Board of Ed Meeting

001All right, I've got a little after six here. I think we are online up to date. So, welcome everybody to the August board meeting. I kid them earlier. I was in my notes and wrote January for some reason. But uh this is the August I about to again August 4th meeting of the county board of education on there. Uh our special thanks to Ash Campus WS Community College for letting us come here. The current annex is full of book bags and supplies and goodies from what I understand for this upcoming Saturday's back to school class there. So we were is easier to move five or so people than it was to move all the bags out there. The board's already opened up. We've already done the pledge and went into close session for a hearing

002earlier and now we're back into open sessions on there. So, we're just going to jump into things here and start with Dr. Cox with comments from the superintendent. >> So, speaking of the back to school blast, uh our back to school blast is uh this upcoming Saturday um at our government complex. So, um we are so excited to see everyone there. It begins at 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. And this has become an annual favorite among families for uh backpacks and school supplies and for uh for kids in need. We have shoes for kids. Uh giving away shoes. Uh we'll have games and fun for the entire family. Uh people serving hot dogs, lots of information uh for families. some of the new things that we have for the school district from the upcoming year.

003You'll be able to get information. Every school will have a booth and they're very excited. Some will even have their mascots there as long as it's not pouring down the rain. Uh so we are very excited about this Saturday for our fifth annual back to school blast. And again, that's in conjunction with our sheriff's department. We're so thankful uh to our community partners who make this possible every single year. So, uh, everyone who's contributed, thank you on behalf of the children of a Ash ash county. Thank you for helping us to make a good start, uh, for all of our kids. So, that's up, uh, that's upcoming this Saturday. And rain, rain, go away. Um, we have lots of different, uh, updates and upcoming announcements. Um, uh, freshman orientation is coming up. Um, we're so

004excited. That's what here in a couple tomorrow, right? tomorrow freshman orientation. >> Correct. >> Ah, that went fast. Uh, so we have uh lots of things from open houses that are next week. Our teachers come back on Monday and we're excited to have convocation with them. Um, our board members of course will be there and during convocation um, we will also have Dr. Bill Daget there. He's a leading expert in instruction and he keeps up with all the tech things that are going on, especially with AI. So, we're excited about him to come share uh the latest and greatest and what he knows. Uh we have uh in addition our first day of Wils Community College classes is August 15th and we have about close to 300 kids um that will be taking classes this

005fall which is an incredible number um between the high school and the early college. So, um, we have students who start on August 15th, uh, for your Wilks classes, and the first day of classes for Ash County School students is, um, August 18th. And so, we we get to start that week earlier than everybody else due to our weather waiverss, which is on the uh, agenda for today uh, for uh, for consideration. Um, but our students were excited to welcome them back on the 18th. One more thing before um our next board meeting that's also on there as far as dates are concerned that I want all of our community to attend if you can families um whoever would likes uh like to attend. Um the anxious generation uh is a book that's come out

006the board if if somebody wants to hold up the anxious generation book up there. This is not an advertisement for them, but we do have a uh local pediatrician who is an expert on um adolescent mental health and um he's done a lot of uh he has a lot of experience with children this age. And this particular um book highlights some of the dangers of um students having access to mobile phones and mobile devices. Um on that evening, not only will um Dr. Sinclair speak, um we also have um uh myself and our director um of App Health will be sharing some local partnerships that we have that I think will be helping within the community. And we also have a parent um of a uh child who died vaping who's going to come and

007tell her story. and she's become an advocate in North Carolina um on youth mental health and on the dangers of some of the masking symptoms that we have uh for students that are having u mental health issues. So, I hope that all of our parents can attend um you know, it's appropriate probably for your uh some of your high school students as well uh to hear um what they have to say, but certainly our families and our community members. I think it'll be a great evening. Again, that's August 26th at Ash County High School. It'll be held in the auditorium and uh we hope to see you all there. We also have community partners. So, our Department of Social Services, our health department, um some of our local mental health uh providers are going to

008have booths there with information uh so that families can take home resources with them so that we can um help us all to work together to uh solve that mental health crisis that um we're seeing across the country. Um but we want to ensure that we are um when it comes to our devices that um we're making sure that our children are safe while they're under our care. Um hence why we you have lots of information upcoming about the yonder pouches. If parents have questions about the yonder pouches, obviously we we will have been in school. Uh we're we have sent home some information online and um via call out. Um, our high schools are sending home information to families as well. Um, but we will have it available at the back to school blast.

009Um, but on this evening on the 26, we'll be able to present some additional information. So, families have questions. Um, hopefully we have those answers uh for you. So, those are the upcoming dates that are um that should be on everyone's radar. some success in schools and we have a lot of them. Um so I just wanted to to share Ash County um you know we have had some people in Ash County that have had some recent committees on some state advisory boards and committees. Amy Walker has sat on several that I think have been very helpful to us over the years from a technology standpoint and helping us stay on the front line of what our system needs to be from a safety behind the scenes standpoint. Um, recently I've been appointed to the

010board of directors for the North Carolina School Administrators Association and as well as the uh North Carolina School Superintendent Association. So, we've got a voice in rural North Carolina here in the mountains that will help to hopefully set the direction for uh what happens in education here in North Carolina. So, I'm I'm honored to be selected by my peers uh to serve in those roles. Uh congratulations to and this was uh at the last board meeting he was approved, but Aaron Butt, who is the new assistant principal at Ash County Middle School, he's been working uh with Miss Hines, and they've been getting a lot a lot done. In fact, they said they've they've been ready for two weeks for school to start. So, we can't wait for school to start uh so that they

011get a chance to uh engage our middle schoolers. Um but he comes with 17 years of experience in education including nine years of teaching and English grades 6 through 12 um at Fork Union Military Academy in central Virginia and eight years serving as an associate head of school at Oakhill Academy in Malfa Wilson, Virginia. And there's more information on the website if you want to learn more about him, but when you come to open house, you'll get to meet him. So, uh, the middle school's excited. Uh, congratulations to our very own Greg Lions. Now, talking about people who work behind the scenes, Greg is not an a principal or assistant principal, but he keeps our schools running. So, he's an assistant director of maintenance, recently earned his electrical maintenance certification, and that's a big deal.

012So, these tests are not easy, and you know, as I get older anyway, it's harder um to uh engage in something. is so highly technical and he does it with ease. Uh and congratulations to him on maintaining that electrical systems and equipment. It's a valuable skill that very few people have and we're just very fortunate to have uh Mr. Lions um able to do that work, but it also fulfills a really important role within our schools. So, is he the only one who has that or is Jody? >> He's the only one in our school system that actually has that certification. So kudos to Greg Greg Lions. Um in I think you might might have seen um it's delivered statewide if you haven't. Um an education NC article recently highlighted the growth of summer literacy

013initiatives and um especially those hosted by rural churches and we have a fantastic partnership and have for the last what is this three years two years? It's a living too. >> Okay. So, it's been going on a while for so for several years, we've had a great partnership um here in Ash County with West Jefferson United Methodist Church and they highlighted that as one of the programs um of success and uh it's really served our first graders and um rising second graders. And oftent times um this group of kids, especially our first graders, um haven't had um uh haven't had the robust summer programming that's necessary to truly um get down uh to the nitty-gritty with literacy and they've done such a fantastic job. You I'm really proud to say that most of the teachers

014there are our Ash County teachers and they do a fantastic job. But Edn article describes how these efforts are making a real uh real difference and I think it's because we have such a tight-knit community here in Ash County. So, it's very much appreciated. Um and kudos to our partners at West Jefferson United Methodist Church. And if you want to read that article, of course, you can find it online on ednc. Um we had an admin retreat in this very same room last week with our directors and our principles and assistant principles. Um and we took a deep dive into our current strategic plan which as you know um finishes in 2025 and we have uh our principles and assistant principles and directors have given some direction and we'll be bringing that direction along with

015a survey that goes out um pretty soon um to everyone to get some feedback on that strategic plan um and that we will bring to you in September uh so that the board can take a look at um what we found. It'll give some of the directions. By then, we should have um some of the uh uh results um from recent testing. Not that testing is everything, especially on a year like we had this past year. Um, however, you know, it's something that we need to look at so that we know where our children are with regards to math and reading and science and of course things like uh our work keys for our um career uh career and technical education and our graduation rate. But I can say this with uh 100% confidence because

016it came in on our IRR reports that um we have a 92% graduation rate in Ash County schools this year and I think that really deserves to be celebrated. Kudos not just to our high school and our early college. Um our high school alone was a little over 90%. Uh so combined um combined graduation rate is 92%. That's the highest in Ash County history. And just a few years ago, we were at 84%. So, um, kudos to everybody in this room, all of our teachers that had an impact on every child, uh, moving throughout. And somebody the other day said something about, uh, uh, well, the next goal is 100%. Well, while our theme for this year is on your t-shirt, so 100% every moment matters. Um unfortunately the way um graduation rate is calculated

017um we have students who um are not on a diploma path that may be in a self-contained classroom um that don't graduate but they are all our students and so you know 100% um is not possible but we want every child who can to graduate from the school. So that's our goal. So, a special thank you uh to Bald Mountain Baptist Church in West Jefferson um for a lot of things, but um recently on July 24th, uh they came and fixed our central office staff smash burgers, and I'll tell you, they're the best smash burgers around. Um a fantastic job. I think we all left there about five pounds heavier um after eating. And then the cupcakes that they made for us were absolutely delicious. Um, but this is the third year in a row

018that they have over the summer while we're working hard just nose to the grind trying to get things done have come and treated us. And so a special thank you back to them. Uh, they've always been good to us for our back to school blast as well. Um, but a special thank you to them for treating our staff. Um, on July 24th um, school highlights. Um, we're going to highlight all kinds of things that are going on with our maintenance staff and others, but Mountain View students wrapped up their camp with a colorful adventure to West Jefferson's Florence Thomas Art School and use their summer adventure guides to complete a mural scavenger hunt downtown. So, uh, if you didn't see Mountain View's um, booklets that they sent home with children this year, they were absolutely

019outstanding and I'm really proud of that team. Uh last I think last month we highlighted that that team was largely responsible for Ash County winning the innovative partner of the year award with Appalachin State University um because they were just so creative and put a lot of effort in bringing the community together with literacy and all the things that we do well here in Ash County schools. But u kudos to them. Westwood Elementary students enjoyed a page turning adventure and learning breaks. one focus was on the digestive system and their creations were absolutely amazing. If you go back on Facebook, we've posted some of the pictures of the child's learning uh truly outstanding. Our middle school seventh graders tackled a design challenge using magnetic tiles and uh which they built creative 3D shapes and calculated

020surface areas. Um, I mean, they were like pros and, uh, with some help navigating their computations and teamwork, they powered through and were we're just really proud of what they were able to do over the summer. Um, Blige Elementary School's Century Summer Camps, if you didn't have a chance last Friday to go see their final performance, um, truly outstanding. It will make your heart feel just great. But they presented 12 Dancing Princesses on August 1st. It was a magical performance that highlighted their creativity and hard work. Um, this was an Odyssey of the mind club that um, kudos to our afterchool uh, Molly Porter did an amazing job. Where's Jamie? See Jamie here. Um, our after school did an amazing job really bringing kids together. Um, they had to solve problems and really learn pretty

