GWD 51 School Board Meeting - 4.21.25

001[Music] So yeah, pretty If you'll join me, we'll begin. And I'd like to begin with a short invocation. Heavenly Father, be with us as we seek to make productive decisions for our district. We humbly beseech you to grant us the ability to listen in love, to share with honesty and transparency, and to speak with truth and clarity the goals we seek to accomplish. 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. You have before you the agenda that was in the board packet. Are there any additions or corrections you seek to make? Hearing none, the chair asks for a recommendation to approve the agenda for this evening. I'll make a

002motion to approve tonight's agenda. Thank you. Is there a second? Second. Thank you, sir. Is there discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed? Motion carries. Likewise, in your packet, you found the minutes for the March, 2025 meeting. Are there any additions or corrections to those minutes as they appear in your packet? Hearing none, the chair asked for a motion to approve the minutes for the March 2025 board meeting. I'll make a motion to approve last month's meeting. Thank you, sir. Is there a second? I'll second. Thank you, ma'am. Is there discussion? All those in favor say I. I. I. Those opposed? Motion carries. hearing and seeing no public input at this time, the chair defers to Dr. Crockett as to present the heart of a hornet recognition. And representing the board this

003evening is Mr. Rodney for Good evening everybody. It's great to see everyone here. Thanks for thanks for being here and I hope everyone had a a great long weekend, Easter weekend, and uh we're thrilled to be back at it again. Lots of great things that have taken place this month, but at this time we wanted to recognize a really great group of individuals and our FFA uh group, our organization is just just on fire the last last couple of years. I couldn't I couldn't be more proud of the work that they're doing. I mean uh everything from um uh going to the national convention to to even here just this um past weekend I believe not this weekend one prior was um the wildlife habitat education state runner up if I'm not mistaken. Yes. And

004so very very proud of our kids. They they are a really active bunch. anything that's going on, they're they're very enrolled um involved in it and just a a smart group and they know their stuff and boy did it show during this uh uh competition and so I asked if we had a shot at first place and Zian had said yeah it was in striking in distance so that was good very very proud very proud of them and so tonight I'd like to recognize our our um our our group I think we have Zion Lida is here and so I'll ask her to come on up and we also of Dustin Lewis. And so I'm going to go ahead and get your picture right in front of our monitor here. I got a little certificate

005and they're going to be our heart of the winners. We also had Brooklyn New and uh Christina Young who are not here today, but um they they did a great job and their their pictures in the back. So pass them out. Congratulations. Absolutely. Great job. Well done. Good job. Well done. [Applause] And if it's okay, uh, I'd also like to recognize their sponsor. I know she wasn't expecting it, but um everything from everything from our uh national convention to our state conventions to uh going to uh field trips, we were pig showing, you know, picking up pigs and and loading them up on trailers and and just giving kids opportunities to to learn. Um Ally Kak's doing an absolutely jam-up job. our our our kids love her. Our staff respect her uh because she's working

006hard and that's um after she gets off the softball field as an assistant coach of our softball team as well. Earned her CD, all sorts of things. So Ally, what a what a jam-up job you're doing. I know your great grandpa would be really really proud of you and um and I'd like to present to you the Heart of the Hornet Award as well. [Applause] There we go. Thank you. [Applause] The chair will again defer to Superintendent Crockett for his superintendent update at this time. That was uh a great way to start and I know um for for those that are in attendance, our students that if you wanted to stay, you are welcome to stay, but this is a really smooth transition for you if you want to take you and your family. Moms

007and dads, thanks for for for being here and we appre appreciate it very very much. Good to see you. lots going on since we last met last month. And so I wanted to kind of bring to uh the forefront some some things to be proud of, some some things that we're working on and and just kind of get a little bit of a um a lay of the landscape, understand where where we are and and so uh what I wanted to do uh first and foremost is I I want to kind of keep rolling. The last couple months, we've been talking about our mission development, and I I think it's really important for us to to understand obviously want we want a a rigorous and well-rounded education. Obviously, we want to make sure that um

008we are just helping students discover their own talent, not the ones that we create for them, but their own talents that they have, and we're going to draw that talent out, their gifts. And then also um making sure that we are having a commitment to excellence in in in all that we do. And and this idea of every student matters and every student in our district knowing that we care for them is really the forefront of our mission. And so we are starting to see that this mission is coming to life. And I want to bring this uh attention to our um uh how we're trying to promote this. And I think last last month I had shared that we were uh going out to our schools. I've met with each one of our our

009staff to share with them what our our purpose, what our mission is. And so that's understanding it. We released of course um our mission uh about close to two months ago. And now we're kind of trying to make sure that it's not just words that we push out there or that are on the wall, but this is something that we embody. This is our identity that we can recognize. And so we met as a teacher leaders meeting. We usually meet about once every month, once maybe every other month. And um I lean on them heavy because I I want to ask and I asked them a bunch of of of questions, feedback, get some insight from them. And one of the questions that I had asked them was, you know, why why school district? What

010se separates us from all other districts? what's the appeal that we have here that you just can't find anywhere else or what's our identity? And so it was quiet for a minute and then I said, "No, really, I want you to answer." And then so after a few little a few little dramatic pauses, it it really came to shine and it was really quick and very easy to discover. It really was along those lines that in here, every student matters. We know all of our students. And so I asked the question too. I said, you know, if we were to go ahead and to generate these ideas of, you know, why we're SH school district, what would we see? We see, okay, well, our principles know all their kids. They know them by their names.

011And we know that um our high schools high we could see a high schooler talking about safety. That would be important to us. We have teachers would highlight their class size and the support that they receive. And parents would even ep uh would be emphasizing their opportunities even things like dual enrollment opportunities that that are just out there um for for them to take advantage of. And so we captured that and I want to share with with you now. You're going to be the first to see this, but this is our um our first first release of this concept that we kind of developed in this teacher leaders meeting and that being of one where why would you choose where Shaw school district? What makes us separate be separate from from all other districts? and

012and I know you're going to get caught up in in looking at it and it's exciting to watch, but if I can encourage you to just listen to the raw conversations that are being held here and the and just the the things that these individuals are saying and you can see the the pride that they have in our district and what truly makes us unique. And so I'd encourage you to listen to what's being said. [Music] Good morning. Good morning. Good morning. Good morning. Have a good day. In Warshaw School District 51. There a sense of home and trust that is such a small community and you know everybody here. I think that helps in the classroom. I think that helps in the school as a whole and you know that you can always come

013back home because once a horned always a hornet. Immersing myself in the wear shows community has meant more to me than anything in my life is because I felt a sense of connection like we're all one big family. I feel like the teachers at the middle school has really wrapped their arms around my child and helped him become his best self. I love that I can be me here and wear shows. I'm really thankful for these opportunities to be able to get to know and be able to work with these kids and be part of this district in many different ways. Being able to see this small town hometown really making a difference in the number of young people's lives. I feel safe at Wes High School because I know I can talk to any

014teacher or counselor about all concerns I have. When I was a student at Wear Scholes, I was able to receive a great education that laid the groundwork for me to go into college successfully. And the reason I decided to come back home and actually start teaching at Scholes is because of that same support that I received when I was a student here. And I knew that I would receive that support as a teacher as well at Word School District 51. I matter. I matter. I matter. [Music] That's what separates us. It's students that are enrolled here. Um they're we know who they are. We know their families. We care about them. Uh we know the needs that they have. We know how to support the best way that we can. And um and they matter

