NHCS Board of Ed. Agenda Review Meeting | May 27, 2025

001Call the agenda review meeting to order. Uh, Miss Buoie, will you call the role? Here. Jesse Barnhard here. Pat Bradford, I am here. Judy Justice, here. Dr. Tim Merrick, here. David Perry here. And Pete Wabbor, I am present. All right, we're going to have an invocation and then um after the invocation, Miss Martin is going to do the pledge. The anticipation ketchup you could have never heard. acappella. Yeah, that would be fun. They call that a joyful noise. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. I used to be in the choir. My old turn, stop. Really hurt my feelings. musical careers. That's what I joyful. The lady, one of the ladies in choir is my old choir. She highly recommend you remember too well to your old choir. Oh yeah. Yeah. Beth Beth Christian Church. That was good. I

002was good back in the day. That was good. I've never been a long hair. enthusiastic difficulties. Mhm. Will you lead us from the pledge while we wait? 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. She's not supposed to see what it feels like. All right. So, um, we're gonna just do a moment of silence. Um, I will entertain a motion to approve the agenda. Um, do I hear a second? Second. All right. I will second and I'll ask to amend. Okay. Um, when you No, I take that back. It's in the next one. Sorry. Um, so Mr. Perry, my understanding is that Dr. Barnes will be making the presentation on cloud services

003uh is not ready for today. Uh so in lie of that 10 minutes, I would like to additionally add for today's for a 10-minute discussion in regards of to how we can get more time available for robust discussion as far as school board uh topics so we're not feeling like we're rushed. Uh just anformational and at the end if we don't have time for it then we can table it. So is that a motion? Yes, I'll second. Second. Okay. Okay. So, there is a motion to amend. Um, point of clarification. I didn't understand what he said to begin with as far as um Dr. Barnes was trying to prompt me, but um next week it's not. Okay. So, thank you. Yeah. Um, so I don't Is that part of your motion? Can you make that

004part of your motion, please? Just to save time, we let my motion is to drop the cloud uh services presentation until next week and at the same time replace that 10 minutes with 10 minutes worth of discussion over how we can make more time for robust discussion when it comes to board business. And there was a motion and motion and a second. Uh any discussion, Miss Justice? Well, I guess could you describe what you mean by how we could do that? How would we? I think that's part of that's part of the discussion. Yeah, on your information. No, no. All right. So there is a motion to um take cloud services presentation off for this week and put it onto next week um and replace it with 10 minutes of discussion on how we can

005add have more time for discussion. I think that's the gist of it. Um Miss Buie, will you call the role on that? Mr. Wore. Yay. Miss Bradford, yay. Miss Mason, yes. Miss Barnhard, no. Miss Justice, yes. Mr. Perry, yes. And Dr. Merrick, yes. All right, that passes six to one. Um, so back to the original motion. Um, there was a motion to approve the agenda. It's now a motion to approve the amended agenda. Um, all those in favor signify by saying I. I. I. Any opposed? That passes 7 to zero. Um, now looking at next week's agenda, which is a very full agenda. Um, Miss Barnhart, will you keep time for me? Yes, ma'am. All right. So, we have the call to order. Clarification right off. Um, yes, sir. Where are we going? We just

006move something on here. Where are we going to put? It would be that's information and uh yes the presentation will be under information information. Okay. Thank you. Yeah. All right. So we have the call to order the roll call approval of the agenda. name. Miss Bradford, here's what I'd like to amend in the idea that we would save some time and if we flip forward to the uh all of theus we have A through K. And so my request to the staff would be which of those are identical to last year except for the date and the signature. And can we put those on a consensus and then pull out the ones that are new with new language or completely revised language and do them in two batches instead of A through K and have

007broad discussion on every one of them. Excuse me. I meant Z. Yeah. You know the alphabet of it runs the alphabet. Yes. So that's that's it's a healthy amount. Theoretically, every board member's already read these and um so we we should be up to speed on what they say. So um is that I would say that would be something we probably talk about in a couple minutes unless we have that already organized. Let's Can I put a pin in that and then we can come back to it. Um, so invocation, presentation of colors, national anthem, pledge of allegiance, approval of the minutes, uh, recognitions. Do we know how long that's going to take? She'll hit that 15. Yeah. Okay. Um, Miss Farnum, is student voice coming this month? So, can you I will confirm the

008answer. Okay. Um once Miss Martin confirms uh teacher voice, do we have we have someone for teacher voice? Um you need five minutes for your report or do you need 45? That's hurtful a little, but I can do five. All right. And I only need five. Call to audience is 60. And then we move into the heavy lifting. Um so under Mr. Perry Yes, I I don't know the appropriate spot, but I think before we get to um call the audience and while the uh um most of the people are still here, uh I wanted to issue a public apology for uh some of my verbal conduct a couple of meetings ago. Okay. And uh maybe one minute for that. Um may I offer after your board? I think that's a great place. Absolutely. that

009and there's a is there Yeah, that was a motion. Is there a second? All right, I'll second. Um, all those in favor signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? That passes seven to zero. Thank you for that, Mr. Perry. Um, so looking at information, the new Hanover High School master plan presentation. How long do you need? Well, we talked with we sat down with the county commissioners and with them. I would like to call that an update rather than a presentation. And how long do you need for that? Five. Five minutes. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. Um we have a discussion on decorum. Um Miss Bradford, that was one that you had wanted. How long do you think we need? Well, it depends on how votes everybody wants to get. So do 15. Yeah. Okay. Um

010presentation on cloud services. How long do you need that? 10 minutes. All right. Can I ask a question about that? Yes. Um I can't see you, but I know you're down there. Um, is this in lie of the power school uh or in being driven by the power school and the change over to infinite campus? Is that what that discussion is about? Mr. Okay. All right. Thank you. All right. So, consensus items. This is I think where we can do some of that. Yeah. Identification. Also, just to make a note for everyone. Um I will be recusing myself from K um because it is Cape Pier Community College. So um who would be able to tell us? Who would be able to tell us? So do we want to start with and we can just

011put a mark by the ones that are current that are the same but just a different. So we start with a and set if that's a new or if that's a revised revised. Um so memorandum of understanding between New Hmer County Board of Education, New Hver County Health and Human Services and Coastal Horizons. That is a renewal. Okay, Madam Chair. So it just changes for signature. Okay. Dr. Before we go on, um I just want to note for the record that um all these memor of understanding are are up on the uh assembly so that we can see them, but the public who may be listening or watching have no idea what we're talking about with all of this. So that's just point number one. Point number two is that I was logged into Simly

012yesterday and none of this was available. So I have nothing to say about any of theseus because I haven't had a chance to read them. So I would like to bring to attention when these are posted to assembly so that board members have an opportunity to go over them rather than the last minute. Thank you, Madam Chair. Mer just a comment on that. Am I not mistaken? All of ourus are listed on our board portal already. And if it's the continuation of the same thing, it it would already be there, would it not? But I didn't even know we were there. I didn't even know that we were looking at because it wasn't on. Okay. Does anybody have any questions about that first, Miss Justice? Okay. I I'm I'm a little confused as to why

013this is being presented the way it is. As far as MLUS, some of them may not change, some of them may change, but there's, look how many we've got. Yeah. Um, so is the idea of having them shifted around on this presentation just a consolidation so that we can vote on ones we've had already that we've we're just renewing and then others that there may be further questions on but if we've had for a year I would hope to possibly look back at them again the next year when they come back up. So why are we separating them since we should be looking at all of them? Well, we're not separating them. It's just how we're voting for them. If there's other questions, Mr. Perry. Yes. To answer um my colleague's question, I think. Are

014you correct to come on, Mr. Chair? I'm chair. Uh we're just doing it for today's purposes so that we can quickly get through these as far as putting them on the mean discuss further at the meeting next week and get into the details. So, we've got a week to get there. Oh, yeah. I'm just Yeah. Uh so it's not like we are uh for today's purposes hopefully we take a big batch of them that are just renewal and just vote to add them to the agenda and be done with it. Right. Um they're already on the agenda. So it's a matter of I think for us to have that organizational understanding of what's new and what is just a continuing contract. I think that's more if I'm understanding correctly. M okay Miss Mason. Yes. Sorry.

015These were posted by Friday at five o'clock, but I know that sometimes assembly can be a complex system to work with at times. So, what I can commit to doing is when we get it posted, I will just text the full board and let them know that it's out there so you guys can know and then if you can't get to it, you can contact me and I'll work you through it. I think this one got posted Friday at 5. I know that's a little later than we want it, but when you go all the way to Z, it's it's hard to get through them all. So, and this is the time of the year you do see a lot of contract renewals, obviously, because June's coming up, but I just wanted to make sure

016people knew that it was it was posted. Brad, for housekeeping purposes, would it not be a good idea to suggest that next year we split these up into like April and May and half, you know, half the alphabet in May or are they all right now is when they come due? I mean, right now is when they come. It is hard because now is when they come due. Yeah. I mean, we can certainly try to, but also you can contact us throughout this next week if you have questions that we can answer and hopefully next week we go faster, right? Or if you have any questions about them today that that are specific. What I'll ask my folks to do if it's okay with you, Madam Chair, is I will ask them I'll list all

017of these out whether they are simple renewals or new or sizable changes. I'll get that email to all of you so you know which ones to specifically look at. That's okay. With that in mind, uh, Madam Chair, um, wouldn't it make sense instead of going through each one and doing that, why don't we just get that from superintendent? Well, do we have question? Do people have questions about discuss each one? But I mean, as far as trying to, you know, grade them out between the two, we could just get that email unless you know it off the top of your head. If you know it off the top of your head, you can talk. Um, did anybody have any questions about A? Okay. B. Memorandum of understanding between New H County Board of Education, New

018Hver County Community Justice Services. And that's um no questions. All right. C Sweetwater Landscapes Athletic Field Maintenance. Miss Barnhart. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um mine and I had emailed Dr. Morgan about this and I know we had spoken about this but um the initiatives of the sustainability it was brought to attention to ensure that we are in compliance with all laws as far as pesticide use and things like that. And so I'm I'm understanding for both C and D that this is a renewal of the contract. I understand it can go out for bid. Um but just making sure that we're in compliance with that and that we're making steps to um not use if possible um but pesticides as a last resort whenever we're doing field maintenance or any kind of maintenance with around

019playground equipment and things like that. So if you could speak to that with those two things that would be wonderful. Yes ma'am. So, uh, per our conversation via email last week, um, I think there was a question about whether or not we were in compliance with these and my based on what I have seen in the email, there was a question about whether or not parents were notified as they should have been at the beginning of the year. Um, which is in accordance with general statute. So, my understanding is that um, that that does happen and it is expected. I just can't speak to what happened in that particular incident if it was one school or if it were multiple schools reporting that. So, that's one of those that is one of the things I've

020put kind of on the to-do list for the division to make sure we're making sure those are going out in a timely manner. As for the list of pesticides um and herbicides that are used, those are listed and I think I sent you the link. Those are listed on our website. Um you know, as far as we do, we do require them to provide that for us so that we can it. My understanding is, and I'll ask Miss Mason to correct me if she feels like she needs to, but my understanding with the sustainability committee, part of the goal is to look at the things we're doing to see what areas we might be able to go above and beyond. Um, compliance, but as far as what we're doing right now, we are in compliance

021with policy and the law. Um, if we can do things that will, you know, help us improve beyond what is expected, then I think that is Awesome. So, I I guess that's where I wanted to bring to attention because I know this is a renewal contract, but next year when we're looking atus, potentially steps and hopefully some guidance with the sustainability committee that we can put some different language in to be a little bit more proactive. And so, that's I just wanted to hear that from you. I know I know I have that knowledge, but just wanted the public to have that knowledge as well. So, thank you. Um, so that was C and D. D is Sam's Landscaping Lawn Maintenance. Does anybody have any questions about that? Are these just renewals? They're just renewals.

