NHCS Board of Ed. Regular Meeting | September 2, 2025

001time to start. I'm going to call the September board meeting to order. >> Is your microphone on? >> It says it's on, but it Can everybody hear me? Or is it now? My microphone is apparently not as good as it could be. >> Oh, I get two. Thank you. >> Stereo. Melissa Mason in stereo. All right. Uh, Miss Buoie, will you call the role, please? >> I'd have worn red if I >> here. >> Jesse Barnhart >> here. Pat Bradford, >> I am here. >> Judy Justice >> here. >> Dr. Tim Merrick >> here. >> David Perry. >> Look at them all. [Music] >> And Pete >> Wore present. >> Okay. Next up, um we are going to have the invocation given by Reverend Germaine Armor, pastor of St. Luke uh amme Zion church. >>

002After that we will have uh the eaten elementary chorus performing the national anthem and then we will have the pledge of allegiance. >> They keep coming. >> That's why there's so many people here. >> This explains the parking lot. So, I am extremely honored to um have this opportunity um to our superintendent and to our chairperson um to my friend Tim and I want to thank Pat for this invitation uh to come and to give the invitation on today. Um but there is a story of a young man and his son, they were walking on the beach and uh his son kept on chucking a small starfish into the ocean. His father looked down at him and said, "Son, you're you're not making a difference. There's so many starfish across this shore." And the little

003boy picked up one more and threw it in and said, "Dad, it made a difference for that one." And I'll stay out here all day and chuck them in one at a time. And that's my prayer for tonight is that we have some beautiful starfish all over New Hover County. And my prayer is that we'll continue to work together with the school board and the community uh to make sure that we make a positive impact into your lives, even if it's one child at a time. Therefore, dear God, we come before you today with gratitude and hope for our school community. We ask for your guidance and wisdom for our school board members as they make decisions that impact the lives of our children. May they lead with compassion, integrity, and commitment to fostering an

004environment where every student can thrive. We pray for our beautiful children that they may be filled with love for learning and a strong sense of purpose. Help them to see their potential and to understand the importance of kindness and respect towards one another. May they be safe. May they feel supported. and may they be inspired to reach all of their dreams in Jesus's name. Amen. Oh, say can you see by the dawn so proud we at the twilight last stars through the sky [Music] we watch Gently stream and the rockets were in gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star spangle better yet for the land of the home of the brave? [Applause] Miss Justice, will you lead us in the pledge? >> I pledge allegiance to

005the 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. >> Don't go anywhere. >> You got to stay where you are. >> Stay where you are. >> Who can sit down? >> Yeah, we can sit down. It's a lot easier for me to stand these days. >> So, I'm going to just ask you to say your first name. That's it. Okay. >> Cuz there's a lot of you. >> How do you know? >> I like him. >> It is. >> There we go. All right. Go ahead. >> Aiden. >> Msara. Asher. >> Jack. Jack, >> Everly, >> Anthony, >> Alex, >> Zayn, Charlotte, Cody, Soay, >> Jackson, >> Gabby, Salem, >> Samia, >> Jane, Meyers, Beatatrix, >> Sawyer,

006>> Corley, Micah, Everett, Eli. >> All right, I'm passing it this time. Ethan, >> Sophia, Mila, Austin, Landon, Aubrey, Abraham, Katie, Edwin, Ellie, Benny, Anthony, Ledger, >> Haley, Sawyer, >> Josie, Noah, >> Ramsay, >> Grayson, >> Leila, >> Mason, CJ, Okay. I guess freaking a foot bank fourth grade also known as Gai Wu also known as Got the Ratanic Chic in April 5th 1912 and So no two books done. >> Good job. >> All right, folks. Give one more hand. Woo! [Applause] Heat! Very nice. All right. Can board members hear me? >> Yes. >> No. Yes. No. Maybe. >> I don't know that your mic is on. >> Just speaking. You got it. >> I'm going to give it a minute. >> Yeah. Mine's not. >> I don't know what's going on with my mic.

007>> Hasn't turned off for now. It's on. It's green, but it's I don't I don't know if it's working. >> Well, you can hear it now, but it goes back and forth. >> Is that one working? >> That one does. It's me. I'm the problem. It's me. >> In the in in the words of famous words of Taylor Swift, it was me. >> We're going to We're going to give parents a minute. >> Now, you don't all have to leave. >> You don't have to leave. You can be a lightly attended meeting. Look at everyone's gone to that municipal thing. >> Yeah, I think there's a lot more. >> One, two, three. No. by saying >> I pass seven to zero. Miss Justice, you have your hand up. >> Uh yes. I make a motion

008that the that the due date for our staff here in New Hver County to fulfill HB 805 requirement be set as September the 30th. So there's a known due date and that'll be well anyway. So there's no due date. >> Um is that part of the on the agenda? >> Yes. >> Okay. Where are you wanting to put >> I guess that would be new business. So, new business uh adjustment of the >> right. Okay. So, what you're saying is you want to go on Oh, hey, now we're cooking. Now we're cooking. Awesome. Good job. Thanks, Tech. Um, so you are wanting to add to new business a discussion of adjusting the due date for >> compliance to HB >> 805. >> To what date? >> I'll second it. She said September 30th. >> I

009think just the discussion in and of itself. >> September. >> Five minutes. >> All right. So there is a first and a second. Is there a discussion on that particular topic? >> Is this limited to uh this the one section of 805 regarding the the books? Yes. Okay. >> Oh, okay. Thank you for clarifying that >> madam chair, >> Miss Bradford. >> Um I would want I mean the superintendent sent out an email and he gave parameters on that and I don't want to get into his lane so I'd rather he comment. >> Well, that could be part of the discussion. >> Yeah, I think that's fair. uh that that could be part of the discussion. That way we're continuing on and we can have that in there. And you said five minutes for that.

010All right. Um I'm going to say uh any further discussion on that specific amendment. Okay. Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Any opposed? >> No. >> All right. That passes 6 to one. Um, and now I will entertain a motion to approve the amended agenda. >> Sorry, I still had an alert. >> Oh, you do? I did. I'm sorry. Dr. Merritt, go ahead. >> And this may not be the exact time to to mention it, but I noticed that our call to audience sheet only had 11 people sign up. And I know that our policy says that if 10 people show up, we can give them three minutes instead of two. And I, you know, we say, we say our pledge with allegiance to the flag and to the

011country. And I think it'd be nice to give a pledge to our community members who want to speak and maybe we can give them three minutes today. >> Um, that would probably require a board vote. >> It would. Yes, it would. >> Um, >> which is why I thought maybe put that Well, it' have to come before. >> It would have to come now. >> It'd have to come now. Yeah. >> So, are you making a motion? >> I am making a motion, Madam Chair, that we allow our our public to give a threeminut talk since we have only a few people signed up. Madam chair point and is hang on. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. And you had a point of inquiry. >> Point of inquiry. Um we have a signup

012sheet at the door full. >> So we need to factor that in. That's what I was going to ask >> where we are with the signup sheet from the door. >> We generally don't get that until >> um when do you go get that? >> We have >> there's two additional ones. So currently we have two additional which will bring >> So that puts us to 13. >> 13. >> Okay. Um so Miss Barnhart and then Mr. Perry. Um I do not believe that this requires a vote because per policy it says in the event of 20 I don't think it was 10. In the event of 20 speakers was two minutes. And so I I do agree with my colleague to the left saying that 3 minutes is per our policy but I don't

013believe this requires a vote. >> Okay. Do you want to take that motion back? I >> If you're good at giving them the three minutes, I read gladly. Uh, you know. >> All right. >> That motion. >> Now I will entertain. >> Yeah, Mr. Perry. >> Well, so we have 13 and not >> three minutes are allowed for them to speak. >> Oh, >> I let it go >> because there's fewer than >> it was fewer than usual. I was just gonna suggest two and a half, but >> no. The policy policy says two or three, not two and a half. Yeah. >> So, >> make a motion to approve the amended agenda. >> Thank you. >> All right. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Any opposed? That passes seven to

014zero. Now, I'll entertain a motion to approve the minutes. >> So, moved. >> Second. >> All right. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> Any opposed? Passes seven to zero. Continuing on to recognitions, Miss Baggie. >> Good evening. Thank you all. As you saw, school's back in session, so we're very excited that we now get to have all of our kids return. So, without further ado, I am going to start by introducing Dr. Brock Womble from the NCCAT executive director, Miss Amanda Dixon from NCDPI office of CTE and Mandy Mills, director of CTE to join us in celebrating Mr. Trey Moore. In May, we celebrated him as a district for being the NCCAT CTE teacher of the year. Now, someone else is here to celebrate him. They see

015what we already know. Please join me. >> Can stay. >> Yep. >> Thank you. Good evening, Superintendent Dr. Christopher Barnes, members of the new Hannover County Board uh Board of Education. Um and if uh Treymore would please come forward at this time. Oh, there you are. Okay. Okay. On behalf of the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching, it is my privilege to announce that Trey Moore, a technology education teacher at New Handover High School, has been selected as a finalist for the INCAT 2026 Burrows Welcome Fund North Carolina Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year Award. This this recognition highlights Mr. Moore's exceptional contributions to CTE instruction and his remarkable impact on the students and community here in New Hover County. I'd like to recognize uh Philip Sutton, principal of New Hver

016High School, Mandy Mills, uh New Hover County School CTE director for their support of Trey Moore. The career and technical education uh teacher of the year award was established to celebrate the innovation, leadership, and dedication of CTE educators across North Carolina. This award honors teachers who exemplify the highest standard of excellence in preparing students for both college and career pathways and supporting workforce development. Mr. Mr. Moore will be attending a week of professional development with his fellow finalists in December where interviews and portfolio review will be conducted by an expert panel of judges from across the state to determine the next CTE teacher of the year. On December 4th, INCAT will celebrate all finalists and announce the winner at a recognition event at the Corey Convention Center in Greensboro. At ENCAD, we are committed to

017advancing teaching as an art and a profession, and we are thrilled to celebrate Trey Moore as a shining example of this mission. I'd like to recognize Amanda Dixon uh from the Department of North Carolina Department of Public Instruction who is here to join us in honoring Mr. Moore. Please con uh join me in congratulating Mr. Trey Moore on this outstanding achievement. We are pleased to provide you with this certificate. Recognizing you is a ENCAT 2026 Burrows Welcome Fund North Carolina Career and Technical Education Teach of the Year finalist. So, thank you very much. Would you go forward? Thank you board members. We appreciate it. And thank you Mr. Moore. Thank you. >> Don't go anywhere. We're not done. No. I'm gonna That was me. But we have more. Please come on up. >> Good evening.

018It's my pleasure to be able to introduce to you the two recipients of our excellence exemplified award for the this quarter. So first I would like to ask Miss Melanie Slater to come up. Miss Slater consistently goes far beyond the expectations of her role as data manager, treasurer, and payroll support. She serves as the operational backbone of JC Row Academy while supporting staff and administration with unwavering enthusiasm and expertise. Miss Slater transforms every responsibility into an opportunity to support student success. Her behindthe-scenes precision in managing finances, data, and operations creates the stable foundation that allows teachers and administrators to focus on instruction and student support. Miss Slater, excuse me, Miss Slater is one of the most collaborative and respected individuals on staff. She has a natural ability to connect with others. Whether it's through answering

019questions, offering guidance, or simply bringing a positive and encouraging attitude to every interaction, colleagues know they can count on her for support, not only in matters of payroll, data, or finances, but also in navigating the day-to-day challenges of school life. Because she makes time for everyone, listens with patience, and treats every request as important. staff feel valued and respected in return. Her genuine investment in the school's mission is what truly sets her apart. She serves as a trusted bridge between admin and staff, building relationships that strengthen the entire school community. Her accessibility, positivity, and willingness to go above and beyond inspires everyone around her. Miss Slater doesn't simply just perform a job. She embraces a calling that directly impacts student success through supportive, efficient, and joyful culture that she helps create at JC Row Academy.

020[Applause] Thank you so much. >> Miss later. >> We also have a little gift before you get back to your seat. >> I need to bring Did I need to bring >> Next, I'd like to call up Miss Jamie Reid. And I'd like to just have a little bit of street cred here because I helped hire Miss Reed into this district. Real thrilled about that. Whether you're a student, a parent, or a staff member at Rolling Grace Middle School, when you enter the main office, Miss Jamie Reid lets you know that your presence there is important to her and important to the Rolling Grace community. She consistently goes above and beyond. Her remarkable dedication to the school community is evidenced by the personal connections she makes with students and families. She makes a point to

021know students by name and takes a genuine interest in their academic and personal growth. Jaime creates an environment that students feel valued in and comfortable approaching her even during their most challenging moments. Her commitment to strengthening the vital partnership between home and school is obvious. As she interacts with families, Jaime approaches every situation with enthusiasm and a positive attitude, proactively identifying needs and taking initiative without being asked. Her exceptional organizational skills allow her to efficiently manage multiple responsibilities while maintaining the highest standards. Jaime provides crucial insight that often helps school leadership make informed decisions. Her intuitive understanding of school needs combined with her ability to maintain strong relationships across all levels of the community makes her an indispensable team member. Jaimeie Reid truly embodies excellence through her unwavering dedication, authentic care, and consistent willingness to

022exceed expectations, making a positive impact on everything that ripples throughout the entire school community. This is more than a job to Miss Reed. This is family. [Applause] That's We're good. >> Thank you so much. We know how important it is that when our families and community members walk into a school, um you're the faces that and the first people that they meet and it's so important. So, thank you so much. Um I have the pleasure tonight of introducing three new employees. Um so, first I'd like to ask Miss Alexandre Shadroy to please come up. Miss Shadroy brings extensive leadership experience as a school administrator and teacher leader across elementary, middle, and high school levels with over 150 hours of professional development. Her diverse background includes serving students in gifted education, title one schools, and alternative

023school settings. She is passionate about coaching teachers and addressing the various needs of students. Miss Shadroy will serve as the assistant principal at Lake Forest Academy this year. Welcome. We're happy to have you here. [Applause] Thank you so much. I am so excited and blessed to have this opportunity to serve in New Hover County Schools this year and at Lake Forest. I've been here a little bit under a month and just wanted to let you guys know that my staff uh our school's wonderful. We've had an awesome first week with our kiddos and I'm just looking forward to growing this year and working with the kids and the staff. And again, thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity to serve. Appreciate you. [Applause] All right. Next, I'd like to ask Miss Miranda Zumbro to

024come up. Miss Zumbro brings 17 years of education experience to her new role as assistant director for special education and related services, including seven years as a special education liaison for New Hover County Schools. She's a certified dyslexia delegate and reading research to CLA classroom practice instructor. Her qualifications include a master's degree in language and literacy, certified language trainer status, and Orton Gillingham associate level training. As a former special education teacher and department chairperson, Miranda has extensive experience in compliance, dispute resolution, teacher coaching, and professional development facilitation. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. Um, I wasn't prepared to say words, but I appreciate the opportunity and I'm happy to be here and I'm going to do my best. >> Thank you. [Applause] >> All right. And lastly, Miss Ivy Morine. Miss Morraine has served New Her

