December 15, 2025 Campbell County School Board Meeting

001At this time, we will recite the pledge of allegiance, followed by a moment of silence. >> Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. Thank you. >> All right. Well, we are going to open our meeting with a couple of presentations. First one is the Aspire program. Mrs. Sumi Good evening, Mr. Chairman and members of the board. Thank you for having us. I'm here tonight with some of my Aspire friends to share some more about what Aspire is and the work that we are so proud to do. First, I want to express how proud I am to be part of a school division that truly prioritizes post-graduate education. In a sampling survey of 21 Virginia

002counties, Campbell County is one of only 10 offering multiple specifically designed post-graduate programs for students who earned an applied studies diploma. And this is something to celebrate. The Aspire program was created with a clear purpose to support students in building strong vocational, functional, and life skills that will help them thrive as adults. Our students spend their week learning mostly out in the community through meaningful hands-on experiences. We maintain a rigorous schedule that provides a variety of vocational opportunities. One of those opportunities is our vocational simulation lab, the Pays Lab, which is housed at William Campbell. This lab has drawn significant attention from both local and non-local school divisions, many of whom are eager are eager to replicate the successful framework we've built. Students also spend at least one full day each week working at a

003local business. Our students have partnered with Home Depot, Food Lion, Spring Hill Suites, The Virginia, Apar, and are currently gaining experience at the Golden Corral and the University of Lynchburg. We also operate a weekly coffee shop called County Perk where students learn to read recipes, follow directions, prepare scratchmade treats, and deliver orders to teachers, State Farm, and once or twice a month to the schoolboard office. The funds earned from County Perk allow us to provide community-based experiences for our students once or twice each week. Engaging with the community is a vital part of the Aspire philosophy. Another exciting partnership is with Liberty University and its athletic teams. Our students have participated in drills, activities, and social interactions with seven seven different division one teams to date. We have also scheduled opportunities to give back by

004hosting brain break activities at the Liberty Athletic Center. We actually were supposed to do that last week, but due to the snow, we had to cancel. But one is coming in January. A typical day in the Aspire program might include students writing emails and strengthening computer skills, working toward IEP goals in one-on-one or small groupoup settings, participating in vocational activities both simulated and real, operating our bustling coffee shop, budgeting and shopping, handling money, learning about their community, collaborating with Liberty students, and engaging in new experiences they may never have had otherwise, like taking the train to Washington DC. Aspire is a place where post-graduates learn, grow, and develop meaningful skills with employment as the ultimate goal. Recently, we launched a new studentrun enterprise. And we'd like to share a small gift with you that represents

005both this new venture and our well-loved county park. My friends Ashton, Darius, and Marzavian are going to give you a little gift right now. right here. >> No, keep going. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> You all have a blessed day. >> You too. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much. Very nice. Yes. Oh, mug. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, sir. >> These young people and their classmates have worked hard to learn how to use the equipment to make and prepare the packages that they just handed out. When we think creatively, we help students discover possibilities that they may have never imagined. Not every future looks like a nine-to-five job. A little imagination and a lot of hard work can reveal new paths. For

006some of our students, being their own boss might just be the perfect fit. So, right now, I'd like to thank you again for letting us come and share what Aspire is all about. And we hope you'll enjoy this video that um highlights our students as they learn, grow, and discover their potential. the same. Thank you and thank you for your dedication. >> And thank you all for being here. Thank you for sharing what you do every day. I know you brighten up Rushburg High School and uh and certainly you brighten up central office whenever you come up there selling uh items from County Perk and they're always great and we just thank you. >> Thank you. MHM. [applause] [applause] >> Bless you. >> All right. That was nice. All right. All right. Mr. Tweety, you

007would like to you would like a little bit of our land, huh? [laughter] Anyway, we're trying to do a couple of projects here and there. Again, Mr. Chairman, members of the board, thank you for having me tonight. Again, as you can see here, there's two pieces of property adjacent or touching this piece of property we're trying to do a couple of projects on. So, we want to come here to tell you what we're doing and to answer any questions you might have about this. The first one here is right over here to the right and this involves the proposed EMS facility that we'd like to put there. So, in order to we just got it recently reszoned. In order to do that, we had to do a site plan. So, when we first started talking

008to VOTE, they would not let us access directly on to 24 for a couple reason. One, there's a taper lane going to Augusta Springs that's in front of this piece of property. and also the proximity to the existing entrance into this property there. They don't like to have two entrances but so close together. So they said they would not allow us to directly access 24 which is our pref preferred method so you wouldn't have to do anything but they said they would allow us to access from this roadway uh into the school facility right there and use the existing uh entrance. So what we did is uh proposed a to widen that entrance a little bit and come back I think it's about 150 ft and put an entrance into the side there. And what

009you what the site plan so shows is if you were to use the a rescue squad would come over that facility. they would circle around just to the left there. And if there was any traffic uh there, they would be able to continue the circle around and go back through the Augusta Springs to get out. So, they would have a secondary way out if there were any traffic problems to prevent them to do that. It's not ideal to go through Augusta Springs in case it's a commercial and residential area and you wouldn't want to get bottled up there normally, but there is a second entrance and exit there that would allow uh if there is a problem that would affect anybody again getting hurt on a rescue squad or anybody getting in and out. But

010the proposal is to have a one lane in 12oot lane and two lanes out, one going left and one going right. So it would actually widen the entrance a little bit there. The other thing to u note there on back to that first piece of property is the fact that when we went to get this surveyed, they went back through the records and there is no easement there as far as a deed easement that shows into this property. It's we've determined that it's a prescriptive easement. In other words, the school board owns all that property and the highway department, you allow them to do it, but they don't own the property. It's still part of the actual property of the vote center. And so that's the reason that the new property line goes to the

011center of the road because the road would be actually jointly owned or the rightway by this piece of property and the schoolboard piece of property. So again, if you've wondered why, >> one is to get rid of the strip between the rightway and the other is to make the rightway the center of the prescriptive easement. >> So that kind of covers this one. You want to do questions on that or you want to go to the other? So, the one question I have is the um [clears throat] when you do have your EMS facility, they could go they would access Dennis Riddle right there at the corner to get out on 24. >> Yes. >> If the school buses were there or whatever, they would go down to this new development. Yes. Correct. >> Would

012there be any reason that they would go back through our vote center and go out the other way? Well, this is this is the whole reason we >> come in that way. >> They would normally the whole reason for this piece of property is allow you to access to that stoplight. >> That's the one up here at 24 and 29. So you could go north, south, east, I mean west there. And so the the idea is to get out there and get as close to that stoplight as soon as you can to go whichever direction you need to go. So there would be no need or no reason, no anticipation. And that would certainly probably be their standard operating procedure that they would not use go through through here at all unless there was some

013kind of just strangest emergency. I can't imagine. So I don't think there would be any desire or intention to come through here. >> Now is this just EMS or fire and EMS? >> Well, most of our facilities now are combined units. So, there could be a there's not going to be a full-blown fire department, but there could be one or one maybe a chase truck and one larger truck, but no, it would not be normally first responder. It would be more like a backup. And that's one of the things we found this location. I think it's something like 90 or 95% of the residents in C or the addresses in Campbell County, they can get there in 15 minutes. And so we spend a lot of time back filling up at Alta Vista or particularly

014up in the Brookville Timberlake area. And so this would be centrally located. So when uh a unit was running a call there, they could move it up to that area or they could respond as needed. But it would be ideally would be probably uh three or four ambulances and a chase truck and maybe one larger fire. >> Okay. Thank you. So, how far off 24 will the entrance be off a riddle? I mean, y'all going to do it close? >> It's like I think it's a if I It's a 75 ft radius. So, from the edge of the pavement, I think you swing 75 ft around. So, it' be 150 ft to the edge of the entrance. So, the center entrance would be 165 170 ft from the edge of the road. Where exactly is

