001It is 5:30. I'll call the meeting to order. If you'll stand for the pledge. to the flag of the United States of America. Thanks to Father God. >> Thank you. Were there any delegations? >> Yes, Mr. White. >> Mr. White, you have the floor. >> Won't take much of your time. Not take much. >> Hand you a mic. I won't take much of your time just as my uh proposal should not take much of your money. I aim to establish a uh amateur radio club based out of the high school in order in order to provide educational and public service opportunities for the students at the high school. Uh we are aiming for the almost the entirety of it to be funded through a combination of donations, internal fundraising um and uh the grants and
002partnerships with uh with businesses in the industry. Um you can see who I have spoken with so far. Uh the only funding that would be from the uh board would be for uh me to be hired as an afterchool tutor as part of the Aspire program. Mostly I'm looking for permission rather than funding from you. Um we I have spoken with Mr. Johnson and uh and the principal and we are looking at Mr. Johnson's second laboratory is a likely location to operate from as it is on the second floor. We are looking um Mr. Tanner from Tanner Communication has offered to do installations of uh antenna equipment on the uh roof of the school to allow us to operate from there. And basically because some of this would necessitate such modifications to the building as
003professionally installed antennas or being able to connect a digipeter or i gate to the school network. Things along those lines would require permission. Also, um in order to secure FCC uh license as a uh licensed club, we would uh need to have a um separate organizational structure even though we we'd be operating within the school and for the school's benefit. So, um as I said, this is mostly about seeking permission as post funding. And I'm hopeful that you can uh review the proposal. I'm well aware that suppose this is not on the agenda for tonight. You uh cannot take action at this time, but I'm hopeful that you'll be able to put it on your agenda for your next meeting. You have any questions, I'd be happy to answer. >> Yeah, we um this we
004we briefly talked about it. So, um something that me and you and whoever else is involved, we hope to have a sit down conversation and go over more details. Now I might be our architects involved if we're going to be putting things down the roof to make sure we don't want the hole in the roof. >> Absolutely. >> Without permission. >> They need to be very very carefully made and welded. >> Absolutely. So we just we just redid the roof not too long ago. So we want to make sure we follow suit with Yes. Absolutely. We can have those conversations here next week or two. excellent items. >> The next item on the agenda is student recognitions for GSA exceed standards. >> Absolutely. Do you want to go over yours now or you want to
005do the your presentation while they're all here because they might leave. Okay. Um, so I will go over these real quick. Then, um, Miss Cunningham got a great letter today, uh, this week from the state department, Michelle Black. So, um, so we have exceed standards, English language arts, Zion Coleman, and Genevie Riggs. Well, I can't [laughter] Hey, congratulations. >> Whoa, whoa, whoa. We got to get pictures. Moms are here. Dads are here. Come on, closer. >> Right here. On this side of me. Oh, this way. I got to get you on the camera right there. There you go. Right. Look at this camera. Trained by my wife with the camera. There's one more back here. All right. >> And the next ones are for Steve's standards in math for the uh GSA test. Brentley Bradley
006Dion again, Jenny Riggs, Ryder Simmons, Willie Smith, Willie. Sorry, Leighton Snider. Yeah, this way. And William Thurmer. Congratulations. Love the shirt. All right, keep on going this way. All right. Oh, got him. Oh. mean the microphone. [laughter] I got a um the letter that says and this is because of your guys' hard work and why you're here tonight says dear principal Cunningham on behalf of the West Virginia Board of Education and the West Virginia Department of Education I am pleased to extend our heart heartfelt congratulations to Pleasant Hill School for achieving exceed standard performance levels and academic progress English language arts and academic um progress math on the 2025 West Virginia balance school um scorecard. Your school's outstanding performance reflects the dedication of your educators, staff, students, and community. Reaching the exceed standard uh designation
007is a significant accomplishment and testament to your commitment and excellence in education. We commend your leadership and your collaborative efforts to make this achievement possible. Please accept our sincere congratulations and best wishes for continued success. Warm regards, Michelle Black, Superintendent of Schools. And I I know they're fifth graders now. Last year's fourth grade were one of the highest in the state of West Virginia. So, um they exceeded extremely well. Um and they got lunch provided. Uh I thought they would want something besides pizza, but that's what they wanted. Um but um Mr. Wurn and do an amazing job with that fourth grade class last year. >> Absolutely. And uh they what the best part was they set a goal to reach not only they set get the goal but they scored higher than their goal.
