001We're live. We are now returning from close session 3.02. Certificate of action taken in close session. Let's come back in. Mr. 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. It has been moved and properly seconded. Any questions on the motion? Roll call vote. I I I I I I unanimous. We are now back from close session. 3.02 Certificate of action taken in close session. Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the personnel agenda as amended. Second. It has been moved and properly seconded. Any questions on the motion? All in favor, please raise your hand. All opposed.
002Motion carries. 3.03. Got another one. Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the fiscal year 26 employee contract and non-contracted employee scale. Second. It has been motioned and properly seconded. Any questions? All in favor, please raise your hand. All opposed. Motion carries. Um, and I also uh recommend we approve the fiscal year 26 salary scales as u submitted. You did that. It is a contract renewals. You did salary scales. Yeah. Okay. Sorry. All right. 3.03. Opening of regular meeting. It is the custom of the Buckingham County School Board to open each meeting with the pledge of allegiance to the United States flag and a moment of silence or prayer. Uh if anyone is offended, it is suggested that you wait a minute um after the beginning of the meeting. Uh let us stand at
003this time. Let us pray. Father, we thank you for this day. We thank you for all that you do for us. Father, thank you for the uh rain you've given us, Father, to help your things grow. Father, we thank you for the opportunity to come here tonight to do the work of uh this community. Father, we pray that you continue to be with us, lead, guide, and direct this board to do the things that you desire. Father, be with us as we make decisions on this school system. Father, we ask these things in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. le to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 3.04 adoption of the agenda. Mr. Chairman, I make
004a motion to adopt the agenda as presented. Second. Second. It has been motioned and properly seconded. Any questions? All in favor, please raise your hand. Unanimous motion carries. Recognitions and presentation 4.01 teachers of the month and teacher and employee of the year. Good afternoon or good good evening. It's getting later. Uh it's my pleasure to present the the teachers of the year for each of our schools. And uh as I call your name, if you could come up and we have a plaque for you. Uh, Buckingham County Middle School, Chuck Meek, if you please come [Music] up. Okay, Dr. Garrett, if you're here, you can get for, please. Uh, teacher of the year for Buckingham County Preschool, Renee Schaefer [Applause] and please uh please see it. Thank you. I tell you, if you once you
005win uh a teacher of the year award at preschool, that's a big event. Uh last couple years, I probably I enjoy all of them, but I really enjoy that. They get out in the hallways and dance. I'm not talking about one class, all of them. And sometimes they they don't know who who won, but they're happy. Renee has uh done a great job and I appreciate you. Teacher of the year for uh Buckingham County Primary School, Miss Heather Page. [Music] Heather uh has done an outstanding job uh at the primary school and it's Not every not every day is a rainbow. It's but she stays with it and and the the the transition they're moving these kids from a a grade level to grade level over six months time is big and we appreciate you
006too. Thank you. Teacher of the year for Buckingham County High School. Melissa Fulture. Melissa's Melissa's husband uh told me as we were walking down the hallway with flowers and balloons, she's going to cry. Yeah. And she sure did. And we're really proud of you. Uh I got a chance to observe her class uh and uh I was impressed. Thank you so much for what you do. Teacher of the year for CTE, Miss Amber Brit. Amber is probably one of the most popular people uh in Buckingham. Everybody likes her. Kids like her. Uh, I have a an idea this a lot of you are here to support her and appreciate you. Let's give her a big hand. I think I I got everybody but one more. [Music] the uh that's the elementary teacher of the year.
007It's been my pleasure to see and watch this person grow. Uh I I love to go into a classroom where kids are are are happy. And uh I think when I announced that you're the teacher of the year for the you know for the school I swear my right eye that two kids made a dive for her and and she the teacher was so uh excited she ran out of the room. I thought uh I thought something was wrong. And what she was doing, she was running down and and telling the other teachers and I found out that she she's they put ribbon around their uh their lights and stuff outside for the kids get excited. That impressed me. uh and and going back some of our some of our best work SOS is in
008that transition from second grade to third grade. Uh state superintendent came out to make a vis visit of her. She was so impressed they brought a film crew back. And uh Miss Jaylen Edwards, you not only the Buckingham Ele teacher of the year, but you're the district teacher of the year. There you go. Is that you? Yeah, that's me. All these people are teachers of the year. Oh, we appreciate that. Turn around. Congratulations. [Applause] [Music] Congratulations. Congratulations, ma'am. Congratulations audience. Congratulations. Congratulations. Congratulations, ma'am. I forgot that. class out of 10. Congratulations. Congratulations, man. Congratulations. [Music] Oh boy. We have one other award that we start and we started a couple years ago. Uh, by the way, the teacher of the year for the division gets a ring. Right. Can you have you got your ring
009on? Everybody see that? Uh we we got a deal with Herf Jones that he provides this thing. So uh I going to have to get uh your ring size uh before you leave so that we can take care of that. Also, we have a uh employee of the year. Now, as a superintendent, you got to depend, let me say, as a superintendent who lives an hour and 50 minutes away, uh you got to depend on people. And I have been blessed. Blessed. I because this is not my first gig. I can tell you. I've had to You're gonna only be as good as your transportation guy or your or your person that's handling the things that go wrong in the in the buildings. And this guy uh has had great p patience with me because
010uh I got my technology uh uh education in the 1990s when when there wasn't any technology. And I have we have hired the best best technology guy in the world. Patrick Moore. Come up. [Applause] I'm sorry you guys have to see this blown up. [Laughter] Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you. Patrick gets a ring, too. Congratulations, sir. Congratulations. Congratulations. Gotulations. Thank you very much. [Music] 4.02 Buckingham County CTE spring competition results. Mr. Dell Fulture, CTE coordinator. Good afternoon everyone. Um each year we have um several groups from the CTE department that go off to Virginia Beach or Rest in Virginia or places like that to participate in their local and state competitions. And this year we had several groups that um really shined in the CTE department. So the first group I'd like to call up
011would be the FBLA group, which is Ava Taylor, Harmony Homeman, and Piper Shadow, and their um club sponsors. [Applause] So, I'm just going to read a little bit about what each one of the students did. Um, so Piper uh was in the human resource management section and she achieved remarkable success in the human resource management event by showcasing in-depth knowledge of staffing, employee development, compensation, and employment law. She demonstrated mastery through a challenging 100 question exam highlighting her understanding of modern human resource practices. Her dedication to preparation and academic excellence was a key factor in her outstanding performance, placing third in the state of Virginia. Uh the two students that were not here were Harmony Homeman. She placed in introduction to event planning. Harmony demonstrated exceptional teamwork, creativity, and problem solving skills. She excelled in
012both written objective and a five role-play scenario where she developed and presented detailed event plans under strict time constraints. Her ability to collaborate, think critically under pressure and deliver polished professional presentations set her apart and secured her success in placing third in the state of Virginia. Also, and the final FBLA member was Ava Taylor. She excelled in the introduction to parliamentary procedure event by mastering the foundational rules for conducting meetings based on Robert's rules of order. She demonstrated outstanding knowledge through a rigorous 100 question exam showcasing her skills in organization leadership and professionalism. Her preparation, attention to detail and commitment to excellence led her to place fifth overall in the state. Um, these students have not only demonstrated exceptional business knowledge and skills, but also leadership and confidence and teamwork and their success as a
013reflection of their commitment and the support they receive from each of you daily. They should be in there. [Applause] The next group that I'd like to call up is uh the members of the Skills USA welding fabrication team. That's uh Martavon Eps, Grayson Talbot, and Ethan Walter and their uh instructor. Um on April 5th, the welding fabrication team of Martavon Eps, Grayson Talbot, and Ethan Walter um competed in the 60th Skills USA Virginia State Championship in Rono. The team placed second out of 12 very competitive fabrication teams from across the Commonwealth and brought home a silver medal to Buckingham County High School. During this very difficult and demanding contest, the team used their blueprint reading, fabrication, and welding skills to fit up and weld slashcut five different projects using five different metal working processes under
014strict time constraints of one hour per project. The processes used included aluminum, TIG, carbon steel MIG, carbon steel flux core, and carbon steel stick welding in addition to carbon steel cutting of plate with oxygen and acetylene. Uh, this team was instructed by Buckingham County CTE welding instructor Chris Walter. Mr. Walter uh is extremely proud of the poise and grit that his team showed throughout the competition, stating that his team is unique in the way they collaborated to figure out the best way to accomplish the tasks at hand and then relentlessly pursuing the project all the way to the final product. Mr. Walter also commented that in his time of coaching fabrication teams at the states, this contest was by far the most difficult presented to any team at the state level. on what the future
015holds for EPS, Talba, and Walter. Mr. Walter says, "These young men are state championship caliber competitors and their capabilities are limitless. I can't wait to hear what great things they are doing in their years to come." Senior Martavon Eps reflected on his experience, stating that don't hesitate to get out of your comfort zone. You'll never know what great potential you hold or where the door will lead you. Following graduation in May, EPS is looking to continue his welding career as a trade school for welding. Ethan Walter will be attending the apprentice school at Newport News Ship Building for welding. And Grayson Tala will be attending a Virginia Military Institute for Civil Engineering with the goal of becoming a helicopter pilot. So, I'd like to congratulate these guys. [Applause] Mr. Walter. Mr. Walter. Congratulations. [Music] Congratulations.
