School Board Meeting; January 12, 2026

00140 uh 4060 review and public hearing and that started as of 4:45 and we'll leave it open for 15 minutes till uh 5:00 till the regular scheduled meeting. So feel free to come up and speak if you need to. >> Would it be appropriate Mitch if Barbara Sneeed comes and explains just a little bit about that policy for us so that we'll know what we're listening for? SW [cough] [clears throat] County School's Native American policies and procedures ensure that Native American students have equal access to all district programs, services, and activities as required under federal impact aid law. These policies guide consultation, communication, assessment, and continuous improvement in partnership with the Eastern Bana Cherokee Indians and parents of Native American students. This process also includes reflecting on how we can better serve the Native American

002students who attend Swank County schools and ensure their needs are being met. Swing County Schools consults regularly with EBCI and parents using their preferred methods of communication. Multiple opportunities are input for input are provided including parent meetings, board meetings, surveys, and meetings with tribal officials. Swain County Schools has posted the Native American policies and procedures, including policy 4060 on the website and shared them through social media, providing opportunities for public input. To date, no online responses have been recorded. The district is intentionally revisiting and re-evaluating the expectations and requirements outlined outlined in the Native American policies and procedures. As part of this review, several adjustments have been made, including clarifying the job expectations of Native American tutors. At the middle school level, the Native American tutor provides push and support within core academic classes to

003assist Native American students. At the high school, the Native American tutor serves as a social studies teacher who also teaches Cherokee 1 and Cherokee 2 while supporting Native American students during part of her instructional day. At East Elementary School, the Native American tutor supports Native American students and provides instruction and Cherokee culture to all students. >> Have any questions for Miss Sneed about any of this? >> I can I know that it's not open yet, but I request I think there's some confusion that when we do the public uh statement that some folks don't really know what that means. um if we could include the next time that we publish the the statement um uh publicly for anyone to be able to come in and talk that we have something like that underneath it so

004that people understand a little bit more about why why we have this meeting and this open for this. >> Sure. >> Okay. >> Be great. >> Great input. >> Thank you for that. >> Thank you. [snorts] >> I know it's going to be awkward silence. or for 10 more minutes. Yes, >> we will have our joint board meeting with the travel. Is that coming up in March? I think we'll be hosting. >> Yes. So, I believe it's our turn to host this year. >> Yes. >> Do you know the date on that yet? >> Don't know yet. [clears throat] We need to get with uh Superintendent Gertie and let uh her talk to her board. We'll start working on that right away. Okay. >> [snorts] >> Check Everyone. >> [clears throat] >> first reading tomorrow

005and I just want to make sure they Yeah, >> it's an action. Was Cody giving you the stand for the last 20 seconds? [laughter] >> I just had to last. It's time. Yeah. >> All right. Good evening. It's 5:00 for Mr. S. want to recognize some of our best and then some for the month of December. So this evening, let's begin with Lillian May Gerard. Would you come up to the front? >> Stand right over there beside that microphone. >> Good evening. >> This is This [laughter] is Lily. I'm Miss Jessica from Bride Adventures and we definitely wanted to pick Lily as our character award. Do you want to come up here with me? Okay. All right. Okay. All right. We'll get you situated. Okay. I try to do this without a paper, but it's

006a disaster, so we're not doing that again. [laughter] Um, we picked Lily because, um, she is an eager helper. She's a great friend and a great leader. She's got a great imagination. Don't you? Yeah. And, and she really does well with all of our kids. You can put her in any center. you can put her with any kids and she's a great helper and she's she's just wonderful with all of our friends. So, we definitely wanted to recognize that. So, this is Lily. >> LILY. [applause] >> WAIT, come back. [laughter] SHE'S [applause] lavender climbing bear here. >> Come on. >> So we faced you. I am so proud to introduce our December student of the month, Lavender. Lavender is an incredible student who brings kindness and positivity into our classroom every single day. She is

007always in a great mood, gets along wonderfully with everyone, and it is truly a joy to be around. Lavender is always willing to help others no matter what, and she shows leadership through caring actions and positive attitude. Lavender is also very smart and a motivated learner. She loves to learn. She stays focused. She participates in class and she asks thoughtful questions that show how engaged she is. Her enthusiasm for learning is inspiring. When Lavender grows up, she dreams of becoming an art teacher, and I have no doubt she will be amazing at it. She has such a creative spirit and again a kind heart. I'm so happy to have Lavender in my class and I'm incredibly proud of all that she does. She truly deserves this recognition. [applause] >> [applause] >> Chloe Chapman, I think

008I saw you come in. [snorts] >> Hi everybody. I'm here presenting the our best and then some award to Miss Khloe Chapman. Chloe is a very hard worker. Every day that I've known her, she's been so kind and resilient. She comes in, she works hard. She always does extra work, even without being asked. She helps me clean out clean the classroom a lot, which I appreciated. Didn't have to ask her to do that either. She's just been so kind. She always has a great smile. You can tell she's nervous now, but normally she's smiling very beautifully. [laughter] Like Chloe, I just want you to know sometimes kindness can go unnoticed, but you are like radiating and you're just a beautiful person and you work so hard that your kindness and your hard work will never

009go unnoticed. So continue to be as great as you are. And thank you, Miss Chloe Chapman. Everybody, [applause] she's awesome. Did >> you say it was credit to her dad? >> Yes. Absolutely. >> She gets all of that from her dad. >> Harper Rudosski. Did I say that correctly? >> Well, I'm It's a It's a miracle. Thank you for the opportunity to present this award. It is my pleasure to recognize one of our seniors, Harper Rutoski. I think I pronounce it better than you, but >> yeah, [laughter] probably. Harper is an excellent student who takes pride in her learning and consistently does her best. She treats everyone with kindness and respect, is responsible and trusts worthy and looks out for others, helping make our school a warm and welcoming place. I always feel like that

010with you. Always welcome, always loved, always cared for. And I really appreciate that, my love. She truly represents the values we hope to see in all our students. I am proud to have you as my student. I and actually for two semester. So I am very very blessed, very very lucky to have you. You are wonderful and I wish you your very best in the next future. [applause] I love you. Thank you. Thank you my sweetheart. Tate McGa. [snorts] All right. This is my main man, Tate. Tate is an eighth grader at Swain Middle School. Um, Tate is a super hardworking student who always takes his education very seriously. Tate has been after me since August. >> We've been working through it. He's been after me. When you going to put me in math one,

011Mr. Mac? When you going to put me in math one? Tate, you've been in math one. We put you in math one last Monday, didn't we? >> Yep. Last. >> Last Monday. So, Tate is now in math one. So Tate does a wonderful job of speaking up for himself, asking for what he needs, and uh and that says a lot about his character and maturity. Um Tate is also an employee of the Polar Express here in town. So even while working long hours at the Polar Express in town, Tate never fell behind on his schoolwork. He stayed caught up on assignments and kept giving his best effort, which again just shows his dedication and strong work ethic. Um on top of that, Tate has a wonderful sense of humor. He al likes to ri me

012as I'm coming down the hallway. Uh so we have a good back and forth. Um but he's always respectful to his teachers and classmates and he helps make our school a positive place to be and I'm just so very proud of him. This is Tate McGa. [applause] >> Have we missed anyone this evening? Let's give them another hand, PLEASE. [applause] NOW, as is usual, you're welcome to stay for the remainder of the evening if you would choose to, or if you would like to go somewhere and have ice cream, you can do that as well. Um, I would go have ice cream if I was you. Thank you for coming and be safe. Have a great evening if you're leaving. Tim Wilch. Okay. 10. After 5, we'll call our meeting to order. We'll start with

013the pledge and prayer. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Let's pray. Gracious heavenly father, Lord God, we bow unworthy head before you this afternoon. God, thank you for this good day. Thank you for our students, Lord, our best and then some. Father, Lord, we thank you for our faculty and we thank you for our schools. Lord, we thank you for our community, Lord. And we ask your blessings on everything that we uh do and say, dear heavenly father god, that you'd be pleased with our efforts, Lord. Ask your blessings on our school and on our faculty, Father. Lord, bless this meeting uh for your honor, for your glory. In

