001Uh we don't reconvene and certify a few things from closed session. Uh so Mr. Stallworth, if you will, take a roll call, please. Mr. Fitzgerald? Yes. Mr. Mills? Yes. Mr. Henderson? Yes. Mr. Moore? Here. Ms. Harris? Yes. Mr. Dalton? Yes. Mr. Shields? Here. All those in closed. Motion to approve personnel changes for May 12th, 2026 as presented and discussed. Second. Roll call. Mr. Fitzgerald? Yes. Mr. Mills? Yes. Henderson? Yes. Mr. Moon? Yes. Ms. Merrick? Yes. Mr. Dolls? Yes. Mr. Shields? Yes. Motion to release three students from compulsory attendance based on their religious exemption. So moved. Second. Second. All right, roll call. Mr. Fitzgerald? Yes. >> Mr. Meals? >> Yes. Mr. Henderson? Yes. Mr. Moon? Yes. Ms. Merrick? Yes. Mr. Dolls? >> Yes. Mr. Shields? Yes. Superintendent you got a uh new assistant principal to announce
002for us? Yes, sir. Mr. Shields, school members, thank you for um South County. This evening I would uh like to discuss the recommendation you have for assistant principal Southside Elementary School. So I'd like to go over the process. Interviews were conducted on May 6th with six candidates, each of which brought different perspectives to the team. Um we had a very thorough review of each individual and then a follow-up was held um on that Friday. Based on the review, I'm pleased to recommend Ms. Mary Kate Wales as the assistant principal of Southside Elementary School effective July 1. Ms. Wales is a 20-year veteran of Pittsylvania County Schools. She possesses an instructional depth and administrative discipline and maturity required to work together with Dr. Hackworth to lead Southside. Her career reflects a deep commitment to Pittsylvania County
003Schools. She's got 20 years of experience with us as a teacher and a reading specialist, one year with Danville Public Schools. She holds a graduate certification in educational leadership from James Madison University, a master's in education and curriculum and instruction from Averett, master's of arts in reading education from Appalachian State University, and a bachelor's of arts in English from Appalachian State. Her license areas are admin and supervision, pre-K through 12 English, social studies, and reading specialist. I am confident that Ms. Wales will balance high instructional standards and her humble listing first impression will be a positive addition to the administrative team at Southside and will successfully support that school. So therefore I recommend Miss Mary Kate Wales effective July 1st as assistant principal. All Motion. So moved. Second. Roll call, please. Mr. Fitzgerald. Yes. Mr.
004Mills. Yes. Mr. Henderson. Yes. Mr. Moon. Yes. Miss Merrett. Yes. Mr. Dobbins. Yes. Mr. Shields. >> Yes. Miss Wales, congratulations. I think she's with us tonight. Thank you so much. All right, we need to approve the agenda. Any additions or corrections? Anybody got I'll make it All right, motion to approve the agenda as presented. Motion to approve the agenda as presented. Second. Roll call. Mr. Fitzgerald. Yes. Mr. Mills. Yes. Mr. Henderson. >> Yes. Mr. Moon. Yes. Miss Merrett. >> Yes. Mr. Shields. Yes. Mr. Dobbins. Yes. All right, we got to I need a motion to approve the consent agenda, please. Approve the consent agenda as presented. Second. Roll call. Mr. Fitzgerald. Yes. Mr. Mills. Yes. Mr. Henderson. >> Yes. Mr. Moon. Yes. Miss Merrett. >> Yes. Mr. Dobbins. >> Yes. Mr. Shields. >> Yes. All
005right, after Nela, recognition of new employees. Okay, in addition we know we have Mrs. Wales with us. Congratulations. We also have Miss Pagen. Would you like to stand in? Chatham High School new school counselor who will be joining us. Other new employees in the county. And not new, but I think we've got somebody taking a new position as a cheerleading coach, right? Yes, sir. All right. She's with us now as well. Welcome. Thank you. High school. Chatham High School. Chatham High School. Thank you, Chairman Shelton. All right. Recognition of uh student representatives. I've got a few remarks I can make if that's okay. And I know there'll be times here. Um so, I like, you know, just like to say um our our student representatives have done a fine job this year. They've represented um
