001Thank you so much for your patience. We're calling the meeting back to order. The time is 6:01 p.m. Let me see that agenda. All right, if everybody would stand for the pledge of allegiance. >> [laughter] >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Is that my pen? That's not >> All right, I'm going to call the roll. >> Thank you. >> District one, Miss Jasmine B. She's absent this evening. District two, Mr. Mark Christmas, >> present. >> District three, Dr. Jesse Gory, >> present. >> District four, Miss Victoria Williams. She's out. She's um recovering, so make sure we keep her in our prayers. Um District five, Dr. D. Um, D.
002Haney. District six, Miss Mary Baker. >> Present. >> District seven, Miss Sabrina Hill. >> Present. >> District eight, Miss Joy Telis Cooper. >> And District nine, myself, Ben Striker. I'm here. >> I'm present, too. >> Okay. Thank you. [clears throat] >> Hold on one second. Um, I wasn't finished calling the role. I just realized that I was missing something. The ethic statement. Could you get the ethic statement [clears throat] and >> Thanks. >> All right. And finishing calling up the role. Superintendent Dr. Anthony Smith. >> Present. >> Deputy Superintendent Dr. Douglas Hrix. Board liaison. Miss Ken Blackwood. >> Assistant to the soup. Alic Alicia Battle. She's >> assistant to the deputy suit, Miss um Dawn Biles. Keep her in your prayers also. I don't think she's here today. Attorney Clen Doyle. And we're joined here
003by our um interns, Adrien Franquest. Thank you. And um Kingston Parrots. Is [clears throat] there anybody I missed on the roll call? All right. Reading the ethics statement. In accordance with board policy BH, it is the duty of every board member to avoid both conflicts of interest and appearances of such conflicts. Does any board member have any known conflict of interest or appearance of such conflict with respect to any matter scheduled to come before the board at this meeting or appearing on our proposed agenda? If so, please identify the conflict or appearance of conflict a refrain from participation in the matter involved. I think we have some recommendations from the executive session. Um, Mr. Superintendent, the platform is yours. >> Adopt the agenda. You adopt the agenda. >> Did you adopt the agenda? I put
004a check there. Um, I need a mot I need a motion to adopt the agenda that we're going to have tonight. >> Miss Gore and Miss Baker. The motion has been made and properly second. Can I get a vote? >> Yes. >> Good deal. Superintendent, it's all yours. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Miss Vice Chairwoman, members of the board, staff, and community. I would like the board to consider for the position a principal for the early learning center, Miss Anika Bryant. >> Do I have a motion, Miss Corey? >> Yes. I move that we accept the superintendent's recommendation of Mr. Anika Bryant as the principal of the Early Learning Center. >> Miss Baker, >> I second. >> The motion has been made and properly second. Can I get a vote? Thank you board. Are >> you
005voting? >> Got unanimous. >> Oh, >> all right. >> Okay. Thank you so much. Uh uh members of the board, uh is Miss Bryant available? Please come down and take a picture with the board [applause] and congratulations. I have no further recommendations, Mr. Chairman. >> We have to Oh, other than >> Yeah, but that's not fun. So, we'll do this. Let's start. All right, everyone. If you look right ahead right here on three. One, two, and three. Stay there. One more. One, two, and three. Thank y'all. [applause] Those are my personnel recommendations. I would like the board to consider the findings of a tribunal hearing. Tribunal hearing number 2025-2026- 03. >> Okay, Miss Gore, >> I move that we accept the superintendent's recommendation for employee tribunal hearing 2025-2026-03. Listen. Okay. The motion has been made
006by Miss Gore and seconded by Mr. Mark Christmas. Can I get a vote? It's unanimous. Thank you, board members. >> Okay. At this time, we're going to have board member updates. I'm going to start with you, Mr. Christmas. >> Mr. Okay, [snorts] Miss Gore. >> Good evening, everyone. Uh I want to I don't I really hadn't been doing much in the district. I but I since this is a time of Thanksgiving. Yes. I decided after 18 years to miss a retreat and a couple of board meetings. Something that I rarely do. But I want everybody to take this time as we go into Thanksgiving and then December's coming, as we go into the holidays to make sure that you are very thankful for all of the blessings that you have. As you know, during this
007time, so many of our people in this country have been living without paychecks. Uh we have people that are worried about their health care, about the next meal that's going to be on the table. So be thankful for your blessings, but also take care of you. Do you and make sure there's nobody more important than you. And as I'm going to say in particularly, I guess I'm going to be a little sexist here, but I know with women, we have such uh responsibilities, taking care of family and everybody else. Look at him looking at me, but uh take care of yourself. And uh I'm hoping I wish everybody a happy Thanksgiving, a happy holiday season. And I'm going to pass the mic. And I I do want to say since our colleague is not here,
008Miss Miss Williams, Miss Williams just had a procedure. And if you all would keep um her in your prayers and I just remember one other person too in our finance department. Uh, I would like for us to take a moment of silence and keep Calvin Browning in your prayers. Uh, he lost his son >> and so, uh, it's, you know, it's always bad at this time of the year to lose somebody, but let's take a moment for his him and his family, please. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you, Miss Guri. [clears throat] I just have three things. Um, we had a magnificent jazz session at Miss Jerry's restaurant this past Saturday night. The um, Marorrow Jazz Band actually performed and um, thanks to Miss Victoria Williams and her husband who was instrumental in
009this, Mr. Raymond Williams, we collected some donations for the jazz band. It's very important that everybody knows that the jazz band has been chosen to go to Carnegie Hall in New York come next April. Um the bill for that is going to be close to $100,000. When I say $100,000, it's 50 different individuals, 50 different children that are going to be attending this and they're required to pay $2,500 a piece for the um for the trip. We're going to be doing some aggressive fundraising to lower that cost for them. So, be on the lookout for some major fundraisers that we're going to try to do to put a dent in that $100,000. Um, also we're going to be honoring the the communications department for the recognition and awards that they've gotten um this past year.
010And that's a lunchon that we're putting on this coming Wednesday. Right. Wednesday from 12 to 2. Right. From 12 to 2, we're going to be having a lunchon so that we can recognize them and, you know, give them their flowers for all of the great work that they've they've been doing. If you could give them a hand. [applause] Lastly, I want to wish the community and everyone here a happy Thanksgiving and um as my colleague said, really truly try to um work on your mental health, Miss Baker. >> Okay, I got a lot, but I'll try to make it quick. Um first of all, um I want to give a shout out to Cadet Lieutenant Colonel uh Jonas Slade, who spoke for the veterans. um at our veteran celebration. Um if you haven't seen it,
011I suggest that you find a copy of it because um he's going to be our future president of the United States. I swear. And I shook his hand and gave him a hug so I'd be the first one to congratulate him on that one. Um but he was amazing. Um next little quick thing, uh shout out to Felicia Brown because she added doctor to her title. So, [applause] she probably didn't want me to tell you that, but I did. Um, tomorrow night at 6 o'clock, it's a different situation. It's going to be a gun forum and um along with the district attorney and our chiefs. Um, we will be giving out gunlocks and information. So, I ask any of you to come out if you need a gun lock, if you know know somebody who
012does. I am not the person to take away your rights to own a gun, but I expect you to be responsible because I don't want to pray for any more lost babies. So, those are the probably the quickest ones. Next, um we're celebrating National uh or Native American Month this month along with Veterans Day. So, I'm going to give you some quick facts and you'll know why it's important to teach history. During World War I, over 12,000 Native Americans served, including the Chalk Talkers. Of those 12,6500 were drafted. Now, you say, why is that important? A lot of draft. Native Americans were not given citizenship until 1924, a little bit after the war. World War II, 44,000 were enlisted, the highest rate of volunteers in any demographic group. and they included the Navajo code talkers,
013uh, Marine Ira Hayes, who helped raise the FL the flag at Eroima, along with 65,000 who served in the defense industry. [clears throat] And again, why is that so important? Because they didn't have the right to vote until 1948. Korea had over 10,000 who served. Vietnam 42,000 with one out of every four eligible Native Americans serving versus one out of 12 of non-native people and 90% of them volunteered. Currently, there's over 30,000 Native Americans serving uh worldwide for our nation. And again, going back to those voting native uh I I saw something not too long ago in the last major election, Navajo people had to go 160 miles to get to their closest polling place to vote. So when we talk about voter suppression, let's be honest where it's at. So that's just my little
014soap box. And again, I hope we take a little bit of time to actually teach our children all of our history. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you, >> Dr. Haney. >> Good evening, everyone. Um I had the opportunity to sit in at the um Clayton County delegations forum, community forum that they had um and just listening to the community how they're voicing their concerns not only with the education part of our district and our county that is but just the overall scope of the county itself. And then they even asked me to come up and speak and I just advocated for those um in the special education realm and I advocated and pleaded with them that we need money, we need funding for that um considering the vacancies that we have 28 vacancies in
015that space and so I advocated for that along with other needs that we have in the district to support us and not just be a knock and sound but to actually be about some action as of helping us to be able to help our future our president right now. So, um, that was a great experience for that. Some of the [clears throat] constituents within different districts, um, came up to ask questions and even provided suggestions. And of course, I led them over to their board members out of respect for that as well as, you know, always informing our superintendent of what I spoke on so that he wouldn't be caught in the aha and to make sure that we're all in sync to what we're asking and requesting. So that's what um district 5 has
016been doing out there just um advocating for the needs of our students and various departments and also it's good to know and I'll just bring this up later when the finance department comes up. So again thank you for the opportunity >> miss. >> Good evening everyone. I just want to say thank you to our Clayton County staff support services um in collaboration with our stakeholders. Um New Vision Christian Church, uh Hearts to Nourish Hope, uh United Way, Crossculture 365, Melanated Pearls, Area Needs, Atlanta Food Bank, Community Service Authority, Georgia Apple Seed and Housing Plus, Inc. and many of our faith-based organizations in coming together for our food care package that will take place on November 20th at Forest Park High School from 400 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Um, we still need volunteers and we would
017love to have you join us at that time. Um, we do have an opportunity to do donations. I know times are tight for all of us. Um, but any dollar amount will help. I saw a couple of our community people donate 10 $25 and grassroots is how we get to where we need to be. So I just want to say in the spirit of thanksgiving I thank God for each and every one of you our staff members and all of us working together to serve our community with excellence and love. So [clears throat] thank you >> M school. >> Thank you. So, no new updates for me, but I do want to just let everyone know to have a happy Thanksgiving. And I think we missed one of our board members birthdays, Miss D. Haney.
