Board of Education Meeting 05/9/23

001YOU CAN START DOWN HERE. >> NEXT WE WILL RECOGNIZE OUR MAY EMPLOYEE OF TH MONTH. JEN NIERLE, WILL YOU PLEASE COME TO THE PODIUM. AS A LEAD TEACHER FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN SCHOOL SUPPORT, SHE WORKS TO SUPPORT THE EDUCATION OF STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. WHEN ONE OF THOSE SCHOOLS FACED UNEXPECTED TEACHER TURNOVER WITHIN THE EC TEAM NIERLE STEPPED UP, EVEN TEACHING A CLASS HERSELF TO FILL THE VOID. FOR OUR EFFORTS, WE ARE TRULY BETTER TOGETHER. JENN WAS NAMED THE MAY GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOL EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH. HER THREE NOMINATIONS CAME FROM THREE EDUCATORS AT MOUNT LU, INCLUDING THIS ONE FROM PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL KIMBERLY SC. SHE HAS SUPPORTED OUR SCHOOL IN NUMEROUS WAYS THIS YEAR. SHE HAS COME TO OUR RESCUE, ENSURING THAT EACH SCHOLAR HAS AN INDIVIDUALIZED LEARNING PLAN THAT WILL HELP TO ENHANCE THEIR STRENGTHS

002AND ALSO CLOSE CURRENT GAPS. SHE'S MET WITH NUMEROUS FAMILIES AND ALSO SUPPORTED OUR TEACHERS AS THEY WORK TO ENSURE THAT EACH CHILD'S NEEDS ARE MET. SHE HAS SUPPORTED US B DIRECTING WORKING WITH OUR SCHOLARS TO MAKE SURE THAT LEARNING NEVER STOPS. SHE'S WORKED TIRELESSLY ON OUR CAMPUS AND ALSO DURING PERSONAL TIME TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT OUR EC SCHOLARS CONTINUE TO THRIVE. WE ARE FOREVER GRATEFUL IF HER AND ALL THAT SHE'S DONE TO SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY THIS YEAR. COURTESY OF THE GREENSBOROARD, JAYCEES. AND DURING THE MONTH OF MAY YOUR PHOTO WILL BE DISPLAYED IN THE GREENSBORO JAYCEES OFFICE. AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO ASK DEBORAH NAPPER TO READ OUT LOUD THE CERTIFICATE HONORING JENN. >> THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION PRESENTED TO JENN NIERLE, EXCEPTIONAL SCHOOL CHILDREN SUPPORT FOR EMPLOYEE

003OF THE MONTH SPONSORED BY THE GREENSBORO JAYCEES FOR MAY OF 2023 AND SIGNED BY T DR. OAKLEY AND OUR CHAIRWOMAN HAYES. >> THANK YOU FOR ALL THE SUPPORT. IT'S BEEN WONDERFUL TO SUPPORT THE CHILDREN. I COULDN'T BE ANYONE ELSE IN THE COUNTY. I LOVE WHAT I'M DOING AND LOVE THE SCHOOLS I'M WORKING WITH. SO THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] AT THIS TIME THE BOARD WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE YOU AND SHAKE THE HANDS OF ANY FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES THAT ARE HERE AS WELL. NEXT WE WILL RECOGNIZE OUR VOLUNTEER FOR THE MONTH OF MAY. WILL MS. DORIS SLACK COME TO THE PODIUM AT THIS TIME. MS. SLACK WORKS WITH SMALL GROUP OF SECOND GRADE STUDENTS EVERY DAY. SHE ASSISTS STUDENTS IN COMPLETING ACTIVITIES THAT HELP BRING THEM CLOSER TO REACHING THEIR READING GOALS AND WORKING

004WITH THEIR TEACHER TO CREATE EXPERIENCES.CLASSROOM THE STUDENTS MS. SLACK HAS WORKED WITH WERE ALL WELL BELOW GRADE LEVEL IN READING. HER COUNTLESS HOURS OF MODELING FLUENT READING AND WORKING ON STRATEGIES THAT HELP BUILD ACCURACY AND COMPREHENSION HAVE TRULY BENEFITED THE STUDENTS. THE STUDENTS CAN NOW READ APPROXIMATELY 200 SIGHT WORDS AND GRADE LEVEL TEXT. MS. SLACK ENJOYS WALKING ON THE PLAYGROUND AND ASSISTING THEM IN OTHER SOCIAL ASPECTS. SHE INQUIRES ABOUT THEIR WELL BEING AND CELEBRATES THEIR SUCCESSES. THE CLASS WORRIES WHEN THEY DO NOT SEE MS. SLACK IN BUILDING AND ALWAYS ANTICIPATE HER RETURN. SHE IS A RARE FIND AND WE'RE ALL BLESSED TO HAVE HER AT JOHNSON STREET SINCE LISA, THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL NOMINATED HER. IT IS A PLEASURE TO RECOGNIZE YOU, MS. SLACK AS THE MAY 2023 GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH. AS

005VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH, YOU WERE SURPRISED WITH A $50 GIFT CARD COURTESY OF RICE TOY YATTA AND YOUR PHOTO WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT JOHNSON STREET GLOBAL STUDIES AND RICE TOY YATTA. AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT WE PRESENT MS. DORIS SLACK WITH A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION. >> MS. SLACK, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU'RE DOING, WORKING WITH SOME OF OUR YOUNGEST KIDS, HELPING THEM WITH VERY ESSENTIAL RADING SKILLS. THANK YOU FOR VOLUNTEERING YOUR TIME. YOUR CERTIFICATE SAYS GUILFORD COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION PRESENTING TO DORIS SLACK, JOHNSON STREET GLOBAL STUDIES FOR VOLUNTEER OF MONTH MAY 2023. SIGNED BY DR. OAKLEY AND OUR CHAIR DEENA HAYES. CONGRATULATIONS! >> I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR RECOGNIZING ME. I'VE WORKED WITH MS. CLARK FOR SEVEN YEARS. I REALLY ENJOY THE SECOND GRADE

006CHILDREN. I LOVE ALL OF THEM. I ONLY HAVE FOUR CHILDREN THAT REALLY NEED HELP. THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT I HELP EVERY YEAR. IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE. I'M GLAD THAT I CAN STILL DO IT. AND I HOPE TO CONTINUE. [ APPLAUSE ] >> TONIGHT, WE ARE WOULD LIKE TO SHAKE YOUR HAND AND ANY FAMILY THAT ARE HERE OR REPRESENTATIVES. >> I HAVE MY SON AND DAUGHTER. >> WELL, BRING THEM ON DOWN. NEXT WE WLL HIGHLIGHT OUR DISTRICT'S OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEES AND DECLARE MAY AS EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION MONTH. THE GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOL EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION PLAN EXPANDS ON NATIONAL TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK DURING THE FIRST WEEK IN MAY. FOR THE 13TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR AND IN THE SPIRIT OF TRUE TEAMWORK, WE WANT TO NOT ONLY THANK OUR TEACHERS BUT ALSO THANK ALL THE EMPLOYEES WHO WORK TOGETHER TO HELP

007OUR CHILDREN THRIVE IN THE CLASSROOM AND BEYOND. DURING THE MONTH OF MAY, WE INVITE THE COMMUNITY TO HELP US CELEBRATE THE TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATOR, AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL WHO HIT A HOME RUN FOR OUR STUDENTS. PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOUR EDUCATION ALL-STAR ON ASSOCIATE MEDIA USING THE H HASHTAG # GCS ALLSTARS. GUILFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION MONTH GIVES THE DISTRICT A THE OPPORTUNITY TO STAY THANK YOU AND TO SHOW EDUCATORS THE RESPECT THEY DESERVE, NOT JUST THIS MONTH BUT EVERY MONTH. TOGETHER, GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOL EMPLOYEES ARE BATTING A THOUSAND. AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO ASK BOARD MEMBER BETTYE JENKINS TO READ OUT LOUD THE RESOLUTION DECLARING MAY AS EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION MONTH. >> PROCLAMATION DECLARING MAY 2023 AS GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOL EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION MONTH. WHEREAS GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS IS A DISTRICT WITH TREMENDOUS EDUCATORS WHO

008WORK TO OPEN STUDENTS' MINDS TO IDEAS, KNOWLEDGE AND DREAMS; AND WHEREAS, EDUCATORS WORK WITH OTHER SUPPORT STAFF TO HELP STUDENTS ACHIEVE EXCELLENCE IN THE CLASSROOM AND BEYOND; AND WHEREAS, THESE DEDICATED EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING TEACHERS, BUS DRIVERS, COUNSELORS, SOCIAL WORKERS, PRINCIPALS, CUSTODIANS, SCHOOL NUTRITION STAFF, CENTRAL OFFICE SUPPORT STAFF AND MORE, WORK TOGETHER TO KEEP THE DISTRICT MOVING FORWARD DAY TO DAY, MONTH TO MONTH AND EACH AND EVERY SCHOOL YEAR; AND WHEREAS, IN GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS, WE KNOW IT TAKES A WINNING TEAM TO BRING LEARNING TO LIFE, AND IN THE SPIRIT OF TRUE TEAMWORK, GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS CELEBRATES ALL EMPLOYEES AND DECLARES THE ENTIRE MONTH OF MAY AS EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION MONTH; NOW THEREFORE, THE GUILFORD COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, DOES HEREBY RECOGNIZE MAY 2023 AS GCS EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION MONTH TO SHOW APPRECIATION FOR ALL GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS EMPLOYEES.

009SIGNED ON THE 9TH DAY OF MAY, 2023 BY BOARD MEMBER CHAIR DEENA HHAYES AND SUPERINTENDENT WHITNY OAKLEY. >> THANK YOU. WE ARE NOW AT PUBLIC COMMENTS. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES TO MAKE YOUR COMMENTS. THE I BELIEVE THE AMBER LIGHT COMES UP WHEN YOU HAVE 3 MINUTES LEFT. IF ANYONE SAYS ANYTHING THAT YOU SUPPORT, PLEASE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT BY DOING THIS SO THAT THE SPEAKER CAN CONTINUE UNINTERPRETED. FIRST UP IS VICE CHAIR OF THE GUILFORD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, CARVINA FOSTER FOLLOWED BY ALLISON B BAUMGARTN. THANK YOU. AND WELCOME. >> GOOD EVENING. I'M CARVINA FOSTER. I AM NOT HERE AS VICE CHAIR WOMAN OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER BUT AS A PROUD SUPPORTER OF PUBLIC EDUCATION. I HAVE MY SHIRT. WE'RE PUBLIC SCHOOL STRONG. FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO BRING AT LEAST

010A MEETING A QUART TO HIGH POINT. POINTE. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND THESE MEETINGS. THANK YOU FOR THAT. AND IT IS SO REFRESHING TO SEE SO MANY PEOPLE HERE TONIGHT IN SUPPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT'S BUDGET THAT SHE WILL BE PRESENTING LATER ON. THIS SUPERINTENDENT VALUES EACH AND EVERY ONE OF GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOL'S EMPLOYEES. SHE IS VERY -- THEY ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE JOB THAT YOU DO AND HER BUDGET REFLECTS THIS. IT'S A REALLY BIG ASK. BUT SHE AND THE BOARD ARE DOING THEIR PART TO BE SURE THAT THE EMPLOYEES OF GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS ARE TAKEN CARE OF. WE APPRECIATE SO VERY MUCH THE JOB THAT YOU DO. I'M NOT GOING TO SAY IT'S GOING TO COME TO THE COMMISSIONERS, BUT IT WILL. [ LAUGHTER ] BUT I WANT TO

011LEAVE THIS THOUGHT WITH YOU. MUNICIPALITY 168-69 A AND B SAYS THAT A KNE MUNICIPALITY MAY APPROPRIATE MONEY TO A SCHOOL TO FUND THE SCHOOL'S CURRENT OPERATING EXPENSES OR ANY OTHER SPECIFIC USES DIRECTED BY THE MUNICIPALITY. HIGH POINT IS A MUNICIPALITY. YOU'RE IN HIGH POINT. ALL THE MONEY DOESN'T HAVE TO BE ALLOCATED FROM GUILFORD COUNTY. IT COULD BE ALLOCATED FROM THE MUNICIPALITY. WE DON'T WANT TO RAISE TAXES. BUT YOU CAN ADVOCATE FOR THE CITY COUNCIL TO LOOK AT ADVOCATING MONEY TO GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS. WE ALL HAVE TO DO OUR PART TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF THIS SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT DOES AN OUTSTANDING JOB FOR OUR STUDENTS. SO IN CONCERT WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT'S STRATEGIC FOCUS, WE'RE BETTER TOGETHER. THANK YOU. >> ALLISON BAUM GARDENER FOLLOWED BY FRANK THOMAS. >> I DON'T HAVE MY SHIRT BUT I'M ALSO HERE

012WITH SCHOOL STRONG. VERY EXCITED. THANK YOU TO THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS FOR YOUR SERVICE AND COMMITMENT TO SAFE SCHOOLS IN PLACE OF BELONGING FOR OUR CHILDREN AND OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITIES. I FULLY SUPPORT OUR TEACHERS, OUR ADMINISTRATOR, OUR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO TEACH AND TO LEARN ABOUT OUR HISTORY, TO LEARN ABOUT AND CELEBRATE OUR DIFFERENCES ACROSS RACE, ETHNICITY, GENDER IDENTITY, LANGUAGE, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, RELIGION AND EVERYTHING THAT MAKES US WHO WE ARE. WE NEED TO FUND BUDGETS SO THAT STAFF, CHILDREN, FAMILY, COMMUNITIES HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO THRIVE. THIS INCLUDES PAY EQUITY ACROSS PROFESSIONS. WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE ROOT CAUSES OF DISPARITIES AND CAN NO LONGER LOOK AWAY OR DELAY. THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW. WE CAN GET TO EQUALITY BUT FIRST WE NEED EQUITY. OTHERWISE THE PLAYING FIELD WILL ALWAYS BE UNJUST AND UNFAIR.

013WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER AND SUPPORT LEADERS WHO HELP US TOWARD THESE GOALS. SO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR SCHOOL BOARD LEADER, INCLUDING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP DURING THESE HARD TIME. WE NEED OUR COLLECTIVE AND CONTINUED SUPPORT OF A STRONG AND ROBUST PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM THAT IS ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE. WE ALL BREATHE THE SAME AIR. WHAT EFFECTS ONE SCHOOL, ONE COMMUNITY EFFECTS US ALL. ALBEIT IN VERY DIFFERENT RAYS, GIVEN STRUCTURES THAT HAVE BEEN UNEQUAL FOR QUITE A WHILE. PLEASE STAY THE COURSE IN YOUR DECISION MAKING. CREATING SCHOOLS OF BELONGS MAKES US ALL STRONGER. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. >> THANK YOU. REVEREND FRANK THOMAS FOLLOWED BY VICTOR SUTTON. >> GOOD EVENING. I PASTOR MOUN MOUNT ZION ON 753 WASHINGTON STREET. I CAME FROM ONE REASON BUT WHEN I SAW THE RED SHIRTS, I COULDN'T HELP BUT

014SPEAK ABOUT WHY THEY'RE HERE. PAY EQUITY IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT IS NECESSARY FOR EVERY PERSON WHO WORKS TO SUPPORT THE EDUCATION OF OUR CHILDREN. PAY EQUITY IS NECESSARY. I DON'T LIVE IN GUILFORD COUNTY. I DON'T HAVE CHILDREN IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. BUT EVERYONE HERE KNOWS I SUPPORT THIS DISTRICT BECAUSE IT AFFECTS THE MEMBER OF MY CONGREGATION AND EVERY PERSON IN THIS COUNTY ULTIMATELY. IF WE DON'T PAY NOW, WE WILL EVENTUALLY PAY LATER. IF OUR CHILDREN ARE NOT EDUCATED, IF OUR CHILDREN ARE UNDEREDUCATED, THEY BECOME UNDEREDUCATED ADULTS AND UNEMPLOYED ADULTS, WE ALL PAY FOR IN SOME WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM. SO PAY EQUITY IS IMPORTANT. I WOULD ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU WITH SIGNS AND SHIRT, SHOW UP AT THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING WHEN THIS BUDGET COMES UP BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONES THAT ULTIMATELY MAKE THE

015DECISION. NOT OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT. BUT WHY I'M HERE TODAY IS TO ENCOURAGE THE SCHOOL BOARD AND THE DISTRICT TO STAY THE COURSE. WE HAVE A FACILITY MASTER PLAN. I HELP LEAD TWO SUCCESSFUL BOND CAMPAIGNS. AND NEW IT'S TIME TO CONTINUE THAT WORK. FOLKS IN COLFAX DON'T WANT A SCHOOL IN THEIR NINE HAD. NEIGHBORHOOD. THE WE'VE HEARD THAT RHETORIC BEFORE. OH YES, I SUPPORT A NEW SCHOOL. JUST NOT IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. SO I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU, STAY THE COURSE AND MAKE SURE THAT WHAT WE'RE DOING IS FOR THE GOOD OF ALL CHILDREN. AND OVER CROWDING SCHOOLS ARE JUST NOT GOOD. WE CAN FIX ROAD. WE CAN INCREASE TRAFFIC PATTERNS. WE CAN DO WHATEVER IS NEEDED TO SUPPORT A NEW SCHOOL. STAY THE COURSE. THE BIBLE SAYS, BE NOT WEARY IN WELL DOING FOR YOU WILL

016WEEP IF YOU FAINT NOT. >> THANK YOU. VICTOR SUTTON FOLLOWED BY AMY PURCELL. AMY PURCELL FOLLOWED BY NADIA NICHOLSON. WELCOME. >> I'M AMY PURCELL. COLFAX. A MAJOR GOAL OF THE GCS PLAN IS PROMISING CHOICE PLANS. THE BOND APPROVAL WAS BASED ON THIS PLAN REALIZED IN PART BY A NEW COLFAX K-8 SCHOOL WITH A REGIONAL STEM MAGNET HUB. DR. OAKLEY STATED IN THE JOINT FACILITIES CAPITAL COMMITTEE THAT SINCE 2019 NEW OPPORTUNITIES HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED AT UNCG AND A&T. THE MAGNET HUBS ARE NO LONGER NEEDED. DO YOU THINK THAT AN ELEMENTARY PARENT WILL BE SATISFIED WITH A FIELD TRIP TO A UNIVERSITY? WILL THIS LESS THAN OPTION KEEP THEM FROM CHOOSING ONE OF THE MANY CHARTER AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN THE AREA? THE PROPOSED SCHOOL HAS GONE FROM HAVING A STEM MAGNET HUB TO A K-8 WITH

017SOME STEM OFFERINGS TO A SCHOOL WITH SCIENCE AND MATH IN ITS NAME. WE ARE NOT TOGETHER. THE GCS WEBSITE STATS SHOW THAT SINCE 2018 ENROLLMENT HAS DECREASED BY 7%. NEITHER COLFAX OR SOUTHWEST ARE OVER COULDED BECAUSE OF ENROLLMENT OR LACK OF FACILITIES. WHEN OUR MEMBERS MET WITH GCS THE STAFF EXPLAINED THAT AN ENTIRE HALLWAY WAS CLOSED DUE TO A LACK OF TEACHERS. WE HAVE A TEACHER AND STAFF SHORTAGE. THIS IS THE REASON BEHIND OVER POPULATION IN OUR CLASSROOMS. NOT A LACK OF FACILITIES. IF YOU WANT TO ATTRACT STUDENTS, BUILD THE MAGNET HUB. ATTACH IT TO A NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL. BE INSPIRATIONAL. WE ARE NOT TOGETHER. THE BOND WAS APPROVED AT $38 MILLION. THE CURRENT COST UPDATE IS $57 MILLION. THE GCS BUDGET REVEALS THAT, WITH LAND ACQUISITION, DEVELOPMENT FEES AN INFLATION, 204 MILLION IS THE

018ACTUAL PROJECT COST. WE ARE NOT TOGETHER. THE PROPOSED SITE IS LESS THAN A MILE FROM THE FORSYTHE COUNTY LINE, TWO MILES FROM COLFAX ELEMENTARY THAT IS IN AN AREA MIXED WITH RESIDENTIAL. TWO HOSPITALS ARE TWO MILE AWAY. COUNTRY ROADS FOLLOW LINES WITH 9 OH 90-DEGREE TURNS THAT CANNOT SAFELY HANDLE THE TRAFFIC. IT WILL TAKE A LOT MORE THAN A STOP SIGN TO FIX. WHEN RESIDENTS ARE ASKED WHERE THE SCHOOL SHOULD BE, MOST FAVOR WHERE ROADS CAN ALREADY ACCOMMODATE IT. 38 ACRES IS FOR SELL ADJACENT TO COLFAX ELEMENTARY. CLUSTERING SCHOOLS BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY. SANDY CAMP ROAD, SANDY RIDGE ROAD, HAVE INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PLANS IN PLACE. BOTH WILL BENEFIT FROM A SCHOOL THAT IS CENTRALLY LOCATED BETWEEN SOUTHWEST AND COLFAX ELEMENTARY. A FORTUNE 500 FIRM HAS PROPOSED A SITE THAT WILL CONTINUE TO OPEN UP LAND FOR

019DEVELOPMENT. SELECT THIS LOCATION AND THEY GET FREE INFRASTRUCTURE AND OUR PRECIOUS OPEN SPACE DISAPPEARS. THE CEO MADE ALMOST $26 MILLION LAST YEAR. THIS IS WHAT THEY DO. IMAGINE WHAT WE CAN DO BETTER TOGETHER. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >>NADIA NICHOLSON FOLLOWED BY DAVID GILBERT. I T >> MY NAME IS NADIA NICHOLSON. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO. I KNOW IT CAN BE HARD SINCE THERE ARE SOME DECISIONS THAT NOT EVERYONE AGREES WITH, AS I WITNESSED AT THE LAST MEETING. YOU ALL MAKE SO MANY HARD DECISIONS FOR GCS. THANK YOU. I WILL BE TALKING ABOUT SCHOOL LUNCHES. A NORMAL SCHOOL LUNCH TRAY HAS ONE MEET, A VEGETABLE, A WHEAT ROLE AND FRUIT AND MILK. THIS IS ENOUGH TO GIVE YOU NUTRIENTS FOR THE REST OF YOUR SCHOOL DAY. WHILE MOST

020STUDENTS ARE ENJOYING THEIR LUNCH, THERE ARE KIDS WHO ARE NOT. STUDENTS WHO HAVE A HIGH BALANCE AND CANNOT PAY IT OFF OR DOWN GET A BAD BAGGED LUNCH INSTEAD OF A LUNCH TRAY. AFTER WALKING THROUGH THE SAME LUNCH LINE AS EVERYONE ELSE BUYING LUNCH. WHILE YOU MIGHT THINK THEY GET THE SAME LUNCH, THEY DON'T. I WONDER WHERE IS THEIR PROTEIN. AREN'T OFFENSE LUNCHES SUPPOSED ALL LUNCHES SUPPOSED TOBE A BAL? WE KNOW THAT'S THEIR LAST MEAL FOR THE DAY. THAT MEAL CANNOT PROVIDE ENERGY FOR THAT CHILD AND IT'S ALSO NOT FAIR THAT THEY ARE NOT GETTING THE SAME LUNCH AS THEIR FRIENDS. IT'S EVEN WORST THAT IT SEPARATES STUDENTS AND MAKES IT NOTICEABLE. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HOME BAGGED LUNCH AND A SCHOOL BAGGED LISTEN. LUNCH. THE STUDENTS MAY NOT HAVE WANTED TO SHARE

021THE ROUGH PART OF THEIR LIFE WITH THEIR FRIENDS. WHEN KIDS NOTICE SOMETHING DIFFERENT THEY WILL SAY SOMETHING. JUST BY THAT ONE SINGULAR COMMENT CAN RUIN THAT CHILD'S SELF-ESTEEM. TENTHEN IT TURNS INTO BULLYING R SELF HARM. I WANT TO SEE CHANGE AND FAIR TREATMENT. MY PARENTS ALWAYS GIVE ME EXTRA SNACKS SO, IF I SEE ANYONE IN MY CLASS THAT DOESN'T HAVE A LOT, I CAN GIVE IT TO THEM, MAKING SURE THEY DON'T HAVE AN ELER J AN AL. THESE KIDS NEED A DAILY BALANCED MEAL BUT THEY'RE NOT ALWAYS GETTING THAT. WE'RE DOING OUR PART. WHAT CAN YOU GUYS DO? TOGETHER WE CAN STOP THIS. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK AT THIS MEETING. I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT DAY. >> THANK YOU. [ APPLAUSE ] >> DAVID GILBERT FO. >> I'M A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE

022GREENSBORO NOW ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP. I LIVE IN GREENSBORO. MEMBERS OF MY GROUP HAVE BEEN GREETING YOU AT THESE MONTHLY MEETINGS FOR THE PAST 16 MONTHS IN FACT URGING YOU TO CONCERT TO 100% RENEWABLE ENERGY BY 2050. WE APPRECIATED THE STEPS REPORTED AT LAST MONTH'S BOARD MEETING. WHILE WE HOPED FOR STRONGLY POLICY COMMITMENT FROM THE BOARD WE WERE VERY ENCOURAGED BY THE REPORT OF NUMBER 6530. OF PARTICULAR NOTE WERE THE INCLUSION OF A GOOD FAITH EFFORT TO TRANSITION TO 100% CLEAN ENERGY AND HAVING THE SUSTAINABILITY PROGRESS. WE URGE THE BOARD TO IMPLEMENT THESE REGULATIONS AND WE URGE DR. OAKLEY TO MAKE ONE ADDITION TO THE REGULATIONS. MISSING IS A TARGET PLAN WHICH WE THINK SHOULD BE 2050. YOU HAVE THE COMMITMENT BUT NO MEANINGFUL WAY TO MEASURE THE PACE OF PROGRESS. AND SENSE BETTER TOGETHER IS THE

023DISTRICT'S GUIDING PHILOSOPHY, LET ME ASSURE YOU YOU WILL NOT BE ALONE IN MAKING A 2050 COMMITMENT. THREE YEARS AGO THE CITY OF GREENSBORO ADOPTED A 100% RENEWABLE ENERGY POLICY WITH AN AMBITIOUS TARGET DATE OF 2040. NOW THEY HAVE A DETAILED IMPLEMENTATION PLAN IN PLACE TO GUIDE AND TO TRACK THEIR PROGRESS. FORSYTHE COUNTY SCHOOLS RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THEIR COMMITMENT TO A TARGET DATE AND IN DURHAM, THE CITY, COUNTY, AND SCHOOLS TOGETHER HAVE JOINTLY ISSUED THEIR COMMITMENT TO A 2050 TARGET. I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE MANY PRIORITIES TO ATTEND TO IN ORDER TO MEET YOUR GOALS FOR SALARY, FOR PERSONNEL, PROGRAMS, IN ADDITION TO FACILITIES. BUT PLEASE NOTE, ATTRACTIVE WELL DESIGNED SCHOOL FACILITIES CONTRIBUTE TO AN ATTRACTIVE SALARY PACKAGE. AND SCHOOLS SERVE AS MODELS FOR STUDENTS AND THEIR PAINTS. THE SCHOOL BUILDING ITSELF BECOMES A TEACHER WHICH IS

024DR. OAKLEY'S STRATEGIC AREA NUMBER FOUR. SO PLEASE, DR. OAKLEY, BE WILLING TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP AND COMMIT TO 2050 AND DEVELOP AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN TO REALIZE THAT COMMITMENT AND BOARD MEMBERS, PLEASE SUPPORT DR. OAKLEY. >> THANK YOU. TARIX MIIQ MITCHELL. >> I'M HERE TO REPRESENT MY NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, ONE FAMILY ONE DIRECTION. AND WE ARE A SERVICE BASED ORGANIZATION THAT TAKES PRIDE IN SUPPORTING FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS IN THE GUILFORD COUNTY AREA. AND WE PROVIDE HOT MEALS, WATER, DOWNTOWN GREENSBORO. AT THE END OF THE SUMMER WE PROVIDE SCHOOL SUPPLIES AS WELL. WITH THAT BEING SAID WE STILL WANT TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE COMMUNITY. WE WOULD LIKE TO GET INVOLVED IN THE GUILFORD COUNTY COMMUNITY SCHOOLS. WE UNDERSTAND THAT STUDENTS HAVE SUFFERED EDUCATIONAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL SET BACKS. WE WANT TO START AN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM. WE'VE

025COMPLETED MY STUDIES AND WAS A PART OF THE YOUTH LEADERSHIP CORP AND PROJECT EFFORT AT UNC GREASE B GREENSBO. THESE PROGRAMS HAVE PROVIDED GREAT LEARNING AND CERTAIN BONE FITS FOR HIGH SCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS. FOR DECADES, WE'VE BEEN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE COMMUNITY. I WOULD LIKE TO INCREASE OUR STUDENT INVOLVEMENT AND HELP CLOSE THE EDUCATIONAL GAP FOR OUR YOUTH BY CREATING THIS AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM WOULD BE A DERIVATIVE OF THE PROGRAMS I MENTIONED AT UNC GREENSBORO, CREATING A COURSE FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO LEARN LEADERSHIP AND MENTORSHIP BY TUTORING AND ORGANIZING PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE STUDENTS. THIS WILL HELP WITH THEIR EDUCATIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL SKILLS WHICH ALL THE STUDENTS WOULD BE BENEFICIAL OF. THIS PROGRAM WOULD REQUIRE STUDENTS TO TAKE THIS COURSE DURING THE SCHOOL DAY AS OUR ELEMENTARY

026SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE DISMISSED DURING THE DAY. I'M ASKING FOR OUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO BE INVOLVED. AND OF COURSE THERE ARE SOME DRAWBACKS THAT WE HAVE CONSIDERED, INCLUDING TRANSPORTATION COST, VOLUNTEER, PAID EMPLOYEES AND POTENTIAL STUDENT MANIPULATIONS OF THE COURSE OF COURSE. THESE ARE ALL CONSIDERED. HOWEVER I'M IN THE PROCESS OF SEEKING A GRANT FOR FUNDS FOR TRANSPORTATION, CHAPERONS, PROGRAMS TO ENSURE THAT STUDENTS ARE SAFELY ESCORTED THERE AND THAT THEY ARE PARTICIPATING. WHILE THERE ARE OTHER OBSTACLES THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO OVERCOME I WOULD LIKE TO START SOMETHING THAT WOULD LEAD TO SOMETHING GREAT IN THE FUTURE FOR OUR STUDENTS AND THEIR DEVELOPMENT. I WOULD LIKE TO CONNECT WITH ONE OF THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS TO BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT THIS PROGRAM SO THAT OUR STUDENTS CAN INCREASE THEIR EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. >> THANK YOU. YOU

027CAN FIND OUR CONTACT INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE AS WELL. AND WE'LL HAVE A STAFF PERSON THAT CAN TALK TO YOU. ANN BEATTY FOLLOWED BY JUDY. >> MY NAME IS ANN OF 213 KENSINGTON ROAD. I'M AN ENGLISH TEACHER AT THE EARLY COLLEGE AT GUILFORD. I'M GREATLY CONCERNED BY THE RECENTLY PROPOSED BILLS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE LIKE H.B. 187 AND S.B. 149. GIVEN THE OMINOUS RESTRICTIONS, MANY TEACHERS THESE DAYS FEEL ALARM AND DESPAIR. I HAVE COME TO THANK THE BOARD MEMBERS FOR YOUR RECENT ACTIONS TO STAND AGAINST BIGOTRY AND A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR OUR CHILDREN. IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO TAKE STEPS TO PRESERVE OUR COUNTY'S AUTONOMY IN THE FACE OF ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE ASSEMBLY. MY 10TH GRADERS TOOK THEIR AP EXAM THIS MORNING. OUR FINAL UNIT WAS ON EDUCATION. AND WE READ AMANDA RIPLEY'S BOOK

028WHERE SHE REPORTS ON THE AMERICAN EDUCATION SYSTEM AND HOW IT COMPARES TO FINLAND, SOUTH KOREA AND POLAND. BEFORE WE READ IT I ASKED STUDENTS TO AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH TWO STATEMENTS. THE FIST WAS I HAVE GOTTEN A GOOD EDUCATION IN THE AMERICAN PUBLIC SYSTEM. THE MAJORITY AGREED. MOST ARE PRODUCTS OF GCS'S GIFTED A PROGRAMS. THE SECOND STATEMENT WAS ALL KIDS GET A GOOD EDUCATION IN THE AMERICAN PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM. THEY UNANIMOUSLY DISAGREED WITH THAT. MY STUDENTS KNOW TEJCATION THEY RECEIVE IS NOT IS SAME AS WHAT ALL 10TH GRADERS RECEIVE ACROSS THE COUNTY, MUCH LESS THE COUNTRY. REGARDLESS OF THEIR VARIED POLITICAL BELIEFS AND BACKGROUNDS THEY ALL WONDER WHY THERE'S SO MUCH INEQUALITY IN AMERICA. THEY WONDER WHY WE CAN'T PUT OUR POLITICAL WILL AND OUR DOLLARS BEHIND THE BELIEF THAT EVERY CHILD SHOULD GO TO

029A GOOD SCHOOL. THEY KNOW EQUITY IS NOT A ZERO SUM GAME RATHER WE ALL BENEFIT WHEN RACIAL AND CLASS GAPS ARE CLOSED. SHOULDN'T ALL STUDENTS HAVE STRONG TEACHERS AND ENGAGING CURRICULUM? SHOULDN'T ALL STUDENTS SEE THEIR HERITAGE REFLECTED IN THEIR SCHOOLS? MY STUDENTS WANT A CURRICULUM AS SERIOUS AS THEY TAKE THE PROBLEMS IN THEIR WORD. THEY WANT THIS FOR EVERYONE. THESE ARE CHILDREN WHO READ ABOUT GRETA TURNBURG. THEY DON'T WANT TO BE SHELTERED. THEY WANT TO BE INFORMED. WHEN THE BOARD PASSED THE RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT EQUITY AND INCLUSION AND VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABILITY IT SHOWED MY STUDENTS THAT ADULTS ARE TAKING THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT OUR WORLD SERIES USELY. IT MAYBE MAKES US GOOD ROLE MODELS. AND IT SHOWS THE PEOPLE WHO LEARN AND TEACH IN THIS DISTRICT THAT WE CAN ALL WORK TOGETHER TOWARD A

030MORE EQUITABLE FUTURE. THANK YOU. >> JULIE FOLLOWED BY M BY MARIM >> GOOD EVENING. I'M A PRODUCT OF GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS. MY PARENTS BOTH RETIRED AFTER 30 YEAR OF SERVICE TO GUILFORD COUNTY. AND MY SISTER WORKED FOR GUILFORD. YOU KNOW I'M PROBABLY PRO-EDUCATION. THE INITIAL DECISION FOR A STEM HUB WAS EXCITING. IT'S A LITTLE DISAPPOINTING TO FIND OUT THIS IS ONLY BEING INCLUDED IN A WATERED DOWN CONTEXT. WE HEARD IT WILL NOW JUST BE A K-8 OVERFLOW SCHOOL. AND NOW IT'S BEING UPDATED TO A STEM THEME BUT NOT THE HUB THAT EVERYONE WAS HOPING FOR. AND THE REASON GIVEN TO ME IS THAT THEY COULDN 'T FIND THE 60 ACRES THEY NEED AND HAD TO SETTLE FOR ABOUT HALF OF THAT. THE KATHERINE G. JOHNSON IS IS PROMINENT NAME AFTER THE MOVIE HIDDEN FIGURED WAS

031MADE ABOUT HER. AND I BELIEVE HER DAUGHTER WAS INVITED TO THE NAMING CEREMONY. THE IRONY OF A MATHEMATICAL GENIUS NOW BEING HONORED WITH A WATERED DOWN SCHOOL I THINK IS SAD. I AM ONE OF THE NEIGHBORS MOST DIRECTLY AFFECT BD I THE PROPOSED LOCATION WHICH PROBABLY LIKE YOUR OWN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD IS NOT CURRENTLY ZONED FOR A SCHOOL AND SHOULDN'T BE. KATHERINE G. JOHNSON IS NOT THE ONLY HIDDEN FIGURE HERE. WE HAVE NEIGHBORS WHO DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO SPEAK UP FOR THEMSELVES AND ARE FACING HARDSHIPS BECAUSE OF THIS PROJECT. WE'VE HEARD SILLY STATEMENTS LIKE SOME PEOPLE JUST DON'T LIKE CHANGE BUT THERE'S SOME UNSEEN IMPACTS YOU ARE NOT SEEING. WE HAD ONE ELDERLY GENTLEMAN WHO LIVES RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET THAT'S BEEN THERE FOR MANY YEARS. HE SET UP HIS LIFE THERE IN A RURAL

032AREA, NEVER ANTICIPATING THINGS WOULD CHANGE. HIS DAUGHTER LIVES IN THE HOUSE NEXT TO HIM SO SHE CAN BE THERE AS HE AGES. HE HAS VERY LITTLE IN THE WAY OF A FRONT YARD AND A FENCE THAT GOES RIGHT UP TO THE ROAD WHERE HE KEEPS FOUR HORSES HE LOVES DEARLY. NOW HE'S FACED WITH 7 OR 800 CARS OUTSIDE TWICE A DAY WITH THE TRAFFIC NOISE, HORNS HON BEING AND ALL THAT COMES ALONG WITH THAT, BALL GAMES GOING ON. I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO HEAR HIS OPTIONS. ONE, HE CAN ALLOW HIS ANIMALS TO BE SPOOKED. HE CAN BOARD THE HORSES AT $700 PER HORSE PER MONTH OR MOVE AWAY FROM HIS DAUGHTER WHICH SEEM LIKE A BAD IDEA CONSIDERING HE JUST HAD A HEART ATTACK FROM THE ANXIETY HE FELT AFTER MY

033HUSBAND TOLD HIM ABOUT THIS SCHOOL. THIS WOULD PUT HIM IN DEATH AND IT'S MORE DIFFICULT THAN EVER WITH THE INCREASING INTEREST RATES. THE. SO ALL OF US HAVE OUR OWN DILEMMAS AND STORIES OF HOW THIS WOULD AFFECT US. AND BASICALLY, ALL WE'VE SEEN SO FAR FROM ANYONE INVOLVED IN ENFORCING THIS IS PRETENDING WE'RE INVISIBLE OR MAKING UP STORIES ABOUT WHY WE DON'T WANT THE SCHOOL IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. YOU KNOW HOW THE SAYING GOES, A PERSON SUCKS THE OXYGEN OUT OF A ROOM. WHAT DO YOU THINK A 34-ACRE SCHOOL SITE WOULD DO TO YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD? IT'S THE SIZE OF A SUPER CLUB WAL-MART SAM CENTER. >> MARIA ADAMS FOLLOWED BY RICHARD TIMMS. >> IT'S A LONG WALK FROM THAT CORNER OF THE ROOM. >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS MARIA. I LIVE IN SUMMERFIELD AREA OF

034DISTRICT 3. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK THIS EVENING. THE FIRST THICK I WANT TO SAY IS I APPLAUD THE YOUNG LADY WHO SPOKE ABOUT SCHOOL NUTRITION. I ALSO THINK THAT SCHOOL NUTRITION IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. I AGREE THAT WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO FUND HEALTHY MEALS FOR OUR CHILDREN. LIVING IN DISTRICT THREE I'M PART OF THE DISENFRANCHISED VOTERS AND RESIDENTS OF THE FIASCO THAT HAS HAPPENED WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD SEAT. I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THAT IF I MAY PLEASE. FIRST OF ALL, FOR FOUR MONTHS THE BOARD DENIED MR. LOGAN LEGAL SEAT ON THE SCHOOL BOARD. HIS NAME WAS SLANDER AND HE WAS DISRESPECTED AS A TEACHER HERE IN GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS WHICH IS JUST REALLY SAD. AFTER MONTH OF DENYING MR. LOGAN HIS RIGHTFUL SEAT WE WERE TOLD IT WAS GOING TO FINALLY HAPPEN,

035THAT HE WAS GOING TO BE SEATED AFTER A LAW, A NEW LAW WAS ENACTED. IT WAS INFERRED MR. LOGAN WOULD BE SEATED WHEN HE AND THE REPUBLICAN BOARD MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT A JUDGE WOULD BE ON SITE TO COMMENCE THE SWEARING IN. IN GOOD FAITH AND A BELIEF THAT THE BOARD WOULD DO THE RIGHT THING, MR. LOGAN HAD A ROOM FULL OF SUPPORTERS LIKE TONIGHT TO WITNESS HIS SWEARING IN. AND AMONG THOSE GUESTS AND SUPPORTERS WERE MR. LOGAN'S WIFE AND HIS FATHER. MR. LOGAN'S FATHER, WHO IS AN ELDERLY MAN, TRAVELED A THREE HOUR TRIP TO BE HERE FOR HIS SON. YOU CAN TELL THAT HE WAS BEABEAMINGWITH PRIDE AS HE HELD. BUT INSTEAD OF DOING THE RIGHT THING AND FOLLOWING THE LAW AS IT WAS INTENDED, THE SCHOOL BOARD COND CONCOCTED A PLAN TO Y

036MR. LOGAN HIS SEAT AND INSTEAD INSTALL A MAN WHO ULTI ULTIMATEY BETRAYED MR. LOGAN AND THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. MY FIRST REACTION TO THESE ABHORRENT MANEUVERS WAS SADNESS. MY HEART WAS BROKEN FOR MR. LOGAN, REALLY FOR EVERYONE IN DISTRICT 3. HE ENDURED PUBLIC HUMILIATION AT YOUR HANDS. IS THIS WHAT YOU CONSIDER IS BETTER TOGETHER? I'M TERRIBLY DISAPPOINTED. I HAD ONLY KNOWN HIM FOR A FEW WEEKS. HE PORTRAYED HIMSELF TO BE A NICE MAN BUT ALL THE WHILE VYING FOR MR. LOGAN'S SCHOOL BOARD SEAT. HE RAN FOR GOP CHAIRMAN AND EXPRESSED HIS LOYAL SERVICE TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, ASKED FOR OUR VOTES AN STATED, I WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN. BUTLESS THAN 30 DAYS LATER HE CONSPIRE AND COLLUDED WITH THE DEMOCRAT ON THIS SEAT, ON THE SCHOOL BOARD TO SEAT HIMSELF INSTEAD OF SUPPORTING THE LEGAL

037NOMINEE, MR. LOGAN. OUR FINA IS THAT MY TIME? >> YES, THANK YOU. >> MY I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THREATS TO OUR CHILDREN AND THE SCHOOL CAMPUSES THEY ATTEND. LAST WEEK, THERE WERE TWO THREATS TO MY CHILDREN'S SCHOOL. I WILL BE TALKING ABOUT THE THREAT THAT WAS MADE TO SOUTHWEST MIDDLE ON THURSDAY, NOT THE STATE-WIDE THREAT THAT INVOLVED THE ENTIRE DISTRICT. THE THREAT ON THURSDAY WAS SHARED ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND LATER DEEMED AS NOT CREDIBLE BY THE SCHOOL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT. A MESSAGE WAS SENT OUT THAT DID NOT CONTAIN ANY DETAILS AND WAS VERY GENERAL IN NATURE. AT 12:07:00 P.M., TWO HOURS AFTER THE SCHOOL MESSAGE WAS SENSE, I RECEIVED A MESSAGE FROM MY 12 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER STATING, IN HER EXACT WORDS, HEY, THE POLICE OFFICER FOUND A GUN AT THE SCHOOL, HE SAID

038THERE MIGHT BE ANOTHER ONE AND I'M A LITTLE FREAKED OUT. I SENT HER THE SCREEN SHOT OF THE EMAIL I RECEIVED EARLIER FROM THE PRINCIPAL AND SENT A MESSAGE TELLING HER NOT THE WORRY. SHE THEN REPLIED BACK TO ME SAYING YEAH I KNOW, I SHOULD BUT I FOUND OUT THE STORY FROM STUDENTS AND A TEACHER. THE AND THE TEACHER IS THE PART THAT GOT TO ME. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER MESSAGE THAT SAYS I'VE GOT A PAIR OF SCISSORS TO STAB THEM. I COULDN'T HELP BUT THINK THIS WAS MAYBE ANOTHER ISSUE SINCE THE ORIGINAL MESSAGE NEVER CONTAINED DETAILS ABOUT A GUN. AND HER MESSAGES WERE MULTIPLE HOURS LATER. MY 12 YEAR OLD WAS RELYING ON HER DADDY TO KEEP HER SAFE WHILE IN THE HANDS OF THE SCHOOL. I WAS SENDING MULTIPLE MESSAGES TO THE

039PRINCIPLE DIRECTLY AS WELL AS REPLYING TO THE BLACKBOARD MESSAGES THAT HE SENT FOR CLARITY ON WHAT THE ORIGINAL THREAT WAS. SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION NEVER CALLED OR REPLAYED TO THE EMAILS. VERY FIRST REPLY WAS NOT ONLY SATURDAY, TWO DAYS LATER. I'M HERE TO ASK THE BOARD FOR THREE CHANGES. I'M ASK ASKING THE BOARD TO RECOMMEND A STANDARDIZED POLICY AND ASK THAT THE POLICY REQUIRE SPECIFIC DETAILS WHEN IT INVOLVES THREATS TO OUR CHILDREN OR THEIR SAFETY. I UNDERSTAND THE RELUCTANTTY HOWEVER THE LACK OF DETAILS DID THE EXACT OPPOSITE AND CREATED A MASS EXIT OF EXIRN ADDING TO THE PANIC OF THOSE LEFT BEHIND. I'M ASKING THE BOARD TO CREATE A STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE THAT INCLUDES A SPECIFIC PROCESS THAT HANDLES EMAIL REPLIES TO BLACKBOARD MESSAGES, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN IS INVOLVED, CREDIBLE OR NOT. LASTLY

040I'M HERE TO ASK THAT THE BOARD HAVE A POLICY SURROUNDING THE RECEIPT OF NONCREDIBLE THREATS THAT HAVE BEEN WIDELY DISTRIBUTED BY MORE THAN FIVE SOURCES WITHIN THE PARAMETERS THAT REQUIRES THAT ALL STUDENTS MARKED PRESENT ARE NOTIFIED VIA PHYSICAL ASSEMBLY AND NOT THROUGH A PUBLIC SCHOOL AUTOMOBILE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THE THREAT IS UNSUBSTANTIATED. THIS ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO HAPPEN IMMEDIATELY ONCE THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED. THIS NEEDS TO BE PROVISION FOR CHILDREN THAT ARE NOT PHYSICALLY PRESENT ON CAMPUS AND POSSIBLY ATTENDING A SCHOOL EVENT. THOSE NOT PRESENT NEED TO BE NOTIFIED UPON THEIR RETURN IN THE SAME PHYSICAL MANNER. THATHANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODA. >> A STAFF PERSON IS PREPARED TO MEET WITH YOU OUTSIDE. OUR THIRD SPEAKER, VICTOR SUTTON IS HERE. WELCOME. GLAD YOU'RE HERE. >> GOOD EVENING MY NAME IS VICTOR SUTTON.

041I DEDICATED THE AT LEAST THREE YEARS TO HOLISTIC HEALING. I DO NATURAL REMEDIES, LIGHT WORK, I'VE BEEN GUIDED TO HELP REINREINSTATE THE SIGHTS CHILDRN SEE. AS WE GROW OLDER, WE LOSE THAT THROUGH CONDITIONING, THROUGH WORK, THROUGH FAMILY. I'VE BEEN GOING TO COLLEGES AND TEACHING REIKI TO STUDENTS TO HELP GROUND THEM, TO HELP RELAX THEM, TO HELP BE A POWER WITHIN THEMSELVES. WHAT I WANT TO PRESENT TO THE BOARD IS IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN COME UP WITH TO DO THAT TO OUR PUBLIC SYSTEM INSTEAD OF HAVING SOMETHING THAT ISN'T WORKING THAT HASN'T BEEN WORKING. LET'S TRY A DIFFERENT ROUTE. LET'S TRY IT WITH LOVE, LIGHT, HAPPINESS, AND JOY THAT'S WHAT MEDI MEDITATION BRI. WE GET ALL CAUGHT UP IN THE RAT RACE. WE DON'T WANT OUR CHILDREN GROWING UP LIKE THAT. LET'S BE HONEST.