021deeply in order to do this. And she was just so excited to bring them something different. But that Odyssey of the mind group kicked off the night with a special presentation as well. So, um really uh excited for what's to come next with that club. Uh the high school summer school students uh proved that hard work pays off. They earned 33 course credits in June. That's pretty awesome that summer school was that productive for our students. So, kudos to them. Um, and our high school students also hit the fast lane and a gear up at Appalachin's Camp NASCAR and they um had a coding competition. So, our high school students who participated um were truly in high gear. They got to take tour the NASCAR facility uh their research and development center and they got

022a be behind the scenes look at the track house racing. So, um, anyway, they scored first place. So, Ash County students going into NASCAR and our kids place first. So, in the challenge, um, more Ash County High School, you know, the board, um, is so supportive of our kids and going to competitions that are outside of our county, outside of our state even. And we have kids who are highly competitive. We had FFA students who headed to Raleigh for the North Carolina FFA convention competing in milk and dairy evaluation and food services sciences technology. Ethan, Macy, Selena, Faith, Eli, Troy, Noel, and Bryson. Um really uh uh they did a great job during their very first competition. And thanks a special thank you to our new um FFA advisor Nikki Een and Tra and chaperon

023Travis Een for helping out on this summer adventure. Anytime our kids get exposed to um other students and other learning at the state level, especially when they have a chance to show off their best um is always a great thing. So, thank you to the board for approving uh them to go. And then we had culinary students uh from the high school who went to Orlando for the National FCCLA Leadership Conference. And um Debbie Sergil who of course retired at the end of the school year um hit the highway to support the kids and we are um we are so excited for for um the students to continue their learning. But we were very happy that Miss Sturgil participated. Um and then Marta Pet Pacheo uh who is the personality of uh the party. I'm

024sure she made um that a fantastic experience for for the kids also joined as a chaperone. So thank you for the teachers who took time out of their summer uh to make sure that kids had a great experience. Uh we talked about this a little bit, but it's officially official that uh the new prek class was approved um for Blige Elementary School. So the board of education approved us to actually put it there. However, there were lots of approvals that had to take place after that happened. And so kudos to Terry Richardson and her team and the team at Blige Elementary School um and uh Jody and his team. There were lots of inspections that had to take place uh in order to make sure that um Blige was ready to have a prek classroom

025there. And then there's a committee locally uh that looks at um uh prek placement. And so Amanda is on that committee. Um kudos to uh the entire team who helped to make that possible. And so Blige Elementary School will have a new prek. I think we have 15 students. The last I checked. There may be more. Um, but if you have a child who is four or going to be four uh soon, um, please give us a give us a call, especially if your child is at, um, Blige Elementary School. Now, we have prek spots open um, at our early learning center. So, give Terry a call at our early learning center. U, we'll make sure that uh, we find a place for you. And then if you remember back in March, we started a

026a paid pre prek classroom as well. So for families who don't necessarily qualify ash developmental day um or for NC prek um we can still find a place for you in school. So we're excited about that. And then I think I said everything else. >> That's it. >> Beginning the first month of school. >> Yeah. We'll keep going here. Next item on our agenda is public comment. So, in accordance with policy 2310, the board chairperson will recognize speakers in order which they are signed in. Each speaker will receive three minutes to present comments. However, the public comment session will not exceed 30 minutes total except by a majority vote of the board. If a speaker is unable to present all of his or her information within the specified time limit, the speaker may provide the

027board with additional information in written form. Please refrain from addressing a specific employee or student concern as a part of public comment. Concerns can be directed to the district leader as prescribed in policy 2310. Board members will not respond to individuals who address the board except to request clarification of points made by the presenter. The board chairperson has the authority to speak on behalf of the board and to refer concerns to administration except in cases of emergency information received during the presentations will not be acted upon at the time it is received. So under public comment we do have a person signed up Mr. Master Toledo has signed up under Stand. Yeah. >> Sorry for the late entrance. I'll be leaving soon after as well. I was hoping. I was hoping to see more parents

028here. Um I know the majority of your parents, but I was hoping to see more parents. I wanted to just mention about that yonder pouch. U I saw a lot of comments on Facebook. Everybody went berserk on that and and I get it. At first I was a little uh you know like what is this deal? You know and and I get it. I remember when I was in school we all we had to deal with was with fire drills and tornado drills. And nowadays we got to deal with metal detectives and lockdowns. and uh sucks. So, as far as a parent, uh you guys have my support on that issue, but I hope parents do take advantage of that session that Dr. Asa Park was talking about for August 26. Uh I think parents

029need to know that education starts at the home. That's where the influence starts and perhaps they wouldn't get to this in the public school system because the less we influence our children, the more it's going to take over onto the state. And I just wanted to say that I I thank all you staff members and I appreciate I have been here 10 years and it's it's been great. I thank God for this time. Uh I have met exceptional uh teachers and professors and staff and I'm grateful for that. Uh my youngest will be graduating this year and I look forward to that as well. Um but God bless you all and I just I hope parents get to hear this and that they step up and be the main ones that influence their childrens at

030home. Thank you for your time. Next we've got for the board to consider is new middle school updates. Alison Kim Sullivan, you're good right there. >> If you want to good, can you hear me? Okay. Acoustics are great in this room. Nice. Um it sounds so boring after everything Dr. Cox talked about, but um some of the things we've been working on is um getting storm drainage and pipe into the ground up to behind the um football stadium. We've also advanced the water line up to that point. We've also started the um sewer line, which is so exciting for everybody to hear about. Um we've also um um got the um part of the soil nail wall in also to we're able to spray the shot on that on last week and did another probably

031about 90 ft of that today. It is very wet. Um and the rain's going to hurt us this week. We have um building pad area A ready. We're just waiting for the ground to dry out so we can start foundation there. And we have continuing to fill in an area and then get that pad ready too. Highlights for that. >> So just to repeat what you said so everybody hears this. As soon as the rain stops, we should be able to start pouring a foundation. >> That's right. We have rebar there. Yeah. We're waiting. Just waiting for Yeah. >> We're so We cannot wait for that day to happen and actually see it uh starting come up for the ground. >> Yeah. I had to get Jody or Yeah, Jody up there the other day,

032so he saw it himself. There's a lot going on. So there anybody have any questions? >> Got a good vantage point from here to look out the window. >> Yes. >> And see a little bit a little bit of what's going on over there. >> It's wet. >> Allison, if you had to put a timeline, I mean, how how much do you think the the wet weather has affected the timeline? Has it can we make that up or is it too early to tell? >> I think I think they can make it up. You know, if we could get three or four dry days, they could start working, you know, on foundation system. Some things it's hurting, but some things it's not hurting. I mean, the soil nail wall continue um they can continue to

033work on that. That's not it's not hurting that productivity, but other things they can't work on. They are they're able to put silver line in the ground because they can excavate down and it's where it's where they put it in it's dry and they're back filling with stone. It's not impacting that. So they are able to continue to do some things. >> It's unfortunate we've had so much rain this this summer. Actually >> we had dry weather in the fall. old wood. >> What we're aiming for. >> Any other questions? >> Thanks so much. >> Appreciate that. >> Next, we'll jump in here to action items for the board. First item under action, we have the personnel and you've got that in your packet. So, that was the personnel um and the addendum that was

034added there. Any questions for Dr. Fox and Dr. Mo. >> I was just wondering how many positions are not yet filled before school starts. I know she's worked very hard to get those filled. I just wondered if we're still missing some um positions. >> So, we can you hear me, Diane? >> Yes. >> Okay. We still need um one ECTA and we are interviewing for the guidance secretary position this Thursday or Friday at the high school and we're doing second round gear up interviews the end of this week as well. And that's really about it. So really one is we have good we do. >> That's good news. Thank you. >> Yes. >> Any other questions? notation entertain a motion to approve the personnel agenda and the agenda. >> Mr. Chairman, I'll make a motion

035that we approve the personnel and the agendum that goes with it. >> Thank you, Mr. Jones. Do I have a second? >> A second. >> Any other questions or comments? All those in favor, raise your hand when we see you, Miss There you go. You're good. I've got four screens I can see you on. >> That that hand got bigger. I don't have big. >> Next for the board, we've got the consent agenda. These items will be considered all at once, which is the calendar weather waiver Dr. Cox spoke about earlier. the minutes from the past meetings, the Ash Early College High School senior field trip, Ash developmental day contract, learning through play lease, NC pre kindergarten contract for 2526, Angel of Care Nursing contract, and the NC new teacher support program. Those are all

036under the consent agenda. Do I have a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> I so approve. >> Thank you, Mr. Ward. Do I have a second? >> A second. >> Miss Calhoun. Any questions or comments about the consent agenda? >> We'd like to say that I'm excited about the senior trip that got missed because of co I think that's maybe they'll get a lot more out of it being seen. >> And I've got a senior class president and student body president here today, too. So, if y'all have any questions that you want to ask them, they're here to represent. So, they're excited. Do >> I have any questions? >> How many students you think will be going? >> Um, I think we have 18 so far, but hopefully around >> Yeah, >> that class

037is 30. >> Yeah. >> So, our minimum was was about 18, I think, we had to have to >> request. So, we'll have at least 20. We might we'll have a few others sign up once they get back at school and realize it's senior year and all that. So excited. >> Well, if you need anybody to go, I'll be glad to go. >> And we know who is a great tour guide um at the Capitol. >> Virginia Fox every time we've gone. >> Maybe we could reach out to her and see what could happen. You never know. Lindsay, when's the deadline for these kids to sign up to be able to go? >> So, we had a call with um I don't have all of the details. Um I should have brought it, but we

038we don't have to give them really finalized numbers until um either end of September, early October. and and we've got there there shouldn't be a child that if if they all want to go, we can financially figure that out. We'll have some fundraising opportunities and um some community partners that are always really good to make sure kids get to go when they want to go. I think I'm speaking of one. Um so um we certainly will make sure that that the kids know that that's not a barrier to being able to go. So >> good deal. Thank you for being willing to take them. Oh, it's a fun trip. I miss the days of getting to go with the sixth graders. >> Put on your walking shoes. I wouldn't recommend what you got on. >>

039Make sure make sure they all take some worn out tennis shoes to wear because when I used to take students, they all came with new shoes on and blisters before the day was over. That did not advice. Better advice. >> Any other questions? Well, we got a motion and a second on that. All those in favor, raise your hand. Motion car. Good to go. Next, we've got on the agenda is dress code policy 43 to 60. >> Do I need to start? as well. >> So, the dress card policy um that uh is posted in there as a draft um trying to open it up. My computer's being slow. Um is uh essentially to address a couple of things. Um, one uh to simplify the policy so that um we don't have staff members that

040are not upholding a policy because it would require you to measure straps and um you know have girls hold their hands down by their side to measure fingertips. But it does include a clause to allow um excuse me for or to to ensure that um boys and girls men and women are covered chest torso and have their hind ends covered along with all their undergarments. So, and essentially I think that's um uh what we don't want to see are the things that were undergarments and body parts. And so, we want to make sure that those are are covered. And that of course is covered. And then everything else that we had specifically listed um is covered from a safety standpoint or a what's not allowed standpoint like marijuana leaves or um gang signs or something

