001[Music] I call the Buckingham County School Board meeting back to order. Um 3.01 returning from close session. Mr. Chair, I move that 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? Roll call vote. I I I I I I unanimous. We now have returned from close session. 3.02 Certificate of action taken in close session. Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the personnel agenda 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. Mr. Chairman,
002I make a motion to approve COVID as our insurance TPA effective July 1st, 25 through June 30th of 26. Second. It has been moved and properly seconded. Any questions? All in favor, please raise your hand. Unanimous. Motion carries. 3.03. 03 appointment of Buckingham County Public Schools Superintendent. I move that the school board appoint Dr. Cynthia Rezner to the position of division superintendent for Buckingham County Public Schools for a term commencing on July 1st, 2025 and ending June 30th, 2027. Furthermore, I move that the chairperson and clerk be authorized to execute an employment agreement with Dr. Rezner for this term as detailed in the contract. Second. It has been moved and properly seconded. Any questions? All in favor, please raise your hand. Unanimous. Motion carries. Just stand there. Just stand right. [Laughter] [Applause] They all know
003I don't like crowds. I wanted to just to take this opportunity. First, I would like to take uh the opportunity to thank the Buckingham County School Board uh for their commitment uh to setting a standard of quality education for our community. Uh also, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our current superintendent, Dr. Keeler as well as uh the central office staff, school leadership, and all Buckingham County Public School employees for their dedication to our students. And last, and of course certainly not least, to our parents, students, and community members for their patience throughout this process. But I am excited and I can declare that we will move forward in the direction and we will continue to keep our children and their education and their future first. Let's give him a hand. So
004I wanted to read this news release that will be going out uh in the newspaper. Buckingham County Public School names new superintendent. Um, Dr. Cynthia Rezner has been announced as the next superintendent of Buckingham County Public Schools. Her new position will become effective July 1st, 2025. Dr. Rezner currently serves as the director of human resources and administration for Amelia County Public Schools, a role she has held since 2023. She began her education career in Newport News City Public Schools as a teacher, a position she held for three years. Dr. Dr. Rezner has served as an AVID program director for middle and high schools in Hampton Sydney Public Schools, an assistant principal in Hampton City Public Schools, Virginia Beach City Public Schools and Chesterfield County Public Schools, and as a principal and director of instruction and
005human resources in Amelia Public Amelia County Public Schools, culminating in nearly 31 years of experience in education. And this is a quote from Dr. Rezner. I am excited and honored to join Buckingham County Public Schools. I am grateful to the school board for their confidence in me and I look forward to working alongside the dedicated board members, educators, students, family, and community members to build on the division successes and create new opportunities for excellence and growth. And I myself have a quote in here uh that I believe Dr. Rezner uh will be a great fit for the division. And quote unquote, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Rezner as our new superintendent. Uh her experience, leadership, and dedication to student success uh will be a great asset to our school division and community. Dr. Theresa
006earned her doctorate of education uh degree in educational leadership from Liberty University, a prek through 12 administration super supervision endorsement from Old Dominion University, a master of education in curriculum and instruction from the University of Virginia and a bachelor of arts in history from the University of Mary Washington. And then it goes on to say, "The Virginia School Board Association uh assisted the school board with the superintendent search and so uh we are thankful for them. I'm going to ask at this time for our vice chair, Mr. Snotty, if he would please come forward. Please give us a few moments as we take some pictures and we'll give the rest of the board as well. Um kind of just kind of tell me right here. [Music] We can kind of move just a little bit.