025County Schools for nearly 40 years. It gets better. Beginning as a social studies teacher at Hogard High School in 1986, she earned her master's degree in educational administration from UNCW, advanced to assistant principal roles at multiple schools and later served as the principal at Wilmington Early College from 2006 to 2015. After retiring, she continued serving as an interim principal and princ and assistant principal across various district schools from prek through high school. She was absolutely our go-to. Miss Morraine is returning full-time, as in coming out of retirement, as the assistant principal at Williston Middle School. We couldn't be more proud. Well, I wasn't expecting a standing ovation. Um, so [Music] it's been a long 10 years. I've been retired as of August 1, 10 years. and I've had the pleasure of working with multiple principles,

026teachers, and students and parents. And so in those 10 years, it really gave me the opportunity to spend the last few years with my parents. So I thank you for that. It also gave me time to commit to my community. And so with those experiences, I'm coming out of retirement because I believe in the staff, the principal, and the students and the community that Willis Middle School serves. And so I thank you for this opportunity. I hope to make you proud and um next year be 40 years. Amen. [Applause] All right, next up is the superintendent report. >> All right, good evening everybody. The beginning of the school year is always exciting, a little scary. The one thing that helps with those opening butterflies is knowing that the best people are in the best locations

027to make things happen. This coming Friday, we will open our doors to our youngest learners at How Johnson and Cre. The first days of prek are always filled with excitement and possibility and tears, but that's the parents. And we're eager to welcome the children and families into our schools. Last week, our traditional schools had their first day back. And what an uplifting start it was. Along with the cabinet, I spent time in schools across the district supporting principles and staff as they welcomed more than 20,000 students into classrooms. And everywhere we went, saw smiles on faces of students, parents, teachers, and administrators. That sense of purpose is the heartbeat of what we do. So with that, I also want to pause and celebrate some outstanding her oh, I knew I shouldn't try to add a

028word in here. Herculean efforts of some of our teams to make this start possible. Transportation. You guys are coordinating over 3,000 bus stops for the start of school and have processed more than 1300 new transportation requests received from families since day one. Human Resources and Finance provided one of the smoothest onboarding processes in recent memory, helping our staff feel prepared and supported as they started the year. Do you want to have your joke real quick? Okay. >> Okay. Cuz the joke is finally they got somebody good in HR. >> Yeah. What? >> That doesn't hurt. Not even a little. All right. Technology services have been working tirelessly to support the successful roll out of Infinite Campus, meeting the state requirements and ensuring that schools have all the tools they need. And student support worked tirelessly

029tirelessly to ensure that enrollment applications transition smoothly into Infinite Campus and are working to facilitate student needs. The beginning of the year is always filled with opportunities to reflect and change when and where it's needed. We encourage our parents and staff to reach out if there's an opportunity to help. The superintendent's listening tour is coming up again on Tuesday, September 16th, here at the BOE Center. I want to encourage our community to participate in regards to our last listening session. You spoke and we listened. We have now created a form for compliments and shoutouts on our website. New Her County Schools recognizes amazing staff and students in our district. If you'll see the QR code, which apparently already went to the Anyway, go to our website, there's a QR code. Uh at our last uh

030superintendent listening tour, we had some parents say, you know, the first thing you see when you go to your district website is report a problem. Where do we report something good that we see? And I'm like, I don't know. Let's do that then. And so we are. And so there's a place for you to give shoutouts to our staff, to things that you see in the schools because we want to highlight the great work everyone is doing. All these efforts represent a tremendous team commitment. I'm deeply proud of the collaboration shown across the district to ensure that our students had the very best start possible. So together we're off to a strong beginning. Thank you. >> All right. Um I had to have a wardrobe change for a reason. So not a full wardrobe change.

031Um so this month's chair report is going to be brief as I'm going to first be presenting it in sign language to honor deaf awareness month and to ensure accessibility for our deaf families and staff. And when I use sign language, that means my voice is off. So, it's going to be awkward and quiet for a minute. And then I'll I'll share it in English so that you can all experience what some of our deaf kids and our deaf staff experience. So, I'm going to actually turn my mic off. Okay. So, September, just so you know what I just said, September is a meaningful month for many reasons, and I'd like to highlight two in particular. One being deaf awareness month. While our deaf staff, students, and families may be small in number, they are

032an incredibly valued part of our community. And deaf education has been a lifelong passion of mine, and I'm deep, deeply grateful for all who have worked to advance it. Deaf Awareness Month is not only about advocacy. It's also a celebration of the rich culture, history, and language of the deaf community, one that I absolutely have always loved. It is a time to honor the contributions of deaf individuals and to promote understanding and respect. Second, we observe Constitution Day on September 17th. This day reminds us of the incredible foundation on which our country was built. Liberty, justice, and the enduring strength of the Constitution. I encourage us all to take time to reflect on the freedoms we enjoy and to honor the sacrifices made to secure them. To all of our students, staff, and families, welcome

033back. We're excited for what this new year holds and hope it proves to be one of growth, success, and shared achievement. Here's to a fantastic year ahead. Um, continuing on, um, I wanted to make a brief statement before we go into, um, call to the audience. So, as a board, um, we're committed to hearing the voices of our community. At the same time, we have a responsibility to uphold district policy, which requires that we follow Robert's rules of order to the best of our ability. In that spirit, we'd like to remind every everyone of a few expectations during the call to audience. Please remain civil and respectful during your remarks. Shouting or disruptive behavior is not permitted. Comments about specific board members must be directed to the board chair rather than to the individual member.

034Speakers who do not follow these guidelines may be asked by the chair to redirect or rephrase their comment comments as permitted under Robert's rules of order. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and for helping us maintain a respectful and productive environment. And I'm going to hand it over to Miss Barnhart. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. And as my colleague said earlier, since we have 13 signed up, there will be three minutes on the call to audience. First up is Amanda Reeseme. Good evening. My name is Amanda Meyer. I'm a former public school teacher, community- based disability service director, and clinical director. Currently, I'm a board-certified behavior analyst, North Carolina licensed behavior analyst, and doctoral student of psychology. Today, I want to share a story many of us are aware of. Actually, a very timely

035story about starfish that I didn't expect to align with our first guests. A young boy was walking along the beach upon which thousands of starfish had been washed up during a terrible storm. When he came to each starfish, he would pick it up and throw it back in the ocean. He had been doing this for quite some time when his father said, "Why are you doing this? Look at this beach. You can't save all these starfish. You can't begin to make a real difference here." The boy was crushed. But after a few moments, the way children are, he quickly got back up and picked up another starfish, and he hurled it as far as he could into the ocean. And he looked at his dad and replied, "But I made a difference for that one."

03657 kindergarteners, first grade, and second grade children received out of school suspensions last year for their behavior. Imagine what if a professional teacher, a counselor, a psychologist, or a social worker provided that disregulated child who threatened serious harm the help and support that they needed right there in the school instead of sending them home. Well, it would make a great difference for each and everyone. So, who are you? Are you the boy as an elected official? The one who cares for all children, those that are a part of the deaf community, the special education environment, those who are coming from maybe an unstable home life, or are you the father jaded and maybe doesn't care to try anymore? If your focus really is on safety and protection, communication and collaboration, and academic excellence, please keep

037our children in school. Every single one of them has the opportunity to grow in the amazing teachers care in New Hover County Schools. Please, we're begging you, end out of school suspension for every starfish, five, six, and sevenyear-old. One day, you don't know. It might very well be your child or loved one that needs this extra support. I know that if you were elected to be here, you too can be the young boy that looks at every starfish with wonder and hope. We need you. I need you. Thank you. >> Thank you, Christina Mercier. Good evening. I was fortunate enough to grow up in North Carolina in the 70s and 80s when we were considered a progressive education state. I also grew up in a small county with a handful of elementary schools, two junior

038highs, and one high school. My mother never had to buy school supplies beyond pencils, pens, and notebook paper, except occasionally for a project or a lesson. North Carolina state constitution says that everyone in the state who can learn will be educated and it allocates money to do so. It also invites individual counties to put money into its schools. The c this county money is the basis for the Leandro case. Wealthy counties took pride in flooding their schools with the latest equipment and ideas. As much as I appreciated my county schools, I knew they were far behind a county like Wake. Less affluent counties just couldn't compete and their students were not as prepared to be successful adults. It seems as if this idea would be common sense. Pour so much money into public education that

039every school in the state is cutting edge with both innovation and information. North Carolina would be known for excellence. The Leandro case has spanned my entire teaching career. The first ruling was just a few years after I began teaching and it was appealed and appealed and appealed and the last appeal was right before I retired. But the decision was always upheld, which was, yeah, you need to fund those schools. Last month, Leandro was on the agenda. I thought for certain the vote was a formality and it would be a 70 vote. After all, you all claimed to be for public education when you were running for this office. I was shocked when the vote was not only split, but that the resolution did not pass. To those who voted yes, thank you. To those who

040voted no, shame on you. How can you dare to serve on a school board when you're not in favor of a court ruling to fully fund public schools? I suggest if you cannot bring yourself to support a ruling that was always meant to be nonpartisan that you don't even bother to run for reelection to the board. New Hanover County deserves seven board members who actually support public education. Shame on those of you who don't have the ability to see past the end of your nose to understand how situations can impact others who are not like you. All New Hover County residents and North Carolina citizens deserve boards of education who actually advocate for our children. Our students deserve better. Thank you, >> Tina Nam. Tina, >> hi. Thank you, school board members and Superintendent Barnes

041for listening to me this evening. I'm the mother of two young children who I anticipate someday being new Hanover County School students. As such, I feel obligated to engage in the process of creating an environment where I believe my children will be safe and able to learn. This board plays a role in setting both the stage and tone for that to happen. And I want to speak this evening about my concerns regarding some of my observations. I appreciate the opportunity for members of the public to speak to the board about our thoughts and concerns as they relate to public education. I also appreciate that there are procedures and rules of decorum that govern how people can present their thoughts here. The concern I want to raise this evening stems from the ambiguity and subjectivity inherent

042in the rules and the ways I've seen them enforced. Um so first I want to read from the rules and um chairperson Mason already mentioned them this evening um so that everyone's aware of the points that I'm referencing. The procedures and rules of decorum that govern this call to the audience portion of the school board meetings state that speakers quote speakers can offer comments or criticisms directed at substantives ideas, actions or procedures of the board and individual board members but in the interest of maintaining civility and decorum. Speakers are to refrain from personal attacks or insults directed at the board, individual board members, staff and members of the general public. I agree. Great. Uh the document concludes with the statement that basic rules of respect are common knowledge. Please use common sense and best judgment.

043I appreciate chairperson's uh remind chairperson Mason's reminder of the rules this evening and the commitment to enforcing the rules of order here. At the same meeting on August 5th uh where one presenter quote called out specific board members um presumably the source of this evening's reminder um another presenter during the call to the audience spoke about his concerns that public schools should not be a place for the LGBTQ community. One board member called him out for hate speech and another was shut down when he argued that the speech indeed incites attacks on members of the LGBTQ community. The presenter was vaguely advised to quote maintain a quorum and it was argued that it was unconstitutional to prevent him from speaking and the presenter was then allowed to continue without in any way modifying his presentation

044which certainly comprised attacks and insults at members of the general public. The first amendment does not allow anyone to say anything they want anytime or anywhere they want. There are rules that government govern what we can say and how in various places and as was already mentioned there are rules that govern what can be said here and how. I ask that you consistently enforce the requirement uh that presenters maintain civility and decorum. Stop presenters who are speaking hatefully and disrespectfully and require that they reframe their comments in appropriate language. If they're unable to do so because the ideas they want to share are inherently disrespectful or univil, then they will no longer be able to speak. The schoolboard meeting is not and should not be a platform for the dissemination of hate. let someone bring

045a lawsuit because you insisted that they treated other human beings with courtesy rather than creating a public venue for hatred out of fear of a lawsuit. >> Lindsay Maitlin. Lindseay Maitlin. >> Hello, Dr. Barnes and members of the board of education. I'm Lindseay Maitland. I'm a retired pediatrician and I'm dedicated over 20 years to children's health because they are our future. I've traveled all over the country and have worked as close as Brunswick County. Today, I stand before you in resolute support of the I am Leandro resolutions. The comprehensive strategy of the Leandro plan supports quality public education, which is as fundamental to a child's health as it is to their academic success. Research consistently shows that education is not just a policy issue. It is a primary social determinant of health. As the Lancet

046Public Health Journal affirms, quote, "Educational attainment plays an important role in health by shaping opportunities, employment, and income. It is strongly associated with life expectancy, morbidity, and health behaviors." End quote. That is not surprising. The knowledge, habits, and opportunities we build through education shape entire lifespans. Schools that are well-unded promote not only cognitive development, but also emotional resilience, healthy lifestyles, and stronger community ties. A child's access to a quality education in many ways determines their quality of life for the rest of their lives. The Leandro plan creates a pathway to achieve this by investing in highquality teachers, equitable funding, early childhood programs, leadership development, and data systems designed for growth. All elements proven to support both physical and academic health. Passing these resolutions is more than a symbolic vote. It is a declaration that our

047communities value every child's health, dignity, and opportunities. Thank you for your leadership and for supporting the vision of a North Carolina where delivering a sound basic education is honored as both a constitutional promise and a public health imperative. [Applause] >> Sandy Isles tonight. I'm here to thank Pat Bradford. Pat, thank you for rudely interrupting me last month because it prompted me. No, no, no, no, no. Let me say two more sentences because I ask you to maintain what I explained earlier. So, just direct it to me. >> So, your rules state speakers can offer comments and criticism directed at substantive ideas, actions or procedures of the board and individual board members. It is my first amendment right and my I I can do it. My first memory allows me to do it. >> Just keep

048your voice your volume down, please. >> So, thank you because rereading your rules confirmed that I followed them and speakers may call you by name and offer criticism. Also, the rules go on to say that speakers should refrain from personal attacks. However, because hate speech is protected and is allowed at these meetings, so are personal attacks as long as they are not threatening or disruptive. Which means if I choose to say that Pat or any other board member are dumb as rocks, my speech is protected. And unless I incite violence or make threats, you cannot silence me. So please think again about disrupting me because my because speech that you do not like is protected and allowed. Short of making threats or inciting violence, you must allow me to criticize your performance as a board

049member. Pat, I also want to thank you for your transparency. >> I'm going to ask you to direct it to me, please. >> Your policy allows me to direct it to individuals. >> And I just read Robert's rules. >> You need to change your policy right now. I am following the law and I am following policy. Would the attorneys like to weigh in? >> I would absolutely love for the attorneys to >> follow, but you can stop my time. >> But please stop her time and um attorneys sometime. >> Yes. Actually, I took another look at this last week and then earlier today again, and I'll I brought a few extra copies of Professor Bluestein's um blog from the School of Government about that. Unfortunately, she passed away two weeks ago. Um but school boards

050are allowed, and I'll give you an example of a policy. This is Lowden County's that was upheld at the Fourth Circuit in 2021. It prohibited harassing comments that are harassing or amount to a personal attack against an individual including schoolboard members. Um that went up to the fourth circuit and following kind of what uh what professor blue stain had pointed out here you are allowed to police for things like that for that type of decorum. Um so the earlier part about it calling people names you know saying things like so and so is dumb as a box of rocks. No, a board chair is not required to take that and neither are the board members. They can silence you on that or ask you to leave. It's a reasonable putting it that way. It it

051applies across the board. >> It's the attorney's turn. >> Policy concerns are a different thing. And yes, the last speaker talked about subjectivity. Unfortunately, there's some amount of subjectivity in that line between the two of them because at some point a policy complaint slides into a personal gripe that's directed to someone that's harassing or amounts to a personal attack just to use an example of something that has been upheld. So, you know, those things I I guess what I'm telling the the board is you are allowed to police for decorum along those lines. Um, if it's evenhandedly applied, you know, and I'll use that if if somebody stands up and has says those things about board members who espouse one viewpoint or another viewpoint. Um, if they're getting equal treatment, you're okay to do that.

