001Pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible liberty and justice for all. Amen. So our first item on the agenda is recognitions. So this is the uh I guess best time of the year for for these two individuals. So um you know the way this works is they are nominated by their peers and then they are voted on by their peers. So the teacher of the year um is each school nominates a nominee teacher of the year. Then I get the previous winners of teacher of the year to vote on teacher of the year. Um so this year um the winner for the teacher of the year at C County is Miss Annie Jones. And before she comes up here,
002I just want to say how thrilled I am to have her at C County because I and I know Jason and Jenna, I'm highly involved um in the program, but she is a win for C County and our agriculture classroom and our FFA because what was dying in C County, she revived and brought back to life and it our students are the ones reaping the benefits of having this wonderful teacher. Miss Jones in C County. So, we stole her. We're glad that she's here. We're glad that she found C County. She probably never wanted to be here, but this is home. We love her and we're glad to have her. And hopefully her tenure here in C County is a long time because our students greatly love her. And it to the honest truth is
003when I talk to students and I ask, you know, who their teacher is, you know, they always gravitate to Miss Jones. and the ones who have her in her class really enjoy her class and what she's doing um with that. So, usually I take a picture, but I think Miss Jet and Jay should be involved in this picture with Miss Andy Jones for teacher of the year. That way, go back behind Mitch. Good. That's a good spot right there. That's a good spot. That's a good spot. Congratulations. I will get my phone. Will the for the city? Uh what? say, "What makes you so special to the kids?" Really, I mean, there has to be something that that gravitates them to you. And you can just ask anybody that's in any of the classes, any
004of the kids what their favorite class is out there, and I'm pretty sure they're all going to tell you that it has something to do with that's in them. I love that. Well, I guess I don't really know how to answer that. I'm glad that they like me. like I feel like I put my heart into what I do and maybe that is why they they kind of sense that they recognize. Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. And we're taking kids and not only are they getting their state award now getting our national award which we have had and it's not just one kid, it's two, three or four kids. We got three this year state award and then three more for the national award. Right. Yeah. We have three that are they passed the state level check
005for their American degree. Now they're going to go on to nationals and that hasn't happened from Calhoun in 60 years. So finger toes crossed. Yes. There's only been one ever in the history of the school and it was 60 years ago. So amazing. So the impact that you have had on at least those six students is lifelong and I appreciate that very much. Absolutely. I love what I do. They let me have a job that I love. So, I appreciate all your kind words, but the students deserve him as much as I do because I wouldn't get to do what I do if it weren't for them. You got remember my youngest was in first grade, so you got a long way to go. Well, I look forward to having him one of these events.
006So, you go on those trips to Indianapolis or Yeah. So, I'm the one that kind of coordinates all of those and a couple of your fellow board members can attest we put a lot into those trips. They are go go go. We try to hit industry tours. I came from a small school, so I understand the impact. I wouldn't have gotten the travel experiences I got if it weren't for FFA. And I kind of look at it the same way for our students. This may be the only time they get to be that far away from home. The only time they get to see a fish hatchery or a dairy farm or whatever I can expose them to. And and to attest to that, because I'm not a go is that Jason W says you
007walk too much today. it you get she don't give you time to it is it's full of you got you're busy every day all day and it's so much information that you can that you look at and see it's just amazing I mean but I think if you if you didn't get that full right think about what you would be missing right definitely the only way they say you can sleep when you're done that's That's right. When you get back from, right? Yeah. One of the two. Well, thank you guys. Thank you. All right. Our next award is for the service personnel of the year. So, um, now this one's also unique. So, this one is voted on by every single service employee. So, we talk about bus operators, custodians, cooks, aids. So, everybody who
008serves employee, secretaries get to vote on this award. So, um the unique thing to this, and I'm not saying it's right or wrong, it usually goes to someone retiring or, you know, getting ready to leave, but this year, um they they went a different route. So, and I think Randy Harris, the search first person of the year, deserves this award because um from for pretty much three quarters of the day, he's the only custodian at Academy High School. And, you know, he plays um he wears more than one hat. So it's he's not only cleaning up after the kids or staff members, he's, you know, checking on toilets, he's checking on stinks, he's checking on, you know, whatever else is there. So I I I guarantee you if you go out there and listen to
009a day and your bingo card has Randy Ball on over, you're probably going to win a prize because you know his radio goes off probably more than anybody's in that school for what he does and the years of service he's put in from the time that I was there as a as a principal to facilities director to where I'm now. You know, what he does for our high school, you know, doesn't go unnoticed. So he he plays a huge role in making sure that that building stays the way it is because I mean he does three quarts a day you know pretty much by himself and he keeps it afloat and it's a you know it's a welloiled machine and I can you know when I was the principal out there I knew what time
