001motion to exit executive session. Good. Second, Miss Oliver. Any discussion? All in favor? So, all right. So, that will take us to item E on our agenda, then the Harris County Board of Education recognize National Day of Prayer with Dr. Penny. Leave your invocations. If everyone would bow with me. Father, we thank you for this time to come together as a county, Lord. And we just ask that you would be among us here tonight, Lord. That you would touch all of our lives, that you would make yourself known to us, Lord, that you would bring peace beyond all understanding as your word says. Lord, I just ask you to bless each and every person here, every family represented. Lord, bless our endeavors each day to serve the spirits and the teachers and the community of
002Harris County. We just ask that you increase your kingdom, increase your influence on us, Lord, and just keep us in your safety and your grace and your mercy. Lord, we ask these things in your precious name. Amen. >> All right. So that will take us to item F on our agenda, which is the special recognition portion of our meeting. And at this time, I'm going to ask CTA to come up. >> Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and board. Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to be here to to pay homage to these students, these teachers who have done great great things. Uh we're going to go through some of the middle school awards. We've got uh advisors for the specific student organizations here that are going to speak about some of the
003great accomplishments. Um I always encourage students and remind students CTA classes are career related classes and they're relevant for everyone. Everybody's going pro in something. You might as well dabble with it in high school. Also encourage them to get involved in everything outside of school. Take what you learn in class and find a way to go compete with it. Same thing for anything with the fine arts, music, arts, sports. get find some way to get plugged in. And here's some great examples of students who are doing that. First up in the middle school, we've got Miss Ashley Daniel with the FBLA students. If you guys will come up here, Miss Daniel, good evening. So again, my name is Ashley Daniel and I'm the adviser for our middle school escalation. And this year, our students had
004an incredible um season running our school store, touring local businesses, and even hosting guest speakers on topics like entrepreneurship and professional network. So, me coming from a corporate background, I really pushed my students to a high standard and I require all of my students to compete in a project or technical competition. Um because I know in professional world success is about the ability to deliver a pitch and to command a run. So, these students did exactly that. And I'm proud to recognize our top three finishers for the year. First, we have Charlie who are night group tonight. Um, but they got third place in animation. This is a brand new FAA category and these are brand new to Miss Daniel. But those students literally researched and studied how to create an animated movie and within
005a few weeks they produced one in that third place across the state feeding them STEM school across the state. Next we have Raya and Howie who are here today and they competed in the annual chapters activities presentation and they had the massive job of living back in everything we've accomplished and find a way to share the story about what we do as a chapter. So they spent hours documenting um our service projects, our business projects and had to share the story of what we do to judges and because of that they got dirty in the state and they will actually work with them national in Texas this summer. Following that, we have Jack, Emma, Charlie, and Harper. Harper is here today, and FA actually tked each chapter to create a recruitment video um to get
006new members into the chapter. And so, they wrote, edited, filmed, directed the video, and got second, and they actually beat out middle and high school chapter. Uh two more. So, we have Haley, Emma, and Luke. and Haley is here tonight and they're tracked at second place in our community service project. So we actually or Haley really she planned our um help the roof project with FFA and green power and they really stepped up and planned the entire event. we actually had to document and have data driven um information on how they planned it, how they executed the impact and those students at second and state. And then lastly, we have Harper Carol here and she competed in our career research project and she really decided to do a deep dive into career that's close to
007her heart. She's actually one of the actors in our school here and she had to not only look up what goes into the career of acting, but the career outlook. um she had to talk about what's required being an after all those things and present that to the judge and with that she got second place in the state and missed first place by one point and she's also going to represent us in national so to the parents and thank you for your support and then to the board thank you for providing the resources to help my students and students, if you're being recognized individually, if you will, when we start talking about you, just take a step forward so everybody in the room knows exactly who we're talking about. We've got uh four of our
008JRTC cadets here. These are co- captains for the Raiders team. We've got the female Raiders team and the males Raider team. First, we're going to talk about the female Raider team. Uh this evening we have Olivia Con and Isabella Perry. And these ladies finished first in area 5 competition in order to qualify for state qualifying for the first time in over 10 years. These ladies finished third place in state raider competition for the sandbag relay event and finished ninth overall. Certainly wouldn't want to do any kind of relay with a sandbag. So congratulations ladies. Thank you. And the gentleman uh males team we've got our co- captains Kevin Porter and Owen Ripple. These gentlemen and their team finished first in area five competition to qualify for state. It's first time again over 10 years for
009them to do that as well. These uh in their overall competition for the state they finished 13th as well. So we like to congratulate them. Thanks for having me in tonight with our soccer uh this these cyber patriot organizations and this competition is is so unique that we compete nationally every time they compete and Miss Knight's going to tell you a little bit about the success of just one of the teams that she's got that are doing really well. >> As Mr. Dunn said, I am Shannon the cyber security coach and the cyber security teacher at Harris County High School. On January 23rd, 2026, a team from Harris County High School cyber cyber team, excuse me, competed in the cyber Patri semiinal round representing the top six teams in Georgia in the top 25% in
010the United States. Of the two of of them the 25% 2816 teams competed nationwide. The top six teams from each of the state advanced to the stage. During the semifinals teams tackle rigorous challenges in areas such as network security, Cisco NetiCAD and uh cyber physical systems. Here are your top 25 in the United States for high school cyber security. First, we have Ethan Smith. Next, we have Jason Moyer. We have Andrew Co Pepper. and Joseph Al proud of each of them and these are the people who will be protecting you in your future. Next we have our uh future Georgia educators and we have our uh teacher sponsor with that um Mrs. Jennifer Robinson. Uh just give you a couple of accolades that she's earned this year which probably hasn't received the recognition that she
011deserves for this. Uh earlier this year she was inducted into the Columbus State Hall of Fame in their education department and she was also recognized by the Georgia Council for Career Tech Administrators as the number one teacher educator of the year. Not many people know that but she had to share. Thank you, Mr. D. Um, I am the very proud teacher of an absolutely phenomenal program and I get to teach some of the best students every single day and so to be able to sit here and highlight some of the things that we've done is just an absolute honor. Um, one of the groups that we belong to is Future Georgia Educators and it's part of PAGE. page is the professional association of Georgia educators which a lot of teachers in Georgia are a part
012of and so they created a student organization that we um compete in various events every year. So there's also a state competition that we entered and when we entered this competition at Middle Georgia State there were various regional competitions that we had to compete in in order to qualify for state. We took first, second, and third place in different region events. Um, and when we went to state, we competed against 18 other schools in six different events. Now, not all of my students are here because they have various other events going on, but I still want to make sure that they all get recognized. Um, first of all, one of them was Lily Halt, who was not able to be here. She won second place in the job application and interview. Um, she had to
013actually go through an education interview. She interviewed with a high school principal. She missed first place by three points. So, I'm very proud of that for her. Um, and then we also competed in a video competition and the video was a 30 second 30 second long tick tock style video about the impact that teachers could make. Um, we made third place in that competition. Um, and then also um, I would like to recognize Abby Johnson. Step Abby, thank you. She is one of a partnership. Um, they did a poster competition and they won second place in that. So thank you. Additionally, we compete at Columbus State University and Columbus State University has a variety of competitions. Typically, it's just a teaching competition. Um, and in that teaching competition, the students have to create a lesson