008So um they did a fantastic job. Um and when I saw the scores um I called Tyson and let him know that we did better than him [laughter] and rubbed it in. So you got have a little fun with it. So let him know what our score was and let him know that our scores were higher than Mayers are doing with them. So Mr. All burners down. You do a great job. >> Good job. >> Yep. >> Yes. >> Oh, well. Yeah. I'm It seems to be [laughter] right. >> You all want to go or do you want Ashley to go ahead and do her presentation? >> If she wants if we want to take a quick recess to go get her back. >> Okay. A quick recess. So, it is um 7 540. We
009take a recess. We're going to take a quick recess. Okay. All right. Thank you for attending our LSIC. Um, my teachers, my deal was as long as you help me make a presentation, give me the data that I'll present for them. So, I don't like talking in front of people, but they'll be in and out as they're preparing. So, um, I see a couple of our LSIC members here tonight. Um, our committees have changed up due to the, you know, requirements for firm limits and people just kind of wanting to float in and out. So, um, my community representatives, I have some of Bank, it's Lisa Batit and then, um, Craig Arthur is on there for the counting commission and Casey Staples from Hamilton. And then I have my parent representatives, which are Kevin um,
010here tonight, Maggie Pasco and Megan Hunt. She's also here. Uh teacher representatives have shuffled in and out. Um Mrs. Sins is on here. Um Lee Campbell for special education and Michelle James teacher. Um our service personnel representatives are Christina Miller and Jim Solomon who is also here this evening and of course myself. Um just a little about our school and demographics. Um our current enrollment is at 134. Um we started the year at 139. So, we've dropped a few coming and going just, you know, basically being suffering. Um, our low SCS, which is your social economic status, um, is currently at an 88 as opposed to 86 last year. Um, the homeless count is up just a tiny bit, um, from last year, 28. Um, we've unenrolled 17 for various reasons. Hope scholarship, that number
011is included in there as well. So, um, even kids that haven't officially ever come to school when they enrolled at the kindergarten probably still comes from that number as well. Um, our special ed members have kind of been consistent. The percentage should go up by 1% just because our enrollment drops a tiny bit. Um, our teaching staff, uh, there has been a few shuffles and changes. Um, we do we do have a new preschool teacher, Athena Clark. She came to us um, straight from college. She brought into the classroom. She's been great. Um, we've done some Fidelity with her um Head Start staff even said she's doing a wonderful job. Um, she really connects with the coach. She's very energetic because she's very young. Um, I think she even let the kids choose her new
012hairstyle. So, she's great. Um, we do have Virginia Bieber still there as our Head Start, a teaching assistant, and um, Connie Hopkins is a foster grandparent in that classroom as well. Um, kindergarten have maintained the same staff. Um, Michelle and Erica and Miss Progress are still in there. Uh, first grade has maintained. Um, second grade is maintained as well. Third grade's maintained. So, it's good to say maintained because they had that for a couple years. Um, except for we added the third grade A this year's um, Mrs. Francis and she's learning her role and doing very well there as well. Um, fourth grade still the same teachers and we've added Foster in that room too. Um that's Wagner. Um our special education staff has remained the same as well, which is awesome. Um we did
013add um Ted Flynn as a foster grandparent to that room as well. Um related arts, we did hire um Mariah Glass a district oh about a month ago now as our music teacher and she was stepping right in. She did the um Veterans Day celebration, taught the kids the song, and she was very nervous, but it went very well. So her next challenge she'll be doing the holiday program and she's already got it picked out and they started straight from Veterans Day to holidays. So she just kind of jumped one for the other. So she's headed right in. Um and she's been working with Mr. Mckenry to kind of figure out the sound system and kind of things like that that she's been proactive trying to learn um how to use all those things. Um
014title one is still Mrs. Hot and we did have the addition of Tiffany Mace and she's the red upstairs. Um she's been a great addition having that person here all the time to support the teachers in the classroom. It's like a title one aid but then also on the days that music isn't here. um she you know does the um interventions plus the social emotional lessons and she's kind of had she does something like this every week and I thought this was really cute like it talks about emotions and they go through um you know all the emotions what can how that what makes them feel that way like um this little guy here said joy like you know two of his three of his friends um for fear they said getting getting shocked like
015okay somebody's had it running with electric fence um something that's discussed with green beans and broccoli so And it's always neat to see how she does it with the great different grade levels and how they perceive it. So I think her newest project she wanted to start was journaling with the kids. I think um Mrs. Poor Arms for started that with her students and she's seen the benefit there of like having that personal connection with the kids and just kind of writing down a little message when the kids write back and they kind of go back and forth. That way they can have a personal conversation but like not in front of everybody. So I think that's really benefit to us as well. I like how they're collaborating together. Um, of course is still the
016same. Speeding services. Um, we do have um Carrie Polling still community schools in the hospital. She's here every Thursday for us and good. She's very good if we would even to kind of pop over and check on us and if the students in need of course Dr. Mollins is still with us. Our cooks that are the same since last year because they're being still the same. Um, say the children's staff, you know, Deb Smith's here tonight with her program and she's doing a wonderful job keeping up those home visits with parents and getting the families here with us. Um, our nurse Autumn Lily, she has been a great asset to our school. I mean, like she has saved so much time um and like making sure the kids have what they need medically. That way
