Board Meeting

001That was perfect. Hallelujah. Welcome to our February 15th board meeting. It is now 5:00 pm and I would like to call this meeting to order. Our invocation this evening will be done by Mr. Paul Williams. Mr. Williams, please. Heavenly Father, we give you thanks for this day. I pray that you forgive us when we've failed you. I pray that you be with us tonight as we gather to be the B this school system and I invite you to be in every decision that is made here. I pray that you will give us more clarity and let every decision be made with your guidance. Father, please let us seek your favor and the favor of man and each decision be made with thought and careful consideration. I thank you for each member of this board and

002their willingness to serve the people of Burke County. Please watch over us and be with us throughout this meeting. May you travel home. You bless our community and I pray for your protection of our students in the holy name of Christ. Amen. >> Amen. Thank you, Mr. Williams. Let's now stand for the pledge. I pledge to 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. >> You may be seated. Roll call. Please let the record indicate all five districts are represent district one, district two, district 3, district four, and district five. At this time, we will have the adoption of the agenda. I need a motion. Um, Madam Chair, unless there are additions that I

003may not be aware of. If not, then I move that the agenda be approved as our official format for tonight's meeting. I need a second. >> A second. >> It's been second. Motion and second. There's no discussion. Let's vote by show of hands. We have the approval of all five. Next, we need the approval of minutes. I mean, we have some minutes. >> Yes. And um Madam Chair, if you would permit me to say that on one set of minutes, and we need to make a correction of 10:21, it says 2025. That could have been in October that we had that. And it had to be now that I think. Okay. Okay. So that's okay. >> Okay. >> Um the minutes January 20th, 2026, uh we have to approve the October 21st 25 minutes. >>

004Uh February 6 and February 5th. Did I omit any? >> You said fifth and sixth. >> Yes. >> Okay. Board retreat. >> Okay. There was one correction also and I mentioned that to the superintendent and that correction was made. >> Okay. Also February 13th. >> Mhm. >> Okay. >> Yes, that correction was made. >> Okay. >> So at this time if it's >> before you do that, >> I would like to ask that for the February 13th m minutes >> that we would include that I was not able to vote due to my child being a senior. Okay. And uh we all witnessed that that she abstained um as a result of her daughter being a part of the discussion. >> Okay. So now may I have a motion? >> Um madam chair 13. So

005is it not the agenda >> to go into executive session or come out? So the healthy votes we took uh three or four didn't agenda. >> We did. We wanted session. >> There's there was a motion made by Miss Jane. >> That didn't that did not get a second valid. >> What exactly? >> Okay. So, no correction because there were no >> uh with all of the noted corrections and we want to make sure that our secretary got that um so I won't have to repeat those corrections and um if all is in order at this time I move that all sets of minutes be approved. >> Okay, we have a motion now. We need a second. >> Okay, it's been motioned and second. Is there any discussion? There's no discussion. Let's vote by show

006of hands. Okay, we're all in favor. Thank you very much. >> At this time, we're ready for the financial report. This is Marshall. >> Good evening. >> Tonight, I have the financial report for January 2026. If you will please turn with me to the first page. Total revenues as of January 31st, 2026 were 11,55,247. At the completion of January 31st, we are 58.33% complete with the fiscal year and only 9.23% of your general fund revenues have been received. You all know that now that the tax bills have gone out, we will see that number significantly increase in coming months. The next page represents expenditures. As of January 31st, 2026, total expenditures were 44 million256,556. This represents 53.76% of your general fund budget. And again, if you're following along with completion of the fiscal year, 58.33%

007spending is in line. The next page represents the general fund balance sheet as of January 31st, 2026. Total assets were 265,151,622 with total liabilities and fund equity equaling the same amount. The next page represents changes in general fund equity. As of January 31st, 2026, end of period general fund equity was 261,33,729. The next page represents investments in all funds as of January 31st, 2026. Total investments were 247,945,153.74. The next nine pages represents your purchase order incumbrance report. These are cumulative open encumbrances through January 31st, 2026. Again, you're going to see this number fluctuate from one month to the next at this point in the fiscal year. We have asked for end ofear spending and so a lot of activity is taking place with that. But you will also see those incumbrances close out as invoices

008are received and bills are paid. And the next several pages of your financial report represents your vendor activity report. These are cumulative $5,000 by vendor for the month of January only. Are there any questions about the financial report? >> No ma'am. Everything is everything's great. >> Thank you. So we need a motion to approve the financial report as presented. >> Motion to approve the financial report as presented by Miss. >> You need a second. >> I second that motion. >> Okay. Been moved and second. Um no discussion. Let's vote by show of hands. You have all five approvals. >> Thank you. >> Yes ma'am. So, just a reminder that just like every year, I would like to present a tentative budget to you all at the April regular meeting. The most important thing that we're

009going to need to to discuss by that time obviously is going to be a cola because it potentially has the biggest impact on the budget and is very hard to move forward without that decision. >> Um, and then in June 2026, it is anticipated that we will come to you with a final budget for approval. So, just a quick reminder about that timeline. >> Okay. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Miss Payeyton. And I do have one other item that Dr. Williams asked me to bring before you all tonight if that's okay with you. Yes. Okay. This is just a formality. We did receive information uh last week, I believe, at the end of the week from the Department of Education regarding our corrective action plans for the 23 audit. We all knew

010that that was going to be coming and that we would have to submit those to the Department of Education. This is not any new information from what was discussed at the board retreat with you all, but I do need you all to approve acceptance of the correction corrective action plans and then I will leave it for you tonight for signature and then I will submit it in the morning. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> You're welcome. So, I'll just leave this with you all and if I should get more approved >> and Dr. Williams has had a chance to review correctly. You all worked on that? >> Yes, ma'am. We worked collectively on this as well as with every director who is involved in any deficient area. It's been discussed on multiple levels. Great