007kind of you got it so [Applause] Yeah, sure. Sure. Yeah, sure. Thank you. Thank you again, everyone. So, I'm excited and truly honored to join Buckingham County Public Schools this evening. I would like to take a moment and congratulate Dr. Keeler on your upcoming retirement and thank you for your outstanding service to not only Buckingham County but also throughout Virginia. Thank you and [Applause] congratulations. I look forward to working together with you as well as the school board for a successful and smooth transition. I'm extremely grateful to doc to excuse me Mr. Goodman and the entire school board for their confidence in me. I look forward to working hand in hand, united with the board, our teachers and staff, our administrators, our students and families and our community supporters to build on Buckingham's many successes
008and create new opportunities for excellence and growth. Together, we will develop continue to develop the future one student at a time. Lastly, I'd like to take a moment to thank my husband, Zayn. Worked last night, got to work again tonight, but thank you for being here with me this evening and for your love and support. Our sons Dylan and Sawyer are both away at college and they are supposed to be in class right now, but hopefully they are able to watch uh YouTube later on. Thank you again for providing me with this opportunity to serve Buckingham County as your next superintendent. [Applause] [Music] 3.04 opening of regular meeting. It is the custom of Buckingham County School Board to open each meeting with the pledge of allegiance uh to the United States flag uh in a
009prayer. If anyone is offended by either of these, it is suggested that they wait until uh one minute after beginning of the meeting to enter. Uh so we'll stand at this time for the pledge of allegiance and pray. Let us pray. Father, we thank you. We thank you for all that you do for us, Father. For the many blessings that you've given us, Father, the ones we know about and the ones we don't. Father, we ask your hand upon this meeting. We ask your Holy Spirit spirit move amongst us, Father. Help us to do your work for your will, Father, and your purpose. We ask you to be with our leadership, county, uh state, federal. Father, may we all do your bidding, Father, for in Jesus name we pray. Amen. Amen. Pledge allegiance to the
010flag 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. 3.05 05 adoption of the agenda. Mr. Chair, I move that we adopt the agenda as presented. Second. It has been moved and properly seconded. Any questions? All in favor, please raise your hand. Unanimous. Motion carries. 4.01. Recognitions and presentations. Seniors of the month. Good evening, folks. Uh, this next Tuesday, no, not next Tuesday, Tuesday, May 13th, at 6:00 p.m., we'll be back here for our uh banquet for the seniors of the month and for the teachers that are retiring. Uh tonight we will recognize our number 33 and number 34 senior. So we'll start with the number 33. Come on up Thomas. [Applause] It's a privilege to stand before you
011tonight to recognize an outstanding student leader, athlete, community member, and Buckingham County Public Schools April 2025 senior of the month. Thomas Snotty Thomas is a shining example of what it means to be a well-rounded, responsible, and rooted in both school and community. A committed student, Thomas is a proud member of the FFA, SCA, the Beta Club, the National Honor Society, the Prime Club, and 4. These memberships reflect not just participation, but dedication to service, leadership, and academic achievement. On the athletic field, Thomas has been a standout member of the varsity soccer team for four years, serving as a team captain for the past two seasons. And in 232 24, his hard work and talent earned him the district defensive player award, a welldeserved recognition for his leadership and skill. Outside of school, Thomas is deeply
012involved in his faith community. As a member of the Malberry Grove Baptist Church, he actively participates in the youth group and uses his talents to support worship services throughout audio and visual work, playing a vital role behind the scenes. Thomas also brings a strong work ethic to everything he does. He provides lawn care services for the howardsville general store and other clients as needed. And he has worked for the Foxfire Christmas tree farm, Mill Creek livestock livestock and groundhog groundhound land works. These experiences reflect his commitment to hard work and his deep connection to the land in his community. After graduation, Thomas plans to continue his education in agriculture and business, a path that perfectly blends his passion, skills, and vision for the future. Please join with me in congratulating Thomas Naughty, Lucky Dame County's
013April 25 student of the month. [Applause] Let me take the system. [Applause] As we go on tonight, uh I would like to read a proclamation for the National Student Leadership Week. uh that we this is the second year I think we've done this whereas school sponsor student leadership activities in order to provide students with vital experience in exercising a voice in matters of common concern reconciling diverse interest in selecting leaders. Whereas student leaders are a positive influence on their peers, modeling good character and scholarship in and out of the classroom and serve as change agents to improve the overall climate and academic performance levels of their schools. Whereas student leaders do not automatically develop sound leadership skills and require trained dedicated facult members faculty advisors to help them develop the essential traits and characteristics of
014a leader and to provide the positive experiences necessary to expand their skills and foster their paths to becoming effective leaders. And whereas the support of the school administrators and faculty, parents, community members is necessary to help ensure the successful education of all emerging student leaders. And whereas National Student Leadership Week serves as an ideal time to bring attention to the important and integral contributions that student leaders and all the student activities make in our nation's school. And now therefore, I as Superintendent of Buckingham County Public Schools, Dr. John Keeler do hereby proclaim the third full week of April as Buckingham County Public School Student Leadership Week in support of national support if national student leadership week and urge citizens to seek opportunities to recognize student leaders in our schools and support their training and activities
015as they prepare themselves for their future stations as leaders of our city, state, and nation. Let's give her a big hand, please. Lily is a product of our school system. She uh is probably the best uh student uh what do you call Thank you. Thank you. Uh And when you listen to her give a report, she gives a a a great report. Uh and uh uh where is uh Mary Stret? Mary, thank you. Thank you for sponsoring this. Okay. You're always there for kids, so we appreciate. Can we give Mary a big hand, too? Uh we got one more senior of the month and as soon as she gets here playing some tennis and uh we'll get her in. Okay. Uh I I uh we we take the senior of the month serious. Uh 34
