Board Meeting Regular Session - 1/12/2026

001Good evening everybody. If everybody will take a seat, we'll get started here just shortly. Uh >> He's got He's got it on. >> Yeah. Uh good evening everybody. It's January 12th, 2026. Mercer County Board of Education is in regular session. We started a little early today because we have a lot of recognitions that we want to get to here in just a minute. All board members are present along with the superintendent. If we could stand for the pledge, please. >> 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. >> So as we always like to say that our most favorite part of board meetings is always recognitions cuz we like to tout

002all the good things that our county's doing and all people in our county are doing and our students are doing. So we're going to come up here in front and we're going to be out here in front and when you come up, we want you to stand up here in front for some photos. So don't rush back. Uh so we'll get started uh and let's get this thing on a roll. >> [snorts] >> I got >> Okay, good evening. As Mr. said, it is our favorite part of any board meeting when you get the opportunity to recognize staff, students, community members, and obviously this evening is a very special evening with our Princeton High School um West Virginia AAA state football champions. So, let's everyone give your own self a round of applause before we

003start. >> [applause] >> That's an incredible accomplishment and it was was a great run. We'll start by bringing the coaches up. Um the ones that we have, we'll bring head coach Nate Tanner. >> [applause] >> I'm not sure how many of these assistants are here, but I'm going to read them all. We have Tank Tunstall, Jordan Jones, Ben Neal, Derek Passages, David Smith, T.J. Binners, Tyler Witt, and Jamie Witt. If we have any of those assistants, please come up now. And I will call all of the students' names at one time and will allow you all to come up here and then that's the way we're going to roll and then we'll Okay, I'm going to do it slow so that they can give you your certificate. Brad Mosser, Josiah Campbell, Ronel Courtney, Landon Dillon,

004Wyatt Cline, kind of watching so if you guys just start coming up and I'll slow down enough so she can keep up with giving you your certificates as you come. And then we'll have applause for everyone. Corbin Justice Isaiah Saline James Medders Caleb Causer Alexander Cox Brady Klein Chance Barker Jake Belcher Christian Howard Zachary Burgess Aston Jones Logan Whitaker Matthew Arnold Hale Robert Tibbs Tajae Williams Braden Moser Tyrone Hawkins Cage McMillan Bud Tipton Caden Neal Landon Crane Patrick Reed Colton Shockley Aiden Robinson Omar Darwish Daveon McMillan McMillan Garrett Owens Jimmy Bowling Jonah Dodd John David Meadows Josiah Keatley Bryce Watkins Cole Murray Damien Thomas Colby Justice Gabriel Walls Colton Bailey Aiden Snow Isaac Fowler Landon Moore Tyreek Williams Zaden Neely Yep. Me? Oh, wrong one. Zaden Williams Nope. Tyreek Williams Zaden Deely Don Blankenship Riley

005Bell Sameer Abu Hawseen Kamani Singleton Logan Moore Tyler Dorty Javion Barnett Peter Tineo Josiah Walsh and Caden Webb Did I miss anyone? >> I think I was please make sure that I could see you in between >> [laughter] >> What you said on the Get in here, Ms. Mitchell. Sit right in there with him. Got a spot right here. There you go. Is there anything out there? >> Yes, let's go and try that. >> When your managers won't get them, then we'll get them ourselves. Who's next? >> Hey, Nora and Jesse, come to my presentation. >> We'll get We'll get them up, two managers. We'll walk over there. >> Yeah. Go and get them up there. >> One more step and yeah. >> Who's Mary? Get those girls up front there. There you go. >>

006All right, everybody smile now. >> They're taking pictures. Everybody look up. >> You guys have heard this a million times before, but I'm going to say it anyway. This is what teamwork does. This is what hard work does. This is what putting in the effort and the time does. These things don't come along very often. You guys should be extremely proud of this. Go Tigers! >> Anything else? >> And don't leave yet. >> Don't leave yet. >> You can go sit down. >> Sit down, Ash. >> Hey, thank y'all. >> My apologies, guys. >> Oh, I'll see you there. >> Go stand up. >> Stay up. >> All right, folks. Uh before I give out some um individual certificates from Allstate and whatnot, just a few things about these boys. As I walked up here,

007Mr. Turner was like, "Man, you have some great athletes." I said, "Yeah, they're a really special group." But, um fellas, I've told you this before, but I want to let this whole room know this. Not only were they great athletes, but what made them special was how hard they worked together and how they played for one another and their competitive spirit. That's what made them really, really special individuals. And I think a lot of these characteristics that you guys have will take you, you know, really far in life. And I can't wait to see what happens in years to come. But, that's all I have for that. But, I appreciate you all recognizing us as a as a squad and as a team. And it was just a really, really special year and a special

008group to be a part of. >> [applause] >> Okay, it's coach Tanner said, we are going to move to several individual recognitions. Our first one is certificate of achievement, Metro News Player of the Year, Randy Moss Award, and Kennedy Award, Brad Moser. >> [applause] >> Brad Moser is a senior at Princeton High School. He is recipient of this year's Metro News Football Player of the Year as voted on by the media representatives statewide. Moser finished with 93 receptions for 1,512 yd and 14 touchdowns. He rushed 125 times for another 914 yd and scored on nearly 1/4 of his carries registering 28 rushing touchdowns. Moser added seven other touchdowns by the way of return on special teams or defense. Brad Moser also has been named the 2025 Randy Moss Award winner by the West Virginia Sports

009Writers Association. They got it. We've got several things here. The Moss Award named in honor of DuPont standout NFL Hall of Fame and all pro wide receiver Randy Moss has been awarded annually since 2014 to the top receiver in the state as voted on by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association. The Moss Award, the third awarded to a Princeton receiver since 2020, is the latest in Moser's cap. He finished this season with 93 receptions for 1,058 yd, 13 touchdowns, but more importantly helped power the program to a 14-0 record and its first state state championship in 102 seasons. Brad Moser has also been named the 77th Kennedy Award winner by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association for leading the Princeton Tigers to their football state championship in their 102nd season. The Kennedy Award named after

010Wheeling native and Downtown Athletic Club, the original sponsor of the Heisman Trophy, member Harrison H. Kennedy is presented annually to the best high school football player in the state of West Virginia by the WV SWA. Moster becomes the fourth player to win the award while playing primarily as a wide receiver. He also becomes only the second Princeton Tiger to win the award following former teammate Dom Collins and joins him as the only player in state history to win both the Randy Moss and the Kennedy Award. Brad Moster. >> [applause] >> Our next recognition will be certificates of achievement for the West Virginia State AAA first team. The following Princeton Senior High School football players made the 2025 West Virginia State AAA All-State football team. Chance Barker, quarterback. Landon Moore, offensive line. Brad Moster, utility. Landon

011Crane, linebacker. And Caleb Keyser, utility. First team. >> [applause] [applause] >> I think that concludes our Princeton High recognitions. Now? Nope. Yep. Thank you. >> [laughter] [applause] >> Our next certificate of achievement is the Oh. Oh, sorry. Must be doing well. >> I can't I can't let this guy Brad Moore, I guess you've been mocked. >> [laughter] >> Yeah. Okay, we're going to move to someone that is here. For our 110% club, I think a lot of these guys here will know her. Um Jenny Lilly, school nurse for Mercer County Schools. >> [applause] >> Jenny Lilly is being recognized for consistently going above and beyond her daily responsibilities to support the health, safety, and well-being of our students. Nurse Jenny not only fulfills her role as a school nurse with excellence, but she also takes

012initiative new opportunities and promote student wellness and mental health. This year, she planned and coordinated the first ever You Matter Mental Health Fair at Princeton Middle School, bringing together over 15 community partners to provide valuable resources for our students. Her dedication extends beyond our student body as she also organized an afternoon session for parents from Princeton Middle School, Mercer Elementary, Straley Elementary to connect families with vital community supports. Nurse Jenny attends leadership conferences on behalf of the county, ensuring our school nursing staff remains informed about best practices in student health and safety. She communicates effectively with families, staff, and community partners, consistently promoting the district's mission of supporting the whole child. Through initiatives such as You Matter Mental Health Fair and the Role Models for Change Peer Leadership Program, she has strengthened the connection between

013student, school, and community. Her efforts empower students to make positive choices, support one another, and access resources that promote both physical and emotional well-being. Nurse Jenny's warm demeanor and proactive approach reflects the very best of our school system. Thank you, Nurse Jenny, Jenny Lilly. >> [applause] >> So, you guys think school nurses just give kids a note and say, "No, you're not sick enough to go home." >> [laughter] >> That is not what school nurses do. You heard all the things she does. A lot of that stuff is not things that are set by law or by a state. They're her ideas. They're her programs. They're her ways of reaching youth and making sure that you have better health and make better decisions. And you talk to me and occasionally she'll say, "Yeah, you're sick

014enough to go home." So, occasionally, not very often. You need that 103 temperature. We want to say to you and our community how much we appreciate you for all you're doing, for all the effort you put in, and all the excellent work you do. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Do we only have those five >> You've got several, but they're not here yet. >> How many individuals All right, we'll go recess until 4:30. Is anybody else here? Do you want to go? Now is the time. >> Here they come. >> Come on in, guys. On your way. No, is that on the agenda? Oh, interesting. >> See you then, man. >> That's interesting, David. Oh, okay. Okay. I knew when he was a precinct he was unhappy. >> He's never been a precinct mayor. He

015never really wanted to be. Yeah, we used to fight one after the square and spray paint stuff. I get in trouble every time I get caught wearing these. >> Yeah. >> So, this is just >> This is what something is. This is what's at the end of the >> This is me. This is primarily in reference to the Metro news article. I did it >> Yeah, I had several people send me that. >> plan. I had like five people send me >> I'm sure. >> in Raleigh County. So, I just took a deep dive to tell you how we are doing compared to those counties that got identified negatively in the Metro news. >> That's awesome. Thank you so much. >> That's just to kind of Dollar Dale. I don't know exactly how they pull

016their information, but I didn't really plan to go into a lot of detail on >> Yeah. >> But, if you want, I can. But, um just so that you'll know >> I didn't even worry about cuz I knew you had it under control. We're always >> No, I don't mean this year. Enrollment. >> But I I was looking at these numbers and it looks like the team brought more. >> Well, this is this is the total number. >> Oh. >> They were talking about the new federal buyout. >> They were talking about the state taking over certain counties. >> No, he's saying it's all right there in the regulations. It's not us. >> It's about them taking over >> Like Boone and Hancock and >> It's communicating. Unfortunately, it gets quite a bit much time

017with the legislature. They sent me an email just to me saying this is how they compare and I was saying stabilize and guarantee and unchanged funding for 3 years. After 3 years, they would start looking at pupil ratio. If you exceeded the certain ratio, then the state department would take over financing the small counties. And brought it down and I said So, what I'm trying to give them some reason to go with the 3 years. >> Just say that. Just say >> After so, the counties need 3 years >> I have to figure out how much of the levy we how much of the levy we pay. versus the student student mobility. >> You can't you can't pull all that funding suddenly and expect counties to be okay. I know that was my reaction, too.

