001Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat up here. Heat up here. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat up here. Heat. 2025 and my last one. Um, do you order? >> Yeah. >> And and would the command ladies please lead us in the pledge of allegiance? I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Um, I'll entertain a motion to approve the agenda. >> I move that we approve the agenda. >> A second. All in favor? >> I That is approved. Um so having approved that agenda, we're going to adjust the second part of it just a little bit so that our uh ensemble can prep a little bit. Um and
002we will proceed with the one Nelson Awards. >> All right. >> Thank you very much. Um who is my uh winner tonight? >> Okay. All right. Wow. this like we put this way back. All right, that's probably a good thing. All right, so uh for those of you who don't know about one Nelson Awards, um this was an award that was established to really celebrate and highlight the necessity and understanding that it takes everybody particularly in a community to help um allow our students the success and platforms that they need. And um we celebrate four different categories. We have a student category. We have a community member category. We have two different staff categories. One is a classified staff and one is a certified staff. So, what we like to do is we like to
003um we have a survey that's available to anybody to fill out and they can nominate individuals and then we we go through and we're able to select. So, just because you've nominated someone thus far and they haven't won, they're still eligible for the whole year. So, um I know I've gotten that question a couple times. And so, this is wonderful because it comes from outside nominations and people um really put a lot of thought and consideration into this and we really appreciate um the time that people put into this, but that's not to say that we have a ton of people who go out of the way on a daily basis to try to support our schools and and they may not get nominated, but that doesn't mean that their efforts are not appreciated. So
004the first category and the first individual that I would write like to recognize this evening is Joshua Dunovan. So Joshua, will you please come up here? Congratulations. You can come all the way on up here. Um so what I'm going to do is as you stand here, I know it's a little awkward you got everybody looking at you, but we're all friends here and we all want the best for you, so it'll be okay. And I'm going to read u what was um shared about you in your nomination form. So, if you bear with me, I will read it. Joshua participated in the F feet meet held at NCHS on November 12th, 2025 as a volunteer. Once he learned of this event, he requested to participate. He managed one of the stations in the Olympic
005Village. Josh encouraged the athletes, cheered for them throughout the day, and had positive interactions with adults that he encountered. Josh helped the younger athletes by getting down on their level. His determination to help and his involvement throughout the day's activities was a bright light in the event. We are proud of Josh for his input and taking the opportunity to be part of this event. And I've also gotten feedback since then about how great you did in working with the kids and you were so positive and the kids really interacted with you very very well and the adults as well. So we've appreciate your efforts with that. Um it's not a small thing. it doesn't go unnoticed and you were a really bright part of that day for a lot of kids. And those of you
006who don't know what the feet meet is, it is in combination with Special Olympics. So, it's a wonderful opportunity for some of our um adaptive um students and our special ed students who are able to have access to some of the competition but inclusive nature along with being able to work with their peers. And so we had high school volunteers, middle school volunteers all throughout and Josh was one who ran one of the stations. So we appreciate it. So congratulations. We're going to step over to the side real quick and we're going to this these two lovely people are going to well and and your family are going to take some pictures. So this isn't supposed to be torturous. This is supposed to be a good thing. So congratulations. And also here you get to
007hold that. And what you also get, you know, for your hot cocoa that will come in handy soon is a mug. So here you go. Yeah. Well, we appreciate you very, very much. And I'm probably going to end up breaking it before anything happens. So there you go. All right, buddy. Thank you very much. Our next uh one Nelson Award winner is Miss Florence Hernandez. >> Congratulations. All right, you get to do the same thing. Okay. >> All right. So, recently we experienced a week of uh week full of activities that were significantly impacted by the bad weather. Our district band competition was scheduled for Saturday, but was rescheduled for a later date. Our oneact play govs were scheduled to perform on a Friday but were rescheduled to perform Saturday out of town. Band boosters
008had organized food for our band students but recognized that our one act play goes were now in need of dinner. Florence graciously and thoughtfully worked with Max Kitchen to ensure our theater students would have something to eat while away from home getting ready to perform. She took care of organizing this meal and making sure our govs were taken care of. We appreciate Florence and her family's gesture of giving support our student and adults who were supervising. This is a great example of the one Nelson award and spirit. So we appreciate you greatly. Thank you so much for doing that and going out of your way. I know it was a last second um effort that required a lot of organization. So >> thank you for delivering. >> No. Hey, that was that was the easy
009part was being able to deliver and it was really hard to be able to eat that, too. >> So that was tough. Someone had to. But but thank you so much. So again, we're going to have this nice lady. >> Uh come take half a step. There you go. All right. >> Perfect. Congratulations. Let me get you your mug. Hold on. Yes. We're going to leave her out of it. >> All right. Our next category is for our classified staff. So it was Miss H Miss Kathy Callahan. Please join me. You got the spirit. You got the holiday spirit. Okay, there you go. Kathy is always willing to help with extra activities, even the ones that others don't necessarily want to do. She recently worked in the kitchen for the Bluegrass Festival, monitoring, cleaning, and
010helping from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. That's a long day. >> She also helps each year with summer feeding. She maintains excellent attendance and consistently arrives on time. She is a true asset to the school nutrition department. And I can attest that when times when I go in and I visit at Tai River, um, Miss Kathy is diligently away working, um, sometimes I become a distraction and she's just lets me go do my thing and she gets back to getting ready to take care of all the meals. So, we want to say thank you so much. We appreciate you. Miss Roinger is going to take your picture. >> All right, give me let me get your mug. There you go. Thank you so much. appreciate you. >> All right, last but not least, um this
011next individual, Jack Dolan, um he is our certified staff recipient. He was not able to make it this evening. Um as we've just talked about, we've today was the only day we were able to get into schools um this week and there's been um the rescheduling of games and and other events constantly. So, this evening is the available evening for them to be able to hold a game and so that's where he is. Uh but I will go ahead and read uh the nomination. Mr. Dolan is the SPED department chair and has worked tirelessly to lead his team through the challenges and successes in the educational setting. Jack also coaches football, basketball, and softball. Recently, he volunteered to be the MC for the feet meet held at the high school in November. His support was
012an integral part of the event success. He made an immense impact on student success on and off the field. Jack is always willing to give his time to support other staff, students, the community, and his school. He is greatly appreciated. So, we want to give a round of applause for Mr. Dolan. >> Do you want to get them now? >> Well, I mean, if they're ready. Are you ready? Okay. You guys good? We're gonna What do we need to say? So, we have invited an ensemble of our band um members from the high school, and I'm going to jump right in front of you in order to one, we always like to highlight some things that our kids do, but we figured since this is a a December meeting, um they've just come off of
013several performances for the uh for the winter and the holiday time. So, we thought what a great time to be able to to kind of show off some skills and ability of our students and our band director. This is uh Mr. Robert Meeks. Um, so we wanted to take an opportunity to be able to highlight um, our kids. So, take a moment, get to your right spot, your right page. >> Like I said before, we're all friends here. >> And you wanted about a half hour's worth of music. >> Oh, I was thinking an hour. >> Maybe an hour. Yeah, something like that. Yeah. >> Anywhere else to be, right? Yeah. >> We don't have school tomorrow, so we're good. >> Thank you all for uh for having us. Thank you, Dr. Hester. And again,
014thank you everyone for for having u members of the um NCHS concert band, uh marching band, jazz band, uh various ensembles. This is quite a talented group. Uh we're going to start off with a little bit of O tannon bomb or as you may know, O Christmas tree. Okay, are you ready? >> One, two, three. One, two. Heat. Heat. Nice. Before you go to the next song, we have >> um uh your uh ensemble introduce themselves. >> Yeah. >> I'm Caroline. I'm in 10th grade and I play clarinet. >> I'm in ninth grade and I play. >> My name is Aaliyah. I play two books clearly and I'm in 10th grade. >> I'm Corbin. I play trombone and I'm in ninth grade. >> Nice. And we'll uh go ahead and leave you with we wish
015you a merry Christmas, which we indeed do as well. Okay. So, we wish you a merry Christmas. Check your key signatures. Got it. We give you three and two. >> Oh, Tony is here. Okay. >> Uh >> oh. Let him come in. >> Come on in, Tony. >> Come on, Tony. >> Nope. >> He's not wearing concerts. >> Oh, he's just going to go ahead and outdress us all. Come on in. Come on in. >> Uh, ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Anthony Giaon Sprry, a senior member of the marching band section leader. He's just coming from auditions. In fact, a lot of um, a lot of you almost what three4s of you are coming from musical auditions. Um, we're doing Greece this year. Um, so we um, as you guys know, our students are involved in