022Yes. Um E, sorry. Yes, they are. Solid waste and recycling contract renewal. Miss Bradford, I have a question about where we are with recycling because we're a large entity with a lot of trash and are we recycling to the best of our ability? Um, I know the county isn't as strict on recycling as I wish we were. Um, but where are we with that? The best I can tell you is I think we're doing the best that we can when we take it to where it's processed at the county level. I think that's one of those things that is continually. Is it true there's a special hauler for us because we're the school district to get our um recyclables out? I remember that from a discussion from a couple years ago. I could have just

023made it completely up. Well, I don't know that you made it up. I the the the contract that's up for renewal here is who we're using for those services. So, are you asking if they if if we contracted with them alone? No. Okay. I'll go back and see if I can't figure out what it is that's in my memory and I'll I'll I'll message you. And I do know that this some of this is discussion that we're having as well as garbage to gardens and things and composting and and all that as well. So, some of that is happening in the sustainability committee as well, discussing some of this stuff, the recycling and and all that. Dr. Merrick, yeah, I was going to mention that garbage to gardens uh is in some of our schools.

024And it was a at least when I spoke with them last year, it was a clear intention to get into as many schools as possible. And not only is it great for recycling, it's a great uh teaching moment for the kids. It's engagement. And I would love it if we could increase the number of schools that we would give them access to. Uh, I I know it's a probably a bureaucratic nightmare. Sorry. But I think it's also a great opportunity. Dr. Morgan, we've had those numbers and I had them and I can't find them right off the top of my head. Do you remember how many schools we have garbage gardens? 10. 10. Thank you. So, we have them in 10. We're We have them in 10. All levels. One of those is two of

025them are high schools but one of them is um one of the early colleges and then the Hog Hoger does it but they do I I think the phrase was um back door only and it's because the front of the house is so so crowded during lunches because of the number of students they have that they don't treat it the way they do at the elementary and middle school levels. Um, so yeah, I think but I think there is there's there's a good relationship built there and it's, you know, I think it's got it's on firm footing. So as other schools are interested, we're able to help that. And again, one of the many things that sustainability is is looking at right now too with garbage garden. So um, at contracts extending into fiscal year

0262025 six 26. Thank you. Anybody? All right. Contracts and purchase orders. Are those that's that's new, right? Contracts in fiscal year 2026. Are those new? Yeah. So, that's a new contract. Um, so this is similar report that we bring to the board every month for any contracts that fall within that threshold. This information is that the same for G. Is that is that true for G as well? contracts and purchase orders. I'm sorry, I was speaking to G. Oh, you were. Um, what about app? So, those um the software that Rightsboro is [Music] purchasing. I do not have on the document from them if it's a renewal or not, but I can find that out. Okay. Thank you. Um, Mr. Perry, are we the G yet? Yes. Um, yeah, I have a question about this.

027This is a um NC sound again with the intercom systems and this is listed at $174,000,000. We just did one back in December from Murray for just 112. Has it gone up that much? It's it's it's based on the different school and if they're doing reabling. So, um the the projects are different. So they quote each one separately. It seemed like a big difference. The square footage a lot different. Um at Pine Valley are they reabling? Okay. So at Murray they did reable because their cable is fairly new but at Pine Valley more than likely they're reabling the whole building. So that would be the additional cost. Okay. Thank you. And the buildings are completely different. Okay. Um, HOU with Brooklyn Arts Music Academy. That's a renewal for this year only. It's a wonderful program.

028I was able to see a performance and the kids enjoy it. The teachers enjoy it. So, it's a great partnership for our prek students. I am OU between New Hver County Board of Ed and Community Schools of Cape Fear. It's a renewal. Any questions on that? Miss Barhart, does this have um the addition of Freeman we have like the wraparound services with communities and schools like or is this just speaking to communities and schools members in a large scale? So, this speaks to um in general our obligations to provide the models and I am I need to make sure that I'm looking at we have freedom school in here um but the unique program that we have with Freeman um isn't spelled out in here the full service community school model but we do have

029um communities and schools has a little bit of a different program in different schools with the amount of staff they have and the the types of services and programs based on the school needs. needs. So, we didn't detail all of those out in here, but if you have questions about that, I can give you more information on those. Well, I I know um it wasn't our awarded from the endowment, but they were awarded it and it's partnering with us. And so I just think for the success of the program, the potential continuation of the program, I think it might be beneficial for us to have some detailed goals of what we want to see that being accomplished with the part because it even though it's a subset of communities and schools, it's a unique program

030specifically at Freeman, right? So it's just something I want to bring to attention to potentially think about because if it's if if it's working well, I'd like to see it continue and I think having a list of that might be beneficial, right? So, and that would again be funding contingent for them, right? Yeah. Okay. I'll follow up with you on that. Thank you. Further on that, Dr. Mer, uh, are they all actually thrown into oneou? I I thought that we had more than oneou with communities and schools. Yeah, the K is also one. No, no, that's that's good. We we just have the one with communities and schools as a comprehensive. Got it. Thank you. All right. Um Jay, thank you. Authorizing increase in microurchase brush th brushold resolution. Any questions on that? Miss Barnhart.

031I would just like some clarity as why the cap is increasing from 10 to 50. And so this is an annual resolution that we bring to the board that allows us to um use the state purchasing thresholds instead of the federal which is lower. And so by the board approving this resolution, we can um instead of getting quotes at 10,000 or less like that, the federal rules require you to have three quotes in that situation where in that if we use the state rules, it's 30,000 between 30 um and 90,000. We get the informal we call that informal quotes. So just getting the three quotes versus doing the bid. So it's just increasing those thresholds. We've done this I think the last four years we've completed the resolution so we could have those higher thresholds.

032So it's exactly the same. It it is the same resolution as in previous years with just date ch with um yeah date changes. Mr. Perry um am I to understand however that for any of the this is why I'm a little confused. So I there are already limit as far as not needing board approval. Um the superintendent is already free to make purchases what under $300,000. Um the only ones that wouldn't be would be the ones not subject to competitive bidding like the NC sound one um which then requires board approval. So I I'm trying to understand why this is how that relates to that. you're increasing it to $50,000. You can the superintendent can already do this without our pool anyway as long as it's not one of those non-competitive bidding things. So, I'm

033trying to understand how that Sure. So, this is um really talking um about the bidding requirements, informal versus formal, not necessarily um requiring board approval versus superintendent approval of contracts or principal approval of contracts. This is saying before we can even um identify the vendor we want to go with and award that, it's saying that you have to go through a bidding process. Um, and so for federal, what that would mean is if a school wanted to make a purchase of something for $10,000, they would have to go through an informal bidding process, which as of now, we don't require them to do that. So, the difference is before you select the vendor, not the requirements of approvals after you select the vendor. Does that make a little more sense? So, what are you saying

034basically that right now if somebody if if the contract was 10 $10,000 right now, you could just award it without having a competitive bidding process and just do it. And now you're going to raise now you're going to raise that threshold for $30,000. So if it's $29,000 or less or $2999 and less um that you can go ahead and just award it to whatever company you want. That's right. We still doc you don't have to go through the informal bidding process. So that doesn't mean we don't shop around. Yeah, we're still going to look according to our policy. We're still going to find the best price um for the service or goods that we're purchasing. However, we're not requiring to go through the informal and formal bidding processes until the higher levels are reached. Mr.

035Bradford, um I see on today's agenda under information uh 6B, request for proposal process. I think it wouldn't hurt to just uh because I was going to ask the question, how much time do we spend in a formal bid process or you know versus an informal process? What what I know it's a burden on the staff to do it for $20,000. Um but maybe not everybody knows that. So can we just cover that in the request for proposals under information today? Sure. I'm good with that. And I and I had had run in a request to ask you to distinguish the difference between request for proposals and um RFQ request for qualifications because it took me about a year to figure that one out. All right. Um K agreement between New Hover County Schools and

036Community College. Any questions on that? Renewal. A renewal. It's a renewal for space for our transition program for young adults. Best graduation ever. Um L memorandum of understanding between New Hover County Board of Education, New Hover County Health and Human Services. Any questions on that? That's a renewal as well. Okay. Um M agreement between New Hover County Board of Ed and Coastal Horizon's Center, Inc. at the what clinic? I'm assuming that's a renewal as well. Renewal for one clinic. Yes. Any questions on that? Okay. Uh N memorandum of agreement between New Hmer County Schools and UNCW and that is also a renewal and it's for space for transition program for young adults. All right. Oh, memorandum of understanding between New Hver County Schools and UNCCW for student interns, school social work renewal. Renewal. Any questions

037on that? [Applause] P is the same thing except with UNC Charlotte. Yeah. Okay. Any questions on that? Uh Q DPI and New H County Schools 2526. Questions on that? That's a renewal and that is for the early literacy specialist that's employed by DPI but is um located in our buildings. All right. R 202526 alternative schools modified accountability system participation. Uh Miss Barnhart, could someone just speak to the clarity? I know there was option A, B, and C. Um and looks like Lake Forest is option B and so is ROW, but then career readiness at mostly is A. Is that just different qualifications for graduation requirements? Right. Is the school accountability difference? Um so alternative schools can have other participation options because of the nature of the students coming and going they um do not get

038school report card grades like traditional schools. So this is different ways that they can be measured um in that accountability model and this does have to be approved every year renewable. Thank you. Yes. Memorandum of understanding between New Hor County Board of Education, Coastal Horizon Center. And that one is also a renewal for our day treatment at Lake Forest. TOU for YMCA of South Eastern North Carolina for after school care. That is also a renewal. We have added in three more sites. That's awesome. Yeah, it's really great. So, how many total? That brings us to the I think it's 19. 19 or 20 or 20? Oh, shoot. Let's go with a bunch. I have it because I have it highlighted. I know that's one of the reasons why people request change of placement is after

039school care, right? We've seen that come across our 19. I I love to see that increase. And we've done a lot of collaborative work with the YMCA group this year as well. It's very strong relationship that we're able to add three more sites. All right. And the additional schools are College Park, Writesboro, and Alderman. Oh, awesome. Thank you. Um, you mou with sparknc boys and girls clubs of southeastern North Carolina. That actually is a new one. So, um, Boys and Girls Club, they're behind near Jersey Road. They're actually going to have a spark lab there. And so, the the intent is that we have students that are there after school as well as during the summer. that students that are in our high schools like at CEK now and New Hver next year that are

