001Heat. Heat. [music] >> [music] [music] >> One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you all very much. Um, it's a short agenda, but we still need to approve it. So, barring any additions, deletions, anything with the agenda, if I can have a motion to approve the agenda. >> Move to uh approve the agenda as uh as presented. >> Thank you. May I have a second? >> All those in favor? >> Anyone opposed? Anyone? The agenda is approved as presented. So on to one of the best parts of the night. Dr. Hester can come and you're gonna help. Dr. >> have one little thing to read and then I'm going to need statewinning [applause] girls. >> Can you just hold on to that for me? [applause] >> All right. So,
002um we are very very excited to be able to um have our girls soccer team here with us this evening. So, if you can bear with me, I have uh a couple things to read and and to celebrate. And so, congratulations to our 2026 Virginia Class 2 girls soccer state champions. What an incredible and unforgettable season. And on behalf of Nelson County Public Schools, congratulations to our players, our managers, our coaches, their families, and everyone who played a part in this historic achievement. We could not be more proud of all that you have accomplished. And while winning the Virginia Class 2 state championship is remarkable in and of itself, this season was much more than a championship. It was truly a storybook season. You finished undefeated, displayed excellence on both offense and defense from the
003opening match to the final whistle, and consistently rose to the challenge against outstanding competition. Throughout every victory, and every moment of adversity, you represented Nelson County with grace, integrity, and humility, as well as exceptional sportsmanship. It has been a privilege to watch this team grow throughout the season and week after week you became stronger, more confident, and more connected. You trusted one another, embraced your roles, and peaked at exactly the right time. Championship teams are built through commitment, sacrifice, and belief in something greater than themselves. And you embodied each of those qualities. And perhaps one of the most special parts of this season was the way you united an entire community. Nelson County rallied behind you in a way that reminded us of all the power of school pride and community pride. Students, families, alumni,
004businesses, and community members filled the stands, cheered from afar, and celebrated every step of the journey. And in return, you inspired us with your effort, determination, and the way you represented yourselves, your school, and our community. You've accomplished something that can never be taken away. Your names will forever be a part of Nelson County High School history as the 2026 Virginia class 2 girls soccer state champions. And more importantly, you have established a standard of excellence that future Governor teams will aspire to achieve. And thank you for giving our community a season we will never forget. Thank you for representing the governors with pride and for showing what can be accomplished through hard work, perseverance, teamwork, and heart. Congratulations once again champions and we are incredibly proud of you and will always remember this team
005that made history and brought an entire community together. So congratulations to you all. Goves go. We are so very proud of you and I know everyone in this room um feels the same way. Um whether you watched it through streaming, you were there in person, which was quite a few people. um to everyone who was just behind you. Um to all the community who we now see signs all throughout the community um celebrating your victory. So we want to say congratulations. Thank you so much. What we're going to do now is I have a we have a certificate for each and every one of you. So for those of you sitting there thinking you will not be in front of everyone. Sorry to to to surprise you on that. You will be. Um I know
006um I appreciate all of you being here. Not only um the student athletes it's your summer, but the families uh the coaches. Uh I appreciate that it's summertime. So, I do know that we do have some uh teammates that were not able to make it. So, I apologize for that, but we wanted so very much to make sure that we celebrated um your accomplishment, particularly for seniors that will be moving on and not in the area. So, we want to say thank you very much. And so, I will read what is actually on the certificate. So, Piper, I know you're going to be the guinea pig on this one, and I know you'll love that you're not used to standing all by yourself in a high pressure situation. [laughter] Um, so what this says is,
007"Your dedication, perseverance, teamwork, sportsmanship, and unwavering commitment to excellence have brought great pride and distinction to Nelson County Public Schools and the entire Nelson community. Through countless hours of hard work, determination, and resilience, you have demonstrated what can be accomplished when individuals unite in the pursuit of a common goal. May this remarkable achievement serve as a lasting reminder of your success and inspire future generations of governors to pursue excellence both on and off the field. So, congratulations on an unforgettable championship season. This is the same I hate to butt roast everybody, but it's the same on everybody's certificate. Um, I would run out of that kind of creative if I had to do for like 20ome people. So, we want to say thank you very much. What we're going to do next is this nice
008gentleman is going to take your picture and at the end we'll make sure everybody comes up and gets a p well everybody on the team comes up and gets a picture. Are we ready? All right. Let's act like we like each other. No, I'm kidding. [laughter] He's checking to make sure our eyes are open. Okay. Thank you very much. Congratulations. Here you go. [applause] Thank you. Next up, was Adele Moldenower able to make it this evening? No, she wasn't. Adele Moldower was also very a captain, I believe, and a vital member of the the team. So, we say congratulations to Adele. [applause] In case you're wondering, the order is by jersey numbers, uh, not by alphabetical order. So, Sophia Pedra, were you able to make it? Yep. All right. [applause] All right. You ready? Mr.
009Mullins, you want a picture? Okay. We were kind of We were a little funky. So, is this above your face? No, you don't get to do that. It has to be [laughter] Congratulations. Yep. [applause] Mary Joe Allen. No, Mary Joe was not able to make it. So, congratulations to Mary Joe. Aaliyah Garrett. [applause] Congratulations. >> Oh, there we go. There. There. Now we're cooking. All right. [laughter] >> There you go. >> Awesome. >> Exactly. Thank you. I appreciate that. [applause] >> Abigail Hobbs. I know one's coming up that I'm like frightful I'm going to mispronounce it because they did over the um intercom and now I can't get it right in my head how it actually is. Lindsay Lloyd. Lindsay Lloyd. [applause] Congratulations. All right, we're gonna have this nice these nice two nice gentlemen.
010>> Awesome. Oh, wait. No, you get this. [laughter] There you go. [applause] Jana Burkehead. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. All right. >> Okay. Great. Thank you, [applause] Laney Harvey. I don't see Laney. Laney unfortunately was not able to make it. All right. Anna Winter. Oh, my seniors are missing. Okay, Anna. Congratulations to Anna. Clara Moldenhower also was not able to make it. Clara Moldenour. Ava Proctor. No. No. Ava. Okay. Ava Proctor. Okay. Sadie Perry. Oh. >> [laughter] >> Satie Perry doesn't want to come up. >> She's not here. >> Oh, bummer. Okay. I have my reading I have my reading glasses on, but not my long distance, so I'm like, I can't see faces. [laughter] I just see a face going like this. I'm like, I can't see you. Hannah Rivera. Hannah. No.
