001Item 2.2 declaration and roll call vote of subjects discussed in closed meeting. May I have a motion? >> Yes. I'll make a motion to adopt the certificate of closed session as listed. >> Thank you, Mr. Morgan. May we have a second? >> I second that. >> Thank you, Miss Diggs. Is there any discussion? Miss L, will you please give us a roll call vote, please? >> Yes. >> Peter, >> Yes. Sorry. >> Thank you, Miss Diggs. [snorts] Thank you, Miss La. Item 2.3, approval of personnel action. May I have a motion? I make a motion to approve the personnel action as presented. >> Thank you, Mrs. Hodes. May I have a second? >> I second that. >> Thank you, Miss Bohannon Stewart. Is there any discussion? >> There being none, all those in favor say
002I. >> I. Opposed. Motion passes unanimously. [snorts] >> Item 2.4, approval of student action number seven. >> May I have a motion? Yes. I'll make a motion to approve the student action student number seven action as described in close session. [clears throat] >> Excuse me, Mr. Morgan. Can you rephrase that to to be spoken as the approved action? >> Okay. To [clears throat] to approve the long-term suspension of student number seven. >> Thank you, Mr. Morgan. May I have a second? >> I second that. >> Thank you, Miss Bohan and Stewart. Is there any discussion? There being none, all those in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. >> Motion passes. >> Seeking a motion to uh conclude closed meeting. May I have a motion? >> Excuse me. >> Yes. >> Excuse me. Item 2.5, excuse
003me, approval of request for release from compulsory attendance of student number eight. May I have a motion? >> Yes. I make a motion to re approve the request for release from compulsory attendance of student number eight. >> Thank you, Miss Digs. May I have a second? >> I second that. >> Thank you, Miss Bohen Stewart. Is there any discussion? >> There being none, all those in favor say I. I >> opposed. Motion passes. Thank you. There being no other business to conclude, this meeting is adjourned. >> Good evening. I'd like to call to order the Tuesday, January 20th, 2026 Matthews County School Board regular monthly meeting. Item 1.2. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands,
004one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Item 1.3, Miss Lao, may we have the roll call. >> Stewart >> here. Morgan >> present. >> Here >> present. Thank you. Item 1.4 election of the 2026 school board chair and boy vice chair. >> May I have a motion? >> I make a motion uh to nominate Mr. Morgan as vice chair for the next school year. >> Thank you, Mrs. Hodgeges. Do we have a second? >> I second that. >> Thank you, Miss Diggs. Is there any discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed? There being none, congratulations, Mr. Morgan. You are our new vice chair. >> Do I get a raise? [laughter] >> No. No. >> How will your >> May we have a motion for chair? I
005make make a motion that um Dr. Gibbs serve as our chair this year. >> Thank you, Miss Bohannon Stewart. Do we have a second? >> Yes, I'll second that. >> Thank you, Mr. Morgan. Is there any discussion? >> Yes, Mrs. Hodgees. >> Um, as we've spoken personally, I just want to take this opportunity to publicly commend Dr. Gibbs for her leadership, her professionalism and thoroughess over the last two years as she served um as chair of this board. She's been a phenomenal leader. She's always prepared and she's always responsibly transparent. Um and she has raised the bar for all future chairs. With that said, it is my belief that chairs should serve no more than two consecutive years in that role after which other board members should have the opportunity to assume this responsibility. I
006believe this contributes to healthy and productive boards. However, we are a young board with most of our members having served two years or less without experience as vice chair, which I believe is critical to learn the chair's duties directly. So, with that said, even though I don't uh um it's not a value that I have that a chair should serve more than two consecutive years, I do support Dr. Gibbs in this continued role for the next year, her third term as chair. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mrs. Hodes. >> Any other discussion? >> Um thank you so much, Dr. Gibbs, for um you know, these well-run meetings. um you've been great at helping a new member, me get used to how things work and appreciate the job that you've done as chair and so thank
007you. >> Fully support you being chair again. >> Thank you for being willing to do that. >> Thank you. You're welcome. My honor >> and I would say the same. I thank you very much. >> Thank you, Miss Diggs. >> Any more discussion? >> All those in favor say I. I >> I >> opposed. >> Motion passes. Thank you very much. I'm honored. >> Item number 1.5, approval of the agenda. Additions and deletions may happen. >> Do we need to move? I need to move. >> Oh, Dr. Morgan. >> Thank you, Mrs. Hodes. >> Take a moment. Not at all. >> I got you. >> Oh, this was Thank you. >> [laughter] >> Okay. >> There is no upgrade in seats. I will say that. [snorts] >> Yeah, we can have that out. >> Settle.
008Ready. Item 1.5, approval of the agenda, additions and deletions. May I have a motion? >> I make a motion to the approve the agenda as listed. >> Thank you, Miss Digs. May we have a second? >> Second, [snorts] Miss Mohan Stewart, was that was that you? >> Oh, it was Miss I can second it, too. >> Go with Mr. Sins. Thank you. Uh, any discussion? >> There being none, all those in favor say I. I >> opposed. >> Motion passes. Item 1.6, the consent agenda. May I have a motion? I make a motion to approve the minutes of December 12th, 2025 special close meeting, minutes of the December 16, 2025 budget work session, close meeting and regular monthly meeting, 2026 schoolboard meeting schedule, FY27 revised budget calendar and monthly claims as presented on the consent
009agenda. >> Thank you, Mrs. Hodes. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Morgan. Is there any discussion? There being none. All those in favor say I. I. >> Opposed. Motion passes. Now, uh here we have our claims signups. If everyone could please get their calendars out, we will be working to sign up for [snorts] February 13th. That is a Friday, Miss Digs, as we have discussed. So, Miss Digs for Friday, >> February 13th. And then we are looking for participation on March 16th, April 20th, May 18th, June 15th, and June 29th. >> I'll [snorts] take March. >> Thank you, Mr. Morgan. >> I believe I can take April 20th. As I mentioned earlier, I left my calendar at home, but I think I looked earlier. >> Thank you, [snorts] Mrs. Hodes.
