Roanoke City School Board Meeting: September 9, 2025

001We got I wasn't going to reveal >> you allowed to do that. Okay. The September 9th, 2025 school board regular meeting is called to order. Miss Tresy, please call the role. >> Mr. Cherry, >> here. >> Mr. Mr. Link >> here. >> Dr. Jameson >> present. >> Miss Quintana >> here. >> Miss Trigg >> here. >> Mrs. Watkins >> here. >> Mrs. Apo >> here. Thank you to all those attending the meeting in person and those that are joining us via the RCPS YouTube channel. Um we move on to the to the approval of the agenda. Is there a motion and a second to approve the agenda? So move >> no >> as as amended reflecting the removal of the closed session item. >> Nope. Um so is there a motion and a second to

002approve the agenda as presented? >> So move >> second. >> Moved by Miss Kintana, seconded by was that Miss Watkins. Is there any discussion? All those in favor say I. Those opposed say no. I >> I >> All right. Thank you. And the motion carries and the agenda is approved. >> All right. Please keep the following in your thoughts. Family, friends, and co-workers of John Michael Deeds on the passing of his father. Miss Janet Hamrich, a former teacher teaching aid at Raleigh Court Elementary on her passing. Family, friends, and co-workers of the passing of Betsy Mloud's husband. Betsy is a veteran RCPS CTE teacher. Please join me in a moment of silence. Thank you. Please rise and join me in the pledge to the flag. >> I aliance to the flag of the United States

003of America to the stands and justice for all. Thank you. We will move on to the school board recognitions. This evening, we are excited to announce some great news. This academic year, we are welcoming two new student representatives to the school board. I would like I would like Miss Liz Kintana and Miss Dedra Trigg to introduce us to our new school board student representatives. Miss Trigg, will you introduce one of our new student representatives? >> Sure. I have the delight pleasure to introduce to you Steven Wade. He is a senior at William Fleman High School and I am happy to present Stephen with his official student representative badge. This is all right. [Applause] Thank you, Miss T. Miss Kintana, will you introduce another one of our student representatives? >> Hi everybody. I have the pleasure

004to introduce in John Lopez Ortiz, a senior from Patrick Henry High School. I am excited to present John with his official student representative board badge. Tada. We are thrilled to have both Stephen and John on the board and look forward to their active participation in representing the voices of their fellow students. All right, we will continue on with our school board recognitions um to the 2024 2025 leaders of the year this evening. For our second group of recognitions, we have Mr. Dominic McKe, Chief Human Resource Officer. Mr. McKe, will you please come forward and tell us about these recognitions? >> Thank you. Good evening, Madam Chair, Miss Ael, um vice chair, Mr. Cherry, um student representatives, board members, Dr. white and everybody in attendance. Um before I start, um I just want to go over

005the the process of this. So, I'm going to um say a little bit about them and then when I pull them up, I'll continue saying things about them and then we'll show a short video. Um and then um they they'll get to say a few things, a few comments. >> Got it. You good? Okay. All right. >> The leader of the year award are to celebrate excellence and leadership across Reno City Public Schools. This recognition highlights leaders who exemplify RCPS values and promote student success. Whether they are serving as principles or program directors, assistant principles or site supervisors or central office leaders. These awards are about reinforcing the positive, collaborative and high-erforming culture that makes our division special and they directly align with our strategic plan goals around talent retention and employee success. So without

006further ado, the first member of the 202425 assistant principal of the year, Dr. Tracy Hoffman from Rono Academy and Math and Science. Come on up. >> Okay, if you just pause. Okay, >> pause. I will remember to pause. >> I'm telling myself to pause. Tell myself to pause. With over 25 years of educational experience, Dr. Dr. Hoffman is known for being a dynamic leader with a deep commitment to equity, engagement, and student- centered learning. And above all, she is known for her consistent joy and willingness to make learning fun. She often encourages her students and staff, it does not know is it does not matter how smart you are. It is how you are smart that matters. at Reno Academy for Math and Science. She fosters a school culture rooted in differentiation instruction, authentic literacy,

007and strong community partnerships. The judges were struck by her visibility, compassion, and dedication to student and staff well-being. While she while she has decades of experience, she embraces continual learning and exemplifies Dr. White's call to remember your why. And with that being said, we will show a short video. You're listening to Wam the Ram >> in the morning. >> Good morning. This is Tracy Hoffman coming to you from Ronok Academy. It is a terrific Tuesday. A beautiful morning for learning and we are so excited you're here with us. So, I started out in radio when I got out of college and did the morning show for two different radio stations, Q99 and K92. And in between those, I taught a class at a middle school, but then radio came back and said, "Hey, come on

008back. We want you back on radio." And when I went back, I missed all of those personalities that you get to meet and engage with during the day, the people and the children, and that drew me back to education very quickly. All right, have a good day. Kiss your brains. And so I stayed in education when I um took over for a teacher who was in early retirement and just loved it. Loved it from that point forward. Started getting my master's degree in educational leadership and then just kept moving forward with teaching different grade levels um both in the secondary and then as an administrator started out in secondary and then came to elementary and I love it. >> Good morning Mr. Harbor, >> have a great day. >> This is their safe place. This

009is where they feel like they can make a difference in their own lives. They build that confidence in working with the families and making sure that the families know just how much we truly care about the safety of their ch of their children, the academics their kids are receiving, and how confident their kids feel when they walk into our building. Oh my goodness, we're starting the day. Awesome. Thank you for wearing your badge. It's truly exciting and it's always great to see and and be honored and have someone see how hard you work. But I think that for me it's I um I enjoy it and I love it and I love being able to support the teachers and lead them in a positive direction and help support our families and our and our students.

010And I'm just really excited to have this honor and um I'm really proud of myself and I'm really proud of our community and our school. [Applause] >> Oh, thank you. >> Wow, that was that was really put together so well. And it just um it shows the fun that we get to have every morning as we do those we take those temperature checks with our children and make sure that they are feeling good about coming to school. And if something's off, we touch base with them. We go back. We circle back to them. Just a quick story so that you understand where I'm coming from and where this passion comes from. I'm going to take you back to 1987. I was in the fifth grade. Fort Stewart, Georgia, and I was working on a history

011day competition project. I had an individual project on Rosa Parks. Six of my friends had a project on Martin Luther King Jr. We did so much research. I had a phone conversation with Rosa Parks during her coffee break. It was an amazing experience. And that was all thanks to our fantastic sixth grade English teacher, Miss Libby. Could not thank her more. Miss Libby took us to Atlanta, Georgia, and we celebrated Martin Luther King's birthday. We got to meet Ketta Scott King. And as we're standing there, Mrs. King is right behind me. And I can feel that power. >> Wow. >> I can smell that perfume. It was monumental for a fifth grader. And Miss Libby bent down and she saw that I was standing in the picture with all of those who were doing the

012presentation on Martin Luther King Jr. and she said, "Tracy, get out of the picture. This isn't your presentation." This hand comes down on my shoulder. I laughed because I didn't know what to do. My ears were red. I could feel them ringing. But this hand comes down on my shoulder and it was Ketta Scott King. And Mrs. King said, "This child will be in this picture." >> Wow. >> Amen. That is what we are here doing every single day. That is our why. That is our why. We are the hand. Thank you for this honor. I appreciate it so much and I love Ronic City and our children. [Applause] We're proud. >> Thank you. I appreciate >> So, thanks for having >> Did you tell that child to kiss their brain? >> Kiss your brain.

013You feed your brains and then you kiss your brain. >> Okay. For all the elementary people in the room, show them how to kiss your brain. See, it's a thing. >> It is a thing. >> It's a thing now. >> Yes. Ask my college students and see if they know what is right. >> Today, I learned. >> Yeah. >> Congratulations. >> So, next, the 2024 2025 principal of the year, Dr. Kristen English from Westside Elementary School. A visionary leader with over 20 years in education, Dr. Kristen English has transformed school culture at Westside Elementary School, where she herself attended elementary school and later began her career as an educator through her equity-driven leadership, commitment to instructional excellence, and deep investment in family and community partnerships. Under her leadership, Westside has seen double-digit growth for student

014achievement in English language arts and math. Achievement gaps have narrowed and staff collaboration has flourished. She has frequently she frequently collaborates with other schools and principles, including shared professional development, exemplifying the mantra of when we know better, we do better. One of her nominators wrote, "Her families trust her because she stands tall, meets each challenge of a day with quiet, grit, and determination. She simply puts her head down and works hard, but at the same time, she keeps her head up and is proud of her school. So, with that being said, we'll show a short video. My mother was an educator. I come from a long line of educators. I knew as a child I I loved children as a kid. Um and I knew this was something that I always wanted to do was

015to work with children. Well, that's a hexagon and it's yellow. I actually went to Westside for part of my elementary school uh experience and I graduated from William Fleming High School in Reno City public schools. After graduating from Radford University, I came back and started my teaching career here at Reno City Public Schools at Westside. I taught here for a number of years before um moving out of state where I began my administrative experience as an elementary school principal and then a few years ago I had the opportunity to come back home where it all started and begin my principal ship here at Westside Elementary School. It's really special to know that I once walked the halls as a student um and then in then later years as a teacher and then I'm able to

016have the opportunity to be here as the instructional leader. Running a school is like running a large classroom. It's important to build those relationships with your staff um with the students with the community um because together we achieve great things for our kids. What's an hour from 7:30? >> 8:30. >> Yes. And so the biggest takeaway that I have is that I'm just able in this position to impact students, but then also the educators that are in front of the students. I really truly feel that it's such an honor not just to lead um this learning community but to be named the principal of the year and to know that my peers recognize and and see that and chose to nominate me for such an honor. I feel like I carry them with me in

017this award and honor and we all are successful. We are always better together and it truly does take a village to raise our young people and it's important that we are connected with our community um in order to raise our young people and to ensure their success in the future to come. [Music] [Applause] Good evening, Madame Chair, Apel, um, school board members, Superintendent White, and esteemed stakeholders. I am deeply honored and humbled to be recognized as the principal of the year. This award is not just a personal achievement. It reflects the shared vision, unwavering support, and strong partnerships that exist throughout Reno City Public Schools. To the school board and Superintendent White, thank you for your steadfast leadership, trust, and investment in our schools. Your commitment to excellence in education provides the foundation that allows

018principles like me to lead with purpose, innovation, and heart. To our community partners and stakeholders, your engagement, generosity, and belief in our mission empower us to create meaningful opportunities for every student or as I say, every eagle every day. Together, we are shaping not only learners but future leaders. This recognition belongs to all of you as much as it does to me. I am truly grateful to serve in a district where collaboration, equity, and student success remain at the forefront of everything we do. Thank you so much. Congratulations, Dr. English. [Laughter] >> He always surprises me. And next up, the 2024 2025 Doris Enis central office leader of the year, Mr. Carl McDaniel, director of federal programs. Mr. McDaniel has de devoted his entire year, entire career, 35 years to supporting and admin administering federal

019funding with RCPS. With the levels of experience, it is an understatement to say that he understands the complexities of administering federal resources and in alignment with RCBS priorities. He plays a vital role in ensuring our schools receive federal funding and utilize it in a way that maximizes student success. He currently manages budgets that exceed $10 million, coordinates with schools in relation to their allocations, juggles the various state and federal laws and and reporting requirements, and has led multiple federal audits with no major findings. During the influx of pandemic related funding, he successfully collaborated with division departments and leaders to carefully and intentionally spend nearly $100 million within the required time frame making a generational impact. Most non- educators and even those within the education system do not fully understand the impact of federal programs and

020the level of detail collaboration required to implement these programs and funding with fidelity and success. Mr. McDaniel may work behind the scenes, but it is one of the most critical roles to an urban school division that receives a large amount of federal funding. During the span of his career, he has worked to transform federal programs into what he calls engines of opportunity. By streamlining and strengthening internal processes, RPS has increased the percentage of funds that directly reach schools and classrooms. In a time where federal education funding is being scrutini scrutinized, Mr. McDaniel shows that RCPS responsibly and efficiently administers its federal funding program, directly benefiting our students and making a life-changing difference. And and with that being said, we'll show a video. [Music] >> So I started working with Rick City in April of 1990.

