Board of Education - February 10, 2026

001I'M SORRY. GOOD EVENING. AND THANK YOU ALL AGAIN FOR COMING OUT. I WILL CALL ON BOARD MEMBER WELBORN TO DO THE PLEDGE. WOULD YOU ALL PLEASE STAND. [PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]. BEFORE WE GET STARTED. WE WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT BOARD MEMBER NAPPER IS ON THE CALL. NOW WE HAVE RECOGNITION FOR EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH. WE BEGIN TONIGHT BY RECOGNIZING FEBRUARY EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH, WHERE DR. MARSHA GEORGE TATUM, PLEASE COME TO THE PODIUM AT THIS TIME. MARSHA IS RECOGNIZED AS EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH FOR HER WORK WITH STUDENTS AT THE JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER. SHE WAS NOMINATED BY A FELLOW TEACHER, LORETTA HAYES WHO SAID MARSHA DEMONSTRATED EXCEPTIONAL EXCELLENCE IN HER WORK WITH INCARCERATED YOUTH. SHE GOES FAR BEYOND THE COLLEGE YEARS AND INVESTING HER TIME AND PERSONAL RESOURCES TO INSURE ALL OF THE STUDENTS FEEL

002VALUED AND SUPPORTED. SHE IS DEEPLY COMMITTED TO LITERACY AND CONTINUES WITH NEW RESOURCES OR USING HER OWN MONEY TO KEEP THE LIBRARY FILLED WITH EXCITING RELEVANT BOOKS THAT INSPIRE ALL STUDENTS TO READ AND IMAGINE AND WRITE SPEECHES. HER IMPACT AS YOUNG ACADEMICS. SHE'S A JOY TO WORK WITH. ALL POSITIVE. PROFESSIONAL. AND SUPPORTED TO BOTH STUDENTS AND COLLEAGUES. SHE ENCOURAGES STUDENTS DAILY AND CELEBRATES THEIR SUCCESSES AND SHOWS GENUINE CARE THROUGH HER SMALLER GESTURES THAT BRING HOPE AND CONFIDENCE. WITH YOU BRING ENCOURAGEMENT TO A POPULATION THAT RECEIVES IT MOST. SHE RECEIVED A 50 DOLLAR GIFT CARD COURTESY OF GREENSBORO DURING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY. HER PHOTO WILL BE DISPLAYED AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE AT PRUETTE'S SCALE ACADEMY AND ALSO AT THE JC'S OFFICE. AT THIS TIME I LIKE IT CALL ON BOARD MEMBER CRISSY PLATTE TO READ

003ALOUD THE CERTIFICATES HONORING MARSHA. I LIKE TO READ ONE OF THESE BECAUSE THEY STRUCK ME. SHE PERFORMS AND ELEVATES HER ROLE, BRINGING HOPE, DIGNITY AND ENCOURAGE TO A POPULATION THAT NEEDS IT MOST. THAT'S SO BEAUTIFUL TO MY HEART. WE'RE SO BLESSED TO HAVE PEOPLE LIKE YOU WORKING WITH OUR KIDS AND -- IT IS -- IT IS SO IMPORTANT. YEAR SO GRATEFUL TO BE ABLE TO HONOR YOU TONIGHT WITH THIS CERTIFICATE. YOUR CERTIFICATE SAYS GUILFORD COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNIZE PRESENTED TO MARSHA TATUM, CURRENT EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH, SPONSORED BY THE GREENSBORO JANUARY 2026 SIGNED BY MONTH DR. OAKLEY AND OUR CHAIR WOMAN DEENA HAYES GREENE AND I'LL BRING THIS DOWN TO YOU. [APPLAUSE]. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU SO MUH. WE WON'T LET YOU OFF THE HOOK

004LET. A FEW WORDS. FIRST I LIKE TO THANK THE LORD BECAUSE NONE OF THIS WOULD BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT HIM. I'M TRULY HONORED AND GRATEFUL TO BE CHOSEN AS GUILFORD COUNTY'S EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH. THIS MEANS THE WORLD TO ME. I'M VERY THANKFUL TO MY FAMILY AND MY FRIEND FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT AND THEIR CONSTANT LOVE AND PATIENCE AND SUPPORT. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK MS. L MS. MS. LORETTA HAYES FOR NOMINATING ME. I LIKE TO THANK OR OTHER LEADER FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP. I WANT TO THANK THE TEAM FOR THEIR DAILY SUPPORT. I WANT TO THANK YOU TO DR. OAKLEY AND MR. MARSHAL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE STUDENTS PLACED AT THE GUILFORD COUNTY JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER. THE WORK WE DO HERE TRULY MATTERS. I'M THANKFUL TO BE A PART OF THE TEAM AND

005COMMITTED TO MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OUR STUDENTS. AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL FOR THIS HONOR. I'M GRATEFUL. I'M HUMBLED AND I'M PROUD. THANK YOU AGAIN. [APPLAUSE]. [CHEERING]. >> WE LIKE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, YOUR SCHOOL FAMILY, YOUR FRIENDS TO COME UP FOR A SALUTE, PLEASE. AGAIN. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. NOW WE HAVE THE VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH. NOW WE'LL RECOGNIZE THAT FEBRUARY VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH, MS. TALLON DILLON, PLEASE COME FORWARD TO THE PODIUM. [APPLAUSE]. SHE VOLUNTEERED JOURNEY AGAIN, MORE THAN 12 YEARS AGO AT A [INDISCERNIBLE] GREENE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WHEN HER GRANDISON ENTERED KINDERGARTEN. IT IS ALWAYS GOOD TO START AT KINDERGARTEN AND YOU HAVE MORE YEARS TO COE. FAMILY SUPPORT BECAME A LASTING COMMITMENT TO THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY AND BROADER SCHOOL COMMUNITY. THEY CONSISTENT SUPPORTED THE LIBRARY BY ORGANIZING SCALES AND

006BOOKS FOR CIRCULATION AND STAFF AND STUDENTS WITH CARE AND RELIABILITY. HER GENEROUSNESS HAS A TAP PESTY THAT ENCOMPASSES THE ENTIRE SCHOOL COMMUNITY. EVERYONE SAYS SHE'S A STEADY PRESENCE COVERED BY KINDNESS AND WARMth. AT 81 YEARS YOUNG, MS. DILLON EMBODIES THE -- THE VERY ESSENCE OF DEVOTION AND TO THE STUDENTS AND CHILDREN AND STAFF AS THOSE AT THE SCHOOLS SAYS SUSAN COLLINS AND GREENE ELEMENTARY WHO NOMINATED MS. DILLON AS VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH. SHE WAS PRESENTED A 50 DOLLAR GIFT CARD FROM TOYOTA OF GREENSBORO AND HER PHOTO WAS DISPLAYED AT THE CENTRAL OFFICE OF TOYOTA OF GREENSBORO AND GREENE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE FOR BOARD MEMBER DAVID COATES TO PRESENT MS. DILLON WITH A CERTIFICATE OF RESIGNATION -- RECOGNITION ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD. >> IT IS TREMENDOUS YOU'RE GETTING THIS. I

007THINK IT IS WONDERFUL. LITERACY IS -- IF YOU'RE IN THE LITERAL, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A TOUGH TIME IN THIS LIFE. YOU'RE THERE WORKING IN THE MEDIA CENTER WORKING OUT AND HELPING OUT AND ENCOURAGING CHILDREN. IT IS REALLY WONDERFUL. I'M HONORED TO BE ABLE IT READ THIS FOR YOU. GUILFORD COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION, THE CERTIFICATE IS PROUDLY PRESENTED TO CAROLYN DILLON, FEBRUARY 26, VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH. RECOGNITION OF YOUR OUTSTANDING DEDICATION, GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF TIME AND TALENT AND UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO THE GENERAL GREENE COMMUNITY. THAT'S SIGNED BY DR. OAKLEY AND BY OUR CHAIR DEENA HAYES. CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE]. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I APPRECIATE THEM RECOMMENDING ME. I'M A GRATEFUL DANGER, AS MY SHIRT SAYS. I PASSED DOWN THIS LEGACY. MY FATHER WAS ONE OF THE CENTRAL TENETS. MY MOTHER WAS A

008TEACHER. I GUESS THE APPLE DIDN'T FALL FAR FROM THE TREE. SO -- SO AS A WONDERFUL STAFF AT GREENE AND I LOVE THE KIDS. BEEN WITH THEM SINCE THEY WERE TINY. AND I PASSED ALL OF THE WAY THROUGH, SO I THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS RECOGNITION AND FOR MY FAMILY WHO IS HERE WITH ME. MY SON AND GRANDSON AND MY FRIENDS. MY FATHER WOULD BE SO PROUD OF ME BECAUSE, THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]. OKAY P OKAY. CONGRATULATIONS. HEY. AGAIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH. TONIGHT WE WILL HONOR STUDENTS AND STAFF MEMBERS WHO ACHIEVE STATE STATUS IN THEIR SPORTS, INCLUDING THE FOOTBALL TEAM. AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK -- LIKE TO ASK DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS AND DRIVER EDUCATION, LEE HARDWICK, TO COME TO THE PODIUM TO SHARE MORE ABOUT THIS TEAM. GOOD EVENING, BOARD

009MEMBERS, SUPERINTENDENT AND JEFF. TONIGHT WE HAVE THE DISTINCT HONOR OF CELEBRATING A STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE THAT HAS BEEN THE HALLMARK OF ATHLETICS. WE CAPPED YOU HAVE A PERFECT 15-0 SEASON BY DEFEATING CLAY DID NOT AND SECURE THE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION SEVEN EIGHT STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. THE SEVENTH EVER FOR THOSE THAT FOLLOW SPORTS. THIS TEAM DEMONSTRATED REMARKABLE RESILIENCE TO DEFEND THEIR TITLE AND REPAYING THE TONE. THE COACH SAID, THEY FIND A WAY IT WIN. THIS THIRD STATE TITLE THE HISTORIC RUN THAT SUPPORTS IT AS A PREMIER PROGRAM IN NORTH CAROLINA. IT WAS BEYOND NORTH CAROLINA AND IS A TRUE NATIONAL POWER HOUSE EARNING A NATIONAL RANKING IN THE EXCELLENT 25. BEYOND THE SCORES THESE YOUNG MEN HAVE REPRESENTED THEIR SCHOOL WITH CHARACTER AND DISCIPLINE AND UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF HEAD COACH DARYL BROWN THEY DEMONSTRATED THAT SUCCESS AND

010BUILT ON FOUNDATION OF DISCIPLINE AND TEAMWORK. WE LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THEM BY RISING STARS AND LEADERS. WE TAKE A FEW MOMENTS TO RECOGNIZE THE TEAM. AND PLEASE HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE. TEAM PLAYERS LISTEN FOR YOUR NAMES. WE HAVE SEVERAL THESE TEAM MEMBERS THAT -- THE SENIORS CHECKED OUT AND THEY'RE AT COLLEGE. THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO BE WITH US. WE'LL BEGIN WITH THE CLASS OF 2029. RODY LOWE. JORDAN DAVIS. JAMARIS TELLUM AND ABROAR LUBEKHAR. ALEX KUPER, PARRING STROUD, KYLE SHMATE AND JASON STATEN, AND PARKER AND CROUCH, AND SABAN DUANEth AND CANADA AND BRADEN HILL AND JAMARY SMITH AND LONDON ZIL ZILLK, JOSH, LUKE ALEXANDER, GUY VAN AND SHAW. NEXT ARE JUNIORS, THE CLASS OF 2027. McKII YOUNG, McKII WAS NAMED THE DEFENSIVE MVP OF THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME FOR HIS GAME CHANGING 40 YARD 66. JOINING US

011ARER EVANDER DAVIS AD ANDRUW ROGERS AND MONSANTO AND McCLOUGHLIN AND ETHAN CALDWELL AND AMARE WATSON AND TAM RAN ROUGH AND AIDEN RODGERS, JAMARIAN LITTLE AND JULIAN CAMPOS MARQUES. AND MILTON, RIVER HAGER AND CRAWFORD AND D.J. PAGE. THEN WE RECOGNIZE THE SENIORS, CLASS OF 2026. AS I CALL YOUR NAME, WE CELEBRATE YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS AND PLANS. BRANDON, NAMED THE OVERALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP MVP AND IS ATTENDING UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE. MICHAEL WILLIAMS WAS NAMED OFFENSIVE MVP AFTER 101 YARD RUSHING PERFORMANCE, HE PLANS TO ATTEND BRIDGEWATER COLLEGE. AND NEIL JOHNSON, RECOGNIZED THE SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD MEMBERSHIP AND WILL PLAY FOOTBALL. AND ATTENDING UNC CHART, PLAYS FOOTBALL. AND BARNES UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA TO PLAY FOOTBALL. D.J. HOWARDSON ATTENDING RUTGERS. HE'LL PLAY FOOTBALL. JASON BROWN ATTENDING UNC CHART OR EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY. NICK KASHA BARA APPALACHIAN STATE AND WILL PLAY FOOTBALL. AND

