001Everybody, we call to order the regular session of the new Kent County School Board on September 9th, 6 p.m. All school board members are present. For the record, Mr. Vault is attending the meeting remotely due to personal circumstances, and this was approved by the board before the start of the closed session. Uh, Mr. of all we have that feedback again, sir. >> Okay, I'll go to mute in 321. >> Thank you, sir. All right. Do I hear a motion to come out of close session? >> So move. >> Mr. Rhymer has the motion. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Mr. Broski has the second. Miss Davis, please pull the board. >> Mr. Pano, >> I. >> Miss Kuna, >> I. >> Mr. Broski, >> I. >> Mr. Boy, >> I. >> And Mr.
002Rhymer, >> I. All right, motion passes unanimously. We are out of close session. Mr. Rhymer, if you would please read the certification, sir. >> Certainly. Whereas the new Kent County School Board has convened a closed meeting on this date pursuant to an affirmative reported vote and in accordance with the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and whereas section 2.2-3711 2-3711 of the code of Virginia requires a certification of the new Kent County School Board that such a closed meeting was conducted in conformity with Virginia law. Now, and therefore be it resolved that the new Kent County School Board hereby certifies that to to the best of each member's knowledge, only public business matters lawfully exempted from the open meeting requirement by Virginia law were discussed in closing meeting to which this certification resolution
003applies. and only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the closed meeting were heard, discussed, or considered by the new county school board. >> Thank you, Mr. Rhymer. Do I hear a motion to approve the certification of the close session? >> So move has the motion. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Miss Dumbroski has the second. Miss Davis, please pull the board. >> Mr. Pagano, >> I. >> Miss Kuna, >> I. Mr. Tumbroski >> I >> Mr. I >> I >> and Mr. Rhymer >> I All right, motion passes unanimously. If everybody please rise and join us 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, one nation under God, indivisible, with
004liberty and justice for all. All right, everybody. The first item on the agenda is recognitions and school spotlight. Dr. Nichols, please. >> Yes, sir. We have a couple recognitions. Uh in October, we'll go back to um our newer format with senior of the month, athlete of the month, and some additional recognitions. But September 8th is World Physical Therapy Day. We have some incredible folks uh in New um who do that work each and every day. and I've got an opportunity to see them in action a number of times. Uh so just want to thank Michelle Fever, Barb Riley and Sarah Morris for all the work they do for our students. Um they move mountains and kids do incredible things because of their work in physical therapy. So next up is uh National IT Professionals Day
005which is September 16th, 2025. Um, our team is small but mighty. Um, and a number of former New Kent High School graduates are on this technology team. I think technology is leading the league in New Kent graduates. Uh, so want to thank starting with our executive director of technology, Shawn Terry, and the members of his team, Kenny Tay, Ashley Meredith, Brian Davis, uh, Colby Page and Jimmy Moore, recent graduates, Charlie McClenta, who makes this meeting run, who's a very recent graduate, and then Campbell Profit and Laura Clark, uh, also new graduates, recently uh, helping with our social media work. So, uh, we couldn't do this work without them. It's one of those uh areas that you really realize how well they do when something goes wrong. Um so and they do a fantastic job make
006sure that doesn't happen. If something does, they spring into action. So >> thank you Dr. Nichols. Yes, sir. >> Next item on the agenda is our consent agenda. Board members, you've had the opportunity now to review the items listed on set agenda, including the following meeting minutes. the April 14th regular meeting, the May 19th work session, the June 2nd regular meeting, and the August 5th regular meeting, as well as the superintendent's recommendations regarding the personnel matters. Do I hear a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented? >> So move. >> Mr. Broski has the motion. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Miss Kuna has the second. Miss Davis, please pull the board. >> Mr. Pagano, >> I. >> Miss Kuna, I. >> Miss Drosski, I. >> Mr. I >> and Mr. Ryder.
007>> I motion passes unanimously. Moving on to new business. The first item is the acknowledgement of crisis management emergency and evacuation plans. Mr. Hawkman. >> Good evening, Mr. Bour. I'm a chair, vice chair, members of the board. I'm Dr. Nichols. Um this evening I am here for the acknowledgement of the crisis management emergency evacuation plans. Um each of our schools has updated plan on file. All of these plans are reviewed annually and are aligned with Virginia code and DOE requirements on drills training and coordination is an ongoing thing in conjunction with first responders and a copy of that is available for here if you'all would like to review that. Does >> anybody have m questions or comments for Mr. Hawkman? Thank you, sir. >> Thank you. >> All right, Mr. Miller, your next item, sir.
008So, accreditation update. >> This will be a little longer than Mr. Hopkins presentation. >> All right. Good evening, members of the board. Dr. Nichols. Um, my joy and pleasure to bring to you tonight the result for New County Public Schools from the top here. Um, they were published uh publicly by the state um without notice. >> Yeah, without >> in the ongoing div in the ongoing struggle with communication with the Virginia Department of Education. Typically, you have notice on that. Um, and we'd like to provide you notice that was done without anybody knowing. So, >> yeah. >> Uh, we do have a timeline for when these things are going to be released. Just not necessarily does it is it followed on but um all right. So, uh, we've done some some work with the data
009to take a look at at where we're at. Um, and so just want to share those things with you. This is a look at where we are as an entire division. Um, we're proud of gains that we've made over the last um last couple years really. Uh, when you look at the last um three or four years, we've got we've been increasing improving everywhere. So, um, especially with sort of where we rank across the state. So where where we have here is each subject area and then where our current ranking is in the state in those subject areas. So in reading this past year we saw an increase of 2% in our pass rate. We're currently ranked 20th. Math we saw a 4% pass rate pass rate and we were ranked seventh in the state.
010Science we went up by 4% um to 80%. We're 12th in the state. In history we went up by one and we're fifth in the state. Um and then in writing we went up by 7% or 16. Um all those um rankings have increased um year-over-year. Um the last three or four years and um as well as the overall percentages. Um so our overall pass rate when you have all of our tests we're at 82.23% and ranks currently ninth in the state which is pretty good out of 135 positions. >> I believe when we presented last year Mr. Miller somebody challenged us to get in the top 10. So, challenge accepted. >> Um, so we move from 16 to ninth. >> I have another challenge. >> We're in number one. We'll get there. >> All
011right. So, we want to go through each individual school and show you how they how they're doing. Um, so in at George Bkins, uh, reading stayed steady, math increased by 5% to get us into the 90s there. Science went up by 12% and Virginia history went up by 7%. New kid elementary school um we did see a decline in reading and um and by 7% our math up by 7% and then science and history stayed steady at 82 and 76%. Quinton saw an increase in reading um of 8% math an increase of 9% science they took a dip down by 9% and then Virginia history went by 4%. and board members, just a reminder. So, in elementary reading and math, grades three, four, and five all take it. Um, in science, only fifth graders take
012science. Um, it is a test that covers multiple years. Um, and Virginia history is is only fourth graders, so it's a it's a smaller um sample set. At the middle school, we saw increases in every area. Reading went up by 5%, math by 3%, science by 12%, and civics by 6%. and history or sorry the high school. So at the high school reading went down by 1% they were already at 93% so 1% drop there. Um isn't overly significant. Um math went up by 5%, science again dropped by 1%, history by 3% and writing at 7%. Uh just before you continue on u to the next slide just to give you a little bit of context on a couple different things. So the um I know that last week uh the chronicle ran all these
013numbers um and so overall they looked good. There are some high school numbers that were in the chronicle that were a bit concerning. Uh when you look at those those numbers in there they were specifically earth science and via US history. those subject areas. The stu only students taking those have already are students who have not been successful world history 1, world history 2 and they're now taking via US history um and andor biology and now they're taking earth science. Um so that via US history numbers out of like 25 students. And so as we get that number down um each each non-pass it hurts you even more those pass rates. It's one of those weird things. As we get better with world history, you're going to see the VA US history number go down
014because you only take an SO test for one, you only take one test per subject. U so if you're taking VA US history, you have failed the world history so uh we do incredibly well in VA US history. Our kids make good grades. They can tell you all about the subject. They pass the final exam. they just are not allowed to take the SQL test. We would love for them to um by by state and federal regulations. So, it's it's hard to explain in a news article. Uh but I know a couple of you have gotten feedback about, oh, what's going on in Virginia US history? Come in a classroom. We're doing incredible. We have fantastic teachers. Uh it's just the sample size is small and it's students who don't pass. >> So, as I
015said, it was 25 students. So, 18 students did not pass. We've reviewed all 18 students. It's a variety of reasons as to why they did not pass. Um some of them transferred in so they had no transferred in from out of state. So they have no basis of Virginia history and start starting from scratch. Uh but um a number of others have just they have continuously not been successful in history and so working with them on seeing how we can get get them to pass that before they graduate. >> Is there Mr. Chair? May I ask please? Is there a way that that can be clarified because in that article it makes it seem that we're doing very poorly? >> Yes, >> we'd be happy to put that together for you guys and and sort