040starting the other complete their modules, they'll be able to complete their modules there if they're there during the summer or after school. Cool. And then um the is the same thing. It's just going to be with um communities and schools. I like to announce that we also have a spark lab going in at New Hover High School as well. We don't have to pay for either the equipment or the staff member. We've worked it out so that that doesn't hit our bottom line at all. That's amazing. Sprintson wanted to say it. I know. Did I say it? I'm so sorry. Still in the center. Okay. Go ahead. Say stole her thumb. Terrible person. Haven't gotten to that one yet. Go ahead. Sorry. Yeah. UNV are the Oh, it's X, isn't it? Dang it. So, UNV

041is Boys and Girls Club and then um communities and schools. So, those are two new ones that are being added. Okay. That surprised me a good day. Um, Mr. Perry. Yeah. So, um, maybe I missed the memo. I at at one point this this Spark NC lab was pilot. Is this been a full-blown thing now? Yeah. Well, yes, it has pretty much. Yeah. Initially, two years ago when we started it was a pilot. Now, pretty much it's moved across the state. Um the state is adding additional districts in um and if there are if there's a first time district then the state actually or SparkNC is covering the cost since we've already had the first one. These are costs then that um at least the one at New Hover that we will have to would

042have to sustain but we actually got donated money. The Boys and Girls Club and Communities and Schools that's not our cost at all. They're paying for it. Yes, they're paying for it. Um that's good. and the instructor too, which is important. Okay, great. Um, yeah. Yeah, thank you. Perfect. Uh, Miss Bradford, um, I could have sworn we had a June 4th, the latest July Spark Lab um, coming to talk to us. Is that still out there? I believe it is. I will verify that. Um, the kids have kids from CEKC have a statewide group coming here to New Hover for a convention over the summer. And you were going to put that on the agenda for them to come and tell us for the board members who don't know in the community what Spark Lab

043is and what they do. I thought we were wrapping up, but we'll double check. Okay. Yeah, this is I mean I know you said the state is expanding it, but when we got the Spark Lab at CEK, we were only one of 17 in the entire state to have it. So, this is really an awesome opportunity. Um this is a direct result of just the hard work. So, I mean, I since this thunder's been stolen, to see it expanding in our county is awesome. To be able to to talk about the opportunities that our kids are getting that I mean across the state, people are envious of this. And we're the only district in the state that actually have the um and like in community organizations like the Boys and Girls Club and communities and

044schools. No, but no other district has that. So, that's awesome. Here's your chance, folks. Have surprise. There you go. Yep. Well done, Don. All right. W uh Microsoft EES agreement with soft choice. That is that is a renewal. Okay. And any questions. Okay. Um we've covered X. I mean I feel like it should be highlighted again. This is a big deal. This is a memorandum between SparkNC and New H County Schools for Spark Labs and that's a new contract. No, it's actually a renewal in general, but we are adding one at New Hver High School. So, New H High School will also have a Spark Lab. The We got funds for the equipment donated to us and we'll be able to use a CTE position for the teacher. Cool. I would like to see some

045um if we could get some reports on uh like actual um it sounds all great stuff but do we have like some statistics numbers results how things have been going so we can evaluate it probably I mean I can give you some small results we've had two of our students actually got hired on at Live Oak cool right out of high school and then there is a student now working on a a game a gaming some you know creating a game that is actually possibly going to be in contracts with and be purchased from Epic Games purchasing it. Nice. So we have two students who have completed and their eight modules and their capstone and that have earned the credit. Um but I will definitely get a written report. Yeah. Kind of more like a

046summary for everybody kind of thing. How and make make sure that everybody's grades are improving rather than some some people are good and some people are bad. That's always the thing that that worries me a little bit about computer-based learning is is that you know during co it didn't work out so great for a lot of kids. A lot of kids didn't do so well in that kind of self-paced environment but in this case it may very well work. So I just want to see those numbers. Yeah. Just understand the way this is set up it never it doesn't harm the student. So students who are take this part of this there is no grade. If they complete the eight modules in the capstone project they get a credit. It's just they earn a credit.

047There is no pass fail. There are no grades. So, it's totally to the student's advantage. It's hard to sorry, it's hard to measure engagement. And I think what we're seeing with a program like that is these kids are excited and that's going to bleed over into the rest of their school. So, maybe you could look at overall grades or whatever, but I think I think it's safe to say that the engagement we're getting is just tremendous. Yes. You factor in attendance, graduation rate. Exactly. region. I was able to turn it off because I spoke on uh Miss Bradford. Um Miss Brenson, could you ask them to supply you with the because I don't remember from this year's graduation and last year's graduation, but the staggering number of their kids graduated that had already been hired

048besides the lifeboat kids been hired into really good paying jobs before graduation. That that number would be good to bring to the board. Yeah, I'll get that for you. Uh, Miss Barner, I did want to say I remember um in conversations one of the times I was out there at the lab talking about how we can do a better job because school laptops and stuff we have and rightfully so, we have different things that we we allow students to do and not do. But in this specific environment with the Spark Lab, sometimes the business side of things and when they're doing their internships and they're when they're working on programs, there's been some clashing of efforts. And so I don't know if there's also a way that we can as we expand this program and

049give these opportunities. I don't know if there's a way that the tech department I'm looking over at you too, we've already taken care of that. Oh, I love to hear it. So yes, so the issue was we are definitely more secure than what businesses. So the applications they use, we we struggle with trying to find a way that they can use them safely. However, Brian and his wonderful team have figured a way to kind of separate out, you know, that network so that way it's going straight to the internet. It won't be from their laptops. It'll actually be from the um workstations that we have there in the lab, but they'll go straight out to the internet and then they'll have no problem with some of the other devices that they were trying to use

050on the network as well. Awesome. I love to hear that because this is a great program, great opportunity, but also understanding that education is different than than business world. So, perfect. Thank you so much. All right. Why network security enterprise licensing agreement with NWN and that is a renewal. Uh Mr. Perry, so uh you'll be presenting uh the uh the cloud-based thing next week as we alled earlier um which Mike um and and just am I reading this right that the uh uh would it's a renewal but it's a 5year renewal so we're going to save money is the understanding um it just wouldn't if we wanted to do some additional network security to bring maybe some of the some of the data the confidential student data back inhouse rather than on the cloud. Could

051we would it be any problem revising this or or taking bits from other comp companies in order to do that or are we going to be sewn in to not being able to to make additional network security things uh happen if we wanted to bring more of our confidential data back home. We won't we won't be you know hamstrung by this whether we brings you know the programs back home and the data back here. we'll still be doing these things because it's what makes that safe. Um, we also have to make sure we're protecting staff and central office devices like your finance office who all the confidential data they have. So, it would not change this. So, it would be put more additional money on top of this if we did that something like that,

052but we're not going to be hamstrung by No, that's all. And I did a fiveyear agreement because we got like a 10% savings by doing five years versus like Thank you. and Z, year-end budget amendment resolution. This is once again another annual resolution that we bring to the board for approval. This allows us in June since we we have our meeting early in June. It allows us to close out the books and to make some adjustments as we're trying to close out the year and then we would bring those adjustments back to the board for approval at the July meeting. Any questions on that? We got through all of the consensus items. Well, and we have more, but we just ran out of alphabets, so we'll do those next month, a Miss Bradford. So, I

053would move that we pull the seven out that we identified were new and one that needed a little bit more discussion and put the others, leave them in consensus or just mark them that way. I mean, I didn't want to put a whole lot of staff burden there, but F, G, J, I, U, V, and X are are new or need discussion. I put the Spark Lab on there so that Miss Britson can get some discussion on that. Or X, excuse me, X. Um, do we need more discussion? We just discussed that. That would make it six. Then you could make that motion. Um I mean I would say to keep leave the renewals on the consensus and pull the others. We can do that if we want to do that next week. I think

054that would be a good idea. Yeah. Um Justice. Well, yeah, that was a pretty thorough discussion and I you know some of them I don't see any reason to pull to have discussion just put them in consensus problem. Um, I'm not sure why separating them this way is any more effective than if we've gone over them now and say that's good and so we're on consensus. Miss Madam Chair, Miss Barnhart, I think I mean I personally am comfortable with them all being consensus but I think what my colleague is uh trying to say is being if we are able to say consensus renewal consensus new like so that just an acknowledgement to the public and us to say this these are things that we've consistently done and we're redoing continue that these are new things

055that we're embarking on and have anou with. I think it's just clearly an organizational delineation and I have no problem either keeping this intact or having that kind of little header. I'm okay with both, but I agree with my colleague to the right's point of understanding. We did have a thorough discussion. So, we are absolutely we can talk about these on Tuesday, some of the highlights um which the Spark Lab adding to New Horizon School and not having to pay for it is an amazing opportunity for our students. So, we should absolutely highlight that. But I think for the organizational piece that my other colleague is discussing, it's purely just to share with our us and the public, these are things that we constantly do. These are new things we're doing. So and um in

056defense of my position, um I don't care how we do it either. What I don't want to do is go through A through Z ad nauseium in a full board meeting. And that's my goal. Just do it at a full board meeting. Um all right. So, continuing um so if we can make a motion um she made a motion but there was can we just mark them on the agenda renewal or versus new probably the best way to go I think that's that is that possible thank you all right um policy Mr. World War. My turn. Very good. First off, um, so we had a great policy meeting just a couple weeks ago and um, I would like to offer I mean it says 20 minutes. I don't think we necessarily need 20 minutes. We

057got a great uh, document which I would like u, Mr. Justice has one, Perry has one, I have one. I'd like the whole board to have it because it answers a lot of questions you may have about individual policies. Uh, these policies all came from the NCSBA. Um, so it's But, uh, Mr. Padetski, I'll give her credit. Uh, because she did, you know, call her out, give her a shout out, put together this great document because it actually goes through the policy, what it's about, what the policy is about, legal authority involved, and she's got a whole bunch of notes. So, I mean, I I don't know get, you know, by the end of this today's meeting a copy to everybody who would like one, and that way there and I would offer myself if

058you want to give me a call if you have any, you know, you obviously talk about it. Anybody else have any questions over the week? Okay. Good idea. On the way back. So, Mr. Wmore, how much time do you honestly think we could do it in 10 minutes? Unless there's a big huge policy, especially if everybody's able to look at it ahead of time. Mr. Okay, some of these are NCSBA ones and other ones that we know are going to be involving language changes such things as diversity and groups and everything else that are in some of these in terms of title N and all those these are going to as much as I think we should be able to just pass it. We know my colleagues to my left and right are going to

059want full discussion before we vote on them. So to think this is going to get done in 10 minutes is even 20 minutes. I would say we probably need at least a half an hour to go through all these things because you know we're going to want discussion. So as much as I would like to just pass it, I know my colleagues in my left and right are going to want discussion. So I don't know how to avoid it. What do you think justice? Yeah, she was in the meeting before. So get um it's going to be consistent in the type of discussion. We'd probably be hearing things over and over again, but how about 20 minutes because we do need a discussion, but we know the situation. We're being realistic here. I do have

060time constraints and there will be repetition. Yeah. Barnhart, did you want to say something? Um thank you, Madam Chair. I I'm just concerned some of these have rolled over for this is month three now and so um you know, we have a policy committee and you guys are bringing Mr. Mr. Chair, it's my understanding that this is the recommendation of the committee these changes. And so while I respect people having difference of opinions, the reality is we have a policy committee that does this work that as you pointed out um has this very thorough reasoning of why a lot of these are happening um behind it. And so if this is the recommendation from the committee, I do not believe we need to extend discussion time of this. This is something that has carried over