041like that because you can't have that um in schools anyway. Um and then of course it removes um doesn't really remove it, it gives it back to the principles to make decisions based on uh their school. So a ball cap um could be allowed under this policy um in a school. So if um you know students in a don't have to go from an automotive shop where they might need their hair back and have their way and then forget to take it off and then being in trouble going from one classroom to the next room. Um that was the intention of the new dress code policy. So, um I think we were trying to bring back some um ways for the schools to be able to monitor it without putting it all on teachers. And

042then of course um I was at a a camp this this week um which I should have mentioned in the good things because it was fantastic at our a center with uh young ladies that are 10 to 13 years old and um they all look great. They all came participated. They drilled and hammered and nailed and glued and made B boxes uh that will be displayed at our ad center. Uh thanks to Amy Walker and the beekeepers association and the members of the a center who really engaged um our young women. Jamie and I led a group along with several other people in our community. But my point back to dress code is um we only had one girl that would have technically met the dress code policy. Um and none of them looked out

043of place. They all wear their shorts and t-shirts, but their shorts were, you know, hair too short um based on the policy. And you know, at first glance, nobody noticed it, but I was looking for it just because I know that this was a hot topic. Um, so again, that's essentially what we want to do is make it easier for our administrators and our teachers to uphold a policy. And yet, yes, we want kids to be covered in the places that none of us want to see. So, that sum it up to one of the high school principles that were initially the ones that brought it to me. So, that that's essentially what the policy is. And of course the you know the board of education I just want you to know whatever policies in

044place you know we're going to follow. >> Dr. Cox I don't see in the information that I have and maybe I've missed something where it it addresses inappropriate body parts. Um it just says includes a reasonable non-discriminatory dress code adopted and publicized by the school. So where where is that information in this policy or have I missed something or >> Yeah. So under number one it says uh um violates a reasonable donate but then it has an A prohibits attire that exposes undergarments and B requires clothing that covers a student's skin from chest to mid thigh with non-transparent fabric on the front, back and sides. Do you guys not see that? >> Dr. I cannot see that on >> but it's not in the policy in the um >> okay that's weird I read that

045>> tonight's minutes that whole phrase has been left off and I agree with Diane it should be there >> it should be there I don't >> it's there it this is a deal breaker for me um >> it was there I don't I don't know why it's there because I'm I downloaded it and I'm reading it let me see if I can upload again maybe it's >> it's been there because I've read It's It's not on the um agenda link, but it is in our email. >> Let me see if I can save it as a PDF because that one was a word. I'm saving it right from my assignment. >> Should that not Should that not be part of the attachment? >> It's >> There's attachment on mine that shows a word document, but

046it doesn't The MacBook doesn't want to show. >> Okay. Okay, >> I see a word document. >> Yeah, there there was a word document on there, but let me let me do this. >> I see >> I'm putting it. >> So, you guys might have to refresh. My apology. I don't know why that one I put it in because it's in as a PDF because it showed all the changes from the schoolboards association and for me. But if you refresh, I just put it in there and I added the words final to it. It doesn't have to be final, but >> the if I can get it to download. >> And it has highlighted in yellow. And maybe it's because it was in a word and your your documents aren't playing nice with the word.

047>> Well, it's my download, but it still won't pull up. >> Okay. So, I put it's up there now. >> And that was what I sent to you all in email, but I I it downloads on mine. So, I'm sorry. I don't know why. It's mine. I still can't get it to pull up. >> Save it and go to the file to the drive. >> So Diane, I'll email it to you >> if you don't mind. I'd appreciate that. >> I don't mind at all. >> Because I really would like to look and see what that looks like in the document. >> Yep. Any second now, you should get um the PDF version of it. That way, you don't have you won't see all the markups of um when the school board's association changed it

048or or added documents and what they've removed. But this one actually highlights that specific thing that >> basically says skin is covered from chest to mid thigh with non-transparent fabric on the front, back, and sides. >> I see it now. >> So, my apology that I don't know why that wasn't enough. Okay, my qu I have another question. Whenever >> um you guys are coming in and out. Um okay, from chest to mid thigh. Okay, there's lots of chest there. Is that going to be How do we define that? >> They're t I mean they're I don't want to see things hanging out. Oh, I don't either, but I want to know if it if that needs to be a little more specific as far as that chest part. So, that would be determined by

049whomever referred the student or talked to the student or whatever. I just don't want there to be um questions from our students about what's possible and what's not. And and I again I feel like education going to school is actually their workplace. And so this is very appropriate for our educational classrooms. But you know skin from chest to mid thigh. Okay. That's how low is that I guess is my question. I'm not articulating very well right now, but how low is that? >> Depending on >> who's talking. I'm sorry. >> Go ahead. M >> I was talking to Josh and I was thinking what the thing about chest bother me too because she got my little smart granddaughter would probably think here, you know. So maybe we should say shoulder, but that and that would

050take boys and girls both in instead of chest. I don't know. But I mean, I could see some girls would take it that you could wear something that just reckless, you know. >> Okay. So if we say shoulder though, then can I pick on you for a minute, Teresa? >> Yeah, >> sure. She looks very appropriate. I would say that I would think a girl would look great coming dressed to school, but yet her shoulders are showing. >> But it's not spaghetti. But it's not spaghetti. But you know what I mean? But shoulder, >> you know, >> and although there's a bee down, >> but nothing's hanging out. Nothing's hanging out. But I think that would be perfectly appropriate. I don't see anything wrong, >> you know. >> I don't know. I mean, I like

051it. Maybe some input from the um the administrators who have to administer this. What is your feelings on this compared to what you had to deal with before? I mean, I think you could add line in there. Chest line, top of chest. I don't know. It It gets sticky because >> well, top of chest. I mean, that's fine if that's >> You don't want to get too graphic, but you want it to be understood. >> This is your chance, not appear. >> I mean, I'm sorry, but girls will look at it like that. I know. >> I have one of those. Still three of them. Well, I mean, >> that's showing too low. Like I mean, if you really wanted to put that in there, but then you're directing it toward girls, which I think

052of it is. And, you know, it's supposed to be a dress code for everybody. You know, I I don't want boys to come and hold something. >> Boys in a button-up shirt could have buttons undone. >> Yeah. There you go. >> Throw it. I'm >> um you know >> poison. >> So if I'm reading this, by the way, >> if I'm reading this correctly on here, so is there going to be a separate dress code from this policy? >> So our schools would be able to make it more strict if that's the case. But this would be your general policy um from the board and then the student code of conduct. I mean so for example if somebody comes in with uh uh you know wearing chains for example that could endanger the safety of

053somebody. So a principal would say no we're not going to wear chains put them out. But but soon as you start defining it in the board policy, you're going up forgetting something and then it doesn't give the principles the opportunity to say you this is a safety issue. Or if a kid, you know, wants to be, you know, wear a sombrero or a big old, you know, funny hat, not sombrero is not, but you know, if they wanted to wear something extremely large in school that's very distracting, then a principal would have discretion to say, "I'm sorry, and you could take that off." Uh whereas a baseball cap is generally accepted. Um I mean nobody's going to say anything in general if somebody has a baseball cap on. If you go into Walmart or if

054you go to dinner, but if you have a sombrero on, people will look at you funny. You know, >> general, unless you're going to the Mexican restaurant, celebrate your birthday. You know, >> if you look at number three, that might take care of it. It says provocative. or obscene or obscene. >> So, if it's cut really low, that's pretty provocative. >> Yeah. >> My definition of provocative anyway. Um, would that cover that chest to mid thigh kind of thing. If it's not provocative, I would say yes. And I say obscene covers a lot of different things. Not just body parts showing, but it could have, you know, somebody that has a gesture on a t-shirt that's not appropriate for anywhere, let alone school, that, you know, we could send them home. >> Yeah. Well, my

055my comment was intended to maybe that clarifies the chest part that if it's provocative that defines the chest itself. I mean, you know, if it's too low, it would be >> you can put chest line. I mean, I have no >> we can be more strict with it. Just trying to simplify it because we had, you know, one that was pretty long. Some of them are four pages long depending on who you look at, but I also want our our principles to be able and our teachers to be able to enforce it. >> I like the simplicity of it and it's it's fairly thorough. The terms give the administrators very good guidelines without measurement such as mid thigh will vary depending on every person in terms of how many inches it is but it'll fit

056their body and the provocative and the scene cover all of those issues and it's been by our lawyer who has said this is legally a good pol a basic policy for us to start with. So, um I I'm very happy to see how much it's reduced and I certainly wouldn't like to have to memorize the five or six pages of detail that we have in the old. >> Can I speak for a minute? >> Um I'm not going to be the favorite here tonight. I can sense it already. Um this policy that you pre that we have now was done in 2022. So, how old of a policy is that? >> Three years. >> So, it's not a very old policy, right? >> And compared to some of the other policies we have. >> No.

057>> Um, I've had a lot of parents and teachers reach out to me >> and personally, and I've listed the both sides, I think there's nothing wrong with this policy. Personally, it does describe your shorts, your skirts, you know, it I understand what you're saying by what the from that other day when I was at the a center. They were fine. There was nothing wrong with it. But I just don't see nothing wrong with this policy. And I think we don't need to rush in to making another policy. I think we need a little bit more time because if not, we're going to be changing this policy next year because dress codes and ch and clothes are going to change. Um, and plus it is just common sense that when we send our kids out

058to school that things aren't showing, but the teachers can enforce it. and and I did get a lot of feedback on the baseball caps and I did try to educate myself well the past week and a half. I've reached out to several of you and I have done my homework and I just feel that part of this policy wasn't enforced last year and part of the policy was no baseball caps >> and I feel that we are an education we teach education. We're trying to prime our students and there should be some expectations in the schools because when they graduate there's gonna be expectations out in the real world of jobs and stuff like that. >> Um, and I'm oldfashioned, I guess you can say, but I do go back to it's a it's a

059respect and I think kids can hide behind baseball cats, not make eye contact with people, try to hide behind them. They're I you know hoods. A teacher told me about this hoods with little ear pods in their ears. Is it ear pods? >> Whatever they're saying. >> Um they're in their ears while they're in classroom listening to whatever >> instead of the teacher. And so that's just how I feel. So I don't know if anybody else feels with that with me. Um, but I think we should just stick with this current box. >> Josh, I would like to thank Susan for doing the uh uh spreadsheets of opinions that you receive and pass out for us and people are all over the place. No matter what we decide, they're not going to be happy. Teachers

060can add rules such as no hoodies and no hats in class, but a lot of workplaces these things are going to go to, they wear ball caps. Um, a lot of your food restaurants have you put have to have your hair up some way. So, there's such a variety. it. Um the teacher can demand the respect by saying hats will be off in my classroom, but we need to have a consistent simple guideline they can follow in the halls with where the administration and teachers are going to have to be able to make quick fast decisions on simple guidelines to go by. And I I had got enough input from the administration that has to monitor this that I think they need to have something much simpler than than that. So that's where I stand

