November 12 School Board Mtg. - Part 2 - Buckingham County Public Schools

001We're live. >> Uh, we need to return from close session. >> Madam Chair, I certify that to the best of our knowledge, only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements and only such public business matters as were identified in the motion to go into executive session were heard, discussed, or considered in executive session. >> Second. >> A motion was made by Mrs. Morris and second by Mr. Goodman to return from close session. Roll call vote. I >> I I >> I >> We are now in active session. Um please stand for the pledge of allegiance and prayer, please. >> Let us pray. Dear heavenly father, thank you for the opportunity to come here and to help guide students into becoming the best that they can be. Watch over us. help us to make

002good decisions based on careful thought. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. >> Amen. >> Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Uh, we need the certificate of action taken in close session 3.02. >> Madam Chair, I move that we um I just blanked out. that we >> approve the as amended personal agenda. >> Personnel agenda as amended. >> Second. >> A motion was made by Mrs. Morris and second by Mr. Snotty to approve the personnel agenda as amended. Are there any questions on the motion? All those in favor, please raise your hand. All those opposed. Motion carries. Uh adoption of the agenda 3.04. Madam Chair, I make a motion to approve the adoption

003of the agenda. Second. >> A motion's been made by Mr. Goodman and second by Mr. Snotty to to adopt the agenda as presented. Are there any questions? All those in favor, please raise your hand. That's unanimous. Motion carries. That leads us to 4.01, senior of the month. Good evening. It is my pleasure to announce the November senior of the month as Ben Gilliam. Bill Ben, please come forward. Ben is the son of JT and Megan Gilliam. He is a dual enrollment student enrolled in Governor's School of Southside Virginia. He currently has a 4.45 GPA. Ben plays football, baseball, indoor track, and soccer. He is a member of 4 as a team leader, FFA, SCA, Rise Up, Beta, National Honor Society, and FCA. He volunteers at Gan Dixon Ballpark to work concessions and works the chain

004crew during football games for youth league activities. He runs the sound system for Bethlehem Baptist Church services as well as being involved in the youth group and helping with vacation bible school. In his free time, he enjoys working, spending time with family and friends and hunting. His favorite memory of Buckingham County High School is winning the district championship and getting to play in the regional championship for football. He plans to attend a 4-year university and major in sports management. Please join me in congratulating Ben once again. Ben's family, please come forward for photos as well. >> The whole family, everyone that you want. Sit down. That leads us to 4.02. um recommend the um adoption and presentation of a resolution for Herbert Junior Glover Worm. >> Madam Chair, I recommend we adopt the presentation of

005a resolution for Herbert Junior Glover Warm Jr. >> Second. >> A motion's been made by Mr. Schneidery and second by Mrs. Morris to adopt the the presentation as presented. All those in favor, please raise your hand. That's unanimous and motion carries. Can the family please come forward if we have any family members this evening? resolution expressing the consensus of the Buckingham County School Board regarding the services of Herbert Glover Warm Jr. Whereas Mr. Herbert Warm, often referred to as Junior, was a lifelong resident of Buckingham County. Whereas he has served the community as a volunteer firefighter with the Arvonia Fire Department since 1991. Whereas he served as secretary of the Arvonia Fire Department for 20 years, whereas he served as a longtime volunteer with the Buckingham County Youth League, first as a coach and later

006as a secretary. Whereas he was a helper and volunteer at Buckingham High School football games, assisting with concessions and entry gates. Whereas he positively impacted the lives of thousands of young people throughout his volunteer service. Whereas he was a fan of any sport played by a University of Virginia team as well as all games played by the Atlanta Braves. whereas he was a loving father, husband, grandfather, brother, stepbrother, step-brotherin-law, and loved his fur babies. Therefore, be it resolved that we, members of the Buckingham County School Board, wish to express the deepest appreciation for all he has done for the community of Buckingham County and to extend our condolences to his family and friends. And this resolution is to be adopted and presented to the family by the Buckingham County School Board on Wednesday, November 12th,

0072025. That leads us to 4.03 employee recognition. Would Jordan Springer please come forward? This evening we would like to recognize Mr. Jordan Springer, one of our bus drivers and substitute teachers. On November 6th, 2025, Mr. Springer was truly a superhero who sprang into action and saved the day. During lunch, a student was choking and a staff member tried to pat the students back to recover them. Mr. Springer jumped in and performed the Heimlick maneuver and successfully dislodged the food from the students throat. The student was shaken up and scared and ended up going home early. It was amazing that Mr. Springer was in the right place at the right time. He used his knowledge and skills even though he thought he was a little rusty and he potentially saved the student's life. We are very

008proud of Mr. Springer and are extremely grateful that he is a member of team Buckingham. Please join me once again in offering Mr. Springer a round of applause for being A TRUE SUPERHERO. THAT LEADS US TO 5.01 public comment. Anyone who wishes to address the school board must state their name and address and limit their comments to three minutes. Speakers must refrain from referring to employees by name. The school board will not entertain comments regarding any pending student disciplines or employee grievance matters. The appropriate form for such matters is the applicable administrative hearing provided by state law or were appropriate a court proceeding. This is a time for comments only. Board members do not respond to the comments made. Questions should be submitted to the school board in writing and will s and will be

009given to the appropriate person to answer as soon as possible. >> Benjamin Gormis. Good evening. My name is Benjamin Gormas. I'm 167 Allen Lake Road, Del Virginia. I'm here this a this evening to talk to you about something that's been on my mind and I've talked to numerous of people here in the county and most of them didn't even realize that as students of Buckingham County have to pay for events to get into anything that's going on in this school as far as sports and we don't think that's what it should be done. I don't know your exact what your your athletic department's got in in the fund or whatever, but we feel like this school here, we're here to serve these children. And we can serve these children by letting them know that they

010should be able to get into event at their own school, a public school that's paid for by taxpayers money. I feel like that if you let your children come into school that free that they will you will get more people coming. I think your doors will be a lot more people be entertained to come because they'll be able to afford to come. Parents can't come because they can't pay for themselves and school children. So, I'm asking you tonight to take it, do your job, think about it, and think about what you represent, the students of Buckingham County, and I ask you to think strong about this. If I need some more support to come to this meeting, I'll be glad to bring it, but I feel like at this time, I'm just asking you to

011do the job that I believe you should do. Thank you. >> Thank you. That's it. >> Um that that concludes the public comment uh leading to 6.01 approval of the consent agenda. >> Madame Chair, I make a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. >> Second. >> A motion's been made by Mrs. Morris and second by Mr. to approve the consent agenda as presented. Are there any questions on the motion? All those in favor, please raise your hand. That's unanimous. The motion carries. Um 7.01 student liaison report. >> Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Lily Jones and I'm the student liaison for the 2025 through 2026 school year. The varsity football team ended the season on Friday, November 7th with a 56 to0 win against Cumberland. This means that they have earned

012their ticket to play in the region 2B playoffs. They're set to play on November 21st here at BCHS against whoever wins a Steuart draft versus Madison County game. Basketball triyouts have started this week along with indoor track triyouts starting next week. On November 1st, the JROTC Raider team won their meet in Baltimore. JV volleyball girls tied for second in the district this year. The Rise Up Club has been busy this past month. They raised over $2,000 for CJ Elliot and his family. All of this money was raised from the Huddle Up event. RiseUp also hosted a pickle ball tournament on Tuesday, November 4th, 2025. SCA has hosted several events and has several more planned before the holidays. SCA hosted a regional meeting for VSCA regions 5 through 8 on October 18th at BCHS. Leadership training

013was held and we made blessing bags to give to those in need. Schools that attended were Liberty High School in Bedford, Orange County High School, G County High School, Buckingham Middle School, and Buckingham High School. SCA also hosted the VSCA advisory board meeting on November 8th with 110 students and adviserss in attendance. SCA started a canned food drive on November 3rd and will last until November 21st. All donations collected will go towards our adopt a family project in December and to local shelters. SCA is also hosting their annual Santa breakfast along with a holiday bazaar on Saturday, December 6th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. SCA is also planning a jointly attended Busch Gardens Christmas Town with the middle school SCA if approved by the board. The middle school SCA is helping a sponsor at

014Brunswick Stew this Saturday to raise funds to help CJ Elliot and his family during their time of need. Also, Michael Clark Reed and I will be attending the VSBA conference next week in Williamsburg, Virginia. And the senior class will be holding a dance on December 12th from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. to help raise funds for graduations. Congratulations to the economics and personal finance students for passing the Wise Financial Literacy Test. 18 students tested and all 18 students passed. FFA has had quite a few events since September. On September 30th, the BS BCS FFA forestry field day team compete at the Virginia State Fair contest. They placed sixth place overall. On September 30th, the BCHS FFA senior division junior foresters team placed sixth overall and the junior division placed second overall. On October 1st, the BCHS

015FFA crops team competed in the Virginia State Fair contest and placed sixth overall. On October 3rd, the BCHS FFA Junior Division horse apology team placed 26 overall and the senior division team placed 28th overall. There were also several individuals that competed in the Beef Scale Athon contest at the Virginia State Fair. On October 21st, 11 FFA members from the high school competed in the southeast area forestry contest at Athematics Buckingham Forest. Team C placed eighth, team B plays fourth, team A placed first, and will advance the state contest in April. On November 1st, three Buckingham FFA members received their American FFA degree in Indianapolis, Indiana. Noah Jones, Jenna Oliver, and Amaya Porter received the highest degree of the National FFA organization. They joined the less than 1% of FFA members that earned that degree. FFA

016is also currently selling their fruit and nuts. They are accepting orders through November 17th. On October 20th, CTE clubs hosted the Haunted CTE. This event was a major success, and some of the pre proceeds went towards helping CJ Elliot and his family. And finally, the BCHS academic jacket ceremony was held on Wednesday, October 29th, and 28 students received a jacket. Students must have at least a 3.75 GPA in order to receive a jacket. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> That leads us to 7.02 instructional update. Uh doc Dr. John Ryan, bring staff, director of instruction. Good evening board. This is a snapshot of what what has taken place in the last month. The first one I want to share is we have completed and submitted the Virginia comprehensive liter literacy state development the CLSD grant

017for over $350,000. The purpose of the CLSD grant is to support a coherent evidence-based literacy system from early childhood through grade 12, particularly in high need schools by ensuring all students get highquality daily literacy instruction and educators get professional learning and instructional materials. There's no local match required for this grant. Next, we've completed instructional walkthroughs at each school in the division. We will continue these monthly uh observations at each school and rotate grade levels and departments until all instructure instructors have been observed. I wanted to take a moment on the heels of this to give special praise to Amanda Shoemaker. These are teachers in the division and Karen Barton. These teachers demonstrated when we entered to do the observation exemplary collaborative instruction to support our students with disabilities. They demonstrated shared ownership of instruction. They