061month after month after month. Um, respecting the committee members who have gone through. I know when I personally have questions, I reach out to the chairman um to discuss policies prior to the committee because I think it's important to give that input um when there is decisions of concern. Uh I do I do not see the point of extending time. Um per this these are all supposed to be consensus items. I'm looking there's 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20. This is we're not we're not here to do the work of the policy committee. The policy committee has done the work. I would be comfortable keeping it as 10 minutes as the chair had previously discussed. Thank you. Thank you sir. Miss

062sarcastic. Miss Justice. Okay. Just because the majority of people on the policy committee voted in a certain way doesn't mean that everybody did and not everybody watches the policy committee and people that aren't on our school board or on the policy committee expect us to be their voices. So there will be a discussion even though it's not going to be like it does during the policy committee, but that's only fair for those who would like to have us speak up for them and that's why I'm here. Dr. Merrick and then Miss Bradford. Yeah, I' I' I've heard comments uh about uh the concern about the people that have attended board meetings recently. And I think what we as a board need to recognize is that when we get a whole galley full of people who

063are concerned and upset that they have the right to be heard. And the reason we are discussing changes in policy is because it does impact the public. And when we see how the public reacts, it even more important that we spend the time to discuss. I'm going to defer back to the chair of policy. I I think I would go with justice's recommendation 20 minutes. We take the middle. I mean, we I'll be honest, Mason. I disagree with my colleague across the way that we have an hour that we hear from people. So again, we don't need four hours to talk about policies that we've already talked about month after month, but we can definitely spend 20 minutes on. And Miss Frederick, I would agree with both this colleague and Miss Barnhart. It's well said

064that we're not here at a regular board meeting to duplicate the committee's work. I'm attending the committee meetings so that I can stay up to date on what's going on and hear the arguments. And for those of us who really want our constituents, our fans to hear our voices, they can just simply go to that recording and hear what was said last month or last meeting at the policy committee meeting by the board members so that we don't have to repeat that exact same discussion at the board meeting. We've we've we've organized ourselves in the last year to where we have efficient and and timely meetings and all of a sudden things are starting to slow down, starting to drag where people just want to talk and talk and talk and talk and talk to

065hear the voice and I I find it objection. Yeah, I objected. That was that was insulting. That was not the corum. There was there was no point of call, but there was just there was an objection. All right. So, we're going to discontinue that. Um, so we're giving it 20 minutes. 20 minutes sounds good. All right. Old business contract for legal services. Mr. Perry, is there any way we can maybe at least break out? Um, all the ones that are probably not objectional, put them into a separate list that maybe we can just do a one off vote on. That's typically what we do. Yeah. Yes. So maybe you could list them that way on the agenda because well the the difficulty with that sir is that we don't necessarily know which ones people are

066going to want to pull out and so we can't just guess it h it has to happen organically at the at the actual meeting. So people um contract for legal services. So that is Miss Sutton. So we're recommending renewal of our current attorneys. No change in the rate. So um it's just extending for another year in this recommended contract. Okay. So do we need five five minutes, Mr. Record? Um, is this our board attorney attorneys or all of our attorneys? This is our board attorney. Thank you. So, five minutes for that. Um, next is sir, insurance renewal. We felt that there may be a little bit more discussion when it comes to that. So, we wanted to be sure that we had that on under old business. That's you. Thank you. That's me again. Um,

067thank you. And I'm passing out handout. This was in assembly, but I thought it might be nice to have a copy of the handout as we're going through um just in case you have questions. And I do have Zach Wright here from Sherry. Um and if you have questions about the policies, then he is going to be able to come up and answer those questions. But just a high level overview um for the policy. So this is a renewal. Um we are seeing a increase of 3.71%. Um looking at all of the these policies together. So this is general liability, employee benefit liability, sexual misconduct liability, school leaders errors and emissions liability, crime, automotive, workers comp, and cyber liability. So in total, looking at all of those different insuranceances together, um you the total cost

068is um right at 2 million1,987,480. As I said, that's a 3.71% increase. We did plan for increase, as you may remember, in our budget. Um, this is actually less than we had originally budgeted for. So, we're in good shape there. Um, and we're using, and we'll get to this in the next item, but some of those um savings or um I guess the over budget that we plan for, we would be using to assist with covering um all of our students, which we'll talk about in the next policy. So, if there are specific questions, be glad to answer those. But there were a couple of changes in the policy. And if it's okay with the board, I would like to invite Mr. right up to go through those changes with us. Do we have a

069place for him to sit with a mic? Well, I was gonna have him stand here with me if that's okay. Because our podium set up at this point. Good afternoon, folks. Just the changes. Yes. On page two, proposal, you see a highlighted in yellow, an exclusion for firearms added coming up to 7125. That is, as of this point, no effect on New Hover County Board of Education. Liberty Mutual is being preemptive in that they are not going to support school systems with the policy of arming teachers and staff. So it has no bearing on what you guys are doing and most everyone else in the state of North Carolina, but they're seeing that trend nationally and there just some safety concerns they have over those over doing that. So that would be the first change

070which is I guess restricting coverage but since it is not an exposure I don't think that one is relevant. Mr. President, well clarity with our school resource officers because they do have firearms. So I understand where it's coming from. I was confused with the fire of why this was um excluded, but I mean is there is there an issue with our school resource officers being on campus and armed? Absolutely not. Okay. Thank you. So then if you will rotate to page four. Um this one is concerning. We are negotiating with Liberty. This retroactive date what they have proposed to change is the date from 71 of 2004 and forward that to 71 of 2015. What this endorsement means is any sexual abuse misconduct claim from 71 2004 through 6:30 of 2015 would now no longer

071have coverage if it is not known if it's already known and been reported. That's not going to change anything. Yes, ma'am. Well, um this has to do obviously with the cost. Uh it's going to be hard to find any kind of insurance company at this point that would probably cover this. Would that be a correct assessment? That is a very 100% correct assessment. So we're we're in the process of working just the the by the time we receive proposal the deadline. We have not finished that negotiation, but this is potentially what could be happening. And that's a move that Liberty is making across the nation, not only in the Carolinas, just due to the number of sexual abuse misconduct claims that have appeared. Yeah. Like, so it's like we're losing our tail coverage is basically

072what you're saying. That is exactly what I'm saying. Yes, sir. And I think we're also learning that every year we're learning new things and you know more cases are coming out and this is terribly terribly concerning that we would be left uh un not covered. I'm guessing that if we went to another insurance company, they're not going to let us buy tail coverage either. Yeah, they're the only ones who would cover us. Liberty literally. They're literally the only ones who would cover us. Sounds like a rock in a hard place. Can we can we say no? We don't want to accept that term. I mean, are we allowed to do that? We have already said that for you on your behalf and we are appreciating that. Okay. This is a big issue and I'm having

073to battle for other larger leas of the state. It's not just you. So, it has nothing to do with your past. The I think the biggest thing carriers that provide sexual abuse misconduct have found is that with the ruling from the state supreme court that those cases from the 60s and 70s can now go forward where before they were barred by statute of limitation. If you look at the ' 04 date that coincided with exactly 18 years of age plus three years on the statute that would provide from kindergarten through 12th grade. So that's what we're trying to strive to get you back toward. I should have an update by this week. Is there a possibility of it, you know, paying more and doing that? Is there like that window or not? That could possibly

074be part of the negotiation, but I think it's more or less going to be a yes or no. Okay. Mr. Bradford. Well, one of the things I wanted to do is I wanted to get the attorney's opinion on it. But I have to say after studying insurance now for three years, I really think that we have to look at alternatives. We know that this is the only game in town. It's monopoly and liberty is taking away our privileges of what we're insured for for more money every every year. And I think we need to look at the only alternative which I think is self-insuring or well it's not called self-insuring but it is but yeah so I just wanted to hear from from Brian. That was one of the questions I was going to ask.

075What's the u the deduct of the sir for for a claim on sexual abuse? And the reason I'm asking it may be possible for us to take on a bigger deductible and get a dramatically lower um premium. Now that's not something you want to do with your car insurance, right? But for us, considering that we have immunity for the deductible amount, then it may be a feasible way to go. I'm just trying to figure what is it now? It is currently 250,000 on the sexual abuse misconduct, 100,000 on your workers compensation. So the SIR is 250,000 on on sexual abuse. That is correct. Okay. So it is pretty high. All right. All right. Um, Madam Chair, follow Miss Reford, could we could we uh could we agenda a discussion on sovereign immunity and how that

076would look in terms of because we're just going down a road you can see the inevitable. So, why don't we get proactive about it? I wanted to do that last year. Um, could we could we initiate some conversation on that? It needs to go to some committee or subcommittee. That's fine. just just approving these insurance 7.3% increases with less and less coverage every year is is extremely in the way. I would like to share that we did go out to market. I don't know if that's the right language for this act. Um and can you provide some information and I think it's on page 14 these we have not sat back and let liberty go year after year although they have had some tough renewals for you. Now you will look at the marketing list

077folks. We know we can send this to 200 carriers and we can really make this page look good but we can send it to State Farm Nationwide Hartford Travelers. None of them do school liabilities. Some names you know here in Cincinnati. So the folks that would consider your coverage possibly be the equivalent of a statewide spelling beam, you know who your top performers are at each high school, middle school, and elementary to send a hundred to only send the ones that know the spelling. That's what we're trying to focus on here, Mr. Perry. Yes. So the is it the 11% increase for the general liability and the Well, I might as well just talk about the auto Is it anything in particular that we is this just going up for everybody and the coverage is

078going down? Coverage is going down for everybody or we are normally being affected compared to other school districts here in North Carolina as far as the rate increase. That's a great question. Right now approximately 10% is the going rate for all lines of coverage. If you're performing better it's a little bit less. If your losses are more it's worse. I think you're with the state of North Carolina on your insurance. They have a minimum 10% rate increase plus a 3% exposure increase for a total of 13. But you look at hurricanes, you look at wildfires, folks, we we've got cases that are going to be heard that are allegations of the substitute teacher, Mr. Phil conduct had inappropriate contact. We don't have records from the 60s and 70s to even defend. We've got a few

079cases where basically all the witnesses to the possible event that occurred have passed away. So, but these claims are coming. These carriers are having to having to reserve for these type claims. And automobile, if you look in terms of the inflation basket, I think eggs beat auto insurance at one time, but auto is the number one inflation driver in the United States. You start talking about tariffs being imposed, then the cost of replacement auto parts. So auto's going up. Um homeowners insurance going. It is a broad base. The only things not going up right now really in lockep are cyber insurance and workers compensation. Otherwise though all lines of coverage are looking at at increases. Yes ma'am. I guess my question is if part of the old business is to renew this contract and so

080if we're going to have the discussion of potentially self insurance and deductible and do the pro we can't I don't feel comfortable voting to renew the contract if we're going to try to explore other options. So when is the term when are the terms up that has to be renewed? Is it next month? July 1st. Yes, ma'am. Yeah, we would be looking at the was not our re our recommendation as staff. I just want to say is to renew. If the board would like us to do something different, we can definitely do that. But that was not the re our recommendation is to renew the policy. It's too late this year. If we do renew and we work out another alternative uh situation, uh can we cancel and still get, you know, get get back

