001[Music] Welcome to Muscogi County School District. where learning, innovation, and global opportunity come together. A community committed to excellence, diversity, and preparing every student for a limitless future. The heart of Muscogee County School District is our people. The educators who inspire, the families who believe, the students who achieve, and the community that supports us. Together, we've created opportunities since 1950, shaping not only students, but the future of Columbus, Georgia. Our mission is to inspire and equip all students to achieve unlimited potential. Our vision is to be a beacon of educational excellence where all are known, valued, and inspired. [Music] With approximately 29,000 students, 5,500 dedicated professionals, and 56 schools and programs, we serve a richly diverse community shaping the next generation of leaders, innovators, creators, and problem solvers. From state-of-the-art classrooms and digital learning to
002award-winning arts and championship athletics, our students excel in every domain. Few communities can say their school district stretches beyond classrooms. In Muscogee County, education means more than schools. It means culture. The Chattahuchi Valley Library System and the Columbus Museum are a part of the Muscogee County School District, making learning not just a lesson in a book, but a living experience in art, history, and discovery. Today, under the leadership of the Muscoi County Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. David Lewis. Muscoi County students are reaching all-time highs in achievement, graduation rates, SAT, ACT, and advanced placement performance. With innovation, equity, and excellence as our guide, we remain committed to equipping every child with the tools to succeed in a changing diverse world. We deeply value cultural exchange and global partnerships. Building bridges that connect Muscogee County
003with the world. Muscogee County School District. Inspiring minds, building futures, and creating weird. [Music] The Muscogi County School District is celebrating a remarkable achievement, a 96.1% graduation rate. This milestone reflects the hard work and perseverance of our students, the unwavering support of their families, and the dedication of our educators and staff. Together, we are building brighter futures for all of our students. Hey, [Music] hey, [Music] hey, [Music] hey, [Music] hey. [Music] Hey, [Music] hey, [Music] hey, [Music] hey, [Music] hey. Hey, [Music] hey, [Music] hey. [Music] Good afternoon. Welcome to our October 13, 2025 regularly scheduled um board work session. I do want to um welcome you all here. It's a full house >> and uh Well, we'll just wave at each other since we Hi. Hi, everybody. Thank y'all for being here on your job.
004Um, we do um not have anything on our public agenda, but I would like to take this opportunity to um read our background and rationale on it. The Muscogi County Board of Education work session is are held on the second Monday evening of each month. And that is, you know, not where I'm supposed to be. All official meetings of the board shall be open to the press and the public. However, the board may meet in executive sessions. Speakers remarks should be directed to the board and shall be limited to five minutes each speaker. Citizens are encouraged to address items on the board agenda or to initiate presentations of issues appropriate for schoolboard consideration. If an individual desires to speak, they may contact the superintendent's office to be placed on the agenda. The board meeting or
005the work session is not the appropriate place to address either criticisms of particular employees or individual parent complaints when such complaints have not been first addressed to the attention of the appropriate administrator for resolution. citizens are encouraged to follow the normal channels to address individual parent complaints or problems following um none listed for our our work session and then we'll have another our board meeting follows in the following week typically and we'll see if we have any citizens that we need to hear from. Um Dr. Lewis, did I not? >> Uh yes, Madam Chair. A couple of changes for the agenda. We were notified this afternoon that there is a contested bid for item number six under uh your um maintenance services school nutrition that's under competitively bid purchases. >> So that's going to go
006under further review. So we're taking that off until that's been completed. And also we uh have a student discipline um uh >> hearing that is was scheduled for today has been postponed. >> All right. All right. Thank you. And just remind me when we get to that item. Oh, yes, ma'am. Okay. All right. We'll go into our our committee reports. >> All right, Miss Buckner. First item on the agenda is um the assessment data. >> Yes. Okay, there we go. >> All right. Good evening board members. It's nice to see you in person this time. It's been a couple months. So, to reintroduce myself, I am Emily Schult Starky Bomb, and I am now here in my official capacity as the senior director of research, assessment, and accountability. It's nice to uh not have a
007video between us this time. But I am here this evening to give you guys some fall data updates because we have some hot off the press data from the state. >> I said, "What's my username?" >> Okay, we're getting up. I appreciate it. Uh and honestly, I was listening to the new updated video. We didn't waste any time getting that 96.1 up in there. So, I know you guys at least heard that one. But I have a couple others to share with you, but we'll start with the big one from our video. Our graduation rate for this year. So, you heard that 96.1 uh% of our seniors last year graduated within four years. Not only was that a 2% increase, but we have slightly widened our um our uh lead on the state. State was
008about 87% this year. So our schools continue to do a pretty fantastic job with that metric. To contextualize that number a little bit more besides just looking at us in relative uh relative to the state nationally we are also looking about an 87% graduation rate for the 2025 cohort and in general the gold standard or the benchmark for success is considered to be about 90% nationally. So, uh, by all metrics, Msogi County, uh, is excelling with our graduates for this past year. Other data that's come out recently includes our graduating cohorts uh, SAT scores. So, for 2025's cohort, uh, the district uh, outperformed both the state and national averages for all three possible categories of SAT scores. So that's evidence-based reading and writing, the math score, and then the composite score, which combines those two
009and is out of that 1,600 or 2400 that we're accustomed to seeing. Um the performance for evidence-based reading and writing was particularly strong relative to uh state and national benchmarks for those scores. and uh composite scores continue to be pretty strong though the gap does close a little bit when we combine those numbers. Um so we are sitting at about a 1081 for our last cohorts grad or graduating cohort's SAT scores which represents about a 19 point increase over last year's cohort. Uh I believe this is something you guys have heard before from my predecessor Mr. off. But I do want to caveat that number a little bit because each year we have a new batch of kids coming in starting at a new point. And so those numbers are going to eb and flow
010naturally through no, you know, no uh fault of any one just because it's a different group of kiddos, but still worth being excited to see how we're doing relative to our peers statewide and nationally. And then the newest data point we got from the end of last week is data on our AP scores. So last year we had over 3,400 AP exams taken by Muscogee County students and that represents I think about uh 1,100 individual students across the district. Uh and that represents a 12% increase in the number of exams taken since just last year, which is a pretty exciting jump. Uh, additionally, we're seeing the students who take those tests experience an increased degree of uh, success in passing and earning credit uh, at for collegiate level courses. Uh, and that improved by about
0115% from one year to the next. There we go. Uh, 1615 unique AP students. uh when we compare those performances to those of our peers at both a state and national level, we're seeing that our pass rate uh for AP exams is on par with national trend uh but is slightly lower than what we're seeing across the state of Georgia. We don't have detailed data for statewide AP performance just yet. We only have the summary statistics, so that's 74%. But there are some thoughtful questions we're going to ask as we get more ins that insight into that data. Things like, you know, what proportion of students are taking AP relative to the proportion of our students? Because it could be we're sampling different populations. Um are students across Georgia taking similar AP tests to what
012we're giving our students or are they taking a different set of exams? Things like that that would help us have a more complete narrative around why there's a data discrepancy. But the 3% difference isn't alarming and doesn't any cause for concern. I think it's just there's a little more data that we just don't have access to yet. So, as we uncover that and discover more to that narrative, we're happy to bring those numbers back or bring that story back to you guys should you like to know a little more. But I did want to bring a couple of fun highlights that I found when I was mining this data last week. Um, our 10th grade students are actually our fastest growing group of AP test takers. they increased uh 4.5% in just a single school
