001I've tore up the shop in the last week. >> Good afternoon. It is 6 o'clock. It is December 8th, 2025. The Mer County Board of Education is in regular session. Uh there were earlier uh special sessions for student disciplinary matters. Those have been resolved and we're now ready to go in regular session. So we will do the pledge. 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. We had some board recognitions this evening, but due to the weather, which is abysmal out there. Um although it was a really beautiful snow, it is messed up the roads. We don't have any this evening. So, we'll roll into the superintendent's opening remarks. >> Yes,
002President Purich. Sorry about my voice a little bit, but just want to give a good shout out to uh Bluefield High School Beaver football team state runner up from Saturday and our class AAA state champion Princeton Tigers. Um, I was up at both games and just what amazing atmosphere and representation from our community, staff, um, the kids after the Princeton win, the announcer said, "Nobody's allowed on the field." And he said, "Um, now you can release the Tigers." And that was I got I got bone chills. It was nuts. >> It was nuts. And anybody was there and and witnessed that, it it was a little scary, but it was it was it was pretty impressive. But uh we'll do some recognitions and uh coming up um we'll bring those state champions in here and
003u in in the coming days. So there's some things going on. Also uh we had our last Mike Mlanahan training today. We have our small group coming up next week that I state that in there Wednesday the 17th uh administrators meeting, West Virginia Association School Administrators meeting in Ogleby. Uh that will be uh Wednesday, Thursday. and then the the uh the membership meeting on Friday. Then they'll head back that way home. Our administrator's meeting is cancelled for the 11th. U SBA selection date Monday the 15th. Uh John Shot has asked any news yet. I told him we haven't the 15th, but that's up at the lottery building. Uh I think nine o'clock. Uh I think last year I texted you guys about 10:15. I had an answer. Um, and then again, this group's got me
004in the corner and said, "Begged you that if you could request the board to only have one meeting in December, and uh that would cancel the next meeting in the in the coming days. If we need something for personnel or expulsion or something, I'd get a hold of you, Mr. P. >> We could Yeah, we could we could do one on a on a morning or something if we needed to. >> I was I was possibly looking at a at a hearing that day, but that has done resolved. So, we're we're good right now. It looks pretty good. And we got a small agenda this time. So that's >> Well, that's Christmas week, so it's it's best not to have it there. >> That's awesome. >> Unless we need it. >> Everybody's in the pool.
005Anyway, >> it's faculty senate. Uh Mr. Bailey, tell them put your speaker on and ask that one more time. >> Faculty s let let the people hear you. >> I'm just curious. We're in the kids aren't in school, but everybody else is that Monday. >> And it's six o'clock at night. We're just hoping to get ready to I'm sure your wife wants you to go shopping. >> Got to get ready for Santa Claus. Everybody knows some assembly required. >> So I'm baj Thank you. That's that's the only uh information. We got a little brief 2322 information. Uh okay. >> And then we'll roll. >> Right. There's no citizens input this evening. So we will go to policy 2322. Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay, we've given you copies of several things there. Um, it's regarding
006our CSI schools and I just wanted to share copies of that with you all and explain a little bit more about the process and also the funding. We did have a training in Morgantown last week. It was a required training for the the principles. Um Amber Ree as our school improvement coach and uh the the leadership teams that were selected at the schools. So that was a required training and of course we can cover the expenses of those types of trips with the budget you see. So I will start just with that page that says CSI funding alignment tool at the top. And this is something we've been waiting for since we found out um in the fall that we had some schools. And of course we knew that Mercer and Straley, they're in what's
007called year four and that's the year of sustainability. So they're exiting the CSI process. And uh the color for that designation is green. And you can see they have a much reduced budget, but that's just for them to be able to do a continuation of some of the types of things that they have done over the last three years. Mercer's budget is 20,754.64 and Straley's budget is $16,4759. And those budgets are just like any federal programs budget. They have to be entered in detail in the GPS system. And so Mrs. Refe and I will work with these principles, get them in the office to get those budgets entered. Bluefield Intermediate and Mountain Valley are new schools that have been identified, which I'll explain a little bit more about that in a minute. Um, not that
008we haven't already talked about it, but we have something to go by with more information. Um, both of their budgets are $85,000 um, and some change. And again, we don't know if that amount will be the same in the in the following years. And the state doesn't either because they don't know what their federal budgets will be in the in the future years. But we did have similar budgets with the last designation. >> Before you go on, are you going to tell us the ideas of how that money is used later? >> Yeah, we Well, >> I don't want to throw you off if that's what you're planning on doing. >> Yeah, I am, but we don't have a whole lot of those answers yet. We'll we'll talk a little bit about that, but yeah,
