001so that they reflect fairness, respect, and the spirit of collaboration. Bless our schools, our educators, and every child in our care. In your holy name we pray. Amen. Please stand for the presentation of allegiance. Attention. Salute. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [Applause] Thank you to Patton High School's Fire Academy led by Chief Mike Long. All right, we are going to go ahead and move on in our agenda to staff recognitions. Board, we can go ahead and move to the floor. and chair board. Good evening. Tonight, we're going to go ahead and recognize our 2025 2026 beginning teacher of the year for Burke County Public Schools. This process starts in
002May of the first year of that beginning teacher's first year of school. So, Miss Hartman, could you join me up front, please? There we go. So, once nominations are made, and that comes from all of our administrators and our instructional coaches, we do um the nomination process. We review all of those and then we look at scheduling interviews. So, we do that when we interviewed four individuals. After we completed that process, Miss Hartman over at drone high school got a surprise visit from Dr. Swan, Dr. So, a little bit about Miss Hartman. She is a graduate of Burke County Public Schools. She attended drone high school where she was also dual enrolled at Western Pedmont. When she finished at drone high school as a student, she also had her associates. Tells you how hard she
003worked. She also ranked relatively high in her class. Once she finished and graduated from drone, she attended Western Carolina University. She currently teaches biology at her elma mater drone high school. During her interview, there were many things that she shared. Um, one of the big things was her passion for biology and connecting students to the why every day is what makes her come to work every day. Thought that was pretty special. She also shared that maintaining high expectations, planning hands-on learning along with critical thinking skills in a positive environment where kids can be safe and learn from their mistakes is key. So, we wish her the best as she goes on to the next level. She'll compete at the regional and state levels for beginning teacher of the year through ENCAT. So, Miss Hartman, congratulations.
004We appreciate you. [Applause] Members of the board, audience, it's my pleasure to announce Burke County Public Schools principal of the year. I had the pleasure of working with this individual um in my during my tenure at Freedom High School uh for a year. Um, this individual was, uh, constantly devoted to her craft, learning new skills, uh, learning how to get better at what she does. Uh, taking advice, feedback, um, criticism sometimes, uh, constructive criticism as always, uh, and was willing to grow from that. Uh, and it was very evident from a from an early time that I met this individual. Um, this person was going to be a phenomenal principal with Burke County Public Schools. This person too was also nominated by her peers uh and went through a pretty rigorous interview committee um with
005with some of our directors. Um I I keep myself out of that mix so that I don't have any um bias towards that selection process. Um but this indivi individual definitely rose to the top amongst our peers. Um and also this individual will be representing Burke County Public Schools in the region seven um which will then compete at the state level of that. So, at this time, I'd like to recognize Miss Caroline Johnson, Burke County Public School Principal of the Year. Congratulations, Caroline. [Applause] Good evening. I'm presenting the Excellence and Action Award to three individuals on August the 19th. An individuals on the run from law enforcement from an incident near campus. This individual came to Salem Elementary School property. Uh Mr. Cliff Snipes, a member of Burke County School's maintenance department, spotted this individual
006and saw him running towards the campus. Also, Miss Caitlyn Gurley, a teacher at Salem, alerted Dr. Hallebertton that law enforcement was nearby and headed towards campus. The individual then tried to gain access to the school, but was stopped at our secure safe school entrance by Miss Tammy Smith, school's bookkeeper. I've got to tell a little story on it real quick. So, it was a hot day. It was August. you know, this man, you know, he's a few on the run from the law. He's hot and he said, "I want some water." And she said, "Our water is not no good." And so, um, so that was a good tactic there. We don't teach that, but good job. Anyway, uh, Miss Smith, Miss Snipes, uh, kept the individual contained until law enforcement was able to come
007and arrest the individual. Thank you to Miss Mr. Snipes, Miss Gurley, and Miss Smith for your quick thinking and action. The calm response and commit to school safety was exemplified. You truly saw something, said something, and did something. Thank you. [Applause] At this time, I'd like to present a few awards to some of our schools. Um, start off with our academic growth goals that met and exceeded growth. Um, so a couple, excuse me, a couple things with met and exceeded growth within the state model. As you know, Burke count or North Carolina schools are measured on an 8020 model where 80% of the score is based on whether you can pass a test or not. And 20% is based on proficiency, whether you can grow from one point to the next. So oftentimes we get