013year. So, we're seeing really strong AP performance and we're seeing it grow in our earliest group of AP testers, which I thought was really exciting to see. Uh last year, we had students take 28 different AP exams. Uh the ones I have listed on the slides in front of you represent the most popular exams we have. So, good representation of history and science as well as some English language. Each of those tests had over 200 students complete it for the last school year, which is pretty impressive. And then last, since a lot of this data is focusing on our seniors, want to give them one last uh acknowledgement, and that is that 23% of our graduating seniors last year graduated with a three or higher on at least one AP class, which means they're all
014heading off to college or career or um enlistment with some kind of uh credit to their name, which is an impressive achievement and one we wanted to make sure to acknowledge. Oh, I skipped over my last slide. I will pause there. I know this will be one of many, many data presentations I have the privilege to come do for you guys, but did want to allow a little room for questions or follow-ups I could provide. >> All right, Dr. Chambers. >> Hi, thank you so much for the information on the um test scores. Um I have a question about the SATs. >> Okay. >> Do we know exactly how many students are represented in these numbers? >> Um so I can share those numbers with you. I didn't have them in the slide, but I
015absolutely have that data and I'm happy to either show it to you at the conclusion of this evening or we can get it to you guys uh in a in a message. Yes, that would help to see how many students we're talking about um with this particular cohort of SAT scores >> and the AP AP scores. I'm happy that we're going in the right direction. So, that looks good. All right. Thank you so much. >> Of course. >> All right. I think that's it. Thank you so very much. Miss Sly, discipline. >> There are no um items submitted for the discipline committee. Thank you so very much, Miss Tillery. Policy committee. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, item one for the policy committee is going to be our legislative priorities for 2026. Um, and we
016do have a slideshow. Is someone going to present that or we >> No. Okay. That was just for us. Just making sure. Do you want me to read every legislative priority? Okay. >> Yes, please. Priority one, fund school social workers to address chronic absenteeism at a ratio at a ratio of one of social worker per 1,856 students and expand mental health support grants to elementary schools. There any questions? Priority two, strengthen the education workforce by a passing HB 372 to sustain and broaden the impact of return to work. B. Revised the end date of the teacher tax credit to end December 31st, 2030 to incorporate special education, math, reading, writing, and English language arts in the definition of high need subject areas and allow school districts to determine the high need subject areas. and C,
017restore and update service consilable loan programs that state previously operated for teacher candidates and provide need-based stipens for student teachers. >> Priority three, >> you have a question on >> Oh, do we have a question? >> Wait. Go ahead. Okay. I just have a request on priority two and I know we can look this up but just for simplicity sake can we get a copy of House Bill 372 sent to us so we know in totality what it what all it includes >> I haven't read over it okay thanks so much >> it's it's like it's like a it's like a summary yeah >> a summary >> we'll send you the Thank you. >> Priority three, renew the partnership between local districts and the state for health care for non-certified staff by funding 25% of
018SHBP cost for non-certified staff for all districts. Priority four, review and revise the state's QBE funding formula to align with current student and programming needs to include a provision that considers a poverty index. Priority five, it is requested that the definition of acceptable expenditures funded by the education special purpose local option sales tax, the east lost be expanded to include the purchase of devices, related technology and equipment to include artificial intelligence enabled technology for school safety and security measures. Priority six, in the interest of full transparency, require that the appropriate state office provide school districts with an accurate and current accounting of all sales tax receipts collected within the respective district. To achieve this, a point of sales system should be implemented that allows for reporting by category back to the taxing authority. Priority seven,
019advocate for -ate connectivity beyond schools. I do um on priority four. I think some consideration needs to be given to um the QBA funding being updated to also not just poverty but for um mental health or something yeah special needs are exceptional students um because what I'm hearing now from the elementary schools are the children who are showing up who aren't prepared um have have not either had an assessment or an examination or they have and because we don't have an IEP we can't service them you know it's like what comes first the chicken or the egg and um this for the students who are showing up um with basic skills like potty training we the QBE funding u needs I think we need to add the additional language for um not just poverty. I
020I don't know what that language is, but I'm just >> Yeah. >> And I know this priority has been on our list for a long time. How much attention does it actually get? Do they really pay attention to this priority? I mean, I know every school district would like for them to change it. So, I just didn't know if it >> Well, I can't speak to what happens on in committees, but I can but I can tell you that it is a hot topic with all school districts in terms of re revising, keeping in mind that the current QB formula dates back to like the early 80s, like 198. A lot of things have changed obviously since then and there are different costs uh that are associated with that. So, uh it is very much
021one that was brought up. It's also supported by GSBA, GSSA. For our audience, GSBA is Georgia Schoolboard Association. GSSA is Georgia School Superintendent Association. So, it is one that gets a lot of traction uh within the various component groups. Um, and I do know that there are people who are looking at this very carefully, but of course, it's always a price tag to it too. So, that's one of the things we have to look at along with the rising health care costs and other big ticket items. and keeping in mind education is one of the three big buckets with the others being corrections and healthcare that are all vying for the same finite pot of dollars. So I know everyone's interests are great uh and needs are great but it is a topic of debate
022and concern >> and I think in the meantime as we continue to ask for that we do need to formulate some kind of language to impress upon our local delegation. Um because these incidences are not isolated. um they're districtwide and we need to impress upon them the impact that it's having when when schools aren't able to service the needs of these students. And it's the parents who um whose students who don't have an exceptionality are complaining. They are they want us to do something about it. >> Um and so >> and rightfully so. And so some we need to impress upon our delegation to find some consideration if the QBE if addressing the improving the QB E formula is not successful again this legislative session something needs to be done >> okay part of budget
023discussions too it's just more information on priority three about the um health um insurance just kind of just be sent to me the breakdown of what you know what the what we pay per employee what the employee pays what's the offerings kind of within I haven't looked at any of that in a long time so what that is because I'm curious to compare that to corporate other world >> but >> yeah I was just going to ask um >> and I'm just asking for information uh on that uh priority four >> uh when it talks about >> say that again priority for what we talking about. >> Um for just information for me for um on priority priority 4 where um the QBE was to um um be aligned with um program it needs to
024include a provision that considers a poverty index. Now uh at one time I think it was called equals didn't at one time QBE addressed it in some way because there was um a problem with small and rural districts um small school districts and rural rural school districts always complaining especially now of general everybody complained but they especially complained. So didn't we have something called like equalizer or equal equal something? >> Uh I think you're referring to equalization which is separate from QBE and yes it still exists and we've been the beneficiary of that and it's not so much about rural as much as it is property values from district to district. also, you know, it may have advanced in another way, but I thought it started off out with rural districts and rural districts and