006themselves very well throughout their schools. Enjoyed spending time with them at the conference and engaging them in various um various ways. They really have added to the board with perspective, um leadership, and I've really enjoyed their um their feedback and so forth. They're very Talkative. group, and I've enjoyed that, you know, particularly when on trips. And I say that in a positive way. They really do, you know, really having enjoyed engaging with them and getting to know them better. They're some fine young ladies. I know they're going to do very well when they move on um to the next chapter um in their career. And I hope that, you know, you always remember the foundation you had built here with Pittsylvania County Schools. We appreciate you all. But I did have some comments about each
007one I'd like to just make um So, Victoria Spong, Chatham High School, um she attended Piedmont Regional Governor's School. She'll be attending Virginia Tech in the fall with plans to major in engineering. Um awards and I just I probably don't have all the awards, but the most recent one I will say she's a 2016 Pinnacle Award winner for graduate merit. It means she earned the most points. So, she was recognized last Thursday. She's an honor graduate, early college scholar, William and Mary Leadership Award. During high school, she had perfect attendance for 11 years, class president for grade 10, Beta Club president, cross country, track and field, and soccer. So, again, congratulations to Victoria Spong for doing a fine job representing >> Next is Anna Stowers from Dan River High School. Miss Stowers will be attending
008the University of Alabama in the fall where she plans to major in finance. I know that she had tried several schools outside and had lots of choices but she settled on Alabama. She's also right she also attends Piedmont Regional Governor's School. During high school she was in the Beta Club, Friends of Rachel Club, FCA, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, DECA, volleyball and softball. Awards included she's a junior marshal, honor roll from 9th to 12th, graduate merit, Commonwealth scholar, early college scholar. Again, congratulations to Miss Anna Stowers. Miss Vivian Taylor from Gretna High School. She's a valedictorian of the class of 2026. She'll be attending the University of Virginia in the fall where she plans to major in neuroscience to become a neurologist. During high school she was president of the kindness club, Spanish club, and the
009scholastic bowl. Awards include the DAR good citizen award, graduate merit, early college scholar, girl state alumna, grand junior marshal, and Ramsey Memorial Medical Scholarship. So again, congratulations to Miss Vivian Taylor. Tunstall High School Miss Kayla Hamlett. Miss Hamlett will be attending the University of Virginia and with plans to work at This is what I have aerospace company but I know you are interested in math, I believe. So engineering is a very high-tech type that we had a lot of conversation but she is also she attends the Academy of Engineering Technology AET. She will be a first generation college student as well. I'm a second. Congratulations. She received the UVA Access Scholarship was a valedictorian scholarship nominee for Tunstall, AET valedictorian, graduate merit, honor graduate, early college scholar. during high school. Um, she ran cross country,
010Spanish club, book club, and she volunteered at the Pitt County Pet Center. Congratulations again to Ms. Kayla Hamlet. with shield and school members, we have really enjoyed engaging with them this year. So, they're getting a device device. culture gifts. Great. >> All right, some more recognitions this time student achievements. Miss Petty. Chairman Shields, school board members, Dr. Mayhew and all assembled, good evening. It's my pleasure to recognize students this evening. I'm recognizing the schools valedictorians and salutatorians and students who [snorts] have received awards in the SkillsUSA district competition and the state competition. We will begin with the recognition of the valedictorian and salutatorian from Piedmont Regional Governor's School. Joining me will be Mr. Brian Boles, Director of Secondary Education. Dr. Mayhew. >> [clears throat] >> This first certificate reads, "Certificate of Excellence, Pittsylvania County Schools.