081our the unused portion of our funds? Great question. If we end up renewing and then working, there'd be a minimum of a 10% penalty. Okay, that's policy language for all home auto for your your coverage as well. Oh, one more question. Miss Frederick, could that question prompted my thought, we could just back out of a portion of this, not the whole thing in order. Let's say this time, well, not say this time, let's say in four months or five months, we've gotten enough information and we want to we want to go down another route in terms of Liberty Mutual, right, and the sexual abuse. We can pull out of that and still keep the rest of it. Am I not wrong? No, you you are correct. But if if Liberty Mutual were be were to

082be charging and I can get specific, $200,000 for sexual abuse to find it monoline in the Lloyd's market would be a half million or more. So there are bundled package credits built into this feasibly we could separate the workers comp, but if we start separating GL, sexual abuse and those coverages, we're going to lose some of the multipolicy discounts that are in there. But Liberty Mutual doesn't do workers comp, right? Yes, ma'am. They do. They do your workers comp. Really? The excess workers comp. Were there other changes? You have a you have 100,000 retention with them, but Liberty Mutual does do your workers compensation and have for the last four to five years, but I can check that. All right. Were there other changes that we needed to So just for clarification, so we do

083self-insure for workers comp up to the 100,000. Then over that the excess workers comp kicks in and covers. So partially we self-insure and then over that 100,000 per injury um occurrence. Um that's where the workers comp that you see in this document is coming in. The excess workers comp. Thank you. All right. Was there any other changes that you wanted to highlight or No, those were the only two. Okay. Perfect. Um, any other questions from the board? All right. So, how much time do we want to give this? We're pretty much held hostage. 10 minutes. 10. That's it. We're just going to have presentation. Do we need to request Mr. Wright to come back? Because um I don't have a presentation planned. I was just going to request approval of this document, but if you

084would like for him to come back and do a presentation, I'm sure he would be glad to do that. That would be amazing. Yeah, I think that's a good idea. Yeah. explaining that part about because the public assumes that when Liberty Mutual settles that we have settled and that money comes out of our budget and so there's there's just a lot of misconception around the insurance with sexual abuse. So the more that you can say the better just to inform people so at least they know that we're trying. Absolutely. Justice. Yeah. And and the fact that we're put it this way sort of stuck with Liberty Mutual. There's a real sour taste in the mouth of a lot of people that have been involved over the last several years because of the sexual assault situation.

085That'll probably maybe help them understand that why we're in this position and not blame us because we get blamed for things that we're not responsible for. So that'll give them an explanation as to why we're going this route. We appreciate you being here and appreciate you giving us accurate information. Absolutely. Glad to. And I understand board's frustrations. Insurance right now is not not easy anywhere I go. So, it's serious, but it's it's harder here. Next time, come back with better information, will you? This is the best premium information I've come with in about three years. So, just make sure you start out by saying I'm not with Liberty Mutual. Right. Caseri Insurance. Got it. Miss Bhart. So just out of clarity too because um because of the history in our county, you said even if

086even if the board approves this um change in renewal, any cases that are have not been settled but are in actively being investigated, if you will, like that is grandfathered in to what we have. No. Yeah. You're if it is open and we know about it, it's already been reported, that coverage will not be lost. It would only be if it were newly discovered. So just from from the day that we signed this forward, whatever has not been even even if it's not fully done, but okay. I I that gives me a little bit more. Thank you. The thought process is, and I'm I'm leerary to defend, but the thought process is with the statute of limitations being removed or changed in the state of North Carolina, if it were ever going to come forward,

087it should had come forward because within that two-year window, there was nothing barring you to do that. I say a plain. So, the theory of them doing this is that whatever was out there has already come forward. And the fight back on our end is well what if it's not and the other part is if it's come forward there should be minimal risk on retaining the 2004 date. So it's not we're not done negotiating yet. So okay thank you Dr. Well, let one observation about that if it helps one as you pointed out remember that that 28 age limit for people means that older claims dayby dayby day roll off um you know people who are potential claimants for those you know 2001 2002 2003 well they're going to be outside the the age time

088frame and you know one as you pointed out one of the problems with these things you get a claim 15, 20 years old. It's impossible to defend because you don't have witnesses around. There people who have died. There are people who, you know, retired, moved out of state. Um, what we have, we're looking at a policy here with $250,000 deductible and then $500,000 cap for claiming. Now, that may make it easier um in some ways to defend because, you know, you no longer have the opportunity for a plaintiff's attorney to get rich off of, you know, getting that million to$2 million claim, but it's expensive. And remember, the million dollars that you're paying for coverage isn't just for sex claims. That's what's all in the forefront of our mind because they're expensive and unanticipated somewhat.

089Um, but Dr. Merrick, um, I don't I'm not used to this insurance, but I'm used to, you know, errors and omission for professionals insurance, in which case when I start with a company, I have coverage until I stop, right? and and and they wouldn't have the right contractually to take away past occurrences. I'm wondering if there's anything in our contract legally that would prevent Liberty from doing this to us. I'm I'm sure sure they've looked for it, but you know, great question. They sent uh proper legal notice as defined by the North Carolina Department of Insurance that gave you the minimum 45 days is what the state of North Carolina requires. So they I would have to check the file to make sure they met the 45, but obviously if they did, they can cancel

090coverage. It's not just Liberty. It's Farm Bureau, State Farm. It's anybody. 45 days notice is the threshold. Thank you. North Carolina Department of Insurance. All right. Thank you. And we'll see you next week. Thank you folks. Absolutely. Thank you again. Um Miss Sutton, and this is you again. student accident insurance renewal. Didn't know if there would be any further discussion on this as well. So, so once again, the information that's being handed out is provided in assembly, but I thought it might be helpful just to have a hard copy to review. Um, and I do have Mr. Doug Young, our agent, here to answer any questions that you have. Um, as you'll see, this is the information that we talked about briefly at our last meeting, agenda review, I believe. Um, where we are renewing,

091uh, catastrophic, um, athletic insurance for middle and high schools and then we're adding additional insurance for our other students. Um, we had talked about if the insurance we just discussed if that renewal came in, um, we have money left in our insurance budget. We wanted to purchase this additional insurance for all of our students. Um, and so we did have the funding in the budget available. So that's why I'm bringing this forth um, to be able to make that purchase. And so you'll see in the three handouts that you've received, um, one is called and and it should be the first document that's clipped together. It's base student accident insurance. That's the new policy that, um, I was referring to last month. The second document you have there is the catastrophic. Um, so this is

092middle high school athletic insurance. So that's the policy that we've always had. we just had it through a different vendor in the past. And then the third document you see there is our voluntary um parent um insurance where that the parents can purchase additional insurance if they like. And so once again, we've always had the option for parents to purchase additional insurance if they so choose. Um these prices are less than the current year. So I think that's good. I believe the cheapest policy this year it start that standard plan starts off at $9 where this standard plan starts off at eight. Um and that's on page one of that first document. So as just a highlevel summary and then of course any questions that you have I'm sure Mr. Dr. Doug Young would be

093glad to answer those questions. But high level, um we are seeing an increase for our student um accident insurance of approximately um well $18,817 is the incre and that is because of the purchase of that additional insurance. So, when we talked last month, I believe I said I thought it would be 19,000. 20,000 actually came in a little bit less than I originally had thought. Um, the per student amount is 88 cents. Um, I knew it was going to be under a dollar, but I wasn't sure exactly what that cost per student would be. And so, um, with the savings, we feel comfortable. We, this is within our budget, so that's our recommendation, but be glad to answer any questions you have. Miss Bradford, with the change in our previous uh or reduction in previous

094to what you'd estimated to this, we're still at the net zero, aren't we? We're we're still expense neutral. Correct. The 19,000 within the budget. We actually still have some money left in that insurance budget beyond Yes. So, we are to the good actually looking at both of these renewals together. Um, our property insurance is through the state. That'll come up in November. And so I do have some of that money set aside if I need it there. But right now, we're to the good in insurance about 70,000. And that's including this 18,000. Good job. Um, did we get a definitive uh answer on whether this would cover a therapy animal if we put this? And so if Mr. Young, would you mind coming forward? I'm gonna make this as tall as I can before. Would

095you please ask that question again? There's been there's been some discussion along whether we should allow uh uh students to have therapy, pets, animals and bring them in the classroom for emotional needs etc. And but there's been discussion over uh you know the liability about doing that. And uh I was wondering if this new insurance that we are purchasing would be able to handle our liability in that particular case. The student action policy does consider an action an unforeseen event. So in that case I know animal bites is that if that's what you're specifically referring to would be covered under the policy as an unforeseen incident. So um that that should be covered. I think also the med pay under your liability may also pick up that expense as well. So between the student accident

096and your liability, that should be a covered expense. Mhm. So my question is um I'm grateful to hear about even adding this coverage and we're still under budget of close to $70,000 when it translates to our buildings. Tell me what this does. Are we allowed to have bouncy houses? Can we do tugof-war again? like the these are the questions that when you talk to community members and staff members, they'd like to hear those those things. So, I don't know if it'd be better for Dr. Barnes to speak to it or yourself, but just to hear some of the things that are able to be brought back because like like we heard earlier, our um overarching insurance has been cut year after year after year of what is covered. So what we what the hope was

097in my eyes to add this on was to bring some of that back to have some more flexibility for MSR. Like I said, just a couple of points. One, there's a difference between service animals and therapy animals. I want to make sure the public and everyone knows that's clear. We do provide for service animals as a part of the ADA accommodation. We are also working with the attorneys to draft anou with the pause for people's service animal folks. However, I do think that that liability would remain on that side of the fence, not ours. So, in regards to insurance, I don't want to speak out of turn. You can certainly correct me. Everybody else does. Um, but it's not a question of whether the insurance company will allow it or not. It's a question of

098whether the insurance company will cover it or not. And so a lot of times we've had to pull back on things because simply we can't afford the liability being placed on the district itself. So I think the question is whether or not this would cover that to an extent where we wouldn't have to worry about the same level of things. Great question and I think this actually came up when we were meeting in uh in February in Greensboro. the the policy now that your district is considering purchasing on ensuring all of your students for all school sponsored activities would in fact cover things such as field days. Uh having a bouncy house on a school property if an injury occurs to a a student that would be covered under the student access policy that uh

099Ashley is looking at and your district is considering purchasing for the upcoming school year. So it is a true blanket policy. Again, any school sponsored activity, I know that can sometimes be a gray area, but any school sponsored activity would be covered under the additional coverage now that we're looking to to add. So, Miss Justice, I like to say to whoever has done this and made this happen, thank you. It's been it was happening when I was on the school board previously. the frustration with these these events that kids take part in that that's helps them their education their emotional social growth and it's good to have that assurance that these things can come back into the schools because it's just a plus for education so whoever did that thank you I would like to

100share that um you know we have a list that we provide to schools these are prohibitive student activities so we are going to take a look at that list and work with Mr. Young to determine if there's anything on that list that needs to stay on the list because we don't want to just open. So we so we're going to go through that list and I'll be glad to share that out to the board once we feel like we've got a good list and of course we'll be sharing that with principles as part of the summer leadership as well. Good. Great. Great. Because I think jousting's on the list. I think we need to keep jousting on the list. I know. Great. On bicycles. So five minutes for that discussion I think would be sufficient.