010he got there I call him make sure he was there and helping him shovel snow because I guarantee you was a three-hour layer snow day he's out there six o'clock shoveling sidewalks or throwing salt down making sure that kids have a path from the the bus to there and teachers have a path from the back door to to the parking lot. So, you know, it's those small things, you know, that we don't always see that that he does and I'm glad he's getting recognized for it. So, your service person of the year. So, when I called him today, he chuckled. So, I'm glad he showed up. I'll let Mr. Mson and Mr. Congratulations. Well deserved. Congratulations. [Laughter] That's very important. All right. Any board members have anything to say to Mr. Harris? Thank you so
011much because I meant what I said always a smile. I don't know that I've ever seen you look across or say a cross word and I appreciate that. You know, and the nice thing about that the kids, you know, recognize that too. Yeah. Yeah. You know, and and we tell people that, you know, no matter what your role is, whether it's studying, teacher, administrator, bus driver, you have an important role. You'd be surprised how many students at Kevin High School has made connection with Randy and when they're having issues, they go and talk. So, you know, they talk to him, kids approach him, they help him. He has a group of kids that feel comfortable with him. And if they have issue that's on their chest or heart, you know, they seek him out and
012have conversations with him. They said, "No, you know, they don't have to do that." But he, you know, he takes he takes pride in the kids in that building, has conversations with them. So, you know, that that that's huge, too. So, on top of what he does, he builds relationships with students that come in high school and has a respect, too. So, you know, that that on top of is important. You tell me how to. Thank you. Thank you very much. You want to speak? No. Well, thank you guys so much. So, you're more than welcome to stay or Yeah, man. I got to get home before we get home. Thank you. Thank you. The next item on the agenda is the minutes. Do I have a motion for the approval of the March 10th,
0132025 regulars? Make that motion. Do I have a second? Second. Is there any discussion? Um yes. So that's so there's a few updates and um you you'll have your director reports um in your binders. Um the legislation session was not good to us um by any means as a whole. Um we Kathy put the updated email from Jim Brown what passed and what didn't pass. Um there are a few bills that frustrating um but there are still bills that helped us out. Does that change? Is that where I'm looking? Yeah. So one of the bills um did change your hours of requirement um for legislation updates. Was that was it was that part of our last minutes? We might have talked about it passed through house session. Okay. So if you use the board it
014said so now it said effective so it's not effective this year right so it's effective next year July starting July one each board county board m shall receive 12 hours of training um and also there is a um compensation rate that the board member shall receive compensation at $260 per meeting unless the board votes to approve um a lower rates, but they may not receive pay for more than 40 meetings in one physical year. That item we did not Yeah, that is not in our No, those are things you have to vote on. So, those are those are now into code or will be into code. Um, that's going to be something that we're going to discuss at the Yes, that's something that we're going to add to the next board agenda if you guys
015want. So, this have discussions of what you want to do. That's 100% up to you. We budgeted for it, but that's up to you guys what you want to do. So, previously what they passed prior to that, they're all pay rates for board members, but they the way they the way they wrote it into code, they I guess they didn't understand. So, you guys had you had to vote pay and you would receive a pay raise based on the next term. So they changed the rules, not changed the rules. They changed policy where you didn't have to pay. So you can accept the pay raise or so will we make a motion put that on the agenda for next? Well, we can't until we vote to approve these the past minutes. It will be on
016the agenda next. Okay. Okay. So we have a first and a second. Are there any other discussions about the minutes from the last meeting? Hearing none, all those in favor say I. I know. Now we're up to discussion. Okay. I just didn't want to miss it. Kathy will get on. Yeah. Because you know my session is Yeah. Yes. Director report uh career center. Uh not that much. Uh just one item you know for the reports. Looks like Calon Banks uh visited uh and gave a presentation regarding banking and checking accounts which is always a a good thing because even at my old age I still have a hard time writing a decent check because I let my wife do that. honest to goodness you know so but uh you know those are the kind of
017things and also the sixth and eighth grade visits visit that took place we I think we already discussed that and uh you know I think they had the visit uh let's see over 160 students who attended you know both am and pm session so quite well attended which is a good thing because it allows the kids to actually uh you know see what's available and what's there for you know for everybody to uh you know get involved with if they want to. other nets. Let's see. We had competitions that took place, you know, at Marshall University. Uh, you know, I had a couple of students uh that were involved. Let's see. I think that's that's basically as much as I've done to report on you know they you know as far as a career center
018you know they do have uh you know the applications and they're going to start interviewing but that's for the next session I'll hand out that at our next meeting but there's quite a few kids that are interested in we also have you know somebody from Christian school also you know I mean it's available to other students just just high school students which is a good [Music] thing progress is being made and uh you know I think this is doing a great job so I can't be any happier being part of the council thank you all any questions Superintendent we'll go back there. You got your directors and school reports in your binders from the principles administration legislation updates. Um like I had minute mentioned earlier a great session for us. Um so part of the