011This Certificate of Excellence is presented to Samuel Van Payne in recognition and appreciation for outstanding achievement for being named the Piedmont Governor's School for Mathematics, Science and Technology, Pittsylvania County Schools Class of 2026 valedictorian. Granted this 12th day of May, 2026 by the Pittsylvania County School Board Chair, Mark Shields and vice chair Calvin Doss. >> [applause] >> Thank you, Ms. Todd. Ava Grace [clears throat] Presley in recognition and appreciation for outstanding achievement for being named the Pittsylvania Governor's School for Mathematics, Science, and Technology, Pittsylvania County Schools class of 2026 salutatorian. >> [applause] >> Thank you again, Ms. Todd, for your service. Next, I'll recognize the salutatorian the valedictorian and salutatorian from the Academy of Engineering and Technology. First, Kayla Rebecca Hamlett in recognition and appreciation for outstanding achievement for being named the Academy of Engineering
012and Technology, Pittsylvania County Schools class of 2026 valedictorian. Congratulations. >> [applause] >> Next, this certificate of excellence is presented to Jacob Thomas Howard in recognition and appreciation for outstanding achievement for being named the Academy of Engineering and Technology, Pittsylvania County Schools class of 2026 salutatorian. Congratulations. [applause] Next, I will recognize the valedictorian and salutatorian from Chatham High School. I'm joining us will be Mrs. Andrea Pont, principal of Chatham High School. This certificate of excellence is presented to Shamaria Aquila Jones in recognition and appreciation for outstanding achievement for being named Chatham High School class of 2026 valedictorian. Congratulations. This next certificate of excellence is presented to Hiya Parikh Bhatia in recognition and appreciation for outstanding achievement for being named Chatham High School class of 2026 co-salutatorian. Congratulations. [applause] And also Chatham High School, this certificate of
013excellence is presented to Colin James Norris in recognition and appreciation for outstanding achievement for being named Chatham High School class of 2026 co-salutatorian. Congratulations. Next, Dan River High School, principal Mr. Jonathan Bane. This certificate of excellence is presented to Gavin Lee Maxie in recognition and appreciation for outstanding achievement for being named Dan River High School class of 2026 valedictorian. Congratulations. >> [applause] >> Great. >> [clears throat] >> This certificate of excellence is presented to Madeline Leah Canton in recognition and appreciation for outstanding achievement for being named Dan River High School class of 2026 salutatorian. Congratulations. Gretna High School, Mr. Franklin Ferguson, principal. This certificate of excellence is presented to Vivian Renee Taylor in recognition and appreciation for outstanding achievement for being named Gretna High School class of 2026 valedictorian. Congratulations. >> [applause] >> This certificate
014of excellence is presented to Doris Isabel Stallard in recognition and appreciation for outstanding achievement for being named Gretna High School class of 2026 salutatorian. Congratulations. Tuscaloosa High School Mrs. Lisa Todd, principal. This certificate of excellence is presented to Jacob Thomas Howard in recognition and appreciation for outstanding achievement for being named Tuscaloosa High School class of 2026 valedictorian. Congratulations. We have six co-salutatorians. [snorts] This certificate of excellence is presented to Caitlin Elizabeth Brooks in recognition and appreciation for outstanding achievement for being named Tuscaloosa High School class of 2026 co-salutatorian. Congratulations. >> [snorts] [snorts] >> This certificate of excellence is presented to Nathan David Clark in recognition and appreciation for outstanding achievement for being named Tuscaloosa High School class of 2026 co-salutatorian. Congratulations and this This certificate of excellence is presented to Caitlin Paige Gregory in recognition
015and appreciation for outstanding achievement for being named Tunstall High School class of 2026 co-salutatorian. And congratulations to her as well. This certificate of excellence is presented to Madelyn Grace Jones in recognition and appreciation for outstanding achievement for being named Tunstall High School class of 2026 co-salutatorian. And this certificate of excellence is presented to Samuel Van Payne in recognition and appreciation for outstanding achievement for being named Tunstall High School class of 2026 co-salutatorian. And this certificate of excellence is presented to Ava Grace Presley in recognition and appreciation for outstanding achievement for being named Tunstall High School class of 2026 co-salutatorian. Congratulations to all of our valedictorians and salutatorians. Okay, next I will recognize students who placed at the SkillsUSA district competition and the state competition. Principal of Career and Technical Education Center is Mr. Adam Louha.
