001[Music] Howdy there, Bulldog Nation. Welcome back in to Take Two with Hawk. I'm Curtis Quillin and he's the Hawk director, superintendent of schools, Dr. Brent Hawkins. Dr. Hawkins, how are you today? >> Well, uh, you know, we're we're making steps. Pretty pretty proud to uh look at all the accomplishments that's going on and we're extremely excited for all the Bulldogs to get back. We are recording this episode Thursday, August 7th. So, a week before we bring kids back into classrooms here in CCISD, uh you're listening to this. This is publishing on Friday, August 8th. And let's start like we always do with good things. Convocation was last week and it was that's one of the most electric crowds that I've been in and I spent 10 years covering the Big 12. >> Electric is a
002very good word for it. I was um uh you know this is 19 years in 19 years ago I I became superintendent and you know over that time uh to see the atmosphere of that look I'm I'm starting my 33rd year uh in education and uh to to be a part of that was truly an honor because uh you know Mr. flipping kept uh talking about how special that was and uh there was a lot of blue and gold and and a whole lot of energy in that crowd and and so >> um I was uh from from some from some old guy now in the business it motivated me to see people that passionate. I I think when you talk about public schools, you know, it it never ceases to amaze me that uh
003when you when you get on social media or something that somebody comes up and starts talking about alternative education, uh different different ways to receive education today. And I'm not I'm not throwing rocks at them, but seems like everybody's projecting their problem uh onto public education. But man, if there was any way possible >> to bottle convocation up, >> I would retire today and start selling it because it was infectious and it was on display of everything and why public education's important. You had students there, you had staff members there, they were all focused, they were all bought into uh to what was going on. And you know, the good Lord didn't make us to be in silos or isolated. >> He he made us to all walk with one another. And you know, in
004the Bible, it talks about loving thy neighbor. >> And so he intended for us to be social creatures. And so when you take social and emotional away from learning, then you have you have took something away that's very special. And I think that's what makes public education so special is you have all of these folks from different walks of life and backgrounds coming together to serve the next generation of society and you have these children that's coming through that is maturing and it's and and to me that relationship that that meets there is so special. uh the the community when I talk about what it is to be part of a community. Yeah. >> And and you know whether it's UIL or not UIL that public education of bringing bringing folks together and learning how
005to interact so that they can be successful in life is is definitely something to be part of. >> Yeah. And that's you know that's the se the third one that I've been a part of since I joined you know as we're recording this. I started working in CCISD exactly two years ago today and my first week on the job was convocation but that year was the year Lee Ledger auditorium was out of commission because the fire curtain we were waiting on the motor to sail across the Atlantic and so of the three that I've been a part of you have to take that one out because it was very different but this year's was much more energetic uh than last year and I just think that that was on the teachers I think they were
006more enthusiastic and I I think uh they were ready to start the year off on a good note. One thing that I want to make sure that we're not remiss in not doing is thanking our partners at HB Plus of Coppers Cove who donated five $100 gift cards that we were able to give away. They asked us how we wanted to do it. Well, one of the things that you and I have been talking a lot about and focusing on um quite a bit is school spirit and community spirit. So, uh, we raffled three off and we, uh, we were able to give two away to some spirited staff members. And so, uh, that picture you can see in Friday's Cove Leader Press E edition. Um, and it's we just want to make sure that
007we take a moment to thank, um, HB+ of Coppers Cove who's been a wonderful partner of the district. >> Absolutely. You know, when you talk about supporting schools across the state of Texas, HB is right up there on the Mount Rushmore >> of of sponsors and donors of giving back and and making sure that they're supporting uh public education everywhere. And I and I can't say enough about that. And uh to tie into our whole what we're trying to do is to build a uh greater sense a more robust culture uh you know unity uh in today in today's society everybody's divisive. Everybody's mad about something. Everybody thinks that you got to do exactly if there's 20 things that comes out if you do 19 of them in their favor. mad because you should have
008done that one more thing. And so you got to agree with people 20% 20 times out of 20. And uh and and so but that's not what public education's about. Uh our our school system functions best around unity. when when we bring groups of people together and we mold a consensus, uh that's that's where you really get the greatest momentum and greatest impact uh in the lives we serve. And so we we've several times talked about painting the town blue. >> Yeah. >> You know, if if our brand is those Bulldogs and our brand is that blue and gold, then we got to be proud of that. We we got to be quite arrogant about that. that it is just a little bit more value in the Bulldog brand than anything else. And so when
009it comes to school spirit, our teachers deserve that uplifting, that unity, and no one deserves the uplifting unity into being a part of something more than our kids do. Right? when you drive in Cove, uh, you know, and and you're and you're from a opponent or or you're just visiting from another town, you need to know that our community, our businesses, our staff is behind those kids. Sometimes as a child growing up in today's society, you can feel quite lonely. But we know when kids are a part of something, when they feel like they're heard, they're seen, they're a part of something, then they're going to be more productive in anything they do. So, that's good things convocation. Thank you to everybody who made that event a success. Other people who uh came and spoke
010with some of our teachers. Flip flipping the founder of the flipping group was our keynote speaker talking about the the powerful impact of positive relationships uh not just between students and staff. Notice I didn't use the word teachers, it's all staff because there's people who impact our students outside of the classroom every day. But it's the power of a a positive relationship between students and staff, students and students and staff and staff. And so we appreciate Mr. flipping uh the Coppers Cove Education Foundation uh ATPE was there and uh the the the Copper Cove Retired Teachers Association. It was just a real an educators credit union as well. And so we just want to thank everybody for uh helping the copper the CCISD community. Um, and last but certainly not least, one, I'd like to
011thank our staff here in communications because that event is a heavy lift and they did one heck of a job helping make sure that that event went off without a hitch. Uh, but definitely want to give the Copper Cove ISD child nutrition department um, some shine here because they took on the task of feeding what was it 1300 employees. >> Absolutely. >> Which is no easy task. So, thank you to everybody who made that event a success. Let's move on with the program. Okay. The last time you and I talked, it was not so good news be with Williams Ledger being out of commission um for an indetermined amount of time. And I'm sure you've gotten this question. I know I've gotten this question. And I know the other three folks in this department have
012gotten this question. So, I'm going to turn it to you and say, do we have any update on Williams Ledger Elementary School? Yeah, I I think the the big update is um that we all need to start the school year off with grace and and understand that um what happened at Williams Ledger with the the the roof uh was an act of God and that um you know there's there's really nobody to blame in in that sense that campus uh come online in about 1990 >> and that roof was well beyond its life expectancy. And so uh you know we uh know that it's a very unfortunate thing that it that it puts people into stress uh and and we want to do everything that we can to uh to lower that level of stress.