015the building going? >> The building is I think it's about 100 ft from the No, it's a little bit more than that. It's it's uh [cough] it's approximately 100 ft from the edge of the pavement. So, it's not it's close up there close to the road. I'm like Scott. My only concern is them not using Riddle coming through the loop. >> Again, I don't think >> they either go in and come out of that >> because in the morning that'd be a nightmare if you had an ambulance trying. >> No, I think there's complete u that's agreement from the way they want to operate. I would expect they would put that in their procedure and they don't want to go through your traffic at all. they want to get out on 29 or or if

016it have to be 24 west, they don't want to be going through [clears throat] any any more than they have to. >> I could see them being more inclined to return [laughter] that way. >> I wouldn't even want them to return that way. >> I I wouldn't either, but I could see them. >> I think we can do something about that when that in their procedures and make sure that they only use that entrance and and again, the first primary would be right there at the corner and then the secondary would be through Augusta Springs. I don't think there would be any uh if you know if that got to be happening I think that'd be something would be addressed pretty quickly. >> Yeah. >> So >> and I think we need to address the

017lights and s not necessarily lights out the Vista. We have ambulances in our station out the Vista and we have an agreement they don't turn the sirens on till they get on Main Street. >> I think because we have the medical center >> right I think that there was >> and it works out well. We haven't addressed that specifically, but I that was mentioned that we would figure exactly where the probably about the time you hit the stop light, you might hit a hit a sirene, but they probably would not do it right at the building. >> Right. >> Yeah. >> Well, I would think they have to hit it when it hit 24. >> Yeah, the insurance probably not covered, >> right? >> Thank you. >> All right. Any more questions on that one?

018One other have you given thought I've seen especially during softball season how cars just line up and down this road um is there going to be something there to prevent them from blocking that entrance or going into that >> I think that's something we're going to definitely have to figure out exactly what that looks like as far as striping far as maybe some additional parking so they can do some instead of parallel parking they can do some pull-in parking that's something that we got to figure exactly out. But yes, we're going to make sure that this they prevent that from getting blocked up. >> That is a concern we going to have to address. Yes. >> All right. Thank you. >> Moving on to the next one on the other side over here. This is

019showing where the existing animal shelter is and the board has been discussing and has put some funds aside and I know the bark agency has worked very hard over the last I think it's almost 10 years to raise funds for a new facility there. So when we started looking thinking about getting that done, it just the idea came up. Well, since [snorts] it's a county facility, should it would it be better to not be on the school's property? And so since it already is, uh we prepared this uh plat about two 2.4 acres or 49 acres to basically cut it off so that it wouldn't be on y'all's property. It would be on county owned property. even though we're all kind of close together, it still looked like a good idea to do this. And

020so, um, that was kind of the first step. I think the board will be having more discussions earlier this year or sometime this year, but moving forward, but, uh, again, that was the survey and it does include a access easement across there. I think we would definitely want to improve the entrance, probably pave it, and certainly allow uh the schools any access that they would want to have across there. So, u this is what we came up with. And so, I'm glad to answer any questions. >> Would there be any fences keeping y'all's property separate from our property? [laughter] >> Well, when I say security issue, I've talked to SRO out here. He says they're always walking the dogs all over. >> Well, that's something we're still in. We haven't gotten to the point of

021I can can't tell you. I know that we're talking about a sally port to unload the dogs and to load the dogs. We're having discussions about >> some at least some fenced area, but again, we have not discussed whether we're going to fence the whole thing, just an area in the back. Haven't gotten that far yet, but I I they don't want dogs getting away from them either, and that is a concern. So I think it will be addressed appropriately when the time comes. >> So are you asking for an easement or are you asking for the property 2.5? >> I'm looking for the I was thinking it would make sense if we are insuring it and dealing with it and maintaining it. It would be on county property. It's kind of interesting. It's been

022on the school's property since 1992. I guess it was a even before that maybe one of those buildings was possibly used as a I don't know. Again, that was kind of a little bit before my time, but >> And you all have determined and Bark has determined that you think this is still the best location for this facility? >> Yes, >> it's free land. >> Any consideration putting this building on this lot also? Oh, is I don't think there's enough room on the other side for between uh the building and the drive and the bay and and u uh we got to might have to do some storm water and so it just it it fits >> everything basically that we proposed fits on the other site pretty well actually. Well, we've we've when this

023we knew this was coming up, we questioned a little bit if we ever needed to expand our facility here. Um this ties our hands, you know, but um obviously we want to be good neighbors. [laughter] They wouldn't use there wouldn't be any like uh overflow parking on our parking lot or anything like that. >> No, I don't I the intent I think is to um again have just a few visitors. It's not going to be a it'll be a little bit bigger facility, but the capacity is going to be about the same. It's just going to have a little more space for adoption and a little bit better facilities. I call it front-facing facilities for the staff and the uh handling of the dogs, but it won't be it shouldn't be any more dogs than

024it is now and cats than it is now. Just kind of making it more user friendly. >> It certainly look a lot better. >> And it will certainly look a lot better. >> Will the water tower come down? It's technically not on on the new property, but I'm sure we could work something out if if that's if that's a if that's a desire. >> Yes. >> Any other questions for Mr. Tweety? >> Thank you for being here tonight. And no, we don't have to do anything next month. It'll be on the agenda as an action item. And if you have any questions between now and then, reach out to me and I'll certainly get in touch with Mr. Tweet. >> Need anything else, just let me know. I >> appreciate it very much. >> Thanks

025for all your help with all of our other projects. >> I was going to say, can I say while while he's here, he's been invaluable with the Brooklyn project. Um he's at every one of our meetings, walks that building uh regularly, and has been >> incredible to work with. Thank you for all of your help. >> I enjoy building things. Well, we're lucky to have you over there as much as you are. >> We do appreciate it. >> And you're welcome to stay for the rest of our [laughter] >> All right. All right. So, um, now it's time to board will hear matters from the floor. And we do have several speakers that have asked to speak. Uh, I would just remind the speakers at this time we're going to hear your matters from the

026floor. Each speaker will have three minutes to speak. Please be respectful of the threeminut time limit. Prior to speaking, please state your name and address. And please address your comments to the board and not to staff or the audience or the media. And so with that, our first speaker is Colin White. So I'd invite Colin forward. never met him. >> Appreciate you guys letting me speak today. My name is Colin White. Um I live at 1602 Rainbow Forest Drive, uh Lynchburg, Virginia. I'm a Campbell County resident, a business owner, president of Brookville Youth Football, uh the volunteer assistant football coach at Brookville High School. My wife has been employed by Campbell County Schools for 12 years. Um I'm also a father of five. My oldest daughter graduated from Liberty Bedford last year. Um my middle

027daughter is the president of uh Liberty Bedford senior class. Um my middle my son Nash is a uh fourth grader at Leville Road and I have two sets of twins that will be in Leville Road very soon. [laughter] Um he's living a dream. >> I want to briefly address the eligibility of the Thomas children and more specifically the concern regarding the October 17th game against Liberty High School. To be clear, the VHSL's own process ruled correctly regarding Cam and Blake Thomas on October 31st. The rule stated plainly that the moment the Thomas children moved into the address where I reside, they became eligible. Miss White, the principal of Brookville, reached the same exact conclusion and never wavered. The findings were factual, consistent, we everything aligned with VHS rule and is a permanent that they were