011Gosh. Okay. Josie Alonzo. Okay. I'm I'm taking the direction from these faces up here. Caroline Hatfield. Yes, that one. I [applause] know. Congratulations. Right, Caroline. Congratul [applause] Perry. Congratulations. [applause] All right, we got this. Congratulations. [applause] >> I know. I want to say Mariah. >> Is that right? >> Okay. Because I heard it wrong and I was like, "Oh, I'm irritated for you." [applause] >> Mariah Bisera. Oh my gosh, that was stressful. Congratulations. I mean, maybe not as much as winning, but [laughter] Maria [applause] >> Sophia Panel. No, Sophia. Okay. Congratulations to Sophia. Avery Sullivan. Oh, bummer. Avery. Okay. Isabelle Aman. No. Okay. Now for our coaches. Brian Faren. [applause] I think it's also uh important to note that coach Faren was also um labeled the coach of the year for uh class 2. So
012congratulations. That's awesome. Yes. [applause] Awesome. [clears throat] There you go. Thank you. And Clara Moldenhower also was player of the year. So, congratulations. Uh, Bucky Simpson. I don't think Mr. Simpson was able to make it. >> Justin Cobberlake. [applause] Yes. Congratulations. Yeah. Here we go. Congratulations. Thank you. [applause] And I and I don't think Riley Trestlo was able to make it this evening. No. Coach Trestlo. Okay. Congratulations to coach. Um and Gabby Grim. Was Gabby able to make it? Gabby? Nope. Zoe Mars. [applause] Congratulations. Yep. Here we go. Come on over here. [laughter] We're going to take a step. Where? Okay. right there. Did you get one? >> Or you don't want one? >> Okay, fine. [laughter] That's fine. Congratulations. [applause] >> I also wanted to recognize uh Rita Crawford who was the athletic trainer
013and a lot of times athletic trainers play a really big role in the success of teams and making sure that one we can get players back on the field healthy but also making sure we we keep them going. So we want to say congratulations. Also want to say congratulations to uh Greg Mullen's athletic director. So, congratulations. [applause] And I want to say thank you so much for joining us this evening. Congratulations. We're very proud of you and thank you for helping me out. And and uh just want to say thank you very much. Thank you. >> Congratulations. [applause] >> Yes. [applause] [applause] Can we get them all? >> Yes, we need to get all of you now for a picture. So, I'm what I'm trying to do is figure out the best possible place which
014might be here in front. So, if we can gather all of you kind of follow the arch of the tables. >> I think it might be good. >> Okay, move on down a little bit more. >> I [laughter] don't know. >> Coaches Okay, >> we'll have to stack a little bit of girls. >> Short [snorts] ones in the front. I'm sorry to say it that way. [snorts] Congratulations. [applause] >> Yes. >> As much as you would like to stay for the rest of the meeting, you can. However, if this is not if you have something you need to do, this would be the time to transition. >> Thank you guys for being here. >> Thank you. Thank you guys. Thank you parents for being here. Appreciate you. >> All righty. As they're transitioning out, we
015can start with um school board me. Um Mr. Richardson, you always get to be the lucky one. >> Well, you know, I want to just take a moment to reflect on how impressed I've been with the overall student body and I think it reflects itself in what we just uh had an opportunity to celebrate. um you know for me uh to share this you know deeply positive experience I've had while engaging with students at uh Nelson County Public Schools. Um I want to shine a light on something truly commendable happening in our schools. Um the outstanding character uh of our student body. I've been consistently impressed by their exceptional manners, respect, and compassion. It's rare and refreshing to see young people go out of their way to show such genuine courtesy and warmth to those
016they don't even know. Um, I've had enough interaction with >> within >> with children, you know, in this age group to know that u, you know, when you can get a 16-year-old to even give you a polite, [laughter] you know, that's sometimes, you know, a big thing. But um every time I've been in and among the school, students have gone out of their way to say hello, to greet you, to ask sometimes, do you know where you're going? [laughter] But uh I think it's a um it's important you know to shine this light because you know what these actions speak volumes to the environment that's being cultivated within the school system. >> [clears throat] >> And that that's uh something for the teachers, for the students individually themselves, for their parents, for the community to
017actually um truly take stock and I think it's worth bringing up today. >> Well said. Thank you, Dr. Rush. I was struck when I stood up there holding these an uh awards and looked out at three rows of what looked like little girls and then you realize, no, these are the same girls that were on that soccer field. They're fierce. They're competitive. They're confident. They're well trained. And it was just an honor to see that these are actually I hate to use the word sweet because they wouldn't appreciate that, but sweet young girls who really have stepped up. They're disciplined. They're well trained. and Nelson County should be so proud of their character as well as as the work that they did to get where they've got this soccer season. And thank you, >> Mr.
018Kennedy. Um my I had three kids that had a chance to participate in the Excel Academy at Ty River uh this past month and just wanted to give a shout out to Miss Vicky Maze and the really incredible work that she did there and um you know where the kids were convinced they were going to be bored and they weren't you know just you know as summer goes they're like but do I really have to go? I know that it's like I know you say it's going to be fun, but is it really? And they all had a great time and so I appreciate that and wanted to just say that that was a great thing. Challenging, you know, kids that you know perform well but can be challenged at a time where it's easy
019to just kind of get lost in summertime. >> So, I appreciated it. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mr. Perkins. >> Well, congratulations to the soccer team. Um, I followed him from afar because I'm a superstitious person. I And I was not about to go to a game and hadn't been to one. [laughter] So, I had I had to stay at stay at home and follow it like I've been doing all season. But, that was I mean, they showed grit. they were they had that determination that this was going to be the team that got over that hump and and made that championship possible. So, it was good to see that. Uh thanks to everybody that participated in the summer school, all the summer programs that we um that were going on or are going
020on and the teachers that took their time to to step up and and fill help the kids with these programs and do those things. Um we greatly appreciate our staff um from the top to the bottom and it's um an honor to sit here and represent such a great group of people and thank you for being here today. >> I want to follow up on that. >> Can I say one more thing? Oh, as I was walking into the meeting today, um, one of our public members asked me, we we were talking about the middle school and that I had a grandson who was in the sixth grade this past year and she said, "How was his experience?" I couldn't say enough. The I expected him to be eaten alive and it was the most
021positive, productive, comfortable, safe environment that I could have asked for. And kudos to the staff. middle schools are tough. Um, but this one has figured it out and thank you very much. >> Good. Thank you all for for your comments and all. Um, I'll keep it simple. I think go governors. Way to go to the soccer team. Um, that's historic for us in Nelson. We've got a handful of championships, state championships, and this is now one to add to that. So, you all said the rest of it so well. I'm to thank you. On to superintendent's comments. I just reiterate that uh it was a very exciting experience to go to and see the games in person. Um not only to see uh our team compete and they they saw adversity, it was hot and
022it was on a turf field. So you're battling the heat and it's stressful because it's um a level of competition they had not gotten to before and knew and were very aware of um what was on the line. But by then your competition, you know, we outscored most of our competitors throughout the school year, throughout the season by a great deal. And so sometimes when you come across great competition and you haven't seen it as much throughout the year, it's tough. And they had to beat a Glenn team twice within I think a week and a half time period and they were a tough tough team. But I think you talk about character and you know they seem sweet. They're competitors, but what I appreciated so much is at a time where tempers rose on
