001that we exit executive session tonight. I'll make that motion. Thank you, Mr. Parsons. Do we have a second? I'll second. Thank you, Mr. Ball. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay, Ms. Perkins, will you give us a certification for our executive tonight? Madam Chair, I move to certify that to the best of our knowledge, only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements, and only such public business matters as were identified in the motion to go into executive session were heard, discussed, or considered in executive session. Uh yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. And did you get the codes we were over? A1 and second >> 2.2-3711 A1 personnel 2.2-3711 A7 consultation with legal counsel 2.2-3711 A8 consultation with legal counsel general. Thank you, Ms. Perkins. We'll have [clears throat] a pledge
002for the night. I pledge allegiance 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. Thank you, everyone, for being here this evening. Um I would like a moment of silence if we may. We have had um some, you know, tragic tragic loss of our former employees uh the last month or in the last few days. Uh Travis Hooker um neighbors from the Lebanon school area. Uh Megan Brown uh Honaker High School. Uh Madeline McCoy, she was from the Castlewood area. And she'd given what, 30 years down there, Dr. Hooker? And most recently uh Katie Kate Fields from here in Lebanon, so. If we may, let's just bow our head and give a moment of silence for
003those folks. Thank you, and we ask to remember their families. Okay, Dr. Hooker, do we have any adjustments to the agenda tonight? No, Madam Chair. Okay, do we have a motion that we finalize our agenda tonight? I'll make that motion. Thank you, Mr. Eaton. Do we have a second? I'll second. Thank you, Mr. Gibson, and all in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay, Dr. Hooker, we have a tableful of recognitions. >> Recognitions. Yes, at this time I'd like to ask Ms. Georgia McCoy to come forward to help with recognitions. Thank you, Dr. Hooker, members of Russell County School Board, Madam Chair, Vice Chair. We do have a lot of recognitions tonight, and it's always great to see that tableful, and we do have that tonight. We're going to start with Castlewood High School. And uh
004we're going to start with the state indoor track and field. And I'd like uh the students to come forward as well as their parents. Uh we have Junior Mullins parents Craig and Lori Mullins Parker King, Jack and Tracy King Jerry Glover uh parents Wyatt and April Glover Joseph Skeens, Scott and Hillary Chaffin uh Anna Summers, Brian and Marsha Summers uh Josie Phillips um parent Jessica Phillips and Parker King, Jack and Tracy King. And their coach is Dominic Locke, and if their principal or vice principal, Ms. Jan Kennedy, would come forward, I don't know if Ms. Locke is here or not. [clears throat] She's here. Sorry. >> [laughter] >> I thought you were one of the state. Okay. Um I turn it over to you first, Ms. Locke. Um you know, we're not all up here.
005We were a small team to begin with, but um we're small in number, but mighty with enthusiasm. It was just the second year of the program, and we took um eight, right, to state? Uh our four by eight, and Parker made it in his individual event, Josie made it, and Anna Summers made it. Um and it's hard to convince anybody to run for fun, but these guys do it, and they do it in the freezing cold and in the ice, and on days when school was closed, and I would get texts or remind messages that, you know, they were out on some back road that had just been freshly graveled or in some field somewhere so they could get their practice in. Um and one of the things, since Parker's up here and and Junior
006as well, one of the coolest moments of the year for me was when the state qualification rankings kind of came out, and we sat down in our room, and we were talking about what we would need to get to state, and um we thought our best bet would probably be in the four by eight, and so we decided to focus on that, and Parker said, "It's Junior's senior year, and we owe it to him to do that four by eight and give it our best to make it to state." And that was just a really cool thing that spoke about his character and his integrity, and Junior's going to have a big night being recognized for academics shortly as well, and he was splitting his time between the two, so um I'm just very fortunate
007to be their coach and have the support of Mr. Sparks and Coach Flayed and Ms. Jan, and um it's just they're a really good group. I would like to say to the state senior coach. >> [applause] >> I would just like, you know, she's done a wonderful job, and you know, congratulate the students on the wonderful job they did, and how proud we are to have them at Castlewood High School, and you know, in in everything they do, so congratulations. >> [applause] >> Parker King Parker King, in recognition of winning the 2026 VHSL Class 1 state indoor track and field 500 meters, 10th place. Congratulations. >> [applause] >> Junior Mullins in recognition the for the 2026 VHSL Class 1 state indoor track and field the four by 800 meter relay, 12th place. >> [applause] >>
008Parker King This is in recognition for the four by 800 meter relay, 12th place. >> [applause] >> Jerry Glover He's a basketball king. Okay. So, he's also recognized for a four by 800 meter relay, 12th place, so I'll give that to Ms. Locke. >> [applause] >> Joseph Skeens He's here, but I don't think he came inside. Okay. I wouldn't give him. Okay. He's recognized as well for the four by 800 meter relay, 12th place. >> [applause] >> Congratulations. Ms. Anna Summers She's recognized for the shot put, eighth place. >> [applause] >> Ms. Josie Phillips, she's also recognized for the 3200 meter, 12th place. >> [applause] >> That is I think that's it. Thank you, and congratulations. Congratulations. >> [applause] >> Congratulations. Congratulations, Parker. Congratulations. Thank you for what you did. Congratulations. Congratulations. Thank you. Congratulations.
009Okay, for Castlewood uh the state wrestling uh recognitions uh if when I call your name, if you'll and you and your parents will come forward. Uh Daniel Bruner Hutchins, parents Josh and Liam Hutchins Brayden Stone, Shasta King and Isaac Cooper, Savannah Fritz, and Jake Bush, Brandon and Cara Bush coach Cody Smith. >> [clears throat] >> Uh this year we had a great year. Uh got two that's not here cuz they had to go play baseball at Thomas Walker. Uh you know, wrestling's a hard sport, and it's a very grueling sport, and it it's not one that you can take off each day. Uh and these guys come in every day Uh battle every day injuries. Didn't get the baby this year was first year we took them to state as a wrestling team and proud
010of these guys these guys the future is very bright for us. THANK YOU CAPTAIN. >> [applause] >> AGAIN I JUST HAVE TO AGREE WITH THE COACH AND I'VE WATCHED these boys you know for the last several years and they've grown so much and they've come so far and I'm just so proud of all of them and congratulations. >> [applause] >> Mr. Hutchens in recognition of winning the 2026 VHSL class one state wrestling competition 285 pound class sixth place. >> [applause] >> BRYSON STONE OKAY THIS IS IN recognition of winning the 113 pound class fifth place. >> [applause] >> Isaac Cooper This is in recognition recognition of winning the 120 pound class FOURTH PLACE. >> [applause] >> JACOB BUSH OKAY THIS IS IN recognition of the 175 pound class state RUNNER UP. >> [applause] >> OKAY
011OUR NEXT GROUP FOR CASTLEWOOD High School are our state scholastic bowl state runner up winners and I'm going to call out their names and their parents as well if you'll come up come forward. Benjamin Chaney Amanda and Dean Johnson Bryson Chaney Amanda and Dean Johnson Trey Ham Nikki and Kenny Ham Eddie Jackson Henry and Sharon Jackson Craig Mullins Craig and Lori Mullins Josh Rudder Sarah Dickinson Mason Street Allison Street Cooper Varney David Rebecca Varney Madeline McCowan David and Melanie McCowan Sophie Ray Randall Ray and Catherine Somerville Jacob and Cindy Somerville Coaches Britney Hale assistant coach Reed Varney I'm just getting to tell you back. Mrs. Britney Hale These kids had a great season had a great season after last year and as soon as we started practice this year they'd look at me and they'd
012say do you think we'll make it back to state and I kind of looked confident and like we're not sure and I was like yes absolutely without a doubt. By the time that we started practice this year I could already tell they were better than when they ended their season last year. And I knew it was going to be another exciting year. We went undefeated in the regular season this year it's been a few years since we've done that we've been Cumberland state Cumberland County champions but we haven't been defeated for a little while so it was really nice to go undefeated this year and then at regionals Patrick Henry is our biggest rival in the area and so when we went up against them we lost and that sent us to the losers bracket.
