001December 9th, 2025 regular school board meeting. Dor, are you live? Miss Reynolds, have y'all got it? Thank you. Um, before we start, I just want to make an announcement. Mr. Mills, who is is not here tonight, but he is here remotely. He is on the phone with us. So, I just need y'all to know that that he is listening in on the telephone and watching the live stream. Okay. >> Um, I need a roll call, please. >> Mr. Fitzgerald, >> present. >> Mr. Henderson, >> yes. >> Merrick, >> present. >> Mr. Mills here. >> Mr. Shields >> here. >> Mr. Dawson >> here. Um, if you give us just a minute, we got some closed item stuff to take care of before we move into the regular meeting. Do I have a motion to reconvene
002from closed and certify and related action items from closed? >> No. So move. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Fitzgerald. >> Yes. >> Mr. Henderson. >> Yes. >> Miss Merrick. Yes. >> Mr. Mills. >> You there? >> M. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Mr. Shields. >> Yes. >> Mr. Doss. >> Yes. Motion to close. >> Motion to dismiss a classified staff member as discussed. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Roll call. Can you hear us Kevin? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Mr. Fitzgerald. >> Yes. >> Mr. Henderson? Yes. >> Miss Merrick? >> Yes. >> Mr. Mills? >> Yes. >> Mr. Moon? >> Yes. >> Mr. Shields? >> Yes. >> Mr. Daw? >> Yes. Motion to approve personnel changes for December the 9th, 2025 as presented and discussed. >> So move. >> Second. >>
003Any discussion? >> Roll call. >> Mr. Fitzgerald. >> Yes. >> Mr. Henderson. >> Yes. >> M. Merrick. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mills. >> Yes. >> Mr. Moon. >> Yes. >> Mr. Shields. >> Yes. >> Mr. Doss. >> Yes. >> That it. >> Okay, that's all the closed item closed action items. I I do want to thank everybody for being here tonight. I know we coming into the holiday season. Um almost got a white Christmas, right? >> But we might steal for some. But uh I do appreciate everybody being here tonight. And if you if you're at home watching, I appreciate y'all too. Um we have any items to um add to the agenda. Mr. M. >> Do I have a motion to approve the agenda as is? >> So moved. Second. >> Any discussion? Roll
004call, please. >> Mr. Fitzgerald, >> yes. >> Mr. Henderson, >> yes. >> Miss Merrick, >> yes. >> Mr. Mills, >> yes. >> Mr. Moon, >> yes. >> Mr. Shields, yes. >> Mr. Doss, >> yes. >> Consent agenda. >> So move. >> Second. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Fitzgerald, >> yes. >> Mr. Henderson, >> yes. >> Miss Merrick, >> yes. >> Mr. Mills, >> yes. >> Mr. Moon, >> yes. >> Mr. Shields, >> yes. >> Mr. Dos, >> yes. Dr. Rell, you know if you have any new employees here tonight, that's always a really good question. >> I know. >> In the audience, do we have any new Pennsylvania county employees with us tonight? >> Thank you so much for asking. >> Um, [clears throat] next is our public input for 2627 budget proposal. Um, you
005want to get the You got it. All right. [clears throat] Thank you, ma'am. You want to read them all? We have how many? Six. So, I'm gonna get her to read the first name. >> Emily Shellhorse. >> I'm going to ask you please to try to keep it to three minutes or under. >> You don't mind. Emily Shellhorse. >> Good evening. My name is Emily Shelver and I'm a sophomore at Chattam High School. I'm the current color guard captain of the marching cavaliers and I also partake in the countywide litter bar program. I'm speaking today to request funding for new band teacher positions at the middle schools in our county. I believe that these four new positions are necessary because some high school students do not have ability in their schedule for the last block
006band class. Having one teacher per school is beneficial for the students. With more directors, there can be more variation in music education and the band program in our county is growing. At the high schools in our county, band classes only offered one block. With band being offered in the last block, some students do not have the opportunity to take such an important class because we are taking other classes that go toward an advanced diploma. Due to scheduling conflicts, students are often forced to choose between achieving an advanced diploma and picking band. This impossible choice is faced due to band teachers being shared between the middle and high schools. If there's a band director full-time at the high schools, band can be offered more often than just one block a day, preventing students from being forced
007to choose between band and advanced diploma. When there is one devoted band teacher at each school, the students are benefited in multiple ways. With there being one band teacher per school, there is more opportunity for students to widen their knowledge in music. If there is a full-time band director at the middle school, the students there could have an hour and 30 minute class rather than just the short 45 minute classes they currently have. With longer classes, the students will have more time to make music. If there was a full-time band director at the high school, there would be more opportunities throughout the day to take band. Right now, there is only one band block per day, meaning very few students can take band each semester. If there are more classes, then more students can take
