001It is uh 5:30 on June 19th, 2025 and we're going to have a uh public hearing on the proposed 2025 2026 general fund budget. And on behalf of the board of trustees of Lexen District 2, I want to welcome you to the public hearing on the 2025 2026 general fund budget. The board plans to continue to maintain open communications with the with its citizens. And by doing this, we hope to provide fiscally responsible programs and services that meet the needs of our students and make the community proud. Notification of the public hearing on the budget was published in the state newspaper on June 4th, 2025. At this time, Superintendent Dr. Brenda Hefner will give a brief budget overview for fiscal year 2025 2026. Following the overview, we will open the floor to public participation. Now
002turn over Dr. Hacker. Thank you, Chairman Key. During our regular board meeting on May the 15, 2025, we heard our first reading of the proposed budget for the 2526 school year. That proposed budget passed uh the first reading at that time. It was posted on diligent for public review on May the 13th and the notice for tonight's public hearing as mentioned was posted in the state paper on June the 4th and on our website June the 4th along with addition theformational brochure. Mrs. Strickland, do you have anything additional at this time before we get started? Okay, great. Thank you, Mr. Chair. All right. Uh, this evening, the board will listen to your ideas, but does not plan to discuss individual proposals. All ideas will be accepted as information only. If if you would like to
003address the board, please make sure you have filled out a card. Only Lexon 2 residents or Lexon 2 taxpayers will be heard. When I call your name, please come forward to the podium and limit your comments to five minutes. During your comments, a digital onscreen timer will be displayed, counting down from 5 minutes. An alarm will ring when no time remains. As of right now, we have one that has signed up and that is Miss Amy Brandt. Um, would you come forward? Yeah, that's going to be too high. Go ahead. Good evening, everybody. I want to thank Dr. Hafner and all the board members and all the cabinet members for allowing me to speak tonight. Um, I'm excited about being here. Um, I just completed year number 31 as being a kindergarten teacher in at
004Riverbank Elementary School in Lexington, too. Um, I'm extremely proud of my service to this district. I am loyal just like many of my colleagues and I'm loyal because I believe in the the mission of this district. I believe in what you guys talk about every time we get together. making our children the best we can be. Serving who we have, taking them just as far as they can. Taking taking them from where they start and going just as far. That's my job. I take that very serious. I take it very serious that my job is not just to teach them to read. My job is to teach the whole child. So what I do at the kindergarten level, although it may not seem that important, it is extremely important. We are the solid foundation that
005these children need to start. So, I do take what we do very seriously. That being said, as much as I love Lexington, too, I hope they love me just as much. I have not only dedicated myself to this district, many of my colleagues who have been working just as long as I have, have given up working in other districts that maybe they drive by two or three elementary schools on their way just on their way to work. I know I do. Um, every day for 20some years, I had a child in the car with me. Not only did I drive to those Lexington two schools, I brought my children to those Lexington school two schools because I don't just believe in what I do, I believe in what we all do as a group, our
006mission, our purpose. That being said, I know it's important to bring in young teachers. I support that. I've done 15 student teachers, many, many practicum students, teacher cadets, the whole nine yards. We have to grow the profession. It's extremely important. But what I don't want to lose is those of us who have hung in there along the way. We've hung in there. There's a whole group of us. We hung in when there was no retention bonus, when there wasn't a signing bonus, when there wasn't a raise. There was a time when we worked for several years when there was a budget crunch. And thankfully, Dr. Venus Holland worked super hard to keep keep our jobs. But there was no raise and that's okay. If you went into this profession to get rich, you made a
007really bad decision. This profession is about way more than money. It's about way more than money. But you can't discount the fact that we live in a world right now where things cost a lot. So, I respectfully ask you to consider when you're thinking about budget and when you're thinking about how we spend our money in Lexington, too. I absolutely believe in giving those new teachers a livable wage. Absolutely. But don't forget about the people who hung in there, who stuck by us when things were really, really hard. The years that I had 30 in my kindergarten class, and yes, that's a three and a zero. 30 in one class. Don't forget about the people that gave up going to another district where maybe they weren't going to have 30. Um, I just ask you
008to respectfully think about the fact that we're one of the few professions where sometimes experience is not respected. I believe I am way better today than I was 20 years ago. I don't just believe it, I know it. I'm better today. I'm better with the children. I am way better with the parents. And I'm more passionate today than I ever have been about my students. Just because I've been teaching a long time doesn't mean I fall back on the lesson plans of last year or the thoughts of last year. New kids, new plans. They change that for you. So I do believe in what we do here. I believe in what I do, but I also believe in my colleagues who have given that time, who have given those 20, 30 years. Um, so I
009respectfully ask as you think about the budget, just remember experience is important. We may not be the future, but we certainly have been an important part of the past. Thank you very much. Thank you, Miss Brandt. Don't have any more unless Don has some out front. So, we'll just Okay, we'll just wait it out. Who's coming in from 6:00? Hallelujah. We're going to go ahead and get back started. Um, that was the most exciting 23 minutes of a board meeting sitting there, but that's what you got to do for the for the general fund budget. But I'm going to entertain a motion to close out the general fund budget meeting. Motion to uh close out general fund and move to regular monthly meeting. All right, got got a motion and a second. All in favor
010say I. I. All right, general fund budget meeting is closed and now I call order. The monthly U board meeting of June 19th. It's at 6:00 now and this is our reg regular scheduled meeting. But as you can see, we're missing one of our cabinet members up here tonight. Miss Cooper is not here, but um tonight I'm going to call her Angela because it's like family. You know, when you lo you lose a loved one, it's tough. You know, I talked to her Wednesday and she she was down at the beach and I said, "Have you been on the beach?" She said, "No, I just hadn't had time." I said, "Angela, go take time to walk on the beach." She said, "I think we will." I hope she took that walk that night because you
011don't know what the next day brings, you know, cuz she lost a loved one that night. And so, I ask you tonight to cherish your loved ones, hug them, and realize the importance of each and every day that you spend because you don't know when your day is going to come, when you're going to meet your maker. just know in your heart that Jesus was there. And I'm sure Angela's gonna feel the love from us because we could because she's like family. So I just ask y'all for her prayers for her, for her, her family and all involved. Just lift her up. So thank y'all. And I'mma turn it over to our vice chair, Miss Wooten. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um let's bow our heads. Dear heavenly father, thank you for today. You are indeed
012the giver. We thank you for all your blessings for the successful outcomes of this board meeting. We ask that you continue to bless Lexington 2 as we continue to seek your wisdom and guidance. We ask that you please wrap your arms around Dr. Cooper and her family in this time of grief. In Jesus name we pray. 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. All right. With with no objections, the consent agenda stands approved as presented and we're going to move on into our honors and accomplishments. So, I'm going to turn over to Dr. Hfner. Thank you, Mr. Chair. First up in honors and accomplishments tonight, we want to recognize two
013members of the class of 2025 who achieved an extraordinary accomplishment, not missing a single day of school in 12 years, and that is even through the COVID period. Those two are Lauren Alexander, a graduate of Airport High School, and Shelby Williamson, a graduate of Brooklyn Casey High School. If you're both here tonight, please come to the podium and just share with us what your plans are now, now that you've graduated from high school. Hi, my name is Lauren Carpenter and I plan to attend Anderson University and study medical imaging. [Applause] [Music] Hi, my name is Shelby Williamson and I plan to attend the University of South Carolina in this in this fall and study biology. Congratulations to you both. We wish you well. Next up, Brooklyn Casey High School assistant principal, Mr. Dr. Ryan Van
