001Motion that we exit executive session this evening. Motion. Second. Thank you, Mr. Eaton and Mr. Ball. All in favor? I. Any oppose? Okay. Um, Mr. Eaton, would you do the certification this evening? Yeah, Mr. Chairman, I move that we clarify that to the best of our knowledge, only public business matters lawfully exempted from opening 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. 137 and 8. Repeat A1 A12.2-3711 2-3711 personnel three A7 is 2.2-3711A uh consultation with legal counsel uh A82.2-3711A consultation with legal counsel in general and then uh 2.2-3711A acquisition of real property. Okay. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Okay. And we'll stand for the pledge this evening. I pledge allegiance to the flag
002of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay, Dr. Okay. Would anyone like to address the board at this time? Start off with a word of prayer if you would. Heavenly Father, we thank you Lord again for the freedom and the opportunity to come out and do the county's business, county school systems business. We just thank you for the board members and their willingness to serve and the kids that we're recognizing tonight. We just praise you for the gifts and talents that you've given them and help them to go forward and use those talents and gifts for your will and just be with their younger generation, Lord, as they enjoy the summer. Let it be a great summer
003filled with memories and laughter for them with family and friends and help them to always stand bold and to stand up for what is right no matter what. We thank you and praise you for all in Christ's name. Amen. Amen. Anyone else like to address the board? Okay. Okay. Do I have any adjustments for the agenda this evening? Uh, no, Madam Chair. Okay. Thank you, Dr. Hooker. Do I have a motion that we finalize and approve our agenda for these this evening? So, move. Thank you, Mr. Gibson. Do we have a second? Second. Thank you, Mr. Parsons. Uh, all in favor? I I any oppose? Okay, we are to the minutes of the May 6, 2025 meeting. Do we have a motion that we approve those minutes for the this evening? Motion moved. Thank you,
004Mr. Eaton. Do we have a second? Second. Thank you, Miss Garrett. All in favor? I I any oppose? Okay, Dr. Hooker, that takes you to your recognitions for tonight. Okay. Thank you, Madam Chair. I'd like to ask Miss Georgia McCoy to please come forward to help with our recognitions and thank you, Dr. Hooker, Madame Chair, members of the Rust County School Board. Um it's a an honor to be here tonight to recognize the young people that we have. Uh and we're going to start with Booker Stephie. and his parents are Keith and Sarah Stey. Okay. That's great. Uh for um the vocational school that accept us on his behalf or CTE director. [Laughter] Thank you, Mr. I just wanted to read and I hate that he could not be here, but Booker won the Spec
005Mix Junior Brick Player 500 National Competition on January the 22nd, 2025. The competition is mostly about speed, but also the wall must be a certain quality of neatness and proper design. He laid 137 bricks in 10 minutes to win the National Competition. Booker won $1,000 as prize money. Cardinal News interviewed me and Booker and wrote a very nice article about his accomplishments. He qualified for the event event by winning the East Tennessee Regional Spec Mix Junior Brick Layer 500 competition. Sounds like a race. He qualified in the top 10 in the nation to earn a spot in Las Vegas for the finals. There was also a team from Australia competing. His dad Keith was also involved. He kept Bookerard stock with mortar and bricks for the contests. So, uh, and he also plays first place
006in Skills USA. So, I hate that he couldn't be here tonight, but congratulations to him. And, uh, Mr. Mullen, would you like to say a few words? Mr. and and Stephie. I mean, that's a dynamic duo right there. And I've been over to vocational school, talked to him and watched him practice. And you know, him going back to do things to hone his craft. He's seen where he was slow and he worked on it. And I mean, the kid's just a hard worker. Mr. Brooks is just excellent teacher and you know, on behalf of school, happy to accept. So, thank you very much. [Applause] She better shake. Our next recognitions, um, this is always a great one for us, are the art contest winners. And we'll start with elementary. Uh, when I call her name
007and their parents would come up, please. McKinley Short from Hone Elementary School. She uh her parents are Josh and Britney Short. The middle school winner is Madison Gotchaw from Casswood High School. Her parents are Benjamin and Melissa Gotcha. And the high school winner was Sophie Ray from Casswood High School. And her parents are Jamie and Randall Ray. Is anyone here? And Our teacher was Miss Caitlyn Hobs. And I'd like to ask Miss Jane Kennedy to go forward. She is the assistant principal Catwood High School. And I know that Mr. Sparks is in uh Wise right now. So if you'd like to say a few words. I would just like to say congratulations and on a job well done. And that is just your performance and and to win the, you know, the best award in
