001Good morning. Welcome to the special meeting of the Nicholas County Board of Education, Thursday, March 27th, 2025. At this time, please stand for a moment of silent reflection. Thank you. Please join the board with 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. Okay, we are here to take care of several items this morning. The first one is to conduct a student disciplinary hearing. Um, so do we need an executive session? I think they have requested this be open. Yeah, we want everybody. Wait, this is an open meeting. You want to open? Okay, that's your right. Okay. Um Jason's going to lay out some guidelines. Apologize, Mr. President. I think you
002had discussion with the family. They do desire what we call an open hearing for the student. Okay. Um that is unique, but that is what their right is. I had an opportunity to meet with the family. um discussed a number of things. They're very professional and understood uh as part of the process this morning. this board's history is to have, you know, basically closed expulsion hearings just given the nature it relates to students and other students. And I've talked with the family in terms of they recognize the need as well as administration through the process not to discuss any other students if that makes sense and I believe the family understood that. So the family understands that uh this expulsion hearing in front of this board, a board who has not heard any evidence from
003the school administration, it's administration's responsibility to make a recommendation as it relates to your student and for this board to make a decision as to whether or not to accept the superintendent's recommendation as it relates to your student. So, what the process will be this morning is is that administration's going to present to the board um the evidence and recommendation that's being made for these five folks to determine whether or not your student is expelled. And then at the conclusion of that, you'll have an opportunity to present any witnesses and ask any questions of those witnesses as it relates to the recommendation that's being made. Okay. And again, if there's any time that uh we need to stop and address any decorum or otherwise, we will. I don't expect that to happen, you know, again,
004you folks were very professional coming into today when we spoke a few minutes ago and I appreciate that. Okay. I think it's part of this process in this board as well is, you know, they want to hear from the family. that's what the students rights are and um you know it might be easy to say no stop or we can't get into that but I think this board will allow some flexibility so long as we stay within the realms of the issue today and that is is the conduct of the student that I assume administration will address with the board. Okay, any questions of of the family before we proceed knowing that again it is open. It is kind of a live broadcast on social media or on the YouTube or whatever the school system
005utilizes for their meetings. Okay. Thank you. Okay. And again my role is here just to ensure that appropriate process is followed. That process involves due process for your student. That's what we call today. and to ensure again if the board has any questions or otherwise to assist in that process. Otherwise, I'll turn it over to the board presence, the board president to meeting and and the board to proceed. Thank you, sir. Um, so at this time, Mrs. Whitel. Yes. I have an opening statement. I am requesting that the Nicholas County Board of Education consider a 365day expulsion for Mason Johnson enrolled at Summersville Middle School. On Thursday, March 13, 2025, Mason committed battery against a student. This is a level three violation of the West Virginia Department of Education and the Nicholas County Board of
006Education expected behaviors in safe and supportive schools. Mason's disembulent record shows three disciplinary incidents this year, including a physical fight without injury on 911, disruptive conduct on 11:15. I've included his juvenile summary. You have discipline statements brings you to review. same pain. This Yeah, that's wrong. report. Mine's down right now. I'm just saying well there's no talking but we cannot mention when you say Okay. Oops. Okay. Our focus today is just on the March 13th incident and I would like to show you a video um of the the fight that took place. This actually took place at the Nicholas County High School right outside the auxiliary gym. Um, so we're going to be watching that. Can you still prepare? something else. Can you hear them both screens? I have to go to the program here
007at this place video. Can we get that on both screens? Yeah. Okay. Just a minute. See if that'll play back. I don't have to get a bit a media player. Sorry. Christmas experience. Where you find this I'm so dead. Wasn't he supposed to make right? No, that's why I don't know if the board needs to get closer to see it again. It's often difficult that first time to see it. If you if you need to again, this is no one's in any rush today. So if you need to explain or otherwise you're going to see a teacher come from this fall this hall that I'm sorry it's not a teacher it's an aid and also a substitute teacher came out of the auxiliary gym um after they I'm sorry after they heard the commotion but
008they didn't pull off and the commotion was over. Yeah, that's not at all what was said. Would you like to watch it again? Yeah. Yeah. Started out. Get closer to it so you can see it. Can you zoom in so we can see where he gets pulled off of him and all the things that was said? Can you zoom in so we can see it, please? That's software. I can't if we excuse me. Excuse me. This this is an a meeting of the board and you don't you can't just talk out. Okay. Right. When when No, ma'am. This No, you the the the family can we are family? No, they can. I mean, it was reported to me as well that I understand. I understand. But this is still We got to have a It's
009not justly ask questions. That's the question. You can't at all at any time. No, only if they give you permission. I guess he can't give us permission to talk. But you can't But you can't just talk But they can't just talk out. I understand you don't want to talk out loud, but right. No, no, no. They to talk is what you're saying, right? When it's time for witnesses. Okay. Yeah. We're going to follow due process state policy 4373 and otherwise, which is I think we're going to replay this video so you board members can see it. Miss Whites administration will continue with their presentation to the board and then the family has their opportunity. But respectfully, you know, as part of the decor, the process, it is being recorded. So, as this is recorded vocally,
010if there's any court reporter has to do this at some point, background and folks in the audience, now is not the time. Okay. Respectfully, we may need to start it again since we had so much discussion during the time. Excuse me. You have someone that's recording this currently. Not at the screen. And thank you. There's nothing being pointed to the screen. It's all been straight towards you all. I won't do that. I have a son in school as well. Thank you. And I wouldn't want that done to him. Thank you. Thank you. Mhm. Do you need to get close to that to see it? Can you see it? Well enough. I'm fine. You only need Okay. I would like to call um Officer Barnett as my first witness. Can you please describe your knowledge of
011the battery against another student that Mason Johnson was involved in on March? Uh I need we need to swear in the witnesses. I'm sorry. That's okay. So, do you tell um get the paper? Yes, sir. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Thank you. Could you please state your nickname and your position? Yes. I'm Corporal Barnett. I'm Barnett with the Summer Somersville Police Department. I'm the um prevention resource officer right now at the Summer Somersville Middle School. Um I was at the high school for the majority of the year. Noted that I just this week when this happened was my first week back at the middle school for the for the year. Okay. Can you please describe your knowledge of the battery against a student that Mason
012Johnson was involved in on March 13th? Yeah. So, I was doing my normal duty. I was holding the door. Um it was right before the first lunch, the sixth grade lunch. Um the kids were transitioning from the school because they have outdoor classes where they go to the high school for gym when a high school teacher, the gym teacher actually called and said that they'd had a fight with our students. Um so as soon as she told me I rushed up there, at which point I found the other student. Um they had him and he had, you know, his face was all busted up. So I grabbed him, escorted him back down to the middle school. I allowed to ask questions during this after in a moment. Yeah. And then so I brought him back
013down to the middle school um at that point and then they got him some ice and I believe sent him to the wellness center at that point. Okay. What additional action, if any, did you take as a result of this incident? Um filed a juvenile petition um with the prosecutor's office. It's the only other action I spoke of. Can you describe your interactions with Mason on the 13th? Yeah, the only interaction that Mason I had um after I the student was um gone to the wellness center, I went to my office and grabbed my laptop so I could review the footage and I brought it in Mrs. Morrison's office where Mason was at the time. So, I sat down and as I was watching my the footage, um Mason said, "What are you smirking at