025small districts complaining that it was totally unfair. But that was, like you said, that was QBE though. >> Okay. >> I can't speak to what was the original intent. That was BD before Dave, so I don't know. But um >> All right. Sorry about that. >> But I can tell you as of late, it's all been based on the property values with districts and Any other questions? >> If not, we will move to um the second revised policy GBM professional transfers. Um would you like for me to read the proposed changes? Okay. Um, the proposed changes are under number three, employee requested transfers, and it's the second paragraph. I'm sorry. >> Oh, yeah. No, no, I know. Yeah. For contractoral personnel, the teacher transfer request process will be administered by the And then it's all
026scratched out. And so, I think that we should just start at the no transfer request part. Is that right? Because everything is marked out but from there. Oh wait, no. Division of human resources. Sorry, now I see it. So that just that one part. So for contractor personnel, the teacher transfer request process will be administered by the division of human resources in the first quarter of each calendar year. Specific procedural steps will be communicated prior to each transfer request period. Then we scratch it all out and it says, "No transfer request will be acted upon later than May 1st unless with the superintendent or the superintendent's designated designate approval to ensure sufficient administrative academic year planning and instructional continu okay for continuity for students. Sorry, I thought she said something. Final approval for transfers will
027be made by the superintendent or his her designing and that looks like all the changes that I see. Is that correct? >> Can we get some type of rationale for the need for this change and how we're requesting for teacher transfers? >> Yes, ma'am. Can you explain it so that the general public knows? >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you. >> Primarily policies are supposed to be very broad and have a longer life and there were some procedural steps in there and uh from year to year for efficiency sake you may change pro procedures. Uh and this actually spoke to some of the specifics. So um we do put that the details out for the teachers and and the paras prior to uh every single uh transfer proc request process, but it doesn't need to be in
028the policy. That's that's the only reason it was taken out. Hey, one thing that I noticed that was taken out is that previously employees could list their top three choices um as to where they were transferring and that's been removed. No, ma'am. That's what we actually have the put the example. It's it's in the procedures. It's part of the procedures. They're supposed to pick their top three. Uh they have a time frame to reply. Uh there are very specific Q&A. All of that is part of the steps that we tell them at in the process every single time. >> Okay. Well, I think for us it would be helpful if we saw the procedure too. So, because if we're taking information, >> it's in there. >> At least it should be I submitted it. >>
029Yeah. If we could get that, I think that would help all of us because >> Yeah. We want to make sure that if we're taking it out of the policy, there is still that the teachers understand here's the procedure that we're all agreeing upon. >> Exactly. >> Because transfer that becomes a a big issue for a lot of teachers sometimes and want to make sure that they have that right to say um I want to transfer and here are my choices. >> Yes. And we do we communicate it every single time and we put an exam. It'll it'll look similar from year to year, but um again, you streamline and minor things change. So, it makes it odd to put it in here, >> but um I'll get the example back out. Um would you
030like me to have it posted on here on the agenda or send it out individually? >> Okay. >> Yeah, that'd be good. >> Yeah, do it. Do it. Do it now. >> Thank you. >> I can do it right now. >> Thank you. We appreciate that very much. If there are no more questions, I will move on to item number three. Revised student policies. Prudent ad there we go. Prudent administration of the school system demands continual review and updating of board policies in accordance with existing needs of the school district. The following policies need to be revised as print as presented. JBCD student transfers and withdrawals and then JR student records. I did not see any changes on either >> the email address. >> Removing the email address. >> Oh, okay. Mine's underlined, so it's
031not scratched through. So that's why >> that looks like a >> Is that not a strike through? >> So is it is >> is that a strike through or underline? on is there are there any changes to the board policy JR student records >> what is >> is it an addition or >> strike out >> okay because for us it's underlined >> oh my apologies >> no you're completely fine so I just thought it was just okay >> that one's a minor change >> on which one >> on JR >> it's It's the student. They're going to add a student email address. >> That's the only change. And then we will go to the second policy. >> Please go. >> Yes. So under student under student records it sort of marked out the word generally
032and then a parent or eligible student will be permitted to inspect, review and obtain a copy of the students educational records upon reasonable notice. Is that to be still included? >> Yes. >> Is okay. >> Yes. There's a underline under inspect, review, and obtain. >> Okay, I'll get you guys a I'm sorry. I'll get you guys a redline copy for this. >> Okay, a red line copy would be helpful. Yes. Thank you so much. I appreciate it. >> This I can get you one for this and the other one. >> Okay, sounds great. Thank you so much. >> Did very well with I have contact. >> It jumps back and forth in Word. So, it'll jump between underlining and >> I'm glad you use that word jumping back and forth because it's jumping back and
033forth. I'm like, is it underlined or is it marked through >> on the second document that um the transfer and withdrawals? I I only saw the the juvenile code that to me was the only one that was So, do you want to just discuss it once we get the other one? >> I'll send you the others because there a lot there's a lot of additions to this one. >> Okay, good. Because it just Yeah, >> which is most of the underlined. >> This is this is to comport with the law. Is that correct? >> Yes, sir. These are all both of these are just for us to align with the law that's been passed. newly passed legislation regarding student records. >> Okay. If there are no other questions, I will return it to you, Madam
034Chair. >> Thank you so much, Miss Tillery. Miss Jackson. Welcome back, [Music] >> personnel committee. >> All right. Um item one, the superintendent is recommending Brad Johnson for director school nutrition. Brad Johnson is a professional with over 15 years of experience with corporate accounting and school administration. Uh Mr. Johnson has worked with worked with the Harris County School District for over five years and is currently serving as school nutrition director. Mr. Johnson holds a MBA from Troy University, a BBA in accounting from Georgia Southern University, and a Georgia school nutrition director certification from the University of Georgia. Beyond his professional achievement, he is deeply involved in community outreach. I really like that. Serving in leadership roles with youth athletic and recreation board in Harris County. Are there any questions? >> Just as a note, uh
035he is replacing Kelly McKenzie who took a position with Georgia Department of Education. So this is back filling that position. >> All right. And um item two is the personnel report and there is an attachment there. Oh um let me go back to Mr. Johnson. His resume is attached. >> Okay. Thank you. The um personnel report. Are there any questions? Hearing none. Back to you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you, Miss Jackson. >> Earlier and then when I got here and try to pull it up, I I couldn't pull it up. But earlier, I could, but from this computer, I couldn't pull it up. >> It's because I believe It's in a pull it up unless it's in a PDF. >> That's right. >> So, we'll have it on there. >> You'll convert it. >> I
036will send it to you right now. And if you download >> just in case, I will go ahead and send it to you. >> You're welcome. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Okay. So, um, this is Carter, I've asked this question before and I can't I just cannot remember. Some uh a person called me today and I was trying to remember. I was rushing and I didn't feel like thinking about and you told me before um what's an inactive uh uh employee again. They are employees who have separated for whatever reason. >> It's a a kinder, gentler way of saying that someone has left Muscogi County School District. They could have retired. They could have been >> Okay. But they're not employees. >> They're they're no longer employees with Muscogi County School District. >> Oh, okay. No,
037I thought what's called um employees that um We haven't filled the positions for is >> vacancies. >> Just plain vacancy. Okay. All right. I was trying to do something. Okay. Thank you. >> Yes, ma'am. >> All right. Uh, next is our property committee with Miss Frank. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh, item one is the museum uh report. just amazing that we've had over 2,200 interactions, visits either on-site or in schools and and with other programs throughout the community. And then just like uh we we've highlighted the integration of the museum and the arts um to all of our education, the uh the diversity of the museum's showcase from the the works of the Iranian-American artist to the really really really cool um works of uh John Miller for for lack of a better term