014your name we pray. Amen. >> Amen. >> That brings us to the approval of the agenda. We do have I [clears throat] know we have a couple uh amendments to make, but I believe that you would like to move close session to the very end. Correct. >> Correct. >> So that would move that uh down all the way past all the action items. Um and we we'll have no other activity or discussion out in the public after that. Correct. So we'll close from there. >> Yes. I need to add uh a G to discussion if we could please. Uh would like to talk about uh some maintenance vehicle needs and a plan and present that to you just for discussion and and your thoughts. To my knowledge, those are the only pieces that we have

015to add. >> Well, we're going to strike um the policy 4045021 uh from approval out of action. is for freedom. >> Yes, that's true. Thank you for for bringing that to my tition. My attention. Yes. >> Any other adjustments? >> I'll make a motion to uh approve the agenda with the uh adjustments that were just made. >> Second. >> All in favor? Raise your right hand. Approve. [clears throat] Next is the approval of the consent agenda. Personnel and minutes. Uh we have a motion to accept the consent agenda. >> Make a motion to accept consent agenda. >> Second. >> All right. All in favor raise your hand. [clears throat] That's approved. Next is up is public comment. And we do have Miss Brick Crisp. I'm going to keep down. >> Yes. >> Okay. Miss B,

016you'll have three minutes. Uh, whenever you start, Cody, you'll >> Okay. And I don't think I'll take the three minutes. >> Just go right in. >> Brie, Chris, if you guys remember me probably from last month. Um, but just to review, my daughter Brenley goes to Broad Adventures, trying to get OT services there. Um, currently, just to give you guys an update, we are going through the testing process to see if she qualifies for an IEP. not expecting that she will, but just going to try that route. Um, but I also was told that if she did qualify for an IEP, that OT is not a standalone service, meaning that she would have to have physical therapy or speech therapy to go along with that. So, there's still a barrier there potentially. Um, then a

017couple things I just wanted to point out that was just in conversation last time. Um, clinically versus educationally relevant. So staying on task, being able to focus. I understand that she's four and it's probably not brought out to the same um stance as you know a high school or middle schooler, but she's going to get there and I would rather put those interventions in place um earlier. Um and she may not need an IEP, but are there services for kids who don't meet that criteria? There was a conversation about HIPPA. U my understanding and I think that Mr. Salad said that as well is that parents could sign a consent saying that the providers could talk to the school staff, school staff could talk to the providers. Um I do have a question. Will it

018change any current services? Um and I think this was brought up in your discussion last month. The answer was no. But I do have a further question to that. Um school provided funds was kind of a big conversation. Maybe I just don't understand fully this. I am not sure if um agencies like Appalachin Community Health Services, Youth Villages, Blige Health, Analoneseski, um Hots, they all provide services right now in the school system. Are there school funds that are delegated to them for those services or are there state funds? That was brought up last time. or are those agencies able to come in the school system, meet with a child on school campus, pull them out of class, and bill their insurance for services rendered? That is what I'm asking. And to my knowledge, I will

019tell you that I used to be the schoolbased health nurse here at the middle school for Blige Health. I'm still employed by Blige, but just not at the schoolbased health center. I believe we received a grant to open the school-based health center. However, when we called students down for counseling services, nurse visits, provider visits, that was strictly a billable service. That was nothing that the school to my knowledge provided funding for. Um, and then just can I as a member of the general public get a list of those agencies that are provided services in the school system? I know a few just from being here knowing other parents, but how do I go about that and can I get that list? And then I did look up um on DPI's website today and it said

020for North Carolina, this is not specific to Swain County, that 13% of students in North Carolina have an IEP and approximately 5% of those have a 504 that don't have an IEP. So, I'm not sure exactly total numbers of students here at Swain County, but with that 14%, what happens to the other 86% of those students if they don't qualify for an IEP? What services are in place for them? So, I do agree that there should be a policy in place for sure, but I think you need to take into consideration that 86%. >> Thank you, [clears throat] Bri. >> If you'll get your contact information, Miss Joanne, we'll get you those answers. >> Thank you. >> [clears throat] >> Next up, we're going to move into discussion starting with personnel. >> I don't believe

021that. Is there any desire to go to close session to discuss personnel? >> No, sir. >> Okay. I think that all of the personnel for this evening has been included in the consent agenda. Okay. So that would take us to the athletic budget update. Uh Scotty McMahan is here uh to represent that. Good evening. Um got a about a 20page report there. Uh there's some other things I've added to it, but this just kind of gives us our general way we've started tracking stuff. um we had a little bit different one model uh the first time we met back in September, but we've kind of transformed it to make it a little bit more I guess readable and understandable. So um as far as [clears throat] revenue and income, if you look at the the

022page one of the first one, it's got some um actual numbers to it. That's kind of our overall general like big ticket items as far as athletic costs go. Um, we included uniforms in that and took that away from each team because the uniform stuff is not a yearly thing. We're not buying each team a different uniform every year. So, we took that out of the what you consider the budget number for that team. Uh, but that's that's pretty much everything that we've had um from clinics to huddle things that we talked about earlier in the year. Uh, it's just added up and that list is kind of built upon that. If you look at page two, uh this was something we started with back in July. Each team, uh it was broken down two

023categories. There's a individual spending or what we would like to spend budget-wise there. Um you can see [clears throat] on the left side of it has the July estimate there. Actual spending is there. So if you look in column three, uh that's where we're at overall at this point. Now went ahead and checked off the fall sports because those sports are completed, those seasons are completed. So we're not traveling with them anymore. We're not really buying any more equipment at this point in time. Um, that gives you a percent total of what we were at um, as far as what we projected going into July and even in September. So, that gives us an overall where we think we're at. Um, feel pretty good about that. The travel reports, same thing at the bottom. And

024if you look at the bottom, the the top column, [clears throat] you can see what we estimated was 63 was a number. Um, so far the minus that shows you what we are, uh, we feel like we have an allowance to spend the rest of the year. Same thing for the travel. We've not really had playoff wise. I think we went to Corbian. That was pretty, you know, other than meals where there wasn't much of an expensive trip. The cross country was really the only thing for hotels. So, the only time we really get in trouble with the travel spinning is when we're having to go multiple nights. Um, for instance, like this weekend, uh, we'll have the girls be competing at state championships. We know, so we know ahead of time that that's a

025two-day event. We're spinning hotels, things like that. So, where the states kind of got us in a little bit of a bind is when they host events in places that are not geographically close, and we know we're going to be there two to three nights sometime. So, that's that. But, that that gives you the overall [snorts] report of those two categories that we really hit on July and September. And that kind of gives you an update where we're at right now with those. So over the last few months we have tried to figure out different ways to uh what you call revenue routes or things like that. I think we've identified about 11 or 12. Um and again those are our goals. The next page for the 2526 goals that kind of gives you a

026layout of what we hope to bring in. That's where we think we're at right now. And then as far as completion goes on the right side. I know there was some discussion about gate totals and [snorts] it kind of varied. Some of the stuff we got was between 86 to 95 last year based off, you know, stuff. We thought if we could get to 90, uh, we still got five home games in basketball. We have two big track events that we actually get to charge for. We got wrestling, another wrestling event plus baseball, softball. So, we feel pretty confident we're going to get to that goal of being uh, that top one. Concession stands. That was another thing we looked at was just cost of product where we're at trying to expand on the items

027we're selling. The hard part for us at the high school is the the concession area is not big enough really to I guess maximize as much as you want to. We have to get kind of creative with what we're doing there. So, uh we've actually had some parents that reach out to help us to, you know, get some more items and help resource those items to be able to sell more stuff. again, [clears throat] banner scholarship stuff, same same as it was back uh back back in September. Um that was kind of what our goal was. We went way above our goal in that. Uh season passes were down compared to last year. Um but a lot of that's been to I think we've had more people come to the games um as far as

028just the progression of it goes. Uh the merchandise sales and I didn't I split them up into two different categories because between us and the booster club, it was a it was more of a collaborative effort to sell as much items as we could. If you notice at the football games, we had two separate tents going up. So, if you really add those two numbers together, that's what we have done or available funds merchandise wise, which is something that we have not had, I guess, availability to um in previous times. [cough and clears throat] One thing I want to add about the Maroon Devil Network, if you see that, you see we're at 50%. Uh Joe actually sent me some numbers of the day. Uh we're actually at 100 more subscribers than we had this

