001Well, we had a February board meeting. >> I think February's, if we look historically, I think Februaries are like that every year. >> I'm going to be sick the next February. No, it doesn't. No, actually, the thing was is that we got a lot done. It was really amazing how much we got done. Uh, I mean, if you think about we kicked it off with a construction update among all construction updates. And I mean, >> you know, and you had a lot of knowledge. You've actually walked the buildings and you've seen different things. Pretty impressive. The taxpayers spend a lot of money on bonds. Our last one was right at two billion and people were choking on it. Yeah. >> And it's it's imperative that we are aware, we understand that we ask questions so
002that we can answer to them on the the funds that are used, but more importantly, it's are we using the dollars well for our students? And that that's where where I felt like we we've learned a lot. >> Um last night, Dr. Moral made the comment to He goes, "When we saw the agenda, we knew it was going to be a big one. We knew it was going to be a heavy one." And he goes, "But it needed to be done. There was a lot that had to be covered." >> Well, you know, and I think one of the things is because you're revisiting the campuses that's really important is that talking about lights and those kind of nuances that you know, while some people might think it's a small thing, it's really makes a
003big difference in a campus, doesn't it? >> It really does. >> I can tell you our trustees know just about as much about construction and about what we've done as far as master plan. Y'all are well verssed. I I don't I don't think you want to build anything, but maybe maybe you could. >> But we we are definitely going to make sure we're versed in what we're doing. >> So, we also had this ruckus right next door to us that kept that was hard to hear because people kept talking and it was turned out it was all state band musicians that just moved the party over and we celebrated that. >> 31 kids, one of the top districts to have I mean, one of our neighboring districts had 12. Yeah. >> So, 31 is a
004lot. >> It's nice to be number one. We moved that party on and then we started the party of new principles and you know we we had the last one go last because we knew that he he was half the audience. But the it was really great when we were able to celebrate all these new new principles. And you know the thing is is that actually some of our principles that are willing to go over begin new schools you know uh in so far as when you're when you're you're going to move in and having Jamie Almond you know come from such a and open a new campus I mean that's really valuable because she brings out the experience there and then Amber you know debont you know just just amazing as far as what
005she can bring to the table and then we have succession plans as far as you know next people up that can go from you know uh Irons Junior High and uh have all the great systems and processes in place and can go and and take a know veterans. I mean, it really is nice when you have leaders, isn't it? >> Yes, it is. We're we're very blessed in that regards when we >> we have people. The exciting thing about Jamie is she's returning to a feeder zone. She's been in before. She was at Broadway as an AP and then over to Sanjack and then now over to um uh Arnold's and um and so that's exciting for her and for the community around there. They they really love her over there. Um and then you
006know I I'll let you do the master ceremony last night. >> Well, the thing is is that I just have to do it separate because uh he's literally made his own t-shirts for Timber Mill and then created his own mascot. We've already made that mascot, but he created a new one. And uh it was really though it was a great celebration because if you've not had a chance to be around Dr. Todd, I thought you know you will you will know that he's there. Is that fair? >> Absolutely. I asked his wife last night. got to go. Okay. We He's already in his speech told us, you know, how his mama told him, "You don't ever go out without being dressed and prepared and to put on your best um appearance up front, your first
007impression." And so I looked at her and I go and I looked at you all as you sat on that front row and not only was he, but the three of you, his daughter and his um wife, they all coordinated. And it just cracked me up. And it goes to his personality of your first impressions of what he's trying to do with these kids. And um that that's that's significant when they understand. Take pride take pride in in your appearance. I know that to some that's like that's not everything. But a lot of these kids need that. They need that. >> They do. And the thing the great part about this decision is Stockton's kids are going to come to Timber Mill and it's going to be such an easy success. Anytime you can give
008a kid a level of familiarity with someone that they love, it's a really big thing. And uh and the great part about this is too like the other campuses, they've created systems that will be followed and continued success. So, you know, I just, you know, always say about pray about these kind of things and I think, man, we just keep getting the best people to be in these best roles. It's neat. It's neat. And the thing is, it doesn't end there. We actually had updates on on mascot options and you know, I I didn't realize I mean, we sort of cared about mascot options. It's serious business here. I mean we we we poll and we ask and we things that you know buy that I like never get chosen but okay but I mean