016a lot of um, different activities. All right. I got you right here. You do? Yeah. I got you right here. >> Not usually this late. >> Okay. All right. >> Thank you very much. >> All right. Wish you a merry Christmas. Ready to go. All right. I'll give you three and two. One, two, three. One, two. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Uh we do all sorts of events uh march band concert jazz band mitzvah uh birthdays all sorts of holiday celebrations. just give me a call if you need uh any of us at any of your upcoming um niec's birthdays. So, thank you again, Dr. Chester, and um all of you for having us. >> Thank you guys. >> Thank you, Mr. >> Wait, the holiday season. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you, guys. Oh, well,
017there you go. breaking off. >> That's Hey, that's what I'm here for. >> Start tearing it up. >> So, I'm I'm going to step in on the next part because our chair is going to be leaving us along with two other board members in the coming year. And so, we want to make sure that we take an opportunity to recognize each of them for all that they have done. So, as a part of that, thank you to Shannon that put this together. Um, Mr. Perkins and I would like to read a resolution in recognition of our departing school board members for their service. So this is a resolution in recognition of departing schoolboard members for their service to the Nelson County School Board. Whereas >> do me a favor, can I interrupt you? Can you
018go stand over by the one Nelson? >> Make you face them. So whereas the Nelson County School Board relies on the dedication, leadership, and thoughtful governance of its elected members to provide highquality educational opportunities for all students. And whereas departing school board members Margaret Claire, Janet Turner Giles, and George Chief have faithfully served the students, families, staff, and community of Nelson County with integrity, vision, and commitment. And whereas during their tenure, these members have contributed countless hours, countless hours to meetings, committee work, school events, and community engagement, consistently putting the needs of students, as well as the support of staff, and the improvement of public education at the forefront of their decision-making. And whereas their leadership has supported initiatives that strengthen academic achievement, enhance school facilities, whereas less, promote student well-being, and uphold the mission
019of Nelson County Public Schools. And whereas the board and the community have benefited greatly from their collaboration, dedication, and willingness to serve in a role that demands accountability, empathy, transparency, and stewardship of public trust. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Nelson County School Board hereby expresses its deepest appreciation to Margaret Claire, to Janet Turner Giles, and to Mr. George Chief for their exemplary service, leadership, and contributions to the advancement of education in Nelson County. And be it further resolved that the Nelson County School Board extends its best wishes to each of them for continued success and for fulfillment in all future endeavors and acknowledges the lasting impact their work will have on the students and schools of Nelson County. And be it finally resolved that this resolution be entered into the official record of
020the Nelson County School Board and presented to these departing members as a token of gratitude from the board from the community it serves. So, I'm not going to let him know, but we do Mr. Perkins and I did want to and I'm going to ask some celebrity to please come up >> and and I think it would be good if you all come if you don't mind. >> Oh, what? >> Because we have some things to to give you. >> Well, yeah. Shockingly, >> we can have not. >> So, we can have you come to the front. One of the things that Mr. Perkins and I really wanted to do was to leave you with something from us specifically, but something that ties back to you. So, we reached out to to Virginia. And if
021you don't if you know anything about Virginia, Virginia is incredibly talented. She there's not much that she can't artistically do. So, we had seen in the past that she made these beautiful afghans with Nelson County color. Beautiful. >> So, she made each of these specific with you all in mind. And so, you get to choose who these go to. But >> again, she did beautiful work, spent a ton of time, and Caesar and I are so >> appreciate it so they can see. >> Wow. Wow. >> And each one has a different pattern, and she did it. Well, I'll let you speak, but she did it in thought of who the per who the afghan was going to. >> Oh, they're beautiful. Thank you so much. gorgeous. >> Oh, it's so pretty. So much. Wow.
022>> But we want you to have this to not only remember Virginia represents the best like so many of our other staff members in the school, the best of what the school offers. We wanted you to have something that was representative of the people in the system, but also the beauty of the system. So, thank you also. And I know Dr. got some other things, but Caesar and I very specifically wanted you all to have this. >> You want to take a picture with them? This is the only >> My wife take this one away from me. She can't have it. Oh, sorry. I'm not giving you enough room. One. >> Thank you. >> And there's going to be more. I think Dr. >> Yes, there's more stuff. >> This would earlier. Thank you. So,
023um, in the theme of being able to provide some items that are reflective of our community and their service, we um were able to get uh, Miss Saunders, who had been a part of our system and a local artist, to be able to um, sketch out each of our schools. So, what >> Yep. What we'll do is we were able to get one for each one of you. I would like to present You didn't have that one, George. >> I know how to fix. >> And yes, so as you can see um it is a lovely black and white sketch of each of our buildings. So you have Tai, you have Rockfish, you have um the high school, and you have the middle school. So >> Yep. So, we wanted you to be able to
024have something to remember each of the each of the locations in which you served. >> Here you go. >> And I will give you this in case you want this. >> Oh, yes, I do. >> Yep. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Yeah, Shannon, you get this. >> We're going to give this to you. >> Oh, I don't know that I need those. >> Okay. >> Famous last words. Famous last words. And last but not least, um, we wanted to be able to present you all with, and I'm going to this one. It won't matter as much. Very much in the education industry, one of the things we love to give are what we call our Jefferson cups. So they're the Yeah. So, it's the it's a Jefferson cup that has the um the um
025symbol of uh Nelson County Public Schools etched and inscribed in >> That's beautiful. Thank you. >> in the uh sides. So, here you go. >> So, what am I supposed to drink out of this? >> I was going to say you could put pencils in it. >> Okay. >> Water or tax or whatever you'd like. >> Tax. >> Okay. >> Mints. >> You can use mints. >> Mint. That's a good idea. Right. >> And then you will also have here is also a copy >> of the resolution. >> Thank you so much. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> And Margaret, here's a copy. >> So, thank you very, very much. So, um, if you will join me in a round of applause and thank you of sincerity to our Thank you.
026At some point in their board comments, we'll have an opportunity for each of them if they want to have any kind of final words at the last meeting. But just as a board, we again thank you. Uh it has been quite a ride um for many years. Mrs. Turner Giles, how many years for you on 12 and Mr. Chief? >> Seven. >> I'm at total 10, but this shift was just six. So >> So a lot of tenure going off the board, a lot of expertise. I think each brought so much value to to all the decisions we made. We were a really diverse board even though very common in a lot of things but very diverse in their thoughts on how we came and I I applaud them as showing leading the way when
027I came on the board of how you can have different thoughts, different processes but keep students at the center and come to a collective decision um in the best interest of not just the students but the community. And so it's a loss. While we're excited to have our new board members come on, please know that we're very excited for you all, we are still very sad to see our partners of the last many years um move on to the next thing. But your your mark has been made. The school will feel your mark for many many years and you are appreciated in all that you have done and you will definitely be. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> Just don't look at Margaret when you have to do >> No, I
028know. I'm a big sis. Sorry to make everybody else cry, too. So, we'll start with comments from board members next. Um, Miss Turner Giles. >> Yeah. >> So, thank you all so much. It's just been an honor and a privilege to serve for the last 12 years. So, thank you. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Chief. >> Um, same. Uh, thank you very much. I've really enjoyed working with everyone on the board and like Miss Pal said, we all come at this from different points of view and we all bring different expertise to the board, but we've always come together. I do want to congratulate the one Nelson award winners. Um, that is always my favorite part of the board meetings. Um, and the last thing I have is I had a um constituent uh, Reverend
029Michael Hav Havner uh, contacted me today and said he was not able to attend the meeting but wanted to know if I would read um, he sent me an email and want to know if I would read this um, his appreciation for the board. Says uh, Nelson County School Board, I would like to take this opportunity to thank each member of the school board for your dedicated service. The board has uh the board has led before COVID, during COVID, and through the postcoavid period a challenging task by any measure. While we don't always agree, there was never any doubt that you all wanted what was best for our students. Mrs. Claire, Mr. Turn, Miss Turner Giles, and Mr. Cheap, you have served with distinction, and I wish you the very best in your future endeavors.
