001Hey, good evening everyone. It's time for the May 2026 Board of Education meeting. At this time, I'll ask that uh Mr. Moore do the roll call. Before I do that, I'll read our vision and our mission. >> Okay. >> Our vision, the Jacksonville Northwest School District will be a model, be the model district where every learner is valued and empowered to become a successful contributing member of society. Our mission is to foster a culture of ownership and accountability through partnerships that create multiple pathways for success. With that, I'll ask Mr. Moore to do the roll call. >> Carl Smith, >> present. >> Daniel Gray >> here. >> Ava Coleman >> here. >> Joe Moore here. >> Ron McDaniel >> present. >> Dana Tony >> here. >> Lauren Martin >> here. >> And Lauren Walker >>
002here. >> Paul. >> All right. This time I'll ask everyone to stand for a moment of silence. And uh Mr. Gray is going to do the pledge of allegiance after. Join me in the pledge. >> I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation for all. Okay, we have first thing on the agenda here is a special presentation uh by Starbase and I'll turn it over to Dr. OA. Thank you, Mr. McDaniel. Good evening, everyone. The Jacksonville North Palaski School District is proud to partner with the Little Rock Air Force Base to reopen Starbase, a collaboration that strengthens opportunities for our scholars, schools, and communities. as well as for our students across the the state of Arkansas. As part of our national network, this
003Department of Defense outreach program is located at over 80 sites across more than 40 states and specifically designed to serve fifth grade scholars through hands-on STEM experiences that build critical thinking, innovation, and career awareness. The DoD starbased program provides exemplary instruction, excuse me, in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, preparing scholars for future success. We are grateful here at Jacksonville for the opportunity to reopen and operate this impactful, meaningful program. And we're honored to partner with Colonel Katrina Smith, the 19th Mission Support Group Commander, and the Little Rock Air Force Base here in Jacksonville, Arkansas in its management. Colonel Smith. Thank you, Dr. OA. It's an honor to be here alongside our outstanding educators, community leaders, and families. I'd like to start with a thank you to the Jacksonville North Koski School District, the Starbase, Arkansas
004staff, and our 19th Contracting Squadron for their efforts to make this event possible. We're gathered here for a milestone event. With the signing of this memorandum of agreement, we're officially formalizing a partnership that represents one of our most vital investments in the future, the return of Starbase, Arkansas. At Little Rock Air Force Base, we strive to be outfront and drive excellence while doing so. We know that to truly embody these principles, we must extend beyond the flight line and into the community that that supports us. As many of you as many of you know, this incredible program once thrived here. Today, we recognize a promise kept to bring Starbase back to Arkansas with a renewed sense of pride and an unwavering investment in the future. We recognize the boundless energies, the boundless possibilities that STEM
005initiatives grant our youth. Together, we are committed to unlocking those doors. The Department of War Starbase program is driven by a powerful mission to expose our nation's youth to technological environments and positive civilian and military role models found on active guard and reserve military installations. Nurture a winning network of collaborators and build mutual loyalty within our communities by providing exemplary hands-on instruction and activities that meet or exceed our national standards. This memorandum of agreement is a testament to the profound partnership between the 19th Airlift Wing and the Jacksonville North Palaskki School District. This agreement signifies our pledge to offer elevated opportunities to our scholars. And together we will work to inspire the brilliant minds who will design tomorrow's technologies, lead our communities, and perhaps one day choose to wear the uniform and join us in
006strengthening, protecting, and defending our country. Thank you again to the Jacksonville North Pilaski School District for your steadfast collaboration in making this vision a reality. Once again, >> thank you, Colonel Smith. And will you join me at the table so we can make this official? Now I'm going to join the board to unveil the new logo. Count of three. One, two, three. To conclude uh this great uh moment, I definitely want to recognize Dr. Janice Walker, our assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. She has been our liaison with the Lorac Air Force Base and made sure that it happened along with Mrs. Terry Williams. And so, Dr. Walker, thank you for your leadership on this project. Very important project for our scholars. So, thank you. >> Okay, we are up to our next special presentation
007and that is the fine arts department or organization. Yes, sir. Mr. McDaniel, Mr. Moore, and our scholars are coming at this time. >> All right. Good afternoon to the board, our superintendent of schools, our assistant superintendent. My name is Ro, director of advance at Jacksonville High School, and we kind of want to do a state-of-the-art of the fine arts uh department at Jacksonville High School. So, we have here on this opening screen our city, our voice, our future because it's all about the students. It's all about our city. is all about their voice and their future. And so, we're going to do a recap of what we did this past week on our art gallery. We had our art gallery uh Thursday, April 30th. And so, these are the students who will be presenting and
008they'll introduce themselves in just a second. Each one of them have a segment here. Um, but here's some of the art display that I was able to capture uh from last Thursday's art show. And some of the focal points I want to just read off a few notes. We don't have anyone from the art department here today, but I want to speak on their behalf. Some of the program focuses are student exploration in drawing, painting, mixed media, and creative expression. Uh also uh we had a showcase where we uh feature student work highlighting identity, culture, and community perspectives. And some of the program impacts are it encourages creativity and self-expression for our scholars. It builds confidence and critical thinking skills as well as provides students with a platform uh to be seen and to be
009heard. And so they did an extraordinary job and we'll probably share uh more on our social media platforms from this past Thursday's art gallery. We have incredibly uh talented students in the art arts uh art department, visual arts department. Uh it may be a little hard to see that from where you are, but I'll kind of just real quick read and then we're going to have our first student come up and kind of speak from their experiences. Well, we want to talk about some of the program growth in our uh music department. Uh so, we began the year in band with 104 students on our roster, which is the most that I've seen since I've been the band director in four years, and we continued an upward trend in participation and retention. Uh some of
010the program achievements or performance achievements this year, our band received excellent ratings in both marching band assessment in October of 25 as well as concert band assessment. We uh received an excellent division in March of 26. So, we're real proud of our scholars for that. Our choir has really been on the rise over the last two years since Miss Butler has taken the helm of that uh department and program. Uh the Arkansas Coral State Festival, they received uh both they've received excellent ratings in both concert choir and treble choir. So, in all the assessments this year, both choir and band have received excellent ratings. So, uh we want to acknowledge them for that. some of our student honors. I'm going have one of our students come up in just a second to speak on his
011experiences. We've had six students selected uh for our all region honor band and one student earned backtoback all state honors and he's received several offers from local universities including the University of Arkansas all in the span of about three weeks. Uh and so we're real proud. So, I'm going to have our first student. Our first student is Quinton Whitaker. Hey, my name is Quinton Whitaker. Um, my time in the band, honestly, it's an unforgettable experience. I loved everything about it. I honestly thought that, you know, I wasn't going to be as welcome as I was. But because of band, I was able to come out of my shell and be more open with myself, become more of like my own person. And where I like where I first started in terms of band, I wasn't
012as serious about it. I didn't care as much about it. But because of Mr. more leading and also just the support from my peers and everything. I got the conf I got the confidence I needed to get better. I got the motivation I needed to get better and eventually I made all state back to back uh my junior and senior year and I also got the different scholarship offers that you mentioned previously. And honestly, I'm really happy about that. If without their support, I would not be where I am now. So that's all I have. >> What instrument do you play? >> Which instrument do you play? >> Uh I play the tuba. I was moved to tuba freshman year. At first I was on the baritone. That was not a good fit for me.
013I'm glad I got on. Um but yeah, no, I got moved to tuba. Best decision I ever made. and like when I was in the van. So, >> all right. Thank you. >> Incredible student. Incredible student. Uh speaking on those scholarships, so uh life-changing opportunities through fine arts has provided scholarship success where eight students have awarded have been awarded full scholarships. So, tuition, rooming board, meals, books, zero out-of- pocket cost for families. They will be doing their official senior night signing this Thursday uh at our spring concert at Jacksonville High School at 6 PM. And so we're really excited about that. So I think that's great. No debt. They're going to be great after four years. So let's give him a round of applause. Um let's go ahead and move on to our so those
014are some actually I want to mention uh he talked about the support in the community. So our fine arts is creating pathways to college. Why this matters? Okay. a direct impact on students futures and financial relief for families and evidence of program excellence and student preparation. And one thing that we're excited about is we've been able to get more community engagement from our parents. So every Friday for home games we have what's called electrifying game day experience where we have a tailgate for the band and we have parents come out students and their siblings have bounce houses and all these different games set up music playing and the parents did a great job of setting the spread and the feast so the kids could eat really good before the game. So I thought that was
015a great creative way to get parental engagement and so we'll continue that trend as well. Uh these are some of the photos from our recent Jazz and Titan Awards gallery which is kind of like the SBS the Grammys. Uh, and so we kind of treat it as a red carpet, uh, a red carpet event. So they come out in their red and black and all their accents and look real good. And now we want to go to uh, the last segment. We've in we've introduced a new aspect of our fine arts, which which is digital media. And so what we do is we cover we cover athletic events and game day storytelling, documentation of school assemblies and major events, production of Titan TV, which is a studentled broadcast platform. So, we're going to have one
016of our media team members. His name is Wesley Jacobs. He's also a part of theater. He's going to come and speak to a little bit about what they do uh for the media team. We call ourselves that the media team is titled uh Real Vision Media Entertainment, but it's the high school's media team. So, here we got Wesley Jacobs. >> All right. Hello everyone. I'm Wesley Jacobs. I'm a junior at Jacksonville High School. And I just want to say the media team has really excelled me this year and helped build confidence in my speaking ability and really given me opportunities to show um my voice and really try to help build a culture at our school. So, a few things I want to touch on is how the media team helped hone some of our
017skills to really create content and show how we can better develop our videography and photography skills at Jacksonville, which really hasn't been seen before. And this year, I think that really took off. So, I want to highlight how it's helped me. Uh after joining the media team, I really got practice with being on camera, scripting, really working as a team as well. And it helped me to build my own personal brand with social media. And right now I have like 10K on Caban uh social media platforms and it's allowed me to get paid brand deals and make money while in school. So that's a great opportunity. Thank you. >> Yeah, that's that's very key because we we try we know that where do the kids live? They live on social media. So, how do you
018capitalize on it? You take your skill sets to social media and he's sponsoring certain brands and things like that. Certain brands are sponsoring him. He's getting a chance to really uh market that and make money. And so, I think that's good. Uh he's been employed in a good way. And so, I like that. Uh future Titan TV segments that we have is fashion and student identity, self-care and wellness awareness, uh soft skills and leadership development, culture building stories across campus. Uh and so I want to show you a quick clip of Wesley and Dalon on one of our features which is our tight TV fashion. We've got style, we've got confidence, and we've got some bold looks ready to hit the runway. >> So, sit back, relax, grab your snacks, and get ready to rip
019the runway with Titan style. All right. >> So, this gives us an opportunity to teach students how to be creative but in an appropriate manner with their clothing and their style because they have a voice through fashion. So, this gives us an opportunity to kind of help on in shape um proper attire. >> And so, that's just a quick little teaser there. We didn't want to go too long. All right. Uh, Mr. McGini, I don't know where we are. Sorry. Oh, yeah. My take out here. >> Okay. So, that's Titan TV. So, it's really good. You can follow our YouTube channel, uh, Jacksonville High Type Media. All right. So, next we're going to have Suru. Bless you. And then we're going to do, uh, we're going to do Den Connor. So, Su is coming. My
