001Oh yeah. >> All that is if you lose something used to be bring it back up come to autumn. We ask Mr. Stringfellow uh give us some pledge. >> Okay. May we may we pray. Our heavenly father, we thank you for this day. Our father, we also ask your blessings on our school system and we ask prayers for our school board leaders so that we can understand the issues and work toward them together with a sense of unity. We ask your blessings on all of our teachers and staff as they work with all of our children uh in our system and also with our parents in the community. We also pray for our first responders as they are the ones that protect us um in in our country and our state and our local areas.
002All these things we pray in thy name. Amen. >> 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. [snorts] >> All right, Mr. Stringfeller, you have things? >> No. No, sir. >> All right, Miss McDade. >> No, sir. >> All right, Mr. Fel. No, sir. Mr. you. >> Yes, sir. I do. Uh in light of the situation at uh Ella Grant, um I would love to have cameras put in all the classrooms. I think it it was very instrumental in helping uh with the situation at Al Grant uh with the uh local law enforcement and I think it will help in the future as well if we put it in all the
003other classrooms. And last but not least, uh guys, we come here and we pray every day that we're here in these board meetings and we stand for the pledge and I would like to afford that opportunity to our children at our schools. So I would like for the board to consider putting on the next agenda to put prayer back in schools. >> That's a federal issue, is it, Mr. Attorney? So first amendment issue, separation of church and state. that uh >> Mr. Chairman, may I >> I don't disagree with the honorable board member. Uh there is nothing wrong and I stand corrected counselor that if you wanted a moment of silence to yourself or whatever, that's certainly possible. But you are right that is uh an issue of of separation of church and state even
004though as much as I would like for that to take place but we have such a diverse community that we have to take that into consideration but there's nothing that keeps uh an individual uh for having a moment of silent prayer to themselves like that. >> Okay. Miss McD that come. >> Well, [clears throat] in the past, I know when that was put into place in some of our schools, some of our teachers would let their class just stand for a moment of silence. Uh, in our stadiums before football games, we would have that and we would just ask our fans to stand for a moment of silence. uh whether they said a prayer or they wish uh happiness for their team, but that was [music] an opportunity for them to do what they needed
005to do. >> Mr. Boston, >> I think it's a great idea, the separation of states. I'd like to check into that. I know we did it when I grew up. I know >> my wife my wife did it as a teacher more so than ever [snorts] >> separation American flag all these things has been involved in and everything's been coming back I feel like >> if you went to the Supreme Court if you went to the Supreme Court we could last out that long with all the litigation they would probably they would probably affirm >> it have they already r have they had a ruling on that not recently the state but >> they've loosened it Well, as far as actual prayer in schools, it's still the law. It's illegal because it's violation of first
006amendment. Uh >> say it's illegal. I'd like I like to say that in writing or whatever legal document for that is everybody else, >> all our community will know the reason. >> I would support a test case. >> No, I'm not suggesting that. I'm suggesting I don't know what where we at now. I see other school systems, other states are doing it. >> Judge, Judge H got on the front page of Time magazine for allowing prayer in schools when he was on the bench uh Supreme Court overruled it. >> And then I think the question arises uh having prayer, whose prayer would you have said? because wait a minute just wait just a minute and then I I'll let you speak because like I said before we have such a diverse uh community in terms
007of cultures and religions and so forth. Uh but uh the counselor is correct that it's still the uh federal law that says that even though there's been cases that they've tried but they have failed also. But in response to Mr. uh uh um Parsons u when I was in school some 65 years ago. Yeah, I'm that old. Okay. um you know they had those kinds of things but over the many decades there have been many court rulings about that and all of those have uh failed as a result but because of the Supreme [music] Court ruling and so forth. So I see nothing wrong with uh the silent aspect of it. I mean that gives the personal uh prayer that somebody wants. But you have to be careful in our diverse society which prayers are
008you going to have and which ones you're not like that. And uh I just think those need to be and and like I said I I go to church. I believe in God. I I believe in all of those good things. And I think as a personal person uh those kind of things um uh are are fine like that but unfortunately the role that we have uh is a little bit different as the leaders for a public school system. If you were in a private school that or a parochial school then that's that's perfectly fine for them to establish that. But this is a public school where you [music] have such a wide range of people like that. >> Well, Mr. >> Mr. Chairman, let me say something. Go ahead. >> When this was initiated