014plan from start to finish. And it's geared to fourth grade. They have 15 minutes to teach a group of fourth graders they have never met before. doing all the things, building relationships, doing um a a get started, if you will, the activity, there has to be a closing. And this year, um we had Olivia Pope. She competed, um against two other students, which did a she and they did a great lesson plan, but Olivia completely blew them out of the water and she won first place in that competition. She's the second person from Harris County to ever win first place in the competition, which earned her a $500 scholarship. And additionally, Columbus State broadened all of their competitions and so we competed in all of those. We competed against um 11 different schools at Columbus
015State. And when I say that these kids killed it in the competition, they absolutely killed it. Um, and I misspoke a few minute a moment ago and I apologize for that. Abby Johnson, um, with Keny Smith, they took second place in the themed poster competition for Columbus State. Um, Lily Holt won first place in the lesson plan written competition. And then Francis Bullard, she won first place in a decorated t-shirt competition. It was original work that was based on the theme teachers make magic. And then last but not least, um, Harper Horton and Chloe Wolfenberger. They won first place for the CSU competition. So, I'm very proud of all that they've accomplished. Next up, we have our TSA group and we've got a lot to celebrate there. Um, as has been said, a lot of
016things going on. We're so grateful that you guys time for tonight. Alex Miller will tell us a little about a little bit about these TSA students. Members of the board community, first off, thank you for support for what we do. We appreciate it. As Mr. said, I'm Mr. Miller. Um, another advisor that could not be with us is Miss Katie Sismore tonight. She was unable to attend. First off, we're going to recognize our first place animatronics team. With us, we have Taylor Smith and Tessa G. And then without those is going to be rally marker, roll marker and Daniel Hernandez. Um, their project brought the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party to life in an animatronics display. They used a lot of creativity, a lot of teamwork, and a ton of technical skills and
017coding. Um, it included lighting effects, music, an original soundtrack that they actually voice recorded. They had a ton of mechanical movements as well as motions. So, we're very proud of them. Also not present today is Addison Wayne. She became a state officer and we have multiple state officer positions, but she's the first one to represent as the president of Georgia TSA. So, she went through a rigorous um application process, an interview, and then she actually had a campaign and speak in front of thousands of members. And she's currently working with other state officers to plan next year's events for our students. We're very proud of her as well. Thank And next up we have uh Mr. Kenneth Thomas is going to do some introductions for students and and other uh teachers as well. Uh these
018are some of our students in in Skills USA and Skill Trade organizations. Uh and another great place we've got lots of celebrations going on. >> Hello everybody. Uh thank you again. Thank you to the board for your support. Thank you to our principal Lind Snider for all her support and all his support for our SCP director for Harris County. Uh I just want I've been doing this for a while now. I've been uh skills USA advisor for about 17 years and each year this is the thing that keeps you going. This is the thing that you see the kids actually get involved with. Okay. Uh we took the kids to state competition in Atlanta and there were 155 championship events. Skills is huge. And if you ever have a chance to get to state competition,
019I really encourage you to get up there and be a part of the chaos. Um because it's it's tough, but it's good. Uh there were over 10,000 students in three hotels. All right. and we we were running around for three and a half days and out of that came uh the students that I'm going to share with you today. Um starting off I just want to recognize um Mr. Hamilton working with our heavy equipment operation class and we had a uh first place finisher with uh Sims Jimson, I'm sorry. and uh very strong and that is something that uh as you can see if you've driven around Georgia nowadays you see more and more that our heavy equipment operators are out there lots of job opportunities out there doing a great job with that thing
020all right uh moving on uh one of our people is not here today one of our officers Addie White and if you've ever had chance to deal with you'll know that when she's not here, she could not be here because uh she'll run you over to get somewhere. That girl is very ambitious and very strong will and she just could not make it tonight. She's also one of our officers and she took bronze medal in extemporaneously speaking. Okay, next we have Parker Cummings. to the bronze medal in cabinet making. Parker had to build a small cabinet uh or piece of furniture from the supply of materials and drawings that he was given. And the competitors are expected to read the drawings, lay it out, create and cut a cut list and cut the parts and
021put it together all within the allotted time period. So, good job to him. Uh next we have Lindsay Harris. took silver and carpentry. He had to frame walls using wood or steel, cut and install rafters, gables, overhangs, and uh do soft bits of installation. Again, all within the allotted time period of that day. So, these kids were working very hard. And then we have our gold medal winner, Mr. B. Love it. Bo won gold in electrical construction wiring. Uh he was required to complete a written test before we went there and then compete uh by doing practical conduit and hands-on installation of conduit conduit systems uh and cabling systems. Bo will also be representing Harris County High School at national competition in Atlanta, Georgia this summer. And I want to give a special shout out
022to both uh just because Oh, please go ahead. Uh I want to give a special shout out to Bo because Bo started out this year. uh he was not an officer on our officer team, but he showed up to every event, every activity, everything we had going on and he asked me about mid year, could I get to be an officer? And I said, vote directly. We got officers for the year, but I went back to our advisors and something that we have rarely ever done. And I asked, can we get Bo on the list? And uh we offered a vote on it. and became an officer for Skills USA this year as we did the remainder of the year and he has done nothing but live up to those expectations. So I just want
023to give another hand Thank you again for recognizing these students, these teachers. Um, I had Mr. Howton and Mr. Tracy both up here. uh as you can imagine just like with fine arts teachers uh spend so much time outside of the school day. They get paid the bulk of their pay is what they do from 8 to 3:30 but they spend so much more time beyond those hours uh to invest in students u to mentor them to to work with them to get jobs and those sorts of things. We couldn't do what we do without those teachers and we get great support and hire great teachers because of the leadership that we have in our school builders with our principles and with the support you guys give to set us forward. So, thank you all
024so much. We're very grateful. >> All right. So, our next one will be item two, which is the Harris County Carver Middle School Academics and Fine Arts. Hello everyone. My name is Sarah Sloppy and I'm the theater teacher at Harris County Harbor Middle School. Our theater program participated or held the following events this year. We had the Miss Harris County Middle School pageant. We had the eighth grade show, James and the Giant Peach. We participated in the 2025 trunk. We had the seventh grade winter arts extravaganza and the eighth grade winter arts extravaganza, which were a collaboration with our fine arts departments. We went to the 2026 Georgia Junior Thespian Conference. We had the seventh grade show, Find Your Crew, the Coffee House Cabaret, and we also had monthly drama club days after school that
025were open to the entire school. We also had our collaborations free musical between uh Harris County Middle School and Harris County High School of High School Musical Junior. This year at the Georgia Bespian Conference, we had over 40 students participate in the opening number, and that's an opportunity for them to perform a musical number in front of other middle schools around the state of Georgia. We also had three superior ranked Besie competition pieces for the Georgia Thespian Conference. So, I'm going to talk about those a little bit. So, we had a musical theater dance duet, A Friend Like Me from Aladdin. And those two students were Mary Katherine Davis and Natalie Wood. We had a musical theater dance small group of Under the Sea from The Little Mermaid. And those students participating in that was