038diners drives and dives at the museum. It's just the whole uh just the runs the gamut. So really really cool. And then the fall festival that'll be October the 18th. So thank you for having something for everybody and appealing to everybody on the spectrum of of of arts and arts appreciation. Any question on the museum report? Well, library is not to be outdone and and has made impacts um across our community and based on some of the reports of of the folks that are being touched by our even our very own South Columbus branch library, we're reaching those military families who will take those experiences all across the world. Um, and then we had a a young person who was uh applying for jobs at the Mildred Terry Library and before they left uh after
039getting some help, they had two interviews lined up. So, that's really cool. We're making impacts um on the little ones in the reading sessions and the uh and then helping folks get the job. So, thank you. Any questions about the library report? >> That's it, Madam Chair. >> Thank you so much. construction committee. Mr. Canrell. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. First thing on the committee, an effort to maintain accountability and transparency with the community, a splash committee of citizens not employed with the school district has been appointed by the board of education. This is an updated list of members for the 2025 citizens sponsor committee. Here are the people, the citizens that that are serving. We sure do appreciate their volunteering. Uh, Mr. Joseph Brandon, Sir Cecil Calhoun, Adrien Chester, Mr. Will Clark, Dr. Joe
040Kohley, Tamara Edwards, Ricky Harrell, Lisa Jenkins, Wanda Jenkins Davis, Pauline Johnson, Benny Neworth, Nathok, Betsy Rich Reed, Mr. Alton Russell, Eva Smith, Mr. Bard Steed was been on the board for the last 15 years and he passed away last year. So taking his place on the spots committee be Miss Gloria Stro Strode and Al Olive Vital Kendall is the last on the committee. Any questions, ladies? >> When people are nominated on these, they just keep kind of rolling off until they ask to leave. Is that kind of how it works? >> Yeah. But I guess I guess my question is like I was asked if I wanted to replace somebody. Well, I feel kind of bad pulling somebody off, >> but >> Yep. >> But that might mean I want I don't even know actually
041who is in my district. So, I'm in no way saying this about a certain person because I don't even know which one of these is my district. It just feels a little bit like people get on it and stay forever and then that makes it hard to bring in new people unless we can have as many people as we want on here or if there's a prescribed number. >> Okay. Like again that it's it's very different if I'm asked to replace versus do I want to look at we're kind of starting from scratch with each new es committee and who are your two that you want to nominate. >> Uh we could but we just don't >> and I guess I'm that's why I'm asking why why not >> best practice too big. though you
042have to consider what >> she's asking about replacing like if like if if you nominated two people >> I understand >> and replacing those two not adding >> I don't think I nominated either of my either of the people on here >> she was apprehensive about >> not to replacement that feels weird >> yeah she was apprehensive about replacing so she was asking what can we add and my my my question then was is there a desired number for um is there a desired number for the committee. >> Correct. >> Okay, that's what my question is. >> It is two for each of us. >> What is the >> Is that Is that Is that random or is that because we feel that 24? I mean, is that like a a um somebody sat down
043and decided that we need 24? >> They probably was trying we're trying to, you know, not have the committee so huge >> and equal representation. >> Yeah, equal representation. >> Okay. Now, let me uh so the person must come from just like with me and I probably need to do better, but over the years I I only appoint one person because over the years I I've reported y'all give us the we know when they when they attend the meetings and my other person did never attended the meetings. >> Well, I think to your to your point and to Lor's point, it may help us to know which district these individuals are in. And I would like to know how involved they were last time. I mean, I really have no idea. Like I said, it
044just feels kind of odd to be I kind of wish we would just start new. I mean, and we could know the people that have previously served and if we feel good about that, we could go back and ask. But what it feels a little bit like is and I could be wrong, maybe I've been on the board for nine years, and forgive me if I've forgotten something, but I feel like the ones that are on there for my district have been on there when I came on here. And so >> I I I I like that. I like this discussion. Um, so what is the pleasure? Would it make sense to us to just start over each splice? >> Would probably be a good idea. >> Huh? >> We we do that now. >>
045And then you >> Yeah, he you ask us to appoint, >> but we don't even know what district they're in. >> Okay. You want some more clarification? But if she's asking, let us start new. That's what we presently do. We start new each time when the superintendent or the secretary ask us to appoint two two people. So we start new already. >> So but we're not practicing it. So I guess the discussion is about let's practice. >> I wasn't really asked who I wanted to nominate. I was asked if I wanted to pull somebody off and put somebody new >> which is a manx but it's the way it felt. So my question was kind of instead of >> I I would have felt I would like to see it kind of go okay we're
046starting a new east committee. here are the two that have served for your district. Is this your preference to con, you know, ask them to serve again, see if they want to or do you have somebody new in mind that you would like to each year? >> Let's go back to last spring. The first request went out last spring and I've not heard anything, but I did get a new member from Mr. Cantrell that he wanted to submit uh and you would confirm that you wanted Mr. Harwell, >> but that's all I'd heard. So, this was a second attempt to try and get that because we do need to move forward with our East Blast committee. >> Okay. And and we need to verify what districts they're in. >> Okay. >> Because if they're because
047if they have moved, right? >> Cuz Harrow, I think, is in one. So if they >> Oh, because they redid the district. >> That's what I'm saying. If they have moved >> and they haven't moved a lot, but the districts have been been redone. And I think I'm speaking from past practice now, but in the past what I was told by the previous superintendents and by the board members of the time, the board chair at the time was it was people who were actively engaged in the East Bloss campaigns. So they knew what had been discussed and so on. So that's how this came about >> for clarification. We still and I think to to Lor's point um >> and I don't recall what the notification said that you sent out, but we it would
048be helpful to know if they were active and what districts they're in. >> They all the ones who have been here have all I can tell you've all been active at some point during the last >> I'm saying your communication out. Yeah. >> Um if you would send it out to us again with >> you so not toward what districts they're in >> for clarification. Do you want me to start over or do you want me to bring this list forward for action next week or how do you want me to proceed? >> I I I want the question is if you would just resend it back out to us and identify what districts they're in >> and so that we can say I'll keep them or or and if you're missing somebody from your
049district, you can add. >> Okay. Fine. Very good. Thank you. We'll do it. And and um I also want to say that was the question that that was sent to me. Not do you want the same but name two people to represent your district. That was the question that was sent to me. >> But I I I just I can't ident. [Music] >> I don't think I nominated but one of them. >> Oh, did you turn yours in? >> So I didn't mess with anything. >> Okay. But you had that prerogative because they ask they ask us each year. >> But which which is the other one that's in district one? Cuz if you think one is in the one that I >> believe is in district one and you nominate him from four, >>
050then we need to add another person from four. You following what I'm saying? >> Oh, I need to add. So I got to change. I would like >> I would like for that one to stay. He's very active because they they take role down there and they send out letters. Um they >> I'm just saying you know to add to the information that goes out so we can be clear because >> somebody we need to be clear >> some there may be some district that's not represented. >> I got you. >> Yeah. But that's a that's a good point about the redistricting. It did impact who's who's on there. >> Mr. Can >> you know Mr. Bart Steve was on the board for 15 years as a splash member as that I he lived in
051Green Island. I don't live in Green Island, but it's never been told to me that they had to be in that district to have two strong candidate who is really involved in the community. So Bart was on it for a long time and he was a great board member, a East Sloth board member and uh but all of a sudden nobody's ever told me that it had to be from the district. Find a good candidate that you feel would represent the Splice committee real well. And Dr. Joe Kohley is my district, but but Bart was not. And really, I didn't even ask Miss G Miss Gloria what district she lived in. And so, I'm just letting you know, I did not know that. And and it hasn't been that way for as long as I've