018So, I told him I said, well, well, I'll have to I I need to take this in a little bit more, but I can tell you my initial reaction is I don't think the department is taking over counties yet. >> Yeah. You know what? He thought they never worked with the county level. >> We have the money to do what we're doing at the way we're doing it and we continue to have the money, why would the state take it? >> Exactly. >> But I don't know what the 3 It would make sense for them But I I found it very interesting that King Arthur was in that. And some of these reports were saying that there's been less of pupil. So, included in this is our per pupil expenditure by school and the state

019gives us that every year and it actually shows that we're spending any less on our students. It means there's many more personnel. >> Oh, yeah. >> And that is what it will tell you when you're still over formulated and you're spending less on your students, you're spending more on your staff. >> Well, I think a a lot of people made a mistake during COVID to not use that money things that could be last forever. >> Yeah. They bumped they jumped up their personnel. Particularly when kids weren't in the building, why did they need more personnel? >> They weren't smart about what to do with the money. >> How do you determine what money is spent on students? >> It's how we code it. When we pay an invoice and that's why I'm very very intent

020and intense on like Brent. Brent has to code it to schools. He can't code it to his department. So, that's why all of our all of our expenditures that we pay have to be coded at the school level. And that's how they come up with it. They pull all of this from our financials. But >> So, in a way everything you do is on students, right? >> It is, but you can keep over staffed and and a lot of those counties in this article Did you read the article, too? Okay, you didn't know about it. Oh, okay. A copy of it is in here for you and and it shows that some counties are in a budget deficit and they're still paying the same salaries. But, I'm also going to tell you it means sometimes

021you close small schools. When you look at this, you look at Lashmeet-Matoaka, it's a 22% building occupancy. We have 22% of the students that are playing in Lashmeet-Matoaka. Athens is very high, too. It's like 39%. It's or maybe even less. 29%. Athens is our second worst building because we don't have enough students there. So, those are That's one of the reasons I'm giving you all this as a board. When you say, "We're not closing schools." I'm giving you the information to say, "We have schools that are at 22% occupancy." >> We're back. Are we back on? We're back in session for some continued recognitions. Okay, we are going to continue with our board recognitions. And we are going to move to certificate of achievement. And this is 2025 West Virginia individual golf champion. McCartney Cart

022Hinkle, a junior at Princeton Senior High School, come on up, is the 2025 AAA 2025 AAA West Virginia individual golf champion. Cart competed at the 2025 golf championships central on October 14th and 15th, 2025 at Oglebay Resort in Wheeling, West Virginia. Hinkle shot a second round 72 to turn a two-shot advantage into a seven-stroke victory with a 147 + 5. Hinkle, a state champion last season at Graham, Bluefield, Virginia, added to his hardware collection with a steady second round that featured 15 pars, two bogeys, and one birdie. Congratulations, McCartney Hinkle. >> [applause] >> Okay, next we are going to go um to certificates of achievement, West Virginia State AA first team. The following Bluefield High School football players made the 2025 West Virginia State Class double-A All-State football team. Max Simpson, quarterback. Pax Calhoun, wide

023receiver. Jeremiah Jones, linebacker. And Jalil Jones, defensive back. You guys come on up. >> [applause] >> Now we got a sophomore. >> Three sophomores. >> Wow, guys. That's impressive. What What do What do you like best about the game? What's the best part? >> Winning. >> That's a good answer. So, it's not the weight lifting and it's not the running? No, I get that. I get that. We are so proud of you guys. You'll do a great job. We're looking forward to a lot for you in the future. All right? So, GOOD LUCK. >> [applause] >> ONE MORE. ONE MORE. >> OUR FINAL RECOGNITION FOR THIS EVENING, the last and definitely not the least, is the certificate of achievement, which is the Carl Lee Award. Jalil Jones, sophomore at Bluefield High School, has been selected

024as the Carl Lee Award winner for 2025. This award is presented to the best defensive back in the state of West Virginia by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association. This award is named for the former South Charleston standout Carl Lee, who played 12 seasons in the NFL 1983 to 1994, earning an All-Pro honors once and a Pro Bowl honors three times. Jones, a sophomore safety, produced a team-high six interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, while bringing a versatile skillset to the state runner-up Beavers. Jones becomes the first Beaver to win one of the major positional awards since they were first introduced in 2014, and becomes the only the sixth Beaver to win a major award. Delillo Jones. >> [applause] >> I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT THIS ISN'T FOR double A or single A. This

025is for everybody playing in football in West Virginia. >> Wow. >> That's impressive, young man. You should be real proud of yourself. But you keep working hard, all right? Cuz we want I want to be able to show my grandkids a picture I stood the next to him. >> [laughter] >> Maybe I'll autograph it for me sometime. >> [laughter] >> You take care of yourself, ALL RIGHT? >> YES. >> [applause] >> I THINK WE'VE GOT AN AMPLIFIER. >> ALL RIGHT. WE'RE GOING TO GO INTO A brief recess because the regular meeting doesn't start till 2:00. >> Coach Coach Looks like I'm walking in. >> I have a couple more here we're going to recognize um our West Virginia State double-A first team. We have a have a couple more here we want to get in

026the picture. So, we have the following Bluefield High School football players made the 2025 West Virginia State double-A class football team. I think we have Max Simpson quarterback here now. So, if Max if you can come up. Coach Simon, if you'll please come up. And then we're going to And we also have uh Pax Calhoun wide receiver, Jeremiah Jones linebacker, and Jalil Jones defensive back. Those are our double-A all-state. >> [laughter] [applause] >> You good? You good? You good? >> Okay, we've just had an enjoyable time recognizing a bunch of students and a school nurse for all the wonderful things they've done in our county recently. So, we're up to the superintendent's opening remarks and presentation. Mr. Tighman. >> Yes, sir, President Pritt. What I want to let you guys know, as as you all

027know that the SBA needs selection date was believe it or not, almost a month ago, December 15th, 2025. And the SBA awarded the Mercer County Public Schools $10 million for the Mercer County Technical Center project. So, I just want to share that with you all and make that public. The SCSC director, Jason Butcher, you have two emails where Mercer County Schools policy procedures update. We thought we would get that Friday. I still haven't got anything there. It may be as late as Tuesday, but as soon as I get any of that information, I'll share with you. Also, um, piece of information, the 2026 Jason Argonaut expedition is on June 21st to to, um, uh, I didn't put the other date on there. I'm sorry. June, uh, till that Sunday, I believe so. What is it?

028Yeah, I have it right here on my June calendar. But, uh, it is June 27th, that Saturday return. And, uh, we'll have a teacher Argonaut and, uh, two students. That will be for the application process. That application window will start January 30th to February 16th. And they'll be going to Houston, um, Texas. And uh, we had a group go do that go that trip again, and we, uh, with the, uh, NASA, we'll be doing some, um, coding, uh, immersive high impact expedition with the, um, aeronautics and data analysis. Um, also, Mrs. Mitchell and, um, Bluefield Middle School, the city of Bluefield gave us a notification the other day through our middle school that they were wanting to move our middle school games from Thursday to Monday. We disagree with this, uh, with changing all the

029schedules and what all those things, but the city parks, uh, um, recreation, um, director contacted us. We may have a meeting with Cecil Parsons, but I just want to let you know we're not in favor of moving from Thursday to Monday. Therefore, that means everybody else is changing schedules, but the they notified the principal. Um, we have a new principal coming in Tuesday after Martin Luther King holiday. We will have a meeting if we need to go over that, but I just want to let you know with the contract, um, I wanted to make that, uh, just, uh, for you all as a board to be aware of that also that uh, uh uh that's could be a safety issue having a game on Thursday and then turn around and trying to play on Monday

030on another schedule because of home games and all that. >> sure. >> I think uh the eight games, I think Bluefield Middle has six that will be home and we just don't feel Monday night that's normally I was told also uh well, Bluefield High School doesn't have a JV team. They may have a JV team with being state runner-up, they may have numbers come out and that might be an issue that how can you uh make those statements yet? So, I just wanted to put that on the record. We have administrator's meeting that's scheduled for this Thursday that's changed to next Thursday. And then uh also uh Mr. Prudy just asked me the other day and time was uh was difficult with having one meeting to another, but I put a draft and I will

031get an email copy to you also that we had that uh advertising solicitation and fundraising in the schools. You have an example from Raleigh County that we also had three policies that I wanted to give you that we put together, created that one. So, look at that uh you guys get it first to look at that and see the draft that we put together with those three along with the one that Mr. Prudy shared with me and wanted to uh take a look at that. If we adopt that, then we'll abolish K I K I A and KJ. So, just uh that's fresh off the print and again, I'll send that to you as some of you like to have that digital to mess around with and play with that and then you can get

032the you guys get a look at that and then we'll bring that for first reading possibly in the next meeting. Uh draft of employee right to record meetings involved involving uh displor- disciplinary and performance. You also have an attached there that uh Mr. Prudy shared with me and I wanted to get that to you. We put it in our our uh format and wanted to share that with to No school Monday, January 19th, that's next Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Staffing meetings were tentatively scheduled for February 2nd and 3rd. That's coming up. The Mercer County schools is over the formula 85 service and 10 professional. And I also wanted to let you know, if you haven't heard any that we've got some movement in our central office to streamline efficiency across all departments.