023the field, they kept their composure. Um the sportsmanship and they stayed focused. Uh and so I appreciate the sportsmanship that and and the calm, cool, collected nature of of coach Faren. Um because that really impacts the rest of the team. um you need fiery, you need spirited individuals that you get from your your athletes, but his calm nature really kind of kept them focused and I appreciate the overall effort and just the community support was phenomenal um from you know family, friends and community and citizens at the game but watching and then how they were received when they got back and I just appreciate that so much. Um you know we they're not the only team to be celebrated in terms of state championships. We're going to celebrate our FFA students um in August uh
024because of the level of performance that they have and um the the summer learning and whether it's Excel Academy um our other learning opportunities. We had COP camp that joined us for um a couple sessions. I think just being able to bring together and have those opportunities for all of our students is a a great thing because it helps address any kind of um continuity, but also it gives them something exciting to do. So, I appreciate the effort of our students, but also our bus drivers, our cafeteria workers, our IAS were helping, our teachers who were helping. We held it all at Tai River, so all levels. And so, it was really cool to be there in the cafeteria and you see high school kids, you see middle school kids and elementary and all the
025different teachers. And it was really neat because it there was there was something really special about having everybody be there. Uh and so that was a great experience to see and just um looking forward to um finishing out and working through the summer and planning for uh the 26 27th school year. So that's what we've trans transitioned into and and really getting ready for welcoming our new staff. Uh excited about them joining our team >> next year. Yes. Yeah. >> Y >> Okay. >> Thank you, Dr. Hester. Any questions for Dr. Hester before we go on to public comments? >> Okay. Just a reminder, we've got one person signed up for public comments. Um they're limited to three minutes. We ask you to come forward to the to the desk there. State your name, state
026your address, and then you have three minutes to speak. Thank you. And that first one's Mr. Snail. >> All right. Let's see. This thing is on No, >> I'm fine. You're fine. All right. I don't know. Y'all don't know me. I have worked with the school system for 18 years. And I just found out that y'all need to have somebody in the school to listen to the kids that they misbehaving that other than the teachers now cuz we losing too many teachers cuz they don't want to lo don't want to retire early and we need somebody because I did this when I listen sit down and listen to the kids when I was there and found out the problem. And before I left, I had 15 of them come back before I retired and tell
027me they went on because of me. They got good grades and went on got their college degrees. And then we need somebody that will listen to the kids other than the teachers and and sit down and talk to them. [clears throat] And if you want, I will do that volunteer, but it's up to y'all and everything. And another thing I have found out that I just don't understand why is the uh cones blocking off a far far ex where the fire trucks at Rockfish which could rep be by federal law from a h 100,000 to a half a million dollar fine if the right person comes in and That's all I got to say. >> Thank y'all. I'll see y'all. Y'all just let me know what you want to sign. >> Thank you, sir. >>
028But I I love my kids. I'm going to protect them any way they can >> cuz I got 44 kids and they got kids and I I'm going to protect any kids in there. I don't care who they are. >> Thank you, Mr. Snail. We appreciate it. >> Because I'm looking for the safety of them, not not nothing else. >> Yes, sir. And speaking of safety, we're going the next thing we've got Thank you, Mr. Snail. Next thing we're going to bring up is there Sheriff Embry and Dr. Hester. >> No, no other >> no other public comments. >> Um, so we're going to bring up our sheriff's department, Dr. Hester, to talk about the NCPS ncsou discussion. come up by the house. It's so loud and people are >> good evening. How are you
029doing? >> Doing well. How are you all? Thank you for the invitation to be here. >> Appreciate it. So, >> sure. Well, I I uh want to thank Sheriff Embry for being here. Um over the past, oh gosh, five, six months, we've been working conservatively to update theou that's between uh the school system and the sheriff's office. every two years we're required by law to update it. Um, so we wanted to take some time uh to be able to do so. So I appreciate the efforts over the last few months, several meetings that we've we've had to be able to discuss any items that we wanted to include and that's addition to um a great deal of time that we're able to spend communicating and meeting to discuss a wide variety of things whether it's
030situations taking place at the schools uh events within the community or at our schools. So, I just appreciate the willingness for a strong collaborative effort and a partnership and being able to to move forward and working through thisou. >> It's my pleasure. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um, as I understand it, you know, through some conversations that we've had um at the last schoolboard meeting, we presented uh an updated version of theou. Um, just as a reminder, we worked through not only with the sheriff's office, but with the schoolboard attorney to be able to make some of those updates. But um and um speaking with Sheriff Embry, I think um he had a couple things he wanted to be able to share um as well about the partnership. >> Absolutely. And again, thank you very
031much for the invitation to be here, Dr. Hester. It's a pleasure to work with you and um I'd like to begin by certainly thanking you all. We had uh you had mentioned cop camp and we have had an excellent year. Uh just taking the time real quick the use of the school grounds. We had a great active shooter training program that took place in April uh during spring break. Air our air department and other agencies or local agencies have completely bought into this uh cop camp. We had the most kids we've ever had this year uh during two two week sessions and we'll actually be having a float in the parade uh this this Saturday. So uh it it's absolutely wonderful and again Nelson Night Out will be a be probably the biggest we've had
032to date. Uh going back to theou I'd like to thank you. We had a great collaborative effort back in May at the retreat. Um our staff at the sheriff's office got together with uh with the with the school staff. We had great discussion uh coming together on on certain things that we've been working through for the last few years. No doubt that uh both of our our staffs are had an understanding we're going to have an absolute great school year this year working together on this. As a matter of fact, we've agreed we're going to do monthly meetings, Dr. Hester and myself uh beginning this school year uh each month to discuss whatever issues arise uh on on both fronts. So look certainly looking forward to that. As far as theou, yes, we have spent
033some time on uh on that and certainly working with the school board attorney. Um I will have theou signed prior to start of the school year. I can assure you of that and uh certainly look forward to the relationship uh again building the relationship uh that that we have and have put together. So, uh, it is a pleasure. Uh, the I I also wanted to commend the transportation department cop camp. We had kids spread throughout the county and they came through. So, uh, Mr. Ashley deserves a lot of credit on that and I I stay in touch with him on a routine basis. >> We really and I give everybody an opportunity to weigh in if they like, but we I personally really appreciate the relationship that [snorts] the school system and the sheriff's department
034have formed. you, we've talked about this over the over the years, really since you've been office, too, how important it is that we we work together. Um, and I am personally very appreciative and all the other things I think you're doing to integrate not just your department, but into our school system and to support our kids ultimately. That's what it's all about. >> And we just had uh Deputy Richardson uh just graduated from the DARE program. Deputy Richardson is assigned to Rockfish. So with that, we have three DARE uh we have three DARE officers that can teach that curriculum and we can certainly with deputy walls at the middle school. That's something we can discuss, but we can certainly teach that now at a certainly a sixth grade level. So something that we can decide,