052been on the board as far as somebody pushing that. >> It was supposed to be from our district. And you're right, Mr. Mr. Steve was in two. >> So, that's why we need to know what district. >> But I'm just saying I didn't know that. And I've been on the board a long time and it's never been different right there. >> And you don't know which your nominee that you don't know which district. >> I didn't ask that question. I was just finding good people to serve on the board that I thought would be good serves and and take it. And I know Bart and Joe were excellent. They they really were very good board members and very supportive going to the board meeting. But it was never told to me that I needed to
053pick a a a district just a good person for it. And so I just let you know it could be a lot of them out there in different districts because Bart did it for 15 years and he lived in district two. >> Yeah. We have to pick him from our district. >> Well, nobody said that. I won't put that and I don't want I'm gonna be open about it too that you know we had that >> we appreciate that and so that's that's been very helpful and good discussion. So if you would send it back out >> so that >> so Miss Gloria were I nominate her would she still be on it or >> we got to see who the >> she's probably not my district. I I don't really know where she >>
054wherever she lives it may be a vacancy and if that board member wants to nominator you know >> so but what if there's not >> let's deal with what is >> okay okay sir >> okay >> so you may have a space in your district but then Miss Tillery would need to replace for district two. >> Okay. We probably need to fine-tune it a little bit. >> Yes, sir. >> Is that all on this question? >> Uh on the next one is the construction status report. Uh the construction status report is attached. There will be a slideshow of current projects presented in the November meeting. Any questions, ladies? If not, that's all for construction committee. Madam Chair, >> thank you. Dr. Chambers, finance committee. Thank you, Madame Chair. Under finance committee, the first item is
055a proposed employee stipen. Um, this came about after a discussion brought up by um, Representative Lorie McCrae. And so I know there will be some discussion on this item. So, if you will bear with me, I will read off the proposed employee stipen. It says the board of education has proposed a stipen be paid from the fund balance reserve of the general fund to the following Muscogi County DIS school district employees who will receive the stipen. Number one, monthly paid employees actively working as of no on November the 1st, 2025. Number two, semionthly paid employees actively working on November the 9th, 2025. Who is excluded from the stipen? Board members, community coaches, employees who are on leave without pay. Employees must have worked for at least 5 days during the current fiscal year. um certain
056part-time employees that are not regularly working are excluded. Outsource workers, for example, ESS substitute, ABM custodians, those those individuals are also excluded as well as the Columbus Public Library and nondist um Columbus Museum employees. Okay. When will the employees be paid? Monthly paid employees will be paid on November the 30th, 2025. Semonly paid employees will be paid December the 15th, 2025. How much will they be paid? Teachers um benefit eligible will receive $2,000. if they are nonbenefit eligible, it's $1,000. And maybe someone can explain that once I once I finish. Number two, all other um employees that are benefit eligible will receive $1,000 or if they're nonbenefit eligible, they will receive $500. Benefit eligible will be paid in the amount determined by the board. nonbenefit eligible will receive one half of the final approved amount.
057The supplement will be subject to taxes, of course. In addition, the state has provided funds to pay an additional $1,000 supplement to the schoolbased custodians and building mechanics, general maintenance workers. This supplement will be paid at the same time. Um this what is the budgetary impact? Um funding for the retention stipen will come from the fund balance reserve of the general fund and we'll ask for our CFO to let us know what the budgetary impact of that will be. Um, and the superintendent is recommending that we propose this one-time retention stipen for employees to be paid with final allocation after official action by the board of education. So, this is a proposed stipen um for this year that would be paid out in November. And so, it's up for discussion for the board. And so
058if there are any comments or if you'd like to give us some background. Okay. No, Lori. Okay. The stipen was very much the um administration's idea. The um part that I had been a proponent for is for an extra amount to go to our teachers, meaning the ones that are day-to-day in the classroom with students because I do feel strongly that they are the backbone of our school district. We can't I mean, if we could give 2,000 everybody that would well I shouldn't say that way. I do want the teachers to feel extra special love for what they are putting in for day in and day out. Some of that concern came from the fact that our last round of um raises was 3%. 3% to some of our beginning teachers is not a whole
059lot of money on top of their salary. I mean, especially spread out over 12 years. So, I was looking for something to make them feel a little more impact again for the ones that are that do have the biggest chance to kind of move the needle for a student. I mean, again, everyone is important. That's why everyone would get the thousand dollar. The additional money for that category is kind of in line with just wanting to um just lift them up for all that they're doing um day in and day out and because we have a lot of shortages in that area and so it was what we felt fiscally comfortable doing right now versus some kind of raise. I do want to say to the um board members that if you've looked through your
060finance um items, there is a item requesting for funding for a compensation study. That compensation study will then allow human resources to work with the uh a company to see are our teachers being paid a competitive wage or all or our workers period for Muscogee County everyone if they've been being paid a competitive rate wage. Um particularly I agree with you Lori that teachers um there is a teacher shortage nationwide and I think we do have to address that in some way. Money is not the only way you can address it but I think that is um a good start and so that compensation study is coming um further down the finance committee report. Okay. >> All right. Um, can someone explain benefit and non-benefit? >> Yes. and and the amount that it's going to
061cost. >> Instead of saying part-time and full-time, which is what what people would typically understand that to be, it is more technically correct to say benefit eligible and non-benefit eligible because we have some individuals that may not work 40 hours a week but are benefit eligible and would be considered for this. So, it is the ones that um um like I said are getting the benefits and that's basically our full-time people >> and can you >> crossing guards are part-time they are non-benefit eligible >> teachers bus drivers are benefit certain bus drivers are benefit eligible some of the correct There are some teachers that are benefit eligible and some that are not. Typically, our 49% are not benefit eligible. Our full-time teachers are >> turn uh do they get any kind of benefit? >> They
062would get half of >> the same same as last time. >> Yes. >> That throws you off with the benefit. So, they get something. >> Yeah. If it's they're considered a teacher, they would get the $1,000 and then the others would get 500. >> Yeah, I saw that 500. I figured >> one u and I want to make a comment while I got here. Um I just want to um say that all the board members around here wish that we could give teachers that's not unique to anybody. We all want to give it teachers a raise, you know. But what we do is that we uh consider the um the budget our financial circumstances at this time. And um uh like Miss uh Chambers was talking about the uh compensation package. Um I was talking
063to Dr. Lewis when he also said that um I think Lori said something about the 3% for beginning teachers. Uh Dr. Louis says later on we'll be be considering uh veteran teachers who who uh have been here for a while and their salary um as I talked to another teacher they were saying that a lot of the beginning teachers sometimes make as um very close to their salary and they've been here for a while. So um I just like to say the school the board considers we try to be fair and consider various ways and avenues to compensate our teachers. >> And to your to your point that's the whole point of the compensation study is to look both internally and externally to compare >> uh salaries and so because not all teachers are the
064same. It may need in order to be competitive in the marketplace, it might require that mid-career teachers or more experienced teachers have a bit more depending on what the salary study shares with us. So that's the whole idea is to look at across the the state. Uh and then internally making sure that our job alike positions are also compensated accordingly. >> Absolutely. And I just want to say um kudos to Dr. Lewis and to the HR department for saying we want to do this but we hear the board but we want to do it the right way and so that compensation study is a step in the right direction but we do want to make sure that you know it manifest. >> Okay. All right. Any other question? Oh >> yeah, I do want to