010We do have a >> I realize we do have a Okay, we do have a a schedule conflict with Miss Bohennit Stewart for uh mornings. [snorts] I will take both June dates if someone can see their way clear to taking May 18th. >> May 18th. >> Dr. Gibbs and M >> in June. Is it possible to do it maybe on a different day than Monday or Tuesday? >> Looking check on that. >> Okay. Because if so, I'm glad to see. >> Okay. All right, that'll be helpful. Mr. Morgan or Miss Hodes able to take May 18th or we can leave it until next month? >> We leave it till next month and I will promise my calendar. >> Okay, Miss La, is that all Is that all done? Thank you, [snorts] >> Mr. Morgan. The
011March date was the 16th. >> 16th. Okay. Thanks. >> So, February 13th, Miss Diggs, March 16th, Mr. Morgan. April 20th, Miss Hodgeges. May is blank. Two June dates, 15th and 29th is Gibbs. And Miss Diggs is looking into it depending on the days of the week that it is. [snorts] All right. Item 1.7, Matthews County School Board governance norms and protocols. We do go over this two pieces of um information every meeting. I'll go ahead and start this one this month and this is on the use of social media. Board members are discouraged from posting comments, liking comments or replying to comments on social media regarding schoolboard me matters. And then how, when, and whom to notify about visiting school sites. Schoolboard members should contact the superintendent prior to visiting school sites. Note that that
012does have the word should in there. I will say that our governance u norms and protocols will be revisited at our work session on February 25th. We go over this, we review this, and we have a new member on the board. So, we'll be reviewing all of these um every year or two. So, we'll be looking at them again this year. Item two, recognitions 2.1, the Matthews High School Music Department with Mr. Mark Given. Um, please come up and tell us all of the wonderful things. And I want to say that the recognitions category is reserved for super outstanding achievements on behalf of student groups in our uh in our schools and I know that you never disappoint. So we're looking forward to this, Mr. Given. >> Thank you so much for being here. >>
013Um thank you to the board for inviting me to come and present tonight. Um the focus tonight is on our uh marching band season this year. We had a um our students just showed some incredible character this year um with their marching band season. Um as you all know, we um after one home football game, we lost our football team unfortunately this year, but our students maintain dedication to to performing both for our community and in competitive performances. Um so kind of on the home front in Matthews this year, um we had several highlights. We had an alumni band performance which featured three siblings and three parents of our students that came and performed uh with our students which is really exciting. We had our future marching blues night um which featured 14 of our
014seventh graders joining us. They are all very excited. So it's looking like we could have up to 50 on the field next year which is really exciting. Wonderful. Um a growth a growth for us. So >> testimonial to your leadership. >> Thank you. Um and we had our homecoming field event obviously and so and our parade. So we did a lot in the community as well as some informal performances both at the middle and elementary school um and uh at uh market days and some other things in the community. Um outside of our community, our students go out and compete. We went to four uh competition and assessment type performances this year. Um at the Gloucester um sorry I lost my place here. At the Gloucester Bands Along the Bay event, we competed in class
0151A and we placed second in class 1A there. Um, at the Kikatan Warrior Classic in Hampton, uh, we competed in class 2A, um, we were there were lots of smaller bands there, so we're competing mostly against bands larger than us and we also finished in second place there, >> which was really exciting. Um, and then at our state assessment event, um, we received excellent ratings in both our marching and our music. um our marching since I have been here we have not received an excellent rating in marching. So that has that has come up some and we're continuing to improve and continuing to grow in that um year-over-year with our students. Um, also, uh, one of the one of the highlights of the year, um, was that at the Kikatam Warrior Classic, which was our
016last competition of the year, um, our drum major, Jordan Sedg, was recognized as the, uh, best drum major in class 2A, um, which was our kind of our most competitive class that we were in in the year. So, that was a um, really exciting for her. She works very, very hard. um and she was recognized at the board of supervisors meetings um uh uh earlier this year. Um I know the school board also wanted to recognize her for that. Um I know she tonight is at a uh indoor track meet because she does all kinds of things, but um wanted to be here to kind of receive that on her behalf. So, um, we have lots of really exciting things coming up this, um, uh, this semester as well with students, uh, receiving lots of
017individual honors for all district, area band, state band, all those kinds of things. So, um, I hope to, uh, be able to present some of those recognitions and individual honors to you all at the end of the year. Um, those are kind of still in progress right now. So, >> well, stay there while we give you a round of applause because I think you are an amazing leader in our [applause] school. Thank you. you have really grown the program. The children are thriving. It It's fantastic. And I know that you alluded to Jordan Sed and her amazing achievement. She's actually following falling under number three, the item number three on our agenda, which is student spotlight. This is something that we have created uh to highlight a student. It won't be monthly necessarily. This is
018a student who exhibits extreme achievement in some area. Jordan has the distinct honor of being our very first student to fall into this category of student spotlight. Unfortunately, she is not here, but if you would be so kind as to give her her certificate of student spotlight from the school board. Thank you. And thank you to Jordan. Great job, Jordan. [snorts] And in fact uh we are collaborating with the board of supervisors so that our student spotlight candidates are also presenting or presented in that setting as well so that we can reach as many people in the community as possible to know the the shining stars in our in our schools. Congratulations Jordan from afar. Okay. All right. Uh, item four, questions or comments from the schoolboard student representative. Mrs. Ms. Ward, you're on. >>
019Thank you. >> So, first we have the updates from Matthews Elementary School. Students and teachers alike really enjoyed the winter break. Everyone returned well-rested and ready to get back into the routine. For the last two weeks, MEES has been testing. Upon return from break, students completed the midyear VAS testing. The CIP benchmark window is open now, so students are working hard to show what they have learned so far this year. The students are also working hard to level up in Lexia, which is a supplemental and intervention tool Matthews Elementary School uses to help strengthen reading skills. Our students love Lexia and they get so excited when they get to move to the next level. We celebrate student success with a video shown in classrooms and we have a giant bulletin board outside of the reading
020center. Students stop and check out the names on the board and you can hear them congratulating each other. Beginning this week, MEES is starting a schoolwide reading initiative called Tiger Tales. Our own teacher of the year, Miss Tom Kenny, created this program. Each month, one class in every grade will unexpectedly find a Tiger Tales bag on their classroom door. They will read the story together that they find inside the bag. Next, they will book another class in their grade level by passing the tote to a different teacher. This is a fun way to share the love of reading. In March, Matthews Elementary School will participate in Virginia Reads One Book. This year the book is Charlotte's Web by Eie White. Chesapeake Bank is helping me to sponsor this program. Every child in our school from
021grades preK to fifth will receive a copy of the book. We are very excited to kick off this program on March 2nd. Our fourth grade students won the B Present Award for the month of December. The fourth grade students were wildly excited to win this award for the second time this school year, holding the record for the grade with the highest attendance for the month. Students are buzzing about the possibility of snow days and they are making plans to wear their pajamas inside out. Thomas Hunter Middle School students have also had a great month of learning. We had a schoolwide goal of no zeros in Power School and our students have been trying to get all work turned in and submitted. Parents, there are only a few more days of the quarter to ensure that