011question. >> Thank you. >> Okay, that's okay. >> Thank you. >> Yes, ma'am. >> We need to make a motion for that. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay, so we need a motion. >> Um I move that the correction plan uh be approved as it was presented at the board retreats. And so um thank you. We need a second consider moved and second. We need any other discussion. There's no other discussion. Let's vote by show of hands. Okay. We all approve. Thank you. >> Thank you all. >> Thank you. >> Next on the agenda it says public participation. I need to read this statement. At this time we will begin public participation. This portion of the meeting is provided for the board to hear from eligible citizens in accordance with board policy OCG 20-2-58. Comments are

012limited to five minutes per speaker and must be directed to the board through the chair. Public participation is intended for the board to listen. The board does not take action or engage in debate in response to public comments during this meeting. We ask that all speakers and attendees remain civil and respectful. Disruptive conduct, abusive language or prohibited materials such as signs, flags or banners are not permitted. Matters involved individual students or employees pending or potential litigation or administrative proceedings are not appropriate for this forum. The board will not respond to comments, although members may ask. Members may ask clarifying questions. If a question is asked, please remain at the microphone to respond. Thank you for your cooperation. The time will be shown. You will come as listed on the agenda. Amy says, my name is

013Amy Sass and I would like to discuss bullying in school environments. Through personal experiences, I have witnessed both physical bullying, verbal bullying, and social bullying in the middle school setting. My children do not wish attend to school to attend school because of being bullied. When they report the bullying, they are made to feel like no one is going to do anything about it. So they think, why report it? Or either they are made to feel like no one believes them. I have a child who removed herself from a bullying situation by placing herself in ISS only to have school punish her for cutting class. My child has been told by school administrators to just ignore the ones that are bullying her. Sometimes that's easier said than done. When is enough enough? Bullying is a problem

014that affects countless individuals. It refers to repeated aggressive behavior intended to harm or intimidate others. There are several types of bullying, each with distinct car characteristics. Physical bullying involves direct harm such as hitting, pushing, and damaging belongings. Verbal bullying includes name calling, insults, and threats that targets a person's self-esteem. Social bullying, sometimes called relational bullying, aims to damage relationships by spreading rumors and manipulation. Bullying is a critical issue in schools and among students because it undermines mental health, academic performances, and over overall well-being. Victims often experience anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. While the bullies themselves may face long-term behavioral issues, in 2025, report data from the center for disease control and prevention in indicates that nearly one in five students encounter school bullying. That's approximately 20% of students aged 12 through 18 who reported

015experienced bullying in schools. These numbers alone should highlight the urgency for intervention. Left unressed, it causes a toxic environment that hinders learning and social development. Teenage girls are particularly vulnerable with studies indicating that 24% of girls aged 13 through 17 face relational bullying such as social exclusion or rumor spreading compared to 15% of boys who are more commonly encountered physical form. These statistics underscore the urgent see needed to address bullying in schools where unchecked behaviors can escalate into long-term problems. The effects of school bullying on victims are profound and many cited particularly impacting mental health. victims often suffer from increased anxiety, depression and severe cases suicidal thoughts or attempts. In 2024, med uh metaanalysis, sorry, I'm published and in the journal of adolescence health found that bullying students are twice as likely to develop clinical

016depression with teenage girls shown even higher rates due to the emotional toll of social isolation. Self-esteem takes a severe hit as well. Constant harassment eros confidence leading to feelings of worth worthlessness that persists into childhood. Academically, bullying disrupts focus and attendance. Bully students miss an average of 10 or more days per year and see their grades drop by up to 15% as reported by the National Education Association. These outcomes not only hinder individuals progress but also strain school resources and community well-being. At the heart of many bullying incidents lie complex social dynamics and peer pressure in school settings. Bully bullies often act to gain status within their group exploiting vulnerabilities to assess domination. For teen girls, this manifest is clicks that often force through sub through manipulations like excluding someone from a group chat to

017maintain social groupings. Research from the American Psychological Association shows that 70% of bullying ex episodes involve bystanders influenced by the fear of becoming the next target causing a cycle of silence. Breaking this requires fostering inclusive environments where peer I mean yeah where peer support encounters pressures reducing the school bullying and safeguarding mental health of all students. We have to take a stand against bullying in our school. I just like other parents cannot attend class with my children. Up until now, myself and I'm pretty sure there's other people as well have trusted the school administrators and teachers to protect our children in our absences. >> Your time is up. Do we have the names of your children? >> My >> Don't call them out. Please just write them down and we have you have them. We

018have some questions. >> Miss, have you been to the school to discuss this with administration? >> Yes, sir. uh memory files. >> How far up in administration have you spoken with? >> I spoke with Dr. A on Friday. >> Okay. So, this Friday just passed. Is that the day you mean? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. So, everybody's out this week. So, Madam Chair. Yes. Thank you. You're welcome. Yes. >> Thank you. The next person, Sarah Singleton. I timed it at 4 minutes and 58 seconds. Let's run. >> All right. Good evening, members of the board. My name is Sarah Singleary, though most of you know my name already. I stand before you tonight not just as a parent, not just as a stakeholder, but as an advocate for every student who has been affected by

019a mistake that never should have been happening. For years, our district has been calculating high school GPA incorrectly for juniors and seniors. This was not a one-time oversight. This was a systematic ongoing human error that went unnoticed and uncorrected by the very people we entrust to safeguard our students academic futures. And when this mistake was finally discovered, what happened next? Instead of transparency, instead of accountability, and instead of immediately notifying families, the district quietly began modifying student transcripts. permanent academic records were being changed quiet without transparency. Whether it's legal or not, that's not for me to decide. It is unethical and it is immoral. A transcript is not a worksheet you can erase and redo. It is a record that follows a student into college admissions, scholarship applications, grant decisions, and financial aid determinations. And

