001Good evening and welcome to the November 18th regular session of the morning county board of education. If you would please stand for the pledge. >> I aliance 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. >> Thank you very much. >> This board, you you should have received an agenda uh earlier today regarding some personnel, some finance items, some uh budget transfers on there as well, and one volunteer. Um entertain a motion to approve the agenda and agenda as presented. >> So move. >> Thank you. >> Second. >> Thank you. Any comments concern or questions? >> All those in favor say I. >> I. N. Carry it. Reports and communication right into it. Um I do
002not have anything. I will let anyone that wishes to speak about the training this past week to make any comments regarding that. Um, I went through it virtually and did not have any tech issues surprisingly and it worked out well. So, >> that was my side of it. You all were there. >> It was cold >> in the building. >> Oh, yeah. >> The second year. >> Yeah, the second year. >> Well, I I >> for a while. >> I like the variety. We hit a lot of different subjects and uh even though I've been around this long time, I picked up some new ones. I'm sure the guys here picked up a number of things that go down the road. Um, I thought it was worthwhile and pretty intense. And uh, I miss Jim
003Brown. >> That was going to be my only question because that was off camera. If there was any conversation or Howard said anything, none of that happened via on camera. Okay. So there was there was no comments about the plans of the director moving forward about posting posting a position. It was >> cuz he's only supposed to be there till the 31st of >> 31st. That's what I thought. That's what there was no >> camera or at least not not given to us there. >> Okay. There wasn't anything on camera either. So I was just curious about that. >> Well, uh I received and I don't know if you guys ever received the the mailings on on that. >> Yeah, I did get it. >> Uh something we were going to read. I was just
004under the impression we'd be discussing it, but we didn't discuss >> nothing with the training at all. >> Nothing at all. So, they gave us a couple extra hours for for going through it. It was it was fairly extensive, but it was interesting. It was when Howard decides to get poetic and write like a play kind of thing again to illustrate some things, but it had some good points, especially I think with the newer guys on the board. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So, how many of you looked at the financial reports um after the training when they said that we should be looking at those every week and which you know I guess my question is before Ann leaves is there a possibility of you kind of going through a financial report with us to
005show us what to look for red flags >> which I think might give a little more insight of what they were pulling through regarding But I'm assuming you're say talking about bank statements, >> bank statements and I mean uh checks to be written. >> Okay. Um >> well I think one of the one of the themes during one of the sessions was not just looking at right now but also looking ahead seeing you know how enrollment may be impacted with incoming and outgoing classes >> um and how that could impact us >> from a you know on a real standpoint with um with funding and yeah That's at least what I one of the things I gained from it is don't just look at right now and this year, but be be cognizant of >>
006the next two, three, four years. >> I don't know. This year, I mean, you won't be here for the budget workshop, right? >> We've I'll jump in for there a minute. We've asked Ann to kind of prepare our personnel >> planning session and budget of how much we may need to cut due to our drop in enrollment from October one. Um, so she's going to be integral in that conversation. Um, and then the plan is for also the health and state training after the fact, but she is going to create some of those documents before she leaves. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I I think one of the points they were trying to make about looking at bank statements and everything and is something you cover and that is we're well informed of our financial
007situation. >> Um, very grateful for that. And I think some boards sometimes aren't are not informed of what the finances are really doing. And then all of a sudden you're in trouble like some people have been when they spent the the co money >> in the wrong way. And all of a sudden we're looking at consolidations and cutting people. We didn't have to do any of that because we could always check with you. But you were very proactive and you as always you kept us in great shape. Well, and you've got your month end sheet here, >> right? >> You know, are there red flags we should look at for that? Is there a tipping point that we should watch and make sure something's not That's just what I'm, you know, with somebody new and
008>> cuz you mean you're saying you would like me to talk to the board about that or make sure our new person knows? Well, I know our new person's going to know, but I mean for the board I mean for us to >> to to know >> that's basically that comes out of the bank statement that the report that you get comes out >> that's after the bank statement and balances the bank cash to what we have on our books. I can do that since we are responsible fiscally. >> Yeah. I mean, for what it's worth, at at the treasures conference two weeks ago, two, I guess two weeks or so ago, there was there is a much more of an emphasis than kind of what John said preventing some of the things that have
