Board Meeting Regular Session - 6/22/2026

001Cute. Well, let's do that again for the people online. Today is June 22nd, 2026. It is 6:00 p.m. The Mercer County Board of Education is in in regular session. Uh all board members are present. Uh the superintendent is present as well. And we've got a large group of if you're under 18, we want you to come up here and lead us in the pledge. And I don't want any fake 18-year-olds up here, all right? Just real 18-year-olds. >> [laughter] >> All right. Come on up, guys. All right, come up here and lead us in the pledge. Come on. >> Good. >> All right. Whenever you're ready. >> I pledge allegiance >> All right. >> I pledge allegiance >> to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands,

002one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Very good. Very good. So, before we do recognitions, I just want to take the privilege of the chair to note that three of us will this will be our last board meeting. Well, there there's going to be one on Monday, but it's a special meeting. It'll be very brief. And I want to give anybody an opportunity that want to say anything. Jacenda, you want to say anything? >> Um just that it's been an honor and a privilege to serve the students of Mercer County for the past 10 years and I'm going to miss everyone and especially all the kids. So, thanks to everyone for a great 10 years. >> Thank you. Mark? >> Uh I just the same thing. I'm I'm going to

003miss seeing these kids. >> Sorry. I'm going to miss seeing the kids just like Jacenda said. Um kind of why I enjoyed doing this is getting to getting that part of my life back, but but uh it's good to see those smiling faces and see the accomplishments they make. So, keep on keeping on. >> All right. Well, I'll wrap it up as the longest one in serving up here. Not the oldest one, but the longest serving one up here. Sorry, Paul. Uh It it has really been a joy to serve with these five people and the superintendent. Uh It's not always been perfect. It's not always been easy, but the people that we work with and for are fabulous. They're dedicated. They're driven by one thing and the one thing and the only thing we

004should all be driven by, which is success of our children, period. That should be the end of the conversation. That should be our agenda every day that we come in to work. And I think this board has tried to do that. Uh it it you know, we're humans and we're imperfect. Sometimes you look back and think I could have done something differently or should have done something differently, but as long as you're driven by one thing, which is our children and their success, then what else is there? So, uh it has been a a privilege and I've made some friendships that I'll carry with me the rest of my life. Some good people, good people that work in Mercer County schools. It is the most important thing we do as a community, educate our children.

005Don't ever forget that. Support your schools. Support your board, support your teachers. Get your kids there one time in the seat. That's what matters. So, with that we will move on and do the thing we like most about these board meetings, which is our board recognitions. >> Okay, let me see if I'm working. Good deal. As Mr. Prudich said, our favorite part of any meeting is when we have the opportunity to recognize staff, students, or community members. And our first recognition this evening is for certificate of achievement for the 2026 Vex Robotics World Championship in St. Louis. Congratulations to our talented student teams who earned the opportunity to compete at the prestigious Vex Robotics World Championship in St. Louis, Missouri. Recognized as the world's largest robotics competition, the event brings together thousands of top robotics

006teams from around the globe to showcase their skills in engineering, programming, problem-solving, and teamwork. Competing on the world stage is an incredible accomplishment that reflects countless hours of design, testing, collaboration, and perseverance. We are proud of these students for representing Mercer County schools with innovation, determination, and excellence while demonstrating the real-world STEM skills that they will help shape the future. And we will recognize these by school, starting with Lashley Elementary. we have Sawyer Smith, Sawyer Healing, Aleah Rucker, Emma Streby, and coach Melanie Meacham. >> [applause] >> Parents, if you want to get up here and get a better picture, please feel free. How was the flight, guys? >> Good. >> I I enjoyed it. >> Yeah. >> They give you Did you go first class? >> No. >> [laughter] >> Why? Don't answer that one.

007>> Absolutely not. >> Let's just say no to that. >> Did you have nice hotel at least? >> Yeah. >> So, how many days were you there? >> Seven? No. Seven. >> I think five. >> It was so great you don't know how many days you were there. That's awesome. And did you meet a lot of Did you meet a lot of young people from other places? >> Yeah. >> Did you hear a lot of different foreign languages? >> Yeah. >> Wasn't that cool? >> Yeah, it was cool. Did you see some great robots? >> Yeah. >> And you competed hard. >> Yeah. >> Did you learn a lot? >> Yeah. >> We succeeded again. Congratulations, guys. We're so proud of you all. You have no idea. >> Do you remember how many countries were

008represented? >> 100. >> 52. >> Well, little old West Virginia, we were there cuz we're great, right? >> That's right. >> That's exactly why you tell them about Country Roads whenever you get a chance. All right. Good job, GUYS. >> THANK YOU. >> [applause] >> OUR NEXT TEAM THAT WE'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE IS FROM Mercer Elementary. Jace Downard, Nolan Bailey, Sage Booton, Christlan Kent Keetley, and coach Matt Bailey. >> What's your name, Nolan? >> Okay. >> Is Jace here? >> Sage is not here and Nolan is not here. >> What's your name, please? >> Okay, it's on the bottom. >> Christian Adams. >> All right, thank you. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Come this way. >> Where are you, Keetley? >> Mr. Bailey, you want to hold yours? >> Sure. >> Oh, does he have

009one? Yeah, does he have one? I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by >> [clears throat] >> All right, how was your flight? >> We all drove. >> Oh, really? >> Drove. >> Yes. >> Wow. >> I've done that. It's a long drive. >> Yes, we did. >> Wow. >> Every family drove their personal >> Did you enjoy it? Good drive? You sleep while Did you sleep while the adults drive? A little bit? >> So, was the arch pretty cool? >> Mhm. >> Yeah, I don't know about that. >> Oh, yeah. As soon as we got out of the little elevator, we there everybody's phones went off with tornado warnings. >> You were on the top. >> Yeah, we were at the top. >> Oh, at the top. all together. >> So, that was pretty exciting.

010So, you're looking for a twister, right? You're going to be a chaser now? Is that what happened? I don't think so. [laughter] First we have to find the elevator back down. >> They went to the basement. >> You went to the basement of the arch? >> Yes, we were on lockdown for a while. >> cool. I mean, that's kind of a not cool, but a story that you will always remember. >> You will always remember that. >> Which we had to wait on the other group to go down that was already up there. So, they had to go down and then come back up and get us. So, that was That was the tense part. >> Wow. >> So, did you learn a lot about robotics by doing that? Figure out some more things to

011do next year around. Keep it up. It's really important. You're all doing a great job. So proud of you. GOOD JOB. >> [applause] >> THE NEXT TEAM THAT WE'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE IS FROM Pinckneyville Middle School, Wade Stanley, Grayson Coleman, Weston Richards, and coach Laken Lucas. >> [applause] [laughter] >> All right. So, this is where we knew we were going to get if we kept pushing robotics. Tell them what you did so they understand what you did. >> Um won the competition. >> That's a big deal. It's the international competition, guys. There were how many countries there? >> 52. I think PAPA'S IS THERE. >> [applause] >> THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU START WITH A LITTLE PROGRAM that kids really love and you push it hard. Either one of you going to be an

012engineer now? >> I don't know. Maybe. >> [laughter] >> I hope not. >> You hope not. Well, you know, there is a lot of math day-to-day if you want to do that. But, we are so proud of you guys. Outstanding job. Are you Are you going to continue this? You like it enough to keep going? >> Maybe. >> Okay. Well, that will take probably maybe. That works. Don't do that thing where we got we hit the peak, we're done. We got to the top of Everest, we're done. Keep going. Keep trying. So, we're real proud of you. What Oh, that's your That's your team number. Never mind. So, uh How was your flight? >> It was boring. >> Boring. Did you sleep at least? >> A little bit. >> A terrible sleep. >> Terrible sleep.

013And the hotel, was it decent? >> It was pretty nice, yeah. >> Okay. Well, that's good. All right. We're glad. What about you? Was it all right? >> Yeah. >> Was it that bad? I make it sound pretty horrible. >> No, I didn't have to sit with him. >> [laughter] >> Only a middle SCHOOL TEACHER CAN GET AWAY WITH THAT. >> THERE YOU GO. Exactly right. >> Well, we want to congratulate you guys for your outstanding effort and your hard work. And thank you for coaching and thank the other coaches, too, because without the coaches, we cannot do this. And it's a lot of work. So, thank you all so much. >> [applause] >> Our next award is a certificate of achievement for a community member, Mr. DAYTON MEADOWS. >> [applause] >> MARSHALL COUNTY SCHOOLS

014EXTENDS our sincere appreciation to Mr. Dayton Meadows for his long-standing partnership and unwavering support of our students through the annual patriotic patriotic contest. Each year students are challenged to express their patriotism and appreciation for our nation through original artwork essays and poetry. Thanks to Mr. Meadows' generosity, students are recognized with cash prizes and honored during an annual Patriots Pledge Ceremony. His dedication to celebrating patriotism, civic responsibility, and military service has made a lasting impact on countless students and families. Mr. Meadows is an integral part of recognizing and encouraging the next generation while honoring those who choose to serve our country. MR. DAYTON MEADOWS. >> [applause] >> IF YOU DON'T MIND, I'LL SAY ONE THING. DENNY Denny She did it all. I put the money up. She did all the work. And Leslie is my backup.