101Do we want Mr. Young to come back next week to the board meeting or do we feel like um I do we need a presentation? I just want to make sure I trust you. I think we're good. It's the go through the list and go through the list and then uh get go down the list of activities and maybe you can clarify next week. Yeah. Thank you. I just want to commend Miss Sutton for her work on this. You saved the district money. You've covered something we've really, really wanted to do and we're very proud of you. Second. Good job. Make it a motion. Give her a clap. Where's her? Okay. Continuing uh under new business, we have cafeteria manager salary scale. Okay. So, Just a second. There you go. He's giving you a gold

102star. Now she's Yeah. Will you start? Sure. Um, so I'm going to ask Miss Stanley to to come forward in case there any questions. She might be better equipped to answer, but essentially it's a recommendation to transition um the salary scale for cafeteria managers. Currently, they're paid based on the size of school they're working in, whether it's elementary, middle, or high. Um, what we're proposing is that it be changed so that it aligns with recommendations from the um financial wellness review presented in March um based on participation with the goal being to not only increase participation at each of the cafeterias, but hopefully incentivize professional growth for the managers. Um, Miss Stanley, did I miss anything? Yes. Miss by participation. Could you explain? Yeah. The number of students who participate in eating at school. Okay.

103Anybody have any questions? Dr. Merrick, how will this if if we look at the performance now? Uh are are cafeteria uh staff going to be getting a raise or are they going to be demoted in their pay scale? Oh, please. There are some that would receive a pay increase. Those that would that should go down a pay grade. They will be held harmless. But when the next person coming in um that adjustment would be made. Now, if they request to go to a school um that has lower participation, they would get the new pay scale. As long as they stay where they are, then they would be held harmless. Thank you. Question. Um my question is, are meals counted for both lunch and breakfast for the participation or is it just for the time of

104day? The participation, the way we're going to look at it is equivalent meals. And this is how we do participation reports for DPI as well. One lunch meal is equivalent to one lunch to a meal. Okay. Two breakfast equals one meal. And then $4.75 in participation equals one meal. Um so it is a meal equivalent. That is how we staff the schools. We do not staff schools based on, you know, if they're a high school or whatever. We staff based on participation. So this is and this is in line with how we get reimbursed too. So the more students that are participating in the program, we would receive a larger reimbursement from the federal government. Yes, ma'am. Okay. Thank you. Miss Bradford, this is on the agenda for next week to approve, right? So we

105could approve it today and just get it off next week's agenda, right? I mean, we're hiring it. We don't have to be refreshed. Nobody has to come to the mic. So, I would move that we go ahead and approve this one. I'll second that. Okay. And remove it from next week. Yes. Yeah. Just trying to clear up next week for some time. Yes. So, there is a motion to approve this and remove it from next week agenda. Uh any further discussion, Mr. Perry? Have you run this by uh the actual cafeteria managers on most floor? They agree with it. Um we have discussed that it was a possibility and I mean, you're going to have some that are for and some that are against. I mean, you know, those that are not receiving a pay

106increase, of course, they're going to be against, but this is making we're putting everybody on equal playing fields. We have got a big disparity. You would say in general most Yes, most of them are for it. Okay. Okay. So, there's a motion to approve. No, they hold us and the opportunity exists for all of them, right? The opportunity exists. Some of them are going to change immediately, but everyone can change. Right. Can can I offer just a point of clarification for that too where where Miss Stanley's talking about the disparity. I think what she's getting at is we have kept to your manager at two elementary schools. They're on the same pay scale. But if one has participation of 400 kids and one has participation of 100 kids, the one with 400 kids, the one

107that's feeding 400 kids every day, they're working much more. They're working much more every day. And so where we're talking about getting to more equitable playing field that this is this is the goal. And we do have a I mean one school the second highest participation school in the district is an elementary school. Um and that is there is a lot of work to go in to prepare 800 meals a day. And this this wooden is the participation in the schools based uh on socioeconomics where one cafeteria worker will have a harder time engaging and encouraging participation because of the economics of those school kids. No sir. um because those schools would be your community eligibility and they're all at their top. So you should have high participation at those schools. Fantastic. Thank you, Miss

108Bradford. But am I correct in assuming that this would encourage everyone to encourage everyone to eat? Yes, ma'am. And that's a really good goal. All right. So, there's a motion to approve and remove this from next week's agenda. All those in favor signify by saying I. I I Any opposed? That passes 7 to zero. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. Take something off the plate. Yeah. Um next we have New Hover County Schools AIG plan 2025 to 2028. Thank you. So every three years we do have to submit to DPI our AIG plan for our district under article 9B of general statute 115C 15.5. So our plan has to be submitted um the three-year plan has to be submitted and approved by you and submitted to DPI by July 15 of this year.

109Um this is a working document. So during that three-year period if we do have changes that we need to make we can certainly do that. Um Dr. DeWalt um has worked on these revisions and changes based on suggestions from DPI site visits from our gifted education specialist from the gifted advisory council and um so she has worked on taking out the things that need to be taken out added what needs to be added. Um, probably the largest difference in our plan is that we no longer have an AIG supervisor, a person just dedicated to that one position. And Dr. DeWalt is here since she is the um person who has really worked the most on this plan. If you have any additional questions about the plan, Miss Justin, so there is no longer a person

110in char head of of AIG in this. No, ma'am. During the budget reductions at the end of last school year, that position was um removed and Dr. DeWalt has been trying to fill in um and take over those responsibilities this school year. So, she's doing the work, but it's not an official position. Correct. Because we do have to have someone who is AIG certified to make sure that um things are in place. Wow. Thank you, by the way. Does anybody have any questions for Dr. I have the question next week but not now. Dr. Mer. Yeah, I'm first of all I I I agree with my colleague and in congratulating and thanking you for doing the work. Um, if you can be frank, how is this impacting the the program and those students? Um, sure.

111So, uh, the program has continued on at the school level as we had before. So, each school site, um, with the exception of our early colleges has a gifted education specialist in their building who's continuing to do the same work in terms of supporting students. Our early colleges are supported by a member of the CNI staff um, who supports our specialty schools. the change really has been on the back end in terms of um getting things prepared. So the GES I lead their meetings now. Previously we had a um supervisor position who was overseeing that. um the budget that comes from that's for like school supplies for AIG students um now goes through CNI and so those shifts have occurred um but it has not the students have the same amount of teacherf facing time

112with a gifted education specialist organization um it is a lot but I have handled it and have received much grace both from the specialists and uh and from my team as Must out of curiosity, what is your regular position with the district? I'm the director of curriculum and instruction. So again, thank you for what you're doing. You're welcome. Uh Dr. Bryce, and this is one of those situations where in order to maintain or reduce cuts to schools, we had to cut our central office. So as much as we didn't want to do these things, we had an insurmountable budget that we had to cover. And so this was the way to ensure that we didn't directly affect children. So thank you again. If I could just my colleagues, we do thank you for you know

113not only doing your normal job but doing what what's needed for the kids. So thank you Miss Bradford. And I hear rave reviews about our AIG. So thank you. Yeah, we have really supportive parents. We have a really strong um gifted advisory council um who meet uh and also help support this plan that hopefully y'all will pass next month. Um and they provide site visits um so that they can provide feedback um to our team too about what changes they would like to see. Um when developing this plan, you'll see on the first page there's a whole list of awesome teachers and parents um who helped to give feedback in the process. But a lot of that came from going through gifted advisory council notes from years past. What are things parents want to see?

114What are things parents have had questions about? And then taking um the feedback we had from DPI from our previous plan. Any other questions? I have a comment and I have to highlight the mentorship program too that we um and his name is Escaping Man Houston. Thank you. I was like, "Oh man, it's the city." What? Anyway, but um but I think that that's something special and that sets New Hs apart as well is having that mentorship program in place and developing that. I mean it's been um highlighted on the state level and so we I have to commend that and I know that he has big plans to continue to grow that and build that partnership and the relationship building. So I think that's something else that we can positively highlight of students taking

115ownership of their learning environment. So yeah, absolutely. And we have um lots I mean that is one great example of programs we have and um we have had really strong community support for different programs um as well including some you know chess club activities. Um one of our schools had a spelling bee this year um as part of this. So uh it definitely isn't work that happens just alone in the schools. It takes it takes everybody working together to support um kids with advanced academic needs. Awesome. Thank you, Dr. How long do we think we need for that? Five. Five. Five minutes. All right. And we will have a close session next week. Yes, I believe. So, but hopefully it'll just be for so probably about what 15. All right. Miss calculate let me know

116231 so just under four hours this date so it's just under what 231 minutes so just under four hours nine minutes to stick break here it is madam chair is there anything on this agenda that we could approve now besides the one we just did so that we don't have to give it that 10 10 or 15 minutes because 10 or 15 minutes at 9:00 after the whole after services and the student accident. Yeah, those would be the only two I would say and that would give us about 10 more minutes. What were they? The legal services and the accident. So I I'll make a motion to approve the contract for legal services and student accident insurance renewal. I'll second it. Any discussion? Okay, hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I I.

117Any opposed? Passes. 17. A C. Correct. ANC. So that adds about 10 more minutes. Yay. That means we don't have to sprint to close session. That was A and C under business. Yes. Because just because he's going to come back for the presentation, Mr. So I feel like it's important for You're now, not you. So, I will entertain a motion to go into close session pursuant to general statute 143-318.11c for the following purposes. is to prevent the disclosure of information that is privileged or confidential pursuant to general statute 115 C-402 and not considered a public record within the meaning of chapter 132 of the general statutes to prevent the disclosure of student records rendered confidential under the family education rights to consult with an attorney in order to preserve the attorney client privilege between the

118attorney and the board uh and to consider the qualifications competence performance character fitness conditions of appointment or conditions of initial employment of an individual employed or considered for employment of the school system or to hear or investigate a complaint, charge or grievance by or against any individual employee. Is there a second? I'd like to make a mot to give us five minutes before that. So, we have you'll have you don't have to you don't have to make that motion. Um because I will already That's sort of a given. All right. All All those in favor signify by saying I I opposed passes. We are in close. We are back in open questions. What's next? Me singing. No. Oh, personnel report. No. Thank you. I make a motion we accept the personnel report. Second. All right.

119All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? That passes 4 to zero. Historic. All right. Um, historic New Hmer High School historic application. So, how long do you need, sir? Oh, I can I'm done. He's going to do it now. Yeah, it is. It's on today's agenda. Yes. So, this is wanted to bring forth to you. I uploaded the request for a historic application. This is to go to the New Hver County Historical Society to name New Horizon School as a historic building. So, I want to provide you the application. It can't move forward until this board signs it. Um, so I wanted you to make sure you saw where it is. I don't think it's a time-sensitive thing. I don't think you have to sign it today or any other time.