030To the newly elected school board members, Stacy Rush, Joe Kennedy, and Joe Richardson. You have big shoes to fill and I look forward to working with each of you. Thank you and merry Christmas. Michael Heavner, 1146 Adel Road. Um, and that probably should have been in public comments, but that's okay. Um, and also I would also like to uh say welcome and congratulations to each of our newly elected board members. So, thank you, >> Mr. Perkins. I just want to say thank to to each of you all. Um, thank you Miss Turner Giles for helping me when I came on. Um, helping me understand the um, dos and don'ts and um, I really appreciate that. um you leaving I don't know if this is a thank you or not but I'll be the longest standing
031board member come January 1st and um and we've seen a lot of lot of employees come a lot of them go a lot of students come and go a lot of good board meetings rough board meetings but it's been a pleasure to serve with Um, George, it's been good. >> You know, you do talk a lot. >> That's okay. >> And Miss Player, it's not that I won't see you ever again, but >> Yeah, I feel >> I know. Yeah. >> But I appreciate everything that you've done for the board. Like I said, everybody said we are we all come from Nelson except for Miss Claire and we all have difference of opinion but we the one Nelson thing is what we do and have done to for the employees, students and the community. And
032y'all have been a very intricate part of that role. And I appreciate everything that y'all done and every minute y'all spend away from your families doing this for the county and for the community and I appreciate each and every one of you. >> Thank you. >> Dang it. How do you all >> um I you know as I said it's it's been a really an honor to serve with you all. I I came on the board December I mean January of 2020 and COVID hit in in March. So it was quite the trial by fire. But Mrs. Turner Giles and Mr. Chief and Margaret were and Caesar of course were so integral in helping me understand what my role was and what to do. And Jana brought so much experience with pastboard experience with HR
033process procedure. She was involved in VSBA very actively and went on to become during her tenure, my tenure here, the VSBA president. Um, and so that brought so much knowledge and and stuff that she could bring back to us and help us understand the role of what we were to do. So I'm so appreciative of that. Um, and George, you you're we've had so much change in construction and so many jobs and the knowledge that George has brought over the years with all of that constru. You know, I think Caesar has certainly has that knowledge and Margaret has that knowledge, but George, you leaving will definitely be a void for us in in that and and your patience with me and when we didn't always agree. But I, you know, again, I think we go
034back to just that we all stayed focused. And Margaret, I you know, right, we couldn't be farther apart on the spectrum sometimes. >> And we always, you always kept it was no matter what, you kept kids. You were the person who said, "Where's where we're where the kids in the place, right?" But my point of saying all of that is that um one of the things that I've heard about these three is that what is so unique about them is their ability to stay focused no matter where they stand on the issue. Stay focused on what are we doing and why are we doing this. >> That's right. >> So I thank you to the one Nelson winners. Um golly that's such Florence that's such a great that's such a great recognition award. the young
035man who did the little feet. You know what? That's that's humanity at its best. And that we keep saying that these kids that come through here are incredible and we need to keep that um keep that mindful. To the new board members, we look forward to you next month. >> Yay. >> Get ready. Get ready. I hear you're all getting really active and ready to do some of the VSBA training. I do say that that's really good to just sort of get that base knowledge, but we're ready for you and excited. We're very sad to lose the three that we do, but know that we've got three incredible ones coming on and we look forward to it. Thank you very much. Um I wanted to say um Dr. Hner and I and Shannon um Urban
036went to the schoolboard convention in November. Was very very informative. Um I did a session on milk as a matter of fact. Well, it wasn't just milk. It was Virginia Foods for Virginia schools, which was amazingly a lot about milk, but um I didn't know a lot of things about milk before then. And so that's just, you know, you learn things you just didn't know you you needed to know. Um but it was also fun, very interesting, always good to get to see um other school board um people from this, you know, the rest of the state and uh and then we're of course in a central district. So, I was on the nominating committee for our central district and had to help them uh nominate or actually elect in the chair and the vice
037chair for the central district. So, you guys will find out all about that uh as well. Um and then we did although there weren't any real sessions, I don't think on the LCI, it was kind of like the white elephant in the room I guess or maybe even the information wasn't out that at that time. Um but um it it was always in my mind um how could you know what can we do as advocates for the schools and um when I came back uh I got an email from the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission uh they had just published their uh um legal positions and part of our job as school boards is to help the SBA do their legal positions. And so I thought, well, I don't even know why we haven't done
038this before, but um so one of the things I'm going to do before this month is out and I'm going to hand it to the uh to the current school board members so that you know if it needs to be carried forward in March, uh the SBA asks for school board districts to uh provide um you know positions that they want to either modify or new positions that they want the SBA to hold. So based on the Thomas Jefferson's position, which their first position is about the funding of schools, uh we should develop uh something similar to bring to the BSBA to either add to or modify whatever position they have. So I'll try to do some of that leg work. Um, the other thing I want to do is uh connect with our representatives
039to make sure that they are aware of the impact of the LCI changes on our district uh specifically and you know how hard it's hitting us and you know there are a lot of money priorities right now with things going on with Medicare and and Medicaid and all of that stuff. But we need to keep our issues uh you know it's our issue but we need to keep it in the forefront. So, I will share also my communications with those people to you guys so that you guys can keep that pressure on them so that we're advocating for our school system to um for something to change so we're not so behind the eightball on this one. So, um, that's just, uh, and even if this is my last, you know, meeting, it doesn't mean
040I'm not going to stop being an advocate for public schools cuz I've been one since I was like telling my mom she was had my little sister in private school. And I was like, get her out of private school. Put her in the public school. She needs to learn how to be a human. So, that was me at 8, right? So, uh, um, my chain my views were my views. So sorry about that. Um, okay. This is my last meeting. I want to say thank you guys. Great team. You guys were the best team. We We really did such a good job. I just have to say. And it couldn't have been done without, you know, each of us playing the part that we played. And it was it's just was so fun to be
041on such a really good team, you know, and it's just you don't see it very often. I don't think that little the way we worked together I think was really good. I think we did a good job hiring her I think was a great our greatest thing that we did possibly you know you guys kept me from having my mouth open all the time and getting into trouble. Holy cow. And I mean it's always right there right close to be happening. So um and I appreciate each one of you guys. Um, I hope I do see you around at least at the food dog. And uh, you know, you know where I am. I'm at the Nelson Center. You can always see me. I'm changing my desk. So, thank you so much. Thank you to
042the staff. I'll see you around. I won't be too far. If you need me, if you want me to say the f word to you, just call me. Um, I'll always do that. So, um, yeah. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. All right, I'm done. Um, also, so we can move on. I think important dates. There's just a short list here. Do you want me to go through them? >> I'm happy to. Um, so, uh, we have the last day of our second quarter, second marking period and the end of the first semester coming up on Friday, December 19th. That is also as we enter into winter break. So, winter break will be from uh December 23rd through January 2nd because on the 5th and 6th, they are student holidays. We have um
043instructional planning and PD set for those two days. Our students will return to us on Wednesday, January 7th. Um on January 9th, report cards are sent home. Um and then on January 15th, that will be our January school board meeting. It's just funny because I bet kids that fail, you know what I mean? They have the whole Christmas break to act like they didn't and then report cards come out in January and then they get to travel. >> Yeah. So I think um power schools have really um usurp that ability uh cuz parents um if they stay on top of it um they're really able to uh know exactly what's going on. Um and >> our teachers do a really good job uh particularly leading into winter break updating parents on hey we're missing these
044assignments. Hey this is how your students doing. Um, so our our teachers do a really good job of making sure because um, one that's the right thing to do, but also they want a winter break also, right? So what they don't want necessarily is that that dump on the 19th of all the old assignments and and overdue things and and it's just everybody needs that break. Um, that's why it's called winter break. Um, so you don't want those assignments looming um or having to to do um, you want to be able to disconnect and recharge and get ready. Um, you know, a month ago we were talking about Thanksgiving and when we come back it'll be three weeks and it'll just go by so quickly. Once we come back on a winter break, it goes
045by quickly. So, um, there'll be a lot more of these important dates coming up, but you know, we are hoping for that winter break and that disconnect to have people really enjoy themselves. >> Next, >> well, we um, our student representatives are super super involved and busy. Um, like I said, this is probably that small area of window for them to um, be engaged. What I didn't know is do you do you would you like for public comment to go and then mine? We we have two people signed up for public comment. There may be others who are wanting to that may be able to get them to get make their comments and then they don't have to sit through mine. >> Well, I like to make >> unless they unless unless you want them.