052And the rationale for that is that board meetings break down. Do shouting contests if you don't. It's very everybody understands that. The fourth circuit also noticed that noted that people would be much more effective advocates if they didn't personally attack people. They stood up there and like Mr. Rowit, I'll use that example. He's great at it. calmly made their points and refrained from personally attacking people. So, I'm sorry about giving you the long explanation, but there's a little bit more nuance to it than it appears on the surface. >> But, >> so I'm going to miss I'm going to ask you to direct it to me. >> Answer the other question, >> but he's t he's our attorney and so I'm he's ma'am question. >> I do not want to have you removed. So please,

053you have one >> offer of comments or criticisms directed at individual board members. Am I allowed to do that? And if not, why do you have that policy? >> Okay, there is a point of order, Dr. >> According to the document that our lawyers gave us. Uh I and I hear what you're saying about personal attacks, but it does say that citizens have a right to assert a public complaint concerning the negligence of public officials and to petition the government for redress of grievances. Now, like our lawyer has mentioned, Mr. Rowich, as an example, does so in a uh calm and even-handed way. So, I agree. Box of rocks, no. Complaints about policy decisions, yes. That's the way I I'm thinking that this says >> point of order. >> Hang on. Um what was the

054actual point of order that you were >> I was trying to point out that uh our lawyer was not given uh adequate time to read all of this obviously and that there is something here that does allow the public to uh address complaints about public officials. >> So a ruling on that? Well, what I heard you say was that she was not allowed to use someone's name >> according to I did not I did not sorry I thought I heard that >> I said it needed to be directed to me and not her. >> So I'm going to rule your point of order not well received because that >> and then we have another point of order from Mr. Will the board because my colleague uh didn't read the next paragraph and maybe he did

055but he did not share that which is what does that mean the board can't enforce policy barring personal attacks and public comment periods? No. As long as the mayor or chair is careful distinguish between criticism and past admittedly a challenging distinction, one can be made. And there's several quotes here, several uh law things that are uh quoted here. But so I think that it is within your purview to make that it says right here that it is within your purview as chair to make that distinguish uh distinguish between criticism and attacks. >> Okay. >> So that will that hang on. I'm going to give you your time. I will give you your time. We have another point of order. >> What was the order you got? >> I just like >> rule that well received,

056Mr. Perry. >> Yes. I I believe that um I I agree with um both my uh male uh colleagues to the left. Um I believe there's a place for criticizing individual board members for positions they have taken or for votes they have taken, but not personal insults or anything like that. So um that is my two cents. I think that's the way we should proceed. If it starts getting into rocks then you need model. >> That that was not a point of order. That was a commentary. So I'm not making a ruling on that. Um I would like to let Miss Isles finish her statement. Uh Miss Justice, do you have a point of order? Otherwise, we need to allow Miss Isles to finish her statement. >> Clarification later. >> We can do clarification later.

057Um, so I'm going to >> how it was about 10 about 10 15 seconds. I think that were So if you Is it possible to do Hang on. >> Is it possible to do um add um 15 more seconds to that? That would put it at what? Minute eight. You can't go back that way. >> Okay, we'll do that. And I'm going to again ask that you please, if you have a statement about a board member, to direct it to me and not to any other board member, please. And I'm going to start your time now. >> I would also like to thank Pat for her transparency regarding her dedication to pushing her extremist platform into our schools. Unsurprisingly, she voted against the Leandro resolution. She said she supported private school vouchers. She also publicly

058supported the county budget despite it slashing school nurses and pre-K funding. And then last week, she stated that New Hover County should tap into our 87 billion tax base, but then rejected Mr. Zapple's reminder that this would require increasing taxes. Pat, I'm not clear on how you will tap into that. Pat, I am not I am not clear on how Pat will tap into that base, but it sure did sound good. Thank you once again for showing the public what your intentions are as you continue to wage war against our teachers and students and support policies that are designed to destroy public education. And Pat, >> Madam Chair, point of order. >> If she does not want to hear what I have to say about this or any other >> I have to rule on

059the point of order. I'm sorry and I rule that well received. So please >> this the speak mad point the speaker has continuously >> I am allowed to use a board member's name >> she has been to be redirected >> and if she's not able to maintain the decorum she should not be given the time >> it I am allowed to address individual board members how do I do it if I can't say their name >> the first the courts on this >> I need you to I need you to >> she's prove my discontinu and I'm at this point going to have to ask you to stop because you have violated the rules >> resation immediately posy. A parable from the gospel of Luke. to some who were confident of their own righteousness and

060looked down on everyone else. Jesus told this parable. Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisees stood up and prayed, "God, I thank you that I am not like other people, robbers, evildoers, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and I give a tenth of all that I get." But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, "God, have mercy on me a sinner." And I tell you, this man rather than the other went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. And a prayer from the book of common prayer. Almighty God,

061you created all people in your image and called us to love one another as you love us. We confess that we have failed to honor you in the great diversity of the human family. We have desired to live in freedom while building walls between ourselves and others. We have longed to be known and accepted for who we are while making judgments of others based on the color of their skin or their variety of human experience. We have tried to love our neighbors individually while still benefiting from systems that hold those same neighbors in oppression. Forgive us, holy God. Give us eyes to see you as you are revealed in all people. Strengthen us for the work of building relationships a new. Restore us in your image to be beloved community, united in our diversity, even

062as you are one with Christ and the spirit, holy and undivided Trinity, now and forever. Remember, your job is to create and approve policies that guarantee an equal education for all children, regardless of their differing needs, views, lifestyles, circumstances. The loudest voice is not always right. M >> manure stack house. >> I I asked the I want to ask the speaker the previous speaker a clarification point. >> No, you cannot do that. >> I can you can ask clarification point only. That's the only thing you can ask. >> The ruling points. >> I I am I'm ruling that that is not well received at this point. >> I would ask ask our lawyers to interpret that make a ruling on that. I just made a ruling >> specifically states that it does right there in

063policy. >> I just made a ruling on that sir. Yes, ma'am. >> You can't rule against policy to come through >> and that is that point of order is well received. I am going to allow our next call to audience speaker to speak. >> Recently Dr. Barnes welcomed students back to school in a short video on the district's Facebook page. He said, I quote, "I'm not asking for our kids or our staff or me to be perfect. I'm asking for us to be 1% better every day." End of quote. So, let us do the math. Last year there were 93 out of school suspensions for five, six, and seven year olds. If you reduce that number by 1% every day, you would never actually reach zero suspensions because you are always removing a fraction of

064what is left, not a fixed amount. That said, it would take 451 school days to drop below one suspension. And 451 school days divided by the 185 days in a school year means it would take 2 and a half school years to finally get to zero suspensions. Actually, two and a half school years to end all out of school suspensions for K to second grade students sounds pretty reasonable. You've been offering professional development on the camp's proactive and positive approach to classroom management and the reframing behavior training that uses neuroscience to help people better understand what causes behavior issues. Continue offering both of those for two and a half more years. Change short-term suspension policy 4351 now. support our teachers by listening to what they really need and help them get 1% better every day.

065Thank you. >> Um and before the next speaker, I want to apologize to my board member all the way to the right. Um I missed that part of uh that policy in policy 2310. So if there is clarification that you are seeking from I believe it was Miss Posey. >> Yes. >> Then then please go ahead. >> What's your question? >> Oh >> you can you can come back up. You can come back up. Miss >> didn't take too long. Just one question. >> Can you pose the question as she's walking? >> Yes. Well as she's walking so we can hurry this along. My question is you said that our responsibility should be for the equal education of all of our children. Do you mean by that all the children of the state or is

066our jobs as New Hover County Board of Educations? Should we be more solely concerned with the education of the students here in New Hover County? >> Okay. Thank you for that clarification. >> Next up is EJ Hanley. What goes into making a policy? Well, policies must be based on best educational practice. They should reflect the most recent research on brain development and how children behave. And policy should, as inferred by policy 105, provide all children with an opportunity for a superior education in a safe and positive learning environment where they are prepared with the skills to succeed. policies should not be based on the school district's budget, the current staffing level, or the available resources. Love our children understands that with insufficient funding, poultry salaries, uncompensated work, devastating cuts in staffing, and a lack of

067space, and limited or no planning time. It would be very difficult to end all suspensions of five, six, and seven year olds. But those depressing factors must not prevent a proposed revision of short-term suspension policy 4351. Keeping our youngest learners in school where they can receive the help and the support they need is best practice. Using effective positive alternatives instead of kicking kids out of school is based on the recent research. And removing a dangerous child from a classroom to another learning space provides all children with an opportunity for superior education. Revise policy 4351. and let the elementary schools work towards ending all K through2 suspensions. Thank you for sorry Veronica Mclloren Brown. Three years ago, the district made a historic and courageous decision to end out of school suspensions for children under the age

068of eight for minor offenses. That policy sent a powerful message that we believe in teaching and healing over punishment. We we believe in restorative practices, traumainformed care, and staff development to reduce reliance on suspensions. But the passing of a policy is just a promise. If not measured, practiced with fidelity and celebrated. What qualitative and quantitative data do you have to measure the impact of the policy after three years of implementation? Have you tracked measurable outcomes, suspension rates, repeated infractions, attendance, and academic performance? Has inschool suspension drastically increased uh decreased at schools? Are there fewer referrals to support services and fewer removal removals from the classroom? Are behavior incidents being resolved in ways that build emotional intelligence and academic success? Have you identified any unintended consequences? Have you assessed cultural change by exploring attitudes on how

069mental models have changed across the district? Have you recognized educators who have made this policy real in their classrooms? Not with a certificate certificate that gathers dust, but with tangible support like fewer meetings or increased salaries. If we truly value healing over punishment, then we must also value our educators who make healing possible. I urge you to complete a full evaluation, quantitative and qualitative. Let the public know about the success of the policy, what we need to fix, and what we need to celebrate. [Applause] I want to express my appreciation to Dr. Barnes for his leadership and to the board for your service. Thank you so much. Righteousness exalts a nation. Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Whatever the gate

070of a child's soul has been opened to and what has gained access to their soul will shape and control them, determining their decisions and actions. You are the gatekeepers in our schools. What's believed in the mind doesn't have to be true to control us. It merely has to be believed. For nearly 200 years, the word of God and prayer was taught in our schools. America has been in a steady moral decline since the Supreme Court outlawed prayer in schools. Just between 1960 and 1990, divorce doubled. Teenage pregnancy increased 200%. suicide 300% and violent crime 500%. There is a strong parallel between the expulsion of God from our schools and the decline of morality. When God is removed, evil fills the void. Good becomes evil. Evil becomes good. Lord, have mercy on us. We ask you

071to do what only you can do. Forgive us from allowing you to be removed from our schools. Free our children from the resulting confusion, addictions, violence, and lack of identity and purpose. May they know you, Jesus, as the truth, setting them free. Make them strong in character. Use them to reform our nation and carry your light to the world. Keep us faithful, refusing to be complacent and to finish well in Jesus' name. Amen. >> Chris Sutton. [Music] Um, first off, uh, Dr. Merrick, you were correct. Uh, the rule is 10 speakers, uh, and then it switches from 3 to two minutes. I would love for y'all to switch that back because back when I started speaking years ago, uh, we had three minutes and it got changed. uh which uh Freda, Professor Bluestein, I just

072found out that she passed by our attorneys there that I just wanted to say that she helped out victim advocates a significant amount. She helped us navigate uh discussions about things that the attorneys were doing wrong and even the perceived conflict of interest that led us to hire Rick Sharpless during the uh the victim settlement. Um a lot of that work goes to her. Obviously, I wasn't expecting to speak about that, but that was a curveball. Um let's see here. uh written district rules supersede Robert's rule. Just letting y'all know that this is something that you know I might disagree with the former speaker on certain things, but um she had the right to say Pat's name. She did. And now the thing is if it's not a personal attack like the the dumbest box

073of rocks, that's that's out of line. I believe all of us can agree with that. But for her to say, "Hey Pat, you know, I believe you did X Y and Z incorrect." She should have that latitude. It's literally written on the call to audience page. If you click on the rules in decorum, if you click on it, it does state that. So, our rules supersede Robert's rule of order. And that's something our our attorneys has discussed before. They've brought up that we're supposed to loosely follow Robert's rule. Um, again, not supposed to spend my time speaking about that. Let me just skip to 4150. uh this board deserves to know the latitude that they legally have regarding that policy and the rubric uh with the uh cooperative innovative high school program. Um we have

074we don't have to discriminate against our children. For instance, right now we have it set up where if a child's parent has a degree, it is being used against them in the rubric. Nowhere in the general statute does it say that we must do that. It the intent is in the general statute. It says these programs are design um excuse me it says these programs aim to expand student opportunities for educational success through highquality instructional programming. And then it says these programs are designed to target any of the following groups. Key word any. And it gives us three different options. One students at risk of dropping out before attaining a high school diploma which I'm fine with with helping at risk students. You know if they have a personal situation help them out. The number

075two, students with parents who did not continue education beyond high school. I disagree with that. We shouldn't um discriminate against children that whose parents have degrees. Number three, this is what I believe we should be operating off of. Students who would benefit from an accelerated academic instruction. We can establish our rubric to follow that specifically. I wasted most of my time talking about things that I didn't expect to to speak about. 2610 is another one that needs to be addressed tonight. Institute safeguards. Same thing with public records requests. We need to institute more safeguards for our community. Thank you, >> Fran Downey. >> Hi, I'll be the least prepared speaker today. I literally just thought about coming here. Um, it sounds like in my coming here, you guys are going to be talking about the

076House Bill 805. Um, I'm I guess I'm not the only one who's unprepared for this because it sounds like the teachers are as well. Um, I have more questions than anything else. And that's really what I'm here is to ask questions. Not to point fingers, but to ask questions. Couple comments. We are 43rd in the nation for teacher pay. 43rd. Now, we are not 43rd in the nation for student outcome. So, if you kind of do the math, you know that our teachers are working overtime. They are also, and this is a very cool uh statistic, they are second in the nation for most generous. Our teachers bring more money of their own to the classroom. With that being the base of discussion to add one more major thing for them to somehow juggle in

077their first week with their libraries to somehow put that together with no guidance. From what I can see, I only had one source to look at and it was an interview with WHQR and and Dr. Barnes, it sounded like there weren't really systems that it was going to be put onto the principles to figure it out. Other people at Miss Bradford, it sound like you felt that there were systems in place that were going to make this simple for the staff director. >> Okay. So, I'm going to ask you, it was stated in the article that there were systems supposedly in place and yet from what I'm reading, there are no systems. I'm calling principles. I'm calling anybody I can find to find out how do we volunteer to help these teachers who are maxed

078out. They're underpaid. They're overworked. They don't have any resource time available to do this. And I as a volunteer have no inroads in because there is no structured way to handle this newest request at the last minute for these people who give the most to our children to solve this. So tell me how is this being addressed? Dr. Borren, how has your administration, your superintendent and your staff helped the individual teachers? What are you guys doing to help them get this task done? >> So, just so you know, we're not allowed to respond unless we're >> Okay, you're not Okay, that's fine. So, talk about this. Come out with something. Tell us as volunteers, we in the community want to come in and help. We can't just willy-nilly go into the school and help. We

079have to be cleared and we have to have a path to help these teachers get this figured out. So, that's my question. Thanks. >> And Carllet Carllet, Madam Chair, that concludes our called audience. All right. We are going to take about a five minute uh recess and uh board members back up here at 6:26. You're done. Board members, please return to the dis. Board members, Mr. Wor, you're going the wrong direction. Board members, please return to the dis. Um, thank you. We are going to start back up. >> Um, we are now on consensus items. >> Hang on. >> Is your mic on? >> Yes. >> We don't need to gabble once we're It's recess. I move that we approve consensus item A through N. Pulling B, Health and Human Services, just for an update

080from the superintendent. >> And I also like to pull L. >> Okay. So, we're going to pull B. >> B as in boy >> and L. >> Is there any others that we need to pull, Mr. Perry? >> K. There is one that's on my computer. Give me a second. >> Okay. B, L, and K. B, L, and K. All right. So, there is >> Hang on. Oh, is there any more that we need to pull? >> There is. And I'm I'm so sorry. I'm behind trying to find >> You're fine. >> Um, it's B. >> Yep, we got B already. We already got it. >> Yep, we got move. >> B, L, and K. >> We approve everything but those. B, >> and I will second that. Any discussion? >> Third. >> Hearing none.