012DREW SURL WILL ALSO PLAY FOOTBALL AND BATTLE TO MAY FOOTBALL. CARTER, ATTENDING STATE TO PLAY FOOTBALL. AND HUDSON COOPER ATTENDING [INDISCERNIBLE] TO PLAY FOOTBALL. MICHAEL MILLER, ATTENDING SOUTH CAROLINA STATE AND WILL PLAY FOOTBALL. JACKSON SAMMONS WILL PLAY FOOTBALL. I'M NOT DONE YET BUT THAT'S A LOT GOING TO COLLEGE TO PLAY FOOTBALL. THE REST ARE SEEKING COLLEGE EDUCATION BUT HAVE NO FIRM PLANS. NICHOLAS DANIEL. AND CASTILLO BOSS TICK AND LANGSTON GRACE AND HASAN AND GUNNAL AND TYLER PER SELL AND O'BRIEN FORD. FINALLY, WE RECOGNIZE THE STAFF THAT LED THIS TEAM IT A PERFECT SEASON. I'M NOT SURE HOW MANY ARE HERE. DAYTON AND ASSISTANT COACHES AND JESSE TRIP AND THADDEUS WRIGHT AND CUNNINGHAM AND LEE MEAKINS AND WADEN AND TOBY WILLIAMS AND JASON BRAD I HAD -- BRADLEY AND EARL BROWN. HE'S WATCHING HIS SON PLAY

013BASKETBALL. AS CAN SOMETIMES BE HEARD IN THE STADIUM AND ECHOING IN THE HALLS HERE'S THE [INDISCERNIBLE]. JOIN THEM TONIGHT, PRINCIPAL O'DONNELL AND EVAN AND JOIN ME IN A ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO CELEBRATE A HISTORIC CHAPTER FOR LINDSEY HIGH SCHOOL. MANSLAUGHTER PLZ.. OKAY P OKA OKAY. ON BEHALF OF ALL OF US AT GRIMSLEY HIGH SCHOOL, WE WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS AND THE SCHOOL BOARD FOR YOUR SUPPORT. AS YOU CAN SEE SPORTS HAS A HUGE ROLE TO PLAY KEEPING STUDENTS IN SCHOOL AND ALLOWING THEM TO FULFILL THEIR DREAMS. WE COULDN'T DO THIS WITHOUT SUPPORT FROM CENTRAL OFFICE AND THE SUPPORT FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT AND WITHOUT SUPPORT WE SEE FROM OUR BOARD MEMBERS. WE TAKE IT VERY SERIOUSLY THAT WE REPRESENT GREENSBORO. WE'RE NOT JUST GRIMSLEY, WE'RE GREENSBORO AS WELL. WE TAKE

014IT SERIOUSLY. HOPEFULLY YOU CELEBRATE WHAT WE CELEBRATE TOGETHER. THANK YOU. WE HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT. WE HAVE TWO MINUTES TO SPEAK. PLEASE REFRAIN FROM MENTIONING STUDENTS NAME AND STAFF. STUDENTS ARE HERE IT ADDRESS CONCERNS. IF YOU AGREE WITH THE SPEAKER, WE ASK YOU TO DEMONSTRATE THAT BY WAVING YOUR HAND. FIRST WE HAVE EMILIE FOLLOWED BY MONACO WALTER. >> MY NAME IS ELLEN. I'M A PROUD PARENT OF TWO STUDENTS. I WAS IN SUMMERFIELD, ZIP CODE 72358. WE CAN ALL AGREE THIS LAST MONTH WAS A DOOZY. WHEN THE STORMS TOOK US BACK HOME, FOR MANY FAMILIES, IT WAS A CLEAR REMINDER AND FLASHBACK TO THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC. WE FOUND OURSELVES BALANCING WORK, CHILDCARE AND INTERNET ACCESS AND TRYING TO KEEP KIDS ACADEMICALLY ENGAGED. ONCE AGAIN, I WAS SO GRATEFUL FOR THE CREATIVITY AND COMMITMENT OF TEACHERS

015WHO MADE THE BEST OF A DIFFICULT SITUATION. WE WORRIED ABOUT ACADEMIC LOSS WHICH HELPS ME REMEMBER SOMETHING MORE PERSISTENT. THE DEEPENING EQUITIES THAT CHANGE OUTCOMES FOR STUDENTS LONG BEFORE THEY SET FOOT IN A CLASSROOM. I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT IT HAS TAKEN TO BRING LEVELS BACK TO PREPANDEMIC BENCHMARKS. THAT SHOULD BE CELEBRATED. OVERALL PROGRESS IS NOT THE SAME AS EQUITABLE PROGRESS. RETURNING TO THE STATUS QUO CAN'T BE THE GOAL IF IT PRODUCING PREDICTABLE GAPS BETWEEN RACIAL LINES. GAPS PERSIST. WHEN GAPS ARE THIS CONSISTENT ACROSS YEARS AND SCHOOLS, THAT TELLS US THIS IS NOT ABOUT INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS OR INDIVIDUAL FAMILIES. IT IS HOW WE LOOK AT SYSTEM LEVEL CHALLENGES AND SYSTEM LEVEL SOLUTIONS ARE REQUIRED. THIS IS NOT ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE'S KIDS. WHEN CHILDREN OF COLOR ARE SUPPORTED, SCHOOLS ARE STRONGER AND OUTCOMES IMPROVE FOR EVERYONE.

016A RISING TIDE LIFTS ALL KIDS. MY CHILDREN'S SUCCESS IS DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO THE SUCCESS OF THEIR BLACK AND BROWN PEERS. THAT'S ADDRESSING THE GAPS AS THEY PERSIST IS A RESPONSIBILITY WE ALL FAIR AND NOT SOMETHING WE CAN AFFORD TO NORMALIZE OR EXPLAIN AWAY. I THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU'VE DONE TO PRIORITIZE CLOSING THESE GAPS. I'M ASKING YOU TO KEEP PUSHING. LOOK HONESTLY AND CRITICALLY AT WHAT IS WORKING AND WHAT IS NOT AND WERE GREATER URGENCY IS NEEDED. RACIAL ACHIEVEMENT GAPS MUST BE MEASURABLE AND NOT STATED PRIORITY. I'LL BORROW WORDS FROM JAMES BALDWIN. THE CHILDREN ARE ALWAYS OURS, EVERY SINGLE ONE, ALL OVER THE GLOBE. I'M TRULY BEGINNING TO SUSPECT WHOEVER IS INCAPABLE OF RECOGNIZING THIS MAY BE INCAPABLE OF MORALITY. THANK YOU. I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHICH PAIR OF GLASSES TO PUT ON. SENATOR

017OAKLEY AND THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. I'M MONICA WALKER AND LIVE IN DISTRICT TWO. ON SUNDAY THROUGH THE AUSPICES OF THE BELOVED COMMUNITY CENTER I HAD THE PLEASURE OF ARE NOTING MY GRANDDAUGHTER ALONG WITH OTHERS AND HIGHLIGHT STUDENTS STAGE A MOCK TRIAL WHERE THEY PLACE THE NORTH CAROLINA COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC INSTRUCTION ON TRIAL. THE STUDENTS WERE ATTORNEYS, JUDGES, RESOURCE OFFICERS AND TEACHERS AND STUDENTS. IT WAS POWERFUL TO OBSERVE THE DEPTH OF WORK AND CRITICAL THINKING THAT THESE CHILDREN BROUGHT TO DESPAI II EDUCATION AND PROGRAMMING AND FUNDING AND TREATMENT AND SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS OF COLOR. THROUGH TESTIMONY AND ARGUMENT, THEY MADE CLEAR THESE INEQUITIES ARE NOT RANDOM. THEY'RE THE PREDICTABLE OUTCOME OF POLICIES, PRACTICES AND SYSTEMS THAT HAVE LONG DISTRIBUTED OPPORTUNITIES UNEVENLY ALONG RACIAL LINES. THEY ALSO EXAMINE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN STUDENTS OF COLOR ENCOUNTER ENVIRONMENTS

018THAT ARE UNFAMILIAR AND ISOLATING AND UNWELCOMING, REVEALING NEW FORMS OF INEQUITY RATHER THAN RELIEF FROM IT. I WAS CAPTIVATED BY THE DEPTH OF THEIR EVERY DAY EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES. WHILE THEY SPOKE IN LANGUAGE OF ADULTS, WHAT EMERGED PAINFULLY AND UNMISTAKABLY IS REALITY IS NOT LOST ON THEM. THEY'RE READING IT AND WRITING IT AND LIVING IT. THEIR ANALYSIS MADE CLEAR THAT STUDENTS ARE NOT MERELY IMPACTED BY UNFAIR SYSTEMS, THEY'RE KEEN OBSERVERS OF THEM. THEY SEE HOW THEY ARE TREATED AND SUPPORTED. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE PLAINTIFF WON HER CASE. YET, WHAT WAS MOST SOBERING IS THIS WAS A STAGED PRESENTATION, ONE THAT REFLECTS WHAT THESE YOUNG PEOPLE ALREADY UNDERSTAND ABOUT OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM AND THEIR PLACE WITHIN IT. I LET THE EXPERIENCE -- THE EXPERIENCE REALIZING HOW MUCH WE OWE OUR CHILDREN, THE CHILDREN OF THIS DISTRICT AND

019EVERY DISTRICT ACROSS THE STATE AND COUNTRY. TONIGHT I AM INVITING US TO STEP UP OUR EFFORTS AND MOVE BEYOND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TOWARD ACCOUNTABILITY, REPAIR AND ACTION THAT TRULY CENTERS RACIAL EQUITY, ALWAYS REMEMBERING THAT THE CHILDREN ARE WATCHING. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. THIS CONCLUDES THE PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION AND WE THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NOW WE WILL HAVE A -- AN AMENDMENT TO THE AGENDA. I MOVE TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. >> SECOND. >> ANY OPPOSITION? OKAY. YOU APPROVE. NOW WE'LL HAVE -- DR. OAKLEY. WE HAD A SECOND. SINGLE VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR. AYE. ANYBODY OPPOSED? >> I'LL ABSTAIN. >> THANK YOU. THERE'S SEVEN IN FAVOR AND ONE ABSTAIN. OKAY. NOW READY FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA, DR. OAKLEY. THANK YOU. VICE MEMBER. THIS EVENING'S CONSENT AGENDA INCLUDES FOLLOWING ITEMS AND MEETING MINUTES AND PERSONAL ACTION REPORT AND 25-26

020BUDGET AMENDMENT AND TRANSPORT SUPPORT FOR DISCONTINUATION OF RESIGNATION AND THEN CONTRACT INCORPORATED FOR THE SOUTHEAST GUILFORD HIGH SCHOOL SIGNATURE CAREER AND RENOVATION PROJECT AND EARLY TWO FOR THE SITE DEVELOPMENT TRADE THREES AND BAR AND BAR AND THE MONTESSORI ELEMENT PEACEFUL PROJECT. THE GREENSBORO ACQUISITION OF TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION AND EASEMENT AND PERMANENT UTILITY EASEMENT AT 407 AND 425 PRESCOTT STREET AND DISPOSAL OF SURPLUS IPADS. THIS APPEARS IN CONSIDERATION. >> MOVE THE ITEM. >> SECOND. >> PROPERLY MOVED AND SECONDED. TO MOVE THE ITEM. READY FOR A VOTE? >> YES. YES YES. >> YES. NAPA? >> YES? OKAY. 8-0. IN FAVOR. GOOD EVENING, WELCOME AGAIN. THIS WEEK IT IS THE BEST WEEK. WE WANT TO THANK OUR BUS DRIVERS AND MECHANICS AND TRANSPORTATION SUPERVISORS FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO SERVICES. BUS DRIVERS BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH STUDENTS AND TRAVEL MORE THAN