008the county for your art speaks volumes. And not only the talent that you show there, but the talent and that you show at the high school every day. And we thank you. You're so proud. [Applause] Show it to us. [Music] Turn it around this way. That's at Lake. She's always had a eye for photography and I let her loose on my Nikon camera. Gave her some real tools and that's what she did. That's awesome. We also have a recognition award to Madison for participation in the 2025 Southwest Spring Regional Forum Art Contest. Congratulations. Thank you. There was a lot of competition there. I want you to know because Okay. Sorry. She's at Caswood High School as well. That's unreal. She'll get it the next year. Yeah. No, they they take it and display it. We'll
009take those pictures. They're going to shore from her elementary also placion. [Applause] Okay. Uh, our next recognitions are from home high school and they are the state girls basketball recognition. if um the students and their parents would come forward when I called their name. Elena McNelte, parents, Mr. Mrs. Steve McNelte, um Callie Miller, Brandon and Misty Miller and Carrie King. Gerald and Amanda King, the late Gerald King is Christy Miller. she'll come forward and Mr. Bostic is the assistant principal filling in for Mr. Bush tonight. So, if you'd like to say a few words. I'm very proud of both of the young ladies. Elena couldn't be here tonight. She's out of town. But I can't say enough of just what special girls these are. They work really hard and I feel very blessed to be
010able to be their coach. Very special. Mr. I could talk all night about these ladies and and their coach. They're just great human beings, much less another players. They are definitely Cali the last four years been a spark plug has made our team go. Not always show always in the stat book, but she does things that made us win ball games. But I'm get a little emotional because I'm gonna miss these girls because I've been around them so much. But just does things you can't explain, man. She's just unreal defensively just does what it takes to win. And one of the that I've ever seen. That's uh and he carries just unbelievable player put back in a regional championship game. Basically carried us to the state tournament. So just so I guess a lot of
011good memories, a lot of ups, few downs, but I wouldn't trade none of them. So I'm excited for all of them. But well deserving of state players of the all state and then Elena couldn't be here. She was all state player of the year. So just a lot of hardware they've collected through the years and super proud of it. [Applause] in recognition of winning the 2025 VHSL class one all state girls basketball first [Applause] team. Carrie King. [Applause] winning the 2025 VHSL class one all state girls basketball second team. Of course, we have Elena. She made all state first team and she was player of the year. I'll give that to Missy. Enjoy watching you tell him now. And the last recognitions of the night are the uh teacher and employee and we'll start with
012the teacher of the month and that goes to David Locks, Casswood High School. He will come forward with his family and Miss Jane Kennedy. She's assistant principal Castwood High School. [Applause] I remember it was last year. I think Miss Dominic was here. She trained. I'm going to read your recognition with nomination. I would like to nominate David Lockach for teacher of the month. Having two daughters in his English 11 class this year, Mr. Lock showed grace and kindness that is rarely witnessed. One of my girls suffers from severe anxiety and this makes everyday activities often challenging for her. Mr. Lock instantly made her feel accepted and showed her that he believed in her. simple things like sending an email instead of calling her name out, writing positive responses back in her journal, showing empathy when
013she was having a rough day, and teaching her that it is okay to be the best version of herself. Mr. Lock showed guidance for both of my girls and empowered them to to success when they both passed their So, the world needs more educators like David Lock as he is the picture what children need and often challenging world of education like the same things. Well, that's just, you know, a perfect letter for who he is and what he does every day. And not just for that student, but every student. And his scores show what he does in his classroom. The students love him. Um, not only as a teacher, I mean, he also has, you know, wonderful scores. You just can't say enough about him. But even, you know, after hours, um, every event that
014we have, he's there, uh, working the concession stands, every ball game. He's cleaning up, he's decorating for prom, he's taking down for prom, he's, you name it, he's there. And a lot of times we forget to say thank you and I appreciate you. But I, I do thank you, appreciate for everything that you did for us and our children at Castler High School and your place to have you. [Applause] Mrs. David Lockwood High School has been named teacher of the month. [Applause] Thank you for all you do. Thank you for everything. Thank you both. Now, the employee of the month, and that goes to Miss Jennifer Nunley. She actually works at the Russell County School Board office and she is the special education administrative assistant. [Applause] and her colleagues her colleagues and her uh bed