021Um so I've been here, this is the in my 36th year. The first 10 years I kind of assisted the director of title one and then she retired in 2000 and then that's when I kind of took over. So I became director of federal programs in 2021. It's kind of right during the uh pandemic where we received a lot of ESSER funding as a division between the the basic ESSER funding we received plus all the supplemental ESSER funding that we were able to apply for. We received approximately $100 million. So we had a lot of initiatives going on in many cases in areas that I've never worked in before. I never thought I'd be dealing with capital projects. But I think the things that we're able to do with those ESR funds has made such

022an impact on Reno City Public Schools. I think being in my 36th year, the thing that that makes me still want to come in to work and still feel good about what I'm doing is is the great staff that I have. You know, they're so reliable and so good at what they do. And I hope some of that is the effect that I've had on them. I feel like me communicating with my staff has allowed them to understand what federal programs is all about and and what it is that we need to get done. They're willing to take on responsibilities and so that really makes my job a whole lot easier. So winning the first central office leadership award that was named after Doris Sennis was quite an honor. Um you know Doris Sennis has

023been a staple for R city schools for so many years. I'm just happy that I was able to work with her during um part of her career. um you know, she's she's a special person and and the fact that I get to be the first recipient of of the award that was named after her and that it's a leadership award and she truly is what leadership's all about. And so it was quite an honor. [Music] Thank you. Uh, wow. That was that was great. Claire told me they do a great job with that video. But, uh, uh, the two principles are great. They're they're going to be hard to follow. Uh, I'm a man of few words. Uh, I just want to say thank you to, uh, those who nominated me. Um, it's quite an

024honor to be nominated by your peers and co-workers for an award like this. Uh, as I said in the video, I have a great staff and they're so dependable and so reliable. It it just makes it so easy to come in and work every day. So, I'm very appreciative of them. And again, to be the recipient of an award named after Doris Enis, uh, who's just been such a leader and done so much for NC schools, it's it's just such an honor. So, thank you very much. [Applause] 36 more years to go. >> We're so lucky. >> Congratulations. >> Amazing. >> Congratulations. Well, congratulations to all of um those who were recognized and the RCPS leadership conference where these were originally presented was such a great way to really start off this school year. And

025we really do have so many amazing people here at RCPS. and um and a common theme you probably heard was the the sense of the importance of community in the team from every one of those leaders there. So um congratulations to all of them. Um moving on to more good news and recognitions. Um yes for the next recognition we have Dr. Haley Poland, the assistant superintendent of student success and support services. She's here to introduce our next recognition. Will you please come forward and tell us? >> Good evening. Reno City Public Schools was one of nine winners of the inaugural Career Z Challenge, which is a national multi-phase prize competition designed to expand high school students access to work-based learning experience. Along with eight other winners, um, Reno City Public Schools demonstrated exceptional innovation and

026capacity to deliver high quality student centered work-based learning. Through Jess and Kathy's work over the past two years, um we have gone from a group of 80 applicants in 73 semi-finalists representing 34 states, including six from Virginia to during the 2324 school year. Semi finalists participated in a community of practice and received technical assistance through workshops, working groups, and topical discussions. Based on those results, 10 finalists advanced to phase three of the challenge. During the 24-25 school year, Reno City Public Schools met all submission and participation requirements and we will receive a portion of the $ 1.5 million prize pool to further enhance and scale our work-based learning strategies. Reno City Public Schools was the only winner in the state of in this only school division in the Commonwealth of Virginia and we are one

027of nine national winners. Much of the planning and execution of this goes to uh Jess Truax, the coordinator of workbased learning for Reno City Public Schools, and Kathy Duncan, the director of career and technical education. Their leadership ensured that CTE and career and technical education course offerings and work-based learning strategies both reflect our student need and employer demand. Jess and Kathy. >> Oh, yeah. Thank you. It's been a privilege to do this for the last couple years. I think it has actually helped our workbased it has helped our work-based learning program. We were only about a year and a half old when we were um entering this program and it it was uh great to hear and learn from other people across the nation um what they've been doing. uh many were more seasoned than

028us and uh so we were glad to be part of it and to be able to implement many of those things here in Reno City. Thank you. >> You know, most of the folks that won this challenge were postsecary schools. >> All right. >> Three regular school division public school divisions that won. So, I want to take my hat off to Jess for all his hard work. >> Welld deserved. Well deserved. >> This is for you. This is for you. [Music] Congratulations. >> Congratulations, sir. >> Congratulations. >> I will kiss you. Promise. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. Thank you. [Applause] Well, congratulations to our whole CTE team. And I wore my new CTE squad shirt. >> Yes. Tonight in honor of our CTE. >> I need I was going to say I

029was going to ask for one. >> Yes. >> So, and we really are one of the best in the nation. And apparently we podium for high schools. So, that's right. All right. Um yes. Um moving on to um for our final recognition for the evening, we'd like to recognize the governor's proclamation that the week of September 15th through 19th, 2025, so next week is Adult Education and Family Literacy Week. You can read the entirety of the proclamation in our agenda item as posted in board docs. And this is just a great reminder of the good work that RCPS is already doing as we just cut the ribbon on the community empowerment center on August 29th. And um we even I believe may have some of our CEC partners here tonight representing Rono Valley Alageney region

0305 adult ed. So thank you to all of our community partners who help us empower our students and families and the community through education. All right. Okay. Um, moving on um to the personnel list. Is there a motion and a second to approve the personnel list as presented? >> Moved. >> Second. >> Moved by Dr. Jameson, seconded by Mr. Cherry. Is there any discussion? >> Hearing none. All those in favor say I. Those opposed say no. >> I >> All right. And the personnel list is approved. The motion carries. On to the consent agenda. Is there a motion and a second to approve the consent agenda as presented? >> So moved. >> Moved by Mr. Cherry. >> Seconded by Dr. Jameson. Is there any discussion? >> Hearing none. All those in favor say I. Those

031opposed say no. I And the motion carries and the consent agenda is approved. Mrs. Watkins, please tell us about the gifts that have been received by RCPS. >> Thank you, Mrs. Aail. The board accepts with gratitude the following donations and all donations we receive. This is this is very special as is all of our community partnerships. But just just listen. The William Fleming Alumni Association provided a gift of $1,700 to the William Fleming High School athletics program. Um, Mr. William Peters provided a donation of $1,000 to Preston Park Elementary School and Alcoa Mortgage provided a gift of $10,000 to the Community Empowerment Center in addition to the donation of personal hygiene products. Um, community partners, I I am proud of us. I am so proud of this community and it it for as long as

032I'm on this board and able to shout you all out with the gifts and the partnerships that you guys provide, I will do that with the most gratitude on behalf of our board. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. [Applause] >> Thank you very much, Miss Watkins. on to citizen participation. Mr. Cherry, do we have any signups this evening for agenda or non-aggenda items? >> We do not have any speakers signed up for agenda or non-aggenda items. >> All right. And thus, we're on to the superintendence reports. Dr. White, please provide us with your updates. >> Very good. Good evening, Madam Chair, Mr. Vice Chair, members of the school board, and student representatives. This evening, we're bringing forward items for your information and consideration, including our opening of schools report, approval of the annual

033standards of quality compliance verification report, an update on health benefits for the 26 uh benefit year, and a report on procurement transactions with locally businesses and businesses owned by women and minorities. Before we get to our agenda, however, I would like to highlight a few items for the board and for the public's information. We've truly had a great start to our school year thanks to all of our our incredible students, teachers, staff members, and parents. So, I just want to give let's give everybody a round of applause for such a wonderful I've had the the benefit of visiting most nearly all of our schools. I only have a few left to to to get to, but I've visited nearly all of our schools so far and I have seen effective first instruction already underway uh

034and taking place starting on the very first day of school. I want to again thank our teachers and our principles, our school leaders and all of our staff, everybody. It takes everybody to make a successful start to the school year. So, I just want to say thank you for making our students feel welcome and making them making sure that they are engaged from day one. And I want to thank our central office team as well. They've been out and about in schools uh each and every day to offer support in any way that they can. And so, we don't take that for granted. And I want everyone to know that we see their hard work as well. It has been a true we are one spirit um to start this school year and we carry

035that throughout the year. So I'm really really proud of everyone and last Friday as Mrs. Apel said we proudly cut the ribbon on our new community empowerment center in Booker Washington. our entire community came together to celebrate and after we cut the ribbon, our visitors uh were able to tour the building and meet with community partners and even receive services. So, let's take a quick look at that. >> We are here to celebrate the grand opening of our community empowerment center and we couldn't be any prouder today. This is a historic day for our city and our schools. Not only does today officially mark the completion of our equity and action plan, which has increased accessibility to school services across the division over the past four years, but it also represents the next act in

036this historic building's life. This center is a one-stop hub of support from helping families get started with school enrollment to offering workshops that strengthen connections and engagement with their students education. Because we know that when families succeed, what happens? >> Students succeed. Since its opening, it has already supported more than 300 families in navigating RCPS registration, accessing resources, and connecting the with the support they need. This is more than a building. This is legacy work. It means doing work that's not necessarily just for us, but it is for the generations of children who will be served. Again, we have so many community partners coming together because they understand the value of having a hub, a community hub of support. It is a very comforting task to know when people are trying to understand how to

037access resources. We can just tell them go to the community empowerment center. They will guide you through the different steps with community partners that we know and we work with and we can refer people to. I and all Afghan families are very thankful for the community empowerment center support. They enrolled my kids and kindergarten and gave us school supply. The day I came to enroll my child, I felt content to be able to get my child in Rona Academy School and everything needed in order to get my child enrolled in school. 3 2 1 >> It has happened. [Music] [Applause] >> With me. Promises made. >> Promises passed. >> I know. That's right. >> Again, thank you to everyone uh for coming together. It really has been um just amazing to see everybody coming together,

038community partners, our staff, every uh department to again make sure that we can serve our communities uh for the for generations to come. So very very proud of that work. on switching on to the to next week. I I would like to remind our families of our juniors and seniors. We have two seniors here today. Um that we will be hosting this year's annual regional college fair next week on Tuesday, September 16th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Patrick Henry High School. So, this is a collaborative partnership with Renault County Public Schools and Salem City Schools to provide our students with the opportunity to meet with college as well as with career and technical education representatives. So, we hope to see you there. So, mark your calendars, come on out to the college and career

039um fair next Tuesday at PH. So to begin our report this evening, I will ask our chief uh human resources officer, Dominic McKe, as well as our chief operations officer, Chris Perkins, chief instructional administrative officer, Archie Freeman, and chief of academics and accountability officer, Dr. Cindy Williams to come forward for our opening of schools report. So we're going to start with Mr. Perkins. Over to you. >> Good evening, Madame Chair, Mr. Vice Chair, members of the board, ladies and gentlemen. I want to start with a public apology first. I owe Miss Eller, my third grade teacher, an apology because I thought it was corporal punishment when she hit me in the back of the head and yelled Christopher for every day for in my third grade. Now I know she was just kissing my brain.