046>> Okay. All right. I'll give you this sheet. All right. The first uh person coming up is Joe Kennedy. If you come up to the podium and you state your name and address, you have three minutes and Oh, we're probably not. >> Well, maybe not that long. >> Okay. Um, so I'm Joe Kennedy, 5658 Glade Road in Skyler. And uh, first thing I wanted to mention was just I um, you know, I need more information about it, but the USDA is updating nutritional guidelines next month. And so I just want that to kind of be on the radar of something that, you know, we want to make sure we're up to date on as they come out with new information um, with the, you know, food service and food service provider. Just making sure that
047we're, you know, all on the same page. Um, the second is I'm a firm believer in the idea of the separation of church and state and like respecting the diversity and like the views of the minority. Um, I think that something that's a blind spot for public schools in America is the reality that while they seem benign like Halloween and Christmas and Easter celebrations are kind of antithetical to many people's a minority of people's but a number of people's religious practices. And so I think that it's something that we should kind of have our eyes open to and um consider how we, you know, the practices and the the traditions that we do within the instrual day and whether or not that time could be spent doing something more instructional um that doesn't necessarily like
048conflict with people's family and home life. Thanks. >> Thank you. Second sign person signed up is Mr. Ernie Reid. >> Um Ernie Reed 971 Rainbow Ridge Road Fabber. Um Janet George and Margaret. I'm going to miss you guys. Um I learned a lot from you. I find teachers in the strangest places. Um Margaret especially. And um I'm just so grateful. The entire board is grateful for the service that you've done. And uh on their behalf and mine personally, I just want to thank you for all the time, all the energy, all the dedication, all the passion you brought to this. And we'll probably continue to do it even in the background. So, thank you all very much and um we'll see you around. >> Thank you. Thank you, Ernie. Would anybody else like to make
049a public comment? We have some a little bit of time. All right. Hearing none, we shall move on. Thank you. Thank you. Um, comments from the superintendent. All right. Okay. Sorry, I'm sweeping. Sorry. All right. So, um we uh did uh have an opportunity to attend the BSBA annual conference. Um that is a great chance to be able to kind of really hear uh the various hot topics and things um to be updated and educated on from a a school board member's perspective and not just um a superintendent or school-based um staff. So, um it's always great to be able to attend those. appreciate the uh um information that was shared. Um there was some conversation about the LCI. It had just been released. Um we upon learning that we did reach out to one
050of our local representatives just to learn a little bit more. Is there anything in the pipeline in legislation to be able to support or help out with that? And um we'll continue to communicate with our local representatives to be able to learn a little bit more and to understand that because we do feel like um while that formula um may be something that's been used for quite some time and it may not be as uh negatively impactful to other locations, it is rather um significantly impactful of Nelson County and other rural resort type um locations. So, um, Miss Irvin will provide a little bit more information on that a little bit later this evening, so I won't, um, steal your thunder on that. Um, but that is something that we'll share with our board of
051supervisors, uh, the information that we have and just to be able to continue to educate. Whereas, you know, a couple of those components, well, very few of those components come from us other than enrollment and things of that nature. A lot of those other components come from the county or the state side. still working together to be able to navigate this um through that funding structure and that will be important. Um as has been mentioned um we have three school board members who will um conclude their service um to not only the schools but the community and overall the the Commonwealth and beyond. Um each one of you have served in in many different roles. Um there's we always talk about there's three primary responsibilities of school board members. hire and fire the superintendent, approve
052the school budget, and then approve policies. But, um, as you all have really, um, discovered, um, those are the the broad strokes, but what it goes, um, what it takes to go into doing that is much bigger. Um, and so I appreciate, um, everything that you've you've done, everything you've given back. Um, you hired me. I'm super appreciative of that. But it it um it is a a wonderful opportunity to be able to to work for you all um and with you all and I appreciate that uh tremendously. Um so this is the last meeting for this current board and in the January meeting we will have um the installation of we have our three um uh newly elected school board members who will be joining us and on boarding in January and at that
053meeting will be a reorgan this is kind of a hint to you guys. this is um a reorganizational meeting and so that's where we'll we'll we'll begin to take those next steps and so in the meantime we'll be doing a lot of um information sharing with our our incoming board members about mandatory trainings. Uh um I' I've really been pleased that each of our new members is excited to join us for new uh schoolboard member orientation coming up. Um, so that's important to let people know because that means three school board members will be joining in the same conference and that would mean it's um we need to make sure that we uh advertise that as a meeting. Um but that is through the VSBA and that is a wonderful opportunity to learn a lot
054of great information. It'll be about the budget. It'll be about federal and state um legislative hot topics, legal hot topics, and just kind of getting a good start to understanding what the role of a schoolboard member is. So, I'm excited to to join them in that and and really learn um alongside with them um some some new information. So, we look forward to that. As uh Mr. Chief talked about the one Nelson Awards, um I think something that probably I need to do a better job of of really highlighting is um these individuals um do it out of a kindness and out of a a kind of a a commitment to supporting their community. And those kindnesses sometimes um don't reflect each one of us have our own battles and we are um you know
055working through and fighting through our own struggles, our own battles, the the different things that we go through on a daily basis. And to have those individuals set those own struggles aside, to be able to give back and um be able to support others, I think is a a tremendous um a tremendous sense of understanding of what Nelson is about and what it is and what it can be and who makes it up. And I think that that's really important to try to really recognize that a lot of these individuals themselves um you know they're they're giving of themselves while maybe they may be fighting some battles um and doing some things that no one knows about. So I think that's really important. Um and it really goes to show how special they are. Um
056and that brings us into this next portion and that's our pathways to success. So um doing it a little bit different this time. So I thought, you know, we um there's a lot of um sentiment coming to us from the business world and from the federal and state world really highlighting and wanting to talk about artificial intelligence. Um now we're we're we're really deep into the generative AI, but today I thought, you know what, I'm going to try a little bit different and see if I can work smarter and not harder. So each of our departments sends in all the different things that they've been working on and doing and I thought you know what let's use some AI to help us and move this along. So over the past month uh Miss Irvin attended
057the Vasbo regional state conferences to learn more about the FY26 27 budget and the updates that come along with the local composite index which is the LCI you see at the top there. Um also attended the VSBA clerk's conference. I think she wants my job of being a clerk. You can have that. um and uh provide helpful information on the clerk's role, responsibilities, recent legal updates. Also pleased to share that um at the uh VSBA annual conference, NCPS received the uh Vay Corps Excellence in Risk Management Award for outstanding handling of workers compensation claims among school divisions with fewer than 5,000 students. And to wrap up the month, we had an opportunity to join in the great turkey drop of 2025, which is where we're able to provide um a turkey to each one of
058our um NCPS employees with the partnership with Food Line who's able to actually physically get those turkeys for us. So, we appreciate that. Our uh next um I need to get that off of there. Sorry. So, we can see the whole thing. Um instruction and data. On behalf of the instruction and data team, we've had a productive month focused on supporting instruction and professional growth across all schools. Completed team walkthroughs at every site, fully implemented the Summit K12 English language development program, which we talked about at a previous schoolboard meeting, and secured character strong uh support program for uh Rockfish and Tai River. Planning is underway for our January 6 professional learning day. And we've partnered with our elementary principles to schedule amplify boost training for all the K through2 teachers. The team also attended
059a title one meeting hosted by Rockfish and Tai River facilitated by our lead innovators meeting where we finalized the division AI guidance which Mr. Bleco will talk more about later this evening and participated in the University of Lynburg regional PLC which is used to explore future programming for educators and attended the VATLL conference. That's a mouthful but is basically one of Virginia's premier teaching, learning and leading conferences. Um, so we're able to send several of our administrators and um, school leaders to that. Okay, now we're just Okay, there we go. Um, so purple pupil personnel. Um, over the past month, our department our department has continued its focus on inclusion, professional development, and student support services and held inclusive school committee meetings to assess our current practices and begin updating our inclusive school plan. Early
060childhood, special education, and preschool teams along with school administrators participated in the virtual IPOP meeting focused on inclusive placement opportunities and strategies to strengthen the concept development instruction. We also hosted special education help desk at Nelson Middle School providing individualized support for teachers on writing the for least restrictive environment which is a very um important and critical aspect of special education and also working on prior written notice sections. In addition completed our state required December 1 count which is a an undertaking. So I appreciate Miss Reinger and the teamwork that it takes to be able to to submit that. Um and then offering you will you would have seen a po a Facebook post this week about UWIL which is offering virtual telealth mental health services for our students and staff who may need additional
