001Good evening everybody. It is January 26, 2026. We're running a little bit late. We had a a student disciplinary hearing that ran right before this. So, we're sorry for that. We hope everybody's safe and warm and is out of this mess out here. Uh so, all board members are present with the exception of Miss Smith. Uh, and we'll do the pledge of >> allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Next item on the agenda is superintendent's opening remarks. President Preach, I'm looking for those opening remarks. I had them right here and it went >> borrow my copy. >> Yes, sir. Just real quick and not don't have to read
002everything to you, but u got an email from Jason Butcher. Just an update still waiting for some of the stuff from the policies he says in there has a price and what he's looking at for us being the model for that Argonaut. Uh that window is opening here uh this uh the 30th and for two weeks. I've got a legal seminar and our uh ASA uh superintendent u meeting. I put that agenda on there to show you the legal update and our our agenda student discipline hearing starting at 8:00 uh Friday and uh that'll be at our central office. I put on there the tenative uh staffing meeting. You had that the last time the third and second and third and then the numbers of what were over professional and service the 85 and 10.
003And then right now a correction we have one reimagine day left and one and zero snow days after we took that today. >> So I did that earlier tomorrow. Tomorrow my fault >> and then we'll have to start there from taking spring break >> and we'll go backwards that way if we do that. So, just wanted to share that with you and any questions you have with it, let me know. And you ought if you need anything, long day today. Uh we were working at that uh last night late and then uh with the u situation at View High School, Mr. Atkins may give you a little update, but again, we're waiting for the fire marshall tomorrow to give you all facts. So, we're waiting for that visit from him so everything's crystal clear and
004accurate instead of social media. >> Public may not be aware of what happened. So, >> we had a fire in a classroom at Pike View High School. And again, the cause we have a uh what we think caused it and uh we feel it was a one of those cooler refrigerators, but the rumor was out there on a laptop and all those things, but we just want to verify with the fire marshall, make sure and get that out there. And then we'll put a press release out of the facts instead of having everything on uh whoever contacts the the news. the uh J&J news and all those things, but it's on a scanner. I try to get that to you as fast as possible, but uh they must have the scanners and running it that
005way. But I appreciate really uh Mr. Atkins, Mrs. Mitchell, Mrs. Lily, and her custodian were uh topnotch on that. >> Was there much damage? >> Uh you know, the smoke in in that room, but just uh that's all I know right now. Go ahead, Mr. >> Yes, it was just it was contained to that classroom. I think it's minimal damage. It's something that we can do in house. Good deal. >> How did How were we notified? >> No. >> If nobody was out there, >> didn't affect the decking at all. >> Sorry. >> How did we find out that it was smoking? >> Yes. >> Uh the 911 call non-emergency. We've got a correction on that. Mrs. Lily and uh and I know her custodian didn't get it till 40 minutes late. So, we got
006a correction on what happened there, but it went out to non-emergency through 911. >> As soon as the smoke started, the fire alarm went off and they were notified immediately. but it didn't contact the principal or the custodian later. It went to 911 non-emergency number. So, some correction, Mr. Atkins is on that. He also talked to the state department through an email. Micah Whitlo, the state uh director of facilities even mentioned there that he's going to get word out if we if it's what exactly what we thought it was. According to teacher and some interviews, it was one of those coolers. Mr. Goffrey, you question. I just wonder why the we were always why why were the principles and other people not notified immediately. >> Uh that's a good question. I don't have a great
007answer right now. >> Um I was on the phone with the the company that we use. Uh they we have monitoring through a company. It's you are secure. They're out of Chicago. >> Um I have no I have no inclination as to why we were called 40 minutes later. Were they able to enter the building using the >> They were >> with the key. >> Yeah, they had no issue getting to the building. >> Yes. >> Well, I know Mata went down. >> Lots of lots of agencies pulled up. >> Yeah. And they must turn around came right. >> I was in contact with the I guess he's for lack of a better term the branch manager of the company and he uh he was working remotely. Nobody was in the office and he wasn't
008great at the the program we use but he said he's definitely we'll find out from you secure why uh it was 40 minutes until our custodian >> definitely need your head custodian there. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I was trying to wait till fire marsh. >> Yes sir. >> All right. I just want to note that our east is not even a year old yet. And did we not win a tournament here? >> He's want the microphone on you. Get your mic so we can hear all We won first place in siege. Uh I'm sorry, Apex and then we won top four in siege. And we also had a student that was selected to do shout casting with WVU itself. Um the only student that did it in the entire state. >> What's