009in Mobile County Public School System, the superintendent at that particular time, uh, and we had prayer, they would ask those kids because we had some parents that came before the board and said, "We don't want our children haven't saying a prayer in a classroom." Those children were asked to leave from the classroom. they would walk out of the classroom when that would happen but then it became such a hassle because kids didn't want to leave out of the classroom that we just stopped doing it overall which was like I agree with Mr. Stringfellow when he said that we have such a diverse group so we want to make sure that all of our kids are comfortable as they start at the beginning of their school day we don't want to be harassed by other kids
010asking why you have to go outside the door when we say the prayer >> Mr. Awesome. >> Well, you know, you always heard this, maybe you've heard it once out of schools have we done. You see in some people's mind the whole thing deteriorate whether it's through system, this country or whatever. God bing principle I think of our religion or our faith and some other people choose not to. I think they'll have choice not to say or be involved in it and we just have to work that out. But I would definitely be in support 100% of putting prayer back in Mr. >> Yes, sir. Well, going back to [clears throat] Mr. Stringfell, Mr. Stringfell, I understand what you're saying, but at the same time, we have prayer here. This is a government entity. Is
011it not this board? Mr. >> Well, let me let me say this. one I >> Okay, >> I'll let you speak. >> I was going to answer question. I was gonna answer yours. Remember, >> so at the end of the day, nobody's asked me am I a Christian on this board. Nobody has ever asked me. They've assumed. Good assumption. I am a Christian. And I think it is very hypocritical that we come up here and we do this, but we don't afford our children the same opportunity. >> It's not right. >> We follow the president of the United States Congress who's allowed to pray. >> Well, that's where the lost country. >> There's other states that are [music] doing this right now and are not having any problems and it's being widely accepted by the
012community. I feel like that as a board [music] we should, you know, hey, for lack of better words, put up a shut up. >> I'm personally in favor of prayer. My wife prayed in school and she taught. I'm just saying it'll take a lot of litigation. There's a there's an outfit called the Freedom from Religion. Ronald Reagan's sons ahead of it. Uh, and they jump on these things. We get three or four of these things a year. They would sue us. Uh, it's, you know, I hear we're going to be sued a lot of times all the time. That's all I keep hearing. As long we don't put you put cameras in the classrooms, you're going to get sued. Y'all be litigation. Let me tell you something. Had we not had those cameras [music] in
013the classrooms, these children would have never been able to have relief. Say that. >> Special ed classrooms. >> Yes, sir. >> They're they're required by law. As you know, >> when were they required by law? Let me ask you that. >> About a year ago. >> A year ago. When do we put the cameras in? >> I don't know. >> Okay. >> Uh but we can definitely put them in the We have to. It's not a discretion. >> I understand. But you know, when we know it helps, why [music] not do it? Why? Why? Why be reactive? Why not be proactive? >> So, there's [music] no other school system in the state of Alabama that legally can have prayer in school. >> The word is legally. I'm I'm I'm with you. I think we can
014legally do it. >> I want to make sure nothing's chased. You said Supreme Court and all this. There's been a lot of changes in the last [music] year or so. I want the latest. >> I'll I'll check with the Alabama Council of School Boards. I'm not aware of anybody ethically doing it school. >> One of the things that is occurring [music] with those entities, excuse me, school systems and stuff that are doing that, they're also involved in litigation at this moment about that. It [music] takes a while for that to go through the courts and so forth like that. So, uh, I know exactly some of the ones that you're talking about, some in [music] neighboring states and so forth, but they are also involved because of that, they're involved in litigation and we've even
015tried that in the state of Alabama. And to one other thing about the prayer, as the uh our attorney said, uh, normally our procedure is that before he he [music] or she gles in the meeting, we hold our prayer which our meeting is not officially until the our president uh gables in the meeting like that. So that's all I want to say. >> And another thing in the mornings we have prayer around the pole. Those are the children that's those are the children's chores. Now, if their parents allow them to come into their our school and we and our school take in at 7:45 at 7:30, we have children that gather around the flag pole and they have prayer, but it's not involving any and all students, but it's those children that who want to