061on that. Um, and I think that almost everything can be covered if you look at the definitions, the terms. Um, it's just it's there as we've already discussed regarding provocative and obscene and um, covering the chest and to mid thigh. I think that does a very thorough basic beginning job and legally um, coverable and acceptable. >> Janet, may I ask a question here? Uh, I like what you have said about this. It's more simple. I think with that extra part a that helps us clarify this, make it specific enough. Um, but I don't see in here anywhere that the teacher can um have a policy about hats in the classroom. And what's going to happen is they're going to get feedback from the kids. Oh, well, I can do it in the hall. I can

062do it here. It's not in the policy. that kind of thing. So, if we're going to allow teachers to do that, which they should be able to, should we not have that included in this policy that it's specified that teachers may have uh additional whatever in their classroom, just like in I think it was pointed out in CTE, there's some um some classes that they have to have on a safety hat uh safety helmet. I think that's adding a lot more detail. I know all the time that I taught foods and nutrition and culinary arts, my students had to have uniforms on when they came into the classroom because they were at work. And it was not in the policy for the county in any way, shape, or form because it was looked at as

063special circumstances requiring the course that I was teaching. Um, I don't know. I can't answer to whether or not that should be there, but I think it's adding more information that most teachers and most administrators won't need. And my students had their stuff stored in the classroom where they could add the hats on once they were in. So, you could have a policy all over the place if you had that. I might not like hats. Teacher next door might let them wear hats and so I come out being the mean person that won't let them wear hats, which you know. So, it needs to be consistent. It has to be consistent. >> I also have the concern, Teresa, about the hoodies. Um, >> I don't like that. And um the mental mental health issues that

064kids might be hiding things behind, you know, hats that are pulled well way down low or hoodies that cover their face or they make vaping that fits into hoodies that is very easily to vape right there in the hallway or right there in the classroom with their hood on with a hoodie on. Um this is not uncommon. It's unfortunate, but it's not uncommon. So, those those are concerns that I have about the hoodies. But then, if you allow hats, what do we do about the hoodies? >> We're going to allow the hoodies because it's a hat. And I have looked up other district policies connecting us. And their dress code policy is a lot more in depth than a lot more in depth. So, really, it's not that much when you look at in my

065personal opinion. You can make that as far as you want, but um >> could I ask a question? Did you call every school to see if they were enforcing the policy the way it was written? >> Did for the hats? >> No. You looked up other districts policies. >> Did I call? No, I did not. >> And so I would imagine that it it would be all over the board. We're we're very fortunate here. We have just five schools, six schools that that are are are bound by policy. Um, and I know as principal at middle school, Sherry may not feel as comfortable with kids wearing hats middle school because they may take them off and hit other kids with them. It's middle school behaviors. I can assure you that last year we had zero

066issues with hats. They took them off during the pledge, which is what we asked them to do. Um, so I I I think you can as a as an administrator, we can always if if Mr. If Mr. Grub says there we're not allowing hoodies at our school, you can't wear your hood, he has the right to do that. Um, and if you where we run where I run into a problem as administrator is if the policy is so so strict that if I try to do something outside of that policy, then that's when it becomes a problem. If it's a vague policy, then I have a little bit more to stand upon that I can do some other things that my school um couldn't to hold kids more account >> and and I know that

067we talked about this the other day. Do you feel like it's common ground? Because one policy said they they could wear their hats in common areas. Do you think that's reasonable? Meaning the lunchroom where common grounds in the school. Do you think that's reasonable? I mean where we ran into issue just speak to personally I know everybody doesn't have to deal with this but it it was very much Mr. Greyville can can attest. I think he might be the only one who was because they could wear it in certain parts of our building, whether it be culinary, whether it be the shop, if they were changing oil, whether they were in the the carpentry area, they needed to keep their hair back because boys have and girls are down there. They have longer hair. Um

068it it became a conflict in the remainder of our building because they would forget to take it off and it was a constant battle. um sometimes they would wear it into the next classroom. And so it became much less one less thing that we had to worry about as administrators and our teachers had to worry about if they if they could if we just let let that go. And speaking personally, the the cell phone battle is going to be a big deal at the high school this year. And if I if that can be one less battle that we have to face personally that um that the cell phone ballot for a while is going to take it's going to be all consuming. It's going to be great and we fully believe in it and

069I appreciate Mr. Cleo's comments. I think it's going to be great for our kids, but if we continue to hound and hound and hound, it's it's going to be an issue that that's whatever you guys decide, we'll enforce. But but that's just my two. >> I'll just say and and kind of piggy back off of Mr. farmer's comment. There's only one of me at the early college and we spin multiple buildings and especially if we're really going to lock in on the cell phones. I already probably do a horrible job with dress code because we're running a skeleton crew. I don't have an assistant principal. We don't have an ISS person. Um, we have some high schoolers that that I don't see on some days because they're in all college classes and and they could

070be walking around and I don't know what. And ultimately, yes, that's my responsibility, but I just can't get to it. Um, and and I just I really I know that whatever we decide on dress code and whatever we decide on cell phone, we really and and as you should, you guys as a school board, as superintendent, as a district, we really want to enforce it. We've talked so so much about it. And I don't know if if I if I need to go in and memorize the policy as it is right now cuz I guarantee you there's things in there that I did not enforce last year unfortunately because you have to pick and choose, right? It's part of the job. You have to kind of like pick the battles and choose and rank and

071you know what what unfortunately is more important at the moment. And you know I just for me that's kind of where I'm at with a with a dress code policy. I feel like if we go with the edited versions, then as uncomfortable as it is, I can have a conversation with a young lady if too much of her chest is taken out. Um, but I'm also going to be less hyper sensitive to a hat or um how much of their shoulder is showing because I'm not going to I'm not going to put that energy where I need it to be more on like, hey, there's a kid sitting over here in the corner on their cell phone and and that's more of a priority. So, it would help me. Um, it it would help me.

072I I'll I will say that. Um, it it would help me because whatever we decide um it's going to if it is how it stays and I think Mr. firm and I were both on the 22 committee >> and and and I'll say, you know, we when we felt like that was what it needed to be when we made that decision, but I think now being in the roles that we're in and no longer middle school, um and seeing the the battles that you're having to fight with with quite frankly just trying to get some kids across the stage at graduation. Okay. >> Um you know, this this would make it more much more manageable for me. I will say that. and I feel like more consistent with the high school. >> Lindsay, can I

073ask a question? How how this is totally different from what was there before? Is it just because I know Dustin I think it was Dustin. I can't see you folks, but he used the word vague. You mean not as specific? Is that vague bothers me? Vague leaves room for interpretation that one kid's getting treated one way and one another, but not specific. I like. So, is this because this is not as specific although it addresses the same issues as I've been looking at the other dress policy? >> Yeah. Yes, ma'am. I think, you know, we're not going to be as and I couldn't tell you right now unless I looked at it if it if our current policy says mid thigh or 4 in. It's changed so much over the years. >> So, it's fingertips.

074So, I mean, it's two inches at the top. I guess that's what we do. Do do we want to kind of just >> is the expectation that our that we've trained our principles and our teachers to kind of like spot check a kid and see what's accessible or are we because I've I've been a student where and I shared this at the last board meeting where where I've had an administrator come into the classroom, every girl stands up and puts their hands down to their sides. Um I've been it's not been that long ago. I mean, it's been a little while that I I was at the high school and there was little pieces of wood that were carried around to measure the length of, you know, our our you know, that's that's that's a

075lot to ask. um especially we're gonna when we're going to be tackling um I I would appreciate if I was given the um trust in you guys to ascertain if a student looked appropriate or not. >> And if I may Diana, I believe that a better term is general descriptions because the general script descriptions set boundaries. The boundaries aren't vague, but they they're not a lot of verbiage in there and a lot of detailed inches and that kind of thing. And I believe Mr. >> Yeah, I was going to say Mr. Grub, I saw his hand earlier. One thing about Dustin was talking about the vagueness of a policy and that maybe vague is not the right word but the flexibility of policy is what we need because if you think about it from mine

076and Jerry and Mitchell's point of view what a second grade child wears at school is not deemed provocative. But when they wear something that's short like a little girl second grader wears something that's short that's not provocative. That to me is not a violation of the dress code, but when that child becomes a sixth grader and has matured a little bit, it could be. So having that flexibility to not come down hard on a little second grader and then be able to enforce still with a sixth grader and make sure that we're doing we're wearing clothes that are acceptable, that are not a distraction to school. I think I think that's what we're looking for. Um it's just to give us that ability to use our common sense. >> I agree with that. Um Scott,

077I really do. Um >> I had a parent just yesterday uh not yesterday, Thursday tell me that she was really struggling. She knew about the dress code situation and she said, "I'm struggling finding clothes for my daughter." And she's she's not in sixth grade. She's younger than that, but I'm struggling finding clothes that are going to meet the dress code. And so, >> no, how we fix that. We can't we can't determine what the, you know, these manufacturers are making and the styles they're making. So, it falls back to us to use their common sense >> and we've got a lot of it and I think we can do a good job of it. Well, now Scott, I went to Dicks um because a lot of the kids wanted to wear the uh athletic shorts

078and they're available in 3 in, 4 in, 5 in, 6 in, and 7 in lengths. So, um but that may not be um somewhere that the parent you talk to can shop. So, um they're pretty expensive. Um so, I get what that's saying, too. But we do I like the part where we're not letting the body parts hang out. Um that to me is essential. And as far as if they're, you know, as long as they're covering the subject, I think, um it might have been Sam Shoemaker who told me that as long as the skirt covered the subject, it was a good skirt. So um you know, that's that's what I'm interested in. And I don't I think you all have good common sense. I think Lindsay there's sometimes that you're right that there

079are other things that are pressing but we need to we need to make sure that our kids the adolescent brain is very much focused on hormones and um you know we just make sure sure that these kids can make good decisions about their clothing choices. Um, sometimes they can't because they can't see past that. Um, and I would hope our parents would help us here because we're not taking this lightly by any means. We're very concerned about about policies. >> I've got a procedural question. So, >> pardon me. >> I've got a procedural question basically for this. if this proposed policy is adopted. So then would that mean possibly in the code of conduct there would be six different dress code policies because there's six different schools. >> No, we would we would we would

080work together as an administrative team. Our elementaryaries would have to be consistent with each other. Um and I would like our middle and high school to be consistent with each other as well. I don't think any of them are going to vary too much um from each other, but um I think they'd be pretty consistent. I think we're all in agreements that hoodies that if you know high and whatever probably not going to fly, but a baseball cap would. And I I would like to have our administrators agree on some of those things and put it in the student code of conduct and in their student handbooks that they expand upon these policies to put in place. Um something that might be u more appropriate. >> I know Mr. I got one more question. I'm

081sorry. I've been trying to squeeze them in when I can. So um for me, so we this was brought to the board last month. So, we're starting school this month. >> Why the rush now? We could have been working on this way before now. That's that's one of the qualms I've got with it. Another qual is I was on the board when we developed this policy and the months and months of work, committee work, parents involvement, student involvement if I can remember correctly into developing what we have. And I understand what everybody's saying here today, too. But I wary being a person elected on this board to set policy. Are we setting a bad president by changing technically a fairly young policy when you look at policies compared to some that were going through in