028eligible. What troubles me now is the VHSL's attempt to strongarm and pressure this board by threatening to remove all athletic participation because of the October 17th game. These young men have been ruled eligible. I was president I was present at the courthouse and I want to be very specific about what I witnessed. The October 17th court hearing was for a restraining order on the VHSL and their investigation. But I also want to be very clear. We called that because we had been put through the loop. you know, there there nobody understood the exact process that was happening because we were baited back and forth. Um, after hearing the explanation that the boys have not yet been ruled ineligible by the VHL VHSL president Ty Gayford and his council, their explanation of the process of what

029it took for them to be declared ineligible, and the VHL's admit admitting of the unprecedented det details of this case. It had never ever been happened before where a principal and a superintendent thought ruled eligibility [snorts] after this meeting outside of the courthouse. >> Second direct. >> Okay. After this meeting outside of the courthouse, I heard Mr. Vance direct Miss Tanner to play the Thomas children. I heard Miss Tanner ask him again, "Are you giving me legal advice to where I can go back to the board and tell them that you were telling me the council is telling me to play the boys?" And he said yes, adamantly yes. Then hours later, we just coach Lindberg gets a call being directed to play the boys against Liberty Bedford by the school board. All right. All

030right, Mr. White. >> We're good. >> Thank you very much. >> Uh, our next speaker is Christy McDaniel. >> Hello. You want me to start? >> Name and address. >> Christy McDaniel, 2223 Belleview Road, Forest, Virginia. Um, the floor is yours. >> Okay. My name is Christy McDaniel. I'm a parent of a couple of football players on the Brookville football team. I currently have a senior and a sophomore. Um, I want to speak to you tonight about our student athletes and how they were impacted this season. Um, this season I learned the VHSL rule book. I recently read every single schoolboard policy there is. Um, reading the schoolboard policies, I noticed that there's only one policy that protects our athletes. Nothing in the policy is related to the VHSL or a student being eligible. Um,

031I also learned what the word FOYA meant and I also learned the word the Russ. Um, this decision that has recently been made where we're going to be impacted postseason next year not only affects our players, it also affects our cheerleaders and our band. Um, a lot of athletes, including the cheerleaders and the band members, they look forward to that postseason. Like that's something that everybody looks forward to. It's a big honor to have that. Um, the VHSL rule book states that it's the building administrator's right to determine a student eligible or ineligible. Two students on our team were found eligible. Um, at the pregame meals, as the season went on, there was questions about whether two players would be able to play or not. As the season went on, those pregame meals became very

032somber. That was a time for the team to build rapport with each other, to build relationships with each other, and it turned into a very sad occasion for these boys on four different occasions. Um, at the Amoris game, I witnessed as a parent players and coaches crying on the sidelines. They tried to all come together and unify, unite. But it was very sad and heartbreaking to watch those athletes and the coaches cry. Those boys did nothing wrong. They played under d the direction of the school board. They gave them the permission to play not to play that game at Ammer. Sorry. The Liberty Bedford game. Um the team playing under the schoolboard guidance. They were um given the go-ahehead to play, but then Liberty came back and filed a sportsmanship violation against us. Then at

033Heritage once again 30 minutes before the game was to start um the the two players were told they couldn't play again. Then at the LCA game, we watched the boys warm up on the field and within 15 minutes of the game supposedly getting ready to start, the boys were told they couldn't play. The boys go to the locker rooms, get in their street clothes as they come running with the team back on the field. It was heartbreaking to watch our school principal on the sideline trying to hold herself together because she had advocated so hard for these two players and our football program. Ultimately, we have no one that advocates for our players and our coaches except for our building administrator and our coaches. I just got one thing I want to say. I have

034a lot to say, but [laughter] um >> 30 seconds. >> Okay. The school board, I personally think, should consider creating a committee of stakeholders that protects the integrity of school sports and athletes that it encompasses the community members and parents as long as the athlete. And the burden now has been put on the coaches on how they will keep our team motivated next year knowing that we don't have a playoff spot. Um, so I just want to make sure that moving forward that our coaches and our athletes are really thought of. Thank you. Thank you. >> Our next speaker is Brook Gray. [clears throat] >> Good evening, school board members. >> Address, please. >> Yes. Brook Ray, 1314 Vista Rama Lane. Um, my name is Brook Ray, Brookville High School, class of 2001. I was

035a varsity football cheerleader during the 1999 season when Brookville won their first state title. I reveal my age by telling this story, but it illustrates the fact that my Brookville pride runs very deep. While a state championship is a core memory, I stand before you today and say in all honesty, I've never been prouder to be part of the Brookville football family than I was this past season. I remember the afternoon when my son Bowen, a soft a sophomore and varsity football player at BHS, first called to tell me that Cam and Blake Thomas weren't going to be allowed to take the field. My 6'5", 275-lb lineman was crying quietly into the phone from the locker room. "Mom, they don't deserve this," he said. For him, it wasn't about winning or losing. It was about

036his teammates. For several more weeks, this chaos ensued. The full team in the dark until minutes before game time, hoping for the best and knowing the worst. Up and down. But there was a constant in the storm. The commitment the players, coaches, principal White, the school board, and our community had to Cam and Blake. Everyone stood together in support of the Thomas family. My son learned many lessons over those long weeks. The most important about loyalty, brotherhood, and standing up for what is right. The solidarity demonstrated amidst the adversity is why I was so proud of this team and this season. As I alluded to earlier, in the end, as we all know, Cam and Blake were deemed eligible. Legally, they had always been eligible. There wasn't a way to undo what was done, but

037it should have been over. I thought for certain the next big headline would be punishment for the VHSL. So, imagine my shock when I received the email outlining a penalty for Brookville. How did the VHSL convince you, our school board, to allow them to add insult to injury upon our kids when there was no violation. I'm not a lawyer, but struggle to believe that if the VHSL couldn't defend their original ineligibility claims that they could have justified their threats of a 365 sports ban. Help me make sense of why you would ultimately accept a penalty that punished the kids. I realize there's likely no perfect solution, but did you try to negotiate for a larger monetary penalty, for example, or any other myriad of outcomes or punishments that did not include or impact our kids?

038And if you were giving up, couldn't you have been more honest with the public about your motivations? state. You are again under duress and being held hostage by the threats of the VHSL. Couldn't you publicly apologize to our team and our community for taking them so far only to quit at the goal line? It's not about the playoffs. Brookville didn't make the playoffs last year when my son was a freshman and again missed playoffs this year and it didn't negate his experience. It's not about the playoffs, it's about principle and they deserve better. Thank you. >> [applause] >> I feel your pain. [clears throat] Oilia Payne, 81 Clubhouse Drive. Good evening and thank you for allowing me the opportunity to speak today. I will be brief. I'm here to address what I can only describe

039as a punishment without violation. How is it accepted that our boys are being punished for the entire 2025 season and now the entire 2026 season without committing any violation. From the very beginning, this situation has felt like a targeted attack on our football program. Week after week, our boys face adversity, not only on the field, but off it. Often an hour or sometimes two before kickoff, they would learn that their teammates, their brothers would not be allowed to play. After every game, coaches, parents, and teachers were left to console the young men who were confused, frustrated, and emotionally drained. They played the entire season under the uncertainty of never knowing who would be available or what new obstacle would appear next. Isn't that punishment enough? Even after the case was won and the players were

040deemed eligible and have been for the entire season, we were still forced to accept a continued punishment into 2026. That is unjust. As parents, educators, and coaches, it is our responsibility to stand up for our children and protect them. How are we doing that? By allowing the VHSL to bully them week after week. The system is the system that is supposed to protect, uplift, and advocate for student athletes. Instead, it has just failed them. This season has been one of the greatest yet most disappointing years for our boys. In face of constant adversity, they've built a family. They've showed resilience, leadership, and character. And yet, they were robbed of an opportunity to fully showcase the hard work they've put in all summer long. We allowed it because we felt like our hands were tied tied,

