001Call to order the February 17th, 2026 regular school board meeting. We'll have a moment of silence led by Dr. Franklin Jones. Let us pray. Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank you tonight for all things. We thank you for your direction. We ask for your guidance, your wisdom, and your knowledge. We pray for every employee in the Dton City Schools District. and we pray for every child and family. We love you, Lord, and we give you all the praise, the glory, and honor. And we ask that you give us the resources and all that we need to make sure that our children receive the best education they can during their lifetimes in Douglas City Schools. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. >> Amen. Our pledge will be led by Carver Math and Science and
002Technology sixth grade student Prince Black. I'm very proud to announce we have with us tonight sixth grader from Carver MST, Prince Black, who is also a member of our flag detail. >> Attention salute pledge. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you very much, Prince. I ask for a motion to approve the agenda and proposed agenda modifications. >> Madame Chairman, I move that we approve the agenda and agenda modifications. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Is there any discussion? All in favor? >> Yay. >> Okay. Motion passes. Board of comments. >> Madam Chair, may I? >> Yes. Good evening everyone. So to anyone in this room
003or this community who thinks today we return to business as usual, let me be clear. We don't. It will not be business as usual when we still have 60% of our students not reading on grade level. It will not be business as usual as long as we have 78% of our students unable to do math on grade level. Our students deserve real results, datadriven, sustainable results, not fragmented results that come after the fact. I previously shared that 70% of adults incarcerated read on a fourth grade level or lower. That 70% of incarcerated adults read on a fourth grade level or lower. That's not accidental. It really makes sense. In our workplace, even entry level jobs will require more than a fourth grade reading level. So when stu when students leave out of our system unable
004to read and do math, we are limiting their access to employment, to stability and self-sufficiency. And then we express shock when crimes rise in our community. When root causes like low literacy, unresolved trauma, mental health issues are not addressed, the outcome should not surprise us. Our children cannot become collateral damage in a game played by adults. They deserve courage. They deserve action, not posture or delay. So the parents who entrust us with their children, and I'm a parent as well, they deserve better. Our students deserve better. Our educators, including the 10 principles that spoke to us and their staff, they deserve better. We as leadership must do better. Thank you. Does anyone else wish to speak? >> Madam Chair, if I may, please. >> Yes. >> Uh, I had a lot to say, but Miss
005Walton has said about everything I thought about. Um, this board has not addressed student achievement since we were seated. There seems to be no urgency concerning the problems, the issues that our staff and our children are having right now. We got our report cards. We got reports from from experts and we have not moved and do not appear to be concerned about what's happening with our children. That is our number one job. student achievement and we have not had a discussion yet as a board. We need to rethink whatever we're thinking about and act on the behalf for all of all our students. Thank you, ma'am. >> Thank you. Anyone else? >> Okay, Madam Chair. >> Yes, ma'am. Um, I would like to address some concerns that I've, you know, I've been hearing through email
006from from our board members and most of them concerns um money issues and that is a concern of mine too. We want to make sure that that this school system has enough money and that the money is directed to the right cause and that is with our children. Now, I I have one uh concern that I guess uh tr transpired this week, and I think when we had our committee a committee meeting, um we voted on having three people from the board and three people from the um from the school system that would be selected by Dr. Escu. And um no offense to our attorney, he's here for a purpose. But when we pay him $300 uh an hour, then he's sitting in a board a committee meeting, that says it all. We can't have
007that. I think we need to look at where we're applying the money to. So if we really concerned about the children and about taking money from what uh teachers have in order to buy supplies and things, we have to think why why do we have an attorney in our committee in our committee meetings? He's here to do the contracts and that's a lot of work too. But to be in the committee meetings is not something that we had planned for. And I don't know if if he was directed to be in that meeting of he just sat in the meeting. Uh Dustin, could I ask you that? >> Were you and you were in the committee meeting for the um policy committee meeting? >> Were you asked to be in that meeting? And who asked
008you to be in that meeting? Well, all the board members weren't engaged in whether or not you ought to be in those meetings. And I think that no one member can speak for the entire board unless they collaborate with the board and say, "Hey, this is what we need to do." So, we need to look at some of these things. Another thing I want to mention because we have this committee meeting uh this commiti policy committee meeting going on. We need to look at governance and I don't know who's leading this meeting but I would think that HR should lead it. I would think but we need to make sure that we talk about governance and if we're going to do anything about changing policies we need to look at that. That's all I have
009to say at this point. >> Thank you. Anyone else? >> All right, >> we move on to the superintendent report. Dr. Ascu, >> thank you. Um before we begin our recognitions this evening, I would like to make everyone aware that we do have a new member on staff and I'd like to recognize her at this time. Um Dr. Quesa Thompson. If you take stand please. Dr. Thompson is our new assistant superintendent bringing more than 25 years of experience in K12 education, instructional leadership, and student support systems. Dr. Thompson joins Dothan City Schools after serving in multiple district level leadership roles within the Douglas County School System in Georgia, most recently as director of instructional supports. Throughout her career, she has led district-wide initiatives focused on improving student achievement, implementing multi-tered systems of supports, strengthening 504
010services, and ensuring access to highquality instruction for all students. Her leadership experience spans both district and school-based roles, including service as a principal, assistant principal, and classroom teacher. Dr. Dr. Thompson has overseen large-scale professional development efforts, guided datadriven instructional improvement, and supported schools in meeting the diverse academic, behavioral, and social emotional needs of students. Her work has contributed to measurable gains in student performance and the expansion of innovative programs supporting early intervention, extended learning, and student wellness. Dr. Dr. Thompson holds a doctor of education in educational leadership from Walden University along with advanced degrees in educational leaders leadership and administration. Again, Dr. Quesa Thompson, welcome. >> Okay. And then um we have some student recognitions. >> We do. Good evening everyone. Tonight I want to take a moment to highlight what truly sets Dothan City
011Schools apart. Not just academics, athletics, or awards, but people, character, and community. The basketball game against Enterprise last month didn't end the way we hoped on the scoreboard. It was a tough emotional loss for our student athletes who worked so hard. But what happened after the final buzzer is the part that really matters and is the part that will be remembered long after the game itself. After the buses had loaded and departed, one of our student athletes vehicles would not start, leaving a group of students stranded. Rather than leaving anyone behind, adults and students stayed late well past 10 p.m. working to find a solution. Eventually, the students found another ride and made sure they could leave safely. Five young men piled into a small car and began the trip home. Coaches coordinated with Enterprise
012High School, whose administration immediately offered support, even arranging for their auto mechanics instructor to check the disabled vehicle in the morning. But the night still wasn't over. As the group made their way toward Dothan, the overloaded car broke down on the side of the road. That's when principal Brian Rivier stepped in. He and his wife were leaving the game when they came across the students. They picked the students up, make sure everyone had a safe way home, and along the way ensure the boys were fed, complete with a late night food stop before making multiple drop offs across the community. This wasn't about basketball. It was about responsibility, care, and leadership when it mattered most. Principal Rivier didn't delegate the problem. He didn't clock out. He didn't walk away when the night got long. He
013showed up personally for his students. That level of commitment and the levels from other staff members who help the students doesn't happen by accident. It reflects a school culture built on trust, relationships, and an understanding that our work doesn't end when the game does. It truly takes a village and DCS have has one. So, Mr. Rivier, if you could please come forward. [applause] too. Sorry. >> [applause] >> DCS is proud to announce that Holland's Elementary School has been awarded more than $2,200 from the Alabama Arts Alliance. the support the art arts license tag grant will support the school's annual spring visual arts exhibition Studio 1400 while also expanding resources for future exhibitions. Studio 1400 features student created artwork, interactive environments, and immersive experiences that connect the arts with science, storytelling, and environmental responsibility. These opportunities
014allow students to explore creativity, think critically, and make meaningful connections across disciplines. Congratulations to Highlands Elementary School and art teacher, Miss Tara Harris, on this exciting honor. We look forward to the continued act of student studio 1400 on students. So if Miss Harris and Miss Buchar would please come forward [applause] >> [applause] >> And to round things out, February spotlight. As we celebrate Career and Technical Education Month, I want to highlight an outstanding example of hands-on learning happening right here in Dothan City Schools. I want to highlight the outstanding work happening in Mr. Grigg's classroom at Dothan Tech. Building construction students recently completed a brand new addition to the Dothan Wolves baseball field, the left field lounge. The last several weeks, the students engaged in a hands-on project to apply real world skills to give
015back to their school in a way that will be enjoyed for years to come. This project allowed students to apply skills like planning, measuring, framing, and problem solving. They weren't just building a structure. They were building confidence, craftsmanship, and pride in doing what quality work that serves others. Projects like this help students understand the value of teamwork, responsibility, and seeing a job through from start to finish. We will also like to thank Talzin Building Supply, a division of Carter Lumber Company, for donating all the lumber for this project. It takes business partnerships like this to help create the experiences and opportunities for our students. This is what CTE month is all about. During CTE month, we celebrate programs that prepare students for colleges, college careers, and life by giving them real world skills and experiences.