035but this is it's uh it it's it's a new footprint for our agency. I'm very proud of that and what we've been able to achieve in a very short period of time. So >> that's great. Um comments or questions for Dr. Huster [snorts] or um Sheriff Emry in regards to theou and followup from the last meeting. >> Um I know that last meeting we had voted to approve. Um are you anticipating that at the August meeting there's going to be any additional like like um are you going to add anything to it in between now and then before it's signed by both parties? Well, I think a part of the conversation that's kind of come back after that is just, you know, when you haven't been involved in the process for the last six months,
036like you're not going to be completely aware of of all the nuances of it. And I think at the end of the day, I think it's important to note that um it further affirms our partnership with each other in the building. And you know, I think there's been a great deal of effort on behalf of the sheriff's office, whether it's through bikes and badges, Yes. um cop camp, Nelson Night Out, DARE, all of this is the positive relationships outside that also comes inside. And so it's just being able to work together and see them as a trusted adult. And so we value that partnership a great deal and getting just people to understand is um thisou serves as a as an affirmation of the partnership and you know acknowledging the roles and responsibilities of the
037sheriff through the SRO's and the offices, the roles and responsibilities of the school system. Um I think you know through many of these meetings there's been a lot of conversation just familiarizing each other with the roles and responsibilities and the legal responsibilities on both sides. And so really what thisou does is it stands to reaffirm the rights and responsibilities of of law enforcement, the rights and responsibilities of um the school board within the building and as it serves to our administrators and design. So in no way does it preclude the partnership or the roles that we play. It reaffirms the roles and relationships on both sides. And I think that that's an important distinction that if we feel like is necessary, putting out a joint message about that that affirmation of our roles, but also,
038you know, to clarify that it in no way takes away from anybody, it just reaffirms what we are um able to do with each other in that partnership. any >> I mean just voicing my support of everything you guys are doing and the SRO program and Nelson schools and you know I don't think there's any wavering in that kind of you know you know nearby counties there's political maneuvering going on where it's you know threatened in Charlottesville and stuff like that to pull SRS out of school and it becomes like a >> a punching bag >> after 5 years they now put SRS back >> putting them back Yeah. >> Yeah. Because they saw that that didn't work. >> No. >> And I can reaffirm I was at cop camp every day at the beginning,
039at the end, and we had a field trip uh each Thursday, but I watched the interaction of our children both at the middle school level and the um and the elementary school level with all of our SRO's and it was it was fab. You couldn't ask for a better relationship. You just you just couldn't you couldn't ask for anything any better. >> That's what we want. Mr. I just thank [snorts] you for both of you working so hard to make this this um collaboration work. And I will definitely reaffirm your comment about the SRO and the relationships they make with the kids at the schools. They don't just walk around looking big and tough and strong. They're they play pickball with them. there, you know, that we came out of the girls the last home
040soccer game and my six-year-old grandson ran [snorts] up to his to the SRO Rockfish and he asked the the SRO said, "Can I have that blue gator grade?" And Philip said, "No, I heard a jack out of it, but I'm going to bring you one the first day of school." And that's been a conversation all summer. So, these guy these guys are absolutely a part of these kids lives. >> Tremendous engagement again. and and I'll reiterate just the the the staff that was there on hand at summer school welcomed us into the building. It was phen had great conversations with the teachers, the staff, um tremendous. So we that that's something we look forward to every June. >> Thanks for your work. Just a quick comment to thank you uh Sheriff and Brick for being
041here and also to your efforts to u you know deepen the communication to further uh efforts to protect our children. >> Thank you at the end of the day. So I think um anything else you all want to share with us um in regards to theou we're good. Thank you >> everybody. I mean we good this time. Yeah, [laughter] >> I mean I thought we were good last time, but are we good? >> Yes. Yes, we we have had discussions with the school board attorney and moving forward and yes, we will have theou will be signed uh by myself prior to the start of the school year. >> I think if there's any addition and it's not an edit to anything that is there already, [snorts] it it's simply a statement um reaffirming the roles
042and responsibilities. Again, you know, if you're not working through this on a daily basis, you're not going to be able to recognize what what it is. But it it really if there's an additional statement, it would be to reaffirm um the communication expectations between the two um the rights and responsibilities of the schools investigating um situations of code of conduct violations. Even if some of those code of conduct violations are crimes, then that allows law enforcement to also conduct their own independent investigation of that um violation. So, it doesn't take away SRO's ability to investigate anything. It reaffirms that we have a role in investigating things. They have a role in investigating things. We communicate quite frequently on all types of code of conduct violations or potential perceived crimes. So I think it's just more
043like we said it's more of an affirmation than it is >> it's an affirmation and and this is a contract and and with contracts there's language. This is I have asked uh in speaking with Dr. Hester and with the schoolboard attorney to clarify more layman's terms language um and so forth >> that always can't be done with >> the way DCJS structures their thing. Correct. I mean it's not a the way DCJS structured that day structured so they're protected then we have to work in that protection to make what we want to do work you know it's a lot of like you said legal jargon that a lot of people don't understand if you're not in this work or you're not on the other side of it you don't understand what is being said >>
044and it's not taken away from anybody's ability to do their job >> and that is correct and and and we we are confident moving forward with this uh and having a signature that that both entities uh know our roles and responsibilities and functional assessments moving forward. So, >> the legal speak gets me too every now and again. >> I'm not going to lie. >> Yeah. You got you have to go back and >> dole into it sometimes and figure out exactly what it's saying. But >> for you to hear in person saying affirming your support of the work that's being done and the document that's being put forward, thank you. >> I do. Absolutely. >> Thank you. Um, I think thank you for that and I just want to reiterate how much we appreciate the
045continued partnership with your office. Whether it's leading the kids out to a state championship, whether it's yours, uh, we are extremely I am extremely appreciative and I think the board is of of that relationship. >> We're proud to do that for all of our athletes, sports teams, not just athletes, but any any program or any any event or student body within this program. We're very very proud of these those young ladies and all of our student athletes. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thanks for coming. >> Thank you all so much. Appreciate you. >> Thank you. Appreciate you. >> All righty. Dr. Hester, don't get comfortable. I got to switch something out real quick. >> Fiscal year 26 27 budget update. Okie dokie. You don't get to hide here, >> Shannon. Too fast. All right. So,
046let me um So, I got to do double duty here. Oh, that's not a good sound. Okay. So, all right. Wanted to um do we need a b uh a plugin? Okay. I was going to say I got an extra one. Uh, I wanted to take some time to be able to walk through a couple nuances of um our budget because tonight we have the anticipated approval of our 2627 budget, but I think sometimes it deserves a little kind of backing up again. Um, reminding ourselves what it is that we're committed to. You know, this is uh for Nelson County Public Schools. This is what we're committed to. um really keeping an eye on what our goals, what the the budget goals are and what the board goals are uh to to constantly bring us
