001Okay, I'd like to welcome everyone to the May 5th uh happy Cinco deayo day uh board meeting. Thank you for being here. If everyone uh is I think everybody's seated, so thank you for being seated here on time. We do welcome everyone here today. just remind everyone to please remain seated throughout our meeting uh so that we can get uh our u folks around now can hear myself better. I do want to thank everyone again for being here. Miss Buoie, would you please call the role? >> Good afternoon. Pete Wbor >> present. >> Melissa Mason >> here. >> Jesse Barnhart >> here. >> Pat Bradford >> I am here. >> Judy Justice >> present. >> Dr. Tim Merrick >> here. >> And David Perry >> here. All right. And again, thank you for being here.
002Uh just a quick reminder or a quick update. Um our national anthem today will be performed by the chorus of Rachel Freeman School of Engineering and Snipes Snipes Academy under the direction of Allison Hancock, music teacher. Uh Pastor Chuck Barrett of the Christ the King PCA Church will be providing our invocation. We're excited about that. And welcome uh our own Dr. Tim Merrick will be uh leading the pledge later on and the junior Air Force ROC from Laney High School under the direction of Colonel Russo Master Sergeant Bruce Say will be uh presenting our colors today. So um pastor let us pray. Our blessed and eternal father, you are full of majesty and glory and splendor. You are the God of wisdom and have promised to give wisdom to those who ask and knowledge to
003those who seek understanding. We come to you this evening in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ with thanksgiving for our city, for our schools, for our children, for our teachers and administrators, and for our board. Grant them wisdom tonight to make decisions with prudence, courage in their plans for the pursuit of that which is good and just, and to serve our children with humility and grace and strength for the benefit of today's generation and generations to come, in order that our children might not only learn in the classroom, but flourish in society and in all of life. So we thank you for the teachers. We thank you for the board. We thank you for all those who speak this evening. And we offer these petitions in request for your favor and blessing in the
004name of Jesus Christ. Amen. >> Amen. Are you Oh at the twilight forever. sing it through the night and away. for the amat. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. forward. Orange You may be seated. >> And I think we all want to know learn a little bit more about this young lady. So would you introduce yourself to >> Hello, my name is Alani Rodriguez and I thank you for being here tonight to listen to my beautiful song. >> Wasn't it beautiful? Thank you. Great job. Great job. That was awesome. Thank you very much. And if we could get the uh junior ROC to come on back up here, please. We'd
005like to introduce them, too. >> We have a lot of recognitions today and a lot of wonderful young folks. So, >> if you'd introduce yourself, please. >> Um, hi, I'm Cadet Yi Polyarpio and I am a sophomore at Yane High School. >> Hey, my name is Is >> Oh, it is. My name is Leila Saladine. I'm a senior at Laney High School. Yeah. >> Uh my name is Matthew Olsen. I'm also a senior at Lenny High School. My name is Lucas Crib. I am a junior at Lenny High School. >> Thank you all. Great job. Thank you. >> Thank you. Yeah, that's for sure. >> All right. Uh, next we have the approval of the agenda. Is there such a motion? >> Move to a motion over here. Dr. Merrick, is there a second? >>
006Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> All opposed? Like sign? That passes 70. Next on our agenda is the approval of the minutes. Is there a motion to approve the minutes? >> So moved. Second. >> Second. First and second. Any discussion? >> Yes. Discussion. >> Discussion. >> We should note that we are passing two sets of minutes. Is that correct? >> That is correct. >> Okay. Uh passing two sets of uh minutes. All in favor, please signify by saying I. I. >> I. All oppose. Like sign. >> Again, passes 70. Next, we have committee reports. Anyone have a committee report that they'd like to share? Miss Bradford. >> Um, thank you, Mr. Chair. The April monthly meeting of the finance, capital, and bond committee was a was
007the presentation and the discussion of the fiscal year budget 2627 recommended that you're going to hear the presentation tonight. However, we gained perspective on employee compensation. If you look at the boards here, we gained perspective on employee compensation with the group exercise calculating the total compensation of just three positions in our district. First one is plumbing technician. The second is teachers assistant and third one is teacher. And with the calculators in hand, Dr. Barnes led us through the exercise of the salary plus the benefits which are social security, health insurance, and retirement to achieve the total compensation. For example, the one that you see there in the middle, teachers uh assistant, the salary uh the average salary may be $33,000, but the co compensation package is 525. That includes $8,500 per year in health insurance.
008Um it totals 90 um excuse me, teachers, start over. The teachers assistant, the package goes to 525. But with teachers, we hear all the time about our teachers pay. It's been in the news a lot lately. The average salary at starting at 629 has $4,810 in social security, $15,500 in retirement, and 8,500 in health insurance for the total compensation package of 91,72. And a point Dr. Darns made that really stuck with us and stuck with the other committee meeting members was that it takes for a million dollars to pay for just 11 teachers. $1 million funds 11 teachers in our district. Now, um, I am pleased to report that Superintendent Barnes and CFO Ashley Sutton and I, as chairman of the committee, have met personally with a majority of the legislators who serve New Hover
009County to present and discuss our district's financial needs in detail. We spoke a few weeks ago with North Carolina State Auditor Dave Bolick regarding the underfunding and the cap on the state lottery. We met with state representative Charlie Miller in person as well as a high level level representative and senator member Michael Lee's office. We met with Congressman David Rouser's office. We met with representative Ted Davis just last Monday. Chairman uh of the board um Pete Wilder, Jesse Barnhart as chair of the legislative committee and I met with him and Ashley Sutton and Dr. Barnes and we have been meeting. They're not social. there to educate and advocate in person for issues that impact our schools including increased school funding, modernization of aotment formulas, challenges within the teacher and staff pay structure, the cap on
010the state lottery, the cap on exceptional children funding, and other things. Earlier this year, we shared with Representative Ted Davis our needs in the school district, our crisis in funding, and he shared it with all of the chairs of not only K through 12, but with appropriations. So and and we consider continue to pursue these and as a committee a year ago we took nine students to Raleigh to meet with state legislators. We go again in two weeks and we have appointments with the chairs of education and the chairs with appropriation as well as our local delegation and we are looking forward to taking our students to share the needs of the school district. Mr. Chair, that concludes my report. >> Okay. Thank you ma'am. Any other any questions from anybody? Any other committee reports?
011Hearing none, we'll carry on. Next, we have one of my favorite times of the day, recognitions. Miss Baggie, >> good evening. Thank you all for this opportunity to showcase some of the amazing, talented students and staff that are here in New H County Schools. First, we are going to start with our New H County Board of Education Educational Pathway Scholarship recipients. We're pleased to recognize this year's New Hver County Pathway Scholarship recipients for students interested in becoming educators after graduation. and they are being awarded scholarship loans of $3500 per semester each year to an accredited North Carolina Community College, college, or university of the recipient's choice for a total amount of $28,000 per scholarship. Woohoo! >> Please join me in congratulating this year's recipients. Ava Fancy from Hogard High School. Come on up. We also
012have Morgan Scanton Tessier from Hogard High School. Come on up. Emma Thornton from Hogard High School and Yaritza Martinez Martinez from New Hover High School. >> All right, we're gonna have to do some moving. All right. And don't move because parents want photos, too. So, don't move. >> Let's give these ladies a big round of applause. Thank you very much. >> See you in four years. Congratulations. >> All right. Next, we are pleased to have a few special guests from the North Carolina Center for the Advan Advancement of Teaching with us tonight in honor of the Alfred Anita Schnogue Honored Educator Scholarship. I'd like to introduce Dr. Brock Womble from the NCCAT executive director, Richard Schwarz, Development Foundation of NCCAT board of directors president and they will do the other the next portion of this
013recognition. >> Thank you very much um board members, superintendent Oh yeah yeah yeah. Thank you very much for the opportunity to be here today. Um and um um always a pleasure to be here in New Hampshire County Schools. Um as you know, I'm Brock Wle, the executive director for the North Carolina Center for Advancement Teaching. And is my pleasure to be with you today to introduce Alfred and Anita Snugg uh family, the the Alfred and Anita Snow Family Foundation Honored Educator Scholarship. In in 2016, I first met the late Alfred Snow. He was with Anita, of course. Both of them committed to their support of INCAT and educating North Carolina students about the the Holocaust. Alfred was an amazing individual and together with Anita, they were incredible team dedicating their lives to educating others about
014the Holocaust. The Alfred and Anita Snow Family Foundation Honored Educator Scholarship was named for Alfred and Anita Snow, who created the foundation, their foundation to facilitate increased Holocaust education efforts across North Carolina. After Alfred's narrow escape from Nazi Germany, he dedicated his life to telling people about the horrors of Nazi rule in his own personal experience of the Holocaust. He would eventually speak to over a hundred schools and community groups across North Carolina and impact countless people's understanding of the Holocaust there. This impact was perhaps most fel most strongly felt in New Her County where the Snoges make their made their home. The INCATs Honored Educator Scholarship Program pays tribute to outstanding individuals and educators by providing scholarship funds in their names. These individuals teaching or influence in public education have made a positive difference
015in the lives of others. The Alfred and Anita Snugg family foundation honored educator scholarship was established to honor the ongoing legacy of Alfred and Anita Snugg and their contribution to Holocaust education across North Carolina. This scholarship would be awarded each year to one New Hor County schools teacher to attend a Holocaust education program in INAT. The scholarship covers all costs associated with the teacher participation in the program, including instruction, food, and lodging on the INCAT campus, program materials, travel to and from the campus from the educator's home, and payment for the substitute teacher while the educator is at ENAT. Furthermore, the scholarship provides the scholar a $250 for their use in the classroom. The North Carolina Center for Advancement Teaching is proud to partner with New Her County Schools to honor the legacy of Alfred
016and Anita Snow by inviting one New Her County Schools teacher each year to engage deeply with Holocaust education. I'd like to thank Rich, our president, Richard Schwarz, for his leadership in facilitating the creation of this scholarship and his leadership in educating North Carolina students on the Holocaust. I would also like to thank the new Ever County Schools for having me here today. So, thank you very much. And we have a a frame that we'd like to give Anita for this contribution and a gift from ENCAT. And please just give her a hand for making this contribution. >> Yes. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. and a nice round of applause. All right. Next, in 2019, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction launched the Purple Star Award to recognize schools that support military families. The Purple
017Star Award is granted to schools that demonstrate military friendly practices and commitment to military students and families. Over the past two school years, NHCS has had 12 schools earned the Purple Star award, increasing our number of schools to 17. We are proud to announce that for the 2025 2026 school year, five more of those schools are receiving the Purple Star Award. This evening, we also have a special guest from the North Carolina Department of Instruction, Miss Angela Lame, Assistant Director, Curriculum, Credentials, and Support Services, Career, and Technical Education. Come on down. Yes. Yes. Good afternoon. Good afternoon, Chairman Mildore, board members, superintendent Barnes, and cabinet members. Again, I'm Angela May, assistant director for the Office of Career and Technical Education at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. And I bring greetings and congratulations from
018State Superintendent Mo Green. Thank you, Dr. Edge Hall, for the invitation and for the opportunity to speak before you this evening. I'm honored to stand before you to recognize and celebrate an important achievement of New Hover County Schools becoming a Purple Star District. This designation represents meaningful commitment to supporting military connected students and their families. These students often face unique challenges such as frequent school transitions, parental deployments, and the uncertainty that comes with military life. Despite their resilience, those challenges can impact their sense of stability and belonging. By becoming a Purple Star District, you've taken clear, practical steps to support them. You've ensured smoother transitions, increased staff awareness of military culture, and created points of contact so families know where to turn. Those actions send a strong message to the military connected students that they
019are seen, supported, and valued in your schools. This accomplishment also reflects thoughtful leadership. So, thank you to Superintendent Barnes, principles, Dr. Edge Hall, and school POCC's. In doing so, you've strengthened not only the support for military families, but the overall culture of care across your district. To learn about the standards for the Purple Star designation, please visit the NCDPI Purple Star web page. Again, thank you for your commitment to students and for honoring the sacrifices of all of our military service members and their children in such a meaningful way. Again, congratulations on becoming a Purple Star District. Thank you. All right. So for our first year, the schools, we'd like the representatives from Eaton Elementary, Holly Tree Elementary, Murray Middle School, Ogden Elementary, and Winter Park Elementary to please come forward. squeezing. This is a
020really good problem to have when you have so many people being recognized. Just saying. Awesome. Thank you. >> All right. And next we're going to recognize our second year. Don't go anywhere. You're not doing You're not doing. Okay. Yep. That's year one. So for the second year, Castle Hane Elementary, Codington Elementary, Forest Hills Global Elementary, Holly Shelter Middle School, Laney High School, Masonboro Elementary, Murrayville Elementary, New Hver High School, Noble Middle School, CEK, and Tras. Representatives, please come forward. All right. >> Um, excuse me, sir. All right, everyone see me? All right. >> All right. Right here on three. One, two, three. Thank you. You. And now for our final school and in their third year where it all began, Ashley High School. Please come forward. >> Thank you. >> They match. Oh, yep. right
021here. >> Excellent. Thank you. Congratulations to all 17 schools. Thank you. Um if the school representatives will meet in the small conference room to receive your uh it's a vinyl attachment for your banner. Okay. tag on that. >> Oops. >> All right. Next, the State Employee Credit Union Foundation established the People Helping People four-year Scholarship Program to help North Carolina public high school students attend college by awarding scholarships of $10,000 payable at $1,250 per semester for up to eight consecutive semesters for a senior to attend one of the 16 campuses of the University of North Carolina system. We are proud to announce that seven of our high school students from across New Her County schools have been selected. Adrien Gains from Ashley High School, come on down. Avery Fitzgerald, Hogard High School, come on down.
