented by the bus at what grade levels, >> right? >> You know, and I'm sure that's going to take some planning, right? >> Um to come up with that kind of curriculum unless you already have it. But I'd be interested in seeing that. maybe a demo of the Virginia uh career wizard or something like that. Not tonight, but um sometime. And then um I was really excited about hearing the opportunities with dental assistance program. That's wonderful. >> We're very excited about that. >>

104And then I know you have an advisory CTE board. So I don't know if you have any board members on that or not or if you maybe have ever thought about inviting one. >> I am one. >> Oh, you are one and you're on the CT. Okay, wonderful. Um, so >> but we can take we can take more anytime you want. >> Y'all can take my place anytime, too. >> And I mean, like I said, when questions and things come up regarding CTE, we are more than happy to to meet you all oneonone, set up a time, we'll meet with businesses, we'll meet with parents, we'll meet with students. We're we're very accessible. So, >> I wanted to speak on the um K through8 uh career wizard. I have a um structure for K through

1055, a structure for 6 through 8, and a structure for 9 through 12 that I could share with with the board. >> I'll get together with you then and just take a look at Sure. anytime. >> I have something. I I'm just gonna be a cheerleader because I've worked with these guys for a long time. Before I came on the board and they're awesome, but I'm out in the workforce a lot and that's my job and I'm always hearing about how great these guys are, how great our high school kids are, and what a good job we're doing. And I would put our CTE people against anyone in this state. We have one of the best. Because when I have an employer that says we need X and I call up Mr. Maddox and I

106said, "Hey, we need X. Well, let's get together and let's figure out how we're going to do it." So, we have great businesses who are willing to work with us and we have a great team here. So, thank you all. >> Okay, board. Anyone else? >> Thank you, gentlemen. We just like to say we're so excited for our a teacher to finally get where >> thank you guys. >> Thanks gentlemen. All right, moving on down the list. Um at your place you have two uh pieces of information related to special education program monitoring. Uh there's also a memo and door board docs, excuse me, um that Miss Hullman was able to provide. Uh so want to provide a quick summary. Miss Homeman is also here to answer any questions the board may have. We did

107receive earlier in July our summary letter from the state with the monitoring that occurred with our special education programs last year. So in 2425 ultimately the findings were very positive. So everything we self-reported to the state in December that was the extent of the findings of the report. So every other piece of information they looked at, every other interview they held, every other thing that they did came back with no findings whatsoever. I do want to highlight for the board where it says 10 of 37 areas came back non-compliant. I want to put that in a little bit of context. So for roughly half of those when we're thinking about the student records that were reviewed, it says 249. Each one of those student records consisted of at least six distinct documents and all of

108those documents have multiple areas, even the most simple of which could have as many as 10 different areas that could involve some level of non-compliance. So in about half of the areas we were non-compliant, we had as many as three individual sections of individual documents that were found to not have checked a box, use the correct verbiage, something not right. So when we say non-compliance, we're talking about a very very small representation, a clerical error in a lot of situations that was discovered by us as we were going through quite literally thousands and thousands and thousands of pages of documents. Uh so I did want to put that in a little bit of context. Any non-compliance is not good. And I certainly don't want the message to be anything other than that. Uh but truly

109what we found as we were going through is a testament to the work that our special education teachers do every day with a lot of possibility of non-compliance, a lot of things that can trip us up. They do an exceptional job of making sure that we are where we need to be and providing those services to students. Um the letter itself from the state that summary gives a lot of detail in regards to those areas that is at your place. Uh certainly as you are going forward and reviewing that if you have any questions that we can answer we're happy to. Uh but again Miss Hullman is here this evening as well if the board has any questions for us tonight. >> Okay board any questions for Mr. Neighbors? >> Just a quick question Mr.