016DCS is proud to offer 18 CTE programs. Each providing students with meaningful opportunities to learn, grow, and explore future pathways. While we don't have time tonight to highlight every program, I do want to recognize the incredible work happening across all of our CTE classrooms and to say thank you to our students who works tirelessly and to our hardworking, dedicated instructors who pour into and inspire our students every day. So, if Mr. Griggs and Mr. Ron Richards could please come forward. [applause] Hi, I'm Coach Kennedy. I'm the head football coach at Dothan High School and truly honored and humbled to be here in front of the board, board chair and superintendent to recognize five of our student athletes from Dothan High School. Um, I could talk about them all night, but just going to take one
017minute to talk about um, all of them briefly. Very proud of the football program we have done. Um, had somebody tell me a interesting stat. Just finished our fourth straight winning season. That's the first time that's happened in Dothan City School since 1982. Um, so [applause] when we took over this program, we wanted to build a program of consistency and we have certainly done that. And when you have individuals like this, um, certainly makes the job easier. So, I'm going to tell you a little bit about each one of them. Um, the reason these five were selected, they were all, um, honored with some sort of first team recognition. Um, we play in class 7A region 2, which is one of not only the toughest regions in Alabama, but one of the toughest regions in
018all of Southeast America. This year, three out of our the four teams of our region um were in the final four in the state. Two of the teams were ranked in the top 20 in the country at some point. So, first individual I'll talk about is a Don Warren. A Don, step forward so people know what we're talking about. [applause] Adon holds a 375 GPA. He is a junior. [applause] Adon was an offensive lineman for us. Was also a state qualifier in wrestling this year. Um, and certainly excited for a great year for Adon Adon Warren. [applause] King Hall is also a junior. Um, [applause] King also has a 375 GPA. He was named [cheering] [applause] King was named first team all region and first team all state. He's one of the highest recruited corners
019in the country. Holds offers from Alabama, Auburn, Texas, Oregon, and everybody. So, [applause] [cheering] so we are certainly glad that uh he'll be back for another year for the Wolves. But King Hall, Jadavius Lamine is also a junior um middle linebacker, holds multiple division one offers. [applause] I look today 3.83 GPA. [applause and cheering] Adon or um excuse me, Jadavius in just his second year of wrestling um qualified for the state meet and finished one match out of placing on the podium. Javius Leamine. [applause] The next two are seniors, Aiden Jackson. Um Aiden was first team all state. Um he was him and AJ who we'll talk a minute they were since the consolidation of the high school they were the first two players that were selected to play in the Mississippi Alabama all-star game.
020Um he did that and he is a Troy commit um full scholarship to Troy Aiden Jackson. AJ Alexander um I cry every time I talk about him. I've coached thousands of kids. He's in the top 1% of kids I've ever coached. Um he won the first student of the the month award at Dothan City High School. So it tells you what kind of student he is. Um this is what's crazy. When uh he plays running back, he holds the touchdown record, rushing yard record for a game, season, and career. He's rushed for just under 5,000 yards. AJ AJ is attending um North Alabama on a full scholarship. [applause] I just want to leave with this. In today's age, for whatever reason, everybody wants to point out what's wrong and what kids can't do. You don't
021have to look very hard to see all the great things. Um four of these five individuals have only attended Dothan City Schools. Um you can get a great education right here. Great opportunities. I want to say one little thing about Aiden Jackson. Aiden moved 40 minutes away um last year at this time. For the last year, his family made the decision that he wanted to play football at Dothan High School and he wanted to graduate from Dothan City Schools. So, he drives 40 minutes every day to make that happen. Awesome. [applause] So, again, thank you. And again, I could talk about these kids all day. Um we've got great kids in Dolan City School. One more round of applause for these five individuals. [applause] [cheering] >> [applause] >> Madam chair, can I say something? >>
022You may. >> Um, I wanted to give a plug for those boys as well. Um, my son joined the football team as a junior, as a kicker, had never played football before, and they welcomed him with open arms, made him a part of their family. Um, my youngest is in fourth grade. These boys are celebrities to him. AJ's name is talked about in our house all the time. He does not miss a Doan High football game, like drive the three hours to go to the football game because these boys mean so much to him. He would go down on the field afterwards and they would all talk to him. Watching what these young men have done for our city and for the younger kids in our city is huge. And it's told her I said
023I'm going to cry. It's beautiful to see what they've done and to show the kids in our city what they can be capable of to build this up where these kids want to be wolves. They want to be like these boys. Um it's just been very beautiful to watch. I have a bunch of children in the system and so I've been here since the schools got combined and seeing the difference and seeing what these kids have been capable of is just is very special. So from a mom, thank you for the example that you guys have been for Bradock joining the football team and then for Finnick for being just such amazing role models to him and to so many of the kids in this city with so much more than what you do out
024on that football field. So thank you for that. Good evening. [clears throat] So, this time we want to recognize our employee of the month for Dothan City Schools. Um, this month's employee was nominated by Mr. James Williams, a principal at DPA is Mr. Andrew Scott Brady is an instructional aid at DPA. Mr. Brady, are you here today? So, [clears throat] a little bit of the the narrative that Mr. Williams wrote about Mr. Brady says, "Mr. Scott Brady consistently places students at the center, there he is, of every decision he makes, ensuring that they are supported academically, behaviorally, and socially. He proactively identifies student needs, adjusts his approach when necessary, and collaborates with staff to remove barriers to learning, demonstrating a clear commitment to student success. He is nominated for employee of the month due to
025his unwavering dedication, flexibility, and strong work ethic. Mr. Brady's positive attitude, reliability, and student focused mindset make him a an invaluable team member whose contributions meaningfully impact the learning environment. [snorts] He regularly goes above and beyond his assigned responsibilities, taking initiative to provide additional time, guidance, and support to students in need. His professionalism, compassion, and team first approach reflect the mission and values of the school, making him highly desiring of this recognition. Congratulations So, [clears throat] moving on to our our next recognition. You guys see a um a packed house here and we were able to um have a reception at the beginning for our um teacher of the year um winners at each of our school locations. Um the Alabama teacher of the year program seeks annually to honor and recognize excellence in the
026teaching profession by identifying outstanding Alabama classroom teachers at local, district, and state levels. The Alabama Teacher of the Year program is open to any public school certified classroom teacher, librarian, counselor, or other certified individual whose major responsibility is to work with children in a P12 setting and provide learning opportunities to meet the academic goals and graduation requirements set by the Alabama State Board of Education. So, each school selects their individual winner. And I just want to give a little shout out here to the work that goes into actually completing these packets as the winner and the work that you guys do because it's a lot and I know some of you guys and some of the ones here in the audience got to to read each and every one of those and it there is