017it's not up to the office staff to kind of assess and see what we think. But she can actually have those personal conversations with um parents and make sure we're catching everything. Like today I was involved in a sat meeting and something came up and I was able just to run downstairs and say, "Hey, could you join us real quick? There's something I need you to kind of talk with us about." And she was right there and was able to have the conversation with the parents, see, you know, how we could support the kid out better. So even those little data day things we don't even think about. I mean, she's not here to put band-aids on. She's just here to actually, you know, personalize the attention to the kids to the parents. So really
018want to thank the voters for that because the the school nurse have been a great asset. Um we do have a new secretary. She's still call her new because she's kind of been here for the whole school year, but Miss um Sander Bing, she's doing a really great job. And even though her role and we all know the school secretary does run the school a lot because they answering phones or taking care of kids and learning all those computer things along with it. So she's fitting right in. our school based health and dental. Um but always a great asset for the parents and the students that are going to hop in McDonald school to get those needs met. Um our speech staff ditched around a little bit. Um Kayla McFersonson um is a link here
019and she has an assistant that comes here um once a week to work with our high kiddos that need 401. That's Jesso. Um OT staff, PT staff of all the same. And of course you all know our bus drivers which I love our bus drivers. They give me a lot of support. Um things we usually don't even think about like at the house they can say, "Hey, so and so's missing their code or so and so's um cars broke down. They're going to need a little extra help. You know, can you help them with this?" So, I do appreciate our bus drivers and all that they do for us. I mean, they often don't get the recognition they need from us at school, but I mean, they're the ones that first come in contact with
020kids first thing in the morning, and I've had a lot of times, hey, come out here for a second. Can I talk to you? And it's just to let us know that, hey, this kid needs a little extra help today. And I do appreciate that a lot. Um, these are our goals for our strategic plan. I do need to update um the date on that one. Apparently, I missed that whenever I was going through, but it's supposed to be through 25.6 school years. Um, we're wanting to um improve our benchmarks um with students increase the percentage of students performing at or above 50% on the schoolwide assessments for ELA and math. Um, for family engagement, we want to maintain what we had last year. We had very good parent involvement. Um we have a lot
021of people attending our events. It's been it's been about the same this year. I think even more maybe like the parents are really enjoying what we're doing. Um we've taken their feedback and um kind of decided, you know, what kind of events they want to see. Mrs. Cotch's really taking the reigns on like the parent engagement part as far as parent education and every time we have a family engagement activity, there's an educational part for the family. So that's been going very very well. Um again, we're focusing on keeping our attendance um where we want it to be. Um, we want to make sure we're staying below that 19% chronic absences and we're really we hit a bump in the road because of the whole cold flu stuff. So, it's kind of not where I
022want to be right now, but I think by the end of the year, we'll be back to well below that with all the things that we've been doing with the kids. So, I don't know how important it is for them to be here. Um, I believe you guys have already seen these, but I think it's worth kind of um just updating because we are very soon going to take our middle of the year benchmark the second week of December. So, we can compare where we started the year to um where we are now and adjust as needed. Um, our goal was to have it 60% um at our benchmark and we started the year at 48%. So, I mean like we're going to hit that pretty quickly. So, >> um, maybe kind of look at
023that for next year because I mean we're getting some recognition from the state with what we're doing. The kids are suiting. So, I think we're very much at that 60% at or above benchmark by mid year hopefully. So, and those root kids right there. I mean, there's six% of those that are right on the cusp of being on benchmark. So, that was really really awesome to see coming off of summer break that you know we're maintaining those numbers and the summer things we're doing are benefiting the students. I know Mrs. taught work through the summer with like specific students and that was a really uh neat thing that she got to do to have some personalized interaction and these tailored interventions for some kids that she's worked with throughout the year. Um this was for
024ELA. Um again, these are the ones you've seen from the beginning of the year. I mean, I really love that we're seeing all those greens and blues and even with our young kindergarteners that had never seen this before. I mean, we're still seeing a pretty good growth that tells us, you know, our preschool programs coming along and, you know, we have the steps in place for early intervention, even starting with Deb and for young kids in prenatal. So, when they're coming to us, so I can say those steps are going well. Um, with my second and third grade, I mean, my third grade, I mean, they got to they're a hard class to maintain. I mean, they're you got to grow them, but they start they start as high flyers. really excited to see how
