NHCS Board of Ed. Agenda Review Meeting | August 25, 2025

001Miss Buoie, will you call the role? >> Good afternoon. Melissa Mason, >> here. >> Josie Barnhard >> here. >> Pat Bradford, >> I am here. >> Judy Justice >> here. >> Dr. Tim Merrick >> here. >> David Perry >> here. >> And Mr. Pete Wlebort, >> present. >> All right. So, we are going to have our invocation. And after that, Dr. Merrick is going to lead us in the pledge. Good evening everyone and thank you for this opportunity to open today's meeting in a prayer. My name is Christian Rutherford and I am the youth pastor at Harbor United Methodist Church as well as one of the pastors of Surf Church here in Wilmington. Let us pray. Jesus, we thank you so much for this day and this opportunity for us to gather together in this

002space. We ask that you would give us the wisdom and the discernment that we need to make critical decisions that are going to impact the lives of our children and our youth in this city. Keep our hearts open and our minds open to being receptive. Give us grace where we need to be given grace uh and just allow this meeting to move with fluidity uh and and at peace. Lord, we just love you. We thank you for everything that you are doing and the blessings that you have bestowed upon us. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. Uh I will entertain a motion to approve the agenda.

003Somebody >> second. >> All right. >> I would like to make >> discussion. There we go. >> If we could have a twominut discussion. We won't take any more than two minutes. I passed a sheet around that I think might be beneficial for us all. Uh similar to what the superintendent does with the senior staff cover to help us all make sure we cover all the schools um as we open schools. >> Where did you want to put that? >> Uh just probably under information. >> Check >> under information. So, it's a a checklist of all the schools. Um, and we're going to discuss that a little bit more and give a little more detail about that. >> Two minutes or less. Okay. So, we have a first and a second to amend the agenda

004to add that. Um, discussion. Is there any discussion on adding that? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> That passes seven to zero. >> Point of order. Madam chair, where should we put that on the agenda? >> Information. information. >> He had information. Yeah. >> There's no vote to do it or not. >> All right. Uh Mr. Perry, >> look. >> Make sure you're speaking in your mic so everybody can hear you. >> Um we spoke yesterday, I believe. I wasn't sure if it was for today or for next Tuesday. The uh discussion about the Robert's rules order training. Where is >> that's on there. That's that's under new business on today. >> Okay, I see. Thank you very much. >> Yep. Um all right. So,

005do I hear a mo Oh, Miss Justice. >> Right. Um there I would like to add a discussion under new information concerning the letter that Mr. Shoffman sent us about the agenda items. >> That's part of the agenda already. So at B >> I missed that. Okay, good. Thank you. >> Nope, you're good at B under new business. >> Okay, >> we need on today's agenda or >> today's agenda. Yes. >> All right. So I will entertain a motion to approve the amended agenda. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All right. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Any opposed? That passes seven to zero. All right. Now, looking at next week's agenda, uh, Miss Barnhart, can you keep the time for me? >> Yes, ma'am. >> All right. So, uh, we

006have our call to order, our roll call, our invocation, national anthem, and pledge of allegiance. Um, who we have, uh, Miss Justice, we have you as leading it. Did you lead it? >> I did it last. >> Okay. So, who would like to do the pledge for Miss Bradford? All right. So, we'll have Miss Bradford do the pledge for that. Um, we have the approval of the agenda, the approval of the minutes. >> Mr. Perry. >> Oh, I since we did have it again last month, the uh God bless America. I Mr. Wither Boy got to hear it this time. So, I didn't know if we wanted to continue that or what were your thoughts? >> I up to the will board. >> It's not on our agenda. It's not on the agenda. So, we're

007going to It would have to be added. >> Yes, it would have to be added. But I'll even make a motion to add it if you thought it was before. >> Well, I I enjoyed it. You know, I wouldn't have a problem with it. >> All right. Well, I don't hear a motion in there, so I'm going to >> I'll make a motion to add it to the um permanently to the schedule uh the for our regular meetings. >> I'll second you. Okay. >> All right. Discussion. >> Have we >> uh Dr. Mer uh Dr. Merrick, go ahead. >> Have we passed the agenda already? Did we just >> This is to the Nope. We're talking about the regular meeting agenda. So, he's wanting to add this to the regular meeting agenda consistently. >> This

008is what we're focusing on right now. Yep. But even to add something to the original to the agenda next week, it should have been uh submitted to us a week before this. >> So he's asking to add this >> correct extra. But didn't we already approve the agenda for today? >> No, we approved today's agenda but not the regular meetings agenda. >> Bring it to today's agenda. He would have to get a super >> right. He's not trying to do that. He's trying to do he's trying to add it to the regular meeting. >> But you can't add it to the regular meeting if you don't bring it to this meeting first. >> We're right here. >> Yeah. >> And so we're going through this. He's saying to add it to the screen. >> What

009is he adding? The song itself or discussion? >> God bless America. He's adding that the song itself. >> That's what he wants to add. >> Discussion. And >> this isn't just a discussion about adding the song. >> And I'm sorry I might be getting this wrong. And I, you know, you know me. I like my rules. It It occurs to me that if we want something on the regular agenda, it needs to be submitted a week in advance. You guys decide if it goes on the agenda or not. And then if it's not, then we'd have to have it put on to today's agenda in order to ask about it for next week's agenda. >> Yeah, that's what I thought. >> Yeah. No, that's that's it's we can't suddenly show up at this meeting to

010decide about what we're going to put on next week's agenda >> unless >> it doesn't work that way. Unless you unless you change today's agenda which we've since we've already approved today's agenda it needs a super majority vote >> lawyers >> Barnhart out here >> I don't think my colleague is incorrect in what he's saying except the fact we are on our white paper agenda we are under the review of proposed agenda items and so the discussion is saying to amend the agenda to add that for next week. He's asking for that discussion >> right now. >> But it would take a super majority vote since we've already approved today's agenda. >> We approved today's agenda, not next week. >> Yes, I understand that. But if we talk about it has to be on the

011agenda, >> Mr. Wilmore. >> Well, if you think about it, if next week if Mr. Perry hadn't said a single word today and next week he came in and said I'd like to ag to amend the agenda to add this to add to the the song then it would not take a super majority it would take a majority so but then you wouldn't have nobody to sing it so I mean >> between hard on that one >> miss justice >> well and I've lost a little bit here I'm trying to think about the the utility of addressing this right here for the reason you just said um I mean if you can do it all next week then what's the without a supermajority it >> and I thought you said it's already on the agenda

012we're going to discuss what will be on the agenda for next week is that >> that's not part of it >> what's the proposed agenda >> people can have the I thought we were >> Bradford. >> Um, >> we're 10 minutes into this meeting and we're supposed to be, you know, advancing pretty quickly here and we're still stuck in We approved the white page agenda. We have not yet approved the green page agenda. This is coming under the green page agenda. So, he's right, but we really need to move on. Let's just I call have a vote. >> Point of order, madam. Uh, I I appreciate wanting you to move this on. I do, too. If it's not on the white agenda, it cannot be discussed today for the green agenda. And we've already approved

013today's white agenda. So, >> what's the running? >> There was a point of order. I don't understand exactly what the discrepancy is or you're saying you don't want the vote to occur. >> Super majority. I'm trying to I'm just trying to gauge >> point of order for you to uh rule on is whether or not we would need a supermajority vote to approve something today that's not on our agenda to put on next week's agenda. >> So based off of past practice, we have added things at the agenda review in past practice. So I am going to rule that we do not require a supermajority for that because in past practice we have added to the regular meeting agenda during an agenda review >> after it was already on the white sheet. This is not

014part of our discussion today. It's not on new business. It's not on old business. It's not on information. >> so we need to add it to this. I mean justice rules are >> I just want to see us follow procedure. >> That's very different from procedure. Just because we did something and we shouldn't have done it doesn't mean if we do it now we can do it. I mean he just said that we'd ruled for today's if we want to add it for next week fine that's all it is following policy and procedure. That's all that makes that's what we are complaining about constantly the public is is because not all the time enough that it could be become an issue with this board. So let's try to stick to policy and procedure. It had

015already been approved today's agenda. It would take a super majority obviously if you do want to change it now or we can vote to have it added for next week. Is that correct? >> I'm looking at the policy. It's 2330. It says at the meeting the board may by a majority vote add an item that is not on the proposal agenda before the agenda is adopted. We adopted today's agenda. We have um All right. >> But we have not adopted We have not adopted next week's agenda. >> Next week's I mean it's >> and that's the proposal to go with majority to put something on next week's. >> Do we need a super majority to put it on next week's agenda? >> No. No. >> Okay. And that's what I'm that's what I'm saying as

016well. So, we're going to table this until next week when he brings it up and and offers it. He can't bring it today because it's not on the agenda. >> No, he's saying >> what what the attorney is saying. Can you can you read again what the policy says, please? >> At the meeting, the board may vote add an item that is not on the proposed agenda before the agenda is adopted. >> After the agenda has been adopted, the two/3 votes required to add an item. But I thought we already had a space on today's agenda. we do for discussion of >> which is what we're currently that's what we're currently doing >> which you know saying should we add x y or z would be germanine to that I mean it would fall under

017that umbrella you would think I mean if if >> then we would never have to submit a week ahead of time >> madam chair you >> and I'm going to rule that that is um well that is wellreceived um we're going to continue and I want to say I don't think anybody has called any question. Um, >> did you >> and if you would like, I would offer a substitute motion that we just >> give this a month to get it straight for next month and not deal with it anymore today since there's contention among board members. And we are now 13 minutes into the meet. And so if you if that would fall on good ears, I offer substitute motion to the motion that we straighten out this legally with the attorney and then

018everybody knows two weeks from now where we stand on adding things to the green agenda when we're in the white agenda meeting. >> All right. Is there a second to that substitute motion? >> I'll second it. >> Okay. >> Do the motion one more time? >> Maybe >> I can try to help. I think I got Um, we're going to just postpone this discussion to the next couple of weeks to where the attorneys are going to render us a firm decision. The chair is going to render us a firm decision and then we we're not putting any more time to this because by the time we vote it's going to be 15 minutes into this meeting and it's a 4-hour meeting. So, all right. >> One hour. >> Mr. Perry, >> I thought you already

019made a rule that >> I did. I did. >> Attorney's over there still got his hand on his head and looking. >> Yes. I'm sorry. >> He's looking a little challenge. So, I just want to move on. Whichever is the quickest way to go. >> Yes. I was >> So, at this point, we can vote on his motion or we can vote on the substitute motion, which is >> I thought he seconded the substitute. >> He seconded the substitute. So, we vote on the substitute and then the Okay. So, we're going to vote on the substitute motion. If that passes, then the initial is going to be >> null table. >> Correct. Thank you. >> Yep. Thank you. >> All right. Y'all are challenging me today. >> Sorry. >> Thanks. Um I guess um Miss

020Buoie, will you call the rule on this? So, this is to postpone this discussion for two weeks um until we can get a firm answer from both the attorneys and myself. >> Miss Justice, >> yes. >> Dr. Mary, >> yes. >> Mr. Perry, >> no. >> Miss Barnhard? >> No. >> Miss Mason? >> No. Is it >> M >> yes and M when I get I know I think this meeting is >> okay. All right. So um postponing it has been voted down. Um so the original motion is to add God Bless America to the agenda for next week. Miss Buie, will you call the role on that? Is there >> discussion or no? >> Oh, is there discussion? Yes, Miss Barnhart, go ahead. >> I'd just like to say I did enjoy the fact

021that we were able to sing. I think that um adding this continually to our set meeting agenda uh should not be a viable thing that we continue to do. I think it is in good spirits to maybe do it in July and August uh as an annual thing, but I don't think it should be added to consistently our agenda. Thank you, Madam Chair. And >> Dr. Um I am not going to be in favor of it for for two reasons. One is the national spirit of um of what's happening in our country today. But the other reason is for what I said before. I I have a feeling I didn't explain myself well and for that I apologize. If we were to allow this to go on to next week's agenda, then it would say

022to me that anything I ever wanted to put on the agenda, I would not have to submit one week in advance. I would just bring it and we'd vote on putting it onto the agenda. And I don't think that's how we're meant to do our agenda review. >> Miss Justice, I saw your hand. I cannot emphasize enough that we don't have time in our meetings to be spending extra time singing another anthem in a sense. We've already got the national anthem. Uh when I was a child, I love God Bless America. I've grown up and can understand a lot more about it. Um I think we need to focus on our business, not celebrating our country, which obviously we love or we wouldn't be sitting up here now. takes a lot of sacrifice to be

023public official and obviously you love the country or we wouldn't be doing it and u you know we just need time to work on our our our situations here in the school school starts tomorrow focus on education not more pageantry I guess that's the word got enough pageantry let's stick to what's important >> all right Miss Julie will you call the role this is to add uh God Bless America to the practice >> Miss Bradford Yes, >> Mr. Wilboard. >> Yes. >> Miss Mason, >> no. >> Miss Barnhart? >> No. >> Mr. Perry? >> Yes. >> Dr. Merrick? >> No. >> And Miss Justice? >> No. >> All right, that motion fails. Continuing on the agenda, we have the approval of the minutes. Um, we have the approval of the agenda. We have the approval

024of the minutes. Uh recognitions. How long is that going to take? 10 minutes. Okay. Um administrative introductions. 10 minutes will be good, but I'd also like to see if we could add the excellence exemplified recognitions. We have those for this one. Thank you. >> And do you need extra time for that? >> Five minutes would be great. Thank you. >> So, five additional minutes, please. Introduction. Um report five minutes. Board chair report five minutes. Call to audience 60. Um we don't have anything under information. Okay. Um, going on to the consensus items. If you have a question about a consensus item, please stop me. Uh, memorandum of understanding between New Hmer County Schools and Pender County Schools for CEK enrollment. Um, I'm going to go Dr. Merrick and Miss Bradford. >> Um, first of all,

025and this is just clarifying for me, uh, is there a waiting list to get into CEK? >> I will ask. Uh I do not think that there is >> I think I think they took everyone that was >> that everyone that was accepted. >> So their wait list is not exist >> and this is only a oneyear agreement. Is that correct? >> No, we allow students from Per County to enroll in CEK as well. >> You do um has a >> fairly minimal number but >> 23 is on the it's listed as 23 potential, right? Mhm. >> Um, have there ever been a waiting list at CEK? >> Yeah, I think so. In the past several years, there have >> I I guess what I'm saying is, are we telling new Hannover County kids that

026there's no room to go to seat and we're letting having their kids come in? I guess that's what I'm I'm looking at. >> Okay. >> We've got >> one last question I would have about that. Uh, >> do you have an answer? I'm I'm 100 years old. So I was you know when they when CEK started and actually it started uh as a uh partnership between Pender and New because I was actually Pender when it started. So I think that's you know that's where it actually started was they Pender it's in New H County but it was a partnership. >> I know that Pender has now a great CTE program of their own that they have uh that I've seen uh you know a presentation on at a recent meeting over at UNCCW. I guess

027my question is, are we are we doing adequate outreach to our new Hannibal County kids that might benefit? And so I, you know, I'm just trying to give first preference to our kids and making sure that we're reaching out to them. >> So I know we accepted every student on the waiting list this year. Um, and our counselors do a good job in eighth grade of of blanketing and making sure kids know to apply. So um, I can check other information about about you because one question I just I know the answer off the top of my head is whether I'll be >> for those students as well. >> So, I'd like to make sure I know that answer. >> Um, Miss Bradford, >> that was one of my questions is about the ADM. The

028other one was the total student enrollment there. And if I read this right, I I could, you know, I read them earlier, but if you let them in this year, then they're good for four years. So, it's it's a long-term commitment. But what is the student enrollment there? Anybody know? >> About 260 265. I'll look up the exact >> number 246. >> Miss Barnhart. Oh, wait. Did you miss Justice and then Miss >> Barhart? I am concerned about the cost for September. We were talking about the ADM, but also do we spend any extra costs as far as the kids participating in take their classes going to CEK? How does that work? Do we spend extra? Are we spending extra on the Pender kids or No. If we are, then wouldn't Kendrick County be the

029ones be should be spending the extra, not us? >> Let me get the answers to those questions. I don't want to be wrong. Okay. >> So, let me let me check that for sure. >> And can can I follow up? Go ahead. >> Okay. I actually I did work with I worked in Pender County. I guess it's been about five years ago and they do have an excellent um program over there. I I mean I actually worked with some of the teachers was an after school program. So, I'm not sure why they're going to CEK, but they have great they have a great program. U Miss Barnhart >> my question comes along the line of is there intention with expansion I know whenever it first opened we have grown to serve the 247 number so

030I don't know if there was um conversations to increase the capability of how many students we are allowed to serve at CEK and if not I'd love for that to be a conversation as we move forward to think about >> uh Mr. board. >> Well, and I think there's one and I'm not I may be wrong if I am on, but if you look at section three there, it actually talks about a release from Pender County Schools. >> So, if they're released from Pender County Schools, then we would get the ADM. >> Yeah, >> I think that that's correct, >> Madam Chair. >> Oh, thank you. >> Uh, Mr. Bradford, I just read recently that they just got a Spark Lab. So, those kids could end up sort of migrating anyway. >> You know, the

031Pender County. They've got they've got their own spark left now. Just starting. >> Nice. >> All right. Any other questions about that? All right. >> Did the super have an answer for my question? Have a super for Do you have a super? Oh my gosh. Do you have any answer for her question? >> Conversation about increasing the capacity and the amount of students that we're able to serve at CEK. >> I'm actually looking up their capacity right now to make sure I'm right on that. Their their capacity is is larger. So the capacity is over 300. >> Oh, okay. Cool. >> That does make a difference. Thank you. >> Okay. >> All right. So, we can move on. >> All right. Anything else? All right. Um B. Contract with New Hmer County Health and Human

