08/11/26 Taylor County Schools BOE 2026-2027 Meeting #4

001Good evening. It is the practice of our board of education to proceed our meeting with prayer and the pledge of allegiance. We invite you to bow your heads for prayer and stand to join us in the pledge if you so choose. Lord, we respectfully ask for your guidance and wisdom as we proceed with the business before us. keep us mindful of our purpose of providing a quality education for the students attending Taylor County Schools. Amen. [clears throat] >> Please stand and join us in the pledge. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. So, I'll call the meeting to order. All board members are present. Uh, Dr. Stallings, do you have any adjustments

002or addendums to the agenda this evening? >> No, Miss Garvin, I do not. >> Okay. Superintendent respectfully requests the approval of the agenda as presented. I I just have one [laughter] under 3002 GH GHS chaperones. Chris Tumis, if I'm pronouncing that correct, is listed twice. We could probably omit one of those. >> TMUS. >> Oh, I see it. Yeah. >> Other than that, it looks good. Thank you. >> All right. I missed who made the original motion. I heard Mr. Summers uh made the motion. Do I have a second? >> I'll second. >> Mr. Stewart uh makes the second motion. Any comments, questions, concerns? All those in favor? >> I. Any oppose? The eyes have it. Agenda is approved. Um, that brings us to our 10,00 series. So, we have a delegation from Mr. Beltner

003here. So I am here just simply to say thank you. Thank you to Dr. Stallings. Thank you to Mr. Dolan. Thank you to Mr. Knop and thank you to the All Sports Boosters. I have a trailer. Uh I met with Dr. Stallings last week and Mr. OP and they were very gracious and Dr. Stallings worked it out for us. Uh I'm appreciative. My staff is appreciative. The kids are appreciative. Uh and I can't thank you enough. I really appreciate it and I owe you a thank you. this guy. I mean, I don't know another finance director in West Virginia that goes and picks up a trailer for the football team, stops at the DMV and gets the plates, and he's pretty good at backing it up, too. But I I appreciate that and and his

004willingness to do that for us, and and obviously Mr. Knop and the All Sports Boosters. I attended a meeting last night for the All Sports Boosters, and I can tell you this, they're in great hands, and they're heading in the right direction. But Dr. Stallings again from the football team and for me personally, thank you. >> It's all I got. >> Thank you. >> I I I would just like to thank you uh coach for all the work. I know you did a lot of work for getting that trader. I know you worked much with that and I appreciate you pushing that and it'll be a great uh addition to your uh to your program and so I know you worked hard for it too and you deserve to be thanked too. Thank you, Mr.

005Beltner. I also wanted to just welcome uh the members of Mr. Zukowsk's uh AP government class. Thank you for joining us this evening. All right, that brings us to um our presentation. So, uh we invited Mr. Uriah Cummings uh with the West Virginia Department of Education, our CFO uh to give us a presentation on finance because um you know it's a hot topic and we have some newer board members and so we wanted him to um come and give us some further education on finance so that we're knowing our roles and responsibilities. So thank you for coming. >> You might turn that back on. No, thank you for having me. I appreciate the invitation to be here with you all um here this evening. Um as President Gallow suggested, my name is Uriah Cummings. I'm

006the school financial operations officer for the West Virginia Department of Education. Um I oversee the office of school finance. Um so we work directly with the 55 uh finance offices across the state. um as well as the charter school um finance directors as well. Um as it pertains to all things um making sure that the funding funding that that comes in is directed to students. Um it's one thing that I'm passionate about is making sure that anytime I can get in front of folks and kind of describe the financial function of a school district and and our role in that. Uh I I want to make it very clear that that we that we see it as we play um just as big a factor in the lives of the 230,000 plus public aid kids

007in the state of West Virginia. um whether directly or indirectly because um ultimately if the finances aren't secure and um the fiscal status of a county board of education's uncertain um it impacts children and uh to me that's extremely important to make sure that uh we always have our finances uh or our financial affairs in order. uh as a part of the duties within the the Department of Education and the Office of School Finance, uh we oversee the state aid funding formula or the implementation of the state aid funding formula that the legislature has in statute. Um, and that's going to be much of what we speak to today is is how funding um is derived and uh how uh those dollars get to the children of Taylor County schools and how it impacts uh

008the various decisions and difficult decisions that um Taylor County and other school districts have to make um on an annual basis. Um just go ahead and start with the fact that in the state of West Virginia whenever I started uh with the department of education um nine years ago we had about 280,000 kids uh public ed kids in the state of West Virginia. Um that number is down as I suggested around 230,000 students as of uh last year and it's expected to decline again as we um hit the certified enrollment date here in October. Um what that amounts to is a massive reduction um in funding. Um now there's certainly been offsets to that uh that the legislaturator's put into place through the boy pay raises and so forth, but when we're talking about direct

009dollars um to students. Um it's a massive decline um overall that we've experienced uh again due to that decline in enrollment. Um we we'll understand the impact of that hopefully by the end of the day today. Um I expect to to go through at least high level um how the the statute is established to uh provide that funding um to county boards of education um and and talk about a few other things um throughout the course of of this presentation. Uh feel free to stop me at any point in time if that's okay um to to ask specific questions about any slides or any of the information that we'll go through. Um, and I'll be happy to answer them. Um, this is a narrative that we've been pushing out of my office as well as

010uh just the Department of Education under Superintendent Blat's leadership um as it pertains to uh this overall consolidated approach um to understanding school finance. Um not one person within a school system can do it alone. It takes everybody to understand again at least at a high level uh where we stand financially uh the impacts of staffing on those numbers um and and just everything that goes into um that uh before I get into some of the weeds of the slide presentation um you should know that uh really the bulk of your funding is either going to come from one of two uh avenues. It's going to be either through the levying of taxes, which every county board of education in the state of West Virginia um is a levying body um and has the authority

011to regular or levy regular taxes um on the county, but then also have the opportunity upon vote of the citizens of the county to have an excess levy or bond levy um in conjunction with that um to be able to provide financial resources um to support the school system. Uh then beyond that we have our funding formula which are is the bulk of the state aid that you will receive um here in Taylor County schools. Um and those make up I would say probably 75% of the the total revenues that you work from on an annual basis. Uh with the remaining funds being from the federal government um through IDA title programs and the like. So this initial concept to speak about that's extremely important for for all board members and folks involved in finance

012to understand is the fact that um while you go through a budgetary setting process that's presented to you all um at the recommendation of Dr. Stallings in consultation with um Jonathan here. Uh at the end of the day, um about 85% of that budget's going to already be taken uh for the staffing numbers of the county. Uh just a rule of thumb, 80 to 85% of that budget is always going to pertain to staffing. Um so that leaves about 15 to 20%. Then after that, um that's essentially the rest of the pie, so to speak. Um and that's going to account for the buses that we operate. It's going to operate the or I'm sorry, it's going to support the operation of facilities in the county. Um, child nutrition, all of these other a instruction,

013um, all the things that impact kids, um, aside from the the the personnel or staff that are in their lives as well. Um, but those other critical areas, um, small small amount and everybody's trying to, you know, get their piece of that that small pie that exists to be able to operate their functions. Um, so I think that's always important to note um the fact that again it's it's just a fact that we're already looking at um essentially this makeup of a budget being established. Um but again the port importance of then understanding that concept with how state aid um is developed uh to be able to provide certain staffing levels in in conjunction uh with the budget um is extremely important to understand at a high level. Um, and then also the other uh

014levy such as the excess levy and what within that levy it's intended to be able to support because it has to be spent within certain items as set forth in the call that's been approved by the the voters of the county. Uh we can't just spend it on whatever we'd like. Um because of that concept. Uh but then understanding how that fits into to it as well. Whoops. And then again, this overall concept, if we haven't kind of established the groundwork for that yet, is the fact that finance and personnel are essentially one. Yes, sir. Go ahead. >> I I just like to ask a question if you could go back to the slide because I don't want to be uh on the wrong page here. So, the top uh bullet there says that 80

015to 85% of the school district's expenditures are related to personnel costs. And and I can understand that. And it says the the bottom bullet then says that the uh understand that the level of salaries, benefits and personnel inform uh that the excess levy can affect it can afford. So I I guess so I understand. So, is the top bullet saying that our expenditures I I know they're expenditures, but does the state aid formula and the and the county uh levies and taxes together uh once they're together 85% or is 85% just from the state aid formula being spent on salaries and then what the county taxes and levies add to that? I you know I know that the county can add to the salaries and all. So, I just want to know is the is

016the 80 85% the state aid formula and the county local taxes. >> Yes, it would be all all revenues um combined to be able to support those expenditures. Yes, sir. >> Okay. And so that's for Taylor County then? >> It's for any county is that's that's um the rule of thumb. That's not the specific numbers for Taylor County. We can certainly um get some information on what that would look like. Again, just so I understand, um, so the, um, if a county chose to have a levy to fund teacher salaries to give them all, let's just say, you know, some thousand dollars more >> and, uh, and that got added in to cover the personnel cost. Um so so uh they could do that locally to to increase teacher salary, but that wouldn't change the

017state aid formula and that 80 to 85% could go down a little bit if if if the county so chooses to do something like that. >> Yes, sir. Theoretically, yeah, absolutely. Um if we can get staffing numbers to a level that would be below formula. Do you know of any county that's doing that >> in terms of going below formula or >> you know from locally to add to the personnel cost? >> Oh, absolutely. Uh we so we have 43 excess levies in the state of West Virginia and I would say the bulk of those have some level of personnel within them. There are some that are more just instructional materials if they're smaller levies. Um you all have a smaller levy here in Taylor County. it's not at a maximum percentage uh that that

018you have the ability to in in state code um and therefore you don't have as much in terms of revenue that's being um collected through the excess levy process to be able to support personnel. But there are counties that that certainly have uh in our larger counties up to 50 to over 50 positions that are tied to that that excess levy to be able to support going over formula. >> Okay. Yeah, it was just so I'll just try to close this up. I don't want to just to drag on forever tonight, but uh so so if a county has that um it it could change that 80 85% to a lower number, a higher number or something like that. >> Absolutely. That's just a just a >> So you're saying this is kind of average

019across >> on average. Yeah. The information we're talking about today, >> including those that have the excess levy to support salaries plus those that do not have that. >> Correct. >> All right. Thank you. >> Yes, sir. So again, we're going to try to establish this relationship that exists between finance and personnel because I think it's extremely important to understand those concepts and and how if you don't look at them together, you you'll falter and and fail ultimately. Um so first of all I want to go through um some of the really the key decision makers within the the process because there are certain roles that exist um and in order to get the personnel numbers in line um to understand what we can afford as a county um everybody kind of has to come

020together and play critical roles within that. I think from my perspective, the most critical rule role within that, and maybe I'm a little biased, is the the treasurer of the county. Uh because at the end of the day, they're the ones that know the money. They know how much we have in terms of resources available. They know what it costs to employ at a certain mark, but also what are historical expenditures um throughout the course of of time that that we expect to see that also again make up that other 20 15 to 20%. Um, so, so really, um, this is kind of just whenever I was thinking about it and building this presentation. At no point would any of us ever get on an airplane without the whoever's responsible for checking the fuel in

021that airplane go doing so, right? We we would always want to make sure that that the fuel that we have on hand um is is going to support our flight across the country. No, no different here. >> Clarification, CSBO, what's that term? >> It is the chief school business official. um what that referred to that is Jonathan's title. Okay. >> Um the chief school business official um and treasurer are both terms that are um identical. Um one is set forth in state code, the other is set forth in stateboard policy. Um at the end of the day, that person has to be competent in the role that they have, right? Um they they need to be able to bring information to you all as a board uh from a decision-making purpose um and and and

022well bring it to Dr. Stallings as a superintendent to then bring forth to you all um and make sure that we have that those roles properly established uh because ultimately Dr. Stallings is the only employee of of the five member board here. Um but at that point u making sure that you all have the appropriate information in front of you um to be able to to make the decisions. Um that that could vary. uh you know consolidation is is a term that's used across this state and has been for uh it's been ramped up you know over the past 10 years. This is not a consolidation presentation. This is just using terminology that that ultimately factor in the decision that you have the hard decisions that you all have to make from time to time.

