001Let us pray. Thank you, oh heavenly father, for this day that you've blessed us to be a part of. We invoke your presence this afternoon upon this room and upon your people. We're blessed to be present here today. And as we as a community, as we embark on a new school year of 2025, 2026, we come this afternoon seeking you in prayer. seeking you for direction, seeking you for guidance, seeking you, oh God, towards daily growth and success. We ask this afternoon for a covering for each of our schools, each MPS building, all of our teachers, aids, administrators, and staff. We ask for a covering over every family, every child, every parent, and every guardian. We even seek for a covering for this school board, our each one of them, our new superintendent. May you
002lead him and them, oh God. Guide them with confidence and boldness, but only through the power of the Holy Spirit. Finally, oh God, as a district, we acknowledge that you have made many provisions for us, and we believe that we can accomplish much, but your word declares, "With men, this is impossible, but with God all things are possible in Jesus's mighty name." Amen. >> Amen. Amen. Thank you, Reverend Plump. Um, at this time, we have six I'm sorry. Let us stand for the pledge of >> allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the standy for all. Now we have six members present. Therefore, a quorum has been established. Um, our next item is the approval of the agenda. Is there a motion to approve the agenda as written? >> Madame Vice
003President, I move that we approve the agenda. >> And I second it. It has been motioned and second um to approve the agenda. Uh may I see a show of hands? Those in favor of I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Is there any discussion? Seeing that there is no discussion, may I see a show of hands for all those in favor? It is unanimous. Thank you. Now, vice president remarks. They will be um short and sweet, but I did not want to miss this opportunity um to welcome everyone back to school. Uh at this year's convocation, Dr. Bird and his administration set a theme for our teachers and staff. On behalf of the board of education, we want to reiterate the theme and extend our support to all of our workforce, parents, students, and stakeholders. Welcome back
004and thank you for the incredible work you do every day. This year's theme says it all, superheroes. Now, you may not wear capes, leap tall buildings, but every one of you has a superpower. Whether you work at a manufacturing plant, drive a truck, serve meals, clean buildings, heal wounds, serve the community, or raise and encourage our most treasured assets. You are a hero to your children and to our community. Parents, you are their first teacher, their first line of defense, and their most trusted allies. You are the everyday heroes who wake your children up every day to go to school. You check homework, cheer from the sidelines, and remind them to never give up. Your partnership is the shield and strength that protects and empowers them. This year, we ask all of our heroes, parents,
005teachers, staff, and community to fully step into that role. Every lead hero in Bible or book has summoned help, and our superintendent has done the same. Every retired educator that still chooses to serve has been invited to once again drape on their cape to help overtake the obstacles that hinder our children from realizing their dream of being a educated, successful, and productive hero to others. Our mission is clear. Give every child in Montgomery public schools the opportunity to succeed, grow, and thrive. Yes, there will be challenges, but we've proven time and time again that nothing can stop a united team of heroes. Parents and stakeholders, we see you. We hear you. We value you. And we are proud to stand shouldertosh shoulder with you as we make this our best year yet. Capes on heroes.
006Let's go. Thank you and let's have an amazing school year. Next, we will have remarks from our superintendent, Dr. Bird. Thank you, Madam Vice President. Good evening, board members, colleagues, parents, students, and members of our community. As we begin this school year, our theme is superheroes. And I can say without a doubt, our first days back have proven that the MPS team is indeed filled with everyday heroes who start each day and end each day with their invisible capes, saving the day for many of our students and families. Since the opening of school, I've made it priority to be in our buildings, observing classrooms, supporting principles, and listening to both staff and students. Everywhere I've gone, I've been greeted with smiles, enthusiasm, and a clear sense of purpose. Our employees and our students are showing
007up with their superhero powers. Whether it's the power of patience, creativity, problem solving, or simply the power of kindness. And for that, I am truly grateful. One of the ways we're amplifying that energy is making sure we're providing support to our civil heroes on the front lines is through our beyond the desk initiative. This year, our central office specialists will be spending the majority of their days inside the classrooms inside our schools. This means more hands-on support for teachers, more opportunities to problem solve in real time, and more direct connections with our students and our employees. I also want to take a moment to remind our parents that attendance matters every single day. The most powerful thing we can do for a child's education is to ensure they are in school on time and ready
008to learn. Every day missed is an opportunity lost. And together we can make sure that our children that they are present and they are prepared. Over these first two weeks, we've seen strong starts in academics, smooth transportation routes in most areas, and vibrant extracurricular activities getting underway. But we've also seen some challenges. We want our parents to know that we hear you and we are addressing those challenges each day and we want you to look forward to hearing some exciting news about the launch of our customer service initiatives as well as other exciting opportunities for some of our schools. As we move forward, my commitment remains the same. To be visible, to listen, and to act in ways that makes MPS stronger each and every day. Together, we will make this school year one where
009every student, every employee, and every school can truly shine. I want to thank you all so much for your continued support and dedication to Montgomery Public Schools. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Bird. Wonderful. Next, we will have our board recognitions by Mrs. Rosanna Brutin. >> Good evening, Madame President, Vice President, >> Dr. Bird, and board members. It is truly an honor to join you this evening, and I'm excited because this is my very first board meeting as the director of communications. I would also like to point out this is the first board meeting for another one of our communication department team members, Miss Monae Stevens, who is serving as a marketing and community development manager. We are absolutely excited and looking forward to working to support and amplify the great work happening across MPS. Now
010before we move on, I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to our vendors, volunteers, and MPS staff who contributed to the success of the back to school bash. Thanks to your efforts, we had and welcomed over 2,800 families to the incredible event. And this evening, we have several people we would like to celebrate with you. First up, we have three amazing students that spent their summer break giving back to their community. Faith Brown, Kayn Snerling, and Zelia Williams. If you all would mind coming forward for us. They're students at Brew Baker Technology Magnet High School. They proudly served as interns in the Jackson Hospital summer internship program. Through their participation in the hospital's volunteer program, they gave handson experience in various areas such as patient care, administrative roles, and so much more. The hosta
011track chapter with Faith Brown serving as chapter president. Their internship experience highlights their commitment to health care and dedication to making a meaningful impact both in their careers and the community. Bird, we welcome you to take a photo with these lovely students along with the board. [Applause] And this is the principal joining us. We thank you. >> And the supervisor for Jackson [Applause] Let's give them another round of applause. Next up, we're thrilled to share that the Dela Elementary PTA has earned the National PTA School of Excellence designation. Schools are recognized for building partnerships between families and their schools that are enriching the educational experience and overall well-being for our students. What an outstanding achievement. We welcome them to come up and take a picture with Dr. bird and our board members. [Applause] >> And
012we also have the uh principal of Dela Elementary joining us this evening as well. there. >> Yes, I can. You all are welcome to stay right where you are as we continue these recognitions. We also have uh representatives with the Alabama PTA and Montgomery County Council PTA joining us this evening for the Alabama PTA reflections program. We had a number of students. If you are a student who received a state award and you are a state award winner, please rise and join us. [Applause] We also had two national reflection winners. if they would please join us. And just to give you a little bit of background that this national PTA reflections program is giving the designation to these students for their exceptional creative work of interpreting a specific theme. And again, if we can give
013a round of applause for our state and national winners. [Applause] And now we'll take a moment to celebrate a dedicated educator. Mrs. Heidi Beard was recently recognized by Define Learning as the elementary defined difference maker winner. Defined learning shared that defined difference makers were identified for their creativity, dedication, and meaningful impact on student engagement and skill development. I'll also have Dr. Pelton and Beard join us and come share a little bit more. [Applause] Hello. It is my honor to introduce Miss Heidi uh Castile Bearden. She is a STEM teacher at Wilson Elementary School and she was a national winner um with the projectbased learning with the defined learning platform. She is definitely an inspiration. She motivates her students. She also provides creative, dedicated, meaningful learning for her students. So, with this award, she received a
014$100 gift card to Amazon and we just want to celebrate her and the work that she's doing and hoping that it's going to spread. [Applause] Yes, it is. I also want to make this announcement as our board members get back to their seat along with Dr. uh our our fearless leader superintendent. Make sure you follow Montgomery Public Schools on social media. It is a great way to stay connected and up todate with all things going on at NPS. Thank you. you know. >> All right. Now we're now we're all excited. We'll move right along. Uh our next order of business is our scheduled uh public comments. Uh we have um Mr. Joe Pernell and Mr. Alan Bryant Jr. are those gentlemen in the building? Let me if Mr. Pernell will come forward. I will read
015the rules and procedures for public participation. Requests must be made in advance in writing to the superintendent's office by 4:30 p.m. on the Tuesday preceding the meeting date. Requests must have specified the nature of the business to be taken up with the board and the name of the person who will address the board to be added to the agenda. Communications must be respectful. Discussing specific student or employee matters will not be allowed. Individuals who have concerns that are inappropriate to be solved in this venue are welcome to seek a problem-solving meeting with the superintendent. Immediate feedback by the board may not be provided. However, you may be contacted for followup by the superintendent or his designate. Public comments may not exceed three minutes. The board chair has full authority to terminate the remarks of any
016person whose comments maintain contain personal attacks, exceed the time limit or are otherwise inappropriate. Speaker may be considered disruptive who continues to speak when the allocated time has ended. If a person fails to comply, we are asked to terminate uh the comments and be escorted to their seat. Mr. um Pernell's remarks this afternoon will be how to properly address the issue of gun violence in today's society. Thank you, sir. You may begin. >> Good afternoon >> again. My name is Joe Pernell. Um, I'm here to address the issue of gun violence. I don't think there's anyone here in this room who lives within the Montgomery community does not understand the effects, the negative effects of gun violence. I'm not here to reinvent the wheel. I'm just here to make a suggestion. Who better than us
017to deal with this? Give you an issue. First of all, it has been demonstrated against. It has been legislated. It has been advocated against. Everything that has been done has failed. Needless to say that regardless of what is done, when one push one way, there's somebody pushing back. The gun lobby, the advocates, the liberals, the conservatives, so forth and so on. What I'm here to do is to put forth an idea. Who better contrive curriculums than us? Who better put together lesson plans than us? Who better spend more time with children outside of their parents' home than us? So, what I'm asking is for us, the education department of this city, to put together a platform that we can present to parents and hopefully with their support, teach our children about gun violence, not gun
018safety, gun violence. The issue here is that teaching a child how to shoot a gun, how to handle a gun is not enough. Putting a gun on safety, putting a gun in a lock box, that's not good. So, what I'm here to do is to ask us, we the educators. We don't legislate, but we can advocate. We can educate. The best way to change is to educate the population. Remember the seat belt situation. Remember the cigarettes. remember all of those major even civil rights. It took years but the public had to be educated. If we educate our youth, if we educate our youth, not advocate for, not talk against, but just educate, the more educated a person is, the better a person can make a decision on how to address an issue or how to
019deal with it. Our kids shoot, our kids die. And we know personally at Park Cross and how this feel. The young man who was dealt with, who lost his life uh early, he was in my eighth period class. I remember his infectious smile. I see him every day. I remember the young lady who was ill in her bedroom. He wasn't doing on the streets. That's why we have to talk about gun violence. We have to address it educationally. The more you address it educationally, you can do it steadfastly and methodically and change the mindset. Change the mindset, then you possibly can change the action. Thank you, Mr. Pernell, for your for your thoughtful comments. Is Mr. Alan Bryant Jr. here. Welcome, Mr. Bryant. Excuse me. Mr. Bryant will be addressing administrative educational accountability this afternoon.