016of thing that you guys can share if you receive that question. If you read that article like wow they're doing great but what is going on in these two areas. Um we're very strong in our science. We're very strong in VA US history. We have fantastic teachers there. Um it's it's a nuance with the testing system. So we we can put that together. Um if you look at the end the number of kids in that group you quickly see that most have 300 kids and then this only has 25. So that that should tell you something. U but we we can put that together from the screen if you like. >> So follow up. So the minus three does that factor in >> that includes VA? Yeah. >> Yeah. That's all of our history classes
017together that's factored in. >> Thank you. >> Um >> to give you I'm going to go over a little bit in a little bit about sort of uh All right. Yeah. Let's continue on and then I'll get back to that on what how are we responding to these schools. >> Um before we get into that, um wanted to go over a little update from the state. You may have seen that the state is looking at new um cut scores for their SOS. This is all based on a study that was done couple years ago by the national center for educational statistics and they were looking at the NAPE basically the NAPE assessment. Uh the NAPE assessment is the national assessment that is used to build the national report cardboard and look at states and rank
018states and then also rank a country our country against other countries even though we are the only country that takes the name assessment. And so um the what they found was um that Virginia actually when they ranked it they felt that Virginia had the lowest standards of any state and one of the largest honesty gaps. What an honesty gap is is when you look at the NAPE assessment and you look at the state per our state performance on our own state SOS that there is a discrepancy that we're not scoring as high on the NAPE assessment as we are on Virginia SOS. Um variety of reasons on that one. Um one big one is that we um one of the few states who have strictly geared standards for their state. most states are have adopted
019some form of the common core which we have stayed pretty fair or away from and so you have that plus the NAVE assessment the way it's given is just drastically different than the way the SLS are given um it's a random selection of districts uh any one year and they come in and they test 50 students out of your entire student population and um and that's how they generate basically their assessment and then again on the native assessment we get no data back on it um to tell us how our students did >> and board members we go years without any new Kent student represented in that ape data and when they are represented there are 50 kids and as Mr. that we have no idea how they did. Um, and I would venture to
020say that they don't really work as hard on that as a mess test. Uh, but that's the rules and and we we follow them. >> So, based on this study, u based on our performance on Nate, this the state wanted to up basically up the rigor and up the expectations, which is fine. We don't want to be we don't want to be last in the in the country as far as our expectations. So, wanted to give you a little bit of update of what that's going to look like. So if we go on to the next slide, you'll see uh not the current projection but the previous I wanted to show you the history of the way in which we adjusted cut scores. So the last time an adjustment happened um was first in 2013
021and then again in 2020. Um, and so the scores look a little weird uh because in the history of the so 400 has always been passing or proficient and 500 has always been advanced. And so you're look probably looking at the if you look at the lefth hand scores there 2013 the numbers look a little weird. What the state did at that point was they actually changed the percentage pass rate that a uh that you needed to pass. So the number of questions uh that you needed to pass. And so that's basically working backward of what was a 400 in 2020 would have actually um if we scored to 2013 on the same percentage passing would have been a 420 back in 2013. So back in 2013 we had harder standards and so for from
0222013 to 2020 those standards were reduced by cutting the amount of questions a student had to get right in order to pass. And so again, it's working backwards to get those numbers in 2013, but that's what they would have been um the equivalencies there. So in almost every area, a proficiency in 2013 would have been exceeding what a proficient in 2020 would have been. So it was harder to get a pass rate back then or pass back then than it was in 2020. So what they're trying to do now is they're trying to adjust it. Um not at least at this point, not saying they're going to adjust it in the same way. They're going to adjust what basically what the the 400 is no longer going to be the pass. So our next slide
023has what the new P the new proposed pass um pass cut scores will be. >> Um >> and the state board has not taken action on this yet. So this is just we're giving you real time >> um information because it has pretty significant consequences. So the state board heard this for the first time a week ago um or yeah a week ago and so we sat in on that meeting to listen sort of what the way in which they came about this did not get a lot of information in there as to how these numbers were actually um arrived at because they're not very round numbers and I was hoping to get a little bit of picture of what what they were shooting for here and what what where they come up with. They
024did not really share that information. But if you look, every single one of these would be well above and beyond what they even were in 2013 by a good 20 to 30 points. Um the most significant change here if you look down there at the bottom is EOCC reading would be a 479 to get a pass rate. Again, a 500 this year would have been a pass would have been a pass advanced. Um, so, um, I will say that when you look at the way the cut scores were changed between 2013 and 2020, BOC reading had the lowest percentage of questions needed to pass. And so it see it makes for reason that it would be the the one to go up the most. >> But keep in mind, board members, EOCC reading is a
025course that a high school kid needs to pass in order to get a diploma, a verified credit in order to do that. So 479 is a significantly higher bar than we're dealing with right now. So uh >> it and I I sorry Mr. Miller u I I have thoughts and and opinions on some of those that I just can't hold. Um one of them is so not against raising a standard all for that. I'm also in favor of giving us time to adjust. So this is supposed to go live with this testing cycle. >> I know >> now we test at a semester for high school. So in theory, our fall kids will have a different cut score than our spring kids. So that's that's an issue. So there's not a big onrap. The other
026part is uh we're pushing advanced math uh which I think is fantastic. Um and we're starting that in fourth grade. Some of the cut scores that we were given from the department of education to put a kid in advanced math will not pass next year. Now you make that make sense for us. Um it's it's it's a little so we keep asking questions because we're trying to understand if a 421 can get you advanced math this year and it doesn't have next year. That's strange. So um we're grappling with it, but we always try to give you information as as we learn it. So I'll be quiet. >> Mr. Chairman >> s your honor. >> Um is there a way for us to look at what uh we would what our pass rate would be
027if we just >> that's just ahead of us. >> Um as Dr. Nichols mentioned with the math u these do these are considerable jumps um in the math and so this past year a legislation was passed that said that if a student um is scores in the upper quartile so the top 25% of the state then they should be basically placed into accelerated math and then parents can opt their child out the and that's if those courses exist within the division at the the proficient score for the the for grade 8 math the score that was needed in order to get the so the upper cortile was below a 430 so that means 75% of the state of Virginia scored below that 430 there um and the seventh grade math was pretty much right almost
028at it and so it wasn't much of a change so this this will be significant when you look at 75% of the state already would have failed this test in next year. So you can imagine what this is going to do to overall pass rates in the coming year. So if you want to jump to the next slide, let's see what it would do to our pass rates for this past year. Um so >> keep in mind as you're looking at this, we are number nine in the Commonwealth of Virginia in academic performance on SOS. >> so reading um we scored at 81% this year. we would score 45th percentile using those test scores and then at the math or 85th percentile we would drop to 54%. Um again we would be right up there
029um we wouldn't drop really any spots um but that's where we would where our pass rate would be. Basically, I want people to understand that yes, we're expectations go up and we'll meet those expectations. Those numbers uh will will start rising, but next year is not going to be very painless. Uh it's it's not we we're not it's I'll be thrilled if we stay in the 80s. Um but the likelihood is is very small. Um Tennessee did this a couple years ago. They now have some of the highest standards in in the United States and they saw numbers drop just like this pretty much across the board and now they've seen those scores rise at standard score. So they have seen some correlation there. So >> that's a good thing. >> Um Mr. Chairman finished
030Mr. Miller >> for this bar. >> Go ahead Mr. Ron. >> Uh well I may be anticipating it again. >> Maybe a slide ahead again. >> Wait till the end question. Okay, that's fine. You go. >> Sorry about that, Mr. F. >> So, I wanted to talk a little bit about how we responding to this year's David. Um, and so you saw we went up in most areas. We had a few areas that we we went down in. A couple things about some areas that we saw declines in. Reading and math were brand new tests this past year. And so, anytime that we have a resetting of standards, if you go back, you take a look, it happens every um typically happens every seven years. We did have an acceleration of that this past time.