013And so in order to do that we all have to maintain a sense of grace. Uh we we know that none of those teachers those 32 34 teachers that uh had to relocate uh wanted to do that and so we've tried to make that as seamless as possible for them. We also know that um in in in doing that that we've got students that's going to go into kind of another culture of another campus and and we want to try to take that stress level off of them. Uh, we do know that every start of school in every school district in America, unless your school district built a campus out in a 500 acre cornfield, there's going to be traffic issues. >> Yep. >> And those things usually uh level themselves off without in the
014last or in the first couple weeks. Uh, and so that that will happen. We've got bus drivers and students getting acquainted with uh new routes. Uh and so that takes some time to work out the kinks on that. And so I I just think that uh we all need to approach this with grace and um kind of be a little forgiving of folks because I know that everybody wants the very best and everybody's going to do what we need to do to serve uh our students. Uh, as far as the facility itself, you know, yeah, we've got we've got crews in in the campus at Williams Ledger that are knocking the walls out and uh, you know, as as could be expected, we've we've looked and and it it totally validates everything we did. We've
015not overreacted in any sense of the means. Water got into a building. it got into the drywall. Uh, and you know, it is what it is. And so, we're going to make sure that all of that is remediated, all of the issues are addressed, and that the inside of that building is probably going to look pretty new. >> Yeah. I mean, it's going to look like like I've said with some of the other facilities, stuff, Chip and Joanna Gains have become millionaires out of flipping uh uh houses. And I think that the same thing inside of Williams Ledger whenever we get the keys back to it is going to be uh you know renovated and uh and and so that is a heavy lift on everybody and we understand that. But, uh, the the people
016that are in there that are taking care of business, uh, we we're still working with our insurance adjusters and, uh, we just want to make sure the job is done right. Uh, but we we definitely will not move back into that building, uh, foreseeably, uh, before Christmas. >> Yeah. >> Uh, and and and but like I said, >> uh, being in a rush, being in a hurry is not what's going to guide us on this thing. and we're going to make sure that it's done right and we move back in as as quickly as possible but with all of the dynamics as safe as possible. >> Not easy for anybody. You mentioned that. And so as we pivot toward back to school, one thing to keep in mind is like like Dr. Hawkins said, we
017don't know when that campus is going to be deemed safe for a return. So, if you are a parent at Williams Ledger, Fairview Juul, or Martin Walker, because remember in our last episode, and you can go back and watch it, that's where those students have been displaced to. Uh, while Williams Ledger's campus is out of commission, kindergarten, first, second, third grade at Fairview, fourth, fifth, and self-contained special education classes are at Martin Walker. So, wherever your student is displaced to and if you are a parent of a student normally at Fairview Juul or Martin Walker, we just ask that you allow some extra time for drop off in the mornings because there are go there's 200 additional students, two to 400 additional students at that campus from what are normally there when you drop when
018you dropped your kid off in the spring. and when that will from what will be there once you drop your student off following the reopening of Williams Ledger Elementary School. So like Dr. Hawkins asked for some grace and give yourself some extra time and understanding that this is this is going to take a minute um for all of us. And so uh that's the update on Williams Ledger. Obviously, we'll update y'all every time, every chance we can because we understand, you know, when you've got what, what is it, 600, 650 projected students there. >> That That's large. That's a large amount of students um that are affected by this and their families. And so, we wanted to make sure uh that we update y'all on that. We will say, and I got this email I
019got this this question in my email and um I know you and I talked about it. Someone asked why we only split those children between those two campuses. And I want to set I I want to be able to let you take it, but I want to answer that. And we had space at those two campuses. And for families with multiple students enrolled at Williams Ledger, we wanted to minimize the disruption. We can't eliminate it. In a situation like that, that's impossible. But where there was space at Fairview, there was space at Martin Walker. Um and so we were able to minimize because of how close those two campuses are the disruption to families with multiple students at Williams Ledger. >> Well, it it it's you know, number one is capacity. And so we're fortunate
020that we had capacity on those campuses. We don't have capacity at House Creek. House Creek is at capacity. So we can't take any more students there. You know, Coppers Cove High School is beyond capacity. So we can't, you know, we we can't take students there. Uh but those two campuses had capacity. Uh Clemens Parsons had capacity as well. Uh but we just uh collaborated uh talked about it and felt like that it was a great fit uh for the students. Uh we felt like those those two principles on those campuses, Dr. Chuck uh and and and Kelly Thompson were two people that were going to welcome more students with an open arm and and that you know my my deal was and is that you know we got 7700 students uh projected in in this
021school year uh ADA we're projecting about 7,150 that's average daily attendance and and my prayer every morning is that every kid that comes in the Cove feels like they're loved. And and so I had no reservations about those two campuses. We couldn't put the entire campus. We couldn't combine uh Williams Ledger with Martin Walker. And you know, some of that was we have a spillover of programs because Copper Cove High School is not big enough to continue to have the the uh workforce readiness and the uh and the CTE programs fully on that campus. We've had to move um some of the health careers and cosmetology to Martin Walker. And so Mark Walker is already hosting >> Yeah. >> some some students. And so now they're hosting more students, but we couldn't move all of
022Williams Ledger there. That was beyond capacity. It was beyond capacity to move all of the students uh to Fairview Jewel. And so uh you know, it just seemed like a real good fit, real good place those kids can go and continue to be loved. Real good cooperative staffs right there that's going to that's going to do the same thing as their leadership is. Um, and so, you know, it and and then I also stress this is that, you know, if you got any questions or concerns, uh, reach out if if your child goes to Williams Ledger, reach out to your principal, talk to her about it. You know, I know she's stressed as well. Uh, but but we're all going to be okay. Uh, that that's the main thing is is we we don't need
023to be in too big a hurry. We need to take our time. we need to to relax, breathe just a little bit, and communicate one another. Reach out to Miss Creswell and and and hey, here's my concerns. What can you tell me about it? And I know she's she's been working diligently uh to make this transition uh viable and work and she'd be glad to feel any issues or concerns you have as a parent. and around the clock at that to blow up her spot a little bit. There's events during the pre-ervice that we've left and >> Okay, Miss Creswell, go home. >> Yes. And and the other thing is this is meet the teacher. You know, you're going to get to go on the campus and meet the teacher and you know, you you
024can get your questions answered there. I just want to make sure that >> parents get their questions answered and they feel at peace. Uh I I do uh you know I I tell everybody I got 7,700 kids plus three adult kids and uh and then two bulldogs at my house that that we take care of and and uh and I want them all loved and I I want them all took care of and I want parents to be at peace because you know I I'm every year I'm around a a kindergartener dropping off or prekers dropping off and I know how traumatic that is. I dropped three girls off myself at one point. And so, you know, I just want to uh reassure everybody that that look, we we we're not going to be perfect.