018communicated seamlessly. There was a positive classroom and climate and students were engaged. The motto, two teachers, one classroom, one mission. When done well, a visitor shouldn't be able to tell who is the general educator or the specialist. And that was certainly the case with the observation of their classroom space. The Virginia Board of Education has a first and final review of the implementation plan for new standards of learning so cut scores as an action item on their November 13th agenda. I've read the superintendent of Virginia's recommendations and her recommendations which is at the board's privilege the the state board's privilege to adopt or modify is she is recommending a four-year phase in and she's also recommending that approaching counts as a pass score. So that gray area that we were talking about last month that

019will be included in the division's pass rate. We worked with Buckingham County Middle School to evaluate read 180 as a literacy intervention as well as the creation of advanced math for grade six. We're trying to increase our number of advanced offerings and with respect to read 180 making sure we're evaluating the instructional program so that's the most effective intervention for reading uh for our middle school students. the administrator we're we've paused because we want to get uh instructor feedback and the administrators there at BCMMS are doing that coordinated the participation of select math and science teacher participation in a professional development work session in Keysville Virginia presented by the BDOE this is focused on math and science and this took place today and and will there'll be another session two sessions tomorrow and also working

020with the high school I've went in and modeled intervention meetings and recordkeeping for BCHS staff for grade attendance and behavior concerns. That's the instructional update for November. >> Are there any questions? >> Thank you. >> Yeah. 7.03 pupil toteer ratio report. >> Yes. I want so we did an analysis of our pupil toteer ratio across the division and wanted to share these numbers with you and entertain any questions or observations that you might have about them. Focusing on Buckingham County Primary School, we've split these numbers up through kindergarten first and second. And I'm going to report out what the overall pupil toteer ratio is for the grade levels. For kindergarten, it's 18.3 to1. For first grade, it's 18.7 to1. For second grade, it's 19.0 to1. Continuing on to Buckingham County Elementary School, again, broken out

021by grade level. Our third grade PTR is 19 19.7 to1, fourth grade PTR 17.5 to1, and fifth grade is 20.0 to one. Gets a little bit more complex when you get into secondary. So I've broken these out by departments. For elective, you can see each individual teachers people toteer ratio. The calculation for all elective classes is 13.2:1. For all of our English classes, the ratio is 15.0 to1. For our history and social studies, the ratio is 17.6 to1. for math 18.1 to1 for PE is 30.3 to1 for science at the middle school 17.5 to1 moving on to the high school again broken out by departments the overall career and technical education peopletoteer ratio you can see the individual teachers the overall is approximately 16.3 to1 remember some of these classes CT in particular not all

022CT but the vast vast majority have locked in requirements for no more than 20 to1. Moving on to English, the overall English people toteer ratio is 17.4 to1 for fine arts 10.3 to1 for history 18.9 to1 for math 18.6 to1 for PE 21.4 4:1 and for science 17.1 to1. This is part of an overall analysis. It's one piece of a greater puzzle, but this is an early indication in how we can best use our teachers and best um staff our schools so that there is an appropriate balance for people to teacher ratio. I often I know this is anecdotal. I tend to be an anecdotal person at times. So you got to bear with me. I taught for I taught chemistry and biology for 11 years. There were two years I taught a six section.

023We operated on a seven period day. So when you do the math that's 57 classes of biology and chemistry. I've personally taught at the high school level. Of those 57 sections, there's there was one of 57 that dip below 18 in number. Okay. I had a class of 16 one time out of 57. My generally we average between 18 and 24. There were a couple of 27s. I would say as a science teacher putting 27 kids in a classroom it done right is a prescription for failure because they don't have that space and time to do labs with the appropriate number of kids. But you're really trying to find a sweet spot for these classes. And it may differ from subject to subject. Somewhere between 18 and and 23 usually. >> Oh, no questions on

024this. Oh, I got questions. >> Go for it. >> I'm sorry. What what's the state requirement for student ratio across the I know it varies from grade school type but as a general rule you we really default to what are the rules for particular subjects for instance in English like I said earlier the CTE certain classes have 20 as a cap and it's for safety there's other standards of quality that that say you can't have any more than 24 in an English class. And so there's really not hard and fast overall rules for these people to teacher ratios. It's it's really what the district wants to stomach. Uh that's why you see districts adopt particular areas that tend to get inflated. And I'm not saying that's a best practice, but you'll see schools inflate or

025or have a higher PTR for say PE and so that they can protect the PTR for for the core for English and mathematics or for for those CTE requirements of no more than 20 to one. And and that 20 to1 CTE number really depends as I've had this conversation with several people. You could have a a personal finance class where you have 30 stations in a classroom based on desktop computers and and and so you could go up to 30 in in those spaces. And the state does not care. They care as far as, you know, smaller PTRs tend to be better for instruction, but you could get away with that, so to speak, 30 to one in a personal finance CTE class. >> I agree. We're seeing the same thing with our with what

026you presented here as far as our PE numbers, right? They're they're higher than everybody else's. And I think it's safe to assume that it's different than being a a business class with 30 in in the CTE building and a business class or not business, but a auto mechanics class with 30 in it, right? Yes, sir. >> They're not going to happen, right? You can't manage, you know. >> Well, you don't have enough modules. >> You don't Well, not just a module. You got cars, you got safety equipment out there. You kind you got to watch these these young people when they're working on vehicles and stuff like that. So, get that piece of it. But across the academia side of it, especially the core classes, not not just respecting the uh the electives, but across

027the core spectrum, it seems like we're a little bit low across the board. Um, >> which is what what what the board has been saying for the last little while that I've been here anyway. But, um, >> if the class sizes or if the school count goes back up, right, we can kind of justify that. But while we're trying to justify changes in pay, stuff like that, um it seems like we're a little below where we probably should be as far as the PTR goes. Is that >> Yes, sir. That's the takeaway. >> Okay. >> So, I I have a question on that. So, you said the state kind of varies um in that sweet spot, but do you have a recommendation based on the uh the subject matter of where you would like to

028see us for maintaining um an educational level that's conducive? It would depend on going back to it would depend on the subject. >> Exactly. That's that's what I'm asking. Do we have one broken down by subject? >> That 18 to 23 is a good sweet spot. >> Okay. That's a big difference though, right? I mean, >> with the exception of with the exception of CTE, >> right? >> You know, those there are certain ones that need to be capped at 20, >> right? What I I guess the takeaway is when you see core classes that are 13 or 14, that's a low for me, that's a low number. And I'm sorry I can't give you like a 18.5, but it's it's a range. And I feel like the the safest sweet spot is somewhere between

02918 and 22, 18 and 23, somewhere in that zone. I I think it would just be helpful for the board for for folks who are not professional educators, I don't think most of us aren't, to be able to say, okay, this is based on my understanding of pupil teacher ratio. Um 19.6 is kind of the SW. I know that's an average and you know, whatever that is, and maybe it is 21, but to go from 18 to 23 percentage-wise, you just increased the size of your classroom by 25%. that could be that could be a huge increase depending on the subject matter be it math or even English. Um certainly a science where now not only do you have classwork you also have lab and that that a lot of time is will be the

030determining factors. How many lab stations can you safely operate? >> I'm hearing you say that you'd like me to come back with an ideal number depending on if you're in kindergarten or if you're in biology at the high school. >> Yeah. I I just think it'd be helpful for me. Now, I don't speak for the entire board, but I mean, that would be great information to have so that we'll say, "Okay, well, we are here and um if if we're looking at the budget or we're looking at staffing and maybe we need maybe it needs to be lower, maybe it needs to be higher. Um, based on the numbers you just gave us, I don't know that it needs to be a lot lower, if it needs to be lower at all." But, you know,

031I don't want to say, "Well, we we can save money by making the pupil teacher ratio 25." Well, I remember the days when we had 35 kids in in a classroom and it was a disaster. >> Agreed. Yeah, >> I would like to speak on the elementary numbers. Yeah. >> So, we our ptrial ratio for elementary for K3 is 1 to 23. We cannot exceed 23. >> Can't exceed without an aid, right? >> The only grade level that you could have an aid in would be kindergarten. You cannot do that for first and second and third. Um, and so our numbers in kindergarten, I mean, excuse me, in in K1, 2, and three, if you look closely, fourth grade is at 17, I believe. And so we're looking very closely at fourth grade as those

032students transition to fifth grade next year. Um, okay. We're looking at that very very closely because that fourth grade number is lower than it potentially could be based on you know what we're allowed because the the ratio is is tw 1 to 23 kindergarten through third grade. So we have reduced um by three classroom sections at the complex um this year since the start of the school year. um two classroom positions went into title one that were funded through we moved uh we downsized two classrooms and funded the teachers through title one because we had vacancies in title one and then the third classroom which was most recently a second grade classroom we reduced that section and we were able to fund our new KStep tier three intervention for behavioral and you know support for

033students um so I don't know if we'll be able to fund that next year or not we're collect collecting data as we speak to determine the need for that. Um so we have been a little proactive um at the at the uh complex with regards to that but we are looking very closely at um fourth grade transit trans transitioning into fifth grade next year based on our current pupil teacher pupil teacher ratio >> and I didn't speak we do have one professional educator so >> wait for to say so >> yeah n this time >> not bringing me on this one >> and and before we move on I just want to leave you with because I'm feeling it from the educators in this space right now is it's this is one piece of the

034puzzle and we would be remiss if we didn't report this out, but it's when you factor in things such as shared employees among multiple schools and just building out a master schedule so that you know your needs are met. It's it's a complex puzzle that our principles work very hard and assistant principles to meet. So, we're just trying to to let put everybody on notice. We're considering everything. I I yes I will say one thing that it does depend on when you're looking at how many students are in your classroom. It it does depend on the needs of the students in your classrooms and uh where there are difficulties in learning or difficulties in behavior um you know 15 could be a whole lot uh comparatively. So all that has to be taken into account.