014Oman is going to introduce us to one of Lexington 2's recipients of the prestigious South Carolina Teaching Fellowship. Good evening, Mr. Chair, members of the board, and Dr. Hfner. Tonight, I have the honor of introducing you to you a young man who has been awarded the prestigious South Carolina Teaching Fellow Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to high school seniors who plan to pursue a career in education in the state of South Carolina. The scholarship awards $6,000 a year totaling $24,000 at the conclusion of the college journey. We are so proud of him and we hope that he will be back in four short years to serve us in Lexington, too. I will give him the opportunity to introduce himself and tell you about his plans in the fall. Hello, my name is Calvin Valentine. Before
015last time I spoke to you guys, I was telling you I was going to win not Winthrop Southern Wesley University. Um, that has since changed. Um, a few days out before graduation, um, I got the notification I was being announced as South Carolina's teaching fellow and I'll be going to Winthrop. I had orientation this week and I can say I've made a great choice. Congratulations. Next, Mr. Van Omen is going to remain at the podium and be joined by Airport High School principal, Mr. Matt Schill to talk about some of the prestigious recognitions that a number of our spring athletes received this season. If any of our spring athletes and their coaches are here, I would like to invite you to the podium as well. After the principal talk about the spring sports seasons, then
016I'd invite any of those spring athletes and coaches to introduce themselves. All right, I'm going to read through the list and then I'll welcome any of y'all up here to introduce yourselves. So, we had a very successful spring season at B at Brooklyn Casey. Um, our all region uh athletes for baseball were Preston Coggins, Broen Socks, and Ryland Bullis. For boys soccer, we had Anthony Lacona Warz, Andy Rivera, Joshua Alberto Ruiz, and Louie Law. For boys tennis, we had Caleb Stikele, Campbell Parsons, who was BC's player of the year, and Knox Buchanan. Girls soccer was Lane Powers and Haley Cortez. For softball, we had Alyssa Bulis and Aubrey Dunigan. Track and field we had Aiden Price, DeAndre Dumbar, Jonas McCoy, and DeAndre Jones. For all state in boys soccer, Andy Rivera. All state for track
017and field was and Aiden Price, DeAndre Jones, Aiden Price, Isaiah Daniels, Jaylen Glover, Garrick, DeAndre Jones, London Paige, all Lexington County track and field, Aiden Price, Jaylen Glover, Aiden Price, Isaiah Daniels, DeAndre Jones. State track and field, first place for the boys high jump, DeAndre Jones. First place for the boys 400 meter, Aiden Price. Third place for the girls high jump, London Paige. Third place for the boys 100 meter, Aiden Price. Third place for the boys 4x400 meter relay, Aiden Price, Isaiah Daniels, DeAndre Dunar, and Jaylen Glover. Some school records that were met this school year for track and field, Aiden Price with the 400 meter had a school record of 47.16. DeAndre Jones for the high jump had a school record of 687. DeAndre Dumbar 800 meter had a school record of 2011. Aiden
018Price, Isaiah Daniels, Jaylen Glover, DeAndre Jones had a school record for the 4x400 meter relay. Aiden Price, DeAndre Jones, and Darien Toller had a 4x 800 meter relay school record. Jonas McCoy, Isaiah McDaniels, David Daniels, and Gayen Glover had a 4x100 meter relay school record. Jamorian Griffin for the discus throw, and Darien Toller for the javelin. That is a mouthful, but we are extremely proud of our spring athletes and the ones that are here and their coaches are going to come up and introduce themselves really quickly and tell you a little bit about their plans and what they do at Brooklyn Casey. [Applause] I'm Coach Steve Kelly. My name is Lauren Kelly. I am a first grade teacher um in the district and I am an assistant softball coach at BC. My name is Madison
019Riddle. I'm an assistant coach at Brooklyn Casey and a full-time student at USC. Hi, my name is Cameron Moody and I'm a full-time student at USC and an assistant coach for the softball team. Preston Coggins going to Sparber Methodist Major and criminal justice. Uh, Broken Socks and that's I got one more year left. So, I really don't know. Undecided. Um, I'm DeAndre. I'm going to Vorhees and I'm studying business. Uh, I'm Jaylen Glover. I'm going to Vorhees for track and field studying business. Okay. My name DeAndre Dunar. I plan on going to Millers Tech for welding. Sweet. My name is Aubrey Dunigan. I'm going to Francis Marion for public health. My name is Alyssa Bulis and I'm a rising ninth grader at Brooklyn Casey. And I did leave one out. We had one more all
020region for track and field. That's Ashley Harrison. Hi, my name is Ashley Harrison. I won region for disc and I still have two more years of high school. [Applause] I'm George Knox. I'm the girls uh soccer coach at BC. Uh one of our players is not here. Her name's Lane Powers. Real quick, she uh for her career scored 76 goals and had 84 assists. made all region four years, played in the north south game. And this is uh Haley Gimenez Cortez. She's a junior and she'll well, I'll just tell you she scored 25 goals to lead our team this year and was our offensive MVP in all region for her second year, but she's a junior. All right. Deont Logan from Brooklyn Casey High School. Head boys track coach Aiden Price is not here tonight.
021He's in Oregon representing the U20. He's uh top 10 in the country in the 400 meter. So, he's there. Hopefully, we can win it and move on to the summer Olympic uh whatever summer Olympics games. Wow. [Applause] Making sure they were complete. Uh Mr. Chair, members of board, Dr. Hafner, always a pleasure to talk about Airport. Um, today as BC this way, we're going to share some highlights from our spring season. We had an a fantastic spring season across the board for our sports teams. I'm going to recognize some names for you now. Um, and obviously uh the first group I'm going to get to after this, I'm going to share their names now, but more to come on baseball. Um, but to recognize all region for baseball and they are all standing to my
022right, but you'll have the opportunity to meet them shortly. We have Hunter eps, Bryce Gillette, Braden Gross, Cash Eps, Justin Citler, and Daniel Buts. Boys tennis, Peter Ellis, Ivan Gonzalez Hernandez. Boys soccer is Kevin Alcaran Bautista, and Edgar Breto. Girls soccer, Kylie Merchant. And I always have a hard time with her name, so I'm gonna say a Zapita Hernandez. softball, we had Avery Ingram, Addie Mayor, and Ariana Feliciano. And other region honors, again, we're going to get to these two, but we do have the region five region baseball player of the region 54A region baseball player of the year and Hunter Eps, who's holding the trophy over there right in the corner. Um, and then our region 54A baseball coach of the year, actually was 4A um coach of the year, coach Casey Bradwell, who
023you'll be hearing from shortly. And then all state baseball Hunter eps and Bryce Gillette softball Avery Ingram and track and field we had Miss Colbrath in the girls long jump and our boys 400 meter relay. Moving on to some other recognitions. North South All-Star game we had Hunter Eps and Bryce Gillette and they were on the field for the uh winning moment during that game because I saw a cool picture where I believe Bryce was pitching and 100% short if I'm not mistaken. Um, so it's kind of cool for airport there. And in softball, we had Macy McCracken who was named MVP of her all-star game um for the state of South Carolina. Uh, we had region District 3 4A district champions, track and field boys 4x100 relay team of Amari Lewis, Kyrie Montgomery, Kendrick
024Pearson, and Terrence Balden. And at the state track and field championships, uh, second place girls log drum, Miss Colbreth, and third place boys 4 by 100 relay team, um, by a split second, if not less, Amari Lewis, Kyrie Montgomery, Kendrick Pearson, and Terrence Balden. And then fourth place district throw, Montreal Keys. [Applause] And that's that's Airport's um spring season. Did you want any of them to come up and introduce themselves? Yes. Do we have any of the athletes here besides baseball? I see baseball. Well, we thank you for recognizing them. I know summer can be hard. Um when baseball comes forward, the ones that were our all region will say who they are and that they were all region. Um, and that is it for our spring wrap-up. Great. Thank you, Mr. Schill. And now
025you're going to be joined at the podium um by the region 54A baseball coach of the year, Casey Bradwell, and members of the baseball team and coaching staff. Talk about people. They follow directions well, don't they? Yeah. A lot of people. So, as as they're getting um set up, um you know, as as you are aware, um we're here recognizing history. um this group of of young men and leaders, meaning the coaches, led us on an epic and incredible journey this spring that uh captured the attention and of our school, of our community, of our district. Um I'm sure I know of our school board and it was just a sight to see. Um Airport High School, and I'm not going to steal his his thunder obviously, but the first time in school history, won
026the state championship and it was an incredible incredible um scene, incredible thing to see. Um, for those that were not able to get there, the thousands of people that were at Airport High School for that clinching game was just was just a sight to see. I'm a pacer during games and there were so many people I couldn't pace. Um, so it was just really really really incredible. Um, he's coach Casey Brava who is the 4A coach of the year is going to tell you a little bit about their season and you're going to meet these boys who made history. Um, but with history and with the team comes a leader. And I can't say enough about the leader to my right. Coach Bradwell is finishing his fourth year as head coach at Airport High School.