027a lot that goes into that. So I do want to um commend them for working to complete those packets. We're going to go through now and we're going to recognize every one of the individual school winners. We're going to call you down if you'll stay here in front. We're going to have a group photo with with each and then after we've recognized the individual winners, we will name the um the district level elementary and secondary um teachers of the year. So, I'm going to ask for a supporting cast here to to come up. So, I'm going to have um Britney call the the school and the name and we're going to bring them up present with a certificate. From Dothan Dothan Early Childhood Center, we have Melissa Croer [applause] from Head Start. We have Simone
028Swain from Beverly Intermediate. Tanya Everett from Carver Math Science and Technology. We have Jessica Freeman from Fain Elementary. Natalie Townsen from Gerard Elementary. Jordan Corey [applause] [cheering] from Herd Elementary. Alicia Walker [applause] from Hidden Lake Primary. Nor Dhy from Hollands Elementary. Tara Simmons Harris from Kelly Springs Elementary. Jennifer Smith [applause] from Selma Street Elementary. James for call [applause and cheering] from Sling Elementary. Lauren Couch [cheering] [applause] from Dothan Sixth Grade Center. Kartha Laurent [applause and cheering] from Dothan City Virtual School. Jeffrey Bailey [applause] from Dothan Preparatory Academy. Tyrese Mayo from Carver 9th Grade Academy. Lisa Peacock [cheering and applause] from Dothan High School. Josh Odum [applause] from Dothan Technology Center. James Kry [applause and cheering] and from Pass Academy, Jason Abberrami. [applause] Jason's not able to be with us tonight. Our [clears throat] thoughts go
029out to him. He's been dealing with a little little issue. So, um, thank you guys so much. We appreciate you. Um, you guys want to come come up to the front here? Um, everybody give them a hand again. [applause] Yeah. Go around and go. Are y'all coming down or we coming up? They're coming down. Sorry. Either way, listen to the lady with a camera. [laughter] We'll pull this back. >> [applause] >> Okay. So again, I want to I want to take the opportunity to thank those that were thank those that were involved in the scoring process, too. I know it is not an easy task to to read through each of these nominations, but we certainly appreciate the the time and effort that was put into um scoring these, reading through. I know it took
030probably a course of two weeks for everyone to be able to go through um and read these. So, um, at this time, we're going to recognize, um, both of our winners. So, um, one at a time, we have our elementary teacher of the year. It's Miss Jessica Freeman from [applause] >> [applause] >> Congratulations again. Her secondary teacher of the year is Miss Lisa Peacock. [cheering] She's at Carver 9. [applause] >> [applause] >> Okay, congratulations again. So, we're going to move to our um support employee of the year, classified employee of the year, and that is Miss Dena Infinginger from Beverly. >> [applause] >> congratulations. So our certainly last but not least is our principal recognition. Our principal recognition comes from [clears throat] we open the nominations across the entire district. Um and then we have
031nominations and then we have a committee that goes in and scores those nominations much like um we have with the other categories and then also we have a a peer vote that goes in um to our selection. Um, this year's principal of the year is Miss Montavo from Kelly Springs. [cheering] [applause] >> [applause] >> Again, I just want to say congratulations to all the winners and um also if you were some are here and also on the board if you were a member. Again, I just want to say thank you to the committees that were involved. It was a lot of work. I think we had about 15 people that were involved. So, um thank you to all you guys. I know a couple of board members were on there, too. So, thank you. >>
032All right, moving right along. I need a motion to approve the minutes for the January 13, 2026 board work session and the minutes for the January 20, 2026 regular board meeting. >> Madam Chair, I move we accept the minutes for January 13 board work session and the minutes of the January 20 regular school board meeting. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. All right. All in favor? >> Nay. >> Motion carries. >> Okay. Um I need a motion now um to approve the January 26 monthly financial reports. >> I move that we approve the January 2026 financial reports. >> Do I have a second? >> Is there any discussion? All in favor? >> Yay. Motion carries. >> All right. Then we have our donations. Do I have a motion to approve donations? >> I
033make a motion that we approve the donations. >> Okay. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All right. Is there any discussion? All in favor? >> Yay. Motion carries. All right. I need a motion to approve the January 2026 financial reports for Head Start. >> Make a motion that we approve the January 2026 financial report for Head Start. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Is there any discussion? All in favor? >> Yay. Motion carries. >> Um I need a motion to approve the Head Start menu for February 2026. Make a motion that we approve the Head Start manual for January 2026. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Is there any discussion? >> All in favor? >> Yay. >> I said January. >> Oh, you said January. >> I
034said February. >> Yeah. >> But you meant February. >> I meant February. Do I need to read? >> Okay. >> January and February. I make a motion that we approve the February in 2026 at start menu. >> Okay. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> All right. Any discussion? All in favor? >> Yay. Okay. It carries. All right. Do I have a motion to approve the Head Start enrollment attendance for January 2026? >> Madam Chair, I move that we approve the Head Start uh enrollment for January of 20 of 2026. >> Okay. Okay. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Is there any discussion? All in favor? >> Yay. >> Okay. Motion carries. Do I have a motion to approve the Head Start monthly summary report for January 2026? >> I move that
035we approve the Head Start monthly summary report for January 2026. >> All right. Is there any discussion? All in favor? >> Yay. >> All opposed. Motion carries. >> All right. Um, now we're going to have an update on the surveillance camera access on admin mobile phones. Mr. Green. >> Hi. Good afternoon. So, this is just aformational update from previous previous board meeting where the board had requested some more information on what will be required to provide school administrators access to the surveillance system on their DCS mobile phones. So, we've had the new surveillance system up for around a month now. And during that time, we've been collecting data on the uh the bandwidth and the usage. And during this short window, uh based on the data that we have, it looks like we will not
036need to purchase additional firewalls or upgraded bandwidth that our current infrastructure will handle the uh the additional traffic. And we will continue to monitor the usage and report back needed. But right now, we're working to secure a mobile device management platform to help make sure that the devices, the DCS administrator cell phones are secure and we'll get the ball rolling on this pending your approval. >> Does anyone have any questions for Mr. Green? >> Thank you, Mr. >> Thank you. All right. Um, do I have a motion to approve the CMP large equipment bid? >> I move that we approve the CMP large equipment bid. >> Do I have a second? >> All right. Is there any discussion? All right. All in favor? >> Yay. All right. Motion carries. Okay. Out of state field trip
037for Highlands Elementary. Do I have a motion to approve out of state field trip for Highlands Elementary third grade students to attend the Florida Caverns State Park on April 29th? >> Madam Chair, I move that we approve the out of state trip for Highlands Elementary. >> Okay. Do I have a second? >> Is there any discussion? Okay. All in favor? >> Yay. Okay. Motion carries. Okay. Overnight field trip for Dothan High band. Do I have a motion to approve the overnight field trip for the Dothan High School band students to perform at the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC in the spring of 2027? >> Madam Chairman, I make a motion that we approve the out of state overnight field trip for Dothan High School to Washington DC during