009that mean? >> Shout casting is like uh the sports casters on ESPN >> color commentator, right? >> Really? >> Yes, sir. >> It's cool. >> It is cool. We're we're excited about the program and and I know on social media you had a lot of people show up to the the the event. Uh >> uh they broadcast this on Twitch and that's something that we're going to be starting to do next year is to broadcast all of our games on Twitch so that everybody in the area is going to be able to be online with us as well. >> It's exciting. We're thrilled. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next matter is policy 2322. >> Dr. and the rest of the team. >> Just real quickly, I wanted to share something that we we did
010at our administrators meeting last Thursday. talked did an activity talking about the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. And this came from our um orange frog training that we had in the fall which is a positive culture training but the um Harvard research that that's based on is a book called the happiness advantage. And so I did get a copy of that book and I started reading it in the fall and finished it over the winter break. And there's some great information in there. And you can see at the top it's Carol Dwek's research from Stanford University. And I think that's tied in with the mathematical mindsets piece. And um really really an interesting and I won't spend a lot of time with this presentation, but it was a dual presentation with
011this information and then also AI examples. Um I basically made a couple of pa copies of pages out of the the book. We plugged that into gamma which made this presentation. And then to to make it more engaging for our principles, we fed the gamma presentation into H Jen and made a 3 and a half minute video that summarized this information for the administrators so they weren't listening to me or someone else present the information. Um after we showed them the video, I just wanted to share this evening the last page of this um shows the leadership tie-in for principles and there are four groups there. uh mistakes are normalized, effort is praised more than outcomes, feedback is expected and used, and productive struggle is taught. And so what we did is we went over
012this information and then allowed them to collaborate with one another because they all sat together, high school with high school, middle school with middle school, and that type of thing. And uh let them talk about give some examples in your school for staff and students of each of these areas. And then we had the large sticky notes, four of them around the room. And then we numbered them off um by four. Um that took a little bit of time but we got that done and had four groups and that then mixed them up you know all levels including central office and then they had to write their examples on it on the page and then share out and we have those now hanging in the conference room. So you all get an opportunity to see
013that later in the week. But it was a great activity and I think secondary and elementary were still discussing it. We did it right before breakout and they went out into breakout. And so, you know, it's uh it's an incredible part of achievement that, you know, our highest achieving schools say they start teaching this in kindergarten and just the difference in believing in theirel and that they can actually grow and improve and uh and and do better and be more and it was just it was a really good activity and we just wanted to share that with you this evening. >> Great questions. I just want to comment that at least six years ago I was after reading Carol Dre's book I was preaching this to LSIC groups and so forth. Yay me good job
014and and Mr. Hodgees is correct and about four years ago he was preaching mathematical mindsets and we have done a whole lot with that >> even before that >> right but since I've been sitting in this chair and uh yes you I agree with you 100% and it has made a difference um in staff and students >> great any other questions comments thoughts >> all right >> yes sir um I have to say I I shared with Dr. Atkins, this has probably been the best activity that we've done that we've done elementary and secondary together. You folks that have done secondary know a lot of times they don't like to play games. They don't like to participate in in that type of thing during a meeting. And um the way they were set up for
015this, they were all part of the teams with elementary and they like that. They actually commented on that when we went to breakout that it was nice to actually be engaged with something with them. The funny thing is we can't count one, two, three, four to do our groups. Dr. Atkins had to start doing the groups one, two, three, four. So we were saying who's not doing this and he said it's all of them. So he said next time we're going to play five, six, seven, and eight. We're going to learn where we are the rest of the way. But I will say that it really was a topic of conversation and Dr. Ekins and I have been doing our middle of the year um goal updates with our principles and when I met with
