001Okay. Would like to reconvene to public session at 7:07 p.m. And if we stand and salute the flag and have a moment of silence, please. >> I pledge allegiance >> to the flag. of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. >> Please be seated. >> Recommend approving tonight's agenda as submitted. >> So move. >> First, Mrs. Isler. Second, Mrs. Pew. [clears throat] Roll call vote. Mrs. >> approved. >> Mrs. Pew, >> approved. >> Miss Ralph, >> approve. >> Mr. Nichols, >> approve. >> So approved. >> Recommend um the approval of the minutes of the board of education regular meeting of December the 10th, 2025. >> First, Mrs. Pew. >> Second, Mr. Nichols. Roll call vote. Mrs. Pew, >> approve.
002>> Mr. Nichols, >> approve. >> Mrs. Isler, >> approve. >> And Miss Rout, >> approved. >> So approved. Recognition of guest. >> Good evening. Could I have all of our principles uh join me up here over to the right to my right? And if I could get all the board members to come up please and in front of our backdrop. Thank you. Good evening, uh, everybody. Um, tonight marks the beginning for us of Board of Education Appreciation Month. So, let's start by appreciating with a round of applause, please. Now, I've uh I've had this job for for over 12 years now somehow. And um this board has been uh more than supervisors. They they've been friends and I call each of you friends and I really appreciate your stewardship and your guidance. And um it's
003not easy. Um you guys continue to lead with integrity when no options are easy and no path is perfect. Um, and whether people see it or not, that their influence and their dedication trickles down every day to every classroom, every bus route, and every opportunity that we have in this school district. So, please join me in giving one more big rockus applaud to our board of education members. Doing something uh kind of different. I think it's going to be very special. Um, believe it was Susan and and Donna who came up with this idea. Um, well, yeah. Yeah. Um, we have gifts from each of our principles for each of our board of education members. And what they've done, they've got a certificate of appreciation. I'll read just one of these. Uh, and then after
004this, each of our principles is going to present each of our board members with their favorite book. They were surveyed. What was their favorite book growing up or even now? And we've got two copies of those books. One for the enjoyment of each of the board members and one for each of the libraries of those schools. Yeah, clap that. And the certificate says, "In sincere appreciation of your dedicated service, thoughtful leadership, and unwavering commitment to the students, staff, and families of Laurel School District. Your guidance and leadership strengthen our schools and foster a culture of learning and excellence. In recognition of school board appreciation week, these books are proudly presented for the donation to the school library as a lasting symbol of gratitude and support for literacy. Thank you for leading with purpose, integrity, and
005heart. Presented by the Laurel School District. Yeah. Very nice. All right. Our first principal up is North Laurels, Michael Reid. Michael Reid, who is your board of education member? >> I have Mrs. Hler. >> Mrs. Esler. And we cannot wait to hear what her favorite book was >> or is her favorite book is Forever. >> Next up from Laurel Elementary School, Dr. Amanda Gagalone. Who is your principal? Who's your board member? >> Linda Hitchen. Linda Hitchens, >> Charlott. We're gonna get Stay up here. We're getting it all together. Amanda, don't leave us. All right. Our next principal, Gina Vogus. Who's your board of education member? It's gimmick. >> Yeah. And now our middle school principal, Mr. Brandon Notey. Mr. Brandon NY. Who did you draw? >> Mr. Brent Nichols. >> Brent Nichols. >> Favorite book.