014or laughing at at something?" And um I said, "I'm watching you u beating up a kid that's half your size." When she said uh you work in the school, um shut up. And I I believe I said it takes a real badass to beat up a kid half your size. And that was the only that was the only interaction that we had. Nice. Okay. Is there anything else about the incident on March 13th that um you would like to share at this time? Okay. Thank you. So, at this time, um, and I'm I guess I should have You're his dad, so you're representing him. Okay. So, um, at this time, you have the right to ask questions. Uh, prior just before the fight, did you, uh, walk that child to class? The child that was
015in a fight, he was in a fight with. No, you wasn't escorting no kids to the school. You didn't escort my child one week after this this incident was reported. Miss Morston wouldn't escorting my child to class and you wouldn't escorting the other child to class the day this happened. Yeah. You took him to the gym gym? No. No. I took him from the gym back. No, you took him to gym class and then dropped him off. No, I didn't. And then you left. No, I didn't. I didn't have any knowledge that they were even in gym class. According to others, that's what was done after he had reported the sexual assault encounter on his his girlfriend. No, sir. The day he had been to the office two different times the day that this prior
016to this, sir, the day don't stop guys. Guys, I'm asking you a question, guys. Gentlemen, okay, we we need to do the following. Just make sure when you ask your question, give him an opportunity to answer it so that there's not voices crossing back and forth. I go back to earlier. It's being recorded. If it ever needs to be transcribed, a court reporter otherwise will not be happy with us if we're talking over top of each other. Okay. Now, I got a question for him. Do you feel it is acceptable to cuss at a 14-year-old child during the circumstances of the fight? Acceptable to cuss a 14-year-old child. They cussed 14y old. Ma'am, Mr. President, we're going to have the discussion from the audience. Yeah, I'm I'm sorry and I don't want to do this,
017but if you keep talking out, we have to we have to take you out. Okay. But I'm his aunt, so I I know. But and I will wait. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Okay. You have any more questions, sir? You've got to think. I know it's just we're not trying to rush. Yes. How long was you escorted by Miss Force to CL? For a full week after I reported cuz they knew exactly what was going to happen. Okay. Not with him. I don't. My next witness is Miss Moren. You swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Okay. Thank you. Can you please state your name and your position? I'm Amy Worston and I'm the assistant principal at Summersville Middle School. Can you please describe what steps you took after you
018became aware of the incident on March 13th between Mason Johnson and another student? Yes. Um, I was in the cafeteria. It was sixth grade lunch and I was entering lunch numbers. Officer Barnett came to me and said that he had received a call from NCHS and two of our students had been in a fight. He had gone to NCHS, retrieved the students and had brought them back to the middle school. Um, at that point I left the cafeteria to return to the office area to assess the situation. Um, the injured student was receiving aid at the time. um he was with a fellow staff member, so I attended to him, assessed his injuries, made sure he was okay. Um I walked across the hall where Mason was sitting at the table outside the counselor's office.
019Um he had already been given ice for his hand. I asked him if he was okay and he said yes. At that point, I went to my office to make Mrs. Frame aware of the situation. Um I then contacted the parents of the victim to make them aware of the situation. Um, Officer Barnett had gone to get the computer so that we could view the video. Um, when he came back into my office, he sat down to my left in the chair beside Mrs. Spring's door. He had his computer on his lap. Um, I went to get Mason to bring him in. And when Mason sat down, we said, you know, what happened? What is going on? And at that point, Ryan began questioning him. And that's when Mason told him to shut up. that
020he just worked at the co or at the school because he didn't do his job. Um I realized at that point that Mason needed a little bit more time to cool off. So I asked him to go back to the table outside the counselor's office and have a seat. Um at that point Brian had the video pulled up. We were able to view the video. Um we after watching the video felt that David needed to report to the wellness center to be assessed. Um, so we made arrangements for that. I went back to check on Mason. Um, he told me he had already called his mom and that she was on her way. Um, so after watching the video and um, discussing we felt that there were injuries that had occurred in this situation um,
021and that that fell under the level three violation of battery. So we typed up the paperwork. Um, the secretary called to say that Mrs. Johnson had arrived and she was available. Um, so once we had the paperwork um, and the statements from the students, we asked Mason and his mother to come into Mrs. Frame's office where we at that point gave him the due process papers. Those were completed and they left for something. So at what point did Mason fill out the student statement information? Um, he was the counselor's office. That was when he was out of his school while we were redoing the video. Okay. So, um while he was at the counselor's table, he filled out the statement form about what happened and then um when Mrs. Johnson arrived, we reviewed this along
022with um the uh we um discipline paperwork. There was no statement read to me that my son had filled out the paper, the copy of the paper that So, so the paperwork was completed when when Miss Johnson this piece of paper and then the piece of paper that typically I don't know if any of those are in this packet. Um it has the check marked boxes. I have it here. Yes. Yes, we have a copy of that. Okay. You don't need to see that. Did um Mrs. Johnson asked to see um the video of the incident. Not that I recall. Okay. All right. I have no further questions. Okay. You're all's turn. Okay. And I would just remind you all again. I understand. Thank you. So, you're saying that everything was over with me making
023a statement paper that was went over with me. Correct. Can I be excused to go grab a paper out of my car? that he gave me at the school. All right. You have anything while we're waiting? Heard this incident happening. How many times did my student come to your classroom with sexual harassment charges to his girlfriend and assault? Sexual harassment? Zero. Zero. That's kind of funny because I came into your office twice about it. You called me in there once and I came here and I mean it it informed Mr. Kaufman's daughter that's here that was harassed saying she was going to be raped and killed. So he reported to your office twice, council office once, and several teachers know about this case. So therefore then he tells me you start walking him to class
024while Mr. the officer is escorting the other student to class. So therefore we know that there's an issue. I have never walked me since. Yes, we have. You want the video? Where's video at? You should be able to show the whole dance. Listen. Listen. We have video right here. Okay. Wait a minute. Who's Let's maintain. We We got to maintain you the public, whether you're family or not, you cannot speak. It was not me. I I know. I'm talking behind you. I'm talking behind you. I just have evidence is what? Well, there'll be a time for that and it has to come through dad here or mom. Okay. So, please, we don't we just want this civil. All right. We want you. I'm telling you, get help for a go. Yes, sir. and and the
025student will have an opportunity to address the board as well. I mean, whether whether we kick my child out today, however it is that you all see it in your eyes, we're pressed as hardened for this. These these children need to be looked after and they're not getting looked after in the right way. There there's things going off that should been taken care of a long time ago or you evidently would not have this many people having a complaint. Okay. Do you have any more questions? No. I don't but my wife one. Okay. So, she's saying that I was aware of Black Mason have rights. Correct. These are the papers. Did I? Yes, ma'am. Was presented. There is no student remark on the copy that she gave me. I was not aware or I would
026have questioned her at the time of the meeting. We we'll make a copy of that now and give that back to you. Okay. Make copies of it, please. Where is it? My next witness is Miss Frank. Miss Frame, do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Yes. Thank you. Will you please state your name and your position? Christina Frame. I'm with Sville Middle School. Can you please describe your involvement in the discipline incident that took place on March 13, 2025? Um, I was made aware of the incident as I was having meetings um in my office and the incident had already occurred um when Mrs. Norston and officer Barnett let me know and they brought the video in for me to review um and we discussed the incident
027and then we did the takeover and then when Mrs. Johnson came we spoke in my office. Okay. And you have you have made a request to come that Mason be expelled. Is that correct? I have no further questions and I have no further witnesses at this time. Okay, I'm going to put myself in her shoes being in principal and and and same as for the rest of you. If you sat there and you look at that video, yes, my child started that fight. I mean, it's pretty well evident. I don't teach my children to fight, but I do teach my children that, you know, later on in life, they're the protector of their their their family, including his girlfriend. Evidently, there's evidence that's that's not being shown or my child or Let me redirect you.