008the band >> and the program can grow. With more band instructors, a wider variety of band classes can be taught at high school level. Currently, due to only having one band class a day at the high schools, only concert band is offered. If we had more band classes, students could experience a more varied musical education. Students can have the opportunity to take jazz band, music theory, and classes that specialize in specific instruments such as woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Having more classes will allow our band students to become more educated in music. Since the 2022 2023 school year, the band program at Chadam Middle School has grown substantially. Four years ago, there were only around 50 kids in the program. Now there are almost 100 students total enrolled in band class. With the middle school band
009program growing, the high school band numbers will increase. More students mean that more band classes will be in higher demand. If we have a full-time band director at the high school, students can be enrolled in band classes and the program can continue to grow. In conclusion, a full-time band director is needed at each middle school and high school in this county. These four new positions at the middle schools in our county are necessary because students will have more opportunities to take band classes. Students will be at a better advantage when there is one band director at each school. more diverse band classes can be offered and our growing band program needs more directors. With these new positions, music can become a bigger part of students lives and I would greatly appreciate the school board to
010consider this request for the benefit of the students, directors, and programs in our county. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. >> Last name Hatcher. Good evening. Good evening, Mr. Mayhew and members of the board. Thank you for your time. Hi, my name is Jackson Hatch. I'm a freshman at Chattam High School. I've been involved with the Pivian County music programs for four years, particularly at Chattam High School. I've taken part in concert band, marching band, color guard, and the countywide winter guard program. And I'm coming here to speak on the prospect of adding four teaching positions to allow each county school to have one middle school band director and one for each high school. positions would significantly aid in the development of young musicians in Pennsylvania County as every middle school student currently
011only will have one 45minute class at in band. This puts middle school musicians in the county at a disadvantage compared to other districts in school within our state as most enjoy over an hour of class time for middle school band classes within a director exclusively for the middle school. Each grade of band could enjoy an hour and 30 minutes of class time, allowing band directors to take more much much more time with each student as an individualized approach instead of having to fit all class contents into a short period. Band directors could also still choose off their personal discretion if they would like to split their sixth grade period into classes or not. Due to sixth grade enrollment usually being very high, these positions were would allow for a much more diverse range of music
012to be taught at high school county. These classes could possibly consist of music theory, a class specifically for percussion students, advanced music, etc. This would help students further their musical focus in high school may also help them if they choose to pursue pursue music on a collegiate level. These separate positions would also allow for a lot more time for band directors to play in classes and take some weight off their shoulders. As currently, the county directors have two 45minute planning periods during one of which some of them are expected to travel to another school. These positions would give directors much more time to plan their various daily tasks and may or may not include daily class daily classes as well as after school concert band, jazz band, march band concerts, audition preparations with students and
013rehearsals with the specific section or sections in preparation for concert assessment. An idea schedule may look like this. For the middle school to band director, first block would be eighth grade band. Second block would be one or two sixth grade band classes. Third block would be seventh grade band. And fourth block would be planning. And during this block, the band director could pull students who are unable to take a band class during their school day to due to scheduling conflicts and train with them. A high a high school band director would have first block would be co-eing with an eighth grade band teacher in middle school. Second block would be planning. Third block would be could be music theory, individualized percussion class, or an advanced music class. And fourth block would be concert band. You
014may notice that my suggestion for the high school band director schedule includes co- teaching with the middle school band director for the eighth grade grade band class. This will help with a problem that many direct many programs encounter in this state where turnover between middle school and high school band students is low due to them not knowing their high school band director with the high school band director teaching the eighth grade class with great this would greatly help with that problem. Overall, this change would vastly help the band programs band students and band directors county. It would allow middle school musicians to have much more of an individualized approach. It would also allow more diversity in music classes offered in Pennsylvania county high schools, increasing student knowledge and ability in helping with post-secary music education.