015>> [laughter] >> I can't I just put up I appreciate everything. I've been going over Peter for years and worked high schools. This is a very patriotic school system and I appreciate that. She's got the power of this the power behind the team. I put the money up, she tells me what she's doing. She's my woman. But we appreciate you so very much. >> [applause] >> All right, as always say now, you're welcome to stay we'd love to have you, but if you're going home now, it's time to go. >> Preach, I wanted to let you know we gave you another update on the information on data wall. So, we'll have that out on social media in the coming days also. But, we did present that to you all the things that uh that has

016happened that we keep adding on the wall and updating. So, if you need uh uh me to go through that, I just wanted you to look through that. If you need anything, but wanted to present that to you. >> Okay. >> Um Also, the School Boards Association orientation for 2026 was June 12th and 13th, and our new board members attended that along with myself virtually. And very informative and uh a lot of uh a bit about accountability and policy 2322 from the ethics uh commission spoke attorneys from Bowles Rice uh uh spoke also and presented and along with they did some activities regarding the book that I handed out uh to you all before. Uh we just came back from last week the West Virginia Association of School Administrators summer conference. Um there's a big

017push for I love West Virginia public schools. So, we got a process of uh getting shirts for everyone. We're working on a process to get that uh finished. And uh we can have all employees uh possibly have a shirt that maybe in the future we can on a Friday wear the I love West Virginia public schools. But, I want to also uh mention that uh Mrs. Harrison along with Dr. Bowling has been working on other processes, but we came up with a I love Mercer County public schools t-shirt. And we're working on that and uh hopefully have that uh some demos in the in the coming days and then we'll try to see if we can get those out. But, they want to push that out. It's been a state initiative along with the state

018uh superintendent. There are some pictures on our social media that we uh we have those shirts, but we need to have everyone and then we can spread that around uh all over the county and the state of uh information on recruiting and getting some done things done with uh supporting the public school mission. Also, Mercer County Argonaut the uh Houston expedition, they left very early this morning. I think um I haven't uh touched base with any of the parents. I did yesterday, uh, just checking in along with, uh, uh, our teacher, Argonauts. So, they'll come back and present to the board, uh, when they come back from that, uh, experience. The Jason National National Conference, uh, is June 29th to July 1st. I just, in your packet right there, you can see we just got

019notification today with what our team with, uh, Rhonda Rogers leading, uh, all the other, uh, directors, uh, Mrs. Rose Close. Some of us do the, Jason Tour meetings. We are going to get, Mr. Hodges, the Empowering School District. We're going to get that award from AASA Jason STEM. So, we'll have, uh, we'll keep that banner up there if you all wish, and then, uh, we'll add the new one that we will bring home, uh, when we get that recognition. That'll be, uh, that I'm aware of three three, uh, school districts in the nation that have got that. So, you I've got a other information. I cannot even attempt to read the notes and some of the data that we submitted, but there's a letter from, uh, Dr. Eleanor Smalley along with, uh, Rochelle Sandron and,

020uh, the amount of work that everybody submitted to put in. Uh, in the cover letter, you can see the the, um, the praise that they, uh, talked about Mercer County Schools. They also are looking forward to, uh, how do we get this started? And looking forward to ways that they can get feedback of how they can share with other districts. But, [music] I think anytime with the future and STEM with the science, technology, engineering, math, they can do some things better. And I think we're leading the way that, uh, with Mercer County Public Schools. Also want to announce that our schools and offices will be closed on July 2nd. That's an OSE day, and then July 3rd for Independence Day. This falls on a Saturday and that's the holiday. We have the statutory board meeting

021is scheduled on July 6th, uh 2026. And uh we'll start with the new board that's in the back there. The new board members that are coming on. Uh along with uh We just found out we have another board meeting, a special board meeting that's going to be Monday. >> Monday. >> Also, I have thank you, President Prudech, Vice President St. Smith and Mr. Godfrey. Thank you. And I, you know, opportunity just to say it's uh it's been a fast 5 years. This again as as you said uh I have those name tags there. I know Mr. Prudech's is is out out of paper. I thought oh my. I thought it was a uh but I wanted to if you want your name tag, take that out of there. I have new ones for all of

022us uh that'll be uh for the next meeting. But we do have a meeting Monday, so maybe you want to keep it up there since we're live streaming Monday for that. So if you want to grab that, thanks. And also, if you notice, Mr. Prudech, we do have two gavels. And you are currently serving as president and you the pleasure is to take a gavel home and for your service as a president of the board and uh honor there. >> Uh I tried to watch which one you use and uh I have failed. And >> Whichever one my short arm can grab. >> Whatever you can grab, you can have [clears throat] one and uh and uh thank you for your service and all of you all and uh we'll just keep doing what's best

023for kids and I wanted to share with that ending there, but uh thank you all and from our team uh to uh appreciate all you have. I know uh Dr. Bowling mentioned the other day we got your uh looking at our press releases and that was your last one. She said, "Oh, that's so sad when you just uh you said the other day it was your your final check." So I thought they got to keep it. We got We got one more to put together and then we'll do that. So good. But uh thank you all. I uh I was counting up with three new coming on and and usually leaving it has been 44 board members that I've worked out in my 25 years of career. So, just a lot of different uh uh

024opinions, personalities, uh it's been pretty neat to deal. But, thank you all and uh and we'll welcome you all at the next coming meeting. So, thank you. >> All right. I don't think we have any citizens input, am I right? Okay. Policy 2322. Who's taking first? Dr. Atkins. And this was mentioned in the school board training a lot about 2322. And I started this in in Wetzel County putting it on the agenda. I'm very particular to make sure we have those updates. The state board does have individuals watching meetings, watching our minutes, doing those things. Uh I think they watch from what I heard lately, every meeting. So, they they mentioned that uh and uh again those processes there. 2322 is accountability that what we get uh monitored on on several different levels. And I

025shared that with you before that packet. They don't have an updated booklet on that. But, Dr. Atkins, thank you. And then we'll go around at the table. I think Mrs. uh several of you want to go over some things. So, >> Okay, just briefly this evening I mentioned last board meeting that we did want to share um one final piece of data for this school year um and as you all know, this is our third year, full year with the third grade success act. And there's been a tremendous amount of support, training, um collaboration, improvement plans for students, new curriculums, uh new formative and summative assessments. It's really transformed what we've done. Um you know, last year we shared that West Virginia is one of the fastest growing districts uh states in in the nation,

026and Mercer County is among uh the top 10 in in movement within our state. So, we're very very proud of that. What this data shows are students in kindergarten, first, second, and third grade that have what is a called a third grade success act improvement plan. And they are students that fall below a cut score that's provided to us by the state on our state approved uh screener, which is I-Ready for our district. I think there were several options for that, but about 45 of the 55 districts in the state of West Virginia use I-Ready as their required and state approved screener. And you can see the numbers of students, this is for the whole district, in those four grade levels that have a plan, uh an improvement plan, and that means it has specific

027information in that plan about what their needs are and what specific supports are being given to those students. And those include meetings with school uh level administrators, counselors, teachers, and most importantly, parents and family members. How can we support um these children and these students to get them to grade level? You can see that we've had uh reductions from uh the beginning to the end. And if it's green, it's a minus, and and green is uh is good, right, Amy? Is that where And then the red indicates that we had an increase. You can see slight increase there with first grade at the end of the year, that's something we'll dive deeper into uh at at the beginning of of school year, but that cut off score does increase as the year goes on. So,

028at the end of first grade, there is an increase there. But, those are numbers across the county. Historically, when we started this 3 years ago, those numbers would have been double what they are now. So, we do know that we're making tremendous progress with our students. We have a long way to go. And we we hope to continue to reduce those. The second graders there for this school year, it's about 100 students. Those are the children that are in the first cohort starting next year, the 2026-27 school year, that could be retained if they are not on grade level or meet um different types of reasons that they could be excused from that. And, you know, we put that in policy um taken directly from state code. Again, uh Third Grade Success Act House Bill