016mine on Friday, one of the things that we're talking about is how they're going to incorporate um Mr. Hodgees, this has to do with LSIC, what they're going to add into their LSIC between now and the end of the school year going from fixed to the growth mindset. So, that's something we're going to be looking at for evaluation. So, it it took and it was something that they really I think they took some pride in being involved in. So, that's where we are with that. Um, that's pretty much >> okay. >> It I think >> Mr. Mr. Tman, I think they're done. Anything else? >> That's it. Anything else? No. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right, then we'll move on to our business agenda. Um, we have minutes approval for the January 12th and
017January 16th, 2026 meetings. Is there a motion to approve? >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion and a second. Questions, comments, or discussion? There appearing to be none on the motion. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Oppose. Likewise. That motion carries. Four in favor and none opposed. Let's go through the consent agenda here. Board memo number 253 is uh RFP 336 broadband services renewal. This is an -ate contract. This is renewal pricing one was requested from SEGRA who currently provides our broad red service at all Mercer County Board of Education locations. Renewal pricing remains the same at all locations. It's subject to the applicable year rate reimbursement through -ate. Total expense for the 2627 school year will be 180,000. Uh the board cost will be 18,000. The remainder is paid reimbursed
018through superintendent recommends approval of renewal one of RFP 336 to segre board memo number 254 is career connected business attached. You'll find a career connected business partner for the 26th school year. It's a local business uh in which students participate in work-based learning. Uh approval by the board is required for insurance purposes through the West Virginia Board of Risk and Insurance Management. Superintendent recommends approval. Board memo number 255 is the list of students placed for Concord University. They're requesting placement to complete classroom observations in multiple classes during the spring 2026 semester. Placements as always are contingent upon the appropriate forms being completed. Receipt of acceptable background checks and the university name and site supervisor. Superintendent recommends approval. Board memo number is bid 982 digital sign for MCT. The original sign is damaged and uh during
019a power surge. We cannot repair it. Bid was sent to four vendors on the attached list and advertised in two newspapers. We received two responses, one of which was late and could not be accepted. Superintendent recommends approval of the purchase of the digital sign from Gearhart Enterprises in the amount of $62,485. The damage is covered by our insurance and the sign will be paid for with the insurance coverage payment. Board memo number 257 is the uh recommendation of auction for surplus miscellaneous items from MCT, Spanishburg, the schoolboard office and maintenance. Those are listed there. Uh, superintendent recommends approval of those being deemed uh, surplus so they can be disposed of. Board memo number 258 is emergency steam leak repairs at MCT. MCT's had problems with steam leaks and steam pipes for a long time now,
020primarily in the crawl space under the building, which are difficult to address and repair. An estimate of approximately 8,500 was verbally obtained from Nitro Mechanical by the maintenance department. They are the vendor we typically use for similar boiler repairs throughout the county. Thra and repairs are more extensive than initially anticipated. When the boiler was turned back on, lo and behold, uh we had a leak from the condensate tank, so we had to replace it. While they were on site, verbal authorization was given to make the necessary repairs. Uh the final cost repairs exceeded the bid thresholds for construction contracts in the amount of $27,1353. So the superintendent is recommending confirmation of his approval for approval of that project. Board amendment number 259 is a payment of invoices. The checks have actually been written or being
021held in the office of treasury pending consideration by the school board. You have a list of those vendors and the amounts for review. Superintendent recommends approval. The last action item on the consent or I'm sorry the last item on the consent agenda is board amendment number 260 which is pecard transaction. You also have that uh on your list in your packet for consideration. So on the consent agenda, is there a motion to approve? >> Move to approve. Second. >> Okay, quick one. >> There's a motion and there's a second. Are there any questions about any of the consent agenda items? There appearing to be none. Then on the motion, all in favor signify by saying I. I >> opposed. Likewise, that motion carries. Four in favor and none opposed. Additional business is board amendment number
