MCPS School Board Meeting 04/21/2026

001Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. A little bit, but not too bad. I'm still keeping my grades up. Oh, it's on you. But I can't It wouldn't be a thing. Yeah. >> Mhm. >> And roll call vote of subjects discussed in closed meeting. May I have a motion? I make a motion to adopt the certificate of closed meeting. Thank you, Mrs. Hodges. Do we have a second? >> Second. Thank you, Mr. Morgan. Do we have any discussion? There being none, Ms. Lyle, may we have a roll call vote? Ms. Mulholland Stewart? Yes, virtually. Mrs. Hodges? Yes. Mr. Stakes? Yes. >> Mr. Morgan? Yes. Mrs. Diggs? Yes. Item 2.3, approval of 2026-2027 personnel appointments. May we have a motion? Make a motion to approve the 2026-2027 personnel appointments as listed. Thank you, Mrs. Hodges. Do I have

002a second? I second that. >> Thank you, Mr. Stakes. Is there any discussion? There being none, all those in favor say I. I. Opposed? I. Motion passes. Item 2.4, approval of personnel action. May we have a motion? I make a motion to approve the personnel action as listed. Thank you, Mrs. Hodges. May I have a second? Second. Thank you, Mr. Morgan. Is there any discussion? There being none, all those in favor say I. I. Ms. Mulholland Stewart, did you say I? Yes, I said I. Thank you. All those opposed? Motion passes unanimously. Thank you very much. Closed is now adjourned. Thank you for being here, everyone, tonight. This is the Tuesday, April 21st, 2026 Matthews County School Board regular monthly meeting. Would you all please join me in item 1.2, the pledge of allegiance? I

003pledge allegiance to the flag of of States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Item 1.3, approval from school board members present for absent members electronic participation in the April 21st, 2026 regular monthly school board meeting. May I have a motion? I make a motion to approve the request from school board member Amy L. Bohannon Stewart for electronic participation in the April 21st, 2026 regular monthly meeting from the Hampton Inn 12341 West Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23233 due to mandatory training connected to her full-time job, which prevents her physical attendance. Thank you, Mrs. Hodges. May I have a second? I second that. Thank you, Ms. Stith. Is there any discussion? There being none, all those in favor say I. I. Opposed?

004Motion passes. Item 1.4, Ms. Law, would you call the roll, please? Ms. Bohannon Stewart? Here. Only sonically. Ms. Hodges? Here. Ms. Stith? Here. Mr. Morgan? Here. Dr. Gibbs? Present. Thank you. Item 1.5, approval of the agenda additions and deletions. May I have a motion? Yes, I'll make a motion that we approve the agenda including any additions and deletions. Thank you, Mr. Morgan. May I have a second? I second that, Dr. Gibbs. >> Stith. Is there any discussion? There being none, all those in favor say I. I. I. Opposed? Motion passes. Item 1.6, consent agenda. Seeking a motion to accept the consent agenda. I'll make a motion to approve the minutes of the March 12th, 2026 joint board of supervisors and Matthews school board budget work session and March 17th, 2026 closed meeting and regular monthly

005meeting. Reviewed policies 4-H junior camp bus request, coalition for kids camp bus request, MVFD East River Fest bus request, 2026-2027 student fees, overnight FCCLA field trip, 2026-2027 academic calendar and monthly claims as presented on the consent agenda. Thank you, Mr. Morgan. May I have a second? Second. Thank you, Mrs. Hodges. Is there any discussion? I do have a question about student fees. Um, I see this is for next year, obviously. Um, but is there any change from this year to next year? It doesn't We don't have last year's to compare it to. >> Yeah, I don't believe there are any changes to the actual fees. Um, the the lone change has to do with um, the presentation of that. So, we tried to kind of categorize them and have columns for the two schools. Um,

006that's also based on some feedback that we had gotten about supply list. So, we're going to try to do the same thing for supply list to make it a little bit easier to kind of read and interpret for families on the supply list. So, we were just trying The only real change is just streamlining streamlining the form, but the fees themselves remain remain the same. And I also have a question about the dual enrollment classes that that they take through the RCC instructors, not the instructors here. Do our There's no fee except for So, transferable dual enrollment credits >> Right. in-house um those by I think state code now General Assembly required that those um be free to students. >> Right. So, our um CTE dual enrollment doesn't fall under that. So, there are still

007fees for those dual enrollment classes, and there are still fees to the school division for students who attend Chesapeake Bay Governor's School. Those students haven't paid for that, but there's still a cost from the division because again, they're I think they're called specialty centers or something like that within the VCCS. So, there are still um costs to school divisions um for those dual enrollment credits. But, for example, for us like dual enrollment English taught here at the high school, there's no longer a fee for students um and thus the school division for um for those classes. But, how about dual enrollment psych though? Um I think it's it's part of what is a transferable It's part of the unified uh There's a uni- UCGS univi- certificate uni- unified universal unified certificate or Yeah, so it's

008basically it's transferable. If they're transferable to four-year colleges, um those >> don't have to pay any anything for that? >> Correct. Those are free. Okay. Yeah, the VCCS kind of has to eat that cost. Okay. Um but, there was in true Great. kind of fashion, there was no funding additional funding made available for VCCS to cover that lost revenue. But, yeah, that that's that's a thing now. Great. Thank you. Any more discussion? Just as a reminder, May 18th, Mrs. Hodges and Ms. Bohannon Stewart will be uh working the claims. All those in favor, say I. I. All those opposed? Motion passes unanimously. Item 1.7, the Mathews County School Board Governance Norms and Protocols. As you recall, we usually read a couple of a few of these every month. I believe Mrs. Hodges, do you have

009those up? >> Yes. Yes. Um what I'm going to read is actually three of them. When and how the board evaluates the superintendent. The superintendent is evaluated annually prior to June 30th. When and how the board conducts a self-evaluation. The school board will conduct a self-evaluation during their summer retreat. When and how the board monitors and updates the school board's strategic plan. The school board reviews and evaluates the strategic plan in January and during their summer retreat. Thank you, Mrs. Hodges. We are now up to item number two, recognitions. 2.1 is winter sports with Mrs. Amy O'Neal. Good evening. Just want to give a recap of our winter sports. Um our Go ahead. The I got it. Okay. Is the mic on? I think folks folks at home will probably need the mic so it

010feeds through. Yeah, you turned it on. I turned it on and off. There we go. There we go. Now you Good. Now? Okay, cool. All right. Um So, just going over our teams, our uh JV boys basketball team, head coach uh Jack Zach Jaros, I do that every now. And assistant coach Alex Forrest, Um they had a really good season this year, strong 10 and 7 on the season. They had growth for many players. They developed the kids like they should, so they'll be ready for their varsity um their varsity season going up. Um they lost two of their top scoring threats, they pulled them up to varsity and they still finished 7 and 6. They're going to lose five sophomores to varsity next year. But it was a credible incredible season with strong support

011from parents and Matthews community. Um our varsity boys basketball coach CK Ambrose, Tay Leggett, Johnny Matthews, and Jake Johnson. Jackson, sorry. Sorry, Jake. I've just put it put some coaches perspective. I've asked the coaches to give a little perspective. They said the season didn't go quite as they expected. Um They asked returners to step into roles they hadn't played before, but overall they had some tough games. Um but their major highlight of the season was um traveling to West Point and winning the game in overtime. It was very exciting. Um One game that uh the coach was very proud of was after a loss, they were down by double digits at Middlesex at halftime, but the guys fought hard, clawed back within two points. Um so that's pretty pretty close to a victory and a

012victory in his eyes and our eyes. Um I've got the rest of that on another slide. Congratulations to Blake Huntley for being selected second team all district. Y'all clap for that if you'd like. That's pretty impressive. Um So um we had a game this year. We started last year with a the game with against staff and coaches. It was really exciting. This year we decided to do a basketball game, which is a little bit harder for us old folks, but anyway, it's a lot of fun night. We had a good crowd. The kids had a good time. The adults had a good time. Only had one little minor injury, but but it was it was a lot of fun. I I want to add more and more as we go. Maybe softball. I don't know

013about baseball, but um just some some things that us old folks can do. But it was it was really fun. JV girls basketball, head coach JJ Ashberry, assistant coach Courtney Love. Um the girls had 10 members on their team, three freshmen, seven seven eighth graders, and uh which was up eight players from previous season. Girls made progress in understanding the fundamentals of the game, the concepts, teamwork, and um as the season progressed. Um They played only two out of six district teams due to schools not having JV teams, um but they played majority games against the Northern Neck teams and did really well with that. So, we have a a good future coming up um coming up the varsity. And the coaching perspective Well, I just said that. Okay. Um Varsity girls basketball, head coach

014Rob Marrero and assistant coach West Griffith. I want to publicly thank coach Rob Marrero. He's resigned after the season, so we are looking for a new uh new head coach. I want to thank him for his service and his dedication to our team. Um He did a really great job. He's a great person. In his coaching perspective, we had a 9 and 8 record. This was the first time with a winning record in a very long time, so that was that was amazing. Uh we advanced to post regional play post-season regional play for the first time in 5 years. Um, we had five team members out of nine eligible to receive all all academic. Two Two players received all uh first team all district, second team all district. One player made second team all district

015and second team all region. And um they they did some fundraising activities with the uh Christmas child fundraiser that Amy Berry does, so that was really neat. I'd like to get more teams involved in that uh next year. So, again, Layla Dove first team all district, um Adriana Forrest second team all district, and Elizabeth Moore first team all district. Then, Layla Dove all region, uh first second team all region, second team Adriana Forrest, and all region second team Elizabeth Moore. We have a wonderful cheers cheer team. We have our five strong, and um I can't imagine doing cheers in front of the whole crowd just with five kids, but they do amazing job and bring the spirit. We're very very very um happy to have them. And they lead our send-offs, which is really neat.

016Now, their coaching perspective, they had small squad for the winter season, had two new cheerleaders join the team. They worked hard to support winter teams and show school spirit during games and leading state send-off and for indoor track and wrestling. Squad really enjoyed traveling to uh to cheer on the regional game cuz we can actually travel for regional uh play. So, they had a really great time doing that at West Point, and they're looking to improve and add new new members next year. Our indoor track track team always goes to state. We're going to go to state here um in outdoor, too, I'm quite sure. Um they did a great job. We always have um I didn't list her here, but Nora Southerd um she uh qualified for states early in the long jump, triple

017jump. Um she's just went out with zero experience in the beginning, and she's one of the top runners out there, so it's really great. Love Nora. Uh have to highlight our lunch ladies again. Anytime that our trip goes to post season, or if they go to Northampton, or they go to somewhere like Northumberland, somewhere that's a little further, they will pack lunches for our teams, and I'm really appreciative for that. And they get all into it. They love doing that kind of stuff, so they love supporting our athletes. Here is our state send-off for indoor track. Um for those of you that don't know what a state send-off is for for us, we get the whole school out in the hallways to cheer as the the band, cheerleaders, and band leads the team around the

018school, and then we send them off to wherever they're going. It's a really cool thing. And the kids feel very supported. Wrestling. Now, if there there's one team that's really put Matthews High School on the map this year, it's wrestling, and they pretty do pretty much do every year, but they've done better than the past this year. Coaching perspective, we have a region wrestling uh wrestler of the year, Ivan Shible. Ivan, Sal Cardenas, Franklin Cardenas, and Eric Cardenas all were regional champs. Jesse Monasterio, Carter Coles, and Jayden Boyd were regional runner-ups. Rowan Gray and Grayson Patterson were third in regions. Now for states, Ivan was a state uh runner-up. So, that was that was very impressive and he he almost had state champion. He was almost there. We were It was a great thing to

019watch. Um Ivan, Sal, and Frank all um hit their 100 wins. So, that was impressive, also. And we for the fourth year in a row, uh we have the region coach of the year. Um our record was 21 and three in dual meets. We were region champs. We were fourth in the state. We were Matthews Invitational champs, Franklin dual champs, and Lancaster dual runner-up. That's very impressive. This was our tournament that we hosted and again, we we won that tournament. And these are just pictures of us uh being champions. This is our wrestling state send-off. Again, very very cool thing because I mean, how else will you feel supported? Your entire student body comes out to send you off and um it's just a really great thing to do. Ivan Scheible has committed to D2

020um Millersville University in Pennsylvania. We're going to have his signing. Trying to plan that out in between spring sports. Really really difficult, but we're going to do it. Um hopefully in our spring sports um uh, ceremony. We had a youth wrestling night. So, they all came in and were highlighted in the middle of the meet. Uh, so it was a great thing for them to see how the big kids do it. And our booster club always like to highlight them because they are the backbone of the athletic department. Uh, without them I don't I don't know what I'd do. Um, and these are some of the purchases they made this year. What they do is they accept an application from the coach of whatever team, whatever they're requesting. Um, boys basketball requested a shooting machine

021like Dr. Dish if y'all are familiar. Um, they will pay half and the the team is responsible for the other half. So, um the you'll see that they've spent quite a bit of money this year and um, all of the events that they have participated in. Again, and that is also um, getting volunteers for the gates for games, for concession stand uh, help. And uh, just over I mean, I couldn't do my job without them. And I want to thank them again publicly for everything they do. This year was the first time and I don't know back in the day they may have done this here, but I know that um, since I've been here they have not done a sports awards ceremony all in one place. So, we got all the winter sports together.