016say a prayer for their schools and for their teachers and and administrators, they are allowed to do that. >> That's in Mobile County Public [music] School System. We always have prayer around the poll. Is that something just >> No, this has been going on for the past 10 years. >> So there's no separation there. >> No, there's no separation. Just those kids who want to be involved in prayer, they can go around >> being it's not organized by teachers. >> It's not organized. students take advantage of I mean well in the high schools the seniors that that do this >> because we do in our in some of our high schools we do have young young pastors and they organize sto uh prayer around the prayer around the flag pole >> whether it is written
017I think we have the news media here maybe we can get something moving on that and see what see what the uh our community wants or what our country wants or our state wants uh somebody's got to do And I I feel like it's worth >> I feel like grand that's all I want say I feel not what you want grand stand with grand >> well I know I touch every office want this information want this information whether a man we [music] pay to uh to get information investigated or bring it I feel like a grand stand. Let's go on board. >> Well, then you might want to talk to the sheriff about that because the sheriff is the one and the DA is the one that compelled that. >> Subpoena, if you want to
018talk about it, let's talk about it. >> Fine. You talk about that. I I'll go on with the beat, please. >> All right. We will begin with our actions action item C1. >> Excuse me. >> Yeah. Oh, >> we didn't go first. Okay. Can we get a motion for approval of minutes, please? >> Some move. >> Get a second. Okay. All in favor say I. I. >> Motion car. >> Announcements. You have. Okay. Report some recognition. >> No sir. >> Action item is superintendent. >> Citizen request. No sir. All right. Action item C1 is our annual pledge revenue for 2026. Uh it is reserving uh revenue funds to meet our debt services and our operation operating obligation. That's C1 pledge revenue for 2026. I ask the board to approve action item C1. >> Pledge of
019the board. >> Mr. Chairman, since we've already vetted these items in our work session, I ask that this board approve actions items 1 through 31. >> 1 through second. >> Second. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> I'm sorry. Uh all in favor say I. >> I. >> Uh we forgot u adopted the agenda. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Pers. in the adoption agenda the items uh the items uh requested by Mr. had to refer to the superintendent uh look at the cost with the attorney look at the legal uh ramifications of student our school. >> Okay. >> Is it common consent? >> Yes, >> that's common consent. >> Thank you. >> Yes. >> All right. Yeah. >> All right. So, we you want to move on to action item >> 32. >> C32. Mobile County Commission
020with Pearl Hascue. It is to provide funds to purchase metal benches. Uh it is again coming out of the county commission funds for $10,000. I ask that the board approve action item C32 with the Mobile County Commission. >> What's the pleasure of the board? >> Mr. Chairman, I move for approval action items G32 [music] through 50. Sir 50. >> 50. Yes, sir. Okay. We got a second. >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> All right. Action items G51 with culinary art renov art art renovation for Baker Blunt Davidson MGM Williamson and Viger. Um we went with the we had two bids. We went with the lowest bidder that was Tindle Construction uh for $1,925,000 and that's coming out of local funds. I ask that we approve action item G51, culinary art
021renovations. >> Isn't that tied to uh the accreditation? >> Yes. Yes. Yep. >> Move proper second. Well, what's the motion on that? >> Make a motion to approve. Get a second. >> Second. >> All right. All in favor say I. I. >> Motion car. >> Yes sir. Action item G53 is architectural se selection with Mayor G. Montgomery GM up upgrade. Uh we went with Ward Scott Morris. Uh that's coming out of uh state legislative fund. I ask you to approve action item G52 architectural se selection. I'm ask Mr. Park that well I know it was earmarked for for that from the state senator Jack Williams and it was their mark and uh they definitely need it. So I'd like to make a motion that we accept that second. >> All in favor say I. I
022>> I motion car. >> Thank you. >> All right. Action item G53, execution of hunting le lease with Harold Shields, the Ben Hamilton track for 40 acres. Uh the financial impact uh to the board is $630 over two years. I ask that the board approve action item G53, execution of hunting lease. >> Mr. Mr. Chairman, Mr. Chairman, I move for approval action items G53 through G60. Sir. >> All right. Second. >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Motion pass. >> Okay. >> Uh action item G61 through G70 is personnel listed under separate cover. I ask the board to approve those personnel action items. M of the board. >> Mr. Chairman, I move for approval of those uh action uh 61 through uh 70, sir. >> Okay. Second. >> Second. >> All
023right. All in favor say I. >> I a motion car. >> All right. If there are no questions, we move to the consent uh agenda. Uh which is what letter is it? is H1 Alba Shrine Center uh for the 2025 middle school cur career day that will be held Tuesday, November the 4th and also Wednesday, November the 5th. It's coming out of Carl Perkins federal funds for $5,000. That is um consent agenda item H1. >> What's the pleasure of the board? >> Mr. Chairman, again since we have vetted this in our work session, I ask that this board approve um consent agendas 1 through 30. >> Okay. >> Get a second. >> Second. >> All in favor of the motion say I >> I care. >> All right. Consent agenda H31 is heart of Mobile