020it belongs to the students. and those records were being changed at the last minute without informing students or their parents. Whether or not this impacts certain scholarships is not the only point. The point is trust. The point is integrity and the point is ethics. A in 2023, a policy was revised and approved. In 2025, the same policy was reviewed. Yet during orientation meetings, parents and students are only shown the policy prior to 2023. Imperative information was being left out. Families were misled, whether unintentionally or through negligence. The result is the exact same. They weren't provided proper information to make the best academic decisions for themselves. For years, no one caught this error. No internal audit flagged it. No oversight corrected it. And yet we've heard counselors not were counselors were not properly informed. And yet

021when the problem surfaced, the blame began to immediately trickle downward. The person who should have been ensuring the policy was implemented has still yet to hold any accountability or responsibility. The solution is to lower students GPA in order to correct the district's mistake. Students did not make this error. Parents did not make this error. and their teachers did not make this error. Our district did. Yet, we've heard counselors being blamed. We've seen the principal being blamed. We've even heard colleges being referenced. What we have not seen is meaningful accountability from the very top, nor even an apology. This mistake did not start at the bottom. Leadership requires ownership. Transparency requires immediacy. If this was have been happening for years, how many student transcripts had been affected? How many recognitions? How many class rankings? How many

022students and parents based academic decisions based on in information that was inaccurate? At the cult board meeting, why was transparency not immediate and direct? The attempt to quietly fix this instead of openly addressing it has caused more damage than the mistake in and of itself. At the called board meeting, one member made a motion to amend that policy for the class of 2026, a class that followed the information they were given in good faith. The motion received no second. That silence is the loudest thing we've heard this far. One student impacted should be enough. One future altered should be enough. Instead, during that meeting, time was spent defending a system that clearly failed our children. The focus seemed to be on the number of students affected as though impact is only significant if it's widespread.

023That mindset is so troubling. This is about more than GPA calculations. It is about ethical leadership. This is about transparency in public education. And it is about whether families like mine can trust this district with something as critical as my child's academic records. And it appears I cannot. How leadership mistakes happen. They happen. But how our leadership responds to those mistakes defines the very character of this district we all love. Tonight, I'm asking for full transparency. I ask that you override or amend the policy for the class of 2026 that has never been adhered to from the get-go. Never been adhered to. Please amend it. Tonight, I ask for clear communication to every affected family member. show them their unofficial transcripts prior to this and what they look like now. >> That's your time. >>

024All right. I ask that this board, somebody else went over time. I'm going to go five seconds. I ask that this board remembers who bears the consequences when our students are failed. Thank you. >> I did my copies. Sorry. The next person you you may give them to me. >> I would like for each of the board member. >> You may give them to me. >> Thank you. >> All right. So, these are copies of policy and things we were given. So, y'all can look at it while Good evening, chairpersons and board members. >> Good evening. >> My name is Sar Fuller. I am I am here on behalf of three students who lost their undergraduate status and on behalf of every student who deserves consistency, transparency, and ethical application of district policy. Board policy

025BH requires concerns to follow the chain of command. That was done. What did not follow clear procedure was the internal process that l that led to mass rate recalculations. There were no individual grade change forms completed for each adjustment. Families were not notified before rankings were altered and there is no clear evidence that the full scope and impact of these changes were formally presented to this board prior to implementation. Board policy BH number four states that no private action should be compro should compromise the board or school system administration when academic rankings are changed through internal recalculations without required documentation. It creates unnecessary exposure and undermines governance integrity. The regulation IHA-R1 grading system states the misrepresentation of achievement by upgrading or downgrading is improper and unethical. The students academic performance did not change. What changed

026was the interpretation of how those grades were calculated after years of consistent practice. When interpretations shift, but coursework and achievement remain the same, the representation of that achievement changes, and that has real consequences. This is not about your intentions, but it's about the impact you make. Physical transcripts from prior graduating classes show a consistent method of recording and weighing dual enrollment grades. Former validatorans and saludiatorans as well as honor graduates were calculated under that same structure. That method was reflected year-to-year on official transcripts. Students and families relied on that consistency. GPA calculation guidance was presented during the dual roic parent meeting in 2024 and 2025 and this was publicly available on the Burke County High School website until shortly after recalculations began. Academic decisions were made based on the information provided. If there was an

027internal mis misinterpretation, accountability rest with the system, not with the students who relied on what they were shown. If a correction is necessary, it must be applied uniformally. Selective correction is not fairness. Fairness means consistent application across all institutions and all students. Right now, three students have lost their honor graduate distinction due to a reinterpretation they did not cause and could not control. Restoring their honor status would not lower standards. It would acknowledge that they met the benchmark under the structure that had been consistently reflected and communicated. It has already been acknowledged that designating a co-validatoran was a strong and reasonable solution to part of this issue. Continuing that approach allows recognition of academic excellence while assuring fairness is preserved. Um, it was stated that hope would not be affected, but the district's own language

028states that dual enrollment grades are part of the high school's transcript record and will of will affect initial hope eligibility at graduations. Students should not face altered rankings or potential scholarship impacts due to formatting distinctions outside of their control which are which were not clearly explained when academic decisions were made. Over 700 grades were adjust when documentation is required per grade change. The volume of changes increase the need for documentation. It is not eliminated. Policies exist to prevent uncertainty and error, especially when class rank, honors, and scholarship eligibility are involved. Therefore, I formally propose the original policy to be thoroughly revised, hopefully amended, so fairness in regards to grading calculations is given across all institutions and that the installation of co-validatoran designations and the maintenance of the three affected students honor status. While this matter