033So, we've done some moving and uh doing some offices and doing some things there with uh what uh what has been brought to us. So, I wanted to share that with you. That's all I have, Mr. Prudich. >> All right. >> Also, yeah, also just real quick on 2322, I have Dr. Bowling to give you some things that I've put together just uh last few days. Thought I'd have it to get to your packet that I got today and just some updates on my goals. We'll look at that and we'll get that on uh information, but uh just I'm trying to give you some brief uh information on that. That with the goals along with some expulsion uh data that I want to share with you. Again, look at it. You don't need to discuss

034any of it right yet. Just let you look over. We put some things there on our results that that we put together. That's it, isn't it? That's That's That's expulsion data there. >> Yeah. >> And that's it. Then we get to 2322, that's a few brief reports to give you. >> Okay. >> And we'll roll. >> Uh we don't have any citizen input to my knowledge, so we're going to move into 2322, uh supporting accountability. >> Who's Who's up? Uh Ms. Wellman, go ahead. >> Thank you. Um while we were on recess, I did put in front of you um some additional financial information. A couple of you contacted me on Friday regarding the Metro News article um concerning some school systems that are in financial difficulties. So, um and and one of the board

035members did contact me as well. So, I tried to prepare an overview addressing the article. If you haven't seen the article, a copy of the article is there as well. A couple of the things that they focused on were cash on hand to meet immediate needs. And they compared that to their levy and excess levy. And thanks to Dr. Bowling, she helped me put this nice overview together. And I will say that that this just compares our total FY 25 property tax revenue as a percentage of the cash on hand we had at the end of June. Um and you'll see that we have significant um we have we have sufficient cash on hand at this time to cut with our operating cash to cover payroll or any of any of the necessary expenditures. The

036article also addressed building unit utilization rates. And that's not something that we've ever really looked at before. So, uh Mr. Adkins did contact Michael Whitlow who's over the West Virginia Department of Facilities. >> Yes. >> And he provided us their information. There was some information that that's incorrect. And I still think that maybe some of the schools um might be incorrect. Just don't I don't plan to go over all of that. But basically what that does is take the number of students that the building was designed for, compares that to the number of students enrolled right now attending physically at that facility. And I went ahead and sorted them in descending order um based upon the smallest utilization rate. I think this is very important information um in compliance with 2322. I also um the

037WVDE the second page of that compares per per pupil expenditures by school. This is also another important statistic that the WBDE has been sharing with us the past several years. And basically, that that's declining enrollment. It does cause your per pupil expenditures to go up, and I just wanted to share that. And highlighted a couple of those that our lowest elementary school, for example, compared to our highest elementary school, has a 49% different per difference per pupil that we're paying for those students. And um Mr. Hodges had asked earlier how that's calculated. That's extremely important while we code all of our expenditures directly to the school. This is um available on federal websites as well. If you have questions about the utilization percentage, what's included and excluded, Mr. Whitlow with the WBDE did um give

038us a PowerPoint presentation. And I've included that as well. Unless you want to say anything else about >> Uh really, >> [clears throat] >> the we we began a conversation on Saturday about it, and we just got the information this morning. As Mr. [clears throat] Thurman kind of alluded to earlier, we're doing some moving around. I haven't dug too deep into it. Leslie spent more time with it today, but uh you can see some of our utilization rates are not the highest. >> I did The next um bit of information in your packet is the article so that you can compare our our statistics to to other counties or those that were highlighted. Um the next packet of information that you have is also just comparing our pup- per pupil expenditure on average. That gives

039you comparisons to other counties. It also breaks it down into our local um state aid, as well as our local share, and how much we're spending per student. And I've highlighted Mercer. The last page talks about federal funds, and just how much we spent on federal funds per pupil compared to 25. Um and as you know, we we do continue to see cuts in our federal funding as well. I will um also say that I did spend the day Friday with Raleigh County's treasurer. He's a great resource. Really runs um he he and and his team and the superintendent there run a very fiscally sound um and and they invest a lot into their county. So, I did meet with him and he gave me some setups for some reports that I will be I'll

040I'll prepare and have at the next meeting as well. >> The only comment I'm going to make is I've noticed that in terms of success if you deem that to be success by test scores the there does not seem to be a correlation between the amount of money spent and how successful the school is. >> Excuse me. >> Um I'm sorry. Let me repeat all that. Um I forgot to press my button here. Um And just quickly one comment I would make is there doesn't seem based on a quick review of the numbers a direct correlation between success if you measure that by test scores and the amount of money spent per student. Now, we're not talking about a huge difference between the biggest and lowest anyway. But there doesn't seem to be a correlation.

041So, if there's no correlation we may maybe perhaps don't need to get too disturbed about it. I know the state's going to take a different perspective on that, but um our job's to run Mercer County, not the state. >> I just wanted to make sure you had the information. >> Yeah. >> Um I also just would like to go on record saying that our cash on hand is 59% of our regular levy. Um and again, this is our operating cash that is in our checking account to pay invoices, payroll, etc. Um 59% of our regular levy and 49% of our excess levy, 27% of both. Very strong financial numbers. >> Well, if you go by the Metro article, we're one of the highest in the state then. >> We are. The state and and actually

042the federal government does recommend a 16% reserve on hand so that you can meet all of your needs. So, we have 27%. >> Thank you for being a good manager of our funds and your staff. We appreciate it. >> It is a team. It is an entire team. This entire entire group that's sitting here, 100%. And and I do have a great team, too. >> Not here. >> Well, and we're mindful we're mindful of the taxpayers' dollars and we try to spend them in an appropriate way to benefit every child. Um is that all you've got for us? All right, we'll move on. >> Yeah. Can I ask a question? >> Sure, go ahead. >> The first one, Leslie, total PPE comparison 2024 to 2025, there was a difference of over a thousand students. Is

043there any way, and I'm looking at Emily and whoever else might How many of those are are kids that have are still around here? They've chosen to leave public school to go to private. Do you have any idea or home school? That's where that number came from. Where did Where did Where did we lose a thousand? This one right here. >> We got Which one are you referencing? >> The first page. >> That's the difference between the expenditure per student, it, >> We actually went >> Because she might or somebody may the comment that when our numbers go down when our student population goes down, the money we spend goes up. >> And that is correct. We went up from $14,329 per student in '24 So, we went up $1,300 more per student in '25

044than we did in '24. >> I understand that part. I'm just wondering with the lower number of students why why why is it why are we spending more for for less kids? Is that Does that make >> have it changed a tremendous amount? That's what we're spending >> Right. >> textbooks, you know, the we already bought those, but they were online. So, some of those, you know, our federal funding, we're still spending all of that. on that school stuff. >> I I may be out of my I haven't had time to digest this book. Plus, it seems to me, isn't funding always a year behind >> Yes, it is. >> It's the state formula funding is, yes. >> always a year behind. >> Yes. >> So, it's like a dog chasing its tail, so to

045speak. >> You have a little bit more money the next year because you're you're using the prior year enrollment numbers. Yes, our state funding >> That's what I'm trying to say. >> Yes, it does lag. Yes, exactly. >> And because [clears throat] of the article, that's why she wanted to put that stuff together, at least get it in your hands, hard copies that you can see that, and if we need to discuss the next meeting, but because we received phone calls, we received phone calls, I think everybody in this room uh in the front area got calls about what's this principal emailing. Yes. So, that soon as that went out in that afternoon on Thursday, uh then this woman was out at Raleigh County on Friday, so spent some time this weekend along with like

046Mr. Atkins and others that put some stuff together. So, we wanted to get you hard copies just to say, "Here you go." >> And I can understand people's concern, but the article doesn't mention Mercer County. So, I I guess that if the question is how are we doing, that's fine. But, the problem with an article like that is it tends to paint with a broad brush instead of focusing where the the problem is, which is I understand it's primarily five counties out of 55. So, uh it's also a function of a quick change in where funding is going in the state. It didn't happen over a period of years, it happened very suddenly, and it left states or counties short. So, the the legislature in its wisdom needs to to create some kind of stabilization

047for counties at least for the next few years so we can figure out exactly where it's all going to land. Um but, if you compare our numbers to the article, then we as I said earlier, we are at the top of counties in the state of West Virginia in terms of financial stability and ability to pay our bills, and and that's never really been an issue in Mercer County that I'm aware of. Um we keep our buildings taken care of. We keep our payroll full paid. We pay our bills on time. So, uh if people want to ask these questions, we should certainly answer them, but I think that is the answer is is everything's okay right now. >> Exactly. That is that is 100% why why we wanted Mr. Tomin, I talked to him

048on Saturday or Friday. I don't remember which day, but we talked a couple of times, and we wanted you to have this information so that you know we were not mentioned in the article, but wanted to reassure you as well as anyone listening that we are in very strong financial position, and will continue to manage so that we stay in that in that position. >> It's unfortunate we don't get this information either. We see it in the Metro News. We don't get it statewide. We don't get it from the department. It comes out from the Metro News and then we got to try to come up and yeah and then put that answer together when you all get the calls. We thought let's do this publicly. Let's state this out here. Let's put it on