018So, if we could just wish her a happy birthday belated >> Dr. Smith, your update before you start the um superintendent. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh at this time, uh I'll pass it on to Dr. Adelfia Young will give us an update about the federally identified schools update. >> Good evening, >> Chairperson um Straker, Chairwoman Baker, board members, our Superintendent Smith, our audience, and our community. Okay, thank you. We're sorry for the delay. So, what we want to do is a minute, wrong way. What we want to do is share with you a presentation about our identified schools. This is a mandatory presentation. You have the full um slide set of slides, but we only going to highlight a very few number of slides. And so I'm going to get Miss Jackie Johnson. She
019is going to share with you the information for tonight. Um just be mindful we will come back I believe next month and we will have a deeper conversation about the CCRPI and if you have any questions from tonight we'll be glad to answer those on that next time. >> Right. It'll be in January. Oh >> January. Okay. Thank you. All right. Johnson. >> Thank you, Dr. Young. Good evening, board, chair, um, vice chair, um, rest of the board community members at large. I appreciate the opportunity. So, what we have on this slide are the current state identified and federally identified schools. They were identified as of January. Um UC Perry Center for Graduation Rates and for Content Mastery and the ATSI schools are Hawthorne, Huey, and Riverdale offer students with disabilities and content mastery. We
020have TSI schools that are listed there. Most of those schools are all identified for the same reasons for students with disabilities content mastery. And then Lee Street Elementary has the added group of students of our black students who are also identified. This slide shows you what the overall scores are for the federally identified schools, their trends from 2023 through 2025. And I'll just highlight the highest scores of this subset of schools. For content mastery, North Clayton had 58.6. River's Edge 56, Haney had 48.3, Hawthorne 47.9. For progress, the highest schools, the highest scores for these schools are Haney at 91.9, Hawthorne at 88.1, Riverdale at 88, King 87.2. For closing the gap, the highest scores were found at Huey and King at 100, River's Edge at 88.5, Edmonds at 88.2. For readiness, the highest scores
021were for River's Edge at 80.8, Hawthorne at 78.6, Haney at 75.6, and Huey at 74.5. Several of the schools had increases in all of those areas. And you can see that on the slides there. So that you are aware, the next determination for federally identified schools for CSI and for ATSI will be in January of 2027 is when we'll get a new updated list for those schools. And for TSI, we will like we will get a new updated list for TSI school in January of 2026. This slide is showing the high school graduation rates for North Clayton and for Perry. And based on these results, it is very likely that North Clayton will come off the list based on their improvement. And Perry will come off the list for their graduation rates. However, they will
022likely remain on the list for their content mastery. The schools that showed the greatest improvement are listed here on this slide. I won't read all of them to you. And then the schools that had decreases, those that showed improvement in each of the areas, and also those that showed decreases in each of the areas, and those that are unchanged are on the slide. [clears throat] And you did receive the presentation that has all the current data as far as how these schools performed last year fall compared to this year fall on the map data which is how we are um addressing the needs and ensuring that the schools are moving and growing throughout the course of this year. So I will end with that and ask if you have any questions. >> Board members, any
023questions? Miss >> um yes. Thank you so much for this information. However, I just need us to I need clarification. When I'm looking at this data, I'm asking myself, okay, what does this really mean? What are we saying? So, in layman's terms, what are we saying here with this data? Are we saying that our students are not performing as they should be? Please just help me >> Sure. understand what I'm I'm looking at because when we say that they're on a list >> that's is that good or bad? >> So federally identified schools get identified in in short because of low performance. >> Okay. All the schools in the state of Georgia are ranked and whether they're an elementary school, middle school, or high school, they're ranked in order of their scores from lowest to
024highest performing. And the bottom percentage of schools that are performing, not performing as high are all then going through a filter that determines if they're going to continue to be um identified further. And I believe you're going to get a more updated a longer presentation that goes through each of those um how they're identified each of those areas going forward. This the data that you see on the slide there you'll see the scores there. All the scores are are out of zero to 100. So 100 in each of the com in each of those components whether it's content mastery progress closing the gaps readiness or graduation rates are scores out of 100. So the scores that you see there show what score the students those schools are at based on a score out of 100.
025>> Okay. So when I'm looking at these scores, >> I'm looking at a 100. So that's 100 across the board that they've done well >> out of 100. So for example, that first group, excuse me, [clears throat] that first group of content mastery, when you look at that 2025, >> that score for each of those schools is out of 100 in that area of content mastery. >> Content mastery in short is achievement. >> Correct. [clears throat] >> That next column of growth, excuse me, of progress is pretty much growth. And again, how much they grew in comparison of what they were expected to grow based on each student's uh percentiles of growth. Again, the schools are all scored out of 100. It's a lot of calculations that go under behind the scenes with that of
026how the state state calculates that. But each of those scores are out of 100 as well. And closing the gaps is based out of 100. And it's based on the uh subgroups of students or the the student groups. Each of the identified groups of students who are underneath the surface of the data, all their scores are all tallied in there and then the scores are calculated out of 100. >> Okay. So when we say that they're on here for mastery content, that means that um there's a lot of work to do. >> There's a lot of work to do in achievement. Yes. >> Okay. you can see where we are making the gains though when you look at progress >> and so in in your um experience um looking at this data and the number
027of schools that's on this list um and I know this would go to our leaders and how we would go about approaching this or is this something that is ongoing or where are we at in with that Dr. young. >> I'm I'm I'm sorry when when I when I Well, you you [laughter] know cuz you've been working with me a long time when I >> Absolutely. >> Yeah. So let's let's let's um um I don't the content mastery when we look at this for the state department because this is for everybody to know if the state has a formula or more of a process for identifying students who are or school that are not performing at what their expected performance to be. Every school in the state of Georgia has its own expectations and so
028these expect expectations determine quite a bit of what's going on here. Now, in terms of content mastery, everything that we're being putting in place to support content mastery, such as starting with our K1 literacy, our focus on interventions and preventions, uh our instructional coaches, all of those things have are in place to support us. Our professional development for our teachers and our leaders, our community, bringing them together and giving them training. Everything that we've tried to do is been very systematic and methodical to move these numbers along. And so if you look at your data across, you can see in many cases how we have improved for most of those schools from 2023 to 2025. And this is what the state asked for. They asked for that incremental improvement. Incremental improvement. And however, like when
029you see the closing of the gaps, we have some areas that we have to work on in that area. And closing of the gap is not looking at just did the kid passed the test or not. That looks at how the score that the student made in comparison to his or her academic peers. And that's a group comparison. Okay. And the more we do for raising our student performance on the um Georgia milestone or GAA, Georgia alternative assessment or the access the higher those closing the gaps scores would be. And so I want you it's kind of thinking about this through the process. There are multiple pieces that go into this but I really want to be able to share that in detail in January. >> Okay. Thank you. Okay, >> Dr. Young the the