028You can make that statement more statements here in a minute. Do you have any questions for her? I do. Were any of the three of them a witness who visually witnessed from start to end of this? Did you witness from start to end from the time the child was preassigned to the gym class to the time that after supposedly Mason was pulled off of this child? You guys visually witness any of it? Was you aware of anything that was being said between the two students to provoke any of this at that time? What's the incident on camera? Did you hear what was being said? There's no camera. But you wasn't up there, correct? Not have no further witnesses. Okay. Would you like to call some witnesses? Uh, Mr. Adam Goldman. Okay. I'm uh come up
029here, please. If you don't care, come up here. And what we're going to do, again, you know, I think this board recognizes um, you know, your desire to speak as well as people on your behalf's the desire to speak and that we're going to allow that to occur, but let's continue to kind of make sure that we do it without talking over top of each other. Okay? And again, you know, I assume this board would entertain folks making statements without kind of you having to ask those questions to an extent to to correct give that flexibility because this isn't what you do for a living, I assume. Right. So let's make so continue with it and we'll be again give him an opportunity to speak and um Adam Kaufman sir uh you swear to tell
030the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Thank you. And Mr. Kaufman, I just remind you as we said before, refer to students. Thank you, sir. Appreciate everyone doing that. Could you tell me what and um what your daughter has been told by this other student that was in altercation with Mason? Well, I mean, the first time I' I've heard about this this said student and many times the year, but I really just pace it. The first thing I heard about it was Mason texted me at work and apologized to me but told me and that he had tried and tried and tried and several times to tell leadership at the middle school the issues and he didn't want he was scared I was going to be mad at him. But when he
031told me what that child had told my student, my my daughter, if you're a dad and you got a little girl, you know, I hope to what extent you're going to do protect your kids. We're all in agreement of that, right? And when I heard those words that that boy would rape my little girl, quote unquote, till death, till she dies, whatever. Can you imagine that feeling? Can you imagine? Grown women can't come out and tell about rape, can they? They can. So, what I'm sure is my daughter. For her to come and tell me something like that probably is a lot to ask for if a grown woman can't do it and they struggle with it. We all know that. Let's not put this to side sweep anything else underneath the rug. So, I
032went straight to the middle school and I met with Amy and Ryan. And I've known them for a long time. Never. No problems. I consider them friends or people I like. I know they don't want anything bad for the kids. I know that. But you also cannot turn a blind eye to something that's been obviously directed to their attention several times. You can't. That's why we're here today. That's why we're here today. We shouldn't be here today because of this. So, obviously, this young man, boy, has got some serious problems. It's not the first time. Was he kicked out for pulling a knife on another kid? Was he kicked off the bus last week? Yeah. How I mean I I can't Did he touch another student? Has he has kicked out yet? Exactly. Other things.
033I mean, I can't sit here and tell you exactly what all he's done. I've just heard too much for this to have gotten this far. Well, you guys got a problem on your hands. You need to fix it because my little girl was told she was going to be raped to death. And then what I really, really, really don't appreciate is are you lying like the others? Yeah. Yeah. Really, guys, gals? Really? Where did you ask a 12-year-old girl that? Where did that come from? Do we need to discuss this? This right there. I'm ask the middle school. Are you lying like the rest of the girls? Yep. To the girls. My daughter's law. I have another witness to this. Okay. All right. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. So, um, let let me ask
034you this. Well, let's see. Are are you finished? Can I ask you a question? I'm finished until otherwise. Did your daughter come to you over that particular incident? No, because I was at work when it when it happened. He I found out Mason All right. Okay. Had she come about me with his boyfriend other things? Yes. Okay. All right. Well, that's kind of off the I mean Oh, we're not trying to talk about that. Am I going to have to throw somebody out? No. All right. Okay. Listen, you cannot make comments and the next person that does is out of here. Trooper, escort them out the next time they interrupt. All right? I'm I'm trying to get to the bottom things today. We're here to discuss Mason. All right? And this is what it's all
035about. And we can't we can't uh something that's being investigated. We can't discuss that right now. Yes. Why is it just now being investigated? This is an ongoing issue. It should have been investigated. It has been investigated and now we brought in a third party to do it so that so that no one in this central office is tied to it so that somebody completely out of the system comes in. Okay. So, but at this time Go ahead. Yes, sir. Is there a written track record of this young boy? Listen, at at this time it says due process. We're not going to talk about that's what I'm we can't keep going back to this other board of another student. It's his due process. That's why we need it along. But understand we can't have what's
036occurring in the back because his rights to due process. There is a right to an open meeting. We take due process very seriously and trying to do what you all have asked and have an open hearing. Is there am I allowed to ask that? And what I'm saying is if it was about your daughter, we can't bring that out. We we can't discuss that. I'm gonna take that as a yes. Okay. But this ain't a secret at this point. Can I can I He's He's done this for a reason. We got to understand that he shouldn't have come to this. Go ahead. What I'm interested in is you said there was a lot of allegations about this boy doing this in the past and you said Adam that Maha uh had mentioned to you before.
037My question is did you or any adult go to middle school administration previous during these previous times and make your complaints? No, I I never and for reasons that you know speculation reasons like that, you know, when I heard earlier the kid, I didn't know the kid. I didn't know the issues he had in the mental. If you pull a knife on somebody, you've obviously got issues and you tell a girl you're going to rape her death, you've obviously got big mental issues. But wouldn't But so to answer your question, um I have heard him doing other things and I took it as Hey, honey, maybe he's flirting with you. you know, may he's a young boy. Maybe I didn't really know she's so over the past several months, she has really changed like can
038you sign me out? I don't feel good to go to school today. This has started and becoming more and more and I I don't I never did really pick up on it, but now I'm pretty confident why. Now, my my only point is is that you're saying that the administration didn't do anything about it. It'd be I I would kind of like to know if there was any adults that formally went Oh, I don't know other than me, but can I make a motion? He said there were serious allegations with other kids before mine, of course. I mean, I I that's that was the question. I was just interested if any adults actually went to administration in the background raised their hands. Just raise your hands if you Okay. Wait a minute. Um, so do
039you have any more questions for Adam? Anybody have any more questions for Thank you, Adam. Mr. Coffman, appreciate your professionalism. Now, um, go ahead, sir. You want to call somebody else? I'd like to anyone in the background that has been to the school that has reported an issue. I'd like for them to raise their hands to help answer that last question. Okay. Uh, let's be more specific. an issue like it could be a sexual harassment issue from the child. Have they reported it to have they been has it been reported to Somerville Middle School? Get their names. Not at all. Names. Not at all. And and can I just further ask if and and you can do the same thing. This is helpful me. Thank you very much. Uh was it was it before the
040fight or after the fight? Before. Before. Okay. Names these people so we can follow up with the administration. I think that those who raised their hand. Name sir. My name is Skyler Jones. Skylar Jones. Skyler. Yes. S Y L I R J O S. Okay. Who else? Ma'am. back here. And there was one more. There was three. Was there a third? Oh, okay. Okay. So, I have a question. Yes, ma'am. Allegations being made against a child. I know you can't bring this child up, but that that is what escalated to where we're at now. By law, is our administration not required to report things? If a child comes to them saying, um, I'm being threatened by rape or this child has touched me. Are they not required to report this by law to take further
041action than what they done? We get I think we're going down a separate path we're talking about. But as I understand the school system has an independent party to investigate who will meet with all of the folks who have been involved or otherwise I would assume and also do a review as to what administration has done during this process as well because my son has also went and said hey these are the issues going on before it even escalated out of line. However, the substitute gym teacher could not be here today due to her pregnancy issues was there. He got a hold of me about all of this. He was escorted to class because he is escorted to class. That other child is as a protection because of the ongoing issues in the middle school.