016kids 34 seniors uh will be recognized have been recognized after tonight. Uh I've done this for 25 years. They haven't and uh and that's a lot of kids. So, and you know, we try to get scholarships and and Jo uh Joyce, would you come up just a second, please? Yeah. You know, uh these kids, uh get a $500 scholarship. uh used, you know, to go to school and in South James River. Yay. Community Foundation. Took me three, right? Took me three years and uh but they have they'll fund this and they have over the last three and a half years and we appreciate that. And it's a if you want to hear see something good uh check that out and what listen to those kids recognize teachers and coaches who have made a a great
017great influence on their life and uh it's the best thing I've I've seen. Give her a big hand. Thank you. [Applause] Um, I also want to say we give scholarships to uh graduating seniors and we've offered scholarships as well as funding. Um, the first year we whispered in your ear, do you need help? And then after that, our organization has funded that to the tune of about a little over $15,000. So, um, that we have put into the school system. We give back to the community. But he got it right. Finally, South River Community Foundation. Thank you, Dr. Killer. Thank you. And now uh we'd like to share if we're ready for the uh teachers of the year. Uh this this past Friday we recognize all six of our teachers of the year. Uh and
018we start pre with preschool. Uh I start with preschool because they're founding and they really get into it. Here we are going down the hallway. [Music] They don't even know who it is and it a [Applause] [Music] lot. Miss Renee Schaefer was the teacher of the year. You heard their game. [Applause] [Music] That's some cool dancing in it. Then we moved on to primary. [Music] This is Miss Taylor. Oh, this is the elementary. Miss Paige. It's Miss Page. Miss [Music] Paige. Miss Paige. Yes. Elementary school. [Music] Love [Music] her on the other middle school now. [Music] Nice. Coach me. Chuck me. [Music] Even better, right? [Music] Then we went up to the high school and this lady started crying just as soon as I walked in. Bless her heart, Miss Fulture. Let's give her a
019big hand. [Music] our CTE. [Music] Miss Brit didn't have anybody in there at the time, but she still [Music] [Applause] uh we're going to bring the all six back at the next uh meeting. schoolboard meeting and they're going to be presented with their plaques. That's something that we usually do convocation, but uh because uh I'm running out of time, so uh we're going to do it then. And and we're going to uh also honor the teacher of the year. That was a something we started a couple years ago, too. and uh and that person will get uh him or her will get a ring and uh and and they're not cheap rings either, I can tell you. Uh uh uh Herf Jones works with us and uh and I I I love our teachers. uh
020we have made some great great uh you know gains and it starts uh with everybody. Uh I see uh people around here that have been significant uh and uh we appreciate that. I appreciate athletics. Okay, I'm not going to lie to you. I coached for a 100 years and before I was here and I I know what I I know what good teams bring to school systems. Uh and uh uh you know, I've had a lot of fun especially with the football and especially since I convinced uh my wife to play us in football. Uh then I I now I regret it. I'll be honest with you because we won we won three times in a row and uh and she thought she was finished with us and but we're open up with them next
021year too. So uh this is a great place. I think you're going to enjoy it and uh thank you all for coming out. And we got some kids to honor now too because uh I don't know how many of them are the art. Yes. You got to forgive me. I don't do this uh very often. Eli Ferish. Eli, you here? Come on up. [Applause] you. You finished uh third place. There you go. Tell me. Um I don't really remember that much about this one. I think a few scraps from older ones and that was I'll be honest, I don't remember. That's impressive. I didn't know what it was either, but I said what I could do. Yeah, I did. Thank you. [Applause] Honestly, that's powerful. [Music] [Applause] Andre Turner. [Applause] Andre, you did a really
022good job, too. You finished second. It's a And the competition is tough in this stuff. And They're very picky. I met the lady and she says first thing she asked me said, "You got a ruler?" I said, "No." She said, "Well, I got to measure something because I'll disqualify people that are not right." And she did. She disqualified all my [Laughter] Turner second place. Tell us what what it is. That's good. Look at it. [Applause] Uh yes, we we had an extraordinary thing happen. Uh we had a choir. You know, I've been to a lot of these uh meals, you know, with the VSBA does and they always bring out their kids and stuff and try to show off and we didn't I just I talked to Miss Jones. I said, "Miss Jones, we've got
023to have a choir." And I volunteered my services. He never called me. And husband coach Mike is they they really know how to sing and I I don't but I I could lip sync in there. We had some kids and some folks from the community. Would you all come on up please? All of you that was involved with the choir, please. [Applause] I wish I wish you could uh I wish you could have heard him. There's that guy singing bass, ain't it? Yes, ma'am. Yeah. You're the bass man, right? Yes, he is. Yeah. Uh sang two songs. First one was uh You Say, uh the first one was You Say You Say, You Say, "Okay." All right. I say And You Say, it was great. Thank you. But the second one really brought the house
024down. Lean on me. Lean on me. Uh right now they're going to do a rendition of that. kidding. [Music] Uh, it was wonderful. I I just wish there was some way we could had it. You could see it and hear it. It was just wonderful and so proud and it's one of the best things I I've ever seen. So, I'm going to try to get in the choir next year. Okay. We'll see how you feel. Let's give him a big hand. [Applause] Mike Denise Donald Jones. That's just Let's see. Let's get a picture. [Applause] [Music] Amen. Mr. Pety's Mr. Pety's class. uh uh came up with the a way to to talk about Buckingham. People don't know anything about Buckingham and it was a great job. Kids talk uh about all the stuff we around
025us. We have gold and uh Chris Knight, whatever stuff is and anything that's cool, we got here. So Brian, why don't you come on up and all all the kids that made a contribution that night, there's a lot of good ones, too. Thank you so much. The first one is her name. You can Oh my god. Promise next year we'll do this [Laughter] better. Thank you for this together. Mr. P state championship back here. What was it for us? Two years ago, ago. Let's give him that big [Applause] Did you get him? We have any culinary students. Mr. Peter, give it to Mr. F. Students uh got an opportunity to uh to serve a dinner. And I mean, when we do a banquet, we do it upright. Uh, and they, bless their hearts, they, it
026was probably about 15 of them. Helped us all at night. It was, I think it was like their first time that they had a chance to get out and and do it. It's co, so did a great job. And, uh, we think a lot of them. So, uh, let's give them a hand. They're not here, but [Applause] 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. Do we have anybody signed up? No one signed up. All right, then. Public comment is closed.