029is fully reviewed and reconciled, these students make their academic decisions based on the grading structure and guides that have been consistently presented to them. Preserving their honors during this process ensures fairness, protects reliance on established practice, and allows the district to address any internal error without penalizing students who added in good faith. If only three students are directly affected in regards to graduating with honors, creating that harm is both reasonable and manageable. This approach preserves integrity, protects students, and reinforces confidence in district leadership. This is not about conflict. It is about accountability and trust. The students did not change. Their work did not change. The communication did. Thank you. Uh Mr. Will you come back to the podium please? There's a question for you. >> First of all, well written, well said. >> Um you

030said something that dual enrollment grades contrary to our statement are part of >> um on your policy. It is in the packet I gave you. It strictly says the district the DI it says dual enrollment grades are part of the high school transcript record and will and on the policy it has will in all caps affect hope eligibility at graduation. >> That is a true statement but it is unweighted dual enrollment grade. >> Okay. >> I just wanted to clarify that point. It is the it is the dual enrollment grade prior to the waiting. So, how do y'all get those dual enrollment grades for students who get the letter grade? Y'all just automatically give them a 99 if they have a a >> So, if I was told that it's not fair for me to

031get receive a grade I didn't deserve, how is it fair if a student could get a 90 at a certain institution and it automatically be a 99% but not for all students? So it shouldn't have further policy. >> Repeat that. >> The way the policy is written, if the institution sends a letter grade, >> yes, >> let's call it an A. >> Yes. >> Right. It goes down as a 99. >> Understand that. >> If the institution sends a numerical grade 93, >> it gets the one point multiply. >> Yes. But this is your policy. They're all not able to make it where it's equal to all institutions and students. >> The policy is what it is right now. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> I'm I'm I understand you can't go back, but this is

032for future students. >> Yes, we will be looking at future. >> Okay. >> All right. >> I just want to clarify that weighted point eligibility. Okay. >> Thank you, sir. Yes. Good job. >> Thank you. Dan Roberts. >> Thank you, Madam Chairwoman, board members. Uh, my name is Ben Roberts, and for lack of a better word, I'm the parent that started all of this. Um, so I'm here tonight. Thank you, Miss Bon. I appreciate that. I'm here tonight to publicly uh state and explain exactly what I did and what I did not do and the reasons behind that. Um I want to begin by saying um to a to a young man that this had absolutely nothing to do with any other student, particularly uh a young man here tonight. It had nothing this was

033never a question of his abilities. Uh that young man has gone been in the class with my daughter as long as I can remember. Um I know he is a very capable student. So it was never a question about him or what he was capable of. It was certainly never a question about anyone's race. We did have a question about our daughter's transcript. We received a transcript in January uh that showed her class ranking had changed from one to two. There were no updated grades nor credit hours or anything like that. So, we asked some questions. Um, I do not apologize for that. I would tell you if you are a parent in this school system and you are not asking questions, you are putting your child at at detriment, whether it be mistakes or

034anything else. So, that's what we did. We asked some questions and we sought some answers and that required several meetings. In those meetings, however, I want to say very clearly, we didn't show up and complain about a class ranking. We didn't complain about grades. We didn't complain about any other students. We didn't complain about a policy. We did not know there was any sort of error in a policy. Uh it has been suggested that somehow I knew that and I think you all would know that if I knew there was an error, I wouldn't sit on it for months at a time before I brought it to somebody's attention. This may be the first time for some other folks in here tonight, but we all know each other very well. I think we can agree.

035Um, so we did go to seek out some answers and that's that's where those questions came from. We found out sitting in a meeting that there was an error in the policy. Again, I won't apologize for asking those questions. What I will say, I made two mistakes. My first mistake was I left that meeting. I did not call any other parents. I did not get on Facebook. I did not call the news. I did that for two reasons. Number one, I thought it was fair to let the board sort this out and figure out how you were going to move forward without the craziness that could follow that. I also sought to protect my daughter in the event that this was going to be linked to us or her. That was a mistake as well.

036I'm here tonight to publicly push back against some allegations that have been made about my family, but specifically my wife and daughter. They have been dragged through the mud. We have been called racist. We have been called elitist. We have been called mom and daddy had to pull some strings. Now you all know that's not true. And the people who go to school with my daughter know that's not true. And you all can't control what people say on social media. And I realize that the vast majority of that was from people that don't even live in this community. But you all could have controlled the messaging. and you had a responsibility to to not just my family, but all of these families, all of these parents, and all of these students. Again, I left that

037meeting under the assumption that that this board was going to get together, this central office, and you all would figure a proper way forward. I assume that would have included notifying parents and family of what was going on. You failed all of us in that respect. a mistake was made, but the cover up is now worse than the crime. And and that's where I fought you all. And in doing that, again, my family got dragged through the mud. My daughter got dragged through the mud. Um, so I hope that however the policy is handled, and that's complicated, and that's hurt a lot of people. And again, I that was never our intention. I went to sort out and make sure that my daughter's information was correct. I had no idea that it was the issue

038that it was. But uh whatever is done, I would encourage you to go back and look at that policy. And I would ask you moving forward, I hope we have all learned a very valuable lesson about transparency and communication, quick, clear, and concise communication. And I would ask that moving forward this board work on implementing that, please. Thank you. Aiden Hall. >> Hi, my name is My name is Hayden Hall and I am vice president. I'm yeah I'm vice president for student council and I am here to speak about the Burke County student handbook and I'm here to speak about the senior graduating class of 2026 and where they will be graduating at. So for the student handbook um I we would like for the student body for these dual enrollment policies with the 1.1