061support um and that is free to them. So we appreciate um looking beyond um maybe what are obstacles for us and um in terms of access some of the mental health um supports and being able to to kind of think outside the box and get that. um human resources uh department has been busy preparing for upcoming school year. Teacher of the year nomination forms have gone out um and we have uh received those back from each of the schools. So we'll begin the process of um being able to select the the winners for um the teacher of the year for each of the schools. Intent forms, meaning intent to return back to Nelson County, were sent to staff on December 1st to gather the information of any kind of potential requests for transfers, uh, retirements,
062um, or new assignments. This also marks the kickoff for the 26 27 hiring season. Believe it or not, we are there and we begin uh, determining anticipated vacancies based on these intent forms. Um, we've had interviews for next year's positions that will begin on January 2026. We've also continued to recruit, interview, and hire for current vacancies, even making the most of our green days uh due to the inclement weather. Technology um technology department continues to make strong progress on several key projects. You see a lot of our um security cameras in those first two pictures. um working with Optek to finalize updates to security monitors and then also um being able to make adjustments in fixing some of our current um working with MB construction and um on the fiber project in security cameras also
063developing um cyber security incident response plan which provides clear procedures to help the division effectively respond and mitigate to cyber security um issues and team supported uh several December live stream events as you can see there on the left side um Mr. Cargill is heavily involved in being able to provide access to our community members um not only in Nelson but all throughout this the I mean you could you could say globally people are able to access and see these events and they don't have to be here in person and so that's a great way to be able to keep connected and stay connected with a lot of our families maintenance um has been hard at work addressing building needs across the division continues to repair facility issues and we recently found a new location
064to recycle outdated hand sanit sanitizer from COVID when we had gotten a whole bunch of those deliveries and that the the the um those bottles took up a great deal of space. So, just being able to find what we can do with that has now opened up much needed storage space. Uh working with building level principles to resolve any deficiencies found in the fire marshall um annual inspection and then winterizing the athletic complex. Uh, I appreciate the the um maintenance staff was uh very gracious to go out and help pick up the turkeys for the cr great turkey drop, be able to deliver them to the individual schools and also the assistance and being able to try to prepare our facilities uh for reopening of our students um over the the last few weather events.
065Transportation um safety and security team has been busy supporting uh both operations and safety initiatives across the division. helped out with the great turkey drop along with um assigning new student routes. Uh we get students in um quite frequently and in order to provide them transportation means we need to consistently update those routes um particularly for some of our students that also are going to some private day schools outside of the county. We're currently working with vendors to obtain pricing for fuel management systems to better track our fuel usage um and our deliveries. We also met with local emergency services leaders on reviewing our current uh division crisis plans so we can make sure that everybody in the community is very well verssed and up to date on our plans and can be of uh
066the best assistance possible and also assisted with evaluating you see that picture there evaluating u monitoring our roads from the most recent storms. That was one that about gave me a heart attack when I saw that one. um but yet makes decisions making easier. Um school nutrition team had been busy in a festive month. Uh we worked with Thanksgiving meals. Uh they provided Thanksgiving meals at each of our elementary well at each of our sites Tai River and Rockfish. Um and they were thrilled to welcome 294 families uh to members to dine. Um Taste Test Tuesdays continues to be a hit. This month students sampled homemade ranch recipe which was wellreceived across all schools. continue to participate in the Virginia Food for Virginia kids cohort supporting fresh and local food options for students. Additionally, um
067Miss Canel attended the Blue Ridge Cooperative meeting in Augusta where they sampled potential new menus for next year's food. And um always like to give these uh data points. Um student breakfast meals served over almost just under 1,800 uh breakfast meals and just under 17 or I said 1,800. I'm not sure where I came up with that. 1,200. Um, and then just under 1,700 lunch meals on site. And then we have had a lot of remediation and other types of activities. And that's where you see the CACF um supper meals is we if a student is staying after and getting remediation, tutoring, anything of that sort, we are able to provide them with a meal. And so that was 640. >> But you said 100 and it's 11,000. That's under 12,000. >> That's under 12,000.
068>> Sorry. I just wanted everybody to know. Yes, you are correct. >> We'll just back up and do it correctly. It was 11,728 breakfast and then it was 16,681 lunch meals. >> That's the last thing you're going to >> for the Yes. Hey, keep me honest. Yep. That's That's for sure. Um, over the past several weeks, we've had many great examples of community spirit and engagement across NCPS, and much of our time has been spent assessing road conditions, preparing campuses, and communicating with staff, families about closings and delays. That's been uh the last week we've been doing that. Um for those of you who don't know, we will have a um code one closed with remote learning for tomorrow, Friday, December 12th. Um we will reassess those roads in the morning once again to make
069sure that we can bring in our 12-month employees in a safe manner and our essential employees. Um but as we've said, teachers are reaching out to students kind of explaining what their expectations for that day is and we encourage our students to reach back out to the student uh teachers if they have any questions. Um, we do have several of our groups, we had several of our groups, um, participate in the Lovingston parade. Um, which is always really cool to see our kids. There you see a picture of our elementary color guard. Uh, we had FFA. Um, we had our color guard, we had our cheerleaders. Um, Van wasn't able to make it that time. Um there was a lot of different things going on that weekend that kind of um made it a little
070tough to get everything um organized and rescheduled from some other rescheduling of events. Um also want to thank Miss Sharter at Max Kitchen. She was fiercely working to fulfill the dinner order for the one act plays. So I appreciate her efforts. um our one act our theater students who participated in the state championship for uh our one act play they I I was able to to see it um they were phenomenal. I know the outcome did not um they they were not pleased with the outcome. Um there was four other uh I mean not four other but there were four total U programs that are are great programs and and selfishly I feel like we had the strongest but you know they they did everything they could. They addressed adversity. They were supposed to perform
071on Friday. We got updates that you got to come. We're not cancelling. So if you don't show up you're not you're not participating. So we're able to get our students out safely to get there. And then it did get cancelled. It got rescheduled. Um, so they were able to deal with that. They made new friends, particularly with the Giles County um, team, which was really cool to see them interact um, and really work with each other. But I think they they had a lot of life lessons that they learned um, from this experience and it's a bummer for those seniors. Um, but they did a phenomenal job and they could not have represented us any better. Um, so I appreciate Miss Driver um, and and all her work with our students. They did a great
072job. We've also had a lot of donations coming from community members within Nelson and also um from throughout the Commonwealth. So, we appreciate that generosity. Um Rockfish has started their uh canned um milk drive which is to benefit back into the community. And then uh the cooperative um Central Virginia Electrical Cooperative um came out to Tai River and we're doing some demonstrations. And so it's just another way that our community um is able to work together and give back. And that is my one Nelson or no I'm lying to you. That is my one Nelson. That was my pathways to success. >> Nice. Thank you. >> Thank you so much, Dr. Hester. >> Um, so now we have the consent agenda and if there are no questions or comments to any of that, I will
073entertain a motion to approve it. I move we approve the consent agenda as presented. I'll >> second. >> All in favor? I >> I. >> Fabulous. Now, we have some items for information. First one being the meeting minutes. Please give that a read and if you need to uh make any changes or adjustments, you can let our clerk know. Um, and now we will hear from Miss Urban on our local composite index. >> Which one would you like for me to show? >> Um, show the composite index dash number. Um, There you go. So, we found out in November that our composite index unfortunately was going to go up yet again. And um on this particular sheet, it shows every location in the county, what their relative composite index is. And when you look at
074people that or locations that we think are similar to us, especially geographically, ours is double what theirs are, especially those to the south. And it's frustrating but there are some factors that drive that. Um when they are calculating the composite index they are looking at uh the change in values from 2021 to 2023. 2023 is when their real estate were you know through the roof in terms of values. They seem to be dropping now but um when this was done you know they were at the height. So, um, the ADM change for Nelson County went up 38.14%. The adjusted gross income over that period was 41.35%. Um, retail sales only went up 1.81%. And those factors, um, maybe there's a second sheet if we could pull up there. The way the state does the composite
075index, they have two different indexes that they calculate. One is on ADM of the school division, the other one is per capita of the county. And then they take those two composite indexes and they weight weigh them um 2/3 on the ADM composite index and one/3 on the per capita uh composite index and combine them and then multiply it by 45% to come up with our number. So, it's a very complicated formula, but the numbers that they used in that formula is based on 2023 data. And in that little box, the way it says input data, those are the values that they use that are imported from the commissioner revenue and then from um state tax collection. So, those are the the values that are input into that formula. >> Um, >> can I ask
076you a question? Sorry to interrupt. ADM average daily >> membership which means butts and seats does it include all of our kids or >> so average daily membership is who's enroll average daily enrollment okay >> average daily attendance ADA >> is different that's like day by day yes so there's membership enrollment and then there's actual physical attendance day by day >> and this number is >> is our 2014 23 is our 2023 number >> yes okay yes So that so it's on old data. >> I know. >> I just wanted to make sure they weren't mixing, >> right? Um to calculate what that value would mean based on the current budget that we're in, if our composite index instead of being 6645, if it had been the 7269, it would mean approximately $900,000 lost just