022Khalif Green from Laney High School, come on down. Maxwell Stal from Isaac Bayer, come on down. Katherine Jones from CEK. Jordan Wallace from Wilmington Early College. And Margaret Pricket from New Hover High School was unable to join us this evening. Thank you. You You want to leave your bag right here? >> Um, you know, I really don't hop right on in there. >> Yep. So, and joining us is Dustin Adams, SECU senior vice president. >> All right, we got everybody in there. >> There you go. right here on three. One, two, three. >> All right. >> A huge thank you to State Employees Credit Union. Thank you. >> Woohoo. >> All right. Next, the 2026 North Carolina FBLA Future Business Leaders of America State Leadership Conference was held on March 12th through the 14th in
023Greensboro. Over 4,000 students from across the state competed in business events, attended leadership skill building and career readiness workshops, elected state and regional officers, andworked with others. We had numerous NHCS students take home top honors across their category. We are going to start with Ashley High School, the adviserss of Paige Kyle Haney and Brooke Burus. Top 10 state recognitions. Kaylee Armstrong for visual design. Come on down. Alexa Grace for visual design. Dylan Graph, visual design. Yeah. Um, Miss Alexa Grace Sorry, Miss Alexa Grace, could you join me for just a moment, please? So, we were just recently notified that Miss Grace is has been awarded the parks scholarship. Could you please tell us more? >> Just just a brief little thing. I would just want to know more. So, what does that mean? Okay. So,
024the Park Scholarship is a four-year full total cost of attendance scholarship at North Carolina State University. Um, >> how much is that? It's like $100,000. >> It's around like $120,000 is what it's valued at. >> Yes. >> And how many people um participated or applied to get the scholarship? >> 3,000 of us. >> Wow. So there were a total group of recipients of how many? >> 38. >> So she's one of ours and we are extremely proud. >> Thank you. Thank you. Ollie, do you want Okay, we're going to get a picture for that as well. I get to torture her a little bit because I've known her for a while. >> All right, continuing on. I would like to recognize some more of our NCFBLA student leadership conference winners. Isaac Bearer with advisors Stephanie
025Williams and Agnes Galt. Top 10 state recognitions. Ian Klene for computer applications. Come on down. We're on. You're done. You're good. >> We got time. >> I want you to go first. All right. And last but not least, we have from Wilmington Early College High School advisors Stephanie Williams and Herman Abraham. Miss Stephanie Williams will be accepting on behalf of Caroline Santo for fourth place international business qualified for nationals and receive James El White scholarship for the tune of $1,000. So come on down. We'd also like to bring down Evelyn Tanner, fourth place international business, qualified for nationals. Take your time. We're good. You get a picture. >> Yep. Those are two nationals. Perfect. All right. And I don't know if you want to go if you want to stay back for a second. Okay.
026So, next we have our top 10 state recognitions from Wilmington Early College High School. Madison Bard, please come on down. Banking and Financial Systems. Madison also received the North Carolina Business Education Assoc Association Student Award. All right, Daniel Reagan, banking and financial systems. Come on down. And following Daniel is Lindsay Concincaid, Introduction to FBA, Future Business Leaders of America. Kennedy Finny for marketing. Grayson Heinley, marketing. Elise Keysling, marketing. Asen Casio, Sports and Entertainment Management. Ky Durald, Sports and Entertainment Management. And Jordan Wallace, Sports and Entertainment Management. Don't go anywhere. And we're going to put you back in here real quick for a full group. Come on. This is what we do. >> There you go. And you Oh, what are you doing in the back? Come on. >> That's right. That's what we do. >>
027You can't hide from us. All right, here we go on three. >> All right, >> and that concludes recognitions. We will continue now. Uh I'll give everybody a minute to exit as they choose to. >> Thank you. >> Excuse me. Wow, a lot of congratulations to everyone. Thank you, Miss Baggie, for that. >> Uh, always brings a smile to my face to start our day out with that. So, that's awesome. Uh, next we're going to hear from our student voice. Uh, and that will be uh members of student voice. Will update the board. So, Miss Farnum. >> All righty. Thank you after. >> Good afternoon everyone. My name is Britney Castro and I wanted to start by just thanking you all for the time and space to share get up here and share our family
028story. When I asked the children if they wanted to speak as the student voice, they jumped up and down with glee. Their confidence inspires me every day. My husband and I have the honor of raising two incredible children, Kyler and Kora Castro. They both attend Porter Snack Elementary where Kyler is finishing up second grade and Kora is right behind him on the final lap of first. We're an active duty military family and while my husband would love to be here, he is currently on TDY orders in Connecticut. Three years ago, when we first learned that Wilmington would be our next duty station, I knew that this was a very important move. Both of the children would be entering into the public school system for the very first time, and I felt a deep responsibility to
029do my due diligence and research surrounding areas and districts. But what exactly was I looking for? What makes a great school? What qualities and services did I hope were built into those walls that would directly shape my children's experiences? At the time, I thought I was looking at test scores and ratings and any data that I could find from afar. But I've come to realize I was searching for something much deeper, something that is not measured by a number. A truly great school meets each individual child exactly where they are at and helps them build their own foundation using the tools from their own toolbox. That is what we found at Porter's Neck Elementary. My children experience the world in very different but equally meaningful ways. Kyler's a print reader who primarily uses his sight
030to interpret the world. Kora is a braille reader and relies on touch and hearing as her primary senses to do the exact same thing. Both are learning, growing, and thriving. Along this journey, I've learned that the world won't automatically understand the full spectrum of vision skill sets. I continue to learn something new every day from those walking this path. I just happen to hit the jackpot with the best little teacher out there, Miss Cora herself. In the US, only about 1.2% of children have a severe visual impairment or blindness. And vision is very complex. There is no one-sizefits-all approach, but that is why it is our job to help teach others and to always do so with understanding and kindness. What makes an invaluable team is the willingness to ask questions, to listen, to learn,
031to utilize resources, and to grow every single day together. That is empathy and inclusion. When my children walk through those school doors each morning, they are encouraged, supported, and held to the same expectations. And as a parent, that is what I dreamed of. Culture builds character. Academics build knowledge. Both matter. And that is what is engraved in the walls of Porter Neck Elementary. In February, the children took these concepts to Rally, North Carolina for the Eastern North Carolina Braille Challenge. As the youngest participant, Kora's drive and encouragement for others is what I will always remember. And right alongside her was Kyler, fistbumping and telling 12th graders, "You got this." before they left for testing. They represented knew Hannover County very well. When she was little, I would often tell her this way. Follow mom's voice
032to offer the auditory cues to help guide her. But in truth, it was us who was always learning to follow hers. She has always been the guide in her own life, just as Kyler is the guide in his. The answers we search for as parents are often answered by the children themselves. We just have to listen. I want to close by expressing my deepest gratitude to the team walking alongside us on this journey. The team that keeps both of the children's voices at the forefront. Our family is a reflection of the incredible impact that true partnership between home and school can create because that's where meaningful growth and success begin. To her teacher for the visually impaired Mr. Randolph and orientation and mobility teacher Mr. Ba who share their knowledge and expertise with the village
033every day who encourage her, teach her, and give her the independence that she deserves. our family. Thanks you to the entire EC team and Miss Garcia, to both of the children's wonderful general education teachers, Miss Russell and Miss McConnell, who answered their calling to teach with passion and love. And to the remarkable administration team, Miss Barnes and Mr. Horn, who work together to create such a positive and safe environment for everybody day in and day out, our family thanks you. and to all of you on the board who pour your hearts into this entire school district. Our family thanks you. It is now my greatest pleasure to hand it over to the two that lead with love, inspire with positivity, and deserve this moment to shine bright for themselves and their peers. You ready? You
034got it. You don't want this one? Okay. I'mma pull this down. Okay. Yeah. Hi. >> Good afternoon everyone. My name is Kyle Castro. I'm currently in second grade at Porsche Knight Elementary. I'm a things a builder, a student, a Lego master, a leader, and a Chargers football fan. Pull up, baby. But one of my favorite tiles has been a big brother. I love it because I get to teach her the things she doesn't know yet or have an experience like in second grade. I get to share with her all the amazing things she will learn and do next year. My favorite part of being a big bird is just playing together. We have a lot of fun together playing outside or building giant forts that take up a whole living room. It's cool to watch
035her read brow and her to teach me brow, too. My favorite letter is K. It starts when and free. Our school is amazing. We learn so much things about everything and have fun while doing it. I love how we follow the seven habits that help us be responsible and find leader in ourselves. Uh we create goals and that help us grow and synergize together to make a a great place filled with even greater people. May my favorite subjects are math, STEM, and witten wisdom. I love to read books and enjoy when Co and I get to read together. For instance, during Read Across America week, we read One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. Coage in Braille, then I would read the next page in print. That was a lot of fun to do
036together. Thank you for all the hard work and supporting our learning. We are very grateful. Next up is my sister Cla. Good job. You got it. Okay. Good afternoon everyone. My name is Kora Castro. and I am 6 years and 364 days old. Tomorrow I will be seven. I am in first grade at Porter Snack Elementary. Our school, my teachers and the p and the power within me have all helped helped me find my voice. Now I am here to share back share that voice with you all and help others find their voice too. I use many amazing tools that help me learn. I use Braille to read and write because prints can be too small. I call it chicken scratch. My cane helps keep me safe. Her name is Glenda. Like the good witch
037from the Wizard of Oz. I use a tuber TV to help me see things on the board. But my most important tool is my voice is my voice. All of these tools help me be independent. My favorite subjects are math, PE, and art. I have learned to try my best and believe in myself. I I am creative. I am a problem solver. I am a leader. and I can do anything. Thank you for helping make our school amazing. >> Wait a minute. It's in the board. It's a education. The board of education. You did it. Good job. >> You make cry. >> Do you have any questions? >> Great testament to start teacher appreciation week with. And so, um, I I'm not their teacher, but I'm looking over here and I know you are so
038proud of this. Um, and so thank you for coming. And >> I just want to say as an I'm finishing up my sixth year teaching this year and she has helped me grow so much as an educator this year. I have learned so much from her. She's learned from me and I've told her mom so many times this year. I think exactly this is my second year at Porter's day. This is why I was meant to come to and I was meant to be her teacher. So >> sweetie. >> Dr. Merrick Cora, I really want to tell you how proud I am. And not just because you're so skilled, not just because of your ability to come in front of a bunch of people and read to us, which is hard for anyone to do.