065add madam chair >> the compensation study is critically important that is looking at all of our employees um because we are asking people to do more um with less and um the shortage um in a in a lot of different categories of employees. Uh we talk all the time about the teacher shortage and the bus driver shortage and we're outsourcing um custodial work. Um and and we have one or two contracts for um substitute or temporary employees in our nutrition department. And so um everyone is valued. everyone uh contributes to um educating the whole child and as you as you as you say we but it's it's and I'm saying all of this to say because Miss Miss McCrae lifted it up that everybody is important, everybody is valued. I just wanted to reiterate that
066in dealing with the challenges. Um they may not be teachers in the classroom but those parapros who are called upon to handle the students who um are appearing before into the public school system because this is public school. um the great equalizer that we do not yet have any kind of assessment to appropriately um >> educate that child and appropriately support the staff and the the teachers at the schools who are dealing um with this I call it a phenomenon um it's important and with the cost of health care increasing so our our employees who are on the least paid end of the schedule. Um it's important that we also include them um include them in the stipen. And so for that part, you know, I'm I'm happy about in the compensation study and we
067need to be prepared um when it reveals where we stand in the marketplace for all of those categories. Um and hopefully it will look at the different factors that differentiate Muscogi County, our stipens and you know the benefits that we pay. Um hopefully because because that is important for us to even conceptualize where we are >> to know what differentiates us in and our benefits packets. And so we're looking forward to that and um pay attention to the ask um board members on on this agenda item that's coming up. Yeah, two things >> back to those. >> First is just that whole idea that again we all everyone is very valued. It takes the whole team. Um everything from bus drivers to get them here, culinary to feed them, custodians to clean up after all
068the adults and all the kids. U but so we all I think we all and the clerks keep y and keep order >> all of that. But it's also important to be fiscally responsible and looking forward because rising health care costs, the fact we don't know what the governor's budget is going to look like just yet. We'll know better in January. But also the idea is to get this compensation done thoroughly, but also within a timely manner so we can consider uh moving forward with some of the implications from the compensation study in the next budget cycle to the extent that we can. So that's why it's again being fiscally responsible and prudent to take this step and see where we are and then measure where we are and what we can do and in
069in accordance with all of the other factors we have to consider like healthcare because again that is a benefit but it's one that to Miss McCrae's point we've got to look and see because the rising costs both in this public and private sector are all going up. So they're they're going to have to be commensurate with one another in terms of what we have to >> Yeah. It's just a >> very much an unknown right now. >> Absolutely. >> Not to mention all the other economic factors, tariffs that go into a lot of our >> building materials, things like that. >> Absolutely. All right. So, thank you guys once again for um all you do and um to the employees, I hope that you hear the heart of the board is that we want to
070make sure that you understand that everyone is valued, but we also want to make sure that we are providing a salary that is competitive in the market. And so I can't um I'm hoping that board members will approve it, but it's we haven't gotten there yet. So if I hear no more questions, >> one more thing I'll just say. The nice thing about this is you can even give a 6% raise in some jobs spread across 12 months. It may not feel as much. The nice thing about this stipen is they'll get something for the holidays that will really feel like they >> Yes. >> receive something significant. So that's our absolutely and hope. >> Yep. >> Yes. I'm sure they will be appreciative. All right. Number two, um, board members, this is just our
071financial statements that we receive each month. This is for the month of August. Number one are the financial statements. Number two, um, it's a copy of all of our investments. Number three is the Eastboss revenue. And number four is the capital project expenditure report. Any questions about those? Okay. Hearing none. Number three is those are our budget adjustments. A is a reg residential treatment centers. This is just truly a change in the budget um by $797. We approved the one item and one amount on the budget but now we adjusting it now that we have the allocation. Okay. So all of these are small amounts. B is IDA619 and that is attached. C is for our preschool disability services and that budget adjustment is attached. That's actually uh uh $17,000 less than what we had
072budgeted. D is Mckinti Mck Kenny Vento and it is attached. >> Okay, Madam Chair, you have a question about D >> the one before that. So if the savings came from teachers, from personnel, um did we not need them? What what what was the reduction? >> What do do does anyone know why there was a reduction in with the teachers? >> Hello. Okay. >> Um our CFO has her >> um it was a reduction in the amount that the state gave us >> gave us, right? >> So we had to adjust accordingly. >> So that costs jobs. >> Um, no, it's 17,000. >> All right. >> Yeah. >> Well, they don't make a lot. That's why I was wondering if that was a minus a person. >> No. >> Okay. So, that was just a
073reduction in what they paid they sent to us across their across all of their >> from the state calculation. It was a reduction in >> across the population. That's okay. Thank you. >> So, the bus budget was adjusted accordingly. >> Okay. I'll move on to E, which is the title 3A grant and um that is a budget adjustment as well of $15,551. F is the preK blended head start and there's no change in the revenue but um there's some reallocation to the budgeted items and that is attached. G is the state custodial grant and again there was a reduction by $13,000. Um we just received $13,000 less than what we budgeted for. Yes, Miss McCrae. >> Okay. >> Because I know this came up earlier with the stipens. So this is similar, right? But it's
074something going to the custodians. >> The last paragraph in the um we mentioned in the stipen is this right here. >> Okay. So, just to make sure I'm clear, the custodians will get the thousand we were given and then they'll get the thousand from the state. >> Thank you. >> Yes. Um and H is the math and science grant. Those are all the budget adjustments. Um, may I ask if we have done any calculations um for the cost of the proposed employee stipen? >> It will be just under $8 million. >> Just under 8 million. Okay. And you're going to bring us that number before we vote next week? >> Well, I mean it it's going to be Do you need to have an exact number because it's going to vary? I mean >> where
075it says budgetary impact some type of yeah we need some type of monetary impact >> to be attached to that item so that board members are aware >> of how much money we're taking out of the fund balance >> and it and it needs to be in the record. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> And it needs to be record. >> It needs to be >> in the recorded. >> Okay. All right. >> So that the include that on there when um >> Perfect. Sounds good. All right. Those were all the budget adjustments. Number four, new budgets. We have one. It is a commercial warehouse grant and it is attached. This is for school nutrition. $37,280. This grant will assist with covering the cost of activities associated with handling the USDA food. If if there are no
076questions, I'll go on to number five, which is the purchase order increases. There is only one attached. This is a purchase order increase for GSBA for $3,000. Okay. Hearing no questions, I'll go on to number six, which is the competitively bid purchases. one is Barracuda Energize update and that is attached. There were 20 vendors that were emailed and um we received a proposal from six of them and the funding for this purchase is $38,16 will be expended from the central support services function of the general fund. Okay. So this is okay and B is the maintenance service that we are not going to vote on at this time. It's being withdrawn. Is that correct Dr. Lewis? 6B maintenance service um school nutrition. Okay. We'll bring that one back to you um board members at a
077later time. Right now we'll move on to number seven. These are purchase exceptions A and B. A is for the um procore construction software and it is attached. B is for reservation system for the public library and C is for the library as well. D is for navigate 360 intervention practices. Miss McCrae, did you have a question about that one? >> Okay. >> Like to better understand what that is. This is a purchase not to exceed 170,000. And this is um Missoff. >> Yes. >> It's for the PBIS. It helps the schools collect data for positive behavior interventions and supports and it's districtwide. >> Yes, ma'am. >> It was on a grant prior to this and there's no grant funds for it now. >> Okay. Any further questions? Okay, hearing none. E is for BFW