082our three and 400s that have not been amended since 2013, >> some 20 or earlier some years old >> on there. And I just worry a bit a little bit about that. But I understand what everybody's saying. I've got a girls and boy in school and I know with some of my girls it's harder the taller they get the things like that. I understand that but I would just how come we just didn't get the time. I just I wish I'd had more time because I looked up a lot of >> Well, I'll take responsibility for that Josh. um you know is at the end of the school year when I was talking with the administrators and I said look there's a policy you got to enforce it right and the only other option it's

083either enforce it or bring it to the board and so I want you know after hearing from administrators and the challenges that they're seeing and some of them were just common sense type things I said you know something I owe it to them since they're you know at the front lines of trying to make it work uh to bring it back And again, two of them were on that committee uh that brought the other one. And you know, most of us are pretty, you know, conservative. We don't want to flaunt things that don't be flaunted out there. Um you know, most of us aren't wearing hats anywhere, um let alone um inside of a building. But some of some things have changed and I think some of the experiences they've had in the last couple

084of years and trying to enforce it and do the right thing and really if you if it's hard for them to enforce the policy and they've all said that we will enforce the policy um if it's there um I felt like I owed it to them to bring it back to you as a challenge that they thought was right to implement. um that now they're saying, you know, maybe this isn't the thing that we need to focus on. So, that's that's on me for only bringing it to you all in June. And it was our hope to have it hashed out even more um before uh bringing it back to you with with everybody. But, you know, as you can see, when we got feedback from parents, everybody's all over the place on it. and

085I just don't know that this is the policy that you're ever going to have a consensus on. Um I just want to make it enforceable and something that we can all live with. Um, so that's on me >> and Josh, I would like to move that we accept the 4316 as presented with the yellow additions >> and and with the understanding that administrators as a group can make additions that fit within the guidelines that are here. >> So you've got that that's in the form of a motion. >> Yes. >> Okay. So I've got a motion from Miss Ward. Do I have a second to the motion? >> I'll second. Thank you, Mr. Jones. Thank you, Miss Ward. Questions, comments, discussion? Anything further? >> I would just like to say one more thing. Um, some

086schools do not have a dress code. True. Dress codes are sexist. They pick on the girls. Is that not right? And so that's my reason for going with this policy. Any other questions? Elders >> Josh, I was um also concerned about the amount of time for such an important thing. Um it wasn't June, it was July, wasn't it? I mean, well, the end of June. It was supposed to be in our July. >> We didn't meet July. So, >> yeah. So, it's June 30th. Is that when it was presented to us? And I've tried to do as much research as I can and talk to a lot of people and a lot of a lot of things and like it's just all over the place. Um but at the same time I feel it's very

087important that we pass either reject it or do the other one uh before school starts because after school starts and you try to change something um it's almost impossible to do that. Um we need to start out with what we're going to do if that matters. Any other questions, comments? [Music] >> I'm on the fence on this one. >> I I do wish, as a comment before I call it, I do wish I had more time, more input, more contact to be made um on there. This has been a hard one to dwell uh with and deliberate on um on there. And so, and I appreciate staff and and administration voice in there, we'll do whatever the board approves. And as a board member, whether I vote yay or nay for something, that means I

088still support whatever the board decides in the end. That's just how things work with the board. >> So, any other questions, comments? >> And I agree with you, Miss Jones, being a little sexist, but with the boys having to give up their baseball caps, they're having to give something up also. >> You say they have to give them up. No, I said if we did according to the policy. >> You were just saying it was a sexist thing. It always went to >> Well, if you go back and look at all the old policies that we've had, they're all geared toward what girls wear. Men carrying around. I remember the days of carrying around a little sick and men do not men principles do not like to go around measuring skirts. It's a a dangerous

089thing to do to put bluntly in this in this world we're living in today. I mean, you just don't want to be doing that. And but nobody said we was giving up the caps. That's the most let them wear a cap. That's fine with me. >> Well, I was just saying according to the policy that we have. >> Yeah. >> Well, there's one more comment that a a very good friend of mine made that I'd like to share and maybe that's what we need to think about is how does this impact educ their educational experience? So, does the new policy I mean we're taking care of business the old policy I mean which does it impact our educational experience for those kids and I and I thought about that and I thought hm having things

090out hanging out in class definitely would but we've taken care of that. Um, personally I don't like the hat thing, but I can understand where that can be an issue and things have changed. Hats are not Josh what we grew up with the hat kind of thing. Um, that you take it off at the dinner table, that you take it off in the restaurant. And I've been looking places I've been, men are wearing their hats in places that was not acceptable at my house when I was growing up. Um, so does how does it impact their educational experience, the new policy? >> Is that a question? >> It's a thought and I was I don't know the answer to that, but I I I have thought about that and um you know and and I'm

091I appreciate what Scott said. We need to trust our principles. I appreciate that as well. And it's a very um my own daughter got measured Polly at middle school. They made everybody come up and measure to make sure and I assure you that my my children did not dress inappropriately for school. Um so I don't like that part of it at all. And it is sort of sexist. It really truly is that. But body parts are different, anatomies are different. So I was definitely against the first policy, the new policy until we added that part A, which I think can take care of the majority of the things that are in the old policy with some flexibility. I'd like that word added, flexibility. Anybody else vote? >> All those in favor raise your hand. Any

092oppose? Raise your hand. Motion carries three to two. So, thank you all so much. Next, we've got substitute feature policy 73. We're getting a roll on policies. on there. And Miss Ellen, just so you know, we've lost you in one of our screens. >> So, we can see we see you behind us, but we can't >> hear you in front. And we can hear you. So, you're good. >> Hey, my battery went. >> I'm fine with nobody looking at me. I really am. Hear me. >> All right. So, Dr. You want to talk about that? >> I do. So, um, policy 7 7430 um is um in line with the school boarders association policy and what is now our current uh best practices and law uh which does not have additional requirements for substitute teachers.

093It used to be that we would require substitute teachers to have a two-year degree or a certain number of college credit hours before they could serve as a substitute. And this relaxes it. And you know, I too had mixed feelings about this for a long time because we are an educational institution. However, um uh when this was u brought up to me um was by one of our current employees who is an amazing employee working in a different a different department who said, "I would love to be a substitute teacher. I just don't have enough credit hours." And she would make a great substitute teacher. Again, she's already one of our employees in um in a different role. Um, so as we started looking at the different policies that were out there and what was

094actually required, we realized that we were more strict than what needed to be. And then given the substitute teacher situation that we have and and while I would love to think that, you know, everybody comes to school 100% of the time, you know, every single day things do happen. People get sick, they have children, they have families to take care of. And sometimes we need substitutes. And I want to make sure that we have as many substitutes as possible. And some of our some great people in our community do not have two years two-year degrees, but really would be great around children in a substitute capacity. So, I'd love to be able to uh um remove that piece from this policy um so that we can address it. Now, obviously, we're not going to hire

095just anybody. They're going to go through an interview process. they'll have substitute training. Um, you know, there are other requirements and then if they're not good, then we don't ask them back. Um, but most of the people that I'm thinking of in my mind would make a great substitute teacher here in Ash County Schools. So, hinder the policy. >> If I can ask a question on point trees, how available is effective teaching teacher training or a comparable course? Is there something like that available that people immediately? All right. Well, then I agree that the other number one and number two require more than is necessary to be a >> substitute the valuation by the superintendent institute. >> I'd like to make a comment about part B the teacher assistance as substitutes. I know there was

096one time that we were using those assistance as substitutes in other places. I'm glad to hear that we've done a wonderful job of keeping those sub uh teaching assistants in their classrooms and not substituting everywhere else. And I do appreciate those people who've made that happen because it was a big deal there for a while. I think around COVID we were having a lot of trouble finding enough people to cover everything. But I just feel it like that it's not fair to our teachers to take those substitutes away from the routines any more than we have to. So I really like that piece. >> Any other question? Do I have a motion to adopt the policy 7430? >> I'll make the motion we adopt this policy. >> All right. Thank you, Miss Elder. Do I

097have >> second? >> Thank you, Miss Ward. Any other questions or comments? All those in favor, raise your hand. >> Can you see? There he goes. >> I see it. >> You're back on now. >> I do not like this zoom and stuff. I will try not to miss anymore. >> You haven't missed any. You're good. >> Next, we've got child nutrition meal prices. Oh, Miss Woods come scootering in. >> You do not have to get up. >> No. Stay right there. >> Not sure that they can right now. I think I've been sitting here too long. But anyhow, I am requesting the documents that you've got before you the price changes. There's few price changes of course in the adult meal costs and some in the odd art section. It's not a big increase,

098but you know, with our new um bid that we have from our distributor, our prices have went up. you know, just trying to break even. >> Yeah, tell about the increase. >> Just one item. Um, in our supplies, Dawn dishwashing liquid went from $47 to $97. >> A case, you know, four gallons, >> you know, and that was four gallons. Last year was $47. >> Yeah. And I have to pay 450 a case anymore. You know, we store four cars last year. So, we're going to have to P's and Q's a lot. >> I've noticed that in all cleaning products a lot. >> And so, next year, we will do another bid and put these items out for supplies to everything else. Um but we did a bid this past year and um at the

099last minute as you all know from the last board meeting um they pulled it and so we had to piggy back off of other districts so that we can hopefully get better prices. Now the good thing is um with our C which is our community eligibility program we are going to get reimbursed at a higher rate this year which is much better. So that puts us in a little bit better position, but it doesn't necessarily make up for the significant increase in prices that we're seeing in all these other things. And while I think children eating is very important, um it's not something that we have necessarily broken even on. So those local dollars um are put directly toward feeding children. And you know, like I said, no child hungry is really important to all

100of us here. We want to make sure kids have their best foot forward whenever they're in school, but these ancillary prices are significant changes to our budget and we're going to have to monitor pretty closely this year. >> Well, I'm looking here at a lunch price of $5.25. I don't know anywhere you can go get a nutritional lunch for $5.25 for our adults. Um, >> I was going to say Diane, a happy meal, being a shopper with two kids that love Happy Meals right now. One has grown out of Happy Meals for the most part, that being me. But >> a Happy Meal is more than 525 right now. >> I know. And it's, you know, nutritionally what that looks like. You know, they >> they love it, but it's not the quality that Tammy

101makes sure that our kids get school lunches or other adults. So, um, >> parents, >> was wasn't there a wasn't there a question about serving size? Are the adult serving sizes larger than what we would have for pre uh for kindergarten? >> They are different. >> It is a little different. You know, the the meat protein portion is the same. Vegetables, you know, of course, can be more. I mean, we Yeah. I mean, there's only small differences because, you know, once you train people how to serve a meal, that's how you serve a meal. But, um, because I think I was the one that sent that forward that email. >> I think you got into the actual USDA chart that gives what those guidelines are per grade level. >> The big thing is the >>