022We had a wonderful banquet. Um the families provided a dessert. Our booster club provided the meal. Um, it was just a great time. We had 200 people there. And then we went to the auditorium and then they spoke and highlighted everything that the team did well, the individuals did well and uh, it was a really good time. And again, like I said, we're going to try to do this for spring. It's just pray no rain. And that's it. >> And Thank you very much. Before I leave, I just wanted to Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead and then >> Oh, I just wanted to say um a couple of things while I'm up here and have the chance. I want to thank uh Ms. Williams and Ms. Hayes for everything they do. Wonderful job. I get

023I get emotional. Um it's amazing to see. It really is. Um and I want you to know that I support our bus drivers. I can't tell you Stop crying, Genie. Um I can't tell you how much I appreciate every single one of them because without them we wouldn't be able to get to the games. We wouldn't be able to do the things that we do and I want to thank you very much for everything you do. This is a fantastic presentation. I was just going to ask if there are any athletes, student athletes in the audience or cheerleaders and all of them to stand so we can clap for >> Yes, please. Absolutely. Get them a round of applause. Please stand. Please stand. Wonderful. Thank you. And if there are any students in the audience

024who want to be an athlete, you just come see me. Thank you guys. Thank you. Item 2.2, our high school equivalency program recognition with Ms. Edith Turner. Good evening, Superintendent Dr. Daniel, Chair Dr. Gibbs, Vice Chair Mr. Morgan, and school board members. My name is Tracy Elliott and I'm the regional program manager for Middle Peninsula RACE, MP RACE. And we are the regional adult basic education, GED services, digital literacy, and ELL program that serves adults 18 and older in Matthews and throughout the Middle Peninsula. We've been serving Middle Peninsula residents for over 20 years. We offer in-person, virtual, one-on-one tutoring, and distance education options. Every GED journey is different, and each individual has a story to tell. And tonight, I would like to share the journey of the newest GED recipient for Matthews County. I

025am joined this evening by our amazing instructional staff here in Matthews, Ms. Susan Sanderson and Ms. Edith Turner. I'm also joined by our most recent Matthews GED recipient, Franklin Morse. So, historically, most of the adults we serve fall in the 25-46 age group, and the majority are female. Since the COVID pandemic, and particularly in the past 2 years, we've seen an increase in the number of young adults between the ages of 18 to 24, and an increase in male students. The number of underage 16-17 year-old students that have been released from compulsory attendance that we serve in our program annually is about two to three students per year. And out of those two to three students, we usually only have one that follows through and earns their GED. So, I'm happy to report that Franklin

026Morse is that one student that has followed through and completed his GED. I am so proud of him and our Matthews team for their hard work and dedication. Franklin wasted no time. Let me tell you about his story. He wasted no time. Um he was released from compulsory attendance at the January 20th school board meeting. He received his letter on January 21st and he was in on January 22nd, which was the first night he was eligible to be in class. So he was there. Um there Let me give you a little bit of background about the GED test so that everyone's aware of how it works. There are four subject tests on the GED. The subjects are reasoning through language arts, science, social studies, and math. It's a computer-based test, so there's that component of

027having the digital literacy skills needed to complete the test. Um we also teach that for adults that need that. If a learner were to take all four subjects of the test at once, it's an 8-hour long test. And statistics have shown that your scores drop incredibly after the first two subjects. So for that reason, we have our adults focus on one subject at a time. We work through one subject at a time. We test, we pass, we move on to the next subject. Also, the test costs $36 a subject, so you're talking $144 for a student to take all four subjects of the GED test just one time. Luckily, with our grant funding, we're able to purchase vouchers. And so as long as a student passes the practice test, we give them a voucher to

028take the actual test, so it could be no cost for the student to take and earn a GED test. So, back to Franklin. Oh, one more thing. Passing score is a 145. I just want you to keep that in mind, okay? So, on each subject, you have to score 145. So, within 3 weeks of starting class, Franklin took the Reasoning Through Language Arts GED subject test, and he passed it with a score of 148. So, he became confident. He got it under his belt, and he said, "I can do this." So, 9 days after that, he took the Social Studies GED subject test, and he passed it with a score of 157. A week after that, he took the Science GED test, and he passed it with a score of 173. 200 is the top,

029okay? So, within 1 month and 4 days of starting GED class, Franklin had passed three of the four subject test. He only had one test left, and that's the one that everyone saves for last. It's the math test, which thankfully we have Ms. Sanderson, so it's all good. Um so, Franklin took the GED Ready math test at the end of February, and it indicated that, you know, he was right there. He was ready to take the test, but that wasn't good enough for Franklin, is what I was told by Ms. Turner. He was not happy with that. So, he decided he was going to work on math a few more weeks with Ms. Sanderson, take a practice test again, and then go and take his official GED math test. So, he did that on March

03026th, he scored a 158. So, in the time frame of 2 months and 4 days from start to finish, he earned his GED credential, and that is incredibly fast. So, it's my honor tonight to celebrate with you our most recent Matthews GED recipient, Franklin Morse. Please help us acknowledge his achievements. Um he already received his GED. They get it through um email from GED Testing Service. We don't issue that, so it comes nationally, but we have just a certificate from our program for him that we would like to present to him tonight. So, Franklin has his GED. He has a job. He came here straight from work, and we are so incredibly proud of him. Thank you for your time and the opportunity to tell you about MPower Race, to celebrate Franklin, and we are

031going to go and take some cap and gown pictures of Franklin with his family. Thank you. >> Good to see you, Michelle Elliott. Congratulations, Mr. Morse. Thank you. Great job. Job well done. Congratulations. I just really think so. We're at item 2.3, the FCCLA FCCLA competition. I'm already flustered because I'm so excited about what we're going to hear here with Mrs. Michelle Williams. Come on up. And Ms. Hayes. And Ms. Hayes. She's not on my my verbage here, so Ms. Hayes. Ms. Hayes. >> Because what we do, we do together. >> That's right. Come on, Ms. Hayes. Okay, so she's going to talk cuz if I start, we'll be here forever. Okay. Okay, deal. Like I said, what we do, we do together, so you might be in for it either way. Okay. And we're

032going to do it without crying. Okay. Because this year I know, believe you. This year has been spectacular to say the least. This was our first year spearheading joining the middle and the high school FCCLA organizations. And I I Miss Hayes has been doing this a long time. I've not been doing it as long, but I I can tend to be a little bit of a steamroller sometimes, and so she has been very patient and very gracious with me. And we have seen the most spectacular successes this year. Um between Thomas Hunter kids and the high school kids. And I posted on social media because everybody was saying, "I see the pictures, but who did which project?" So, I I put it all together, and they're in no particular order. But I'll give you the

033summary before I tell you the what and the who. Um we took 25 middle and high school students, Miss Hayes, myself, and Sergeant Hill with the Mathews County Sheriff's Department, and our fearless bus driver, Miss Tina. And Miss Stacy Wyatt from the elementary school. And we had a spectacular trip. It was the most amazing trip, and I've done probably 20, 25 national and state conference trips. So, this one was really spectacular. Of those 25 students, there were 11 different unique projects. Those projects ranged from just a a career investigation all the way up to truly advocating to change public policy and everything in between. Lots of community service outreach and I will tell you all of those, but of those 11 projects, all 11 brought back medals. That's amazing. There were five gold medalists. Woo!

034Three silvers and three bronzes. And if I could have all of the students that were able to be here, you'll have to forgive us because we did not anticipate there being softball games this afternoon and bless her heart, one of my players, I told her I said, "You're being recognized. I need you to be there." She said she was going to run across in her uniform, so that she did. Um we had half a dozen kids that are still playing games, so they are not able to be with us, but all that went with us to states, if you could stand. Stay standing. These these are tomorrow's future. And they're today's leaders. And they are truly today's leaders. Good job. I love that. And I can't be more proud. So, of these projects, they're all

035out in the foyer for display. I've always wanted my kids, when they compete, to be able to be recognized for what they've done, but I have never had a group of kids dig in and and dig deep and work harder and put up with me every time I'd say, "No, that's not good enough. We need one more piece. Oh, oh, yeah, I found one more thing you need to do. Oh, yeah, there's one more thing in the rubric and it paid off. It truly did pay off. Um for repurpose and redesign, I I officially became the Matthews High School Thomas Hunter Middle School bag lady. And for the administration that happened to come into my classroom and see the avalanche of Walmart and Food Lion plastic bags, I'm sorry. But not really. Because plarn for

036the people, these young ladies recruited people in the community. One of our crocheter friends is here tonight. And one of my biggest supporters in everything family and consumer science, I I couldn't do what I do without community people like her. And that's Miss Sue Skidmore. Um the cafeteria, Miss Connie, and the kids, I watched my seventh graders sit in the floor and watch YouTube videos to teach themselves how to crochet so they could help. They crocheted eight sleep mats for the homeless. And they were donated to the Helping the Homeless organization in Gloucester, seven of them. They were zero waste projects because the they decided after we started cutting and making the strips, we discovered there was a huge amount of the plastic bag left over that was not used to make what we call

037plarn or plastic yarn. So, we discussed it with them is what can we do with this? You know, there's got to be something else we can repurpose this for. And they said, well, everybody needs a pillow. Regardless of what their status is, everybody needs a pillow. So, they extended the length of the mat and folded it over and then encased and slip stitched that closed to include all of the scrap or a good portion of it into making a pillow for that mat. Those young ladies were very disappointed when they did not place to go to the national competition and we were extremely confused. We have gone over the rubrics from the state and there were a couple of things that I scratched my head on that worked for every other project that's out there

038but not for this one. Um but they ended up with a gold medal regardless. But they were the fifth in line. So if one of the top three do not participate in nationals, they can still go to nationals with that gold. The next one Miss Macy Kenyon and Lilly McDaniel. These girls, I told them I said there's this really cool project that I'd really like to see somebody take on one year and they said what's that? And I said it's called food innovations. And we'd never competed in it before, didn't know what we were getting ourselves into, but these girls have worked unbelievably hard and they created a unique prototype recipe called the crab pepper poppers with a punch. And we took them sample took samples all around the school and we actually had some

039people take the recipe and remake it to see how it worked. Dr. Greaves said it's one of the best things he's ever tasted and it will be showcased in the Virginia 250 cookbook that we're working on shameless plug, I need recipes, please. Um because I can't make them all myself. And these girls came back with a first place gold medal national qualifiers. The next one and like I said, these are in no particular order. These were just as they came to my mind. This young lady standing right here in the Matthews uniform wearing the Matthews dirt who just ran off the softball field to make it here tonight. She and her partner Fallen Cook in the back of the polka dots. They took over a project that was started last year and those board members

040that were present would remember the Matthews Cares petition. Well, Fallen's step sister um had started that project but then had to unfortunately move to another county. And so Fallen said, "Well, I'll take it over." And Grace jumped in to help. They did public policy advocacy. And they picked up where Matthews Cares left off and the Thursday before we left for state conference. They got the final okay. They won their advocacy project and there will be convex mirrors placed at Richardson's Corner. So, if anybody would like to donate to help off the cost I'll set the cost, that'd be great. But Matthews Visitor Center and the Matthews County uh maintenance department are going to partner with us. We're going to get the mirror and put a bar off of the Visitor Center off of Lee Store

041to increase visibility at Richardson's Corner. So, I I couldn't be more proud. Um the next one sorry, didn't finish that one. They took a first place silver medal. They're also national qualifiers. And then making it a family affair, uh Grace's sister Savannah, who is a seventh grader at Thomas Hunter, dove in deep and she said, "Well, I want to do career investigations." And she interviewed not one, which was the minimum, but two of two female sergeants in the Gloucester and Mathews police departments to talk about how few women police officers there are on the force. She earned a bronze medal first time ever competing and a new FCCLA member. Still nothing shabby there. Not able to be here with us tonight is Abby Henry and Abby continued the sensory support backpack project this year and

042she competed in what was called national programs in action to show how the national FCCLA planning process is utilized to complete a project. She earned a bronze medal for that. Um One of our other softball players is not able to be here right now um along with her two partners Ariel and Eleysia in the back. They did the chapter service project display level one which is for seventh and eighth graders continuing the breakfast bags for the homeless project. This year they expanded that project and did a fall food drive to benefit Hands Across Mathews and gave them seven cases of food in addition to delivering breakfast bags to helping the homeless this year. They were a second place gold medal national qualifying team. In addition to that we had chapter service project portfolio level two.