023You know staffing cuts um even what what instructional material to purchase. um everything that goes into that um should have some sort of of financial information to support. Yes, we have the resources available to be able to move forward with that procurement. Um and you have to be able to trust that information. Um and again, because at the end of the day, um you all aren't in the weeds of it all. You have to take the information provided to you to make those decisions. Um that comes by way of monthly reports. Policy 8100 requires that a monthly report uh be presented to the board um to to disclose the ongoings for the month of revenue and expenditures um as well as various incumbrances that that are expected to be incurred throughout the course of the

024year. Um and then a year-toate type summary typically is what would be involved in that report so that that you can see the activity for the month. Um hopefully be able to compare that to historical trends. Um and again kind of get a picture for where everything stands. Um you'll see less revenue as as time goes on because of enrollment unless the uh tax base of the county um is making that up. Superintendent um again as I had already established that the one employee of the five member board um whose contract you all set. Um you have to be able to trust that that Dr. Stalling is going to be able to bring forth that information to you all and working with his team of experts um to be able to provide that information for

025you um to make those decisions on. Um again, you all do have some direction in terms of things that you would like for Dr. Stallings to to be able to bring and present. Uh but also Dr. Stallings is the one establishing the agenda to be able to bring what he feels like is critical information. Um that doesn't mean that you take every single recommendation that Dr. Stallings brings before you. if you you're entitled to your own opinion as an elected official in this county. Uh but also knowing that um again Dr. Stallings has a team of experts that he relies on to be able to provide you all with the best information that he feels possible. So, you know, again, having that relationship is extremely important. Um, especially from a finance perspective, uh, because we're

026talking big dollars. Um, at the end of the day, we're talking multi-million budgets. And whenever you start thinking about that in in quantity, um, it's important to have the quality to support that in terms of documentation. That's the wrong direction. you all as board members. I to me I do not envy the position that board members in the state of West Virginia get put in, especially knowing that we've lost 50,000 students um in a 9 to 10 year period. Uh because all that equates to I give this example all the time. It's not intended to be an insult. Uh, but as a father of a 5-year-old daughter, I believe I can tell my daughter that if the majority of the funding in the state of West Virginia is driven by enrollment and we have less

027kids, what does that equate to? And I believe she would be able to tell me less money. I mean, it it can be literally broken down to that basic of a concept. However, regardless of how ba basic of a concept it is, there are still um politics at play and um you know, you still have to to to get into office, right? And it's not fun and it's it's it's difficult to be able to try to balance that. But not only that, again, what you feel is best for students because that's why we're all here is to do what we can for students uh and what outcomes we expect uh in regards to that. So again, I don't envy uh board members and the positions that they get put in across the state um the

028decisions that they have to make um and how it impacts people's lives, especially more more now than ever as we've seen um an exodus of enrollment, which means that we have less employees in the state. Wow, that's going to do something. I don't know what I did. I think I may have accidentally started to close that. Uh the final grouping as she fixes that for me um are the other administrators in the county. Um and again those are go oftentimes overlooked but but extremely important from the perspective that that's who uh Dr. Stallings, Dr. Decker and Jonathan are going to to say hey you know we know that um this is the amount I got you. you know, we we know that we have enough funding to be able to support this level of personnel

029um and and have to go to high school principles or or or whoever and say, "Hey, you know, this is what we have to do. How how do we get there?" Um and they're going to be the ones to know, well, this English teacher really makes an impact on kids lives, so we can't cut this position because that's an important class to the community of our high school or or you know, whatever those certain circumstances are. It's extremely important to involve those individuals in the in the process so that um everybody's thoughts have been provided as it pertains to staffing or or you know again a lot of this is built towards staffing but it really pertains to anything that that we go through um throughout our our fiscal processes. Um so that's that. Uh

030I always want to kind of just clearly identify those roles for everybody just to from our perspective again how we see those roles operating uh before diving into at least high level some of the state aid implications of this and and how it all factors together. Um so it's in state aid uh their interchangeable terminologies public school support plan um is how it's identified in state code. It's in West Virginia code 18-9A if you ever want to go take a look. I have to live in that code section far more than probably anybody else in the state. But that's okay because I enjoy the things that I do for a living. Um the formula itself is is set forth as a basic sevenstep program. Um although I tell people there's nothing really basic about it,

031nor is it seven steps. It's actually um I don't know somewhere between 15 to 20 steps when in the grand scheme of things after you look at all the substeps that exist. Uh that's it's something that that's caught actually some news as of as recently as this weekend uh with uh a representative from the governor's office talking about the complexities of the formula. However, I am one that's of the mindset that um complexity is not a bad thing whenever we talk about the education of our children and trying to track dollars to uh what it actually t takes to educate children. Um I used my daughter as an example this morning and I think that this was something I'm going to continue to do because it it hits me personally. Um, but my daughter will

032be starting kindergarten in Canal County schools this year. And I want the funding for Ellie Cummings to u be as direct and impactful on her ability to achieve in life just as much as any kid in Taylor County. Um, so to me that's extremely important and that's why getting into the weeds of it is necessary because um Ellie Cummings is not a child who's got an IEP or um is not a CTE student or um doesn't come from a low SCES household. Um but those are all things that children in the state of West Virginia uh go through and it impacts their ability to learn and it impacts the ability for Taylor County schools in every school district to be able to support those children. Um, so that's why to me it's it's not a

033um a bad thing to have a complex formula because again to me um that means that we're trying to get money um as detailed as possible um into to the instruction of our students. Uh just a brief overview of the process. Um just again the seven steps in themselves. um know that back to the gentleman's original question uh the funding formula you can look at it in a fashion in which really the funding formula is providing about 80% uh towards personnel as well um steps one and two and five are for the personnel groupings in the state of West Virginia professional educators um step one service personnel step two and student support personnel step Five student support personnel being the counselors and nurses. Um those folks uh social workers that employed in our county boards

034of education, service personnel being the bus drivers, uh custodians, professional educators being the teachers and and folks that have an instructional capacity um within the lives of our children here in West Virginia. One thing that you'll note that I did not state as a part of that is uh are the non-instructional folks that ex still exist in our counties. they are not funded under the formula. That is something that the counties have to take on as a as a cost um outside of this formula. Um in general, um those would be the treasurer of the county, the child nutrition director of the county, transportation director, maintenance director, folks that fill those roles on behalf of the the county board as long as they're professional positions, which we would encourage that to be the case. um

035as well as physical therapists, occupational therapists if you're fortunate enough to be able to employ those folks within the county because they support our our special needs children. Um those are positions that fall outside of this formula. Um and again, I think those are things that that ultimately need to be looked at, but also that we share that information to know again that's a cost that that comes directly out of the other funds, right, that that we have to have available to be able to support our children. Um beyond that the fixed charges associated with employing those individuals um step three. So again that's indirectly part of the personnel um step of the formula. Uh and then we have some um some actual expenditure type reimbursements for transportation um and the operation of our facilities

036uh under steps four and six uh respectively. Uh also within step six, this is kind of it's referred to as the current operations of the school district. And this is almost like a catchall, you could say. Uh because that's where student uh or I'm sorry, substitute expenditures fall under that category as well. And having the expenditures available to employee substitutes within the county. Um as well as the faculty senate funds that are statutoily required to be provided to instructional employees within the county. Um and then down the home stretch here we have step seven which is uh it's almost like an instructional type um step. It's got four substeps uh with the first being uh for instruct instructional programs and and supporting um those interests. Uh step 7B being for technology type activity. um step

0377B for advanced placement students and then step 7D for uh essentially professional development of our leaders and teachers within the county. That gives us this total allowance that takes place. But then we have this aspect of the formula that's referred to as local share and that's where the legislature requires the county board of education to put forth a portion of those levied taxes towards funding this formula. So, think of it as a way in which the legislature is saying, "Hey, this is what we think it takes to educate a kid." Um, and we're going to have you put forth what we feel is your fair share of that. Leave you some money behind to be able to support other ongoings. uh while also again noting that you're going to to be forced not forced it's

038not the right word but uh there's a mandate and I don't want to feel like it's a negative thing but that but you are required to put forth um funding towards this overall uh pot that that they've established um that's required to educate children in Taylor County schools um that comes in the form of 85% of your regular levy um used to there have been variations of that percentage age. Uh but as of 2019, legislation was passed to make that 85% meaning that you have about 15%. We we keep hitting that 85% number um in different capacities and no no connectivity really. Um but uh that extra 15% that's available to be able to support um construction projects or um if we're going over formula that those funds can be put towards um employing those

039folks. But understanding again this fact that um there's some sum of money that exists outside of what we're required to put forth towards um our share of funding education. Uh finally that gives us the state aid allowance once we take that um it's the net revenues essentially that you receive through the formula. May have questions on that overview even though it was not much of an overview. Um just note I'm not going to dive into all these in detail but the there are various data points that are used in the calculations. Uh the main two being enrollment data as well as personnel data. I know that that essentially funding is always established on a lag. So the enrollment numbers from October 1, 2026 during our current school year we're about to engage in um will

