001to order the Kataba County Board of Education regular meeting for June 23rd, 2025. First, we'll recognize a moment of silence followed by the pledge of allegiance by Mr. Go forth. We'd all please rise for the moment of silence. First on the agenda is the approval of the minutes from the June 3rd, 2025 meeting. All have a copy of. Are there any questions or comments? The R9. And I see a motion and a second for approval of 3rd 2025 meeting minutes. Make a motion to approve the minutes. Second. Hear a second. Sorry. Hear a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in approval, raise of hand. That is unanimous. X is the adjustment approval of the agenda. Chairman Smire, members of the board, um couple things. Uh first is we
002uh would like to add public comment. Um we inadvertently left that off, so we'd like to put that on there. Also, uh the superintendent's report, we'll add operations report under mine this time. Um and then correction to new business number seven. uh some change orders for the elementary HVAC at Claremont and Balls Creek and um those are change orders not not change directives that uh Mr. Moore will speak at speak to. And then lastly um if needed after uh Miss Davis has the opportunity to talk through policies we would add new business number 13 at the end of close session. Thank you, Dr. Stove. Mr. Chairman, Mr. Chairman, I I think also you and I communicated a little earlier today. I had emailed asking about I think you had intended to make some public comment
003yourself or something after public comment regarding uh the whole merger issue, just bring us up to date on what's known. Yes, ma'am. I was going to do that before public comment. Okay. Should we add that to the agenda as well? We can I make a motion that we add that then uh you want to do it after public comment. Is that where you you want it placed? I would like to do it before before. Yes, ma'am. Okay. I make the motion then that we add that uh the chairman's comments about uh the merger issue information on that prior to public comment. I second hearing a motion and a second. Any further discussion hearing? None. going to show a raise hands for approval. That's unanimous. Thank you. Next on the agenda is superintendent report. Thank you.
004Chairman Simmon, did you Sorry. All of the adjustments need to be approved in addition to the one. Did she I don't think she included all the adjustments in her motion. Dr. Bernia. Okay. I look for a a motion and a second for the adjustments one, two, three, and four. I make a motion to make adjustments for one, two, three, and four. I second. Hearing a motion in a second. Is there any further discussion? Hearing none, I show a raised hands for approval. That's unanimous. Thank you. Next on the agenda, Dr. Sto, superintendent report. Yes, we have been waiting a long time to recognize our archery winners. And um tonight, uh we are going to have the opportunity to meet our winning coaches and our winning students from our elementary schools, our state champions. Um, and
005so if you would like me uh to if you would meet me out front and we'll be able to recognize our students and uh coaches who are with us this evening. Yeah. Yeah. Just come up. Appreciate your patience. I'm do first. All right. Good evening. Thank you for your patience. So, uh, good board, chairman settle and Dr. Stove. Tonight I want to recognize some special guests with us. Um, and we're going to look at some outstanding archery performances this year. So, first I want to congratulate Adeline Simmons. So, Adeline, if you'll come up. Where you at? Adeline. Adeline is from Balls Creek. She's a rising sixth grader and she won first place in the individual Bullseye State Tournament. So, Adeline, congratulations. I'm have you stay with the board. Okay. All right. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Here.
006You come on up with her. Thank you. So, Balls Creek Elementary Arch teams coached by Madison Walker and Kim and Darren Wah who are with us tonight. All right. If y'all if Yeah. Go ahead, Marty. If you'll go ahead and get a picture with them. All right, congratulations, Adeline. All right. So, next up, we're going to recognize Startown Elementary, their archery team. Startown has a long history of, let's call it, dominance in archery in this area. Um, this year was no different. So, I believe you're still undefeated in all North Carolina tournaments you you've placed in. No. Oh, no. Yeah. We actually got picked by uh Drexel. Okay. It got pretty bad. We had a really young team. Listen, no excuses for winning six six state championships in a row. I mean, you know what
007I mean? This is our six six consecutive state championships. About 65 to 70% of our team, but we definitely will be ready for next season. That's right. So, this is Coach Warren. Um, also Laura Warren and Jennifer Irvin are the coaches. I'm gonna give you I'm gonna have your stick it right up here. Okay. When you're finished. So, let's recognize some some arch. Is it archers? I guess archers. There we go. So, we'll start with fourth grade. We've got um Bergen Williams. Come on up. We got Evan Vang. Evan, come on up, buddy. Shake your hand. Fallon, right? Fallon Pennington. Fallon Lingerfeld. So, Grayson Lingerfeld Payton Sinclair Sadie Elliot Job Satie Victoria Victoria Ruy Anzel Dea There we Hudson Hudson Bill, Logan. All right. So, Logan a little extra. Put him at the end because
008he won first place overall in the 3D state championship. All right. And also, uh, Logan Warren and Hudson Bill qualified for Worlds and competed very well there, too. So, that's a big that's huge to be able to do that. Actually came in sixth place for the world tourn. Yeah. All right, you guys will come up. We'll get a big big group picture. Here you go, coach. Yeah, baby. All right. Again, this is Star Town that won first place in Bullseye and the 3D state tournament. Congratulations, Star Town. All right, you go ahead right around. Thank you. Congratulations, Star Town, Balls Creek, Miss Stodden, and and all of our parents. Thank you all for being here. All right. At this time, uh, Chairman Setmire, members of the board, I'm going to turn over to Mr. Moore.