016You always do such a good job. [Music] The next group that I'd like to call up is our FCCLA group. And that's Alexis Carol and Dustin Harmon. So these students went to a conference in Virginia Beach to compete. Um and the Buckingham Virginia youth from uh Buckingham County High School chapter of Family Career and Community Leaders of America. They recently participated in a weekend leadership training conference held from April 4th through the 6th in Virginia Beach. The attendees participated in a weekend of workshops and sessions that challenged, informed, and mo motivated members and advi um adviserss and members. Buckading County's FCCLA chapter advisor is Olivia Fidley. She accompanied three members to this meeting. Um to begin this a little bit about this conference for um the students. They were nearly 680 members participated in one
017of 101 star events which are competitions that allow students to demonstrate proficiency and achievement in leadership and job related skills. Students taking action with recognition is what STAR stands for. The events provide members opportunities to compete either as a team or as an individual. The Buckingham County chapter members participated in the following events. Um, interior design was Kaia Eaton. She won silver medal. Alexis Carol and Dustin Harmon repurposed and redesign won a silver medal and first place in the state. Alexis and Dustin also received a $10,000 scholarship for placing first in the state. Nice. The theme dare to dream was the FCCLA uh theme this year and that was reinforced by um Friday's opening general session in which the meeting attendees geared up for a variety of leadership training opportunities. Um they had a motivational
018speaker for that conference that was Mr. Keith Davis and his message engaged and entertained members while teaching them important life lessons and gave them ways to succeed in life both in and out of school. The Saturday morning business session allowed members to vote on issues relevant to the organization, including the election of state officers for the 2526 school year. Members then participated in a series of workshops that focused on career exploration, leadership, and implementing effective service projects in their schools and communities. The banquet and evening session gave members a chance to recognize individuals who support the organization throughout the year. Um, FCCLA is a dynamic and effective national student organization that helps middle and high school students become leaders and address important family, career, and community issues through family and consumer sciences education. The organization
019has more than 244,000 members across the country. Since the organization's founding in 1945, FCCLA has involved more than 10 million youth. and family and career and community leaders of America is unique among youth organizations because its programs are planned and run by members. It is the only national inschool organization which the family is at its central focus. Participation in the national programs and chapter activities helps maintain members to become strong leaders in their families, careers and in their communities. [Applause] This is getting Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you. I know. The last group that we have to come up is a group from the middle school which uh falls under the career and technical education uh program at the high school. So I thought it was fitting that we um acknowledge their efforts as well. Um
020so I'd like to call uh Luther Llewellyn, Colin Snani, Kaylee Stton, and Brian Haldane and their instructor Sher Doryer. said, "The Bucky Middle School FFA members competed at the state FFA forestry career development event that was held Wednesday, April 23rd at Mountain Gateway Community College in Clifton Forge, Virginia. The team consisted of Luther Llewellyn, Colin Snotty, Kaye Stton, and Brian Haldane. And they were coached by Sher Doory. These FFA members spent the afternoon determining the diameter of trees, deciding the number of saw logs a tree can produce, identifying forestry equipment and common trees of Virginia, calculating the value of standing timber, improving their knowledge of topographical maps. The Buckingham Middle School team placed first overall in the Southeast Area event that was held at the Stanton River Battlefield State Park in Halifax, Virginia on October
02130th, 2024 to qualify to compete at the state level. They placed first in the state event and individually Brian placed third, Colin placed sixth, and Luke placed 10th. So, I'd like to congratulate those students. Congratulations. Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you. Congratulations. One more minute. I didn't mention this earlier, but I would like to ask um for for another one more minute. So, our FBLA team will be traveling to where are we going this year, ladies? Anaheim, California. Anaheim, California to complete to compete at the national um conference. So, we were fortunate enough to be able to send um those students um to that conference and their instructors. So, they'll be going when are we going? The end of June. So, I'd like to congratulate them and wish them well on that competition as well. And
022um there wasn't no or at least Mr. Walter told me there was nothing beyond uh the competition that the welding fab team went to, but I wish there was cuz we would have sent them as well. Um, but they had advanced as far as they could go in their competition because it's you have to finish first or you don't get to go to the national competition. So, I still think finishing second was pretty darn good. and our FCCLA group um is going to Orlando, Florida around the same time that our um FBLA group will be going to Anaheim. So, we've got it's going to both sides of the United States. So, we were able to send those students and their instructors as well to that competition. So, I'd like to wish them well and have
023fun. Thank you. Congratulations again to all of the recipients. Um 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. 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 be given the appropriate person to answer as soon as possible. Is there anyone signed up for public comment? Yes, Susan Omi. My name is Susan Ombi. I live at 2526 Bell Branch Road, Dolan. Good afternoon, board members. I'm speaking to you today as a member of the Buckingham Education Association. It is my understanding that the primary school is losing its security officer for the next school year due to the grant that funded this
024position coming to an end. As a BEA member and a teacher at the primary school, this is concerning to me. Even though it is not his primary job, our school security officer answers numerous calls every day for classroom assistance when our administration is performing other administrative duties such as communicating with students and or parents, leading grade level meetings, and conducting classroom observations. Knowing that I would be speaking today, I asked our security officer if he could keep a tally of the number of classroom calls he responded to over the course of the past week. In 5 days, he responded to an average of 29 calls a day himself. Our principal has said on numerous occasions this year that we need help with some of the bigger behaviors that we are seeing with some of our
025students. Yes, it's a small percentage of our student population, but the effects that these behaviors are having on our classrooms, our staff, and could be having on the other children are very concerning. We have children who have experienced trauma, who may have been displaced, who have no idea how to regulate the strong feelings they are having. I hope there is a plan in place to help us navigate these situations. I don't think this is unique to our building, but I do know that some teachers who have a love for Buckingham schools are already questioning how much longer they can do this. This brings me to my second concern, which is the disparity of pay when compared to counties around us. When you met last year with the board of supervisors, it was said in their
026part of the budget meeting that they needed to increase the pay for one of their departments. It was either a health department or so social services, I think, because they were losing too many people across the bridge. We are losing many veteran teachers to surrounding counties because they can make more money if if they are willing to go across the bridge. Fivana I look today pays $14,000 more for a teacher with 20 years of teaching experience. For 27 years it's over $17,000 more a year. I know we have a budget deficit, but we will continue to see longer and longer lists of open staff positions if we don't better compensate our employees. Thank you. Joseph Horman, Joseph Harmon, Melissa Braxton, Hello, my name is Melissa Braxson. My address is 2639 Branson Road, Dylan, Virginia 23936.