016Joining us also will be Janelle Ball Brooks who is the director of Career and Technical Education. And the sponsors The sponsor is Mr. McKinney. Okay, first we will recognize Jacob Buck Okay. He will receive certificates of excellence in recognition and appreciation for outstanding achievement for first place cyber security at the SkillsUSA district competition and also in appreciation for outstanding achievement for third place cyber security at the SkillsUSA state competition. Congratulations to him and his absence. Also being recognized is Blake Trembly in recognition and appreciation for outstanding achievement for first place cyber security at the SkillsUSA district competition and also Blake Trembly is recognized and for appreciation for outstanding achievement for third place security at the SkillsUSA state competition. Congratulations. >> [applause] >> Perfect. Thank you administrators. Parents, grandparents, and teachers who came and everyone who
017came out to support our students this evening. All right, character word of the month. I'll thank our four outgoing student reps who are going to all take part tonight for us. Good evening, Chairman Shields, Mr. Mayhew, and members of the Pittsylvania County School Board. We are here today to present the character word for the month of May, which is citizenship. However, before we define what it means to embody this trait, we want to express our sincere gratitude for the opportunity to serve as student representatives this year. It has been an honor to represent our respective high schools, and the experiences we've gained have been invaluable. It has been a true pleasure to serve in this role, and we look forward to seeing next year's representatives thrive and represent their peers well. Citizenship is the quality
018of being a responsible, respectful, and caring member of a community. In the Bible, Galatians 5:13 says, "Serve one another humbly in love." This verse reminds us that good citizenship is not just about following rules, but about helping and caring for others. In our school, citizenship means following teachers' orders and being respectful to classmates, working hard, and including everyone. At home, it means helping our families, being responsible, and showing kindness. At sports events, citizenship is shown through teamwork, sportsmanship sportsmanship, and encouraging others whether we win or lose. In our community, it means volunteering, helping neighbors, and treating others with respect. When [clears throat] we practice good citizenship citizenship every day, we make our schools, homes, teams, and community a stronger and more positive place. Showing exemplary citizenship isn't as difficult as one may think. By us
019four being student representatives, we are demonstrating citizenship, as well as all the board members and the people in attendance tonight. Citizenship can be conveyed through actions such as voting or being an active member of your community. By helping others, volunteering, holding a public office, or attending county meetings such as school board meetings or board of supervisors meetings, there are many ways one can show involvement in their community. As John F. Kennedy once said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." So, whether it's your country, your county, or your school, find ways that you can give back to the community. Like citizenship, all character words of the month are attributes for dependable leaders like the ones in this room. For our last presentation of the monthly
020character word, we would like to recognize each school board member for their demonstration of each word. For August, we recognize Ms. Kelly Mericks for her courage [clears throat] as the first female board member. For September, we recognize Ms. Janica Wilson Carter for her trustworthiness worthiness as the clerk of the board. For October, we recognize Mr. George Henderson for his honesty when he motions to adjourn every meeting. >> [laughter] >> For November, we recognize Mr. Willie Fitzgerald for his respect for our nation's veterans. For December, we recognize Dr. Whitney Rennella for her courtesy as she welcomes new Pittsylvania County employees. For January, we recognize Dr. Stephen Mayhew for his responsibility as the division superintendent of Pittsylvania County. For February, we recognize Mr. Kevin Mills for his self-control through work-life management. For March, we recognize Mr. Mark