032Services for school health services, school nurses. Oh, gracious. We have I'm gonna This time I'm going to go Miss Bradford and then Dr. Merrick. Uh, whoever put this information up, I love the the second sheet where it shows us 25 and 24 um expending. I just wanted to point out, you know, how much it was and how much it is. Um, and just remind everybody, I'm doing this now, so we don't do it in the in the regular meeting, but I have in my book here, the sheet, and there were four of us, Miss Sutton, Dr. Barnes, me, and Dr. Merritt were sitting in that meeting, and we're looking at the agenda, and it has just a little line item, you know, about moving the finances. Number nine, 3.7 million funding for school nurses to

033be from the mental health fund. Um, and scale the school nursing standard. We had no idea it was going to cost us so much money. And again, I'm not happy about it. I appreciate the information that we've put up here and I just hope we can we can do well with it. Um, probably going to want to pull it off um next week and talk about it more. Maybe Dr. test some new information for us then, but um we're stuck. >> Dr. Merrick, >> I I feel like, you know, we probably all know what's going on amongst ourselves, but part of the reason we're having this meeting uh taped and live streamed is because the the public wants to know this information, too. And I just have to point out that uh I didn't exactly

034know how much money it was going to be because it was not really part of our budget. was part of the uh county budget that went to the health department and the health department hires the nurses. But if I'm reading this correctly, we're talking about over $1.4 million less that the county is giving to the health department so that we can have nurses. >> And I think it's really important to say, hey folks, this is what our county commission has done for us. They've taken $1.4 million away from us for nurses. And I really uh I don't know how to say this. I understand when people need or feel there's a possibility for cuts, you talk to parents, especially parents whose children have health concerns, whether it's medications, an inhaler, blood pressure medication, you know,

035they have diabetes, they have whatever going on, they have to have those pills. And you know, Exactly. and and there's a not a nurse at that school and they and that you know Carolina Beach sharing with Ashley. I mean there's a long a lot of distance between those schools and so I know that I'm preaching to the choir here. I know we all feel the same way but I think it's important the public understands what happened to us and that it was not our choice to cut these. >> Uh Miss Barnhart >> I do have a question for the superintendent. Um I know in the budget on the state level there was an aotment um similar to how there's a lotments for the media center specialists and counselors and things like that. There was an

036aotment that expands for health. Um so I don't know if you could speak to how we're utilizing that state aotment and if there has been a reevaluation if we're going to change so that um with the changes on the local level if we're going to utilize nurses from the state aotment. So that funding source can be used for a lot of different things. It's for nurses, we can use it for counselor, social work, those kind of things. >> We um so two things. One, this contract is the same amount of money that the county used last year for nurses as well. So this the New H County Schools is still putting up the same amount of money that we put up last year for the amount of nurses that we can afford on our side

037of things. Um, one little tricky thing about that allotment for nurses, nurses used to be embedded inside the instructional support allotment. >> Uh, when they pulled them out, they then doubled the amount needed. They they have the amount that they were giving us for instructional support. So, it was a zero sum game for the school system. They did not give us more staffing. >> They just said instead of 210, it's now >> and nurses were over here instead. So it really was not any more funding. So that is in Ashley, correct me if I'm wrong, that's in excess of what we get from the state for those that number of positions anyway. Correct. >> Yes. So the the a lotment that you're referring to um we use for EC health services positions and so we

038don't have employees on staff which I know you know we don't have nursing on staff, >> right? Um but we do use that aotment but once again we're using that towards EC positions um to provide additional support to those kids. >> Thank you. >> And if I can clarify one other thing >> because Mr. Willoughbore was right and I don't want that to go unheard. >> The state does cover the ADM for CEK regardless of whether those are Pender or New Hover students. >> So we get the ADM for them regardless. domestic laws >> was asking Miss >> Justice, I want to go back to state aotments. This is information for the public. >> Um the state and we've talked about this a lot and this is the reason we're in the shape we are

039in now. We are really horribly underfunded. Um that is the reason that the county has to come and try to carry the difference. Luckily, we have money in this county this cycle. I guess we don't have the money that we should have because it's out there in my opinion. Uh but the state a lotments do not provide with enough nurses for all of our schools properly. That's why the county we we have a little play with it and that's why the county's been so generous to help us. So if those people out there are concerned about what's going on, you know, talk to your representatives at the state because they're the ones that are causing this problem, you know, on top of maybe the local underfunding. Really, we want nurses in the schools. We want

040mental health people in the schools and sadly that's not what's going on right now according to the state aotment. >> Well, I think your point's well taken because if they were staffing assistant principles >> at a level where they were covered in schools, we could use that money that we're paying locally and shift those to nurses. So it really is sort of a the money can can shift a little bit in that regard. If they were funding the other things at the level that is required >> that would free up availability at the local level to do things like nurses with that if that makes sense. >> Um Miss Bradford >> and just two things on that. Um I have a question specifically about theou but remember the language said we're going to follow the

041state standard. The state standard is one nurse per how many kids? 700 and something. Um, so we have to change some of the state standards is is one of the things that we need to do long term, but I have a question about theou. Normally on theseus between outside entities, and I know it's the county, but still I got to ask and I sent I sent an email this morning, but that person's not here. Um, I don't see any of the language that talks about, you know, their background checks and their uh sexual, you know, sexual record checks. And so I don't see that in here. So, whoever did this, is that covered somewhere else or is it because it's a county agency? We don't have to put that in there. Anybody know? Or can

042we know by next week? >> Is it there? >> Oh, yeah, it is. You're right. Okay. Thank you. >> All right. Anything else? Okay. Next is the contract with Prescidio for VMware. Any questions on that? Miss Bradford, um I'm curious and would like to ask for future an information session. How many of our contractors are out of state? Because when I read through these, I look and see where the vendors from >> and so many of them are out of state. I'm just curious if we could ask for that to put somebody put that on their long list of things to do for in the future. Just so we know, because I'm curious. Any other questions? Mr. Perry? >> Yeah, this maybe Miss Bren can answer this. My understanding Presidio is >> excuse me. Um

043that that Presidio is just a vendor like VMware or various other ones. um you might have so the contractor isn't necessarily there's not like a local Wilmington company that makes VMware. I mean uh there's only a limited number of companies that make in case you don't know what VMware is. Um, and maybe the public doesn't know. Uh, you know, it used to be that, you know, when you set up servers in your in your server room for a big organization like ours, there would be like physical big boxes, you know, uh, and you'd have various ones for databases or web servers or file servers or whatever. And, uh, instead what and then you get a Windows license feature of them. You could log in and all that. the VMware correct Miss Benson can correct me

044if I'm wrong. VMware runs on one large uh computer and then virtually there are individual servers for a database server or a web server or a file server for whatever and you can still log in but there's only one set of hardware so you don't have to maintain all these separate little servers physically. >> Yes, that is correct. We use it to virtualize our servers. We have over a 100 virtual servers that we use it for. Um VMware, you cannot buy directly from them. They were they were bought out last year sometime. They're increasing how they do their funding to make it much more expensive. We are in the process. That was the Nanic stuff that you guys allowed us to purchase. So this will be the last year we purchased the VMware licenses because

045throughout the year we will be switching over to Nutanix and we will not need VMware anymore. >> All right. Okay. Uh the next one is Myrtle Grove Middle School crosswalk question. Miss Barner, >> I would just like um if Dr. Morgan could speak to the timeline of this project. I'm excited to see it, but I just would like to know kind of the trajectory of that. >> So the as far as I know, they're they're hoping to have it midepptember. Um I think that could be give or take a couple of weeks. at this point. I think they were originally hoping it would be before the start of the school year, but I know that's that's not going to happen. Um, so that's where we're at. Once once they have completed their project, we will

046then we will then create a sidewalk that from the Myrtle Grove side from the school side to meet where their project ends. >> Gracious. Uh, Mr. Wool, then Miss Bradford, >> I would just like to say this has been a long time coming. got a call I think about 5 years ago that we really needed this. So I just want to say this is excellent that is come to fruition. >> Miss Bradford and I agree. Um and Dr. Morgan I would ask the school has been asking for years to have a bus stop so that parents can drive the bus to events that they can participate in. And is there anything going on on that? >> I don't think I understand for parents to get on the bus. >> No. No, no. City bus stop.

047City bus city bus city bus stop a bus stop because the closest bus stop to that school is >> oh golly you'd have you have to come up or go south go south on Carolina Beach Road walk through the Monkey Junction intersection literally um to get to the school. And so they have a they have poorer attendance of parents to events because they have no way for parents who use the city transportation to get there. Um, and I just want to put it on somebody's burner at some point because they could really use that. I mean, it's been years and I did some checking three years ago and gotten nowhere. >> Okay. I'll be happy to investigate. I I have not had that conversation with anybody, so I don't have any information. >> Uh, and

048along my colleagues lines, I think that that goes into play with all of our middle school and high schools. So maybe that would be a discussion with um planning department of the city and county to see if there's an opportunity to have a route that we could, you know, be in closer proximity to some of our school locations. >> Thank you. >> Next up, contract with child development center for developmental day preschool services. Any questions on that, Dr. Merrick? >> Yeah, I guess I'm just wondering. I'm assuming that this has actually been part of the budget all along. This is maybe just a slight deviation from where you thought it was before. But I guess my question is it sounds like we're contracting out services in thisou. Is it something that we just don't have

049enough capacity to have in-house uh staff that would I would think be more affordable or not? >> We've been contracting out with CDC for many years um to do this. This is for our highest level of need students. We have about 80 um slots over there. Um so it is pass through funds. So we get funds back from um the state um for these services. We just have to every month submit the roster of students we have there. So I think we initially from our side we pay 17 to $19,000 just for kind of other fees but we typically get all this money back from the state each month. >> It's just a little pass through thing that you Yeah. Got it. Thank you. That's all the question I have. Uh, Miss Bradford. >> And

050I would just point out I did the math this morning. Um, if I remember correctly, it was up to 80 students. Am I in the right amou? Yes. >> And I just divided it. Divide a million one by 80. And that's how much these that we're we're the state is investing in these kids. Um, it's a lot more than our ADM. >> All right. Next is the North Carolina Education Lottery applications for fiscal year 2025 2026. Dr. Merrick, no. This is this is perfect. This is perfect. This is exactly what we want. >> Um the I I can't tell you how many people keep asking me, well, what about the lottery? What about the lottery? You know, we hear it everywhere we go. >> They get scam going. >> So, two things I would like

051to say about it. Looks like it from my quick look over it looks like about a little over $6 million coming here from the lottery for these uh these uh contracts we're looking at here. Um is that the sum total of money that we get from the lottery this year? >> I thought it's closer to I thought we >> No, I'm I'm guessing that would be missing. I'm not sure. I believe that everything that we have that we have planned to apply for is the sum total of what we're getting this year. I'll allow Miss Sutton to correct me if I'm wrong. >> That's the sum total that I'm planning for right now. 15. But um during the budget process when we identified capital projects that total that we of projects that we identified that

052would be funded through lottery that was the total estimate that we were we had planned to receive this year. Sometimes we do get a little more than what we estimate and then we would bring additional applications back to you later at that time. I just want the public to understand that this we're talking about $6 million from the lottery for these here. >> And the this is just more of a a quick statement than anything else. >> The way we've worded it is the education lottery. And from what I understand, they're no longer calling it that because it's not. The money doesn't it sends some of it to education, but mostly it seems to go back into the state's coffers. >> It caps, I believe, at $und00 million. >> Yeah. So, anything over that that

053gets spent is delivered back to the state. >> Um, Miss Bradford and Miss >> and that I was going to follow up on that myself because that's one of the things I think we could put on next year's legislative, you know, because if we can get that cap higher, we can get more money. Um, but that's one area where we need to focus some attention. It's a long-term thing, but, you know, it it isn't an educational property. I I just wanted to point out, I don't want to nitpick, but in their paperwork, they do refer to it as the NC Education Lottery. And so, since I was using that as part of the distinction between the two funds, I wanted to try and honor their language as well. >> Yes. >> That being said, I

054have no argument yet. >> Uh, Miss Justice and then Miss Burnhart. >> Well, I guess this is an educational moment for the public, too, if anyone's listening. the educational X educational lottery at this point I think it is only about 15% of the total preceeds are used for uh actual schools itself that might be the reason they changed the name most of the money that they bring in is for overhead for the actual lottery itself and the winnings um also when this was conceived and I was I was in education I am like uh Mr. Wer there. I'm not young. Um, originally the plan was to have all of it except a very small amount go to education and that was on top of what we were already raising as far as a state uh

055contributions towards education. What happened and it turned out pretty fast is that the state cut back whatever money came from the lottery, paid us less from state coffers and use the lottery to fill the gap. So it was it's not even being used for the original intent which was to help above and beyond what we were getting from the state. I want to clarify that because people keep saying what about the state lottery. I would say quit saying that. It's not helping except for some capital and it's not the capital that we was originally promised. Capital by the way means for buildings. We don't have any of this money going towards education staff. Want to clarify that too. >> Right. Miss Barnhart. >> I want to point out a couple things. Um it is on

056our legislative agenda to talk about increased capital funding from the state specifically to talk about that lottery funding cap um because we do have um I think the total list is $638 million of capital needs and so that is on our legislative agenda. I know I have um been vocal about changes with that. I remember from recollection that we were estimating close to $2.3 million from lottery funding. So if it's up to six, we have significantly increased the amount that we are anticipating receiving from the state. Is that a accurate statement? >> I think you're right. I was just looking at at calculating these as well >> because if it's if it is 6 million, that is substantially more than what we're >> It's not that high. And if you'll give me just a second,

057I can tell you what we're looking at. And then I know that we were able um this district was able to secure close to $3 million for capital with buses and things from the state as well. Again um echoing our legislative agenda of having capital needs come from the state which is not typical. >> So um I would like to I would like to know the difference of if it is closer to 6 million then that's substantially more than what we were anticipating and that's a good thing. I'm sorry I have not added up project lottery money. So I I would have to pull my notes from the budget process and compare to the application. Think Dr. Morgan is doing the math. Come back. >> We'll come back to you Dr. Good morning. While you're

058while you're mapping, um, next up is Department of Health and Human Services. >> Transportation contract. We'll pause that. Go ahead. >> I apologize. So, the the sum total for the applications in here is 3.194. >> Thank you. Um, Miss Justice, >> I want to clarify too, although we locally are supposed to be funding capital, that's the state mandate is, the state does contribute to capital on and off for various reasons. So, it's not just one employ only comes from local. All right. Um, so back to Department of Health and Human Services Transportation Contract. Any questions on that? >> Dr. Morgan, if you want to kind of talk about that briefly. >> I just wanted to clarify this is um not like some of the other ones that come before you. This one uh they u

059contract us to provide transportation for students in foster care and then they reimburse us based on those transportation fees. Okay. >> Next up, we have purchase orders. Any questions on those, Dr. Merrick? Um, I'm just looking because it just seemed like it stuck out like a sore thumb. $223,000 for an attendant at Legion Stadium. It didn't say attendance. It said attendant. >> What do they do? >> I'd like to get that, Sar. Can I get that job? And where do I apply? >> Yeah, I have the same question. >> Yes. Legion Stadium attendant fee $223,700 at operations. Um, I believe that's our part of the the payment that we're required to make to use Legion Stadium. Um, I don't have a contract in front of me, but I can look it up. >> Right. While

060you're doing that, Miss Burnhart, >> I'd like the clarifying of the UNCCW for Isaac Bear Early College, the $180,000. Are we paying tuition for our students to be able to get their four-year degree or what is that going for $180,000? >> 20 then >> the UNCWOU 2526 the $180,000 for Isaac Bear early college. Second item, >> that contract pays for um the liaison um part of the liaison fee that goes between Isaac Bear and UNCCW um and also fees associated. So it would be um like technology fees that we have to pay. So fees beyond tuition. So we do not pay tuition. These are not pay tuition. Thank you, >> Miss Bradford. >> Follow up on that, Miss Sutton. $180,000 for liaison and what can you explain what would be? >> So, it's going to

061be um the liaison salary and benefits and then also any fees associated with going to Capefir beyond um tuition. So, there's a technology fee. I think there's a student fee as well that we're required for pay and I I don't recall but I if it's um Kate fear or >> um a parking fee >> is textbooks in there as well Ashley >> um textbooks is I don't think textbooks is included in this amount but we do um we do pay for textbooks but I don't think it's a part of thisou it's what we pay for our kids. >> Can you explain what the liaison person does? >> So, um I'm outside my my area a little bit, but my understanding is the liaison works with our principal at um our schools um and coordinates to

062ensure that the students are taking classes at the program that they've signed up for. So, it's kind of like a counselor. Um, but work our counselor and then working with the I'm sorry, Kate Community College as well. >> UNCCW, >> I mean UNCW. They So, they all have that position. Sorry. UNCCW is what I'm keep saying. So, Kier. >> All right. >> I would follow up with that. Can we get a real breakdown of that $180,000? Because we're we're talking about Isaac Bear in the in the immediate future and it's just I didn't know we paid them $180,000. So I'd really like to understand exactly what we spend in it for. >> Yes. So um we should have that in theou which should have I believe gone to the board already um because allus come

063to the board. So I will find that and bring that back. Thank you. >> And I was just going to add I will be happy to look into the uh Legion Stadium attendant fee. I have a feeling I know what it's for but I don't want to guess. >> Okay. Appreciate that. We'll come back to that at another. >> Yeah, we're not being mean. We're just if we're going to nickel and dime everything throughout the school district for the next two years, we need to understand what we're spending our money on. >> All right. Um, did you have another question? Go ahead. >> Sorry. I was going to ask so the um the dual language Spanish immersion program participate are we um is that money to sponsor individuals to come over here and be teachers

064for an extended period of time? Thank you. >> And that is a that is sort of a balance point because th the teachers that come to us through participate do not receive uh a pension benefit and so some of that money is cost savings and so it balances itself out. >> They're able to stay for five years. Is that >> they're able to stay for three with a renewal for two additional years. >> Okay. So up to five years. Okay, are we good on that one? Okay, contracts extending into fiscal year 2027. Any questions on those? >> Okay, >> which number that would be? >> Which number are we on? >> I I'm trying to >> I think have a question. >> Dr. Merrick, go ahead. >> Um, so Zpace is on here and yet

065it's also on a separate item that we're going to get to at the bottom, I believe. And it also seems like it's more than the 100,000 to 300,000 bucket. I'm wondering why it's listed here or I'm just getting I'm just getting confused by it, I guess. >> So, this is a purchase through CTE funds. Um, the one on my list, I will look to see the other one on the agenda. If that's CT or not, I don't recall. I'm pretty sure it's the same number, so I thought maybe they were the same item. 210. >> It does say CTE on it. >> The one on the agenda is um for a renewal for those laptops that provide students with the opportunity to work with 3D images. And the one on the agenda is a five-year

066contract that pays for that five years. I don't if it's duplicated. >> Yep. So it would um so if so here here's things that might cause confusion and if we need to do something different we certainly can. There are a lot of things that come to the board and that also show up on my reports as and it's duplication but it's duplication because um my report is showing all the things that cross years >> and so those things should come to the board already either through aou or through a contract but my I'm required according to our board policy to bring you a report that shows all the things that cross years. And then same thing for um the the PO report that we looked at earlier. That's between the 100,000 300,000. You may see

067some duplication there as well because I'm required to bring to you guys a report that shows those things within that amount. And so my reports are just making sure that you guys are aware that we're spinning between these thresholds and that we're crossing years with contracts. So there that's why sometimes you will see duplication. >> Yeah. So we >> know it's there, but we're not we're not paying twice for this. >> That's exactly right. Reporting for you. >> Appreciate it. >> Okay, Miss Bradford. >> I'm very curious as to there's six or seven line items here. Um, and and under vendor name, it's fireplace, school status, and under project name, I think that spells out s'more, which is the, you know, the cracker and the chocolate and marshmallow. And I'm just really curious. They're all

068at $179 except for um Rightsboro, and they get $299 for that. What What is that? Are we having s'mores after school? >> Uh, no, we're not having s'mores after school. That's the piece of software that schools use to write newsletters for parents. Um, there are different prices because it depends on the there's different levels of the license you can purchase and when you probably I would imagine Riceboro is giving them more features than the other one. I have actually reached out to all the schools and am going to get district pricing. So these schools, as long as they did theirs within the last month, we'll get their money back because we'll get the license at a cheaper price than what they're having to pay because I'm combining it together as one district. Cool. Good job.