027I'll be speaking to you about an incident that happened in school. On April 15th, I received a phone call from Buckingham County Primary School informing me that Mr. Harshman had requested for me to pick up my son, Jamal. I acknowledged the request and began contacting my sister to arrange for his pickup. Approximately 2 minutes later, I received a second call from the from the school. The caller sounded frantic. She said, "Hello, Jamal is out. He's out. We've called the squad." I ended the call. I ended the call and began arranging coverage for my work so that I could go get my son. My husband and my twin sister arrived to the school before I did. Upon their arrival, my husband observed Jamal lying on the floor in Mr. Harshman's office, and emergency medical personnel were
028on the scene. The school informed me that my son was unresponsive for approximately 10 minutes. They said that they lifted up his arm and it fell back down. They opened his eyes. His eyeballs were twitching very fast. They even said they went as far as performing a sternal rub on my son. For context, em1.com defines a sternal rub as the application of painful stimulus with the knuckles of a closed fist to the center of a chest of a patient who is not alert and does not respond to verbal verbal stimula stimuli. This is a technique commonly used by EMTs and paramedics in emergency situations. Despite this measure, my son remained unresponsive. As a mother, receiving this call was deeply distressing and traumatic as I send my son to school with the expectation to learn and
029to be safe, not to be physically abused. Somewhere in between this call um somewhere in between my son being unconscious, public law 104-191 HIPPA was violated. The school nurse called my son's PCP and informed her that he was having a seizure. If Jamal was unconscious with all the above measures completed on him, how could this be considered a seizure? An RN would know that. The school nurse is Jamal's former RN as she worked beside his PCP and employment to his school. Nonetheless, I have never signed a release of information for Medicaid for information to be released from the school to his PCP. The first responders informed my husband and my sister that this was not normal and that this was not a seizure. The male first responders stated that he worked with kids all the
030time and it seemed from what he had gathered from the school officials that this had been some type of hands-on intervention. The school informed them that my son had a seizure as they did every time Jamal was restrained. First responders assured us that this was not a seizure. This was also confirmed and documented by the physician who evaluated him in the hospital. According to Jamal, his arms were forcibly pinned behind his back and he was taken down to the floor. Mr. Harshman wrapped his legs around my son's legs and his arms around his chest for stranding him tightly. Based on what I understand, the restraint was so forceful that my son lost consciousness and remained unresponsive for 10 minutes. Thank you, Michelle Mosley. Good afternoon. My name is Michelle Mosley. My address is 2538 Ranson
031Road here in Dylan, Virginia. And this is just a continuation to what you just heard. Um Jamal shared that he was trapped in Mr. Harshman's office and did everything he could to leave the room, but the security guard held the door shut, preventing him from exiting. This raises serious question and concern. If Jamal was already in a secluded room, what justification did they have for such physically aggressive restraint? What is in the school's protocol about seclusion? What is in the protocol in regards to restraining a child numerous times outside of camera re view? I've never was permitted to see these restraints or that were being performed on Jamal because they're always outside of camera view. The school thinks it's okay. The school board, what are your thoughts on this? What if your child was constantly
032being restrained so that no one can see what was going on because it unfortunately happened outside of camera view. This was an issue that had already been brought before the attention of the school board before where the school board told me that they needed to come up with a plan about the blind spots in the school. Well, this is one year later and still nothing. Mr. Harshman shared that the in his incident report that the restraint on Jamal only lasted one minute and he let him go when he became limp. So, he wants me to believe that he diligently watched the clock so that he let him go in exactly one minute. Maybe this is believable if there was a camera in sight. He also stated that he used modified techniques. Well, there is no
033modified techniques that should be applied in any instance that will cause someone to pass out for approximately 10 minutes. Jamal is now traumatized by this event. As a parent, I'm deeply concerned with the physical and emotional impact that this has had on him and potentially what it could cause or the effect that it could have on other students. I'm asking you, the school board members, what actions will be taken so that no other child can experience such harmful restraints. What safeguards will be implemented moving forward? What if Jamal had not wake awakened from that 10 minutes of non-concious unconsciousness? All we would ever know is that he was in the room with Mr. Harshman with the door being held shut by the resource officer. Thank [Applause] you, Jakaya Mosley. My name is Shakia Mosley. I
034wish Mr. Harshman would have never put his hands on my brother. Because of what Mr. Harshman did, I can't even hug my brother without him thinking I'm going to take him down to the floor. Mr. Harshman, God will handle you. What if someone did this to your child? How would you feel? Schoolboard, something has to be done about him. He put my brother to sleep with his restraint. What if he would have died that day? I will never forget or forgive this because my little brother is not the same because of the way you treated him. Thank you, Kelsey Harris. Good evening. My name is Kelsey here in Stillwood, Virginia. This is also a continuation of what Melissa was speaking about her situation with Jamal. Uh the Office of Civil Rights defines seclusion as the
035involuntary confinement of a student alone in a room or area from which the student is physically prevented from leaving. In this case, Jamal was confined to the room as a security guard was holding the door shut so that he could not exit while he was being restrained by Mr. Harshman. Therefore, he was indeed physically prevented from leaving. I can only imagine what was going through Jamal's head as he stuck was stuck in that room with Mr. Harshman, someone who is a trigger for him and someone who he is afraid of. Now, I ask you, the board who were voted in by the public, what are you going to do about this? What if Jamal did not wake up from the 10 minutes he was rendered unconscious? Where is the integrity of the school? Multiple of
036your staff members are speaking of how Mr. Harshman handles kids with inappropriately but are afraid to speak out about this because they have been hushed and afraid of losing their jobs. I'm glad Melissa is bringing awareness to this situation. He needs to be stopped. This needs to be stopped. This should not have happened. Let's come together to save the next child, your child, by working together to get cameras in the school. My mind can't help but to wonder, 10 minutes is a long time. Would this conversation be different if Jamal had not woken up? Thank you, [Applause] Michael Mosley. Good evening. My name is Michael Mosley and I'm at 3554 West James Anderson Highway and I'm coming as a continuation of what my sisters just spoke about with the incident with my nephew Jamal and
037Mr. Harshman. Just to reiterate some of what my sister said. Mr. Harshman restrained my nephew. So he said for a minute and let him go when he passed out. So either it was more than a minute or he applied some serious pressure to a seven-year-old to make him pass out or a combination of both. What are the protocols when it comes to physically restraining a child? Because I've spoken to a couple of your teachers who said it should have never happened that way. something needs to be done because it's always being handled with my nephew and I don't know of any others outside of the view of any type of cameras which makes me think that it's being done purposely. Therefore, something needs to be done by the superintendent and by the school board um
038to resolve this matter. And before I go to my seat, in the Bible, there's a word in the Psalms that's not to be read and it's called sila. And when you have a sila moment, sila means it c it causes you to stop. You're supposed to stop and reflect about what was just said. And so in hearing these come up to speak tonight, I want you as a school board members and as a superintendent to have a sea moment to think about what was just said to you all. And another CIA mo cati moment I want you to have is don't let it happen again. Jack Braxton That's the last one. Save it. All right. Public comment is now closed. 6.01 approval of consent agenda. Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the consent
039agenda as presented. Second. It has been moved and properly seconded. Any questions on the motion? All in favor, please raise your hand. Unanimous. Motion carries. 7. Report of the superintendent. Uh 7.01 recommend the transfer of special education equipment to Charlotte County Public Schools. Mrs. Jennifer Graasier, director of special education. Good evening everyone. It's nice to formally meet meet you all. Um I am very honored to be afforded this opportunity to meet with you today. In regards to the special education equipment, equipment was purchased for a student's needs who has now moved to Charlotte County. And uh in communication with Charlotte County, they are willing to purchase from us at the same price uh or the cost uh for that student because we have determined that there are no there is no other student with that
040specific needs. So, I am asking uh or recommending that that transfer be approved. Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to um transfer the special education equipment to Charlotte County as presented. Second. It has been motioned and properly seconded. Any questions? All in favor, please raise your hand. Unanimous motion carries. 7.02 02 recommend approval of the 2025 2026 annual special education plan. Mrs. Graasier, director of special education. Yes, this plan was completed prior to my arrival here at Buckingham County. Um, I have reviewed it. I have spoken with uh our finance uh personnel and uh this uh plan is mirrored to what was completed before. Uh it does um cover our salaries uh as you would see in the plan and uh there have been no other changes that needed to be made. Yes. Yes. I
041have one question and and I probably should know this already, but the proportionate set aside, is that a percentage of the whole amount? Okay. Yes, ma'am. All right. Thank you. And what is that used for? I mean, is that just in case something comes up that you need additional money or Yes. And it also lists in the plan about the proportionate uh I could put my finger on it but yes that percentage of money is set aside for needs that uh may arise. Okay. Thank you. You're welcome. Any more questions? Mr. Chairman, I recommend approval of the 2025 2026 annual special education plan. Second. It has been moved and properly seconded. Any questions? All in favor, please raise your hand. Unanimous. Motion carries. 7.03. Recommend approval of the Medford League basketball team for the 2025
0422026 school year. Mrs. Gracier. Yes. This uh basketball team is near and dear to my heart. um they it affords them the opportunity to uh play against other students with disabilities and specific needs. Uh a letter was written by Miss Stephanie Jones to me um mapping out the actual needs of the team as well as schedules and I am asking for approval that this continue for next year. Yeah, I think that's a no-brainer. The kids, even the kids at the high school love it. They love going to those games. I recommend approval of the Medford League basketball team for the following year 2025 2026 school year. Second. It has been moved and properly seconded. Any questions? All in favor, please raise your hand. Unanimous. Motion carries. Thank you very much. And welcome. Thank you. Yes.