030when we talk about closing the gap that percentage jump has to be 6% or more right. Am I correct >> for closing the gap? >> Yeah. >> No. No sir. >> Okay. It's just show some type of progression. >> Three percentage point percentage points. Right. But again it's based on the individual schools. Okay. >> And individual subgroups of students. >> Gotcha. >> All right. >> Go for it. >> Um Dr. Thank you for explaining that once again. Um, but I'm concerned when when I see this and I saw constant like one of the schools in my district constant decreases overall closing the gap and you're saying this is by group comparisons and all this. Can you explain a little bit more on that? Which when I see decreases overall I saw one says decreases in
031content mastery. I saw overall then I saw decrease overall in closing the gaps and I'm looking at one particular school. I'm just like explain that to me. >> So in looking at and decreases across multiple areas are attributed to many things. The first piece, content mastery. That means that the students did not perform as well on the assessments as they should or need to based on the target outline by um for for progress based on um developing proficient and distinguished learners. And so that's the first thing that's performance, pure performance. How'd you do on the test? That's content master. Okay. So, if students have declines in that, then you're going to have declines in that content mastery. Now, we look at progress. Progress is also the Georgia milestone, but that now look at the scale
032score. That's looking at your individual student compared to his group or her group. If you have low performance on the developing, proficient and distinguished, you're going to have low performance with progress. You see where I'm going with this? >> Okay. Closing the gap is looking at did they meet their targets. Well, if you didn't have good clos content mastery performance, you're not going to have good performance on on closing the gaps. So, you can see the through line is academic achievement on the Georgia milestone. Okay. >> Now, readiness is a whole different uh set of measures and a little bit of of academic achievement. [snorts] >> Okay. Go ahead. >> I just want to say despite what the numbers say, I want to thank everybody for all their hard work. I think we're moving in
033the right direction. I'm personally tired of hearing the word milestones. I'm t all we're interested in is numbers and I know for a fact that we're moving in the right direction because what two or three years ago we had most of our schools off of a list >> and now now they're on the list because the reality is this. Those people that work downtown, they need a job. So they just go sit up and think about something new, some new scale that we can come up with and put children on. We know that children throughout the state are aren't equal. They don't have the same environment everywhere. There are so many factors that play into this. The only my only really concern about what I'm looking at is mainly it seems like most people ended
034up on the list because of um >> student with uh special needs or whatever. And we know that in order for us to get them off the list when it comes to hiring employees next year, maybe we need this board needs to look at paying more money for teachers in that area so that we can help our students. And I'm tired. I'm going just say this. Interestingly enough, last year [clears throat] with our interns, one was the saludiatoran. One graduated sixth in their class, the other one was in the top 10%. We were talking about temperature, body temperature. I asked them a very simple question. Uh I asked them, "What what what is your body temperature?" Neither three of them could tell me that answer because guess what? We don't even teach that. if that's
035not a skill on the milestones and I just really think with all of this that comes from the state that we're still sending children out not with the with I had a great education because we learned so many things but I'm proud of the progress that we're making particularly when we look at the Perry Center and see the gains that they're making uh that to me is we're we're making the gains that we need to make and I just thank everybody for all the hard work all the professional development ment that the teachers get because I think we're over uh PD and them because they're [clears throat] they can't even they learn one thing and then you know you got to turn around because it it all just boils down to test scores >> and
036that don't mean that means nothing to me. >> Miss Cory, thank you for that uh injection of comments. Uh, and when we do this overall CCRPI update in January, I think the board will have a clear understanding of the actual progress that we're making overall. >> Dr. Young, I'm sorry, Mr. Chair. Dr. Young, how how long does the state give us uh to come off this list? >> Good question. So, CSI and ATSI, we have three years to show progress. So, uh, Miss Johnson and I, I don't know, one day last week, we were running some numbers and we see that many of our schools, if we were using the 2023 uh, criteria, many of these schools will not meet that criteria or no longer meet that criteria there. Um so we have to this
037school year when we get the results these um data points will be compared to the 2024 data points and the rule is is for them to show improvement from the time they were identified until the next reidentification process. And so we can see those improvements in our content mastery. And as the um schools go through the filter, we see that uh progress, closing the gaps and readiness are are there and many of our schools will not go through the filter because of their success in those other areas there. And so we're very excited about that that most of these schools will more than likely if they show the continued progress will not meet the eligibility requirements for January 2027. And I will say that I bet as soon as they see too many of ours
038coming off the list, they'll come up with something else >> just to put them back on there because they basically all of our the metro metro area districts are we're all looking like we're not doing a good job and I know that we are. >> All right. Any more questions? Seeing none, go for >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you team. Miss Bons. Good evening, Mr. Chair, Madame Vice Chair, board members, Superintendent Dr. Smith, colleagues and community this evening. See this? >> Thank you. Okay, thank you. So, while she's pulling this up, um this evening we're going to um our FY24 audit has been completed. Um it's completed the close to the end of September. So, it means we're caught up. So, we're just ready getting ready to start the FY25 audit. You know,
039when I started in March of 23, we were behind two years on our audit. We finished 21 in March right after I got here. 22 a year later. Then we did 23 and 24 within a year. So, we're caught up. This evening, our auditor is here to um give you um update on the findings. We did have four findings. They were VP findings um from 23 and um we had eight last year. Prior to that, I think we had 11. So, we've gotten those starting getting those down. So hopefully, fingers crossed, prayers that with 25 we have zero or at least get rid of half of those again. Um if we can don't have any more repeat findings, that will lead us to getting off of the high-risisk list because the repeat repeat findings is
040what causes us to get on that list. Um the one thing that's not on the list that was my grave concern and I'm sure many others as well was one of our findings for the last few years was reconciling cash. That one is gone. So, I'm excited about that one because that's the one that gave me the most heartburn and it kept me up at night even though I know the cash was fine just because it wasn't being reconciled um like it was supposed to. That was a concern of mine, but that one has been taken care of. So, um Meredith Libson with Mina [clears throat] Jenkins is going to give you an update for that and you also have a copy of it in front of you and I sent it to you. I
041sent you the audit earlier last week and I thought the summary that the auditor's um management auditor discussion and analysis was included in that but it was not. So I sent it about 6:30 this morning but I also gave her a hard copy but this is what she's going to um speak to this afternoon this evening. Good evening again. My name is Meredith Libson with Molden and Jenkins CPA firm and I am the partner in charge of Clayton County Board of Education's um annual audit. Um as Ramona indicated, we did complete the June 30, 2024 audit back in September. It was filed with the state. Um and um again, as she mentioned, we are um um they're in preparation for the 2025 audit, which we hope we'll get to soon and and be caught up.
