001All right. Good afternoon, everybody. I call to order the regular session of the New King County School Board meeting at 6 PM. Miss Davis, please call the role. Mr. Pano, present. Miss Kunan, present. Miss Drosski, here. Mr. Lodge, present. And Mr. Ryder, here. Do I hear a motion to all members accounted for? Thank you, Miss Davis. Do I hear a motion to come out of close session? So move. Mr. Vaude has the motion. Do I have a second? Second. Mr. Rhymer has the second. Miss Davis, please pull the board. Mr. Picado, I. Miss Kuna, I. Miss Tumbroski, I. Mr. Ba, I. And Mr. Rhymer. Hi. All right, the motion is passed. We are out of close session. Miss Tumbroski, could you please read the certification of close session? Oh, thank you. Whereas the new Kent
002County School Board has convened a closed meeting on this date pursuant to an affirmative recorded vote and in accordance with the provisions of Virginia Freedom of Information Act. And whereas section 2.2-3711 of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by the New Kent County School Board that such closed meeting was conducted in conformity with Virginia law. Now therefore, be it resolved that the New Kent County School Board hereby certifies that to the best of each member's knowledge, only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirement by Virginia law were discussed in closed meeting to which this certification resolution applied, and only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the closed meeting were heard, discussed, or considered by the new Kent County School Board. Thank you very much. Do I have
003a motion to approve the certification of the closed? So moved. Miss Kuna has the motion. Do I have a second? I sross has a second. Miss Davis, please pull the board. Mr. Pano, I. Miss Kuna, I. Miss Tumbroski. I. Mr. B. Hi. And Mr. Run. Hi. All right. The motion has passed unanimously. The certification is approved. Everybody, please rise and join us for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right. And that first item on the agenda is presentations, recognitions, and school spotlight. Dr. Nichols, take it away. Yes, sir. and the last school board meeting of the school year. Um it's an honor to recognize some
004amazing students, two of which uh will be graduating in just a few days. So we'll start with our senior of the month and that is Adair Gford. She's the daughter of Matthew and Susan Gford. In addition to being an active member of the National Honor Society, a go-getter in the equestrian world, and a student finalizing her advanced diploma, she also excels within an instructional setting. She's currently enrolled both dual enrollment, English 12, and advanced placement AP government, where she's earned a 3.885. She's worked incredibly hard to remain an eight straight A student throughout quarter 4. And if you've been a senior, you know that is no easy feat. and a straight A student for the 2425 school year. Uh she is a participant 4H for six years and started her own business. She's a small
005business owner designed tree company, an equestrian tree company. Uh she's now going to say a few words about her future plans, her e pathway, and her time at New High School. Good evening, Mr. Chair, Mr. Vice Chair, school board members, Dr. Nichols. My name is Adair Gford. For my E decision, I've chosen enrollment. This fall, I'm attending Randolph Min College where I'm studying um business. I chose enrollment because I would like to further my education and um connections in the business world. I was inspired to follow a path in either business administration or finance um because a teacher of Miss or a teacher at New High School named Mrs. Mara um her business law and management classes made me realize that I like that kind of career and want to follow it. Um and I
006was so encouraged that I started my own small business design treat where I um test not just my cooking skills but also my marketing and money management skills. Um and without her classes I don't think I would have been as prepared to start my own small business. Um, and then at Rainoff Min, I will also be part of their equestrian team and their honors program where I will be able to grow and thrive with um with NewAount High School's education. They've helped me prepare for this by having encouraging and supportive teachers that have inspired me to follow the enrollment path. Um, and before I finish, I would like to thank Mrs. Strickland for nominating me for senior of the month. I'm really grateful for this opportunity. And I also want to say thank you to
007my parents and teachers for their support um in deciding on enrolling. Um and I'm incredibly thankful for everyone who's believed in me and helped me reach this point. And I'm grateful for all the teachers at New on the media screen. Let's Yeah, do it over there. Team UK. Oh, we're going to flip. We're follow. Don't mind us. I'm sorry. But we'll do recess as well. We'll do recess. I'll stay on this track. So, now I'm up here. Next recognition is athletes of the month. Yes, sir. I have some incredible student athletes to present to you tonight. Uh, one you will hear deliver a speech either before or after me at graduation. Uh, we're still working out those pieces. Um, So, our first student athlete is Olivia Allen. So, if I'm gonna say all these wonderful
008things, you got to stand here with me. Um, so Olivia is a 12th grade student at New Kent High School working through dual enrollment and advanced placement coursework towards her advanced diploma. In addition to her coursework at New Kent High School, she's already graduated from Chesapeake Bay Governor's School. Uh she is also I gave this away as New Cat High School's 2025 valadictorian. Um she worked to earn a 4.616 uh grade point average. She is the daughter of Edward and Katherine Allen. Um her wise sister Emma is also here. So just want to make sure I give her credit. Um so not only in the classroom, she also excels in the field in addition to being a soccer player where she'll play tomorrow night. Uh Olivia is a threeseason student athlete also participating in field
009hockey and swim. If memory serves correct script there was a season of JV basketball as well. Right. We don't talk about okay we don't talk Olivia is a player that any coach would love to have. She's a natural leader. Gives everything she has in games and practice. She never gives up and her energy is unmatched. You never have to ask her to try or try hard because she already does. Um, this season is Olivia's best stat season. She already has, and I know this is outdated. She got a hat-tick at the last game, 11 goals and six assists this year. Do you want to update that? 14 and seven. 14 and seven. Come on. So, in the fall, Olivia will follow the enrollment pathway to go to the University of Washington. Sorry, Emma will in
010on that one. uh where she will major in biology, minor in psychology on the premed track, become a a pediatrician. Outside of school of athletics, she enjoys hanging out with friends and family, managing the Brick Shar pool, and participating in club, the field of hockey. Olivia is just absolute phenomenal young person and I am a better person and leader because I get to hang out with her. I get to hang out with you. Now, let's see if she says that in public. Congratulations. So, not all of our incredible kids are leaving on Thursday for graduation. Fortunately, we have awesome student athletes like Dayton Megan. So right now, who do you think is faster? You think you should be a little faster? Okay. So Dayton is a 10th grade student at New Kent High School, working
011through coursework towards his advanced diploma. He's the son of Darren and Malita Makans. Off the track, he enjoys hanging out with friends, working around his neighborhood with friends in a local lawn care business, coaching flag football, umpiring at Pine Fork Park, and spending time with families. fit with his family, not just all fans or I don't know. Dayton has qualified for the outdoor track and field state championships in the 200 meter dash. He's also part of the 4x100 meter relay team which qualified for the state championships at the most recent district meet. He's a hardworking athlete. I've seen him on the track and practice. What you see at at a meet is because of all the work he puts in. Um he also inspires younger student athletes to work to their fullest potential during practice.