020You may begin. >> Good afternoon. and good afternoon to the public. Um after um looking at MPS for um four years um the teaching methods and the learning methods um there is a lot to be desired. I'm going to read um what I typed up and I'll go over it with you. Integrity in teaching is a multifaceted concept encompassing honesty, fairness, and ethical conduct in all aspects of a teacher's per professional life both inside and outside the classroom. It involves upholding high standards of scholarship, promoting a culture of respect and trust, constantly acting and consistently acting in the best interest of the students. In an educational system where there is little to no solidarity among teachers in the administration, achieving academic excellence is hindered and not achievable. High teacher morale is dependent dependent upon teacher
021solidarity across the board. To my knowledge, there is no means, methods or organizations that facilitate or monitor solidarity among teachers. Collabor collaboration among teachers is essential for the successful relevant rigor that promotes academic success in students. It is very evident the students are not achieving academic outcomes that are designed for them to become productive citizens in this great city. Although some schools have shown the achievement of the district goals, many schools are not showing improvement and haven't shown improvement uh haven't shown any progress um for some time. um in that recent statistics show that 77% of MPS schools have achieved report cards of C and below while 23% or above C and out of all the schools only two received an A. uh the high schools um out of the six high schools, two of
022them receive Fs and I think two received D and two receive C's. Um it is very obvious to some extent that MPS instructional leaders haven't been utilizing researchbased methods, practice and theories to enhance its educational instructional delivery. However, MPS has historically used practices such as pink slips to certified teachers, hiring of unqualified and uncertified teachers. These teachers are >> Thank you so much u Mr. Bryant for your heartfelt uh comments, but you've reached your three minute limit. Thank you so much. >> Are you serious? >> Yes, ma'am. Yes, sir. Okay, >> we thank you. But again, as our um as our protocol calls, if you would like further discussion, you can always call and see if you can get an appointment. >> Thank you. >> Uhhuh. At this time, we have no citizen comments. Uh
023our next order of business will be South Middle Gym Edition change order one. Mr. Anderson. >> Good evening, Dr. Bird, Miss Portoris, and members of the board. Uh, the documentation from Vulker describes the change order request uh and reads as follows. We have several day requests that are of no cost change order uh from different items such as the water, sewer, and fire line revisions. You see those items. There are a couple of cost changes in the termite treatment to the building pad. This was of course even though the building is of concrete and steel and brick and mortar, we do have the gym floor. That's a major cost that if if we did have some termite infestation of that, it would be it would be something. So, a little bit of prevention on the
024front end leaves a lot of heartache left behind on the back end of things. So, that's the request for that piece. uh the structural changes in the gym beams, that was a small um revision by our architects working in conjunction with the contractor and their recommendations. And then the addition of the MDF closet uh in the gymnasium area that was also kind of after the after the bid revision. We had some line items in there, but getting the full design of what needed to go into that closet when you're considering the IT infrastructure, the access control, cameras, and different things. That's the reason for uh bringing it forward. Now, in these items, I will say that we still remain well under budget, approximately $1.6 million under the budget that was allotted for this project. So,
025we feel really confident moving forward. >> Very good. Any comment or questions for Miss D. Thank you so much, Mr. Anderson. Next, we'll have our attorney, Erica Powell, to go over the internet safety and use of technology policy. Good evening, Madame Vice President, members of the board, Superintendent Dr. Bird. Um, I just want to go over with you uh real quick regarding the internet safety policy. As you guys recall, the focus act um which we've discussed previously um requires that there is an internet safety policy to be implemented by all school districts. Um we we typically or we mo we already have a um acceptable use policy in place that kind of governs some of this. However, with the focus act, there are some different requirements that we needed to address and update. And so,
026you guys have already been provided with the revised language to update the internet safety policy. Um, specifically specifically the internet safety policy as currently um or proposed to be implemented. It will update the following versions. It will protect students from unsafe and unsecure online communication platforms. prohibits students access to unlawfully obtained information and unlawful online activities. It um blocks student access to websites, web applications or software that exposes a student's personal information and restrict students access to social media platforms unless authorized by a teacher for educational purposes. These are all requirements under the focus act. And so the proposed language revising what we currently have is to be in place um in compliant with what the focus act requires. >> Any questions for attorney power? Hearing no questions, we thank you very much. >> Thank
027you. >> Next, we will have our June 2025 financial statement given by Mrs. Watkins. Okay, sorry. You should have before you the financials for the month of June. Included in those financials are the explanation of financial data, which is a statement and overview of the financial status as of June 2025. um specific to the general fund which is our primary operating fund for the district and the statement is provided by me that gives an overview. Secondly, you should have your snapshot analysis. The snapshot analysis provides a high-level overview of the district's financial statement and financial information. I'm sorry and we'll come back to that. Um, you should also have your general fund recap balance, which is a breakout of what our general fund balance is as of June 2025. Additionally, you have the monthly percentages.
028The month of June represents 34s of the fiscal year, which means that we should be at about 75% of expenditures, which we pretty much are. You also have the monthly and annual comparative statement of revenues which compares the previous year and year-to- date to the current year, current month and current year to date as well. Then you have the statement of cash flow which shows our cash that has entered and exited during the month of June. The pie charts which is a visual of those cash flows and inflows. And then you have our F exhibits which are the reports that are generated from the state department of education. We'll focus here on the snapshot analysis. The snapshot analysis as you can see gives you our revenues and our expenditures compared to the budget. Um in
029that first block you'll see that our expenditures are approximately 78% of the budget. This is our original budget. our amended budget which has been submitted has not been approved. So you don't see the the changes that have occurred with that. Um the 78% versus 75% represents transfers out to other funding sources. Um specifically capital. Um additionally you see the general fund total payroll expenditures compared to June of 2024. Um and if you look you probably see a significant difference there. Um, what makes up that difference is the fact that in the month of June, we paid out probably 1 and a half million of the principal supplements, principal and assistant principal supplements, as well as you also have to factor in the 2% increase in step increases that would have occurred from June of 2024
030to June of 2025. Um you'll see our local rep um revenues represented there as well, which is a pretty fair comparison. And then you'll see our general fund balance at 112 million. I can't see that far. Um 112 million 654 as of now. If we look at what makes up that general fund balance, as I always state, our true general fund local revenue balance is about 85 million 85 $86 million. We do still anticipate ending the fiscal year with approximately $88 million in all. Um, but what makes up the $112 million, as you'll see, there are other fund sources on here that are specifically for those fund sources. So meaning that they can only be spent um with the as they are described on this report. So transportation can only be spent on transportation. OMI
031can only be spent on OMI um and so on and so forth. Additionally, if you look at one of the other comparisons that I usually make when I look at this is to see what last year looks like compared to this year. And when I look at this, I will see that our expenditures are tracking closely to what they were last year. One of the big differences that I see here is that our local revenues in June of 2024 were a negative compared to 559. The reason for that is that last year was the first year that we received the advalorum. We are required by law to move half of those revenues to capital and that was done during the month of June last year. Um we did a little differently this year and made
032those transitions during the months that most of our revenues came in is what we tried to do this fiscal year. Um one of the other things and I I'm probably talking a little bit more than I normally do. One of the other things that I do track is that um when I know that our expenditures should be approximately 75% I look at our outflows and see if they're tracking such as and as I stated I see that our instructional support services were actually 70 78% and that is due to the payouts to the principles and assistant principles that is the line item that that would have hit and the function that would have hit and that represents the overage the over the 75% on that line item and that is it for our financial report
033for the month of June. >> Are there any questions? >> Yeah, I mean you I would just like your opinion on the page where you were talking about financial monitoring and future concerns where you talked about the student enrollment decline. >> Yes. >> And it being less than 200. >> I mean I was sitting here going, you know, what is it? But I was thinking I mean do you think there's a possibility that I mean that's not a lot that's really that's not bad considering >> that we had the student choice act. Do you think >> how much would you say I mean would you say that was a big contributor? What what is your opinion? >> Well those numbers represent the difference between um fiscal year 24 and our funding for fiscal year 25.