041but because we were afraid to speak up. I'm here today to say we will no longer remain silent. We will continue to allow our boy we will not continue to allow our boys to be bullied by adults. We will not accept punishment without cause and we will stand we will not stand by a system that exists to serve but does the opposite. By accepting this continued punishment, we have failed them. So I ask you directly, what is it your plan to correct this? >> Thank you. Mhm. >> Lincoln McDaniel. Lincoln McDaniel, 2223 Belleview Road, Forest, Virginia. I'll go to Brookville High School. I'm the quarterback. I've been a starter for three years at Brookville. Uh as players, we followed every rule we were given. Uh we trusted our coaches, we trusted guidance from above the

042school level. We prepared every week as if we were going to play. Uh more than once we found out last minute that some players weren't going to be able to play. At Ammerst, the message changed right before kickoff. I watched teammates break down. I watched coaches try to uh keep focus while carrying the same disappointment. at Liberty Bedford. Uh the Thomas' were told they were able to play and later a violation was filed against Brookville that put our entire program at risk. That's hard to pro process when you've done exactly what you were told. At Heritage, we were told again last minute that they couldn't play. So the team went back to work. We practiced. We stayed ready. At LCA, they were already warming up when less than 30 minutes before the game, we were

043told they weren't eligible to play. We ran off the field. As a leader, I didn't have answers from my teammates. Then later, we were told they were eligible after the fact. That kind of uncertainty affects more than one game. It affects trust. As a quarterback, I'm taught that leadership means staying calm, adapting, and protecting our team. That's what we did all season. Our coaches never put us in a position that they weren't told was allowed. We played or didn't play, based entirely on direction given to us. We also learned that decisions about our future were discussed behind closed doors, including consequences that could affect the postseason play in 2026. If decisions like that are made being made, student athletes deserve transparency. We deserve to know who is advocating for us. This isn't about winning or

044losing. It's about preparation, fairness, and respect for the work student athletes put in every day. We showed leadership. We showed resilience. We adjusted every time. Now, we're asking for the same from those who lead us. When student athletes commit fully to their program, they deserve leaders who are just as committed to them. Thank you. Thank you. [applause] >> Uh Camden McDaniel, 2223 Belleview Road, Forest, Virginia. I'm here tonight as a student athlete at Brookville High School. And from the first day of the season, we were taught three things. follow the rules, trust the leadership, and be ready when our name is called. We did that every single week. What we didn't have was consistency. They There were multiple times this season when we found out the last minute that the Thomas' couldn't play. They would

045be dressed, they would be warmed up, they would be mentally ready. Then suddenly, the plans changed. At Ammerst, we were told right before the game that things were different. We had to adjust. I watched my teammates cry. I watched the co coaches try to keep us focused when they were hurt in two. They played at Liberty Beford because they were told it was okay. Later, a sportsmanship violation was filed that put our entire program at risk. That was hard to accept because we followed the direction we were given. At Heritage, we were told again at last minute that they could play, couldn't play. So, we went back to practice. We kept showing up and we didn't quit. At LCA, they were already on the field warming up when less than 30 minutes before kickoff, they

046were told we they weren't eligible. They ran off the field out of their uniforms. That moment is something that I will never forget. Later, the team was told that they were eligible. Winning matters to our team, but that's not what this is about. This is about the commitment, accountability, and being treated fairly. We did exactly what we were asked to do every single time. We also learned that decisions were made about our future in closed door meetings. If our seasons and opportunities are being voted on, we believe we deserve the transparency we deserve to know who is speaking for us. We're not asking for special treatment. We're not asking for clear communication. We're consistent leadership and someone to advocate for student athletes when it's hard. We showed up all season. We adjusted and we trusted

047the process. All we're asking now is that the process doesn't forget about us. >> Thank you. Thank you. [applause] That's all that signed up. Is there anybody else here who would like to speak? Three minutes. I can see the nervousness on my wife's face right now, so I apologize. Thomas Vaughn 14891 Leville Road, Evington, Virginia. So I went to Brookville just like with Karen. We both were there at the same time. And I look back and I think to myself, my kids that have gone through kids still there. My son's been in the Navy eight years. My daughter graduated from UVA. Great education, great time. Coach wrestling, loved it. But I look at what we're doing now and look at what BHL did. And we failed these students. We did. They did nothing wrong. They

048showed up to practice and worked hard. We can't ask for anything else. We're teaching them that. And I also know that standing tall and being a leader is important. They're seeing the way that you're leading. There's no way in poker you could bluff a 365 suspension for these boys that were deemed eligible. I think you should have fought harder. I do. I think everybody here would agree with that. And you're showing them that you stood tall when it was easy. It was got hard, you stood down. That's not acceptable. You'll have to remember that you guys did that to them. You could have fought harder. That's all I have. All right. We're going to move on to our regular meeting. We appreciate all the speakers. As you know, this isn't a town hall where it

049goes back and forth. Feel free to reach out to your representative to discuss or have any other questions answered. Thank you. All right. I would like to ask for a motion about approval of the November 10th and November 25th meeting minutes. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Any questions on the minutes? >> All in favor, please indicate by saying I. I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Payment of the bills. Mr. >> Chairman, I review the bills as presented and make a motion to approve. >> Second. >> A second. Any question about the bills? All in favor of payment of bills, please indicate by saying I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Donations. Mr. McClanahan. Tonight you have 17 donations for approval. Unless you have any questions on those, I ask that you approve

050them as presented. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion second. Any question on the donations. >> All in favor, please indicate by saying I. >> I. >> Supplemental appropriations. >> Again, you have four appropriations for approval. Unless you have any questions on those, I would ask that you approve them as presented. Move approval, Mr. Chairman. >> Second. >> Have a motion and a second. Any questions on the appropriations? All in favor, please indicate by saying I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> Consideration of non-resident tuition. >> Tonight, you have a listing of students for approval. And unless you have any questions, I'd ask that you approve them as listed. Move >> for approval. Mr. Chairman, >> second. Any questions? All in favor, please indicate by saying I. I. >> Any opposed? Motion

051carries. Thank you, Mr. Pan. Personnel report. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Members of the board, you have the personnel report in front of you. You may notice that there are a couple more classified staff on here than I would anticipate um or that have been for the past few months. Um, but I think it's a natural transition time into the semester and before the break where people that are looking for different employment have given us their notice of resignation. Um, so nothing that our principles won't um, continue to work hard to replace. And then also there are a couple more certified staff hires on here that may not reconcile with the number of resignations, but those are the long-term subs, the student teachers that we've had all first semester that have gotten their license as

052of December when they graduated. So, we're hiring them on um permanently for next semester. >> Okay. >> So, unless you have any other questions, I'd ask that you approve it as written. >> Motion. >> Second. >> A second. Any other questions for Miss Huntley? All in favor of the personnel report, please indicate by saying I. >> I. >> Any opposed? All right. Thank you very much, Dr. Wilson. Chairman, board members. Um, we have five requests for religious exemption for your consideration this evening. Unless there are any questions, I would recommend we approve them as presented. >> Any questions for Dr. Wilson? Ask for a motion. >> Motion. >> Have a motion. >> I'll do the second. >> And all right, we have a motion and a second. All in favor of granting these religious exemptions,

053please indicate by saying I. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Thank you very much. All right. Information items. Back to Miss Clanahan. >> It's that time of year again for the state and local economic [cough] statement of interest. Uh they have not sent me the form yet, so I didn't have it to give to you tonight, but as soon as they send it to me, I will email it to you. It is of course for the calendar year of 25 and it will be due February 2nd of 26. >> So just not due by December 31st. >> No, you've got plenty of time to get it done once they send it to me. I'll forward it to you. >> Okay. I guess Mr. Pierman will have to fill one of those out. >> All right.