069>> Mr. Perry, >> I'll make continuing with do we >> So you're saying this they they create the parent newsletters of this. Don't we already have like like Microsoft Publisher or any number of other things in our office using >> this application and I have not used it. I've used it as a parent. I've seen it as a parent. I've not one used it to write stuff. The schools like using this because there are templates. There is data that comes back. They see how many people have opened it, read it. There's quite so the the afterwards is important to them. they will not have with the basic Microsoft tools and I don't think they make publisher anymore but I'm sure there's something else that they use but it won't get >> I think >> I

070I'm okay as long as we get s'mores next month that's all I'm saying >> fire pit figure it out figure it out >> yeah all right >> ice cream >> at the will of the board all favor more libraries. >> Oh, yeah. And the next one's a big deal. >> So, next is uh school sponsored clubs and student activity fees. Anybody have any questions on that? >> This is the same fee schedule that you saw last year. It does not change any of the fees. >> Okay. Miss Justice >> Pete, this is good. This is fine. Um, I'm going to hold my thought. I'm going to talk about something at another point. Okay. >> This is fine. This is good. >> Okay. All right. Any other questions, comment? Okay. Um, okay. Building project list for

071inclusion in county debt issuance plan. And I see Miss Bradford has her hand raised. I printed it out and I don't understand why it's in here. And if we approve it next week, then what does that mean? Um, I think I know what this is, but I'd like more clarification. Why is this in a consent agenda? It's not anou. Um, but it's inclusion in the county debt insurance plan. So, this is a pretty big deal. So, I think we need to allow a little extra time to talk about it next week. We have finance this week, and I assume we're talking about this this week. Um, it looks very similar to what we're talking about this week in finance, capital bond. Um, but y'all need to really study this list because once we make our

072vote, we make our vote. >> Uh, Miss Barnhard. So this is not the list of projects that we are saying to go on the bond. This is just the total list of projects if we could do everything. This is just giving the information ultimating of this consent agenda item. This is not us approving all of these for the county funding at this time. It was just them having access to the list that they have access to. >> Yeah. Remember we took a vote in finance uh maybe two meetings ago of what our top priorities were. >> We have this is everything. >> Yeah. >> So this is it. I just want to understand that agenda and madam chair I don't know but my understanding of seeing this is you're literally just giving that paper openly

073to the county and saying these are all the projects that are on potentially the horizon if we have $628 million. Am I incorrect in that assumption? >> Miss Sutton, do you want to >> Yes. So, because of the timing, I I didn't want to miss the opportunity of bringing projects to the board for the board to talk about. So, um this week at the finance capital bond committee meeting, um we're actually going to talk about these projects. The committee has gone through they completed a ranking a ranking exercise. will have the results of that ranking exercise at that committee meeting and then the committee the goal um of the committee at this week will be to determine which projects they're going to recommend to come forward to this board. Um and then the board would

074then vote on what they want to submit to the county um to rec to be included in their debt um issuance plan. And so, um, the the reason the entire list is here for you guys is I don't know what the committee is going to decide, but I wanted to have it on your agenda so that we could talk about it um at the meeting. And of course, if we want to pull this out and have this under not under consent, have it under new business or something like that, of course, the will of the board on that. >> All right. Uh, Dr. Merrick, then Miss Justice and Mr. Perry. >> Yeah, I guess that was my committee. I'm I'm agreeing with my colleague across the hall here. Uh what am I consenting to? And

075I think uh I would echo the sentiments that it probably doesn't belong on a consent agenda, but as a new business item. >> Yep. M I would move that we move it off of consent to old business. >> Second that. >> Okay. >> Um any discussion on that motion? On that motion? >> Yeah. >> Of moving it. >> Okay. Mr. I think that's my only question would be should it be under information because um the you know those of us who are not on the finance bond committee we need to know what all these are other than just a line item so so we know what we're talking about. So is somebody be able to give a presentation on each of these? >> Um okay. Um Miss Justice. >> Okay. Um when I was in

076the board previously under a different superintendent and it wasn't Dr. Um well the way we handle our budget every year is that we had the finance committee was the whole board and the reason I bring that up is because just the things we keep going over and talking about it affects us and I know the finance committee is getting somewhat thorough more thorough but they have to bring it back to us anyway and I just thought that that was a really good idea at the time when we did it every year as a whole board along with the finance people because then we had a really clear understanding So I'm just telling you that we have done it differently and it seemed to me that was more effective when the whole board was involved in

077the finance committee. I'm just >> okay. Bradford >> and just a little bit of clarification we have gone over these things a number of times in the last since October again and again and again that information is out there. And what I would say is for those of you who are not on the committee, study this sucker and get with us in the next 24 hours and say, you know, this is my priority because the whole committee took a vote and we ranked things and he's going to share that ranking with us um Wednesday and but we're we're we're now moving into a much faster pace, but we've been studying this stuff now for years and going over it and going over it. the information's out there. Um, or just make an appointment with the

078super or Dr. Morgan and the super and go over it. But we have talked about it a lot and we're getting it we're funneling out to the point where we're going to have a vote of that committee and we're going to bring that recommendation to the full board for discussion. >> Um, and just so that we maybe I can provide a little clarity. Um, there is a a more comprehensive list floating about. Correct, Dr. Morgan? that we would that we do have access to like that has because this is very general. So like the more specific needs we do have access to would we be able to have that provided to all of the board members? >> Would that help? >> Yeah, absolutely. >> Okay. Yeah, >> there you go. >> Perfect. Um Dr. Merrick

079and then Miss Barnhard. >> I I agree about the increased uh the the need for more decisions to be made sooner. So, I'm not arguing that point. But from when I when I hear someone say, "Well, you just got to get up with us and and and it sounds like you're saying you need to come to the committee meeting." And if we need to come to the committee meeting, why aren't we on the committee? Um, I believe in committee structure and so I don't believe that the whole board necessarily has to be on it, but the whole board absolutely needs to be able to be given a very thorough understanding of it. And so I appreciate sending us that document. Um, and hopefully it's it's enough that we can really understand it and we don't

080have to come to the finance committee meeting. >> It's the last time I saw it was very thorough, very >> those documents aren't necessarily coming out of the finance committee. They've come out of general board meetings. I mean, I've got this much that we've been going over for the last >> three years, but >> on these things, >> but just so that everybody has that access, um, we'll make sure that we can get that. But there is a motion um on the table to move K into old business. Any further discussion on that motion? Miss Barnhart, I I am so sorry you did have your hand up. >> Yeah. Well, I I think it is applicable to the movement of this. I am curious cuz you it's a specific title. What we are doing is

081passing this for the county for their debt issuance plan. And how does that compare? My question is how does that compare to us identifying the processes of what we want to see go on a bond and on the ballot in 26? Is this like the initial steps of that like of this if we compare what you called it the debt issuance plan like is that the is this the first step of these items are what we're able to consider when we're discussing what projects we're going to identify for a potential bond on the ballot. >> Right? So I'm using that language because that's the language that they used in their presentation when they were talking about debt. So, the reason I'm not saying bond is because they may not fund everything through a bond. Correct.

082And so, I'm just trying to be a little bit more generic because we'll identify which projects we or we want to request that they include. >> Um, but we want to leave. Well, really, it's up to them how they want to fund it. If they want to fund it with general fund or they want to fund it with some other type of bond um so that's the reason I was trying to be a little bit more generic, but yes. So once we send the list to them, then there might be some back and forth after that um with the county commissioner. >> Okay. So this is kind of the the general list we're going to say say these are the options that we are considering for that debt acrew that we want to do and

083then whenever we decide on that number for the bond on the ballot and if they say we want to pay for XYZ of it then that's a negotiate. Okay. Thank you. I I think I understand now Mr. Perry. the the listing for New Hover High School additions to um renovations. I see at 13 what is that? 137 million. Um and of course we just had somebody in here not so long ago, you know, giving up different plans and one of them was 250 million, another was 280. Where's 137 number coming from? >> So if you look at the bottom of the document, um I've got a little note there. the 137 that we're including up above is just the it's the um option that's the um smallest amount and so it's just going to really

084cover renovations that um still need to be done at New Handover. Um but there's another this option two was 20 233 million and then the third option was 28 million but in this document just because I'm not sure which this which option the board may want to go with we just used the 137 million. >> Oh yeah I'm pretty sure we haven't voted on that yet. >> All right so the motion Dr. Barnes, you did everything. >> Sorry. It also is to give us the opportunity to then work to put out a plan over the next decade because these things won't turn around on a dime. And it may be that this is what we do with new handover over the next 10 years and then the next phases may be in the 10 years

085after that. >> All right. So, there was a motion to move this to old business. I think we're good with the discussion on that. All those in favor signify by saying I I. Any opposed? >> That passes 7 to zero. >> Um, and just for timekeeping purposes, do we have any thoughts on how long we might want for that? 5 minutes, 10 minutes, >> 15 minutes, I think. >> 15 minutes. Okay. >> And Madam Chair, just a point of information. If you guys will go back and look at the Monday the 18th New Hor County meeting, they Eric presents what he's going to present with us on Wednesday. So, you can watch that and because it really it takes it takes a couple times, I think, because I still haven't completely adjusted it and you'll

086understand what the county says, how much money we might have available, how we might could do it, and they're going to put that plan out there for us um for the finance, capital, and bond committee. So, if you just go back and watch that from Monday the 18th, you will be more up to speed on what bond funding could be and how how you could stretch it out over a number of years because obviously you couldn't do everything all at one time. There's a there's been a a large learning curve on this, but that will help you. Um, and also there's the endowment talks in that and it was it was important to look at that again what the endowment had to say. >> Sorry, which meeting? >> 18th, Monday the 18th. County Commission. >>

087Okay. All right. So, >> county commission. >> Yeah. >> Next, we're going right back up to the consensus items. Uh, L, memorandum of understanding between New H County Board of Ed and Digred Holdings, Inc. Any questions on that? Dr. Merrick. Um, following the debacle we had with power schools, I guess I'm just always concerned about our students information ending being safe. I'm wondering, I guess, is this a optin or an opt out program? Um, such that, you know, you the students can have all their information there on the on their phone and everything else, but do they if they're concerned about their their in information, can they opt out of that program altogether? First of all, the data is stored on our servers. So, it's not it's not a third party server. We're doing our

088own. They're hosting. So, the students and we are submitting all of the the high school students data. So, >> it's kind of hard to opt out of one student or two students kind of when you're kind of sending them all the information. The students don't have to download the app and put them on their phone. So, they don't necessarily have to have the transcript. But it's a program that has been piloted both at CEK and WEX with students. They're able to not only have a transcript on their phone, but Kate also has I think their IDs on their phone and they're going to be able to get like um credentials when as soon as they earn credentials, those will be on their phone. So, this is a pilot that the vendor has um is doing

089and they're trying to grow the product and eventually, you know, get it like a readily accessible and approved like eventually driver's licenses could be on it or kind of anything else could be on it. >> But it's on our server. >> It's on our server >> and we're responsible for the >> safety security. >> Yep. We wouldn't we were not willing to put it on anybody else's server. >> Thank you. >> They're also looking at adding in um employers to it as well. So when you apply, you can send your digital wallet directly to the the company. Yeah. >> So it's it's a it's a nice >> we were um we piloted at CEK and WEX and it's now going to be moving to our traditional high schools, but because it's moving out of a

090pilot, I want it to be in a more of an official for you guys to see. >> Wilmington Chamber, CLD AU. Any questions on who I ask >> or comments? Miss Barnhard, >> I just want to highlight I mean we talk about things that make New Henburg County schools and set set them above the rest. I mean this program is outstanding for our young people. Every single one of our seventh graders had the opportunity to go to these career industry exploration days. And this is something that is I don't think done anywhere else in the country. And so this is um it was a pilot program a couple years ago and my colleague might remember of the piloting with 40 kids and then 80 kids. And so now the fact that every single seventh grader

091has the opportunity and they have um a mentor program with their eighth graders and it carries on into our high school and really just spark the love of learning of what does that look like for a job after high school. and some for some students we are talking about going to college and others it's getting a credential and just really um it's an awesome program so I'm proud to have thisou and I see you know getting stipens for our staff I know that there was co some curriculum development and the chamber paid our teachers to make sure that we had alignments with the state standards of what they're expected to teach um and so I'm just grateful that we have this opportunity for our students >> Miss Bradford and then Mr. And I would echo

092what Miss Barnhart said and we were in Raleigh and this developed from a meeting we had in Raleigh while we were sitting there. It was pretty exciting. Um and it was Miss Barnhart, Mr. Worldore and I and the superintendent. We were, you know, we had no idea what we were doing at the time, but it's it's blossomed into something that's just we're so proud of. And I think one of the things that I can't quite get over is that we took students, we flew them to Fort Lauderdale to see how the airports run and then we flew them across the state where we go Tampa or somewhere and back all in one day as part of their educational program. And it's just amazing for for for high school kids, I mean, excuse me, these seventh

093grade kids to do this and to understand and it's just we're so proud of this program. It's so proud. It's very wellrun and it's it's a a testament to this board and this staff that we were able to do this. >> Wore and then Miss Justice. >> Well, I you guys took all my thunder, so I'm really nothing else to say, but I I just want to agree 100% that this is a wonderful program, great thing for our kids and we all talk about how important our our children are, which they are each member and each each person around this room. Uh but it is just a great program and we you know we thank our partners the chamber for uh you for for allowing us to work with them on this. >> Miss Justice.