027Um, doesn't ask for credit, doesn't seek credit. We had a banquet last night. He gave credit to everybody but one person. So, I get to do it publicly tonight. Um, you have certainly earned this honor and this opportunity to stand here before these great people and in front of your players who you pour your heart and soul into. Um, I know how much this man puts into the program because I see it and we talk a lot. Um, but most people don't realize and that is how we're here today because without this man right here and of course these great young men behind me, we would not be here. So, Coach Bradwell, enjoy this moment. You have earned it. And congratulations [Applause] uh Dr. Hner. Thank you for uh letting us come out and intrude
028on all this uh you know with our 40,000 people we have here. Um I would like to talk about the season a little bit. Um obviously like Mr. Schullet says, I don't take a whole lot um of credit. Um a lot of it has to do with our um obviously our players. Um they they're the ones that play. You know, we try to put them in good situations to play and they're the ones that have to have to do what we ask. And um I got a coaching staff of nine coaches um that are I don't know if you guys know, but we don't make a whole lot of money um doing this. Um but those guys, man, they're there every single day. They do everything we ask and they they pour into these kids
029just like I do. And um and without those guys is none of this stuff happens. Um I will talk about our season for a second. We went 27 and six, which is um first in school history. Um we broke the record of 26 wins this year with 27. Um obviously like they said we won our first state championship this year. Um some other highlights we second in runs scored um fourth in hits. Um so we did some incredible stuff. Um they've already told you the all region guys. Um we had multiple guys on the the state all area team. Um I think it was six three or four on the first team and two or three on the second team. Um, you know, and it what what's cool is, you know, us being an airport,
030we don't always get recognized. Um, we've won a lot of games for a lot of years and and a lot of times there's not a lot of recognition, but for whatever reason this year, especially towards the end, a lot of these guys started getting some recognition and that and it's the recognition they deserve and that's really cool to see. Um, but I wanted to talk about um two guys obviously um two seniors that uh kind of led the way for us um that I we gave our our MVP awards to last night. Um they kind of were the the rocks of our team. Um Hunter Eps and Bryce Gillette. Um I know a lot of you probably aren't numbers people, but I got to read some of these numbers because they're they're really really um
031really really good. Bryce Gillette hit 387 with 41 hits. um had a 492 on base percentage. That means half the time he gets up to the plate he gets on base. Um which is incredible. He hit nine doubles, one triple, one home run, which was a big home run, big grand slam in the lower state championship game to help clinch that. Um 29 RBI's which tied Justin Citler for the team lead. Scored 31 runs. Also threw 37 innings. Um went eight and one with 31 strikeouts and under a one erra, which um those numbers are absolutely silly. So, um, he had a great year. Um, he's going to USC Union to play. Um, and then Hunter EPS. Um, there's not enough good things to say about that kid. Um, 88 and two/3 innings pitched in
032one high school season, which is way more than we've ever had. Went 10 and three with four saves, 82 strikeouts with 15 walks. Um, 1.18 RA, hit 311, had 33 hits, seven doubles, a triple, a home run. Um, and he is the toughest kid on the field night in and night out. And uh it was a lot of fun. It was fun seeing a lot of you guys, seeing y'all's faces out at the games, especially the last couple weeks. It was a good run and um we are already back in the wait room so we can uh try to wait not wait 30 years to do this again. So, thank you guys for having us and I'll let our guys and our staff um introduce themselves, but thank you guys for having us. Uh my
033name is Justin Sitler. I'm a rising senior. I was all region and I'm a catcher. Uh my name is Daniel Buts. Uh I was in here during the fall for all region of football, but I'm a rising junior and I'm a rightfielder and I made all region. My name is Cash Els. I'm a class of 2027 and I'm the pitcher for the airport Eagles. My name is Bryce Gillette. Uh, I just graduated and I play third base. My name is Braden Gross. I'm a rising junior and I play outfield. I'm Hunter Oaks. I'm a graduate. I'm going to USC Union and I play short stop and pitch. Lena Jeffco, rising senior, first base. Charlie Jackson, rising senior, outfielder. My name Cooper Chavis. I'm a rising junior and outfielder. My name is Harrison Schoffner, rising senior,
034and I play first base. My name is Braden Dunlap, rising junior, second base. My name is Sean Feliciano. I'm a rising senior and I play second base. My name is Caleb Eubanks. I was a senior this year and I'm a pitcher. My name is Gabe Ingram and I'm a rising junior and I play outfield. My name is Sunni Anderson. I'm a rising junior and I play third base. My name is Isaiah Clemens, a center fielder and I'm a rising senior. My name is Matthew Perry. I'm a rising sophomore and I play third base. My name is Ethan Goel. Uh I'm a rising sophomore and I play first base. Chris Kirkland, assistant coach, teacher Airport High School. Brandon Kaufman, uh, assistant baseball coach and just graduated from South Carolina and hope to be at airport this
035year teaching. Chairman, board members, I'm Cameron Zimmerman. I'm an assistant baseball coach at Airport High School. Lane Turner, assistant coach. Jeremy Eperson, pitching coach. I think that's everybody. [Applause] Thank y'all. Coach Brabble, if you'll stick around just a minute. Seeing you reminded me that that not only was he the region baseball coach of the year, but he was also voted best high school coach for men's sports in the 2025 Lexon County Chronicles best of Lexington. Lexington 2 schools and employees were also recognized. I'm going to go through those that were joining you there that evening. Best school teacher, Mrs. Dorne at Casey Elementary. Best elementary school, Springdale. Best middle school, Ful former. Best high school, Airport. Best adult ed program. best high school coach, Mr. Proudwell, and best school administrator, Mr. Bundick, who's there in
036the back. So, just an applause for all those. [Music] [Applause] And Coach Brad, well, I only heard three seniors there, so ain't no pressure for next year. I cleared it out. All right, we're going to move move on along now in um public participation tonight. We have one person signed up to speak tonight. As mentioned, each person will have five minutes and we just ask that no profanity be used. We also ask that you do not use staff or students names. The board will not give feedback per policy and we'll receive all comments as information only. So with that, our first person up tonight is Melissa. Go forth. Thank you for being here tonight and your five minutes will begin now. Thank you. Good evening. Happy summer. Last month I pointed out just a few
037reasons why I feel the Lexington two board of trustees board members were negligent since August 2022 and prioritizing CPIF funds for sports and athletics over safety. I'm so glad to see tonight's operation update on three new July activity bus arrivals. I also plan to tell you about Riverbank's growth, particularly with MAP testing this year. I spent a full day helping more than 200 Riverbank students that met or exceeded their MAP goals onto a mobile video game truck where they could celebrate with their classmates and battle it out on Mario Kart. It was a good time and our leadership worked with PTO to make it happen. We absorbed that cost for them. I saw a student stop our principal in the middle of the hall to show off and celebrate their stretch goal achievement. Took a
038picture of that, too, because I was going to brag about it. I'm still not quite sure about what a stretch goal is, but they were and that's awesome. I wanted to highlight that accomplishment, that principal and his team at Riverbank for the great work that they had done. And I regret not doing so. Tonight, we'll hear updates on this agenda from principles of underperforming Lexington 2 schools. There are four of them. Casey Elementary, Wood Elementary, Airport High School High School, Brooklyn Casey High School. They will give multiple updates throughout the year on their plan for a better path evaluation of input and output and outcomes. Excuse me. That makes sense. Riverbank is not one of those schools and we showed significant growth in MAP testing achievements. Even still, I'm extremely concerned about the most recent
039removal of leadership. I've spoken with teachers I love, I trust with my kids that have had concerns with Riverbank's most recent leadership transition. But as a parent that was there multiple times per week helping with PTO, I have to say the administration and the BO has really gotten it wrong this time. Imagine coming to a thousand plus student school for your first year with no calendar. I couldn't believe it coming on as PTO parent treasurer. We had no calendar to work from for a full calendar year. Teachers confided in me that annual calendars used to be provided before COVID until a leadership change at the top of Lex to administration and then everchanging demands from the district meant only monthly calendars could be maintained accurately. And at the end of the first year, what went