008students within the system that show up um in June or let's say February, we're expected to grow them 10 months from February to June before they take the test. So what this this growth score does, it g it measures our students met growth or exceeded growth. So, we're here to recognize several schools that not only met, but several schools that exceeded growth and one of our schools that is in a different type of model that will recognize them as well. So, our schools that met growth, which once again is growth from month one to month 10 of that school year, so essentially August to June, have they grown from month to month to month? Have they met growth? The exceeded growth, have they exceeded growth more than one year? So past that 10 months. So
009we're very proud to recognize our schools that met growth. Forest Hill Elementary School. Miss Costello, please come forward. [Applause] Glenn Alpine Elementary School. Miss Westerfield. [Applause] Hildabbrand Elementary School. Miss Caroline Johnson, [Applause] Hillrest Elementary School. Dr. Russ Rumba, Mountain View Elementary School. Dr. Christy Mcmahan, [Applause] Mole Elementary School. Miss Amber Lackey, Oakill Elementary School. Miss Tara Tucker, [Applause] Ray Childers Elementary School. Miss Lauren Huffman, [Applause] Valdy's Elementary School. Mr. Jeff Williams, Patton High School. Miss Gretchen Ree. [Applause] These are our schools that exceeded academic growth for the 2425 school year. If if I could I was going to do one whole Miss Shuffler. I was going to do one group. Yeah, sorry. My my fault. Exceeded academic goals. George Hilderbrand Elementary School. Dr. Cheryl Putnham. [Applause] Walter Johnson Middle School. Antonio Lowry and Hallebertton Academy
010which achieved a status of progressing from an alternative school setting the they received the highest category in the alternative school model. Congratulations Hallebertton Academy. Miss Carla May [Applause] Good evening, Madame Chair, sir, vice chair, members of the board, and our supportive audience here tonight. This evening, I have the privilege of presenting two awards to our outstanding secondary staff here in Burke County Public Schools. Our first award is to Mrs. Christy Airwood who has been chosen as a western North Carolina STEM research lead fellows society of science. Miss Airwood has displayed exceptional leadership in her role as the middle and high school science instructional coach for Burke County School and we are excited to see the innovative practices that she will bring to our district as a result of this award. Congratulations [Applause] Tonight I also
011have the privilege of presenting the secondary math teacher of the year, Mrs. Kesha Bowman. [Applause] The North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics asked school principles to nominate the teacher they believe does the most effective job teaching mathematics in their school. From those nominated, each LEA or district selects one teacher to represent the best in mathematics teaching from the entire district. Miss Bowman's principal wrote this about her. Miss Bowman demonstrates a deep understanding of the math curriculum and consistently achieves impressive growth with her students. Her effectiveness as a math teacher is evident in her ability to form strong connections with her students, which in turn inspires them to strive for excellence. Through her guidance, students are able to reach their full potential and achieve proficiency in math. Miss Bowman also excels in collaborating with support
012staff to tailor instruction to meet the needs of all learners. Miss Bowman will be recognized at the math conference in November. Congratulations [Applause] Good evening, members of the board, audience. I've uh so I recognize these folks appropriately this evening. I've put pen to paper. So if you would allow me to just read a brief uh statement of uh their accomplishment. Tonight I have the privilege of recognizing an outstanding group of professionals whose dedication to excellence and continuous learning has greatly strengthened our schools. Our principles, assistant principles, bookkeepers, and finance staff have recently completed the North Carolina Association of School Business Officials Academy Certifi Certification Program. This rigorous program requires a significant commitment of time, effort, and study. It equips participants with advanced knowledge and best practices suited and structured to for their roles in the
013school system for finance, leadership, and compliance. Skills that directly support the success of our students, staff, and community. By completing this certification, these individuals have demonstrated not only their professional expertise, but also their deep commitment to responsible stewardship of public resources and to the mission of Burke County Public Schools. Their accomplishment reflects positively on our district and strengthens the foundation of trust and accountability we share with our community. Please join me in congratulating and thanking these principles, assistant principles, bookkeepers, and finance staff for their achievement. I know there are a few unable to attend tonight due to other commitments. Uh but we'll start with Miss Ashley Ashley Ay from Freedom High School. [Applause] Miss Tasha Haskins, Table Rock Middle. Miss Kellen Hope Patton High School, [Applause] Miss Jeanie Jandrew, Burke Middle College. Miss Emily Parker,
014Table Rock Middle [Applause] Miss Tara Tucker, Oakill Elementary School. [Applause] Miss Leslie Ratliff, Mo Elementary School. [Applause] Miss Elizabeth Shehan, Table Rock Middle School. [Applause] Miss Karen Wheeler, North Liberty. [Applause] Miss Michelle Powell, formerly of Freedom High School, currently a central office. and take a [Applause] Miss Megan Cheryl, central office. [Applause] And Miss Penny Smith, central office. [Applause] Good evening. Uh, at this point I am awfully proud to announce Miss Christy Ward as Burke County Public Schools Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year. Mr. Ward, if you if you mind come up real quick. Um, [Applause] No, in all honesty, Miss Ward does phenomenal job uh teaching in the family and consumer science program at East High School where she's been for 14 years. Uh this award recognizes her dedication, commitment to a daily