029year, this point last year. Right, Joe? Is that correct? um was 369 I think is what we were at. That should equivalate to about a 7 to $8,000 increase when it comes to uh I think we returned about 12 to 13,000 last year off YouTube. So we're looking closer to 20,000 this year. If we could ever get to 500 uh subscribers and you're looking at probably 30 to 35,000 extra a year just from the network itself. So the [clears throat] gate totals are good, network's up. Um, so we feel like there's some extra revenue coming in that we haven't had from those those aspects before. So, and a lot of it's just a, you know, from a subscription standpoint, if you get 100 people at $67 a piece and you let that thing let it

030ride, right, Joe, for 12 months, then you can kind of, those numbers do start to add up. Um, [clears throat] some other avenues that we really hadn't t talked about, uh, we did the Leading Edge fundraiser back in November. Uh, it was a first time deal doing it. Um, it was basically get all your athletes and we had a lot of athletes sign up. I think we had 117 that were actually there in the gym. Uh, but we have to [clears throat] do a better job from our standpoint as coaches, athletic department pushing those kids because all it is is a we get your contact information. I think I sent some of y'all the things like you sent a flyer. This year's big hit was like we're trying to cover cost of officials, equipment, all

031this. So, the the general athletic cost we tied into that um first, but I think that's something that we can do to create competition because the kids actually have the ability to go in there and sign up for whatever team they're currently on. It just so happened that it was a November. So it was you're at the tail end of the fall sports. Volleyball had been over with about a month. So most of the kids signed up for what sport? The winter sports. So I think if you broke that down over fall, winter, and spring, and the kids had a chance to sign up, it would generate for that each individual team and give them a little bit more of a some secure funds that they haven't had before. So any question on that? the

032donations and returns. Um, you know, we've had we've had some people reach out that didn't really want to get necessarily involved with like the leading edge stuff. So, we've had some donations coming that we really weren't expecting, but that's always going to fluctuate year to year. Um, the benefit tournaments, uh, we've actually got two scheduled. Uh, just kind of confirmed that last week. Uh, two two tournaments plus a co-ed softball. So we're hoping between the three of those we can get an extra anywhere from 75 to 1500 for 15,000 generated brought back into us. So any questions on that? But if you look at the bottom that's what we feel like the new additional income has been is that number at the very bottom. So next page just kind of gives you a gate total

033what it costs us officials wise. Um, as soon as that ball game's over with, we plug that number into a spreadsheet, it spits out our, you know, where we're at, what we did on the night, uh, if you notice there, football and basketball officials are pretty expensive. I mean, there are, I mean, and that that number is already counting in that we're going to have to pay out for those officials over the next three weeks for basketball. But, uh, the cost of officials just going to keep continue continue to keep going up. So, there's really um I'm hoping that our conference will to will decide to maybe increase ticket prices by whether it's a dollar, $2. So, a lot of times over the experiences we've had this fall, [snorts] everybody's charging eight bucks to get

034into a basketball game. Football's charging 10 bucks to get into a football game. Um I'm not saying we go from seven to 10, but a dollar here from the conference and because the conference sets the prices. Um, but maybe a dollar here would help with that cost officials. But that that's something that has to be decided by this movement in commerce. It's not a SWAT thing. But you can look I mean the the [clears throat] game cost we're already at 22,000. We're halfway through basketball and we've not even got to baseball and softball yet. Um, and then if you look at, you know, when it gets to like the the track stuff, I mean, time equipment is it's expensive. So, um, we're trying to find ways to get more people to the track meets and

035things like that. And it does when we have to travel so much, um, and host things is where it's kind of hard sometimes to to make up that difference, but we do have the ability to when we go to Western and we go to Montre in a spring to bring in some revenue to help with that. So, any questions on that? Um, concessions, the next page. Uh again, that that kind of goes to that middle column shows you what it costs us every time we purchase something from Pepsi or Cisco or Sam's. Um one thing I think it's been a it's not been a huge help, but it's a it's a it's an avenue that we haven't really went down before was the the the card sales. Uh so you're looking about an extra two

036grand just off of swapping that credit card at the U concession stand. And we've many [clears throat] Miss Hines have actually tried to talk about ways to make digital ticketing through Infinite Campus uh an option. It's just a matter of correct me if I'm wrong deciding what that percentage is because there is a fee for us to have to to use that. So there is >> yeah so but there is a little bit of a fee there. So we have to kind of decide where uh we are what the I guess the happy window is for that. So, any questions on concession stand sales, anything like that? Next page. And again, this is just kind of a this is the overview of our spreadsheet stuff. So, that kind of gives you the banner sponsors. Uh

037tell tells you what level they're at, contribution status, uh what they're bringing in, um which if you notice, we got a lot. I mean, there's 31 um total. Uh and that was something we figured out with the banners themselves is we were spending a significant amount with this with this company because they have up increased their prices. Uh so we just went ahead and went through Vista Print and cut that cost in about half of what it was going to cost us. So I feel like we can have the opportunity now to buy the same set of banners, have them multiple cases. That way we're not having to constantly move them, transfer them, take them down. It makes it a little bit makes the place look a little better, too. So, uh, the next page,

038other form of income, and this kind of gives you like a breakdown of everything possible from TV and radio to merchandise sales to donations, and we'll tie all seven of those into that first column as well on the very first page. And just kind of feeds into that revenue stream that we have. And then the last few pages here, this is the fall sports complete. This is something that we tried to All right, so each team's got what we spent on them from a general athletic standpoint, equipment wise, shows you their gate revenue totals. It shows you the cost of officials, um the times we had concessions for those games, what they brought in there. Other expenses include booking agent fees, uh travel expenses. So, it's all tied into one um formula that that basically

039spits out that cost versus profit difference on the right, but all the fall sports are listed in there. Uh you can take a look at those. And um as you can see, attendance for summer obviously different. And then the opportunities for other forms of income as far as concessions are different depending on where we're at with the location of the game. And then the very last I think three pages here is uh something we had done. We've continued with it with the banner sponsor program, but it also uh if you look on pages two and three, it's going to I think allow us to have um some different forms of sponsorship. And these are just a few of the ideas that we know we're going to put in place coming in the fall, whether it's

040inzone, chain gang, um chair sponsorship. So there's three or four extra things that we believe that uh I think people will be willing to to do if they had the opportunity to. So >> Scott, did this have the paint machine in there? >> No. >> So that'll that is still going to hit? Uh the paint machine is uh we have found a way through um >> we paid for that. >> Go ahead and answer that one. >> We [laughter] paid through that uh paid for that by putting it into our capital expense. >> Okay. Um >> now in the future there will still be the need for paint supplies and things like that and I don't know how that'll work but we were able to absorb that cost and do something else. >> Very good.

041>> Well and the paint too is you know it was it for a five gallon bucket it's around 80 something dollars. Um, with the machine, you're getting the same amount of paint for $68. Uh, it's ready to use. And I mean, I I for this year's cycle, we'll have enough left over starting next year to where I don't even if we had to buy 10 extra jugs. That's by the time you ship it, maybe a grand compared to >> Yes. That machine's more efficient. >> Yeah. I mean, it's just so >> the time savings enormous. It's once you get the technology aspects, it's it's pretty pretty nice to have. So, >> anybody any questions >> on on Maroon Devil Network? You said 370 is >> uh Yeah, 369 was what? >> And this may just

042be a swag, but do you know about how many of those just let it ride all year versus turn it on or off? >> He could probably tell you that better than I could. I I can't give you an exact number, but um and it'll be interesting because last summer is the best test. Okay. >> You know, there's nothing going on. People are literally letting it ride and there there's nothing going on. So >> I would if memory serves last summer, I think we carried about 140 subscribers through the summer. I sus but but again like like you said this time last year we were at 269 and that carried all the way through till graduation and then they dropped and so I I I'm hoping and I suspect because we're doing this let it