094>> Um yeah I just wanted to point out when I on the previous board this program was being developed and was already in place. So I'm not sure how we went to Raleigh and developed it there because it was already being implemented as a pilot I believe it was. Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. So so yeah that's where it it's started before this pre this board. Okay. I remember because I was on the previous board. I think you were there too and I thought it was a great idea. I'm I'm glad it's further. >> Just to clarify, um Miss Barnett, correct me if I'm wrong, but we expanded it from one >> one from 40 students to all all of them, did we not? Was that not what we did that day? >> Yeah, this this

095last year we had all of our seventh graders were able to participate for free. We h even had options for on-site because we have some students that have um varying varying needs and we wanted to make sure that they were given the same exposure to industry opportunity and so I think it was pretty close to 1,400 students were given that opportunity this last year um with funding made available at the state level to the chamber um and some of these partnerships and and businesses I know have reached out to the CTE and want to say how can we do apprenticeships and internships opportunities for our students. So, this is really a taste for our middle schoolers and also our businesses to say that we have some really valuable students. And so, absolutely the pilot program

096um there was a conversation about after high school work development. And so, I was showcasing the pilot program to say this this is what's going on in New Hmer County Schools. And so then there was an opportunity that somebody wanted to invest funding for it and I said I think that would be a really smart investment and we're seeing it in our students pay off and um whoever's gets to go to the tr I told Miss Clark that I need to go out there but there's an awesome mur mural that one of the seventh graders had drawn um up showcasing all the industry exploration and so it's just really been a really cool project to be able to see. All right. Um, New Hover County Fire and Rescue. Any questions, comments on that? >> I

097just have a question. This this um was moved from New Hover High School to Lady. Is that correct? It's same program, just different location this year. >> That's correct. Because of interest. >> Perfect. >> Oh, Miss Justice. >> Yeah. Um, so it's moved from New H >> from New Haven over to Laney. So it's no longer at New Haven. >> There was just not the level of interest there right now. But theou does include the names of all of our high schools in the event that the interest increases in an area. It's already in theou that we can reinstate it at the other places >> because the the main fire station is like within walking distance of new handover. So because I you know it was a part I just was aware of what was

098going on. I'm I'm sure Dr. Morgan does too. That's okay. Well, Laney's got a lot going on. They do. All right. Next, we have Zspace software contract. We kind of talked a little bit about that. Does anybody have any further anything about that? >> You got some clarification. Okay. So, that is all consensus. Moving on to policy. Miss Dr. Morgan, what did you want to add? Sorry. >> I just wanted to clarify going back to the attendant fee for Legion Stadium. >> Perfect. That is that is actually our annual fee that we pay the city not for one person but for the maintenance operation any improvements that are made to Legion field practice field >> can't be that >> I just I really wanted to say that's not just for somebody in the bathroom handing

099out mints but I needed to double check. >> We were all going to apply. >> Perfect. >> All right. Um, next on the agenda is the policy and policy consensus. Mr. Wabore, how long do you think you need? >> Probably Well, again, we we try to get that conversation about the attorneys >> on there. So, probably again at least about 15 minutes. There's just a couple things before that. 15 to 20 maybe 20. >> Let's go with 20 if I just >> be on the safe side. >> Is it just three policies? >> It's four. Sorry. It's one that had been moved from last month and then um three that were covered in policy. Mr. Perry, >> um the wireless communication devices one obviously knew that was that just an NCA. >> Was that NCSBA

100uh suggested language? Is this based off the new law? The new that just came in through >> based off the new law. >> Okay. And uh I will say that I'm going to definitely planning on bringing some amendments for forward on 4150. So you might want to add five or 10. >> Well, we do have 20 minutes on there for four policies. >> So um >> and there's only four. >> There's only four. >> And I don't have and I'm the one that always messes things up by taking more time and I only have issues with one of them. So come on. >> No, it's it's it's all good. >> There's hope. Miss Bradford >> and I have given you guys in advance and it' be love whatever you're going to bring Dr. America, if

101you could get it to us, you know, like tonight. >> Um, but so that we can we can Oh, whoever. Oh, yeah. David. Um, so we can see them in advance. It it it makes the flow go much better. And I've given you language that I wanted to put into um 2610 board attorney um having to do with us drafting contracts and policies and contracts and things. And then um one of our board attorneys has given us a a memo in your stack to to look at in terms of what they do and so on. So if we can get those >> uh if y'all can look at those in advance, we can maybe get none in 15 20 minutes. >> Dr. Merrick, >> one of the questions I have is is around 4150. And

102if I bring it now, we can get through it faster. Uh I think next week um and I it's a request of our superintendent to just help us understand more If I understood you correctly, at an earlier meeting, you said that our lottery uh has some restrictions that we must certainly. And I don't remember what you said exactly, but I was hoping that you'd come ready to address that uh when we talk about policy 4150 in our lottery. >> Yeah. And I I sent you an email with a little more clarification about it being a rubric based, >> not strictly a lottery based for our cooperative innovative high schools. Okay? >> Because the primary concern with our CI CHS's is that the kids are ready for the rigor of work it entails. So I sent

103that an email, but I can certainly discuss it with policy if you like. >> Um, Mr. Wood >> and I think we just need to clarify what we said what was said before too because you know there was there's no like CEC there's no waiting list but there are students that applied but didn't get in because of other reason because so they were fell short on the >> anything else >> I would echo my colleague sentiment of saying maybe have a better delineation of when the lottery is triggered because there is a rubric of different priorities I mean it's preferential whatever but once it gets to the point of a lottery is that is that where the delineation is and that's where >> it doesn't really get to a lottery. >> No, >> there is

104a rubric and I've sent you guys the rubric as well. Mhm. >> But what it does is there is one qualifier that you are given a additional amount of points if you meet the qualifiers that are listed in the legislation which specifically is uh the only one that is used is whether or not you're a first generation college student. >> Okay. >> U Mr. Barry. >> And uh since you're going to be bringing some information along for that, um one of the things um you know, I know part of the rubric is teacher uh recommendation. Correct. Pretty big part. And um what kind of things go into that? Your typical one. Um, like I've said before, I I am perfectly fine with an individual assessment of uh in serving kids who are at risk. But

105I mean, is that something that's often included in the teacher recommendation? Uh, and how does that go work exactly? >> Most of that recommendation contains their ability to handle the advanced coursework required. >> I will resend the email to you guys again with the rubric and the information on it so you guys can have it to refresh your memory. And if there's any further questions we have, we can kind of bring those forward as well. >> And I was just hoping that you could print out that rubric because looking at it on your phone is really challenging. >> 25 change it to 25 minutes for policy. >> That's probably a safer number. All right. >> Are we here? 30 minutes. >> This is not an auction. >> I'm sorry. >> We are not doing that.

106All right. Um, we already have a building project list for inclusion in county issuance plan, but um, we had put on budget update somehow it kind of got missed. Um, Dr. Barnes and I had put it on there. So, um, budget update should be on there as well. >> And how long for that matter? >> Um, Dr. Barnes, how how long do you need for that? >> Uh, I'll talk about it in five minutes. So, >> 10 for questions. I'm not you >> where are we putting that on the agenda? >> This is under old business. It was supposed to be on there. It >> we budget budget. >> Oh, it's on it's on there, but it's not on the paper. >> Yes, sir. >> Madam Chair, >> under 10 minutes. >> Can we ask

107the superintendent if there's anything breaking this week that we need to know >> since this is like a 24-hour fluid cycle? >> Like a It's on there. >> No, >> it's not on the paper. It's on no news is good news. It's not on the um website. It's not on the paper. Um so 10 minutes just to account for questions. Um we don't have any new business listed. >> Madam Chair, I do have a request. >> Miss Barnhart, >> the the NCSBA, we have local delegates that we elect every year and with the upcoming conference, I would like to make a motion to add that to the agenda for discussion that we can vote on delegates in the event that we can go to. I would say by by m uh what we said before,

108Miss Bradford made a motion that we give it to the lawyer to decide whether madam >> chair. Well, who has the floor right now? >> So, um I'm I'm making a motion to add a discussion for NCSK dele vote. >> Okay. So, now there's a discussion on that. Miss Justice, >> can we please state the policy and procedure? She can add this when we go start the meeting at the beginning of the of a regular meeting, but we've already passed the time to add stuff. I'm just trying to just trying to be consistent in that's why we have the policy. >> So, I I have a clarifying question that I need to ask from Miss Barnhart. Time frame wise, how soon do we need to get this done? And would it be possible to send

109all board members an email on what that delegate duty entails. Do we have do we have access to that? Miss >> I mean I guess we could go to the NCSP website and see if there's like a description, but I mean lot in years past I it was this sparked from a conversation that um the chair and I had said I said don't we aren't we supposed to elect delegates to go to that because every single county in North Carolina gets them and if we don't as a board elect people then we have no representation to go. Um there was four of us able to attend last year in the delegate. So that that was just for that. So I don't know when the window we have to submit our delegates is. I know there's

110a conference in the beginning of November. I believe we have to submit them prior to that. The date I don't have off top of my head. I was trying you know in the tick list of all the things >> done going over notes. So that is that is the reason to bring it today. And if it's not the will to put it on, that's fine. But I just wanted to make aware that we typically have voted on delegates and I don't know when that deadline is. I mean, I could do a quick Google search, but >> uh Dr. Merrick, >> I would love to get the uh information and I think it's an important thing to do. So I I appreciate my colleagues uh effort to get this on. However, based on based on procedure

111and policy, I'm going to uh make a replacement uh motion, substitute motion that uh someone bring this to our board meeting before we pass the agenda. >> Motion. I I second. >> All right. Miss Bradford. And I would just clarify um you travel, you know, out of town and if you want to go, you should definitely, you know, ask to be a delegate. Um there's no point in going not being able to vote when you're there. Um but it does require a time commitment and a financial commitment to go and I enjoyed last year that I will not be asking to go this year. >> Mr. Um I I don't agree with my colleagues to the right uh my two colleagues to the right in that we shouldn't be able to add items to the

112agenda for the main meeting today without prior notice. But in this particular case and I think in my particular one that I tried to add earlier or I think was appropriate but I think in this particular case um I will go along with that and maybe if Miss Barnhard um does figure out between now and next week that there is a pressing deadline and we need to you know elect somebody immediately then please bring it to us next Tuesday and add it to the agenda then if there is a pressing deadline but I don't want to miss it either. >> I am not the person that gets that notification. our chairperson would be that person. So, she would have to know that deadline. So, I'm trying to Google search it. But there is a deadline.

113I just don't know what it is because I don't have access to it. >> Um, according to the website, >> that's where I get all my information from. >> Yeah, >> there isn't a deadline listed on the website. However, on the November 12th meeting, there is a call for a delegate vote. >> Do we need delegates there by >> We need delegates before then. And I'll be honest, we've always done this at the last minute. I mean, >> nothing surprising >> because because we don't find out about it and then we have to do it. So, >> last year they weren't due till the week before. >> Okay. Well, the week before >> it's hard to make it look like I know stuff. >> Okay. We I can submit it for next month. I just

114didn't want us to miss that opportunity. >> Did you want to resend your motion or do you want >> No, I'm fine with >> All right. So there is a motion to add it. >> First a motion to substitute >> Oh, there's a substitute motion, sorry, to remind me what you said. >> A substitute motion is to >> add it next week. >> Is to add it to the agenda or or ask to add it to the agenda before we pass the agenda next week, >> which is the appropriate way of bringing something at the last minute to put it on the agenda. >> Okay. So if that passes then the original >> right >> motion is not >> um Miss Buouie will you call the role on that? >> Miss Justice >> yes. >>

115Dr. Merrick >> yes. >> Mr. Perry. >> Uh yes. >> Miss Barnhard. >> No. Miss Mason, >> no. >> Miss Bradford, >> no. >> And Mr. Wore, >> um, once again, um, I'm have to say yes. >> Okay. So, the substitute motion passes. Um, if you would bring that to the board next week, Miss Bar, um, we have close session. We only have 10 minutes listed for close session. Do we need any more than that? Do we need a closed session? We'll leave it on there. >> I'd like to leave it on there, but I don't currently have anything for it. >> Okay. So, if we don't need it, we can always remove it. That's fine. >> Um, personnel report, correspondence, announcements, and adjournment. >> Time frame wise, Miss Barnhart, what do we have? >>

116Um, just over three hours. >> That's good. >> That's great. I agree. All right, I am going to um because that took that took a minute. Um I'm going to say let's take about a five minute break if we if the board is amendable to that um and then get back right back here because we do have >> a good amount of stuff to cover. So >> you you have to ask us you can you can five minutes but thank you. >> Five minutes. So back here at uh 338. again. Oh, Let's get back to it. Um, >> what are you asking me? So, >> the next thing up on the agenda is the CTE tiny house construction project. >> And I think >> sir, >> we have to start back up. CTE tiny house

117construction project. That would be you. No, >> not you. Sorry. Sorry. You have an overhead presentation. >> You all right? Do we have the >> perfect exciting project to you today is providing students with authentic learning experiences. Welcome. Yes. Now you're here. >> So, not only giving students valuable hands-on experience instruction, but also bring together to support and celebrate their students. By working on this tiny house, students will gain experience their knowledge and skills in handful. All you possibly look at the tiny house designated house that will be a fully compact home. The design includes a and insulated walls and roof. Thanks. >> Comprehensive and electrical systems, all completed under license supervision. So, inside you'll find a kitchenet, a bathroom, a cozy sleeping lot equipped with energy efficient windows and doors. Both the interior and

118exterior will be finished and showcasing the students craftsmanship. Lastly, the house. Um, as you can see right there, that's the um the floor subsystem that's already built. And you can see that when it's time to move it, if you can imagine like a big forklift thing, it's just going to up there and lift it up and put it on the bed of a truck and move it down the road. So, just a little bit closer look you have of the floor plans. Like I said, 350 ft with the living area downstairs and then a loft um for the sleeping area. >> Yes, ma'am. >> 350 or >> That's a great question. I think it's included, but I'm not positive. The flooring just the floor. I'll I'll check on that and make sure. I'm not positive.

119Um so, tying this back to um our district strategic plan. Um our goal number one is through rigorous academic at every grade level students demonstrate a readiness for productive citizenship as well as higher education opportunities meaningful employment. So as students participate in this project they will obviously develop skills in framing carpentry um but they will also apply academics like math um and engineering and build concepts throughout the whole project. Uh as far as career readiness, they'll be um earning industry credentials as they work on this project as well as have um direct mentorship from the industry professionals who will be helping them helping with electrical and plumbing and HBAC. Um, as far as the workforce connections, um, already through our community partnerships, we've have students working with electricians, um, appren electrician apprentices and working on,

120um, with construction companies already. And then future opportunities. Um we think building you know this type of tiny house and really collaborating with our industry partners will only provide more opportunities for students for internships and other work-based learning. Um so as far as the carpentry curriculum um there is a course before carpentry 1 and carpentry 2 which is core construction which mainly deals with safety and tool identification and learning how to use the tools. So, while they may be slightly involved with this, this will mostly be a project for carpentry 1 and two. Um, so you can kind of see how um this is broken down. The carpentry one students will work on the the floor, wall, and stair system because that's what's in their curriculum, while the carpentry stu two students will work on

121the ceiling and roof um applications of of the building. So you can see by our curriculum um like I said the core construction you'll have a lot of um understand a lot of objectives to start with start with understand when you move into carpentry 1 and carpentry 2 they all say apply um so we're at 83% and 94% of applying once you get to carpentry 1 and carpentry 2. So this ensures that students are not only learning but practicing critical steel skills that they will learn in their future careers future careers. Um relating this back again to the strategic plan um goal number six is to strengthen and expand community partnerships that directly enhance student opportunities and achievement. So this is kind of right in line with that. Um, first of all, would like to

122mention that we already have a formal letter of support which I believe is included in your documents from the Wilmington and Cape Pierre Homebuilders Association. Um, they have agreed to help us every step of the way with this um including um recruiting electrical and plumbing contractors, HBAC contractors to come in and help our students. Uh, especially with that work because it's not really in the curriculum. has this comment back. >> Yes, ma'am. >> No, they're they're seeking them to volunteer there. >> Oh, so it'll be a volunteer. >> Yes. Great. >> Um, so as I mentioned before also just just the mentoring and um possible internship opportunities that this will bring um will also benefit our students as well as community visibility. Um there's a let me go back to that first. That wall right

123there behind where the house is being built has already been suggested that we put um anybody who's donated time or supplies or funding. Um we do kind of a sponsor wall right there. So we we definitely want to do that to um support our community partners. And I think Miss Ashley is going to talk about some numbers. questions already. Um, Dr. Merrick, did were who was who was first? Mr. Perry. >> Oh. Um so, um I think this is sounds like valuable experience, but uh but I also we're living in a county that is quickly running out of room for new houses and actually there's a lot of public people public sentiment that says we need to quit building and save some of our trees. Um um but there's always going to be need for

124people who do this. But from a renovation standpoint, are they going to get any practical experience as far as being able to fix or upgrade uh existing buildings from participating in something like this? >> Carpentry 1 and carpentry 2 curriculums. I mean this is kind of program. So just learning um the framing just to kind of give you an example like normally to learn framing we might build like one wall and put one window in it just to learn the concept of how to frame out a door and a window. So this is just kind of over beyond learning those basic skills um project lots of other programs too. We've already um recruited the drone program at do a you know a virtual tour of it after it's done. We have interior design students at

125New Hover who will also be involved and then not to mention all the um marketing and Adobe type students that could help us market it after it's done. >> Dr. Merrick >> um as a builder myself um I can tell you that uh students learning how to do this first absolutely work understand. This is a fantastic program. I'm so excited for it. I wish to heck that I'd had this in high school and didn't have to, you know, learn on the job, if you will. Um I I'm I'm excited that the community, of course, we get the community visibility, but I'm also wondering who's going to get the benefit of these homes when they're built. Is it like being donated to like Eden Village? I mean, where who's who's going to get to live in

126this house? So right now our plan is to auction it off with the goal of replacing um the materials cost that we do have and also building another one. But we would certainly be open if we could get enough funding like to you know for the supplies for one and to start another one to to donating. I mean where our goal is not to make money. We just want to keep the project going. Miss >> you pointed. I think I'm third after. >> You're third. Oh, okay. Then I was not paying attention. I was watching this because I'm so excited about it. >> I don't know who was first. >> I think she was first. >> Miss Barnhart. Go ahead. >> Thank you. I'm really excited for this project. I know um the home builders

127association has big a big supporter of our district-wide career fairs. Um, and so when we were talking about partnerships and really rebranding CTE, you've done a phenomenal job. I know there's more work to do, but um, the opportunity for the community to invest in our kids. What there was so much spark at our last meeting to discuss this of saying, can we create a project? And what's unique about CTE is when we're able to either purchase funds and I see the request here is $35,000 so we can purchase the funding but then also in conjunction get donated time of the people coming in. This this house will be fully vetted with all the up to code things that it has to be so that somebody can live in it like full-blown. But what is really

128cool is being able to recoup that funding. So it's going to be a continual project year after year. And so the desire and the conversation has been is there's not enough people to fill the jobs for the needs that they have in our in our local community. And that's what we constantly hear of saying how can we help change that trajectory. And so this is providing an opportunity where the kids get to have this really cool project to do. In addition, they're being responsive to needs and this is bringing people in in the industry who are in turn going to say, "Hey, I want to hire this kid." I mean, and we've seen that happen coming out of our CT. That's the plan. That's right. This bill is let's get them. But that is that's

129what's so exciting about this. So, I'm definitely in favor of this of I hear what my colleague is saying of just the concerns in the community. But what what we're talking about is a skill set and the skill set can be adapted as you are creating a job in the industry field of building um and design. And so, I think this is a great opportunity. I am excited that this is kind of just you mentioned the drone program, but that's one of the it's the only one in our high school is around at Ashley. So, the more that we can showcase the awesome programs that we have and this is this is absolutely one of them. And I love seeing that we can potentially I mean probably be able to sell it for more than