015task of doing what's best for her kids. Um, we are very fortunate as a school system uh in the career technical education program and at East Burke to have Miss Ward in the role that she serves. We're so grateful for her. Uh, the hands-on things that she does is phenomenal. I wish everybody had the opportunity to see her in action, but her commitment to her students, her school, and community are second to none. And we're very proud to again name Miss Christy Ward as the career and technical education teacher of the year. Thank you, Miss Ward. [Applause] Thank you board for the opportunity to be here this evening to recognize our EC Educator of Excellence. The Office of Exceptional Children's 74th Conference on Exceptional Children will be held in Greensboro in November. At this conference,
016an educator of excellence is recognized from each of the 117 traditional school systems. In order to be nominated for this distinguished honor, the individual must be recognized as a leader in service to the school and/or school system through innovative instructional programs or methodologies that have demonstrated positive outcomes for students with disabilities and be given to the person whose leadership, dedication, and service in extracurricular and non-academic activities has improved the quality of education for exceptional children and youth. about our winner. A member of our EC leadership team writes, "This person is always willing to help out whenever needed. She has a heart for her students and advocates for them on a daily basis. She has an excellent rapport with her students families. She is vig vigilant with ensuring that things are done correctly and ethically, as
017well as she truly demonstrates Burke County's all-in promise. She is willing to help any and all students however she can. Her IEP meetings always display the students growth and she is their biggest cheerleader. Please congratulate me or join me in congratulating Mrs. Dia Hefner, EC resource and inclusion teacher at Heritage Middle School. [Applause] Good evening, Madam Chair, members of the board. It's my honor this evening to present to you um the District 7 Outstanding Elementary Science Teacher Award. In order to be nominated for this award, an educator should demonstrate exemplary teaching in the following ways. Creativity in the use of science teaching materials. Design and use of innovative teaching plans and ideas. Performance in the use of supplementary materials as an exemplary manner to integrate science with other subjects. It's my honor to introduce to
018you Miss Lynn Lawson from Salem Elementary who was selected as District 7 elementary outstanding science teacher. [Applause] My bad. Congratulations to all those recognized tonight for your hard work and diligence in making Burke County be all that it can be. All right, moving on. We have public comments. Mr. Wyoff, do we have anyone signed up? >> We do have two. >> Uh before they come, let me read something real quick. The persons will speak in the order in which they are signed up to speak. Each speaker during the public comment section of the board meetings shall have a maximum of three minutes for his or her comments at which point the speaker will politely be asked to bring the comments to a close followed by thank you. School board policies, state law and federal law
019have established separate and distinct procedures informed for the res for the resolution of employee grievances, employee complaints against individual employees. Uh pupil suspensions and appeals and political campaigns to avoid circumvention of of those separate proceedings and ensure fairness of all parties concerned. No person shall speak regarding of one uh a filed complaint against the individual I mean a file so I'm sorry uh filed complaint yeah a file complaint against the individual employee pending employee complaint filed with the district school district or an outside the agency pupil suspension or appeal which may ultimately reach the board of education. Additionally, prior to any elections, no person who sh who has publicly announced or filed as a candidate for public office may speak during public comments concerning his or her candidacy. The board chair or designate may terminate
020any presentation that is not in coordinance with these of any of these criteria except as limited by the previous provisions. Public comments will be allowed during the public comments period of any subject as within the jurisdiction of the board. And so the first speaker we have is Wayne Hower with Lions Club. I'm Wayne Hower from the Unifor program director. I'm also a member of the Long View Lines Club and Tamara here is the president of the Valley's Lions Club and we're here to speak to the school board uh basically to offer our services. I know you've all heard about lines. We take care of the visually impaired. We've run Camp Dogwood MUN Center for all the blind people. Uh our we started in 1917 1925 we're challenged by U Helen Keller to be the nice