026Lenley Miller, Kennedy Prep, and Hayden Wells. We also had a musical theater solo of Watch What Happens from Newsies. And that was by Mary Katherine Davis. We also had three uh excellent ranked uh the competition pieces for Georgia Junior the conference and some of these students are here tonight. Uh we had a musical theater group performance of she's in love from the Little Mermaid and so if I call your name and you're here if you'll step forward. Students that participated in that were Julia Cooper. Yeah. Gabby Rivera, Avery Hatcher, Freebomb, Natalie Wood, Mary Catherine Davis, CC Bessler, Aven Hunter, Hayden Wells, Lenley Miller, and Rebecca Beagle. We also had a musical theater dance solo of In Summer from Frozen the Musical, and that was by Natalie Wood. And our last one was a musical theater
027solo of Poor Thing from Sweeney Todd and that was performed by Harper Henderson. I'm very proud of all the things that our students have accomplished at HCCMS and I want to thank you all for giving us the opportunity to celebrate them today. Thank you. Good evening everyone. Um I'm Tony Orin Thark. I'm the band director at HCCMS. Um this year has been really exciting for the HCCMS band program. We've had a lot of growth and very big accomplishments with our students and our our members in our program. Um so this year we started our very first jazz band, middle school jazz band um with 32 uh seventh and eighth grade students and a lot of them are here tonight. Uh we also continued our football band and basketball pet band giving students more opportunities to
028perform and be involved in school events and support the rest of our school. Um, we also participated in the seventh and eighth grade winter extravaganza with our fine arts program this year. Um, and we still have our spring concert coming up. Um, it is May 14th, which is a week from today. And at at 6:30 at the HCCMS gym, uh, we're playing our big piece is How to Train Your Dragon. So, the kids are really excited about that one. And our jazz band is performing as well. Um, we also went to LGP, which for those that don't know, it's large group performance evaluation. and it's basically like GMAS but for band and chorus. Um, and so it was a really big deal this year because we took two groups instead of just one. Last year
029we did one big band, but this year we had a seventh grade group and an eighth grade group. Um, and our seventh grade band performed uh and got two superior ratings and one excellent rating and then a superior insight rating for an overall superior rating. Our eighth grade band also performed and earned three superior ratings and a superior insight rating for an overall superior. Um, there were 16 middle school groups that competed this year at LGBT and there were only three out of that 16 that got an overall superior and two of them were HCCMS bands. So, they're great students. I mean, they want to work hard and I want want them to be successful and they're doing they're doing it. It's awesome. Um, so for district honor band this year, we had 27 students
030sign up for an audition and 21 of them made the band or got an alternate position for the band, which I thought was a humongous accomplishment for them. Um, and some of those students are here tonight, so when I call y'all's name, step forward. Uh, Savannah Brit, Cameron Clark, and there are some that are not here tonight, but I'll say them anyway. Uh, Tatum Powers, Jimma Dice, Cassidy Williams, Nyla Copelan, Matteo Rubacalva, Richard Darlington, Kayn Simmons, Elena Thompson, Uh, Joey Bailey, Edward O'Brien, Emmanuel Hendris, Samuel Bruce, and Mason Sers. We also had students earn alternate spots. Uh Janiah Patterson, Anthony Deatano, Scarlett Oliver, James Shine, Millia Stockdale, and Carson Tarver. And then we have a special recognition. Two of our students made it to the second round auditions which are competing in as a state
031level. And one of them is here tonight, Samuel Bruce and Richard Dorington. So overall this year we've seen a 20% growth in our program. Um starting last year we had 92 students. This year at the end of the year we had 110. Um, so it's a huge increase in numbers and I hope to see those numbers only increase. And luckily my biggest recruiters are on the stage right now. The kids love it and they want everybody to be part of it. So it's really awesome to see. Most importantly, I've seen a lot of growth in our students, not just in their playing, but their confidence and commitment as a group and it's awesome to see. So thank you all. I'm super proud of our students and what they have accomplished this year and I'm very
032excited to see what next year holds. Hi, I'm Gina Hunt, the art teacher at the middle school. We've had another festive year full of achievements. So this is like no other. Um limiting it to only our first, second, and third honorable mentions at the state and regional level. Otherwise, this entire stage would be filled up most likely. Um to start with the Georgia National Fair, which held which was held in October. Um we had multiple wins there. So they just step up when their name is called. First place and best in category in painting, Elena Thompson. First place in clay sculpture, Eli Grimsley. Third place in clay sculpture, Sarah Vasquez. Third place in wood sculpture, Eli Grimley. Third place in drawing, Lane Cruz Camp. Honorable mention with other 2D art, Aubrey Reese. Moving on, we
033have the Houston Medical Art Competition, a statewide competition, and somehow this award uh went to now a back-to-back recipient of the Dr. Rehack Camp Purchase Award. Leila Green. Um, moving later into the year, we had the Ottabon Art Competition, which is a regional one spanning numerous counties in Georgia and Alabama. So, out of all of the sixth through 8th place, we had a third place um in that division. That's Audrey Gerber. And then one of our final things was the creative youth partly competition or we called the Lange Art Show and that was a regional competition spanning numerous counties. Um first place in painting once again we have Elena Thompson. First place once again in sculpture, Eli Grimsley. Third place in sculpture, Neilia Basset. Second place in drawing, Gregan Bilmar. >> Third place in drawing,
034Brooks Basser. Second place in mixed media, Joselyn Warner. Third place in mixed media, Rebecca Feele. And then finally, something to take note of. We have a Strawberry Art Festival that takes place in Reynolds, Georgia. And that's a statewide uh festival competition. Um, apparently because Harris County had swept the entire competition last year, they had to change the guidelines to give other districts a chance to win. So, I did want to make mention of the students who still placed and probably would have placed for the state, but we wanted to give other ones uh their ribbon, too. So, first place for that was Aubrey Reese. Second place was Josyn Warner. Third place, McKenzie Green. and honorable mention Audrey Gerber. Super proud of these students like I am every year and looking forward to more of it
035as we go on. Thank you so much. My name is Ken Boy. Um, my name is Ken Boyin and I am the fire course teacher at Harris County Park Middle School. also happen to be um our department for both of our CCA and fine arts departments. The Harris County Department middle school program provided students with comprehensive musical experiences throughout the 2526 school year focusing on global development, music literacy, and the performance of excellence. Students have been given multiple opportunities to perform, represent the school and grow both individually as well as an ensemble. Throughout the school year, we have had our fall concert back in October. We participated in the seventh grade and eighth grade guitar extravaganza. We went to LGBT where our eighth grade students made an overall excellent in concert in the superior um
036and site reading and our seventh grade choir straight superiors across the board. We um participated in the county music extravaganza uh last Monday. Um and then next Tuesday at 6:30 we'll have our spring concert. Um and just to wrap up the year, we're going to be wild and crazy as we leave for Dollywood tomorrow morning. Um these events provide students with a variety of performance uh settings ranging from schoolbased concerts to formal adjudication evaluations and a large scale collaborative performances. Um students in the course program have pursued excellence beyond the classroom to uh honor ensembles. Um, our district honor choir participants are Ashley Bison, we have Puff, um, Ameilia Johnson, Natalie Johnson, Emily Mountain, Phillips And we did have one student who made the middle school all state uh course. Um you need to know
037that over 6,000 students audition between um across the state of Georgia for the middle school and the high school honor choirs. Only about 1,800 students were able to make it. Faith happened to be one of those. So faith the county car middle school course program continues to provide meaningful opportunities for students and to grow as musicians and represent our school um through performance. We are proud of the work that our students have accomplished this year and the progress that they continue to make. I also would like to thank the Harris County School admin team on behalf of our fine arts department. Um, without them, we would not be able to have a schedule that allows us to share students, that allows our students to be enrolled in multiple fine arts classes, um, and that allow
038us to have the flexibility in their classes that we do. So, we want to make sure that we thank them as well. Good evening everyone. Uh my name is Valerie Longore Sergeant and one of the jobs that I am proudest of is that I get to be the fine arts department chair here at the high school. Um this very large group of students uh you you guys might even make three lines. This is an iconic group of students that you are seeing um in many many ways. Uh, so they are the first ever to receive the fine arts diploma seal for Harris County High School. And to tell you a little bit of information as far as what they had to do to accomplish it, they had to take a certain number of classes. They