022all work is turned in. Congratulations to the December students of the month, Presley Morero and Ellie Sour for grade seven and Declan Franks and Avery Hensley for grade six. These students are nominated by classroom teachers. Congratulations. We would also like to express thanks for those who supported the sea food drive at Thomas Honor Middle School. Your donations provided needed food for hands across Matthews to help those who are in need in our community. There are still spots open for students to stay after for the all-in tutoring. For any THMS student who needs additional support in reading and math, please contact THMS main office for more information. Thomas Hunter Middle School science students had the chance to plant daffodil bulbs out front with the help of some local master naturalist gardeners. Stop by in the spring
023to see their handiwork in the front of the building. Parents, please remind your child if they are missing any articles to check the thms lost and found. Any items left will be donated on Friday, January 30th. Also on January 30th, the THMS SCA is sponsoring a winter ball from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Brooks Auditorium. Students need to RSVP to attend and a sign out sheet has been sent out to parents to send in food for the event. Next week, we begin the second semester of the academic school year. We are expecting continued progress in all classes and appreciate the partnership with families as we instruct our amazing Seahawks. Then for the high school, we've only been in school for two weeks since the last report, but a lot has happened in those two
024weeks. We had a lot of fun celebrating spirit week, the last week of school before vacation. Matthews High School had a lot of students participate in the annual Matthews Christmas parade, including members of the NJOTC, our athletic teams, and our Blue Devil marching band. Thank you to everyone who donated a coat for our FCCLA coat drive. We also appreciate members of the Matthews High School National Beta Club for helping our community with the Christmas store. Thank you also to everyone who bought a tidal wave car wash gift certificate to support our junior class and senior prom. Key Club is hosting a winter fundraiser in the MHS cafeteria on Friday, January 23rd. Delicious baked goods will also be available for purchase at the event. We also had several members of our marching band travel to Newport
025News to audition for all district band and many of them achieved honors. Most notably, Hunter Owens placed first in symphonic contra alto clarinet and Jordan Sedg placed first in concert clarinet. Thank you. >> I just have one question. >> The inside out PJ day. >> Um I don't know if it's an official day. I think it's more of a superstition for the snow day. >> Oh, okay. Got [laughter] >> snow. Mhm. >> Okay. But not too much snow so we can't have school, >> right? >> Thank you, Miss. >> Thank you. >> We're half inside out maybe. [laughter] >> All right, we're on item five, student achievement. We're going to be Dr. Daniel will be discussing ASVAB testing results and star data. We can start with that. [snorts] Okay. Um so we'll talk about two
026different tests. So ASVAB is the Armed Services VO vocational assessment. Um battery. Um so we'll go through a couple years of um assessment. So historically what the high school did was only students who were interested in going into the military or wanted some sort of career um battery assessment would sign up to take the ASVAP. So the consequence of that was probably about 15 students on any given year would take the ASVAB. That changed last year because ASVAB results became part of the school performance and support framework, the new accountability system for the state. So one of the areas that the state looked at for measuring the success of a high school was how students did on the ASVAB. As a result, schools across the state started giving everybody the ASVAB because students could acquire
027points, if you will, towards that towards that framework. So last year, um, we gave the ASVAB to mi to all students in 11th and 12th grade with the notion that each year going forward, we would administer the ASVAB to students in 11th grade each year. So, um, so if I I'll back up a little bit. So, the profile in 23 24 looks a little bit different than it will in the next two slides. So, the profile of how our students did in terms of the points that they would earn towards the SPSF kind of is going to look the same for the most part 24 25 as it does 2526. We're requiring all 11th graders to take the test whether they have an interest in going into the military or not because it's part of
028that state accountability framework. The result of that is that not every kid has an interest in the ASVAB. So in 2425 you see a lot of students who earned zero points meaning they're um I'll the last slide goes into some explanation about what score range qualifies for points. So um just what I would say is in terms of performance last year's test administration to this year's test administration are fairly similar. So there's not there's not a whole lot of um trend difference or improvement from last year's cohort of ASVAB students or the students who took the ASVAB to um this year. And I'll be honest, I don't anticipate in future years there's going to be a great change in in the ASVAB because it's it it doesn't really apply to most of our students. It's
029really only relevant for a handful of students who um either have an intrinsic motivation to do well on every assessment that they're given or they're haven't they have an eye towards the military and they want a certain score on the ASVAB in order to qualify for um a certain position within the within the military. I think I misspoke. So the ASVAB is armed services vocational aptitude battery. Um, so really the purpose behind the ASVAB is to determine enlistment eligibility and to assign applicants to military jobs. It does provide some career inventory skills um that the counseling office can use to help students. Um, I talked a little about bullet number two. Previous years was request only. um this so what we're doing going forward is every student in 11th grade takes it um and then
030students who missed it in the previous year um either as seniors or we'll also do kind of a makeup session in the spring those students can also go back and take that ASVAB the accountability system is cohort-based so it's not on how we did in any given year it's on how the students who just graduated performed on that assessment um two years ago or when they took it. So the ASVAB is scored on a 0 to 100 scale. School divisions receive one point for students who score a 65 or better, 75 points for scoring between 50 and 64, a half a point for scoring between 31 and 49, and zero points for scoring below 31. So now that you have that frame of reference, I'll kind of go back and show you sort of how
031the bands break out for the students who took the ASVAB this fall. So um it's again so the the distribution is relatively similar this year's administration to last year's administration. Again, it's um it's it is it is what it is. It's an in my mind it's an odd metric um to measure um part of a measurement um for the school. It's an independent third-party sort of assessment that can be universally given. So I can see but in terms of relevance for our students it's it's it's kind of um kind of tough. >> Well that's my question put a whole lot of merit into it. >> What is the relevance to the students in their words? Do you have any feedback from the students on this on this test? >> I don't know that I do.
032I think they um they're compliant. Um but I think when you >> when I look at the the test results and kind of compare it, there are students who go in and just sort of I think the phrase was Christmas tree it and so they just sort of zigzag on the multiple choice or it's just very very random. Um but then there are also students who take any sort of assessment seriously and so they they knock it out of the park and and do a great job with it. >> Right. massage. >> You know, now that you brought it up, I I do remember in um in my career class that the ASPAB really is one of the better um tests for helping um people select um what career they want to go into. Do
033you I'm wondering if if guidance or school counseling office sold it as that that this is a tool that you can use to help you get an idea of what you're good at and what careers might be out there regarding what what you're good at. You think that might make a little bit of a difference? >> I think it'll make a little bit and they do they do some of that. I mean there there's hey this is beneficial and I think they use the counseling office will use >> um some of the test results as they have meetings with students and planning meetings for whether it's post high school plans or um like schedule planning for their senior year it >> good >> um again like being being 15 16 and being told hey this
034test is going to really help you uh predict your future future, you know, is still it's the right thing for us to do to help students. Um, receiving that message is sometimes difficult though. >> So, any other questions on ASVAB? >> Thank you. >> Can we switch to the start of the other presentation, please? Okay. Thank you. [clears throat] All right. So again, universal screening, that's part of our multi-tered systems of support. So we've been giving the star um assessment for um quite some so about um this is our second full year of doing it. Um so we have two years worth uh two previous years worth of winter assessments um because we started this process in the 23 24 school year during mid year um as part of kind of our onboarding to multi-tered