040ultimately drive the funding for fiscal year 28. Um, so we just finished fiscal year 26 and we're already thinking about 28. I live my life in three fiscal years at a time, unfortunately. Um, so that's where we're at uh there. As well as the personnel data also on a one-year lag and and really that that data collection, we're looking at years experience and degree level because in West Virginia code 18A-4, um, it establishes the pay tables, minimum pay tables that exist in state code. Um that's what we are to to at a minimum pay teachers based on their years experience and degree level. Um and then the counties have the opportunity back to gentleman's question earlier to be able to supplement those salaries. Um if you're able to whether u typically it would take the

041passage of an excess levy to be able to provide um a supplement on top of uh what it is that that state coach says you're to pay individuals. Oh, I did it again. I It's a me problem or what? Sorry. Sometimes we need some comedic relief, right? Whenever I was going to be whenever I was uh at my wedding, the power went off in the midst of the ceremony. I was about to pass out on stage. So, you know, it's sometimes we need a little break in the action. >> All right. So, that's perfect. Yes. Um just know that there are some other specifics to enrollment outside of the FTE basis, which is essentially the full-time equivalency of the children that are um being instructed in Taylor County schools on October 1st. Uh we actually

042pick up charter school students who if you have some charter school or students who reside in Taylor County who attend a charter school which you may be close enough to uh maybe get hit by that by the the school in Clarksburg or maybe even a Morgantown school. Uh but note that there are two virtual charter schools in the state of West Virginia who also potentially uh you may have children from Taylor County schools participating in um in that circumstance. We pick up those children still yet under Taylor County schools, but then back out funding at the end of the the calculation to to distribute to those um school districts. All right. So, specifically to personnel, this is how the funding for personnel is derived. Um so, there are set ratios that exist in the code.

043It's all looked at per 10,00 students. Um I don't know the enrollment of Taylor County Schools off the top of my head. maybe somebody 2013. So, we're right around 2,000 students. So, it's a nice round number to be able to look and see how much approximately personnel you're going to be receiving funding for um at those figures. Um based on two, again, it's based on a a ratio per 10,000 students though. So, essentially, you can double these numbers um to get an idea for for how many personnel from a professional educator perspective you're receiving funding for. Um so it's about 72 uh just shy of 73 personnel per thousand. Um so that would put you somewhere in the neighborhood of like 145 we'll say um in terms of the number of personnel professional educators funded.

044Uh again keep in mind those are all the teachers that are employed in the county but also Dr. Stallings falls under that Dr. Decker falls under that. Um instructional leadership instructional employees in general fall under that um category. Again, this is kind of where this um the the the certified list of personnel factors in is we're taking that number 145, we'll call it, and then we're multiplying it by this average funded salary that's driven by all the employees employed by Taylor County Schools that are state aid eligible. Um so, for example, again, Dr. Stallings falls on that list. uh whatever his years experience and degree level are taken are are taken into account uh for that average as we build that average out just as much as the the new hire um who who you

045may have approved on agenda with zero years experience in a bachelor's degree that all drives an average that sits somewhere in the neighborhood of $55,000 per employee um across the state of West Virginia. So again, we're multiplying that 145 by then this average um to be able to determine the level of funding um that that the legislature sets for that step of the formula. Keep into consideration these are all things that are not covered under that step. Um so these are all positions that that fall outside of the formula. U any position that's I'm sorry any county supplement um is not going to be funded. That's going to be again through your excess levy. if you provide one typically um and and and but that would also include you know any director salaries, principal salaries

046that we have in place um where they would typically require a supplement above what the minimums would be that falls under that category as well. Any locally funded positions again um Jonathan's position is locally funded. It's not considered under these numbers. Um any federal or grant funded position is not considered under this. Um, so they're essentially already earmarked under those funding sources. So again, not considered under the formula results that we speak to here. Any independently contracted services. So again, maybe in Taylor County schools, it's not a maybe you don't see the financial benefit of employing a physical therapist full-time or maybe it's just difficult to attract some of those positions um to Taylor County Schools. in those circumstances, then we have to consider the fact that we have contracted services within our budget as

047well that are essentially personnel um even though they're not um in our numbers. And then finally, the big one is the fact that ESER funds no longer exist. So ESER funds kind of were a blessing and a curse in a sense where uh they did provide additional funding to support our children, but they also uh covered up some inequities um and staffing levels and those sorts of things to be able to uh educate our children. And once those funds went away and it kind of brought back to light the numbers, uh we had to make difficult staffing decisions across the state of West Virginia. Also understand that we're the formula only covers a 200 day contract. So the county is on the hook for any extended contract on professional educators beyond that 200 day mark.

048Um so the the 61 days on Dr. Stallings's contract um are al also then county funded. Hopefully Dr. Stallings doesn't mind me picking on him as an example today. [laughter] All right. service personnel really follows the same kind of overall thought process. We have a number of positions that we receive funding for per thousand students. Again, just shy of of 56. We call it 55 and a half. Uh multiply that by two typically. Again, for Taylor County, it becomes an easier um idea of the number of positions. You're sitting somewhere around 110 in that circumstance um in terms of the level of funding uh for those positions. Wow, went backwards again. Um, a little different here on the service personnel side of things. Each service personnel in the state is identified with a certain pay

049grade. Um, so if you're a bus driver, you you're on a pay grade D. Um, if you're an ECAT um, support in a kindergarten classroom, you're at pay grade E or F. And um, that all determines the level of salary that you make, but also the level of funding the countyy's receiving. Uh sometimes we get the question, well, how many bus drivers are we receiving funding for? That that number doesn't exist. You're receiving funding for a set number of service personnel per 10,000 students and it's up to the county to determine how they're going to employ that group. Um, so that's an important concept I think that needs stressed from time to time is that, you know, we don't receive a certain amount of we do really, um, only through the third grade success act

050has there been specific funding identified for specific individuals in classrooms. Um, there are other things that go into the the payroll calculation. I won't bore you with those, but just know again that they exist in state code. um service personnel have a variety of ways in receiving additional compensation that that all get factored into deriving again this average um per employee that you're receiving funding for A* B equals C formula is the way I describe it just again try to break it down to the basics if I don't stutter over myself a time B A being the number of personnel B being that average equals C which is the output of funding uh for service personnel you are funded per se for the entirety of the contract for that individual. So it's not the 200

051as day aspect. If they are a 261day custodian um then you would theoretically receive the funding for the entirety of that contract. Now we still compare that to a certain number of positions funded and the difference there you still have to be able to support if you don't if you fall above that number. um the student support personnel. Um so there was a change about six years ago to where this used to be just like a frozen number in terms of the number of personnel that you're receiving funding for. Um now that's also now based on a ratio that's five positions per 10,00 students. Um again probably we'll call it 10 of those positions that you're receiving. um which would be counselors, nurses, social workers, um those student support personnel that are employed in the

052county. Anybody have questions on any of that information? That's about as high level as I my brain lets me make that information. So, I apologize. It's still in the weeds and it's still not very fun to talk about, but um hopefully that that at least makes a little bit of sense to you. All right. So then again all of this kind of funnels into the bottom line in a sense right so if we're employing over formula it impacts our our bottom line um to some degree uh also just any of the financial activity we have to look at we we hear the terminology whether we're in the black or red right um again it can be that basic when our total revenues that we're bringing in on annual basis have to exceed or equal the

053total expenditures And if our expenditures exceed that number, then we are in the red and we're we're depleting uh our fund balance, which is the available resources to be able to put towards our obligations. Uh very basic accounting terminology, but um if I if I owe you money, that's an obligation, right? So, we have to be able to have funds on hand to be able to meet those obligations or were considered in the red. Um, and these are the types of things that could lead to declining fund balances, um, or being in the red, which we do see counties across the state of West Virginia currently entering into. Uh before we get into the actual details of what could lead to that, just know that it's it's up to Jonathan or or the other CSBOs,

054the chief school business officials across the state to really monitor and um support the school district in understanding what that fund balance is looking like yeartoear. Uh what direction are we trending in as it pertains to that? And if it's prot if it's trending downward, why? you know what what what are the what are the decision makings or lack thereof that are taking place in the county that are leading to a declining fund balance. Um at the state level we we take the it's called the GFOA. It's governmental finance officers association. The recommendation is that you have at least two months worth of operating revenues on hand at a given time in case of emergency. I think back to uh this financial crisis that happened in Boone County back before I started with the Department

055of Education, but they had taxpayers not paying their bills um and in a situation where you're not collecting the revenues that you expect to collect and you have to be able to have funds available to be able to uh meet your obligations. Again, um so that's where that recommendation comes from. Um at the very least, it has to be somewhere around uh we we kind of draw a line the same at 5%. uh meaning if you fall below that mark you are run the risk of heading towards a deficit. Um so you should always kind of have that as the goalpost at the very least with the ultimate goalpost being that 16.7% uh which equals the two months of operating expenditures. And really to calculate that we talk about it um here just a little

056bit but it's essentially just the unrestricted fund balance. So assets minus liabilities equals fund equity. It's a very basic um equation in accounting. Uh at the bottom at the bottom line, your fund equity should be positive. Um which is what we're talking about here. Um so really we just take the overall revenues of the school district um divide that by the amount of fund balance on hand to develop that percentage that we're talking about here. So, here's some common factors um that would ultimately contribute to a a declining fund balance um that we may see in a county. Um obviously declining enrollment, everybody's dealing with it. If you're if you're experiencing that year-toear, but not taking um the expected action to be able to um support those personnel numbers, then that's going to eat into

057that fund balance. Uh that kind of correlates with number two there. just again because they're one or impacted by the other. If you're employing beyond uh what the number suggests that you're to employ um in this county um then you're going to eat into that as well. If we are overspending on construction projects, I know that that's something that we're engaged in here in Taylor County. If we're overspending on those or not uh on budget, so to speak, um that would the only offset to that would be the fund balance of the county. uh these extended contract days. If we have too many of those situations going on in the county um that that aren't necessary or needed, that could deplete the fund balance. Um if we're just offering too many services, it's a highlight

058of of some of what the legislaturator's been looking at lately. You know, we're pushing for additional funding for special education, but the argument is, well, how do we know that you're not overs serving students? Um that's where this comes from. If if we have children who are labeled with an IEP that don't need an IEP, that's going to eat into our fund balance. Obviously, if we're just spending more than what we can bring in, that's going to lead to a reduction in our fund balance. Um, having these counties across the state that have no excess levy, at least we're fortunate to have a small one in Taylor County. Uh, but those counties that don't have an excess levy, I don't know how they operate to be completely honest with you. Um, anytime we're just moving