015Finally, this would also take stress off a band director's shoulders, giving them much more time to take a step back and focus on their classes they teach, allowing them to plan and teach those classes to the best of their abilities and allowing them to put much more thought into after school rehearsals. I would greatly appreciate it if the board would consider this proposition that many are involved with that many involved with enrolled in and those who support the Katui County bands are asking for as well as those who teach lead and devote themselves to their band and their asking for. I encourage you to consider this and think and speak to the directors of your school about this about any comments, concerns, questions or suggestions you may have. Thank you for your time and consideration.
016>> Thank you. Next, >> Joanie PC Oh, mama. >> I know. >> Hi. >> I have a fan. >> Yeah. >> Um, thank you so much for letting us come and approach you and I think the students reflected greatly how having a middle school band director would work. My name is Joanie Kazee. I'm a parent or a steparent of children who are at Tonsl Middle School and Tons High School who are both involved in the band as well as an aunt to a student who is involved in Greta High School's marching band. Um I'm also a graduate of Gretna High School and was in the band in sixth through 12th grade and loved it and it it made a great impact on my life. Um, in my professional life and moving on, I've been a
017youth development professional for 22 years, advocating for kids, all ages, specifically in middle school and high school, for people to for those kids to have mentors who invest in their life so that they can have a successful future. >> There's tons of research on youth development. I did print off several handouts that I'll keep with you and I'll give it to you, Mr. Mayhew, so you can share it with everyone. But um in this we we've approached members of Congress, general assembly members year after year to try to make sure that budgets were robust for youth programs out of school time as well as in school time. And that is in nutrition, education, um financial stability for parents, parent education programs as well as afterchool care for kids um ages zero or I'm sorry three
018through um 18. So when we look at the return on the investment, every dollar that's invested in a youth involved in any program, whether it's out of school or in school, returns about $9.80 into their future. And we can see that here, especially in our county with many of our band directors who were students at one of the high schools. I know at Tontol, our band director was a student at Tons High School and also participated in the band. And many of you may have been members of the marching band in your high schools and now you are educators or people who are strongly um supportive of education as members of the school board. So when we look at that and in terms of the impact the overall impact that these programs have on kids
019it improves absenteeism. Kids who are coming and they look forward to band they're not missing school unless it's snow or they're really sick. um they get they go there to see their friends and they really go there for their staff. The kids who return to the programs year after year are there because their staff cares about them and we know based on the institute of the search institute they have research u called 40 developmental assets. Those assets are internal and external and we understand that mentors play a key role in developing those internal and external assets specifically in the school climate. school climate and I do have this pointed off for you. The school climate uh a caring school climate as well as con give and constructive use of time. Youth programs help develop that
020part of a young person's internal and external assets. Most of their internal assets are built around the commitment to learning. So when we know that when they're in school in these programs, sorry timer, when they're in school in these programs, they are achievement motivated, they're engaged in school, they're completing homework, and then they're bonded to their school through these pe through their peers, through their teachers, and we understand that teachers have a great role in in building that classroom climate, too. Band directors um a lot of times are the ones who champion youth and who are their safe people that they can go to when they have a problem. I also uh printed off uh a lot of some data from the afterchool alliance on afterchool programs that may be out of reach for many.