009happened here recently. We had a lot there was a lot more emphasis to us as well and some of the things they're going to be watching the counties that they didn't watch before, treasure performance and that kind of thing, too. And >> so I think a lot of that has come from several of the counties that have gotten in trouble recently in the past couple years >> a little more proactive to prevent rather than have to do takeovers. >> Yes. >> Right. >> I believe now there's currently Kirk and are there five counties taken over by the state board of ed? >> I'm not. >> I think there is five. >> There's five. >> I think that's what they mentioned. >> Couple more potentially. Now, did you catch what that document was that they had
010up on the screen that we were trying to read and he kept >> Oh, that was the personnel overage. How many personnel you're over? >> That was an interesting document. >> Yeah. And John and I were talking to Ann today. I mean, I thought they said they were going to release it November 1st, but they haven't seen it yet. >> That could have been actually the certified list. Was it a scattergram? Is that what they called it? It was the one where it says, you know, service personnel were over this many. And >> I mean, had all the steps of the state aid formula or >> No, it was just the counties with the >> Yeah, it was all >> enrollment. >> Okay. That's the first part of the state form is probably first pages,
011>> how many positions you're allotted for your enrollment. And then it gives you what you're allotted, >> you're over. Um and then even goes into the service personnel a lotment once they're over. So that's the first document. >> That's what we give whenever we go through our budgets. >> Right. >> What I was telling today in the strategic planning is they haven't we haven't certified the certified list yet. So they really can't come out with those >> until we certify the certified list and they haven't finished that. >> It was most likely the 24 25 year. >> It probably could have been. Sorry made me to depress. >> No, you're fine. No, it's purpose of the comments here session. We're not discussing any board action that we're be taking, but just our overall getting training
012is always a good thing. Even if it is a refresher and it brings things to life, the things that we may want to amend or adjust, tweak to a point. If there's any reports that you saw that you wish to see in the future, by all means, let Ann know. Uh let our new treasurer know as well. Um I personally like our six month review stuff in to see where we are for >> Oh yeah. No I agree for unequ balances. Mhm. >> So, >> I thought Wayne Ryan did a great job with the report on SSAC and what they're emphasizing and experimenting with for kids and everything, trying to get more kids involved with athletics and things like that. Well spoken and had a I thought a great presentation. It's the first time I've
013ever seen one at one of these uh trainings and it was very informative. >> I appreciate them putting their contact information out there more than anything. Sometimes it's difficult to find out who you're speak to, who you're supposed to speak to down there. And you have parents that ask me questions and I'm I'm saying that's an SSAC question. Like, well, who do we talk to down there? And I never know who to point them to. No, >> that's a good point. That >> was that was I took those notes and took them have them handed down. Yeah, there were some slides that um that you had to take pictures of because they weren't in our presentations >> that they had added at the last minute, I guess. >> Yeah, we got you all got to
014see Nancy White. >> Yeah, we did. Nancy and Dave, that's great. >> I heard her. She was recognized at the uh in one of the comments. It was Please welcome Nancy White. She's the board president, correct? Still, or she >> No, she vice >> president. >> I thought she might wake her make her way over to your old table. >> Mhm. >> Yeah, we got a text from Mr. Banks with a picture while we were sitting at the table. >> How do you get that? >> Um, winter sports are kicked off from what I heard. Anything else? Board, >> you think so? >> Superintendent Banks. >> Yes. I was curious if you heard anything about the 60-day rule. Anybody bring that up while you're at your >> They did not. No. >> Okay. We're about
015to see how the 60-day rule impacts us directly with Ann retiring and a new treasurer coming on board. So, um, that's something that needs to be fixed. I mean, I think we have a good plan for mentoring our new treasur, but it's a it's a shame that it can't be our own person because despite the fact that there are really wellrespected treasures out there, Morgan County does things a little different way than any other county does. That's just the nature of the beast. And so, um, we're going to feel that. Um, but I I think we're going to be okay. But it's just not a good rule for um when someone like Ann's uh tenure and the caliber of work that she does walks out the door and somebody new comes in. You just really