0277.01 um reported to superintendent 7.01 01 recommend approval of the 2025 2026 Perkins plan okay excuse me 6.01 01 appro approval of the consent agenda. Um I have a I have some questions and some things I wanted to point out in some of our consent agenda. So uh I think I'll address those first and then we can decide. Um I I just asked questions about some of the agenda items because I didn't I wasn't familiar with them. Uh, one of them was a newslia product that is um it was costing 2,000 and $1,000 individually and those were paid with federal middle school improvement fund and it's a supplemental program to support our a focus on reading across the content areas. So, I just wanted to make sure we were spending our money right. So, just
028wanted to let y'all know that. Uh and then there was a HMH student license which was 5,0002,000 and coaching getting started and coachely digital licenses and that was also paid with federal sped funds required for Hispanic speaking students with learning disabilities software to be software to be used to help with reading of these um students and that was approved by DOE to purchase. And then there was care guide advocates and that's something for our insurance that we had approved and I had forgotten. So just wanted to clear that up. And there was um angel track system which is about $1,500 and that's the new camera system for special ed transportation vehicles. And then there's a Magna 5MS VM data platform essentials enterprises and some VMware which is server software that we had approved and vision
02921 solutions which is the charging carts for our high school. And I also asked, how often do these need to be replaced or are they on a rotating schedule between schools? And the carts are at the high school and they will be transitioning from take-home to keep in school next year like the rest of the uh division is. So this is a one-time purchase. And then there were 14 G7 laptops and 100 e-chrome laptops um purchased. And I asked the same question of those. And these laptop laptops are in a three-year cycle and they're for the middle school teachers, new devices. And the Chromebooks are for the high school. They're upgrading the old and finishing migration to the carts and the so testing. And then there was one other thing about dirt for the baseball
030field. And I was questioning, well, what about the softball field? But it was both of them that were covered under this uh call. So that that was all I had. So I do uh make a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Second. Second. It has been moved and properly seconded. Any questions? All in favor, please raise your hand. Unanimous. Motion carries. Now on to the report of the superintendent. 7.01 recommend approval of the 2025 2026 Perkins plan. Mr. Dale Falchure, CTE director. Good evening. How are y'all doing? So, um this is the plan as it is right now. Um and then once we receive the report from the state of what we are going to be, uh given then we'll go in and make an amendment to that um plan. This was based
031off of what we currently were um operating under. So, are there any major changes with this? No, ma'am. Not this year now. Okay. So, can you give us a kind of just a quick summary of what the Perkins plan entails? Um, so we use those funds to pay for to help some of our students go to conferences. Um, purchase equipment that we might need. Um, the credentiing uh test that they take, we pay for that. Um, and we do multiple tests in that for cosmetology, welding, uh, we started doing carpentry this year. Um, ASSE certification for automotive program. Um, just lots of different things that we use that for. So, with them getting the certifications, I guess I'm to assume that this would better connect them to be able to get a job once they
032get Yes, sir. And we're working to try to make some um connections with different community members as well to um have some job avenues for the students when they leave here with these certifications. Anyone else have any questions? Mr. Chairman, I recommend approval of the 202526 Perkins plan as presented. Second. It has been moved and properly seconded. Any questions? All in favor, please raise your hand. Unanimous. Motion carries. 7.02 recommend approval of members of the 2025 2026 CTE Advisory Committee. Mr. Falcher. Yes, sir. Um these were the um current members that we have and I have reached out to the ones that I could connect with to see if they would continue to serve um another two-year cycle with the um advisory team as I get my bearings and feet wet um as this is