042However, as I mentioned to Ramona, there's very few school districts, and we do audit a lot of them that have actually completed their 2025 audit. So, y'all really are in essence caught up. Um the document that I believe you all been provided a copy of and that's up here on the um screen is what we refer to as our auditor's discussion and analysis. There's a good bit of information just kind of a summary of the overall audit process, our opinion, the financial statements um findings and recommendations. I won't certainly won't um go through this page by page um but it is there for you all and if you have any questions please don't hesitate to stop me or um if you think of anything afterwards um please please feel free to contact me and we
043can discuss further see it's going to be kind of hard to see on the screen because this is a just a PDF file um a little bit of information about our firm in the first couple of um pages of the document. Um one of the most important things to talk about is our audit opinion. We did issue an unmodified a clean opinion on um the majority of the statements, the governmental activities, your business type activities, and your major funds. We did issue a qualified opinion on the school nutrition fund simply because um the school nutrition inventory at year end um for June 30, 2024 um we were able to reconcile it to um a detailed listing of the inventory and procedures were done. We're comfortable with that. However, the fiscal year 23 inventory, which is
044basically the beginning of fiscal year 24, um we were not able to reconcile and so because the activity between the year flows through school year 24, we could not issue um a modified opinion for the school nutrition fund. However, we um the the issue with that and with the software has been um has been rectified and we don't anticipate there being any issue next uh for 25 in um issuing an unmodified clean opinion. But as always, the financial statements are the responsibility of management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audit procedures. Um and again, we did issue an unmodified opinion on the majority of the financial statements. Um just a qualified opinion on the school nutrition fund. I'm about blind, so I'm just trying to see where this frame. Um, so
045just a few highlights as far as the financial statements go. When you look at the governmentalwide financial statements of the district, um, you all had net position at June 30, 2024 of approximately $420 million. Net position is the difference between your assets and liability. basically your equity. Um the the majority of the liabilities that you all that are reflected on the school district's um statement of net position or balance sheet are um net pension and OPED liabilities. Um those total up to approximately $819 million. You all are no different than any other school district. Those are very large numbers for all the school districts. Um there's certainly not current liabilities. there's a projection of of the future, but those are very heavy liabilities and that really is the majority of the liabilities that the school
046district has on their on their books. Um, this year you all um as far as the governmentwide all of your your funds together um had a decrease in net position of approximately a 11 million. Um there was an excess of expenditures over revenues uh expenses over revenues. Um, [clears throat] a good deal of that has to do with um believe you all um the salaries were higher than you all had anticipated and budgeted for and um but you all do have a strong net position. So that $1 million decrease did not do anything to really affect the district overall as far as their equity. Um we do have a couple of charts within this document that show your general fund revenues and expenditures. general fund includes all those operations that are not funded by um
047by specific funding sources. So your title one or your title two, those are a special revenue funds. Those are not accounted for in your general fund. Um your general fund is pretty much everything else. Um you all did have um um total expenditures of approximately 352.9 million um which was over budget. The budget was about 318 million. Um your total revenues that number >> well yeah fund balance your difference between your revenues and your expenditures um was approximately a decrease of approximately 10.3 million. Your fund balance of the general fund was approximately 168.5 million. So your general fund of 168.5 million and when you look at that as compared to your monthly expenditures that's about three and a half months worth of um expenditures that you had on hand at June 30 24 that carried
048you through y'all started getting those big um uh dollar amounts of your taxes and so forth that come in in the fall of each year. So good strong fund balance at June 30, 2024. Um the next few pages um that are in this document um cover the footnotes um to the financial statements and those are very similar to those that we've had in the past. There's really been no significant changes. Um we also issue two compliance reports. One is on government auditing standards and the other is your single audit report. Because you all do expend in excess of $750,000 in federal funds. You're required each year to undergo a single audit. um it's done on a riskbased approach and there's certain programs every year that we test for compliance um and internal controls and so
049that was um of course done again this year. Um as part of our audit process there are certain things that we're required to communicate to you all under the standards that guide us and those um are also included in this document and those are on pages 11 through um 13 of this document. Um just making sure that you all understand about you know the county policies and procedures that you all ultimately management has the responsibility for those. Um there's certain judgments and estimates that are used as part of the um overall audit process and we do look at those um make sure that they are that we are comfortable with those in the realm of the audit um procedures. [clears throat] Um we did we had no difficulties working with management as a matter of
050fact they worked extremely hard um to get us everything that we needed so that we could get this report issued. Um we did um uh request representation from management that all the information been provided to us and we received that representation without any issues. There were certain audit adjustments that were made um to the trial balances were provided to us at the beginning of the audit. Um a detail of those adjustments we can can certainly be provided to you. Um but they do have those um in the finance department. All those adjustments have been posted to the general ledger um so that their books agree with the audited financial statements. Um on page 14 is where um you'll see um the findings and recommendations as part of the audit process um which Ramona had um
051which Ramona had mentioned um previously. We did have um four findings and these were all repeat findings. All of them are being worked on. I know um certainly um don't expect um to have yeah I do not expect that any of these actually would be repeat findings for 2025. they related to really reporting of brief receivables and revenues related to grant funding. Um accounts payable and retainage payable. Making sure that all subsequent dispersements um for um for goods and services that were um received prior to the year end were reported as such. Um and depreciation expense being reported. That was another um one of the findings. And then um inter fund balances we've had issues with for a number of years. If funds are moved to and from funds they between funds they have to
052balance out. Um and so like I said I do know that the finance department is working on these diligently and I I really not anticipating having these as repeat findings for 25. >> Mr. Chair. Yes. Yes ma'am. Question sir. Uh you said these were repeat findings right? >> Correct. for 2024 2025 >> for for 2023 2024 >> and then 2023 2024 >> correct >> was repeat finance for 202122 >> um >> I mean cuz yes when you when you say repeat findings how many times has it repeated itself before we fixed it? Um it has repeated itself um I'd say four or five years at least [clears throat] because the audit I think maybe because the audit was late on it and by the time you caught up on it another cycle repeated itself so
053that's why I kept her here and so when she caught it up. That's why it's going to fall off, >> right? >> I understand. But it's been a four-year process. >> Yes, sir. That um >> before before we we finally catching up with it. That's what you're telling. >> That is correct. Primarily due to um there was an enormous amount of turnover in that finance department. Correct. As well as um issues with the financial software. >> So, if I'm clear, you said that this shouldn't happen next year. >> That is correct. You you guaranteeing that? >> No, I'm I can't guarantee anything. >> Well, I'm just I'm I'm curious if we did it for four years. Uh >> we ought to >> administration >> I understand it was another administration, but this administration be here
054long enough. >> They got to catch it. >> I understand what you're saying. This administration been here long enough to catch it out and I appreciate them catching it, >> but we we shouldn't continue to have repeat anything when it come to finances. So, Mr. Christmas. Yes. Um, with all due respect, if you remember, um, >> remember what I said when I came in in 2023. >> First, don't say all due respect because when you say that, it ain't going to be respectful. >> Yes, it is. >> Okay. [laughter] >> So, when I came in, we were behind already in [clears throat] two years, right? >> So, any findings that you have when you're behind, you don't have opportunity to go back and fix them. This 253 25 is really going to be the first
055year of this last fiscal year that my team and I will have to address all of these findings that we've had for the 21 audit, 22 audit, 23 audit, and even 24 audit because remember, I came in at the end of fiscal year 2023. >> Correct. >> So, I've really only been here for two and a half years in all fairness. in the 25 audit which is coming up. It's going to be the first year that we've had a full year with uh to get everything um corrected >> once. Thank you uh Miss Bivvens. I appreciate it. Uh I'm going ask you the same question so I shouldn't see this again. >> We it's our expectation that we won't have this nature. I had some things in place. We had some people come in again
056as I stated we started out with 11 findings on the 21 audit and we've gotten down to four. It is our expectation and anticipation that we don't have that and I'm holding Jean because this is his air. He's >> taking care of that. >> No, no, I'm responsible. So, no, that's on me. >> All right. >> I just messing with No, sir. It is our anticipation that we don't have this and my expectation. I've already expressed it to staff. We already have things in place so these things can be taken care of. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. Um in in addition to the findings um we have also some management recommendations. Management recommendations are just those items that we think um if addressed by management would um would benefit the the finance department would
057benefit um the financial reporting process. Um and again but they're just recommendations. They're not findings. There's um a number of these on pages 16 16 through uh 18 um just relating to some of the uh bank accounts and and they're very small with very little in them. They're kind of almost dormant. Um looking into those um a lot of them relate to um to the school discretionary bank accounts. >> [clears throat] >> um and pulled cash. Um again, not findings, just recommendations as far as the process and procedures go. And we also >> I have a question please and this might be more so for Miss Bibbons. Um at the bottom of page 16 >> you have [clears throat] >> something about three bank accounts and one of them mentions the employee of the year
058and it it has a balance. But now I'm wondering is that really money from us or is that maybe some foundation money that might be intermingled or do we have a fund for that? I thought someone else was maybe picking up the tab because I think I see something in one of our reports to that effect. So it is on our books but what I found was a checking account that um where they had collected money for the employee of the year and because Miss Rice has taken over it need to be transferred to her. It was over in um professional learning. So we got all that information and transferred that to Miss Rice's department. Those accounts were not being reconciled cuz I was not aware that they were there. But when we discovered them,
059um we added them to where they needed to be from a um financial perspective when we could monitor those accounts and that's why they're on our books now. And um later on you're going to see a budget amendment for this year where they um had gotten some money to offset the expenses for that. That's why because we now put it on our books um and we have to account for that. and that account had just been sitting there and once it was discovered because when she told me about it I I didn't know we had a student um a teacher of the year account and so we did some digging and some research and that's when we found out it had been housed over professional learning when they were responsible for it had just been
060sitting there accounts had not been reconciled we got the checks all the um everything and transferred that to Miss Rice got it all reconciled and everything and so we are now monitoring that and maintaining that and keep keeping up with that information is clues. >> Okay. But but those accounts they're I mean they're not um >> negative accounts. It's money. >> No. Um they weren't included on the books initially, but they are for 25 they are. >> Okay. Yeah. Cuz I noticed we have maybe is that information in this meeting? I know I read it somewhere. >> Yes. It's a budget amendment that we're talking about finance piece. >> Okay. So, Miss Bivvens, uh, since you found the money and you put it in the proper account, did you close these account? >> No, no,
061the account is still open. Miss Rice actually has access to it. We changed the signature um authority on it where she now signs. She has that checking account and she can put the money in that account and write the checks. But we it still has to come through us as far as the accounting for it and the records. It still gets audit. It would get audited um in 25 just like it did um last year. It didn't have any activity in it. Um, it was an account sitting there. >> What about those two other accounts that we see? >> The other two accounts and we're trying to figure out what to do with them. One of them was Splat 10, which happened way back when when you all got a tan for splust. So, it's
062still some money left there. So, I'm trying we're trying to figure out what legally we can do with that money. And the other one, I don't remember what the other one, >> the clearing account. >> Oh, clearing account um for school accounts. I think they're working on that one as well because that has to do with the school accounts where we transfer money back and forth um for the schools. >> But you will give us a a finding when you get this reconciled. >> Yes, sir. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. [clears throat] >> Are there questions about any of the other um recommendations on pages 16 through 18? Good. M. Um, >> Mr. Chair, I don't have a question. I would just like to bring a motion to the floor and ask for forensic
063audit um to move the board and an authorized and independent forensic audit over our finances just because of um as uh my colleague Mr. Christmas have um highlighted just and Miss Bivvens have inherited it um a lot of things. I would like us to have a forensic audit for 20 uh 23 24 25 um in light of us also having to have a tan this um this time coming in. So I just want us to continue to be fiscally responsible. I think our finance um department and business services have done an amazing job based on what she said. She indicated she's only been here two years. Um, but I think that we should always allow oursel to have a clean look at what our financials look like. And so I would like a comprehensive assessment
064of all our financial practices and how um, our records look uh, for transparency and to and strengthen our fiscal um, responsibilities and accountability for the board. Um, and I would like to bring a motion to the floor for that request. >> Can I get a second, Miss Cooper? The motion has been made and properly seconded. Can I get a vote? >> Uh, can we have some discussion? Go ahead. >> Okay. So, I am We keep talking about this tan and that is kind of working my nerves. Uh, I believe that there's an article in the paper today about Faget County >> Yep. >> not being able to pay their employees. Yep. >> And I don't understand when people don't understand why we even talked about a 10 that we might not even have to get.