009He's going to do our construction report and, uh, we'll go from there. Thank you. Now we have That will [Music] You were That's what Okay. It looks good. Thank you, Mr. Moore. All right. Next is public comment, but no one has signed up tonight. Uh, so I'll go ahead and just tell you what I what I've I've been told or or or heard about the merger. Um, I guess about a week ago, maybe a little more, the county commissioner spoke with the Newton Conover Board of Education about a possible merger with Kataba County. They had a meeting with their principles Thursday. And then Friday, myself and Dr. Stove over had a meeting with Randy and Randy the county commissioner chair and Mary the um county manager. They told us what their plan was for the
010merger or they told us about a merger and a possibility of a merger with Newton Conover and Kataba County. The next week uh the new Conver school board met. They had several folks get up and speak about saving their school system, keeping it independent from ours. Um, later that evening, the commissioners had their own meeting. And at this point, last I heard, they're still conducting research into a merger. So, there's no set path towards a merger between us and Nonover at this point. From what I understand, That's what I know at this point. Think aren't they having a town hall meeting? A town hall meeting? Are they scheduled for a town hall meeting? Uh they haven't scheduled any town hall meetings yet that I'm aware. Oh, there may have been one for July 21st. That's
011what I heard. I don't know. I'm just asking. I think that's their regular meeting hallog. Mr. Settlemire. Possibility of a town hall meeting, but I haven't heard of any yet. 21st will be the Mr. Settle Meer, I think you told us in one of the emails you sent us that the meeting the commissioners had that night was a closed meeting. Is that what you understood? Well, I think it was their regular meeting and they had a closed session meeting at the end. Okay. So I wasn't there at their meeting to know what they discussed pre closed meeting. I wouldn't know what they discussed in closed. Of course. Of course. So we don't know. We don't other than they're still looking at possible. I was just curious as to what reason they they use because I
012assume Miss Davis they have to have a reason for a close session also just as we do. They that's the law in the state of North Carolina. However, I don't know anything about that and I don't represent the the county. Stand. I was just curious as to what their reason was for close session. Any further questions that with my limited knowledge that I can answer, I will be happy to. I would hope that moving forward we can be a little bit more transparent. Um, I was getting phone calls uh the week before asking my opinion on the merger and I knew nothing about the merger. We have not had any discussions um up until last Saturday when I received a phone call from a commissioner just just in general conversation and um I just think
013that we need to all be included in some conversations and just need more transparency so that we can make a good decision. I agree that was the reason I'd asked Mr. settleer to include this uh update on the agenda tonight because I I think we were all a little bit caught unaware. I was certainly and I thought we at least need to hear tonight. Not not that you're not being transparent, Mr. Settlemire, but that we we all need to hear the same information kind of at the same time because a lot of my information was people calling me or social media and that's all I knew. Yes, I got the same phone calls and um found out about the same time y'all did. I'm happy about that. No, but I understand. And just to clarify,
014I was not referring to you about the transparency. I think um you know, we had a joint meeting a while back and nothing was even brought up. There was not any information even spoken uh during that meeting about a possible merger. And apparently, you know, if it had been brewing at that time, um, it would that would have been a perfect opportunity. So, I just hope, you know, going forward that we can have some good conversations about their intentions. My understanding is I think the county commissioners is we're their decision even though we know we need to know more about the information. It's not our decision about the merger. It's the county commissioners and what they feel like the overall view. They may know more about the financial and the tenants as far as Newton
015caught over as far as what they have. That's what I've understood from what I've seen. I think that's the reason we haven't been told a lot about it. But I'm like you. We just a heads up would have been good, you know. But I understand. Mr. Sigman, I'm just curious where did you get your information? That was wrong. Talk to him directly about this. Uh, well, this is information he sent me. Is that something you can share with us as a board? Uh well he was just sharing about the well I just bless sharing the financial I'm sorry financial uh part of it and uh about the uh the lower uh attendance in the schools about them uh losing students and uh it would be beneficial for them and and Kataba County as far as
016financial part basically is what he was seeing. And so he communicated directly with you rather than our with a post with a post that I seen. Yeah. Not just a post. It was direct. It was it was his signature on the on post and everything. I mean it's stated it's from him. It wasn't somebody posting what he said. He posted it. So I assume then it was that part was you know public. You talked about his social media post he put out about four or five paragraphs I think it was. Okay. Yes sir. So when I've got information from them I have immediately shared it with y'all. If I get it I share. Right. I seen your post. I I think that what they've heard from uh comments is that they they have mishandled a
017little bit. So hopefully when they get these town halls going or if they do that they let us know ahead of time so we've been some missteps. Yeah. Well, I'm sure the magnitude of what they're dealing with. Everybody's going to comment well, you know, wish they handle it different or could have been. Uh I'm glad I'm not in their shoes right now. So I know that's a big decision. A couple things that bother people are taxes and their children. Is there any further discussion? Moving on to consent items. Dr. Stover. Thank you, Chairman Sener. Uh members of the board, we do have our consent items in front of you and we are asking for your approval this evening. Having looked over the consent items, I need a motion and a second for approval. I make
