001may I'd like to call to order the regular board meeting for January 13th. Um tonight we will have the invocation and pledge of Mr. Jackson. Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing us to join together to bring wisdom to us. We ask you, Lord Jesus. We ask you to bring make sure that all of our board members arrive safely to their destinations. We ask you to give us the prudency and and and wisdom that we need to make these decisions for our children as well as our community. And all these things we ask in Jesus name we pray. Amen. >> Amen. Pledge of Algiance 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. >> Before we get
002started, I'd like make an executive order that we move the flag so nobody stare at the back of my head anymore. [laughter] I know that's not pleasant. So maybe maybe we can move it. But um on on another note, Miss Sams is going to be here. She's running a little bit late. There's some traffic um in her route and uh Mr. Dodd's on the phone with us. He is out of town right now, but he's on the phone with us um in spirit. So, with that said, we'll move to the spotlight with Miss Johnson. >> Good evening. >> Tonight, we are honored to recognize Landon Lar Roach. Landon is a junior at Glenn Academy who currently maintains a 4.0 GPA. He is an incredibly advanced student, dual enrolled at the College of Coastal Georgia, where
003he is on track to max out his 30 hours of college credit this year. What makes Landon Landon's story so special is his dedication to his school. Rather than rushing off to college early, Landon and his family have chosen to stay at Glenn Academy, even paying out of pocket for the future courses. He made this choice because he deeply values being a part of the band, the chorus, and the terror community. He isn't just focused on the finish line. He's focused on the memories he's making right here in a county school. Landon's musical achievements over the past year have truly been extraordinary. This past August, he took first place in solo piano at the Teen Talent International Competition, earning a full year of tuition at Lee University. That success continued into December where he was
004named the Georgia State Beta Performing Arts Instrumentalist Champion. He will be heading to Nashville this June to represent Georgia and Glenn Academy at the National Beta Convention. He has earned spots in the region and district honor bands and this Thursday he will be traveling to the University of Georgia for Janfest to perform with the state's top musicians. His presence in our performing arts department is felt year round. After competing as part of the regional literary quartet last year, he is now preparing to audition as a male soloist. Whether he is auditioning for all state chorus or performing as a first trumpet and vocal soloist under the Friday night lights, Landon represents the best of Glen Academy. Landing is Landon is a shining example of a student who has the maturity to excel in college, the
005talent to win on international stages, and the heart to remain a Glenn Academy tier. We are incredibly fortunate to have him here with us this evening, and Landon has graciously agreed to play a little something for us. Please join me in welcoming Landon. [applause] Nice. [music] >> [music] [music] [applause] >> land. Would you like to say a few words? we can just adjourn the meeting and uh [laughter] we'll see you back next month. Just just stay set up. There's >> fine. >> Uh I appreciate like the opportunity to come up here. Um but yeah, I think it just like comes to show like what you put in like your fine arts students like really makes a difference even like outside of the stages and like performances like it changes people in what they do. um
006the skills that you learn like leadership um and working with other other people and your teachers. It's just like a really great opportunity um for anyone regardless of your skills. Um but it's just awesome. So thank you. >> Thank you for sharing that with us. [applause] >> Good luck to you. >> Go Terrorists. >> You're also exceptionally talented. everything. >> You're not just a good player. You're exceptionally talented. >> It comes with that. >> I got musicians in my family. I know >> you're talented. >> All right. Next, we've got citizens address the board. We do have a couple folks signed in, but I do need to read the preamble um quickly before we get started. The board of education has adopted a policy that permits citizens under certain circumstances to address the board on
007various topics of general concern to the operation of our schools. We welcome visitors to the board meetings and are interested in hearing from the taxpayers and patrons of the school system. However, board members will not respond respond to this meeting to comments or questions from speakers or make immediate decisions. Board member contact information can be found on the Glen County Schools website. We have established a few simple rules for public comment. Each person wishing to address the board must sign a roster before the meeting begins. Each person is limited to five minutes and the public comment portion of the meeting will not exceed 30 minutes. Any citizen who has a specific complaint involving an employee may first address the issue with the superintendent and if not resolved may then request to speak to the [clears
008throat] board. However, certain matters involving personnel and students may be heard in close session. The superintendent will inform you whether your complaint is one that may be referred to an executive session with the board. By signing this roster before the meeting, you agreed to abide by the rules outlined below. Um, first up tonight we have Matthew Joiner. [clears throat] >> Start my timer. Keep up with him. >> I'm gonna start you. Don't worry, Matt. I know you. [laughter] >> All right. Uh, first off, like I said, uh, good afternoon. My name is Matt Joiner. I am a parent. We actually have three boys. Um, two have graduated from Brunswick High and one is a freshman. Thank everybody coming out. As you saw, it's a lot of the track and field team, track and field coaches.