015here. And I think that's important for us to to to kind of not only just acknowledge it, but to kind of showcase um that's that's who we truly are. And so um we'll be pushing that out. I think that's important for for us to to make those celebrations to to um find our identity and to kind of push that out to the to broader audiences. So, uh, I gota I got to give credit to to Blake and Natalie Bishop did a really great job uh piecing that together and and capturing it in in video of what we all know uh to be evident here in our district. And so I I I'm extremely thankful for that. I know there were students who are watching, you know, even virtually right now because they haven't seen the

016video, but they were excited about being a part of it. And so they wanted to they're they're watching this uh meeting right now just so they could see the first glimpse of the video. And so um lots of lots of great things taking place and and um what a great way and a great message that kids hear. They they matter and and our employees they matter and um and they feel that and that's that's that's so important and so great to see. Uh I'd like to transition and also kind of share some some other great news. you know, don't mind. Um, I wanted to share that we have a countdown to graduation next month. It's happening. It's happening. And so, on May the 6th, we have our academic awards day. On May 9th, we have

017our senior day. May 12th through the 15th, senior exams. May 18th, senior day. And I'm going to talk about that in just just a moment. It's a little new this year. And on May 30th, we have graduations take place at 700 p.m. And I couldn't be more excited. I am I am I am so excited for this great group of graduates that we have. Some of them have some work to do uh to get there to celebrate and join us. Uh but we're we're pushing and uh I know they're going to step up to it. I want to talk a little bit about senior day. A little bit different um makeup and I want you to be aware of this and I'd encourage you to to be in attendance. on May 18th, uh we're uh

018practicing uh something that's going to be called senior day and we're going to honor our seniors and uh and and I want them to to understand that um it's a special thing to graduate and that we we are celebrating with them and so we we're going to try to honor them in a special way on senior Sunday which is May 18th. So um starting at four o'clock students will arrive at the high school. We plan to have um a photographer here that in their cap and gown. I know we have some of our students uh will do like a photo shoot a shot like around campus where they'll be all over there taking pictures and that's great, but we have a large majority of our kids that that don't um have the ability to uh

019have hire a photographer. We want every one of our graduates to be be proud of what they've done and be able to capture that moment and their cap and gown. And so, um, all of our seniors will be, uh, allowed the opportunity to have one photo, um, taken, uh, here on campus. And then we'll transition to having a closed senior supper. And so, we'll take we'll move into the cafeteria. We have a a catered meal uh for them. and um and so it'll be just for those seniors, but then there'll be some special guests and that'll be open to our entire um uh faculty will be able to join us. I think it's important that a kindergarten feel just as connected with these seniors as as a as a 11th grade teacher. I think it's

020important for the the fifth grade fifth grade teacher, the sixth grade teacher that's here to be able to connect with those that you've taught. And so during that senior supper, there'll be an opportunity for our our staff to come in and and reconnect with our seniors and just pour our support out to them. And then we're going to take the show on the road and we're going to walk down to First Baptist Church and uh which is about I think 3.8 miles away. We can handle that. It's just it's less than half a mile. But we'll walk down and and along the way, this is where you're going to start seeing where this blend, and this is why I'm so excited about this program. It's a blend of district 51. It's a it's a blend

021of our community, our community of faith, our town council. We'll we'll share in that in just a moment. All kind of coming together and just showing support for our graduates and and uh celebrating them. So along that route, we're asking that our community will come out. They'll line the sidewalks. We'll cheer for our seniors as they go um working their way to First Baptist. Uh our seniors will be the first people in uh to First Baptist. And then we're asking that uh encouraging those who are along the player uh parade route as they go by to follow in and um then all of us join join them for that balorate service. But it's not over. Um afterwards we're just going to keep keep on walking and we're going to go down to Katherine Hall of

022Katherine Hall in our town uh council and mayor and town council are going to uh have a Sunday Sundays. So right there near the gazebo, they'll be having ice cream for them and their siblings and just again an opportunity to to connect with our seniors to to p pour honor on them and and just celebrate what a great job they've done and and and so I met with our seniors uh last Tuesday. I shared with them about these these events. They were extremely excited about it and um and lots lots of excitement about it which is which is wonderful. I'm glad to do that. I'm super thankful for the support of the ministerial association as well. They had said, "Hey, what can we do to help?" They're catering the meal. They're paying for the photographer

023and just saying, "Hey, let us know what we can do to to kind of help." And so, we're encouraging everyone to come out and and um and build on this excitement and to to see our graduates is uh take that next step in life and and for them to be proud of of where they've come from and to see how much our community cares for them. And so that will be uh senior Sunday. All right. So other other great things taking place, we have river safety training that's going to take place on May 27th. So we'll be taking our I think it's our fourth graders that we take each each year. It's starting to warm up. We're starting to see a little bit more activity at the at the river. So we're we're not only

024sharing with them river safety, but also um what to do in case of emergency, which is just important. and um and so they're they'll be well trained and and um and so just showing that our district's a part in trying to keep our students safe even in the summer months. And so we've been doing this for for many years now and appreciate Western Lawrence for um their their service and being able to provide uh river safety. I want to kind of give a lay of the land of our budget and where we are financially as well. And uh we are uh working on uh uh taking a look at what the House Ways and Means have projected for for revenues to come in, our county appropriations and our tiered funds. And we we worked our

025way through that and we're starting to anticipate that we should have a little bit more than um uh $11 million coming in for revenues. uh the budget that we currently have in place right now that we're drafting and and working on. Just know that this is just a snapshot in time that so much so much changes and changes even probably from this morning. Uh with every hire there's this the budget change. So it's very fluid. So we're projecting a budget of around 1.1. Uh we still haven't taken into account utility increases. So we're we're that that's yet to go in there. But as of right now, we're looking at a um a deficit of $118,000. But we're looking at ways to be able to see if we can start uh um uh reducing uh that

026deficit as much as we possibly can. Uh trying to uh shift shift some shift some roles, use some federal funds and some creative ways to see if we can help uh reduce that deficit. I do want to remind us that we we had um close to around 1 2 million in in um in unexpected budgeted uh expenses this year. And so that was um we we knew that going in. We had lots of um uh upgrades and and so we're we're excited about that. And our our fund balance still remains in a in a healthy um healthy healthy state. Now, we say all of that that even though we're we had a deficit budget last year, we have we're projecting a deficit budget as as hard as we're trying to have a balanced budget this

027year that uh it's not just unique to our district. I think all of us would be naive to to think that it's just um happening here in our district, but it's all around. And so um we're just having to be m extremely mindful of that as to making sure that if it's a a backtoback year that we're uh one most importantly have a plan in place, a fiscally responsible plan in place, and that um we're seeking ways to um get ourselves back to a balanced budget. I think this is a this projection is is is a a good one. I think we we're able to make some steps to reduce that deficit. Um but I I also know that um there's there's more work to be done and um and and and we'll dedicate ourselves

028to to looking at every avenue to see what we can do to to to improve upon that. Um, also for the first time, you're the first to see this is the um Wear Shoulder School's Hall of Fame inductees, class of 25. And so we have uh Dan Braian. I mean just I mean just looking at him up there just uh proud that he's there. Lyman Golden and Valerie Jackson, Joe Skinner and Face Sprouts as our will be our five inductees this year. So very very excited about that. appreciate the work of the Wsholes U Hall of Fame committee and uh we had lots of nominations this year which was great and hopefully we'll continue to build excitement for that and and that honor and we look forward to celebrating them. I think it's uh the