018a motion to approve the consent items for this evening. I'll second that. And as part of the discussion, I would just like to make sure that that was the correct amount that Matthew Sin donated $10,000 for school lunches. Two years in a row. Two years in a row. He's spoken to us in public comment several times. So he puts his money where his mouth is, doesn't he? Yeah, it appears that way. I don't know how much money or how big his mouth is, but that's Yeah, it does. We've both seen him. Dr. over and I'm just uh very grateful to him and others who donate on such a generous uh amount and I do uh second that motion hearing a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion hearing? None. I show hands for
019all in approval that is unanimous. Next on the agenda is new business consideration of interim budget for 2025 2026 school year presented by Davis uh chair chairman settlemire Dr. Stover members of the board um so in looking back it doesn't look like this has been an item for approval u but just maybeformational for the consideration of the interim budget. So, as um you all are probably aware, we do not have a state budget for next fiscal year, nor do we anticipate one anytime soon, unfortunately. Uh that's become the norm. Um and so, per general statute, we are required um to um you are required as a board of education to make interim appropriations for the purpose of paying our normal expenses. So, we want to make sure um that in absence of a state budget,
020we are still able to keep the lights on and keep our employees paid. So, they will come back. Um so, I'm just presenting this information for you. Um again, as consideration for the interim budget, I do not believe it has been approved in the past. Oh, okay. So, I'm sorry. I apologize. We will need I am seeking approval for that then um for the consideration of the interim budget for the upcoming 2025 2026 fiscal year and I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have. Mr. Chairman, I make the motion that we approve the interim budget as presented to us by our chief financial officer. A second. Hearing a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion hearing? None. All those in favor of an interim budget for 2025 2026 school year. Show
021of hands for approval. Thank you, Mr. Davis. Thank you. Next on the agenda is approval of one-year quotes from Savas Learning Company to purchase Vision Math Common Core for grades K5 and six through eight. By Mr. Lee Miller. Yeah. Thank you, Chairman. Good evening board. Uh three things on the agenda tonight and I would like to request the first being as Mr. Smire said the SAS envisions math u curriculum. We've used Envisions for over five years in our district uh for grades K8. At one point we did use it in high school but high schools are now using uh really their own self-made u curriculum resources. All of our schools use envision. Some of them are will be using the ready toolkit. Some are using into math but we still have some who are using
022envisions and and think that it does a good job providing the content for our standards. So the the two quotes uh together the K5 and the 68 quote uh add up to 9,56860. The K5 quote includes a mix of digital access and consumable materials. And the 68 quote is all digital resources. Any questions I can answer? And and this these resources are paid for out of textbooks. Mr. Dr. Miller, you may not be prepared to answer this tonight. I don't mean to put you on the spot, but can do you know how many schools this this number represents or which schools it'd be interesting to see how test scores are comparing between schools using this versus some other programs. Yeah. And Dr. Barnett, we did look at that because we same thing for this current
023school year. We had schools using different resources and we're really not able to see any uh difference between test scores of schools that used a particular resource over another. Would it be possible to get eventually get a list of which schools are using what? Yes. Resources board an email uh sometime tomorrow. That's okay. Or later. Thank you. Other options are they also common core? the other. So most so now I say years ago like that old but probably 15 to 20 years ago textbook companies were making materials designed specifically for state standards. However, now because most schools have adopted the common core standards and textbook companies are not like they used to, uh we no longer purchase textbooks for all subjects and so they've cut back on some of the things that they offer. So
024to answer your question, Miss Underwood, yes, most resources you have are going to be common core. The common core was adopted fully in I think it was 2012. North Carolina, they we revised the common core standards in 2017. And when we revised it, we really revised it for math one, two, and three. We really didn't do revisions for K8 math. Those standards still closely align to the common core state standards. And what that is, it's just more conceptual math than it was previously. Um I was going to mention that I think um in some of the classrooms I think um aren't they able to use like they couldn't they still have the um common core standards but they can also teach just like regular they have the option to teach like the traditional way of
025math as well as what's considered common core. So really all of our math instruction is going be based on the North Carolina standards and and again that is closely tied to the common core. So it's going to be a lot of conception and the the state standards are being rewritten and they will be fully implemented not the coming school year but in the 26 27 school year uh we'll have new state standards for math across the board. So really and what we've said as a district right or wrong and I'm welcome your input or criticism whatever you want to give. We've said we're going to hang on for one more year and let schools choose what they feel like works best for them, their teachers, and their students. And then in 26, 27 look to