059forward with obligations without following proper protocols of procurement in the county, that could lead to um, a decline or overspending the budget. Um, and then we get into some of these consolidation type things whenever we have too many schools operating or operating those inefficiently. Um, that's going to be the final one. Um and then just as a part of this PowerPoint presentation, just think about some of these dates and that needed update and I did not update it. It's actually Novemberish um 2026 is when we will have staffing pages available. That's by that time. Uh we have the enrollment numbers in place. We run those through the formula to determine how many personnel um that you that the formula says that you you can employ um and compare that to the certified numbers of employment

060um that your county puts forth. That starts to get you thinking about 2028, right? That that tells me how what what decisions need to be made for us to stay solvent as we head into 28. Unfortunately, we've we cannot take action right now on anything that impacts 27 based on how personnel law is written. How those cards are already dealt or are already on the table. We have to move forward with that action. I know that you all took personnel action. I'm not trying to suspend a narrative. I'm just kind of overall picture. If nobody took action, if if a different county chose not to take action, um then they they have to deal with the consequences of that throughout this school year and can't take action again until the spring. That doesn't mean that

061we wait till the spring to start thinking about personnel action. We already know as of October. We we probably have a really good idea right now what our enrollment numbers are going to be in Taylor County schools. We know what that drives from a personnel perspective in 2028 already. We should not be waiting until April to start having those discussions. It just is a fact of life unfortunately that we live. It's not like it's doom and gloom. We all have to be responsible. We all need to make sure everybody understands the responsibility that exists there. Um so that's the purpose of that statement. Um some other personnel decision-making dates um about or April 1st, all transfer employees must be notified in writing of their intent to transfer. All risks must be um have had a

062hearing and a and board take action by May 1st um annually as well. Any questions on that before I just have a little bit of a PDF document to work through to show some of the raw data for Taylor County as well. >> Thank you for clarifying the you know the unfunded and those positions that we have to that are required that we have to have that aren't part of the formula. I think a lot of times there's some maybe misconceptions um in the public of of that. So I appreciate you for clarifying that for us. So >> absolutely. >> Not only that, but we didn't touch on it during this presentation, but there's also a provision within state code that that requires a certain percentage of the professional educators that you employ to be

063instructional. Um so at least 91% of those personnel um on average it fluctuates just like some of these other numbers uh but at least 91% um of those personnel have to have an instructional capacity or you start to fall into a penalty type situation. >> I wanted to mention also Mrs. Gall and uh Mr. Cummings I appreciate what you've been sharing with the board. Our board has as you are aware uh Many a number of the board have just I'll use the word survived the riff and transfer experience which is heart-wrenching and uh they took that very seriously as a result of the very hard work that Dr. Decker put into that for us. Um, and we are ever watching uh what's happening in the very near future and our other new board members that

064have just joined us will uh be educated in that process as well. >> Yeah, I appreciate that. Yeah, again, I was having some conversations with lawmakers just as early as this morning and it it's tough because we have to like oftenimes children get treated as political pawns or monetized. um as well as personnel like that just is a fact of life uh within the current structure and it's difficult to live within that while also being a human right it's tough and it's not it's not I joke because or chuckle because it just it it sucks that we have to live that life uh but also it's knowing it's rewarding that we're trying to help kids at the end of the day um It's very small print. Uh hopefully everybody can at least and I can

065get a copy of this um to everybody. Uh yes. Uh so so note that um this is essentially summarizing essentially the trend of that fund balance that I had set forth uh there during the presentation as to the importance of uh having a a stable fund balance. And you can say see there in Taylor County schools, it's actually declined uh from $9.1 million in 2022 down to just over $2 million in 2025. Now, there's some factors that go into that and Jonathan can explain that to you uh maybe at a later meeting such as, you know, the the construction project that are going on and those types of things. It's not always just apples to apples. Um, you know, you could have situations again, uh, COVID funds brought forth some really fantastic fund balances in

066the state of West Virginia as of 2022. So, Taylor County Schools is not the only school district in the state facing a declining fund balance uh, over that period of time. Uh, again, it's just something you have to understand the why behind and how we stabilize those things. Um, it gives some information on the excess levy. Um the we're at a 50% rate here in Taylor County. Um the the amount of revenues generated off of that. It got to as high as 4.7 million back down again to just shy of 4.3 million. So a slight reduction due to some of those fluctuations. Are you all part of the oil and gas? Some of that that may have fluctuated a little bit maybe a little bit and that might have factored into that somewhat. Um, per

067pupil expenditures, we see those continue to rise across the state. Uh, again, some of that's due to Esser funds, some of that's just due to pay raises and the like that that have been passed by the legislature that have increased those funds over time. Uh, PEIA rate increases factor into that as well. Um, so that's why you see the state sources of revenue jumping from 15.5 million to $19 million. Uh embedded within that jump or increase are going to be the third grade success act which requires um uh classroom supports in grades one through three. Um as well as again PEIA rate increases, pay raises within that um all of those factor into the increase of of revenue there um over a period of time. If you don't care to scroll down for me, that

068would be great. Um so here we see the actual personnel numbers. Um and these are the actual data for uh Taylor County schools. Um so over a period of time uh we see here that uh the number of positions allowed um is for 26 uh the school year we just left and we can update this for 27. Uh but the school year that we just left um you you received funding for about 162 positions and you employed uh a little over 185. So the difference there being 23.71 uh is essentially the level of employee that Taylor County schools had to cover over local out of local dollars. Um also then we have these locally funded positions. Again um some of those are mandated, some of them uh most of them are are likely mandated. Um,

069and then we also uh have have tried to categorize some of these extended contracts that exist and put an FTE behind those numbers. Essentially, you all have what equates to about five FTE of extended contracts in this county as well. So, that kind of brings that total to just shy of 40 um over formula uh for 26 um that the county had to pay for our local dollars. Uh then the same goes for um the service personnel and and keep in mind that that professional educator number included that uh student support personnel number. So that's why we talked about kind of high level what those numbers were. You have to combine those to to kind of get to that number uh up above. Uh then the service personnel side of things received about 114 for

070fiscal year 26 employed about 151. Um so just just over 37 positions there. Uh so in total about 77 positions and 26 that had to be funded out of local funds. Um and again action heading into last fiscal year. um that that is actual um activity um and impact on the county's budget for 26 that we'll see um as Jonathan closes out the fiscal year and provides a year-end report to you all um in September October time frame. And then the bottom slide, please. We'll moni monetize this a little bit. Um, so in total it cost the county u just over $5 million to employ that level of personnel over formula. Um, again having to have the the the resources available to be able to support that action um and be able to point to

071how are we going to reconcile that number? What funding do we have available? You know, again, we talked about this local share piece um that exists and are we putting those funds towards um stabilizing those figures um what whatever the case may be, how how are we making up that difference as a as the county to be able to support that level over formula? Um and then finally down at the bottom, we see um just the the enrollment trends. You can see again just just over 2,000 students in FY26 uh which was a 104 student decline uh from the prior year. Um we can we can actually aggregate those five years and it's about a 280 student reduction over a five-year period which is very difficult to to understand or maintain. uh five schools. Um

072average number of students in each of those schools is over 400 and uh on average the statewide average of the number of students per school is um below the number that Taylor County schools currently has just kind of give that some perspective. Um so again that's the data in itself. uh tried to at least provide some information there for you to work from um to understand um if how 26 may close out, but then also um what to look for as we are in entering into 27. Um and then kind of how all that factors into 28 as well. Anybody have any questions on that information? >> Mr. Cummings, will you I know you mentioned providing this to us. Um would we possibly be able to get the slide content as well? >> Absolutely. I

073will provide everything that I went through today. >> Okay. >> Clarifying question actually. So when you just presented that, so that 77 number would have been what we were would have been over for this coming school year if we wouldn't have made reductions because >> correct. Yes. Yes. >> So that's not what we funded. >> That's right. I just wanted to clarify that for the general public. >> Thank you, Dr. Decker. [laughter] >> As I spent a lot of time with those numbers. >> Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. I'm sorry. The personnel action does impact that. We don't have we don't have that data until October to be able to to to support that. But yes, >> so that just aligns to what we did at the beginning. We would have been 77 over if

074we wouldn't have made the reductions that we made. So that aligns with that. Thank you. >> Oh, it does. >> No, you're good. >> Yes. Thank you for clarifying that. >> Did anyone have any questions? >> Just one closing remark. Um again, it's it can be broken down very basic in understanding uh or asking the questions how are we going to what revenue sources do we have available to to go over this amount? Um you can tie dollars to really anything. Sure, things fluctuate throughout the course of a year. Um we have again construction projects that could vary in terms of not having strong stability in our expenditure numbers but still understanding that you know using historical trends of expenditures. Uh where where do we have to earmark resources and where do we have the

075ability to to extend beyond what the formula sets as our our numbers? Um, so, uh, we should be able to always answer that question with a dollar figure because and if we can't, that means that it's depleting our fund balance. And again, that's why it's important to to ask those questions for Jonathan to be involved in the process because nobody wants to fly without the gas. Not at all. Well, we thank you so much, Mr. Cummings for uh being so courteous and gracious to come up here and provide us this education and uh we just wish you safe travels because I know you have a distance to go this evening. So thank you again. It >> was my pleasure. Thank you for having me. >> Thank you Mr. Cummings very much. >> There'll be a

076quiz at the next meeting. >> I took lots of notes. [laughter] So that uh brings us down to superintendent updates. What do you have for us, Dr. Stallings? >> Thank you, Ms. Gallow. Uh I'm passing out some information to each of you as a part of the updates. And so Mr. Taylor, if you would be so kind to take one perpendicular, so take one and pass the others if you would. >> Thank you very much. >> [clears throat] >> As you can see on the information I'm providing as part of the updates. Uh before I did that, I want to at least acknowledge that as we were hearing from Mr. Cummings, I was reminded that uh this morning uh and I'm not wellversed on all the newscasts, but I did hear something I felt was

077promising in that there's a call. I believe he started to allude that the uh one of the individuals in the governor's office has asked for some uh work to be put into revisiting funding formulas for school systems. And um uh if you know me at all, you know that uh I feel strongly that uh public education is under attack as indicated by not just exiting people but the way we respond when it comes to funding our school systems. We have strong school systems that offer great opportunities. And I'm not making this an infomercial, but I just want to acknowledge that I'm encouraged and I'm praying that we do see some definite positive progress in Charleston on our behalf on the on behalf of our children, not me. Um, but I want to acknowledge that and

078I apologize if I slipped that little commercial in. Uh, I wanted to go over the and you see in the updates. The first thing I wanted to mention and remind you that uh we have done a slight adjustment to the sequencing of our agenda and we've done that in with intention because we uh believe Mrs. Gallow and I have been talking about that and we believe strongly that we should continue the practice of offering people an opportunity to participate in an invocation prior to our official meeting starting so that we don't risk offending any of our some of our constituents who may have issue with that without compromising our al our our own uh beliefs that we should be offering that to our community. and I I'm proud of her for helping me talk about