047back to what our focus is because one of the things that we need to talk about a little bit because it gets really complicated and confusing. Um we say this all the time when we we welcome new board members or we work with our um veteran board members. It it's it's a constant reminder of what are these terms? How does this budget work? because I think it's important to note that when we talk about school budgets, it's not the same as a home budget. It doesn't work the same way. There's a lot of nuances of it. So, I think one of the things that we talk a lot about is we reference the local composite index, otherwise known as the LCI. And so, when we talk about the local composite index, this is just a
048simple definition of what it is. and it measures the localities, meaning Nelson County's ability or the perceived ability on behalf of the state to pay for education costs relative to other localities in the state. Okay? So, it is a comparative. So, um if our LCI goes up, that means somewhere else someone else is going down because it it measures out. Um what goes into the LCI is based off of property values, adjusted gross income, and taxable retail sales. There is a minimal component to that formula that includes enrollment, but to the degree that it impacts it a great deal, not nearly as much. So, as lower LCI indicates less local wealth and qualifies a division for more state funding, a higher LCI suggests that there is more concentrated wealth in that locality and that locality
049is expected to contribute a greater amount to of the education costs. So, what does that really mean when it comes to Nelson County? This is established every two years and it's incorporated into the bianium. We just started a new bianium. So back in November, we were notified of what Nelson County's L new LCI was going to be. The previous LCI was 6645. This current LCI is 7269, which is a significant increase to that overall LCI. It is the 13th highest LCI in Virginia. And that's out of 1332 school divisions. That is higher than Fairfax, Lowden or Prince William. So when we think about concentrated wealth in communities or cities and counties, typically people's minds don't go to Nelson County. They go to Fairfax, Lowden, Prince William. But this is what that index is saying. Um
050>> to to clarify this 7269 means that >> the state believes that Nelson County has the wealth to provide 70 almost 73% of the funding for the schools. So this is the state's formula for the locality to f to you know the money that they get. >> Comparatively speaking Ammerst is >> 34 >> it's like 33 or 34 >> 34. So that means >> something like that. Ammerst 34%. >> Yes. >> Okay. I just want to clarify that. >> Yes. And so when we take a look at a overall budget, that means our budget is going to be probably a large much larger percentage of a budget. Um the financial impact of this LCI increase for this current budget is about 1.165 uh million. Um this is including the enrollment factored into that. So before
051things ever got started, before the governor ever released his budget, before we ever started building, we were in um a 1.165 deficit. So what also goes into this? We get asked quite a bit um and that's the standards of quality. Again, this becomes very confusing. Um how do they how are they married together? Um the standards of quality or the SOQS are the minimum requirements established by the Virginia General Assembly that defines how what every public school must provide to ensure an adequate educational program. Um SOQ's outline requirements for the instructional programs, staffing ratios, facilities, and support services. Um they serve as the foundation for state funding for local school boards. And so why is that important? Well, SOQ's impact staffing but are also part of a calculation of the cost of living adjustment. So,
052the statef funded cola or cost of living adjustment is provided only for SOQ positions. It isn't the Oprah Winfrey show where you get a raise and you get a raise and you get a raise and everybody gets a raise. When the state says that that teachers get a certain percentage raise, they're talking about SOQ positions, whatever those are established, take that those SOQ positions and apply the LCI to that amount. So, we don't even get all of what the state is funding us because they take the LCI amount. So, the great question about Amherst, Amherst is going to get a greater percentage from the state because their LCI is lower for the SOQ positions. So, a lot of letters, a lot of references, but it's key, it's it's key to focus on um there are
053established SOQ positions. Um I I will say that almost all Virginia school division staff over simply because I know of one that staffs at the SOQ positions and that's Highland. Um I think it has 250 kids. So pretty much everyone else in order to meet the needs of its students, its staff, its schools and community, they staff above the SOQ positions. Modern-day education, it is in incredibly difficult to provide the an excellent adequate education for for sizes above and beyond that. So um again, so when you hear a raise for all teachers, that is not accurate. It is the general assembly is really meaning the SOQ positions. Approximately 53% of our full-time staff are SOQ. That means everybody else is not. And then of that 53% we're only going to get money from the states
054of about 27.3 of it. So that means that for us to provide those cost of living adjustments, we do rely on our locality to be able to help with that or any other funding. Okay, does that make sense everybody? Okay, great. So timeline of our budget build, um like I said, November 2025. I want to say it was November 17th, but we'll say November 2025 is when the local composite index data was released. We started communicating that. I've had some conversations with M. McGary about uh the impact of um the local composite index as well of of with um local representatives um Miss Lawer uh immediately upon that release was texting saying we're going to try to work on this. We're going to try to fight for Nelson County. Unfortunately, um in in those those
055committees and those conferences, um Nelson didn't and and the three other uh divisions in the state that were fighting for hold harmless money didn't get it. Um December is when Governor Yncan proposed and um submitted his uh budget. So that's really when we have a a little bit better of an understanding of what the budget season is going to look like. So on February 5th, we provided our initial presentation of the superintendent's budget. Um February 19th, we had a budget work session. Um March 12th, school board approved and adopted the Nelson County School Board requested operational budget. And at that time, the amount was 34,976. I think it's important to note that not only do you work with the governor's budget, but you're also working with the House budget and the Senate budget, which were
056at that time about a billion dollars off or a gross amount of differences between the two budgets. So when we plan for our budgets, we have to try to think through what do we think is going to be agreed upon. Um and as we saw a couple days ago, um I think the House had a 2% budget, the Senate had a 3% and out of nowhere the generally general assembly agreed to a 4%. So it it makes it a little difficult to plan for, but this is what we were building our budget off of. Um at that time it was for um just under $35 million for the fiscal year requiring a C county contribution of 22,774,480 in addition to the 164,935 that's annually allocated for the nursing program. Um this requested also this request
057also included 600,000 for buses. Um on May 12th the board of supervisors held their public hearing. March 18th um board of supervisors voted to include additional funding of 1.6 6 million for the school division in the general fund budget. Um with that money, it was determined that 835,65 were to transfer to the school fund operational budget aspect. 164,935 to be transferred for school nursing and 600,000 to transfer for school buses. Um so at this time this created a funding shortfall of about 936,675. I think it's important to note at that time because we were operating and looking at the governor budget, the house budget, and the senate budget. So, we do the best we can to anticipate what those potential costs could be. Um, on April 2nd, the school board participated in a budget exercise
058to identify areas to consider cutting to address the budget shortfall. that exercise had been done at each of the school locations with advisory groups um just to be able to to bring home the fact that we are aware and knew that we were going to be in a budget shortfall that we needed to begin to identify if this is the funding that we have where are we going to need to make these cuts and I think it's important to note we've been working on that for for a few months May 7th school board approved making a request from the board of supervisors to place all turnback funds um at the end of each year we turn back our funds that are in excess. Um, and in many instances, those excesses are created out of um,