054Thank you very much. Do that is just information. So okay, we're good. All right. Dr. Hale the academic calendar. >> Good evening chairman, members of the board. Tonight, this is not an action item. It is justformational and we are starting to look at our academic calendar for next school year. I did want to highlight a couple of differences between this calendar and this this calendar for 2627 and this current school year's calendar um to talk about where feedback was solicited and also gathered from our teachers and our community as well as our principles. On this calendar, you will notice that our back to school day is still scheduled for August 5th. However, we would do our orientations, which are shorter days for preK, kindergarten, 6th and 9th graders on the 11th, but actually start our

055first day of school on the 12th. Um, that was a request from transportation as well as just having another day to get ready for school. Our ridership on our buses continues to increase every year and we have several changes that we need to make for that. Also, as a reminder, we used to do this. We used to actually start school on a Wednesday rather than on a Tuesday, but due to holidays, breaks, it had changed over time. Um, but we do want to make sure we give that department um the opportunity to make the necessary changes as well as give our staff, you know, time to be well prepared for students. Another change that you will notice is our first PD day that is scheduled in September. Um on our calendar it was actually a

056week later but for this um coming up year for 2627 it is moved up a week and the reason why is because fall break was moved up a week. Um there have been requests from um the community with Columbus Day and Indigenous People's Day. It's a federal holiday. Some people are already off for then. Um we had kept fall break after that because the nine weeks ended. However, we know that our teachers, they don't turn in their final grades till later. So, we would rather move up fall break, have it correspond with Columbus and Indigenous People's Day for the federal holiday, and then that will give us plenty of time to have November 2nd as our teacher PD workday to get the grading that is needed and tie up any loose ends for that. Um,

057so that is one change that you will notice that is a different and so it doesn't really matter that we start a nine weeks on a Tuesday. We make it work, you know, as far as when assignments and do are due and so forth. Um, but that will give our teachers the second meaningful time um to then be prepared for our report cards to go out which are typically later that week by the 6th of November. There are some things that cannot be changed on this calendar. So then you notice the most of this looks very similar um to this school year. We have one week when we get back from January and hope for no no weather for that last week of the first semester. We have our teacher work day on the 11th

058of January. Um we also still have our President's Day holiday in February. Um and then a teacher work day at the end of the third nine weeks weather dependent on March 19th. Um some things that can't be changed. Yes, spring break is early. It's a little bit earlier with with the holiday and the way that falls. And also May 31st is the very last possible day for Memorial Day. So we will actually end school prior um to Memorial Day um if this calendar is adopted um in January. But the other piece that can't be moved is graduation. We did inquire. Um it is already booked that weekend with Bedford County Schools. Um and it would be they wouldn't really they wouldn't be able to have us then, but we would keep our graduations for June

0594th and 5th. That does give us a little wiggle room, you know, to make sure we wrap things up and and are able to celebrate with our seniors and graduates, but we do notice that that's not ideal. Um and we would prefer it to be closer, but are limited to that facility. um and really have heard from our families how important being able to invite as many people and having at that Vine Center is necessary. So, this is a compromised calendar. Um it looks a little different. Um, but really trying to maintain our full 180 days for the entire school year, but also spread our breaks out enough and our work days for our teachers enough and also be fair to our families, you know, so that way um maybe that's one less day, you

060know, that they might have to take off on Columbus Day if they are already off. Um, so that is that is the the draft. There is no action needed. Um, and I'm happy to answer any questions that you might have. Does all this work out with the regional? >> They're very similar. Um, spring break is similar. Our some schools do fall break, some don't. Um, so that part is similar. Um, for that, most of us are starting either the 11th or 12th of August in our area. So, very similar. >> Thank you. >> But we do end before Memorial Day. So, it's just Memorial Days late if this is adopted. Okay. >> Any other questions for Dr. All right, you can move on to your next. >> Okay, so this information is hot off the

061press and so you did receive um an email last week that had to do with our accountability and student achievement update. Um this data was originally supposed to be released by the end of September. Um so we are happy to have it prior to um us leaving for winter break. Um and again are very proud of a lot of the work and understand the other pieces that we'll continue to do. One piece I will share is all of our schools are fully accredited. You will remember that they have separated accountability versus accreditation. Now for schools, so all of our schools are fully accredited. And then I'll dig in a little bit into the actual accountability. you do have a folder that has some of these handouts for you that might be helpful to reference because

062um while it is meant to be simple um and to help with transparency, it is new um and so sometimes having some documents um help as we move through this presentation. So for school performance and the support framework, as a reminder, there are four performance categories. We talked about this in October. A distinguished school in the framework has a score that is 90 or above. On track is in 80 to 89. Off track is that 65 to 79. And then schools that need intensive support are below 65. Um so those have not changed. Those are the categories for school performance and support. Um as a reminder, these are the categories that are included in that framework. It includes mastery students performance on those assessments including reading, math, science so test as well as English learner

063progress. We also see growth for grades four through eight with their so test as well as with VAP testing and then readiness. Readiness depending on the school um these are the factors that are considered. Every school looks at chronic absenteeism. Middle school includes advanced coursework. High school includes the 3E readiness framework and then we also have our six-year graduation rate which would include any student who is on applied studies diploma. Graduation also includes federal graduation indicator that is an FGI rate. Um and again that's for our high schools. This is our hopefully it's a cheat sheet for our school division for elementary schools that have EL students that do not. And as a reminder, our two elementary schools that do have e students that count toward the framework include Leville Road and Tomahawk Elementary. Elementary

064school with um with that don't necessarily have enough students that meet that threshold include Alta Vista Elementary, Brookne Neil, Concord, Rusburg, and Yellow Branch. Our middle school um students or school that has enough e students that that is also included in the indicator is Brookville Middle School. And then Rustburg Middle School did not for last school year have enough students for that category. And then this is where it continues with differences um for our division. High school, both of our high schools, Russburg and Brookville High School do have EL students that count towards this framework. Um and then our combined schools do not. And you can see the combined schools. It's a mix. It includes LM pieces of middle school as well as high school. But those are those reminders for that waiting. All of

065the pass rates and school performance support framework data are located on the website. If you want to look at a school specific profile, you do have to click school perform performance and support to get the full framework for that specific school which does give you a lot of information. So how did we do? So here is what the summary of our school performance and support framework scores. Um Brookville High School and Russ High School both achieved distinguished status um with framework scores above a 90 and we'll talk in a minute about some of the highlights for them in our region as well as our other schools. Um on tracks schools included Brookil Elementary, Concord, Rusber Elementary, Yellow Branch, Brookville Middle, Rusber Middle, and William Campbell combined. And this is where it gets a little bit

066more complicated, so I'll do my best to make this as simple as possible. You will notice that the offtrack schools, if we're looking at 80, all but one school is at that benchmark. Um, so when we looked at our data originally, we noticed that everyone is if is in that range above 80. However, if there is a student subgroup, student um group that performs lower than what they're looking at as the state threshold, that automatically moves you to a lower status. So you'll notice here for Alta Vista Elementary, they had a federal identification. So that TSI tan stands for targeted support and improvement. And it has to do with our performance overall framework performance for our students with disability student group in reading and math. But I do want to highlight how close they were