039had to um actually document all of their community service time. They had to do after school activities. They had to do community involvement. Then they had to do um their capstone exhibition and those if you had the uh fortunate opportunity to come and see them they are they were unique as unique as they were. These students represent band choir theater and visual arts and they showcase their creativity their collaboration their communication and their real real world artistic skills that extend way beyond the classroom. um to call them in order. Pardon me alphabetically by your first name because this is how we did it. Addy Dunham Ale. Yes. Wait, I know we've been doing that, but if we could wait till all the names are called that be. Sorry. Um all right, here we go. Abby
040Don, Alec Lowel, Alicia Mc Merry, Alex Alexander Ste, Austin Bowens, Bella Burroughs, Benjamin Dunham, Credence Pingleton, Damen Chung, Elelliana Gagel, Evan Simmons, Grace Cape, Jamaia Rome, Jasmine Steve, Jet Croxton, Julia Jones, Kayen Bennett, Haley Mosley, Maggie Murray, Matthew Lara, Noma Smith, Ali Paiser Thomas, Olivia Pope, Samantha Robbins, Savannah Hester, Shanty Patel, Summer Knight, and Zamira Franklin. Now I'll tell you amongst us fine arts teachers um we had a goal of 30 students that we just arbitrarily picked you know 29 to reach uh the fine arts diploma seal. Now on their diploma will literally be a seal but you guys will be able to recognize them next Saturday because they will be sporting a pink and gold um tassel um cord. Last thing I want to mention is when these guys were in the sixth grade
041is when that pandemic hit and for you to see not only the fine arts being represented now but by my wonderful colleagues who are going to follow me. It is a testament to the fine arts in Harris County, the longevity of our programs, the commitment from these students and it is wonderful and congratulations to you all and we look forward to celebrating you next Saturday. Congratulations. And believe it or not, I actually did get nervous. I am so sorry. I mentioned that I was the fine arts department chair, but I didn't introduce my colleagues who again will come up later. Uh that will be Dr. Chris Lee um who is over our band program. Um Mr. Antoine Bra who is our choir director and Miss Kate Barnett who is over our visual arts program. Again,
042they will come up in just a moment and celebrate their specific areas. The next group up should be the literary team. Um, so literary is one of those events that compete with uh, GHSA. Uh, much like all of our sports teams, we are in a region, right? So the same regions as all the sports teams. Um, myself and Mr. Bray are the co-sponsors of the literary team um, along with Miss Isabella Bankson. So our literary team this year were region runner-ups, but we had several individual state champ uh, excuse me, region champions. So, first up in um again, we're going to hold our applause. Um in international uh international extempiraneous speaking is uh sophomore Savannah Lee. Our region champ in personal essay could not be here tonight. That is Paige Simmons. And our region champ
043and voice solo is Damian Chum. Now, because Okay. Yes. Now because they were state uh region champions they went on to the state competition and once again Harris County made us proud. So Sabina again as a sophomore came in third in the state for intern international exonia speaking. Um Paige came in third for personal essay and Damian is our state runner up in boys solo. Congratulations to you guys. Oh, wait, wait. And if anyone is here um from theater, you're going to come and line up again. So, probably the most proudest thing that I do here uh is that I am the theater director here at the high school. Uh this is my 20th year and I fancy myself to feel like it's only been about two or three Um this year we had three
044uh mainstage productions which included our one act the Adams family our holiday production of Jun B. Jones and Jingle Bell's Batman Smells where we performed here for both Park Elementary and Pine Ridge Elementary. Um then we also as Miss Saki mentioned we did a collaboration this year again with the middle school for our high school musical. Then we have some minor productions. I shouldn't say it that way because they are full-on productions. We did uh something called Read Across America where we took a book that was written by Harris County's very own uh New York Times bestseller Alan Levi and we adapted one of his books um Olivia Town and we took it and performed at Park Elementary and Malberry Creek. We celebrated a few weeks ago um our annual pajama drama and then tomorrow
045night we will have our annual senior directed showcase here in the cafeteria. I should also mention that these guys the theater students help set up any event that happens in the auditorium any pep rally any event that happens and I couldn't thank these guys enough. Now as far as the actual accolades they don't let theater people compete all that much but when we do we try to do it well. So, for one act, we were the region runner up and we were named best ensemble. That's like being named the all-star team. We also had specifically all-star cast members which included Ali Paiser Thomas and Destiny Johnson. We also have the best actor in the region and I'm lucky enough to get to be with him for a few more years because he is just a
046freshman and that is Mr. Otis Lloyd. One of our other annual events is what we call FezCon. It is the annual Georgia Thespian conference. I should go ahead and mention first of all that we fly we as in George Thesbians fly in teaching artists from all around the country and all around the world and five of those teaching artists are Harris County alums alums just wanted to throw that out there. We were named for the 10th year in a row a Georgia level honor troop. They we are judged by our production, community service, school service, troop participation, community outreach and theater advocacy. We excelled in all of those positions. um and once again named 10th year in a row gold level honor troop. There are multiple events that happen at the Thespian Conference. Um some
047of them include things like the improv championships where the students have to compete. Literally, they just have to improv a whole bunch of different challenges. Our senior Jamaa Rome, this is her second year in a row as being one of the improv champions. Um, we compete in something called fespies, uh, both in performing design and technical areas. We had a student this year, her name is Maggie Murray. Uh, Maggie competed in the set design competition, but I I wanted to throw this out there. It's a huge She was a superior rated thespian, but here's how she got involved in it. Literally, she was in my class and I said, "Hey, have you ever designed a set before?" Of course, she said no. And is for our candy jug jingle bells Batman smells like let's just
048try it right and so she did then took that design competed with it and is now um one of our state superior themes so she is hugely talented and last but certainly not least in the area of theater uh junior Gabby Hanselman has been named a state thespian officer for the 2026 2027 school year and she will be one of the people who get to organize what we call the spine guys thank you Thank you so much in the community board. Thank you always for the support and congratulations to these guys. Uh next up is Mr. Antoine Murray and the choir recognition. Hi there. So, I'll just keep this rolling. My name is Antoine Bray. I'm the proud choir director of Harris County High School. I'm also a proud alumni of Harris County from class
049of 2012. The choir has been very busy this year. We've been doing everything from uh two choir festivals that we attended at B State University and Columbus State University. It's an opportunity for our choir to be able to commemorate and also sing with other choirs from across the state of Georgia. We took four groups of LGBT this year. And I believe the most that this school has ever taken has been three. And let's just say I called it the gauntlet of LGB because I never got an opportunity to sit down. When one group was on stage, I was already in the next group warm-up room with the next group. And I'm proud to announce that all four groups this week retrieve straight superiors in performance. The chorus is always willing to lend a voice to
050our community. We perform everywhere from the Waverly Hall of I believe historical society. We perform for Pine Mountain. We also perform in the Black History Month program every year, Veterans Day program, and also graduation. I'm happy to announce that we actually have a piece commissioned for our course that will be world premiered at graduation next Saturday. So, I don't want to tell you the title just yet because I don't want to give it away, but next Saturday, that will be the first time that piece has ever performed. So, we're super excited about that. And last but not least, just like Miss Torsini said, um I had three allers who passed two auditions where they sang an Italian solo, sight red, and they had to sing three scales and they got to play be placed in
051a chorus of over 350 kids of people their same age. Our three all sampers this year were Kay Rivera, Sarah, Judia Perkins. And I must mention this because I know that they've been waiting since February to get their medals and certificates, but I've been holding them hostage for the past three months, but there they are. So, please just make sure you check out their bling before the end of this day. So, but um we've had a great year and we're really looking forward to everything that comes in the future. Thank you everybody. All right, good evening everyone. Uh my name is Dr. Christopher Lee. I'm the band director here and uh with me are some individual students who are being recognized tonight as long and along with members of my leadership team. Uh to speak