034>> So that really wouldn't affect it right? I mean, they wouldn't have been the choice act, >> right? So, we will probably see the effects of that this fiscal year. >> So, when they do the 20-day count in October, my assumption is that we will see the effects of the choice this school year, which will affect our funding next fiscal year. Okay. Any other questions? I have one question about the um the payouts. Is that money we get back or that we received or >> That is money that we received. So we paid it in the month of June. If you look on the general fund recap, you will actually notice that principal leadership and mentoring is a negative 1,288. Th that was our payout and we received those funds in the month of July.
035>> Okay. Thank you. You're welcome. >> Thank you so much, Miss Watkins. Now I will turn it over to Dr. Bird for our consent agenda. >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you, Madam Vice President. Superintendent recommends approval of the consent agenda that includes A. The parent paid leave policy, B. The student grievance policy, C, the MPS library media handbook, D. Internet safety and use of technology policy, E. the June 2025 financial statement if the June 24th special call meeting minutes, the July 8th regular board meeting minutes, the July 8th work session minutes, the July 22nd special call meeting minutes, and July 29th special called meeting meeting minutes. Superintendent also request your approval of item G, the bid report. Madame President, I move that we accept the superintendent's uh recommendation on the consent agenda items A through G.
036>> We have heard a a motion by Dr. Key to accept consent agenda items A through G. Is there a second? >> I second it. >> Miss Cloud is second. Is there any discussion on these items? Hearing no discussion, I will call for the vote. Those in favor of approving the superintendent's recommendation for the consent agenda, please do so by a show of hands. It is unanimous. >> Thank you, >> Dr. B. >> Thank you. Superintendent recommends approval for the consider for approval item A personnel report certified personnel. Superintendent has made a recommendation to approve personnel report certified personnel. Is there a motion? >> Madame President, Madame Vice President, I move that we accept the superintendent's recommendation for personnel. >> Second it. >> Motion and second has been made. Is there any discussion? Hearing no
037discussion. We will call for a vote. Um would those in favor please let me see a show of hands. It is unanimous. >> Thank you. Superintendent requests approval of the personnel report classified personnel. >> Madam President, I move that we accept the the superintendent's recommendation for the for the classified personnel. >> Motion has been made by Dr. Key to accept superintendent's recommendation. May I have a second or is there a second? A second. Second. >> Thank you, ladies. It has been moved and second. Uh is there any discussion hearing? No discussion. Uh those in favor uh please raise your hands. Unanimous. They're such good. Um superintendent. >> Thank you. Superintendent request the board approvals of the personnel report teams. Superintendent has made a recommendation to accept the personnel report teams. Is there a motion? >>
038Madame vice president, I move that we accept the superintendent's recommendation for report teams. >> Thank you. Is there a second? >> I second it. >> Thank you. Those in favor, please do so by a show of hands. It is unanimous. >> Thank you, sir. Um, our next meeting dates will be I'm sorry. >> Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry. >> Turn your mic on. >> Sorry. How do we look in our elementary, middle school, and high school teaching positions and admin positions? Are they filled now? So, as of right now, I think that we may have, and please don't quote me on this right now, but I think we may have maybe about nine to 12 vacancies at this time. >> And that's across the district. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Thank you. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Any
039other comment? >> Yes, Madam Vice President, I just thought the speech that you made at the very beginning was just uh phenomenal. I think, you know, it was great and I just um it was just nice to hear it and it was the soon as you spoke then I saw our superintendent chime in with the superheroes and I just felt like um I was proud. I was so proud. So, thank you. >> Well, we're glad to make you proud, Dr. Keith. Our next meeting dates will be September 4th, 2025 at 4:30. There will be a budget hearing. You know, we go through a series of budget hearing. The first one will be in training room number one. Um followed up by the second budget hearing on September 9th, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. I certainly hope
040that the community at large will join us, ask questions, get an understanding of uh our budget and how important what we spend is to us and how we provide for our students. At this time uh this meeting is adjourned. We have to wait. >> Huh? >> We have to wait till six. >> Oh, do >> we have to wait to do the work session? >> You all better run cuz I'm going to start this work session. Yes, ma'am. >> Yes. All right, ladies and gentlemen, the Montgomery County Board of Education work session is now being called to order. We still have a quorum. Um, so a quorum has been established. Our next item is the approval of our work session agenda as printed. Um, >> do I have a motion to approve the agenda of
041the work session? >> Madame vice president, I move that we approve the agenda for the work session. >> I second it. >> Dr. Keith has made the motion and Miss Cloud has second the approval of the agenda. Madame Vice President, please forgive me if you've already done this, but I did not hear an establishment of a quorum for the work session. So, if you can establish the qu for the work session. >> I did. >> Oh, maybe I need to put it on the record. The uh six There is six and the quorum has been established for the work session. That right? Okay. All right. So, we have a motion on the floor for approval of the agenda. It has been second. May I see a show of hands for those in favor? It is
042unanimous. Our next item to receive is information is vulker. We're happy to welcome back Miss Penn with us. >> Let's see if y'all can hear me now. Thank you, Dr. Bird. Board members, good afternoon. Thank you for allowing me to be here to do our uh monthly update. All right, we're going to dive straight on into the new Percy Julian High School. We're tracking about 5% on our overall schedule. Um, and still looking at a completion date of December 2027. Um update for the month. We've got mass grading uh ongoing and uh aggressively just moving dirt out there. Uh the site contractor is hauling uh barred field in the site and placing it in the building pad of areas A and C. And while my slide is a it's a little small, but down in
043the right hand corner I've got the building sections kind of divided off A B C D. So you can see um in the top the top northern portion of the the campus where Todd Road has been rerouted. I hope you guys can see it. Um A and B is where the contractor currently is working and getting the building pad prepped and ready to start a foundation. So we've got building pad certification that's scheduled uh for sections A and C this week, August 15th. And that's just a sign off to ensure that the building's at grade and compaction has been achieved. And so we'll start excavation and pouring of the foundation footings starting next week. So we'll start kind of opening up and hopefully within I'd say within the probably by the end of the year
044we will really start seeing vertical block go up. Um, we've also got crews starting soil cutting areas B and G and they're using the on-site material to build twoft lifts and then coming back with complacing compacting field on top. And then we're working on the small small pond area. In this slide here in the top right hand corner, you can see the two ponds. That's our smaller pond. Uh they're actually cleaning that out and um reworking that that area. the good soil that you see, the nice pretty bright orange um soil to the left, that's where your building pad A and C will be at. There's an aerial view of your uh the west view of the campus looking back towards the boulevard. Over in the middle section of uh the right hand side, you
045can see where Todd Road is coming out and turning and heading back towards the boulevard. Again, another aerial view of uh facing south towards the Roy Hodgees Boulevard. You can just see there. I mean, just massive amounts of dirt being moved currently. And then just another aerial picture of uh what the school drive looks like currently. um so that when we start uh bringing bringing it to you each month for updates, you can kind of see how that drive will start really coming around and tying into the school site. So, it's going to be it's going to be really impressive from the boulevard. Uh we we marked an end of Park Crossing High School Fieldhouse. We achieved substantial completion on July 28th. So, that was a that was a big turnover for our team. Um,
046that project was managed by our partnering sub consultant, uh, Zack Rump, which unfortunately he's not here tonight, but I did just want to point out he was with KWZ and he was the on-site PM during that time for this project. So, punch list items are being addressed by the GC currently and uh, we've got Precision Floor Care on site this week to complete the vinyl uh, floor logo at the front entry of the fieldhouse. So just some pictures of finished product. This is the athletic study hall, your athlete film rooms, coaches suite, and then you've got the head football coaches office to the left. Your weight room, which turned out really nice. Really nice. football equipment room. Then again, just the athletic locker room area. Moving into South Lawn Middle School, we're currently tracking at
04786% overall project complete. Um anticipated completion after change order number one approval tonight. Uh we're pushing hard hard for the contractor to turn over this building uh by September 24th. So that's five weeks. There's a lot that's still got to be done um from the GC's end, but I feel confident that they've got a plan. We've just got to execute it and make sure that they stay on task. So that's our plan. Um and we've currently with the the work going on out there is uh we're completing the second coat of wall paint um throughout the building. Crews are touching up the accent walls, our hard ceilings, that's in the restroom areas. They've been inspected overhead by the DCM. We still have the layin ceiling areas, which is the majority of the building left for
048the DCM to inspect. So, I would anticipate within the next two weeks having that overhead inspection scheduled. Um, we've got subway tile uh installed in the restrooms. The wall base tile was uh actually uh nearing completion when I was out there earlier this week. The restroom and locker room floor tile has been installed. The building is climatized and we're we're working on the next step and the biggest step being the wood gym floor being installed. So, get that um delivered, start letting it get climatized to the to the air conditioning and then actually get it installed. It'll probably take about a two week process for that to start and end. Um crews are also on site stalling installing the wall and base cabinets at the uh equipment and laundry room and we've got exterior RFP
049doors installed. However, we still have the the storefront doors which is in two locations here at the front and then we've also got it um on the side of the building that uh is still left to to being be hung. And then the contractor is scheduled to start applying the concrete stain finish uh to the corridors within the next week. Quick uh video, I'm sorry, quick photos of interior. We've got some u grading going on, grading efforts going on. Sidewalks still need to be laid out and poured. back view of the gym. We've got a road that connects to a drive on the back side of the campus that will connect and go around uh from the gym over to the side parking. Then our interior view of the gymnasium court. Uh so for our