110Neighbors of the So 10 of the 37 you say were most of those were clerical errors. >> Can you give us some examples of ones that were not clerical errors? >> Yeah. So and I'll actually let Miss Hullman speak to that. She's done a tremendous amount of work working with the state on that. Uh this is also me trying to stay in my new lane this evening. So I'll let Miss Hullman speak to us. >> Uh yes sir. Uh out of the 51 records that need to be corrected. I actually Dr. Wells doesn't know this yet. So surprise sir. Uh I was able to talk with the VDOE monitoring specialist and they did eventually agree with me that 20 of those records did not need to be corrected. um we were overly critical on what

111we were looking at and it actually was in compliance with what the VOE expected. So it's 31 records instead of 51. Out of those 31 records, one record is not clerical. The other 30 are clerical. And the one that's not clerical um is related to timely processing of referrals to what is called our IST team. And uh that one record was just found to be seven days behind schedule. So that's the only example I have for you that's not clerical. Thank you. >> And again, in context, one out of what was likely up into the thousands of counts in last year. So again, a testament to staff and buildings. There's a lot to maintain with that and they do an exceptional job of making sure we are where we need to be for kids. >>

112Okay. >> Board, anything else. >> All right. One other piece under that bullet. Uh we also received a letter yesterday. Um we were up for fiscal monitoring as it relates to IDA. of the funds that we get uh from the federal government and the state relative to our program students with disabilities. Uh we have done such an exceptional job in our finance office of being in line following process. The state has determined we are not a risk and they will not be monitoring us at this time. So we're very excited to hear that. Uh that is a lengthy and difficult process. Miss Lacage was especially happy to get that news uh yesterday, but again reflective of the state seeing us as doing what we need to be doing. So we glad to get that. Cool.

113Thank you very much. >> Okay. >> All right. Uh well, next to last item here, I did want to give the board a quick update on our accreditation information. I believe you have at your place a copy of a very robust email response I received back from the state. It's all in one sentence uh letting us know that the timeline we initially had and presented to the board in June uh is not where we are at this point. We were expecting preliminary data on July 28th. that did not come into SSWS as it typically does. I've been checking every couple hours every day since then. Uh still nothing. Eventually, they actually took that application off SSWS and uh moved it to another that is currently under construction. So, there's literally no information available uh on

114on that system relative to accreditation. The state has indicated that a timeline is forthcoming, but as of yet, we have received no additional information to that. Uh the moment we do, we'll be letting the board know where we are with that, what the intentions from the state are. At this point, we are still expecting to receive data in September as usual. Uh but we've been g given no indication that that's actually reality, but until we receive otherwise, we will plan for the board to be able to have that information as soon as we get it. >> Okay. >> Board, any questions. >> Thanks, sir. >> All right. Well, my final item this evening, and again, Dr. from Yennis is uh joining us in the peanut gallery there uh to be able to talk through some

115of our summer programs. He did provide quite a bit of data uh linked to that memo and our elementary, middle, and high school programs. Uh great to see some significant gains, especially looking at our upper elementary students. Uh again, as always, we want to see that across the board 100%. It's not where we were continuing to work towards that. Uh but quite a lot of good work done this summer relative to those programs. Dr. McInness want to give you an opportunity if you wanted to share anything additional with the board. >> I think you all have the information there like I did last year. You would have got the same information. I just want to let you know that this year after 10 years was the first year we did not operate with the YMCA.

116They dropped us. Yeah. because they have a strict um um program in which it's one to two years behind and that was all the students that they wanted and and I quickly told them our board said we take them all. So we did it but our instructional staff and our teachers came together put together the program put together the curriculum and we based it on skills uh rather than the wire overall thing giving you by monthly growth. We give it by skill and we do it by student. So that way starting off next year we know where each student is that was in summer school. But the only problem that we had is like we always have is as we go through the summer we lose some of them and don't get to post test

117them. So when you look at the data understand there was a lot of students who were not post- tested but who started the program with us and a lot of them went on vacation. What can you say? So so that's a little what I want to give you there. So any other questions >> any questions Dr. McInness? I just like to say thank you for the data and I love the links. >> Thank you. >> Very nice. >> Thank you, sir. >> Thank you, sir. >> Okay. Six.0. Dr. >> All right. So, the construction update, no uh slideshow today since everyone most of you were at the open house and for those of you that weren't, I think I gave a couple uh private tours. So, we're excited that uh that is open and uh

118as we a few of you and most of us were at the high school, lots of smiling faces and also at our community event on Monday which over 500 uh folks saw that. So, lots of positives on that and it was uh enjoyable to see students walk in that space with uh with some smiles and and some parents and just wow, you know, a a lot of people the the great comment I liked is wow, we're in Emer County. though. I think we're we're finally there. So, um that's a great thing. And I know that um we're working hard on phase two. The classrooms uh in the old cafeteria, which uh many of you got to see last week, we're rolling uh started to work in the auditorium. Uh the fieldhouse netting for the uh