025they perform on the GSA for the end of the year if we're starting, you know, the year almost more than 50% in the green. So, and I didn't do this on purpose, but I kind of glad it did happen. Um, my last grade is the fourth grade, and you know, you all have been with me for my fourth graders from kindergarten on, and you know how their graph usually works. I mean, usually we're starting with red clear up into here, but I mean, look at these guys. I mean, they've done it. They are I mean, there's a lot of them here tonight, but it's senior standards. So, I mean, it's taken a lot of blood, sweat, and tears from everyone, parents, teachers, interventionists, everybody to make this happen. So, I mean, I am so excited
026for them. I mean, I can't even say how excited I am because that takes a lot of work for these kids because I mean, we got kids that couldn't do letters and sounds and first grade to the kids that are exceeding standards. So, so happy for them. Um, this is for math. Again, I think the scale for this is a little a little wonky to read, but um these kids are on benchmark. These are guys above benchmark and these guys are right on the test. So, seeing some good numbers for math as well. Um there was, you know, the overall mean average for the school most of them were at 52%. Um so, right there about being close to 60%. So, you get there as well. Um this is each grade level. Second grade, we
027had a little bump in the road as far as math. You can see they're a little more here than I'd like them to be. We want to make sure and we've adjusted some instruction. We've adjusted some interventions to kind of support um the teacher in the classroom and work out the small groups a little better this year to kind of see if we could get that up there where we wanted to be. But again, post fourth graders. I mean, they're hanging right in there with my third grade. So, I think we'll have some pretty good success this year. Um this is the ballast scorecard which is why we got the new letter from Michelle Blackberry. I mean just kind of saying that we did um meet standards um for um the academic growth in math
028and we partially met standards for ELA. We're almost there. Just this little slice and we'll be blue there too. So here's hoping we get there. Um you can see academic progress. We received standards in both. Um, and of course our our um attendance is right there almost to the degree. So we keep pushing this year and hoping we get there. And for behavior we're pretty much in the green. >> Yeah. And real quick with the balance scorec card, those are hard to read. >> Yeah. >> And I don't want people and if you're watching this to misinterpret. So if you see a lot of red, um, it's not a terrible thing. That the more red you see means you're closer to moving into the next color. >> Yeah. If you see a little bit of
029red, then that's an issue. >> Yeah. >> Um, so the more of the red, that means when you're getting ready to move into the next color. Um, so we don't want to be in red. If you're on red, you want more red than less red. >> And I wasn't trying to like compare with Carl. We're just how I could separate the schools. So, but they did very well, too. So, I want to get kudos for their school as well. Um, again, of course, I mention this every year, but I don't know if you guys know this, but throughout I sprinkled pictures of the kids because that's what we're all here for. I mean, [clears throat] um, just the little things we do every day to make these things work for the kids. Like I mentioned
030the bus drivers, the cooks, the custodians. I mean, they all I don't know how many times I've had a custodian come up, hey, you know, a little guy's eating a whole lot a bunch at breakfast time. Can we make sure he gets maybe an extra lunch bag or something? Or um, you know, this the eight comes in. Hey, so and so needing I've noticed we've been working on this. What can we do to kind of build that up? So, it really is I mean truly is a um whole whole school um peer system of support and I you know every every time we go through an IEP meeting or EC I have to read that system of support statements to parents and it's always heartwarming to understand that like things I'm saying to them are
031really what we're doing. I mean not just in my school but in Calhoun County. I tell Mrs. Bennett yoke every time I go to one of the special ed things. I'm always amazed at the things that Calhoun is doing and the things we're already well ahead of the game on. So, um, you know, we're here for the kids. I mean, I'm here for the staff, too, to make sure they get their needs met, but I think everyone here has buying for the students as well. Of course, our PBIS system, we're working really hard to get this in place. Um, if you walk around the school, and I encourage you before, you need to kind of take a gator around, there's all kinds of things that could get done. Um you can see different areas where
032we have the expectations posted um you know to kind of let people know um what's expected in the different parts of the school like to walk or to you know where to be and how to be there and what it looks like to be safe, respectful and responsible in the different areas of the school. Um if you look around this room you can see Mrs. Stevenson has really taken this to heart like she has you know her whole room set up in different areas like if they need to chill out she have a little chill zone over there. Her expectations are on the door. She has different zones set up to exercise and if you know if they need to go over do some stretches like she's um got those areas set up. So she's
033really second year teacher if you needed the assistant that she's really embraced you know what we're doing here. So I'm happy to kind of see that and I even had um Jiren was here and she was asking how it was going and how the expectations were coming along and I was like well let me give you a prime example. It's like right here where we're standing you can see her expectations right on their doors. She brings them in. They cut in their circle. They go over what they're going to do for the day, what it looks like, what expectations are. I mean, that's consistent every single day. And I see that lots of classrooms, not just this one. But, I mean, like, she is very structured and she knows, okay, we're going to go do
