001You got one minute. There it is. >> There we are. >> Good morning. Today is December 17th, 2025. And this is the regular board meeting of Mobile County Public Schools. At this time, I am going to call this meeting to order. And I am asking Mr. Stringfeller to lead us in in prayer today. Our gracious heavenly father, we thank you for this wonderful day. We thank you for the opportunity to do good things for our neighbors and our friends and mankind in general. Our heavenly father, we're also thankful for the opportunity to serve our community and the most precious asset that they send to us every day, the students that we have. Our father, we ask for our blessings on our superintendent and his staff and all of our teachers and all of the staff
002members. uh please care, protect and inspire them as we get ready for the beginning of the new school year. We also ask for your protection for our f uh first responders both home and abroad. Uh we live in a troubled world heavenly father and only you know the answer to bring us the joy and the peace for all men especially in this joyful and holy season. These things we pray in thy name. Amen. 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. >> Thank you. >> Do I have a motion for the approval of the minute? >> I so move. >> Second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I >> Okay. I also
003ask for um approval of the agenda adoption. >> So move. >> Second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I >> All right. Thank you. All right. Do we have any announcements today? >> Mr. Swinfell. >> Yes, ma'am. I have a couple I'd like to say. First of all, one on a sad note. I received a message last night that uh Mr. Ben Glover, I call him Coach Glover, uh, passed away u yesterday. He was known as Mr. BC Rain. And the reason for that was he was the first head coach at BC Rain High School back in the mid60s and uh then became and as a teacher and then became an assistant principal and ultimately the principal of BC Rain High School. He lived on the Parkway, went to Riverside Baptist, everybody knew him. He
004was an honorable, wonderful man. And thanks to Miss McDade, who represents the school district, they named the new stadium after him. It's the Ben Glover football stadium like that. So, he will be greatly missed. And I just wanted to mention that for the board because he was a great uh person for Mobile County. He he served his whole life in the Mobile County public school system and was greatly respected. The other thing I want to say, and I've been thinking about this, and we've we've had a a great year so far, and we're getting ready to go into um 2026. And I'm looking around the room and I see our superintendent and Mr. Gatewood, Mr. Griswall, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Lot, Dr. Brackens, Miss Phillips, and I'm sure I'm going to miss Charles. I see you
005back there. I miss names and stuff, Miss Abrams. And I I want to say this, we have a great school district and they do a wonderful job. And these people that I've mentioned and the thousands that I cannot mention at this time that do uh that come and work above and beyond uh the time that they have to if it's an emergency, they're there. If it's something that's got to be done on the weekends, they're there. And I just want to let you know in this spirit of this season how much and I know all the board feels the same way. How much I appreciate what you do and what you have accomplished and as we go into the new year uh I expect our school system to become even better with the things that
006you're doing. So from my heart, I ask the Lord to protect you and inspire you uh as we continue into the new year. >> Thank you, Mr. Springfield. >> That's quite a sermon. Amen. >> Dr. Kshaw, any announcements? >> No. >> Okay, Mr. Parson, >> I won't throw my man in also, but >> Okay. Well, great. Mr. Hatcher, can you join us? >> No, ma'am. I'm good. Thank you. >> Okay. All right. Well, good. Um, we have any reports and recognitions today? stand over there. So, under the leadership of coach Brian Duke, the Davidson High School swim team had a great showing at the AHSAA state championship meet in Huntsville. Junior Payton Williams dominated the pool, claiming not one but two state titles. She broke school records and outswam athletes from across the state in
007both the 200yard freestyle and the 100yard freestyle races. And we can't see can't wait to see what she does next year. Now, we were talking to Coach Duke before the meeting and he says she's an excellent student as well. She is taking AP classes and she's already being recruited by several big division one schools. So, we look forward to seeing what you do next year and beyond. Payton. Um, I also want to mention that her teammates did pretty well at state. Um, setting school records and placing as finalists in their respective individual relay races. They are Dexter Cox, Owen Farmer, M. Morgan, and Miles Morgan. But we want to especially congratulate Payton on her two state championship titles. So, congratulations. >> And her parents are here. Can you stand just for a second so we