040So [Applause] I'm so old time I thought I was just being bad. All right. Uh, enough of that. So, uh, I want to I want to bring up six points to let you know how the opening of schools have went. The first point, uh, over the first 12 days, we are at 90.04% on time for our buses in Reno City. >> Nice. >> That's that's phenomenal when we were in the 70% range for the last several years. So, uh, that's fantastic. That means that we have 12 buses, uh, that are still a little late. We're working through those. Uh, we'll have those on time. Mr. Dowy works miracles and he'll figure it out and we'll have them on time. No pressure on Mr. Dowy. Uh, second, uh, from a facility maintenance point, we did have

041a little bit of an issue at Breen Ridge. Uh, we had a leak from a drain that had leaked down into our old band room on the lower level of Breen Ridge. Good thing is we had just built a whole new addition for the band room. Uh but we worked with the administrators uh at Breen Ridge. Uh the students should be back in there this week. Uh we'll get that fixed. Uh Preston Park is still six weeks behind from a capital improvement perspective as we open schools. Uh from a safety and security perspective, we had a couple of things that we shared with our families across the district and with our community working with the uh our Reno Police Department. uh we had uh some concerns about an online gaming national trend and and while

042roadblocks we have talked about I just want to make sure that everybody understands that online gaming and we're if we're not monitoring as parents uh can uh create some problems for us uh and those problems were related to uh violent extortion and gore networks where people were luring children into uh other chat rooms from using the online gaming platforms uh to do this and uh we it was enough of a concern for our local police department and us here at Reno City Public Schools that we wanted to make sure we shared that with the our entire uh family and student system. Uh the second uh safety concern uh that we want to share is swatting. We've talked about this for a couple years and if you remember two years ago uh we had a series

043of swatting events that we went through. Our neighbors uh in in the county in Salem have dealt with swatting beginning this at the beginning of this year. Uh we also have shared that because we do not want to be a victim of that but it is possible. Uh but we want to let everybody know that uh we are prepared uh we are working with our our staffs and uh our students and and uh making sure that if something does happen we will be prepared and we'll respond appropriately. Uh the fifth thing that I want to bring up is food service and we haven't had any issues with food service. Uh in fact uh our SF when we switched over has been fantastic but our food providers have notified us that we have some delivery issues

044that have not affected us but they brought in drivers from out of state. We need CDL drivers. Now we've been through this with CDL drivers. Uh, so our CTE people if they're they left [Laughter] EDL and CTE may help us keep our food deliveries on time. >> I agree, >> Dr. Poland. Sounds good. >> All right. Agree. >> And then last, uh, I'm going to end on a good note. Uh, September 22nd, Reno City Public Schools will have full-time self-supervised nurses in all of our schools. So, >> big shout out to HR. We know they've been short staffed, but they got contracts out today to all of those nurses. >> Uh, big shout out to Jill Jeter. Uh, I've got to I've got to tell her she she wanted to be director, she got it,

045and now she's in my office every day saying, "Oh my goodness." Uh, so but but shout out to her because she's done a great job with it. So, uh, that will, uh, end my presentation. Remember, no news is good news. Uh, we had a couple of issues there, you heard, but we're having one of the best openings that I, since I've been part of our city public schools that I can remember. So, >> yep. Kiss my brain. Miss used to hit me in the back of the head and yell Christopher when she did it. So, >> good evening again. And Mr. Perkins took some of my thunder about the nurses. Um, the contracts going out today. So, thank you, Mr. Perkins. Whoever you >> hit him in the back. >> No, no, I'm good. Don't

046want no reports against me. >> This is brain. >> Um, we did open the school with three classroom um vacancies. So, we had still had like a 98 99% um fill rate there. All of our administrators are filled and everything like that. We're still working on our classified in terms of IAS and whatnot. So, we still have a ways to go with that, but I think we had a pretty good opening of the school. So, just want to let you guys know that. Thank you. >> Awesome. Thank you, >> Mr. Freeman. You see how quick I was? Dr. Williams, >> no pressure. >> Good evening, Madam Chair, vice chair, school members, and Dr. White. We just want to share with you the great open more about the great opening that we had. Last month, we

047talked about all of the front loading we did to implement our new curriculum. And uh it's paid off because we're in the classrooms. We're getting lots of great feedback. And I just want to say kudos to our teachers, our administrators, and all of our division personnel that kind of frontloaded that to get ready because we're seeing it as we're going through our learning walks. So, um great feedback with the ELA curriculum, also with the math. What we did with math, we tried to as we implement new curriculum, we tried to pull back some of the digital programming because we wanted our children to make sure that we were collaborating. We're talking about our learning and working on math. And so we've noticed that as we're in our classrooms, students aren't behind the Chromebooks. They're actually

048talking and working. So that's wonderful. Um, also just to share, we still have our instructional toolkit that has our Hampton City units, but also we pair with our Reno City resources. So, we want to make sure that our teachers have those. So, those are up and running. We have updated pacing guides and we're still using the same assessments called Mastery Connect. It's a platform. So, it's really important that we have our tools in place for teachers and we see them in action. So kudos to um our division staff for making those accessible and our teachers for doing such a great job. And then lastly, I wanted to share that um we like working together and collaborating across the state. So we work together within our division, but we're also part of two consortiums. One is

049called CIP and there's 72 school divisions. So um we work with those. We actually started our PLC's this week. So for instance, our elementary principles get to get online with all the elementary principles across the state and 72 other school divisions. Same for middle and high school and central office. So it's huge because we want to build those relationships and learn from each other and share. So we're in that consortium and also in the Hampton City that's 20 other school divisions that's out near the coast. So we like to build the relationships because we share our successes and also um learn from others too. So great things going on. I just encourage you to come out um because the sunshine is in our classrooms. >> So, I'm going to be very brief, too. I won't

050be Dominic's time tonight, though. >> Good evening, Madam Chair, Madame Vice Chair, Superintendent Dr. White, and members of the board, student representatives. Um, as already stated, yep, we're we're running, and this is our first full five day week. Um, so we are at full speed. Things are happening. Great things are happening. As Dr. White stated earlier, we've already started visiting our schools. We started that, of course, in the first few weeks of schools. But on yesterday, we actually started with our learning walks already. You'll hear more about that in in the weeks to come when we do our student achievement update on what we're doing a little bit just to enhance our student um learning walks during those times. And instructional learning walks are taking place building in our buildings with our instructional leadership teams.

051and we're discussing the data as we're walking through right afterwards followed up with the instructional leadership team meeting. So it's a little bit things are done differently as you heard today one of our stellar principles Dr. English. She started yesterday with our learning walks. And on yesterday, the schools that took place with learning walks was Fallon, Preston Park, Her Park, and Lucy Addison between yesterday and today. We have some that are scheduled for tomorrow. And I had the opportunity to share with Her Park and Lucy Addison today. And there is effective tier one instruction taking place in the classroom. So, we're building on what we um gave this past summer in our professional development. Um teachers are moving forward with the instruction. principles are there making sure the accountability they're out visible in the classroom

052they're monitoring what they're expecting and when you walk in if you're looking for a principal more likely you're not going to find them in their offices. So, it is paying off. In some of those instructional team meetings, we go back to backwards design where we're looking at what is our problem of practice, what do we need to um go in the classroom looking for as high yield instructional strategies, what do we need to do to adopt adapt our lesson plans and our CSSPs. So, instruction is taking place in the classroom. And I just want to make mention of a few additional things. As we know, we had to make sure we started our operation nest. uh we are almost and we'll find out tomorrow in a few updates that we might be at capacity in

053some of our classrooms. So it is paying off. So we're grateful for that especially with our students with special needs. So we thank you all for move forward with some changes that were needed. Um again with discipline I don't want to say much because we're off to a good school year start and I feel like that if I say it this ain't wood but we're not on something because we may um I don't want to jinx us. We're off to a great school year start. Just a couple of reminders, we do have our football game, our rivalry game next Friday. >> Yep. >> And that is Plymouth versus PH at PH at 5:00 p.m. So, we look forward to seeing you there if you can be there. And next year is going to be a

054short summer. [Laughter] >> Very good. every time. >> Thank you to all of our chiefs and to our staff as well um for making this opening of schools uh a successful one. So just thank you again to everyone. So next I'll ask our executive director of accountability and strategic initiatives Dr. Jonathan Schulz to come forward. He will provide a summary of the measures from the annual standards of quality compliance report for your consideration. So Dr. Schulz, >> so everybody has has seen it as uploaded into board docs. It's the same process that we followed um all the years uh previously. Andrew Hartman, who's our um director of um system data and reporting helped organize the process to check with everybody across the division, all of the chiefs organizing all of the reporting to make sure

055that we're hitting um being able to check all the boxes for the standards of quality report. So, do does anyone have any questions related to this year's report? >> Any questions or comments from the board? Um, I did want to note that it that that report um includes, you know, our ratios of various specialized staff and I know um I think it was is EL staffing in in that too or I know we basically we had we knew we needed to go way up in our EL staffing numbers and as far as I know um we've met that. Um so like big props to go from you know our 50 to the 85 or however many we need to do. So that was a big a big lift in a very short amount of time.

056So good job um to the whole division and on the report. So anything else? >> All right. Thank you, Dr. Schultz, >> for the work you do, sir. >> Yes. Thank you so much. >> And and I do want to give the board a chance if anybody wanted to make any comments about opening of schools. So I do um so do um either of our student representatives have anything you'd like to contribute about how schools have opened this year? >> Uh yes. Go ahead. >> A terrific done uh job has been done in the opening of schools and I would like to thank everyone that had a part in that. So, thank you. >> Go ahead. >> What do you want me to say? >> You can say you don't have anything to say too.

057>> Exactly. >> I don't have anything to say. >> Yes, you can say that. >> I do not have anything to say at the moment. And Miss Kintana, um, any comments about opening of schools? >> I mean, I have a junior that has not given me any complaints. That's a win. >> Wonderful, Mr. Link. >> I have a seven-year-old that started writing and singing songs about her teacher as soon as she found out who it was. >> High marks all around. >> Wonderful. Dr. Jameus then >> um I would just I have just a few things. I don't have any children >> In schools I have my Yeah. And uh No, what I took note of for those of us who have been around a minute um I I it occurred to me I'd like

058to remind us all that a quiet start to schools has not been a common thing. This is we need to offer the highest of praise. Uh it it used to be, you know, we all have a month we respond to emails and it used to be nobody wanted August or September because you were going to be really busy. And so I I just wanted to take a minute. I mean, as I was taking notes of this, um the fact that we are starting new initiatives and we're starting them so quickly with learning walks, etc. the fact that we are continue uh sorry new initiatives with curriculum and we're continuing new initiatives from last year right off the bat. So we're no longer engaged of flavor of the month learning uh approaches. We are nearly at

059full employment. We are at over 90% on time. Um and that we have a major construction prog uh project that is only six weeks behind is um remarkable. And uh and a special shout out to Mr. Dowy who makes the routes sing. I mean we have um you know because it's been it I don't know that I can remember ever and this is two years in a row that we have had a quiet and successful start and I there couldn't be a better trend. Sometimes we don't say enough about the things that we don't see and we have not seen so many >> problems that get in the way of our students learning. So congratulations. You deserve every minute of accolade on this. It's remarkable. >> Yes. Um Miss Trigg, >> I would like to

060say definitely congratulations on an awesome start. I believe it started with convocation. Um I have a lot of educator friends that were very charged up from um convocation. I think it poured into the classrooms were welcoming the students. The students have been happy. I know a lot of kids as well. My son in particular has actually been ready to go back to school on Monday and just excited and saying he missed school and I'm thinking who's this kid in this other room? I'm listening to him talk to his friends at that. He's not telling me. He's having a whole conversation with a group chat saying, "I can't wait to get back to school." So, I think that is amazing. I've had two of his teachers actually reach out saying how great he's doing. Um, just

061across the board, one of my friends told me this has been the best start in 15 years that she's been an educator. and just hearing different educators that are enjoying the no cell phone policy. They are able to teach and give instruction and not worry about discipline in the classroom. Um, one of the things I would like to say, encourage parents that are listening, continue to encourage your child to follow instructions and put the phone away. If they are telling their teachers they don't have phones and they have them on them, they're not being honest. Let's follow directions and make sure we are assisting our educators and continuing to have perfect instruction in these classrooms. >> Thank you, Miss T. Miss Watkins. >> Um just a couple of things um just to to add. Um

062I am so excited and proud of again the work that we do with our community partners. the fact that um we partnered with the police department um to get ahead of um what could be a a a horrible thing for our students and and um families. I think that is really important and needs to be recognized that we're tapped in to what's going on and what could impact our students from the outside. We take care of things in house, right? We take care of our own house, but sometimes things come to our door, right, that we can't um we can't control. But the fact that we are working with the police department, the sheriff's department, um all of our community partners is so important and and congratulations on that that we have that those relationships

063and that they're great relationships, long-standing relationships. Um, the other thing I wanted to say was, um, I don't have any, uh, little kids in school anymore, but, um, the same bus that has come down my street for 25 years is picking up new ones. And these little jokers are running up on and hugging their bus driver. And the parents are running up on the bus. One of my neighbors had to go up on the bus and carry her little one off the bus because apparently she had so much fun that she fell asleep on the bus and felt comfortable enough to do such a thing as she was down in the seat asleep. And I mean it's just every day I see them when I'm working from home. I see them getting on and off

064and they are so excited. They're excited to tell their parents what happened be as they're walking down the street for the day. And so I just it's exciting to see. It reminds me of when my kids were younger. Um and it's just it's so good to see kids enjoying school. >> Thank you, Miss Watkins. Vice Chair Cherry >> Cherry. >> Um Vice Cherry. Uh well, this is really all a u prime example of organizational discipline. Uh I echo the sentiments of my colleagues um since I've been on this board every year. Um I I'll it's gotten better and better and better every year. Um this is the best that it has been. Um from everything that we've named and then you know everybody brings up the kids. I typically don't cuz I get super emotional.