043That's all about the babies supporting families with the unexpected and this project we combined weighted angels project that we had been doing for two years along with another organization called Care Net of the Virginia Peninsula that helps families who are unexpectedly expecting and they offer all kinds of supplies and resources to families to help offset the shock of finding out that you're expecting a child that you didn't know was coming. Um they were a second place gold medal national qualifier. Excuse me, silver medal national qualifier. Uh the eighth one, chapter service project portfolio level one, care bags for cancer warriors. Miss Autumn Sagelini, that was my gold medalist last year in fashion construction, was stricken last August when her grandmother, and a very dear friend of mine, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. And Autumn, for

044some reason we we we had started into fashion construction again this year and I kept saying, "It just doesn't seem like your heart's in it this year. What do we need to do? Can we change? What can we do to fix it?" And we we were talking and came to the decision that maybe something a little different, that was a little more significant and meaningful in her life right now would be the project for her. And she created a an Amazon wish list and she started collecting donations. And right before we left for spring break, she and her partner, Emily Hernandez, and I went to the Gloucester Cancer Center and delivered what their goal was 25, they delivered 50 care bags for cancer warriors. Unfortunately, her grandmother, Miss Sendra, passed away shortly before this. So,

045in her honor and in my mother's honor, we worked hard to see that one through. She ended up with a bronze medal this year for a project that she went into blindly. She at midyear, she hadn't started it early like the rest. But still a bronze medal. And third place. So, if one of the first two in that category do not register for conference, she will be with her partner a national qualifier. Right now, we are waiting to hear. We have to raise the funds to get everybody registered. She does intend to go. So, we will get her registered and hope that we will get that as well. Um Chapter service project display level two, spreading love and joy at CHKD. God love them. Miss Hayes and I we had quite the experience in co-teaching

046for several weeks because in my study hall block and in my seventh-grade FCS block, she would bring her three young ladies down who had competed at Thomas Hunter previously. Um she would bring them down to my classroom and I had the sewing machines out and we made we our goal was 50 pillowcases and 25 tie blankets and we made 75 pillowcases and 26 tie blankets to deliver to Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters patients to give them a little bit of love around Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day. Their project was a third place. Wait a minute. Nope. Fifth place gold medal. Then and they're all playing sports right now. So, good job for them. Then the focus on the children was a new project for us this year. There over 90 projects that these

047kids can participate in. Um and we spend a great deal of time going over what their passion is and what drives them. Focus on the children. Last year I had three young ladies that was Gracie and her two partners, Jordan West who is playing softball and Eloise who's on a boat somewhere with crew. Um they wrote a book last year for financial literacy called Five Penguins with Pennies. It's as cute as a button and their goal was when they came back from states last year to have it published. So they looked and looked and looked. They researched publishers. Didn't quite work the way we wanted, but our friends at the Gazette Journal were ever so kind to help us out and they printed copies and bound copies of their book for sale. And then to

048go along with their book, they planned and orchestrated thank you for not calling a snow day that snow event that evening. In the midst of the crazy snow, they had planned and gotten financial donations as well as games and toys and stickers and all these things to do giveaways and hosted their own family math night at the elementary school. Not as publicized or not as as as many people showed up as we had hoped, but we did end up with what? An inch and a half of snow that day starting at 3:00 and our event was at 5:00. So they went and they were shocked. They were sitting in the national qualifiers place and every else everybody had been called and they're like, we're still sitting here. What is this? And they were a first

049place gold medal national qualifying team. And the last one was the chapter service project display level three. Two of our seniors who are getting ready to leave us unfortunately. Don't cry. Um these young ladies did a fall coat drive. Coats for kids. And 50 six donated 56 brand new coats to children and teens here in Matthews through the Department of Social Services. Those young ladies were also gold medalists. So, we cannot be more proud. And I'm pretty sure these girls put Matthews on the map. Oh, yeah. >> It's awesome. >> They put Matthews on the map. They were the best behaved. I didn't have any issues. Their rooms were clean. When it was time to leave, it was absolutely a spectacular trip. Our next stop is Washington, D.C. Which during the the sesqu- I can't

050say it, but anyway, that thing. The 250. Um, it's a great opportunity for some of these kids who have never been to Washington, D.C. Because we stopped the field trips up to D.C. for a season. Some of these girls have never been to Washington, D.C. So, Ms. Hayes and I have we've put the word out. So, I hope the public forgives me for standing with my tin cup. I'm going to get one engraved with my name on it and FCCLA, I promise. Um, we are working towards a very expensive endeavor because almost all of these young ladies want to attend. There are 11 of the 25 who are currently scheduled to compete in the Nationals. And then five additional that are second in line to compete. So, they have to be registered in order to

051have that opportunity. It's a very expensive trip. And we are working hard. We will be at Mayfair. We wanted everybody to see what the the kids had done here. And we are going to be at Locust Grove Church to thank them for their donations and wherever else that will have us. So, we are looking forward to seeing this through and they will compete July 6th through the 10th. We leave on the 5th. And we're ready to go. So, if you would give them one more huge hand. Miss Hayes, Miss Williams, this is what it's all about. You are the leaders making leaders. This is an unbelievable story. Uh where do you go from here? That's what I asked Miss Hayes. I mean only up, I know. I know we we just we can't say enough

052about you. We wish you the best of luck in July at Nationals. Great job, young ladies. Great amazing amazing job. Board members, do you have a comment, too? What a great time to go to DC. >> Absolutely. You know, I couldn't you couldn't pick a better place or better time of it. So, that's very exciting um that they're able to go and I look forward to hearing about all about it when they return. Just watch. It'll be there. I We We actually um Maya Schrader, one of the um CHKD project girls, two years ago actually started trying to implement a booster program for FCCLA specifically. So, that is a potential for us because I know the community is probably getting very tired of hearing me beg for money. But, if if it were coming through

053the boosters, it might make it a little easier so that it's not all falling to two people and the families. But, our local churches have jumped in and they have rallied around these girls and us and supported us with every step of the way. We also found out this weekend that the World's Fair is going to be in Washington D.C. on the National Mall while we are there. The World's Fair. So, there's a potential if we raise enough money that we might be doing that as well. And yes, we accept cash, checks, AND CREDIT CARDS. VENMO, CASH APP. IF WE COULD, we would, but that violates our financial policies. This stinks has a comment. >> Yes, ma'am. I just want to say thank you for what the teachers you all are doing, have done, will

054do, and it is wonderful to see some of these students that I saw a number of years ago in the classroom. Hats off to you all, and I have a tank cup also. Great job, everyone. Yes, the bus drivers have tried to get together and get some money, but I have a tank cup for you. Oh my goodness. I told you I wouldn't cry. You are well-loved and well-supported. Great job, Mrs. Williams. It takes a village. It does. And we have a really good one. It takes a village. Thank you. Thank you. I have a comment, too. Yes, Ms. Bohannon Stewart. Um I've I've been listening in, and I just want to thank Ms. Williams and Ms. Hayes. I know what they do take so many hours outside of normal required school hours, and you

055know, when they should be taking a break from school and everybody else taking a break from school, they aren't. And um I just really appreciate you know, you all that you do for our students, and we are so lucky to have you. Thank you. Agreed. Very very good. So true. Moving on now to item three. We have questions or comments from our school board student representative, Ms. Ward. Good to see you tonight. Thank you. Sorry. Thank you. Okay, so here's the report for Matthews Elementary School. Family Literacy Night themed Step Right Up into Reading was a huge success thanks to the incredible planning of our reading leadership team. The evening kicked off with the carnival themed dinner followed by a presentation by Ms. Grothouse who shared insights on MTSS for families. Next, families received a

056passport and traveled through a variety of carnival-inspired stations set up in the gym. To wrap up the night, students gathered in the cafeteria for a drawing, popcorn, and snow cones. It was a joyful evening filled with learning, laughter, and a shared appreciation of reading. Matthews Elementary School would like to thank Concerts by the Bay, Matthews Community Foundation, and Virginia Commission for the Arts for bringing a performance by the Virginia Stage Company to our third, fourth, and fifth grade students. Our students loved Green Beats, a play about the importance of recycling. The performance was engaging and the students had a great time. Last week, Mrs. McLair, Mrs. Edmonds, Ms. Haines, and our third and fourth grade teachers and students hosted a fabulous patriotic themed showcase in honor of the VA 250. It was a very cute

057performance and the crowd gave rave reviews. Thank you to the VA 250 committee for judging the students' artwork and and for providing the winners with cash prizes. You can see the winners on the Matthews Elementary School Facebook page. Last week, the MES family purpled up for military kids and tomorrow we will get fancy for our spring pictures. We are preparing for kindergarten camp which will be hosted at Matthews Elementary School on May 21st at 5:00 p.m. It will be an informative evening to help set students and families up for success for the upcoming school year. Please tell everyone you know to get their rising kindergarten students registered so they can attend. We can't wait to meet our new friends. Everyone staying focused and working hard so that they can finish the year strong. Here's the

058report for the Thomas Hunter Middle School Seahawks. They have had a great month. Congratulations to our students who placed at the FCCLA State Convention. For food innovations, we have the crab pepper poppers by Lily McDaniel and Macy Kenyon. They got first place gold and were national qualifiers. For career investigations, we had women on the police women on the police force by Savannah Keel. She got bronze and congratulations to Madison Ball and McKinley Wyatt for their work at the competition. Mrs. Williams and her FCCLA students are working on a VA 250 celebration cookbook. If you're interested in submitting a recipe for the book, please contact her at Matthews High School with a delicious recipe. Thomas Hunter Middle School faculty and staff would like to say a big thank you to the Matthews 250 organization for supporting

059seventh grade students to attend a trip to the Virginia Capital. Students had a great time learning about Virginia law and had an opportunity to picnic at to picnic at Maymont Park. Thank you, Matthews 250. The following students were selected by their teachers as students of the month. Congratulations to Giovanna Ardila, Lily Anderson, Naomi Vicente, and Aubriana Daniel. Friday, April 24th, there will be a there will be a vaccination clinic for rising seventh grade students. Forms were sent home last week if parents are interested in using this service. The Matthews Health Department will be here to administer vaccines and if parents are interested in having vaccines done at school, please be sure to send the forms back to school. THMS is excited about the new transition to one pre-K through seven school. As part of the

060transition phase, the THMS office will be relocated to Matthews Elementary School starting on Monday, April 27th. Here are some of the logistics. Thomas Hunter Middle School students will will to enter and exit Thomas Hunter as they have all year. The school phones will be forwarded to Mathews Elementary and the office staff at MES will support our students. Any student who arrives after 8:30 will need to go to Mathews Elementary School to enter the building as there will be no one in the Thomas Hunter Middle School office to allow them into the building. If any parent needs to pick up a student early, please go to Mathews Elementary School and the MES staff will call into the classroom for them to leave. There will be someone manning the Thomas Hunter Middle School office again at 2:30

061to support our Seahawks at the end of the day. We know this is going to be a change for our school, but we feel confident that the transition to one consolidated main office will be a smooth one as we prepare for the fall. Thank you for your support to our staff and students. And then for the high school, April has been a very exciting month as our juniors as our juniors and seniors prepare for prom this Saturday. In March, students from our journalism and yearbook classes visited the studio of WTKR NewsChannel 3 for a live taping of the morning show and then toward the newsroom and studio learning how each each aspect of the organization works. We also enjoyed great music from our jazz band and percussion ensemble at our coffee shop jazz fundraiser on

062March 25th. Students participated in mock interviews as part of our career exploration in March followed by career day on March 19th. Students in eighth grade explored courses in our career and technical education department and we really appreciate the help of Mathews 4-H with our reality store for freshmen. Sophomores and juniors had the opportunity to listen to speakers from various career fields while seniors worked on scholarship applications after participating in their mock interviews. Congratulations to the members of our Blue Devil Band for their great assessment performance in March. They received a superior rating in sight reading and an overall excellent rating. We had many of our students qualify for area band and congratulations to Hunter Owens for being recognized for all state band. The 70 students of the Key Club have been very busy during the