009you know the thing is >> well we can't put your face on everything. >> I know wouldn't that be great? Well yeah nobody wants the the Arnold Dave nobody wants but the thing is is that in in those situations it's really great because to get feedback and like you know our goal is ownership and when those those families have ownership it makes all the difference in the world and going that extra mile take that extra survey it's really cool and it's and it's it's worthwhile and there's it's really cool. I love it. Uh, and then that we have approved mascots for for that was kind of the worst, you know, you know, kept secret as far as the process goes, but I think I think you and I both talked about how important it is
010to to to have these mascots and their similarities and what we what that builds. >> I I think the branding of each um feeder zone is is critical. on I think we've seen for for a continuity for a buy in for um just the the feel and the flow of from one campus to the next it develops and it grows and then those littles get to be excited about to be a big grizzly or to be a big panther or highlander or whatever and um we saw the success and I love that we've been continuing it through Ponro and Ky Creek and now in in Grand Oaks and and just so forth. And so now with Timber Mill, so I think it's really important >> and there's going to be a unique flavor. You know,
011the timber mill is going to have a little blue in it that you know that it's going to be an accent. They call an accent color and so but those are neat. But those have been well thought out and very and considered very much. And the probably one of the biggest parts of the event and my goodness, we've talked about this for a lot because it's a serious thing. Math curriculum. >> I was told it was an hour and a half. I don't know if we did discuss it and work on it. um for an hour and a half. But uh I will say I won't say who it was, but I received an email today from someone that's a teacher in the district and was on the guiding coalition >> stating how thankful they
012were the discussion and the dialogue and the true interest from the board last night in communicating back and forth regarding teacher choices, regarding the fact that these curriculums were already addressed and researched and and by thousands of teachers. thousands of teachers before they ever came to us in Conro >> um and for our evaluation and now it was just choosing the one that was best for us and >> uh listening to those teachers I've always heard in the past listen to the teachers listen to the teachers we never doubted our teacher >> we didn't it was a matter of the teachers kept telling us it wasn't always our choice they it would get changed once it you know went down the process so partly that was trusty Duncan's comments last night asking and drilling down
013on how many were involved in it, >> but we do trust our teachers. It's just that we haven't always been able to trust in the process and we do now. Well, I think that your your composite understanding of how it works and realizing that one of the things when you talked to me about coming here is that this is going to be the what we want to get done and I think the work has began on that process and you know and honestly the the selection of these materials are one element of uh our ability as you just said to help teachers deliver instruction to kids so they can learn and grow and uh that process is beginning. you're getting a lot more information about that here soon and uh we're committed to it and
014it's exciting and I think that everybody you know your thoughtful dialogue about the whole thing even with relate to you know and there's always somebody who didn't get their exact choice but you know like seventh grade wanted to do one thing but you really have to have that continuity but we discussed that and for those out there we've talked about this small groups big groups we've talked about every time things we y'all have really covered this information um thoroughly and uh with u I think that we made a great decision a ready to move forward. >> We are too. Uh the board is extremely excited about having a strong mathematical curriculum. We keep talking about our reading scores, but in reality, our math scores have been suffering for years. And we are so excited about
015to have the continuity and the development of a program that gives our teachers what they need all the way through without having to flip and switch and go from one thing to another. So that's right. This is everything that we I I I this is just one little thing. I loved that. I'm almost positive it was in the Savas program that it gave them the ability to generate a sub lesson. >> Yeah. >> Teach it. If you're not a teacher, you don't understand how important that is and what a timesaver it is. You'd rather just be there than versus not be there just so you didn't have to do the the lesson. >> You didn't take the day off because you knew you had to take care of that. Yes. >> Well, lots accomplished. I
016know it was a long meeting, but I think that we got a lot accomplished and and I'm I'm really proud of what we got done because I I was telling trustes after it was over with. We, you know, what we accomplished and what we considered through the whole process. I mean, we made big decisions that were thoughtful decisions that were not made in in a in a circumstance, but made through thoughtful process questions and and research. So, I'm proud of you guys. I'm proud of what we got done, and I can't wait to, you know, uh to get going on getting the planning for the new curriculum. Thanks, everybody.