065We need to pay our bills. And the auditor just mentioned the fact about our fund balance, which is what we've been operating off of since this summer. So, the reason we even talked about getting a 10 is because I know you get a tax bill. Everybody around this table received the tax bill and it came late. So if when you when the tax bill comes late, that means the money that we're supposed to have is going to come late. So the question is if there are people that don't want to tan, then it means you don't want to pay your employees and you don't want to pay yourself because you you must have operating money, which that would get us in more trouble than anything else. We have we have one school district right now
066that um the state is having to give them money because of some things that they had they didn't do correctly. But I'm I'm going to say this. Uh I don't know how the votes going to go. I'm not I think when you talk about a forensic audit, I think you need to get more information on even how much it costs and what a forensic audit is because a forensic audit is not just something general you can say. You you need to specify exactly what it is that you're looking for. And uh so I'm I'm totally opposed to that. So, I don't I don't care what the rest of the board does. If I mean, maybe we might need to do something, but I think before we come up with that as a solution, we need
067to get a little bit more information. >> And Mr. Chair, my recommendation if it was to pass is that we do a RFP, get with our finance department and allow them to work with us on getting an audit. Yes, I am very familiar with the TAN and I understand why we get them. I'm not opposed to us making sure that we can pay our bills. I am very aware of it. What I am asking for is for clarity on how our finances are going forward. I'm not looking at the past. I'm looking at the future. Public education is really in a different place. We need to prepare for what that looks like. And the only way you can do that is not live off of your savings account, but have a solid plan as to
068how we go forward that we can keep all of our employees and that we can understand what it looks like financially. So, I'm not doing this based on a tan. We're here. This is happening now. I understand that. And I've also understand that people have to live. And this is why I said we need to know where we stand financially going towards the future because a lot of things are uncertain with public education. And I believe in making sure I understand where we stand financially. Now, since I've been on this board in five years, there's been a lot of uncertainty with our finances. There's been a lot of questions that I've had. This is an appropriate time for us to move forward with a clear, concise understanding of where we're headed. So when we get
069information and say hey we get 12 opportunities to decide how we give a raise that's difficult and that is what I want us to understand have a five-year projection know where we're going but if we don't know where we're starting we don't know how we're going to get there so I ask not based on what the past had but how we move forward with a clear understanding of our financial obligations as well I've heard in this audit She said several times that our expenses exceeded our revenue. >> Mr. Chairman, >> before before you go, M Miss um um Bivvens, can I ask you a few questions in regards to this? The forensic um accounting that she's asking for, you have an approximate um cost on something like that? >> I have no idea. Um >>
070and what would it entail? internal auditor, I mean external auditor, she may be able to um tell you that, but she did because she did ask if she could speak to to give you some more context on a forensic audit. Is that okay? >> That's fine. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Um so a a forensic audit and regardless of whether you use a a CPA firm or a consulting firm, um when you do a forensic audit, you're looking you're looking for a specific for a specific thing. For instance, if there was fraud, you would might want to have a well, you want to have a forensic audit to determine how deep that fraud goes. Um, to just do a forensic audit, um, it's going to cost you an enormous, we're talking several hundred,000 because they're
071looking at every single transaction. And if you're not specifying something specific, we're talking about every single transaction for all of your funds for all of the years. If there's a specific area that you're interested in, that can be accomplished through doing um agreed upon procedures where you tell the whoever's doing it for you where you tell them specifically what it is you're looking for and they can focus on those specific items. But you really can't do a forensic audit when you don't know what you're looking for. >> And when I hear the word forensic, I'm thinking criminal. I'm thinking that something of fraud or something of abuse has occurred. And >> that is generally when forensic audits are that that term forensic kind of gets used a lot. is a deep dive. >> It is
072a deep dive and it's used a lot of times um out of context because again like I said forensic that means you're looking at every single transaction and for that you know for a number of years every single transaction of this district [clears throat] um like I said we're talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars and an I mean I don't know how long that would take um you know just depends on availability of >> Mr. Mr. Chairman, the there there's a motion on the floor. We're still in discussion. M >> Mr. Chairman, and if the statement is made that living off of your savings is what every school district does because if you understand how we're financed, you then you would understand when we get money. >> I do. We get money uh through
073QBE at the beginning of the year and we get money at the end of the year when we get taxes. So therefore, it it it's not as if we don't have the money. It's just the way the money is in our account. So you're making it seem like, oh, we uh y we need a tan. Every just about every school district uh tried to get a tan this year. It was because of legislation. It was because of late tax bills that went out and and you're saying you want to go forward, but you're saying you just sat there and said that you wanted a audit going back three or four years. So, how are you moving forward if you're asking for something that you're not sure? You don't know the cost, you don't know what
074you're asking for. So, if it's if you if you got a question, >> then put the question out there. if you think it's something wrong instead of making >> I did the motion according to Robert Robert's rules and I did it decent and in order. Now, if the board votes it down, that's fine. But I am very familiar with how we receive our revenue and I'm not comfortable with doing what everybody else is doing. If there's a better way to do it, then we can do it. If there's a need for a tan, that's understandable. I'm saying that we need to get our finances in order. I hear what the uh auditor is saying. I respect her. She's an expert in what she does, but I am not using it in a frivolous way. When
075I say forensic, I mean a deep dive into what it is that we are doing with our money. So I'm and I understand that it costs money, but we spend money all the time. And so that's why I said I would ask for a RFP. No, I'm not accusing anybody of anything. And so I just want to be clear that when I asked, I have made sure that I understood what I was asking for. Now, if I need to be specific as to what we're looking for, then that's another story. But my my ask is so we can have a clear understanding of our finances. Now, there's a lot of things that I may not know, but this one I am clear on. >> Okay, Mr. Chair, you go ahead, Mr. Chris. Thank you, Mr.
076Mr. Chair, uh, Miss Bivven, you you you've been with us two and a half years, right? >> Yes, sir. >> So, we had 11 findings two and a half years ago, right? >> Uh, actually, [clears throat] it was for the 22 audit, I think. >> How many findings did we have? >> 23 audit. Either 22 or 23 audit. >> 23 audits. And so, over the years that you've been here, the audit have self-corrected itself. Am I correct? >> Um, we're down to four four findings for the 24. I I see no need for a forensic audit uh because it looks like it's correcting itself and that's where I stand on that. Thank you. >> Okay, discussion is done. We now will take a vote on your motion. Can you repeat your motion again? >> I'd
077like to motion that we have a forensic a I'd like to move to my motion that we have a forensic audit. >> Okay. The motion has been made and properly seconded by Miss Telis Cooper. Can I get a vote for the the um the motion? Okay. Could I get a vote um opposing the motion? >> You got the count. >> All right. Do you guys have anything else? Uh just to say that um the the rest of the document includes um items that um are new Gazsby standards that are coming out in the next couple of years that will affect some of your financial reporting. It's just information only. And then following that, we've got some information just related to some of the services that we offer um um outside of um the annual audit.