009that's a great question. Okay, because our first question was how much? And then, uh, the bigger question is, you know, what we're going to do with it. And so I wanted to start with that because we know Blueford Intermediate is uh the multi-racial subgroup and then Mountain Valley is is the special education subgroup. And you can see at the bottom of that page, it has some guiding questions to Mr. Prudich's question. Um you know based on your needs assessment, what are the priorities and supporting data to justify why you would spend the money? Um that's a plan that is developed with that leadership team and then we are going to work with that uh myself and more so Mrs. Wright. She is our school improvement coach and that is a new um designation with with
010this round of CSI. We did not have that last time. That's someone that's going to receive additional training and work with them. So what they will primarily focus on is how can they benefit the subgroup that they're identified for, but also how can those benefits help the entire school. >> So for somebody that might be listening, the the school is a CSI school based on one subgroup, not the entirety of the school. Correct. >> That is correct. And for for more detail in many situations, they identify these schools by federal law every three years. The last year was 22 and then the 2025 designation is what we're talking about now. Both of these schools with the new designations uh with Mountain Valley, they've grown all of those years as a school in reading and math.
011Bluefield Intermediate has grown some of those years, but not all in ELA and math. So, as a school, it's not a reflection of the whole school, but it is a reflection of a subgroup, which is a nice segue into the next page. just says the identification of schools and it has the charts. You can see the red well most of you can see the red and yellow at the bottom. Um this one right here, Mr. Guthrie, the the other one has a chart, but this explains that how the designation works. And I wanted um you all can look at it in more detail um on your own. If you have additional questions, let us know. But if you can see down at the bottom, there are three categories. And we've talked a little bit about
012this in the past and and we as Mercer County Schools ask a lot of questions and the state department did a great job answering those questions directly to us and then I feel like as a result of some of those questions they answered them to the whole state when we're in Morgantown. So it explains how this process works that uh a school's identified. So you can see category one is when you have a school that's doesn't mean on anything. They're red across the board and they said that is uh this this day and age is very rare. I think historically they were able to identify 5 percent. That's the requirement. Um it's 5% of your title one funded schools. So if you're not a title one school, you cannot be CSI. So that in in
013our district or others, there may be schools that are lower performing, but if they're not a CSI uh title one school, they can't be CSI because that's where the funding comes from, at least not a a funded CSI school, one of the reds. Category two is where they does not meet their red in an achievement indicator and they're either red or yellow in attendance. If they can't get to the 5% with those two methods, then they move to category three, which is what they did because, and I think that's a good testimony to the schools in our state, that if you can identify 5% using those first two methods, then you go to category three, which is does not meet, and they compare an average of all the academic indicators from 2022 to 2025. So,
014if you flip on the back, it has our specific data. And I'm going to do Mountain Valley first, and you'll you'll know why in a minute. So, for Mountain Valley, it's the children with disabilities subgroup, and it shows your ELA and math, and they average all of that. So, in 2022, you can see it was 31.5% and in 2025, it was 30%. And so they actually went down one and a half% in their average of all the academic achievement indicators. 22 compared to 25. They don't compare all three-year average. It's 22 to 25 >> just two years. >> Actually, yes, it's it's but it's an average of all the indicators. Yeah, Mr. Garby, that's a good question because I didn't understand that either. I thought it was all of those years, but it's just 22
015to 25. But then I left Blue Intermediate because you can see for theirs in 22 they were 42 um.2 and then in 25 to 42.1 so.1% drop is what put them as a CSI school. Um and as discouraging as that may be you can also get off of CSI with a 0.1 or less actually if it even indicates a growth from 25 to 28 then they'll be off. So, these are some really um good answers and there's more detail on that that we won't read all of it, but that really helps us understand the identification process better than I than than we definitely than we did in 2022. >> I don't understand the math. So, it's an average, right? So, math was 37 and 49 at Blueoot Intermediate and then there's yellow over here that