081All those in favor signify by saying I. I opposed. That passes six to zero. All right. Um let's start with B. Dr. Barnes, give us the update. >> We want to appreciate our county commissioners for re um viewing the decision about nurses. They have restored the nurses to the same funding level that they were last year. So we will be reverting to the same process we had and the same coverage that we had last year. So, we want to make sure we recognize and thank the fact that the community spoke, the county commissioners listened and have changed that format. Now, please know that nurses are a not a priority. They are a commodity everywhere. So, getting nurses back will take a minute, but we will cover the best we can until we get those back.

082But that funding has been restored. So, I want to make sure that was a work. Um, so next is K. That was Mr. Perry that you wanted that. >> So, um, my understanding and hopefully, uh, Miss Brenson can chime in if I'm saying anything wrong. Uh this we are going to be providing uh uh this group Dig Digicred Holdings um with a server on our network. Is that correct? And and I and this is and also I think under our obligations of the board we need to provide a tier three level cloud infrastructure. I was wondering if we what does that entail exactly? Um >> so yes the stuff is on our server. So our data our student data is on our servers versus on dig servers. The um the level cloud infrastructure support we

083are the ones who set the server up. We had to actually allow the holes in the firewall in order to get the the access from the outside in. So that is what that service is. >> Okay. And then finally um the if um obviously somebody hacks into our servers then you know the onus is on us but uh they if for some reason or another are some of this data is pretty sensitive am I correct as far as passwords sensitive? Well, it's not their passwords. Um, but it does have it's their transcript information. So, it does have all the transcript data on it, which would be a lot of information about the students. Yes. >> Right. So, uh, in case they're at fault, would we we still be liable or they be liable in that

084instance? >> It it depends. So, if they're accessing our server, then that would be on us because we are we're the ones who are obligated to keep that safe. So, that would that would be our issue that we'd have to address. Okay. Well, thank you. >> Okay. And then L was Miss Barnhart. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I know we highlighted this at the agenda review. I think I misspoke um initially saying that we were serving 1,400 7th graders. And in the MOU, this is all 1,800 7th graders that get this opportunity with the CLLDA program. We talk a lot about highlighting the things that set New H County Schools apart, and this is definitely one of them. And so I just want to take a moment to thank our chamber of commerce and all

085the business partners to be able to make this happen to have hands-on learning for every single seventh grader in New Hor County schools. It's a phenomenal opportunity. So I just want to say thank you. >> All right. >> Okay. So uh I will entertain a motion to approve B K and L. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay. Um any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Any opposed? That passes seven to zero. And I'm going to turn the next part over briefly to the chair of policy, Mr. Wible. >> I'm going to speak for a really long time. So, yeah, briefly kidding. Um, we only have a few policies in front of us uh today. We talked about them briefly last week. I know we're going to

086have some more discussion on each of them, but we have um policy 2210, duty of officers 4150, school assignment 4318, which is the use of wireless communication devices. And then finally, 2610 and there's, you know, again, that was uh there was a request to have a uh quite a in-depth discussion of that one. So, um but let's go ahead. Well, I guess I'll make a motion that we accept the all four of them and then we can uh >> take we take them. Let's let's do it one by one. So, I'll make a motion that we accept 2210 as written. >> Second. >> Okay. >> All right. Um so, now discussion on policy 2210. Um I think Mr. Perry was first and then Dr. Merrick. I definitely um the m the main issue that I

087have with this is which I wrote in an email to the policy committee. Thank uh thankfully read aloud at our last meeting and I appreciate that. Um but the section on additional responsibilities um which basically seems to be kind of a general um description of how our disciplinary process should work. Um >> some of some of which is you know with the chair uh but some of which is uh obviously by board action but it's listed under is listed in this thing under the duties of an additional responsibility of the chair. Our our uh our policy states you know and let me get that open here. um 21 2120 our policy states very clearly that the board will adhere to the disciplinary process outlined in Robert's rules of order and we could change that I

088suppose but you know Robert's rules of order and we can make it flexible but um but that's it is pretty clear if you read whatever organization you're talking about when Robert's rules of is that while you the chair has an important responsibility in kind of informal um grievance and reconciliation and working with board members to get things uh resolved beforehand the formal kind of disciplinary process is really a board responsibility. So I'm not necessarily opposed to what's in uh additional responsibilities other than just to say it belongs to be it really belongs as a new section under our policy 2120 for the code of ethics for school board members as far as how does enforcement work. That's all I have to say. So I would like to pull that part out. But I guess I

089would make it propose an amendment to pull that section out and move it to move it to 2120. >> Okay. So there is a motion. >> Is there a second? >> Is that a motion? >> Yeah. A motion to take take the additional responsibilities part out and move it to 2120. >> I'll second for discussion. >> Don't we already have a motion to >> There's a motion to approve it. >> So this would then be amendment. >> Yes. Amendment. Yes. All right. Um, so discussion on removing that section and putting it in 2120. >> Yeah. >> Um, but I believe Dr. Merrick also had his hand up too. >> I have a different I think. Sorry. I What I'm speaking to is he's got an amended motion on the table. So that's not what I

090was going to speak to. >> Okay. Does anybody have anything they would like to say in regards to the amended the amendment on the table? And just a point of clarification, we're just simply taking it as it is and moving it to another policy. >> Taking additional responsibilities from this section on policy 2210 and moving it to 2120. >> Point of inquiry, madam. >> Yes, sir. >> You can do it. >> Okay. Is this something that we would do here typically or we would he send it back and ask policy to do this? I would generally recommend sending it back to policy because it is a big change and should be discussed. But the the amendment was made. So we will vote on the amendment and um determine the board will determine whether that amendment

091stands or whether we move it back to policy. Mr. Wdeore, >> two two uh clarif clarifying points. One, it was brought to policy. We voted on it in policy. So that's why it's back here. So it's already been through. We can keep going back and forth. we keep we call that ping pong where I come from you know just we we keep doing that but also if you look at the additional responsibilities if we took it as you know my colleague has said in the event the chairperson believes that this board member has violated a board member uh code of ethics policy 2120 and or board norms the chairperson may so I don't know that we'd want to if if we do want to move that whole section that just doesn't make sense to me

092that we would move that part where because that you There are certain things that this is saying that the board chair would do. So, but I guess you could move that whole thing over. Anyway, >> uh Miss Bradford, >> um the policy 2210 is duties of officers and every December this board elects board officers to lead the board to be in charge of the board. So, it's additional responsibilities of one of the board members. So, I think it belongs in here. So, I'm going to vote to keep it here. Okay. >> Do you want to speak, Miss Barnhart, because I heard you? >> Yes, Madam Chair. Um, I don't necessarily disagree with my colleague that this could be echoed in a different policy. Um I do find it a little comical because the same policy

093outlining disciplinary measures the discussion came I don't know maybe a year and a half two years ago and it became the conversation of are we trying to come after one board member or the other when in reality in studying the policy we found out that this is just protocol of how Robert's rules outlines redirection of a board. So, um, I would be fine in putting it in both places, but I am not fine removing a this because I do agree with my colleague to the far left that this outlines further clarification based off Robert's rules. And I'm fine with adding it in the other as well. And the policy committee decides to pick that up, they're welcome to add the exact same language in both places. >> Right. Any other comment? So the amendment on

094the table right now that we are going to vote on is to remove the section called additional responsibilities and put it under 2120. So Miss Buouie, will you please call the role? >> Mr. Perry, >> hi. >> Miss Justice, >> no. >> Miss Barnhart, >> no. >> Miss Mason, >> no. >> Mr. Wore, >> no. >> Dr. Merrick, >> no. >> And Miss Bradford, >> no. >> Okay, that amendment fails. So, we do have a motion on the table to approve the uh policy as it is edited. And Dr. Merrick, you wanted to comment on that. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, I think we saw tonight that the definition of decorum requires work. Um, I think it needs uh more definition. So, under H in this policy, it does say maintaining decorum is a

095uh is the job of the board chair. And I think I think we're just finding out exactly how complicated that word is. Um, and this is I'm I'm not arguing for one way or the other. I'm I'm arguing for clarity. And so for that reason, I will make a motion that I'm sorry, Pete, that we send it back to policy again so that we can work out even if it has to be in another policy what the quorum means. >> Okay. So that would be a substitute motion. >> It would be a substitute motion >> which I um recently learned we do not have to vote on according to Robert's rules whether it is a substitute or not. >> Correct. >> So um so there is a motion to send it back to policy. Is

096there a second? >> Okay. Discussion. Um I saw Miss Bradford and then Miss Barnhart. >> Okay. If it's H, it says maintain decorum dash and then it gives a definition. The chairperson ensues that the board meetings are conducted with professionalism and respect creating a positive environment for discussion. So in my opinion, it explains what decorum is. >> So I would not be in favor of this substitute motion. >> Miss Barnhart. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I think that when you are facilitating discussion um and maintaining decorum, I think different people's opinions are going to get heated about different things. And so I don't think decorum needs to be finalized. Being respectful to one another regardless of differing opinions is the job of the chairperson. And so the chairperson is going to intervene to ensure that

097there is civil dialogue. we have the opportunity as board members to call point of order to challenge the ruling on the chairperson's um decisionmaking whatever it is and so I don't believe that we need a definitive definition of what decorum is because we have the opportunity to say I challenge the ruling of the chair and therefore we can as a board out outrule the chair if we deem her his or her decision to not be fit of what maintaining decorum is. So I I disagree with it needing to go back to policy for that reason. >> Mr. Perry and then Miss Justice >> the um as we found out at our last board meeting um sometimes what what's the quorum and what's our protected first amendment speech vary diff drastically. Um the um I think

098maybe added to this the quorum is also maintaining the rights of uh the we've all made a we've all made a uh sworn oath to uphold the constitution. So um maybe included in this might be a little rework. Of course we want the quorum but at the same time we want to make sure that um there's no stifling of free speech. So, I would support it going back for that limited purpose only at this point. >> Okay. And Dr. Merrick. Oh, wait. Did Miss just did you you'd had yours? >> Well, I haven't. No, I haven't. >> No, you haven't. Go for it. >> Well, as as far as a definition for decorum, that could go on forever. I mean, seriously, what source are you getting? Who's who's going to be to make that decision?

099Of course, obviously up to the chair at the time. Uh but then as as Miss Bradford I mean Miss Barnhard pointed out just so that we're following Robert's rules. Yeah. Colleague to the left. >> Right. Okay. Sorry about that. Thank you. Very good. Call my colleague to the left. Um yeah and then we can even override the chair. So I don't this could be an endless endless discussion. I appreciate the first amendment rights. I totally appreciate first amendment rights. But as I said this could go on and on. That's just my take on it. I appreciate it. It would be great if we had an given definition and we could just adhere to it every time with no mystery, but that's not going to happen. >> Okay. >> And then Dr. Merrick, >> please pardon

100me if I wax poetic for just a moment, but um a very famous linguist by the name of Nam Chsky once said that the best way to control people is to have enough rules that no one can possibly follow them. And that way you can decide to uh to use them uh in any way that you want. So I'm always worried about putting in more policies and more rules and more definitions and you know it can get a little ownorous because then you decide to to use it for this person but not for that person. It can get complicated. So I guess that was more of a statement than anything else. Thank you for your generosity. >> Okay. So there is a substitute motion to send this back to policy to edit uh the definition

101of decorum. Uh Miss Buoie, will you call the role on that? >> Dr. Merrick, >> yes. >> Miss Bradford, >> no. >> Mr. Perry, >> yes. >> Miss Justice, >> no. >> Miss Barnhard? >> No. >> And Mr. Waber? >> No. and and mess >> me me too. >> Sorry, Miss Mason. Sorry. >> And I'm going to say no. So that uh motion does not pass. Um that fails two to five. So back to the original motion, which is to approve this policy as written. Is there any further discussion on that? Okay, Miss Buoie, will you call the role again? And and don't forget me, >> Mr. Perry, >> nay. >> Miss Justice, >> yes. >> Miss Barnhart, >> yes. >> Miss Mason, >> yes. >> Mr. Wore, >> yes. >> Dr. Merrick, >> no.