035systems of supports. So what um what we've seen as we've been able to grow data meetings and that has trickled down into the schools into the grade levels I think we're really starting to see some traction in terms of um gains on this STAR assessment. Again the STAR assessment is is a snapshot in time. It's supposed to be a relatively quick assessment that's nationally normed to give us an idea of of how our students are doing on a on a norm reference basis. We can cross reference that to some criterion referenced assessments for so it gives us some predictability, some remediation strategies in terms of um where students need help and how and how to help them. So, um, for the for our winter screenings, we see we've seen some some great growth, um, at
036the and again, this is reading for the elementary school. So, we've seen significant growth um, there at seventh at excuse me, at second grade um, and then sort of really moving down the line. We see a little bit of a dip um, in in fifth grade. So, we're having those data meetings to kind of figure out um what happened there, why the why the growth isn't uh really what we anticipated. Um, but I think one of the areas to look at is not just at the at benchmark level and the gains at the at benchmark, but looking um at each grade level from the urgent level on up and seeing how those numbers like we're starting to see students sort of moving up in those categories slowly but surely. looking again at reading, staying in
037reading, looking at grades six through eight. Again, we administer star reading um in grades 2 through eight. Um so again, seeing some seeing some growth um a little bit of growth there at the sixth grade level. Um have a dip there at 7th grade, but then again seeing seeing some um good some decent gains there at the eighth grade level. um and seen some growth with um with our students. The trend really continues in math again starting at the elementary school um at the lower levels in second grade. Um seeing great um quite significant gains in mathematics at second grade level then again at third grade level. At fourth grade level I'm really seeing some gains again at fifth grade level. So, lots of good math work happening at the elementary school. Part of that,
038I think, is um some staffing and doing some intervention work with math. Um it's also um just having having those resources. Again, looking at middle school again, seeing some um pretty good improvements in uh across the middle school, sixth grade, seeing some big jumps. Seventh grade, I will I will caveat everything is difficult in seventh grade. Um life is difficult in seventh grade. Um we talked Chromebooks um in seventh grade are are difficult. Um, so if if you can make make gains and do great work in in seventh grade, you're a magician because just like it's seven seventh grade is a tough time. Um, but again, we're seeing um like the number of students sort of moving up up the line and again as reference it's all students in that grade. So especially when we
039talk about math you start differentiating a bit in math. So, we're going to have seventh grade students who are taking algebra 1, who may be taking some other advanced coursework. This is all seventh graders. It's not just students who are in math seven. Okay? So, just keeping that reference point. And then in eighth grade, again, it's all students who are in eighth grade. They may be in um grade 8 math. They may be in algebra 1. They may be in geometry. But these are all the students um and their their performance um on on the STAR test. So, we're finishing up CIP benchmark testing this week and I think kindergarten val testing is also um wrapping up this week. So, we'll be able to take a look at how those assessments sort of compare. Um
040but I feel like this is um there's a reason sometimes like kids have a bad day um and and they don't score well or we had the the day we administered there may have been a fire drill or something. So, there are lots of reasons why, you know, you could have a bad snapshot. It's hard to fake a good one. So, I'm a little um more um confident um that these are, you know, the positive is for real as opposed to, oh, it was just a fluke day. They they guessed right. Like, it's hard to fluke um fluke that. So, >> any questions? Comments from the board? >> Universal screening. I mean, I think what we said is just exciting. Finally, I feel like we've turned a corner, >> especially significantly in math. >> I
041think we're making traction. Like, I I don't think this is like we still have work to do. There's still work to be done. I don't like, you know, I don't like, oh yeah, we're, you know, everybody's going to MIT. It's but I think I think we're making progress in um both the use of data how we um take the information apply it to instruction I think the the work of the teachers and looking having having tools having resources using it to target in day-to-day tier one instruction but interventions um I you know it's a credit to the work that's being done in the schools and in the classrooms. And it's not easy. It hasn't been easy. It's not going to going to get easy. But I think we're starting to see the um return on
042the investment of of time and energy for sure. >> But for two years, we've not seen this kind of report. This is the first time in over two years. >> I mean, yeah, we've not had a lot of 70s pop up and high 60s pop up. You're right. >> And I think in math, every every single grade made progress, moved up, >> right? I would say that this is fabulous. This is why we're here and what we focus on we win at. And this a a corner has been turned. Keep up the momentum. I applaud the teachers, the students, and the staff for their efforts in uh making this happen. This doesn't happen overnight and it doesn't happen by accident. It happens with concerted effort and intentionality by all those concerned who serve our students.
043Thank you so much for this report. [snorts] >> Item six, citizens questions, comments, or requests. Comments not pertaining to personnel or student matters. Protocol for public comment period. Matthews County residents and school employees wishing to speak should sign up with their name and address on the sheet provided. Each individual will have three 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 opportunity 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
044to 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. Our first speaker to the podium is Mrs. Kelly Lockerby. >> Good even Good evening. Um, I wanted to come here tonight to publicly say that I have filed a state special education complaint with the Virginia Department of Education, which is currently under investigation. The state also recommended that I file a discrimination complaint directly with the Federal Office of Civil Rights, which I have done. Over the last few years, the division has repeatedly disregarded my various issues with the special education implementation. The lack of concern shown by the board and superintendent is
045disheartening to realize that even within a public organization dedicated to children that they don't even care about my child. It's sad for my son. I recently removed my son to homeschool. Not because my husband and I want to homeschool or feel that we are prepared and adequate to do so, but because we must do so to protect him from further harm. This division has repeatedly shown alarming carelessness with him. You have subjected him to unqualified, untrained staff. >> Miss Lockerby, please reframe your comments so they do not divulge anything that could be construed as personnel. confidentiality. >> Okay. You have subjected him to violence. You have disregarded his rights. You have discriminated against him as if he were nothing insignificant and unworthy. Special education is rarely a matter of concern or discussion with this division
046leadership at schoolboard meetings. only when it is made an issue or that there is budget cuts to be made. Students in general education have various tests and assessments, vows, PALS, SOS, remediations put into place if needed. Students with disabilities have none of these things. They have their parents and caregivers trying to ensure that they get what they are supposed to, fighting this division every step of the way. You went out of your way to ensure that parents are extremely limited in their ability to observe. I wish that last year when I reached out to you about summer school and the discrimination that I perceived that you would have used that to put in place a policy to prevent further discrimination by this division. Ultimately, my son will be okay. I have the means and the
047determination to ensure that he gets everything he needs. Curriculum, tutoring, therapy, and enrichments. But there are parents in this division who cannot. These are the parents and the children. They're why I'm here tonight because I do care. How the children who are disabled are treated or allowed to be treated in this division speaks volumes about each and every one of you with your silence speaking the loudest. But make no mistake, we hear you and we see you. Thank you, Mrs. Lockerby. Miss Rebecca Mullins. I come here with a very heavy heart to let you all know Wednesday my special needs son who is in a self-contained class was assaulted by a student that we've been here numerous times about. I got a call a little before 1:00 on Wednesday from the principal saying my son