016says 47.6. What is that all about? I that is the uh the growth >> because neither one of those numbers are that high. That's what's throwing me off. >> Right. That is and I think they there was no growth on the other and I'd have to ask that specific question because I see what you're saying there. But I think that when you have growth to measure it goes into the average. >> Okay. >> Because sometimes you don't have any growth at all. That doesn't like if you didn't have any kids. Growth growth means there's an interval. >> They have to move up at least one interval. We've talked about how the colors are divided in thirds, >> right? >> And so I had a principal that thought they had grown because they have 40 kids
017in a sale and 35 of them grew, but they didn't. >> They didn't they didn't grow enough. You have to move up in intervals. So we're we've spent time on that in the past. We're going to spend time on that again in January so that they understand exactly how much, you know, that's what the data notebooks are for. That's what the goal setting is for by student, by class is so that they grow at least one interval. And that's true grades three through eight. >> Well, it says those categories are ELAP and math P with a period after. What is the P? >> I think that's progress. >> Okay. All right. >> Which is growth. And then the first one is the actual proficiency. >> Okay. Um, other questions about that and again it is
018complicated. I understand that this is closer than we've been. Um, I did include two other things I just wanted to share that you know everything with improvement is based on the the standards for effective schools which is something that we focused on for the last several years and then the building blocks of effective schools. We pulled this in um a couple of years ago through CSI and uh with the Blue Well uh group and what they focused on last week was the foundational standards. Those are at the bottom with standard one clear and focused mission four is positive safe environment and seven is family and community. So they really talked about that because when you're talking about what are we going to spend the money on, you know, then you look at what your needs
019are and how you can do those things. And at least with one of the schools, their concerns about family and community uh relationships and how they can support that. And I did include one of the activities and I won't read that to you, but you can look at it's kind of a uh a way to reflect and review practices on your clear and focused mission because one thing they said is everyone should be able to say your mission statement for a school. Like kids should be able to say it. Everyone should be able to say what are what what are we trying to do? And if they can't then it's too long or it's the wrong mission. So they're going to work on that and that was just an activity that each school did. So,
020it was it was a very good conference. Um, they give you a lot of flexibility. Our um person that's assigned to our county is Michelle Moore Leftwitch. Um, I've known her for a very long time. She's very talented and knowledgeable in school improvement. She's worked in Mercer County before. Michelle. >> Yeah. Michelle does a very good job. And so, um, I'm I'm very pleased that we will have her and then the things that and direction she provides that will help us with all of all of our CSI schools. So be beyond these these four that are the funded schools, we have the yellow schools in which um Amy's I don't know. Amy, are you behind me? >> Amy and I talked the other day about getting them scheduled for LSIC presentations in January, maybe into
021February. So we have the the yellow schools means you're kind of on watch with the 25 year and then 28 and they'll be looking at that average or or other indicators. So I think there's four elementary and four secondary. So, Miss Mitchell and I have talked about those and what those requirements are on some things. >> Sure. Questions. >> All right. >> Um, a whole lot of what Thank you. A whole lot of what Dr. Ekins was just talking about um will apply to secondary as well. However, we have not had any meetings yet as on a secondary level. Um, I asked if I was invited to the meeting he went to, but I wasn't. They said that it was um, mainly the schools that were CSI, which were the elementary schools that are involved
022with Title One. So, I'm hoping they're going to come around for more with us. But, but right now, I can say Dr. Atkins has shared with me anything he can as he gets information. Um, and we are looking at in particularly Blue Middle and Montcom High School. Um so that we in their strategic plans we have to include a plan of improvement to show what we're doing and they are on watch uh Montcoms is because of the special ed and bluefield is the special ed and African-American. Um so we are doing right now in the secondary the mastery prep middle of the year I already we've just finished so we're waiting on those scores that will give us some more information as to where we are right now. I'm anxious to work with Michelle. Um,
023we've talked on the phone a couple times and we're going to take that data and I think she's going to help me understand better how we need to move forward with the LSIC's because that's the big thing is that we're not putting this on a shelf and you know they they do it at the beginning of the year and then we don't look at it again. It's what can we do to keep it a working document. Um, and yes, with the instructional rounds and it'll be the same thing with us. Um, we also have um an opportunity, we're hoping to work with Hitachi and Nike. Um, Hitachi, Mike Mlanahan actually brought that information to us after we had that lead lead to leader >> lift lift to lead um over at the >> guest there