035>> So it depends on the 15 is what you're saying. Exactly. Exactly. Collaborative. >> All right. >> I think that's all we have for you. Thank you. >> Now we're going to move to 7.0. Oh, did you have something else? >> Well, I think I'm comprehensive plan update. Has that been shuffled? >> This not >> the strategic plan update. Yeah, 7.04. Go ahead, >> board. I I'd like to provide an update to our strategic plan or comprehensive plan. We've held second meetings of all schools on Monday, November 10th and Wednesday, November 12th. I've got a makeup meeting on November 13th. Our overarching comprehensive goals are taking shape along with key performance indicators for each goal. We currently have a draft a working draft of seven goal overarching goals and our teachers have written key performance

036indicators for approximately four of those. We hope to have all seven u goals with key performance indicators by the end of this week. The suggestions have been highly consistent with actions in some cases already undertaken at the direction of the superintendent. For example, salary study, disciplinary procedures, safety, etc. We will move forward with seeking more input from the community and with a plan to present the draft comprehensive plan at the December meeting. And um I've still got some large groups that need input on this document and and so before the next schoolboard meeting I hope to get those last few stakeholder groups uh involved. >> Do any school board members sit on that? Do any schoolboard members sit on the strategic planning committee? >> You're going to get the final. >> Yeah, we get the

037final, but I didn't know if they were because you could have two as long as you don't have a quorum, right? So I didn't know if any of them were participating. Okay. Are there any other questions? >> Thank you. >> Yes, ma'am. >> That leads us to 7.05 uh JMU paraprofessional teaching fellows program. Patty Branch. Good evening. Um this is this is the best thing that you're going to hear all night long. I promise. No, we've um we've been fortunate to um be approached by JMU and SBCC to go into a partnership with them. They're offering our paras um they're offering us five positions for paras in our county to obtain their college education to become a teacher um in hopes of filling critical shortage needs areas. So, it would be they either have to

038go into early childhood education, um elementary general ed, or special education. Um what this would do for us, the teacher or the parah then has to agree to work in the county for at least two years. If for some reason we didn't have a job opening for this person to go into, they could go to any other school district that participates in the teacher fellow program. Um so it is free to them. It would cost them the cost of their technology fees and textbooks. Um we only get five slots though. That's that's the big problem. So right now the phase that we're in is I've I've been to building level administrators um asking for recommendations of names from paras. Um if we have more than five then it'll go to looking at job performance attendance

039and go through an interview process if needed. Um so it seems like a win-win situation for us where SVCC comes into play. If the person does not already have an associates degree they'll start out at SVCC. if they already have an associates, they'll start out at JMU. Um, so what questions do you >> all funded. It's through the um grow your own initiative program. So it's it's funded by them. Um the person just has to stay employed and if they fail a class, they would have to pay it back. >> I'll do it. I mean, it's a great it's a great opportunity for our par professionals um because you you know as a rural district in Buckingham it's hard for people that are in the paris status or any status for that matter to further

040your education while you're working >> what's the interest >> these say again >> what's the interest >> so far what's the >> um so far we've had about four four maybe five names I was hoping for more than that to make it a little more competitive um but the classes would be offered in the evening time synch synchronously virtual. So it gives the person the opportunity to still continue their job, do their responsibilities, but get their education in the evening. >> Do you have any idea what the cost of the technology and the textbooks? I assume the textbooks probably are online, right? >> I would assume they are. I don't have that information at this time. I >> I just wonder if that may not be a barrier for having some of our pair of

041professionals um sign up for such a program or, you know, to apply. Just a just a thought. Is it, you know, is that something we can maybe help out with? >> Well, one of our goals is to realign our title two funding next year if we're able to do so. Um, right now we have a class size reduction teacher primarily being funded with that grant. But, um, moving forward, we'd like to be able to open up some additional funds to help support teacher readiness through the practice testing as well as a program such as this, right? >> Um, through title two funding. >> Yeah. So, is there is there a way that we can um we can get that information of what the cost would be? I think that would be something good for the

042board to >> Sure. I can reach out to the partners at JMU and ask. Yeah. So, if we can figure out what what they would expect the the capital outlay for the employee to be, that would give us something to start working off of. >> Okay. What kind of date are they starting first of next, you know, in January or when is this supposed to start? >> So, we are shooting for the first part of the 1 of January. Next semester. >> Next seme. >> And they'll be going to school for the next 10 years or >> um I'm not sure how long it'll take them to complete the whole program. I would say two to three years. >> Yeah. >> And that's after they if they have their associates. >> If they have their

043associates, obviously they're going to >> then after that >> finish sooner. >> Okay. >> I like it. >> Nobody else wants to do it? >> Other schools. I mean, not not JMU. I'm not talking about us. >> Oh, no. Well, they've reached out to other schools, too. I'm not sure what other schools are in. I know when we got the opportunity, we said yes. >> For sure. Well, so the uh VCCS like um across the state of Virginia, it's kind of like their transfer programs from the community colleges to the four-year institutions. You've got a bunch of those out there that they have the agreements in place. And if they're reaching down to the high school level, I'd be kind of curious >> what everybody else is, you know what I'm saying? Doing. Yeah. >>

044Just throwing it out there. >> Thank you. >> That's great. >> Thank you all. Okay, thank you. 7.06 athletic ticket survey data. Mr. Russ going. Good evening. I had a chance to talk with the board earlier on this spreadsheet that should be up on the screen now. Um uh you can see some of the things um that are on there. Dr. Rezner in the board asked me to put this together to give them an idea of family passes and student prices, gate prices, and possibly a booster club down the road. And we've discussed some of those in closed session and can discuss it out here as well. Um, one of the big things that about some of these prices that you see, every school charges students to come in all 15 school systems in some

045fashion. We have one of the lowest gate prices at seven and uh some schools have discounts for the students per season as well. That's all in on the chart there that can be read and it gives the board a chance to evaluate it over the next month or so and and think B what they want to do. A big thing that we talked about as well if you look at column number one athletic budgets and this is by the school systems uh school board Buckingham of the 15 schools is the lowest by 23 over the next one. Buckingham only gets 32,000 in helmet reconditioning in the spring. They help with that. The next lowest school would be Nelson County at $90,000. Cumlin at 100,000 Appmatics 115. Um and then if you look over in the

046second column there, athletic administrators, we have one for both schools. All the other schools have two to six. And then if you look at I like my favorite category number three district championships in 24 and 25. Buckingham was we had six district championships. The only school above us was athamatics with eight and they play a couple sports and things that we don't carry here. So we h we've hung with the best over the last 10 to 15 years and as you see moneywise we are stretching that to the limit. Um, and some of the fees that are paid out of that yearly uh amount that comes from school boards are referees and deputies, sports equipment, uniforms, bus drivers, game workers, Virginia High School League dues and fees, which is several thousand dollars. We have to

047pay them to be a part of it as well. One thing, referees have gone up 55% since 2019 and that's enormous and u that's one thing that is just gotten there to site. Bus drivers have gotten a raise uh as well. Deputies went up 50% since last year. deputies make a used to make a $100 a game and work our games and now they make $150 a game and that happened overnight and that's something that we're dealing with and with the smallest budget within a 100 miles of here. It makes it really tough and we we really stretch our dollars and we negotiate with sport and good dealers left and right. They just know not to call me with a crazy price because I'm not going to buy it and that kind of thing. We're

048excited about our soccer team. They've got new uniforms this year. They're so excited about it both home and away. And those the shorts are in and certainly the tops will be in shortly after. So, they're really excited about that. But it's something that I know the school system can't do much about this year because of the financial situation, but it's something that I hope this board will really work work to to improve and Dr. Rezner as well. And um I think it's a good sign that the board asked for this information and I think that that that shows that they're they're going to take the football and run it on down the field. So, we hope that'll happen. And uh like I said, it's I I told I talked with Ben Gomez about this several

049times and he's really he really cares about the kids and everything. And uh I would love to be able to let all the kids in free, but certainly with our budget, we're not able to do that at this time, but it's something that could change in the future. Um I'm trying to think, is it anything else? Of course, you see everything on this sheet. A lot of schools around us charge $8 or up to 10 depending on what game it is. And then they have those fees to go on the credit cards as well. And so we we're one of the lowest around at $7. But I know that's still hard for a family of four. That's $28. And it's hard to get them to come to the game for $28 when two or three

050of the kids are going to be throwing the football behind the bleachers and hitting people in the head and and whatever. So, I know that um that that makes it tough, but um any questions? I I know the board had some questions when I were in there that were real insightful that I can help with or more information that you all would like me to get. This did take time. This is 15 counties and to get 15 people all on the same page on the telephone is tough because you know how these daily things go on. I didn't have any trouble with myself that doing the Buckingham one. I but I I got up with me pretty quick. But everybody else, it's kind of tough to get up with, but I appreciate Dr. Rezner uh

051encouraging to look at this and and and the board as well because several of you have shown interest in it. And certainly Mr. GMAS is looking out for a lot of the kids here in the community. He wants good things to happen. And I appreciate coach uh Paul Garrett here tonight. He coached me back in the day. I won't say how long ago that was, but I'm glad he's here today. The board of supervisors. So, we're we're glad he's here to hear all of this and and be able to maybe help our system as well in some fashion. Um, but anyway, any questions that I didn't cover either in close or open here that you all would like me to discuss? >> I got a question. >> I got one, sir. >> Yes, sir. >>

052Um, is this thing on? >> Oh, yeah, it's on. Just got to speak a little bit louder. Uh what out of curiosity, what was this extreme jump in uh fees for the deputies from 100 to 150? Is that just something that the sheriff's department just said? >> Yes, sir. That's exactly right. They just told me this is the way it is. Either you pay $50 an hour or a set price of 150. $50 an hour for a home football game. They usually work about four hours, so I took the lower of the two, >> right? >> Sometimes they work four and a half. They're really good. Bo Jamerson, they do a great job and they stay until the last car leaves sometimes. So, they do a good job that all the kids have rides and

053stuff. So, we need to have them there. I'd love to have more, but you know, at that price, it's it's tough. It's tough. >> Yes, sir. >> Coach, um sir, I I know this is outside of facilities, but are there any major facility issues that are on your radar that we're having that you're expecting come up? Yeah, down the road. We've tried to do it before. Mr. Hustle has been great about it. We've gotten bid several times and it doesn't affect a lot of kids, but it does affect the community. The tennis courts, they have really seen their day and and it's u something that I would love to see for um the community as well because I see people over the weekend playing up there and and this thing called pickle ball seems to

054be catching on a lot of places and it's a good place uh to do that. Certainly, you know, we would love to have other things and other I have a list, but right, you know, that that would be the most pressing thing of all, but it you know, we only have 10 or 12 girls that play, so you have to, you know, work that out. >> Um, >> and lights for the ball fields. >> And lights. >> Yeah, I I'll be glad to get together a wish list. I would love to get get that together for you. But this year, I know it's tough budgeting. That's something for another school year probably. Well, I think on my side, it's always nice to know what the wish list is because we're not going to come up

055with hundreds of thousands of dollars in a year, right? So, to know that we can plan for that in, you know, fiscal year, whatever. >> And we were real close to the tennis courts, Mr. Hustler, but then we had a roof issue at the high school where water was it was like a shower and and we had to take care of that and some HVAC stuff and, >> you know, that just slides back on the list, you know, when when that happens. So, and we understand that and >> I believe some of that may be on the capital improvements. >> Yes, ma'am. It is. It just keeps getting bumped back because of something major that you know has to be taken care of right away. >> So, >> and just to say further, you we

056asked you about the um the gate fees. >> Yes, ma'am. >> As far as what the other schools did, and you said they kept those as well. It's in addition to what >> Yeah. All the these totals I gave you from the school boards given to the schools that does not include gate receipts. It's just what the initial yearly amount that goes in and can be used for all of those things I see it below. It's certainly nice for Fluana to get a check of $150,000 to start the year for athletics and that helps pay a lot of workers and deputies and so many things. And I'm not asking for that here. I'm just presenting it because that's what I was asked to do. And uh I hope to have you know coach some of