026be more aligned as a district for our math resources. And just so you know, because it does bother me that we're not aligned. uh really K8. We uh just two weeks ago we brought in some selected teachers that we used data to determine the teachers who had been the most successful uh as far as looking at growth. We brought them in and they designed a curriculum guide if you will. So, we took the things that we're using, materials that we're using with Tava County, whether it's Envisions, the I Ready toolkit, um we're using Delta Math, uh which is basically a very lowcost resource, but it doesn't provide all the things that you need, but it's still a good resource. Some of our teachers like anyway, we took those resources and we aligned them with our
027state standards. So, especially in experienced teachers, they come in, they they may be on a team that uses different resources. So now we have this resource that we've built that says when you're teaching this particular standard and you're using this resource, this is where you go to teach that standard. here are the activities that are aligned directly to that state standard because again I'm not I'm not happy that we have different resources but we feel like again with the new standards coming on board in 2627 we need to do this um for one more year let teachers choose what they feel like is best for their students again I welcome comments and criticism for that but we are trying to to make sure that we hand them a resource that we've created that says here's
028how that resource that you're using here's where you go to teach that standard. Any other questions? Can't tell from this quote then what the 75,000 what percentage of our students this is paying for percentage of our schools or the covering does have um the the quantity that Yes. Yes. And I've got a spreadsheet that I will I will send to the board that breaks it down by school. Yes, ma'am. Any further questions for Mr. Miller on the survive quote for we need what were the totals together again? were the total for both K5 and 68 is 119,56860. I seek a motion and approval of I'm sorry, a motion and a second for approval of the follow quote Mr. Miller just presented. Make a motion for approval. I second. Hearing a motion, a second. Is there
029any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor shall raise a hand. That's unanimous. Thank you. The the second request that I'm bringing to the board is for formative. Formative is an online uh digital platform. It's designed to integrate daily instruction uh with formative assessment. The program allows teachers to receive real- time student data and allows them to adjust their instruction accordingly. Forno has over 20 activity types including multiple choice, short answer, drag and drop. So these match the things that students are required to do on EOCC's and EOGs. Um they are fully the the assessments in formative are fully uh customizable. I went looked because we always want to make sure that the things we're spending money on are being used by our teachers and students. So, I looked and we had over 290,000
030engagements with formative this past year. I will say this is the second year that we've we've paid for this resource and it's something I think a lot of our teachers really feel is useful and and helps them again adjust instruction in real time because they can see uh if their students are understanding the content as it's being delivered. The cost for a year subscription is $55,754.50 50 and this will be paid for with AIG funds the same as we've paid for the last two years. Be happy to answer any questions. We approve this. Is this something at one of our next school visits we can see in action? Absolutely. 34 questions for Mr. Miller on the formative assessment license quote hearing. None. I seek a motion and a second for approval of the formative assessment
031license. I'll make a motion. We'll approve it. Second. Hearing a motion in a second. Is there any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor shall raise a hand. That is unanimous. Thank you. Thank you. And the third and final thing you like your request is purchase of Aspire reading program. Aspire is specialized program individualizing reading excellence and it addresses fluency decoding. It serves students with more critical reading needs than our EC population. It's more intensive than letterland and hegrity and it contains consumable materials for students and also has a digital aspect for students that reinforces the lessons taught from the teacher. This comprehensive program uh for for reading and it also includes manipulatives that students can use. The cost of this program is 34 72445 and it would be paid for with EC funds.
032Happy to answer any questions. This is something else we can see uh in person when we go for our next visit. Yes, sir. Any further questions for Mr. Miller on Aspire quote? hearing. None. I look for a motion, a second for approval. I make a motion that we approve. Second. Hearing a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor show raise of hand. That's unanimous. Thank you. Next on the agenda is approval of a one-year renewal quote from Choice corporate to purchase Microsoft licensing and hardware for students and staff presented by Mr. Marty Sharp. Uh board chair, vice chair, members of the board. Uh come in front of you tonight uh to uh request approval for our Microsoft licensing. Uh this is an annual license uh process that
033we go through each year. Um and uh this is actually just for one year. Uh we uh possibly expect some changes uh with numbers by next year. Uh but this will get us through the remainder of the 2526 school year. Uh as you'll notice with the Microsoft licensing u it does break it down into a quantity of 1775. uh and hopefully you don't ask me how that is calculated because Microsoft has some wild formula that is uh I think it's full-time faculty which are teachers plus uh full-time faculty divided by three plus full-time staff which would be everyone outside of teaching uh times full-time it's crazy um and so uh we work with HR each year to come up with this uh FTE is what they call Um and it is 1775 uh total faculty
034and staff. Um and uh that includes uh all students uh within that. Uh we don't have to pay for student licenses um as long as we keep up to date with our staff and our faculty. Um we do budget this each year as I mentioned. Uh it is probably the largest uh purchase of uh services that we do each year. Uh so we pre-plan this ahead uh every March uh put it into our proposed budget for the next school year. Uh we will be using technology funds to pay for this. Um and if there are any questions um with the Microsoft license uh it covers all servers, all Windows machines, all accounts. Um uh in fact I will say most people don't realize when you're logging into your Chromebook uh through class link that's actually