042IT'S A HARD LIFE TO LIVE LIKE THAT. YOU FORGET THE SPECIAL MOMENTS. WHY DON'T WE START IN A WAY FROM, YOU KNOW, WHEN THEY'RE 8 YEARS OLD, COMING UP. JUST IMAGINE ONE GENERATION EMBODIED IN LOVE INSTEAD OF FEAR, LACK, ANGER. LOOK AT THE FEAR THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE LIVE IN. WHY? WE JUST HAVEN'T BEEN TAUGHT IT. WE'VE BEEN REDIRECTED AWAY FROM IT. WE'RE ALL CONNECTED TO THE UNIVERSE. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT OUR CHILDREN KNOW. AND WE KNOW. WE SIMPLY FORGET IT. AS A CHILD I'VE BEEN DOING THIS WITH MY OWN DAUGHTER AND SHE HAS CHANGED TREMENDOUSLY. I SAW HER PICK UP NEGATIVE HABITS FROM MY EX AND START TEACHING HER MEDICATION, ABOUT THE CHAKRAS AND EVERYTHING ELSE. SHE'S CHANGED. >> THANK YOU. >> I JUST WANT TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO. THANK YOU. >>

043THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THIS INCLUDES THE PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION OF THE MEETING. WE'RE NOW AT APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA. IS THERE A MOTION? >> MOVE TO APPROVE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. >> AYE. P [ APPPOP >>N ANY OPPOSED? OKAY. WE'RE NOW AT THE CONSENT AGENDA. DR. OAKLEY? WE HAVE ?>> WE ARE ASKING THAT , ADMINISTRATION CONTRACT RENEWALS, E, 22-23 BUDGET AMENDMENTS AND TRANSFERS REPORT, F, ELEMENTARY MATH PROFESSIONAL LEARNING CONTRACT, G, MIDDLE SCHOOL LEARNING CONTRACT, H, CONTRACT FOR MENTAL HEALTH CONTRACT AND I, EVERY STUDENT ACCOUNTABILITY MODEL. THAT CONCLUDES THIS EVENING'S CONSENT AGENDA. >> MOVE TO SUPPORT EXCEPT FOR ITEM C. >> SO ITEMS A-I EXCEPT ITEM C. KIM? >> KHEM? >> YES. >> DEBORAH? >> YES. >> BETTYE? >> YES. >> ALAN? >> YES. >> CRISSY? >> YES. >> PHIL? >> YES. >> DEENA,

044YES. SO ITEMS A, B, D, E, F, G, H, AND I PAST UNANIMOUSLY. AND WE'LL NOW TURN TO BOARD MEMBER NAPP N NAPPER FOR A DISCN ON ITEM C. >> THIS SHOULD BE THE BUDGET AMENDMENTS AND TRANSFERS. >> I'M SORRY. >> C AND D WERE ADDED. E IS THE ITEM -- THE BUDGET AMENDMENTS. >> I MUST HAVE AN OLD COPY. WE JUST VOTED ON THAT. >> WELL WE CAN BRING IT UP. >> THE OTHER THING I WANT TO ASK ABOUT IS, IN THE BUDGET AMENDMENTS AND TRANSFERS REPORT ON PAGE 5 WE HAVE 134,000 TO MOVE TO CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT. CAN WE GET AN IDEA OF WHICH CT AREA THIS IS GOING TO? WE'VE GOT A LOT NOW. >> CTE FUNDING COMES IN MULTIPLE INSTALLMENTS. THIS PARTICULAR ONE IS TOWARD CTE EQUIPMENT. IT

045COULD GO TOWARD THINGS SUCH AS BUILDING OUT LABS. WE RECENTLY HAD MANY STUDENTS ENROLL IN CARPENTRY FOR EXAMPLE AT HIGH POINT. SO OUTFITTING CTE WE EQUIPMENT IS WHAT THE FUNDS ARE IDENTIFIED FOR. THEY JUST COME IN MANY INSTALLMENTS. SO WE SEE THEM ON BUDGET AMENDMENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. >> SO THIS ONE IS LOOKING AT THE CARPENTRY LABS. I JUST WANTED A CLEARER DEFINITION ON THAT ONE. I'M GOING TO START PUSHING HERE FOR MORE MEDICAL CTE STUFF. SO CARPENTRY IS GOOD THOUGH. >> BECAUSE YOU MAY OR MAY NOT VOTED ON C BECAUSE IT WAS REMOVED -- >> YEAH WE'LL GO BACK AND VOTE. >> IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEM C? >> KHEM? >> YES. >> DEBORAH? >> YES. >> CHRISSY? >> YES. >> DIANNE? >> BILL? >> YES. >> DEENA, EMPLOYEE. THAT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY AS

046WELL. WE'RE NOW AT OUR PUBLIC HEARING ON THE BUDGET. WE HAVE SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. I WILL START WITH KENYA DONALDSON. ASU >> IS THIS THE BUDGET HEARING? WHY DON'T WE CALL TO ORDER THE BUDGET HEARING. >> THERE'S A PROTOCOL HERE TO CALL THE BUDGET HEARING TO ORDER. OUR SPEAKERS ARE STILL GIVEN THREE MINUTES. AND WHEN THE BECAUSER GOES YOU L HAVE 15 SECONDS LEFT. I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME KENYA DONALDSON FOLLOWED BY AMY HARRISON. >> I'M KENYA DONALDSON, PRESIDENT OF GCAE. THREE YEARS AGO THIS BOARD COMMITTED TO EDUCATING AND INVESTING WITH A FIVE YEAR PLAN. TODAY'S BUDGET INCLUDES PHASE 3 OF THAT PLAN. LAST YEAR, THE BOARD COMMITTED TO $1.7 BILLION IN SCHOOL FACILITIES. WE CELEBRATED THESE IN THE MEDIA AND ALL ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY. I'M GENUINELY PROUD OF THE

047BOARD'S COMMITMENT TO ADDRESSING THE IMPACTS IN OUR DISTRICT. WHAT THAT HAS OUGHT ME IS THAT, WHEN THIS BOARD STAND PUBLICLY IN THE COMMUNITY AND WITH EDUCATOR, WE WIN WHAT OUR STUDENTS DESERVE. TODAY, WE FACE YET ANOTHER FORM OF FISCAL CRISIS DRIVEN BY YEAR OF UNDERFUNDING THIS STARVATION IMPACTS OUR LOWEST PAID WORKERS IN OUR DISTRICT. I WANT TO TAKE A PAUSE FOR A MOMENT AND CELEBRATE ONE THING. DR. OAKLEY, YOU HAVE TAKEN TIME TO HEAR OUR STORIES. YOU HAVE RESPONDED TO THE COMMUNITY'S CALLS AND THE VOICES OF WORKERS AT ALL LEVELS IN THE DISTRICT. DR. OAKLEY, WE SEE YOU. THANK YOU. WE HAVE NOT MISSED THAT YOU RECOGNIZE AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE COMMITMENT OF THE SCHOOL WORKERS ACROSS THE DISTRICT. WE AGREE THAT THERE IS A WAGE CRISIS THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED IN GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS TODAY.

048OUR CLASSIFIED WORKERS ARE FACED WITH A DECISION TO WORK IN SCHOOLS THEY LOVE OR QUIT AND FIND JOBS THAT WILL PAY THEM WAGES SO THAT THEY CAN AFFORD THEIR RENT AND UTILITIES. LET'S STOP THE CYCLE NOW BY VOTING TO ENSURE THAT CLASSIFIED WAGE INVESTMENTS WE MAIN IN THE BUDGET AND ARE FULLY SUPPORTED. IN ADDITION TO SUPPORTING THIS BUDGET PROPOSAL TONIGHT, WE ASK YOU TO ADVOCATE FOR THE BUDGET AGGRESSIVELY WITH OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. WE KNOW THEY ARE THE FUNDING BODY. WE NEED TO PUSH BACK ON THE NARRATIVE THAT PROPERTY TAX MUST INCREASE TO PAY OUR WORKERS. WE ALL KNOW THE MULTITUDE OF WAY OURS COUNTY INCREASES REVENUES THAT DO NOT IMPACT PROPERTY TAXES. ASK THEM TO PRIORITIZE WORKERS OVER PET PROJECTS; PEOPLE, WORKERS AND OUR CITIZENS OVER SHINY NEW CARS AND MATERIAL THINGS. WE MUST SHOW

049U IN UNITY JUNE 1st TO SUPPORT THIS BUDGET. TELLING SCHOOL WORKERS TO WAIT YET ANOTHER DECADE TO BE PAID REASONABLE WAGES IS NOT GOOD FOR GUILFORD COUNTY, FOR OUR SCHOOLS, OR FOR OUR STUDENTS. WE NEED OUR BOARD MEMBERS STANDING PUBLICLY IN SUPPORT OF THE BUDGET. WE NEED YOU TO BE A VOICE WITH US FOR OUR CLASSIFIED WORKERS. BECAUSE WE KNOW AN INVESTMENT IN SCHOOL WORKERS IS AN INVESTMENT IN SCHOOL CHILDREN. SHOP THIS WAGE CRISIS NOW. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. AMY HARRISON? [ APPLAUSE ] >> HI. MY NAME IS AMY HARRISON. I LIVE AND WORK IN DISTRICT 4. I'M A PROUD SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER AND AM IN MY 23RD YEERD IN SERVICE TO THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA. I'M HERE TO ASK THAT YOU AGREE WITH THE BUDGET FOR OUR TEACHERS, CUSTODIAN STAFF, TREASURERS, INTERPRETERS

050ARE AND MAINTENANCE WORKER, JUST TO NAME A FEW, TO MAKE A CAREER OUT OF WORKING FOR GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS. OUR CLASSIFIED STAFF HAVE TO WORK FOR AROUND 15 YEARS TO RECEIVE A PAY RAISE. YES, YOU HEARD ME RIGHT. FIFTEEN YEARS. RIGHT NOW, SOME LEAD CUSTODIANS AND CAFETERIA MANAGERS MAKE THE SAME AMOUNT AS THOSE THEY SUPERVISE. DR. OAKLEY'S BUDGET WOULD CREATE A SCHEDULE THAT ALLOWS FOR COMPETITIVE PAY AND A DIFFERENTIAL IN PAY FOR SUPERVISORS. THE BUDGET WOULD ALSO INCLUDE THE THIRD YEAR OF AN INCREASE TO CERTIFIED STAFF SUPLEMENT. I STARTED TEACHING IN THE COUNTY IN 2000 AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL I WENT TO. I HAD NO PLNS TO LEAVE. I LOVE MY COWORKERS, MY STUDENTS. ONE NIGHT IN 2006 I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM A PRINCIPAL THAT I REALLY LOOKED UP TO AND WANTED TO

051WORK WITH. SHE WAS OFFERED A JOB IN GUILFORD AS THE NEW PRINCIPAL OF REEDY FORD. SHE TOLD ME ABOUT THE INCREASE IN PAY AND THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO OPEN A BRAND NEW SCHOOL. I APPLIED AND I'VE BEEN AT REEDY FORD SINCE WE OPENED. I CAME FOR THE INCREASE IN PAY AND TO WORK WITH MY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PE TEACHING AS MY PRINCIPAL. I STAY THERE BECAUSE OF MY COWORKERS, THE STUDENTS AND MY UNION FAMILY. I KNOW WE PROBABLY AREN'T ALL GOING TO GET AN INCREASE IN OUR SALARIES AT THE STATE LEVEL, ESPECIALLY VETERAN TEACHERS LIKE ME. HAVING THE SUPPLEMENTAL INCREASE OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS HAS BEEN A GOD SEND. MY RENT WENT UP IN 2019. THE INCREASE IN MY NET PAY WAS EXACTLY THE AMOUNT OF MY RENT INCREASE. CONTINUING TO FUND THE

052FIVE YEAR PLAN TO INCREASE OUR LOCAL SUPPLEMENT IS ALSO A RECRUITMENT TOOL. POTENTIAL EDUCATORS SEE THAT WE HAVE A PLAN AND THE SURROUNDINGG SCHOOL SYSTEMS DON'T. WITH THE UNCERTAINTY OF RAISES, HAVING THIS PLAN WILL HELP TO RETAIN THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST. I WANT OUR SCHOOLS TO BE A GREAT PLACE TO LEARN AND WORK AND GROW. PASSING THE BUDGET WILL HELP YOU REACH THESE GOALS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TONIGHT AND YOUR SERVICE TO THE STAFF AND STUDENTS OF GUILFORD. >> THANK YOU. MONICA WHITE FOLLOWED BY STEVE PRUITT. >> MY NAME IS MONICA WHITE. I LIVE AT GREENSBORO. I WORK WITH GCS AS WELL. AND I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME THINGS ON MY HEART. GOOD EVENING DR. OAKLEY AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR DILIGENT WORK ON THE BUDGET. OUR DISTRICT IS

053FUNCTIONING ON A SKELETON CREW IN MANY AREAS. WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF STAFF VACANCIES THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT INCLUDING TEACHER ASSISTANTS, MAINTENANCE, HVAC, PLUMBING, DELIVERY DRIVERS. WE'RE ALSO SHORT MECHANICS AND FACILITY STAFF. OUR DISTRICT IS FUNCTIONING ON A SKELETON CREW WHEN I STARTED I WAS MAKING A LIVABLE WAGE. BUT AFTER MOVING TO GUILFORD I LOST OVER $200 SUPPLEMENT IN PAY AS AN EC EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN TEACHER WHICH WAS MY CHOICE BECAUSE I WANTED TO COME TO GREENSBORO. DUE TO COVID AND INFLATION THAT SALARY IS NO LONGER A LIVING WAGE. THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF OUR CLASSIFIED STAFF THAT, THE ONLY WAY THEY MAKE IT MONTH TO MONTH TO BE ABLE TO SURVIVE IS WORK ANOTHER JOB OR RECEIVE SERVICES FROM OUR COUNTY AND OUR STATE WE KNOW THAT, IF CLASSIFIED WAGES ARE NOT INCREASED, OUR YEAR OF

054SERVICE COMPRESSED AND OUR GRADE OF EMPLOYMENT CHANGED TO ACCOMMODATE LEADERSHIP POSITIONS WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO LOSE GREAT EMPLOYEES WE HAVE AN EXCEEDINGLY CHALLENGING TIME HIRING NOW. I'M ASKING TWO THINGS FROM OUR BOARD OF EDUCATION. APPROVE THE BUDGET MODEL C TO GO TO OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. IF WE'RE TAKING THE DOLLARS BEING SPENT SUPPLEMENTING OUR EMPLOYEE'S FAMILIES BECAUSE OF LOW WAGES AND POVERTY, YES, SOME OF OUR EMPLOYEES WHO GIVE 100% THOUGTO THEIR JOBS AND STUDENTSL LIVE IN POVERTY -- WE CAN PROVIDE A LIVING WAGE AND EVERYONE WINS. SECOND I WOULD ASK THAT YOU SPEAK TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND PEOPLE IN YOUR DISTRICT. STAND UP FOR YOUR PEOPLE AND SUPPORT THE STAFF WITH ALL THE CONTACTS YOU HAVE WITHIN THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND OTHER FOLKS IN YOUR CIRCLES. WE HAVE AT A TURNING POINT. THE WAGE

055CRISIS IS REAL. IF WE DON'T PAY OUR EMPLOYEES A MARKET RATE WAGE WE WILL ALWAYS BE A SKELETON CREW. THAT AFFECTS ALL OF OUR STU STUDENTS. IF THE HVAC SYSTEMS DO NOT WORK STUDENTS CANNOT LEARN. IF THERE'S PLUMBING ISSUES AND LEAKS, THE SMELL OF WATER AND STANDING WATER IN SCHOOLS, IT'S HARD FOR CHILDREN TO LEARN. I'VE BEEN IN SOME SCHOOLS WHERE WATER JUST STANDS AND WE SHUT OFF OUR WHOLE STAIRWELL BECAUSE OF PLUMBING. WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH EMPLOYEES TO COVER THIS WHOLE ENTIRE COUNTY BETWEEN HIGH POINT AND GREENSBORO. I'M ASKING YOU TO STAND UP AND SUPPORT YOUR STAFF AT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SO THAT OUR STUDENTS IN GUILFORD GET THE FREE AND APPROPRIATE EDUCATION THEY DESERVE WITH ALL THE BIG BUSINESSES COMING TO GREENSBORO. WE MUST BE ABLE TO EDUCATE OUR CHILDREN. >> THANK YOU.

056STEVE PRUITT FOLLOWED BY AHMAD. >> MY NAME IS STEVE. I'VE BEEN EMPLOYED IN MAINTENANCE TEN YEARS NOW. I'M COMING TO YOU ABOUT OUR WAGES. I'M HOPING YOU PASS THIS BUDGET. WE NEED THIS BAD. I'M TIRED OF SEEING GOOD WORKERS COME TO WORK. THEY LEAVE TO GO TO MAKE BETTER PAY. I SEE IT ALL THE TIME IN ALL DEPARTMENTS. WE'RE SHORT HANDED BECAUSE OF THE PAY. YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN THERE TEN YEARS. I SEE IT. IT TOOK US TWO YEARS TO FIGHT FOR $15. WE GOT IT. WE WENT TO THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. WE FOUGHT WITH Y'ALL. THE THING I COME FOR IS I LIKE MY JOB. I LIKE WHAT WE'RE DOING. BUT IT'S ALL YOU HEAR ABOUT, HOW THE MONEY, HOW THE PEOPLE -- YOU KNOW A LOT OF GUYS WORK TWO JOBS. THEY COME IN

057TIRED. SHOULDN'T BE LIKE THAT. MYSELF INCLUDED. WE COME IN THE NEXT DAY, SOME OF US ARE REALLY TIRED. YOU SEE IT ALL THE TIME. GUYS WORK GROUNDS. I CAN TELL YOU SEVERAL GUYS THAT WORK TWO JOBS JUST TO PAY THE BILLS. SHOULDN'T BE LIKE THAT. I HOPE THIS BUDGET -- AND I COMMEND DR. OAKLEY FOR BEING ON BOARD WITH US. I LIKE HER 100%, WHAT SHE'S DOING, HOW SHE APPROACHED THIS BUDGET FOR US. I HOPE THE BUDGET PASSES BECAUSE IT MEAN A LOT TO ME. IT WOULD HELP ME OUT FINANCIALLY. OTHER PEOPLE TOO. AND I REALLY HOPE THAT Y'ALL DO THIS BECAUSE IT WOULD BE A WHOLE LOT BETTER FOR US IN A LONG RUN. AND YOU MIGHT SEE GOOD WORKERS COMING TO THE WORKFORCE BECAUSE YOU KNOW YOU GOT PEOPLE, LIKE I SAID, THEY

058COME IN, WORK TWO OR THREE MONTHS, HEY, I CAN MAKE MORE MONEY SOMEWHERE ELSE. HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. AND I'M TIRED OF SEEING IT. ALL ACROSS THE BOARD WE'RE LOSING GOOD PEOPLE BECAUSE OF PAYMENT I REALLY HOPE THIS BUDGET, Y'ALL PASS TONIGHT. I HOPE IT PASSES AND WE GO TO THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS NEXT AND THEY PASS IT TOO AND IT WILL BE A WHOLE LOT BETTER FOR ALL OF US ACROSS THE BOARD. I'M TALKING ABOUT MAINTENANCE STAFF, CUSTODIANS, ALL THAT. I REALLY HOPE Y'ALL CONSIDER THIS TONIGHT AND PASS IT. IT WILL MAKE THINGS REALLY GOOD. I ENJOY WORKING. WE HAVE GOOD PEOPLE WORKING EVERY DAY. BUT LIKE I SAID I REALLY HOPE Y'ALL PASS THIS BUDGET. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [ APPLAUSE ]. >> THANK YOU. AHMAD HAAMID FOLLOWED BY GEORGE RURUBENSTEIN. >> GOOD EVENING.

059MY NAME IS AHMAD. I'M A SCHOOL NUTRITION SERVICE ASSISTANT AT FERN DALE MIDDLE. I'M SPEAKING TODAY FROM A POSITION OF A TEACHER AND A CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE IN THE GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM. AS A TEACHER I LEA LEARNED THE DEDICATION AND TIME IT TAKES TO BE AT THE TOP LEVEL. IT OFTEN DOESN'T CORRELATE I THE AMOUNT THAT YOU'RE PAID. AS A PARENT PROVIDING FOR MY FAMILY I HEAD THE HARD CHOICE TO LEAVE TEACHING AS I RETURNED TO THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY. COVID WAS A BLESSING AND A CURSE AS IT WOKE US UP TO THE REALIZATION THAT TIME IS PRECIOUS AND WE HAVE TO EVALUATE WHAT IS IMPORTANT US TO. FOR ME IT WAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH MY DAUGHTER WHO I MISSED GROWING UP, DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF HOURS REQUIRED TO MANAGE A

060RESTAURANT. I WAS ABLE TO WORK WITH MY DAUGHTER AND OTHER STUDENTS. THIS REMINDED ME OF MY LOVE FOR THE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT. AS I CAME BACK INTO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND WORKING IN THE SCHOOL NUTRITION, IT WAS GREAT TO LEARN THAT THE PAY WAS INCREASED AND EVERYTHING. BUT I WAS ADD TO LEARN THAT A LOT OF MY COWORKERS WHO I'VE NEVER BEEN IN THE SCHOOL NUTRITION PART OF EDUCATION SYSTEM. BUT THEY WERE MAKING THE SAME AMOUNT AS ME. AND THEY HAD BEEN THERE 8-10 YEARS. THINGS LIKE THAT. AND I'M ONE OF THE ONES THAT I DON'T CARE IF I'VE GOT 25 OR 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE. SOMEBODY THAT'S GOT EXPERIENCE IN THIS FIELD, MORE THAN ME, SHOULD BE GETTING MORE THAN ME. I'M LEARNING FROM THEM. SO LOOKING AT THAT, I WAS VERY DISCOURAGED IN THE SENSE

061OF I'M ASKING PEOPLE TO TEACH ME THINGS AND THEY'RE NOT GETTING ANYMORE BENEFIT, OUTSIDE OF ME HELPING MY TEAM AND EVERYTHING ELSE. I'M HERE TODAY TO FIGHT FOR THEM BECAUSE I MEAN THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HERE FOR. AND THE STUDENTS. SO I APPLAUD ALL THE EDUCATORS AND CLASSIFIED STAFF THAT WORK THROUGHOUT THE BANDEMIC TO ENSURE OUR MOST VALUABLE ASSETS. THE STUDENTS WERE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO LEARN. NOW IS THE TIME TO SHOW EVERYONE HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE WHO SERVE OUR VALUABLE ASSETS. I ASK THAT ALL OF YOU CONTINUE TO REMEMBER US AS YOU DISCUSS THE BUDGETS AND CONTINUE TO THINK OF IF SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS, THOSE THAT DIDN'T STOP AND DIDN'T GIVE UP, WHEN THEY COULD HAVE JUST SAID NO. SO I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. GEORGE

062RUBENSTEIN FOLLOWED BY BILL MCNEIL. WELCOME. >> GOOD EVENING. I'M GEORGE RUBENSTEIN I LIVE AT 5016. I'M A 27 YEAR VELT RAN. I'VE BEEN THERE FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS. PRIOR TO THAT I WORKED AT HIGH POINTTRAL POINT CENTRAL FOR 8 Y. EVERYONE HERE IS HERE TO TRY TO CONVEY TO YOU THE IMPORTANCE OF THEM GETTING WHAT THEY DESERVE. IF THE PEOPLE THAT WORK AT SMITH OR HAVE DONE WORK AT SMITH CAN PLEASE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED. THESE ARE SOME INCREDIBLY HARD WORKERS. I SEE THESE PEOPLE MORE THAN I SEE MY OWN FAMILY. MY FAMILY DOESN'T LIVE IN THIS AREA BUT THEY ARE DEDICATED. THEY'RE PASSIONATE TO MAKE SURE THAT THINGS GET DONE. I SPOKE TO SEVERAL OF OUR CUSS CUSTODIAL STAFF AS WELL. ONE THING THAT THE CUSTODIAL STAFF SEEMS TO BE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT

063IS ABOUT POSITIONS. THEY LOST A POSITION AT SMITH. THERE'S TWO BUILDINGS. THEY LOST A POSITION FOR THE B BUILDING AND THERE'S ONLY ONE PERSON TO CLEAN UP ON THE FIRST SHIFT. SINCE WE HAVE A LOT OF AFTER COOL ACTIVSCHOOL ACTIVITIES IN A CENTER BECAUSE WE HOUSE THE MONTHLY GCE MONTHLY MEETINGS, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT ADDITIONAL CUSTODIAN ASSISTANCE. THERE'S A LEAD 2 CUSTODIAN WHO'S BEEN WORKING FOR 27 YEARS. SHE MAKES ONLY 4-CENT MORE PER HOUR THAN A FIRST TIME CUSTODIAN. THAT DOESN'T SEEM FAIR AT ALL. WE HAVE A 30 YEAR OLD ELEVATOR THAT FINALLY BROKE. NOW THE STAFF HAVE TO LOAD UP FURNITURE AND BRING IT AROUND THE BUILDINGS IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO MOVE THINGS TO GET WHERE THEY NEED TO GET TO. THE GLOVES THEY ORDER ARE