02144,000 MILES PER DAY. WE'RE GRATEFUL TO YOU. I WOULD ALSO ADD THAT OUR BUS DRIVERS ARE THE FIRST PERSON THAT OUR STUDENTS SEE WHEN THEY'RE ON THEIR WAY TO SCHOOL. WHEN THEY SEE THAT SMILING FACE ON THAT BUS, THAT REALLY STARTS THEIR DAY OFF RIGHT. THEY'RE THE LAST FACE WHEN THEY GET OFF THE BUS, OF COURSE. AND THERE'S A SECOND CHANCE. OPEN FOR FAMILIES INTERESTED IN APPLYING TO ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL, WITH THEIR DOUBLE SEATS FOR THE 2026, THROUGH 27 SCHOOL YEAR. VISIT WWW.GCSNC.COM. IT IS ALMOST -- IT IS ALSO A GREAT TIME OF THE YEAR TO BID YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS AND -- AND EXPLORE THE MANY, MANY, MANY OPPORTUNITIES THAT THEY CAN OFFER OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES. FOR THE DAY IS COMING SOON. IT WILL HOST THIS ANNUAL EVENT ON WEDNESDAY MARCH 4th. LEARN

022MORE AND REGISTER AT SHIFT E ED.org/EVENT. THANK YOU. THIS CONCLUDES MY REMARKS. >> GOOD EVENING, IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS, WE EXPERIENCED MORE THAN OUR FAIR OF WINTER WEATHER. THANK YOU TO OPERATIONS AND CUSTODIAL AND TRANSPORTATION STAFF TO WORK THE ENTIRE TIME THAT WE WERE SAFE FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF TO RETURN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I WANT TO THANK YOU TO TEACHERS AND EDUCATORS AND SCHOOL LEADERS TO KEEP STUDENTS ENGAGED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND TO PARENTS THAT SUPPORT INSTRUCTION AT HOME. HERE'S PHOTOS WITH US ABOUT HOW IT WAS GOING. WE KNOW REMOTE LEARNING MAY NEVER BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR IN PERSON INSTRUCTION. WE ALSO SUBMITTED A REQUEST TO THE STATE TO ALLOW ALL REMOTE DAYS TO COUNT TOWARD INSTRUCTIONAL HOURS. IF THAT REQUEST IS DENIED WE CAN USE REMAINING ADDITIONAL HOURS IN OUR CALENDARS

023SPECIFICALLY FOR THAT PURPOSE. WE'RE PROUD OF OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES FOR CONTINUING TO ENGAGE IN LEARNING DURING THIS STORM. KINDERGARTEN IS OPEN IF YOUR CHILD IS FIVE YEARS OLD, WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN OUR FAMILY. LATER THIS MONTH, FUTURE KINDER GARTNERS AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE INVITED FOR A FREE EVENT TO HELP PREPARE IN AUGUST. AND WITH PARTNERSHIP, THE BRENER'S CHILDREN MUSEUM WILL HOST DISCOVER KINDERGARTEN LOCATED AT NORTH FIRST STREET FROM 11 P.M. TO 3 P.M. AND KIDS WILL ENJOY ACTIVITIES AND INTERACTIVE CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE AND ASK TEACHERS QUESTIONS WHILE ACCESSING RESOURCES. A SIMILAR EVENT IS ALSO GOING TO TAKE PLCE AT THE GREENSBORO MUSEUM. NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING WEEK WAS LAST WEEK. WE WANT IT THANK OUR COUNSELORS FOR ALL THEY DO TO SUPPORT STUDENTS' SUCCESS. THEIR EFFORTS TO HELP STUDENTS PLAN FOR THE FUTURE AND TAKE

024ADVANTAGE OF ALL OF GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS HAVE TO OFFER. THEY'RE KEY TO REGISTRATION PROCESS WHICH IS TAKING PLACE NOW AND FEBRUARY AND MARCH. STUDENTS START WITH THESE COURSES AND KEEP THEM ON TRACK FOR GOALS. GO TO OUR WEBSITE AND CLICK ON TOOLS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL. AND BETTER TOGETHER PLAN HOW WE SUPPORT STUDENTS AND FAMILIES OVER THE NEXT THREE TO FIVE YEARS. WE'RE CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF UPDATING THAT PLAN THERE YEAR. WE WANT TO INCLUDE YOUR WEBSITE AND WE WANT YOU TO SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE SURVEY BY FRIDAY FEBRUARY 31st. IT WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE HOME PAGE LATER THIS WEEK. THE NEW AND IMPROVED APP IS NOW AVAILABLE. SEARCH FOR GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS IN THE APP STORE OR IN THE GOOGLE PLAY STORE TO INSTALL THE FREE APP THAT WILL

025LET YOU FOLLOW SCHOOLS AND ADD CALENDAR ITEMS AND GET THE LATEST NEWS AND INFORMATION. THANK YOU AND THAT CONCLUDES MY REMARKS. AT THIS TIME I'M GOING TO WELCOME MR. TYLER BECK. HE'S GOING TO INTRODUCE OR GUESTS AND LEAD THE 24-25 FINANCIAL REPORT. JUST A REMINDER TO BOARD -pRETREAT WHERE WE HAVE OUR JOI BUDGET PRESENTATION WITH THE COUNTY. ON THE REPORT TONIGHT. BUDGET PRESENTATION WITH THE COUNTY AT THE RETREAT A LITTLE LATER THIS MONTH. WELCOME. >> GOOD EVENING. I'LL TAKE THE MOMENT TO INTRODUCE THEM. REPRESENTATIVES FROM -- FROM [INDISCERNIBLE]. ALSO WANT TO ADD AN APPRECIATION TO -- TO STAFF, THE WHOLE DISTRICT BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THE FINANCE TEAM, YOU KNOW KIND OF TAKES OWNERSHIP OF IT. IT TAKES A COLLABORATION ACROSS THE BOARD, AS WELL AS OWNERSHIP FROM THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, SO APPRECIATE THAT. AND THE

026FISCAL MANAGEMENT. PRETTY SURE YOU'LL BE HAPPY WITH THE RESULTS OF THIS YEAR'S AUDIT. AS I TRANSITION TO THAT, I TRANSITION TO APRILLE BELL WHO IS ON IT AND THEN WALK THROUGH IT AND ANSWER QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE. >> SORRY. >> IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL AGAIN THIS EVENING. WE'RE HAPPY TO -- TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPORT THE RESULTS OF YOUR FISCAL YEAR 25 AUDIT. I AM HAPPY TO TELL YOU THAT -- THAT WE -- THAT WE UPLOADED THE COPY OF THE FINAL REPORT TO THE STATE TODAY, I BELIEVE. AND AS SOON AS WE GET THEIR APPROVAL WHICH COMES IN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO, WE'LL BE ABLE TO -- TO ISSUE THE FINAL REPORT. YOU DO HAVE A DRAFT COPY OFTHE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENT. WE CERTAINLY DON'T ANTICIPATE ANY -- ANY

027CHANGES FROM THE STATE. BUT WE WILL STEER THOSE FINAL REPORTS AS SOON AS THEIR AVAILABLE FROM THE STATE. WE ALSO WILL ISSUE A REPORT TO THE BOARD THAT WILL COME WITH THAT FINAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT WHEN IT IS RELEASED AND WHAT WE'VE DONE TONIGHT -- THIS AFTERNOON, IS PREPARE A -- A POWERPOINT PRESENTATION THAT WE WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU TO -- TO SHARE WITH YOU SOME HISTORICAL INFORMATION AND THE RESULTS OF THE FISCAL YEAR 25 AUDIT. I'M GOING TO PASS IT TO CHAD COOK TO SHARE THE RESULTS OF THE AUDIT. >> THANK YOU, APRILLE. AND DO WE HAVE THE ABLE TO ADVANCE THE SLIDE? ALL RIGHT. WE'VE GOT A FEW DIFFERENT SECTIONS. WE HAVE THE AUDIT REPORTS. THIS IS FOR 2025 FINANCIAL STATEMENT AUDITS. WE HAVE BOARD COMMUNICATIONS WHICH IS REQUIRED COMMUNICATIONS AT THE CONCLUSION

028OF OUR AUDIT. WE ALSO HAVE FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS. SO AS APRILLE MENTIONED WE'LL SHOW YOU COMPARATIVE INFORMATION FROM 2025 LOOKING BACK TO OCTOBER 2024 AND 2023 SO WE CAN SEE TENDS. LASTLY, WE HAVE A FEW STANDARDS. FYI CHANGES THAT WILL COME DOWN THE PIPELINE LATER. MOVING ON TO OUR AUDIT RESULTS. SO THE -- THE BANNER HEADLINE IS WE ISSUE A CLEAN OR MODIFIED OPINION THIS YEAR. THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS WE BELIEVE TO BE FAIRLY PRESENTED AND ON MATERIAL RESPECT WITH THE STANDARDS. AND IN ADDITION TO OUR FINANCIAL STATEMENT AUDITS, WE ALSO HAVE COMPLIANCE PROBLEM AS I MENTIONED. BECAUSE THE BOARD EXPENDS MORE THAN 750,000 DOLLARS IN FEDERAL MONEY EACH YEAR, AS WELL AS 5,000 DOLLARS IN STATE EXPENDITURES, WE'RE REQUIRED TO DO A COMPLIANCE AUDIT OVER MAJOR PROGRAMS. THIS YEAR THE MAJOR FEDERAL PROGRAMS WERE THE CHILD

029NUTRITION CLUSTER AND THE SCHOOL DAYS MENTAL HEALTH GRANT PROGRAM. THOSE ARE THE TWO MAJOR FEDERAL PROGRAMS. HAPPY TO REPORT AS A RESULT OF THOSE COMPLIANCE AUDITS WE HAD NO SIGNINGS WITH THE GRANT PROGRAMS AND ALSO WE HA NO MATERIAL WEAKNESSES OR SIGNIFICANT DECISIONS AND INTERNAL CONTROLS RELATED TO THOSE PROGRAMS AS WELL. MOVING ON TO THE NEXT SLIDE, WE HAD STATE COMP STATE PROGRAMS W STATE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDS AS WELL AS THE STATE APPROPRIATION FOR SCHOOL BUSES AND PROGRAMS. SIMILAR TO THE FEDERAL PROGRAMS, NO MATERIAL INSTANCES OF NONCOMPLIANCE THAT WERE AS A RESULT OF TH AUDITS. NO DEFICIENCIES OR WEAKNESSES RELATED TO THOSE PROGRAMS. CERTAINLY THOSE THERE. AND MOVING ON, BOARD COMMUNICATION. AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, WE HAVE REQUIRED INFORMATION, THEY REQUIRE US TO REPORT CERTAIN THINGS IN OUR AUDITS. AS APRILLE MENTIONED WE WILL HAVE

030THIS WITH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. WE HAVE TO SUMMARIZE WHAT THAT DOCUMENT WILL INCLUDE. WE HAVE MATTERS OF THE REPORT. JUST TO KNOW IN THE AUDIT PROCESS, IF WE CAME ACROSS UNUSUAL POLICIES OR METHODS THERE WAS SENSITIVE DISCLOSURES AND WE HAD DIFFICULTIES WITHMEN AUDIT, WE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPORT THOSE TO YOU ALL. THERE WERE NO MATTERS THAT WE WERE REQUIRED TO REPORT TONIGHT. WHAT WE SEE IS SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES. OUR REQUIRED COMMUNICATION RELATED TO SIGNIFICANT POLICIES, RELATES TO SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES YEAR OVER YEAR. THE ONLY ONE THIS YEAR, STANDARD IMPLEMENTED. AND THIS IS A NEW STANDARD. I'M LOOKING AT THE 24 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. YOU'LL SE DIFFERENCES THERE. THE ONLY SIGNIFICANT IMPACT FOR GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS WAS WE HAVE A LIABILITY INCLUDED WITH CONCENTRATED ABSENCES FOR SICK LEAVE. YOU ALWAYS HADED VACATION TIME ON THE