065I talk about my kids but just to hear the energy uh that my children have particularly my daughter Ada if you know you know. um just got some amazing news and to pick up my daughters and to have the principal come to me excited about some positivity regarding my child versus you know the opposite just lets me know that we're off to a strong start. I personally this is my first I know we're talking about schools and our and our opening but as a parent this is probably the strongest start to the school year um that I've had as a parent. So, and that is a a result of the leadership that you all bring to our division, our teachers, our staff. We are doing all of this together. So, uh definitely appreciative of the

066work we're doing and let's continue to drive and push the needle forward. >> Yes. And um just to wrap it up, you know, um first big kudos really that we only had three openings um you know, in the classroom. I've taught in schools where we had more than three openings in our math department alone when school started. in that no no joke. Um, so that is amazing and um and I have heard across the board and seen how our staff is getting into the schools to make sure that our teachers and administrators have the support they need and at the buses and, you know, getting kids out, you know, getting the buses through the lot at PH, you know, at dismissal or sorting out how to do it at Preston Park, like change it all

067from day one to day two, you know, and and It really is a we are one moment and so it's a testament to how the team is working all together to get everybody going in the same direction. So um definitely kudos kudos to everybody in RCPS. So great great opening to the year. >> I'm sorry chair. Um >> to Mr. Trigg's point I knew it was going to be a strong year. I was on vacation and a plethora of teachers inbox me. It was like, "Where were you at? You missed it. You missed convocation. You missed it." So, I have never got so many inboxes about convocation. So, I knew we was on to something. So, again, kudos. >> Yes. Yeah. There's been a lot of comments from staff about all the things leading up

068to the school year as well. So, thank you, Dr. White. >> No, thank you. And thank you to the board for your continued support and thank you, Madam Chair, for bringing us back to the opening of schools because I lost my mind there for a second. Moved us on to the next thing. No, but I just um know I appreciate your continued support. This does not happen um without your leadership, your guidance, and your support. So, I just want to say thank you to our school board, and again, thank you to our staff, uh to our students, and our parents. Again, I just think that everybody's focused focused on the same things. We And again, we always say we want our kids to be healthy, happy, safe, and strong. and we want them to learn

069something too, right? So, we're off to a good start. As Mr. Freeman said, I don't want to jinx us. Um, but I think that we are we're we are focused and so thank you for your comments. Um, and so that that means the world to us to know that we have your support now for the SOQ report. Um, just coming circling back to that. I believe that that is on your agenda for your approval. >> Yes, we do need an approval there. Um, so is there a motion and a second to approve and provide signatures to the 2024 2025 compliance verification report affirming the division's compliance with the standards of quality and other miscellaneous reporting requirements as submitted? >> Moved. >> Second. >> Uh, moved by Miss Watkins, seconded by Miss Trigg. Is there any

070further discussion? >> Hearing none. All those in favor say I. Those opposed say no. I >> I >> All right. And the motion carries and the um 202425 compliance verification report is approved and the necessary signatures will be provided. >> And now moving on to >> very good. Thank you Dr. Schultz for that as well. Thank you. All right. Next, I'll ask our chief of human resources, Dominic McKe, as well as our chief financial officer, Kathleen Jackson, to come forward to present an update on employee health benefits for the 2026 calendar year as open enrollment will take place November 3rd through November 14th. So, while they're making their way forward, I do want to take a moment to provide some important context. As you may recall, during our budget approval process in the spring, Mrs.

071Jackson presented an option that included raising the deductible for our HA plan, which is one of three medical plans that we offer. Now, this was one option for helping to offset the 5.5% increase in health care costs anticipated during budget development. um based on the best information available and the recommendations of the school board at that time, we did not increase the deductibles and instead budgeted for RCPS to take on the majority of that added cost. Unfortunately, we've recently learned from our insurance consultants that projected year-over-year costs will actually rise by 7.3% rather than the 5.5% increase that they projected back in the spring. Now, that difference leaves us with a shortfall of approximately $300,000 in the current budget year um in the current budget. And so we also know that costs are expected to

072continue increasing in 2027 which will affect our 2026 2027 uh budget since insurance is by calendar year and not by fiscal year. Uh so this is very concerning and I do want to emphasize that this unfortunately is not unique to Reno City public schools. Um it reflects a national trend in rising health care costs. So when Mrs. Jackson presented in May, we were confident that we could responsibly absorb the increase in this year's budget. But with this new information and what we're seeing nationally, I do want to be transparent with both the board and with our employees that changes to our HR plan are likely. Uh having said that, I do want to assure you that we remain committed to protecting our employees and we pride ourselves on providing a strong benefits and compensations pack

073compensation package. So in order to do so, we must also make decisions that will allow for stability and sustainability for the years to come to protect our entire organization. So Mr. McKe and Mrs. Jennison will now walk you through the details of where we stand as well as the options available moving forward. So, Mr. Mickey, I'll start with you. >> Good evening again, Madam Chair, Miss Apel, um Vice Chair, Mr. Cherry, members of the board, student representatives, uh Superintendent Dr. White, all those joining us in person and online. Mr. Jackson, Miss Jackson, excuse me, and I will provide an overview of the 2026 benefits updates and cost-saving measures for consideration for Reno City Public Schools. As always, our goal is to offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that supports the well-being of our employees

074while maintaining fiscal responsibility. We believe that informed employees are empowered employees and RCPS remains committed to ensuring that our staff understand and can access the resources available to them. So, with that being said, I want to start talking about our medical options, plan options. So, RPS participates in a preferred preferred provider organization, also known as a PO medical plan, allowing employees to choose from a wide network of providers without uh needing referrals. This model supports flexibility in care, competitive pricing, and access to a broad range of specialists and facilities. In 2026, RSpass will continue to offer three medical plans. The first one is our highdeductible health plan um HDHP with the health savings account HSA which we have 41% of our employees um that are enrolled in this plan. It's a high it has the

075highest deductible. There's no premium payments by employees plus our space contributes to the employees HSA. The HSA stays with the employee and funds rollover from year to year. The next plan is our health reimbursement account which is known as HRA. We have 50% of our employees enrolled in this plan. This is a higher deductible plan. RPS provides h dollars so employees can access to reduce this obligation. It's a it has affordable premiums and the co-pays for office visits and uh prescriptions. And the last plan is our traditional plan which we have 9% of our employees enrolled in this plan. This has the lowest deductible, low out-of-pocket maximum, high premiums, and cost pays for office visits and prescriptions. Now, the next couple slides is it's going to be a lot of information, so we want to

076try to um narrow it down and just have and use an example of a fictitious employee, but real examples so we can show you exactly what we're talking about. So, so to begin, um the the fictitious um employee is named Miss Chicago Johnson, and she has a husband and two um children, Boomer and Sooner. >> He's not. >> Okay. First of all, first of all, Boomer wears glasses. All this will come into play later on. Boomer's wear Boomer wears glasses and sooner wears contact contacts and has braces. Okay. Her maiden name was Bears. You get it? >> Chicago Bears. Okay. Okay. >> I'm with you. I'm following. >> I'm trying, guys. This is like not entertaining. But anyways, >> whichever plan she needs to cover, um, she wants to make sure she has an employee

077and family is what she wants to focus on. So, she's going to bear down and focus on our H. >> You guys get it. It's See, you get it, right? Okay. >> All right. I'll go I'll stick to my day job. >> So, when talking about Miss Johnson, she wants to focus on the HR plan. So, if you look at the one in the middle, um she knows right off the bat that her deductible is going to be $4,000 and her um out-ofpocket family max is going to be $8,000. And you can go down forth and see exactly the comparison between the three plans, but she chose the HR plan. So, some of the highlights that we're going to talk about today is one, like Dr. White mentioned, um the rates are going to go

078up 7.3%. That's minimum. you know, we we budget for 5.5, but at 7.3. So, looking at the difference and and what employees say is, "Okay, now what does that mean to my bottom line? What does that mean to my pocket? How's it going to impact my my check and whatnot?" So, for employees on our our high deductible plan, they're going to see an increase in anywhere from $6 to $14 in terms of um I'm sorry, a decrease in $6 to $14 in terms of how much we put into their HSA. For the HA plan, the employees will see anywhere from a $10 to $24 increase in their um premiums. And that's what Miss Johnson will feel will see on her plan. And on the traditional plan, um our employees will see, and this is going

079to be the largest impact, our employees will see anywhere from $40 to $162 um in in terms of their premium premium going premiums going up, excuse me. We also will see a 3.7% increase in our dental rates. Um, vision will go down by negative -2%. And we'll talk a little about the vision plans that we're going to offer. Um, legislative changes. You look at our our wellness um uh I'm sorry, yeah, the wellness benefit removed from accident and hospital indemity plans due to new legislation. And then we're going to also offer some new plan offerings with the new voluntary benefit plans and the new voluntary vision plans. And the other thing about the um the the new deductible in terms of the high deductible health plan, it's a mandated IRS a mandate that we have

080to go up 3.3%. So last year we went up from it was um individuals were were we went from 30 one 30 um $3,100 or $3,200 went up $100. So we're going to we're going to go up $100 again this year from 32 from 3,300 to 3,400 for the individual plan. And then for the family plan, we're going to go up $200 from 6,600 to 6,800. So in the past two years, we've gone up um and that these are IRS mandates. Now again, looking at Miss Johnson, she's on the HR plan. So how will this impact her monthly? We talked about anywhere from $6 to $24. Well, it'll impact her if you look at employee plus family and HRA, her premium is going to go from 314 um to 338. So that's where she's going

081to see the increase in terms of her premiums. And then you also have the comparisons of our high deductible, HA, and traditional. And we just want to make sure our employees know exactly what how this is going to impact them. And this is we're looking at the cost sharing. We we talked about um how that is impacted. So the cost sharing is how much does employee have to pay versus the employer. And we did some comparisons around other school divisions and and Miss Jackson's going to talk about this a little bit, but the trend is um the the employee um pays about 15% and the employers pay um 85%. If you look at our HR, we're at um 10% to 90%. So we we compare pretty favorably, especially when you look at other school divisions.