043ride campaign letting folks know hey just by ignoring it letting it go you're helping us tremendously that they'll that we'll carry 369 this summer. That's the hope. Anything else? >> Thanks, Scott. >> Excellent. >> Continuing with budget. Uh we're going to jump a few levels and talk about the entire budget for the uh fiscal year of 202526. We're a little bit late on this this year. There are a couple of reasons for that. One has to do with the fact that state of North Carolina is the only state in the union to not have a state budget that's been adopted. And so we waited and until we got some fair signs that that probably is not going to change. [snorts] Also, because of the the federal budget shutdown for a period of time, our auditors

044were held back uh from and that we're still being held back on a couple of things for that, particularly for their contract. Um but, uh Millie has worked with Stephanie uh as our outgoing uh CFO and has put a budget together. You're going to see this year that the uh the total budget number is significantly uh different than it has been in past years. Now, I just need to emphasize the reason that that budget number is so different is because it includes all of the construction funding that has been allocated to our school system. So rather than a 30 plus million budget this year, you're going to see an 80 plus million budget. More than 50 of that is for construction. Okay. So turn that over to Miss Hines. >> Okay. Um, so on this

045presentation, I'm just going to compare the proposed budget this year to the actual spend that we did last year. Oh, it works. Um, so on this slide, you're going to see the overview of our state, local, and federal funding. Those top two bars represent this year's budget, expense, and revenue. And then the one below that is um last year's actual spend. So, I'll go over 10 and 20 in a minute, but for fund 30, you see that there is a 1.28 million decrease in funding. Um, and that is due to the expiration of the ESER COVID funds that we got in 2020. Um, this one is the overview of our child nutrition fund and special revenue fund. And, um, there is a increase in special revenue. Um we did get a few grants which play

046into that which is the Dogwood Leadership Grant. Um an additional gearup grant and the youth at heart grant and the funding sources of our SRO's and safety equipment grants have moved from state funding to special revenue due to um the legislative changes that happened this year. So, in our state fund, there is a slight increase of $70,000. Um, but that equates to about a 0.4% increase from last year. Um, and the majority of our state funding goes into our regular curricular expenses. [clears throat] So, as Mr. sale said the um general assembly has not passed a budget, but they did pass a mini budget in July of 2025 and that um allowed us to go ahead and give step increases for our certified staff. Um it also has language in there that allowed the state

047to give us all of the allotments. So, we do have that revenue coming in. Um they also increased our retirement rate and our health insurance rate for all of our full-time employees across all funds. Um and just for reference for those expenses last year before um that increase happened that those two uh employee benefits accounted for 18% of our whole entire budget. [snorts] Um and they have not increased our funding. So, we continue to get unfunded mandates, >> correct? >> Like they're mandating increases but not providing the funding to cover it. >> Yeah. >> Um so this year, oh this is covering our local fund and um this year we've been approved to receive 1.5 million from the county. um the majority of that is going to be allocated to our operational costs. And then

048they've also um added a special allocation for nurses and social workers so that we could keep them employed full-time um after those expiration of the ESSER funds and then they also cover some reading assistance for us. So fund 40 as Mr. Mr. S was saying this is the the major change um driver of the change of our budget this year. Um the state did award us $52 million um to build a new middle school and the county is going to match 5% of that. >> That's not hung up in any budget delays, is it? Or is that okay? >> that's already been funded and Okay. I just want to make sure. >> Yep. So now we'll go from our funding sources to changes in specific purpose allocations. >> Real quick for for fun, won't a

049bunch of that be 2027 spend though? >> Yeah. So a lot of that is unallocated. Okay. But it's still sitting there. >> Um so one change this year was um hiring a dedicated athletic director that doesn't isn't assigned classes. So you'll see that um that funding moved from regular instruction to the co-curricular expenses. Um there's also appears to be an increase in alternative programs, but this year's budget compared to last year's original budget isn't much different. Um I believe the reason for the variance is 90% of this is allocated to um salary costs. So we budget 100%. And hope that happens, but doesn't always happen. So that's um what accounts for the variance between this year's budget and last year's spending. We did have some decreases. Um there's a reduction in the budget for spe

050special populations um due to the elimination of an EC coordinator position. Um the completion of the HVAC project is also reducing operational spend compared to last year. And that covers the majority of the big changes. Um, you have any questions? >> Questions, concerns? >> So, this year's budget largely mirrors last year's budget without the the [snorts] construction. And uh if you were look at the looking at some of the fine print, you'll see that there is a potential for a revenue u transfer out of local funding into that. However, that was there last year as well and we that's largely because of salary u possibilities. However, last year we didn't use any of that. uh you put that in you you you budget 100% of employment and you never have 100% employment um for various

051reasons. Uh last year we were actually able to uh have an increase in revenue to our fund balance of about $250,000 >> because of savings in other areas. Uh so our our budget is projected to be very much very similar to that. Uh we just need to recognize that there there are increases in insurance and also in retirement. >> And there is the there still is the potential that um the legislature could pass some type of a late salary increase of some sort. I haven't heard a lot of rumor about that, but in a superintendent meeting last Friday, there was there was some talk about that and the concern that if that were to happen uh this late in the game, what that would mean to budgets all all over uh North Carolina because all

052of our salaries aren't paid by the state. Uh and we would have to match that in different ways. Um, I don't think that's anything to really lose a wink of sleep over because I don't think the legislature is going to do anything uh until probably April when they get back together for the short session. >> Okay. >> If that happened, do you do you have to retro back? Yes. To the >> Well, that would depend upon it would depend upon how they they word that. Um, the probability though, Lisa, is that it would be retroactive uh to July. >> Okay. Yes, >> we did build into a 2% increase just in case that did happen across all salarys. [snorts] >> Thank you for making that point. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Questions for Millie or myself?

053If we don't have the answers, we'll find them. >> Okay. >> Thank you. We'll ask you to approve that. Um, and as a as a resolution u when we get to action items, we have some policies uh to look at. One of those policies is the one that Brie was speaking about uh a few a few minutes ago. Um Lisa and Barbara and I along with our attorneys have gone back and looked at uh that particular policy. Um and uh we have inserted some language that will allow organizations that are not um funded through the school system are required by IEPs, 504s that provide therapy services, therapy services to do so after the end of the school day uh using a facility's use form and then that would be scheduled. that allows for for Brie

054and for others to to have their children served uh that way through private providers of some sort. Okay. The one organization that is not covered in that is Blue Ridge Health and that's because although Blue Ridge Health does give the opportunity for mental health services, um that's the only therapy service that is provided and we already had an existing agreement with them before this point. So they're grandfathered in to continue. Okay. Um I think those are the the primary points that have been changed in this particular policy. Lisa or Barbara, have I missed anything in that? Okay. All right. Um, since this is uh a new policy of sorts and there's still a lot of discussion that may want to be had about it, uh, this is going to be a first reading. I'm not

055going to ask for approval on it tonight. Thank you for reminding me of that, Mitch. A little while ago, I forgot. Um, because we want to make sure that we're doing our very best as a school system, but also staying within appropriate guidelines. You set those guidelines. Okay. >> So, I just want to recap that for my own [snorts] clarification. And I know you and I spoke a little bit about it, but just so you know, everybody else watching can understand too, we're saying that we would allow service therapy service providers to use our facilities after school hours. Yes. Within the times that the building is open. >> Yes. From from about 3:00 to 5:00. Um, and we may need to assert that language. Lisa, you mentioned that the other day and I forgot to

056insert that. Okay. So, from 3 to 5, we would allow that to happen. they would still need to fill out [snorts] a facilities use request um and it has several items in it that removes liability from the school system for those those services um but still allows the facility to be used. We do the same thing for basketball >> youth basketball. We do the same thing when anyone [snorts] comes in and and they want to hold a reunion. Uh this is a standard form that you can find online. >> Okay. >> Any any other thoughts or questions? We'll make sure and add that three to five. Okay. >> Does that have any when I say ripple effects as far as staffing? Anyone need to stay after? >> Um most of our principles stay until 5:00.