035using Microsoft behind the scenes. So uh that's why we have to make sure that we are uh in compliance uh since we do have 18,000 plus uh users uh on a daily basis. Any questions from the board? Mr. Sharp are multipleear discounts available or would that not be good because of it changing? Yeah, because of the change we kind of held off on that this year. Uh we we've had a kind of an increase in some of our servers. Uh and honestly, Microsoft changes their licensing periodically and we're uh kind of expecting that to change within the next year. So that's why we kind of held on to this for at least one more year. No problem. Are the questions for Mr. Sharp? Hearing? None. I seek approval. Motion and a second for soft choice
036for 117,50235. And I do hate to interrupt, but I will also mention, just being on the record, that this is from a state contract. I I forgot to mention that as well. So, sorry. My apologies. Mr. Chairman, I make the motion that we approve the one-year renewal quote from Soft Choice Corporation for the Microsoft licenses that has been presented by Mr. Sharp. Second that hearing a motion to second. Is there any further discussion hearing? None. All those in approval, feel raise of hand. That's unanimous. Thank you. Thank you. Next up is approval of a three-year 2025 to 2028 agreement between Kataba County Board of Education and the counseling group for EAP services presented by Miss Ray Thompson. Good evening, Chair Chairman Settlemire, members of the board, Dr. Stoveber. I bring for you this evening the
037renewal of our three-year contract with the counseling group for our employee assistance program. Um we typically will run this July 1 through December 31st of 2028. So it would start July 1 this year and run through the 20 December 31st of 2028. Um, sorry. Yes, June 30th. Sorry, Crystal. I'm looking at the the way we pay it. We pay this every six months. So, July 1 to December 31st and then June January 1st through June 30th. Um, it is $18 per employee. We pay for 1924 employees. So the total for each year of the contract is $34,632. For the three-year term, it would be $13,896. That provides our employees their six free visits with the counseling group. Um that also provides free visits for their families, immediate family, spouse, children. They provide training for our
038administrators and they also come on site when we have a injury death of a student or faculty member to serve the staff members there as well because our kids are covered through our school counselors and I'm seeking approval for this contract. Um so I can gladly answer any questions you might have. We know how many employees use this per year. Yes sir. So this year, this last six months, we had 137 employees who spent 545 hours and that was the term of uh just this last six months. I would just like to make a point also that uh just from my principal hat that this isn't this doesn't take away from employee hours. It's not during school hours. Usually any uh counseling that's needed is made on the employees time after school or at times
039that they're no not at work. So it's not taking away from instructional time. Yes. Yes ma'am. Except maybe in traumatic cases. Yes ma'am. And we also use this service if we know that we've got an an employee who's going through something and they need the counseling. Sometimes we will uh do a mandated referral where those folks have to attend. Um and that ensures that they're getting that support even when they feel like sometimes they they don't necessarily need it, but we know that they do in order to support kids. Any further questions for Miss Thompson? Hearing? None. I look for a motion and a second for approval of the EAP contract 2025 to 2028. Make the motion to approve. Second. Hearing a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion? Hearing none. All those
040in favor of approval shall raise a hand. Thank you, Miss Thompson. Thank you. Next, approval of construction change directives for summer maintenance projects. Uh A is Fairmont Elementary School Hback and B is Balls Creek Elementary School PreK presented by Mr. Dan Moore. Thank you, Chairman Salomire, members of the board. Dr. Stove, these are change orders. There are deduct values. If you remember for Maiden Middle School, we prepurchased the HVAC equipment. That way, every bidder had the number, the plug number for them to make their bid. Similar in these two projects, we have prepurchased this HVAC equipment that allows us to receive a substantial discount. Uh the deduct value from the Claremont project is $454,718.39. Deduct value for the Balls Creek PK project is $82,7914. In both of these situations, this value will be placed in
041general contingency for use if needed. We have prepurchased this equipment for these projects just as we did for Maiden Middle School. And I seek your approval and I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have. Hearing no questions. Seek approval of construction change directive for summer maintenance projects A and B presented by Mr. Dan Moore. Motion we approve. Hearing a motion in a second. Is there any further discussion? just like to say thank you to the maintenance department for saving us the money. Thank you. All those in favor shall raise a hand. That is unanimous. Thank you. Thank you. Next is approval of bid tabulation for re-roofing maintenance department storage building presented by Mr. Dan Moore. Thank you, Chairman Smire. Members of the board, we had reached out to multiple biders. We had two
042people actually bid this project. The apparent low bidder is Conover Roofing and the total amount of $153,500. That's taking into consideration alternates one, two, and three. The alternate one is that we use a 50 m millimeter Duro white PVC membrane rather than a metal roof. Our alternate two bid is for an upgrade to a 20year no limit warranty. And our third alternate is some siding to be replaced on that barn that houses quite a bit of items necessary for the maintenance department. There's quite a bit of equipment that's also under that barn. That roof is beginning to fail. And so I would seek your approval for Conover Roofing in the amount of $153,500. and I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have. This located just over here on the the property. Yes, sir.