039But I want you to know that wherever you go and people see you, they smile because you bring a special sunshine with you. And the love of your brother has touched many a heart. The two of you guys are really special. Thank you, >> Kora and Tyler and Mrs. Castro. Thank you so much for coming to see us and for your message to us. And will you take a message to your dad and your husband that we thank him for his service. >> Yes, that's right. And I would just like to finish uh you know on behalf of the whole board, what what a true testament to a wonderful family. We just thank you so much for sharing your lives with us. Thank you so much. >> You guys forgot the most important part. Okay,
040everybody on three. One, two, three. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear tomorrow. >> Happy birthday to you. >> Wow. I would not want to take >> I would not want to go after that. But we have our May teacher voice coming up. Visu. Come on down. Good luck following that. >> Now, I do not want to follow that, but I will. Um, anyway, um, good evening everyone, Dr. Barnes and board members. Um, today I'm going to take just a moment to talk about something that's really close to my heart, teachers and the future of teaching in our community and our state. So, we all know that every single day educators in our county show up for our students in ways that always go unnoticed. They stay late. They come in
041early. They carry the weight of their students struggles. And they celebrate their successes just like their own. They're mentors and role models, therapists, sounding boards, substitute parents, and sometimes the one steady safe place that a student can count on. So, I say thank you to all of our educators. Thank you to all the educators in our county who care for their students and who are working hard every day to make our county the best it can be. And at Laney, I get to see something really special through our teacher cadetses program. It's not just a class, it's a glimpse into the future. It's students discovering that teaching is not just a job, it's a calling. They've gotten into classrooms. They're learning about the ins and outs of public education and they're seeing that they too
042can make a difference in this world. That's why our grow your own educator programs matter so much. Because when we invest in students right here in our community, we're not just preparing future teachers. We're growing people who really understand our schools, our families, and our kids. People who care deeply because this is their home. If we want strong schools in the years ahead, it starts with how we support and value our teachers and encourage the next generation. So, I want to say thank you to the leaders who fought to bring back teacher cadetses to our county. Every day with these wonderful students has given me hope for the future of education. And I would like to introduce you to two of my amazing teacher cadetses. They're going to speak, Alana Zambrano and Presley Dant. They
043both aspire to be educators and if these girls are the future then we are in good hands. Good evening Dr. Barnes and members of the board. My name is Alana Zombrano and I'm a junior at Laney High School and I'm here today to talk about the importance of education and teachers. My family and the people around me have always told me that there was something special about me and they know I'm going to make a difference in this world. Of course, my younger self thought I was going to be president, even though that is not what I wanted to be when I was older. But ever since I was a little girl, I've always wanted to be a teacher. And over time, I've had people tell me that I shouldn't aim for a future like
044that. I'm not going to make any money, and I could do much more with my life than just be a teacher. But I've realized that they don't understand what I understand now. Teachers are the reason kids believe in themselves. Teachers are the reason kids who are who they are today. Teachers set kids up for success. Teachers are one of the things in this world that truly make a difference. And I don't think that enough people realize that. They do all these things not because they have to, but because they understand that what they do can change the direction that students life. One quote I love that I will forever live by as hopefully a future educator is, "Kids that are loved at home come to school to learn. Kids that aren't come to school to
045be loved." And I think that shows how important teachers are in this world. For teacher appreciation week, I would like to say that it takes a very special person to be a teacher. Not everyone has the patience, the heart, or even the strength to show up every single day and give so much of themselves to others. Teachers don't just stand in front of a classroom and teach lessons, give papers, and give tests. They show up every single day knowing that shaping students future isn't guaranteed to be easy. Thank you to all my past and present teachers. And thank you to all the future educators that truly want to make a difference in this world. The teacher cadetses program has confirmed my love for this career. There's so much more to this career than just what
046we see at the surface level and I have learned that from Miss Moon. She really has set me up so that I can be the best in the internship that is given through this class. My hope for the future of education is students come to school and feel seen, believed in, and valued and where every teacher feels appreciated and respected and gets the recognition they deserve. And lastly, I would like to say thank you to all the members of the board of education for ensuring that our schools are the best that they can be. Thank you for bringing teacher cadetses back to Laney and thank you for the opportunities you give all students. And thank you for giving me and Presley the opportunity to come and speak tonight. Good evening, Dr. Barnes and members of
047the board. My name is Presley Dan and I wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. At first, it was just a job for seven-year-old me to tell people, but soon it became a lifelong goal. I've had so many amazing teachers throughout my years of schooling that have only further deepened my passion. I've had teachers like Miss Graham from elementary who was always a safe space for me and helped me grow my love for education. Still to this day, my current Lanny teachers are only expanding on this love. Miss Mets, who is my math 3 teacher, is a truly talented educator. She explains the material in a way that any student can understand, and I know she's someone I can go to for any kind of help. Coach Adams, who I
048have had for two years now, has made an impact on me like no other. Even though the material of the classes has been on the tougher side, Coach Adams instructs the class in a way where it's difficult to not be interested and engaged. He always has a story to relate to the subject, and I always leave with a smile on my face. Last but not least, Miss Moon, who you all know very well. I only met Miss Moon early this year, but her and our teacher cadetses class have easily become one of my favorites. Not only is Miss Moon beyond amazing at her job, but she has perfectly executed the goal of teacher cadetses. This class is my favorite for many reasons, but the main one being I'm able to step foot to the world
049of education. I have learned about all the different learning styles, types of schools, and how public schools are run in both the county and the state. I have also learned about you all, Dr. Barnes and the board, state superintendent Mo Green, and even Laney principal Mr. little. Through learning about this, I'm able to see how much goes on in the world of education and how many factors decision makers like you all have to take into account. To end this off, I'll share my hopes for the future of education. I hope future educators want to continue teaching and end up with more opportunities and roadblocks. I hope future educators feel supported and uplifted in their careers, both by fellow staff and county leaders. I hope future educators make enough money to live off of and pay
050isn't always the deterring factor. I hope future educators work in an environment where their passion for education only grows fonder and they can confirm they made the right choice for their career. This week is teacher appreciation week and through my experience and teacher cadetses I have only further realized the importance of appreciating our teachers. Teachers serve as role models, counselors, educators and mentors. Teachers guide their students, advocate for their students, support their students and encourage their students to grow. Our teachers deserve the world and the least we can do not only as a county but as a community is make sure we are appreciating and supporting our teachers like they truly deserve. As my final remark, I would like to thank this board for bringing back the teacher cadetses class and giving Alana and I
051the opportunity to come speak in front of you all today. This class has given me experience I would not have gained otherwise and it makes me excited for my future in the world of education. I'm beyond thrilled for teacher cadetses to next year as my family and friends already know and I am looking forward to the internship and applying for the scholarship. But once again, thank you for not only this opportunity but for everything else you do for public education in this county. Thank you. >> I think we'd like to have a couple comments from the board. >> Oh, I just wanted to thank you both. Um there's a lot of people who um don't learn this lesson until later in life that uh it's not how much you accumulate in possessions, it's what you
052can give away. And you've learned that lesson very early on and I thank you for your dedication. >> Anybody else? Well, I'd like to say I got to tell you, you know, teaching is the best profession in the world. And and I I know from from doing it myself, but my whole family are educators and you're standing next to one of the best educators in the world. Uh you can ask my son that because he he thinks that she's unbelievable. But yeah, so best of luck to you in the future. We you know, please do I was going to mention please do uh apply for that scholarship next year because we'd love to have you back in four years working. So thank you so much. Thank you. All right. Well, I'm going to turn it
053over to the gentleman to my left, our superintendent for the superintendence report. >> Gentlemen, >> I tried. >> All right. >> I tried. >> Good evening, members of the board, staff, families, and community members. As we move into the final weeks, let's give you guys a chance. Run. Save yourselves. >> Yeah. I get it. Thanks. >> Yeah, let's go. Come on. All right. How about >> something? >> I'm working on it. Okay. >> Yeah, I can empty a room now. >> Um, >> I just want to take a moment to reflect on the dedication and commitment that continue to define New Hover County Schools as we move into the end of the school year. This is a busy time in our district filled with important milestones, celebrations, and opportunities to support our students as they
054finish the year strongly. As we entered into the As we enter into the final weeks of the school year and approach testing season, I want to take a moment and recognize and thank the staff who does unending work in getting that job together. Every role across the district's dedicated to our student success. This is a time of the year that can add additional pressure to students. And I want to be clear that our focus remains on students, not just on test scores. The relationships we build, the encouragement we provide, and the supportion we offer each child every day matters far more than any single assessment does. Your ability to create calm, supportive learning environments help students feel confident, prepared, and valued. And your work ensures that students not only perform to the best of their
055ability, but also feel cared and supported along the way. All right. Our commitment to supporting students extends beyond the school day and the school year. Through the SUN Meals to Go program, our school nutrition services will once again provide free nutritious weekly meal packs to childrens and teens throughout the summer months. This work reflects the care and dedication of staff to ensure students have access to healthy meals year round. families. If you're interested in participating, you're asked to complete the summer meal pack order form by Friday, May 15th on our website with additional uh details available on social media. On April 22nd and 23rd, we had the chance to visit schools across the district to surprise and celebrate our educators of the year. Those moments were special, not just because of the recognition, but because
056they gave us a glimpse into the commitment happening all over in every building. While we'll be announcing our overall winners soon, i.e. next week. What truly stands out is the strength of the entire district. It's clear that we are incredibly fortunate to have so many dedicated educators serving students here every day. This part I'm really excited about. Our staff's expertise continues to be recognized at the state level. Tomorrow I am traveling up to Wallace for some reason. Uh the state board of education is meeting there and the state board has asked our beginning teacher support program and our curriculum team to come and report to the state board of education on the work being done here in New Hover County. Our beginning teacher support program has been invited to present to the North Carolina state
057board highlighting the strong systems we have to support early career teachers. And our curriculum team is sharing the work that we've done in advancing early literacy, including implementation of the science of reading and the youth of data, use of data to strengthen instruction. It's rare to have the state board ask a district to give them feedback on stuff. And now we've gotten twice in one day or twice uh in one meeting. All right, teacher appreciation week and school nurses day. This week, May 4th through 8th, we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week with May 5th being recognized as teacher appreciation day. It's an opportunity to honor the meaningful and lasting impact our teachers have on our students and families. Tomorrow is school nurse day and we extend our gratitude to our school nurses for their essential role
058in supporting student health and well-being. Graduation season is approaching and we look forward to celebrating the class of 2026. C ceremonies begin on May 15th and continue all the way through June 6th. These milestones represent years of hard work by students and the unwavering support of staff and the tireless work of parents who have guided them along the way. We are very proud of our graduates and grateful to the educators and staff who have contributed to their success. That concludes my report. >> Thank you, sir. Uh the chairperson's report is going to be short today. Good afternoon, everyone. My short chair report will focus on giving thanks. Happy teacher appreciation week and we definitely do appreciate our teachers and our entire staff. Thank you for everything you do each and every day to support our
059students. I would like to also start by thanking several members of the senior staff and one of our principles who came together to perform a Beatles song for fundraiser for one of our community partners in at the Carousel Center. Mr. Lee, purchasing director, our own superintendent, and Mr. Sutton from New Hver High School performed a hard day's night. Well done. >> There there's no visual evidence of this. >> Not true. We have it. >> Excuse me. And speaking of our superintendent who recently performed in Shrek for one of our middle schools, he is truly a man of many talents. I'm finding out more about them all the time. I also want to highlight that several of our board members helped out at one of our title one schools. some taking a pie to the face
060and others a cold bucket of water over the head to raise funds to support our students and the staff of the school. Thank you. I would also like to share a sincere thanks to all those who went above and beyond last Friday to our teach teachers and staff to central office and substitutes. Thank you. I stopped by several schools on Thursday and Friday and also called several principles. One principal shared with me that Friday was one of the best days of her administrative career due to all the wonderful support her school received from central office. Thank you again. I'm sure that most of our community knows some of the positive things that our current board has brought to our school system. Accomplishments like hiring our new superintendent. Um also advanced teacher roles uh which helps
061support our teachers, fourth grade tutors for low performing schools. maintaining tops five teacher supplement in the state and working with our county commissioners, our partners, increased operational budget even though we have uh fewer students. Uh currently our vice chair and I have been meeting regularly with our superintendent and the county commissioner's leadership to try and better support our students and all of our staff. Last week, our superintendent, CFO, and a couple board members met with Representative Ted Davis to discuss our budgetary needs for this year, including discussing raises needed for all of our staff. We also have a planned trip to Raleigh to discuss with multiple senators and representatives and further advocate for our staff. We have gone to Raleigh repeatedly before to advocate. Later in today's meeting, we will discuss Mr. Perry's uh suggested
062legislative trip for our staff. Our legislative committee will also bring forth a legislative agenda for this year in today's meeting. We recently added an employee benefit committee to explore ways to further support our staff. On another note, as we just heard, we are entering into graduation season and are so excited to share with our students and staff as well as parents as we celebrate the wonderful accomplishments of our students. Miss Mason and I were privileged recently to spend the last two days hearing from some of the superstars of our school system. Teachers of the year, princ, assistant principles of the year, and principles the year. Wow, we are so honored to have such a great wealth of leaders in our schools and our classrooms. Thank you very much. At this time, we will start with
063our call to audience. >> Information? >> No, we're not. We're going to go to information first. Thank you for directing that. Uh yes, we are. We're going to ask Dr. uh DeWalt and Moren Hill to come forward and to share the elementary ELA curriculum and then we'll do call audience. >> Good evening. Thank you very much for having us here. Um as Dr. Barnes mentioned, we have been invited by the state board of education to come and uh talk about our sustainability plan for letters. Um they're going to be talking about statewide growth and they've invited three districts to be highlighted. We are the only large district being highlighted and I really um you know >> No, how many districts are there in the state? >> There are 115. >> Oh, that's right. So, only
064three and we're one of the three. Thank you. >> That is correct. >> Please continue. Um, and I really attribute that to the work of our teachers and the work of our principles and most especially to the work of Miss Hill here, um, who is a very strong literacy leader and has led the way for the growth that our district has made. Um, so tomorrow at the state board of education, they've asked us to share on sort of our focus areas, what changes have we seen since um, beginning our letters implementation and the impact that it's had on our students. So, um, actually, if we rewind quite a few years, um, about four or five years ago, >> yeah, in 2021, >> in 2021, thank you. We had a DPI literacy audit and that kind
065of got the ball rolling a little bit on opening our eyes to how we can continue to adjust literacy instruction to benefit our students. And so, following that, in 2022, our board added third grade reading to our strategic plan goal. Um, under the direction of Miss Hill, we chose to be the in the first cohort of letters participants in the state. Um, since that time, we've adopted a new curriculum using um, wit and wisdom to to go along with what we had already had in place with um, foundations uh, at some schools. Now, foundations is at every single school and Hagerty. And then those core curriculum resources have been further supplemented by Miss Hill and a group of teachers who have added to that where we've seen gaps and where we've used data to respond
066um to fill in gaps in those curriculums. And so because of those district-wide resources and because of um everybody participating in letters, we've really ended up with common language, common resources, common strategies that are supporting students. Um and every teacher really um putting their best foot forward to help our students continue to grow in reading. Um and I think that that district-wide goal, all of us focused on the same thing, has really had a strong impact. So, I'm going to let Miss Hill talk a little bit about letters and professional development and then we will share some of the great data that we've seen from this work. Hi, good evening. Thank you so much for the opportunity to share about our literacy work. Um, and you all have been an integral integral part of that.