025>> No. >> But we are going to work hard to to meet the needs of those we serve. >> Looking ahead of back to school next week. Again, as we're recording this on Thursday, August 7th, we are a week out from the start of school with students returning on August 14th. So, next Thursday, Dr. for Hawkins. At about 7:00, the doors will fly open and students will rush in for the first time since May 22nd. What should parents know as we get set for everybody to return to school? Well, you know, I I think anytime that politics gets infused into the education system, uh it it it really puts a constraint on the ability of students to reach reach their their optimum. And uh you know, listen, I'm I'm a a guy that's certified to
026teach government. I'm I'm a a political science nut. I love political science. I I believe in our democratic republic that we have and our forefathers set out for us. Um and and so you're saying, "Well, if you believe in the democratic republic and you you you believe in all these things, Dr. What are you talking about with politics?" Well, sometimes uh the greater good or the greater will doesn't shine through. And so what I'm talking about specifically is the further you get from a child's education, the worse the decision becomes when it's implemented into reality. And so that's why I'm I'm not opposed to the US Department of Education u downsizing and pushing back to the states where education should be. and and I'm a big proponent of local control and never in the history
027of my career or or my existence on this planet has local control been any less than it is today. And so I know the board of trustees is good people. They're locally elected here. They've done a fantastic job. They they you know have such a commitment those folks on that board of trustees have such a commitment to the love of Cove and the mission of what we're trying to do. That's where decisions should be made and yet we've got laws that prohibit that from happening. And so I think the thing that parents need to know is is that the people on that board and myself included are are law-abiding people. And so when there is a law, we're going to respect the law and be part of the process to try and mold decisions to
028best meet the needs of our kids. I think the one that's probably on most people's mind is this cell phone ban. >> House Bill 1481. >> 1481 is has caused a whole lot of um you know excitement, I guess you could say, uh on on social media, in the in the news media, in the coffee shops, and in the houses all across the state of Texas. and that is the ban on cell phones during the instructional day. And uh you know at at the next board meeting uh the board members will be considering that policy that resolution and I think we've taken a very common sense approach uh to that whole process. Number one, I uh have no intentions of not abiding by the law. The law is the law. And so we're going to
029uh uh do what we need to to comply with the law. When when a law when a bill becomes a law and that governor signs off on it, it goes through that whole I'm just a bill. Yes, I'm only for those of you are my age, you know what I'm talking about. Schoolhouse rock. And so you go through that process. Your bill becomes the law. The governor has signed off on it. It goes to Texas Education Agency for any rule making. It comes through the Texas Association of School Boards for policy drafts and updates. It comes through your local attorneys and then it's considered by the board. And so I think we have tried to be very common sense in the approach. you know, um I if if your child has a medical need for
030the phone, uh or or Apple Watch or or any of those items that that is on that law, um you know, they can continue to do that. We just have to have documentation that there is a medical need and and there'll be a process that we push out uh that talks about those things. Uh, but we haven't gone overboard and bought any of these pouches or have these little cell phone lockers anywhere, anything like that. Um, I I think number one that this whole law should have been um rest with every locally elected school board throughout the state of Texas, but it wasn't. people in Austin made the law and uh you know and so here here's what we're not going to do. We're not gonna spend an inordinate amount of money on these pouches
031and all of that stuff. Uh that that is some vendor getting rich and I understand that that there is a grant that you can apply for out there and you can buy these pouches. >> They just sent the email for another one of those today. Tea did. there they're it's constantly coming and so I just think that you know that how much of that bill was driven by the financial aspect for vendors and not really for the needs of kids. And I'm not saying everybody that voted for it that's what it was. I'm not I'm not alleging that. But he it does smell bad from my standpoint. And so, so we're going to be real common sense and uh the board is going to consider the policy, the resolution, and all of that. And then
032the district uh this this this week, this next week, we'll roll out the the uh regulations and the procedures for that. But kids can uh turn the phone off when they come in the building in the mornings. Uh they can put it in their backpack. Uh they can put it away. we don't need to see it or we don't need to hear it until they've left the building. Kind of like Elvis has left the building. Okay? And so we we want to do the same thing there with cell phones. And that's the that's the merit of the law. I I know that some people have put out uh differing information that and there's some school districts going to break the law and and and let kids uh use them between classes and stuff like that,
033but that's it. It's been through TASBY. It's been through TEA. It's been through our school attorneys. And that's not what the law says. It says school day. And so, uh, you know, we we our board of trustees is defining school day as school day. And, um, you know, so they they turn it off. It's not seen. It's not heard. The kids that have a medical reason can use it. uh everybody else is going to focus and and do what we need to do uh uh is in the education process as it is. But here here's the deal. You know, kids have that phone on them and heaven forbid if there's an emergency or something then you know if we're if we're having to evacuate the campus or something like that, they've got their phones on
034and you know there there's not going to be any issue with emergencies and things like that. But during the school day, I if that kid has an emergency, not the campus has an emergency, then they need to do like we did back in the old days, go down to the to the principal's office and they can call home, mama can call or daddy can call or whatever can call the the the school switchboard and and we can get information relayed to folks in that manner. And so, like I say, I think it's a common sense approach. I think that that from the standpoint of the staff know that they have to comply with the law. And so I just ask the students to hey, let's not let this be a distraction. Let's not let this
035be anything. Let's comply with the law and then let's go on doing things that bulldogs do and that's win. Win win in life and the prep the will to prepare to win is is is utmost important. So we need to go and prepare uh the things that we need to do. Uh but if if somebody chooses uh behavior that's not the standard in which uh has been set, then that phone will have to be confiscated. You know, kind of a warning on that first deal. 24 hours later at the end of that next day, they can pick that phone up. you know, second time, you know, if if somebody didn't learn or there was whatever, same thing. 48 hours later, they can pick that phone up. And then from there, it it it hits into
036the student code of conduct with, you know, ISS uh and a track that hopefully we can get folks to understand that, you know, that that there's a process that can eventually lead you to off-campus placement. And we want none of that. You know what we want is look, it's the law. Let le let's let's comply with it. Let's move on. Let's focus on the things because here's the deal. Staff doesn't have time to be phone police. And so, you know, I just ask everybody to respect the law, respect respect the staff, and and let's not turn this into a problem. le let's turn it into hey listen I if you don't like the law reach out to your locally uh elected representatives uh on the US House or I'm sorry the Texas House of Representatives
037or you state senators Shelby Slawson and and and Senator Flores and say hey listen we don't like the law we want you to change the law or we want to we want to uh for you to amend the law or whatever it is that you want to do that's your Right. Uh but right now uh I think that we've got a good path forward and we will continue to try to educate folks and tell them what the what the standard of behavior is and what we need to do uh to to comply with that standard to meet that standard and then if those that don't apply what we're going to do in that regard for consequences. So obviously HB1481 is the the the largest change that came down from legislature that families are going to
038notice um for public schools. The the education savings accounts in Senate Bill 2 aren't going to be as prevalent during the school day in CCISD. The pay raises for teachers in HB2 and the $55 added to the basic aotment, that's not really going to be evident during the school day inside the classroom. This one will be. And I know that you you you hinted at it. The definition in the in what's going to the board for consideration next week of the school day is the school day. >> For clarification, because I know we're going to get this question, is that >> opening bell to closing bell or walk in the door to walk out the door? >> When when the kid walks into the building, they need to have their phone put away. And then
039when the last bell rings and then they need to walk out of the building and they can pop their phone out. Um I I I've had the question by by a couple moms that hey my kids going on a volleyball game. They're going to go over to Temple and play volleyball. Well that's outside the school day. And I know that that school bus is an extension of of school property. But and you say, "Well, that school day is isn't over with for that kid until they come back get with." Well, that that's a stretch. I don't think that that anybody that that's going to hold up in court. It it's school day. And so school day it that's extracurricular. >> And so the curricular is during the day. And so when they walk out of
040that building, they can pop their phone up. But it does not like I say you you your you your kid going to go to a swim meet or whatever then yes your kid has the phone on the campus out of sight out of hearing school day is over with and they take off to to a meet somewhere then yes they can have their phone. So that's the the the clarification there on school on the definition of school day as it comes to CCISD's implementation of House Bill 1481. What else it as kids return? What else are parents going to notice that is either different or enhanced for 202526? >> Well, we hope that they don't notice a whole lot different. I mean, that's uh we talked about 1481 and and that being a law, but
041on on the board agenda is about seven other resolutions and laws that Austin has said we have to have that we're going to do before September 1st. Uh because that's what the what the law says, but we hope that it doesn't impact our kids at all. And what I'm talking about is, you know, it's controversy. Um, it would be great if if we could focus on making laws that hit at the core concept of what what we're trying to do in public education. You know, our assessment system is broke. >> Oh, yeah. And instead of addressing that, you know, on the board agenda is going to be DEI policy, sexual transitioning policy. Um, you know, and that's what I'm saying. We don't want our folks uh to see that it's not a problem in CCISD.