031Every time that happens, you see a decline in everybody's basketball scores to a bit. Um, our math scores went up across the board, even with brand new standards. So, very excited about that. Science or sorry, English uh for the most part went up, but we did see some declines in some of our schools as we adjust to that, but we'll be right back up to where we need to be. and board members. The governor in his press conference did talk about that and he also stated that the assessments were 30 to 40% harder or more rigorous this year. So, we're excited about the gains that we've seen despite me tests and more rigorous assessments. >> Yeah. >> So, some of the things that we're doing um across all grade levels, we are having collaborative planning
032by grade level and content areas. We do that in most places anyway um but we're increasing that in other areas. Vertical alignment meetings. This is mostly at the secondary level between 6 through 12 uh with department heads. We're pulling the department heads for like science. So all coming together. We just had a meeting with them this past week and we talked about what are the goals for the middle school and high school science department and then we did observations in both buildings and then have some discussions about what we were seeing and things that we we want to see adjusted things we see that are going on really well. uh we're going to do that with all department heads so that we can align our departments at least through six through 12 and then we
033have basically cross level discussions as well to make sure that we're moving everybody in the same direction. Uh we're aligning our local assessments so we're read rewriting some of those to get them up to where they're at the rigor of the new state assessments. So we should see increases there as well. aligning reading text. We were looking at some of our reading text and we noticed we need to up the rigor of some of those and so we're doing that to make sure that they're meeting where the standards need to be. We're holding data analysis meetings uh to take a look a deeper look at all of our um all of the performance across the board uh by class as well as by grade level and then meeting back with schools and then within schools
034with departments and grade levels to talk about the data we're seeing to make sure that they have that data to be able to inform their instruction. We introduced, as Dr. Nichols said, accelerated math opportunities, fourth grade and sixth grade this year and basically intent to up the rigor for students and um and get allow students who are ready for that to go ahead and accelerate ahead and um and be more prepared for higher levels of math down the road. We're aligning our coaching to these areas of need that we identified. So, as we looked at numbers, we looked at where do we have needs here and there and we're assigning our coaches in those specific areas. All of our principles have this data. They're going back and aligning their uh continuous school improvement plans. That's
035what a CSIP is to match these area any area of identified needs. So if there was any area that they went down in, their CSIP now includes that as a goal for this coming year with strategies of how we're going to meet those. Then we're also increasing the amount of walkthroughs we're doing in schools and feedback um from the school and division administrators. So, we're as division uh teams, we're going in, we're doing observations more than we had in the past um with the school administrators to to basically baseline where we're at and what is everybody seeing and then hey, how do we continue to make shifts forward where we need support to make sure that we're getting that to the teachers who need it the most. Um now, if there are any questions that
036I haven't answered, I'm happy to answer it. >> Mr. Rhyr. >> Yes. Thank you. In terms of advanced place, do we have numbers on those? on advanced place >> or on Babs, you know, you can pass or advance. >> Oh, pass advance. We do have those scores and I can get them to you. Yeah. Right now for the next few >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. We can give you a more detailed look at it. Especially one of the things, uh, Mr. Robert, that we'll be bringing to you, we just don't have all the data from state yet, is the new, um, accountability system and where schools fall and pass advance plays a role in that. So I I would definitely see us coming back to you if we have it in October doing that
037and we can get you the advanced data sooner than >> one of the reasons I was asking. Yes, sir. Because I've never Yeah. >> Yeah. The frameworks >> one second, Mr. Vaugh. >> So the frameworks are expected to be uh published publicly. So published by the end of this month. Uh we have not seen them yet and we have there's certain components that we're able to anticipate. There are certain components we have no clue and there's no way for us to anticipate like the growth component um that they're they're going to use at elementary and middle the company that was doing the work for that. We did not renew the contract with them as a state and so we have not seen that data nor um assuming that we don't even know we assume that
038the state's using that data but we have not seen it and um they will not be using it next year because they didn't pay the contract. So, not really sure how they're going to do that moving forward. So, we're hoping that they'll give us a definition at some point. >> And the update I got today, they're not sure how they're doing that. So, uh >> yes, >> we'll see. >> Thank you, Mr. Rhymer. Anything further? >> No, thank you. >> Mr. Vaugh. >> Yeah. Um it would seem to me that we're chasing minimum standards. Um and that's a moving number that we have no control over. What if um just thinking outside the box, what if we created our own and set the bar higher in terms of our pursuit of excellence and where we
039fit among other school systems. Um would it be a good time being this is such a um tremendous change um would it be a good time to take a deep dive into um curriculum um teaching methodology implementation look at the whole uh system and if we are not chasing minimum standards but we are pioneering and setting the standard. Um, typically when you do that, you never have to worry about the minimum standard. Um, I'm I'm a bit concerned that we're um not setting our expectations higher and we're just trying to keep up and uh going along to get along to to satisfying numbers. um SOS never have and never will tell the true story of a I I don't believe in an education of a a student. So just for thought and consideration in the
040future, what if we set our own standards? What if we changed and looked at the whole system in total and made changes that are not um necessarily bound by or in pursuit of minimum standards set by the Commonwealth or or otherwise. >> Well spoken, Mr. B. We can we can definitely look at that. One thing we know about the state is it's always going to change. So to develop our own uh system of of how we're doing. Um I I think we can definitely sit sit around a table and and kind of work that through. It looks like Ross wants to add to it. Yeah, we've had discussions over the years of what like you know these are these are what the state expects but what are the things that we want to make sure
041in place um basically when a student graduates from Newton high school what what are the expectations that they should be able to do be above and beyond these um so definitely happy to sort of sit down and talk through what are additional expectations that we would want to include um and be shooting for it's something that we've talked through and we do have things beyond just so scores that we expect of our students so Uh but anything else um would definitely be open to that conversation. >> Yeah. And if you if you look if you looked at um I'm sorry, Mr. F. Um right now in the high school principal's office, if you look at the whiteboard, um you'll see kind of a a sketch of what some of that looks like at the high
042school level. So I I I think we have some similar thinking on this one. Then we could we could uh get around the table and kind of flesh it out some more. Yeah, I I would volunteer my time to be a part of that in pursuit of excellence and then we can achieve that and once we achieve it, these SOS will have no bearing on us whatsoever because we'll be at a standard that is well above any of the minimums that the state sets. I really believe that we've got the staff and the administration, uh, the teachers to make that happen. So, I would I would love to be a part of that. Thank you, Mr. Vault. Anything further? >> Muna. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, so in line with what Mr. VA was
043saying, I was thinking about have are you reviewing how many HQIMs are being used, high quality instructional materials, um, things of that nature. That would be part of probably that discussion. Um the other question I have a few uh aligning local assessments. So what do you mean by local assessments? Is that individual by school, by grade level, by teacher? Explain that to us a little bit. >> So um most most of our grade levels use common assessments. So across across the board by grade level. Um and basically local assessments is anything not at the state level. So we're a member I think you are aware we're a member of a consortium that includes 70 some divisions and so they they develop benchmarks that we use assessments. So those have been realigned but then even locally
044we have common assessments across grade levels across departments that we use and those are we're realigning those as well. >> So that would be for example third grade reading test local would be the same test for the three schools. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you for that. And then uh coaching, do you mean teacher coaching? Yep. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Our instructional coaches um the the work that they're doing uh with teachers uh we're aligning those to those specific areas that were not the last with the last year's festivals. >> And lastly, what I'm sorry, go ahead. >> You had mentioned like HQIM and um and curriculum pieces. The another piece of legislation came out in past year requires every division to uh basically to adopt a specific set of textbooks HQs and um so
045that is something in every area other than literacy which we've already done and so we're in the process of laying out that time frame. One of the pieces that is missing right now is a list from the state of what we're allowed to pick from. Um and so >> that would be helpful, wouldn't it? >> Yes. And so in a variety of subject areas there is no list as of right now. I'll tell you in math there is um for at least one set of grade levels there's one option and we're not very excited about that option. So, um, the one of the things we're looking at is the there's there's provision of leeway in the language and so we're looking at how can we use that to in areas where we don't have a
046legitimate option that we feel like will meet where we want to be. Um, we're looking at how can we utilize the process the state lays out to to get to something that we really want to use in our classroom. >> So, we have to use what they recommend on supposed list. So the legislation said that we had to adopt and we had to adopt off the list or hold our own process of review here locally. So that's what we're looking at currently is what are the lists that we have been provided and are there things on there that we agree with that we're good with um and if not so what how do we need to stage that process locally. It is a big undertaking considering that includes >> basically reading, math, and science and
047then secondary English um all in one year which has never been expected um to adopt that many curricula in a single year and so but we're working through it. I have some suggestions based on the conference that we went to uh school board for academic excellence and they're working with some institutions that you know higher level institutions that are offering suggestions to get to that higher um you know achievement level. >> So I'll be glad to share those. >> Thank you. >> I'm good. Thank you. >> Mr. Miller I just have one question. So is there a time frame within which we expect the state to finalize and give us the framework and the selection criteria? >> No sir. >> No. >> We have we would have hoped that we would have had that by
048now um because it is a multi-lunch process to get approved and to review everything and then come to you for with an with a recommendation. Um so um we're still waiting. There were two meetings, one for science and one for history in the past two weeks that had been planned. U by VOE that were then subsequently cancelled and so um we're still waiting for that time to come. >> They are experiencing a high degree of turnover uh unparalleled to anything I've seen in 28 years in education. U so I think part of this is who's there and who's doing it. So a lot of you take on big work and you try to think do things that have never been done before and then you don't have the vehicle anymore. Um so it's it's it's