040right, what went wrong. We haven't really gotten a chance to look or at what we can improve on next year. I'm telling you though, that man was in that mode and Lex Su is missing out. And again tonight we'll hear from underperforming principles that still have their jobs and have been given an opportunity to defend them themselves. That's interesting to watch go down as a parent. Why does Lex 2 keep pulling principles out of retirement to smooth over a situation? That's not growth. That's comfort. A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but not much grows there. The process taken by administration was beyond disrespectful. After all the long emails we've gotten this year, sending nothing to our parents at the completion of the year was not the right answer. After the confusing staff email from
041Dr. Hafner on our principal's kind of sort of departure was shared, a teacher confided in me. Before this year, this building always felt like Principal Sims and his Pine View crew ran the show. Everyone else was just along for the ride. This was the first year it felt like we were all even, just Riverbank employees. After Caroline comments took off on social media the first week of school at the beginning of the year, it became clear over the year that all of our kids were safer from harm the new way being inside instead of outside at risk of an attack, a shooter, a medical emergency, anything. Even teachers that left for greener Lex two pastures were upset and confided with me about the timing of these announcements and how the announcement affected their own contract
042signings. At least our vacancy report looks better this week than last week. Parents still have been given no notification or information about the change in leadership at Riverbank. Unacceptable. Our principles spent a year building relationships with students and parents. Tact is seriously lacking in this district right now. Dr. Hafner, I did attempt to meet with you directly to address some concerns in person. I do appreciate the offer for a phone call, but when one of the most vocal parent volunteers in your district request a 10-minute meeting anytime at your convenience in a two-eek time frame, please accept the meeting next time. Instead, I've learned and even given public participation about another subcommittee that gets all the time, and one or two former board members, a handful of failed board candidates that were never elected and
043yet have firthand dibs on what happens in this district, a firsthand seat. I was invited to join this group, but when the invitation says that they're looking at finding out if they have to accept all Lex 2 students, that's not the group for me. Finally, I would appreciate an update on Lex 2 and where we stand on the Department of Education. We did not join the 16 states to sue about this CO funds. I believe Miss Strickland had said we were on the hook possibly for $861,000. Are we still on the hook? I would really appreciate an update on that. And if not, what are you all and our legislators doing to represent us with the Department of Education? Thank you. Thank you, Miss Goforth. All right, we're going to move on along into our
044superintendent update and I'm going to turn it over back over to Dr. Hfner. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Since our last regular board meeting, schools have celebrated numerous events, highlighting the successes of our students throughout this past school year. All those years of work culminate into the most important of K12 education events known as graduation day. At the end of May, we celebrated roughly 550 graduates, many of whom are now headed to college campuses this fall, and they are doing so with roughly 16 million in scholarships. In addition to the scholarship dollars, these graduates from Airport High School and Brooklyn Casey High School also had other recognitions, including nearly 50% qualifying for Life and Hope scholarships. A few other notable mentions from the 2425 graduates. There were 212 honor graduates, 266 life and hope qualified scholarship
045recipients, 20 Palmeta fellows, 307 graduates with seals or endorsements of distinction, 88 graduates offered scholarships based on merit, 44 AP scholars, 10 AP scholars, excuse my voice, 22 AP scholars with distinction, 12 AP scholars with high honors, four AP capstone diplomas, 26 early college program participants who earned earned college credits at no cost during the high school day. 26 South Carolina Seal of Biiteracy recipients, 26 foreign language honor society members, 25 teacher cadet honor students, 18 athletes who signed letters of intent to play in college, 20 graduates with military honors. Our careerbound graduates saved more than $200,000 by completing their training for professional certifications at the Lexington 2 Innovation Center during the high school day rather than having to wait and take the training after graduation. While I know we will wish them well again
046at the August meeting, I thought it would be nice to capture some of those numbers here tonight and celebrate our graduates as we wrap up the 2425 school year. So, we want to give them a round of applause. That concludes my report. Okay, I'll move on along into finance and I'm going turn it over to Miss Strickland. Good evening to everyone. I uploaded the May financials last week. Are there any questions about the May financials? All right. Thank you very much. All right. With without objection, the monthly financial reports are set as presented. And I'm going to keep it over there. This goes we got capital project funding update that go to Mr. Warren or later. That's later. Okay. Was on that one. All right. I'm going to turn over to human resources to Miss
047Hu. Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair, um Dr. Hefner, and board members. Good evening. Um we're getting there. We have 20 support vacancies currently as of this afternoon. Um 18 teacher vacancies, three of which are special eds, so it's a lot lower than the last report I gave last month. So, are there any questions? Okay. Thank you. Thank you. All right. We're gonna move on down to instruction. Turn it over to Dr. McDonald. Good evening everybody. Thank you so much. Um first off, I just want to give the board an update um that last week we finally received a formal approval from the state department of education for us to move forward with our flexible um our flexible high school program for the fall. So, we we've already been working behind the scenes on that and
048um we're pleased to get our final approval. And this week during the state administrators conference, the state department actually used our submitted proposal as a model for other districts to consider ways that we could look for some flexible ways to um support students who may not be on track for graduation. So looking forward to putting that into place. Um already had some phone calls from other districts and I kept telling them we haven't launched yet. So just know that that we're working on it and we're moving, but we're very pleased with that. And so that's exciting for our high schools uh to be able to do that. We've already identified some groups of students at both schools uh to be able to help us put that program into place. So, we're looking forward to sharing
049some updates on that with you as the year goes. Of course, um earlier this year, we we identified for you um that four of our schools were listed as underperforming schools and as required by statute, we are tonight presenting you their 60-day progress. Um and so we have the four schools here this evening. Um, we've submitted that presentation to you and rather than me reading through it, I'm just going to hit a couple of highlights for you tonight. Um, is this going to work? Maybe, maybe not. Did it work? Oh, there we go. Um, so just as a reminder of what we're doing at the district level to support our schools that are in the underperforming status. First off, we continue to facilitate um regular meetings with them to discuss their progress, their specific strategies
050that they're putting into place. Uh and also providing them with some additional resources and support. Uh this looks like uh continued facilitated learning walks in our schools, but also going in and working individually with departments, uh particularly those that are um high stakes, so to speak. So, we're looking at our math, looking at our algebra 1, looking at our US history, uh, and launching a number of initiatives around that. Um, all of these schools have have worked with our problem solving team here at the district level to really specifically address gaps in performance for students with disabilities, for uh, students of various minority groups, as well as our our multi- language learners. Uh, and so we're continuing that work uh, especially working hard with them to make sure those things are happening and that we're