042And you know what anybody's sexual preference is is really none of anybody's business. We're not in in that business. No, >> we're in the business of educating kids uh and and and loving on our bulldogs and and making sure that we're setting up them up for great opportunities in life after their post-secondary experiences. And so, you know, those policies are going to be on there. We haven't had an issue with DEI. Okay. Um, a bulldog's a bulldog. It does not matter what a kid's race, anything else, socioeconomic status, their gender, every kid deserves the love from all of us in this community, just like every other kid does. And if we could get back to that, we wouldn't have school shootings. Nope. >> We wouldn't have bullying. We wouldn't have all. So, that's the core
043that I operate with. Um, you know, every kid is expected to be treated like they're my kid. And so, um, I mean, that's that's what I'm calling on folks to do. But yet, we've got we've got laws and things like that about DEI. Well, it's it's a non-issue with us, and we're going to make sure it's a non-issue. We're going to treat everybody with common courtesy, dignity, and respect. And sometimes that includes me, too. But none nonetheless, um I I I also, you know, the the sexual transitioning, you know, that staff isn't supposed to help kids with sexual transitioning. So, I hope not because that that shouldn't be anything that we're engaged in. It hadn't been a problem here. We want to make sure it's not a problem, but nonetheless, we've got policies and and
044everything like that. I know there's going to be a whole lot of legal stuff blow up all over the state on all of this, including the library. You know, we've got a policy coming about library books and everything like that. And >> I've been here since January, and I hadn't heard anybody talk to me about a library book being inappropriate because we we don't want that. We want we want to make sure that we're representing the values, you know, of our community and uh and we're going to do a good job trying to trying to set that standard and I think our board of trustees has done a great job and in making sure that's represented. But so all of those things we want to make sure that there's no change at all to um
045and so I think that's the the the biggest emphasis that we could put on starting the year off. I think from a standpoint of what's different, um, you know, I'm very proud of the trustees work that they've done to, uh, have every student in in CCISD have an opportunity for a a free breakfast or free lunch. I I think that's big. And and look, there's people out there that I I've had phone calls, hey, Dr. Hawkins, can you believe I saw online somebody was criticizing giving kids free lunches and then I've heard people complain about, "Well, it ain't a free lunch, Dr. Hawkins. Well, it's free to the kid. >> It's free to the kid." And that's the whole point. >> And that's what we're trying to communicate. We're not trying to communicate with the
046taxpayer. We're trying to communicate with the kid and say, "Hey, son, young lady, you got a free lunch. You've got an opportunity for your stomach to be full." and right, wrong, or indifference in our society. It's important for us to understand that that doesn't happen all the time. There are kids that are hungry and and so I I am very unapologetic about we're supposed to do no harm to kids. That's part of our educator code of code of ethics. And so I'm I'm a late this this isn't a new program. uh you know my former district we started that thing in about 2017 or 2018 and it was fantastic for for the kids in that school district and I know it'll be uh fa fantastic for kids here but I applaud the board of trustees
047for you know doing that and and ensuring that all of our kids uh at least have an opportunity to have a belly full because they they do not you know you've seen the Snickers commercial about being hungry and uh kids Kids don't function well when they're hungry. >> Neither do adults. My My wife doesn't let me go to church on Sunday unless I've had breakfast before we leave. But, you know, it's it we even heard a student talk about it in dogtales, which if you if you have if you don't know what I'm talking about, facebook.com/coperscod. If you have a meal, you can focus on learning. You're not thinking, "I'm hungry. I didn't get lunch today. I don't know what I don't know if there's going to be dinner at home." And so and and
048and you've heard for years when schools have stayed open in the winter when there's people who want the school to close, whatever the reason is, whether there's weather or not, and they make the decision late or they stay open. Well, all I would bet that 99.99% of those superintendent have said that it's because they don't know if those kids are going to eat if they close the doors that day, which is a completely valid concern. So, now we're still talking about when the school schools are open here, obviously, but with having that community eligibility provision from the US Department of Agriculture, if the schools are open, everybody can eat. There's no there there there's no alternative meal because your account went negative. There's there's no account to go negative. If you're a student in a
049Copper Scope ISD school, you have the ability to eat and that is huge. >> Well, I I just think back to my time earlier in my career and I can't tell you how much cafeteria food I bought for somebody other than myself. Mhm. >> You know, there there was a lot of kids that I bought food for. Uh there's a lot of kids that I bought Christmas presents for, you know, that didn't have Christmas presents. And, you know, I I I absolutely think it's it just isn't who I am to to put that out there. Uh as far as I didn't do it for me because nobody ever knew about it and I never will do it for me. Uh you know, if I do something, I don't like to take a picture doing it.