006Every sorcerer 7. >> All right. All right. [applause] >> And last, but certainly not least, Mrs. Giles. >> What happens next? And I believe before we get that big poll, I believe Mrs. Whley has some more gifts. Yeah. No, let's do the gifts first. We do all the gifts. Yep. Get all the gifts out of the way. Christmas and January. Someone somebody's got to take it out and see what it is. Guys, show what what's in there. Yeah, we want to see. People want to know. You guys all all join me for a photo. Susan, please. [clears throat] >> Can I have uh the additional administrators come join us? Laura, Andrea, Amanda, Taisha. That's good. Donna War, could you join me up here again, please? >> Thank you, Donna, for your idea. Ladies and gentlemen,
007uh last month uh it was quite a celebration. Um we've talked around it, but tonight we have um our Delaware's educational support staff person of the year, Mrs. Donna with us. Yeah. Go ahead. Clap it up. [laughter] >> Yeah. Yeah, like I said, I've been doing this 12 years and and recently they've added the state has added on support staff of the year and also behavioral health professional of the year. There's always been teacher of the year. So for 12 years, you know, like the last five years, they've had all three. And you know, you go up to 20 30 of these things and you're sitting there and you're from a small district, you already have a 5% chance because it's 19 districts plus charter schools. So you know, got one chance in 20. So
0085% I think it's already you know the deck the deck is stacked against you and we go up there and I just can't tell you after about 20 of these things for those who were with me you guys know after 20 of these things to hear them say Laurel at the end of it man I'm getting goosebumps right now. So I just I just love this woman and everybody else now has a chance to love on her as they get to know her a little bit more across the state and we'd be honored if you give us a few words. Well, thank you. I wasn't planning on speaking. Um, but you know, you give me a microphone and I can do some talking. Um, I just want to say thank you. Um, I just like
009our school board members, we don't do any of this for the recognition. We do it because we truly love our children. Um, seeing, you know, we just want to try to make a little bit better every day for a kid here and there. um the school board, I can't thank you enough for all that you've done um for our district, for me, you know, supporting me. And I know Dr. Laramore, I really thank you because I have had some crazy ideas once or twice here. Um and you've let me roll with it. Mr. Ni, I did not publicly thank you at that last dinner. Um you've got my whole heart. I mean, I love working with him. If anybody ever gets a chance, come to the school, see the good things that are happening in
010our school. See, you know, our principles. I, you know, I've gotten to know Dr. G this year finally, and what a ray of sunshine. I do think she reminds me of myself a little bit. Um, Gina, the way that you pull your staff together, and they just love coming to work every day. Trina, I love seeing these kids look up to you and you're inspiring them every day. And Mr. Reid, I just I'm so excited my grandbaby and my daughter get to go to work with you every day. So, thank all of you guys so much. But Laurel, I know the referendum's coming up and we deserve this. Like, we put our heart and soul into these kids every single day. Every day. And I go on Facebook and I look at kids who just
011graduated who were making the deans list, who are making the chancellor's list. I mean, our kids are doing great great things from the education that they're getting here right at Laurel. Um, we've got athletes, we've got band members, you know, people who are giving back to the community right now. And it all because of us right in this in this building. So, I just I love Laurel. I love these people here and they have the same heart that I have for our our students. So, thank you guys. [applause] Good. Uh, since Donna is our um district and now state support staff uh person of the year, can I get all the administrators from all the schools and our board of education come and get a picture with Donna? That's good. Wrong place. Oh, I heard
012heard him. >> All right. Just one more one more recognition. Um about two months ago, we have a substitute teacher here, beloved Jeff Evans. He's retired from the Cape Lop School District. Longtime Laurelite, graduated from Laurel. And one time I saw him in the hallways Laurel High School and he said, "Doggy, when are you going to get this mock trial going?" Because he used to be the adviser for mock trial in Cape Lopen. And I said, "Well, that's funny. I've never I've never thought about that." So, I do what great superintendents do. They go find their principal and they tell Mrs. Giles about it and she goes finds her assistant principal, uh, Mrs. Nibble, who's in charge of social studies department. And then Mrs. Nibblet and Mrs. Giles go find a willing teacher advisor. So,