064SO THIN THEY HAVE TO PUT AT LEAST THREE PAIR ON FOR EACH USE. THE SMALL BAGS FOR THE TRASH CANS ARE SO THIN A PENCIL CAN RIP THEM. CHEMICALS THAT WE USE ARE NOT ANY GOOD. WE MUST WORK TWICE AS HARD TO GET THINGS CLEAN PROPERLY. THERE WAS AN ORANGE LIQUID FOR THE MEN'S URINAL THAT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. NOW LET'S GO QUICKLY TO THE CAFETERIA. THEY STARTED OFF THE YEAR WITH 13 PEOPLE. NOW THEY'RE DOWN TO 8 OR 9 PEOPLE. FROM THE TIME THEY GET THERE, NON-STOP. ONE WOMAN WAS SAYING THAT SHE HAD TO GO THROUGH FIVE OR SIX CRATES OF GREEN BEANS. SHE MISSED HER LUNCH. SHE GOT FUSSED AT BECAUSE OF THAT. EVEN WITH THE $15 FOR 7.5 HOUR DAY, ONE PERSON BY THEMSELVES CANNOT PAY RENT. MANY OF THEM WORK SECOND

065JOBS WHETHER IT'S AN HOUR, WHETHER IT'S TWO HOURS AFTER THE DAY AT SMITH IS DONE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND PLEASE DON'T FORGET THESE PEOPLE. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. [ APPLAUSE ] >> BILL MCNEIL FOLLOWED BY PHYLLIS WALL. >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS BILL MCNEIL. I'M WITH THE SOLAR POWER NOW COALITION. I APPLAUD YOU FOR APPROVING AND A. DOING YOUR CLEAN GREEN SCHOOLS ENERGY PLAN TONIGHT WE STAND HERE WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN SUPPORT OF THEM, THE TEACHER, THE STAFF THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE SCHOOL SYSTEM. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO ADOPT THIS BUDGET. I BELIEVE IN BUDGETS. BUDGETS ARE WHERE WE LIVE OUR PRIORITY, WHERE WE INVEST AND THEN FOLLOW THROUGH ON WHAT WE SAY WE BELIEVE IN. YOUR ENERGY POLICY WAS A GOOD START. WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING HOW YOU

066INCLUDE ENERGY RELATED INVESTMENTS IN THIS BUDGET, NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET, THE YEAR AFTER THAT TO ADVANCE THESE POLICIES WILL REQUIRE REAL MONEY. AND WE STAND READY WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS HERE TO ADVOCATE WITH THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR CLEAN AND GREEN SCHOOLS. WE BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE WAY TO ACHIEVE HEALTHY AND SAFE LIVING AND LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS FOR OUR STUDENTS. SO THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING MY COMMENTS AND FOR WORKING FOR CLEAN GREEN SCHOOLS AND SUPPORTING YOUR STAFF. >> THANK YOU. >> PHYLLIS WALL FOLLOWED BY SAMANTHA PATINE PEREZ. NO PEREZ.>> MY NAME IS PHYLLIS . I WORK AT A DELAID DISABILITY PUBLIC SCHOOL. I'VE BEEN THERE FOR 27 YEARS OR WITH GUILFORD FOR 27 YEARS. WE WORK OUR JOB DUTIES. WE WORK ON LIFE SKILLS. WE WORK ON MAKING THEM VIABLE TO WORK OUT IN THE COMMUNITY

067HOPEFULLY AT ONE TIME IN THEIR LIFE. WE DO BATHROOMING. WE DO FEEDING. WE DO TRANSITIONING WITH THE KIDS ALL DAY. WE'RE WITH THEM ALL DAY. SOMETIMES WE SEE THEM MORE THAN THE TEACHERS SEE THEM. WE ARE ABLE TO TEACH THE CLASS IF THEY'RE NOT THERE. WE DO THE CLASS SO THAT THEY CAN CATCH UP ON WORK, PAPERWORK THAT THEY HAVE. WE WORK ON COMMUNICATION BECAUSE IT'S KNOWN THAT IF OUR KIDS HAVE SOME FORM OF COMMUNICATION THEIR BEHAVIORS ARE LESSENED BY THAT ESPECIALLY THE SEVERE BEHAVIORS. SO WE LEARN PICTURES EXCHANGE COMMUNITY SYSTEM, PECS. OUR CHILDREN DEAL WITH PICTURES MOSTLY FOR THEIR COMMUNICATION WE ALSO DO LAMP WHICH IS ON AN iPad FOR THE MORE ADVANCED CHILDREN THAT CAN USE MORE PICTURES AND ABLE TO MAKE BIGGER SENTENCES AND STUFF LIKE THAT. WE LEARN SIGN LANGUAGE. WE

068USE EVERYTHING WE CAN TO HELP THEM TO BECOME -- HAVE SOME FORM OF COMMUNICATION SO THIS THEY CAN COMMUNICATE WITH US. WE KNOW OUR KIDS WELL. WE KNOW THEM SO WELL BECAUSE WHEN WE SEE THAT THEY'RE GETTING ANCY AND SOMETHING MIGHT HAPPEN, WE CAN REDIRECT THEM TO SOMETHING ELSE BEFORE THEY HAVE A MAJOR BLOW OUT. WE TRANSITION WITH THE KIDS ALL DAY. WE'RE WITH THEM ALL DAY. [LAUGHTER] >> ALL DAY. >> PLUS WE DEAL WITH THEIR BEHAVIORS VERY WELL ACTUALLY. WE MAKE $15 AN HOUR. I STARTED 25 YEARS AGO. WHEN THEY SAID WE WERE GETTING $15 AN HOUR, I MAKE WHAT THE PERSON JUST COMING IN MAKES. SO YOU KNOW, THAT'S AN EYE OPENING THING. I JUST -- I LOVE IT. IT'S THE HARDEST THING I'VE EVER DONE BUT IT'S THE MOST REWARDING. IT'S JUST

069WOULD BE NICE TO BE A IT WI LITTLE APPRECIATED. I WORK THREE JOBS. I WAIT TABLES. I WORK FOR GCS AND I WORK FOR A CHILD WITH DISABILITIES. IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE SO I WOULDN'T HAVE TO WORK SO HARD. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> SAMANTHA PATINO PEREZ FOLLOWED BY PAMELA CLAPP. >> HELLO. MY NAME IS SAMANTHA. I'M A HIGH SCHOOL MATH TEACHER IN GUILFORD COUNTY. BUT I'M HERE TO TELL YOU ABOUT MY MOTHER WHO HAS LIVED IN GUILFORD FOR OVER 25 YEARS AND WORKED -- PAST TENSE -- IN GUILFORD FOR 13 YEARS. MY MOTHER ROSA IS THE HARDEST WORKING PERSON I KNOW. IN 2007 SHE BEGAN WORKING AS A CUSTODIAN AT EASTERN GUILFORD. WORKING THERE SHE QUICKLY BECAME AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE EASTERN COMMUNITY. SHE LOVED WORKING

070THERE. FOR 13 YEARS SHE HAD A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH TEACHER, ADMIN AND STUDENTS. SHE WORKED HARD FOR THE SCHOOL SHE LOVE AND EVEN REPRESENTED EASTERN WITH PRIDE A LOT. SHE CLEANED THAT SCHOOL WITH THE CARE AND LOVE OF HER OWN HOME. BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, ROSA WAS SO MUCH MORE THAN A CUSS TOTIAN TO THE SCHOOL, STUDENT@LETS WERE GRATEFUL TO HER FOR KEEPING GYMS CLEAN. STUDENTS TALKED TO HER AND WERE HAPPY TO SEE HER OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL ON OCCASION. AT SCHOOL, ROSA PROVIDED TRANSLATIONS FOR SPANISH SPEAKING PARENTS. SHE CARED FOR THE SCHOOL AND THE STAFF, MAKING SURE THAT A FRESH POT OF COFFEE WAS AVAILABLE EACH DAY AND WATERING PLANTS IN THE OFFICE. SHE DIDN'T JUST WORK THE SCHOOL DAY. EACH YEAR, SHE SPENT PARTS OF THANKSGIVING HELPING TO CLEAN THE GYMS FOR WRESTLING AND BASKETBALL

071TOURNAMENTS AN BRINGING THE WHOLE FAMILY WITH HER. THE EXTRA MONEY WASN'T A LOT BUT IT HELPED WHEN TIMES WERE TOUGH. ROSA TRULY LOVED BEING A PART OF THESE EVENT, MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR STUDENT ATHLETES, ESPECIALLY THE ONES SHE SAW EVERY DAY FOR FOUR YEARS. MY MOTHER LOVED HER JOB BUT IT'S NOT BEEN EASY. OVER THE YEARS SHE HAS WORKED SECOND, THIRD, OR EVEN FOURTH JOBS TO MAKE ENDS MEET. HER FEET ACHE. AND HER HANDS ARE SORE FROM THE SCRUBBING AND WIPING AND SWEEPING AND CRAWLING UNDER THE BLEACHERS ALL TO PUT HER THREE DAUGHTERS THROUGH COLLEGE. WITH THE PANDEMIC, CUSTODIANS BECAME THE FRONT-LINE IN SCHOOLS, TRAINING EMPLOYEES THAT HAD BEEN HIRED FROM OTHER WORK AREAS LIKE BUS DRIVERS WHO NEEDED OTHER JOBS. BEING AT RISK ON THE JOB GSC PROVIDED BONUSES THAT WERE VERY MUCH NEEDED

072FOR SURVIVAL. TIME AND TIME AGAIN, WHEN CLASSIFIED STAFF HAVE ASKED WHEN WILL WE GET A RAISE, THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN PEOPLE DON'T WORK HARD ENOUGH, PEOPLE ARE LAZY, PEOPLE HAVE NOT EARNED A RAISE. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT YOU, OUR SCHOOL BOARD, FEEL THAT WAY. BUT ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS. IN THE 13 YEARS SHE WORKED FOR GUILFORD, ROSA WAS STILL MAKING LESS THAN $12. THIS WAS BEFORE WE PASSED THE $15 MINIMUM WAGE. ONE DAY SHE DECIDED TO FIGHT FOR HER WORTH AND MADE THE DIFFICULT DECISION TO LEAVE THE SCHOOL SHE LOVED AFTER 13 YEARS. IT IS TIME TO SHOW ALL GCS EMPLOYEES THAT THEY'RE VALUED SO THEY DON'T CONTINUE TO LEAVE OUR SCHOOLS. AND WE DO THAT BY SUPPORTING THIS BUDGET. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. OUR FINAL SPEAKER IS PAMELA CLAPP. WELCOME. >> GOOD

073EVENING. I AM PAMELA CLAPP. AND I'M A CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE OF OVER 25 YEARS. I STARTED OUT AS A TEACHER ASSISTANT AND NOW I HAVE WORKED UP TO BE THE TRANSPORTATION SUPERVISOR WITH THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT. I AM STANDING HERE TONIGHT ON BEHALF OF OUR MECHANICS, DRIVERS, SAFETY ASSISTANTS AND LEADERSHIP TEAM IN SUPPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDED BUDGET. OPTION C WOULD BE IDEAL BUT REALITY IS WE KNOW IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE THINKING OF DR. OAKLEY AND HER CABINET BY RECOGNIZING THE MANY CHALLENGE OF RECRUITING THE BEST AND HIGHEST QUALITY TALENT WITHIN OUR ORGANIZATION. WE ARE CURRENTLY 77 BUS DRIVERS SHORT IN TRANSPORTATION. THIS MEANS WE CAN'T GET OUR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL. THE BUDGET PROPOSAL, ALONG WITH THE YEARLY INCREASES OF THESE STEPS WOULD HELP US IN THE ABILITY TO NOT ONLY

074HIRE BUT TO MAINTAIN THE QUALITY TALENT IN TODAY'S COMPETITIVE MARKET. DR. OAKLEY, WE HEARD YOU AT THE TANGER WHEN YOU SAID WE NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS TO BE THE BEST PLACE TO LEARN AND GROW BECAUSE STRONG SCHOOLS MAKE A STRONG COMMUNITY. WE CAN DO IT TOGETHER AND TOGETHER WE WILL BE BETTER. IN CLOSING, TRANSPORTATION DOES STAND IN FULL SUPPORT OF THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET AND HOPES THAT THE BOARD CONTINUES TO ADVOCATE ALONG WITH THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR APPROVAL OF THIS BUDGET. THANK YOU. >> THAT CONCLUDES THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE BUDGET. DO YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE THAT I SHOULD DO? >> NO, THAT WILL DO. >> MADAME CHAIR? >> WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. >> I THINK ALL I NEEDED TO DO IS SAY THAT CONCLUDES THAT. >> MADAME CHAIR,

075GIVEN ALL THE WIZ DOWISDOM AND INSPIRATION THE HAVE AND FROM ALL THAT WE'VE HEARD FROM SO MANY INSPIRED SPEAKERS, I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE MOVE UP THE VOTE TO APPROVE THE BUDGET. >> SO YOU'RE ASKING TO MOVE ITEM A FROM THE ACTION ITEM SO WE CAN VOTE ON THAT BEFORE THE OTHER REPORTS ON THE REST OF THE AGENDA. IS THERE A SECOND? >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? OKAY. SO DR. OAKLEY I WILL TURN TO Y YOU. >> THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET AT THE LAST MEETING. THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION. MY RECOMMENDATION WAS OPTION A. SO IT'S NOW AT THE BOARD'S DESCRETION TO MAKE A MOTION TO PASS THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET FROM THE PRESENTATION AT OUR FORMER MEETING. >> MADAME CHAIR? >> I SEED. >> I YIELD

076TO THE YOUNGER. >> MADAME CHAIR I'M INSPIRE BID ALL THAT I HAVE HEARD FROM THE SPEAKERS. WE HEARD FROM PHYLLIS, AHMAD, I KNOW THEY REPRESENT OTHERS IN OUR OWN LIVES WHO HAVE MADE AN IMPACT AS CLASSIFIED STAFF. I THINK OUR STAFF KNOW THAT THEY ARE APPRECIATED. I THINK TOO OFTEN THAT APPRECIATION CAN BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR FAIR COMPENSATION. I KNOW WE SHARE THIS COMMIT. I THINK.MENT. COMMITMENT. I THINK WE NEED TO PASS SOMETHING THAT IS ATTAINABLE. I BELIEVE THAT IS IN MODEL B SO I WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO CONSIDER THE BUDGET WITH AN ADDITIONAL $4.6 MILLION IN OUR BUDGET PROPOSAL WOULD PUT US AHEAD OF MARKET IN OUR COMPENSATION FOR CLASSIFIED STRUCTURE FOR STAFF. >> MADAME CHAIR? I SECOND THE MOTION >> WE'VE GOT TO GET A SECOND BEFORE YOU HAVE THE MOTION. >>

077SECOND. >> MADAME CHAIR, I WOULD MOVE THAT WE APPROVE THE BUDGET RECOMMENDATION WITH OPTION C. >> SECOND. >> ALL RIGHT. CAN YOU READ AGAIN OPTION C DR. OAKLEY. DO YOU HAVE IT WITH YOU? >> THIS INCLUDES THE BUDGET AS A WHOLE WITH MODEL D INCLUDING 6% DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GRADES AND A 1.5% DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STEPS AT $43 MILLION. MODEL B PUTS US JUST AHEAD OF MARKET VALUE. MODEL C IS THE MARKET LEADER AND IS A 6% DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GRADES AND A 2.5% DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STEPS AT A COST OF $77.6 MILLION. >> TH WHAT'S THE TOTAL ASK FOR OPTION B? >> $43. >> 39.2 MORE. >> ONE REASON I SUPPORT REASON C IS I'VE BEEN A MEMBER AND I WORKED IN ACES. I MET MANY TEACHERS WORKING TWO JOB, TEACHER, EDUCATORS. I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THAT. WE KNOW

078THAT THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE NOT GOING TO FULLY FUND. WE MUST GO HIGH BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO GO LOWER. WE NEED MODEL C TO NEGOTIATE BETTER WITH THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. >> RECENTLY, I WAS WATCHING ONE OF THE -- THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. THE THEY WERE TOUTING THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE LANDED ANOTHER BUSINESS TO COME OUT TO THE AIRPORT. THE REASONS HE GAVE THAT THIS WAS GOOD FOR GUILFORD COUNTY WAS THAT PEOPLE WOULD BUY HOUSES, CARS, THEY WOULD BE PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS AND CREATE OTHER REVENUE. WELL, IF WE WOULD PAY OUR FOLKS, 10,000 OF THEM WHAT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BE PAID, THEY WOULD DO THE SAME THING. I'M NOT AGAINST OTHER BRINGING OTHER BUSINESSES HERE BECAUSE WE'RE KIND OF THE LANDING PLACE IN THE 2025 PLAN WHICH WILL COME TO FRUITION AND THEY'LL BE

079LOOKING AT THE 2040 PLAN TO MAKE US A TRANSPORTATION HUB. WE NEED FOR OUR CHILDREN TO BE READY FOR THOSE JOBS BECAUSE I CAN TELL YOU EVERY TIME A NEW BUSINESS COMES INTO THIS AREA, WE'RE GETTING PEOPLE WHO ARE DRIVING AS MUCH AS THREE HOURS AWAY TO LAND THOSE JOBS. WHY SHOULDN'T THE JOBS GO TO OUR FOLK RIGHT HERE IF WE'RE DONE THE JOB TO MAKE THEM QUALIFIED TO GET THOSE JOBS? WHEN WE CAN HAVE OUR CHILDREN LOOKING TOWARD BEING THE TECHNICIANS, BEING THE ONES MAKING THE BATTERY OPERATED CARS. WHY SHOULDN'T THAT BE THE DREAM THAT WE ARE DOING TO DO THAT? PART OF WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN IS, ONE, WE'VE GOT TO -- WE'VE ALREADY DONE PART OF IT. THAT'S IN PASSING THE BONDS FOR THE $2 BILLION FOR FACILITIES. WE ARE BEHIND. BECAUSE

080I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE. DO Y'ALL REALIZE THAT WE ALREADY ARE ONE FOURTH OF A WAY THROUGH THE 21st CENTURY? BY THE TIME THE SCHOOLS FINISH COMING OUT OF THE GROUND WE WILL BE AS MUCH AS ALMOST 40% INTO THE 21st CENTURY. THINK ABOUT THAT. I AGREE WITH YOU, REVEREND SHEROUSE ROWS ABOUT BEING INSPIRATIONAL. WHEN WE FIRST SAID $2 BILLION PEOPLE SAID WE CAN'T DO THAT. WE DID IT NOW PART B OF THIS PROCESS IS TO GIVE ALL OF OUR STAFF LIVABLE WAGES AND LIVABLE IS BEYOND $15 TO COMPENSATE THEM FOR HEALTHCARE WITH -- YOU KNOW AS I'VE PROPOSED AND NOBODY IS SAYING IT CN'T BE DONE -- IT CAN BE DONE. 50% FOR INSURANCE AND ANY OTHER THING THAT INCENTIVIZES. AS ONE GENTLEMAN SAID HE DOESN'T WANT TO COME INTO WORK AND SEE ANOTHER PERSON

081LEAVING. IT TAKE PE SPECIAL PEOPLE TO WOK WITH CHILDREN. Y'ALL SPECIAL. AND TO STAY THERE. AND AS THE LADY SAID FROM HAYES, SHE DOESN'T DO IT FOR THE PAY. SHE LOVE WHAT IS SHE'S DOING FOR THE CHILDREN. I JUST FEEL LIKE IF WE'RE GOING TO INCENTIVIZE, LET'S TAKE CARE OF THE BUSINESSES WE HAVE. WE ARE THE LARGEST EMPLOYER OF GUILFORD. HELP US KEEP OUR EMPLOYEES HA HAPPY, PAID, AND TAKEN CARE OF. >> I'VE SEEN THE $15 AND NEW PEOPLE COMING IN MAKING THE SAME. HOWEVER, THERE IS A LIMITED POT OF MONEY. AND WE'RE GOING TO GO TO THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. WHAT WE WERE ALREADY ASKING IS A BIG ASK. WE WERE ASKING $62 MILLION INCREASE. $62 MILLION INCREASE WITH THE B PLAN. THAT'S GOING TO INCREASE HIGHER IF WE GO WITH C. HOW MUCH HIGHER

082WE GOING? >> THANK YOU. YOU'RE CORRECT. FOR MODEL A THE INCREASE REQUEST WAS $62.6 MILLION. MODEL B WOULD BE $67.4 MILLION AND MODEL C WOULD BE AN INCREASE OF $101 MILLION. >> OKAY. $101 MILLION. >> YES. >> JUST A REMINDER, WHEN WE ASK FOR A DOLLAR FOR GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS WE ALSO HAVE TO ASK FOR ALMOST 16-CENT FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS AS WELL. THAT IS FACTORED IN THOSE NUMBERS. >> MY THING IS EVERYONE IS STRUGGLING RIGHT NOW. THE ECONOMY IS NOT IN THE BEST SHAPE THAT IT NEEDS TO BE IN. SO IF WE GO IN THERE WITH THAT HUGE ASK, I'M QUESTIONING HOW THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE GOING TO LOOK AT THAT. BECAUSE NOW WE'RE PUSHING THE BUCK. WE'RE NOT BEING HONEST. AND WE'RE PUSHING THE BUCK ON THEM. THEY DON'T HAVE $101 MILLION. SOMETHING'S GOT

083TO BE CUT. IF THEY DO $101 MILLION THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT WILL BE CUT SOMEWHERE. WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT NEEDS A LOT OF SERVICES THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE STRUGGLING. SOMEWHERE WHEN YOU DO $101 MILLION SOMETHING'S GOING TO GET CUT. AND I'M NOT SURE WE'RE GOING TO LIKE WHERE THAT GETS CUT. I'M JUST SAYING WE NEED TO BE -- I THOUGHT B WAS A FAIR POINT TO BE. I'M ALWAYS STRAIGHTFORWARD BECAUSE IT'S A MORE REALISTIC -- $101 MILLION IS A LOT OF MONEY. AND I UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU GUYS ARE. I DO. BUT I WOULD RATHER GO INCREMENTAL. LET'S DO THE B AND THEN WE'LL MAYBE GO FOR MORE NEXT YEAR. I KNOW I'M NOT THE POPULAR ONE. BUT I'M JUST SAYING THE COUNTY, I THINK WE NEED TO TAKE

084SOME OF THE HEAT AND I'M TRYING TO TAKE SOME OF THE HEAT BECAUSE I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR TO PUT THAT BIG A BURDEN ON THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND SAY YOU DEAL WITH IT. SO THEY GET THE BLAME FOR IT. SO I'M GOING TO SAY -- BECAUSE I DON'T SEE IT BEING REALISTIC THAT THEY'LL DO $101 MILLION OR -- LET ME QUALIFY THAT. I DON'T THINK THEY CAN AFFORD TO DO $101 MILLION. BUT I'M JUST SAYING FOR ME THAT'S WHERE I'M AT. . >> I WAS ALWAYS RAISED IF YOU DON'T ASK YOU DON'T GET IT. I THINK IT'S A HUGE ASK TO GO WITH MODEL C. I AGREE THAT IT'S PROBABLY UNLIKELY THAT WE'LL GET AS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT AS WE'RE ASKING FOR. BUT I THINK THERE'S ALSO NO GREATER INVESTMENT THAN OUR STAFF. WITHOUT THOSE

085OF YOU HERE IN THE ROOM, GCS WOULDN'T EXIST. OUR KIDS NEED YOU. OUR FAMILIES NEED YOU. OUR PARENTS NEED YOU. SO THAT'S JUST SORT OF WHERE I STAND. I FEEL LIKE IT'S WORTH ASKING FOR MORE WITH BEING REALISTIC AND KNOWING WE PROBABLY AREN'T GOING TO GET EVERYTHING WE'RE ASKING FOR BUT I THINK WE'VE GOT TO TRY. >> CALL FOR THE VOTE. >> CAN I MAKE A COMMENT? >> OF COURSE YOU CAN. >> I'LL LET YOU GO FIRST. THEN I'LL BE THE LAST ONE. AND THEN WE CAN VOTE. >> THANK YOU. >> IN THE BEGINNING I WAS FOR THE B BECAUSE I WANTED TO GO MORE THAN THE A. BUT AS I STATED AT THE LAST MEETING, A CLOSED MOUTH DES NOT GET FED. WITH THAT BEING SAID YOU WILL HEAR MY VOTE. >> THANK YOU.