012Although he's only a sophomore, he does plan to follow the enrollment pathway um and is interested in attending Hampton University uh where his mother is an alum. He wants to track and field coaches and continue to keep for keeping him motivated and forcouraging him process. Dave also played football. That's not on my script but just from my memory. Uh so multip sport athlete, incredible young man and only a sophomore. So congratulations. So that concludes concludes my recognitions. Thank you, Dr. Nichols. At this time, the board will recess for 5 minutes. Anybody who wishes to leave can do so. Of course, please take your pictures in front of the media screen. We are in recess. We are resuming our regular agenda. The next item up is the consent agenda. So board members, by now you've had
013the opportunity to review the items listed on the consent agenda, including meeting minutes from March 2025 and May 2025. and the superintendent's recommendations regarding personnel matters. Do I have any motions? Yes, Mr. Chair. I move to remove the May 5th, 2025 minutes from the consent agenda for further review. Is there a second? A second. Davis, please pull the board. Mr. Rhymer, I. Mr. Bot, I. Miss Dumbroski, I. Miss Kuna, hi. And Mr. I All right. So, the motion passes unanimously. And at this point, do I have a motion to approve the remaining items on the consent agenda? So, move that will include, sorry, the March minutes, the superintendent's recommendations regarding personnel matters, and the designated school board representative position. Sorry. So moved. Thank you. Mr. Rhymer has the motion. Do I have a second? I
014second. Miss Kuna has a second. Miss Davis, please pull the board. Mr. Rhyme, hi. Mr. B, I Miss Dumbroski, I. Miss Kuna, hi. And Mr. Paga, I. Motion passes unanimously. Moving on. New business. Mr. Miller, AI guiding principles and protocols. Good evening, um, chairman of the board and board members, Dr. Nichols. It's my pleasure to come for you tonight, talk about Nuke and artificial intelligence and sort of what we have going on there. Um throughout throughout the last year, we have had a committee that's been working on developing a set of guiding principles and protocols for the use of AI throughout our division. Um those you've seen a name for the board, Dr. Nichols, myself, Morcon, Mr. Terry, Chris Leech from the high school, and then Courtney Lewis, one of our technology integration coaches with
015here tonight. Um so with our work, u we did a variety of things. Um we had several uh professional developments and partnership meetings uh hosted by the Virginia Department of Education as well as VAS and we um also interacted here locally. We met with students, met with some teachers, gathered feedback on their perception of AI and what does the division need to be in the end uh we developed a set of again guiding protocols and principles to be used by the division as is as AI is used in the classroom or to inform work going on in the classroom. Before we move on, we get back as a part of those um the regional meetings. Uh there was a lot of also experimentation as well as looking at what are some other um basically organizations
016around the country and um how are they using utilizing including both higher ed as well as K12. Yeah. So this is a graphic of some of the guiding principles we gather pretty much the the sum of all of them. So we looked at a variety of different um areas these five here. So teaching and learning being uh first and foremost how it would inform that. So first u with under teaching and learning a that it's going to enhance um and not replace instruction. Um anytime we look at any technology usage it should not replace the teacher it should not replace instruction going in the classroom but should work to enhance that instruction that's already happening and the good work that our teachers are doing. And so as we look at how AI should be wor
017used basically by teachers or students, it should be looked at as how are we making our instruction better and adding on top of it but not again not replacing it. Also our work revolved around clarifying what was the role of AI in in learning and so we put together some guides on ways that it could be used and should be considered ways that educators should be considered using their own work as well as how to use it with students. Uh we looked at ethical and responsible usage and so some of the key principles we looked at there and put down is a we should be prioritizing student well-being. Um looking for transparency and then also monitoring mitigating bias um in the returns that both our employees and our students would be getting from any AI
018tools that they would be using. Um, as far as transparency, we want students, staff, and parents have clear expectations that instructions given to them on the ways it should be used and if it's used outside of that, what are the consequences that go along with that? And then also look, taking a look at how are we respecting students rights as far as their well-being and making sure that u the tools are that are used support learning and don't basically aren't harmful for them. Anyway, um, accessibility was a big one. um by ensuring that all of the tools that any AI tools that we would be using are accessible for all of our students. And so looking at how can we make sure that um no matter what the needs of our students that the tools
019that we put in place um are usable by them and that all students basically would have access to those tools and that if we have the opportunity to utilize AI to reduce barriers um doing that as well and so making sure that we can use it to create better learning materials um to enhance our instruction. Uh fourth was privacy and security. Um one of the big things there is making sure that our student information is not uh basically being um basically being given out to people who don't need it. And so part of that is not you not um putting any student personal identification into any AI tools because we don't know where that data is being stored. And so anytime we use it, making sure that if there is any student accounts that are
020created or whatever with it, those are protected and under basically within barriers and that as we use it, we're not putting like student data in there and asking to analyze it with identifiers in in there. So um also minimizing data collection, as I'll talk about in a minute, we're going to be talking with all of our technology vendors. Um a lot of them are incorporating AI into their programs now. And so we have some um discussions to have with them as far as how is it being used and how student information um being utilized there. And then lastly, adop adaptability. Um we want to make sure that we have ongoing review of the materials that we're using and the tools that we're using to ensure that as they're being used um we're keeping up to
021date on uh what's best practice as well as any consequences of utilizing them. So I'm sorry. Uh one of the things that we did also to help teachers as well as students is we put together basically place some guidelines around um when it uh ways that it can be used and some graphics to help uh teachers as well as students understand uh as an assignment is being given what um how can they use AI or can they or not. So, this is sort of a two-part poster that we put together for teachers to have um that can clarify basically when is uh students should only be utilizing it as teachers allow and so when when should they be doing work that does not have any AI involvement, when should they be using it as a
022coach or collaborator? What does that mean? And then when should it be an essential tool? when do they have to use it in an assignment so that we can be exposing our students to it and teaching our students appropriate use utiliz utilization of AI um before they leave us and giving them the skills they need to understand what it can do and what it cannot do very well. So Mr. Chairman hold on Mr. Uh, one of the pieces of this was updating our acceptable use policy. Um, acceptable use policies are put in place or regulations are put in place to guide our staff members as well as our students on what they can and can't utilize um, technology for. It currently does not have any um, AI language in it because it was written prior
023to sort of the boom of AI. So we've put together some language to go in there um some permissions uh on the allowable usage of it. Um then we put together some key considerations. So curriculum and pedigogy, how should it fit within the curriculum that we're using, the way we're teaching, accuracy and fact checking. So making sure that teachers aren't just taking u basically whatever it spits out as um as the truth and then also use utilizing and make ensuring that personal identification information is not being shared on students are some of the things that we put together there. Then we also looked at um our acceptable use regulations for student usage. If you go to the next slide and updated that as well. We have AUP regulations for student usage and so put in