022261, which is the first reading of policy G41, employee right to recover record meetings during disciplinary performance. Uh you have that enclosed policy uh before you. This is a new policy. Uh, Mr. Tyman. >> Yes, President Purich. As as we discussed, I put out a memo a while ago on recording. Therefore, uh, the board directed me to put a policy together. And with that, uh, it is presented to you and we'll get some feedback and comment. This will be the first reading that the board would uh, see that. >> Okay. Any comments, discussion? forward. I think we have train. >> Okay. Nothing else. And this will go out to public for consideration and we'll hear back after comments and and consider it in a future meeting. Board memo number 262 is the first reading of
023policy KO8 which is a combination uh a new it's a policy that's combining various policies into one uh combining KI KIA and KJ uh into policy KO8 advertising solicitation and fundraising in schools. Mr. retirement. >> President Puit, same thing. Uh we had a request to look at this policy. I've had a couple examples. U one example from Raleigh County and then again we looked we had three. How can we piece piece them all together? I think one of the policies even talked about um Salvation Army or what was it that that was the only one that could solicit and it was from 1972 >> 72. So, we put those together >> right away and uh trying to put all those together and and and there again, get it out there. I know you guys looked
024at the draft. I've had requests from uh several groups wanting to look at this along with we briefly updated the principles uh at a principal meeting. They're coming out, but we didn't share any of those with anybody. So, this is all fresh coming out. And anything that you guys want to see, we want to adjust after that first reading. and we'll get those out tomorrow if we get everybody in there tomorrow because 261 will report to us. So, gotcha. Thank you. >> When we used to uh do fundraising, we used um we had a I don't it probably wasn't policy, but it was one of those procedures things we talked about where we did have to uh um submit paperwork with our intentions of doing any uh type of fundraising. Um so, still the same.
025So, that's what I was going to ask. We're still going to do that same that that just kind of gives you a check and balance to make sure you're doing it right. >> Okay. >> I've got a question about >> So, they go to you guys now instead of um the superintendent. >> Yeah. >> I thought they went to Dr. Acres before. >> Probably did. >> Maybe not. >> Probably did. >> Bad memory. >> I have a I have a question about the types of fundraisers. I remember something recently about raffles and I was at I was at wrestling competition a few weeks ago. said, "When did it change that we came to it?" And I said, "It was um the the change came down from the state, I guess." And this young man's whole
026issue was he owns a company that he was going to use a product that they provide to the community as as the prize and it would it would raise about he thought $15,000 after the prize was paid for. And now he's been told that he can't do it. It's because we have to have some kind of a gaming license. What's that? What's that cost? >> Um, the cost has never really been an issue with us before. This has been the law for at least at least 10 years. Maybe it's been longer than that. >> So, even when you go in to a football or basketball game or something, the 50/50 tickets, >> those those that is a raffle. And over the past several years, the West Virginia Department of Ed, Office of Finance, has provided
027training for us at least every other year. So, this is not new. It's just some principles are really paying more attention or there's new principles or the word has gotten out stronger. I I don't know, but um I know that it is and has been communicated that you do you are required to have a gaming license and there are specific if I believe it's if if you raise more than $500 in a raffle that you have to have a gaming license and we've worked great with community partners in the past that that they can if it's a 501c3 they can obtain the raffle license on behalf of that program. So if they will hold the raffle license, they can deduct the the fee out of that and then the school would benefit from it. It's
028just a 501c3 charity needs to be conducting the raffles. It is has been always been our practice and procedure that we're not >> in this case Paul's Rotary Club can sponsor. >> Absolutely. The Lions and I believe I've referred Pike View to them. I I have in the past always tried to help if I know of a community organization. Community foundation or um community connections has helped. The Jonathan Pal foundation has helped. Um the rescue squad has helped and that's the same you they've been great partners. Um if if someone passes away or a child's in need, we cannot legally give funds to an individual. So they've done that on behalf for the benefit of an organization, but it has always at least as long as the past 10 years been the law. >> It's
029been longer. >> Okay. >> And like she said, >> the the pipe view we we used to do bingo and all kinds of different things, but it was done through a foundation. >> Okay. >> And there was paperwork associated with every year the tax department. Um, I think there's two or three different avenues you had to go through to get it approved every year. >> Anything else? >> No, I'm good. >> Then that will go out for public comment. We'll see it back after public comment. >> We need to let Danny know >> addresses on the next on that that agenda. Board memo number 263 is the fiscal year 25 audited financial statements for the year ending June 30 of 25. Uh the audited financial statement is attached. Uh they have been sent to the