086>> I'M NOT SURE WHAT WE'RE AFRAID OF. JUST AS WE'RE ELECTED, SO ARE THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. THERE IS AN ELECTION IN 2024. IF WE CANNOT COMPEL THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO COME UP WITH THIS MONEY, WHENEVER THEY CAN COME UP FOR IT AGAIN, BEFORE ANY INCENTIVIZED BUSINESS THEY WANT POWER.NG HERE, YOU HAVE THE REMEMBER THAT. YOU HAVE THE POWER. >> I HEAR LINDA. I WANT TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT PUTTING THIS ON THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA HAS FAILED TO ADEQUATELY FUND PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR YEARS. PREVIOUS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAVE LOWERED TAXES. YOU CAN'T LOWER TAXES AND THEN WANT PREMIUM PROFITS FOR YOUR BUSINESS. YOU CAN'T LOWER TAXES AND WANT ADEQUATE PUBLIC SAFETY. YOU CAN'T LOWER TAXES AND HAVE A STRONG LABOR FORCE. BUT THOSE THINGS HAVE HAPPENED THAT HAVE PUT US EVEN FURTHER BEHIND.

087SO THE CONTEXT IS IMPORTANT. I THINK WHAT VICE CHAIR COMMISSIONER FOSTER SAID TONIGHT, OTHER MUNICIPALITY, THE CITY OF GREENSBORO, THE CITY OF HIGH POINT ARE OPTIONS FOR US TO ALSO CONSIDER BECAUSE THOSE ARE -- THIS IS A SYSTEM THAT'S IMPORTANT TO BOTH THE CITY OF GREENSBORO, THE CITY OF HIGH POINT AND GUILFORD. OUR CHILDREN AND OUR EMPLOYEES IN ALL OF THOSE MUNICIPALITIES. I TALKED AT OUR LAST MEETING AND BROUGHT THIS UP MANY, MANY TIMES. I DO THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS. I WANT TO ASK JOSE TO GO OVER SOME OF THE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EMPLOYEES AND WHAT IT COSTS US IN THE COUNTY NOT TO PAY DECENT WAGES. I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT GREAT WAGES. I'M TALKING ABOUT DECENT WAGES. I THINK THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE. I ALSO THINK THAT NOT

088SUPPORTING SALES TAX AND OTHER OPTIONS THAT WOULD HAVE GIVEN US THE RESOURCES -- BECAUSE THIS FALLS ON VOTERS AS WELL. WE WANT SOME THINGS, THE THINGS THAT WE COULD HAVE SUPPORTED, YOU KNOW, COULD HAVE FINANCED THAT. SOHO SAY, WILL YOU GO OVER SOME OF THE INFORMATION THAT YOU'VE BEEN ABLE TO PULL BASED ON OUR PAST CONVERSATIONS. >> YOU HAVE PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE A RANGE OF SERVICES FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN GUILFORD THAT MAY COST YOU ABOUT $50 MILLION A YEAR. SO RIGHT NOW, MANY OF OUR EMPLOYEES QUALIFY FOR PROGRAMS LIKE THAT THAT, IF THEY HAD, YOU KNOW, WAGES THAT WERE MARKET RATE, YOU KNOW, THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO RELY ON THOSE SERVICES TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES. AND I THINK THAT SPEAKS TO KIND OF YOU KNOW HOW THE ECONOMY WORKS. I

089THINK WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES WHO RELY ON THOSE SERVICES. SOME OF THE NUMBERS INCLUDE YOU KNOW, FOR THE WIC PROGRAM, ONE ADULT WORKING IN GUILFORD IS 73% OF THEM WOULD QUALIFY FOR THAT PROGRAM. SO THAT'S A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES, CLOSE TO 3,000, JUST TO PUT THINGS IN CONTEXT. >> YOU'RE SAYING ONE GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOL EMPLOYEE WITH NO CHILDREN. >> WITH TWO CHILDREN. >> IS WHAT? >> ABOUT 73% OF THEM WOULD QUALIFY TO ACCESS SERVICES UNDER THE WIC PROGRAM. >> THIS IS WOMEN, INFANT AND CHILDREN. 73% OF OUR EMPLOYEES QUALIFY FOR THAT BECAUSE OF THEIR WAGES. HOW MANY EMPLOYEES DO WE HAVE -- WHAT PERCENTAGE OF EMPLOYEES DO WE HAVE THAT FALL BELOW 200% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LINE? >> SO ONE ADULT WITH ONE CHILD, IT WOULD BE ABOUT 83% OF

090EMPLOYEES. >> 83% OF OUR EMPLOYEES FALL BELOW 200% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LINE. >> ONE ADULT WITH ONE CHILD. >> WHAT ABOUT ONE ADULT WITH TWO CHILDREN. >> 93%. >> ONE ADULT, THREE CHILDREN? >> 97% OF GUILFORD COUNTY EMPLOYEES, ONE ADULT, THREE CHILDREN LIVE BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL. >> THAT'S MY LIFE. ONE ADULT, THREE CHILDREN. >> SO WE'RE PAYING. WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WHERE'S THE MONEY COMING FROM, I DO THINK WE HAVE TO START FACTORING IN SOME OF THE OTHER QUALITY OF LIFE, SOME OF THE OTHER SERVICES AND SUPPORT THAT PEOPLE ARE GETTING. THEY NEED IT BECAUSE OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPEN ON THIS END. I BELIEVE THAT OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SUPPORT OUR EMPLOYEES AND I KNOW WE'VE GOT SOME WORK TODAY. THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND. >> ARE WE DONE WITH COMMENTS? >>

091YES. READY TO VOTE. MS. BEL BELLAMY SMALLS? >> MADAME CHAIR, JUST A POINT OF CLARIFICATION. IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO HAVE A TRANSLATION OF HOW MUCH IS THAT SO THAT IF WE'RE ASKING FOR THIS AND THE COUNTY'S ALREADY PAYING OUT OF THIS, WHAT DOES THAT THIS LOOK LIKE? I'M JUST SAYING. >> IT'S A COMPLICATED ANALYSIS THAT THEY'RE WORKING ON. IT'S NOT GOING TO BE AN APPLES TO APPLES THAT, IF THEY STOP DOING THAT, THEY'LL HAVE THIS WINDFALL. >> I'M JUST SAYING. IT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR US TO SEE THAT PERHAPS THIS IS WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR, ISN'T SO ASTRONOMINAL, WHEN YOU TURN AROUND THE BACK DOOR AND PAY IT OUT IN OTHER FUNDS. WE NEED TO BE SMART ABOUT EDUCATING OUR FOLK THAT THAT'S WHAT'S GOING ON. YOUR VOTE? >> YES. >> CRISSY? >> I'M

092HOPING THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE -- I. >> ALAN? I'LL TRY TO KEEP ONE THE GENEROSITY. >> BETTYE? >> YES. >> KHEM? >> YES AND I'M CHANGING MY AFFIRMATION. AGREE WITH ME. WE'RE GOING TO GET IT. YES. [ APPLAUSE ] >> BILL. >> YES. >> I SAW THIS. >> I WAS JUST SAYING, DO THIS SO WE CAN KEEP THE MEETING GOING. I HAVE TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE RULES OF THE CHAMBER. I APPRECIATE EVERYONE. I HAVEN'T VOTED YET. I WAS TRYING TO CALL ORDER. DEENA YES. SO PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. WAY TO GO. >> THANK YOU. [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] ASAW SO WE'RE NOW AT COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR. OKAY. BACK TO OUR AGENDA. AND THANK YOU TO STUDENT WHO ARE HERE. IT IS A SCHOOL NIGHT. IT'S AN EXCUSED IF THEY'RE SLEEPY TOMORROW. BUT NOT ABSENT.

093JUST SLEEPY. GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU AGAIN TO THE HIGH POINT CITY COUNCIL FOR ALLOWING US TO MEET HERE THIS EVENING. WE APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME TO HIGH POINT AND MAKE OUR MEETINGS MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THE HIGH POINT COMMUNITY. IF YOUR CHILD WILL BE RIDING THE BUS NEXT YEAR, PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND ONE OF OUR UPCOMING TRANSPORTATION FAIRS. THE TRANSPORTATION FAIRS ARE DESIGNED TO HELP ANSWER PARENT QUESTIONS AND ALLOW THEM TO COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION FOR THE 2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR. PARENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SIGN UP NOW TO ENSURE THEY HAVE CONFIRMED TRANSPORTATION FOR THEIR CHILDREN ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. REMAINING EVENTS ARE WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, FROM 5 TO 7 P.M. AT ANDREWS HIGH AND NORTHERN HIGH, AND THURSDAY, MAY 11, FROM 5 TO 7 P.M. AT EASTERN HIGH AND SOUTHERN HIGH. THIS IS AGAIN

094THE TRANSPORTATION FAIRS. THEY'RE DESIGNED TO HELP PARENT QUESTIONS AND ALLOW THEM TO COMPLETE THEIR REGISTRATION FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR. SO AGAIN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 10 FROM 5 TO 7 AT ANDREWS AND THEN THURSDAY F MAY 11 FROM 5 TO 7 AT EASTERN HIGH AND SOUTHERN HIGH. REGISTRATION FOR SUMMER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES IS NOW OPEN. FAMILIES CAN SIGN UP FOR ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS TO HELP STUDENTS STAY FOCUSED OVER THE SUMMER MONTHS. MANY OF THE PROGRAMS ARE FREE, AND STUDENTS MAY QUALIFY FOR TRANSPORTATION DEPENDING ON THE PROGRAM. VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER. IT IS ALSO THE TIME OF YEAR TO SUBMIT A REQUEST FOR REASSIGNMENT. THROUGH MAY 31 AT 5 P.M., FAMILIES MAY SUBMIT A REQUEST TO ATTEND SCHOOLS OUTSIDE OF THEIR ATTENDANCE ZONE AT GCSNC.SCHOOLMINT.NET. TRANSFER REQUESTS ARE CONSIDERED BASED ON THE REASON FOR

095THE REQUEST AND SPACE AVAILABILITY AT THE REQUESTED SCHOOL. PARENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR TRANSPORTATION. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE STUDENT ASSIGNMENT OFFICE AT 336-370-8303 OR EMAIL [email protected]. CAPITAL S STUDENT, CAPITAL A ASSIGNMENT. CONGRATULATIONS TO DR. CLAUDJA DWIGHT, A TEACHER AT BROWN SUMMIT MIDDLE, WHO HAS BEEN NAMED ONE OF 38 NORTH CAROLINA EDUCATORS NAMED A 2023-2024 KENAN FELLOW. SHE WILL SPEND THREE WEEKS WORKING WITH HER SPONSOR ORGANIZATION, SPARKNC, FOR HER PROJECT, "IGNITING FUTURES IN TECH." DWIGHT WILL ALSO RECEIVE A $5,000 STIPEND AND PARTICIPATE IN 80 HOURS OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THAT FOCUSES ON PROJECT-BASED LEARNING, ELEVATING TEACHERS' VOICES AND STRENGTHENING TIES BETWEEN THE SCHOOL AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS PEER COACHING AND MENTORING. FINALLY TONIGHT, A REMINDER TO OUR RISING 7TH AND 12TH GRADERS THAT THEY MUST RECEIVE THEIR TDAP AND MCV VACCINATIONS BEFORE THE START

096OF THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR. THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS SPONSORING TWO CLINICS TO MAKE IT EASY FOR PARENTS TO COMPLETE THE REQUIREMENT. THE CLINICS WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE GREENSBORO AND HIGH POINT HEALTH DEPARTMENT BUILDINGS ON MAY 22 AND MAY 24 FROM 4 TO 6 P.M. CALL 336-641-3245 TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. AND THIS CONCLUDES MY RASHES. REMARKS.DR. OAKLEY? >> GOOD EVENING. AS WE MENTIONED EARLIER, MAY IS EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION MONTH. AND TODAY IS TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY. I AM THANKFUL TO THE NEARLY 5,000 TEACHERS WHO SERVE OUR DISTRICT EACH DAY, AS WELL AS THE TEACHER ASSISTANTS, PRINCIPALS AND ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS, OUR BUS DRIVERS, CUSTODIANS, SCHOOL NUTRITION STAFF, DATA MANAGERS, TREASURERS, CENTRAL OFFICE STAFF AND THE MANY OTHER TEAM MEMBERS THAT MAKE GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS THE BEST PLACE TO LEARN, WORK AND GROW. AND IF YOU'RE WATCHING THESE REMARKS

097ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL, READING INFORMATION ABOUT TONIGHT'S MEETING ON OUR WEBSITE OR CLICKING ON IT THROUGH OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS, THANK A SCHOOL COMMUNICATOR. FRIDAY, MAY 12, IS NATIONAL SCHOOL COMMUNICATORS DAY. SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION FOR A GCS ALL-STAR EMPLOYEE BY SENDING THE INFORMATION TO [email protected] OR POSTING IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA WITH THE HASHTAG #GCSALLSTARS. PHOTOS AND VIDEOS ARE APPRECIATED. LAST WEEK, I HAD THE DISTINCT PLEASURE OF ADDRESSING OUR COMMUNITY TO SHARE THE LAUNCH OF THE BETTER TOGETHER, OUR NEW STRATEGIC DIRECTION. I WANT TO THANK THE MORE THAN 8,000 PEOPLE WHO SHARED THEIR HONEST FEEDBACK TO HELP GUIDE OUR PATH MOVING FORWARD. I ALSO WANT TO THANK OUR SPONSORS FOR THAT EVENT: STEPHEN TANGER CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, TOYOTA, THE JOSEPH M. BRYAN FOUNDATION AND GUILFORD EDUCATION ALLIANCE, FOR MAKING THE EVENT POSSIBLE. YOU CAN

098LEARN MORE AND FIND OUT HOW TO GET INVOLVED ON OUR WEBSITE, WWW.GCSNC.COM/BETTERTOGETHER. IN APRIL, OUR SIXTH-GRADE STUDENTS ENJOYED A DAY AT THE BALLPARK COURTESY OF THE GREENSBORO GRASSHOPPERS, AND YESTERDAY, FOURTH-GRADE STUDENTS HAD THE CHANCE TO ATTEND A HIGH POINT ROCKERS GAME. THANK YOU TO THESE TEAMS FOR GENEROUSLY DONATING THE TICKETS TO THE GAMES AND FOR MAKING SURE OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF HAD A GREAT EXPERIENCE. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO ATTENDING TOMORROW'S GREENSBORO GRASSHOPPERS GAME WITH 5,000 SECOND-GRADE PARTICIPANTS. MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH, AND WE WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE WORK OF OUR COUNSELORS, SOCIAL WORKERS, SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS AND MENTAL HEALTH COORDINATORS IN SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. GCS WILL DEPLOY MORE THAN $18 MILLION TOWARD MENTAL HEALTH AND THE HIRING OF ADDITIONAL STAFF. STRENGTHENING HEALTH, WELLNESS AND SAFETY IN SCHOOLS IS ONE OF THE FOUR

099FOCUS AREAS OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTION. ONCE AGAIN, GCS WAS NAMED ONE OF THE BEST COMMUNITIES FOR MUSIC EDUCATION BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MUSIC MERCHANTS FOUNDATION OR NAMM FOR SHORT. GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS WAS ONE OF 830 DISTRICTS NATIONWIDE AND ONLY TWO IN NORTH CAROLINA TO RECEIVE THIS HONOR. GCS HAS RECEIVED THIS AWARD EACH YEAR SINCE 2018. NAMM HONORS DISTRICTS THAT SUPPORT MUSIC EDUCATION AS PART OF A WELL-ROUNDED EDUCATION FOR ALL CHILDREN. WE ALSO WANT TO CONGRATULATE TWO OF OUR SCHOOLS THAT WERE HONORED BY THE NATIONAL ENERGY EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT PROJECT FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO ENERGY EDUCATION. SOUTHERN HIGH WAS NAMED THE NATIONAL SENIOR SCHOOL OF THE YEAR AND THE NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL OF THE YEAR FOR THE SENIOR LEVEL. REEDY FORK ELEMENTARY WAS NAMED THE NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL OF THE YEAR FOR THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL. IN

100A FEW SHORT WEEKS, MORE THAN 5,000 GCS STUDENTS WILL GRADUATE IN 30 CEREMONIES BETWEEN MAY 24 AND JUNE 11. CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR STUDENTS, WHO WILL GO ON TO COLLEGE, CAREER AND MILITARY DEPLOYMENTS AROUND THE WORLD. WE HAD AN OVERWHELMING RESPONSE TO OUR REQUEST FOR COLLEGE DECISION DAY VIDEOS, AND YOU CAN SEE THOSE ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL AT GCSCHOOLSNC. THANK YOU. THIS CONCLUDES MY REMARKS. >> THANK YOU. WE ARE NOW AT ACTION ITEMS. >> WE DO HAVE A STAFF REPORT ON STRENGTHEN THE HEALTH, WELLNESS AND SAFETY. AND WITH THAT I'LL ASK CHIEF OF STAFF JOSE OLIVA TO JOIN US FOR THIS PRESENTATION. >> GOOD EVENING. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT YOU ALL ARE HAVING A BUSY NIGHT ACCOMPLISHING THE FOUR FOCUS AREAS UNDER OUR NEW STRATEGIC DIRECTION. I THINK YOU GET TO CHECK THE SECOND BOX

101ON RECRUITMENT, RETENTION AND AWARD OF TOLL TALENT. TOP TALENT. THIS WAS A GREAT VOTE ON TODAY. AND NOW YOU'RE GOING TO DISCUSS STRENGTHENING HEALTH, WELLNESS AND SAFETY IN THE SCHOOLS. IF ANY OF YOU ATTENDED THE 200 + COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS HOSTED D OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, YOU PROBABLY HEARD MULTIPLE TIMES THAT MENTAL HEALTH HAS BEEN TOP OF MIND FOR MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY, AS WELL SAFETY AND HEALTH. SO WE'RE GOING TO EXPLAIN A LITTLE MORE ON THAT. AND JUST AS A REMINDER, UNDER THE NEW STRATEGIC DIRECTION UNDER SOME COMMITMENTS THAT ARE ALSO INCLUDED. AND ONE OF THEM IS MAKING INVESTMENTS THAT ADDRESS HISTORICAL INEQUITIES, PRIORITIZING COLLABORATION WITH STAKEHOLDERS TO ADDRESS STUDENT'S ACHIEVEMENT AND OPERATE EFFICIENTLY TO MAXIMIZE RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS. SO NOW I'M GOING TO PASS IT -- I HAVE ONE MORE. I'M GOING TO

102PASS IT OVER NOW FOR AN UPDATE ON HEALTH AND SAFETY IN SCHOOLS. >> OTHER THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT STEPS THE DISTRICT HAS HEADACHEEN TO ADDRESS THE MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF OUR SCHOOL. MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH. TONIGHT WE WANT TO BROADEN THE CONVERSATION TO SHARE HOW WE'RE WORKING STRATEGICALLY TO STRENGTHEN THE HEALTH, WELLNESS AND SAFETY OF OUR SCHOOLS. WE HAVE SEEN STRESS FROM A VARIETY OF FACTORS THAT IMPACT A STUDENT'S DAILY LIFE. CHILDREN ARE FACING CHALLENGES THAT EXTEND WELL BEYOND THE REACH OF OUR CLASSROOMS AND SCHOOL FACILITIES. THROUGH A THOUGHTFUL PLAN, COMBINED WITH ADDITIONAL GRANT DOLLAR, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FOCUS ON PHYSICAL HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELLNESS. JUST OTHER A YEAR AGO WE PRESENTED DATA ON HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, DEMONSTRATING THAT NEARLY 45% OF SURVEYED STUDENTS WERE PERSISTENTLY

103STAD OR HOPENESS. ALMOST ONE IN FIVE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED SUICIDE AND ONE IN ELEVEN HAD MADE ATTEMPTS TO TAKE THEIR LIVES. CLOSER TO HOME IN SIMILAR DATA FROM DECEMBER 2022, THE NORTH CAROLINA CHILD FATALITY TASK FORCE REPORTED CHANGES SAYING THAT THE PERCENTAGE OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO FELT SAD OR HOPELESS INCREASED FROM 36% TO 43%. AND THE PERCENTAGE WHO SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED ATTEMPTING SUICIDE, DURING THE PAST 12 MONTH, INCREASED FROM 19 TO 22%. THE SAME SURVEY FOUND THAT 30% OF FEMALE STUDENTS SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED SUICIDE DOUBLING THE PERCENTAGE OVER A DECADE COMPARED TO 14% OF MALE STUDENTS. THE PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS WHO TOOK THE NEXT STEP AND ACTUALLY MADE A PLAN FOR A SUICIDE ATTEMPT INCREASED FROM 15 TO 8%. SURVEY RESULTS SHOW THE UPTICK OF MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES WAS WORST AMONG GAY, LESBIAN AND BISEXUAL STUDENTS. NEARLY

10460% SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED SUICIDE COMPARED TO 15% OF HETEROSEXUAL STUDENTS. ADDITIONALLY, 42 OCTOBER OF 42% REPORTEDSEEING BULLYING IN R SCHOOLS. AND 17% SAID THEY DID NOT ATTEND SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY FELT UNSAFE OR AT OR ON THEIR WAY HOME TO SCHOOL. STAFF TRAINED TO CONDUCT SUICIDE RISK ASSESSMENTS AND BEHAVIORAL THREAT ASSESSMENTS CONDUCT COMPREHENSIVE INTERVIEWS THE SAME DAY WITH THE STUDENT TO DETERMINE THE STUDENT'S RISK LEVEL; LOW, MOD MODERATE, OR HI. IF DETERMINED HIGH, THE STUDENT IS REFERRED FOR AN IMMEDIATE MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION AND PARENTS ARE IMMEDIATELY NOT NOTIFIED. AS WE KNOW, THE PANDEMIC LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS AND VIOLENCE. WHETHER IT HAPPENS IN SCHOOLS, IN THE HOME OR IN THE COMMUNITY, GUN VIOLENCE HAS A UNIQUELY DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON THE MENTAL HEALTH OF YOUNG PEOPLE BUT CHILDREN AREN'T THE ONLY ONES FEELING THE

105IMPACT OF THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS IN THE SI KEYSER FOUNDATION SUR, 51% OF FAMILIES EXPERIENCED A SEVERE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS. 28% HAD A FAMILY MEMBER RECEIVE IN-PERSON TREATMENT BECAUSE THEY POSE ADD THREAT TO THEMSELVES OR OTHERS. 33% ALWAYS OR OFTEN FEEL ANXIOUS AND 60% OF LGBTQ SAY THEY ALWAYS OR OFTEN FEEL DEPRESSED AND 32% ALWAYS OR OFTEN FEEL LONELY. LASTLY, IN A WORK AND WELL BEING SURVEY COMPLETED BY THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, 81% OF ADULTS REPORTED THAT IN THE WORKPLACE, EMPLOYER SUPERINTENDENT FOR MENTAL HEALTH WILL BE AN IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION AS THEY SEEK EMPLOYMENT IN 71% BELIEVE THEIR EMPLOYER IS MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH OF EMPLOYEES NOW THAN THEY HAVE BEEN IN THE PAST. AS A REMINDER, IN ADDITION TO STATE HEALTH PLAN BENEFITS, GCS HAS EXPANDED OPPORTUNITIES FOR STAFF TO ACCESS MENTAL HEALTH

106COUNSELING SUPPORT THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THERAPY. THE DELIVERY OF SERVICES IN SCHOOLS HAS EVOLVED OVERTIME. WHILE IT CONTINUES TO VARY ACROSS THE COUNTRY, GCS HAS BEEN INTENTIONAL ABOUT THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY AND WELLNESS SUPPORTS PROVIDED TO STUDENTS IN OUR SCHOOLS. IN JANUARY, 2023, GCS ESTABLISHED A WAY TO ESTABLISH A SAFETY GROUP TO EXPAND SAFETY INFRASTRUCTURE IN SCHOOLS AND ACROSS THE DISTRICT. ADDITIONALLY, GCS IS PARTNERING WITH COHEN HEALTH TO EXPAND TELE-HEALTH SERVICES IN TITLE I ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. FROM A HIGH LEVEL VIEW, THIS DIAGRAM SHOWS HOW WEEN CAGE ENGE STUDENTS AND STAFF THROUGH ROBUST STRATEGIES INCLUDING COMPETITIVE GRANT AWARDS, SPECIFIC GCS PERSONNEL, HEALTH SERVICES, ADVANCEMENTS WITH SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY, A MULTITUDE OF COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, MENTAL HEALTH CONTRACTED PROVIDER, ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION, DAY TREATMENT PROGRAMS AND STAFF THERAPY PARENT, FAMILY, AND CAREGIVERS ARE ALSO A