067because I think that is helpful to understand that you wouldn't see on that. Their framework score was 69.7 and the state threshold was 71.8. Very close. Also for reading it was 70.45. The state threshold was 71.3. Um so that tells you how close they are moving um for that. And then for math 74.24 and the state threshold was 74.51. Very very close. and they actually were higher in science than the state threshold, but they did not have enough students in that subgroup to count. So again, overall it has to do with the targeted support and improvement score that is related to federal accountability for that student performance group. >> What was the tomahawk? Was it still students with disabilities? >> I can get to that one next. Yeah. After I talk about Leisville Road. Leisville

068Road was very similar. So Leville Road actually has the highest framework score out of any elementary school. Um here their framework though for the student group um for students with disabilities was related to reading, math and science. So very similar um that they're close but not quite there. Tomahawk Elementary in the past you have seen with state accountability they will round up. They did not with business rules decide to round up this this with this new accountability system. So they're at 79.5. What we have noticed overall with tomah tomahawk data is their proficiency is high. Students passing when they take it is high. What we're continuing to work on and do hope and I think will see it continue to improve is growth of students because growth does count for that and moving all students.

069So it really has to do with they were 0.5 less than the needed framework score and very close but just not quite there. Alt Vista combined is also a very high framework score of 87.1 that you see and their targeted support um identification for students with disabilities was actually for middle school students. So, a combined school has to not only meet the middle school thresholds for those, it also has to meet high school. Now, high school, they actually didn't have as many students that were in that to count, but it had to do with specifically with middle school. And again, very close. So, that threshold overall for the framework um was 63 and they needed to be at least a 68.9 overall for students with disabilities. And then reading was very close, 67.85. 85 state

070threshold was 69.83 and math was 69.64 compared to the state threshold of 70.52. The reason why I share that with you, you don't need to remember them. It's just very close, you know, to understand where they are. And this is a celebration for them that was um that's not you're not going to see this on the reports, but for their science for students with disabilities, they were at over a 90%. But that that student group didn't count because it didn't have enough students. It wasn't quite to 15. So [clears throat] I I try to make it simple, but it's it's not you know, there's nuances here that you see. Um and all of our stu all of our schools have been working incredibly hard. So we know they will continue this work. >> Have a

071I have a question >> about the schools that were off track compared to the ones that are on track. Do they have similar populations of students with disabilities or I mean why why did they squeak over the line and these schools not quite make it or >> it it really has to just do with performance. But I will tell you that more schools in the state were identified for targeted support than ever before and it has to do with the change of the group size. So typically in the past your student groups you're looking at have to have a minimum of 30 students within your school building. this was cut in half to 15. So you are looking again at um a portion of your population that you want to support and help grow. And

072I will talk about hey what are we doing you know at the end of this because I know that will be a question is how are we responding? How have we been responding? Um but that is yes we have different sizes as far as students with disabilities in our schools. Um but we also know that we have a lot of good work happening with them to encourage them to grow. Um, and we've had a lot of initiatives to help support them. Any qu more question about this slide before I move on? And I know I'll get to the what are we doing next? Okay. Um, we did have several highlights that were in our region five. So, you do have a copy of this um in your folder. Um, and these are some of the

073the celebrations um that were in region five for our schools. You see Russ High School and Brookville High School are in the top five for their graduation rate. Um you also see six-year graduation. So this would include um any student who is completing their applied studies diploma. Rusber High School again in the top five. English learner progress. Um English learners um they're making a lot of progress and we see that at Russ High School. You also see it at Brookville Middle School. Brookville Middle School again top five and actually top one um for that region. Mastery in math, Brookville High School. Mastery in science, Rusber. And then chronic absenteeism. You see both Russ and Brookville High School. So those are major celebrations um for the work of the teachers, staff, and the administrators at that

074school at those schools. And this is also we just we actually just learned this on Friday. Um and so this is really really cool because our our our combined schools are different. They're on a whole different PDF that you find. And so our combined schools, Campbell um for for us, William Campbell um was in the top five for advanced coursework. Um so congratulations to them. And you also noticed that chronic absenteeism. And we have said that it's a celebration for us, the improvement of chronic absenteeism, William Campbell and Alta Vista were in the top five um in the entire state. >> Entire state >> because they're looking at those combined schools. And because you notice here, these are the different regions. were region five and so those are all of the different regions and because

075not every not every division has a combined school but more have it than you think once you actually start looking. Um so what are we doing? You know we are continuing to focus on growth towards all students. We have had an emphasis on highquality instruction. As a reminder we have adopted highquality instructional materials in all of our core classes with reading and math but also in special education. and we will continue to collaborate. We see this as an opportunity to continue that good work and also to make sure that we are supporting our special education teachers and assistants. We are looking at additional staffing. So, with a TSI identification that can open up federal funding um that could possibly support some additional staff to help support these schools. We also want to continue to maximize

076scheduling. And as always, we look at our students not necessarily in this percentage number. We want to look at them on a case-bycase basis and respond to their needs. So, the other piece for our next steps, again, this just came out last week, we are awaiting more information from the state um regarding any type of federal funding, grant opportunities, and as always, we will continue to focus on growth for all students. I'm happy to answer hopefully what questions that you might have. Any questions from the board? >> You explained. I was wondering why we had a higher score on William and Cam when we were off track and they were on track. So, >> and we had to thank you, Mr. Max. We actually had to do some digging because of the the scores are

077not going to be on those reports that are public and so we were able to get clarity on that. So, I appreciate that. >> Take the fund, >> but it's like you're sort of being punished for having special kids. And one of the things that we really want to be careful of too is we we do support all kids, you know, and that's the work that we always do. Um, and so we we do want um we are proud of our schools, you know, we are proud of the work that we do. We're proud of our teachers and our students, and we'll continue to do that. Absolutely. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Okay. All right. Superintendent will update the board. >> Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman. First thing I'd like to say

078is I want to echo what Dr. Hell just said that first of all, I'm very proud of our schools and our and our administrators and our teachers and our students for all their hard work on this performance and support framework. I mean, you obviously want everybody to do well and and I think our schools all showed they did do well. We've all got areas to work on, but that's always the case. Okay. Um, and we will do that. So, anyway, I just want to congratulate everybody. Um, certainly our two distinguished um schools. Congratulations for that um recognition. And Will, congratulations. You did a great job down there at Wave Campbell. Um, again, I say that to all of our administrators and teachers. They uh they rock. Okay. Very proud of them all. Um on on

079a sad note, I do want to bring to your attention that we lost a teacher um last week. Russ Paulus was a band um teacher at um Brookville Middle School and um he passed away. The school handled it very well, as well as you could. Um obviously there were a lot of upset um adults, faculty members and students. Um they are doing a concert on Thursday night at Brookville Middle uh dedicated to him. So um Russ not only taught at Brookville Middle for for a couple years most recently, but before he went to Lynburg City, he was the um high school band director at Altabista Combined. So I got to work with him for approximately eight, nine years. And uh and kids loved him. So he's he's going to be certainly missed. Um um I'd

080like to remind you that it's almost budget season, the favorite time of year. So uh that that's around the corner. Um Miss Mlanahan gave you a list of the budget or gave you a copy of the budget calendar. Uh we have a board meeting in January. When we come back from break on the 12th and then the very next day on the 13th, we've got a joint a full joint board meeting with the board of supervisors where we'll talk about our budget priorities. Um some of the things that we're challenged with this year. Um I'll also kind of show some of our some of our focus areas for this year. Um show them STEM plus M what that's all about. Um do some highlights um some areas of concern and some budget priorities for the