119uh baseball softball complex will be installed next week as well as the uh outside netting and then the turf will go down. So, uh that is about ready to go on that. So, lots of lots of other things rolling. And then, as you know, we'll be moving students up in the cafeteria uh and uh demoing that a space. And then, um they're also working on the uh old band room for the cosmetology as well as the um old auditorium. Mr. Oaks, you have anything to add to that? >> Okay. So, we're rolling along and things have really progressed in the last week or so. So, we appreciate your support on that. >> Thank you, sir. board. Any questions for Yes, ma'am. >> Quick question. How's lunch going at the high school? >> Uh, I was

120up there today. It went went well, actually. Uh, breakfast was very interesting. So, we're um we have one station in the um right there um at the um concession stand and then the other one is front. So, we're serving all the students that walk through and grabbing and I talked to the ladies both mornings and they said it's going great. Uh lunch was going well. um you know a few little hiccups but nothing major. Um the other you other uh our staff is kind of working in other kitchens to to serve that and so you know students seem to be be doing okay. So uh I was up there again today and they seem to be doing okay with that as well. So >> we have what two weeks with that thereabouts. >> Couple more

121weeks. We'll we'll uh we'll get the update um when you know we go back to our meeting next Wednesday. So >> thank you. >> Okay board. Any other questions? >> Thanks, Dr. >> Uh, next uh cell phone tower. So, um I have um submitted those questions that you all gave to uh Nathan Holland and he will work on that and get us the presentation. Um as you know, the um we've scheduled that uh for the Thursday. So, um again, that is just a a community event. They'll do that balloon test and then provide that information uh to the public on on that evening. So, we have another board meeting before that. So, I can share, you know, share anything uh updates uh for that. Any questions on the cell phone tower? >> And what is

122the date? >> September 25th. That's Thursday night. Yes, ma'am. >> Thursday. What time? >> 6 o'clock at Manellison. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Thank you. >> Okay. All right. Third thing on the item, I just want to let you know that um we did again apply for the DCJS grant. Um several uh school safety things in there and um I'll let you know how that does. Usually we like to have it in October, but sometimes they don't get us to it till November, but we uh did submit that. So Okay. >> Okay. Thank you, sir. >> All right. Uh next 6.02. Um for the um um sack schedule um I have a sheet here that I will give you. Um there are um nine dates. So if you could each select one and two of you

123get to select two. And then if you don't mind if you don't have it for me tonight uh since really it doesn't start till October. If uh you could give this back to Mr. Terry and he could get it for me at the next school board meeting or at another date that'd be great. But I just did the oldfashioned sign. They're all on Thursday. And again, these are TBD. Sometimes we don't have them. So, luck of the draw. We don't have >> the ones that we don't have. >> So, if you could pass that down, that would be great. Uh then the uh 6.03 for the first semester. And because um we didn't take any action tonight uh any uh 364s, uh the first semester is uh Miss Thompson is a chair. Mr. Rossi and

124Mr. Childress. Uh, and then if um, you know, if you cannot come, I will find a replacement as as normal for that. So, um, hopefully, knock on wood, hopefully we won't have any and and we can discuss that next week. Any questions on that committee? >> Board. Any questions? >> All right. Okay. >> 6.04. Uh, you have, uh, the, uh, new Ammeris County crisis plan. So this there was a lot of work involved in this as I explained to you. Um last year I was on the state committee that developed a new uh draft proposal that was a template and so it is very complex. Uh understand that by code which we did anyways uh we have to include sheriff's office public safety etc. So, um, we sat down, um, and reviewed this and, um,

125Brad and his staff and a couple of the SRO's, we reviewed, uh, the entire, uh, document. Uh, and, uh, you'll find that it's quite comprehensive. Uh, not that whole document will be shared on the website, only part of that. Uh and then again the uh the main part that we uh teach to the teachers and the substitutes uh is the um standard response protocol which you know we do the hold the lock down to secure. So we review that we do videos uh for the teachers but the actual plan you have um and that is the entire comprehensive plan it's pretty in detail and again that was reviewed with um Mr. beam and some of his staff and the SRO's and sheriff's office and and of course you know many of our staff. So um