033my first year as the CTE coordinator. So all right can you talk a little bit about the importance of uh the advisory committee? So the advisory committee um works with myself and the other teachers like if we need to add any other programs or um like our connection with community college for our dual enrollment purposes. Um and we were have a meeting where we meet twice a year to discuss any of those um concerns that we might have. I do have a couple programs that I would like to look at adding eventually but um as I know money is tight. We can't look at any of that right now. So, um, and these people also provide connections to jobs and different things out in the community and different paths into the workforce as well. Anyone
034else have any questions? Mr. Chair, I recommend the approval of the members to the 2025 2026 CTE advisory committee. Second. It has been moved and properly seconded. Any questions? All in favor, please raise your hand. Motion carries unanimous. Thank you, sir. 7.03 recommend approval of the Buckingham School Board norms and protocols. I just wanted this added as I stated earlier uh just so we can review and we all kind of are going in the same direction. Were there any amendments that anyone wanted to recommend? I would recommend in the uh when and how the board conducts a self-evaluation changing the date on that make it effective this year so that we can stay on point. I know we haven't in the past at least we didn't last year when we came on deck. So I
035would change that from 2020 to 2025 at a minimum. So noted. anyone else? And also, um there was one part that where it says when it's talking about social media and it says it's it's um do we need to amend that at all? Because I know, you know, we we do use social media. We can use social media. Um any thoughts, any other areas that anybody wants to take a look at? Oh, you talking about the uh the media inquiries or the social media use of social media use of social media. So the use of social media social media use is discouraged. Social media may be used to push out positive messages about the division. I believe currently we use the school does the the social media uh we do not as far as publishing
036anything from the school board. Is that accurate? Yes. Then I would say keep it as it is. Agreed. All right. I think everything that we would have to pass would go through the school system. That way it's properly vetted. All right. So, we're good on that. Yep. Do I have a motion? Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to uh approve the Buckingham County School Board norms and protocols as presented. Second. It has been moved and properly seconded. Any questions? All in favor, please raise your hand. Unanimous. Motion carries. 7.04 recommend approval of the VSBA school board member code of conduct. Any questions on this? I don't see anything worthy of change. All right. Do I have a motion? Mr. Chair, I recommend approval of the VSBA school board member code of conduct. Second. It has
037been moved and properly seconded. Any questions? All in favor, please raise your hand. Unanimous. Motion carries. 7.05 policy updates February VSBA policy update second reading and adoption. [Music] There's a couple most of it just uh the way they word it uh doesn't take anything away from it but uh the student representative to the school board is something that we need to pay a little bit attention to. Mhm. Uh the school board must establish procedure for appointing student rep representatives to the school board. The the previously included procedure was removed from the substance of the sample policy but may be included or replaced with a procedure that the division determines best. One procedural option is the following. the principal uh of the high school nominates a student or from the school to serve as the student
038rep uh to the school board from uh he several nominations if he wants to. From these nominations uh uh the student representatives will uh serve a one-year term if it's approved by the board. It's a it's a good place for the school board to establish clear rules related to student representatives and the rules can be separately adopted or included within the policy. Uh we we've been really blessed since I've been here to have good student uh leazison and I think that Lily is a Lily might be the best woman, obviously. Uh, and she uh I think she had got trained at the VSBA conference in Williamsburg. And we're really proud of you for doing that. Uh, and when you hear her talk, I'm going to and I'm going to make sure she talks because she
039she'll give you more information about the schools than anything. Another one. Uh, M. Dr. Keeler, how is it done right now? Because I think the the pre principal I don't know, he does he has his input, but I'm not sure exactly if it's done that way. I'm I'm not sure be be honest with you. Uh, Dr. Keeler, if you like me to enlighten you on the situation, the student school board rep is elected by the student body of the high school. Oh. And we have an application process that goes through Miss where she reviews and sees if we are a viable candidate. You see why I like that kid? You got it right right there. Uh you're going someplace, Lily. I tell you that. Thank you, sir. Keep it. Uh just like Lily said. Okay.