029middle of September. Um uh we're still having to work out a few little logistics, but uh very excited about the class of of 2025 and uh some some wonderful people doing some incredible things. Um and just uh just just very proud of that. Um finally, I just want to bring attention to um just the work that's being done. We had an incredible prom. Julie Madden and Carrie Pratt, they in the high school that staff, they worked so hard on that and the kids were so well behaved. Great. I mean, just just great. It's just so proud of them and it was wonderful. I know we had a our athletic program that we finished and that was that was wonderful for uh winter sports and that was great. And then we had um the primary school

030read across America and it just seems like they're celebrating every day something special and they're in rating. And then the the culture is being um induced at the uh at the middle school. I just saw the Easter egg hunt that they they have with the staff that was there. Just a clever idea and and Miss Webb and the and the great job that she's doing down there. So, so many great people doing great things in in our schools. And so, with that, that would um like to end my superintendent update for this month. And if you have any questions, I I'll be glad to answer. Are there any questions for the superintendent? Dr. market. That is an amazing report and I thank you very much. The chair recognizes the wear ad Mr. Chris Dodson for

031an athletic update. Thank you, sir. Okay. Hey, how y'all doing today? Good, sir. I'm going to get right into it. I'm I'm not going to insult you. I kind of got everything laid out and I'll just highlight it and go at it. That way I don't take up too much of your time and get longwinded because sometimes I can start chasing rabbits. So the last time I was here, we were we finished up the uh fall sports and kind of updated it where we were there. We're going into winter sports. So picking up with winter sports for now. We ended the season. We had four teams. We had varsity girls, varsity boys, C team girls, C team boys. We only had four teams competing. So, the uh boys varsity highlights as you read through it,

032our head coach was Trevor Bryan. Assistants were Tommy Wooten and uh Jatz Coleman. We've had 11 wins on the season in varsity basketball. Uh it was the the most wins since 2016 uh in the program. So, we're the the basketball and boys is trending upwards. Um Jace Medlin scored a thousand points for his career against Dixie at the end of the season. He was the first thousand point player since 2017 18 season. Uh we had a school record 97 points in one game in regulation. In that game also freshman Charles Callahan set a school record for most points in a game of 46. So, with him being a freshman, the uh boys basketball is on the on the uprise. We're we've got things working in the correct way. Kind of pigging back piggy back off

033that. Boys C team basketball finished with 11 wins this year. They went 11 and three. It's the most wins of C team basketball since the interception of C team. And C team is like a sub varsity sport. So, it includes ninth grade, eighth grade, and seventh grade. It's just not middle school. So since where Scholes has started the C team, like I say, that's the most wins since that's come about. Moving into the girls varsity basketball. Ben Weld is the head coach. Qua Coleman is the assistant. They had 10 wins this year. 10 wins is uh is is uh the record for probably the last 10 to 12 years. I think that we went back that 10 is we hadn't had double digits in a while. 2009 is is what we researched and got back

034to. So, uh, Coach Webb and the girls, they they they're they're trending up as well. Along with that, Stella Iorn was voted as uh 1A all state this year and she's only a sophomore, so we're young. And kind of piggy in backing with the C team girls. Uh it's on the back of the first page. Uh they went seven and two. That's the most wins for C team girls since inception of playing C team. And they only had six players this year. So they won seven games with only six girls. And if you don't know much about basketball, you play five at a time. So we had one sitting on the bench. So I mean, and you have five fouls. If you foul out now, you only have five on the floor. So I mean,

035those girls uh they showed a lot of resilience uh to play the amount of games that they played and nobody ever fouled out. So they they it it the girls basketball is on upswing. Uh honestly, we probably look to be more talented in girls basketball than boys in the upcoming years. It can it's going to be real fun around here because the girls coming are are pretty talented. Uh the I kind of did a brief synopsis there for right now through winter season. Every varsity sport has qualified for the playoffs. Wow. So, every varsity sport qualified for the playoffs up through fall and winter. And I've got the teams listed there. Also, um we made it through the winter season and we still have not had an ejection. As of April 21st, we still not

036had any ejection through spring sports. So, we're one of the at the time when the high school league sent it out, there's like the top there's 25% 25 28% of the schools left that still haven't had an injection in the state and we're one of those. That's cool. So, you know, we're we're looking forward to trying to end the spring sports within no objections. And I don't know what percentage of the state will allow, but something will be sent out, and I'll share it when it does. I also went ahead and uh did a GPA ranking for you. Uh, if y'all kept up with the emails I send out, I try to let you know by season the GPA and where everybody's at. So, through spring sports in their sport, we had 13 varsity teams.

037And that's those teams ranked in order from top to bottom. And then if you'll flip over to the next one, we've got our sub varsity teams, the JBC teams, GPA, and there's nine of those, and they're ranked in order from top to bottom. Uh if you notice the lowest GPA that we have is a 3.01 which if you have a B average as a student that means you're maintaining a 3.0 average. So all of our teams sub varsity and varsity are at higher than a regular B average slightly 3.01 01. But um I think that's a testament and to the dedication and the hard work of our student athletes. And I emphasize student there because I mean we are students first and I think that shows that our coaches are prioritizing academic excellence. I mean

038it it doesn't mean a thing if we're not doing it in the classroom. So we're we're there to be good ambassadors of wear shaws in the community and to show that we're good young women and good young men. I think that's one step towards that and I think the kids are showing it. I think the coaches are showing it. I think the teachers are helping. I mean it's one big family all working toward the goal. Uh leading into spring sport updates. So, I'll go by baseball's kind of I don't I didn't involve all the details. So, right now we're sitting in a three-way tie at second. Uh or I'm sorry, got softball. Baseball, we're sitting at third, but we're in a tie hypothetically for second with Abyville. Uh Dixie is going to win straight out.

039Depending on what happens over the next week, we could end up with a two-way tie with uh Abbyville. If that comes about, we're gonna have to do a coin toss to see who will uh host the playoff game or play in game with us and Abbyville. Both of us will be in. It'll just determine if we're the second seed or the third seed. Regardless of where we get, if it's second or third, we will host a first round playoff game whether we're second or third in baseball. It'll just determine which district that we go to. Um, so baseball's, you know, there's uh there's not left there's not much plants left in the road to ho, but there's a lot of growth to get there. I mean, uh, they're over, they got this week with Whitmer.

040Uh, next week they've got a couple games and then they end on the following week on the first and then playoffs will be here. So, we're what, 10 days and softball sitting the same way. Now, softball is a little bit more overwhelming. So, that's where we're sitting in a three-way tie for second. It's us. It's uh Abbyville and it's Whitmer and we all playing each other over the next 10 days. So, there's going to be a lot lot going on coming with that. The coaches have already met and they flipped the coin. So, if there is a two-way tie with Whitmer and with us and Whitmer, whether it's for third place, fourth place, or second place, third place, however it uh shakes out, if there's a two-way tie with us and uh Whitmer, we will

041be hosting. If there's a two-way tie with Abyville, with us and Abbyville, we flip the coin and they won it. They will be hosting. Now, we don't know what it's going to be for, second, third, or fourth, but if we win second or third, we will host a first round game. If we end up fourth, we'll be on the road in in the first round, but we will be in the playoffs. So, that'll be two teams guaranteed in the spring. So, that carries us to soccer. Uh, soccer has one game remaining. I sent out an update. We've moved the guy in from Thursday to Wednesday because of weather forecast. After that game is done, I will send in our class A intent to participate form so that there'll be enough 1A schools to compete in

042the playoffs in order to have our own 1A state championship so that 1A and 2A will not be combined. That's great. And that way it gets more 1A teams in. If that happens, they'll do a selection committee and we'll know on May 2nd if we made it and where we're going. So, it's, you know, that'll be, it's kind of like selection day for basketball. Everybody be waiting to see if we made it and where we're going to be going to. Girls and boys track and field, uh, increased participation, more events. They increased the events they went to this year by a third. Uh, they've gotten more girls and boys out. We're doing well. Uh they're all working toward the Saturday May 10th 1A upstate qualifier. It is tentatively set for Westwood High School. That could

043change and I'll send that out in updates when it comes time for that, but they have to get things situated for the other classes and the high school to make sure they can host because they also have region meets they do. and you have to have certain size facilities in order to hold qualifiers. So there there's a lot of work in parts there, but tentatively it's set for Westwood and we will have several qualify which we will be going to the 1A state championship meet and having uh people compete in that off the qualifier and that is set in stone for Thursday May 15th at Richland Northeast High School in 20. Um that carries us to the last sport in the spring which is golf. Um they increased participation by more than double this year.