048had been hit and kicked multiple times but only had a small red mark on his back. Do you want me to send him back to class? I said, "No, I'll be right there." So, I left. I called his PCP. I got him from school. I went straight to Deltaville. He was seen by his PCP. His nurse that has seen him his whole life asked me where he was assaulted. I said, "His back." She lifted his shirt. His back was severely swollen. She dropped his shirt right away and ran out and got the doctor. My son was assaulted. I then reached out to people. I have asked repetitively what can be done. Can we remove the child? Can the child can the child have any repercussion at all? Who knows? Because I don't really get a
049response back except that the superintendent will handle it. And Since Wednesday, I haven't heard from the superintendent at all. Not even Wednesday. I have a call in, but I haven't heard anything back. I went to see his doctor again Saturday for a followup because Miss Ransen is awesome and does that kind of thing. And she wrote a script for Homebound because I cannot send him back. His anxiety is too high. He cannot go back into that class. This is really sad. He needs self-contained class. He [snorts] needs special education. He deserves a special education. After leaving his PCP on Wednesday, I came home to get more of his diapers because my son is diapered. And then I went straight to the police department and found out I wasn't the only one that had reported an
050assault on the same child, that there's multiple. I also found out that the school has not reached out to one parent in the class to tell them that there was an assault in the class. So, I started a group chat and told them all and found out, guess what? There's more. I did not divulge the name of the child that had assaulted because he needs help too. He's also suffering. He's not getting the care he needs. He's not in a division that can help him clearly because it's multiple assaults. I ask and I'm coming before you all tonight that you do something about this and not keep letting it go on. Not keep letting children be assaulted. not keep letting kids be hurt. They matter to us. My son only has one spine. He shouldn't
051be afraid to go to school. He shouldn't be assaulted at school. If you were in your work environment and your peer walked up to you and assaulted you so bad that your spine was swollen, you would press charges on that peer. >> Thank you, Miss Mullins. Mr. Ken Childris and Mr. Brian Donnelly. Ken Childris Matthews Robotics Club's coach. Um on January 10th, I turned attended a robotics competition at Glenn Island High School. Um it was sponsored by VEX um robotics. It was 40 40 high schools that signed up. I think there were about 35 there. And it it teaches the the uh students how to work together and build a robot to accomplish a task. And Miss Gibbs was there, too. And you have anything to say about it or >> it was a fabulous
052event. I hope we can participate in it. >> We want to try to do that next year. We have several kids in that robotics class now that are active. Um it meets on Wednesdays at 3:00 after school. We appreciate the board for giving us this opportunity and the um administration at the high school. We're going to try to do this next year. As soon as we get a classroom set up at the high school, we can do a better job. >> Thank you, Mr. Childress. Mr. Donnelly, >> Brian Donnelly Matthews. Uh thanks again to the board for supporting what we're doing. Uh just a quick update on as as Ken said, on Wednesdays we do meet with the with the students. Um we're currently uh disassembling a number of robotic platforms that we have. Uh
053the best way to learn is to take it apart. Um and then we're going to build what we want. Um they're all excited about the prospect of participating in that competition next January. Uh we have a long way to go, but we're excited to be there. So, thanks again for your support. >> Thank you. Thank you for all you're doing for those students. Thank you. Our next speaker is Miss Edith Turner. >> Good even Good evening. Um, just to uh share a little bit of information, the Matthews NAACP has decided after talking to um a couple of teachers at the elementary and middle school that uh we're going to do a a drive to raise um to donate tissues and hand um sanitizing wipes to the teachers so that they don't have to buy those
054things out of pocket. It's cold and flu season and um a couple of teachers have said that they're running out of tissues. Um don't have enough sanitizing wipes. So, we're doing a drive. Anybody who wants to donate um um you can do that. You can reach out to me and we'll we'll even come and pick them up for you and see that they're delivered to the schools. Thank you. >> You have a deadline for the drive, Miss Turner? You have a deadline for the drive? We're going to try to do the first delivery and then if we have to >> Thank you. Don't have any other people signed up to speak. Is there anyone who'd like to approach the podium? There being none, public comment will be closed. We will move on to item seven,
055superintendentformational reports from Dr. Daniels. Item 7.1 is the attendance update. All right. So, uh, real quick, we'll I'll just talk through a little bit about the attendance data. So, we do this again monthly, kind of comparing yearoveryear. Um, >> sorry. Hey, there we go. Um, sorry, it's confusion as to like are am I getting assistance with scrolling or not? So, um, so again with the month overmonth, uh, we're looking year-over-year data, um, for December, um, looking at students with five, those are parent excuses. Again, looking at the high school, Thomas Hunter, and the elementary school, we're seeing a slight increase in the number of students who've exceeded that five parent note for the semester. If you remember a couple years ago, we put in place in an attempt to combat some of the attendance um
056and chronic absenteeism um putting a cap on the number of days per semester that parents can excuse. So that cap is set at five days per semester. Days in excess of five um become unexcused absences. The exception to that are doctor's appointments, court visits, um things along those lines. So what Miss Thomas does is she tracks um the number of students who have exceeded that. Um so at a certain point, warning letters are issued. So the good sign there is so we don't have students who've gotten to the point where attendance letters are warning letters are being mailed. So those numbers are down um in two of the three schools. Um and then again, attendance plans have to be developed prior to taking students to court or filing um issues with court services. So, we're
057down across the board in the number of attendance plans that have um needed to be developed. Um the board asked about tracking tardies. So, this is looking at tardies to school during the day. So for the month of December at the high school we're averaging 16 individual students um tardy per day at Thomas Hunter that is two but at the elementary school that is 12. So if we think about I think the the common thought is again with high school you have a lot of student drivers. They're the ones who are having a struggle getting up getting out of bed getting to school on time. Um but a a pretty similar number um of individual students being tardy um is occurring at the elementary school. The number of students tardies um per month at the
058high school is 192. Um so that's that's over half of our students um were were tardy uh to school in at the high school. Um and then 19 and 147 for the elementary school. One of the things that um as we were asking questions and kind of digging into the attendance and and tardy data, one of the things that Miss Thomas looked at was immediately following snow days. We especially at the elementary school had a pretty significant increase in tardies as there were more parents who were driving their students to school in the days immediately following an outage um due to snow or bad weather. So, if it's um concern about the roads being completely clear, completely safe, or just after a snow trying to get back into the routine, um whatever that cause is,
059there's a pattern of at least especially at the elementary school of increased tardies to school um directly after um days out. Days out for weather um is something. So, we'll we'll figure out like what we can do to um help combat that a bit. Um but that's that's something that we've taken note of. Any questions on on that attendance? When you're looking at the number of tardies uh number of students late for month for example at the elementary school the 147 it's not 147 unique events but there are clusters by specific students >> you see a pattern I mean so you're going to have like you're going to have siblings in that in that cluster um but I think it's my understanding is it is 147 different um different students over that time it's not
