001Yes. Do we have a motion that we exit executive session this evening? >> I make that motion. Thank you, Mr. Parsons. We have a second. Second. >> Thank you, Miss Perkins. All in favor? I I. Any oppose? Okay. We'll do our certification for executive this evening. Madame Chair, I move to certify that to the best of our knowledge only public business matters lawfully exempted from open media requirements and only such public business matters as were identified in the motion to go into executive session were heard discussed or considered in executive session. Do you want me to read it again? >> Did you get the codes? >> Okay. >> 2.2-3711 A1 Personnel 2.2-3711 A7 Consultation with legal counsel 2.2-371188 consultation with legal counsel general. Okay. Yes. Yes. >> Yes. Yes. >> Okay. We'll stand for the
002pledge of statement. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God. [snorts] Is there any adjustments to the agenda tonight, Dr. Hooker? No, Madame Chair. Okay. Do we have a motion that we approve and finalize our agenda for June 2nd, 2026? >> I'll make that motion. >> Thank you, Mr. Ball. Do we have a second? Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Parsons. All in favor? >> I I Any oppose? Okay. Dr. Hooker, your delegation. >> Yes. Would anyone like to address the board tonight? Dear precious mother heavenly father [snorts] tonight whe you casting all our care upon you know that you care for us. We pray you Lord tonight Lord that you bless each and every one gord bless all that is
003taking place. Thankful for the opportunities, Lord, that each one of these students have, Lord. We're thankful, Lord, for these elected officials, Lord, from us, Lord, chosen by thee. We pray that you bless them, meet them, guide them, see us each one safely home after a while. In the precious loving name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Amen. Would anyone else like to address the board tonight? [snorts] >> Okay, Madam Chair. >> Okay. Okay, Dr. Hooker, we're down to our recognitions for tonight and like you got a table. >> Yes. I'd like to ask Mr. Mullins to please come forward to help out with recognitions members of the board. Nice recognitions. We start out with one that's quite enjoyable for everyone and it is the Russell County art contest winners. I pass the winners and maybe the
004teacher or the principal will become one of them from elementary. JC Shelton Elementary School, Middle School, Serenity Green, Castle Elementary School and High School, Soph. the char. [applause] This is kind of the cruel part of it because we're going to let them hold their artwork and then take it back. We're going to display it here. So turns, [applause] right? >> [applause] >> and JC Shelton. [applause] We also have a certificate for the students. They were all the art contest was put into the BSBA art contest. And this is to JC Shelton for participation in the 2026 Southwest Regional Forum Art Contest. >> [applause] >> Sar [applause] is a turn. [applause] >> [applause] >> Good to see you. Congratulations. Good job. Next up, we have Legend High School DHS. Class two speech stage champions and at
005this time if I could get push come forward along with Alexis Rocks Landon Sarah Gri and Brickman and Lily Garrett Abby Olivia Smore Macy Fergus Kard Smith, Als, I've known a lot of these on the spe and do these kind of amazing things. When I first came to middle school, it was very clear to me how hard these kids practice and how long they practiced. Uh it wasn't until I became a parent, somebody on the team that I really understood the long on top of their row winning a tournament. Um, a couple things pointed out to me that, you know, they took students to one of the biggest teams that I saw there and out of all 14 accomplishment all of them and fantast Facebook. We're so happy to have her there. Congratulations. [applause] We
006have that here today. So, I will go through the here. Okay. Alexis Pots in recognition of winning the VHS class 2 off speech first place pros [applause] king first place to Chloe, first place dramatic interpretation. [applause] Second place pros. [applause] Second place poetry. [applause] And we're also giving each student a plaque that says recognition about singing achievement in winning the 2026 BHSL class 2 state speech championship. Second place speaking. >> [applause] >> Ali Ali is here for the second place in humorous duo [applause] powers. Autumn, second place serious duo. >> [applause] >> second place serious duo. [applause] Third place, original oratory. [applause] Li [applause] gratitude. Congratul Fergus [snorts] for them being on the state championship team. Smith. Okay, cool. [applause] and the arch. And then this will go to coach Sarah suits. And then we
007also have a school with all the members, the team members and the coach on there that I will give Miss [applause] Congratulations. pretty Thank you. Next up for recognition we have high school VHS class one speech and Most time along with [applause] this which does an awesome job so hard awesome job always everybody down there for 20 minutes to talk to you. I'm superach had such a great season with these two girls and could not have asked for a better team. They were incredibly hard. Uh they did two vastly different category prot on the spot and she's extremely inspirational I just see a big future in these girls. And I for one close [applause] This is in recognition of BHSL class one speech. Fifth place impromptu speaking. [applause] That's right. [applause] recognition of winning the