044Uh they've played twice as many matches. Most of those with the exception of two have I think they've had nine or will have nine matches. Uh I think two has been on the road. So where's Golf Course the community they bought in. They let the kids play there. I mean they go down there. Uh they let them play all summer. They don't charge. Uh we're having to host a uh 1A uh region one 1A uh golf tournament this year because of the amount of teams that have that golf team in our region. And that's us, Abbyville, Dixie, and McCormack. So, we had to have a tournament. We called around different places. They were going to charge anywhere from $30 to $40 a golfer. We talked to Zach down there at the golf course and he

045said, "Coach, just bring them. We're not going to charge you." So, we're getting to host it. They're not charging us. It's 18 holes. We're going to have all the kids. We're going to run it like a open tournament like the state tournament. So, everybody gets to play whether they're qualifying or not. If they're not in a top five, it doesn't matter. They've played all year. We're going to let them play cuz they deserve that chance like everybody else. That's great. That'll set us up for going uh to the 1A state golf tournament on Tuesday, May 13th at the Chester Golf Club in Chester. So, their season will be finished up on the 13th. So, that's kind of everything for right now. Uh, things I don't have there. Um, we already have our JV and varsity

046B or uh volleyball schedule set. I haven't shared them yet because there's still a few tweets to be done, but it's pretty much set in stone. C team football and varsity football is set. We're going to have six home games this year. So, uh we'll have more home games. We we'll be on the road very little. Uh we're trying to get halftime things set up because we're trying to do community events and get the community in. I'm letting Miss Ty, uh Miss Julie, Miss Carrie kind of figure out where to do what and how and then they'll tell me and then I'll label it and I'll get it sent out. We've got a physical set for May 6th at 12:00. The middle school's going to bus over. We're going to get them in and out

047and get them back to the middle school so that there's no problems with bus riders or anything. Then we'll start calling down the high school kids and we'll do bus riders first so that if we we go over that they'll be able to have time to make it to the bus and then we'll do car riders or guy or uh the girls and guys that are practicing, you know, they'll do theirs last. But the um Dr. Dr. Ringberg and uh all the doctors and his crew over there. He's bringing like four or five doctors with him. They're real good to us. Uh at Lakeland's that's or that that's who uh you know they they work with us with coach Tvar. Coach Tar has been amazing this year. I can't sing her praises enough. uh the

048the things that she's provided us. It's it's been overwhelming the things that she's done for us and has alleviated and make the coaches breathe easier. And that's that's it. Anybody got any questions? Do you get to go home sometimes? Sometimes. This is my second home. This is amazing. And it's a lot. I'm I'm just my congrats and my kudos to your coaches and to your organization, but every sport. That's that's wonderful. Thank you for all you do, coach. Appreciate it. Thank you, sir. Thank you all. Thank you. Thanks. Okay, I'm fired up now. The chair recognizes Miss Wells and Superintendent uh Daniel Crockett for a CDL update. Thank you. Um it's uh just wanted to provide a a quick uh upgrade update as to where we are with our CDLs and our our drivers across

049the district. Uh this has kind of been a a work in progress and um and we're making progress. We're not near at the the rate or not nearly as uh we've come this far, but we're making progress. In fact, are making progress as of late um um get getting there. We have one of our one of our coaches just actually last week reserved the uh the DMV permit and so that was uh got that in hand and so that's a big deal and now we'll start working up behind the wheel of the bus. We have three other coaches uh within the past week that had their uh DOT physicals. um they were able to get their uh start taking the the tests at the DMV, making progress there. And so um again, we want to

050get into a situation where we can have uh drivers for all of our sports teams. And I think everyone that's around this table would agree that we're looking at every avenue of of trying to trim our costs. I think this um as of March the 30th, I think it was close to $9,500. That was that was uh and maybe more than that as it's growing um that we have are dedicating to uh having our students transported for um athletics, extracurriculars, those types of things like that. And so those are areas that we're we're trying to address. Um and it's important to to to save those costs as much as possible. I think if I'm not mistaken, I tried to go through the athletic uh schedule before meeting today and I think we had close to

051103 events away events that we've had this year with all of our sports. And so um I'm thankful that we have we have folks um that have stepped up in in in some of our sports teams to be able to um um uh to cover that. I there wasn't an event this year that went by without having a a CDL driver. We're close on a couple occasions, but we've uh found a way uh to to to get people to where they are and not really just a we at the end of the day, we understand that this is uh a group of kids and we want them to to enjoy that and to give them that opportunity and we're willing to try to step up in in times of need to to make that work.

052Um, I think we we budget close to $12,500 um uh annually. It's in our budget. Um, we prefer not to use that, of course. Um, but those are uh funds that we've dedicated for extracurriculars um to cover the expenses for that. I I do think I'm in fact quite confident that we'll we'll use every bit of that uh if not more to um to finish up the season. We're glad for playoffs, but that also has expenses there, too. But, um, we're trying to do everything we we can to, uh, make sure our kids have those opportunities. But, if there's ways for us to trim costs, especially by having coaches being able to drive or other extracurriculars, um, band, cheer, those things, uh, to see if there's ways to reduce those costs, we we'll we'll make

053every effort to do that. And so, um, with that, um, that's a progress of our of our our CDL. Give giving you a little update there. And if there's any questions or I'll be glad to answer them at this time. Do we got like a plan in place like far as everybody's going through or like that list you had given or we've got a plan we're doing? I know last time we talked that we was trying to come up without y'all was going to come up with a plan or something to get everybody through. Um, yeah, I think um I think what's happening is um I can I can the best way I can answer that is I was I'm pleased with the progress we've made the last last week and a half. I felt

054like there was a a sense of urgency for um to to get this done. I see our principles and um trying to uh cover for for coaches and um allow them the opportunity to get out to to take tests to if there's test retests that need to be made uh for them to go get the physicals. Um I know uh the next step for those that as soon as they they pass the test is going to be a plan in place with Miss Tiffany Stark, our our our trainer. And so Miss Wells and I had uh spoke this afternoon uh about that and um trying to make sure that Tiffany's available to to be able to meet the demand. Uh we have deadlines in place. I think it's May the 13th uh for some of

055our coaches to to to have that training at the DMV completed. But a first step is to make sure they have that permit and that that permit doesn't doesn't kind of disappear. But that there may be some retraining on the state side that might need to to take place. But I think I think our principles will say anything and and they have a track record of being as flexible as they as they can to to make coverage for those coaches as they they go get it. So the ones that have their permit by the 13th will be pretty much they do they do they still have to go for the deadline or the No, the deadlines for the DMV license or or the state state bus test. So that's that's kind of the the the