059we were on the tail end of a lot of the federal ESSER uh, funds and grants along with other grants. And so, we work really hard to move through the grants, the federal funding, the state funding before we get to local funding. So, we requested the turnback funds into a capital improvement fund to be used by NCPS for necessary projects. That request was submitted to the county administrator on May 12th. Um June 9th, board of supervisors approved the county budget maintaining the appropriation of 1.6 additional money to the school board. June 11th, the school board meeting uh discussion of the funding gap and June 22nd, general assembly approved a budget and submitted to the governor for approval. So that's when we became aware of the 4%. Up until that we were not aware of a
0604% um uh cost of living adjustment. Um June 25th, Nelson County School Board submitted a letter to Nelson County Board of Supervisors requesting the consideration of additional funding with the recognition that this gap group the necessary funding to be able to provide for the requested budget that gap group. Um June 29th, Governor Spanberger approved the state budget and here we are today with an anticipated uh approval of um the school board budget because tomorrow is July 1 and we are required to do so. Um, so I think it's important to remember 80% of the budget, if not a little bit more, is connected to people primarily through compensation. We are a peopledriven industry, not only through um the employees, but through who we serve. Um, these are the individuals that we have working with our
061most precious resource in Nelson County, and that is our children. And with the current approved state budget, the NCPS budget shortfall is a little over $1.5 million. This is in addition to the $1.6 million from the board of supervisors. A question we get asked is if we provided 1.6 million in addition, where did it go? The $835,000 didn't even touch to offset the LCI gap that we had. So, we are incredibly thankful for that appropriation of money. But when we take a look at the impact of the LCI, the 835 plus the 164 doesn't even that it doesn't touch it. It doesn't offset it. >> Not even level. >> Doesn't get it really doesn't get that close to it. Um so while we appreciate that that that's a difficult gap to make up. Um, again,
062in our request, not really asking for much more additional other than a cost of living adjustment, the offsetting of the health insurance increase, um, some money for, uh, middle school, uh, additional middle school sports, not all middle school, additional middle school sports, and, uh, reviving the VPI program. Um, and so I think it's important that with the appropriated money from the board of supervisors, this would require the school board to eliminate current vacant positions. So, no one's specifically losing a job that they currently have. have it is we are not filling positions that we will fill the impact of that. So three teaching positions, a high school, middle school and rockfish and then two custodial positions. Um NCPS would not be able to support any cost of living adjustment or health insurance increase for its
063employees. Um, so when we talk about the allocation of additional funds, it didn't even touch the uh LCI that then it's really not going to be able to address address any kind of additional funds for the current staff. Um, so this would require us eliminating several other programs and items to be able to make the budget. So the most significant contributor to the budget shortfall is created by the LCI. Um, an additional, you know, we kind of work through things. An additional $931,610.90 could allow NCPS to provide the cost of living adjustment for all of its staff and support the health insurance increases. Um the the critical need and the shortage here is not only without a cost of living would our staff not be making those increases to stay competitive and to stay up
064with the cost of inflation but also with the cost of health insurance increases they're taking home less money than what they earned than what they were taking home last year. So I think that that is a very critical thing to point out. um and all staff levels. Um this would still require us, even with an additional 900, still require us to cut staffing and to cut other programs. Um I think that's important to note. This would not just allow us to get every single thing. We're still cutting and cutting deep, but this would at least allow us to be able to provide some opportunities for our our employees. In summary, um, in congruence with the amount of funds appropriated, this really just outlines the recommendations for approval of the 2627 Nelson County Public School regular
065operating budget. And that is what we are requesting um for this evening. Um, you know, again, I think it's just important, you know, this shortfall started before we ever built the budget. um we have a lot of increases in costs that are through no fault of our own or or anything. The cost of energy, the cost of business is going up um not only for us but for everyone. And so that then um flows into the cost of operating for our our employees. For them, you know, for us to get the high quality um employees in every um area, in every school, in every building, we have to make sure that we can attract them. and by we do so by staying competitive. Um we compete with Albamar and Charlottesville that is now considered a
066part of competing with Northern Virginia. Um I think sometimes we don't always understand that. Um and I think sometimes you know we also compete with Amherst, Buckingham, Appamatics, Campbell, Lynchburg. So we try to keep an eye on all areas and boundaries to see who we're competing with and how to stay that close to it. Okay. Any questions that I might be able to help with or that we have our uh fine >> assistant superintendent to be able to Is there any slide that you would like for me to show you? Again, >> I would like to say thank you. You have worked so hard to get to this point and talked with so many people and had so many conversations with so many different agencies in the state and and locally and um to have
067come up with a way to not solve our budget problem but not to shortch change our staff is commendable to say the least. And in terms of short changing our staff, I've worked in a lot of school systems at a lot of different in a lot of different roles. Nelson County is extraordinary. And I'll be honest, I was surprised when I first began to pay attention to the school system here. It is extraordinary. And it's because we have extraordinary staff. And that extraordinary we and we also are living in a world of a na huge national teacher shortage. they're just not making more. And quite frankly, a lot of the ones that come out of school aren't ready still to face what they face once they get into the schools. What we're being asked to
068educate now is a completely different look than the students we were educating 10 years ago. Um, so to to to short change our staff would be a disaster. I think they would find other places to work. they would spend the year um feeling under appreciated isn't even the word. Appreciation is not strong enough for what these teachers we have two student two two schools of distinction and two schools that are just points away from that and it's because of the work that our staff has done. So, anything that we can do which you can figure it out to get this cost of living and and insurance um premium lower I'm 100% for to ask our teachers this year to work for less to take home less than they made last year. I don't think there's
069anything anybody else in the county that's being asked to do that. I maybe I'm wrong, but I don't know that there are any other county employees that are that are being asked to do that. And I can't imagine that there's a consciousness that would allow us to ask our teachers to do that. I'll stop or I could go on forever. >> Well, and I appreciate I do want to add we continue to advocate and um to our legislators. We, you know, um most recently to Senator Deetsz. Um I communicate with um delegate law for Delegate Griffin. I mean, we we continue to advocate um you know, when when you're a a small resort community like Nelson trying to compete for the attention of some bigger um locality, sometimes it's different, but we'll continue to keep
070advocating and be being um active in that role. Um and and and do so uh because our our kids deserve it, but our adults deserve it as well. Um we work to try to build a better Nelson and a better community. Um, and we start at the younger ages and we work to try to build up and and we feel like we provide a great service. Um, and we continue to keep working on on developing and being better. But I think we we um have a very strong return on investment. And I think sometimes we get caught up in looking at costs and we forget to look at it as an investment. And this is a lifetime investment. You know, when we talk about the education of people, you can't take that away from them.