038the cherry blossom festival season. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. Is there any discussion? All in favor? >> Yay. Um motion carries. >> All right. Um personnel agenda. We have some deletions for you guys. Deletion um G8 through G12. That's 8 through 12. >> Yes. Deletion. G8, G9, G10, G11, and G12. Those are all deletions for tonight. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Okay. We have correction to previous action three. Non acceptances, one terminations, one suspensions, one retirements, one resignations, seven additional or temporary employment, seven transfers, three conditional appointments, two appointments, six, verification of higher degree, one. That's it. >> Madam Chair, I move that we approve personnel as presented by Mr. Mallalerie. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Is there any discussion, >> Madam Chairman? Um, I'd like to
039pull item D1 and F2 for discussion in executive session. Okay. >> All right. Do I have a motion to approve the personnel agenda >> with pooling D1 and F2? >> D1 and F2 to discuss executive session. >> Is that right? D1 and F2. Okay. So, do I have a motion to approve the personnel agenda with pulling D1 and F2 for discussion in executive session? Madam chair, I move that we approve the personnel agenda with removing D1 and F2. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All right. Is there any discussion? All in favor? >> Yay. >> I abstain. >> All opposed. Motion carries. Did you get Miss Walton's? Okay. All right. Um, school calendar. Mr. That's me. [clears throat] >> All right. So, um this is a recommendation. First of all, I'd like
040to say um thank you to Dr. Corbett and Siobhan and their department for working in collaboration with us on this calendar and then also with um we met with Houston County Schools um with Mr. White and his team um to come up with this calendar. There are a few um a couple of tweaks to it. The internal part of the calendar mirrors what our um surrounding districts are doing. There are a couple of days difference in the actual start date and the end date, but most of the interior part of the calendar is the same. So, um the recommendation tonight is to approve um the Dothan City Schools 2627 school calendar. >> Okay. >> Do I have a motion to approve the 2627 school calendar? Madam Chair, I move that we approve the calendar for
0412026 and 27. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All right. Is there any discussion? >> Madam Chair, I have a question. >> Yes. >> Um I know Houston County put out the next two years. Did we were we in discussions with them for that too? We did look at it but with some of the changes that you know and it we just decided at this point we would come with this one this year and then you know address from that point which um if everything goes and we did also just to to um add one other thing here. We did I mentioned the input. We did get input from all of the employees of Dothan City Schools on this. Um it was actually twice as many votes on this calendar particular calendar
042as it was for the other. But yes, we um we did look at doing that, but we we thought we would go with this one and then see how we do on it and then move forward. >> Any other discussion? All in favor? >> Yay. >> Okay. Motion carries. >> All right. professional learning Orton Gillingham to column Dr. Thompson and Miss Corbett. >> Good evening board chair, board members, superintendent Dr. Ascu. The first recommendation is to approve the Orton Gillingham professional learning opportunity for teachers um that is planned for summer of 2026. I'll try to be as thorough and concise as possible to keep it short. This um professional development is given priority to the 10 schools as you're already aware that are in need of intensive support but Orton Gillingham has been around for
043years of course since the 1930s. um is grounded in the science of reading, which the literacy act requires every district in the state of Alabama. Um especially the full support schools to have professional development in that opportunity um or in Gillingham, but give us that opportunity to develop our teachers and build their capacity in the science of reading um and a practical approach. So, this is a very intensive training. is scheduled for typically it's a five-day training but considering in the summer months we're only open for four days they or would work with us to modify to a four-day schedule from 7:30 to 3:30 in the afternoon um with this training uh teachers would have the opportunity to work on those uh five developmental pieces phmic awareness phonics uh vocabulary comprehension um and build their
044craft there now because these days are outside of the teacher contract. Of course, we would offer a stipen of $400, but with the stipulation uh prior to uh planning for this professional development, one of the things that um I wanted to be sure that we did was notify the schools because this would be a huge commitment for teachers to give up four days in the summertime and it's outside of the contract. So in doing so, I surveyed the administrators and the uh teachers to see who would be interested in this um unique opportunity and out of the 10 schools that we reached out to 45 participants including teachers and administrators are interested. Um I would say that the feedback that I received from the participating principles there were more teachers that were interested. However, because
045we don't have set dates at this time and that those are summer months, this is something that they couldn't commit to not knowing what the dates are because I could not get the dates without the PO. I can't have the PO without board approval. >> Um, do I have a motion to approve the professional learning with Orton Gilling? >> Um, oh, go ahead. >> I'm sorry. >> Do you have a motion? >> I'll make a motion to to approve it and uh have some questions. Okay. Do I have a second? >> All right. Is there any discussion? >> No. >> Yep. >> Okay. Miss Corbett, I think you mentioned we have you had 45 that um that you talked to that said they would like the program. Can you compare that 45 with the number
046that were not receptive? So if I understand your co question correctly, the quote there is for 50 participants. So with that um and sending that out to the school, the purpose of that was just to gain to get an idea or some insight on who would be willing to commit to those four days. With the return of that information on a spreadsheet, the principles noted uh the particular teachers including themselves in some of the buildings that would be interested in participating in that session. So, as of today, once I checked the spreadsheet, there were 45 names on the spreadsheets um from the 10 schools targeted. >> So, is that 45 out of 50? >> Is that what you're saying? >> Well, not necessarily 45 out of 50. Um those were just the names that were
047notated on the spreadsheet. In conversations with some of the principles after they were aware of this opportunity, they called and asked, you know, what are the specific dates? But because we don't have specific dates, there were um participants that were that are interested. They're just notated on the form because they didn't want to commit just yet, not knowing what the dates are. Of course, in those summer months with them planning vacations. So, I could not give the schools a set date because the vendors don't allow us to um set dates without some type of um purchase agreement. >> Okay. So, how do you uh you know, we have been talking for a while about the uh consultants and so forth and I do understand that this is a good program and we need to have
048a program in place. So this would be one that would be in place. But how would you how can you sort of compare if you will this program to if we had the consultant using using days and times and how long this program how long we would be working on this um and later we can get some of the the financial meanings about this >> and Dr. asking. I don't know if this is something you should answer or how you feel about it. >> Well, I take Wait, hold on just one minute. >> Okay, I think Dr. Ascu, you did give me a good answer. I wanted to hear from Miss Corbin and then Dr. Escu, you can sort of you can sort of drill that in. >> Okay. Well, um, since you asked, I
049will say that, um, I have never been trained on Orton Gillingham, but that doesn't mean that I don't know how to teach reading, and that doesn't mean that I don't know how to apply the principles of the science of reading. But I will say with my experience with Dr. DeWalt, there's no comparison to the work. Her work is more than just um methodology. Don't get me wrong, she is an expert in that area. She does bring the methodology, but she brings more than that. She brings the job embeddedness. She brings a systematic piece to it. She brings the building capacity to it because she would be in the building um with the embedded piece working side by side with the principles, working side by side with me, working side by side with teachers in the