063past month as well. They collected food items for the Gloucester Mathews Humane Society and made dog toys from recycled t-shirts. They also raised $600 from bingo night to enhance the courtyard at Mathews High School. The Key Club also traveled with their faculty advisor, Miss Morse, to the Key Club Capital District Convention for the first time and were very well represented. Many of our student leaders attended the Josten's attended the Josten's Leadership Collaborative event at Gloucester High School at the beginning of April with Mrs. Newsome and Mrs. Hubbard. We really appreciate the fun and positive ideas they brought back to share with our students. Congratulations to all of our students who participated in the FCCLA State Leadership and Recognition Conference in Virginia Beach. Three teams earned bronze awards, three teams earned silver, and there were five

064teams from Mathews who earned gold and qualified for nationals. This is truly an honor. We really appreciate the hard work of our students as well as Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Hayes for all their hard work in achieving success. Great report. Thanks, Miss Board. Item 4.1 under student achievement is a star data report from Dr. Daniel. All right, so we well, in the way for you. Come on. Testing. Testing. Bueller. Okay. Um so, um we've heard like seen great examples of student achievement already tonight from athletic competition to sort of um our FCCLA um students and the just real-world projects that they're participating in. So, we'll talk a little bit about um sort of the more the mundane sort of academic aspect of student achievement with our STAR report. So, tons of again, so every time

065I go through STAR data, um it's uh a slide with a lot of numbers on it. So, I've tried a couple different ways to sort of break that down. Um one of the things I I want the board and folks in in attendance, but also at home to um also keep in mind is that and it's kind of hard to see, but in that 24-25 column, um STAR was re-normed. So, they re-normed all of their benchmarks and their sort of expected measures after COVID. So, those norms went down, which meant that there was an opportunity for what I would say artificial or inflation of student achievement. So, we did we adjusted our norms to stay the same when STAR adjusted in 24-25. So, I say that so as we see the growth from the 24-25

066and into this year, that's based on a higher set of expectations than the typical STAR norm. So, we kept our norms kind of the same um to have a little higher expectation. And we talked, I think, back in January when we talked about the winter screening, really starting to see some some traction in the the MTSS process and the benefit from our HQIM materials and all-in tutoring and just a lot of the initiatives that we've been able to put in place um for student instruction. So, So, just I'm going to highlight a couple things. So, in a looking at it in a couple different ways. So, when we look at reading in second grade, so that fall screening, we started at 28% of our students for reading at benchmark. So, that's an early early September

067when that fall screening took place. At our spring screening, which was right before spring break. And so, everybody's antsy, everybody's ready to go for spring break, it's warm outside, spring fever is hitting. But, the growth from 28% up to 63% is significant. Significant. So, the work from those second-grade teachers, those families, our reading specialists, um are are to be commended. And keeping in mind, too, most of our grade levels are somewhere around the 55 at the elementary school, or about 55 students per grade level. So, um every student is about kind of two percentage points. So, you can kind of think through like apply that percentage and kind of divide by two to um get you to that the actual number of of students. So, another way to look at it, too, is looking at

068last year's second-grade group and this year's second-grade group. Different group of kids, but same grade level. So, in the spring last year, second grade was at 42%. Now, this year's second-grade group looking at 63% again. Large large gains made. Okay, but let's let's look at the same kids. So, last year in second grade, we had 42 again, that 42%. This year in the spring, that same group of kids is now now has 56% of our kids meeting that um that benchmark, that national benchmark for um being being on grade level. Okay? Last year's um last year's group in third grade to this year's group in fourth grade. Again, trying to compare same cohort of kids. Last year that group about the same time 56%. This year at 69%. Again. All right. So, taking a look

069at reading at in grade 6 through 8. Again, highlighting a couple things. So, looking at just the number of students at benchmark from the winter moving into the spring, but also looking at the number of students who are sort of moving up from urgent into intervention to on watch and then into benchmark. So, there's kind of a flow of students who while they might not quite be at benchmark um they're not at intervention. They're sort of moving up to on watch. The number of students well, one it looks like one less student who was in that urgent category, but starting like the interventions, the extra time, the tutoring starting to starting to pay off. Again, just growth in that grade level in that sixth grade level over the year. So, a growth again from students

070who are at benchmark and again starting to see the number of students who may have been at that intervention level are now sort of kind of trickling trickling up uh you know, up the achievement ladder if you will. Again, so looking at another way to look at it too. We talked a little about kind of following that cohort. So, following that cohort from seventh grade last year during the spring looking at that group um again this year. So, the reduction in the number of students who are at that urgent level that number reducing from 13 down or that percent reducing from 13 down to five. Um a slight increase in the number of students who were at benchmark level. Um so again, just seeing seeing growth um coming from hard work and tutoring. All right,

071transitioning a little bit to look at math. Math's probably where we've made the largest gains um in in grades kind of second through second through eighth grade. So, looking at again, just second grade, gains for this year, you can look at just the number of students at the benchmark level, but I think it's also important to look at the number or the percentage of students at the urgent and intervention level in the fall, and then kind of go across two more columns and just see the massive growth in second grade in math. Um comparing grade levels, so last year third grade, this year third grade. Sort of where we were last year at a 58% of our students at benchmark, this year being at um 70s 70%. You can also look at where that third

072grade group started in the fall at 43% on benchmark, to now being at 70% on benchmark. Um again, just um quite large gains. And then, following that cohort, this year's fourth grade group, what they looked like in third grade, um now at 70% at benchmark, last year at 58. Looking at grades 6, 7, and 8 in mathematics, again, some gains in that sixth grade group um moving up from 51% up to 62% um a reduction in the number of students um identified at that intervention level um and a reduction in the number of students who are at that on watch. Again, kind of same pattern in seventh grade. And then again, at eighth grade. Any questions on STAR? Again, STAR is somewhat linked to it's supposed to be aligned with SOL, so it gives us

073some diagnosis It gives teachers some diagnostic tools for skills that may need re-teaching or further development. So, this is coupled with CIP that we're in the first year of using CIP benchmarks um to kind of that would be more um criterion based. So, we're kind of trying to see how that CIP benchmark works um for predictability for us for SOL testing. So, I can do some reporting on that in the summer once we get a little better idea of um once we get some SOL scores back and we can start taking a look at um those those CIP benchmarks. Um so, I'm optimistic with growth from last year, what we saw kind of where our kids were, STAR performance, and then how that that looked on last year's SOL test compared to where we are

074right now and what that looks like. So, I'm I'm optimistic about um kind of SOL testing season coming up in a few short weeks. So, I just I think you had a question. >> um Is it the same level test that they take throughout or is it um more challenging than the It grows with them over the years. So, so the the mark keeps moving up as they go along. Thank you. My question uh is regarding the MTSS effort >> Mhm. and how um that's been coming along in in terms of protocols and implementation and experience level. Is that Is that contributing meaningfully to the the digging into these these numbers and and really addressing kids' specific needs? Yeah. >> the Friday before spring break, um we we made the great decision to have professional

075developments on the day before um everybody leaves for spring break. And it actually worked um it worked out pretty well. So, the kids um kids got got a head start on spring break. Um, but our MTSS coaches came in. Um, we had a half-day session here at the high school. Um, had a quick turnover, then had a well, half-day is I think it was hour and a half, maybe 2 hours um here at the high school and then we transitioned over to the other campus and work for about an hour and a half, 2 hours talking about kind of the the overall philosophy with MTSS, reinforcing that understanding with teachers. Why are we doing the things that we are doing? How all of these different assessments sort of fit under the umbrella of MTSS and

076how it's how it's evolving and we're getting a little bit better, incrementally better um each day, each month, each meeting. Um, the principals have done a good job of um formula well, kind of um systematically putting it consistency with data meetings and what questions we are asking with data meetings, what data we are relying on to make decisions. Um, the teachers have bought into the MTSS process. They're buying into their participating in CIP, the com- the comprehensive instructional program that is developing the benchmarks. They're doing training. So, we we've got a a pretty broad um group of people who are involved in the MTSS process. So, it's not just the three people who are saying this is what we are going to do. We've been able to sort of grow the leadership and grow that

077within the schools and allow it allow it to spread. And I think the teachers are starting to see the benefits of the process. It's not a open It's not a program. It's not just a you open the book and follow the script. It's a process. You morph it to fit what works in your building or your your division. The timeline is completely flexible. So, you know, we've gone about this much more slowly than I think I would have initially wanted it to do. Um but I think I tend to act quickly. Um so, I think this having the MTSS coaches has allowed the process to really like marinate and go slowly and allowed the time for the buy-in and the process to to take hold. So, um it's not it's it's not a quick fix.

078It's not a it's not an overnight kind of thing. It's, you know, I want more now. Um but, you know, I think again, like I was explaining I met with a math teacher after the meeting um we had here at the high school. And so, he had some concerns about the validity of the math STAR data because in the winter screening Google Lens was still active on the Chromebooks. Well, Google Lens is an AI product that the students were using to answer the questions on the STAR math test and also in the CI some of the CIP activities. So, once we kind of realized what was happening, Mr. Anthony worked to deactivate Google Lens. Um but I shared with him the difference in the um eighth grade math from winter to spring. And so, there

079is a a slight drop-off, but it's not um it's not as dramatic as what he was expecting it to be. But it also allowed me to show him I have I keep a master spreadsheet on all the all the STAR data. So, I was showing him the growth in third grade, fourth grade, fifth grade, sixth grade, so he could see that each year that foundation gets a little bit higher. And so they, you know, as they're getting high school students, the math skills each year are going to be broader and stronger and deeper that they won't have to go back as far to reteach. Um, so um, the, you know, we're we're sending the high school stronger math students year after year after year, stronger readers year after year after year. So, um, he was

080quite encouraged both you know, from the he the impact of Google Lens, but also the impact from this this training session that he had just sat through. Excellent. Slow, steady, stable progress. Yep. Good. Very good. All right. All right, I'm going to keep One. Item five, citizens' questions, comments, or requests. Comments not pertaining to personnel or student matters. Protocol for public comment period. Mathews County residents and school employees wishing to speak should sign up with their name and address on the sheet provided. Each individual will have 3 minutes to speak. Comment period will end after 90 minutes. All comments should be directed to the school board. Speakers shall not address matters involving students or personnel, as these topics may violate confidentiality and are not appropriate in a public forum. Public comment is the school board's

081opportunity to listen to the speaker. Since our purpose is to hear from you, the board will not engage in dialogue with the audience or whomever is at the podium. Matters requiring a response will be directed to the superintendent for research and response. The superintendent may report back on such matters at a subsequent business meeting session as appropriate. The school board carefully considers your comments when deciding on matters brought before us. We appreciate your attendance and your input. Mr. John Matheson is our first speaker at the podium. Bless you. Good evening everyone. Um it is uh coming up into May, we're going to have our dine to donate. And I'm here on behalf of the GICL Foundation. So, it will be Tuesday, May 12th at Richardson's, uh lunch and dinner. And this is going to be

082one of our dedicated dine to donates, uh which means the money that is raised will be dedicated to one purpose, and that is going to be student and classroom supplies for the 2026 and 2027 school year. Um so, please come out and support us so we can help take the burden off the teachers uh for next year's uh supplies. I also like to thank our sponsors who we can't do this without them and the community. And our sponsors for this uh are are basically New Point Life Services, Werneck Produce, and WaterPro. So, I'd like to thank them for their generous donations to this as well. Uh this helps us raise money for lots of fun things. Um this is the type of thing that we can and we can get very involved with the national

083FCCLA uh and donate money to that to help make that possible for them, and that's already been done. And I also would like to uh announce that we have uh made our scholarship appointments for this year for they're both $1,000 scholarships. Uh and we usually give out one per year. And this year we said, "What the heck, let's give two." Um so, the two recipients this year are Miss Ellie Congrove and Miss Morgan Sterns. And we couldn't be more proud of both of them. Uh Ellie will be going to uh the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. And Morgan will be going to uh Christopher Newport University. So, again, it's our pleasure to do so. And we hope we see everyone on Tuesday, May 12th at Richardson's for our next dine and donate. Thank you.