021of the blind. So for the first 100 years of our existence uh we have been taking care of the visually impaired. uh but in the last uh few years with technology increasing we have u shifted the focus to not only take care of the visually impaired but blind. Our mission now is to prevent blindness and we can do that with our children because right now uh with equipment we have we can identify diseases in early ages before the age of seven or eight that can prevent blindness in in later years. So um I have some pamphlets. May I bring them up? Okay. >> Sort of describes who we are. And our most recent project was disaster uh excuse me vision after lane which we did a disaster relief in Spruce Pine and Boone area. uh
022rescreen for those people affected by uh Elaine uh proudly we uh furnishing uh 44 power glasses to people in need. So our mission is children's sight. The two most uh things that affect kids learning is sight and hunger. If they're hungry, they can't concentrate. If they can't see the blackboard, they can't learn. So that's our mission of what we want to do. Uh Tamara here is with the Valdis Lo lines club which is the nearest one here. We do free screenings uh in school with plus optics equipment. It's u within a matter of seconds we can screen a child's eyes uh and determine if one of five diseases that could cause blindness. Uh we also with unifor assistance program for the people or families that need that. um we can give uh we can meet
023the need uh the family with free glasses. So that's what we're here. We're here to sell ourselves and the thing is it doesn't cost you anything. We're free. We're we're people from here in the community and we're here to help and that's what we want to do. So we'd like for you to consider our program as part of your program. Uh we also work with u Lisa Dean with Head Start. I don't know if you know that. redo screens there every year. Uh we've also done the new dimension high school. I don't think it's a public school. It's a chart school, but we char school, but we did about 400 kids there last year. So we uh overall in the unifor which is all four counties, we've done approximately 120 screenings over the last three
024years and we've uh covered about 3,000 kids. And in that time refernished uh and just recently with our uh program of where we've added free glasses uh we furnished approximately 120 glasses since May of 2024 in the community. So we're here we're to help. We want you to use us. Any questions? Well, read my sales pitch there and reach out to us. U we've got some business cards. Can we also give them to you? fine. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Hower and Miss Strictly. >> Yes. And thank you for allowing us to be here and u because we don't, you know, being a nonprofit, which we are, none of us receive anything. uh you know if we get the school system we'll get a big raise of about 3% of nothing. So
025anyway, thank you very much. Have a nice day. >> What are you doing? [Applause] >> All right. >> That'll conclude public comments. Moving on, we have the consent agenda items in front of you. Um, any questions on any of the items? >> Mr. Camp, I believe you had one for 1725. >> Policy 1725. >> Policy 17 1725 is is there's definitions and in the definitions there's one of the is 1725B4. And I realize these are legal these are necessary legal definitions. But um just imagine, you know, not everybody reads these things from start to finish. And just imagine someone from the community um coming and reading that. Get this 175. and uh reading B for consent. And without reading everything else in front of it and behind it and and they just read consent and
026they just whether this is a parent or member of the community just says consent must be informed and freely and affirmatively given through mutual understanding words or actions that indicate a willingness to participate in the sexual activity. And if I was a parent who just read that statement, I would be absolutely freaked. Um, so I think we what I would like to see is just one little addition to that whole paragraph about consent. The point is not that they're cons that um we are um supporting anything like that. What we what I would like to see somewhere is is maybe at the end of that number four a statement that suggests no definitions of sexual activity between minors are meant to imply that sexual activity is ever acceptable in Burke County schools. I'd like to
027take one more look at that before we pass it. >> What about this thing? >> You want to weigh in on that as far as >> Mr. I I would think some of the definition would need to stay in there. Now, I'll wait for some legal advice on this regarding >> policy 4300R when it comes to what type of discipline we're handing out. >> Um, that's where the administrator would look at >> this particular policy in relation to whatever 4300R would relate to, which would would tie and allow our administrators to look at this. was this person as you say um not that things that we want to say but silence or absence of resistance does not imply consent >> right >> so it helps them make informed decisions during discipline >> procedures in 4300R
028council would you >> and Mr. Camp I would agree um with uh what what Dr. Swan is saying is that that the you got to keep in mind this is a punitive sort of a um um it's a disciplinary policy. So it's to help us define what is and isn't acceptable behavior. I I take your point that if just completely in isolation if you read that one sentence it could be taken radically out of context. But I would in my opinion that would be very radically out of context. I mean the whole policy is about what is is punishable as a violation of someone else's rights and and therefore the rights you required to guard as a as a school system. Um I don't know that the sentence that you want to add is wouldn't