034push-ups. This is how a push-up looks. This is where you're going to be. So, that way there's no question. And she has very little, you know, classroom management issues in here just because the kids know exactly what they're going to do as soon as they get in the door. Um, of course, we still do all these things like the student focused planning, sat meetings. I just did a full day of SAT meetings. I know a lot of them were very positive. I mean, we were able to equit several students that have made a lot of growth um with staff are having conversations about students that might need a little support that we might need them. Um I love seeing um even outside agencies sometimes come to join us for those to kind of, you know,
035get a read for what we're doing so we can kind of pull all those things together because this person's doing this, this person's doing that, and we all come together to kind of meet the whole need instead of all trying to work against each other and figure out what the good news. Um >> I like that. I think they need professional developments and tech um PA support. I love that Dana is staying after school working with some teachers on some specific needs that she has um identified with them um for technology that they can um work on after school. So that way, you know, we're not as rushed to get those things done during the school day. Of course, we um getting ready to do some instructional plan visits after we do our benchmark and
036we have these meetings with the teachers to kind of um see what they need to support them in the student board. the technology supports. Those are all pretty the same. I said next year my presentation will look nicer because our mobile Prometheia board is currently set up in the um mail room. We're just waiting to get that launched. Um I think every classroom now has the new setup for Prometheian boards who have an extra one that's going in the library. Our special education rooms have them. The title learning title one room has them. Um the tech guys are always very um responsive. As soon as I need something technological wise, they'll pull somebody over or email us and be like, "Hey, can I can I help you?" So, we have that going as well. Um,
037currently our school counselor is seeing about 40 students oneonone and they just started a journey of hope group with community schools. So, they're they're expecting to add about 30 more to those groups. So, we're seeing roughly 70 kids out of 130 on a regular basis. Um, community schools does have 22. I think the they like to have about 25. We had a sibling group move out. So, now we're going to kind of pick up some more, but she had dropped in the 20s, but she quickly picked up some more. Um, she has started the lunch bunch with those kiddos to kind of just give them um some one-on-one time at lunchtime. They like to come eat her room to have a little conversation. They get to spend some time with a trusted adult. So, they're
038really enjoying that. Um, title one, Mrs. Cot, you've got 27 students in a small group. Um, early steps has 25 enrolled um from prenatal pre-natal to age three. Um, there were 20 students enrolled in the raising a reader group and ages three to five. These are just a few of the things that um, Miss Deb has helped with this year. I mean, she's I mean, even the night she's here. I mean, every event we have, she makes sure she stays, she touches kids, says they're coming. Um, you know, she knows if they have a a sibling that maybe you haven't seen before, she's, you know, puts them in contact with them. So, we're really seeing um, some good enrollment there. and she's kind of at her her max, but she's always looking for more it
039seems like and she's very good at um social media like she's good at getting the word out um on every event or every opportunity permanently. So, I do appreciate you for helping those. Um I did talk about attendance fairly briefly holders. Um our daily attendance percentage right now is about 93% almost 94, but our chronic absences as of the sixth was at 22%. So, like I said, I want to be below 19. And I'm hoping once we we get through the the sickness, we'll get right back up there because I'm like, "My kindergarten's killing me." They just they get everything coming and going, and their their absences are a lot right now. Um here's the example like where they're at. I mean, >> kindergarten and first grade. My third grades, they're here a lot. Um
040fourth grade's even doing better this year. They're at 20% chronic absence. I'd really like to see I'm going to work with my kindergarten and first grade just to kind of give them some incentive to come and and just work through some of those elements. I can't really do much about the sickness this time of year, but I think that's really what's hurting us is those little ones that haven't built their own immunities yet. They kind of catch everything. So hopefully we'll get through that early this year and you know January and February be a breeze. Um we're continuing a lot of things we did last year. We have our attendance count board who kind of tells you who has the perfect attendance and every um Monday morning they come in and say who wants who
041wins a traveling trophy. Um we do have the attendance caterer um Mr. Potato Head. If someone's here, if everyone's here the whole day, the class gets to put a piece on their potato head and then they reward for the end. And that's really been pretty exciting for them because there was one second grade class which she never won. Mrs. Fox class hadn't won in like two years. And finally they killed her potato head and she carried him down and she's like, "Can I get them?" She's like, "Yes, please. I've never won. So, like to see the success of um getting to win and getting to go do a little extra time in Car's room and getting some of those little um treasures that she has down there and some free time playing at the end
042of the day on Friday. So, um let's see our community involvement. Um as you can see, we've been quite busy. Um I can give you a copy of it in case you can't read. It's kind of blurry up here, but you know, October was a very busy month. We have a lot of those pumpkin patch events and the fall festival and the activities and parent teacher conferences. November's we have 13 days. So, we're going to squeeze in we squeeze in the veterans day celebration. We're going to do the Thanksgiving dinner with the families. And then December, we pick up again for a little bit with all these little holiday activities. And then January, we kind of have a few things going on. So, you never know about the weather. Um semester worship will be coming