084Thank you, Mr. Mathieson. Thank you for all the hard work that you do for our schools. You have it on the calendar, everybody. We do not have anybody else signed up on the sheet. Would anyone else like to approach? Mr. Childress, please state your name and address. All right, can't get that to work. Ken Childress, Gloucester, Virginia. Um I'm just going to thank the board for their support of the robotics program. We're working on um the auto shop to change it into a classroom lab. We've already got that. And uh I have a friend um Max Albert. And he's going to tell his experience on his experience with the competition in robotics. >> Wonderful. Hey, thank you. Uh my name is Maxol Albert. Uh and I'm a Virginia Tech grad and municipal and wastewater control

085systems engineer. Um but before all that, and the reason I drove up here from Poquoson, um I was a straight-C student through 10th grade. And obviously something changed for me to go to Virginia Tech. Um it wasn't because I wasn't intelligent, it's because I did not have a vision uh for what I wanted to do in my life. Uh FIRST Robotics and robotics programs like it are what changed that. Um pretty much within 6 months of Atlee High School uh up in Mechanicsville creating its robotics program um I finally found a purpose for everything I was learning. The math, the science, everything. Uh we created our team um every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday most importantly, we had all find time to visit the school um 8 hours on Saturday and work on our designs, work

086on our uh graphic arts, work on the program for the robot, build the robot, um do some fundraising, and uh you know, it really in the end ultimately what it does is it almost kind of simulates what it's like to work at an actual company because it requires all those moving parts, not just engineers and programmers. Um you know, it changed my life obviously. Uh I was on a fast track to go nowhere. Um and you never know how many students uh are going to change their life because they finally see something to do with what they're learning. Um so, I want to, you know, just advocate uh find ways to uh allow as much time as the students need in this program at the school. Uh parents can contribute as much as they want

087to, whether it's carpool driving, making meals for the students, or even helping you know, build the robots, design the robots. So, um I just want to uh thank you guys for giving me your time tonight. I know it's a 3-minute window. Got a long drive home, but thank you for letting me speak tonight. Mr. Albert, thank you for being here. This is a wonderful testimonial to the robotics, the concept of this class and club. And Mr. Childress is a silent warrior in that effort, but we appreciate you augmenting his testimony of of how it's changing children's lives and young men young adults' lives. Oh, yeah. Great. Thank you for being here. Thank you. Thank you. Is there anyone else who'd like to approach the podium tonight? Bobby Dotson, 1050 Run Point, Cobb's Creek, Virginia. I

088was looking at your uh expenditures to date and uh those fuel wasn't a whole lot of money designated for fuel. And uh I was looking at spare parts. So, before the end of the year, I would top off my fuel and get some extra spare parts that you can look and see what your record would be for the year. So, you spend that money and you you're that far ahead for next year. Also, let's get back to the bus supervisor. I don't know what you're going to do, but you're going to be hurting if you don't have somebody replace Mr. Boyd. Uh you can't divide that in between two people. Neither one of them have a certified license to inspect buses. And I imagine their management skills are not that great. They're They're mechanics. So,

089I would highly advise that you come up with the money from somewhere. Uh we still got the slush fund for the books. Might be a good place to pull out of. But, uh I hope we will find a wood shop teacher before school starts. Um you're going to have 40-some students, I imagine, that would not be taking that class at all grade levels. And I hate to see that not happen. These young people that were here tonight goes to show you that if you start people off at the community level when they're young, they'll stay with it. I mean, you've got a a wonderful teachers here with the FCCLA, and they learned that when they were in that class, I can guarantee you. So, you got these young kids today and they're picking up, hopefully

090replacing us old geezers that are going by the wayside one by one. Some Some days it worries me that we're not pushing these kids a little bit into some of this stuff. Um I can I can remember my father taking me to two widows when I was young. And he said, "You will shovel their sidewalk, and you will cut their grass, and don't you dare ask for a dime." Civics. Thank you, Mr. Dobson. Is there anyone else who'd like to approach the podium before we close? There being none, well, we'll move on to item six, Superintendent's informational reports. Item 6.1 is math pathways presentation by Mrs. Cindy Gray. Mrs. Gray, if you want the remote, I snagged it. Sorry. Good evening, everyone, and I'm here to give you an update on what we have going

091on with our mathematics. And this is what's happening in Matthews, but it's also what's happening in statewide. Okay? Okay. So, in February of last year, we had health a house bill and it said that each school board shall develop and adopt a policy that sets forth the criteria for students in grades five through eight to be eligible to enroll in advanced or accelerated math. So, it's saying we have to come up with a way to advance students in math who are passing the SOLs, making the grades, doing all the things that we want to see. And in in your packet, you have our policy. Everybody see that? Yes. Okay. So, it goes on to say that students in grades five through eight who earn a grade level upper quartile score at the end of each

092year on their standards of learning assessment will be automatically enrolled in advanced or accelerated math. Okay, provided that we offer that course. So, what we did this year because the way this rolled out, like it sounded like, well, this happened in February, right? But, then we had these upper quartile scores and VDOE provided the upper quartile scores and those did not come to us until the end of June. So, Ms. Simpson and I, the middle school principal, were really trying to come up with a plan, trying to figure it out, what could we do, what kind of resources, textbooks, and things could we provide to our students so it wasn't a haphazard um something that was just kind of put together very quickly and not well thought out. So, um, we decided to do was,

093um, we would have advanced math in grades 5, 6, 7, and 8. And well, not 8, 5, 6, and 7. Because when they, um, a lot of times the kids go to algebra, the kids who can go to algebra. So, um, we decided to come up with advanced math 5, 6, and 7. And that was right about the time that the state came out, and this was probably mid-July, and said, "If you haven't rolled out a program," and about half of the state had rolled out a program without really all the resources that they needed. So, the the state they they came out and said, "If you if you haven't rolled it out, you can wait and do it next year." Which is where we are now. So, we had a sigh of relief, but

094I was in lots of meetings with other folks who were very upset because they rolled it out because they were told they had to. And then then the state said, "Well, wait a minute." So, it it last summer was very busy for us. Okay? So, now we've got to There's There's more to the bill. And let me just progress the slide. So, the bill goes on to say that parents must have the opportunity to opt out their student. So, we automatically enroll them, okay? If they get that upper quartile score. But, a parent can say, "I understand they scored well, but it's not the right fit for my child." For various reasons, okay? Um, it also says that we need to establish multiple pathways. And I'm going to talk a little bit more about those

095multiple pathways. But, like so that it's not just one thing that can get a student in. Um, and and also we need to inform parents of students in grades 5 through 8 annually about the criteria. What do they need to do to get into advanced classes? And then, this is a really important part, according to the state, notification of middle school coursework and the impact of middle school mathematics and the mathematics courses available within the division. So, kind of like a roadmap. If you do this, then this can happen. Okay? So, the why, this is why this is what VDOE is telling us. The why is that if students don't get to at least Algebra 2 in high school, VDOE says that it can hinder students moving on to college. And we want to make

096it so more students have the opportunity to go to college. Okay? So, the state rolled this out in a document called, um, technical resource document for school divisions. And it's all the pathways that they they talked to different school divisions about what they were doing. And so, when you look at this, it it tells us different ways. So, the end result being that some students get to geometry. This is not the pathway for all students. Okay? It is some students. And then some it can top out at geometry or it can top out at algebra. Okay? So, what I did is I reviewed all these materials with the local advisory gifted committee. And um, we talked about all the pros and cons. Um, we did this over several meetings. And ultimately, we came up with

097going with pathway two. So, in fifth grade, students would get an uh um, upper quartile score. That's a that the state tells us what that upper quartile score is, okay? We don't determine that. And then, according to math pathway two, in sixth grade, they would take all of sixth grade and half of seventh grade math. And then in seventh grade, they would take that second half of seventh grade math, all of eighth grade, and then in eighth grade, they would take geometry. Again, this is not for every student. Okay? They have to demonstrate that they are ready for this. All right? So, some ideas for the development of portfolios, because remember we talked about multiple pathways, um we could um have a team approach including um our math specialist, principal, assistant principal, one or the

098other, teachers, and then we would look for teacher, parent, and student recommendation becomes because sometimes if a student really wants to do something and they put their mind to it, it's good to give them the opportunity. Um we could also have a data review, and we could use the these are assessments that we already have in place. Um in that three is given in second grade. Um the MAP, which is Measures of Academic Achievement, is given in fourth grade. We have STAR data, which also gives us a percentile. We have SOL data. We have grades. We have um parent parent and teacher recommendations. Like, the teachers know who are very strong in math. And the strength in this is that one isolated data point does not prevent a student from getting in. Like, we're looking

099for um multiple data points that demonstrate achievement. And so, that's all I have. I wanted to give you an update on that, but I know you may have some questions. Yes, ma'am. Um, so pathway two Mhm. um, does not include geometry. So, if a student was very gifted in math, would that preclude them from being able to get to geometry by the eighth grade? We've had students over the years that have been able >> We have. We have. And some take an algebra two, I believe, in the eighth grade, but so would that preclude them from being able to do that? >> So, this is the beginning of laying out that plan, and then we will continue that talk and how can students get to geometry? That's what I think. Okay. Thank you. Also, you've

100heard lots of talk about the CIP. Okay. So, the CIP will, um, support this because they will provide pacing guides for these new classes because right now we don't teach sixth grade and half of seventh, right? So, they will provide the pacing guides, they will provide the benchmarks, and they will provide, um, kind of unit assessments, chapter tests, things like that. I think another thing just for the the board to keep in mind is we I don't think we went into depth or Ms. Gray really didn't go into depth in terms of handouts for quartiles and trying to overwhelm with numbers. And part of the it's not how a student scores on the SOL test. So, it's not I think traditionally we've looked at, well, if they got a 500, if they passed advanced. This

101This isn't that metric. It's if they were in the top quartile of the students who took it that year. So, the top quartile may be for math six, it may be a 435. So, that would not, I think, sit Traditionally, you wouldn't suggest somebody who had a 425, a 435, a 445 I you recommend that student for an advanced math track program. So, there's some debate within the state on this legislation. Some of the Some of the background of this, too, was that some school divisions didn't offer advanced pathways. And whether that's because of not having high school certified math teachers teaching available to teach in the middle school, you're not able to bus them from one campus to another. Um and there's probably some school divisions who said, "Well, I want to keep all

102my really high math achievers in that grade level assessment cuz it's going to help our SOL scores." I hope that's not the case, and I hope it's more related to staffing. Um but, there's, you know, some of that strategy goes into the the former ways of looking at accreditation and stuff. So, um we've had pathways for students to accelerate through mathematics. Um we're trying to be responsive to the legislation and adjust our pathway, um working with partners, making sure we've got the right resources. Ms. Grace been in consultation with the gifted advisory committee to get in their input um and and you know, their suggestions and their thoughts on this, so. So, whoops, sorry. Regardless of that quartile score, it is across the state. So, like Dr. Daniel said, maybe it's higher in one grade

103level and lower in the other grade level, but it's based on across the state. So, this is how kids are performing based on how kids are performing in that grade level that to make that an upper quartile, if that makes sense. Mhm. Go ahead, Ms. James. Each grade With the good report that Dr. Daniel just gave us with math, um you see a Why not on? Okay, do you see a lot of a lot more students being able to participate now in this advanced math? Well, at the middle school right now, we have three sections of math, because remember, Dr. Daniel said we have 55 to 60 kids per grade level. So, that's about 20 kids, three sections, so that's about 20 kids in each class, approximately. Right. And then, um we have one section

104of advanced math per grade level, and those teachers are trying to push push those kids, give them opportunity, and and they were based on scores, like I said, Ms. Simpson and I last summer sat down and really tried to look at those scores, and we were we had some shock and awe when we got up when upper quartile scores were released to us, because we were just kind of surprised, but it is what it is, and we're trying to, like Dr. Daniel said, follow the legislation and, you know, adhere to it. And so, um it it's it's a year of figuring it out, but like I said, we do have about 20 kids, give or take, in each grade level. Thank you. Do you have on-ramp, off-ramp for children who it may not have been

105the right decision for them to go into that, and how does that how's that going to work? >> So, what you see so say in sixth say they get an upper quartile score in fifth grade, Mhm. right? Say they take sixth grade and half of seventh, and that doesn't go well. They can go into seventh grade math. Okay. The following year, okay. All right, so these kids will be monitored and be watching for this. Now, how about on-ramps after fifth grade? Well, I think that's something we have to work on. But again, because we are very small, >> it it it's difficult. And so then, >> we're considering the consideration would be jumping >> a grade level. Mhm. Which is because in in sixth and seventh grade math becomes increasingly difficult. >> Right. Um lots

106of algebraic functions introduced there. So, it it it's it's difficult. So, trying to manage that >> Yeah, be tough. Mhm. I think this is a great addition overall. McFee. Thank you. Hey. All right. Okay. Questions? More questions or comments or Thank you. It's very uh It's great. Very interesting. >> comment. It is great. I know you said that you have chosen uh pathway two, which gets the student into algebra one by eighth grade. Um I believe It's been a long time, but I think I took algebra one in eighth grade. Uh but otherwise, for instance, if you look down the pathway four, I know we're not following that, but just to take a quick glance at it, get them in algebra one by seventh grade, geometry by eighth grade. I'm a basics kind of person.