029be permissible though. So that's certainly something we could take a look at. I don't think it interferes with the enforcement of title N. I don't want to completely answer off the cuff. So I I do think if you want to hold that for some later consideration and let us just make sure that doesn't run you a foul of anything. But I I certainly agree with you. The intent is not to pass any sort of judgment or or encouragement one way or the other about youthful behavior. It's more to like Dr. Swan says to help determine when it's been in violation of somebody's rights. And so that's why it would be important to say that's this we're not don't consider it consent if it hasn't been positively stated as consenting. >> Right. I think every statement
030on there is fine. I just like to see that added somewhere. >> Certainly not supporting that. >> Brad, do you mind to restate what you're looking at having added one more time? Um, >> just the part that you want added >> that no definition of a sexual activity between minors are meant to imply that sexual activity is ever acceptable in Burke County schools. >> I don't >> I was just going to say I think the statement is fine to add. However, I think it needs to be said that in the context that you're wanting to add it, it has no, in my opinion, it it it carries no weight because all this is doing is defining consent. It is not saying that anyone is ever allowed to have consent in our school, in our school
031system. And if you read the entire section, um, it very definitely tells you what consent is and is not. So, I'm I'm not where the problem is with that. That's my >> the only thing other thing out of administr camp is a thought that we would not state it so much as it's prohibited in the schools because then you got the it could almost sound as though students that engaged in you know peer-to-peer and otherwise ages being um you know of consenting age or at least toward each other. So that's not a statutory situation if you follow me is are in violation of some school policy. I think what you could say is um engage, you know, nothing in herein should be read to incur as an encouragement to sexual activity. Something along those lines
032that says I think what's what you're getting at which is >> we have to say this by law. We have to give these definitions. We are not encouraging anybody to engage in consenting sexual um relations. So we we can work with that. Yes, sir. >> Thank you. These are all interesting. >> Yeah, Madam Chair, since these are all on for second reading, I think the motion you can entertain would be to approve all of them with the exception of policies 1725, 4035, 7236 to hold that over for another reading. >> Very well. You have any other policies or any questions regarding 1725? >> Thank you for updating and making the clarification of the ones that I I had requested last time. Those look good. It's ideal. All right. Hearing nothing else. Do we have a
033motion to approve the consent agenda with the exception of removing 4035 17 or 7236 title 9 sexual harassment prohibited conduct and reporting process. >> Motion by Mr. Johnson. Do we have a second? >> Second by Mr. Camp. Any further discussion? All right. All those in favor indicate by saying I. I. Those opposed, nay. Eyes have it. Consent agenda has passed. All right. We do have a need for close session tonight. So pursuant to the NCGS section 143-318.11 subsection 81 and 6 for the purpose of considering confidential personnel matters as further defined by the North Carolina General Statute 115C-319-321 and pursuant to subsection A3 to receive information protected by the attorney client privilege. Do we have a second? >> Second by Mr. Beck. All those in favor indicate by saying I. >> Those opposed, nay. Eyes
034have it. We are now in close session. >> Audience, we will be moving up to the other the small room. So, you're welcome to stay where you are. session. >> Second. >> Motion by Mrs. Rocket, second by Mr. Johnson. All those in favor indicate by saying I. I. Those opposed, nay. Eyes have it. We are back in open session. Uh, moving on in the agenda, we have the new Eastern Elementary School Commissioners Resolution. Dr. Swan. >> Yes, ma'am. Madam Chair, members of the board, uh, resolution was in your packet for um for your approval. Um I'd be happy to read it for you out loud or um if you'd like to read it, just let me know. I'd ask for approval of the resolution. We had two successful community meetings um last two weeks ago.
035Um felt very positive um of the comments that we had um for the new construction of the school. >> Question. I have a question about the um community meetings. >> Yes. >> Did we record those? And are those available online? I I haven't been able to see them. Am I looking in the wrong place? >> I can answer that. We recorded Hildebrand >> Thursday. Thursday night. Yes. >> Um so, yeah, we we recorded that one and it is available upon request. >> Okay. Because I was going to forward it to someone and I was like, I can't find it. >> Yeah. So, >> who would they request it from? >> They could request it through me. Dr. Edwards, we have it. Um we re we recorded um the architecture design pretty much from start to
036finish on what the new school was going to look like. >> And is there is there a reason that we don't just have it publicly? >> No. >> Just curious. >> If it's the board's pleasure, I would be happy to do have Dr. Edwards put it on the site. It's up to you guys. >> I would like to see it put up We have Reed that wants >> wasn't able to be there. So that's problem. >> Does this need to be a board vote? >> Consensus is to put it up. >> It'll be a problem before we walk out this door. >> All right. Go ahead and put it up. >> Maybe that's no additional um questions or comments. I'll move approval on that um resolution. >> You have a motion to approve by Mr.