060>> um so yeah so you do see quite a bit. I can get some clarification. >> Okay. Yes, please. >> on that to make sure I'm interpreting that number correctly. >> Okay. >> Um but it's still, you know, a pretty it's a pretty it's a steady stream of kids um flowing in at the at the schools. >> And in your opinion, is absenteeism something that is a good thing to focus on and should be um we should keep an eye on? >> I I think we need to keep an eye on. It's really hard to um influence that. It's there's um you can talk carrot or stick in terms of how do you incentivize um students to make it more appealing to come to school on time and and do some um to be there
061more regularly. And then the stick is okay, you know, what are the consequences for um tardies for absences? And so I think the board has struggled a little bit over the years with you what what are appropriate consequences. We've um we've seen tremendous gains in terms of chronic absenteeism over the last two years. So the outreach and the communication to families has has helped improve. I think we're we've seen then the academic achievement increased as attendance has improved. Um, but there's um sometimes it's a um, you know, a cultural piece where being on time isn't isn't as valued as maybe it could be. Um, attendance may not be as valued as it could be. Sometimes it's um, got up late, the car, you know, the car is not working, we missed the bus. I don't
062think that's the norm, but those those situations do occur. Um, so I mean it's a it's a hard thing to nail down. It's easier to try to nail down during the day tardies because the kids are already in your door. So tardy to third period or fourth period is a little easier to curb and corral. But getting getting kids to school um and getting kids to school on time is is a much more difficult task. Like can't just reach in with an alarm clock and grab kids and and drop them into first period. >> I agree. >> But I think it's because it's a measurement for like a federal measurement and a state measurement like for us keeping it on our radar I think is >> is important, >> right? and it impacts so many
063other pieces too. >> And I do hope it uh remains um mandated to be kept on because I do think even though it's hard, it's something that when it's not looked at, it really can get away from you. And I think you've made great strides. Uh and the board kind of um tight tightening up the policy did did help on that. And so yeah, let's we'll just keep looking at this as a regular item. Members, comments, questions? Yeah, >> I just um I I hesitate to comment because I think at the elementary level, you can't punish the student if the parent brings them to school late. And I've stood out there when I was over at the elementary school and it was the same driver, the same mom or the same grandmom or the whoever
064who arrived late coming and the same in the afternoon >> was pretty traditional. So I think it's a a problem and [sighs and gasps] I don't know the answer but I think maybe just the encouragement of Oh, good to see you here. Glad you glad you got here on time today. >> I don't know what else, >> but I know it's been a problem for a long time. >> Thank you, Dr. Daniel. Item 7.2, financial report from Mrs. Emma Hundley, our CFO. Good evening. Um just give you um the report through December as far as our overall expenditures that we have um expended through December is 40.33%. But I wanted to give the board information as far as the perspective of how our budget is broken down. That 80% of our budget is personnel and
065benefits. And then you have 10% that's basically purchase services. And then 5% of it is materials and supplies. And the other um 5% makes up miscellaneous um supplies, tuition payments um and capital outlay and transfers. just to give you an idea of how everything is broken down. But going I mean we are monitoring the purchase services so that making sure that we're staying within our budget and if we need to see what areas where we need to cut back we will. Um but overall through December I mean we're on track as far as to um for our budget for through December. But I also wanted to give a um a overview of our activi school activity funds. Um there the the audit is every year and you guys have a copy of it, but it's
066posted on our um website underneath our finance page under financial information, but um it's done every year by Robinson Farmer Cox and it gives u different recommendations as far as for each school. Um and going forward we will be doing um a audit ourselves before their audit to make sure that everything's in line so that we have some type of perspective of what could come up in the audit when it comes in um July and August August. So just want to give you update on that too. Is there any questions from the board? >> Yes ma'am. Mrs. charges. >> So, coming from Newport News, you just you just gave a breakdown of um salaries versus purchase of services. It was it pretty much the same breakdown in Newport News as far as >> as far
067as Newport News. >> I work for schools. >> Schools. Yes. >> Um I'm not sure because I didn't work for the schools for Newport News. Okay. >> I was at the city. So um but normally the budget is broken down by majority of it is composed of personnel and benefits. I mean that's a normal um across the uh state of Virginia, >> right? Clearly it's majority of be salaries. I just was wondering if ours is pretty consistent with other divisions or if we're a little lighter on the salaries or heavier on salaries. I was just curious about that. I mean, as far as the breakdown, we are right in line with other divisions as far as the percentage for um salaries >> for our for what we budgeted. >> Thank you. >> Yes, Mr. Dixs.
068>> I want to thank you for this document. It's helpful. >> As I read more of it, it will be more helpful. Thank you again, >> Mrs. Hley. I have I have a question regarding um the activity funds. When you get the report from the auditors, I have a request that the board receives that report plus any um uh remediation or uh followup on recommendations that they may make so that we are all making sure if there are any policy changes that need to be made that would help implement those uh recommendations that we are aware of them and that we make them. Um is that is that possible? >> That is that is possible. >> Wonderful. Yeah. Thank you. >> Any other questions or comments? >> Thank you, Mrs. Huntley. >> So, moving on
069to 7.4. Yeah. Sorry, I didn't mean to jump in. Um, so >> 7.3. >> Oh, sorry. Thank you. I shouldn't have jumped in. Should have let you do it. All right. So, 7.3. Some other additional um items for the board. So, Miss Hunley just reviewed the line item um expenditure report. Um but she also talked about those activity funds that you you have a copy of the audit. So, they're monthly um again just as a reminder. So, those monthly reports are placed in board docs kind of expenditures, account balances, all that is reported to the board um each month for you all to take a look. I think it's relatively impressive to look at the volume of accounts that the school-based um bookkeepers work through um the balances that are in those accounts and and
070just kind of what what flows through that that financial office at the at the school level. Um the Virginia 250 update. So, um, with a lot of of work from, um, Miss Diggs on the board kind of taking the taking really the lead uh, for the for this board and helping facilitate some partnerships. We have a school liaison now. Also, Miss Mary Beth Burroughs has agreed to be the liaison for the school between the school division and the Matthews VA250 committee. Um, Miss Burroughs, Miss Simpson and I had a meeting last week to kind of talk through and brainstorm some ideas on some partnership notions. Um, Miss Burroughs is going to uh hopefully I've kind of I've connected Miss Burroughs to some members of the local 250 to begin that conversation so they can start
071communicating directly. We can brainstorm on ideas. I think we had some some pretty interesting ideas for maybe what we could do for summer, possibly doing a camp. I think somehow weaving into the the passport program that VA250 has been talking about. >> Great. >> So, um we'll we're interested. We'll we'll see kind of what what we're able to make happen with the local committee's partnership and supports. Uh we talked a little about sale 250 and what we could what we can do there. So, um we've um I think I think we've opened up the door for some some pretty cool things to happen. um partnering with school division and the local committee. So that's just kind of a quick little update on where we stand with that. >> That's fantastic. And I want to thank
072Miss Diggs specifically for your boots on the ground work and um collaborating with Miss Burroughs um only great things are going to happen. Thank you for all your energy out there on this. It's a once in a-lifetime experience for most well not all of us all of us in its own way. Yes. Yes. Yes. >> All right. >> Item eight, we'll move on to 8.1. Schoolboard conferences and webinars. Members, you'll see a variety of um due dates on mandatory training that you must take with your names in red. Um and all those just make sure just make sure you're aware of your due dates. We do see um information from SBMA that has been posted here on opportunities for those of us who are members of the schoolboard members alliance uh in terms of training.