043Yes, ma'am. 7.04 recommend approval of textbook adoption and purchasing. Mrs. Christine Jansen, director of instruction. Good evening. I have before you a basically a board summary of all of the different um material that we are asking for approval on. Uh the governor, you may have seen, signed a bill that basically requires us to purchase high quality instructional material, grades K through 12 in the core areas. And so this is tier one instructional material and it needs to be aligned to our state standards. So, it's a little bit different than in the past, which was in the past you would be you would have your standards and then they would have material and you would as a teacher try to plug it in or fit it in. And now it's different. Um, we're asking actual publishers
044to cater to the standards that are in Virginia in the state of Virginia. And so these are state funds that are afforded to us and awarded to us for this particular purpose. It's not supposed to be for anything else but textbooks. Okay. So the first piece of this is actually amplify CKLA and this would be for uh middle school and it's English language arts. This is a continuation of the series that we are actually using and implementing in K through five. And so we met with our literacy coaches from the state and the team realized that we were out of alignment in tier one uh with middle school and had actually devised with the teachers made that realization and Dr. Garrett and his team um fully vetted this and looked we sent out surveys in
045February on these items and so they're fully behind implementation of this particular program and again it's a continuation of K through five. So that's the first. The second is KDUm math which we are currently piloting in K through2. Again it's it's a shift in standards. This is 100% aligned material. We are actually on the forefront. A lot of school divisions have contacted us to see what we have been doing. We wrote a grant and that is what has paid for it. So Denise Bryan and her team has been they've been working very hard to make sure that this instructional material is aligned to what we're doing. And so because it's 100% aligned that team as well, this is the direction they would like to go. And so that's the second item. The third piece is
046three through five. And this is ongoing review. they're not at the same place. Um they'll be looking this upcoming school year about um adopting actual material and again we're looking at our scores. We think it's probably going to go the KDUm math way but again the state is starting to add different items because at the time that we were looking at adoption there was only one which was KDUm um that was actually aligned with all of the standards. And so we just want to make sure that it's properly vetted three through five. It's 100% except for a fourth grade and we're asking the vendor to please go back. I believe it's 86% and we're asking we would like 100%. Again, our bar is quite high now in the state of Virginia that we want aligned
047material. The fourth item is actually grade six through algebra 2 and it's called math space. This is aligned as well. They have um piloted it this year. We were very lucky that it was for free. We contacted the vendor and we actually asked for extension and so we've been using that this year. We again are on the forefront of this and it's again 6 through 12. Uh it goes all the way through algebra 2 and all the teachers are quite enthusiastic about this as well. Um and then lastly on these items, these are just things that we we need. Um, the state has changed the way that we're doing history. And so, uh, world geography is now going to shift to 8th grade. That is a high schoolbearing credit. And so, I need to purchase
048material. I got in touch with Mcra Hill, which is on the list, and they just unleashed or unloaded uh with their new standards. And so, this is aligned material. So, we need to purchase that. And that is 8th grade. And then lastly is uh history and civics and economics, which is five ponds. we just need to renew. And so that license has expired. So it looks like and it is a lot of material. I'm excited because I still have $100,000 in the bank. And so again, um I'm I it's because we're looking at I've got science coming up and I I need to make sure that I have enough money. So we're we're just I feel very good about our team and the work that we've done and we continue to do to make sure
049we've got high quality instructional material for our kids. I have a question. Mhm. What's the digital first mean? What does what digital first? Digital first mean? So, we have our we have our laptops, right? Yep. And so, they're going on carts next year. So, the way that'll work is a lot of the materials are going to be on screen, but then there's printables. So, if you look at most of our teachers, what they do is they either they want textbooks like a series just for their classroom or they create actual notebooks. So, what'll happen is they'll the kids will be able to view things on screens. Now the little people, we've adapted that. It's actually on a a slideshow that's in the front and then there'll be worksheets that they can print off. So just
050for my edification, so when when we buy it, is it per student or is it just for the school district for the class sizes that we got or It's a mixture of both. Sometimes you get a license that's large and then some is individual student. So you have to predict based upon numbers. Mhm. So, we're using whatever student capacity we have moving forward for the estimation for these costs. Correct. And normally you go up about 20 students. Okay. Okay. Got it. Because we do have some bubble classes like the classes going through right now that the seniors is a large class. And I would imagine since it's going to be on carts and stuff like that, the kids aren't taking the children aren't taking the stuff with them. They can correct which is why they'll
051be um teacher, you know, you can produce the things. Yeah. When they take them home. I appreciate that. You um you referenced your team. Tell us a little bit about your team and how you develop them. Sure. So, every school is different in terms of what they do. So, I mean, I don't So, for example, the the primary building. Okay. So, that team likes a pilot model. So, you go in and and the teachers were eager to have math, new math material, and they jumped in. And so, we piloted. Uh Mrs. Bryant kind of took the lead and she's been developing as we go. She again for CIP, which is our network, our group, she's the lead. Um other school divisions have actually contacted her and they have referenced her. If you if you look
052at board presentations from other series, actually one was Amelia where um they're actually referencing our program and and the work that we've done. So that that's been the entire school is doing that right now. And so that's that's including the teachers, your parents, etc. And then with your three through three through five, they've just gone through an entire series with with literature. And so they've got two math coaches that are working and they were developing their own material that's aligned and we had really good test scores. And so now we're trying to make sure that we pick material that matches up to what we're doing. And so we needed more time because we didn't like the 86%. So it's just dialoguing. And then with with middle school, we had to get some literacy partnerships in
053from UVA. We brought them in. I I know the girl and we just kind of sat down and we had inservice and we talked and they they came up with it. I I can't force somebody to do something. That's not going to work. You have to actually work and figure out the team. So they they did better by having like consultants come in and and talk to them and then they realize tier one is off. And then high school, unfortunately, as the state's implementing all of these things, it's not moving quick enough. And so the vendors, etc. haven't really published or done things that are up to speed. And so with the high school, it's harder because they're locked into certain things. And and that's why I'm I'm looking at next year looking at some
054big-time adoptions at the high school level. And what we don't want to have is a bunch of books and a book room and boxes. That's what we don't want to have. So they have to be invested and and and ready to roll. So it's just different in each building. All right. I have another one. You keep referring to alignment. Mhm. Assuming vertical and to state and would you uh define it for me? Sure. So alignment is you've got your standards and you have to make sure the material matches up. And typically when you have scores and they all are falling in a certain region and it's it's a lower region, there's probably tier one instruction that's off. So your main instruction is probably off. And so when you go into classrooms and you look, we've
055been working with vendors, with partners. We've received a grant. And that's one of the first things that you do is you look at your tier one. And we're we're we are we are there like we we are so strong in tier one. They check us off now. K through five with literacy. We're checking that off. So when you talk to middle school, they're ready to check it off. And then you start diving into how are we doing questioning? What are we doing with the kids? Are we lowering what we're asking them? If we're taking a highlevel question and then we're actually turning into like a thumbs up, thumbs down, we've just lowered the standards. So we just keep pushing the bar. If you listen to the governor, and I don't disagree with him in the
056state, you know, we we we're having this disparity where the where the kids are underperforming. Well, why is that? We lowered the bar. And so we're asking that the bar go here. We were worried at first because Amplify is rigorous. I don't I don't know when you guys went through the classrooms if you you talk the teachers. I mean, it's a lot of writing and our kids are performing. So, I'm very very proud of every single person here, the teachers, the kids, the parents that kind of work through this with us. Uh, and then also the administration. It it really has been an amazing thing to me and I'm proud of everybody. Is there an alignment that goes between the and I'll only ask this because I get beat up about it but anyway from
057the different levels the different schools transition. Yes. It's called a vertical alignment, right? Yep. You've got it. So that's what you want to have happen. So when you have a a sixth through 8th grade team that says we want to build on what our K through five buddies have been doing, that's exactly what you want to hear. Or when you have them at the next level and they're saying they're not coming to me with this. Correct. Okay. Yep. Yes, sir. Thank you. I appreciate that. All right. Anyone else have any questions? All right. Thank you. Um, well, we got to make a motion. I make a motion to approve the textbook adoption and purchasing as presented. Second. It has been moved and properly seconded. Any questions? All in favor, please raise your hand. Unanimous. Motion
058carries. Thank you so much. 7.0 06 recommend approval of property liability auto workers compensation and student insurance. Mr. Facil. Oh, excuse me. Excuse me. Um cuz I know he had he was at an emergency, but I see he came in um 7.05 facilities use form fee survey. Mr. JB Hessip, director of facilities. just a handout for you guys. It's exactly what's on the computer. It's just a little bit bigger font so you guys can see it a little bit better. But thank you for letting me uh talk tonight on the facilities use form. um little disheveled so bear with me as I move through the presentation. I had a little situation we had to handle at the high school before here. Um first before we even go to the comparison from region 8, I'd like