043Not the one next to the railroad track, but it's inside the area inside the fence. Okay. Adjacent to as you're coming this way toward the bus ride. It needs it. Used gone over roofing in the past. Oh yes, sir. multiple project. Matter of fact, we've used all of these people for the most part and it's tied pretty much to their schedule, what they've got going on, what they can take on. If there are no further questions from Mr. Moore, I seek an approval for um bid tabulation from Conover Roofing to replace the roof on the storage building for the maintenance department. Make a motion that we approve for the roof repair. I second. Hearing a motion in a second. Is there any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor shall raise a hand. That's
044unanimous. Thank you. Thank you. Next up are approval of quotes for intercom replacement system at Kataba Elementary School presented by Mr. Dan Moore. Thank you chairman. So by our members of the board, we recently lost our intercom system and not physically lost it. It died at Katava Elementary and we need to get that replaced as quickly as possible. Two bids. The low the apparent low bidder is BNL Telephone at $54,967.91. We've used BNL for multiple projects and I would seek your approval or would be happy to answer any questions you may have. What's the life expectancy of something like this? Well, that's a grand question. Uh, we've had units in the past that have been struck by lightning. I don't think we found evidence. Did we find can't can't really pinpoint it. Sometimes we can
045find scorched areas when you know that lightning caused you to lose it. U because this building is not very old and we've already lost the intercom system. I would like to say 20 to 25 years, but with modern day electronics, it's hard to really know to be truthful. But it's necessary, obviously, and we get these unfortunate surprises. Some were able to predict they're on their last leg. They're not going to make it very much longer and we have a plan to to replace, but this one just popped on us, if you will. I feel I'm taking one of Michelle's questions here, but what is the warranty on this? Do we typically everything is one year? One year. Okay. Quite honestly, I don't know that I know that, but I know that most times things are
046for one year. Do we have any information with regards to that? We will find out. Uh if there are no further questions from Mr. Moore, I seek approval for intercom replacement system at Kataba Elementary School for $54,967.91. A motion to approve. I second that. Hearing a motion, a second. Is there any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in approval to a raise of hand. Thank you. That's unanimous. Thank you. Next is approval of bid certification for repaving projects at Oxford Elementary School, St. Stevens Elementary School, and Startown Elementary School. Presented by Mr. Dan Moore. Thank you, Chairman Settlemire. Members of the board, three projects. Oxford E, this is pretty much tied to the bus parking at that location. St. Stevens is the front parking at that location. And Startown is basically the entire lot. It
047is failing. The apparent low bidder is precision paving at Oxford Elementary at $79,60 at St. Stevens Elementary 133,121 and the combined bid at Startown Elementary School is $248,228. All by Precision Paving and I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have. They seem well below everybody else is there. It's schedule quite honestly. It's schedule. When we reach out to our our vendors, some people have a lot of work and they'll throw a number at it, but if they get it, it's great. They don't get it, they've got enough work. And so really I think that's what we're experiencing here in this particular situation. Precision Paven is a little bit aren't they a um smaller company than the other and we've used Precision We've used all of these people in the past and we've been
048well pleased with their performance. More did you say what the alternate bid is for Star Town? Did I miss that? So, Robert, I may have to lean on your Any further questions on the repaving projects for elementary, St. Stevens and Starell Elementary hearing. None. I see a motion, a second for approval of bid certification for repaving projects at Oxford Elementary School, St. Stevens Elementary School, and Startown Elementary School. I make a motion that we approve. I second. Motion a second. Is there any further discussion? I just wanted to ask one question. I don't know if you if you did say, but how long did you say that it would take to get that completed or when is it expected? This summer. Gotcha. It's on it's they have openings in their schedule that will allow them
049to take this on. It'll be ready by the time school start. It going to work good at St. Stevens with the mobile coming in and and we we want to get that done as quickly as possible. We have designs perhaps to do the back after we get the mobile set if they're done quickly enough. If you go to that back parking lot, it's beginning to fail as well. But we want to make sure that we get that mobile set and all that weight distributed before we attack that if you will. So yes, it will not be a factor. We won't drive over any new pavement cause any deterioration of that. had a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion? Hearing none. Show of hands for approval. That's unanimous. Thank you. Next is approval
050of contract agreement between Katama County Board of Education and Holland Hammer Architects uh for new HVAC system at Maiden Middle School presented by Mr. Dan Moore. Thank you, Chairman. So, my members of the board, if you recall, we've completed our agreement with the vendor DDI, but this is the owner architect agreement for that same project at Maiden Middle School with that HVAC replacement. And I would seek your approval of this document. We've worked many times with Holland and Hamri and we've been very pleased with their attention to detail and the work that they provided this district. I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have as well. I've been very pleased and I think Robert could speak to that as well. I'm just amazed at how quickly they've attacked that project and progressed. They've
051thrown a lot of people at it, I think, is the best way you can say it. And that project's moving along very well. Very pleased. Any further questions for Mr. Moore on the uh contract agreement between the top county board of education and Holland and Ham for new Hback system at Maiden Middle School? Mr. Chairman, I make the motion that we approve the owner contractor agreement between our board and Holland and Ham for the HVAC system at Maiden Middle School. I second hearing a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor shall raise a hand. Thank you. Thank you. So this is with mobile modular who we are contracting for the lease agreement at Balls Creek Elementary School, the fourpack modular as well as St. Stevens Elementary as
052well as Carol's Ford Elementary. This is an additional ramp. If you think of the rear of that school, there's a hallway that exists between the cafeteria and the gym. and to be able to provide those students access, ADA access, and have one door that comes off that hallway that more or less is a straight path to our new modular unit, but it's currently just stair steps, and we need to have that be ADA approved ramp. This is what Mobile Modular does, and they will do this for us. This I think we're purchasing these right Rob. We are purchasing this rather than leasing this because we feel that that ramp's going to be there for a while. Those mobile are going to be there for a while and this will provide ad ADA access to that