051really digging in. Of course, you've seen our problem solving model before. Uh, and I'm gonna This thing doesn't like me tonight, y'all. She's undo it. Just keep going. Um, just keep driving. Uh, and you you of course have the results for each school and the four uh I believe we have two principles here tonight and two assistant principles in the place of their principal to answer any questions you might have about these specific plans. Uh just just as a an FYI of where we go next. Of course, uh we don't have any definitive data yet. So um much of the data results that we do have are high school, but unfortunately those things are embargoed, so we can't talk about those at this table just yet. Uh until those embargos are lifted, we'll be able
052to provide you with a full report later in the fall. Um these schools are already showing some signs of progress in some of the areas. Uh we look forward to sharing that with you as well as um continuing to look for our scores. We're still waiting on uh language arts scores for our elementary schools and our science scores which we're not expected to now receive until mid July which is substantially later than what we normally receive them. There's some recalibration going on with test scores. Um so the state department gave a test and now they're deciding what the uh results ought to look like. So we're having to adjust to that idea. Uh and so we'll continue to bring you updates on that. Uh these schools will have another report for you in the fall
053two more times um as we as we get the year launched. Of course, we'll be looking at uh a number of initiatives specifically in these plans. The first one is to launch some newcomer supports for our ML kids uh in uh in our high school specifically looking largely at the BC population uh to be able to help support some growth there. as well as of course our high school flex program and for our elementary schools working on some revamping of uh intervention and some other support services that are in place. So I'm going to stop talking and and allow our our four administrators uh to help answer any questions that the board may have. Dr. McDonald, the only question I have after looking through it is a lot of times we talk about growth percentage.
054Uh what is a growth percentage of zero versus 50 versus 100? If I understand your question correctly, what what we typically um look at is can a school make a growth in a specific point by about 3 to 5%. So that's kind of our our our benchmark is can we raise overall number of students who are meets and exceeds on SC ready by 3 to 5% at each school. That is that is not a giant number but it is a large number when you're looking at moving students who have been perpetually behind. So so each of our benchmark numbers sort of looks at that 3 to 5% growth in the indicator. Did I answer that or so if we say that we met growth percentage of 50%. 50% of three 50% of five 50% of
055four I I think it we there's a bunch of spots and actual outcomes in here when you kind of look through it. Do you have a specific one that you're looking at? So I can go there. First one is Casey. It's based on 2425 map. We had 47% of our special education students met growth percentage of 50% or higher in math and 34% met growth percentage. But I don't see if you look at that performance goal, it's uh PG4, we have increase achievement from 8 and a half to 17%. So I guess the is the growth percentage I'm ask Dr. BRA to come up to the microphone and and just explain the difference because one of the things we look at is obviously SC ready we're looking at an overall growth percentage in terms of
056from 30% to 33 for MAP growth it looks at a different metric. Do you want to answer that for us? Well, I think I can answer your question Mr. Gray. There's when you talk about the eight and 17 that's looking at academic achievement percentages growth percentage. Every student in South Carolina has two targets that they're aiming for. One looks at all the kids in the state of South Carolina who score similarly at the the beginning point and says, "What is the 50th percentile?" If you line them all up from who grew the least amount to who grew the most, where's the 50th percentile? That's your first target is to hit at or above that 50th percentile of growth. But if I stay there and I'm behind, I continue to stay behind. Everything just shifts forward
057down the spectrum. So the second growth target looks at what do I need to achieve in order to close that gap. That's when um Miss Goforth was talking about a stretch goal. That's that stretch goal. What do I I hit my 50th percent growth target. I was better than average, but what is my extended growth that's going to close that gap? So when they reference growth targets, they're talking about those two. One is the median growth target and one is the added value. So realistically, if we are not where we want to be, anything less than 50% growth is sliding down the slide. Yes. Depending on as long as you're looking at the same pool of kids each, which in this data it would realistically, right? that I don't know. I'm guessing probably not exactly
058because kids move in and out between map administrations. Gotcha. Yeah. All right. My the the main that's what presume that a bit, but I I want to make sure that like often we can get caught in growth is an easier way to say that we're not where we want to be, but we're growing. And like that's good, but as long I want that growth to be well above 50. It needs to be in that stretch period. You know, catching up is hard, right? And so if we're just expecting 50% as a goal, that's never going to catch us up. And so I just want to make sure that we understand what that data is up here so that we're not just happy with 50%. It's good. We're get improvement is great, but we've got a
059lot of improvement some places and make sure that we see that kind of end goal is not just a a ratio of growth, but actual where the endline is. Sure. And we look at it both both sides. So to your point, absolutely. Because if I'm at the bottom and I get a 50% growth, that's growth, but that's not enough to get me to that hump. So that's why we look both sides the the the growth in general, but also can we how many did we move from from the does not meet category of SC ready into that meets category. So it's kind of a both it's kind of a two-prong. You'll get the second prong um in the fall sadly and it'll be late, but you'll get that once we're able to post those those
060results um publicly. We'll be able to share that. Thank you. The only other thing I had uh chairman is our yes there's always a variable that changes on the report card every year, right? There's a a potential one for next year and then they wait different, but I would love to see these with a kind of projection on that report card each time. So that when you look I don't know when y'all are reading this, obviously we have different performance goals per school, right? However, the grade that is labeled to that that got these schools in this position is all the same weight. And so it would be nice to have a little small calculation in that outcome section that kind of shows, hey, this is where this is actually what is going to matter
061when we come next year and we see this part is growing great and this part's and this part might be a little bit lower. So, we're going to dedicate more resources or hey board, can we get more resources for that? I think that would be beneficial for anybody to look at. Thank you. Miss Bquette. Um I had complimented Casey Elementary when when they first handed us this these goals and I want to continue to compliment them about this because they actually said they would increase ML progress from 18.9 to 28.9. And in their actual in outcome they tell us that they increased from 18.9 to 23.3. So they didn't meet their goal, but they did make a lot of progress and that's something to be really proud of. And for for for most of us
062sitting up here, that is comparing apples to apples. We can we can see what that means. Uh when we get to performance goal four, the goal was to increase achievement for students and the outcome we got was growth of students. Well, those are not the same thing. And so it we we have no way of measuring what that means uh as as Mr. Bray said. And um so I really would love for us to see the goals put forth much as Casey did them where it's we we're planning to increase this much from this to this and then tell us what you did. And in the high schools uh I was I was delighted with the information that said we have this many students. I'm just picking a number out of the hat. We have
06347 students who passed algebra 1. Obviously, it was way more than that. But that doesn't tell us anything about well was that an increase? I mean last year did we have 87 or did we have 27 or it's still 47 from last year. So for us to be able to measure whether there is progress being made that we can actually report to the public uh we have to have apples to apples and oranges to oranges. And so if we could just work toward that um that would be really helpful. So just to your point for your high schools certainly we can look at that. For the elementary schools gets a little more complicated because um again the the state requires that we put measures for end of year test. So for the SC ready which