019bills that have been passed um um so far bills that have been passed and approved by the governor is Senate Bill 283 grade level finances personal finance. It was for junior seniors kind of open up eighth grade up. Um defining what a man and woman is. Um house bill 456 house bill 2354 banning certain products for food which have died and the repeal anted and skin for the um several bills that have passed. There's a ton of them. Um Jim sent that email. um to you, but the the big one that um is key here, a couple of them is the um discipline for elementary ed that did pass. Um I think one I was in favor for Senate Bill 2581 related to attendance and student education for age activities. So for activities, they would
020not be penalized for their attendance. Um which is great. um prohibiting cell phones in classes. So that's not the state law. So once they enter classroom can not use them on it. We have we have a policy. Yeah, we'll have a better policy. Okay, that's what it's considered new policy to that. So here in the next month or so um I'll go to Charleston and Rice and we'll give us some rundown all the new laws how it pertains to us. Now there are some provisions in the cell phone policy. If it's in your IEP or 504 of course or if you have a medical reason so for diabetic check your levels. So either of those are allowed based on policies. Um the one that's um we were advocate against um House Bill 2755 was by
021West Virginia Board of Education make rules or policies submitted by legislation for use. So now this is legislation control of the department of ed. So any rules that the department of ed want to enforce or pass it has to go in front of the legislation. So um if you remember I believe it was 2022 election 2024 what all the amendments for one two this was amendment four and it failed two of the 55 counties voting no so um the last I sent several emails um to our delegates and senators who vote no um now the senators I have connections with um close connection with of of all the ones that I have really close connection with vote You know, I don't have a really great connection with Patrick Martin. It's hard to get a hold
022of. Senator Queen voted no. Senator Grady voted no. Who's in the chair of education? Senator Coleman Houston senator voted no. And I picked up a new one in Green County. Senator D. He voted no. So that was great. Senator Martin did vote yes. On the House side, Roger did vote yes to this. Very frustrating because Klay County both voted no. Yes. in the last I said to them like how can you like how can we support something that both counties you're a delegate kind of collect both so their thought process was the only reason people know is because justice follow the people spoke well I did send my vote in so represent and I did too so I emailed probably 20 or 30 delegates on top of sending text about our delegates um to think
023about how he votes. Um it's funny the ones who work for education bill and there are several delegates Republicans that 15 Republicans who voted no um because they were stated by their constituents you know they voted no will vote no too which which to me is that's what you're right um so but they they want complete control of education system and department they're trying to take over the WBSS WBS that they easier. So they want to have complete control of everything. Um so they always they always say low control. There was one bill that mentioned counselors for every 200 students. We bought that ratio. Yeah. So and the bad part is we've had a counselor posted for Okay. So we actually I thought you know I thought about that when I read that yeah now
024the one thing that's um house bill so there was a vaccine bill it died in the house so one of the senators tried to bring it back in Senate bill 46 and yeah house bill 2776 which was a blood gout test which had nothing to do with um the vaccine bill something to do like um and to be reported but that senator thought it was you know any sanctions had something to do with that bill insert but it didn't pass city on committee on the floor because there was a couple because it was striking etc. So um the virus so that show some legal all the legal battles and based on his executive order but um nothing no vaccination stuff went through with the house and although those were huge wins for us there wasn't
025very many wins um this year um but um if you saw Metro News or Jim's email there's going governor made a comment about EIA future wages and the funding formula so there could be potential for special session so keep your eyes Um so curriculum um we are in the midst of testing we talked about in our council meeting um juniors took SAT last week um and and then the elementary schools will be doing their benchmarks and GSA the next two to three weeks and that is also with the high middle school students will be taking their benchmarks and their um GSA testing. So, you know, we prepped them all. We gave him pep talks and trying to get them motivated tests. So, um, you know, I think I I do believe that we're going to
026show improvements on SAT. I just don't know how much improvements. So, you know, you know, not to it is what it is. Slash, but that's why we put a number out there. I want to see if I can increase right or their students um so talking to some the juniors afterward they try really hard um they seem positive um so we shall see um you know and it's it's it's rough that that that snapshot of the junior class is our um our grade because the freshman sophomores also take but we can see that in our We can see it, but it's not in in our grade. It's just that SAT. How do they how do they do on those PSAT tests? Because that usually is a good precursor what students might be interested in. You
027know, I'm just, you know, hit me. So, same thing. Yeah. So, and so this is a conversation. So when I met the junior class um last week the day the day before the test um and I and I completely understand like where they're coming from being and like this is crazy what I have test but I said this is not the west test or the CTBS test this I said I'm not saying that you want to go to college exactly but this could open up the door I said If you financially cannot afford this to go to college, you potentially based on SAT, there are scholarships out there. And so I was like, how many of you want to go to local raise your hand? I said, just hear me out. Do really good. I