021Shields and Mr. Calvin Doss for their guaranteed fairness as the school board chairs during our term. For April, we recognize Dr. Eric Moon for how caring he is as the assistant superintendent for operations. And last, but certainly not least, we would like to recognize Mr. Don Moon for his citizenship as he has been serving on the Pittsylvania County School Board for 25 years. We are so grateful to have had this opportunity to serve on the school board among you guys. This is definitely an experiment experience we will never forget. Thank you. Thank you. I think we've recognized our four student reps, but I just want to say ladies I did it was to work with you and get to know you. Other night at graduate of merit, it was just like a revolving door. Here
022they come again. Here they come again. Here they come again. Getting more and more scholarships and awards. So, y'all y'all have definitely earned everything that you've achieved this year. We we see great success. Thank you. All right. Uh Mr. Hill, I don't think Mr. Hill's with us. PEA, anybody to speak? I can see none. All right, dash reports. Any questions on any of the dash? Ms. [clears throat] Worley, you have a update for us on anything in the budget? Good evening, Chairman Shields, school board members and staff. I am here tonight just to give you a small update on the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget. Currently, we have no budget approved by our state, nor do we have a budget approved by our county. Um the Great Vine is telling us that it will be sometime
023in June before we have a budget from the state. And this evening I went over at 5:00 to the Board of Supervisors meeting. Um the county administrator presented his budget tonight. Um with one All right, I lost my place. I don't normally write all this out, so let's let's just start over. So, um the county is planning to have their public hearing on June 4th and they will approve a budget on June 16th. And from what we're hearing from the state, we probably will not have a state budget by June the 16th. Um this this afternoon, the county administrator presented his budget um at 5:00 to the board today. And he um included in that $1.2 million increase for the school system. That amount That was the amount that was needed to maintain a 6%
024increase over the local required minimum or effort. If you remember the budget that we adopted in March, we used the governor's version for that budget, which was the most conservative. And we also included a $2.1 million request from the county um for the local appropriation. So, the additional $902,000 that we needed to fund the list of priorities that our board approved, um that amount has not been included in the budget for the county. So, um that leaves us to what are we doing now? So, for right now, we are moving forward with the budget that we adopted on March the 26th. I have removed the one-time items that we approved that, you know, added up to that $902,000. I've moved those items right now to our year-end list, and we will do as many of
025those as we can um based on the funding that we have. We have also moved forward with contracts. We are in- including a 3% cost-of-living increase for our staff, plus a step if they are due one. And we have discussed this, but remember this is necessary to ensure that all starting salaries as of July 1 are above the new minimum wage increase that is effective July January 1 of 2027. Um in order to make all of that happen at the end of the day, based on the budget we have right now, we still need to look at our operations and call out about 400,000 more dollars of operating expenses unless we happen to receive more funding from the state when that budget is passed. So, just remember the house version and senate version did include
026right a rather significant amount of money more for us than the governor's version, but each budget, you know, they they went to certain um Off the top word. So, they were mandates, I guess you would say. So, it just depends on, you know, if we get additional money and what we're able to do with that, you know, and then we'll move forward. Um something we've been saying for a long time, remember the fiscal cliff that we've been talking about since about 2024? As of July 1, it has arrived. So, all of the cares funding from the federal government, all of that is now been spent and this year on at June 30, we'll we will have spent all of the additional state funding that we um have received, which is the all-in funding and we're
027working to spend that down. Um along with that, our ADM is continuing to decrease. So, with all of those factors, we are definitely um we are definitely going over that cliff come come July 1. Um once the state adopts a budget and we receive our specific school division information, we will then work to amend the budget that we have adopted. So. That is all I have for you this evening. I don't know what to say. Thank you, Ms. Worley, but thank you for working so hard on it. Um I know Ms. Worley hopes as each of us sitting here that something will come down uh that we'll have more funding than we project right now. That's that's the hope that we got. But, we appreciate your hard work and it's just so hard to project