009Real quick, uh, track and field coaches. If you get paid to coach track and field, could you raise your hand? >> All right, cool. So a very big appreciation to them because they spend all their time, they do their energy and they give back to these kids which is amazing that we have people in our communities that are willing to do this because not only coaches it's mentor. A lot of these kids don't have that guidance in life so it's very appreciated. I'm also the head pole vault coach. Um, so as many of y'all know, concerns are dealings with the head coach for track and field boys, also dealing with the head coach, track and field girls. Um, the interim pick is amazing and we've all worked together for a long time, so it's not
010speaking of her at all. Um the concern is head coach of the girls track and field. Multiple complaints have been filed um letters from parents, emails, and also in person to the principal of Brunswick High and the Brunswick High Athletic Communications Director, whatever he title is. Um it's also was brought to the athletic director's uh attention uh by myself as well. um complaints covered girls being forced to change on the buses uh where there are active cameras always going but in return maybe they cover the camera which I also read up on rules you can't cover the cameras up while you're on buses [clears throat] um didn't plan anything for worlds for girls that was all handled by the male coaches the boys coaches, which were male and female, but the boys uh coaches, um
011all they did was complain about the volunteer decorations and how they looked when they showed up. Uh I know that if I leave my job early, budget time, and it causes stuff to go down, just like if football coach left in the third quarter or a baseball coach left in the fifth inning, caused them to lose, I don't think they'd have a job being a head coach. head coach regularly le left multiple meets early as I was there and as the athletic coordinator you know communications director also visually saw and allowed but they did it multiple times causing girls not to be able to compete also causing their team to get less points and not make as high um they had stuff that they found was more important to do that coach also does not
012show up for practices is my understanding there's a stipen and as a taxpayer there. I'm not big on paying people for not doing their [snorts] job. Um, belittle students. Um, some of the things that I've heard say was the slow one pault girl and pole vault coach. I think I'm this my sixth year on seven that I've been either mentoring but I've had kids in the school and everything else. Um, doesn't take the time to know anyone. um also was trying to force an athlete during sectionals who was obviously severely injured to compete and they did not compete because of the former head coach of the boys stopping it from happening because it was a bad injury and they cared more about their pride than they did the athlete. I'd also like to know about
013my concerns about funding for BHS track and field um versus other sports to include GA. We had the pole vault. We've been having pault win everything. Um then somehow a kid that is not assigned to GA was talked to a lot and went over there told that they were going to be allowed. um they competed in multiple competitions even though under GHSA rules they did not move did not get a waiver waiver failed and were still allowed to do it but it was allowed and then they were given a brand new high-end pole vault mat with they haven't been done anything when they had been jumping on ours and we're told that they we would get [clears throat] a new pole vault because we've been doing it for years and they were jumping on ours
014and they broke the standards and they also ripped the cover that was also reported to everyone who I had mentioned um advised it would be fine that was going to go over there everything and then a brand new mat was given to GA not BHS um the one who went over there who could not even my understanding is competing um and that too but not really sure of their expertise on a very dangerous and extensive sport uh that they have over there and I don't mine. I'm actually one of the only one of the very few I believe gymnastics and there may be another where I actually have the ability to coach at multiple schools if the schools agree within the same area because of the detail it takes as a paball coach and the
015experience that there's not as many out there. So, and stuff like that. So, it's a big concern. My concern is the kids. My concern is the kids have the tools to be safe and to go forward. And since that is a concern and I'm truly about the kids, most of the stuff PVA has come out of my pocket as I've paid for because of asked over and over for stuff for track, everything for safety concerns and it falls on deaf ears. But then we have what we had here and we have one of the most winningest coaches that's been with track and field get let go and no reason given to the parents or the kids or the staff. But we have one that's constantly been abusive in complaints and have forced. >> Thank you.