107VITAL PART OF THE SERVICE DELIVERY, AS WE WORK TOGETHER TO ENSURE FAMILIES HAVE ACCESS TO RESOURCES AND INFORMATION TO SUPPORT THE NEEDS OF THEIR CHILDREN. EACH SECTION IN OUR STRATEGY RESOURCES, PARTNERSHIPS,OPLE, PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES AND LOCATIONS. GCS, LIKE OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, IS SEEING A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS AND VIOLENT SCHOOL BEHAVIOR AS A RESULT OF THE TRAUMA MANY CHILDREN AND YOUTH EXPERIENCE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. OUR CAPACITY TO ADDRESS THESE CHALLENGES PROACTIVELY IS LIMITED, CONSIDERING RATIOS OF STUDENTS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE PROVIDERS FAR EXCEEDS PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS. THUS REQUIRING AN INTENTIONAL EFFORT TO DEVELOP A STRATEGY THAT INCLUDES INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS, A VARIETY OF RESOURCES AND PROACTIVE MEASURES TO STRENGTHEN THE HEALTH, WELLNESS AND SAFETY OF OUR GCS STUDENTS AND STAFF IN SEPTEMBER 2021, GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS SUBMITTED

108A DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR SOCIOEMOTIONAL LEARNING AND MENTAL HEALTH IN ACCORDANCE WITH NORTH CAROLINA POLICY. THE GOAL OF THE PLAN IS TO UNIVERSAL PROMOTION OF MENTAL AND SOCIAL YO SOCIOEMOTIONAL WED TO ESTABLISH THE FOUNDATION FOR STUDENT AND STAFF WELLNESS THROUGH A CROSS. FUNCTIONAL TE TEAM APPROACH. THIS PLAN WILL BE REVIEWED, UPDATED AND RESUBMITTED TO DPI THIS FALL UNDER DR. OAKLEY'S LEADERSHIP, STUDENTS AND STAFF ARE INCREASINGLY ENGAGED IN OUR WORK TO STRENGTHEN THE HEALTH, WELLNESS AND SAFETY IN OUR SCHOOLS. THE SUPERINTENDENT STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL MET TWICE THIS YEAR FOR SUMMITS FOCUSING ON MENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY. ADDITIONALLY, LEARNING WAS DONE FOR TRAUMA AND INFORMED CARE. GCS HAS BENEFITED FROM GRANTS TOTALING $16.9 MILLION FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY SUPPORTS THAT PROVIDE STAFF AND RESOURCES FOR STRENGTHENING TE HEALTH, WELLNESS AND SAFETY IN OUR SCHOOLS. THIS MONTH

109WE HAVE SUBMITTED 5.48 MILLION IN COMPETITIVE GRANT FEDERAL APPLICATIONS TO FURTHER THIS WORK. IF AWARDED, THIS WILL EQUATE TO MORE THAN $22 MILLION, MAKING IT THE MOST SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN MENTAL HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELLNESS IN THE DISTRICT'S HISTORY. GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS HAS NEARLY 68,000 STUDENTS AND 10,000 EMPLOYEES. IN A LARGE DISTRICT WITH 126 SCHOOLS SPANS ALMOST 660 SQUARE MILES IT TAKES AN ARMY OF PEOPLE TO ENSURE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS ARE MET. HOWEVER, GCS WAS ONLY ALLOTTED 48 SCHOOL SIGH PSYCHOLOGISTS FOE 2022-23 SCHOOL YEAR. ADDITIONALLY, WE HAVE 9 SEL AND MENTAL HEALTH TEACHER LEAD POSITIONS WHOSE PRIMARY ROLE IS TO SERVE AS A LIAISON BETWEEN THE SCHOOLS, DISTRICT, AND THE COMMUNITY AND THE INTEGRATION OF SERVICE, PROCEDURE, AND PROTOCOLS TO SUPPORT CHILDREN WITH MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS AND THEIR FAMILIES. PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED

110FEDERAL GRANT OPPORTUNITIES HAVE INCLUDED RESOURCES FOR THE PROVISION OF TWO MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALISTS AND OUR NEW SCHOOL BASED MENTAL HEALTH GRANT PROVIDES 16 NEW MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIANS WHOSE PRIMARY ROLE WOULD BE THE PROVISION OF DIRECT SERVICES TO STUDENTS. OUR EC DEPARTMENT HAS A TEAM OF BEHAVIOR SUPPORT TEACHERS AND ITINERANT CRISIS ASSISTANTS WHO SUPPORT STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES WHOSE BEHAVIORAL AND M MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS MAY MANIFEST IN CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS. AND WE HAVE AN EC COORDINATOR WHO HELPS WITH DAY TREATMENT PROGRAMS. GCS HAS A LONG STANDING PARTNER PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT. WITH THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING COORDINATED SCHOOL HEALTH PROGRAMS, THE DHHS PUBLIC HEALTH TEAM PROVIDES NURSING CARE IN ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS. CURRENTLY OPERATING IN FOUR GCS TITLE IEL S I SCHOOLS, TEJCATIOL ALLIANCE WAS ESTABLISHED TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE FOR

111STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOL SETTING WHILE REDUCING ABSENTEEISM AND FAMILY MEMBER'S TIME OUT OF WORK. WE WILL OPEN ADDITIONAL TELE-HEALTH NEXT YEAR WITH LONG-TERM PLANS FOR ALL TITLE I ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. THIS IS POSSIBLE THANKS TO A $2 MILLION INITIAL INVESTMENT FROM THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS. GCS, THE GUILFORD COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, COHEN HEALTH, GEA AND THE COUNTY MISSIONERS CAN WORK TOWARD FILLING THE VOID IN STUDENT'S ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTHCARE AS YOU'RE AWARE, GCS HAS A ROBUST AND COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL SAFETY STRATEGY, IN ADDITION TO MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF. THIS YEAR, ALL PRINCIPALS HAVE PARTICIPATED IN ANTI-BULLYING TRAINING. MR. RICHEY WILL NOW PROVIDE UPDATES IN THE SCHOOL SAFETY STRATEGY. >> THE SERVERS AND VIDEO MANAGEMENT SYSTEM HAVE BEEN ENHANCED FOR 40 SCHOOLS IN OUR DISTRICT TO THIS POINT. THE RFP TO COMPLETE

112THE MODERNIZATION OF THE REMAINING SCHOOLS WILL BE ADVERTISED FOR PURCHASING THIS WEEK. TTRAINING WILL BEGIN IN THE BEGINNING OF THE 23-24 SCHOOL YEAR. SITE SURVEYS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED FOR ALL OF OUR TOUCHLESS SECURITY SCREENERS AT OUR MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND INSTALLATION OCCUR PRIOR TO THE MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSES. SO THE KIDS CAN GET FAMILIAR TWO THE DEVICES. SINCE MARCH WE'VE HELD A NUMBER OF WORKING MEETINGS WITH OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNER AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PARTNERS TO PREPARE FOR EXERCISES IN THE FALL. IN ADDITION, SUPERINTENDENT OAKLEY AND THE SAFETY WORKING GROUP HAVE CONVENED A MEETING WITH THE CHIEF OF ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO ENSURE THAT THIS IS A STRONG RELATIONSHIP IN THE COUNTY. THANK YOU. >> IN THE FALL OF 2022, GCS ENTERED INTO CONTRACTS WITH MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS TO EXPAND STUDENT ACCESS TO SERVICES. PROVIDERS FOCUS

113ON A VARIETY OF MENTAL HEALTH TOPICS AN INCLUDE BEHAVIORAL AND EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT THROUGH TRAUMA INFORMED EVIDENCE BASED CARE. WITH CONTRACTS DUE TO EXPIRE AT THE END OF JUNE, A NEW REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS WAS RECENTLY POSTED TO CONSIDER THE CONTINUATION OF THESE SERVICES AND IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS. IN ADDITION TO CONTRACTED PROVIDERS, GCS HAS HISTORICALLY PARTNERED WITH SEVERAL COMMUNITY AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. STUDENTS WORK WITH CLINICIANS IN THE SCHOOL SETTING AND AFTER HOURS THROUGH REFERRALS FROM SCHOOLS, FAMILY, AND OTHERS. AS OF THE END OF APRIL, 1,440 STUDENTS HAVE RECEIVED THERAPY FOR A TOTAL OF OVER 6,500 SESSIONS COMPLETED. FROM ALL GRADE LEVEL SPANS, 45% OF THE ELEMENTARY STUDENTS, 36% OF MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS AND 19% OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE BEING SERVED GCS PROVIDES SEVERAL

114ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION AND DAY TREATMENT PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS WHO MAY NEED A DIFFERENT EDUCATIONAL SETTING TO MEET THEIR INDIVIDUAL MENTAL HEALTH AND BEHAVIORAL NEEDS. THROUGH PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS WITH THE ALEXANDER YOUTH NETWORK THE BUILDING FUTURES ARE AND MEL BURTON PROGRAMS SUPPORT STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES IN RECEIVING PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT BOTH INDIVIDUAL AND IN GROUP SETTING, CRISIS INTERVENTION, DEST COLLATION STRATEGIES, BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT, CLINICAL CONSULTATION AND CASE MANAGEMENT. THE STRUCTURED DAY PROGRAM SERVES BOTH REGULAR AND SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS WITH BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS AND SYMPTOMS WHO ARE AT RISK WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. STUDENTS WHO ARE COURT ORDERED HAVE PRIORITY FOR PLACEMENT. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BEHAVIORAL HOALT, GCS TEACHERS SERVE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES ON THE CHILD AND ADOLESCENT UNIT OF THE HOSPITAL THROUGH OUR CROSSROADS PROGRAM LASTLY, WHEN WE LOOK AT THE OPTIONS FOR STAFF ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND COUNSELING,

115THE STATE HEALTH PLAN PROVIDES COVERAGE FOR A VARIETY OF IN AND OUTPATIENT SERVICES. COCOPAYS VARY. IN A RECENT SEARCH THERE WERE 196 BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINICIANS IN THE GUILFORD COUNTY NETWORK TO PROVIDE SERVICES. ADDED THIS YEAR, VIRTUAL E THERAPY SERVICES ENABLE US TO OFFER ALL GCS EMPLOYEES ON DEMAND ACCESS TO A RANGE OF LICENSED CLINICIANS REGARDLESS OF THEIR LOCATION ACROSS THE DISTRICT. THIS IS AT NO COST TO THE EMPLOYEE AND INCLUDES CONFIDENTIAL SELF REFERRALS. AS OF APRIL THERE WERE 338 GCS STAFF ACCESSING E-THERAPY SERVICES WITH OVER 1600 SESSIONS COMPLETE. WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS AND STRENGTHENING THE HEALTH AND SAFETY AND WELLNESS IN OUR SCHOOLS. STUDENTS AND FAMILY AND STAFF HAVE GREATER ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE, INTERNSHIPS FOR OUR INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT PERSONNEL. STUDENTS HAVE A DIRECT VOICE IN THE WORK AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS HAVE BEEN EXPANDED

116FOCUSING ON THE LINK BETWEEN OUR INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS. YET IN THE MONTHS AHEAD WE STILL HAVE SOME CHALLENGES TO ADDRESS. WE MUST STREAMLINE OUR MENTAL HEALTH REFERRAL PROCESS TO ENSURE AN EFFICIENT AND EQUITABLE METHOD FOR STUDENTS TO ACCESS SERVICES. WE WANT TO BETTER DEFINE OUR METHODOLOGY FOR HOW VARIOUS MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS ARE ASSIGNED TO SCHOOLS AND CONSIDER THE ADDITIONAL NEED FOR STAFF WHEN SUPERVISING STUDENTS WHO MAY BE RECEIVING VIRTUAL THERAPY DURING THE SCHOOL DAY. AS STUDENTS WHO CHANGE SCHOOLS WITH DIFFERENT SERVICE PROVIDERS, WE MUST CONSIDER WHAT THAT MEANS FOR THE INDIVIDUAL STUDENT REGARDING CONTINUITY OF SERVICES. FOR STAFF WHO MAY NEED TO ACCESS THERAPY OPTIONS DURING THE WORK DAY WE MUST CONSIDER WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE TIME AWAY FOR ROUTINE RESPONSIBILITIES. AND LASTLY, WE MUST CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR RESOURCES AND FUNDING AT

117THE STATE LEVEL TO PROVIDE THE SPECIALIZED INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT PERSONNEL THAT ARE NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN BETTER RATIOS OF STAFF TO STUDENTS. >> BEFORE WE OPEN FOR QUESTION, I WANT TO CLARIFY ONE POINT FOR STUDENTS ACCESSING SERVICES. ALL OF THE STUDENTS WHO ARE ACCESSING SERVICES, WHICH IS ABOUT 1400 WITH A TOTAL OF ABOUT 6500 SECOND, OF THAT NUMBER, 45% ARE ELEMENTARY. 36% ARE MENTAL. ARE MIDDLE. AND 19% ARE HIGH SCHOOL. >> YOU HIT IT BEFORE I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK IT. >> THAT'S MY JOB. >> CAN YOU REPEAT YOUR NUMBERS? >> AS OF THE END OF APRIL -- AND THIS NUMBER CHANGES EVERY DAY. $1,440 STUDENTS HAD ACCESSED THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR OVER 6,500 SESSIONS. AND OF THE STUDENTS WHO ACCESSED THE SERVICE 45% ARE ELEMENTARY. 36% ARE MIDDLE. AND 19% ARE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

118>> I THINK THIS IS ON PAGE 22. DO YOU HAVE ALL OF THESE POSITIONS THAT YOU HAVE LISTED UP HERE AT THE TOP? THE 56 SCHOOL NURSES. DO YOU HAVE ALL OF THESE POSITIONS FILLED? OR IS THIS WHAT YOU HOPE TO HAVE? >> THE 56 SCHOOL NURSES AND HEALTH AIDS ARE ACTUALLY EMPLOYED BY THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. AND AS OF LAST WEEK, THEY HAD 42 OF THOSE FILLED. WHICH IS MORE THAN THEY HAD LAST YEAR. SO THEY'RE DOING OKAY GETTING THEM FILLED. FASTER THEN BEFORE. >> SO ARE WE -- OKAY. WE HAVE TWO -- I THINK I'M CORRECT. WE HAVE TWO NURSING SCHOOLS IN GUILFORD COUNTY. >> OH, NO. >> WE HAVE THREE. BECAUSE I THINK HIGH POINT -- NO? >> UNCG, GUILFORD TECH. I THINK THERE'S A FOURTH. THERE'S THREE OR FOUR. HIGH POINT U.

119>> THERE WE GO. HPU. >> YOU'RE THE MEDICAL PERSON. BUT MY POINT IS THAT DOES IT TAKE SOMETHING SPECIAL TO BE A SCHOOL NURSE AS OPPOSED TO A NURSE? >> THE SCHOOL NURSE -- THESE 56 ARE ALL RNs, REGISTERED NURSES. >> SO YOU'RE SAYING IT DOESN'T TAKE SOMETHING SPECIAL? OTHER THAN BEING AN RN? I MEAN -- >> WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO? A REGISTERED NURSE CAN APPLY FOR A SCHOOL NURSE POSITION. THERE IS A CERTIFICATION THAT THEY CAN EARN AS A SCHOOL NURSE. AND THERE IS A SCHOOL NURSE'S ASSOCIATION THAT THEY CAN OBTAIN MEMBERSHIP TO. IT'S NOT REQUIRED FOR THE POSITIONS. IT'S PREFERENTIAL BUT NOT REQUIRED. >> I ONLY ASK THAT BECAUSE IF WE DO HAVE THESE FOUR NURSING SCHOOLS I ASSUME THAT WE ARE, YOU KNOW, AT THEIR DOORS TRYING TO RECRUIT. IS THAT

120CORRECT? >> THERE'S STIFF COMPETITION. >> MONEY? >> THERE'S A WHOLE LOT OF NURSING POSITIONS OUT THERE. >> MY NEXT QUESTION, CAN WE GET AN UPDATE ON TELE-MED AND -- I MEAN NOT TONIGHT BUT JUST WHAT WE'VE SEEN, YOU KNOW, ITS IMPACT IF IT IS IN FACT -- BECAUSE I SAW IT SAID UNION HILL. SHE WAS SAYING THERE WAS A DECREASE IN ABSENTEES BECAUSE THEY'RE CATCHING THINGS DURING THE SCHOOL DAY. SO I JUST WONDER, CAN WE GET AN UPDATE SO WE CAN SEE THE IMPACT? >> WE CAN PROVIDE A QUALITATIVE UPDATE. WE HAVEN'T CONTROLLED FOR THAT IMPACT ON SPECIFIC DATA PIECES. BUT WE CAN TALK IN GENERAL ABOUT IMPACTS ON ATTENDANCE, ACCESS LEVEL, ET CETERA, OF THOSE FOUR SCHOOLS. BUT REMEMBER, THEY CAME ON AT DIFFERENT TIMES. >> I UNDERSTAND. BUT WE'RE ADVOCATING FOR THIS. AND

121ONE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT UNION HILL IS HAVING IS THAT -- IS GETTING PARENTS TRUSTING ENOUGH TO SIGN ON TO IT. I UNDERSTAND THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT'S THE PARENTAL PREROGATIVE. BUT I JUST THINK THAT IF WE CAN SHOW THAT THERE'S A BENEFIT -- THAT MIGHT INCREASE REALM. IT'S JUST A LITTLE OVER 50% THERE. I UNDERSTAND THAT BULLYING IS NOT NECESSARILY A MENTAL HEALTH THING. BUT WHEN YOU HAVE AN INCIDENT OF BULLYING HOW IS THE BULLY AND HOW ARE THE STUDENTS WHO WERE BULLIED DEALT WITH? BECAUSE BEING BULLIED, I ASSUME, IS A TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE. >> YES. AND HOW THE TRANSITION AND CONSEQUENCES ARE HANDLED DEPENDS ON THE SCENARIO. >> I'M NOT TALKING SO MUCH ABOUT THE PUNISHMENT. AFTER YOU'VE DONE WHATEVER THE SUSPENSION MIGHT BE OR WHATEVER THE CONSEQUENCES ARE, WHAT DO WE DO THEN? WHAT

122CHANGES THE BEHAVIOR OF THE BULLY? JUST SENDING HIM OR HER HOME FOR THREE DAYS DOESN'T NECESSARILY CHANGE THE BEHAVIOR. DOES IT? DO WE DO ANYTHING ELSE TO HELP THAT BEHAVIOR NOT BE THAT BEHAVIOR? AND ALSO HOW DO WE TREAT THE VICTIM? DO WE JUST SEND THEM BACK TO CLASS AND SAY FORGET IT? OR ARE WE DOING SOMETHING TO TRY TO HEAL THESE PROCESSES? >> RESTORATIVE PRACTICE. >> YES. >> IT DEPENDS. THERE'S NOT ONE THNG THAT'S EXERCISES AFTER EVERY SINCE DENT. OFTEN A SCHEDULE MIGHT BE CHANGED. AN INTERVIEW WITH THE STUDENT AND THE PARENT ABOUT HOW THEY CAN FEEL SAFE AND BE AT SCHOOL. WE TRY TO DO IT IN A LEAST RESTRICTIVE WAY. BUT OF COURSE THERE'S OF THIALT CONFIDENTIALITY THAT GOES INTO THAT. AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE EVENT PLAY INTO HOW THE EVENT

123IS HANDLED. IT'S NOT JUST AN ISSUE OF A CODE OF CONDUCT AND THEN GOOD LUCK. THERE'S INTERVIEWING THAT GOES ON. THERE'S CONVERSATIONS THAT HAPPEN WITH ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF WHEN STUDENTS ARE TRANSITIONING BACK INTO THE CLASSROOM. BUT IT'S ON A VERY CASE BY CASE BASIS. >> ARE THE PARENTS MADE AWARE OF THIS? BECAUSE WHAT I HAVE SEEN PARENTS SAYING IS THAT, ONE, THEY SAY NOTHING IS BEING DONE AND THAT THE STUDENT, USUALLY THE VICTIM, CONTINUES TO FEEL, YOU KNOW, UNCOMFORTABLE. >> WE CAN'T SHARE CONFIDENTIAL STUDENT INFORMATION WITH ANOTHER PARENT. >> YOU HEARD THE GENTLEMAN. THOUGH HE WAS TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT IN TERMS OF HIS DAUGHTER FEELING SAFE AT SCHOOL. BUT YOU KNOW, IF BULLYING IS GOING ON, I JUST WANT TO KNOW -- BECAUSE I REALLY WANT BOTH KIDS OR CHILDREN TO BE IN A

124BETTER PLACE. AND I'M JUST WONDERING -- AND I UNDERSTAND THAT IT TAKES A LOT OF ENERGY AND TIME. BUT I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT ARE WE DOING? AND I THINK MY QUESTION IS LEGITIMATE, PARTICULARLY CONSIDERING THE AMOUNT OF VIOLENCE WE'RE SEEING ALMOST EVERY DAY AS FAR AS PEOPLE JUST DECIDING WELL I AIN'T GOING TO DEAL WITH LIFE ANYMORE SO I'M GOING TO SHOOT UP A WHOLE BUNCH OF PEOPLE. NOT THAT WE WANT THAT HAPPENING HERE BUT IT'S JUST THE MINDSET TAKE CONTROL OF OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES AND GET AWAY WITH IT. IF THAT STARTS IN A CHILD IT BECOMES AN ADULT. >> YOU ACTUALLY SAID THAT VERY WELL. >> THANK YOU. WH >> WHAT IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW, OUR PRINCIPAL IS PAYING ATTENTION TO BOTH SIDES. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT IS,

125IN THE BULLYING TRAINING GIVEN IN NOVEMBER, DECEMBER, AND JANUARY, WE TALKED ABOUT WHAT ACTUALLY THE BULLYING, WHAT IT ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE IN A LOT MORE DETAIL THAN WE HAVE IN THE PAST. AND UNDERSTANDING SO THAT THE PRINPRINCIPALS COULD ADDRESS, WH THE HELP OF STUDENT SERVICES, WHAT IS GOING INTO THE PERSON THAT'S DOING THE BULLYING SO THAT CONSEQUENCES ARE NOT JUST SEND THEM HOME AND THEN WE'RE WASHING OUR HANDS OF IT. IT'S GET THEM INTO THE PROPER PROGRAM, THE PROPER COUNSELING TO GO FORWARD WITH THAT. THAT IS HOW THINGS ARE BEING ADDRESSED RIGHT NOW. I WILL TELL YOU THAT, HAVING A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS WITH PARENTS IS THAT -- AND I'M A PARENT AS WELL. WHEN MY DAUGHTER'S INVOLVED I FEEL LIKE EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD SHOULD BE DONE TO THE PERSON WHO HURT MY DAUGHTER'S

126FEELINGS. THAT'S PROBABLY A LITTLE OVER BUT WHAT WE'VE RECOGNIZED IS THAT MOST OF THE TIME PARENTS UNDERSTAND WHY WE'RE DOING WHAT WE'RE DOING. WE MAKE SURE WE EXPLAIN IT MULTIPLE TYPES. THTYPE TIMES.THERE ARE A FEW TIY FEEL NOT ENOUGH IS HAPPENING. >> SO YOU'RE SAYING THAT YOU DO ADDRESS THE BULLY. >> ABSOLUTELY. BOTH. EVERY TIME. >> THANK YOU. >> I JUST FELT THAT, SINCE WE WERE TALKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH, NOT EVERY BULLY HAS A MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM BUT WHAT DOES THAT, OVERARCHING, LOOK LIKE. >> CRISSY, THEN KHEM, THEN LINDA. >> I UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE MULTIPLE DIFFERENT VENDORS WHO ARE PROVIDING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND THEY ALL HAVE DIFFERENT APPROACHES. AND I KNOW WE'RE WORKING TO FIGURE OUT WHICH ONE IS THE BEST FOR EACH SCHOOL. I'M A LITTLE SURPRISED WHEN DR. OAKLEY READ THE

127PERCENTAGES OF STUDENTS THAT THE HIGHEST ACCESS TO THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES SEEM TO BE TAKEN OF BY THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS. AND OF COURSE WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER INCREASE OF VIOLENCE IN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL. AND OF COURSE YOU CAN'T FORCE PEOPLE INTO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. BUT I WONDER WHOA KINDS OF THINGS WE MIGHT BE DOING TO ENCOURAGE SOME OF THOSE STUDENTS IN THE MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE SERVICES THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE FOR THEM. >> I THINK A LOT OF THAT COMES DOWN TO THE SCHOOL TEAM. IN ORDER FOR A CHILD AT ANY AGE TO RECEIVE SERVICE, THEY HAVE TO BE REFERRED. WHETHER THAT'S A PARENT, A SCHOOL TEAM, A COUNSELOR, SOMEONE ELSE. A LOT OF IT GOES INTO WHAT IS THE REASON THAT THE CHILD WAS REFERRED IN

