001and we're going to call the meeting to order. Um, Mr. Wilson is going to lead us in our Father, thank you today for what you've given us in Jesus Christ. And we do indeed appreciate the opportunity we still have in this country to gather and to uh have the freedom to discuss what we feel may be the needs of the county needs of the teacher needs of the students. M everyone is here this evening I ask that you bless in a very special way and uh for each of us those who are teachers well us students and administrators as well we ask a uh triple portion of your wisdom and your understanding that uh we all make judgments that are right. So father bless this time we'll give you the praise for it's in Jesus
002name we pray. Amen. And Mr. Richardson, if you pledge to the American flag to the flag of the United States of America, to the stands, one nation under God, indivisible, liberty andice for all and Georgia flag. Attention. Salute. Pledge. allegiance to the Georgia flag and to the principles for it stands wisdom justice moderation and courage. And we do need a motion to approve the agenda. Do we have a motion? Do we have a second? Second favor. And now I think we have some special recognitions. Mr. Ray, we do. So, thank you all for being here tonight. I'm looking around to see who all we're going to have to pinch if it's not wearing green. I got green. Okay. All right. So, we got some clarifications going on already. Yeah. Yeah. Got green blood. So, happy
003St. Patrick's Day. Happy Monday. Glad y'all are here. We always love to do recognitions and to recognize our students. And so, we've got a couple tonight. We're continuing on with our CTA recognitions. We'll get to that in just a second with um Mr. Peru, but I want to bring up Coach Peppers. Uh he you guys all know Mr. Peppers. He's been a fantastic um teacher. First of all, let's start there. He's a great teacher, but he's also a fantastic uh coach and understands the value of building that pattern of kids coming to us, that feeder pattern, and it starts when they're in the wreck league. And so I just appreciate the fact that he and his coaches understand and value that and we are just thrilled to have some of these same young ladies back
004I think that we had before a couple of years ago. So come up and tell us a little bit about what the recognition is about. I don't know where you're standing wherever you want to stay. It's all you. Um well uh number one I appreciate you uh y'all having us for special recognition. Uh these girls, you know, I um you know, they mean the world to me and I've been coaching them a long time. Uh some of them since they were four, you know, I think Cali and M when they were four and the rest of them, you know, for the most part, you know, shortly thereafter. And uh you know, for me, uh you know, coaching high school here for the past, you know, I was a boys head coach for 11 years. I've
005been a girls head coach the past season, so 12 years total. Um the most rewarding thing uh is seeing young groups grow and you know kind of building from within. you know, when I when I came to Lfett 15 years ago, uh I started a fifth grade boys team and I started a second grade boys team and you know, and watched them all the way through high school in the best run that really there's ever been in any sport, you know, um uh at the high school and you know, eight or nine of them played collegiately and you know, it's kind of the same pattern we're replicating, you know, with the girls here. Um, the only difference is, you know, two years ago when we came was to recognize them for winning the state championship,
006the first one ever in the Lefet Rec League. And, um, and that's something to say because the boys teams we had were unbelievable and they never even won district, much less state. Um, you know, so, and then to turn around and do it um, again this year, several of them were, you know, uh, on the team two years ago, and they're just a really special group on and, um, you know, on and off the court. And they're all like family to us at this point. Bring them on up. All right. So, right here, Miss Brenda Williams, Oakley Tatum. Uh, Amaya Rebs, Cali Peppers, Charlie Corbin, shows Matt Ste. Last but not least, Keny Hughes and Brad Schultz. We have three coach. And I like, you know, thank Ken Bur of course from Fed Red. I
007mean, they're great. Hey, you know, I couldn't ask for a better rec center. They build the recck schedule around the high school schedule. I guess, you know, you know, I couldn't do what I do without you. Yeah, that's awesome. Can you come up and join when we get a picture? I'm the photographer. Yeah, stand up. All right. One, two, three. All right. Congratulations. Congratulations. [Applause] You are. Okay. I'm not going to pinch you. So, I was really testing it to make sure you knew all the girls names. You know, I heard what he calls and sometimes sign. We're so proud of y'all. We look forward to what you all are going to do as you go through high school. It's going to be exciting to see you all continue to get get better and better.