049frustrating but we're we're waiting through it. >> Thank you Mr. Miller. >> Thank you. Miss Morgheim, pupil expenditures. >> Mr. Chair, board members, Dr. Nichols. Um, this is a report that's required by the Virginia code annually for for pupil expenditure amounts. Um, basically this information comes from table 15, the superintendent's annual report. That is a report, an annual financial report that we do. I'm actually working on it right now for FY25. Um so this data that you see here reported is actually for FY24 and you can see our um state average amount compared to our new actual amount for 24 and then you also will see the budgeted amount for 25 and 26. Um, one thing I will point out, in the past, our budget amounts have been significantly higher, um, you know, for years
050out versus what the actual amounts are. And that's based on different contingencies that we've had built in. Um, so this scares me a little bit seeing it kind of looking looking at it this way. Um, just in that I know that we're we are very closely budgeting um, what our expenses are. uh which means you know lower year imbalances um lower contingencies and things of that nature. Um we did go from the prior year from 124 out of 131 reported localities to 126. Um so we are now 126 total dollars on the per pupil amount compared to our localities >> board members. I know I've shared this with you and I know I shared it a complication. So if you're saying number nine in academic achievement, number 126 in per pupil. >> True. >> And
051there is nobody better at academic achievement related to efficiency in budgeting from Haiti's office and instruction from Ross's office. Um and doing those things. It's it's quite remarkable. The eight schools ahead of us all spend significantly more which I've shared with you um or received uh more. Uh the number one school um in the achievement is uh Mr. Rober pointed this out to me. Uh we're 139 $25,500. So you're talking almost 12,000 more per kid, almost double what we have. Um so we are incredibly good at what we do. We have room to continue doing that, but uh those two numbers shouldn't go together and we make that happen here. So, >> have any questions or comments for Miss Morgan? >> Thank you for all you >> Yeah, I I actually have one, Morgan. So,
052by my math, the year-over-year seems to increase roughly about 5%. Is that true across the state? >> No, I would say no. I think it just depends. Um, there's a lot of variables that go into each of these different categories. So just an example, your state funding is dependent upon your ADM and your LCI, local composite index. Um so those numbers can change. Your local funding um is a big shift and just what your locality is dealing with from year to year and what they're able to provide. Um I know ours shifted down, just our county funding shifted down a little bit. Um hopefully we see that number go up in a better budget year. Um so I think it just depends. There's a lot of variables. what federal grants you're eligible to receive. >>
053Perfect. >> Um so things of that nature. So I do think it's really specific to the work that you're doing um your funding sources and what you're able to pull. Um so there's just a lot of different variables in it. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Hawkman. athletic facilities transfer request. >> Uh good evening again. I'm here as you said for an athletic uh facility transfer request. Um the first thing that we will talk about is replacement backboards at the high school. Uh currently in the front gym, there are four of those backboards that are made of wood. And in the back gym, our auxiliary gym, those two backboards are also made of wood. Um, what we do know is that all of our games are played in a game with glass backboards. Um, so what
054we find is that practice times and the ability to use those backboards. Coaches do not like to use those. Students do not like to use those because it does not mimic what they are playing on. Um, this would allow us to have greater access to teams using that back gym, the auxiliary gym. I think they'd be more apt to using that because it sort of mirrors what our playing facilities would look like. Um that cost to replace those six would be 10,169. And then also the scoreboards at the middle school um they were installed in 1988 when the school was built. And we've done a very good job of maintaining those. We are at a point now though um even with ordering new bulbs and trying to keep it fitted currently that it is very
055difficult to see what the score is what time is left in the game because the bulbs continue to pop just because of the age. Um most of those scoreboards are recommended to last about 20 years. We got our money's worth on that one. Um in terms of the experience for the fans, we need to go ahead and replace those so that people can tell what the score is and how much time is remaining in a game. So >> I'm not sure if we're ahead sometimes or not cuz it looks like a three or an eight and quarter it is just kind of looking at it and and ironically we see fans that are saying uh you know we don't have any idea what's going on and we'll fix them and it'll look good for the
056next game and then by the time we get to that game after that they've already blown so we need to replace those get a little more modern um that cost to include the install is 29,681 >> how many scoreboards is that >> two two one on each end board members just to forecast the CIP project that we'll put in front of you for next year We're looking to do sort of an overhaul of that gym um in terms of backboards and flooring and and those pieces um so that it it's up of of the quality that the high school has as well. Similar work that we get at the high school. >> One of the issues in that middle school gym currently is if you want to raise those back doors up, it is manually
057cranked up and it's takes a lot of time. It's about an hour to get all six of those up. Um it is very difficult to do that quickly. So we're going to try to look at some upgrades for efficiency back there as well. and board members, I did share with you the LED lighting project that was halfway done and shared a picture. Now it's fully done. Um you now you'll really be able to see the school boards that don't work. Um so uh definitely want to get that moving. >> Mr. Chair, >> yes, M. >> Obviously, you had several bids and that was the best bid, 29,000, which is >> um it's a contract. I think somebody has a co-op. So that's usually all that I have seen with co-ops is it's a it's very
058competitive pricing. We will not do much better than that. >> Yeah. >> Mr. Chair, >> Mr. Broski, >> where does demand get transferred from? Is that was part of our CIP? >> Yes. So, this is the the the CIP account that is fueled by the year end uh transfer that we do. So, yes. Um so, that money is there uh and we feel comfortable with it at this time and we can have it all done before basketball season. Anybody else have any questions for Mr. Hawkman? >> Mr. Hawkman, may I ask? >> Yes, sir. >> Can you give uh just a public quick update? Turf track. >> Yep. Um so turf field is completely done. Obviously, that's a two-piece project. There's a turf field and a track. Turf field looks great. Um the track process,
059we were very close. Um I would imagine within the next week and a half, um that project will be completed. Weather plays a big role in finishing that project. timely because they cannot spray down the the new track surfacing when it is either windy or we have any kind of precipitation. So, this weekend cost us a little bit. I think they plan to do quite a bit. We got a heavy rain um and we've had some wind also in fact spraying that down. Um it will be beautiful today. They laid down the first layer of the exchange zones which is a gray part of the track. Um very fascinating to watch it but it's going to be beautiful. We'll have probably the finest track and field facility um in the region of Richmond. So looking
060forward to getting that done. Um unfortunately we will not be able to play the football game that is upcoming this Friday because you cannot have any tra uh traffic on that track while they're spraying because it can leave indentions. So we'll be moving that game to Brutin. But we are very confident that our next home game on the 26 we will be at home playing on a new surface. So it's very exciting time for the athletic department and our community >> and board members as soon or and the public as soon as it is finished the next game that we have scheduled will be played. We may be opening up a middle school football on a brand new track field in on new church. So we're excited about that >> space is that >> um
061>> Mr. Ry question. >> I'm assuming then the invitation for the opening ceremonies will be >> well we're going to do a big event on October 3rd. So in conjunction with homecoming and a lot of other things we're going to do a big rain opening ceremony. >> We'll have a huge crowd there for homecoming. We we we're going to So you'll be getting information on that uh later this week. Yes. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Hart. Good. Thank you, >> M. Morgheim, you're up again with the state bonus update. >> Mr. Chair, board members, Dr. Nichols, in June of 2025, we did receive a payment from the state of $381,167. Um, this is to be used and provided for a one-time bonus. It was per funded SOQ instructional support positions. We've had this conversation
062before about how that works compared to the amount of employees that we have in Uk. Um so we do have the flexibility and the discretion on when to pay this bonus and how much to pay. Um so what we did is we looked at the amount of the bonus. Um we came up with the structure of $800 per full-time employee and $500 for part-time that allowed us to be within 14 under $15,000 of that state payment. Um I do believe we can pay that through just attrition and that's our recommendation on the benefit will be paid. >> Does anybody have any questions for Miss Morheim? >> I I do. >> Miss Coun. >> So how how did you determine I think maybe we touched upon this before but the criteria for if it was going
063to be a bonus it's a bonus right? So, everybody already got their increase in pay >> be approved at um this is supposed to be a bonus for standard of quality. Explain what the bonus was for. >> Yes, ma'am. This bonus really is for retention of employees. And so, the way we determined who would be eligible is that they were an employee that was returning to New Kent County Public Schools um from the prior year into a contracted position this year. Um, we did look at employees who transferred um from one type of a position last year into a different type of position this year, whether part-time to full-time, um, things of that nature. There were a few of those employees that were eligible. Um, but really anyone that maybe was in an hourly position
064that went into a full-time type of a role, they were not eligible. And any of our brand new hires, they're not eligible. Um, so that's how we determined eligibility that we're retaining the employees that we had and paying that bonus to who we felt were the intended recipients of that funding. >> Okay. So it had nothing to do with merit or performance or anything like that. >> They do have to be within good standing. >> Um, so if there were an issue with that, we would certainly address it, but right now we do not have any of those concerns. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Mr. Brok, >> could you explain just a little bit how the staff attrition calculates into the 14,000? >> Sure. >> Um, so I'll give a very simple example. If
065we have an employee that, let's say we had budgeted um that was higher up on a pay scale, they had been here for 25 30 years, um, we would budget that salary. and um if they retired or left the division, most likely uh we're hiring someone with a lesser salary uh for a new hire coming in. Um that's definitely been a little bit different in the past few years because we've been hiring more experienced managers. Um which then decreases those dollars that you have. Um but with vacancies that we have or with turnover, um there are some dollars that are saved throughout the year. Um, so the $14,000 amount, I feel very comfortable that we're okay in providing that um that bonus of of that amount of money and being able to fund it. Does
066that help? >> Yeah, it it just sounded like we were we're funding something with funds we don't have yet. Is that kind of accurate? I know you're comfortable with it. we have the funding the you know um it's not in a specific line of um here's an expenditure line for a bonus and it's going to be exactly they'll say $395,000. Um but we do know that the funding is available that we have savings in our expense minimally of $14,000 that we can provide the $800 bonus. Just in reference, if we were to do a $900 business, we would need $63,000, which we don't feel comfortable with saying for no problem. We've got 63 um to cover, but 14 we feel very comfortable with. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Anybody else for Miss Morgan? >>