008VHS class one state speech second place interpretation of pros. CONGRATULATIONS. [applause] CONGRATULATIONS. Thank you. 2026 FB fifth place all three. mostly because yeah, she's a great young lady. She couldn't be here tonight, but she did a great job. Finished fifth place at the state competition. She's a great young lady. works hard. I'm not sure that There was a couple that is pretty nice. Okay. Do we have a motion that we approve our minutes of I'll make that motion. >> Okay. >> Minutes for May the 5th. >> May the 5th. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Gibson. Do we have a second? Second. All in favor? I. Any oppos? Okay, we have minutes of the special meeting on May the 20th, 2026. Do I have a motion on those minutes? >> I'll make that motion. >> Thank you,
009Miss Perkins. Do we have a second? >> I'll second. >> Thank you, Mr. Ball. All in favor? I >> I any oppose? Okay, we're to the pay our bills tonight. Do we have a motion that we pay our bills? I'll make a motion we pay our bills. >> Thank you, Mr. Eaton. Do we have a second? Second. Okay, you've been doing scar just all in favor. I oppose. Okay, Dr. Hooker to your uh resignations and your retirements. Yes, Madam Chair. We do have a few on the resignation and retirement list for the board to approve tonight. >> I make a motion we approve those. >> Okay. Do we have a second? >> Second. Thank you, Mr. E. All in favor? I I And we thank all of these individuals for all that they have done.
010Okay, we're to the personnel and transfer. Yes, Madam Chair, we do have a few on the list for new hires and transfers for the board to approve tonight. I'll make that motion. >> Thank you, Mr. persons. Do we have a second? Second. Thank you, Mr. Eaton. All in favor? I. Any oppose? Okay, Dr. Hooker, you're down to your action items for tonight. Okay, we do have six action items to be approved tonight. Uh the first one is the approval of an second reading of policy GBC-R and GCB D-R and that is where uh we will be changing the sick leave days for personnel or professional and support staff from 95 to 55. 5. So this establishes all personnel 55. Yes. Are we in discussion? Everybody be the same. Madam chair, are we in discussion or
011Yeah, you go ahead. I need to um on this policy. I'm for everything that's on this policy. Um I am against changing the days from 95 down to 55. I understand the budgetary needs that you're talking about. Uh, the way I look at it is it's it's more like a reward for teachers to come to work, staff to come to work, uh, and and not miss. Uh, I know we have problems now where we have to dock some employees over missing days past what they're due. So, um, with this to me, it's kind of like an incentive. Um, I'm for making cuts to give our employees like just like the schools that we had to close, we give it to our employees. But I'm I'm not for making I'm not for going backwards and making
012a cut uh that benefits our employees. I actually had a um a thought on this matter too. Just I mean I'm like JJ. I think it's kind of a slap in the face um to take it away from everybody just cold turkey. But I think um maybe you could do it like in steps like the people who's been here like 15 plus years. maybe take them down to 65 and then the people from, you know, 14 on, take them down to the 55 just because the ones who's been here the oldest, they actually were here more during that time that the money was raised. You know, somebody's been here two years, they haven't really put a lot into it. But them people who have a lot you know the 15 plus I think it'd be
013good to to you know give them a little more because they have earned that many days and you know just not taking it all the way down to the 55. That's just my thought >> and I do understand that 50 at $55 is still more than any surrounding county. I I I understand that and I see what you're trying to do. Um but if we've got it up there now and we can sustain it, I'd like to see us be able to keep that for our employees. >> You know, you look at a list here, I only see one county at 55. The rest of them are 30, 20, 40. Um, I know a few years back we had three employees believe it took over two years to pay them all. If I understand correctly,
014>> yes, >> I think that's, you know, that's for small county. We're trying to raise our teachers pay. I just think it's I think it's a smart move to I think I I'll be voting for this policy. I I think I've studied about this thing and thought about it and and I've had people tell me both ways. Uh I have I have yet to grasp how it's going to save us money other than the initial salary that that when somebody retires uh if if a person if a person they're going to take their days rather than bank them. And you're going to pay them a full salary for that day. Plus, you're going to have to pay a sub $150 a day >> also. >> It's not. >> What is it? >> It's 90 pounds.
015But but I don't you know I can't see how you're going to save money by cutting it down. Now if you want to I I would be in for in favor of you know maybe not being able to bank as many days or or whatever. But uh this when when this was put