049record. This is what we've got. So that's that's where we felt to do that and there's some in our group right here didn't know all that we're putting together cuz it was that fast that what we had to do. So. >> All right. If there's no other questions and nothing else then we'll move on to our graduation. >> Thank you and um Mr. Pritt you're right. The questions that I received and I think others had just sent us that I they would forward me the article and most of them were, I'm glad we're not listed in this article or that type of thing. But I I think Mrs. Wellman, Mr. Adkins and everyone that was incredible work and this shows everyone's hard work and good data. Um and as Mr. Thomas says sharing things publicly

050is the best way and a lot of hard work that went into that. I'll be very brief. Um we are trying to finish up MOY testing. We were delayed by weather in December. Pushed us forward just a little bit. I will be meeting with principals for MOY conferences starting tomorrow. We have our um first Title One Tuesday training tomorrow evening. Um as always board members are always invited to attend. If you're interested, AI helped us come up with some more clever names than what we typically have for those. So our session tomorrow is explicit ex- instruction and extraordinary results and um most of this information is a result of the West Virginia Reading Association conference at Oglebay in Wheeling and coming from Dr. Anita Archer's work. So we'll have primary teachers here at the seminar

051center with Dr. Lacosta Hodges and Ronda Rogers presiding and then we will have grades 3 through 5 at Princeton Primary with Mrs. Stanley and Pam Clark presiding. So again, you're always welcome to attend. Those are 3:30 to 5:30 tomorrow evening. Our Title 1 winner workshop is this Friday, January 16th from 8:00 to 3:00 here at the seminar center. And our morning we focused on Title 1 updates based on our federal programs monitoring that we had on October 27th and I will give you all copies of that report when we get the final report back. Overall, it went very well. And then the afternoon, again, we'll be back to explicit instructional strategies looking at small groups based on that on Dr. Anita Archer's work. That's what I have this evening. >> Any question? All right. >>

052Okay, for secondary, um we too share with Dr. Atkins that we're waiting on the I ready to finish in the in the middle schools, but we have done our middle of the year Mastery prep. And you know, last year was our first year using it, so we didn't really have anything to compare it to, but with our middle of the year um scores for this year, we have already since the beginning of the year increased in every one of the high schools. Um the lowest number as far as student actual student bodies that took um the middle of the year test, we have gone from in the district um we now have we're up 58.7 actual students um that have moved out into the um college bound percent >> points that went up. >> Yes,

053and that's the number of points then that it went up. We also have and Dr. Bowling helped with my crunching numbers, which I appreciate, but um we have been able to see an increase in all all of the schools with the Mastery Prep. So, we're looking at the end of the year to see how much more we're going to do, but um everyone of our we have the percentages for each of the school and the number of students who were um at promise. And just to give you a little brief on that, Bluefield High School had 26 students in September who were promise eligible. They now have 51. Um Montcalm had uh two and a half. They now have 3.4. PikeView was at four, and now they have 11%. And Princeton was at 4.8, and

054they have 12.6. So, they have all moved up. Um the state is wanting more participation with FAFSA. They're asking for 60% state of people from the central office who actually sit down with the parent and the student at that time and help them fill out the FAFSA form. Um uh Miss Callas, who pretty much spearheads this, took some time and checked with some other counties to see what they were doing when they were had higher numbers than we did. And they were actually using principals were requiring counselors to invite X number of parents in each month. And as they invited those parents in, they sat down with them and went over FAFSA and explained the importance of it because what we have found is the majority of the parents in our area that we talked

055to feel like um that it's only for college-bound kids. But, if kids want to come to tech center, if they're going to apply for Pell or any of those things, if they want to go to a trade school, they can still you know get funding if they filled out the FAFSA. So, what we're trying to make them understand is every kid needs to fill out the FAFSA. And then, you know, hopefully we can get them something. So, we have our next big night on the 17th. Um GEAR UP, we started in 7th and 8th grade last year. This year, we are in 9th and 10th, and next year we'll be 11th and 12th, so it'll be a real true picture of those kids who started as 7th graders to see if this high dose tutoring

056and these after school programs that we're doing are are benefiting. But, so far we are seeing these increases, so we feel like it's it's a plus. So, that's where we are right now. >> Okay. >> I think I have one thing. >> Okay. >> Um it's time to talk about uh LSIC meetings. Um we are required for our CSI schools that are in red, and also our green schools that are exiting um that designation to present to the board, and those are uh Bluefield Intermediate, Mountain Valley, Mercer, and Straley. Um now, there are eight other schools that are in orange and yellow. Uh they're not required to report to the board, but we wanted to check to see if that was something that you wanted to do. >> What's the pleasure of the board? >>

057And they're Yeah, they're warnings based on a sub cell. Most of them are special ed. >> It It It always For me, it depends on the way the meeting is set up. When you bring in eight schools at one time, it's not as beneficial as if you bring in fewer because >> Well, we were thinking >> of dittos, and well, we Yeah, we're doing the same thing they're doing, and it doesn't seem to be as um informative >> Well, if we limit it to uh 5-minute presentation with 10 minutes of questions for each school, would that be agreeable? >> That I That doesn't seem like enough time to actually get >> Well, the presentation, they could really hone in on, you know, those important parts that they want to report on. >> lot of times

058in the past, of course, we haven't really done LSICs the way we used to in a long time, but in the past they'd come in with a we're doing the following things. >> Right. >> And we're doing these things and this is real successful and we're doing this. But there's no deep dive into what all that means, how it's impacting the school culture, achievement, attendance, any of that stuff. So um I think um the four that we need to have with us um You want to split them in half and >> Yeah. 30 minutes >> And we've >> Do 30 Do 30 minutes each? >> each. Okay, and we'll do two at each and we'll start in February. >> That sounds good. >> And we'll do them >> February or you want one in the

059next month? >> I'd give them time. >> I think we should give them a little bit of time to I mean they've they've just gotten back. They need a little bit of time to take a breath and look at their data and think about what they're doing. Uh and it it's they should be told this is kind of a deep dive. We want to We want to really know what their needs are, what their problems are, what they face. And I think we generally know a lot of that, but sometimes it's unique to a particular school for a particular situation. I know teachers will tell you, you know, sometimes you're just rolling along and then you get that class. That class is just for whatever reason it does not working. And then you start rolling

060again after that class moves on. Um or a series of classes or there's something going on in the community. You just You never know. Um So yeah, I think it would be good and I think Mercer and Stonewall kind of dovetail right together, so we probably should put them together. Um Bluefield Intermediate and Mountain Valley Some of those kids are going You know in one school and then part of the other school are going to Bluefield. So that's a good dovetail, too. As to As to the other schools, if it's mostly special needs, then maybe we need to have a session where we talk about what those challenges are, what the problems are, and how we can approach them, maybe have a few administrators and our special needs uh boss to tell us, you know,

061what they think and where we need to be focused and what we need to be doing instead of bringing all eight in and um >> Yeah. >> Cuz particularly with LSSCs, you bring in you know, they'll bring in six, seven, eight people and we'll hear from two. And so, I think it would be more effective if we do some deep dives. >> Deep dives. Are they given something that they can measure their successes or their failures with? Is there anything that's >> Yes, it's it's based on GSA. And so, we use our ready to monitor that, of course, because they're so correlated. And the warning schools are ones and and we've gone over those things with them. They have to have growth with uh you know, from this group that's identified in 2025 as a

062warning, they'll check that again in 3 years in 2028. So, the achievement of that subgroup has to be higher, even if it's 0.1% in that time frame. >> those numbers before 3 years? I mean, shouldn't we >> Well, we'll monitor it. >> on a going basis? >> We'll monitor Yeah, sure. We monitor it all the time and monitor it annually, but that's what how it's compared. And um as long as you have continuous improvement, then you'll be fine in 2028. So, they understand and we spent time with the administrators as to what growth means because it doesn't mean they have to grow enough to count as growth on the balanced scorecard. And we have charts that and guidelines for that. We're going to review that again at next week's administrators' meeting um because they will

063have MOY or beginning MOY data through already that already that will help them with that piece. So, that would be for all schools, but these schools in particular and they're also required to note that in their strategic plans and have that, you know, that information in there as to what they're doing differently, how they're monitoring it and the different things they're doing to help move that subgroup along and they're all special ed. I think Bluefield Middle has one more sale with that, but the all eight have that. >> It One of the things that we used to receive and and maybe we have recently and I just don't recall it, but we would get a chart of the scores and you could watch a class, you could kind of follow a class vertically. In 2003

064it was the first was a third grade and then you look at 2004 it's the fourth grade and you look at 2005 and it's the fifth you could actually see and of course we know that changes occur that they're not 100% the same children, but generally you can get a sense of how that group is doing. Uh so, that might be something that might be beneficial. >> It It would be, but not necessarily for CSI because you're talking about a specific subgroup and then I would be hesitant, you know, to show that specific of data because then you're identifying kids, but we could publicly, but we could share that do we have growth there because CSI obviously the whole school has to have growth, but it's based on one group of children. Because our subgroup

065um identification. >> See. I I follow what you're saying, but if you don't identify the students by name, is it you still see it as a problem? >> We We can We can share that. It's just we get to a smaller, you know, but we we will share that information and it, you know, may even be better for a workshop type deal to where you can talk about those strategies, but they're doing lots of things out there that are making a difference and um but we can do that. We can >> no doubt. I Just in the future when we get scores, I think the entire board would like to see that. So, we can when we get scores from schools, period. Let's follow the class and see how they're doing. And see if there's

066any bumps in the road along the way. >> Yeah, we we can show that, but we're in the and then the scorecard, of course, isn't measured that way. But, we can show that as well. >> Just gives us an idea. >> Sure. >> I mean, I'm not hung up so much on the scores itself as just to see trends and changes and what happened here or what what good happened here, you know, what went on. >> I understand that. Yes, sir. >> Anything else? All right, then. >> Mr. Mitchell, do we our attendance, are we doing any attendance information this time or we want it later or what do you I just wasn't offered. >> Prepared? I got to do this attendance electronically. It works. >> Let's hear it. >> So, >> [clears throat and