013this time, please join me in giving a wellm wellark a warm welcome to Mrs. Kiara Benado, a first year teacher at Laurel High School, as well as Mrs. Tisha Nley. and our students and our students, >> Mike. I'm a walker and talker. I'm a teacher, so forgive me. I'm a walk and talk. Um, so I'm gonna use my teacher voice. Um, I don't like being behind there. Hi, I am Additionally, Ohio Yes. And national champion in March. They get to go to part of the national competition in this year Iowa. We know that educ Delaw related program. Okay. interview. something other. incredible failures. Um, hello. My name is Antoine. I am the head of the defense. And essentially what me and my partner Elizabeth Quinn is, you know, technically doing here is we are disproving
014the prosecution that our client Sam Silvercreen, who is accused of arson in the second degree for burning down his own movie theater, did not do such as that. And um yeah, that's pretty much kind of it. I'm going to turn you over to Elizabeth Quinn and she's going to discuss her role in this. And yeah, >> my name is Elizabeth Quinn. I am the defense attorney. Um, working with Antoine Ross, I have got the honor to be able to work with him to do our opening and closing statements. Um, we look thoroughly through our evidence and we get to see what Sam actually has done, what his employees have and haven't done. And we're kind of trying to focus on what Sam what his outcome is going to be. So poor innocent Sam did not
015do anything and we are trying to argue that that he did not do anything that he's a sweet innocent soul and I think we have a really great defense team and starting this year I am very thankful and honored to be able to be a part of this firstgen and thank you so much for Dr. Nibble and Dr. Lammore's help. Um we are all very thankful and we're going to turn it over to our witness. >> Okay. Mhm. >> Okay. So, um this year I've been selected to play as a witness in this case and together we've been trying to uncover this case and identify the witnesses, the attorneys and we've been working closely with Mr. Stanton and uh Miss Bonado to do some witness statements. And uh Mr. statement to me has been asking
016me questions and helping me prepare for the mock trial so that we are prepared to the best of our ability um in March when we do our competition and thank you all for coming today and that's like everybody have a time and This is one example from last year last year's championship round. Um, these students are the best of the best of the best in the state. Um, it's quite entertaining in my in my opinion. I think it's fairly entertaining. We'll watch a little bit. Um, you're going to watch the crossexamination. >> Oh, I'm so sorry. You're going to watch the cross briefly watch the cross- examination. What our students will be uh what our defense team will be doing with our prosecution's witness at the competition. I was in a pos. >> Oh, what's
017happening? >> It did this earlier. >> Good afternoon. >> My apologies. But that's just a relationship, you know. >> Sorry. Yes. >> Oops. Yeah. So you see the young woman, she is partaking in the prosecution uh cross-examining the witness there. Um which is what our students will be doing in the next few months. Let me find my There it is. Right. So the last piece I have I'm so sorry. [clears throat] I'm trying to find the mouse. Found it. Got it. All right. The last piece I have for this evening, and I'm going to leave it like this, um, is the support you guys have shown for mock trial already has shown a dedication to our students rigor. Our again big three are their academic rigor uh, and their student voice because this allows our
018students to get out into the rest of the state and show what Laurel is all about. another version. I know we do it with FFA and our athletics and other organizations in the county. Um, but this is just another thing we get to do. Um, we are one of several high schools representing Sussex County this year. Prior to this year, I believe there were two. I believe there is four or five at this point. So, it's been a big jump this year. Um, and then our competition, Antoine, I know you're so happy about this. Uh, it is on March 6th or 6th and 7th. So, six, seven for us educators. We know we know all about it. Um, we're going to be competing in four rounds and our goal is to receive two goles. We
019will win win win one for the witness, for the best witness, and one for the best defense. Um, and that being said, I want to thank you guys for your time. Thank you for listening to myself and my students. These students are amazing. Our students are excellent. I'm so happy to be at Warl genuinely. Um, does anybody have any questions? I didn't know if you do, but if you do, >> I assume that's Yes, but I >> it's ironically after the case came out, there was a movie theater that burned down and it was being investigated for arson. Ironically enough, that happened after our case was already put out. It was published in October. Um, and then a few months like a month about a month later that that case had come out. So, it