024Service League for John Will. It is to provide uniforms and other clothing items to some students. Uh that fund source is coming from Heart of Mobile Service League. Uh that's consent agenda H31. >> What's the pledge of the board? >> Make a motion to accept H31 through 36. >> All right. Get a second. >> Second. >> All right. All in favor say I. >> I. I. >> Motion carries. >> All right. If there are no questions, we move to flow flow through item which are our private school items we have listed here 1 through 16 uh that would have been vetted during the work session. I'll be happy to go over all of them, but they're action um flow through items 1 through 16. >> Mr. Chairman, I move for approval flow through items 1
025through 16. Sir, >> get a second. >> Second. on a second. Mrs. uh Mr. Chairman, just briefly tell us about the follow through items. >> Right. These are our federal funds um that our private and parochial schools are um allocated as well as long as they're uh deemed themselves as title one schools. Uh we're just the conduit, the vessel where the money runs through it. So all the contracts have to come through us um to be audited through our system. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> Yes, sir. >> Was it pleasure? >> We've done that and second. >> All in favor say I. >> I a motion car. Okay. >> All right. If there are no questions with fro flow through items, we move to uh our expulsions and they are listed under separate
026cover and as you can see they're one through six. I ask that you approve the student expulsions. >> Mr. Chairman. Yes, >> Mr. Superintendent. Uh the great majority of these are uh long-term suspensions with placement at the alternative school. There is one exception. Number three, [music] we have already uh had a hearing on and that was a true expulsion. >> Yes, sir. >> So, you might want to make note of that on there. and u pursuant to our discussions at the board meeting the other day. I think u dividing like you did with the flow through items and also the small contracts by the schools if we can group those after you and the your staff and the our counselor has vetted them we can uh we can act on them uh concurrently really in
027a quickly manner like that. So I think that may be something that can be done in future board meetings like that. >> Yes, sir. Thank you. >> Be my suggestion anyway. >> Okay. >> All right. On to the information items. Um K1 are the monthly financials as well as K2 purchase orders over 5,000. >> That's it. Mend. Yes, sir. >> Mr. Turn. >> Yes, we have uh 12 now. We had got one yesterday that I sent you. 12 now. Employee agreements. Uh I sent emails to the board on 9:22. uh four on 924, one on 101, one on 10 9, one on 1010, one on 1020, one on 1022 that involved an amendment, >> one on 10 uh yesterday, I'm sorry, one on 23 and then one yesterday. So there 12 altogether that the board
028needs to act on while the board is aware that these items are presented by the attorney. Anybody would be review >> everybody. >> Yes. >> Okay. What's the pleasure of uh Mr. Chairman? Pursuant to the settlements that have been reached by our HR division and our uh attorneys here. Uh I move that we accept the settlements [music] in these case. >> You got a second. >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. Oppos. Mr. >> No changes. Next one was 12th. >> That'd be November. >> 19th is a work session. It's going to be after the work session. >> Yes. 12:30. So we have we have student hearings early and then the work session and then the employee hearing after that. >> No, that's fine with me. I don't have an argument. >>
029All right, Mr. Stringfeller, you have anything else? >> No, sir. >> All right, Miss McDade. >> No, sir. >> Mr. Parson? >> Yes. I I have request of the superintendent uh I might could get it but uh I haven't for whatever reason. I need an organ organizational chart of everything above principle and I would like to have name, job, description and salary above principles not the principles but everything from there up all principles >> not principles I just need above principles name job and salaryove And I like to get a paper. I mean, you sent it, but I need a I want a paper copy, printed copy, >> yeah, but I need to do so I understand. >> Mr. Hadson, >> uh, just reiterate the school uh, and West Mobile, the need for a new
030school. Uh, we got any anywhere on that? Have we selected architect? Anything, designs, nothing? Thank you. The only thing that concerns me with that particular project of I think we're okay. I think we were donated. How many acres? 50, >> 40, >> possibly some more. >> That's probably million dollars worth of land. I'm assuming not there in that area. I certainly don't want to lose that land. We can purchase some more somewhere else. But I I think that we >> I think that my understand that can happen or we don't make some kind of some kind of effort. I know they already supposedly the county is engineering the road through there. Now again, I don't want to lose the property that we have for some unknown reason because I know we have been very fortunate
031to get that donated to us. >> Motion to get a second. All in favor say I.