020name is Suru and I'm a sophomore at Jacksonville High. And I believe our media team provides students with a voice. We use broadcasting as a way to educate scholars in a light and fun way. Whether that's using skits, games, or informational snippets, we build a sense of school culture that wasn't originally there. Uh my being in media has allowed me to be able to use my voice and really like broadcast how I feel about our school. I believe we have the potential to be a leading school in creativity and academics and I expect these things and we use media as a tool to produce these expectations. And then I also want to highlight how media has influenced me. So like I'm very interested in public speaking, advocacy and journalism. And I has I have used
021media as a way to actually apply to this summer program in Washington, Virginia for a journalism media conference. And I believe that media is really paving the way for how our students express themselves and how we see our school. Thank you. Hello, my name is Dalen Condr. I'm a junior and if you don't know, I am the student director of Real Vision Media Entertainment and I'm also a photographer. And right here you can see some of my work. Me and Mr. Mort took a trip last year while I was 16. And I got to shoot the top athletes in Arkansas. And I even got to meet the fastest man in the world right now, Jordan Anthony. And through this trip itself, I didn't just get to share my creative eye in terms of photography and
022videography. It also just inspired me to really take track seriously because I'm also a track athlete. So with this trip, you know, some of that greatness just kind of rubbed off on me. And the following summer, I actually joined a camp at the same college, UFA. I got to practice with the top athletes in the world. I got to I got to learn so much. And now in the following year, I'm doing so many great things, breaking school records. And yeah, I just want to say if I would have never joined the media team, I honestly don't know where I'd be in life. So that just goes to show you what type of program that we run here. >> Yeah. >> Thank you all very much. That's the report for our objective high school fine
023arts department. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Okay, we're up to uh public comment. And do I have anyone We'll get them passed out before we uh get going here. Before I uh get the speaker up, I'll read this little statement. Uh we are now open to the the floor. We will now open the floor for public comments. This is a designated Thank you. This is a designated time for community lead members to share their thoughts on matters before the board. We welcome and appreciate your input and ask that you speak respectfully and professionally. Please refrain from making statements about individual students or district staff members as the board only considers such matters upon recommendation from the superintendent. Your comments will be recorded in the official minutes. While we value your perspectives, please note that
024the opinions shared during public comment do not necessarily reflect the views of the board. Has everyone gotten their handout? Okay. At this time, Miss Teresa Cook, would you come up? >> Good evening. The Parent Action Coalition would like to briefly place the following on record. At the April board meeting, we asked a straightforward question. What is the clearly defined operational system that this board believes produces student success and where is that system documented so parents can understand how it works? Superintendent OA provided a written response which we appreciate and actually I want to thank you very much Dr. OA for answering the question. Even though it was directed to the board, I'm glad that at least that it was answered. To ensure accuracy and efficiency, we had that response independently evaluated. The evaluation is included
025in the documents that we submitted tonight. We are presenting We are also presenting the top five strategies for assuring student safety in local public school districts. A parent centered framework designed to help families understand the measurable indicators that support student safety and success. This framework will be available on the JNPSD PAC website for free in PDF form or hard hard copy form on Amazon. This ensures that every parent in the district can access it. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Okay, we are up now to legal update. Mr. Richardson, is he available? >> You have a legal update for us, Mr. Richardson? >> Not much tonight. I believe we have a personnel hearing tonight and another matter that we may discuss in executive session later on. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >>
026Okay. We're up now to district reports. Dr. O. >> Good evening again. I just wanted uh to first off uh to share a um appreciation to our teachers. Today starts our teacher appreciation week and the hard work that you see with Mr. Moore and our other uh teachers from prek all the way to 12th grade wanted to say thank you to them and for their hard work and dedication to our scholars and our district. Uh, and I want to show appreciation to our community because our community partners have definitely stepped up this week. Um, starting today with showing our teachers and support staff how much they appreciate them. So, want u and that's at the prek all the way to the high school that we've had community partners to show that appreciation and and it
027will take place all next week. I mean all this week. Uh, also wanted to say how much I appreciate uh, our special education department under Miss Christy Darington. Thought she was right there. Uh, her leadership with the Special Olympics region five that took place. Great turnout uh, and and very organized. Um, in fact, uh, the the leaders of the organization uh, playfully uh, suggested that they should have uh, the event here moving forward. So, I don't know if Mrs. Darington wants to take that on, but she did a great job leading the effort on behalf of the district. So, I wanted to shout her out, but as well as her staff and the entire district that pitched in. We had several board members there, a lot of community leaders there uh from the Little Rock
028Air Force Base as well. So, definitely appreciate the community uh supporting those young people. It it definitely was a meaningful and impactful day to see our young people that sometimes society uh discount uh to see them shine in their element and to see our other students support them in the action uh encouraging them from the side, taking them from one event to the next. And so uh we had a really great day in the district on on that day. Um, uh, we had board members even cooking, some running the, uh, heat. Uh, Mr. Gray was even back there. I don't know how Mrs. Walker or Mr. Walker convinced him to flip burgers, but he was out there. So, um, but appreciate all the board members who were there, uh, for that day. Also, uh, lastly,
029uh, wanted, well, not lastly, uh, as you can see, we're renovating the boardroom. So, I wanted to, uh, say a special thank you to Mr. Lester and his team, Mr. Stalaker, Mr. McGinty, uh, and, uh, Mr. Martin, our technology and maintenance teams for getting us started. So, this is the first phase and, uh, they really wanted to, uh, make a good impression for this main meeting. And so, uh, they have most of it done, but, uh, thank you to our team for leading this effort. So, we have a permanent location. And lastly, uh very importantly, uh we've had this year some very traumatic uh incidents with our scholars and staff members. And um two of our staff members stepped up to the uh challenge or stepped up to the plate and and went above and
030beyond. We had one uh staff member in March during a OT session um a student started choking on the snack and she quickly administered the Hamlet uh maneuver several times and cleared the scholar's airway and because of that that scholar is still here today. So we want to recognize Mrs. Britney Smith with the superintendent Congratulations. And then um we had a very traumatic uh incident in this building. Um uh one of our coordinators, Mr. Vincent was on the phone with his wife and during the call uh he went silent and uh and so his wife immediately called uh this staff member and this staff member dropped what she was doing and went to go locate Mr. Vincent and found him almost unresponsive on the floor and because of that he's still with us today. So
031Dr. Amanda Bard, we wanted to s uh present to you the superintendent citation for this month as well. Appreciate you. >> Thank you. Mr. McDaniel, that concludes the superintendence report. >> Okay. Do we have any PPC reports? >> Okay. Okay. We're up to the consent agenda. Does everyone have a chance to look over the uh consent agenda? Do you have any corrections or >> move to approve the consent agenda? >> Second. >> Got a motion and a second. All in favor? signify by saying I I >> All right. Consent agenda passes unanimously. Okay. Policy review. Administrative leave suspension without pay. Dr. Ola. Yes. A few months ago, um the board tasked uh the district team to put together a policy proposal uh that will address administrative leave both paid and unpaid and then suspension without
032pay. So this policy is this policy proposal is before you just for uh review. Um if you all accept it, we will judge the proposal, we will send it to the PPC for their review and then come back in June for the formal uh approval. >> President already looked good to me. I'd say send it to PPC and see what they if they've got any comments. >> Anybody else got any comments that appropriate? We don't have to make a motion or anything. Just send it to PPC. >> If there are not any uh the corrections, we'll send it to them for their review and then we'll bring it back to you for final uh approval. >> All right. Thank you. Okay. Next is the federal program asurances. >> Yes. In accordance to state law, um
033each year school districts must submit their federal programs assurances uh to the school board for your approval. Uh it certifies that the district meets the compliance uh according to federal laws and grant requirements. And so we have before you the federal asurances for the FY2627 school year uh which will start July 1st for your approval. >> Okay. Give me a few minutes to look this over and then I'll entertain a motion to approve. >> Okay. >> Move to approve. >> I got a motion, a second. >> Second. >> Okay. Motion and a second. No discussion. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> All right. Okay, we're up to uh student disciplinary actions now. Just one. Okay, this right here. Okay, we have a AL placement hearing for Scala Harris of Jacksonville High
034School. Okay. Before the hearing is Mr. Wal Walker Harris present. We'll come forward. Okay, this is an expulsion hearing for Scaller Harris. The law provides that the hearing will be held in open session unless requested by the student or guardian to be closed. If the hearing is open, anyone including the press may be present. If the hearing is closed, only those who are involved in the conduct of the re this recommendation and hearing may be present. Mr. Harris, do you desire the hearing be open or closed? >> Open. All right. Okay. Before I make an opening statement, I like to ask everyone to silence all of their communication devices. If you do receive a call, please stop outside of the room to carry on a conversation. This meeting is called for the purpose of hearing
035the recommendation of the superintendent that Scala Harris be expelled for the duration and is dependent upon the scholar's progress towards goals in AL. >> That's a mistype. >> A placement AL placement. You want it should be AL expulsion. >> No, just AL placement. >> AL placement. Okay. All right. Thank you. Mr. Harris, are you represented by an attorney or other person? No. Okay. Administration is represented by Dr. Smith who will present on behalf of the administration. Procedure will be Dr. Smith to make the recommendation and set forth the reasons for the recommendation. He would then will call witnesses on behalf of the administration. When administration's questions are complete, the witness may be questioned by the students representatives and then by the board members themselves. The procedure will be followed for each of the additional witness
036the administration calls if any. When administration presentation is completed, the student may go forward with with her own statement and statements of others uh intended to be called. Anyone making a statement on behalf of the student guardian may be questioned by the administration's representatives and the board. Since the law makes no provisions for formal cross-examination, any questioning will be done in an informal and conversational manner manner. Excuse me. At the conclusion of this presentation, the representatives may make closing statements with a reply by the administration's representatives representation. I must emphasize once again that the purpose of this hearing is to bring before the school board the recommendation of AL placement and only matters relevant to the recommendation will be permitted. The names and identifying information of other students is not permitted. Dr. Smith, please begin
037the hearing by stating the administrator administration's recommendation. >> Campus administration recommended pursuant to policy uh scholars scholar for expulsion related to two incidents. One of those incidents was a incident in which there was an illegal substance pursuant to rule 324. The second incident was a fight campus administration found in violation of both of those. They demonstrated um preponderance of evidence. I I agree and found her in violation. uh campus administration at the hearing stated that alternative education is a better solution given her circumstances. Some some uh positive positive behaviors need for uh some of the services that are provided in the alternative environment and a more closed setting to control where a student is throughout the day. I agreed and um made the place for a a The witness on first witness on behalf of
038the district is Miss McNary. >> Mr. Smith, will you Mr. Mr. McNary, can you state your name and position, please? >> Chass McNary, assistant principal, Jacksonville High School. >> Describe the incident, please. On December 5th, 2025, >> on December 5th, JMP Officer Harris went to the indoor facility to check for students skipping class. He noticed Skyler sitting on the floor in the wait room with another student. As a student stood up holding Skyler's green backpack, a blue bait fell out of the backpack onto the floor. Debate pond pack M4 man V4 liquid diamonds live reason indica vapor riser 200 mgram scout was placed on probation for the 2025 school year. >> Where did the bait come from? >> Scout turn to page 34 please. Is is that a statement from who? What is that document?