126that was um you'll see some blanks in there that's for every year we have to do a review but since this year was the first year that we did it um and you'll see the signature page there of everyone that was involved plus we had a few other folks that that actually looked at it. So all I need for you tonight I have to um let the state know that the board has viewed that and approve it. So, I need to let them know um that you've done that. >> Okay. >> So, >> any questions on that? >> You need a motion. >> Need a motion to approve. >> Right. >> Okay. >> And if you have any questions that lead to I'd rather some of those probably not answer in public forum, but if

127you have any, I'll be glad to answer those. >> Okay. Okay. Board >> make a motion we approve the crisis plan. >> Okay. We have a motion. >> Second. >> Okay. And a second. Any questions or discussion? Okay. All in favor? >> I thank you. >> The uh 605 uh the student services update. Uh the last thing was the mental health grant update. Just so you know, we held the RFP uh for the teleaalth and um we are very close to selecting a provider. I will tell you that um I don't want to give too much out publicly uh because we haven't notified the winner, but we had a few really really great folks that uh came to the RFP and did a presentation and we are pretty happy with that and we're actually very

128happy with the cost and again this is uh cost is provided with um some grant funds for that. So we'll have uh an announcement for you next month for who that provider is and what those services are. So again, this is for the uh tellaalth part of that, >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Question. Um Yes, ma'am. >> The tella health, I know that there was a policy that we were looking at approving tonight, but we don't have a policy about tellaalth. Can you explain what the grant is about? >> Well, that pays for the funds. So, all the um all the um mental health now for the state, they approved that has to be teleaalth. That's what they're paying for. They're paying for teleaalth. they're not paying for in person. >> I think

129I'd like some more information on that because I don't think that we have a policy that covers it and ma'am >> um I have some concerns with it um and how it's implemented um under certain conditions I would be okay with it. >> Sure. Um but looking at the policy that we looked at this evening that we have yet to approve um I just think that it um opens up quite a bit of questions because I think well I don't even want to discuss the policy because we're not there but I would like some information on that and the board um I don't know if the board has to approve that or not but >> sure >> maybe we can look into that a little bit more, >> right? It'd be fine. If you have

130any other questions, you give me a call or email me on that. It's fine. >> Okay, board. Any other questions? >> All right, turn over to finance. >> Good evening, Mr. Chair, members of the board. Tonight, we're going to discuss the current June end of uh fiscal year 202425 financial reports. These are still not final, but they are very, very close. Um, first thing I wanted to point out was when you look at the revenue for your child nutrition and your expenditures for your child nutrition, the child nutrition revenue is less than the expenditures that was planned. We had done the appropriation to use the fund balance as they want to drive down that excessive fund balance. Um, but as because you did that appropriation, you did not overspend the budget. We are okay audit-wise.

131This was an intentional overspending to spend down prior year's fund balances. So, I just wanted to state that um on the school side um the revenue is greater than the expenditures that amount is going to increase. Um as of today, they did post the August sales tax that will be deposited tomorrow. That is just over $55,000. So, that will increase the end ofear funds. There's a couple just a few more grant reimbursements that'll be recorded as well. The current expenditure report does include I talk about the health insurance and the estimate for endofear runoff claims that does include the expenditures for projected runoff um based off of the July projection. There will be a updated projection that'll be done in at the end of August but you know we have adjusted it. Usually it stays

132um pretty much the same. Um but that is in there. The only the other thing is the object code report. with it being the end of the year. Um, page five is very, very important because that's your major category budget summary. And as you can see that you are ending the year with everything being positive. You did not go over budget and that's where you want to be at the end of the year going into the audit. So, you are in good standings by major categories. Um the only other thing I wanted to state was just so there's no confusion earlier in um August there there was a report talking about the um Virginia lottery and the um it was like the second highest um profit and all the money that was going to the

133schools and that is true. There was actually a link that would tell you what how much was given to each um school division. Um I would love to be wrong and please correct me if anyone has heard anything else but what it states it it is the bunny when the state gives us our allocation it's different categories and one of those categories is lottery funded and so we receive it I think in the in the report is like 4.8 million and that is what we get through the calc tool um would love to have another 4.8 8. If you want to find that, that would be great, but that is we have not received any notification of of that. So, I just wanted to state that here tonight. Do you have any questions on the

134end of year report? Again, it's not finalized, but we are getting there. >> Board, any questions for Mr. >> Seeing none. Thank you, ma'am. >> Mhm. >> Moving on. Um 8.0. >> Yes, indeed. Human resources. So, uh, Mr. Chair, members of the board, um, presented this evening to you is this month's vacancy memo, and I'm happy to take any questions. >> Okay. Okay. Board, have you seen the memo? You have any questions for Mr. Gallagher? >> Okay. Okay. >> Okay. That's all I have from HR this evening. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Dr. Hood, do you want to cover those or you want to step us to move to other items and come back? All right. So, the uh new teacher and employee work week. Um that's where I'm at, right? That went well.