024and presented card. So Mike was involved >> and well he he's the one who had told me that today that he said make sure you get with her again and I said well we have we've talked she wants to meet after we come back after um Christmas break and part possibly do a partnership with us where they can help us with some things we can help them and bring some um bring some business into our area. And also um while we were at the ball games Saturday, we had a representative that's with Nike and then media coverage and he wanted to know if we'd be interested in sitting down with them to look at Mercer County maybe partnering to some degree. So hopefully in January we're going to have a couple new business partners that
025we can bring on board that um we're looking forward to that too. And then um we're of course the attendance, you know, that's something we look at every month and we are still improving. There was a little um slack in a couple of them this time, but I think it's because the the principles have not yet gone back and cleaned up. So, once they look at it, I know Danielle said hers was going to be better as soon as she was able to go through and um look at her absences. Uh Mandy has been doing incentives with the schools and then they've let us know what they're doing to to get the kids there to try to help with the attendance. Russell couldn't be here tonight. So, next board meeting when they can both discuss
026what they've been what they're doing and what type of results they've seen because of it. Um, they'll share that and and certainly we have seen some results. Uh, and Mandy and Russell and Mr. Toman and I have been talking to Intellis Park. Um, they have some really good attendance programs that they're using in other parts of the state. We right now are just in that point of they're sending us the sandbox type thing where we can go in and look at it and play with it and see if it's something we could use. But it's it's truly for motivation and incentive and that type of thing. But, you know, that holds the kids accountable and holds the schools accountable. So, we're we're pleased with that. >> But is that probably after the semester a good
027time or >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> I mean, absolutely. them. But I think >> absolutely absolutely >> the data to look at. >> Yes, because Mandy and Russell are working hard on that right now. >> I was thinking >> we're good with that. >> Got a nice update on the data wall too that shows the improvement that happened from last year. Yeah, we >> it is data there. >> I see. >> So my suggest is after Miss Mitchell's done then Mandy can give us the >> Yeah, she they have done a nice job trying to collect everything and they've shared quite a bit with me. So yeah, we can do that and then we can definitely do after semester we can look at it a little closer. Um so I'll let Mandy take over for
028that part. >> Mrs. Harrison had it on social media not long ago that did you see that? >> I saw that. Yeah. >> I will note I I I read an article about three weeks ago and there is a school district paying students that don't miss class $500 a month. >> Oh boy. >> Wow. >> And their attendance has skyrocketed. >> And it's it's no it's there's no requirements to the money. It's just here's your $500. Got to have a good time. >> Thank you. >> I don't know what they're buying with it, but apparently attendance skyrocketed. And of course I'm like somebody's got more money than cents, I think. But but it's interesting that there are mot there are things that will motivate. >> I don't think we can afford $500 a month. But
029>> just some highlights here. If you look at the top of the page, the monthtomonth from 2024 to 2025, uh even though uh I think the goal was set for for a 2% increase uh or decrease in chronic absenteeism, we are far exceeding that. Um we have from 2024 the 29% to 18, October 17 to 11 and November 18 to13. So, we are making really big strides in um combating chronic absenteeism with our students. Uh some of the ways that we're doing that is we have the strive for five uh campaign. We're trying to get as much of that mess messaging out there as possible to make sure that kids are striving for five. And we want that to be from kindergarten when they start all the way through for that to be the message
030that they have um about the importance of being in school. Uh community business partners, we've been out taking pictures and putting up signage with our community. Um, Mercer Street got a visit last week where um, you know, they put up a bunch of signs all up and down Mercer Street and, uh, also the department, uh, DHHR. We've got signage at DHHR. Our next step, Russell's working on getting all three of the judges, circuit court judges together to take a picture with them, put with our signage about striving for five. Um, of course, I wanted to mention the district-wide exam exemption. Uh, that is something that I think that if when you talk to principles, they'll say that that is helping. And so, I think we're going to see a difference with that. And then on