102we the high school level kids, that portion that's on there, we make sure that the younger age has the same size. So that's why that's why it doesn't look like it is any different. So the high school kids don't get more than what the elementary kids get, >> right? They don't because they it is we give the elementary kids what the high school kid is supposed to be having as well. >> This has always been done. No, it's not. >> It's not. But you know, >> because what about the kids that can't afford a foot extra money? >> And that's the maximum we're allowed to serve our child for the reimbursement. >> For the reimbursement rate, >> right? >> Well, I don't know that you can ever fill those kids up, Teresa. I know that

103when I taught seventh grade, they could eat the desk. Um, they stayed hungry all the time. It's the growth thing. Um maybe if we can identify some of these children that need extra. We have some pantry folks that help our kids that do the backpacks and do some other things. There might be some opportunity there for them to help that family provide a snack during the day or or some other solution to that. We don't want any kid to go hungry. But I don't know how you feel some of those kids feed either. Some of those big boys >> have been researching. you know, there's a there's a group that does something called Pay It Forward. And so they, you know, we already currently get a couple of donations monthly, you know, to help with

104people that are in negative balances, but then we might even could look at it expanding it in that other way. But that would have that would make a administrator have to get involved with who you were going to say could use that pay it forward account. So there's lots of things to still talk about and work about in that situation if you guys want to address that and research it more and see what we can do in that field in that area and see what is allowed through the federal government for me to do as well. You know that's we've got to keep it you know we got new regulations for sharing tables this year. So that means, you know, if a kid chooses to, you know, they all go through one and get food

105and they don't eat it, there is an option to have a sharing table. >> It's got lots of regulations to it as well. You know, it's mostly wants to be shelf stable items or, you know, whole fruit that's wrapped, things like that is how, you know, our hasset plan, this food safety organization, you know, that sort of over us tells us that we can have food out in that area as a shared meal. Um, I am working on trying to figure out how to feed some of these extra ones. My own son, whenever he was in high school, oh my gosh, it was $50 a week back then to feed him. >> So, I understand, you know, it's very it's a lot. >> I would like to thank Terry for all the work she's done

106and uh move that we approve the uh pricing list that has been. So, thank you, Miss Warden. I've got a motion to approve the meal prices. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Miss Jones. Any other questions or comments? Hear none. All those in favor, raise your hand. Good. >> Next, we've got the DSS, Department of Social Services, with Ash County for 2526. So um some time ago Jamie had sent back to um Ash DSS um our yearlyou. We received it last week. Jamie has reviewed uh theou. there are minor changes from what it has been in the past, but I think all of it complies with um with what's already in law or practice based on roles. So there were a couple changes on the ESS side um to be compliance

107with law, but it doesn't really impact any functionality on our side. >> So So essentially it's the same operating procedure that um that we will have in conjunction with DSS. Um, but there were a couple of minor changes that needed to take place on their roles within a based home law. >> Do I have a motion to approve the DSSU? >> I make a motion that we accept the DSSE. >> Thank you, Miss Calhoun. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Miss Jones, any questions, comment? >> Can can you give me one example of what those changes might be? The minor change. um they are operating under a new state reporting system and so some of the changes may be that we would be notified um within 5 days whereas it used to be

108we would be notified within 10 days of certain things happening or it was just u literally um changes within the way they're reporting um out to agencies or individuals who are calling in reports to them. >> That sounds like a good change. All those in favor raise your hand. Motion carries. Next last on action that I've got here is the middle school tennis courts FEMA project. >> There's a lot of attachments. So, first of all, I do want to say that um even with I mean we didn't lose a school building or anything like that, but the FEMA projects have been a tremendous heavy li tremendously heavy lift for our finance team and our maintenance team. And kudos to um all of them who've worked together to really get some of these things accomplished. Um

109obviously we have a long way to go with some of our projects um and some of the reimbursements um have actually come in whereas some of our partners from other hurricanes you know it's seven to 10 years before they're getting reimbursements for something. So we have to pay for these things in advance but we have to make sure all of our ducks are in a row so that we can ensure we're getting reimbursed. Um, so one of those things on there was the tennis court, uh, repairs and improvements. And DPI helped with that RFP for this. Was it DPI? Who was it that helped with this one? >> FEMA. With FEMA. All right. So, they've been working on this one through FEMA and they put it out for bid. Um, and uh, Jody and Amanda,

110do you want to share anything about this specific document and how we how it came to be? There were a lot >> we uploaded a number of the bids. I think there were around eight. So they were all over the board. Uh we tried to provide all that information to you to be completely transparent. We reviewed them with our team and Lincoln and Amanda and we came up with a proposal for recommend custom codings um which was very good price. We've checked references and they've come back with some pretty solid references. Um, it's technically a two-prong project under the FEMA umbrella. Uh, FEMA's looking at as a fence project and then the port repair project. So, if you ever see any language separating that, that's why FEMA can't decide how they want to run a

111project to be honest with you. It's changed about three times and the few months that I've been here. But, we are doing a good job and I compliment again um, everybody on our finance team and our team about how how well we've moved through some of these. I felt like um but that's the recommendation for them. Um >> this is pretty much a whole review of the tennis court. >> Yes. Yeah. Looking to uh re pull pull up all the asphalt that's down there re resurface and then we would uh the biggest adjustment is we would add pickle ball courts to to those courts. Um so they would just line over on top of them. So we have existingly what was there beforehand. Um but we would just find pickle ball courts over and with

112the space we have they've done error to draw we should be okay. Um I I feel like will suit the elementary school better and our community better once that may build and we won't be in that building forever. So I think that would be a nice perk to the community later on. Um and it's a little more affordable probably than tennis may be. But it both all three uh sports will be available on the court. So we don't lose anything. >> So keeping the basketball courts too tennis court it'll be the same same layout that it was except for the pickle ball courts would lay on the other ends of it and if you guys need it I can I can eventually upload something and email it to you what the goal is there. >>

113Looking at the aerial fuse um do the bids include those trees being removed and the fence replaced? said it was a two-part project from FEMA's perspective because those bushes, those trees are hanging over the court. >> Yeah, we can we'll we'll trim those or cut those that we we didn't put that in the project. We didn't trim those out. >> Okay. >> And there used to be a tremendous uh poison oak problem down there. >> I don't think anything lived in there really now. >> Probably not. Okay. >> It's probably gone now. I mean, I haven't really hunkked down the other side of that bank, but there's nothing really left. I mean, the fence took almost everything that was off on the backside over there. So, I don't think that's going to be an issue.

114>> So, it includes the fence well as well. It's it's in shambles, right? >> Yeah, the fence is gone. Yeah, pretty much. 3/4 of the fence is gone. The backside closest to the road that goes up the hill is the only thing that's left really. So, that would be demoed and replaced. Sounds great. >> Any other questions? >> Do I have a motion to approve the middle school tennis courts female project? >> I'd like to make that motion, Mr. Roden. >> All right. Thank you, Miss Elvin. So, we've got the motion. Do I have a second? >> I second. >> Thank you, Miss Ward. Any other questions or comments? All those in favor, raise your hand. Sure. Next. got updates and discussions, considerations and presentations for the board. First, we'll just keep with the FEMA

115theme and the FEMA and maintenance updates. We should have just kept going. >> So, Amanda, you want to take >> Well, I was going to start it, but I'm going to show y the burden of this. Um, they have been amazing. We actually had a quick call today with our new state rep. She was very complimentary of how far along Our projects were documentation was so the only real sticking point we have right now is dugouts. They're not wanting to do them. So we're we're fighting that back. >> What are they wanting to do then? >> They want to put them back in wood. >> Okay. >> They want to just fund us for pre- disaster >> like an insurance policy. >> We are still fighting it. We have told them that there is a

116time crunch on that project because they need to be built this fall so they're ready fall. >> It may come to a point where we have to come back and ask for additional funds. They don't single use the money that they give us up to that point. Then we can mitigate it oursel. We have to call T. We won't be able to go back. >> Speak up. Lord, >> Amanda teacher's voice. >> Amanda, who condemned those dugouts? >> County. >> Huh? >> The county condemned the Okay. I've looked at them. I mean, they're cinder block, >> not the softball. The baseball's good. >> They're fun. Baseball's good. >> Yeah, it's the softball dugouts, >> right? >> I wonder what the issue was with them cuz from a g if you just look at them, they're

117they seem to be fine. They probably need to be mucked out, but structurally they look okay. is my understanding. >> Yes, they're destroyed. >> Yeah, they they were probably unfortunately the decision when they were clearing off the base softball field and the guy pushed the dugout straight back up after the flood had hit. So, they were tilted, you know, at a 45 degree angle. There there's nothing holding those in place really. >> They're not stable. >> Yeah, they're not a stable structure. So if they got pushed on, it would they would fall over pretty easily. >> I'm let speak for the other projects that we have going on. >> Don't all speak on >> I mean I've laid everything out in the word document of everything. We've actually got a couple more obligated today. So

118we're waiting on those funds to come in. So I feel good about where our projects are. We're just going to start to get into the sticky project that's going to take a long time because these are going to be big projects. Um, we're good on the small projects up until now. It's just a waiting game of, you know, waiting on that to go through. And the building is down at the middle school, not the full building, but the storage building. Uh, that was up where the buses are parked. Uh, so that that's been removed and that was a it had become a safety hazard. So, we're very thankful that we were able to do that this summer and cleared. Um, any others that we're getting ready to do like right away that you want to

119share about? >> Well, since it was approved by the board, we're going to start the tennis court process. Um, start with that and then we're working on the early learning center roof getting that started. you. We're going to get a contract together with we're uh looking to work with Terracon again to do the roofing project on the early learning center to design that as well. Um we um will probably be building contracts this week um to redo the service, the fields at the baseball field and the softball field. We just need to get together and write those and send those out. We will schedule to by the end of September. There's a the bridge down here on the back side of the baseball field should be completed in September. And then the the dirt that

120shifted behind Westwood and the scoreboard there, there was some dirt that shifted down the hill, that work should be done right now by the end of September as well. So, I think we we've got the same vendor won the bid or won the contract there that did the um work at the middle school and he he pref he finished within time and within scope as well. So, we're pretty happy with his work. So, I think we're set up for success there. Um the uh drainage sink hole at Mountain View is scheduled in that August September time frame as well. that that may have some hiccups. We we've really urged the communication channels with FEMA that we don't we aren't able to see the whole scope of that because it's a drainage issue that runs all

121the way up the hill. Um if you do get feedback, I've talked to Jerry a number of times about that, but it does it could impact that playground slab and we're going to do the best we can to make sure students have a space. Um, but it could be it could be impactful there. So, we may not have a lot of students around the beginning of the year in those spaces because of that. Um, I I don't love that, but it's better safe than sorry because we're not we may end up having to dig all the way up to department. Right now, it's not scope to do that, but that's that's a possibility with that project. and and as a part of this just from a maintenance updates you can see them but I just

122want to give a shout a special shout out to our entire maintenance team they are completing things at record rates I know our principles are and um building leaders are really appreciative of just the amount of work that they've gotten done and in a short period of time and they've been so responsive and then they've had things to break that um were unexpected like the Blue Ridge water, whatever it was, and heating and cooling or whatever. I don't know. We've had so many things to break that I don't remember which which thing broke recently. So, um, kudos to the maintenance team for not just keeping us informed, but to be on it so that it doesn't become an issue for the start of school. So, um, they've done a tremendous job. So, thank you. >>