057One of the elements that is in uh that particular policy is that if uh there is space and there is opportunity to have some type of coverage there. Now in the facilities use agreement there is the opportunity to pay for additional staffing as well if needed. >> Okay. Any other thoughts or questions? Another policy is the attendance policy um 4,400 uh with a couple of of adjustments I told you about last time. Uh we needed to change one half the school day to 51% because that's mandated by the state. Um we've changed two-way communication, excuse me, for remote education. Uh because uh it may be that the commu the communication is not two-way at that moment. In other words, if if a student sends their work by email, there may not be immediate response to

058that. Okay, that's the only other piece that we've changed. And also, it allows the principal uh to assign a designate for some of these rather than being personally responsible for every single point of it. Like for example, if uh there's some type of of an attendance event that's going on uh a mediation or something and the principal wants to make have a designate in that position, they can assign somebody to do that. Okay. Um this particular changes in this also simplify some of the reporting expectations uh for the schools and you can read down through there about what those are. We are still following the state mandated uh communication [clears throat] points of three absences, unexcused absences, six unexcused absences and 10 unexcused absences. Those are state points. But somewhere between six and eight, uh

059we want an additional step and that is an outside mediation group to come in and at no cost, no cost, um heights will come in and will do that for us. Um and then they will help perhaps develop a uh some type of agreement between the family and the school that can then be monitored from there. Okay, that is a volunteer service. >> I have two questions. One is did we say that we could get some sort of a what it looks like for 51% of the school day. I think maybe I mentioned that to Sherry, but I can't >> that's okay and that's fine. I just as a parent and I because I think we discussed it can be different for different schools, right? It might just be good to have something out there

060that you know if you really are crunching time that you know exactly you know kind of how many minutes you're looking at for each school. >> We did sort of a blanket statement like you have to be there by 11. You know it gets confusing if you had a student at different schools about what time. Like okay the high school it's >> but you know West Elementary might be 11:23. >> So I think [snorts] at 11 to be on the safe side. Is that what you were doing? And you can't leave before 12. But I will double check. >> Okay. Cuz I was going to say, does that give the wiggle room for a student to come first thing in the morning knowing that they have an appointment in the middle of the day. They

061come in the morning for x amount of minutes. They leave, they come back. Because I think we tried that once. And so does that allow for that? You know, adding the minutes that way? >> No. But you would have >> depends on if it's not [snorts] during instructional time >> exact like you have to know the exact start time of the day. Most schools are eight I believe the high school 75 [snorts] >> and then you have to know [clears throat] the exact minute of the end of the day after at that school and then how much time. >> So it's like not impossible but it's it's difficult to track. >> Why wouldn't [clears throat] the why wouldn't the minutes be cumulative? Like if you left for part of the day and count okay >>

062but I think what she's saying if you came say the first period you went to the dentist and then you came back what time would you have to come back that first part and then that second part add up >> more than 50 >> and it depends is it a late day and you know is it a early release day there's lots of >> there a lot of variables >> yeah but >> but you could always call data manager at the school and we could figure out for you whoever's there pick them We made a little chart so we can figure that out. >> Okay. So, it's not impossible to do. I just need to have a little planning ahead of how that's going to work. Okay. [laughter] And then I do have another question

063about um when we talk about excused absences and parent specifically [clears throat] parent notes. When a student is missing for let's say two days uh with a parent note, does the parent note does one parent note count for both of those days or is one parent note for each day? >> One parent note counts per day. >> Okay. Okay. >> And I believe that that is stated in the handbook. >> Correct. Yes. >> Okay. It's a good question. >> Thank you. >> And yeah, we can we can calculate um on a normal day the number of minutes that are expected. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Once you're kind of dealing with a specific situation and you know if it's a >> short day or whatever. Yeah. >> On their lunch or when or anything is is

064put in their schedule in the correct period even the lunches. So because when we first went into campus they would take lunch off top no matter what time you got to school. Lunch came off 20 minutes. So we they made this where you pick lunch one or lunch two. elementary 1 2 3 4 5 whatever and so it's so calculates correctly as close as we >> get. Sure. >> Thank you. >> Should we add a provision like if it is going to be a multi-day excused absence where they could write one note to cover it like say they're going to be gone for a week long trip or something obviously they're not going to be able to write a note every day and get it to anyone. I think if I'm if I'm no I'll

065say this just from experience. I think they can write a note for that. I just I think I was just clarifying does that count as one note or does that count as several days? Does that make sense? >> Each and maybe maybe we need to articulate this more accurately. Okay. Um, a parent note can be written for as many days as they would like to write it, but each day is one parent excuse. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> And we'll look at the we'll look at how that is worded so that we can minimize confusion. Okay. Thank you for for making that point. Anything else on that? The only other policy is policy 4060, uh, which has to do with Native American policies and procedures. Really, the only changes right now in that

066policy are the dates. Uh, Barbara and I were looking through it again this afternoon. We found two places where we should have put 2027 and it said 2026. So, we immediately changed it and put it back online. Okay. Um, the substance of that policy is exactly the same as it was last year. Okay. Any thoughts or questions about that? We'll [snorts] ask for approval on that and 4,400 in a little while if we could please. Um, one of the things that uh we have not done in Swing County for a while is uh allow or even well, let's just say allow retesting after EOGs and EOCC's. And um the districts around us almost uh to the to the letter uh have been allowing that and they have found that by doing so there are several

067outcomes. Uh but one of them is that there is an increase in uh the the proficiency numbers that are coming out of their schools. I think there are a couple of reasons for that. Um, one of those reasons may be not everybody tests perfectly well on this Tuesday. You know, who knows what happened the night before or or maybe they came to school with a fever and so this gives them an opportunity to retest. The state put some extra provisions around that this year uh that allow only that only allow students who do not receive a proficient score to retest. Before you could go you could make a four on an EOC and if you weren't satisfied you could retest to try to make a five. That's not allowed anymore. Okay. So, we put that

068in place at the high school for for EOCC's uh this fall and our intent is to make that across the board option available at the end of this year. I've asked Ameilia Almond to come and to talk to us about what the results of the retesting has shown at the high school just to keep track of that. Okay. >> Good evening. 239 students took the state EOCC exams this semester in math 1, math 3, [snorts] biology, and English 2. Out of the 239 students who tested, 126 were nonproficient. About 53% of our students were not grade level proficient according to the state. To reiterate that point, out of the 126 who were non-proficient, about 40% of those students and families opted to retest. 18 of those were students in our EC program. Out of the

06950 who retested, 58% grew. Of those, 34% went from nonproficient to proficient. Math one scores. Originally, 85 of those students were non-proficient. Afterwards, 16 16 retested. Three students scored proficient after retesting. Six students grew on average 34 percentile points, and one student scored level four after testing, moving from non-proficient to college and career ready. For math three, about 19% of those students were non-proficient. Five students grew on average 32 percentile points and four students scored proficient after retesting. Our [snorts] biology scores about 66% of those students were non-proficient. About 25% retested. Four students scored proficient after retesting. And retesters scored on average eight more points. English two. So, our scores for English 2 are delayed because there are constructed response items and they're scored by hand. So, we didn't get those scores until late in

070December and teachers had already gone on break. So, we were able to input those, work with that data, and plan to retest um by January 23rd, but we've already done that. Um 23 students were non-proficient in English 2. Two opted to retest. Only one retested, and I checked for those scores today, and they're not in yet. So, I'll be happy to share that data whenever I have it. My conversations with students prior to retesting and after retesting were if they if they improved were that they simply tried usually or sometimes, you know, the first attempt um they don't take it as seriously. So, when they were awarded the second attempt, they um of course put forth more effort. Um our biggest hurdle has been communicating the difference between what the state deems proficient and the

071score the LEA score or grade that they are given. So for example the grade may be an 80 but according to the state that is not proficient and that formula that they use has not been shared with us. We've requested that but they have not shared it with us. is some complex algorithm that they use to determine that and there are various cut points for proficiency levels that that differ according to whatever test it is. Do you have any questions? >> Is that different? Like say the proficiency point may be different from math than it is for biology. >> Correct. Yes. Correct. >> And a student can be non-proficient in their test but still pass the class. >> Yes. >> Which has been really hard to to communicate to families. >> We discussed that with