037Johnson. You have a second by Mr. Woff. All those in favor indicate by saying I. >> I. >> Those opposed, nay. Eyes have it. The commissioner resolution has been approved. Now we have the architect contract. >> Yes, madam chair. Once again, uh resolution to go under services um with our architect. Um um wait a minute. Yes, architect. I'm sorry. They are in the building with us. Um we've got our architect that so in in here that some things that we had left um was the 6.75 um agreement on the architecture fees. Uh I'm going to that basically this is going to give me a negotiation to try to negotiate that down and I already um had the conversation with the firm that I'm going to try to negotiate it down to a lower rate based
038on some other projects in the west. Um, so not to exceed 6.75 with the firm that we've chosen. >> All right, any questions? >> I Sorry, I have a question. Um, and I can't remember. It might have been on the one before this, so bear with me. I can't find it right now. Um, one of these I read that Superintendent Swan was the only representative for the school, which is fine, but do you have a backup? Like like Do you does somebody else have authority if you are unavailable for some reason? >> I would say default would be >> deputy superintendent. Uh it might be in the county. Let me >> It might be on the one that says draft, whatever that thing is. So the the joint resolution with the county in section three
039talks about appointment of the agent and it names you the board the school board as agent um between the two entities to be the uh to be the overall agent for contracting. You're going to contract contract on behalf of yourself and and the county as with their uh local match of the the needsbased school construction funding. They're a necessary party to the contracts. Um, so that one is more important. I think we can find the exact language you're talking about. >> I just had a momentary concern about >> I'm seeing section two, Miss Rocket, on the resolution for the architect. It says the board chair, superintendent, and the finance officer are hereby authorized to negotiate and enter an agreement for provision of design. Could that be >> what you're referring to? Upon such approval of
040the board, chair, superintendent, finance officer are hereby authorized to approve such design services agreement on behalf of and as the act of the board. >> Okay. Okay. I mean that that that allows for a backup name >> essentially. >> Yes. But I will say too that it's common in these to have so you got to figure out on a larger governmental scale between you and the county who is going to actually be the contracting party. There are places where the county and school board don't heads and sometimes the county insists on being the one who is the the contracting party on everything. Um, you're required by law to be the one who designs the thing. Now, what we can build with the money we have is a is a two-way conversation with your county at
041all times. But, um, you're really a necessary party, especially to this end of things. Um, so I think that's the better way to handle it, and I'm glad you have a good relationship with your county to be able to do that. Um, you always have somebody who is first line, the first contact for for everything. I don't I don't know of anything that and if there is, we can we can talk about it, but there nothing in it is intended to ever hang anything up by saying that we can't get the superintendent, but he's he's your first line of of contact for everything. So, um this won't be any different. >> Thank you. >> And we will be having our first meeting next Tuesday, I believe, Dr. Akre, is that correct? 11 10 o'clock. Our
042design team With that, I make a motion to approve. Do we have a second? >> Second by Mrs. Taylor. All those in favor indicate by saying I. I. Those opposed, nay. Eyes have it. It passes unanimously. C is the new Eastern Elementary School construction manager recommendation. Thank you. Um and I as promised we we said we wanted to push back this meeting from last Monday so that we could have a construction manager at risk name to you guys. So the group that we've we've selected on we had a committee um we interviewed we narrowed it down from roughly 12 to 13 applicants narrowed it down to four very high selective um applicants. Uh this this group is a North Carolina owned company with 47 years of experience over the last year 18 years um they
043have been selected 94 times to complete CMA pro CM projects construction manager at risk projects 29 of the CM public projects were the first time CM CM so we are we'll follow we'll be number 30 for them so they've got a very good track record um recent projects for Burns Avenue Elementary School Grove Park Elementary School in Charlotte Kia Middle School in Winston Salem um and as We were doing some quotes from references. Uh, one of the best CM firms on the market. They have super strong leadership from the top down. Absolutely capable of completing any large-scale project. They will come back years after completing a building and help with any issues or troubleshooting. Highly recommended. Quality and service they brought to the projects was top-notch. Great company to have working on largecale projects and
044highly complimentary leadership in the company. Um, so our our team selected Edifice Construction and that's the name I'd like to take to the board for recommendation >> for our CN. Pardon me. >> How do you spell edifice? >> E D I F I C E. Edifice. >> I make a motion to approve. >> One second. >> Okay. >> I was going to ask Mr. if he had anything that he wanted to add as he was on that committee. I believe >> yeah from the four we interviewed I can tell you the the four we interview is probably has to be some of the best construction companies in the whole southeast United States. And so you know it was hard to narrow it down but we you know we were able to. So anybody who those