057some of these similar numbers that you see are on here. >> Coach, we thank you for the time you put into it because >> I know I know we'll talk on that. >> No, no, no, no. It's not that Hos. It's it's a bigger picture and we're putting all the pieces of the puzzle together. But it's like to your point. We have the numbers. Whether we can do anything about it right now, we don't know yet. But as we're moving through the budget process, your numbers combined with school reports from the director of instruction, all of that stuff comes into play to create that the puzzle, right, to where we can make decisions on the future and XYZ. But, uh, to your point, uh, you know, the conversation on the ticket prices has been very

058exciting sometimes with us here on the board as far as student prices go. So, I can understand, you know, your take on it and of course the community's take on it. Uh, it's been very exciting conversations at times. So, >> you're exactly right. When we dropped it to $5 during the pandemic era, we had kids everywhere. Yeah. >> Of course, parents were dropping them off at the road and keep on going out of the house. But um >> the ball game becomes a babysitter. >> Yeah, that's what it became a little bit. But we didn't go up because of that reason. We went up because the district sets the price at $7 at this time. Like Appamatics district, the Dogwood sets it at eight where Fuvenas is eight or 10 at the gate. I mean,

059it's some of these schools are really raking it in. And uh >> so is there any leeway in that coach for to charge a different price to for adults and children or is the the basement $7 and that's the least amount you can take at the gate? >> That's the least amount we're supposed to take for adults. Now if the board decided to, you know, do a se season pass or a yearly pass for students >> from, you know, some of these schools are doing 50 bucks for the whole year, get in everything, right? >> And and that's not a bad way to go as well. But um it's tough for the families even to do that. It's just >> you know times are different and uh >> they just >> So so administratively is

060it would you be able to do say a family of four mom and dad two kids charge seven bucks for the adults like >> you know I don't I haven't had many complaints. I really haven't I haven't had a lot of complaints about it because that's what it is in the all around the district except at Ameilia they charge >> uh the extra you have to do it online only and they charge that extra 80 cent to a dollar per ticket >> and that's just done through uh >> GoFan or whatever they use there now >> but we've stayed you can pay at the gate and it's the cheapest way you can go you know and and the families seem to like it that way. >> Okay. And uh but I'd love to let a

061lot of people in free. I I'd love to see it, but you know, it's not no other school is doing it and they don't think it's feasible. So, right, >> but it'll be up to the board. Whatever you all, you know, want to do, that's what we'll do. And and and uh >> I thank Dr. Rezner for caring about this issue because she she's been at it after me this last month and we've got it done and she's happy and I'm happy. So, >> we'll see. Do we do we know how much the gates have the the attendance has dropped after we increased to $7? It's it's it's dropped a lot especially the kids right >> the kids because uh and then you know and I fuss about this now and then a lot of

062times we have so many fundraisers going on and so many things and so many classes and so many things kids spend their money on cornhole instead of coming to the game >> you know or or whatever the activity is and some of them are really good activities but you know money is tight for a lot of them but uh you know if we ended up with a lot of kids again like the old days we'd have to another administrator or another deputy, you know, if we get to that point, which would be a good thing. But, um, I don't know. It's just something that you all have have to think about between now and whenever the decision is made. So, but I I'll be glad to give you any other information you all need. Y'all

063just you just drop me an email and I'll get it to you or I can get it to Wendy as well. She's been great as well. Wendy's just just super. I just I can't say anything finer than a employee working here in Wendy Oliver. She is super. She's super and I told her not to retire till I do. So that's what I keep telling her. So she's just outstanding. >> Thank you Russ. We >> thank you all. Thank you. >> Yes. >> That leads us to 7.07 um report graduation planning update by Mr. Damon Tally. Good evening everyone. Um so I just want to come up here and give you an update on the graduation proposal that we um proposed last last board meeting. Um the first three slides is kind of like a followup.

064Um it's kind of revisit the idea when we talked about our vision and purpose for the seniors which is the dream big a big dream for the seniors. Um they want a memorable um inclusive graduation experience. The goal is to celebrate the seniors in a way that reflects their hard work, school pride, but also the community inclusion, which is more space for families and friends and entire BCPS staff. The next slide is a is an image of the Vine Center, which is where we have our ceremony. Um on the next slide, you'll see the event details that we have an update on that which it shows that we are we have selected to have the graduation on May 20th, which is a half day for us. It's a Wednesday. um and we elected to have

065it at six o'clock. So therefore, it's usually um parallel to our normal events that we normally start around six o'clock, but also time enough that we can have the ceremony and get families back so they can go to work the next morning and students come to school the next morning. Um the contractual price um is four $4,750. Um, and then at the bottom I put down I still kept my projected cost if we decided to try to use buses, but right now the set price is for this $4,750. Um, once again the benefits to reflect again on the benefits of having it inside which is the larger audience capacity, professional grade lighting also they will have their staff that uh would kind of run it for us and it's cost effective com compared to what

066we have been doing here. Um, next slide is our fundraising update. It show with the money we collected so far. So, so far we have $500 in donations which we have two donors. We have chairwoman um Bryant that donated and also Herf Jones which is our um they they supply graduation needs. Um the senior class collected $1726 in donut sales. Also, um we have a kettle corn sale going on right now with Uncle Dave's. Um currently, the last report I received was uh we collected $240, but the sale would go on until uh through Thanksgiving. Also, um about $284 in blanket sales. And I have a question mark right there. We're still trying to figure out the figures for the concessions, but um the SCA contributed is going to contribute money to um the senior

067class from the senior night um football game last week. uh moving forward some of our future plans for fundraising. Of course, donut sales is a big hit. We're going to do that two more times. We're going to try to do it in the winter and once in the spring. Um I have sent out personally sent out a contribution letter to the Fraternal Order of Eagles um in my area. So, it's in Petersburg. Um I requested um anywhere between $1,500 and $3,000 to cover all our needs. Um and but I make sure I put in the total cost we we projected to be. So hopefully they go in the upper end. But also uh we have some restaurant fundraising nights. Mr. D just mentioned to me that he spoke with Pino. So we have that night

068already set. We try to do one at rodeos and also we're going to reach out to feeding the soul to see if we have some restaurant nights there. Um also we have a dance coming up we're going to do on December the 12th um from 7:00 to 9:00. Give the kids a chance to do something fun again. Um we we're working out the details. It won't be as formal as homecoming. We'll probably have a dress code, but mainly um somebody threw an idea of possibly doing a glow dance. Was that you, Mr. Thrza? >> Yes. Highlighter dance. >> A highlighter dance where the kids can come in with white shirts on. They can highlight. They have the black lights. It'd be neat. But most importantly, by by popular demand, I think they have a great

069DJ going to be there, which is is going to be their principal. So, I'm excited about that. Um, last time I did a dance here with Miss Branch, um, and I was together, we had about 400 kids in the in the in the cafeteria for homecoming. They all stayed on the floor all night. So, I'm looking forward to that again. Um, each year my wife and I and my family, we put on a fatheraughter dance. So, this year we put it on be our fourth annual dance where we'll donate some money. I plan to donate some money back to the senior class for graduation there. And also, I've been floating around ideas with Miss Paige, Mr. to read about um possibly doing some some sock hops on the elementary level to try to get those

070kids involved but also help funds for us um for the graduation. And thank you guys thank you guys for listening to me and thank you guys for allowing us to have this opportunity. I really appreciate it me and my team. >> So are the buses are the buses for those who don't have transportation or is it just for the kids? Um what's what's the thought for the bus? >> That's something that's still in the air. We we figure it'd be um for the kids that don't have transportation, but also our staff members. >> Um I don't think um like I said, we're still discussing that. I don't think we want to open it to the public. There's a lot of things we're dealing with such as people coming in under the influence and a lot

071of things like that. Right now, we're working on our team as far as our uh BCPS family trying to get them there if needed. >> The Vine Center is a nice a nice arena. So, it's plenty of room. It's not what we're used to here at the high school. So, >> I I think we'll be excited. I think I'm looking forward to it. I know everyone is excited about it. Um like I said, we appreciate you guys allowing us to this opportunity and and we're definitely looking forward to it. >> Longwood. >> Yeah. Yeah. Any feedback from I mean as far as maybe um family members not be able to make it. >> That's you know I not everybody has the same means obviously um >> um we have the initial survey. That's one thing

072I can put on the on the plan for next time I speak with you guys to have us another survey to get an update on how they're feeling about it. Good >> now. >> Especially with the date being planned. >> Awesome. Yes, sir. Thanks. It's a lot of work. >> And I want to thank you for um taking us around today. Um we had the state senator Luther Ciphers here today and Mr. Tally and Mr. Heslip, >> Mr. Wilkerson. They all um escorted us around the high school here and we also had Carl Carter, our county administrator and Harry Bryant with board supervisors to come. So, it was a a good little visit. So, thank you very much. >> Thank you. And I did want to recognize Paul since he's hiding from me over there.

073U Mr. Paul Garrett with the board of supervisors is here as well tonight. Thank you for coming, Paul. Did you >> Did you have anything to say to us tonight? >> No, just uh I'm really interested in what uh coach had here to say about the uh the athletic budget. I didn't realize it was anywhere near that much discrepancy. You know, you look at newspapers and somebody's got a budget of $100,000 for their athletics. We've got a budget of 32,000 >> and everybody's got more athletic directors than we do. >> But also just want to commend the uh student y'all for month teacher bus driver that say that student you know you just never know where you going to be the right place or the wrong place at the right time and to have somebody

074step into action and do something like that where people want to shy away from problems he's always got that one which I still say is a goes to the work that y'all do as a board that the teachers do administrators and all it's a lot of stuff that goes on and being a former educator I know a lot of that stuff but somebody that's not a former educator not even been around involved in school don't know a lot of what has to go on to make some of these things Coach again one more time for being able to do so much with >> Yeah. >> As far as the championship, district championship members, thank you for the work. >> Thank you >> for passing algebra. >> Uh that leads us to 7.08. 08 energy efficiency

075update by Mr. JB Hesler. >> Thank you so much board for allowing me to talk about the energy conservation measures that we put into place October 14th of last year. So we do have some data to look at. A little foreshadowing. Um we're heading in the right direction as far as our data is concerned. So, I just wanted to set that up for later. Uh, I would like to just thank you for the opportunity to do this. Um, with the energy conservation stewardship through smart operations, Buckingham County Public Schools remains committed to fiscal responsibility and environmental stewardship. Um, the maintenance department is leading the efforts to reduce utility costs through strategic data-driven action. So, you'll see that later. There's lots of spreadsheets that we're going to look at and I've brought I've broken it down

076to report cards for each school. Kind of a fun way to look at each school. Um these measures align with the division goals of supporting instruction by maximizing operational facility efficiency, excuse me. Um our data points that I'd like for you to look at. Um these are our POS for our electric, water, propane, heating, fuel, big utility expenditures for the last three years and a projected for 20 26 27. This is before our energy conservation measures took place. So these could possibly be less as we move forward. Uh why this matters? Uh energy cost is rising and it affects our budget both at the district level and as well as the classrooms. Um, every $10,000 we save can be placed elsewhere of need. Um, conservation is not just about saving, it's about sustainability, safety, and