102>> And Miss Bradford, >> yes. >> All right, that passes 5 to two. Um, Miss Barnhart, do you >> Okay, so I I gave less time. So, we have about 11 minutes left to discuss the next one. So, let's continue on. Let's do um 40 4150. Yeah, >> if you want to. I was going to do Yeah, that's actually pulled up. Yeah, that's >> okay. So 4150. >> Uh I'll make a motion that we uh accept or or pass uh policy 4150 as written. >> Second. >> Wow. >> Okay. Discussion. Mr. Perry. >> Um I sent you all out um I believe it was Saturday. um a uh an amendment I had to 4150. Um the important part of this is that uh as one of our community members mentioned earlier during caught our audience

103that as far as our it is a different process for our cooperative iterative high schools programs as Dr. Barnes has made plain to us is not really a lottery. It's it's an admissions rubric. So separating so if you've got that in front of you, you should have been emailed it. So um the it it excludes um it removes the part that says this does not include the cooperative innovative high school programs uh say the students geographical proximity to the school. And then to that section of lottery assignment, it adds, however, in the case of year round or magnet school, students must apply for admission to the nearest year round or magnet school through their doicile that provides an equivalent school calendar and educational environment. And the reason for this part of my amendment is is

104because I think all of us are in agreement that neighborhood schools are good. Now, obviously people want the year- round school, but somebody living in Carolina Beach shouldn't be applying to Eden. they should be applying the cotton you know and somebody who lives in Cathol should be applying to eaten narcottington it's you know that's just the way it should be so I think creating this kind of general thing just for the year round or magnet schools is doesn't do any harm and then the second part of this is I create a new section three and then move everything else down to four or five that reads NHCS administration will develop an admissions rubric for entry into these programs. This rubric and any al alterations to it must be approved by the board. Each qualified student

105who can individually demonstrate that they would benefit from these programs should be granted an equal opportunity for admissions to these programs. In no case should admissions to these programs be based on demographic data about the student or their family such as but not limited to family income, level of parents education or geographical location of the family's doicile. It just should be every kid should get a fair shot at getting into one of these programs. As our as our speaker earlier said, there's all lots of kids from lots of different environments that can benefit from these programs. So, let's just open it up. And I think uh and you know, I don't have any problems making sure that you individually assessed at risk kids get a chance. I want all our kids to have a chance,

106you know, for success. So, I think that these um I think the set of uh uh amendments to this policy would be a good thing. >> So, is that a motion? >> That is that is a motion to amend. motion to amend to in to the document that Mr. Perry sent out the the edits that Mr. Perry. So, there is a motion to amend to the Oh my goodness. policy 4150 um for adding those those edits that he has identified. Um and >> Madam Chair, >> is there a second? >> Yes, sir. >> Yes. Sorry, >> you're fine. Um, I asked several times and I really did want to see your edits, but the document that you sent uh did not show what your edits were >> and so I don't feel like I could

107be prepared to honestly vote on this based on the fact that I I really I couldn't read it and I didn't know what I was looking at and and listening to you now I'm kind of going back and forth on this thing going what what are we talking about? I really think we need if there if we are going to entertain your edits, we need more time >> to have that. So I you know I I respect your work and I I appreciate what you're saying. Is there a way then that we could delay >> voting on this? >> Okay. So there's only been a motion. There has not been a second on the motion. >> It dies for lack of a second. So, um, just for purposes of discussion, I'm going to second it.

108Um, and that way we can have that that conversation. Um, and I'm actually going to speak to it if I might. Um, I I think that we have had a lot of conversations about this policy. Um, and it's been back and forth to policy uh, repeatedly. Um I do think that this is something that we should look into um just in case. And so um while I wouldn't be willing to make the change today, I would be willing to um sorry Mr. Will Debor send it to policy again >> back. >> Is that a motion? Ma'am >> Barnhart. No because we've got a motion and amendment already. So >> I want to I want to speak to a couple of things my colleague. I also um did not see was were not able to see

109the edits that you posed in here, but um understand the general consensus you're saying >> for our lottery schools specifically in regards to year round. It is geographically based and so I want to make that um known. So if you are in Carolina Beach, it would be Cottington that you're only allowed to apply. You're not allowed to apply for both. So that's already there. So to have that and cotisified more in policy, I have no qums about that. With regards to the cooperative innovation high school, I would um be oppo would not be opposed to more conversation about that specifically in regards to law. But I do like the del delineation between lottery schools and cooperative innovation high schools because it's different because it has a rubric for the high schools and we pick the

110top of the rubric to get into those high schools. So it is not a lottery that you get weighted preference for any demographic um thing. But so if this is this regards to saying admission to these programs be based on demographic data. It is not. It is the scoring of the rubric that I have to remember. Oh 85 if I am I going to shake head? Yes. Okay. Um so out of 80 83 so close. Okay. 83 points. And so looking at that collectively the the specifically in regards to parents education level it is a max of five points that they would get in addition um I I don't know if we looked at all of the cooperative high school of the total scores that our students received um for that of this you know

111if we accept 400 students or 250 students the cap would be at 75. you had the top 200 or whatever it is is 75 points, then a student who only had 50 wouldn't even be considered to get in. They do do not get preferential treatment. It is literally the top people of the rubric. Um >> to acknowledge that generational poverty is a thing um and education provides opportunities to our students. I'm not gonna pretend that that's not true because in my whole heart I believe it's absolutely true. I know for me it gave me the opportunity to be a mom and be a teacher and that's what I grew up since second grade wanting to be. And I am not going to sit here and say that acknowledging that the level or lack thereof of

112education in a household is not a hindrance because it absolutely can be. Now, in conversations with individuals, I understand that you can make a good living without a without a college education. We have trade schools. We have programs that you can make good money without that. Um, so I'm fine with having more conversation and policy, Mr. Wor, but I just need to say that with it to acknowledge that we want children to be successful and to acknowledge that education helps create those opportunities. I think it would do a disservice for us to stop doing that. And so, um, looking at the law, I'm happy to look at and re-evaluate if we have to maintain every single what that looks like for the cooperative high school because I would in no way want to jeopardize the

113status, but a rubric is very different than a lottery. And we are still picking the top qualified individuals in our cooperative high schools. So, I just want to say that. Thanks, Madam Chair. >> Mr. Wabore. >> Wow. I I want all her energy. Boy, I tell you. Um I would ask if we could ask our uh superintendent for his opinion on this one. >> Please director >> Barnes do it. >> And again, this wasn't discussed in policy in this format. My concern about this is I would not to weigh a little bit whether this is an overreach of the board into procedural work, not policy >> directives for the superintendent to do something. That is a something I would need to explore a little more completely. Obviously, if if your question is, can you show

114us the rubric before you put it into place? Sure. But it seems weird to have a policy mandating that. If the if the board wants to say we're not going to use a rubric, we're going to use a lottery. Fine. But saying we use a rubric and then tell me what the rubric has to be, I would want to explore a little bit whether that's overreaching the idea of policy versus procedure. Uh, Miss Bradford had her hand and then Dr. Merrick. >> And I would agree with my colleagues to the right, including the one in the green dress. Um, and I would point out that neither one of my parents graduated high school. So, they both went on to be professionals, but they didn't graduate high school, and I was the first to graduate college.

115So, I do think that the system works in that area, and I'd like it to keep it the same. >> Okay. um Dr. Merrick and then we'll go down this way. >> There is no perfect way for us to determine which children need it the most and how do we measure that. But I do think that having a rubric in place to try to make sure that those that need it most will be able to use the opportunities to succeed. Of course, I think it's a red herring. Of course, we want all of our children to succeed. But when we have some with greater needs than others, it would be foolhardy for us to just say, "Well, too bad because these guys over here have an equal chance." Our job is to bring up everybody,

116and our job is to bring up those that need it most. So, I'm in favor of a rubric, and I agree with our superintendent that it's kind of his lane to figure out what that rubric is. >> All right. So I was I will come to you. Um I was informed that we are at time. So I am going to make a motion to extend time on this on policy discussion for 10 minutes. >> Okay. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Any opposed? >> Nope. >> That passes six to one. Um Miss I'm gonna go Miss Justice then Mr. Um this whole school um procedure was determined by professionals using data which would be what was best for our community for those students that will be involved.

117I think it's time we started paying more attention to data and uh about education that would really tell us what we should be doing which is what Dr. Barnes was saying is it needs to be determined by professional educators. Um also I don't want to be revisionist history here but socioeconomics is the main factor for child children's success in schools. It's not neighborhood schools. In fact, that's one of the reasons we have such low scores. And this is a fact. It's a proven fact. Sorry. And thank you very much my colleague to the left here for acknowledging this. A parent's education level has a huge part with a child's success and every bit of data shows it. In this county, unfortunately, due to neighborhood schools, and I know this will offend some people, we have

118actually caused some of our schools schools, whole schools to fail because of a very low socioeconomic economic status in those schools. And education studies shows it's a disaster. We're gonna be digging ourselves out of this for the Yeah, this Well, it's >> I'm gonna note that this is >> Well, real quick, I just want you doing by having the type of criteria that we have in place for this higher education opportunity for these kids. It's helping to rectify what has happened in the past. So, I think we need to leave it as it is. >> Okay. Thank you. And Mr. Perry, >> a couple of points. Um, first of all, you know, I I don't want to micromanage the superintendent, but I want to make every one of my colleagues aware, especially my Republican colleagues

119here, that basically what we just heard is that right now everybody seems well, educational level is only five points. Well, if you just if we're out of our lane by specifying that, then he could change it to 15 20 points next year if he wanted to, and we'd have no say about it. So, do you really want to go there? Um, I don't think he would, but I mean, technically it could happen. Um, the So, I think what we need is some, you know, gen these are general guidelines and, you know, that we there are a lot of kids who have all kinds of reasons for being at risk. Some of them may be, you know, their parents education level, maybe some of them it's poverty. Others might have a a parent who is alcohol

120dependent or using drugs. There's a zillion different ways that our kids are at risk. Why are we limiting it to these specific demographic um statistics? Let's look at each individual case and say for this kid would this would this program benefit this kid and his his or her particular circumstances? I just think it's the right thing to do. >> All right. Um I think everybody has had the opportunity to speak. So there is a motion to um edit the policy 4150 to Mr. Perry's edits. Um Miss Buouie, will you call the role on this one? >> Miss actually point. >> No. >> Oh. >> Um did did you make a did you make a >> I did not make any any other motions. >> Somebody did did Dr. Merrick make a amended motion. descended to

121the policy. >> No, nobody made any. No. >> Okay. >> Nope. >> Okay. Uh, Miss Buoie, >> point of order. Madam, I'm sorry. Of inquiry. I'm sorry. Sorry. Um, I I thought we already voted on Mr. Perry's uh motion. We did not. >> We did not. >> All right. >> Point of order. >> Miss Justice. >> Did we get a second? >> We did. I I seconded for for point for purpose of discussion. Um, so, okay, that was a query, not an order, right? Point of point of inquiry, not a point of order. All right, Miss Buoy, will you call the role? This is to um edit 4150 to Mr. Perry's edits. >> Miss Bradford, >> no. >> Dr. Merrick, >> no. >> Mr. Bibore, >> no. Miss Mason, >> yes. >> Miss Barnhard, >>

122no. >> Miss Justice, >> no. >> And Mr. Perry, >> yes. >> All right. Um, that motion fails. 5 to2. Um, there is a previous motion to approve this policy as written. Oh, I lost my eraser. Um, Miss Buoie, will you call the role on that? >> Oh, hang on. Miss Justice, >> did we get a discussion? >> Well, we did a lot of discussion >> the other part. >> On the other part. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, >> Miss Justice, um, just to pause. How much time do we have, Miss Barnhart? >> We have four minutes and we have two policies. >> Two more policies to cover. So, if you can keep it brief. >> Well, I'm just I'm just saying that I had previously when it was in policy had voted against it.

123So, I'm going to probably do it again. There was reasons I explained it then. If you want to go back and look at the table, you'll know. >> All right. >> Quickly, Mr. Perry. >> Yeah. Yes. So given um 4150 right now and the the amendment that's before us, I want to make sure that people are aware that we we have uh we have language in there um about the cooperative innovative high school programs being this does not include the cooperative innovative high school programs and this is under lottery assignment and we just come to the determination that this is a lottery. So, I I won't have to vote nose. >> Okay. And Dr. Merrick, super fast. >> Yeah, I'm I'm a little confused by this only because I see what's added in red. I

124don't see anything that was taken away. And if I understand this correctly, it says, well, it it seems contradictory. It says the student assignment plan will detail how the lottery is assignment process will work, but then it says all processes all lotteryies will provide an equal chance. that's already involved. >> And those two things seem to be at odds with one another if I if I read that. So I'm I'm I don't like the way it's written. It sounds like it's trying to equalize instead of equitableize. I don't think that's a word. I don't think that's a word. >> And I So I can't support it. >> Okay. >> Point of point of order. Um >> is it point of order or point of inquiry? >> Point of inquiry. Um 4150 the revisions before us

125right now, we already passed a lot of that already. The only part we are taking out given our current one am if I'm correct is the geographical proximity uh piece. Am I correct in that >> Mr. Wore? >> That is correct. Actually, Mr. Perry wrote this the section for us a while back and uh but then he we cross out the save the students geographic proximity to the school. So that is correct. >> And if I remember correctly, that was what we just voted on in policy recently. >> Correct. >> So, >> okay. Um, so the motion is to approve the policy as written. >> Miss Buoie, will you call the role? >> Mr. Wore, >> yes. >> Dr. Merrick, >> no. >> Miss Bradford, >> yes. >> Miss Mason, >> no. >> Miss Barnhart,

126>> no. Miss Justice, >> no. >> And Mr. Perry, >> no. >> Okay, that motion fails. So, >> I make a motion to send 4150 back to policy. >> Oh, >> in addition to addition to >> I'll second that. >> Okay, >> just to let everybody know. So for everybody to know out there, so basically what we just did is we h the red section is all there now. So basically all we did was we put back in the words save the students geographic because we already passed the rest of this policy. >> Point of order then. Why is it in red? Because I'm right. >> Inquiry or order? >> Point of inquiry. >> No, it's actually I'm objecting. >> Okay. I'm objecting that I I feel like I got the rules turned on me

127and now I understand what my colleague to the right is saying that what we actually voted on was simply to put back in the geographic proximity. I thought that they were we were voting on whether to put in the entire red paragraph. >> That's as as written. So >> I can answer that. I don't know why it's in red, but if you look to the right, it actually shows you that the the this policy was presented to the board provision. It was approved by them on July 8th. So, it's right there in >> Right. But it doesn't that that doesn't explain it to me. I thought this it was in red and I thought that's what was being added. >> All right. Um so, there is a call to end discussion. Um >> does that

128require a second? No, because we >> All right. It requires a a major supermajority. All right. So, um, Miss Buoie, will you call the role? This is to end discussion on 4150. We are over our time at this point. So, >> I I'm sorry to ask a point of order, but there's a motion on the table and a second to send it back to policy. >> Correct. And she is ending discussion discussion on that. She's ending discussion on that. >> So, Miss Buoie, will you call the role >> to end discussion? up to end discussion. Go ahead. >> Okay. >> Mr. Perry, >> I >> Miss Justice, >> yes. >> Miss Barnhard, >> yes. >> Miss Mason, >> yes. >> Mr. Wlebore, >> no. >> Dr. Merrick, >> yes. >> And Miss Bradford, >> no.

129>> All right, that motion carries. So now we will vote on the motion to send this policy back to policy committee. >> Madam chair, >> we we are >> I have no idea what we're doing. >> We are sending policy 4150 back. We are voting to send policy 4150 back to the policy committee >> to do what? >> For further discussion. Miss >> talk about it. Barnhart I believe indicated to discuss the edits um by our colleague to the far right. So that is that was the motion was to send it back to policy to discuss the edits that were shared with us by >> the board member. >> Yes sir. >> Didn't we just vote on them and voted them down? So if we voted why would we send it back to policy to

130discuss what we just voted down? That makes no sense. >> I agree too. I I don't understand. >> We just voted to end discussion. >> Just send just send it back. >> We we we we did vote to end discussion. >> Wave it around in the air. >> So the vote on the table is to send this back to policy. Miss Buoie, will you call the role? >> Mr. Wible. >> No way. I mean no. >> Dr. Merrick, >> yes. >> Miss Bradford, >> no. >> Miss Mason, >> yes. Miss Barnhart, >> yes. >> Miss Justice, >> yes. >> And Mr. Perry, >> yes. >> All right, that motion carries. Um, we are at time for um >> for policy discussion. Um, >> Madam Chair, may I make a motion to uh delay the conversation

131on 2610 to our next meeting? >> Um, we also have 4318. >> Oh, sorry. Yes. And 4318. Um, >> is there a second to that? >> I'll second that. >> Okay. Um, my question is, what kind of time frame do we have for policy 4318, Miss Brenson? >> It's due to the state um, this month. >> This month. So, we have to vote on that. So, um, >> that one is fairly encapsulated. Madam Chair, >> unless someone has a concern, >> um I'm going to make a substitute motion to approve policy 4318 as written. >> I'll second that. >> Second. >> Okay. Um any discussion? >> One quick question. Does what this written here does it it does it jive with what the state's just done? It's all cool. Okay. >> Yes. >> Thank you.