050diagnosis piece, the prescriptive piece. Um but then also the followup, the oversight that would also come from Dr. Thompson, myself, and the rest of the uh team in our department. So if you're asking if um this alternative is comparable to that work, I would have to say no in my opinion. >> Thank you very much. And now uh Dr. Ask you did you want to say more because you did give me a good explanation of this and um when we talked earlier. >> Sure. So, this training does give us an opportunity to build some skills and expertise in our teachers. Um, which is certainly the direction we want to move. Um, as Miss Corvvis stated, it's not as job embedded as having the consultants, but it does allow us to begin some work. Um, there's
051always more to do. So, we want to continue. We want to get a good start, but then continue to build on that. Um, so to get this gives us an opportunity to get started, but there's always more work to do and I'm an advocate obviously of job embedded professional learning because the research supports that, but this does give us an opportunity to get started. >> Okay. Thank you. And I take I I do hear what you're saying and I and I can appreciate you looking at and sort of comparing the the program with the consultants and I think from what I what I have studied about it that's very true. I just want to make sure that we're not looking at something as second place. >> No, it's not a replacement. As I said, it's
052>> second place. >> It's an opportunity for us to get started. It's not a replacement, but we got to build skills and our teachers. >> Absolutely. >> Okay. >> The intention of u the work is different. Dr. as you was saying this would give the teachers a a practical um approach so they could go back immediately and pro apply these principles in their classrooms. Um so yes the the intentions are different. >> Okay. Thank you. >> It's a great investment in teachers. >> Madam chair. >> Yes. So um I have a couple questions but I believe someone else does as well. So I'll just start with um one question. The total cost, I know you mentioned that the teachers would be paid and I saw the amount um that was on the quote. So, can
053somebody tell me what the total cost would be for this? >> So, the cost proposal just for um the Orton Gillingham trainers to come, of course, is the cost proposal that you have in front of you, I think it's close to is $79,000 and some change. However, that does not include the stipens that um will be offered to the teachers. So, um assuming that every teacher u met the requirements of the criteria for um earning up to the $400 a day, then that would get us at about $15 $160,000 at the culmination of the project. >> Okay. And Madam Chair, I just had I you guys know me, I'm a math person. So, I did some calculations. So, with this method and I calculated based on five days, that's what was in the quote. we
054would get about 372 hours. Um, and I calculated at $140,000 total cost. That would be $3,700 per hour, $28,000 per day. Under the reading center um with Dr. DeWalt, that contract was for nine months. She would be here 10 to 15 days per month. So over a school year, that would be over a thousand hours. So com,000 hours compared to this of 38. Um the contract the initial price was 300,000 that was never negotiated on. Um so her per hour would be $296 compared to this of over 3,700. Her per day rate would have been 2,200 compared to 28,000 on this. And she would have been touching over 300 educators and this is only touching less than 50. Okay. Any other discussion? >> Madam Chair, I have a question. Um, >> are we capping it
055at 50? If more want to do it once the dates come out, can we change that or is 50 once we vote 50 is the set cap? >> Well, no, not necessarily. Of course, the priority is the 10 schools. And the reason putting it at the It's very expensive. Yeah. When you consider the trainers coming here along with the stipens. Um, just a matter of what's available in the title two funds. But if we go over 50, of course, that would be me coming back up here to stand before you. >> Okay. So, with that, the 45 that have already said yes, they would have first priority, right? And then if there were other ones that wanted to come in up to that 50, they could do it afterwards. But those first 45 have that
056priority >> to do it, >> including the um the 10 schools. Yes. All right. Thank you, >> Madam Chair. May I ask a question? >> Yes. >> Just to clarify, so did you just tell Miss Jenkins that the 45 that expressed interest are going to be the first on the list to sign up for it? >> Well, according to whom the principles noted on that list, now that commitment might change um in a few weeks depending if the plans of the you know teachers change. Um however, but they do have slots to where they could move uh teachers with that. So again, uh the principles did reach out and communicate. You know, I have several that are interested. However, because you don't have dates, they're hesitant about >> Yeah, I understand that. So, I'm I
057have heard from several teachers that did not get the survey or the signup sheet that want to do this training. So, if they did not receive the survey and their name is not on a list, how do they go about signing up for it? Well, um once and if it's board approved, what I would have to do is of course send that um uh list back out, that spreadsheet back out to the principles to see who exactly is committing to whatever dates that are secured. >> Okay. So, if if if and when this gets approved, do they just need to send an email through their principal to you to make sure that they do get on the list? People are anxious for this, so that's why I'm asking. >> No, I would recommend that it
058would go through um I send the spreadsheet. I put it in the administrative update, but then also send it in an additional email to the principles. Um, and the principles are pretty good about communicating this information to their teachers. So, I would trust that they would um, communicate it and fill in the slots as necessary. >> Okay. Well, I think the word's gotten out so the ones that weren't able to sign up initially through the survey now know that it exists so they can be proactive and make sure that their name gets on the list. >> Sure. >> Okay. >> And could you say one more time how old this program is? Um, based on what I read, um, it began maybe in the 1930s, but then also I was reading in our state dyslexia
059resource guide that it goes it dates all the way all the way back to the 1800s as well. >> Right. Thank you, >> Madam Chair. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> All right. based on based on I'm not a math person, but based on what Miss Walton had figured out, um are we getting a I know this is almost like a substitute because we cannot for for for whatever reasons we cannot get uh Dr. Dewalt's program. Okay. And so this is just to have something in place and I know we do training every summer. We do all kind of professional development and I want I want to keep in mind that if we do all this professional development will this help our children to get what what they need? I mean it will be some help.
060I'm not saying it's not going to be any help but I I I just I have that problem about taking second the second offer. you know, if I can get the first offer, I just want to say that. But of course, the vote has been made and we did not um by majority we did not get to that program. And so I just want to make sure that we are crystal clear on everything that this is a good program. I do believe it's a good program, but I don't think I I still have my doubts as to it's what we need at this time. Madam Chair, >> yes, ma'am. >> I don't know if you mentioned it, but is this coming from the title two funds, the 600,000 we have to spend by October? >>
061Correct. >> Okay. So, just so everyone in here, I said a lot of numbers, but I just want to kind of give you an overview. So, we're spending roughly 47% of the cost of Dr. DeWalt in the reading center for 4% of ours. We're spending 47% of the cost for the reading center and we're getting 4% of the hours that Dr. Dewalt in the reading center was giving and I will add a fraction of the expertise of Dr. DeWalt in the reading center. So I want to make that crystal clear. >> All right. Any other discussion? Madam Chairman, um to say that a program that's been around since the 1800s is a fraction of the expertise of Dr. Dwalt, I don't think is accurate. >> Um >> but secondly, I want to ask uh Dr.