128THE FIRST PLACE. AND THEN HOW IS THAT CHILD SPOKEN TO ABOUT WHAT THE SERVICES MEAN TO HELP THEM WITH WHATEVER THE REASON WAS FOR THE REFERRAL. >> HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT PARENTS ARE AWARE THAT THE SERVICES ARE OUT THERE? >> PARENTS HAVE TO GIVE CONSENT FOR CHILDRENS TO RECEIVE THE SERVICES. >> HOW DO WE PUBLICIZE THAT THE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM? >> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION. MEETINGS LIKE THIS. ALL THE SCHOOLS HAVE THE INFORMATION AND THEY SHARE IT IN THEIR REGULAR COMMUNICATION OUTLETS. I THINK IT COMES DOWN TOO, WHEN SITUATIONS ARE GOING ON LIKE BULLYING, THAT'S WHEN IT COMES UP, ALL THE VARIETY OF SERVICES THAT COULD BE APPLICABLE TO WHATEVER THAT SITUATION IS. >> WONDERFUL. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE AWARE OF WHAT'S OUT THERE FOR THEM. >> YOU KNOW,

129ANOTHER ISSUE IS JUST THE STIGMA AROUND MEN TELLL HEALTH. AND ONE OF THE GRANTS WE JUST APPLIED FOR IS SPECIFICALLY FOCUSED ON THAT. BUT IT'S GOING TO TAKE ALL OF US TALKING ABOUT THE TOPIC AN ENCOURAGING AND NORMLIZING ACCESSING MENTAL HEALTH. >> EXCELLENT. THANK YOU. AND THEN I HAVE ONE QUICK QUESTION FOR MR. RICHEY ABOUT THE SCANNERS IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOLS. AND JUST WONDER, WE'VE HAD THEM IN THE HIGH SCHOOLS NOW FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. AND YOU MAY NOT HAVE THIS INFORMATION ON YOU. AFTER AND THEN HOW MUCH ARE THE MIDDLE SCHOOL SCANNERS GOING TO COST AND AND HOW ARE WE GOING TY FOR THOSE? >> ON THE DATA, I'LL GET BACK TO YOU. AS FAR AS THE PRICE, WE JUST FINISHED THE MEETING THAT WENT INTO WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE. AND IT'S LOOKS LIKE

130IT WILL TAKE ANT THE SAME NUMBER OF SCANNERS AS THE HIGH SCHOOL. JUST A HAIR DIFFERENCE. AND IT WILL PROBABLY BE SLIGHTLY DRESLESS THAN WHAT THE HIGH SCHS WERE. SOMEWHERE AROUND $850,000 PER YEAR. >> DO WE HAVE AN IDEA OF WHERE THAT MONEY IS ALLOCATED TO COME FROM? >> WITH ALL OF OUR ESSER FUNDS WE PLAN TO SEE WHAT GOES FROM THERE, WHEN THE BUDGET SHORTFUL HAPPENS. SHORTFALL HAPPENS. >> WE KNOW THAT THE STATE IS ADDRESSING THIS. MR. RICHEY IS VERY HUMBLE TO SAY SHE GOT A CALL TO FIND OUT HOW WE'RE IMPLEMENTING STRATEGIES. THEY'RE CONSIDERING HOW TO PROVIDE RECRUITING FUNDING. SO RAM CAMERAS ARE INSTALLED. AND WITH WHAT WE'RE SEEING IN HIGH SCHOOLS THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT AS WELL. >> THANK YOU. KHEM AND LINDA? >> IN REFERENCE TO THE DATA FROM DPI DO THEY

131GIVE ANY DISAGGREGATED DATA SPECIFICALLY ABOUT GUILFORD COUNTY STUDENTS? >> NO. .>> WE CAN'T GET THAT? I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT 1.1 MILLION STUDENTS IN NORTH CAROLINA WHEN DPI IS SHARING DATA. IN REGARD TO ANTI-BULLYING TRAINING FOR STAFF DOES THAT INCLUDE BULLYING OF STAFF TO STAFF? >> NO IT'S SPECIFIC AROUND CHILDREN BUT THE SAME STRATEGIES WILL BE IN USE. >> ARE WE DOING ANYTHING FOR STAFF? REGARD TO BULLYING? >> HR QUESTION RIGHT? >> JUST LIKE WITH STUDENTS, WHENEVER ISSUES ARE BROUGHT UP, WE ADDRESS THEM WITH BOTH PARTIES INVOLVED, ALL PARTIES INVOLVED. >> IN REGARD TO ANONYMOUS REPORTING, HOW DO WE RECEIVE THAT INFORMATION? >> THAT COMES TO EVERY SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR IN THAT SCHOOL BUILDING TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S NOT MISSED AND THEN IT ALSO COPS TO MY OFFICE. THEN WE

132COORDINATE OUR RESPONSE AT THAT TIME. >> OKAY. SO PEOPLE ARE TEXTING, EMAILING? >> IT COMES OFF OF COMPUTER DEVICES. SO WHAT IT IS, IT'S AN ACTUAL PROGRAM. IT'S DOWNLOADED ON TO THEIR DEVICES AND THEN THEY SIMPLY ENTER IN THE INFORMATION AND HIT SEND BECAUSE IT SHOWS WHAT SCHOOL IT'S COMING FROM. AND THEN IT GOES STRAIGHT TO THEIR ADMINISTRATORS. >> MAYBE NEXT TIME I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW HOW MUCH OR HOW OFTEN WE'RE USING IT. >> IT WAS JUST AN UPDATED ROLL OUT. WE'LL BE TRAINING IN THE YOU CAN ISSUMMERAND IN THE FALL. >> IN REGARD TO THE CLEAR BAG POLICY, ARE WE LOOKING TO EXPAND THAT WHEN SCHOOL OPENS NEXT YEAR? >> WE'RE NOT LOOKING TO EXPAND IT. WE'RE LOOKING TO KEEP IT IN PLACE. >> RIGHT NOW OUR GENERAL RESPONSE IS GOING TO BE

133FOR EVENTS ON THE CAMPUS ANDGE BASKETBALL GAPES. AND IF THERE ARE ANY SPORTING EVENTS. SO WE HAVE SOME SCHOOLS CAN LARGE VOLLEYBALL OR WRESTLING PROGRAMS. IF THEY HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE COMING IN WE'LL USE IT FOR THOSE AS WELL. WE'RE LOOKING FOR THAT TO BE PERMANENT. >> WHY AREN'T WE LOOKING FOR THAT? >> WE WON'T HAVE ANY CHILDREN BOOK BAGS AT THOSE EVENTS AT A ALL. SO IN SECURITY, WE CAN GO THROUGH SECURITY MUCH FASTER, MUCH MORE E FISH YENLT TO MAKE E -- >> I THINK SHE'S TALKING ABOUT A DISTRICT POLICY. >> THERE'S A FEW REASONS AS TO WHY WE HAVEN'T PUT THAT INTO PLACE. NUMBER ONE, THEY JUST DON'T LAST. AND IF WE USE THE SCANNERS PROPERLY, THEY CAN CONTINUE TO USE THEIR BOOK BAGS DAY TODAY. >> I WANT TO GO

134BACK TO THE BULLYING. I'VE BEEN ON THE BOARD 11 YEARS. AND I HAVE HAD MORE SEVERE BULLYING IN MULTIPLE CASE WHERE IS I KNOW CHILDREN HAVE LEFT THE DISTRICT. NONE OF THOSE PARENTS FEEL THAT THINGS ARE BEING DEALT WITH. I WILL ALWAYS SAY, WHEN A CHILD IS BULLIED TO THAT LEVEL IT IS A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE. I JUST DON'T THINK WE'RE DOING ENOUGH TO ADDRESS THE BULLYING. I WAS AT A TENNIS MATCH THE OTHER DAY AND A MOM BROUGHT UP HOW SEVERELY HER DAUGHTER WAS BULLIED THAT SHE'S NOW AT COLLEGE AND IT TOOK A GOOD BIT OF THERAPY TO GET HER STRAIGHTENED OUT. AND SHE'S STRAIGHTENED OUT. SHE'S DOING MUCH BETTER. BUT I JUST DON'T THINK WE UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT WHEN PEOPLE ARE BULLIED. IT IS A MAJOR -- IT'S NOT OH, -- IT'S A

135MAJOR EVENT IF THESE CHILDREN WHEN THEY'RE YOUNG. I'M JUST HEARING TOO MUCH OF IT. I KNOW OF NUMEROUS CHILDREN THAT HAVE LEFT THE DISTRICT BECAUSE OF IT. I THINK IT'S A MUCH BIGGER ISSUE THAN WHAT WE REALIZE. >> HOW MANY OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS HAVE ACCESSED OUR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS THAT WE'VE PUT IN PLACE NOW? >> AS OF APRIL THERE WERE 338 STAFF ACCESSING SERVICES FOR OVER 1600 SESSIONS COMPLETED. THAT WAS WITH OUR E-THERAPY VENDOR. >> I AGREE. THAT BULLYING IS A DEEP PROBLEM. HAVING TWO CHILDREN IN SCHOOL RIGHT NOW, ALSO GETTING FEEDBACK FROM OTHER PARENTS. >> WHAT I'VE HEARD FROM PARENTS IS THAT A LOT OF IT IS NOT COMING FROM THE CLASSROOM BUT MORE FROM THE EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND SPORTS. I'M NOT SURE IF THEY'RE DEALING WITH IT TO THE LEVEL WHERE THE

136PARENTS ARE SATISFIED WITH IT. I'M SO HAPPY THAT WE'RE INCREASING TELE-HEALTH. I KNOW AT ONE OF MY NORMALLER SCHOOLS IT REALLY HELPED THE STUDENTS AS FAR AS COMING BACK TO SCHOOL OR STAYING IN SCHOOL TO INCREASE THEIR ATTENDANCE. THANK YOU FOR THAT. >> IF THERE ARE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. SOCIAL MEDIA HASN'T HELPED WITH THESE PROBLEMS. WE ARE NOW AT ACTION ITEMS. OUR FIRST ONE, SINCE WE MOVED THE APPROVAL OF THE BUDGET UP, IS THE APPOINTMENT TO THE GUILFORD TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. WE'VE HAD SEVERAL NAMES BROUGHT FORWARDMEFORWARD. WE HAVE TWO FOR US TO VOTE ON. ONE OF THESE, YOU HAVE THE INFORMATION. AND THEN THERE'S A PREVIOUS APPOINTMENT WHOSE TERM EXPIRES JUNE 30TH. AND WE CAN POSTPONE THAT UNTIL THE JUNE 30TH MEETING IF THERE NEEDS

137TO -- IF ANYONE WANTS ADDITIONAL CONVERSATION OR BRING ANY OTHER NAMES FORWARD. >> I MAKE A MOTION FOR JOSE FOR THE VACANT POSITION AND FOR MS. STEWART TO CONTINUE IN HER POSITION. >> SECOND. >> DISCUSSION? >> IF WE HAVE FOLKS REPRESENTED ON THIS BOARD WE NEED TO HEAR FROM THEM AND THEY NEED TO HEAR FROM US BECAUSE HOW CAN THEY ADVOCATE FOR -- I'M ASSUME THEY'RE THERE TO ADVOCATE FOR GCS, NOT MAYBE TOTALLY BUT I'VE YET TO HEAR A WORD. AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, PARTICULARLY SINCE WE HAVE THREE MIDDLE COLLEGES HERE IN THE SYSTEM, THEY NEED TO HEAR WHAT THOSE SCHOOLS ARE DOING, THE IMPACT, WHATEVER. WE NEED TO HEAR IF THINGS ARE COMING UP AS FAR AS DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT AND OTHER PROGRAMS THAT WE FEEL ARE NECESSARY OR IF GTCC IS THE

138NEXT PLACE THAT OUR STUDENTS GO TO, WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE? ARE OUR STUDENTS COMING PREPARED ENOUGH TO START AT GTCC? WE DON'T HAVE THAT RI KIND OF RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER COLLEGES OR UNITS. UNYOU KNOW UUNIVERSITIES.HERE'S. >> I DON'T THINK WE HAVE ANYTHING IN PLACE FOR A FEEDBACK OR DEBRIEF THAT WE NEED TO HAVE. I DID REACH OUT TO MS. YOUNG STEWART TO SEE IF I COULD CHECK IN TO HEAR WHAT ARE THE SORT OF ADVOCACY ISSUES AND THINGS LIKE THAT THAT ARE COMING UP. >> I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHO ARE THE OTHER MEMBERS? AND CAN YOU JUST CLARIFY WHY WE WANT TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT MONTH TO APPOINT THE OTHER VACANCY. I WOULD MOVE TO APPOINT THE TWO THAT WE HAVE. >> I MADE THAT MOTION. I MADE THE MOTION FOR THAT PERSON

139AND FOR MS. STEWART. >> WE HAVE TWO RECOMMENDATIONS THOUGH HERE. >> THESE ARE TWO RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE ONE VACANT PSITION AND THEN MS. STEWART TO REMAIN IN THE POSITION THAT SHE IS IN THAT EXPIRES JUNE 30TH. >> SHE'S THE EXPIRATION? >> YES, MA'AM. >> I THOUGHT YOU MEANT THERE WAS ANOTHER EXPIRATION COMING. >> NO. >> I WANT TO DITTO WHAT YOU SAID, THEY SHOULD HAVE A LEVEL OF ACCOUNTABLE TO THE BOARD. >> I WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE -- >> YOU MADE A MOTION TO NOMINATE JOSE AFTER. >> NOBODY SECONDED IT. >> YOU CAN MAKE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION IF YOU WANT. >> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO NOMINATE YUBI SANDOVAL. >> SO YOUR SUBSTITUTE MOTION IS TO RECOMMEND THE OTHER CANDIDATE FOR CONSIDERATION AND THAT'S THE ONLY MOTION. >> YES. >> SO

140THERE'S A SECOND ON THAT. >> WHO'S THERE NOW? >> IT'S VACANT. >> WE HAVE FOUR SEATS. WHO ARE THE OTHER TWO PEOPLE? >> BETTYE STEWART. >> WE'RE REPLACING ONE THAT'S EXPIRED. >> A MALE. >> CORRECT.ANTS TO STAY. WILLIAM LAVETTE, HIS TERM EXPIRES JUNE 24. AND THEN DAVID S. MILLER, HIS TERM EXPIRES JUNE 30, 25. >> WHO'S FROM HIGH POINT? >> DAVID MILLER. >> OKAY. WE CAN VOTE. I'M CLEAR. >> OKAY. DIANNE? >> ON THE SECOND MOTION? >> YES, MA'AM. >> NO. >> CRISSY? >> NO. >> LINDA? >> NO. >> ALAN? >> NO. >> BETTYE? >> YES. >> DEBORAH? >> YES. >> KHEM? >> YES. >> BILL? >> NO. DEENA, YES. SO THAT MOTION FAILS BY A VET OF 5-4. SO WE'RE NOW BACK TO THE ORIGINAL MOTION FOR JOSE TO BE THE CANDIDATE FOR THE

141VACANT SEAT AND TO REAPPOINT BETTYE YOUNG STEWART WHEN HER TERM EXPIRES IN JUNE. ALL RIGHT. I'LL START THIS WAY. KHEM? >> NO. >> DEBORAH? >> NO. >> BUT THETY? BBETTYE?>> NO. >> ALAN? >> YES. >> CRISSY? >> YES. >> DIANNE? >> YES. >> BILL? >> YES. >> D DEENA. YES. THAT PASSES BY A VE VOTE OF 6-3. CONGRATULATIONS. WE'RE NOW AT A COUPLE POLICIES. I WILL TURN TO DIANE BELL AMYAMY SMALLS TO RUN US THROUGH THE POLICIES THAT WE NEED TO VOTE ON. >> THANK YOU, MADAME CHAIR. WE ARE CONSIDERING SIX POLICY ITEMS REVIEWED AT THE MARCH 14 MEETING. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE REVISIONS TO POLICY 2125/7315 CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AS PRESENTED. THE BACKGROUND ON THIS INFORMATION IS THAT THE REVISIONS TO THE POLICY ARE RECOMMENDED BY THE NORTH CAROLINA

142SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION AND REFLECT HANDLING OF STUDENT RECORDS AND PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION CONSISTENT WITH STATE AND FEDERAL LAW. THE POLICY WAS POSTED F FOR 30 DAYS. PERIOD OF COMMENT FOR MARCH 14-APRIL 13. THERE WERE NO COMMENTS RECEIVED. >> SECOND. >> OKAY. >> DIANNE? >> YES. >> CRISSY? >> YES. >> LINDA? >> YES. >> ALAN? >> YES. >> BETTYE? >> YES. >> DEBORAH? >> YES. >> CHENL? KHEM?>> YES. >> ALAN. YES. DEENA, YES. THAT PASSES BY A VET OF 8-1. NEXT POLICY, DIANNE? >> THE NEXT ITEM IS IX.D. I MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RECONSIDERATIONS TO POLICY 4001 EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES PRESENTED. THESE REVISIONS ARE RECOMMENDED BY THE NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION AND REFLECT UPDATED LANGUAGE CONSISTENT WITH STATE AND FEDERAL LAW AND CORRECTED POLICY CODES AND TITLES. THE POLICY WAS POSTED FOR 30

143DAYS FROM MARCH 14 TO APRIL 13. WAS MEANT COMMENT WAS RECEIVE AS ATTACHED TO THE ITEM. >> IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> KHEM? >> YES. >> DEBORAH? >> YES. >> BETTYE? >> ALAN? >> YES. >> LINDA? >> NO. WE DID NOT GIVE THE PUBLIC ENOUGH INFORMATION TO ASK FOR OPEN COMMENTS. >> CRISSY? >> YES. >> DIANNE? >> BILL. ?>> AYES. >> BILL? >> YES. >> DEE YA, YES. DEENA YES.>> MAY I MAKE A MOTIOT ALL POLICIES? >> I THINK WE SHOULD GO THROUGH EACH ONE. NO ONE HAS ASKED FOR EITHER OF THEM TO BE PULLED. WE'RE MOVING ALONG. >> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE REVISION OF POLICY 4050 CHILDREN OF MILITARY FAMILIES AS PRESENTED. I WILL SKIP DOWN TO THE FACT THAT THE POLICY WAS POSTED FOR 30

144DAYS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT FROM MARCH 14-TO 13TH. NO COMMENT WERE RECEIVED. >> KHEM? >> YES. >> DEBORAH? >> YES. >> BETTYE? >> ALAN? >> YES. >> CRISSY? >> YES. >> DIANNE? >> YES. >> BILL? >> YES. >> DEENA. THAT PASSES BY A VE VOTE OF 8-1. >> POLICY F? >> I MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE REVISIONS OF POLICY 4100 AGE REQUIREMENT FOR INITIAL ENTRY AS PRESENTED. I'LL SKIP DOWN TO THE FACT THAT THE POLICY WAS POSTED FOR 30 DAYS FROM MARCH 14-APRIL 13TH. NO COMMENTS WERE RECEIVED. >> THANK YOU. SECOND? ALL RIGHT. KHEM? >> YES. >> DEBORAH? >> YES. >> BETTYE? >> YES. >> ALAN? >> YES. >> LINDA? >> NO. >> CRISSY? >> YES. >> DIANNE? >> YES. >> BILL? >> YES. >> DEENA, YES. THAT PASSES BY A VOTE OF 8-1. ITEM

145G? >> I MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE REVISION OF POLICY 4120, DISCRETIONARY INTERDISTRICT AS PRESENTED. I PUT THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION HERE BECAUSE IT WAS SAID THAT PEOPLE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT WE WERE DOING AND WHY. THE POLICY WAS POSTED FOR 30 DAYS. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FROM MARCH 14-APRIL 13. AND NO COMMENTS WERE RECEIVED. >> IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> KHEM? >> YES. >> DEBORAH? >> YES. >> BETTYE? >> YES. >> ALAN? >> YES. >> CRISSY? >> YES. >> BILL? >> YES. >> DEENA, YES. THAT PASSES BY A VOTE OF 8-1. ITEM H. >> THE LAST ONE IS I MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE REVISIONS TO POLICY 4220, STUDENT INSURANCE PROGRAM AS PRESENTED. AND THIS WAS PUT OUT FOR A 30 DAY COMMENT BETWEEN MARCH 14 TO APRIL 13. NO COMMENTS WERE RECEIVED.

146>> SECOND. >> THANK YOU. >> KHEM? >> YES. >> DEBORAH? >> YES. >> BETTYE? >> YES. >> ALAN? >> YES. >> LINDA? >> NO. >> BILL? >> YES. >> THAT PASSES BY A VOTE OF 8-1. >> I WANT IT TO BE KNOWN THAT THE POLICY COMMITTEE AND I HAVE DONE OUR DUE DILIGENCE. AND I APPRECIATE THEM COMING AND YOU KNOW THROUGH THIS. SO WE HAVE DONE OUR DUE DILIGENCE AS FAR AS -- AND THE MEETING HAS BEEN AVAILABLE TO ANYBODY WHO WANTED TO ATTEND. >> THANK YOU AND THE COMMITTEE FOR THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING. WE DON'T HAVE A CLOSED SESSION -- >> WE DO. >> I MOVE TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION TO PRESERVE THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE AND TO DISCUSS PERSONNEL MATTERS PROTECTED BY STATE LW. >> SECOND. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY

147AYE. >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? >> WE ARE COMING BACK OUT TO TAKE ACTION. POP POP. >> WE'RE READY TO MOVE FOR EXECUTIVE AND SENIOR APPOINTMENTS. >> SECOND. >> BILL, YOU STILL THERE? >> IT'SPLI PLEASURE TO CONGRATULATE JOHN WHO WILL SERVE AS SENIOR DIRECTOR OF STUDENT ASSIGNMENT AND THE FOLLOWING ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS. DARREL BAKER, SHANTA, KIM LEADY, SHANNON, NICOLE WEEKS, PRINCIPAL OF NORTHERN, YVONNE EASON, AND WHITNEY SLUDER, PRINCIPAL OF WEAVER ACADEMY. >> WE ARE NOW AT BOARD COMMENTS. AND I WILL START WITH YOU, M. BELLBELLAMY SMALLS. >> A LEADER WHO DARES TO LEAD WILL GET OTHERS TO FOLLOW. I WANT TO CONGRATULATE LILY HARRIS WHO IS THE MUSIC SPECIALIST AT THE UNION HILL. SHE WAS SELECTED AS THE WGHP EDUCATOR OF THE WEEK, THE WEEK THAT WE WERE OUT FOR EASTER HOLIDAY. AND I WANT TO

148THANK WGHP FOR RECOGNIZING EDUCATORS IN THE COMMUNITY. I KNOW THAT THERE ARE OTHER GCS EDUCATORS WHO HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED BUT SHE'S IN MY DISTRICT. SO I WANT TO GIVE HER A THUMBS UP. FOR WHAT SHE'S DOING. ALSO OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR ACES HAS BEGUN. SO PARENTS, IF YOU WANT YOUR CHILD IN OUR AFTER SCHOOL ACES PROGRAM, YOU DON'T NEED TO WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE. WE'RE THE BEST GAME IN TOWN. AND THE LEAST EXPENSIVE ONE. SO PLEASE GO AHEAD AND TAKE CARE OF YOUR BUSINESS. THIS IS THE 69TH YEAR OF THE BROWN V. BOARD OF EDUCATION TOPEKA KANSAS. IF WE EVER NEEDED TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT THAT MEAN, I THINK WE NEED TO NOW. BECAUSE THERE ARE TOO MANY THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING THERE ARE THREATENING OUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE A FAIR AND EQUITABLE PUBLIC

149EDUCATION. AND BROWN V. BOARD OF EDUCATION IS TO IMPORTANT FOR US TO FORGET ABOUT IT. LAST, I WANT TO CONGRATULATE THE CLASS OF 2023. WE WILL BE, YOU KNOW, AT THE COLISEUM -- WELL MOST OF US WILL BE CAMPING OUT FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. BUT IT'S A GOOD CAMPING OUT. AND I WANT TO, AHEAD OF TYPE, THANKS THE STAFF. WE CANNOT GRADUATE -- MADAME SUPERINTENDENT? >> 5,000 STUDENT, DO ALL THE MOVING PARTS IF IT WAS AIT WASN'T FORALL THE STFF. WE NEED TO BE PATIENT. LET'S LOOK FORWARD TO A REALLY GOOD GRADUATION SEASON. THIS PARTICULAR CLASS -- IS THIS THE FIRST CLASS TO GRADUATE SINCE THE -- >> NO. WE HAD ONE LAST YEAR. >> THEY ADD A BIG CHUNK OF THEIR TIME MISSED TOO RIGHT? FOR 2023. SO CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE FOR US GETTING