030west state auditors office and federal government as well approval and upon approval this financial statement will be posted on our website. Is there a motion to approve? >> So move. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion and a second. Questions comments or discussion? >> I think I'm going to question >> I feel I feel compelled at this point to say something. So I'm going to say it. also that she met with both of us also to go through it too. >> There's a lot of commentary out there now about us not being financially um open to the community and letting everybody know what's going on with our finances. I actually don't know how we could be any more open. We post it at every board meeting, post it online, post it in the
031newspaper. It's available at the board anytime you want to come and look at our documents, see where the money's going. We pay our bills during the board meeting. This information is all out there and it's all available to anybody that wants to see it and has any questions about it. Our treasurer and our treasur's office has worked extraordinarily difficult and many, many hours beyond a 40-hour work week to make sure that we're doing things correctly, consistent with the law, consistent with the best interest of the M County taxpayers. It is upsetting to the employees of Marshall County Schools when there is suggestions that the money is not being handled appropriately or in some way that we're not letting you know where the money's going. >> Well, Mr. PR, I hate to interject, but I'm going
032to. Not only that, but they take pride in the job they do. >> No kidding. >> And and I'm proud of them as a board member for the job they do. Anytime I've got a question or anything, I know that I can get an answer. And so I appreciate taking pride. There's not a I'm not saying it's rare, but it's nice to have employees that take pride in the job they do every day. >> It is transparency when you're a governmental agency and people have become cynical about governmental agencies and the way they handle their money because it's taxpayers money. It's not the board's money. What I can tell you is is any questions you have, we answer. We provided multiple times to multiple individuals our levy information. And my observation understanding is they always
033leave going okay now I understand everything looks fine to me. They don't come in and go we found this or we found that. As as I said earlier my mic was off. We're audited every year. Those audits are posted online. All the information is available. All the information is available. There is nothing hidden or secret being done. uh our treasury is does outstanding work and it it is it is a comment on them from the public when when people say well you're not being transparent and I think it uh we had a we've had every year we have a public budget meeting I do not remember the last time an individual showed up at the public budget meeting >> not in the five years I've been >> not a lot of the ones that are
034complaining online showed up for sure. Uh the problem with this kind of stuff is politics gets involved and people start saying things that they're not knowledgeable about and that's just the facts. So if you have questions about our financial statements or questions about where money goes, all you have to do is contact our treasur's office. My recommendation is go online first and look at the information to see if that satisfies you. If you have questions about what you see, contact the treasur's office. We are a public agency and those questions will be answered. We will provide you information. Um it it is it's distressing to see someone work so hard uh not someone many people work so hard across all of the county because it's not just the treasur's office it's the schools it's maintenance
035it's personnel they're all involved in this and for people to make comments that that are um uninformed uh about transparency they don't ever point out what it is we're not we're not But I'm here to tell you I don't know what else to do uh at this point. We've done everything we can do to make sure all the information is available. So with that, uh we're going to have the new audit out. Uh it was a good audit. Our treasur's office did a great job. Worked hard. Auditors patted them on the back and said, "You did a good job." Wasn't perfect because it's never perfect. There's no agency or business I know of that has a perfect audit. Uh but they were minor things that were corrected immediately. Um so with that um are there
036questions about the audit? >> We'll have that online is what we've done in the past also. So that's that's something we've done since I've been here. We've been very >> Amy has it available. Can I just also mention that in this audit there's not only our balance sheet which contains all of our accounts, all of the information But on page um 72 and 74, there are changes in our fund balances and the specifics on how our excess levy is spent too. That is a separate schedule in our audit. If anyone has questions about any of the expenditures of in the excess levy, it's it's in that schedule. And I appreciate you saying that it's available anytime. 100% agree. Um, I think everyone here knows these are taxpayer dollars. It's payper. My husband is. Um, I