042He looked at that substitute gent when he seen Mason Brian Barnett shrugged his shoulders and proceeded to walk away. I have an inwriting on my phone from the message from that subst teacher who was there. He witnessed it. The only thing and the only thing I can say is is that whether it's your son or whether it's somebody else, you can't take the law in your own hands. And that's exactly right. He he didn't take the law in his own hands cuz first he he went to the principal's office. But now now wait here a minute. When you're a child, where what do you go to? You go to your parent. If you have an issue or if you can where does my my child is in your protection when he goes to school. So
043therefore he brought the issue to the principal's office. Okay. Then the second time it was brought to the principal's office. Okay. Then we go to the counselor. We go to the teachers. Where else does it need to go to? How many times does it need important before this happens? Evidently after after a while you have to stand for yourself because if no one else is there to protect you who you have to protect you but yourself and there is a law that those are allowed to defend people who cannot defend themselves. And the sexual allegations that asserted his girlfriend he was standing up for her and I get that. I understand that's exactly what he I do not want my child to hurt somebody else and the child that that was a victim to this
044fist fight. I don't want to see him expelled, but I need it'd be nice to see him get the help that he needs so this wouldn't keep going on in our school system. What I'm saying is this. If um if I report something to law enforcement and nothing's done about it and I report it and nothing's done about it and I report it and done and and then I take the law in my own hands and then I'm going to be held accountable. you. That's That's my only point. Well, I I understand that. You're you I mean Yeah. Yeah. But but why can't we do something when it is reported? Well, and the thing of it is I made this statement one time to the chief police in Richwood. I said uh and he's no
045longer with us, but I said, Larry, I said, "Why don't you all bring in a a special investigations team to investigate this?" And he looked at me and said, "How do you know we're not?" you know, because I said an undercover investigative team. And he said, "How do you know we're not?" So, one thing when when things happen, everybody has a due process, and you can't just, you know, if somebody accuses somebody, you can't just wipe them off the You know what I'm saying? Yeah. But it wasn't just an instant wipe off the map. How many times do you have to come? It wasn't the same day issue. This was an ongoing issue. Lots and lots of listen Right. Any other again? Yeah. Do you have any other This is new to you. Okay. Are
046you are you are you talking or are you witness? Okay. I'm here on behalf of my who goes to Summersville Middle School or what's her name? Emily Jones. No. So I want to swear in the witness and Emily Jones. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Yes, sir. Thank you. Um, my niece goes to Summersville or she was enrolled in Summersville Middle School until this past week. Um, her mother took her out to work because of all these things that are happening. Um, and I'm also a mother of two young girls who are in elementary school. Um, and my niece has told me she has heard multiple times of a sen student saying vile, disgusting, despicable things to other female students. And as a woman myself and
047as a mother of future young women, it is uncomprehensible to think of them being told these things. And it's scary and um that saying you're going to rape someone, that is the same to me as a gun threat. And if you do not see that as such, then you have never had a woman in your life that has ever been in trouble or has ever had that said to them. And if there was a intruder at the school with a gun, this boy would have been considered a hero if they tackled him to the ground. And and that's the fact of the matter really is that you cannot if you do not hold one child accountable for something that has been ongoing the entire school year. My niece told me this has been something happening
048all school year that you cannot hold a child accountable when they stand up for their girlfriend or other students who are unapable to do so. Were any of those incidents that you heard about ever reported to the administration of the school? I'm unsure. Pardon me? I'm unsure. And what was your name again? I'm sorry. Jones. Emily. And what were the dates and who were the people? I just told you. I'm unsure. It's my niece and her friends. But your niece has reported it. Um I'm I'm certain. I'm not positive. That's why I'm not saying that's why I'm saying I'm in short. Well, we need to know that. See, that's what you get into and and I'm not taking anybody's side on this. I'm not I'm not. It sounds to me like you are. No. No.
049I'm not. What I'm saying is everybody has due process and just because somebody says something doesn't mean it it's doesn't mean it's true. It absolutely. You can have 10 people say it, but And the problem is The problem is sometimes these kids will say things. Excuse me. And just a second. No, no, I'm not done talking. Okay. Just But no, I'm done talking. In a second, what'll happen is they go to the video and they realize, well, these kids weren't even in that area. And I'm not saying that all kids are liars. Go ahead. You cannot tell me that there's 15 plus students that are whistleblowers in that school. Well, I don't I that's first number I've heard. Well, then hopefully there will be people that come out that'll be able to give you a
050satisfactory number for you. But for now, I cannot do that. But I've said all I wanted to say. Thank you for Thank you, Miss Jones. I've got another witness if that's okay. Yes, ma'am. It's in regard to this ongoing issue that escalated to where it's at. feel like come up here please. My father as well. Hello Cara. Kira Kira I R A Kira Jones. Do you tell uh Excuse me. You swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Thank you. Well, um, as you know, um, you wanted to witness or you want somebody here to say, "Yes, I have gone. My daughter right here is prime example of a child that is a straight A student that no longer wants to go to school that I've had to put in
051the therapy year with this boy. She is gone. I know for a fact she's talked to these two. I'm sorry. I'm I'm a little shaken right now. I'm I I don't know this boy very well. I commend what he did on the record because I have asked her mother has asked we have tried everything to get this boy the help that he needed. He's threatened to rape her. He's touched her. She's right here. You can ask her. She's under oath. You know, when when you have to have a 14-year-old child step in, did you That's sad when you're old boy. Yes. I can't do anything. I'm an adult. I just tell you that right now. It It makes it It makes us all look back on them. It breaks my heart, but there's so many
052kids. Her friends tell me in confidence as well. I can't speak on their half because I'm not their parent. I am her parent. I am fed up and sick of this. You have done nothing. nothing to help this these children, these young women. This gentleman here, this young man has more brass than all of you combined. And the thing about it is she's the one that has to go home and lay down in bed at night and have this on her thoughts. And there ain't a thing about it being done. What I want to say is this. Don't laugh. It's disgusting. You keep you keep saying you all and this is the first we've heard about this. This is the first you've heard about. This is the first this has been brought to us. Girl
053come to to the principal and the vice principal. Should there not be some paperwork on file that should land on your she's not the only one. She's not the only one, Mr. President. So I I again we have done our best to afford the family an opportunity for what we're here for today. And that's what this is what I understand. And beyond that, no, no, this is exactly it's this is what we're standing up for. You didn't do your jobs. Beyond that, he's entitled to what we're here today. I know this board and I know this administration, whether folks agree or disagree, we understand that other things are occurring to review and investigate beyond this particular incident. this particular incident. And what we're here for today is a recommendation for an expulsion of an assault
054under level three. That's right. And and the witnesses are here and they've been heard. But the board, again, I know this board does not want to be divisive to community otherwise. And you've done a good job of being listeners well beyond what might be entitled to. So we don't want to say we can't go that far, right? you've been heard and there's there's additional avenues that'll be followed. But again, this is going beyond the sole purpose of what's on the agenda today, but I don't mean to say that by saying well I don't mean to say that they're they're not listening. These five board members are listening. Correct, Mr. President? Yes. Let me keep my decorum by saying the reason we are here is for this child. In his defense, we thank this child. I
055know there's other parents here that probably can't be here because you had it at 8:30 on a weekday. I took off from work to be here for this child because of merit of character. This child did something you could not. And I understand your visual anti semantics that you talked about earlier where you you know if you do the wrong you know you I I apologize I'm a little worked up. You were talking about if you, you know, you go and break law, break law or whatever. You were talking about that earlier. He's a 14-year-old child that has defended I don't know how many girls. I know mine and I know her friends. And the buck stops with you all the administration. You know, if you're not protecting the kids, why are you here? This