135Um we had a lot of uh uh support. I know that um several board members came to the breakfast and also came to the lunches. Uh and we appreciate that and that went well. Uh lots of thought was put into that. Um and um I think that uh moving forward, you know, we'll continue with with the uh everything that we provided. The open house, I think, was a success. I'll let Dr. Wells follow up on that. He's back. >> Sorry. >> That's okay. >> Take your time. >> Y'all moved too fast. >> Take your time. >> All right. So, we're at open house. I just, you know, was very pleased with the turnout across the division for all school open houses and everybody was very positive. Um, we had a few show up we didn't

136expect, which might be a good thing for us moving forward. Um, a few faces that hadn't already enrolled, so that was a positive. Um, but the everybody was very positive. Just appreciate the work the staff did to prepare for that for the open house. Um, our back to school night on Monday, we had over 550 people show up for that. And, uh, you know, part of that was not just, you know, they gave the school supplies. We were want to thank our community partners who did that. Anybody who provided support at the uh pack the bus and did those supplies, but um parents were really appreciative being able to get some school supplies. We're able haircuts. I don't know how many haircuts they gave. I didn't get that number. It was a lot. Um students

137who had needed their mandatory vaccines, the BDH was there, was able to provide vaccines for those parents who needed to get those or kids who come to school. Um the Lions Club did division screening. So all those community partners were there and it was it was a good night and uh I think people appreciated it and the feedback's been very positive. We plan on doing it again next year. I think it just worked out really well. Um transition day and the first I'll say transition day went really smooth and I was you know you never know how it's going to get on the on the routes and how the kids come in but that went well. First day of school yesterday um went really well and um got everybody home by 5:40 and you know

138first day of school that's today that was uh 535 beat it by 5 minutes today so it's going to get faster. Um but that went really well. You know, we had a couple bus drivers step up, a couple high school runs went long. So, have some other drivers who finished the runs went to elementary schools and split some routes up and they got the kids home at a reasonable time as opposed to that. Um, so really want to thank transportation for all the work they did to prepare cuz you know a successful first day is we get everybody there, we feed them their meals, and we get them home. If we do that on the first day of school, we've had we've had a good day. um what happens in between is great, but to

139get them there and get them home first day of school if we can do that and uh we've had a good day. So, we had a got them home on time and we really appreciate the work transportation did. And the last thing I have is just show up Ammeris. We have our community tailgate on September 5th. That'll be from 5 to 7 and uh just put we're going to start advertising it I think Monday I think. Correct, Britney. So, we'll start pushing the flyers out and stuff like that for the community tailgate. It'll be September 5th uh at 5:00 at the high school like we've done in the past and we encourage you to be there if you can and also our community members to come out and enjoy some hot dogs and hamburgers. So,

140um that's all I have pending any questions. Okay, board. Any questions for Dr. Wells? Okay, hearing none. We're going to move on to number 10 and number 11. So, we'll do those together if people could. Miss Saunders like always. >> Well, I want to congratulate everybody. It was great first day of school. Also, um, congratulations stand on budget. That's even bigger, right? Um, and to HR who who I think this is the fewest amount of people I've seen on this list since I've been on the board. So, good job. Kudos. Um, open house was a great success. I enjoyed it. I brought my daughter who graduated a few years ago so she could check it out and be jealous and oo and awe a little bit. So, it was nice turnout and it helps to

141have a new building for everybody to look, but it was a one-stop shop which really made it easy and and nice. So, good job and I hope everyone has a great school year and um that's it for me. Okay, >> Mr. Rossi. >> Yeah. Um open house uh went well. I first day of school, got all the kids off the bus and back home. I mean, it was a great first day. Um, I got a lot of positive feedback uh from people that did go check out the high school. The only negative thing I heard was uh when are we going to do the rest of the school? So, yeah, we've raised the bar maybe too high. I don't know. It's pretty impressive and and I'm proud of everybody worked so hard for that and