078We offer free continuing education that you can get educational credits for. Um, if any of you all are interested in that, um, if we just let Ramona know, we'll get your email address and have you added to the list. We very much appreciate the opportunity. >> One question before you go, Miss Baker. >> Do you handle the audits for the foundation and the athletic foundation? >> No, I do not. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you, uh, Miss Bibbons. And thank you to our external auditor for being here tonight. Uh Miss Bibbons, you might as well stay at the podium because you're up next. >> All right. So this evening we're going to do our monthly financial report. So the first report is our um
079general fund budget comparison. As of 10:31 2025, we have collected 13.1% of our budgeted revenue with the majority of that being in state revenue. 1.6% of that or $4 million is in local taxes and 13.2% or 2.2 million in other local revenue. On the expenditure side, we would spended um we spent 167 million of our um budget, which is 23% of our budget. Any questions on the monthly general fund comparison? >> Is there any questions in regards to the monthly? >> Seeing none. Go ahead. >> Before we move from there, I just want to let the board know. I know the last um meeting you all to approve uh for us to do a 10. >> Yes. >> Um you know that's based on the cash flow what we knew at that time. Well, we
080got $15 million in from the tax commission's office um for this month and then last week we got an additional 13.8 8 million from we did um grant reimbursements from all of our federal grants. You know, those are all reimbursements. So, that money did come in early. We didn't know that it was going to come in when it did. And in addition to that, while um Mr. Harrington was at Gas of Georgia Association of School Business Officials Conference um in Athens a couple of weeks ago, the state board of education is actually releasing our QBE funds earlier. So, for the month of November, they're releasing it this Friday on the 21st. So that's early than the 31st and then for the month of December, they're actually releasing it on December the 19th. So because of
081those um early releases in that and the QBE revenue, no, not QB, the tax revenue that we received um greater than what we had anticipated and then the influx of the grant reimbursements, we no longer need to do the 10. So I'm going to >> So we're we're not moving forward with a 10. >> No, I told them no on Friday. >> Good deal. So, the paperwork that we signed is void. And And do we have to pay any cost? Because >> No, I told them we weren't paying them anything. >> You got it. You got it. >> No, we don't have to pay them. I told them because we didn't go through with it. Okay. >> We We don't have to pay them anything. >> Fantastic. Dr. Haney, you had something. >> All right.
082Keep keep going. >> Yes, we have spl um for the month of um October. What we received in October. That is what um we received in October. It was collected um in September was six a little over $6 million and that is on target. You can see the last two months has been 6.26.3 million and it's actually a little bit um more than what we collected last year during the same time. So we are on target to meet what we had said we were going to collect in our referendum. So any questions on this one? >> Is there any questions? >> I don't have a question but I paid my property taxes today. >> Good. Thank you. in them school taxes. >> I [laughter] know, right? >> It's through the roof. >> I know. More,
083too. >> Thank you all. [laughter] >> Thank you. >> Purchasing. >> Um, Miss Marie, that's not nice. >> Thank you all for helping us so we don't have this whole anti- tan. >> So, next um I think on the agenda is it the is it the budget amendments or the >> purchasing? So, purchasing is next. Budget amendments will last. Okay. So, next we have the purchasing report. Um, you have report A, which is are your consumables. Report B are the non-consumables that are greater than 10,000 but less than 100,000. And report C are the contracts which are greater than $100,000. And these um require board approval. And do you have any questions on >> is there any questions in regards to the purchasing report? >> I think >> what Dr. Haney had. >> Go ahead.
084Dr. Haney, >> I was just concerned. I was reading I just had a question from Miss Hall in regards to purchase. Um how often do we have to [clears throat] be purchasing these routing systems? Is it because they get upgrades every year? I mean every time I think we voted on this month before these routing systems. How often are we purchasing? I'm >> going to ask Miss Hall to come and address that. you might as well stay up here for me. >> The routing software that we currently have is over 10 years old, so it's outdated. And so for us, we're going with another vendor that's more user friendly and we're trying to move in a direction of us doing our enrollment balancing. So we just got a GIS engineer and so it's requiring us
085to get updated software. >> You said the enrollment >> enrollment balancing. Okay. Thank you, >> M. >> You go ahead. >> All right. M Mr. Chair, you might want to stay up here. >> Miss Hall. >> Uh, I sent an email earlier today uh asking about the the coach buses and the various uh items that we would purchase and and it just had various amount. What What does that mean? Are we we buying things and it's just gonna cost us whatever you say it's going to cost? >> So in this case, those are the rules. So we use charter buses when school buses aren't able to transport the students and they just put it on the B report, but those are vetted charter services that the students ride on whenever we can't transport. >> Okay.
086So what's the cost? >> So the cost varies based on the vendor. So they have their own contract. So we had to put it out for bid. We just make sure that their insurance is situated. I don't know what they charge unfortunately. >> So you want us to vote? I mean the the board of educ y'all want us to vote on uh Let me take a crack at this, Miss Hall. My understanding you're basically just building a preferred provider list. So basically, it's just like an HMO where you're not going to all of those doctors, but these are the doctors that you can use, >> right? So if the school wants to use the charter service, we've done our part to vet them. This is an annual renewal for the schools to be able to
087use those vendors. >> And so the reason why you don't know the cost is because it would take an occurrence in order for you to calculate that cost. >> Correct. And so for me, I have nothing to do with that piece of it. I just bet them. I check their insurance. I make sure that they have the state requirements. But once we do that and you guys approve it, then it goes on the website for the schools to be able to use. But each charter company provides something different. And the schools don't go to us when they're using the charter services. They get those services on their own, >> right? >> They don't even know that they're utilizing. >> And I understand that. Uh but up to what cost? >> I mean, there would right
088there wouldn't be a cost right now. I >> I understand there there's not a cost until we use it. >> But but so if we use it uh 200 days, what's the cost? We use it 10 days, what's the cost? That's that's a great point. But >> you can't you can't expect me to vote on something that I don't know >> the cost. >> I think I think what happens is they how many how many providers is it? How many vendors is it? >> It's five. >> Five of them. So I think what happens is they vet those five. And what happens is when the when the school is going on a trip, they go who has the best price out of the five or whatever other attributes they're looking for. >> When we're budgeting
089the item, >> is it not to exceed a certain amount? What is I mean? >> So that mean every school in the district could go somewhere every day and now we're spending $100 million. >> Yeah. What's the restrictions on that miss? >> So um the the actual payment for those expenses come either from the school account or from the athletic department if if it's a athletic um um team that's using that service. And again, they don't know what it is until they determine the location that they're going to, how many buses they knew, the number of buses, and all of that. And if it exceeds that threshold, then it comes back to the board for approval if it exceeds that threshold. But again, it comes out of the school's accounts. Um because mostly for field
090trips or special events or whatever and then or athletics um if it's an athletic. >> So, so what is the threshold before it come backs to the school saying we got to pay for it? So I don't >> if the school is going out that school. >> Yeah. If it's coming out of the school accounts, Mr. Christmas, it doesn't come before the board because it's coming out of that money that the school generates. It's >> But if they don't have enough money, >> they can't take the trip. [laughter] >> well, I mean, we we we don't always do that. >> So sometimes it's a situation where like let's say they're going to a championship, >> right? >> And so uh sometimes Mr. Townson may take on the expenditures for it. I can say that when
091Love Joy and them went and I mean not Love Joy but Jonesboro went they had like probably about six buses and it cost about $28,000. >> Okay. >> So maybe then you but I think the point he's making is you put it on a report to be approved, >> but there's no dollar amount. So maybe you shouldn't have that. Maybe that needs to come out of that. Maybe it should. >> Actually, I talked to Miss Watson today in reference to it and she said she didn't have a choice but to put it on this B report after your email and I responded. I called her and she said that it had to go on here, but I did question it myself. >> Well, who is Miss Watson right there? >> No, this is Miss Brewer.