031your second page, there's just a list of some things that you probably have seen on social media that um uh some of the schools are doing. Bluefield Middle School is doing a great job. They've got their teachers dancing and singing and it's they've they've done some really great videos. Princeton Middle has their 12 days of Christmas. Um Pipe View, they Pipe View Middle also they've got things going on all month to make sure that uh kids see this month as valuable even though it's a short month. Um, Pike View High is doing a 12 days of attendance giveaway and they gave away their first gift card last week and so they're doing some fun stuff over there. Um, and then I I think I think the culmination there uh if you know if you've been
032there every day this month, you get a very big prize. So, or you're put in the bucket to get a big prize. Um they have a pledge wall at Bluefield High School about being present and um how important it is to be at school. And then Glennwood also has messaging out there about and they have a Christmas spirit week to encourage students to come to school. So, um, with everybody working together, I think that we have, um, the reason to say that our numbers have changed from last year to this year and that this campaign is working and that we'll continue to work through it all the way through the spring. >> Questions? >> Thank you so much. All right, then we'll move on to our business, which is the first is the minutes for
033approval. You will note there are four minutes for approval. We do not have the November 17 or November 21st minutes available because of our snow days. So, we're only going to be approving the minutes from November 5 and November 10 of 2025. Is there a motion to approve? >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> There's a motion and a second. Any additions, corrections, or deletions? And on the motion, all in favor signify by saying I. Opposed, likewise. That motion carries. Five in favor and none opposed. The only old old business on the agenda is board amendment number 199, which is a second reading of policy IO8, the Mercer County Esports Policy. This is a new policy. No comments were received. Superintendent recommends approval. Is there a motion to approve? >> Move to approve. >>
034Second. >> And there's a motion and a second. Questions, comments, or discussion? There appearing to be none on the motion. All in favor signify by saying I. I. I oppose. Likewise, that motion carries, five in favor and none opposed. Under the consent agenda, board a memo number 209 is Bluefield State University's request for placement of students for a v variety of classroom observation courses in the spring of 26 contingent upon the appropriate forms, acceptable background check, and the university site supervisor superintendent recommends approval. Board amendment number 210 is license additions. Uh this is for math, ELA, science, and social studies for students and teachers who were not included in the original license renewal. Uh the total cost of the upgrade is 16,975 using a TIPS cooperative contract and they will be renewed through September 12
035and 26. Superintendent recommends approval of purchase of upgraded EXL licenses for students and teachers. The funding is the 21st century grant, technology grant. Board amendment number 211 is tools for school student laptop refresh. It's time to replace some laptops. So the director of technology is seeking authorization to purchase 887 Lenovo 10W student laptops for grades 2, six, and 10. This is to ensure that devices are being replaced on a four-year cycle. The cost of each device is 280. The cost of replacement of these devices is $287,350 using tools for schools grant. It's purchased through a zones utilizing a state contract. Uh superintendent recommends approval of the purchase and this purchase is contingent upon receiving the funding from tools for schools. Board amendment number 212 is donation of bus 589. Uh, under policy D04, article 5
036section 3B, the board may donate surplus board property to charitable or other non-county activities when appropriate. Uh, the office of emergency management um has inquired about a bus being donated for Mercer County first responders. Uh, this is a bus we can no longer use and it will be utilized for fire, EMS, and police departments training. Superintendent recommends the donation. Board number 213 is renewal of college contracts for placement of students for clinical experience in fiscal year 2527. These agreements with college and universities established the responsibilities relating to the placement of student observers andor student teaching candidates for their clinical experiences in Mer County schools during that 25 to 27 fiscal year. The placements again are pending that student background checks site supervisor and appropriate forms being made. The colleges in this renewal are Bluefield State
037University for counseling placements and New River Community and Technical College. Superintendent recommends approval. The last action item on the consent agenda is board member number 214, which is a payment of invoices for the month of November. Uh you have available to you. Those uh invoices, the checks have been written are being held in the office of treasury pending consideration by the school board. Superintendent recommends approval. Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda? same second. >> Okay, there's a motion and a second. >> Questions, comments, or discussion? >> Daniel said he had he had policy questions, but I'm okay. Is that how much? Well, you know, that's what happens when you >> let private schools in and they really mess up because the private schools, they're not monitored the way public schools are monitored.