079that and as her new president bringing that to the table with me and I'm in full support of that and I think people will appreciate that. The other is that the uh second portion uh of the agenda that's changing as I mentioned a while I think last meeting I've lost track of it was the prior meeting the one before it where I have been rethinking the data reveal the intent of the data reveal has never been just for me to come throw numbers at you it's for us to engage as a board of superintendent and our building administrators to be familiar with the performance data from our students And so that portion is now being uh much to their enthusiastic response. When I had the administrative council, I shared with them their B building principles

080that they are now assigned a specific meeting. So each of the meetings you will be able to hear a little bit of information from each of our schools, not all five at each meeting because we get so confused with the weeds of individual data. but uh they'll be uh prepared to share information and I'll have some questions that you might be able to use to uh engage in those conversations as members of the board. It is my belief and my understanding and I've been reminded and um we should all be engaged in that as one of the for not just finance but the students data performance and how they're doing because they're are stakeholders. It's as simple as that. And so I mentioned that uh as the first thing on the on my updates. Um

081I believe I actually I think I told you before that I'm not charging with this principles to start that until they've had a chance to get back on their feet with their children here and we'll at least have a chance for some baseline data etc andor last minute end of year reports they could share with us. So moving on, the next item is there. I have procedured for addressing requests for funding because I felt it was essential to clarify uh and the uh administrative council has heard this. It's been shared with them as well. And so you can see there's a four-step process. Uh uh I appreciate Mr. Cumins mentioning the importance of me being able to be trusted to bring to you the information that's appropriately addressed. So it's not just a uh coming

082to us and um uh Mr. Beltner is a good example and he just acknowledged that we we follow that process and I for the record want to thank him for thanking the people that put it together Mr. Kn uh Mr. Dolan and uh Mr. Belner, we got together and followed the process that's delineated in front of you in your minutes. And that certainly is one that if you there are people in a building or program of whatever in the county who are interested in obtaining some support funds, their first responsibility is not to burden you with the board. I mean that in in a positive not a negative but to come go to the person that is responsible for that particular program so that he or she I'm now referring to an athletic director or

083the person responsible the coral park whomever is and then they are uh tasked with looking at the levy. Is there an area a line we have 13 line items on our levy. Which one of those might be an area of of potential? Is there a school allocation? Yes, we give their allocations to go to the schools. Um, and so those kind of things, is there funding of that nature? And so if it seems to have promise, they go to the building administrator who's responsible for making that for confirming that with them. And importantly, as their chief instruction leader at the building, confirming that they're interested in going in that direction with them. Then if once that's established, they bring it to my attention. Um so that I then can sit down with people like Mr.

084Dolan and Dr. Decker, the building principal, just like Mr. Cummings uh kind of alluded or delineated tonight. And we and then we talk about the same things. What's our levy say? Does there is the school of an allocation? Are they and lastly we also ask them and this is the piece I've thrown around sometimes. Uh Mr. Mr. Beltner, I hope you give me a credit for knowing a sports term, but this is the skin in the game piece. Are there are there uh I say that because many people that know me don't know I know I don't know sports as well as money, but that is a sports term. And the skin in the game is what has your group or organization been thinking about doing that might demonstrate that they're sincerely interested in contributing

085and working together to bring this to fruition? Is it playground equipment? Is it I'll use Mr. Belton, if you don't mind, I'll use a trailer. Is the trailer is we've had other examples of that nature and we haven't really stayed as closely to this procedure in the past and we're try but they're putting it there for everybody so that my administrative our administrative council can be better understanding of the process. Uh and um when we can make it available without falling short of funding, I I commit to doing that. We're not trying to sit on monies and keep it from our students. I think in a former meeting, I believe it was at Flemington, I reassured people that uh every decision we make should be made based on what how it will impact our students.

086Um and and we're this will help us kind of have a little guard rails to get that done. Um, so that's there as just kind of a summation of what was given to the I would imagine if you talk to any member of our administrative council, they've heard this enough info, they'll say they could quote this for you at this point. And so I think you'll see that that smoothing down or smoothing out. I'm going to move on to the next bullet, which is our forthcoming training. We've been asked about that. We have uh per our conversations we've had in the past uh over the last little while the importance of in increasing some of the training for our faculty and staff regarding uh the the things that seem to bubble to the top in

087addition to all the essentials and mandatory trainings in Taylor County. We believe that it was important to uh address and provide training on deescalation for those in instances where some of our students are having some real difficult times in their school. Likewise, that some of those may even get to the point of a retrain, a restraint, excuse me, and uh that needs to be done with appropriate training and understanding. Those things are uh scheduled to occur prior to our students returning this fall. Um, moving on. I, as you see, have decided that also because of our the things we were just talking about and what Dr. Decker has been telling us about for a while, Mr. Subs have brought it to our attention as well. I have decided that I'm going to create I am

088creating and establishing a steering committee on enrollment and planning. Uh, that's a heads up to everybody. And I will bring together a group of individuals that I'll talk with Mrs. Gallow and get some recommendations about whom she'll be members of that committee etc. Uh and we will then start having serious business conversations about what is what are we what are we seeing coming down the pike uh not just riffin transfer that is not going away. We were acknowledged tonight and I again want to acknowledge Dr. Decker's work and the board the board that was here and had to make those what I called heart-wrenching decisions. you did so because you knew you had to. Hard as it was and I appreciate that. Stay tuned. We just don't know where we're going to be in the

089subsequent years. Um, and I'm turning the page in case someone can't see me do that. The next portion of what I have for some updates I will be looking at this we've been establishing and Mrs. Belner, I know that you're serving on our you're scheduled to serve and you volunteered to serve on our school safety council. Uh, as I indicated, we would do that as soon as I could get information regarding the local school improvement council chairs. And when I was at administrative council meeting, I learned that they won't be available. Those names won't be identified until the till late September. So, I've moved our first meetings just as a heads up for you if you can make yourself available. My plan is to schedule that initial meeting on the October 8th. I appreciate your

090patience with that. In addition, in the interim, uh some conversation has been had around some of those concerns such that uh the suggestion was made um with regard to the safety of our schools and uh Mrs. Shoemaker's here and Dr. Decker and some others of our directors initially discussed and then we've subsequently shared with their administrative counsel a means of communicating with families if in fact there's a situation where their student their child uh has his or her classroom may have been uh needed to be evacuated for some uh significant issue and it's a helping hand symbol that will be sent home in book bags. the information about that to anticipate understand what that hand means is also going to the parents as a part of the beginning of our school year information packets to

091parents. Uh hopefully that won't be used a lot but it will be done so it can communicate and let them know that when their student comes home they can hopefully will be provoked that's not the right word inspired to have a conversation with their child about that as well. And we also know that the school should be contacting the parents of those involved students before the end before the student even leaves the school. So those kinds of additional communications and safety steps are being implemented. Uh I believe all good things to be added to what we should be doing and I applaud the work that's been put into that already. Um the uh this evening's agenda. I wanted to also mention that we have an additional guest uh with us this evening. So, one of

092the agenda items that about which the last minute seemingly unanticipated well definitely unanticipated additional item regarding finance and my recommendation and the uh Anna Jarvis Elementary School campus. We have uh Mr. Jason Shanty with us. he'll be speaking to you or available for questions should we when we get there uh should you have additional questions about what's this all about we thought this was already covered in the contract um and he'll no pressure Mr. Shanty, I'm just going to give him that alert, but you're in my agenda, my updates to let them know to expect you here as well. Um, and just at the end there, um, there are reminders. Uh, one is the first bullet about the self self assessment surveys that boards are expected to do. Pay no attention to that little blibbit

093of narrative because as soon as I had that finished, I got more information from Charleston this afternoon that I will provide you. That's the attachment and attachment to your uh packet about which I will send you an electronic copy as soon as this meeting is over. Uh that's how quickly it turned around. Uh initially we were told that they didn't have that. It wasn't their that particular department's area of addressing it anymore. And so I was about to tell you that we're having we're still waiting to see what that used to happen how that used to happen. Now it's going into a different department. We learned that today. We are still doing that. You'll see there's a timeline on that that kind of gives you. We did reach out and say what's going on. It

094said it's to be completed by July 30. It's not due until August 15th. So the window is still there, but just a crack. This is a survivable process that I I promise you'll get that before you probably get home. Are >> they not extending that? I haven't received >> I haven't received that at all. We'll investigate that, but I would encourage you to it's a self assessment and for new members of our board, my question has been to Mrs. Gallow and Mr. Taylor that it's simply it's intended to reflect your perception and feeling of how the year has gone. >> It's board specific. How have you been doing as a board? uh you may find that somewhat difficult, especially the two members who were newest on our board, but I believe that uh you can

095base what your responses are on your limited experience since July one when it became official. That's the best I can offer you at this point. Uh >> that does get posted like once once all the counties complete that, >> right? once we then submit it to to Charleston right >> out there >> and we uh however it also support uh serves as some information when we were doing our goal setting discussion that we also is listed as something we need to do as a reminder that's our annual goal setting meeting that is a different meeting than the regulars it's typically a work session special meeting that we would simply have as the five the six of us uh I would um encourage you to be given some thought as we speak when we'd like to

096do that so that we can have that done uh as soon as possible. I didn't bring a date to you because it's difficult to suggest one when we have all six of us trying to figure out when we can all be available. Um lastly, the other part is is bittersweet for me. We have a contract that I have signed and I am happy to be a part of but this is in case public doesn't know this. Some will some will celebrate some maybe not. This is my my last year with you under contract as your superintendent. And I'm I'm already afraid of retirement. You know I'm not a fan. I'm not asking you for anything. I'm just letting you know that now it's my job to help you with this search for the my successor.