050I I'm I'm doing it because, you know, of of where my heart is. But in today's society, we have kids uh that come to us with trauma. We have kids that come to us uh from very tough situations. And uh you know if if we can ensure that a child is fed uh that is probably uh one of the top things that we can do for that kid. >> Yeah. Uh because if if if a kid's sitting out there hungry and uh you know k kids come into the world and they didn't ask for it but they come here and I think as a community we all have an obligation to take care of each other. Love thy neighbor. Well, if we really love those kids and h how you going to let a kid
051walk around hungry and uh and and the school district has done a great job in the past of of of paying for that. Uh but but the thing about that is is they have to take the money away from doing, you know, if the school district picks up a tab or forgives somebody's lunch, it it really takes away from the opportunity you give the kid because you only get a certain amount of money. And so you're taking away from maybe something that could extend, supplement, or enhance that child's education in order to feed them. And so by the C program, we'll be able to feed those kids. And like I said, this isn't anything new. Uh I I' I've been doing this quite quite a few years. Uh but I am excited now that you
052know it it's a non-issue with our kids. >> Right. Okay. Another thing happening next week is the regular board of trustees meeting. So it's the workshop at noon on Monday, the final one during the day because of the legislature. Um, and then the regular meeting 6:00 p.m. Tuesday night, that agenda will come out around the time this podcast is published. And so when that is when that agenda is published, what are community what are people around the community going to see on that agenda? And what does it mean? >> Well, I I can think of one thing. >> I I I can think of several things. I I think that the uh the big hammer um well, I mean the volume of it, you know, uh if if you want a copy of that board
053agenda, um you want us to print it, we're going to have to charge you for it because of the volume uh that that is in that that thing. uh if you want a paper copy because I'm telling you uh I saw it on my desk when I come through the draft and and it's about a couple rings of paper and so uh it it is very heavy. Uh there is a lot of consent agenda items. Uh there is a lot of action item or or several action items on there. I won't say a lot. Um but but here's the deal. Uh it it it makes me feel good the things that's on that agenda because we're talking about things that's going to impact our district. We're talking about things that are going to impact our
054kids and staff and the whole community uh on multiple levels. And I think it's important uh that you know we just had a a board workshop. And so you know here here's the things that come out of that workshop is is that uh and you can watch that. You know we we've got it taped and so go on there and watch it. But toward the end of this month we will look at consideration of adopting a a budget for the 2526 school year. will will uh adopt a tax rate before August 31st u that by law and uh you know that's that's the there's there's no one within an hour's drive of us absolutely that has a lower tax rate than we do and and then the other thing is this we got about $251,000
055uh for about 700 staff members uh that the board could use money in order to give raises, uh, pay adjustments for our employees. And then, you know, there was some of our teachers that got a teacher retention a lotment from the state. Um, but when you look at the budget and where it is today, you know, biblically there there's a a point of scripture that talks about, you know, you your heart is where your treasure is. And so when you look that 83% of that budget is tied up in staff salaries, that's very impacting for me. 83% of that budget. And that's not totality. It's really more than that. Because here here's why. >> There's contracted services that we're pulling people in with too. So when you start looking at the contracted services, when you're
056looking at things like the dual credit classes where we have a contracted person that is teaching that that's not on our salary, 83% is just those salaries are actually CCISD employees. And so beyond that, there's actually more than that. It's higher than 83, but 83% of the budget is locked in to the employees that are here that are that are coming to make a difference for the lives of our kids. And so I think that's the good news of the budget. But the but the other thing that's resounding is is that, you know, as of today, the the budget is balanced. And uh >> can and I don't I don't want to skip past that yet. $6.5 million budget deficit was adopted I think my first month on the job two years ago. That would
057be for fiscal year 23 24. Fiscal year 2425 it was down to what was it 2.6 two 2 point something million budget deficit >> like 2.8 something. >> So so about $4 million makeup there. But to get from two years ago $6.5 million million dollar budget deficit which is what 8% of the budget to balancing it. That sounds like a small feat be especially for those of us who you know at home and you made this analogy with the board today. You don't operate with a deficit budget at home and >> you don't loan you have to file bankruptcy. I mean >> to but to get from that >> borrow some money from somebody >> right to get from that you know roughly 8 9% deficit to balancing the budget how enormous of a feat
058is that and what does that do for the district long term? Well, it it's putting us on a path of better fiscal responsibility and uh you know when you when you look at that we we've not only we operated two years in a deficit budget but the staff has operated two years without any salary increase too and I know there's people well the state sent you all that money. We we we read on social media where the state had the largest infusion of money that was out there that it's ever made. Well, first of all, remember if you hadn't paid your car note in six months and you go in and pay up, that's the largest car payment that you've made in the history of owning your car. >> Yeah. >> Uh but really, what
059have you done? You you've just met part of your obligation. And so, uh, the the payraises went directly to some people, but it you you over half of the district received no no money from Austin. $251,000, you know, in in a 80 plus million dollar budget. That's minuscule. >> Yeah. and and when you look at only a half a million of that, the board had any discretion on what to do with. Okay. So, when you start to stack those things up, you say, "Well, how did you do it or how did the board do it? How what what's the dynamics of that?" Well, building fiscally sound business models >> is the way that you do that. looking at, you know, and I tell everybody I was doing before the doers was ever a name. You
060know, Elon can fly rockets better than me, but I'm I've I've built a career on making sure that the school districts in which I serve have worked fiscally responsible and they're efficient and effective with what they're doing. And so, yes, the board of trustees had to annie up more money in order to make sure that that 3% pay raise went to all the other employees. That the board valued all employees when House Bill Two didn't. >> Yeah. >> House Bill Two didn't value all employees, but the but the CCISD board of trustees did. And so, that's that's part of the equation. But obviously if you only had a half a million dollars more of discretionary funds and you said we went from a six to a two, that half a million didn't balance the budget.
061>> No. No, it didn't. >> And so creating models that the school can operate with and being more uh financially responsible uh is what is what makes you be able to balance a budget. And so, you know, alignment, trying to make sure that we're aligning staff with uh expenses with revenues, making sure we're aligning programmatically with staff and revenues. And I think the deal with the budget is this. um 83% of the budget was the alignment of students and staff and that we have lost students over quite a period of time. So you can't keep funding things at the same rate that you funded them. You've got to align that um you know so that so that financially it is solvent. So, so you do that. And then the other thing I'm proud of is
062every director or principal that came in that had an ask was granted their ask in the budget currently. So there wasn't any deal about, you know, a director coming in, oh Dr. Hawkins, we need this. You in this day and time, everybody's got a story and being a victim is in vogue. But everybody came in that asked for something that got what their needsbased budgement budget was prioritized to be. So there wasn't anybody. No, we're not doing that or anything like that. Now listen, we're not out of the woods. There is a great bear standing in front of us in next year's budget. This budget's going to shake out fine, but the bear is in next year's budget because our our utilities are going to probably double. insurance is going up and how do we
063how do we ensure that our staff gets something every year? How do we build that into the culture of CCISD as I built into my former district to where every year our staff is getting something? Because our staff's cost of living is going up. So, they have to keep pace with inflation. And so it it I I I think that I don't I know I don't speak for the board of trustees, but I have heard numerous times that they want our staff taken care of. And so in order to do that, that has to be your first priority in building budgets. And so that's something that we're going to uh try to look forward in the past. But listen, we're we're just at ground zero of of building budgets and and and having a district
064function uh that that meets the needs of our kids. And and next year will be a challenge, but we we're trying to set this up for three to five years. And in order to do that, we've got to make some changes. Yep. >> We got to do some things differently. There's some things that we've done in the past that are redundant and we've got to be more efficient in. And so we're looking from one corner of the district to the other to make sure that everything we're doing is operating more effectively. >> Anything else you want to touch on with looking forward to next week's board meeting? Sorry, I didn't mean to derail you there, but to balance the budget given where that budget number was two years ago, I felt like was worth diving
065into a little more. >> I think it's that's an understatement. I think that that the the trustees deserve a parade and so somebody needs to call the city and see if we can't get a permit because I'm just I'm excited. I'm excited from the standpoint of think of what the trustees have accomplished. Okay. They have addressed the employee uh salary instrument and and have pointed us in a direction that you know we're we can look forward to as employees and and they have ensured that our students are going to get fed twice a day. um they have made sure that uh they're they're building for the future, building for things and aligning things and making things effective. I'm I'm very proud of the work that they've done to balance that budget because here's the deal.