037hope my kids will be one day. So, >> and for anyone to make >> for anyone to make derogatory remarks or to make bold statements, they're totally uninformed and that's irresponsible. Regardless of what the endg game could be, none of us are doing this for fun. We take it all seriously. I've even become an educator through this whole thing because I believe in public education and the things that you all do. You know, we only do what you ask us to do. And I ask a lot of questions, but it's only because we want to do the best we can for Mercer County Schools, its administrators, its teachers, and especially its students. Okay. We had a meeting with uh last Thursday with uh Senator Grady, the chair of Senate Education, Senator Tar, Delegate Pinson, and
038Delegate Brennan about public schools. And we reminded them that simply because one county is having financial difficulty or even a few counties having financial difficulty, that doesn't mean everyone is. And uh we spoke very proudly and I told him very clearly, please come look at our books. We're inviting you to come look at our books because we're very healthy financially. Uh we're blessed with an excess levy that helps tremendously. You can't tell. Just go to counties that don't have them and you'll find out just how much they help. But uh they they acknowledge that they shouldn't paint with broad brushes and that something going wrong in one place doesn't reflect on everybody. So we were pleased to get that ev that commentary over to them. And I will also say that it was very positive
039for public education. and they're looking hard at doing things that will benefit us. Uh we talked about in uh increasing pay for teachers, dealing with PEIA. Those were two big highlights. We talked about a variety of things, but it it kept coming back to uh you know, how in this time of decreasing population and and student enrollment are we going to manage our funds? And I said, uh you know, we're doing that. We we're aware of it and we're kept apprised of it. And that's how you do it. you you know in advance before you get to the crisis that one is coming. And our treasur's office uh not just our treasur's office, personnel, maintenance, special needs, everybody tells us before we get to crisis that there is one or there could be one and
040we need to deal with this so we don't get surprised down the road. That's what they're hired to do and we appreciate that. Uh so I wish people would be more responsible when they say things uh without basis in fact uh and more just opinion. Uh everybody's entitled to opinion, but when it comes to budgets, numbers are numbers. They're facts. It's not a it's not a guess. Here it is. Uh and we're open and transparent about it and we're welcome to come look at them anytime. Okay. I just felt the need to do that. I I think that some people in in the central office were starting to feel a little um denigrated maybe and they did they're they don't deserve that. We're big boys and girls up here. That's different for us. But y'all
041work too hard. Okay. Anything else? Any questions on the budget? I mean, we saw this we we discussed this and saw this at a previous meeting, so this isn't new to us. uh we've seen the audit and I have I have sat down with Leslie and gone over it specifically as as because I have to sign off on it as well as the superintendent so we're we're familiar with everything. Um if there are no questions then I'll take a vote on the motion. All in favor signify by saying I oppose likewise. That motion carries four in favor and none opposed. Last action item on the agenda is personnel board memo number 264. You received an updated personnel agenda. I know the position at the very top of transfer is new and there may be a
042couple bus bus training positions that are new on here. Otherwise, it's the same agenda that was on the the uh packet that you received on Friday. Uh is there any desire to go to executive session to discuss the the personnel agenda? >> Nope. >> There appears to be none. Is there a motion? So move. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> I was waiting on you. Okay. >> Any discussion? >> No. >> Then on the motion, all in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. Likewise. >> That motion carries. Four in favor and none opposed. That is the last acting item on the agenda. Um. Ministry of updates. I don't know if anybody has any. I think we got all ours earlier Atkins. I think anything else >> we did we did put out
043a RFP right >> for architects for >> Yes. Danielle's very excited. >> She She always looks like that. >> She's always excited. >> Yes. Our hope is to bring um the recommendation of the committee to you all the last board meeting in February. If not, it will be the first board meeting in March. >> Good. We're anxious to see things rolling. I'm sure they are here, too. So, we can renovate this old building, get our new building, and and uh >> explode this program even more than we have. We're real proud of this place. Uh I don't miss the opportunity. And in fact, that conversation with the um the um senators and delegates, VOTE was a very heavy portion of that conversation. Um, I recommended to them that they create a fund that the SBA