045in that top four we had went with would have been great but was able to pretty much unanimously pick edifice. So >> Mr. Beck we have a motion motion to approve second >> one more time. >> second by Mr. Johnson. >> Any further discussion? >> Hearing none. All those in favor indicate by saying I. I. those oppos have it. Um it passes unanimously. Next we have budget amendments with Mr. Lawson. >> Uh yes, my first request is for your consideration and approval as budget amendment 2-10-13-25 as presented in our previous work session. >> All right, I'll make a motion to approve. Do we have a second? >> Second by Mrs. Rocket. All those in favor indicate by saying I. >> I. Those opposed? Nay. Eyes have it. It passes unanimously. >> Thank you. >> Budget
046number 3-10-13-25. I request your consideration and approval as presented at the previous work session. >> Motion to approve. I do have one question. >> What is the athletic equipment? >> It's for Belco athletic washer at Robert El Patton High School. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. We have a motion to approve by Mrs. Rocket. We have a second by Mr. Camp. All those in favor indicate by saying I. I. >> Those opposed? Nay. Eyes have it. Passes unanimously. Mr. Lawson. >> Thank you. All right. Next, we have the personnel board action report with Mr. Recorder. >> Madam Chair, board, you need to be heard. to request your approval of the action report. >> Make a motion to approve. >> Motion by Mrs. Taylor. >> Second by Mr. Beck. Any further discussion? All those in
047favor indicate by saying I. >> Those opposed? Nay. Eyes have it. Personnel board action report passes. >> Next we have the personnel board action addendum. Do we have a motion to adopt? >> Motion by Mr. Johnson. Do we have a second? Second by Mr. Wyoff. Any further discussion? All right. All those in favor indicate by saying I. I. >> Those opposed? Nay. Eyes. Happy. It passes unanimously. Thank you, Mr. Record. We have Chartwell supper meal contract with Mr. Lawson. Yes, ma'am. And I love the fact that it's called supper meal contract. I'm representing Mr. Daniel Wall tonight. Uh, and I request your consideration and approval of the Chartwell supper meal contract as presented by Mr. Wall in our work session. >> Motion to approve. >> Motion by Mrs. Taylor. Do we have a second? Second
048by Mr. Whiteoff. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor indicate by saying I. >> I. Those opposed? Nay. >> Eyes have it. It passes unanimously. Thank you, Mr. Lawson. >> All right. Okay. And the last one is appointing voting delegates for the NCSBA 2025 delegates assembly. >> Yes, madam chair. Once um I get the headcount from our board that is going to attend in which days and I'll find out which day the delegate voting cycle is and then we'll select those four candidates. Oftent times we have three or four board members that can go. So if we have more than more than four then we'll kind of take it to a vote at one of our upcoming meetings on who wants to be the delegate. four we can have since we have a
049seven panel board we can send four delegates and it's a it's a they meet for two hours during that conference miss Taylor if you'd like to elaborate you've been part of that >> uh normally we'll get an agenda prior and those are just agenda items that school board are looking to um take the general assembly anything from school calendar to vouchers to you know a lot of different topics >> and it's usually on the second day of the conference. So >> it's usually Yeah. that either that first evening or the second day. >> Yeah. So it'd be on the the 13th Thursday. >> Yeah. >> So if you once again if you'll let Miss Pam know whether you can attend that conference or not, then that'll allow me to determine the names. So, being that
050we aren't appointing anyone tonight, do we go ahead and just strike this from the do we need a vote on anything? If so, we can hold off on that. >> So, are we okay board with moving this to a future agenda? >> Okay, sweet. >> Awesome. >> Does that need to be a motion? >> I mean, what's Pam? What's the deadline on knowing what? >> It's Yeah, it's just a deadline. Hold on just a second. >> I don't think it's We're not under the same crunch of a nomination that we were last time. >> There's no objection, Madam Chair, if you've gotten notice if you have enough willing volunteers. But if you do, I think the chair can typically just name the delegates. >> But being that we're moving it to a future meeting, do
051we need to make a motion to do so? To move it to a future meeting? >> Yes. I think the most appropriate thing would be to table it till that next meeting because you're >> or once again if we get only four represented from the board to go those will be our four delegates. So we'll just need to determine for Miss Pam we'll send out a deadline on give us a day when we need names for the board for the school board conference. Um and then >> and if that were to happen you could ratify it at your next meeting >> the 29th of October. Okay. So, if you'll get us the names by the 27th. Is that a hold on so? Okay. Can I ask a question? So, we can kill two birds with
052one stone. Can we go ahead and see who's interested tonight and then also identify potential uh alternatives? alternates. Alternates >> so >> it's getting late. Um so that we can go ahead and approve those tonight and then if someone who is a delegate can't make it that al alternate it's getting late can move >> up. Can we do that? Are you guys good with that? >> I like it. We do have a board meeting or a work session on the 27th of October. So we could if you like your I like your way. >> All right. Do we have anyone interested in being a delegate for the 2025 uh NCSBA annual conference? >> I've signed up for the conference. >> I've signed up to be there. >> All right. So, we got four right there.