021So I printed that off for you guys as well as the forum for youth investment. There's a a dashboard for youth investment that states that the impact that we can do together to build a better future for our kids is almost like a blueprint for action. If we use big impact strategies like funding this position for a teacher to support middle school band programs, we are really improving and coordinating existing programs that we have as well as aligning all of our policies that we have for youth and those resources to better engage our youth and families and and we as band boosters and parents will work with you to increase the public and private and corporate u support for those programs like we do year after year. So, I really appreciate Yeah, I really appreciate
022your time and your um love for students just like we have. So, I'm gonna leave this with you if that's okay. >> You're gonna have to go trade off because I think next >> he is. >> All right. Can I just >> So, you're gonna you're gonna have to go trade with him. >> I'll try. >> Thank y'all. I have to make a hand off here. You're next. Lenny. Oh, why am I going after my wife? See how this go. >> You need to, but [laughter] that's okay. >> Um, Mr. Mayhew, Mr. Chairman, members of the board, and guests tonight. Want to thank y'all for letting me speak this evening. Uh, my name is Lenny Kazee. For those of you that don't know me, a lot of you see me or my company um either
023working on things like the live stream system you have here or security cameras around the county. Um, but I'm here to talk about something more important tonight. Um, here to talk as Leila, Luke, and Leo's dad and uh in support of everything else that's been said before me as far as uh um supporting additional middle school band directors. Um, all that said, and [clears throat] my kids know this, and my wife very much does, too, I've got a confession to make. I am a band nerd. I'm a big band nerd. Um, and to give you some background on that, I was in the band at Gretina for um four years. I had the ability to be in um Mr. Bray's percussion ensemble at Sunsville High School for four years as well. Um, I spent 15
024years teaching percussion ensembles and marching bands in Virginia and North Carolina. And even if that isn't enough, I've been on the board of directors uh for a nationally known percussion ensemble for the last 10 years. So, uh, what you might ask, what's the point? Um the the point is like yeah I am a band nerd but through that it it gives me um I'd say a special insight to what it is that our band directors do uh on a daily basis. Uh in my early 20s I picked up a gig uh teaching a marching band in a one-stop like town very much like Chadam and Gretna uh Leadford High School in small town called Wahberg North Carolina. little bit different socioeconomic uh conditions, close to the furniture market in High Point, a little more industry.
025I show up on the first day, there's a brand new tractor trailer. It's wrapped like a NASCAR hauler. It's got, you know, pictures of the kids on it. It's got a brand new um tractor. I want to say maybe it was donated by Old Dominion Truck Lines. The practice field is sod. There's lights on the practice field. There's new instruments everywhere. I'm just blown away by all of the capital resources the school system and the booster program have. All that said, later that day, band director introduces me to somebody, the middle school band director. And what I didn't know then in my early 20s is that was the secret weapon. That middle school band director and all the things that everybody before me has talked about where they were able to team teach and the
026additional offerings that it gave to the students. It made a tremendous difference. And you don't have to go to North Carolina to see that. You can see the exact same impact in Henry County at Bassid and the way they're set up with the middle school directors that they have in Henry County as well. Um, if there's anybody that knows the hours that our band directors put in, it's me because I've been right beside band directors in this county or in other counties for a long time and they've done a tremendous job. Especially in the last few years, I've seen a tremendous amount of growth since my daughter ended entered the band program at Tontol and it's just getting better. Just imagine what we could do if you could double that and and they had that
027additional support person at the middle school. I appreciate your time. Thank you. >> Excellent school board members. I'll be brief as I've already spoke at the previous meeting requesting the funding that everyone else here tonight has asked for. I am new to schoolboard meetings in the public forum in this budgetary process. But what I wanted to point out tonight is that I have witnessed six different people including myself comment on the budget and all six have asked for the same thing. That's all I have for you tonight. >> Thank you. >> And finally, >> Brian James. >> Good evening, uh, members of the school board. I appreciate your time. Um, my name is Brian James. I'm a proud band parent of um, Dan River High School uh, students and Dan River Middle School students. Um,
028I'll mainly I'm here to for the same support that everybody else is. U, you know, just splitting the roles of the high school and the middle school band directors. Um, I'll just speak on just my personal experience. Um, over the last uh, eight years u Mr. artist as the band director for Dan River Middle has uh had my my kids for eight long years. Bless his heart. Um but he has given he has given his all every day uh between two schools um between all the at the late nights, the weekends, uh the band trips, everything for for two separate schools, switching back and forth every day. It it's it it does take a toll, but he gives his all 100% every day. Um, ultimately I I believe that this this program would benefit the