024their permissions there as well and in fact it's only permitted when and how the teachers have um given them instructions to do so. Um some of the key considerations that we've put together are a definition of what is original work because it's no longer um as you start to utilize artificial intelligence to generate information the lines of what is the original work be start to become blurry. And so we did put together a definition of that and then how to utilize and site AI because there are now guidelines on the appropriate citation of AI sources and then consequences for AI misuse if it's being used in ways that are not permitted by the teacher. We put together a a vendor letter um to that will go to our technology or educational software vendors um to
025clarify their usage of AI within their tools to ensure that they're following the guidelines that we're following and especially around the security um standpoint and making sure that anything that anytime our students be utilizing their tool that they're um their identifiable information is um not being stored or is within barrier that we have um can ensure that it's not going anywhere. All right. So, some of our next steps um is updating student handbooks and to to include an academic integrity statement. It does not currently include that and so our committee worked to put one together and um so including that in our handbooks and not just around AI but just in general and and basically that students work is students work. Um then we'll be reviewing all of our technology vendors for AI usage, verifying
026their adherence to guidelines. We also plan some professional development for this fall this well actually this first this summer for administrators and office staff will receive um some training this summer on use utilization of it in their work and then we'll be doing professional development for instructional staff um when they come back in the fall. We have a number of sessions for teachers on appropriate usage going over all of these principles. so that they understand them before they start the school year. U and then we'll also be doing some work around educating our parents and students on what is appropriate and usage and what is not appropriate usage and what to expect when you're using it. A lot of our students are already using it personally as well as I know we have some using
027it for for school work and so be updating sort of their expectations with guidelines as well. Now any questions? Mr. Miller, first and foremost, thank you for your presentation and the committee's work on that. That was very thorough. Mr. Rhyr, I um am very very concerned about this whole this tool. This tool that has the potential to be one of the most disruptive tools uh in our society that we've ever created. Uh you think cell phones have changed the way we interact with people. This tool is very dangerous. Not only that, I have fears about the vendors who are providing access to these tools because the legal uh work is not uh kept up with the advances in this technology and the asurances of security by some of these vendors may be hollow. Um, I
028appreciate the work being done, but I think in some cases some of the wrong questions are being asked and some of the work is focused on the wrong initiatives. I think our one of the biggest things we have to worry about is preventing the kids from losing the education that they would normally have if they were not using AI in the long term and especially young kids need to be protected from this technology much like we try to protect them from phones. Um, at the same time, I understand the need to expose students to AI, but I argue and I hope that you guys are very conservative about this and put uh limits that include if it were up to me, I would host an LLM in an enclosed environment that only a few could
029get to. Unfortunately, that's not poss because we are able to get to the internet and uh get to it in most places. But I would even propose blocking as much AI as possible coming into the school network. This is we just saw a demonstration of it potential disruption uh two days ago when the Ukrainians launched a bunch of drones that were autodirected. They had no human uh guidance on them and they attacked the Russian um strategic air fleet and eliminated 30% of it. That's an example of how powerful it can be. Um that also should be a warning of how dangerous it can be. Um and I feel like we need some more interaction with this group. maybe a special work session where they do a deeper dive with us. Um, and that's the only
030action item I can think of other than appointing a board member to sit with the committee. Um, as well I I hope you understand the intent that I am um making these statements with. I feel a little bit like a cassanitor, but uh I do fear some of the side, you know, the the potential um unforeseen consequences of introducing this too soon and especially if we don't think and we can't think through all the possible consequences because that's how disruptive this technology is. Thank you for listening. Thank you, Mr. Ry. think your comments uh everybody can agree with them to a degree. This is a very fastm moving powerful um tool as as you suggested and I think your comments will be taken under advisement and we'll consider them further. Mr. VA. Yeah. And I
031I to a degree agree with what you're saying, but I think that parents felt the same thing in the late 60s and early 70s with calculators and math. um the wheels of technology will turn. Um we won't stop those in New County. Um but if we properly regulate and properly teach and properly train, we can at least keep the staff and students safe um to to a degree. Um and which leads me to my next uh question and and comment um in terms of AI because it is um going to be a prevailing factor in all of our lives especially education. Um Mr. Chair, I think we may need to um review our policy on curriculum and discuss how AI and that policy might interact moving ahead um in terms of curriculum. The other concern
032that I have is um the enforcement or regulation piece. Um because you can go online right now and write an entire novel through AI just providing filling in the blanks and it comes out and that doesn't mean that it's right or wrong. Um but as a student that truncates my education in terms of um instead of learning uh proper literary function I can just fill in a blank. And my my concern would be how do we um how do we more properly enforce and govern and define that with the use of AI in the education system. And I I really I believe that the board I agree I would love to have uh one if not two board members participate in uh meeting with respect to this and also deep diving into policy in which
033we can develop and then also um having Mr. Miller or his group come up with the regulations and the the what happens if this student or what happens if you know it's prepared through AI rather than you know um so that's that's my comment and my concern with that. Thank you. Thank you Mr. Vault. Mr. Broski. Johanna, could you go back to the slide just before? Um, so updating student habits with academic integrity statement. Do they have to sign anything right now and return it or is that anything that would be considered to have them sign off that they're making that statement that they will not use it outside of the parameters that have been provided to them. Thank you. Currently, there's not an academic integrity statement in any of our handbooks. And so, um,
034we've considered whether or not, um, have to sign it or just acknowledge that it's it's a part of basically it's in that handbook, so they're expected to follow it. Uh, and, um, as some institutions, um, uh, basically teachers will put it on like tests and things like that and to remind students, hey, this is expected to be your work. And um so right now the intent is to have it in the handbooks. We definitely look at that maybe whatever students I'm sure there's you know the process of collecting them and making sure who's turned them in and then what's the consequence if they haven't. So I know it gets complicated really fast but it would be great to have something if they could sign off on that they are aware of it. We can do
035it through digital signature with the the rest of the hand. So that way we're not passing. But we have um and as as we state to to families and students even if you don't sign it you're still held accountable for this is the mechanism that so we have a vehicle that we we do that currently and and could could we for sure. And then um my second question is is this something that we are going to need like a policy for for the policy manual or is it just going to stay in code and student code and conduct? Correct. We we've had uh some internal discussions about that. We wanted to this has been basically years worth of work um across the Commonwealth but for our team specifically um to really kind of bring it