077community leadership. Um, right here is our estimated annual cost per classroom device. We also have all of this information on our website for everyone to look at. Um, after today, all the report cards will be on there as well for folks to look at as well. And there's also a suggestion bar on there. So, we've had some interaction with that. People have suggested things. You'll see that in your report that you have in front of you. Um, everything here is sort of a I guess an eyeopener to us. Many refrigerators cost anywhere from 30 to $45 per year uh to run. I put that on a 180day or 200 day uh schedule. Anywhere from,500 to 2200. that is if we have 50 in the division and we do have we do have quite a bit

078of those personal items throughout our schools. So you can look at that each one of those that's plugged in makes a difference um in our bottom line. So it's not just a plug load. We do other things as well, but that's the key piece we'll talk about tonight. So our key conservation measures, number one, unplug the plug. Uh we're encouraging classrooms to limit those personal items that drag our utility bill upwards. Uh personal coffee pots, microwave, mini fridges, and things. Move to more of a centralized location such as a teacher workroom, things of that nature. Still want it centralized. We want people to have what they need, but just in a more fiscal um uh attitude or or a way of doing things. So, we've also looked at our HVAC oper um optimization and how

079we handle things. We've reset our set points for the division. Our range is 67 to 73. That gives us a little bit more um range to work with and each one of those degrees up or down helps us financially. Uh we've also adjusted our HVAC schedules, sorry, my mouth is dry. I need a little water to match occupancy and avoid offhour um uh operation. During COVID, we had to do a lot more air refresh rates. We were at five, if you remember, through COVID, we had to do five classroom air refreshes per hour. We've got that back down to pre-COVID levels, more of a normal God bless you. Thank you. More of a uh a precoid level. Two classroom refreshes per hour. Um and we will monitor that air quality. Main thing there is CO2,

080making sure our CO2 levels are appropriate in each class. Um preventative maintenance and controls using our EBI system that we're very blessed to have. We can shut down all buildings um during any holiday or unscheduled snow day um or anything like that. We can shut them down during closures. and I'm working with Honeywell to make sure that we have routine filter changes and they're calibrating our equipment very efficiently so that we're operating the way we should. Uh for the last eight years, we've been trying to switch over our lighting from the old mercury lights in the gym to more of an LED situation in the um elementary gym and other places. We we've installed lots of LED lighting to help us be more energy efficient. Um, also we've been blessed through COVID to have a

081much more efficient HVAC system as a whole. Uh, through the through the grants and things that we've got, we were able to replace lots of key components. So, we're better than we were. Um, tighter HVAC HVAC schedules. We'll continue to make those as tight as possible. still trying to hit the sweet spot because at 7:45 we want those classroom temperatures to be optimum for your for your students and teachers as they get started in their day. Um those slight variances in temperatures and parameters help us to be able to do that. Our vendor partners have been wonderful to work with. Honeywell has came in when we were uh talking about our ADA ADM and they also worked with us for this year's contract and reduced it by 10%. And also red coats as well helped

082us by coming to the table and both of those vendors have ideas and they put into place practices that will help us with our energy efficiency program. So I appreciate those partners. The key piece is staff engagement and culture. Um, our greatest energy savings comes from awareness and you'll see that in the report cards. Just by us talking about it and putting it out there this during this conversation might be painful at times. However, it has increased awareness and by doing that people are unplugging things and it is making a difference in the bottom line which I'll show you in a minute. Um, turning off lights and closing doors. It's just a it's a matter of building that culture back into what we do every day. We do have appropriate exemptions in there. Um we're

083not trying to take away anything. We're trying to support our staff but also just do it more responsibly. Medical required equipment. Um that's allowed. Instructional equipment, technology testing equipment is allowed. Environmental safety. I do have to have some air purifiers in different areas to help us. So those are those are approved and and again we're trying to centralize our uh individual refrigerators, microwaves, coffee pots into centralized locations to help us. All right. So like I said, I alluded to this earlier on the website there's a place for suggestions for us. Um we've gotten the list below um are all suggestions from that. We also met with BEA. Dr. Dr. Rezer and I went down for that. Uh they had some suggestions. You can see those on your on your packet or on the screen. We

084work we're working through those. Some are really good suggestions. Some we're kind of already doing. Some we have to take under advisement. So I'm speaking with Dr. Rezner about those as we move forward. But the more eyes on this, the better we're going to be. All right. So getting into each school's report card. The spreadsheet's pretty massive. It requires, you know, kilowatts. last year. We've got all of that and then we've broken it down to each school. So, it's a complicated um sheet, but I've broken it down hopefully into a nice report card for you to look at. So, preK and I would like to give your administration shout out. All of your administrators have really worked hard to talk to their staff. They've been very very reactive with their staff. They've talked to them.

085they're trying to um handle different situations inside of their building. So, we're 80% right on spot and we're working with the other 20% to make sure that we are meeting their needs and also making sure we're protecting the culture of the building as well. So, PreK sent me a list of things they're doing. They've unplugged refrigerators, microwaves, coffee pots. Um they've done a great job. So, they sent me this list. I wanted you to see that. So, here's the spreadsheet. It's got all of 24 from October to October. Um, you can see the kilowatt usage for each building. You can see the kilowatt bill. Um, and then you can actually see the actual bill. And you'd think that those two would be the same, but I'm going by kilowatts to keep it across the uh

086the spreadsheet um equal because sometimes when you look at the bill, they've added a fee for this and a fee for that and a fee for fun. So we just sticking to straight kilowatt hours. It allows the math to be spot-on. So if you'd like to delve into that, you can. The prek starting off last year November the the November bill is actually October kilowatt usage. So last year they used 19,621 watts kilowatts. This year they've used 16,000. Excuse me, they used 19,000 last year, 16,000 this year. So, that's an 18% decrease from last year's bill. Good job, PreK. They get a smiley face. Uh, and that how does that how does that play out? $417 worth of savings for between last year and this year. Thank you very much. Um, they did a great

087job. So, what we're shooting for, I meant to say this earlier, is a 7%. So, when you see these bars, blue is what they were last year. Red is what I would like us to see. That's a 7% decrease in plug load. And then the orange is actually what this year's bill is. Okay. And I chose 7% because when you look around at new plug load initiatives, usually they say that you can get it anywhere from a 3% to a 10% your first year. You got to kind of get used to the program. You have to get the teachers used to it. You have to get buy in. You have to work through it. So I picked 7% because Buckingham's always ahead of the curve and I figured we can get there. So 7% is

088the marks you see in red as we move forward. All right. So thank you prek. So moving on to the primary school. You can look at their math there. And when you're looking at your chart, the blue is the kilowatt goal. That's minus 7% from last year. That's what I'd like to see. And then that dollar savings is right beside it. So primary school last year in November used 60,000 w kilowatts. this year 58. So they have a 3.2 decrease from last year. Not quite seven, but they get a smiley face. They did good. They're heading in the right direction. So we have some things there. Good job from primary school. All right. The elementary school, they sent me some things that they're working on. They're trying to get um centralized places for people to

089have refrigerators. And you can see all the lists that they've been working on here. um their kilowatts last year going to their report card is 23,000 roughly and this year they're at 16 roughly. So they've they've decreased 28% so they're well above uh which comes out to be a $763 savings from last year to this year. So good job elementary. All right, middle school, which is our plug load dinosaur. This thing loves energy. It just waits for it. So um last year last year used 113,000 kilowatts in the month of October. This year 95,000. So that's a decrease of 15% overall. They get a smiley face here. Uh and because the kilowatt usage is so heavy that increases our savings. So it's excuse me $2,31 savings. Okay. Um from this year to last year, high

090school, same thing. They have a they have 95,000 square feet of building. Um you can look at their numbers right there. From November of last year to November of this year, they've decreased their plug load by 22%. Which is $2,49 worth of savings from last year's bill to this year's bill. All right. And moving on to the cottage. Cottage has a smaller footprint. 825 kilowatts last year, 812 this year. positive one and a half percent decrease in their in their uh usage saved us a $154. Grandma said dollar saved, dollar earned. There you go. Good job, cottage. Thank you. Moving on. CTE bigger footprint 32 32,000 last year, 27 this year. 16% savings from this year to last year. That's $623. They get a smiley face. Good job. All right, bus shop. I just I

091figured we'd put them all out there and if you want to um whittle this down next month, I'll be happy to present it however you want. Uh the bus shop around 48 4,888 or 84, excuse me. Um this year, same same month, 3,63. That's a 26% savings. Saved us $151. Smiley face. Good job, Bus Shop. Schoolboard office. Dr. Rezner has unplugged her different uh the lamp up there and her whole staff has made sacrifices and pulled out things from the plug. So, um theirs were 4,200 last year, 3,400 this year, 18% savings from the schoolboard office. And that's a smiley face, $92 savings. So, alternative ed, not to leave anybody out, a smaller footprint again, 1,400 last year, 1300 this year, they saved 5%. That's roughly $8.64. Again, dollar earned, dollar saved, dollar earned. Smiley

092face. So, totals, if we stay on a 7% um rate for next year, for this whole through the cold months, and again, weather is not on this. So, if we have a tough January and it's it's down into the teens, we may burn more energy. So, we'll just have to see how it plays out. But, if we stay on a 7% decrease in plug load, we're looking at around a $38,000 savings. Um, and I think we can do better that, but we have to kind of wait and see because it does get cold around here in January, February. So, so far this month, we've saved from last year to this year $6,399. Um, next steps for me, I'm going to continue to collect the data, put it on the sheets. Um, next month if I'm

093asked to present, it'll be shorter. You'll just probably see the report cards and the um the spreadsheet. So, if you want to get into it, you can. Uh, and I'd like to present that to you. And so, we're just open and honest about what we're doing and how we're doing it. These conservation meth efforts reflect Buckingham County PR uh public schools commitment to fiscal accountability, safety, and environmental responsibility. Every department and staff member plays a part in ensuring that we operate smarter, not just cheaper. Together, we're making Buckingham County Public Schools a model of I can't say efficiency. There you go. And stewardship. Efficiency today, sustainability tomorrow. So, that's where we're at. So hopefully that you've liked the format. I'll I'll I will change it to however you'd like next month. Um do you have

094any questions for me? >> Madam Chair, thank you. Now I remember several years ago Honeywell would come in here and they would give a presentation and a part of their presentation was they were I guess validating their position with regards to energy efficiency. What they would do is they would give us a presentation. They would say, "Well, we saved you all x amount of money because, as an example, we set the lights to where they would go off at a certain time and come on at a certain time." What whatever happened with that? It's a good question. um Honeywell a few years back um you guys if I'm not mistaken had worked with them as far as energy conservation measures which included some LED some flush valves and some uh work around the the um