097Uh and I have reached out to Mr. call who has promised that he will come and work with us and he's scheduled with us. Um I'll be working a little in advance of that with him but he'll be here on December 15th to afford you a presentation a brief presentation about what you should anticipate as board members as you conduct your search. Um and they have two important u save the date reminders. One is that they're both on note. They're both on August 25th. I've invited Mrs. uh June Griffith, the director of the Preston Taylor Community Health Center partner that we were with to bring that uh modular health program that she shared with you was coming to the board meeting or to the meeting prior to the meeting 5:30 that evening. Uh that's actually

098the second bullet. jumped ahead, but go to that one with me right now just for giggles to at 5:30 prior to the start of our six o'clock meeting. She will have that here for you to as board members to visit and tour. So, if you can be there at 5:30, uh that's not a requirement, but I certainly would encourage you to try to do that if you could. It's a really nice vehicle. Um and she shared that information with us prior. The other is that's back up to the eight o'clock portion of that day if you're available. That is when we have scheduled our annual uh not back to school bash but the o the the faculty staff opener where we will have uh a brief presentation from Mrs. Griffith from the same agency uh

099an attempt at Dr. Stallings to be a brief welcome back as their superintendent. >> A brief I said attempt. The word was attempt, ladies and gentlemen. An attempt. I know I'll have a lot of people there with a hook that'll keep me to it because we have a an excellent keynote speaker of a motivational me uh uh ilk who has uh agreed to be with us that morning as well. If there's any way you can be there with us, please do join us. Um and uh that starts at 8 o'clock. And uh the additional piece of information is that's attached to you should have had a part of your handout initially was an excerpt that I found. I'm finding it's called the effective schoolboard member and I I did an excerpt for that because it

100cautions and encourages about the importance and not uh this gets back to the data reveal conversation. Not overlooking the importance. You should have a copy of that attached to that. Did you? Uh not overlooking the importance of talking about student performance, etc. Uh and not feeling like if you have long meetings that they're bad. Nobody looks forward to long meetings, but sometimes it's a valuable investment of time. That's those are our kids. Um so read through that if you would. Um, it's just information and I've excerpted. I've taken the liberty of u, you know, word smithing a little bit from here to time to time. That's why I don't want to say excerpted. Uh, but I do want to credit the source and that is the the effective schoolboard member. I hope that information is

101helpful. I appreciate your patience and allowing me to do my job for you. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Stallings. So that moves us then to board member updates if anyone has any. >> Uh I might uh say I'm going to United Technical Center tomorrow morning and uh we have on our agenda the hiring of a sports medicine teacher. So that that program is uh in the opening. Uh it's a a leadup to an athletic trainer kind of thing. It's it's not an athletic trainer by any means, but it's a leadup to that. So, just to keep you appraised. >> I just want I just wanted to say I was able to attend a couple of um events this past since the last meeting. I was able to go watch the band at their end

102of camp performance and it was excellent. They did a great job. And I also was at the um midnight madness for that the football had for their very first practice. We had a great turnout and the community really seemed to enjoy it. It was a nice event. >> Any committee meeting reports? Yeah, I have uh some information to pass out and then we'll we'll discuss So on the uh the first stapled packet um started with an email uh the last two pages was an email um that I drafted to uh Mr. Murray, the extension agent um with WVU extension. And uh this this um front two pages is his his response that that we did get back today. Um I've taken the liberty to not to go through the the entire thing, but maybe highlight

103um a few of the things to to answer some of the questions that some of the board members had about uh who served on the committee um specific names. So that's listed there. Um talks about how often the committee uh meets and it's once a year is typically um you turn to the second page it talks about uh that um that there used to be um an advisory board um but some somehow through co and possibly um Dr. Miller, the superintendent prior. Um, that hasn't happened. That meeting hasn't happened. So, um, not not sure where where we go with that board. Um, that advisory board, but uh, or how we re-implement it, get it back off the ground. Uh but I I think that that it's um probably a a needed a needed advisory board

104due due to the um the concerns um one some of the concerns that we're dealing with tonight and oil and gas leases but uh two um for maintenance uh maintenance of that facility. Um the second the second piece basically is um Miss Gallows forwarded this to me uh today and that is the West Virginia code on what this um what this committee is to do and uh so uh the highlighted portions I believe would be their uh their responsibilities and that's all I have to report. >> Thank you Mr. right here. I have reached out to um the library committee. I'm awaiting a call back from them. Um I did um have correspondence with one of the board members that they do meet uh the third Monday of the month. So, I'm just waiting on

105that call back and I may have more information at a future meeting for you. All right. If that's all, then that moves us to the 2000 series. So, minutes, policies, contracts, and agreements. So, the superintendent respectfully requests the approval of the minutes from the regular meeting on July 28th, 2027. Do I have a motion? >> Mr. Taylor moves. >> Second. >> Mrs. Belner seconds. Any comments, questions, concerns? All right. All those in favor of approval of the minutes? >> I. Any oppose? No. Okay. That moves us down to um agreements. So, the superintendent respectfully requests approval of items 2022 through 2030 in the 2000 series. I'll make a motion. >> Mr. Taylor seconds. Any comments, questions, concerns before we vote? >> You can go. >> I don't ask questions. You You do that. And I

106just was going to like remind you that you have someone in here should you have a question for Mr. Mr. Shanty. Sorry. >> Okay. Um well my mine's kind of general in nature. Um some of these are uh uh or you know for providing supplies and all that stuff. Is how often are those recompeted and is it like a five-year contract and then competed after that? Is it competed yearly and best value provided or >> you're talking about the materials and supplies and orders? I believe I'd like to tell you that's a multi-year contract but Mr. D Mr. Dolan can help me with that. I I do not believe that we have seen that. >> We do [clears throat] have excuse um are you are you referring to the cents or just in general? >>

107Well, because we have In general, uh I think there was two or three that were approved tonight. Three for cents and all and uh you know for cleaning supplies and and uh maintenance equipment and maintenance stuff, paper towels. >> Those are representative of different programs. >> Question is, is that competed like every five years and then paid annually? >> We do. We put it out um we can put it out every year. We can put it out for multi-year and this one's a >> So it is a one-year contract and compete it every year. It is. >> Thank you. >> I have a just a question specifically about 2028 and the um the three boilers for uh MCOR services. was that that I'm sure that was competitive competitively bid and we we just have the

108successful bidder or the successful >> actually this is a state contract so we were we are able to working with our uh architectural firm back there Mr. Shanty. He's sitting back there nice and quiet waiting to be called on. But um we worked with them as we are working through our SBA projects and the boilers are an emergent situation as one boiler is not working and one boiler is barely working. We're hopefully when we turn it back on. And their suggestion was that um so that we don't have to wait for SBA approval is that we could go through a state contract that's already vetted through your eyes office um and they already look at pricing. And as you can tell, this is um at a significantly lower cost than what we provided to you

109as our as what we expected it to be. And so that through that state contracting, we were able to get that at a lower price. So it meets all the requirements. So we did not have to we did not have to do a sealed bid on that because it's a state contract through what's called the TIPS program. >> Okay. But we did meet with our architectural firm, the engineer, all the people um and and MCOR to make sure it meets what we want to do for our second phase when we're asking for SBA funding here in the next month or so. And that's their recommendation, too. So, >> all right. Thank you. >> Do we have an estimated timeline for so installation? So, that >> So, there's about a month lead time. Mrs. shoe makers

110here in case I get something wrong. But there's about a monthly time on the boilers and then they do promise to try to move us along as quickly as possible for installation so that we can get that before the cold season happens. Uh so when we moved from originally we were looking at a two boiler system um we're moving to a three that reduced the lead time on this project that that the products that it was we were able to get the those three faster. So they're high efficiency three boilers. Uh and and the reason for that is uh we were unable to get two boilers back in physically back into the space that we have there. We're having to remove a window, put in a a different way to access that and that the

111three boilers is the way that we can access that. But uh the engineer said that would have been his recommendation anyway. So >> all right, my last question is the the last line item on their quote says provide training documentation and project closeout. the training they are providing training to our >> correct how to use the product uh also with our controls with Mrs. Shoemaker so they will make sure she has a full understanding of how that product works and how it fits in with our controls. >> Okay, thank you. >> Did I say anything wrong? >> What what's what's the warranty? >> Oh, that's a great question. Do you know that? I think I don't know that. >> There's one year automatic on the equipment, but then itself >> I thought they said it.

112>> So my my line of question will probably clear up when we get into the 4,000 series when I ask about the H Newman the service contract. So um I just want to clarify who we're training you to to work on this equipment. >> You want to come up? >> Mrs. Shoemaker, can you come to the mic, please? Thank you. >> I appreciate that. Good evening. So um Mr. LD Scarinskies who is um with um >> MCore >> MCOR so when we talked about the training I would be responsible for determining who they train so that I will go not [laughter] the right person necessarily to take all that knowledge I'll go hear it I also have an HBAC tech employee with the maintenance department and he would also or andor she if whoever was

113that person at the time and then if we are still under the contract with H Newman they could also their cont their guys that work with us could also be trained so I would be in charge of who they train for that. So we would charge whoever we are with contract with and with an understanding if we change texts they would provide additional training as needed. So >> okay thank you. >> Uh regarding uh 2029 uh tell me about the driveway at AJ. >> Mr. Shanty I believe you've been invited to the podium. I mean, uh, that's a hot mess up there right now. >> So, good evening. >> So, I'm Jason Shanty with Williamson Traver, vice president. Um, and then I'm my background is construction management. So, I act as your on-site representative, contract

114administrator. So, I administer the contract between you all and the contractor. So, what had happened up there, the original design that was done previous administration 2023, 2024? >> Oh, no. probably 2020 >> way before I got involved because I don't get involved until the contract is actually written. So >> prior to co so I know this has been going on for a while. So in talking with the design team which I guess I'm kind of part of but I wasn't part of the design the initial road that was there four years ago five years ago whatever it was in decent shape. So the the the current design was to mill and overlay what's currently there. Well, when we get out here, we've been through how many winters now. The road is in deplorable conditions. The

115subsurface conditions are starting to show signs of wear, which we've seen that with the amount of potholes. So, in talking with the engineers and talking with the contractor, we are trying to get the road fixed before school starts. So, in doing that, it was brought to the county's attention that it might be in your all's best interest to just go ahead and pay them to tear that road out, start back from fresh, and get you that heavy duty wearing course, which is 4 and a half inches of base course, half inch of wearing. So, and then the the cost proposal from the PA was an additional mobilization because we're going to get them in, go ahead and put the base course down now, get us through this winter, get us through school season starting next

116week. And then when they're when we move into the new AJ, we tear the building down and then when they get all the trucks, get everything out of there, get everything cleaned up, then they come back in, do the final wearing, the final uh line striping, give you a brand new paved area. And this also allows us to address any subsurface conditions that's causing those pothole issues. >> That's as I recall, Mr. Shanty, that's what we discovered was causing the difficulty. >> Yes, sir. We have we have identified two major areas that have pumping problems. So, what how we determine that, we had the geotechnical engineer on site. We've taken a very large dump truck filled heavily and ran it up and down the driveway and found those areas of concern. So we will excavate

117that following the geotechnical recommendation and put that back so you have a nice base course going forward. >> I have a question. Yes sir. The 40,000 would cover uh in a year and a half from now the final paving. >> Yes sir. >> So the >> so some of it would be spent now but then some would be finalized. >> This 40,000 is just for the demo. The paving is already in the contract. they they were already going to do the paving on top, but instead of building on top of what's there and causing future problems down the road, we want to get rid of it and start right from the new grade. >> So, so the 40,000 is to get the base down and to and to beef it up such that when the