039>> A statement from officer Harris. >> Where where does he say this the bait came from? >> Uh he says stands up and a bait falls out of a green backpack >> on page 33. Is that a statement from another scholar present? >> Uh yes. Where does that that staller where does that staller say the vape came from? >> It fell out of Styler's bag. >> Does anyone say that it doesn't come from the green backpack? >> Did does Skyler say that it comes from the green backpack? >> She did not. >> In in in interview and in the hearing, did she say that it didn't come from the green backpack? >> She did not. >> Where did she say it came from? >> Uh she said fell out of it just fell once stood
040up. She wasn't sure. >> What What rule did you find her to be in violation of >> 324? >> Did you uh follow the handbook consequences in relation to this finding? >> Yes. >> What did you do with the bait? >> Uh the bait was given to do Mr. Dian as the other person involved in the incident. was also uh there with this report to him. >> All right. Can you tell about the incident on February or April 9th, please? >> On April 9th, 2026, Skylar was in class talking with her friend, a female scholar, her scholar and her friend talking about her and confronted Skylar about it. During the confrontation per Skylar statement, she asked the female scholar who's going to do something about it. The scholar responded by saying me. The scholar got
041up as They were arguing and made a threatening comment. Per Skyler's statement, she hit the female student at after the comment was made. After Skylar hit the student, they started fighting until security arrived, intervening and breaking up the fight. >> Um, it have you worked with Skyler in the past? >> Yes. >> Is it common for her to have disputes with other scholars? >> Yes. >> Have you had to give her no contact orders to prevent her from talking about or to other scholars? >> Yes. Did Skyler try to leave the classroom to avoid the fight? >> Not that I'm aware of. >> At the hearing, did you share what you believe the appropriate outcome is? >> Yes. >> What do what do you think the appropriate outcome is? >> Uh placement. >> Why? Why
042do you think that's the appropriate outcome? because Skyler uh need additional support as she transitioned from one um she's transitioning from Atlanta, Georgia to Little Rock. And so my recommendation was that a smaller environment due to previous incidents to help Skylar provide additional support as it relates to counseling services and also immediate uh access to uh various adults will help her be successful and continue on her track as she navigate through better decision making while she's interacting with peers. >> Has has she been known to be out of area, not in class? >> Yes. Would the alternative learning environment help um mitigate that risk? >> Yes. >> All right. Um that's all I've got for Miss McNary. Next, I've got Mr. Dion, but if anyone else has questions for Miss McNary's Mr. Harris, do you
043have any questions for Miss McN? >> Yes. Get the mic over there. Miss McNary, on the um December the 5th, um did you call uh me to let me know that Skylar was getting suspended? >> Yes. >> How many days did you say? >> Five. >> That is incorrect. You told me she was getting a and a suspension. Um, and we did not realize it was five until we looked at the uh school book uh the handbook. Um, also um were you aware that when you were not in the office that your officer said he did not know who the bait belonged to? He had no idea where the bait came from. >> Okay. So, He write a statement and he had a conf conflicting statement about where the vape came from. You stated that
044she said you said that she did not know where the vape came from when she stood up. Uh during the hearing, uh Skyler did say that the vape fell off the young lady as she stood up. Uh did we not Did we see a video showing a vape being picked up off the floor by the young lady? >> The video showed a vape coming from the back. >> And so as the officer stated, I'm not sure he stated that my office without my presence, but also stated in his statement he stated that they tried to exchange backpacks escort them to my office, which was the green backpack. That's how he was able to determine that that was >> who was the first student brought to the office. >> I cannot >> I didn't Well, was
045was Skyler first out of the two young ladies that was sitting there? Was Skyler first or the young lady first? Skyler was sitting out in my outside and offic. >> She did testify that the young lady was taken to the office first and then they came back and got her after the young lady stated that or tried to say that the vape came from um Skyler's backpack. Correct. >> She stated that. However, they possible because other scholar assistant principal another assistant principal and so that scholar was esport >> but she testified that they came back to get her after they took the young lady to the office because he thought that vape came from the young lady. Um when did when was it Um, when was it brought to knowledge that it was a weed
046uh vape? >> It was brought to my knowledge it was a weed vape when the officer gave me the vape and I researched it on the internet and matched it. So y'all did not test to see if it was weed or >> we matched it and according to the description as the same description as it was the type of date that it was and the research on the internet that we found according to that was classified as a weak. >> Okay. So if a student is caught with paraphernelia, if it's weed, it's paraphernalia. If they come with paraphernelia, the normacy is to just let their kid go home. >> No, that's not >> or did you suspend them? Nobody. Um because when it was brought to my attention, it was a simple fate. I did
047not realize it was a weed vape until we had the hearing. That was never brought to our attention. Um, so I'm trying to figure out when did it become a weed fake versus a regular nicotine vape. >> It was communicated to you. It's also description that we spoke with you that day. >> I I I respectfully disagree. We have never spoken about or had communication about uh it being a weak vape until we got to the till I got to the hearing and then it was the only thing that was said uh doing the school or at the school. You called me. You said she's going to get suspended. And from my understanding when she was sitting outside your office uh you walked in you wal back out said I'm giving you 10 days and
048she has never during that day even discussed anything with you about this matter >> it's not that's not true because I follow the handbook as it and it's not a practice and it's not in the handbook to suspend a student for 10 days. That's not even an option. So, I can't suspend the student for 10 days. So, in the in the in the handbook, I followed the handbook and I also provided you the suspension notice. Uh when you arrived to the campus after school, we discussed the suspension notice where I told you that it was a fiveday suspension versus a parent contact because the nicotine is a level one and a level requires a contact to discuss the matter and also she will be required to take a vape course. However, being that it is
049a a held in illegal substance which is a 324 on the handbook is a level three that requires a suspension and probation which is something that we discussed and also I also followed up with an email where I attached the suspension notice and I also thank you for speaking with me and reiterated the suspension in my email so that way we would have documentation that it was communicated to you that it was a 5day suspension. >> Okay. Can I ask well Dr. did the uh so during the hearing Skyler did say that she was sitting outside the office and one of the things her um concern was that Miss McNary uh does not communicate very well with her uh on the recording is it not stated that she was sitting outside the office and Miss
050Mary went into the office and came back out and told her she had 10 days And >> right right now I think Miss McI's the witness. I'm happy to answer questions and I can address that. I can address that if you'd like. But right now I think the focus needs to be on Miss Mc. >> Are you finished to ask a question? >> Yes. because um I guess because his recording would go with what we're saying even though she's saying the politically correct answer now. >> Okay. So, you finished with Miss McNary? >> You want you want to ask Dr. Smith? >> No, let me I guess I talk about the 9th. Uh on the 9th uh it was stated um that uh Skyler said that if a teacher had to intervene, which it was
051time between her, the student that was irritated, she came to Skyler and said that she had uh she was talking about her and the student uh you know they going back and forth. Skyler D is saying, "Well, who's going to do something about it?" They're going back and forth. Um, was there a teacher present at this time? >> Yes. >> The teacher did not intervene. >> Um, Skyler was trying to uh get away from the student. Um, do you have statements stating that this student was threatening to kill her? We have statements regarding a comment that happened after the incident as far as the duration of the incident statements do not. >> Are you aware that the student has been arrested? >> I can only speak as far as >> we're dealing with I understand
052that. But well, she was threatened. And what we trying to prove is uh the student was put in a place where she felt like she had to use self-defense because the young lady had was trying to get at her. She was trying to get away from the young lady. And so the only thing we were trying to prove that it was more so uh she was put in a place where she felt like she had to defend herself versus uh just trying to attack a kid. >> Okay. So do you have any more questions for Mer? >> No. >> A couple follow. >> Yes. this one here. Look at page 31, please. >> What's that document? >> It is an email. >> Um, who's that email from? >> Uh, myself, Mr. >> What's the date
053of that email? >> December 9th, 2025. >> Is uh there an attachment to this email? >> Yes. What's that attachment say? >> S Harris 12 suspension notice and probation letter >> are dates indicated in the in this email. >> Yes. >> The dates. What are those dates? >> Monday, December 8, 2025 to Friday, December 12, 2025. >> How many days is that? >> Five. >> And so look at page 29, please. What's that document? >> Suspension notice. >> What date does it say at the bottom? >> Printed on December 8, 2025. >> Are you able to edit that date? >> No. >> How is that date populated? >> It is populated very easily on Cognos. >> Is it is it populated when you generate the report? >> Yes. >> How many days does this say?
054>> This says also five days. Five days. Is this part of the attachment that was sent? >> Yes. >> The next page, page 30. >> What's this document? >> Probation letter. >> Under rule, it says 324. What does it say under violation? >> Uh they violation possession, purchasing, using under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. >> Nothing further for Mir. >> All right. You have no >> next is Mr. D. >> Yeah. M Mr. Dion, state your name and roll, please. >> Michael Dion, assistant principal, Jackson High School. >> Did you assist with the incident on December 5th? >> I did. Did Miss McNary give you the vape? >> What did you do with the vape? >> I documented it by taking a picture of it along with the witness or the scholar statement.
055And then after verifying that it was what um what she said it was, I then gave it to Officer Odum having no longer need of it in my office. >> Did Did you assist with the incident on April 9th? I did. Did you interview students? >> Yes. >> Based on your conversations with students, what do you believe led up to the fight? I believe that there were harassment events that occurred that then led to the fight. >> And and why why do you believe that harassment occurred based on the statements of several students in the classroom >> and and so when you say harassment um don't give any other names. Was Skyler being harassed or was she harassing someone else? >> She was one of the attackers. >> Do do you believe that to be
056true? >> Yes. >> And and why is that? >> Uh based on um the statement from um two of the scholar witnesses along with the some of the conversation that I had with the other person in relation involved but mainly the other two scholar witnesses had the other scholar um that I don't want to get too deep into the other scholar Okay. Nothing further for Mr. D at this time. >> Okay. Pass it back to Mr. Harris if he will ask questions. >> Okay. I don't um I guess one question while you were trying to uh get information was it told to you that uh it was said to the other student that Skyler said something about her? So, it was told to me that both Skyler and Skyler's friend were saying things directed at
057Scholar A. >> Okay. And so, did Skyler go to SC scholar A or did Scholar A go to Skyler >> in regards to looking for initiation? >> Yes. based on what I based on the interviews that I conducted um my impression was that it was mutual. >> It was mutual. So scholar A did not come to Skyler. >> Scholar A responded to Skyler after Skyler. >> So you do realize that Skyler was talking to scholar B and scholar A got word that Skylar and B was talking and scholar A got up to come confront Skyler because she thought she was being talked about. Is that not what you got from the other students? >> That was not what I understood. So, we're under impression that Skyler just decided to intervene with Skylar A and they
058ended up fighting. >> I'm under the impression that Skyler stated, "What are you going to do about it to not?" >> Okay. Under Skylar's testimony during the hearing, Skylar stated that she was talking to scholar B. Scholar A got up and asked her about talking, "Are you talking about me?" Skylar responded with, "Who's going to do something about it?" Because the young lady or scholar A wanted to know, "What are they talking about?" Although Skyler was not talking about scholar A, another student had went to scholar A and being messy as some children can be told her that she was being talked about. That's where that came from. So is it safe to say Skyler was not the aggressor because she's not talking about scholar A? Scholar A wanted to know why was Skyler talking
059about her? So, how could she be the oppressor when she's not even talking to scholar A at all? >> I can only speak to my understanding of the events since I was not present at the >> So, it's all secondary information to you. >> Uh, yes. >> Thank you. Okay. Any further questions, Mr. Harris? Okay. Do you have a witness that you would like to here. But uh her grandmother wanted to speak on her behalf as well. She here. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Hello, Miss Harris. I understand that you're asking me to speak on behalf of my granddaughter. My granddaughter is very respectful. And I'm not just saying that because she's my granddaughter, but she is. She's not aggressive. Somebody have to really do something to her to make her defend herself. And to
060all of you, I can't come before you and lie because I have a standard. I'm walking with the Lord and I'm asking the Lord to help us all that we do the right thing. I've had a lot of children to go through the past the school system. I was in the school system myself, but and that's what I've taught Skyla the time she's been around me. I try to help her to understand, do the right thing, and she's trying to do the right thing. But, you know, things happen. But on behalf of her, no, she's not aggressive. Nobody that's around her can tell that she come before them and show out. I trained all my children and she's around me and even her mother doesn't do that. So on behalf of Skyla, I ask you
061all to show mercy. >> Don't let things just get totally because she got a she need an education too, just like the rest of us. Since she's doing what she can, >> when she came back, she started doing what she could to improve herself, to prove them around her. So, >> all right. Thank you, Miss Harris. Yes, sir. >> Okay, that's your final witness, Mr. Harris. Okay, we're up to closing statements. Um, I think campus administration demonstrated due process, supported supported their findings, and um, they they didn't ask at the hearing. They didn't ask for expulsion. They asked for alternative ed because there's issues with skipping class. There's been some some challenges, some personal challenges over the last 9, 12 months. And so they asked for alternative ed so that those needs could be met
062so she could continue to come to school every day in the alternative setting, have a smaller environment that's self-contained and uh provide her needs in that setting. Looking at the looking at what they presented, I think that's the appropriate outcome. Okay, >> Harris, you have a closing statement. Like my mother stated, I am a product of Jacksonville High School. And if our principles and things had have given up on us and sent us to alternative schools and things and suspended us, it was more of a family environment. Yes, Skyler. Uh I'm not saying that Skyler is perfect. She makes mistakes just like any other young person do. Uh I have tried to be very transparent in bringing her to uh Jacksonville High School. Uh yes, she had a situation where she had to leave Atlanta
063where she's been all her life. It was a cultural change for her to come here. Yes, she did u miss classes because you take a 15 year old away from her mother and everything she's known all of her life and put her in another environment uh it it can disrupt what they uh do. But she has met the challenge and has been doing very well uh this second uh second especially the second semester. uh we try to be transparent with and work with because I believe it still takes a village to raise a child um and even letting Miss U McNary know hey it's another kid they are into whatever they they doing we tried to diffuse a lot of things before it ever happened I even proactively uh got Skyler in counseling u Dr.