038I'm just being honest to the public here. And then they get hit with massive, massive amounts of judgments for behavior that's inappropriate and probably would have been caught in a public school with more monitoring. Um, and now they're hitting everybody. It almost broke. It almost broke Bri. Almost broke. So, anything else on the consent agenda? >> Oh, I'm sorry I cut the speaker off. Um, the buses. Just quickly tell us about the bus. >> The the donation of the bus for donation is bus 589. It's a special need for us to remove the running gear out of the bus. We remove the motor class on the school bus. I know the last 30 years we've never done one and I feel that that would be a good thing for a good educational fire and police
039department in case of an accident or disaster that they would be able to have the experience to know what we >> That's great. That's great. Well, do you know where they're going to put it? I we haven't got that far into Mr. >> Go from there. Okay. All right. Well, that's great. That's wonderful. Working together making sure our kids are safe. We appreciate it. We appreciate it. >> All right. So, consent agenda. >> Well, that was that was a different Yeah, we we'll we'll we'll talk about it. But >> on the consent agenda, are there any other questions or comments? >> Then all in favor signify by saying I. I oppose. Likewise. That motion carries. Five in favor and none opposed. Just in a brief conversation here between myself and Mr. Toman, the the uh
040teacher that is our esports coach uh does in fact have some comments. And so what I'm going to ask is that the board members be provided those comments post hearing or post meeting. We can review them and we can always come back if we want to adapt the agenda because we need to we need to see them before we can really think about it. >> Email to you then. Is that >> Yeah, we just email them. It's fine. Just so we get them so we can look at them and then if it raises issues that the board feels like we need to bring the policy back, we can do that. >> Okay. Thank you, sir. >> Thank you. All right. Additional business. Uh board member number 215 is director of purchasing professional accountant. Uh our
041director and professional accountant resigned effective 11725. The position was paid at a mast's 15. Uh that position is recommended to be dissolved and replaced with a director of purchasing professional accountant. This relates to the managing of complex financial responsibilities that require specialized knowledge and technical expertise. Uh the department continually receives additional responsibilities and project requests. Uh the treasurer has worked with the the state department's office of finance to analyze the headcount in finance, payroll, business office purchasing, comparing uh the number of people working in the finance department with other counties of similar size and they deemed us not to be overstaffed by filling this position. Accordingly, the superintendent recommends the board authorize the posting and filling of a director of account and professional accountant necessary to maintain compliance with policy 23:22 and complete the goals
042of board and superintendent regarding facility improvements, MIP's, needs, projects, and maintaining necessary internal controls. Is there a motion to approve? >> Second. Okay. >> All right. So, there's a motion and a second discussion. I don't have any discussion. I recognize it that that in finance you need people that are that are deemed uh with the appropriate educational background and skills, but we've eliminated another service position and I'm I'm not thrilled that we continue to do that. So, we need to be mindful of that as we move forward. But again, in this instance, I understand it. It >> that is not That was a professional. >> Okay. All right. >> My mistake. >> Well, thanks for that, but that's really all it's doing is just replacing the job and then pass on. >> Okay. All right.