029teachers because these band directors do have a tremendous workload. They they they are stretched thin. I I know it is asking for capital from an already stretched thin budget and anytime you're you're you're trying to invest something, you you need to know what you're going to get back. Um while it's a great benefit to the teachers, it's a great benefit to the students, um it would also be a benefit for the county [clears throat] ultimately staff members do leave. It it happens uh by by having somebody there to take up that role. It keeps the culture alive. It keeps the the band growing and you don't you're not suffering a learning curve by bringing in somebody new. Um, also it it's going to help out by the only way for for the band and the
030band team and the band as a whole to grow is going to be from adding in that extra support. It's it's, you know, these teachers are already stretched in. By giving them that extra support, giving them the the extra help, it's going to allow them time to devote to the marching band, uh to concert band, to competition, and really grow the programs. And ultimately, I I do think it would be a benefit for the county and something worth investing in. Thank you. I do appreciate your time. >> Thank all of y'all for coming tonight. We we know how important extracurricular activities are for students, whether it's band or whether it's something else. We know if you keep them engaged, they they come to school more. I think everybody hit on all points. I would ask
031y'all, you know where we get our funding, right? All of you. Please, please talk to your representatives in your districts, from your board of supervisors. Truly, that's where our funding comes from. and and if y'all can do that, maybe get some help. You know, um y'all know it always comes down to fun drives the whole thing. Um but I do appreciate all of you coming tonight. I hope all of you have a nice holiday coming up. And students, I know y'all get joy one more day. I see some students here now taking notes, I believe. What What class are y'all? I'm assuming you're from >> Mr. and he always send. We're gonna have fuss at him sending y'all out here on this rough night, aren't we? [laughter] >> Okay. Well, glad to have y'all here
032and and make sure you get your report and we'll sign your papers for you. Okay. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next is staff and committee reports. Does anybody have any u [clears throat] >> question? That's Dr. >> Dr. Rol, you're going to do the first one, Dr. You never know. >> I missed out. >> Um, we'll start in a second. >> Good evening, Chairman Doss, schoolboard members, and Mr. Mayhew. I am here tonight to provide a brief update on the progress of our behavior support and implementation since the start of the school year. This has been embedded in our professional developments efforts since August based upon feedback in the spring from principles on how to support teacher aids and pair professionals with behavior support. Our goal was to build and use a stable foundation
033to increase instructional effectiveness in PCS. This in turn has in evolved into using a framework for behavior that is based upon the why and how it is a form of communication. All behavior is communicating is communicating something such as a want, a need or both. Therefore, our approach has been phased and strategic using the knowledge of Dr. Chris Jones, professor of special education with over three decades of experience at Longwood University. PCS has partnered with Dr. Jones and his consulting re resource EPIC to build a professional de development. We started with teacher aids in August and November and we have expanded to having them come and work in six of our schools. So, we have a brief video to show you of some of our updates. >> Since August, our schools have been doing incredible
034work bringing the epic framework to life. Here's a look at class. We started the year by strengthening the foundation, structure, routines, and predictability. Many teachers are creating calm, consistent environments where students feel ready to learn. In October, the focus shifted to teacher clarity and credibility. At Kentucky Elementary, Principal Christy Dawson and her team used out videos to make learning goals clear. As we moved into one, teachers began using, not just react to them. Some classrooms are told teachers respond based on function. At Brennham Middle, principal Thomas Cawkins launched our side by side coaching model where teachers and coaches work together in real time at Bren High. Principal Ferguson problem together analytction. Principal Reese was moving forward in creating independent effective teachers. He has a clear vision of where he wants his school to be. And
035let's give a big welcome to Principal Jessica Waller from Chattam Middle School for joining the group. Thanks to every principal and teacher who's leaned into this work. >> So this video was created and shared by Dr. Chris Jones. We have seen wonderful and dedicated work happening at the school level with a big thanks and commitment thanks to the commitment of our teachers and our principles divisionwide. We are seeing a notable and a positive trend as shown our professional development, our professional practice is shifting from a cycle of simply guessing and reacting to one of deeper analysis and react and reflection regarding students behavior. We are looking forward to continuing this partnership and planning to include Dr. Jones in our professional development on January 5th. This is going to be open to all teachers who would
036like to sign up. We have previously done a training with our teacher aids in August as well as November. This one on January 5th is new year, new start, chaos to clarity in classroom behavior. So, we just want to thank thank you for supporting this. Mr. Mayhew, thank you for your support. Um, and we look forward to continuing to work with Dr. Jones supporting behavior in our classrooms. I'm here to answer any questions if you have them. >> Any questions? >> Thank you, Dr. >> Thank you. >> Anybody have any questions on the five reports? >> Student teacher ratios. [clears throat] Are our numbers in line with the state on student teacher ratios? taxes and comments and we got the accreditation on the student teacher ratio. >> We don't we don't have um we're in