059to just say thank you for KG the building use policy that we have. It is a strong policy. It gives us as facilities. It gives us a before a building use during the building use and an afteraction for building use. So, I really like the written policy that we have and it is connection it is connected to our building use form. So, I really appreciate that. It's well written and I'm lean on it a lot. Um, as you're looking at the the handout, the far left hand side is currently our fees for each individual classification such as classrooms or utilities. across the from left to right is our region 8 partners and their costs for the same event or for the same category. I won't bore you with going across the whole thing. I'll just
060say that we are a little bit lower in some. We are spot-on with some and some were a little higher. Um, if you look at far to the right, that is a overshot of all of the region 8. Plus, it's our math. So, it's not only just we're just trying to copy someone else's work. We're we've looked at the math and we figured out what each one would cost and we're trying to get a close proximity to cover that cost when someone chooses to use our facility. So, there's four categories as you already know. Category one is um our teachers using it. There's no charge for that. We pitch in, we help, we do. Then there's category two, three, and four. Category three and four carry the most fees. So, when you're looking at the
061top um or the individual categories, there's two there's like for classroom, for instance, there's 1250 and then 25. One is for category 3 and one is for category 4, which is individuals and the most expensive. Um, just going down, giving you an example. I'll go into as much detail as you'd like to go, but um, for instance, the utilities under the old form, it had us at $25 an hour. I know how they did the math. They they used a school, an average school. They did they divided it by 31 days. They divided it by the hours and they came up with that number. Um, if you look over to the far right, a more accurate number now for our utilities is $40 per hour. Um, that is given everything's gone up. Um, and also
062we use propane and we use heating fuel throughout the year to do uh to keep our buildings where they need to be. So that's more of an accurate number. The three below there uh are the screens, the TV VCR and the le LCD projector. No real need to change those are those are not heavily used in our in our facilities uh requests. The above two there is lighting and sound and then custodial maintenance. The old custodial maintenance fee was $25 an hour. a more accurate. Now, one based on our um red coats partnership is 36.5 $36 an hour. So, we would use whatever rate that they give us and then we would put that in for each individual facilities use. Um and then let's go up to our old high school baseball field, football field,
063soccer youth, swarm, tennis courts. they went by game, which is confusing, and we didn't have a whole lot of use for that or um uh need for that. So, we just made it a little bit more easy to use, which was an hourly rate for us. So, far right would be a pretty good suggestion. It's just a starting spot for you guys. It helps you as a board to know where we're at for cost covering, but we will use whatever form is approved. Any questions for me on that? Yes, ma'am. Um, I was thinking, and I may be wrong, but I didn't think we even rented out the baseball or the softball field, but I could be wrong. I thought there was a there's nothing in our policy that would state we don't, but we
064haven't. We have not. Right. That's okay. We haven't we haven't done that. Now, um, if if you were to say out of all of the things that are listed here, what is used the most? Would it be the gym? Would it be the auditorium? Good question. Usually, um, it's been the gym uh, for different events, but the Carter Gy Woodson Educational Complex is very popular right now. Um, the gym here, this this building is very popular to use. The gym at the high school has been used, but the Carter G. Woodson education complex has been the cafeteria and the foyer area with the slate has been um used a lot lately cuz one of the things that I always hear just going around and I don't want to kind of mention one particular group uh
065but people always come to me and they say well you know we should be able to use it we're paying our tax money and and uh you know if if if you don't let us use it it's like we're double dipping. What do what do you say to those that present that type of argument? That's a great question. Um, you can see by looking at region 8 the strategies of different boards. Some have their pricing structure so that you it invites uh others cover cost and then there's some that add a little bit of weight to the fees to make sure that their buildings are protected. I do know that some of the newer facilities such as um the gyms in some areas, they have a pretty hefty fee because they want to protect and
066they want to make sure that they're being good stewards of the resources that were given. And you can see that reflected kind of on ours because uh if you notice, let's see, 1, two, three. I don't want to get deep into this, but like third or fourth one down um for the cafeteria, I mean the um auditorium at the high school have a little bit of a less fee than some of the others because we are in need of some upgrades there. So, we know what we're looking at. We're trying to be fair to people, but also make sure we're diligent with every resource that you guys give us. Okay. Um, also I've had a few questions as well about the gym or the renting of it. Say if we're having a benefit for somebody
067in the community that may have a health problem and they want to rent the gym out, how do we go about doing that? And what is the rate for say somebody that's in our community that's local here? Well, we would go by the policy that you guys have for us. We' figure out where they fall, category 1, 2, 3, or four. Okay? And usually I get help on that because you know I I have my idea of where they fall on that but I always call like Miss Oliver, Miss Jacobson. We figure out exactly where they fall on the category list. Okay. An individual would fall on a category four for us. Um and so we would look down the fees, make sure that we have an hour before the event and an hour after.
068They have to have $1 million worth of insurance because we have to cover the school system in case someone is injured. Um and we have to make sure we're due diligence. And this form is a blessing to us to me it because I lean on it. Um I go to policy. Uh I have a procedure that we use. Um you know it's in this folder here. I won't bore you, but I brought them in case we got to go that deep. Um but I I lean on it. I've used your policy to make sure we're covered and now I have a procedure that we follow so it's fair to everybody. Thank you. Yes, sir. JB. Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead, sir. Um track the track and the tennis courts, you know, there are something that
069they're in a cycle, you know, depending on how we use it. I I know our tennis courts are not in great shape. Uh well, they could use a spackle of paint, as my grandma would say. Yes, sir. Definitely. Uh I I I don't know if something like that can We're charging $125 an hour for currently for the tennis court, sir. It's $50 per game, which is confusing. How many games you have? We don't use that much. Todd is having a um when I say Todd, Todd Shoemaker, rec department. We work well with him. He's category 2. Um he is having a tennis tournament, which is which is a good use of that. Um, but as far as individuals or other clubs that use that, we don't have that many people that use that. And we
070don't have individuals, you said, right, reserving any of the properties. We're not allowed to have individuals, but individuals are allowed to sign for their uh organization. In fact, it is encouraged for an individual to sign for their uh organization. That way, you have one go-to person. They're the event planner. and use in your policy. That's that's what they're called. And we go to those guys if we have any issue. And we've been because of the one we have the KB I've been able to go back and talk to recently, I'll just say recently, I have I've had to speak to an organ organization that stayed a little too long um and showed up a little too early. They were very very um nice, easy to work with, and we managed to recoup the fees and
071we've moved forward. We have a good relationship with them. So, and just a reminder, if this is too big of a pull for today or you guys want to come to a decision, we have a facilities committee meeting coming up on June 2nd, at which time we could run it through there. I could get deep into the weeds as far as how we use it and um then come back. But that's up to you guys. No, I don't think that's necessary. Just uh one more question. Um and you can just give me your opinion with those that are using say for instance the gym. If we were to adopt this, do you think that that would preclude them from using it or how do you think that that would affect those that are currently using
072the facilities? I would say that if you're going to use it, they would find a way to use it. Um, and I have to also from a facilities management standpoint, I have to protect our assets as a county as well. So, the floor that we we polish and we we reshine every summer, you know, I don't want to get out here and say how much, but it's a dime. It's cost money, and I want to make sure that we protect that. Our bleachers going in and out, I have to protect that. The lights on, I have to protect that. Um, and if you want to use it, we have fees for you to use it. I think they're fair. they cover our costs. Um they're not, shall I say, price gouging anybody. Is that appropriate
073to say? We don't want to do that. We want to work with the community, but we have to make sure that um that we're covering our costs. I want to be very diligent with that. So, that's that's kind of how I would answer that question. Thank you. And to be fair, I'm fairly certain most of the other buildings in the community are, you know, other organizations are charging as well. I mean, the barn does. I mean, most any other building you use, they're going to charge you for it outside of churches, obviously. They are. Yes, sir. Rather expensive. Yes, sir. Yeah. No, I think this is Is this for like immediately or we're going to talk about the next? Oh, it'd be wonderful if you do. Then I'll change the form and we'll change it
074online, but that's up to that's totally up to you guys. I just wanted to bring you the disparity across the region 8 and then where we were and how we can better cover our costs. Where does the funds go? Where's the funds with that? The funds go back into I guess your they go to the finance department and facilities and back facilities. Okay. Wonderful. That's why we want to go up. Wonderful. Yes. I make a motion to uh approve the facilities use form fee um well fees that you have um submitted to us. Second over here. It has been moved and properly seconded. Any questions? All in favor, please raise your hand. All opposed. Motion carries. Thank you so much. 7.06 recommend approval of property liability auto workers compensation and student insurance for 2025 2026.