013These kids didn't they didn't say anything they were like okay cool what's next. And so they battled their way out of the losers bracket. And then they came to face Patrick Henry again. And they're like well if we lose we're still going to super. Okay so they're just having a good time and they beat Patrick Henry and then it's like okay we're tied now we have to break the tie so then we played them again and by that time the kids were really grooving and some were even dancing in between rounds. And so I was like okay well it's a good night and then we beat Patrick Henry again so we were region 1A champions and then we played at super regionals and super regionals we battled Patrick Henry yet again and they got the
014best of us that time but it was okay cuz the kids said we're going to win one or two we're going to state we're going to beat them one. So we went to state and they were so excited to go back to Williamsburg it was just a treat to get to go and win or lose they were excited and so was I. And as we battled some really tough competition at state we had ended a three-way tie. And at state the way they break ties is not double elimination it is final place. And so we came out just a few points shy of Patrick Henry so we took second place. But we are the only team that can say that we beat the state champions because we beat Patrick Henry. >> [laughter] >> So we
015still have that so they have to look at their little score sheet with a big L next to their name for Castlewood and Patrick Henry's match so I could not be more proud of these kids they put the work in it's not just what they've learned in the classroom it's what they go home and they study and they work hard and they just get better and better and better and they they're such good human beings. I can't tell you how many times that we go in to play somebody and they go over and they start talking to the other kids it's friendly competition they play they beat them and then they're like hey you're really good. You're really good keep going. They are constantly giving out praise to other people. They praise their own teammates
016as well. But when a coach comes up to me from another team and says your kids are great I'm like I know I'm blessed. I really am. I really want to thank the parents and grandparents cuz y'all are like my family we we spend a lot of time together lot of regular season games Saturdays long Saturdays dinners out um traveling to state uh getting up to whatever shenanigans we can get up to and it's really hard to say goodbye to my seniors all five cuz y'all have been with me for a long time whether it's in my classroom or on my team and I'm really going to miss [clears throat] you all. Um one more uh recognition I would like to make is that this season when we began in December um we just played
017our last tournament this past Saturday got fourth Easter and I can proudly say that I've had the first academic to score 10,000. >> [snorts] >> And that is our Sophie Ray. >> [applause] [applause] [snorts] >> Mr. Barnes would you like to say anything? I'm just happy to be here. >> [laughter] >> Nothing I can add to what Britney said. Mrs. Kennedy there's really nothing I can add either except for how proud I am of them and they're just such smart and such wonderful students and just the way they behave or the way they do everything that they do and they work hard and Castlewood High School is so proud of all of them. THANK YOU. >> [applause] >> BENJAMIN CHANEY OKAY I'M JUST GOING TO GO AHEAD AND read this it's in recognition of outstanding
018achievement in winning the 2026 VHSL class one state scholastic bowl runner up April 2026. >> [applause] >> Trey Ham >> [snorts] [applause] >> Eddie Jackson >> [applause] >> Craig Mullins >> [applause] >> Madeline McCowan Sophie Ray >> [applause] >> Joshua Rudder >> [applause] >> Catherine Somerville >> [applause] >> Mason Street >> [applause] >> Cooper Varney >> [applause] >> I'd like to present congratulations to Miss Britney Hale. >> [applause] >> Blake Burns. >> [applause] >> And we'll give this to Miss Hale. This is to go up in the school. >> [applause] >> Congratulations. Congratulations. Thank you for coming. Congratulations. Thank you for all you do in our county. That's right. Doing good. Feels like a dream. Congratulations. Thank you for all you do in our county. >> [snorts] >> Thank you for coming. It's an accomplishment.
019Congratulations. Thank you for all you do. We're proud of you. Thank you. >> [laughter] >> Congratulations. Thank you. Miss Dunn did a real good job. Good job. Congratulations. I know you're so proud. Thank you for all you do. Congratulations. We're proud of you. Thank you. Good to see you. I know you're proud of him. Oh. It's senior year. I'll see you. Bye. >> [laughter] >> We're proud of you. Congratulations. Good job. Thank you. Congratulations. I know you're proud of them. Congratulations. Thank you. How are you doing? How you doing, man? Okay, that brings us to Honaker High School nails. Congratulations to all of our uh pass winners receiving them. They did a great job this year. Uh we're going to recognize football uh state uh winners. And our first is Avery Music. Uh parents, Amber
020Music and Chris Music, and Parker Lowe, Aaron and Leanna Lowe. So, if you'll come forward. >> [applause] >> Coach, Coach Lowe. And Mr. Lowe, [cough] Honaker High School. So, if you'd like to say a few words. Well, I'll go first. I know that Coach Lowe did These are two remarkable young men. They were fun to watch this year. Avery was all-state. Only played four games, and he played four complete games with a second team all-state. So, I always tell Avery, "You're like a video game." Somebody play with on a video game. I think he had 880 yards and 12 touchdowns, and didn't play but in four games and went in four complete games. That's uh was amazing. And Parker put up crazy numbers, 3,200 yards, had 44 touchdowns. I'm super proud of all of them
021and what they did and how they come along. >> [cough] >> Yeah. I'll start with Parker. Parker freshman, uh extremely proud of him. He threw for over 3,200 yards, 44 touchdowns. Um definitely led the team to the regional semi-finals. Um had a remarkable year as a freshman. Set a couple records. Uh super super super proud of Parker and his and his hard work. >> [applause] >> Avery uh Avery Music, >> [cough] >> senior for us. Uh had a had a unbelievable career. Uh broke broke a bunch of school records, most yards. Um most single single game yards. Um put up big numbers each year in just really four games. Tore his ACL, unfortunately. And uh but uh Avery Avery's been a big part of of Honaker football and and and what we're trying to do
022there. And um you know, I tell him all the time, he's uh one of the hardest workers I've ever been around. And uh he's got great parents. You guys have done a great job. And I know the next level, Avery uh Avery signed to go play at Emory Henry. So, I know the next level, he's going to do great things. But uh super proud of of what you've done and what you've done for Honaker football. >> [applause] >> IN RECOGNITION OF SELECTION TO THE 2025 VHSL Class 1 All-State Football Second Team Quarterback. >> [applause] >> Avery Music. In recognition of selection to the 2025 VHSL Class 1 All-State Football Second TEAM WIDE RECEIVER. >> [applause] >> CONGRATULATIONS. GOOD TO SEE YOU. CONGRATULATIONS. CONGRATULATIONS. Good to see you. Thank you for all you do. Thank you.
023Good to see you. Thank you. Okay, our next two young two young men in the next group are extremely outstanding athletes. They're from Honaker High School. I'm very partial to them cuz they did both start out at Given's and Shortt Creek. Um but uh Hunter Dye and Parker Dye, parents Scott and Keita Dye. YOU'LL COME FORWARD. >> [applause] >> AND DYLAN SHORTT IS THEIR COACH. All right. Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the board. I'll talk a little bit. Extremely proud of both of these guys. Talk a little bit about Parker first. Had a phenomenal freshman year, well, phenomenal year regardless of class. But had a 38 and 3 record. Two losses to a kid from Knoxville, from a 5A school. And the other loss, he came back in the state semi-finals and beat the
024kid. And the kid that he beat in the state semi-finals was a state champion two years ago. And Hunter had a little bit of adversity this season. Showed incredible mental and physical toughness battling an injury about halfway through the season. Came back at districts, won districts, region, and state like by a wide margin. Like out of those three tournaments, the closest match he had was 11 to 0. Incredibly proud of both OF THEM. >> [applause] >> I'M SUPER PROUD OF BOTH OF THEM. THEY'VE ACTUALLY MADE ME BIG wrestling fans cuz before they come along, I was I liked wrestling, but I never really got into the sport as much as watching these two guys. It's been fun. My new favorite wrestling move, what is it, Carter? the state championship. [laughter] It was awesome seeing him
025win a state title, and then just a few minutes later watching Hunter win a state title like back-to-back. It's pretty cool to see brothers win state titles within minutes of each other. >> Hey, can we see you execute that spider on him? >> [laughter] >> The spider. Yeah, do it. Yeah, we'd like to see that. But I'm super proud of both of them. They're two of the hardest working young men and really two of the best young men I know. So, super proud of them, great parents, and look forward to seeing them [cough] do GREAT THINGS. ABSOLUTELY. [applause] IN RECOGNITION OF WINNING THE 2026 VHSL Class 1 Boys State Wrestling Competition 120 lb weight class, two-time first place champions. Two times. >> [applause] >> PARKER DYE. IN RECOGNITION OF WINNING THE 2026 VHSL Class 1
026Boys State Wrestling Competition 113 lb weight class, FIRST PLACE CHAMPION. >> [applause] >> CONGRATULATIONS. I KNOW YOU'RE PROUD. CONGRATULATIONS. I believe that voice coach had something to do with it. >> [laughter] >> Happy? Oh. I loved it. And our next group of honorees are our girls all-state basketball team. The first is Juliana Farmer. Parents Sarah and Lee Farmer, if you'll come forward. >> [applause] >> Uh parents or parent Amanda King and coach IS MISTY MILLER. >> [applause] [laughter] >> I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THESE TWO YOUNG LADIES. I just feel very blessed to be able to be a part of their journey in basketball and to have them that we're we're like a family and that means a lot to me. Not only as basketball players, but they're some of the the best young ladies
027that you'll meet. They're bigger than athletes, but it's just a privilege to coach. Both Both work extremely hard and over the last 3 years with Carrie and 2 years with Ju, we've been able to play in the state semifinal game and in the state quarterfinal game this year and a big part of that is those two ladies standing right there. They They put it on their shoulders and and they've just done an exceptional job. Carrie is probably to be a senior, you don't know how much I'm going to miss her. She's probably one of the most resilient young ladies that I could I could say I've had the privilege to coach. She's She stepped up this year and and just done done amazing job and and that's that's a testament to her and her parents
028as well. But she's done an excellent job on the court for me as a young leader. Not only being able to score and and rebound, but just anything the team needs. And Ju to be a sophomore, it's just it's unbelievable what she has accomplished and I'm so excited to see what her next 2 years are going to be. But as a freshman, she was district player of the year, region player of the year and then first team all-state. And she just She put so much time into this sport. She's She's so fun to watch. She's just an incredible player. But when you go to these meetings, a lot of people will look at just points and you have you know you have to have other stats. Both of these young ladies have great stats and
029lead the team in in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals. They have all four columns. But that Probably the only thing I had to fuss at them all season long was to shoot the ball when they were open. So many times they would look to try to pass and we would have maybe some games in district that wasn't as strong and and those moments when a lot of players looked to pad stats, these two ladies looked to get everybody else involved and try to get players that doesn't get to score all the time, get them the ball in their hand to try to score. And as a coach, that just that means a lot. It does a lot for the team camaraderie and and what we try to to instill in our program. And and they
030just They've both been great leaders. They They put the team on their back this year and stepped up and and just played played exceptional. I'm proud of them. And I really appreciate their parents. They're such fine ladies because of the people standing up here with them. >> [applause] >> I COULD ECHO A LOT OF THE SAME THINGS THAT THIS MILLER SAID. But I love watching these girls play. It's been so much fun. Ju Ju just does an unbelievable job like she said. I mean just district player of the year, region player of the year. Carrie come up huge in region championship, played one of her best games of her career that game and really led the team to that region championship. And I'm really going to miss seeing her. Just not on the court, but
031just to see her walk in every day with her smiling face. You get attached to these kids when you see them all the time and they're around. Coach Miller does an awesome job. So I'm real biased to the girls basketball program. They've done an awesome job. Coach Miller does a great job with them. Going to miss Carrie, but excited to see what she does the next 2 years. I'm super proud of all OF YOU GUYS. >> [applause] >> IN RECOGNITION OF WINNING THE VHSL Class 1 All-State Girls Basketball First Team. >> [applause] >> CARRIE KING IN RECOGNITION OF WINNING THE VHSL Class 1 All-State Girls Basketball SECOND TEAM. >> [applause] >> OKAY, THAT BRINGS US TO LEBANON HIGH SCHOOL now and we're going to recognize our all-state football players. And our first is Michael Reese.
032Parents Tiffany and Chris Reese. >> [applause] >> Lane Jesse. Brandy and Matt Jesse, if you'll come forward. >> [applause] [laughter] >> And our coach is Hunter North. So we'll start with Coach North if you'd like to say a few words. Yes. Thank you everybody for letting us be here today and honoring these two guys and their accomplishments for this past football season. These guys have been not just great athletes for us and great students, but they've been great leaders in the community and have done things the right way and are a great example of what it means to be a good player and a good man. Really proud of them. Just to start with Mike. Mike's been had a great career here at Lebanon High School. He's broken 13 VHSL records over his career here.
033He has really helped lead this football team the past two seasons and for us to have a really good turnaround these past 2 years and to make some runs in the some playoffs and he's been a great kid and a great leader and we're excited for him and his future at UVA wise and the career that he's going to have there both in academics and in football. And then Lane Jesse, he's just a sophomore for us. He's going to be We're going to have him for 2 more years. He had a fantastic season for us. Did something that has not been done in a long time at Lebanon High School. He had almost 1,700 career yard I mean yards this season, over 1,000 receiving yards, which is very impressive. He played every skill position. He
034played quarterback, running back, all four receiving spots the entire season. And that's something that is very rare to find in a football player that can do everything and he can line up anywhere and succeed at any position. He had a great year also for us on defense, had over 100 tackles on the season and missed two games. So you know he those those stats are going to definitely increase as as we move forward, but he has a really good future ahead of him. He's getting recruited by some Division 1 schools and bringing a lot of eyes to Lebanon. So we're very proud that he is somebody that you know is representing us and he does a great job at it. And I also want to thank both of the players' families. They have been great
035to me and welcoming me and letting me coach their two sons and really just I really appreciate you all for welcoming me and you guys let me take the reins on coaching these guys and helping [clears throat] you guys make them great young men. And I'm excited that we get to kind of be together for a long time and and watch them grow up and grow into men. SO THANK YOU ALL. >> [applause] >> UH COACH NORTH GAVE THE FOOTBALL PIECE OF IT. I'LL talk about the academic and school piece of it. Both of these two are exceptional role models for our kids. They do it in different ways. Lane is much more a quiet not always on the football field, but in school he's very much He's very quiet. He's not super outgoing. He
036demonstrates how to be a leader by the way he acts in class, by the way he you know presents himself. Michael >> [laughter] >> because Michael sometimes can be loud. Sometimes can be a little much. But I'm telling you there's nobody that the kids at Lebanon Middle, Lebanon Elementary, They got I love him. I can't help it. I do I love him. Cuz he is He is like me. I was this kid. I was annoying sometimes. >> [laughter] >> But sometimes Um But those little kids, they love him, man. When he goes and dresses up and play doubt with them, they love it. And he's willing to do that. And that's something that I think is is kind of rare in high school kids. You know, they they want to be cool. They want to
037be you know, and and Mike's not a great play around with those kids. He's not a great play be with them. I mean I've got a video on my phone of him late one day, I think he was like sophomore. He was just throwing the passes to my kid. My kid's like seven. My kid's like, Mike, will you throw passes with me? And I'm sure he's ready to go home, but he did it. And we appreciate that. And we're going to miss you. I'm going to miss you. Not always. >> [laughter] >> But I am going to miss you. >> [laughter] >> Thank you to both of you for what you do for Lebanon High School. We appreciate you and we're we're very proud to have you. Very much. >> [applause] >> In recognition of
038selection to the 2025 VHSL Class 2 All-State Football First Team Wide Receiver. CONGRATULATIONS. >> [applause] >> MR. MICHAEL REESE. IN recognition of selection to the 2025 VHSL Class 2 All-State Football Second Team Quarterback. >> [applause] >> Congratulations. Congratulations. Congratulations. >> [laughter] >> Thanks, Ian. All right. I thought you took that after all time. I love you all, friend. >> [laughter] >> Be long, buddy. Okay, we have another group from Lebanon High School and it would be your state wrestling teams from players from Lebanon High School. Ian Ray, uh James and Sarah Ray, if you'll come forward. Grayson Grammar, Josh and Abigail Clevenger, and Hazel Garrett, Eddie Garrett, if you'll come forward. >> [applause] >> Their coach is Mr. Dylan uh Smith. Yes. If you'll say a few words. We're good with the standing up. No,
039um We had a tough year this year. We started around with uh around 24 or five kids and we ended up with around seven or eight on the final roster. So, that just kind of tells you how hard wrestling is. Um and to excel in wrestling is a whole 'nother ballgame of uh of a just a huge accomplishment. Um The ones you're standing or or the ones that are standing there sitting, those are the ones I could count on to win. Like I didn't have to worry about tough matches, hard matches. I knew they were going to put up go out there and do everything they could to win. Uh Grayson's a sophomore this year. Uh he got sixth in the state, made it all the way to the semi-finals, which is a awesome accomplishment
040by him. Especially as a sophomore, it's a it's it's it's very hard to do. Had some tough matches after that, but I think we can learn from them to to move on to the next year to to get maybe to the finals next year. That'd be awesome. Uh I just want to thank you for all the hard work you did this year. Like you're a young guy and you helped out the other ones when they needed it. You were you were there for everybody. I appreciate that. Uh Hazel's a junior this year. We've went to state every year with her. Uh this year we had a lot a little bit more success. We got fourth in state. Uh And for the girls division it it's a little bit different than most. You have uh 1A
041through 6A all going at the same time. So, some of the teams that were up there were very impressive. They had clubs going year round and Hazel's getting to work with us when she can, but uh she did amazing down there, beat a lot of good girls, won some matches we were worried about, but ended up we shouldn't have been. Uh so, it just shows how much work she's put in the last couple years to to get to where she's at now. And uh we're really hoping we're going to maybe get a couple divisions changed next year and get a state championship. But I think we can get one even if we're going against 6A girls. So, but uh Now, Ian, thorn in my side for about eight eight eight or nine years now, if
042I'm being honest with you. Uh again, one of one of the hardest workers I've I've ever seen. I I love wrestling and this kid wants to wrestle 24/7 every single day. He'll get down with some of my practices, go over an hour or two down the road, wrestle with some other kids. I mean, but he's also one of the best kids in the state. That's 1 through 6A, too. Uh Some of his tougher matches this year, tech fall. And if you don't know what tech fall is, it's the most points you can get and then the ref says he's had enough. We'll move on to his next match. So, he's he's again, one of the best wrestlers that I've been around. Goes, travels, wrestles, does everything he can to make it to the next level
043and we've he's put in the work to make it to the next level. So, I'm I'm really we're looking forward to seeing what all he does at the collegiate level in wrestling. I just want to thank you all for being the wrestlers that you were and that I got to coach you all. I really appreciate it. >> [applause] >> Uh Grayson is a he's an exceptional wrestler, but he's also exceptionally multi-talented. Uh he played football. Uh he's a musician. Uh plays all kinds of instruments. He's Mike Thomas' want. You can He's one of those kids that can just pick up an instrument, figure it out. I've watched him do it. Uh he's an amazing He's an amazing young man. We're very proud of him. Uh we're glad that we got a couple more years of
044him. Uh in case you didn't catch it when Coach Smith was talking about Hazel, the girls in the VHSL wrestle in one division. So, it's all 1A through 6A. So, she's wrestling kids from all over, all size schools, you know, from 3,000 kids in northern Virginia to us. So, uh for her to finish where she did was a tremendous job and it's an amazing accomplishment and we're super proud of her. Uh she become a pretty good student, too. Don't Now, don't laugh cuz eighth grade, you know. >> [laughter] >> Moving on. And then uh Ian, the Ray Dynasty at uh Lebanon High School wrestling. Uh he's he's alongside his brother up on the wall. Um he said all along that was his goal was to be up there with his brother. And he repeated this
045year. He's done a terrific job. Um can't ask for a better kid, better person to represent Lebanon High School. Uh we're going to miss him. We're going to miss him a lot. And thank you, guys. Thank you ALL VERY MUCH. >> [applause] >> HAZEL GARRETT. IN RECOGNITION OF winning the 2026 VHSL Class 2 Women's Wrestling Competition 152-lb class fourth place. >> [applause] >> GRAYSON GRAMMAR. IN recognition of winning the 2026 VHSL Class 2 State Wrestling Competition 126-lb class sixth place. >> [applause] >> AND IAN RAY. IN recognition of winning the 2026 VHSL Class 2 Boys State Wrestling Competition 165-lb weight class two-time first place champion. >> [applause] >> Congratulations. Thank you. Congratulations. Congratulations. Good to see you. Congratulations. Congratulations. We're proud. I know you're proud. Congratulations. Thanks. I'm not Mike, but I'm Grayson Grammar. Grayson
046Grammar. Thank you, Grayson. student athlete Thank you. I know they're proud of you. Thank you. Thank you. Congratulations. Thank you. Congratulations. Thank you. Good job. Okay, and our last award uh is for the Russell County Career Technology Center. Uh of course we've heard from this young man in many areas, not just that. Um but it goes to Booker Steffey for the Let me just read that. >> [clears throat] >> For he won the [snorts] Spec Mix Junior Bricklayer 500 World Championship. It sounds like a NASCAR race. And uh he he has won this 2 years in a row, so. He couldn't be with us. He's playing baseball. He's playing baseball. A little bit about his his accomplishment here. This was in Las Vegas and it was a national tournament that he entered into and I
047think that the time limit is 20 minutes. And so for him to lay as many bricks as he could in 20 minutes, it was an amazing number and I it escapes me right now the number of bricks, but just an incredible accomplishment. Um I'm hoping that after he graduates I can talk him into doing a little patch work on the side of the high school as well. Uh but he's a phenomenal young man, exceptionally talented, uh great kid. Like I said right now he's playing baseball. Um but we we're I mean he's been here numerous times. If y'all remember that turtle he made, I I'll never forget that turtle. It was beautiful. So he's he's awesome kid. Thank y'all. Thank you, DR. ROOP. >> [applause] >> GOOD TO SEE YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANKS,
048SIR. OKAY, it brings us to our our last two recognitions. Uh they're monthly uh recognition for teacher of the month and employee of the month. And we'll start with teacher of the month. And that goes to Ms. Wanda Hall at Lebanon Primary School. If she'll come forward along with Ms. Long. >> [applause] [snorts] >> I'm going to read her nomination. It says, "Ms. Hall goes above and beyond each and every day to make a difference in the lives of our children. She leads her after-school program and is constantly trying to think of new ways to help kids learn through STEM and real-world experiences. She spends countless hours helping students succeed in the classroom." >> [applause] >> Ms. Long. Um all of that is correct. I've known Ms. Hall for a long time, um but this
049is the first year that we've actually worked in the same building together. Um and for those of you that may not know, she is a special education teacher and has been for How many years? 30 years. Over 30 years. And so she's in our um kindergarten inclusion classes. And the goal of those classes is that if you walk in that room, uh you might not know which is the general ed teacher and which is the special ed teacher. And that's exactly what I've seen um from Ms. Hall this year. I didn't know I I would have to think and and ask probably who does which role they were playing in because they they co-teach so well together. And that makes a world of difference for our students. And she does do a great job with
050the after-school program. I've seen that firsthand this year. We have a a pretty cool greenhouse, couple of them on the grounds and a garden that they put out every year and uh we have now resorted to hatching baby chicks. And we had how many of those? I don't remember. 22 baby chicks and now we have 19 or 20 duck eggs that we're getting ready to hatch ducklings. So the real-world life experience that the nomination spoke about is very true. So I'm I'm glad to have gotten the opportunity to work with Ms. Hall this year. >> [applause] >> Wanda Hall, Lebanon Primary School has been selected as teacher of the month. >> [applause] >> Thank you, Wanda. Next time. I will. Thank you. >> [laughter] >> Thank you. I find everybody does. You're doing okay. Thank
051you. >> [clears throat] >> Our next recognition goes to Ms. Tina Wyatt for employee of the month from Honaker Elementary School. She'll come forward along with Ms. Eaton, principal. >> [clears throat] >> I'm going to read your nomination. It's a wonderful. "Ms. Tina has worked about every position at Honaker Elementary School. And one never knows where they may find her on a day-to-day basis. The fact of the matter is Ms. Tina is a team player who will do anything asked of her. Her students respond to her no-nonsense demeanor and do their very best for her. Ms. Tina is a constant. She shows up and is the same every day. For being a bus assistant, a test reader, a hall monitor, or the queen of cafeteria, Ms. Tina is there. At a time where our students
052experience daily uncertainties, they know they can count ON MS. TINA." >> [applause] >> MS. EATON, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS? UM Tina and I have been together I guess since I have been in the school system because I had her kids when I taught pre-K, so she took me under her wing. We just work together and uh she does I have moved her or Mr. Mullins >> [cough] >> or Mr. Hasen has moved her all over the building and then she's like, "Where do you want me to go?" And to have somebody like that in your building and uh is is priceless and it's priceless and and I love you, Tina. >> [applause] >> Tina Wyatt, Honaker Elementary School has been selected as support staff employee of the month. >> [applause] >>
053So good to see you. Good to see you. Good to see you. Thank you, Dr. Roop. Okay. Thank you. >> [clears throat] >> That was That was a nice presentation, Dr. Roop. Thank you. Okay, do we have uh >> [clears throat] >> a motion that we approve our minutes of March the 3rd, 2026. I'll make that motion. Thank you, Ms. Perkins. Do we have a second? Second. Thank you, Mr. Parsons. All in favor? Aye. Okay, that takes us down tonight to the delegations uh that might be here that wants to talk. And before we begin the public comment, I would like to recommend to everyone that each speaker be limited to 3 minutes and that this would ensure that all the individuals that wish to speak would have an opportunity to be heard. And if
054you don't mind when you come to the podium, please state your name clearly for the record. And I would like to kindly ask you to conclude your remarks when your time is up. And I thank you and go ahead, Ms. >> Okay. At this time, would anyone like to address the board? Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, members of the board. My name is Ashley Osborn, not to be be confused with Osborne. My name is O S B U R N. My family is completely new to Castlewood as of 2023. I do not personally know any of you. I do not personally know any of the administration at the school. And I do not personally have any kin in Russell County. I'm a parent, I'm a wartime veteran, an active member in the community, a member
055of the PTA, a legal correspondent, and I still am on the government's payroll. My kids and I are not only active members in the community, but my kids are leaders within the community academically and athletically. I volunteer, I donate, I cut checks, and I support, and I show up every single time. Because I don't personally know any of you, all I'm going to speak about is what I have experienced personally, so you can take it with a grain of salt. It's honest and real. There was a time when my child in 2023 arrived at Russell County public schools. For 9 months she was not receiving speech services at speech services which was a direct violation of the American Disabilities Act and more than illegal actions. [cough] Miss Cassidy at that point was my only resource
056available and she's actually the person that connected me with the speech pathologist and actually got my child to receive services after 9 months. I didn't get any support from the administration other than Miss Cassidy. Miss Cassidy stepped up in another situation when a child threatened to bring a knife to school which he did the next day and he threatened to stab my child. Again, administration action was not taken. I've walked the hallways of Castlewood Elementary where I see issues of broken homes, sexual abuse, gender identity. I'm sure you guys are aware. It's important that you have somebody in this position that is adequately equipped to handle these types of situations as far as the guidance counselor. Let's be clear that the students and the parents are against the move of said guidance counselor. We were
057not made aware of it. The only way the reason I became aware of it was when it was posted on social media. I wonder what the ambiguity is about. Today the children wanted to execute a silent prayer and walk out to the flagpole to which they were intimidated and threatened with suspension. I don't know if you guys know that or not. The board of supervisors are here to represent the parents as well. However, I've emailed Luann Wallace three separate times and I'm yet to receive a response or even receipt of my email. I've also called her on several different occasions. As far as Miss Hooker, Dr. Hooker, who runs around this town telling people that you're in charge and it's going to be your way or the highway, threatening jobs, creating ca- Oh, wait. Threatening
058jobs, creating chaos, fostering a hostile work environment, singling out professionals and tearing them down instead of shaping leaders and creating a future >> Excuse me. I'm not done. You have 3 minutes. I'm not done. I yield her my time. Thank you. Look around this room. Everybody was supposed to show up to support Miss Cassidy, but their jobs were literally threatened. I don't know if she's even threatening parts of the supervisors on this board tonight. I don't know. Like I said, I don't know you guys. Again though, I'm here and I want to be clear about why is the reason why are we removing the kindness counselor? That still has not been clear to me. So before you vote tonight, I want you to look at what the problem is. The problem is the administration within
059the Castlewood high school, elementary school, and middle school. It's the administration. It's not the counselor. And I urge you guys as the board of supervisors to take a look not only within each other, but at the administration and the leaders as well because the change has to start from within. And I'm not going to be silent. I've put up signs. I've made videos. I have a following. I have a presence and I have a voice. We are the school board. I understand that. Yeah, not board of supervisors. Just so you know. Thank you. And I would like for our attorney to address the reasoning for students not being allowed to exit the school for protest or whatever. And not a protest. >> It was a silent prayer at 12:00 p.m. at the flagpole and they
060were threatened with suspension and Mr. Padgett said it came directly from Dr. Hooker. Dr. Hooker. I was over it and then over three. I have messages for you. I have a recording too if you would like me to play it of Mr. Padgett speaking. Nick will address it. Thank you for your service. [snorts] It is important. Thank you for speaking. However, uh I don't know. I was contacted about the ability of students to walk out of the school to make [clears throat] a protest of any nature. The law's real clear on this point. There is no absolute right for students to be able to walk out and protest. One, Virginia law requires students to be educated and there is a time period for education. It's the school board's responsibility and its personnel to enforce that.
061If they don't meet the criteria, then they're not able to progress in a or into the next grade level. Two, >> [clears throat] >> is a safety issue. I think there's only one resource officer down there and to take and allow students outside the classroom unsupervised creates another issue. I understand that you may think that the personnel can go out and supervise. That is not part of their job duties. So as such, they're not. Lastly, and I think it's important to note that and and I quote this from the Virginia Court of Appeals, a 2024 case, Ibanez versus Albemarle County Schools, 80 Virginia App. 164. The court said, "We affirm that free speech clause does not prohibit schools from regulating student speech that substantially interferes with work of school or impinges upon rights of other
062students to be secure and to be let alone." So, if any type of school speech or school protest interferes with their educational responsibilities, then the school is entitled to prevent them from doing it. I'm not here to argue if it was allowed or not. I'm here to inform them that that's what was planned and that's what happened. I'm not discussing legalities with you here or there. I understand that >> is addressing as to why those students >> I am speaking. Yes, ma'am. And I was speaking and you started speaking over me. So I will extend the same courtesy. Thank you. Thank you for coming. Thank you for your service. As I was saying, Yes. before I was interrupted, that the school has an obligation to protect the students and there is no absolute right. Now,
063if they're 18 years old, they can absolutely walk out. They're 18, they're adults, they have that right, they have constitutional rights, the school can't prevent them. If they're 17 and under, then they can be prevented from going out for numerous reasons and if it interrupts their education, that is a protected ground that goes back to 1972 or before. And you want to do that through intimidating students by threatening them with suspension face-to-face one-on-one conversations and do that. And in my opinion, if students vacate the property without >> Nobody left the property. Nobody did anything. Teachers were aware and okay with it. Yep. Teachers can't authorize it. They don't have the permission to authorize it. As such, This is America. Yeah. It is America. And and I did fight in the war. Let's just clarify. I
064did fight in the war. So we can speak. >> can speak. >> Thank you for that. Thank you for your service. >> you guys are forgetting. I actually did. I'm a wartime veteran. I'm a decorated wartime veteran. And if my child wanted to go out to a flagpole and pray to show support for her guidance counselor, that should be allowed no matter what. This is the United States of America. That's it. >> [applause] >> Maybe we can drop some of that this matter if it keeps going on. Maybe. And the complications that would take place under that Virginia law too. And that is the part of me. Children are allowed to Thank you. Go ahead, Dr. Hooker. Uh would anyone else like to address the board? Okay, come forward. I'll say Sandra Gomez, I'm sure.
065Sandra Gomez? Okay. And I'm here on behalf of Cassidy. And I just don't understand what's going on with everybody. You know, Castlewood gets nothing. It's like Lebanon and Honaker gets everything. But when it comes to Castlewood, our football field has holes in it. All kinds of stuff, you know, and stuff that's just swept under the rug. And she has built this program from ground up. Just so you guys won't have somebody come in and take credit for what she's done. And the hours she puts in. She has over 100 children that she supervises. And you know, when we were growing up, you know, it was like we didn't experience this stuff till 10th, 11th grade. You got sixth and seventh graders starting to kill themselves. You got them threatening to kill other people. You've got
066bullying and they have to go and they need somebody they trust to talk to and they go and talk to her because she's on their level. You know, they're fat shamed. My daughter lost 30 lb in a month and a half because people kept calling her fat. You know, and it's not right. And she's went to Miss Cassidy and Miss Cassidy gets on their level and she sits and talks to them. And if she even has a box outside her office if someone wants to anonymously place a box that they can. You know, most people don't do that. The last guidance counselor sat in her office, you know, and done her work on school time. She's not like that. She's around the school all day. Parents can talk to her at any time. And as
067far as the black popos, uh parents are going to show up for their child. And I was there with my child. So, if I want my child to be there, I was there and they would check out cuz I'm a parent. You guys are not the parent of my child. Amen. And I will, you know, I don't understand what you guys are thinking. But if y'all want to make a big change, then move the one from the high school to the elementary and move her to the high school. Why throw in a third party? It doesn't make sense. I mean, I really don't understand. You know, it's supposed to be a democracy, but this is more like a dictatorship. That's right. And it's not right. At all. And when I talked to you the other
068day, you were unconcerned Yep. about anything. All the time. I'm sure you remember talking to me. And when I asked you, you talked like this was already a done deal, you know, you couldn't change it. And I said, "When was the meeting?" Oh, it's going to happen tonight. So, I don't understand why you said that it's going to be a done deal if these people haven't heard what the people have to say. Amen. >> Unless you're they're in your pocket or they're your puppets. I don't know which. But I will hope you all hear me, >> [applause] >> but please vote to keep Ms. Cassidy. Because I don't want to lose a child. You know, I've got three children. And she has helped every one. When I was on one income, I couldn't even afford
069Christmas for my kids. She helped step up to get my kids Christmas. You know, and then the high school helped as well. You know, we have a good school. We have a good guidance counselor. But what we don't have is good administration. We don't. And you know, Castlewood's tired of it. Powers not been held. The signs that were placed on the fence, what were they on? They were totally disoriented. They wasn't hurting anybody. It was their opinion. We thank you. >> [applause] >> Would anyone else like to address the board? I just heard something say "We only take a minute." My name is Sharon Jackson if you want to put it down. I have been a lifetime Castlewood and Dante resident. I went to Castlewood from 1996, graduated Castlewood High School in 2009. We've always
070got the short end of the stick just as they said. We've watched Lebanon and I know Honaker's field was donated, but we've watched y'all pay over a million dollars for Lebanon's football field, but we can't keep the one good guidance counselor we've had in 30 years? I was personally friends with Megan. Her and my son were best Her son and my best son were best friends, but she could not do her job. Cassidy came in there and turned the whole program around. My nieces have said these kids love her. And this is not how y'all should be doing things. Parents have a say. Amen. And Aaron's Castlewood does not deserve to lose everything just because they're better than the people you have in Lebanon and Honaker. Thank you. Would anyone else like to address the
071board? I'm Jeff Bush and I'm from Castlewood. And my granddaughter loved Ms. Cassidy. And they took her from Copper Creek and they moved her to Castlewood a few years ago. It's like they broke her heart. Well, now it's going to break her heart cuz she's at Castlewood now. And to lose her again. And I want to know the real reason why this change is is being made. Yeah, what's the reason? >> Why? What's the reason? Yeah, what's the reason? I I want to know. Can anybody tell me? No. Huh? We can't discuss personnel matters. Well, what? Why Why does it need to be done? Huh? It's against the law for us to tell you anything about that. Well, I know the kids that love her and she's done a lot for them kids. She even
072helped start a program for lunch for, you know, a locker for kids that can't afford food. And I've heard tale after tale of how she's helped these kids and they all love her. And it's going to break their heart if you take her away. And and we're all uh watching how everybody votes on this, too. That's all I got to say. Right. >> [applause] >> Would anyone else like to address the board? We actually have a student that wants to tell y'all what she's done for him. >> [cough] [clears throat] >> Hi, I'm uh Edwin Jackson. Go Castlewood High School. I'm currently in 10th grade. And if I'm not mistaken, Ms. Cassidy came over my That was 6th grade year, I think, to Yeah. And I was going through a few emotional issues at the
073time. I, you know, being a young boy, especially, you know, being fat like I am, I was, you know, I always felt like people would leave me out and stuff. I was being bullied then. Kids would just always get on my nerves. So, I went to Ms. Cassidy about it. And she was like the only person I've ever did anything. And she got she got them to stop for a little while and stuff and it was great. And she was always there for me anytime I needed to talk, she she was there and I was able to to go there and talk to her. And it was awesome. And she's nice, genuine person who problems you have. She told me multiple times, "If you ever have any more problems, come see me." I'll pass her
074in the hallway sometimes when I'm going from like left this and stuff and she'll be up there with like some of the younger kids that [snorts] are in elementary school and I'll pass her and she'll say hi to me and stuff and talk to me and ask me how I'm doing. And that's that's how we know somebody is a good member of staff that we need to keep like she was awesome. And I think that we need to keep her cuz she was And as my mom said earlier, I was best friends with with Megan, the previous guidance counselor. I was best friends with her son. And I even believe that she was a crap guidance counselor. I went to her with problems before and nothing was done about it. But I go to Cas-
075Cassidy about it once and like that, it was it was done. It was it made, you know, the last year or two of of elementary school great for me. And it's made my high school career great for me. And >> [snorts] >> that's just she she's great, as I've said. I've just come up here and I've written this cuz, you know, it's like, you know, I want to tell my story about it and stuff and like she's all I can really say is that she's great. She was awesome. She's awesome guidance counselor. And my my as my mom said, you know, my cousin, she's she just started pre-K this year. And like Ms. Cassidy, she was Ms. Cassidy, but yeah, all do. All the kids I've ever talked to and stuff on there. Like it's
076I'm I mean, I would have Castlewood my entire life, so it's just how I've I've just And yeah, she was only in elementary school for my last couple years, but it was again, probably the best couple years of elementary school I had. 6th grade was rough in school. She stepped in. And like talked to her and then it got a lot better. And that's that's a sign of a good guidance counselor. That's a sign of somebody we need to keep at Castlewood. Cuz I know that not just me, but other kids at Castlewood have problems. And I guess I'll end it off here cuz that was the time up. Thank you guys for listening. Thank you. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Thank you. Would anyone else like to address the board? My name is Judy
077Jordan. I am Cassidy's mother. And I want to show you a different perspective of what I see. I go to football games with my daughter. I go to basketball games. We go shopping. We go to eat. She runs into these children that she sees every day and they come up and hug her. They come up and talk to her. Even kids that are in high school. And anybody that's raised kids, I have three. I have three step children, five grandbabies. When they become teenagers, it's hard to get them to speak. It's hard to get them to smile. It's hard to show any reaction whatsoever, any emotion. But yet, they are not scared to come up to her anywhere she is and publicly show her that they love her. They will hug her. They'll call her
078Ms. Cassidy. She'll ask them how they're doing. They light up. They absolutely love her. It's like a friend. And that is hard to find. She is achieving what anybody else would want to be in a school system. And these kids look up to her. They consider her one of theirs. And to take her from them or to take her from that to another school would be detrimental for both of them because she is shining bright at this school. I have seen a change in her. She cares about these kids. She cares about their decisions. She cares about their emotions. She cares about their thoughts, their home life, everything they do. My child cares about. And that shows me that she is in the right place. And every one of you all should be proud to
079have her at Castlewood because she is making a change. I've never When I started When I came here, I moved from Pennsylvania. My mother and father separated when I was in the middle of kindergarten. I don't remember I got a school counselor. I wish I had one. I wish I had a Miss Cassidy when I was in kindergarten because that was so hard for me to go from my mother and my father and my grandmother all living in the same house in a city in Pennsylvania to moving with my mother to the country that I didn't know anybody. Was the hardest thing for me. I would have loved to have had somebody to talk to, for them to tell me that it was going to be okay and that I could do this and ask
080me if I was okay. I mean, as a parent, my parent couldn't do that. It was a decision she had to make. But I just needed somebody and I see that in her. I see the change that she has in these kids and how much they look up to her. And I just want to ask you all to please leave her where she is. She's making the change that we want. I mean, she is such a light and she's going to be that light no matter where she goes. And I understand that, but she's already doing it. Thank you, Miss Jordan. >> [applause] >> Would anyone else like to address the board? Yes, sir. >> [clears throat] >> My name's Curtis Osborne. I'm a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Actually there. I didn't
081plan to speak tonight. I'm also a veteran. Four-time veteran of operations. And we can hear the stories that we just heard right now. It's so much more. So much more. Imagine the ones if we let this know that we're moving her, you're trying to move her. How many more stories would be here? Being in here, see a lot of different things going on. I mean, you know, it's small town stuff and this and that and all of them is wrong. I live by the Army values. Right? Integrity is one. Honor. Right? I don't know if we have any veterans on here. All right, we got to look look deep in the way we going to vote for this stuff. We can't take this stuff serious. This is what we represent to these people that I
082fought for. And then I come in here and I hear these stories like it's a can't tell you cuz the administration and the laws that we got to keep this secret. And why we're moving her? Okay. I mean, what problem you solving? Besides [clears throat] maybe a personal gain and stuff. I don't know. Personal gain thing. I don't know. I don't know. But we all know in this room that this is wrong to move this group. I mean, it's blatantly wrong. Unless there's a freaking some crazy situation that you're not being disclosed, which I doubt there is. Then it's wrong to make this move. I hope that you guys realize that when you vote on it. And we're watching the votes. Someone else says the parents are watching. And when you wake up a sleeping
083giant, it's hard to stop. And when you get someone up here like me who wasn't going to speak, who likes to keep themselves in the backyard and away from people, right? Me and my wife are deep in the woods. You know, we come in here and discuss this because you're going to hurt my son. I'm going to do something. No. That's not going to do it that way, but I'll fight. So, please vote the right thing tonight. We're watching. We'll come up with something. It's all my wife. She's outspoken. All right? She has a way of doing things. I don't know about I'm more strategic. We're married 15 plus years. It's a good combination. Deadly combination. Let me tell you. All right? Please vote the right way. Thank you. Thank you for your time. Thank
084you. >> [applause] >> Would anyone else like to address the board? Okay, Madam Chair. >> [clears throat] >> Okay, do we have a motion takes us down to the bills and accounts. Do we have a motion that we pay the bills tonight? >> a motion we pay the bills. Thank you, Mr. Eaton. Do we have a second? I second. Okay, thank you, Mr. Gibson, if that was. [snorts] Any discussion? All in favor? I. Any opposed? Okay, Dr. Hooker, take you to your resignations and retirements. >> Yes, Madam Chair, we do have a list of resignation and retirements for the board to approve tonight. I apologize about the technology. It keeps going on and off. I'll make that motion. Okay. Thank you, Miss Perkins. Do I have [clears throat] a second? >> I second. Thank you,
085Mr. Ball. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any discussion? Okay. Okay, Dr. Hooker, you're to your new hires and transfers. Yes, Madam Chair, we do have a long list of new hires and transfers for the board to vote on tonight. Okay, do we have a motion? I'll make that motion. Thank you, Miss Perkins. Do I have a second? Second. Thank you, Mr. Eaton. And do we have any discussion? And all in favor? I. Any opposed? Okay, Dr. Hooker, you're to your action items for tonight. Yes, Madam Chair, we do have four action items to be approved tonight. The first one is the second reading and approval of policy DLL. And that's the special pay policy with the group Fixed Annuity that you all saw on the first reading last meeting. Okay, do we have a
086motion for that? [clears throat] >> Okay, thank you, Mr. Ball. Do we have a second? Second. Thank you, Mr. Parsons. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Any opposed? Okay, Dr. Hooker. Okay, Madam Chair, the second action item is the request the approval of the 2026-2027 CTE Perkins plan, which is the career and technology education. I'll make a motion. Thank you, Mr. Ball. Do I have a second? >> I second. Thank you, Mr. Eaton. Any discussion? All in favor? I. I. Any opposed? Okay, the third action item is to recommend the board staff recommends the board to approve a bonus of $1,500 for full-time employees and $500 for qualified part-time employees for the FY26. And this would go out in the the middle of June of this year. >> Thank you, Mr. Eaton. Do I have
087a second? I [clears throat] second. Thank you, Mr. Ball. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Any opposed? [clears throat] Better not. >> [laughter] >> Thank you. Okay, the fourth action item, Madam Chair, is the staff recommends the approval to replace Honaker High School's turf field due to the failure of the field safety test. Due to that failure of the field safety test, the soccer team is having to play and all the other I think was it flag football and other things have had to find other places to play. I'll make that motion. Thank you, Mr. Ball. Do I have a second? >> I second. Thank you, Mr. Eaton. >> Can we have some discussion? We can. How much does this cost? It's going to be $416,000. To replace the turf. What about Castlewood? That's the
088estimate, right? >> Yes, that's the estimate. Cuz our football field also has potholes in it and they trip and fall all the time. So, I'm wondering if Castlewood is going to get anything at all besides I just you know, I appreciate the person making the money. We we did a couple years work on Castlewood's football field. So, the Sorry. >> What uh and how we paying for this? We're going to pay for this with the extra money that we got from the gymnasium at Lebanon Elementary School. We had to cut some things out, the capital improvements that we had to make so that we could do this. >> So, what are we cutting out? Uh there was a couple of roofing projects and then the Honaker wrestling room was cut out. And there were some
089other capital outlay items that I I can't recall. And just a reminder that this field was donated to us to start with, so it actually hasn't cost the county a a penny when they put it in. Uh and it's been there 18 years. It's outlasted its time 8 years. Usually turf fields only last about 10 years. Um so it's it's overdue, but the field has failed the test. VHSL has shut it down. We're not allowed to even step foot on the field at right now. No kids is allowed on it for no reason. But I still think we should go with grass turf. What is the cost to put grass turf? We have checked with the companies and they say it will cost about the same thing cuz you're going to have to take out
090the drainage system and other things. But it's a one-time fix. Mhm. We wouldn't have to do this again in 10 years. Yes. Does the new field have a warranty on it? Uh yes. Is Mr. Lovelace It's 10 years. So in 10 years this $400,000 will probably be a million dollars. But very likely. Very likely. And I know the young man from Honaker who only got to play four games. I don't know where he tore his ACL. But uh just do a quick re- re- Google search on turf field versus uh natural grass. Uh you're 32% higher rate of a knee injury. You're 69% higher rate for a foot or ankle injury on on turf fields. A football player is 23% more likely to tear an ACL or soccer players are 60% more likely to tear
091an ACL. And that's due to the the turf and you you you cle- your cleats getting stuck and the field's harder. And you know you have to ask yourself why the NFL teams and the colleges, why are they going away from turf? It's cuz of that right there. Their injuries. So I think we you know you know I think we need to put instead of a pretty field put the kids' safety first. Uh You know like you know you Mr. Eaton you said that the field [clears throat] was free. All right. If somebody if I win a Lamborghini and it tears down or I wreck it my next one's not free. Am I going to go buy a Lamborghini? No. I'm going to I'm going to get something I can afford. And I challenge anybody
092to name me another single A school in a poorer county that has turf field. Can't do it. Cuz they can't cuz they can't afford it. How much did the school system pay to redo Castlewood's field a couple years ago? Mr. Lovelace, I think that was what 35,000? >> the football and the softball. Part of that was for softball. Right. 35,000? Mhm. Big difference. >> Honaker gets four almost half a million. But we have a we actually have to pay for upkeep as well on the the grass fields and That's what $5,000 a year you told me? Roughly? It's roughly about I would say with counting both of them each about 8,000. Yeah cuz we have to clean the we have to clean turf fields and stuff to make them We don't have to pay for
093any upkeep of a turf field. You you You clean them? We clean them we do but we don't have any we don't have any as far as mowing or anything like that. We it's pretty much self-reliant. >> you're going to have to pay the same amount to rip it up and take out the drainage system and everything I would rather have what we have now. I was told when they did Richlands field not the superintendent told me that it was estimated to be $500,000. Once they dug it up and they were found more problems it was almost $800,000. So what are we going to do if that happens to us? I mean where's it coming from? I mean you know we're a poor county. We're just now getting our teachers up to par with other
094counties. I just think it's a financially irresponsible to be a comp- conservative and and vote for this. So I mean I'm a no vote. I'm a no vote. Madam Chair, we've got a motion. Okay, we got a motion. I might know I'm going to vote Got a second and I'll call for the vote. Now we'll do a roll call. I'm yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. No. No. Okay. Thank you. Okay, Dr. Hooker you're to your information items. Madam Chair, we do have uh some policies that are needing updated and it'll be the first reading of those. Okay. And that's it. >> Don't need no approval on those. No. Okay, our sales tax for March $333,975.54. [clears throat] ADM uh 3,045. We have the maintenance report and expenditure report. Does any board member have anything on
095those they need to discuss? Okay, Dr. Hooker you're to your future agenda items. Okay, um I think that's if anybody any potential items that Mhm. Anybody have any future agenda item they'd like to bring up? Okay, Dr. Hooker you're to your calendar items. >> Yes, we do have a list here Madam Chair. It's April the 16th is RCCTC advisory dinner at 6:00 p.m. and they will be having auction items there. On April the 29th at 5:00 p.m. uh is the 2026 VSBA spring networking forum at the Inn at Wise. May the 7th is the business business partnership luncheon at 11:30 a.m. May the 17th is graduation ceremonies. Castlewood will be at 1:00, Lebanon High School at 4:00 and Honaker High School at 7:00. May the 21st is the RCCTC graduation at Lebanon High School which
096will be at 6:00 and then on May the 29th, 2026 will be the last day of school and that will be a full day. Okay. Thank you Dr. Hooker. Our next school board meeting will be May the 5th 2026 5:00. Thank y'all for your service. Do we have a motion that we adjourn? I'll make that motion. Thank you Mr. Eaton. Thank you all. Second. All in favor? I. I. Who was the second? Tim? Tim. Tim and JJ. Do you want us to keep these? At your service. JJ, did you say what I said? Huh?