037compliance with the state. That's where our accreditation comes from in terms of our high schools and so forth. Now, as far as s we don't we don't s anymoreation. We just do state. >> Okay. But there's no issues. there on you know um how large kindergarten through third grade and so forth of course but instructionality >> normally comes down to a matter of funding of heaven >> but IBody help from good afternoon Mr. All four members have all over here. It's a large crowd today. Mr. Two Art drives a hard bargain when you guys come out. >> And of course, I man I do know understanding that it's it's a good program and we certainly hear that from all of you. I just have a few remarks. I know I'm probably standing between Germany and
038a few more things, but I just want to always highlight some I think some exciting things going on building. This only gets here. I may have mentioned this before, but I do want to mention that um okay, our Dan River High School and Gretton High School and Tungst High School had a DECA program and a competition at um at Dan River Church with number six. Excellent. Got to spend some time with their students um and their instructors. A lot of the experience those students get through market program are just very top-notch. They get to engage in um interview skill and u public speaking and just various other things. was a very nice event as students presented so very well. Um our gifted program um prepared a program called Super Saturday on November 15th. Got several
039pictures and lots of smiling faces. Miss Petty was involved. That middle black thing right there is a planetarium. So many probably don't even know what that we used to have one right across the street. But um one of our teachers climbed right in. And if you'll see that's a picture of it right there. It's how how war it is. But it was a planetarium and it was a very nice nice and the students really enjoyed themselves. Kudos to Miss Patty and construction department doing a very nice job. Rasville conducted a science fair and different events that took place there as you can see and the students did a very nice representing the scientific method and so forth as they solve problems. And of course there's more um pictures of them when they celebrated things in
040November and Halloween and things like that that took place since our last meeting. do want to point out the VSBA um convention was held recently. If you'll notice, I just mentioned right on there, Mr. Don. Um he received a 25 year award for being on the board for 25 consecutive list. Congratulations to you, Mr. Moon. That's that's a long time. And you've seen lots of things come and go on the board. But we recognize him and also to recognize we have our school board. I didn't expect them to come, but they they brave the um the potential icy weather. I guess you icy roads, but they were also there. At least three of them were came to BSBA conferences very much. I just would probably say, does anybody did any of you have any comment
041about your experience there? Did you um >> I think we had a great time. We all really enjoyed it. Mr. and Mrs. Mayhe were great chaperones. We just enjoyed our time with them. Whether we were in the lobby or eating out or during the actual conference itself, I think we really enjoyed our time. I thought it was neat meeting the uh representatives from other parts of the state and seeing like how things were run in their counties. So, >> okay, >> agree meeting other representatives, >> right? >> And it's it's neat. The model program we have with student representatives was actually a model for a lot of school systems. So, we were really thankful that you guys were could come. So, it was good that board enjoyed interacting, spending time with you. Also, we had
042um FFA at Tonsel High School was very involved um at some regional state competitions and then CH Chattam High School had interact and kindness events during November. Several STEM events that took place at Union Hall, Gretton Elementary School and Stony Mill. So, very busy with engagement of the gifted per gifted teachers and the STEM teachers do a very nice job with that. Then we're leading leading into the holiday season very soon. There's St. Sony Mill right there. And you leading into holiday season um coming in with some a lot of Christmas programs that took place throughout and this is only a glimpse of some. There are several more that are taking place throughout the school system and continue to. Fortunately, the weather does impact on that, but I know they're working too to try to
043reschedule those as best they can. Um there's some more pictures for um that this is event I'd like to highlight this one right here. This was an excellent event. These just pictures don't depict everything on there, but this was a Polar Express event that that they did at the um ODAK Old Dominion A Center. And this was um put on by Dr. Ho and her preschool staff. I mean, if you've been to there and maybe seen the holiday bazaar, imagine that was students involved. You had um community partners from um the soil and water conservation extension agency. Everyone was there. They might not have known what they were getting into, but they had all smiles, you know, where those students, you know, got a chance to just have an experience. You know, these are preschool
044students. These are three-year-old programs, um, specialty programs. Just a nice event. I think I saw Dr. Haymore dressed like an elf riding around so forth. So, you know, just it was just a nice event. The kids really, really enjoyed it. I think the adults did too. They probably tired afterwards, but it was just a nice event. you know, I was really really pleased um with how it went and was I hope that you guys will have the energy to do that again because it really did have an impact on your on the students. Then of course um the the pictures right there are from Chadam the illumination lantern lighting. We had Chadam Elementary School and Chattam High School was represented there did a very nice job and then recognition just a couple things I do