040Uh now, I'll be honest with you. The reason I said principal because uh at Vista principal did nominate a kid. So, but that sounds like a better option to me. Yes, sir. So, we need to change the wording on that. How do we just how she said it, right? Just like she said. What she said. So, we've noted the changes in the language. Uh, so we've noted the changes that we have a there was something on Oh, we got another concussion protocol. Yes. Uh, JJC, huh? JJ AC student athlete concussions. Yeah. uh encouraging encouraging to uh a student athlete suspected by the student athletes coach, athletic trainer, or team physician of sustaining concussion or brain injury in a practice or game is removed from the the activity at that time. A student athlete who has
041been removed from play, evaluated, and suspected to have a concussion or brain injury does not return to play that day or until the athlete is evaluated uh by appropriate licensed health care provider as determined by the board of education. in receipt of the written clearance to recurrent play from such licensed health care provider. That that is a big deal and that's a strong uh that's a strong a stronger policy now. Yeah, I I coached and a lot of people here have done so and you didn't know you didn't know but a lot of times you didn't know a kid was had a concussion to the game was over you know and we got to be uh we got to do a better job of recognizing that and getting get all of our coaches trained on
042this thing. Mr. Those are two. Uh there's others, but the big ones are big uh policy thing is coming here in what two weeks? Yes, sir. It's probably about 500 of them. So, uh Mr. on the uh return to learn protocol with concussions on the return to learn protocol on concussions. I think we need to do a better job of of helping our teachers understand what's um what they need how they need to accommodate for the student coming back. Um, I know that when my son was out with postconussion syndrome, it took a long time to to get him back into it. And I'm not sure how well the teachers understood the limitations that he had. Um, and a shout out to Miss Cindy Jones, our school nurse, for for catching it um on my
043son, too. But it it took him I probably at least a month to be able to return to school full term. So, we need to make sure we educate our teachers on what to look for. Very good. Good. Good recommendation. And uh I I appreciate Coach uh and and uh Russ, our ad uh on the the steps that they do to make sure our kids are safe. And you it's it's changed. You know, uh you see these cats with a rubber helmet thing. Now, that's a a way to to prevent. Mr. Chairman, I'd like to ask a question, sir. Yes, sir. on the um sideline in the field of play, a individual uh student athlete takes a hit um comes out of the play. Who makes the determination if there is a suspicion of a
044head injury or a concussion? Is there is there qualified medical personnel on the sideline or on the baseball diamond? who makes that decision usually there is not okay I'm not going to lie you know I I worry about having you know trained people there now the rescue squad always comes to our home football games okay and generally speaking then unless they get a call where they have to leave uh we have somebody there okay And and when when something does happen, uh I'll give you an example. was a JV kid had a head injury and uh about two years ago and uh the gentleman came back from the the uh and and and was there with him and made sure they got him to hospital. Well, and and I don't mean no disrespect to the
045coaching staff in in any any way. Um I'm sure they're extremely smart people and they can make a a calculated decision, but you know, you get a kid that's a hard charger and uh they'll tell the coach anything to get back in the game. Yeah. you know, so I just, you know, for the for the safety of the students and, you know, like probably a couple two, three people up here, I've had concussions from playing football. Um and um I you know I just asked that question on the side of the safety and concern for the students not to take anything away from any of the coaching staff or any of the teachers but you know if we have the rescue squad look at them and the rescue squad has a protocol you know then
046I'm I'm acceptable to that. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. So, we do have a policy handbook regarding the concussions and as it reads, coaches will be required to pass a VHSL coaches concussion course and review the guidelines annually before coaching that school year. Coaches will be instructed to immediately remove any athlete suspected of sustaining a concussion in a practice game and immediately seek care from a licensed healthcare provider. The athlete is not to return to participation that day. Coaches will also be instructed that student athlete must have a written clearance from a licensed healthcare provider, which is basically what we're saying now. So the coaches are the first line. Okay. Once the coaches deem it, they send over to the the healthcare provider. So I think we have kind of a a thing in play. The
047the problem that that I see outside of this is that we while we do have uh EMS uh on site for football games, we don't for the others, right? And soccer and baseball, you can get a concussion just like football. Absolutely. I I've had a concussion playing baseball, you know, so um you know, probably need to maybe ask them the rescue squad if they not doing anything, you know, come by and check out some of the games and kind of be on hand in case of an unfortunate situation. I I can tell you from experience as a coach and as a superintendent, uh I I went ahead and got approval for full-time trainer. Uh because too many of things happen and you just like you say, we we think it's going to happen during football.