031BOOKS AS LIABILITY WITH THE CHANGE. WE ALSO GOT COMPLICATED -- WE GOT SICK LEAVE AND COMPLICATED ABSENCES. THAT IMPACT WAS A 1.6 MILLION DOLLAR INCREASE. PREVIOUSLY REPORTED BALANCES OF 2024 IN TERMS OF THAT LIABILITY FOR GOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITIES AND THEN BUSINESS ACTIVITIES AND THE NUTRITION AND SCHOOL CARE WAS 116,000 DOLLARS. IT WAS A LOT OF WORK OUR TEAM HAD TO GO THROUGH AND COME UP WITH THE CALCULATIONS. AND CERTAINLY ESTIMATES THAT GO INTO THAT PROCESS. NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN TEMS OF WHAT WAS REPORTED PREVIOUSLY. AGAIN. NOT AN ERROR. ANOTHER T. A CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING STANDARDS, THIS IS SOMETHING YOU'VE SEEN ACROSS THE ENTIRE STATE. OTHER REQUIRED COMMUNICATIONS. IF WE HAD SIGNIFICANT ISSUES. IF WE HAD ISSUES RELATED TO GOING CONCERN OR -- OR ANYTHING ALONG THOSE LINES, IT WOULD BE A PRODUCT REPORT. I'M HAPPY TO

032REPORT THERE'S NO REPORTABLE MATTERS THERE. SOMETHING ELSE TO POINT OUT, WITHIN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT, INHERENTLY -- WE'RE REQUIRED TO COMMUNICATE WHATE BELIEVE IS MORE SIGNIFICANT ESTIMATES IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT. AND THE FOUR WE IDENTIFIED. THREE ARE CONSISTENT WITH PRIOR YEAR. DEFERRED USEFUL LIVES BUT LIVES OF THE PRESCHOOL ASSETS. ANDND LIABILITIES. THOSE ARE HANDED DOWN TO THE BOARD FROM THE ACTUARIES THAT THE STATE PROVIDES. THOSE NUMBERS ARE PROVIDED BY THE STATE BUT CERTAINLY WE HAVE AUDIT PROCEDURES ABOUT DATA BY THE BOARD IS ACCURATE. THIRD, DETERMINATION OF LEASE AND PRESCRIPTION TERM AND BORROWING RATES. GOT MUCH LEASE AGREEMENTS AND [INDISCERNIBLE] AGREEMENTS ON THE BOOKS AS RELATED MES THEY'RE OPEN-ENDED. INTEREST RATES ARE NOT DATED. THERE'S ASSUMPTIONS THAT HAVE TO GO IN TO AND RENEW THE LEASES. WHAT ARE THE BORROWING RATES, INHERENT IN IT. THOSE ARE FINANCIAL

033STATEMENTS. AND LASTLY, THE ABSENCES, THIS RELATES TO WHAT WE MENTIONED, 101 AND PARTICULARLY AROUND SICK LEAVE. THERE'S ASSUMPTIONS TO BE MADE ABOUT HOW LONG EMPLOYEES WILL STICK AROUND AND HOW MUCH SICK LEAVE THEY ACCRUED BEFORE THEY ULTIMATELY RETIRE OR MOVE ON. THOSE ARE THE FOUR SIGNIFICANT ESTIMATES WE IDENTIFIED IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. IN OUR AUDIT WE ASSESS MANAGEMENT ASSUMPTIONS AND WE RECALCULATE THEM AND MAKE SURE THEY'RE REASONABLE AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH INDUSTRY NORMS. NONETHELESS, THEY'RE REQUIRED TO REPORT THEY'RE SIGNIFICANT THERE. MOVING ON. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS. I MENTIONED EARLIER, GRAPHIC DEPICTIONS OF WHAT WE'RE SEEING IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS F 2. FIRST IS GOVERNMENTAL REVENUE, STATE, COUNTY, AND FEDERAL REVENUE. WE BROKE THESE UP BETWEEN. YOU SEE IN THE FIRST COLUMN. TO THE LEFT, EXCUSE ME. AND GRAY IS THE STATE FUNDING AND BLUE IS COUNTY AND

034OTHER LOCAL FUNDING. THAT GREEN COLOR IS FEDERAL FUNDING. STATE OR -- THE LARGEST FORCE OF REVENUE FOR 23-25. AND IT HAS CHANGED 24-25 AND THAT COULD CHANGE. YOU GOT INCREASED CAPITAL BUDGET AND COUNTY DOLLARS AND YOU'LL SEE INCREASE IN RELATED REVENUE. AND THEN LASTLY FEDERAL IS NOW -- NOW DOWN TO 80 MILLION. IT IS FAIR DIFFERENCE FROM 2024. THAT RELATES TO THE FUNDING. MOVING ON TO NEXT SLIDE, THIS IS GOVERNMENTAL EXPENDITURES BY PURPOSE AS PERCENTAGE OF GOVERNMENTAL EXPENDITURES. WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT IS STRUCTURAL EXPENSES VERSUS OTHERS. YOU'LL SEE THE PERCENTAGE OF INSTRUCTIONAL EXPENSES AS PERCENTAGE OF GOVERNMENTAL EXPENDITURES IS 71.4 PERCENT. IT IS A SLIGHT UPTICK FROM 2024. I BELIEVE THE MANAGEMENT SAYS IT CONTINUES TO CLIMB IN 2026 AS WELL. I'M MOVING ON TO NEXT SLIDE. FUND BALANCE. THE GENERAL SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS, 25,

035AND 24 AND 23. IN BLUE YOU SEE THE FUNDE. THERE HAS BEEN A DECLINE OVERALL IN FUND BALANCE SINCE 2024. HOWEVER, YOU'LL SEE THE AND AV APPROPRIATION FUND BALANCE IN GRAY AND GREEN ARE CONSISTENT WITH QUITE UPTICK ON THE UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCE FOR THE GENERAL FUND. OVERALL, THERE'S A DECLINE IN FUND BALANCE IN THE FUNDS FOR 43 MILLION DOLLARS FROM 2024 TO 2025. OF THE ASSIGNED FUNDBALANCE, THE BUDGET INCLUDED 2.7 MILLION. A PORTION OF THAT 7.4 AND IT IS A DELTA OF WHAT YOU SEE IN THE UNASSIGNED AND WHAT IS AVAILABLE FOR APPROPRIATION. MOVING ON TO THE NEXT SLIDE, THIS IS GENERAL AND SECIAL REVENUE FUND BALANCE AS PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURES, INCLUDING CAPITAL OUTLAYS. THERE WAS A SLIGHT INCREASE FOR .18 PERCENT FOR AVAILABLE -- FUND BALANCE AVAILABLE FOR APPROPRIATION AND .57 PERCENT

036FOR UNASSIGNED GENERAL FUND BALANCE AVAILABLE, UNASSIGNED GENERAL FUND BALANCE AS GOVERNMENTAL EXPENDITURES. DOWN FOR 2023, UPTICK FROM 2024. LASTLY, WE GOT FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS RELATED TO THE SCHOOL AND SERVICE FUNDS. IT IS THE OVERALL NET POSITION HAS INCREASED AND THAT FUND THIS YEAR. 7.2 MILLION ABOUT 3.9 MILLION, 6/30/24. FEDERAL REVENUE OF 48.7 AND TOTAL REVENUE IS ABOUT 54.9 MILLION. YOU'LL SEE THAT COMPARED TO EXPENSES AND FOOD COSTS, 24.4 AND SALARY AND BENEFITS, 24.6 AND OTHER COSTS OF 2.9 MILLION. IN TOTAL NET INCOME OF 2.5 MILLION. THE DIFFERENCE THERE IF YOU'RE TRYING TO RECONCILE, 24 TO 25 IS MORE THAN 2.8. THAT'S MORE THAN CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND THIS IS MORE LOOKING AT OPERATIONS FOR THESE PROBLEMS. ALL RIGHT. THEN WE'LL MOVE ON. A NUMBER OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRONOUNCEMENTS THAT WOULD CHANGE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS IN THE FUTURE. THE

037BIGGEST ONE NEXT YEAR IS THIS YEAR. JUNE 2026 FINANCIALS BY WILL IMPLEMENT 2023 WHICH IS FINANCIAL REPORTING MODEL. THERE WILL BE REORGANIZING IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT, THINGS INCLUDED IN THE SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. YOU'LL GET INFORMATION BUT A DIFFERENT SPOT. THE BIGGEST CHANGE IS THE DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS. THAT WILL BE EXPANDED QUITE A BIT. THE ORGANIZATION OF MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION ANALYSIS WILL CHANGE BUT ALSO THE REQUIRED CONTENT. WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO GET AT IS MORE DETAILED INFORMATION. MORE FOR FINANCIAL STATEMENT. AND LOOKING BACK AND TO THE FORWARD. AND YOU'LL NOTICE THOSE IN THE NEXT YEAR'S FINANCIAL STATEMENT. NEXT TO. NOT A HUGE CHANGE. 04 WILL BE EFFECTIVE NEXT YEAR. IT IS EXPANDED, CAPITAL ASSETS AND RELATED TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. NO CHANGE THAT WILL CHANGE THE MEASUREMENT. AND THEN 105 WILL BE IN FISCAL 2027. THAT'S

038STANDARD TO ALIGN DISCLOSURES. RECOGNIZE EVENTS. THINGS THAT HAPPEN AFTER THE CLOSE OF THE FISCAL YEAR THAT COULD IMPACT FINANCIALS. THIS IS TO ALIGN THE STANDARDS WITH THOSE THAT ASSESS SO PUBLIC AND PRIVATE COMPANIES USING ARE DIFFERENT. SO THEY COME TOGETHER WITH THE CHANGE. NOT SIGNIFICANT CHANGE BUT THE BIGGEST ONE IS 103 WHICH WE'LL SEE IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NEXT YEAR. THAT CONCLUDES OUR PRESENTATION BUT HAPPY AT THIS POINT, IF BOARD MEMBERS HAVE QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE AUDIT OR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, WE'LL BE HAPPY TO REFILL THOSE NOW. THANK YOU. I DIDN'T THINK I WAS GOING TO HAVE A QUESTION. I NOTE IN YOUR OPINION THAT THE BOARD COMPLIED IN ALL MATERIAL RESPECTS WITH THE COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FEDS AND THE STATE. I THINK THAT'S A REFLECTION OF MR. BECK AND HIS GROUP, VERY POSITIVE REFLECTION.

039AS INTERNAL CONTROLS HAVE TO BE -- TO BE PRETTY TIGHT, I WOULD IMAGINE TO GET TO THAT KIND OF OPINION ON YOUR BEHALF. WOULD THAT BE CORRECT? >> THAT'S CORRECT, YES, SIR. WE DID NOT LOOK AT 100 PERCENT OF THE PROGRAMS. IT IS A PORTION EACH YEAR. WE DO RISK ASSESSMENT AND ROTATE THROUGH WHICH PROGRAMS WE LOOK AT EACH YEAR. BUT WE DO TESTS AND INTERNAL CONTROLS AND WE HAVE SAMPLE SIZES AND WE LOOK INTO QUITE A FEW DOCUMENTS FOR THOSE COMPLIANCE. YES, THERE'S CLEAN RESULTS AND THERE'S IN INTERNAL CONTROL FINDINGS. >> WHAT YOU'RE DESCRIBING IS BASICALLY WHAT YOU DO. YOU DO A SAMPLING. THAT'S TRUE OF EVERY AUDITOR. YOU CAN'T GO THROUGH EVERYTHING. YOU WOULD BE HERE ALL YEAR LONG. I WANT IT CONGRATULATE YOU AND MR. BECK FOR THE INTERNAL CONTROL AND EVERYBODY

040THIS PAST YEAR AND A LOT OF PEOPLE LOOKING AT WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR NEIGHBOR TO THE WEST. AND MY UNDERSTANDING WHICH IS SUBJECT TO YOUR CORRECTION IS A BIG PART OF THE PROBLEM WAS LACK OF EFFECTIVE INTERNAL CONTROLS. I THINK WE HAVE THOSE HERE. AND -- AND I THINK WE CAN BE VERY GLAD OF THAT. THAT'S IT. DO I HAVE IT RIGHT? >> YOU GOT IT RIGHT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. >> DR.^WELLS AN I PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON OUR STRATEGIC DIRECTION WE'RE GOING TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE. THIS STRATEGIC DIRECTION WAS ESTABLISHED FOR 2023 TO 2026 AND HERE WE ARE IN 2026. THIS WILL HELP INFORM THE REFRES REFRESH. NOT A NEW PLAN BUT CHANGE THE FOCUS. WE WANT TO REFINE THE WORK. THIS INCLUDES PRIORITIES AND THE GUILFORD GUARANTEE AND