132>> Okay. All right. So this is to approve policy 4318. Um all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Any opposed? That passes 7 to zero. There um that was the substitute motion. So um >> we there is a move there. Mr. Perry, sorry. >> I'd like to make a motion to move 2610 to our next meeting. >> And is there a second? >> I think that would take more discussion. >> 26102. And Miss Barnhard seconded. All right. Um, any discussion? >> Yeah, right here. Um, we we've, you know, punted this one down the the road enough. I mean, we need to >> we keep doing that. >> Yeah. Either we need to do it or not. I mean, at some point we we can keep saying either send it back to

133policy or we keep saying next to it next month. The attorneys asked two months ago for us to discuss this. So, I think we need to discuss it. >> Okay. So, there is currently a motion to send this to next month. So, um, Miss Buoie, Miss Justice, >> I don't know how we do this properly, but >> we're so over our time. >> Can we please move that during our next meeting to the very first policy we discussed? Is there some criteria to making sure that we talk about it during our next meeting? First thing, >> we'll need the motion. Yeah, I'm I move that we move this to the very top of the discussion for our next meeting amendment to my motion. >> So, >> how about agenda review? >> So, okay, >> agenda

134review is fine with me. >> So, agenda, you're amending >> the motion. >> I'm I'm withdrawing whatever I >> You're withdrawing. Fabulous. Okay. So, the motion is to send 2610 to the agenda review at the end of this month. >> Miss Buoie, will you call the role? >> Miss Bradford? >> Yes. >> Mr. Perry? >> Yes. >> Miss Justice? >> Yes. >> Dr. Merrick? >> Yes. >> Miss Mason? >> Yes. >> Mr. Waber? >> No. >> And Miss Barnhard? No. >> Okay, that motion carries 5 to two. As we continue on, we have um under old business, the building project list for inclusion in county debt issuance plan. And who's doing that? Is that >> Miss Sutton? Is that Miss Bradford? Or is that Dr. Barnes? >> I'd like to start it. >> Sure. >>

135Okay. Um, we recommended at our last finance, capital and bond committee meeting that the committee review the proposed capital projects and we recommended sending this prioritized list that you have in front of you to the school board for consideration at this meeting. But we didn't and we created this list by there's 30 members on our committee of which 18 are voting members. Um, and we Dr. Barnes held a discussion and an explanation and then we did a a a vote on how to rank and that's what you see before you. However, at our last meeting, which was last week, um, we voted to move Isaac Bear off that list and move Porter's Neck up because we were looking at the top five. So the list how we got to those numbers and then you should

136have also the projects to consider for building program that we worked on so long ago. Um you have the report by the county that explains a lot that was on video now twice that you can look at and we also have the croppers report. So all of that jives together to say we're at this point but that's our list. Um and then I'll turn it over to Dr. Barnes or Ashley. >> So we had a lot of discussion about the list. The finance committee or finance bond and capital committee has not given its official recommendation to the board at this time. They are meeting again in a couple of weeks >> 18th >> and at that point you'll get the official sort of recommendation from that committee. >> Okay. >> Oh very nice. Um, Miss

137Justice, >> uh, wanted to clarify something with Dr. Barnes. You said that they haven't made an official list. I know that I watched the last meeting and they came up with five, I believe it was. But this is not official is what you're saying. >> I don't think we officially voted on the five, did we? >> Yeah, remember we did. >> Okay. I didn't know that was Commissioner Zapple made the motion to move Okay. >> Uh, Tras down and go for the five and it passed. >> So, move Isaac Bear down. Isaac Bear. >> Yeah, pardon me. >> Move Isaac Bear, not Tras. >> What is Oh, yeah. Sorry. >> Yep. >> U Tras moved up. Um, Porter's Neck moved up. >> Right. >> Then I may be mistaken. The The official list then is

138River Lights, >> right? >> Pine Valley, >> right? >> The addition to um >> Porter Neck. >> Oh, Porter Neck. Yeah. >> Tras, a new building. And then we sort of talked about the first two components of the >> new handover high school graduated plan. >> Right. I remember that >> point of information. >> The list that we have on the screen is not the list that we went from because the list we went from as Dr. Barnes just said was River Lights, New Handover, Pine Valley, Tras, and Porterneck are the top five. So you see Williams Elementary replacement there that has been struck from the list by staff because it it the plan is another plan. So that's what we as a committee looked at and voted on. >> Mr. Perry, >> um I

139have a lot of concerns about the priority here and and I need more detail >> detailed information. Um, I was visiting schools last week like a lot of you did, I'm sure. Um, and I went to Blair and uh, it it's beautiful, brand new, and under capacity by about 200 students. Now, we're talking about making uh, Porter Neck Elementary, adding an addition there where if we just redistricted, we could probably be using the underutilized space at Blair. And that's a beautiful school. It's got every little bell and whistle you'd ever want. Um, so I mean, I don't know about spending $5 million when we could just redistrict and save the five million. Um, the at the same time, you know, I've got other I want to see more concrete plans as far as what exactly

140does the new handover high school additions and renovations for this phase mean? Is it necessary stuff or are we talking Are we trying to agree now that we are going with plan B, the 12-year plan? Is that what we're voting on here soon? I'm not sure. Um because I I I personally like to at least see an option of a new school, new high school build. At least see an option so that we can see what the differences are. I'm not saying we should go there or not, but I like to see it all spelled out so that we get more of a detailed summary information about all these projects in one kind of packet so we can read it and not just a list that we have to, you know, go which I mean

141we are to find all the information about >> what point of inquiry. >> Um yes ma'am. >> Uh yeah, we were sent all of that when we originally attended those meetings. We attended the meetings and then we actually had the physical u information broken down about New Hover High School. So this list, in fact, this list isn't even what we were just discussing. This is this list is almost random compared to the five that we identified that we are interested in. Does that make sense? >> Well, the committee. Yeah. So this is this isn't what committee. >> Okay. >> Verification when you get a chance. >> Uh sure. I I just wanted to point out that we did have a study that was done and said that redistricting is not going to solve all the

142you know so it may help here and there a little bit but it's not going to solve all these problems we're we have too many students you know we don't have too many students I did not say that we have we don't have enough students actually we want more students but I mean we we redistricing is not going to solve the problems because some schools uh we just don't have enough room so we just need to continue to look at other options And I'm going to actually ask because I know Miss Sutton has some things to add that may bring clarity to anybody who has any questions over here. So I want to let her go. Um and then I'll come over here if that's a minute. >> Um I want to just provide a

143little more information as far as what's uploaded and how why is that uploaded versus the projects that we're talking about. So at the time the agenda items had to be uploaded. We had not had the finance committee capital bond meeting yet. Um so we just uploaded the old document that you guys have seen I know several times because I didn't know what would come out of the committee. >> Um there was a motion made and I will go back and listen to the minutes again but there was a motion made by Mr. Zapple talking about the projects were that were just discussed but there was not an actual vote taken. there was discussion but a vote was not taken. So therefore I didn't bring those projects here um for discussion for the board because that

144wasn't um approved and recommended for us to bring those items to the board yet. Um so we had this just as a holding because we didn't know what the committee would decide. Um I will my plan will be and I I think Miss um Bradford would agree when the committee meets again they will finalize. So they got to the point where they were having discussion um and prioritize and they wanted a little bit more information especially about New Hover High School. We've given them that. So, we hope to wrap up discussion at the next meeting and then bring the recommendation from that committee to the board for the board then to have discussion um and then make your determination. Once again, I think it's important to know that the committee is bringing a recommendation. the

145board will decide what we move forward with as far as pricing out the scope of um looking at the scope of the project and then um based on what the board determines will actually come up with cost estimates that we'll bring back to the board. So these estimates I think are about a year old or so. So, we want to once we know what the projects are, the board wants us to move forward with, we'll cost those out and bring back better numbers for you and then we'll be more prepared to send that information to the county. >> Okay. Um, Dr. Merrick. And then >> well, thank you for that clarification because I'm sitting over here incredibly confused because I'm getting ready for the meeting and I'm looking at this document and then after the

146meeting already started. I'm handing other documents >> and uh I mean I was on the finance committee but I was removed from the finance committee. It's not my job to go to each committee meeting. It's my job to get that information to the board for the board to look at and discuss and then vote on. So I am not prepared to do any kind of voting on anything here. I don't think any of us. >> Okay, good. Thank you. I was very very >> confused. I don't >> I have I I have a couple of points that Dr. Barnes could clear up for the board if you just let me speak. >> I know Miss Barnhart had her hand raised first. >> That might be the things that he could clear up for you that

147we haven't said yet. >> Okay, go ahead. Miss Bradford, if you remember, >> you did a poll several months back and we came up with that ranking. And the other thing that hasn't been said here tonight is the the general consensus led by you was these five things plus safety plus technology. And we haven't mentioned those either and the media didn't mention those. They didn't pick up on that. So I think it's important that you discuss those two things tonight. >> Yeah. And so obviously when you when when the committee brings you an official recommendation, you will have more of the information that you're talking about like what's the scope of work, things like that. Thank you. >> Oh yeah, of course. >> Um in regards to the the um consensus, one of the things

148that I think is important for the community to know that support of a bond also needs to spread itself far and wide throughout the community. every parent wants to see that this bond will also affect their children. So, one of the two additions that that aren't listed here um would be a million dollars a year to help refresh technology throughout the district and a million dollars a year for 10 years to address safety and security upgrades to our schools as well. So, when you when you look at those building projects, those two things are going to be inserted in there. we're going to put all that into a big package and sort of bring it to you guys all at once to look at. This was just more to update you as to kind of

149where we were and that we're narrowing in on the scope of the work. So, I'm sorry if I didn't communicate that well. >> Miss Barnhart. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I think it is imperative for this board to specifically have a work session to drill down into this. I'll be honest, I was one of the board members that did not agree um with the voting order of this and it speaks to really re-evaluating how we're able to operate most effectively with the resources to all of our children. When you're look when you're going to certain schools that are our smaller schools right now, the resources are spread very thin. And so looking at capacity issues, looking at acreage, looking at how much room there is or is not to grow in facilities is is our

150job as a board to re-evaluate and do. Some of these projects that very few were discussed as far as the renovations and additions could potentially have an opportunity to up capacity where we could provide a more centered approach with resources, consistent resources for our students and staff which would yield a better potential um education experience. And I think these are hard conversations and some of them are more fiscally responsible to look at the potential of this um for our community. I know speaking with a principal recently and they had some students not show up for school and following up was those people moved because it's too expensive to live here. And so how do we fund schools? We fund it through taxes, right? So, it's this find balance of taxes fund schools and we need

151to we need to be able to re-evaluate how we're doing that um so that we don't make people have to move to a different county in order to live effectively. So, some of these projects could yield us a different solution than what the committee might bring to us. It's my opinion. There's been five projects heavily discussed in the committee and I think that there's potentially an opportunity to have uh lessen of financial burden and be we could actually be more responsive to solutions. So I I think that I don't believe that we're supposed to be voting here tonight on anything, but I think we should have a board work session to explore some of these and look at some of these numbers as an opportunity um to see the best interest of our community. ultimately

152the responsibility of this board and I don't think that we've explored it to the extent that we should be. >> Are you making a motion because I'll second it. >> Sure. >> I make a motion that we have a work session to discuss the addition all of the building projects at capacity and evaluate our current capacity um operation. And it needs to be after the 10th day of school. Should I say that too? um after the 10th day of school so we can have accurate capacity of all of our schools um and also geographic proximity so we can discuss potentially different impacts that these projects could have on our district. >> So I make a motion for work session with that scope. >> I'll second it. >> All right. So um I know Miss Justice

153did you want to comment on what she had just motioned on and then Miss Bradford quickly we are actually at time so >> I think it's a great idea I recommended last time that previous board members everybody every board member on the finance >> are you on >> I'm sorry >> every board member had been on the finance committee which really helped a lot none of us should be excluded uh that's my personal experience not even opinion um another thing is what m uh my colleague to the left here is is explaining is there there's a lot of things that we need to be looking at that for certain reasons are being left out. Um you mentioned redistricting. Um there is capac capacity situations that we do need to look at and be realistic and

154an open talk. I know that people are afraid to death of redistricting. I'm sorry, but it is it's something we should be discussing because we've got we do have schools under capacity and other schools that are bursting at the seams. They're literally within just a couple miles of each other. We're a small county. Let's talk about these things. That's my suggestion. >> All right. And I'm going to make a motion to extend this for five minutes. >> Second. >> Any discussion on that? All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? That passes 7 to zero. uh Miss Bradford and then Dr. Merrick. And we only have five minutes. >> I'm holding in my hand the schedule that the county commissioners who are in charge of this, not us. We make a recommendation.

