001Welcome everybody to the Brunswick County Board of Education meeting January 7th, 2025. We'll start tonight's meeting with a moment of silence. And next up, we'll have the presentation of the colors and the pledge of allegiance from the North Brunswick High School JOTC. Time. I aliance to the flag of United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all Hey time. board members in front of you tonight. You have the regular meeting agenda. If I can have a motion to approve. >> Motion. Hold on one second. Move your motion. >> I removed my motion. >> Okay, Mr. Go ahead. >> Yeah. Uh, operations have asked that we add four items. I guess all these are action items. >> All right. Mr. Gany has requested
002we add items four, five, six, and seven to action. South High School fire alarm system, the Belleville roofing project, custodial contract, and the Town Creek uh phase one. Uh, do I have a motion to approve the agenda as amended? >> Motion by Miss Moffet. >> Second by Miss Cook. All in favor say I. >> I. >> We have no public address speakers signed up for tonight. And so next up we'll have board salutes. The first one is going to be Highest Praise Church. Miss Lloyd, are you gonna do that one? >> Okay. So this evening I'd like to recognize um Pastor Jordan and Pastor Sherwood from the Highest Praise Church. Uh the church has made generous donations over many years both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Um they donate gift cards to Food Lion for Thanksgiving and
003Walmart um at Christmas to support our families. Um and this year the church set an an internal goal um to to beat their their what they donated last year. Um at Thanksgiving they donated $17,000 and then they beat that again at Christmas and donated $18,000. So um we've been very very fortunate to receive um quite a bit of support for our families and it has definitely um gone to great use and our families have been very um appreciative and have reached out to the church and reached out to our school social workers. So um we just wanted to recognize them on behalf of their congregation and thank them for the support of our families um continuing through the years. So thank you. So, come on up. Come on. Come on down. [Applause] >> Thank you
004both for being here. It's I I know this isn't why you do it, but it is it definitely helps our families and it means more than you realize. So, thank you very much from all of us. >> Thank you. [Applause] And while while we're walking over to that picture, I just want to uh thank Highest Praise again. Um your community outreach has been great and the school system obviously um being able to help other systems, other families through you um and their giving has uh been amazing. So we really appreciate the partnership. All right. And next up, uh, for the next board salute, we're going to have the North Carolina top 10 and achievement for biology and our third grade math teachers and Mr. Pascal. >> All right. I'm going to do something a little
005different. If you are not a third grade math teacher and you are not a biology teacher, please stand. Is that a trick question? Can our third grade math teachers help us out? I would like to give all of our third grade math teachers and our biology teachers a standing round of applause. [Applause] All right, you may be seated. I am coming before you all tonight uh excited uh along with the board of education to uh announce a board salute for uh two very hardworking groups in our district. Now, I must say uh obviously we have phenomenal teachers throughout the district. um uh no matter the subject, no matter the grade level, no matter uh what area they're teaching. But uh we do have to celebrate when we have groups and Superintendent Cole said it very
006well leading into our reception earlier. Uh, but when we have groups that are, and I know I want to talk to both of y'all at the same time, but when we have groups that have worked so hard to not just perform at a high level, but on top of that, to be in the top 10, not even top 10%, it's better than that, the top 10 in the state of North Carolina. If you'll give everybody a round of applause. So, with that being said, there's a lot of folks that we would want to think through that, but we did want to make sure that our teachers um did feel that appreciation. Uh, and the board wanted to do that. Superintendent Cole uh mentioned it right away whenever he found out that they were in the
007top 10. So, we appreciate him bringing it to our attention to to have a board salute to it and for the board to want to uh salute these hardworking teachers. So, without any further ado, I'm going to call up uh Jamie Smith. She is our instructional coach for this the biology department or for all of science. And then after that, Jen Damon will also come up, uh, who's our director over elementary school and PD, and they're going to call out the names of all of our teachers. Uh, teachers, if you can, whenever your name's called, you'll come up. I'll hand you your uh, your certification here, and if you'll meet us over there, and you'll wait underneath the seal. Uh, we'll do all biology first, and then we'll call all third grade math after that.