016need somebody like her uh to be there for that first 60 days. So we'll work around it. Ann feels confident. I feel confident and we've got some people who we think will really be helpful. But it's it is a it's frustrating you know that that's in place. Now, they tal they spoke about a grant $20,000. Is that something we >> Yeah. Do do you want would you mind talking about that for a minute? That might be helpful for the board to know about. >> Sure. Um actually two almost two years ago the department of the office of school finance at department of ed made it mandatory that new treasures have three year a three-year mentor. >> Right. >> And it's very specific what those mentors are to do are to do. Um and they've given
017there's a $20,000 grant per year. It's out of the step seven funds which is for staff development and so yeah so what we have to do you have to put out an RFP and then right to get your mentor >> and that is something we will be looking. >> Yeah. Yeah. Well >> unless we if it's a seasoned treasure no right but >> okay. Yeah that makes sense. There there are service out there just similar to the same service that we hired to do our audits that they >> Okay, that's what I was going to ask specialize in that mentoring >> and they specialize in that mentor. So that's whenever we put this RFP out that she's mentioning those are the firms that would be entertaining that >> um since >> what are those firms
018called like what do you call that? >> Like how do you do >> there's a name of it. I don't know if any say we're going to be ringing them. So I'm that's why I'm choosing my word. >> Okay. Um, >> okay. >> Actually, I'm actually on the list I could not after I retire, but even as an active treasurer, I can mentor. I could one of those jobs and mentor somebody. >> Okay. >> She go to Mineral County for a new treasur. She could mentor there for >> 60 days, 70 days. >> It's individuals. It's some people that have consult educational consulting firms and just >> Thank you. That's going >> some things like that. Yeah. All right. Um, also American Education Week, I appreciate all the board members jumping in and being willing
019to hand out the little snacks to all of our staff. Um, Betsy and I, well, mostly Betsy. I'm going to take no credit for it. Betsy um, always looks for that ideal gift for u staff for this week and she brings in ideas and brings in. I said, I'll just take this to our faculty senate. I shared a little bit of this with you to see what they think. And they're like, "Just give us some chocolate, man. Just give us some chocolate." And and could could u some board members, superintendent, could could people like that come out and deliver it to us personally and what? >> Yes, we will do that. And so, just appreciate all of you being willing to do that. >> Um it's often the little things that make a difference. And
020speaking of that and Thanksgiving break coming up, I just want to take a minute and um really thank our staff in Morgan County. Um I know that you uh are very supportive as a board. Um and it's just our staff always have to be on. It's uh the minute they walk in to work, they're always on. They don't get breaks. You know, when we sometimes in our jobs, we can take a break if we need to take a a breath or use the restroom or anything like that. When you're a teacher, you have a schedule. You get your 30 minute or less lunch, whether it's 15 minutes, 10 minutes, or whatever, you can stand up and eat. And um our teachers work hard and they work together. And I just very much appreciate them. Um
021they're adapters. They're constantly adapting to things whether it be a student's behavior, whether it be maybe the students didn't learn what they uh the teacher had hoped that they would learn in a particular lesson and then changing it for the next day. Always planning, always patience is always being tried. Um being on and being with uh uh students who have a whole lot more energy than most of us adults can really try your patience. Um, and you know, speaking of the little things, I think they always appreciate the gift of time, we're really trying to give them more time, whether it be on a professional day, whether it be Mr. Douly's calendar, uh, whether it be anything else. Um, snow days, I think, were a great gift when we shifted the snow days and the
022other days so that we had snow days first. um and uh some chocolate. You know, it's just the little things I think that can make such a big difference. >> And I just hope that they know how much we appreciate them and their dedication to our kids. So, um glad that you guys are getting out in schools and seeing that dedication because I'm I'm very proud of the work that they do and uh very thankful. Well, I I I think the challenges that our educators and our service people face today are unprecedented. >> Um I thought it was tough when I was there and it was tough, but what they're facing today is like nothing I've ever seen before. So, it's it's quite a challenge. So, any any way we can show support for our
023local folks, we need to do that. >> Absolutely. >> Any questions for Superintendent Item six, public comments. I have no one signed up. Moving on to item seven, consent agenda. The superintendent recommends approval of the following consent actions as presented. Minutes of the November November 4th, 2025 regular meeting, payment of bills, budget adjustments, and volunteers entertaining motion. >> So moved. >> Thank you. >> Second. >> Thank you. Concerns or comments? All those in favor of saying I. I. >> Personnel. The superintendent recommends approval of the following personnel actions as presented. Good evening, sir. >> How you guys? All right. So, on the agenda here, we have a resignation as a one of our tech department over here. Really going to miss that individual. He did a lot for us. Um, next thing we have there