062Ask you, is it your recommendation that we approve this curricula and training? >> So I think we're all aware of the data and the needs of our students and again it's not a replacement, it's a starting point. So I think in the interest of us getting started, we need to have something in place. Um and so this certainly meets that. So I would recommend it on that basis. But as I said previously, there's more work to do. So this is not an ending point. This is a starting point. >> So Dr. Madam Chair, sorry. >> Yes, >> Dr. Ask you. So again, um we mentioned it's not embedded. So Dr. DeWalt in the reading center would be shoulder-to-shoulder with principles, coaches, teachers. Is it the same type of program? >> No, because this is a
0634-day training versus a job embedded system that we would have had with Dr. DeWalt, which would have extended across multiple school years. >> So, from that perspective, no, it's not the same thing. It's a starting point. It's not an ending point. >> And Madam Chair, >> yes. um you know taking that in consideration and I want uh I want uh Ashley make sure that we're understanding what Dr. Ascu is saying. He's not he's he's not um in in my opinion he's not saying that this is not a good program and that it cannot serve a purpose. But I think the days and the time makes a lot of difference like what Miss Walton has said. you know, look at how much how much time we're getting with Dr. Dewalt and we've seen the stats. We
064know that that's good as compared to did you say about four days here? >> That's a big four four days >> four or five days compared to so Dr. DeWalt would have been here um 10 to 15 days per month. So >> over nine months. So it was a total of over a thousand hours we would have had with her compared to less than 40 hours under this program. >> Okay. We're only supposed to speak on the topic two times later. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Madam [clears throat] Chair, I have one last question. Um you said on the $400 per day that there was a stipulation on that. Can you tell us what those stipulations would be for them to get that? >> Yes, that would be your second time. because this would be it's
065an intensive training as I stated earlier and it would be a huge commitment on the teachers part. Um because of this is um a top tier uh training we would need teachers to be able to commit meaning they need to be there every single day for the full duration of it. Um but then as well as complete the expected um requirements to earn the certification. So for example um there are some pieces in there that the Orton Gillingham U requires them to do like for example they will have to teach actual lessons they will have to do actual planning and there were some other pieces in there. So what we're saying that is that if they are committing to all of the work that comes this is not just a sit and get as we're
066usually exposed to. It's almost like a practicum. That's why it's um so intensive. Um so that would be the stipulation of them earning the $400. So if they do participate, u the base participation stipen would be $200 um per day, but completing all in order to receive the $400 per day, they would have to meet all the required pieces to get that certification. All right. Any other discussion? All right. All in favor? >> Yay. All opposed. Okay. Motion carries. All right. Next up is the recommendation uh for approval for the local letters facil facilitators credentiing. Um this um letters is the acronym LE TRS but it stands for language essentials for teachers of reading and spelling. Um, of course, [clears throat] excuse me, in our literacy act, they emphasize the reading the science of reading
067piece and or the structural uh literacy component. Also, in our Alabama Continuum for Teacher Development um as outlined in the literacy act um in order to uh meet this training expectation, the state encourages districts, especially the full support schools and the limited support schools. So um with the Alabama reading initiative we receive designations uh every three years and within those designations you're you're either deemed full support meaning the highest need or limited support. So we have currently have u this year for the next three years three full support schools um and the expectation is that the teachers and administration in those locations um metriculate through uh letters and that is a two-year process. So that's not like the Orton Gillingham although the uh intention is the same is to build teacher capacity right um in
068the science of reading. So Orton Gillingham you leave the four days with something that you can go back automatically and apply the letters is more theoretical. So that's why it takes two years um to gain that that's something that teachers can also after metriculating through and completing all of the requirements they can have that added to their certificate. So the state highly encourages us to um participate in that science of reading. [snorts] What this unique opportunity would provide us would to build would be to build the district capacity because specifically for the local letters facilitator training that person would be equipped to manage lead um our and organize our own cohorts districtwide. So right now we're a little restricted because we do get support from the state. However, um because our need here is so
069great, that's not enough. They cap the participation off at a certain um amount of participants, but then also once the cohort closes, you can't join into the next year. if we had someone in the district with this credential, we would be able to um develop more teachers sooner and quicker, especially in those full support schools, considering like last year or the last three years, we only had one. This year we have three full support schools. So, the need has increased. Um, one thing that I would like to highlight as well as um I went back and checked the um letters uh Lexia letters platform to see where our district good right now currently with trained teachers that have the um letters the teachers that have the letters certificate. So right now in our three full
070support schools, we have a total of 16 classroom teachers and that's combined with the schools, right? But for um the 10 schools that we're [clears throat] excuse me, the 10 schools that we're planning to target, we have approximately 50 teachers that are letters trained. So the need there for teacher capacity, whether it's letters or or in Gillingham, it's not one or the other one that's more effective. we actually need both um in conjunction with the experts because the intent is different but they both invest in the quality of the teacher. So with this credentiing um it would be best if it was for the district literacy coach because it's when this within the scope of the district literacy coach's work because they would have the flexibility um to go out to different schools and to
071manage um the cohorts versus someone at school site. All right. Do I have a motion to approve the letters professional learning? >> I have a question just to make sure it's clarifying in my brain. So, >> Jenkins, we got to have a motion first before we discuss. >> Sorry. >> Okay, >> Madam Chair, >> I'm sorry. >> Got it all. Okay, we uh I move that we approve um the letters, the uh professional learning letters. >> Okay. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All right. Discussion. >> No discuss. >> Madam chair, I have a question. Um so this person would be within the district that would be able to train them instead of them having to go through the state. We would have somebody here that could help them because I know it's
072a very extensive training. They wouldn't have to wait for the state to do it. they could do it within here. 16's not an awesome number. 50 is better, but do we think that this is going to get us a lot more quicker um because there's somebody right here with within our system that would be helping them through that? >> Absolutely. Um what usually happens is and because we're restricted in it now I'm not u the state does offer us um support but like I said earlier because of the need but then also they cap off the uh participating numbers with an in-house person that would give us the flexibility to do it u year round during the year but also begin some cohorts in the summer. So like right now we have to wait on
073the state to enter into cohorts. So with an on-site, excuse me, with a district local facilitator, we would have the flexibility with doing that throughout the year um moving a lot faster because it's on she could go to the campuses or vice versa. They um I know in the past with um uh the letters participation with the teachers that have been previously certified, those were done on site at the campuses and the uh principles secured substitute teachers for them. So that would be a similar model. But what makes this unique is that we could start the letters cohorts in the summer as well. The state doesn't offer the letters cohorts in the summer, but then that would also give the teachers an opportunity to receive a stipen. Um, this was very attractive uh years ago
074for many teachers. Again, it's a commitment. It's a 2-year um investment, but at one time the state was offering stipens, but due to funding, they no longer have that. So, um that would be a unique opportunity for Dothan to build the to begin, as Dr. Asi said, building the in-house expertise and capacity. >> Chair, I have one last question on that. So, is this they would be able to go to the teachers and say, "Hey, are you interested in doing this?" Like maybe the principles put up and say, "Hey, these are some teachers that this next round we would like for them to go through it." Is that can we do that? Is that >> absolutely. >> Okay. >> In conjunction with what the state offers to get more teachers on board um sooner >>
075and metriculating through sooner. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Yes. Um for Dr. Asky, can you confirm that this was your recommendation and if so what is your perspective and what have you seen in other districts that work? >> So letters train is recommended by ARRI and in our discussions with them um one of the things that they have had concern about is that we have not had this training consistently across our district across our schools. Um, so it is something in our contract with ARRI. I think that meets a requirement that the state is asking for the support that they're providing. Um, again, it's part of a starting point. This is not an ending point. There's more work to do. Um, but we got to get started somewhere. >> Any further discussion? >> All
076right. All in favor? >> Yay. Okay. Motion carries. All right. Ask for a motion to approve the universal screener early years assessment with I Ready. >> Okay. So again, the Alabama Literacy Act and the Numeracy Act require us to select and purchase a vetted and state approved U benchmark assessment screener. We are currently and have for the past four or five years used NWA map. So that's the Northwestern Evaluation Association. Our contract with them ends this at the very end of this May, but also that vendor is no longer on the state approved list. So we're up for renewal. I Ready is on the recently released uh state approved list for both literacy and mathematics. I'm sorry, for both literacy and mathematics. Um so it is our recommendation for um approval this evening so that
077beginning in the fall of 2026 we will be in compliance with the numerousy act and the literacy act with having a um state approved uh vendor for our math screener and our literacy screener. >> Okay. Do I have a motion to approve the universal screener early years assessment without ready? Madam Chair, I make it a motion that we approve the universal screener early years assessment I Ready program. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. Is there any discussion? >> All right. Madam chair, I do have a question. Sorry. >> Um on that with the cost breakdown, is that a one-time fee or are we continuing every year because of substituting the MAPS testing? We're paying for that every year as well. So it's a onetime fee plus than that. >> Does that make sense?