130$35,000. We'll see um whenever that comes. But then to just in turn recoup that I think is a really exciting thing and I'm grateful for the partners that are already have committed to this project. So thank you Mr. Will. >> Well you said most what I was going to say but I do have something to say. First off it's great. I mean I I've heard from so many folks that you know why are we not you know putting a hammer in a child's hand anymore and that kind of thing. And there's so many children that you know don't want to follow the you know the college uh you know trajectory. So this is great. This is for our students. This is wonderful. And you know, it is uh answering that question that a lot of

131people say, you know, what happened to the old shop class or or whatever else. We're actually doing it and not just doing as you said before to to learn how to frame a a window, but learning how to actually do and and having a something at the end that we can actually sell to, you know, recoup some of the money and start all over again. So, excellent job. >> Thank you, >> M. Bradford, and Miss Justice. And I'll pick up on where he left off. Just the idea that, you know, a young person could go into school and learn these skills, this life skills, and it's going to change everything about their life. And you've just we're just so proud of what you've done here. Um, and and something that I was thinking about when

132Dr. Merrick mentioned it, you know, when they started Eden Village, they couldn't put the housing up because they couldn't get it. >> You know, it was so backlogged for those and those were basically tiny houses. So, we could actually end up in a partnership with maybe some veterans organization or Eden Village or county's talking about low-income housing all the time. So, this might can be an ongoing project with partnerships that we can't even imagine just yet. So, this is just just wonderful. This is new Hannib County schools, >> Miss Justice. >> Yeah. I'm looking for future projections going on because I think it's great. >> I looked at you. But, you know, the other high schools certainly deserve it too because they all have shot classes. a little bit. They appreciate this. So, what is

133the future projections as far as Ashley and then what going to the other high schools? >> Um well, I think you know we wanted to start with one to kind of prove the concept and um one the instructor at Ashley is very passionate about this and he has actually done it in a different district. So, he has a little bit um he has a lot of experience um in on in the same type of project. So, that's why we thought this one would be a great one to start with. So just one of it'll progressive see how well this works out because I can tell you from talking to the instructors they they'd love this. There's no doubt about it. >> Yes. >> Go ahead. Miss >> I just wanted to add some information. I

134was sure you guys would have questions about how are we going to fund this. Um, so of course anything that would be appropriate to um pay for using CTE funds, we would definitely do that. Um, however, there are going to be some costs that would not be eligible but to be paid for with CTE funds. And so with those funds, we're actually going to be looking for donations to help fund. But in case we don't get enough donations in, we do have some savings from our other restricted projects um that we're going to go ahead and budget that 35,000 from those savings. Um and and then also we have some other donations that haven't been used yet. So we're going to use that funding first, but we really are going to try to get the

13535,000 in donations for this particular project. Um and then we'll have that any extra um donations we receive along with um the proceeds from the sale to go to move forward with any other projects. Um, as of right now, um, and we're still talking a little bit, but, um, we're looking at in the 35,000 includes the auctioneer to sell the tiny house. And then, um, we're looking to include in with um the cost of the tiny house. So, whoever purchases the tiny house would have the cost of transportation. So we would certainly we have an estimated cost if it is within the county what we think that be and we also have a vendor that we got a quote from that we could suggest but of course it would be up to the buyer to

136actually move the house. So those were some things I thought you might have questions about and I wanted to have that ready for you. All right, justice. >> I I guess it's probably out of our area, but you're saying donations. There are some major builders here in this community that would really benefit from this skill set. So, how would you go about addressing this web? They should definitely be coming forward and contributing for their future. Well, that's the great part about having um the homebuilders association on board already is that, you know, they have u a foundation board that they work with and it's a lot of the custom home builders. So they're they're going to be pushing out these opportunities um to all of all of their board members >> and folks who come

137are going to get first crack at the students graduate to go into those jobs. So it's going to create its own you know >> momentum. Thank you. Mhm. Uh, Miss Brown, >> the sponsorship law also came out of a conversation from a CTE meeting with with the representative from the builder community to say, can we highlight the people who are pouring into our kids because that, you know, on the business side, they that's what they they want to be understand like we want your kids to come work for us essentially. And so, I mean, I I love seeing this. I mean, I love the design of this. I I think it's awesome. So, thank you for bringing it to the board. >> Thank you. So, as production work, it has to be approved by the

138board. So, I'm bringing you information today so that when you see it on the agenda, you can just approve it on through. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next up, Mr. Wore, your school visits. Well, and again, um, as I've mentioned, I think to everybody individually, uh, very much like our superintendent asked his he and his staff, senior staff to go to all the, uh, schools the first week of school. Uh, I passed around a sheet that um, you if we all do six schools within that week, that should cover all the schools. If you know, somebody two people want to go to the same school, wonderful. I just don't my biggest thing is I just don't want any school not to have a board member stop by. You know, if you say, you know,

139half hour, 45 minutes, if you want to stay all day, that's that's fine, too. Um I actually had a a chair years ago say that, well, if they don't, you know, oh, teachers and nobody likes, you know, board members to come. Um but the uh survey or not survey the yeah the climate uh survey we did showed the exact opposite that you know why aren't we why aren't you know so uh I think it's a good thing that we do if so you know if somebody doesn't isn't able to go then they can't go but you know it's not that's why I started thinking originally about maybe going and saying where's everybody live and trying to get schools around them but you know somebody might want not they might want to go across the town

140or something but that way there we can all hit some schools Anyway, >> and I know Oh, gracious me. I know that. Um, >> you got to be two minutes. Sorry, I lied. >> I'm disappointed. Um, so I know that we all kind of have had the opportunity. I know Miss Justice is looking at it right now. Would it be possible for you to send you like >> the blank one to us? >> What you sent us right now has is has nothing. >> Give it to Booy and see if she wouldn't mind. I think it also might be nice to have the principles >> just so that we can ensure that you said >> we don't want to miss a school. We want to make sure that every school is covered. Um so >>

14145 divided by seven is >> not even. >> Yeah. >> So it's >> well I didn't put the preks in. So >> yeah about eight. So hopefully we can cover all of >> Yeah. You know and it's it's not the first day. Maybe it's the first week. You know that way they're You can't do the first day. >> First day. I got to get my own to school. Um I don't know who had their hand up first, so I'm just going to go this way. Miss Barnhart, >> thank you. I love this idea. Um I try to get to a couple schools a week and so I I mean I wrote down the schools that I checked off. Happy to do it. And it'll be sometime this week. And if it has to carry over

142to a little bit in the following week, so be it. But um I'm committed to going into our schools and thanks for bringing to us to make sure that we can all take part in it. >> That's it. >> Mr. Perry. >> Um yes, I think this is a great idea. I've tried to visit a few schools since I've been on sworn on to the board. Um uh just logistically though, I have a question. I mean, typically when the schools that I've visited before, I usually make arrangements with the principal before I I come. Do we expect to do this in this circumstances with such short notice or what do you want us to do, Dr. Okay. >> So, just a couple of level setting things for everybody. A year ago or so. Obviously, the

143school doors are wide open for you folks as well. There are two schools of thought. One is to let the principal know you're coming so that they can either kind of get some time set up for you or whatever. Please know that if you go unannounced, I have told the principles very clearly that kids come first and parents come first. So if you get there and they are involved in something, I have told them not to stop being involved kids >> to be there. So especially in the first couple weeks, if you're going out to schools, I've told my folks that they're going out to schools with an attitude of what can I do to help, >> not can you give me a tour? Can you do this? It's really I want them focused in

144this first couple times on the kids. I think it's always nice. I think principles appreciate knowing you're coming. And so even our cabinet does that sometimes differently. I don't normally let them know I'm coming. uh Robin and Don usually do. So, two schools of thought. Just know that if you go unannounced, you may be waved at as they run down the hallway doing something else. >> No, >> I can speak. I agree with Dr. Barnes 100%. But, you know, I think we just need to get that familiarity with the principles. Perfect example, I went to Willis one time and the principal is tied up with something. I said, "Hey," and I've always said, "If you guys are doing something, you know, I'll come back another day." I call phone call anybody, you know, anything like

145that. And he, you know, it was actually uh Chris Madden at the time and Chris said, "You just go, you go, you know, you just go walk around. You know, you know how to be around the school. Just walk around." And you know, I had that that he had that trust level with me that he could just let me walk around the school and I walked and talk to some teachers and some kids and you know, so again, best part of the day for me. >> Uh, Miss Justice. >> Yeah, I guess my this is more of a procedure thing. I just got this when I came in. So, I just came in right at the time. Um, people have signed this already. Can >> shouldn't we be doing this online? It might be easier

146to keep organized, >> which is what I think is going to occur. I think this was just paper copy initially. >> Thank you, by the way, for thinking of this and doing this. Thank you for doing this. I think it's a great idea, but if we could do this online, it would just make it more effective. >> And this is just for this the first two. >> Oh, yeah. Just for one time. >> Yeah. It's a oneoff and we're not doing this. >> So, it's not it's not gonna be a repeated sign. >> No, I mean for even this I guess I've gotten really spoiled by having this technology. >> He's gonna have Crystal send it to us. >> I'm gonna give it to Miss Boo and let her >> Okay, so I won't sign

147anything right now until I I already got an idea. >> Six is easy. >> Cool. >> All right, two weeks. >> Okay, >> I'm done. >> Continuing on, um we have uh Sally's Law Resolution. Um this was brought to us by Dr. Merrick. So, I'm going to hand it over to him. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Solomon Wyn would have started school tomorrow as a senior at New Her High School. Instead, as a freshman there, and at just 15 years old, he died of complications caused by vaping. His stepmother, Charlene Zorn, and her family have had to endure what no family should ever have to endure, the loss of a child. And we have Charlene here with us today. Thank you for coming, Charlene. Since Sally's death, Charlene has made it her mission to make

148sure that no child will ever die again from vaping. No family will have to suffer the way Harris has. She has worked tirelessly speaking to schools, meeting with legislators, trying to educate parents and students to inspire lawmakers to take action. And due to her efforts, there's a bill in committee in both houses of the uh North Carolina General Assembly to create Sally's law that would bring state rules around the sale of tobacco and vaping products in line with federal laws. And I know you've all received the resolution that I sent. And so I'd like to move to approve a resolution supporting the passage of Sally's Law signed by the New Hmer County Board of Education and add it to the many dozens of other resolutions passed by governmental bodies across the state. Second, >> I

149second. >> All right. Discussion. Uh, Mr. Wible and then Mr. Perry. >> Again, thank you for being here today. Thank you. Um, what what goes on in our state and in our country with young people, the cigarettes and and with vaping is just I mean, I can't even believe. I agree with this. >> Um, Mr. I think there was a lot of um being a smoker myself and somebody who picked it up in college and it was one of the dumbest decisions I ever made. So, educating our youth about the dangers of smoking and vaping and making sure that it does not happen in any of our schools certainly is something that I support. But um you know in this country somebody is 18 years old um especially after they finish high school uh they're

150allowed to live on their own and they have to follow adult laws. And if they break those laws they go to adult prison to get the vote. They get to serve and even risk their lives by serving in our local law enforcement or fire departments. Some of them even risk their lives on foreign battlefields for our country. And I'm sorry, but if you're old enough to risk that and I think you're old enough to make your own decisions in regards to smoking and vaping. So I can't support this, >> Miss Justice. >> This is in reference to vaping on our campuses. Correct. >> This is in reference to the law having read this. Um, and there are multiple whereazes. >> Yeah. Yeah. But it is um and Dr. Merrick can correct me if I'm wrong.

151It is supporting the law that raises the legal age of sale um from 18 to 21 and also adjusts the tobacco um retailers requirements to obtain a license and permit. Is that correct? Did I get did I catch everything that was in there? >> Uh you captured quite a bit of it. Um, I think that's one thing that's really important to note is that there is no permitting and therefore no monitoring agency in North Carolina to watch over who is selling the products and who are they selling them to. And what we see is that in North Carolina, uh, one in five high school youth report vaping by the 12th grade. Um, 68% of middle schoolers who vape quit and have tried to quit, who want to quit and they tried to quit, but 64%

152of high schoolers who vape want to quit and have tried to quit and can't. So, these companies are actually um marketing to young children. >> They're they're making them mango flavored and play games when you get your vape. I mean, they're they're really helping children. And I agree with my colleague to the left that you know we should be able to give uh kids who are 18 some certain rights but it's hard to fight against marketing when you're young and your frontal cortex is not completely developed and they fall prey to it and it is interfering our schools. So it's not just the state it's our schools where vaping has become a real issue. Mhm. Um the reason well the reason I brought that up because this is the schedule. Um it does happen in

153our schools on a daily basis. I was in an open house and guess what I saw coming out of the bathroom at a high school. Um I laughed at I said it's not your class. They're already vaping in the bathrooms. Um I did smoke for a number of years and it was the worst worst habit I ever had. And I'm so glad that I quit um for multiple reasons. And I started when I was young just like this cuz it was really cool back then and it still is. We don't allow 18, 19, and 21 year olds to buy alcohol. And a lot of it has to do with the the deaths and carnage and the addiction problem. Uh tobacco in my opinion is just as bad in my opinion and the medical field too.

154So, I am for this and I am so sorry about that young man that died. That's got to be heartbreaking. And I've seen the kids do this. They get addicted and have no clue and then they smoke like chimneys. This vape stuff and it is like candy. They make it taste like candy. I mean, these are children they're marketing to. So, yeah, I I I think that this is a you know, since there's so many state laws and Yeah, I think it's a good idea. Save lives. >> Miss Barnhart. Thank you, Madam Chair. I want to um thank my colleague for bringing it to attention and um when I was reading through this, what I thought to myself is this is very much outside our lane as a school board. Um, and the reason for

155that is we we don't serve 21 year olds in the school system. But I still appreciate the bringing to the attention of the vaping of minors because that is our issue that we're dealing with. I don't believe that this resolution addresses that. And when I started looking into the regulation of vapes, that was where my concern lied. So I am gonna agree with you. I I don't um when I've gone to different high schools, the high schools have a collection of the confiscation that they have of from the vapes u from students that have brought in. There's been there's been different conversations of can we can we install vape detectors in bathrooms and you know just how can we cut back on that and there's been I mean I'm sure you guys can chime into

156what what that has looked like but the problem becomes with the distributor and the seller of the vapes because it does not go to any enforcement agency it goes to the FDA so I believe that that's the biggest problem here is right Now, in order to if a school principal they say this student knows that this this site was able to sell them the vape, there's zero enforcement agency. What the school principal can do is they can go to the FDA website and say this store owner sold to a minor. And guess what? Maybe there might be a followup from the FDA. Um, and so I I understand the sentiment and I really do appreciate it. I don't think it's going to the cause. And so I would like for us to look at having

157an ordinance so that our county sheriffs and city police officers can go after the people who sell this. So I I pause in hesitation of that from the state level for that reason. But I'm curious if we can pursue a different avenue so we can actually take action to keep our minors and our children safe in our school system and for there to be some accountability here in New Hover County um and the city of Wilmington. And so I today I don't think I'm in favor of this of adopting this but I am in favor of saying can we pursue something that actually gives accountability um with that regard because I I absolutely agree when I started looking into and having conversations our sheriff they can't they can't go after our the store owners for

158that because it's not their jurisdiction and I thought that's so that's entirely crazy. Um, so that that's where my head is on this, but I appreciate the opportunity to have this discussion and I would I would honestly like to say how can we have that dialogue? I think it needs to be both our city council and potentially our commissioners to have that um, you know, obviously sheriff department, things like that, too. But thank you, Madam Chair. >> Uh, Dr. Merrick, >> um, I agree with you that we need to have control at all levels. Um, I know that sometimes Raleigh doesn't allow local levels to have their own set of rules. Uh, but I I may be confused here, but I understand that the SAI's law does uh create permitting uh through the uh ABC

159board so that we will know who has the right to sell these. And now once we know who has the right then they can be monitored and it is being uh monitored. there are are state police and other a law enforcement agencies going in and you know confiscating vaping products that are uh illegally being sold because they came illegally into our country. So that's one thing. Another thing is that there are several other school districts within our state and maybe Miss Zorn knows the answer to how many different resolutions have already been passed by school boards, by county commissions, by other government agencies. Do I have the board's permission to just ask uh Miss Zorn to to comment on that >> board? Yeah, sure. Yeah, correct. child. Wow. >> Can I pause you just for

160a quick second? Do we have a mic available so that the community can hear her? >> You're saying all of this good information and I think that it's important for the for the community to be able to hear it too. is I don't know if that one's working. >> Thank you so much for being here and >> my pleasure. There's over 133 signed resolutions between health departments, school boards, community organizations supporting SI's law. Sally's law will put more enforcement in place is to have the give the AL the the ability to go in and have a higher level of support. The military does not allow military members under the age of 21 to bait. There's all sorts of evidence there. Um, Enso County has led the crusade in this state. They just had another major

161bust in Oslo County where they busted 17 shops in the last 3 months. In 2024, they had over 70 arrests in Oslo County. Right now when they go in they go in and bust people on um infringement is not the word but when something looks like Yoda like a toy. Oh copyright that's what they go in. They use copyright as their excuse to get into a store right now because they can't go in and say you're selling an illegal product. But your 12year-old child can go into a vape shop and buy something and nobody's gonna stop them. And if we here in New Hover County, where Solomon was born, where he went to school and died, don't say we're helping North Carolina support this, what are we saying to our other students? What are we

162saying to my son's friends that are playing football right now at handover? Um, Miss Bradford, did you have your hand up? >> Yeah. >> Would you like >> Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. I I understand the the sentiment and I understand everything you're trying to do. I am so anti- tobacco it isn't even funny. Um I can't be exposed to it or I will literally pass out in the middle of a board meeting when that happens. Um so I I get that, but I just I I I agree with Miss Barnhart that this isn't necessarily the school board's lane. And that sounds harsh, but I just, you know, I'm I'm generally anti-resolutions coming out of the school board. It's more of a thing the county does, the county commission does than us. And so I'm always