067We appreciate your leadership and putting this in the strategic plan um and saying that literacy was a priority for our district. So, we knew that in order for all of those changes that Dr. DeWalt talked about letters training, adopting new curriculum, um, all of that. Um, for those changes to be sustainable, schools needed champions in this work. And so that's really what drove our initiative in applying for the endowment grant for early literacy facilitators. Um, we know that teachers need partners in learning new curriculum. That that was hard. We heard that, right? We all collectively felt that. Um, and then also just taking the learning that we had in letters and applying it to the classroom. It's one thing to learn it, it's another thing to learn how to apply it in real life with
068students. Um, and so in 2024, as you guys know, we were awarded a three-year um grant to fund early literacy facilitators um in every of our in each of our elementary schools and for prek as well. These literacy fat facilitators are an integral part in sustaining and im implementing literacy uh change across our district. And I say that so wholeheartedly. I cannot imagine us uh being asked to speak if we did not have that position and those champions in each one of our schools. Um, while we have common goals and curriculum and resources, each of our schools serve a very unique and diverse student population. They have different staffing needs and they have varying levels of community support. Literacy facilitators provide targeted intentional support to improve literacy outcomes for their community. They spend their time
069coaching, modeling lessons, co-eing, planning, analyzing data, providing professional development, and also engaging our community and what it looks like to support our students in learning how to read because it's complicated and it's complex and it has changed greatly from when most of us were in school. And so they are integral community partner in that work too. Um, as Dr. Dr. DeWalt said we were a part of Letters cohort 1, but our new staff continues to take that course, and you all have heard me talk about that course before, but it's a 2-year course that is very intense. Um, and so our um literacy facilitators play an integral role and one making sure that our new teachers have support in completing that course. They give them time in the school day to go cover their classes
070so that teachers can complete that work at school because we know they have very few hours outside of school to do that work. Um but then they're also helping them take those lessons from the online course and uh showing them what it looks like to apply it in the classroom. Um and >> about 50 we just had about 50ish teachers complete their Yeah. So we had our our year one we did our very last uh in live session uh PD for letters yesterday um led by our literacy facilitators and we had uh probably 75 uh letters graduates um that we celebrated um and then we have another cohort moving through to the second year. Um and so you've heard me speak a lot about the literacy facilitators and the support that they offer. And we
071knew that when we got that position that not only did they need to go out and support others, but we needed as a district to invest in and support them. That was a new position for our district. Um and so we needed to provide a targeted PD plan that built both their um instructional knowledge but also built their coaching. many of our literacy facilitators are just excellent teacher classrooms that came out of the classroom um and um are passionate about literacy and wanted to be advocates for this work. So we knew that we we're either going to work on building their instructional knowledge or their coaching. And so we've done a few things to do that um very intentionally. Um we build instructional knowledge by digging into our curriculum. So we've dug into our curriculum.
072Um we plan uh we even did like teachbacks um during our PD sessions and then also our literacy facilitators have completed a coaching course that's by a nonprofit organization called Excel and Ed which is fundamentals of early literacy coaching. Uh the state is going to talk about that tomorrow in their presentation. >> They're copying us. >> Yes. So the state heard about our work in doing uh that course and they are now asking their um employees to do that course um across the state. So we feel very proud of leading the way in that. Um and so as we think about early literacy facilitators um we also have thought about this aligned professional development that we had to um intentionally build um because once you do the letters course that's not the end of it,
073right? First of all, letters is not the science of reading. It's one body of work about around the science of reading that's ever growing and everchanging and our district needs to continue to grow and change in our instructional practices. And so we need to make sure that our uh professional development is aligned with the research. Um and so one thing that was really important and imperative to us was that not only were we investing in our literacy facilitators, but that we were also investing in our administrators and that they had time to grow together. Um and so one of the things that we've done is create um um intentional professional development opportunities for our literacy facilitators and our principles to learn together to analyze data together um and then for them to take that and
074apply it to their own school. So a great example of this is in the fall uh we um pulled in one of our consultants from foundations um to come in and talk to us about implementation science science. you've heard us talk about we've adopted all these new things and how do we support principles and then maintaining uh that change and sustaining all of the new things we've thrown at them the last couple years. Um and so together they learned from our Wilson our Wilson consultant about implementation science and then they had time in that session to go through um observation data that the literacy facilitators have collected perception uh teacher surveys that we collected about how confident teachers were in teaching our curriculums and then analyzing their actual assessment data. And so the literacy facilitator
075and principal worked together in that session to develop a plan for their unique school needs based on the data that they um reviewed together. All of this just really shows the intentionality and the fact that our goal is to build collective efficacy across our school and across our district. We have so many wonderful practices happening um outside in our schools that we can learn from. And so our uh literacy facilitators participate in learning walks two times a year. Um they go in cohorts so they get to see other schools and learn from each other. But also those learning walks are very targeted to match our district needs. So when we began this school year, we knew third grade was an area of concern for us. And so our literacy facilitators along with district staff went
076and observed every third grade classroom across our district to give feedback and to support and for us to also see the trends to go what is a what as a district do we need to do and then what as a school do we need to do and then who can we partner with that's already doing some of those things so that schools uh uh collaborated with each other in this work. Um this year when we looked at our middle of the year data, our second grade was uh the area of focus that we needed to hone in on. And so our learning walks have been focused on second grade, especially as we prepare them to go into third grade. We know that this work does not begin in third grade. Your strategic goal is third
077grade, but if K2 is not strong, um then we will not succeed in third grade. Thank you. So um all of this has resulted uh in some fantastic student outcomes. What I'm about to share with you are some numbers that uh Miss Hill shared at the March curriculum committee meeting. Um I do want to remind everyone these are numbers but they represent real students um and real people in our community who are becoming lifelong learners and readers. Um so because of all of this intentional work, because of the leadership of Miss Hill and because of the hard work of our teachers, um we had the highest dibbles growth that we have seen over the past three years. And within four months from the beginning of the year to the middle of the year, we grew
07810% in our overall um dibbles assessment for reading. >> We have never done that much. >> Um and while that is incredible and something to be celebrated, another sort of piece to note in here um is that we're really proud of our teachers and students because they are showing that they are retaining skills over time. So each year we are seeing our beginning of the year scores continue to maintain and grow from as one cohort moves from from one grade level to the next. And so what that tells us is while there is some summer slide as to be expected, our kids are maintaining the growth that they're seeing year-over-year. And so they're starting each new school year higher than the cohort before them. Um, and for the first time, our BOI data also shows
079that every single grade level, K3 had at least 60% proficiency on the Dibbles assessment, which is how we test their early reading. Uh, we expect to continue to see that grow to grow um as we finish up our EOI testing here at the end of the year. Um, and so we're just really thankful. These are numbers. You can see um this was presented at the March um curriculum committee meeting. Um, but it breaks down the growth uh their sub the subs skills that are tested. Um, and then on the back side you can see the two and three-year trends. And for anyone in the audience, we have extra copies on the back tables if you'd like to take one with you as well. I think all this to just say that um while yes uh
080there are things that the state have has invested as giving us the opportunity to take the letters course, our district has really taken that opportunity and leveraged it for the most that we could that we can get from it. Um and we're so thankful for uh the leadership of Dr. Barnes um for the board um but also from the community. we think about the endowment and how grateful we are for that position um to continue this work and to sustain and to support it. And so all that to say um if you know me, you know that literacy truly is my passion and I believe uh more than anywhere in the world that New Her County Schools can ensure that every child is literate uh when they leave our school district. Um because we know
081that literacy leads to a a full and fruitful life. And I think we can all say that we agree that here in New Hverburg County that will not be the barrier for our students as they go out to be who they were designed to be. >> Thank you. >> This is fabulous. And one of the things that will while while you have the ear of the state board throw out the idea of New Hover County being willing to pilot part of a statewide pilot to do this because that was part of the intent of having some of these positions so we can pivot and utilize that as leverage for more change. Um I want to give a specific shout out to our kindergarten teachers. If you look at the beginning of the year uh the
082number of students that were at or above late grade level were 34%. middle of the year it's 60%. When you talk about meeting an expectation um teachers oftentimes say when you have a child who comes to you who's already below grade level it's really difficult to make them grow. So to see these kids getting so far above where they started is amazing. So I just want to give that shout out. Well, I didn't have my hand up, but >> I I really love the fact that you devised, got funded, brought the data, and created results. That's kind of how it's done. Well done. >> You know, I love you guys. >> Dr. Dwalt Marine, I remember very clearly one of the earliest board meetings that four of us that were elected that year had. and
083we directed the superintendent to have you guys bring us up by 10%. And everybody in the room panicked and so we got a little weak and we said, "Okay, instead of doing it in one year, do it in two years." And look at you. Look at what you've accomplished. Um to bring third grade middle of the year up to 65% proficiency. We are so proud of you. I could just burst with pride at what you've done. Thank you so so much. >> Thank you. >> I will echo that. You know, we did ask you to to raise the test. I mean, and there's so many there's so much evidence that shows that third grade, if a child does not read third grade, they they're behind from then on. So, thank you so much for your
084hard work and your leadership. So, thank you very much. >> Thank you guys. >> And now, am I right? >> Now, you're right. >> Now, we will turn it over to uh Miss Mason for call audience. Miss Mason, >> um Mr. Sutton has indicated he is not here. So, we're going to start with EJ Hanley. >> Good evening. When revised short-term suspension policy 4351 went into effect in the fall of 2022, Love Our Children knew it would take a few years of suspension data before we would know if it kept our youngest and neediest learners in school to get the support they needed and if it reduced the number of kindergarten, first and second grade suspensions. The data from the first half of the 2025 school year showed that 13 of the elementary schools had
085zero K through2 suspensions and most of the other elementary schools had just one or two. With such promising numbers, we now ask the board to return to policy 4351 and increase the age range so no child under age nine or under grade 4 would be suspended for minor offenses starting in the fall of 2026. It wasn't so long ago when there were hundreds of suspensions of five, six, and seven year olds. The children who are currently those ages have had more uninterrupted school days, meaning more time for reading, writing, and math instruction. More music, art, and physical education with more time talking to their friends at lunch and playing with their friends at recess. And most importantly, time to learn how to show respect, kindness, and how to be brave trying new things with the
086support of the adults they trust. So, please revise policy 4351. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you, Alicia Oendelli. Good evening. It's been a while since the negative effects of exclusionary discipline have been a topic of discussion at these meetings. So, I have prepared a pop quiz to see if the policy code 433 states recognizes the negative effect of exclusionary discipline. All the following statements come from October 24 policy statement from American Academy of Pediatrics. True or false? Many suspended and expelled students experience decreased infrastructural time, disruptive destruction disruption in student teacher relationships and lack of adult supervision while removed from the school environment. True. These factors can contribute to academic disengagement and low academic achievement. True or false? Suspended and expelled students are more likely to drop out of high school. True. And
087severely stunts and that severely stunts their lifetime earning potentials. True or false? Exclusionary school discipline greatly increases child likelihood of being involved in juvenile justice system. This is also true. This phenomenon is known as the schoolto prison pipeline. I request that highlights from the American Academy of Pediatrics paper of similar or similar research be added to policy code 433 fair and consistent discipline administration. If you recognize the negative effects of the exclusionary discipline, it should be reflected in all your students behavior policies and the code of student conduct. Thank you. Good evening. >> Thank you, Loretta Stack House. Most of the student behavior policies in the 4300 series are reactive. That is they describe what happens to a child after they have presented a challenging or dangerous behavior. For example, policy 4331 defines assaults and
088threats and their consequences. Policy 4315 gives examples of disruptive behavior and their consequences. Policy 4351 describes short-term suspensions and the due pro the due process students receive within the school system. All these policies are late. They come after the fact. They don't explain how children receive help with learning and practicing self regulation skills. Here are some of your proactive policies. Policy 43:16 is about appropriate clothing children must wear before they come to school. Policy 3225 lists the rules students must follow before they use technology. Policy 3460 explains the requirements that must be met before graduation. Why can't student student behavior policies be proactive as well? Policy 4331 could be renamed assaults, threats, and prevention of harm. And it could begin with the board is committed to maintaining safe and orderly schools while recognizing that serious
089behaviors such as assaults and threats are often preceded by escalating threats, disregulation, and unmet skill. To prevent harm, the district must ensure that students >> Your time is up. Veronica McLuren Brown. When policy 4351 took effect in fall 2022, love our children knew quantitative quantif quantifiable results would take time. We needed years of data to confirm that our youngest learners were staying in school and receiving the support they deserve. This year, we finally have the evidence. The data from the first half of the 2526 school year showed that um 13 elementary schools reported zero out of school suspensions. When we started this advocacy work, there were hundreds hundreds hundreds of children being suspended for minor infractions. Today those schools today those students are in school learning and I would say that the academic results that
090you are seeing are also tied to keeping kids in school learning. The data is clear. Progress is real, both in keeping students in school and in helping students to learn. Now is the moment to expand policy 4351 and strengthen what is working. Now is the moment to safeguard every child on the nine using proven practices. Now is the moment to to fulfill your legal duty to choose policies that protect children and help them learn. Put our kids first. Revise policy 4351. start by discussing it in the policy committee. Thank you. Thank you. Good evening. Several members of this board ran on the idea that we must absolutely stop indoctrinating the children. So what exactly is indoctrination? According to our old friend Webster, indoctrination is the process of teaching a person or group to accept a
091set of beliefs, opinions, or ideologies uncritically without questioning or examining alternatives. It often involves repetitive instruction to to force acceptance of specific doctrines. distinguishing it from education which encourages critical thinking. So what is happening or proposed in our schools that constitutes indoctrinating our children? Is it art class that teaches color mixing, painting, sculpture? How art has affected history? Creating in pencils, brushes, oils, watercolors? What about music, rhythm, playing instruments, learning the genres, features, elements, and cultural ideas in music? Or is it an off-campus field trip every week with treats and games all designed around lessons from a book of parables, legends, poetry, and ancient history taught as the absolute truth which should never be questioned. Lessons that continually repeat the doctrine that this translation of this book contains all correct information there ever was or
092ever or is. Nothing that contradicts it should ever be believed. For example, the curriculum starts with the creation story in Genesis. Kids are taught that this is the only explanation of the universe. There is no questioning allowed. So which is indoctrination? Lessons that inspire creativity and diversity or lessons that teach there is only one way of thinking. To repeat Webster, indoctrination is the process of teaching a person or group to accept a set of beliefs, opinions, or ideologies uncritically without questioning or examining alternatives. Thank you. >> Thank you, Sandy Isles. Next week, my daughter graduates from Isaac Bear, and I've been reflecting back over her seven years in New Hmer County Schools. From the first day she walked into Murray Middle School, she was warmly welcomed and has had some amazing teachers over the years.