067cough] >> absolutely. Give you a update. Amber, was you able to pass those out? The numbers? >> Yeah. I don't see a problem with that. Well, while she's passing those out, I was just going to give you an update for the fourth month comparative to last year's fourth month. Last year, chronic attendance wise, we was sitting at 32% chronic attendance rate. This fourth month for this school year, we was down to 15.91, so it was a decrease of chronic absenteeism by 16.818%, uh which is significant for obviously the fourth month got a lot going on, so um definitely uh vast improvement in that in that area. And it has been every month comparative to the last last year last school year, so um we definitely are moving forward in the right direction. I know the

068goal was a 10% reduction, which would equate to 2% overall, and we're definitely ahead of schedule county wide. We're probably sitting around It's hard to give you a definitive number because, obviously, students that's chronically absent today may not be next week, but um somewhere around the 5% mark of total increase, so about double what uh we were looking at. Now, knock on wood, I don't want to jinx that with flu season and everything else, but we are trending in the right direction in that regard. Um I would like to mention and and shout out to our student support staff who's definitely putting forth the effort and our principals uh to make a lot of these things happen. And um just each community, each little subsection has their own things, which is the only way to

069address chronic absenteeism. You have to know your community, you have to know what clicks for each um area. So, I mean like Bluefield High School's got their strive for five banner up that the kids have pledged to try to attend school five days a week. I mean, it's completely different. Princeton Middle School was doing things with kids who are chronically absent, who haven't proved attendance, gets uh rewarded something off the 3D printer that they've made Princeton High School actually has been going out personally to thank students for coming in late, which is kind of sounds weird, but it's a it's better to be here a little late and not be here at all. So, uh Spanishburg Montcalm actually had a really neat thing during the um football season where both mascots, they had a little

070board up with a football field, and each mascot each week would go down the football field, and who got to the end was the winner. So, both schools were super excited about that during the season. So, we got a lot of things going on within the community to try to help with the whole chronic attendance rate, but really it wouldn't be possible without the student support staff and our principals. Uh that's been the big change or the big Well, I wouldn't say change, just the big push. Obviously, anything within the light um gets or gets brought to light, there's more emphasis on it, and I think our people are doing a great job at this time. >> For the For the people listening, could you define chronic absenteeism? >> It's missing 10% or more of

071the school year which at any given point. So obviously 4 months in, you're talking 40 days. Or that that is your number. So that would be 4 days or more. And it doesn't matter if it's excused or unexcused, it's just absences. So that's why it becomes very difficult from a legal perspective of trying to enforce the law because sometimes I have no effect in that regard. So it's really boils down to the schools and re-emphasizing post-COVID, we want you here, we want you in person, we don't want you missing. What's too sick to be in school and kind of defining that because people still want to kind of linger on that. So it's just 10% of the school year period. So by the end of the year, it's 18 days. Is what would make you

072chronically absent. Like I said, and that can be excused or unexcused or a combination of both. >> So if you have a child that hit gets the flu and they're really sick and they're out for a week and we're at day 40, they're chronically absent. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Now it doesn't matter. Obviously day 60, they may not be. >> Right. Right. >> But during that time frame, yes. >> Uh >> So that's what affects your each month's numbers. >> Okay. Some of these numbers are uh nothing short of uh uh miraculous. I mean, honestly. 1.15% >> Well, it does help when you have a very small student population. But on the caveat of that, if you have the flu or something hit a school like that, it affects them on the negative

073on the on the hard end, too. >> It does, but it but it just it's comparing to the year before which it was 30%. >> Mhm. >> So I mean, apples to apples, that's pretty miraculous. >> Yep. >> Uh so whatever we're doing, we encourage everybody to keep doing it cuz it seems to be having an impact. Um any other Any >> Not got just appreciate the job. A lot of it I think and if I misspoke mis- misspeak, tell me. A lot of it is plain and simply keeping up with it, especially the ones that come in late and things like that. Is that correct, Mr. >> That's a portion of it. Yeah, honestly. >> And and the other thing is an educator, this is key. You don't improve things from a student perspective.

074They have to be in school. You can't teach what's not there. And not only that, you're teaching good work habits, which will keep them employed when they finally get out in the real world. So, I mean, I think this is uh You know how I feel. This was important. They have to be there. And they have to learn uh good work skills. And I and I used to We used to point that out to the parents. It's better to learn your lessons and get smacked on the hand for it when you're a ninth grader than when you get that dream job and you think you don't have to show up. >> Yes. >> So, I think it's so important and I'm glad we're really working hard as a county to >> Yeah, and I mean,

075obviously, I plan to just continue to encourage with, you know, the ongoing trainings and uh our staff buy-in. I mean, it's cuz it starts from the top down. I know Mr. Collins has been heavily involved and uh that's what it's about. You I mean, cuz you have to sell your area to your students and wanting to be there. There's only so much that we can do at Central Office as far I mean, we can make a county-wide campaign and do all that, but it really develops or starts at the school itself and kids wanting to be there at that particular school, you know? >> Thank you. >> Mhm. Thank you. >> Thank you. Is that it? Anything else, Mr. Mitchell or anybody else? All righty, then we'll move on to our business part of the

076meeting and we'll get into the approval of the minutes for the November 17, November 21, December 8, and December 22, 2026 Um I'm sorry, 2025 minutes. Is there a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Second. >> A motion and a second. Any additions, corrections, or deletions? There appears to be none. Then on the motion, all in favor signify by saying aye. >> Aye. >> Opposed likewise. That motion carries five in favor and none opposed. We have one item of old business, which is board member number 199, which is policy IA8, Mercer County e-sports policy. This is a second reading. This is a new policy. The superintendent recommends approval. Is there a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Is there a second? There's a motion and a second. Questions, comments, or discussion? There appearing

077to be none. On the motion, all in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed likewise. That motion carries five in favor and none opposed. Under the consent agenda, board member number 224 is the hiring of a school-based probation officer, which we have to find. Uh the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals uh under a memorandum of understanding is requesting funding for a probation officer for the upcoming year. This is approximately $80,000. Mercer County Schools is responsible for submitting the full payment, and we're reimbursed half of that by the West Virginia Schools of Diversion and Transition through the West Virginia Department of Education. They're essential components of student support system. Uh they they assist with early identification of students in crisis, on-site guidance, and things of that nature. Superintendent recommends approval. Board member number 225 is

078updated contracts for placement of students for clinical experience. This agreement is with WVU Parkersburg to establish responsibilities relating to placement of student observers and student teacher candidates for the 25-26 and 26-27 school year. This applies to students in the non-licensing child development program. As always, it's pending a receipt of a candidate's background check and the college naming a site supervisor for each candidate. Superintendent recommends approval. Board member number 226 is a listing of students for placement from Bluefield State University for various courses in the spring 26 semester. They're requesting students for observations in several of their classes. Placements are contingent upon completion and submission of forms, background checks, and site supervisor being named. Super- Superintendent recommends approval. Board member number 227 is custodial cafeteria supplies with Omnia Partners. These supplies cover our custodial and cafeteria

079supplies. Uh the current contract is honored through May 31st of '27. The contract renews in May 31st of '30. Uh state code allowed purchases when this is without competitive bidding if it's a legitimate con- government purchasing cooperative. This includes comprehensive annual training program for for custodians on proper cleaning procedures and safety procedures for Spartan Chemicals. Superintendent recommends approval of this contract for supply for custodial and cafeteria supplies. The cost for fiscal year 24-25 was $522,319. Board member number 228 is Concord's annual or semester request for Bonner Scholars from Concord uh that were placed in Mercer County schools to complete community service hours for the spring semester. They average 8 to 10 hours of direct community service. Two students are listed. Superintendent recommends approval. Board member number 229 is college contract for the placement of students

080for clinical experience. Uh this agreement relates to Capella University uh for student observers and/or student teacher candidates for their clinical experience for the 25-26 and 26-27 school year. As always, we have to have a background check a site supervisor. Superintendent recommends approval. Board member number 230 is the Mactech Forklift Equalis Cooperative. This is a cooperative purchase. Uh it's the purchase of a 5,000 capacity or is that a 3,000? I I've written over it. 3,000 capacity Yale Forklift for Mercer County Vo-Tech Center. The cost is 38,447.10. Superintendent recommends approval of this purchase in that amount. A state equipment grant will fund this purchase. Board member number 231 is Extreme License Renewal. The director of technology is seeking authorization to renew this license for 1 year. It's required for all Extreme Networking equipment in the county. Total

081cost is $84,260 using a WVNET contract. The renewal is from 1/10/26 to 1/9/27. Superintendent recommends approval of this contract. Board member number 232 is a purchase of a used 2023 Chevy Express 3500 van. State code does allow us to to purchase used vehicles if it's determined to be in the best interest of the board by the treasurer. Vo-Tech has requested this purchase. It's got 39,760 miles and it's priced at 38,875 from Ramey Auto Group. The van has the remainder of its 550 powertrain warranty. The Black Book value is 43,000. So, Superintendent recommends the purchase of this uh van. Uh purchase is funded by Mactech. Board member number 233 is the approval of a license agreement for use of fields at Greater Princeton Little League. Uh Tommy Bailey, their president, is going to allow Glenwood School

082baseball and softball teams to practice and play and Montcalm High School and middle school baseball teams to play at Anderson Field Complex at Gardner. Uh the consideration will increase this year by 800 making for a total of $3,200. It's $800 per team. They also request 24 tons of infield mix, 40 bags of field marker, 12 cans of field marker paint, and 40 bags of turf dry. Uh this may be renewed for an additional 2-year period. The rent is subject to modification during the renewal period. Term of the agreement is March 1, 2026 through June 30, 2026. Superintendent recommends approval. I'm going too far. Board member number 234 is RFP 346 water treatment services. Uh this RFP was issued to secure proposals for water treatment services for heating and cooling systems at various locations in Mercer