155The finance committee, capital and bond, makes the recommendation to the board. The board votes and makes a recommendation to the county. The county is the ultimate decision maker. Well, the voters are the ultimate decision maker. So, we have certain hard dates that we have to hit. And I would suggest that if we pass this motion that we amend it to set the date. And I would say to Dr. Barnes and to Ashley to look at that if we have September 18th meeting where we're going to discuss a lot of this as a committee. Do we do it after the 18th but before we get too deep into October? I think it's an excellent idea and I was going to propose it myself. I just want to nail down the date for it. So, the two

156of you, when when is it ideal? Because we do have three board members who didn't sit through all of those meetings we had in 23 and 24 where we discussed all of this. But a lot of that's outdated. >> It's going to be a lot easier for us to adapt the two of our schedules to the seven of y'all. So you guys decide when it's going to be and >> we'll show up. >> What we can do is send out a poll of sorts to determine um dates. I will send out several dates and um we can set we can that will fall after the finance committee meeting but before the the October deadline. >> It's well before the October deadline. >> That's fine. U Mr. Uh actually Dr. Merrick and then Mr. Will Debor

157and we only have about two minutes left, three minutes. >> I want to follow up on um a recommendation from my colleague almost all the way to the end over there. Uh when we talked about redistricting, which seems to me we have to come up with another word because when people use that word, people blow their minds. Um but I've been uh here and listened to uh Mr. Morgan's uh Dr. Morgan's uh predecessor talk about micro redistricting. I don't think he used that word, but when when we do have uh schools that reach capacity and they're close to other schools that are not, there's small increments of redistricting that are taking place. And I really think I I'm I don't know what it takes. I don't know what he had to do to to to

158to create that, but I would like to find out if we can ask Mr. Morgan to do some of that work so that we can you know uh we can alleviate some of the capacity issues because that will impact what we decide to vote on here. >> Dr. Barnes. >> So I have already asked both uh Dawn and Dr. Morgan to pull together a list of enrollment capacity and acreage of each of our buildings. I did ask for them to wait to do that until the 10th day because enrollment is still fluctuating. So, I will have that for you in the next couple of weeks. >> That was my question. >> And then, Mr. Wore, >> and I'm gonna talk really slow because I know we have 30 seconds, but um >> one one suggestion

159I would have is why don't we why don't we go ahead and do it all in one and I know I'm shooting myself in the foot on this one, but why don't we do it on the same day? Why it's it's fresh in everybody's mind. We'll do the finance committee and then we'll back it right up. you know, board members can listen to the finance committee if they want to, so they can hear it firsthand and then we can go into a meeting right after that where it's just the board members. I know that's a long meeting. I totally understand that, but >> why not get it done instead of putting it off and putting it off and that kind of thing. >> So, we're at time. >> Okay. Um, so the motion on the

160table is to have a work session after finance but before the the October deadlines, way before the October deadlines. Um, to discuss to discuss building projects demog uh not demographics, but all of the capacity issues and and all of those things. So that is the motion on the table. Um, Miss Buie, will you call the role? >> Mr. Perry, >> hi. >> Miss Justice, >> yes. >> Miss Bradford, >> Dr. Mer, >> one day. >> I I'll send out the I'll send out the dates. Dr. Merrick. Yes. >> Wicket. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Mr. Wore. >> Yes. >> Miss Mason. >> Yes. >> And Miss Barnhart. >> All right. I didn't need to do that. That passes seven to zero. >> Let's continue um on to the budget update. I will send out that email

161in the next 24 hours. That is my goal to send out that email for available dates and such. >> Yes, Mr. Wore. I ask that one of the dates is the 18th. So we can >> I will I will put that down. Okay. >> And just Okay. The finance is from 12:30 to 2. Figure we might run 15 minutes. So not 2:30, please. >> There's also a couple parents in the room that will need to ensure that their kids are set for that day, too. So um Miss budget update for us. I wanted to give a quick update on where we always have a quick discussion about that. So, as you guys know, the federal title funding um that was being held um at the federal level has been reduced. The amounts we received were

162consistent with what was in our original planning budget um the initial budget that this board approved. So, um, we had no reductions in that area. So, I wanted to make sure, um, we talked about that a little bit. Um, the next thing we, um, had the reduction in the preK funding of 975,000. Um and we um went through our budget and determined that the best way to cover that um prek is allowable in title one and we have used title one funding in the past to um pay for some of those prek programs and expenses. So we used um 715,000 of title one carryover from last year. Um and then um of the new title one carryover money we ended up using about $259,000 and that's how we were able to continue that prek program

163at the same level we intended even though we had the $975,000 reduction. So, um, we made adjustments to the allotments that, so that funding would have gone to our title one schools, of course, um, but we made the decision to, um, put that towards pre-kstead. Um, the other area I wanted to share with the board was, um, the state did pass a mini budget, um, and that included a step increase, but only for our certified staff. And so we've done the calculation for our local certified staff. The cost of a step increase is $179,000. Um49 >> I'm sorry, $149,000. Um and that is just our local certified positions included in that number. But we also um did our calculation based on our employees that we have this year for our local supplement and um the

164hard field and our regular local supplements. So as you know those local supplements are on the step as well. So as you have years of experience you move up that scale. So the cost of our increased cost in our local supplement was 326,000 if you add both those supplements together. and we budgeted um 2.9 right at $3 million for our salary increases. Um so we have um based on just a step increase in that mini budget, $2.5 million remaining of that salary increase money we had set aside. But as you may recall, the state also reduced our program 71 funding, which is support that they provide to school districts for local supplements. Um, so we were receiving $2.3 million of state funding to help pay for our local supplements. Um, that funding was lost. Um,

165the funding is actually based on the assessed property values of the county and um, New Hver County has gone over the threshold now. So the threshold was 50.9 billion and we're about 62 billion now. So we've exceeded that threshold that the state had in place. So we no longer qualify for that funding. We also had a reduction of 400,000 in our state at risk funding. Um that funding is also based on um ADM as most of our funding is, but it's looking particularly at 5 to 17 year old children in poverty. And so we've seen which is a good thing in our county that poverty level in that in those um ages has gone down. So our funding from the state was reduced there. So that those two reductions are 2.7 million. And so looking

166at that and looking at the 2.5 that we have available currently that we had originally planned for salaries, we were able to offset that. And so we only had a shortfall of 227,000 when we looked at that together. So then we took a look at our budget and we decided to put um our initiative for safety um where we were purchasing the WE um weapon detection devices and there were a couple positions related to that safety initiative that um we had tried to fund during the budget process. So, we decided to put that on hold so that we could balance the budget. And so, that initiative was 517,000. And so, now we're to the good 289,000 with with our budget. >> Okay. So, first up is Miss Barnhart. >> Two things and you highlighted it

167well, but the state supplements to support our county tax assessed value. That is the reason why we're seeing a decrease. So this was zero fault of any programming of your own. It's just the county assessed value is now over $15.9 billion and therefore we do not qualify for any sort of extra compensation. So that's that $2.3 million loss from the state. The other thing, and this goes I kind of spoke to this earlier, the atrisisk funding of students. We're seeing less students um that are living poverty. So, on the one hand, it it seems really good, but the reality is these students are leaving because they can't afford to live here. These families are leaving because they can't afford to live here. So, I just want to draw that to attention. We're going to continue

168to serve all of our students to the best possible, but we need to be cognizant of Yes. taxes. Um, next up was everybody has had their hand up, so I wrote down the order. Miss Bradford, >> four things real quick. I asked the county last week about that 15.7 billion that we received over 80 billion. We had a $30 billion increase and we the number that he gave us last week was over I want to say over 80 billion. It's a tax base that's 2.33 million. >> So the state is actually a year or so behind. So it's yeah it'll we'll get the gap will get larger the threshold that the state is using and what the actual assessed value is. >> So I have three questions. Is it true that this budget saw a

169$4.3 million increase from the county additional $700,000 increase from the from the county this year and additional $5 million over last year. >> Correct. That's correct. >> Okay. Um, can I ask the superintendent for an update on where we are with Leandro? No, excuse me, the attorneys with Leandro. It's in It's Tell us where we are with. Can we budget for that next year? >> Leandro. >> If I'm reading this correctly, it's now called Hoke County versus States. The Leandro guy is too old. The ongoing case is still going. Um, >> and it's at the Supreme Court now, >> and it's, you know, no telling when you're going to get a a ruling on it. The issue now is about what the remedy is. The Supreme Court had a few years ago had ordered the

170state to transfer the money, but that was something that the Supreme Court had repeatedly said before that you can't do it. It's a separation of powers issue. Only the general assembly can appropriate. So, they're kind of rehearing that issue now and no telling when we'll get a decision. The last thing that happened in it was April and nothing's happened since then. >> And my last question is for the superintendent. Can you update us on where we are in the 42 specialist positions asked for the >> Sure. We turned our endowment request in. They did um meet with us and we they have tabled their request. They want us to do a little couple of revisions to our current uh application and we will have that done for them by September 10th. They are meeting again

171on middle of September. >> Okay. Dr. Merrick was next. >> You I'll get there. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um thank you, Miss Sutton. Um a couple of things. First, uh, in our early discussions around keeping Mary Washington open and how we would do it, we said that, uh, in order to make up that $975,000, you know, shortfall that the county did not give us, um, that we were going to take the Title One carryover money and then we were going to take the $259,000 from the, uh, from the emergency fund, from the uh, and now I'm seeing that it's coming out of Title One schools again. And you know, I'm 259,000. Quick math says it's about $10,000 per title one school. And I'm I know we don't have a whole lot of money in

172that general fund or in that uh I call it a slush fund. I'm sorry. >> Call that fund balance. >> It's fund balance. That's the word I'm looking for. Thank you, sir. It's getting late. Um I don't know. I don't know that I want to take the money from the title one schools. I don't want them to have to necessarily take that hit if we can afford it from the fund balance. >> Well, our recommendation is can I I'm going to go. Our recommendation is to that fund balance only gets used if we come to you and appropriate it. So, that is a lastditch effort. Um, >> now there's a couple of points I wanted to make and so now is a good time to make them. >> We have made several changes to our

173prek programming, location, things like this to try to make prek more sol financially solvent on its own. That may take the place of some of that money right there. It is still a little early to tell. We are looking at um mainlinining into four-year-olds. We moved a classroom from Writesboro to how to make sure we could bill NC prek for those kids. So, there's several things we've done. So, this is sort of an update as where we are right now. And I hate saying wait and see, but some of these things will only really know as we go forward. My commitment and Ashley knows this is that any money that we save goes to schools. So, at this point in time, we use this instead of fund balance. We are also looking at doing another

174allocation out to title one folks, but right now we're sort of leaning into leaving fund balance alone whenever we can. And I totally understand the need for that. We need to grow it. We don't need to shrink it. Um, however, in the same argument we had around Mary Washington, how was why are we always asking the same neighborhood to take the hit uh when we have financial issues? And I would say the same thing about title one schools. I hate to see have them be the ones that absorb $259,000. So, I'm going to ask that we find other other areas for that. Um, the other thing I want to >> solution would be to limit the number of prek students we have. >> I understand that, but I mean, we're looking at how fluid this

175budget is and where the money comes from in there. I mean, there's a certain amount of Tetris that can be done, and I'm asking that we look for any other option than taking it out of Title One schools. >> The other thing I do want to point out is that uh new uh assessment of our value says that we are a wealthy county and that as a wealthy county, we're no longer going to get that $2.3 million. And I'm sorry, in a sense, what I'm hearing from the state is, hey, you're a wealthy county. Your county should be giving that money. So, I just want to kind of put that out there that it seems we have a county commission. I'm so glad they changed their mind on the nurses. They shouldn't have voted that

176way in the beginning, but here we are. We're a wealthy county. Why won't they help us with that 2.3 million? That's all I got to say. >> Okay. Um, just so we're aware, and I want to make sure everybody has the opportunity to speak, and I do have everybody's name listed. Um, we are only we have about a minute and a half. Um, so I'm going to make a motion to extend time. We have three more people that want to speak. I'm going to say um six minutes where everybody gets about two minutes. Is Is that fair? Okay, we have a first and a second. Um any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? That passes seven to zero. Mr. Wore, you are up. You've got >> two

177minutes. Ding. Okay. Um and mine's going to be very quickly. First off, I I got to uh agree with my colleagues to the left. I would love to see some more money come our way. Uh and speaking of money and fluid fluidity of this whole situation, I am correct that, you know, we're talking about a mini budget right now. So there is, you know, they they could, you know, if we spend down our fund balance now, all of a sudden they could come around and say, "Well, guess what? You know, it's going to cost you x number of dollars more. >> So we don't want to zero out our fund balance at this point." So it's it's kind of a just a scary scary thing. So hopefully hopefully it won't be too bad and but

178I mean it's kind of a balanced thing because we want our staff to make more money. We want them to get more and more money. So that's great you know but then if they get more money from the state I am correct that our local folks we would have to come up with some more money somewhere here doing some kind of magic. That's a very good point because if you look at the workup we've got right now, taking all this into account, we only have $289,000 or $290,000 for any potential raises that might come down >> and our phone balance. >> Thank you. I'm done. Less than less than two minutes. >> Good job. >> You owe me one. >> Oh, I owe you a minute. >> Yeah, for later. >> Okay, I'll save it

179and give it to you. Uh, Mr. Perry, >> I don't think I'm going to take the whole two minutes. Um the my understanding when I met with you and Dr. Barnes a couple of weeks ago was is that we given the current circumstances unless something has changed uh since then that we had about $2 million of uh because of the fact that there there there was just these step increases and not a bonus passed. And that is this budget budgeting uh step increases for all of our non uh >> ones in order to make it even because I know we discussed this with Dr. Barnes in the room. So >> yeah, but what you're forgetting, sir, is they did reduce our state supplement by 2.3 million. That's where the rest of that money that we

180had saved for raises went. >> Okay. because I I thought we were actually ahead by a couple million. >> No, we're ahead by 289,000. >> Um because we had decided to allocate to match the step for other employees is what I thought was the plan. >> What we had said was that we need to wait for the state to approve their mini budget >> and change it into a real budget, but that we currently don't have the money for step increases for everyone built into the budget. >> Okay. All right. Well, thank you for clarifying that. And my final comment and is just that I just want to clarify on what uh my col my male colleague to the far left there said is you know what just because people's property values goes up doesn't

181mean they're making any more money or any more rich. It just means that their their escro account is their their mortgage payments and their insurance payments and their um and their taxes have gone up. Um, it doesn't mean they're making any more money. Unless you're going to move out of here, what are you going to do with all that equity? Nothing. So, >> reinvest it. >> All right, Miss Justice. >> Well, I'm not going to give financial advice, but I could if you want to privately. Um, this is hard because we are the eighth wealthiest county in the state. And at this point, we are paying the fourth lowest taxes according to what the county commissioners just recently did, which is causing services like our schools to suffer big time. Uh people are leaving this

182county because of the cost of living. It's not taxes and that's because the cost of living is we've got a ton of people moving in from other areas and uh they want to live here. This is a wonderful place. So, we've got to be really realistic about what's going on in our district. We need to keep trying to persuade the county commissioner to do what's right by our kids. Uh people are moving in. They're bringing kids with it. Our are population starting to go back up again. And I can tell you from experience and those that are experienced in education. What a lot of these parents that changed their kids over to private schools have found out because they're bringing them back now is that the quality of education, the best quality of education and

183discounting the best bang for your bucks are public schools. So, we need the funding to cover it and we need to fight for it. And don't complain about taxes because we have the fourth lowest in the state and I know I have to pay them and I'm on a fixed income and that's far from killing me. And if you want some financial advice, I'll talk to you later. >> All right. Can I ask one last thing? >> Sure thing, sir. Uh last year once with the we got the budget approved from the state and once we reconed and did everything we could I brought the board a proposal of what to do with money that we found. >> If that comes up again if we are able to save and scrimp and organize oursel through

184>> we will bring you a proposal again as to here are the options. Here's the recommendations from our staff and our principles. How would you want that money to go? Whether you want it to go into fund balance, whether you want it to get spent. There's lots of movement still to happen, but my concern is without a state budget, >> we don't know whether or not that raises will happen or not. >> I'm very concerned about the fact that the step increase only went to our certified staff. >> So, that may be a discussion we need to have. But until I can make sure that we're financially standing, I don't want to come to you guys and say, "Here are some options." when I don't know if I can cover that check. >> Any found

185money comes to you guys to get spent. >> We we are at time. Um so I am going to continue on with the agenda. Um next up, thank you, Miss Sutton. Um next up is NCSBA delegates. And I know that Miss Barnhart brought this forward, but I wanted to kind of indicate um I did double check with NCSBA on the due date of when we needed to submit delegates and that is um October 29th. So I think that rather than wait until the last second to do so. I think it's important that we do it now. That way whoever the delegates are can prepare for the conference that occurs at the beginning of November. So, um, with that being said, I'm going to pass it over to Miss Barnhart. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I