142uh it's pretty amazing to see because I know it's been a long time coming. I think uh Dr. Wells said they started talking about it back in the '9s and it finally came through and it's uh it's it's a it's a work in progress. I know we're still moving forward. We got some projects to finish up but wow what a difference. Uh maybe we'll have to add a CTE wing next time on our budget. I mean, you guys doing a great job. Um I'm wondering if uh AI is going to be on the uh horizon for our curriculum. I've heard a lot about that talk and not necessarily creating it, but operating the systems that go on it. There's going to be a very very strong need for that for all industry. I think here

143in the not too distant future, it may have to go on that five-year plan because it's coming really, really fast. Um, uh, Dr. Wells, continue to heal. We'll be praying for you. >> Thank you. >> And, uh, thank you everybody for everything that's going on and all the hard work. We've got a good year ahead of us. I feel it. And let's just keep the ball rolling. Okay. >> Thank you, sir. Miss Justice, >> thank you. Thank you very much. Um, so Central Virginia Gov School met um I guess a week ago now and um we had a close session to discuss personnel matters. Um you know the board is taking the responsibility of um hiring the new director um for the gov school very seriously. So, they scheduled a work session um on the

14420th to go over what that procedure should look like and what questions might need to be asked. So, um and so, uh Ammerst is full up on the slots. The first year I was on um the as Ammerst representative at Gov School, we we had um didn't have all our spots filled as a result of the COVID impacts and it is so wonderful to see our slots are fully filled. We have a wait list and um our students are doing exceptional. So that is my update there. Um, I got to participate in Pack the Bus with my two youngest and it was it was it was so much fun to meet local residents, um, teachers from other districts that were giving things cuz they just love Ammerst and they love this idea. Um, my two

145kids were wearing Blind Your Eyes boards which had been custom colored and they loved meeting people and then fing stuff over to the bus. Um, so that was pretty cool. It is such a busy time of year. Um, thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to get us the reports, to answer our questions, and um, to make this meeting a little more streamlined. I really appreciate it. I'm very thankful um, to be here. I really appreciate the CT presentations and um just Dr. Wells, your staff's um commitment to getting to the board and individual board members information that helps us um do our role better. And I'm glad you're taking care of yourself. >> Thank you. >> So, thank you very much, >> Miss Thompson. >> I just want to say welcome back

146to everybody. Um, it's exciting that it's been a great start to the school year and I know that we're going to have a wonderful school year. Um, as we move forward, um, I want to thank the staff um, for all that you've done to get it going. Um, for all of the parents and all of the teachers um, and every single employee in our division, team Amherst, right? >> Yes, sir. >> Um, also want to thank uh, Dr. Wells, your team for um, I know they've done some little extra lifting and uh, as Mr. Rossi said, "We'll be praying for you and hope for a speedy recovery." Okay. Thank you. >> Okay, Miss Lian. >> Well, I echo everybody and we we're off now off to the races and so we've all attended uh it's

147been a great time in the county attending all the events. I mean, from the convocation. Uh Dr. Wells, we thank you for your opening speech to the teachers and to all when not just to everybody and I hope that's going to encourage everybody to uh move forward with haste. Um Laurel will meet in September, but I do want to say that uh we did receive notice of the loss of one of the Laurel students and that touches my heart. So um I have talked to the the people involved. I made Dr. Wells aware of it as well. We never like to hear these sort of things going on. Uh but we won't meet again until uh September. Uh the CTE presentation huge huge a lot of things going on. I deal with that on the

148other side. You know, my program's a little bit like that. That's the up andcoming adventure, but it's been here. So, we thank y'all for everything that you're doing with that. And um I did go to the south end yesterday and Minnellison uh and Amalon. And I'm not going to just wait for opening day. I'm going to try to travel a little bit more before I go back to real work. But everybody was happy. Bus drivers were happy. Um we just had a good time. The kids don't talk much at a time of day, but if you stand in front of them, they can't get by you. They'll say something. So, that's what we did yesterday. but off to a good start and uh we we're looking forward to whatever we can do as we um

149start this year. So, thank you Dr. Wells and as been said, watch your health because we need you to be strong so we can be strong. But we do, as someone already said, thank everyone who's pitching in up here and doing what they can do to help you get over this. Thank you, Mr. Terry. >> Mr. Childress. All right. So, I want to uh reiterate what the rest of the board members said. Thank you, Dr. Wells, admin team. Uh, great success getting school opened up this year and all the effort in summer school uh that took place to help prepare our kids uh to move forward. Um, it's exciting every time we have a new opportunity, a new beginning. It's a fresh start. And so, I'm excited about what we're doing here in Ammerst uh,