064is what that that performance goal for is related to we cannot share those data out loud yet because they're embargoed by the state. So by that probably by that third certainly by that fourth report that we give you uh for these four schools you would have those actual numbers. We just aren't allowed to share that because partly because we don't have all the results yet um but largely because it's embargoed until the state gives us that release date. And how does that relate to uh in wood performance goal three was uh to raise academic achievement points to a certain number of earned points. Um, I really have no idea what that means. Sure. So, that's school report card language. So, for the school report card, they're given so many points for for academic achievement. And
065that's where that's what that particular goal pertains to. Um, is they want to increase the number of points that they earn on the report card in the in the academic achievement section from 13.56 to 16. So, that's that's a different kind of goal, but it's still related to that. They're looking more holistically instead of specifically at a population or a group. And each school has a little different um metric when they write these plans for the state based on what the most efficient areas of their school are. And for Wood, that was one of their more deficient areas. And see what I would love to see is in the last school year, we got 13.56 earned points. Our goal was 16 points. And then whenever you can give us the information, just say we got
06614.89 points. I mean, just dumb it down for those of us who don't know all the lingo. True. Thank you so much. Any other questions for on that? I'm just accepting that as information, Mr. Chairman. That's that's my report tonight. All right. We're going to move on into operations. I'm going to turn over to Mr. Warren. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Members of the board, Dr. Hfner, um we'll provide a little shorter operations update tonight. uh as we've you know kicked off the summer with parts of our you know CPF projects and other things and uh look forward to bringing you u photos and uh some completion photos at the at our August back to school meeting for a majority of these projects. But just you know quickly safety and security update we talked a lot
067about our inservice training with Lex and two SRO and administration we had a couple weeks ago. Really appreciate our administrators turning out for that. We had great representation from our schools and from our law enforcement partners there going through a a multitude of different scenarios and trainings um you know with our with our partners in law enforcement. So really really some quality professional development for our for our staff. Um continue that with an exercise uh last week with local state and federal agencies for you know evacuation you know efforts and discussions and planning all the things that that we hope we never have to do. We we plan and prepare for those. So, uh continue to do a lot of work in that in that department. Uh facilities and maintenance uh kicked off our you
068know CPIF summer uh this summer and you know lots of bids coming in, ordering materials, purchase orders, you know, being issued for summer projects. Also, the the turf replacement projects have started along with many other of our projects that will provide a a a you know more thorough update in August with with photos to document you know that wonderful work that's going on. um information technology uh we've all of our CPF monies uh POS have been submitted for those looking for you know delivery here soon you know for all of those um different things that in the IT world that we need for our students and staff uh transportation you see a few updates there um bus maintenance and inspections are ongoing interviews continue uh for hiring new quality applicants uh summer pro summer programs
069our instructional team puts on some phenomenal summer programs programs and we support those especially with transportation making sure that our students can get to and from their camps um and have a great experience this summer for those. Um, and then our inservice training. You see a list of things there that'll go on during our inservice training, you know, for our uh transportation staff and uh student services. You see work continues there as well. It never stops with readmission meetings. Um, and uh just looking at some numbers there. You excited to share that we did have some decreases in our suspensions um and also expulsions, you know, decreased by some substantial percentages. So, you know, great work there by our student support services team and um school administrators, you know, working with our students and with
070the goal of keeping them in school and and having them graduate in four years. So, um and then we'll roll into our, you know, CPIF update, you know, that you receive every month. Just lots of completed projects here. This is 2425. So, we'll roll to 2526 um in August with with uh the work that'll be, you know, for that. But you see, you know, continue to to like to see green on this document. There's a lot of green here, but then also the yellow. I talked a little bit about our IT, you know, monies that were spent um recently, and a lot of those will be coming in here in the next couple weeks. So, we can check those off as well. So, happy to answer any questions about any of this information. Mr. Chair,
071uh, two things for you. First one, how are we looking at on closing out the pack? Goal is end of July. And before we do that, are we going to make sure they fix the dead street trees out there in the parking islands? Yeah, we're working with our landscaper on those. Perfecto. That was number one. Number two was contingency on CPI 400k. What's the update there? Um I have to look at that and get that to you. Um I know we haven't tapped into a whole lot of that, but I'll provide that for you. Thank you. That's all. Any other questions for Mr. Warren? All right, we we're going to move on into unfinished business. What we all waiting for. We're going to turn it back over to Miss Strickland. Okay, tonight I'm bringing back
072scenario one and scenario two of the general fund budget. Um, there were a few changes since the first reading. And um that was due to us receiving some updated projections on some expenses and they are listed at the bottom of the additional request um list. Also in the second reading of the budget and the revenue projections that I received from the state department of education um I used the Senate finance revenue projections where as um the first reading I had the house ways and means projections and the difference in those two projections was $788,000 increase. Okay. So with scenario one um that brought our budget to balance using 1.4 mills. We were allowed to increase 5.59 mills for growth and CPI and that again I'm just reminding you this is reassessment year. So our reassessment
073our mills roll back to 169.3 and then using 1.4 4 mills to balance the budget. They would go to 170.7. Um are there any other questions about scenario one? Just one. If you go back to the first page, uh we have roll back is 169.39 and then we add 1.4 to it and we have 169.3. So if you 16939 1 16930 I know it's just a tenth of a mill but so what happened with the county apparently they were only supposed to do one tenth of a yes and so that's going to change this coming year so I mean it doesn't make that big of a difference in you know what we would receive so we would be really in that scenario we wouldn't be 1.4 four, we would be 1.31. I guess I don't
074I don't understand what you're saying. If I take 170.7 ms and I subtract 169.3, that would give me 1.4. But if I subtract 169.39, that would give me 1.3231. I don't I didn't write my math down, but I just want to make sure we know what millillage we're asking. It would be the one the 1.4 mills to the 170.7. Okay. That's all I got. Anybody else have any questions about the the first scenario? Okay. the second scenario. Um the only thing that changes with the second scenario are the salary schedules. Um so I will move to the salary schedules since that does make up roughly 8 um 4% of our our budget the salaries and fringes. So for scenario one, what I did is I took the current salary schedule, added $1,500 to step zero,
075and then I mirrored the step difference of the state department's minimum teacher salary schedule. So if you look at the the state's minimum teacher salary schedule and you look at the step difference in between the years of experience, I use the same difference in that schedule and our proposed scenario one. And I could do that all the way down until our current salary is higher than what that increase would have been. And that's where we come into the yellow cells. At that point, we walk into our current salary schedule. Our our salary schedule stops at step 30. The state department of education, their minimum salary schedule stops at step 28. So, anyone with 30 plus years of experience would be placed anyone with 30 plus years of experience would be placed at step 30. In