072Heather one time. that mean with eth 8 eighth grade math you have to score above the 84th percentile >> yeah you you're making it worse um 86th percentile in order to in order to be proficient that means that if you were in a line 86% of the kids are not proficient >> like on math one you know that's uh 85% said nonproficient >> right >> how does that compare with like Graham County Mon county. >> That's a good question. I'm happy to look into that and and get y'all that data >> till the summer >> and we can look we can look at last year's we have last year's comparisons >> because I understand the points of proficiency in the score and all that. But I just wonder, you know, taking that into account, how

073does that compare with our surrounding counties, >> which means hypothetically they're if they're passing the class, like their GPA, they're still getting the points for their GPA even if they're showing non-proficient. >> Correct. >> It's like it's really it's a little confusing. >> It reflects on the school. >> The proficiency, not if they're passing the class, >> right? Exactly. You know, so if we got 85% non-proficient, what are we doing with those with those students? Uh do they move on or do we remediate? >> If they're passing the class after their exam score has been put in, then yes, they are promoted >> because they might be making a 75 or 80 on their exam. You know, probably what would you say? Maybe 20% really fail. the score of the class, >> right? >> The

074exam score, >> I want to say something like the 18thish percentile on the EOC is still passing as a grade with their conversion. So, it's still >> Yeah. So you can you can be in a pretty rough percentile group and still pass the pass the test >> and that only counts 20% of the grade the >> 20% >> the test. >> Yes, the test it counts as a final. It counts 20% of the grade. >> That's statemandated. >> I have a different question. It's not exactly related to retesting, but like >> ma [clears throat] math one, what does that equate to? I mean, is that >> geometry? Is that freshman math pre? Like what what grade level are we talking for math one? >> So, well, they take math one or they have the option

075to take math one in eighth grade. >> And then if they don't take it in eighth grade, in the ninth grade they take it. Um, as far as like what specific concepts it covers specifically, I know there are several. I'm happy to get that information to you as well. >> Do you know do you know the uh concept large concepts >> uh well it's a lot of transformation lots of slope intercept that type of stuff. The biggest thing between math one and eighth grade math, which I don't know why it's the way that it is, but it goes back to the test. The math one window for proficiency is much wider. So, I'll have students and I've got data I can show you. I have students that on the eighth grade math test won't be

076proficient, but if they took the math one test, their numbers were much more higher to be to pass that test. I had students last year um their projections. They weren't going to pass the math test, but if they would take the math one test, they would have passed. Um, so it's a I think it's a larger issue in the state. >> And I think math one covers like like geometry and algebra like it's a little it's a blended, right? >> There are a couple topics that don't get covered in the eighth grade math curriculum that are introduced with the math. So out of these 47 tested, part of them would be eighth grade, part of them would be >> No, this is all high school. >> High school. >> Ryan, did you have any take

077math one the test in eighth grade? >> So I've got 26 in. So we give ours. >> Okay. So it's even though it is a semester class, we still give our our eighth graders the whole year. Um, and our numbers have been really high as far as eighth grade math goes. Um, those students that qualify for math one as eighth graders, they scored a level five on their seventh grade EOG. So, we're mandated five, they're automatically put into that math one. Now, they do have the option to um to not take math one, but they're automatically put in math one. Um, and then to also fill those spots. Some students that even if they didn't make a five, but they made a really high four will also fill spots in math one that so it's

078it's a little bit different, but ours is given your long math one. >> So that that kind of brings me to a question. Is there data that would show and maybe not specifically the middle school and the high school, but maybe comparing other high schools that would show what it looks like in scoring for a math one to be done in a semester versus the whole year? >> I don't know. I don't know of any high schools that offer math one across a whole year, particularly when you're considering a block schedule >> there. we used to when we had a freshman academy. >> Um and and we could go back and we could look at the comparison of scores then. >> Yeah. Because we one one of the schools we toured did something similar. or

079Henderson. One was in Henderson did something similar where they did that may have been a middle school but where they kind of did all the and I I just don't know if that's worth comparing and seeing like if we >> we had skinnies we had math what we math >> math and ma math English and then they had uh a career or something and each of those were that was the academy days that they were 60 minutes each they took a half a day. One of the complicators with that is that it it really locks up some staff >> and uh requires more teachers in those areas in order to meet scheduling complications. >> Yeah, >> we're we're in discussion with that moving into next year kind of looking at different approaches with that how

080we can build a schedule and offer courses to kind of combat that. So we've got a group coming in that's highly not proficient coming out of the middle school into the high school, we can kind of strategically put in place like you're going to take a foundations of math course in the fall before you're going to take math one in the spring and those it still counts as a math credit. So it's not like it that foundations of math still counts as a math credit before they take. It's not like it destroys anything, wax anything, >> but it kind of puts that little added step in place to >> to maybe benefit kind of curve that. So, um, yeah, like Mr. C was saying, that takes >> sure >> a little reworking some personnel, space,

081stuff like that. So, we're definitely looking at that moving forward. How to combat that. >> Yeah. Which would be worth it if we could get our proficiencies up. I mean, I say that from Smith. It does not do scheduling, but you know what I'm saying? Like, if that if that made a huge impact, I mean, >> yeah, it's better for the student, too. >> Yeah, >> I think it's worth looking at. >> Great idea. I'd like to delve deeper in this. I'd like, you know, if you could come back and revisit this and and show us how we compare with the counties around us. >> Well, they're on the same criteria that we're on, right? >> Yes. We all have the same the same curricular expectations, standard expectations. Um and and you'll see that there

082are there are some who are who are standouts in in some of these areas. Um if I'm not mistaken, we we spoke to some math teachers in Yansy County. Um >> Sun Valley Middle School, >> Sun Valley, which is just down which is where my grandson is going to go. Um just saying um so uh I I think it would be worth us to to pull those numbers worth the time. We may even already have some of that taken care of and we can share that with you. >> Yeah. Okay. I think math three looks great. >> Math one looks >> math one is is a struggle. It's a and it's an increasing struggle. >> And part of that is that we offer a different amount of courses like you may only like English two

083we only have two I think classes this time. >> Uh math one is heavy in the fall. Yes. Math two is or math three is not. And next time in the fall in the spring will be a lot of math three. So right now you're only piece at the end of the year in May, June, you'll see all of it together. >> Um Tyler, Eric, how about how many do you have? Um how many freshmen do you have right now? >> Just round number >> 120ish. >> Okay, Ryan, how many how many eighth grade students do you have in math one? >> 126. Okay, those 26 students will take math one at the middle school and they'll have a 90% pass rate proficiency. You don't get to count those as freshmen. So that's like taking

084your top varsity players and moving them up I mean your top junior varsity and moving them up to varsity and then counting the scores of the junior varsity without. Okay, have you have to remember that that some these numbers are just a little bit skewed because of that. >> But it's better for the student and was we're also required by law if they make a five, we have to give them the opportunity to progress. Okay. >> Any other questions? >> Thank you. >> Thought you might enjoy that. Good. It's [clears throat] good information. Uh Lydia Sale, I don't know who put Lydia Sale on this. [clears throat] Must have been me. >> I'll take responsibility. >> Okay. Lydia Lundy um has uh been given the opportunity to participate with a a policy group uh with

085the other regional teachers of the year in Raleigh and she has a project that she is supposed to complete. Uh she would like to talk to you about that this evening. Um, I think that what she's providing is a wonderful opportunity and that's not just because she's my daughter. Okay. >> Hello everybody. I'll try to go quick. I'm used to working with short attention spans, so I'll try to move through it pretty fast here. Um, but I was just going to reiterate what he said. Thanks to the Burough's Welcome Fund, I'm participating in the education policy fellowship program through the public school forum in North Carolina. And a lot of that work focuses on understanding how policy decisions actually show up in schools. So in February, we're actually going to meet with our representatives up

086in DC. And we're going to be advocating um my group's actually going to be advocating for a heftier amount of loan forgiveness for teachers that work in rural areas. So those are just some of the things that we're working with. Will that actually happen? I don't know, but we're sure going to try. Um, but where we started was with a local policy project. And I hate calling it a project because I don't want this to be something that's proposed that we pick up and put down because I think it's something that can be really beneficial to our district. Um, they challenged us to look at things that may be a glaring issue or areas that you see can just benefit the system as a whole. And that's what I really want to talk about tonight.