0293035. And we have sent information to all families of every second grader of January of this school year about, again, we've done that before, but again, to explain this process and what that situation is that is explained to every family during these Third Grade Success Act improvement meetings so there would be no surprises um if that were to be the case. And uh we'll talk much more about that next year, but we hope that we can uh do things that would um allow these children to be able to to be promoted. Um and again, about 100 uh for for district-wide. So, we'll continue to work on that. Students in grades 4 through 8, and Ms. Mitchell, if you don't mind, I'll speak a little bit on that. It's uh they do not have a cut

030score or any of those types of things because they're not part of the Third Grade Success Act, but these are the number of students that are two or more grade levels below, which are students that are red on our assessment, which again is i-Ready um required by the state in grades K through 8 for us to have a diagnostic tool that measures at the beginning, middle, and end through grade 8. And you can see there are tremendous reductions in those numbers as you go up, but you also notice that the higher you go in grade level, the more difficult it is for the children to be able to improve their statuses as what grade level they are on. And that would include all students. You know, that's students that may have some type of a

031plan or need some type of support that would be included in those grades 4 through 8 numbers. But a lot of growth there and again much lower than they were even 3 years ago, but just be reminded that the students that have received this intense intervention and support and the teachers have and principals have done incredible job of attending trainings and we have the highest percentage in the state of K through 3 staff that are completing the letters training, which is the science of reading training over 80%. Our district was featured and is continued to be featured on the state department's website and was actually used in the commercials and promotion for letters and science of reading. So, we're very, very proud of that and very proud of grades 4 through 8. And as these

032students progress, then the numbers in the intermediate and middle school grades should improve. But we just wanted to to share that with you all as we do at the end of actually we do it at at the beginning, middle, and and the end, but this shows the whole history and and special thanks to Amy for putting that together. But any questions about those data? >> No questions, just comments between the beginning of the year and the end of the year. >> [clears throat] >> Um in 4 through 8, the even though the numbers are higher, there was a lot more improvement over the course of that year. A lot of a lot more kids were moved out of that score scoring at the lowest performance level. Um And it's And you're exactly right. As they

033got older, there were fewer of them, but that in the fourth and fifth grade, it was 100 kids in uh literacy, and it was I mean, fourth grade, 136 kids in numeracy. So, I mean, you know, it's the efforts are paying off. Uh It just takes time. >> Now, school improvement is a is a process, and it's a multi-multi-year process. And, you know, and unfortunately, when we get to those upper grade levels, it's much more difficult to intervene and and to catch things up. But, when you look at these numbers, you can see that um more children in each grade level are coming into that grade level uh more prepared. And then also, particularly going into middle school, as uh that intervention and support continues to become uh more difficult. But, we are very proud

034of the numbers, and uh you know, and these are these are numbers of kids, you know, that are are really struggling, that are two or more grade levels behind. Um >> [music] >> which 80% roughly of our students are on grade level or one grade level behind uh per our I-Ready diagnostic for FY. So, that's a number we're proud of, and we're going to continue to to uh keep working on that and supporting them through looking at data and providing professional development that aligns with the needs, and supporting our our teach The teachers and the principals are the ones out there really doing the work. And uh they're doing a great job, and and the numbers speak for that. So. >> So, what [snorts] grade would the code the COVID cohort What grades would they

035be now? >> Going into A. The one that was most affected, I mean, I it's it's difficult to determine that from our data, are the ones uh seventh or eighth grade this year. So. >> That reflects in the math. >> Mhm. >> That's a That's a tough one. We let it We let them down. We all let them down. That's on us. >> Um We finished >> Yeah. >> Um On K through three, did I the the the cut score changes through the year? >> Yes. It raises. >> So, if you think about that, that would indicate that a lot of learning's taken place above and beyond what you would expect. >> And that that's a good point, Mr. Godfrey, because, you know, we have kids coming off of plans as the goal post is

036being moved farther away. >> Right. >> That's correct. >> starting a 100-yard race and it winds up being a 140 yards at the end of this race. One thing that kind of sticks out to me is the especially I think the second grade, that blip you just wonder if maybe the test maybe the goal post was moved too much for that middle of the year. Do you see what I'm saying? >> Well, and and there was a lot of conversation around that because we've not had that as much before, >> Right. >> but I think it had a whole lot to do with winter and weather and different things like that. >> days, then you missed instruction. >> was a tough time, but we But we have timelines that are required uh weeks of instruction

037for assessments, and then we can't go too farther into the next timeline or you won't have enough for to to be able to do it. So, um we do feel like that reflected, and we weren't sure, but then when you see it at EOY, it caught itself up. So, we feel like that may have contributed to it. >> And the last statement, I guess, for we all are looking at this, the the last score, you have to total the scores to get a cumulative effect. So, if you look at say that the eighth grade minus 11, well, it's not really for the year it's not minus 11, it's uh for numeracy, it's >> 63. >> Yeah, it's 63. So, another another column would have been a beneficial just >> That Well, that that is a

038great point. Yes, from uh beginning to end, there are um you know, you're you're from 268 to 205. So, that that's huge. >> Mhm. Yeah, that's >> Especially in eighth grade, you know. >> Just point that out that it it's bigger than what those last numbers actually >> [cough] >> Absolutely. [clears throat] >> Other board members? >> Okay, we'll move on now. Very, very proud of Princeton Primary School when we I shared a map, I think Mr. Truman received this today. Um in the entire state, I think there are 20 or 21 West Virginia PBIS uh model schools. Of course, this is positive behavior uh support and it's uh through a lot of work and a lot of effort and this came as a result of Mercer and Strader being uh recognized as CSI schools

039in the 2022 cycle and part of that CSI process is formal PBIS training and implementation. And if you do it right, it's a lot of work. Because Mercer and Strader are intermediate schools, we felt it made uh sense for Princeton Primary um to join them so that when the children came to the intermediate schools, that they were familiar with that. Mrs. Stanley was of course uh completely [clears throat] supportive of that idea and Princeton Primary School fully embraced it and as evidenced by them being recognized as a model school. And uh Mrs. Stanley and her team have done a uh an amazing job. Office staff, teachers, everyone and there's a whole lot more to it than you know, it's [clears throat] not just giving out um tickets that you can win prizes with. It's a

040mindset. It's a culture. There's a a whole piece to that and so, we'll ask uh maybe her and some of her team to come in uh in the future to share more about that cuz she could speak much more to that than than I can. But, uh they worked very hard for this recognition and um just wanted to share that tonight that they're one in the state and when you look at the Southeast, that's what I always like to do is kind of compare us to to our neighbors and uh you know there was only three in in our bottom corner and so very proud of Miss Stanley and Princeton Primary. And the last thing I just wanted to share about the WVASA conference. It was an excellent conference last week. We always enjoy that.

041There's something special about the climate and the culture of that location. And I think the being isolated is the part that I enjoyed the most that you're you're there and everyone's not trying to go somewhere else when it's you're not in sessions and things, but Marshall County was recognized for one showcase of excellence that we did a presentation. There are only eight districts that were afforded that opportunity and Mrs. Roy and I presented on the supports that we provided to ECATS, particularly this previous school year, but in the last two or three years as we've added them to first, second, and third grade classrooms. Created some challenges for our teachers and for hiring a hundred staff in three years that needed some additional training and support and we felt like that it was something we

042were very proud of and successful with. So we we were proud to represent Marshall County at the conference and and share that and uh wanted to share with you all that it was we feel like that it was successful. Thank you, Dr. Eakins. Thank you. >> Mrs. Mitchell? >> I think Dr. Eakins and I have shared a lot of the same experiences in the last week or so because we were both at WVASA and and I agree wholeheartedly. It was very good. We always bring something good back with that. We had a nice team there this year with we were able to take a few extra people and I think that spoke volumes as far as our involvement in what we're doing. The third grade success act and then the I-Ready through grades six through

0438. As Dr. Atkins said, you know, you see the improvement, you see where it is. I'm very pleased with that. I um appreciate the people who have worked very closely with Ms. Grossclose and I, the principals, the teachers, um the school leadership at each school to pinpoint more specifically what the kids needed and what particular um concepts and standards we need to spend most time on, and they did that this year. And in tracking from last year to this year and seeing an improvement that, of course, is that's what we want. We want to continue to move in that same direction. And Mr. Godfrey also said the same thing that, you know, when you change the cut score and you still see growth, we're doing something right. So, I I appreciate everybody who's jumped in