067Yeah. U Mr. Chair, >> Mr. V. um when implementing this or giving this bonus um I I'm certain you've already thought of it but um I think it would be wise to make certain that they understand that this is um not so that we don't set an expectation for each year or every time something comes along but that this is a special occurrence um funded as a one-time bonus so that it we're not set up for perhaps disappointment in the future when we are not able to do this. And I would love for us to be able to look at this um kind of a different perspective and um perhaps even defer some of the funds for bonuses for uh merit achievements andor say uh an example of that would be uh teacher of the
068year um awards. uh something that this could also be put into as opposed to across the board retention. Um I'm certain that at new we would like to retain absolutely every teacher we have but perhaps um not and or um so just a thought. Thank you. >> Thank you Mr. B. >> Thank you Mr. V. I will say we did send an email to staff in the spring really um making sure that they understood why the state payment was being received and what the purpose of those specific dollars were um from the state. And then we also recently uh emailed the team to let them know also that we'd be discussing it tonight at the board meeting. Um, and really just once again making sure we reiterated it's a one-time payment and it was a
069specific um, funding stream that came from the state of Virginia. Um, and I love your idea, Mr. V. I think we can look at, you know, there are different buckets of money that we receive from VDOE that aren't earmarked for certain things. So, we can certainly look at a different um, method of offering a bonus at at a later date. >> Thank you, M. Morgan. >> Thank you. All right, last item under new business is VSBA annual legislative conference delegate and alternate presented by Miss Dumbra. So last school board meeting we approved the moving forward with a appointing a school board representative and an alternate to the VSBA delegate assembly. So tonight during the action items portion of the meeting, we will be deciding or appointing who those individuals will be. Just a reminder. Uh
070so we need one person to serve as the voting delegate, one to serve as the alternate. The alternate will only be required to attend if the voting member is unable to attend the convention which is held in November uh 19th through the 21st. Um, and then the last item I proposed was scheduling a workboard, schoolboard work session to review and discuss the contents of the VSBA 2025 delegate handbook, which I believe should be distributed approximately around October 3rd. My thought looking at the calendar was perhaps holding it on October 21st. That's just a suggestion. Are there any questions regarding >> any? Yeah, sorry. Does anyone have any questions or comments for Mr. Dumbroski? Hearing none, we're moving on. All right, Mr. Dr. Nichols, sorry. Schoolboard goals review and update. First item, project New Kent Elementary
071School. >> Yes, sir. I wish I had a more extensive update for you for uh New Kent Elementary School. Mr. Haway and I met about two weeks ago. Um, so we've also met with mostly architects to to look at some uh visuals to help our case be more compelling. I continue to offer opportunities to meet to discuss these project. Uh, I do believe that Mr. Hathway and I are both looking at a joint board meeting to talk about future capital major projects. Um, and New Elementary being number one on our priority list. So, um, as soon as we have that date, board members, we will have that for you and we can talk about that list of of projects, um, related to that piece. So, we're going, our office is going to take a look
07220 years down the road and and kind of here are the big capital projects that we need in terms of growth in the county. Um, and we'll have Newan Elementary at the front and just kind of show how we're looking at at the total system. So, be happy to answer any questions. I wish I had more an update for you. Anyone have any questions for Dr. Nichols? >> All right, moving along. Dr. Nichols, strategic plan update, sir. >> Yes, and and I should have said this at the beginning of Ross' presentation. Goal one is all about academic achievement. So, we had Ross' presentation serve as the vehicle for strategic plan because we were going to talk about academic achievement. So, the next couple strategic plan updates you will see will be around academic data uh
073specifically gold one. >> Thank you, sir. and we do not have any policy uh submissions this evening. So, we're moving on to items for vote of consideration. Uh to recap, this is where the board will consider whether or not we want to move forward with a certain subject uh for further consideration. The first item up is the policy review committee. Mr. Broski. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. This evening, I am proposing that our board consider establishing a schoolboard policy review committee. Schoolboard policies are the cornerstone of school operations, management, and conduct. They communicate the board's expectations to division employees. They provide clarity and ensure consistency and accountability. Without clear and up-to-date guidelines, it becomes difficult to maintain that consistency. Standard of quality 7 in the code of Virginia states that each school board is required
074to maintain and follow up to date policies. It also specifies that all policies shall be reviewed at least every five years and revised as needed. There are a handful um that require either an annual or a every two year every three-year review. As a small school division, keeping our policies current and up to date is uh can be challenging given the many responsibilities that are already placed on staff and leadership. I believe that a policy review committee would provide the structure, accountability, and consistency necessary to keep our policy manual up to date and current in every way. And I believe that will strengthen the foundation that guides our schools. I put together um and I had Miss Davis add it to the agenda some of the purposes that I believe it will fulfill and proposed
075next steps if it were to be uh approved as an item of consideration. Again, it wouldn't mean that we are approving a policy committee or review committee, just that we would be approving these approved or these uh proposed next steps, which is um there are several other schools that have policy committees. I would reach out to them and determine the type of structure that they utilize. Um understand their best practices. One thing I didn't know if we would need to change is currently the policy in our policy manual says there shall be no standing committees of the new Kent County School Board. Does that need to be addressed as part of this? And then obviously wanting to meet with Dr. Nichols and Miss Davis to clarify what the objectives would be and how they could
076we could all work together the most effectively to get that project done. and then also collaborate on strategies for identifying potential committee candidates. >> Does anybody have any questions or comments for Mr. Dumbroski? >> Mr. Chairman, >> Mr. Rhymer, >> uh, what do you envision the membership committee to be composed of? >> I haven't given that part much thought other than looking at some of the other school divisions. um some have one or two school board members as part of it. It could also be you know just done on a volunteer basis. It could be we each are responsible of getting somebody from our districts. It it can be really anything or everything we want it to be and then of course it depends on the people who would be willing to step up and
077fulfill that responsibility. Um, additionally, uh, right now in order to make this effective or any review of policies effective, we need to move forward with our current work on getting the policies into board docks. Maybe we can table this idea until after we have a complete uh have completed that project or if not table the idea at least not beyond the beginning until after those uh all those docs are currented and active on board. >> Well, one thing again this is just an ineration. So if it's something that we foresee wanting to do that would be of interest to us then again just by approving the consideration of it would then allow me I believe to go forward and spend more time in determining how we would want that to look. By that point, I
078believe the schoolboard policies would be in the system and ready to be reviewed. >> If a policy review committee could not approve, what would be do you have alternative suggestions for meeting the requirements of review set out by the state? >> That would require I know Dr. Nichols mentioned wanting to do that this past summer, I think, and I'm not sure if it was done or not, but with all the other requirements that are being thrown at the divisions right now, um I I don't know how we can get it done without some outside help and assistance. That's just my perspective, but I could be wrong. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. What? >> Yeah. Um how long would a committee um for instance if this year we were going to do the uh policy
079review and then um we weren't going to do another policy review for two years or three years? um how would this committee uh come together and then be dissolved um upon the completion of that policy review? Those are all factors that I would like to put together once I have the board's approval that you are interested in going forward with this type of committee that I would like to get everybody's input on that type of information and that would regard uh require I believe a more thorough review of exactly what we're needing to address and fully assess it again And that would to my from my perspective involve Dr. Nichols and Johanna coming together and really putting together our ideas and then bringing that forward to the board to consider at that point. Also, I'd
080be asking for your input if there's any thing that you specifically want or would not want it this kind of committee to involve. Does that answer your question, Mr. Vot? Yes. Thank you so much, Mr. Broski. >> Anyone else? Mr. >> Chair, Miss Kun. >> Um, I think it's important to have a committee. I don't know that it has to be a standing committee, although like you said, uh, we have to review certain policies at different times, one every f some some of them and in groups, right? So, we have to decide how to do this, how how to be most efficient doing this. Um because as a board we function through policy I think it's very important for us to be up to date with these policies and have an opportunity to review them
081to assess along with the VSBA recommendations etc to assess it you know where we are with them. So I think it's very important and I think it's important that we um have help. It's it's a it's a daunting task. It can be although we we should prioritize, right? So what are the ones that are coming due that we need to handle this year? Uh what which ones can we put off? Um so those are decisions that we have to make. Um I think it's important that we get started on this because as Dr. Nickels seem to indicate those board docks are going to it's the things are going to be in place. So by the time we we decide on the structure, they're going to be good to go. So tableabling this for down the
082line, I think is a waste of time that we could start moving the ball, you know, and getting this process started. >> Thank you, Muna. Anyone else? I can jump in forward to um just I'm a logistics person. I make things go. That's that's what you get to do in a superintendent seat. Um when I look at policies and I'm just when I look at that back table there, um a policy committee is not going to be able to address section D fiscal management without Haney in the room. Um personnel section G is allison Anderson. I'm pulling a random policy right now. GAA staff time schedules. A policy committee can read that. They can make recommendations, but Allison knows what is legal and what is what is in place. Um I is is all Ross
083in the instructional um side of things. Facilities development, you're going to need Hopman. Uh Sean threads, Mr. Terry threads through all of it. The support services when he gets down to special education. Um, so I mean I just I think we got to think about that when we put I completely understand the reason for it. When I get nervous is when I figure out how I got to make this go um and who I need to involve. So um if you do have representation, they don't lead us astray because it it goes outside the bounds of what we have to do. Um so I'm happy to help in any way I can. Uh the reality of it is is you're going to need the the seven people or actually six. I guess I'm seven. Uh
084Johanna is is eight. So I just as you guys consider this, I just need you to think the practicality of it and and how we do that. Um >> uh just to address the piece about why the work did not occur this summer. We were waiting for the the uh policies to be in board docs. Um they are now public facing. If you go to board docs um under draft, you can now see them. we expect them to be active by the end of the week. So, we do plan on that. Each member of that back table has homework um to go through their section um and start to put those recommendations together. So, just as you guys consider just kind of, you know, weave those factors in for me um if if you would.