020was not it was a coincidence. It was a coincidence. >> Yes. >> Yeah. The last thing that you said the defense team and the wicket That's our goal. >> That's the goal. >> Well, e so we will not know which side we will be participating on. So our defense team has to prepare um and our prosecution side has to prepare. So we don't know who we will if we will be defending Sam or trying to get Sam. We don't know until we're there. Yeah. So we have to prepare both sides. in just a little. Yeah. You're welcome. Thank you. Absolutely. Uh ladies and gentlemen, that's amazing for these students. It really is. I mean, to think about it, they go through rigger all day long and then they sign up for more rigger for the
021next couple months. Just amazing. How about another big round of applause for everybody? Thank you so very much everyone. [applause] >> I did ask the question if it was videotaped and was informed that it's live streamed. >> So I asked to make sure that it's sent out so that if any of us want to watch it uh we can watch it. >> So I think it'd be really interesting. >> Absolutely. >> Really interesting. Okay. Uh, communication announcements. You've already done it. Um, public participation participation. Chief Patrick Gross. LEA. >> Chef. Sorry. Chief chef. >> Oh my god. >> Chief chef. Either one. Patrick Gross. LEA President. Approved for 10 minutes. >> [snorts] >> Uh, I won't take 10 minutes. I promise. >> Can you guys hear me? Should I just use my teacher voice? >>
022Use my teacher voice. Okay. >> All right. Uh, everyone good? My name is Pat Chris. I'm a home arts teacher. >> Uh I want to start by thanking President for allowing me to speak public on behalf of the we support for the upcoming operator. Uh this referendum represents a historic moment for our district and it is the first operating referendum in 40 years. It comes at a time when the gap between the need for our schools and resources available to them possible. For decades, educators have worked do more with less stretched resources on responsibility priority even. It's maintained quality respects and our students deserve operating covers essential to learning and supporting quality staff teaching class manageable updating instructional materials and ensuring student services remain strongly funding items. These foundational elements are at risk as indicators
023impact of firsthand in classrooms and support services and in staff and pension. We also see the difference makes stronger relationships, consistent programs and learning environments for students to thrive academically, socially and we believe planning and commitment to the future of our business. Investing in schools investment students, families and broad schools in the entire community now and generations to come. This and all serve many very passionate responses surrounding area. It opens the door to thoughtful debate and we are appreciative for the world district for continuously and open communication with LA and the public at large. This is a vital part of the process of transitation. We feel that the need is apparent and we appreciate the work of the school board and administration for bringing this forward. We encourage our community to consider the importance of
024the funding support you stand in support of our students, our schools and future of arts. Thank >> you. >> [applause] >> Well said. Thank you, chef. >> Okay, next uh superintendent remarks. >> Um just so very proud of of all of the um the goings on here this evening uh from our board of education and their commitment um to Donna Ward and her exceptional miraculous victory which we all knew was coming. Uh and to our order team, man, what a name. I love that. >> And we've got something else. Oh, we have another speaker. Yeah, I'm so sorry. >> I missed that. Yeah, >> Sabrina just pointed out to me. >> So sorry. >> Sorry about that, Donna. >> All those things. February 9th. >> Okay, we have um Donna Reed has signed up to
025speak. Donna, if you would go up to the podium, please. And you haven't been in here been here in a while. So, I'm just going to read uh the policy to you. You can address the board. You will be afforded the floor once during each public discussion discussion period. At the beginning of your presentation, please identify yourself and the purpose of your presentation. Presentations are limited to 3 minutes. Speakers shall not bequest any or any or all remaining time to another speaker. Persons wishing to speak for a longer period must arrange for a place on the board's agenda. Persons wishing to be placed on the agenda shall inform the superintendent of that desire in writing and the topic no later than three full working days prior to the day of the regular meeting of the
026board which is normally the third Wednesday of the month. Members of the public are expected to conduct themselves responsibly and with due respect in an effort to maintain a high standard of conduct. The board present will have authority to terminate the remarks of any individual who does not adhere to the above rules. Persons appearing before the board are reminded that although requests may be directed to the board, action and answers to questions must be deferred pending board consideration. Sabrina uh Miss Isler, she'll keep the time and as soon as she she'll tell you when to start. >> When she starts >> when you start your first word. Go ahead. Did you not [laughter] 16 203. Right. >> I for him. They were very much because This increase is going to be all [clears throat] Wow.