095outside of your buildings to help it be more uh energy efficient and in doing so stretched out a um relationship with them I guess over 15 years or something like that. If I'm incorrect, please help me, Miss Oliver. But every every time that they came here, they charged a certain amount to actually present that to you guys. So, at the more near the end of that, we're still kind of paying that back if I'm not mistaken, but near the end of that there, you've already kind of got what benefits you're going to have out of it. So, it was deemed that you're kind of talking about something we already know. So, we we did away with that. >> Okay. So I I guess that's my point is so can you explain >> uh so what

096what was because I I understand that there was some type of contract with them >> that that was their responsibility to do that. >> So can you kind of explain that just a little bit for those that may not know or have known about that >> that was that was preceding me in this position. However, my understanding of historical uh knowledge with that is that that it was agreed upon that they would take in uh the utility costs, add flush valves um that were battery operated. They would do some LED changeover, tighten up the schedules, um and work on the envelope. That was the word I was looking for. Work on your school envelope. Um and since then, that's been probably about 15 years ago, if I'm not mistaken. So, that's ran its course. Um,

097a lot of those le LEDs and sensors have had to been replaced since then. A lot of the flush valves had to been replaced. So, it it was at the end of its life cycle to and they charged us for it. I think it was like and I hate to throw a number out there, but it was right much. Um, and we decided that okay, that's sort of you guys have ran its course with that. It's over with now. and we put that back into our um our like u the uh warranties and things that coverage. We felt it was better use of funds to put that in toward the coverage instead of having her tell us something we already knew. I hate to say it like that, but that's the truth. We already kind

098of knew that we're heading in the right direction. The savings are already kind of there. That was maxed out. So instead of charging X for to come up here and tell us that, we put X into putting a a warranty on some of our equipment that we thought might fail. That was the that was the choice that was made. >> So now all they pretty much do is our HVAC system. Is that >> Yes, ma'am. When I was first here, they were part of your security uh your cameras and your door swipes and HVC. Now they they do not do any of that. They are strictly they are HVAC providers. >> Okay. >> Has that has that gotten better? I know at one time we were having a lot of zone problems at the high

099school where you would go to Mr. Room and you would absolutely freeze to death and then you go down the hall and you'd be sweating. >> Well, I didn't hit the mark very well today, sir, but normally I've been doing pretty well with that. They've got a better ground crew here. Okay. >> I had a couple rooms that ran away from me earlier today. Um but it has gotten marketkedly better. uh you're only as good as your ground crew and I've got a great ground crew here now that that uh that keeps us up and running. So, it's gotten much better. >> Okay. >> But what can't say 100% but it's much better. >> Well, everything breaks, but I know at one time it was like I mean you just knew that. I mean you

100had to what brought it up was the space heater and I was like yeah I remember >> I know you had to have one in the stretch room because it was cold and I don't I like it cold and it was still cold. >> Yes, sir. >> M. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Just one last question. >> Um, with have you heard any feedback? And of course, I think that, you know, we need to be fiscally responsible. We need to make sure that uh we're doing what's right with the money. Um, but have you heard any feedback from those people that are connected with red coats or any red coat employees uh with regard to any concerns that they may have? because I know I saw that, you know, they cut back the contract a

101little bit and I think that relates to maybe some hours or some people being cut or some people being cut or >> Yes, that's an unfortunate anytime that you're looking at a cut or tightening up budgets ultimately it affects people and so yes, they've had to make some decisions about um about hours and as far as I know they only had to they backed off a few hours to make everything work and they did have to um part with one part-time person that um to make those hours up. So, yes, sir. >> But I mean, we're still >> everything is still being done to the standard that >> Well, I hold a high standard for them. So, we are still able to attack um the buildings. I'm probably shouldn't say attack, but get at the

102buildings and keep them clean. Um, pretty well with red coats. I haven't seen any drop off yet. The report cards still indicate that we're holding tight. There's A's and B's. I think there was a C on it. Um, but right now they seem to be doing well, managing. I do worry about morale. U, but, you know, that that is part of it. So, right now they're doing they're holding they're holding tight. Go ahead. >> Um, I just want to say thank you for the report. Uh, I like the way it looks because I like colors and you can see things plain as day. It's well done. I I think um I don't know if the board has any other recommendations, but I you asked about whether or not this was good enough. I think it's

103beneficial. I like it. Um, if the board has the recommendations, go ahead. But, uh, one thing that I'd like to point out today was uh while we're walking around uh into your the HVAC system uh into the cold rooms while we were walking around um God bless our teachers. >> Yes. for buying in on this, right? And staff, everybody across the board. But I mean, walking through the hallways from one end of the hallway >> uh towards the science wing at the high school, nice and warm, >> get all the way down around the corner heading to the art room with poor Jennifer Bruo in there. But she's going to Alaska. >> Yeah. >> I mean, it was cold in there. She goes, "This all the windows." I said, "I remember this room back when

104I was here, but it wasn't art, obviously. But man, it was cold in there. >> It's a continuous battle. It's never going to end. I'm going to do the best I can with it and zone it out and make sure that we're we're on top of it. But that older building, >> the point being not not that part, but the point being the buy in of the teachers, the staff, I mean, that's that's critical for any money savings you're looking at making the buy in of the staff. >> So, 100% >> thank you for that. And and make sure every time you see them, we we appreciate their efforts honestly and we understand microwaves, refrigerators, and I would want one too, but at the end of the day, you know, >> not not everybody business

105has it in the same room and stuff. Well, you can refer to him. >> That's right. >> Your refrigerator, by the way, is gone, too, as well. >> And we lost ours. >> We lost yours as well. So, nobody's immune to it. >> Patrick said, "Get it on the way in." >> Thank you, Mr. Husband. Unless anybody does anything else. >> 7.09 recommend approval of the BSBA Central Regional Vice Chair nominee Joey Goodman. need a re >> we want to debate this or anything. >> No, >> you feel happy. >> Yeah. No. >> No. If there's no questions or anything, I'd recommend approval of the BSBA Central Regional Vice Chair nominee, Joey Goodman. >> Second. >> Motion's been made by Mr. Snotty and second by Mrs. Morris to uh approve uh Joey Goodman for the

106regional vice chair as a nominee. I don't know if he'll get it, but you know, we have it. Uh any questions on the motion? All those in favor, please raise your hand. That's unanimous. Motion carries. You better You better vote for yourself. >> All right. 7.10 recommend the approval of the VSBA amendment to policy LBD, home instruction. >> Yes. Mrs. Brian and I and myself received an email from Janelle Loki, the director of legal and policy services with the VSBA on November 4th. I'll summarize the information regarding policy LBD home instruction. Um, the BSBA had received several inquiries concerning an email circulated by a parent of a homeschool student expressing concern that the language in VSBA sample policy LBD is inconsistent with Virginia law and may increase the risk of violating the privacy of homeschool

107students and families. So, she is writing this in response to reiterate that VSBA sample policy LBD is legally compliant and does not permit or invite any breach of student or family privacy. However, to further eliminate confusion, the VSBA has made some minor corrections to VSBA sample policy LBD. So earlier this year, the Home Educators Association of Virginia had expressed similar concerns related to this policy and the VSBA revised the policy as part of their May 2025 policy update. Among other changes, the revision clarified that the school board or the superintendent may disclose certain information only with the written consent of a parent and only to the extent prided, excuse me, provided by the parents consent. Specifically, the May 2025 revision removed the word expressed and specified that consent must be written. In addition, it clarified

108that the disclosure may only be made to the extent provided in the written consent. So the relevant um they provide the relevant code section and also explain their rationale for that. So upon review, the VSBA noted that the existing language explicitly states that information provided under Virginia code section 22.1-254B1, which applies to students exempted from attendance due to a bonafide religious training or belief, may be disclosed with written consent. However, the Virginia code also permits disclosure again with written parental consent of information provided regarding home instruction students. Thus, as written, the May 2025 update that they that the VSBA um provided appears to limit the information that a school board or superintendent may disclose with the written consent of a parent. So to ensure complete alliance with Virginia law, the VSBA has updated sample policy

109LBD to clarify that both categories of students, those that receive home instruction and those who are exempt for bonafide religious reasons are covered under this disclosure protection. The updates to policy LBD are redlined and you have a copy in Ward doc for your review. And so once again, we are seeking your approval this evening of revised schoolboard policy LBD. I'm going back to my memory banks. It's slow, tedious process. Do you remember the conversation we had with the last director of instruction where this was covered where we had some email traffic between uh uh >> the home education? >> Yes. Yes. Where is that? Is that in here? Because I know some of that doesn't seem like it's been added to this with the VSBA. >> It is related to this because on the forms

110it was asking for birth dates or ages of students, >> right? >> And that kind of information. So, they just want to make sure that we're not requesting that information from parents who are wishing to homeschool because that is not what is required to be submitted for intent. Okay. This goes in line with that. >> It does. Okay. >> Yes. So basically, you know, in the last paragraph, the new pol the policy provision reads, "The superintendent or school board may disclose such information only with the written consent of the parent and only to the extent authorized by that consent. Nothing nothing in this policy prohibits the superintendent from notifying the superintendent of public instruction or VDOE of the number of students in the school division receiving home instruction. So just a um for clarity u

111Mr. Chair normally in the in the past I say normal in the past we would um on any kind of policy we would present it at one meeting um and vote on it at the following meeting but has it was this prevented um presented at the last meeting? >> No, this is just a one off type one. >> So are you planning or do you need a vote today or do >> we don't we can certainly do it that way. This is just a a a minor revision in terms of the written consent. Yeah. >> Um component and so um that's why I didn't you know it's not like it's a new policy or a extensively revised policy. I think they they just uh provided some clarifying language um by putting in the word written

112consent >> but certainly we could um >> yeah I just wanted point of order just to make sure I don't want I don't want you to put yourself in a place that's against the policy >> reason. So part of the reason is we don't have so this one is dated the last date on it that I see is 2020 >> but we made changes >> right >> like less than two years ago because we talked about this this was a heated heated email exchange between that organization and us correct >> was it was it policy then >> it was one like this but it had the homeschool it had the home instruction what we could and could not do based off of federal and state law combined and we weren't meeting the criteria and our

113former director of instruction was supposed to take it back and reddraft the whole thing. And I haven't looked at it, but I would like to think that we got that done before. I don't recall. It would have been last year. >> Yes. >> Um and it would have contained a lot of the information that this appear appears to have in it. >> And I think more of it was to focus on our internal documentation of it versus the policy >> was it? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> And our forms that we >> if it's possible, we can put this off to >> we can make this a first reading and then next month we can approve it if that's what the board wants to do. I think so. >> Um, in the meantime, I'll go

114back and research the >> You wouldn't have it most likely. I think >> I'll see if I can get back. >> I I'll get with it to I'm sure I've got it. I just got to dig through the emails. >> Okay. 7.11 um 2026 27 school calendar preparation. Write my note about looking into those emails. Um, this is just aformational piece. We wanted to get some feedback from you all as the board. We're going to start planning and having our our first meetings for the calendar committee to plan our 2627 calendar. Um, and we wanted to get the board's priorities. What are things that you want to make sure we're considering as a committee. We are going to send out a survey to parents and families for some feedback about the current calendar, things that

115they like. Um, specifically we ask, "What aspects of the current calendar do you like the most? What changes would you like to see in next year's calendar? Questions about the first day of school?" You know, we always have, you know, concerns about that starting on a Monday versus midweek. Um, questions about the holidays. This is our first year with Veterans Day off as a holiday. You know, just getting feedback from families um about this calendar, changes they might want to see, what they really want us to keep. And we also wanted to do the same with you all. So, if you have priorities you want to share currently with me, I will take note of them. Or if you have things you want to share with me separately that I can bring to the committee.