081upcoming year. Um, so I'll talk more about that to you at our next meeting in January. And then the last thing that I've got, I would like to recognize our distinguished chairman. Um, since this is Dr. Miller's last meeting, I got two things for you. Um, yeah, go ahead and stand. I know I know being chairman at the last meeting is is You've provided our board with leadership for the past 12 years and you've done it with heart. You've done it with compassion, with high expectations for for our schools and uh Dr. Miller, I appreciate everything that you've done for our schools, for myself personally, um for our board. Um you really lead with heart and we're going to miss you. Thank you for everything that you've done. >> This is very nice and I

082really appreciate it. And I'll I'll I'll save my remarks for I'll I'll save my remarks. >> Very good. And then this is a gift from William Campbell. Will car to hand it to you tonight. >> Oh, another flag. [laughter] >> 12 years of service to William Campbell. I I I couldn't be prouder of serving William Campbell at Brook Hill Elementary and so um thank you very much. Thank you very [applause] >> space to hang those up. >> All right. Um, all right. So, from the word Well, maybe I'll go first tonight. Um, I do want to just, um, share couple of emails that I got from principles. Sterling at elementary school says, "All is well. He also thanked me for my years of service." Um, so they're celebrating the growth that our students in both

083reading and math on the winter measure academic progress assessment and celebrating being fully accredited on track with the new Virginia school support framework. they did have to put off their Christmas celebration and now it'll be January 23rd. But um I do know that um the elementary school is so well supported by the community down there uh that I'm sure that um you know all is good down there and that those kids are being supported. And then Will, I will just um I'll just share what he shared with me and he can chime in. and congratulations on on the the distinguished uh school. I mean, that's pretty neat when we're comparing William Campbell to the whole state. That's pretty impressive. So, they started so testing today because of weather relays related delays. Uh they had a

084successful winter art show along with a band and choir concert last Thursday and that highlighted the hard work and talent of of our generals and with the support of their band boosters and athletics they got a new band trailer. That's great. Did you have one at all? >> We did. >> Okay. >> It was interesting. >> Okay. All right. And um we're proud to share William Campbell was fully credited and an on-track status and a framework score of 87. And then we were also able to shop for 20 Christmas angels ensuring that these students had presents under the tree this holiday. Thank you, Will. Anything you want to add? All right. All right. Well, that's really what I had. I did want to just thank the Aspire uh presentation and I I wanted to thank

085I I really wanted to thank the speakers tonight. Um, and I know we don't go back and forth and I just could hear it in their voice, uh, their frustration, but also their the pride in their in their program and and how well the kids stood up. And, you know, we forget I forgot about that. But, um, I'm proud of those kids on the team. And I just would like to emphasize that this was very hard for all of us on the board. and um and and I I I understand where they're coming from. We had to make a decision. Um and we we made it, but I I sympathize and empathize with um with the community, but it is what it is. I um it's my last night. I just would like to say

086that it's been a privilege serving Campbell County, especially the Brook Neil uh district. Um I have worked with some incredibly talented principles in my 12 years um that are just unbelievably dedicated to their teachers and kids and it it's been a really um eyeopening experience for me. Um I've worked with wonderful board members um that are still here with with me and the ones that came before me. Some of them really mentored me. um I've always had a lot of respect [snorts] and then with the administration and the central office just the level of professionalism and the commitment to the kids in our community um it's been it's it's really been a privilege to be a part of that and and one thing that you know when I was reflecting on it I never had

087to deal with egos and and I've worked in organizations where where you did have to work with egos. I when I started to think about it, I never had to work with egos. And um of course I hope they can say the same about me, but um um it's just been an honor and a privilege to um be in a position to sort of serve my community. And I hope that um I hope the community has has benefited from my service, but I can say that I've truly benefited from serving my community. And so, um it's really bittersweet. I've said all along I believe in term limits and passing the torch. Um, I'm anxious for Maurice to uh take over and I hope that um it's as a rewarding and uh as good an experience

088for you and that you will put the kids first, listen to your principal, be there for them, and um and just uh just help Campbell County keep doing great. So that's all I got. So, I'll turn it over to [clears throat] Barry. Uh, Mr. Bennett regretfully couldn't be here tonight, but he asked me to share the following with you guys. Um, very, very happy that the state reports came out and we're fully accreditated and on track. We have our fourth and fifth grade Christmas play tomorrow night. And the big Christmas at Concord event is on for Thursday night from 6:00 to 8. If you don't have anything to do Thursday night, it's worth the trip down there to watch it snow and and have snacks and hot cocoa and all that. It was quite the

089quite the festivity last year, so I'm sure it would be even better this year. says we're having cookies with Santa this week and almost all of our Christmas tree gifts have been delivered and uh like to express my sympathy to the JD Pucket family for his passing. He was quite the advocate for our school system long ago in the William Camel community with the agriculture program and then his tenure on the board of supervisors. He worked to help us out anytime he could. Um again, thanks for the donations that we received. Uh and then certainly thanks to the churches and organizations and individuals that provided piles of gifts for families at schools recognized that needed, you know, something to make their Christmas be eventful. And I mean, I know a lot of it's been done.

090We won't see anything on paper, but but it's really been um the Christmas spirit really shows up. Um Miss White, thank you for everything you did. It's all all I can really say. I'm sorry it's been so hard. Appreciate everything you did. Uh certainly I appreciate our snow removal crews. I don't know who they are or what they do, but when you drive by after the snow, the parking lots are pretty clean. Um and I think I think based on some of the things I read on Facebook, I think we need to get the word out that you don't close schools just because you think it's going to snow. We base it on scientific evidence. It comes from somebody other than, you know, it comes from somebody and if it doesn't materialize, it's not your

091fault. >> We've been pretty good here the last few years. So, so every every so often >> um the um the school board convention was very enjoyable. We had some good speakers, had good camaraderie, had some good breakout sessions, and certainly appreciate the speakers that came here tonight to speak and express their feelings. And Dr. Miller, I just, you know, it's been a pleasure serving with you. I don't think I don't think the board has ever had a person that's ever been as involved with um Brook Neil and William Campbell like you have, working with um Mr. Bennett and Mr. Harrison. Um, Mr. Carr Wright and prior to that, Miss Hansen, I mean, you you spent a lot of time trying to figure out what you you leading us could do to help those two

092schools. And it's really um that's I think that's probably your best feature is you wanted to do what you could to help those schools with all the other schools as well. And that's really admirable and appreciate everything you've done. It's been a pleasure working with you. >> Thank you, Barry. >> That's all I got. All right. Um, well, and I would list all the festivities for the elementary schools, but there were tons. It is the season, right? Um, and I don't want to take I know Kristen has worked hard with some of the elementary programs that were going on. Um, but they're all rescheduled and so they're all still happening amongst the snow and the chaos. Um, I did want to mention discontinued prayers for the Brookville band community that that was a really rough

093hit. Um, even though he was not here for very long, um, Russ had a huge impact on both our middle school and our high school. um programs and so certainly to remember to if you could able to come out on Thursday night and support them. I know that I've heard from quite a few parents and students that the student impact I think has been hugely significant on what he meant to them. Um door competition at Brookville we still had it like even though there was that's something I look forward to every year amongst the chaos of the construction amongst the snow day chaos and I dragged Leon out this year for us. So Kristen and Leon I Leon and I went around and we we tried to let Leon be the tiebreaker, but I don't