048It can happen in baseball, can happen in a lot playing basketball if you bump head hard enough. Uh yeah. and to have somebody there uh makes a difference and and uh it you know maybe something we want to look at as a precaution. Now when the rescue squad is there do we have to pay some type of fee for them to be there or I don't think so. Do we Ross? Okay, I would imagine. Okay. Um, I don't see anything regarding the return to learn for us as a school system. I would agree with uh with Pam and recommend that we do create one or have something like that for the concussion piece. I don't see it anywhere for the return to learn for the teacher side of the house. So, I would recommend that
049we do have that. If we if we if we do have it, I'm I'm f I can't find it. So, okay. Thank you. Y I do see the states. I just don't see ours. Thank you, uh, Mr. Chairman. Yes, sir. Any more comments, questions, concerns? Um, I had I had several, but this one, home instruction, um, I know we talked about this months ago before, but, if I'm not mistaken, we totally revamped a lot of the home instruction stuff that we were doing. So, I I would recommend in this case we bounce back against Miss Jansen's uh former learnings that she and I both got for for home instruction, homebound uh homeschooling. Make sure that we're on point with our with our policy. Any more questions, concerns? That's two two of the things that I
050thought we'd bring up. You could talk about the others, but most of you just whether worded again. So, uh, but the big ones will come couple weeks and, uh, we all need to look at them. Bring it. Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve the policies updates for February as amended. Concur. It has been moved and properly seconded. Any questions on the motion? All in favor, please raise your hand. Unanimous. Motion carries. 7.06 student liaison report. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. As Dr. Keeler stated before, my name is Lily Jones and I'm the student liaison for the 2024 through 2025 school year. Miss Amanda Bryan, our environmental science teacher, just returned from a professional opportunity at the Water Wise conference. Water wise is a professional development opportunity for K through2 teachers hosted by the
051Department of Conservation and Recreation at Natural Tunnel State Park. This conference helps provide educators with opportunities and ideas to teach students about the importance of preserving our waterways. On the topic of science classes, our dual enrollment biology enjoyed a visit to James River State Park and Peter Francisco soil and water. Also, the advanced biology class joined the DE biology class for a field trip at the Metro Richmond Zoo. And tomorrow, our science department is planning a trip to Jordan Point Marina. Buckingham County's FBLA just competed in state competitions earlier this month in Restston, Virginia. We have two students who qualified to compete na nationals in California this summer. As a way of fundraising for this amazing opportunity, FBLA is holding an ice cream social this Friday during fourth block. FCCLA also competed in state competitions
052early this month at Virginia Beach. Several kids placed and they are readying themselves for nationals this summer. FFA currently has a plant still going on and are preparing for officer elections along with their induction banquet. To end off the club's portion of this report, SCA just went to the VSCA convention where Asia Barber and BH BCHS won the region 8 high school regional representation representative position and BCHS won the Virginia student council award which is a state achievement award. Next week is National Leadership Week and SCA officer elections will be held and we will be recognizing our student leaders. As for our spring sports, they are in full swing. The varsity softball team plays home Thursday and the varsity baseball team's next home game is against Cumberland on April 24th. The next home tennis match
053is in May and there's a track meet this afternoon. Please come out and support all of our teams. Thank you so much for your time and for listening. [Applause] That was great. That was great. 8.01 other board business school board member committee updates. There was a facilities meeting, but I wasn't in attendance, so I can't speak to that. Me either. I missed it. Mr. Hasslup, do you have anything? the updates for that quick update. Proud to finish the greenhouse that is up and running now. They're doing a great job with that. Already putting it into play. Look forward to seeing how that is uh utilized in the future. She did a good job with what she had. Can you imagine what she's going to do with what we have now? So, that was pretty much
054the gave them an update, but that was pretty much the highlight of the of the meeting. Thank you, JP. Can you give us a reading or anything? Okay. Do we want to um Oh, I was going to go ahead start it. Go for it. Just um a point of pain for everyone. Um the budget season is here and of course we were not allowed any extra money from our county and the governor governor's budget is what we go off of and with that we may have cuts and that's not going to be very good. But we just want to let everybody know that now. Um so you're not surprised if if something gets cut and some other people could say a few things too if you want. Well, we I mean we knew this coming
055into the season. Uh when we started off we were quite a bit in the hole currently what 500 and change in the hole. Uh unfortunately the county doesn't have it to give to us. Um so um changers are coming. I mean, we've talked about it at the board meetings uh for the last probably couple months now um during this same session. So, um unfortunately, changes got to be made. You know, we got to make up the the deficit, which at 500 grand plus or minus um we have to make some changes. So, um be aware. We we feel the pain um for you guys, for us, for our district, and for our our community and our children mostly. But, uh, understand that we we don't have a choice. Our hands are kind of tied. Um,
056so changes are coming. Uh, you've been, you know, pre-warned before this, but, uh, coming into next month, uh, you figure May is contract season. Um, so we want to let you know changes are coming. So when you get that question mark and deer in the headlight look, ask the questions that you want to ask then. Okay? But it's it's coming. We don't have a choice. At 500 grand and the average teacher pay is a little over 50 grand a year. All right? So do the math. Uh yes, there are other areas where we're cutting. Yes, there are other areas where we're doing some things different, but right now we're we're in a whole 500 500 plus. So that's what it is. Um and we hate to say it is what it is because that's kind
057of un unthoughtful, but uh it it is. I mean, we've looked at everything. We've looked at it with Dr. Keela. We've looked at it with the board. We've talked about it. We've had discussions about it. We've argued about it, fussed about it. But at the end of the day, we're still going to be a few hundred,000 in the hole regardless of what we do or don't do. So, understand that uh changes are coming. And hold on. If you got any questions, hit us up. Ask Dr. Kill. Go ahead. I'm sorry. And one more thing, the salary scales that we had discussed and we had wanted to approve, it's not going to happen right now because we we're just hoping we can keep as many people as we can. So, um I think there's going to