064O uh has a letter from uh the uh counseling of the juvenile. So we were we have been proactive in helping uh Skyler be able to adapt and she um she tried to go for uh the dance team the first semester but because you don't do right uh you can't have privileges when you do when you're not doing what you're supposed to do. She has been going to school. She's been doing her work. She so much so that we allowed her to try out for cheerleading and unfortunately uh we had a situation where she ended up in a fight. Um based upon their testimony and things um once again I don't believe that she had uh a vape of weed. uh this is the first time we had heard that and so uh you know
065I don't think it's fair that they take another student who was also involved in the situation take their statement and stick it to her um because uh uh like I told them in a hearing u this young lady and Skyler was trying out for cheerleading and unfortunately uh they left their backpacks in the car my wife went to the car thinking it was my grandson's um backpack looking for some extra clothes because he had an incident and it was a vape in the bag. And so she brought it to my attention and I go to this young lady's uh and asked her something you need to tell me because you something was in your bag that should not have been there. And I told her I said well I'm old school. I have to go
066talk to your parents. I go talk to this young lady's parents only to find out they allows her to vape and uh and that's their standard. That's not what we do. And so at the end of the day, I ask that you would have mercy on uh Skyler and you know, don't set her back to because it's not about uh going to another environment because she can handle uh regular environment. I think this the the punishment does not fit the crime and seem as though every time uh it comes down, it's got to be uh making this young lady look something that she's not. >> Okay. Um Skyler, do you have anything that you'd like to say? >> Okay. Okay. Okay, we'll have we'll take uh give the board members here an opportunity to ask
067questions. Do you want to ask questions of Skylar or Mr. >> I I do have a few questions. Is it okay if I ask for questions? Okay, Skyler, what we doing? What is your goals? >> Oh, in life? >> Yes. >> Okay. I want to like be a pediatrician. >> Okay. How we going to do that if we not in class? At the beginning of the school year, I was like having a hard time with like going to class and stuff, but like um I like I noticed that I really needed to like like walk in like actually start going to class and doing my work and making good grades, which I am now. And I I'm taking a class that's like it's going to help me to get to where I want to be,
068like to be a pediatrician. And um I've been going to that class and it's like actually helping me. But now that I'm not in school, I can't like like really like like I don't really like I'm not really catching all the stuff that I'm supposed to be getting because like most of the work in there's like notes and stuff like and she doesn't really put in notes like she don't put notes in the classroom cuz she like in the classroom she just all you do is write right fast and you have to she just expect you to like get it like that. I can't like like not being in school is like it's like not working out for me. Like my grades is going down like Yeah. >> Okay. So, um just full disclosure. So,
069we did get a copy of your grades. So, some of your grades was not that great before this incident happened. So, I know you said the beginning of school year you kind of had and let me tell you, I'm a I'm a mother. I had a child who struggled in high school. She's doing great now in college with So I I do understand. So that's why I'm just trying to get an understanding so I can make the best decision for you. Um so you said that you were struggling when school first started. So what happened like you know in the fall first of school you were struggling fall came November, December and we see your grades now and the latest grades that you have and those are a lot of those are low. Now >>
070those are because of my suspicion or my expression or whatever this is me not being in school from the night. >> Mr. Smith, when what is the grades that we're seeing? >> Um grades you're you're seeing are probably before um most of the are going to be before any of this took place. Some of the grades on the teacher reports may be live grades after a few days of suspension, but otherwise they're going to be prior to that. >> Okay. So, it's not like a report card prior grade. It could be just like, hey, I'm checking the grade book to see where she is. >> On the teacher reports, we're looking at work in the back. We're looking at work at conduct. Those are not going to be report card. You know, there might be
071a couple assignments that aren't made up yet. >> Okay. Thank you for um explaining it to me so I can have a better understanding. So, okay, next question. So, you said you want to be a pediatrician. So, that's great. Um, if we did allow you the opportunity, so just for clarification, you know, with a a smaller environment, you have more direct hands-on for somebody to sit and work with you uh with your work. So, it's not like you're going home. And I I understand like you want to be in the in in the high school, but with all your transition, everything going on. Do you think that you would benefit from somebody being readily available for you for each of your subjects since you um you just kind of explained to me that you're a
072hands-on person? >> Um benefit from being an alternative school. >> So take the alternative school away from it. benefiting from somebody from having more people, more adult to being there to assist you with your work activities. >> Um, I don't really need assistance with my work because I like do my work and I catch on very fast. So, >> okay. That just it's kind of a little different from what you said before. So, I'm just trying to get I just want to make So, you're do you learn better by doing the work or by somebody showing you? >> Um, a little bit of both. >> Okay. A little bit of both. So in AL that that environment is where you would have several teachers, several support staff who would be there. So let's just say
073that you you were doing some math and I struggle in math. Um and somebody's able to come over there immediately and help you with it. Would that benefit you? >> Um you don't know. >> Yes. But no, cuz like in school like if I need help like he'll I'll sit there and like try to out myself and then by the time you come I'm I already done figured it out. So I like >> Okay. So the goal is for schools for you not to have to sit there and struggle that you have so many people who support you and want you to do great. And I just want to set you up for greatness. Um because I cannot wait for you to be a pediatrician. I know that that can happen. And so I'm just
074trying to see clearly about what we need to do for you to make you to help you be successful. My next question is is that um so it just sounds like um Uncle Walter was just saying that it's a possibility. We don't know. I don't know. The other student I don't know what's going on that it may not have been your fate. Do you know that the crowd that you hang around can determine how people look at you? >> Yes. >> Okay. So like moving forward, you know, even though the young lady may be the sweetest girl in the world, because of some of the choices that she makes, she may not be the best person to hang around. So, how would you move forward with making friends and keeping the right type of company
075as you move forward, whether it's in AL or in in the regular school? Tell me like what your kind of plan was going to be. If you notice somebody is doing something kind of crazy, what would you do? >> Probably choose my friends like see like get a view how they carry the how they like like how they think about their education and stuff like that. Okay, one last question. What does a model student look like to you? >> A student who do does their work, makes good grades, followers ships, goes to class, um, you're just a good student in general. >> Okay. So, if some and this I'm sorry, I'm going to wrap it up for so if the board does decide because it's a collective decision decision, I only have one vote. if
076they do decide to let you go back to school, it would be a probation situation. And so if it was if you did go back to regular school and it's a probation situation, if you did anything, AL wouldn't be an option. It'll be directly expulsion. That's a lot of weight to carry because that means if Sally come up and talking crazy to you and you know, a fight is a fight. I understand that sometimes you have to, you know, you put in situations where you feel like you got to defend yourself, but a fight is a fight and we just can't have that in the schools for the safety of everybody. So, if we did allow you to go back to school, it would be under conditions of if anything happened. It would be immediately
077immediate expulsion. Is that a weight that you will want to carry? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. Thank you for answering my questions. >> Okay. Any other questions from the board? Help me understand here, Mr. Smith. So, uh, when when did the suspension begin? On the 9th of April, >> correct? >> Okay. So, what so the recommended recommendation originally was for expulsion, >> right? The recommendation is for was for expulsion have student services hearing and that's satisfying handbook policy and that the hearing I ask the question, what do you think the appropriate outcome is? >> And Mr. Harris suggested a or >> no campus administration campus administration alternative education >> and I agreed with that and made that decision without a duration basically. >> Okay. So what Scallard has been out of school since April the
0789th while we're waiting to figure out what's going on with AL or I guess AL or or or nothing. But so what has been Skyler status as far as receiving classes or Miss McNary can address that. >> She has access to Google classroom and if needed a Chromebook, we also provide that. Um, but everything is accessible and she can email her teachers and most teachers will respond. If teachers do not respond, most of the times the student will email me themselves. Our parent will email me and I'll talk to the teachers directly to ensure that they provide those educational services. >> Is that is that like a live feed or is it just a daily summary or she is she like live watching classroom while it's going on. >> No, Google Classroom is where most
079teachers posted their work. It's almost like our LMS, our learning management system. And so that's where teachers can put their information out there, our assignments, tests, exams, uh anything related to class, notes, um communication, uh to the student directly. So, >> so like the teacher's lecture or any instruction, she just sees that in notes, not not a video of the class. >> Correct. >> Thank you. All right. I got one question for Skyler. What do you have? Sixth period and seventh period. >> Um, sixth period I have um intro to healthcare and then seven period I have um intro to visual arts or just visual arts. >> You don't like those two classes very much? >> I do. >> Okay. That's 14 and 16 absences on just those two classes. That's that's the kind of
080that's the path that Miss Coleman's that's not going to work for you. That's got to change. >> And that's so when we we have we have an option before us to go to alternative learning or expulsion or put you back in just the way things have been going. That's I think that's what we want to make sure you understand. That's that's hard for us to make that choice when you're skipping class 14 and 16 times just those two classes. Okay. >> Any more questions? >> All right. Any other questions from board members? If not, we will go into executive session and we will come out with a decision after we go into executive session. Okay, we are back uh with executive session. Okay, we have hearing members that have departed. Okay. Well, we'll go ahead
081and make a decision here. Uh, entertain a motion. >> Okay. I'll make a motion that we will follow the superintendent's recommendation of AL. Second. >> Have a motion and a second. Any discussion? And if not, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I. I. Motion passes and we are um >> other disciplinary action. >> Yes, we got some uncontested Okay, we have some uncontested expulsion recommendations. >> Move that we uphold the superintendent's recommendation. >> Okay, I got a motion and a second. >> Second. All in favor indicated by saying I. I. >> Motion approve passes. >> All right. We are up to personnel here. >> Mr. Richardson. >> Yes, we're ready. Normally, I think we take a few minutes. >> You want to take a >> All right, we'll take about five minutes to
082get set up. >> I got a question. Can we can we move the uh personnel could we move an executive session to discuss personnel while they are setting up? >> Okay, that'd be great. >> Or I guess we need you in there, don't we? >> Never mind. >> You want me in there? >> Leave it. Leave it as I'm >> We'll take five minutes to get set up. Yeah, I have been here today. Ready? >> Yes. And I would like I can come up with like I would never remember that. It's not so mad at me. What if we >> Okay, we're an open session. Uh before I make the opening statement, I'd like to ask everyone to silence all of their communication devices. If you do receive a call, please step outside of the
083room to carry on the conversation. This meeting is called for the purpose of hearing the recommendation of the superintendent that the employment contract of an employee at of the Jacksonville North Palaska School District, Adrien Hernandez, be terminated. Mr. Hernandez is represented by attorney Bobby Mallister. This administration is represented by attorney Scott Richardson who will assist the administration in its presentation. The procedure will be for the superintendent to make the re his recommendation of termination and then the superintendent or another administrator will set forth the reasons for the termination. When the administrator's statement is completed, the witness may be questioned by the employees as representative and then by the board members themselves. The procedure will be followed for each additional witness the administration calls, if any. When the administration's presentation is completed, the employee may go