082Some pay a little bit more um and some pay a little bit less. But the biggest um one is our traditional you see where they have to pay if employee plus family she would have to pay 44% where we pay 55.8%. So um and like we only have 9% on our traditional um plan. This is our dental as you see I mentioned that Sooner has braces. So she wants to make sure she chooses the Delta High plan which is the employee plus family. And as you see the the the rate for 2025 is at 101.88. 88 um where um we're we're recommending that that in 2026 it goes up to 105.65. So you see how the the the rates will increase. >> Would you tell me the name of the kids again? >> Boomer. >>

083If my kids were here, they would say sooner. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Okay. >> And then you missed that. >> You missed my joke. >> You can go back and look it on YouTube. Um, and the last thing I want to talk about is our um >> there was a lot of theater in here on your account. >> It was. You missed all but Okay. And the last one is our um our um our vision plan. What we what we've done in the past where if our employees if they had our medical plan, they had to be enrolled in vision. But our employees came to us multiple years saying, "Hey, we would like just a standalone vision plan." So we heard what they wanted to say. So now our employees can if they don't want

084to get our medical they can just get our visual uh uh vision excuse me and um Miss Johnson is going to uh do the alternative buy plan which it'll cost her about 2168 um in terms of her premium which means um Boomer can get the um lenses that he needs and Sooner can get the frames that he needs. Yeah. Okay. So with that being said I'll I'll I'll turn it over to um Oh, I'm sorry. I want to pause and see if we have any questions that I can answer before I turn it over to Miss Jackson. >> The effective date will be January 1. >> January one. Yes, ma'am. Mhm. >> Can you do me a favor and go back a couple of slides? Um, if we go slowly, I'll tell you when we

085get there. >> Okay. >> The answer is no. >> Right here. Right here. Right here. >> Well, let me go back. >> Go forward. One. There we go. >> Forward. Okay. So it looks like the cost sharing for the employee is going down on the high deductible plan but is up on the HR and the traditional >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yeah. The cost sharing is going to go down $6 to $14 for our um employees. >> Okay. Okay. That's I just wanted I wanted to make sure I was reading it right. Thank you. Mhm. >> And just so that make sure that I'm clear on this slide, the biggest impact would be on those who are on the traditional plan. >> Yes. Yes. >> And 50% are in the HR. >> Yes. >> And

086what was the percent in the high >> 41% in the high deductible health plan? >> So we are talking about 10ish >> 9% 9% in the condition. So 40% of RCPS staff could see their employee share go down. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Yes. Yes. >> Just just to clarify that on the um the HSA plan, the high deductible plan, the employee share of premiums is zero. So, so that'll stay zero, but when we kind of cost share that that increase, we contribute a little bit less into their HSA. So, employees on that particular plan, um, not only do they not have any money that comes out of their check every month to have that plan, but we actually pay some money into their health savings account every month. Um, so that's that's why

087that's showing as a negative number. their their contribution stays at zero but just what we are able to contribute into that savings account on their behalf goes down a little bit if that >> okay that that makes more sense thank you thank you >> and we are so therefore we're talking out of pocket >> for only for HR and traditional impacted district forgive me I didn't I think I stepped on someone >> so on the high deductible plan a little less money is going into their HA than they are currently getting and out of pocket pocket cost on HR traditional is going up. >> Okay. Thank you. >> And and the um out of pocket max or the deductible is also going up. >> Going up. >> That's what we're going to talk about. >>

088Yeah. >> Boomerson. >> And there was the high deductible um is indexed by the IRS. Is that indexed to like the consumer price index? What is that ind? The IRS is driving the deductible. Not the deductible. Um, >> annual increase. >> This is an annual increase that was indexed by the IRS. >> Indated by the IRS. Yes, sir. >> And what is that index? It said on the slide that it was indexed to something by the IRS. I'm curious if that's indexed to a consumer price index or too high >> or inflation or I can check on that and get back. Just curious. Okay. But I mean, we have no control over it. Correct. Yes. Yeah. Miss Kintana or Miss T, did you all have any questions at this time? I know Miss Jackson still

089needs to um present some more information. Okay. >> No, I'm still >> trying to process Yeah. everything. So, but thank you. >> Okay. >> I'm sure it's tied to claims experience, too. >> Oh, so not like cost of living adjustment is probably something insurance. >> Claims exper it's insurance. >> Okay. Okay. Well, thank you. Good evening, uh, chairperson, Mrs. Apel, vice chair, Mr. Cherry, members of the school board, and Superintendent White. Um, I am going to bring us into as Dr. White um shared at the beginning that um given costs um at at this point now that we're uh working on our renewal coming in higher than the projection we had at the time we were doing our budget. Um, and just looking ahead as Dr. White said to anticipated in additional costs going forward

090in future years and um budgetary squeezes on all levels um anticipated we're going to bring to you for consideration a few ways to reduce the cost of our health insurance. So the first um we did bring to you um as Dr. Dro said in in the spring as a a possibility um and we did not uh implement that at that time but want to bring that back for consideration is the potential of increasing the deductible on our uh HR plan. Uh currently it is $2,000 per individual or $4,000 per family. We do contribute um 1,000 per individual or 2,000 per family in HR dollars for the second half of that. So we do help offset that. So the uh the max that the employee has to reach currently is 1,000 for an individual or 2,000

091per per family. Um we would propose uh potentially considering moving that up to 3,000 uh per individual or 6,000 per family. We would continue to contribute those H dollars. So um so the the impact on the employee would really be 2,000 per individual or 4,000 per family. um that kind of adjustment would be about a 3.4% reduction in the renewal projection, which is more than a million dollars over the the plan year. So half of that would would impact the current year budget. Um because of course, as as we discussed, our our health insurance follows a calendar year. So that would begin in January. Um the next thing for consideration is looking at those premiums. So we just uh we're talking a little bit about that cost share of how much the employee covers versus

092how much the school division covers. Um so as you saw on previous slides um the the biggest share for our employees is those on our traditional plan. It ranges from 22 to 44% of the premium cost. um it averages about a little under 10% for those on our HRA and then there is no premium for those on our HSA and we are not proposing any changes to the HSA. So as we discussed sort of a a benchmark of of similar um public sector entities is more of a 1585 split. So we did take a look at what that would do if we moved in that direction. Um, so if we upped the employee share to 15%, as you can see here, we'd be looking at um, an employee who's on an employee only plan on

093the HRA would see $38 more uh, of cost in in each paycheck. Um, going up to the maximum, uh, someone on an employee plus family plan would see an additional $73 coming out of each paycheck. um that would result in a projected almost million dollar savings again over the full plan year. So half would be realized in the current budget year and half in the next budget year. Um feeling like $73 a paycheck might be a bit much. We wanted to look at um what would it do if we kind of split the difference, looked at maybe not implementing quite such a large change in one year. So, we looked at um if we implemented instead a 12.5% employee share um and sort of cut that in half. So, you see here kind of in

094the highlighted cells what that would look like for individuals on H employee only. It would be $21 more per paycheck. Um the biggest difference there would be two employee families um would be $39 more per paycheck. Um so, not surprisingly, that kind of cuts that savings in half. we would realize about a half a million dollar savings across the whole plan year if we implemented a change like that. may also just jump in here as well that when we're talking about savings, um I just want to just dig into this a little bit because I want everybody to understand that there are items keep in mind that this you when we talk about tight fiscal times there's um you know likelihood that we may be uh faced with additional cuts from the federal level, from

095the state level and we know that we were flatfunded at the local level this past year. if we're flatfunded again, you know, that that could impact us. There's no indication yet about that. We don't that, you know, we still don't know, but we there were quite a few things charged to fund balance in this uh current year that uh we may need to pay for in the for the the next at least calendar year, right, or fiscal year. So I just want us to realize that savings doesn't mean that you know that would be money that would be that would we sit on that would be used to pay for things that we are currently using fund balance on every keep in mind that that's gone after this year. So I just want to give

096a little context to that and Miss Jackson you can correct me if I'm wrong but it's a really a shifting of of funds. So just wanted to provide that. >> Thank you. I appreciate you for making that clarification and um so absolutely some of the consideration is the the unexpected increase beyond what we thought it would be for the current budget year but um though that is more than we budgeted. 7.3% is actually pretty good from what we're hearing um is more typical. So, you know, as we're not only looking at this current year, but what is going to build upon these dollars um and what we might expect in further increases, we're trying to sort of be prepared to um be able to handle whatever increases might be coming and and what that would

097look like. So, thank you very much for that clarification. Um, so I wanted to show a little bit since we're talking about sort of the cost share, we've thrown a lot of percentages at you, um, that the the overall plan cost is going up 7.3%. But when we're talking about the cost shares, how much of that do we as the employer, um, cover versus how much does the employee cover? So, um, on this slide, just kind of wanted to to zoom out a little bit and show what those differences are. I've just presented sort of three possibilities. So the first column is no change to our plan design. Our share stays what it is now. The employee share stays what it is now. The the total premium cost for an employeeonly HRE plan is going

098to be 13,100 for the whole year next year. So with our current plan, we cover a little over 90%. The employee covers a little over 9%. So you see there what our share would be versus the employee. Then in the middle is that sort of middle of the road. if we were to increase the portion of that that we would ask the employee to cover up to 12% of the total. Um, and then the final would be if we were to ask the employee to increase to 15%. So, just to kind of put a visual to what we're talking about in potentially considering adjusting um the employee versus employer share on those plans. And then to kind of dig and what does this mean for employees? Um I I just pulled out sort of employee

099only. The majority of our employees are on employee only and then employee plus families is the most costly of course um plan. So just to give you a sense of really what kind of dollars are we talking about? Um so with with no changes to our plan design, our employees who are currently on the HA employee only plan would see $5 more per paycheck coming out um each paycheck. employee plus family, it would be $12 more dollars per paycheck if we change nothing. So everything's going up at least some. That's kind of the minimum that our employees would experience. If we decided to change to the employee uh share being 12% 12.5% um they would see a $25 incre each paycheck for employee only or $45 for employee plus family. And then lastly, if we

100went to the 15 the 15% um the employees would see a $43 per paycheck increase um or an $85 for employee plus family. So that's just sort of to put it in perspective of really what are we talking about uh in terms of the impact to the employee that they will see in their paychecks. Um just a couple other things I mentioned already. We we are not looking at any changes to the HSA. we would be continuing to uh intend to offer that as a premium free uh plan for employees and um so RCPS would continue to cover the full the full premium cost for that plan and then the traditional plan um the employee as we've discussed already covers a higher share that is such a such a high cost plan um there's a

101lot of variety as I mentioned it goes from about 22% employee share all the way up to 44% so um I am looking at if we could make small adjustments there, less so from a cost savings perspective and more so from a attempting to kind of move to a more um more more towards uniform cost sharing there. Um because it it strikes us as as a little strange that that we cover so much of the cost for some groups and so so much less for other groups. So um a time a small cost savings of about 34,000 if we were to make that that change. Obviously, with this being such a high cost plan, even even a one percentage point change would be a lot of dollars for the employee. So, obviously, we don't want

102to we we can't make a drastic change in one year. Um so, I was looking at just just sort of minor tweaks um in that area. And then lastly, um we we talked about our dental plan, but one consideration um that was presented by our insurance u consultants as a possibility would be to um have the employees absorb the increase on our dental plan. It's a small savings about $22,000, but we're talking very small dollars. Um so you see here what that would look like in 25 rates versus 26 rates. So, we'd be looking at um anywhere from $2 more per month for the employee up to about $557 more per month for the employee if we did that. And that would be about a $22,000 savings um in those options. So, a lot to

103think about, right? Um so, why don't we um go down the line? >> Chris is itching. that Chris >> No, we can we can go down the line and I don't know if our student representatives had anything you wanted to contribute about the health care or benefits, but we can start at that end. >> Okay. You want insurance people to go first? >> Um, yes. >> Any comments? >> Yep. You can say none at this time. It's fine. Miss Trigg, >> I will say I love your presentation. It does make me feel better looking at it versus when we first talked about it. Um, I wanted to know if we would possibly be able to get feedback from some of our educators or all of them for the matter or whoever can participate in it

104like how it would affect them. Maybe possibly it' be something that they would look at especially the ones who have that traditional plan. maybe they would consider going into the other plans that may be more feasible for them or so forth. And also um would we have to make sure that we would have on-site people to explain the benefits to them whether they could be at the school or if it's some kind of fair for them um during like a off day that maybe they have like um teacher planning and no students at the school kind of thing that they would have the opportunity to be able to look at that because it's a lot when you think about it. And I know open enrollment is coming up soon, so probably I have to get

105a quick jump on it. >> I'll just jump in here and then Mr. McKe, you can um kind of follow up, but we are um planning a a video for employees so that to fully explain the the various options and then working with consultants to work employee by employee. Correct. >> Yes, we are working with our um alliant to to set up a program where we're trying to in the past we've done passive enrollment. So, we're looking to see if we can do active enrollment as well. And if we do that, then we will bring uh individuals um from another company on on our school grounds. Um but our our employees will also have a chance to set up a phone meeting with them before so they have to talk through their um options and

106medical plans before they sign up for it. So, we're looking at both of those options, but we we still want to make sure that our our our employees are informed about with these changes, any other changes. >> Thank you. Especially since every >> Yes. uh every family situation is is unique and every employee situation is unique um to do it employee by employee. Now I know that there's very little time in between before open enrollment to do that but working with them to get the consultants to work family by family. We thought that maybe that would be a good approach. >> And then one concern is well maybe we have some employees that might not set up an appointment. We'll make sure our staff will follow up with the ones that have not signed up

107for an appointment to make sure they do so so they can be educated about their um choices and medical plans. Okay, >> Miss Watkins, >> um, thank you for doing all of those things, especially, you know, having that opportunity to have a one-on-one conversation um, with and I think it was really important the research that you guys have done into um, how many of your employees are in which type of plans just so that you can be thoughtful about the changes. I will say um, someone who's been in this industry for a number of years that uh this is part for the course. It's not just school divisions. It is this isn't this is um federal. This this is um nationwide. Everyone is going to feel an impact um going forward um in their insurance