039multiplying in in our own student handbook as well because you guys have it in your guys's guidelines and all that. So we would like it implemented in our student handbook. So it's transparent to the students, transparent to the parents. So it's easy to access and so we don't have to search through anything. So it's very accessible for everyone to see and so it's accessible just for everyone. And it would be I feel like it would help clear up this issue and help move on from this issue and help bring more clarity to everyone with that adding this policy into our own student handbook. And um for the graduate for the graduation um it is going to be in sorry excuse me um administration is saying it's going to be in the auditorium that that is

040I understand it's a multi-million dollar auditorium and that is newly built and it is a great thing that is for Burke County High School but the Burke County High School students will only get four graduating tickets for their graduation which I I would say our our senior class think is unfair because we want to see have our family come out. And I sent out a Google form on Friday and I got 127 responses from the senior class over this weekend. And I have um seniors from the senior class of 2026 saying yes, we would like our graduation on the football field. And we had a few saying no. But I would like to focus on the 119 students who said yes to the graduation on the football field because it would give us more opportunity

041to see our family have us graduate and help us share our accomplishment and something that is huge that other countries don't get the opportunity. Some women in other countries don't get the opportunity. Some people don't even get the opportunity to finish graduation. Like some of my grandparents didn't even get the get to finish uh high school because of life circumstances. And I think everyone wants more graduating tickets. So we can share that opportunity with our family and so that we can share this moment. And we have we also have a huge football field and we have a multi-million dollar football field as well and which it would be great for us to use it in my opinion. And also other counties also use their football fields for their graduation as well. Like in Columbia County

042and like schools like like in Evans and stuff like that, they use their football field. So, I think it would be a great idea if we use our football field to maximize its usage and to get have our family see us graduate more. And um that's pretty much all I have to say, but um if y'all would like to see the Google form, I can bring my iPad around and show y'all if you would like. >> 119 127. >> Uh yes. Yes, sir. >> And that was just over this weekend. I made it Friday. And and this I also feel like this shows how well we communicate as a graduating class and how we can communicate as a school and how well we can spread the words of things. And I just sent it throughout

043to people individually. I didn't send I didn't put it in any school organizer things. I didn't put in like Google classroom or anything. I just sent it to people in my school and like the senior group chat. So that's all I would like to say. Thank you. >> Um, I would like to say on behalf of the board, I want to thank everyone who took the time to speak with us on this day. We certainly appreciate your willingness to share your perspectives, your concerns, and your ideas. We value our partnership with all of you, family, staff, community, and we remain committed to serving our students with transparency and integrity. Does anyone else have anything to say? I'd just like to say how impressed I am with our students who presented tonight. >> Yes. They were

044extremely articulate and I like to watch that kind of stuff and I'm just very proud of you and thank you for sharing. >> Okay. >> And now we will continue with our uh meeting old business and we have um B County High School validictorian. I would like to read this statement. uh board rationale for naming a co-validictorian. After review of the circumstances surrounding the calculation error that affected final class rankings, the board determined that naming co-valid dictorians is the most equitable and principle resolution. The discrepancy in calculation resulted from an an adult procedural error, not from any action or omission by the students whose names are shared with the permission of the parents. Both Sawya and Ty satisfied the established academic criteria for validictorian distinction. We could not be more proud of them. With grades

045properly calculated, Sawya's average is approximately half point higher. There's no question about that. Under the circumstances, however, the board finds that designating co-valit co-validictorians represents a fair, reasonable, and educationally sound remedy. At this time, I would entertain a motion. I'll make a motion that we approve co- validictorians for the B20 class of 2026. >> I need a second. >> A second. >> Have a second. Motion second. Is there any discussion? >> I do have some discussion. >> Yes. >> Um has this been discussed with all involved parties as far as students and families? >> Yes. I'm good. >> Okay. I did read that. All right. So now, uh, let's vote by show of hands. Let it be known that we all approve. Madam superintendent, >> the se the next several items on the agenda are

046items that were discussed during the board retreat on February 5th and 6 that you all asked to put on tonight's agenda for voting. And so the first would be the mandatory a rapid pay card. Remember, Miss Marchman indicated that we still have approximately 65 employees or approximately 8% of our employees still receiving a paper check and that this would significantly reduce um what they're having to do back there in the finance office. So, you all asked to bring that to this agenda for a vote >> and this will not go into effect until >> July 1, 2006. >> Okay. Excuse me. So, we need a motion to approve the U mandatory AC rapid payroll card beginning in July 1, 2027. >> 26. >> Oh, yeah. July 1, 2026. >> Okay. >> So, we need a

047motion. I make a motion to approve the mandatory uh automatic deduction of rapid pay card beginning July 1, 2026. Second motion is second. Any other discussion? If there's no discussion, let's raise a show of hand. Okay. So you have four to approve. The next one also from the uh February 5th agenda. Mr. Paul Williams came before you to ask for for two requests. One was uh to approve two new positions of floating custodians that you would allow to move between schools and then they would be the first app to pull for new hires. And he also asked for um the purchase of an autonomous scrubber that would be used to polish the terazzo flooring um in the evening hours. And those items you asked to put on this agenda. >> Okay. >> Mr. Williams is

048here if you had any questions. >> Um, do they have any questions? I've got a question. Sure. >> Um, I understand you have uh custodians that are placed in each school, but do you have enough uh to handle the manpower? I am um I know there are a lot of females, but do you have any males that can enough males to handle the hard work? Now, that's just a question. Not saying that we we the number we have is a number we've pretty much had consistently um with the two floaters. We would put them in the areas that we would permanently house them in areas that need more like our new building. >> We've got one full-time test in there, but with the floater, we would use them at the high school more than anywhere