084forward with his own statement and the statement of others he intends to call. Anyone making a statement on behalf of the employee may be questioned by the administration's attorney and by the board. Since the law provides no provisions for formal crossexamination, any questioning will be done in an informal and conversational manner. At the conclusion of this presentation, attorneys or representatives may make closing statements with a reply by the administration's attorney. I must emphasize once again that the purpose of this hearing is to bring before the school board the recommendation that the employment contract of Agent Hernandez be terminated and only matters relevant to the recommendation will be permitted. At this time I'll turn it over to Mr. Richardson. >> Good evening. Thank you board members. Uh we'll call Dr. off first to present the uh
085administration's recommendation and we'll be working in the exhibit packet that we provide to the board. So board, we have before you the recommendation of termination based upon an investigation uh that was uh conducted by the Jacksonville Middle School administration and then presented to me. Um and then of course we had the personnel hearing uh at the district office um which resulted resulted with the recommendation for termination. Um based on upon the evidence uh what we witnessed uh from the statements uh from the students and the uh teacher who was in the who were in the classroom in the video uh we uh were able to determine that the teacher um pulled the student aggressively out of the locker uh which could have caused harm. you will see that the student landed on his back and
086hit his uh arm and head uh his head hit on the backpack and because of the level of the incident uh it resulted in the recommendation for termination. >> Okay. And then if you look at I guess page one of the packet which is actually the second page the initial email notice of What happened? >> Yes, it is. >> Dated March 20th, 2026, right? >> Yes, that's correct. >> And it references Mr. Hernandez got rough with the student yanked real hard and has a the student has a cut on his arm. Do you see that? >> Yes. There's a picture that show the next page two of 13 that shows the cut, right? >> That's correct. And then the next page three, what is this? >> It's a statement uh from Mr. Hernandez about the
087incident that took place in his classroom. >> And in this statement, he acknowledges the student was in the locker and he pulled the student out of the van locker by his feet. Correct. >> That's correct. >> In a moment, we watch the video. That's what the video shows, right? >> That's correct. Then the next several are statements from students and others in the room. >> That's correct. >> And the final page 1213 is your recommendation of termination. Correct. >> Yes, sir. >> There's a video of the answer. One of us go ahead and watch the video. Get out before I pull you out. You couldn't just get fired. The student in question was in one of those lockers or cubbies in the wall. That's who got pulled out, right? >> That's correct. >> Would you
088explain to the board why you think termination is the appropriate response to this incident? >> Yes. U so as you would note, board um when Mr. Hernandez initially told um the scholar to get out. The scholar uh his feet actually came out and he and in his statement he said he was attempting to get out. Uh Mr. Hernandez said, "I'm going to count to three uh before he pulled him out." Uh Mr. Hernandez actually counted to one, then grabbed him uh grabbed the students by the ankle and as you can see forcefully pulled him out and the young man hit his fell to the ground um and hit his back and and head. And of course, you saw the picture that um uh his elbow was scratched just because the one the liability with that
089and the harm that could have resulted and did result with the uh with the scholar and just the inappropriate uh behavior on our staff members is not uh conducive to a safe uh educational environment. And hence the reason why I recommend termination. >> Thank you, Dr. As. >> May we watch the May we watch the video one more time, please? Get out. >> Do you need your phone now? I'm not sure what the process is. Do I need to pass the microphone back and forth? >> I can speak loud. >> Okay. All right. Um, Dr. Owl, I'm assuming since Mr. Hernandez is an employee of the district that you were familiar with him prior to this incident. That's correct. >> And and how long has he been a school teacher? Do you know? >> Uh
090not the exact exact number of years. No, sir. >> Okay. And um you were requested approximately I think April 8th to provide some information regarding this case. Is that correct? >> Requested from >> from my office. >> Yes, sir. >> Do you recall those requests? I recall one from the 13th. >> I can help refresh his memory if you wish. Here is also Scott. This is actually a communication was not with This is with Mr. Richardson. I was my copy on this uh the one that now this one that disclosed that uh you needed the complete and full copy of Mr. Hernandez personnel file and a copy of any communication or document which mentions Mr. That was April 8th, but not this these emails from April 8th. >> Okay. If they were sent to Mr.
091Richardson requesting information on this case, were you not provided with those requests? >> I did receive a request and we actually sent a documents as well. >> Okay. You sent a personnel file. Is that correct? >> We did because it was requested. Did you receive a request after that for any evaluations or notes of observations of Mr. Hernandez? >> I might be able to help. We received that request. I think I pass. Do you know Dr. OA whether any such evaluations or notes of observations were provided? >> I did not receive any in my email so I'm not sure if it was provided or not. >> Okay. Are you aware of any evaluations or observations of Mr. Hernand Hernandez as a teacher during his time with school? >> No, I have not seen any. Um
092you guys follow the learns act which has the excellence in um teachers excellence >> requirements. Yes sir. You're more familiar with than I am I'm sure. >> Um that requires a novice teacher does it not to be evaluated in four categories. >> That's correct. And um is there any record at this district of Mr. Hernandez being evaluated at the end of his office period? >> You would have uh that would be a question for the building principal or our assistant superintendent >> if it was requested and wasn't provided to me. Is there some question whether it exists? >> I can tell you I requested it was told that it didn't exist. >> Okay. or when found >> what's what's the purpose of that statutory and policy requirement Dr. Olaf >> the uh test is designed
093to uh as it the acronym uh stands is to support uh teachers all teachers uh specifically uh novice teachers and so to see how they rank on the evaluation system and where they need the support um based upon that and it also gives us the opportunity to establish develop uh their professional growth plan that they uh generate uh each year. >> So if there's a professional growth plan that's been required of Mr. Hernandez and that wasn't provided or wasn't in his personnel file, does that exist? >> I will have to check with this building principal administration to see if professional growth plan there should be professional growth plan. uh developed each year. That's correct. >> And and those are things that help a teacher to deal appropriately with students, are they not? >> Uh classroom
094management. Yes, sir. >> Okay. Now, has has Mr. Hernandez, did he ever in any way deny that this event occurred? >> No, he did not. >> Did he watch the video with you? >> He did. And did you ask him the question, "How will I know that you won't do something like this again?" >> I don't remember asking that question to him. No, sir. >> Nothing similar to that. >> No, sir. >> Okay. Have you ever had Do you know how long Mr. Hernandez has been employed by Jacksonville North Plasky School District? >> I believe this is his third year. >> Okay. Have Have there been complaints or problems or issues with Mr. Hernandez prior to this date? >> Not to my knowledge. >> Have you had any good feedback from him? >> Yes, sir.
095>> From others or >> from other >> other administrators, teachers, parents? >> Yes. Uh from uh students, from parents, from colleagues. Uh definitely positive uh feedback from them. So, never any problems for this what event? >> No, sir. >> Okay. Have no more questions? >> No questions for me. >> Do you have any uh you want to testify, Mr. McAllister? >> I won't be testifying. I will be bringing you. >> Well, do you have anyone that you would like to testify? >> Yes, sir. I would. Um, I would first like to invite Miss Meredith Roberts to the front, please. Okay. >> Hi. >> Please state your name and what uh you have to pertain to this situation. >> Okay. Is this on? >> No. No, it's not. >> It's not on. >> Hi. Um, my
096name is Meredith Roberts. Uh, I'm the parent of a scholar at the in beginning band at JMS. Um, I'm here as a character witness for Mr. Hernandez tonight. Um, I'll first be reading a letter on behalf of my dad. My dad has gotten to know Mr. Hernandez this year through my daughter being under Mr. Mr. Hernandez's instruction and band. My dad actually lives in Texas and attempted to rearrange his schedule to be here tonight to speak on Mr. Hernandez on Mr. Hernandez's upright character, but was unable to arrange his schedule in a way that would allow him time to make it would allow him to make it here on time. He would have been driving an 8-hour round trip today to speak had he been able to make it. Although he was unable to be
097here, he he so believes in the integrity and uprightness of Mr. Hernandez's character that he's asked me to read the following letter he's written to the Jacksonville North Palaski School District. My name is Scott Reeves. I have a degree in all level music education and a master's degree in communication. My career and livelihood since 1979 has been music leadership and the promotion of music within all age groups. My life experience has given me some credibility in identifying men and women with unique gifted giftedness and skill in the area of music and music education. I've had the inspiring opportunity to observe Mr. Hernandez in his role as educator, mentor, and leader. It's a stretch for me to imagine this mildmannered professional as a hot-headed and violent individual. Uh it is my understanding that a student was
098involved in a behav in behavior that was inappropriate in a need of correction. I've been in similar positions where students flagrantly pressed on with inappropriate activities and challenged whether they were above authority or not. It's my understanding that Mr. Hernandez is not disputing that the action took place, that he conceds that removing the student from the instrument locker may have resulted in a minor scratch or cut on the arm and also that his behavior was wrong. But for a student who is acting inappropriately and has been blatantly disrespectful and disobedience towards a person in authority when asked to discontinue their actions to have the power to remove an educator from his position and lose his job is troubling. What has everyone learned from this? If this is not reversed, the teacher and the other and
099other teachers will learn that they may not have that they may not be able to rely on the administration's support in times when they desperately may need it. The student and others will learn that they have an undue level of control through threat and exaggeration. What happened prior to the incident? Has this student been a challenge previously that would lead to a to aggravation at recurring behavioral issues? Mr. Hernandez has owned his actions and never disputed the incident happened. Have they previously had complaints or issues due to Have has Mr. Hernandez previously had complaints or issu issues due to due to his behavior? Was this taken into account? Has the other party involved also owned their actions? Owned that they were in a place that they should not have been and that they have they
100had ignored the request for them to vacate the locker? Have they previously had complaints or issues due to their behavior? Was this taken into account? Have they admitted that they were also in the wrong here? Or have we simply railro railroaded Mr. Mr. Hernandez for his laps due to aggravation and being pushed to a breaking point. I'm the grandfather of a Titan scholar who was flourishing under the direction and leadership of Mr. Hernandez. My grandchild's ability to play her instrument, the knowledge of her instrument, and then her knowledge of music is far beyond what others her age under different leadership are capable of or understand. And that's due to Mr. Hernandez's passion and dedication to his job, to his students, and to this district. He is the middle He is in the middle school from
101the high school with the purpose to better prepare these students for moving up to high school and advancing not only in the middle school band program but in the high school in the future. With that, I would like to add my voice and support of the board reversing their decision. I believe that Mr. Hernandez has the unique ability to pass on humility, skills, organization, and professionalism to the students. It would be a mark of great integrity that he is allowed to return to the district, to the class, and to the students about which he cares deeply in order to advance their progress in the music program. Thank you, Scott Reeves. Um, my husband, my dad, and I have all talked extensively on numerous occasions about this situation. Um, I agree. And second, the uh all