118final paving put in, it's a solid surface. >> Yes, sir. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> And [clears throat] you sure you can get this done before school starts? >> Yes, sir. >> Paving's coming Thursday. Rain or shine, it's on. It's on. Pending >> three votes. >> pending three votes. >> Yeah. >> But yes, the the contractor has assured us that if we get approval, it they'll have it back up and ready for school. >> So then this is covered under the bond so we're not over. >> That's correct. >> Okay. >> Any more questions that I can shed light on? >> No. Thank you. >> You're welcome. Thank you, >> Mr. Shanty. Thank you. I'd like to board to also know Mr. Shanty is here from the Ripley area as well and is

119now he was gracious enough to make himself available to us this evening. Thank you. >> I did have a couple questions on um items 2026 and 2027, the oil and gas lease agreements. Um are these um a continuation of a longstanding agreement? >> That is my understanding that we have been doing that for [clears throat] a while. I guess they were they were handd delivered here to the office recently and that was their that was the offer that they provided to us for the lease and then all the verbiage that's in those pages that are attached. >> Have we received money from them for this leased property prior to this? >> That's what I'm thinking. Your question was is this just you know a fiveyear lease that gets updated every five years and has this

120been lease been ongoing? I had the same question. >> Yeah. At this >> over the years >> at this percentage >> to my knowledge no like I said I haven't I've been here now this is my fifth year unless something was signed before my arrival. So, so, um, >> to clarify, this is money coming to the county, not going from the county. I know that sounds rare, but that's what these two things represent is. >> Okay. >> So, so, so that kind of quit then. So, is there an active well producing royalties on this property? Now, >> I I would have to defer my answer. I I do not know. >> Or and maybe the wells not on this property with the horizontal drilling that it could have been drilled three or four years ago

121and I'm assuming there's some royalty payments. >> Royalties. That's what I Yes, sir. >> Or or if this is a new lease and the first time it's been leased. >> Uh >> that's the way when I when I was reading through the the document, like I said, I took it as a a new lease and that uh you know any future royalties would be paid. >> So, and I'm not an oil and gas uh leasing expert. I've had just a little dabbling with it. Uh I knew an individual that had a lease and it was for a certain amount of time. And then the gas company could say, "Okay, I don't want to renew the lease, but if they brought another customer forward and said, I want to renew a second gas company, that could

122be done." So, is that the case here since this is a is a new lease with this company? Is that the case? Is this that it's never been leased before and we're leasing it with the first time? And if so, you know, who who on our side has has agreed that these are good numbers? Uh because if this is the first time it's being leased, it looks like it's approximately um give or take about $800, $700 per acre, which is very very low for for uh you know, today's oil and gas. Now, if it's a if it was $7 or $800 and this is the fifth renewal of a 25-y year lease, that's probably the best it's going to be. But I have some major concerns if this has never been leased and this the

123first time it's being leased because these numbers seem extremely low. >> I I share the same concern that uh just a quick goo Google search says that uh if this is a first time lease you should probably negotiate Is there anything in the because this is we're talking about camp tools. Is there anything in the deed that >> I don't think there's a deadline. Is that what you're asking? >> Yeah. Or with the deed with that property, anything with the agreement that we have? >> No, we can investigate that. We could why don't we we could certainly um pull those two and uh have that investigated further with an attorney. >> And I would like to also understand the royalty payments. I didn't I didn't read this line for line, but I didn't see it

124specifically spelled out. Uh there's royalty payments are usually somewhere in the neighborhood of, you know, 12 to 19% for this area for all the gas to be pulled off. But I I didn't see that in this oil and gas lease. So until we know that, I'd like to to understand that better. >> And I noticed one lease is 15.9 acres, the other's about 19 acres. And so does that mean the camp tolls is somewhere in the neighborhood of >> 34 acres or >> No, one one track one track is 15.99. Another track is 42 acres and then there's three other portions. I looked it up. Um, >> I believe we have nine parcels that make up what we all refer to as the camp tolls. >> And I understand sometimes people don't own the surface,

125but they own the mineral rights and all that plays into how the acreage is calculated. I get that. I'm just trying to understand. >> And it's uh I I can't tell you for sure whether all nine parcels are included in these areas that are acrewing some potential revenue. So, if you're considering uh not voting on this or pulling this, I would need a motion. >> I I I'll make a motion that these two items be pulled from the agenda. Uh specifically, u for the record here, I'll get the numbers. >> 2026 and 2027. >> Yes. be pulled from this agenda item till some questions can be answered and then we'll we'll address them at a future date. I don't want to hold it up too long because I don't want to lose opportunities, but at

126the same time, I just don't want to just move it forward. So, I make that motion. >> I'd like to second that motion. >> All right. So, we have a motion on the uh table to pull items 206 and 207. That motion has been seconded. Any comments, questions, concerns before voting? All right. So, um, all those in favor of pulling items 2026 and 2027 from this agenda, >> I. >> Any oppose? Okay. >> He's so patiently sitting. >> His buddy's already Yeah, >> thank you for hanging. >> Thank you. Very >> You have the benefit of the second half of this meeting you can talk about. >> Would you like a KitKat bar? That's all I have to offer. Thank you. >> Have a good night, my friend. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Byebye.

127>> All right. So then uh the remaining items in the 2000 series um with the exception of 2026 and 2027 um to have a motion there. >> Mrs. Belner. I'll second >> you heard you. >> Yeah. Well, then we pulled items. So, >> we'll just do three different motions. >> All those in favor? >> I I Any oppose? >> It was built and who? >> Sorry. Sorry. >> All right. That moves us to the 3000 series. And um so we have some chaperones and we've already made mention that we have a couple duplicates there that will be adjusted. Uh we have some purchase uh order there. Superintendent respectfully requests approval of items 3002 and 3003 in the 3000 series. Do I have a motion? >> Mr. Taylor moves. >> Is that Mr. Summers? All right.

128Any comments, questions, concerns? >> I just have a question about 3003 and maybe Mrs. Shoemaker can answer that. Are these tables and chairs original to the um the cafeteria when it was uh when that addition went in? >> It's a mixed right now. >> It's a mixed early administrative. Yeah, it >> I knew if anyone in this room would know, you would know. >> So, a few years into my administration, we had to do some table replacements. So, right now, you got a mixed lot. It's about 50/50. 50% of the original from around 200 um uh or 1999 edition. And then about half of them were new. And now, of course, it's time for them to to have a full flip. They looked at just on a partial, but it they really just need to

129be flipped. So, >> I can also add to that uh it's my understanding from Mrs. Mrs. Nines that this was initially uh put before the board, excuse me, planned to be happening before the middle school. Unfortunately, as things happened, those bits of equipment or tables started uh >> to fall apart. I deteriorate is a better word uh faster. And so you're now seeing a the the initial plan brought to fruition with this and she they're [snorts] rethinking the layout of that as well which is what you were referencing. >> Yes. Yeah. So a couple of years ago she had you know secured the funding through her line and we were going to do it then and then as he said the middle school had to they had to have theirs done so we stepped back

130but now in the fall Mr. Not Mr. McCarthy and I started and then Mr. um not completed that process to hopefully get it done. So, >> I think you'll like what you see when you >> should should you vote this? >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. Just one last question. Um are there requirements that of how we dispose of the old do we have to do we have to put that out to bid on the government auction sites and stuff like that? >> Do you want to Mr. Dolan? I don't want to speak. >> So, yeah, we do have to we can auction the items if it's going to the general public. if it is a 501c3 um that takes them, we can we can donate it that at that matter, but it like I said, it

131does have to meet that meet that criteria. So, thank you. Just just for transparency. Thank you. That's all I have. >> All right. Thank you. All right. So, we have an open motion on the floor. Um all those in favor? >> I. Any oppose? Okay. Then we have the superintendent uh respectfully request the permission for the Taylor County retired school employees. >> Since I made this uh motion, I'm going to recuse myself. >> Okay. So, we'll give just a moment for Mr. Taylor to excuse himself. All right. Okay. The superintendent respectfully requests approval of item 3004 in the 3000 series. Do I have a motion? >> I move. >> Mrs. Belner moves. >> Second. >> Mr. White Hair seconds. Any questions, comments, or concerns? All right. All those in favor? >> I the eyes have

132it 40. Let Mr. Taylor know. There he is. That moves us to the 4,000 series. Uh Mr. Dolan, what [clears throat] do you got for us? >> So, for this evening, uh all I have is vouchers payable. Um inside your packet, you should have a schedule of checks that had already been written. Inside of some of those items or checks that already been written are some of our construction projects that we have ongoing. Uh we had our um uh kitchen inspections done. uh for all of our uh kitchens throughout the county. Uh there were some payroll items that included uh you know our retirement payments and tax payments for uh for those uh necessary items and uh our workers comp insurance to get that uh for the uh new year. The next uh part of

133your packet there is a uh upon your approval are checks to be written. Uh some of the items that are included in there are technology supplies. Um school supplies. You can definitely tell that the some of the principles and stuff are back in the schools. We've had an uptick in in ordering for uh for the upcoming school year. So that that's underway already. Um our payments for capturing kids hearts. Uh various travel for uh for all the employees. some software licenses for uh different uh different items that the schools use and for uh educational purposes. And then there's also some uh warehouse supplies that were purchased as well. Have any questions about those? >> Yeah. So I I have a question about um the checks to be written on page 11 specifically to H Newman

134Company. They're an HVAC contractor. >> Yes, sir. >> And my question is, um, across five campuses, um, we propose to to pay them a a sum of money for, it says HVAC contracts. >> Correct. My question is, what does that include? >> Is that just an hourly rate? Are we just changing furnace filters? What What does that include? I guess what I I guess what I'm asking I I love contractors. I work I work at Harrison Power Station and we have contractors but but um if we can pay if we could pay a county employee if we can if we can up our numbers from four to five or five to six and we can pay a county employee to do the work that Newman can do and we can save ourselves some money. >>

135The unfortunate circumstances I understand Mr. Whites Mr. join here is that we don't have employees that are capable of doing some of the things that that's why he brought them on board. >> I'll also say the the recruitment of a we have one HBAC staff member and he cannot maintain the workload as you're talking about and then the recruitment of another we we c we cannot locate another person to find with that skill set. So that's where we have to get assistance and Mrs. shoe maker can kind of talk with that. >> Yeah. And and another example, so they're they do not just do PMS. I mean, they're doing all the preventative maintenance as you said, but they're also doing regular maintenance. So, today I put in four work orders with them that um included