073So that will be appearing again in addition to uh the SBA conferences and workshops that are available. Item 8.2 two, we are at board and committee reports by schoolboard members and superintendent and I have a bay consortium uh work development meeting in a couple weeks. I don't have anything to report. Does anyone have anything to report from any recent uh board meetings they have attended? Governor school. Um I miss Bohan Stewart and I attended um the governor's school meeting which was face to face the only one face to face. Um others are through zoom that was last Thursday in u at rape community college in Warsaw. Um we had two students who pres uh two 11th grade students who presented on their biology um project which I thought was they did an excellent job. Um
074and there each were from Richmond County schools. Um talked about budget for this next year where I believe it was 1.25% is their steps are their steps. Um they're about in line with us except for that 1.25%. Um so that's one of the reasons I raised that issue earlier today. Um I did share with um Miss Leslie Hunley earlier. I forwarded her. So I'm not sure Dr. Daniel if he received this but they they gave a draft calendar for next year. So just to have that in hand when we uh provide our um when we develop our own calendar for next school year you just have that to review. >> And so just a little background for board members. So um frequently in our region three meetings um we'll meet we'll come early to have
075a meeting with um Dr. to write from CBGS >> and we frequently will have conversations about calendar and trying to align calendar. We we we tried to do that last year. I thought we were in alignment. Um and we approved our calendar the month before everybody else did and then everybody else has changed. So that's why like you're not seeing a first draft of a calendar this month. I'm waiting until next month to um put forth a draft of calendars. so that then by March we can have um an approval. So yeah, I I thought we were aligned last year with spring break and a couple other things. Um but that didn't pan out >> and that's the reason I forwarded. So you know, but but that's late plans like you said last year >>
076and they're in the middle. they they struggle with different spring breaks and start dates and they're trying to wrangle 13 or so different school divisions and different scheduling times um so they can have a consistent schedule for their students. >> They still have um I can't remember the number of vacancies, but at um all three campuses there are openings um for additional students. >> Did you want to add anything to that, Mr. Brandon Stewart? Um, I I really enjoyed going um being a former science teacher, I really enjoyed the presentations. So, great. Wonderful. Um, before we move on past item 8.1, please take your calendars out again if you have them. We are going to establish members who will be attending board of supervisor meetings. Uh, I attended the January 15th meeting. We're looking for
077those to fill February through June. I would like to take March 19th. >> Oh gosh. if that's all right with everyone. >> Board of supervisors. >> What's the date in >> Okay. February 19th, >> March 19th. >> Gibbs, April 16th, May 21st, June 18th. >> Dr. Gibbs. >> Yes, Mr. >> I'll take uh February the 19th. >> Thank you. Miss Dixs will take February 19th. Oh, >> where's the >> I can do April 16th. >> Thank you, Mr. Morgan. Mr. Morgan will take April 16th. >> When? >> Yeah, this is when was the one in March again? >> I'm going to take that if at all possible. March 19th. I will take that one. We have >> Okay. >> Uh May 21st and June 18th. >> May 21st. >> Dr. You're April. Did you say
078>> I'm March? >> You're March. >> Mr. Morgan is April. >> Any takers for May or June? >> I don't have anything on my calendar for May 21st. >> May 21st. Thank you, Miss Bohannan Stewart. >> So, I can do that one. >> I would be glad to look at my calendar when I get home for June 18th. >> That would be wonderful. We will put we will pencil messages in, but she will check. I have it written down in my notes. >> Thank you, Miss Loud. You have all that. Thank you. >> Moving on to item 8.3, the naming of member to serve on the middle peninsula region regional special education program MP board. I u will gladly take that role unless there is any uh opposition. Thank you. Moving on to item 8.4.
079for the naming of the member to serve on the Chesapeake Bay Governor's School CBGS joint school board. >> Miss Bohannet Stewart, I believe that's you. Have you agreed to make that change? >> Yes, I >> uh Mrs. Hajes has been serving on in that position for many multiple years, I think. Um >> at least 10 years, I believe, >> and looking to roll off. So, Miss Bohannah Stewart will roll on. >> I'm excited about it. If you guys are good with that. >> Thank you. >> Great. Moving to item 8.5, the policy committee discussion. Members, we have spoken individually. Um I've spoken individually with each of you on this. Is there uh any discussion that we'd like to have uh regarding this in open meeting? We I just would like to say that we've been
080talking about the policy committee as standing committee for a long time. We do have a policy uh that frames this this committee. Um but we do need two members. Uh and I believe we have a solution. >> I'm willing to serve on it. I think this is uh important that we start uh being proactive in this. >> Well, we are reactive, but we are a little late, but um but we need to we need to start doing this in a deliberate manner. >> That's the word. Deliberate. Yes. >> Mrs. Hodson, I believe we have. >> Yes. >> And Mr. Morgan, thank you very much both of you for stepping up to that. Of course, this is always collaborative, but the two of you will be will comprise the standing committee and uh work with the
081superintendent and admin as needed and consulting with the entire board [snorts] uh on all of uh all of the work done in the policy committee. Thank you very much. Item nine, agenda nine, action items 9.1. We are looking for approval of policy services through schoolboard member alliance SBMA. May I have a motion? >> Yes. I'll make the motion that we adopt the uh policy services agreement through the schoolboard member alliance. as listed. >> As listed Yes. >> Thank you, Mr. Morgan. Do we have a second? >> I second that. >> Thank you, Miss Bohannon Stewart. Discussion. >> Yes, Dr. Daniel. >> Just just one point to note on the um reviewing this a little bit today. the terms and conditions um for like item um page two item number one it talks about it being
082um halfyear it ends on May 31st of 2026 um so I don't know when the board is planning to think about re-upping so if we don't act until the end of June we may be out for a month which we've been without policy services for several months at this point so that that may not be as big of a of an issue. Um, but looking in terms of what's written down, so terms and conditions, it says it's for six months, but then item number 10, it says divisions are purch purchasing this service for a full year. So, they may need to come back and edit um that this agreement would be for six months as opposed to um being for the full year. >> So, So item number 10 >> divisions are purchas [clears throat]
083>> so just >> I I I question the verbiage on that if it's pertinent to our specific division or if it's a general statement about divisions >> right so just there may just some clarification you guys are thinking through >> I mean to me January January 1 February March April May that's five but it says six for a half a year term That's six months. So, I don't understand. That's That's confusing to me. Under under terms and conditions, number one for a halfyear term. My understanding was this was through for full six months, prorated for six months. So, that would be >> prorated. Yes. >> A prorated amount for because they they they provide policy services on an annual basis. >> Right. Right. So six out of 12 months is what you're saying. Five out
084of 12 months. >> Right. You're right. Okay. I just want to make sure I'm >> That is correct. >> Okay. Now I do think that because they will prorrate this that that adjustment can be made to this agreement because their services run June to June June to the end of May. So I think that's what the I think that's what it is. Um more clarification is needed on that point. >> Yes. Yeah. The uh I'm sorry. >> No, you go ahead. >> Cut you off. Um prrated fee for that period is $1,50. Correct. >> Correct. >> And for the full year it is $2100. Yes. Was it? Okay. So, you're paying half of the amount. >> Yes. But but it appears that the term is not correctly stated. The term is only on this bulletin
085is only covering five months, not six. >> Right. >> I have a question. If we adopt this, does that mean that we just adopt the policies from the policy services from the SBA, SBMA? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yes. This does not have to do with membership in each organization. >> Okay. In the event of a of a mistake in the dating of this, we we may have to we may have to table this for clarification. ation on the points. Um I think as a group we know that policy services is something that we want to secure and that we need to secure. I believe that we can I don't want to table but I see that we need to table. >> You clarify the I do yeah I agree. Yeah. Should I withdraw my
086motion? >> Would you be willing to >> table it? We can just table the motion. >> Just table. >> Okay. >> So, we just make an additional motion. >> Do I need to make a motion to table? >> Can we make a motion to table? Can we make a motion to table it? >> I think so. >> I'll make a motion to table it. >> Thank you, Mrs. >> We go along. >> I second. >> Okay. Thank you, Miss Dixs. And any discussion about the motion to table? >> This is strictly for clarification of the dates. Yes, for the the key points that Dr. Daniel has brought up, the wording on item 10, >> uh, and the month the month that seems to be one month short, right, >> on item one. Any of these
087other things for >> those are just notes for me to talk to you about later. >> Okay. Okay. >> Especially like that says half a year. >> Yeah, that's does not comport. Does not comport. Agreed. Uh, any further discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. >> We're agreeing to table it. >> Correct. That is the motion. >> I. >> Okay. All those opposed. Motion passes. Item is tabled. Item 9.2, the approval of out of county tuition waiver requested by a school employee. May I have a motion? I make a motion to approve the outofcount tuition waiver requested by a school employee for the remainder of the 2025 2026 school year. >> Thank you, Miss Digs. Do we have a second? >> I second that. >> Thank you, Miss Bohanned Stewart. Any discussion?