015director is Miss Angie Farmer and she's back there and we're gonna let her stay back there. I'd like to read her nomination. Congratulations. I'm honored to nominate Jennifer Nunley for support staff of the month as a countywide administrative assistant for special education. She consistently goes above and beyond in her role. Jennifer plays a vital part in keeping our special education department running smoothly uh maintaining impeccable organization, scheduling all eligibility meetings efficiently, and ensuring that no detail is overlooked. She is the go-to person for staff and teachers who have questions about IEP online. Always responding with patience, clarity, and a genuine willingness to help. What sets Jennifer apart is not only her expertise, but also her positive attitude. She approaches every task with a smile and a can do spirit, creating a supportive environment for colleagues,
016students, and families alike. Jennifer's dedication professionalism and commitment to excellent make her a truly invaluable part of our team. It is well it is without hesitation that I recommend Jennifer for this welldeserved recognition. [Applause] This goes to Jennifer Nley. Russell County Public School has been named support staff employee of the month. Ladies, would you like to say a few words? My recommendation and Miss Farmer couldn't do it without her. I could speak about Jennifer all night. I know to do that, but I love Jennifer and all the staff and she keeps us together. No, we don't have great care of us. And that is all. Thank you, Miss McCoy. Bills. Yes. Okay. Or do I have a motion for the bills? I make a motion we pay our bills. Thank you, Mr. Eaton. Do we
017have a second? Second. Any discussion? Thank you, Mr. Parsons. All in favor? I. Any oppose? Okay, Dr. Hooker, we're to the retirements and resignation. Yes, we do have a few uh resignation, I think, in one retirement to be approved tonight, Madam Chair. Okay, I make a motion we approve these. Thank you, Mr. Gibson. Do we have a second? Second. Thank you, Miss Garrett. All in favor? I. Any oppose? Okay, Dr. We also have another small list of new hires and transfers to be approved. We have a motion that we have a motion and transfers. I make a motion we Thank you, Mr. Gibson. Do we have a second? Second. Thank you, Miss Garrett. And all in favor? I I Any oppose? Okay, Dr. Hickory takes us to your VSH. Yes, we do, Madam Chair. We
018do have two action items tonight. And the first one is the request the approval of the VHSL applications. The school board has paid the annual VHSL membership fees for several years. The board members have access to review those applications if you need to. The recommendation is to approve and pay the VHSL membership fees for the 2025 2026 as presented. I'll make that motion. Thank you, Mr. Parsons. I second. Thank you, Mr. Ball. Any discussion? All in favor? I I. Any oppose? Okay, Dr. Hooker. Okay. The second action item is a request the approval of the conduct code for the 2025 2026 school year. I'll make that motion. Thank you, Mr. Parsons. Do we have a second? Second. Thank you, Mr. Eaton. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Any oppose? Likewise. Okay. Dr. Hooker. Okay. For
019the information items, we do have the first reading of policies that you do have under board docs that you can see under the draft. And that's just the first reading. And then we'll have a second next board meeting. Okay. I check the sales tax. Okay. The May the May sales tax is 43,86718 and the ADM at the end of April is 3,61. Okay. Does any of the board members have any question about the maintenance report? You have that there in your expenditure report. Okay. Dr. Hooker, do you have any updates? just that we'll be um uh we'll have a special called board meeting on Tuesday, June the 24th at 400 pm. And then of course our next regular school board meeting will be on Tuesday, July the 1st, 2025. Executive session will be at 5
020and the meeting will follow at 6:30 p.m. Okay. Mr. I'd like to thank all the uh uh schoolboard office employees that furnished our great meal tonight and would highly like to recommend it happen more often. Especially the chicken and dumplings and the ice cream and the ice cream cake. Me being a me being a diabetic, that ice cream cake, you know, just Thank you all. It was really good. It was hard hard to get your sister to cook in dumplings on. No, it was good. Okay. Any other board member have anything this evening? Everybody good? Okay. Do we have a motion that we adjourn this? I'll make that motion. Thank you, Mr. Ball. We have a second. Go ahead. Oh, okay. All in favor say. All in favor. Thanks for coming. Hope all the sure
021will students have a safe and blessed summer. Won't be long. They'll be back in be right back at it again. It rolls.