043Because you are you have been the purchasing agent. >> Yes. >> Which is too much, right? >> That I understand. There was a service position that we did eliminate. Did is that am I not correct about that? >> That was Sarah Boot's position that she held that service. >> Okay. I thought we had >> but it was also filled by a service person who went to the professional. So >> Okay. >> I got it was great for the service person who went to professional. >> I got it. I understand. >> And and to keep in mind how many we over service and professional? >> 85. >> That's That's that's but that's >> but that's that 261 thing that's biting us on that's that's biting us >> and and I um this is well and I
044had that conversation also. So that's everything that has to be looked at this spring. So right that's >> actually he he did he actually reviewed it thoroughly before I submitted it and and challenged it. But at this point, um, especially if we, um, continue growing and improving our facilities, we need to replace this position. It might be titled differently, but it's still doing the same work. We're just shifting buckets around. >> Well, again, I don't think we'd ever had a treasurer that was also the director of purchasing before. I think you kept the position as you moved in. >> That's exactly what I did. >> That I understand. And again, >> kind of going back to what it was before. I'm I'm not disagreeing with the idea that you need people with accounting backgrounds in
045finance. Uh uh that I totally understand. I just want to be mindful that that we do have service personnel that that >> Believe me, we're getting very mindful. So, I promise you that, sir. So, it's going to be it's going to be ugly. And uh that's that's tough. And I don't mean to say that on the record, but I do need to say that on the record. It is tough. And we got to look at that. >> Well, I mean, we're going to lose about three million. Is that the the number that we know is about 3 >> 288 85 kids and you look at $6 to $8,000 a kid. I mean, what what do you got to do? So, those are tough decisions. That's going to be on you all that the state's watching
046us like crazy. And then again, that's that's the tough part. That usually gets a superintendent in trouble locally and and it's tough, but I've been there. I'm the guy that can do it and I'm comfortable with that with you all. So, >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> All right. the we've got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? And on the motion, all in favor sign by saying I >> I oppose. Likewise, that motion carries five in favor and none opposed. Last action item on the agenda is board member number 216, which is the personnel agenda. >> There was an updated one you should have received today relating to resignations. Right there, right? Any desire to go executive session? >> There appearing to be none. Is there a motion? >> I'll take the second
047one. >> Okay. >> No. >> Jim and then me. >> Jim and Jinda. Yeah. Any discussion? >> Go ahead. >> On the uh buses, the new training session. Did I see that right? um with substitutes or did I look on the very last page? Substitute service >> employment, right? >> Yeah. So, >> page six. >> Help me out. What >> these are positions that were not filled? No, these are substitutes that are getting class. >> Okay. >> So, aids and uh two operators. Is that >> operator? Okay, I got you. I just noticed it was pretty large number of people. >> Okay. >> Good. Anything else? Then on the motion, all in favor signify by saying I. >> I opposed. Likewise, that motion carries. Five in favor and none opposed. For discussion purposes, let me
048get back to where I need to be. Me just a second. There are two policies that we've talked about that I want to put on for discussion purposes and then see if we want to move forward. And as you all recognize or remember, we had a the the superintendent issued a directive that people were not to record meetings. Um and uh after consideration, it's it's thought that perhaps we need to have a policy in place. So the board it's got the force and effect of the board's decision. Uh, but you're also dealing with a plaintist lawyer who thinks there are times when you should be allowed to record. But I also think if you're going to record, you should lay the recording on the table and say, "I'm recording the meeting." I don't think you
049should do it serendipitous. You shouldn't do it secretly. Um, can you legally do it secretly? Uh, >> the law says you can, but employers also have the right to say you can't >> with with personnel with certain students mentioned. because of the uniqueness of the school system, right? Because a child's name may come up. >> Yes, sir. >> You may have cross conversations about personnel and those are all protected by federal and state law. So, what this policy, the intent of the policy is to set out the rules about how it can be done, when it can be done, the appropriate use. And uh that's why it's a long policy because it's not simple or easy to do something like this. It does allow for permit recording, but it requires that that be announced and
050that the recording device be laid for the group. Uh it allows it only in certain circumstances primarily relating to um actions regarding performance, disciplinary actions, investigations regarding discipline, suspension, transfer or termination. Uh any meeting that could reasonably result in adverse employment. Uh, and of course it it includes a lot of lawyers speak about what can and can't be used and what it means and why. So, it's something to look at and whether we want to stay with what we've got or we want to move forward to something a little more um policy driven >> and the request would to bring you a draft for the January meeting to put out on a comment period and do that, right? Well, that's kind of what I'm Yeah. looking at the board to see if that's their >>