052briefly about some of our groups. Uh concert band had a great season. Uh we also attended LGBT and came with all superior ratings. And this past weekend we attended the music in the parks festival at Dollywood. Good luck Mr. Wooden. And took the second place overall band. Our marching band attended the Phoenix City marching contest in Phoenix City. uh received all superior ratings and best-in-class ine. Uh those classifications include superior in drum major, drum line, color guard, and overall band. Our jazz band attended the first ever uh Fountain City Jazz Festival at Green School of the Arts. And it was not a contest. It was just a day of jazz. And um we did receive great feedback from the communicators and ended with a student jam session and some of our students were even selected
053to sit in with the exhibition group. Ellie came our drum set player. She received $100 scholarship from the Columbus Jazz Society. Uh three years ago, we started an indoor percussion uh indoor drum line which competes across the state. And we were proud to announce that Dave reached in second place at the Georgia Indoor Percussion Association Championships this year. So, some individual awards. Uh we had 16 qualify for district honor band. And as I call your name, please step forward. But let's hold our applause, please. Abigail Johnson, Savannah Louie, Jasmine Steve, Amber Lacy, Laura Grace Jackson, Jinx Jones, Isaac Gable, Shanty Patel, Rachel Feele, Alex Steve, Elelliana Gable, Bella Burroughs, Jack Sers, Isa Hernandez, Veronica Vulenberg, and Ben Holl. We had 13 qualify for Jackfest, which is a where students have to submit a video audition
054to the University of Georgia and they're selected to participate in harm bands throughout the day. Uh those students were again Abigail Johnson, Savannah Ludy, Jasmine Steve, Laura Grace Jackson, Isaac Gable, Shant Patel, Rachel Feele, Alex, Landon Smith, Luis Ortiz, Evan Simmons, Abby Dunham, and Olivia B. So after students qualify for district honor band depending on their score they get to compete at the state level. We had two students qualifying to go to the state auditions which are Elellan Diego and Savannah Lee and other students Savannah Lee did walk for all state. Um we've seen tremendous growth this year not just in talent but in numbers. We had 92 uh participants in color in concert band this year. Uh we had 100 students participating in marching band and we're really pleased that we're looking at 127
055members of marching band this year. Thank you for your support. Thank you. Thank you board. Bye-bye. Good evening. My name is Kate. I'm the visual art teacher at Harris County High School. Um, I'm joined by most of my prize winners because not everybody can be here tonight. Um, and just like the middle school, we have a lot of prizes won. Um, so I'm really happy you guys can be with me. Um, visual arts students this year have entered their work into many contests and exhibitions. I'm joined by some of the students who've won the highest awards and accolades. Um, these artists exemplify fantastic talent and dedication in many different art mediums. Um, it's truly an honor to be with you guys every single day. Um, not only do I get to teach you, but you
056teach me as well. And I think that's the best part of my job. Um, first off, the Perry Fair um youth the Perry Fair youth art contest, Jacqueline Warner has won first place and best in category in the jewelry category. if we could let me get through this and we'll applaud for everybody at the end. Um, but I just want to say um Jacqueline's winning first place and besting category is the second time um in a row since last year. So, that's pretty exciting. Um, we also have Abby McMerry receiving a second place award and an honorable mention in photography. Um, and we have Judia Perkins who won second place in colored pencil drawing and Sarah Pike won an honorable mention in acrylic painting. Um, I get the opportunity to take some students to CSU
057every fall to um try out their hand in a throwdown challenge. Um, and that's really exciting. Uh students from area high schools take part in 12 diverse art challenges that test their skills in art history, drawing, painting, stop motion animation, print making, graphic design, ceramics, and even welding and sculpture. Um Summer Knight, who could not be with us tonight, won second place in print making. Abby McMerry, uh the first time she's ever done welding, won second place in metal working. Um, and Alicia McMerry won third place in the oil painting. Uh, the Houston Medical Gala um is for students who um create art based on medical or um biological uh backgrounds. And Alicia McMerry got an honorary media award for 3D art. Mariana Rodriguez Ledesma, who could not be here tonight, won honorary media award
058for digital art. and Abby McMurray got an honorary media award for photography. Uh the Lrange Creative Youth Art League exhibition, uh we had quite a few winners there. Uh Shiori Thomas won first place in mixed media. Jet Proxen won second place in mixed media and third place in drawing. Mariana Rodriguez Ledesma won third place in digital art. Summer Knight won third place in sculpture. She also received a scholarship to their summer camp if she chooses to go. And Jacqueline Warner got a merit award for her jewelry. And the last um bit of uh honors we have are from the Strawberry Festival Art Competition. Uh Shiori Thomas won third place and Sarah Pike won second place and Ally Whe out of everybody in the contest. Um, and I'm really excited. This is the second year in
059a in a row we've won that honor and Ally is a freshman. So, I'm really excited to hopefully have her for a few more years. Um, but thank you guys. That's nice. Good evening. If I can have all my aspiring leaders come to the stage, please. Tonight, we're proud to recognize several outstanding educators and school leaders who have successfully completed the 2526 Harris County School District Aspiring Leaders Program. This program was designed to professionally develop educators who are pursuing who are pursuing leadership goals and preparing for future opportunities as assistant principles and instructional leaders in public schools. Throughout the program, participants engaged in many different activities focused on instructional leadership training, school culture and climate development, communication and decision-making strategies, student support and professionalism expectations, school finance personnel and operations training, attended schoolboard meetings, and
060they conducted job shadowing experiences and meetings with other school administrators. These educators demonstrated initiative, professionalism, and commitment to continued growth. So, as I call your name, please come across and receive your completion certificate. Courtney Bogus, Park Elementary. Haley Fuller, Malbury Street. Mr. Evan Johnson, Harris County Middle School, Miss Katherine Tony, Park Elementary, and Miss Gabrielle Webster, New Mountain Hill Elementary. I have two final recognitions and these are really school recognitions but I would like Dr. doubt that could you come up and is Miss Taylor's not here? Is she Miss Miley? Could you come up please? Anybody from a middle school or Park Elementary, come on up. I'm kind of pulling the model here. A few weeks ago, and you've probably seen it on all of our uh social media pages, um in the newspaper and
061so forth, both Park Elementary, Harris County Carville Middle School, and Pine Ridge Elementary were recognized by the Georgia Department of Education as um Superior Schools leading in literacy achievement across the state. And they were recognized by Superintendent Richard Woods, who came down and presented them with a banner. Recently this week, um, both of these schools have been recognized again at the state level for their academic achievement. Park Elementary and Harris County Carver Middle School were recognized as bronze level um, schools for greatest gains in academic achievement by the governor's honors uh, governor's office of student achievement. go. These are truly two of the top tier recognitions that a school could receive in the same year. I don't know that we've ever had I don't know of any schools that have received these awards in the
062same year. So, I would like on behalf of the school district and the board of education to thank the leadership and the teachers of both Park Elementary and Harris County Carbon Middle School for these two prestigious awards. Let's give them a round of applause. Yes. Nice. All right. So, that will take us to item G, the public participation portion of our meeting. Dr. King, do we have any members of the public sign up to speak this evening? We have no one that has contacted me to speak tonight or anyone that has signed up. Thank you. >> All right. So, that will take us to item H that the Harris County Board of Attention review the attached meeting minutes from the board meetings held in April 2026. Uh those are in your packets. I trust you