053area. So, this is just a point of information and an additional expense that will be part of our agreement with mobile modular. And I'll be happy to answer any questions about that. Falls Creek is the only school that needs it. Yes, ma'am. Based on location of the unit, St. Stevens where it will be located other than the normal ramps that they have. Nothing additional at that location. Yes, ma'am. It's aluminum. Yes, sir. Uh it's the same ramp system that they have uh at the current Ford site. It's a very tight area. We looked at constructing our own. There's a lot of electrical feeds that are underground there. There's a lot of water underground there with regard to pipes, sewer, water supply. Um, so this will actually be on top of the ground on pads. So
054we won't have to dig or create any other hardship there at that site. Any further questions for Mr. Moore? Hearing? None. I see I seeking approval for ADA ramp access or mod unit at Ball Creek Elementary School for $31,300. Motion to approve. Second. Hearing a motion in a second. Is there any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor shall raise a hand. Thank you, Mr. Moore. Thank you. Okay. Uh item number 13 is moved to post close sessions if required. Brings up number 14. Input and discussion on completion dates for board goals and action steps for board members. start this since uh myself and and Mr. Miss Underwood are on the uh subcommittee for the uh development of a handbook. I think it'd be important to get rest of the goals set so we
055know what goes into the handbook. Handbook I think will be the one of the last goals. going to go to Miss T. Have a time frame that you think you could have us some standards set here for training. Uh well the we currently require 12 hours for every other year for our our board. Now I just kind of wanted you to look at that and see and see see if we needed more. But then the next goal is to complete some some training. So that's possible that we could just add those numbers to the 12 we're already getting. think that would be satisfactory or the other board members think that would be satisfactory, we can do that. We could add hours every other year to it and the goal three would be at least four
056hours every year. Okay. So, you're asking me you want me to review training. Is that what you're asking? Yes, ma'am. For board members. Okay, that's fine. Um, chairman, one of the things it says is to examine our current policy. I think that would be the first step to take a look at what it is and see what we think about it. Yes, ma'am. And and that is I think it said at 12 hours every other year that we we've adopted. Okay. that the this board has never gone beyond the state requirement in my experience. Thank you. Okay. So, uh I mean I can um I can use the timeline that you have on. Originally, we had chosen like a work session and we may just want to do it again at a work session or
057at a work session. Yeah. And I wanted to I wanted to go um I um had mentioned that I would like to be added to that subcommittee possible for the handbook. Okay. And let's move to goal three. uh board operations performance training video discuss it at board each annual work session take here we will just chair person will make a suggestion at the August meeting for the September work session of a video for the to watch and discuss work session same thing for September January and February if that works for everyone. So, we're saying that we're just going to go ahead and and we're not going to watch a video during the work session. We're just going to watch the video ahead of time. Yes, ma'am. We will watch the video and then we will
058discuss it for sake of saving time. Clarify that for a clarification. Thank you. And So for Clayton, I'm setting up training on parliamentary procedure. Robert's rules of order. U Mr. Chairman, uh the North Carolina Schoolboard Association uh offers uh in their training a video presentation with a paper copy as well. Uh guess it'd be at the pleasure of the board if we want to wash out that together during a work session or do it prior. I'm good either way. Um the only other part I was going to get board clarification on if we wanted to try to find somebody that has an expertise in that only area that I needed some direction. Okay, we've heard uh Mr. Mullis talk about watching a video either beforehand at the working session or having someone come in and
059and do a training on Robert's rule of order. What would be the wish of the rest of the board? I I'd just like to comment that I watched and probably a lot of you have too the one that's on the North Carolina School Boards Association video library and it's good but it gets indepth and I just think it would be good if we could have someone come and so so we could interact and ask questions because you know how those video presentations are you can't I mean we could email and wait for an email to come back but other than that u we couldn't interact and get questions answered or direction given directly to us. I'd like to suggest that we trust to get someone in person. We probably have someone on staff who could
060do that for us. We want to look to have that in September or October. How September? Uh would September work for everyone? Are are you going to find a person to do the training or maybe Yeah, I'll just offer my opinion. Um, Robert's rules of order, there are certified parliamentarians. Okay. And um there if you found anybody apart from the North Carolina School Boards Association, then my recommendation would be to find someone who is a certified parliamentarian, which means they are certificated. Um I have known of a few, I'll be quite honest, that have been very good, but I'm getting old and I'm not sure if they're if they're still doing that kind of thing in this community. In addition, you can also have someone from the North Carolina School Boards Association uh conduct the
061same training at one of our meetings to maybe reduce expenses. They I'm sure they will come here. They're always very helpful, but they can also do sort of a Zoom type situation, although that's not as personal. But my recommendation would be to start there. And I understand what Dr. Barnett saying that it's very beneficial to have somebody who is uh in person so that you can interact. Um it it's completely up to you guys, but I my recommendation would be to go with somebody from the North Carolina School Boards Association and then they would also have the ability to look at our policy and acknowledge any exceptions that we have and so our policies. I think that's a good suggestion and I think maybe we ought to at least start there and Mr. Mollis can
062see what the cost or what's availability there is and then we have yeah I see them now there's a little laminated sheet also that it's your table that's that's we also received a book several years ago that would be great we maybe could do a book study I don't know exactly I mean that those books are very abbreviated at times but the general principles what um I think Mr. Taylor was quite well verssed with it. I think y'all remember, but um but there's a there's sort of a I guess you could say a basic nutshell of what I think is very beneficial to the board, what you need to know. It does get complicated, but you can you also have to use common sense with with it. So, and I'll be happy to help in
063any way I can. David, could you work with Clayton on certified? Okay. So goal number five I think in u start trying to do this in July showing marking things on the agenda that are board goals. Next one would be mental health in schools Dr. and Miss Underwood. Okay, thank you both. Uh, goal number seven, uh, David, go forth to Mr. Sigman. Well, it says here to use school bid is already a schedule. I believe that would be a good plan unless Dr. oversees the need to change because it's going to depend on a lot of his scheduling and the principles and teachers. Mr. Stlemire, you you yourself tonight mentioned several things that you had said, can we see that as we go out to schools? I think that's exactly the way that should work.