008So, you guys are doing great. So, Justin, I'm going to have you come up and we're going to do some additional CTA recognitions this evening as well. I'll answer your question. Tennessee is going to win. National Well, good evening. Uh, thank you again for allowing us to continue the CTA recognitions. Um, Skills USA at Lefet High School did not get to get recognized uh last month due to the fact that they were getting ready to go to their state competition. So, we've got two advisors for Skills USA at Lefett High School and those are Miss Sarah Jenkins and Mr. Daniel Johnson. So, I would like to ask you all to come on up and I'll let you highlight. You don't have to say anything. He's he's muscle behind the There we go. Well, I'm Sarah
009Jenkins. I teach dental science at Lefay High School. If um I don't know you, thank you. Nice to meet you. Most teaches construction um at the high school as well. And um we have put a lot of focus on some new and different competitions this year and we've seen a lot of success. Um, we did leave um, actually a day ahead of schedule because of the snowstorm. I've been cursed at homecoming. U, we had homecoming in the rain at Lefett. It snowed on the way to the state conference and a bunch of tornado warnings Saturday night for the Miss Fant pageant. So, we had to rescheduled that until yesterday. So, I'm the queen of rescheduling um, this year is what the kids said. But a special thank you um to all of you especially for
010making that happen, getting getting us to Atlanta within 20 miles of where we needed to be um the night before and to the kids and parents who when I called them at 11:00 and said, "We're leaving at 6, pack your bag." 38 of 38 kids packed and and hit the bus. So, special thank you um to all of you. So, tonight we'll just um recognize quickly the students from our skills USA who placed at the state leadership and skills conference. If you don't know what Skills USA is, it's kind of an allencompassing CTSO where HOSA is specific to healthcare and SDLA is more specific to business and FSA um agriculture and business. We are the catchall um from everybody and we do have some overlap with students in more than one CTSO, but we'd like
011to prepare students um for the workforce and skilled trades um through partnerships with our business leaders and things like that also with our school. So this year um to begin with, I'll just highlight quickly uh we had a region champion in job demo. We also won first place in the region for welding and yes we beat Cedar Town and yes that's a big deal. Um yeah and it was a female on top of that. So the Cedartown people have been very unhappy um with me this year. And one specific goal of our of our um program this year was um to build up our construction competitions. Mr. Johnson's worked really hard with it as students and also our chapters worked hard to promote construction at high school this year. So I think did we take
012eight to to the region level in construction? Yes. And one of them placed second um in blueprint reading in the region. That same student placed six of 26 um at the state level in blueprint reading. And then also we had another team of um Colin Miller and Ty Stall fourth in construction technology display in the state this time. Ty goes to lunch and then Colin's there with us at the high school. So total this time we took 38 students. We had 23 competitions and 17 of those 23 competitions were in the top 10 in the state. So it's the biggest showing that we've ever had and the kids really put the time in to make it happen. Um so also fourth place in the state is Autumn Wells. She goes to Walker Launch. She completed
013in the intro to personal care services um area at the cosmetology test. She also completed in um aesthetics at the region level for us. So that was good. So I'm going to highlight a few people um specifically who are here tonight. Ara Patel, if you'll come on up. Ara's a freshman this year. She's also number one in the freshman class, so she deserves a special round of applause um for that as well. Earn completed um in the area of career exploration manual for ninth and tth grade and tell me again the title of your your manual career portfolio. No, I know that the topics that your career will private equities private equity is what Ara's interested in in the future. So her whole portfolio is on private equity and she was third place in the
014state. Um Marvin I think is our only representative from the sports hype bio but you come on up Marvin. Um, our sports video, you can see it on the Ramblers flag football page or also on our skills USA page. Third place in the state. Remember how many videos there were? 27. 27 videos. We're in third place um in the state there. Laney Hamilton, you come up. Laney is a junior. She's completed the dental science pathway. She's also a Walker launch student. Um, this is the first time ever that the state of Georgia has offered dental assisting as a hands-on competition. Um, we placed first place in the state my very first year, but there was no hands-on competition. It's a written test only. So, Laney bit the bullet for us and she was second in