058be a 3% increase and a possibly a bonus, but there that's all that we'll be able to do for now. Yes. Um so, I would like to just say something to the public as well as our students and staff. Um as a product of Buckingham, um graduating in 2013, there are a lot of great things that have happened this month. Um, my email has been booming with names, um, congratulation emails and I just want to say congratulations to everybody that took part of that. Congratulations to the advisors, the principles, the assistant principles. Um, like to bring up autism awareness month, um, assistant principal week. Um, we can't do this without you all. So, we say thank you. Um, continue to do great things. I know change can be hard and it will be hard, but
059we are here to support and advocate for you all. Um, like Mr. chairman said and vice chairman said that, you know, if you have questions, please reach out to us. That's what we're here for. And um if you have any concerns, our lines are always open. But once again, we want to say congratulations to all our students, all of our staff members. You guys are awesome and you are doing an amazing job. Just continue to push forward. Welcome aboard, Dr. Rea. I have something else, too. I also wanted to say to thank you to all those people that helped work with our regional forum because there was cafeteria staff here. There was custodial personnel that we had to get culinary students, musical performers and the students that shared the history. Um I think there was
060some some history that a lot of people didn't really know about Buckingham and even Senator Kaine didn't know some things about that. I heard him say it. Um, I also wanted to say today is a Virginia workplace readiness day and uh, just want to make sure everyone is aware of that. And then Mr. Richie and I were fortunate enough to be able to go on a a trip with the welding students to Norfolk and it was it was an early morning. We got up early we left at 5:00 in the morning on a Friday and it was right the day before you know we were going to have spring break. It was 27 students, two teachers, and of course us two schoolboard members and our bus driver, Wanda Goodman. I don't know if she um
061and they were with Venture Tours Bus Lines out of Virginia Beach. Um we went to uh Colonus uh shipyard, which is the the first one that we went to. It's 150 years old. You don't think of ships like that, but you know, I guess they've been working on them for a long time. Um they they gave us breakfast and then they showed us different um companies under the same umbrella. Um it was I thought this was the best place to start because they as far as a job because they had more jobs and different types of boats and all that kind of thing because they worked on anything from a tugboat to a um army I mean a a US naval ship. Um, and then we went to Maritime Maritime Hydraulics International and they fed
062us lunch. So, we were fed. Wasn't any problem there. And several students got to show off their welding skills. So, they were really excited about this place. And when I asked some of them later on, I said, "Well, which place would you like to go to?" And they they picked this place. Um, we went all the way out on the end of the pier there. And um, they had two ships there. It was a commercial ship that was just there docking and they had to pay rent just to dock there. And then it was a Navy destroyer there that had been work they had been working on for a year with another year to go and they were just modernizing this ship because it had it's 15 years old so it needed to be modernized.
063And then the last stop was NASCO which is some name for General Dynamics I think where they mostly work on Navy vessels. And we saw a 3D printer that could that can manipulate steel up to a size of 170 in by 35 in by 17 in. And it was it was a big 3D printer. And we saw an experimental water vessel there called the Ghost, which we don't really know what it was about. It looked like a big drone to me, but they said it went on water. Um, and we spoke with many of the employees that started fresh out of high school with no experience in wielding or some with a few years experience. But overall, it was a wonderful opportunity for our students to see these companies because these tours aren't given to
064but about 8 to 10 groups a year. So, Buckingham was gotten two or three chances to do this. And the tuition is paid for by these companies if you want to take courses and most recommend apprentice school. The main thing that we took away from our visit is if you have good attendance, show up on time, and are willing to work, they want you. They were wanting us to bring them on that day, I think. Um, there are jobs available with good startup pay. And then we left about 4:30 in the evening and headed to a soul food buffet, Cooper's Restaurant in Portsouth, where we stuffed ourselves. Um, and then we boarded the bus home and got back to the buck at 8:53. And I just want to thank the welding department with this opportunity
065to visit the ship repair locations. And I hope some of our kids will take advantage of these career opportunities. And then I just want to shout out that three of our kids are going to go to nationals because they just what they get first or second I think. Anyway, it's Skills USA and um another person got 12th I think she got for the sculpturing. She did um the the thing that goes over your your head when you go underwater and she just made this octopus that goes all around. It was really neat looking. Um but anyway, I really enjoyed it and um I thank them for letting us go. I would like to add to that and once again um compliment u the students of this county and of this high school who represented this
066county extremely well with um with their very positive behavior and adult-like behavior. You know, during transit, you know, we're on the bus and all the kids are going to be kids and they're going to goof off a little bit and they're going to have fun. But when it came time to be serious and respect the people that was trying to uh explain to them how things work and how they would like for them to come to work, our kids were extremely respectful. They listened. They asked very good questions and um you know I just would like to um give the kids a great big compliment of representing the school system uh the way they did. That's all I got. Oh, and one other thing. Uh we did give a a proclamation to all three places
067from Dr. Keeler and their school board. And I also got a little pat for you, Dr. Keeler. It says Virginia Ship Repair Association. So, I want to give you Thank you very much. I'm not going to wear it, so may as well give it to you. Thank you. That's all that I have. Thank you. Anyone else? All right. Seeing none, hearing none, I declare this Buckingham County School Board meeting ajourned.