094know, we we had our strong opinions on on the door decoration contest. And so that was great to see the teachers even amongst the snow days, even amongst the construction um that they were still able to to go out and and spread some Christmas cheer amongst the hallways. So that was great to see. Um and I think Leon enjoyed kind of being [clears throat] back on back into the hallway. So that was fun. I want to thank um Timberlake Church and their blessings. I was able to participate on Wednesday. Um the snow day we still got all the the gifts there. Um but there were gosh and Brian help me if you can remember the number. It was close to 200 plus families again this year that we were able to reach. Um they took

095two full truckloads, box truckloads to Brookville Middle and Brookville High. And we did the split box load to both um Leville and to Tomahawk. Um and they've got yellow branches been hidden there as well. And so it was a great impact um just for the community and the donations that they did. And I had my little one that got to enjoy to see it on the other side. He's always participated with shopping, but he's never done the delivery component. And so his job was to ride the bikes down the ramp and through the hallway to get them to where they were. So we had a great snow day um that he was able to deliver those. Um, I really appreciate the Brookville community coming out and feeling comfortable enough to speak and to talk and,

096you know, really a shout out to our athletes that that were able to speak up and and really voice their, you know, their their feelings. >> Sure. >> On the whole thing and and that was wonderful. And I hope they'll continue to feel like they're welcome to do so by all means. And Scott, thank you. You know, I've only been here for a couple years, but what a huge impact and and thank you for that for us. Well, there's been a lot going on across all of our schools lately. Um, I wanted to start off by congratulating Brookville High School on earning a distinguished and fully accredited rating. That's a big deal and something to be really proud of. We've also seen some great things from our students. Brookville wrestling having a strong start to

097the season to the speech team and the choir students at both the middle and high schools are doing an amazing job. Uh, lots of wins and strong programs there. Um, I do want to echo at the same time, our hearts are heavy with the loss of Mr. Paulace. Even though he was only with Brookville for a short time, the impact was huge. He will absolutely be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the entire band community. Um, with all of the snow days, it's been nice to see our elementary school still finding ways to make things special for our kids in extending Santa shops, which is my favorite time of the year because I go get to be uh an elf in Santa's workshop. And I help the kids wrap their presents

098to all of their siblings and their parents. And uh uh the joy on their faces, but also all the adults in the room watching the kids pick out their favorite things. It's it's uh it's a lot of fun. Um spirit week is this week and Santa will visit on the 18th at Leville Road for pictures and then December 19th is an early dismissal, but it's also pajama day. Um I hope our families were able to enjoy the unexpected time together and make some memories during the snow. Um, I also wanted to say thank you to all the speakers that came out and um, I think it's important to um, be a leader and and let your voices be heard and it's such a privilege to be able to listen. Um, also I just wanted to

099say uh, thank you Dr. Miller. I haven't known you a long time but it's been it's been great getting to know you and I appreciate your service. >> Thank you. >> And that's it. >> All right. Um, Dr. Fields shared some good good news with me. Um, I regret that I am missing the course concert tonight. Um, and instead having all this fun. Um, but yeah, I hope they're having a good uh concert tonight. Um, and the band will be performing tomorrow night at 7 o'clock. So, look forward to making that. U, we had some accolades for some students. Uh, Alex Dunn signed a letter of intent to play football at UVA and Taylor Hall signed a letter of intent to run track at Farm. So, congratulations [snorts] to them. Um, Summer Adams won an

100award from the Exchange Club of Lynchber for the FBLA. Um, and then we had Caleb Cash, Summer Torrance, Izzy Martin, Shayla Moody, and Ben Curry for making the all district courts. Um, And lastly, we had Sydney Nollie, our RHS French teacher. Uh, she won the 2025 Shirley Hall best of flavor presenter. Did I present that correctly? F Laba. Um, so congratulations to Sydney on her accomplishments. Um, and Dr. Dr. Shields, congratulations for Rusber High School's [clears throat] performance uh in regards to the framework um information that came out uh to you and your staff for all your hard work. Um and I noticed you're sporting a nice Christmas sweater there. So, thanks for >> [clears throat] >> uh >> we're in full holiday spirit, >> gracing that [laughter] tonight. So, um and let's see. Yeah,

101I I too want to thank uh the Russ the uh Brookful uh folks that came out to speak tonight um for sharing their concerns and um I think hopefully as a board we can work to give them some additional feedback on um [snorts] how things went down and and what we can do to further support them in their program. And thank you Miss White for all you did as well. So um and lastly uh Dr. Miller, good riddens. [laughter] You have burdened this board with your lack of poor performance uh for 12 long years and we're glad to get rid of you. [laughter] No, I'm kidding. Of course. Uh you've been an outstanding member of the board. Uh you'll be missed. No, thanks for all that you did. So, >> I appreciate I knew that

102was coming. [laughter] Gary, >> I too want to thank Scott for his 12 years of service to the kids of Campbell County. Um, tomorrow night, the Alabus Elementary School is hosting a Title One event, Christmas around the world from 4 to 6. It's followed by fourth and fifth grade musical performance at 6:30. Everybody's invited. Um, I'd also like to thank everybody with the donations. I did a little math. I know y'all probably don't believe that, but this year we've received $383,9654 in [snorts] additional donations throughout the county. To me, that's amazing. >> Yeah. >> Um, all that is greatly appreciated. Um, I want to thank everybody came out from Brooklyn. I don't know what the kids speak tonight. I think it's I've been on this board for 20ome years and we've never been involved with

103athletics. I think future going forward we need to maybe pay a little bit more attention what's going on with VHSL. Um we attended the VHSL event at VSBA conference and the presenter said it's all about the kids. Well, I don't I don't believe that after everything that's going on at Brook and it's a shame that The kids are being punished by the actions of adults. I personally think they've been punished enough. I hope y'all continue to fight. If anything I can do, please let me know. But I would like a bigger hat. >> Thank [laughter] you. [clears throat] >> And merry Christmas. >> Like Christmas is right around the corner. information gave you lost my go in there. >> Okay. >> Yes, we do have information for our food pantry that is um opened this

104year. It's um in partnership with the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank and it's housed here at Cornerstone Learning Center. So, you do have information of that. And then you also have a wellness water bottle. We did purchase water bottles for all of the calendar for all the schooling division. Um I didn't know it was going to be so hot tonight, so you know, maybe appropriate, but um So if you all have one as well. So thank you. >> Could I make a quick comment? Miss Parker will keep her in your thoughts and prayers. She couldn't be here tonight because of a death in her family and >> Yeah. >> We have to go into a closet. >> Yes, sir. Take a five minute discuss. >> We're going to take a five minute break and then

105we have to go into a close meeting. stretch my arms [sighs] of that in here. >> Although I do think it's we >> Yeah, no problem. No problem. >> All right. Barry pointed out. >> All right. All right. Um are we all back here? All right. I ask for a motion to convene in close session. Motion. Can you recite the motion? >> Hit it. >> Okay. Motion to convene in closed session. Mr. Chairman, I move that we convene in a closed meeting for discussion or consideration of disciplinary matters or other matters that would involve the disclosure of information contained in a scholastic record concerning students in the school division. specifically student number 13 from the 2025 2026 school year in accordance with section 2.2-3711A2 of the code of Virginia 1950 as amended. >> Second. >>

106All in favor please indicate by saying I. >> I. >> All right. So now we are in a close session. We have a motion for going into >> second. >> We have a second. All in favor of going into open session, please indicate by saying I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Now I ask for a motion to certify that to the best of each member's knowledge that during our closed meeting only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements by Virginia law and only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the closed meeting were heard discussed or considered in the meeting by the school board. >> Motion second. All in favor indicate by raising your right hand. Any opposed? Motion carries. Good. Anything else? Motion to adjurnn. We have a

107motion. >> Second. All in favor? Close your laptop. A lot better. Y'all need our laptops, right?