077by the composite index. and that's on um programs that are standards of quality which are the minimal operating requirements of schools and you would take your peripheral amount multiply it times the complement of the composite index that's how much the state will give you pretty much so I just wanted to make you aware of that hurdle that we're going to be faced with next year's budget um typically at this meeting we ask the school board for their inut put into things that they would like for us to include as we're planning next year's budget. The um governor, outgoing governor will present his budget next week and so we'll have some idea of what his thoughts were, but again that is subject to change as a new governor is taking office. So, um I wanted to
078give you guys one last chance. I know you're going to miss budget season. I know you miss those meetings, but if there are any things um that you really want me to consider as we're starting to craft the first document, please let me know. Um and again, you know how the phone works, you know how the email works, so please stay in touch and u we value your input and thank you for all you've done. Um, you've been a wonderful board to work with and made a tremendous difference in the county over my tenure and I thank you for your support and I'm sure that my fellow administrators feel the same way. So, thank you guys. >> Oh my gosh. >> Thank you very much. >> So, if I'm looking at those numbers right, >>
079we're the 10th highest in the state. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> And everybody that's higher than us has a eight. >> So that way and they're all that way. >> How do the new assess do the new assessments impact that at all? >> What's that? >> Will the new assessments impact that or is it still >> in three years? >> Yeah. Well, I mean you're talking I mean did anybody I mean those assessments are brutal at this point. >> Our income and real estate values are trending up. >> Yeah, >> they are. The average price of a house is like 420 425. I mean it's I can't imagine what it's going to look like next round. >> We've gone from 25th to 26th in the state to 10. >> So theoretically they'd say the
080composite index is a locality's ability to pay, not necessarily what they're taxing their citizens, right? >> But they say that the ability is there should they choose to. >> Right. Right. >> Not not the school, not the school board's ability to pay, but >> the locality ability, let's make sure everybody hears their >> And we also need to remember that advocacy is key right now to make sure that we're, you know, being as, you know, we're little, but we can be loud. So, uh, let's just, you know, do that our advocacy piece as much as we can. And human, I mean, like nonschoolboard people can do that as well. So, um, I can, you know, >> well, yeah, when the other board when the board of supervisors when they advocate at the legislative level in
081Richmond, that's I mean, it's not moving the needle a lot right now, but it is helpful. >> Well, we can also do that >> and and we have been, >> right? I I understand. >> We have with and George was there. Mr. Chief was there with um Tim Griffin. We've been there with um his law firm. Um, we've even messaged and communicated with prede. Um, we do it on a state level when we go to like the vast bas conference that's coming up in January. We did so through our mass representation at the October meeting when we set our our priorities like our legislative priorities. And one of those is to to really look to address um how this impacts and and not just LCI but standards of quality LC I mean there's there's a
082number of things and and they there is talk about like really looking at the JARK study um but it takes money to be able to put that into effect and so that and and not just you you don't just turn it around in one year so that's going to take some planning and thought but we we are advocating in multitude of areas >> we're just such an outlier compared to the people around us. And it's not just in the number, it's the uniqueness of what what we were talking about earlier is that the the students that we take care of when we looked at um economically disadvantaged, that number does not reflect what we see and whether it's real estate values or whatever, you know. So when you've got the winter greens, when you've got
083those places that really inflate the land value and the community value of our community, it is not reflective of what most of our families are coming from in the community. So I think we just we're so unique that it's hard. It's almost like swimming uphill because there aren't other people other communities and counties in the same situation that we're in. Um, and I I don't you know, if there could even be some kind of a dispensation for this uniqueness of us. I mean, we don't have to change the whole system, but can we recognize that there are systems that fall in this gray area where we're just getting hammered? Can you do can you look at things like the student what's what's the demographic of the student population and what's the percent of economically disadvantaged?
084And if that's over a certain threshold, then we give them this kind of a relief if they fall in this category. I don't know. I think we need to change the whole system. >> No, that's fair. But until that, and that's not going to be a quick change. Until that happens, our local community is seeing a real impact to these numbers. I mean, when I came on the board, what was the number eight six years ago? >> 53 53 something >> and we've gone to 72 at this point. Um, you know, and and we know what it's going to look like next go round. >> Yeah. that's going to be I mean if it's if if the assessments are any indication of what it will look like when people are saying they're 25 to even
085upwards of 75 80 100% increase on those assessments it's not I mean great for the community not great for funding the schools >> right Margaret's looking at G3 going have fun >> I'm not saying that at all I was going to say if you want me to say what I was going to I was going to say that it's um the you the locality's ability to pay uh is represented here. So it could be as simple as a decision to pay for the schools. So it's not that simple obviously because that was where the politics hit the road. But you know um it could be that simple. So that's all I'm going to say. my last political statement today. All right, Mr. Belake. >> Good evening, wonderful board members. Thank you for having me this
086evening. So, um, in October, we surveyed the staff and community regarding input for our instructional calendar for the 2627 school year. We had uh just over a 100 responses. Some of the common themes to the responses that we received uh was that people do not want the school year to start any earlier. Uh they had mentioned that they would like to see a fall break of some sort included in a calendar. Um teachers had mentioned that family conferences would be better later in the week as opposed to a Monday which conferences were on this year and they preferred not to have professional development on the same day as conferences. And then finally they um feedback also provided to maintain the current breaks such as Thanksgiving, the winter break as well as a week at spring
087break. So, with that being said, um we did our very best and we created uh three different draft calendars uh for individuals to take a look at for the 2627 school year. I've uh put together just a few slides here. So, the commonalities amongst all three drafts are listed here on sli this first slide. Um all calendars have the first semester ending at winter break uh just like we are doing currently. August 6th would be an open house on all three drafts. August 7th would be convocation day on all three drafts. August 11th would be a transition day. So that would be new for us. That would be a day where prek, kindergarten, 6th grade, and 9th grade students would just come into the buildings and they would kind of get a lay of the
088land and they would be able to run through their schedule for the day and it would kind of be an all handson deck day at each of our school sites. So that is built into all calendars on August 11th as we receive feedback that folks thought that that would be a good idea. August 12th would be the first day of school for everyone else. September 7th would be a Labor Day break. November 25th through the 27th would be our Thanksgiving break. December 21st through January 1st would be winter break. And then on all draft calendars for second semester, the 18th uh would be no school for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The 15th, no school for President's Day. Uh spring break on all three drafts. March 29th through April 2nd, which is the week after
089following Easter. And then May 21st would be our tenative graduation day. So then if you look at highlights for draft one, draft one and draft two are are fairly similar. Um they each have 177 school days for our students, 16 work days and or professional learning days for staff and seven flex days for staff. Semester one on draft one new teacher orientation would take place July 29th through the 31st. August 3rd through 5th would be teacher work days in professional learning. August 10th would also be a teacher workday in professional learning. September 21st would be a teacher work day. October 8th, we would have school-based meetings in the morning as principles see fit and family teacher conferences that afternoon and evening. October 9th would be a fall break which is a Friday. October 12th would
090be a teacher work day or green day and November 3rd would be a professional learning day which is election day as well. And then on seme uh semester 2 for draft one, the fourth and the 5th of January would be teacher work days and professional learning. February 11th would be school-based meetings again as principles deemed fit in the morning and then family teacher conferences that afternoon and evening. March 15th would be a teacher work day. March 26th would be the last day of school and early dismissal for students. Teacher workday that afternoon. And then the teacher work days both the 27th and 28th of May with teachers being um out of the building so to speak prior to the lab uh not Labor Day, pardon me, Memorial Day holiday. Any questions there on on draft
091one? All right, rolling over to draft two. As I said, a lot of similarities to draft one. 177 school days. again 16 teacher work days in professional learning and seven flex days. Uh semester 1 July 29th and 31st would be new teacher orientation. Uh August 3rd through 5th would be teacher work days and professional learning. The 10th of August would also be teacher work day and professional learning. 21st of September again a teacher work day. The 8th would be our school-based meetings for principles that is that morning and family teacher conferences afternoon and evening. Fall break on October 9th, professional learning day on October 12th, which is a little different than draft one. And November 3rd would be a teacher work day or green day. Semester 2, we would have the fourth and 5th of
092January again is teacher work days and professional learning. The 11th would be school-based meetings in the morning and family teacher conferences that afternoon and evening. The 15th, a teacher work day for March. April 5th would be a teacher workday and a green day. And then the 27th would be the last day of school with an early dismissal. Again, teacher work day that afternoon and teacher work day on May 28th. And then finally, draft three has 176 school days, 16 work days, and eight flex days. Semester 1 uh would be new teacher orientation, the 30th, 31st, and August 3rd. August 4th and 5th would be teacher work days and professional learning as well as August 10th. September 18th would also be a teacher work day. The 12th of October would be a teacher workday green day.