041ENROLLMENT AND OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE EFFORTS AS WE MOVE AHEAD. AS A DISTRICT, WE'VE B FOCUSED ON IMPROVING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AT SCALE. MANY OF YOU ARE AWARE IN POCKET AND EXCEED GROWTH HERE AND LINK HERE. WHAT WE TRY TO DO IS RAISE THE BAR FORVERY FEW WAYS. THERE'S A FEW WAYS RESEARCH SAYS THIS HAPPENS. ACCORDING TO HARVARD, YOU CAN IMPROVE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT BY RAISING THE LEVEL THAT KIDS ARE TAUGHT AND INCREASE THE SCHOOL AND KNOWLEDGE TO THAT CONTENT AND INCREASE ACTIVE LEARNING TIME WHERE STUDENTS ARE ENGAGED. HERE IT IS HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION, NO MATTER YOUR ZIP CODE. LOTS OF RESEARCH. THESE ARE STUDIES WE RELY HEAVILY ON. THAT'S CREATING RIGHT CONDITIONS FOR LEARNING. THE OPPORTUNITY MYTH IS A STUDY THAT WAS PUBLISHED SEVERAL YEARS AGO THAT TELLS US WHEN STUDENTS DON'T SUCCEED, IT IS OFTEN BECAUSE

042THEY HAVEN'T BEEN GIVEN ACCESS TO GRADE LEVEL WORK AND STRONG INSTRUCTION. WHEN EXPECTATIONS ARE CLEAR AND ALIGNED OUTCOMES IMPROVE FOR ALL KIDS. OPPORTUNITY MAKERS IS ANOTHER REPORT THAT SAYS THIS IS POSSIBLE WHEN THE SYSTEMS WORK TOGETHER AND WHEN CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION AND SUPPORT ARE COHERENT AND INTENTIONAL. SCHOOLS THAT GET THIS RIGHT HAVE THAT SENSE OF BELONGING AND HIGH INSTRUCTIONAL EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL STUDENTS. THEN THEY HAVE THE TIMELY SUPPORTS THAT ARE IN PLACE WITHOUT PULLING STUDENTS OUT OF CORE INSTRUCTION OR THAT GRADE LEVEL LEARNING. AS WE MOVE THROUGH THIS NEXT SECTION, JUST WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT THIS WORK IS GROUNDED IN RESEARCH. IT IS ALIGNED WITH WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT WITH THE GUILFORD GUARANTEE AND EVERY STUDENT HAS ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY INSTRUCTION AND STRONG ACADEMIC PLANS AND THEY GRADUATE WITH A PLAN. I'LL TURN THIS

043OVER AND WE'LL TAKE QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU, DR. OAKLEY. THANK YOU, GOOD EVENING, MADAM VICE-CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. THIS IS OUR VISION FOR GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS. WHAT WE BELIEVE EVERY CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE SHOULD LOOK LIKE FOR STUDENTS ACROSS THE DISTRICT. IT RECOGNIZES THAT STUDENT SUCCESS DEPENDS ON THE ENTIRE SYSTEM WORKING TOGETHER. STUDENTS, EDUCATORS AND LEADERS. AND AT ITS CORE THIS INSTRUCTIONAL VISION ABOUT INSURING ALL STUDENTS ENGAGE IN GRADE LEVEL LEARNING THAT IS MEANINGFUL, INCLUSIVE AND PREPARES THEM FOR SUCCESS BEYOND GRADUATION. EDUCATORS DELIVER HIGH QUALITY INSTRUCTION THAT REFLECTS WHO OUR STUDENTS ARE AND ACTIVELY ENGAGES THEM IN LEADING EVERY DAY. LEADERS CREATE CONDITIONS FOR SUCCESS BY SUPPORTING CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, ACCOUNTABILITY AND THE CULTURE WHERE STUDENTS AND STAFF BELONG. TOGETHER, THIS SHARED VISION SIMILARS CONSISTENCY ACROSS DISTRICT AND DRIVES STRONGER OUTCOMES FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS.

044OUR INSTRUCTIONAL VISION IS CLEAR AND DISTRICTWIDE EXPECTATIONS FOR WHAT HIGH QUALITY, RIGOROUS INSTRUCTION LOOKS LIKE IN EVERY CLASSROOM. HERE YOU SEE HOW WE MAKE THAT VISION REAL. WE BEGIN WITH CLE EXPECTATIONS FOR GRADE LEVEL LEARNING SO STUDENTS ARE CONSISTENTLY ENGAGED IN MEANINGFUL CHALLENGING WORK. DISTRICT APPROVED, STANDARD ALIGNED, MATERIALS INSURE ACROS LEARNING THE SAME GRADE LEVEL CONTENT. COACHING AND COLLABORATIVE PLANNI TEACHERS MAINTAIN HIGH EXPECTATIONS, WHILE CLASSROOM LEARNING GIVES US ING AND LEARNING ACROSS THE DISTRICT. WE USE WHAT WE LEARN TO PROVIDE TIMELY, TARGETED SUPPORT SO STUDENTS CAN SUCCEED IN GRADE LEVEL LEARNING AND BE PREPARED . NOW I TURN IT OVER TO MRS. MAIN NORTHWAR -- MS. MAYNARD. >> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. INTRODUCTION TO THE PRESENTATION. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT GRADE LEVEL LEARNING. THIS IS HOW -- HOW WE ACCELERATE LEARNING FOCUS AREA COMES TO LIVE --

045LIFE IN OUR CLASSROOMS. ALL STUDENTS HAVE HIGH QUALITY INSTRUCTION ACROSS THE DISTRICT. HIGH QUALITY INSTRUCTION IS THE BEGINNING OF THE WORK. WE HAVE DISTRICT APPROVED CURR IS ALIGNED TO STATE STANDARDS. IMPLEMENTATION IS REPORTED THROUGHNING AND ORGANIZATION. TEACHERS CAN DELIVER THAT INSTRUCTION CONSISTENTLY AND AND ONGOING, INFORMED DATA CONVERSATIONS HELP US UNDERSTAND WHAT IS WORKING AND WHERE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT ISNEEDED. THIS APPROACH TRENDS OUR FOUR CURRICULUM WHILE GROWING INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERS WITH A STRONG EQUITYLINE. STRONG LEADERS USE WEB BASED CLASSROOMS TO SUPPORT AND USE VARIATION ACROSS SCHOOLS AND MAKE SURE STUDENTS HAVE CONSISTENT ACCESS TO GRADE LEVEL LEARNING. WITH FUNDING AND OTHER FUNDING SOURCES, WE HAVE SCALED BACK PROFESSIONAL LEARN SUPPORT. EVEN SO WE REMAIN TO USING RESOURCES TO SUSTAIN HIGH QUALITY INSTRUCTION AND CONTINUE TO SUPPORT LEARNING ACROSS THE DISTRICT. OUR WORK CONNECTS ACROSS LEVELS THROUGH CLEAR CYCLES

046OF INSTRUCTIONAL IMPROVEMENT. WE START, STUDENTS ARE MOST SUCCESSFUL WHEN INSTRUCTION AND SUPPORT AND MATERIALS ARE ALIGNED. THIS IS HOW WE'RE GOING TO WORK TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL, THE EMPLOYMENT TEAM SETS CLEAR EXPECTATIONS AND WE DETERMINE PRIORITIES FOR THE RESOURCES AD SUPPORT. LEADING TO PROFESSIONAL LEARNING HELPS SCHOOL LEADERS UNDERSTAND WHAT HIGH QUALITY INSTRUCTION LOOKS LIKE AND HOW TO SUPPORT STRONG IMPLEMENTATION IN THEIR SCHOOLS. AT THE SCHOOL LEVEL, TEAMS USE EVIDENCE FROM CLASSROOMS TO MONITOR PROGRESS AND ADJUST THEIR PLANS. TEACHERS RECEIVE THAT TIMELY SUPPORT THAT RESPONDS TO -- TO WHAT STUDENTS NEED WHILE AGAIN MAINTAINING THOSE GRADE LEVEL EXPECTATIONS. ALIGNING THIS, OUR COACHING AND LEADERSHIP SUPPORT THE DISTRICT IS CHANGING INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES AND IT IS CHANGING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT ACROSS THE DISTRICT. AS YOU MAY RECALL FROM THE ACCOUNTABLE PRESENTATION IN THE FALL, IN

047GRADE THREE THROUGH EIGHT, DCS RECOVERING AT FASTER RATE THAN THE STATE EN MASS. THEY HAVE STARTED AT THREE ACADEMIC LEVELS, 20 POINTS IN 2018, 19 AND EVERY STUDENT GROUP IMPROVED OVER LAST YEAR. WE'RE ALSO SEEING POWERFUL GAINS IN READING AND ENGLISH TOO. AND BLACK AND HISPANIC STUDENTS GROWING FASTER THAN THEIR PEERS AND ACCELERATE LEARNING IS RAISING ACHIEVEMENT WORLD. AS REMINDER ROSE IS AT EACH SCHOOL AS MET OR NOT MET AND ADDED TO THE ASSESSMENT SYSTEM. FOR THE 24-25 SCHOOL YEAR, 77 PERCENT OF OUR SCHOOLS MED OR EXCEEDED GROWTH. THAT'S OVER PREACADEMIC LEVELS. 25 SCHOOLS MET OR EXCEEDED GROWTH LAST YEAR. OUR GRADUATION RATE HAS STAYED NEARLY CONSTANT AT THE 91.2 PERCENT. FOR MOST OF THE PAST TEN YEARS, THE DISTRICT HAS HAD A HIGHER GRADUATION RATE THAN STATE RATE OF 87.7 PERCENT IN ALL OTHER

048LARGE DISTRICTS. THERE WAS CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT FOR OUR BLACK STUDENTS AND OUR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITY WITH BOTH GROUPS GRADUATING AT THEIR HIGHEST RATE IN DCS HISTORY. DCS HAS STENN SCHOOLS WITH GRADUATION RATE OF 100 PERCENT AND 30 SCHOOLS HAD GRADUATION RATE OF 95 PERCENT OR HIGHER. IT IS A STORY. IT IS PROGRESS AND POTENTIAL. BUT BEHIND THESE NUMBERS IS THE DAILY WORK HAPPENING IN OUR CLASSROOM, THE WAY OUR TEACHERS ARE PLANNING INSTRUCTION AND SUPPORTING STUDENTS EVERY SINGLE DAY. IF WE CONTINUE WITH THE LEARNING PRIORITY AREA, WE'LL SHARE EFFORTS ON OUR 25-26 SCHOOL YEAR FROM 2021 2024, IF YOU REMEMBER, FEDERAL ECHO FUNDS THT IN OUR LEARNING RECOVERY EFFORTS. OUR DISTRICT INTENTIONALLY USED ONE-TIME [INDISCERNIBL TO INVEST IN EVIDENCE BASED STRATEGIES WITH TUTORING AND OUR LEARNING HUBO ADDRESS PANDEMIC GAPS. DURING THAT TUTORING CHANGED. OUR HUB CHANGED

049TOO. AS THE FUNDING BEGAN PLANNING EARLY TO MAKE SURE WE SUSTAIN THE WORK. IN 2024 SCHOOL YEAR, GRANTS AND SUPPORT AND TITLE ONE FUNDS WERE USED TO CONTINUE OUR TUTORING AND OUR LEARNING HUB. WE ALL KNOW THERE'S CHANGES IN FUNDING. WITH THOSE CHANGES IN FUNDING WE HAVE SCALEBACKS TO ALIGN WITH RESOURCES. 25-26 SCHOOL YEAR, THE TUTORING IS HAPPENING IN OUR TITLE ONE ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL. WE FOCUSING ON K12 LITERACY AND SIXth GRADE MATH AND MAKING SURE STUDENTS ARE RECEIV THREE TIMES A WEEK SESSION WITH 20 MINUTES PER SESSION. WE'RE PROUD TO REPORT WE HAVE 152UTORS WORKING WITH THE STUDENTS AND OUT OF THAT, 130 STUDENTS ARE 35 TEACHERS. FOR OUR LEARNING HUB, THEY'RE TAKING PLACE IN THE TITLE ONE HIGH SCHOOL. THEY'RE TAKING PLACE TWO TIMES A WEEK. WE'RE PROVIDING INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT AND TUTORING