024is a fourth grade teacher in retirement at the end of January. Um, we're also really pleased and we're really happy that she's in attendance tonight. But our new administrative assistant, Miss Weaver, we are very very fortunate to to have her in our county and we really really looking forward to working with her for quickly years to come. um under service personnel. Uh we have a resation sub substitute aid and substitute clerk. We're also bringing on two uh subcustodians which is much needed. We have some folks that we're waiting on. We have about eight classroom aids that we're bring substitute aids, five clerks and five sub secretaries that should be on our next agenda. We're just waiting on some background checks to come back in from that. So that's really exciting to have that. Under extracurricular
025bring on athletic director at War Springs Middle School, the volunteer assistant boys basketball coach at B Springs High School and then two prevision student duties at Orange Spring Middle School. Then under letter D, we have a uh asking to come take those folks there for come back in the standards and then we have a couple bus operator traineees that we're bringing on this this meeting as well. Um, under the agenda or on the agenda, uh, we have a transfer from a special education teacher at Orange Springs Middle going to Whitmer Elementary School. That's going to begin after we get back from break. Uh, we'll also bring on a long-term substitute multiAT teacher at Berkeley Springs High School that will also start on December 1st. Um, we have a resignation as a kindergarten teacher 8 and
026then we have a transfer from bus 2626 to bus 196 and that will be effective beginning January 5th our first day back from Christmas break. We have resation head boys soccer coach at Bur Springs High School the supervisory aid there at Whitmire motion to approve the first present. >> So move >> second >> questions. Uh just kind of a procedural question. you go ahead and post a soccer coach or we got to wait for the first year. What's your thoughts on that? >> We can. It's probably better to post now and just get it out there to see if we can always extend it if we need to. That's >> okay. >> I found that's been pretty beneficial so you're not making 37 posts for one job. >> Okay. Thanks. >> Any other comments or
027questions? Motion on the floor to accept the first one as presented. All those in favor somebody saying I >> oppos. Nay. Motion carries. Thank you. >> Have one comment. So I just wanted to let the board know that when we whenever we have teachers who transfer in the middle of the year, whether it be to another school or outside of the county, um we don't allow them to go until we have a suitable replacement. The other thing that we do that's really critical, especially in our high high needs classes, uh the intellectually disabled, self-contained type scenarios, we um contact the parents directly and invite them in to meet the new teacher um because it is very difficult for some students transitioning from one student to the next, not just our special ed students, but our
028our gened students as well. So we really do try to communicate effectively when we have somebody leave mid year and somebody new come in and we feel that's very important. So we've been reinforcing that with the principles. So I just want to let you know that >> I'm going to ask kind of the same thing from Miss Weaver with you coming in new board here. Would you would you send us your contact information once you get everything all set up in your email? >> Absolutely. >> Thank you. Uh item nine, out of state travel. Warm Springs Middle School students along with faculty Rissy Boozer, Brandon Johnson, Patty Strauss, and Julius Julie Simpkins will be traveling to London, England, and Paris, France for 8 days, July 11th through the 24th. Funny Source Self. >> Okay. Well,
029Mr. Johnson's here with us tonight. He's a math teacher at Berkeley Springs High School and he's here to answer any questions that the board might have about this trip. >> I'm going to go with how many kids is the tentative goal. >> Uh so right now I don't know the exact numbers um but we have around 25 or 26 uh paid travelers. Um among that about twothirds of them are students and the other thirds uh parents in town. Was this something that the students chose themselves or? >> Um, so Ruby Luger, who produces first grade at Whitmire, um, was informed of EF educational tours as, um, an organization that works with teachers to host these kinds of things. At the time I was teaching science in 8th grade and so she contacted me because it's
030often for middle schoolers and or high schoolers and we knew each other because um my partner uh worked with her in the first grade team uh that year when there's a whole new first grade staff >> and so we knew each other from that. >> Um we advertised at the middle school um last spring uh for the the coming trip this this coming summer. And so, uh, due to the advertisements that happened at the middle school last spring, um, we had people signing on and there have been a few more that have signed on since then. >> Thank you. >> So, one question, EF Tours is the organization that is >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Uh, is Mr. Harris signed off and good with this too? >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> You're comfortable with