008All right. And once again, to those who support as well, uh Jamie really wanted to make sure she called out y'all's names, by the way. Uh she works with them on a regular basis. Uh I wanted her to as well, and I know all you would appreciate it, uh the support she gives on a regular basis. All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. First teachers from Brunswick Early College High School. Dane Fischer. >> Dane Fischer from Brunswick Early College High School. Next we have from North Brunswick High School, Zack Pring. [Applause] Next from North Brunswick High School, Tess Johnson. [Applause] And from North Brunswick High School, Machula. [Applause] And from South Brunswick High School, Erica Ciple, [Applause] West Brunswick High School. We have Lisa Jones. [Applause] And finally from West Brunswick High School, Michelle Dargus.
009[Applause] >> Thank you. We appreciate the appreciation if we can. Of course, our hardworking administrators that were able to come tonight and support their teachers as well. If you'll join us over here for a photo, please. And then board, if you'll take a photo with the biology, we'll come back for the uh math three third grade math, excuse me. >> I'm trying to make sure congratulations, biology. And now for our third grade math. I want to echo the words of everyone who spoke to our third grade math teachers this evening. We are so proud of all the work that you did last year for our third grade teachers and the work that you're doing this year. We really appreciate all that you do. Starting with Belleville Elementary School, Carly Mloud, [Applause] Belleville Elementary School. Daniel
010Platt. [Applause] Yes. And you can walk up either way. If you are close to please feel free. >> And from Belleville Elementary School, Alicia Lleier coming from Bolivia Elementary. Amy Nelson. [Applause] We have a crew from supply tonight. We have Emerlyn Stevenson. [Applause] April Hernandez, [Applause] Pam Nardozi. [Applause] and Denise Patterson [Applause] from Town Creek Elementary. Caitlyn Mock [Applause] Deanna St [Applause] from Union Elementary School. Tara Cumby [Applause] Allison Hany [Applause] and Rachel Lewis. From Virginia Williamson, we have Trisha Padet, Amy Barker. [Applause] And our last person, she was at Virginia Williamson last year, she's at Southport this year, Jamie Patterson. [Applause] All right, if we'll get together for one more photo, all of our administrators that were able to come as well for elementary, please join us. Hardworking admin as well to support these
011amazing teachers. And it is perfectly fine to have a moment for uh if you need to go but You're welcome to stay. >> I think they did the math. All right. Next up, we're going to have a presentation for spectra matrix plan for extracurricular activities and Mr. Pascal. >> All right. And I we wanted to take an opportunity to go over a new procedure we're putting into place based on um some situations we've gone through over the past few years. But uh coming into our new role, Superintendent Cole really uh he and I wanted to to make sure we were clear uh in terms of our expectations. I I think you've seen that uh obviously with Superintendent Cole throughout other areas as well, but uh in terms of expectations of behavior with students um with
012anyone, we want to make sure that we're clear upfront. That's it. So, uh, with that, sometimes, as you can imagine, uh, there are situations that get a little heated at, uh, athletic events. We wanted to be clear with what, uh, the consequences might be if, uh, if a spectator, student, uh, or adult is not doing as expected. So this is actually just taking what policy already exists uh which is 5020 policy 5020 in combo with the school safety uh 1510 and we have compiled as school administrators the the principles worked with me together to create a uh a brief matrix just a 4x uh three really matrix 4x4 technically with the descriptions um but that would explain what principles have the ability to do either them or their designate. Uh and then also what may
013be requested of the superintendent if the situation calls for it. So just giving an example because I don't want to go through all of it. I know all of you um you know have it in front of you and you can read through it and and ask either Mr. Cole or I any questions obviously throughout the next few weeks but we wanted to get an opportunity to get before you all uh to share those expectations and what our plan is to ensure that our spectators are aware of it. So, if you weren't aware, North Carolina High School Athletic Association also backs most of uh if not all or more of the policies that we already have. Uh on top of that, uh we have our own handbooks. And then at the beginning of every game,
014we also call out uh the same statement that North Carolina High School Athletic Association asks of us, which is sportsmanlike conduct, you know, no use in profanity, things like that at the beginning of games. All of that being said, when incidences occur, and they will, uh, we want to have a more streamlined step process of if this, then this, uh, given a little bit of leeway, hence the matrix style. Same thing we do with any other, um, situation where it's a little bit more somewhat more subjective based on the situation. So an example may be uh someone using profanity uh obviously around uh children at a game is not what we would uh expect and we would not want. Uh that may not be uh suspending for the remainder of the the the season. Right?