050overall MBE DBE participation from last month, we saw an increase in the total professional service contracts and we saw an increase in our professional service MBEDBE contracts and the 45% actually stayed the same. For our construction contracts, we had a significant increase in uh costs there in contracts being issued mainly from the Percy Julian High School project. Uh and then our MBE DBE contracts stayed the same and so we actually decreased in our percentage for construction uh contracts uh from one I'm sorry from four to 1%. So, our hope there is that we with Percy Julian coming online, we still have some other subcontractors that GC may end up contracting with. And so, we're giving them um references as far as companies that we've vetted that maybe they can bring in the loop and actually
051allow work to be performed uh on site as well as through our FFN contracts. We'll we'll be able to make up some some costs there. So, Any questions? >> Uh, how how are our minority what is the percentage of our minority contractors subcontractors? Are we still on task with that? Um, so for for your GC subcontractors because it's it's only we're only averaging right now 1%. And that is we contract directly with the GC and then the GC contracts directly with the sub. And because we're governed by state bid laws, we can encourage and bring companies to the table that we have vetted and um and and can recommend, hey, these are partnerships that you you can actually, you know, go after. But ultimately, Miss Mitchell, it is up to the GC to contract directly
052with them. So where we have sayo is in the professional service scope of work where we've met, we're at 45%. I just like to break it out so that way you guys can see, hey, this is where we're we're teetering for um professional services and then where we're at for general contracting. Yeah. And you're gonna probably think this is a dumb question, but I always teach my students there's no dumb question >> when you when I was over there, by the way, but Percy Julian a couple days ago because I have a listing over there, but and I just happened to drive by to look at it >> and then I'm looking at the pictures and especially of the ponds. You I mean, are is one of them a natural pond and one of them
053y'all are digging yourself? I mean, that's what the picture looks like. >> So, the two ponds in the back Yeah, you have that one that's kind of triangular in the back and then you have the one where there's there's dirt, you know, and it looks like it's being dug, >> right? >> Okay. That, you know, if you remember, Lagoon Park was our swamp land. Okay. There's a lot of that. >> Okay. So, are there plans, you know, for a fountain or something to keep that that to keep it going? Because if not, you know, we're we're pulling in mosquitoes. Do you see what I'm saying? Do you see what I'm saying? And >> that's that's what I saw, >> you know, there because if you don't have something a fountain >> and one, it's it's
054pretty, but two, >> it keeps the flow of the going. Otherwise, if you start looking at that picture, that may be dirt that I'm looking at, you start getting stagnant. You stagnation, snakes, you know, stuff like that. So, I just think if we don't have plans, you know, because when y'all leave, when this is done, we're stuck with that. >> And um and I'm not going to be I may not be here. >> Well, it's not wood, but I may not be here 2027. Right. >> And I I just want to advocate are we are you know we got to look I love what you got but I think um >> knowing where we decided to do this that is a known swamp area >> right? So let me can I let me respond. So
055for the and I wish I could go back to my my my picture. So the largest >> the pond Yes ma'am. That's actually considered wetlands. >> So we cannot touch that. >> Yeah. And it looked natural. That looks natural. I see that. >> Yes, ma'am. And so we've That is a area in which there will be no work or any disturbance at that that location. >> The one Thank you. >> Yeah. Right there that we're digging. That looks like >> Yeah. So the So the one next to So in the one that's in the upper right corner, that's your wetland area and it it goes pretty much down the entire west. >> Yeah. And that look from the picture that looks fine. I don't see the stagnation. But sometimes when you get ponds, just small
056ponds. >> That's right. >> That you know, you can get, >> you know, you know. >> So the pond in front of it is uh it's just kind of like a retention pond area. Your largest pond is going to be in the front um the the the actual front lot of the of the school and you will have a fountain there. That's part of the plans. But I will ask I will take the concern back to our um engineering team and just ask the question of hey is that something we need to look at? >> Yes ma'am. >> When we were were talking about this >> we were talking about that and flooding. Are we still sure that we have banked up enough that that will not flood? Because remember I said the statement I
057don't want our families when we finally get a football field out there to go to a football game and they're really going to a swim meet. >> Yes, ma'am. That's correct. So, the process is currently the contractor is cutting they're cutting down two two foot sometimes greater in other areas where the soil is not good soil. And we've got a substantial amount of dirt that's being hauled in. And we're talking even after two foot cut, we're looking at some places 10 foot of of field being hauled in. >> Um, so we feel confident that we've got it finished elevation is at a is at a playing field where there should not there will not be let me say that there will not be flooding issues. >> Okay. Well, again with the mosquito situation the way
058it is, I agree with Dr. Keith, that we really need to because I want our children, our teachers, our parents that are there >> to be safe. That's right. Well, and we've we've got some wildlife back there, too, that we're trying to take care of. >> I was going to say in the alligator >> there there's apparently a pair of gators that have made home back there that we're >> I believe. Is that isn't that correct? Yes. >> Yes. Well, there's there's Cedric. He you know, he's our civil engineer on the on the projects. Cedric Campbell with GMC. So, um, he, uh, if you, if we have any questions in regards to the the pond, we'll certainly get with him. And >> mine, Cedric, no mosquitoes. >> Thank you. >> No alligators, >> no snakes.
059>> Yes. >> But if you all want to stock it with some bass and brim, it'll increase parent involvement. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Any other questions for Miss Penn? Thank you so much. >> Yes, ma'am. We're excited. We're excited about this. >> We have one more question for you. Um, on Miss Mitchell's question, I know you cannot, you all can't advocate for what the general contractors do, but do they understand the importance to us for the minority businesses to be involved? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. >> They do. And they they are still issuing contracts to their subs where we're seeing this percentage right now. It's really for their their major subs the site electrical um plumbing and mechanical. That's not to say that there we will have participation throughout the project at
060this point. I just have not been able to capture it and and I'm you know transparency. This is just where we're at. >> And it is very important to us because as we spend this money our CTE are short up by all of those trades, >> right? So to be able to move our children into the workforce is very important to us. >> Yes, ma'am. It's it's needed. This uh our trade industry in construction. Um I mean it's it's great opportunity for our young um you know students, our young folks that are that are you know needing a career path and especially I'm all for advocating females being in construction. And I think that's a that's a need as well as just um you know the the schooling behind it. >> Well, thank you. We
061may have to have you come talk to >> I'll be more than >> Thank you so much. If there are no other questions or comments, we'll move to our next item. Thank you, Miss P. >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you. >> Uhhuh. Um Miss Hatch, where are you? Uh, Miss Hatch will give us some information on the proposal to transition Carver Elementary into a full arts magnet school effective 2026 27 school year. At Carver Elementary Arts Magnet School, creativity takes center stage every single day. As part of the Montgomery Public Schools fine arts program, our vision is simple. to use the arts to build confidence, celebrate diversity, and inspire lifelong critical thinkers. Our mission is to cultivate, equip, and engage the whole child, combining academics, art, technology, and character education in a safe, caring, and supportive
062environment. From kindergarten to first grade, every student explores all the arts in a hands-on rotation, discovering their talents and passion. By second grade, students choose two focus areas from visual arts, guitar, coral music, band, dance, theater, and strings, receiving concentrated instruction from practicing artists and specialists. At Carver Elementary Arts Magnet School, we don't just teach academics. We inspire imagination, build character, and prepare our students to dream big. Good evening. Thank you for allowing us to present tonight. Um, I'm excited. This is something that that that's been in the works for quite a while, and I'm excited about it. Um, as you know, Carver Elementary Arts Magnet School is currently a blended school with traditional school and magnet students in it. This model, however, limits how many students we can prepare for our arts pipeline. Transitioning
063to a full magnet program will expand access. It will strengthen enrollment at Baldwin and BTW. And most importantly to us, it will give more children a chance to thrive in a high quality arts education. This presentation outlines the uh proposed tradition of transition, excuse me, of Carver Elementary into a full arts magnet school. The plan is designed so that we can expand our opportunities for students. We can improve in alignment within the arts feeder pattern and address long-term enrollment needs both in the elementary and high school. Our presentation is designed um to take you through the proposal in detail and we've prepared it so that it should address most of your questions. So uh and but we will welcome uh as many questions as you have at the end of the presentation our there we
064go. Um, I just listed uh all of our committee members. Uh, we welcomed uh our leaders in both the arts feeder pattern and in the academics. We blended those because Baldwin sits right in the middle with the arts and academics program. Uh, presenting with me tonight though is the Carver principal, Dr. Angela Samson, and the Baldwin principal, um, Kimberly Copelan. Good evening everyone. So tonight I want to thank you all for listening and giving us an opportunity to talk to you about the purpose of this proposal. And what we hope to do is we hope to formally transition Carver Elementary into a full arts magnet school. What will happen is this move will increase as as Christie said enrollment in our district's arts pipeline. It'll strengthen our feeder patterns at Baldwin and BTW. And it
065will help us retain those families who have started exploring other options outside of the public school sector and looking at private institutions. And this transaction or this transition will increase opportunities for more students to be able to enter the magnet program by increasing the number of magnet seats that we currently offer at Carver. Before I get into our transition or our proposal, I kind of want to talk to you a little bit about the background of NPS magnet history. magnet programs in NPS. They were born out of desegregation efforts right here in the capital city and they were designed to attract diverse student population. Harvard Carver Art Elementary and Arts Magnet School opened in 1989. Well, Carver was special. Harvard was designed to provide unique arts options for students whose needs not all were not