063will review those. If you have any amendments or any adjustments that need to be made, please get with Ashley uh in the superintendent's office and she will get those adjusted and we will vote to approve those next week. So that's going to take us to our action agenda. >> The Harris County Board of Education review for approval of the attached proposed first draft of the FY27 tenative budget of FE. >> Yes, thank you. So, as you know, we have made an exhaustive effort since October and November to develop the budget for FY27. We had our culminating two meetings over the last couple of weeks uh with all of the departments and principles presenting their budget. Um what you see here on this action item is the tentative budget that we have arrived at for the
064school district. Um we've gone over it in depth um line by line. Um I will note that it has been published in today's paper as required by law and we will have those uh two public meetings u that we're going to be required to have. We'll have the first public hearing next week at 6 p.m. at the uh at 6 p.m. May 14th at a call board meeting before the regular meeting. Um the second public meeting will be on June 4th at 6 pm and a call meeting before that June 4th meeting at 6:30. Um the board will at that time receive the final budget based on feedback that we have. Um so you have this total budget here in front of you. If you have any questions for your review next week, please let
065me know. All right. So take us to item I two that the Harris County Board of Education review the test proposed student attendance and school climate board of education representative memorandum. Yes. So under Georgia state law um you have the number there on the on the memorandum. Um it requires that every county establish a student attendance and school climate committee to improve attendance in school environment. We have that committee already but each year um the Harris County Board of Education has to asked to officially nominate and select uh one board member to serve as the Harris County Board of Education school climate and attendance protocol representative. All right. Uh at this time, of course, we will vote for approve this next week, but obvious Mr. Goodnill and Mr. Proctor, I know that you've been attending
066those regularly uh every year. Um Mr. Good has expressed an interest in being the uh board of education representative. Um his name of course be sent to the state as our representative. Um is it would there be anybody else? Mr. Proctor, would you like to put your name in for consideration or >> you you you already go? Yes, you attend, but we have to have someone named in person as our representative for the district. >> Okay. All right. So next week we will vote uh Mr. Goodnell or either Mr. Proctor will be our representative uh as we vote on that next week. Any other interest in that? Okay. All right. So that will take us to item I3. The Harris County Board of Education review the attached 4H um memorandum of understanding. >> Yes. So
067um I was approached a couple months ago by Adrien Cox, the Paris County Extension Coordinator for 4. Um, we have not updated, the state has not updated the agreement between 4 and Harris County School District since 1997. So, we're long past time to update that memorandum. I took the memorandum and I provided it to our with any other contract um to review by our board attorney. He he gave us the pro approval. Um there is one paragraph in there referring to the district providing a vehicle for the um 4 department which we've never done before. Everything in there is the same as it has been. Um we do have a small budget as you saw during the budget meetings for 4 those will remain the same. Um I have sent this back to Miss Cox
068for revision. She has to send it to the state um extension service for revision. I have not that corrected back at this time. So I would like to ask the board that we table this um memorandum until I get the um final fil. Okay. All right. So uh we will consider tableabling item I3 next week uh when it comes up to the vote. Just a member of the board will have to make a motion that we table that until the G meeting in the uh contract to be reviewed by the council and make sure that everything is good in the language. >> Yes. Good res. Okay. All right. So that will take us to item I4. The Harris County Board of Education review for approval of the attack proposed ESS educational staffing solutions contract. Dr.
069Yes. So, you know, we've been talking about some staffing solutions um due to budgetary considerations um with educational staffing solutions and it's a staffing agency that can help us um with our staffing of classified staff. Um right now we are considering for the um classified staff in the school nutrition program um to be the first wants to move to the educational staffing solutions. We had representatives from education staffing solutions come down last week where we met with all of the school nutrition staff. They had a chance to ask questions. They had a chance to speak with the representative. We had a chance to address all of the individual concerns. Um it was very well received because this um not only is this proposal going to help the district save money due to the um rapidly
070rising cost of state health um benefits, but it's also going to help the school nutrition uh people make more money and be paid more frequently while still retaining health care benefits um retirement benefits and and so forth. So, it was very well received and we are moving forward with that. What you have here is the staff placement agreement from ESS that outlines the company's obligations and the district's obligations. Um, we um we do have this currently being reviewed by um Mr. Ellington for um for specific concerns um something that he has already um expressed to us was the indemnification and limitations of liability. We're working on doing some revisions on that. We should have that back by next week, but we cannot identify a third party in such in such a way. So that was
071the um only concern that we had with the contract. Um to answer a question that I think Mr. Johnson had with the contract was it talks about all classified personnel for the district. That is a that is a way for them to provide us flexibility if we want to extend this um to other classified staff members. We already have that approved um in case we need it. It does not permit us to anything. Um but those were the only two concerns that were were brought up at this point. So upon your review, I'm happy to answer any questions that you may have answered, Dr. How was this uh I know that we spoke with the uh the folks in nutrition. How was that taken? >> It was it was very well received. Um like I
072said, they had a chance to earn more money per week. Um some we had four or five that actually uh will be able to um take a retirement and come back to work for DSS and actually double dip. And so that is good. Um there's a lot of incentives that DSS will provide. And it's what they really like is that they get to stay in their current position at their current school um just as they are now doing the very same job that they're doing now with these incentives and these additional benefits and additional compensation. Um there were a few that had very specific individual questions that we have worked very hard with our finance team um their manager and our benefits team at the district to go actually sit down side by side with
073them and explain um how this will work on their individual um situation. And so I have not heard anything back that would prevent us from going forth with this proposal. real quick employees on Facebook and that kind of so we have an ide I think the true numbers but I give the exact number I think it's five I think it's five people that are on still on TRS that will not be able to take will not be able to take advantage of this but everybody else um will be able based on the situation. I think there's about 27 that um can take advantage of this. Any additional questions? All right. So that will take us to item I5 with the Harris County Board of Education review for approval of the extent proposed painting Harris County
074High School stadium RFP. >> Yes. As we continue with preparing for our summer project, summer construction and renovation project, this is the bid of the RFP for painting at Harris County High School Stadium. Um the bid will receive three companies submitted bid. Um Rightway Commercial Paintings in the amount of $27,84 was the best qualified bid. And when they we say paint the stadium, are they going to be painting underneath the the bleachers that all of the all of the masonary block surfaces that you see up there in the front? So the front of the table to the buildings to the section stands and the locker room. We determine what color. We have not determined the exact color yet, but the proposals are we go away from that black color that has no relationship to anything
075that we do. So, we're looking at more suitable colors. However many it's not limited just one color. >> Yes, this is East. Yes. Any other questions? >> All right. Take us to item I six of the Harris County Board of Education review for approval of the attached proposed painting Harris County High School gym RFP. >> Yes. So, this is Payton Harris High School Gymnasium. Um, three companies have submitted the lid. Um, that that facility was used a lot, so there's a lot of wear and tear on that wall paint. Um, it seems like it wasn't too long ago that we painted it, but there's a lot of peeling um and some dirt that needs to be covered. So upon review of the three submitted bids again, rightway commercial codings in the amount of $8,537 was