083County from November 2015 to 25 to October 11 of 26. The RFP was appropriately advertised and we had three, let's see here. I'm sorry. The committee awarded the highest number of points to water chemistry at 100 out of a possible 100 points. The estimated annual expense is 27,450. Prior year's cost was 26,108. Superintendent recommends the award of the RFP to water treatment services. Board member number 235 is approval of the App-A-Gee agreement. As everyone knows, we use App-A-Gee to build custom mobile applications, websites, and and publishing platform. Uh Mercer County entered into an agreement with them in June of 22 as a sole source App-A-David. The cost then was 34,440 for the January 1, 25 to December of 25. Purchasing agreement is requested contract pricing. The cost is 36,162 for a period of January 1,

08426 through December 31 of 26. This is a uh legitimate government purchasing cooperative, so it does not require competitive bidding. Superintendent recommends approval of this 1-year agreement with App-A-Gee from January 1, 26 through December 31, '26 in the amount of $36,162. Board member number 236 is Mettech Electric Motor Control Learning System. Uh this is being requested and pricing was requested from Amtek company for the purchase of two electrical motor control learning systems for the Vo-Tech Center and the cost of $46,055. This is a legitimate government purchasing cooperative, so it didn't require competitive bidding. Superintendent recommends approval of the purchase of these two electric motor control learning systems. ACE funding and Mettech will fund this purchase. Board member number 237, the director of maintenance has requested uh pricing from TK Elevator uh regarding utilizing Omnia contract

085to replace elevator door operator at Bluefield Middle. The total cost is $22,891. Superintendent recommends approval of this agreement. Excess levy funds are being utilized for this purchase. Board member number 238 is student placement of uh from the University of the Cumberlands. They're requesting a student spend 20 hours of classroom observations for one of their classes. Uh they'll be assigned to Montcalm High School. Placements are contingent upon background check, form appropriate forms, and site supervisor. Superintendent recommends approval. Board member number 239 is a partnership with Smile West Virginia for in-school mobile dental services. Uh previously we had uh I think just last year we approved an agreement to have a Smile West Virginia mobile dentistry come into our schools to bridge the gap gap for students who lack access to consistent dental care by bringing state-of-the-art

086portable equipment directly to the schools. Over the past year, this program has removed common barriers of cost and transportation for our families. There is no cost to the district. Um Ashley Crawford will continue to serve as primary point of contact. Superintendent recommends approval. Board member number 240 is purchase of football uniforms for Bluefield High School from BSN Sports uh for the cost of $25,320. Uh again, this is a legitimate government purchasing cooperative, did not require competitive bidding. Superintendent recommends approval of the purchase of these new uniforms to BSN Sports in the amount of $25,320. The high school will fund the purchase. Board member number 241 is a purchase of indoor dome cameras. Authorization is being sought for the purchase of four indoor dome cameras uh with 1-year warranties uh a camera license and capacity increase.

087They'll be installed in a special education classrooms in Athens/McDowell and Montcalm Elementary. The total cost is $8,991.20 and it's purchased using special ed IDEA entitlement grant entitlement funds. Superintendent recommends approval of the purchase of these four indoor dome cameras. Board member number 242 is uh listing of student teachers for year-long residency 1 and 2 from Concord University. Uh placement is contingent upon the forms, background check, and university naming a site supervisor. Superintendent recommends approval. Board member number 243 is RFP number 348, textile consultant. We are seeking a textile consultant to develop a comprehensive curriculum for a new industrial sewing and design program at McTech. Uh we advertised the RFP in two newspapers and we received one response from Reed Weiler Consulting LLC in the amount of $68,000. Uh this service is to be funded by

088a Carhartt grant to McTech. Superintendent recommends approval. Board member number 244, which is the end of the consent agenda, is the payment of invoices for the month of December. Checks have been written or being held in the office of the treasury pending consideration of the school board. You have that payment of the invoices in in packet. The superintendent recommends approval. Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion and there's a second. Do we have any questions or discussion regarding any items on the consent agenda? >> Yeah, I have two questions. >> Go Go ahead, Paul. >> The probation thing description doesn't sound like what a probation person does. What does this Explain more how this person does. >> Who can handle that?

089>> I can. >> Okay, so this this person This person works through the juvenile probation office. And he is his role is twofold. One, he works with students who are already under supervision with juvenile probation. Going into schools, checking on them, making sure that they have everything they need, that they are coming to school, uh having meetings with them just to check on them and then the the second piece of that is a diversion. Um uh a job, for lack of a better word, he he comes in, he works with students who are probably tier three in terms of an MTSS model. Tier three about to about to be um have a petition filed on them for truancy. And he makes sure that those students are aware of those things and um and works with

090them to keep petition from being filed, to keep them out of the court system. Um that's >> already doing a lot of that though with other positions? Like doesn't like Russell do some of that and Alicia does some of that and >> Um no, Alicia works mainly with McKinney Vento. Russell, we in the school system we work with tier tier one students, you know, just like overall campaign, students who tier two are on the verge of being truant uh or chronically absent, and then tier three, the most severe that, you know, are just on the cusp of being having a petition filed. Um he is he works with that very high tier group or groups that groups of students who have already had a petition filed. >> So really is a probation? >> Yes. >>

091It didn't sound like it to me. >> Yeah, and his his only focus is truancy and chronic absenteeism. He's The other probation officers have, you know, juvenile delinquency and other other uh cases that they deal with as well, but his is strictly truancy and chronic absenteeism. >> When you say he is is there already somebody in the position? >> Oh, yeah, yeah. We've had We've had this person in place for years. >> Yeah. >> Um that we hadn't Yeah, we for uh in '15, '16 when I first went to the board, it was um Nola Ingram. She was the uh the person who was in that position. Then we had uh Donna Brown actually took the position after that, and then Jennifer Lester, and now Drew Friend. So this has been a continuation. >> of

092funding for it, then? >> Hm? >> This is just a different way to fund it? >> No, no, no. It's the same. It's It's the same. Nothing has changed. >> Okay. Oh, I didn't understand that. >> And Jennifer at one point the person was housed in the our office. >> Mhm. >> Just two years ago. They moved it to probation courthouse. >> And Donna used to be at the office, right? >> Who? >> Donna Brown used to be there. >> is. She still She moved into the position of uh attendance officer. And she works with our four high schools on attendance and chronic absenteeism. Russell uh takes care of elementary and middle school and director type role you know at the office. >> You sure? Chevy van what's the purpose is that transport vehicle or

093materials or what? Yeah, the Chevy van. Mhm, that's all right with me. >> Yes, so we have a lot of students that go out in clinicals and placements and we were having issues with buses. They were canceling on us a lot. So we bought one van back in the fall and it's been amazing, but we have multiple groups that go out. So we're not able to get them all out. So we're allowed to have two. So this will be our second van. So some of them go you know to the hospital while some go to the health care center. We're able to split and then they actually get their full clinical time instead of Freddy and I having to run transport vans back and forth to the hospital and you know It will give them

094more time actually in the setting. >> Well, you got the mark the textile consultant. I can see you're starting a new program. My question is the type of work that they're learning where where are the jobs? Are those jobs around here local? >> Well, this is a partnership with Carhartt. So we were contacted they are looking to expand their operations and they're putting all of their focus on tech centers. So they reached out to the West Virginia Department of Ed and then they actually sent them to me and thought that this would be something that they're wanting to build it into like a like a dual pathway with WVU and their fashion design program. Carhartt is looking in the West Virginia area to put some operations here but they don't have a workforce, so they're

095looking to build this and then hopefully bring >> Well, hopefully we'll get a Carhartt >> Right. Right now, there are companies there Hive and Beckley, there are at least a Lambert, certain people around the community um and the Princeton EDA did a big study. They had people from Senator Capito's office come down. There were about 30 jobs in the area that could take one person that was a skilled sewer. So, they're looking at the long-term impact of that to try to get 150 jobs in 5 years. So, that's the that's the goal. Um right now, it's just Carhartt likes the idea. [clears throat] They want to build a program that could be used in any high school in America. Right now, it doesn't really exist. You can do home ec or there is like a

096textile in North Carolina that they've looked at, but they're wanting someone to actually build a program for high schools that would teach it all. >> one in the United States? >> It would. >> And they asked us. That's pretty cool. >> Yes. It was actually the Yeah, the Department of Ed was was really really great. So. >> That's pretty cool. >> Well, and this is the whole you know, I'm if you if you have a skilled workforce, businesses will come because they're not everywhere. And and these and these skilled trades, if you train people businesses are going to start saying, "Well, they're pumping out electricians, and so we can go there. They're pumping out commercial seamstress and people with the background in design. We're going to go there." >> Yeah, and a lot of it

097is digital design, so that's a an area and I'm not familiar with all of it. I'm learning a lot as we go through, but um there's a curriculum that Carhartt has purchased that colleges use and it's called Isaac and it's stand it's an acronym that stands for something. But they are wanting to take that and this consultant will go through that curriculum that's designed for colleges and try to adapt it into a dual credit situation for a high school. >> Okay. >> WVU is is very intrigued and they're excited to work with us on it, but we're just in the beginning stages. It's going to take a little bit to to make this, but Carhartt is giving us some money and then the Ben E. Duhm Foundation is giving some money on this, so pretty

098cool. >> Okay. Public schools is economic development, huh? Um Okay, there were other questions. >> Board memo 233 talking about the baseball fields and softballs. >> [clears throat] >> Got a total of $3,200 uh for the teams to play there. I guess practice and play there. But then it says in addition, the license will request 24 tons of infield mix, 40 bags of field markers, 12 cans of paint, and 40 bags of turf dry. So, is that in addition to the $3,200? No way to know how much >> Brick dust doesn't cost a whole lot. >> look up in the sky and figure out how much money that was going to could potentially be. >> Well, >> I was just curious. >> Haven't done it for Oh. >> 20 years. 15 years ago, I would