036to you tonight get some of this feedback that we're getting um and look at new step ne next steps to potentially include uh policy to include regulations and uh with it evolving at the rate it has just this year. you know, getting ahead of it may not be a reality, but making sure that we have the structures in place so that we can move and be nimble and um take care of kids and families and staff. So, um so I think we could look at we will look at that moving forward, right? And then just my last question if there's any kind of ideas for what I mean I know with students you can work with them in the schools but as far as parents I would love them extra help navigating that world. Do
037you have any kind of ideas at this point how that professional development for parents might look? Yeah, so we've talked through uh basically havingformational sites that we can point parents to as well as basically creating videos or some type of material that we can push out to parents. Um also happy to host sort of evenings for parents to talk through um what are what are our guidelines and what what should they expect. Thank you. Yes. I I um have experience from this. I was an instructor, an online instructor where I had to score essays in um various subjects, US history, US government, world history, world geography. And one of the things that was the most frustrating was when this AI thing started happening and there weren't any guidelines, specific guidelines given to students and to
038the instructors and we were all over the place. Some people were very liberal with the scoring and some were not. I think the best advice I can give from my personal experience is to not put the cart before the horse and make sure that you have everything in place as far as have guidelines in place. Um, you know, decide over the summer what exactly those guidelines are going to be. Um, make sure that teachers get the professional development they need and that they're all on the same page because one of the hardest things is when someone is not on the same page. one teacher expects this, another teacher expects that, and that's not fair to the students either. Um, they need to be taught how to use AI uh responsibly. You mentioned the the part
039about uh citing your sources, and that's not just a poster isn't going to do it. That poster is a good start, I think, for the middle school level, but it really needs to be um more structured um guidelines and instruction how to use AI properly. And um I just would like to also see that within the content area, within the subject area, for example, history, that all the teachers would be using the same standard and that it would be communicated very succinctly and clearly um both parents and students and teachers knowing what the guidelines are. And I think we're going to, like you said, um Mr. of what we're going to need to be involved in that process. Um because it if we don't it's just going to be very confusing. I worry about academic
040integrity. Students at this age don't really understand that if they're not really taught that. Um and they can be taught that AI is just another tool. It's just another reference source. But my experience with some students is that they hate to write, for example, an essay and they will take the shortcut. They will take the easy way out and they're really missing out on an opportunity of research and thinking for themselves and formulating their ideas and then writing them in written format. And that's part of of of of being educated. And I think it helps them also be better communicators in the future regardless of what path they take out after high school. So I think that we really need to I know it's moving at a very fast pace but we really need to
041do this uh smartly and uh make sure we have everything set before we launch this kind of thing and students start using it uh on a large scale because then we're going to have all kinds of problems. Mr. there. Some places are going back to low tech remedies like blue books. Yes, I've read that. And I'm I'm not sure that that isn't part of our remedy. Sorry again. I missed that. I'm sorry. Blue books for exams examinations. Well, and not that we don't worry about the in school part like we have some mechanisms of controls and things. Uh we send these kids home. We want them to have that integrity. We want them to have that understood. Yeah. So, this for us is the total package. We uh we know what we can do and
042what we control here. Um but Oh, that blue book just brought back all kinds of Oh, yeah. Cramp hands. I I have a I have a little bit of a different perspective on this. Um I think AI was a tool several years ago. Today, it's a monster. Yeah. And if you don't know about AI, and I don't claim to know a lot, but it's 10xing every 18 months. It used to be regenerative, it's not regenerative anymore. It's now adaptive. Sam Alman, who created Open AI, now just launched a new company with two of the smartest people on the planet Earth to put adaptive AI into every single thing that we touch. We're not getting ahead of it. We can create a framework and by the time we do that, the framework going to be outdated.
043So that's the fear unfortunately is controlling the expectation about how we build the framework that helps the students. And I'll take it even one step further. You can't really avoid it. So you everybody knows if you start to type a text message or an email, this thing is finishing it for you. You don't even have to think, right? If now it's on the phone, if I leave myself a message 2 plus two, it just puts four in. I didn't even type the four. It just does it anyway, right? You can't shut it off. And I think it becomes more and more invasive in everything that we do. And it has a huge impact on all areas, but especially education, right? You know, the idea that I've got to figure out an algebra problem. I can
044just talk to my phone right now and it'll give me the answer instantly. It's terrifying at the same time as it is amazing. And I don't know how, you know, you you incorporate how fast this monster is growing to prevent it. It's going to be in our kids' lives more than it is ours, you know. So, I I do think and I love the framework that that you and the committee put together. Um I do think moving fast on this is is important because we're not avoiding it and that'll give us the the ability to adapt a little bit quicker if that makes sense. Um but I don't think personally we're ever getting ahead of it. I can respond please. Yeah. Um, I agree. We're not going to get ahead of it. And if we're
045not exposing our students to it and teaching them appropriate ways of utilizing it, we are doing a disservice and they'll graduate with from us with skills that without skills that other kids from other counties will have and we'll have a leg up. Absolutely. And so to to just block it and avoid using it, we are doing a disservice. I agree. So, but we need to use it responsibly. Completely agree. And I think we take the same philosophy and I heard this in your comments, Mr. around, you know, we limit technology the early grades and then, you know, it's the same like I don't anticipate we're going to have our prek kids and claude and GBT and do you know kind of working that through and kind of figuring those pieces. I'm on several regional boards,
046regional schools and they're battling the same thing. and colleges and universities. Um, so I I do think you know what do we do as a school vision with a lot of things and you know how does this line up with our framework and and those pieces but that's why we brought this together to you today to show you all the work we've been doing but also get your feedback and get those next steps so that we continue to work together and potentially bring this as a work session item or look at some policy pieces or um but great feedback um for us and the team. I want to thank uh while my name is on there, I was the least contributing member of the team. So I really want to thank the team for all
047the work that they did. Uh so I was just behind Shan Taylor. So thank you Mr. Miller. Thank you so much and the rest of you. So Mr. You're a little pessimistic. There are things that we can do technically to help manage it. And I'm not uh saying that we shouldn't expose kids to it at some point. We can create a two inter two networks, one that isn't attached to the internet for instance. uh just you know off the top of my head that I don't know that pessimistic is the right word for me but whatever the whatever the pessimistic whatever the descriptive no it's not pessimistic it's it's realistic right um in terms of how big and invasive AI will become in all of our lives and I think that was your initial concern
048but to cut to the chase I think this is and Dr. Nichols and several board members I think suggested this is ripe for a work session. This is a this is a deep dive that we need to you know expand on or with the work that the committee has already done and maybe have some input and and envelop th those ideas but move it along as fast as we can to get the kids exposed to it, learn from it and protect them from it with all of our concerns uh put you know involved. All right, Miss Morgan, the SNS rate increase and update, please. This should generate just as much discussion. Oh boy. This is good stuff here. Um, tonight I'm bringing you a request to increase our meal pricing. Um, each year the section