078publishers books and those are attached for US um governments and politics. F is for healthc care textbooks and G is for marketing textbooks. Okay. All right. Number eight is purchase exception D. This is just a renewal for Microsoft software and licensing. And number nine is purchase exception E. These are additional purchases. A is GSBA strategic plan. This funding for this purchase is $8,289.37. Um but the total is 67,24. >> Okay. Well, um someone needs to speak to that if that's not right. It says >> so this is just um eight. Do we need to >> say >> right? >> Yes. >> Okay. Go ahead. >> Um under here we are bringing this is the total amount that we have um brought for GSBA and that includes all of the various things that GSBA does for
079us. Not only the strategic plan in that $67,000 number. That $67,000 includes the the policy review um the >> But that's confusing if you're just talking about the strategic plan for this item though, >> right? And >> but it is attached. It is attached though, >> right? And we have started putting that wording on there when we are bringing back a vendor that we have already brought to you and so you can get a whole picture of the all that we are spending with that vendor. Um, and so that's why that where that $67,000 it is not for the strategic plan. >> And and and that was a request from the board. I know I requested it because sometimes we forget that we're spending 10,000 here, 5,000 here, 2,000 here. So I think it's a
080good thing that she has included the total amount >> it needs to be. Um >> um >> I think that to not get it confused, I think it needs to remain on the item because we asked for a >> but it needs to say um break it down with the total spent with this vendor for all other services is 67,246. >> It says totaling but >> it says we have the combined purchases for this vendor. label to say strategic plan think somebody think >> that that's how much it was I I >> right >> it doesn't say combined >> the combined purchases for this vendor >> yeah it does but it's confusing >> it can be confusing >> yes >> so yeah it might just need to be a total separate line so that kind
081of makes it a little easier but because I do agree um very big on the tracking the overall to a vendor >> um and how does the 5A3000 relate to this >> the 3,000 that was to GSBA. >> I think it's a duplicate. >> Okay. So, >> we had had it in two different places and it got put there twice. >> Okay. So, the total really is 8,000 for the strategic >> 14. >> Um, that's a big mistake. So, can you explain that once again to the entire board that we are not voting on two separate items that is it a duplicate? one at 3,000, one at 8,000. >> That there are uh my understanding is that there was >> one invoice, the invoice that we're bringing to you or um that we were asking
082for an additional amount on. >> It um it was originally put in as an increase. We moved it to the additional purchases and it did not get removed >> from the increase. >> Okay. >> And the 8,000 is that there was a $15,000 cost for the strategic plan of which we spent approximately $7,000 last year and we had not brought the additional 8,000 this year. Um because we we were originally planning on the entire amount being done last year, but it has ended up carrying over into this year or there was a split in the way it was paid. And the 8,000 is the remaining of the 15,000 that the original strategic plan was going to cost. >> And what all is GSBA doing for us for the strategic plan? They conducted all of the
083focus groups that we had. They compiled all that and then they gave us the uh templates and things moving forward. So that's very consist of what we've done. >> And they do that with a lot of school districts throughout the state. Yeah. >> It's typically a lot more than that. We're taking it from there from that process forward >> because we're a staff big enough to handle that. But we wanted to make sure it was independently done in terms of the >> stakeholder focus groups. So there wasn't any thought about we were in any way, shape or form not giving we weren't having any input on the on the feedback other than just our own focus group. >> Okay. >> Microphone ma'am. >> Yeah, they were Yeah, it was several days. They were all they
084were full days. >> We participated. Yeah. >> And then they >> Yes. You said yes. Go ahead. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Board members, the CFO said she will get us that information or breakdown of the $67,246.37 that we're spending with um GSBA. And of course, that does not include what we pay them for our insurance coverage. Okay. Any other questions about that item? Okay. All right. Hearing none, we'll go to 9B, which is um this is a subscription for $30,000. And um the information is attached. Again, they have included the total that we've spent with this particular vendor. And this is a not to exceed $30,000. Any questions about that one, board members? Okay. Hearing none, we'll go on to C, which is kitchen equipment repair services. And this is a not
085to exceed $40,000. And then D is also a uh funding for this purchase is not to exceed $200,000. And this one is for HVAC um systems. Okay. Hearing no questions, I'll go on to number 10, which is purchase exception F, invitation to bid. And a there's one item. This is North Side High Furniture $17,1336 and it is attached. And number 11 is professional services. A is for the charter bus service purchase. Yes, Miss um Buckner, did you have a question? Yeah, the department federal seeks approval increased threshold. >> Uh which item number? >> It's it's the one with the chartered buses. We we are purchasing chartered buses for what do we need those for? I mean I'm just this is just for information. >> Let me read you the impact and the rationale. The Department
086of Federal Programs seeks approval of the increased threshold request for the below um frequently used vendor for federal programs using federal funds. Professional service purchases will enhance instruction, improve student achievement, and support school improvement efforts. >> Okay. And then also it's it also says it's an increase. But now what do we use it? What do we um It's to uh enhance instruction, improve student achievement. I don't quite know what that is. >> Dr. Smith. Dr. Smith is the person that could answer that. >> What were we talking about, Jim? >> So, it's any school trips where students are going different places um that are outside the hours that transportation can provide pro provide that uh service. So that's we've seen more of an increase of that in the last >> four or five years where
087we've had to move the charter buses for a lot of those uh longer activities away from the school. >> Okay. >> So this is an increase not to exceed 80,000 but the total for the 2026 year is 280,000. >> Okay. Um exception G um part B is the state identified school support and this is not to exceed 20,000 and this has to do with our um state identified gifted program. Any questions about that? Okay. and C is a site coordinator selected schools and this is funding for this purchase totaling $62,360 will be expended from student support function of the state federal and other um programs communities and school it is attached. Okay. D is also professional services and it has to do with a core and press teacher support at Shaw High School and this
088is um for $25,750. E is for the works program. Yes, Miss U McCrae, did you have a question about the works? >> Oh, well, I have questions about the program. If somebody can help me with um the way I read it, a child can get in trouble, the same kind of trouble, same thing. And then one would get ISS if his parent, his or her parent could not come to a workshop at night, and the other one would not get it if their parent could come to a workshop at night. Am I what do we I don't really see how that's a good idea and how that's fair to our students because if one lacks the parental support to come to a workshop, they're probably the one that needs more help. Um so I'd like
089somebody to better explain to me the rationale behind this if we've been doing this before. Um and then I had some finance questions as well related to it. >> Dr. Smith. So, um the last few years there's been some different approaches at different schools depending on what the school um chooses to to do with um Dr. Flowers team. Um but when you're talking about the parent involvement piece, um what's what's used quite a bit is in place of out of school suspension rather than in school suspension. um to where that if a a parent comes and participates in a session then they can reduce that time and and really just earn time back in the classroom um with that. So and I'm I agree with you um that could be problematic for students whose parents
090don't participate but it's also a method of encouraging. >> So now we're now also doing it for ISS. This one said ISS in school. >> We'd have to get from each school how they're how they're approaching it with that because it's not a standardized for every school. They they they work with him on what um works what they feel works best at their campus. So we can get compile from the schools participate in how they're implementing those services at each side if you'd like that. >> Yeah, we probably should. We probably should have to get an explanation, but I seem like I remember from a presentation, but I think the key phrase here is that these schools are determining um what best fits their need, their specific needs. But if I remember from Dr. Um