045want to just note. Greta High School football team for a great season 10 and two for the regular season. um code dogwood district champions and region 2C runner up. So very nice job. Good job this year for a great season with Greta High School. Also other other I don't have pictures of these but I want to just note Mr. Edward Sherlock I don't have pictures so it's okay. Mr. Edward Sherlock he's a science teacher. He's a GR the high school. Um he received if you ever had ridden by Shadow Middle School there used to be kind of like a um it looks almost like a trailer like almost like a like like it looks like a food truck kind of thing. sat there for a long time. They kind of got derelict. Then they moved
046it at Tontol High School. What that was was a mobile observatory and it just has gotten older and it just was needed some refreshing. So Mr. Sherlock is very into science and astronomy and so forth. He actually got this and this was put on by Mr. Ricky Parker when he used to be an assistant superintendent for information technology. He got the grant originally and Mr. Sherlock has come back and has run with it and he's got in and inventoried everything has got plans to update this made a list and so forth and Mr. BS helped him with a DRF grant and then we received the funds for that that will help revitalize that. So that will be a good uh good community or something for the students and so forth to be able to utilize
047that and say Gretina High School um and they they have plans to kind of get that back on the road. So we're really proud of him and his work on that. Also Janella Bradley she is a culinary arts instructor at PCTC. She received a $5,000 Rachel Ray Foundation Prostart Grow Grant. Um, and Miss Miss Bradley is a working professional chef and she's done a very nice job with that program and that will certainly help the students there. And lastly, Miss Melanie Chap Melanie Chapel rather STEM coordinator who she secured advanced computer science education grant for 70 almost $75,000 Miss Patty. So that will help our students. So, I just say congratulations to all three for their hard work in securing grant funding to support our students. And lastly, I do want to just mention we
048had three high attendance days and one has already passed. If you'll notice the high, this is very competitive amongst our elementary, middle, and high school, which top winners were Kent Elementary School was first place followed by Twin Springs and Greta Ale. Middle school, Chattam Middle was first, Dan River and Gretina came in first, second, and third. And then for high schools, your top was tons high school on that high attendance day. And there are three days later. All those students got free ice cream that they'll choose and you do that. I believe high school students still do like ice cream. So we do give that to them if they do. And then of course we have two more days. December 19th and April the 3 will take place. And the only other thing I'll just
049comment is is I think I think I just want to make sure I just make aware of this. just wanting, you know, when we talk about inclement weather. I know we are off from school tomorrow. Um I would really have liked to been in school tomorrow, but you know, we have different we have a big county, but I just want you to want everyone to know and public to hear this. You know, we have to um every system that we encounter is very different and when it comes and when it's forecast and it's weather, so they can do a lot of different things as you well know. But just was a very methodical process that we do to try to determine if we can have school. In some cases, you know, earlier during last week,
050we got on the we got on um started on the road about 3:00 am checking roads of nearly 1,000 square miles of this county to make the decision based on what the observation was and what potential forecast was. And so that's why we were in school. In some case, we'll call two-hour delay to give us a little more time to make the decision. And that that was the case on this past Friday. This past system on Monday, as you know, what the timing was different. Everything [clears throat] is different. Every single situation is different. And then you the storm and temperature warrants the decision to close school the night before. And of course today we still have ice covered roads in the northern end because it just they've received so much more snow. So you
051may see that it's just nice and clear in the southern end, but it's a different story in the northern end. So I see some smiles from the students. But that's just the way it is. But we got to make that time up sometimes. You got to realize that. But anyway, they're handled on a case-byase basis. Weather change can be very unpredictable. And you know there are time there are going to be times where we as a team work hard and may get it wrong but we'll always our goal is to try to have school open and we do so um with consideration of the safety and well-being of our students, our staff and our families. And so our ask is always for families and parents to be prepared with appropriate backup plans because it can
052change. So just keep that in mind because these are unpredictable. We will do our best to make our decision and share it when we can based on information we have. >> Yeah. Other than that, just reminder this um you know Christmas holiday break December 22nd through the January 2nd BSBA capital conference. I think those that registered are still interested can do that and I will just leave you to say a merry Christmas to all our families, our students and staff and hope each of you have a blessed time and get some rest during this special season. >> Thank you, Miss Mayhe. >> I get one question. It was appropriate. Um we heard the request tonight for different funding for band members. What did you contribute to growth in the band growth to at this time?