044with that. >> I mean, it's growth above You have to You have to understand that. It's not just growth, it's growth above what you might normally expect. >> Right. And so, that you know, to me that's a big that's a big deal. Um We have I I thought that either Mr. Lippincott or Ms. Ayliff was going to be here tonight, and I did not find out until about 4:15 during one of our expulsions that they were not. So, I don't have exact numbers on the attendance and chronic attendance, but I can tell you that our goal was to increase our chronic attendance rate by 2 and 1/2% to where we had dropped. And >> I think that's how you >> I mean, decrease. Thank you. >> [laughter] >> Decrease um by 2 and 1/2% and

045that the goal would have been at 18% then. We are at 16%. So, exact numbers I don't have with me, but we we exceeded our goal of what we wanted to do with chronic absences. So, that's a step in the right direction as well. >> And and Mr. Lippincott thought after the state went through all their numbers that it'd be probably down to 14 to 13 is what he thought. >> Right, because they have a period of time they have to clean up that they can go in and check, and if they've got doctor's excuses, if something was coded as maybe a an unexcused absence and actually the student was on a field trip and there'd been a mistake, things like that. So, we're hoping that the end result will even be better, but as

046of today, that's that's where we were with that. Um, we did have orientation today for summer school. Is Callis is she still back there? Poor Jenny, she's probably ready to hide right now. We we were concerned because the the thought was that we were not going to have many students this year with the short summer and starting now and you know, ending it like right before school starts on the 18th of of August and um, we had over 120 students today and the county did agree to pay for one class as credit recovery for the students, but Miss Callis informed me this afternoon that we have several parents that are willing to pay for um, their children to take additional classes this summer. So, she and Miss Ayliff have spent all day trying to answer

047and filter out every question, every need, um, you know, what we need to do to make sure that um, we've got them on proximity. Uh, Ken Lester was there with them this morning, but I know that Miss Callis can share a lot more about it, but I am pleased to say we do have a lot of kids taking advantage of that. So, we're happy with that. Um, we are Hope Scholarship and again, Miss Callis is she took that on this year as well and with the Hope Scholarship, we at this moment and Jenny, you correct me if I'm wrong, we have 210 new applications for the 2026-2027 school year. But that is kids who some of those kids have already been in it, they're just reapplying to be in it. So, of that, we have

04871 of those students were enrolled in Mercer County schools this school year. So, it's a brand new 71 that have applied. Um, and with that, you know, of course the money that they're getting it's well over $5,000. if they applied before June 15th. There is It is prorated as time goes on, so they don't quite as much, but you know, it's it's a significant amount of money um if people choose to homeschool or to use hope. We have um out of that 210, we also have 57 upcoming kindergarteners that will go to hope. And those are kids we've not already counted, of course, unless they've been in our preschool programs, and we don't count them towards um our numbers as far as what our enrollment is in our in our um um FTE and all

049that stuff that we we it's not counted in the But what is counted is the fact that if they've been in preschool and then they go to out there to one of the private schools to kindergarten, then we're, you know, we're losing them, too. But we're not sure as of today how many of these kids are true kindergarten first time in the school system. But they Again, Jenny's working on that. Um And I think Mandy and her have been working on that as well. You want to add anything, Jenny? >> Yeah. I can't remember what part of that I was going to add to it. >> [laughter] >> The 210, right. The uh of the 210 new applications, 71 were enrolled in Mercer County schools during the 25-26 school year and are now transferring to

050hope. After July 1, we'll have 770 active hope scholarship students. Um I think for our 25-26, 83 of those students had a withdrawal code of hope. So basically, 83 of the 560 were Mercer County school students in 24-25 and transferred to hope for 25-26. >> And other than that, that's that's pretty much where we are. Um GSA, once we have all those scores in, um we'll have a an evening that uh Miss Harrison will go over that in in full detail with us and let us know where we stand with that. We're still waiting on some of that. So, other than that, I'm good. >> Board members, questions? >> More of a comment. >> [clears throat] >> These kind of things really bother me a lot. Why do you have kids that were in our

051schools this year moving to some other form of education? You know, and and I know you can't you probably can't ask the parents why not that they would be required to tell you, but you know, that's that's a that's a good number of kids that we're losing out of our our public school system. And I just don't understand what what they're gaining um by doing something like this. From the state school board position, are they offering any suggestions or ideas or help to reduce those kinds of numbers? >> We we heard the same type of conversations last week from all the counties in the state. Everybody's going through this. Um you know, the big thing is is to sell public aid. Let people know instead of you know, why they're not coming, let them know

052why they should come. You know, >> Blaine's been doing a lot of good work. >> Absolutely. She's she does a she does a great job with that and that is one of the reasons she does and you know, that um anything that we can do where we can go into the public and let them see us doing something that's positive. It doesn't even have to be academics. Just let them know, you know, that the type of organizations the kids can be involved in, the sports that the kids can be involved in, because we do have more. We have more opportunities in the public school system, but it's the biggest thing that I heard over and over and Dr. Atkins, you can say, was that they want us to make sure we're showcasing anything that we're

053doing that gives us a sheds a positive light on this public school system. You want to share anything else with them? >> Part of the problem part of the problem from my perspective is the way that they've done this. You can make the choice to go uh hope but you still have all the other benefits of the public school system that we have to we have to be carry that burden. Oh, well, I want to go to vocational school, but I'm going to I mean, we've got a local private school that you does the minimum graduation requirements to get through. You got Penn Penn Foster, right? >> Yeah. >> It should be outlawed. Should be outlawed. Uh there are there are options that that parents and kids are taking that they're going to regret one

054day. And there's nothing we can do about that part. All we can do is exactly what they're talking about, which is the things that we can do. For example, if you're in a high school that doesn't offer a particular sport you can say I'm going to go play in my district even though I'm a hope scholar uh scholarship student. Uh they've they've made it uh one of those choices where I get everything I want when I there's no consequence for me doing that. When it used to be if you went to a private school you got what the private school offered and that's what you got. Well, it's not that way anymore. >> No, it is not. >> So, it's our legislature in their infinite wisdom of improving opportunities for for kids, but there's no

055consequences to it. >> Well, and $300 >> Yeah. >> $300 >> It's encouraged to to go that route. >> And if I can if I can move on to Dr. Bowling and along with Mrs. Harrison telling you some more about the campaign for our love uh Washington public schools and it'll be pretty neat if we did eventually get those shirts all in and maybe we could have a couple of legislators wear these shirts and that might be pretty interesting when we work in the future doing some stuff and getting that word out, but anything else Dr. Bowling you want to add on that campaign along with Mrs. Harrison and then >> When you have a governor and a legislature trying to kill public education. >> But >> Before we move on, something that we could

056look at for those who are moving um because this is There is data out there we can take a look at, not just say there's 71. We can look at the grade level. Possibly the the schools they come from. >> And And Jenny has she is tracking that kind of stuff. >> But that That wouldn't be >> for our sales, it's not for Yeah. >> Say that again? >> The data that she has for us that we keep is so that we can see, you know, where the movement is and what grade levels and what schools seem to be more affected. But I >> Is that something to be shared with the future board? >> The data actually from the home home schooler Hope app, it doesn't have all that on there. So I get

057with Alicia Lester and she has to pull data from WVIS to see how they've been coded and how you know >> You all have done that. >> She has done that. I mean, it takes a little bit of >> massaging the data? >> [laughter] >> But if you let us know what you want to see, we can >> Well, like I said, that's >> Well, then we also we also have the micro school issue where where I I know of one instance I was told the other day that one of our schools one of the teachers is starting a micro school. >> Well, yeah, I mean, it's >> Took kids with her. >> If you want to >> You can. >> If you want to address that situation, I think the data that we do

058have can give us information as to I'm not calling it a shortfall or shortcoming, but Mhm. May or may not. You know, a lot of it's public perception and a lot of it's personal preference of the individuals individual parents. I mean, I understand that, too. >> I want to share that information, Dr. Bowling, if you don't mind. You would >> So we got the information from um the WVASA conference and the order form of how we're going to proceed and Amy and I will get We didn't get a chance today, but we'll get together um soon in the next couple days to get that order form going and how many shirts we're going to need, um, as well as Mr. Tyman and I have thrown around some ideas for some sponsors to help so everybody

059in, um, Mercer County has the I love West Virginia public school shirts. Um, I mean, I have also worked together and come up with a design specifically for Mercer County. Um, and it's just the I love Mercer County public school, it's very similar theme to the I love West Virginia, but just has our Mercer County to really represent Mercer County and our love for our public schools. Um, again, just to get our names out there as well. So, that more of that information how successful we are and how many shirts go out we can bring in the near future. Um, and then there was three slides on the informational data wall that I really wanted to point out that I thought, um, were phenomenal. And it's they're random. I don't have page numbers on there,