015the state. Um, this year we're hoping that the first place drops out so that she can take their place at nationals. They maybe can't attend because we're going to make sure she can. Um, so dental assisting, Laney Hamilton second place. Riley Leadford, if you'll come on up. Riley placed second in facility management. So, Mr. Wallace, look out. uh facilities facility management is something that Fields USA nationally is really promoting as a job field. So Rally placed second in the state. He was given scenarios on the spot and a few minutes to work out the details and then verbalize what his solution to the problem was going to be. And then there was like a super scenario, wasn't there? I think after that maybe I thought somebody said that. You don't remember? Yeah. He did really
016good. And he won $200 also. They emailed me. His check is on the way. So, um, Sophia Rafie is a senior. Come on up, Sophia. Um, am I wrong? You were accepted to UG this week. Yes, that's correct. So, congratulations to Sophia. So, Sophia competed in the area of video log. Um, so she chronicled herself doing something when given a prompt. And out of how many videos? 37. I thought it was 40. 40 video. 30. It's in that ballpark. She was the first place video. Um, you're supposed to teach someone how to do something was her prompt and she taught them how to go thrifting. And if you have ever seen her at school, she's the cutest thrifter that I've ever seen. Um, and her video also can be found on our Facebook page. Kaylee
017Garney, you can come on up. Kayleie's a junior. Um, Kaylee placed first in the state and is advancing to the national um, leadership and skills competition. Sophia's competition was Georgia only. So that's there's some different levels of competition. And so Kaylee will be competing in June um this summer at the national competition in the area of action skills. So students have to meet specific criteria, but essentially it's a job demonstration from their pathway. And Kaylee loaded up everything we could think of from the dental lab and we took it to Atlanta and she demonstrated how to sterilize dental instruments um there and did a fantastic job obviously because she was first place. So you can give all of these people a big round of applause. And last but not least, Marvin need to step forward
018here out the line just a little bit. Um, this is a really big deal and I don't think anybody um, if you're not deep into the CPSO world really understand or if you haven't been to a state conference or a national conference, maybe don't understand the enormity of this. But last year um, in January, Marvin came to me and he's like, "Hey, Miss Jenkins, I'm going to run for state officer next year." And I was like, "Okay, Marvin." Actually, I jumped up out of my seat and hugged him and said, "This is going to be great." Um, and I was like, "Okay." And so, as time went on, they began to give out the parameters and the rules and this long laundry list of things that had to happen. Marvin um, you know, said that
019he was still in. So, it's a long multi-step process that ended with an election after a speech that had to be approved um by the state officer. I'm sorry. Yes, the state officer coach and also our state director. Um, Marvin was elected um in a big way. He was super popular. Everywhere he went, it was Marvin, Marvin, Marvin, Marvin. Um, so Marvin does not know yet what office he will hold. He'll attend a week-long um state officer training in April where they will match um the leadership positions with um what the students are interested in, what they're best suited for, you know, who's the best speaker, who's into social media. They have all these jobs that they'll be given based on what their office is. So, um, and to our knowledge, u, Marvin is the
020second person from Lena High School to ever run it. So, please give Marvin and I'll go ahead and give another shout out. Marvin's made it to nationals for FBLA as well. So, you may be seeing him again soon. Marvin, is there anything you would like to say about being a state office? Well, we can't um let him speak on behalf of the state office just yet because he has not been trained, but later you may see him again at some other Walker County events where he can represent Le High School and our chapter as a state officer. So, Mr. Johnson, you had anything? All right. Thank you so much for having us. Yeah. Pay me for next year. One, two, three. I'll get out of the way for anyone else. Sorry. All right. Thank you.