028so many different things with the amount of funding that we have. All right, Dr. Mayhew. Mr. Chairman Fields, I just want to begin and say ladies you did a nice job on that nice touch at the end. You got really collaborative really well and I think you got a few people in here. I won't name who that who that person is but I think you did. >> [laughter] >> Just a great job there. I think that with that individuals coming to your plate they have got a high bar to raise. You definitely did a good job and they do a lot of collaboration. This is a great job. Great job. Just have a few remarks and again of course the school test is wrapping up. We're finishing the school year. It's hard to believe we're
029here. The students and staff have worked very hard from beginning to the end. We have exams next week and back to work this weekend and of course graduation will be held next week. Lots of activities um from band concerts, luncheons, breakfast, um ball games, graduations, merit. Thanks again to Ms. Petty and her staff doing such a nice job. Um all the principals are working very hard. The teachers working hard to plan, you know, and and implement activities for the end again. And of course summer is when we get really busy. Ms. Hudson gave a good update in the work session about all the summer projects taking place. Lots of construction So I'd like to share a few things good news. I'll go quickly on this. [clears throat] Um I do want to highlight I like
030to highlight good news about schools. This was recently a mass casualty incident event that we had on Friday, April 17th. Um the staff worked with the community emergency response and the law enforcement to create a mock-up incident. It's the second time they've done this. It it These students actually are working behind the scenes. They're actually working the event. The adults are taking the back seat and guiding. And so as things evolve they have to respond, they have to react, they have to change their their process. So this was this was actually the planned by Ms. Joanne Laura Laura she's our EMT instructor. Mr. Farley is our criminal justice instructor. Um Mr. Wood the the instructor created a lot of the equipment and the models that they needed. And so, um it was a great event
031and the students really they did it twice. They did once in the morning once in the afternoon. So, they did the Career Tech Center so really on the job kind of training for them to be able to learn this. Stoney Mill Elementary is still picking up a fad that some of the school systems were doing. It's called Cereal Box Domino Challenge. They collected 900 boxes, but the students that passed back The goal was 900. They actually collected 1,500 and of course the goal at the end is they get to drop them like dominoes and they donated they they donated that to God's Storehouse as their as their service project. The Virginia School Board Association, VSBA, is celebrating Workforce Month Readiness Month in the month of April. During April we had lots of events and what
032you see there is an event where we had a career fair at one of our schools that also you see the highlights where students actually got to meet individuals at Chatham High School. We also had events at Career and Tech Center in the fall and the spring. And so, we plan to continue to have these. We just really feel like the students gain a a lot of benefit from actually engaging with the individuals that are representing these firms. So, this great event I expect we'll have high turnout again. Students sign up for it and they're they're interested for it in the future. This is engagement with the community. Earl Wimbush is with Wimbush Race Wimbush Racing. He recently visited Pittsylvania County Schools Career and Tech Center and he donated automa- donated donated automa- excuse me,
033items to the auto department and also donated to the nursing program. So, we we appreciate his work. Um Mr. Mr. Wimbush works over next to the uh the crawl space garage next to Neriah High School, but he helped us out with some equipment we appreciate those partnerships. Kentuck Elementary School participated in the Kids Heart Challenge from February 13th to March 13th. Many of us probably remember the old Jump Rope for Heart or Hoop for Heart. This is what it's kind of evolved to a different Together Kentuck raised $14,000 and 52 cents in support of the American Heart Association. This is Kent ranks 22nd in the state of Virginia for total donations raised, second in South Virginia. The school also ranks 20th Virginia. The top fundraising individuals are there fourth grade Wendell Scott raised $2,560. And