150TO THIS MILESTONE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. CRISSY? >> THANK YOU. SO WE HAD A ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC YOUNG WOMAN SPEAK DURING PUBLIC COMMENTS EARLIER. I HOPE I WROTE HER NAME DOWN RIGHT. NADIA NICHOLSON. SHE TALKED ABOUT SCHOOL LUNCHES AND WAS JUST FANTASTIC. I JUST WANTED TO SHARE A VERY BRIEF STORY FROM MY TEACHING EXPERIENCE. I THOUGHT ABOUT HALF A MILE FROM WASHINGTON D.C. LINE FOR A LONG TIME. AND FAIRLY EARLY -- AND I TAUGHT, IN A SCHOOL THAT WENT K-6. I WAS TEACHING 6TH GRADE AT THE TIME. AND THIS WAS PRETTY EARLY IN MY CAREER AND IT WAS A MONDAY. AND ONE OF MY STUDENTS WHO WAS A KNOWN BEHAVIOR PROBLEM STUDENT CAME IN LATE AND IMMEDIATELY LOST HIS MIND WITH SEEMINGLY NO PROVOCATION, RIPPING BULLETIN BOARDS, FLIPPING DESKS. I MEAN, YOU NAPE IT HE

151DID IT. ONCE WE GOT HIM SETTLED DOWN I DISCOVERED THE ROOT OF WHAT HIS ISSUE WAS. HIS ISSUE WAS THAT HE HAD BEEN LATE TO SCHOOL ON A MONDAY WHICH MEANT THAT HE MISSED BR BREAKFAT AND HE LITERALLY HAD NOT EATEN SINCE HE LEFT SCHOOL ON FRIDAY WHEN HE GOT LUNCH. THAT WAS VERY EARLY IN MY TEACHING CAREER. AND IT LEFT JUST SUCH A FEELING ON MY HEART TO REALLY LOOK AT SOME OF THESE KIDS AND SEE EXACTLY WHERE THEY WERE COMING FROM. AND IT'S BASIC DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY. THE HIERARCHY OF NEEDS. YOU HAVE TO HAVE BASIC NEEDS MET IN ORDER TO BE SUCCESSFUL. THAT MEANS WE NEED OUR KIDS TO FEEL SAFE AT SCHOOL. WE TALKED ABOUT THAT THIS EVENING. AND YOU NEED TO NOT BE HUNGRY WHEN YOU'RE AT SCHOOL. AND THE MEALS THAT

152WE'RE OFFERING OUR STUDENTS, I UNDERSTAND OF COURSE WE HAVE TO PAY FOR FOOD. I GET THAT. BUT AT THE SAME TIME KIDS WHO HAVE HIGH LUNCH BALANCES OR DON'T HAVE MONEY, THE MEALS WE'RE PROVIDING THEM DON'T HAVE PROTEIN AS NADIA VERY ELOQUENTLY STATED FOR US. AND THEY'RE NOT GIVING THE KIDS THE NUTRITION THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE CLASSROOM. SO I HOPE THAT, AS WE MOVE INTO THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO LOOK INTO POSSIBLY AND MAYBE MAKE SOME CHANGES SO THAT WE ARE HELPING OUR KIDS HAVE THEIR NUTRITION NEEDS WHICH WILL HELP THEM BE MORE SUCCESSFUL IN SCHOOL. ALSO VERY QUICKLY, HAPPY TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY, WEEK, MONTH, HAPPY EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION DAY, WEEK, MONTH. ALL OF YOU ARE VALUES AND APPRECIATED. WE'VE GOTTEN TONS

153OF EMAILS, WE HAD VERY GREAT TURNOUT. WE PUSH AN AMBITIOUS BUDGET TO THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. HOPEFULLY YOU KNOW THAT WE SUPPORT YOU AND ARE TRYING TO GET THE FUNDING THAT IS NEEDED TO HELP KEEP YOU AROUND HERE. BECAUSE WE CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOU. THANK YOU! >> THANK YOU! ALAN? >> IT'S GOOD TO BE AT HIGH POINT, MY FIRST MEETING AT THE BOARD OF ED HERE. I'M SO GLAD WE DO THIS. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY A SPECIAL WORD OF THANKS TO HIGH POINT'S COUNCIL PERSON WHO SAW ME LOOKING FOR PARK, ING, COUNCIL MEMBER JEFFERSON. I WOULD LIKE TO DO MY MONTHLY SHOUT OUT. DOPE, DADS ORGANIZING FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION WHO ARE NOW PRESENT AT DUDLEY HIGH SCHOOL. WE SHARED TOGETHER IN A PEP REALLY AT PEELER. IT'S BEEN GREAT TO SEE THAT BECOME MORE

154EMBRACED. WE NOW HAVE T-SHIRTS AND A LOT OF ENTHUSIASM. THERE WAS PRESENCE HERE TONIGHT AT THE MEETING. SO GRATEFUL TO ALL LEADING THE WAY IN THAT. AND THEN FINALLY WOULD SAY HOW GOOD IT IS TO BE HERE ADD MIDST THIS EMPLOYEE APPRECIATE MONTH TO BE PART OF IT BECOMING EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION MONTH HERE TONIGHT. I'M PROUD TO SERVE ON A BOARD THAT COMES TOGETHER TO DO THE MOST GOOD FOR THE MOST PEOPLE. WE DID SOMETHING UNANIMOUSLY TONIGHT AND I THINK WE SHOULD BE VERY PROUD THAT THAT IS AN ACT THAT ACKNOWLEDGES THE IMPORTANCE AND THE VITAL WORK OF OUR STAFF. I APPRECIATE THE WAY THAT DR. OAKLEY'S OWN BUDGET HAS DECLARED THAT PRIORITY, AS WELL AS OUR STAFF AND SET THE COURSE FOR US TO BE EVEN FURTHER AMBITION TONIGHT. AND I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO

155SAY THAT I BELIEVE OUR COMMISSIONERS ON THE WHOLE, THEY WANT THIS TOO. MANY OF THEM ARE AMONG MY MODELS FOR THIS WORK OF GOVERNANCE AND EDUCATIONAL A ADVOCACY. I'VE HEARD AND EXPERIENCED ALREADY THE STRONG COOPERATION THAT EXISTS BETWEEN OUR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND OUR BOARD OF ED. AND I WANT TO EXPRESS MY COMMITMENT TO CONTINUING IN THAT WORK TOGETHER TO DO THE MOST THAT WE CAN TO ADVOCATE FOR OUR STAFF WITHIN THIS BUDGET PROCESS AHEAD. MUCH OF WHAT I KNOW OF OUR SCHOOLS IS THROUGH MY CHILDREN WHO ARE STUDENTS. AND ON THIS NIGHT I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE TWO QUICK OBSERVATIONS. ONE OF MY KIDS IS A 5TH GRADER. FIFIFTH GRADE, I'VE LEARNED FIFH GRADE CAN BE VERY HARD. MY DAUGHTER LOVES HER TEACHERS. SHE ADORES HER FRIENDS, HAS GREAT SUPPORTS AT SCHOOLS. BUT WHEN

156WE'VE ASKED HER WHO AT SCHOOL DO YOU KNOW THAT YOU CAN GO TO IF YOU NEED SOMETHING, WHO IS AMONG THE TRUSTED ADULTS? HER ANSWER HAS CONSISTENTLY BEEN THE TEACHER ASSISTANCE FROM HER SCINDER GARDEN CLASSROOM, MS. KAISER. I KNEW 7TH GRADE COULD BE HARD. MY 7TH GRADER IS ACTIVE ON CAMPUS, GOOD FRIENDS, GREAT TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS THAT LEAD WITH GREAT SKILL. BUT WE'VE NOTICED THAT IF HE EVER FEEL AS LITTLE OFF BALANCE THE FIRST PLACE HE'S DRAWN IS TO THE SAFE AND TRUSTED SPACE CREATED IN THE FRONT OFFICE WITH LONG TIME GCS OFFICE STAFF MEMBER MS. RITA. SO TONIGHT I'M SO GRATEFUL THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR MS. KAISER, MS. RITA, FOR ALL THE NAMES AND STORIES THAT WE HEARD TONIGHT AND ALL THE OTHER COUNTLESS ONES THAT WE COULD LIST AND

157THAT KIND OF DEEP APPRECIATION COULD TAKE SOME FINANCIAL FORM IN EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION MONTH. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, PASTOR SHEROUSE. BETTYE? >> WIT ONCE AGAIN, HAPPY APPRECE WEEK OR MONTH. IF YOU MISSED AN ACTIVITY THAT WAS HELD AT DUDLEY HIGH SCHOOL LAST WEEKEND, YOU MISSED A TREAT. IT WAS STOP THE VIOLENCE AND THERE WAS EVERYTHING -- IT WAS LIKE A CARNIVAL. IT WAS THE BEST CARNIVAL. BETTER THAN THE ONE AT THE COLISEUM. EVERYTHING WAS THERE. YOU'RE TALKI TALKING THE DUNKING BOOTH, PEOPLE SINGING, DANCING, CHEERLEADERS. EVERYTHING WAS THERE. YOU MISSED A TREAT. NEXT YEAR, MAKE SURE YOU'RE THERE. AS FAR AS LITTLE PRINCESS NADIA SPEAKING, OF COURSE YOU KNOW THAT TOUCHED A LOT OF US. AND SHE SPOKE FROM HER HEART AND YOU CAN TELL THAT. I HAD PROMISED THAT I WOULD HAVE THE REMAINING BALANCE

158ON LAST MONTH BECAUSE I KNOW YOU ALL ARE TIRED OF HEARING ABOUT THE LUNCH DEBT. RIGHT? YEAH. SO I DIDN'T HAVE IT LAST MONTH BUT I WILL SAY TODAY THAT WE TURNED IN $3,366.90. SO WE COMPLETE THAT. AND SINCE A CHECK WAS LEFT AT HOME, -- NOT MY HOUSE, SOMEONE ELSE HOUSE, I WILL BE BRINGING IT OVER TO OUR FINANCE OFFICER TOMORROW MORNING. SO YOU WILL NOT HEAR THAT AGAIN. I HOPE. I WILL SAY I'M SO PLEASED THAT WE DECIDED TO COME TOGETHER AS FAR AS THE BUDGET IS CONCERNED. WE'RE NOT SAYING WE WOULDN'T GET WHAT WE ASKED BUT WE CAN SAY WE'RE TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD TO MAKE IT BETTER FOR OUR CLASSIFIED STAFF BECAUSE OF THE FACT WE KNOW THAT THEY DESERVE THAT. I WAS A CLASSIFIED STAFF AT ONE POINT. AND I

159WORKED TWO JOBS, SOMETIMES THREE JOBS TO MAKE ENDS MEET. SO I KNOW HOW HARD IT IS. AND I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE LONG HOURS AND THE HARD WORK THAT THEY ALL ARE DOING. NOT ONLY CLASSIFIED BUT ALL THE GUILFORD COUNTY SCHOOL STAFF. I THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. DEBORAH? >> I WANT TO START MINE OFF A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY. FIRST OFF TO MY COLLEAGUES, IT IS ALSO NURSE'S WEEK. HAPPY NURSE'S WEEK, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. LOVE US OR HATE US WE'RE EITHER FABULOUS OR CRAZY. GIVEN THE FACT THAT I'M SITTING HERE I'LL LEAVE IT TO YOUR GUESS AS TO WHICH CATEGORY I FALL IN. OVER THE YEARS I CONTINUE TO SEE JUST HOW SIMILAR NURSES AND TEACHERS ARE. DEFINITELY THERE ARE A LOT OF PARALLELS IN THE JOB. AND ONE THAT I'M SEEING MORE

160DISTURBINGLY IN THESE DAYS IS THAT, FOR THE LAST DECADE, NURSES HAVE BEEN MORE LIKELY TO BE ASSAULTED ON THE JOHNATHAN JOB THANPOLICE OFFICERS. THEY ARE BEING ASSAULTED. ALSO TEACHERS. I ASK PARENTS TO DISCUSS WITH YOUR CHILDREN THE RAMIFICATION OF FIGHTING, NOT JUST LEAVING IT OFF SOCIAL NEE MEDIA BECAUSE THE PERSON THAT YOU GO AFTER MAY NOT BE THE ONLY PERSON YOU INJURY. THE TEACHER YOU CARE FOR MAY BE IN THE LINE OF FIRE. WHEN WE DO THINGS LIKE PUT A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLAR ASK OUT THERE, IT'S ONE THING TO LOOK AT THE MONETARY RETURN. THAT'S HUGE. BUT LOOK AT THE WHAT THEY GIVE OUR STUDENTS IN RETURN. AND THIS IS NOT EXCLUSIVE TO TEACHERS. THIS IS ALL OF OUR STAFF. AND I'VE SAID THIS ABOUT A THOUSAND TIMES, I THINK, SINCE THE PANDEMIC. WE CAN

161PUT YOUR STUDENTS BACK IN CLASSROOMS. I CAN SEND MY KID BACK TO THE SCHOOL. BUT I CAN'T DO IT IF THE SCHOOL IS EMPTY. WHEN OUR TEACHERS SAID AND OUR STAFF TOLD US GIVE US THE VACCINE, WE WILL TAKE IT, GET IT FIRST LINE, WE HAD MORE THAN 80% VACCINATION RATE, THE HIGHEST I'VE HEARD OF. THEY ASKED FOR IT. WE GAVE IT. THEY STAYED WITH US. WE HAVE ONE OF THE HIGHEST RETENTION RATES IN THE STATE, ESPECIALLY IN THE LARGE DISTRICT BECAUSE WHEN THEY ASKED US AND SAID WE NEED BONUSES AND WE GAVE IT, THEY STAYED WITH US. WE NEED TO CONTINUE THAT TREND. THEY ARE SITTING HERE SAYING WE DO NOT HAVE LIVABLE SURVIVABLE WAGES. AND I FULLY BELIEVE THAT, IF WE FUND OUR EMPLOYEES, NOT ONLY IF THEY ASK IT AND WE GIVE

162IT WILL THEY STAY WITH US BUT THEY WILL BRING MORE IN BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY'VE DONE TO DATE WITH EVERYTHING THAT THEY'VE LOOKED AS A GROUP AND SAID PLEASE PROVIDE THIS FOR US. THEY HAVE COME BACK AND DONE EVERYTHING THAT WE'VE ASKED FOR. SO TEACHER, TS THANK YOU. MY 12 YEAR OLD IS NOT A MATH GIRL. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO MRS. PHARAOH BECAUSE MRS. PHARAOH STAYS AFTER CLASS WITH HER, WORKS WITH HER, AND SHE'S HER PERSON. EVEN THOUGH MATH IS THE LAST PLACE THAT SHE USUALLY WANTS TO STAY. MRS. PHARAOH IS HER SAFE PLACE. I LOVE HER TO PIECES. THAT SAID, THE FIST GRADER IS THE EXACT OPPOSITE. SHE WILL SHARE EVERYTHING WITH EVERYONE AND USUALLY WHEN I WALK IN HER CLASSROOM EVERYONE GOES OH, YOU'RE VICTORIA'S MOM. AND I'M LIKE OH

163YES, THAT'S ME. WHAT DO YOU KNOW THAT I DON'T? SO THAT'S ALWAYS AN INTERESTING CONVERSATION. I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO OUR COLLEAGUES OVER IN WINSTON SALEM IN THE FORSYTHE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD. THEY HAD STUDENTS FROM REYNOLDS AND REAGAN HIGH PRESENT TO THEM WITH STUDENTS DEMAND ACTION WHICH IS NATIONAL ORGANIZATION THAT ADVOCATES FOR ENDING GUN VIOLENCE. THEY HAVE ASKED THAT THEIR BOARD OF EDUCATION ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO -- A SAFE GUN STORAGE RESOLUTION, TO ADD CONTENT TO THE WEBSITE AND SEND HOME GUN SAFE STORAGE COMMUNICATION TO PARENTS. ONE THING I STRUGGLE WITH IS I KNOW MANY FAMILIES THAT HAVE TAKEN THEIR CHILDREN OUT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS, PRIVATE SCHOOLS, CHARTER SCHOOLS, WHAT HAVE YOU TO HOME SCHOOL THEM BECAUSE OF THE GUN VIOLENCE EPIDEMIC THAT WE HAVE GOING ON IN OUR SCHOOLS. I

164WOULD NEVER ONCE ARGUE WITH ANYONE'S CHOICES BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT'S VERY PERSONAL. HOWEVER, YOUR CHILD IS MORE LIKELY TO BE INJURED BY A GUN IN THEIR OWN HOME THAN THEY ARE TO BE SHOT IN A SCHOOL SHOOTING. AT LEAST PRIOR TO THIS YEAR. I DON'T HAVE THE 2023 NUMBER ON THAT. I BELIEVE THAT SAFE GUN HANDLING SHOULD BE PART OF GUN OWNERSHIP. AND IF THERE ARE ANY STUDENTS INTERESTED IN WORKING ON A RESOLUTION I WOULD BE HAPPY TO PUT THAT BEFORE OUR CHAIR IF THAT COMES TO FRUITION BECAUSE I DO BELIEVE THIS IS VALUABLE INFORMATION AND LIFE SAVING. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK WINSTON SALEM FOR SETTING THAT ON PAR FOR US. >> I WANT TO PIG BACK BACK ON PT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT REGARDING GUN SAFETY. WE'VE HAD SUCH A RISE IN BB GUNS

165AND SUCH COMING TOEL SCHOOL. THANK YOU FOR THE STAFF SECURING THE ITEMS, MAKING SURE THAT NO STUDENT IS HURT. BUT PARENTS, WE REALLY NEED YOUR HELP IN THAT REGARD, NO MONITORING THOSE THINGS AS WELL. IF YOU PURCHASE THOSE ITEMS, WE REALLY NEED YOU TO MAKE SURE THEY DO NOT LEAVE THE HOUSE TO SCHOOL AND THINGS LIKE THAT. I THINK THAT'S WHY I ADVOCATED FOR A CLEAR GUN OPTION. WE DON'T NEED A POLICY. BUT PARENTS, JUST TO PUT IT OUT THERE, YOU CAN DO THOSE THIN ON YOUR OWN. AND AGAIN, WITH SUSPENSIONS, WE CONTINUE TO SEE THE USE OF CAMERAS BY STUDENTS. I'M LETTING YOU KNOW AS A PRINCIPAL IT ANNOYS ME TO GO TO A SUSPENSION HEARING WHERE I'M ASKED TO LOOK AT A VIDEO THAT WAS CAPTURED BY ANOTHER STUDENT AND TO KNOW THAT

166THAT STUDENT -- YOU DIDN'T GET PERMISSION FROM THAT PARENT TO USE THAT CHILD'S PHONE OR ANYTHING THAT'S ON THEIR PHONE. SO WE NEED TO FIX THAT. THAT'S VERY DISTURBING. STUDENTS, YOU KNOW, HOPEFULLY YOU'LL STOP REPORTING YOUR RECORDING YOURFRIEND AND THEIR N THEY'RE IN DISTRESS IN THAT WAY. BUT I THINK WE HAVE TO DO OUR PART IN MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE NOT USING THOSE TERMS AS WELL JUST SO THAT YOU CAN, YOU KNOW, REMOVE A STUDENT OUT OF YOUR SCHOOL. THANK YOU, BETTYE, FOR, YOU KNOW, ADVOCATING FOR THE LUNCH DEBT. CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT. ALSO I WANT TO SHOUT OUT MR. JORDAN LEE WHO HEADS UP OUR HAD A PHENOMENAL ACE UNIVERSITY KICK OFF WITH THE ARTS AND PERFORMANCES. WE'VE HAD SOME REALLY TALENTED PEOPLE IN GUILFORD COUNTY AND EDUCATORS THAT ARE JUST DOING GREAT THINGS. SO

167SHOUT OUT TO HIM ON THAT REGARD. AND THE BUDGET REQUEST IS A BIG REQUEST. AND WE SHOULD GO BIG OR GO HOME. YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO DO. OUR CHILDREN ARE WORTH IT. THE STAFF ARE WORTH IT HERE IN GUILFORD COUNTY. WE HAVE GREAT PEOPLE. AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE SUPPORTING THEM. I LOVE THE IDEA OF THE CITY COUNCILS HAVING, YOU KNOW, AN OPPORTUNITY IN GUILFORD COUNTY TO ALSO SUPPORT SCHOOLS. I KNOW WE HAVE HIGH POINT. WE HAVE GREENSBORO. WE HAVE JAMESTOWN. WE HAVE GIBSONVILLE. IF THEY ALL GET TOGETHER, THAT WOULD BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY, I THINK, TO SUPPORT, YOU KNOW, OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AS WELL. AND MY HEART CONTINUES TO GO OUT TO THE FAMILY THAT LOST THREE CHILDREN. I STILL STRUGGLE. I FEEL LIKE SOMETIMES WE'RE ASKING PEOPLE

168TO REVISIT, YOU KNOW, HURT AND GRIEF WHEN WE CAN THEM TO COME TO THE BOARD MEETINGS. IT REALLY BOTHERED ME TODAY FROM THAT FAMILY, JUST THINKING ABOUT IT BECAUSE THAT WAS THREE CHILDREN. THAT REALLY BOTHERED ME TODAY. GIST SOMETHING FOR US TO CONSIDER. MAYBE I SHOULDN'T BE THAT SELFISH BUT IT DID BOTHER ME TODAY IN THAT REGARD. THANK YOU. >> BILL? >> FIRST OFF, THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME CALL IN AND LETTING ME BE APART. AS WE WERE GOING THROUGH THE BUDGET ASKING FOR $100 MILLION, THE MOST IMPORTANT ASSET WE HAVE BESIDE THE CHILDREN ARE OUR EMPLOYEES, OUR TEACHERS AND OTHER FOLKS THAT RUN OUR SCHOOL. AND WITHOUT THEM, WE CAN'T COMPLETE THE TASK SET ABOUT BEFORE US BY THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE TAX PAYERS. AND I'M ALL IN FAVOR OF HELPING OUR EMPLOYEES HAVE

169A VERSUS TAINABLE LIFESTYLE IF THE AMOUNT OF WORK THEY DO, THE AMOUNT OF HOURS THEY PUT IN. THEY'RE GROSSLY UNDERPAID. WE HAVE TO KEEP WORKING AT IT. I KNOW WE MAY NOT GET IT THIS YEAR BUT I THINK WE HAVE TO TRY AND GO FORWARD TO HELP OUR EMPLOYEES. SECOND THING, I'M EXCITED ABOUT ATTENDING ALL THE GRADUATIONS AND CELEBRATING THE CLASS OF 2023. GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS CONSIDERING THEY HAD TO GO THROUGH A PANDEMIC THAT HASN'T HAPPENED FOR OVER 100 YEARS. SO THEY ARE SOME PRETTY SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES THAT THEY HAD AND THEY'VE BECOME REALLY, REALLY STRONG INDIVIDUALS GOING THROUGH THIS. AND THAT'S THE END OF MY COMMENTS. >> THANK YOU. AND FORTUNATELY FOR EVERYONE I'VE FORGOTTEN WHAT I HAVE DONE BETWEEN THE LAST MEETING AND THIS ONE, WITH THE EXCEPTION, DIANNE -- SHE'S LOOKING AT ME --

170WITH THE NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN EDUCATION TOWN HALL THAT SHE AND I AND KHEM AND BILL ATTENDED. THE PARENTS AND SOME OF OUR NATIVE AMERICAN FACULTY AND STAFF, IT WAS A WONDERFUL PRESENTATION, LEARNED A LOT, WAYS TO SUPPORT OUR CHILDREN. NORTH CAROLINA IS HOME TO THE LARGEST NUMBER OF NATIVE AMERICAN AMERICAN INDIANS EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI. CERTAINLY WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE PROVIDING SUPPORT AND SERVICES TO ALL OF OUR STUDENTS. THIS IS ALSO ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH. AND NORTH CAROLINA IS HOME TO A VERY DIVERSE POPULATION OF PEOPLE WHO WOULD BE CLASSIFIED UNDER THAT CATEGORY BUT ARE FAR MORE DIVERSE THAT THE TITLE ALLOWS. OTHER THAN THAT I HAVE FORGOTTEN EVERYTHING ELSE. >> MOVE TO ADJOURN. >> THERE'S A MOTION TO ADJOURN. IS THERE A SECOND IN. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND. >> ALL

171THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> P ANY OPPOSED? ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYONE. HAPPY EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION