001Thank you, Mr. Ball. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Miss Garrett. And all in favor, >> I >> Okay, Miss Perkins, would you care to give us the certification for executive session this evening? 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. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Okay. We'll stand for the pledge. Mr. persons. Would you care to lead us with the pledge tonight? >> Yes, ma'am. >> I pledge to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty
002and justice for all. Madame Chair, uh before we open the ported delegations, I uh >> with this being the first meeting since the senseless assassination of Charlie Kirk last month, I'd uh suggest that we have a moment of silence to observe a moment of silence in remembrance and honor of Charlie Kirk who was bold in his Christian faith and a true patriot. >> Yes, >> we could do that. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Gibson. >> Okay, Dr. Hooker. Yes, ma'am. At this time, would anyone like to address the board? Uh let's have a word of prayer. Dear gracious and all wise God, as we bow today in the loving name of your son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we want to thank you God for the blessings that you bestow upon our lives,
003our country, our state. Thank you, dear Lord, for all that you've done for us. Most of all, for saving our soul. We ask you God that you give us all wisdom dear Lord to do the right thing and say the right thing dear Lord give us favor and eyes dear Lord of each man woman boy and girl but most of all let us obtain favor in your eyes God watch over us lead us and guide us as Mr. Gibson said a while ago about Charlie Kerr, "Dear Lord, let us be a Christian, Lord, that what we believe that we're not only just willing to live for it, but we're willing to die for it. Forgive us, Lord, when we failed you, God. Remember the lost, remember the sick, remember all your children, dear Lord, as
004we try to always pray, let thy will be done in Jesus name." Amen. >> Amen. >> Thank you, sir. >> Thank you, Mr. D. Okay, we have some individuals here this evening, I think, that may want to come and uh speak to the board. So, I would like to do a little bit of reminder. Uh before we begin our public comment, I'd like to remind everyone that each speaker, we'd like to limit you to three minutes. This ensures that all individuals who wish to speak have an opportunity to be heard. And when you come to the podium, I would ask that you state your name clearly for our record. And I would kindly ask that you conclude your remarks when the time is up. And I would further add if you uh have comment that
005you would refrain from naming students uh and as well our employees. If you need to comment about other students and employees, uh that would need to be uh taken care of with board members in executive because I think that would just be a better better way of doing things. Okay, Dr. Hooker, anyone else like to address the board who you may have? I've got an Andrea Hail listed >> if you'd like to come forth. Thank you, Miss Hail. You're welcome to go ahead. >> Thank you. Good evening. My name is Andrea Hail. My children attend Homemaker Elementary School. Since the beginning of the school year, my 10-year-old has come home almost daily complaining about the same boy who keeps bullying him, being both verbally and physically abusive. The teachers have reported to the office multiple
006times a week, and I, as his parent, never notified. The other child has continued to go unpunished. On Tuesday, September 23rd, Anakin reported that the same bully told him to go kill himself. I immediately called the assistant principal. I have emailed him in the past regarding the bullying with no uh no response until I had to uh actually call and speak to him personally. This time, uh he put the principal on the phone. She told me that she gave the boys a science of lunch. That was it. That's the only thing that was done. I told her that this boy has been harassing my son non-stop and yet could get zero consequences. and now he's telling my kid to take his own life. I expressed to the principal that I was upset that I had
007not been contacted regarding these situations and she acted like it was unusual for a parent to want to know when her child is being attacked. I want to know what she would have done if my child had listened. If a child took their life after so much bullying, what would she say then when she knew all along that something was going on and did not tell the child's parents? That blood would then be on her hands. I told the principal that I want that boy suspended or I will be taking this to the school board. She assured me that she would handle it. He is still in my son's class. Once again, nothing has been done. The message that these adults are telling to their to the children is that a bully can keep hurting
008people and that they do not care what happens to the children being abused. They are telling these kids that actions do not have consequences. And they are teaching the children that need protection. That not only do they not have rights, but no one is coming to help them. This is not what I expected. into a small town where everyone looks out for everyone. I expected a small town which values family and community to take better care of the coming generation. Since going public about my outrage at the lack of action at Honeaker Elementary, I have received countless messages from parents expressing how their child has been bullied and were punished for defending themselves while the bully remained unpunished. We as parents should be able to trust that when our children go to school, they will
009be safe. Not only is their physical safety not being a priority, but their emotional safety is in grave jeopardy. We shouldn't have to tell administration that our children are important. If they didn't understand this already, then they're in the wrong field. Going forward, I want to see changes made and I plan to see them through. I would like to form a PTA. We need communication and we need to be on the same team. A child who physically and intentionally hurts another child should be sent home immediately. A child who threatens to inflict bodily harm or death or tell a child to commit suicide should be suspended and permanently removed from that classroom. Children who feel safe learn better. We as parents and you as leaders need to do better. We need to do right by
010our children because if we fail them now, we fail as a community and ultimately as a nation. Thank you. >> Thank you very much, Miss Hail. Our next person is >> Yeah, I don't know. >> Ever. >> Good evening. My name is McKenna and I'm a student at King University pursuing my bachelor's in criminology and psychology. I'm here tonight because my brother's been experiencing repeated bullying at school. He's been shoved into death, told to commit suicide and made feel to and made to feel unsafe in a place that is supposed to protect him. What makes us worse is that he's been told that he has no right to defend himself. And the administration has refused to notify parents or take meaningful steps to stop it. I am speaking today because silence is not an option
011when a safety when a child's safety and future are on the line. I'd first like to emphasize what research has made very clear. Early experiences shape who children become. Trauma and childhood childhood whether physical or emotional does not simply disappear. It rewires your brain. It increases the risk of depression, anxiety, PTSD and even physical health problems later in life. This trauma may increase vulnerability to future risk behaviors and involvement with justice system. When children are subjected to trauma in school, they are not just being hurt in the moment. They're being set up for lifelong struggles. Second, bullying itself is not just kids being kids. It has profound effects. Children who are bullied face higher risk of self harm, suicidal thoughts, academic decline, and lifelong trust issues. My brother deserves better than to be told to
012simply endure it. Every student deserves better than that. And lastly, when adults in positions of authority refuse to take action, the message is clear. The bully's behavior is acceptable and the victim's pain is not worth addressing. That silence doesn't just affect the kids being bullied. It teaches every other student watching that cruelty will be tolerated. It teaches victims their voices don't matter. That is a dangerous and damaging lesson. Is that the lesson we want to teach our children? The lesson we want to teach the future of our countries. So, what should be done? At the very least, the school must acknowledge that this behavior is happening and communicate honestly with parents. There must be clear and enforced consequences for bullying, not just for the student being targeted, but for the entire school climate. Teachers and
013staff need training to recognize and intervene effectively. And most importantly, students must be taught they have the right to feel safe, to be respected, and to stand up for themselves when that safety is threatened. Prevention and intervention in childhood is not just about protecting kids in that moment, but about safeguarding their futures. Our earliest years lay the foundation for much of our adult lives. And the experiences we go through, both good and bad, can leave lasting marks that shape our mental health, relationships, and the paths we take in society. I'm asking you guys tonight to act, not just for my brother, but for every student who's enduring this in silence. The long-term cost of ignoring bullying are far greater than the short-term discomfort of addressing it. Please show our students that their lives, their safety,
014and their futures matter. Thank you guys. >> Excuse me. Have have uh have you gotten with the principal at your school where your brother attends? >> That's a homemaker. That's her daughter. >> Okay. Okay. Yes. Okay. And your number is good. That's on the paper. >> Thank you. >> And I agree. We do not want bully in our schools and I wouldn't want it for my kids or grandkids. >> There's your number to reach out >> and I don't expect the kids to do nothing. >> Okay. >> In Russell County, you have a right to defend yourself. So Andre is your resource offices these children and think that they're not allowed to she can be on the television. >> You can come to the podium and address the board with your name and we'll be
015glad to hear you. >> Yes. My name is Angela Ellis and my child has been a victim at not only Castlewood Elementary School but at Leedman Elementary School and now he's in Casswood High School in which case I have repetitively since the beginning of the year had to contact the principal and had to contact Jamie Dickson at the school uh the bus garage multiple times over having videos watched because my 10th grade student, my highly ADHD autistic child is being bullied. My child bothers no one. He sits with his headphones on. He bothers no one. If it's not directly his neighbor or his brother, he speaks to no one. And then you have kids that are sitting here and they think it's funny to throw stuff at him until they they finally get him to
016say, "Hey, stop. Quit." You know, just to get a reaction out of him. And I'm repetitively repetitively calling and filing reports and I'm getting told, "Oh, they're getting assigned seats. Oh, they're getting Oh, they're in the elementary. I can't do nothing here. I don't care which school they go to. It doesn't matter. A parent should not have to call on a weekly basis. And when they they do speak up for theirel, then oh, they're the irrational one because well, they they they've tried everything y'all's way. They've tried telling a teacher. They've tried talking to principal. They've tried talking to counselors. And when you got counselors that are sitting at your school and and uh counseling children on how to ignore their bully, that that in itself is a joke. And then you got resource officers
017that are sitting there telling children that you can't defend yourself because if you hit back, you're going to be charged with assault charges. You the resource officers theirel are intimidating and bullying these children into thinking that they're not allowed to defend theirel. And I said, "No, sir. You will not tell my child this because my child has under the the Constitution of the United States gives him the federal right to defend himself against all harm. All harm, foreign and domestic. That is anyone. And if he's being bullied, if he's being assaulted, now I'm all firm believer. I teach my children to ignore words. It is just words. Now I understand certain things cannot be ignored. certain things that when they are said to your child, those are very damaging. They absolutely are. And they are
018certain words that cannot be ignored. And however, I do my my best to teach my children to ignore what is being said to them. Unless they are hemmed in a corner, unless they have no other option to physically defend theirel, my children are instructed not to do so. But I will not sit idly by while Russell County staff members and Russell County resource officers are telling my child that you can't defend yourself when someone physically is hitting you, especially after two and a half months worth of them going and telling teachers every day and them telling principles and vice principles and counselors and them getting told that, "Oh, well, we didn't see it. We can't do nothing about it." Excuse me. Does our tax dollars not pay for cameras in that school? You're telling me
019you can't pull up a camera? And and and on top of that, why do we have children being left out in the hallways without supervision? It shouldn't be happening. You shouldn't have children between fifth, sixth, seventh grade. They're being sent to walk theirelves from in a in a whole group class or sometimes two classes or more at a time between classroom to outdoors to PE or from the classroom to the gym or classroom to the cafeteria. They should be living left to walk theirelves and this happens over and over when those are the worst age groups for bullying. Fifth, sixth, seventh and well it I mean it proceeds on up. I'm not saying that it's limited to these age groups, but these are your the most likely grades to have bullying going on. And then
020these teachers are just sitting there sitting in their desk just telling the kids, "Go walk yourself to art class, go walk yourself to PE, whatever." And then when you got a kid coming back and pleading with the teacher, hey, I need help. So and so's hitting me. So and so won't leave me alone. Him and his friends are ganging up on me. They're not letting me, you know, get to class. And the teacher's like, "Oh, well, we didn't see nothing." Or, "Oh, we'll tell the principal." But then they don't even bother to tell the principal. >> You know, you're having stuff happening repetitively and like they mentioned that there's not even report no parents are not even being notified >> to find out the amount of times that my child had been had had physical
021contact made to him. Okay, Miss Ellis, I think your time >> is it's it's a lack of staff. >> If our kids are walking by the something >> Okay, we we'll listen and [Applause] I would like to ask Mr. Kempton if he would if you have it available or you could pull it up there. >> Yes, madam chair. >> The JFC the bullying policy. It might be a good refresher for everyone, parents, students, staff, everybody to to listen to it >> as far as those if they are telling them that >> specifically to address uh your statement about being advised that they're not allowed to self-defense. Uh this is available to the general public. This is on the R County code the board adopts in the public site and it states and this is policy
022JFC student conduct last revised this past July and it talks about bullying and harassing different things but in there under self-defense whether a student acted in self-defense is considered when the student's conduct is evaluated for disciplinary action. So that means that your child is allowed to defend themsel, Virginia state law states that you have the right to have reasonable force to repel the attack upon you. That is Virginia law. And before any discipline is handed down against your child, the school under policy shall consider if it was if the child was acting in self-defense. Sobody has misinformed uh the children, they should refresh themselves. If parents were unaware, I do suggest everybody read the policy manual. There is quite a bit of information in there. >> Anything else, Madam Chair? >> Well, I appreciate that.
023>> I appreciate you, you know, bringing that to everybody's attention. Okay, we have Carrie Bradshaw next. Good evening everybody. Madam chair, members of the board, members, please bear with me a little under the weather so my voice is a little weaker than normal. Um, my name is Katie Edwards Bradshaw. I'm a proud alumni of Leon High School, class of 2014. I'm here tonight alongside students and community supporters to request your guidance and support as we work to establish Turning Point USA student chapters at Leing Castlewood and Horn High School. Turning Point USA's mission is to identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of freedom, free food markets, and limited government. We believe that these chapters will provide our students with valuable opportunities for civic engagement, leadership development, and constructive dialogue, always within
024the same policies and standards as every other student organization within their schools currently. At this stage, we are focused entirely on building a solid foundation. The national organization provides the started materials free of charge, and we are not conducting any fundraising or accepting donations at this time. The priority is to move through the properly channels and to ensure these chapters are approved and established the correct way. The request tonight is simple. To seek the board's blessing in moving forward with this process and to ask for any additional requirements, forms or guidance that students will need to complete the new club charters within the rest county public schools. I look forward to working with the administration, faculty, sponsors, and the board to ensure these student organizations are transparent, compliant, and a positive addition to our schools
025and community. Thank you for coming. >> Well, thank you so much for coming this segment. >> I I 100% support it. >> I really appreciate you. Um, in addition, I have a letter from the Mesel County Republican Committee in support and I've included my statements tonight. >> Okay. >> You want to give it to me, Karen, I can make a copy for them. >> Absolutely. Thank you. >> And if you need anything, you we can discuss anything you need. >> I'll put my contact information on the bottom there that way. >> Okay. >> Anything you guys can get to me. >> Okay. >> Sure. >> Thank you. Have you contacted Turning Point? >> Yeah. >> Um start up materials in the mail. >> So we've got that in the works. >> Okay. You get with
026Miss Hooker and she get with Mr. Compton. We'd like to see it happen. >> I would love it. >> In every school in all school, both schools, all three schools. Yes. Absolutely. >> Thank you so much. Hey, >> thanks. Thanks for coming. >> Okay. Uh Miss Wanda Burke. Good evening. >> I just wanted to come up first of all and tell y'all um we know there was some turmoil and so forth. There were some questions about Mark coming into the schools, but this tonight is why Mark comes into the schools. I know Dr. Hooker came on Monday. I wish everybody would come and listen to him because you would have heard him talk harshly and a lot about bullying in the schools. He really wants to do what he can. By the time he left
027Lebanon, which was the first school he went to, he was already having messages pop into his phone. He answers every message. I know if he gets messages that there's anybody that's going to harm themselves, he tries to report that as quick as he can. But like Friday night at the football game, there was a youngster that came up to Randy and he said, "It was you." And Randy, what are we talking about? He said, "It was you and your wife that helped bring him into the my school today." And he said, "I want to know why. Why would you bring him into the school?" And Randy said, "Because if it stops one child from doing anything that I've done or he's done that'll take you down the wrong path, that'll that to tell you to
028stay away from friends that are not going to be good for you to to know what to do when you're being bullied." He said, "If it's one child that gets taken care of and helped, it's worth every dime that gets that gets spent on this." I appreciate the fact, I know it was a little bit muddled this year, but we appreciate the fact that you let him come in. He loves to come to Southwest Virginia. And if you're in the schools or if any of you had kids that listen to him, >> I don't think there was a child there that didn't come up and try to thank him and talk to him and everything else because he for some reason they relate to him. And I don't know, I don't know what it is,
029but there's something that he does. Hopefully we can bring him back again. I know not next year, but hopefully we can. But guys, we got to do everything we can to bring positive messages into these into the schools. Whoever can come in and bring a positive me. Y'all said you were going to go a different direction. I hope you do. And if there's anything we can do to help, we would we would surely help. But we need to bring all the positive into the schools because these kids are up against things that we never were up against. Nobody. I heard about the little girl in Richland today. That's heartbreaking. We should not lose ever lose a child due to this. So, we got to do what we can as a county, as as schools, as
030members of the board to do whatever we got to do to help every one of these kids, no matter what they're facing, because we don't have a clue what they're going through at home. Most kids are not going to come in and tell you. They're not going to tell you. They're going to keep it inside. And then, like Mark said, that just erupts. And at some point, when that eruption goes, it's not going to be good. So, I do say thank you for letting us bring him in and I hope it was it was worth it to anybody that heard him. But I appreciate appreciate what y'all did. >> Thank you, Miss >> and thank you for your work on that. >> Thank you. >> Okay, we've got Angela Street listed. My name is Angela
031Street. >> Thank you, Mr. Street. >> Um, I'm here to speak out on the bullying as well. I do want to make a comment first, your comment at the beginning of the meeting that you don't think we should bring out staff members names. I understand we don't bring out students names, but if these staff members don't want to be painted in a bad light, then they don't need to be acting that way. They need to be held accountable. It don't need to be swiped under the rug and their name can't push hush. It just needs to be brought out. >> Excuse me. I If you need to address particulars, we are glad to hear it. We will go back into executive and you can tell >> it needs to be for the public. I'm not
032the only one that has kids at these schools. >> Parents have the right to know. That shouldn't be held secret. Now, I'm sorry. I disagree on that. I don't have any names to call tonight. I did at my last meeting. Uh and you tried to shut me up two or three different times. >> No, I don't want to shut no one up. Excuse me. >> But um and then I have another uh comment on something that the gentleman here said uh that students uh as far as the bullying policy that um the staff will investigate and then they before they do issue punishment. I know that's a lie because that happened to my son. Um, that happened when he was going to Leaden and High and he got in a fight on the school bus.
033We were notified there was video. They would not allow us to watch the video. They did inform us there was no sound on it because the kids on the bus were being too loud. Nobody at that school offered to even call us and talk to us and ask us what happened. They never spoke to my child to ask him what happened. And they put him through the court system and he got on juvenile probation and he had to do five months of community service or five hours of community service and he was on probation for six months and if he got in any more trouble he would have been brought back up on assault charges. So, I know that's not true because it happened to my child and that's not right. And the whole issue
034of the fight was over he had been bullied for over a year. This crap needs to stop. These kids in this school deserve better than what they're getting. I was here just in May and I want to ask each one of you. Uh I I spoke back in May on uh kids that defend themselves uh being punished and it was brought up I think maybe you may have said that you wanted the policy to be re uh to be checked into about kids not being punished if all they were doing was defending theirel. I want to ask you what's been done since May. >> July. >> That policy was in July. That was changed in July. So kids don't get punished if they >> they will investigate it. If there is if they were defending
035themselves, they will investigate that and it'll be considered in the punishment. So yes. >> Okay. My concern on this is back in May whenever I had to come and he got my son got in a fight but he wasn't the one started it. he had jumped in and he did fight back. Um there was no really as far as the principles go there was no investigation done and um all they they spoke to both boys and my son at first was uh suspended as well. Both boys got the same punishment and I had to come to Miss Hooker and she seen because I got a video of it because another kid had videoed the whole thing and I had physical proof for myself that he was attacked and so therefore that punishment got took away
036from my son. But there still needs to be it's like there's no investigation when something goes on. these staff members at these schools, they need to be held accountable when they're not doing their job. If they're not doing what they're paid to be there to do, they need out of there. If you all as a board are not going to stand up and support our children and keep our kids safe when they have to be at school, then we either need to get our kids out of this school system or you all need the ones that ain't going to do nothing resign and get somebody in here that will because this is getting ridiculous. I've been dealing with this since my son was second grade. He's a junior. >> Myster >> I appreciate you coming.
037And if you need to address more issues with your son, is he still in school or >> Yes, he's a junior. >> He's a junior. >> If you have any more issues, please address it with Dr. Hooker. And if you don't get satisfaction with her, I suggest you come to executive session and let it be known. and board will >> that or I'll pull him out all together because I'm I'm pretty fed up. I'm I'm done. If something doesn't change for these kids in this county, this county is going to have a world mess. These kids deserve better than what they're getting. Not just mine, all of them. I appreciate you coming and again I'm hoping the very best for your son as as a junior and we hope that we can do him his
038junior year and hopefully we can give him a nice diploma when he's a senior. But if you have any further issues at all, right here is who you need to you bring it to your principal. There's some protocol and if you don't get it done there, you bring it to Dr. Hooker. If you don't get it taken care of there, this board, we want to hear your problem and we will take it right back there and we will address wherever it it goes, other children, staff, but we're here to represent everybody. And we have to look at all the students and we have to try to support our staff. But if they if there needs to be something done with staff, we will we will get it tucked here. >> We want our kids safe.
039We want everybody to get a good education and we want it to be a good experience. I mean, school should be one of the most best times of of our children's lives. >> It should be. Yes. >> Yes. And that's what we I mean, that's our goal. I mean, that's what we want. When I went to school, I loved it. I looked forward to it. I was the only child. So, I loved being able to be with, you know, >> my son's an only child and he hates school. >> And he hates school, >> right? >> Grades it every day. Oh, well I'm sorry, but >> I don't >> say Angie, we we have me and you've talked before. >> Yeah. >> And and and as I you know, Miss Hail here, I mean, think
040we don't know unless you tell us unless you go through the and it has to go through the proper channels, >> but we have we can't just look and say, well, Angie said this happened to Kanan. >> Yeah. >> And but so we have to look at everything. So I just want y'all to know that we are looking at it. >> We follow the principal, you know, >> why should we have to be going out here and notifying everybody? Isn't that third to communicate with you? >> We're looking into everything. We are just >> Okay, we we got to move on. >> The sad thing, Christie, is whenever all of these different instances happened, I did come before the board. You weren't a board member then at that time. And nothing still ever got done.
041Nothing really changed. I mean, it never changed anything. I've been to this board. I can't tell you the amount of times since he was in second grade and it's done absolutely no good. And it was even before Dr. Hooker's time when I've went to her. She's she's helped me with my situation. She has and I appreciate it. Uh but it don't always even coming to the board doesn't always get it done. >> Thank you, Miss Street. >> Pat Music if you want to go ahead. I'll be >> Oh, you're fine. Go ahead and address it. We we did We've taken care of different things. Whatever you have. >> Well, as you all know, Pat Music, I'm a bus driver. I'm here about subd drivers. Um, our list, I have no driver available to drive. Uh,
042in the last two years, I've know that I've taken a half half a day off. I might have took a day and a half because we have no subs. I contacted every one of you back in March and told you we had no subs. Um I told Jamie today I said I'd like to have off October the 31st. Well, I've got one that's out on six weeks leave, another one on the six week leave. I don't have anybody. I asked for have a day off. We have no subs. You all need to do something. Um, you had two good drivers that left this year. One of them for two years had begged for help. Nothing was done to help. Um, somebody wanted routes took away. They took one away. that put more on me. I'm
043not complaining about that. But now you have issues with children doing stuff. I have nowhere to put them. I need car seats on my bus. I don't have room for them or I have to put my kids back with the high school which is already sitting to to a seat. U like I said, you had two good drivers because of You taking routes away left money. It's all about money. Y'all give 280ome,000 back to the board of supervisors. Christie, I know me and you talked. You told me you were told that we were the highest, one of the highest paying counties around for sub drivers. I called the counties around. I have it. I emailed information. We're next to the bottom in subpay for our drivers. So, I'm here tonight to let you all know
044on October the 31st, PM run, bus 21 will be sitting on Homemaker's lot. If there's not a driver there, it's not going to be me because I need a day off. I have the days. I have more than enough days, but you all don't have any subd drivers for us. And it's I mean, like I said, in two years, I've take taken a day and a half off because there was no drivers. We Something's got to be done. And I told Nobody wants to work. I know that. But if you would give more pay, there might be people willing to pay. I mean to work. And I'm here to ask for help for your drivers because the ones that of us that do work, it's just like the beginning of the year. I'm packing kids
045in two, three to a seat. I got off the bus and I told my husband, I said, "I'm looking another job and I am very serious this time. So, you're looking at losing another driver. I won't say that I'm good, but I get my job done and I do it to the best of my ability. So, I'm asking for your help. >> Thank you, Pat. >> Okay. Okay. Is anyone else like to address the board? >> I'm sorry, but This is my first time here. >> Sure, you can call up. >> Come forward. >> I don't know who protocol. >> Uh, what's your name, please? >> My name is Deborah Dy. >> Deborah Dy. Okay. Go ahead, Miss D. >> I have a child that attends Honey Girl. >> Okay. >> I'm sorry I'm a
046little emotional, but I'm mad. My child is six years old. He's autistic and he's nonverbal. Last Monday, I went to pick my child up from school and a different individual other than his aid brought him out to me. So I asked her, I said, "Why are you bringing my son to me?" And she's like, "I don't know. Why don't you know, you know?" She's like, "Well, he was brought to us." So on Tuesday, my son rides a handicap bus. So on Tuesday morning, I asked the handicapped bus driver. I'm like, "Why do you guys have my son?" And she's like, "I don't know. You know, why is my son being brought to you for me to pick up?" And she's like, "I don't know." Okay, why don't you know? She's like, "Well, he was brought
047to us um starting at 2:10 every day." Now, I'm like, "Why?" She's like, "I don't know." So, she's like, "If you have any questions, you need to call the school and ask certain individuals." So, I called I sent a message to Honey Elementary, one of their staff members, and I asked them, I said, "Can you please call me?" I said, "I'd like to talk discuss my son with you." And she said, "Okay." I said, "Why is my son being placed in this class now?" She said, "Because he's defiant." I said, "What is he being defiant about?" "Because he doesn't want to go down the hall and go outside and play." So therefore, at 2:10, he is taken and putting into a seclusion class. So he doesn't have recess no more because he doesn't want to
048go outside and play. He doesn't want to go down that hallway. That's wrong. My child deserves to go outside and play just like any other child in this school district. >> Miss D, >> don't take that away. >> Miss D, would you care to come and >> Yeah, put your number down. >> Put your phone number down here. I I just now wrote your name down and >> we'll get that addressed. Can I finish? >> Sure. >> Yeah, but we just need your number so that Dr. Hooker can get with you. Go ahead. >> So, it was brought to my attention, I question why, that my son is no longer allowed to go outside and play with all the other kids. And they said that he is defiant and that he is also disrupted in
049the class. Mind you, he's autistic. He's nonverbal. He can't tell you the only word he knows is no. >> Even when he means yes, it's no. >> It's no. >> But he gets up and he walks around and around in circles. Autistic kids do that. That is a part of autism. You have to deal with it. It was the choice to put him in classes with normal kids. I want him to be treated just like any other child because he gets up and walks around in a class. I'm sorry, but that's who he is. That's what he does. He doesn't know no different. Don't treat my child differently. That's not fair to him. He deserves all the opportunity that any other kid gets. Don't take his recess away from him. He's six years old. He
050doesn't understand why that he cannot go outside and play no more. >> It's not fair. >> I'm not interrupting you, but it needs to be addressed and >> please do. Our staff will get with you tomorrow. >> Thank you. >> Miss Farmer and Miss Hooker. >> Anyone else like to address the board? >> That's got a question. >> Sure. >> How come everything's got to be done in executive session? Everybody in this county ran on the word transparency. Transparency does not take place in any of the three executive sessions. Y'all, the town or the county. If you want us to be out here where the parents can see what's going on, why not do it in why not do it out here? We want to know what's going on for the kids. We don't even
051have kids, but we love them to do. But they deserve to know what's going on. Why does it have to be executive session? And that's what you keep saying, we'll take you to executive session. >> Okay, Mr. Nick, would you like to address that? And the reason is is because pursuant to code that certain people and individuals specifically children have a right of privacy and as such that information is not to be disseminated to the public. I'm sure that you would not want your child discussed openly and before the entire school system or community since it's on video that your child is having a disciplinary action or that there's something involved. Further, if you look at the code, not code to individuals here today under the uh information act, certain things are listed in the
052law to be discussed in executive action, particularly if you're talking about discipline uh for staff, staff, teachers specifically listed has a right to be present in executive session to address the grievance because not everything is founded, not comes back as being actionable. However, in the public eye, many times people are convicted with just on public opinion with appearance. >> So to protect that, that's why that is done. >> I agree. Now my kids, I guess I'm a a bad dad. When my kids done something wrong, hey, guess what? Bring it in front of the world and see the punishment they got, too. >> My wife My wife whipped her kids at school as a teacher. So everybody wrong the child >> but that is something you know that is an individual decision the court doesn't
053have that luxury the law has certain restrictions and obviously they would expose them themselves to action well you may agree with that I may agree with that if they were to do that for somebody a third person then as a citizen of the community you may end up paying lawyers fees to defend this court for an action when they could just easily prevent it by following the That's what she said it changed. But you know what changed? >> Nothing. >> Now we got school shooting. >> When you used to whip them in school and to do all this and stuff, we didn't have school shooting. When I was in high school, they ever trun >> I was I was in school at the same time. >> And you never even thought about shooting nobody. You
054just >> Nick went Nick went deer hunting after he got out twice. >> But unfortunately that is not this board's ability to do. Board does not have that. So I suggest you know, be active in your community at your local, state, and federal level. That way, those policies can change. But, you know, when I advise the board, I advise the board to protect them and as a citizen from lawsuits because, you know, they don't need to be taking action that would subject this county to paying a large bill and a large settlement >> because the only way that school systems get money is taxes. Thank you. U Thank you, Mr. Burke and Mr. Gun. >> Anyone else? >> I think you're good, Madam Chair. >> Okay. Thanks for everyone. And we have any adjustments to
055the agenda tonight, Dr. Hooker? >> No, ma'am. >> And thank you. I need a motion that we approve and finalize the agenda for tonight. >> Thank you, Mr. Parsons. And thank you, um, Miss Perkins. Okay. Do I have a motion that we approve the minutes of last month? I have to get down there to where we're >> Yeah. vote to vote to finalize the agenda. >> Yeah, we Okay. The vote for the finalized agenda. All in favor? >> I. Any oppose or any comment? Okay. the minutes of September the 2nd, 2025. Do I have a motion that we approve those minutes? >> I make that motion. >> Thank you, Mr. Ball. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Parsons. And all in favor? >> I. >> Okay, Dr. Hooker, we're to
056the recognitions for tonight. Okay. I would like to ask Mr. Mullins to please come forward to help recognitions. Usually Miss McCoy does this, but she is under the weather. So, we're glad to have Mr. Mullins. >> Thank you, Dr. Ducker, and thank you, board. Tonight, we're here to also recognize spring all state athletes from Lebanon High School. This time, I'd like to ask Mr. Ryan Pops, principal Leban come forward. a little bit delayed with recognition, but we've got uh some uh very big accomplishments here. And I'd like to ask the parents of Caitlyn Morrison and Chad Music, please come forward >> along with those student athletes. >> Okay, >> that's their little twins. Watch. Watch. >> Bad shape. >> And before we get started, guys, Mr. Pots and Coach S Jones, I'm sorry, Sach Jones.
057Dennis Price, the other coach, he had a volleyball game tonight couldn't be with us. So, Mr. Jones speak a few words about the >> Oh, of course. On behalf of Coach Price, he's currently coaching volleyball right now. And the rest of the team, we appreciate Dr. Hooker and the board have us out and recognize us. Last year, I believe we went 20 and four for the year, which was pretty good. >> That's pretty good. >> The first round of state, which we hope to go a little bit farther this year. We had a great run and had a couple great players. It's an honor for them to make the ball state. To do that, you have to make all district, all region to be up there with state. So, first we've got Chad Music. [Applause]
058recognition of selection to the 2025 VHSL class 2 softball all state team second team pitcher. >> Congratulations. Great. >> Shaden did have 20 wins last year >> and she can't be blamed at all for the four losses that none of that was on her. So, she had a good run. She's a junior this year. So, we'll have her back this year and again next year. And I've heard she's still harder. That'll be fun to watch in February. >> Morrison. [Applause] >> Oh, Caitlyn's second team outfield. First team, I'm sorry. First team, which is even better if you didn't know that. She led the team with a 425 batting average, which is good. And she's a senior this year. Both these ladies were leaders on the field and in the dugout and they've been together a
059long time. So we're expecting great [Applause] in recognition of selection to the 2025 BHSL class 2 softball all state team first team outfield. Congratulations. >> Great. [Applause] Uh we're extremely proud of our softball program. Extremely proud of these two young ladies. I do want to take a moment to thank the parents. Um we have some very active parents in softball. They have really worked hard to uh improve our facilities. U Chad gave a little bit more to to uh but we you know we couldn't do the things that we do without the parents and and they've raised these great children and they work hard and they represent us in the best way possible and we look forward to watching them both this year and hopefully making a really good run. >> Great. [Applause] How are
060you? >> I'm good. Chris, congratulations. >> Where's the other one? >> She's playing volleyball. She doing good. >> Proud of her. >> Hey, Congratulations. >> Congratulations. What you do? >> You're working too hard, huh? >> That's right. She's got a tween. >> Greta and Chris. Uh, next up I need Ethan Trent, boys soccer coach lives in high school and Hunter. You want to say a few words to Mr. >> Yeah, absolutely. So, uh, Hunter King has been in our program for four years and he has been one of the hardest holders of our team. He's a great leader both on the field and in the locker room and we're really going to miss him. I wish I could clone him so I could have him again for four more years. Um but yeah, he he
061has he's been the hardest hole of our defense. And if you didn't know, defenders in soccer don't score a lot of goals. Um Thunder King, I think how many seven or eight headers this year that he scored and a couple free kicks. So walking down defensively and then also scoring as a defender is something that only the truly elite defenders can really do. So, I thought that was very impressive for him. [Applause] >> Yeah, we're going to miss Hunter greatly. Uh in addition to representing us well on the soccer field, he's also been a huge part of the youth soccer uh in Lebanon. uh most Saturdays he can be found refereeing uh which is can be dangerous as a young man sometimes sometimes parents can get a little too upset and you know so it's