027district and 15 years ago. The players were told school [snorts] by Donna, that >> that's it, hun. Send it to us in an email. Yes. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Financial report. Miss Horsey. Good evening everyone. >> Okay. Um some things since our last meeting. Um we turned in our related services declarations and we did our mental health staffing report. We submitted our FY26 reduction plan um which gives back $422,000 to the state. Um we completed the opportunity funds report and sub and um posted it on our website by the due date January 1st and we submitted our enhanced MCI spending plan to DOE and we have since received those funds. Um things we have coming up um are positions reconciliations. That's an ongoing thing. Um the financial position report which is in your uh
028packets tonight for the board approval. Uh the FY26 final budget, I have started working on that. I'll have that for you next month. And we'll have an academic excellence report that will be due by the end of the month and our midyear unit count starts next week. Uh we'll have a quarterly bond bill report due and we'll have the referendum on February 9th. And we are still having um our auditors with our FY24 local funds audit and the FY24 and 25 school construction examination. This is a shot of our reserve and local fund balances. Um still trending as it was last year. >> Any questions? >> Thank you. recommend the approval of the February 1st financial position report as submitted. >> Moved by Mrs. Pew. Second. >> Second. Mrs. Isel. Roll call vote. Mrs. Pew
029>> approved. >> Mrs. Isler approved. >> Miss Rouse approved. >> And Mr. Nichols >> approved. >> So approved. We have no unfinished business. New business. No school choice. [snorts] Fundraisers. Recommend approval of fundraisers as a group. >> First, Mrs. Pew. Second. >> Second. Mr. Nichols. Roll call vote. Mrs. Pew. >> Mr. Nichols. >> Approve. >> Mrs. Isler. >> Approved. >> And Miss Ralph. >> Approved. >> So approved. Recommend approval of fundraiser as submitted. >> First, Mrs. Pew. Second, Mr. Nichols. Roll call vote. Mrs. Pew. >> Approved. >> Mr. Nichols. >> Approve. >> Mrs. Isler. >> Approved. >> And Miss Ralph, >> approved. >> So approved. Rentals recommend to approve request of Jamie Gordy, Laurel Pop Warner, to host end of the season banquet at Laurel Middle High School cafeteria on Sunday, January 25th, 2026 from
0303:00 p.m. to 6 p.m. Cost is free for player and coach and $15 per guest. Requested equipment, microphone, sound system, chairs, and tables. Certificate of liability insurance has been provided. >> I recommend approval with use of facility fee, custodial and constable fee applied. >> Second. >> First by Mrs. Isler, approval with the use of facility fee, custodial and constable fees applied. Second by Mr. Nichols. Roll call vote. Mrs. Isler, >> approved. >> Mr. Nichols, >> approved. >> Mrs. Pew, >> approved. >> And Miss Rout >> approved. >> So approved. Professional trip recommend approval of professional trip as a as a group. >> First, Mrs. Pew. >> Second, Mr. Nichols. Roll call vote. Mrs. Pew, >> approve. >> Mr. Nichols, >> approve. >> Mrs. Isler, >> approve. >> Miss Ralph, >> approved. >> So approved. Recommend
031approval of professional trip as submitted. >> First, Mr. Nichols. Second, Mrs. um Eler. Roll call vote. Mrs. Mr. Nichols, >> approve. Mrs. Esner >> approved. >> Mrs. Pew >> approved. >> Miss R >> approved. >> So approved. >> Okay. Now, something that I want to share with you. This is uh what I'm going to announce here in a second. It's it's pretty sad when you get a phone call from a school board member from a school district over by the beach and then you get a phone call from a school board member from Newcastle County and they want to share with you what is going on down here with our social media with all the negativity that is being put on the social media. And of course you you don't want to you don't want
032things to look bad. Um, you share, like I said, what you've read is what you've read. I have also scanned all those on the social media. Lot of great questions. Lot of great questions on there. A lot of them Dr. Laramore has answered that's on there. I'm not hearing any any positive coming from those answers that have been put on there. um which I expected to especially when he shared no uh administrator, no director, no none of no none of them will receive any raises from this money. And this is something our district needs when you can take a and some will know who this person is that she leaves here and she goes I'm going to say 14 miles away to another school district doing the same job making $10,000 more dollars. Pretty sad.