163going to not want to vote for a resolution. I check with Dr. Barnes and 8 to 10% of our students are 18 and older. So I I I I I'm I'm not going to support it. It's not that I I don't like the idea of it, but you know, we're we're we're we're stepping into state stuff that I just don't think this is our lane. Although, you know, I just I'm really I'm really torn because I want to support every good thing that comes along, but I also want to get back to the three goals of our school district, you know, safety, academic perform performance, and communication and focus our time in these meetings on that. We spend so much time on resolutions. So, if I support one more resolution, then you can say, "Oh,

164you supported this many last year." Um, so I I'm I'm probably going to vote no just because it's all these whereases. It's it's outside of my lane to to to try to influence the state in in that other than to say that I'm anti-tobacco, especially anti- tobacco for children. So, I'm gonna because I haven't um I I have to say that in listening to all of the voices that have spoken so far, um there are so many good points that have been made, um I love that this was brought forward. Um I hate that it was one of our students and I am so sorry for that. Um I want to have the biggest impact where we can. we have the most influence here. And I I don't want to negate the the concept of

165this law in any way, shape, or form, but I want to be able if we can address it here and go after it here. Um I think that we should definitely pursue that as an avenue. Um I love this this concept of making sure that people are not selling to minors, making sure that we're regulating. Um, I think that my colleague to the right of me made several good points on that that why is this not already in place. Um, and so I'm I'm kind of going back and forth, but I do have a lean um toward pursuing it at the local level rather than the state level. Um, so >> can I add one more com of time? >> Hold on. Um, I'm gonna have board members speak and then if there's anything, um,

166we can, uh, so I think Miss Justice was first and then Dr. Merrick. >> I want to ask questions. Now, Ale, that's the enforcement branch of the state, correct? >> Yes. Alcohol. Yes. >> So, it's not the FDA, it's Ale that would be enforcing, right? This is going on. And this sounds like they're very active in Enslow and that Enslow County. Has the commissioners in Oslo County done anything about this particular situation? Have they signed this or >> I believe they are one of our resolution signers. They're very active >> and I go inso county if they're doing that. That's very impressive because they grow a lot of tobacco. >> The commander Camp Leune actually put every vape shop in Enslo County on the blacklist. If you are working at um at Camp Lun and

167you get caught in a vape shop, you are rep they're subject to reprimand. >> Okay. And and I would suggest you also taking this to our county commissioners. >> I've already sent it to our county commissioners. My goal is to start with the schools. Okay. >> And to follow the next chain of command to go to the city, to the county, to the endowment. I'm I'm working it all. >> Well, you're doing a great job. Thank you. I mean, care obviously. >> And we're in the jeopardy of losing $5 million in education prevention if a bill is not signed in North Carolina by the end of the year. We're going to lose $5 million in federal funding. The state of North Carolina will lose $5 million in in funding for prevention, including mental health funding.

168It's all tied together. >> All right, Dr. Merrick. >> Yeah. Um, North Carolina is one of seven states that has not already uh gone into line with with the federal laws. I I I respect what everybody is saying here. Um, in some ways, I get it. In some ways, this is not our lane. This is a state thing. But 8 to 10% of our kids uh are are 18. But I tell you what, we have a lot more than eight or 10% of our kids vaping in the bathrooms right now. >> So this is absolutely under under our mandate of safety for our schools by saying and it's not an eitheror. It's not us or the county or us or the state. This is this is where we can say, you know what, we stand

169for for protecting our children who are in school, who are vaping and changing their lives. We've heard it from my colleagues on either side who said it was the worst decision of their life. And this is our opportunity to try to do something to keep them safer. And it doesn't mean we can still go to the county. We can still go to the sheriff. We can still do everything local. This is not one thing or the other. We vote on it now. We send it off and it's one more way of supporting Sally's law and supporting Miss Zorn and then we can go and talk to our sheriff. Let's do both. Thank you. >> All right. Um, so there was a motion. >> Oh, so sorry, Mr. Wor. Go ahead. >> I'm just going to

170have to agree with my colleagues across the way. You know, um, we have laws here. We don't make laws. It's not our job to make laws, but you know, this is a a piece of paper saying we support, you know, we've heard, you know, we all we all know somebody that's passed away from uh from tobacco or from something with that and even worse is the child of your child. I mean, I just can't I remember my my grandmother in ' 94 when she buried my uncle said, you know, you should never bury your child. I mean, so just signing this paper, I just I mean, it's one, you know, let's plow it all. Let's let's do everything we can. I'll go out with a sign out in front of the building and do it

171too because, you know, this this needs to stop and we need to we look at 12 year olds vaping, you know, or, you know, maybe there is only a small percentage that of our 18-year-olds, but you know, there's 16 year olds that are I guarantee you 14y olds that are of aging. So, we need to we need this doing anything to stop this. So, signing this paper, you know, will help. >> Uh, Miss Barhart, >> thank you. My last comment on this, I agree with the sentiment of what you're saying, but the law right now is already 18 and it's not stopping us. It's not addressing the issue. It is not addressing the issue. And this is in addition to being outside our lane is not addressing the issue because the law is already 18

172and we're referencing individuals who are utilizing illegally this action. It's not addressing this. And so this is in addition to not being in our vein. It is not addressing the issue. I have a concern with it. So the fact of the matter of saying well if we're going to raise it to 21 it's going to solve the issue. I don't think it's even addressing it. And and and this is and this is where the frustration is when we start to say this is this is the new vein of the lane that we're in because this is not and I I am expressing frustration to say let's actually address the issue >> because I don't think this does that. >> Okay. >> If I can my third time so I'll be done. I know. >> Um,

173you know, in in that same mentality then and and I don't disagree with my colleague that just probably is out of our our lane, but that same mentality then you're saying, well, we shouldn't even think about a 21-year-old drinking law because you, you know, 18-year-old still drinks. Well, they unfortunately they do that, too. I mean, so I mean, if this if this helps in any small way, I think, yeah, I I'm not saying we shouldn't do everything else we can, you know, but I think that this is something we should do. All right. I think has everybody had the opportunity to say you've done several times. So, I know you have I know you're very passionate about >> doing a little bit of >> I know I know I'm going to I'm going to because

174we do have >> we do have some other things that we want to cover. Um I am going to move ahead with voting on the motion. So, the motion is to um approve this resolution. Miss Buoie, will you call the role? Miss Justice, >> yes. >> Dr. Merrick, >> yes. >> Mr. Perry, >> may >> Miss Barnhart, >> no. >> Miss Mason, >> no. >> Miss Bradford, >> no. >> And Mr. Wbbor? >> Yes. All right. So, that motion fails. Um, continuing to the next one, which is the Andro comprehensive remedial plan. Dr. Merrick, this is also yours. >> Yes. You'll have to give me a second to get my computer back up. just >> uh the Supreme Court of North Carolina's landmark decision in Leandro versus State of North Carolina in 1997 affirmed the

175fundamental right of every child to have a the opportunity to receive a sound and basic education. Despite significant efforts since this decision, the subsequent ruling in Hoke County Board versus Education uh Hoke County Board of Education versus State of Carolina in 2004, this constitutional right has been and continues to be denied to many North Carolina children. On January 21, 2020, the benefit of the findings, research, and recommendations of the report, quote, sound basic education for all, an action plan for North Carolina, quote, and the governor's commission on access to sound basic education. Judge W. David Lee signed a consent order negotiated by the parties in the case. Acknowledging the research, Judge Lee noted, "North Carolina's prek to 12 public education system leaves too many students behind, especially students of color and economically disadvantaged students. And

176as a result, thousands of students are not being prepared for full participating participation in the global interconnected economy and the society in which we live, work, and engage as citizens. based on this, based on what proper funding from the state would do to all of our state schools, but but specifically here in North uh in in New Hmer County. Um I have submitted a resolution to the board in support of the Leandro remedial plan, and I move to approve the resolution and add New Hor County to the list of districts asking our state legislator to uphold their constitutional obligation to the students in our district and our state. Second. >> Okay. Discussion. Mr. Perry. I think everybody and all my colleagues here have uh grave reservations about how our education system here by the state

177and hopefully is and if there is is not enough and and it's convoluted and terrible in some ways but um and I also realize that where this remedial and to to actually happen, we we would probably get a very large what $50 million check or something like that from what I was told for back pay. But I also think that that probably in the long run as as we've seen that we are becoming a more affluent county. It's actually going to be bad news for us in the long run because we're going to be paying extra or on top of our share to support counties that are not so uh rich or don't want to uh so it it it ends up being a form of socialism and we're going to be on the end

178of it. But this is my opinion. So, but at the the crux of it though is really and and I think everybody can should be able to agree to this is that you know our founders in this country and our state they delegated certain responsibilities to certain uh branches of government and as far as making budgets go that that went to Congress and to our state legislature not to judges. the those are the ones who make decisions on this matter. The judges are there to interpret the law, not make the law. Um, and I think that this is, you know, stepping out of our lane by doing this. Would I love to see us have a legislative uh an aggressive legislative agenda to to go to Raleigh to try to reform our funding model? Absolutely.

179I like to work with Miss Barnhart and everybody else in this room to see that happen because the way I see it right now and the more I've been on this board, the the more more clearly I see how messed up it is. But, uh, I don't think this is the way. >> Uh, Miss Justice. >> Wow. Um, I actually worked in the district that got the funds. He was one of the first in the state and it was devastating when they quit putting the funds out within 2012. Um Leandro is guaranteeing a sound basic education. That's the whole premise of it for every child in the state. Unfortunately, not every state, there's 50 states and every one of them taxes their people differently. So you got different ways of schools receiving funding. Here in

180North Carolina, we have the a lotments coming down from the state. It pays the majority. I'm sorry. I hope you can hear me. It pays a majority of our uh education budget and I think it's about 47% of the state budget goes to education here in New Hover County. 40% of our property of our of well they get their money from property taxes of um their funding goes to to the schools. No, you go to a very small county, very poor county, very poor pro property. Property is not worth anything. Um, and you have these children. I'm not sure, Doc, Dr. Barnes, how much per child do we get um overall per child >> when you include I'm going to look at Ashley out of the corner of my eye. When you include the state,

181federal, local, it's about 145 per child. So we get 1455 and I don't have this off the top of my head but I do from working in these high poverty districts that don't have that kind of money coming in from property tax. They're probably getting about 9 or 10,000 seriously comparatively. And you know what that does to these kids? That causes them an impoverishment of education. They don't get that sound basic education. And that's what the judge decided. So what he did was he he demanded that the legislature he told them he instructed them they had to make up the difference through the Leandro funds and this was I think in 1995 and that happened up until 2012 when the Republican legislature decided that they weren't going to pay the legal legally instructed funding. They

182haven't since then. And that means that those counties have suffered and those kids have suffered. And this is about kids. It's not socialism. It's about reality. And a better educated populace makes a populace that makes a better community because it's a democratically educated community. It adds to the job base and then it'll add eventually to the tax base. So to think that there's any downside to Leandra. Right now the state legislature is setting over $6 billion. what I call a slush fund. I'm not going to go into the fact that educators aren't paid the way they are and etc etc. But the Alando funds were for a purpose. They were to give all kids a chance at a decent life and to fulfill our state constitution's requirement that every child in this state deserves a

183sound basic education. And it was determined that we weren't doing it unless we changed our method of funding our kids. And now the legislature since 2012 has denied our kids that right. >> Miss Bradford, >> um I am all in on sound basic education until this comes out of the courts. It's been tied up in the courts >> in the state for 30 years. until it comes out of the courts, I see no point in putting any energy to it because we have to focus on this year's budget and next year's budget. And Miss Sutton and Dr. Barnes cannot budget off of the things that are said in here. We can only budget when it's available funds, and it's not. Um, and on on top of everything else, there's a little line in here that

184says, "Ensure that public school funding is not undermined by expanding private school voucher programs." So, it's got a little hidden agenda in here. Um, I am not in favor of that. Um, I want every kid and every family to have the opportunity to go to whatever school they want and take their money. When New Hmer County schools become the excellent become as excellent as they they will be, then kids will come back to our schools. But that's not the way to go about that. So, I can't support it. Again, it's a resolution. we need to stay and it it's under our lane, but you know I when it it's just it's a waste of our breath to even be talking about it right now because it's tied up in the court until it comes out

185of the court. We have no say in what the North Carolina Supreme Court does. >> Um I want to make sure because I didn't last time. I want to make sure everybody does anybody else have anything they would like to say? >> Um if you could say that because I will come to you. I just want to make sure everybody else has an opportunity. Miss Barnhart or Mr. Will the board did you have anything you wanted to add? Yes, Mr. Willard. >> Ladies first. >> All right, Miss Barnhart. Thank you. Um, I want to pull up our legislative agenda that this board adopted and it was created by input from board members and staff to talk about what is the highest need to close the gap for learning. um and make sure that there's not

186a differential. And so I'm going to read off what these are. It was to support MTSS coordinators that we sure receive targeted academic and behavioral interventions. PreK expansion providing early opportunities builds a strong foundation. I'm talking about support of the BRBO be proud truck with CTE initiatives. There was an initiative to get one in our local southeastern region that would be more accessible to new Hover County schools. Currently, it's booked out for two years at a time. Increase non-instructional support for counselors, social workers, and health personnel, enhancing student well-being and safety. We talked about lottery funds of school renovation and repair, and securing more capital needs from the state level. We're advocating for increase of teacher salaries from year 15 to 24 to improve teacher retention and reduce burnout. Expansion of the C meal program

187to ensure all students have access to nutritious meals. Reducing barriers to learning. We are in support of the EC funding formula that provides a tiered funding support. Um here locally New Hover County consistently that would be close to $2 million if I remember correctly. calendar flexibility allowing for local districts to be able to plan for the best and most responsive to their community needs. Funding not only for facilities but also for additional Isaac Bear and early opport early college opportunities and strengthen partnerships between families and schools. Long-term facility improvements funding and a rears model. I'm happy to say that's already been filled. So that's great. um that allows us to be more consistent with we're funding. Earlier this year on December 16th, members of this board adopted the letter that we are advocating for a

188minimum base salary for teachers for $50,000 a year. Everyone else receiving a 5% increase across the way. That was not fully adopted by this board. It's only adopted by five people on this board. Um, we want to see change. We want more. Locally, we asked for an additional $28 million from our county commissioners and we received an additional seven. So, I would like to make a substitute motion for us to openly and again support our legislative agenda. That was feedback given by our staff and our admin to continue to advocate for the change that we want to see. not an outdated case from 30 years ago of how they believe that funding should. So I would make a substitute motion to openly support our legislative agenda. >> Okay. Um discussion of that motion, >> Miss

189Justice. >> Okay. This seems like a diversion from the original uh question. Everything she just said has nothing to do with this Leandanda letter. That's absolutely fine. We are supporting our legislative agenda. Anybody in here that says we're not, that's ridiculous. But we, this is about Leandro. We don't need to be diverted. Nothing she said has anything to do with Leandro. It really doesn't. And since I am talking, let me tell you, the courts have determined repeatedly that Leandro needs to be followed. You know who's not the state legislature. The last time, and you're shaking your head, you ask because you know it's true. In 19 2022, the Supreme Court of State of North Carolina once more instructed the legislature to release the Leandro funds. Once more they ignored it. This has been about the

19010th time and so they're just sitting there. I said they're sitting $6 billion slush fund and now we've got a new Supreme Court and they haven't even bothered to look at it. I mean state supreme court. So as I said I don't know why she threw that out except as a diversion. These Leandro funds are vital to these poor districts if you want to really get a sound basic education. And the court, sorry, Miss Bradford, but they have ruled repeatedly, release the funds, release the funds, release the funds. And this is where we're at. And all this resolution does say is just please release the funds. You've got them. Do it for kids. All the kids. >> Dr. Mer. Well, I think I I want to say something that's similar to what I said when

191we were talking about the last resolution that this is not an eitheror. You don't have to oh, if I if I if I support this resolution, then I no longer support the legislative uh agenda that the two have nothing to do with each other. I absolutely fully uh support my colleague to the left and and working with the state legislature on on multiple specific issues. this idea. Uh secondly, I want to address the idea that this >> point of order. >> Yes. >> Since since um I'd like to ask point of parlamentary question because this is something that we would need here. You are discussing it because this is a substitute motion. Is her substitute motion a legitimate substitute motion? Yeah. from a parliamentary standpoint. He's making a point that it doesn't need to be.

192So, >> so I'm going to ask >> a substitute motion. >> Yes. on the substitute motion. >> So what what I guess the question is and if I can rephrase. So my colleague to the right is making this substitute motion to do instead of >> this is my understanding instead of the Leandro resolution where my colleague to the far right is saying that it could be both. >> And so the question And so the question that Mr. Perry is asking is is it a substitute motion? But I think I I I mean and I'm not I'm not the legal person, but based off of the intent that I heard from Miss Barnhart, I believe it is considered a substitute because it's instead of >> the the Leandro. That's her her motion was instead of so

193to >> support that instead of the the >> Leandro. So um I'm gonna I'll we can get back to them um to get the answer to that, but I want to let Dr. Merrick finish his his >> I want to finish, but before I do, I want to uh speak to what my colleague to my immediate left had said. Um if you have a substitute, it's because if you approve that, the other one would no longer be necessary. But in this case, both could be used. And so it's not really a substitute motion. It is an additional motion. >> If she wanted to amend the motion, she could have done that. But it's not a substitute because if you we voted on that to say, okay, we're going to go and do this legislative agenda.