043up soon thing. We have something planned um toward the middle there. March is pretty busy. April I do think that we want to maybe rethink um based on some feedback I got from families from surveys. Maybe the spring lunch that we always do. We usually do like a breakfast or a lunch, but they were saying that maybe they would like something different. There's a lot of meals, a lot of things like that. Maybe they want to see I'm not sure a hat parade or I don't know. We haven't figured it out yet, but we're going to be some kind of spring activity um with the students and the families instead of maybe a meal. So, um that was a lot of the parent feedback. So, to be determined and then May, we'd have all the
044end of the year kickoff activities for DSA. Um of course, we'll do some kind of book showcase. Uh the fun day at the end of the year, fourth grade celebration. There's just a lot of things to celebrate toward the end. Hopefully, we'll have all those good scores to celebrate with the NC. So, all I got is there anything any questions about all the things I went over or think everything's going pretty well this year. I'm excited. >> Good. >> Anyone have any questions? Sure. M. >> All right. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. The next item on the agenda is board acknowledgements. >> Mr. Gregory. >> Uh yeah, I'll go. Uh first of all, I I would like to say something. I would like for someone to come out to the board meetings and
045actually acknowledge the good things that happen at school instead of coming out and being negative all the time. I'm not mentioning any names but there's people comes out negative negative negative point fingers they never say anything about the teachers that we have some of the outstanding teachers the faculty the kids I mean look at the mark I mean you can't do that without good faculty and teachers and I I've said it a 100 times I would put our teachers up against any teachers in the state uh how about how about some positivity once in a while I'm asking for it >> thank you Mr. Morgan. >> Well, thank you for having us here, Ashley. That's all I got to say. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thanks for having us. And I think it's great
046that we had most of the time when you have um you're recognized in teams that come out. You have like maybe 50% of the people that came and come maybe if not >> tonight. I think everybody was here except maybe two. I think that's great that they came out. um think it's great the things that you all are as well as well as all the county all the county are doing with um the veterans day celebration stuff like that I think there's a lot of good things going on we just need to pay attention to them and really recognize it >> Mr. not >> yeah I just want to thank you uh for the presentation because it's always good to uh get to know you know on a personal basis because you know we're data
047driven and uh you know a lot of times you don't see the people that are involved or even get uh a one-on-one and it's always great to get that and uh also a rundown you know be it in the school be it outside and uh you know the participation that was always one of our concerns how how much do the families participate in all the things that's going on in the school and I think that's really gone way up there great improvement in that part and which is good which speaks highly of the school and uh the other thing just like uh Jimmy always says you know we've got some great teachers really great teachers and uh uh I can't say enough. I'm proud of them and uh you know it's just that you know
048they don't get enough recognition and uh you know whenever I have the opportunity I try to stop by and really acknowledge you know the good work that they do. So I don't know you know I always like to uh you know get a pat on the back and I think they appreciate uh you know anything like that. So, ask you to keep up the good work and uh we appreciate you. Thank you. >> Going last is always difficult because everybody's already said um you know what you had on your mind. Thank you very much for the presentation, Ashley. Thank you to your LSIC members who are here. Um I appreciate all the work that you all have done because the scores they show and uh that's that takes an effort by everybody. uh like you
049said from the bus drivers to the custodians, the teachers, the cooks, everyone plays a part, including the students. Uh and I just want to congratulate you all on the fantastic job. The next item on the agenda is um the approval of the October 14th, 2025 work session and regular minutes. Do I have a motion for that? Do you have a second? Mitch. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. And that motion carrying. The next item on the agenda is discussion and reports. Calhounmer career center report. Well, you know, on the report, uh I gave you guys uh the handouts with uh you know, three pages. Um the first one covers, you know, the enrollment and I don't think there's been that much of a change on the
050enrollment there. Uh as you noticed, you know, the var, you know, component and uh you know, we are pretty well set in certain areas. uh there's always improvement or more students until you know once they're aware of what's available to them and if they're eligible to come it always uh you know it's a plus. So as of right now it looks like there's 120 and Talon's got 71 and Dylan's got 43. So, we always seem to have more of our students participate because we always uh put more emphasis, you know, on the career center than Gilmer used to, but now with the new superintendent over there, they're pushing that a lot harder also because it's important for the students to realize that there's opportunities there. You know, it's not just, you know, they get an
051education, but they also get practical experience. So, that's that's really the important aspect. And uh you know on the the other item uh I think they already uh the eighth grade presentation I think there was November 7th and there's one coming up on the 14th. Yeah. And uh the 10th grade visits that's going to also happen uh on the 19th. So, we're actually uh progressing towards that, you know, where the students are getting to know what's available to them before they get actually into uh their freshman year. So, they can plan ahead and that's the whole idea behind the career center. You so they can get a because sometimes the curriculum that they have at the school, they conflict with what they really have at the career center. So, we're trying to uh, you know,