120Um, I do know that we are going to give you an update on where the um where the uh research went on the the plan that we developed for new handover. Um, so it's up to the board's decision. I would tell you not to put the cart in front of the horse until you know a little more. Minhart. Thank you, Madam Chair. That that would be my question here is I know that we're going to be getting information about the plan options and the scope of work with New Hover High School and so the application process if if uh the school is deemed a historic site, how does that affect the plans moving forward with updating the really the desperate need of the facilities? Sure. I'm told that it doesn't um by the person submitting

121this. I'm told that it doesn't. However, I do know that there are a lot of steps to this process as well. The application, I know that it is a historic building. I want to make sure that the board knows is that both all of us, Ashley and and Dr. Morgan and I are all viewing it as if it is a historic it has historical significance regardless, if that makes sense. Miss Bradford. Um, I attended the meeting um with the planning commission for this because I have extensive experience in historic. And while I I love the idea that the building is historic, I would make a motion that we wait until we know the scope of what we're doing. Um, and and there's no there's no reason why we can't delay. It would be lovely if

122we could do it at the end of the process instead of at the beginning. Doesn't throw any monkey wrenches in what he wants to do. I would read that we saw this thing out. Yeah, Dr. Merrick. Yeah. I I'm sorry that I'm skeptical about the idea that we wouldn't be hamstrung if this was uh considered a historic site. I think the fact that we have spent the time, the money, the energy to preserve the best we can the the the frontest piece and and even maintaining the front entry to the high school even when it's kind of impractical where it's located. I think we're doing our job to protect history, but I would not be in favor of making it historic site for all the ways it could hamstring us in a way that we

123can't financially afford. and Miss Bradford and I spoke at that meeting and I invited each one of those board members and they were actually shocked that I would extend the invitation to make an appointment with either Dr. Barnes or um Philip Sutton and go into tour the school in groups of twos and threes. So, as board members, you could reach out to an individual member of the planning commission and do that because I think they need to see they they hadn't been in the school in 10 or 15 years and they're trying to make this decision and that to me didn't make any sense. So that would be a good opportunity for you all to meet those people on those that board the planning commission and uh and take them over to New Haven and

124show them around. Okay. So there's a motion on the table to wait um on the historic application. Uh all those in favor signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? That passes seven to zero. All right. Next up, uh, RFP process. So, I was asked to just share just a generically what our RFP process is. So, I'll do that. Um, previously earlier in this meeting, I was asked also share a couple other things. So, I'll I'll maybe answer those questions first. So the first question that came to me was what's the difference between a RFP and RFQ and so RFQ is going to be a request for propo requests for qualifications. So it's in that bidding format you're going to make your selection based on qualifications of the vendors you know deter based on service and

125that's normally for service that's being provided. An RFP is a request for proposals. And in that bidding process, you're going to look at qualifications and price when you're making your selection for the vendor. Um, and that's used normally for services and goods. Um, can use that RFP process or have a combination of those two things is when you would use that process for bidding. Um, state informal bidding we talked about a little bit earlier is 30,000 to 90,000 and anything over 90 or over is um formal bidding. So informal meaning you need at least three quotes from vendors to make your selection and you have to document that process and then 90,000 or above you would actually complete RFQ RFP so a request for proposals um or qualifications where a vendor would bring back or

126submit um what they would propose to provide that service or provide those goods to you. So um so that's just very high level the difference between the two and when we would do um which process. So just walking through um and this would be the same for RFQ RFP. So walking through that process, we would start with uh the department who's looking for this service or service and goods um are they're going to create normally a committee or um at least two individuals normally come together and they define what the scope of the project's going to be. um what are the goals of the project and then what's an estimate of what we think this is going to cost based on historical information or maybe some figures that we've seen more recently. And during that

127planning and drafting, they're also going to identify how they're going to evaluate proposals, what they they think is important for this project. And then they'll start drafting the RFP RFQ document. and they're going to include any legal or technical requirements associated with the project. Next, um after they've had that meeting, they'll come back again just that internal group and they're going to review maybe a draft document once they pulled all the information together from the previous conversation. Something will be drafted. They'll come back and review that. Make sure that any legal or procurement um requirements that are needed are in the document. Normally someone from purchasing would attend that meeting um and assist with um a draft or a final version of the RFP RFQ to just provide support to that group. Um once that

128document is finalized um it normally in a second or third meeting they'll talk about when they would publicize that. So when they're going to put that in the newspaper or put it on our website so that vendors know that we're looking for proposals in these areas for this project. Um once we have got a good document um and we've identified you know when we're going to post that so people can start submitting their proposals. Um we will also reach out to vendors. So, if there's vendors that have done things for us in the past um and we think maybe they'd be interested in providing this um services or goods for this new project, we would reach out to them or if someone in the past has said, "Hey, put me on a list if this

129kind of project comes up before purchasing keeps a list of, you know, uh vendor contact list." And they would go and they would notify vendors that we know about that would be interested in maybe providing the service. Um and then we build into this process and it's included in the RFP RFQ document um a time for vendors to ask questions. So vendors will ask questions, we'll compile the questions and we'll release answers to all the vendors who are participating in the process. So if we know that you're interested in information related to this um proposal document, then we will include you in all communications. If a question is comes up and we think, man, we really should have included that in the proposal document, we will actually go back and amend that pro proposal document

130and reissue that if we need to do that. Um, we have it publicized um for at least two to three weeks for vendors to have time to come up with their proposals and respond back to us. and we clearly state in that um document the RFP RFQ when submissions are due back to us because that's really important. So if we say it's due by Friday at 5:00, if someone submits it at 501, we can't look at that and that's a state rule. Um so we have to really follow those state procurement guidelines. Once we get all of the RFP RFQS back, um, a committee, normally it's the same group that created the RFP RFQ in the beginning, but that group will come back to evaluate everything that's been submitted, all the proposals submitted by the

131different vendors and they'll use that criteria that before it was ever um the proposals or RFP, RFQS were ever published, they came up with that criteria. What's important? how are we going to rate um you know a rubric to determine and so they would use that rubric to evaluate each of the proposals that were submitted. Um and then once they have evaluated the proposals if they feel like they want a little bit more information from the vendors sometimes we ask them to come in and do presentations. So we've done that with our board attorneys when we've done that in the past. um have them come in so that the committee could ask additional questions if need be. And then once we've made an evaluation, the committee has selected a vendor dependent on the dollar amount

132that would come back to the board um for recommendation. Um and then once um we have actually awarded the work to a vendor at that time it becomes public information. So then if someone wants to see copies of our rubric, you know, how we made the selection, how, you know, maybe they rated and certain things, then we would release that if it was requested. Um, and so I hope that covered um everything that we were looking for, but if you have a question, I'll be glad to answer our questions. Miss Patrick, what if any do we have out there now in the process? Um, I'm not aware of any that are currently out there. Dr. Mayor, two questions. Um, you know, the public always wants to know. There's there's always skepticism about how we choose,

133and you see it every time we we hire someone, they go, "Oh, you know, you're you're taking your friends or whatever." Um, and I know that you're not going to be here forever, and that breaks my heart. Um but there is potential you know um to to be more informal for a certain amount of favoritism to creep in. Um how do we how do we let the public know? I mean maybe you just did right now uh by telling us the process. Um but that's the concern right? Um, on the other side, if we go to a more formal setting, um, and you don't get three proposals, are you still allowed to move forward with one or two? So, we can have two. um if it's less if you only have one respon and normally

134honestly if we only have two we would put that back out again um to hope we would get more participation related to that RPRQ but we can move forward with two if we have two proposals um for only one honestly I at that point I would probably reach out to someone at DPI just to make sure you what do we need to do to have in place? You know, we only had one responsive vendor. Um, and so I would get guidance on that. That's not normal. Normally, we would have three where we wouldn't have, you know, feel like we were um limiting um participation. Mr. Har um concern um for why we were talking about raising the limit um you know from 10,000 to 30 or $50,000. What is the average amount of extra time

135you spend in this formal RFP RFQ process versus just doing it kind of informally? So how much extra time does it take you as the staff? I I would say several weeks because so like I just walked through like there's pre-planning meetings. Um then once you have your pre-planning then you're going to meet at least one more time to review the document. Um that make sure everyone's agreeing on what the verbiage is in the document and then you have to evaluate what comes back. So it is a much more involved process. So twice as long, two times as long than doing an informal cross comparison. Yeah. Now informal isn't going to be as um in intense. I I would say the formal would be at least a month because you've got to put it out

136for bid. I mean, you have to put it out there to get responses. We try to do three weeks. Um just getting three quotes isn't going to take as long. Um but you still have the time. You have to find vendors who can provide what you're looking for and get those three quotes. Perfect. All right. Uh continuing on, uh D non-monetary settlement agreement update. Thank you. Uh the district entered into um a settlement agreement on the 27th of July in 2023 regarding the John Doe case in the New H County Board of Education. That settlement agreement had with it approximately seven nonmonetary commitments that the board agreed to do as a part of its settlement. So I was asked to give you just a brief update. So the seven monetary non-monetary commitments, I'll run through

137them very quickly. The first was the board releasing a public statement acknowledging about the suffering that the plaintiffs have endured as a result of the abuse perpetrated by defendant Michael Kelly. And the board has done that. The board will prepare an internal report on its efforts since the inception of this litigation to improve policies, procedures, and practices related to the matters in this case and it goes on from there. But it includes things like title n compliance, staff and student training. And that is all found on our website. If you go to the Title N website, you can see it there. That report is listed there. Number three, the board will continue to provide up-to-date training to its student, staff, and administrators regarding misconduct and recognizing, reporting sexual abuse. We have done that and we

138continue to do that. We also have expanded that to include other groups of people such as custodians and other classified staff members. Four, um, the board members will individually participate in similar training during the 2324 school year and have the opportunity to attend future trainings provided to staff and administrators. I know that we trained you folks in the 2023 24 school year. Uh, Colonel Henry and his crew came over and did that. And if we'd like, we can do that again at a future board meeting for our new folks. Um, and I'm I'm unsure about the next one because it happened before my time here. Various written and video materials have been or will be made available for the review of board members with respect to the plaintiff's experiences during and subsequent to Michael Key's

139abuse. I do have um a copy of of some of that work if you guys have not seen it and would like to Okay, it was made available. Thank you. That was for you guys. So it is available for you to be able to that was training. Number six, uh plaintist will provide to the board an updated copy of Dr. Car Dr. Carol Shake Shaft's report on policies and practices of the board. We have met with Miss Shakeshaft and provided her all of the information. As of yet, we have not seen that report come back, have we? Thank you. And seven, the board will participate in a center for disease control funded study managed by the Virginia Commonwealth University and Child USA to investigate prevention measures against sexual misconduct and we did take part in

140that um last spring back when I was comfortably in HR and then um it followed up in this fall. So those are just a brief kind of revival of the non-monetary commitments. I think what this is really getting at though is the idea of constant vigilance and how important it is to keep our foot on that gas pedal specifically. I would think that some of our trainings and all the things we're doing between Julie um making sure that her staff is teaching the students and HR treated and the staff we've been working on that and of course you can see the policy updates um is in that report but also things like fingerprinting that we've added since then and policy advisement and things like that. So thank you. Thank you. All right. Next we have

141uh retention a slashsup supporting employees. Yes. So I was just asked to provide some additional information um regarding retention recruitment and retention of employees. So um on your um table in front of I handed these out earlier um when I come in. So just um a couple of pieces of information, three areas that we we know impact our employees. Um you know three of many in terms of uh retention components. Um compensation of course a competitive pay um providing growth for opportunities and also providing support mentoring or support for our employees. So, I just um wanted to pull together the first page speaks to um you know, opportunities for our employees to receive an offset. Um so, some incentives um and some reimbursements that we provide really come um in the form of license reimbursement.