075Mrs. Patty Branch, director of human resources. Good evening. Um I don't I guess you had a chance to look over the renewal. Um if you notice it is a little bit more this year about $30,000 more. Um the reason for that was there is a percentage there's a claims history experience modification factor. Um and it's based on a three years average of your claims. So, unfortunately for us, ours went from 0.92 to 1.52, which was a 65% increase. Um, the reason for this, the year that went off of that three-year average was a COVID year. We only had $1,800 worth of claims. The year that we picked up, we had $210,000 worth of claims. So, it was um our average was skewed greatly this year because of the very small number to the increase. So
076that was the rationale behind it. Does anyone have any questions? Do you hope that it'll come down next year? We do. The when I talked to the uh Vorp representative, he said, you know, that's just like a you hit the perfect storm to go from that little to that much. Great. At least it's three years, not one year, right? He hurt us to be worse. I make a motion to approve the property liability auto workers compensation and student insurance for the fiscal year of 25 through 26 as presented. Second. It has been moved and properly seconded. Any questions? All in favor, please raise your hand. Unanimous. Motion carries. Thank you. Yes, ma'am. 7.07 07 Southern Regional Education Board School Improvement Making School Work Conference. This is Melissa Haynes, director of student services. Good evening. This
077is anformational piece. I just wanted to share some good news with you. We received a school improvement grant at our primary, middle, and um elementary schools. And so part of that, we are able to go to this conference, the Southern Regional Educational Board Conference. Um it's making school work conference. Um, it is in Louisiana and we will have, let's see, I have up to six staff members from our primary, the same at our elementary and from our middle school. We have four staff members who will be attending and this is fully funded through the school improvement grant. So, no local funds will be used to send our people to this. It covers everything um the trip there, their food, travel, the registration, hotel, all of it. Um, and so it's a great experience for our
078staff members to be able to go and I wanted to share that with you. Um, and then we'll share information when they return about what they learned that they'll be taking back to their schools. So, did we do this uh two years ago? Yes, they have gone to a previous one in Florida. So, this is just at a different location. And you said it was up through middle school. Yes. Yes. It says on the thing K through 12. We don't have anybody CT. Well, the conference is K through 12, but we got the grant for primary elementary. That's correct. Yes. Clarification. Thank you, ma'am. Of course. 7.08 recommend approval of the 2025 2026 title 2 part A supporting effective instruction grant. Mrs. Haynes. Yes. So, um, we have five title grants that we apply for
079every year and three of them are ready to be submitted now. They're shared in the documents here. Title two is for supporting effective instruction. It is a class size reduction. So, it's able to purchase take to pay for a teacher so that we have smaller class sizes at our primary school. So, that's the full purpose of that grant. So, I'm just asking permission to be able to submit that to try to be awarded that grant. How much? Um the exact amount we apply it's the exact same amount as last year. It will change. So, we just have to apply for the same amount. I don't have it in front of me at the moment, but it's essentially one teacher salary to reduce the class sizes. Yes. Yes. How many class sizes? Well, it'll be one
080extra teacher at the primary school so that the number is smaller at that school. I think it takes it from 20 or 22 per class to 19 by having the additional teacher without benefits, just the salary. Well, it covers some of our benefits as well. It covers the u administrative non-administrative and um what else? Anyway, it's 106, 2365. Yes, at least one of them does. Yeah, I think that's right. And this is a reoccurring grant that Yes, we've gotten this for several years. So, it's the exact same grant. And like I said, once we get our new allocation, we'll adjust the amounts, but we base it on the amount we received last year. Sounds good. Any more questions? I make a motion to approve the 2526 title 2 part A supporting effective instruction grant as
081presented together. It has been moved and properly seconded. Any questions? All in favor, please raise your hand. Unanimous. Motion carries. 7.09 recommend approval of the 2025 2026 Title 3 Part A language instruction for English learners and immigrant students grant. Mrs. Haynes. Okay. So, this is the Title Three grant that we've applied for as well. It's a very small grant. It's about $3,600. It will support materials, um, a small amount of PD for our EL division teacher and, um, some licenses for a program that we use, um, Lexia we have at the middle school currently for our English students, um, for English classes, but we have a Lexia English program that also works for our EL students that it's in conjunction with that. So, we purchased some additional licenses for that, but it's a very small
082amount, $3,600. But I'm just again ask it's the same as we've done this past year. So, just asking approval for that. Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the 2526 title 3 part A language instruction for English learners and immigrant students grant presented. Second. It has been moved and properly seconded. Any questions? All in favor, please raise your hand. Unanimous. Motion carries. Um, all right. Recommend approval of the 2025 2026 Title 5 Part B rural and lowincome school program grant. Mrs. Haynes, last one. So, for this one, this again, the title 5 rural and low-income school program. um this is what we have used for our computer technology teacher at the complex and it's um supports the salary for that position and we received that last year. Um we did not have that grant
083previously so it's it's been a um a great thing for us to be able to have that. Um and so we just want to continue to try to apply and receive that grant as well. You know what I did I did have a question about the last one if I could. So what is what is the process in terms of if someone comes in and they're English learner, immigrant or they don't necessarily speak English. Uh what is the process by which it is that we kind of um evaluate them or how does that work? So we have a EL division teacher who will do the assessment. So once they come in and they identify that they are of a different language, then the EL teacher evaluates them um within the first 30 days that they
084attend our school. Um, and I don't know, you oversee some of that as well with the EL teachers. So, we work in conjunction for that. Um, but that's that's the process. And then she would go from there. We have different testing. We do WEDA testing and um access testing. It's all of that through um our program for the EL students and to see what their level is and what their level of need. And then the EL teacher will provide that service throughout the year to them. What service? Which service? Whatever services they need. She comes in, if they need accommodations in their class, she helps them to determine what that need might be. It's different. It's very individualized. Kind of like our IEP programs for our students creating those plans. Are we not or are
085we, I guess, would be the best way. Are we required to have um translator type references for every class that they're in? It's not a requirement, but it is something we're trying to provide. So, we have been purchasing that. Miss Curilli and I have been working to build up our supply of that. We do have an iPad at each school that can be used, but then we're purchasing um the pocket talk translators to have. So, we've been trying to use the small amount of money to to continue purchasing those. We also have the dictionaries and and other resources that they need for the vocabulary enhancement. I was going to say because I had been told that I know some teachers are using their phones in the classroom which goes against one policy and then of
086course you know I read somewhere and I don't remember when it was somewhere time last year that that we were supposed to have for what they back then I think it was ESL but English learners that we had to have some sort of I guess pocket whatever um available. And so I was just kind of curious if we were kind We didn't have any previously. And so, you know, when I started with it last year, that was one of the first things we purchased was the iPads and the Pocket Talk translators. And well, one per school, one iPad per school, but then we also purchased the pocket talk. We have two and we just purchased an initial three. And then we also did earbuds to try to have a variety of resources at hand. Again,
087all of that's very expensive. And so just trying to use our money wisely and and have as many as we can. So I mean if some someone and say for instance they don't speak English and they come and I mean is it someone sits in the classroom with the um iPad and they say you know 2 plus 2 equals 4 and then it translates it to them and then they're I mean how does that work right and some of our resources have translation with it um because of course the EL teacher is not there in every class every day for every student um and so that does put an extra strain on our teachers to have to to come up with a way to reach these students. Um, some of our resources have translations, some
088do not, and we're working through that, trying to figure out the best approach. So, it's not 100%, it's not foolproof, but um, again, trying to do what we can with the resources we have. So, um, it does look like that sometimes where they have those resources. We do have, um, another resources. I guess it's really synchros is for our parent communication. You know, it's a online like through the phone service to do the translation. But um so that's just another piece to it that we do pay through this. Okay. Um anyone have any questions about the rural and lowinccome school program grant? Um that one is 68,000. And again, that amount might change slightly once we get our new allocation. But we have to apply using the previous year amount. Mr. Chairman, I make a
089motion to approve the 2526 Title 5 Part B rural and lowincome school program grant as presented. Second. It has been moved and properly seconded. Any questions? All in favor, please raise your hand. Unanimous. Motion carries. Thank you. 7.11 recommend approval of the health, dental, and vision insurance coverage for 2025 2026. Mr. Chuck Clement, Savvy Health, Inc., welcome, Mr. Chairman, board. Thank you, Dr. Keeler. Thank you. Uh, welcome. It's been a rewarding year, I believe, uh, in organizing and understanding what the possibilities are for the health insurance program. I just want to take a second to say thanks to Courtney and thanks to Wendy because every time we change something, it affects them and they have to pick it up and make a change. So, I'm not lost with that. Administrative folks just get most of
090the stuff runs downhill and uh I'm appreciative of it and I will have to beg for their forgiveness because we're asking to change a little bit again. So, we'll start there. Uh on the second page, um I just wanted to review a little bit about a couple of things that may have been lost in the shuffle throughout the year. One of the bigger things that we did that gains little attention is we moved to FFGA, First Financial Group of America, for some services. Here before, you had been paying for COBRA. You the employees had been paying a fee for HSAs and uh flexible spending accounts. And when we adopted uh FFGA, all of those costs went to zero. So it's been a part of our strategy here is everywhere we can have an opportunity to
091take a dollar and make it zero. We've tried to do that. And these are small numbers. These are not large, but we all know they keep adding up. $15,000 here, $10,000 there. Um a couple of items in there, 1094s and 1095s. So it's like the fourth or fifth bullet point. That's a pain. Um, it's a federal law that you have to print those documents. The federal uh the IRS did make a determination after after we printed them all this year. Next year, we'll be able to put a a a notice on the website. And the only time we'll have to print one of those documents is somebody wants it. That's a big deal. So, the cost will drop from about $4,000 to $2,000. I I those fees are they come out of my fees so
092you don't pay extra for that. I just take it out of there. Um and but anyway that's a that's a big deal. Um the other piece of that is during open enrollment which starts Monday uh the employees will be having given the opportunity to to participate in group benefits as well as individual benefits. And um we know that group benefits are applicable to some employees and and individual benefits are applicable to some employees but this gives them a choice and the group benefits are generally 30 to 50% less than the cost of individual. So but the uh representatives will be going over that. On the next page we get into the medical uh RX which is prescriptions dental and vision. This is a little bit overview uh where we are. Uh first box to the
093left is uh for the third year in a row we're maintaining the uh well I'm saying here it's for 25 for 2425 the second year in a row you maintain the employees rate at the same uh Jefferson health plan that we entered into the year with uh we absorbed 13% rate increase at the beginning of this year. Uh we changed the third party administrator from Wellnet uh from BPA to Wellnet. Uh dental insurance transition to Delta Dental. Uh we retained Metife. It was the only thing that stayed the same I believe in the year. Wendy's shaking her head. And u and we introduced the concept called 501R. So a lot of change happened this year. Uh a lot of the fundamental. While we're on this page, I'll just speak to Delta Dental for a second.