066>> You can't keep doing it. >> No, >> at some point that deficit is going to take you under. And so, you know, I'm not calling anybody's name or anything like that, but you know, I know I know families that live and and and and they have different ways of looking at things and, you know, I I've heard that there's families that have people in their family that has a bunch of Amazon packages shows up on their doorstep and and all these Amazon packages come at a cost. And so so this cost is going out here and and you got you got families that are spending this money and and uh and you and you go three months and you look around you say where did all those boxes go? Where did the money go
067that we spent? And you know what I've heard that there's families say well I don't know where it went. But there's also rumors that there's families that, you know, do a good job and meet the fiduciary responsibilities of the family and then all of a sudden they can go out and they can buy, you know, a a boat or something, you know, and they've saved their money up. And so, you know, hopefully that we're that second kind of family, not the first kind of family that I've heard stories about. >> Stories. >> Well, no comment. I'm I'm pleading the fifth on that. Awesome. >> I like that. I'm going to go with stories on that one myself. Um, the last couple of things that I want to touch on and then we'll get out of
068here is um the things that we're looking forward to. This this first one that I want to touch on, it was a a bear of a project. It took us a year to make sure that the framework matched other districts and was secure and worked with our systems. But and this was a board of trustees goal. This is a goal that we set in our strategic plan a year ago. Improving communication with our community, with our campus communities, and making sure they all understand the programs we offer in CCISD and the great things happening in the classrooms. All of that to say, campus social media pages are here. And if you need to know whether it is a legitimate page or not, each campus name is followed by a hyphen and a Copper Cove ISD.
069But now the campuses have a much more direct route to be able to communicate with our families on their phones where they are on the go um and showcase their students. I think it's a long time coming and it's something we've I've been working on since I got here, but to finally kind of get it there, I I can tell you there's there's weight off my shoulders today, but I think that the parents are going to see a good benefit from it. At least I hope they are. >> Well, it it's it's definitely one of the board goals that they set out, you know, for a district to accomplish. And, you know, I I've had a lot of feedback. Um, you know, I I if if right now you look at Coppers Cove ISD and
070and you don't feel like you're getting enough information, then, you know, I want to try to help direct you to more of that information. This podcast alone, I I I think number one, it's it's on social media. It it's on uh uh uh our social media pages, YouTube and >> YouTube, Apple Podcast, Spotify, and Google Podcast. So, as a as a as a famous radio host has once coined, anywhere you listen to great podcasts, this podcast is there. You can get it on your phone while you're driving to work, while you're driving to soccer on the weekends. It our goal is to reach you where you are. And >> and so that's so important. I I think, you know, I wanted to give Curtis the opportunity to say that because, you know, here here's the
071deal. 80% of the voting public in this community is not connected to our school. and we want to make sure that that we are pushing out information. 72% of those people can be reached on social media and but we're not leaving any stone unturned. That's not that's not our only reach. But I've had a lot of of positive feedback about this podcast. I've had a lot of positive feedback about our board meetings being uh you know uh uh recorded. uh our our social media reach is is fixing to blow up and and continue to uh to to reach more people. Uh we've got the growler and the cove leader press that comes out uh regularly and that's kind of a spotlight of pride for us. You know, districts that that are doing great things, we
072want to make sure that that we're telling stories of pride, not necessarily reacting to things. And so I think that's important that quality districts push out moments of pride. Uh you know uh people call them different things. Uh but you know moments of awesome moments of a you know we're the dogs and so I call them moments of pawsomeness or moments of pause. Uh and so that the growler is specifically one of those things uh that we push out. But here here's the other thing. Uh, I I'm I'm fixing to this fall. I'm going to speak it anywhere anybody would allow me to talk to them about our school district because I think that's important. I've met a lot of people and and become real acclimated here and love it and co uh but I
073I I want to go on tour and talk to anybody about the positive things that's going on in our school district. It doesn't matter if it's a group of ministers, if it's a civic group, or or anything in between, parents, retired teachers, uh, group of businesses, chamber of commerce, you you name it. I'm all game to come talk to you and and answer your questions, tell you about our our school district, tell you about how you can get involved and tell you about how you can get information. No one has come to my office that uh you know we've uh took people and steered them in a different direction because you know they they needed a different point of contact, right? >> But but I'm saying this to say from the standpoint of I've welcomed
074everyone to come talk to me. >> Uh my my office is busy because I'm on the move. Uh but there's a welcoming uh uh just culture there and climate. We want to talk to our people. Uh email me. I've I've returned emails or I've sent them to people who could best answer those questions. Um and and I have I've not turned down a opportunity to go speak to anybody. And so we are very open and welcoming. It's like our long range facility planning committee. I told everybody from the start I wanted a hundred members on their max because it's hard to get a hundred people to come to some type of consensus on anything. And so it was open to any and everybody in this community. All they had to do was email come by.