028said this, right? Go to Glimble, go to a small community college, get a background in finance or um accounting. So you know how to manage your money, then go into oil in the summertime, you make that money, then you work their four or five degrees, then you can have your own company. I said there's all these guys who have these great operations to own their own oil company, but the hardest part is still managing HR, payroll, your finances. They don't always they don't always run good two or three years, the market goes up and down and they don't have a manage market. So get a financial background in accounting or finance and try to help yourself out because not everybody understands numbers how that stuff works not so this much money but there's more to
029that insurance what else goes into it but then $60,000 you might ask this they see $6,000 double So there's there's other things that they don't account for. So it's like let's see the big picture. It's hard to see big picture when you're 16 years old, but try to still working on the um all three schools are working on their schedules for next year. So I know it's April, mid April um so it's the month school last. So we are working on match schedule for next year and trying to get ready for that. on Thursday will be um student date high school for great for middle school high school there. I don't have the home school hope home scholarship numbers but we continue to lose those numbers. Um it's it's um it's not been easy on
030us since since it's opened up and they continue to make it easier um for them. Um our attendance rates um if you look at Mr. Paxton. Um the high school was still sitting at 11% chronic absent, 94% average. Um Pleasant Hill at 18% um 62 chronic absent and 93% overall tennis rate. Hberg took a hit these last couple months at 25% client absence rate. Um so we're trying to get that number back down real quick. Um but you know for some reason I struggle pretty much all we had a good month there 120% but um late bug season that kind of hurt any any indication as to well you say a few but any other indication that's called yeah so it's hard at that age because you know elementary parenting so it's my wife not
031forget kindergarten fourth grade so you know this parent didn't score. So, you know, and when it comes to chronic dependence, I know everybody sees the the excused or unexcused, but it really doesn't matter. If you go to the [Music] doctor, so it goes against you. So, if you have someone come Yeah. Yeah. That's excuse harm. But then you're still in need. Like I know my grandson, he he had pneumonia. He went back to school for two days. He come home with a stomach flu. He went back for a week, got an upper respiratory. I mean, it was just like a concept because I mean, they're all over it. They're touching stuff. They're putting their hands in their mouth. mind the doctor days. So it makes excuse acid but day that it's just but then if
032you send it back too early how many other I mean it's just like one day didn't they say there was another like three kids in kindergarten so there's no way to rec something like that it doesn't make sense no yeah I mean at the end of the day the extreme is obscuse federal excuse. Oh, it's excused. But when we get judged on it for accountability ownership still, but the good news is our our county level is still at 15%. So stay under our goal was to stay under 20%. So we still got a month and a half. Um so make sure everybody goes to school. We maintain under that. Usually last few weeks school. Oh yeah, that is all I have. The next item on the agenda is board acknowledgements months. Um I start I
033um first of all want to congratulate the uh employees of the year. Um both of them are stellar and we're lucky to have them. And I was able to attend today the uh Easter activities at Arnold Elementary from lunch right through the hat parade and the parties. And I'm really thankful that they still do the hat parade. Like the the look on those kids faces that they paraded around that gym. I know that that is bound to be trying for the teachers. I'm sure it is because it got to be chaotic, but the kids totally they enjoy it and made it worth it for me. Well, you know, the recommendation is also recognizing the teachers uh especially the AC teacher. I remember when I was in high school and being new in the country, I
034didn't know anything about, you know, the agriculture business and sitting in the classroom finding out about the various uh panels that are out there. I mean, I didn't realize, you know, what was there. So, that type of an education, I mean, it stuck with me. I mean, I can go out there and say, "Okay, that's an Angus. That's an earth." So it it's something that you know sticks with me and it's such a great thing that other than just the regular teacher I mean not that she's not right to you recognize for what they do which is such an honor and as a custodian you know sometimes you know you look at a floor and uh you don't really put they put a lot of effort into I see Chris Lacy who is actually a
035bus driver and he takes care like the Christian church. I mean, he takes pride in this and that's what we meant to see. So, kudos to them as you know and I wish our softball team would do a little better, but unfortunately we can't. Yeah, I any that's another story. Well, I'd like to say congratulations teacher of the year serviceman of the year. Thank both of them do a great job. Also like to I was got to attend the student day at Pleasant Hill a couple week a week ago and it was brilliant and all the kids they had great time. There's all kinds of um activities for them to do from search and rescue dogs to the WPU mascot was there and all that stuff. They really had a good time with great all
036the both elementary schools come together and do something like that. Well, I'll say congratulations to the both of those cohorts. That sums it up. So, the next item on the agenda is old business. I need a motion to recess the 41525 meeting and reconvene the March 10th, 2025 regular meeting. Make that motion. Do I have a second? So, all those in favor say I. I oppose. And that motion came just uh real quick to recess being um these are the two um while we're having meetings Tuesday discussed the levy raised the last meeting but this is where we are today. I need a motion to vote to lay the levy 2025 2026 levy. I make that motion. Do I have a second? I'll second it. All those in favor say I. I I motion carries.