107Get the basics first. Are we trying to fast-track Are we Are we trying to get these students too far, too fast, in other words, and and not cover the basics? I understand. I I completely understand what you're saying. I I believe that it's very few kids that are ready for geometry. They're they're the exception for geometry in eighth grade. And we probably have had six to six-ish per year do that in the past. So, and and like looking at opportunities to sort of separate that out because a lot of times when they get to the high school, what happens is they take that geometry in eighth grade, algebra two in ninth grade. Many of those kids, and we're talking six, so maybe three of those kids had had to Governor's School. And then find, you

108know, continuing them through math, there are scheduling conflicts, there are things that prevent them from being able to continue their math journey. And sometimes they putter out of math because they've done it too much, too soon kind of. Right. My observation when I was teaching was that I had a lot of students in my class that were very good at advanced math. You know, they they caught it. But they missed the basics somewhere. Right. They really they struggled with fractions and you know, just in the multiplication tables, they really struggled with that. So, I'm I'm just concerned if I don't want to see us concentrate on getting them too far, too fast and miss the basics. Well, and this again, even algebra is not for everybody in eighth grade. >> Right. Like so, again, we're

109we're talking a small group. I would say in many ways this kind of slows that track down a touch. Um and I think to nationally, or at least at the state level, the the pendulum has swung a bit from, I think 7 years ago it was hurry hurry hurry algebra one in eighth grade for everybody. And I think that I think kids were just kind of being pushed through in order to get that algebra one in eighth grade for everybody. And so I think they've seen that that doesn't work particularly well so pulling back pulling back a bit on that on that trend. Good. Good. I just I hate to miss the basics. And to that point how does this drive with the new math standards? I mean I'm sure this whole thing was taken

110looked looked at comprehensively to Mr. Morgan's point about making sure that the with the revised standards that those basics are really hit and are solid so that the kids are more competent to go on to these higher level course courses. What's your take on that? Well you know we all acquire skills over our lifetime. And we have skills that if we don't use them they're not as fresh and polished. And some of us can keep those math facts and roll with them and some of us cannot. And so like you need to have that practice. And I you know I don't I don't I don't know I don't know exactly how to answer that question but it's you know everybody has different capacity and So I would add that this this is legislation that came

111out of the General Assembly whereas math standards come out of the Virginia Department of Education. So there's not always coordination in those in those efforts and recommendations back and forth so legislators going to legislate and DOE is is to work on curriculum development and things along those lines. So, I think if if you remember, I think over the summer we talked a little bit about cut scores and a push to increase cut scores. Well, one of the things that with those increased cut scores was the cut score would be higher than the upper quartile performance of some students. So, we would be pushing students into advanced math who um with the new cut scores would not have even passed. So, there's again, you've that's where you get that tension between legislation coming through General Assembly

112versus what's what's in the VDOE. And and I don't know if Dr. Daniel or Ms. Hunley have learned anything new, but I I still do not know if the cut scores from last year will stand or if we anticipate new cut scores. I don't think anybody knows where the cut scores are. >> So, that's That's when the week meets tomorrow is Thursday. So, DVD. So, that's that's kind of the conundrum we're in where we're attempting to implement this and we'll be waiting for it. Like last year I said, you know, it was the end of June before we found out what an upper quartile was. And in some divisions school was starting August 10th. Like that's no time to really I think I appreciate the fact that you do this uh take this step slowly

113and do it wisely. We're trying. And and monitor carefully, yeah. Thank you, Holly. Thank you for this update. Thank you, ma'am. Item 6.2, the attendance update. All right. Thank you. All right, so a quick look March attendance. I think there was a little concern in February cuz some of our numbers had jumped up. Um so I was beginning to have some some concern about chronic absenteeism. Um kind of where we where we were with um in February. We'd had some snow and kind of recovery from snow days and flu and various other things. So March um in short looks a whole lot better in comparison to last year. So we're very much back on track. Uh so you can take a look and see um I I tend to scroll across and go to that

114last column and where we in terms of chronically uh absent students. So this year we're at the high school again 38 right now compared to 58 this time last year. That if if we hold at that number, that keeps us below that 15% mark. I think we're at about 12. This is about 12 to 13% of our students would be at chronically absent. We want to be below 15% of our students being um considered chronically absent. Last year we finished the year at about I think 18. Um So we're on um we're on track right now, but these last last 2 months are critical for attendance especially at the high school. Um making sure students are attending and making sure we have all the documentation. Um again great looking looking solid at at the the

115middle school and the elementary school. One observation to from March to February, just the number of tardies and the average number of students tardy each day has bumped up uh as the the weather has gotten a bit warmer. Uh I don't know. We could try to do some digging to kind of is there is there a pattern? Is it you know, more students have taken on jobs in the spring as they've gotten older and gotten drivers licenses, so they're working later? Is it sports coming in a little bit later? Not really not super sure. Um, but I do want to So, I'm I want you to take a quick look between February and March. So, what's on the screen right now is February. So, if you look at again going to that last column, so

116for just taking the high school for example, so 34 students who were chronically absent compared to 30 this time last year in February. Okay? That number, so the number jumped from in February last year to 58 in March. It almost doubled. Okay? Our rate of increase, we went from 34 to 38. So, last year we saw a a huge jump again in the spring that ruined that that chronic absentee rate. You see kind of the the number similarly for the middle school and the elementary school again looking at February, looking at, you know, five students um, that time last year, 11 last year, but then it jumped from five to 23 in a month's time, 11 to 39 in a month's time last year. So, it's just critical for us to keep a handle keep

117working with families on attendance, making sure students continue to attend every day. Um, and doing a, you know, Miss Miss Thomas and the office staff at at the schools are doing a great job working on attendance and communicating attendance. Um, so we're in a good place compared to this point last year, but it's making sure that we continue that we remain in a good place regarding attendance and we're prioritizing students um, coming coming to school. As as the weather gets warmer, we're approaching um summer break and all those things. Any questions about attendance? Okay, I'll ask um Miss Huntley um for uh to do a financial report where she's going to go into a little bit more depth um for with some slides. This go round. Thank you, Miss Huntley. Good evening. Um in your

118packets this time I included a financial summary that in addition to the line item um report and this just highlights the summary of the different categories that we receive for state um federal, the locality, and other local funds. And this is a snapshot of the operating fund. So, as of um the end of March, we received 70% of our revenues that we budgeted. And moving to the expenditures, um this is just a snapshot. It's broken down with um in between different categories. Um you'll see the total for Thomas Hunter, Mathews High School, um the elementary school, and then instructional support. And the gray bar is the total for the whole instruction for that whole function. And I know you see a lot of negatives in there. Um so, just next month we will do an

119amendment to our fiscal year '26 budget once we have our final ADM so that we will true up all those um those lines that are in the negative. And the administration and health services. You got pupil transportation. And at the bottom, you see what grants um the grants fund a more majority of it was budgeted in title one. I think it's just like a budgeting thing that um that we'll again we'll adjust next month to make sure that we have the right funds listed for the right grants. Um anything that's zero again we will adjust that um in the amended budget. And so far as far as for operating fund, we have expended 63.87% of our budgeted. So, I just wanted to highlight some grants that we have. So, um in fiscal year 24, the

120all in grant was distributed to uh school divisions. We received over 240,000 and that was split between 3 years. Um coming into fiscal 26, we had $147,000 still remaining that we had to spend. If not, it will be returned to the state. So, working with uh VDOE and um the budget and finance office, we determined some other areas that we can spend this money down so we don't have to actually return any. Um just waiting for them to approve our amended budget for all in. So, we won't have to return that those funds. Um the early childhood grant and the I teach supplemental grant, um those are two grants that supports licensure. And Ms. Hanley has been great as far as um picking up grants and applying for grants that are out there from VDOE

121uh to make sure that we are supporting our teachers as much as possible. Uh the VTSS grant is $40,000 that we received this year. And again, that's to help support MTSS. Uh Uh, so, that has been a great assistance to that program. And also, we have the math acceleration grant. Uh, and the math innovation grant are two grants that help support math. Of course, um, the acceleration grant helps to teachers that want to expand their endorsements in math. So, if they wanted to pick up another endorsement, there's funds for them to actually um, be able to do that. And the math integration grant, again, it supports the math um, instruction through HQIM for K-12. Uh, and that's over $200,000. And that's going to really help us next year when we're implementing the um, the new

122standards for math for K through 12. And uh, we also received the school improvement grant. It's only for Thomas Hunter, and it's only from it started from February until September 2026. So, um, that's that's just to specifically for the students with disability in reading and mathematics. Um, and for medical reimbursements this year, um, we were able to actually re- get reimbursed for all Medicaid eligible students. In the past, it's only been for students with IEPs. So, this year we were able to submit um, our cost settlement for last year. It's always We receive interim payments through the year for the current year, but the cost settlement is always done in the next uh, year behind. Um, and we were able to, as you see, for fiscal year 25, it was $122,000. And fiscal year 24

123was $48,000. So, we more than doubled our cost settlement for um, reimbursements um, through Medicaid. And are there any questions? Yes, ma'am. Could you elaborate on exactly what you mean by cost settlement? I mean, you bill them, they pay you. I don't understand what cost settlement means. Sure. Um so, during the year that like they have providers that provide services for um OT, PT, speech, um nurses, and our school psychologist, um and they go into a system and anytime they work with a student that's Medicaid, they go in and put that in the uh their hours that they work for um towards billing. So, the cost settlement is basically So, we're taking all of those things that we didn't um get billed for during the year and truing up for that because sometimes we miss

124stuff or say if um we also do like personnel as in that cost report. Um we also have uh outsourced the OT, PT that's not We also put that in the cost report. Any materials and supplies that we use that goes into the cost report. Um bus as far as you can you can do buses. Um next year we are going to start to bill for transportation. So, that'll be another additional um revenue source that comes in. Um can I ask a quick question about the school improvement grant for Thomas Hunter? Is it for the grades or just for the school? Because I mean, you said it's through September, so Thomas Hunter in itself won't exist. Like So, is it for the grades? >> from uh I believe most of the PD is actually scheduled

125so that it's for grade six and seven. So, most of the um the PD and is scheduled before school starts. So, it will be >> Okay. Okay. Done before it starts. Thank you. I have a couple just um couple comments and questions. Uh I think the Medicaid reimbursement situation is is fantastic. That's Thank you. Um regarding the grants, is there any Are there any noticeable strings attached to these grants? Anything that seems onerous or out of the ordinary that No. I mean, as far as the only thing is you can't use it but for what you actually apply for and you can't um and you can't supplant. In other words, if say for instance, we write a grant and we're writing it for a um I guess a new teacher that we're adding to a

126grade level, we can't just use it for our assistant teacher. We have to actually hire a new teacher and use that funds for that. Um and we can't go back and say that okay, now we have this money, we'll use this to support this um this uh different expenditure instead of you know, um but you have to use it for what you apply for. And these are all BDOE grants, so they're not like outside entities or private entities um allocating grant opportunities or creating grant opportunities for the school division. So, um it's just kind of incentive grants, if you will, from the from the state. And some of them are federal. The school improvement grant is a federal grant. >> Okay, finally, um regarding the all in, can we go back to the all in.