108premiums, in their benefits, what's available to them, deductibles, maximum out of pockets, all of that. Um we are all going to feel it. even uh some of our um we like to call them um essential extras or extra benefits, right? Things that um they're kind of like throwin benefits for our our plans, whether it's um fitness or wellness benefits and things like that. All of that stuff is getting cut back. It's just getting very very expensive um to um to ensure a lot of things that were put in federally are being rolled back um and and contributions from um our federal partners um um they're being reduced and so we're going to feel it. um just like any other, you know, food, everything, utilities, you name it, it's all going up. And unfortunately, this is

109this is so important. Healthc care is so important. Uh the thing that I worry about the most is our preventative care. Um I'd like um you guys to keep an eye on that part of it. um if we have preventative care kickers or benefits um to um to uh entice folks to go and get their wellness checks and things like that. If you can find a way to keep those things in um because if you if they can do those wellness visits up front, it can prevent um higher claims experience after. >> Thank you, Miss Watkins. Miss Kentana. Oh, and our other student representative. Um so I thank you u Miss Jackson and Mr. McKe and I think it is important to educate RCPS faculty and staff about their options regarding healthcare. Um it is

110a very important time to stay united especially with everything that's going on in the federal level. So yeah, thank you >> Miss Canana. >> Um it's it's just worse. I just really dislike that we're in this position now. I really dislike it. I know, you know, we try to foresee and, you know, um, help our employees. Um, and I know, like Miss Watkins mentioned, we are all going to feel it. Um, I guess I'm just frustrated with the whole situation in general, not necessarily just here, but just in general. But thank you. Um, your presentation like always is amazing and breaking it down helps me. >> Mr. Link, >> I have two questions. The first when we were looking at so the the employee share is currently 9.2%. Right. >> Basically, it it varies a

111little bit between employee only or employee plus family, but it's within 9 to 10%. Yes. And we talked about going to 15 and then we talked about going to 12 and a half and the savings that you and I I think I this is without drawing a bunch of diagrams I'm having to catch my brain up. um when you had the 15% share for example is the the savings we would yield um that was $956,000 but we have to split that so between budgets >> it would cross budget years correct >> so if we so we we are currently trying to solve a rough ballpark now a $300,000 shortfall and if we go to the 15% share we're yielding $956,000 in savings or in budgetary room. I don't like calling it, you know, no one's

112really saving anything, but >> um but but that that is a shade that is what 475 in this budget year. >> Correct. >> If we go to the 12.5, which is trying to create some middle ground, we're only saving 488. And out of that, we only get half of that for this budget year. And so we're still not solving the problem we're trying to solve. Is that a true statement? >> Yes. We wouldn't we would have to come up with the different there would still be a small difference that we would not expect this change to cover. Correct. >> Okay. And then my second question was actually for Dr. White. Um it it sounds like the the board is going to be asked to participate in this decision. um when do we need to make

113a decision to give staff time to talk to their families and consider how they're going to respond? >> Yes, thank you for that question. We um ideally we would like to continue this conversation at the at the school board workshop. Okay. Um and however I know that um there there needs to be time for you to think about it, consider it um for us to um work with it as well. And again, these are kind of operational um considerations for us as well. So it just depends on the board's position about whether or not uh this is an approval item. I know that we're still considering that, but the decision um would absolutely have to be made by the first board school board meeting in October uh to give us enough time to communicate um

114with our employees to answer their questions in u prior to open enrollment, which would begin November 3rd. So, that's a very um short window of time between that October meeting and November open enrollment. So, I would say ideally we would like to really kind of nail it down by the end of the month if possible. >> Okay. Thank you, >> Mr. Link. Um, Dr. Jameson, >> uh, I have, I think, six questions, but some are quick, but cut me off when you're tired of hearing me talk. Um, I'm what I'm what I wondered about. It's good thinking about Miss Watkins point. Yeah. >> Um, >> about the breakdown of of who's on what plan, I'm also wondering what I what I found myself thinking about is what is the realistic risk to each individual population

115within those groups. So very specifically what I was thinking about um you I heard you say that most of our people are in the indiv individual plan not on the individual plus family plan. I'm a little curious about because those are those feel like big dollar differences. So what is the percent on individual versus what is the percent who are carrying a family? Um, and then further, and I don't know if this is information we get to have, um, and maybe if we could get bit larger picture statistics on this, um, what's the percent of people who actually end up at their deductible? Understanding that if you end up at your I mean, there's a deductible because the insurance companies are playing a game of risk that you'll not ever get there, but you're paying

116for that room right now. understanding of course that if an employee gets to their deductible, they've had a pretty bad year and we need to be conscious of that. But um I'm also curious if we're thinking about increasing deductibles, how many of our folks need all that deductible every year? Because I know from a human perspective that that matters to me. We can't predict everything, but there are numbers on that. Um >> um I I do have some information on that. I don't have um I have numbers but not percentages of how many are on employee only versus family. So I'll have to get that to you. But um we did ask some questions of our insurance consultants about um reaching the deductible. And um they shared that over the the last plan year we've

117had 8% on the employeeonly coverage who reached their individual deductible. um of employees with family plans. Uh as 16% of those employees reached their deductible, 4% of their their dependents um who were on their plans uh reached the deductible. And um in terms of the out-of- pocket maximum, 3% of employeeonly coverage of individuals on that coverage reached the out-of- pocket maximum. 7% of employees within a family plan and 1% of their family members um reached that out-of- pocket maximum. So, I'm wondering with that, that's really helpful. Um, because what I'm wondering about is with these I'll put cost savings in air quotes because I think your point is good. Would it be possible to think if we think about I mean increasing duct deductibles makes people squeeze queasy understandably so because if you need to

118use it, it's because things aren't going well. Um, but I'm wondering if it would be possible for us to consider an emergency fund policy for those who maybe need help because you're reaching your health maximums. That's that we have the sometimes are employee generated. I know at Virginia Tech we have something that you can contribute leave to, you can contribute some of certain things to. I don't even know. I don't know what the legalities around all of that are, but you know, we're not exactly in the highest paid uh professions here. And you know, suddenly if you're at $6,000 because you have family health emergencies, that's not nothing. Um, and I wonder if there's some space in there, not to cover the whole difference, but could we achieve co the cost savings that we need

119as a division? Because I think what you've convinced me of tonight is that we are looking not at an if but when do we get to a 15%. >> Yeah. >> It's not next year to in my opinion >> but it's a when >> market not w >> yes it's not a win. >> And to clarify you mean 15% of employee share not 15% increase in >> No no no 15% employee share. Um so you have because with the fund balance as Dr. White has pointed out the complete um unpredictable and frankly makes us unstable predictions of our financial system right now because we don't know what to count on uh at any level of funding source. Um I don't this is something we can control. So, I don't know that I it's I think

120the conversation for the board is the when do we get to 15% of an employee share, not if. Um, >> but thank you for that recommendation. We can certainly look into the the possibility of an emergency fund and what that would look like. We'll absolutely ask that. >> Thank you. I would I I think that would be great. Um the other question um is there any way to move our annual renewal date to closer to our fiscal year because that is an ear because I mean at at at you know in the state system we ours we my open enrollment happens in June because I nearly almost miss it because I have vacation brain um or May. Uh but but can we so that these predictions are tighter for us? I mean, this is it

121is a long time to say, "Okay, you have to get your budget closed out back in March, but the real amount of insurance is going to happen January 1." Um, and I I can see the the questioning from and I defer to the insurance about the possibility of that, but I know that we do it. I don't know. >> I would think that we would have to change carriers and there it would be their cycle. >> Okay. >> I I would think >> we can certainly ask those questions. I I don't I I don't recall being in conversations about what that would look like. I will tell you just my my one thing that that I appreciate out of this plan is that if we have an issue like we do right now, it's only

122going to hit half of this budget. And I so I have a little bit of time to to do have these kinds of conversations about you know what is it what does our budget need to be for the subsequent year but I but your point is very well taken that there's there's a flip side to that in that we're already into the budget year and now we're we're getting information that is different than what we had. >> Yeah. Well and certainly I take that point. You do a wonderful job of managing the the flows as we have them and I take that point seriously. I'm as I think that we are likely entering a different um funding stability flow in the to the future. Um it may be better to know right up front >>

123about that. Absolutely. >> You know, and and maybe it's for the next time because I know we con we we compete this periodically and maybe it's not a now, maybe it's a later on. >> Um I I swear I'm almost done. Um I would just add on Oh, how long is our open enrollment? So >> weeks So it's tight. So really what we are talking about you'd have six weeks from our not quite from our first meeting, five weeks if you say right to the last day of open enrollment to help people. Okay. So it's tight. Um and then um I I think I was just going to add on to again Miss Watkins point about everybody is talking about this. In my other life, I get a lot of HR news. Um, and uh,

124people are talking about nine and 11% increases this year. And, uh, just for us all to buckle down, they're predicting that for the next three to five years. This isn't changing um, anytime soon, depending on the predictions. I mean, they all change a bit. >> Yes. Have you looked at what the deductibles and >> I'm sorry I didn't mean to throw you off. >> I think it's incorporated in into what we're talking about when we are talking about medical but I will we'll we'll confirm that. >> Okay. >> Curious because that's a big deal right now also. >> Does that go into their deductible? >> That included a part of it's a separate deductible right usually separate. Madam Chair, I skipped one question. I'm sorry. >> That's right. I You're You're fine. Um and I

125hadn't counted six yet either, so go ahead. >> Okay, good. All right. And these are tech No, thank you. I tried to merge one, so I might be down to five. And this is just this this is a clarification question. So when we walked through our examples and one of them was, you know, if we increase deductibles, it's about a million dollars in um reduction. And if we uh increase our premiums, it's about a million dollars in savings. So I'm assuming that means if we did both, it's about two millions in savings. >> That's correct. Over the plan year. So >> over over the plan, right over the plan year. >> So we would we would experience about a million of that in the current budget year. >> Right. And I'm not suggesting doing all

126of that. And want to be clear, I would not support doing that. But as we think into the future of what the the adjustments need to be, we're looking at a substantial amount of money that we're looks like we're going to need. The question is how and how do we do it fairly, >> right? I mean, if we're if we're looking at a a 10% increase in in rates next year, for example, that would that would be probably two plus million dollars of additional cost. So that's some of the thought process in considering some of these ways to offset. >> We may be able to eat some offsets if we the more we take the more we may be able to offset the impact of future years. >> Yes ma'am. >> That's helpful also. Thank

127you and I'm sorry for taking so much long. I appreciate it. Um but it is appreciated because if we have these questions and undoubtedly our staff who's going to be directly impacted by these choices and or the choices that are presented to them also have those questions. So um so so thank you Dr. Jameson um Mr. Cherry. >> Yes. So to that point and that's what I was going to say that uh transparency in with this issue matters and I think the most important thing that we um keep transparency at the forefront because uh we are in the people business right and given the tight deadline that we do have as far as our August uh October meeting um we just want to make sure I think this is the opportunity for us to come

128together and figure out what is the best option for our staff And you know, I know they have questions. I I do have questions. I think I'll say for our workshop discussions. However, uh I just wanted to make sure we all were kind of in that same mindset, which I can hear that um everybody's feeling it. So, at this point, as RCPS, as a division, uh we want to make sure we make the best possible decision um for our staff, uh because cost goes up. And like you said as well, I mean, that was nail on the head. Um $3,000 and $6,000 is a lot of money. Um so we just I just want to make sure if we are well there is no if when when we do we need to just make sure

129we are upfront. So all my questions initially have been answered as far as having people coming in having the conversation with our staff, the one-on ones, and then uh we'll go from there. But just wanted to make sure we keep transparency at the forefront. >> Thank you. Um so um I wanted to mention you know I did note we have a little bit of information about how we compare to say other divisions you know because one thing if we have a high deductible then a low percent meeting the max deductible might just indicate we just have a really high deductible so nobody meets it you know um and so if our deductible goes up to 6,800 for some plan next year we may have only 2% meet their deductible because it's so darn high, you