052just maybe not get away with it, not get away from that because you can't do that, but uh, at least uh, make make the ability for them to attend if they want to, which is really an important aspect. On that second item, there are some, you know, I've got a color printer, by the way, so you do get the things in color. And uh that second one has the accountability character you know as far as the participants and uh so it it's this is more in relation to what classes they participate in and uh you know how how they you know the completers in those areas and it's you know it's also they they get graded on a lot of the things you know what will do. So it's not just you come and sit
053and not do anything. So it's important for the student to realize that uh you know the completers that's the important aspect because you want to complete your course you want to complete it and that's what they're always striving for. So and there's always room for improvement and I know uh Mrs. Minh the director is always striving for that. So I give her a lot of credit for uh really doing a good job in that. Uh and uh we do have a lot of the community, a lot of the the companies that are willing to participate with the career center and actually get involved and we have a good candidate over here from the hope company and they're they're always mentioned. So it's it's great when we can get, you know, companies that come in and
054the kids can actually, you know, maybe have a future there. So it's it's always good and uh like I say, I just can't say enough for the career center and uh it's an important aspect of our whole community. So thank you. >> Do I have any questions for me? >> The next item is superintendent reports. and you um will have your directors and school reports um in your packet. Of course, you won't have Pleasant Hill because Ashley gave those today to you. Um the MIP um safe school interest and doors are almost done. They were wrapping up some things. Um still waiting on on a piece um for um Sierra's golf to the doors. Um but they are finishing up those touches um with that um instruction curriculum. It's crazy to say that um today's
055November 12th and we're pretty much midway through November. I got about a week and a half and it's Thanksgiving break. Then it's Christmas and we got a few weeks in Chris or December as Christmas. Then we're starting a second semester. So there isn't much time left and it seems like we just opened the doors um and started the school year. Now we're we're to this point and we're getting close to that second benchmark um for all three schools which is going to um show us some hopefully great data um for you guys um and show the gains of where students are climbing at all three schools. So those are coming up um real soon for all three schools. We're excited to see those. They they have been working hard all semester um preparing for that.
056Um students got a nice little break um this past weekend with a four day weekend. Kind of refresh, regroup. October is always hard and difficult. Um it's a hard month. There's not a lot of breaks. Um they kind of got their own snow day, so we didn't have to call it no school, so they got play. So we got a freebie in there. Um my kids enjoyed it. They they went sledding and played all day on Monday. So it was it was a great reset um for them. Um and as we mentioned the attendance, the attendance is key. Um and we are excited that we are partnering with a couple places, Min County Banks and working with others of putting out the logo missing school equals missing out. So they're going to, you know, flash
057that for us of how important it is to be in school. Um if you're here, then you're learning. So even if you're even if the kid thinks that they're sitting in back and not paying attention, if they're here every day, they're going to pick something up. and it's showing that attendance matters. Um, right now we're sitting at a u 93.25% as of through November 4th. Average attendance rate are chronic is 20.65. Not where we want it. Um, but it it will get there. It seems like Mas said so some flu and some things have gone around. Um, that's part of it. Um but um our tennis director and Miss Bennett and the community schools team have been working diligently to make phone calls, get out there, be proactive um and making sure that the students
058are know that they're there. The phone calls go out if you miss um so we just want to make sure that everyone knows um and tends to talk about it. Current updates. First off, I just like to say thank you Miss Penny Ham and her staff. Um, you know, we have a we have a a great staff here at Hill as I would echo the other schools. Um, and it shows or um the benchmarks with GSA. It's not all about testing, but that's what we get graded by. Um, and so that's part of it. Um, unfortunately, so you know, Pleasant Hill did an amazing job on their GSA scores. Our benchmark scores are um also good. Um, wasn't a lot of summer slide there for most of those classes. So, those are great things we
059want to see. Um, and our team today, um, Miss Parsons, um, Miss B, you know, Miss Sans and Mr. um, Jackson met with PBI today and their team was like, well, your none of your schools are on the, uh, school support list. I said, absolutely not. So, you know, none of our three schools made the list that need support, which was a great thing. none of those schools are on the list and she mentioned it. She has several school that she works with um on that list. So um you know we are showing gains academically. We're showing gains to social and emotional um for our students and what we're providing our students. We're showing gains on attendance. Um so our students are, you know, dealing with things that were a little different back in the