092Miss Watson is the coordinator of um purchasing. I I think to resolve that what we could do is not put it on the purchase report and just bring it to the board to author to approve utilizing those particular vendors um to provide transportation >> and it say from school allocated funds. >> Yes, from school allocated funds. >> Thank you ma'am. >> Yes sir. >> That makes Yeah. >> I think that would be a better way to have it. >> Yes. >> All right. So when we go through the consent agenda, we'll pull that that um that item >> is a separate Right. >> Okay. >> Yes. [clears throat] Will will you, Miss Miss Bivvens, will you have that updated by next meeting? >> Yeah, Miss B, can you make sure that's updated tomorrow? >> And
093Miss Bur, can you make sure that you send your corrections to all nine board members so that and ask them to to to repeat received when they when they get it so that they can make sure that it's it's done. All right. Thank you. >> Any other questions on the purchase and report? I have a question but it's it's it's it's for nutrition but it's not here. I just want to know um Miss Hamilton um what is the cost for men menu items? I mean because I've had the reason I'm asking this it might seem a little minor to you all but it's made it to these students who have approached me. They even asked me the question Dr. Handy, can you please ask nutrition how much does it cost to change the menu items
094that we are receiving every day? Because I they they specifically said, >> Dr. Haney, we are tired of eating pizza every day. >> So, I mean, I just want to know seriously the cost of what it takes to >> change the menus. How is that process taken care of? How what is the process? >> Good evening. We received from USDA for lunch approximately $4.71 >> Jesus >> per student in order to produce the meal. And out of that 471, we have to buy food, we have to pay labor, and there are other expenses involved with that. So we try to balance our food costs, but then $4.71. So we try to always run a 40% food cost out of the 471. Uh labor varies because we have to pay not only the salaries but we
095also have to pay the benefits and so about 45% labor and then we have other expenses and that pretty much eats up that whole entire $4.71. So pizza yes it's on the menu every day. However, we have other items that we offer that students can select from. Believe it or not, the pizza is a very popular item. We serve lots of it every day. And we try to do pizza in terms of cheese as well as pepperoni, but we also offer other items on that menu. And anytime you're interested in seeing what we serve, we have that menu listed on the website. So you can always go look to see what we're serving on a daily basis for breakfast and lunch. >> You say it's on the website. >> Thank you so much for the
096clarification of that. Um and also Dr. Haney, thank you so much for bringing student concerns to the board meeting. So I you know I hope that this encourages more students to speak out on the things that you need clarity for or you want change on. I miss ma mr chairman I also had sent that same uh question to her because my three high schoolers were saying the same thing but the fact of the matter is there there are other options. They're just not going to the other lines to get the food. So as she said pizza is there every day but they're not doing their due diligence either because my granddaughters were complaining about the same thing. >> Any other questions? Okay, Miss Viv, you can >> back to your request to Miss uh Brewer
097so that we can officially do it correct. You said send it to us, but actually she would need to send it to the superintendent. >> Good deal. >> And Right. >> Right. Good deal. Unless the superintendent doesn't mind if she I I'll let you. >> I absolutely don't mind her doing it, but I'll do it as well. So >> Okay. All right. Thank you, Miss Miffens. You can move on to the budget amendments. >> Yes. I have two budget amendments. Um, one is for our um, grant funds. Um, so you if you recall during the budget process, we just do an estimate on what we think we might receive for grant funds if we know have an idea what my carrier may be or whatever. Um, so at the beginning uh, part of the approved
098budget, we approved $5.4 $4 million was approved as part of the federal programs for grants. And this budget amendment is to um add the actual amounts that we have been awarded for this fiscal year. So um this is to establish the 2026 budget for grants received from the Georgia Department of Education in the amount of 49,777,288. And I'm not going to go through each one of these, but at the on the back of on the last page, that's a summary of these actual grants that um we're amending. Any questions on those? >> Any questions in regards to the budget amendment? >> Seeing none. Okay. >> And the next the last budget amendment is the one that Dr. Go Reed referenced earlier. This is to reimburse community engagement department for expenses related to the teacher of
099the year, Gayla, in the amount of $10,952. >> And that's all I have. Any questions? >> I just have a comment. Um, I just want to thank you, Miss Bibbons, and the finance department for the budget development planning calendar. That that that thank card. Um, and to um, but I still want to see some updates come when you all start doing the budget advisory committee. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Come first of the year. So, I just still want to see some new development coming from that input. Okay. Yes, sir. I forgot. I'm glad you mentioned that because I did have one more thing and that's the approval of the budget um calendar that we discussed at the um retreat. We just needed approved. We've actually already started the budget process, but just need to get
100a formally approved for good. >> Okay. Where where do you have that? >> It's number five. >> Okay. Gotcha. Gotcha. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> Thank you, [clears throat] Mr. Joseph. >> I got a couple hundred questions for him. >> Okay, Mr. Ronnik Joseph Smith. I mean Joseph. I almost called him Mr. Ronnik Smith. [laughter] >> That's your son. >> That's my son. >> I I will not comment on that. [laughter] >> Uh good evening, Mr. Chair, Madame Vice Chair, members of the board, Superintendent Dr. Smith. Uh you have received uh five executive summaries from the capital project divisions. First being the SPLOS construction update which provides an update of ongoing projects. Uh the second are two Georgia DO DOE resolutions. The first resolution is the uh uh to begin the the process
101of the 5-year local facility plan. And the second resolution is to add uh four facilities back into our inventory to maximize our state funding opportunities. Uh the next two reports are your capital purchase reports for items below $250,000 and then for items above $250,000. The last executive summary pertains to the demolition of Fountain Elementary School. The the recommendation from the superintendent is that the project be awarded to complete demolition in the amount of $431,000. Are there any questions about the summary submitted for your consideration >> over here? I have a question. >> Okay. Go ahead. >> Did have you uh on one of the resolutions is the is the language correct? Is it re resend >> or is it resend as to which which one? Which >> it's resend. R E S C I N
102D. I I have the uh >> So you we'll have that correct to you. >> You corrected. Look, I didn't look back at it again. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Just wanted to make sure our grammar was correct. Thank you, >> Mr. Joseph. >> Yes, sir. >> Uh the uh convocation center. >> Yes, sir. >> Uh I was with you not long ago and I'm not sure if you remember, but you said you were going to we were going to try to do a test run for the December graduation. Is that still on? >> Yeah, the uh graduation actually is in January. >> Uh so we've had some preliminary conversation with the TNL side about the possibility of that occurring. Um it is uh to answer your question yes it's still a possibility we would like
103to do a test run before we do the the larger graduation in uh May and so more to come and more u consultation or coordination between all departments before we can provide a recommendation to the board. >> Are we that close where we'll be able to do something like that? >> Uh yes sir. Uh we are um if you were drive by I75 you'll see that the structure is um done. Uh we are dried in and so we are in the finishing stages. If you were to visit the convocation you would center you would see that uh the seats are in uh the um the school side is um finishes are being [clears throat] installed. Uh so the only um lagging activity that might be problematic are the low voltage systems that are uh due
104to delivery delays are um targeting early January. That's why we're not a definite yes. >> All right. Thanks, >> Mr. Joseph. Do the elevators work? >> Uh, not at this moment. >> Okay, that's that's a problem. >> That's That's a lot of stairs. Yes, it is. I'm making a joke, but uh they'll they'll be ready and operable by day one. >> By day by >> Monday morning, >> day one in January when we open >> in Janu Okay, >> in January, >> Miss Baker, >> so if you were to visit, uh you guys will be climbing some steps. Um, I have a question in regards to um I'm sorry um Forest Park Middle School. Um I took um our former board member Judy uh Johnson because she actually went to that school and I wanted
105her to see it and she she was impressed. She does want a tour inside when she can get one. Um but as I was driving around the building, I was seeing fascia that wasn't completed and different stuff. Do we know how long it's going to take to do the punch list that we we're going to need to do? Great question. Um, so, uh, as alluded to earlier about material delays, we are the metal wall panel is one of the [laughter] deliverables that are lagging behind. Uh, so the last, uh, shipment of metal panel is right after the holidays. So, we're looking to be complete with it uh, by year's end. Uh, terms of the punch list, um, um, hasn't even been formulated yet. So once we get done with the work, we'll um come back
106and uh create the list and make sure that all punch list is done before we release the final 5% of >> I think Jesse and I can help you with that punch list. [laughter] >> I have one last question. >> Go for it. Uh, I sent an email today and I looked at your some of the things that you have in process, but I sent you out pictures of the playground at Lake Ridge >> and I'd like to know when have we done anything about that playground equipment or will Lakeidge have to wait another two years? I know we have some money that we could >> go ahead and fix it like right now, but where are we on that? >> Um, I'll have to get a update from the team. I know that we
107are working with uh facility services in terms of creating a priority list of of all the playground needs. Uh, they provided us a list of 10 10 elementary school locations. So, we released a team to begin the process of designing the playgrounds, procuring the playgrounds. And so if you look at our uh u projects to come on our summary sheet, you'll see that the playground replacement is on the on it. I I saw it. But the problem is with Lake Ridge is they haven't been able to use their playground for the past two years and we have money that we could go over there. When King Elementary School, when somebody went over there and burned it down, we immediately replaced that equipment and those children should not be suffering when we have money in the
108bank to go put some playground equipment over there like right now. >> Understood. Understood. We'll uh provide nothing. >> Yeah, we'll get on it. >> What did you I didn't I didn't What did you say? >> We'll get on it. >> You're going to get on it, >> sir. >> What does that mean? >> That mean we're going to get We're going to take care of it. That's what that means. I want to thank Mr. Joseph. I had the opportunity to u spend three days with him over in Charlotte, North, North Carolina last week at a capital improvements conference uh uh offered by AASA and everybody there from Georgia and all the states across the country were laing his leadership in the capital improvements world and he is the man. Uh so uh I knew