071Much like the state championship, you can't take that away from them. can't take their education away. Um, so we're trying to work with our students to educate them and build them uh to a place where they can be successful on whatever pathways they have to their own success. >> Not to kind of bring on the parade, but I think that what I talked about is that we're >> not able to do the cost of living at >> the current appropriations. No, not only will we not be able to do a cost of living, we will have to cut um a great deal of current vacant positions as well as not fill things and remove other programs and initiatives. Correct. I think the challenge is the we get frustration from segments of our community and our
072our partners sometimes in the budgets that we ask for. And when we showed our budget this year, I think there was still some frustration like I can't believe the school system is asking for this. What I don't think is totally understood is that we started this year 1.1 million in the whole. We didn't do anything. And the thought from the state was based on that LCI that the community that we live in had the capability to pay that. Now that's not you know the people in our community that's not their fault. You know they don't make the decisions. They don't set the pricing of land all of that. I understand that. But we started 1.1 million the whole and I had someone ask me recently of the 835,000. So the the county gave us an
073additional 1.6 which we're appreciative of. Of that 1.6 6 600 was allocated to buses, >> 64,94,000 for the nursing programs. That left us about 835,000 in addition to the funding that they gave last year from the county. Now, if you take away the 1.1 million from that, that still leaves us in a deficit of $330,000. So even if we do an additional ask of 930, it's truly at the end net net only 600 over what that budget would have been last year. And when you look at the percent increases of budgets, that's much of nothing on a $34 million budget. Much of nothing. So I think it's really important for people to understand that we are working very hard to be diligent stewards of the money that our community provides into our system. It is
074not our fault. It is not our community citizens fault that that we're 1.1 million in the hole when we start. We want to we want to honor our teachers. We want to honor our students. We want to do everything that we can. We're not revenue producing. And again, we're getting nailed on this LCI. Number 13 in the state with what the state is saying our local ability to pay is is astronomical for a community like us. When you look at over 50% of our students in our school are socioeconomically disadvantaged. It's a very it's a dichotomy there that just doesn't make sense. And our kids have services and needs that require us then to provide those service and needs that oh by the way we need money for. So it's you know it's it's truly
075it's a perfect storm in a bad way to be honest. Um, so you know, I I I hope we made a request to ask if there's any way for the any additional funding and I, you know, we hate to keep going to the county, but the state is saying the county can do it, you know, and that's that's not us. We didn't make and we can't enroll, we can't raise our enrollment enough bringing more kids. One of the other things >> I think it would have been 2,000. I think we would have had to have increased our student population by two and a half% or yeah, two no two and a half times in order to offset the LCI increase. we wouldn't be able to house them >> and we don't have we don't have
076housing. We don't have families moving into the count. I mean, we we can't enroll kids enough to get us out of the LCI issue that we currently have. Now, one of the things that we sadly jokingly said is we're going to max out. We're going to max out on the LCI point8 if we're not careful. I mean, if you look at current assessments, current purchase prices for land, that's all going to go into factor in two years when we get new LCI numbers and we're going to max out and we're going to know every year where we're going to be. And at that max out, I'm betting we'll be in well within the top 10, if not the top five. Yeah, I think it's um we're 13th and I think another four people are below
07708 in between where we are in 08 and the rest are at >> and that includes like Bath County like that. I mean when we put things into perspective, Bath County is at believe at point8. >> Yeah. All the while the majority of our students I mean the majority over 50% are socioeconomically disadvantaged. >> Yes. >> I would encourage all of us to contact our poor counterparts. active. >> This is our time if we've got other comments or anything we want to say or questions to Dr. Hester and good advice from Mr. Kennedy. >> I have a question. When we when we don't fill those positions at the middle school and high school in Rockfish, are we going to increase class sizes? Are we going to delete course offerings? We always monitor enrollments in courses
078and course offerings just to make sure that we aren't wasteful in what we're offering. Um but yes, to answer your question, when you eliminate sections or um teachers, you you you then have to divide those students into a fewer number. And so yes, the c the class sizes will increase. And that has been something for many years that the school board has prioritized is keeping low class sizes. Um so that's something that we will you know need to come to terms with um in terms of the increasing class sizes with the increasing needs of students. >> We sat here >> what was it two three years ago or maybe longer and had to because we used to run two bus routes. One with the little kids and then one with the high school and middle
079school kids. And um we had to make that decision to cut and go back to you know putting them all together and um you know that ain't good. But we've been fortunate and um that we that action not that it's the best course but it work it has worked out for you know as some of the stuff that we as a board has you know cut over the years or positions that we haven't filled over the year. You know, every year it seems like we're asked asked to do more with less and that's just not fair to our staff. Um the community needs to understand there are two boards. There's a funding board and then there's us. And you know, a lot of people don't understand politics. They don't understand local government. They don't understand.