049205 aims to ensure that we aren't using federal funds to subsidize our paid meals. Um, I will say that our team did recommend a price increase last year and Dr. Nichols and I really had a deep dive with them to try to hold those meal prices in place for one additional year. So, we did know that this was coming. I believe we presented that at the board meeting last year. Um, so you will see a quarter increase. So, for elementary lunch and breakfast, the new pricing for next year will be 325 and 225. The middle school will be 350 and 250 and the high school will be 375 and 275. Um, additionally, school nutrition, um, our school nutrition in particular does a great job of keeping their fund balance um, very rich and we're very
050grateful for that. Unfortunately, the state only really allows them to have about three months of operating expense in their fund balance. So when we do have a reserve, we really do try to utilize those funds for different equipment items, um staff increases and payments for school nutrition. Um but they really are self-sufficient. We really appreciate all the hard work that they do. Is the is the 25 cent raise enough to cover the cost? It is. And um you know, honestly, I think Miss Smith would not like me to say this. I think we could probably cover a little bit more, but there is a tool that we're provided by VDOE to calculate what our pricing really should be. Um, and if we are able to say that we can locally fund some of those things,
051we're able to kind of hold off on, but they really do try to um get you actually to increase based on what the tool tells you your price should be. So, that's what that's what we're trying to do. Thank you. Any other board member have a question or comment? Mr. Chair, have are we comparable to most places? Are we significantly under? I I I could look I can look that up and get that information to you. I think we're probably um fairly comp comparable. I think um there are some divisions that provide um C, you know, everybody um is free. Um and so there's different nuances with some of that. So those might not be as comparable because there really isn't like a price that a parent is paying. Um, but for the most part,
052I would think, um, based on the prices that we're paying for food in particular, these are very good prices for school lunches and and breakfasts. Great. Thank you. Dr. Nichols, you are up, sir. Next item is schoolboard goals review and update. First item is project New Elementary School. Yes, sir. So, project Newent Elementary School. Um and this will be loaded in board docs as well. Um so this is a multi-page update uh really aimed at the board of supervisors uh for their work session the last week just and it's all information that we've all seen. Um we just wanted to put it together in in a easy to digest format. So I really want to thank um Handy Morim and also Ashley Meredith for bringing this to life. Um the picture at the top of
053that is really when we did the joint tour um with this board and the previous board. We walked every square inch of that facility and really showed why a renovation is not a solution for new Kent Elementary and why we must move forward with a new build. Um the board of supervisors did um allocate that funding for us that we had in account to begin that design process. We did a design committee um Mr. Miss Kuna and Mr. Banana are on that as well as um a wide array of of members which is all in this packet. So u so we've been off and running on that and very excited about our progress uh really working hard uh through that piece. Last week the board of supervisors did meet about a potential tax increase. um
054they did decide at that meeting to delay uh the new Kent element the funding of the new Kent Elementary School project. So Morana or actually this whole office went over there for that meeting um to be there and to to listen and uh learn. So we are kind of regrouping off of that. Uh we were hopeful and anticipating a move forward on the funding of that project because as a team internally we're ready to go. Um we have a concept, we have an architect, we are ready to fully do the design pieces um and move forward with the new school. We still believe that that is the right path um and what our students at New Elementary School deserve. Um so our intent which is worthy of future more discussion is to continue moving forward.
055Uh we have the funding set aside to do a substantial amount of that design. We still and I believe the board I don't want to speak for you but every conversation we've had is full speed ahead. Um to continue pursuing that while continuing to advocate for funding while it was stated as a delay um I don't want to get to this time next year with another delay. We have systems that are at end of life and beyond end of life the school. Um and we've intentionally um delayed replacing some of those because we're moving forward with the new school. So we're at this crossroads uh with the project um and we still feel like we we need to move forward on the design piece with it. So um that's really the update that I have
056for you board members. Um, I've not had any conversations. Um, Mr. We met with Mr. Hathway today, which is always a great meeting. Um, and and talk about future planning, but it's in terms of any other conversations. I have not had any since uh that work session. I do plan to meet with the new Kent Elementary School faculty. As you can imagine, that news was kind of devastating for a school that felt like they had momentum. Um, so I'm going to try to touch base with them on Wednesday. um just to talk about kind of our commitment or my commitment and the uh work we have to do moving forward. So um that is basically an up summary of an update but happy to answer any questions or fill in dates. Mr. Chairman, Mr. Ron,
057uh Mr. Superintendent, if you want any board participation in your presentation to the teachers, I uh I volunteer myself and I'm sure there'd be other members on there as well. Thanks, sir. Strategic plan update. Sorry. Oh, I apologize, Mr. B. No, no worries. Um, if board members, if you have not talked to your fellow board of supervisors representative in your district, please do. Um, I had this conversation with mine. I reiterated the things that are needed at New Kent Elementary, went back through the the safety issues and and concerns, um, just to make certain that he was fully aware of what exactly was needed and what was going on. Um, I really feel like at this point, um, asking for the funding is one thing. Um, I believe we need to move it up to
058the next step and contend for it. Um, this isn't we're not just building it because it's um an eyes sore, which it is as far as I'm concerned, but the the the the bigger issue is the safety concerns for the students, things like that. So, I believe as a board I felt like um I haven't contended for this. I've asked I've talked about it, but I am actively contending for these funds and for this school to be built as soon as possible. So, I would just respectfully request that fellow board members if you would do that and be persistent, consistent to the point that it's not easily forgotten. Mr. B, I think that's a great point. I have done the same with my cohort, but to let it lie now for another year, I think
059is a mistake. I think if we continually push the need for it, uh, that it will pay dividends in the long run. Thank you, Rosi. Um, was there a breakdown provided to the board of supervisors outlining the cost of what the rebuild would be compared to the renovation? because when I talked to my cohort, if I understood her correctly, she did not have the numbers provided to her. Well, and that's one of the things that that Miss Morham and I and conversation that we've been having since is, you know, what else do we need to provide and in what detail? We have it all. Like we we've been doing the groundwork on this for a couple years now. We've done an extensive feasibility study. I can tell you we spent $30,000 just this spring to
060keep HBAC up and running. um the pros, the cons, why you can't do. So, I think it's it's the level of detail we have and board members if if you think it's beneficial, we're happy to try to coordinate some sort of indepth conversation about just this topic and get everybody in a room and um you whatever works. Um I quite frankly was what's the word? um a little taken aback because we've worked very hard to communicate deliberately throughout this process. That door stays open. This phone stays on. Any question that needs to be asked can be asked throughout the process. Um so I'm not sure what else is needed, but I guarantee we have it and I will meet anywhere, anytime with anyone to really discuss. I believe this is a project that has to