056is a supposed to be a safe learning environment. It's sad that a 14-year-old child has to be the one to stop a child predator that will grow to be an adult. And all you have done is allow this child that it's okay. Thank you. That's all I have. That's all I have. All right. Thanks. Protect my daughter. Do your job. Okay. Um where's Kelly? I'm right here. You have anything? I have a closing statement. If they have no other witness, I mean, everybody out here's a witness leading up and I would like that to where it escalates. I think the state board said that we could speak if I'm not mistaken. Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's an open meeting. It is. And they said as many Wait a minute. Wait a minute. It's open meeting
057to a point. You can't just talk out. Okay. Whoever's question for you. Okay. What is funny? You keep laughing constantly. You laughed at me. No, no, no, no, no. That was I don't understand what that's about. This I wasn't I wasn't laughing at No, I was not. What I'm saying is everybody's we we keep bringing other people in and I know that's what y'all saying. Bring other people in. I understand. Yes. Exactly. But we're we're bringing in the people that he stood up for. Okay. Well, I mean, cuz there's an issue that hasn't been taken care of. And if you have a daughter and if there's a sexual if she has a case at that school, there should be a file of it. Do you have a report of of her incident at from the
058school? You say none of you have been aware of any lawyers that has to be reported from the way her and him. It has to change. The way these hearings work, we don't see the evidence before it. The his file, you saw him pass it out. I was not privy to that until this meeting. Okay. Okay. Take it into consideration. Okay. You see what I'm saying? Sure. Absolutely. And and so I have nothing on her because I' I've never met Kira. Yes. I've never met her. So, um, but why is there if if there's this big of an issue, if if an issue like this comes into the school system, why can't it land on your desk or his desk? See, or the next that's another why can't it land there? That's another misconception. The
059board does not have desk. We do not all we do is have we meet twice a month. People There are some people out there that think board members have a office here. No. Yeah. and they think I got you and I do too. But here's the thing. We don't have offices here. We we meet twice a month normally to take to conduct the business of the board. Um and and so everybody's saying, "Well, you all knew this. You all knew." No, it's that's what we're having this hearing for. Okay. So, well, now you're aware. Do um shouldn't there still be a police report filed if there was a sexual assault case at the school? Yes. Yes or no? When I taught school, I'm not I'm not talking. When when I taught school, if yes, if
060something was brought to me, then by law, we had to report it. Mr. Do you have a report on this young lady? We don't get those reports asking for you. Is there a report on this? I don't know. That's you're at. I don't know. But Mr. Beam, would you know if there's a report being The only time I get things to my when they I ain't asking the one that you got. I'm asking about the one that the Summersville City Police Department should have filed if or whoever was in charge at the time. If there was something turned in at the school, the paper the proper paperwork was turned in. Is it on file at the police department? you have some kind of I don't have any record of anything like that from the police
061department. Okay. I don't have anything I don't get anything like that. When I get involved is when okay if a if a principal suspends a student it doesn't come to me. If a if a school investigates a situation their school it doesn't come to me. It comes to me when an expulsion is recommended. That's the only time I get it. I don't get uh suspensions, detentions. They'll send me a note and say, "Hey, so and so's on in school detention." That that's all I get. So if they're getting allegations made, now let me let me finish. Okay. Um if I get information alleging any kind of misconduct that's severe, okay, then I turn it over to our investigators here on at the school level, which is what I did. Uh Mike Williams and Chris Hansshaw
062are the two people that's design that's designated in our school system to go out to the schools and interview students. When did they interview? Uh just recently. Yeah. I mean this this has all been a whirlwind for the last 10 days. And and so they went out and Mr. Williams is you're in the back. Can you just get tell me approximately how many pages of testimony you all you and Mr. Hshaw took? Mr. We we interviewed a few students uh interviewed before and I took a couple pages shared that with the investigators and selfation in regards to yours. Um, I just I took a I took a couple pages and in reference to our investigation, it was because there was a safety concern for speaker. It wasn't um it wasn't directly investigating those allegations. Okay.
063Thank you. So, there wasn't investigating all of the allegations that's been brought. I guess the name and I don't know because like I say, we Mrs. We is my assistant and she uh she gets involved with that, but we assign them to go out and and find out what's going on for a lack of a better term. Okay. And and basically we we we interview the kids that we're get the names about. You know, we don't just pick out kids. We just figure out if if where the allegations come from or who happens to be involved or who witnessed something. They do that. Well, after this was completed, it became apparent to me that the public was not satisfied that anything is being done, even though we can't advertise that stuff, an investigation. Okay. So,
064when I I was under the impression that was not going to be satisfied with the results that we came up with, no matter what they were, no matter what we would recommend, I didn't think that it would people would believe what we were doing. That's a when I took the step myself to reach out to the Mountain State ESC actually I called U Mr. long, our attorney, and I said, "Do you know of any outside agency that I could get to come in and with a fresh set of eyes that has no skin in the game? They're not from here. They don't know any of these kids, and just take a look at this and see what is actually going on." He recommended uh Leslie Tyrie, who's with the Mountain State ESC, she's an attorney
065also. I reached out to her that day and within an hour, she reached out to Mrs. frame and said that they would be conducting an investigation. I got an email from her yesterday or the day before and was I kept pushing it. This was on Friday. I think I talked to her and I've talked to her uh through emails pretty much since saying when will this investigator be coming? We do have the name of the investigator and they are coming very very soon. I don't want to say what day because they their schedule could change. But she did tell me that we're putting this at the top of our list because of the the urgency that I subscribed to her and I said we need this addressed now. And so that's the steps that I
066have taken in this position and when those results come back we will have them to share that with the board and and we we will proceed with whatever information we have. I can't act on something I don't have to act on. Another question. Sure. Sexual allegations made against the child. Should that child not be removed away from the people who were scared of him until Yeah. The investigation is done. They just now removed him. So they don't get That's my question. Girls are scared to go to school. This child is getting escorted to classes as protection for him. over this child for this student is not in school any longer. Okay, that's my question. Why they've had the allegations brought to them? They continue to let the child that the kids were scared of stay
067at school. And again, I I think I think that may be where there's a divide. In other words, what your indication is potentially what's at the school level and in terms of what will be reviewed by an individual that we have no connection with whatsoever. I'm saying it's being reviewed now. just please take this in consideration for this child and and and what you're here for today and I understand it and some of the folks and all the folks here that that are here on behalf of your child again is they're asking the board to give consideration to the action he took in terms of of uh relief from what's being recommended for versus expulsion. they understand that and again to look at and determine one if there's issues that they don't occur in the
068future and if there are issues to address what did occur in the past. So we can sit in here and assume that things are swep under the rung or otherwise I'm assure you I've known the superintendent for a number of years well beyond this county and that's not going to happen. Um but what we're here to do today is a difficult decision recommendation as it relates to the student's expulsion. So my wife has an opportunity to kind of say something here at the end a conclusion of sorts and then you know you two mom and dad or the student take an opportunity to do the same. The board then goes into executive session discuss and kind of make a decision. and that decision will be presented to the family members. But again, I want you
069because this isn't something you're accustomed to, deep breaths, think about again your opportunity to kind of address the board before they have to move on to make that decision. Okay? And I appreciate your all's professionalism. I know things have been difficult in here. This board didn't have to allow certain things to occur today. You did that in the state board of education. You did. Yes, you did. I mean in terms of once again you can't talk out you it's not I'm just saying that they have allowed the statements and things of that nature and been informal even though it's a formal process. Hey, in light of the situation, we came here on behalf of this child. What we're here for for the record. Now, we've also brought up some other things, but this this boy