053I know when I was in there in the early 70s, we had about 83 people in the band at Greta High School and then it drilled dwindled off and drifted down and now it's moving back up. Is it just it blocked the scheduling and all make it more of an opportunity for the students to participate or is it just a natural curve that cycles back around where people enjoy being involved with the band. >> Well, I think it's a lot of different ways to look at that, but I will say probably I I'll go back to my my my when I was in school, we were on a six or seven period day more opportunity. You know, you were in school all you know, you have the same classes and so, you know, you could
054there was a little more wiggle room in your schedule to be able to probably make some change, make some, you know, fit your band in and so forth. with the block schedule it block schedule is a wonderful thing in terms of you know students being able to have a first semester and then they have another semester they can take actually an extra class um in comparison um but at the same time block is rigid a block schedule is rigid it can be rigid at times and it makes it difficult and students have to you know what the students had mentioned it does make them have to force make decisions but they you know they have to make decisions on band they also have to make decisions on other things too it's not the only thing
055that they still can participate it's just a matter of you know being able to be in the class sometimes can be >> as far as been able being in the south. I do think block schedule did limit limit that number and so forth, but it seems to me what I have what I have not witnessed in terms of the van program, you know, we have um we have four very dedicated directors that work very hard. Um they work very hard to build their programs at the middle school, but they also work very hard to build them at high schools. And so I think that interest is there. I think the students feel that that that that they feel the passion there and they want to be part of it. And I think that that that's
056they've done well. I also want to attest to the instruction department, we have dedicated support from an actual person that works with fine arts, you know, and you know that that you don't have that in all school systems. So, I think helping them give them support and the principles I think helps. >> M I I spend a lot of time in the schools, a lot of time in the after school games and all I think it's the directors. >> I think if you go look at the at the current group of band directors we have, it's probably the best group we've had. I could almost my time on the bowl with a very good band. I think that's a big thing. >> Yes, >> I I really did. I think a lot of us contributed
057to the directors. >> I know. Uh when I was there, we had Calvin Schwart. >> We did. >> Paul Martin in the middle school. Kevin High School >> and that's a long time ago. >> And Mr. SW was probably one of the most dedicated band members that I cuz if we went to and I know I'm taking up some time but this was what if you went to a parade you had you wore black shoes and white spats. If you went to a parade and showed up with brown shoes and white spats his wife pulled out a bottle of black shoe polish [laughter] out of her pocket and said >> you changed to black didn't >> you change you you polish a black if it don't you don't march. I do think that directors have
058a huge impact [laughter] >> and the parents will support them too. The parents are really, [clears throat] you know, they don't support that booster club and that's there. >> Good. >> And there's there's no unfinished business under new business. A building committee meeting is on Thursday, January the 8th. That's already been approved. Correct. Okay. um a procurement bid for an intercom replacement system. Mr. Hudson, where's that going? >> Four schools area high school high school and >> have you got the bids in? >> Yes, sir. You should have a copy of >> Okay. Tim Box. I didn't see it. Okay. I have a motion to approve a procurement bid in front of you. Who got it? Um so Greta and Mount Ary is River City and Chattam High and Union Hall is IES. >> Okay.
059Have a motion to approve those bids. I'll make a motion. Have a second. >> Second. >> Roll call, please. >> Mr. Fitzgerald. >> Yes. >> Mr. Henderson. >> Yes. >> Merrick. >> Yes. >> Mr. Mills. >> Yes. >> Mr. Moon. >> Yes. >> Mr. Shields. M. >> Yes. That's all we have. I want to wish everybody a very merry Christmas, happy holidays. I hope that you're safe and you enjoy it. I hope you get rested students, but come back January and ready to work, right? >> No more snow. No more snow. >> Yeah, Mr. Mr. May is praying for no more snow. >> No more snow. [laughter] >> Thank you.