056line in the stand. But when you have that permit, even if you have to go and get some more state training, you still have that that DMV permit in hand. Um it'd be really nice to get us to that DMV license to have it in hand. So all you have to do is add on the state testing if you need to later on. I got you. Thank you, sir. Thank you for the update. passing and I'm pleased with the, you know, the some progress that's been made. But I believe it was in our meeting back maybe November, December of 23, I think Mr. Quinn stated then, hey, we got to get these coaches to get their CDLs. And I think at the time we had two coaches to go through and got their CDL. One's

057no longer employed with the district, took a job elsewhere, one's not coaching anymore. Um, but to me it seems like we would have a little bit more progress made in 16 18 months time. Um, and this I look at the numbers, you know, you just flashed up for our 25 26 budget. Yeah, we're looking at $118,000 in deficit. The board just met a few weeks ago and we were talking about ways to save money and stuff. Um, looks like we're going to end up somewhere in the $12,000 12 to $13,000 range of spending money that we didn't necessarily have to spend on bus drivers because coaches don't have their driver's license. Um I realize it's a difficult test, but you know, again, we're talking 15 16 months time that when we first started talking about

058this, I would have hoped we'd been a lot further along than what we are now with just one driver having a permit. So, um, I hope that, you know, we can hammer down and get this done because, as we just mentioned, which is a good thing. We're in the playoffs. All the sports going in the playoffs, but, you know, we hope we are going to travel. So, we hope we're winning and going to travel soon. With travel comes cost, and that comes, you know, probably paying somebody else to drive a team and, um, the meter keeps running. Um, so I I do hope that um the coaches are are really committed to getting this done. Um, just 18 months seems like a pretty big window to have had more accomplished than just one person having

059a permit. I think uh I think the point you made is well taken. I think uh we we understand that. I think that that every um every event that we don't have a CDL driver, you know that you know that that uh the ticker runs. Um and this along with all other things that we're we're taking a look at trying to reduce funds and reduce spends as we we will. And I know it's I know it's even though it's there's a a budgeted for it, boy, if we don't need to use that, we sure could use that in a bunch of different areas. And um and so um point point well taken. Yeah. And I think it's that that's been a general concern. And I really want to thank the principles that create the time

060that sends them out because I know it's a hardship on you. Then you have to cover and you have to make sure it's covered and then that falls through. Um, so, um, I I feel like the individuals on this list are definitely committed and I I really want to thank y'all as administrators for for giving them the opportunity to get them done because that's the I guess that's one of the biggest challenges with schedules and um, a backtoback sheet on every sport going to playoffs. It's um, everybody's in there and I think we'll get there. I have great confidence Piggybacking piggybacking off what Shannon said, I guess my next question is the plan to get everybody on the list on that list because there some from what and I and correct me if I'm wrong.

061Looks like some haven't even started. Am I correct? That's fair. Yes, sir. Yeah. I mean, is that the goal to get them all there? I mean, I think that should be the ultimate goal. That's that's what I'm thinking. You know, I see some even started and you know, that's why I was asking about the plan to get it in place. like a plan in place like there's there's a bunch of I was trying to give it some thought today kind of prepping for for this evening and you know if it's either if it's tied to stipens if that's one way or if it's trying to if they don't have someone to to raise um raise those funds to offset the cost you know there's there's some I'm trying to come up with some ideas to

062say how could we absorb some of the cost for the CDL drivers and that's um if you were to ask do we have a plan in place I would didn't know. But do we need one? Absolutely. So, um, well, the reason what really brought me to it was I know last year at the same time, we was in the same situation where we was some our backs against the wall and here we are again this year. I'm like, are we, you know, I just didn't know what was I I'll tell you. I think um the I think the one thing that's different this year from from last year in all honesty is is that there are a group of people who are going to refuse to let kids uh miss out on opportunities. I think

063uh one was right here, which was Ally, and she she was able to to knock that out. We have Tommy Clamp at the very back here. he's dedicating himself to make sure that there's um kids get to where they need to be. And so that's really been the difference between, you know, uh this year and and last year. We had a couple situations where either games had to be rescheduled or we had an issue with playoffs or things like that. And we were close, we were close here even this past week. Um but um we can easily see how much relief comes when we have more numbers and and um And I I think all of us would agree that that's that's a need and and um an ultimate goal there. Well, I appreciate the

064ones that's doing it because I be I'll be firsthand to tell you I know it's not an easy thing and hey, I appreciate everybody that's trying to get their CDLs and help the district out. I appreciate that. I do raise the question just because you're a coach does not necessarily mean you're going to be a good CDL driver. And that there's personality involved. I've when I worked here, I had two coaches quit just day one because they were not going to get a CDL. They were afraid and I respect that. That's an enormous responsibility. So, I think you go after the ones that um you know can handle the job, but just because you might be a good coach in one area does not necessarily mean you're a good CDL driver. It's not every man

065or every woman. So, um I think we have to respect that and this is a really good list here for the size of our district and um so I'm uh I think that that came to me last week. Well, maybe everybody on the list should get a CDL. Well, everybody on the list maybe should not be behind the wheel of the bus. And u so and the two that quit that time, they made the right decision. and but we lost two coaches over it. So, there's things that you weigh and it's there's not absolutes, but I think that you're working toward a really ambitious goal and I have great confidence that you'll make it. Thank you. Yes, sir. Any further questions? Um, yes. Can we get another update next month? Sure. Be glad to. Um,

066we can uh we can do it here or a board update, whatever you prefer. Which whichever. Just Okay. We'll get you an update for sure. Absolutely. The chair looks forward to and recognizes Dr. Paula Taylor with her strategic plan update. Thank you. Thank you, ma'am. Appreciate the time tonight for us to discuss our strategic plan and our school renewal plans. Just as a reminder, strategic plan is created at the district level and then each school creates a renewal plan. It's on a five-year cycle. And so we are currently in update two of our plan that was written. Um we set goals for student performance, for graduation rate, for teacher and administrator quality, and then also for gifted and talented. Each one of those is required by the state. And we originally set our goals based

067on state goals for 2030. So three years ago, we were trying to think about where could our kids be in the year 2030. We know that a lot has happened in between those three years. Um and so what we do now each year after that initial um plan was created is we just provide an update of where we projected ourselves to be and where our actual data is found. And so our first student performance um achievement goal is related to NWA MAP which measures student growth over time. And this is specifically for our K through two grades. Grades three and up are part of other assessments that are given at the state level. Um but we did think it was important that we included all of our students in our district as we're monitoring their

068growth and achievement. And so you can see that we have a goal that by 2028 70% of our K through2 students will be at or above the 41st percentile in reading and in math. The 41st percentile is the predictor for SC ready. And so if you're above the 41st percentile then you should score either an approaches possibly but more than likely a meets or exceeds on SC ready. And so that's why we chose that percentile. that's not a random number that um we just threw up on the board. So you can see our projected data for this school year for reading and math and then you can see that our actual data we surpassed those goals that we had projected. Um lots of this goes into the planning at the primary school and the interventions

069that are provided. the teachers who are digging into data and looking specifically at results to see skills that students need to have reinforced and then pulling their small groups. And we want to see lots of children in the green and blue ranges there. The top are our math achievement and the bottom are is our reading achievement. And you can see there's lots of green and blue. We would like to move that even further. And so we've already started to look at our spring data that I shared with you in my board update um and making adjustments. We have set additional interventions for some of our third and fourth grade students and kindergarten through second have also regrouped students so that they can continue to work throughout the rest of the school year with those students