070I honestly feel has saved my daughter. So, I commend him and I want you to take that in consideration when you make your decision. That's all I have to say. Thank you. Just let me let me ask ask one question. Um, this incident I understand is very volatile and and I'm sorry, you know, uh, I I truly mean that. Uh, I understand your passion. I understand I've got grandkids in the the school system also. Uh, and, uh, I'm also sorry for our administrators and stuff, uh, because I do think they're trying to do a good job. And we're going to we're going to get more investigation as as this goes on. We're I'm just not the type that I won't drop it either. Uh talk to Mr. Coffman about that or whatever. We're here for
071the the suspension hearing before Mrs. Whitel makes her recommendation and we go into exection session to discuss it. Mason a notice clear back to 22 and 23. I'm not talking about this particular incident because that still has to, you know, be determined, but trying to give weight to the situation and trying to explore everything. I noticed that you, you know, you you did have some either anger problems or, you know, you were in No, well, it's part of the record. Um, according to you have to go past three. I'm just I'm just asking when we go into executive session and I've been presented a record. Yeah, you and get and get through it. I just didn't know if you had anything to say to that. I you know I'm I I Okay. I do because
072uh you have grandkids or kids, right? I do. I do. They are in school, correct? Correct. Any boys or girls? They're boys. Okay. I had four I had three daughters. How old are they if you don't mind me asking? They're in middle school. They're in middle school. Yeah. Okay. Uh kids kids progress from a young age up at that time. They all Oh, they do. They do. Everybody does. No, I'm not. That's that's everybody's No, no. I agree. I agree. I just want to know if before when we go in and and and and debate, you know, because I've got a whole record here. It's the first time I've seen and stuff if you had anything to say to that. and and and you're telling me that he has passed I mean of of stuff
073but I mean as far as being anger there there's several other accounts it's the same same thing that should have probably been taken care of and well like the the recent one that he was sitting on in ISS because he didn't want to sit at the furry table now get real people right some of the now now if we're going to be catching dogs right there's the door we sit outside yes and I mean that's nice I don't understand that statement. You don't know what the furry table is? It's it's it's children that wants to be cats and dogs that that wants to be animal. That's what I think. I've heard a little bit about that. He refused to sit at He refused to sit there. He got lunch. So, he got lunch detention for
074now. Now, that's that's pretty wrong in my And I want to throw out there, I have a 16-year-old son, okay? Who was bullied so bad in middle school with nothing done after reports and reports who made comments about taking his own life. He is on Prozac every single day now. And he has been homeschooled for two years due to the middle school bullying, anti-bullying policies that they supposedly have hold. And if we go and he was sent a picture of a knife on a school tablet saying he was going to be stabbed to death on a school bus and there was not no investigation. We cannot pull that up. We was told or the words of press. So if you guys can dig so far into this that was a death threat toward him and
075I know that's not regarding this case but it all stems back to the things that are let go into the middle school. the middle school turns a blind eye unless you a certain person with a certain name, you're not going to be hurt. We can do things different. I ain't sitting here saying the school system we have is bad by no means. And I'm not saying it's good. I mean, we No, it's by far good, but we could do a whole lot better. We could we shouldn't have kids that's having to come up here and sit over this this this situation right here. Well, you've answered my question. I I I appreciate that, Miss Whitel. Now it be your time to conclude and a recommendation and I think all of the little girl wants to
076speak. I think so you have written this before right now but it is I have a picture of it. Excuse me. Can you can you speak up really loud because is that Yeah. If that's something you prepared and you're going to state it, if you want to send a copy to someone as well so that they have it. Would you care to come over here and stand? Is that all right? The reporter is under here. That's why. Okay. Well, if she's close to a a m over here. And do you do you want your dad to stand with you? The board. I'll just read it here. Okay. As someone who has experienced the fear of sexual threats by Joel David Ball, I understand this difficult position Mason Johnson was in when he defended a girl
077under the name of Maha Coffman. From David Ball, David's harassment and man, you can't mention names. I'm sorry. Just kind of skip over the names. Violet threats, including the horrific threats that he threatened to rape me, was not the was not empty words. When institutions fail to protect victims, people like the boy over there are left with no choice but to act. While physical violence is never ideal, his actions were a need to protect this girl. Expelling the boy for defending the girl sends the wrong message. It suggests that those who stand up to the abusers face harsher consequences than those causing the problems themselves instead of punishing Mason. The focus should be on holding people like the boy accountable. Victims deserve to feel safe and those who protect them shouldn't be treated like criminals.
078The boy's actions were not at all reckless but brave. In a society where too many victims are ignored, his choice to intervene should be recognized for what is an act of protection against a failing system. Karen prayer. Thank you, Mrs. Whitel. Yes. Um I I would also um like to have Mr. H. I'd like to pause a little short, please. Um because through this process um uh we have learned that as a system we need to do better about letting students know what resources that are available and have have currently been available. But uh somehow we have not somehow we have not got this message out appropriately to students and since we had several uh parents and students here I wanted to go ahead and share this. This was a app that was created um
079and it's it's been it's pushed out to every um laptop and it was pushed out to iPads when they had iPads but now it's pushed out to laptops. So it's become apparent to me when we had a meeting with another parent earlier uh in the league and actually I did not know that it would already exist because I went immediately from that meeting back to Mr. Handshaw and said hey c can we develop something and he said it's already we already have it developed and it's pushed out um to the laptops. Well, in talking with the parents this morning, um it became obvious um Mason did not know that this was available either. So, we have not done a good job of letting parents and students know of a resource that is available that they
080can either um anonymously or they can put their their name if they want further if they want additional followup or information. So, um I wanted to take this opportunity to let Mr. Hansshaw um speak about where it is on the laptops and how students can use it and the process. So, when we manage all of our devices, we push apps to everything. Um this has been around since everybody had iPads. So, I'm guessing it's been on every device for four or five years. I don't remember the exact time that we pushed it out. Um, but it's in the same location as all their other school things are. They can either search search it on the search bar or where all their other shortcuts from their schools are uploaded on the iPad and the computers. So,
081and when they fill out this form, it immediately sends an email and a text to the administration of of the schools and says, "Here's the issue." And that way they can it gets their attention as quickly as possible. Could you show what that would look like on um I I do want to also mention that um the high the Nicholas County High School has a separate app that's called Stop it that they use. This app is used middle school down uh for students and or parents. Uh parents can report things too. Um, but again, it it's become it's become obvious to me that we have not done a good job of letting parents know what what resources out there that things can be reported on. Um, because the two parents I've talked to this week
082did not know that it was available. So, um, I am going to suggest to Mr. Williams that we have the counselors when they go into classes and also PE and health teachers that they bring this up and they do a session on this for every class for every student um in school. And I would also encourage um our administration at their PTO meetings or their parent trainings that they let they bring this up just like this and let parents know where it might be too because it's not only important that we let students know where it is, but we also let know where it is. So I just wanted to um to mention this at this time. Do you have any questions for one more? Let me see. I would like to speak. I mean,
083I I just want to say that I Well, swear me in. I'll tell the truth. I don't care. I swear to tell the truth. What's your name? I'm Heather Pishner. Heather Pishner. Oh, yes. You swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I do. Thank you. You're welcome. I don't care what you do pertaining to this. if he needs to be expelled. But I will tell you this. I have a son who graduated from Nicholson County High School as an outstanding athlete. He taught three in the nation in basketball a couple years ago. Okay? I have a son right now in ninth grade. Okay? I have my boys do the same exact thing. It's if we need to, we fight. We don't run. We fight. I fight. I don't care.