194We could still turn around and still vote to sign resolution. >> It's therefore not a substitute. It is an additional different motion. cited is 10:30. >> Yep. >> Doesn't impact the original motion though. She's proposing to use new text and say >> this instead of >> agenda instead of this. >> Yeah. It's like here's the problem with what we're doing. It's like, you know, debating from that. We get to the same spot either way, right? Yes, I do think they substitute a new tax with the old apparently according to Robert. >> Okay. [Music] >> Then may I then continue with what I was saying previously? >> If you Yes. >> Yes. Thank you, ma'am. So, this is not an eitheror. You can support the legislative agenda and you can support the resolution. What the substitute

195motion is asking us to do is to not sign the resolution. So, let's be honest. Let's just vote. Let's have her vote no to the resolution. That's what she's asking us to do. I also want to speak to two different things that were said before. One was, and this is gonna surprise you. You're gonna have fun with this one. My colleague to my immediate right said this isn't socialism, and I'm actually going to I'm actually going to take a small amount of uh difference with that. The way our public schools are funded is socialism. >> It is socialism, our government. pay taxes. >> Um, we need to keep this germaine to the substitute part, right? That goes right. >> But but here's how it's substitute because she spoke for 15 minutes it seemed about something

196that seems to have nothing to do with this motion. >> So we're going to >> as far as what I heard I thought I heard a substitute motion. >> What I think it requires is a vote on that substitute. >> Yes. >> The vote passes then we don't go to the first motion. Correct. >> If the vote fails on the substitute motion >> then we go back to the first motion. >> Correct. Correct. Correct. We've had some training on this. >> Knew that. >> Um, >> but she spoke for quite a long time about all that list of stuff that had nothing to do with the motion on the table. So, let me give me just a little bit of latitude to speak about why we would not support a substitute motion and why we

197would continue with the original motion. So, that's why I'm that's why it's Germaine here. um if you don't have children, you still pay property taxes and 40% of those property taxes go to our schools. That's socialism. That's just how it works. And we're also afraid of that word. If farmers get paid not to grow crops, that's socialism. Okay? Our our government does things to help us have a better society. And that's what public education is. The last thing I want to say is that in New York State, you talk about 145 going to our two years ago in New York State the number >> 32,000. That's a big difference 14. >> Now you might say >> that's a state whatever but Wyoming a very deep red state two years ago 29,000 per student. Okay. So

198when we I heard someone say that it was not up to uh judges to decide about schools, it's it's the legislature. That's true. However, in the state constitution, it argues that we have the right to a sound basic education. And what the judge said was, you are not following the constitution. And that is the judge's place. It isn't the judge's place to tell us where to put it or how to put it, but it is their job to say the state legislature is out of order. Now, I can tell by the the the temperature in the room that I'm just talking to air, but I'm I just cannot believe that we wouldn't say let's do both the legislative agenda and pass this resolution. Thank you. >> Okay. All right. Um, so there's a substitute motion

199to uh reapprove the legislative agenda. Is that a correct summary? Um, Miss Buie, will you call the role? >> Mr. Wabore? >> Yes. >> Miss Bradford? >> Yes. >> Miss Mason? >> Yes. >> Miss Barnhard? >> Yes. Mr. Perry. >> Um, yes. Yes. >> Dr. Merrick. >> Yes. >> Dr. Merrick. >> No. >> And Miss Justice? >> No. >> And that motion carries. So, um, now moving on to new business. um Robert's because that was a substitute motion and it carried. We now move on to the next um Robert's rules of order that was brought to us by um Mr. Perry and Dr. Merrick. >> Madam Chair, may I speak? >> Yes. >> In reading about that, the first thing we needed to do was vote on whether the substitute motion replaces >> Dr. Merrick's

200original motion and then if it does, then we vote on the merits of the substitute motion. Well, then that that would negate what we just did, >> but we've never done it. That would >> come to that conclusion. >> Yeah, >> procedurally. Okay. So, >> Mr. the bar >> didn't I think we got a ruling from our attorneys on it and then we once you can't go back and say well now you can vote on it before >> we asked you for your opinion you gave us your opinion you voted after that I don't think we back >> I think moving forward that is going to be the procedure but I do agree with um my colleague that we did already vote on it after hearing from the attorneys initially and so moving forward that

201will be the The process is we will vote on the substitute motion validity prior to whether it replaces the original motion. So in the future that is that's the protocol that we will take. But because we have already voted and we already got the previous advice from our legal counsel, we're going to continue on. U Miss Brett, >> just remind you that you have access to parliamentary advice. You might want to run that one by them so that we know um that expert that you have access to. >> Okay. >> Aptly. >> Um aptly. Next is Robert's rules of order brought to us by um Mr. Perry and um I know Dr. Merrick was also >> Is there an attachment for this? No, this is just for a discussion. I I submitted this uh using

202our our superintendent nice handy dandy for so um the um I think we've had um we could all use all of us board members use uh more training and Robert's rules and I if this is what we're going to be governing ourselves we all need so but then so I I'm I'm for us making it making a decision today part and I'm not I'm not making the motion yet, but part of my motion will be that we, you know, pay somebody to come on site and give us a group session of Robert of more indepth Roberts training all and perhaps the superintendent as well. But the second part of my motion is is and I think this is it's become a parent a couple of times is and I think they're great attorneys, our board

203attorneys, but I mean like we need our our board attorneys to be experts in this and and so my part of my my the other part of my motion will be that that you know obviously we'll have to pay for it but that that our board attorneys become certified parliamentarians within 6 months from today. Okay. Um, was that a motion? >> Yes, I'm going to make that motion for that. >> Can you summarize that motion for us? >> That we as soon as possible uh hire a trainer to come in and give us all the entire board and whatever senior staff would like to uh attend a more in-depth uh uh training sessions uh with on um Robert's rules of order. I think doing it locally will make you know the cost of traveling and

204you know go away. And the other part part B of the motion being that we we uh require uh that our board attorneys get uh become certified parliamentarians within 6 months from today. >> Okay. So the motion is that we all get training and our board attorneys become parliamentarians in Robert's rules of order. Is there a second to that? >> Second. >> Okay. Discussion. Holy cow. Okay. Um I'm gonna go with Mr. Wavore and >> I'd like to make a motion uh to divide that. I mean, we have two very different discussions there. Uh so I'll make a motion that we divide >> A and B as Mr. Perry said, >> not open. >> Okay. Um so we are going to vote on the motion to divide. Um all those in favor signify by saying

205I I. >> Any opposed. That passes 7 to zero. So let's address the first part of that which would be the training for the board itself. And I know um I'm going to go Miss Justice and then Miss Bradford. Um this has always been a challenge ever since I've been on a board and I and I watch other boards struggle with it. Um we actually did have training. Were you part of this? >> Yep. Uh it was excellent training. Uh we have a local parliamentarian Tannis Nelson who is certified and nationally recognized for her ability and so I would suggest we do do something similar to that because I know that when we came out of that it was a lot more comfortable in our what what our business when we were conducting it in

206public and so it could never hurt. That's my suggestions. >> Okay. Uh, Miss Bradford. >> Um, I gave everybody the sheet of our board budget and ironically there's an item on here. I was wasn't on the agenda, but I've just been trying to see where we ended up and how much with our board budget, how much money that if we don't spend that money, a portion of it goes to the fund balance. I was really looking to see how much of that money went to the fund balance. You all have one of those. But under that, there's a workshop expense. And last year, we had $8,000 in workshop expense budgeted. and we only spent 573. So, we have the money to do that if we wanted to. Now, I would point out that I have

207sat under two Robert Schools of order since I've been on the board. So, the fact that the new board members don't have it doesn't necessarily, you know, I mean, we have different levels of education in Roberts based on how long we've been on the board. Um, and you'll notice that Mr. Norwood is working from a specific Robert's rules of order. That's the one that the board adopted and it's in our policy that we follow it. It's not it's not Roberts for dummies. It's not Robert's shorthand. It's not all these different Roberts that are out there, but the board bought every board member at the time one of those books. So, I would suggest that under our supplies and materials, we had $400. Last year we only spent $132 that we get the board members who

208don't the new board members that don't have that version get you a copy of the book >> two they gave them to you. Perfect. >> Okay. So perfect. >> You know it it is up to you to be reading that when you have issues. Um and so you know while I would love to add one more workshop to my schedule I don't feel like I need it because I study that book when I when when I have an issue and I you know I feel like I'm pretty up to date on it. So, on this part of the motion, I'm probably going to vote no, but I would encourage new board members. I know you had some of it at that very first initial training that you went to in Raleigh. Um, and I would

209encourage you to get your own training, um, and study the book because that's the way you do it. you come up with one thing and you run it down and you study on it and you study on it and you know um so I just don't want to put the board's time into having a workshop that I don't I don't think that we some of us don't need >> um Dr. Merrick and then Mr. Perry >> I'm delighted you're an expert Pat because we just got done arguing at all of us with all of our training couldn't come up with a a damn answer. Pardon my language. >> Um, if you don't want to take it, you shouldn't take it. >> I I briefly just address that that language comment because I know that that

210is a concern within our community. So, um, if you could just briefly apologize. >> I did. I don't think Did you hear me? >> Okay. I did. I instantly apologize for that. >> Um, you don't have to take it. If the board if you got paid for the board paid >> direct paid me >> and it has a >> if one of our members if one of our members >> Dr. Merrick Dr. Merrick I know you're very passionate and I I appreciate your passion. Um we do have to if we are abiding by Robert's rules make sure that we are not >> indicating specific individuals correct on the board according to Robert's rules >> even though that same person did direct to abide I understand and I am sorry >> so maybe we should have

211>> I understand and I am sorry >> thank you I appreciate that I really do >> so if you could just re readjust >> if anyone here feels they don't need the training I do believe that that they shouldn't have to take it uh And if the board uh paid for training for some of the members before these new members came on board, then why wouldn't they pay for it uh for these new members? And I do think that the real problem is because I have read that book a lot. And I've dis and I've disagreed with our lawyers several times on the way that they've and I'm I'm not a dummy, okay? And I've read that and I go, I don't agree with their interpretation. I do believe we need parliamentarians. In fact, you

212know, I would go as far as to say, let our lawyers be our lawyers and let's hire parliamentarian to come in for four hours during our meeting. I mean, we need someone who really understands Robert's rules. And so, that's not their job. I mean, they've got really important jobs. They're really smart about a whole lot of things, but Robert's rules is not necessarily one of them. And so, they also need training where else they need to get parliamentary. And I'll stop there. >> Uh, Mr. Okay. >> Um and I don't this colleague um my my my training that uh was received or what level of training but I'm sure there are beginners courses, intermediate more in depth courses and more advanced courses. uh how far are you want to get having a taking a beginner's

213course two or three times isn't going to get you too much far at a certain point you need to take the more advanced ones to get into the less common situations and I'll just just give an example here and this is not to lay blame on our and try to point fingers at our chair but for since until this last month our chair who probably took a numerous classes in Robert Tools kept ruling amendments to amendments out of order for several months until last month when we were having meetings and now we just learned at our last regard meeting that no that was improper. So you I think we all could use some more education, you know. Nobody's I mean I don't know. I've looked at the book. It's kind of small print for me,

214you know, but I mean and I try to read it to the best of my ability, but you know, hearing it and contextualizing and hearing it from an instructor who re who's going to be there to answer your questions. I I mean I think that's good for all of us. And maybe we're all a little bit different levels, but and I'm not saying you don't know more than me or certain people don't know more than me, but I think we all need to get to a point of we I think we may not all need to be parliamentarians, but we need to be pretty good at it because this is our job. So, >> uh, Mr. Wore and then Mr. Barnhart, >> I was just going to make a recommendation. You know, maybe we should

215one I think we all should all hear from the same person. Tannis is a great opportunity, but I mean in that one one thing we could do is we could all including we could invite our attorneys to come and hear from her and if they choose to come, you know, and I don't think we should require anybody to come, but I mean it never hurts to go back to class and hear one more time. So >> Barnhart. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm not opposed to either part of the divided motion on the floor. Um I would just say I think that oftentimes the frustration comes out of the passion for the content of different things that we discuss and so I don't think it's necessarily so much the process of Robert's rules because Robert's

216rules trying to govern the process so that we're understanding the flow of how things are going. I I believe that all of us um have made mistakes on things but the reality is the reason why it's set in place is so that we can have a functioning meeting. Um and I know the policy is hours of meetings and so just really to have a flow and a consistent process for it was helpful. So I have to this so I'm going to say we have a question. >> Okay. So um there is a >> call that doesn't require a second or does it >> call the question? >> It does. So I'll second it. >> So >> this is to call the question. >> Yes. Well, no. Well, this is to call the question, meaning we're

217stopping the discussion about the first part, which is for board members to get training. So, we're we're voting on ending discussion right now, not the motion, the original motion. Voting on ending the discussion. Um, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I opposed. That passes seven to zero. So now, um, the motion, the original motion was that all board members, um, get training and Robert's rules of order. And I am going to have Miss Buoie call the role on that one. Miss Justice, >> yes. >> Dr. Merrick, >> yes. >> Mr. Perry, >> yes. >> Miss Barnhard, >> yes. >> Miss Mason, >> yes. >> Miss Bradford, >> no. >> And Mr. Wible, >> yes. >> All right, that passes six to zero. We have a second part to that. >> I'm sorry,

218you're I can't count. I'm sorry. Mathing is hard. So then we have the second part the the split motion was to um have our attorneys get trained to become parliamentarians within six months. That was Mr. Perry's motion. Um, so Miss Brad, >> um, if you Google what it takes to become certified as a parliamentarian, it's a very lengthy process. Um, and there's exams and so on. So, I think the idea that we could have them do that in a six-month time period would be extremely lofty. Um, I disagree with an opinion cast earlier that our lawyers are not our parliamentarian because I believe that's actually set out in our policy that they are our parliamentarian. I could be wrong, but I kind of believe that. And it's an interesting little footnote here. Websites like Perfect

219Rules, Inc., Perfect Rules, Inc. offer free training, videos, and resources on Robert's rules of order. There's a lot there's a lot out there that that we can do without spending money. Um but to ask them to be certified like that I think is is I can't support it. >> Miss Justice. >> Um yes training ask questions. Find out um parliamentarians aren't cheap. The training is extensive. To find somebody locally here on the pay meeting is not practical. We don't have that kind of money. They're they're they're doing any lawyer. I mean, Therington actually had unparliamentarian on staff, but they were a huge uh firm and even then we didn't use their parliamentarian. Most time we just used the attorneys what their you know professional opinion was. If it's helpful, you got I'm certainly happy to

220go to whatever training you go to and not you shouldn't have to pay for my education. But um point out to Missart's comments earlier, you know, Roberts is set procedures. The government for example has suggested procedures for towns, counties. Um but as she pointed out, the idea is for flow and for you to be able to basically in some orderly kind of way um conduct your business. And I I fear that a lot of times and this was the point I was trying to make earlier that you become kind of u you know that people treat it like it's some kind of religious experience that they have to follow this perfectly and it is not. It isn't. You can still you know conduct the business of your of your your board. um even if if

221uh if you're not perfectly in compiance with one of the >> whatever the 697 pages. So that was my just my observation about it. The other >> um I'm going to go to Dr. Merrick. I would like to say something and then um Mr. I make a substitute motion that we invite our no we require our lawyers to attend the training with us and rather than sending them to parliamentarian school >> I second that >> I already second >> he already did Mr. rules were already got it. He was >> so now we need to >> I'd like to discuss that. >> We will need to vote on the whether that is a substitute motion or not. >> So that's the discussion at this point. Did you want to com comment on that, Mr. Perry?