094We did get our rate increase from Delta Dentl and it was it's on a um fully insured plan durations and not unlike Jefferson when you look at the numbers uh the claims were actually under or at the premium paid pretty close. However, they have a factor for safety that they have, which means they need more money in their pocket uh to offset potential cost, administrative costs. I figured that would happen because anytime you change dental, usually the first year of the plan, uh, everyone takes advantage of it and it sort of normalizes. It's not like medical, there aren't big swings in cost of that. So once I saw the increase, which was about 20%, round numbers, um I said, 'Well, give me a quote for self insurance because I knew self- insurance would be lower
095and I presented at the Wendy and we agreed that we just keep the dental rates the same. Self-insure allow us and actually cut out all of the admin costs that they were giving us and u so we're able not to have any increase in dental no and no increase in u the vision Metife either. Uh over on the uh next page, we talk a little bit about what's coming up. Uh down the left hand side, third consecutive year. Uh no increase for the employees on the on the uh health insurance cost out of their check. Uh we're retaining Jefferson Health Plan. It's officially called Jefferson Health Plan. And we were successful in negotiating a 0% increase there. And I think we all know that that would have been an unpleasant number for you to have
096to eat this year uh or any year, but this year particularly. So you're talking about half million dollars. Uh so it was not trivial what that rate increase was. So that's down to zero. And then we've uh been talking all year long and we've renamed it. We call it Savvy Health. But what's that mean? Well, what we're doing is we're taking the current plan, keeping it the same, but creating this significant enhancement, and we're giving your employees the choice of doing the same, paying their deductibles and co-pays, no change, or calling a concier's care team by phone, text, and if they call or text that that entity, our concier's team for any service, primary care, outpatient, inpatient. They will have zero deductible and zero co-pay. To this point in the year, the employees have invested
097over half a million dollars of money out of their pocket into the health care system. So, in addition to what you pay, they're paying that piece. This plan, if they use the concier's desk, means that half a million dollars, it'll be more than that. That'll be about 600,000 by the time the year runs out will be could be zero. And what that when they call that concier's desk, what that allows us to do then is we call the service provider, make the appointment, and we negotiate with the service provider for cash. Now, you should be you should be aware there is a um Senate bill 3548 that actually has bipartisan support, which is an anomaly in itself in US Senate. uh for all service providers going forward to be transparent on their cash costs. That's
098how big this is. So even the government said you need to declare to us what your cash costs are. Not all of these negotiated contracts. We want to know what So that is a transparency law that has bipartisan bipartisan support that is moving through the Senate and we look for that sometime over the course of the year. So, we're a little bit ahead of that. Uh, but we're still going to be doing those negotiations. Uh, the third piece of that, um, we anticipate no less than a 15% savings on the total plan spend. Your total plan pay plan spend is about $4 million. Uh, when you look at our partner, so we have covet and underneath covet is Mishi, which is our concier team. When they deploy this other places in the country and Mishi
099puts it on their portal, they're very open about their ability to reduce the medical inpatient outpatient spend 40%. Now, I don't use that number because when you talk about those numbers and you've been you've been paying and increasing year after year after year, somebody comes in and says, "We're going to save you 40%." Some of those numbers aren't real, but that's their history. And being able to have a concier's desk, the employee calls, we do all the work, we take care of it, we negotiate with that um service provider, we pay cash, and that's a savings. It's significant. But I thought you'd be interested in the the Senate having a bill doing the very thing same thing with transparency. Um we'll continue to push the 501R that's included in the concier desk. There's a survey
100that when an individual calls in for the first time, there are questions asked. So it's done very professionally. Um uh prescription drugs. Uh I met with the new prescription drug company. It's it's still Caremark, but every time you have a different TPA, you have a different contract and we have to negotiate those. Uh so the generic the 30-day generic prescription will be zero. 80% of the prescriptions that your guys get are the 30-day generic. So that means generic prescriptions go to zero. So, no costs to the plan this year. We're taking the opportunity for the employee not to have a deductible, not to have a co-pay. U no increase in the uh Delta Dental and free 30-day prescription for generic drugs. On the next page is a little uh graphic if you wanted to know
101how this works. This is your this is your model. This is how it works. Over on the left hand side, if you want to do use your signal network, this is these are the steps you go through. That's what you that's what goes on. Now over to the right, you call the Mishi conciier team. You'll see at the bottom that's our local number. So we now have the local number in place. So when July one hits, they call that 434 number. goes to the concier team, they take over and take care of the uh employee or member of the household. And the last page questions? Yeah, that's Yes. Um so the the text is it using the same phone number? Yes, you can use the same number. Yeah, that same number is used at Covet,
102which the folks never will go to Covet because it's all it's the concier's desk is where they are. But yes, you use that number for text. I use it today because you have an employee that called me over the weekend. In fact, he called me while I was fly fishing and and he asked me a question and I called Mishi. I said, "Can you help now?" And they said, "Yeah, use our new number. Text me. Give me the background." And so we're we're working on him because he has a service provider that does not have a history of um good service. Mishi knows them and he they will get behind the scenes and help him before we even get to the July one. So yeah. Uh yes sir. I got a question about the the
103dental insurance. I've had a people come a couple of people come to me and ask me about a local dentist does not accept Delta Dental. And I actually went and talked to that dentist as well and he said the reason why is because they take an extremely long amount of time to pay him. So was there any other avenue or what is the answer to this question? So he's he he's not in their network because they're slow pay. Is that what he's Yeah. Okay. Um takes an extreme amount of long time. If if you if you can give me the the office name. Okay. What I will do is I'll call my contact at Delta Dental. Okay. They love dentists in the network because that's more dentists in the network, the more they make, the
104more money they have to make. Okay. So, I need to I need to get that squared up. Okay. And if I if I need to, I'll go by the dentist office and talk to the dentist. I'll get with you. Please give me that information. Yes, sir. That's my report, guys. All right. Well, thank you so much. I know um you've been working hard and uh we see the the fruits of all of your labor and what you've been doing um doing a lot of work uh and so it's much appreciated. So thank you. Last comment, I will re reiterate Troublesome uh Creek Medicine did agree and is going to sign up and so any of the employees that go there, there's no money out of their pocket to go as many times as they want.
105Where's that at now? The what? Troublesome Creek. Is that the one down? Right across from McDonald's. Yep. From the firehouse. Across from the firehouse. Yeah. Right across McDonald's. We still are we're still negotiating with central Virginia. Um we had one uh Centra decided not to move forward. Didn't surprise me. Thank you. Thank you, Chuck. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I make a motion to approve the health, dental, and vision insurance coverage for 2526 as presented. Second. It's been moved and properly seconded. Any questions on the motion? All in favor, please raise your hand. Unanimous. Motion carries. 7.12. Recommend approval of the 2025 2026 payroll date dates. Mrs. Wendy Oliver, director of finance. Yes, sir. This is the payroll dates for next fiscal year. Um the payroll distribution dates are as previously previous calendars with
106the last worker day of the month. And this does follow the approved school calendar. All right. I'll make a motion to approve the 2526 payroll dates as presented. Second. It has been moved and properly seconded. Any questions? All in favor, please raise your hand. Unanimous. Motion carries. 7.14 recommend approval. Oh, excuse me. 7.13 recommend approval of the 2025 2026 budget. Uh good evening. Uh tonight we are requesting the adoption of the proposed 2526 budget. This budget is built with the governor's version of the state budget which is we are projecting to be adopted in June. Buckingham County's current enrollment prek through 12 is 1833. Uh state funding is based on K12 and our total as of the end of February is 1733. So the prek kids don't count towards that. Uh we have seen a
107decrease this school year close to 28 students since the last time at uh last year at this time. This is a breakdown of regular operations revenue projections based on the governor's budget version and and an ADM of 1725. Internal local budget projections have no changes. The state funds total an increase of $763,695 mainly for the compensation supplement and the support cap increase. PreK uh funding has been reclassified by the state and moved from SOQ funds to their own funding class classification labeled early childhood care education. Other state grants are decreasing by $45,736 due to the one-time grants such as active learning and security equipment. Federal funding is decreasing a total of $576,17 with the ending of all ESSER grants and small adjustments to title grants. The cafeteria fund has a small projected increase in state
108and federal funding based on current year's revenues and adjustment to the state's budget in school lunch revenue. This budget includes a 3% salary increase for contracted employees July 1st, 2025 and an hour uh employees will increase to $15 an hour effective in January 2026. As was stated earlier, there will be no increase in insurance pre. The state's bonus payment should be distributed to division by year end and will be distributed to employees in the fall. And up there I don't have% yeah is a regular budget proposal and our current year four uh local $43,500. Uh you see what the proposed for 26 is same uh state uh 19,39,224 uh for 26 is proposed 20,72,919. It's a difference of $763,695. And it breaks down, you can see the breakdown of SOQ funds, incentive funds, categorial funds,
109lottery, lottery funds. I never thought I'd see the day that they go down, but uh they're down $51,180. early childhood care. Uh is it 200? This is proposed to uh uh be $33,591 and and that's that's for finance year 26. Other state uh active learning and security Uh our current budget was $314,922 and uh for 26 is $269,86. So we lost there $45,736. uh alternative ed and safe stable uh current 113739 proposed was 100,930 that's a a loss of $12,89 sped t uh oh no excuse me medic Medicaid uh zero dollars in the current budget did uh uh $30 in the pro proposed budget for through 26 sped tuition CTE and DCIS 138,256 there's no difference in the proposed uh amount for the 26 here. So it's the same under federal the safety EDHSER and
110title 4 title one through let's go back safety VDH SR3 and title 4 $54,67 and proposed and uh FY26, a difference of $54,67. I I mean, this is uh one of my worries when we lost the federal grants from Washington down to Richmond. I thought I I thought that might be a chance that we lose some. It looks like we we are uh title one through five Perkins uh two 2,695,935 proposed 26 2,623,995 a loss of uh 71,940 bucks. Local appropriations nonrecurring uh 1,464,426 proposed for 26 uh 237,613 a loss of 1.2 2 million one 1,226,813 recurring uh8 million 893,298. Uh and so for this budget year that is 8,947,298. That's a increase of 54,000 and we know what that is. Regular operations budget uh this past year 33,585,472. Uh next year 32,554511. That's a
111decrease of a, $30,961. Any questions? Yes. Um, I just know there's a kind of a lot of confusion. You mentioned about the switch from Washington to Richmond and and how we could potentially lose certain funding. Can you kind of elaborate on that a little bit more? Yeah, you know, before there was ever talk about coming or taking the federal uh grants to uh the state, we we kind of fig we figured what what would happen and uh even before the election results were in uh they were talking about uh probably the first thing uh would happen is that they would be a cut title. Uh so that you know that didn't surprise us but the amount hurts and I'm just I don't have a crystal ball. I don't I don't know what the future holds.