084I'll tell you. I fight. I don't care. Mason has had problems with containing himself previously as your book you all got stated. I mean he has there's no there's nothing about us that you cannot see in there. I never deny it. I will say this he has been he has been so much better. He's doing so much better. But in our family they all know me very well. I will tear the walls clump off this building if it came down to my son. And I can't imagine what I would do if I had a daughter. Okay? I've been to them actually last year. My son got jumped by two children last year. Okay? I know this isn't what you're wanting to hear, but I'm just trying to give you an insight. He's a school athlete.
085He can't protect himself because automatically he would have lost his spot on the basketball team. To me, that was unacceptable. I went to the school. They know me. They seen me coming. Holy crap. What's going to happen? I just told them, "We've got to do better." Everywhere that's there was a teacher in the classroom at that time. Just as well as things have been whatever's been said, there's teachers walking kids to school to try to prevent things. Teachers can't prevent it. if it doesn't come from everybody has to work together and you all need to get on the same page and if there's issues you need to fix them so that way kids don't feel like they have to fix them theirelves. I mean my son got jumped by two boys and I took the
086video to the school and showed them and it was awful. I can't imagine what they feel like watching that video. But in my opinion, that was nothing different than what happened to my son last year by two children and they got less time by far than what you all are wanting to give him. And there was two of them on one child who never could protect himself. I know he has a past, but we cannot live in the past. and he was doing what he felt in his heart was the right thing to do for lots of little girls who trust him as his their friend. They come to him because and he's got a girlfriend and those things were sent to his girlfriend. That is terrible. I just want you to understand he is
087a good boy. The school doesn't care for him because he is what is labeled as a troublemaker. And I understand where they come from in that. I do. And he's my nephew and I love him. So, I'm going to take up for him. But in our family, we fight hard for what we love. We fight hard for the things that matter to us. And over the years, I've really calmed down a lot. So, I I've taken a step back and look to see that. But that was amazing, right? And that's the thing I'm asking you just take it into consideration that what he did, yes, it was wrong in all aspects. None of us have ever asked you, "Oh gosh, that was terrible. You gave me 10 days out." Well, no. And I know I'm
088not allowed to say this and I'm going to say it anyways. There's been two altercations with this same child previously and they did not get the trouble that Mason is looking at for that same child this year. With that same child this year, they got less time because Mason is labeled as a troublemaker. And he's he's outspoken. Yeah. He said something to Ryan Barnett. He did. He was mad. Anytime you're mad and your adrenaline's going or whatever, you're going to speak out of turns. You're going to smart somebody off. You're still in that other place. Everybody does it. They do it. Everybody does it. You do it. Everybody does it. I don't care. So, yes, he does things. He smarts people off. He's a good boy. He really is a good boy. And and without
089him, who knows what else could have happened. I'm not going to speculate. I'm I don't care. But I just want you all to see he is a good kid and expulsion is very extreme for something that you all have not I've never seen a kid expelled for for things like this. And the fight to me wasn't even that bad. Um but my son got the crap beat out of him by two kids and neither of them got expelled. Two last year in your schools and didn't even get expelled. Neither of them. I had to beg for the boy that recorded it and put his own face on camera and then turned it back around as they were preparing the fight. And my son had no clue it was all on video. I had to ask
090for him to be expel like suspended as well because that went everywhere. It was horrible. But stuff like that doesn't get an expulsion too on one and your school athlete who represents your school and he's a great athlete actually. So stuff like that. I just don't know how certain things are one way and certain things are another. And I just really want you all to think about expelling a child who stands up for things that he believes in because that's where our family comes from. We are good people. Hardworking people. Good people. We pay. We do what we're supposed to do. And that's all I have to say. But thank you for letting me talk. Thank you. That's close out. She wants to speak up. Lady's been trying to speak the whole time. Can I
091say something? There's a couple more that still want to talk. So, it won't be longwinded like mine. I'm sorry. President, do you want to I'm Megan Wood and I swear to tell the truth, whole truth, nothing but the truth. Thank you. Okay. Everybody here's a mandated reporter, right? Everybody, right? Everybody's what? A mandated reporter. Correct. You are employed by the state. You are mandated reporters. You have now heard her side. The child, right? Who's reporting us? All right. Right. You've heard her. All of you have heard her. Please do your jobs. I'm asking you do your jobs. All of you. You heard her. Right. Correct. Will you do your job? I'm asking. Will you do your job? Ma'am, this isn't an atmosphere for that. They understand their obligations. It came this far. This We would
092never be here if they done their job. This child got in trouble for a knife last year threatening to kill someone. Why is he still in public school? Okay. What? There's an alternative school. Correct, ma'am. Correct. We're not going to talk about other students, but state policy was followed. If this was handled the way it should have been, we would not even be here that a child had to take it into his own hands when there's several reports of this child being an issue to several children. And we are all mandated reporters and everybody here has now heard one video. You can't say you haven't. So, I'm asking, do your jobs, protect these kids, please, because this child shouldn't have to take it into his own hands. And that should make you all feel some
093type of way because we're voting you all in and you're not protecting our kids. So, what do you all have to say for yourselves? Thank you. President due process has been afforded. I think it's time lady. I'm Ashley Hendrick and I'm here to tell the truth. Ashley, um I have had I have five children. Um two who go to the middle school at this moment. I have one daughter who is 19 and I can honestly say that she's kind of been through the same exact thing that these girls have been through starting in grade six. Um, a lot of it was pushed aside. She was an athlete. She couldn't take up for herself because she would be in trouble. Yes, she was kind of she took up for herself because unlike, you know, when she
094was in school, no one really wanted to take up for anybody, but she was strong enough unlike some of these girls to take up for herself. She did what she needed to do to protect herself for the same exact things. And you're going to expel Mason for taking up for someone who, yes, maybe it was wrong, but he did what he thought needed to be done to protect the girls from what this child was saying. My sixth grader has seen messages on his girlfriend's phone from said boy. He listens to his girlfriend every evening complain about this little boy. I don't think they're here. I think they all had to work. Um, but it's a serious situation. This child took it upon himself to take up for someone and said, well, several someone's because our
095children do not think the administration at the school is safe to go talk to. If they go to the school and they say something is wrong, they are told to stay away from that child. Stay away from this person. I know my son had an injury yesterday where he was in a class he wasn't supposed to be in because there was a student in another class that he is not supposed to be around because she runs her mouth and starts trouble. Okay, there's a problem. Take the steps to fix it. Please, that's why Mason did what he did. Yes. Expulsion is completely I I feel like it is a terrible punishment. Yes. give him his 10 days or however many days of um expended, but really you're going to expel a child who took up