076the best qualified bid. >> Any questions? >> Yes. >> I'm not sure if they're Harris County or not. >> I know they are a local area company. Yes, >> Mr. Do when we paint these builds, do we just overlap current that's on there or do we prep work prior to painting? My father-in-law was in the paint business for 44 years. He's always telling me just about the prep. >> Exactly. They'll be prepping and everything for the new coats to go on. Um so there'll be some sanding there and smoothing things out to be ready. >> Yes. >> Just So that will take us to item I7 of the Harris County Board of Education review for approval. The attached proposed painting Harris County School District central central office. >> Yes, the interior painting of the central
077office is long overdue. Um we want to get a better more modern um better color. Um, three companies submitted the bid and again rightway commercial codings in the amount of $24,784 was the best qualified for the central office here. They had sharp pencil. >> They did. They did. >> Any questions regarding the Yes, sir. >> That is correct. >> That's correct. Not not every office is going to get painted >> cuz some of them have just recently been painted and they did it on their own. >> Right. We have a similar color for those offices. >> All right. So that'll take us to item I Yes sir. >> This summer we go to the summer all three. No. Yes. No. I mean, this car is over, so it doesn't work on the fiscal year. >>
078Well, I can say some of them will be done in June. So, they show up on this fiscal year. >> They will show up this year possibly. >> There could be a mix. >> Yes. Yes. Yes. >> Any other questions? All right. All right. So, that'll take us to item I We have another question. >> Well, he's got another >> I told him to say >> just in case, I'll >> So, that'll take us to item I eight that the Harris County Board of Education review for approval of the intended proposed paving New Mountain Hill parent drop off pickup uh RFP. >> Yes. Another um another East Boss project for this summer. Um, you know, we extended that drive to get the cars off of Mountain Hill Road and Highway 27. It goes all the
079way back around the old school building and comes back up. We are looking at um paving that because it gets very ruddy, very muddy. Um, so we're going to help the parents out with dirty cars and potholes by paving this. We think it's going to make it a lot more effective. Um upon review of the two submitted bids, the um the most qualified bid was from Math Construction Company in the amount of $97,933. >> Mr. Fisher, I have a question. Uh in some parts of this drive, it's almost two lanes. >> This will be two lanes all the way down and around. >> So, it's going to be two lanes. >> Yes, sir. But what the lane to the right, we have to keep that open for the resident lives in the back. So they
080can come freely as they need. >> Correct. But we are going to pave all two lanes. Yes, sir. >> Throughout. >> Yes, sir. >> Any additional questions? All right. So, that's going to take us to item I nine that the Harris County Board of Education review for approval the attached proposed bus purchase. >> Yes. as discussed in the budget committee recently. Um this is the request uh for board approval with p for the purchase of four international regular 72 passenger buses. Um the buses will be purchased for $154,000,000 per unit and um the state bond funding um will be a partial reimbursement from the state on at least one of those buses for $88,110. I'm going to shake your head. Um it's been $88,000 for as long as I can remember now. 10 years. >>
081Yeah. Uh we also need two international lift equipped special needs buses due to the increase in our special needs populations. So the total purchase price for those um two buses will be $326,000. Um the total price for the four international buses will be the regular passing buses will be $616,000. >> Did someone I was just going to say so we're getting six buses of course two of them are special needs for a grand total without the without our payback from the state. Thank you very much of $942,000. >> I hope they last a long time. But but also too we all these four regular buses and two special needs buses. I mean that's going to be I'm going to say pretty current but it currently yes we're looking at replacing these buses buses that are
082currently on route that are 2008 year buses which means they're 2007 almost 20 years old. Then they'll get those off and then one of our 2013 buses. from 8 to 13. So then we really start to get almost that 20 years at that point, >> right? >> Which is about what we want to do. >> So it's only taking how many years to get there? >> We started in 2018. What year did we purchase the 10 or the eight? We we started refreshing our we started refreshing our buses in 2018, summer of 2018. And in that time we purchased over I think 55 buses. We replaced well over half of our >> and then 10 buses in 2023. Well, I know the house was born however many years ago didn't have AC on >> when
083we order these buses. I've seen a lot of things that they come with for the 154 house size. Does that include the equipment, the software that we need to keep up with them? That includes >> Yes, ma'am. All our camera systems, our radios, everything we do already >> that well that includes all of our stuff in that promise. >> Okay. But it comes to us ready the way we need it to. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. >> Mr. I know you touched on this um last month when we were doing the budget stuff, but these buses, when will they hit the ground for us? >> Potentially, and I haven't got an updated time frame yet because they start they started up on the production line, but probably this summer. >> So, they'll be here before
084school starts. >> Yes, sir. >> Are any overseen reasons that they don't break in manufactur? Any other questions regarding anything on the action agenda? All right. Thank you, sir. Thank you. All right. So, that will take us to our consent agenda and item J1. The Harris County Board of Education review the attached major purchases report for April of 2026. So, just to orient you a little bit as you're looking at these, the first one is the open purchase orders uh for all funds for April. And so those six are open purchase. The second page of course is the major expenditures for all funds. These are the ones that have been paid. As usual, you see the employer employer paid payroll expenses there at the top. And then I'm subject the security cameras. Is that stuff
085or summer cameras? I know we I know we're updating a lot of cameras for summer project. >> Yes, we're updating them for summer projects and some of those are ongoing and we we replace them and nothing as we go along in some cases. Anyone have any questions regarding the purchases report? All right. So that will take us to item J2 that the Harris County Board of Education review the attached financial report April 2026. So, we have completed about 84% of the school year and we've spent 86% of our expenditure here. So, we're pretty much on target. Um, what I'm most happy with is when you look down here at the end of period fund balance and the remaining fund balance of $20,979 $979,000. Um, you know, as we talked about in debt at the budget
086meetings over the past few months, you know, we're looking that kind of equity target to be um between 17 and 25%. And we are right on target. Um because for anybody listening out there, this fund balance carries us through when we're not getting the tax digest between um July and December. And so this is all of our operating costs for July to December. And um $15 million looks like a lot of money. You got $15 million in there. you're just going to break even. So 15 million is zero. So this is a very good healthy fund balance. I want to commend all of the departments and the principles and the finance department and the board for your support as we made the choices to do the things that we needed to get this fund balance
087where we needed. Also looking down at the SPL goods balance there as well. Average monthly collection $398,000 and um that's creeping up just a little bit. So these are good numbers to have at the end of remind us about we just finished we just tacked out last one in July. >> Yes. I think in March or April we finished six and that kicks into seven. So we still have five more years on seven. Um thanks to the forward thinking ideas of the board to go ahead and pass that early um so that we would be insured to have that and so we've got five more years on >> we do increase the amount. Yes. Yes. And I think we went to 35 35 to 37 million to get that and thank you to the taxpayers
088uh for passing that and for supporting this amendment. >> All right. So that will take us to item J3 the Harris County Board of Education the attached enrollment report for April 2026. So, these are the enrollment reports for April. And as you can see, they're they've they're they're pretty stable um as far as um remaining about the same with not a lot of increase or decrease, which is which is good. Um that gives us a chance to kind of catch our breath and plan for student growth. Um it's just a matter of time though before I think these numbers are going to start creeping back up. So that's another reason why um I applaud everyone who work on these budgets with a future mindset and involved that we have a healthy fund balance that we
089can begin to start um in case these and support operations classes in case these student numbers start creeping up again. >> Yes. How many right now are you on graduating on Saturday? >> Sorry. >> 395. Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Any other questions about the enrollment report? I take us to item J4 that the Harris County Boards of Education review the attached school nutrition report for April 2026. I would like to commend Miss Baker and also Miss Hudson for all that they're doing to be very very fiscally responsive responsive and responsible in the school nutrition program. First thing I'd like to point out down there is a monthly profit of $31,567. Yes, exactly. So, um that's the high point there and we just think that that's going to continue. Um, I think that's a