130know. So, I'd be interested in rather, you know, maybe like what did our how does our deductible amount look? If our deductible is much higher than neighboring divisions, maybe that's why we're not really needing our deductibles as much for the maximums or maybe looking at what the overall dollar amount was represented as opposed to the percent of employees who reached their deductible. maybe what was the dollar amount or some some sort of characterization in that regard instead. Um so that'd be something I'd be kind of interested in knowing about. And um I also appreciated um what Ms. Trey had brought up and um Miss Watkins about how we can help our staff to be informed and when you know I think kind of some of the hallmarks of our division is transparency and communication. So

131we really work on those things all the time and so I appreciate like Miss Canana said that this we ha we have the information to try to make the best decision possible. We are well informed to make decisions um because of the information and the leg work you all do. Um, but I appreciate any ability we can give our staff the agency to be able to help make this decision for themselves because they're, you know, so whether that's a survey, whether that's the one-on-one consultation some way, what, you know, like would they would you switch plans because that would impact, you know, RCPS um, expenditures um, if we change things, would you rather see an increase in deductible or, you know, an increase in your premium or would you like a little bit of each

132or you know so just kind of those global views of our staff. Um but I also appreciate that the board you know we really try to approach this also with empathy understanding that like you say we're in the people business so we want to try to buffer the impact of things that are happening out of our control for our staff. So, um, and and yes, I think we have a lot still to talk about at the workshop to try to hash out what maybe some other creative solutions are to try to help, um, you know, buffer this impact for our staff. >> To that, >> I want us to be thoughtful about what a survey can cause um, a panic in our associates. Um what I understand from what I heard is that most of

133our associates are not going to be impacted substantially and when you send out um a survey and you ask would you rather have a higher deductible or you know or higher premium then you are making everyone feel panicked. So I would just and and this timeline is very very I can appreciate that timeline because we have it we have it well I have it. So that timeline is so tight and I realize how I understand that you guys are focusing on trying to get this right for folks and giving them the the um avenues for individual attention and assessment of their own personal needs. The my opinion is that the focus the time would be well spent on those things versus a global survey asking the same question of people with different circumstances. That's just

134my >> clarify. You're saying the survey would >> cause a panic. >> It would cause a panic with the more so of that 90% when it's that traditional that is seeing that major difference. Right. >> The 91% of folks who are not going to be as heavily impacted the five to I can't remember what you said5 to$26 a month. um still money, don't get me wrong. Right. >> So So are you were you saying that sort of the education, the meet the one-on-one meetings might be more effective? >> That's just my Yeah, that's my experience and my opinion is that y'all don't have time for this survey. My opinion, spend that time getting those folks to understand their own how this going to impact them individually. And madam chair, if I could add, I would

135I would uh second Miss Watkins on this. I I feel like >> this is the business of the board and the leadership. >> Um I've never worked anywhere where I was given a choice on my health care options. >> Correct. >> And I get smacked around by the increases every year myself. Um I I I think people would rather I I know I would as an employee elsewhere like to see what are my choices? How do I make an informed decision? Um, know that they did the best they could. I, you know, we'll we'll try to get there. And I would I think that's um, yeah, I think that's an important >> another thing that you might consider. Um, I know I suggested the the the video and and stuff, but I was thinking also

136too, you might ask our carrier if they have um a simulator tool. Um that's something that um we have is a simulator tool where you they they know your claims experience and they can push it through um and simulate it for you where that could save you on the number of one-on-one meetings that you have us open people's eyes as to oh I really should be on this plane. It's not as scary as I thought it would be based on my claims experience and my family's claims experience. So, an electronic assimulator would help. >> And also too, just like um Miss Watkins stated, a wellness program that they could if they go to their regular meetings, their um appointments yearly and so forth, they get so much dollars that could go and help towards the

137premium as well as something else that's possible. >> We do have that in place and and we have not discussed making changes to that. And I I believe the the basic annual checkup is no cost to the employee for all of our plans. But yes, that we we do have um a a slight reduction to the premium rate for if if folks do that, get that get that checkup every year. So we certainly would intend to keep that in place. >> And like we also have like it also has like certain ones that they're going and I and it's to gear to make sure you got a healthy staff too. So if they're going to get the regular check like what I um >> all the preventive >> all the preventative care pretty much and

138they we get so many dollars back even if they walk um daily and it tracks it. It'll give like $10 or something like that. I mean it's just little things that could add up and it also is the benefit to keep your staff healthy. >> Um >> sorry about that too. >> No. Um so we wanted to thank you all for this a lot of this information and um we knew this was going to be a substantive conversation and we do have we do plan I think the current plan is for us to discuss this you know more with some of this feedback at our next meeting which is not just a workshop but it's a special it will be a special meeting so there is the potential for votes at that time and just

139on a final note too I did also appreciate the idea that instead of passive enrollment this time that you know something that was considered was active enrollment. So you know in lie of something like a survey that's helping to ensure that our employees are having that agency um with those decisions. So um and and yes I know there will probably be a lot of further conversations information gathering and sharing ahead of um our next one which is um September 23rd. >> Um so >> that's a point of clarification. >> Yes. question was brought up about the prescription drugs and that's on slide three. So if if there's something else you need in addition so we can make sure we have the information for you at the board um workshop, please let us know. >> Um

140sure. Thank you very much. >> Great. Thank you Mrs. Jackson, Mr. McKe uh and to your teams as well uh for for gathering all of that information and bringing it forward. And thank you to the school board for engaging in the thoughtful discussion. At last, I would also like to ask Mrs. Jackson to come on back. Uh she's going to >> she got to switch. She got to switch >> switch notebooks. Coming back >> for the annual report on procurement transactions with locallyowned businesses and businesses owned by women and minorities. So, Mrs. Jackson, back to you. >> Thank you very much. Um good evening again. So, um, we do have schoolboard policy, uh, encouraging us to, uh, make every effort we can to work with locally owned, womenowned, and minority owned businesses. And as a

141part of that effort, twice a year, we bring you an update on kind of where we are. And this is our year-end report of how we did um, over the last fiscal year. So, we typically look at this information in kind of three buckets. So the first section is is what did we spend? Um and we break that down between capital and operational and what you have here compares the the most recently ended year with the prior year. Um uh so you do see a little bit of a year-over-year decrease in our spending with locally owned businesses and capital. The vast majority of our our work for capital tends to be with locally owned businesses just because of the nature of that work. Um, we do have a a sizable year-over-year increase that you can

142see there with womenowned businesses. Um, because one of our major vendors, our transportation vendor, is a women-owned business. So, um, that impacted that number quite a bit in a in a favorable way. Um, overall, our purchasing dollars were uh 2% higher than the prior year, but we saw a considerably larger uh increase than that in our work with locally owned, womenowned, and minority owned businesses. So, that certainly is favorable. And so, um, moving forward, as I mentioned, sort of looking percentage-wise at at how we spent our money last year, um, as I said, the majority of our capital spending tends to be with locallyowned businesses. So, um, not surprising to see 72% um, of our spending there was with, uh, for capital projects was with locallyowned. Um, we did have a a little bit of

143a year-over-year decrease. We've completed some projects as you know of of Daytech and uh some of the work here and that sort of thing. Um so that's just what reflected the a slight decrease there. Um but overall spending with locally owned, womenowned and minority owned businesses represent 36.6% of all spending on goods and services in this most recently ended year. And that's a 45% increase over the the portion of spending with locally owned, womenowned, and minority owned uh businesses in the prior year. So certainly uh moving in a good direction in terms of kind of all of our spending, how much of that was with a locally owned, womenowned, or minority owned business. Um and lastly, we like to look at just the number of vendors we work with. Um and and that can fluctuate

144from year to year depending on on what we're doing, the type of work that we need. Um that that certainly can impact those numbers. But um I I was happy to see that we sort of continued to move in a positive direction. Um we worked with uh 28 more businesses that identify as womenowned, minority owned, or locally owned um in 2025 than we did in 2024. And um that caused me to kind of wonder, you know, I feel like I say this to you a lot that oh, we're kind of steadily going up, but so so I went back and looked the last handful of years just to see. So that's that little chart in the corner of of what these numbers have done um have been over the last few years. So, you know,

145not surprising that we had some decreases in pretty much everything in 2020 and 2020 21 with the pandemic, but but we have had a pretty steady um increase or at least holding steady as we saw in 23 and 24 um in the number of businesses that we work with that are womenowned, minority owned and and locally owned. So, so certainly we feel good about that and some of our efforts to maintain and increase those numbers are are certainly we participate in efforts that our our chamber does and we do our own outreach efforts to try and connect and um network with businesses and also provide a little education. You know, working with government entities is is a little bit complicated. Um, and there are uh the the Virginia Public Procurement Act has pretty specific rules

146about how we can make purchasing decisions in a lot of cases and and some of these vendors are are likely smaller vendors that might not be familiar with that. So, we always um make a point of of trying to just outreach and connect with those businesses and our our hosted we go we participate in things that other entities do, but we always host an event ourselves. Um, and that event will is for this year is scheduled to be October 14th from 10 am noon. And we're going to have it at the Community Empowerment Center this year. So, we're excited about showcasing that site um and inviting vendors to come and meet with us and meet with representatives of our different departments um to learn about our needs, to tell us about what they their services

147um and and make that connection. So, so all pretty good things there. So, that's what we have for you. Um, but I'm happy to take questions or comments. >> Does the board have any questions or comments from Miss Jackson at this time? >> No, ma'am. >> All right. And then Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Mrs. Jackson. And Madam Chair, that concludes my report. >> Thank you very much, Dr. White. Um, Miss Jackson. >> Uh, give her some time to switch for the financial forecast. Yeah, Miss Jackson, when she's ready, we'll come on back. >> All right, we're good to go. >> Thank you. >> And some of you may notice also a different title this evening on the agenda, and I'm sure Miss Jackson will get to that. >> Yes. So, this is the

148first report of the new fiscal year. So, we just have one month reporting. So, this is our report of our revenue and expenditures through the month of July. Um and um as as you'll note as we go through it's it'll look a little bit different um than what you're used to because of course we're we have some changing uh processes that we're still um working through with the city and you know what fund balance will be if any um available to us and and so so for for a lot of years this report has kind of focused on that. What did we budget to use out of fund balance? What's left? That kind of thing. But uh because of those changes um at the recommendation of our chair, we've we've added a focus on our

149appropriated amount, what was appropriated for us to spend. Where are we with that? Um because that's certainly an important focus to make sure we're staying within that appropriated amount. So, so you'll see some things that are familiar and some things that are changed. And I I will say I I certainly because we don't change how we report things like this very often, um you know, as you receive this information and as you think through it, if you um have recommendations for ways we should tweak this to make it more useful to you, I'm certainly open to that. So, at any time, please don't hesitate to share. Um so, with that, we'll we'll move in to looking at where we are um on the revenue side for our general fund. This is reported as you're used

150to seeing it. we compare against a three-year average of actual experience um and and see how how did our experience in the current year compare to that and use that as our projection method. So um very close to budget uh based on our experience through um July would forecast to be just about 80 $80,000 below budget um when we compare against that three-year average. So certainly very close. Um on the expenditure side, we are um below that forecasted amount when we compare against that three-year average by about 3.2 million. So um not uncommon to have lower expenses in the first month of the year. Um so that's where we are on the expenditure side. Um our general fund appropriation for the current budget year was $275 million. So based on our experience thus far when

151we used that three-year average, we would project um if our experience in the next 11 months mirrored the experience we had in that first year, that first month that we would only use about 269 million um of that appropriated amount. So So that is just an estimate. um obviously a lot more um a lot more experience to uh to to go but um just based on that first month's experience um that's what that forecast would look like. Um I'm going to jump into food service now. Um based on our experience through July, revenues are forecast to basically equal budget. Um very close to budget. On the food services side on the expenditure side, pretty much close to budget about about $20,000 um below budget based on our experience um through through July. And of course

152that's a July is a very low experience month with um just just summer programs ending and that sort of thing. Um, so our appropriated amount in our food services fund was $13.5 million. So based on our uh experience in July, if all of our remaining 11 months tracked exactly in that manner, um, we would only use about 13.1 million of that appropriated amount. um based on experience thus far. I did also uh leave the information about fund balance for our food services fund in here because that is um a a separate enterprise fund that's federal dollars. So we are actually required to have some portion of fund balance in that fund. So I did uh leave that we had budgeted to use about $730,000 out of fund balance for our food service programs. Um, and