078>> Will you ask that again? So, we have the the amount that you gave us in the packet. Is that a onetime fee and then we pay an additional fee every year to use the testing kit? >> Is that how it works? >> The cost proposal that you have in front of you is only for one year. Um, it is recommended in the um memo from the state department that we not uh enter into an agreement past one year because this particular one is not um approved yet past 2027. Okay. >> It's approved for literacy through 2028 but through 2027 for math. So this particular cost proposal is for one year. >> Okay. I have one more question madam chair. Um what is the difference in cost from what we were paying for >> for
079maps to this? >> Um to be completely honest I'm not sure because that contract was uh negotiated under different leadership. So I I don't remember what um we invested in that. >> Okay. Any further discussion? All right. All right. All in favor? >> Yay. Motion carries. >> Thank you, Miss Corbett. All right. Strategic plan. Dr. Esci. >> Okay. At this time, I'm going to call Anna Rizzo Ford from Education Elements. Hi everyone, good evening. Uh, as a reminder, my name is Anna Rizzo. I am one of the partners at Education Elements. Our organization uh, supported Dothan City Schools over the past year with strategic planning, which I know is on uh, the docket tonight to be finally approved. Uh my colleague Sarah and I had an opportunity to join you all back in November to
080review the strategic planning process and how we arrived to the current proposed strategic plan. You heard we had a lengthy presentation that night. You heard quite a bit from Sarah, Dr. Turner. You had to give her some water. So she's still a little parched. Um and so it's just me tonight to talk to you all. and Anna is happy to answer any questions the board may have before a vote on the plan. >> All right. Um do I have a motion to approve um the 20 26 to 2030 strategic plan? >> I move that we approve the 2026 to 2030 strategic plan. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All right. Is there any discussion? Do you want to ask Miss Roso any questions? >> All right. >> Okay. All in favor? >>
081Yay. >> Okay. Motion carries. Thank you. >> All right. Perfect. Congratulations. Uh so I'll take just a couple more minutes of your time. Uh as you all know, we spoke to thousands of different Dothan city constituents throughout the strategic planning process. We conducted a survey. We had focus groups and we are really proud to have co-created this strategic plan that we feel is very reflective of the needs and hopes for your community. Not just as you set up every student to thrive today and for their future, but also ensure that your staff have the resources uh in order to do so. So with that, uh once once you all have completed this process of official approval, we know that that is an important first step into towards the future. And so what I would invite
082you all to do is think about what makes change successful. Thank you, Lisha. What ensures successful change as you uh implement the strategic plan. So as you all look at this slide, uh I invite you to think if any of this resonates as you look towards the future. Something that we commonly hear from districts across the country is initiative fatigue. We know educators at all levels feel the weight of all of the different important priorities to ensure their student success. We know that sometimes it feels like solutions are onesizefits all and do not take into account the unique identity and needs of each community and district. We know there is limited internal capacity. If everyone was only responsible for one thing, it would be easy to achieve their job. But when you are responsible for
083students and their future, we know that the amount of tasks that you're responsible for can feel overwhelming. As well as balancing urgency with buyin, it is important that all members of your community, all staff, and all leaders across all levels really see themselves reflected in this strategic plan as well as where they are responsible for its implementation and success. And so when you think about implementation science, it's important to consider three different aspects. First, teaming. Who is responsible for oversight of the strategic plan? And who is responsible for actual execution of the different strategies that you've identified in order to meet your four particular pillars. We also know communication is important. So, how do you communicate your success back out to the community as well as where there's opportunities for us to be responsive and
084pivot as priorities and new information changes? And then progress monitoring. What data are we using to really monitor our success? Something I heard from all of you when we were last here in November is that it was really important to this board and community that your strategic plan was measurable and that you would be able to What is the impact that each of these different priorities has on not just your students but your staff and your community as well? So at education elements where we really pride ourselves is on implementation science and change management. How do we support districts in building their capacity to sustain and bring these strategic plans to life? What we don't want is for them to just live on a shelf, but for them to actually live and breathe throughout your
085district. And so we support districts through first governance and teaming. How do we build the capacity of your leaders at school levels, at the pillar level, and at the district level to own implementation and set up these teams for success as well as those metrics and data collection? What data are you all using to drive towards success and school improvement? How are you measuring that to ensure that you are not just doing what you all have committed to doing as a district, but you are also doing it well and are actually moving the needle on the impact that you hope to have seen. Again, I really encourage you to think about the strategic plan at all levels across your district. What does it look like for the strategic plan to be brought to life at
086each of your different schools for each of the different four priorities that you've identified as well as the district level in terms of support and also keeping in mind that this is a five-year journey. The first year you are really seeking towards alignment. What does it mean to bring all of these different structures into place so that way you ultimately land towards sustainability and think about what is the progress that has been made? what pivots need to be made and how do you continue to drive towards success for your future? That is all I really had for tonight. I promised you it was me much shorter than Sarah. Do you all have any questions for me? >> Anyone? >> Sorry. Congratulations again on approval of the strategic plan. >> Thank you. >> All right. Um
087the rate bid, Mr. Green. So, we can go ahead and ask you questions. I'm going to go ahead and ask for a motion while you're making your wrap. So, do I have a motion to approve the rate bid districtwide upgrade for network switches, wireless access points, and battery backup systems? Madam Chair, I make a a motion that we approve the GE rate bid district-wide upgrade of network switches, wireless access points, and battery backup systems. >> Do I have a second? She second. >> Second. >> Okay. Is there any discussion? All right. Now, do you want to You did a great job, by the way, with all the information you gave us. So, thank you very much. I believe I sent you an email, but does anyone have any questions, Mr. Ruth? >> Madam Chair, I
088just want to say the same thing. I don't have a question. I feel like I needed a master's degree to understand everything that you gave. you gave us a very thorough thorough amount of stuff. So, I appreciate that. Thank you very much for providing every detail we possibly could need. >> So, if there's no discussion, >> I got I have one thing. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. One thing, uh, if we don't, this is we have to have this on the agenda today. Is that right, Dr. Escar? >> This has to be on the agenda. This G, >> correct? >> Yeah, it has to be on the agenda or we lose it. So, >> for the year. >> Or we lose it for the year. So, let's keep that in mind. >> Okay. All right.