127We have 147,000 remaining and and we will be able to apply that appropriately. You're confident in that. My My question, I guess, is for more for Dr. Daniel. When we we don't anticipate receiving additional all in tutoring, so the benefit of this money, I think, has been significant to the progress of our students. Um how will we bridge that gap? Because surely this was this was helpful and and I'm concerned that we we've needed it and what will we do going forward? Um I don't know. Um there's not There's a lot of discussion within the region and across the state about um, the loss of all in tutoring money and the and also the various ways school divisions were using it. So, we will have to um, take a look at other, I guess, to

128be creative, other ways to um, either provide tutoring or intervention services during the regular school day. Um, the bulk of what this was paying for was after-school tutoring. Um, so additional hours for teachers to to spend with students. So, Which has made a difference. >> Which has completely made a difference. Um, also I think access to some some tutoring software and things along those lines. So, um, I will continue to scour for other grants to see if we can um, at least continue to get access for some of those software programs or some of those supplemental programs in terms of hourly wages for teachers to stay after. I don't I don't know what that looks like, um, in terms of finding additional monies, um, to support teachers to do that. Yeah. Um, so I don't

129I don't know. So, I mean, hypothetically, we could start talking about the length of our instructional day and do you extend the instructional day? Um, but then you're just asking teachers to work longer uh, for the same amount of money. So, I don't know that that's that's a a fair way to go about it. Well, hopefully the benefits that we've gotten have jump-started us and we are on a more secure path and then you've got an eye towards uh, looking creatively at how to how to bridge this gap that's going to be missing once this money's gone. Any more questions? Ms. Bohannon Stewart, do you have anything for Mrs. Huntley? Um, I just want to thank her for the work on the Medicaid reimbursement. I so much appreciate that. Agreed. I have to also give

130credit to the special education administrative assistant who actually puts all that together, so. Fantastic. Wonderful. Great. Thank Thank you, Mrs. Hundley. Item 6.4, the reorganization of Matthews Elementary School and Thomas Hunter Middle School. All right, so a couple updates. Our our student rep, Ms. Alward, kind of started talking about it. Um but starting Monday, April 27th, we will, due to some staffing challenges and upcoming testing schedule and needing additional staff for testing and just some reorganization, um we will be closing the middle school office for the bulk of the day. The there'll be a window of time in the morning as students are arriving and and getting dropped off uh and then again in the afternoon uh for students to kind of pick up bus notes and um any, you know, pickups in the afternoon,

131but um basically because of staffing shortages and needing to kind of we had been working on like staff had been from other areas rotating through the Thomas Hunter office, um but we're needing those staff members for other responsibilities in their home schools and other locations. And with an eye towards working on some of the wrinkles to having a consolidated school next year, we wanted to like work through the the workload, the additional work for two more grade levels, what is that volume of traffic for phone calls and those sorts of things. So, kind of working with Ms. Simpson, Ms. Spray, um having kind of trying to develop a plan. Um so, the principals kind of worked through a little bit. Uh so, they're working on messaging and pushing out messaging letting everybody know. We'll have

132some signage on the front of the school for deliveries or for the parent who forgot and they're coming to kind of pick up for the midday dentist appointment or whatever. Uh, but basically between the hours of 8:30 and 2:30, anyone, um, coming to or calling the middle school will be routed through the elementary school um, as the bulk of that administrative work will be, um, coming through the elementary school teachers. Um, you know, if there's if there's an issue in the classroom, um, you know, they can call the elementary school and radio to Ms. Simpson. He'll still be located on the the middle school side of of Thomas of that campus. And Ms. Simpson is still going to be operating out of her same office. Um, so there logistically when they would have called the

133middle school office for, "Hey, you know, I need I need, you know, some sort of assistance." That's going to go to the elementary school. They'll then radio for Ms. Simpson to report to, um, whatever room for whatever support. Um, so and phones phones will go out the same. But it's basically just sort of routing, um, telephone calls and some of the the pickup for students midday. Um, parents will need to route over to the elementary school to begin transitioning over to that that model. Um, Ms. Clark and Ms. Bray are, um, reviewing kind of the pickup and drop-off routines as they're starting to think through some of the plans for next year. There's already quite the line for parent drop-off in the morning and parent pickups in the afternoon. And the And the line that

134just goes to the elementary school. So, they're, um, trying to be creative in, okay, you know, are there different ways to break up that line? How do we, you know, how do How can we kind of route that? Do we have the supervision to have two different drop-off and pick-up lines? Um also kind of thinking through supervision and and staffing, the weapons detection units for next year, and what are the points of egress and ingress for the for that for that campus. I know that the elementary school admin working with teachers and staff on room assignments for next year. So, we've they've been having conversations coupled with work that's going on this summer. If we're able to move forward with abatements on the other half of Thomas Hunter, those sixth-grade teachers are going to have

135to move out of those classrooms anyway. Can we go ahead and locate those classrooms into an already rehabilitated room on what is currently the seventh-grade hallway? So, that would um only have them move once instead of storing all your stuff in one space and then having to move in. So, can we um move just have those teachers move once over the summer, free up those rooms. Does it all fit? We may have to um they're thinking through, you know, what that looks like and feels like and other moving some other staff around. Um but they're trying to trying to get that done as as quickly as possible so teachers know before or have it with enough time to make those adjustments and pack those things. Um so, they've been busy at work um on the

136day-to-day things with this school year and working on plans for next school year. Um staffing and and budget, all of that plays plays a role in it. Um but so does some of the maintenance stuff that comes along this summer. So, we've we've met on some of those projects to begin mapping that out along with what changes need to take place on that footprint. So, um it's it's it's getting busy. It's getting It's getting real busy real quick. So, any questions on kind of there have been no real definitive answers yet on any of those things, but I think we're we're coming close to making some decisions on that. And you know, the the big first step is looking at the the elementary office right now. Thank you. And the effective date again for the

137new Thomas Hunter April 27th. Okay. All right. That's when that will go into effect. 6.5 facilities >> 6.5 facilities res- use uh review. So, my goal is to Well, first let me say thank you for board members um supplying some feedback on kind of your thoughts um based on the draft. Um so, some some of the things I would say So, for the the folks out there, I um created a survey if you will or a list of questions for board members to help focus, direct where we wanted to be with the revisions for facilities use. So, a lot of it um had to do with length of use um of the facilities, profit versus non-profit. Does that Does that matter? Um scheduling of custodians and overall costs and how we we felt about felt

138about some of those things. So, board members, thank you for providing some feedback on that, I will say. Um the one of the prevailing themes is just being consistent um and making sure that whatever we put in the in the the final what becomes the finalized manual is that it's applied consistently. Uh but I also think the a lot of the feedback was being fair to the community in terms of not trying to price anybody out or you know, there was never a desire to force anybody out Um or price anybody out. It was the desire to to try to get that consistency, but do we need to adjust some of the pricing to then make it affordable to to keep keep some cherished traditions continuing in Matthews. So, my goal I've started working on

139some of those some of that input from the board. My goal is to have another draft to you all next month for review and then approval. Then I think that would push approval to June. So, I think one of the other conversation points can be you know, does it you know, are we shooting for a July 1 implementation date? Or if we don't approve until June, does it make sense to have an implementation date maybe January 1 as entities are already um submitting facilities use requests, you know, already into well, into next school year. So, it may make more sense even if we do approve in June that some of these um changes take effect then in January um to have time for adjustment. And I think a lot of our conversation has been it's

140not so much about the timing as much as it is getting a a manual and a practice that's right. And getting that that put in place. So, whether it's a July 1 start or or January 1 start, it it I don't I don't know that that matters a ton. Um I've also reached out to Mr. Tillage to try to capture um an estimate on kind of a per hour cost in terms of electricity usage uh for say the auditorium at the high school just to get an idea what's what's in a reasonable fee. I think what what has happened in the past, the rates were based on kind of market rates, what other schools were charging for auditorium spaces or kitchen spaces or whatever, and we're pretty comparable um when those rates were approved back

141in '23. I think those those rates were pretty comparable to other school auditoriums and facilities around us. So, I don't think those are necessarily um kind of out of out of out of whack, so. Any questions from board on kind of where where we sit with facilities use right now. Sounds good. Okay. Item 6.6, information for the school board. All right, just other information for the board. Um taking a look at the school-based financial reports, um those are there for um your information um to to look at and review. Again, in the consent agenda, like all the checks are are printed and reported in the consent agenda. That financial report is is reported in there, but these are the the school-based accounts. So, keeping an idea basically like clubs and other activities within the schools.

142This is kind of their their club balances and such. So, so you have in there the the high school, the middle school, and the elementary schools um financial reports reports. Any questions or comments? No. Yeah, I'll let you Okay. You're welcome. Moving on to item seven, school board informational report, 7.1. We have school board conferences and webinars coming up. Please take a look at that, as always. And item 7.2, uh we have our schedule of Board of Supervisors meeting dates, and I do believe we would like to Miss Lowe, we need to make a change to the record uh that Miss Diggs attended the April Board of Supervisors meeting for Mr. Morgan. With Miss Bohannon Stewart having the May date. Moving on to item eight, action items 8.1 seeking the approval of the 2026-2027 CTE

143local plan. May have a motion. I make a motion to approve the 2026-2027 CTE local plan as listed. Oh, thank you, Miss Diggs. Do we have a second? Yes, second. Thanks, Mr. Morgan. Discussion. There being none, all those in favor say I. I. I. I. Opposed? Motion passes. Item 8.2 seeking approval for the 2026-2027 special education annual plan. May have a motion. I make a motion to approve the 2026-2027 special education annual plan as listed. >> Thank you, Mrs. Hodges. May have a second? I second that. Thanks, Miss Diggs. Any discussion? No discussion. All those in favor say I. I. I. I. Opposed? Motion passes unanimously. Item 8.3, the approval of the architectural term contracts. I make a motion to approve the architectural term contracts as listed. Thank you, Mrs. Hodges. Do we have a

144second? I second that. >> Thanks, Miss Diggs. Do we have any discussion? Quick question. >> Yes. Um what will they be What what are expectations of this for the coming year? Okay. So, the term contract um basically allows the school division to have an open-ended contract with an architectural or engineering firm. So, we can go um make requests of them for specific tasks without having to re-RFP for every specific task. Okay. Um so, it's it's capped by um And these are pretty significant caps for us, but it would be I think it's no more than $1 million per per task and no more than I think $10 million per year. Those aren't in our budget in any way, shape, or form, but that's that's kind of how that's that's capped. Um Right now, the three

145the three projects that we've had conversations with the county on have been um looking at um getting some concepts for um shaping the elementary school and Thomas Hunter footprint to get it to operate more like a K-7 like school. So, kind of student movement, talking about traffic flow. I mean, we talked a little bit about parent drop-off, bus bus loop, that kind of stuff. Are there ways to rethink the way that that school functions and operates. Um the second piece is having conversations about that the front of Thomas Hunter and making Thomas Hunter then the home of school board office. We've also had some conversations with the county about housing some um in particular like emergency services in some of the space at Thomas Hunter. And so, getting a conceptual design for what that that

146front hallway of Thomas Hunter could look like and how it could operate then as a school board office as a education center. And then the final project that we've had conversations about is athletics and where, how an athletic complex could look and projected costs for that for the high school. The The athletics complex has actually become a bit more pertinent due to the current light poles and so those have deteriorated to the point where they're in need of replacement. So we anticipate taking those light poles down at the conclusion of this spring sports season. But we need to have at least a footprint plan so that we can pursue funding to plant, I guess if you will, or um I don't know a better word for it right now, but install modern light poles on

147that that space but with an eye towards where the field will be if it is moving. Um so it's trying to develop a plan, get a plan in place so that we can put the poles where they will need to be but also hopefully with enough coverage that if we can't move the fields um by the time the light poles go in, there still will be enough light coverage to be able to have have games in place. So that's that lighting project is has sort of jumped to the forefront in the last month due to um the the condition of those wooden wooden poles around the soccer field and track. Actually they're on the inside of the track, but yes. Thank you, sir. You're welcome. I have a question. Um Dr. Daniels, time-wise with the

148athletic field and these people advising us, are we going to meet that timeline? So, the um the the timeline to have the the companies who do this sort of work installing light poles, they're already booked into the fall. So, this you know, this isn't a project even if we had plans in place, we would be able to do in July. So, this is still going to be um you know, our our desire to get this installed will be probably by February in advance of soccer season starting to use to use the lights. Um So, I and we had a quick conversation with the architectural firm to kind of basically talk about what we just talked about in terms of the three sort of projects that are on the horizon and getting some concepts and projected

149costs um for these projects. Um they they're going to mock up a few things once I send them the signed contract tomorrow. Um they'll probably come on site and do some some walk-arounds. I'll need to coordinate with the county as some of this the bulk of this funding for this concept map facility study type work is part of the county's CIP kind of bond um funding. So, they they set aside some money for that for this for this work. Um so, um in talking with them, you know, it's it's probably a two-to-three-month kind of They're not doing the actual engineering plans. That would be another This is looking at concepts, general ideas. This is a footprint, let's say if we're talking just the athletics, this is what the footprint would look like. This is a

150bulk estimated cost for you know, this kind of field, this kind of surface, moving this, moving that, etc., etc. that we could then begin to budget for if they're, you know, and you know, if that's required additional bonds or budgeting for something else. But it gives us a tangible thing to look at and price out. Thank you. And that's a quicker turnaround than actually doing the engineering work or developing the actual plans for running the Dominion power lines underground from this point to this point, the specs for what height pole, the grade of cement used to secure those poles, etc. Thank you. Yes, ma'am. Is there still a capital planning committee? It was your committee that Mr. Morgan >> There is a there is a planning commission. I'm not sure what we called it. And