085So, Mr. Chairman, those are uh my thoughts and comments. >> Thank you, Dr. Nichols. >> Mr. Chair, >> Mr. Vault. Yeah, I I um I don't think um it is my personal opinion of course um my responsibility as representing the district that I represent as a board member uh is not to incorporate uh committee after committee after committee to do my job. Um my job and responsibility as an elected board member is to um get the certainly get the input of my constituency andor those involved. But I am not a big committee person when it comes to this. I believe that what we're proposing to do will uh further bog down policy revision and the expediency and accuracy in doing that. Um you'll have a committee say even if it's only four, you'll have four
086different opinions, four different ways to look at the same issue, none of which may be um what we're going to finally come up with. So I um would not and am not in favor of a policy committee outside of the board and the administrative experts and their um areas of expertise actually coming together and getting this done efficiently um with the pertinent input that we need. Thank you. >> Thank you Mr. V. >> Mr. here. Mr. >> I agree with Mr. VA. I think in this instance to be as efficient as we need to be. Um I agree with you, Mr. VA. Um especially as Dr. Nichols pointed out, depending on the policy that we're focusing on, it's a very specific group of people that need to be involved. So um I I agree with
087you wholeheartedly. >> Mr. Chair, if I may have, >> Mr. Rhymer, >> uh, perhaps it seems to me that based upon both Miss Kunoz and Mr. Vot's comments, this uh, is better suited for a set of work sessions with the important people invited. >> Uh, just my comment. Thank >> Thank you, Mr. Rhyr. I was actually getting ready to say to say the same exact thing and, uh, I'm on my phone looking at the current section of schoolboard duties, etc. Um but based on everybody's comments and I think everybody has a valid point in my opinion is the the best course of action to resolve this and or come up with a working framework whether that's a committee not a committee joint task between the school board and and the the proper administration uh personnel
088would be to have a work session where we review our legal obligations as respect to the policy and then have a pow-ow with administration and see if we can dissect this work or figure out a framework as to how we do and comply with our obligations and also make it work for everybody with all the concerns that have been voiced. So that that would be my recommendation as to how we move forward on this. Anybody else have any comments about this subject? >> All right, moving on. Victims of communism, Mr. Broski. >> All right. Thank you, Mr. the chair for giving me the opportunity to revisit this proposal as an item for consideration. The reason I wanted to revisit this, if I can just share a few personal insights, um I've always had a really
089deep appreciation for America, not because it's flawless, but because of the progress that we've made. And in 2020, it was very difficult to hear people shouting through the streets, death to America. And it was very disappointing when I read recently that 41% of Generation Z feels extremely or very proud to be American. Compare that with a recent KO Institute survey which reveals that 62% of Americans aged 18 to 29 hold a favorable view of socialism with 34% saying the saying the same communism. Is there anything more that we can do as a school to increase an understanding and awareness of what communism is? Especially when I see some of the things that are going on at some of the college campuses. um what can we do to maybe better prepare them to to understand the
090tremendous blessings that we have in our country and to hopefully reduce those those thoughts of advocating for socialism or communism. So my proposal is again to consider adopting the victims of comment of the memorial day resolution and approve curriculum with recommendations for educational uh things that we can do in new Kent schools. I don't think it has to be time consuming or complicated in any way, but something that would provide just a little bit more information about communism and why it's important that we remember the the victims from the past and then also the the ongoing issues that communism is causing in many countries. Anybody have any questions or comments for Mr. Broski on this subject? >> Mr. Chair Kun, >> I think that it's an important um issue. Um certainly the past few years,
091there have been some events that have been alarming. Uh I personally come from a country when I immigrated to the United States, it was a socialist country. It's now part of the EU, Portugal, but uh through the years of fascism, socialism, and it's one of the reasons why we ended up here in the United States because my parents wanted to get away from that system. And this was the beacon, right? The place where everybody wants to go to America to have a better life, uh to have freedom, an opportunity. uh we would have never had the opportunities that we were given here in my country based on the social class that we were part of. And so I think our generation um doesn't really understand that fully because they didn't they haven't lived it. They've
092lived in the freest country in the world and so they take a lot of these things for granted. So I think there's value. I think it's always better to know more and be aware of things than less. And I think that this is a valuable thing to do to engage in. So I I agree with um I support this, >> Mr. Chair. >> Mr. V, >> I agree in principle as well. Um, I think it's uh egregious that we see numbers that are so illinformed of the freedom that we that that wasn't free has been paid for and we we uh we live in. Um my my thoughts would be prior to implementation uh what as new county schools are we teaching anything? Is there curriculum um segments that teach anything about this already? Are
093we duplicating something that is already in place? Andor I I need um more clarification in a lot of areas before um we put something in place. Uh I agree that if there's not some counter um educational measure at the K12 level by the time they get to the higher education level um predominantly it's um socialism communism is taught as a respected way of life and governance. So I agree in principle, but I'm not certain that we have spent enough time in figuring out the best way to implement this with what we currently have as a curriculum andor if we um can add to our curriculum rather than wholesale change if that makes sense. >> Yes, >> thank you M. It it does make sense and part of the proposal just adding this as an item
094of consideration is not to pass the resolution tonight. It's just giving me the approval of the board to go forward in meeting with uh Mr. Miller, with Dr. Nicholls in really reviewing what it is that we already teach and some possible resources that could either be implemented into the curriculum itself or at least on that day, November 7th, that maybe could be shared in in some of the classes. Just it's just giving me approval to move forward with with having those discussions and taking the time of uh Dr. Mr. Nichols and Mr. Miller in evaluating those those resources and those options and for me to get a better understanding of what it is we already do because communism is a required uh subject that needs to be taught in certain grade levels. >> Mr. Rhymer.
095>> Yes, Mr. Chairman. This this one um for me is is important too and but like Mr. But it's a difficult it's it's difficult to convey to young people how great this existential danger to self-government really is. Uh when you start talking about the numbers it sounds like exaggeration. Hundreds of millions of people killed in the name of u bringing a people's paradise into being. Uh the idea of the elimination of private property completely uh is probably inconceivable to some of these people. They don't really understand what that means having never lived in a condition like that. Um, and it does it sounds exaggerated when you just talk about those real facts and the communists themselves always plead well that has never really been truly practiced. So all that being said, I'm in favor of
096this too. But once again the difficulty to doing something effective is a very real thing. Um so it will take some work. Uh I know there are a lot of institutions who provide materials on it. But it's not just having the facts at hand is how do you convey this message in a way that doesn't seem exaggerated but at the same time seems very real and very dangerous. Uh, that's all I >> Thank you, Mr. Rhymer. Uh, I'm going to stray from the pack a little bit here and say that on this particular subject, we're spinning wheels. Um, if my memory serves me correct, this is the third time we're discussing this subject. I believe we've addressed it before. I believe the question has been in my parlance asked and answered. And that is that
097we already teach communism at several different grade levels through the school. And I feel like although all your points are good and it is a super important topic and it's a political hot button, etc., we as the new Kent County School Board have bigger, more important subjects and topics to tackle. I mean, the so presentation that Mr. Miller just gave us is is scary to say the to say the least, but you know, we're trying to build a new school. We're trying to do some other things. We're trying to revisit all the policy. I'm not sure that, you know, drilling down into the weeds on how our teachers are teaching communism is the right thing for us to do as a board as a whole. So, that's my uh opinion on that. >> Mr. Chair,
098may I may I one more >> please? >> And going back to what Mr. VA had said earlier about reviewing curriculum to see how we can improve achievement. Perhaps this could be an area when reviewing curriculum that we can tackle and I would volunteer to do that along with whoever has to. >> Mr. V, Mr. Va, you had expressed interest as well earlier. Yes, absolutely. >> I think that makes sense as a whole, you know, based on the topic we were discussing earlier. >> Does anybody else have any other comments or questions regarding this subject? >> I'll just add a couple things and I think I did this at a previous meeting too. So, um >> we definitely teach >> um about how incredible this country is. I don't sit here as superintendent coming from
099the family I come from if I didn't live in this country. So, um deep deep respect for it, but um civics in middle school, um US um history since World War II, uh world history, world geography, um also in government, um so 6 through 8, 11, 10, 11, and 12 specifically related to u communism, um government structures, Truman Doctrine, um and so forth. So u just public face and I just want everybody to know that it is part of the Virginia standards of learning and the adoption piece and we do have it. So >> uh may I add something? >> Of course you could. It's one thing to teach communism as a system of government uh and it could be taught very generally so that the young person will think oh it's just another form
100of government which is I think that the issue here is the nuances and how it's being taught not whether it's being addressed or not. Oh, it's another topic on, you know, on the uh on the syllabus. However, how it's being taught is more the issue that I have as rather than if it is or not. And I think that that's that's the nuance here. >> And Miss Kun, respectfully, I spend time in these classrooms. I have no reservations on how it's taught. I believe very strongly in how our teachers do it. Um we hire them to train them. um and be happy to invite you guys in to to see it in action, too. So, in no way was I saying they just covered the standard. I I think they do it at a very
101cost. >> Well, that's good to hear. Thank you, Director Nichols. >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes. I actually have a question for you, Mr. Broski. So, I think the first time we brought it up and and correct me if I'm wrong, this proposal was or this resol proposed resolution was before the VDOE and it's been it was tabled at that time. Do we know if it's been brought back up or readressed or placed back on their agenda? >> Um, I don't know if it's been brought back up on their agenda. >> General Assembly, I apologize. Yeah. But um I did find where uh Governor Ynham at least two years specified November 7th as victims of communism memorial day uh as a uh like a proclamation but it's done each year. They don't have to do it
102every year. So the general assembly hasn't specified it as a an annual thing that is to be recognized. The reason I brought it up again for the third time was my understanding from the last two schoolboard meetings where this where I brought this up is there wasn't a actual like no we're not interested. So, I wanted to bring it forward in this format to be a little bit more clear in my ask to what I was looking for. >> Well, I think that was accomplished. Well, all right. Anyone else on this subject? >> All right. Moving on to unfinished business report on the opening of schools and the enrollment data. Dr. Nichols. >> Yes, sir. Um, you know, I'm hesitant to talk about this. I've been kind of quiet about it. uh because it has
103been an incredible open. You never want to jinx that. Um do we have traffic work that we're working through? Yes. Maintenance team's done an incredible job on that. Uh but we're actually already in week four. Typically when we do this presentation, I'm talking about the opening week. Um so uh almost have a month of school under our belt. What I really want to focus on, we talk about growth. So I want to share this data with you. Um, and you can see by school where we are. Um, New Kent High School, uh,67. These are all students that have shown up. Um, so any student who did not show up is has been cleared from this data. Um, so the nice part about starting doing it later in um, a school year is we kind of
104give you better data. Um, so our total number of students is 36.82. Uh but the number we really focus on is the 3573. So those are the students who are not are K12, not just preK. Um our funding from the state is based on that 35 U73 number, not the preK number. Um our funding is based off of March 30th number and not today's number. So before you get really excited, specifically, Mr. Rhymer, uh we can't count the 73 students um in in the money yet. Um so uh that'll be on March 30th. That number will go up and down um as we work through the year. Uh for instance, I think we have about 21 graduates uh early graduates in the summer. I mean not in the summer. Let's try that again. Um at
105the end of the first semester, so that will shift there. Uh but we are seeing an uptick in enrollment after um flat data over the past couple years. um there is a bubble um that you can see um in eighth grade. So if you look at that eighth grade number there's 309 and when you look at the fourth grade number there are 318. So we're look we're watching those numbers. The good news is those two bubbles will not be in the middle school at the same time. Um so we're looking at those capacity uh issues. Uh and we feel really good about that. um you will see if that bubble falls into the high school that the high school will go over, 1100 like 1122. Um next year we certainly have the room in the
106high school for that of tracking that data. We are looking at this weekly now. Uh we will move to monthly as a team moving forward. This is a new structure that we put in place in terms of following that enrollment and seeing where kids are going and where kids are coming from to see if we can start to um look at some patterns. U Mr. Miller and I did have a impromptu discussion today because there is a new development 109 homes right off of um by the newest food line and the Dollar General. Um so those homes will have families related to it. Um and we're trying to figure out where does that go? Um is that a Quinton zone or is that a George Watkins zone? It sits right on Airport Road. Um technically
107both sides of Airport Road go to George Watkins. uh but this was not on our radar when that happened. So we will be looking at that moving forward um and actually talking to the developers about um how that phases in. So uh we are watching these numbers um as we go through the school year. It's incredible to have students back. Um they've really fallen into place. Um Mr. Miller and I were in classrooms uh with teachers I think day two, day three and it was amazing. It felt like week five. Um, so kids have really fallen into routines just because we have incredible teachers and incredible leaders. So very fortunate to get to work with these amazing people. So be happy to answer any questions about enrollment or opening schools or um anything in between.