093These teachers have fed my daughter's insatiable appetite for learning through their creativity and expertise. I often was in awe of how staff navigated various challenges, like when our band teacher, Mrs. me masterfully pivoted to teaching middle school students how to play instruments virtually during co to this day I still don't understand how she managed to pull that off but that's what great teachers do right at Isaac Bear I've been impressed by how every staff member has created a vibrant learning environment in the quote learning cottage their temporary co trailer for the past 20 years but despite not having a real building staff have created a welcoming space for all kids each morning you'll see Mr. Valine, smiling and greeting students, setting the tone for their day. The kids just love him, and I swear he
094deserves the award for the district's best dressed principal. I wish I had time to name every staff member who has had a positive impact on my daughter. But to all of her teachers, I thank you. I appreciate you, and I'm in awe of you. Which is why I supported the rally on Friday. The work teachers do matters, and they deserve better. Our students deserve better. And sadly, the Republicans have spent the past 15 years gutting our public schools of necessary funding. It's shameful that our Republican board members refused to join our teachers in Raleigh and chose to betray them through partisan politics. Josie apparently was holding the line, but she and every other Republican board member should have been on the front lines with Judy and Tim as they rallied alongside teachers instead of fighting
095against them. So, thank you teachers. Thank you for being a supportive partner in my daughter's education. and thank you for using your voices to fight for our kids and our schools. >> Thank you, Karen Clark. Thank you, Dr. Barnes and board for your dedication. The word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, exposing our innermost thoughts and desires. I pray that we constantly chase after the realm of God's kingdom and the righteousness that proceeds from him. If we have the greatest gift of faith that can move mountains, but have never learned to love, then we are nothing. I pray our love is large and incredibly patient. Our love is gentle and consistently kind to all. That we refuse to be jealous when blessing
096comes to someone else. Our love doesn't brag about achievements nor inflate its own importance. Our love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor. I pray our love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense. Our love joyfully celebrates honesty and finds no delight in what is wrong. I pray our love is a safe place of shelter for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat for it never gives up. Love remains long after words of knowledge are forgotten. So above all else, I pray we let love be the beautiful prize for which we run. Your kingdom come, Jesus. Amen. >> Thank you, Christina Mercier. Good evening. North Carolina teachers are evaluated on a rubric. Standard one is teachers demonstrate leadership. Objective D
097under that standard reads teachers advocate for learning environments and learners. Teachers advocate for positive change in policies and practices affecting learner growth. They participate in the implementmentation of initiatives to improve the education of learners. In order to be labeled as distinguished, the highest rating, educators must actively participate and support initiatives that improve education. Yet, the majority of the board voted against removing barriers for school employees to attend last Friday's rally, which was titled Kids Over Corporations. You forced them to choose between fully advocating for student learning conditions as is an expectation set by North Carolina or staying at work. In addition, a few of you gave statements about the horrible downfall that would occur if a workday was changed from a Monday to a Friday. Tell me why then I saw no fewer than three
098people on Facebook Friday who had no clue Monday was a workday and were rushing to find child care. Or how it's okay to expect AP students to come to school during a teacher workday to take an exam. The calendar committee made a bad choice when they made yesterday a workday and it should have been rectified long before the Raleigh rally was even planned. Instead, y'all dug in your heels because you decided to make the rally the rally partisan. That surely since it was organized by NCE, there must have been some leftist messaging happening. Except what you all need to understand and remember is that teacher working conditions are student learning conditions. And no one stops and checks who leans left or right politically. You need to support teachers in their quest for a living wage
099because it ultimately affects our students. you need to support fully funding our public schools because it's what's best for our students, you know. But five of you showed you don't do that. And I hope people remember, open your eyes, ears, and minds, and please do better. >> Thank you, Wendy Dale. Wendy Dale. I respectfully urge the board to reconsider including the following language in your public comment policy policy 2310. Comments must be limited to matters relevant to the work of the board and may not include comments about issues, activities, or organizations that are unrelated to the board's functions. This language creates serious problems for public participation in democratic accountability. First, the phrase relevant to the work of the board is undefined, subjective, and vague. When the definition of relevance is left to interpretation, it gives
100this board broad discretion to silence viewpoints they find inconvenient, uncomfortable, or critical. That undermines trust between the public and the board. Citizens are not policy experts or attorneys. They speak from lived experience. Sometimes that means raising concerns about community organizations, social conditions, or decisions made elsewhere that nonetheless impact schools. And sometimes they just want to offer a prayer or recite scripture. Restricting speech only to what the board itself deems relevant shrinks the public square and excludes valuable context. Second, such language will produce a chilling effect on speech. Public comments at this meeting are constitutionally protected under the first amendment of the US Constitution. Taxpayers should not have to worry whether their concerns will be ruled unrelated in the middle of their remarks. Public participation works best when people feel safe to speak freely, not when
101they fear being cut off. Also, efficiency should never come at the expense of democratic principles. Time limits, decorum rules, and contentneutral restrictions already exist as part of policy 2310. Adding vague relevant standards is completely unnecessary and counterproductive. In short, this language invites censorship, discourages engagement, and weakens the very accountability public meetings are meant to ensure. Thank you for your consideration. >> Thank you, Mike Wernern. Congress shall make no laws respecting the establishment of religion or prohibiting the free EXERCISE THEREOF. THE FOUNDING FATHERS were children of the enlightenment who didn't want to 150 years of religious wars in Europe to come to America. So they created the separation of church and state. All the founding fathers were deists except for John Adams, a unarian who later became a deist. Since then, we have people today who
102are still trying to find loopholes and allow them to force their religious views on others despite the intentions of the founding fathers. What may be legal may not be moral or in keeping with the spirit of the founding fathers. I taught philosophy and religion at the University of Chicago Theological Seminary, a consortium of nine theological schools where it is said there's no such thing as Christianity. There are Christianities. There is no way Catholics, Mormons, Shakers, liberal Christians, and Adventists are even remotely the same. And there are over 5,000 Christian sex in America alone. But some think that there is one true answer and one to force it down your throat. Be it in Tyrron or in Wilmington. We should not take our children out of the precious little time they have in school, burn teachers
103and indoctrinate them with our own personal stories. State guidelines are for a minimum of five and a half hours of instruction a day. If we want to be traditional, what has been traditionally done is for children to attend religious instruction after school. Likewise, isn't for teaching morality, but for power, domination, and control. We can't be so arrogant as it force our beliefs on others, and that is what the Lifewise Program's aim is. Thank you. >> Thank you, Timothy David, Israel. Timothy David Israel that um that concludes call to audience. >> Right. We need to take a five minute break. >> All right. Uh let's be back in the dial at 51 after. Ready? Please. 51. >> Yeah. >> And here comes Judy. >> There's more women here than men. >> Oh, well, >> Mr. Chairman,
104I I move that we uh adopt a very uh controversial policy right now while there's only four. >> Yeah, let's do it. >> All right, we are back in session. If we could have everybody have a seat, please. >> Uh next order of business is our >> Consensus items. >> Mr. Chair, I move that we adopt the consensus items. >> Okay. I think we actually Okay, we have first and second. I think we did want to pull D and H. >> D and H. Yes. Correct. >> If if I could ask you a minute. >> I would amend mine. I move that we adopt the consensus items other than D and H. >> Second. >> First and second. Any discussion on those items? >> One bit of discussion. >> Yes sir. I would like to
105mention just for the audience whether here uh or at home that uh these consensus items uh have nothing of significant change but just little bit of housekeeping changes in terms of references. So we're not pulling anything over on the public. We're just you know making slight alterations. Right. >> Right. And we we are pulling D&H >> but we are pulling D&H who who might have more to say. >> I know that's what Mr. Perry is probably going to say. Um, so we are we have a motion and a second to uh approve all the consensus items except for DNH. >> All in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. All opposed. >> Hearing none. And I think M. Bradford did get in in time, so it would be a 70 vote. Uh, we'll start
106with D. Uh, discussion on D. I believe Mr. Perry had that discussion, I believe. >> Yeah. Thank you. And I'm sorry for uh not bringing this up at agenda review last week, but I I kind of looked at the contract for Microsoft EEES. It's $425,000. $321,000 approximately is for a one-year subscription for Office 365 for 2930 users at $109 per user. And I'm just wondering if it wouldn't be more cost effective and perhaps not a whole lot more if we just bought a standard edition with an unexpiring license that could last for many years. So I don't I would I was hoping maybe we could get some comment on that from Miss Vincent. What would it cost to do that? Or if we could get that information next month and table this until next month
107when we can get that information. Okay, >> Dr. Mayor. I mean, I I I I agree with my colleague to the right, but I'm not sure that that's even a possibility. I'm I'm sure if we ask Miss Princeton, she could uh enlighten us pretty quickly of whether or not you're even able to purchase it without a subscription basis. >> Well, why don't we ask Miss Princeton? Thank you, gentlemen. Miss Princeton, >> Don, do you mind giving them a little bit of a update? >> Yes. So, um we have been purchasing the Microsoft EES contract yearly for a very long time. This covers not only just the um accounts for teachers, it also covers the Windows operating system on the computers. It covers the latest um Windows server OS. It covers um disaster recovery in tune
108which is how we manage the devices. um Microsoft Defender uh for endpoint, Microsoft Defender identity which is for the servers, Defender for Office 365 and then information governance. So it it covers a wide variety. Our we chose we had several options on how we were going to sign up for this. We chose to pay for the staff accounts. So then we get all the student accounts for free. So, we're getting 28,000 accounts for free by paying for the 2,930 accounts. >> Okay, more questions. >> Miss Bradford, >> I would just move that we go ahead and uh pass the agreement um Microsoft agreement with soft choice. >> Second. >> First and second. >> Okay, further discussion. Mr. >> Just a question. So, uh, for Miss Brenson, um, so you're saying that if we did not
109buy the subscription, uh, for these 293, cuz all the other things you mentioned are part of the 425,000, but if you look at the breakdown in the invoice, 321,000 is for just this M365 office. So my question to you is if we did not buy that subscription for the 2930 and we bought standalone uh things, are you telling us that you would we would not get the remainder of licenses for our students free? >> I would have it the way they do their agreements and this is like the um the um trying to think of what it's called. There's an A and then there's the more advanced degree which or license that which we're paying for that gives us all the extra features and so we chose to do that one. If we remove that
110that could very well void the whole agreement and we may have to do a different type of agreement in order to do it. We used to purchase individual licenses many many years ago for every computer and every staff member to have Windows on their computer and to have um Microsoft Office on their computer. It cost a lot more than what doing this agreement does. This gives us a better pricing for it. We we right now we've been using this. If we don't purchase this come July 1, then basically all of our servers stop functioning and so do all of the devices that we have out. >> M Barnhard. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um I agree with my colleague down to the right. If there's an opportunity for us to potentially save money on this,
111this contract does not go into effect till July 1. Uh so I do not believe uh we have to vote on this tonight. If we table this discussion to allow our staff the opportunity to look at potentially saving money, I think we should be doing that. Are you making Dr. >> Well, I I think what your statement is is that you did that before you brought this contract to us. Correct. >> We we looked at our our different options. If we don't buy Microsoft Office licenses for staff, then what are they going to use? Because we are using Outlook for our email. >> I guess what I'm asking is do you think that you already have the best price possible? >> Yes, I do. >> Okay. So, we have a motion and a second to
112pass uh letter D. We had discussion. Um, Miss Buoy, would you call the role? >> Miss Mason, >> yes. >> Miss Justice, >> yes. >> Miss Bradford, >> yes. >> Dr. Merrick, >> yes. >> Mr. Wlebore, >> yes. >> Mr. Perry, >> no. >> And Miss Barnhard? >> No. Okay, that passes 52 and we'll move on to our discussion to letter H, which is the agreement. Well, my computer just froze, but uh the agreement hometown. >> We got about three minutes. >> We have about three minutes left. >> Okay. Um >> Justice, why don't you start? >> Yes. The reason I had this pulled is because the the issue is not so much as the uh company itself although once I started thinking about it maybe there is alternatives at that end. The problem has
113to do with the fact that we we don't allowed our kids in the high schools aren't allowed to use cash at the gate. I mean and that's very simple. And so what I'm going to do is later add that to another meeting with an agenda and we can go through that. But since we are here now, I would like to ask um Miss Varnon some questions about uh this particular situation. Um first of all, how much is it per student in order could you just go through the process real quick about what it is when a student wants to go to a game in a high school level? >> Sure. So, um the ticketing of course at this point in time for our um typical competitions um requires a digital ticket and then as a
114part of that I know one of the questions was the cost associated with the purchase of each ticket and each ticket does include a $1 convenience fee and a 30 cent transaction fee and that's per ticket uh purchased. So, if the costs are absorbed by the district, then that would the costs right now are um absorbed by the ticket purchaser. If they were to be absorbed by the district, that would of course require a line item in the budget and this would become a contract and not an agreement. So, what we know about our um use of hometown digital ticketing is it manages our ticket purchases. It also helps us manage the capacity for for our our different competitions. And as we've I I want to answer um based on our conversations that we've had.