021They're shaking your hand. Turn around. And real quickly before we end our recognitions, we noticed we had one young lady that got here just a minute late. So, I'd like for the girls to come back up and our coaches and you guys get a picture again. Okay. We want to make sure she's This right here is having Henry. She's coming straight from 13 months. No, that's one two three. Perfect. This is the moment where we'll transition a little bit. So, if you need to leave, feel free to move now. That'll be perfect. Thank you. Thank you for coming. Congratulations. Yep. [Music] Now, don't leave. [Music] Okay, next we have a superintendence report. Just a couple of things I'll throw out. Uh we've had a a good week of conversations around with different civic and faith-based
022groups about the pending East Lots vote tomorrow. Um and uh we've been um sending out messages on social media each day. Uh I required each of the principles to post that repost that on their uh social media pages. Um some of them have sent it out through Class Dojo. So we've definitely had the word out about the the vote coming tomorrow. you know, we can't tell folks how to vote, just that the vote is coming up. And then, um, we've been pushing out some of the benefits to, uh, what the ESW pennies look like. And just been reminding folks that it's not a new tax. It's a tax that's been around since 1997. U, and, benefited Walker County Schools with lots of capital projects and things that have really enhanced our facilities, but also provided
023additional opportunities for our students. So, just want to last push tonight and in the morning uh that the vote is tomorrow. The polls are open all day long. All the precincts are open. Uh and just do your civic duty and get out and vote. And so we've um uh we'll we'll continue watching that. Let you guys know how that plays out. Had a great visit with Superintendent Woods at Ridgland High School. Uh no one from Ridgeland is here tonight. That's okay. They hosted that event. We had six schools involved and we Superintendent Woods asked us to do it in a a location that would be a little easier for everyone. And so, um, with our county and the size of our county, there's really no place that makes it easy for everyone. Uh, but we
024had had it there at Richland High School and, um, it was a great day, a great event. They did a tour. Uh, the student government team took him on a tour. Uh, he presented banners and ribbons to the six schools that were being recognized. and he also encouraged us for the John Hancock writing award banner that's available to all schools and the only stipulation this year is that every student in the building has to write their name in cursive and then that has to be submitted to the state. So for the principles who are not in attendance tonight, they will hear that on Thursday that we are going to get that banner as well. It's not a huge accomplishment just with that one thing, but it starts the ball rolling and pushes our children back
025to incorporating cursive writing. And not that cursive writing is going to do a whole lot for them in the future, but it is a discipline uh that you learn a lot by cursive writing. And um everyone needs to know how to write their name. Maybe one day we'll, you know, be writing checks again. Who knows? You know, we'll see what happens. Um anyway, so it was a great event. Uh the other uh great event we had the top 10% at Lee High School last uh Thursday night. Uh had a great event there. Love hearing what our students are about to do. Um the things that they've accomplished, but also where their plans are and I know plans change. I know I think Miss Stel updated us maybe just over the weekend the number of students
026that have been accepted to UG. Uh we've had one young lady that was accepted to MIT. MIT. That's that's a student in Walker County. I don't know if y'all heard me say that. That's pretty impressive. That's pretty impressive. Um pretty pretty impressive young lady, too. Let me tell you that. But those are things that are happening in our district. And so, it was it's always good to recognize those folks, but uh especially the ones that are really knocking out the park for our district and for themselves as they move forward. So, we're very proud of that. You guys know we have the same event coming up Thursday night at Ridgand High School at 6:30 and look forward to that event this week as well. Um, wanted to publicly say thank you to Mr. uh Wallace.