116Um, we just wanted to open up the floor for that conversation. >> I had one um and and I don't know if we'll be able to capture it because I don't know how soon they determine this, but the governor school this the uh spring break that they have, I would like for us to be able to coincide with that if at all possible, but >> if we can't, we can't. But please look at that. >> Okay. Oh, and I know when we had this conversation, we compared it to the other districts, the other school divisions, um, in terms of like the sport schedule, too. So, we were trying to balance between the two. So, just kind of putting both on the table and comparing. Right. Okay. >> Thank you. >> I know you're going to

117get some from Dr. Rezner, I'm sure. >> Yes. I've uh spoken with um directors and we're going to be sharing more of this information tomorrow during admin council, but I definitely would like to see us increase the number of >> days we have dedicated for PD and professional learning. >> Yes. >> Uh I'd like to suggest that we offer um that we add at least two days on the front end for new teachers, one to two days possibly um on the front end for veteran teachers for additional professional learning. I'd like us to look at how we structure Columbus Day if we choose to have Columbus Day off next year for students. That could that could potentially become a professional learning day for staff. Um so there's lots of opportunities there, but I do think

118one of my focuses is one of my requests and focuses would be to increase um time that we have dedicated for professional learning for staff >> because we have a number of areas that we need to enhance with that. I know in previous conversations we had talked about that because the in different school districts that we had belonged to. Uh a lot of times you had a half a day off whatever it was or hour two hours off per week or per month or whatever it was and you just that was the days that you had aligned on your schedule you know off early for teachers to get some PD in. >> Uh we talked about it I think last year we talked about it a little bit. Anyway, uh those are opportunities. >> Yes.

119I was going to wait till spring when you brought this up before, but since you're bringing it up now, >> right, we want to start early. >> Right. So, since you're bringing it up now, um I want to look at our 140 days, I believe, where our so testing falls in with the end of our marking for where we got to have our students done, >> right, with our testing in the last two weeks. We have a window that states set sets for us, right, that they give us, right, to test, >> but it seems like every time we do the so test and our kids don't have anything really going on, >> right, before we start Christmas holidays? >> So my question is is would that time be better spent prepping for an closer

120to the end of the timeline to increase our scores? Yes. >> Or is it valid where it is? >> Well, current this year is our first year with that adjustment, right? And so we are testing the last two weeks um you know before Christmas break and then the same thing in the spring those last two weeks. So that is going to be a change for us from what we've had in the past where we've had our testing spread out for the end of the year. Of course at the high school we had a whole different schedule. We had you know on just a couple of days they did all of their testing right and that's a change that was that was a change that came through VDOE um requirement. >> Yeah. It was one of

121the things I was looking at I guess it was a month or two back and I was like I'll bring it up but I'm going to wait. to talk to everybody offline, but since you're bringing it up now, >> and we had it that way in the past because we wanted to make sure we had time for retesting, >> you know, we had to have time for remediation, >> alternate testing, there's a lot of factors that go into it. So, even though it's a lot of time for testing and not every kid is testing, of course, that whole time, testing is happening every day of that window that we used to have. And so, condensing it to two weeks is is going to be hard. But um I mean >> just a curiosity I had

122based off of Yes. I think the hour seat hours you're supposed to have and where we >> whether or not it was value added or not, >> right, >> is a question I had. So >> yes, please. Thank you. >> Does anyone else have any suggestions? >> And like I said, I I knew you may not all have concerns to express tonight, but I wanted it to be brought up to you. Dr. Dr. Rezner had asked this as well so that way you know if it >> people in the community had come to you about concerns you can share them with us so that we make sure we address those on our committee meetings. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> 7.12 health insurance survey data. >> This evening I'm pleased to share with

123you our health insurance survey data. You know, health, as you know, health insurance is an an important component of our school division budget and is critical to helping us recruit and retain highly qualified teachers and staff. In September and and October, we conducted a health insurance survey of all full-time contracted employees. There were 175 respondents to the survey, 130 employees who currently participate in our health insurance, and 45 employees who currently do not participate. So the results of the survey indicate a mixed response overall. So we asked employees who participate who participate with our health insurance the following questions. Do you miss having access to Anthem's PO network? 39% said yes and 47% said maybe, possibly, or unsure. How satisfied are you with our current Sigma insurance? 7% were very satisfied and 13% were very

124unsatisfied with 42% being neutral. How satisfied are you with our current Mishi concier program that is offered with our current insurance? 14% were very satisfied and 12% were very unsatisfied with 43% being neutral. How satisfied are you with our current RX prescription drug coverage? 21% were very satisfied, 13% were very unsatisfied with 28% being neutral. Which health insurance program would you prefer overall, Anthem or Sigma? Sigma obviously is what we currently have. 70% preferred Anthem, 29% prefer Sigma. Would you, we asked, would you be willing to possibly pay more per monthly premium premium in order to have a better network of providers and prescription drug coverage? We do know we do not know yet what our insurance renewal rate will be. 15% were very willing and 23% were not willing at all with 26 being

125neutral. 26% being neutral. Lastly, if we were to offer a 500 or 100 deductible tiers of health insurance coverage, which one would you most likely choose? 26% preferred employeeonly PO 500 deductible. 15% prefer employee only PO a th00and deductible 17% prefer employee plus one PO 1000 deductible. We also asked those who do not currently participate in our health insurance several questions as well. Um we asked what are the reasons you do not participate with our health insurance. 62 and 64% indicated that their spouse either their spouse's health insurance was either more affordable or had better coverage. Um, how how willing would you be to switching to our health insurance if we offered another program other than Sigma? 8% stated that they would be very willing to switch while 64% stated they would not be very

126willing to switch. Uh, we asked, "Do you miss having access to Anthem's PO network?" 10% indicated yes, while 20 29% indicated no. Would you be willing to possibly pay more per monthly premium in order to possibly have a better network of providers and prescription drug coverage? 5% stated they would be very willing while 51% stated they would not be willing at all. And finally, uh, which tier of health insurance coverage would you most likely choose? 48% stated they would choose employee only PO 500 deductible while third 13% stated they would choose employee only 500 deductible or a family 500 deductible. As part of the survey, we also received a total of 58 written comments. There are many people who feel very passionate about our current health insurance program, whether in support of it or not.

127Because the data includes such a mixed response, it is imperative that all of the employee comments along with the actual survey responses is taken into strong consideration when making decisions regarding the future of our school division's health insurance benefits. I do plan on sharing this information with uh Mr. Clement after this meeting. >> Thank you. Uh, are there any questions for Dr. Razner? >> I do want to say having 175 employees respond to the survey I thought was very positive. It shows that they were very committed to this process and very uh involved and engaged and I think we got we received quite a bit of information especially the comments. >> They took a lot of time and thought into into this. >> Okay. No other questions. Uh that leads us to 7.13 salary study

128data. Okay. Once again, I am pleased to share with you a presentation of our comprehensive salary study that we started in July. A a good time to conduct a comprehensive salary study for a school division is once every two years in the fall, which aligns with the year in which the governor would develop the state bianual budget. This study examines the salaries of each of our Buckingham County Public Schools full-time positions in comparison with eight other regional school divisions, most of which border Buckingham and include Cumberland, Appamatics, Savannah, Nelson, Gland, Powatan, Prince Edward, and Amelia. The study helps to inform our budget considerations for adjusting our salary scales to help us become more regionally competitive to attract and retain highly qualified and motivated team members, which will be part of our upcoming comprehensive plan. So,

129I'm including a regional comparison group snapshot using data from both the VDOE school quality profiles and the VDOE budget calc tool. This chart provides last year's K12 enrollment, the percentage of economically disadvantaged students, and the local composite index or LCI, which is the locality's ability to pay or contribute towards public education costs. The higher the LCI, the higher the percentage the locality is expected to pay. On this next slide, I'm sharing considerations when conducting a salary study such as this. As you look through and examine each salary scale, we want to point out that comparing salaries between various school divisions is very close, but it is not an exact science. Pair professionals work a different number of hours in various school divisions. Also, administrator salaries may be different across school divisions because each has a

130set formula they use for salary placement. For example, giving a certain number of years of teaching experience for placement on the administrator scale. 12-month employees work different number of days in various school divisions, anywhere from 245 days to 260 days. Position titles and responsibilities also vary among different school divisions. Please remember that our initial goal right now is to move our scales forward so that we are at least ranked fifth or average. Over time, our goal is to continue moving our scales forward so that we are closer to the top when compared to other school divisions. So tonight I will be sharing detailed information with you regarding three employee groups, teachers, pair professionals, and bus drivers, as well as future recommendations based on the data. If you look at our teacher salary scale comparison, you

131will notice that our ranking based on our average salary of $61,837 is seventh out of nine. If you look all the way to the far right column highlighted in yellow, you will see what the difference between Buckingham's salary for each step is to the regional average. Numbers in black indicate that Buckingham is is average or above average for those particular steps. Numbers in red indicate that Buckingham is below average for those particular steps. However, our step zero or starting salary for a teacher with a bachelor's degree is $54,644, which is above average. In fact, steps 0 through two and steps 30 through 38 are all above the average. On the next slide, I provide a snapshot comparison summary of teacher steps 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30. I provide several considerations for teacher

132salaries. Buckingham is below the average teacher salary for steps 0 through 30 for every step except steps 0, one, two, and step 30. Our teacher salary ranking ranges from third to 9th through the course of those steps 0 through 30. While considering this, I also want you to keep in mind that all school divisions are most likely to continue raising teacher salaries for the upcoming 2026 2027 school year. We have projected a cost of approximately 1 million2 excuse me 1,282 salary only or1,245,637 for salary and benefits to equalize teacher steps 3 through 29. So that all teacher steps would at least equal the average when currently compared to the other eight school divisions. Our next employee group to examine is our pair of professionals. As a whole, based on the average salary, our pair of

133professionals are ranked sixth out of nine school divisions. However, our step zero through step three for pair of professionals is ranked first, which is significantly above average. Beginning with step seven, Buckingham's prepar professional steps are below average. On the next slide, I provide a snapshot comparison summary of paraprofessional steps 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30. Again, there are several considerations for paraprofessional salaries. Buckingham is below the average paraprofessional salary for every step except steps zero through through step six. Our parap profofessional salary ranking ranges from first to sixth through the course of all steps zero through 30. While considering this, once again, keep in mind, as I just stated, that school divisions are likely to continue raising pair of professional salaries for the upcoming school year. And we have projected a cost of