016Thank you, M. You're well over. I appreciate it. Thanks for coming. >> Uh, next is Joshua Cook. First and foremost, thank you for this open forum to to discuss. As mentioned, my name is Joshua Cook. Uh my daughter is a pole varter for Brunswick High. Her name is Phoebe Cook. [clears throat] Um as Mr. Joiner has mentioned, a lot of these issues, uh I also share concerns with. Um I want to first thank these coaches in the back here that show up time and time again for our kids knowing [clears throat] that they're unpaid for the time that they put in uh for the money that comes out of their pocket for the safety of our children. Um, the first issue I want to address is been mentioned, but it was the the issue of
017changing on a school bus to get a jersey back. The the girls track and field head coach uh instructed my daughter to remove clothing on a bus with active cameras on in which my daughter denied. Um, to give you a background of myself, I I hold very strong Christian values as you can see by the cross on my chest. I do not take that lightly. There are certain morals that I raise my children with. And thank God that they listen and that they do not stray away from those moral standings because in the event of a naive 16-year-old at the time, if she would have listened to an adult in that manner, could have been subjected to something that she didn't need to be. And thank God that she listened to the upbringings of a
018good Christian value in and in in the household in which she denied the the the event to even happen. um under the scrutiny of of said coach. Um that same coach, I'm pretty sure for the most of the year did not know my daughter's name, even though that child also set the Brunswick High School record for pole bolting for girls. Um I believe that there is a certain respect that comes with athleticism and dedication to a school. Um, and she was not awarded the the same respect that she gives to every single coach that she's under. We did, my wife, Taylor Cook, did email the athletic communications director for BHS about the issue and swore that he took the matter seriously. Um, yet to my understanding, the principal uh claims no recollection of the event.
019Therefore, it was not relayed from the the communications director to the principal, which is kind of worrisome to me as a parent. Um, there has been a breakdown in communication, a lack of communication if you will. Um, a lot of the events we were told by some of the, I guess, special events coaches instead of the head staff of of these of the track and field. Um, we were unaware of certain uh allocations of money uh whether my child needed to bring money. Thank God she works for a living and she saves and she has her own money and she can buy her way whenever you know she's out on these events. Um, but it was told last minute, well, you need to buy your meal. Okay. Well, if we would have known that, we
020could have sent money whatever it was. Thank God she's prepared. Um, also I went to almost every event. Um, I'm a very dedicated father. Um, as some of these my my peers can attest to. I go to almost every event and in these events I saw these coaches that are back here. Rarely did I see the head coach of the female track and field. Uh, and also in the times that I did, non-approachable. Um, was just scorned. Um, almost like it was a requirement, but just not happy [snorts] to be there. Um, the only information that we did get was from the pole vaultting coach. the the majority of information, which I understand it's a specialty event, but the majority of the information that we were given was through the [clears throat] coach of the
021pole balters. Um, and he was always in constant communication about what was going on, the events, the times, where we needed to be, things like that. Um, and I can attest to to what he said about out-of- pocket expenses because my daughter being uh the only I believe female pole balter last year for BHS did not have the proper equipment and so he rented set equipment for her so that she could be safe uh while doing that event. Um, I want to leave you with this and it and and most of you in here are probably parents. I'd imagine this staff is charged with making our children's time in high school enjoyable and memorable. You guys are charged with their safety and well-being. You're charged with the task of helping guide them in sports and