050AND CREDIT RECOVERY FOR OUR STUDENTS, INSURING THEND MEALS AND TRANSPORTATION TO ENGAGE IN THEIR LEARNING HUB AND WE'RE ALSO INCLUDING ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES. FINALLY WE'RE WORKING TO IMPROVE SUPPORT FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS. THIS SHOWS THAT CERTAIN MOMENTS IN A STUDENT'S JOURNEY MATTERS MORE THAN OTHERS. THE TRANSITION TO MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL ARE PIVOTAL POINTS WHERE STUDENTS ARE MOST LIKELY TO EITHER GAIN MOMENTUM OR FALL BEHIND. THE DISTRICT FOCUSES INTENTIONALLY ON THESE TRANSITION SEE STRONGER ACADEMIC OUTCOMES, BETTER ATTENDANCE AND IMPROVED LONG-TERM SUCCESS. KINDERGARTEN IS CRITICAL. IT SETS THE FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE ACADEMIC SUCCESS. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THE TRANSITION PRACTICES ACCELERATE LEARNING, INCREASE ENROLLMENT AND INSURE CHILDREN ARE ACADEMICALLY IN FAVOR -- AND SOCIALLY READY FOR KINDERGARTEN. THIS WORKS TO PROVIDE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO ALL FAMILIES. WE FOCUS ON THE KINDERGARTEN TRANSITION FOR EVERY KINDERGARTENER AND

051THEIR FAMILIES. OUR KINDERGARTEN TRANSITION TEAM IS FOCUSED ON GIVING FAMILIES A SMOOTH AND WELCOMING START TO SCHOOL. OUR GOAL IS FOR FAMILIES HAVE TO HAVE SIX MEANINGFUL TOUCHPOINTS BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN, BEGINNING WITH REGISTRATION AND CONTINUE THROUGH COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL BASED EVENTS. ONE HIGHLIGHT AS YOU HEARD EARLIER IS OURCOMING DISCOVER KINDERGARTEN EVENT AT GREENSBORO AND HIGH POINT CHILDREN'S MUSEUM. KIDS WITH EXPLORE A KINDERGARTEN CLASSROOM AND PERFORM IN LITERACY AND MATH ACTIVITIES AND EVEN BOARD A DCS SCHOOL BUS AND FAMILIES CAN CONNECT INCLUDING REGISTRATION AND TRANSPORTATION, AND EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE PROGRAMS AND ENGLISH SERVICES. THANKS TO SHAPE ED, THESE ARE EXPECTED TO BE FREE FOR FAMILIES AND HAVE NO COST TO THE DISTRICT. THE EVENT IS FEBRUARY 28TH AND THE HIGH POINT EVENT IS MARCH 22nd. MAKE SURE YOU MARK YOUR CALENDARS. WE CONCLUDE THIS

052SCHOOL BASED EVENT AS PART OF OUR KINDERGARTEN. WHEN FAMILIES EXPERIENCE THIS. HERE'S [INDISCERNIBLE]. MORE PREPARED AND READY FOR A POSITIVE START IN KINDERGARTEN. NEXT WE WANT TO SHARE AN UPDATE ON OUR TRANSITION INTO HIGH SCHOOL FOR ALL NINTH GRADERS. OUR GOAL IS TO INSURE THAT EVERY STUDENT HAS A STRONG AND CONSISTENT START TO HIGH SCHOOL THROUGH FAMILY ENGAGEMENT, ORIENTATION EXPERIENCES AND ONGOING SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. SUMMER OF 2024, WE RELEASED A PRACTICE LIBRARY WHICH BRINGS TOGETHER RESEARCH BASED PRACTICES THAT SUPPORTS STUDENTS ACADEMICALLY AND SOCIALLY AND HELPS ALIGNMENT BETWEEN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL. WE'RE SEEING PROGRESS. ALL HIGHLIGHTS HAD ORIENTATION LAST SUMMER, USING A PLANNING GUIDE AND PRESENTATION TEMPLATE. TOGETHER THEY SET TO INSURE MORE PREDICTABLE TRANSITION FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES AND HELPING NINTH GRADERS WITH CONFIDENCE AND A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS. WE HAVE A

053-- WE HAVE A -- A GROUP WORKING ON THE TRANSITION FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL TO HIGH SCHOOL AS THIS IS ANOTHER PIVOTAL POINT. WITH THAT I TURN IT OVER TO [INDISCERNIBLE]. >> THANK YOU. AS WE CLOSE THIS SECTION, WANT TO BRING THIS BACK TO THE HEART OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTION AND WHAT WE'RE CALLING THE GUILFORD GUARANTEE. WE KNOW THERE'S POCKETS WHERE THERE'S CONTINUED WORK TO DO BUT ACCELERATING LEARNING AND INSURING ACCESS TO GRADE LEVEL INSTRUCTION IS A COMMITMENT TO STUDENTS AND FAMILIES AND IT WILL MAKE US STRONGER AS WE MOVE FORWARD. WITH THAT WE'RE HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE. WHAT POINT? DOING CHILDREN'S MUSEUM AND INVITING CHILDREN TO THE MUEUM. IF GETTING KIDS IN -- I'M SURE THEY NOT ONLY GET TO DO THAT BUT THEY NEED TO CUT LOOSE IN THE MUSEUM

054TOO. I THINK THAT WAS [INDISCERNIBLE]. THAT WAS A GOOD THING. DID IT HAVE A [INDISCERNIBLE]. I'M HEARING A NEW CURRICULUM. I'M ASSUMING THAT NEW CURRICULUM COMES PROGRAMS. ONE COMPLAINT I HEARD IN THE PAST IS THAT PROGRAMS TOO OFTEN TO [INDISCERNIBLE]. I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THE PLAN. I HEARD THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE WE HAVE PROGRAMS ROLLING IN. HOW OFTEN DO WE CHANGE? MOVING FORWARD. YOU KNOW. WHAT IS THAT CHANGE. WE'RE THOUGHT CHANGING ANYTHING. NO NEW CURRICULUM TO LEARN. NO NEW -- I WILL SAY, DEPENDING ON FUNDING WE MAY HAVE TO LOOK AT OPEN SOURCE MATERIALS. GET VERY LITTLE AT THE STATE LEVEL. THAT'S NOT ENOUGH FOR ONE GRADE LEVEL. WE HAVE TO BE FINANCIALLY SMART ABOUT WHAT WE USE. WE'RE NOT MAKING CHANGES. WE'RE STAYING THE COURSE. 16-17 WE STARTED. WE USE CLKA IN ELEMENTARY. WE IMPLEMENT. NOBODY

055NEEDS TO BE WORRIED ABOUT SOMETHING NEW COMING IN TERMS OF THE LITERACY AND MATH AND RESOURCES THAT WE'RE USING. RESEARCH SUPPORTS EVERY FOUR TO SIX YEARS. >> I JUST KNOW ONE TIME. [NO AUDIO]. WE WANT IT TEST. WE NEED TO KNOW WHERE THE KIDS ARE. AND WE KEEP THE KIDS AS WELL. SO I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD SPEAK A LITTLE BIT TO -- TO THAT BALANCE AND -- AND THE DIFFERENT METHODS THAT YOU USED FOR COLLECTING DATA TO HELP US MEASURE THAT PROGRESS AND MAKE INSTRUCTIONAL ADJUSTMENTS ON THE SLIDE WITHOUT LITERALLY TESTING OUR KIDS EVERY DAY TO SEE WHERE THEY ARE. >> OUR TEAM HAS WORKED HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE EMBEDDED THOSE CHECKPOINTS IN THE UNIT. THE STUDENTS ARE ACTUALLY LEARNING SO THE TEACHERS CAN ACTUALLY SEE A SNAPSHOT OF WHAT

056THE STUDENTS HAVE IN TIME AND THEY CAN ACTUALLY ADDRESS THAT. IT IS NOT ADDING ONE MORE. IT IS JUST HAPPENING WITHIN THE INSTRUCTIONAL DAY SO THEY CAN SEE THAT BEFORE STUDENTS ARE LEARNING AND WHAT THEY NEED TO DO TO ADDRESS THE NEXT DAY FOR THAT LEARNING. THAT'S PART OF THAT PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY CONVERSATION WHERE THE TEACHERS GET TOGETHER AND LOOK AT STUDENTS OVER THE PREVIOUS WEEK AND PLAN WHAT ADJUSTMENTS THEY NEED TO DO IN LESSONS AND LESSON PLANNING TO SPIRAL STANDARDS AND CONTENT SO WE'RE NOT STOPPING THAT GRADE LEVEL AND WE BRING YOU RESOURCES AND BRING THE STUDENTS BACK TO THAT GRADE LEVEL WHILE FORCING THOSE CUTS. >> OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE TO DO STANDARDIZED TESTING AND STATE TESTING THAT COMES DOWN. I KNOW THERE WAS A POINT AT WHICH AND THIS WAS SIX OR SEVEN

057YEARS AGO, IT WAS CRAZY AND THERE WAS DAYS OF TESTING THAT KIDS WERE DOING WHILE TRYING TO GET THROUGH THE SECOND SEMESTER. YOU GOT TO GET INSTRUCTION. YOU EMBED THAT IN THE INSTRUCTION. IT IS NOT ALWAYS SEPARATE AND YOU'RE GETTING THE DATA. >> CAN YOU ALSO JUST VERIFY, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S A TYPO IN HERE OR IF YOU MISSPOKE. THE KINDERGARTEN EVENT IN HIGH POINT. THE SEATS ON THE 28TH OF FEBRUARY. I THOUGHT YOU SAID MARCH. >> THERE'S A TYPO. HIGH POINT IS MARCH. >> SAME TIME, 11-3. >> YES. >> THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. [INDISCERNIBLE]. >> MY FIRST QUESTION, I'M NOT SURE YOU CAN ANSWER. IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THI, IS TECHNOLOGY GOING TO PLAY A HUGE PART OF IT? >> YES. I MEAN, SO WHEN YOU GIVE UP SOMETHING, YOU HAVE TO

058PAY FOR IT SOMEWHERE ELSE. IF WE DON'T HAVE DEVICES TO DELIVER VIDEOS, THEY NEED MORE PAPER. IT IS LIKE -- IT IS -- YES. IT WOULD HAVE IMPLICATIONS. AND HOME RESOURCES, THE PARENT VIDEOS THAT WATCH TO HELP SUPPORT AT HOME ARE DEPENDENT AND EASY TO FIND ON THE STUDENT DEVICES. VERY CONNECTED. PRECOVID WE DID IT WITHOUT THEM. IT WOULD CERTAINLY CHANGE WHAT WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW. >> WE CAN'T TALK ABOUT THIS WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT -- ABOUT HOW AND THE HOW IS -- IS PARTIALLY YES, YOU HAVE THE TEACHERS BUT THE TEACHERS ARE RELIANT ON TECHNOLOGY AND THE STUDENTS ARE RELIANT ON THE TECHNOLOGY TO THE TEACHER AND THEN TO -- TO -- TO HOW THEY DO THINGS NOW. BECAUSE AS YOU SAID, I HEARD PEOPLE SAYING, I DON'T THINK FOLKS UNDERSTAND THAT WE DON'T SEND

059TEXTBOOKS HOME ANYMORE. >> NOT LIKELY. THERE IS SOME GRADE LEVELS THAT HAVE CONSUMABLE MATERIALS BUT THE HEART OF THE TEXTBOOK WITH EXCEPTION OF LANGUAGES AND SPECIFIED AP COURSES, BUT A LOT OF IT, EVEN AP EXAMS ARE ONLINE. A LOT HAS [INDISCERNIBLE]. WE WILL GO INTO MORE DETAIL AT THE COUNTY BUDGET PRESENTATION AS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE. >> MY NEXT IS NOT SO MUCH A QUESTION AS -- I'M PROUD OF OUR 92.1 PERCENT. BUT I ALSO AM CONCERNED ABOUT HOW MANY OF THOSE KIDS ACTUALLY GRADUATE WITH JUST A 2.8 AND WHAT HAPPENS TO THOSE THAT DWONT GRADUATE WITH 2.8. WHAT ARE WE DOING? THE GUILFORD GUARANTEE CAN'T BE FOR THE TOP 30 PERCENT. IT HAS TO BE FOR THE WHOLE 92.1 PERCENT OR AS MANY AS POSSIBLE. I SEE CHILDREN, THAT'S NOT A POSSIBILITY. BUT IF WE