066always met through the regular program. giving students who were gifted and talented in the arts an opportunity to shine. And over time, schools like Forest Avenue and Lamp successfully transitioned to full magnet programs, but Carver did not and we still operate with both traditional and magnet students. a model we're looking to try to streamline because we want to be able to offer opportunities for our students to be able to participate in visual art band, dance, piano, theater, strings, all under one building. We are the only arts magnet school, elementary school in the state of Alabama. I'm trying to go between the glasses. I can't I can see far away but not up close. So y'all please bear with me. But let's just talk about a few challenges that we have currently. Booker T. Washington High
067School which is our flagship arts high school is under underenrolled and they're struggling to maintain capacity in its arts program. They're just not not enough arts students. That issue begins at the elementary level. So right now, Carver isn't feeding enough students in the magnet pipeline to even sustain the longevity of enrollment. And by redesigning Carver, we'll increase the number of students who are entering and remaining in the art program at all three schools, Carver, Baldwin, and BTW. And I think that's a win-win situation. Next, Christy is going to talk to you about the transition plan, and I'll come back up in just a minute. The detailed person. So, talking about the transition plan, uh the plan centers on what we call a stay put clause. In looking and researching the history of uh magnet programs
068and how they've transitioned, um we recognized how um the community schools were displaced in the past when the schools were transition to full magnet. Um our committee felt very strongly that we did not want to displace the community in any way. Um Carver community is a strong community and we wanted to keep those students that were there. So, we came up with a plan um that any traditional student currently enrolled in Carver will stay they'll stay there. We call it the stay put clause. Uh they'll stay put through the fifth grade. Um there'll be no testing, no application, no applying for lottery, no change in their day-to-day um schooling. Starting in 2026, what we will do is the transition will begin with kindergarten, the new kids um in into the program at that point. So
069the 2026 will open up and the new students will be the kindergarten uh students who apply through the lottery and then any other students who wish to join the Carver family. um depending on the space available. Um in essence, basically all current students will become magnet students and they will be what we call grandfathered into the program. So our timeline in August, we're going to begin engaging our families with community meetings. We have them scheduled for um August 19th, August 28th, and September 4th. and our wonderful communications department has already gotten everything ready. They're locked and loaded to let our community know about all of those plans. Um, if the board approves the plan in September, then we'll finalize the reszoning the for the future years and begin collecting our optin and opt out forms
070from our families. And then in October, um, that's going to be our key date. uh any student who will be enrolled into Carver after that October 1st date, we will welcome them to stay, but those students will not be grandfathered into the program um unless they're accepted through the lottery. starting in Octo August 2026. I've already mentioned that's when um the program everybody that's already in the building will stay a magnet student and then our new class of kindergarteners will be the ones that will have to apply through the lottery to become a part of the community. Then I mentioned that October 1st date. Students enrolling on or after October 1st will still be, like I mentioned, welcomed into uh to stay for the current year at Carver, but um they will not be grandfathered
071in in the 2627 school year. They will be reszoned to either South or King Elementary. Um I will mention that that reszoning will assist those schools who are under under capacity as well. Um, but that said, however, if the students that are zoned for Carver Magnet that did not meet that grandfathered in clause, if they meet the magnet eligibility, they can apply and they will receive priority preference in the lottery. Um, and based on how many seats are available, those students will get priority over anyone else because they live there in that zone. But it was after that October 1st date. Um, I do have some capacity numbers if you're if you're interested at the end. Um, our opt out option, we want all of these students to stay. That's why we're having three different
072community meetings with our Carver families. We want them to stay, but we know that families always have a choice. And if they feel like that's not the the right path for their child, um if they don't want to, they can fill out an opt out form and they will um at the they'll stay there at Carver for this year and then they would be transferred to their zone newly zoned school after that. Um and obviously we'll work with those families um to convince them to stay because we want them to stay. But if they choose that that's not what they want to do, we will assist them to make that transition. Um, another important thing that we considered is staffing. Uh, no staff members at all will be displaced unless they choose to leave and
073they put in the transfer request at the end of the year. Um, they um, our goal is to have continuity in the program. We want everyone that's there to stay there. Over time, we will be able to increase our enrollment. I'll be uh, hitting up the finance. uh we'll we'll have to have a year ahead because our you know our teacher units are done a year um behind. So we'll um increase our enrollment and we hope to in increase from three classes per grade level to four. Um we know that the building can can has a capacity for that. So we'll begin with our kindergarten and then at the end of that year we'll get credit for that unit. So as as our um enrollment increases, the need for teacher unit will increases but the
074funding will come with the students. All right. Next is Miss Copeland. >> Good evening everyone. Um as they both kind of said, you know, middle school, we're literally right in the middle of in the transition. We're kind of the well two schools in one. Um but one thing that this definitely would do is increase that that pipeline. This is going to help um students be more prepared. We have often in the lottery have students who have no art experience, which is also amazing. But the more students we have that already have that art experience as they come up through the middle school. For those of you who have, and I know I've seen some of you at the shows, our shows are already I mean, hate to like toot my own horn because they're the
075kids, but their shows are amazing. The kids are extraordinary. They're super talented. And how much more can we push these shows if we're having students who have been in these art programs all the way from kindergarten. They just the things that they can do can blow your mind. And I'm very excited to see what they could do as we continue to grow these kids. Um, and it also, again, as they both have talked about, the enrollment at that level and having that kids that stay in this track all the way from kindergarten to when they graduate at BTW, I think would be a really extraordinary thing for them to say that they've been on that track all of their life. You see, we've been really, really thinking about this for a very long time. Um,
076I think ever since I taught at Carver many, many, many years ago. As a matter of fact, I see a few students in here. Um, and at that time, it was the same process. We were magnet and traditional. and it's 2025 and I feel like now it's time to offer more students the opportunity to be able to take advantage of this unique program. There's no one there's no other plan program like I also believe that the plan allows the continued cohesiveness of the community particularly on the west side our elementary the Carver community. We know that it's a strong knit community and we don't want to break that up. We want to continue to have that same relationship with the community. We want our students to remain in the schools while opening up opportunities for
077additional students to just take advantage of our great program. So, as we begin to think about the plan, the plan was built with the community in mind. We're not trying to remove any children. We're not trying to close any doors on anyone. We're trying to preserve relationships while still giving families a choice. and we're improving access to high quality arts integrated education, but most importantly, it keeps students at the center of every decision. I like this because it gives parents great school opportunities to revitalize um the increase in in enrollment, not just at Carver, but we also need to look at Southline Elementary, which I grew up out there. I went to Southline Elementary and we we're starting to see students leave and this will put more students back into Carver Elementary. I'm sorry, Southline
078Elementary and back into MLK. We have a beautiful building out there and very few students. So, as I said before, it's a winwin win situation. We're going to be hosting community meetings at Carver on August the 19th, the 28th, and September the 4th. We want to welcome families to come out. So, we'll be able to answer any questions that they have. During the meeting, we want to make sure that we thoroughly discuss the transition plans. We want to talk to them about the choices and the options that they have. We want to highlight our program. We want to let them see what Carver Arts Magnet offers in our curriculum. And we want to answer any questions or concerns that they may have. So, I thank you so much for your attention. I thank you for
079your support. I thank you for your time and we welcome any questions that you may have. >> Thank you so much for your thorough presentation, Miss Cloud and then Miss Brown. >> Yes. Okay. I think this is wonderful. Here's the question. It will still be a K5 school. And what if you have siblings that cuz K5 is a stretch of grades. You have a kindergartener or first grader and their sibling is wanting is in third, fourth or fifth. I want and I know it's a lottery. I'm concerned that we're sending parents will want their children to be together in the school. I truly believe that. I truly believe that at that grade elementary. Well, I I just kind of want to talk to you about that. That's happening at every school. >> Yes. >> Right
080now, it's happening. >> And so, this isn't just a Carver issue. It's happening at all of the magnet schools where we have >> situations where >> children are not able to attend school. Like for example, I have one family, one child is at Carver, one child is at Bear. We have another family. One child is at Carver, one family, one one is at McMillan. So, it's an issue that's happening. But as far as the Carver community, those students who are already enrolled at Carver Elementary, they won't have to leave. They'll be able to stay with their siblings and we won't turn them away. I just want to make sure that that option is available that it's not sorry because let let's face it children don't understand lotteryies like we do >> right >> and it's
081hard for them to understand why they're going and I'm not listen >> and I don't want that to happen >> as happening it's happening all the madness >> and and Miss Brown um I'll acknowledge you next and to your point children are different. Everybody can't go to the same school. I might have a bare child. I might have a Forest Avenue child. So, um, but I I hope that you all will look at that if they're families and they want to stay. I know you'll excited. District 4, great. Westside, great. >> Absolutely great. My question, I did not hear if you said it. I apologize. Did you say what the enrollment would be? >> So, all right. The Carver Elementary current enrollment is 382 and um at 90% capacity is uh about 700. So we