186make a motion to allow, um, Pete Wabore, Melissa Mason, Josie Barnhart, and Pat Bradford to be delegates for the NCSBA 256. >> And I'll second and then we'll have discussion. Uh, Miss Justice. >> Okay. I've actually not recently but attended um this event several years before. But the thing that bothers me is I don't want to play politics but what I just heard was very political. Um and we got >> Madam Chair of clarification. >> No point of order. >> No, I'm asking point of clarification. >> Calling out motives >> not not part of decorum. >> So I I'm I'm going to have to rule that as well received. So try and redirect. Um, we're not questioning the motives of >> of individuals. >> I do know, if I might, that individuals have expressed the

187individuals that are mentioned have expressed interest in doing so. So, we'll note that and then go ahead, Miss Justice. >> Have you have you spoken to myself or to the other member left out or even did you get recommended? I was asked, but I actually wanted to hear more information exactly what these delegates do before I gave uh Miss Baron Han an answer whether I was interested or not. Um because I've never been to one of these, so I don't really know what goes on. >> That's good for you. You you'd benefit. >> So the question is what occurs as a delegate? Um I've only had limited experience. I went last year. Um so my experience was we all participated in the regular events. Um delegates were able to listen to the legislative agenda um

188vote on the legislative agenda and um discuss with our peers in various counties um different motions and uh adjustments that were made. So that that was my experience. I don't know if there's any other experience to explain. Um, but I did see Dr. Merrick's hand and then >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, your point is wellreceived over here about uh intent and motivation and I do hear that. Uh however, let me say that uh the motion made uh was to send four people who were already on the board to go and they all happened to be in the same political party. And then we find out now that the fifth person from that political party was actually asked. I know that I was not asked. I don't know if Miss Justice was asked. So it

189does seem now the word partisan uh suggests motivation but I'll let the audience and this board decide what that really looks like. The optics are not good and uh I would have liked to have been asked. Um uh I think that having a mix of different ideologies if we want to use that word would be healthy uh both for the for the for the conference and for our board. So, uh, I I think that I cannot vote for that for that motion. >> Okay. Um, you did have one opportunity. I'm going to give Miss Barnhart and then I'll come back to you. >> Okay. >> I just that the entire board is welcome to attend the conference. This is they we have a limited number of delegates that are allowed for voting purposes. Everybody is

190welcome to attend. Five of us attended last year. All from the same political party. No Democrats attended. So, you're welcome to come. Um this is my suggestion a motion as a slate and if you have a substitute motion you're welcome to do that but this nobody is limited from coming to the conference. >> Point of inquiry. >> What is the delegate? What is that max and four? >> Four is max with one alternate I believe. Yes. Barnhart. Is that the I believe that's been the practice in the past. Four with one alternate. >> Is that correct? I do not recall voting on an alternate last year. >> I don't think we voted on one but I >> if that is what you >> Mr. Wabbor could you I'm sorry I will come back to you.

191Could you provide some clarity on that because you were chair last year? >> We actually did have an alternate we had Mel served as >> alter. Okay. So there was an alternate that was an option as well. Um Miss Justice. >> Yeah I have an alternate motion. >> Okay. >> Substitute motion. >> Okay. Um, I motion that the three Well, I'm not going to I don't want I'm not going to volunteer to go. Okay. But there are two new members. I I motioned that the two new members be delegates and definitely go and then the other three people left on the board or four. Um, that would be decided by level of interest and experience. It's very good. I think it'd be really good for these two new me having gone myself a couple times

192that the both of the new members attend. >> Okay. >> Delegates. >> As delegates, you're saying >> as Yeah, >> because anyone can attend. >> So, >> voting delegates. Second. Is there a substitute? >> Substitute motion. Is there a >> second? >> Okay. Um, Mr. Wilbor, >> I just want to make sure everybody realizes it's a three-day com three three or four day conference. So it's it's it's you know there's a time commitment. It's not like you know you >> know I believe Raleigh. Is that right? >> Yeah. To be honest with you I don't have that much time. Three or four days. So >> you can attend two at least two. >> Greensboro. Sorry. >> In Greensboro. >> You can. >> Okay. So it's in Greensboro. It is a three or three day conference.

193Four day. >> Three at the most. And you drive. Yeah. A lot of it's driving >> Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. All right. So, there is a substitute motion on the table to send our two new board members, two newest board members, um, Mr. Perry and Dr. Merrick as delegates. Um, Miss Buoie, will you call the role? >> Point of inquiry before the vote, what is the dates? Is it a weekend or weekdays or three days? >> It is in the middle of the week. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. >> Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. >> Okay. Okay. Uh, Miss Buoie, will you call the role? >> Mr. Wilbur, >> no. >> Dr. Merrick, >> yes. >> Miss Bradford, >> no. >> Miss Mason, >> no. >> Miss Barnhard, >> no. >> Miss Justice, >> yes. >> And Miss Mr.

194Perry? >> I'm going to vote no because I don't think I can make it. >> Okay. Um, so the original motion is to send uh Miss Bradford, Mr. Wor, myself, and Miss Barnhart. Um, Miss Buoie, will you call the role on that? >> Mr. Perry, >> hi. >> Miss Justice, >> no. >> Miss Barnhart, >> yes. >> Miss Mason, >> yes. >> Mr. Wilbour, >> yes. >> Dr. Merrick. >> Uh, very much no. Yeah. >> And Miss Bradford. >> Yes. >> And that passes five to two. Next up, we have a discussion of House Bill 805. Um, we only allowed about 5 minutes. It's not on here, but you did mention only about five minutes. Um, but Miss Justice, you brought it forward, so I'm going to hand it over to you. >> Yeah. I

195guess I would like to make a motion that um the school the district's requirement to have the stipulation in House Bill 8005 that the teachers catalog their classroom libraries that the due date be a September the 30th. Um that's what I would motion. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Discussion. >> Okay. Um, I I know Miss Bradford had her hand up initially and then I will work my way down the line. >> Um, I will suggest that we hear um in public what the superintendent has already sent out to his staff because I believe to enact us a hard date as a board, we're overreaching what the boards into the superintendent's lane. He's already told the staff what he wants to have happen and we would be undermining him to change that.

196So, I'd like him to express what he's already told this with the staff at the schools and so on. In what was an email today? >> Friday. Thank you, >> Miss Dr. Barnes. >> Yeah. First off, I appreciate this board's attitude that teachers need time to comply. That is a very important thing because it didn't become law until August 1st and that didn't say anything in the general statute about timelines for completion. >> Um, in fact, my senior staff and I are actually going to a school tomorrow to help catalog books. Schools are looking at several different options. My only concern for the board, and again, my job is to keep you guys out of trouble. The reason that I was a little vague in my email is because the general statute, the legislation that

197was enacted, doesn't give a date for completion. It says the beginning of the school year. >> I would rather the board not put a hard and fast date down in writing that then comes back to bite you later. What I I will actually read what I wrote to the to the staff. General statute can be a bit dicey because it sometimes can be open to numerous interpretations which we've all seen. Um, do I think we have two months to comply? Probably not, but a few weeks is definitely reasonable. My directive, kids will always come first. Do this as you can when you can and complete it with all deliberate speed. I was being a little vague because I didn't want to lock any of us down. I think that if you were to walk up

198to me in the street and say, "Hey, is the end of September pretty fair?" I would go, "Yeah, it's pretty fair. >> I think that's reasonable." And we're going to pivot as we need to with different I mean, some teachers don't have books in their classroom, especially high school, but some folks have a ton. >> So, I would say that I'm moving on this knowing that the board is behind me telling me to be reasonable for human beings. As long as that's the reasoning we're using, I think that we're fine. Um, and I've also put in here if you have concerns, there's three people to go to. Dawn, the new media supervisor, or me. If you have problems with complying, and we'll help you. I'm perfectly happy with the board sort of having this sort

199of mindset that we don't need to burden our teachers any more than they're already burdened. I would just caution you guys to be a little careful while putting something down hard and fast. >> Okay. Um, so we did only allow five minutes. So, at this point, we only have about a minute left. So, Dr. Merrick, >> I'll be quick as I can. >> Oh, hang on. We have a motion to extend for five minutes. Is there a second? >> Second. All right. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? >> Right. That passes 6 to1. Dr. Merrick. >> Yeah. I I um I spent several hours in a kindergarten classroom the other morning and took pictures of over 1,000 books uh so that they could try to get them cataloged. and the

200teacher is still working with AI and not having an easy time of it. This is not really this is not fair for our educators in any way. And I I respect uh both what my colleague to almost the far right says and I also respect what you're saying u Mr. Superintendent uh Dr. Superintendent um my concern is that I don't want any of this to come back on our educators if there should be some concern about non-compliance. I would rather as a board we take the responsibility which is why I like the idea of of uh my colleagues uh motion if I know that the district will take the responsibility and that our educators will not be you know hauled up on charges or or or in any way brought to bear then I'm okay

201with leaving it vague but I do not want our educators to pay the price of hey you didn't get this done in time the statute says this and therefore we're going to, you know, bring charges or do something that would hurt them. >> Ironic. Then I'll read my next statement. >> Okay. >> I don't personally think I present myself as a comply or be terminated kind of guy, but we do have a legal obligation to follow general statutes. That's all of them. However, let's apply some reason and logic. I know you will do your best, and once I think we have reached what a normal person would consider fair and reasonable amount of time, then I'll let you know you should be finishing up. All right. So, I saw Mr. Perry's hand and then I'll

202I'll bounce. >> I'll try to be quick. Um, so I just want to make sure that the public understands. I I believe uh Dr. Barnes and I had a conversation uh a couple days ago about this that this categorization process is not very it is a an objective process. It is not we we are not judging the content of different books. Yeah, but not everybody will understand that. So I want the public to understand. >> So I think that you know to get this information out there so very clear what's going on. This categorization is not like okay one teacher might do it one way or another teacher might do it another. I just want to make sure the public knows that. So, and have we given them a I I hope we can at

203least give them one standardized tool or one standardized AI to use for their stuff so that everybody's on the same page and and as far as that, I trust you to get that done. Just uh I think maybe there was some initial confusion like we can't lend any books out to this is done or I mean so let's just um and you know this came all of a sudden so I but I'm sure you're on it so that's all I want to say. >> Okay, I'm going to jump to Mr. through theore and then I'm going to go over here >> and I definitely think that my colleague to the almost the end right over there has a good you know a good idea here uh and she's out of out of the uh you

204know the love for educators of her heart that she wants to you know protect them as would we all so I agree with you 100% I agree to my with my colleague the left and everyone else on the board with that but I do trust our superintendent I think he's got it well within hand as he's reading this this document it says very clearly that you know we're not going to go get we're, you know, it's going to be we're going to work with you if you have a problem. You know, talk to your administrators, talk to us. You know, he's going out to catalog and help with schools. Uh so I think we just trust I I would like to make a substitute motion that we just uh trust the superintendent in this one

205and um let him do stay in his lane. >> Second. Okay. Um we have about two minutes. So, I'm going to go with people who haven't spoken yet, which would be Miss Justice. >> I'm asking for teachers who are teachers of students and they give them >> I'm asking for the teachers and the teachers ask the students for the same criteria, a date and that way you know what's expected and do it reasonably enough in the future like you said that it's not going to be a hardship and it can get done. I think we should take the burden if there is any question. It's within the fir it's the first well if you don't want to look at algus but it's with by the first end of the first month you've got you know

20610 months nine months of a school year so it seems personal p you know very reasonable especially the way this bill was passed on August the 1st. Yeah. Um and implemented without any real direction without even any understanding of how hard this is on our staff. So, I mean, it's up to you guys. I heir on the side of the educators. They're stressed out enough. It's a wonderful beginning of the year. This is sad this got thrown in here because they're doing a great job. So, I want to support them every way we can if we give them that September the 30th date where there's a ton of volunteers. Thank you public all of out there helping people, but it's still honorous to try to do that kind of work as doc, you know, if

207you've described Dr. Merrick. >> All right. Um, and I'm going to have us close out with Miss Barnhart because we only have about a minute left. >> Thank you. I go back and forth. I I don't think the September 30th deadline is unreasonable, but hearing from our superintendent to say, "Let me do my job." You know, I I respect both sides of this, and I do agree. I know some of us I mean, okay, you you said it a little bit nicer, but but I mean, this is when we're talking about listening and things. when this was brought up there there was a concern of oh there's not going to be books allowed to children and so when there's some clarity of the situation that that is not indeed what's happening there is a process

208in place there are tools that we're equipping our staff with there are volunteers that are stepping in there are admin teams that are coming over to support this because while the initial load of creating this system is heavy once it's created then it's there that they are going to be using for a long time. So, I I want to respect the superintendent, but I agree. I mean, initially I'd said by the first nine weeks, I think personally is reasonable. Um, but hearing from the superintendent, I I want to give him the latitude to do his job. And so, I agree with what you're saying. I I what is the first nine weeks in? I think it's technically after September 30th. So, I personally would have a deadline after that. But, if this is what he's

209saying to let him do what he needs, I say we move forward with the substitute motion. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. So, we are at time. So, there was a substitute motion to allow the superintendent to manage this. Um, Miss Buoie, will you call the role? >> Miss Bradford. >> Yes. >> Dr. Mason. >> Was it me or Dr. Mason? >> I heard Mason. Sorry. >> Was it Mason? >> Me. Yes. Sorry. >> Dr. Merrick. >> Yes. >> Mr. Wbore. >> Yes. Miss Barnhart, >> yes. >> Miss Justice, >> no. >> And Mr. Perry, >> yes. Otherwise, I say we recommend 30 days. >> All right. That um substitute motion passes 6 to1. All right. Um now I will entertain a motion to go into close session pursuant to general statute 143-31811C for the following

210purposes. to prevent the disclosure of information as privileged or confidential pursuant to general statute 115 C-402 and not considered a public record within the meaning of chapter 132 of the general statutes to prevent the disclosure of student records rendered confidential under the family educational rights to consult with an attorney in order to preserve the attorney client privilege between the attorney and the board and to consider the qualifications competence performance character fitness conditions of appointment or conditions of initial employment of an individual employed or considered for employment within the school system or to hear or investigate a complaint, charge or grievance by or against any individual employee. >> Second. >> All those in favor signify by saying I. >> Any opposed? We are enclosed. Board members, I will entertain a motion to approve the personnel report.

211>> So moved. >> All those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> I. >> Any opposed? That passes 7 to zero. Uh any correspondents? >> I just want to say uh I really enjoyed visiting schools. I know everybody did. Thank you guys for doing that. Awesome. Thank you. and girls, ladies and especially ladies and guys, >> all you. >> Okay. Um, thank you. All right. Announcements. Policy committee meets September 9th, Tuesday, September 9th at 1 p.m. General public will have the option to view remotely. Finance, B, bond, and capital will meet Thursday, September 18th, uh, at 12:30. Board of Board of Ed will hold an agenda review meeting on Tuesday, September 30th at 2 um, here at the board of ed center. General public will have the option to view remotely. Board of Education

212will hold the October regular board meeting on Tuesday, October 7th. Um here at the board of ed at 5. General public will have the option to review remotely and curriculum committee is meeting on the 29th at 4:30. I will entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? >> That passes six to one. And we are ajourned. >> Something new. Your own life.