015So that would be an incident where a principal could say I'm going to I'm going to step up the athletic director is going to step in give them a verbal warning. We wanted to then say, however, if if profanity is being used disrespectfully, towards a coach, towards a player, towards other spectators, that's a different level. That would be a level two. At that point, it could be uh immediate removal from that current event. Uh and then possible suspension for uh the next event as well. And then if it were something that were continued or a repeated pattern, we would be looking at uh recommending a ban that that by policy only Superintendent Cole could could sign that letter for. Then you can see aggressive behavior. Obviously, it jumps pretty quickly. Uh if there's any aggressive
016behavior, that would be some more of a threatening language of threatening someone, not just using profanity. Um and then it could be throwing objects, things like that as well. Um and then obviously an illegal behavior is much different. Those are ejection from the event and then also most likely bans. I will say um Mr. Gay and I spoke before the meeting just about some of the nuances in here. He and I had um uh some good discussion. We went through and based on you know our conversation and then talking with some of the principles because this was created initially by uh myself and the principles. Uh there's a few terminology things that uh he showed that that would be um a subtle change that would u make it more clear uh as in the the
017use of um suspension where it's it's longer than a week. Technically it would make more sense. He thought as a and I agreed with him as a spectator if it said the word ban if it were a long-term situation if it's only a suspension. So we're going to change only a few of those and it's actually changed in your live link already. it's just not in the one you see in front of you. Uh and then one other recommendation he'd made uh was there. It didn't say immediate removal in one of the pieces. Um it just said suspension. Thought that was a good idea. We we went ahead and added it and changed it on the live side. So the actual document will have that on the the one that you'll see live. Um other
018than that, we mainly wanted to give you a chance uh to be able to see it up front uh and know the new procedure we're going to we're going to be putting into place uh after this meeting. I meet with principles on Friday and then I meet with ads next Thursday. Uh and no, next Wednesday. And in between those two meetings, we're going to decide how we're going to u make sure that all of our our players know first and then our parents know as well and our spectators. Uh and then in the beginning of those games when the announcement is coming on um of sportsmanlike conduct for spectators as well that we have a clear definitive procedure um that we can go by. Any questions or comments? >> It's unfortunate the spectators have actually
019gotten pretty bad at youth sports, high school sports. I It's >> It's a shame that we actually have to do this at this point, but >> I agree with it. I just >> Yeah, I will say it's not just obviously Brunswick County. I think we all know that. >> Oh, no. It's everywhere. >> Yeah, you can see it on TV. You can see it everywhere. U this isn't the NFL. You know, this isn't um professional sports, right? Superintendent Cole and I joked about that. Um these are educators giving up their time to work with children and to improve their life and quality in some way. We want to make sure that we're thinking of that as we're participating with our students. I have one question. >> When it says um banned from all school property
020and events, >> do these rules just apply to athletics? >> Yeah, good question. >> Or are they at some point? Is there ever a time when they're suspended from school for their action? >> I mean, obviously they would be if they brought a weapon on campus, >> right? Right. Yeah. you know, with aggressive behavior, it could go all the way to a ban from all events. Uh, just like anything in policy 5020 would outline. Uh, remember, and this procedure will actually just kind of focuses us in towards making sure that he has a really informed decision before it comes to him. So, this is really meant to kind of hone in uh which situations he has, you know, to step in on. So, and good question. There are times when an incident could occur on
021an athletic field or event that could spill over into banning from all campuses. That is possible >> because it is a it is um an extension >> of the school day. >> I mean when they're going to athletic events. >> Yeah. Very good point. >> It is. And and um definitely Miss Smith, I mean, you have to think about um because when you if let's say it's a let's say it's a um the parent of a senior and you're going to ban them from schools and and property for the rest of the year, that includes graduation, >> you know, and I you know, I would hate to take away someone's ability to watch their child graduate from high school, >> but if they were threatening our coaches and teachers and administrators ers uh with bodily