096for girls them and protected them. That's what it did. It's something that really truly needs to be talked about. What was your name? Okay. Your recommendation to the board. In closing, it is my recommendation that the board consider an expulsion for Mason Johnson for the battery against a student. Um these these actions violate policy 4373 behaviors and safe and supportive schools. What about violating all the rights? Excuse me. Excuse me. at this time. Do we uh need an exe executive session? Yes. Oh, I'm sorry. Yeah. Mason, speak. I think it's ridiculous. He protected the little girl. He protected. He done what he felt was right after following the required steps. the required steps by he took required steps as far as the day he stepped into that office and he reported it not only once
097but twice to a police officer to a counselor he took his steps that he was supposed to and my eyes they failed just because you sit there and say that well yeah he you can't take matters into your own hands well you didn't take matters into your all's hands and when you didn't take matters into your all's hands you didn't take care of the business. So it proceeded far enough that he took care of it himself. No, I don't want him to do that. I don't raise my child to do that. But I'm going to raise my child to be a protector the same as you would your wife, your kids, same as my wife, my kids, the same as the next man. If someone walks up to your wife and they threaten you with
098a threat, what's going to happen? You're not going to just stand there. It it's it's not going to just be probably let go. You're gonna stand up for yourself the same as everybody should. And it shouldn't have had to win that far. And he's not a troublemaker. And he is he he's not a troublemaker. Yes, he he's an honorary child. I I I've grew up on a farm my whole life. I've been my I've let my kids run wild through the yard. Bare butt. I mean, since they just just just little kids. But, you know, we we have fun. But I also teach my kids right from wrong. I don't expect my kid to sit and just hand fist punch somebody, that that ain't happening. But if my child stands up for what is right,
099his father is going to stand behind him. And that's why I'm here today. My child stood up for what is right. And whether it's in your eyes or whether it's not, but he did. He stood up for exactly what was supposed to happen. Yes. Because we you all did not take exactly take matters into your own hands and stop it before it happened. Amen. They can sit here and say what they want to, but why would my child up and sit there and say that we was escorted to class? Why would that be even be going off if if they was escorted to class there is an issue? Why would you preassign a student into another class that there is an issue at? Why would that even go off? It shouldn't even be happening because
100we overlook it. We just let it go. Make a motion. And another thing, they claim that they're not escorting. There's video picture proof that they are escorting. Yeah. They are escorting. So they were very much aware of the issue but because they're forward with do we have an exe do we have a motion for executive session? I'll make a motion executive session. Okay. Do we have a second? I'd like to ask one question. Can I ask one question before? Sure. Uh of the administration. Have you ever ignored serious accusations uh and not documented them or acted on them in any way? Yes, sir. Okay. Well, now that's documented. And uh have you ever picked on a child because of some prior problems? Ma'am, no. Thank you. Is there anything you'd like to say? Okay, I'll
101second the motion we move into execution. Hey, motion by Mr. Green, second by Mr. Ferguson. All in favor? I at 10:33 actually. You want this? I'd say it this way. Do it. Yeah. Do we have a motion to come out of executive session? So move. Mr. Moose makes a motion. Seconded by second. Second by Mr. Green at all in favor. I I at 10:52. Based upon this disciplinary incident, I recommend that the student be expelled until the ends of this school year and be allowed to start 9th grade at Nicholas County High School, provided that the student attends evening ALC Monday through Thursday 3:30 to 6:00, have satisfactory grades, regular attendance, attend developmental guidance in the ALC, and have no disciplinary incidents the rest of this school year. I'll make the motion that we agree
102to that. Okay. Mr. Mo Moose makes a motion. Do we have a second? Second. Mr. Ferguson seconds. All in favor? I opposed. Motion unanimous. So, do you want you want to send them a copy of that? Who they want to speak with? No. Um, she's going to give you a copy of this. She can mail it to me. Okay. Okay. At this time, we have action items. You are feel free more than welcome to stay or whatever you'd like to do. Action item one, discussion with poss possible action on accepting the bid with swoop for the Nicholas County sewage project. Total projected cost 1,773,141. So the sewage project bid is on your advice. Thank you. Yeah. Thank you. to help you. Thank you. Thank you, Amy. Thank um heads up. Heads up. Gentlemen. Hey, ladies.
103Are you all leaving? Oh, okay. All right. I was going to say I was going to say Never mind. Any questions about the uh sewage bid? Any discussion? Are we going to get the 73,000 from PEMA? Can we use that or just This is an MI an MIP grant and um the 75,000 was coming out of local cost. It was what we um put in our project. Sure. It's It made it a little bit more appealing for them to They always want you to kind of put in Oh, yeah. something. We put that in actually at the end of last fiscal year because we knew that we were getting this, right? Um the total was another $57,000. Do you know that was for Is that the contingency? Um I'm not sure. I just knew there
104was the amount of the bid and then the amount we're paying ZM. Was there an initial put an additional part on top of the bid? It says contingency. It says contingency. Yeah, it's just a contingency 57. Yes. Okay. Yes. I think it's actually $1,800 under under bid. So, yes, we're still below after. Okay. Any other discussion? Do we have a motion to We'll vote on these separately. Do we have a motion to accept the uh project bid for the Nicholas County High School sewage project? So move Ferguson makes a motion. Second by M. Moose seconds. All in favor? I'll tell my little girl when I get home. I'm disappointed. All in favor? I opposed. Um B discussion with possible action on 21st CenturyU reapplication for the uh Summersville Elementary School in Glake Creek Elementary. Golly
105River, golly river. Sorry. Could somebody summarize that? Yeah, we partner with St. Rich and we write 21st century grants to support after school programming in the summer boost camps those two schools. The current grant we have now will end in June. It's the end of the five-year cycle and it's time to rewrite. So, we're going to resubmit that grant and as part of that grant, they want a an MAU. The last time we did it, we had one for the county. This year, they've developed one for the county and one for the individual schools, but the principles did not want to sign it without your approval first. And you have a copy of both of those. But basically, it just says that we're going to be partnering with third use facilities. Um we will continue
106like some of the things that we do in kind like when um we are reviewing student achievement and progress we share data with them on how the after school program is going. They share information with us. Um those types of things. So just a continuation of what we're already doing if we get the grant. Okay. Now is it just for these two schools or will It's just for these two schools right now. right now. Okay. We have a separate grant that funds the ones for Cherry River and Birch River and they are finishing their third year. So, we'll do another grant for them again in two years. Okay. Thank you. Do we have a motion to accept the 21st century? I'll make a motion. Mr. Green makes a motion. Seconded by Second. Mr. Barry seconds.
107All in favor I opposed. Motion unanimous. And so personnel move we need a motion for executive session for personnel. So move Mr. Ferguson makes a motion seconded by second Mr. Moose. All in favor I I at 11 o'clock. to come out of executive session. So move Mr. Moose makes a motion seconded by second by Mr. Barry. All in favor? I at 11:38. There were no decisions made in executive session. Do we have a motion? Do you need to present anything else? Um no. I just um I just want to point out that Courtney Martin is for next school year. So, she'll remain in her position um till the end of this school year. All right. Um do we have a motion to accept the personnel agenda? I'll make a motion that we accept the personnel
108agenda including the termination of employment of Devon AIC as a substitute uh service personnel. Okay, we have a motion. Do we have a second? Second. Second by Mr. Barry. Any other discussion? All in favor? I at Oh, I don't have to say that. You're used to saying that. I'm used to saying that. Um, okay. So, do we have a motion to adjurnn? Mr. Green makes a motion to adjurnn. Seconded by Mr. Barry seconds. All in favor? I at 11:39. Thank you. Kids will take it.