060HAVE A LARGE SEGMENT OF STUDENTS WHO FOLLOWED UNDER THE 2.8 AND -- AND -- AND -- DO YOU WANT ME TO EXPLAIN? >> IT IS ON THE PAPER REQUIREMENT TO TAKE CLASSES AT THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE. A LOT OF COLLEGES EXPECT [INDISCERNIBLE]. RIGHT? >> THAT'S MANY. NOT ALL. >> SO ALL OF OUR STUDENTS MAY OR MAY NOT BE IMMEDIATELY COLLEGE BOUND. NOT SAYING THEY CAN'T. BUT I THINK WE DO NEED IT ADDRESS THAT PARTICULAR ISSUE IN ALL 92, AS TO WHAT DOES THAT REALLY MEAN AS TO THE SUCCESS RATE. IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ROLLING OUT SUCCESSFUL HUMAN BEINGS TO BE ABLE TO LIVE IN THE SOCIETY. >> WHAT WE LEARNED IS THE NINTH GRADE GPA IS THE STRONGEST PREDICTOR OF SUCCESS. I DON'T KNOW IF WE CHANGE THAT TO OTHER FAMILIES. HOW DO WE LET THE

061FAMILIES OF EIGHT GRADERS KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THAT NINTH GRADE GPA IS THE MOST PREDICTIVE MEASURE. HOW ARE YOU DOING IN YOUR FRESHMAN YEAR. THAT'S WHY WE'RE TRYING TO GET THAT TRANSITION RIGHT AND WORK WE CONTINUE TO DO. >> THE GPA IS, THE GRADE POINT AVERAGE IN THE NINTH YEAR. >> WE WANT FAMILIES TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THAT THEY NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO. MY NEXT QUESTION HAS TO DO WITH -- I THOUGHT I HEARD YOU SAY THAT YOU WERE DOING THE [INDISCERNIBLE] IN -- IN SIXth GRADE MATH. I THINK IT WAS 2017 WE STARTED ON THIS QUEST TO TRY TO GET AS MANY EIGHTH GRADERS AS POSSIBLE TAKING MATH ONE IN EIGHTH GRADE OR AT LEAST REDUCE THE FAILURE RATE IN NINTH GRADE. ARE WE STILL LOOKING AT THAT OR IS THAT PART

062OF OUR PRIORITIES? >> IT IS NOT THE RIGHT THING FOR ALL KIDS. WE'RE LEARNING ABOUT HOW KIDS PERSEVERE IN MATH AND HIGH SCHOOL. WE LOOK EVERY YEAR AT WHAT THE CRITERIA ARE. THE GOAL IS STILL TO HAVE STUDENTS THAT QUALIFY IT TAKE HIGH SCHOOL MATH IN MIDDLE SCHOOL. WE WANT IT MAKE SURE WE'RE COGNIZANT OF WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY GO TO HIGH SCHOOL AND DO WELL IN MATH THERE. IT IS SOMETHING WE PAY ATTENTION TO AND CRITERIA WE LOOK AT EVERY YEAR WITH AN EYE ON HOW THEY'RE DOING. IT IS A GOAL, TO SEE AS MANY KIDS THAT CAN SUCCEED BE PLACED IN THE HIGHER LEVEL MATH CLASSES IN MIDDLE SCHOOL. >> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN RECALL, THERE WAS CERTAIN THINGS THAT YOU EXPECT TIMMY GARDENER TO BE ABLE TO DO AT LEAST

063COMING IN. DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT YOU SAID? >> YES, WE TALKED ABOUT BEING SOCIALLY AND EMOTIONALLY AND BEHAVIORALLY PREPARED FOR KINDERGARTEN. MY QUESTION IS, HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT [INDISCERNIBLE] UNDERSTANDS WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE. BECAUSE SOMETIMES [INDISCERNIBLE] THEY WOULDN'T SAY NO. AND DON'T COMPLY WITH ANYTHING. AND YOU HAVE OTHERS WHO HAVE KINDER GARTNER'S WHO SAY, YES, MA'AM, AND SIT DOWN. SO HOW DO WE HELP PARENTS UNDERSTAND AS BEST THEY CAN, THE THINGS THEY NEED TO BE PREPARING THEIR CHILDREN FOR? DO WE HAVE -- DO WE HAVE A CHECKLIST OR -- OR IS THERE A CHECKLIST. I MEAN, I REALIZE EACH CHILD IS DIFFERENT. BECAUSE EACH CHILD IS. BUT WHEN THEY COME TO SCHOOL, THERE SHOULD BE -- OR IS THERE CERTAIN THINGS THAT SOMEONE WHO IS FOUR OR FIVE KNOWS HOW TO DO? >>

064THAT'S PART OF THE KINDERGARTEN TEAM AND THE TOUCHPOINTS. WHEN THEY COME TO SCHOOL, PART OF THE EVNT IS MAKING SURE PARENTS UNDERSTAND WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? WHAT CAN THEY DO AT HOME? FROM THAT MOMENT UNTIL NOW UNTIL OTHERS TO SOMEWHERE THEIR STUDENTS BE READY FOR WHAT THAT KINDERGARTEN WOULD LOOK LIKE. WE'RE GOING TO ADVERTISE THROUGH GUILFORD FAMILY AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE READY FOR KINDERGARTEN. IT IS TRANSITION WORK AND WILL GO ALL THE WAY THROUGH. >> YOU'RE EXPECTING THEM TO SAY THEIR KINDERGARTEN IS NOT READY AND THE FIVE-YEAR-OLD AND FOUR-YEAR-OLD IS NOT READY AND YOU WANT THEM TO BE READY BY AUGUST. SHOULD THIS NOT START EARLIER THAN FOUR YEARS OLD OR YOU KNOW? I UNDERSTAND IT IS NOT OUR RESPONSIBILITY. WE GOING TO WIND UP WITH THE END PRODUCT. THE EARLIER WE

065START. >> THAT'S A GOOD POINT OF THESE KINDERGARTEN TRANSITION TEAM. WE BEGUN TRUMP PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION THAT IS ARE WORKING BEFORE THE AGE OF FOUR SO WE'RE ACTUALLY WORKING STRONGER IN PARTNERSHIPS FOR THAT PREPARATION FOR -- FOR WHAT IS BEING READY FOR SCHOOL BEGINS EVEN FROM THERE AND THREE-YEAR-OLD AND THEN AFTER. THAT'S HELPING WITH HAVING MORE OF A COMMUNITY APPROACH TO DOING THIS WORK THAN JUST GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS. HOW DO WE ASSUME IF A CHILD GOES TO PRE-K OR GOES TO DAYCARE, ARE WE WORKING WITH THE DAYCARE IN ANY WAY? IT USED TO BE THAT WE WORKED WITH GUILFORD -- PARTNERSHIP. I KNOW WE USED TO WORK WITH. >> WE STILL DO. THE EARLY LEARNING PEOPLE RIGHT NOW ARE VISITING THOSE -- THOSE DAYCARE AND THOSE FACILITIES TO BE ABLE IT SHARE INFORMATION BUT

066ALSO CREATE THAT [INDISCERNIBLE]. DO YOU -- DO YOU FIND THAT WHEN -- WHEN THERE'S THAT KIND OF COMMUNICATION THE PARENTS TEND TO THEN REACH OUT TO US, ALSO, OR -- OR DO THEY STILL WAIT UNTIL WE START HAVING EVENTS? >> THE TRUTH IS, THIS IS ONLY THE SECOND YEAR WHERE WE'VE BEEN SUPER INTENTIONAL TO START THIS EARLY. I DON'T KNOW THAT WE HAVE A DATA POINT THAT WOULD SAY YES OR NO BUT WE DO KNOW THAT THEY FEEL LIKE THEY BELONG THE EARLIER WE START AND THE MORE TOUCHPOINTS WE HAVE, SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE BEING MOST INTENTIONAL ABOUT. YOU DON'T GET TURNED AWAY IF YOU'RE TWO OR THREE. THESE EVENTS ARE NOT JUST FOR THOSE THAT WILL BE FIVE. AND MANY FAMILIES HAVE SEVERAL STUDENTS THAT ARE IN THAT YOUNG AGE GROUP. >> MY LAST

067COMMENT WOULD BE THIS. I KNOW THAT STATE LEVEL WE'RE WORKING VERY HARD TO -- TO ENCOURAGE PUBLIC EDUCATION. AND FOR THE RESEARCH, AT STATE LEVELS, IT SAID PARENTS ARE MAKING A DECISION ABOUT WHETHER THEY'RE GOING TO PUT THEIR CHILD IN PUBLIC EDUCATION OR NOT AS EARLY AS TWO YEARS OLD. THERE'S MARKETING DONE TO TRY TO ENCOURAGE PARENTS OF -- OF INFANTS, TODDLERS TO START LOOKING AT US. I MEAN, I'M BIASSED, YES, SIR. I THINK WE HAVE A GOOD PROGRAM TO OFFER TO -- TO EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING. THAT'S WHAT RESEARCH IS SAYING, PARENTS ARE MAKING DECISIONS AND LOOKING AT EDUCATION AS ONE OF THE OPTIONS AS EARLY AS TWO YEARS OLD. THAT'S SOMETHING WE MIGHT WANT TO WEIGH INTO TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU KNOW, WE'RE ALSO -- CATCHING THEM COMING OUT OF THE WOMB TOO.

068THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. I LIKE TO SAY I'M IMPRESSED WITH THE NUMBER OF 152 CHILDREN, AND WE HAVE 130 CERTIFIED. OF COURSE I ALWAYS BELIEVE IN EARLY INTERVENTION. WORKING ESPECIALLY IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. YOU CAN'T WAIT UNTIL THEY GET TO FIVE TO START TEACHING THEM. I DEFINITELY APPRECIATE YOUR TEAM AS FAR AS GETTING THE INFORMATION OUT TO OUR PARTNERS, DAYCARES AND OTHER PLACES AND HAVING THEM TO COME IN EARLY. THAT WOULD HELP OUT A LOT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. LET ME SEE IF MS. IRBIN OR ANYONE HAS QUESTIONS. NO QUESTIONS. THANK YOU. >> NEXT? NEXT WE HAVE THE NAMING COMMITTEE. MS. NAPA. >> THANK YOU. DURING TE FACILITIES MEETING ON JANUARY 7th WE VOTED TO POST THE FOLLOWING NAMING NOMINATION FOR COMMENT PERIOD FEBRUARY 10TH, AND THROUGH MARCH 12TH, 2026. THE FIRST NOMINATION WAS

069TO NAME THE SEVEN GUILFORD HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL CONCESSION STAND. THE NOMINATION SEEKS TO NAME THE CONCESSION STAND, THE PAST MILLS CONCESSION STAND IN HONOR OF PATRICIA AND DECADES OF SERVICE TO THE SOUTHERN GUILFORD COMMUNITY. THE SECOND NOMINATION IS TO NAME THE SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS CUL-DE-SAC AND THE GRIFFIN SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS, WILLIAM PENN WAY. I'M GETTING FEEDBACK. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN HEAR IT OR NOT. OKAY. THANK YOU. OKAY. THANK YOU. LET ME START AGAIN. NOMINATION SEEKS TO NAME THE CUL-DE-SAC, KEN GRIFFIN SCHOOL IF THE ARTS WILLIAM PENN WAY FOR ALL GRADUATES OF WILLIAM PENN HIGH SCHOOL WHICH HAS BECOME PENN GRIFFIN SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS. THIRD NOMINATION WAS DUDLEY HIGH SCHOOL MAIN GYMNASIUM BASKETBALL COURT. THE NOMINATION SEEKS TO NAME THE COURT DAVID PRICE COURT IN HONOR OF DAVID PRICE'S INFLUENCE ON

070DUDLEY HIGH COMMUNITY. DETAILS ARE INCLUDED IN THE MEETING AGENDA AND CAN BE ACCESSED ONLINE. ANYONE HAS FEEDBACK OR QUESTIONS? >> ANY QUESTIONS? NO QUESTIONS. THANK YOU. ACTION ITEM? ALL RIGHT. RESOLUTION TO READ AFTER CLOSED SESSION BEFORE THE MEETING. NORTH CAROLINA GUILFORD COUNTY RESOLUTION. WHEREAS THE GUILFORD COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION IN IN AFTER THE BOARD OWNED CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES THAT ARE NO LONGER BEING USED AS A RESULT OF THE PURCHASE AND USE OF THE GREEN VALLEY ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING AT 1714 GREEN VALLEY ROAD IN GREENSBORO NORTH CAROLINA, THE GREENE VALLEY SITE AND THREE FACILITIES, SOME CONTAIN MULTIPLE TRACKS OF LAND LOCATED AT 712 NORTH YOU GENE TREAT AND 617 MARKET STREET AND 501 AND 502 WASHINGTON STREET. HEREINAFTER COLLECTIVELY THE PROPERTY AND WHEREAS ADJUSTMENT OF THE BOARD THE CONTINUED USE IS UNDESIRABLE FOR PUBLIC