115If a student arrives at and again this is you know I'm I'm advertising this at this point. If a student comes with no way of purchasing a digital ticket, we are not uh known to turn students away. If we find out that a student had no way to purchase a digital ticket, came with cash or just came with an interest to be there um and again possibly had cash but couldn't buy a digital ticket. If we find out about instances like that, please refer those to Aaron Live and Good or to me, we would we would want to know that. But because the conversations with our athletic directors is that this is not meant to turn people away. this is meant to help us manage the large events that we're having and and again this
116really became more and more um widely used as a result of COVID and COVID precautions and then we've maintained the use of this along with many districts because it is very coste effective. Um, so if we we welcome the opportunity to collect cash at gates, we would just need to make sure that we do that safely and that would require some additional budgetary line items. >> Um, and has there been any other um is there another company that does this kind of service at a lesser fee to say a conven that doesn't have the convenience fee that that's that great? >> I'm not aware of any that has a better opportunity for us and less of a convenience fee. We um did use another um GoFan. We did use another um group at one point
117in time, but we've been using um hometown ticketing for quite some time now, and I'm not aware of a better opportunity for us that has a lesser cost. >> Just let you know, board members, we are out of time for this discussion. So, we either need to make a motion to add time or we need to vote. >> I I make a motion to accept H. >> Second. >> First and second. Um, any further discussion? >> We're out of time. C, can I ask just one question? Sure. Okay. Um, what is is there a due date on this on this contract? Does it have to be done at a certain time? >> Yes, we need to initiate the renewal. Um, but again, it doesn't necessarily prevent us from also having a cash option, but we
118do need to initiate the renewal on on hometown ticketing. So that will be the only company we can use once we initiate it. >> Correct. >> Yeah. Okay. >> I mean theou does have a a cancel clause in it. >> Right. We would have an opportunity to to renegotiate that with with um given notice. >> Okay. Thank you. >> We are out of time. So all in favor of accepting letter H, please signify by saying I. >> I. All oppose like sign. >> Well, we'll say I right now. >> You say no. >> I said I right now cuz >> Okay. Okay. Okay, so that passes 70. We will carry on with our policy consensus. Uh policy chair Mason. >> Um so we have they're not split up on the agenda like when you look
119at it, but when you click on policy consensus, they are split up. Um the top 1 2 3 4 five are very minor changes. Um and the new Hannover County Schools policies are changes. Um 2310 was sent back to policy to make some adjustments and policy 3540 was brought to us by staff to make some adjustments. So I move that we approve all of the policies listed. >> Second discussion >> I think the poll 2310 >> 2310 for further discussion. Okay. >> Dr. Mick, were you the same thing? >> I was only asking if when she said all of them if she meant Oh, >> both lists or just one list? >> Both lists. >> Thank you. >> We will pull 2310. >> We have a motion second to uh approve all the rest of
120the um policies. Please, all uh in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. All oppose. Like sign. That passes. 2310. Mr. Perry. >> Yes. The Republican participation at board meetings. This seems like it's a it seems like it's a solution in search of a problem uh on many fronts. Uh and I agree with one of our CO audience members rationale completely. So I won't repeat her what she said, Miss Dale. Uh and the only part of it that I like is is this is the part about requiring people to address the chair. The rest of it I think is unnecessary. I mean, they've got two minutes and if they want to come up and, you know, pray or or or talk about uh something that they might get around to at the end making
121the correlation, but we don't see it at the beginning and somebody makes an objection because they don't necessarily see the correlation. And you see this in courtrooms sometime, you know, somebody will raise an objection and you know, but well, I'm going somewhere with this. So anyway, I just I think we as far as hey, maybe somebody who's a you know, if they want to stand up there for two minutes and tell us about how maybe their business could save the school district money, I don't see why we shouldn't be listening to them. So that's all I have to say. All right, Dr. Merrick. >> Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I I do have two points I'd like to make. Um, I think we need to clarify now if this policy would prevent our community members
122from, as as my colleague has said, would it would it prevent our community members from praying over us? Um, based on that being largely considered not relevant to the work of the board. And I ask if that is the intent of the rewriting of this policy because if it is, I think we need to settle this now and then not wait and then argue about it when someone gets interrupted. Um well, I know some people find the praying uh to be unsettling like it doesn't belong in schools. Uh frankly, I find it's a goodnatured uh usually well-intended and someone's first amended rights. Uh number two, I I think we need to highlight the fact that the language here says should should first talk to the superintendent should be related to board relevance. It doesn't say
123must. Therefore, I'm just highlighting that this is guidance. It is not an absolute. And so I think that would preempt uh the board using this to silence a community member uh based on this policy. >> Thank you, sir. Thank you, Mhart. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. I do I appreciate that last sentence being or this last sentence being added, the concerns regarding personnel matters because I think we've had members of the public come and not know the grievance process that we have had to direct um to follow that protocol. So, I think it's a good awareness being in here, but not as a hindrance, but as an acknowledgement that there is a process to be followed. I I do echo some of my concerns from my colleagues with that first sentence. So I would be
124amenable to striking the in between red, which I think is just one sentence, that first sentence to be struck. But I do like having the concerns about personnel matters being laid out there so that our call to audience members are aware that there's a process. Thank you, >> Miss Justice. Well, I tend to agree with the fact that this is very subjective and as as far as the topics must be limited to matters relevant to the work of the board. Uh just about everything can be interpreted that way depending on the person looking at it. Um so I I really don't think that that's practical or relevant. it it's it's going to make more questions than it is solutions. I'm not even sure why it's there because that's just common sense that somebody could argue
125whether any topic could be relevant to a school district with this many kids and this much stuff going on. So, I'm I'm just not even sure why that needs to be in there considering that the smart brain can a lawyer brain can attach anything to what's going on in our district if they want to. So, should we be confusing people and and causing people more concern when it's not necessary? >> Okay. >> Anybody else? Mus. >> He looks right at me, Mr. >> Bradford. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. >> Um, as a member of the policy committee, if I'm not mistaken, this language came from our board attorney or recommendation or wording or something. My recollection of it is I think we I think it was professor Bluestein had had some published guidance the late
126professor Bluestein from the school of government her observation was and some of this was to save time let's put it that way in in a call to the audience but her observation was that it was probably permissible to limit the scope of con of the the comments to items that were you know, relevant to the board. Like for example, somebody can't, even though it may be true, you don't want everybody coming up here and saying that Duke basketball is much better than UNCC, for example, not because, you know, you disagree or agree with it, but because it's a waste of the board's time and it it's not something that we're really here for. Um the other part about that one of the board members just uh mentioned about the uh the concerns about personnel matters.
127That was exactly the intent. It was to suggest to people, hey, this is the correct direction to go in. It it wasn't designed to to muzzle people as much as a lot of people, I think, simply don't understand that that that really is the right procedure. They think that if they start here with the board, they're going to get an answer on a personnel matter. And obviously, you don't you don't answer personnel matters. It's not prime minister's question time um every month. So, you know, you're not having a back and forth. >> Okay, >> Pete, I'm not done. >> Oh, go ahead. You had a question? >> Yes. Um I like the language. I didn't have anything to do with creating it. But the first sentence it I can remember in the last three almost
128four years that we have had people come with a commercial advertisement or solicitation. I can remember something along that line. Can't remember exactly what it is. So I I actually kind of like that. Of course I like the second sentence. and for the um for the concern expressed about prayer when prayer is praying over the board or the board's deliberation I would think that would be relevant to what was happening up here and I don't think there'd be any concern over that if it was it would be perhaps false concern so I am very comfortable with it the way it's written thank you Mr. >> Dr. America. >> Well, I I do take uh difference from what my colleague to the left has said. I I think you've proved the point of what my colleague
129to the right has said, which is simply that anything can be interpreted any which way. Um I would like to make a motion because there's none on there's no one on the table, is there? >> Well, you mean a motion to >> There was an original. >> Okay. All right. There's no motion, right? So I make a motion to adopt this as it written except for changing one word and that is when you look at the red comments comments should be limited to matters and not must because that will take away all of that. >> Okay, we have a first and second. >> Any further discussion on Dr. Merrick's amended amendment? And M. Justice, you had your hand first. Now, as our discussion, I actually like what he said, but as our I I wanted
130to further the discussion uh on a more broad reference to this particular um section. So So we should finish this. >> Finished his his >> Okay. >> So discussion on the amendment, which is changing the word comments must to comments should. >> Well, my actual motion was to adopt this with that change of >> verbage. Right. Okay. First and second. So >> I will allow Miss Justice to go ahead and discuss since we're talking about >> Almost at time. >> We're almost at time. >> Almost at time. >> I was very concerned when I just read this and realized something said here. Uh concerns regarding personnel matters should first be directed through the grievance process and should not contain current employees names. Um here's the problem with that. I live through the history of this
131district and there was a time where our we had superintendent that stifled people's ability to bring justice to our kids and to protect them. And so sometimes it's good for people to come up here and speak names. There's people in prison right now that if people hadn't spoken names, they wouldn't be there. And I it hit me that when we start restricting on a grand scale like that, we really could lead ourselves because the public has a right to protect us too. Not just I really trust what's going on with our district now. But you can never tell what's happened and we need to protect our kids. And sometimes coming out and speaking in public is the only way and naming names is the only way to do it because our kids suffered horribly still
132are. And look and those people that were and we had to say names. We had to say names. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. We we are out of time. We have a motion to accept the let the um Can >> I make a motion to extend for two one minute so I can talk on this amendment? >> Yes, you may. Is there a second? We had any >> hearing? None. We will carry on with the vote. And so right now we have in front of us uh adopting policy 2310 as written in red with the exception. We're changing it from comments must to comments should. >> I can I'd like to make an amendment to that motion. Can I can do I think I'm in order for that. >> That's it. Uh so comments may
133uh be limited to the thing but um uh but then it goes on to the work of the board it may not include commercial advertisement and say may not's a little strong wouldn't you say Dr. America. Uh, even when it comes to that, how about should not. Can we add the word should not? Okay. So, there's a motion to change the the wording in the second paragraph to should not. Is there a second? Okay. Hearing none, we're back to our original motion. Uh, Miss Buie, would you please call the role? >> We are out of time. We haven't edited. So, go ahead. >> Miss Mason, >> yes. >> Miss Justice, >> no. Miss Bradford, >> yes. >> Dr. Merrick, >> yes. >> Mr. Wore, >> yes. >> Mr. Perry, >> no. Says should. >> And
134Miss Barnhart? >> Yes. >> I'm talking about personal. >> Okay. So, that passes 5 to two. >> Thank you. >> So, we can All right. >> We're going back on to all business, legislative agenda, and that would be Miss Barnhart. Miss Barnhart. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh the legislative committee meet met for the purposes of changing the verbiage on the legislative agenda. After reaching out um to members that had a concern, some of the feedback was mainly um aesthetics. As you can see, it's a different easier in my opinion to read some sentence changes. A few things I'm going to go flip back to my notes to see of the updates specifically in regarding to aotments. If I want to highlight um under that first section of legislative priorities, we said to create a
135standalone aotment for the multi- tiered system of support to ensure students receive timely targeted academics and behavioral interventions that drive academic um excuse me drive achievement and close gaps because currently there is not a standalone aotment for that. So we wanted to highlight that being a priority in our district. Um it was pointed out through discussion that if any of these aotments pass that would allow us more flexibility for how we spend our other aotments. So I wanted to highlight that. Um we as a committee suggested moving up under the second legislative priorities that first bullet exceptional children weighted funding model to provide equitable student centered funding that enhances services and outcomes for students with diverse learner needs. that was initially under the fourth section and the committee felt it was better suited under the
136second section as well. Um that is again something that has been piloted by the state is something that we have openly adopted and supported. Um Dr. Barnes and I had been part of a two-year tiered um weighted funding model and one of the things we got to I I got to speak more in depth. Dr. Dr. Barnes had to go to another meeting but um with the EC director for the state and so they had discussed the three tiers being um 70% of our general education population. So right now we receive a flat aotment of 5,500. So that first category which is 70% of the statewide EC students would receive $4,100 per cher child. Category two, which is roughly 16% of our EC students statewide, we would be receiving $8,100 and those would be for
137some pullout assistance. And then category 3, which accounts for roughly 12% of our EC students statewide, would we tr would receive $26,000 per student. Um, as you've seen from some of the supports in our uh, finance and capital meeting, we have a couple of our students that cost a lot of money to service and we do that very well. Um, what this was explained as is it would be the equivalent of if the cap was removed at the current funding model of $5,500 per child, the equivalent change of funding, moving over to this tiered model, it would basically balance out. So whether the state decides to remove the cap >> or completely shift to this tiered funding model, the funding would increase to that same amount. So I just want to give that explanation because
138I got a little bit more knowledge whenever we were having this discussion. Um but that was moved up into the second legislative priority. Um and the last >> and we win either way with that. >> If the tiered funding would bring more EC money into this district, removing the cap would as well, >> right? And so that that's how it was explained to us. Um and the last one that we changed the verbiage well there's two others my apologies board members was increased um if you look at that second bullet in the second legislative priorities significantly increased aotments for instructional support personnel. Um, and we mirrored the language that you see and how it's written at the state level, which includes counselors, social workers, and other support personnel. So, we just mirrored it to include
139that um, bubble. The last one a colleague had brought to consideration that the committee adopted is if you look at the fourth bullet, excuse me, uh, the fourth priority. In the first bullet, it says support the federal community eligibility provision meal program with additional funds so that all students are offered free and nutritious meals regarding of regardless of financial need or which school they attend for this will reduce barriers to learning and support student well-being. Um the committee felt that this language was stronger than the current language had. With that, Mr. Chair, I would recommend we approve this legislative agenda. >> You make that motion. I will move that we approve this legislative agenda. >> Second that, Miss Barnhart, Miss Bradford, and we'll go down here. >> I thought you you're okay. There we go.