037So now I need a motion to reconvene the April 15, 2025 table. Do I have a second? I second that. All those in favor say I. Opposed. Now I need a motion to vote to recess. That's that's what we just made motion to do. Yes, that's [Music] it does say. I knew I knew didn't even register it. [Music] Oh, I saw that. Um that I need a motion to recess for the public calendar hearing. I'll make a motion. Do I have a second? All those in favor say I. I car. All right. Public calendar. So we put four out. Um the one that won the vote was calendar two. I don't know if you have that there. I thought I had it. It is a carbon dish. So is a carbon copy of I believe
038Gilmore County. The only difference is that um my call if you want to look at it is that RPL days are on a Mondays are on Wednesday. So I off that option to them and choose that route. So this is they looked it was a landslide of of calendar two. Um you want to know the votes? I can say what the votes were for this calendar, but 21 went away. Calendar two received 67% of the vote. Um, calendar one only had 17. Calendar three only had 6%. Calendar four. Calendar two is what we had. Yes. Okay. So, I need a motion to reconvene the April 15, 2025 statutory meeting. Do I have a second? I second that. All those in favor say I. I need a motion to approve the 2025 2026 school calendar. I'll
039make a motion. Do I have a second? I second that motion. Is there any other discussion? All those in favor say I. I. I. Oppos. That brings us to new business. And I have a motion for items A through B. Have a second. I second that. Any discussion? Yep. Um, real quick. So, we're going to make some calendar revisions. We would approve for one day, but we're going to make some calendar revisions together. I I I asked for two days that brings it back to even um and they told us that our meeting last week that that flood debut days three flood days three days but so I'm waiting to hear back from Jeff Kelly his office but we got one so it's too late in game to convert Monday to a instructional day how
040it used to plan so my goal or my plan is to you is to turn um se June 7 into a full instructional or an instructional Okay. Um, it says full, but I will probably change that to half the early out day. Um, but I'll make that decision later today based on what's going on. June. Yep. June 2nd. I'm going move our practice prep day to June 3. Keep um June 5th the same as a feature prep or a move that to a prep day. Then I'll move that OS day to June 9th. So the person might be excite could be potentially a half day. So this it's gonna be a Monday. I'll probably bring it back for Monday. Yeah. All right. Is there any other questions or discussions? All those in favor say I.
041I. Oppos. Personnel is the next item. Can I have a motion for items A through F? I second that. Sketching. Um, as you can see, we had a late resation today. Our lead coordinator services CSI dog. So, we look for a new person for that role. As you can see, um, don't want to mention the name. It's probably on there, but the nonrenewal contract. Um, we had to make a personal move. That was the easiest one. Librum after our conversation with her, she was okay with that move. Um, she was retired already. So, she still probationary contract. Is there anything? Yes, you will. Yeah. Close your eyes. Hearing none. All those in favor say I. I agenda. Our next meeting is May 12th. We will have two in May. So we have our other meeting
042and then the special 19th. Um as of right now the only thing on 19th would be just our budget to approve the budget but there couldn't be added to it. I didn't want to take it off there. But you never know, right? Um based on people resigning order we might need to hire people if we're gonna post a job. We do know that Rome County does a bunch of jobs. Oh yeah. Come on over. Oh yeah. know what it is. Probably in my yo