123You, do you mind if I jump into any maintenance updates? I did have a couple notes here, though. But um we don't really have a formal CMMS system which is a computerized maintenance management system but we're working off of Google Docs which has been okay for now and that's managing all of our tickets but I've aggregated some data out of that. Right now we're completing around 84% of our tickets that are coming in and monthly. Um and and and we're guys are pretty proud of that. I think it's probably a higher percentage of that because we're really getting some projects that are kind of bigger dollar amounts that float in there with it. So, we don't always have the $10,000 to go and do work that might be floating in some of those tickets. Uh

124we've completed around 860 tickets uh since I've been on uh since when I started. We've done some really nice projects and Amy's got some of those photos up there. I think I'm excited to go into the school year. Um, if you have worked seen on the Facebook page, I want to thank Rhonda again for putting those on for us today. She does a great job sharing our work. Um, we were able to put a new barrier up at the Woodidge Elementary School, which you're seeing there. Um, and around maybe this other one, the new flooring project at the uh, early learning center. We were able to do that and that turned out really nice. I think that'll be a great space. Um, again, I think that's the barriers that we had before. Uh we've done

125some curving. I know Jerry had a some curving that was chewed up before with uh some salt and then the snow plows kind of picking up the curving so we have a safer space for students to jump in. Um and I'm really happy with the way the look of this fresh paint job did. We got new paint on the halls on all the halls and all the bathrooms at Mountain View Elementary this year. Uh, and you can really I I hope they kind of are able to see that. Uh, and we just finished up last week. Uh, we had some brick falling out. A lot of space in the uh walls at the early learning center. So, we repaired that space and that's really been the finished product. You won't ever see probably the gray

126color, but you can't find a mortar that's 60 years old the color anymore. >> Um, and then the Spark Lab. I know uh MD's done a great job of great raising the money for that, but we also supported replacing the flooring and getting the painting done in there. And uh I I mean I would I would urge I've not been do it, but there the media and the technology equipment is up and going in there. And I think that's something even Dustin and I spoke about. I think that's going to be a great space for our students next year and we hopefully continue to support that. Um we did do I won't leave anybody out. We we are looking to put a new playground barrier at uh Westwood for Scott. It's on order. So he

127he and I have talked about that. So seeing how nice that one book I talked him into going that route with the other ones. So he's he's been great. We're going to see that at Westwood soon. U and we did new flooring with Mitchell too at Blue Ridge. So we didn't get the before and after photos there, but I think some of the new flooring will be good for his classrooms. So, we've been around at all the sites this summer, and I think it'll be a, you know, as we continue to add new pieces and repair things, I think it'll be just a better set set up for success for all the people that are coming into our schools. >> I saw Miss Dixon sit back there and her new library is coming together. >>

128Yeah, >> I've not visited it since the bookcases are in, but I saw the new flooring go in at the end of last year, so that's >> She just said it was ready. They've gotten books in. >> Oh, oh, oh. Oh, well, that's the page. It does look really good and and thank you for supporting our students in our school with funding that there are books on the shelves and by the end of this week my goal is that it will be 95% ready but it's definitely a fresh look and it was also painted and so and you can tell um that it's amazing. So >> yeah, shout out to our local dinner. We donated that room on top of he's got a child who's in school there and he donated the labor around $5,000

129to paint that which was a really nice gift. >> And she still needs a desk that matches her new shelves. If we can find some money somewhere for that. >> We'll look at it. >> Anything else updates there? [Music] >> We'll bump into item we talked about earlier a little bit. My cell phone policy 4318 got an update on it. So, um, as you know, state law changed and they became far more strict on cell phone usage in schools. And so, I've been working with the school boards association since they are um, helping with our policy overhaul um, alto together for what the latest guidance is. And um so um I sent that to you in an email, but also put it in here as well along with um this morning Dustin and Lindsay and

130um Jamie and I met to really hash out what the um consequences should be um for the new cell phone policy. And going based on what you all shared at the last meeting that it needs to be um needs to be pretty strict um so that we can um set the tone for where we're going. And of course it's easier to be more strict than less uh when we're starting out. Um but I don't necessarily think that um I'm I'm hoping that people just comply with the policy, right? Um so you can see there the disciplinary consequences that won't necessarily be in the policy. they will be in the students code of conduct and they have agreed that this is what uh would happen um at uh the uh um in the schools as a

131consequence but a teacher administrator will take the device. Uh the parent comes in to collect it at the end of the school day. This is on the first offense. So they don't go back to the it doesn't go back to the student. The parent must come in and um pick up the phone if they want it um back. Uh the second offense, a teacher administrator will take the device. The parent comes in to collect it at the end of the school day and the student uh will be assigned either two days of ISS. Um but two days of ISS may be substituted for four days of afterchool detention. And we did this um you know Lindsay doesn't have inschool suspension at her school. there aren't enough staff members there, but they felt like that four

132days of after school detention uh would be similar to the two days of inschool suspension. Um and then if a school like an elementary school, if we're having continual problems with kids bringing phones, because we know that we have third and fourth graders with phones in schools, we'll be younger than that. Um that they don't have inschool suspension necessarily. So it would be um an afterchool uh detention. Uh the third offense uh teacher administrator will take the device parent comes in to collect it at the end of the day and then we're into out of school suspension and we thought three days out of school suspension is pretty harsh. That's a lot of instruction to miss, but we don't want to take this lightly. Hopefully nobody ever gets there. Um and then upon returning to

133school um the student must leave their phone at home. parent or guardian is required to meet with the administrator prior to um the student returning to school. So, we wanted a parent meeting at that point in time. Obviously, conversations would happen um at each of those times beforehand. Um but that third time um we need a plan in place for this child. And then um additional consequences will be assigned for future additional offenses. Again, hopefully it never gets there, but again, um we wanted to leave this up to the um principal and what those additional consequences uh could be. Um because I couldn't imagine that somebody is um being this insubordinate and not getting into other trouble. Um so there likely going to be other conversations and plans that need to be put into place

134that our principles would address at that point in time. So those are pretty strict. sending them out of school on a third offense, having parents to come in so that we can hopefully partner so it doesn't happen again. Um, but I think they've got some procedures um that they've been thinking about and soon as they implement that hopefully will allow us to just have good conversations with kids and that our classes will be engaging so they won't want to be on the phones. So that's our hope and hopefully parents will have plenty of conversations beforehand. But the actual policy itself um defined some things based on the law itself and then we further defined it so that it matches what we do and there was a lot of discussion today on bellto bell and you

135there aren't any technical bells at in Lindsay school but we're talking about when the child enters the school for the first time during the school day and then exits for the last time during the school day. So, if you're going home for the day, then you can get your um phone unlocked. Other than that, you know, if you come up here or back and forward, if you're not going home for the day, it just stays locked. And so, I I feel like we've got um I think it's appropriate for what we do and it limits everything. Earbuds, Diane, is in here or whoever brought I don't remember who brought I think it was Diane who brought up the earbuds. it is in there as something that will not be allowed. It will go in the

136pouch. So, if you can listen to something that might happen to be turned on in your book bag and you didn't put it in a pouch or whatever, um those are prohibited too. So, those everything goes in the pouch. Uh smart watches we define, but we also put the clause and similar devices because something new is bound to come up um between now and the time that this gets approved because technology is just growing that fast. Um, we delineated high school because we do have the Yonder pouches. Uh, we didn't specifically name Yonder, but we said they would store the wireless communication devices powered off during the school day in pouches provided by the school system. And um, elementary and middle school students must keep their devices turned off and stored in their locker book

137bag for the duration of the school day. We don't have those yonder. If it becomes a problem, of course, his consequences would apply. And then, of course, C um does delineate for a um student who um uh has a 504 or a um an IEP. Uh no doctor can't say, "Hey, my child had or my my person has um just needs this device for their mental health." No, we have it turned off. Unless we've got a documented issue and it's in one of those plans, then um anyway, it needs to it needs to be well documented. And then um as far as uh uh an IEP or a 504, um my youngest son has type 1 diabetes. He has an app on his phone. I have an app on my phone um that shows his

138blood sugar. Obviously, he can't power his off, but that would be in his medical plan or his 504 or whatever. And um he would be an exception. There are special pouches. We ordered them um for students and for the number of kids that we have, you know, we may have under 10 kids uh for which this actually applies where they would need um uh need that type of a device. Um and then consequences. Um you know we define the consequences in here but the additional consequences as far as the student behaviors um we put in the uh um text of the board policy and assembly. Um but that would go in the student code of conduct. And I know our principles want to implement um in the first two days of school. um once they

139get all their procedures down um and you know whatever that looks like as they're going through the metal detectors um I think they'll refine those procedures because um even if it includes hey you know you don't have a you know if if you take your backpack your Chromebook goes there you put your phone there but then you walk through the metal detectors and it'll pick up cell phones and other devices that you haven't put in that pouch. Um so you know that'll be part of the consequences if students are trying to um skirt the uh procedure. Did I miss anything? >> What questions do you guys have? >> You know we just been presented with this policy. Our um rule of thumb is 30 days to consider a policy. um what we had is nothing

140like what we have here. Um but then again, it's a statute, so I'm not sure where we stand on that. And I understand the need for starting school. So, is this considered an emergency, Mr. Roen? >> I mean, that they're wanting it before school start. So, I mean, >> I know. >> I had a question related to that. So when the law, you know, we're to adopt the law by January 1st, 26 >> on there, >> what will we need to do as a board at that time or does this take care of that? We're good to go. >> This takes care of it. And with our conversations with um the attorney of the school boards association, they were going they were sending it out to all schoolboards association members this fall with their fall

141pl. And I called her and I said, "Listen, I'd really like to have it for the start of school. We're implementing the yonder pouches that we've already purchased. We know this is the law and the expectation even though it's not in policy. We're supposed to have a phonefree educational environment in every one of our schools. Um can you add to the policy um what language needs to be there so that we're in compliance? And largely what we already had was um I think would we bring that in June or whatever what we were talking about um and how we would operate under yonder complies with that policy. Um the only thing that um uh we were looking at are things like our Chromebooks for example um because somebody else's wireless device well we provide Chromebooks

142to everybody so that's an exception to this and no we don't want teachers on or students on their Chromebooks when it's not an instructional purpose during class. So a teacher can say no you're not using this today put it away. Um to me they already had that authority. um within their classroom. Um but um providing um uh that wireless device communication um is uh um that's why you say the prohibition and this policy do not apply to school system issued wireless communication devices because our Chromebooks would have been a wireless communication device. it's everything else that's not provided by the school system um that they wouldn't be used in their regular classes. >> Mel, to answer your question, the board can adopt a policy like this one. We've done it in the past uh before