049else. The main thing the floater would do then is if we have vacancies or absences, we would move them to other schools. But I would like to have them float to train each school. So if we do call them up, they can move right in, go to work. They're not uh wasting time. Where do I go? What do I do? Who do I talk to? Um that's the that is the plan. The high school is probably the main building. Um if we need more help is there. Um and because it is a there's something going on there all the time. Um it's a large building, lots of folks. We do have the PE, we do have enough people there to cover it, but it does with extra activities, things going on, it does it does

050get the biggest hit um of our system. >> Okay. Are there any other questions? We we need a motion to approve uh two new positions for floating custodians. Also a motion to approve the purchase of the autonomous scrubber. Would you share a little bit what the autonomous scrubber is? I know I'm wrong for doing that, but >> yeah, that's fine. Um this one is a fully automatic machine. Um I don't know, you've probably seen them in Walmart. You've seen them in big stores. They drive around, they beep the horn if somebody's in the way. We're not going to always use it with kids in the building. We're going to try to use it at night to to continue our floor polishing um procedures. So um but it is fully autonomous. It will dock itself, charge

051itself, refill itself with water, and dump itself with water as well. So you're taking manpower out during the day, using them at night. Um now it can be used during the day as well. is battery operated, no fumes. Uh it has no cameras. Some of these machines run on cameras. This one does not. This one is strictly uh laser liar, which is a radar. Um so it does not take pictures of anything. It just moves around the building. It's kind Okay. Thank you. I proceed with the motion that two new positions floating custodians and autonomous rubber I make a motion that we approve the two new positions with the floating custodians as well as the autonomous products. >> All right, I need a second. >> A second and a motion and second. No other discussion.

052We are ready to vote by show hands. >> Okay, thank you very much. >> One more. >> All right. And one more item from that uh schoolboard retreat on February 6 Dr. Collins um brought an HR employee retention incentive packet um for you all to review and no action was taken on that um packet again is an item that you asked to be placed on the February 17th agenda. >> So after review I have several questions uh regarding the packet. I make a motion that we table the approval of the HR retention incentive packets clarification with Dr. that is acceptable. >> Okay. >> And then you've had there a um frontline subscription. Obviously the cost um requires board approval. Frontline currently we use an application system um called solved um talent acquisition. It is um

053a little outdated. The front lines is what we currently use for sub, but it also has another part to it which is an application system that also allows um onboarding, offboarding, um PL request, compliance training, um ability for an applicant to complete one application for apply for several jobs. It's just much more robust than what we currently have. But again, because of cost, it requires um board approval. um based on policy. >> Okay. And there's a >> and you notice there that there is a there's a onetime cost, but there's also an annual fee, which we pay an annual fee for the one we currently have as well. >> Okay. So, we need a motion. >> What's the annual fee that we currently pay? >> Um it's about a third of the cost. Let me

054table this along with the table it. Okay. >> So I have some other questions as well. I had >> a misunderstanding from the order of what this actually was. >> Okay. So those two items have been paid the retention incentives packet and front line subscription. We can't hear you on this side. >> We have table two, the last two D and E. Okay. For further discussion >> Willis Willis. >> Okay. Miss Willis, come please. >> Good evening everyone. Good evening. shift the energy a little bit. Um, I want to say the presentation that I'll do tonight for the uh report um just let it reflect that our continuous grant application went in October of 2025. Um, we had some revisions that took place over winter break. So that was December of 2025 and the actual

055grant was approved January 5th of 2026. So, what I'll be reading off tonight will reflect that new uh budget amount. So, um if you want to start at our first page, our funded enrollment is at 94. Our actual enrollment is at 94 and the center and homebased children uh their age range and age range in months is there and the number that we have for that is 94. Our average daily attendance for the month is 83. Number on the waiting list is five. Number of transitions seven. Our number of pregnant women six. Health checks up to date 95%. Shots up to date at 100%. Our monthly reportable health incidents at zero. Number of children with disabilities at 12. Staff training activities at 14. parent involvement activities at seven. Our current in for the month was

056$3,561. And if we want to flip the page there, we had no expenditures for Walmart. And our new budget amount for the next page is going to be at 1,798,000. 500 $1,798,590. So see that there. And for January, our um expenditures for January alone for 2026 is in the first column there at $153,1205. On the next page, you will see all the expenditures for January 1 through January 31st. And again, that total expenditure amount is at $153,1205. And then we're going to go to um our total expenditure, well, the total incumbrances that we have yet to pay out, and that's going to be at $21,655.35. Then the next page covers uh the budgeted year of 2025, which we have until April to close that out, but we're at zero for that amount. And then we're

057going to skip uh back to the last page if you look on uh not the very last page, but the page before that. So the page two of two at the end. And that's going to show the total amount there um for our grant amount. So again, it's at that 1 million $795,719.14 there. And then the ne very last page that has been paid out is been zeroed out. Um but we do have until April to clear those off of our report. So what I've presented to you, do you all have any questions? I always give you guys a little jingle at the end. So, um, our Facebook page is up and going >> and, uh, we've kind of re started that back up. It had been dormant for a while. Our first day of

058posting, we had 257 views. So, I want to tell the parents to keep following us, keep paying attention to the things that we're doing because we have some wonderful things going on. And then I want to just give you a flyer along with an agenda. We have a Black History program that my little ones will be put on and that's going to be Friday, February 27th >> um between 9:30 and 10:30. And also I've attached uh an agenda for one of the classrooms. So if you're in the area, if you want to come stop by, feel free. I'll give you the packet and then pass it over. Thank you so much. Any question? I have a quick question. >> Yes, ma'am. Can you refresh my memory on what all we pay? Miss Tasha Norwood. >>