140Dr. Merrick. >> Um, first of all, I want to thank my colleague to the left for all the hard work. Uh, and for being willing to go back and retool this a little bit. Um, I am willing to and ready to support this uh agenda. Um, in response to my previous mentions about how I wish there was more of the overall aotments being addressed, one of the things that I think the public doesn't recognize is the is the uh funny math that the that the um legislature has us doing where it's not per child, it's per school of uh 350 or it's per, you know, and and all the ways that we lose every single time. if you've got 26 kids instead of 25, you know, then you have to have two classrooms and then,
141you know, I mean, I mean, on and on. The exercise that the superintendent had us do was really eye opening in terms of how impossible it is to use these aotments to properly fund our schools. And so my comments before about wanting the allotments to be addressed, you I guess, you know, I would hope that they would be torn down completely and started from scratch, but I think it's too much to ask. And I appreciate that what you're doing here is to pick away at the edges and and improve our our standing a little bit yearbyear. And I and I'm ready ready to support it. >> Thank you, sir. Mr. Okay. Um I'm just looking at the version on Simly, so I don't know if it me I can't read what's on the board. Um
142but when it comes and I agree with everything on here uh but the in uh in regards to the one that for the community eligibility provision there seems to be some sort of a typo at least in the version I'm reading assembly because it says um when it says which school they attend uh and then it says uh of this will require I think this should be they attend and then uh take the up and capitalize T and viz and I think we're good. Do you see what I'm saying? >> I think you're right. Yeah, I see that. >> We needed to catch that. >> Thank you. >> So should it should read this will without a comma reduce barriers to learning and support student well-being. Correct. >> Yep. And take out the and put
143a period after a 10. >> Okay. I'll go to Miss Justice then to you, Miss Justice. Um, I'm not going to be as kind as my colleague to the left here. I think that ignoring the outrageously low allotments all across the board that we have in this document is heartbreaking. I think until the reality is faced and we fight for what the teachers actually require, then it's not it's not a true document. I know that part of this is sadly and I shouldn't say this word political but that's reality. So I'm not going to agree with this document because it's it's denying reality. We need so much more and as long as the legislature is the one that's created our shortages and we're not addressing it and it's not true. >> Thank you ma'am. Mr.
144Mayor Dr. Merrick >> that's fine. Thank you Mr. Chair. I I do want to mention in terms of asking to have um our our our meal program uh uh universal I think is is brilliant. I have seen research, you know, for those people who say, "Hey, wait a minute. Wait, you're going to give free food to kids who don't need it?" And I can understand people being concerned about the economics of that. And yet the research I've seen shows that the amount of time and energy it requires to determine who is eligible, who isn't eligible, who's getting it, who's not getting it, uh the the administrative costs of that are canceled out and that when we give food to all the kids, it doesn't actually cost us more and it just seems more human and
145creates less divi divisiveness. And I'm I'm really glad that that's in your agenda. >> Thank you. We are out of time. Board members, we have one minute left. So, >> I just want to point out, Mr. Chair, this is our adoptive agenda once it gets approved. It's not just one person's. >> Okay. So, we have a motion and second to approve the uh the uh the legislative priorities uh list >> With the correction with the correction uh all in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. All opposed. >> I oppose. >> Okay. So, that's passes six to one. We will carry on. Thank you. Next week, >> this looks sharp, >> Miss Bag. Thank you. >> Very nice. >> And we're going up to Raleigh in a couple of weeks with this. And my
146plan is to put it in every kid's hand who's going to be going with us so they know what talking points are. This is look sharp. It's clear. I think we can all agree that it it's about moving the needle, right? We may not get where we want to go in one year or two years, but we need to be clear about what our needs are. I don't know as if many other districts do this. So >> next we have our budget. >> Our CFO comes forward. >> Welcome Miss Sutton. >> Hello. Good evening. >> So we had the same presentation that was attached in assembly for the agenda review. So it's the same documents. Um, but we'll go through those again in case there are some questions that have come up since last time
147we spoke. Um, and so we will start. Yes, perfect. And I have my thing here. Thank you so much. Will you be able to move those? I'm not able to transition to the next slide. So, you're going to do it for me? Thank you. Sorry about that. So, first we wanted to cover our um revenue sources in this recommended budget. So, these are all of our different funding sources for a total budget here of $333 million. um that number is less than what we saw this year when we were looking at our total budget because we have some aotments that come in during the year. And so this beginning budget is going to include the things that we know we're going to have as of July 1 or that we're able to anticipate what those
148budgets are going to be. We can estimate or forecast those budgets. Um some are just so um our funding is dependent on how other school systems ADM is doing their certain populations at o in other leas um or public school units and so some of those are trickier to try to estimate so we just do not estimate those in the initial budget. We're hoping to have some more planned aotments coming out um this month and we will of course bring those back to the board as budget amendments. So you'll know those revenues as they're coming in. Um, as you can see here, we do have Oh, and let me just add, if I did not include a revenue source or a program in our initial budget for 2026 27, I didn't include that same program
149when comparing 25 to 26 because otherwise it wouldn't be appleto apples. It would show um differences that weren't real. So, I made sure I had the same programs in both years. And so, as you can see here, um, pretty consistent. Um, we do have that increase, and we'll talk more about that request for from the county for increase of one point, I'm sorry, 3.1%. We the big decrease you see there in other revenue and we'll talk about some more um in a couple of slides is other the other revenue that decrease of 19% is coming from the one-time revenue we received from FEMA and also the sale of the 13 um.4 acres at Johnson. So that was right at I want to say 2.1 million. So that makes up the large part of that difference
150you see there. And then the remaining difference is carryover from year to year with grants and donations that we usually budget in July or August once we close out the current fiscal year. So if you'll go to the next slide, we've got the breakdown for this this recommended budget by purpose. And so as you would expect, 70% of this budget is for instructional services, 21% for systemwide support services. So that is equaling that same 333 million that we saw on the previous slide. And remember that this budget does have built in a 3% increase for all employees raises, a 1% increase for retirement, and a 5% increase for health insurance. And then the remaining difference is in um inflationary things for contracted services, utilities, things like that that we build into the budget. I I
151want to be clear that we can't trigger a raise for any employee until the state passes their own resolution or their own budget, which may mean that that may not occur in July. It just depends on when they pass a budget. Correct. >> That's right. Yep, that's correct. >> And so on the next slide, you can see the breakdown. So this goes into a little more more detail on our general fund. Um, and we just talked about the non-recurring revenue decrease. That was our starting point for this year. And then we also had an increase in fines and forfeitures this year and at the end of last year. So, we felt comfortable increasing that revenue as we're building next year's budget. And then you see uh the $3.1 million increase. Um, that's what we're recommending
152to ask the county for. Um, so that's a 3% increase on the operating budget. And we are also have included in this budget a student technology fee. So that's new. Um, that would be a $25 per student annual fee for technology that would help offset the cost of insurance related for our devices. Um and then also we have a $178,000 um revenue increase related to prek program reimbursement. And this is where we were moving um one classroom from Blair, one classroom from Murrayville over to either Johnson or how I don't know that we've decided that yet um because in those locations the classrooms are prek certified. So we can bill NC prek um for reimbursement there. Any questions? about this slide before I move on. Okay. And then the next slide shows this is the
153actual county request that we're recommending. Um, and we have a letter that we would submit with this document with these numbers included in that request. So, we've talked about the $3.1 million. That's a 3% increase for the operating appropriation. Um for preK we are also asking for a 3% increase um $31,05 and once again that's to help offset the these teachers would also receive the raise the state raise and the benefit increases. So we have the same increase here for them. Um and then the county um capital appropriation compared to this year we're asking for 238,000 extra which is actually I think it's a little more than 3%. So when you add all of those together the total change is 3.1%. So that would be the total um ask of the county. And so we
154would need the board to approve that recommendation. Yes. Oh, I'm sorry. Two questions, >> Mr. here. >> Yes, ma'am. >> I would move that we adopt the 2627 recommended budget. >> I'll second it. I >> conversation. That's a discussion. >> Discussion. >> Uh, thank you, uh, Miss Sutton. I really appreciate how thorough and how patient you've been with our sometimes lack of thorough understanding. Um, uh, you've been incredible, uh, with this whole process. I would like for you to speak to the prek program and where the money was cut last year. >> Sure. >> And whether or not that money is going back in or whether we're still covering it from, you know, title one carryover, etc. Uh when you put the, you know, 1 million 33 or 1,64 on here. >> I'll go with
155that. >> Okay. So last year, obviously sort of abruptly, um we were down about a million dollars for prek. >> Suddenly, >> so what we used was what we call title one carryover, which is money that at the end of every year in title one, we gather together anything that people didn't spend and put it together in a big bucket and then carry it from year to year. You actually have 18 months >> to spend it. So you can spend it into the next year. >> So we used title one carryover. We budgeted again the carryover to carry us over with prek as again. So what would happen is this money here that 178 or whatever number it was to balance is not really saving money. What it is is allowing us to build NC3
156prek for more of the kids that we would have to to allow us to still balance the same number of slots. If we received extra funding and didn't use that title one money for carryover, that money could be pushed out to schools that are title one needs. >> Correct. I mean, what we were really in a pinch because we heard at the last minute that we were not going to receive money for prek. And so, you know, as much as I don't want to take that money from our title one schools, we had to find it somewhere. and I absolutely approve the way we did it. But I would rather not deprive our title one schools with the funds that they need and they deserve and let and so my question is is this 26
15727 budget based on using that carryover or are we asking the county to re to reinstate the money they were giving us for prek? So, we have um our goal was to keep the same number of prek slots we had already >> with the added burden of the taxpayer on the bond rather than go back and ask for that 960 back again. We allowed title one carryover to cover it again because what I wanted to make sure of is that we didn't burn burden the taxpayer twice if that makes sense. So the 3% does still allow us to use title one carryover for prek as opposed to anything else. Now if we get added revenue back in any way from the state or from wherever uh go forward one slide please >> go okay one
158more >> okay >> other way. Sorry >> the other way you go backwards. Yeah, >> there he is. >> Those came in as the three priorities that if we get additional funding, you want us to address first. >> So before I would take that out of where I would where we're using it for prek, I would do these three things first. >> I I I just have to say I and I do understand it's not quite black and white because a lot of prek is title one and so using title one carryover for prek is not entirely out of the realm of what it's meant for. But it seems really unfortunate that that we were that money was taken away from from our budget and we had to carry we had to cover it by
159in a sense depriving some of the other uses in prek in title one schools. And so I I get it. You're saying you're not asking the county for this money back because we don't want to ask for too much because we were already asking for a bond. We're asking for 3% raise. We're asking for a lot. >> And and this has come up a couple you >> this has come up a couple of times and you can correct me if Ashley if I say this wrong. >> What we are trying to do is to do a measured response. Do we need that extra $916,000? >> Sure. And I need an additional 5 million more. >> However, part of being good fiscal stewards of the money we're given is to be balanced. You know, as we
160talked with our county commissioners, they have increased our funding year after year after year. There are districts that are we've talked about a district that that had to go to their county commissioners and ask for $10 million by Friday or they would have to lay off 100 people. I've heard of a district that's asking for a nearly 30% increase in their operational funding. You have Winston Salem that's down 900 employees from last year. And we I shared I texted you guys some districts that are in the hole in their fund balance. >> I think for us the recommendation I'm bringing you is what I consider a measured response. Do we need more? Yes. >> But I'm trying to be cognizant of the fact that our county has continued to give more and more every year
161even as our enrollment has declined. And I'm trying to keep them in the middle. If if this was a courtroom, I would just want you to to say, "Do you need that money?" Right? Because I've been told by different county commissioners, they said, "Well, Barnes didn't say he needed the money. We need the money." Is that correct? >> I can't imagine anyone saying Barnes says we don't need money. >> It's been said, >> I can't believe that anyone says that the narrative I've been putting out isn't that we're at a subsistence level. >> I am trying to be aware of the burden on the taxpayers. >> Thank you. But if you if you want to put me up against the wall more money. >> Thank you. >> I'm also trying to be >> That's it,