143when it's something that was needed um sooner than later if the board agrees um to do that. So, that is an option available to the board if that's their wish to adopt this policy. Well, let's we're making it clear that we're not the policy does not include yonder pouches. Correct. That we are just following the state mandated statutes with this policy. There's no mention I did not see any mention of the the pouches in here. >> It does say pouches. It's under the storage of wireless communication devices because that was already approved by the board for purchase at a previous meeting. The high school students will store their wireless communication devices powered off during the school day in pouches provided by the school system. Those have already been purchased and so um it explicitly says

144the high school. So your early college high school, your traditional high school uh would apply in that. Elementary and middle school do not apply because we don't have those pouches, but they would be if they brought their phone to school. they would have to be powered off and stored in their locker or book bag during the school day. >> My concern would be having trouble with these pouches and us having a policy says they have to be in a pouch. Um, I would prefer that those pouches that those two words be removed and say stored properly because this is very much an experiment with these pouches. I've talked to some school systems that got rid of the pouches and within two weeks. So, um I would not like that to be that specific in our

145policy even though we are going to use those policies of uh the pouches, but I don't think it belongs in the policy that we will continue to use those pouches. What if we get another something that's better later on? we have the policy that specifies pouches. So, I don't think it belongs in the policy, but >> well, as an alternative as far as language, um uh high school students will store their wireless communication devices powered off during the school day as directed by um the school system. That to me is a better alternative because this, you know, >> I mean, I have no problem with that. I mean, >> I just think to define it as pouches really limits us to other options that might become available or this might be an experiment that doesn't

146work. Um, it has for some schools, it has not for others. So, I >> think we've got some headings nodding. I don't know if you can see that. I can't see anything. >> I can see you guys. >> Yeah, >> we just need a motion. If the >> I'd make a motion for us to accept what was just said. >> So remove in pouches and say school during the school day as d as directed instead of in pouches provided as directed by the school school system. Miss Calhoun's made a motion to accept this policy with that change on there as directed by the school system. >> I second the motion, >> but we're leaving pouches in. >> No, the board pouches. >> It would remove the word in pouches. >> Um, they would in pouches

147>> directed by the >> right now in pouches. I mean, that's what >> what's directed by the school system. Just something. >> I mean, right now, my direction is going to be It could be as directed by the um uh school princip superintendent or school principal. I mean if you want to be school system >> that's I think school system >> school system >> I think that's fine. I mean because that's >> come back to me enforcing this policy which is >> I see what if something happens and we malfunction >> then we go to something else. We're tying ourselves to that. I don't know what else is out there >> as directed by the school system. >> But I think you're covered that way as directed by the school system. >> And I think

148I think that um this is such a volatile subject too that the board also needs to be involved if this changes of what we might decide to do later as well. um you know so but I do do appreciate you being willing to take the language out of there that specifies pouches >> and say as directed by the school system which would be me >> all of us >> well I mean but I can't come back to the board every single time that there is an issue at the school because that's like >> no I didn't mean that I meant something >> I don't want to put you guys in the position >> with another brand or something then then we go through the >> different just like we went through with >> that's yeah

149>> I just don't want to put you in the position where you got to come back together you know >> that was not my intent >> good >> so I've got a motion a second on the floor any other discussion or questions hear none all those in favor raise your hand >> I'm not sure about it either >> I don't like the pouches >> all right >> they've already been purchased were the phone going into that. >> We already approved >> the motion was to change language as you described. >> Yeah. That's what we were going with what you said. >> I'd like to hear that. >> So I think you raised your hand. Did I not see that? >> Yes. I'm just I'm just concerned about the whole process. >> She kind right. >>

150I'm just concerned about that. I don't think it has to do >> consciously stay in there. >> Okay. >> So, all right. So, let me do that again. All those in favor raise your hand. >> The policy and the challenge. Yeah. >> Let me say if you were in favor of that as well. Correct. >> Yes. I am in favor of the policy with the change in language. >> All right. Do I have any opposed? >> Okay. >> I don't see that we have a choice. >> We don't. about the things we're going to use them. >> Since I'm directing traffic here, we'll go ahead and let's talk about a traffic stud on there. That's our last item we've got under discussion is traffic study um on there at Mountain View. >> All right, Jerry,

151who's the last person on the uh traffic study uh for Mountain View? Um you this was last year's conversation before the hurricane and then the hurricane hit when um I think the week that they were supposed to come out and actually take traffic counts and so um uh the traffic counts didn't happen until January um when I think it maybe it was February when we were finally back in school for not quite a full week. So interesting on their traffic counts, but they did come back with some recommendations because we know that there are not just long lines um at Mountain View um on the road out not Mountain View, but on the road outside of Mountain View, which is on some days causing backup, we anticipate um that especially the first few weeks of

152school um and in times when parents are driving their kids to school, which could be during inclement weather days, when they're less likely to perhaps be on a bus. Um anyway, um they provided this document um with uh a lot of information of in and out and how many people are actually um picking up kids. And again, this was I guess the first week of February um when that traffic counts uh were taken. and um their recommendations um are listed in there. So, I asked this specific question though because anytime you have recommendations for traffic, um we're wondering how we're going to pay for something. And the answer was that uh this was Tammy Ger Miller who is um the person who's over these traffic studies essentially said that the physical improvements that we recommend

153arising from the North Carolina Department of Transportation um from the study the NCI tries to get funded. We do not have a dedicated funding source for schools. So it will complete um it will um it will be completed u with other spot mobility projects for funding. So it'll compete with them. Um so it'll go on this list for how many ever years and um compete with those from a priority basis. I don't know where that falls because I don't know what those other projects are or could be uh that we would compete with. Um, but they say it was designed to be cost-effective. Now, we don't have information specifically on what that cost effective really means and it says we do not expect the school to have to pay for these improvements, but if the

154school can kick in some funds that will help the project formula for prioritization. And um essentially uh while this would not be approving this particular project that there are um descriptions and there's a picture that shows at the very end uh what they are recommending um which does take away what Jerry what part of that does it take away from your school in the back >> to the right side of the school where the current sac is just past it is the gravel road to the left that goes out to the first small field. Then it would require widening that to two lanes, taking that bike way, paving that paving the parking area out by the first ball field, and that would be the the cold sack area to turn around. That would take enough

155traffic off of the highway to alleviate the problems. That's the only place we have on campus anywhere to to put anything. We couldn't go all the way up top because of the building that's up there now and there wasn't enough room between the ed and drainage ditch to to have two lanes. >> So, is this a gravel lot that's in this picture all the way at the end for the culdeac? What >> the culdeac that it's showing that it would create? Is that a gravel lot that's up there now? Past those. >> Okay. I didn't know that there. And so, um, the NC DOT, the project from their perspective is on hold because I wanted to bring it, we just got it, uh, what, two weeks ago, something like that. Um, so we wanted to

156bring it to you. Um, before we said, yeah, go ahead and, you know, push this project forward in your priority of projects for schools. um we wanted you to uh see the project and um get your feedback on it before we said um sure go ahead and push this forward. A >> as I go down Highway 16 to town frequently when parents are lining up both in the morning and the afternoon, it is a very dangerous situation and very crowded. And this would solve uh to me it's obvious that this would solve the backup that it's going on to highway 16 at a in a regular basis like so I I approve what they have recommended and done >> was I to understand that the problem is more in the morning than the afternoon. Is

157that not >> it's both times. oftentimes I'm going into town to run errands in the morning and face it and then when I'm coming home I'm facing the same thing coming in the office >> I think it backs up if you're coming from Shatley Springs into the afternoon >> right >> it backs up from >> Venoise up that way in the morning everybody's turning left and then what hurts it too if you've got a few people that are wanting to turn left at the end of the day That really screws up everything. Then somebody tries to let them out who's turning left while somebody's going around the line on the other side and I've held my breath I don't know how many times. Then flying through there and you about have a head-on collision. >>

158Most of the time a heavy duty truck >> like a dump truck and a regular passenger car >> on there. So, >> is this behind those pine trees there behind the school or would those pine trees be removed? Um, is that where that is? >> Yes. I think the pine trees closest to the school would stay and be the ones on the other side of that gravel road where the that you don't see. >> That's right. >> Right. >> That might try to mitigate some of those pine trees. They do create some drainage issues >> for the roof on the building there. We spend >> lots of labor working those trees. I'm a nature lover myself, but any effort to try and manage the drainage on the backside there. That might be something we would

159look closer at would be a thought from maintenance and our team. I can remember Jerry Baker asking me if there was any um would would there be any resistance to removing those pines, but they're still there. I don't I don't know. He was talking about community cuz um my family lives in that community right there all around it. So, um >> makes lumber. >> Yeah. >> Well, it's it's terri the drainage back there is is horrible. Of course, that whole site um has some drainage issues, but um I know that the traffic can be a real problem out on 16. And I try to avoid that area if I'm out if I'm at at Mountain View for any length of time. I try to leave before the traffic comes in. Um >> I see changing

160it to a right exit. >> It is. It is suggesting a full >> I do that even if I'm turning left to go to work. I still turn to go left. >> It's much quicker. >> And go back around behind by Family Central. >> Yeah. I'll go down to the next state road and just turn around, but then I can get out easier >> that way than trying to turn into all that traffic turning in and getting out and everything. >> So, I turn on Would that be all all during the day or just in the afternoons and mornings? I I think that this is suggesting to make it making it permanent. Um which would you know would probably put one of those raised um curbs. I don't know how else to describe it. Uh

161there um but you know could be just with signage um as well versus just the raised curbs. Um but what we would like is just to say okay go ahead and tell them to move this idea forward. It's not a a financial commitment from the board to make this happen but it does get the ball moving uh so that it can be prioritized in their projects and then we'll keep in touch just like we have with the Blue Ridge uh project from a a year or so ago. Um it'll help uh at least get the ball moving because sometimes these things take many years. >> So you just need more or less if we're all in good a blessing. You don't really need a motion. >> No. Unless unless we find out that hey this

162is going to be 10 years and then the board decides they want to do something at least we have a general plan of what we have the traffic study available uh to proceed with the work. It's very disturbing that considerations are going to be with people who make donations that they move further up. That's a little bit disturbing there. Um that means wealthier districts get first priority. Um that's sad. Well, >> given a blessing >> blessing for sure. >> I would throw CP at you, but I Anybody have anything else come before the board? I just like to provide I'm sorry Josh telling to provide an update on the water tower situation at Westwood. We did we did complete cameraing the lines up there. Uh we did not find any blockage on the upper portion

163of the line between the water tower and the vault which we is not good news. Uh so we will now get together with Dragon Matter um probably Sid and ourselves. We'll schedule meetings with him to understand a little bit more of what their model is giving us and then help give us next steps to move forward on where we're going from there. Mentioned that in updates earlier. >> Okay, that's good. [Music] Thank you much. So I'll entertain now a motion to adjurnn. >> Yes. >> Was that a motion? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Miss Cal makes a motion to adjurnn. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Jones. Any other question, comment? All those in favor, raise your hand. Thank you much. Thank you, Miss Elbert. >> Thank you. >> Okay, guys.

164[Music] And if you find that it's not going into a profession. How are you? Have a good night. I know. I'm glad there still Anybody say y'all have a good Really? I didn't know that. Amy, do you need anything else? >> You all right? tired.