070on specific skills. Our next student achievement goal is related to SC ready. And so you can see that um we hope we're going to work towards that by 2028 75% of our students in grades three through eight will score a level three or above on reading and math. A level three is a meats. Um so you can score level three or four of a meats or exceeds. And this is taken um directly from our school report card. So this is your data from last spring. Of course we don't know scores yet. We're gearing up for testing very soon. Um, but for last spring, you can see we projected to be in the 50% and u we we didn't quite make it there for reading and math. We are closer in reading than we are in

071math. Um, and I think even this time last year when I spoke to the board, we did talk about how math is an area of focus and it has continued to be for this school year. Uh, teachers have been going to professional development for new math standards. They have been working together in grade level teams and also vertically so that we can begin to prepare even for next school year with a new math curriculum that we'll be using and those new standards. With that, that means that there will be standard setting with our assessment. And so we may not receive the same amount of details that we have in the past for students on their SC ready scores. So, we've already made provisions for that next school year to use our map and our I

072Ready data even more than what we're doing right now because we know that our SC ready report will lack some of that information that we normally would receive. Um, you can compare also on this screen you can see our district average compared to the state and so we're just slightly below the state average for um reading for language arts and for math again just slightly below the state average. So, we've set very lofty goals for ourselves at those 50%. Um, but we are creeping right up to state averages. So, our kids are performing very much like others around them and across the state. Our next student achievement goal is related to college and career readiness. Um, we call this CCR. We run this report a lot during the school year and you know, we're constantly

073checking in because every percentage point here matters. You know each child here matters and they're about depending on the class size 3% equals one student. Okay. So we can see for projected data we wanted to have 79% of our students college or career ready and our actual data this is from last school year again at the end those graduating seniors their cohort was 64.6%. If you compare it to the state, it was slightly below the state average. And then you can see here are the different ways that you can be deemed college or career ready. So we're looking at your ACT and SAT score, which are optional tests that our students can take. It's not mandated that they take that test. So they sign up and they take it. We do offer them some ideas

074for test prep um and also have some materials here in the library for them. uh for dual enrollment again that's an option for students that they can participate in and you have to have six hours with a grade of C of C or higher and it's only certain classes that students take typically it's those fundamental classes like English math also sociology um psychology will earn you that credit there and then to be career ready you'll be a CTE completer with a credential so that means you've taken the courses we offer here and then at the end you've taken an assessment that shows that you've met the demands of that CTE coursework on when which is our career readiness assessment that's given to all 11th grade students in their third year of high school and then

075also our seniors can retake that assessment a level three or higher and so basically you could compare that to an SC ready score of three or higher so you meet or exceed the standards for the win career assessment and also you can meet this goal um by complete taking the ASVAP which which we again give in the third year of high school. There's lots of assessments that third year of high school. Um so as if you score a 31 or higher and this is um an aptitude test for our military but it's not used to identify students for future military. They can use it for that if they choose. Um but it does provide them with a lot of good information about careers, not necessarily just in the military. So it's an assessment that we

076do encourage everyone to take. We are projecting a little bit higher than this um with this graduating group the cohort um for student achievement and for grad rate. So I think that's the next thing that we'll look at. How many seniors in this class? 73. 73. 73 or 74 now. That's right. Right. We brought one back. Brought one back. Yeah, we got one to come back in. So we're at 74 right now. Good question. Yes, sir. Um so next we have our performance goal of student achievement. that's related to graduation rate. Again, this is a requirement of the state that you have a goal that you set. Our goal is 90% by 2028. You can see our projected data for last year. We projected about 86% and our actual data was 79. I also gave

077you the information so you can look back since 2021 and our graduation rate. You know, it fluctuates and um it's hard to hit a target of 90% when the group of kids is different every year, right? There's so many different needs. U there's different situations. Um but our high school staff, Miss Tyer, Miss Campbell, teachers, everybody's working really individually with students to make sure that they get across that finish line. So we're very thankful for what all they're doing. And again, we believe this is this current graduating class will be a little bit higher than last year's graduation rate. You know, there are some things that are just out of um our control. We have some students who are very transient and so they may transfer in and be here. We had one was here

078two days and then transferred out. But if we don't receive a record request for a transfer, then that student counts against our graduation rate even though they were only here for those two days. And so we're fighting battles not just of we want you to stay here for 180 days. you've been here your entire school career or fighting the battle of you've moved from another state here and then you leave again or you've been here and you want to try adult ed but then you decide maybe that's not for you too. So there's so many circumstances that go into this number you know it's not just um they were here and they decided to drop out. This is a paperwork. Yeah. sometimes, just to be completely honest with you, that we really don't have a

079lot of control over, but we're working as hard as we can. Again, Miss Campbell does a great job with keeping up with each student who comes in and comes out. She does. For our teacher and administrator quality goal, we um would like to see our teachers returning um increased to 90%. We know that teachers are the biggest factor that relates to student achievement and success. And so consistency among our teachers is important. You can see our projected data. This is returning this school year. We u were projecting 85% and we had 69.7% that are return that did return. Um and that equates I think to three people. Now that I said that it doesn't sound right. Um, I can get back to you on that. And I guess some teachers are just like students a

080lot of times too, right? They may be here today or this year and then and then maybe they're bouncing, right? And a lot of them leave for better opportunity. And not to say that another district is varing, but it could be that they're moving into a different position. Yeah. their circle their circumstances, right? Or it could be that they're moving back closer to home. We have some teachers right now who travel a great distance to be here every day. And so it could be that they're moving to be closer to home. It could be, you know, family things happen. I can think of instances where, you know, people get engaged, they move with their fiance, those sorts of things do happen. But we do want to encourage our teachers um to be here with us

081for as long as they can. Um, again, we just know that they are the greatest impact on our students achievement and we try and pour as much of our resources and our professional learning into them while they're here, making sure that they can be successful. So, we'd like for them to stay here and continue that success. Yeah. Um, another part of our teacher administrator quality um is supposed to measure teacher proficiency. And so each teacher writes an SLO, which is a student learning objective. Each school year they um if they teach multiple courses, they're going to choose one class. Um and they're going to write a student learning objective. Normally it's tied to their MAP scores, their I Ready scores, or something that is teacher generated. And they'll assess the student at the beginning of

082the school year, then in the mid year, and at the end of well, we call it the end of the school year. It's usually around April. um they're assessing them along the way and they're looking to see if students are meeting expectations for on grade level work. And so you can see we have a goal that by 2028 100% of our teachers SLOs's will be rated as proficient or higher and you can see our actual data we were at 100% last school year. So, we're very thankful for the time, energy, effort that teachers put into those SLOs's put into getting to know their students, knowing their needs, and then making sure that everyone is successful. Yeah. And so, typically when you reach a goal in your strategic plan or your school room plan, it will

083then become deactivated in your plan. And so next year when we give this update, this will not be a goal anymore because we've met that of 100%. That's so cool. Yeah. All right. Another performance area is our school climate. And so we use the surveys that are provided by the state department to measure our learning environment. These are questions about whether or not your child feels safe at school, whether or not um you have good working relationships with teachers, how you feel when you enter a building for parents, for students. There are questions about um how their teacher works with them. So all those things come together to a percent that are satisfied with their learning environment. So you can see our projected data and then our actual data. We surpassed our parent goal of