091>> Gilmore. Um it was it was in in lie of out of school suspension that they highlighted on their presentation. um that the parents also participated in the session which they felt was part of why they didn't have the repeat behavior because the parents had to participate. Yeah. Well, they had to have an incentive to participate um in the the disciplinary process. So, you know, if they don't want to have to to come and get off their jobs and come to the parent sessions that they would participate with this with the students behavior. But if it's replacing in school suspension, we probably somebody should be here to say exactly what that looks like. >> Well, we we'll check on that and come back with information >> if we really made sure that's I don't know
092that really sit does >> if this is even correct. Well, yeah, >> if this is even correct. >> Um, but it does say ISS. And then my other question was moneywise. There's two different contracts, one for Carver and for one of the middle schools. And they say four sessions per week, but I thought it said that the rest of the the money is based on four se sections sessions a week, but the write up said two sessions a week. So, I'm trying to understand why that is. >> Are you saying that it was one school said four and one school said two? >> No, they both say four, meaning that each school is going to have four sessions a week. and that and then the money's based on that. But I felt like the write
093up said that sessions were going to be offered two nights a week. Four nights a week seems like a lot. I mean, do we have that many? And are are the parents coming to one session or are they coming to multiple? >> It depends on the infraction from my understanding, but we'll we'll follow with the school. >> And that would be my other question. Does the demand dictate needing to pay for two sessions a week or are we just saying we're going to do two? And if if we have parents that need to come that week, they'll come. >> Yes. How he's how he has historically done it is they plan for that and then if they're needed, they offer them and if they're not needed needed, then they don't hold them. So, >> and
094then we don't pay for them. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> Correct. We only pay >> the contract says like we are paying this money kind of for four, >> but we're still we're only paying per session um that's provided and that's always been the case when when work with Dr. Flowers. Well, I would look at this four sessions for a week because I don't see why we would need to even and the money is based on four sessions a week. And then >> but now that's how we do all our budgets. We budget a certain way. We budget for the teachers for vacancies. You put that in the budget. >> So that's just in the budget. If they don't need it, then we don't pay it. >> They don't invoice it. >> I know. But
095I'm just saying it says two sessions a week. Again, if the money is based on for it, we're saying how many teachers we need budget for. I would like to know a lot more about other districts that are using and and if any way this has been vetted this idea that especially in ISS which is going to be much more frequently happened thing. I just it really concerns me that you know children that do not have parental support are going to be treated differently than ones that do. >> We'll get clarification >> very strongly. >> Actually I have the same concern there as Miss Mcra. Um so to that end I'd like to know I know our purpose our purpose you stated is uh to actually recoup the um time the lost time that kids
096will be in school and your second purpose was to uh it was a way to encourage u parental involvement. >> So what we need to know is that is that working? Do the parents do uh do parents in fact especially uh parents of uh kids who typically are absent and who typically are not as involved as other parents. So we we need to know if these parents are coming. We need to know if uh because that means that we need to know if it's working. So, and if we get that information, if we have somebody that say that sure is coming, we need some information, some data in indicating that it it is in fact working because my concern is like hers. We need to see that that is and and that inner school suspension
097suspension. I don't know why we have that, but >> so it sounds like we just need another an update to the presentation that we've had, but the region chiefs are out there shaking their heads that it is effective and it works and the parents are coming, you know, without any problems. And I'm sure the schools are adjusting it if their parents need night because they work during the day, they have it in the evening or Saturday or whatever work is working for the parents so that they will have an opportunity to support their students. But the inschool suspension, we just need some somebody to explain that >> more clarification. So maybe for next month, can we have someone um do a >> ne next week? >> Next week. Will that work for you, Dr. Smith?
098>> We we'll bring an update back next week. >> Okay. Miss McCrae has some addition. Even if as effective as it is, I would like to know kind of from a legal perspective in other districts if people are doing this because it it it rattles me that there could be this much difference. Um, again, have the child come to something special. I mean, anything that can be that child can help do themselves, but as a parent who would be right there for my child, I I don't care. I don't think it would be fair for my child to get less of a punishment than somebody else whose mama couldn't come at night. It's just my thought. Okay, board members, Dr. Smith, you're going to bring us some additional information next week in reference to the
099works program, the inschool suspension, and how effective it is for parents to have to participate. Okay, any other questions? board members. Okay. Hearing none, I'll go on to 11F, which is healthc care nursing services. The department of program for exceptional students are seeking to approve to increase the original board approved amounts to um Aina Healthcare by $692,000, $335. The revised total for the fiscal year 2026 will be 877,192. This increase is necessary to continue providing essential one-on-one nursing services to students with disabilities. These services are critical to ensure the health, safety, and educational access of students who require individualized medical support during the school day. I hope y'all heard that. got a lot of talking. Okay, hearing no questions, I'll go on to 11G, which is Evergreen Solution Compensation Study. This is what we alluded
100to earlier um that the human resource department would um solicit Evergreen Solution LLC. Um the total cost is 78,500, but what they're asking for right now is $36,500 um for the compensation market study as the initial stage of a full comprehensive um compensation study where the remaining balance of the total cost of 78,500. So all right hearing no questions about that I'll go on to number 12 which is soul source and vital vital purchases number a letter A is billboard advertising and that is attached um B is fuel purchases we have that almost every month C is the white fleet vehicles any questions about that one board members Okay. Hearing none. D is also white fleet vehicles as well. Okay. And 13 are our donations. And we want to take the opportunity to thank the
101public for knowing that schools can't do it alone. And thank you so much for your donations. All of those are attached. Okay. Madame Chair, I think that concludes the finance section. I'll turn it back over to you. >> Thank you so very much. And as it was pointed out earlier, we do not have an executive session um this evening. And Dr. Lewis, do you want to update us on anything? >> Just of course this is breast cancer awareness month. the reason many of us are wearing pink and we'll be again next week. And it's also we'll be coming up at the end of the month with red ribbon week uh working to combat uh drug illicit drug use and especially looking at uh putting a special emphasis on fentanyl uh use and its scourge that
102it presents for young people our entire community but specifically our young people. So just want to bring that to everyone's attention. >> Thank you so very much. any Miss Butler, you >> I I want to just clarify a position that I that I have and that I made uh a few minutes ago about um um if if uh the practices that schools use. So I I do want to say I do agree with Miss McCrae about this about some the discriminary aspect of that, but I also don't want it to be um thought of that we didn't trust the discretions of the of the school because uh schools now with the nature of um students and the nature of the times and the environments schools are pretty much kind of desperate to try this and
103to try that. So um that's why I believe that for me it's important to see if it works because I do maintain the position that it it tends to discriminate against people uh who already are in um >> desperate situations but it's important for it to work and we're not saying that we don't trust the the various schools but I just want to make sure it works before >> anyone All right, this meeting is a journey. We'll wave good night. Good night. Thank you all. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music]