008can congratulate you guys? Yeah. parents. >> We know that's lots of waking up early and driving to the swimming pool and so we appreciate you guys as well. So, congratulations, Payton. >> Well, let me just say say this. Um, before I get to Payton, an outstanding student like this doesn't get in this position without wonderful parents that are supportive and behind that that student, their daughter, and what she is accomplishing here today. And I know their hearts are about to jump out of their chest now as a result of that. And not only as Miss Phillip said, she is a great swimmer. And I was kidding with Payton before I said, you know, you won the 100 meter freestyle and the 200 meter freestyle. I'm not sure if I had a jet ski, I could
009probably catch you because how good you are like that. But this is an example of the well-rounded student that we love to see in Mobile County. not only a great athlete but a great uh student as well like that and to be recruited and I'm not going to name these schools but I'm going to tell you you're going to be surprised >> really uh some of them are extremely elite schools like that and and the future for this young lady is just absolutely outstanding. Uh, in a minute I'm gonna give uh, Coach Duke an opportunity to uh, speak a little bit more about her, but I'm going to go ahead and give a certificate from the Mobile County School Board. Award is uh, presented to Payton Williams for the AHSAA state champion in the 200
010yard freestyle and 100yard freestyle. Pton, we are so proud of you and congratulations to you. And you just stay right there, young lady. And I also have a certificate of recognition awarded to coach Brian Duke for his Davidson uh high school swim team. I'm sure he taught them everything that they need to know and so forth. But it takes a good coach and a good mentor to do these things. So Brian, thank you very much. Would you please Austin, don't go away because in a minute. Go ahead. >> All right. Uh, thank you, Mr. Stringfellow. Thank you, uh, board members, Superintendent Threadgill. Thank you'all for your support, um, and everything going on. And I I do feel a little bit silly getting a certificate for everything Peyton has done because um she's accomplished this. Um
011and I will say just one other thing, you've been through MCPSS council and Phillips. So, you know, it's not just at Davidson. All along the way, uh you know, we've been here. So, uh congratulations. Thank you'all for your support, everyone. Um that anything do you need me to add anything about your swimming? >> All right. Uh hopefully everybody can get a chance to see her if the new pool opens in 2026. So yeah. >> By the way, uh mom teaches at council tradition which is Miss McD's school. I stand corrected. Uh, first kindergarten. >> God bless you. I tell you. Okay. >> Come on out there, man. >> Okay. Okay guys, one more. >> Thank you. Get it off. I was about four passes. >> Okay, then. All right. Thank you. Congratulations again, Peyton. Um,
012Mr. Superintendent, do we have any citizens requests at this time? >> No, ma'am. >> Okay. Without any citizens request, let's move forward with action items. >> Yes, ma'am. Uh so we will begin with action item G1 with kids first education. Uh it is to provide professional development for teacher effectiveness uh for 12 of our high schools, our middle schools as well as our elementary schools coming out out of title one funds also title two funds and carryover funds uh for an amount of $2,856,700. I ask that you approve action item G1. >> Madam chairperson, >> yes. In we have edited these items our council work session. I so move we approve action items one through 25. >> Action items 1 through 25. Okay. I have a motion. Do I hear a second? >> Second. >>
013Okay. Time for the questions. Uh any questions? All in favor? >> I. Any opposes? Motion carried. Next, Mr. Superintendent. >> All right, moving on to action item G26 is the termination of a lease for the Girl Scout of South Alabama of the Scott Shower uh property. I ask that you approve action item 26, termination of lease. >> Okay. Thank you. Do I hear a motion from the board? >> I do have one question. >> Yes, sir. >> Not a question, but it says termination. I just want to be clear. It is a termination, but they they gave it up. We didn't terminate them. So, just want to clarify that. >> Yes. They're they're actually moving to a property that they actually own. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> So, do I hear a motion? >> Madame
014uh President, I move that we approve action items G26 through G42. >> Second. >> Okay. We have a motion and second that we approve action items 26 through 42. Do for the questions? All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposes? >> Motion carried. All right, moving on to the consent agenda. >> All right, consent agenda, which will possibly be our last time to do the consent agenda in this manner. >> Uh so we will move to H1 uh with Mobile County Commission for Blunt High School. It is to provide funds to assist with the cost of girls uh uniforms for the basketball team. Uh again, that's coming out of county commission funds for $5,000. That's consent agenda H1. >> Do I hear a motion for consent agenda item one? So move uh we u approve
015consent agenda items one through >> one through good gracious one through >> 1 through 30. >> Yes. >> Okay. Do I hear a second? >> Second. Mr. On a second. Uh Mr. Superintendent, can you explain to them why the consent items going to uh be like this in the future? Yes, sir. Uh so, uh checking with council, we decided to the consent agenda items that are 5,000 and less. Uh we felt like that once we um once you guys view it, uh we're going to lump all those together kind of like we do the flowth through items. Uh so we won't individually take them uh line by line. We'll lump them together uh for the consent agenda for the work session and the board meeting. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Do I hear