034second grade Adeline Barker raised $773. Fifth grade Abigail Rust raised $526. And kindergartner Alaysia Scarce raised $526. Congratulations to them. Recently we had a collaborative with our Vivo music collaborative program and with Dr. Haymore and her department worked very well with this. This is the second event we've had this school year. We had one in last school year too on April 21st at Chatham High School. This included the Chatham and Gretna students which got the opportunity opportunity for those individuals to showcase their skills. Students did a very very nice job and the parents were very pleased. Tunstall Middle School Beta members and their families proud to participate in the Earth Day spring cleanup challenge. This was part of the Pittsylvania County Beautification Committee. They did this on April 25th and together they collected 22 bags
035of trash across the Tunstall district. So helping their community. The Rawls Elementary Choir under the direction of Miss Abigail Kesling. She was also these groups were also represented at the retirement luncheon they had a couple weeks ago. This was not just about singing and they also had the opportunity to engage with art stations, literacy games, and story building time with the students. So very very nice event and a good good The 27th annual graduate merit program was held at the institute last Thursday celebrating 88 seniors. A wonderful evening made possible by our dedicated sponsors. Miss Victoria Spahn again from Chatham High School was named the Pinnacle Award winner of the 27th annual event. Congratulations to all the seniors. Of course thank you to all the sponsors that make this event possible. And thank you to
036Ms. Teresa Patty, assistant superintendent for instruction and her staff, as well as the planning coordination with Julia Bowles, supervisor of instruction. It was a excellent event, as always. Thank you for your hard work. Recently, Academy of Engineering and Technology, AET, had a breakfast representing their awards. And of course, um on the same day, we had our Governor's School luncheon awards on the same day. Just a couple reminders to board members. The uh commencement schedule is there. Um at Averett North Campus, Friday, Tunstall will graduate at 7:00. On Saturday, Gretna High at 9:00, Chatham High at 1:00, Dan River High at 6:00. The Educator of the Year luncheon is May 28th at 12:30, and it will be at the Institute. And then the June Disciplinary Committee meeting is June 1st at 6:00. And I think we've
037got to talk about the 15th review day. We'll do that later. And then lastly, there are two VSBA events. If you're interested, please let her coordinate. She'll register you at the VSBA hybrid law conference in June 5th. You can do it in person or um virtual. And the VSBA conference on education is July 25th at the Hilton with uh short problem. All right. Thank you, sir. Now, on finished business, we'll move on to new business. Um the 2026-27's the new student representatives coming in. We need to vote them in. You've got those names, too. So, might be here tonight. I think I do see at least two of them. >> [snorts] >> The first will be Chatham High School. The uh recommended individual is Madeleine Evans. She's the daughter of Megan Lindsey. Her extracurricular activities
038include um varsity football and basketball cheerleading captain and captain, FBLA, Beta, Kindness Club, Interact. Her honors in FBLA awards for journalism, in speaking, and Beta. Um also she held were sophomore class president, junior class president, FBLA president, Beta secretary, executive committee, and incoming president. And she's also involved with the Meredith Gravely School of Dance, as well. So, lots of activities. I'm not sure when she sleeps, but again, you know, I'd like to present Ms. Madelyn Evans from Chatham High School. From Dan River High School, Mr. Josh Richardson. He's the son of Andrea Richardson. Extracurricular activities include football, track and field, DECA, FCA, SCA, Interact Club, basketball, and baseball. His honors include honor roll, student of the month, ninth grade student leadership forum, homecoming court for ninth, 10th, and 11th grade. Offices of freshman and sophomore
039class and president um, and DECA district president. For Gretna High School, I have Hannah Dobert, the daughter of David and Alyssa Slade. Her activities at school include cross country, soccer, Beta Club. Honors include President's Award, um, honor roll, cross country MVP award, perfect attendance, BMA Youth Award scholarship. Offices held include 2025G Gretna High School princess, varsity girls cross country captain. And last, for Tunstall, Kiera Ice, daughter of William and Laura Ice. Extracurricular activities include soccer, cross country, Beta Club. Honors include College Board National Recognition Program and the STEM Academy graduate. So, your four um, recommendations are Madelyn Evans, Chatham High, Josh Richardson, Dan River, uh, Hannah Dobert, Gretna High, and Kiera Ice, Tunstall High. All right. So, any of those here, uh, stand up for a minute, recognize them. We're looking forward to working with