08485%. We were actually 93% satisfied. This is previous school year. And we're just slightly below our student projections at 81%. It's awesome. We got a little bit more to go. This is our gifted and talented goals. These are written only at the district level. So you won't see these on a school level plan. And in our district, we um were working towards a goal that students in grades three through eight participating in our gifts and talented program would increase to 15%. So we projected 10.4, our actual data is 10.6%. So we've surpassed our projection for this year. And then the second goal related to that is student performance. So out of those students that are participating in that program, we want to increase the percentage who are scoring a level four, which is an exceeds

085expectations. You're performing above grade level on their ELA assessment. We want to increase that to 95%. You can see our projected data was 87. We fell a little bit short of that into 82%. But again, this is an increase from the previous year. Um, and I should have mentioned that earlier, you know, and that's in the packets that were provided for you. You can see every year's worth of data. Even though we're not meeting these projected targets, we set very lofty goals. Our students are continuing to grow and make progress and they're comparative to other students around the state. So, that's important to note. Absolutely. You have any questions? I think the data is amazing, Dr. Taylor. Um, and it you just have to live and breathe it. Now I'll go back and look, but

086um I really want to thank you for all your hard work. I thank you for the lofty goals and not settling. Keep it high and our kids deserve the best of our time. Absolutely. But our principles and their leadership teams put in so much effort to these plans. Couldn't do it and wouldn't want to do it without them. So very thankful for them. Are there any questions for Dr. Taylor about any of the information she shared with you pertaining to the strategic plan. If not, I speak for the board and thanking you for your hard work and we stand ready to support you in every way that we can to help you meet those goals. Great job. Thank you. Thank you. We will now move uh to the action items. I will be covering the

087first one and then the next three will be he deferred to the superintendent. They are in his area with a request to address them himself. The first request we have is from Miss Ally Kayak for the FFA camp on June 2nd through June 6. It appeared in your packet and the chair is requesting a motion to grant this field trip permission to Miss Kayak. I'll make a motion to approve the FFA summer camp field trip for Miss Al. That's great. Thank you, sir. Is there a second? Second. Thank you, sir. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed? Motion carries. Our second request comes from Coach Bryant. Grades 7th through 12th, the golf team playoffs, and they will take place in Chester May 12th through the 13th. And that

088has been included in your packet. Do I have a motion to approve this field trip request as submitted? I move that we approve this field trip. Thank you, sir. Is there a second? Second. Thank you. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Motion carries. The chair defers now to the superintendent, Dr. Daniel Crockett. Okay. U next action item that we have for you is uh to recognize the Blair Hellstead Memorial Scholarship and the uh I'm just going to read a little bit about this. U Blair Hellstead Memorial Scholarship was created to honor the memory of Blair Hellstead, a joyful and charismatic young girl who brought light and love to everyone around her. Born on February 6th, 2016 to Nick and Jenny Hstead in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, Blair attended Hilltop Elementary School. She was

089a sweet, spunky, and spontaneous girl whose zest for life made every room brighter. Blair made friends everywhere she went and was known for her natural charisma and ability to make others seem uh feel seen and valued. Uh tragically Bear passed away at the age of eight due to complication from fires fibbral infection related epilepsy syndrome a rare very rare and devastating condition. Though her life was short, her impact was lasting and this scholarship seeks to carry forward her memory by celebrating students who embody her joyful and compassionate spirit. And so uh this award will be for $1,000 uh going forward annually. and um and the creation is a powerful way to honor Blair's memory while providing a valuable opportunities, valuable opportunities for years to come for our graduates. And so um policy DD in our

090uh board uh policy recognizes um the opportunity for us, you know, the obligation to seek other ways to um find funds to support our students in our programs. And uh we are to recognize um and bring this to the attention of the board, which we're doing now. May uh with your permission, I'll request a motion. Uh you've heard the information shared with us to honor Miss Blair. And I'd like a motion. The chair is requesting a motion to accept this gratefully um with gratitude this scholarship to honor her. So moved. Thank you. Is there a second? Thank you, sir. Is there discussion? All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed. Motion carries. Thank you, sir. Thank you. The next on our list is um we'll be bringing forward to you tonight three contracts

091u which we're excited about which was really kind of putting us in a um a good standing right now. So these uh two wonderful hires at the elementary level and a high school math teacher which we've been been looking forward. So tonight I'd like to bring those uh before you this evening uh seeking approval for those three uh contract recommendations. Thank you sir. In your packet, you have read the uh description of the three uh individuals for a hire for the 2526 academic year. And the chair is requesting a motion to accept the recommendation from the superintendent. I move that we accept these recommendations. Thank you, sir. Is there a second? A second. Thank you, ma'am. Is there discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed? Motion carries. Okay. Next on our list

092is the uh retention bonus recommendation. And um I think I've shared with you earlier in the update about the lay of the landscape that we have right looking at that. I know that we have um facility updates that that are are needed. Um, I do think that, um, in the budget that I had shared with you earlier, we had anticipated um, a $1,500 um, increase for our teachers, certified teachers um, which is coming down from the state um, in in the projections. And then also uh that we are uh looking to say you know those people who work right along our staff you know our our faculty and our certified teachers are those um people who turn the lights on every morning. They're they're uh firing up the uh the ovens in the cafeteria. They're

093keep keeping our buildings in uh tip-top shape and the cleanliness and um the classroom assistants who are are working right alongside certified teachers. And um we're recommending that that they receive the the the same amount uh that the uh certified teachers are uh be to be able to do that. uh though in um you know we're at a a point where uh we are facing a potential deficit for for two years in a row and so trying to get a balanced budget or as close as we can is is going to be uh very very important. Um I I want to just share the the loyalty of our of our u of our teachers. I know that we have in some of our schools only one contract left that's out there. they don't they don't

094know what the retention bonus is and they're signing contracts without it. And um you those are really great people that says, you know, I love this district. I know you're going to do whatever you can to help help support us. Um I do know the the cost that's associated for $1,500 that we've done in years past. And that's and that's uh Steve, it's upwards of around $250,000. And um to be able to do that this this year um with uh within $1,500 increase to teachers with $1,500 um uh for our classified staff. Um I'm I'm recommending this year a $500 uh retention bonus to show loyalty of course to to um to our employees, but to do it in a a fiscal um responsible fiscally responsible way this year. Uh I know it's a lot

095less than we've done in the past. I respect your decision, but I think that would be one that we would be uh able to absorb and uh be able to um still maintain the operations that we we're trying to do in the goals that we have set forth already across the district. Thank you, Dr. Crockett. You've heard the recommendation of the superintendent and I need a motion or the chair is requesting a motion to recognize a $500 bonus for all district 1 employees as a retention bonus. I'll make a motion to approve the recommendation of the $500. Thank you, sir. Is there a second? Second. Thank you, sir. Is there discussion? I just want to ask um and I understand the situation that we talked about. Yeah. What I worry about is the fact that

096Miss Taylor just brought to our attention that our teachers on returning was only at 69.7%. Right. So, are we looking at next year that number getting any lower because of what we're about to get into right now? I wrote I wrote down the exact same number. So, and then I and it's it's funny. Two people see the exact same number. Um, you know, um that's right. I think and can view you can view it a couple ways. those individuals did receive a a 1500 stipen and um um I I think that our employees want a place where where yes they financially they're supported. Okay. And I know our beginning salary for our teachers is very comparable and some are are ahead of some scales. Um but if it's not here then our our employees need