102that was mentioned in the letter that I read previously. Um, my child has anxiety, ADHD, and OCD. At times, she's needed um she's needed to speak with me during the day for different reasons pertaining to her health physically and mentally. Mr. Hernandez has always been accommodating and allowed her to take a few minutes out of class to call and speak with me to reconcile whatever is going on or just to take a minute. My daughter has mentioned on multiple occasions how other students have been extremely difficult in his class. And Mr. Hernandez has always dealt appropriately and calmly with the situation. Never at any point has she been scared, anxious, or worried that Mr. Hernandez would respond to a situation inappropriately or angrily. I think we can all relate that there have been times in
103our lives where we've been pushed and pushed to our breaking point, acted on impulse, and immediately knew it was the wrong response. As stated previously, Mr. Hernandez has never denied that this instance happened, and he's taken responsibility and is remorseful. I have four children, three in the Jacksonville North Palasky School District. Safety is a top priority as a parent, and JNPSD has always felt and shown to be a safe place for my children. That being said, as much as I believe that scholar safety and protecting our students is always top priority, I also believe that at no time is it okay to protect, allow, or enable manipulation in an exaggeration of a situation or a result of a situation, a cut, especially when it involves someone's livelihood in their career. It's my hope and prayer
104that the background of Mr. Hernandez's professionalism, dedication to, and passion for the band program, and the dedication and leadership that he's provided to his students and the JMSs band program is taken into account as the decision is made today. I truly believe it would be a huge disservice to the scholars, the band program, and the district as a whole if Mr. Hernandez were not allowed to resume his position as band director at JMS. To end, I'd like to add my voice as well as my husband's in support of the reversal of the termination of Mr. Hernandez. >> Thank you. Hold on. >> Questions. >> You have three scholars at Jacksonville, North Alaska? >> I do. >> You're aware there's a corporal punishment policy? >> I am aware. >> So, you're aware that the only time
105corporal punishment in this district is be used on students is in accordance with that policy, right? Yes, I'm aware. >> Have you ever seen a situation where it would be appropriate to deal with discipline by dropping a student on the floor? >> No. >> Thank you. >> Miss Lyla Hughes, please. Um board members, this is another parent that has requested that she be allowed to speak. >> Hello. I'm >> Delila Hughes. I also have a scholar in Mr. Hernandez's uh beginning band class. Um so we met Mr. Mr. Hernandez at the beginning of the school year when our daughter tried out for beginning band and he was patient and kind with her as she tried out each instrument. She also deals with anxiety. Um and once she decided on uh which instrument she wanted to
106play uh we also explained our religious beliefs because we are Jehovah's Witnesses. So Mr. Mr. Hernandez listened carefully and even offered his own personal experience of being in band with a witness child when he was in school. And um we talked about what we might need um to be different when it came to concerts around holiday times and what options um would work for Zoe to be able to participate while still respecting our beliefs and um not hindering any other children as well. And Mr. Mr. Hernandez um discussed music options with me um and even wanted to incorporate um maybe um some personal songs of ours as well into concert pieces. And um what I appreciate most um is that he paid attention to our individual needs, but like I said, did not um not
107at the expense of of the full class or anything like that. And he just really made Zoe's first year of band enjoyable. And um I also remember a time that she did have like a small panic attack over um something in his class. She just got nervous and he called me directly and I appreciated that and was able to handle it. So he um you know we can make knee-jerk reactions in the moment that we regret but um overall we've been very pleased with uh the instruction that Zoe receives. >> Great. Thank you. Just briefly, like I said before, you're aware the district has a corporal punishment policy, correct? >> I am. Yes, sir. >> And you're aware that that is the one route group corporal punishment is allowed in this district, right? >> I
108am. Yes, sir. >> And have you ever seen a situation where uh it was appropriate to discipline a child by dropping him on the floor? >> No, sir. If it please the board, I'm going to ask some questions. Mr. Hernandez at this point. >> Would you state your name, please? >> Adrienne Hernandez. >> And Mr. Hernandez, are you currently employed by this district? >> Yes, sir. >> In what capacity? I am on administrative leave at this moment. >> What was your teaching assignment when you were not on administrative leave? >> Jackson Middle School band director. >> And how long have you been employed by the Jacksonville North School District? >> I've been employed since um sorry, August 2022. >> Okay. And where did you go to undergraduate school? Anderson State University, architect, Arkansas. >> And
109what is your degree in >> music? Instrumental music education. >> And are you seeking at this point in time a further degree? >> Yes, sir. >> And what degree is that? >> Masters in music. Yeah. Studies. >> Okay. And um when did you receive your teaching license in the state of Arkansas? I received it in the fall of December due to it was December 2021. >> Okay. And so you would have completed your fourth year this past December. Is that correct? >> Four and a half. Oh, fourth December. Yes, sir. >> Yes, sir. >> This semester would have been four and a half. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. When you first were employed by Jacksonville North Palaski, what were what was your assignment? >> The assistant high school event director. >> Okay. And how long
110did you work in that capacity? >> Two years. >> And what prompted you to seek out or to pay the position of middle school band director? >> This is a morning theme. There was an opening at the middle school and I was at the high school though I wanted to progress into a position where I could help others into the overall building of the program starting from beginning. >> Okay. had um had the oversight, the teaching positions at the middle school in the band changed just prior to you coming? >> Had there been more than one band director in middle school at some point in time? >> There was two in the past. >> And and when did that change? >> It changed last spring. Um, we changed from four grand directors in our district
111to now three. >> Okay. And so do you have any idea how long there have been two in middle school before that time? >> It been several years. Um, >> do you know? >> I don't know. I did not do my research on that. >> Okay. But um, you took the job as a as a solo band director. Is that correct? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. When you came in, was the makeup of the band itself somewhat strange? >> Yes. >> In what way? Describe that to >> um to have a cohesive band, you want to have all the parts of your team. Our middle school band was not a full team just due to the instrumentation and enrollment. So the band that I was instructed and entrusted to lead was just not the full
112team. We had missing instrumentation and so I just really worked with what I had and so we had >> Okay. Did you set about trying to recruit new students into the band? >> Yes. >> How did you do that? I made it really just a big mission to make Jacksonville Middle School band one of the popular groups in the middle school. Make it one of the best things that you can be in. Um I have morning duty, afternoon duty, especially in the cafeteria. I'm with sixth graders every Friday and I'm just going around like, "Hey, um do you want to be in band?" Um I introduce myself. I would schedule personal appointments um tell my own students um and I had a short window um we had August and then we had until our 10
113day count to make any schedule changes. So those 10 days were very critical to me to recruiting telling people the students now in the sixth grade hey do you have any people that you hang up in fifth grade? You know you can have the same class with them. This is this is your elective. This is the only class you get to choose to be in. And so the middle school only offers one elective. And I really wanted to just make it um that everyone be in the band >> on behalf of and because of your position with Jacksonville, have you tried to get the middle school band involved in the community? >> Yes, sir. >> In what ways have you done that? We have done more performances this year than any other year the middle
114school has had um other directors. This year we doubled all the concerts and we went to Little Rock River Market. We had a really good showcase there. >> Repeat your question. >> Ways you've involved the community. >> Okay. Not only performances, there are also fundraisers we've done to build up our budget, involve and empower the students to have ownership over their program. And as you guys are building the band up in our skills and in what we can do, >> Were you able to successfully bring even homeschoolers into your this year? >> Yes, sir. And this lady was not able to be here tonight, but I would like to offer to the board a letter which was written by parent Kimberly Span to the board on his behalf. Do you have a copy to read
115or do you just want us to look at this? >> I will I will read it to you if you please to whom it may concern. Thank you for allowing me to speak on behalf of Mr. Adrien Hernandez. Although I will not be speaking regarding the incident of which you all are reading about, I wanted to take the opportunity to inform you all of how appreciative my family has been of Mr. Hernandez. We've only known him for a few months, but he has had such positive impact on our son during that time. Our son has been homeschooled for a few years now, and I was recently informed that he would be able to participate in extracurricular activities through the JNPSD while being homeschooled. Our enjoys playing drums. So, I talked to Mr. Hernandez about band
116being an option for him. Mr. Hernandez promptly emailed me back and also asked if he could call me regarding steps needed. He was very detailed in his call and told us that he would contact the counselor and principal to ensure that our son's participation would be feasible. He made sure that our son not only was able to be a part of the class, but took time out of his lunch break to meet with us. Mr. Hernandez has been very communicative on a weekly basis which was very impressive to us as parents. He has always been kind and we we had no concerns when it came to our son being in his class. On top of that, our son came home daily raving about band class and how much he enjoyed Mr. Hernandez. We as parents
117and student truly appreciate Mr. Hernandez for what he has allowed our son to experience during this time. We pray the best for his future. Um, Mr. Hernandez, is it she mentioned that you met with her during lunch. Is it uncommon for you to meet with students or families outside of your work hours? >> No. >> How often do you do that? >> It's documented, but it's more times than I can count. >> What kind of things do you do for students and parents outside of I will make it a point to use my prep time to contact students. I have stayed until repeat the question is it students or parents? >> Either one. >> So I host after school rehearsals weekly and some of these are not scheduled some of these are scheduled. So I
118it is not uncommon for me to stay until 5:30 6:00 PM just coaching individual students that have requested it or that I deemed that we need it as a rehearsal time with this student in question. he was not a part of the program and so I made a personal appointment with him on my own time to have an audition with him, explain to the scholars, parents the expectations of the band and so I can assess them and put them in the proper class. There's been many times where I'll stay after school on a last minute basis where a scholar may ask me, "Can you help me? I need help with this." and it might be past 200 p.m. and I have plans and I just kind of pause. I'm like, "Okay, I'll do it." So,
119I'll stay with them and we'll work on whatever they need. There's been instances where the high schoolers have reached out to me and they've asked, "Mr. Hernandez, you're at the middle school. Can you come back today for an after school practice?" And this is a Wednesday, just a random day. And I'm like, "Hey, good to see you." And it's via email. Yeah, I'll be there. I I'll be there. And then so I'll just work my own schedule and student if a student comes, I I'll drop everything. And so I I'll stay till 5 6:00 p.m. living in Bryant. So that's still coming home at 7. It's just my I've just kind of decided it's my home time to come home. >> Okay. Um, you you have taught in the past at times, I believe you
120told me you have taught private lessons for young people or others and and charge money for that. Is that correct? >> Yes, sir. >> Have you ever done that with a Jacksonville student? >> No, sir. Would you or have you charged any Jacksonville students for any lessons or work or practice or anything that you've done on your own time? >> No, not not the district. >> Okay. Your interaction with other staff members, do you um try to go out of your way to help where that is needed? >> Yes. >> Have you provided bilingual, correct? >> Yes, sir. >> Have you provided translation services for people in the district? >> Yes, I I've done this off the record as well. So, it it can be uh can you come to the front office and translate?