022harm. I I don't it doesn't bother me that much. >> And so that's exactly right. So, you know, by leaving it as um a ban from all school property and events, that gives the principal that option, you know, to recommend to me and it gives me the option. So, we're not pigeon holeing ourselves. But, um I just thought it was very important. Um the principles want to feel like that they're being consistent across the county >> and uh and I agree with that. I want them to be consistent. There's no reason why these expectations shouldn't be consistent across all of our schools >> and uh and even our middle schools and um I spent probably 15 years as a baseball umpire uh and uh 15 years as a as a high school coach. And I
023know how it can be, but it's gotten worse in the last uh five years. It it just has. And uh I think we need to be very clear with our spectators about what our expectations are. And and just as I explained to a parent uh a few weeks ago, um you didn't pay $200 to go to our game. >> Hey, you paid $6. And our coaches don't get paid millions of dollars a year and they're hard to find. So we can't allow them to be abused because we want to keep our coaches. That's important for our kids. So that means that if someone's going to leave, it's going to be you. >> It's not going to be them. and that's just the way it's going to be. >> And I just have one more question.
024>> Yeah. >> My other question was if they're banned um from all events for the week um that means that any athletic like if they were playing an away game, they couldn't go there, right? Okay. I just want to make sure. >> Yeah, good good point. >> Because I know we had that happen years ago. >> Yeah. Oh, yeah. Now, if someone gets banned from one campus, they do sometimes try to go to an away game because it's not that campus in there. They would have been right if we weren't upfront about that. So >> when when that has happened, uh, in my past experience, the administrator at the game goes to the visiting to the to the home principal, points out the person and says that they're they're banned from all of our events
025and those people are escorted out. >> Just think students need to make sure they understand that, too. >> They do sometimes. Yeah. Um, and I we say all this to say I think you all in the room obviously um obviously we would not like to have to have a matrix like this but uh I know that you all appreciate I would imagine um that clear expectations are given and that consequences would would come which means I think most if not the most majority almost 100% of our spectators would feel the same way about someone who's not acting uh the way we would expect at a game. So, this is not something that I I believe um should be much of a surprise to many of our folks in our district because most of them obviously
026come to games to support their kids and to enjoy the game. All right. And please, you know, I'm an open door. Please let me know if you have any suggestions, recommendations, things like that. Don't just uh email me, give me a call as well. Uh we're presenting this again at the principles on th on Friday and then again on Wednesday next week for the ads. All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. And next up, board members, if I can have approval for the December 3rd, 2024 regular board meeting, >> the minutes from that meeting. >> Motion to approve. >> Motion, Miss Cook. >> Second. >> By Miss Smith. All in favor say I. I. >> I. All right. And there's no items on the consent agenda tonight. It takes us to the
027action agenda. And the first thing up is the Boys and Girls Clubou amendment. And Dr. for that. And this is um I see it firsthand doing the watch dogs thing of Bolivia. It's really making a difference for a lot of these families and these working parents um providing after school care that a lot of times otherwise can't afford. Um, so it's really uh reaching the households of a lot of our students and I think it's really important. So with that said, if I have a motion to approve. >> Motion by Miss Smith. >> Second by Miss Moffet. All say I >> Yes, sir. All right. Next up is the North Carolina Protecting Our Students Optin, opt out and Miss Quinnland. Thank you. Thanks, Gordon. So, good, good evening. So, the Protecting Our Kids Act Act
028is that legislatively required action that our students all all staff K12 receive information on inappropriate sexual misconduct um in regard to adult student interactions. In addition, it requires that students receive information and watch videos and a set of coursework that outlines that same content. Um, and so what we are seeking is a board recommendation regarding parent opt-in or parent opt out so we can proceed with implementing the legislative requirement with our students in grade 6 through 12. >> Any comments or motions? >> Well, I I've looked at the videos. Um, I didn't see any of the course material >> in in the original presentation that I provided um in the information that was linked into your packet, it had the course guides listed, >> but I assume it follows >> it does. >> Yes, that's