061happen for the kids at New Ken Elementary. um and I'm willing to advocate and contend and do anything we can do to make that happen. So if there is a gap, I'm happy to close. Uh Mr. Chair, we presented that information. Yes, we did. I was going to joint work session. Yes, we did. Uh Mr. I I'm going to I'm going to uh piggy back on what you said because I remember very clearly when we invited uh the supervisors on that tour that even before we went and did a tour of the building, we discussed um why it was not feasible financially and for safety reasons uh to um to repair or renovate the existing school and those numbers were shared with all the supervisors. I remember that distinctly. Um I too have um had
062conversations with um district 2 supervisor and in fact he was part of uh the design committee for the new school. So I think that you know again it's I I know that I'm going to keep pushing for I think we're all in agreement that this is very important. um even even to the point where children are now in classrooms that don't have windows. A student, you know, if you're in the middle school or high school, at least you get to change classes every 45 minutes or 50 minutes. But there are children right now that are in an elementary school classroom for the majority of the day without natural sunlight coming in, without windows. Um and that's just one small piece of why we want to get this done. So I'm definitely in support of of
063our continuing push for this. All right. Thank you very much. Strategic plan update, Dr. Nichols. Yes, sir. So for members, we've started presenting uh the adopted strategic plan monthly in small chunks. And so tonight is no different. Uh so tonight we're going to do goal three, organizational efficiency and effectiveness. Um so that's really optimizing division efficiency and effectiveness strengthening structures and processes and systems um to really just you know dollars are tight can we be more efficient and more effective just as one example but all throughout this goal. So um we have a number of strategies under that goal. Um so tonight and key performance indicators uh so tonight uh really just want to focus in on one um we've already had a lot of conversation about it which is why we chose this strategy
064and that is implement AIdriven solutions when appropriate across instructional financial and operational domains uh to improve decision making. So we talked a lot about the student side of it but there's also the business side of it for us as well. Um, so that just seemed to really fit in terms of we already had a long conversation about AI, so let's not bring introduce a different strategy. So one of the key performance indicators that we talked about is stakeholder committees and representation, which I think fits perfectly with a number of the suggestions that were made for board members tonight. So the good news is that this is also reflected in our strategic plan and something we're accountable for uh making progress on and updating the board on. So I don't have a deep presentation because I
065had a feeling we would have significant discussion. Once again that is the guiding principles document draft form that you just saw across all of those domains covered in the strategy. Um next month board reference really excited not that I'm not excited about goal three but to talk about goal for and strengthening partnerships. behind the scenes. We've been working on a brand new website uh and you will be amazed um at how much further that pushes us forward in terms of communication. So, by next month, we should be live um and I'll walk you through some of the components and why we've made some of the decisions and how that'll push us forward even further in terms of strengthening partnerships with community and families. So, Mr. Chair, that's my quick strategic plan update. Thank you, Dr.
066Nichols. The next item is policy review and revision. This is me um bringing back before the board a followup to the discussion we had at the work session immediately prior to. So this will be your last opportunity to discuss or comment on the revision or deletion of policy AFA regarding schoolboard members self evaluations. And board members, please correct me if I'm wrong, but our discussion led us all, I believe, to agree that we were going to remove the requirement of school board self evaluation. That will come before us a little bit later on as an action item. Mr. Rhymer, do you have any comment or input? Uh, no. As long as we're still uh posing on mobile. Okay. Mr. B. No. Mr. Broski. Okay. Miss Co? Yeah. All right. And moving on. items for vote
067of consideration tonight. We had no submissions. So, moving on to item number nine on the agenda, unfinished business. Miss Morgheim regarding superintendent fiscal year 26 operating budget and SIP. Mr. Chair, board members, Dr. Nichols. Um, tonight we are coming asking for you to adopt our approved budget of both the operating budget and the capital improvement plan. However, before we adopt it, I would like to offer an amendment to the general operating budget. Um, it's provided in the document in board docs and basically based on what Dr. Nichols said about goal three and dollars are tight. We're looking at every position that becomes available to see what more can we do with items that we weren't able to include in our original budget. Um, so you'll see a breakdown. Basically, we had a a middle school
068PE position that became vacant. And so, we looked at how could we rework that position and cover it in different ways um to provide three additional paraprofessional positions. Um, one is for the new VPI position that we added. Um, and then two of those are for the crosscap position at Quinton Elementary School. There is a need for three. So the third one will be have to um you know reutilize in house but also we're looking to add one teacher in residence. We actually have about six or seven of those that we'd like to have for next year. Miss Anderson does a great job in bringing those folks in and they really truly do end up becoming our teachers for the next um calendar fiscal year. So we're hoping to get more of those. Um, but
069right now you'll see the additional items in here were items I believe that you discussed at your last work session, changes that the school board would like to make um, internally just to your specific schoolboard budget line item. So, you'll see those changes detailed there. Um, and then just a note that we are trying to hold one teaching position currently um to be able to fund additional teachers and residents and a part-time administrative assistant in our high school. I honestly really don't believe that we'll be able to do that. I do think that we're going to need that position for kindergarten and possibly one additional position um that currently is not budgeted also for kindergarten. So, I just did want to put that there just to let you know that we are trying to really
070squeeze as much as we have um out of the budget that we're that we're adopting. But those are the amendments. So, I'm asking you to approve those amendments first and then to adopt that budget. I have just a point of clarification for the the rest of the board with respect to the funds allotted to the school board members for professional development etc. Um, and I think some of the board members had brought it up in our discussion in lie of direct support for a certain athletic team andor a schoolboard based scholarship that the proper mechanism was to just reallocate those funds back into the budget generally and they can be put where they're needed. Is that is that correct? That is my recommendation. You as a school board will approve and adopt a budget every
071year based on the information that we're bringing to you as to what each department and or school's goals, initiatives, needs are. Um, so when you are looking to make a donation, per se, from those funds, I think it's it's more appropriate that you recognize that that's a need and you realign your budget to match. Does that make sense? Yes. Um, so what we've done is we've taken the $2,000. Mr. Speak will be very excited. We've shifted it into the budgeted line item for athletics. Very good. Very good. Thank you very much. Sorry, Mr. Chair. So that means it could change every year where it goes to or it's just always going to go there. Any line item in the budget could be changed by you all through the budget conversations that we're having. So again,
072then if you find there's a need for XYZ program or a different event or something, we could have those conversations, shift those budget line items and we can do transfers during the year. Um, but this is very helpful in having them to plan, know that you hear their need and that you're making that adjustment on their behalf, right? So, we're we're supporting the district and the budget as a whole by reallocating those unused funds that we have, putting them back into the budget as opposed to doing what we had or talked about before and and supporting this team, that team, this student, that student, just putting it back into the budget overall. If there were need that were to arise, if you felt like another department or needed additional funds, that would be something that