051what they wish >> their desire. >> Is this the current >> No, this we don't have >> we don't have a we have a we have a directive from the superintendent right now. >> And that's a draft to go off of to create a policy for you that was provided. >> And then the second one relates to it's called advertising on county property. But the primary one, the primary one relates to when the association can speak to or discuss uh business with uh members membership and uh again it needs to be clarified in policy. So it's so it's very clear and everybody's operating under the same set of rules. Um and that would include insurance companies and everybody else. you know, we need to we need to apply the same rules to everybody. There are
052instances where the associations need to be able to speak to someone and the only convenient time for the teacher might be a planning period. Um, uh, so you need to, you know, always need to give people some wiggle room to to manage their affairs. And again, being an attorney, you know, we need to make sure that people have their opportunities to do the things they need to do regarding their um profession, their employment, and those kind of things. So, that's that's where this is coming from. >> What do you want us >> the faces? Well, I just do we need to move forward with this, I guess, is the idea. >> We don't have anything We don't have anything straightforward. >> If we don't have anything that is straightforward right now, then I think it's
053in everyone's best interest. That way um everyone that wants to have access to the schools regardless of whether it who it who it is they know what the policy is and the principles know they can share with the individual or the company individual and then there's no questions asked or there shouldn't be any confusion. I think we've done we've done things like this, but it's I don't know if it bleed over from other counties, but I when I would have businesses want to do these sort of things, they would ask what my perimeters as a building level principle what I wanted them to do, >> right? >> And it was kind of up to me to make sure that they did it. And actually, every now and then you'd have to go out like a
054shepherd and >> tell them you can't be over here, right? You can't be over here, right? do that because some teachers if they don't want to have contact then I can understand that with their business day. So I think it's a good idea to move forward. >> Okay. >> I didn't realize we didn't have it. It's just something that as a building level principle you have to deal with. >> Okay. And then we'll be looking for looking for them here shortly. U administrative updates. Let Leslie go first because Leslie has to go to the parade. >> The the street's blocked off anyway. I don't know how you're going to get there. >> Anyone? Mr. Atkins, anybody that >> I will say, can I >> I will say that we did submit the request to FEMA
055um Thursday night. So, they have everything that they need to make their decision. It the total project came in a little over $3 million. So, we're waiting on them. and that included the information that um Mr. Gau gave us that we have to bring the wastewater treatment plant up to code etc. So we're just waiting on FEMA now. >> What's the what's the most expensive part of the project? Is it the wastewater >> that it's the pier or the pier? >> The pier from the time um I I will have to say Thompson and Linton especially Joe PAC I'm going to give them kudos. They jumped in and helped us tremendously. We had just done that bid and Mr. Atkins and I had met with them and then we had to Sun Valley was our
056pro primary problem with with their wastewater issue, but um they jumped in and the cost of that plant when we installed it in 2015, which doesn't seem like it was 10 years ago, but it has been um was $150,000. It's closer to 550 now. Construction costs have jump climbed that much. So that was 550. The wall was about 550. The building side that flooded was about a million and and so like well actually it was a little bit under the 960 for the other side. So it just the flooded side ended up being maybe 3 730 something like that. >> What were the peers? >> The peers are 960 now. >> Okay. That was the number you Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. And then on the side that flooded we have to bring that up to
057code. So, how do they >> in certain areas? >> Do they this is a technical question you may not be able to answer, but but do they drill in the classroom, put a pier under it? I mean, how do you put a pier in a building that already exists on >> outside on the outside of the structure >> and and support the the foundations there? >> How does it help the middle of the structure? >> Well, it's the outside that's falling. >> Oh, it's falling like this. It's falling. I thought we were doing I thought we were doing this. I think sinking. >> No, it's the walls. >> Okay. All right. I knew there were cracks in the walls, but there's also a crack through the >> and that's caused the slabs to to shift.
058>> Okay. >> So, >> that that there's there no major issues or rough, you know, height differences that would cause cause some we'll have to prevent further and and that was some caulking and things like that. >> Okay. >> All right. Thank you. Anything else from anybody else? Okay. And on behalf of the board, I would like since we're not going to meet again this year, I'd like to wish everybody a wonderful >> and uh special familyfilled holiday season. Enjoy lots of food and friendship and and uh make sure you go to church and and uh >> not supposed to do that, but I'm doing it anyway. Um >> uh and that's the reason for the season, as they say, and and really have a great holiday season. Don't let the weather detour you. Remember,
059we live in the mountains. This is part of living in the mountains. We don't live on the beach. So, it gets cold and it's snowy. Get good snow tires, right? >> Get good snow tires. You'll be fine. Go out. And we're already on two-hour delay, by the way, so everybody knows. >> Everybody have a good evening. >> We adjourn. Is there a second? >> Any objection? >> Good night, everybody.