029correct. >> Yeah, I based on what I've seen access. So I think out that's going to be the exception. So I think an opt out >> I agree with Mr. Ky. We've done some optin things in the past in the opt in papers typically don't make it past the book bag of a student. Um and so then what we see is we see very low participation um in whatever program it is. So um I would I would agree with um Mr. King on that. Um do do you want to make a motion? I make a motion that we uh we would set this program up option for parents. >> All right, Mr. >> Only question on that is how will that be present? What how will they how easy should they determine that's what they
030want to do? How easy enough for them to be able to do so? >> So, we will work with Dr. Bernett and we will work on a communication plan for all of the schools and we will on a plan to be able to execute now that we have some direction on how that needs to occur. So we will put out um public information and we will provide the um the means to be able to do that in the same format that we have historically done when we have opt out situations. So we will utilize those familiar district procedures to be able to execute that task. >> Yes, we have the ability to do that online as well. >> Absolutely sir. Just a question. Have the what has been the response from the teachers? I mean
031as far as the the uh material. >> So currently we have trained our principles. That's where we always start with our district administration. We have trained a portion of our student services personnel to be able to do the training. Um we have been on pause to determine whether we would have opt in or opt out before we provided that material to the teachers. Um so that really after this step will be the next step to be able to deliver it um to the schools. Um we will finish our student services team training on January 21st on the professional development day. And after we have trained all of our student services staff to implement the materials then it will be distributed to the schools. Any concerns that the teachers had as far as or or the
032administrators that have already reviewed it have had as far as teaching it or imple you know, if there's been any situations that they had any objection to. >> Currently, we've not received any objections and we've um again, we have provided the information to our administrative team um through our principal meeting and our district leaders and our district directors and I have not received any negative feedback or any concerns >> because it is sensitive information. So after a parent reviews they can choose even just I want to opt out of this one video. Is that correct or can they is it is it an all opt out or so for there is one video for middle school >> and then there are the high school videos which are three different >> three different >> um so
033really if they're going to opt out of the videos the middle school would opt out of the one and then the high school would opt out of the three because there are three short videos that go with the course questions. So they would opt out um for their student um because you could >> three videos they would opt out of all of them. >> Yes. >> Melissa, we talked about a slow roll slow roll out. >> Do you have a timeline? Um >> currently once we finish with the training for the trainers that we'll be working, we are going to be working with the principles over the next couple of months to be able to roll out in the school. So we were looking over the next couple of months to work with um each
034of those individual schools to have a training plan. We started having the conversation with them so they could get thinking of what that needed to look like because in a smaller school that looks different than our than our high schools of course. Um and in our training we started talking about how to make sure we covered our students that are in CTE courses that are coming to the coast and what midday transfers look like. So there are some some different moving parts that go with it. Um but yes, we are taking all those into consideration as we are training our trainers. We are providing input and feedback and suggestions that we'll be able to take back to the schools. Um it'll be a collaborative effort with our principles for roll out. But yes, definitely slow
035this year. >> One last thing I ask is Miss Lloyd, I guess, is still here. How is she how's her the counselors tied into I mean as far as training or they have the same training everything? So They are part of our student services team. So there are all of our counselors are participating in the train the trainer modules that we are doing with them. And again this is uh the protecting our students act was um a state legislation North Carolina Journal statute 115C 1247. So just so everybody that is aware of that. Um Mr. Kron I know you gave us a legal opinion but do you have anything you need to add as far as the motion Mr. Gy made? I think the only other thing the only other thing that is important is