150you know, for our kids. Most importantly, I did get to attend the pack the bus as well. I got to uh to see um the kids dressed up and uh sporting those um sandwich signs. Um so that was exciting and fun. Uh I did get to attend a couple of the open houses. I got to attend Amalon and Minnellison and talked to some parents. I talked to some teachers and um there was just a sense of excitement uh at the schools. Uh both schools reported um higher than normal attendance uh at the event. Many of the teachers I spoke with said that u they they seen just about all the parents uh which I think is phenomenal. Uh and so I hope we can keep uh the parents engaged uh throughout the process because our

151parents are a big piece of the puzzle to their kids education and so I'd like to make sure we keep them engaged. I did want to uh thank uh Mr. Maddox and team for your CTE presentation tonight. Um CTE is uh dear to me because it it's it is so critical and important to the success uh I think of our school system, of our community, and to the industry in this area. Uh and Mr. chair, if I could, I would love to uh ask the administration to get Miss Lukanich to look into our crystal ball, look into the budget to see if we could afford second semester, maybe bringing on two teachers uh in the middle school uh to facilitate that plan, that pathway, uh that old synergistics lab or what, however you were talking

152about u bringing the the bus inside. I think it's phenomenal and if we could do that I would love for us to be able to do that. So okay thank you sir. So uh this is one of my favorite texts that we get every year and we like to read it this way. It says all buses have cleared and kids are back home. We had a great first day of school. We always worry about that if we're going to have one left at the bus garage when we're done. So uh it's great to hear that. Um, yeah, I'm not going to go into all the things that everyone else has already said about the new facility, but it is awesome. The public, uh, being there, uh, partaking in the events has been great seeing them.

153Um, cleared up some things with a few people and, uh, it's it's been it's been great. Um, keep up all the good work with the CTE stuff. Um, that's one program we're we're expanding stuff with the high school to help grow that. Um, that's this is going to be a phenomenal program, even bigger and better than it is already. Um, and uh, thank you for everybody having support for each other. Um, it's been a uh, kind of a roller coaster kind of, uh, summer, end of end of summer and, um, but we all have each other's back. Uh, so if you need anything, you let us know. We will do the same. We did have a meeting earlier uh this month. Uh Mr. Childress and I working with the administration. We're going to make sure

154that we can um make these meetings as efficient as possible. It's going to be beneficial for us and you, but we do not want to miss out on things. So, the things that are of utmost importance, we want to make sure we hear those so that public can see those and hear them. But, uh we're going to we're going to improve a few things. It's going to take a little work on our part and yours, but I think we got it. So, with that, I'm about done. We have >> close >> closing. Well, we have >> public comment. Anyone from the uh audience like to approach the board? >> Yes, sir. Please step forward. Name and voting district. I'm Jeff Porter, 478 Woody's Lake Road, Madison Heights, Virginia. I'll make sure the microphone's in front

155of my mouth. Um, what I'm here to speak about is September 17th of 2025. It's Constitution Day and this is election year and I was watching a oldtime movie dated 1939 uh James Stewart, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. And I don't know if you've ever seen that movie, but it's an inspiration about [Music] encouraging people to be good citizens and encouraging politicians to really work for the betterment of the people. And I hope that as we face Constitution Day that we do special things not only on that day but leading up to election day that really enforce the reinforce the importance of being knowledgeable, informed citizens and voting accordingly. And also to see and to urge that people who do want to consider polit politics as a career path uh to watch that movie to

156be inspired about what it means to be a public servant. So just a a shout out for uh September 17th. Um, I know we've got a lot of things going on. I am so proud of the work which you all do as a school board, the ways which you complement each other, and I'm so confident and appreciative of Dr. Wells and the staff here for the wonderful job you are doing. >> Thank you, sir. Anyone else from the uh audience? Okay. Now, close session. >> Okay. Pursuant to section 2.2-3711A1 of the Code of Virginia, it is recommended the board convene a closed meeting for the following A1 personnel matters. >> Mr. Chair, I move we go to close session. >> Okay. >> All right. All in favor? >> I'm not. >> You're leaving? Yes. >>

157Yes. >> Do you have hard