099guess that that's going to cost somewhere between $2,000 and $4,000. Brick dust doesn't cost Brick dust doesn't cost much. You know, that's their infield fill is brick dust. >> No paint doesn't either. We provide We provide this for all the other fields and just purchase it at the same time. We've done this the past several years. We actually just when Pike when we deliver for Pike View, they take it right down the road to Gardner as well. >> So, I was just curious. I didn't know if it was leaving us up to have to write stroke a big check or what. >> It's like a couple of thousand dollars, probably. I can find that out and we'll get you the exact amount. >> The other one was 235, Amy. After she is I mean, it's

100not much. You know, it's a couple of thousand dollars, but is that just the cost of doing business from one year to the next? Cuz we're not getting any additional features or any new That was a year ago. Yeah. Right. Have we uh Do we have to get buy-in at all the schools? You brought it to us once before. I just know at one school there was a little bit of pushback wanting to use the old program. Okay. That's all I have, Greg. Any other questions for me about the concession? >> thing and I'm just just curious, just cuz I'm curious. Um the football uniforms at Bluefield High School, I know that the this is a necessity, but um are we still at Mikes and whoever else, are we still on the uh rotating schedule

101where we have certain years to try to make sure our Title IX is taken care of where we're spending appropriate money on where we have the, you know, I think football was every 3 years and then you did home and away. We're not doing that anymore? Or we are? 5 years? >> There is nothing published officially to the schools. It hasn't been in years. When I began, that came from the secondary >> Right. >> um assistant superintendent, but it's been many years. I don't think Mr. Browning >> that was sometime issues. >> It was. >> We're so we're not on a rotating schedule to pay for uniforms. >> school right now. >> Okay. But we're still paying for uniforms. >> It depends. Yeah. >> Well, see now that's the problem because we went through this

102[clears throat] early on. We were you know, it was like we're not paying for cheerleaders uniforms. Well, y'all that's a sport. We're supposed to be paying for them. >> That's what I thought. >> That's the problem that we ran into before and that's why we implemented this. You're telling me there's no policy on this? >> No. When when I first began, there was a schedule and I took it to Mr. Browning several years ago and asked if it if there was an updated schedule because it had by year what sport was supposed to be replaced. And cheerleading and for example, they they are required to get uniforms like every year. They have to adhere to certain things. So that it it just kind of I think went by the wayside. >> Mr. Collins was >>

103I don't think it's gone by the wayside. I just think that it's not a policy, but I know Bluefield High School Mike can address it. We still use I mean, we still as far as I know the high schools are still following that. >> Okay. >> Um I mean, just like this, you know, now I I have implemented with football every two three three years I I'll do a home uniform and then 3 years later I'll do away. Cuz that cost if I mean, you think about it would be $50,000 out of your budget. >> your helmets or >> No, that doesn't count for is this a home or away, Mr. Collins? >> And then ours was a you know, ours was that Jordan uniform, which is we were selected to wear that again. So,

104But yeah, we're as far as I know, and even Leslie with cheerleading, I we try to adhere, you know, because again, they get ups- understandably get upset, so we try to adhere to that. But, up to as far as I know, all the schools are still doing all high schools are still and probably middle schools, too. >> If I understand this correctly, you're paying for it. >> Yeah, we're yeah, we're paying for it. >> That's all? Okay. If there appear to be nothing else on the consent agenda, there's a motion. All in favor signify by saying aye. >> Aye. >> Those likewise. The motion carries five in favor and none opposed. Board member number 245 is an employee disciplinary hearing and action, Mr. Tyler. >> Did you skip the payment of invoices? >> No, we

105did that. That was the last one. >> That was the last action I did. >> Sorry, just making sure. >> Thank you for making sure. >> Yes, Mr. Purdy, I have a employee that already accepted a three-day suspension without pay. If you all would like to go into executive session, or do you just want me to bring you the recommendation that they that happened December 5th, they served the the fifth, eighth, and ninth. And I can announce the name and the general information to you if you'd like for me to do that. It's up to you. >> Board members, what's your pleasure? >> Is it necessary to know who it is? Yeah, I got >> Yeah, you have to. >> I don't need to read the name. >> I don't need an executive session. I

106don't care if we do. Do you want one? >> I would prefer >> All right, then let's do this. Let's move it to the end. Uh so we can uh get not hold people around just for no apparent reason, okay? Uh next action item on the agenda is board member number 246, which is super superintendent's travel to the 2026 AASA National Conference in Nashville, Tennessee for the period of February 11, 2026 to February 14, 2026 with a travel date of February 10, 2026. Is there a motion to approve? Is there a second? The motion and a second. Questions, comments, or discussion? Then on the motion, all in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed likewise. The motion carries five in favor and none opposed. Board memo number 247. Purpose of this memo is to notify the

107board of the administration's recommendation to abolish the following positions. Pupil services secretary and a coordinator of assessment, virtual education, home school, and general programs. Purpose of this is administrative restructuring, operational needs, and fiscal considerations. Duties associated with these positions are going to be reassigned or absorbed with county procedures in accordance with county procedures to ensure continuity of services. Uh Let me get this so I can read this here. Board is requested to proceed with abolishment of the positions effective January the 12th of 2026 in accordance with West Virginia code and board policy. Superintendent's recommending approval. Is there a motion to approve? [clears throat] Is there a second? Motion and a second. >> Just to clarify, these two positions are currently empty, correct? >> That's correct. >> Um So, as far as these two positions, and

108is it seems like to me that these are issues assigning duties halfway through the year to other personnel about >> Yes, Mr. Godfrey, that would be mutual agreement. So, um the staff is working on putting some mutual agreements that when it comes to staffing, they'll bring to you that you'll approve there. so prior to that it's all kind of personnel issue that can't bring out and discuss with you. And Dr. Phil Peck and our team from um Mrs. Huddle, Dr. Atkins, Mrs. Mitchell, Mrs. Wellman and again Dr. Phil Peck with personnel. We started meeting uh Monday right after the holiday break looking at stuff options and how we can do some things. Also want to mention that the overage of service personnel over 80 and teaching so I can't get into much personnel. That's what

109I'm iffy on that and I don't know if anybody else wants to add but I don't want to get into too much personnel issues other than you approving that we can always look at bringing something back if we need to but I think we got a plan that we can solve those issues without discussing to you without having approval of mutual agreements in your hands to approve and that may be at the next meeting or prior to uh the staffing. >> guess that's what I was wondering is should we have the understandings of mutual agreement before we abolish the positions. >> I brought that to you because of meeting with our staff we felt bring that to you first so that was administration discuss decision as a superintendent along with the support of our leaders

110that are meeting with me on that. And why you hired me as superintendent to bring that to you. >> The only comment I would make is is I had mentioned in the past that uh if we have to do reductions in force that as hard as it is to say it uh central office has to participate. We can't just keep reducing schools staff and fact faculty and people in the school building. >> I understand >> to start looking at the whole system broadly. We can't just >> Well, I understand that and I agree wholeheartedly but I just um I understand that >> I that. >> I know what it's like working with individuals and halfway through the year you deciding they're going to have extra duties. >> And if they agree to those duties were

111able to do all that, that's what we'll bring to you. So >> But again, we're a boss in the positions before. We've got those understandings. >> you abolish it and we got to come back and bring you something that we possibly need then we'd ask you to prove that position. Any new positions that I bring to you you all approve. I don't bring anything that's not board approval that anything we change so that was brought in this memo that way. So say we get all these mutual agreements and then you don't abolish them then we got a mess. We did a lot of work and I think you hired us to or hired me to do this that lead along with this staff and I think if you look at my team of five that

112we met with we brought that's why we're bringing that to you. And I feel comfortable and very comfortable bringing that to you. So >> Can you say this position's already empty? >> They were empty yes. >> How long have they been empty? >> They were just recently resigned. Yeah, just >> Beginning of this term? >> The January 2nd I believe. >> Mhm. Last term. >> I would have with that all of the duties that are associated with these and had conversations with people about those we have and I agree with Mr. Toman that we we feel very comfortable moving forward with the the recommendation of the abolishment of these positions um based on you know what Leslie had said this earlier about our finances um you know we we want to stay fiscally sound. We

113want to stay fiscally sound. Hard to say. Um and these even though these these are hard conversations for us to have um and the adjustment of any positions are hard. You know I I do know without saying too much that my department, Leslie's department, Rosemary um and and the several people that we've talked to about these mutual agreements have been all in agreement. This is the direction they want to move forward with. >> So, what you're saying without saying too much, do you feel comfortable you've got a plan going forward? >> Absolutely. That's that's that's tough, Mr. Crawford. I'm sorry to put us in that issue, too. I know that that you want to know being a principal makes it tough for you and that >> I understand I understand both sides of this. >>

114And my service personnel is always important and I just want to make sure that >> Yes. >> And as we feel the same way. I mean, you you saying that I mean, we we don't >> Well, I understand. >> And additionally, you know, because of the time constraints with Ms. Mitchell and myself today, um we have not finalized our conversations with individuals. Our hope is to do that this week. And so, we'll have a game plan moving forward and you know, I know people have questions about things and who's going to do what and and that's natural, but we have a good game plan and and, you know, that's how we're moving forward with your approval. >> Well, if these positions stayed open, you'd be required to advertise them. All right, you can't just keep

115them on hold. >> true. >> So, there's a time issue involved. >> Correct. >> And I may have missed that also, but like I said, from the resignation, you have time to fill that. Is that what you meant mentioned? Okay, I'm sorry. >> Yeah, I thought I just I just wanted to mention that. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Well, and unfortunately, we kind of know what the numbers are and we know there's going to be some reductions in staff, so it's just a question of where do you reduce them? And again, it's it's uh It's always hard. >> And I I want I want to tell you all, too, and these are these are tough decisions that that that again that makes some people that's unhappy, but again, your all's communication also, we got to be

116protecting that as a board that you'll get that information to you. But, you know, I can't stop people from communicating with you, but we got to be careful of what information you get when you vote on those things. That's the hard part, too, of what you what you know of. So, we try to keep that in confidence so we can confidential so we can bring that to you to vote when the time comes. So, I don't know how else to say that cuz it's tough. You guys are in the community, you hear those things, we can't get out and announce everything that we'd like to, but I cannot do that and I haven't haven't in my career. So. >> That's not a problem for me because I'm just talking about I know how things work.