109he was good but uh and until you get in that world and hear all the folks complimenting him uh it really hits home. And uh as Miss Heel always talks about a portrait of a graduate we have probably the finest capital improvements officer uh in public education. [applause] >> Thank you adopting him. >> Thank you. Thank you Dr. Smith. Uh but when we going to get on? We're already on it as the request has been made. >> Okay. >> Thank you, Mr. Joseph. >> Mr. Albertton. Oh, she's >> good evening, Mr. Chair, Madame Vice Chair, other members of the board, Superintendent Dr. Smith colleagues and community members. The personnel changes report summarizes all personnel actions for the period of October 11th through November 3rd, 2025. Human resources updates were submitted to the board of education
110for your review. I'm happy to answer any questions that you may have. >> Dr. Haney, >> good evening. As I mentioned before, what what are we what are we doing to um specifically >> as a recruitment [clears throat] doing to get some um hiring for these vacancies in special education. So for special education vacancies, we employ several strategies to mitigate that area. Some of those we handle singularly through the human resources division and some of which we partner with student services. Um just a couple of them that come top of mind are direct reach out to education programs that offer special education as a focus. We have our grow your own initiatives. We serve as a host for um students who are metriculating through special education programs. um we teach them the Clayton way and
111court them to to join us for their first professional opportunity. Um I will like to point out um as you stated we have 28 vacancies now. At about this time last year we were at 18. Um but as Miss Smith has shared with us previously we do have more students enrolled in special education requiring those services which has afforded the district an opportunity to add additional teaching opportunities. Um we did start um May 27th of this year. there were 57 vacancies. Um, so I'm sharing that to show that the team HR, student services, and our school leaders are being very diligent [clears throat] in hiring teachers in that area. >> Are you still doing job fairs? >> Yes. So, um, we're still participating in job fairs, particularly at universities. It's that season now. Um, and
112then we'll ramp up with our district hosted, um, job fairs in March. Any questions on this side? Seeing none. Thank you very much, Miss Auburn. >> Thank you, Miss Albert. All right. All right. Board, we're on our second read of policy series A, and we will be voting on that policy December 1st at the December 1st board meeting. Is there any um discussion that's needed for policy series A? Seeing none, next is policy series B. That's also a second read and we will be voting on that policy December 1st. Is there any questions or discussion in regards to that poll? We now move on to policy series C. That's also a second read and we will be voting on that policy also on [cough] December 1st. Is there any discussion or questions in regards to
113policy series C? Next, we have policy series J CD AF. This is our first read, but we will be voting on this policy come December 1st. All right? So, make sure that you um read through that policy and if there's any questions or or clarity that you need, please um get that email over to Dr. Smith so that he can get it to the appropriate people. Is there any questions? >> Um just for everyone to know that we did discuss this um on threeon-ree meetings, so it's not that we haven't seen it at all. And I just want the the public to be aware of that. All right, we're now moving on to the business agenda. The items that are under here are for tonight. So, we'll be voting on these items this evening. The
114first one is the tentative 2026 board meeting calendar. That's not the calendar for the entire district. It's the calendar for our board meetings going into 2026. Is there any questions or discussions that we need in regards to the tentative 2026 board meeting calendar? Seeing none, could I get a motion? Miss Telis Cooper. >> Miss Baker. >> Second. >> All right. The the U motion has been made by Miss Joy Telis Cooper and seconded by Miss Baker. Can I get a vote on the tenative 2026 board meeting calendar? It's unanimous. We also have the international travel approval. Is there any questions or discussion in regards to the international travel approval? >> All right. Seeing none, um can I get a motion? Miss Baker, >> I move that we accept the international travel budget or program. >>
115Okay. I see Miss Telescooper's hands first. Second. >> Okay. The motion has been made by Miss Mary Baker and seconded by Miss Joyce Telus Cooper. You have Oh, vote. Okay. Let's vote. All right. And the last item on the list is the approval of the proposed board meeting agenda for December 1st, 2025. Could I get a motion? >> So, Miss Hill, >> I have discussion. discussion. >> Yes. >> Can we Can we move take one item off of that since we've had quite a discussion prior this evening? Can we take uh item E off of the business agenda? >> Item E. Oh, right. Okay. So, we're going to take that off and um and it I thought she was going to re redo it and then submit it back. Well, we just had a discussion,
116right? And we don't we got a lot of questions. >> Okay. In regards to in regards to the bus, >> isn't that >> right? She was going to make the adjustment and then have it ready and emailed to everyone for us to review it and have it prepared for December 1st. Do you want to just pull it? And >> can we just pull it and because I thought we were talking about trying to meet to have a discussion. I mean, Miss Miss Cory, what are you I'm sorry. I'm not following. What What item are you talking about? >> The business agenda. Am I not looking at for the the lease the foundation? >> No, that's Oh, you mean take that off for December 1st? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Take it off the purchase report.
117>> No, no. For the agenda for next So, you want that removed for the next for December 1st. Can we leave that on there and take it off on the day of just in case it's reviewed and and All right. So, we'll leave it as it is now and we'll poll everybody on December 1st to see if we go forward with if it's even if it's even ready. >> Right. That's the only reason why I was saying it because I didn't know if it would be ready. >> Right. I got you. Like most likely it won't, but you know, if we get >> Go for it. information, >> right? >> Add the foundation report. >> Oh, so you're saying to add to the agenda? Okay. >> All right. >> No, let's go ahead and add
118that. >> Right. All right. We'll we'll So, we'll we'll we'll um add that to the agenda. Dr. the foundation under the um >> see because it's not scheduled to discuss on December 1st. That's just a board meeting. >> But you wanted >> All right. So, let me let me pull the board. Do do you want the foundation report on the on the December 1st meeting or do you want to wait for it on the January 12th? I would like to give the foundation members an opportunity to have ample time to prepare uh so we can have a deep dive conversation >> and and to be honest >> and I don't want them to have to be uh time to do all of that work over the break and then come back right after it. So
119I thought we perhaps would do it uh a little further into December uh in a structured environment. >> Right. And also, this is just me, my opinion, one board member. I would love for that that agreement to at least be in draft format to you, marked up before we actually have them here to discuss those matters that we're going to we're going to be going back and forth on. So, that's why I would love to have them on for January January 12th work session. So to >> and and to make it clear for me, if you just want to have it down for information to have a conversation instead of the vote, that will I guess will suffice. So give them time to uh work on it. But we can discuss the working uh body
120project that they have until we until we come to a >> And you're saying that for December 1st? >> Yes. Just for information, >> Miss Gor this December 1st. you wanted on that to adjust the agenda so that they can give a presentation. >> I don't think they will be ready December 1st as as uh >> well we're trying to coordinate two organizations the foundation and the operators and I don't know what their schedule looks like at this point. >> I'm afraid I may be ahead. >> So take it off. >> I just take it off. No, >> they're trying to add a foundation presentation. The lease is not discussed. The lease will be discussed on December 1st if we need to. They're talking about a presentation, just a general presentation on the updates and
121status of the foundation on December 1st during our board meeting, which we typically don't have presentations. >> So, I think what Dr. Smith is saying, please correct me, Dr. Okay. >> I thought it was about >> Okay. So, what's your answer? Do you want >> If it's not favor, hold up. >> All right. really possibly honestly [snorts] in January. >> Good deal. Good time. So, we got one, two, three. Let's give him time. One, two, now and we want it now. Um um Clinton, can we add that on on December 1st? So, we're going to have a discussion with the foundation. If they're ready, then we'll add that agenda item to the to the agenda on December 1st. If they're ready, >> right, if the board approves on December 1st, but will they will be
122ready if the board if the board does approve? Yes, >> ma'am. [snorts] are here is it doesn't have to be an indepth like what you're trying to do for January. We just want an update from the board and the operator telling us what's going on. So that should take but not in I'm not advocating in January. I'm just saying I don't let them have you continue with this Thanksgiving holidays and come right in with it. I'm saying let's get into December open two and then hopefully their schedules will will accommodate >> what you're saying but you're not asking like what you wanted [clears throat] later [snorts] >> I serve had the pleasure of the board. So that's through our wishes. I'll see you very close and we really had others to have more and to
123also let the community know what's going on. It's always good to let them know what's going on. and how >> I'm bored. I was just trying to be sensitive to um to to people trying to celebrate with their families uh and give a little cushion. Um that's all and and I was just going based off of my knowledge of being there that I don't think that they're going to give you any um updates that are going to um um sway you either which way. I don't think they I don't think that they're prepared to have that conversation. If you ask me what's happening right now are two things and that's the only two things they're focusing on. They're trying to get this lease through which has been submitted to everybody and is now back in
124the other attorney's hands waiting for that to come back. That's one. And then two is the um agreement that is being worked on probably for the next two weeks. So those are the only two things that I see that they can come here and talk about. But um it's three and three. Um I I I'm the board chair. So what I'm going to do is make sure you're ready to give those presentations um on December 1st, but we will vote on whether to add it on December 1st. All right. All right. So with that being said, the time currently is Yes. Yes. No, we didn't vote. I'm sorry. On D. So, we're we're there are no changes being done to the proposed um board meeting agenda for December 1st at this moment, but on December
1251st, we'll make the decision as a whole to whether we want to add that foundation. But as of now, this vote is to keep the agenda as it is right now. Can I get a motion for that? Miss Baker, Miss Tis, Miss Telis Cooper, I got Miss Baker making the motion. I got Telis Cooper seconding it. Can I get a vote? Okay, that completes our agenda for this evening. Let me just check with my vice chair here. Am I done? >> I'm done. At 7:51, this meeting is a journ. C.