121Now, I've been told that some of these instances can be documented, but if it's a colleague in the next room having a parent conference on the phone during their lunch, this I don't speak Spanish. Can you help me? and I'll do that. Um, but there's been times the last day I provided this was on March 19th, 2026. >> Okay. Have you also helped other teachers with covering classes and things like that when called? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. What What other inschool things have you done that you done on your own? extra things >> supporting other colleagues during their events. I have a great great relationship with our choir teacher, our band directors at the high school and our choir teacher at the high school as well. So us fine arts, I really am passionate
122to help them for their vision. I have helped the bar teacher set up and tear down stay late for her events. I have helped our art teacher with you know providing musical support for his events and I've done a lot of support for our colleagues on Valentine. May you repeat that question. >> Yes, you you cover it. >> Okay. Thank you. Let's let's talk about that day and that event. Um I'm I'm assuming you recall that day pretty well. What tell the board just in your words what was going on. First of all, I want to say there's never intention for any malice or intentional harm towards any scholar or that specific scholar. I was teaching my class. We're working on scales is actually caught in the video. You hear me saying scales. And so,
123it's just our fundamental bread and butter that we need to do in band. We had already gone through our warm-up routine. And the time stamp said 8:25. So that's well into our warm-up activities. And now we're into our the meat of our lesson. During this scale lesson, it was brought to my attention by the other scholars that Mr. N there's a kid in the locker. And so that's about as loud as I heard it. And so I welcome >> How many scholars are in your way? I have about 34 in that class. 34. Go ahead. >> So in this class, one of the scholars is off task inside an instrument locker which is designed for trombones which is a brass instrument that we play. It was in the right side of the room and I
124approached the scholar and you hear me in the video. I say get out before I pull you out. He gets his countdown and I take it upon myself which all of this is just a big reflection. You know, my mistake was I did it upon myself. I pulled him out and you know, we were both in an awkward situation and he was on the floor and I looked down at him. Then you hear a reaction from the classroom. I go back to the front and try to recalibrate to continue the lesson. So there was an anomaly during the lesson and I went over there. I come back and we recalibrate and continue that lesson. >> Okay. Simple question. Should you have done what you did? >> No sir. Is there any reason, any good reason
125for you to have done what you did? >> No. >> When you pulled him out, was there anything about how it happened or what happened that surprised you? >> Yes. >> What was that? >> How fast the scholar came out was one of them. >> Why? Why do you mean how fast he came out? In my perspective, I expected more resistance and I didn't expect the scholar to come out as fast as they did. >> You saw him on the floor when he came out? >> Yes. >> What was your response inside of you? Right then and there there was so many emotions and reflection going on. The immediate one was I messed up. Now there's no comments that we made towards each other. I looked down at him and then assessed the situation and
126I knew I messed up and I just everything was going through my mind and I go to the front and I'm out of frame at that point and I'm still reflecting on what had happened. So there was a lot of shock on my end and on the scholar's end as well. >> Okay. Did he seem to be okay? He seemed to be hurt as far as you could tell. >> Not any major injuries throughout the rest of the lesson. And >> we we requested video the entire class, but we don't have that. What happened immediately after this? >> Me and actually uh I went back and told everyone, "All right, let's go work back on our skills." And it was really interesting because At that point, there was no more issues for the rest of
127the classroom. And we played our scales for a practice about 10 minutes and then we had a short assessment after the fact. >> What do you mean by a short assessment? >> So, my job is to instruct the scholars and then test them. I practiced the scales with them slowly and gave them the chance to work on it individually. Then I just opened the floor. Raise your hand if you want to try it. And we had a couple volunteers. So this was their time to show off what they had learned. >> Okay. Tell what happened. So I raised sorry I opened the floor to raise your hand if you want to try it and then I had one scholar who raised her hand and like let me try and so she played her scale on
128the instrument and she got it perfect on the first try. It went up and down in the required tempo that I had been asking for. Then I said, "Good job." Then I went to my closet. I didn't say anything. There's I went to the instrument closet and I pulled out some prizes. It was a bag of hot Cheetos which middle schoolers I always I already know what they love. So I put out a bag of hot Cheetos and I says scholar a please come over here and it's like >> hold on one second. Where did that idea come from to give prizes for something like that? It came from instruction during one of my observations. I requested to give incentives and just conversations on how to have better classroom relationships. >> We'll come back. Yes,
129sir. >> So, I said, "Scar, hey, please come over here." And it's a brand new box of 20 pack of chips. And I told her, "You can have whatever you want in here." And then she got it. And then she went back to her seat. Who else wants to try now? More hands shot up. I had another scholar try it. He got it on his first try and nailed it. Came over there and then now we had a routine going and then I open the floor again. Who wants to try it? This point I have one of the students on the front row. He attempts it and does not pass. He tries to do it and so I was like, "Can I get the chips?" I say, "No, you can't. Can I try again? Yes,
130please try again for us. And then so this is really common. If they can't get it, I just let them try again. He tries again, does not get it, and decides now he's kind of embarrassed. I don't want to try again. So later, another scholar tries out and he does get it on the first try as well. So, we've got this routine. And one of the next scholars I asked to do this scale test is the scholar in question that was made physical contact with. He tries it and does not pass. >> So, what you do? >> I say, "Try it again." And then he tries it again and he still doesn't get it. Then he's like, "Can I try again?" Now he's getting kind of angry. He's like, "Let me try again." And then
131I was like, "Go ahead." And then he goes up and down. He gets on his third track. And then I said, "Um, incident scholar, please come over here." And then he receives his bag of chips. I say, "Good job." This is the last interaction, and it's also the next interaction I've had since with him, since the I made contact with him. I didn't really speak with him in a public manner during the class and he just returned to his seat and the last incident I had with him was a very positive one where I rewarded him. >> Were you trying to be encouraging to >> Yes. >> Were you ever angry during this whole thing? >> No. I was It's very hard for you. No, I'm not going to get angry. >> Have Have you
132run into as as part of the faculty of Jacksonville North, have you run into difficult situations from time to time? >> Yes, sir. >> Um, have you had a student threaten to hit you with a chair? >> Yes, sir. >> Have you had a student threaten to hit you with a music stand? >> Yes, sir. >> Have you had a student threaten to call ICE on you? Yes, sir. >> Have you even been able to calm down and and remove a lady at a choir concert who was cursing out another way? >> Yes, sir. >> And and during any of those situations, this one included, did you lose your temper? >> Never. >> So, why did you do what you did? There is a lot of reflection that's been made on this. At the end
133of the day in that March 20th, I took it on my own hands to see the issue, address it immediately, and I did make physical contact. And that's why I did it. I was a teacher in a room who saw a disruption in the classroom environment. I've never seen a scholar in a band locker before in my teaching career. And that was a short term thought process that just hit me in the moment. >> Now, when you were visiting with Dr. After all of this, did he ask you, "How do I know?" or something along the lines of, "How do I know that you won't do this to another student?" >> Yes, it was along those lines. >> Did you answer it very well at that point in time? >> No, I know that the
134answer to that question in this meeting was just my words saying, "I I won't do it again." And I know that is not a good answer is like how can you look at somebody with the evidence see that what they did how do we know you're not going to do this again well I won't do it again that that's a terrible answer. >> Yeah. So what going through this process and having been sent home for these several weeks, what has that done to you or for you? This has been this been the worst two months of my life. Stop eating, stop sleeping. I can't go to sleep. I'm trying to find ways to keep myself busy. I'm sending lessons to the school every day. >> Let me ask you about that. >> Yes, sir. >>
135You you when were you put all your veget? It was um on I was sent home March 20th. The investigation can start. I received notification of my administrative leave on March 20th. >> Okay. And your lawyer specifically told you not to really communicate with school too much, didn't they? >> No. No contact with colleagues or parents on MS leave. >> Okay. And yet have you been sending emails, lesson plans and things to the school? >> Yes. To administration. So I know the kids are going to need something to do. So every day I've sent work to keep them busy. I sent extra work once they finish the daily work and I informed them. Please let me know if I should increase the intensity. Let me know if I >> You informed them. You're not talking
136about the students, are you? >> Right. There's not been no It's been my building principal and now I've it's been our front office secretaries. It's who I've been contact or substitute work. They they handle the substitute. >> Have you set reminders for the sub with regard to report cards? Yes, I have sent additional notes. So, I'm receiving all the still same emails that our staff members receive. There's a fire drill today and I sent a message to the front office. I Here's a letter that I wrote with instructions. We had parents conferences the other day. I drafted a letter that was supposed to be passed out to my students. Parent Church conferences are today from 4 to 7:00 p.m. and I gave instructions to substitute. Please pick up all report cards before 9:00 a.m. and
137distribute them to the proper scholars. >> Why are you doing that? >> It's It's for my kids. That's I'm I'm on leave, but it's the same reason I stay after work till 6. >> Where where are you from? Where'd you graduate high school? >> The Queen High School. >> What year did you graduate? >> 2017. >> And were you in band while you were in school? >> Yes, sir. Did you pass up some things because of band? >> Yes. >> Like what? >> Starting your junior year, you can take concurrent credit. I have always been really good academically. So, my school counselor as a 15, 16 year old approached me, Adrian, I think you would really benefit from taking some concurrent credit classes. I said, "Okay, when is it first period until 10:00 a.m." And
138I say, "I can't do that." Why not? That's banned. And it's like, "Well, you've unbanned since the sixth grade. Um, you can do college project." I said, "No, no, I just shut it down right there. We're not We're not quitting back to do college classes. >> What was what was your plan back then? >> Well, back then I was in band. I was in my scholars shoes from middle school in the band program going up through high school. Then it just became my life. This is my life. And I just wanted to be someone the leader to You were the valid valid in your high school class. >> Yes sir. >> Are you have you also become a regional officer of the state band organization? >> Yes sir. >> Over the last year. >> Yes.
139>> The state of Arkansas has different organizations. One of the biggest organizations in Arkansas is ASBOA, Arkansas School of Band Orchestra Association. This is an association that holds regional events, competitions and auditions throughout the state. Ours is in region one competing against Bryant Bon Little Rock school district Alaski including Jacksonville and Mel. There's our region is awesome. I am now secretary and officer for region one. The question is why? >> Why? >> It's in my it's in the evidence of my work to be an officer. You're going to elect someone that is competent at what they do. They know how to lead bands. They are professionals at their craft. And I was elected as one of the officers for this year running events, hosting events. Sorry, not hosting events, but being a clinician, giving advice
140to other band directors. even though some of them have been teaching almost as long as I've been alive and I've been elected to be the one to help make decisions and guide all central Arkansas on what ban should look like for the entire state. >> You told me you enjoy working with Fisher. >> Yes. >> And was that part of the interest in being the middle school band director that you and he would be able to work together. >> Yes, we've had many collaboration discussions on what the whole district can be doing. We worked really well together the first two years as co-directors making decisions together. This one would be code directors building wise making decisions on what 6 through 12 should look like. >> Have you also been invited to other schools to help
141to ad? Yes, I was requested to go all the way to Star City and conduct their top jazz band. And this is just from word of mouth on the abilities that I possess. I was able to take the Jacksonville High School Jazz Orchestra to state competition. And when we went, this is the first time Jacksonville has ever gone to this competition. We went to the state jazz competition and received unanimous ones from all the judges. So, we as a district have never received ones as the overall rating, much less a unanimous rating. Even working with Mr. Moore, our marching band has only ever gotten to the two. Our concert band has only gone to the two. Those were collaborative groups. My group was a jazz orchestra and I coached them up to the top scores.
142That's the highest score you can get. That was just my group. by myself. >> Tell this board what this job and music and those kids mean to you, please. >> This job, music is my life, not just a job. This is my life. I'm always working. I'm always working towards music in hours, outside hours. I'm gigging on the weekends. I decided to join the US Army to be a musician. >> And And did you accomplish that? Are you? >> Yes, I'm in the US military. My MOS is 42 Romeo and I li I'm a saxophone player, professional saxophone player for the US military. I've been to the governor's inauguration. I've been to the state capital. I play for military officers. They request our specific group because I am in it. I stay after hours for
143scholars call parents. I go outside of state for performances and I still manage to make everything all balanced and hit all the marks on everything. I I put everything I have into this. >> Now, last question. >> If you were faced with this type of situation or anything close to it in the future, how would you deal with it? If I had to deal with this, then I would just first go over there, use verbal instruction be proximity with physical and then that's about it. Once I've exhausted all my options, you know, it would be if you're not going to cooperate, it's not going to be me. is going to be an administrator security requesting just the proper protocol. That that is the proper protocol. Now, it's really different when you hear this. I've heard
144it my whole life. Don't touch the kids. Don't touch the money. You know, don't make physical contact with anyone. It's really hard once you're in that moment and you're tested. So, you know, I failed the test. But now knowing that's an experience that I'll carry every day. So if I had to do it again, I would go over there, give instruction, proximity, and then I've exhausted my options, requesting it, being patient. Now I'm asking for additional support. And that's what would be different and it will be different. >> Is this incident going to be in the back of your mind for the rest of your life? >> Of course. Yes. Every Yes. >> Mr. Hernandez Jacksonville was not your first job in this case. Is that right? >> Correct. >> Where did you work before?