016a second? >> Second. >> All right. Second. All right. Then we have a motion and second that we approve uh consent agendas 1 through 30. >> Um those in favor? >> I. >> Those opposed? Motion carried. >> All right. To consent agenda uh 31. >> Uh Lauren Lang to uh serve as the high school uh honors dance choreographer. Uh that's coming out of the uh Mobile County Public Schools dance education funds for $1,250. That's consent agenda item H31. >> Do I hear a motion for consent agenda H31? >> So move. >> Do I hear a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Move it. Motion made. Probably second that we accept >> 31. >> Consent agenda 31. No, you said 31. >> 31. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Motion carried. >> All right. Uh, consent
017agenda item 32 is American Book Company for Florence Howard. It is to provide 75 online subscriptions for third grade students. That's coming out of uh title one funds for $1,143.75. That's consent agenda item H32. Do I have a motion for consent item 32? >> Madame President, I move for approval of consent agenda items 32 through 44. >> Okay. >> Second. >> Okay. We have a motion and second that we approve consent agendas items 32 through 44. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposes? Motion carried. Moving on to the flow through items. >> Uh yes, ma'am. uh flow through items. Uh we have 1 through 10. Uh we've uh vetted these flowth through items which are our parochial and private school uh items that uh that are federal money. Uh so we will ask that
018you approve flowth through items 1 through 10. >> Do I hear a motion to approve flow through items 1 through 10? >> So moved. >> All right, we have a motion. Second. >> Second. All right. Motion carried. All in favor? >> I. >> So move approve. All right. Student expulsions. >> Yes ma'am. We will move to uh J1 uh through 15 which is listed under separate cover. I ask that you approve our J1 through 15 ex expulsions. >> Okay. >> Madam chairperson. >> Yes. Move for approval of student expulsions J1 through 15. >> Okay. Do I hear a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion, Mr. Stref? >> None. Okay. Motion carried. All right. >> We got a vote. >> Oh, those in favor? >> I. >> Motion carried. >> Why didn't you bring my name?
019>> All right. Move on in information. >> Yes, ma'am. information items. K1 are our monthly f financials and K2 purchase orders over 5,000. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Attorney. >> Madam President, we have eight billings that we discussed Monday. >> Yes. Madam Chairman, offer motion we concur with the recommendations on the said matters of listening and item 11 presented by the attorney. >> Okay. Do I hear a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Um motion made second. All in favor? >> I. >> Motion carried. All right. Do we have a scheduling of meetings? January >> 9 to January. Okay. All right. Um, >> we do have a regular meeting on the 26th. >> 26th of what? >> January. Okay. That's it. Okay. I was this month. >> No, it's January. All right. All right. Uh before
020we um join our meeting, we want to recognize and uh wish everyone a a happy holiday and uh take care, relax, especially of our uh employees who work for Mobile County Public School System because you guys have done a great job this school year and the first semester has been just outstanding. But we want to make a recognition of our board secretary and uh Miss Abrams has done a tremendous job for us. I know it's kind of hard putting up with four rowdy boys and a pretty girl, but uh with that being said, Miss Abrams, we want to give you uh we want to recognize you thank you for all your hard work and the things that you do and and I tell you that we really and truly appreciate everything that you do. I
021know uh you get phone calls all the time >> from f from the guys, but you know, I really appreciate you taking care of them. >> That's rowdy guys. >> That's sexist. >> I said rowdy guys. Okay. And this is just a token of our appreciation to you and we hope that you have a merry Christmas and and a happy holiday. Thank you. >> I would also like to add, Miss Abrams, and I was on the board before she was here, so I'm not telling her age. How long have you been on with this board? >> She knows the board very well. Yes. >> Okay. Good. >> All right. Any other announcement? Mr. Strange fellow. >> Yeah. I'd like to thank uh for the It looked like Santa Claus had visit us here like that.
022My first question was was it ticking or >> was it what? >> Was it ticking? >> Oh, >> okay. >> Maybe a little powder in that. >> Anyway, thanks. Thank you very much. >> Thanks for the gift. whoever gave it to us. Thank you. >> Well, I it it was from me. Uh and some of the boxes are different shapes and sizes, but I assure you it's the same gift. >> Well, I'm glad you cleaned up. >> Okay. Well, let me ask you this. Did you do the wrapping then? >> No, I did not. >> Okay. >> Mr. Parson, >> Mr. Hatcher. >> No, ma'am. >> Okay. >> Sorry. >> I want you. Okay. Okay, we have a motif drum right here. Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> So approve. All
023right. >> So, what' you say? >> No, thank you. >> Y'all crazy.