022life lessons. Thanks be to God that I as a parent have instilled at certain morals that my child can see when it's wrong and not morally sound. And I'm going to leave you with this as Proverbs 22:6 says, "Start children off the way they should go and when they are old, they will never turn from it." And uh once again, I just thank you guys for the opportunity to speak and I want to thank our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. >> Thank you, Mr. Cook. Appreciate it. Um, next I'll entertain a motion to approve the agenda. >> Moved by Mr. Jackson. I'll >> Second by Miss Sams. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> All right. >> I have a question. >> Yes, sir. >> Regarding these presentations, Mike, could you give us a brief
023sketch of how it's handled from here? What what happens and where do we go? >> Well, what can we do? We'll have to discuss and >> I'm not talking about particulars. I'm talking about general. If this occurs in any sport, anytime, anywhere, just a real quick out. >> Generally, the superintendent would follow up with the athletic director or the principal or whomever's involved >> and then you report back >> Possibly depending on if they can or not. It's a personnel issue, so it's kind of sensitive. Obviously, we're not talking about >> um general concerns. There are some concerns there that that can be directly addressed whether it be equipment or funding or whatever else but some of the other personnel things may be a little bit more sensitive we have to address. >> But if
024we want to know about it, if we want to know what's going to happen under you can get Yes, we will let you know. >> Okay. >> For sure. >> Um next is consent agenda items. Like to add item seven um 8A which is personnel 8B field trips. Um 8 C and C1 which is good report facilities committee update. Um 8 D finance committee. Um 8D1 the approval of the November 2025 financial reports. 8D2 which is the um approval of the [snorts] construction manager for Goodyear Elementary uh school res renovations. Mr. dollar. Is there any policy we need to talk about? >> No, we good. And 8E, which is policy. Any additions or deletions or questions? >> I have a question and probably no surprise [clears throat] when we do this. If we have a
025question that comes up as [clears throat] a result, I've studied it, but if I come back to it, just go to Mike and get clarification because both of these are straightforward items. >> That's correct. And there's nothing to prevent you from from if you want to discuss one of these items further, you can pull it from the consent right now. That's why I'm asking if there's something that you would like to discuss further, we can certainly do that. It doesn't have to be put on consent. We'll just take it off and we can discuss it and make a motion separately if we need to. >> How do we recognize if one of these reports that would be given by staff, they say there's a particular item they'd like to draw attention to, how do we
026how do we deal with that? >> They would they would bring that up. >> They would say that >> certainly they've done that before. They would they would pull that item if there was something we >> know in advance >> ahead of the meeting. I would let the chairman know that we would like to pull one to present additional information. >> Okay. >> But all of these were items were discussed correct work session. >> But if something had changed between Thursday and or what's today? Tuesday. >> Thursday and today um we would pull those items and discuss and vote on those separately. >> Um [clears throat] you have a motion to approve the consent. So move >> moved by Mr. Jackson. >> Second by Miss um what's [clears throat] your name? Lee. >> Miss Lee.
027Almost said Sam. I'm sorry. I have several colors on tonight. It threw me. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? >> It's unanimous. No executive session. >> Unless you have any. >> I move we adjourn. >> So move. >> Second by Mr. Jackson. >> Wait a minute. moved by >> some of those things that were mentioned need to be I would like to talk about in executive session because it's about personnel. >> You want to go back now or we can go back? >> Okay. >> So, I'll withdraw my motion to um adjourn. >> Second. >> All right. Do I hear a motion to go into um executive session for personnel? Moved >> by Mr. Jackson. Second by Mr. at 626. All right. Return to open session. >> So move >> by Mr. Jackson. >>
028Second by Miss Lee. You got it right that time. Any discussion? All those in favor? Is it 70? >> Um I move we adjourn again. Second move. Moved by Mr. Olson. Second by Mr. Jackson. >> All those in favor? seven. All right. Thank you'all so much and thank you everybody for coming. We appreciate the support. >> Thank you.