222>> No. >> Okay. So we're going to vote on whether that is a substitute motion or not. >> Actually, I do want to comment. >> Okay. Go ahead. So you're what what my motion was to say that they they become um certified parliamentarians within 6 months. um the you can I didn't specify what training they would have to take whether they would do it on their own or come or not come to our class or >> certified is a term >> but to to pass a number of tests so that we know that they that they know uh that we can depend on their their their opinion when they're called upon as our as our parliamentarian. So, I don't necessarily think that it's an either or. >> Okay. >> Hi, Dr. Martin. >> Question. Did

223you get that answer? >> Yes. >> I would like you just >> I would like to ask to be aware of the cost of >> you guys have $8,000 in your professional development budget for the year. If it goes beyond that, do I need to come back to the board because that'll be taking money out of the teachers uh PD budget or something else? My concern when I tell you when I mandate that you go to the training, I'm paying for it. So, if we mandate that our attorneys become parliamentarians, I would be concerned with cost back. So with the $8,000 I just would ask when we get to the end of this conversation if there's a number beyond which you don't want to go. >> Okay. >> At some point you need to assess

224the cost. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. All right. So right now we are voting on whether Dr. Merrick's motion is a substitute for doc for Mr. Perry. I almost called you a doctor. Uh you almost got promoted. All right. Uh, Miss Buoie, will you call the role? This is whether that is a substitute motion. >> Miss Barnhard? >> Yes. >> Miss Mason? >> Yes. >> Miss Bradford? >> Yes. >> Mr. Bilderore? >> Yes. >> Mr. Perry? >> No. >> Dr. Merrick? >> Yes. >> And Miss Justice? >> Yes. >> Okay. Six to one. for voter for me. I voted, but I remember the first time I heard about a substitute motion and I went and studied it and I suspect before Miss Barnhart offered one, she'd studied it herself. I don't know, but I disagree that we

225have to vote on is it a substitute motion or not. So, while I'm voting yes and no and whatever on this, I disagree with what what we think is the new process. I think the way we did it in the past was the way it was correct. That's just my point of order. >> Now, >> all right. Now, >> do we turn discussion on the actual >> we are going to talk about the substitute motion which is that our attorneys attend the the Robert's rules training with the board and so Mr. Perry go ahead. Yes, I mean I think uh it's wise they do and I certainly would hope that they would just on their own initiative whatever certifications they would need uh to become parliamentarians. I think that would be actually something good to

226put on your credentials for future future other positions down the road. So, and you would be a big help to us because even in this meeting meeting now, we called on you to ask you came up with one answer about how we now have to take a vote on something which you didn't previously tell us. So, you didn't know and we it would have been easier if if you just if you what Mr. Ky could could have told us what he told us eventually immediately. So um the and then again we went several months and and our parliamentarians did not uh rule that yes you can make amendments to amendments and we went on for months like this and that has real effects on what happened. So we need to be able to depend on

227them to to be very knowledgeable I mean even more knowledgeable than us. So um so I I I am for them attending the training. It's a substitute motion. I'm fine with that, but you know, I would just hope that they would continue their training beyond whatever we get. >> And I I wanted to speak because I haven't said said a lot. Um my my biggest concern was cost. Do we know how much training actually costs? And I'm actually defer to either Dr. Barnes or Miss Buoie. >> I got it. Last time we did the last training we did was in 2021. It was two grand. >> Two grand. And we have 8 grand total for the year. >> Yeah. Just looking at becoming a certified parliamentarian, >> it actually says it's highly recommended that you

228take a year. There's an application process. There are classes to take and all that that. >> So that's a separate pricey. >> Yeah. So that's separate. I >> Yeah, I think we're outside. But so the last time it was about 2,000. um we have about 8,000. And so that was really um what my what's kind of pushing me when we need to be able to afford it. Um as important as it is and I definitely believe it's important. I know that I have never claimed to be an expert in Robert's rules. Um I I have a a working knowledge of it just as much as I think um several other board members have. But I think um getting a refresh is not a bad idea at all. And I think having our attorneys there would

229definitely be helpful for them and um for us. So u Miss Barnhart. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I appreciate my colleagues substitute motion because I do think having them attend and working together. Again, this is about facilitating and making sure when we are doing a vote that everyone knows this is the process that we're voting on at the time. And this is not a attempt at a gotcha moment. This is trying to understand that we're all cohesively making decisions and yes there might be times we look back and say we would have done this differently but it is the overarching general rule so that we can kind of have the same idea of where we're coming from of how to operate together and so um I do understand and and openly have the discussion disagreements

230but it's it's protocol that so the protocol set and the followrough of it is what we're trying to be consistent with um regardless of you know looking back on two years ago a decision or 6 months ago process we're trying to do the best we can. So I'm in favor of this with the cost acrewing and what everyone else has discussed. I do have concerns with that. I think that us all coming together board and attorneys to go through a training will be helpful in the process. >> All right, Miss Bradford, I would ask that we check out the free options first. I know that one of the um approved PD um options that this board has offers parliamentarian help for members. Um they may offer training. So I'd ask that we find to see

231if there's not something out there that's free or reduced cost before we spend $2,000. Um it would be great if we all have the same training. And something that was said earlier about former board attorneys, I remember being brand new on the board and the board attorney rendering an opinion that I went home and looked up and the board attorney was incorrect. And when I called him on at the next meeting, he said, "Oh, actually she's right." So, um, that was way before y'all's time. Um, and we no longer have that board attorney firm. And they were the one of the biggest in the state. So lawyers are like doctors. They all have an opinion. Um, and board members, we all have an opinion, but um, and you can't have too much Robert's training because

232it's just so in-depth. Um, but I would I would I would ask that we explore free options first. Um, I'm I'm going to go with Mr. Perry and then um and and just so that we're keeping track of time, we do have two more things to discuss plus about a 15 to 20 minute close session. So we do have to keep that in mind as far as timewise. Um because at this point it is 5:18. So Mr. P, >> quickly though I just on a point of order before I make my comment. The point of order is I am Am I correct saying since we already voted for part A and part A was for an on-site training that we've already committed to >> I no we didn't say on site I mean we could

233do something we you know on the whiteboard >> we were only specific about us so I want to make sure that we are are including are including our attorneys in that because we did split that Right. Exactly. >> That that was only the part B, >> right? The substitute for part B. I'm saying yes. Um >> as far as So as far as my com Oh, you want to ask them? >> Well, did you just as briefly as possible? >> Yeah. So as far as that, yes. Uh I guess my my only uh is I don't know how individualized the training when they come here to give this. I'll be able to uh you know to to give our to everybody like um my colleague to the directly opposing me may may need more advanced

234training and I need more more fundamental understanding. So can they vary the you know the tracks a little bit depending on what our experiences are. I I mean maybe these are things we should look into. Um I I'm and uh so yeah, I'm I'm great with our attorneys coming to whatever training we have. >> All right, Mr. Compi, >> I wanted to speak on the overall purpose of rules and it reminded me of my trial under retreat in front of a very veteran judge, Chad H. And we all know that he's been a district court judge for three years now. And what I want to emphasize is that Robert's rules provides a framework for conducting meetings. It that ensure fairness and maintains order for the meetings. There are quick decisions that need to be made

235by parliamentarians that need to be made by board members. There are very there are nuances in in the way things come out and are interpreted. And what I'm getting at is that at beginning of this trial today, as I roll into my witness, put this lady on the stand, everything I said was being objected to by a veteran defense attorney, Brian Smith, I think his name was. And so Hson stopped it. He brought us back into chambers and he reminded us of civility. He reminded us that we will be there for four days if we continue on that same pace because sometimes I go real quick with the way I speak and I can it's not like I normally speak in in the DAS here and so what I want to remind the board is

236that when the lawyers say very little it means the board's getting along means the board's doing its job right. when we don't have to pick up the book means you guys are doing your job. Now, we can I can take a ton of training, but I you know, when I'm up here trying to figure out what's going on and what's the right rule, I try to get a quick canvas on what what is the board wanting to do. When the board votes six to one on something, I got a feeling where things are headed and and I'm not worried so much about Robert's rules at that point in time. and maybe we've violated an exception to rule fifth 5B the you know the the the second path and I mean what I'm getting at is

237that Robert's rules is just a framework for us it's not a blueprint it's to try to have a good honest conversation where everybody's heard the minority opinions heard but at the same time everything is put to a vote we try to follow our policies to the best of our abilities now we can take a ton of classes on that. We really can. And I I'm all for I want you all to know that I'm I'm all for Norwood and I going to the same meetings and and training that you go to. I'm I'm with going to a a free course, but there are instances where things are moving quickly because they have to move quickly because we're under the gun to get things done. And you're not going to sometimes get the right Robert Rules

238decision, but in the end, the board makes the right decision. And with all that said, I'm happy to go to this conf this this training, but I I remind the board that these board meetings are probably only about 10% of what I'm doing for the school district right now. Most of my work is with Dr. Barnes and his team. I'm down in district court. We're we're we're doing a lot more than these Roberts rules. But I like if I want to emphasize the least the less we do here in these meetings means the more you guys are functioning properly and so I'm happy I we'll look into this training. I hope it's free. I think we can find some free training. I think there are probably are some parliamentarians we could bring in to help

239us get there to be a really good highly functioning board. And and I hope I'm required to go with you guys. I really do that. I hope you all vote unanimously to do that. Force Blanch or deny to go to that. Um, thank you. >> All right, with that, um, let's, uh, unless anybody has some pressing anything. All right. Um, so the motion was the substitute motion was to require the attorneys to come to the training that the board will be doing on Robert's rules. I'm not going to do a role. I'm going to do all those in favor signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? That passes 7 to zero. Um it is 524. We do >> they want to vote on that. >> They can't vote on that. >> You guys bring the

240pizza. >> So it is um discussion. So there >> still doesn't get us out of here on time >> if if we have close session for 15 minutes. It would >> have discussion for >> I make a motion to go into close session now and then see where we are on time. >> Second go. >> Okay. >> I'll second that. Okay. So, there's a motion to go into close session pursuant to all of the stated purposes online >> and a second. >> All those in favor signify by saying I I. >> Any opposed? We are in This is a domestic One time >> it was hell. >> If you let me click her, I would I would click. >> All right, we are back in open. Um, >> what's next? >> Do let's do the

241personnel since it's right typically after closed. >> I move we accept the recommendations on the personnel report. >> Second. >> Okay. Um all any discussion hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Any opposed? >> That passes 7 to zero. Sorry, my computer my hands. >> Okay. So, going back to >> Yes, sir. >> Sorry. Can we all say good job though for having eight teacher vacancies day one? [Applause] >> Thank you. >> Good job. We have a great HR department. >> Um, >> no. >> I was gonna say it >> and >> I Anyways, all right. So, the next up on the agenda is um the agenda review documents. And I did in conversation and I um I talked with most of you yesterday, but um one of the things

242that was requested was that we have the policy um in front of us that um tells us what we need to do when it comes to advanced delivery of meeting materials. This was brought forward by Miss Bradford, so I'm going to hand it over to her. Well, I didn't bring the whole issue, but I brought policy 2335. And I would move that we send this policy to back to the policy committee to meet on that. Um because I was thinking about it this morning. You know, we have lofty goals for, you know, at five days excluding holidays. We're going to do all this stuff. But face it, the staff had some challenges getting everything on this agenda for us today. And so we have to look at our limitations against lofty goals. And so I

243think we need when when when this policy was made, even though it says regular interim and agenda, it was made for those old board meetings that used to sit through Judy and not agenda reviews. So So we never really tweaked this for agenda review. And you know, I know that there are board members that don't like the way this goes, but I am very in favor of what we're doing now. and and so if we need to tweak the days and the hours, but think about 24 hours ago, what were you doing? And to ask the staff to get us everything ready by this morning, they would have had to have done it by Thursday. It just it needs to go back to policy. So that's my motion. >> Move it back to policy. >>

244Any discussion on setting this to policy? Um Mr. Perry and then Dr. Mayor >> be very quick. Um yeah, I think that's great. I think there is a a need for us to to present uh at least an interim uh excuse me a a proposed agenda for the regular meeting, you know, uh so that people when people look at our agenda review uh things, they can at least see what we're talking about. Um so I but I I do see that there's there is work to be done and there's logistics to be done. So I think it's best to be sent back to policy. >> Okay, Dr. Merrick. >> Um what he said, I was going to say the excitement thing. So off. >> All right, justice. >> Yeah, and um Mr. Bradford was right

245there a little more content to it. This is a whole different format and way we're handling things. So we do need to have policy up to date to how we're handling things, >> you know, and and to >> to that point, remember with the weighted student formula and all that time that you spent on those, you kind of separated them out into two things. Maybe advanced delivery for board meetings and advanced delivery for agenda meetings are slightly different. >> Well, we're doing things different >> and that's what I'm hope to see, but let it go to y'all and you'll figure it out and then we'll we'll deal with it. >> All right, Dr. Merrick. >> Yeah, sorry. I thought I had said the whole thing, but um I don't think it's more work. I I

246understand I don't want to put more work on our staff but if filled out so that we can see it then simply can be filled out so that's all. >> Okay. All right. So there is Miss Barnhart >> and I think there might also be some other policies too that we would need to there was like a series of like five or six of them when we were trying to make sure that everybody had the same timing and then there was a discussion of regular board meeting versus versus advisory meetings and things like that. So, while I I'm going to agree to send this back to policy, there might also be some others I'm looking at the policy chair over there that need to be looked at with that because >> what an agenda review

247meeting was classified at when we were t when we were discussing this previously in policy was a specially called meeting. And so, if we want to have a delineation for agenda review meetings and what that looks like, that would be a consideration of the policy and then our full board. So, I just want to bring that to attention. And I know that when um this was requested of me um I picked this one specifically because it related directly, but you are correct. We did have um other other policies that were connected to that. I do remember lengthy conversations about that. So um I think sitting down with the chair of policy, we can kind of sort through >> what we need to do. Miss Justice. >> Yeah. And just I just remember too there's also

248state statutes that's involved in this. Sure. We need to have all that. >> Absolutely. >> Yeah. >> All right. So, there is a motion to send uh policy 20 335 to policy committee. Uh all those in favor signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? That passes 7 to zero. That was quick. Look at that. Good job, guys. All right. So, um last up is the resolution for firearm storage. That was Dr. Merrick. And before he goes, I would like to apologize to the board. Um, this didn't get posted because it I didn't send all of the document to um our wonderful um wonderful wonderful person who's not sitting back there um until this morning. So, u my apologies. I I take responsibility for that. So, I'm I'm very sorry that that did not get there

249in the time manner. That was my fault. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. And I also would apologize that I think we're sort of between systems and the old system would have been that I would have sent it out because I was uh putting it but I did put the whole thing into the thing but I still should have sent the word. I finally did today after Crystal did. So here we are. Um, we've only had a few cases of guns showing up in our public schools. And for this, I am very grateful to the parents and the community who make it difficult for children to acquire firearms. And while there have only been a few occurrences, I think every parent and every student would like to reduce that number to zero. I have met with

250our district attorney, Jason Smith, as well as having conversations with our sheriff, Ed McMahon, and Major Smith from the sheriff's command team, as well as Miss Varnum and Mr. from Morgan. Everyone agrees on certain points. We want to prevent students bringing guns into our schools. We support the North Carolina state statutes that require guns be stored safely. And that reminding parents about the importance of following those laws has only positive effects. While we may not be able to prevent every case where a student brings a gun into school, if we can prevent even one occurrence, it's worth it. The DA has suggested recording a pre public service announcement that could be shared on our websites and our social medias and that's all of us of the sheriff and the DA and everybody uh that includes

251information about the law and how to obtain free gun locks. He has also recommended having support from multiple organizations like New Henrik County Schools and even the NRA to help parents understand that this isn't a partisan issue. It's a child's safety issue. This resolution I'm asking our board to sign is proof of our support for the DA's public service announcement and our resolve to make our schools as safe as humanly possible. So, I move for the adoption of the resolution. >> Oh, okay. Uh, Miss Barhart. So, I I was frustrated getting this document right before. So, I've been trying to read it and I I uh looking at the sentiment, I agree and I was going to it sounds like that our district attorney is already in favor of this. That that is the correct.

252So, that was where I was going to ask with this because I didn't what I didn't want for us as a school district is to step into the lane of somebody else if this is not in agreeance of what is already. So with this resolution support, it is just saying that we support the initiatives of our sheriffs in our district. It cuz I but we have done a um joint press conference. >> Um it was after >> we had two guns show up at Ashley High School couple couple years ago and so talking about the three the three lock boxes and it was in here. >> One in here. Yes, >> it was in here. Yes. Yep. And so is the I'm is the plan to say do another one of these after this is

253signed or I'm just trying to think logistics out like >> right >> the DA is actually talking about do recording a video public service announcement video that would be posted on social media and our websites etc. Um he he feels very strongly about just helping parents to understand the law. He says, "We've done it before, but a lot of those parents, those they were involved then, but their kids are out of school. Now we have new parents and they have new kids. So, it's something we have to do on an ongoing basis." >> Um, I think Miss Justice, you had your hand up. >> Did. >> I thought you did. Okay, never mind. Mr. Perry, >> very quickly, uh, I mean, everybody, just so the community understands, you know, I'm a I'm a pro-second amendment

254all the way kind of guy. I'm constitutional carry, you name it. But hey, storing your guns safe around your kids and I store my guns say, you know, and I secure them for because my grandson might get into them. He's only 9 years old. We can't take that chance. With your rights be comes a responsibility. And I think uh you know uh securing your guns in such a manner isn't foolproof. is always a way to to beat a lock but um it's actions we need to take as responsible gun owners and so that's why I support uh something like this is a good thing to do and I have to say that um I remember having an initial conversation about this and that was before um if I remember correctly that was before any um

255conversation was occurring regarding a public service announcement and so I do appreciate that there's that that they've taken that first step because initially I was hesitant. I don't want to step in the lane of the sheriffs. Um, and I know in the past, as my colleague to the right of mentioned, is that we did have a press conference that was initiated by our DA and by our sheriff. And so, if they're initiating this, I am I'm good with with backing it. >> Bradford, >> I'm going to be the lone voice. Again, I I I support the sentiment. I support our DA. I support our sheriff. I support public service announcements, but it's another resolution and I'm really trying to get our board to focus not on making resolutions and tying up four hours every month

256on resolutions and get back to the, you know, to the core basics that we we we need to really be focusing on, which is, you know, advancing our student outcome. So, I'm going to vote no. Uh, Miss Justice, >> I'm totally I'm totally in favor of this resolution. And I honestly am a little confused as to how anybody could be upset about resolutions. That's part of what we do. We are the face of our schools. We are supposed to be doing things that keep our kids safe. And I don't think this is any I could think of anything that'd be safer for our kids than to tell recommend parents please lock up you know your weapons. So this is you know I don't think we frivolously bring frivorously I can't that word >> frivolous >>

257frivous um I don't I think we're very serious when we bring up these resolutions and this one seems like a very important one considering especially what's going on in society um trying to keep a kid safe. We want parents to feel good about, you know, knowing we support keeping their kids safe. >> Miss Barnhart, >> one thing that I noticed was not in here specifically, but I think it might be covered in the last two paragraphs reading over um discussion of hijacking weapons from cars, carjackings. And so that was a specific um issue that was addressed that opened concern within our community. And so I feel like that's potentially part of some of the resolve. Is that in the PSA? I guess that's where I just haven't seen the PSA announcement. So, but I'm assuming

258that it's include. Can you speak to that, sir? Thank you. I would love to and thank you for for bringing that up and I I haven't looked to see I don't remember if it's actually in the wording of the resolution but I can tell you that the DA and the sheriff both feel very strongly about it because the vast majority of illegal guns that show up in our society are stolen from vehicles. >> And so we really must help the the parents and the general public to understand why it's important not to leave a gun in a car. All right. Anything else? All right. So, there is a motion to adopt this resolution. Um, Miss Buie, will you call the role? >> Mr. Wer, >> yay. >> Miss Bradford, >> no. >> Miss Mason, >>

259yes. >> Miss Barnhard, >> yes. >> Mr. Perry, >> I >> Dr. Merrick, >> yes. >> And Miss Justice, >> yes. All right, that passes 6 to one. I will entertain. Oh, sorry. Just to let uh any committee reports. >> Motion we adjourn. >> Perfect. Is there >> is there a second? >> Goodness. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. I. >> Any opposed? One. >> We are ajourned.