073we could look to bring a transfer request to you. So if we found a line item maybe that was not using their funds or that we have a higher need, we would be coming to you and asking for you to then transfer those funds in the middle of the school year. Got it. Does anybody else have any questions or comments for Miss Moran? No. Thank you very much. I'm sorry. I have one quick question and I don't know if if it's well it's kind of related to the AI thing, but is there going to be more money needed to make sure that we have the funds we need for professional development and all that in that area or is that taken care of specifically for the school board or for No, we always need more
074funding. So the answer is we always need more funding. Got it. Thank you. But I think the question was for the record that do need more funding to address professional development in the scope of the AI discussion we had. But probably I'll be honest with you, Miss Kuna, there there are a lot of things that this scheme does very well with doing more with less. And over the years of doing that, we're really getting close to where we can't squeeze as much out as we can. Um it's been a lot of really difficult conversations with this team. Um there's a lot of needs and we have to prioritize them and it's very difficult. Um so kudos to everyone in the spring for doing that. I'm very proud to work here with this group but absolutely
075um we would we could use some additional funds but that doesn't mean that we won't get it done. Thank you. Thank you. I do want to Haney said thank you to the team like this work can't happen without H's absolute brilliance. Um, so what she brings to the table and how she brings us all around to make this happen. This is the toughest. This is budget number six. It is the toughest, leanest. No, typically Haney and I can get in a room and figure something out. We had a conversation today. The College of William Mary would love we seven teachers and residents we could have. We can't do like we cannot that is seven teachers who would be with us for the next three years in special education in math in the like critical positions
076and we don't have any room in this budget to make that happen much less um we have two kindergarten two schools where we'll probably have to add another kindergarten teacher because of increased enrollment and there is no buffer Uh so just incredible work uh that Haney leads for us just to get us to this point where we're able to do the salary increase and do the step and uh you know add the cross cut you know all of those different pieces. We we've done a lot um but the cuts that we've had to do to make that happen including um some pretty significant position is it's going to it's going to be tough. We'll line up. We'll make it happen. We'll do what's best for new and our kids. Um but uh yeah, we definitely
077need some help. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Miller. You're up, sir. Federal programs grant second read. Good evening. Uh last month I presented to you on on our federal program uh grants. We have titles one, two, three, and four. They're up for vote tonight. have received no questions this last meeting, but happy to answer any that may have this meeting if you have any. Anybody? No questions. Nothing. That was easy. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mr. Hawkman. Code of conduct review. Second read. Chair, members of the board, Dr. Nichols. Um, you'll recall last time that the wonderful assistant principal at George Watkins, Miss Sutton, came up here and uh presented to you all the code of conduct recommended changes. One of the things we did go back and do for things
078that were in section F, which was labeled persistently dangerous. Um, initially we had it for levels one through five, that has been updated to where anything that is a persistently dangerous code would be a level four or five, which is the most serious in terms of outcomes. Um, so beyond that, that is all that has been changed for the code of conduct. I'm available for questions or review if you would like. Thank you, Mr. Hawkman. Any board member have a question, comment, or input? Thank you for doing that. All right. Thank you, sir. Yep. Thank you. All right, Dr. Nichols. VSBA policy updates, second read. Yes, sir. So, last board meeting you had a first read on VSA VBA policy updates. Um so this is coming before you for a second read and asking for
079a vote. Um I did receive a question in between um regarding memorandum of understanding with the sheriff's department which we do have and we update annually. Um that's an incredible partnership of ours that we continue to work through. And the other part of that was on uh seclusion and restraint uh to which I provided uh our process, our policy and our protocol around that piece. So outside of that board members, I haven't fielded any questions, but I'm happy to um answer anything that you may have. Most of these were just regulatory and uh code changes and and aligning those. Thank you, Dr. Nichols. Any board member have a question? Do I do? Go ahead, Mr. Okay. Um, policy BBB, student representative, there's a section where it talks about where we could insert procedures here. Yes.
080So, I wondered if that was something that we would want to consider doing and when we would do that. So, I believe we developed procedures related to that piece. So, we would just put them in in there. that was you guys adopted a policy and then procedures or regulations related to that. So that would just be included before it's posted once after we approve it the procedures. Yes. And then uh JCB admission of non-public students for part-time enrollment. There are two options that were listed. Do we need to specify which option we're going to adopt? Dennis, Madam Clerk, you got a comment. We already use one of the options. So, that would be the option. I just wanted you guys to have but that would be the option that we would take that's already in
081our policy manual. Yes. Okay. So, yeah. So, yeah, we have one of those options is already in there. And of course, this is not loading. Um so that is just an update to the the uh the code piece related to that optioning. Okay. That makes sense. Okay. Yeah. So policy updated, legal references and cross references updated footnote added. Um that is for our option of JECB. So we're not there's no change to JCB our policy that we currently have. Okay. Um related to that. It just updates it for that. But there are two different um JECBs. I'd have to get you the the the one we do not hear the most. Okay. And then JHDA human research. In the first paragraph, the word questionnaires is underlined in reference to footnote one advising that board should
082modify the sentence to identify their divisions adopt a policy on surveys and questionnaires. Do we have a different policy? I should have looked I'm sorry. I didn't think to look at the current policies in place to compare them to what's um already been adopted and what if anything has changed. Um so let me remove that that question about that. Okay. And I'll I'll look at that. And then KA goals for school community relations. It says the school board sets goals and standards for school community relations and regularly eval evaluates its relationship with the public. The fact that that is coming up on the strengthening um I just wanted to point that out is and how are we going to be involved and be doing that? Absolutely. to make sure that you know is that something
083the five of us need to be if we're setting goal if it says the school board sets goals and standards is that the five of us or is that the schoolboard administration? Excuse me. Uh Mr. Chairman, Mr. Rymer, uh Mr. Superintendent, is that not part of the uh strategic plan? Yeah, I think that was the part of the the point this the process was making. Yes. go for which the board did adopt has u several strategies around finding out that information um or potential of of surveys and different ways to to gather um that information to to your direct question um Mr. Nebraska I think that's a a board decision uh related about is that actually the board setting the goal or is that the board through the superintendent and the administration which I think
084we talked about relates to other other strategies. So it should be the board. Just something I wanted to bring forward as far as looking in some way. No. Anybody else? Nothing. All right. Thank you, Madam Clerk. For the record, could you confirm that we do not have any citizen comments? We do not. Thank you, ma'am. All right, board members. We are now moving on to action items. The first action item is the consider approval of the policy revision or deletion for schoolboard evaluation. So, do I have a motion to remove the school board self-evaluation from policy AFA as presented? So, moved. Do I have a second? Second. All right. Miss Davis, please pull the board. Mr. Ryer, I Mr. Law. Hi. Mr. Broski. Hi. Miss Kun. Hi. Mr. Pagan. Hi. All right, motion passes unanimously.