033Another one let's go 5 miles away making 8,000 more. It's pretty sad. Pretty sad. We have some phenomenal administrators here, phenomenal staff, but most of all our students. And you see a lot of that, you know, that's that's with our students. Now, something I'm going to share is that which is next on our agenda is I was raised if you have an issue, don't complain. Do something. Don't be negative. do something about it. Take action. Find a solution. Okay. So, we have five at large seats on this board. We've got Miss Miss Ralph, Mrs. Pew, myself, Mrs. Isler, Mr. Nichols. This is the first year there will be two seats that come open because our legislators changed the law. One member on at large member is finishing out the five-year term. The other is finishing
034out the four-year term. So, there'll be two seats that come open on the board. In four years, there'll be two more. Every four years, there'll be two. So, here's your opportunity. If you want to take action, you want to find a solution, um, the deadline is March the 6 at 4:30 p.m. Department of Elections in Georgetown, Delaware. You can go online. You can print out a schoolboard package. Then you can deliver it to the Department of Election along with the check for $14 made payable to the state of Delaware for the Child Protection Registry Clearance. that's there. But before you leave to go over there, make your phone call to SBI, which is State Bureau of Identification, which an offices in Georgetown. There's one in Dover. This is for your fing for you to be
035fingerprinted and you will be run through the Delaware and Federal Criminal Background check. Once you have cleared that and you have filed, you will also pay $85 to do that. So, a total of $99 you can file for school board. The school board election is May the 12th. And how it works, how it's going to work, if only two people file, there'll be no election. Those two will automatically be on the board. If three file, five, 10, 20 people file, the top two vote getters will be serving on the law school district board. I say instead of plastering everything all over social media, the negative, take action, sign up, learn what it's all about to be a schoolboard member. Learn that we can't jump and do this to a student. We can't jump and do
036this to a staff member. There are rules. There are regulation and there are laws. Learn what it is to be a school board member. I welcome as many as you want to sign up. And it has been a joy and I think majority of us can say it has been a joy to serve on the school board. And it takes a lot. Um we we just don't have the one meeting a month. There are phone calls. There are >> emails. What? >> Emails. Text messages. There are school suspensions. There are expulsions. But it's something that all of us have enjoyed. Don't go don't go to to put in for to do this for personal agendas. >> Don't do it for your child. Don't do it for your grandchild. Bottom line, it's all children. All children
037that are in this school district. >> Not just yours. >> Not just Yes. Not just yours. So anyway, that's all I'm off my soap box now. So take action. File for the law school board. Stop the negativity. We don't need it. We don't need to be hearing from other towns on what's going on. I have never heard negativity from any other town around here like I hear from Laurel. And I don't understand it. I don't understand it. So I'm sure I'll get beat up on social media over you this, but that's fine. Anyway, let's proceed. >> Well said. >> Okay. Um, we have no policies for review tonight. So, let's do the executive session items. Personnel support staff recommend to approve the personnel report with recommendations as discussed in executive session as listed in attachment
038A. >> First, Mrs. Pew, I believe. >> Second, Mr. Nichols. Roll call. Mrs. Pew, >> approved. >> Mr. Nichols, >> approved. Miss Sizzler >> approved. >> Miss Ra >> approved. >> So approved. Attachment B coaches recommend to approve the personnel report with recommendations as discussed in executive session as listed in attachment B. So move >> first. Mr. Nichols. >> Do I have a second? Issue. We have two issues. B and D. We have issues. B and D >> have to have those two pieces clarified. >> Oh, that Dr. Lmore is going to clarify tomorrow. >> Right. So, we have to table them >> table those the two the two sections >> B and D. Attachment C, cafeteria recommend to approve the personnel report with recommendations as discussed in executive session as listed. Attachment C. >>
039First, Mrs. Isizer. >> Second. Second, Mrs. Pew. Roll call vote. Mrs. Dizzler, >> approve. >> Mrs. Pew, >> approve. >> Mr. Nichols, >> approve. >> And Miss Rout, >> approve. >> So approved. >> Uh, future agenda items. The next regular is scheduled for Wednesday, February the 18th, 700 p.m. right here. L Middle High School cafeteria. Do I have a motion we adjourn? So move. >> First, Mrs. Isler, second, Mr. Nichols. Roll call vote. Mrs. Ller, >> approve. >> Mr. Nichols, >> approve. >> Mrs. Pew, >> approve. >> And Mal, >> approve. [laughter] 759. So approved at 7:59 p.m. Thank you. >> [clears throat]