153so were we to end the year based on uh the same tracking the same uh experience as we had in our first month, um we would only use about uh 710,000 of that. So still pretty close to what we budgeted on that side. Um and lastly want to include our capital fund. So we were appropriated 17.87 million in that fund um for specified projects. our experience. Of course, 2425 is not completely closed yet. We're in our audit process now, but as of uh September 2nd, we had spent 9.79 million of that in the 2425 year. Um we don't have expenses thus far in the current year that they'll be coming soon because of course we have ongoing projects um chiefly Preston Park that are are underway and and you know pretty much all capital projects

154often tend to be multi-year because of the the size and nature. So at this moment um just over 8 million of that is is currently it's designated for projects but not yet spent. So that is what I have for you as of July, but I'm happy to take questions or comments or recommendations for how we are presenting this a little differently. >> Sure. And before we get to comments for the board, I just want to be cognizant of time for our student reps for their very first meeting because we're getting real close to nine o'clock pumpkin time. Um so um so if they need to feel you know if go ahead and get up and leave you guys are welcome to do that any time. So um but um because I'm not sure how long

155our discussion here will continue. So um and um and Mr. um sorry Mr. Wade or um or Mr. Lopez Ortiz. Do either of you have any questions for Miss Jackson about the the um fund bal the financial forecast or fund balance before you know before you pack stuff up? Just want to give you the chance. >> So I have no questions but it was a great presentation, very informative and it was easy to tag along. So thank you Miss Jackson. >> Thank you. >> The high is >> Yes. Mr. Wade, any any questions or comments for you? >> No, I don't have no comments, but I did enjoy the Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. So, since benefits, we started that and we'll start down here. Miss Kintana, any questions or comments for Miss

156Jackson? >> No, just like always, thank you because we you hit it back to back to back today. >> Yes. >> And you did it, girl. So, good job. Thank you. >> Yes, Mr. Link. >> No, ma'am. Thank you so much, >> Dr. Jameson. Six or less. >> I I have only one quick clarification. Just reminding me. Yes, I will. Six or less. I like that. Maybe you'll get 10 10 a meeting. You just got to use them sparingly. >> They're going to be very detailed questions. Um >> the 8 uh8 million. Did we reappropriate that for this year? I know we I had to get the bulk appropriated in last year. Did I I'm just trying to remember. >> We have not yet done that. We will do that. Um just want to make

157sure that we're reappropriating the right amount to make sure we've paid the bills related to last year. And then um the the unspent portion we will we will certainly do that. >> Thank you. >> Yes. >> Ask your question. So the 8.8 that's >> I was very succinct. >> Yes. So that's for we don't we already were appropriated the 17. >> That was last fiscal year last year. So just >> but we have to reappropriate whatever's left. >> Yeah. Based on the recommendations that we've gotten. We feel like we probably do need to do that every year to just request a formal reappropriation of the portion that was not spent in that particular fiscal year. >> Okay. And we had discussed that a little bit on the sides that annually we're going to request the

158reappropriation for what didn't end up getting spent, which is very typical for capital projects especially because they can they can have delays. >> Yeah. for our students. And this is probably weird language. All of our money um is comes from other sources because schools don't have taxation. We don't create revenue. So when we ask we get a certain budget from all our funds, but then we have to ask council to appropriate that money before we spend it. So we know we have it, but council basically has to say, "Okay, we know you have it. We know how you're going to use it." and we and we hear heard from them. So when we say appropriated, it just means it goes back through council and they say yes, okay, spend that money. >> Yeah. A money

159permission slip pretty much. Yeah. >> Um Okay. Thank you, Dr. Jameson. Um Miss Trigg, >> um I don't have any comments. >> Thank you, >> Miss Watkins. >> Mr. Cherry, >> thank you. Um, and you answered uh one of my questions which was about food services um that we get to keep we you know the fund balance for that particular pot of of monies there. Um I did appreciate that we get to see how much our how much of our appropriation for the year we have spent down but I know I was the one who asked if maybe we could incorporate that since we're moving away from the fund balance each year. Um I did note so we're 3.2 2 below expenditures so far. Um so on the slide with like projected expenses um wasn't

160it about 272 and that's why it's reflected only 269 um of where we are >> right yes >> like a couple slides back >> and I mean I will caution that that's that's projecting an entire year based on one month of experience so we'll we'll take that with a grain of salt but yes that that is where we would be if the remaining remainder of our year tracked according to what we experienced in the first month. So yes, >> but um but I do appreciate that because that will also be important as we get to the tail end of our fiscal year when we're talking about what monies have been unspent but appropriated and making good sound decisions on what to do at that time knowing that you know um as we talked about how

161we adjust with our rainy day fund and how that has changed from last from previous fiscal years to now. Um, that's it for me. So, thank you very much, Miss Jackson. >> Okay. And then we've got Miss Jackson again, I think. Um, let's look at the financial statements. Miss Jackson, is there anything unusual to report this month? >> No, ma'am. So, the financial statements, of course, are just a little bit more detailed and summarized in what we just shared. Um, but I I certainly am happy to take any questions or comments, but I don't have anything to additional to point out at this time. >> Any questions or comments? Oh, ma'am. >> All right. Thank you, Miss Jackson. The statements will be received and filed. >> Thank you. >> Okay. On to committee reports and

162ongoing business. Um, are there does anyone have reports to share? Um, on this side, have anyone had any committee meetings yet? >> And we've already been pretty well informed with PG&L. Yes. The only thing I would share uh our committee with the school board city council task force is that we do have a meeting set for September 29th at 2 p.m. in Zoom. >> Thank you, Dr. Jameson. Mr. Cherry, >> uh shameless plug, community engagement. Awesome ribbon cutting last Friday. >> So, super proud of the work that we are doing. Um we are shifting from it's happening to it's happened. So, I'm excited. Very excited. >> Wonderful. All right. Moving on um to the Virginia School Boards Association Code of Conduct. On December 1st um 2000, the Virginia School Board Association or VSBA board of

163directors voted unanimously to adopt a model code of ethics for school board members. Annually, the VSBA board of directors requests that school boards across Virginia adopt the model code at a public meeting of the school board. So, the Rono City School Board will read and adopt those those code of ethics at this time. So, we will start VSBA code of conduct for schoolboard members. As a member of my local school board, I will strive to be an advocate for students and to improve public education. And to that end, >> I will have integrity in all matters and support the full development of all children and the welfare of the community, Commonwealth, and nation. I will attend scheduled board meetings. My local school board, I will strive to be an advocate for students and to improve

164public education. And to that end, I will come to board meetings informed concerning the issues under consideration. I will make policy decisions based on the available facts and appropriate public input. >> I will delegate authority for the administration of the schools to the superintendent and establish a process for accountability of administrators. I will encourage individual board member expression of opinion and establish an open two-way communication process with all segments of the community. I will communicate in accordance with board policies, public reaction and opinion regarding board policies and school programs to the full board and superintendent. And I will bring about desired change through legal and ethical procedures upholding and enforcing all laws, state regulations, and court orders pertaining to schools. >> As a member of my local school board, I will strive to be an

165advocate for students and to improve public education. And to that end, I will refrain from using the board position for personal or partisan gain and avoid any conflict of interest or the appearance of impropriety. I will respect the confidentiality of privileged information and make no individual decisions or commitments that might compromise the board or administration. I will be informed about current educational issues through individual study and participation in appropriate programs such as those sponsored by my state and national school boards associations. I will always remember that the foremost concern of the board is to improve and enhance the teaching and learning experience for all students in the public schools of Virginia. Therefore, we will all we all will always strive to demonstrate appropriate behavior and conduct as public school board members. So, is there a

166motion and a second to approve the VSBA code of ethics for school board members as presented? >> So, move. >> Second. >> Moved by Miss Kintana, seconded by Miss Watkins. Oh, was that Miss Trigg um seconded by Miss Trigg. Is there any discussion? >> Hearing none. All those in favor say I. Those opposed say no. I >> I >> and the motion carries and we have adopted the code of ethics from BSBA. Um moving on to ongoing business. Is there any ongoing business or reports to share at this time? >> I would share one quick thing and that is simply and uh thanks to Claire. Um we have once again been approved with selected to present at BSBA this year and so thank you Claire for helping us with that submission. Um uh I don't

167know exactly how many of us are presenting but we have been accepted and thank you for all your hard work and it'll be fantastic. Yeah, >> thank you for sharing that Dr. Jameson. Um moving on to future business and reminders. Um, as you can see, there's several reminders for upcoming events. And we did discuss this at the workshop and um that also reminds me board members, you have um in your blue folders the updated handbook and some other information that goes with work of the board to try to keep us all on the same page. Especially, you know, maybe if you um weren't particularly at the meeting, our workshops when we're doing work of the board, weren't here for the discussions or things like that. We'll kind of um there's some information in there for

168all of us as we go through the year. Um so one of the things we had discussed was about board participation and visibility and community and other events and expectations for um attendance. So the mayor's cup is coming up September 19th. Um I know that is a I love going to that and taking especially my son, but I am going to be out of town this year. So, I did I was curious, are there any board members who are going to be in attendance this year to the mayor's cup? I hate missing it. >> Wonderful. >> Excellent. >> Nice. >> And then we have a school board. >> I will be out of town. >> Uh we have a school board workshop. Um that is actually a special meeting and workshop. Um so that'll be

169a voting meeting and um and live streamed. So on the 23rd, are there any board members who are aware they may not be there on the 23rd? Okay, we've got one. We'll keep that in mind, Miss Tresky. Um, we have our fall joint city council and um and school board meeting on October 6th at the community empowerment center. Do we have um any board members who are anticipating not being in attendance? Okay. Um, great. But otherwise, looks like we're good on quorum. And then our fall retreat is October 7th in the evening and October 8th during the day. Again, we really encourage all of our board members to be in person for those those times. That's really a good um time for us to get work done as a board. How are we doing on

170attendance for those um as um everyone going to be able to be in attendance? And we're looking at um how we can do some virtual options potentially especially for the long day on. >> Got it. Okay. So, we're working on the logistics of all that. So, we'll make sure to communicate with Miss Tresky. Great. And then we have other board meetings there. you see our teacher of the year coming up in November. This goes the dates all the way up to winter break. So, we'll go through um so those are are public there for future events. Okay. And moving on, we do have a closed meeting tonight. Um before we get to the motion for the closed meeting, there will not be any further business taking place after the closed meeting. Yes. >> Real quick

171for the student representatives because it's time for them to go ahead and exit. um for the Mayor's Cup game that'll be at Patrick Henry versus William Fleming. We usually have a tent. So, make sure you all find us if you want to come down with us. >> Game Friday. That's what she said. >> Do Do student representatives get a VSBA like board card to get into stuff? >> They haven't. I don't know if they should. They >> No. >> You know. Okay. Okay. >> Got it. >> Um All right. Thank you. So, student representatives, thank you for your very first meeting of the year. >> Nice having you. All right. So, >> for our closed meeting, do Oh, yes. >> And before um they leave, they can go upstairs and get their bags. Don't leave

172before going up and getting your bags >> and tu representatives will be on the list. >> Kim will love you for it. >> On the list. >> Our student representatives will be on the list uh for the game. >> Okay. >> Wonderful. So, do we have a motion for the closed meeting? >> I move that the board convene in a closed meeting pursuant to section 2.2-3711A88 of the code of Virginia for consultation with legal counsel employed or retained by the public body regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel. >> Second. >> Is there a second for the closed meeting? Yeah. Do a roll call. >> Oh, it's a roll call. >> Yes. Yes. Go ahead. >> Um, so is there any discussion? So, Miss Tresy, please call the role.

173>> Mr. Cherry, >> yes. >> Mr. Link, >> present. >> Oh, yes. >> I made the motion. Of course, I agree with it. >> Dr. Jameson, >> yes. >> Miss Quintana, >> yes. >> Miss Trey, >> yes. Mrs. Watkins. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Aal. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> All right. Sorry. >> Beautiful. Thank you, Mr. >> Watkins. I did not hear you over there. >> That's okay.