145My first job I obtained it when I was still had my degree to be confirmed. It was in Kasota River School District as the head band director 7 through 12. The question was first job. >> Yeah, first job. >> Then did you work at another school like that? My next job was in North Lock at Westwind School for Performing Arts. This was the head position working in the middle school at a charter school. >> Okay. And then from West you came to Jacksonville. Is that right? >> Yes sir. >> Cost river they had discipline policy for students right? >> Yes. Were you trained on the discipline policy at Costat River? >> No, I enrolled I applied to Costa River School District when I was an intern finishing my music degree in the fall. >> I'm
146sorry. I mean to cut you off, but I want to stay focused. So, you weren't trained on the discipline polic. >> I was hired in January. So, any professional development already been done. >> Okay. Well, I was going to ask you about that next. You take professional development every year, right? >> Yes, sir. >> And discipline is part of that professional development. >> Let me go over the policies. >> You're familiar with the Jacksonville School District has a corporal punishment policy, correct? >> I didn't know it had a corporal punishment policy. Actually, >> you didn't review the policies in any of the three years you worked here. I do, but that >> Did you review the student handbook? >> Yes. >> And you didn't see uh the policies for disciplining students in the student handbook?
147>> I've seen them, but not the oral. >> Okay. We understand that under the policies, I think as you said earlier, don't touch the kids is the basic rule. Is that right? >> Correct. You've known that's true your entire educational career. Correct. >> Correct. >> Do you understand now there's a corporal punishment policy at Jackson School District? >> Well, now >> so you know now that in order for a teacher to use corporal punishment on a student that has to be brought to the attention of an administrator, correct? >> Yes, sir. and the administrator gets to make the decision on whether or not corporal punishment is used on a student. Correct? >> Yes, sir. >> And in order to uh for that administrator to give corporal punishment, that student has to their parent has to
148have opted into that system. Correct. >> Yes, sir. >> Parent hasn't signed a form to allow corporal punishment. Punishment cannot be used on that student. Right. In your career, were you generally familiar with districts that had corporal punishment? >> Yes, sir. >> You understood outside of corporal punishment policy, you weren't supposed to lay hands on a student. We're supposed to use physical means to discipline students, correct? >> Correct. >> You're familiar with the concept of a mandated reporter, right? >> Yes, sir. >> And that is if anyone harms I'm just going to basically summarize it. If anyone harms a child at a school, you're required to report that. Correct. >> Great. That applies to teachers, administrators, volunteers, anyone at a school. Right. >> Great. >> So, when it came to this scholar being in the
149locker, you were well aware that you weren't supposed to be using any physical means as discipline for students. Correct. >> Yes, sir. >> You said you weren't angry at the time. Is that right? >> Correct. I take that to mean you probably walked over and decided what you were going to do. Is that right? >> Yes, sir. >> You knew that was a violation of policy. >> Yes. >> You knew if a student was harmed when you did that. That can subject you to a mandated report. Correct. >> Correct. That's all. >> Okay. Do we have any questions from the uh board members? >> U Mr. Hernandez. Um quick question. So whenever you pull the scholar out of the band locker and he fell plummeted to the floor, you just went back and taught class.
150Did did any time did you think that maybe you need to check on the scholar? I put him out with the mistake and looked down at him saw a face of shock. I was also shocked. Went to the front, still shocked, and did not check on him throughout the entire class. The next interaction I had with him was giving him a bag of chips. He had been very energetic throughout the rest of the class, still jumping and smiling, being very active in our rhythm exercises and scale exercises. So have the pop cuz he hit his head. It was very visible on the U video that he hit his head. He could have easily hit a brain bleed and even though he was acting nor you didn't check on him and then even though he was
151acting normal and did those jumping you said movement activities that could have caused further more damage. Did you ever ask him was he okay? >> No ma'am. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Any other questions from the board members? If not then we'll go to closing statements. May I clarify something with Mr. Hernandez first based on >> you want you want to do it in a closing statement? >> Well, I'd like for him to I don't think there was some understanding there. >> Okay. >> Were the exercises that y'all were doing did they involve did the exercises you were leading in involve the kids jumping around? >> No, it's a profession player. You can you're supposed I teach the best technique that a relaxed body to play. We did our scale exercise. >> When you said
152jumping around, did you just mean that he was very active? >> Excited as a little >> But you weren't leading them to do any jumping exercises? >> No. >> Okay. >> And so you said he was very excited. >> Okay. So excitement may re raise your blood pressures. So >> Okay. And you didn't check on him. You didn't ask him was he okay in no time? >> No. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Uh at this time we'll go to closing statements. >> Okay. I'm just used to that process. >> That's got the microphone. Thank you for your time and attention. Um why don't we go ahead and just start watching the video one more time. It's fairly short we have in our mind. Get out before I pull you out. Well, I think it
153happened just as Mr. Hernandez described. He wasn't angry. I I was expecting to say I was angry or I was upset or something was causing me to have a misjudgment, but he says he calmly walked over there, which is what appears to happen in the video and pulled the scholar out and dropped him on the floor. Under no circumstances is that acceptable classroom management or discipline. I believe Mr. Hernandez acknowledges that. Miss Coleman, to your question, I think we can see in the video, he simply walks off from the scholar and doesn't return back. And I think his admission is he didn't check on it. Um, this board has adopted when the district began back in 2015, although after we split off, I think, because I don't think BCSD would let us, but uh, in
1542016, the board adopted a corporal punishment policy. And so there's one way we can use physical means to discipline students and that's only if the scholar's parent or guardian opts into that and it may only be administered by administrator. Mr. Hern Mr. Hernandez acknowledges his entire educational career. One basic thing he's been taught is don't touch the kids, which I think is sound advice that he disregarded in that moment. And the question I think is a good one. How do we know he won't do that again? I'm not sure I've heard other than I think I've learned my lesson this time why that judgment wouldn't get the better of him again. The board has typically set a pretty strong stance on how students, scholars are to be treated and this does not comport with it
155and I'm not sure I'm seeing a reason to have an exception to that policy at this time. So it's my fairly short close. You'll have three options on uh superintendent recommendation to accept, reject or modify the recommendation. We of course suggest the correct route and the route that will ensure that JPSD staff knows the best way to handle student discipline issues is to accept the recommendation and make sure that this kind of thing doesn't happen again. modification can be pretty wide open for what the district might what the board might want to do. But I would suggest respectfully that's the wrong course here. A teacher who will calmly walk over to a student, pull him out, drop him on the floor, and then walk off is probably not who we want as an instructor the
156Jacksonville School District. Thank you. I want to thank the board for your time and attention tonight. Um, when I watch the video, and I would ask that you watch it very, very, very closely. Um, I don't think Dr. Ow was intentionally misstating, but you can clearly hear Um, Mr. Hernandez go through one, two, and then when he says three, he pulls this student by the legs. Um, he knows what he did was, and and this is not a word that's real popular in schools anymore, but I'm an old man. I can get away with it. He knows what he did was stupid. He knows what he did was a bad decision. Um, I don't believe as he was walking back towards this student that he was going over policy in his mind. He was in
157a room with 34 kids who were acting up, who were pointing and laughing and acting out. And and he made a really bad decision this one time when there was no fighting back from the young man from being pulled out. I think it shocked him. I know he was shocked when he first came to see me several several weeks ago. Um he just kept saying I thought he would resist. I thought he would resist. And um again very thankfully Miss Coleman the young man was didn't seem to be hurt. Um did he in his surprise and shock do something double down on the stupidity? Yes. He should have checked on. No question. No doubt about it. I'm not I'm not going to sit here and and make up things for you guys. This is a
158young man that has been employed by this district for three years and and as near as I can tell is loved by everybody here. Um under the act that we're dealing with, um this board has broad discretion to to terminate a school employee. There's no question about that. Um, this board can accept the recommendation to terminate him. The board can reject or as as Mr. Richardson said, the board can modify. There is a a provision in the learns act that allows for a a teacher to go under what's referred to as intensive supervision. Um, I think that would be a good option if this board wanted to do something like that. This young man that's tried to reach out and and grow the band and and bring the band into the community and bring students
159into the band and and has helped kids learn and has helped kids grow. Um, I'll be honest with you. We could have sat here for a couple more hours telling you stories of of interactions with children and parents that were the opposite of this singular bad decision that he's made in the three and a half years that he's been here. the three and a half years that he asks multiple times and in multiple ways for observation and supervision in including getting his own as he mentioned um observation from someone outside the district on on his own initiative because he wants to learn to be better. He wants to grow and um I do think he's a benefit to this district. I think he's a good young man. I I think he is has his heart
160in it. He spent way more than just school time seeing the needs of students and parents and others. And um I I just honestly feel like that he has admitted and learned what has been a very harsh lesson. How do you know he's not going to do it? I guarantee you that I can look at everyone up here and you remember where you were on 911. I remember exactly where I was. Things that are traumatic that stand out, we don't forget. He's not going to forget this. He's just not. Yes, it was traumatic for the kid, but if you watch that video, really, I know it's grainy. I know it's blurry. The kid smiling when he's on the floor. The student is smiling when he's on the floor. And after he gets pulled up, he's
161he's smiling. He wasn't traumatized. I don't believe now. I've never discussed that with him, but watch it close. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Richardson and Mr. McAllister. We will go into executive session at this time. Do I hear a motion on this matter? >> Yes. I'd like to uh make a motion to modify the superintendent's recommendation this way. three-day suspension without pay, written documentation in the file of the employee, and provide supervision moving forward. >> All right. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Nays. >> Nay. >> All right. It passes. >> Yes. Okay, we are moving on to our next area. >> Yes, you're cued. Thank you. >> Yeah. Thank you for coming. And thank you everyone. Thank you everyone. God
162bless you. >> Okay, we are up to personnel addendum that we need to approve before we press on a can I get a motion to approve the addendum dated to May 4, 2026. >> Second. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> All right. And now we're up to personnel and uh we are going in executive session for personnel. Is that correct? All right, we are ajourned for personnel. So, we will hold on for a few minutes. Sorry about that. Okay, we are actually >> Mr. McGinty. Are we back on? >> We're good. >> We're out of executive session for number two. Uh, do I have a motion on the personnel um uh issue agenda? um make a motion to approve with the exception of removing Billy Gibbs from the um >> list
163agenda. >> Okay, there's a second. >> Second. >> All right, we have a motion and a second. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Okay, now we are up to nothing else. >> Board comments. >> No, no, no. There's a >> resolution that needs to be voted on. >> Okay. and I'm gonna recuse myself from the meeting. All right. >> All right. >> Where's the resolution? >> I got you got a a hard copy. >> Yeah. >> Resolution. >> Okay. We have a resolution not here. uh and it involves a uh member of the board here, Mr. Gray, who has uh recused himself. And it is for the employment of his daughter-in-law, whose name is >> McKenna Gray. Has anyone had a chance to look at that? >> Yes. >> Okay. Can I
164entertain a motion to approve this resolution? >> Shall move. Second. >> Have a motion and a second. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Anybody that does want to approve it? >> Okay. All right. We're good. It's approved. Mr. McDaniel. So, if I can provide clarity the resolution uh we have not received the um recommendation uh from the principal yet, but we have submitted the resolution just in case we get that. That way we have already started the approval process with the board and uh AD uh in case uh whenever we get the uh recommendation from the building principal for her hire and so that I just want to provide that clarity. >> Okay. And uh let's see do we have anything do we have any board comments >> before we go move
165to adjournment? Motion to adjurnn. >> All right, we're adjourned. >> And board members, uh, as we adjourn, I want to, uh, introduce you to Mr. Jesse Wilson. He now is the JES principal starting July 1st of 2026. Welcome. >> Thank you so much. Appreciate that.