136a RTU at Grafton High School and one at the middle school that will not kick on. We cannot get it to fire. They um there was a unit at the high school today. It's it's something simple like a rusty pan on the unit that needs to be replaced. But because they have collective purchasing, because they're such a large company, their parts are cheaper. They're um and they have not just the number of technicians they have, but they also have engineers that come in and look at our problems. Um we have probably just in the short time I've been here, they've been able to save units that we could not have saved without bringing somebody in. So I think it's a combination of we can't recruit anybody else. The offset of pay is very different. I

137I understand we we we um as as a public utility, we we do the same thing. We we pay uh H Newman or Tri-State Roofing and sheet metal um to provide the same service at our at our facility. Um my my my question is though, have we tried to have we tried to recruit uh another HVAC technician? Have we? >> They they have in the past done that and it's not been successful. And also anyone in that skilled labor set. So another example is a mechanic. We had a mechanic posted for a year and couldn't fill it. So mo I'm going to say this and this is just the honest truth is most of the time those uh skilled laborers can work elsewhere and make a lot more money than we can pay them. And

138so that's where the situation we run into is that we can't competitively pay them at where these contractors are paying them. And so that's why we we have a hard time recruiting them unfortunately. >> I will um also add though that in that contract that includes the cost of all assets that are under warranty. So for example um if we have a right now I have an RTU at um at West Taylor. They've tried to replace the heat sensor in it twice. They cannot get it to hold. That entire RTU will be replaced >> at their cost. >> Right. But so we're I guess my question like we're buying three boilers from uh what was the name of >> Inore [clears throat] right and and they've got to provide a warranty but now we're going

139to pay H Newman to also be on standby to work on set boilers possibly. >> So this will be my first contract with H Newman. I don't want to speak out of turn because I wasn't here in previous years, but my understanding is we probably will not add those new boilers to the asset with H. Newman. Jonathan, is that correct why it's still under warranty with um MCORE? >> Correct. >> So, like every year they re they will look at our assets and they will add the assets to our catalog. And I I don't think that the three new boilers will be added to the H. Newman asset because we're already under warranty with MCOR under them. But again, I know this was recorded, so I want to put a little I want to say

140that's my understanding. This is a first time for me. >> So So I have a question. The the 61,8 Newman, is that an annual cost? >> Yes. >> So I would I would just kind of confirm or argue that state, whichever that covering five schools, we couldn't hire one employee for that. And uh and so I think it sounds fair if that's an entire year to do all the maintenance. We I know an HVAC would cost more than 61,000 a year, especially when you consider overhead. You'd have to pay him 40,000 a year to do that. And that's seems pretty reasonable. >> So that 63,000 you're we're not going to see change orders come through here. >> I I I'm assuming if they come in and see a boiler bad that that would not cover

141that. would tell us it would be they're changing the filters or doing general maintenance uh monthly checkups all that kind of stuff at that cost >> for covered assets. Yes. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> And so and also some assets um when the contract originally came up there were some assets they looked at based on the the wear and tear of that asset and they said we'll do the PM but we're not covering a replacement on it. I mean that asset's already 20 years old. We're not pro. So there is specific information based on the age of the asset and how much life it should have left. Mr. White Hair. So, it's not like a flat like if I called them tomorrow about a 30-y old thing, they're not going to roll in here and

142give it to us for free, but we do get a percent discount if we go through them because we're under contract with them. So, >> thank you. >> Yeah, >> thank you very much. >> And and Mr. White has a very good question. Thank you for bringing that up. >> All right. The superintendent requests respectfully requests the approval of the items in the 4,000 series. I'll move. >> Mr. Taylor seconds. All right. All those in favor? >> I. Any oppose? Okay. That moves us to the 5,000 series student matters, personnel, and legal matters. Um we have uh item 5059 for um student to transfer drive themselves. So superintendent respectfully requests approval of items 5059 in the 5000 series. >> Mr. Summers moves. >> Mr. White hair seconds. >> Before you vote, Miss Galloc. Yes. >>

143May I make a comment about that? I want Mr. Knop is here and I wanted to take the time. He is uh working >> has created a double layer of our reassurance with the contract with families and students. >> Uh we have our screening now. We have the benefit of an additional screening that's initiated prior to bringing it to my attention so that we have an understanding with the parents and students who are granting permission to do this. uh is fairly well established and so to to his credit I appreciate that. Um and I will stop interrupting your thoughts about a vote. >> I appreciate this uh Mr. Knob because we had talked about this at a previous meeting. So um I did read over it. Appreciate the work put into that. >> Yep. Thank

144you. Did notice that it's a it's a standardized form now. Thank you. credit to the staff at High School. >> Staff at Grafton High School was the contributor to that procedure. Thank you. >> All right. So, we have an open motion on the floor. Um, all those in favor? >> I Any oppose? No. All right. That moves us further into the 5000 series. So, we have some employment, extracurricular, uh, some resignations. leave of absence, substitution, substitutes, resignations and transfers. Give you a second there. Right. The superintendent respectfully requests approval of items 5060 to 5077 in the 5000 series. Do I have a motion? So, >> Mr. Taylor moves. Mr. Summers seconds. Any comments, questions, concerns? >> I have a question on 5064, 65, and 66. Is that like remote work or so? This these meetings?

145Yes. So if uh typically for outside of this building they are there because they physically have to go set up but this can be done your live streaming of this meeting can be done remotely from anywhere as um tonight for example Miss Danielle Jameson is doing that and so she doesn't physically have to be in this room or the building to be doing that but by code these meetings have to be live streamed and so we have to have someone monitoring in case you go to executive session to shut the screen and all those things. So that's what this is for. Okay. So we have an open motion on the floor. All those in favor? >> I. Any oppose? Okay. That moves us to the 8000 series board member comments and discussions. We don't have

146anything there specific, but I did want to ask um about the board assessment, but you gave us that information. Um, and then I just wanted to uh comment that I appreciate Mrs. L's uh work on the meeting minutes along with Dr. Stallings. I feel that they have provided us a concise account um uh in the right amount of detail of our meeting. So, I just wanted to point that out. I appreciate that. Anything else? >> I just had a quick question. I reached out to um Miss Vanderri a couple weeks ago about getting an iPad. Can we see if I can do that? >> I She's I had provided her information about that. Right now, she's off duty right as we speak. So, uh she'll as soon as she gets back, she'll be able to

147address that for you. >> Yes, same. Um probably a laptop would be um something with a keyboard for me if if if we have that if we have that capability. Right now, um I'm getting my uh emails on my phone and I can't print a zip I can't open a zipuh folder on my iPhone. Maybe it's an old guy thing, but um >> I will not touch that state because I'm an old but um so I'm having to send it to myself. I'm having to send it to my personal email, which is what we're trying to um not to do, and then print it that way to to look at it. >> Something with a keyboard is what >> something with a keyboard >> if at all possible. >> Fair enough. >> Thank you. All

148right, so that moves us to the 9000 series. So, >> I I I did have one. >> Oh, sorry, Mr. Summers. Sorry. >> That's all right. You did you did fine. I was just late getting up here. Um, is it possible that uh sometime within the next week I could get a copy of the current? We talked a couple meetings ago about the uh the 10-year building plan, if I could get a copy of the of the latest building plan, whatever year it is, whatever condition it's in. >> I think is that the update? I think we gave that >> that we gave the >> we provided only the updates but there is a section that can be >> we'll look into that Mr. And then secondly, I >> there's a section about that. >>

149Yeah, I that's why if there's one thing on the shelf that I could just check out like a library and peruse it, that would be great. I promise to bring it back. >> We'll have to sign it out. I'm teasing you. >> I know. >> We'll figure it out. >> And then the I would like to meet with Mr. Dolan sometime and when you're in the building and have a few minutes uh to go over the just I think we've got the re the financial report pretty much close. I'd just like to go over it before the next meeting so that there's no uh uh you know surprises or anything we could just kind of when you think it's ready so uh you know toward the end of next week maybe you have some free

150time. So all right I'll I'll work through your off the front office. We'll figure out a time then toward the end of next week. So, thank you. >> I just want to thank um Dr. Stallings for entertaining me Friday afternoon because I too had a question about AJ's uh roadway and this this change order and and and he and I we spent some time um and on the on the telephone with the with the fellow from Williams Driver and uh it was it was a good evening. Um but I just want to thank him for that. >> You're welcome. >> Friday evenings cost you more. He likes popcorn. [laughter] >> Wait for the concession stand for the snow. Yeah, >> I brought no gifts. [laughter] >> You'll frequently see him at the concession stand there

151with the popcorn. >> I'd love that popcorn. >> All right. So, it moves us to the 9,000 series to future meetings. So, in um your updates, you mentioned about the um meeting for your goals as well as the board goals. Do we need typically we do that in September? Do we need to make that tonight or can we wait until the 25th? >> We can certainly wait to the 25th, but please don't forget that I will try I'll make a note to remind you, but be mindful of your calendars, please, when we come. Is it that's a policy somewhere that that gives a deadline, right? The end of September or something like that. >> Yeah, we have to >> I just sometimes if we wait to the meeting before then we're like scrambling to figure

152out oh well I forgot and I have this scheduled. So I was just bring it to your attention tonight. So please be looking at your calendars and bringing a few date options for you for when you can be available >> and we're waiting on an email for the our self assessment. It's >> Yeah, that's what >> it should hit your email before you drive get out of my parking lot tonight. It's all the set in my draft one to each of you. I'll have to hit five different buttons and it should come to you. >> So, today's the 11th. It's due the 15th. So, that >> correct. And >> it only gives us it's a quick turnaround. >> I promise you it did not hold it hold off. It just didn't get to me too

153this afternoon. I'd also like to thank Miss Shoemaker for um I asked asked some some some questions. She didn't have any any preparation. Didn't know those were coming and she did a fantastic job. She she um handled that well. So, thank thank you for that. >> The hard copy you received of the information was to give it as part of my updates. I didn't want to send I chose not to send it prior electronically. I didn't want to confuse anyone. That's what that's about, but it's >> momentarily. >> All right. So, we'll um look for that and um we'll all complete that assessment. So, then future meetings, uh we have August 25th, uh 6:00 at the board office, September 8th, 6:00 at the board office, and September 22nd, 6 at the board office. October 13th,

154six o'clock, we'll be at TCMS uh at the middle school. October 27th at 6, we'll be here at the board office. And then November 10th at 6:00, we will uh be at Grafton High School visiting Mr. Knop. >> All right. So, >> Mr. Knop just expressed that he looks forward to that. >> All right. So, do I have a motion to adjurnn? >> So, move. >> All right. >> Second. >> I'm going to give that one to Mrs. Belner. All right. So, we are adjourned at 8:12. Thank you all. Have a good evening.