117And I know I know I know how things work. I can't put it any plainer than that. So, I mean, I understand that. >> Yeah. >> We do not deny the fact that you know how things work. >> [laughter] >> You do. Absolutely. And we appreciate that. >> Any change is difficult, even if we were to learn >> I I would I understand Yeah. I understand 100% with our numbers. I just the timing is what's critical, I think. >> Well, and if you might find resignations. >> Yeah. >> I and that is a great time. >> No, that wasn't our timing. That was our wasn't our choice, yeah. >> And in my career, anytime you get a resignation, that's a chance to look at something when when you don't have to affect somebody. Say we

118go ahead and post, we hire them, we ripped after changing new position, you've got that coming up in March. Then you've got the that's a tough part. So, we >> Yeah, but we have to eliminate this to do it when the seat's empty. >> Absolutely. Thank you. >> Anything else? Anybody? Then on the motion, all in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed, likewise. Are you a no? Motion carries four in favor and one opposed. Board memo number 248 is early notification of retirement incentive. I think we do this every year. West Virginia code provides for if classroom teachers notice the county board on or before March 1st that they want to retire, that they shall be paid an additional $500. We're also authorized to extend this to uh service personnel or professional employees who are

119not classroom teachers if they give written notice on before March 1st. The superintendent's recommendation is that we notify each classroom teacher, but as well include county employees who are not classroom teachers. Uh So, that would be service personnel or or all non-classroom teachers, everybody. Everybody in the county. >> Yes. >> That's the superintendent's recommendation. So, is there a motion to approve? >> Move to approve. >> Second. >> Okay, there's a motion and a second. Discussion. >> This is $500 amount. Is that our decision or is that the state? >> State. >> The state is for the state for classroom teachers, Mr. Hodges, but we're going for all. >> Yeah, that I understand. I was just thinking if the $500 were not returned, inflation has gone up. I just wondered if this was >> That was

120>> enough. >> That was set by the state unless we >> The $500 is by the state. >> Okay. That's my only question. >> All right. >> And I think in the past is with a director retired, they did not get it. Those things there, we just want to make sure all means all. So, that's what we want to clarify, bring out to you every year and uh that was our plan. That just came out from Mariah Cummings the finance, so therefore we wanted to bring it to you fast. If you got retirements, someone steps down, it's easier to look at a position than when someone retires or there's some things there. That's why they put that in when you're looking at reduction in forces and terminations and all those things. That's the incentive why

121they put that in to entice somebody that makes it easier on you all board members and myself and we have to vote on those things. >> How effective is it? I mean if you go on retirement you get 500. >> It's been effective enough to share with personnel and doing all means all to some people said well if I did if I I'm going to wait last minute and do it cuz after riffing transfer I'll wait till June 25th and the 30th is my last day. You sometimes get those kind of resignations also. >> Yeah. >> The thing that the the thing that >> [clears throat] >> when you need to I mean most as far as retirement's going most of us have a pretty good plan on when we're going to retire. So if

122you can make an extra another 500 bucks hey. >> Yeah. I know. >> I mean that's almost like a no-brainer. >> And additionally that helps us with staffing. >> And believe me I know how things work. >> I do not disagree. But it helps us with staffing [clears throat] to know also so that we don't end up cutting a position. >> That's exactly the reason we have this carrot is to grease wheels till we can get things going. >> Exactly. >> Uh the last action item on the agenda well it's not because we deferred one but the personnel is in board memo 249. You should have an updated personnel >> Mhm. >> No we haven't voted yet. >> No we do not. >> Got a motion. >> for tech board memo 248 retirement incentive volunteer

123>> on the same item. >> Those likewise that means it carries five in favor and none opposed. Now we'll go to board memo number 249 which is personnel. Should have had a modified >> Yeah. >> personnel agenda that was brought to you before the board meeting. There were a couple positions they can go through applications. Is that right Dr. Bell? Okay. So is there a motion to approve the the personnel agenda? >> So moved. >> There's a second. Motion and a second. Questions, comments, or discussion. Desire to go into executive session. Then on the motion, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> All opposed likewise. Motion carries five in favor and none opposed. Is that for the record? We did. We did. Talked about it. We talked about this stuff earlier on,

124so So we're good. >> Hello Mr. Atkins, anything new today? >> Uh really we're just nearing completion of the new HVAC at the auditorium at people high school. Uh we were able to over New Year's to get the steam leaks repaired under the main building here and in the welding shop. So they don't have a steam room in their office anymore here. Uh the the ladies the lady the secretaries are very happy. Um but no, they things are going well and um yeah, we are doing some some moving around central office and sprucing things up and getting ready for spring. >> Cool. Somebody what is the time frame on construction on our new project? We Do we Where do we go next in terms of I mean I know we've got to get the architects

125involved and all the plans. I'm just curi- curious more about the time frames than I am about the actual ground work. >> So the grant was issued over 2 years. So they and we know it will take 2 years to complete this process as well. So I think we get about $5 million the first year if I'm not mistaken. So >> 48. >> Four and then five. I couldn't remember exactly. Um so we just hired >> amount of agreement that we have that we received today, I can email the board if they want to see that if that's something that we just got by the SBA the sign agreements that Mr. Prudy signed and it has that about Zach Mouse on it. I think it's a first it only has the first piece though I

126think on that if I recall looking at that document. >> you're exactly right. >> have the >> Yeah, and actually I think I have that with me somewhere but at any rate we have not um moved forward. I was waiting on the new director of purchasing. She started last week. So we'll get started selecting an architect. It will take a couple of months. Would love to get started um by the spring. I don't know if we can but that that will be our goal is to get started to start the bidding process and have that ready to roll by the spring. >> [snorts] >> Okay. Well the reason being is because of the way the money comes and because of the local contribution um and because I think we all are aware there's asbestos in

127this building. It's contained but it's there. And that means that building's going to have to be sealed up while it's being renovated. Um we might want to get the new building built before we start renovating the old structure so we can move things over. >> Absolutely. That's a great idea. >> That way we can move things over and then that's not permanent. It's just get them over there while we're renovating. Get the renovation done then put everything where it belongs at that point. >> That's a great idea and that's probably what we'll do. We'll develop the program of spaces first which indicates which is basically our blueprint for the architect to tell them what we want and that's a great idea. We'll start that committee soon. Um uh we we actually talked about we've picked

128the the committee that will select the architect. We'll we'll get that advertised and started within the next 2 weeks. >> Good. Just I was just curious cuz I know the SBA has timelines that you have to meet. Um and that's uh neither here nor there but that's you know okay. Thank you. >> Hopefully this will be a model for many places in the state. Because I mean It's just um We all hear about AI and I AI. I've been doing some things on the AI. Let me tell you, it's not what that I found four or five mistakes from AI just in the last week or so. >> yeah, it's it's what you use it for and determining whether it's useful or not, right? >> And um But uh It it Now, I'm just really

129excited about it. I think that um it's going to be a service to our students and I think that uh it's a service that's needed in our community and just like the the Carhartt situation, you know, that may be pie in the sky, but hey you eat an elephant one bite at a time, so maybe we can get something going. Yeah, absolutely. How many of you remember the Maxton plant? >> I do. >> Any family that worked there >> Yeah, my mother. >> Yeah, so it's it's a it We just we got to we got to find ways to to convince businesses that they need to be here. And we can provide them with employees that they need. >> I I would I would say [clears throat] that and you know this, the school's already

130a model, it's just a matter of getting the building up to be a model. >> I think you nailed it right there. >> Well said. >> I think we need to and and more space to do more things. I know that that I think the e-sports is kind of tight, isn't it? >> [snorts] >> Yeah, yeah. Uh and that program is just going to grow from what I can tell. Uh so, you know, we got to be smart and and use our space and and uh >> [snorts] >> this new building's going to make a huge difference. I I just uh I'm I'm with you. I'm I'm excited about it and I can't wait to see the end result, so good deal. Is there any other anything else? Mr. Filer? >> No, sir. >> All

131right, then. I need a motion for a You were You were trying to >> He was trying to jump ahead. >> You don't get to adjourn. >> Motion for executive session, and is there a second? Uh all in favor signify by saying aye. >> Aye. >> Opposed likewise. We're going to go into executive session where we sit, so we're going to ask everybody to leave with the exception of uh >> I had to deal with it. >> We're back from executive session. We discussed the personnel matter that it's about to come before the board in in open session now. This is board memo number 245 that we deferred on pending that that executive session. Mr. Tyman, would you make your recommendation, please? >> Yes, sir, President Pruitt. I recommend Stephen Clawer Clawers from the maintenance

132department be suspended 3 days without pay. Those days would be December 5th, December 8th, and December 9th of 2025 that that employee already agreed to for violation employee code of conduct and he agreed to that and I just asked for your approval of that suspension. >> All right. Is there a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> So motion and a second. Any discussion? There appearing to be none on the motion. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed likewise. That motion carries five in favor and none opposed. There is no other items or matters to come before the board. >> Okay. >> I second that motion. >> It may be done but Rosemary was encouraging me to go back there and take some of

133the good apple pie home. And so I'm encouraging you if you want to steal that doggone want to take some food. >> You want to go? >> I move we adjourn. >> Is there any objection? And we are adjourned. Goodnight everyone.