088All those in favor say I. I. >> I. Opposed? Motion passes. Item 10, citizens comments on items discussed during the meeting. The same rules will apply. Do we have anybody who would like to approach the podium? Please state your name and address. Sharon Fryport Haywood. Being a school board member is a hard and difficult job. Most of the time thankless. I come up here to thank you for your service. You don't have eyes in the back of your head. You have no control of what one student does to another. I'm sure you put personnel in that's adequate and sometimes it's not. So, I thank you for your service. >> Thank you, Miss Fry. Is there anyone else who'd like to approach the podium? Right. There being none, we'll move on to item 10.1, school board
089member comments. Yes, Mrs. Hud. >> Um, I'm sorry that um Miss Lockerby and Miss Mullins um have left. Um I as a parent of a student of a child in um special needs, it's a very difficult situation being in a public school with other other children. and I'm sorry that that um they're experiencing what they presented. I would like to say though that just because and it's not just for this matter but any personnel matter or student matter just because we don't address it publicly does not mean we don't take things seriously. We don't take concerns seriously and we it doesn't mean that we don't discuss matters um behind closed doors in closed session as appropriate um one-on-one with the superintendent. I don't want the public to uh presume that because we don't speak about
090it publicly that we don't take every matter that's brought before us seriously. Uh because we do. Um, so thank you very much, Madam Chair. >> Thank you, Mrs. Hodes. >> Anyone else have any comments to make? >> I I really appreciate um all those who um comment. Um, I always learn a lot by listening to everyone and uh I thank um Miss Turner for um doing the fundraiser for the teacher supplies. Um too many teachers take money out of their own pockets and so I really appreciate the community members of the community when they give back to to teachers who dig into their pockets way too much. Um, yes. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Bohan and Stewart. Any more comments or reports now? Item 11, school board member reports. >> Yes. All right.
091Um, a report on sale 250 that Dr. Daniels has mentioned and Dr. Gibbs has mentioned. Um, the Matthews County Public Schools has Mary Beth Burus, one of our teachers of the year, taking the helm for sale 250. Our application is in and soon we'll be paired with one of the 60 ships coming to Norfolk this June, the 19th to the 23rd to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Um, ships from all over the world are joining in this worldass maritime celebration. I'm pretty excited about it, I'll tell you. 10,000 officers, cadetses, and crew from 20 nations will be in our waters and in our towns, providing programs and developing bonds of international goodwill. Norfolk, being the largest naval base in the world, is proudly hosting the ships and the crew.
092Matthews 250, the Matthews Outdoor Club, the Gwins Island Civic League, uh, are all on board with events for this once, um, it for this once-in-a-lifetime event. The Matthews Library is holding a poster contest in February with Rachel Mars assisting Matthews High School student entries. The Bay School is accepting further artwork. Judging will take place in early March and cash awards will be presented at the Bay School. Details on this contest will be in the local paper this week. I believe Charlie, you hope. Me too. Uh we anticipate staff members at each of our schools engaging uh their students in a project for sale 250. As participants and projects develop, we will publicize it in the cassette journal. Mrs. Burus, we are extremely grateful to you for heading this up. Please know that you have support
093from the county uh waiting to assist. We should soon know what ship we will be paired with uh for this wonderful event. You all stay tuned. >> Very good. Thank you, Miss Digs. That's that is awesome. Wonderful. >> Any other comments, reports, anything? [snorts] No. All right. Great. Moving on to Sorry. >> Yes. Yes. >> Um so just um to give the board um a little heads up on um winter preparedness and so as we're planning for um the potential for significant snow and the the ripple effects then for next week. So I've asked principles to ask their teachers to prepare packets for remote work. Um so teachers are preparing three to four days worth of activities worth of lessons. Uh Miss Lindberg in the cafeteria is starting some planning to think through um providing
094um food and lunches and the things like that. So hopefully uh while most of the weather models are sort of coalescing around a pretty significant event um we we should have better detail better a pretty good indication um by late Thursday. So my goal is to be able to really make a pretty good decision um by by Friday morning to send things home with students on Friday. Monday is already scheduled to be a um a teacher work day. So then looking at Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, how to handle the remainder of that week. if we're expecting if we end up getting the amount of snow that um they're calling for in double digits of of inches, that's probably going to take us out um for the for most of the week because I don't think
095temperatures right now are forecasted to get much above freezing. So, we're putting some pieces in place. a lot of folks are moving um to be able to um use some of that time like I I don't want to be the guy who killed snow days. Um but at the same time, we've um in terms of recouping instructional time and doing things to like still get out of school on time and keep student progress happening, teachers are um prepping for that. So principles and I had a conversation last week about putting that in motion before we started seeing all the forecasts. So we had to sort of um speed up those plans a little bit. So we don't have robust we don't have a onetoone with Chromebooks. Not every student is assigned a Chromebook. We don't
096have the bandwidth um quite yet within the in the community for it to be a digital day. So we're doing a bit old school and running copies and making packets to send home with students. so that they can work on some review activities, catching up on some of those activities, stuff like that. So, just like we're we're planning to try to mitigate some of the impact of what looks like a pretty significant storm. >> Did did I understand you just say that they it sounds like they're going to be sending um meals home with the students. Is that kind of what >> So, we're Miss Lindberg and I have had a a very brief conversation about what that would look like since we're talking about making a decision on Friday to send things home for
097later in the week. So, what what does that look like? Like I I don't know. Um, so she and I will um circle back tomorrow to brainstorm a little bit on how how that can happen and how um you know what what does that look like because I don't we don't have enough time to order different kinds of of food and preparation and things like that. So I we'll we'll touch base tomorrow to think through um how how many days we could do you know maybe we could only do one day maybe just based on what we have what we have in stock. So >> would would you kindly once you decide on that kindly shoot us an email just to let us know kind of doesn't be that specific but just a general idea
098of what what the plan is. >> We'll do. >> Thank you. >> Good information. Thank you. >> Item 12, other business by school board members or the superintendent. So sorry there there you go. Uh item 12.1. Just a reminder that the school tour for representatives of the community and civic organizations is Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026 at 9:00 am beginning at Thomas Hunter Middle School. And I would say be there a few minutes early if you are on that list to join that tour. Item 12.2, our next monthly closed meeting will be Tuesday, February 17th, 2026, 5:00 PM at the Brooks Auditorium here at Thomas Hunter. Item 12.3, our next regular monthly meeting will be that same evening, Tuesday, February 17th at 6 PM in the Brooks Auditorium right here at Thomas Hunter. Item 12.4, there
099will be a public hearing for FY27, school budget, Tuesday, February 24th, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. in the Brooks Auditorium at Thomas Hunter Middle School. And finally, item 12.5, Joint Matthews Board of Supervisors and Matthews School Board budget work session will be Tuesday, February 24th at 6 PM in the Brooks Auditorium right here at the middle school. Any other comments, questions? If not, this meeting is adjourned. Miss Bohan Stewart, >> uh, just a reminder, I was really hoping to get the master schedules at all three schools to help kind of understand the budget and how staff is spread out. >> I think that's a great idea and that would be beneficial to the full board. Thank you. Thank you. This meeting is adjourned. Thank you everyone. Be safe out there tonight at the on the weather
100with the weather.