027If you noticed, uh, we weren't planting grass seed out here just because we had a line that was missing some grass. We had some plumbing issues here and this is an old building. Uh, but they were able to locate the problem and it just happened to be on the other side of the pavement which was a a miracle in and of itself. Uh but the guys got on that uh quickly. I think the first quote we got was about $15,000 the whole thing. Yeah. Coming in about five to six to repair what we did. Okay. And then you guys did it for about what? About $900. About $900. So that was a a huge success. Um you know, kept us from having not having to move the meeting tonight for lack of restrooms. And so
028I just wanted him to know how much I appreciated uh the additional work. Uh and then the last thing you guys uh I put before you a a draft press release I wanted you guys to look at and then at some point uh give me some direction on uh next steps with that and other than questions from last week. Um that's all I have for our super report. Anything? Okay. Is this good with this report? Mr. Wall. Yeah. Thank you, Madam Chair. Board members. um don't really have much to add from last week what we talked about with the new construction updates or any of the um updates from the facilities. I will clarify that um I did not uh handle one shovel in that process. So the shout out really needs to go to
029our guys in house and Tommy Ballard, our maintenance supervisor. Um, we had a lot of folks here who were inconvenience and I really appreciate everybody's patience here in the building and um, we did let them come down to our place by the way, but they uh, it still was not as convenient and so I appreciate their patience as we got through that. But um, those guys are great and they they jumped in when we need them to to take care of that. So that was the biggest thing, the timeliness of it and of course opportunity to save money. We want to do that especially when it's worthwhile and timeliness works out in our favor. I don't have anything to add to the monthly report um that I presented last week, but be glad to feel
030any questions if you need any clarification or have questions about our current report. Any questions, comments? Okay, thank you. Um we do have two individual action items. First one is it is recommended that the Walker County Board of Education approve the adoption of updated verbiage regarding employee attire in all faculty staff handbooks effective as of the start of the 2025 2026 school year. Do we have a motion? I guess we don't. Can we table it and talk about it? Do you Do you want to table it? Would you please table it and let's talk about it? Do you want to talk about it now? I just I'm I'm just No. No. I think what we'd have to do then since it failed for a lack of a motion is that if we want to have
031discussion about it, then we'll need to add it back to the to the planning session agenda. Um, well, let's add it back to the plan session. Steve, is that Am I correct in that? I think Okay. Um, next, it's recommended that the Walker County Board of Education approve the financial report for the month ending January 31st, 2025. Do we have a motion? Motion. A second. All those in favor? Okay. And we do have several uh consent action items. Uh do we have a motion to approve the list of consent action items? Do we have a second? Second. Any discussion? All those in favor. We do have uh new business on our agenda. Um I'll start with you, Mr. Middleton. Do you have any business you need to discuss? Yeah. Ju just real quick, uh, tell
032me Marvin's last name. Fuentes. Yeah. Don't ask me to spell it though. Yeah, that's so Marvin actually did do a good job uh with the Walker leadership. So, he was full of conversation and all those things that he didn't want to do tonight. So, we had a good visit. Thank you to Miss Stokes for hosting us and the launch, the Walker launch as well, Justin and his crew. So that's all I got. Mr. Richardson. Uh right now I don't have anything. Okay, Miss Harden. I don't think anything at this time. Mr. Williamson. Yeah. Uh the only thing is that I forgot this too. But on these uh consent action items. Uh if we can put which funds these contracts came out of. I think some of them were each bloss and some were general. Yeah.
033You need to put in your recommendation because I don't I don't know. need recommendations. I can do that. Okay. We we need to do that in the recommendations then. Okay. Uh that's all I have. Mr. uh Reigns, do we have public participation? We had one individual that signed up, Miss Trisha Rafiti, and she emailed us today at 9:50 a.m. and said that she would not be attending but would be forwarding issues. Do we have a need for executive sessions? Anyone? We do have a new list of um personnel. Um I don't know if anyone sees anything on that any name. So we will vote on that list. Okay. We have a recommendation of personnel for certificated non-certificated um retirement and others. Do we have a motion? Motion. Do we have a second? Second. All those
034in favor? Okay. Do we have a motion to adjurnn? Motion. A second. Second. All those in favor? We're turning.