060but the dual credits that were earned this year, um, Bluefield High was 483 and that's a growth of 295 credits earned by students just at their school. These do not count the McTech credits, just at the >> Uh, is that credit hours? >> Credit, it's the credits earned. >> That's per class. That's how many classes they've earned. >> Yes, right. And both we just >> Or is that credit hours? >> I think it's credit hours. >> Okay. >> Um, we think. >> Okay. >> Um, then PikeView High, um, they had a growth of 181. Princeton Senior, um, had a growth of 293. And then McTech, um, you know, they've grown sub- substantially each year and continue to grow with 173, um, at McTech and that's amazing. And then to follow that up, um, for the

061students that got their associate's degrees before graduation, um we've again grown each year. And for 2026, we had Grow Your Own, healthcare, cyber, and then engineering were the different areas. Um and we had 29 students graduate with their associate's degree. Which is absolutely phenomenal. >> That's great. >> Um and then Mr. Tyman and I have been tracking the FAFSA for the schools and their completion rate and the percentages. The goal that the state sends out is 60% of the students have completed their FAFSA by July 1 of 2026. And right now, Bluefield High is at 60% and PikeView High is at 66%. So, both of those schools have already met their goal. Of course, or exceeded it. >> Outstanding. And And Mrs. Collis is a huge >> Yes. >> advocate of of getting that together

062and we get those updates from the Higher Education Policy Commission and get those and uh they've been on that and from workshops and all those things. And that's tough to get together and and get that out. So, that's been pretty pretty positive. So, that's Anything else, Dr. Bowen? >> I think that's it. >> Mrs. Wellman? I'm ready. Thank you. That thing. >> I have a question back about the FAFSA. >> Yeah. >> Do you think that in these one of the schools, the reason the sub number is so low is that the students have already identified themselves as not going to college? >> The counselors have really worked hard this year with their students and done a lot of, you know, workshops. We've done county-wide workshops to try to get them to sign up for

063the you know, go through the process and it has been made easier the process for filling out the FAFSA and they've told me they have you know, can all but just make them do it. You can't make them do it. And um there's some that that >> The information that's asked on there from the parents. >> Right. >> And it's personal information that maybe they do not want to do it. But there is um I know that you had several programs here throughout the year inviting people and then I know Bluefield High School had had some individual in invite invites um for parents to come up and and do those. >> We did and they had um we had a good turnout at all of those and our local colleges have been excellent to work

064with to host those events like go you know, help the parents walk them through it. They've offered for them to come to the college campus if have questions call them. We've had really good support from them to try to get these numbers up as well. >> Well, and for awards day for the four different high schools, there was a lot of money scholarships that were provided to some of these to I mean, one young lady got over a million dollars worth of offers, but that was from you know, a plethora of of different schools that had given X number of dollars. So, you know, there's plenty of opportunity there and that's another thing that the public you know, public needs to know. Um if there's question about your your children here's being able to afford

065to go to school. Um here's opportunities. We've got the scholarships Community Foundation of Virginia's. You've got individual schools. You've got the Bowen Foundation that doesn't even go through the community. You know, a lot of these different things. I met talked to a young lady that um I knew my wife taught her at Montcalm and then she just graduated as valedictorian I think at Montcalm and she's going to Concord to go into nursing and they're paying everything. It's not going to cost her, you know, anything to go to go to college to be to get her nursing degree. So, there are plenty of opportunities, but I think we need to be doing more and that's what I'm hoping for from this place for the students that cuz Greg asked and I ask kids when I go

066to these job fairs and these college fairs, what do you want to be when you grow up? And the ones that say, well, I want to be a nurse or I want to be a an you know, a corrections officer or I want to be this. We've got people around the room as you know, because you set up the programs, but you can send them to those and give them a chance. Um one one negative I heard this year was that a couple of our middle schools didn't participate in sending kids over here to the job fair. And I thought, you know, I I didn't fuss at anybody. I just thought, you know, we needed those kids needed as much as anybody else does. So, we've got to be more proactive with the schools to

067get our kids over here to give them exposure to some kind of after 12th grade educational opportunity um regardless of what it is. So, they know what they want to be when they grow up. >> Um just a couple comments. Putting this together, this is great. Uh this is really a good snapshot and I don't know but anyway, it it there's so much in here and you know, if you've been in public schools, you understand how much it takes to put some of this together, but it does give you a good understanding of how you're doing from year to year. So, this is great. Um I'm not much on social media, Amy, but I'm sure you've probably been sharing some of this and and sometimes oh oh okay well then I'll pay attention. But a

068lot of good information. As far as the FAFSA I think you're dead on. I and I understand I'm from a community that some of that community really doesn't want government intruding into their personal business and I understand that. We've got a lot of that. And I don't know if you're aware there was a big data breach from FAFSA 2018. Of course these parents may not know that but anytime you put information out there you might as well figure that that data's open to whoever whomever because it is. I mean people can get in there and steal it and I don't know what good it does. I get tickled whenever I get a another notice that my data's been compromised and I say well heck everybody has it already anyway so I mean if you think

069about it. So it's out there just you have to pay attention to your own personal things to make sure no one's going to use it against you. But anyway kudos to this this is wonderful and I think it shows a lot of accomplishment and success in Mercer County schools if you look at it. Thank you. >> Anybody else got anything? >> This is Wilma. >> You ready? >> I'm just going to give a [clears throat] few updates since Mr. Adkins is not here. And first Krista Kessinger kudos to her she had her first food truck express today and and she prayed the rain off and and they had a good day. Hoping for more later. Krista works very hard and really just does that on her own. It's kind of a passion of hers to

070feed kids and so that's going to go through the middle of next week. We had our first progress meeting for Princeton Middle School today. That's a huge job, very exciting. Um demos started Main Street Builders, Jim Lilly, if you're familiar with him as project manager, he's pushing very hard to get that project done. Concrete pads been poured for the freezer cooler outside and demos started and they're moving forward on that. Demos started on the Honeycutt restrooms this week. Electricians are starting tomorrow on that. We just got the bonds today to start the demos for the three properties, the old series blue on brush fork jobs. Those um will be finished not until this fall. We also have two projects at Montcalm that have been started, the freezer for Montcalm Elementary, that'll be installed before school.

071And we are opening a bid for um or actually we will be awarding a bid for cleaning the or installing a new hood at Montcalm High School. We've had some temperature issues heat issues in the kitchen there and the hood was undersized, so that's another project going on this summer. All of those are on track as well as those playgrounds and um you'll see uh I'll go ahead and tell you now, Glenwood did have some extra money and they wanted to order a swing for their special education students, so that's on the agenda and we'll get that added to that package as well if you approve that tonight. Um other than that, we we do have a definitive schedule for McTigue. Um the schematics should be done July 8th. Um I know there's some discussions

072on those meetings. We did have our first another FEMA meeting today. It was the first meeting with FEMA and Thrasher. Um FEMA came back with what my project manager said was the biggest RFI she's seen while she's been there questioning the pillars, the piers underneath, different things, the they're having to go back and get before topo reports of the string bank and try to show the erosion and different things. So, that's moving forward. They did tell me Dr. Jason Means was on on the call today. He said he anticipates we will have um a designation letter within the next 2 to 3 months. He said they're working very fast through their backlog that um >> 2 to 3 months and that's fast. >> Well, there's a lot that they ask us in those 2 to

0733 months. I will tell you. They they give us about 2 weeks and and um we changed engineers architects mid mid stride and and that. So, we're playing a little bit of catch-up on that one right now. >> I I just keep in mind Einstein said speed is relative so it depends on who you're looking at, right? >> It is. There's only so many on the back end of it to be be adding energy to that as well. So, >> Anything else, Ms. Bowman? >> Ms. Harrison? >> Do you want to add anything on the West Virginia? Okay. >> I went up for one day WVEIS just to see the the specific information about the I love West Virginia public schools and it was Karen Butehorn who's done some training with us on public relations.