093School-based meetings and conferences would be a little later. Uh October 22nd. October 23rd would be a professional learning day. November 3rd would be election day. That would be no school for students. December 18th would be a teacher work day. So the work day on this calendar is prior to the break as opposed to after the break. Semester 2, January 4th, the day teachers come back would be a professional learning day after the break. March 15th would be a teacher work day. The 25th, we would have school-based meetings and family teacher conferences. And then April 5th would be teacher workday green day. And finally, May 26th, last day of school. Again, an early dismissal for students. Teacher work day that afternoon with the 27th and the 28th also being work days. Any questions about drafts two
094or three? thoughts, suggestions, any changes you would like to see. Our goal would be to send these three drafts out here in the very very near future to get additional feedback from community and staff with a hope of then bringing one of these drafts uh to the school board in January for a decision and approval for the 2627 calendar. >> Pretty similar. Yeah. >> Yeah. I think we did a good job. >> Yeah. >> One of the main things with draft one and two is just conferences on those two calendars are a little earlier than what they've traditionally been. And again, some feedback was especially second semester with it being those conferences being February 11th on draft ones and one and two. It put it puts conferences about the midway point of the third quarter
095as opposed to the end. So that way teachers can give feedback and provide >> um suggestions to help students sooner as opposed to >> the latter part of the second semester. So >> anyway, that is where we are. If you have any thoughts or suggestions, by all means, please let me know and >> we'll plan to get that out here soon for feedback. >> Okay. >> Appreciate it. >> Thank you very much. >> All right. Uh you have to continue to listen to me. I apologize and I'll go through this uh as quickly as I can. So AI is here well and alive whether we agree, disagree, like it or don't like it, uh it is here and uh we have been charged uh by the governor executive order 30 as well as the department
096of education to provide guidance for both our staff and students. So with that being said, we've uh been working uh throughout this first semester. Actually work began last spring with gathering feedback from staff um with how do we move forward? What do you want to see regarding guidance for AI? So our lead innovators which is a team of 18 of our teachers and that's representation from all four schools as well as our tech team and uh Dr. Yars and Binsky. We have met several times uh throughout the first semester to put together our AI guidance draft document here for our school division. An overview and components of the draft. Uh so there's some division guidance and this is about 19 pages in length. The document starts overall with some division guidance and then there's uh
097AI planning and and implementation timeline. We're providing some helpful links for both staff and students. And then finally, there is guidance specific to staff as well as guidance specific for our students. Thank you. Uh the use of artificial intelligence in NCPS is geared to enhance and not replace learning. That was very important for us is look at how do we want it to enhance not replace learning. uh how do we use it to gear our students for workforce readiness because again it is out there. It is going to be part of their lives uh if it's not already. Statewide measures and readiness. So again making sure that our documents align to what the state wants us to do and then making sure it's innovative and equipping students again for success in an AIdriven world. We
098want to also empower learning. So, we want to promote promote AI literacy among both students and staff. We want to ensure equitable access to technology and learning opportunities. However, we also want to make sure we're maintaining data privacy and making sure we're following regulations so student information or staff information or school division information doesn't get into the wrong hands. And finally, and most importantly, also uh upholding academic integrity. So, how do we make sure that our students are are using AI, but they're using it responsibly? Um, we've created some guiding principles. Our goal is to pro provide ethical and responsible use, equity and inclusivity, privacy and data protection, safe and secure measures, pedagogical pedagogical pardon me, effectiveness, and human centered. The division guidance will actively review AI tolls and data for bias ensuring equitable use
099that does not discriminate against any group. We will certainly monitor compliance as I had already mentioned. It's important that we're transparent uh with our families, with our students, with our staff, making sure we communicate the plan and making sure folks understand it. And then again making sure privacy and security is of the utmost importance. Uh the staff guidance. So some of the the focuses for staff is how can we use AI to enhance instruction and save time. So there are tools out there. There's platforms out there um that teachers can use to help them with lesson planning, to help them with data and gathering data, but there's ways to do it and ways to do it securely. Um, believe it or not, one of the platforms that we've looked at is School AI. We've also
100looked at Magic School AI. And when we spoke with the representative from Magic School AI, 130 of our teachers have registered accounts with Magic School AI. So that was actually pretty alarming. I thought it might be 60 70, but 130 of our teachers. So they are definitely registered and they're using it in some way, shape, fashion, or form uh to help them with planning and things of that nature or getting ideas. >> I think I think what I think it's important to know like that represent that that's a significant percentage of our teachers. Um and so that understanding is that it's already here. It's how do we learn? How do we use it? Um and how do we embrace it? Um particularly those right now who are wanting to embrace it. Um because you know
101you pick up the phone, you make an appointment, AI is involved. You know, um unless you're small, unless you're calling a very small business, one way or another, AI is involved in everything that we do. And so really kind of getting on the forefront um and allowing it to for us to work smarter and not harder, but also more effectively the time that we do use is being more effective and impactful with that time. And then also, you know, how do we get our students to use it ethically and to promote the critical thinking because this is being passed along by businesses and what they're looking for and what they're needing. Colleges, what they're looking for, what they're needing. So this isn't just a hey, this is the new hot thing. this is something that's
102already changing by the second. Um, and so making sure that we're staying a breast of it and being educated and using it in an effective manner. >> Thank you. Other guiding principles for staff, uh, again, I talked about privacy, data security, uh, bias and discrimination. Make sure we prioritize integrity. We want to augment, use it as a as a tool, not replace humans. empower student success and work with our educational partners to enhance the teaching and learning in our classrooms and certainly make sure that we're responsive and use informed practices moving forward. Student guidance uh helps students understand how to use AI tools responsible responsibly as Dr. Hester just mentioned ethically and effectively within our schools uh but also giving them an opportunity to enhance their learning while safeguarding privacy is going to be important.