059Miss Pasha Norwood. >> Yes. So, our total amount to her, see that is going to be on that page one of one. And let's see, Pasha, that was just for the month of January. >> Our total amount to her was in an upward of 34,000. So Pasha Norwood is um a mentor of mine that was referred to by Miss Reed uh before she left. So she's been doing extensive training um just coming on as a new director. >> Okay. >> And our training uh she trained me and also our ECE coordinator. So the two of us in administration and that training um ends this month. >> Okay. We need a motion to accept the early head start monthly report. >> I move that uh we uh accept the early head start report as it was

060presented. >> Thank you all. Second. >> Okay. Motion to second. Let's vote by show of hands. We all approve. Thank you. Thank you. >> Good evening everyone. >> Good evening. >> We're here tonight to um make our request for our annual buses bus purchases for the 2627 school year. I think we submitted to you some information during the retreat there. Um again this year for the next coming school year we want to purchase eight school buses. We want six propane 72 passenger buses. We need to replace one special needs 72 passenger bus. And we also need to uh purchase another minibus. As you know the three minibuses that we did purchase they've been here now 10 years and we normally rotate out at 10 years. This 14 passenger minibus does not require CDL. So it

061will um enable more of our teachers who have their certifications but not a CDL to be able to drive to and from their venue there. Um bus cost for 2627 for a 72 passenger is about $200,847. Um that's times six. uh Yansy Bus Sales and Bluebird has given Burke County the opportunity to buy some surplus 2026 buses that they still have in stock. They are equipped and outfitted with our normal specs that we have here in Burke County. those buses if we are able to go ahead and purchase them. They will give us the buses now and bill us for our new in our new fiscal year for 2627. The savings there will be about you know right at $100,000. The buses will be sold to us at $178,847 each time six buses that's about

062$1,73,082. Um, if we were to wait, those same six buses would end up costing us uh about $1.2 million instead. We do still want to get the mini bus. The mini bus cost $124,350. And the special needs bus that we are requesting with four wheelchair positions in the back of the bus, again, a full-size bus, is $25,82. This is a huge increase from when we bought buses some years back, but that's to be expected with everything that's going on in the bus. So, we do ask permission tonight that if we could go ahead and purchase those six propane buses from Bluebird at $178,000 uh to save our district a little over $100,000 in the process. We need a motion. Dr. Alice, make sure we have um have this correct on record. So, we talked about

063this and um we would actually pay for auditing purposes, right? Um to pay for those out of business budget. But Alice, if you would come up just a moment on want to make sure that that's reflected correctly. Yes. So, while I certainly incentive of the reduced price of the buses, which of course I would think anyone would want to take advantage of because we're going to enter into the liability now and even more importantly because we're going to receive possession of those buses now, that would have to be expensed in your current 2526 budget. So although payment could be delayed and the cash would not actually go out the door until after July 1 as of the 25 26 year we owed that money and we would have to expense that money. So I just

064want you to be clear that we can handle it the way it has been presented but you will see it hit your 2526 budget and that's going to be a pop that I want you to understand why you see that here. >> Okay. Okay. Any questions? There are no questions. We need a motion to purchase eight buses, the minivan, >> mini bus, >> special bus, and then six regular propane buses. >> Okay, got the motion. I'm going to make the motion. Um, because it's already been worded. Therefore, I can just say I so move. Okay. >> Okay. Motion is so move. I can thank it. >> That makes it easy so that we get the information for that. Correct. >> Okay. So now we need to vote. >> Okay. Show of hands. We are all

065in agreement. Thank you very much. >> Thank you so very much for that. That is a savings to us from what we requested for this fiscal year. I think this fiscal year we ended up with $1.9 million for bus purchases and it only bought us eight buses whereas the same amount of money a few years ago would have bought us about 12 to 13 buses. So they have gone up significantly. The second thing that we are on the agenda for is to request to utilize the funds that have already been pre preapproved for us in this year's budget um for we were going to get a dump truck. We were looking to get a generator and the labor cost for the bus shop itself. The dump truck will be for the maintenance department. We had

066set aside or projected about $200,000 for the dump truck, but it's going to be something that we don't use every day. So, instead of doing that, we have opted talking with Paul and uh maintenance department and their needs. we can go ahead and purchase an F450 and the trailer that goes along with it to almost do the same thing. This vehicle will become more versatile and it will save us a whole lot of money in the process. So instead of us spending $200,000 on the dump truck, we're going to spend about $83,500 on the F450 and the trailer itself. Going along with that, Paul has uh been approved for a an assistant director and that assistant director also needs a vehicle. Even though they're over maintenance, anything that rolls on wheels, of course, falls up

067under the transportation department. >> We've gotten um some proposals from Phil Brandom to go ahead and to add an additional truck at the cost of $44,200. This is for an F250 with a 8ft bed on the back of it. So, what we asking for is $83,500 for the truck and trailer. We're asking for $44,200 on the F250 with the 8ft bed. And finally, uh, along with this, we're asking for permission to utilize the funds set aside to go ahead and purchase a generator and have it installed at the transportation department. As all of us are aware, Hurricane Helen taught us some very valuable lessons. During that particular time, there was no power, but we did have few, but we could not access it. If we would have had power, we could have been able to

068uh offer some assistance to the EMA m EMA department, the sheriff department um for fueling vehicles because we do realize that fuel was at a short supply during that particular period. So, we don't want to be caught in that predicament again. So, uh, we've already gotten a quote for the generator at $55,647.37 and the installation of that generator would be about $48,000 total expense at $103,647.37. We had $300,000 set aside in this account for these purchases. So, with us not getting the dump truck, but getting exactly what we need to become more versatile, we're going to end up saving in the process about $68,652. >> Okay. Now, repeat something for me, Re. The generator is going to be how much? >> The generator is going to be 55,64737 >> and the installation >> $48,000. >>