108>> Mr. Chair, >> when I'm looking at these numbers, Dr. Nichols, again, I'm I'm worried again about New Kent Elementary uh and the middle school. So right now they're at 642. They're the highest of the three elementary schools. >> What's their capacity? >> That capacity number changes if you bring the trailers into play, which I would really not like to do. Um, so, >> you know, that is >> yet another reason. >> Another reason >> we've been we've been as high as as before we built Quinton. Um, we've been as high as I'd have to look at specifically, but I want to say around 740. Um, but that is utilizing every trailer as a classroom. Oh my gosh, I can't even imagine. >> So, and the same for Watkins. Watkins has a greater capacity, but
109that is also using the eight nine trailers that are back there as well. So, >> and what about the middle school then? >> So, the middle school you can really push towards a thousand. Um, it gets pretty tight. >> Um, so you were talking about earlier CIP capital improvement and looking 15 20 years ahead. Um, so within that, I would propose sort of a middle school expansion project. um you know to kind of look at that especially as we look at enrollment uh going forward. So >> but then that's that's another cost. >> Yes. Yes, ma'am. So we really want to put those in line um >> to look at New Kent Elementary. Do we need to add to New Kent Middle School? There are a couple ways you can do that. And then George
110Watkins instead of those trailers, do we need to look at an annex? So I would say those are three big projects when we're looking at enrollment trends. Um, we will see in the next five to 10 years George Watkins and Quinton come to the level at New Elementary's at now. Um, >> so you're saying 5 to 10 years and that's not a long time. >> No matter within my lifetime of of working in schools. >> Yeah. >> So, >> we can't keep kicking the can down the line, can we? as far as building projects because it's just going to be another thing and another thing and then it's just more and more money that has to be we can't just pull it out of thin air. >> Agreed. >> If we put a shovel in
111the dirt today, you you talk two years to have a school complete. U roughly u and you need some things to go your way and then the cost escalation related to it. Every year it nothing is getting cheaper except for TVs. I don't know why. Um >> and you mentioned 7 to8% a year increase >> has been a trend over the last uh take the co years out of it and you look at at um typical years in construction you're seeing that um roughly 8% increase >> and which is why this enrollment story is so important. So >> yes very much so. >> Thank you. Anyone else? All right. Next item is the VSBA policy update second read. Dr. Nichols. >> Yes, sir. So, this is the second read of those uh policy changes which
112I went through to you in the first read. Um board members, I haven't received any re received any comments and questions related to those. Um but I'd be happy to answer any um at this time. They were mostly technical updates of code uh and updates of changes related to law. Anybody have any comments or questions for Dr. Nichols? >> All right, moving on. We are now at our cinent comment period. Um, we have had someone sign up, so I have to read this announcement here. Before we begin, I'd like to thank everyone for coming out tonight to speak. For those who signed up, please note comments are limited to three minutes. Once the timer sounds, please promptly finish your comment and return to your seat. It is customary for the school board not to make
113comment during the citizen comment period. Please make sure and it is your contact information is provided on the signup sheet. Thank you again for coming out. So, Miss Tet, >> it's good to see you all again. Thanks for the opportunity to speak to you. I'm here tonight to plant a seed. Would you like to know about a straightforward nocost way to increase student achievement, student health, and student happiness? I know you're all jumping to hear this. >> Oh, yes. >> Sleep later. You've seen the headlines. They are all over. You all know about this. The headlines are move back school start time. The trend from California to Florida is move school start times later. Start school no earlier than 8:00 a.m. And an easy way for us to implement this would be if you flip
114the elementary school and middle school, high school bus schedules. The reason this is so important, um, the American Psychological Association, the CDC, the Centers for Disease Disease Control, the Association of Pediatricians, and the AMA, American Medical Association, all are in agreement that earlier school start times uh are later earlier school start times are a risk factor for poor school performance. Sleep deprivation undermines health. It's tougher on economically disadvantaged students and later sleep start later school start times improve mental health and reduce risky behavior. Um it's not it's not as straightforward it seems. There may be some push back for scheduling and after school sports and activities but it's the trend. It's happening in Henriiko County. It's happening in Chesterfield County and Hanover County. They've had great luck with it. And a very wise local educator
115that I know told me once that every metric he has seen has shown that later school start times improve every measurement of success for students and school systems. So I'm putting a little bug in your ear. You've all seen the research. You all have heard about this. It's nothing new. And I hope you know with all the other important things that you all are working on, new schools, new schools, budgeting, all of your your important work, this could be something that can be implemented fairly quickly and make a huge change at very little cost. Please consider it. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> All right, board. We now move on to the action items. The first action item is the athletic facilities transfer request. Do I hear a motion to
116approve as presented? I move. >> Mr. Rhymer has the motion. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Miss Kuna has a second. Miss Davis, please pull the board. >> Mr. Rhymer. >> I. >> Mr. Vaugh. >> I. >> Mr. I. >> Miss Kuna. >> I. >> Mr. Pagano. >> I. Motion passes unanimously. Moving on. Do I hear a motion to approve the state bonus update as presented by Miss Morgheim? So move. >> Miss Dumbroski has the motion. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Mr. Rhymer is second. Miss Davis, please pull the board. >> Mr. Rhymer. >> I. >> Mr. Ba. >> I. >> Miss Tumbroski. >> I. >> Miss Kuna. >> I. >> And Mr. Pagan. >> I. That motion also passes unanimously. Um, this next item we're going to pivot a
117little bit because the the motion uh needs to change. It's not necessarily that we're approving as presented, it's that we're taking nominations. So, this relates to the VSBA delegate assembly and the position of new Kent County School Board delegate and alternate delegate as presented earlier by Miss Dumbrosski. Do I hear any nominations? Would anybody like to put themselves forward? >> Mr. Chair, I will uh put myself on the ballot. >> All right. Miss Dumbroski has nominated herself as delegate. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Miss Kuna has seconded her nomination. Miss Davis, please pull the board. And what we're voting on is appointing Mr. Dumbroski as delegate for the VSBA delegate assembly position. >> Mr. Rhymer >> I >> Mr. B >> I >> Mr. Broki >> I >> Miss Kunv >> I >>
118Mr. Pagano >> I So that has nomination and corresponding vote has passed unanimous. Miss Nebraski is now the delegate. We have now the matter of alternate delegate. And just to revisit this, the alternate delegate only attends if the primary delegate, which is now Mr. Dumbroski, is unable to attend the VSBA delegate assembly, which uh correct me if I'm wrong, is annual and in November. Would anybody like to nominate someone or put themselves forward as the alternate? >> Mr. Chair, I would like to nominate Miss Kuna as the alternate delegate for the VSBA position. >> All right, we have a nomination. Is there a second? >> Second. >> M uh Mr. Rhymer has second. Miss Davis, please pull the board. >> Mr. Rhymer, >> I. >> Mr. Vaude, >> I >> miss I. >> Miss Kuna,
119>> I >> Mr. Granada. I >> We have unanimously approved Miss Couna as the alternate delegate. Moving on to our items of consideration. Do I hear a motion to approve the policy review committee as presented and what this vote would do board to recap is to as presented without any amendments is put this on a future agenda uh as a matter for us to deal with. Um, I am going to make a motion to amend this and suggest that we instead make this a work session as discussed earlier to figure out how this moves forward. >> I second the amendment. >> All right. So, right now, Miss Davis, we are voting on an amendment to the action item on tonight's agenda. And to restate the amendment would be to uh amend the agenda to change
120it from approval to setting a work session. >> Please pull the board. >> Mr. Rhymer >> I. >> Mr. Bad >> I. >> Miss Tumbroski. >> I. >> Miss Kuna >> I. >> Mr. Pagano. >> I. >> So that motion passes unanimously. And what we've done is changed this item to yeah assigning a work session. Um so we're going to vote on whether or not the board wants to create a work session and that will be our new action item. Do I hear a motion to uh set a work session for the policy review committee? >> So moved. >> Miss Kuna has the motion. Do I have a second? Mr. Rhymer has the second. Miss Davis, please pull the board. >> Mr. Rhymer. >> I. Mr. Vaugh >> I >> Mr. Broski >> I >>