074She's the Ohio County Communications Director. She handles just communications. That's all she does. But, she has some really great ideas of things that we can put on our website. Um but honestly, um all of the things that she mentioned we're already doing. Um a lot of it we're already doing. Now, we did get some tips and tricks from Apptegy on how to uh keep our website current. That's something we're going to have to really get with schools and get them to keep their websites current. A lot of them only post to Facebook, they don't update their websites. So, that's something we're really going to have to push this year. I work really hard to keep our our website relevant, but one of the guys from Apptegy did a quick audit and tore me up. So,

075I >> [laughter] >> I went in there and deleted what he told me to delete and we're just going to start fresh. >> I think you did it in how many minutes, too? It was all fast. >> I texted Dr. Atkins. I said, "You've been deleted." >> [laughter] >> And Is Harold anything? No. This class, did you want to add anything with some of the other duties you've taken and I thank you for all that stuff. >> Sounds like you've been busy. >> And and I I want to just the WASA conference. I mean, we had a had a nice team there and it just what we did on Dr. Atkins presenting and having the people coming up wanting that PowerPoint. Well, now, are they going to get that information from having I didn't mention

076but Ron Clark of the Ron Clark Academy. >> Yeah, I saw that on Facebook. >> My gosh, if he was in here, he would be standing right here, I believe on this what he was you know, to have an opportunity to catch him and said that I've got uh three fans over there from Dr. Fillipac and and Mrs. Rifen Dr. Bowling. He came right over to him, signed his book and it was just to see the joy and passion, but uh be 1% better if we all can do that in what we're doing and that's that was huge and we've got this book and just all the all the positive from Will Hostetler. That's the superintendent. That's the um the president of the association and what we're putting together. We're working on a legislation and

077we've did this in the past that you know, each county has a day that we're going to go there where they're they're putting that again and and trying to get that and trying to sign up for those things. So, we're trying to There's a big push there. So, I just wanted to share that everybody that was a part of that uh it's it's it's a lot of work. Uh we don't miss a session. We we're there early and I think that's a kudos to the group and what we're going to do. We have 11 going to uh the Jason conference next uh next Sunday. We'll be on the road. So, uh I'm I'm anxious what we bring back there and we just got notification about that and that's that's special stuff and again it's in

078the data wall and what Amy said she'll be doing a video probably tomorrow, I can imagine, but uh just just uh every day something in the push, but that's it though. >> Okay. >> I can't preach. >> Thank you. Then we'll get into our business maybe. Uh approval of the board minutes of June 8th and June 11th, 2026. Is there a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Second. >> There's a motion and a second. Uh any additions, corrections, or deletions? There appearing to be none. On the motion, all in favor please signify by saying uh >> Aye. >> Opposed likewise. That motion carries five in favor and none opposed. Consent agenda. Board memo number 471 is a request from student Concord University to place a student at central office to complete 20 hours. Uh

079placements are contingent as always upon the appropriate forms, acceptable background check, and and the university named as site supervisor or superintendent recommends approval. Board memo number 47 is ADA compliant swing set, I'm sorry, 472. Uh ADA compliant swing set for Glenwood School. Uh new playground equipment installation was quoted by Game Gametime, which is part of the Partners Cooperative Purchasing Program uh in the amount of 23,364.08. Uh Superintendent recommends purchase installation of the new playground equipment for Glenwood School. School funds are being used for this purchase. Board memo number 473 is absentee bonus. So, pursuant to West Virginia Code, county boards can pay bonuses to employees or defined groups of employees for the purpose of reducing absenteeism. We currently play a $500 bonus to classroom teachers who use four or less personal days each fiscal year.

080To qualify, there are certain criteria they have to meet. In 2026, 80 classroom teachers met the requirements as of June 16. In effort to further reduce absenteeism and the substitute costs that accrue as a result, superintendent is recommending that we pay each professional non-classroom teacher $1,000, classroom teachers and service employee a $500 bonus who meet the qualifications, who missed four or less personal days. Now, this is in addition for the classroom teachers for the 500 currently being paid so it's a total of a thousand. And this money the funding for this is excess levy funds. Board memo number 474 is Bluefield High School projection system. Quotes were obtained to repurchase to replace the projection system for Bluefield High School. The lowest bid was from Creative Audio Visual Group in the amount of 23,998.98. Superintendent recommends

081purchase from Creative Audio Visual Group and county funds will be utilized for the purchase. Board memo number 475 is playground equipment for Oakvale School. New playground equipment installation was quoted by GameTime, again partners in the cooperative purchasing program, in the amount of 88,430.97. So, the superintendent is recommending approval of purchase and installation of the new playground equipment for Oakvale School. A combination of school and county funds are being used for this purchase. Board memo number 476 is a continued subscription to Travel Tracker transportation software. An updated subscription pricing through buyboard cooperative from Transact Communications was requested for the tracking software. Renewal consists of Easy Routing and Safe driver 360 subscription for 10 tablets. The cost is $24,643 for fiscal year 2026-27. Uh that's a a increase of about $1,500 from last year. Superintendent recommends approval

082of a 1-year continued subscription with Transact Inc. for support of Travel Tracker routing in the amount of $24,643. Excess levy funding is being used for this subscription. Board member number 477 relates to our copier contract uh being terminated and an award of a new copier services agreement. Uh for those who probably don't know, Comax is our Business Systems is our current uh service provider, and they are in bankruptcy, and they uh continued to non-perform and failed to satisfactorily meet contractual service expectations. Uh therefore, the request is to terminate the contract with them and get involved with PB PBP Tech through a cooperative purchasing contract with an anticipated amount of $224,065.20. So, the superintendent's recommendation is twofold: to terminate the current agreement with Comax, and then proceed with a new copier services agreement with PBP Tech.

083Board member number 478 is Bluefield High School bleachers. Uh R.M. Huffman Company, a cooperative purchasing program uh participant, uh quoted for new bleachers and installation services at Bluefield High School in the amount of $253,177. And this includes removal of the existing bleachers. Superintendent recommends approval of purchase and installation of new bleachers for Bluefield High School gymnasium. County funds are being used for this purchase. Board member number 479 is the payment of invoices for the month of June. Attached are the list of vendors and their payments. Actual checks have been written and are being held pending consideration by the school board. Superintendent recommends approval. Board memo number 480 is P-Card transactions and you should again attached is the check registry for the P-Card transactions. Superintendent recommends approval. That ends the consent agenda. Is there a motion

084to approve the consent agenda? >> So second. >> All right, there's a motion and a second. Questions, comments, or discussion on the consent agenda? >> Question 477 the copy your contract. Can they accomplish that before school starts in August? >> They said they can. All right. >> So what >> So Brent and um Lindsey met met with them. I didn't actually meet with this company um during the meeting, but he he has a list of all of [snorts] the copy or he said they're about a 6-week lead time. Um if we proceed now, we should have everything in place in August. >> So who's coming in and taking out the old equipment? >> Comax is supposed to do that. >> So they can >> Comax the bankruptcy proceedings have indicated that they that another company

085is buying their assets, but we you know, been unable to receive anything any information from them. All year we've struggled getting supplies, toner, you know, ink, etc. So um we we we knew there were some difficulties and we've we've really tried to work with them, but at this point we do have, you know, the WB96 form that says we can cancel. We did I did run this by our legal counsel who um agreed that we can go ahead and cancel that. >> So will we be getting brand new latest technology equipment as opposed to this old stuff we've got? >> Yes, and and there actually is um is Brent here? Do you want to speak to any? >> [laughter] >> Um Brent actually spent a tremendous amount time analyzing these. He went through all of

086these and you'll see there is a cost reduction. Brent made some suggested and worked with principals and central office to reduce the number of copiers. Um, so you know, they will not lose any features. They're Xerox copiers that they'll, you know, there will be some benefits as well. Right now secretaries have to go in and pull readings and things like that. These will all be networked. Um we anticipate that there will be no problems. They also have several their their rep is from Southern West Virginia. Raleigh County uses them. Lindsey checked references with Raleigh County. Believe Logan County and and maybe even McDowell, but anyway, they all get very good references. >> Good. I I think you already answered my question in a roundabout way, but is this a blanket through the county contract? >>

087Yes. >> Okay. >> Yes, right now all of the contracts are handled through central office. >> Okay. >> Um, you know, it's going to be a bit different. Right now they're kind of rotate when they renew, it'll be an all or nothing, you know, we'll we'll have to do them all, but if I'm not mistaken, this is the company that after 3 years after 5 years we own the we own them after 3 years. >> We get a excuse me. That room back there, there's something in there. The we get a there's a dollar buyback option in three in three years. So we actually get to purchase that copier at the end of the three years lease and that's reflected on that cost comparison. The what what you really need to look at is the