087Um, I spent some time looking at our 2024 teacher working condition survey and something that stood out to me right away is how positive the results on that were. Over 90% of um teachers report that it's a that Swank County is a good place to work and to learn. There's a lot of pride going on in our schools, strong leadership and commitment to our students. It also highlights some areas where there can be growth within our district. teachers are seeking more alignment around time spent with paperwork, um, professional development selection, budget awareness, and staffing selections. And to me, that data, those data points don't come off as points of contention, but they come off as a willingness to for teachers to contribute and help make decisions within their district. They want to amplify, teachers want

088to amplify their voice. So, why I'm here, I want to propose the creation of a teacher advisory council. This would be a council that works directly with the board and the superintendent would be a small representative group of teachers who can provide real time classroom level insight to the board and superintendent on initiatives that are being considered. There are many committees already existing. But my goal with this council would be that it's just to streamline information processes both ways. So teachers reporting to you all and you all giving your reasoning to teachers as well. I think that can really um clear up some communication. From my perspective, it seems like a pretty lowrisk, highreward [clears throat] opportunity for us. Um it gives you guys feedback from the people that are working with our kids every

089single day. Um and while sometimes things may seem really great in concept, whenever you put them into practice, that can change just a little bit. So, I'm happy to get this started. I'm happy to work with you all. I'm not asking for you to say, "Yeah, let's create it tonight. Let me know about it tomorrow." I'm asking at an upcoming work session or um any other time that we could sit down and talk about logistics, who would be a part of the committee, how it would work, when it would meet, um and just kind of iron out those decisions that would need to be made with it. I've received a lot of feedback from districts across the state with um my regional teacher of the year committee um or excuse me cohort about how their

090teacher advisory councils work because they are all on one and I know Mitchell County added one this year. I know how the governor's teacher advisory committee is working. So I feel like I can provide some insight into those areas and I think it would just be a natural step for a district that's already doing a lot of great things and can open up some communication both ways. I think it's fantastic. >> Something for you all to consider. Uh Mitch, a way that you may want to consider as chair of uh approaching this after you all have some conversation if you want to is to appoint uh two members of the board uh to be on the advisory council committee. Um and you are certainly actually within your rights to do that if you decide that

091that's a direction that you want to go. >> Okay. Sounds good. >> Thank you all for your time. I appreciate it. >> Um I asked to add um section G to discussion. Um Tommy has put together a replacement plan for maintenance vehicles. Uh many of our maintenance vehicles are um they're wheezing in their existence. We need to do something. Some of them um I just prefer our guys not be using. And in order for us to approach those needs, we can't do it all at one time. It's too big in my opinion. Uh Tommy has put together a yearly plan. uh it's a it's a little heavier investment in the first couple of years. After that, it uh doesn't quite hold the same financial or budgetary impact. Tommy, if you want to come and talk

092about that and your thoughts on this, I am not asking for a decision on this. I'm asking tonight. I'm asking for you to think about it. Um and then let's uh plan a course of action perhaps by next month. Okay. All right. Let me get this thing to spin up. I thought I had it up already. Come on, spin. First off, at first gr glance, y'all have any questions looking at what you have in front of you. It's pretty straightforward and tried to arrange it to where we're going in a seven-year rotation. Taking care of this stuff over seven years. And there's some of the things you wouldn't replace every rotation like the uh even when it got back to it in seven years like the dump truck that we need to buy sooner rather

093than later to replace the 87 model that's on there. Um that uh the one that we that we it won't take us we might be able to get two rotations out. It may be able to get 14 years. I mean we've had this one for a lot longer than that. But uh the regular vehicles that we're using, one of the issues and one of the reasons that I feel like that we're ending up in a bind is that we're keeping things just well beyond their their use. And if we will cut bait with them every seven years or so, then we can actually get something for it when we go to sell rather than seeing if we're going to get somebody to show up from a crushing outfit to come buy something for crush weight.

094because that's what we've been doing is running them until they till there's nothing left is what we've traditionally done. And it looks like a lot of money and it is a lot of money and I'm not saying that it's not but I don't see any other option with what we got with what we're facing. And if we have a plan laid out to achieve this, we can put our people in safe, dependable vehicles that will allow them to get work done for us. and uh in an appropriate way. >> Whatever happened, you know, we're talking about leasing instead of buying um on those that proposition Stephanie had a while back. >> Yes. >> And some of these seem like they might be good candidates just because they're going to be low mileage, low hour type

095vehicles. And that's and that's one thing at leasing is something that is a possibility on some things for us I think where it isn't for other stuff because we don't 7 miles back and forth from one place to another. It takes a whole lot of those to get you up over 1,000 miles a month. You know that's basically your bridge for low mileage leasing is like 1,000 miles a month. >> Some of those I think when we looked at it some of those we were um was 5 years and it was leased to own uh too. So, I mean, it's always something we could look at cuz if you owned it after 5 years, you know, that'd be and it's seven years for the cycle, that's two extra years you're getting, you know. So, but

096is something we could look at if um if that payment was as good as buying it outright >> as buying it outright what it would be. >> One of the drawbacks that leasing though that we were talking about, they required a very high limit of insurance. Yeah. >> That's what blew it out of the water, you know. >> Yeah. And that's stuff that that's not my end of the deal so much. I don't, you know, the insurance parts and all that. I'm I don't know. I don't know about those things. That's not something that I play in. The leasing part from terms of mileage makes sense. The issue with that also is the conditioning, the things that you've got to do with them and everything through that whole thing. It's a beyond pro maybe what

097our fleet stuff has traditionally been. >> Um which may be why we're we're at >> we definitely got to make a move though. >> Yeah, we've got to do something. >> Have you kind of got these categorized as what we would need to replace first? >> Yeah, if you'll look at the column I think it's maybe the fourth column over um it has a uh why this thing has decided it doesn't want to talk to me today. I have absolutely no idea. Um, it says replace and it has a year on it. It'll say something like 2627 or 2526. >> Okay? >> Like there's two right there at the top. It says 2526 replace this year for those two and approximate prices for what we could do to severely upgrade in that particular one. That

098is an actual quote that I've gotten back from Mountain Ford. And that's another thing, guys. I don't know if y'all are Ford Chevy people. I drive Fords. Everybody knows it. But that's not why I put the F250 on there. It's because I believe it's important for us to stay local. That's something that does matter to me. You know, keeping money in our community is something that's important to me. So, I got that quote from Mountain Ford. I haven't got a whole lot of other ones. We do have some fleet things that we can look at. Also, uh we got our our in looking and preparing for this. I worked in conjunction with these guys up here in their finance department and we uh now have a the ability to buy for fleet pricing through Ford

099directly also in addition to what we can get through the state. So that's going to give us uh like you can't go down there and buy an F250 for that quoted number that's on that sheet. That's right. >> F250 four-wheel drive. You can't do it. But >> which is the one that we just uh >> purchased the motor for? >> Dump truck. Yeah, that we had to put a bunch in for maintenance. >> The Yeah, that's it's down thereated 04. >> Okay. Okay. >> We're hoping we we should be able to get that last >> us a few more years hopefully. >> Yeah. Should >> And the other thing is that uh you know, there's one thing I added on the bottom down there about a trailer because I feel like that might help us

100about the way that we take our mowing equipment from one place to another and be able to keep everything together in terms of storage and everything else. So, I mean, there's some things that I feel like that we have that are that are needs. Um, it does cost money, but that's just the price of doing business. >> So, it's really just those first four that would be the initial buy of this, right? >> Yes. Yes. And then you think about looking at anything where you buy in seven years and you and you basically you're trading something in and then they're going to resell it or whatever the case may be. You're going to get something back for it. So in seven years we're actually trading in something that's still an asset and not as much

101of a liability as what we have now. Let's say seven years from now, something's got, I don't know, 50,000 miles on it, which is very, very attainable. And we trade it in with 77 years fleet maintained with 50,000 mi on it, we're going to get some return on investment to cut down the investment for the next round. >> Um, so that's I think that's another thing to consider is the fact that we can keep ourselves from having to be hit as hard as we move forward. But but Casey mentioned whoever was interested in leasing, we could certainly look into that. >> I'm open to all options. >> Yeah. I mean, I I remember like Carl said that the insurance is kind of why that stalled out, but it it does, >> you know, bring up