062I mean that's a service though that that he you know that they help provide for our young people and so we're really appreciative of that uh as well. So uh I just want to mention that of course his parents have been very supportive over the time and uh this is the last Right. So, we don't have any more. So, it's unfortunate. Two king boards are both pretty good pretty solid young men. So, we're going to miss them a lot. Thank you. >> His parents make me feel a little old right now. >> In recognition of selection to the 2025 VHSL class 2 soccer all state team second team defender. Congratulations. [Applause] Congratulations. >> Good to see you. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Congratulations. Uh next up we have uh some absentees. Uh one is
063soccer. Um second team all state. Chloe Dylan and she's not here and the coach is not here tonight either. Also baseball. Uh both of these baseball players second team all state and they're away at college continue their baseball career which is awesome. And that would be uh Nathan Phillips and his breeding. So Mr. say a few words about those. >> Uh just really quick, Chloe, uh you know, I hate that Brian couldn't be here. He's watching her play volleyball right now. Uh but you know, we've kind of our girls soccer program has struggled. Uh at one time they had a terrible coach that was really tall and me. So Brian has done a tremendous job helping rebuild that program. So for us to have all state girls soccer and then both of these young men,
064these baseball players, they're both playing college baseball right now. Nathan's at St. Mary's and Ethan or Eli Lloyd. Eli played yesterday in a varsity game. I think he was playing today in a varsity game. Uh so, you know, we're really proud of what they've done and I hate they couldn't be here, but I did want to take a moment just to mention their accomplishments because they've been tremendous, tremendous players for us and tremendous kids. Thank you, Mr. >> Thank you, Mr. Okay. Do we have a motion that we pay the bills and accounts? I think that's next, isn't it? >> So move. >> Thank you, Mr. Gibson. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Parsons. All in favor? >> I. >> Any oppose? Any discussion? Okay, we're to the retirements. And
065>> yes, we do have a small list, Madam Chair, to for the board to approve tonight. >> Okay. Do we have a motion for the resignations and or retirements? >> I'll make that motion. Thank you, Miss Perkins. Do we have a second? >> I second. >> Thank you, Mr. Ball. All in favor? >> I. Any oppose? >> Okay, Dr. Hooker, you have again for new hires and transfers. We do have a small list for the board to approve tonight. >> I'll make that motion. >> Thank you. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Miss Garrett. All in favor? >> I. Any oppose? Okay. Okay. Uh, Madam Chair, we do have one action item tonight and that is for the board to approve the auction items. >> I'll make that motion. >> Okay.
066Thank you, Miss Garrett. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Okay. When uh is that listed when it's going to be? >> 11th. >> October 11th. >> Yeah. October the 11th. Okay. at nine o'clock. >> At nine o'clock and that would be at the bus garage. >> Okay. >> Do you have any other updates? Uh >> yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. U I would like to announce tonight I think the board has gotten tired of waiting on me for to get the badges in, but the board did approve for the students to get in free to the VHSL events. Um, logistically it's been um it's been a while for us to get things ready, but I'm going to announce tonight that students will be getting in free tomorrow at their home games at their home
067schools. >> And then once the badges come in, we'll take care of that with the schools and we'll get all that taken care of. >> Thank you. >> Okay, Dr. Hooker, thank you for that. our sales tax September 400 400,000 $41,23716 the ADM as of 8 >> 31 is that right Dr. Yes. >> Okay. We are to the maintenance report. Does any board member have any question or anything they need to discuss on the maintenance the expenditure report. Would like to say that we miss uh Mr. Eaton this evening. He's got a new addition to his family and we want to congratulate uh congratulate uh Mr. Eaton and I'm sure he's enjoying that new arrival and we're hoping him the very very best. >> Thank for our food. >> Sweet little family. Go ahead with
068that. >> Thank for our food. We want to tell uh the vocational school we appreciate uh >> the meal tonight. Did a good job with that. >> We need to turn that station down and freeze it. >> Want to kill hogs. >> Amen. >> Our next meeting is scheduled for >> it's been Yeah, it's changed >> to November the 11th. >> That's due to election. due to the election. >> That is Veterans Day. >> Okay. Is that Veterans Day? >> Yes, that is Veterans Day. >> Okay. >> That's right. November. >> So, you want to >> Yeah, the fourth. >> Yes. >> Uh, do you want to when would you all want to change it? You want to change it to that Thursday? >> How about that seventh? >> Is that the seventh >> or
069is it the sixth? It' be the sixth. >> The sixth is a Thursday. Is a Friday. You want to do the sixth? Okay. I'll I'll get that changed. >> All right. Thank you. >> Okay, we got that changed. I'd like to thank everyone for coming this evening. Appreciate your presence. And I want to tell Dr. Hooker and her staff. We appreciate what they do and uh you've got some work to do. I want you to address address the issues that have been brought before us. The board wants to >> absolutely >> wants all our students safe and we that's from the time they get on the bus till they get back home every evening and we want them taken care of. Does any other board member have anything they would like to add tonight? Okay.
070Okay. Calendar of events. Do you have anything, Dr. Lucer? >> No, ma'am. >> Okay. I'll take a motion that we adjourn for tonight. >> I'll make that motion. >> Thank you, Miss Perkins. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Miss Garrett. And all in favor? >> I I >> be safe going home. >> Thank you again for coming. >> Y'all want some more of that Russ County Fair and Technical Center food October