112Uh I strongly suspect that it's going to uh depend on each state's ability to pick up the deficit of that. Virginia pretty strong. Uh you're probably equipped to do that better than a lot of states. But we depended on uh I remember Somebody asked me and it was I think $1.25 million that we we depend on. So that's something that in your budget process you're going to have to continue to watch. Uh and budget gets more and more complex. Any other questions? Well, it might be important to go back to some of the three key criteria for our staff, which was the raises, right? You mentioned the RA raises. The other one was the bonus. I don't know if you want to allude to that or or wait, but talked about the bonuses and there
113was one other one that had to do with the teachers or staff as a whole. Um, but I think it's important to not gloss over that because I think, you know, was kind of lost in the in the in the process of covering the budget as a whole. But there were, I think, three big takeaways for them and that one of them was, of course, the raise coming up from the uh for the budget. I think it was the uh because they they staff has asked about the bonuses. So, I think it's important they know that that's coming. What was the time frame again? Because I thought you said in the fall, but I think it's going to be was it I don't remember if we want to cover that or not, but suffice it
114to say that that bonus is covered. Yes, sir. Okay. Expenditures include the 3% increase attracted employees July 1, 20 25 and a $15 an hour salary, which is that's one that that's one I was missing, but it's effective January, not not with the new January fal 26. Yes, sir. We also need to say that with this budget, we're going to end up losing three people because we have to reduce our force. So, that's another thing that is just we just can't do anything to help with those salaries like we thought we would. We're way we're way back now. We're 1.2 million less than what we had last year. You know, you're you're exactly right and and uh all all boards are going to be in this position looking uh next year probably been little little
115deeper. Does that make sense? So to find ways where you can save money and I commend you I commend you for this. You have a unique uh health insurance uh procedure that I think is going to work and hopefully if if people do what supposed to do, you know, usually calling in and let let the ent you know the person book your thing and do it save money. Uh I hope that that someday will be that that money you could put in the cookie jar and say, you know, I know I got this here to help offset. I'm not saying it's going to do it all, but I tell you one thing, I think it's got I I think it's got the way you can get something back. And uh it it did it didn't
116come easy. You know, the governor governor kind of stalled, but then when he went back, he he did give us uh our cap, which well was about 300 some thousand. We got an extra 82,000 for special special ed, which just puts us better than what it was. It's one of those things kind of like you alluded to before, Dr. Keeler, it's having a backup plan, I think it's critical. Um, whenever you put in for grants for your kids going to college or you put in for scholarships, scholarships, grants, money, right? When you're asking for XYZ and they give it to you, there is no guarantee that you're going to get it the following year. And I think it's the same way across the board, the government. I mean, we're not guaranteed any of the grants.
117We're not guaranteed anything from the from the state nor the federal. So, I think it's critical for us moving forward to understand that fact. You know, we we can't control the temperature of the governments higher than us, nor our own local government for that matter. But, you know, I think it's critical for us to have the backup plan. We know that certain things are non-recurring. That's why they're non-recurring. Uh, and I think it's critical for us to keep it in perspective. you know, yeah, we we're showing a deficit of a million dollars basically off off of last year's budget, but when you start looking across the stuff that was already identified as non-recurring or grant specific monies, uh, for us to to have a backup plan, I think moving forward in the next cycle, I
118think it's going to be critical um, you know, just to be ready for that personal opinion. But um I think at a $1 million deficit, it looks bad at the bottom line with it being red and stuff like that. But when you start scrolling through the numbers for your non-recurring and your grants and stuff, hey, we weren't guaranteed that stuff. We weren't. So I think it's just point of, you know, fact for us. I think it's my two cents. All right. Anyone else? Okay. How do we want to proceed? Need a motion. I'm going to make a motion to um approve the 2526 budget as amended. Second. It has been moved and properly seconded. Any questions? All in favor, please raise your hand. All opposed. Motion carries. 7.14 recommend approval of a 4day work week
119starting the week of May 26 through the week of July 21st. Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the 4-day work week starting the week of May 26 through the through the week of July 21st as presented. Second. It has been moved and properly seconded. Any questions? All in favor, please raise your hand. All opposed. Motion carries. 7.15 student liaison report. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Here are some of the highlights from the last few weeks at BCHS. FBLA just hosted color wars last week and had several student participants from each grade level. They've also already elected officers for the 2025 through 2026 school year and are preparing for nationals this summer in California. SCA also just elected officers at an induction banquet last Sunday. SCA members participated in teacher appreciation week by providing
120an ice cream Sunday bar for teachers along with providing goodie bags for teachers. Tuesday, May 20th at 1:30, SCA is sponsoring another signing event for four baseball players in the high school auditorium. Last week, the culinary class had a food cart delivered to the CT classes every day during second and fourth block. These selectable treats included pretzels, brownies, cookies, and pizza sandwiches. The money they earned helping is helping fund FCCLA and at nationals this summer. FFA club sponsor Casey Davis. sold flowers for Mother's Day. FFA is also hosting an induction banquet this Friday that will also be an awards ceremony for members. This summer they leave for state convention on June 9th and come home on the 12th. The Rise Up Club is preparing an all day pickle ball tournament next week on May 22nd.
121It is $3 per team to play and $1 per class period to watch. There'll be snacks, drinks, and a message from youth pastor Savannah Huddleston. Students are currently wrapping up the school year with various finals and so testing and 14 students are preparing for the BISE trip that is from May 28th through June 3rd. And finally, graduation has been moved inside due to the weather forecast for this weekend. Thank you for listening and I hope you all have an amazing rest of your week and a good summer. Thank you. Let's give her a hand. That was wonderful. That's how you clearly we're going to see you on TV one day. Hopefully. So, if I'm good enough, you sound like you're ready to take my job. We'll see about that, Mr. That was wonderful. 8.01 Schoolboard
122Member Committee updates. Well, I don't have a committee update, but I do have um a report on a an insurface or training that Mr. uh Gregory and I went to um called the U trust edge experience. Um and it was talking about how when you build trust among your board that you can get a lot more accomplished. Um, I thought it was very good training. You want to add something? Absolutely. It was great to work with other people from other districts. Excuse me. Coming in in the middle of a middle of the board that's already established. You know, people, they got to get to know me. So, it was good to go in and get this get the pillars of the training and get the understanding of how a board is supposed to work and
123the different things we can bring back to this board to make it stronger and to build our trust as a board to ensure that our community is believing in us and is trusting in us. Thank you, Mr. Gregory. Um, anyone else have anything? Oh, I I I did want to say um on last night and I'm pretty sure I don't know if Teresa if you were gonna say something that we had a banquet that we had the um where we recognized the seniors of the month and those that are retiring. And I and I must say to all of those people that were involved, the people that were serving, um I saw Mrs. Jansen running around like she was just and just everyone was working so hard and just was working so diligently and I
124just wanted just to say thank you. Thank you. Thank you. That was excellent. the way that everything was set up, the way that the lights looked, uh, Patrick, the way that, um, Wendy kept me, uh, going in the right direction. And of course, Dr. Keeler uh, getting upset that we making a fuss about him. Uh, and he was working as well. But everyone that I saw um that was working that was they were dressed in black. I almost couldn't even see them because my eyes. Uh but uh thank you all so very much. That was so wonderful. And man, we really showed our community what Buckingham County schools are all about and that's what it's about. I just wanted to say um we we just had h um teachers week and principal week and vice
125principal week. So, we all really appreciate every one of you and sorry if we didn't come out and bring flowers and cakes and all that stuff like some of the people did, but we we do appreciate you very much. All right. Anyone else? All right. Seeing none, hearing none.