082hope to over the next several years we would increase it by um at least one class every every year. So we hope to um over the next four to five years um increase it up to that capacity depending on if we can get more teacher units. we could um pull more students in quicker. Um but yes, the because again the teacher units are based on enrollment capacity and we wouldn't we can't and won't put in um too many students in one class without um additional teacher units. But yes, we our goal would be over the next um few years it would be at least 125 more after that and then trying to approach capacity >> going up to capacity. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you so much >> Miss Mitchell. >> I don't have a
083question. I just have a comment >> and I just want to say thank you. This is a wellthoughtout process and and you know and I can tell that you all put a lot of thought, hard work and dedication into coming up with this and you know I grew up right around the street and went to Carver all my life. But uh and my daughter was the first one of the first students at Carver Elementary and this is just something that we wanted to happen years ago. Thank you. Thank you for allowing this to happen right now and MPS moving forward like superherooes. >> Um, Miss Hatch, before you leave, would you give us those dates and times and how parents can get this information? >> Yes. So, the first one is going to be on
084August uh 19th at 5:00, >> August 28th at 5, and September 4th at 5. location, please. >> At Carver Elementary. >> Okay. >> Madam President, >> I'm sorry. >> You forgot to look this right. What were those dates for? Were they >> parent the the um Carver family meetings? Okay. >> Um and those uh communicate our communications department has all of that ready and we'll be sharing it on all of our platforms after after our presentation. And may I suggest to you, I noticed on your committee, um, might be a good place to put a parent because the Carver commun community, you want the information, put a parent on that committee and they'll help you. >> Thank Oh, Dr. Keith, did I forget your >> Yes, you did. >> And I have I have I
085have a couple of things. It's not just one. First of all, let me say I am excited about it, but Okay. I think, you know, I I guess maybe I'm the only one that's I feel like am I just being negative? I'm not. But you said you would give us capacity numbers at the end. Okay. I know somebody asked about, you know, what would it be there? But I'm talking about the feeder schools. Does that mean that, you know, because I we don't know the capacity. Are we going to overcrowd when they, you know, will there be overcrowding? So that would be as long as there's not, hey, carry on. That that's that handles my first question. Where where are we? >> Are you talking about the magnet feeders? >> Yeah, I'm talking about the
086ones that Okay, I get that you're accepting all the students. That's wonderful. I I get the grandfathered in. That's wonderful. But when we get down to where they're not going to be grandfathered in and we move those that didn't make the lottery, they that didn't make it in where that wherever they go to, >> is there room? >> Yes. >> Are we going to Is there are we going to overcrowd those schools? That was that was >> that they are none of them are at capacity. >> Okay. So, we're fine with that. Okay. Then I'm fine with that. The ne the next one and this is a leading question. I'm not telling you where I'm leading to, but it's not to y'all. Where is the funding come? You'll see where my leading question is. Where
087is the funding coming for the strings and you know all this extra good stuff? That where when we get it and you're you're going to need you want strings, you want guitars. You want >> the instruments. >> Yeah. Where is that all going to come from? for the instruments um the additional instruments. >> Oh, so you already have your own money >> per student allocations. >> Oh, okay. >> Okay. Okay. >> Well, that led me down that led me down to a stopage then because I we we just had some I I do want to put a plug in for uh uh JAG. We I I think all board members I I hope all board members got the letter where they they have a program out there at JAG. I just read about it through
088an email yesterday and I was super excited about it because it sounded a lot like what BTW was and you could tell that the teacher that was asking for funding was just on fire saying they need equipment, new media and so I didn't know where to go to ask. So, you know, the leading question went over to finance. you know, who do I ask to help these teachers that need that extra funding? Is that federal? I mean, this is the cuckoo up, you know, where where do you get that money from? >> That's supposed to be the Avalor. >> Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. >> What? >> I I'm just going to direct you to Miss Mitchell because she too got it and Jag is her school and I know she's on that. So um as
089it relates to u Miss Mloud is somewhat correct in that the abalarmor half of those funds are allocated to support arts uh music foreign language and so that would be a source to possibly look at. I'm going to say possibly. Okay. All right. Let me just make sure. I thought I wrote this audit to you. Oh, I want to know do you all have shows that we as board me, you know, sometimes that your kids because you were talking about how phenomenal these kids are and you I the reason I say this is I'm not trying to be the monster. I wrote that I can be a monster here but my child my middle child was went to Carver Elementary and was accepted into the arts program. I remember like it was yesterday and she's
090now 30ome years old. Okay, this was back in the 1989. he couldn't make it into Forest Avenue like my first son. So, and we wanted her in something. So, we we're like, "So, she makes it into Carver." And um and we pulled her, you know, after after a year, we were like, "This is this is going nowhere." You know, this this is they were they were all It's almost like I'm not trying to put down the charter schools here. You know, I was so on fire about charter schools, but you go watch these kids that are so artsy and they're they I still remember the play. It was The Marshmallow Bunny. I've never forgotten it. you know the marshmallow bunny and they all recited it together. No one had a part. You know what I'm
091saying? It was like hello in unison the kindergarteners all performed the marshmallow bunny. And you know I did and then you know of course I the people were going oh let your Usher find you a seat. I mean I was like this is >> thank you. >> This is not where I want my child. And that was of course 1989. I'm sure we have improved and I'm sure I'm the monster today for saying that but hello. My my thing is I want to make sure like when I went to the charter I went to a charter school haven't been back because the kids were reading reading their lines which weren't maybe 10 words and I was like this is this is what I pushed. I'm like you know you want you want what you're what
092you're preaching and telling us all the arts I I want I have passionate for these kids. I don't want, you know, I want to make sure that I know you said, "Hey, we may not move these teachers." Well, you've got to have talented teachers there where you're going to have to move some of those teachers to make sure those kids get that kind of uh learning. >> Yes, ma'am. >> And we currently have teachers um that teach all of those art that I mentioned um and their classes aren't full. We need more students. And I think Baldwin and BTW, they need more students as well. And it's not the pro we we put on shows and programs. >> Good. Well, I'd like to come. I want I'm one of those hands-on invite me. I'll be
093there. I just want to see it because I I am It sounds like I'm against it. >> What you girls have brought up is exciting. If we're really going to do it, do you see what I'm saying? >> We really are. Dr. Keith, thank you so much. >> We're doing it. I want you to come. >> Thank you, ladies. so much and and I know that um we'll be hearing more about this and board members always know they can uh point their question to the superintendent and he will get them what they need information but we're we're excited that and we're excited that you're excited >> and you all are welcome to come and visit anytime. >> Okay. Well, thank you. Thank you very much. >> Thank you all so much. send an invite like
094to to one of your plays because I wouldn't know when they are. I just would like to know a day. I'll be there. >> It's going to be the cutting bunny. >> The marshmallow. Uh next we will have uh MPS athletics pres presentation by Mr. Ruffin. Welcome Mr. Ruffin. Good after, good evening, uh, board members. Uh, Dr. Bird, uh, just giving you a year-end review of 2024 2025, uh, our athletics, uh, summary for the year. The 2024 2025 scholastic year was extremely exciting uh for the MPS uh school system. Uh it all culminated with uh Park Crossing, our girls basketball team, winning the uh 2025 uh state championship. Uh it it was an exciting time to be out there with those young ladies. They represented uh the capital city very very well. Uh also there
095were many uh capital improvement projects that were started and completed that will have a longlasting impact for years to come. Uh following were areas that were addressed by the district. Uh locker rooms were updated, wait rooms, irrigation systems. Uh we transferred from city water to well water. uh as a cost cutting measure. Uh upgraded playing fields, upgrading plan surfaces to include turf and uh track installation uh uniform and equipment enhancements. Capital projects for 2024 2025 uh at Bellingra Middle School, a new weight room and an irrigation system uh was installed. Uh Brewbaker Middle School, new weight room and irrigation system. Uh Brute, new softball field installed as well as irrigation. Carver, of course, the new fieldhouse uh has been completed and currently uh the turf and the track is being installed as well. Uh a
096little behind on that because we we received a very large amount of rain in June. So something that we thought would be complete completed by the end of September may be pushed over, no not maybe will be pushed over in closer to the middle to the end of October as we get an exorbitant amount of rain. Uh Goodwin fieldhouse remodeled, new weight room and locker room were uh upgraded in Goodwin. Uh Jag uh the weight room, the gym renovation, as you see the photos as I go through the presentation, the gym looks phenomenal. uh have new bleaches, new new paint, school boards, ball pads, the whole nine yard. Uh Johnny car uh new weight room and irrigation system was repaired and we converted over to uh well water over there. McKe fieldhouse remodeled, new weight
097and locker room and we converted over from city water to wellwater over there as well. uh park crossing, new fieldhouse, track, and synthetic turf. We're at 100% uh completion. Just had our walkth through uh on uh last week on Monday. So, it has been released uh to them to move in. So, uh checked on them today. They're they've got everything in and they're they're trying to get their equipment room together. You know, when it's like moving from one house to another, you know, they got to get their house cleaning in order. and South Line Middle School. As you saw uh earlier, uh the pictures new gym gymnasium with the fall 25 completion and also the irrigation system uh was put into the uh to the field. These are just some of the photos for those
098who have not seen uh the accompliment accomplishments of the uh of the district right now. Uh here's Carver. Uh you see the lighted sign there. One thing that's phenomenal, our maintenance department, they produce these in maintenance and of course they do a heck of a job. We were able to save money in terms of branding and all the signage and things of that nature because of what we do in house here as a district. So, I think that's awesome that we're able to tell our people what we want and they and they can make it come to uh fruition. Uh as you can see the wait room and that's that sign there is when you walking in in the front door. Here's a night view of it of the newly constructed fieldhouse state-of-the-art uh facility