075We started out with about 80 or whatnot and it's bounced between 50 and 80 or whatnot. But there is an openness and a welcoming welcoming uh culture that we have that we want to engage you that we want to talk to you. We want to keep you perfor in informed and we want to let you know about the things that you can do to help accelerate the things that's going on in Bulldog Nation. >> More podcasts to come, more Hawks talk uh more Hawks Talk newsletters to come, which uh we'll we'll work on. And um that's available on the CCISD website, by the way. It's on the communications department page. It's on the superintendent page. It's ccisd.com/supendant. And so lots of ways to keep up with the awesome things happening in Coppers Cove ISD. Other
076things I'm looking forward to accountability next week. We find out next week where the state rated us in 2025. They'll announce 2024. That's already up on our website ccisd.comnews. Um that is, you know, there are districts who are dreading that day. Not here. No, I you know, number one is I I don't I don't believe the the the whole deal was suing the state and everything. I think that all got out of hand about that deal and and and I' I've never sued the state over accountability myself and and so that's why we've got the 2024 already up there. We're open. We're transparent. We're proud of the things that the Bulldogs do right here. Is it a shortcoming on behalf of the state? Absolutely it is. You know, here's the deal. in in our in
077our last round of testing, AI graded a lot of our kids work. Okay? And and and hey, listen, I'm I'm I'm all about engaging in a in AI and and having our kids learn it, having our teachers learn it, so they know the dark part of it. They know the applicable part of it, and they can be ethical users of AI. And so, I'm not anti- AI. Let me say that at the beginning, but I've got friends all over the state in school districts and they have been paying district money to to rescore tests. And what they found is between the lowest one was 25% and the highest one was 80% that AI scored them failing and once they were rescored by humans, they were scored as passing. And so, like I say, these scores
078aren't a whole lot to beat. I mean, I I kind of downplay them. We we we do a great job. That's what's expected of the Bulldogs. We're going to be successful. It's just a shame that we don't have an accountability system, an assessment system that meets the needs of our kids, parents, and community. And so, that that's something that needs to change. I applaud Representative Buckley for having the vision and trying to do that against a lot of big money donors and you know he he's got a tall tall hill to climb but he deserves our support. Um there's a definite need to do that. Um, but yeah, as as far as as those accountability deals goes, you know, we're doing great. We can do better, but the depiction that you're going to get when
079those scores are released really aren't even as good as what the Bulldogs did anyway. >> That is a good point. But so that'll be out next week. All right. You have anything else? >> Oh, yeah. the big the big the big the big hammers, you know, that we didn't talk about on the board agenda, you know, is the number one question that I've been asked in this district since January 14th. >> The B- word. >> Yeah. Yeah. Facilities. Uh I'm not even using that word. Uh the the facilities, it's, you know, uh it's coming. It's on the board agenda. the long range facility planning committee is going to make a recommendation Tuesday night on the on the deal uh on the board agenda and uh I'll just say that I I have been with them
080through that planning process. Um you know the facility plan today is not like the facility plan from the from the bond. Uh there is very much differences in it. Uh but but I also say this, we have currently uh proposed a maximum tax rate of 75 cents. That's the lowest of anywhere around. And so look, look, I understand nobody likes taxes, including myself. You know, we're we're a nation that was founded on being anti-ax, but the legislature does not have the whole taxing deal right from a property uh st tax standpoint. But that's not our fault and it should not be reflected on the kids of Cove. And you know the cycles are well first of all if you want something done about that then don't let your representatives and senators gaslight you in some
081way that blame things on the local entities. Um they can solve problems. uh different streams of revenue that's coming into the state should relieve property burdens, property tax bur burdens on the taxpayers. I'm all for that and I and I will do anything that I can to to lead that voice. Um but nonetheless, we've got what we've got. We've got to work with it. It's just like the broken assessment system. We we got to work with it. I understand that it's probably not as accurate as what you know it needs to be, but but we got to work through that just like the uh the the taxing system that I'm talking about. But in most nonf fast growth districts, uh, the taxpayers invest in their kids about every 10 years, and it's been 20 years
082in Cove, uh, since that investment was made on on any type of large scale. And so, we've got a a lot of old buildings. There's a lot of needs. Uh the the committee has went through that and they understand that there is needs from the standpoint of um roofs, lighting, uh HVAC, you know, there there's space needs at Cove High. Uh there there's cafeteria needs, there's programmatic needs to where you know that school was built a long time ago and it was not built uh with today's education in mind to where we're preparing a workforce. Kids need skills, crafts, and trades. And it was built back in the day that it was just uh maybe a classes and home classes, >> right? And then, you know, there's no bigger advocate for agriculture than me. And
083so, I'm not throwing rocks, but that agriculture that was offered back in those days in the a that's offered today. And and it's not the career technology that's offered today. And so, programmatically, our facility does not line to meet the needs of the students. And so, we've got that issue uh that's out there. Uh we've got space issues because we we've outgrown some of our spaces like our cafeteria and people say, "Well, I don't want to spend any money on, you know, athletics or whatever." Well, listen, I'm unapologetic about that, too. Uh I've had people in this community tell me that uh athletics saved their life and and they're alumni now. And so I'm not I'm not going to back away from that. I'm I'm for anything kids do, I am their greatest champion and
084always will be. But when kids doesn't have adequate locker spaces, we we need to meet the needs of that. We need to ensure that our kids have adequate locker spaces in athletics and in band. our band program is is is poised to grow uh and and the band hall is not uh functioning to where the band halls are across the state that our kids compete with. We we need more space in our band hall. And so we've got space issues, we've got, you know, updating issues, we've got programmatic issues, uh that all need to be addressed. It all went through that committee. Uh the committee uh has listened to the public. I've listened to our community. I' I've heard everything. And and and here's the deal. I don't mind talking to anybody anywhere about our
085kids. And I'm unapologetic. When when when you you look out there and and you start thinking about our kids, they they deserve our very best. I didn't say that they deserve, you know, Mara Lago, okay? That's not what I'm saying. But they do deserve a standard and we're not at that standard. And so something has to be done. Okay. Some of the things I heard was that we need to build a new high school. Well, you don't have the funding capacity to build a new high school. >> That bonding capacity since the 2024 election dropped by $26 million. And that doesn't even account for inflation at that point, >> right? So, so you know, to build a new high school, he if some people will put the junior high over there, folks, the numbers, we
086run the numbers every way in the world. Uh to build a new high school, you're over $200 million. And that doesn't include gyms and and all of the ancillary programs that goes along with a high school. And so, uh, you don't have that bonding capacity. You're not there. And I've heard, well, what about if if we build a standalone freshman center or something like that. Well, once again, you still got kids that do not have programmatic needs being met. You still got to do something in the building you got. And so, that's a cost. And now you're you're adding on 60 to 70 million for a freshman class somewhere. That doesn't include those ancillary buildings either. It does not include the utilities, the millions of dollars worth of utilities, nor does it include the land
087that we would have to buy to do that, >> right? >> And so all of those things are really cost prohibitive. And so when the architects started looking at this plan or looking at the needs and trying to make a plan, you know, the thing that I kept hearing was everybody wanted to be fiscally responsible. Look, you know, we're not we're not looking at a Platinum or King Ranch. We just want the Ford XLTF-150. And so that, you know, we we started looking at things along those lines of what can we do to get the biggest bang for our buck to meet the needs of kids. Just something that met the needs, not the wants, not Marago, you know, this isn't that that wasn't what we were trying to accomplish. Just be efficient. And so