040you, uh, you all coming next year. So, congratulations. Um, I need a motion, please. I'll make it. Second. All right, roll call. Mr. Fitzgerald. Yes. Mr. Mills. Yes. Mr. Henderson. >> [laughter] >> Mr. Moon. Yes. Mr. Marrs. Yes. Mr. Doss. Yes. All right, Dr. Myhill, VSBA legislative proposals. This is just for information purposes. So, I'll just indicate before we do if if there's any any proposal that you wish to provide. Last year, the VSA proposals were one from the board. And what will happen is at if you provide any um recommendation from the school board, there will be a time where I have to engage with the VSBA and I will present on behalf of the board of what you would wish them to lobby in terms of legislation. So, the last few years have
041been implement legislation that will do away with any vaping containing THC. The last one was removing chronic absenteeism as an accountability indicator. Um for our schools. Those were the two that were always supported. So, if you wish to continue that or if you have something else, I can add something else. They're two good ones, especially the chronic absenteeism. I move we put that in. Okay. All right. Any others? All right, we need a motion to finance resolution with Cogent Bank. I'll get a motion for that, please. So moved. Second. All right, roll call. Mr. Fitzgerald. Yes. Mr. Mills. Yes. Mr. Henderson. Yes. Mr. Moon. Yes. Mr. Marrs. Yes. Mr. Doss. Yes. Yes. Uh addition of new school board policy AH digital accessibility. Anything you want to speak on on that? Well, this is this is
042just a recommended It's a new policy. We don't have this in place. Now, VSBA recommended in terms of accessibility because it it's it's just makes the verse assurances to make sure we we are looking at all our digital content on the website and different things like it to make sure that they are ADA compliant and so forth. So, we recommend adopt a policy and then we would actually um um name an individual who's the compliance officer in this area. So, that I would recommend. All right. So, move on motion. Second. Roll call, please. Mr. Fitzgerald? Yes. Mr. Mills? Yes. Mr. Henderson? >> Yes. Mr. Moon? Yes. Ms. Merrett? Yes. Mr. Doll? Yes. Mr. Shields? Yes. Uh 2026-2027 cell phone policy and protocol updates. Uh we went over that in work session and and we had
043it to review this week. Anything further you'd like to say on that? I would say Yeah, I'm sorry. Excuse me. I would have say there's not there's not much substantial change from what Governor Stitt has introduced. As you know, our policy in Effingham County has always been we we kind of had a policy with pretty firm in place for a long time in terms of cell phone use. Uh it does not change the possession of cell phone. It just ends It really changes the language of restricted to prohibited. Meaning the students just are prohibited to have cell phone use during the school day and then of course this is information about maybe stored away from them. So, that still stays the same. Nothing has changed substantially. In fact, I think because our policy is that
044way, I think we have um a good shape good place there. So, I'm I recommend going ahead and approving the policy to make those few changes and then coordinate the protocols so we can make sure that the the principals are aware of everything and communicate that to their families. Okay. Again, we talked about it in work session. I think everybody's comfortable. We did motion to waive the second reading and grant final approval of the following school board policy JS-PC cell phones / electronic devices. I'll make a motion. Perfect. Motion and second. Roll call, please. Mr. Fitzgerald? Yes. Mr. Mills? Yes. Mr. Henderson? Yes. Mr. Moon? Yes. Mr. Merix? Yes. Mr. Dolls? Yes. Mr. Shields? Yes. Uh lastly, June uh we want to set a June meeting for the disciplinary committee review. I recommend June 15th,
0452026 for the review at 6:00. June 15th? June 15th at 6:00. Yes, sir. I'll make a motion. I'll second. Second. Roll call. Mr. Girl? Yes. Mr. Meals? Yes. Mr. Henderson? Yes. Mr. Moon? Yes. Mr. Merix? Yes. Mr. Dolls? >> Yes. Mr. Shields? Yes. And Mr. Henderson, your lady said this is the final I mean the the favorite part of your evening, so I'll let you have the make a motion to go home. I make a motion to adjourn. Second. Second. Roll call, please. Mr. Girl? Yes. Mr. Meals? Yes. Mr. Henderson? Yes. Moon? Yes. Merix? Yes. Dolls? Yes. Shields? Yes.