088five year. So they anticipate these these copiers will be they're good, workable copiers for five years. So the lifespan is five years. So essentially we're only paying maintenance for the last 24 months >> So do we sign a like a service contract for the second two years? >> Second two years just service and and a dollar. And we if if they continue to function, we could potentially get more than the 60 months if we choose. Or then we could we could elect to refresh them at that time. And do another contract. >> Cool. Okay. Any other questions on the consent agenda? There appearing to be none. On the motion, all in favor signify by saying aye. >> Aye. >> Opposed likewise. That motion carries five in favor and none opposed. Board member number 481 is

089a memo regarding budget supplements and transfers first. Uh first part of that memo is the attached budget supplements and transfers through June 16, 2026, grants and related supplements as well as additional transfers that will be required in June in order to correctly close the fiscal year. Accordingly, the superintendent is requesting that the board authorize the treasurer be permitted to make necessary supplements and transfers from June 16 to June 30, 2026. It will be required or requested annually as the last regular at the last regularly scheduled board meeting each fiscal year to avoid minimize the number of line item overdrafts that occur from the operating budget. Uh all copies of the budget supplements and transfers, of course, were provided at the next regular board meeting. So, the superintendent is recommending one, that we approve the following

090budget supplements and transfers and authorize the treasurer to make necessary supplement and transfers from June 16, 2026 through June 30, 2026 and then present those at the next regularly scheduled meeting in July. Is there a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> So, motion and a second. Questions, comments, or discussion? There There appearing to be none. On the motion, all in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed likewise. That motion carries five in favor and none opposed. Board member number 482 is the first reading of policy JO5, which is conditional deferral of expulsion. I normally just hand this off to Mr. Tyman, but I'm going to talk a little bit about it myself since I was uh part of the drafting of this. So, as as the board

091knows and and and the public probably isn't aware, we're doing a lot of expulsions relating to to vaping. And there are some instances where you're just um you think to yourself, yes, you think to yourself, you know, there's a better way to do this than just putting them out of school. And the parents are saying, can we do something other than putting them out of school? And so, the idea behind this is that uh in in lieu of expulsion, that the parent and if the student's 18, the student will sign an MOU setting forth certain criteria. The idea being that they'll be in the building, but they'll lose a lot of the privileges that teenagers enjoy related to high school, such as uh participating in sports or extracurricular activity, uh attending after-school events, coming on

092campus for sporting events, all the things that the kids seem to like to do. Uh uh you know, there may be drug testing required, depending on what that's going on. It's It's a matter of of keeping the kids in the building, because we know from COVID that the best way to teach children is face-to-face in a classroom and not through a screen, regardless of what other people think. We know that's the best way to do it. Uh and the data backs that up. So, this is another opportunity for uh this board and the future board to make a determination as to whether or not there is a uh a better alternative than just straight-out expulsion. And the idea being, if you if the student fails, then the expulsion is no longer deferred, and they can

093be expelled at that point. So, the MOU the policy kind of sets all that up, so you you have the opportunity to give I mean, I can think of I can think of a dozen or more times when this would have been the perfect way to deal with the student. Um and it would have it would have offered them an opportunity to stay in the building to continue to do what they're doing, but limit their uh participation in the things that they seem to enjoy more. Um and that's the idea behind this. So, what happens is the superintendent makes a recommendation, uh parent agrees to MOU, the board has to approve it. Uh and that way you you have multiple people looking at it and discussing it. That's the idea behind it. So, you've got

094it in front of you. Uh it's going to go out for first reading. The the the the new board will definitely be the one that takes care of this, obviously. Uh so, just suggestions, comments, thoughts, if there are any. >> have just answered my question. As I read through it and did my highlighting, I wrote to myself, will the board receive any heads-up before before before a deferral is offered or approved by the superintendent? So, it it appears that there is there will >> has The board has to approve the MOU. >> brought He brings to us instead of expelling Jim Bailey for whatever. >> Right. [snorts] >> He's offered the deferral of expulsion >> Right. >> um based on my recommendation. I recommend that >> And and and certainly the the idea would be

095the terms would be laid out. Here's why we're doing it. Here's the reasoning. Again, I can think of I mean, one of the more recent ones where the grandmother [clears throat] who was there said, "There's got to be a better way to do this." And I'm sitting there thinking, "You're absolutely right." With that particular student in that particular setting, there was a better This is a better way. But at at that point, what we had was either let him go back to school after 10 days, which was insufficient, or expel. So, that's the idea. >> Don't take this wrong, but we're leaving it to the superintendent to determine if that person re- reaches the the level of consideration for this program or is it going to be something that will be offered to >> Well,

096>> every THC kid that comes through the door? >> Expulsion has to go through the board, so my observation would be if the board's doing an expulsion hearing and they all look at each other and go, "We should do an MOU with this parent." Then they could recommend to the superintendent that maybe we should do an MOU. So, one way or another you're going to you're going to have an opportunity. >> have the hearings and >> No, no. The the The hearing would be deferred. >> Okay. >> And they're going to waive their right to a to a hearing under the >> that Is it Is that going to at his determination that's going to determine who's going to be offered this and who's not? >> One or two things are going to happen. He's

097either going to make a recommendation that's going to come to the board and they're going to approve it or deny it, or it's going to go to hearing, at which point the board might suggest an MOU. And then it would be done then if the superintendent made the recommendation. And my observation has been at least with this board and this superintendent that, you know, we can have a adult conversation and come to an agreement one way or another. >> The reason I think the reason we've been drifting towards this anyway >> Right. >> we've been doing. But I I'm a firm believer that um and I believe in this is a step forward because um it kind of puts the ball in the parents' and the kids' court, so to speak, and makes them responsible

098for their behavior if they want to continue with with that cuz as that parent said, "There's got to be a better way." Well, this I think is definitely a better way. The The things that I want that could cause a black eye, though, and it's going to have to be consistent. >> Well, I think the MOU is just a what lawyers call boilerplate language. It should say, you you must attend school. You must not have referrals to the office. Because a material breach of the contract means we're going to expulsion. And if the parent really wants the kid to stay in school, they're going to look at Junior or or Sally and go, At least in my household they did one time, just once. >> I'm going is um like you can't be doing one

099thing in Bluefield being doing something else. So, it's definitely has to have a central >> Well, this here this this is superintendent, right? >> So, um >> [snorts] >> I think that's the first thing. And the second thing that to me on these THC vapes, one of the biggest things that should be on there if we really want to curb the behavior is that drug screen. I mean, that's to me that's the number one starting point. And then number two is attendance. So, that's something to consider. [clears throat] So, um I I when I was a classroom principal, you all have heard me say I was a big believer in sitting down with the kid and the parents and have coming up with the contract, whether it be on a transfer from another school or

100whatever, and you really get a better success rate for kids that truly want to change their behavior. I'm a firm believer in that. So, I think it's a step in the right direction as long as it's handled correctly. >> So, they'll be staying in the same class. They'll be going back to school other than other than the fact that they're on double secret probation. >> I think that that's subject to the MOU. I mean, you may have a kid in particular that you don't want going back to the same class and you say, "As part of this MOU, we're going to be doing this instead." Because it could be as broad as you want it to be. You could say, "For You know, one of the things we've talked about was saying to them, you

101must attend a series of classes that are that are scheduled at 10:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning at the at the health center." And they've already the health department's already agreed to do the classes. So, if you miss one, you're a material breach, you're going to be expelled. Uh you can say when you get to school in the morning, you have to go to this classroom and wait until school starts. You can't you can't hang out in the hallways, you can't you know, eat lunch in that room, you go to that room at the end of day, and if you're going to get on a bus, you wait there to get on the bus. You can be as strict as you want or as or as loose as you want. That's the idea behind making

102it uh flexible enough that it fits each child's specific situation. >> But it's not like the old alternative school's situation. >> No. >> I mean, so they're still in Well, some of the things that you just said, they go to a specific place in the morning before school starts, they're not with the rest of their buddies, uh they eat lunch like in lunch detention is now, so don't you think some of those items should be included in the >> Well, it it's broad enough to let you do any of that. >> Yeah, if you read through that way I read it that's what it just said, it's so broad that basically it's up to the It hadn't been mentioned, but I would think the principal would have a lot to say about >> I agree.