053Is that that is four. We have Mr. Beck. We have Mrs. Taylor. We have Mr. Johnson. We have Mrs. Rocket, Mr. Kemp, Mr. Wyoff. Are you guys okay with being alternative? Alternates? It's late. >> They could be alternatives. >> We're going to be alternates. >> I'm holding on to the word. All right. So, are you okay with being the alternate? >> All right. And I am as well. So, we have Mr. Beck, Mrs. Taylor, Mr. Johnson, and Mrs. Rocket as the delegates. Mr. Camp, Mr. Wyoff, Mrs. Beler as the alternates. Do we want to make a motion on that? I make a motion that that is our slate. Do we have a second? Second by Mr. Wyoff. All those in favor by saying I. I. Those opposed, nay. Eyes have it. >> Passes unanimous. Perfect.
054>> All right. Do we have a motion to adjourn? >> Wait. >> Oh, not yet. >> I I have something that's really short that I just want to ask and I wanted to ask it publicly. Um because I feel like it's really important that we that that people understand that we do talk about things other, you know, whatever. Um I know we're all really pumped about our pen and paper resolution and there's lots and lots and lots of interest in it across the entire country with school boards. So, I'm I'm curious to know how the rest of the board feels about maybe some kind of not an update, but some kind of of um information to show us how our especially our K through2 classes are using that resolution to pull their their students away
055from the screen and the headphones as much as they were so that we can under I mean across the whole district, but especially especially the little ones um not for judgment reasons or for just just to understand how people have gra have have taken hold of it and have been inspired by it. um it could be a collaborative you know some ideas that's not shared you know they can share >> absolutely and I would I would love to see that if the rest of the board is interested in that I'd love to see a presentation on that >> something we could do by the end of the semester possibly >> yeah because we have the end of semester coming up I believe I got the email from teachers >> December in nine weeks but the
056end of >> yeah um so I know we did discuss that because I know that there are a lot of critics out there um just going to call the elephant out that this is just for show Um, so we have discussed having statistics and information pulled as far as uh, and Dr. Swan, Dr. Oden, please correct me if I misspeak. Um, com comparing where we were last year to where we are this year. Um, and we have through media um, received feedback that I think is out there from teachers who are actually using this in elementary schools and how they have seen improvement. Believe teacher said last year without it students weren't able to write sentences. No, students were barely able to write words and now they're seeing them be able to put sentences together.
057So, I think that's something that we are able to and I think we were planning on presenting that information as a update as well. >> That is correct. Madam Chairman, I'm actually doing a podcast tomorrow with a group. It's called a group that's doing some research on this very thing across the country. So, I'll be doing a with them tomorrow at 3 o'clock. Uh, and trying to find it. Miss Shuffler. Yeah, the link was just sent out today on our Burke County website. Spectrum did a a story on Burke County Public Schools and they released it today um about those two teachers that they interviewed and the success that they're seeing in such an early stage right now. Um and then some of the things that we're doing at the district level of course redesign
058our we have a district walkthrough that all of our administrators have on their phones that collects antidotal data on what students are doing what's the teacher doing uh was is technology being used appropriately uh during that. So as that all of that data goes in into a Google sheet and they can see their their graphs on what they're seeing. I don't know that we'll have enough of that right now because we're redesigning that right now. >> Again, and I'm not really looking to point fingers, but I'm looking more to um and especially like Miss Taylor said, maybe it could be a collaborative thing that that other other teachers or other school system schools look at and say, "Oh, that's a great idea." I just feel like when we when we initially passed it, um there
059was so much energy behind it, some good, some some negative, some positive, but there was so much energy behind it and we we kind of kept that ball rolling for a while, but we don't I think it's something we don't want to drop. We want our we want our parents and our and and our our staff to understand that it really is we really see them and we really understand um the problems you know that technology can cause. So I I would love to see that if we could do that. So great. >> Absolutely. We'll have that on. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> Okay. Now you can continue. >> All right. We have a motion to adjourn. Motion by motion by Mr. Johnson, second by Mr. Wyoff. All those in favor indicate by saying I.
060I. Those opposed? Nay. Eyes have it. The meeting is adjourned. Thank you everyone. >> Thank you.