151are they meeting regularly? I believe so, yes. I mean, I'm not I mean I think the process has has morphed a little bit over the last 2 years, but I'm I'm not super sure. Okay. I don't know that I can speak speak committee >> speak intelligently on kind of the the county workings with that. >> that was developed to help with to dovetail with these with the architectural plans. >> I think what you're talking about is my question. It was the um restructuring, the citizen restructuring committee. >> Right, that's it. where we Okay. Elements with the community within the schools And you had school you had you had staff, too, from the schools, right? Yeah. Are we Are we talking about Are we talking about to help think Yeah, to help think out around teams

152and we get the board and we were doing the You were there and we were doing No, this is not what you're talking about. We had discussed previously that as we move forward on trying to merge the two schools into one. I thought there was going to a committee that was helping to get input from teachers and other um previous committee members >> no, no, no, no, you're not you're you're not crazy. So, yes, sorry. I thought you were talking about planning commission in the county in terms of capital projects. No, so um the consolidation committee yes. So, in terms of yes, so I still have the list of hey, we would like to see in when we when this facility study is done or when plans are being developed, we would like to see

153these various things like, you know, a more readily accessible library for the littles, um an actual teachers lounge, um you know, a conference room that's accessible, you know, and a the front office being kind of at the front of the school that those sorts of thing. Yes, so there's a list of of those things that we can talk about with architects as they're kind of developing a a concept model for hey, this is this is what you could do with this footprint for X amount of dollars. Yes. So, is is that not meeting it they're not you're waiting to get this taken care of and then you're going to start meeting? The consolidation committee kind of wrapped up Oh, they did? their their work. Yes, so we met three times in the fall as we

154discussed um kind of needs and ideas and sort of what's um what what they had you know, what they wanted to see happen on a on a K-7 campus. Yes. >> Yes. So. Yes. Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. You're welcome. >> I had a couple questions and one of them was just ensuring that that information that that committee worked on is incorporated into all of this and I'm sure I'm sure >> Yeah, I think I think we're a ways from developing actual drawings and plans and um to kind of move school board office and redesigning that that footprint. I think I think we're many months out, but I think this at least having this term contract gives us um professionals or access to ready access to professionals who can um give us put that

155vision on to practice. Can say, "Okay, this this is how you can reshape this reuse this building for the next 30 years to the benefit of the community and yeah, and still honor all the all the things that we wanted to do." >> were there minutes from that consultant the the I don't think we have I mean Mr. Huntley's I believe synopsized. I mean there's some I mean I have some slides kind of that summarize previous meetings. >> kind of see what you your the ideas that you all talked with. >> Mhm. Yeah. It's good. It's very helpful. You haven't sent them out, have I? I've missed them? No. Okay. No, I think they're just being No, I mean I thought we did some presented on some of the some of the resolution when the

156when we back and I have I have to go back. >> it. That is as now it's coming back into focus. Do you remember that? Okay. We'll start that up with you. And I said one final question on those poles. Mhm. Who was the entity or what was the entity that determined the deterioration of those poles? Um what I know for sure is we had to get light bulbs replaced. Um Dominion um came to install the light bulbs that we purchased and it was I believe it was their assessment that the poles were needed were in need of replacement. >> Dominion's Dominion's assessment. >> Dominion's folks, yes. Great. Okay. Yeah, that's from >> the inside out. The poles were rotten. >> Okay. All right, thank you for that. You're welcome. Any more discussion? No more

157discussion. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed? Motion passes. Moving on to item nine, citizens comments on items discussed during the meeting. Same rules would apply. Do we have anybody who would like to approach the podium? Please state your name and address. As usual. Janice Smith, Gloucester, Virginia. I'm just curious listening to everything that's being said up here and the money that I guess it's getting ready to be spent or remodeling, add this and add that. But we don't have the money for Clyde Lewis. And the fact that we've got a man sitting in the bus garage that can inspect buses, so I'm assuming he's going to have to get a license and that's going to be money given to him because he's going to be further in his career, but we still don't

158have money for Clyde. And after seeing what Cindy Gray put up here and the workload that's on her, and now you're adding transportation to hers. I I still don't understand this and why nobody up there is holding anybody accountable for what's going on. In three years our schools have declined. Yes, some of the stuff that's went on here tonight from some of the teachers has been amazing. But now we've lost a school. We've lost transportation basically along with some amazing teachers. Our schools are going down in the past three years. And then you're sitting there talking about what you want to do to a school, But we don't have money for Clyde? I I just I can't wrap my head around this. And none of y'all are holding anybody accountable. We've got lawsuits that have

159been won against the school, multiple lawsuits. I I'm I'm just appalled. I just I cannot believe this. Thank you, Ms. Smith. Is there anyone else who would like to approach the podium? There being none, we'll move on to 9.1, school board member comments. Any comments? None for me. I mean, I feel like I need need to comment on what was just said. Um and I I'm I can understand how it's like on one hand, we don't have money, on the other hand, we're we have these we're talking about plans on the road. Um The what we're talking about here is what the board of supervisors has talked about for a good year about getting a bond to help upgrade not just the schools, but some other buildings. So, that is outside of our budget. That

160is a separate pot of money, so to speak. It doesn't come out of of what we have in our annual budget. That has nothing to do with paying teachers, salaries, positions. So, hope hope that clarifies that. I'm not sure who we should be holding people accountable for. Um cuz as you also just said, and I agree with you totally, people have a lot on their plates. And we've added more to it. And I recognize that. I don't like that. Um and it it concerns me greatly. But when someone retires and they put their papers in, then you you're we have to make decisions whether we like it or not. We have to make decisions with that retirement work in. When I retired, I submitted it. They had to make plans on what they were going

161to do with my position because I had made a decision that and I I informed them of that. And and so that's exactly what we've had to do is to make decisions based on the retirement. Did I like the fact that he retired? No, I didn't. Can I respond to that? No. No, sorry. I'm sorry. So so I will just say that that Sorry. Excuse me. Well, I will just say that we did we this anytime anybody retires that we have to make a decision, respect that that um that letter of retirement and then move forward knowing that our budget was going to be cut significantly this next year. We had to make plans that we don't like. But we have to move forward with that. Um and so I'm not sure who there is

162to hold accountable other than we just have to do the money we're given, we have to stretch it to make sure that our schools are functional. Um So I hadn't planned on saying that, but I would also say um I did want to comment on yet again what was presented to us with some of the activities in our schools which have been excep- exceptional. Um it's always exciting to hear about um how our students just shine and our athletes um are they're so very accomplished. And I appreciate hearing about that because unfortunately and understandably in the community we often hear about things that aren't going well. So, I appreciate you adding that to the agenda since you've been chair. That's very helpful. I also want to comment on Ms. Bray and what the students in

163the elementary school did and presented last week about the 250. I had a friend that attended that and was blown away with how how creative the students were and what they were able to present with with the Virginia 250. So, I do want to compliment on that as well. Thank thank you, Dr. Gibbs. Thank you, Mrs. Hodges. Anyone else? Yes, Ms. Dicks. I think we all speak about what is so directly on our hearts and what affects us and that is normal and logical and I hear what you ladies have been saying. There are as Ms. Hodges said about the him putting in his papers. Um that is what I know. I don't know other things that I've heard. Ms. Dicks has the floor. Um I I really when I joined this board or was

164elected here, I had no idea of the responsibilities that one has when they sit on the side of the table. And from my viewpoint we do have a board that is interested in all of us who work with the school system, and of course that includes you guys. That includes the children. It includes these gentlemen over here who make everything work for us. And I I don't I don't know what to say other than we are trying, I believe, the best that we can which you may very well differ with, to do good with the money that we have for our students and our schools. This consolidation plan has been right there for a while, and you've heard Dr. Daniels comment on on some of the plans coming up. Um I just I I feel

165for you, and I hope and I pray that things will be good this year, this upcoming year, for all of us. Thank you, Ms. Diggs. Any other members who want to say anything? Not at this time. Ms. Bohannon Stuart. Um yeah, just just a few thoughts. Um I I do appreciate everyone who comes out and shares their thoughts with us. Um and and attends our meetings. Um It It It bothers me that we have to add responsibilities. Um you know, and and it some of the decisions that we have to make just sometimes just break my heart. Um and you know, we have a lack of money. Um and we can't print our own money, and certain buckets of money can only be spent on certain things. And um you know, anybody that has concerns

166about the budget process, just you know, keep coming to the meetings, keep following um that cycle especially when it starts next year and and uh yeah, that's all I have to say. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Bohannon Stewart. We will move on to item 10, the school board member reports. Does any member have a report that they need to share? One thing real quickly, >> Yes, Ms. Morgan. the policy review committee, Ms. Hodges and myself, have completed reviewing all of the policies that were past due and the ones that are going to come due this year. They are We're up to date. We're caught up. Thank you so much. >> We are caught up. Give it I appreciate the process actually. It educated me on many of the policies that I, you know, wasn't quite

167aware of. Well, I think as as we go forward, first of all, you've gotten us up to the baseline and I thank you for that. We all thank you for that. Everyone along this room does. Um but moving forward then policy will be more focal for us all, I think. And and I think we just have to be uh kind of a a new given responsibility, which it is. It is something and we'll all be more in tune, but having the two of you get us up to speed, I can't thank you enough for that. Excellent excellent teamwork. And speed. Very much faster than I thought it would happen. Yeah, most of the policies that are going to I don't use the word expire, but come up for review this year are going to come

168up in May. Um I think actually we reviewed some of them that are going to be coming in May. But regardless of that, I pretty certain based on what we're hearing on the news and reading in various sources that there're going to be some policy changes due to the General Assembly's Yes. actions. So, we talked just between the two of us that probably about July, maybe, June or July that we start looking at what policies are going to have to be addressed. Okay, and I think >> Due to changes due to the legal services. Right now, we currently are using SBMA Policy Services, which there is anticipated uh policies coming out based on the new legislation. So, I think there will be a lot of information coming down in the next few months that will

169inform and we will not be creating policies from scratch >> exactly. >> on this new legislation. And I also, I I would be remiss if I did not thank Ms. Lowe for her efforts >> Yeah, absolutely. >> in the assistance in this uh with the Policy Committee. Thank you so much, Ms. Lowe. >> Yes. She made it so much easier every time we came, everything was just laid out. >> And there was so much so much to do and yeah, couldn't do it without her. Yeah. So, I do have a question then. So, then I'm assuming that in the process with SBMA will be similar to what we we um become accustomed to with VSBA in that they will give us policies that we don't have to adopt um exactly as they are presented. Um

170we could review them and modify or amend as we as the board sees fit. Now, is it the expectation then that um Mr. Morgan and I will have an eye to all those uh policies that's coming out of the new legislation and then present that to the board with our recommendations? Is that Is that what you're expecting from us? You know, I think the Zoom conference call that's on the 27th >> It's on Monday, I believe. Um Oh, and I can't go I can't. Okay, we'll be critical Mr. Morgan. Can you make that Yes, I already said yes. I know Miss Lowe is not Miss Mrs. Hundley is going in her place. Dr. Daniels on the district Miss Hundley's on there will be several people on that I will attend as if I'm able also

171now that there I know that you will not be there. I will be there. So we'll have two board members and we will clarify those types of questions I think that we I cannot answer them adequately and I think SBMA needs to. I may be able to to do the last 30 minutes. I don't know. If I can I will but I I'm not sure. Okay. There was I believe there was an email this morning from SBMA regarding policy services. I I can't tell you exactly what it said. I don't recall but there was some communication about the policy services. Well, as we're getting you know, we're using a new service at least for this interim period. This there will be a a learning curve and we know that they are they are experiencing some

172technical difficulties on their end which they are trying to clear up software and hardware is my understanding. >> of that's been done. And some of that has been clarified and and fixed. So we just need to make sure that we are on time and appropriate in our policy adoption and that is what we need to make sure happens and we however it happens is the way the best way with what this board is going to choose to to do. Yes. Um may I comment on just a slightly different issue? Yes. >> Well, or is it Yes. the next one. Yes. Nope, this is it. >> Okay. Um I have just received the consolidation committee recommendations. Thanks to our assistant superintendent who is right on top of it. so thank you for that. Very very impressive.

173Thank you. >> Fantastic so far. So. Very good. Any more reports or any All right. Moving on to finally item 11, other business by school board members or superintendent. 11.1, our next monthly closed meeting will be Tuesday, May 19th, 2026 5:00 p.m. back at the J. Murray Brooks Auditorium at Thomas Hunter Middle School. And item finally 11.2, our next regular monthly meeting will follow the meeting Tuesday, May 19th, 2026 6:00 p.m. again back at the J. Murray Brooks Auditorium at Thomas Hunter Middle School. There being no other comments, this meeting is adjourned. Thank you everybody. Thank you.