064Be visual things to be able to see in Right. So my suggestion there is for u kind of just continue the calendar set up already last board visited some What we what we can do too is make note of the things we've brought to you for approval and then we'll specifically point those out while we're out and that way you can see them in action. And then if there's anything we know that's upcoming, we'll try to get ahead of it too to try to show you what might be upcoming. And we we'll just have a list of things that we can kind of work through as we walk through um and make note of it as we go. so you all can have a better idea of what it is. And it's a great idea.
065Uh goal number eight's on me. Uh make the uh board regarding district professional development on curriculum instruction programs and training. So board members may attend if they wish. U I believe you've got a accurate Professional development training. Professional development training. Okay. Uh, goal number nine, advanced notice given to board regarding curriculum quotes, renewals for materials, license, and program renewals are needed to become more familiar with what is presented, requested. So, um how how much time would the board like to have to um review needs? out here. I think that goal would fit nicely with goal seven that um as we're out in schools observing programs that as different um directors and assistant superintendents are aware of things that are coming up that they're going to be bringing up to bringing up before us as as
066Dr. Stover said trying to get ahead of anything that we know is coming up. I think those could work together. I think so as well. Yeah, you can consolidate nine and seven. 10 staff provideformational sessions during work sessions to educate board of education regarding curriculum initiatives that will be addressed and or approved in future board meeting. We'll just set that up for work session. Okay. Right. Go here. quotes spreadsheet of times and advanced notice given to board regarding curriculum. Quotes for renewals for materials, license and program renewals are needed to become more familiar with what is being presented, requested like a what would you think a month before? What would y'all require? How far in advance did we get? What about um whenever they actually whenever they know that they're going to want to present
067the quote like whenever they're ready like he's saying that he has to get have more research. So, as soon as he understands or knows that he's going to be ready for that, maybe we could get it at that time whenever it can be sent out to our board. Does that make sense? It does. Is that something you could do, Mr. Miller? Okay. Thank you. Question. Yes. um in the work session in September if you're okay with that. Are you? Yes. [Music] Same thing. So you and uh Dr. Bardett are going to meet with with Ballard and then present in September at our work want to clarify who's setting that up. Just I'm just thinking of the practical. Is that going to be set up through Miss Wetszel or um when I've met with Maria before?
068I've just done it communicated with her myself. I just wanted to make sure y'all had a Yeah, you and Miss Barnett or I'm sorry, Dr. Bar. Thank you. Number 11, finalized work on posting online searchable board policies for all constituents. Yeah, we are ready to contract with the North Carolina School Boards Association to make those um searchable. Um, I can't remember what their cost is, but they do have a contract and I my intention is to bring that in July. I'm going to go ahead and call Christine Chief U with the North Carolina School Boards Association and I'll let you know as soon as we what they how long they think they'll they'll need to convert it. One thing that was brought to my attention tonight, and I did not know this until tonight, is
069that I think our new website will not allow for PDFs. I didn't know that until tonight. So, that's an issue. Yeah, I understand. I understand. But that's an issue because all of ours are in the form of PDS. We have them in word, but that's so I'll need to talk with Miss Jordan and I'm sure North Carolina Schoolboard Association will can let me know approximately how long it'll take to convert everything. Yeah, I'm sure they do. I'll send I'll send you all notice about that. Okay. Uh number 12, communicate, respond to the board as a whole. There anybody having issues here that talk about? I've had a slip or two here or there trying to communicate everything that that information I've received. I think I've done a fair job here on there's something we need
070to work on here. Please let me know and we will work on it. All right, hearing nothing. Uh, goal 13, add a highlight section in the monthly district newsletter, which has been happening and continue to happen. Long as I reminder email. Yep. Um, anything else on the goals that we need to discuss? We need to vote on these. We perhaps wait until Miss Wetszel updates it for us if if that's something she's got got. I think that's perfect. That's what I was saying. It's a more of a recordkeeping type thing. Yeah, that sounds like a good idea to me. Thank you. And do we have a need for close session? Yes. Um and the reasons are attorney client privilege uh information and I don't know do you have any personnel matters for the for the
071uh yeah so personnel also. Okay. Uh, hearing that, I need a motion to go into close session with a turn time of 7:45. I make a motion to go into close session. Second. There's been a motion and a second to enter into close session. Close session. After a break at 7:45, we will go into close session. Is there any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in approval, raise a hand. That's unanimous. Thank you. We'll begin close session at 7:45. Okay. Uh, I will need to be recused from voting on uh Dr. Bethany Settlemire for principal at Kataba Elementary School. I make a motion to recuse him from voting for Bethany Settle. Second motion to second. Any further discussion on um excusing myself from voting for Dr. Beth Settle hearing? None. All those in favor? That's
072unanimous. Okay. Uh, I need to uh have a motion in the second to vote for approve Bethy Settlemire, principal of Kataba Elementary School. A motion to approve Bethany Settlemire as principal of Kataba Elementary School. Second that hearing a motion in a second. Is there further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor show of hand. That is unanimous by all able members to vote. Now I seek a motion for all other personnel recommendations other than Bethany settle approval. I make a motion to approve all the other recommendations. Heard a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor shall raise a hand. That's unanimous. Thank you. Didn't need to do number 13 after the beating because we're going to make it. Okay. Uh, look for a motion and a second to adjurnn
073the county board of education for June 23rd, 2025. The motion to adjourn. I've heard a motion to second. Any further discussion? Hearing? None. The meeting is adjourned.