097to to feel like one that they have a a culture that they feel supported in. Um, I think that's important. I think it's important too that that if if we can project that we are trying to do as much as we possibly can to support them, I think that's really going to be important in the messaging that we that we share that um that this is a little different than we've had in years past. And um and if there was a way to to increase that back up, we certainly would would do that. Um, but I I at the end of the day to me it comes down to is it is it not the is it the right thing to do? Is it the right thing to do? And that's a really hard thing

098for me to even sit here and and make that recommendation much is less than what we've had in years past. But I I hope that um the recommendation is one that comes from a a place of of trust that hey, we're trying to do everything everything we can. A 500 on top of a 1500 that you receive a $2,000 raise um the following year um in in this landscape is is really trying to make that that gift even more special. even in years past. Yeah. Which is a really good point, Rodney. I mean, that's a that's a really really I just And I hate bringing it up that way. No, but I've been on that end of it before. Sure. And because I know a lot of I don't know what percentage I don't do

099the math that she does. But I I understand that a lot of our staff, faculty overall, they wear a lot of hats around here. and I just don't want them to take this as somewhat of an insult being that it's a decrease from years past. That's that's my concern. Yeah, I I think you bring up a good point and I know when we started it was we started out at 1500 and we were wanted to do it and we're grateful for the teachers and administrators and everything, everybody from top to bottom and we tried to say in all those meetings, hey, we hope we can continue to do it and do it at this amount, but there may come a time when we have to decrease or um I certainly see what you're And I

100and that's that's a testament to me not being here here but um you know and I do I want the teachers and administrators to know hey we you're not valued any less u for sure um you you're sometimes you know you may seem that way but you're valued even more and we certainly appreciate from a board standpoint all the hard work you put in but as we mentioned earlier in our meeting you know we're looking at a deficit and everything but still to show some kind of appreciation. So I hope it's not taken as a slight from the administrators or teachers and classified workers. I I think there's a really important point to that we that we uh that need to bring up as well. We we have an increase in in employee insurance which

101is uh projected to be somewhere close to 36 $36 a month or close to $400 a year that if we don't if we weren't to go to to um put that on the on the classified then that their their paycheck would actually would decrease. They they would have a step, but they would come back and their their check would be less than what they made this year with their employee employee um contribution. And so, um we don't want anyone's check to go down. I think this is a gesture to say, "Hey, look, no one's checks going down. We're we're actually going to um instead of giving the retention bonus, make sure all of our classified staff are taken care of and giving that 15,500 uh dollars um raise along with our certified staff and and

102trying to show some support for um um uh their return in the fall. Yeah. Yeah. Very tough spot, right? That's it's it's a I I get it. I feel it. Are there any additional questions? Then the chair will call the question and ask for a recommendation to support the recommendation presented to you by our superintendent for a $500 bonus to all district employees. Well, had a motion second. Oh, that's We need a second. Well, second. Are we ready to vote? Yes, ma'am. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed. All opposed. Motion carries. Thank you. All right. The last thing on our list that I want to try to do is is we had shared um this importance of of trying to work a little bit on our our capital um improvements around

103and um there's there's needs and um I know uh that we have an an awning that is um at the primary school that had some wind damage and we have some insurance um adjustments that have just came in this past week. So, we're working on that project. I know that we have um um some uh safety grant funds that we'll be using for some uh capital improvements as well as just specifically for um we did the lock updates, but we're also have some window uh film that's going to be put on and we're trying to get that lined up for the summer. Again, neither one of those projects at this point. One is insurance that came in and one one is a safety grant. And so trying to leverage our our our revenues in every

104angle that we can to kind of to do some some upgrades. Um we but our we have a a spot at the the middle school especially that we're we're looking at and um we're we're we're needing to do some some some work there and I think we we recognize that one of the things that we're trying to do is to um bring some uh paint on the inside of of that school. it's um it's needed and uh so we're working on on trying to uh to to paint paint the inside and maintain our facilities the best we can. And so I'm bringing to you uh this today so we can get on some of our contractors agendas and schedule for the six weeks of summer that we have. And so um we have taken in

105one estimate right now. We're still working on getting some some more estimates. Um, but I'm asking that that we go ahead and try to move with that project as a project at the middle school. Um, to to to do some much needed repair in there. And we're asking that approval to move in that direction for not to exceed $50,000 on that project. That's to oil base and prime uh the walls uh to prep the walls appropriately and to uh paint our always uh we don't think that it will uh come to that but we're asking that we not exceed that amount. One of the quotes that we had was under that but if we have a little bit of grace there um and um and if it if it works out then we would be

106able to uh seek to um do some painting in that gym as well. I have a question. Sure. Um in that painting and um Miss Web would address this to you as well. Have they submitted patterns or painting schemes or anything of that nature? No. No. Um the only architectural work that was done I'm glad you brought that up. We did we did have some architectural drawings. One was from uh the high school interior and the middle school exterior. Okay. And so the the paint scheme was not for the the inside of the middle school. Okay. That's great. Will that be presented prior to your um the the exterior? Um that's them that'll be down the road when And how about the interior? The interior of the high school of of the middle school. Um

107that's that would be uh conducted in the summer if we're if if approved tonight. Okay, that'd be great. You have in your packet the recommendation for the middle school painting project and you have heard Dr. uh Crockett address that those needs. The chair is requesting a motion to move forward with this project not to exceed 50,000. I'll make a motion for the Wshoes Middle School interior painting project not to exceed $50,000. Thank you, sir. Do I have a second? Second. Thank you, sir. Any discussion? Got an idea of what like what I'm assuming summer break. I would love to. That's why we're here. In a perfect world, we'd bring three bids to you and say, "Hey, this is the contract we'd have." Um, we've been working. We got one crew in there already quoted it.

108So, we have that in place. Okay. Um, that helps us with this estimate. And then, uh, we need to try to get two more uh, quotes to come in and then get on their calendar and then work around our cleaning the floors in the classrooms and all of that work around to to get that project done. So that's why we're kind of putting this on the fast track to your attention so we kind of get that movement on that area and and one of the bids too is coming at 43. So Okay. Um we've got some leeway there. Any further I have a question. Yes ma'am. Um is there an intent to u paint the gym as well over there? This is for everything except the gym. If if the bid comes in under what

109we're hoping for, I'd love to get the gym and some work done in there as well. We have some some plans in place for um down the road when there when it when we can. Uh but right now this is not the gym. It show includes the cafeteria, not the gym, but that will um if we can get it under then we will include the gym in that project. That would be great. That's your auditorium, too. It is. It's the focal point. That's right. Is this a local company or No. Uh it is. Yes, sir. Okay. I was going to ask that we have some local, you know, reach out to local companies around here. Any additional questions? All those in favor say I. Those opposed. Motion carries. Now the tail end of our agenda

110is always our monthly finance review and we have had a lot of finance through the whole program. So we will um somewhat reduce too much or any additional discussion unless you bring it up. But I would very much like to ask and encourage you to please check the uh general fund balance. check that final page where you can see where we are and where we're trending and um it's incredibly important. We also on the activity account, please note that the money has been transferred into the athletic um activity fund. Dr. Crockett, would you like to address that? Um just just um what we did last month the approval of that so that you can see that in your financial statement and so that's been been updated um and accounted for and presented in your statement.

111Yes sir. Are there any questions pertaining to the activity fund or the cafeteria fund in addition to the general fund balance? Hearing none, then the chair would like to uh request a motion to adjourn. I make a motion to adjourn tonight meeting. Is there a second? Second. Thank you, sir. Is there discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Motion carries. Um outside we'll have a photo. [Music] Hello. We're going to go outside. You want anything out of that? No, ma'am. I decided that No, ma'am. Excuse me. the way that's