099complete with branding inside and out. Like I said, everything you Wolverines in the plates. So, it gives it a the same thing. It's a collegiate feel, you know. We have a collegiate feel. And I mean the kids the kids won't see anything different here in our district than when they go off to play in college. It's going to be the same thing and I think that that speaks to itself crossing now you get a chance to see the new field turf that was installed uh the track and uh I think the the biggest thing is coming into the district over 15 months ago we didn't have any tracks that were really operable for us to host our own track meets now uh with by the spring carver track will be finished uh Park Crossings track
100is already completed and we'll start the bid process uh for JAG. So by track season next year, we went from having zero tracks that were operable in the district to we're going to have three tracks. So now we're able to host our own middle school relays, you know, instead of every time we want to run track, we got to go out of town. We got to go, you know, to the private schools facilities. we have just as fine a facility or a better facility than those facilities that we've been visiting and having to go run at. So, it's going to be awesome to see that far crossing again. You saw some of those these same slides uh when Miss Pin came up from Boer. We got newly constructed weight rooms at Bell &RA and Johnny
101Carr. So, they didn't have weight rooms at all. Uh, and it was one of those deals, you know, when we met with the administrators over there. If you can find the space, the district is willing to come in and we want to make make sure that you have just what it, you know, what everybody else had. So, uh, if you see Johnny Carr, it was two rooms that were a wall was knocked out and now they have a state-of-the-art weight room. The one on the bottom you see is belling. They already had a room uh that they could all lot for such a project. So they I mean it was awesome job done uh by these uh instruction people. Booker T. Washington Magna High School has expanded its athletic programs adding the following sports volleyball,
102swimming and golf. Uh the scholar athletes and athletic coaches are fully utilizing the new BTW athletic facility. Of course, we only had about three sports at BTW, but when the when the when the school was built, they built it for the growth of athletics. Uh, as you can see with this weight room right here and other facilities, you know, including the new gym and all of that. We modernized championship awards this year. Uh, as you can see, uh, you know, back in the day, you know, remember the the old three and four post trophies that were about this tall, about three and four feet tall. You know, we've moved on past that. You can see we're into, you know, the glass and the and the semi- crystal looking trophies and things like that. And we
103even have the ability now within the district, within our print shop, we can make our own awards as well. So, that's another thing that that's helped us. If you see the young lady holding the uh MVP trophy, she was the MVP uh flag rather in the flag football game in middle school. Of course, we played middle school flag football last year and we had six teams that participated and the other two schools that didn't have it, they come online this year. So, that's been awesome being able to expand the sports opportunities for our females as well. middle school uh championship. Uh football-wise, uh you see uh Goodwin and McKe played each other. We had a chance to really bring him in uh day before have a photo shoot with the teams and it was an
104outstanding football game which was which was won by McKe. Some of the other things in terms of upgrades, uh new ice machines, uh you know, I asked I asked one coach and one principal, what's the most important thing to athletic program? And most people they get trying to think and think and think. The most important thing to any athletic program is a ice machine. I mean it aids in repair. It aids in recovery. It aids in hydration. You know it's multi multi-uses uh for such a thing. Uh as you can see as I talked about earlier with with uh converting from city water to whale water. You can see the whale right there. That's over at uh Floyd uh Middle Magnet where we uh went to when the uh system was installed, the irrigation system
105that we uh at well was installed. And then of course modernizing the laundry facilities and things like that. Uh what you see right there is over at Bellingrath. Uh as I talked about earlier, here go the pictures of the new enhanced uh JAG uh gymnasium renovation. Of course, the bleachers were put in. You can see the the uh school uh mascot name in the bleachers. The court was redone. It was totally painted. I mean, they did an awesome job over there. Also, we had over 600 uh plus scholar athletes over the last couple of months that attended our volleyball, football, and flag football camps uh in collaboration uh with ourou with the city of Montgomery. So, I thought that was that was it was well attended. Well attended. That's something that we're going to do
106every year. And you don't see the other sports because with the middle schools, they come, they go in one sport right into the next. So, one thing that I looked at from a camp perspective is the best time to have the camp is right before they get ready to go into sports. So, it wouldn't be advantageous to have a baseball camp in July and the kids are not going to play baseball until April. You know, we want that carryover. So, we'll be having uh our basketball camps uh in October as we our middle school kids they uh move from football to basketball. So, we'll have a deal down in the multiplex for all uh females and the male and they're and they're team-based camps. So, we know we're going to get our participation numbers. They're
107going to be at an all-time high. Here's some more pictures uh from the camp. As you can see, the guys and and young ladies were really getting after it. These are from our volleyball camp. We had close to 100 girl young ladies come out for our volleyball camp. Like I said, it was team based. They did an outstanding job. And I I I really want to thank the coaches. They did a phenomenal job and and making sure that that we got down to the fundamentals and and we didn't just have it to have it. We had we had these camps to make sure that we're getting better. We're getting carryover. Here's from our flag football camps. Now, I will say this, and I don't want to disrespect any football coaches, but we're probably going to
108win a state championship and flag football pretty soon around here. Our middle school flag football was outstanding. And as we grow the sport at our high schools, you know, looking at these young l young young ladies move from middle school on up. I mean, it was, you know, I'm a 30-year veteran of of of football. And I saw some young ladies out there with some talent that I didn't even see at the middle school tackle football game. So, I'm glad we got flag and we're not encouraging them to go play tackle football, but they might hurt some of them boys out there. And once again, everything culminated into Park Cross and having a heck of a year. Uh I'd be remiss if I say uh Lamp swim team uh did finish number two in the
109state. They were a state runup. So kudos goes out to them and what they did over there this year. And uh Coach Fria Smith did an outstanding job. 35-1 35-1 undefeated in the state of Alabama. their only loss was to Belaluxy in Mississippi. So, we want we we really really really want to want to say we we appreciate what she did this year and uh we're going to expect the same thing this year cuz she's only losing three girls off of off her team and uh we're looking for big things for them to come. >> Uh thank you so much. >> Yeah. >> Uh questions, Dr. Keith, >> it's just a comment. I want I'll be real quick. Madam Vice President, um I just want to commend you. I think you have done a fabulous
110job. I know you've only been with us little over well in that position for a little over a year or so and you I mean I didn't know about a swim team. I'd heard about the flag. Um I'm I think this is awesome. I I really am. And the you the pictures that you've provided just like you know the Park Crossing field, the the b the basketball courts. I mean, they're just the colors, everything are just flamboyant. And it's kind of nice. I'm glad you put in the picture on the irrigation systems because, you know, you actually showed where they're using the PVC and stuff like that, which shows you how long that this will last. I mean, what you're you're letting us as board members see the, you know, the tools that they're using
111>> that will last. This is not something that we're going to have to replace, right? >> Because you can look how well built that is. >> So, it's I'm I'm impressed. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Good job. >> Very good. You met your one minute mark. That is amazing. >> Proud of you. Any other questions? I do have a couple. One of the question do you see at our athletic programs growing? Are there more boys and girls involved? And I know I know here and and I everybody wants to win. Everybody wants to win. But the state of our young people now, the ability to be on a team is so important emotionally for them. Do our are our coaches and our schools understanding that? Because I when I was at Carve, I
112could care less that I could play. They gave me a call up paraphernalia. So I was somebody and I think even going back to that, I think these kids feel that being a part of a team and being able to participate. So, do you see our um all of our sports teams growing or are they kind of doing like the arts? Are we a little behind? >> We're because of the enhancements that have been made. We've put the measures in place for us to grow. Okay. >> It's it's year one of the enhancement in terms of, >> you know, the uniforms that were purchased for the middle schools, the uniforms that were purchased, the equipment, the new equipment. So, we're we're We're going into the second year of having all those things where we can
113kind of sit back and we can see what the barometer is in terms of where we were, where we are now, and what the perspectives of where we're going. >> Very good. I appreciate that. One more thing, do all of the sports use these weight rooms? I notice it says football, but does every sport use the weight room? >> Yes, ma'am. Everybody uses the weight room. Now, now we have some another thing that has allowed us to do with the sheer numbers of let's say a football team. >> So, it gives us the flexibility. We have more than one weight room now >> at some schools. So, >> in terms of everybody having to wait their turn to get in the weight room, >> right? It gives us the flexibility now that we don't just
114have one weight room where you can put, you know, football can be over here, basketball and everybody can be going at the same time cuz >> before you have to adjust your practice times. Uh that's causing coaches to be what in the facility longer because this sport can't get in to this sport comes out. So, we're able to do some things uh all inclusive at the same time right now. >> Right. and and um just as a how I guess a house came to we've put all this money in all these wonderful facilities. I am sure that there are some strict guidelines in place to make sure we keep it that way. So if we need policy for that if you'll just let us know or uh any way we can assist in that. >>
115Well that's next. Right now we're in the reviewing stage. Uh I have put together a policy and procedures manual for athletics and that'll be coming down the pipe within uh the next 20 to 25 days. >> We appreciate it because we have no more money. >> Thank you so much, Mr. for your thorough uh report. All right, Mr. Anderson, if you'll give us a facilities report. >> Yes, ma'am. I think uh Mr. Ruffin did a lot of that for us. So >> yeah, >> good evening Dr. Bur, Miss Poris, and members of the board. Uh just going through our capital projects. Vulker covered their pieces of the capital project. Morning view. We've completed phase one, which is the frontage of that main building on the on Pelzer there, which is the largest majority of it.