076both scenarios, everyone eligible for a step would be receive a step for their experience. Are there any questions about scenario one? Oh, that was scenario. All right, scenario two, we added $1,500 across the board to every sale to our current salary schedule. Um, with scenario with scenario two, and I'll jump back in a second to scenario one. Um, the let me go Scenario two, the classified and administrators will receive a 2% cost of living. With scenario one, it was a 1%. Are there any questions about that? Okay. Now, I ask for approval for one of the I'm ready. Okay. Um, Mr. Chairman, um, I make a motion that we accept the administration's recommendation for scenario two. I have a motion. Do I have a second? I have a second. And, Mr. Chairman, at this time,
077I'd like to amend my motion um for the following. I would like um I would re we change that the 2% increase goes to the support staff and non-certified across the board. A 1% increase goes to administration across the board. We shift the increase to a thousand instead of 1,500 to all certified teachers will which would include all teachers including our veteran teachers beyond 30 years. Then of course everyone gets their step increase on the certified below the third 30 and below. All right. I have a mending motion. Do I have a second for that? I second. Have a second. Miss Burquette, any discussion on that? Go ahead. Yeah, I we talked about this at our open workshop um earlier this week and I I ran the numbers through spreadsheets, you know, doing that and
078it the the scenario one came to like an average increase of 2.7%. Scenario two with this amendment came to almost exactly 3% which is very similar to what the go you know cost of living and was recommended by the by the um state. Uh so I think it's you know we talked about this it's a the matrix is doesn't make sense in many cases and we got to come up with a better system. We got to plan on it a lot further in advance, but at least for right now, it I I like what it does from a consistency standpoint. Um, you heard Miss Brandt speak earlier. It scenario one, I think, penalized the the experienced teachers and this, you know, I think rewards experienced teachers a little more. So, I'm, you know, I'm very
079much in in in support of of this amendment. Uh again like I said a lot of work to be done I think in the future but right now I think it satisfies um you know what we need to do. Mr. Brick. Yes sir. Thank you. Um in years past we would typically have a little little thing up here saying if we raised your millillage by 2 mills or five mills this is you know what it would cost a a house you know $200,000 house or do we have that up here? It's it's up there. Um it would be on It's the It's the page after where it has the the calculation of the mill on scenario one or two or from It's on both scenarios. Right. Keep right there. All right. So, this is for
080two or one. That is for scenario two. So scenario two to balance the budget we would have to increase four four of the on the original would have to increase four of the 5.59 mills four of the 5.9 there's no clawback and then on the first one doing the math it's 0.31 mills that we would have to increase so for the I don't know however many thousands and thousands of taxpayers we have we're talking about 3.61 millage increase for basically a 3% instead of 2.7%. Is that what you said? Well, it was this is without the amendment. The amendment it's going to bring it down. It will bring it down somewhere closer to scenario. I didn't hear the amendment reduce the millillage. I I believe it does. Yeah. So So the amendment that was brought
081reduces the total expenses. So that would reduce the millillage about approximately two mills. So in our amendment, the most important thing is that we as a board is that we're picking how much we levy taxes on all the business owners, homeowners, everybody who lives in the district. So, right now in this amendment, and granted I wasn't there Monday, but what millillage are we saying that we're going to be levying on all of the property tax owners, the business owners, all of that? I know level one, number one is 31. So, that's I I I'm not sure where you get 31. So if I take the requirement if you can go to number one if I take real real simply if I take 170.70 and I subtract 169.39 so our our roll our our roll back
082millillage we we would roll back to 169.3 well they're going to drop that nine The county is going to drop the nine. Yeah, but we're not dropping the nine on number two. So, we got to like we talked earlier, apples have to be apples. Oh, I understand what you're saying. So, we I'm fine whichever way it is, but we can't treat a whole mill different in each way. Well, we would drop the nine on both scenarios. Like so scenario two it would be 169.3 and then the the capture in the four mills the growth and the CPI it would go to 173.3. So we're just dropping the nine off. Drop the nine. That's what I was told by the county. Well, that makes sense because a nine and a nine zeros out, but a zero
083and a nine don't zero out. All I all I can say is from what I was told from the county they were dropping the that that digit. So based off this amendment, does anybody know what I'm saying that I'm what I am voting to go tell everybody out in you want the millage increase for the amendment? I want to know how much we're taxing people. That's the biggest thing that we do. So if we need to scenario two for the amendment for the amendment. Yes. So originally it would increase four mills. So with the decrease in the expense that would take that down because the total decrease is roughly 572,350 which is roughly two mills. So the the millage would go down. So I wouldn't increase four mills. It would just be two to balance
084that budget. So, can we add that to the amendment that the the budget is an increase of two mills? Yes. Is it exactly two? It's it's not going to be exact. Well, it would have to be exactly in this scenario. We will need to know the millage. So, yeah. What do we need to We could take a a a break of some sort to run the that millage increase for the amendment in the total budget we're approving. It would be two mills. Reduce it. It would reduce. Okay. So, we'll say that that will be yes a part of the amendment formul. Mr. Chair, I move to amend the amendment to add that it'll be an increase of two mills. Second. All right. Any discussion on that? That is for scenario two. Scenario two with the
085amendment. Amendment has been amended. Yeah. All right. We might pull out the book on this one. All right. We're going to vote on that. We have We have a motion. We have a second. We have to vote on the amendment to the amendment first. Right. We'll have to work our way back, but this is work our way backwards. So, Mr. B first. So, all in favor of Mr. B's amended amended motion say I. I. All oppose. Motion carries. Now we going back to Miss Wood. All right, we had a motion and we had a second on Miss Whoops. All in favor of that one say I. I I all oppose. Motion carries. Now we need to go back to scenario two. To scenario two with the amendment with all the amendments. So we had a
086motion and we had a second. Any discussion on that? We're all together. I just want to mention that there's no fund balance in the budget this year. Correct. And I would like to ask that you bring us possible models to adopt for next year. Um maybe by the September meeting just possible options so that we can have those discussions before January for the model or you know system we want to adopt so when we get to January February and budget actual budget meetings we'll know what we're starting with. Are we talking about salary schedules or what what are we salary schedule? So yes. Okay. Um because scenario one kind of was off the state minimum and it was a certain amount over consistently, but it was some kind of system. Um some districts do percentages
087between steps and that kind of thing. So just some options for the board to to review maybe around the September meeting. All right, Miss Burquette. Yeah. Could I just reinforce that when we had the our budget our most recent budget meeting, you sort of said to us some districts do this and some districts do that. We don't want you to plug in every number. We just want to know what those some things are so that we can kind of be looking at different systems. Okay. That's what we would like to look at. Okay. Thank you. I think Miss Castles, you have one. Yes. I would also when we have a workshop next time if we could all come together and you guys tell us your wants and what you want to have and us come
088and say what we have to have from the state what we would love to have what's the luxury but what we really want and then we can get the number strike out kind of bring it back down and then meet again if it doesn't work out put it back in and do it all over again so we kind of all have something and I think one I I just think two is I don't know about y'all but I'm used to having one scenario instead of having two that are all over but that's me and I think that's what once we adopt the model I think it'll really help us get to that one scenario thank you uh three three ask and that go salary schedule ask 100% um with the salary schedule something I'd like