142So, this really focuses on our certified staff. So um supporting our potential or future teachers that are alternative alternatively or what we now call residency license. So coursework um tuition other fees we take um requests and then you know all of this is funded through title two. So, as Title 2 funding is available, uh we provide reimbursement for coursework and things like that up to $10,000 for our uh for 10 different employees. Um that's one area that we can really support our residency license teachers going through EP programs, things like that. We also look at providing reimbursement for lensure testing. Um so either just you know BTS or um those um employees that may be seeking additional lensure areas um they'll go ahead take the test pass it and then submit for reimbursement. So again

143and while funding is available and certainly in areas that we feel add to the organization um so recently um we've made some title two funding available for our EC or hardtofill positions. Um that's something that we've just opened up also where um we will reimburse employees up to $2,000 um that would go towards um coursework. So, specifically right now, we have an employee um within the EC department that will be able to go through and be certified as a BCBA um and we'll cover um a year, you know, $2,000 worth of that um coursework um in exchange for a year's worth of um work once that certification's complete. So, some of those examples I've listed on the first page, as well as looking at early contracting for our hard to fill positions. Um, we also

144engage pretty quickly with um potential teachers at job fairs. We'll uh invite them to come and start teaching right away um as substitutes while we wait for them to start the following year. Those are some strategies that relate to um you know adding to what I think is our competitive pay with having you know one of the highest supplements in the state. We're very fortunate for that support. So that's contained in the first page. The second page are just two additional areas that I would make as recommendations. Um looking at potentially that board of ed future teacher scholarship maybe looking at how can we expand that and have a further reach. So that just might be, you know, food for thought, something to have a discussion, a further discussion about later. We're very fortunate that

145the county commissioners engage in supporting that um work with us, but there might be a a wider reach that we can look at. Um and then you know additionally another opportunity to really target and look at um our EC hiring um and looking at potentially making a combination with hiring in a in a support specialist position. Um which would sort of lead me into that next graphic that you have. Um looking at we know providing support or mentorship opportunities for our staff is an area that serves us well in terms of retention. our BT specialists um are highly effective and we have an extremely high retention rate of our teachers in those first three years. We know professionally um years five through eight are the hardest to retain teachers. So things that we can do

146to to hold them um you know would be something at looking at maybe you know continuing that support in a way we know we know it's an effective strategy. So I just wanted to provide you with some data that supports um the work around mentoring and providing support. The last graphic that I have there again is just just an example of the different opportunities that we have. So really looking at that third component of providing opportunities for growth. Um and that may not always mean financial upward mobility opportunity but just professional growth. So looking at how we can support our staff to move into administration positions within the district maybe looking at we have um Dr. Frink has been working with our staff to go from beginner to board. So supporting their national board certification

147as an opportunity for growth and that of course would have um financial um opportunity you know for growth there. Um as well as emerging leaders opportunities. So keeping our teachers in classrooms but finding ways that they can grow professionally. Um and then the various ways we support our teachers. So TA tote teacher type work um where they can um stay employed here in the county but fulfill their internship requirements. So um looking at just various ways we can keep our people here but allow them to grow professionally. Okay. Um Mr. and I want first off I want to compliment you on this. is great putting this all together. Thank you for it. Uh but we haven't mentioned bus drivers. Bus drivers are always, you know, we do we at least pay for their for them

148to take their CDL. So there's a lot of support that transportation department does. Um Deb Trapton does a wonderful job of bringing them in sometimes. You know, um I'd say transportation, child nutrition do a wonderful job of recruiting people and then kind of moving them throughout their um you know, throughout the opportunity. So starting in as a as a bus aid and getting people in and working while they're working towards taking their tests. Um there's a lot of support. You could probably even speak to a little bit more than I could if you want, you know, about um what we provide in terms of helping um employees to stay with us while they're learning and while they sit for the test. Um bringing in I know tutoring and some things like that to help. Um

149the same thing Amy Stanley does with her employees, bringing them in as um temporary employees at first and then sort of assessing where they are and where they can best be utilized and then moving them into those positions. So those are definitely two departments that are very fluid and actively recruiting um and providing support to their employees. Thank you. Just still don't know. Do we pay for their CDL or not? Yes, we do. Okay. Yes. So sorry I I missed that part of your question. I would say the biggest thing for what Miss Geller was saying is to me the biggest incentive for them to remain on is we will go ahead and hire them and pay them while they're working towards that. So they have a job and then we get them going through

150the CDL process and hopefully they pass and we have them driving. We need them. Thank you. That was actually one of my notes. The bus aid to bus driver program that we do have. Um, this came across in one of our board memos. Um, what is the percentage, Miss Gellard, like 11.8 12.8% of of of when we were talking about turnover and we talk about we talk about staffing and there's shortages. Um, but we come in New H County Schools comes in below the state average of of turnover. And so this is a phenomenal thing. And I said, what are all the things that we're doing? because we're doing so many different things and we're touching on so many different departments. It's not just teachers, it's TAs, it's our bus drivers, it's the further education

151piece, it's those mentorships. And I I will brag on um I won't call out by name, but brag on just the students hired that we we've hired to work in our district after graduation. And I know that CTE, one of the core partners, and we heard about this last month, um, is the transportation department to say, "Hey, can we give internships to students so that hopefully we can in turn hire them once they are done with high school?" And so, not only are we looking at opportunities here um to support as you're growing in your profession, we're also looking at the different uh departments themselves that help the system run successfully. But then we're talking about the movement from our students to become, you know, workforce development. So there's a lot of wonderful things happen.

152So I just want to highlight that to um to be lower than the state turnover is something to be commended and I know that we're going to continue to look for ways that we can better these opportunities that we're already providing and then some. So thank you for all that hard work. Miss Justice, we have a very short amount of time. So I I just want to ask a couple questions briefly. um nationally board certified teachers historically for our our time now we were paying for them. Are you aware of this? Were there involvement in this program? So we do help offset the cost of national boards. We we're paying for that out of a grant and then for out some from title two. So people were getting once they passed a section they would

153get some of that money back. Okay. because and I know that did change because we were out and now paying for it but I think it's been five to eight years since we stopped doing it. It's hard to remember. Yeah. But okay. So I was just asking there is something now that helps but it's not also the other thing that I was interested in about you were talking about recruitment. Do we travel to any of the um minority schools to recruit on a regular basis and how successful has that been? So um we travel to um H.B.CU cus instate and out of state. Um, typically we travel two times a year. Now, some of that scaled back when we were reducing staff, right? So, our our recruitment, you know, coming out of COVID was a

154little quiet. We really were able to build back up and even travel out out of state um in some instances, but with um having to reduce some of the staff, we kind of pulled back on that a little bit. So, as we're seeing that, you know, that kind of swing back to where we need to get back out again, absolutely. I mean, we're targeting um all different types of colleges and universities. We need um you know, we've been attending trying to look at dabbling into for our CTE teachers, looking at fairs outside of your typical education, college fairs, um going to fairs that are more business type related fairs and seeing if we can compete, you know, with other private industry for CTE teachers. Um, so we've really tried to um work and sort of

155step outside of the box knowing that we can't we really cannot rely solely on just UNCW or any anybody local any of our neighbors to just send their students on to us. We're very fortunate that we are able to employ the vast majority of the interns, but some, you know, some students just return back home again to wherever they came from if they came from out of town here. We are lucky that but we do we actively visit I'd say anywhere. um between um you know just depending on the year 15 to 25 colleges and universities. Okay. Yes ma'am. And just two points. You know that I do a lot of time looking at the big 12 which are sort of our older brother and sisters with enrollment and this year we were number two

156out of 12 in uh retention out of all of our big 12. We only were behind Wake County by onetenth of a point for being first place. So that's significant. Also, a national study was done that shows within the first five years, 44% of teachers leave the profession within five years. And the last couple of years in our beginning teachers, we had 85% and 90% return. That's impressive, which is a huge deal. So kudos to you guys. I I'll just say quickly, too. I think it really goes to um so many people in our division. you know, we're small enough in terms of our employ, you know, second largest employer, but small enough that any one of us can make, you know, can make an impact on whether or not people come or go. You

157know, we spoke earlier with people leaving. We'll follow up and find out why. I know our principles, our directors, we have we have so many people that are working towards growing and keeping people here. Um, and and that's certainly why our numbers look the way they do. Um, so it's a definitely a shout out to people across the division. All right, we have about six minutes left. Um, and I want to make sure that we get at least this next one covered, which is the public record request. And that was our friend, Miss Baggie. Good evening. Thank you. I'd like to provide a quick little update for you regarding our public records requests. We currently have 27 open public records requests. of those two um they are awaiting response from the requester due to meeting

158the threshold for being uh the fees being met for board policy 5070-7350 18 or 70% are for board correspondents as of this weekend and today all email pools have been assigned to our fabulous attorneys um two public records requests are about public records requests and they will be closed with the details I'm providing here as there is not a report within our system that provides that information. So I am completing that information for you here and we'll assign it to those public records requests. We have received five public records requests in the last two weeks. Four of those belong to the district and hopefully within the next two weeks everything will be completely closed. Wow. Thank you, Miss Baggie. Um, so we have two more items to cover. One being the um more time for

159discussion um the 10 minutes that Mr. Perry wanted to um do and uh the board committees that I wanted to finish. Um it does not I don't want to short us the time on the discussion of the discussion. Um I I make a motion to table the next meeting next. I'll second it. Okay. Um and that's just yours or is that Well, I was at mine, but Okay. I I I didn't You'd have to do yours. That's fine. All right. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Any opposed. That passes. 720. I'm writing that down. It'll be um and if we can, it's really just one committee that I wanted to make sure that we address. So, if we can get it done in four minutes, it's the safety

160committee and it's broken off into the three. So, I didn't know if there was any changes anybody wanted to make to that particular one. Miss Bradford, I'm going to move to dissolve the safety committees and it ad hocs. We we we have we have the whole board working well together. Safety's covered well by staff. We've had a remarkable year since we did that and I don't think we need to dedicate any more time or energy to it outside of what we're already doing. Okay. And I will second that. Um, and we have three minutes for discussion. Um, could you could you give a brief rundown on the different the three different committees that were in place that we're talking about dissolving right now? So, the three were um the buildings And I can't remember the

161exact verbose of facilities, buildings, outdoors, physical. Um there was uh discipline and cell phone and then there was uh mental health. Those were the three that were um under that umbrella. And that was board committees with people. I mean did you bring in outside people? No. There's there was subject matter experts. That's what I'm talking about because nobody has met and so that's why I Yeah, we did meet last year. It was it was effective last year. We we moved the ball a little bit and I was the one that brought those committees to forward and so now I'm saying it's time to it's time to to move on. We can still do the stuff, don't get me wrong, but we don't need those specific committees to do that. All right. So, there's a motion

162to dissolve the safety committee and all of its components. Um all those in favor signify by saying I I. Any opposed? That passes seven to zero. I will entertain a motion to adjurnn. So move second. All right. Uh all those in favor signify by saying I. I. Any opposed? No. You can stay. You are adjourned. Mr. World is going to say