036it has to be uh done immediately and then the first five days of every school year thereafter. Okay. All right. Mr. Kenny's made a motion to make an opt out um program if I have a second. >> Second Miss Cook. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Thank you. And next up, we'll have uh budget amendments. >> Good evening. >> These are pretty standard budget amendments for the most part. Uh capital budget amendment three, you'll see we've received funding. DPI purchases buses on our behalf. They send us the funding to book for uh accounting purposes. So, no money really changes hands, but we need this to uh amend it to just our books accordingly. The second one I have here is federal budget amendment number one. This one books all of our carryover from
037last year as well as the full final a lotments we got from the state this year. So they came in in December. So we're finally able to to fully fund our programs. And this is these are amendments to programs that our federal directors brought to you in the spring for approval and review of the plans. We're just getting the funding in now. So this is getting it on the books. Special revenue number two. Um these are all you see these relatively often. We've got our Medicaid funding, our culinary arts program. Um earnings are there. A couple of things on there. We received a couple of grants. Um Miss Madrin and Miss Neville have both applied for small grants for some supplies and materials for science and also for um technology. And then the student scholarships
038you see there are scholarships that have been brought to you over the last couple of months. Mr. Pascal brought one. Miss Quinnland brought someone here. You accepted the funding. This is just the amendment to actually put them on the books. And then the last one here we have is our state aotments. Again, we finally received the last of our state funding for I shouldn't say the last the state funding for the year came in um in November and December. And I think the big item on here to see is that um that last item on the sheet, we received our funding in a rears as promised by the state. So we are able to actually um the state actually has stepped in and funded those additional positions that we received due to the growth in
039our ADM this year. So we'll appropriate that to offset the costs that would have been absorbed locally had we not received this funding. >> Any questions? We have a motion to approve the budget amendments as shown. >> Motion by Miss Cook. >> Second by Mr. Gay. All in favor say I. >> And then Mr. Smith. Um you're going to have the next four items, I believe, starting with the South High School fire alarm system. >> Yes, sir. Thank you for considering these uh items tonight. They were all kind of timesensitive uh in order to be completed this summer is why we were asking. uh South Brunswick uh high school fire alarm replacement. We bid out um and we received two bids. We revertised and also received two bids. And uh this is a replacement complete
040replacement of the fire alarm system which is uh kind of a unique system uh so that it kind of matches our other systems and that would work would be done this summer. We're asking for approval to Keller LLC in the amount of $515,445. Anybody have any questions about that? Are we a motion to approve? >> Motion, Miss Moffet. >> Second, Mr. Gayy. All in favor say I. >> All right. And then the Belleville roofing project. >> Right. the Belleville roofing project. We bid out for a complete uh roof replacement as scheduled. Um this was bid out and we received five bids. Uh Owens Roofing U with the alternates included was the lowest bid at $2,10,920. Uh we're asking for the board to approve that work so that everything could be ordered and that work could
041be done this summer. Have you worked with them before? >> We have. They uh did our roofs this past summer at Bolivia and Walkabol. We did a large not a complete but a large roof replacement and they did those for us. Did did a good job. >> Any other questions or discussion? So, you won't be having summer reading camp at Belleville or they'll just be in a >> We we were able to work around u supply or and and some of the other uh roof jobs that we've been able to do. Uh it's according generally been able to work around the roof job if they can put up with a little bit of the noise during the summer. >> Heard that. Motion to approve. >> Motion, Mr. Gayy. >> Second by Miss Moffett. All favor
042say I. >> I. >> All right. Next up, uh the custodial contract. >> Yes. Uh as the board's aware, we've had u around 19 custodial openings and we had budgeted them out. We work with two companies for substitute custodians throughout the year. They they both do a good job for us and give us some good staff members. Uh to complete, if we had that amount of openings for the rest of the year, the amount would come to $292,000. And we're asking for 102,000 in the amount uh to build up complete cleaning uh for the ones we would use from them the rest of the year and the amount of uh 201,000 to Atlantic Building Services. Uh this is kind of a worst case scenario. If we had 19 opens the rest of the year, that
043would be the amount. The recent change to being allowed to have one dual employee bus driver custodian per school and also uh post regular custodian positions is already uh paying dividends for us. We recently hired two since we made that change, two custodial staff members. So that puts the number at 70. So this is not a budget increase in any way. This money either goes to our staff members in house or a contracted staff member. So whichever opening we have is where the money will go to for the rest of the year. >> So we're just pulling from the vacant positions to pay the the contractor. >> No, no budget increase including this. But the amount is 292,000 for those 19 open positions for the rest the remainder of the year. >> Any questions or