089If there's no discussion, all in favor? >> Yay. All right. Yes. Thank you, sir. All right. Now, we have um public comments and delegations wishing to speak. Deborah Treywick. >> Hi. Good evening, Dr. Ascu. Um, Dr. Thompson, uh, chair, board members, teachers, and parents. I haven't done this in a long time. I'm a grandma. And I I bought an RV, retired nurse, bought an RV, traveled across country, then all of a sudden I got a call I was going to be a mom again. So, sold my RV and moved back here. Um, and I'm happy doing what I'm doing, except I'm not happy in being in the position I am right now. I'm going to It sounds like that there's some plans coming up. I don't know if they're going to work or not. Uh,
090some of them sounded okay. Um, but I'm getting ready to I'm going to continue the speech that I wrote before I knew all of this because I feel like it's some hard truths, but truths that need to be told. So, this is why I'm here tonight. Um, again, my name is Deborah Tik. I reside in District 4. I'm not here as a politician, an activist, or someone chasing attention. I'm here as a grandmother raising and loving. my four grandchildren. I'm sorry. Um I have a hard job. Um they attend these schools every day. I want to start with something simple but powerful. Our children feel what we do. They feel it when when adults lead with division, suspicion, and hostility. Tonight, I am speaking for this to this board and every single one of you.
091I'm sorry one is not here tonight to lead with love and compassion in your hearts because without that no policy, no vote, no title truly serves these children. I want to be very clear, disagreement is normal. Debate is healthy, but condemnation, falsehoods, and public attacks, especially against, and I'm using the word, black board members, and newly hired black superintendent, are not leadership. They are harmful to everyone. Our children are watching. The This superintendent was just hired. He has not even been given the dignity of time. And yet, instead of support, there has been resistance, undermining, and hostility. much of rooted in discomfort, not performance. Whether intended or not, this message sent to our ch, this message is sent to our children, especially our black children, is this. Some leaders are welcome while others are merely
092tolerated. That message has no place in our school system. Now, let me bring this home because this is not theoretical for me. One of my grandchildren is in the first grade. She struggles to read a simple words contributing to her struggles in math. That sentence should stop us all cold. The superintendent supported bringing in outside literacy and math help to address a failing system. That help was voted down. After that vote, there was no backup plan, no alternative strategy, no emergency intervention, no time, no timeline, just a no. And while adults debate, posture, and point fingers, my granddaughter still struggles with reading and math. She doesn't care about politics. She doesn't care about race. She doesn't care about who won or lost a vote. She doesn't just want to read like her She just wants
093to read like her classmates. She just wants a chance. So, I ask those board members who voted against that literacy and math support, what is your plan? Because no is not a plan. Delay is not a plan. And pride is not a plan. Children cannot wait until the adults work through discomfort or personal disagreement. I want to add we need a better plan in identifying students with learning disabilities who need a better plan in expediting IEPs and testing and 40 504s. Now I want to speak directly to the tone that has been set publicly on social media and conversation and in conversations. False narratives, insinuations, and accusations against black board members are not only unprofessional, but deeply damaging, not just to them, but to the integrity of this board. I have not seen any social
094media posts with the same content from black members to white board members. With that, you cannot say that you care about unity while sowing distrust. You cannot say that you care about children while modeling division. You cannot claim moral authority while denying comp compassion. >> Miss TR, your time is up. >> I'm asking you. Yes. >> Your time is up. >> I'm too loud. >> Your time is up. >> My time's up. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. One more thing. >> Okay. >> Just one more thing. Fix the air conditioners. Make sure they work. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Um, Miss Caldwell Scrugs. Good evening. >> Good evening >> everyone. My name is Pushette Caldwell Scrubs. I'm the coordinator for the South Alabama Black Women's Round Table, a parent of a child that attends Gerard Elementary
095School and a member of the concerned citizens of Dothan City Schools where we have over 300 in counting of us have signed into a letter urging you all to act on the recommended 100day plan. We want you all to know and understand that our kids cannot wait. They have already lost another school year as this school year is about to end. And most of them will likely just get passed on to another grade, not being able to read on the current level that they're at right now. We need you all to act with the sense of urgency. We cannot afford to wait. Our kids cannot afford to wait. The majority of our kids are not reading on grade level and they are not proficient in math. This is a crisis that calls for a decisive
096action. We need the comprehensive plan that Dr. Ascu has proposed. We do not need a peace meal action. We do not need a pilot. We do not need a test run that would only delay the kind of expertise our kids need now to just to turn this situation around. We need it now. We're not going away and we're we will not back down. We need you to act and act with the sense of urgency this situation calls for. No is not an option for our kids. Let me repeat that. No is not an option for our kids. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. And Miss Anita Dawkins, >> she left. Okay. >> All right. >> Oh, yes, sir. Okay, we can we can we can allow you to speak. Um before you leave though,
097will you give your name to Lrician? >> Thank you for the grace that you shown me. >> Yes, sir. to the board members and um the board attorney and the record keeper. I'm a um free man that lives in a free state and lives in a free nation and it it is entirely too tiring that we have to continue to beg for what belongs to us. I used to work for the school district and what we're asking for today belongs to our children and we at year after year we we we are constantly bombarded with all types of loopholes and you know you know all kinds of excuses for why our children don't get what they need. All we need is the is the um the equipment and the the the necessary um teachings that
098the children need. Just give it to us. We always talking about money and we always talking about budgets and we listen we have everything we need and every time we come and we talk we pay our taxes. We pay our taxes everywhere we go. you guys push it up and they say no and we come back to you guys and you go, you know, you know, and then we and here we are again. And this and then the lady put forth the um the the the the proposal for this new teaching method. And the young lady, I I I bless you for for your integrity, but but you tore it down because it was too much. But if the divorce system in its cheapness was was so good, we wouldn't be in this situation. Even
099though it was a little, it's expensive. Anything that starts new may as well cost some more. But as it gradually grows, it lessens in its course. Because the divine system when it first started did not cost as little as it does now. It did not start that way. It is that way now with anything else. It gradually goes down. But here we are again talking about taking away from our children, cutting districts again. almost like it's sounds like gerrymandering again. And and we're t this stuff is getting tiresome. It's it's really getting tiresome. But the thing about it is family. Look, all of this belongs to us. The power doesn't belong to them. It belongs to us. And I don't know when we going to get to the point where we start getting together and
100start start hugging and loving each other and and give them the opportunity to work for us instead of us working for them. They serve us. They're here to serve us, but it's we're serving them. And this no disrespect to you because you're doing what you're supposed to do as our representatives. But family, they're here to serve us. >> Sorry, your time is up. >> Thank you very Thank you very much. Okay. Do I have a motion to adjourn into executive session? [snorts] >> Madam Chair, I make a motion that we adjourn into executive session. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Is there any discussion? Okay. All in f all in favor? >> Yay. Okay. We're going to journ to to executive session. Lacricia, will you get his address as well? His address.
101>> Will you get Will you get his address as well? Address. Yes. Thank you. Um, do I have a motion to reconvene into regular session? >> Madam Chair, I move that we reconvene into regular session. >> Right. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All right. Is there any discussion? All in favor? >> Yay. Okay. Motion carries. Um, we took no action on F2. Um, do I have a motion to approve D1, personnel item D1? >> Madam Chair, I make a motion that we approve personnel item D1. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All right. All in favor? Is there any discussion? All in favor? >> Yay. Motion carries. All right. Do I have a motion to add item C2 to the personnel agenda? Madam Chair, I move that we add
102item C2 to the person. >> Do I have a second? >> All right. Any discussion? >> All right. All in favor? >> Yay. So, that was everybody. All right. Now, do I have a motion to approve C2? >> Madame Chair. Madam Chair, I move that we approve C2. >> All right. Do I have a second? >> Second. Any discussion? All in favor? >> Yay. >> All right. Motion, yay. Motion carries. All right. Um, new business is We don't have any new business, but we do have um the regular school board meeting on March 17th, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. Do I have a motion to adjurnn? >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? Yay. >> Ajourned. >> We're getting better at it. Thank you.