162your honor. >> All right, M. Bradford and Mr. Perry. >> Um, two points about that. Um, I dug into the whole carryover because it it disturbed me and Dr. Barnes and Ashley had explained it. The carryover meant that was money that wasn't used the previous year. So for two years, we've had leftover money for Title One. So it's not like we're robbing it because it it was left over. It wasn't spent that year. And could it be applied in some other way going down the road? Probably yes. But of the 850ome students that won't be with us next year, 700 of them have been identified as low wealth. Low wealth equals title one. So it may come out in the wash is all I'm saying. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> I'm going to support
163this budget, but I just in case anybody wasn't listening to agenda review last week, I am definitely opposed to the student technology fee. We are charging going to be charging a brand new fee to parents for technology that they are actually required to use in order to pass their classes. This isn't an optional thing like like a parking pass or I want to play in the band. I mean or or I want to participate in the sport. This is what you need in order to pass your classes. And now we're going to be charging people in addition to the taxes they already pay the state and our local government to pay an extra $25 in environment where gases gas and the cost of living is skyrocketing. And we are asking them, oh yeah, and by
164the way, we're tacking on our $25 per fee. on top of that. So, I hope that if we find some additional money, we can cut that student technology fee and uh but I'll vote for the budget anyway. >> We have one minute, Miss Barnhart. >> Thank you. I echo that sentiment from my colleague. I do not agree with having a a student technology fee and I support ways to cutting the technology use that we have in our school district to better the operating budget um so we can continue to invest in our staff. I do also want to say it it was like a triple whammy with prek because one of the other things was we were using the red light stop cameras that the city stopped with that's roughly a million dollars and that
165was being used for prek programs too. So we are really trying to look for ways to maintain and sustain slots and again highlighting those kindergarten um beginning and middle of year. I mean at large this is because we're helping support our prek learners because every single child that we serve in our prek program is identified at risk not by our standards by the state standards because we want to do that early intervention. So I just want to highlight those two things. >> I think we all would agree that universal prek is is a is a hope we all would like to move towards. So >> okay we have a budget. We have a motion and second to approve it. Uh all in favor please signify by saying I. >> I. All oppose like sign. >>
166No. >> Okay, that passes 6 to one. >> Thank you. Thank you, Miss. We will carry on with our next item. Fine. All right. Next, we have legislative >> business. >> Oh, it's freezing me again. Here we go. I got it. Legislative work day. Mr. Perry, you brought this forward. Why don't you begin the conversation? >> Yes. Good evening. Um, so, you know, as I as I just said, you know, the cost of living is going up everywhere and especially in New H County with the price of housing. Uh, so, you know, it's understandable that the, you know, the wages that our employees are are not going up nearly as much as the cost of living is going up. So, I think we need to show and I think our employees that we are on
167their side and I know that we have and I appreciate everything that everybody's done. I know Dr. Barnes has gone up there to Raleigh and and and tried to uh lobby for more money and more support. I know Miss Barnhart, Miss Mason, a lot of you have done that. So, and it's all good. But I think that if we can show some solidarity by having a rally and rally designating one work day and I I think uh maybe even in August on one of our already designated work days, we could have this legislative day, ship our allow all of our staff to go up there. My understanding from listening to uh Mr. Blanchard is that this is completely legal for us to do as long as uh uh we are not supporting a candidate or
168or a referendum and that we can spend money in order to pursue our legislative agenda. So we can afford to bus our people up to Raleigh and feed them and engage in like a show of solidarity for all of our legislative priorities but with a little bit of a priority on pay for our uh increases for our employees who desperately need it. not just the teachers, but also our bus drivers, our cafeteria workers, all the support staff that deserve it. And uh I think this would show uh give give a lot more uh a morale boost to all of our employees if we were to just look into it. But I didn't want I it's going to take I don't want to decide all the details tonight. I just want but before we dig into
169it and try to organize it, I wanted to make sure that we are all in agreement to do this. So that's why I brought it forward. Um so um I'm going to make a motion that we um that we start pursuing it or or h kindly direct Dr. Barnes and I will help uh to start organizing this and getting it getting it together but I don't want him to go through a whole lot of effort unless we all agree to that. So that's that's my motion. >> Okay. So can you restate your motion please because you kind of went on around >> that we kindly direct Dr. Barnes to be to organize this legislative work day uh for the 26 27th calendar year and fill in all the details um under the general parameters that
170I just said. Uh there are there are some other things that um it was brought to me that policy 7220 might be a a hindrance to us and if that is I would suggest that we move that to policy or maybe Dr. Barns can have a move to policy to make because I don't think the intent of 7220 is to limit our employees working towards our legislative agenda. It's it's it's about pursuing their own personal politics and uh so maybe we could Dr. Barnes could suggest that we send that over there to carve out an explicit exception for for this. But I think uh it's a good idea and it will show solidarity with our employees. I think most of you have been receptive to it. So, uh, that's that's my motion. >> Okay. Is
171there a second? >> I'll second it for discussion because I'm confused. >> And and I'd like to make a um, I guess amendment. >> I would like to make an amendment that we refer it. I mean, I think that there's a lot of questions. I think it's great. I I think personally I met with Mr. Perry. M. Mason. I met with Mr. Perry. We we've talked about this. I think there's a lot of value in this idea. I think it's there's some really good idea here, but as Mr. Perry has already said, there's a lot to be worked out. You know, is it legal? Is this part legal? Is that part legal? Um, and we have a committee that actually is in charge of this kind of idea. Legislative workday to me would be underneath
172the legislative committee. Uh, so I make a uh would it be a substitute motion or would it be a amendment? >> Substitute amendment. >> Okay. an amendment that we refer this uh discussion to instead of putting on Dr. Barnes's shoulders, we refer it to our legislative committee. >> So, we first and second further discussion on referring it to legis Mason. >> This just a point of discussion on that. I I think if you ask Mr. You mentioned legalities, so it's one of the I think Mr. Blanch, you could speak to that. >> Yeah. Okay. Mason, you have the floor. Thank you. >> Oh, sorry. >> Um I know that in conversation um with my colleague the some of the concerns that I brought up were cost. Um gas costs money and depending on how many
173staff we have to bring up. Um that's going to require some cost there in addition to the cost of bus drivers. And so I think that this is a much deeper issue than just to simply um direct the superintendent. I I think that that's a lot more work. He has a lot on his plate and I think that's um something that if that's if we want to do it that our committee does it. So >> Oh, okay. M just as I hand up. >> Yeah, it sounds it sounds practical to send it to the legislative committee. I'm confused because he's he doesn't it's not a direct easy to understand request. So that would be a good place to send it. And I'm not only concerned about the cost though. I'm also concerned about our staff
174because that's one day out of what they can be doing here at home which they don't have enough time to do already. Um, and this was in response to what happened last Friday. I know he directly brought it up because of it. I don't know how much impact it's going to have if our one school district goes up there as opposed to, you know, 10,000 or 15,000 were on Friday. So, I mean, yeah, send it to the legislative committee, but right now it's very, very vague and it doesn't sound like it's productive and it'll take time away from him if he had to do it all figured out. >> Thank you, ma'am. >> Dr. >> Yes. Um, Dr. Mer, >> well, we heard uh a lot of thanks to our substitute staff and our central
175district employees who did come in on that day. And I I concur. I really want to thank all of them for that. I also want to put in a quick thank you to all the teachers who took a day off, personal leave that they could have used in another way or took an unpaid day to go to Raleigh. We had over 400 teachers from this district who did do kind of what Mr. Perry is saying, go up and advocate and I want to thank them for being willing to work for our legislative agenda. >> Thank you, sir. >> Miss Brad, Miss Barnhart, >> thank you. So, I'm not necessarily opposed to sending this to committee. Um, but a legislative workday um is different than a rally. And so, I just would like to have a
176little bit of guidance from the board. It could be potentially an opportunity to host a legislative breakfast where we bring our reps here and give staff the opportunity. So, as long as there is an opportunity for discussion of what it looks like because um to ship people to rally to stand in front of a building, I don't think it's going to be very productive if I'm just being direct and honest. But if we're talking about an opportunity to get more of our staff in front of our legislators, I'm in favor of working through that. So I just if the legislative committee has not saying that that we just have an unlimited approval right now, but as long as there's conversation to be had of what this could look like, I'm fine with sending it to
177committee to have that conversation. >> And I think, you know, honestly, I think we need to look at I mean, that that raises a very good idea instead of trying to, you know, I I don't know, Miss Bradford, how long does it take to ride on a bus to to Raleigh? have a school bus cars. >> Three three hours and 15 minutes. >> Yeah. So that's a Yeah. I don't want to say that's a lot of time that we're asking our ad that our our staff to sit on a bus and go up there versus if we could get them to come here. >> I mean it would be you know advantageous. I would think that we don't spend a lot of our educators time >> uh to do that. Bradford >> and after doing
178this two years in a row with just taking, you know, 20 or less, um, I do have some inside knowledge and, you know, there's a permit that's required for Halifax small. It's complicated. It takes a while to get it. You have to match that calendar to when they're actually going to be there. Um, which in itself is a moving target. Um, so I I I would think Miss Barnhart's idea to maybe bring everybody here, but honestly I would first maybe consider speaking to principles and asking them, Dr. Barnes, you know, what the interest is in the school district, the teachers to do this, rather than us just say, "Hey, we're doing this." Would we not get input from the staff and the teachers? What do they want to do? What would they want to see?
179seem like that would be a place to start was with your principles. I don't know. >> Good idea. We we do have one minute left to discuss this unless we want to add some more time. >> I I just want to Yeah. As long as we include actually Dr. Barnes brought that idea to me as well as about having it here and having the representatives come here. I don't I don't care which. as long as our employees in mass get an opportunity to speak uh to our things and not just 20 or 30 but all all interested parties >> we do need either add time or >> I'd like to add five minutes I move move that we add five minutes for discussion >> that okay all in favor of adding five minutes to our
180discussion please signify by saying I >> I >> all opposed >> no >> I think that failed okay >> all right so we have in front of us a motion to um send >> Refer to committee. Thank you, ma'am. Um all in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> All opposed. >> That passes 70. It will be referred to legislative committee. Board members, we do have a closed session. We we're just u we have a couple brief things. So, I will entertain a motion to move close session. Thank you. first and second before I even said it. Go out, but I'm just going to read it because I like to read. >> You got to read it legally. Yeah. Uh, general statute 143 31811C for the purpose of for the following purposes. prevent
181disclosure of information is privileged or confidential pursuant to general statute 115 C 402 not considered a public record mean within a meaning of one uh chapter 132 of general statutes to prevent disclosure of student records rendered confidential under the family education rights to consult with an attorney in order to preserve the attorney client privilege between the attorney and the board and to consider qualifications competence performance character fitness conditions of appointment uh or conditions of initial employment with an individual employed or considered for employment within a school system or to hear, investigate a complaint, charge, grievance uh by or any individual employee. We have a motion second. All in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. All oppose like sign. We are enclosed. >> Please be there by 8:00. >> We only have 30 minutes
182after that. Okay, >> next That's funny right there. >> Someone took their Maybe it went on correspondence. I actually have something that I need to share under correspondence. >> All right. >> The board has been notified that I'm not >> I'm start all over again. Uh under we do not have personnel reports. So we'll go on to correspondence. Uh, the board has been notified that its insurance carrier has reached a settlement with the claimants in the two final Jane Doe cases, New Hver files number 20 CVS1395 and 21 CVS4707. Formal sub settlement agreements have been signed. Dismissals have been filed both matters last week and we understand the insurance carrier has already tendered payment. No new Hannover County schools funds were used. Does anybody else have any other correspondents? If not, announcements. >> All right.
183Policy committee will be meeting on Tuesday, May 12th, uh, 2026 at 100 p.m. Board of Education Center. The general public has a option to view remotely on New H County Schools TV YouTube. The board of education will hold this agenda review on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 2 o'clock. Board of Education Center. The general public will have the option to review remotely on New Hanover County Schools TV YouTube. The Board of Education will hold its regular uh its June regular board meeting on Tuesday, June 2nd at 5:00 p.m. The Board of Education Center. The general public will have the option to review remotely on New Hmer County Schools uh TV, YouTube. Uh I will entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. Second. >> First and second. Any discussion? >> Hearing none. All in favor
184of uh >> adjournment, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> All opposed. No. Passes 61. We are >> ajourned. Woohoo. burns. You were