121Miss Kuno >> I >> Mr. Pagano >> I >> that motion has passed unanimously. >> We will circulate dates to set that work session. Next item is the motion to approve again as an item of consideration the victims of communist resolution as presented. Do I hear any motions? And this would just mean that I would be going forward with a deeper dive into that's correct. It's a vote to put it on a future agenda to deal with. >> So moved. >> Muna has the motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Mr. Rhymer has a second. Miss Davis, please pull the board. >> Mr. Rhymer. Hi. >> Mr. Vaugh. I >> Miss Tumbroski >> I >> Miss Kuna >> I >> Mr. Pagano >> nay. Motion passes 41. >> So this will be an item
122on a future agenda. And then last but not least, is there a motion to approve the VSBA policy updates as presented? >> So moved. >> Mr. Rhymer has the motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Miss Kuna has the second. Miss Davis, please pull the board. >> Mr. Rhymer, >> I. Mr. Bot >> I. >> Mroski >> I >> Miss Kuna >> I >> and Mr. um Pagan >> I. >> All right. That motion also passes unanimously. Our action items are complete. Moving on to our comment section. Mr. Rhyr. >> So one of the things that I want to talk about and uh reference you Mr. Padano is your motion about priorities. I think what you did say uh when we were talking debating the communist resolution is important. Um and I worry a
123bit about taking on too much because we are a small school and in the scheme of things our job is to keep the citizens bide the citizens of this county with the best education possible and period. um we have to be very careful about venturing into other topics because of that. I can give you a list of my priorities. I think critically right now the first priority is to get the new elementary school built in. That's where I think most of our board attention should be. There are other things that uh Mr. has brought up that I think are important too where we need to dot our eyes and cross our tees. Getting our policies up to date and reviewed. Um setting standards of excellence seems to be up there high among our priorities as
124well. things like the communist resolution, despite the fact that uh I would like to make it effective and convince lots of people are probably not going to have the impact those other things will. Nonetheless, I'm going to support this, but I do want us as a board to remember our priority first is to provide the best education possible for this county. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Robert. Mr. Vault. >> Yeah. I would just like to take time to thank uh all of you uh my fellow board members, Dr. Nichols, the administrative staff for accommodating my unfortunate absence. And I am looking forward to in person being at the next meeting and uh hopefully going forward in the future um being there personally uh physically as well. So, thank you again for um um accommodating
125uh the needs that I had to join the meetings remotely. >> You're welcome, sir. And I think I speak for the board when I say we uh all anticipate your return. >> Yes, >> Mr. Broski. >> Yes. I just want to thank Dr. Nichols and all of his team and all the teachers and administrator administrators for making new Kent's return to school a successful and fabulous event. Dr. Nichols, thank you for always keeping us so well in the loop on things that are occurring. Really, really appreciate it. This Thursday, September 11th, marks the 24th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on our nation, including the attack on the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia. This Thursday is now recognized as Patriot Day, which is a solemn opportunity for our students to learn, reflect, and honor the nearly
1263,000 lives lost along with the courage of first responders, service members, and civil servants. So, just a reminder that New Kent County will be holding a 911 remembrance ceremony on Thursday at 8:30 at the New Kent Courthouse. I've been to past ones and they do a really, really nice job. Next Wednesday, September 17th, is Constitution and Citizenship Day. I had to share a few fascinating details about our Constitution. It's the oldest written national constitution still in use. Our constitution given that it has created one of the most complex governments in the world is actually surprisingly short. It's just about 4,500 words and dozens of countries worldwide have copied not word for word but principles like separation of powers, checks and balances and individual rights have been adopted into their constitutions. It has been seen as
127a blueprint for modern democracy. And I just wanted to give a shout out to our founding fathers and thank them for all that they did. >> Republics. Yes. Yes. And actually the word democracy does not appear anywhere in the constitution. It's a republic. Um so thank you and looking forward to another school year. >> Mun. >> How can I follow all of that? Um, well, first of all, I I I do want to say that I agree we have so many priorities and getting that new school, New Kent Elementary School built is definitely a top priority. Um, and I hope that the public um realizes that and uh speaks to your supervisors in support of that. I had said in the past, we have we're a growing county and we have a lot of needs,
128right? Um and and those come with high price tags, but I think that children um educating our children has to be one of the most important priorities because they're they're our future and they're going to be uh the judges, the lawyers, the teachers, the the first responders, and every everything else. So, I think that we need to prioritize our children, and I think it's worthwhile. It's a worthwhile cause. Uh and certainly um with academic achievement, Mr. Miller, you you you laid out where we are and then them raising the standards etc. And so we have to prioritize that and I am fully committed to working with you and the staff. I know that all of us are to helping you uh achieve your achieve those goals because I think we are as Mr. VA mentioned
129we we want to achieve academic excellence and our kids can do that. Our students can do that 100% they can. So um and I want to congratulate the staff uh teachers for a wonderful first start of the year and I wish you all the very best. Uh I'm excited to to hear about all the things that you're going to accomplish and our students are going to accomplish this year and I'm absolutely delighted and privileged to have been given the opportunity to serve uh as district 2 uh representatives. So thank you and have a good night. >> Thank you, Miss Kuna. Uh, I'd like to echo the comments of my fellow board members. I mean, we as a board and as a district are facing a lot of important topics, responsibilities, duties, and specifically echo the
130comments of Mr. Rhymer on priority. I mean, I think as a board, our focus is on what's best for the constituents and for me that is the children, our students, the present ones and the future ones. So standards of excellence, academic excellence, the construction of Newk Elementary School, uh are are top of the list for me. Uh that's where I would like our primary focus to be and ancillary to that of course is maintaining our legal obligations and duties such as policy review. Um I'd also like to touch upon Mr. Brosky's comments regarding 911. I am a New Yorker. I have a very close personal connection with that day, that event. I lost family members in the towers. Um, so please honor and observe Patriots Day and live like you're a 912 American. Don't forget
131that day. That was the most important day. Uh, and then finally, on a more upbeat note, everyone come out. Home game football 26th, Friday Night Lights, brand new, awesome looking field. Everybody come out. Thank you so much. >> Mr. Davis, would you like to add anything, sir? >> Yes, sir. So, uh I have nothing urgent um or really important yet. Um but I would like to say I've uh several of my classmates and friends have come up to me and given some suggestions. Um nothing I want to bring up yet. Uh so it's just that I don't think they're um as as important as they need to be. So I h had a meeting with um Principal Strickland. So, one-on-one meeting to uh talk about uh one of the things I said in my interview
132was that I wanted to one of the best ways to reach other students was through like a survey so they didn't have to like come face to face with me. So, I I talked to her about that. We um got on the same page. Um so, I'm working on that now. Uh hopefully by the next uh meeting I'll have some feedback from there. >> Very good. Thank you sir and Dr. Nichols. >> Thank you sir. Um incredibly proud of team new on all fronts. Um I think we do a great job of making complex things look easy. Um and when you think about getting a school system ready for the school year from facilities to instruction and you name it. Uh you know we just keep raising the bar with it. So, I'm incredibly proud
133of the team we get to work with from our drivers, our pair of professionals, uh folks in the cafeteria, teachers, um everybody in between. It's just been it's been an incredible summer and a start. Um reflecting as I enter year seven, we now have 15 to 20 former kids that are now working for us in various capacities. So I love the fact that uh our students are coming home and taking that team UK legacy uh to another level. Speaking another level uh in 2021 we were ranked 36th. Um now in 2025 we are ranked ninth. So we continue uh to do that work and as we raise the bar um we will meet that and exceed that more. So um if you think we've done big things hold on to your seats. We've got some
134incredible plans. Um, special thank you to Toby for taking initiative. Um, and I'm excited that he's going to lead uh some of our student government work and hopefully by the next time he comes, we will have had our first meeting. Uh, so he can talk about leading that and have some of that data. So I get to work with amazing people which uh just makes this a wonderful place. So thank you sir. >> Thank you Dr. Nichols. The next meeting of the school board will be a regular meeting on Tuesday, October 7th, to be held here in the historic courthouse boardroom at 6 PM. The close session will begin at 5:30. With that, our meeting is adjourned at 7:53 p.m.