031this as well? >> Yes. >> We have learned from this. We've had a few other trips that probably come your way in recent years. And so originally when I was here previously, we had trip like this and we consulted our attorney and what are the things that we really need to do here for liability reasons and other and so he really kind of gave us an outline. So we're very comfortable with this trip >> and thank them. >> I've actually taken this trip and another one with the uh and definitely recommend them if >> if you want everything planned out and ready to go because that's the way to go. >> Especially when you're going somewhere you have no idea. >> Good. Good trips. >> Okay. I move that we approve the trip to England
032and France. >> Second that. >> Thank you. Any other comments, concerns, or questions? >> All those in favor say I. >> I. Carries. >> Have a good time. >> Thank answer some question. Appreciate that. >> Counter events board. >> Can we can we ask them to come back and >> Sure. >> Give us a >> We'd love to hear, >> you know what I mean? Give us a run. Make a presentation. get some pictures. >> Absolutely. And we'll also have um as things get closer, we'll have a public Facebook page that people can follow along. Um we plan to have the students do some blogging uh during the trip. >> Reflect on their experiences. >> Bring bring back some like French bread and >> what's the ice cream? Uh >> Gelato. Bring bring me back
033some gelato. Please >> prepare for the terrors on that. Jeez. >> Just don't let them find it in your luggage. >> Uh board members, we are at the auditorium on December 2nd. >> I don't know if anybody else is affected, but I will either be late or not make the December 16th meeting the intermediate school Christmas programs that Tuesday. Can we move the meeting there? >> No, because I mean it's sometimes it's short so I might make it but yeah. >> Uh in that same kind of conversation with what timing is. I mean we could put that to 6:30 if you wish to. Um >> I I don't know. >> What time does that start? 5. >> It starts at 6. >> Oh yeah, you'd be late. >> Uh but that's also going down to
034the LSIC's end times in history. We have moved those to 5:30 um in prior years. We can leave them at 6:00 if you wish, but any comments or desire to move those times. >> I think 5:30 might be nice. I mean, because they do take a little >> Mhm. little longer >> longer meeting. >> Everybody make it. >> Any opposition to that? I don't problem. >> I don't either way. We'll >> start with the LSIC first. It's 5:30 on Thursdays then. is that January 20th, the first one. Mhm. And I don't know um seem to be causing trouble tonight, but um I was at Warm Springs Intermediate this morning and I got to go through the the school and um I don't know when when we have the Ellis, they're not called that anymore, but
035anyway, the plan at the schools if maybe they would want to a few minutes before or after to do a tour of the school. I mean, we never really get to see the schools. I mean, the intermediate school has all kinds of, >> you know, the bulletin boards and all that and the post the post are painted like crayons and >> y >> show off their school a little bit. >> That would mean Warm Springs, Windmire and >> everything else is at the port office. >> Pleasant View is >> Yeah, it's there, isn't it? >> Yeah. Yes. >> Good. I love that. >> Just one comment, too, if I may. December 16th, I just wanted to let you know, you may have heard about this in your training, but there's a required special ed training
036for board members that was in legislation this past summer, and we'll the board will be getting that training on December 16th. And then also um we're going to go I'll go over the personnel planning process that we use uh for staffing in Morgan County Schools so everybody has an awareness of how that works. And we talk about main things you just mentioned the staff over the formula, how many students we have, how many teachers do we need, how policy impacts the classes that we offer, and all those things that are important in making staffing decisions. So that'll be on the 16th as well. Jumping back to the strategic plan updates. Uh if there is any information that is specific that you would like to see from each school, please let Yep. know as well. We're
037going to kind of follow the same process we did last year where central office staff will mainly populate the data for all of them. So the principles have less work to do and then the other the most of the things that are at the end where they're kind of celebrating their success and what needs they might have would be the principal more principal specific. But just like Mr. Cl said, anything that you'd like to add? Glad to do that. And then graduation. >> Yeah. Well, that's only 184 days away. >> See, I just I did that so you can tell. >> Yeah. >> No, I have a constant count. So, it's only 37 days till Christmas, too, by the way. >> Thank you. >> Just if you needed to know. >> No pressure. >> No.
038Yeah. Probably should start shopping, >> start making reads. >> Entertain a motion to adjurnn. I'll make a motion. >> Second. >> Any comments or concerns? >> All in favor say I. >> I. I. >> 632.