06090s or 60s or 70s. So, you know, we have to adapt what we're doing and, you know, fit the needs of this generation of students and that's what we're doing here um at Calhoun County Schools. Um, real quick, I also want to read this. Um, I didn't know that my mic was not working properly last uh board meeting, right? >> Um, so there were some questions about some of the report due to the accidents. Um, so I will will reread those um that that's going out there. So there were some citations um and these are were on the web. Um first citation um Mr. Brandon had a valid endorsement to operate a school bus at all times of his employment and date of accident with no interruption. Um and that was um next one conducting
061unauthorized testing. Um there was a driver um completed a drug test following an incident related to being stuck up at at a turnaround I believe near beach. Um there were no passengers on bus administration directed the driver to undergo a drug test at that time. The test was provided um a DOT drug test. However, the DOT determined that the DOT test should not have been conducted in this scenario. Instead, it should have been administered as a st standard drug and alcohol test. administrative um administrative went above and beyond in this situation, but now we have to send a letter to Mini Hamilton stating that this is not a DOT test. Um, another one was improperly administrating random drug testing. The school system contracts service with an independent vendor in the same manner as all other
062county boards of education and the vendor determines testing dates and the red random selection pool. um failing to prepare a annual MSI drug testing summary. The MSI drug testing summary that was prepared by the school system vendor failed to include which uh fail to include required signatures. While these are technical errors in nature, the school system will ensure uh qualifying signature are going forward. Failing to designate a person or qualify to order a reasonable suspicious police at central office are reasonably suspicious train. And then this is the other question that was brought to us. Um in addition to the above information, school board, were you aware the following information? Um so which it says record show that um that bus driver did not operate the proper CDL endorsements. This is false. Mr. Brandon was lawfully
063authorized to operate school bus at all times during his employment between hire and through the date of the accident. um bus drivers endorsements and lensures is handled through the federal state level. At the time of the hire by previous administration and board in 2017, he was able to be licensed by the appropriate entities including the West Virginia Department of Ed. So, we got some questions that uh was out there on social media. Um so, we wanted to address those. Sorry that my mic did not work last time. Um so, those are addressed there. So um you know we have all documents that we need for the federal gu that is all I have at this time. >> Any questions for questions? >> Next item on the agenda is uh new business. Can I have a
064motion for items A through C? >> Motion. Do I have a second? >> Is there any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. I. I. Opposed. >> And that motion. >> Next item is personnel. Um. >> Yes. We'll get item A on. >> Um, can I have a motion for item A? >> Yeah. Make a motion. >> Do I have a second? >> Any discussion? >> All those in favor say I. >> I. I >> post and that motion carried. >> All right, Jason, you can come back. Um, I will need a motion for item B. >> Do you have a second? >> Discussion. >> Um, as you can see, we are hiring um Jeffrey Hunt um as our school security officer. Um, so he will be starting promptly. He uh has been
065trained um through the state and Don Brown um to be a school security officer starting immediately. Um we've had several conversations with um Jeff Hunt. Um he is excited for this opportunity. Um he was looking for something else to do and just kind of you know we put it out there and kind of fell in his lap. Um and he called or said, "Hey, can I do a little practice?" >> Yeah, you're qualified. Um so he is a retired state trooper um for a long time. Of course, he worked on also for our sheriff's department. Um he has all the he kept all his qualifications up. Um so he's going to be a great resource for our students and staff. Um he'll spend a majority of his time at Cal Middle High School. Um but
066he will also be at the other two school. um when needed, you know, he will assist with um safety procedures, active shooter drills, um evacuation drills. Um he will be the lead on all of those and we will use his expertise um for that. So when he was a state trooper, um he had a lot of input in our safety meetings. Um >> and he been in all the buildings, he's walked them, he knows all three schools very well. So, we're excited to have his input um moving forward the safety of the students and staff at Cath County School. So, I'd like to welcome um Jeff Hunt here. Um and excited for as the u paid assistant school girls basketball coach. So, uh I rode all the way to Richie County with him Friday as
067we did the last football game and he was pumped and geeked um for that. um and it so he he's ready to help these kids and it's you know it's people like that right there um who are just they're just doing that because they want to. So as it says right there it's just nonpaid stuff um they don't have to do that stuff. We have a lot of people who volunteer their time. We hire volunteers all the time and without those individuals you know we couldn't do some of this stuff. So, you know, it takes a lot. You know, the saying is it takes a village to raise raise a child, but we have terrible people in this community that step up and we're grateful for for those for those individuals. >> Uh, one question
068on uh Jeffrey Hunt. >> Yes. >> Just to clarify, >> he's not going to be a school resource. >> That is correct. Not a school resource officer. He's going to be SSO. So, he will be a school security officer. So, um, so if there is a legal issue, he will still have to reach out to the local sheriff's department or state police. Um, do you will not be able to arrest anybody with that job, but he will be there for security reasons. >> You have any other questions? >> Hearing none, all those in favor say I. >> I motion carries. And that brings us to the end of our agenda. So I will adjourn this meeting at 6:37. >> Thank you, Miss Cunningham.