071SCHOOL PURPOSES AND THEY CONSTITUTE SURPLUS PROPERTY AS DEFINED. AND TO BE DISPOSED OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW FOR A MAXIMIZE ASSET USE FOR THE GUILFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND REPLENISH RESOURCES OF THE COUNTY FOR THE GREENE VALLEY SITE AND PROPERTIES SHALL BE OFFERED TO THE GUILFORD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, HEREINAFTER THE COMMISSIONERS FOR PURCHASE FOR FAIR MARKET VAL PRIOR TO BEING SOLD TO OTHERS BY THE BOARD AND THE BOARD DESIRES THE PROPERTY BE OFFERED TO THE COMMISSIONERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW. NOW THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED BY THE BOARD THAT THE AFORESAID PROPERTIES WHICH ARE DESCRIBED WITH PARTICULARITY IN ATTACHMENTS AB AND C SHALL BE AND HERE BY ARE DECLARED TO BE SURPLUS PROPERTY AND THEY SHALL BE DISPOSED OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF NORTH CAROLINA'S GENERAL STATUTES 160A AND ARTICLE 12 AFTER

072FIRST OFFERING THE PROPERTIES TO THE GUILFORD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR FAIR MARKET VALUE AND THE BOARD OFFERS STAFF TO DISPOSE OF PROP PORTES BY LAW IN THE EVENT THAT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OUGHT NOT TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTIES FOR FAIR MARKET VALUE. I MOVE THIS RESOLUTION. HAVE A SECOND? READY FOR A VOTE? LINDA? YES. >> ALAN. YES. DAVID. YES. CRISSY. YES. DIANE. YES. KIM. DEBORAH. YES. JENKIN. YES. AND THAT PASSES. 8-0. NEXT WE HAVE BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS. WE START OFF WITH -- WITH DIANE. >> I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A PRODUCTIVE MONTH. I WISH RESPECT TO ANYONE THAT SPEAKS LINGUALLY BECAUSE THIS COUNTRY IS MADE OF A DIVERSE NUMBER. THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING. I KNOW FOLKS ARE GLAD TO BE BACK TO WORK AND SCHOOL AND WE WERE GRATEFUL TO LOOK OUTSIDE AND SEE THE SUN TODAY

073AND FEEL SUNSHINE ON OUR FACES. THE PAST BETWEEN WEEKS HAVE BEEN CHALLENGE FOR GUILFORD COUNTY AND FOR GCS. I WANTED IT USE MY TIME TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE DISTRICT STAFF WHO WERE IN HERE AND IN THE OTHER BUILDING WHILE THE SCHOOLS WERE CLOSED TRYING TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WAS RUNNING. THE CUSTODIANS, THE MAINTENANCE CREWS, THE NUTRITION STAFF THAT MADE SURE OUR KIDS GOT FED. AND TRANSPORTATION, GETTING FOLKS TO AND FROM SCHOOL IN THIS WEATHER AND IT MADE IT HARD FOR PEOPLE TO GET OUT. IT TAKES A VILLAGE. WE HAVE A GREAT VILLAGE HERE AT DCS OF PEOPLE THAT WORK TOGETHER FOR THE BETTER OF OUR SCHOOLS AND STUDENTS. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY. THAT'S ALL I HAVE. >> FIRST OF ALL, IT HAS BEEN A TOUGH FEW WEEKS.

074I KNOW MY WIFE AND I DID HER SPRING CLEANING IN THE WINTER. GOT RID OF A LOT OF STUFF. YOU COULDN'T BELIEVE. I WAS IMPRESSED AS I THINK ALL OF US WERE BY THE WORK THAT WENT ON TO KEEP EDUCATION MOVING ALONG UNDER DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES. UNFORTUNATELY. THERE'S SOME PEOPLE PLAYING -- PLAYING HOOKY. IT WAS STUDENTS THAT WANTED TO CELEBRATE. BUT WHEN STUDENTS DO IT THEY GOT DISCIPLINED BECAUSE IT IS NOT A GOOD THING TO DO TO SKIP OUT. WE HAVE A COMMUNITY WITH HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR ITS SCHOOLS AND CHILDREN. WE TALK TO PARENTS WHEN PARENTS TALK TO US, THEY'RE CONCERNED. THEY WANT THEIR CHILDREN TO GET THE BEST. I KEEP COMING BACK TO AND I'M A BIT OF A BROKEN RECORD ON THIS. WE DON'T HAVE INDEPENDENT SOURCE OF FUNDING. WE REALLY RELY ON THE

075FEDS AND THE STATE AND THE COUNTY. AT STATE LEVEL OUR LEGISLATORS ARE PLAYING HOOKY. WE DON'T HAVE A STATE BUDGET. WE SHOULD HAVE HAD ONE BY JULY 1st. I'M CURIOUS WHEN IT BECAME A VIRTUE NOT TO DO YOUR JOB. I -- I DON'T VIEW THIS AS PARTISAN ISSUE. THE -- NORTH CAROLINA HAS SPEAKERS. I NAPPED THAT -- YOU KNOW HAS SOME -- SOME THINGS IN IT, BUDGETARY IDEAS THAT WOULD ADVANCE EDUCATION BUT APPARENTLY, CAN'T EVEN GET A DISCUSSION GOING. WHY IS THAT? I THINK IT IS POLITICS. IT IS NOT THE KIND OF POLITICS THAT MEDIATES DIFFERENCESES FLOP NOT DO IT MY WAY OR GET LOST. THAT'S NOT HELPFUL. ANYWAY, LET'S HOPE FOR BETTER TIMES AHEAD. LET'S HOPE IF LEGISLATION AND THE LEGISLATORS THAT DO THEIR JOB. BRIEFLY I WILL ECHO THE SENTIMENTS AND THANKS TO

076ALL OF OUR STAFF, ESPECIALLY OUR TEACHERS, SO CREATIVE THESE DAYS OF REMOTE LEARNING. AND THE CHALLENGES OF THE WEATHER. WOULD ALSO THANK ALL OF OUR OPERATIONS AND SAFETY STAFF WHO NAVIGATED THOSE DECISIONS WITH SUCH EXPERTISE. IT GIVES ME A LOT OF CONFIDENCE AND THE COMMUNICATION THAT I HAVE WITH VARIOUS PEOPLE WHO HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT SAY TO REFERENCE THE EXPERTISE OF OUR STAFF AND THE OPEN COMMUNICATION OUR STAFF HAS HELD. WE'RE OPEN TO THAT AS WELL. THESE DECISIONS ARE NOT EASY ABOUT CLOSURES AND SAFETY BUT THEY ARE MADE WITH THE GREAT DEAL OF EXPERTISE AND REFLECTION AND WE WELCOME FEEDBACK. BUT ALSO AS WE -- WE COMMUNICATE WITH YOU AND RESPECT YOUR EXPERTISE, KNOW THAT SAME EXPERTISE IS REFLECTED ON OUR STAFF. THAT DOESN'T MAKE IT EASIER. THIS REQUIRES A HEAVY LIFT AND A LOT

077OF CREATIVITY AND DIGGING DOWN DEEP FOR A LOT OF STAFF AND OUR FAMILIES AND STUDENTS AS WELL. I WAS REMINDED MULTIPLE TIMES OF THE WORDS OF MY NOW TENTH GRADER WHO WAS A FOURTH GRADER ON THE VERY FIRST DAY OF VIRTUAL LEARNING ON MARCH 2020, HOW DID IT GO, BUDDY? MY SON SAID, IT IS FINE. I JUST HATE IT. AND I FELT THAT AND I KNOW A LOT OF US FELT THAT BUT NONETHELESS AND WE PERSEVERED AND IT IS GOOD TO BE BACK WITH RHYTHM AND REGULARITY. I LIFT UP THE BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF US REMEMBERING OUR HISTORY AND THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN IN THE HISTORY. IT IS A GIFT TO SERVE IN A DISTRICT THAT VALUES JUSTICE. THIS IS IMPORTANT IN A TIME WHEN RACISM EXISTS IN THE HIGHEST OFFICE IN

078THE COUNTRY. IT IS NOT JUST THE PUBLIC PERFORMANCE THAT PUTS US AT RISK BUT REMINDS US OF A SCHOLAR, THE REAL TROUBLE IN OUR TIME IS NOT THE PUBLIC PERFORMANCE OF RACISM BUT IT IS WITHOUT RACISTS. THAT'S WHAT EXISTS SYSTEMATICALLY. THAT IS TRUE IN EDUCATION. IT IS SUCH A GIFT FOR EVERY DISTRICT AND WE'RE WORKING TO AMEND THAT. WE HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED THE LAST FEW WEEKS. THE MOST I'VE SEEN IN THE COVID TEMPERATURES I'VE SEEN IN A LONG TIME. SO I'M GRATEFUL FOR -- FOR OUR PARENTS' DILIGENCE AND PATIENCE AND OUR STAFF STEPPING UP TO PROVIDE THE BEST THEY COULD ACHIEVE DURING THAT DIFFICULT TIME. AND THEN WHAT I'M GOING TO SAY, I LOVE THE WEATHER TODAY, WE NEED SOME MORE. SO Y'ALL HAVE A GREAT EVENING. MS. NAPA. >> MIND A LOT, REALLY. JUST

079TO ADD ON TO WHAT EVERYONE IS SAYING. SCRAMBLED MOM BRAIN. LIFE IS HAPPENING HERE WITH EVERYBODY, YOU KNOW, STUCK INSIDE FOR DAYS AND TRYING TO NAVIGATE VIRTUAL LEARNING WITH -- WITH HIGH SCHOOLER, ELEMENTARY SCHOOLER AND PRE-K KIDO. IT IS -- IT IS -- IF THIS WAS EVER A TIME WE RECOGNIZED THE VALUES OF OUR TEACHERS AND SCHOOL STAFF, NOW IS IT, AS WE SEND THEM BACK AND BE THANKFUL FOR THE TEACHERS THAT ARE THERE. AND APOLOGIES FOR MISSING THE MEETING TONIGHT BUT DRIVER'S ED WAS PUSHED OFF BY TWO WEEKS. TOO MUCH TO GET EVERYBODY TO WHERE THEY NEEDED TO GO. TWO HOURS LATE. I'LL SEE YOU FOR THE NEXT MEETING. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE STAFF BECAUSE YOU ALL PLAYED A VERY VITAL PART

080FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS. BUT I -- A SPECIAL SHOUT-OUT TO OUR BUS DRIVERS. EVERYBODY DID A GREAT JOB BECAUSE THE BUS DRIVERS. THE ROADS WHERE I LIVED WAS HORRIBLE. FOR THEM TO PIVOT ON A DIME AND GET ALL OF OUR KIDS TO SCHOOL SAFELY AND BACK HOME SAFELY, IS PHENOMENAL. ALSO SYMPATHY TO THE CROSBY FAMILY AND THE PUEBLO FAMILY, THEY'RE AN ICON AT W HIGH SCHOOL. I USED TO CALL THEM THE FISHMAN. I COULDN'T THINK OF THE NAME. I CALLED HIM FISHMAN. HE DID FISH FRIES AND WOULD DONATE ALL OF THE MONEY. HE WAS VERY INSTRUMENTAL. AS FAR AS LEARNING HUB AND TUTORIAL PROGRAM, I LOVE IT. I KNOW OUR KIDS GROW. YOU CAN SEE IT THROUGH THE CHARTS. THAT'S ALL I HAVE. A MOTION TO ADJOURN? >> MOTION TO ADJOURN. >> SECOND. >>

081OKAY. LET'S VOTE. YES. DAVID. OKAY. CRISSY. DIANE. YES. KIM AND NAPPER. >> I JUST HUNG UP ON NAPPER. SO I HOPE IT WAS [INDISCERNIBLE]. BUT IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR TO RUN SOUND HERE TONIGHT. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. DRIVE