044discussion? Motion to approve. >> Make a motion. >> Motion by Miss Smith. >> Second by Miss Cook. All in favor say I. >> I. >> All right. Then Town Creek Elementary phase one. >> Yes sir. Uh phase one has been completed. Uh want to congratulate Mr. Eard and his staff uh for you know a timely completed project and on budget. Uh the contract amount was uh $7,269,130. The only remaining items are a few items that cannot be completed until phase two the connection is completed. Uh other than that, everything has been done. So, uh, the unused funds and from general conditions and cost of work, insurance, everything included, uh, for that job to be returned to the owner is $269,394.73 coming back to us. So, we we're just requesting the board close that and approve
045that change order for that amount. >> All right. Any questions or discussion other than to tell Craig and his staff thank you and good job. And >> anytime A bud a project comes in at budget is great, but when it comes in below budget, it's even better. So, >> Miss C, do you love that new addition? >> That's a start. >> I got a motion to approve. >> Motion is mafet. Second. >> Second. Cook. All in favor say I. I. All right. And next up, discussion and announcements by the superintendent. >> Uh yes, obviously um we've had a lot of holidays and not a lot of work days since our last board meeting. So um I'll just I'll share from a work perspective. Um what I'm currently doing is uh I was reviewing school improvement
046plans and progress at all of the schools. Uh that was one of my projects over Christmas break is just checking that everyone was uploading their documentation that they were making progress towards their school improvement plan goals. Uh and I've begun doing mid-year reviews of uh each of the principles professional development plans. So I'm in the process of that. I did three of those today. Um and I should be finished by the end of this month. And uh so far so good. They're getting it done. Um, I want to reiterate how proud I am of the work of the biology teachers and the third grade math teachers. There's not many times as a superintendent you get to say that you had a group of teachers that achieved top 10 in the state. >> Uh, and to
047have two groups of teachers to do it um says a lot about the direction I believe that our county is taking academically. We're getting better. Uh, and we're going to continue to improve and um I think that's just uh that's just the first step. Uh, and then just from um a personal perspective. Um, I was able, my wife and I were able to purchase a new home over the over the break. So, we got to spend the break uh moving furniture out of our rental and into our new house. And I'll say that nothing says commitment like a brand new home mortgage. So, uh, you know, I I'm looking forward to making that first payment very, very soon. And, um, last, I wanted to say congratulations uh to the board members on school board appreciation
048month. Um, Being a school board member uh can sometimes be a very thankless job and um but it has its rewards as well. It is not an easy job. It's a lot of responsibility and a lot of time uh and you certainly uh aren't required to do this and because you choose to give of your time uh our students and our staff members benefit and so I want to at least on behalf of the staff and the team at central office say thank you for volunteering. Well, I guess you don't completely volunteer, but for the most part, you volunteer to do this. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Cole. And, uh, if I got a motion to go to close session. >> I have one more thing. >> Okay. >> You know, they call
049me this one more thing up here. >> Okay. >> Um, I just want to say kudos to Mr. Cole for doing the principal midyear reviews and for doing their evaluations. Um, we've been in the school system for a long time. Um, and it hasn't always been that way. Sometimes they appoint other people to do that. And I just think it's uh important to note and uh to say thank you for doing that yourself because you're the superintendent um and not giving that to someone else to do. So I just think that's important. And now I have a motion to go to close session. >> Motion by Miss Cook, second by Miss Moff. All in favor say I. >> Okay. I will reconvene the regular open session of the board meeting. If I can have a
050motion to approve the personnel list as written. >> Second motion. >> Motion by Mr. Gayy. Second by Miss Smith. Yes. >> All in favor say I. >> I. And if I can have a motion to approve the close session minutes from the December 3rd close session at the regular meeting. >> Motion by Miss Moffett. Second by Miss Cook. All in favor say I. >> I. And if I have a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion by Miss Smith. Second by Mr. Gay. All in favor say I. I.