116Uh we're currently working into phase two, which is the the back hallway that goes back towards the annex, which is approximately five classrooms. Um, this has by far been the bestrun construction site and job that I've had in my tenure here. Uh, we're supposed to be at 35% completion based upon the contract. We're currently at 90%. I just got the the update on that from our engineers today and the the contractor has done an excellent job and just maintaining the site and getting so much work done this summer and then now working around our our students and staff there on site. So, we anticipate being done with the inside of the building uh coming up here in the next about four weeks, three to four weeks and being able to turn that small portion over
117back to the school uh to be resettled on that. There's still some work to be done on the outside. We've been waiting on equipment which just arrived last week and of course they've set a lot of that equipment and they're making the connections to the duck work on the outside and then the electrical u switch gears and different things. The guts for the electrical panels, those are starting to arrive now. We plan to make the final connections for that uh around Thanksgiving to try to not interrupt um with the school going on and then totally turn the building over um to the school hopefully by December. Uh one of the things that you'll see on the frontage of the building is similar to our three-story building here on site. Uh those metal chases that run
118up the side of the building. So, it's going to give it a really nice modern pop uh to go on the front of the on the frontage of that building. And then we're also they're still working through the external doors. We're going to be replacing uh the external doors in that building and adding more card access around the building. So, just a really nice addition, something that's going to definitely change the atmosphere and the learning environment there. And we just are excited about it. And just like Goodwin and Davis will be coming on board here soon once the those pre-fabricated panels in and we'll start working towards that. But we're going to continue to plan for the upcoming school year as well. We have uh Danley that's going to be scheduled. They're under uh design
119right now with Danley and we're working towards doing the same thing there at Danley that we've we've done at Morning View and and about to complete on Davis as well. So, we're just going to keep plugging away at those as money is available uh through the education trust fund and the ATF and and try to continue on um creating those better environments. Uh Davis Elementary, we're still waiting for those panels and different materials to start. We've been working with the the U administration there. They've got a good plan to be able to kind of shift uh groups around like we did at Goodwin and complete uh phases of it. won't go quite as fast as what what we were able to accomplish at Morning View, but they'll do the majority of the HVAC work at
120this time and then probably see more of the drop ceilings and lightings uh this next summer uh completing some of those items. Uh Carver High School track, Mr. Ruffin mentioned that. Uh we're working we we've completed two proof rolls out there and what that is is taking a basically a heavy truck out onto the the surface that's there now to see and make sure it doesn't sink. Uh we've gotten some soft spots towards the edge of the track. So that's kind of held us up a little bit. They're waiting for it to dry out and try to complete a third proof roll, be able to move into that next phase, which is completing the perimeter uh drainage around the outside of it. Once that perimeter drainage is in, they'll come in and put the gravel
121over the top of that. And then they'll get ready to start bringing in the turf and the infill that goes over that um to give it that nice cushiony feel there. And then we'll work on the track surface with that. Uh the one thing about the track service, again, we had a change order on that. If you recall last board meeting, a lot of the surface has to be repaired underneath. And when you repair that surface, it's got to sit for 30 days to let it cure out before you put the the track the rubberized track surface on top of it. So that's some of the time frame that we're we're there. And like Mr. Ruffins spoke about, we've we've had a ton of rain this summer. I think everybody can can u be on
122board with that part that's delayed some of those items. The Forest Avenue roof replacement and South Lawn Elementary roof replacement. I got an update from our architect on that today. We have a tenative bid opening set for 92 and 94 and I look forward to trying to bring that to you at the next board meeting, the September board meeting um for approval and beginning of those two projects. And then the JAG athletic improvements, uh we've been working on that with our architect PH&J and um actually working with Alabama Power too on some of the lighting around the area with that project to be to be with it. So, we're still anticipating a late August. Um, I hope not going into September uh bid date for that and I'll bring it to to the board at
123the September board meeting as well as if all goes accordingly. >> Good deal. Thank you so much, Mr. Anderson. Any questions or comments for Miss Dan? You've done well. They have no questions. And lastly, attorney Powell on mental health services policy. Good evening again, U, Madame Vice President, board members, Superintendent, and Dr. Bird. Um, as you all are aware, back in 2022, the Alabama legislature passed Act number 2022-442. That act required school boards to adopt a policy that would um allow for parents to opt in for um mental health services for students that are under the age of 14. However, this year they have revised that act to now require that age be changed to age 16. And so now um the school boards are required to allow parents to opt in for mental health
124services for uh those students who are um under the age of 16. Additionally, um the act um it provided some additional exceptions which would and those let me backtrack. Those exceptions would be to requiring an optin for those parents who have the children that are 16 that are under 16. And those exceptions would include um if there was suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation or when there is an immediate necessity for immediate grief counseling. And so, um, you guys have been provided with the language for the policy and, um, those highlighted sections are the areas that are being revised in NPS's policy and, um, that policy draft will put us in compliance with what the law currently say. >> Thank you so much. Any question? And you did receive a highlighted copy with the important things.
125We thank you so much. All right. Any new business? There was none recorded. Any >> who just >> I just want to add something. I just want to add something. Yeah, I do. I have an the gentleman that spoke um Mr. Joe Pernell. It was wonderful. I really truly think that we need to the PTA has already have some of these this information in that's strengthening. We've got to invite parents and guardians and other community people in to help with doing this. And maybe that should be in the culture and climate committee to talk about I mean not just gun safety but gun violence and how to stop wait a minute walk away or whatever we need to do. But this would be great to be inviting him in to talk about it. PTA all
126their resources they have that would be wonderful. I I found those resources just about a few minutes ago. Um we've got the information. We just got to >> put it out. Three or four children that didn't come back to school this year. >> Sure, we did sadly enough. >> Okay. Uh end of our >> I had one comment that my only comment I mean new business. I should have put it in but Okay. Okay. I'll just shut up. Go ahead. >> Please uh enlighten us uh under 30 seconds. Please >> it's just 30 sec. I just I we are you've got to understand we are doing I this is on the teacher retirement thing that you and I talked about and I was saddened because you know I would I am a retired teacher but
127because it's a conflict of interest I can't do it and you know and I would love to do it but I want to make sure that you know you've got that retirement thing and that I think that's going to help. I hope it I I hope it takes off and and if I don't get elected, I'll be the first again. I'll be the first to be applying. And if you're still here, you better hire me. Just saying that. I got five more seconds. The o the other thing, okay, is I don't want it to take the place of this um teacher residency program. And I'll tell you why. because we've every program that we can have for those 400 uh uh new teachers, we've got to have them. And if you I I did I
128you're going to think I'm the nerd, but I I did the stats on this because the nerd in me, if you look at it, in two years we had we had like 75 in that program and then we dropped down to I mean it was we dropped down almost 20. Okay. But in the last year, all we've only dropped down is nine, which it shows it's working. And it's it's I just I just hope if anybody's we've got to have every avenue that we can to retain these teachers. And I you know, I just I just keep pushing it because I'm the chair of that. So, I'd have to say that. Thank you. >> Um thank you. You're you're absolutely right. Dr. R. Did you have anything to say to that? >> Um yeah. And
129and even though it's a conflict of interest for you to be paid, you can always volunteer. Yeah. I you have been Yeah. And and you know, all hands on deck. And I think I said this when we uh had er funds. I think the only way you meet children and grow them is to uh put enough support around them and and they'll they'll grow. They'll somebody is going to offer them something. um that they can't get away from and they'll learn from it. Um I thank you so much. Our next meeting date, September 4th, 2025, 4:30, budget hearing number one in training room one. And don't leave yet. One more. September 9th, 4:30, budget hearing two, regular board meeting following work session following that. Have a great great weekend and rest of your evening. This
130meeting is now >> adjourned. >> It's important that every student goes to school every single day. >> That's right. Every single school day. Because face it, if we don't come to school, how will we prepare ourselves for our futures? I want to be prepared for the future. So, I'm making sure I go to school every day. Parents, did you know that if a student misses at least two days of school a month, they've missed at least 20% of classroom instruction? >> And missing that much of school without a valid reason causes students to fall behind academically. >> Let's work together to ensure students are present in the classroom. >> Together, we can do this >> because it's our future. It's our future and our >> Let's be present together. No PS.