044would manage specifically set aside for votex in the C because the whole state needs what we have >> and the whole state doesn't have what we have >> and they initially said that the SBA were looking at that. That made me a little nervous when they first talked about that, but then they awarded us. >> They're not really designed to they're not really designed to build and fix vote centers. There's particularly at a time when they're consolidating schools all across the state. that's where the money generally is going to go. We I think we just had such a good project. Uh and they did spread it out over two years, so it gave them some flexibility. Um I >> timing is important. >> I'm so excited about it. I can't wait. Um and and and
045the community is going to be real proud of it. And then we've got I reminded him I when we finished Timberwood I I looked at Andy Neptune and I said, "I'm already here to talk to you about the next project, which was this one." Uh, and I've already said and the board already knows we've got another project in in line and we're hoping to give it to them in the fall. >> Mr. >> I do have one. >> Go right ahead. Um, is on Sun Valley, the the septic situation out there. We um we don't have a definitive answer yet, but we have given the green light to uh Thompson Linton to to work up a rough budget on three options uh going forward. They have three options, none of which are ideal, but uh
046we wanted to be better informed with all of our options before we came to you all with the direction that we were going to go. >> That's right. >> So hopefully we'll have something within a month. >> If you hadn't got the information, if you haven't got the information already, we are closed tomorrow. >> Everybody at Ben County right now, >> that's 261, which have to drag the out. >> Yes, sir. I'm sorry. >> Uh, no, that's all right. Um, there's things they can do, I guess. Um, >> Lesie, may I ask? >> You go right. >> I know with everything you've had going doing the audit and everything else, but you know, for has there been any action been made to get to put the property on Route 20 up for sale, auction, whatever
047we have to do. >> No, that's a good question. We do have um we had a pre- bid this week for the demo. Um so we're demoing all the other buildings first and I thought we would just do them all at the same time. Um so we should have those other buildings demoed. I think you said after March. >> I said they can start in March. >> Yeah. We had a um I think we had a deadline for midsummer. They had three months to demo. So that's that's the two schools >> brush for blue well series. >> Yes. >> And the series. >> Yes. >> Place too. >> Yes. And then we'll get them all auctioned or we'll bring them to the board for your direction on how you want that those to happen. >>
048There was no way like at at Bluewell. There was no way to segregate out some of the some of the property. It's either all or none. Has to be demolished. >> That was your decision. Yeah, that was your own. >> Well, I was contacted by a fellow from Bluewell that they're um I can't think of what and I don't want to offend, you know, for better blue well. We they're they're trying to do things and provide a a community center uh and use part of that property. Of course, they're 501c3 and they'd expect us to give it to them. Uh, but I said if you all want to demolish the rest, we might take that in consideration as a joke because I don't know anything about it. But it doesn't appear that there's any way
049to do that. >> Blue well in particular, >> everything's integrated. Blue well. It's just one big building. It's not like you got to we can keep the gym. We hel everything else down everything around the gym. >> Power and plumbing and >> Okay. Nothing. >> That's fine. >> Yeah. Truly, it's not worth saving. >> I'm ready. >> We're ready, too. >> The building's not The building's not salvageable. >> I wouldn't want to inhabit it any longer. >> Okay. >> Leakage problems. >> I firmly believe that the wisest thing we did 20 years ago was when we when we closed an old building, we tear it down. We do not leave buildings around because even when people with the best of intentions say, "We're going to take the building and we're going to run with it.
050Everything's going to be fine." They don't have the resources, they don't have the money, and then we have a der building that's left. So, it's better to give them a free start with a piece of blank property. >> Works for me. >> I just think it I'm just thinking of Bluefield. Those two places where those old schools were. They're beautiful pieces of property now. And they're ready for for use. One in one in the neighborhood. Nice house. Nice house right there. Have a beautiful piece of property. So I I I do think it's more responsible in series just every time you go by like this get worse by the minute and and it creates issues with with violence. It creates issues with homelessness. It creates issues with with safety. >> So >> can I mention
051one other thing? I'm sorry. I do have a call with FEMA and the West Virginia Department of Emergency Management and I believe I invited Tom to that meeting as well tomorrow. They said they're going to present two option options to us for Spanishberg. I know the state is looking at some funding through the state emergency services and then some through FEMA. So by the next board meeting, we should have a better idea. >> Good news. >> Move. >> Is there any objection? Everybody stay safe out there. We'll see you soon.