001Madame President, another great meeting and lots accomplished. >> I, you know, at first when I walked in here today, I was like, "Wow, what did we do last night?" And then I started looking at the highlights and was really quite impressed at what was accomplished. So, >> right. And the thing is that we we're we're actually trying some new venues out. So, the Jet Center opportunity to kind of see what we could do there to utilize that space. and uh you know few things that we're trying to work out to see if it works, but it's nice to maybe change things up a little bit. >> It really was. And I like the fact that it's a little more centrally located for everyone. It's still regardless of which direction you're coming from, I45 is not
002our friend. So, um it doesn't matter on that distance, but it's just a little more centrally located. >> We kicked it off by recognizing some great kiddos, some national merit finalists. >> Yes, that was really exciting. What did we have? 40. >> Yeah, it was amazing. And you know the great part is they just spann the school district and it was just neat. Parents were proud. We were proud and it's a neat opportunity to to celebrate kids. There's a lot to celebrate around here. >> Yes. Trusty Horton gave some really good words about what that really means to be a National Merit Scholar and or semi- finalist and how hard they have to work and the sacrifices they make. And that was good to hear last night. >> The first uh principal hire that that
003I've had the chance to make. I don't think you and I could be any more in agreement on. >> No. The board is thrilled. We are so excited to see uh Nina Norman over at Oakidge High School. She has a heart bigger than Texas and she is ready to dig in and excited. I thought she was going to bust last night. She was so excited. >> She made an eagle call which I I wasn't expecting. >> She did a great job. >> It was impressive. You know, the thing is is that's what kids love is that human element and that that desire for relationships and that just genuine kindness. It's it's a good thing, man. if I would really want for her to be taking care of my kids. >> I I love what she
004has um to bring to that school in leadership. It something I think that will be very well embraced and will take them to another level. >> Absolutely. And just speaking of good things happening, you know, we had the chance to uh celebrate, you know, donations to our food bank. And you know, the thing is the McGomery County Food Bank does a lot of good for a lot of people and we were able to able to make a donation. Yeah, >> it was 15,000. It was really almost 16,000 meals. Absolutely. >> That we were able to help fund. >> Well, you know, the thing too is an inaugural things that we do, always learning from and doing different things with and uh it's nice to be able to have those connections and we're going to continue
005to do that. >> That really was the the key there it in just a short period of time what we could accomplish. >> Well, in your years here, y'all opened a lot of schools and so we're about to look at what Valerie is going to do. So, run off those possible mascots. Well, we have the top ones um mentioned were dolphins, >> falcons, >> sea turtles, and sea lions. Janine Fowler was a huge um beloved teacher and fixture in the woodlands feeder zone and all that knew her knew her conservation um attention to the the sea. >> So, um I think the one of the leading ones they mentioned was sea turtles at this time. Yeah, it's kind of hard to grasp, but you know, yeah, getting behind the Okay, turtles, it be, you know,
006but I mean it is, you know, I thought that's the whole process, but you know, that's why we listen to the public and we got those in. So, we're taking all that information and reiterating that, looking at those different things and and getting ready to go. So, neat stuff. Finally, we've been trying to talk about this for a while about facility rental uh board policy. You know, one of the things that you guys have told me is that find ways to make partnerships with our community and and provide accessibility so that we can one taxpayer type thing and and I think that we had a really good discussion about those possibilities. >> I I agree. Um we are as a board we're really focused on taxpayers already pay for our facilities. >> Yeah. >> And
007they're in those areas in that part of the community. We want to make them accessible to our >> um to our communities. Right. >> However, we also can't have it go in the red when we do that. So, we have to find some sort of happy medium and how we can make that happen and be positive for both entities. So, >> absolutely. And so, we're taking a look at that over the next month and coming back if not this month, the next following month with opportunities and possibilities with the considerations for what might be policy, what might be procedure, but hopefully making it a little bit more flexible about that process. >> Yeah. One thing I do want to mention that we walked away from last night, I really like the idea of a potential
008for our teachers to be able to a offer after school things where they can actually supplement their incomes and have a reduced rate or a free use or however we can make it happen. So I really like that option. >> It really is opening up that opportunity to do what's best for teachers and kids in the community is really cool. And then you know we have you and I have been pretty busy with a little bit of an opening here. You want to talk a little bit about that? >> Well, um, with the resignation of Trustee Nelson, we found ourselves with a position open for position one, >> right? >> And, um, this was new for me. Um, no, it wasn't new for you, >> but um, we had to look at four options. And
009the option that the that the trustees chose was to do an open application um opportunity and to the community anyone that wants to apply can apply and then we'll hold some interviews and then we will make a decision as to how to fill that position. We felt that a special election for the short period of time that it would have ended up being just was not a good use of taxpayer money. No, it's expensive and if you have to do it alone, if you do it in May, it's even more, you know, there's more of the burden on us. And so in that general election, it's really pretty expensive. >> Yes. What we would have found out, I think we found out it was like over $150,000 to do for May. >> And for a
010six-month filling of a position, >> I just we could not justify that expense. Trusty Dawson ran down through our our decision process really well last night. So, if you all want to see that part, you can go and look at just that clip on the um on the video from last night's meeting because it'll give you a good understanding of why we chose the route we did. So, we'll open up the application process uh on tomorrow around noon and we will keep it open for accepting applications through 5:00 p.m. on January 6th. >> And then the trustees will evaluate. will invite people back in for an interview on January 13th. So, and hopefully potentially make a decision that night on who to fill that position. So, >> pretty innovative and that I'll give you full
011credit for this of the process of trying to look and find ways to, you know, be transparent and provide opportunity, be open-minded. It's really it's a lot of more work on y'all. And I feel bad for that, but it's it's the fairest way to do it. >> Yes. What was it we said last night? Death by meetings. We're we're dying by meetings. >> I know. But I mean, it's important, >> but we we're trying to be very transparent with the public and uh and to hear all those that are interested. >> Well, we're grateful for that and I'm grateful for you that it's uh we're, you know, I'm wearing obviously this shirt I wouldn't normally wear. You look a lot more elegant than myself, but it has been I don't know. I I have to
012go think about how many Christmas cookies I've eaten and how many Christmas parties I've been. But it has been really neat. And you know, we we were um at the uh what was what's the the the the music? The Holly Jolly the jingle. >> Now you've got me jolly holly jolly jingle. Now you've got me getting it. >> I don't know. But anyway, it was just it was so nice and so just amazing. And parents are proud. We're proud. And uh you know, we have got a lot to be thankful for during this Christmas season. >> We do. our our faculty, staff, our students, we are just working with the best people and we we wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year. Get recharged and refreshed and let's come back and
013ready to be merry and bright in 26. >> Let's go.