103>> be done. And the principal, along with Mr. Coleman, they would come together and reach a deal. I would think like for example most of all these students we get that have the THC thing also have poor attendance, skip class, poor grades. All those things should be a part of that MOU. >> Right. >> So, we could really And if they don't do that, if they don't keep their grades up and don't go to class, boom, we expel. That's the whole idea. But uh we could really make a major change. Instead of these kids sitting home with no parental supervision and probably having bad influences there, they could be in school still getting educated and have all these other incentives to get their act together, which is what we want. >> I think you're exactly

104right. It can possibly this is the I always call it the button or the switch that's flipped that can change more than just change multiple behaviors, not just >> Yeah, but just about drugs. Just the drugs are bad. >> But but it can be used beneficially for other things, too. >> Yeah. >> Well, you know, counseling can be a part of it. There's a There's a [snorts] variety of things. Cuz how many times have we sat and looked at a parent and they're just like you know, I want them there. This is going to be a real inconvenience and difficult for me because I work and my husband works and how are we going to handle this and >> Well, we all value in-person instruction. >> Exactly. So, any way we can continue that. >>

105It's just another alternative to keep them in the buildings and get them their education, which is what our goal is. So, uh I think [clears throat] it it it's been reviewed by council and and I have reviewed the law and reviewed it myself and and I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night, so I think I'm qualified to at least expound I know it's an old joke, never mind. Um look Google it. Google it. >> Um the it appears to me that this would be something we can do. We do wave timelines frequently in the school system to meet to get things done. Lawyer can't be there, can we move the timeline? We do that. I think we can do that. Uh and you just as part of the MOU you say you're

106waving your timelines on the expulsion hearing and if if they it's a material breach then the timelines kick in from that point and you have the the the the period to get the hearing done. It's just a it's a I as I said, doing all these expulsion hearings the non what I call the non-violent ones, you just look at them and think there's got to be a better way to do this. >> I don't disagree with that. One of the things that concerns me is Mark said it earlier. We've got to be consistent at Pikeview as in singing from the same hymn book at Bluefield and Princeton and Montcalm. So, do we get those the primary or the the high school and middle school principals together? >> Well, that's an admission that's an administrative situation.

107>> some somehow you've got to You can't just change the rules and you know, Mike want to do may want to do one thing at Bluefield and then Anna may want to do something different at Pikeview. >> But typically what you would do is like like when a judge is going through probation, there's boilerplate. There's a certain number of things that are going to be automatic. These things are always there. Every time we're going to do an MOU, it's going to say you have to attend school. You have to avoid referrals to the office. You can't be insubordinate. You have to have a drug test. And then after that, you're going to fit it to that particular situation. You know, perhaps the parent is [clears throat and laughter] going like we've seen the parent's going,

108"I don't know what to do. I don't know where he's getting the stuff. I don't know what's going on. I'm trying. Can you help me?" That's when you say, "Well, let's let's let's talk about counseling now and let's make you know, I think we talked about this we've talked about this before. Hit them where they live is what I always say. You know, I know with my children and then my grandchildren, I know what button to push if I want behavior to change. Well, you know, with a lot of kids a lot of kids in high school, we just need to find those buttons. So, for an athlete, it may be sports. You're not participating. For um for a kid that likes uh e-sports, you may say you're off the e-sports team. You can't do

109that now. For another kid, it may be they're just social. They love to go to school events. You can't go to school events until your behavior changes. So, you you adapt the second part of that to each child's situation. That's the way I view it. And they And we do that in the courts all the time. But, you do have a Again, the the term we use is boiler plates. There's just certain things that are going to happen each time. >> Yeah. I think the only area I can think of right off that you can get in trouble with different schools doing different things is sports. If one allows them to participate in sports and they haven't done that, it will create a problem. So, that could be one of the most >> where the

110the board and the superintendent have to be in there. Well, that's where the board and the superintendent have to get involved at that at that point. The superintendent goes, "No, they they don't get to participate in sports. I'm sorry. I recognize they're you're outstanding basketball player, but you know, this is they've gone too far and we have to stop that now." >> And I'm assuming we're talking pretty much we've had I don't know the numbers. We're probably at least 90% or more of the explosions we've had have been THC. >> Right. >> I assume when you come to a case where there's violent attack of one student on another, that wouldn't even be considered for this, right? We just bring them in and expel them. >> Again, that's there's no provision that stops that. It

111would be case-by-case. >> Well, some things are mandatory. >> Right. And then you then you have the shall expel under the statute, right? >> Those wouldn't be subject to that. >> So, those wouldn't be subject to it. But, again, some of this has to do with the uh smart people doing smart things with the kids and parents' willingness and interest in doing them as well. Um and if you get the if you get the parents' cooperation and the schools are involved, you're more likely than not you're going to get a win out of it. Which is the whole goal. Again, as we tell them, "We want you to graduate." That's what we're pushing for. You know, perhaps one of the you know uh some of them you may say you're going to we're going to

112tell you that we suggest that you do the options pathway. You know, you're 11th grader, you're barely getting by. We're going to do options pathway. It's part of your MOU. That could be a change in their their procedure, but it's for a it's for uh ultimately someone else to make those decisions. So, it'll go out for first reading and it'll come back to the new board too. >> This is a very minor point compared to benefit of the student, but it save us a good bit of money on lawyers' fees and board and board member fees. >> It would reduce the number of hearings without a doubt. >> working for free for 2 months. >> [laughter] >> Yeah, me too. >> All right. Board member number 43 is the last action item on the agenda.

113That is the personnel agenda. You should have gotten a a paper. Does anybody know what the changes were between >> Yes, and Dr. Poland has an update for Dr. Poland. >> the changes are. >> Okay. Um on page two under the employment section, um we've removed Kimberly Spears, um business teacher, Pipe View High School. And then on page four, um they she added Donna Pennington, extracurricular ESY. Very last one under the extracurricular contacts contracts. Um and then page pages six and seven, they're highlighted in green um for the recession of um reduction in force, they're added from the the placeholders. They were placeholders and we've added those names in there. >> Got you. >> And that really that was the only changes she noted. >> Okay. So, with those changes, is there a motion to

114approve? >> Move to approve. >> Heard there's a motion. Is there a second? >> I'd like to ask a question before we vote. >> Please. >> I think this is legal to ask. If not, we can we can ignore it, I guess. But, somebody somebody review for me what is our policy on extended medical leave? Like, if they got multiple medical leaves and it it goes for multiple months, is there What's our policy on that? I know I've heard it before, but I tend to get them >> Crystal not here. >> Yeah, I I really All I really referred to is the PII facts. All that goes to personnel. PII requires that after you've been on 12 months that you're removed from our policy, but anything else is handled to personnel. >> And beyond that,

115we can't just keep on going. >> I think I know which one you were looking at and saw that. >> Oh, yeah. >> And I checked. He's in the He's in the military. And that's military leave. >> Okay. >> Yeah, I thought that's the one I was thinking of. >> Yeah, cuz that one's really long and you look at it and you're like, "Wow, that's That's years ago." >> He's in the reserves >> Yeah. >> military. >> He's getting ready to be called active duty in Afghanistan. >> Okay. Yep, that's the one. >> right here? >> Yep. >> Yeah, that's for military leave. I don't know why that's under medical cuz it usually says military for him. >> Yeah, let me make it >> It usually says military for him. I don't know why that's

116under medical, but >> Okay. >> But, yeah, that's not medical. >> Anything else? Any desire to go into executive session to discuss any issues? There appears to be none. Then, on the motion, all in favor signify by saying aye. >> Aye. >> Opposed likewise. The motion carries five in favor and none opposed. There are no other action items on the agenda. There I have been advised that we need an executive session to discuss the acquisition of real estate. Is that correct? >> Yes, sir. >> All right. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> There's a motion and a second. It's 7:34 to go into executive session. Um there being no other action items, is there anything else to come before us? I know I'm supposed to just vote on it, but I want to

117make sure that if we send everybody home, we don't need them. >> No, no, we just have the um meeting that you scheduled for Monday. So, if you announce that in that part, too, so you're you're good. >> Right. There's a meeting scheduled for Monday, a special meeting at 10:00 in the morning. Uh that'll be the It should be the last board meeting of this board this year. Um So, there's a motion and a second going into executive session uh for the sole purpose of discussing acquisition of real estate. All in favor signify by saying aye. >> Aye. >> Opposed likewise. That motion carries five in favor and none opposed. >> Are we planning on staying here? >> We're going to stay here, and we're going to ask everybody else to be mobile for us.

118Um when we come out, I'm expecting the the memorial the not the memorial, the honorable >> Yeah. >> Paul Hodges >> official motion. You ready? >> Can Can I go in first? >> Mhm. >> Well, there's problems with that now cuz the roof leaks pretty bad. >> You think we're okay? >> Okay. So, we're back out of executive session at I'll tell you exactly what time, 7:54. Is there a motion to adjourn? >> Move we adjourn. >> Is there a second? Is there any objection? Good night, everybody.