089all of us to think about there's nothing I looked it up earlier today there's nothing that keeps us from improving the salary schedule in future years ahead of time prior to the budget. One of the new laws that is being done right now has, you know, that we've got to get offers out there earlier. I would like us to consider in the salary schedule concept to have a a minimum increase that we will have out there so that a teacher who wants to sign back up with Lexington and two knows, hey, at least I know I'm getting half a percent, 1%, something of that sort. Um, now when the revenues come in and the budget comes, guess what we can do? We can always ramp it up or we can give a bonus or a
090retention or anything of that that sort that it makes it to where we can manage the money in kind of a fiscal um concept that we would see outside of school. So that's number one. Number two is when we bring those salaries, if we can really kind of like uh Miss Rucker and Mr. all did. If we can highlight those cells that are kind of cattywampus from the rest of them that are still really really broken and highlight which ones go to where we need to be marketing. So, you know, at the end of the day, what the reason that we pay people is to be able to get them here, right? And so if we're looking at going to adding a different section or adding more years or taking years away, I want it
091to at least be data proven so that when we go and say, "Hey, we've got to raise your millillage by 3%." You know, business owner who that makes a huge dent to here's exactly why we had to do it, not just because arbitrary or because a couple of people had anecdotal emotion to it. So I would love that side of it. And then thirdly is um I mentioned the word clicks last week uh last month and I heard more about that than I probably heard of anything else. I didn't know printing was such a serious thing especially in elementary school. So when we come back for the August meeting if we can really make sure that at least in our elementary and middle schools that the ability to print is not highly stifened. I was
092absolutely floored how many people said I mean I didn't know the word clicks before that but like that was a big big deal especially when we look at the budget we spend on books and all these other things and when you look at you know pupil activity like we've got the money there so I think it's there's a breakdown somewhere and I would like us to talk about it to make sure it's fixed for this next school year but that is all. Thank you. All right let's break. Anybody else have any questions on that? All right, want to call for the vote now. All in favor of scenario two, say I. I. I. All oppose. Motion carries. First of all, I want to thank the board because that's been a lot of discussion over the
093last month over this and a lot of hard work and late nights phone calls trying to get through it. So, looks good having a 70 budget coming through. So, thank y'all. All right, that went painless. All right, now we're going to move on into consideration of second and final readings for the proposal revisions to the board and we're going to look at Go ahead. Yeah, I'll go ahead and make the motion. All right. Um, Mr. Chairman, um I make a motion that we accept the second and final reading of proposed um board policy Ike, promotion and retention of students. Second. Got a motion and a second. Any discussion on that? All in favor say I. I. Motion carries. All right. Got it. Mr. Mr. Chair, I move to consider the second final reading of policy
094JLCG seizure and safe schools. Second. Got a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor say I. I. Motion carries. And now we're moving into D. I move to that we accept the second and final reading of policy JLCD assisting students with medications and other health needs. Second. I had a motion and a second. Any discussion? Got one for just one quick thing, Mr. Chair. Um just it looks like we need to add um under proposed change including the administration um we need to add of medication but just minor but we do need to fix that before we publish it. Thank you. All right. Any others? All right. All in favor say I. Uh, all right. Motion carries. We're going to move on into new business and turn over to Dr. Hafner. Okay. At
095this time, I'm gonna She's already there. I was already in there. Good evening, Mr. Chair, Dr. Hafner, members of the board. This is really more of a standard protocol tonight. I would like to request authorization from the board for Dr. Hafner to apply for title one parts A and D and Title 3 funding. To give you a little background, the Title One preliminary allocation for fiscal year 2026 is $3,42,989.36. That indicates an increase of $89,59.37 from last year. So that is a 3% increase in title one part A funding from last year. the preliminary fiscal year 2026 allocation of $74,863.70 cents for title one part D which is neglected and delinquent funds. This is provided to our three rivers residential treatment facility and that represents a $9,42142 decrease from last year. That's an 11% decrease.
096We have not received a preliminary fiscal year 2026 allocation for title three part A, which is our multilingual learners at this time. That's not unusual. It usually comes sometime in July or early August. Mr. Chairman, I move that um we approve um authorization for the administration to apply for title one part A, title one part D, and title three. Second. I have a motion and a second. I do have a question, Mr. Chair. Yes, sir. Uh does this lock us into any particular FTEES for the next year? actually title one part A funding is largely used for salary and benefits and some instructional supports but as far as locking us in those plans are not written until typically August so those won't even be submitted so we're of course that money flows through on the
097federal calendar so we won't be seeing that so you're actually two fiscal years away from the full extent of the spend of that particular set of funds uh often we are told, you know, we can't do X, Y, or Z because we've approved title, you know, federal funding and, you know, that money is fenced and then we're stuck with whatever for the future. So, I just want to make sure on record that approving this doesn't aix us to an FTE count for some type of coach or instructional or anything in the future. Is that the plan hasn't even been written as of this time for 2026. Thank you, ma'am. Tonight is just like I said more of a standard protocol just so that we can request the authorization for Dr. Hefner to just apply for
098the funding. Thank you. All right, we had a motion and a second. All in favor say I. I. Motion carries. All right, we're going to move on down into consideration of first reading of proposal revisions to board policy KBE, relations with parent organizations, proposal deletion of board policy LEC, support organizations, and proposed revisions renaming of administrative rule ARLEC-R support organizations to new administrative rule AR KBE-R relations with parents organizations. and I'll entertain a motion. Chairman, um I make a motion that we um accept um the consideration or first reading of the proposed revisions to the policies as you just presented. So a motion and a second. Any discussion on them? All right. All in favor say I. I. And I approve um I move that we approve and ratify the one student travel request and
099it has already uh happened. BC High School to attend FCA football camp at the Citadel uh June 16th through 18th. Second. All right. Got a motion and a second. All in favor say I. I. All right. Motion carries. That was a painless meeting there. So we're going to move on into announcements now. Um, July 3rd, 2025 is Independence Day holiday. Um, July 28th is teachers return. August the 1st, convocation, Lexon 2 Performing Arts Center, 8:30 a.m. We getting right back in it, right? August the 5th, first day of school for students. August 7th, back to school board meeting, district office at 6 PM. And then August 21st, our regular monthly meeting of the board of trustees here in the district office at 6 pm. I'll entertain a motion for executive. Mr. Chairman, I make a
100motion that the board of trustees enter close session for the following. Receipt of legal advice regarding board policy BC and BDD. Receipt of legal advice regarding student matters. Receipt of legal advice regarding board policy BEDB discussion regarding Lexington 2 property and consideration of personnel appointments, reappointments, and resignation. Second. I had a motion and a second. All in favor say I. We are now in executive. Are you good? Okay. I make a motion that the meeting be reconvened in open session and the appropriate affidavit executed. I have a motion and a second. All in favor say I. I. Back in. All right, Mr. Chairman, I make a motion that we accept the administration's uh recommendations for new hires, reappoint, resignations, and retirements. Second. We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor say
101I. I. Um carries. Mr. Chairman, I make a motion that we accept the administration's recommendation for the administration positions at BC High School and Pine Ridge. Second. Motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor say I. I. I. Motion carries. Motion to adjurnn. deck.