080We we try to work together with the board of supervisors to to do things, but they are the financial end of it. We don't we don't purchase land. We don't we don't do those things as a school board. You know, we don't do that. And some people in the community don't understand, you know, our role. So, you know, sometimes when they point the finger and say, "Y'all just bought It was nuts. But you know, people, you know, just the not understanding part of local government and just government in general. People spout off on different platforms about, you know, we're doing this and we're doing that. But it's not, we don't buy anything. We ask and we try to ask for what we need. We I've said it time and time again. We're we do the
081best with what they give us. It sometimes hurts to get to that point, but this year, if you've never experienced it, getting a raise and losing money in your paycheck, that's a horrible feeling. That is absolutely horrible when you because at the end of the year when tax time come, you're taxed on that at that that amount, but you brought home less money all year long because of your insurance. So, um just the it's just >> disheartening to me, >> but recognizing that you know the ship's going to keep sailing, too. And so appreciate the the hard work that you and the staff are doing and all the teachers as they you know get ready for the school year that >> um you know we're going to advocate as much as we can but you
082know school year is still coming and I just want to express my appreciation for those people even more so and recognizing that um we're not deaf to the challenge that this is. No, and I and I appreciate that and as a part of the conversations that we have um with staff as much as we can is um you all listen, you support and I think it is worthy to note that you know the board of supervisors don't fund at a bare minimum. You know I think sometimes it's you know when you're not getting the request it's easy to get to feel that frustration. Um because we know that we request at what we believe is a budget of success and a budget of need. Um so I think it's important to note that you know
083in Nelson it isn't the bare minimum. they aren't they aren't not doing that. But I think, you know, it is incumbent upon us to continue to request um what we need to be successful and to serve our students, our staff, and our community. Um so I think, you know, I think about it and and it's all of us in this together. Um we're serving a greater good. We're serving the needs of our entire community and continuing to work moving together. Um I think is important and that and that is not a one-time thing. It is over the course of an entire year. It's in the course of over months and months and months to be dedicated to that. And I think it's important to note >> it's also important to note that the evidence is
084overwhelming that small class sizes make a huge difference. Um, and it's also probably important to note that our test scores have continued to rise over the past several years and we can't ignore the fact that small class sizes likely had a lot to do with that. Um, and you mentioned morale to to if we're if if we're going to not be hiring staff and we're going to be which we'll figure out how to deal with the students. It won't be ideal, but in the small class size will probably be the first hit, but we're going to put more students in a I'm making this up a second grade classroom. And we're also asking that second grade teacher to do her work this coming year for less than she did it last year with fewer students.
085I just >> with more students in the >> I mean more students. I can't sleep. I mean I can't we've got >> and it costs more to drive and it costs more to put food on your table. >> And we are fortunate enough to be able to hire teachers who want to come to Nelson County because it's a great system to work in. But they're and at the moment they're willing to make the drive from Amherst or wherever, but they won't be for long if we can't continue to to let them know that what they're doing is is a really great job. >> So, thank you for your >> Yeah. Good work. >> Any other Does anybody have any other comments? >> No, no, no. Not you. >> No, I'm I'm good. And >> I
086think no matter what, we have to approve a budget tonight. July 1 is tomorrow and so we have to approve the one that we presented. I think Mr. Kennedy makes a good point to continue to reach out and talk to your, you know, your partners on the board of supervisors to see if there's an opportunity there. Um, but at this moment, we do have to approve a budget for the evening. And that's going to be in um in our items for action, one of the the couple items for action. Unless there are any other comments or questions of Dr. Hester. Um we know this is not easy for you all. We know it's not easy for the people who are sitting here listening, the people at home who are listening. There is a direct impact
087on your life, um on your livelihood, so to speak. But um you've got a commitment from us as a board to continue to do what we need to do and we thank you for all the hard work and lots of nights. This has been an especially brutal um budget. They're all bad and I feel like every year we say that one was bad. You can't get worse than that and it's like hold my you know what here we are. >> Um but thank you. >> I would ask if you can indulge me I want to say thank you very much to Shannon Irvin. Um this is uh her last budget that she has worked on. um she is retiring and want to say uh not only on this budget has worked a great deal and
088time and effort and I would say you know sometimes the when you pull the curtain back people don't see the emotion that goes into making these decisions and the the time that goes into it is so great and you just don't see it and so I just say thank you so much for everything that you put into it. Um 37 48 I don't know how many years has it been. >> You think >> that's that's just [laughter] that's just this that's just since January. Um so I just want to say am I losing my voice? I just want to say thank you so much. Um it doesn't go unnoticed. It's hard the um the trauma that comes from it. Um, but the emotion knowing that every decision that's made when it comes to this and
089who it impacts and it's our children, it's our it's our staff members who are here. Um, it's our community and um I appreciate it greatly and I know it's it's a lot. It's been a lot this the last three years, but particularly the last year has just been um a tremendous uh battle. And so, thank you so much for all that you do. I um I greatly appreciate it and you will be missed a great deal. Well, not immediately, but um because you're still here, but I just want to say thank you very much. >> Yes. Thank you. [applause] >> We call Shannon Yoda because she knows she's been the backbone of the system for many, many, many, many years, many superintendents. The one consistency for a long time in this system has been Shannon
090Urban. And so we call her Yoda, and we mean it. Um, but we're not going to let her slide away too quietly into the night. She doesn't know that, but we're not. Um, okay guys, we're on to items for action. At this point, we do have to adopt um the fiscal year 2627 general operating budget. And baring any discussion, I would like a motion to approve that budget, please. in congruence with the amount of funds appropriated by the Nelson County Board of Supervisors of an additional 1.6 million incorporating $835,65 transfer to school fund operational 164,935 transfer to school nursing and 600,000 transfer to school buses. the Nelson County School Board. A motion to a motion to approve of the following to approve the 2026 2027 Nelson County Public School regular operating budget in the amount
091of $33,721,376 comprised of funding in the amount of $21,518,914 from the county of Nelson which includes recurring funding of [snorts] $164,935 for school nurses and $600 $1,000 for the purchase of four school buses. 2,351,990 from the federal government, $6,333,242 from the state, $2,548,76 anticipated from sales tax revenue, and $969,154 from other sources. Um, a motion to approve the appropriated fund balance in the textbook fund in the amount of 241,85 and move to approve the appropriated fund balance in the school cafeteria fund in the amount of $537,411. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> We'll do a roll call vote. Dr. Hester, Mr. Richardson, do you approve? >> Yes, sir. >> Yay. [clears throat] Dr. Rush, >> I Mr. Kennedy, >> yay. >> Mr. Perkins, >> yes. >> And Miss Motion passes 5 to
092zero. We have an approved budget for the Nelson County School Board budget for the FY 2026 2027 school year. >> Not that. Thank you. That was hard. Yeah. Okay. Okay, the next item for action we have is authority to offer employment contracts to qualified individuals during the summer. If I can have a motion to give the HR department of superintendent consent the ability to offer employment contracts to new staff over the summer. >> I make the motion that we can give the superintendent that authority. >> May I have a second? >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Anyone opposed? Anyone abstain? Okay, we need a motion to go into close session for the purpose of discussing personnel matters. You will find that in You go, Dr. Rush. I can have a motion
093to go into close session. Is that all of it right there? >> Yes. >> I move that the Nelson County School Board School Board enter into close session for the purpose of discussing personnel matters including employment assignments, appointments, performance, and resignations or retirements in accordance with section 2.2-3711 2-371181 of the code of Virginia. >> We have a second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Anyone opposed? Anyone abstain? We're now in close session. [music] Heat. Heat. N. [music]