102an a good point with the you know, we're we're well under the mileage thresholds and and it kind of automatically keeps you in a newer vehicle, which would be good it sounds like for this. And I believe when we talked about leasing before there was some kind of stipulation they had to do the maintenance on it. I can't remember >> there's a maintenance piece in that that has to be guaranteed and I don't I don't remember exactly how that worked. >> You you got to take it to an approved vendor, but they were willing to approve vendors in our area to accommodate that. >> Well, to Tommy's point, if we if we stay local, then probably have that covered. >> Yes. Exactly. And I I think that's valuable. >> Absolutely. >> And typically where do

103we where does this money come from? >> That would be the next question. And if this is a direction that you are interested in us moving and I would encourage you to uh we need to look at what kind of fund sources we have for this. Obviously we always have the possibility of article 46 because this is correct because this would be a capital purchase. >> Is that right Millie? >> Yes. Yes, >> they are considered. >> But we also, I think, should look at some other options that include um is there any lottery funding that we could use for this as well? Um and I I just I don't know right now. I know there's one bucket of lottery funding that would be available for this. Okay. There are two, one that is not

104and I think there's one that probably is not. Um, another is we could make these purchases contingent upon um revenue that is saved at the end of the budget year. Last year we will we were Millie and the group >> were able to save $250,000. Well, if you were to take $100,000 and purchase a couple of vehicles with that, >> then you're still to the positive. Mhm. >> You know those are all elements to be con considered. The first step for me was do you want to go this direction. The second step is then let's look at our options and have another conversation and decide where that funding is going to come out of. >> I mean 1987 is not going to last forever. I don't say [laughter] I think >> I think the first

105question's answer. We definitely got to move. >> We got the good out of you. >> We got we got the good out of it. Somebody else may use it for 10 more years, but I don't know that it needs to be us. >> Tommy, so these are so I see they're kind of in order by when when they're due for replacement. >> Yes, sir. >> Would that all So that that's kind of in line with how like if you had to only pick one vehicle from the list or whatever. They kind of prioritize that way as well. >> Yes, sir. >> I went with and tried to keep it like we said in some type of budget bands. The first two years are a little bit heavier because I feel like that we've got a

106couple that are just more needy. There's one truck on that list that the bed is so rusty that it's fell down and there's a shock sticking through the top of it where the shock tower come through the bed. >> It's true. >> And where it's true story, you could put these in your maintenance budget. >> You know, we we build a maintenance budget. We're getting ready to start building a maintenance budget for uh 0607. just put this in as one of your line items and build it in. >> So, would it be fair to have like appropriate to have say like you and Millie look at that and see kind of just what are maybe some options and then we >> Yes. >> go back to the list and see what makes the most sense

107maybe. Is that how you would do that? >> I I would suggest that let us let us bring you options and then you all just say this is the one we want and then we make it work. >> Okay. >> Work on that surplus from budget at the end of the year. the surplus, it still has to fit into the category that we could purchase vehicles out of, right? Yes. Not just >> however, that the funding that goes into the fund balance generally is out of um 80 or it's out of 80 because none of that would come out of 20. >> No. >> So that could be used. >> Yes. That can be used pretty much anywhere that's legal. Okay. and we've tried to be good stewards and and and use them use them

108up. We haven't bought anything in the four years that I've been doing this maintenance in terms of well nothing. We bought nothing. >> So we don't normally go like we don't normally have one that we replace every year. So be good stay on a >> There's never been a plan for this and it's been a mistake not to be on one. >> Yeah, sure. >> We'll bring that to you in February. >> Okay. Okay. >> Are grants a possibility for this too? >> Um, it's a possibility. I've to be truthful, I've never really looked for grants for this type of thing. Uh, the, uh, Western Regional [clears throat] Educational Service Alliance, we call them RISA, has a grant person. Um, and it would be a simple oneline email to ask M Dr. McDer to find

109us some grants for this, and he will kill himself doing it. That's what he loves to do. So, I'll I'll make that happen in the morning. Okay. >> Thank you, >> Mitch. I think that's everything. >> Ready? >> Okay. I recommend that the Swain County Board of Education approve the consent agenda, including all the personnel and the minutes from the December 8, 2025 and December 23, 2025 meetings. >> Motion second. >> Any discussion? All in favor, raise your right hand. All right. >> I also recommend that the Swain County Board of Education approve policy [clears throat] 4400 and the annual revision of policy 4060, which is the Native American policy and procedures. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> Approved. I recommend that the Swain County Board of Education approve

110the 2026 school year budget resolution. Motion >> second. >> Any discussion? All in favor raise your right hand. [clears throat] >> There's all types of information underneath that. Um I don't have any plans to call any special meetings, although we do construction is is spinning again. had a conversation with Nate Vo today about water and sewer and I'll as soon as I have a little more information I'll bring you all up to speed on that and we may need to talk officially um soon about that. Um also have a call with Emily Kite um probably tomorrow to find out exactly where they are because there's continuing to work as well. um need to put on everyone's radar, every yours, theirs, anybody who might still be watching this meeting, uh that we are beginning to plan

111uh what to do about after school for the next school year. And one of the elements that we are strongly considering and talking about and need for you to be involved in soon as well is that there may need to be a daily student charge on that. Uh, I don't have figures right now of what after school is costing. Um, we'll put those together and then we'll talk about is that something that you as a board want to pursue. Um, and if so, how? Um, I think that a sliding charge would be our best interest in that, but I don't have any numbers right now. I just want that on on your radar and if the community wants to talk to you all about that, I think it's appropriate. Okay. or could you include in

112that how many students we're talking about? >> Well, all I can tell you is is kind of what we're doing right now. All right. Um Barbara, can you tell us about how many students we're serving in in after school? [snorts and clears throat] >> Um the total number I don't have, but we're around 15 to 17 students in all grade levels, elementary and middle, and we've got 15 to pre But um >> 15 to 17 waiting list that is still a waiting list. >> So it's definitely a large need. We just wanted to put this on a FYI so that you guys can be thinking about it so that when we come to you in the next meeting to really have discussion about it I wouldn't be surprising information but I [cough] enrolled and what

113grade levels and I can have it all for you guys. No decisions, just start the conversation and thinking. Okay. >> Because I just want to also mention the grant that has historically been applied for is not available to apply for this year. We did receive it last year, but it's not available to even apply for this year. This is the off year. >> So in a year from now, then potentially we would apply for the next two years. Is that right? Okay. But we're saying that in the fall, that year that's starting, there's no grant we can apply for for that. Okay. Casey, are there other grants? I don't know. It's a possibility because after school is needed everywhere. Another piece of that is staffing after school. You know, that's why we have a waiting

114list in a lot of places. Okay. [snorts] Um, also need you to know that we are in the process of working on the 2627 school calendar. I have a uh a meeting with a curriculum council tomorrow, teachers to start talking about that and their thoughts. Would love your input on that as well. Your thoughts, what the community may be saying to you about that. Um as we get into that, um Mitch, I may ask that we have a a member of the board come and help us create the final the final model. Okay. Right. um the audit contract uh with our what's the who what's the name of the company >> that does our um >> they they will have an audit contract to you hopefully next month it's been held up uh because the

115federal government and some other issues >> commission >> local government commission has that's right and that's in Raleigh um they haven't approve they're they're just dragging their heels in Raleigh right now Okay. Uh you can see that last year the cost was $35,000. They've increased it or they're projecting an increase of $250 for the this coming budget year. Um but we don't have a contract for that. All right. That's something that we have to have. Uh there was an I an RFP that was put out for that last year. >> Yes. And they were the selection. Okay. Just want to keep you a breast of that. Okay, all information. Any questions? That's all of the agenda items. Mitch, I believe y'all would like to go to close session. >> Do I have a motion that

116we move into close session? >> I'll make a motion for the board of education to go into close session pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes 143318.11 under subsection A1 and5 to prevent the disclosure of privileged or confidential information. >> Second. on favor. Bye. What about a number?