134approximately $69,828 salary only or $86,528 salary and benefits to equalize steps 7 through 30. so that all pair professional steps would at least equal the average when compared to the other school divisions. Finally, I would now like to discuss our third employee group, bus drivers. As employees, bus drivers require specialized training and a commercial drivers class B license with both p with both passenger and school bus endorsements. book knowledge and behind the wheel testing is required at DMV as well as I believe a a minimum of 24 hours of classroom instruction and 20 hours behind the wheel is required. Our step zero bus driver salary of 19,22 is ranked first out of nine school divisions. However, our bus driver salary is below average for steps 26 through 29. As I as I previously stated, we

135know that school divisions are most likely to continue raising bus driver salaries for the upcoming school year. And we have projected a cost of approximately $1,724 salary only or $1,91 salary and benefits to equalize steps 26 through 29. So that all bus driver steps would at least equal the average when compared to the other school divisions. The remaining slides include our salary study for all other full-time contracted and positions. For some positions, school divisions did not provide salary information. This deficit of information is beyond our control. Despite significant challenges with regards to our salaries as a whole, there are many 23 positions to be exact within Buckingham County Public Schools that are ranked at least fifth in the region. and therefore are average. In examining all of our salaries holistically, we have several next steps

136for consideration. First, conduct a line item analysis of our current FY26 budget. Establish budget priorities for FY27. In doing so, what changes, if any, does the school board wish to make to address salary disparities, especially with regards to teacher salaries? Survey staff, parents, and community supporters for budget priorities. Conduct asset mapping on all nonSOQ or standards of quality positions. This work has actually been completed and will be shared with you later. Schedule an early budget work session to discuss budget priorities. We have suggested Wednesday, December 3rd for a possible budget work session um in advance of the December school board meeting. Um I know that I have shared an immense amount of information with you this evening. I hope that you have found um tonight's presentation to be informative as well as helpful as we

137prepare for our upcoming budget development session. Um if you have any questions related to this, Mrs. Oliver is also available to assist with specific budget questions as it relates to our salary compensation. >> Madame Chair, if I may make a comment. >> Sure. >> I would like to remind everybody in the room that um you know, looking at them numbers up there, they're bad and sure enough, but Buckingham County is one of the most underdeveloped counties in the region. And you look at Appamatics and Nelson, you know, even Prince Edward has um Walmarts and other things and we don't have much of anything in this county. So, we can only do, you know, so much and everybody here understands that and I respect that and I appreciate that. But um you know we are one

138of the most underdeveloped counties in the entire region and uh we're just trying to do what we got to do with less and that's all I got >> related to your comment. Um if you could go to the beginning of the presentation where we share um the LCI um the calc tool um is close to the front. You'll see if you look study that carefully. Look at the far right column where it says local composite index or LCI. Um can't read from that far away.337. >> Okay. So that is our LCI Buckinghams. Look, take a moment and look at the other LCIS with the other school divisions. Remember, the higher the number, the um higher the ability to pay for the locality, the more money that the locality must contribute to public education. The lower

139the number um the less the less the locality would be expected to pay. >> That's where I don't understand appamatics there because they got a whole lot more than we do. But >> well, now this is based off last year. I mean, this is the calc tool for last year. Now the calc tool is going to get re the LCI is going to get re re um evaluated and updated and ours may go up um with the bianual I don't know but we don't know yet but that number gets adjusted every two years. >> Okay. >> Are there any questions? No, it it does seem though that uh we've done a really good job over the years of increasing the rates to hire and recruit talent. The problem is is that once we recruit them

140um we have a hard time retaining them because we're losing out once they get past year three, but some of them year one and then it falls right off. And so, you know, we're almost forcing them to uh make a decision whether they want to take less money and work at home or, you know, make a trip to wherever and get paid a little more. So, I think that's just interesting and it shows that we've obviously spent time as a board somewhere. And I don't know when it happened, but over the years of being able just because probably the demand was to recruit. Uh, retention is a whole another thing though. And the other thing is I I I I really feel passionate about the fact that there are people who decided to make their

141livelihood in Buckingham live here, work here, and they shouldn't be penalized for it. And unfortunately, I think that's what's happened. I don't think it was intentional, but you know, the numbers don't lie. um you know they are um they've decided to make their livelihood here and they could have gone somewhere else and they chose they still choose >> and they and they still choose to stay and that says a lot about our staff that have put in a lot of tenure here >> and that loyalty should be rewarded >> should be yeah agree >> you know there's no doubt about that but um we >> it's it's hard to reward said loyalty that's right if you don't have the resources >> right so I mean I I really appreciate the you know the budget session

142having this information now allows allows us to go into the budget planning for next year with our eyes wide open. Whether it can be corrected in a year, I think that's probably pie in the sky. But um at least be able to work toward an end goal where we can, you know, maybe we're never we're never going to we're never going to compete with Albam Marl, right? So that's not our goal, but our goal is we certainly shouldn't be losing anybody to Cumberland, >> right? So >> I agree. And um like I said, our initial our initial goal is to get us to average. >> Yep. That's right. >> That's our initial goal. And I've given you the figures of what it's going to cost us to do that for those three for those three

143employee groups. >> And I would just say, you know, I really do uh applaud you uh because to me that's a reflection because um you know, obviously this this took some time. It took a lot of effort uh on your from your standpoint. >> Well, I want to thank those that we had a team like I I want to thank um Caleb Oliver. She helped me initially grab uh paperwork and and numbers from the various school divisions. You know, I I did most of the she did a lot of the initial salary input, but I did all the calculating and the formulas. Um but then you know Courtney Courtney helped me tremendously Courtney Gunnar with coming up with those final projections of what I gave you of what it's going to cost. She developed those

144numbers. Um so it was a team effort. Um I think we will you can expect to receive this level of salary study once every two years in alignment with the year that the bannual budgets is is adopted you know is developed. Um, next year we'll we may do an update of on a smaller scale and maybe look at stipens or coaching, you know, something like that. But this will be every other year. Um, I think it's good information. >> Does anyone know when the last time there was a step increase? >> It was supposed to been about two or three years ago and I think it did happen. So, >> and that may be, you know, I know that step is always the first thing that gets cut, right? That's the easy one. Um, >>

145yeah, because they usually have them with a raise and they would do the raise in L of the step of the step. >> And Mr. Bruo put together a great snapshot for us one time when he came in front of the board last year and he showed us he goes, "Look, I'm like $10,000 be behind everybody else or whatever the number was. I'm sure but paraphrasing, but he he showed it to us and you know what we were doing, we set up the salary scale. Susan's out there. She's been here. She's religious with this." like some of the most dedicated people out there putting their t time on the table for figuring this stuff out. But uh we come out there, we're we're looking at it and we come with the same numbers which is

1461.2 to 1.5. We started off I think it was 750,000 something in that neighborhood up to 1.5 to go across the board cutting the scale down to 30 years by 38. Right. >> Right. And minimizing all this and putting the steps in there where it need to be. But at the end of the day that's just an initial take >> right >> to address right now. Once you forecast it out and you're going, "Okay, well, federal government, we're losing students. Federal government's not giving us any more. State won't I mean, state can't give us more than what they got." And then the county's going, "You mean this is initial?" >> Yeah. >> And I got to add more to it next year. Oh, >> you're stuck. >> Yeah. >> So, that's kind of why a

147lot of the information has been coming to us from Dr. Ringstaff and across the board tonight is we're throwing the stuff the puzzle. >> Yeah. Right. >> Throwing the puzzle. >> Well, I'm looking at the chart. when you see it start seeing the red and it starts to magnify. Those are those times when they've missed the you know we've had a lot of employees once they get to that level they miss that step >> and you do that >> two or three what five years at each time all of a sudden you're at seven or $8,000 $10,000 as you were saying it doesn't take long to get to this point >> in all the years that I taught >> I rarely ever got a raise in a step >> at the same time. >> Yeah.

148I mean, very, very weird. >> What Joanie said at the meeting we had at the board of supervisor, she says it's been going over 40 years. >> Oh my goodness. You got to be kidding me. Some of the same same issues. >> Another idea I'd like us to to pose, something to think about for the future would be to equalize our step increases because they're not equal. They're all over the place. And so, I'll give you an example. You know, if we if we were to equalize our step increases so that every employee, no matter what you do, no matter what your job is, you go from step zero to one or step one to two or step two to three, that could be a hypothetical a 1.25% increase. It'd be awesome if if we

149could do that because it's equitable, it's fair, it's consistent, and people know what to expect. >> Sounds familiar. We are we are um you know we're not there yet but that is something that I would want us to work towards um to equalize our steps um along with getting us to at least average. >> Yeah. >> Well, you already know that's one of our priorities. >> Oh yeah. >> And so that's one of the reasons why our administrative team and and um developed the the asset mapping that we'll share with you um for nonSQ positions. That's an important piece to this as well. Any other comments? Thank you for that. Thank you. Um 8.01 schoolboard member committee updates. Does anybody have anything? >> I don't have anything. >> Um we did have a governor school.

150When did we have it? >> September. >> Yeah, we talked about >> I think it was last month. It was October. >> It was in October. >> Yeah, we talked about that. >> Okay, that's good. All right, but I do want to recognize one of our students, a senior, Grace Martin. Um, she was appointed to, uh, by Governor Yncan to the student board for the governor's school. So, I I think that's great and we'll probably recognize her again later on in the year, but I just wanted to >> thank her for region 8 um which incorporates what? Prince Edward, Cumberland, Buckingham, Brunswick, >> yeah, bunch of bunch of counties. >> So, I want I wanted to recognize her. >> Okay. Anything else? We need to go into Oh, >> I just wanted to say one

151thing. Um, of course I enjoyed the visit from uh Senator Cifus. Is that how you pronounce? >> Ciphers. >> Uh, a wonderful gentleman uh and very knowledgeable. Uh, and also I wanted to say that uh November is VSBA take your legislator to school month. So, it was wonderful to have one of our legislators here uh as a part of that initiative with the VSBA. So, thank you so much again to him. >> Yeah, he was very knowledgeable about a lot of different things that we were in different classrooms for. >> Yeah, I was surprised. >> Yeah, he knew more than we did for sure. >> Surprised before a politician. All right, we need to go back into close session under the statutes that were in the first um close session. >> Someone will do that.

152>> Hold on. Let me get back up here for the >> Madam Chair, I recommend going into close session as allowed under items A1, A7, and A29 of section 2.2-3711 2-3711 of the code of Virginia for appointments, resignations of specific employees, discussion of legal matters, and discussion of public contract. >> Second. >> It's been uh a motion has been made by Mrs. Morris and second by Mr. Snotty to go into close session as allowed under those items. Uh any questions on the motion? All those in favor, please raise your hand. That's unanimous. We are in close session.