088I think this plan does I think the plan encompasses and and rates three campuses. It it it rates uh Coppers Cove Junior High. It rates uh Fair View Jewel and and Coppers Cove High. All that would have substantial uh work done on them and Cove High. uh the the the darling are are the main thing in this whole plan is that we have a school within a school. Uh you look at some of the schools like Forny ISD that has an opportunity center they call it OC. That's for their career tech kids. Uh real similar deal except we're just doing a school within a school. We're putting that footprint in a area of ground that Coppers Cove already owns. Uh we're using the economy of scale to really fund that thing. But it is the
089whole meat of that plan is to ensure that kids are workforce ready, have the opportunity to be workforce ready when they leave co high. We're looking at Career Tech being the heart and soul of what we're trying to accomplish there so that they can get the tools and have the experiences they need in order to go out and become cosmetologist, uh, welders, plumbers, HVAC that they can come out and and do the skills, crafts, and trades that 60% of our kids want. Um, and so that that whole thing is the is the bright shining star uh in the plan. And uh and so the challenges that we've had to do is this. Listen, we've lost 16% of our buying power. Now, you say 16% of your buying power. That's 16% is not much. I I
090tip in a restaurant more than that. Well, I'm sure you do. But when you think about that last bond was a $175 million bond and you do the math on 16% of that, that's nothing to sneeze at. >> And now the bonding capacity that the district has wouldn't even allow the district to seek a bond that large. >> Not not with when you throw the inflation in because it's $175 million. That's bonding capacity and now you've lost 16%. So how do you navigate that? How do you make sure that the plan meets the needs of the kids? That's reasonable that takes into account all of these things and and listen, I know the last bond uh deal said, "Hey, listen. We're we're we're growing." Well, we're not growing. This bond simply meets the needs of
091our kids. Number one. Number two, uh I I think that it also talked about that safety and security. We take care of all of the campuses with safety and security. Well, we're doing that through our M budget and grants right now. We're we're we're on a process of taking care of safety and security and trying to enhance that at all of our campuses. Um, and so on and so forth. And so, the other thing the board's done is that they've also come in here and they've designated fund balance and they've said, you know, here's where we're designating this on that board agenda. when I when I drove up. Listen, I'm I'm I'm all for kids in anything that they do. We we need to give them their best. You know, we we have on the
092board agenda for uh our band kids to get new uniforms for the first time in 15 years. We've got instruments that's fallen apart. And so we've got, you know, well over a quarter of a million dollars of investment in our band program in uniforms as well as instruments to get them, you know, stepped up. Our baseball softball programs, you saw that they really did a good job in the spring of asserting themselves with the quality of what is expected to be a bulldog to represent our community. And so those two uh facilities, the baseball softball field is online on uh on the agenda to be voted on uh so that we can put you know quality turf in there. Baseball team lost about 20some days in practices because the field uh is is is just
093horrible. >> The field is a bathtub with grass. Uh it, you know, bulldogs supposed to have a pound or you know or do house and that means that there's some element of dryness about it and and yet we should have changed their name to the Gators because there was a swamp out in right field. And then you and you look over there at the baseball softball deal and it's kind of like you kind of like get dizzy when you look at it because it's it's unlevel. You throw a ball out and it rolls from center field over to to left field. and and so both both of those areas need to be addressed. When I applied for the job, my wife I was sitting at the high school and I was looking at all the
094facilities and she calls me and she says what what what does it look like? Because hey, we didn't know anybody in Cove. We ain't been to Cove. And so I wanted to ride around. I came to spend the night at the Best Western. I wanted to see the see the community and especially see the facilities. I said, "Well, we got problems with the baseball softball field." I'm not going to say exactly the way I said that because it probably isn't appropriate for this show, but u that baseball field is the worst facility that we have in the district of anything anywhere. uh the backs stop uh the netting is being held together by zip ties and you know if you want to be the district of choice >> no >> you can't make that sale
095you know and and so uh I'm I'm excited that the board gets to consider that for those kids and the staff and the community uh because I think we can do something really really special there and so the board has allocated those monies and and part of the conversation in moving forward is the RT articulate exactly how um you know that that process is going to work and where they're going to allocate to spend those monies to, but they are going to spend some of that money to address the needs of kids. And then um you know, aside from that, this whole long range plan is doing more with less. It it it it the long range plan does more uh to address the needs of students. uh at a lower cost uh to the
096taxpayer. Uh and so the uh you know the the uh committee will be there, the long range planning committee will be there to make a recommendation to the board and uh and we'll just have to see where it goes from there. And and listen, you you you said about the B- word earlier. I I get it. We we need to all be friends about this. >> Yeah. Let let's make sure that as as over the next decade in this district that our district if if you want to be the district of choice that it's everybody's responsibility if you hear my voice wherever you're at. We need to make sure that we are living being a district of choice. A a district of choice is is a team. It's a family uh that can agree and
097can agree to disagree, but nobody has to be disagreeable about things. And I think that's important because, you know, the question is, are we doing good things for kids? If the answer is yes, then we need to support the overall function of what we're trying to do. If we're doing things like Frank Sinatra said, my way, then we're probably cheating kids because we're probably not doing enough. No one person idea should drive anything in what we're trying to do. Our kids deserve the collaborative thought, democratic processes in order to ensure that we're meeting their needs. And so I I get it. There's people that's going to disagree. I hope they're not disagreeable. I hope that the vast majority of people can look and say these kids have a need for an opportunity in some shape,
098form or fashion, and we're addressing that need and and support that. And you know, listen, there's hardly anything that goes on. Look, I I've raised three girls, okay, that are adult children. Now, I've lived with my wife and happily married for 28 years this month. And and so the thing that I've learned about that that they've taught me is that there's very few things that I get in my way. And so I have to compromise a whole lot at home. And I do so at school because even as superintendent there I'm I'm I'm pulling people together and listening to people and trying to mold consensus always to better our kids, to better our community, to better the things that we do. And so there's there's nothing that you're gonna agree in totality on. That's >>
099that's not human nature. >> It's impossible. And so I think social media has conditioned us that that's what that's where we are. And that and that's a that is fool's gold right there. But also know this. There's people that if I could buy, as my grandpa used to say, if I could buy the goose that laid the golden egg that lays golden eggs for two bits, there'd be somebody mad about it. And that's okay. You can disagree and we can still be friends. But if I have an opportunity to buy a goose that lays a golden egg for two bits, I'm going to spend the money. >> Yeah. uh and and and and not be really apologetic about it. And so I realize that there's people that's going to disagree or people that that whatever
100I mean I I know there's people that thinks that public school shouldn't even exist and that that's their right to to to have that uh thought. Uh but we do and we're going to try to do the best that we can for kids. We're going to respect everybody and just ask this that people deal in the truth. And if you don't know what the truth are or the facts are, then let's make sure and part part of my job and moving forward is to make sure that we're always conveying the facts. Whatever the facts are, uh I I think at the end of the day when people have the facts, then the majority people have the best intentions. Again, the regular August meeting, Tuesday, August 12th, 6 PM, start in the boardroom at the district
101service and training center. Dr. Hawkins, appreciate your time on this episode of Take Two. >> Well, I enjoy it. I know it won't be the last. I I look forward to just trying to, you know, bring information to our community. I think that's crucial and and we want to reach out there. We want to do those things. And as I always say at the end, this it ain't over. We'll be back. We'll be in touch. God bless and go dogs. >> He's Dr. Brent Hawk and Superintendent of Schools. I'm Director of Communications Curtis Will. Thanks for joining us on Take Two with Hawk. We'll see you next time. Good night and go dogs. [Music]