103Expectations for our students uh would be to uh use the technologies on school grounds or through schoolisssued devices during school sponsored activities uh or assignments and through division networks or secure accounts. The next slide there just shows an example of uh misuse and appropriate use uh that we will certainly be sure to share with our students. So for example, emails appropriate use would be brainstorm ideas, check tone, improve wording. Misuse would be letting IIA write the email and then sending it as is. Um and then there goes on. I'm I'm not going to read all of those to you, but certainly research papers, fine keywords, summarized articles would be appropriate use. Using fake citations, unverified info, or copying uh sources would be misuse. Same way with studying, using generative practice questions explain concepts. So, using
104it to help and then copying answers or relying only on AI explanations would obviously be misuse. And even right now, you know, as we even look at platforms, so for example, a tool we use right now in math is well, we're looking at a new tool possibly to get involved with next year, which is Magma Math. And there's an AI component to it. So when a student, it requires the student to show their work on every problem they solve, which is always, it won't let them do anything without showing their work. And teachers, I don't care whether it's kindergarten or 12th grade, they want kids to show their work because they can't read their minds. But with Magma Math, that new platform, there's an AI component. So if the students struggling, the AI component will
105give them hints to help them solve or to get to the uh correct answer of the equation. So again, as Dr. Hester mentioned, it's out there, it's alive, and and it's being implemented. uh more and more in the tools that we see and and are going to be using. So the implementation timeline, so right now we're working to establish a foundation. We're going to survey students and staff, which we did the last spring, establish a district AI planning team, which again is already uh in place. Our goal this second semester is to educate students and community. So to share our AI guidance document uh with our staff, with our students, and with our school community and then ongoing would be professional learning for our teachers. And then of course to continue to assess uh the
106progress of what we're doing and how we're doing it and making sure we're staying in compliance with everything that we need to stay in compliance with. Um talking, you know, as Dr. Hester said in conclusion, uh, we would make sure that we're reviewing our plan annually to make sure that it stays up to date and then making sure that we implement it so that it helps students to learn creatively and think critically and prepare them for their future. The nice thing is is I uh have been at the VATLL conference as Dr. Dr. Hester had mentioned yesterday and uh this morning and I went to a couple sessions on AI and it was good to see that some school divisions that are a little bit ahead of us, our guidance document that we've worked on
107and that we've created is pretty much in align with what others are doing. Uh and in some ways I think ours might even be a little more explicit. Uh so that's a good thing as well. I know that was a ton of information in just a few minutes. Do you all have any questions, thoughts on AI? >> Lots of questions. >> No, good job. >> She's going to ask rock later, right? >> Or rock. >> Never mind. >> Thank you. >> Well, I thank you all and again, um, as Miss Irwin said, I want to just say thank you for your support throughout the years. Uh it has been a pleasant uh opportunity to work with a board that is so connected uh but it is also collaborative and uh very supportive of staff and
108of our students and our school community. So thank you. Um and again I know I speak on everyone's behalf. So thank you and thank you for your time this evening. >> Thank you. >> Okay, now we're moving on to Mr. Les Campbell. Good evening. And I guess for some this will be our last update. >> Uh I can jump right in. Uh looking at our handy dandy map here. Um just had a progress meeting today with uh the general contractor and the architect and um they're currently they're working in areas C1 and C2 which is the first map there. Um they they was unsure whether it was going to finish up this week or not. That was the goal because of the weather. Uh today they they have informed us that they're going to turn
109that area over to us uh tomorrow. Very nice. >> Then they will move on to the next where they will turn the corner in C2 and then C3. They will start working up that hallway right there. >> Uh we met with Honeywell today this morning to discuss their water cooled chiller. Um right now what we're waiting on is Mosley to we we've asked Mosley to design the water buffer tank that we want to install or that Carrier is actually recommending we install rather. We were able to meet with Mosley prior to leaving for the VSBA conference. So, we were able to sit down and meet with Mosley before today's meeting with Honeywell. So, it's not like they've been left out. They we've been in communication with them as well. >> Yeah. Um so um part
110of that is uh with with meeting with uh Honeywell today was talking about um trying to get so we have a third party commissioning agent that we have that come in to ensure that all of our equipment that we have installed is uh running like it should and they're they're on they're here for every on their behalf to verify everything. And so, uh, part of that is working with Honeywell to develop a plan to, uh, to give facilities dynamic engineering the remote access to be able to do their job. And so, we're currently working with them to to give them remote access into the uh, EBI system so they can verify that all equipment is running at. So they they're making sure that everything that we purchased is >> good and correct. Okay. >> So
111part of the convers Yeah. Part of the conversation is if we do this, what you're telling me is you take full responsibility for the final operating product >> with the with the warranty. >> Well, that's the that he's talking you're talking about all the >> the mechanical. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. So, uh, yes, they they were they're hired for by us. Okay. >> To be a third party, >> that group third group. Yeah. >> Okay. I just I'm still I'm still trying to >> make sure that, you know, and next year this time they go, >> "Well, y'all should have bought, you know, chiller B and not chill A." And, you know, >> that's why facilities dynamics is um >> Yeah, that's that's >> that's why they're high. They verify all of our equipment is operated
112and administered as they turn it over to us. And it's a really good thing because before commissioning agents became a thing, what you would do is bring a manufacturers's rep in and do it, >> right? You know, >> right? But they would tell you what what >> Yeah. So, we do we have someone on their behalf to inspect. >> Okay. That was >> an advocate. >> And they actually that's actually scheduled to start during winter break. Um the they're going to start on air handler one. The the large air handler we placed in the vocational wing. >> Okay. They're going to start there and all of the fan core units involved with that installation. Then they'll move then they'll move over to the other sections as MB hands them back over to us. And once
113Southern Air who's the subcontractor installing all the equipment once they their commissioning their folks get done and then this commissioning agent will come in to verify all of that's operating. >> Okay. Yeah. I just don't want to be sitting here a year from now and saying, "Well, you know, y'all bought the wrong chiller and you know, and >> you know, and we know that's we bought what was recommended." So, I just wanted to make sure we were safeguarding ourselves with that move. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> Yeah. Appreciate that. Yeah. >> Any other questions? >> Okay. Well, thank each and every one of you for your support as we navigate through this project and um hopefully we'll see each other. >> Yeah. >> Along the way. >> We'll see you. >> Thank you. All right. Now,
114we're on to items for action. Do you want to talk about a >> So, um gosh, in October we talked about some updates and amendments to the um working strategic plan and it's going to take its time updating, but the the two primary updates that we were going to make uh was to adding um challenging trends or trend challenges um some things that we see foresee in the next um few years as continued obstacles. Uh and so we added that and that was a slide and then also updated on goal one objective 8 that had previously been and I apologize I don't really know what's happening here. Um there were some specifics to 1.8 8 that referred to the college career and civics readiness index which is no longer. Um so we uh updated the
115language to reflect um basically the promoting of um workforce development and all the key components to that. Okay. Um put a survey out where we could uh garner public feedback. Um that was posted for a month. We didn't get any feedback. So looking to approve those amended changes. Are you guys able to open it up on your side? >> Okay, >> that's fun. >> Took forever to load this camera. >> Yeah, I'm sorry. I >> But everything's the same as what was proposed previously. >> Okay. >> All right. Does anybody have any questions or any comments? >> I will uh >> entertain a motion to approve that. >> I move we approve the proposed changes to the pathways to success uh for 2023 to 2029 as presented >> including the updates. >> I second. >>
116All in favor? >> I >> All right. Uh now we have a request for exemption of compulsory attendance according to section 22.1-224 blah blah blah. >> Uh I guess we don't have any questions on that. >> No one has anything. >> No. So um I don't think we'd entertain them here anyway, would we? No. >> No. Okay. Um so everything's cool. I would entertain a motion on that one. I move that we approve the request for exemption of compulsory attendance according to section 22.1-224B1 of the code of Virginia for student one. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I I uh Okay. So now we have a request to declare property as surplus. I'll make a motion that we declare the property that's presented to us as surplus to be sold. Second. >> All in
117favor? >> I. >> And our last item is a motion to go into close session. And I do not believe we need one unless you guys would like to have one. So if anybody speak now or forever hold your peace. No. Okay. And we will skip number D and skip the closed session and um the certification of close session meeting and uh then we can I will uh entertain a motion to approve the personal action report. >> I make a motion that we approve the personnel action report as presented. Second. >> All in favor? All right. Are there any other matters? If you don't mind, I don't matter. Okay. Um then we'll skip that part. I will entertain a motion. >> Do we need to do koa in other matters? Koya filings or >> um
118other than we will need to do koa foya um in Jan I think it's like January 1st through the 12th. um statements of economic interest that will be filling up. >> Okay. >> All right. I'm glad I don't have to do that anymore. >> So, Mr. Turner Jones, you going to make the motion to adjourn this meeting? >> Final motion. >> Oh, I'd be happy to. >> I'll make a motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I All right. >> Well done. Good job, you guys. Are you Heat. Heat. Heat.