069That's terrific, isn't it? >> Yes. Is what company is that? >> Round Tree Electric. >> Round Tree. >> Where is that located? >> Uh Paul did the running around for us for this. So they are in Sylvania. >> Is that in Wesboro? >> Okay. I'm not familiar with them, but that does appear to be an elevated amount for the installation. Um, and I understand you're probably going to get a more powerful >> generator generate power facility. Yes, >> it does seem that that's an awful lot for the installation. Um, maybe we can >> How many bids did he get on that? That's the only problem. I know the cost is correct. But it does appear that the amount to install it and it does take a lot to install it. They take a lot of

070days to put it in because they want to make sure >> you know that it tests correctly. I think it automatically test each week >> and I'm I'm familiar with the process, but I just think >> well you thought the same thing that we did once we received the estimate there at $48,000. Now, um if we want to wait on that, we can. Um we can obtain two or three more estimates if that's what we want to do. Um but as far as the generator itself, we would like permission to go ahead and lock that price in. >> And part of that installation is also the copper wire and everything they use to run that's not included with the generator. >> Okay. >> That's right. You do have to change out the wiring and everything.

071>> Okay. Um, Madam Chair, I don't have a problem with the generator. I have a problem with the installation price. I just think it's a little elevated, but I understand that everything has to be different. I do understand that. >> That's just my opinion. >> Okay, >> Paul, you want to talk about the installation? I don't know if there site work contract. >> No, we're actually waiting on more prices. That was the one we've already received, >> so we know it's not going to be more than that. So we we could possibly get less less for it, >> but we know it will not be anymore. But as of tonight for them to present, the other two companies have not gotten back to me. >> That's correct. >> But we do we did reach out

072to more than more than one. But so that would that would that is a do not exceed price. >> I understand. >> I'm just ask. >> Thank you all for the general. Let's just make a motion for the generator at this time. >> Okay. >> Make a motion to approve the purchase of the vehicles and the generator. >> And we will approve installation cost at a later date. >> We said vehicles that includes all the buses doesn't. >> This is to take care of Paul's needs for maintenance for the dump truck and for um the director. >> Okay. Just want to make sure. >> Can we get a second? >> A second. >> Okay, it's been a motion and second. We need to vote. A show of hands. We are all in favor. Thank you.

073>> Thank you all. >> Thank you. >> We did. >> Okay. Thank you. You're welcome. changes. Um the next item is thank for our work session. know at the board we have some items that we did not get to such as the governance team self assessment and uh the vision vision and vision that we supposed to work on and we're supposed to come up with a date for a work session and I ask you all to please look at um a date for that and we want to do it as soon as possible >> next week. Next week I'm unavailable next um Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday as I'm going on a field trip with Blake. Okay. I could do it the beginning of that week. >> Tuesday the 24th. >> I'm available the 24th, 25th,

074and 27th. >> Okay. The 24th, but it'll have to be in the afternoon. I can't do it in the morning. >> Okay. The 24th. What time? >> I'm available anytime. So, what time's best for you in that? >> Let's say 3:00. >> I can't. >> Can you do What time can you do? >> The earliest I can do is maybe 4:30. >> Okay. 4:30 >> the 24th. Thank you very much. That was easy. >> Okay. Okay. >> Next, we have a field trip request. This is a field trip request from the um special education department. Um one being on March 11th for elementary and March 12th at Butler. Um and then the third being on April 30th at the rec department. All for uh students with special needs. >> Make a motion to approve the

075field trip requests as presented. moved a second. I second. Okay. Okay. Let's vote. Okay. Let it show that we're all in agreement. The next item, >> Miss Allison is here. Summer feeding. Good evening. >> Good evening. >> I'm here tonight to request permission to operate summer feeding this summer and the dates would be from June 10th through July 15th, six weeks straight. Not taking any weeks off this year. Okay. Google. >> How have you been coming with the sites? I >> actually had one call today from Kville >> and the forms I gave you. That's the forms we're going to release out to have people sign up for sites. >> Okay. >> So that we get jump. >> We did hear from Mr. Neely today >> from the um >> Eddie B. Eddie Eddie. >>

076Yes. >> Mr. Neely asked Mr. B to >> Okay. >> Yes. because I called them and I told him that our people in Keysville wouldn't be able to make this route. >> They wouldn't be able to come to the schools. >> Transportation is a problem. People don't work. So, I'm grateful that he did. >> People in Midville are going to respond. You're also going to get a response from uh the VAT area because that's all district one. I'll work with Mr. Bradley. I'm delighted that he's here today, our county commissioner, uh, for district one. And I'll work with him, too, to see where we might need to have sites. >> Good u fearful that our children might not be able to get the food if we allow them. >> Yes, I gave you each five

077copies, but there are way more and we're going to publicize them. I just said somebody already asked today. I said, "Oh, let me get you the forms." artist is willing to allow a feeding site at the red light at the tea park where that train sits. They have tables out there. >> So, we'll just get this form to them and get it filled out so as well. >> Either that or you can send them my way and I'll fill out the form over the phone with them and then I'll go do a site visit and get them approved. >> Thank you. >> I make a motion to approve the summer feeding June 10th through July 15th. >> Second. I second. Motion and second. No questions. I spoke by show of hand. Thank you very much.

078>> Nothing further. >> Okay. At this time, we are need a motion to go into executive session. >> I make a motion that we go into executive session. Discuss discuss personnel and any >> Yes. Yes. Okay. >> Thank you. >> Okay. We all in agreement. Thank you all very much. Thank you. about she was meant that right now.