085Moving on. Do I hear a motion to approve the amendments and adopt the superintendent approved fiscal year budget and SIP as presented? So moved. Miss Kuna has the motion. Do I have a second? Second. Mr. Vaude has the second. Miss Davis, please pull the board. Mr. Rhymer. I. Mr. V. I. Miss Dumbroski. I. Miss Kuna. I. Mr. Pay. I. Motion passes unanimously. Moving on. Do I hear a motion to approve the federal programs application as presented? So moved. Mr. Vaude has the motion. Do I have a second? Second. Mr. Rhymer has the second. Miss Davis, please call the board. Mr. Ry, I. Mr. V. Hi. Mr. Troski. Hi. Miss Kuna. Hi. And Mr. Pano. I motion passes unanimously. Miss. Davis. Do you need time or you good? I'm good. Great. Do I have a motion
086to approve the code of conduct as presented by Mr. Hawkman? So moved. Mr. Broski has the motion. Do I have a second? Second. Muna has the second. Miss Davis, please pull the board. Mr. Rhyme, hi. Mr. Blet, hi. Miss Tumbroski. Hi. Miss Kuna. Hi. Mr. Vagan. I. Motion passes unanimously. Do I hear a motion to approve the VSBA policy updates as presented? So moved. Mr. VA has the motion. Do I have a second? Second. Mr. Rhymer has a second. Miss Davis, please pull the board. Mr. Rhyme. Hi. Mr. Bows. Hi. Mr. Trosky. Hi. Miss. Hi. Mr. Pagano. Hi. Motion passes [Music] unanimously. And the last one of the evening, the most important one of the evening. Do I have a motion to approve the superintendent's contract as presented? So moved. Mr. Vaude has the motion.
087Do I have a second? Second. Mr. Dumbrosski has the second. Miss Davis, please call the board. Mr. Rhyme, I. Mr. Vaude, I. Mr. Saskki, I. Miss Fun, I. Mr. Pagano, I. Motion passes unanimously. All right. action items are taken care of. We are now in our comment section. Mr. Rhyr, any comments this evening, sir? Yes. I would like to reiterate the superintendent's praise for his staff in dealing with the unambiguously difficult budgets that we've had to deal with last couple of years. Um, I will continue to advocate with my representative uh my supervisor representative for more money for the schools. Uh, the county is growing at rapid pace uh faster than than what's been planned for and there's a stress on many of our services. But uh I think well I intend to continue to
088convey the message that the school is doing better with little money than most districts and that we are rapidly approaching a place where hard decisions will start to impact meaning the education of our students. Uh thank you very much for your hard work on this and I'll continue to work for you. Thank you, Mr. Rhymer. Mr. Vault. Yeah. Um, I just wanted to um make those aware who are not most of the board or all the board is very aware. I will be absent in person for two months. Um, it's a necessary um action. Um, I would rather be here. Um, but I want to assure you that I will be participating from a distance and uh actively involved in the schoolboard process and everything that's going on in spite of my physical absence here.
089And I too would like to echo uh Mr. Rhymer's thanks to an amazing uh administration, Dr. Nichols. um your team as as we strive for excellence uh fits that category in every every way, shape and form. And the um new teachers coming in, the ones that are going to remain with us, um it's exciting and um we look for even more amazing things to happen each year as we move forward. So, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Nebraska. I have to ditto again those comments. Just so so grateful for everything you all do. Really very couldn't be happier and know that you all put a lot of work into it. So I hope you never feel for me that I don't appreciate that. I really do. And I want to wish all the teachers and students
090a happy summer and and saying to the teachers, thank thank you all for everything you do and and doing such tremendous things for our students. Thank you, Miss Kuna. Ditto. No, I you know, as we we end the 24-25 school year, I just I'm so amazed and so proud of all the achievement and accomplishments that our students along with the teachers and staff and administration, Dr. Nichols, have accomplished, whether it be academic achievements or um in the arts, in the field of the arts or or athletics. Um, we we are very proud of each and every student and staff member and I'm so excited to envision what will the next school year will bring for all of us. Thank you very much. I'm not going to say ditto, but I echo the comments of my
091colleagues and we can't say it enough. Um, and just kind of recapping what I said at the awards dinner. You know, your from the teachers to the maintenance to the administration to Dr. Nichols team to all my colleagues on the board. The participate participation, the hard work, the drive for excellence in terms of money or kids or school buses, every piece of that is super important to run this machine. And uh you know, for the short while that I've known all you guys, I'm super impressed with your knowledge and your ability to get it done. The you know, your cohesion as a team is very very impressive. Uh and I don't say that lightly coming, you know, I run several businesses. finding the right people and finding the right people to work together that understand
092the higher goal and get it done and get it across the finish line is incredibly difficult to do. It speaks to Dr. Nichols leadership, but but even without him, I believe that you guys have what it takes. I'm super impressed with every one of you guys. Thank you very much for all your hard work. Dr. Nichols, thank you, sir. Um it's an incredible time of year. Uh if you don't know, uh we're finishing school in like three days, one whole day and two half days. Not that anybody's counting, and we'll be on the graduation stage. It has been an incredible year. Um just thankful to the team I get to work with. Uh the students and families I serve and and to this board for your leadership and work that you've uh done this year.
093We've accomplished a lot. In the moment, you don't feel like it. You feel like you're treading water and you look back, it's like, "Oh, we did this and we did that." And um just just really excited. Just give you a preview of graduation night. 72% of the class of 2025 uh are enrolling post-secary to four-year trade schools. 6% will serve this great nation uh and enlist in that pathway and then 22% will take those skills and certifications and um go right into the workforce and do amazing things. Um, so really excited and just I got the best job in the world because I get to work with amazing kids and staff and uh it's just a lot of fun to do this work which you don't hear superintendent say often. You will for the next
094four years. So it's interesting. Six years ago Friday on the 30th I signed a contract to come here which was the single best decision I've made in my professional life. Um and the opportunity to extend that board members I am humble. I am grateful and I am fired up about the chapter seven of this story. So, thank you. It it means the world to me that um you have that faith in us and and we will deliver 10 vote. I promise. Thank you. Thank you. All right, everybody. That wraps up our meeting. The next meeting of the school board will be our regular meeting on Tuesday, July 15th, to be held here in the historic courthouse boardroom beginning at 6:00 p.m. The close session will begin at 5:30 p.m. With that, our meeting is adjourned
095according to this brand new giant clock here at 7:25 p.m. Thank you.