090precursor to come with this new ESS arrangement and I think we're going to really stabilize that fund balance for student. >> But this this balance doesn't >> No, it doesn't. It doesn't. >> Any questions regarding the school nutrition report? >> All right. And lastly, that will take us to item 85 on the Harris County Board of Education. Review the attached local school council meeting minutes uh that have been from each school. Um those are in your packets. I trust you'll review those and of course we will vote to approve those uh and all of the other um items. >> Mr. Yes, sir. Can I go back to the um school nutrition report? >> In fact, I want to ask you a question. Um and I don't know what the reasoning of it is, but it
091looks like everything you say level or went up into participation. I mean, we just all of a sudden just want to start eating lunch at the end of the year. I guess mom today are able to keep clearing out their lunch account so they don't have a balance. >> Most of our students are clearing up their balances before school year end comes back to us. So I'm pretty sure they're increasing >> they call the rest of their life. working for us for nutrition. >> Any other questions regarding the nutrition report all the way down here always? >> Thank you, ma'am. >> So, that will take us to item K where members of the Harris County Board of Education share news and information that they may have with the public. And this evening I'm going to
092start with Sparks. And I'm just gonna say that tonight students come through and all I sponsor said thanks to the administration for helping put together the schedule so the kids could maximize their time all the things and so yeah that's just amazing to and thank the ones who are behind the scenes making it so those students can do all that. Thank you enough. Oh my god, it was so good. My favorite part about high school musical. I hope everyone got to come to see it that at the very end of all those mur how many students were on the stage at the very over 50. >> It was amazing in synchronization, singing, smiling, enjoying life. It was just an energy in him that was just beautiful. Thank you for that. It was amazing to see
093kids from all across the school coming together for that performance. It was amazing. Thank you so much. Great job. And happy teacher appreciation week. We are very grateful for you. >> It's good again. Happy teacher apprehic awards and achievements and everything that all of our students have. Um again I have to congratulate school in part for their increase in the test scores that like Dr. He says that he wondering state that is a fantastic achievement. Credit to the staff administration facilities and the hard work that all fantastic. >> Thank you, sir. Mr. Green, uh, yes. Um, Dr., but thank you everybody that took the time to work so hard and make cuts and working on budgets and that kind of stuff, taking the time to come meet with us over the last last two weeks
094trying to get a budget taken care of. So, thanks for all your hard work. Um, yes, congratulations to all the students staff are recognized tonight and as a majority of them were our arts and theater and all that kind of stuff which we've always been real proud of and we have kept those programs in Harris County. So, it's always good to be able to celebrate them and show their accomplishments and and and for us being able to keep those in place because I know a lot of students are taking advantage of those um those outlets that they have. Also, I want to say thank you to every one of our teachers um that may be listening. I know it's teacher appreciation week as we get ready to rain down school year. Um but again, thank
095you so much for every educator we have in the system for everything. Just want to say how proud to recognition. It is just unbelievable the amount of hard work that he's do and to see this many scholarships and awards and the parent out that's the backbone that education is the participation that's not only from the teachers and administration but parents come and bring their kids to all these things and I always like this time of year to say it's an exciting time for the seniors and also but you know we all so each and every kindergarten pre all the way through one of those species. It's properly echo what everybody else says about yesterday. I've been through the are concerned of performance of the Lord's last week or so. the city manag. It's impressive. And
096lastly, but not least, I'm glad to be back. >> That's exactly right. Thank you for all the concern. Thank you. >> Dr. >> Um, first and most importantly, I want to make the public service announcement here. Um, and Harris County High School has relentlessly communicated this, but I want to remind everyone that on May 16th, Saturday, May 16th, graduation time, due to beyond our control. The time has been adjusted from 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. to start to start to start the ceremony. So, um, Harris County High School sending that out as many avenues as they possibly can. I wanted to do one more. Um, we didn't have any discussion items tonight. I want to make the board aware that we do have one upcoming overnight field trip on June 1st through the 5th and
097that's for FFA the summer leadership that they do each summer and that will be in Cington, Georgia. There'll be several students attending um and I will have that information if anybody has any questions. Um I'm not sure we've been met since night with the stars. Um it was a very successful um endeavor. Thank you to everybody, Mr. Phillips, um for his team for putting that with the stars, leaving with the stars on. Um thank you to Miss Hard for handing over a good product already for Mr. Phillips to pick up a run with. He did a great job um overall with the whole whole evening. It was a great evening for all of the honores. um the Harris County High School awards ceremony earlier this week and then this uh awards recognition tonight is just
098um it just highlights how great our students are as Mr. prop. And yes, they take a long time, but boy, isn't it just joyful to see all of these students, be able to recognize these students and teachers and educators um as well. And you know, I just have to remind myself it's privilege to be up here to honor these these wonderful people for all of their hard work. Um teacher appreciation u week. I I just can't say this enough. I'm amazed at what goes on in these classrooms every single day. Um, sometimes we take it for granted. Community takes it for granted. We take it for granted. They make it look easy. It's not. It's It's very difficult, but they lead with their heart and their passion and what's best for kids. You've heard me
099say this a million times. There's two kinds of people in the school district. That's teachers and all of the rest of us support teachers. And um if we keep it that simple and emphasize that, I think I think we're going to continue to do great things. So, thank you to every teacher in the classroom who's pouring their heart out and sacrifice every day for our students. That's all I have. Um I'm going to use Mr. Proctor's ditto ditto ditto everything. Even with the stars was great. Um Mr. Phillips, you and and your team that helped you put that on. You guys did a great job. It's always great to be able to celebrate all of our achievements with our teacher and support personnel of the year being recognized again and our teacher of the year
100and our support person of the year being recognized. Uh our retirees. Um, you know, it's it's just great to be able to celebrate them all in one at one time with a with a great dinner and and fellowship. Uh, I look forward to that every year. Not that doubt look forward to a bunch of people retiring, but um, you know, I look forward to celebrating great careers that they have had in this school district. And we we couldn't have done what we've done without them. They laid the groundwork and the new teachers that come in pick up the gauntlet and keep going. So, we we couldn't do it without it. Um the it was just impressive the amount of students that come up that came up tonight and were recognized. It's great to see, you
101know, the arts, you know, being recognized and our I know we did academic achievements earlier. Um but it's just great to see that we have a we have an outlet for everyone there. There's something for everybody. So, if you're not in something, you're not in a club, you're not in or you're not in band or or any sports or anything like that. Get into something that that there's plenty of opportunities out there and these these folks that sponsor these clubs and and all these activities would welcome you with open arms. So, there's there's a home for everyone. So, if you're not in a club or in any of these activities, grab a friend and go get in one because it's it's great. It is always so awesome to see these students succeed and and go
102out into the community and succeed even more and come back in some of the cases with our teachers that are up here uh come back and and share their talents with other students in Harris County. Um, so with that, at this time, I'm going to entertain a motion that be excused to executive session to review an appeal from a student disciplinary disciplinary tribunal or to consider a matter involving the disclosure of personally identifiable information from a student's educational record. Uh, at this time, I'll entertain a motion that we be excused. Mr. Proctor, second, Mr. Johnson. Any discussion? All in favor? So we stand excused to executive position.